Wally Beetles - Blog Posts

Day 2: Holding hands

Wally couldn't tell if he had a really heated relationship with Valentine's Day. The day where kids his age show their appreciation for the people they love, whether it would be their family or their crushes.

Well, he had one in mind: Kuki Sanban, Numbuh 3 of their team and the resident cutie with a quirky, airheaded charm.

Every year, Wally would grumble about the holiday, saying it was "stupid" or “a waste of time," all while keeping a crumpled card stuffed in his pocket, just in case.

He'd never admit it, but watching Kuki prance around in her rainbow-monkey shirt, happily handing out glitter-covered hearts to everyone, made him both want to run far away…and never leave her side.

Today was no different. The base was full of pink and red decorations thanks to Kuki's relentless enthusiasm, and Wally was trying his hardest to pretend he wasn’t watching her from the corner of his eye. His other friends accepted her cards with no hesitation and Hoagie even noticed his frown.

"Hey, Numbuh 4! Why are ya staring at Kuki like that?" his friend nudged him, a smirk creeping onto his face.

Wally turned red. "I ain't staring!" he snapped, crossing his arms defensively. "Valentine's Day is dumb anyway."

But deep down, he knew there was something about the day that made him feel jittery and awkward — not that he’d ever say it out loud. The card in his pocket burned like a hot coal.

Wally's heart pounded in his chest as Kuki bounced up to him, all smiles and sunshine. She held out a card covered in glitter and stickers. "Wally! I made you a Valentine’s card!"

He tried to play it cool, taking the card without looking at her directly. "Uh, thanks, I guess..." But his hand brushed against hers for just a second, and his face burned.

Kuki tilted her head, sensing his usual grumpiness wasn’t quite there. "Do you like it?" she asked, leaning in with a hopeful look in her eyes.

Wally fumbled in his pocket, feeling the edges of the card he'd made for her. "Yeah, uh, here." He handed her the crumpled card, his hands shaking slightly. "Made ya one too."

Kuki's eyes lit up as she opened it, and she grinned from ear to ear. Without saying a word, she slipped her hand into his, her fingers intertwining with his in a way that felt natural—comfortable, even.

Wally froze for a moment, staring at their hands locked together. "Kuki...?"

"You're the best, Wally!" she chirped, tightening her grip. "Happy Valentine’s Day!"

He looked down at her bright, smiling face and then back at their hands, his heart racing. Maybe Valentine’s Day wasn’t so bad after all.

Without thinking, he gave her hand a light squeeze, his face red but his heart warm. "Happy Valentine’s Day, Kuki."

The rest of Sector V teased until Wally tried to shut them up. He later took her out for some ice cream. What a very nice hangout they did.

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