Page 3

"Sir, there's a line forming." She points behind me, where indeed, three people now wait.

"Right, yes. The mocha then. For research purposes."

I step aside, pulling out my small notebook to jot down observations while I wait. The humans here seem to either embrace or reject the romantic atmosphere with very little middle ground. Fascinating indeed.

Soon, rush dies down, leaving me alone at the counter while Vanessa wipes down the espresso machine. The paper hearts above cast dancing shadows across her face as she works.

"These decorative organs," I say, pointing upward. "They're rather anatomically incorrect, aren't they?"

She pauses mid-wipe. "What?"

"The hearts. Real human hearts are more conical, with distinct chambers and major blood vessels. These are just two rounded shapes joined at the bottom. I mean, I'm not a biologist but that's true, isn't it?"

A small laugh escapes her lips - the first genuine one I've heard from her. "They're symbolic. Nobody wants to see actual heart diagrams while they're drinking coffee."

"But wouldn't anatomical accuracy better represent the physical manifestation of love? The actual organ pumping blood through the body?"

"That's..." She sets down her cloth. "That's not really what Valentine's Day is about."

"No? Then why celebrate it at all? These decorations, the special drinks - what purpose do they serve?"

"You're not from around here, are you?" she asks, one eyebrow quirked high.

I let out a laugh. "You got me."

"European?"

"Further."

"Look, it's just..." She glances around the empty café. "It's commercialized nonsense designed to make single people feel bad and coupled people spend money."

"Fascinating. So you don't participate in the cultural rituals of Valentine's Day?"

"God, no. Not anymore, at least. I'm done with all that." She starts reorganizing cups with unnecessary force. "Romance is overrated."

"Yet you work in an establishment that promotes it."

"Bills don't pay themselves." She eyes me suspiciously. "Why are you so interested anyway?"

"Professional curiosity. I'm an anthropologist studying modern cultural practices."

"Right. Of course you are." She shakes her head, but I notice the tension in her shoulders has eased slightly. "Any other burning questions about our anatomically incorrect décor?"

I take a sip of my mocha, letting the overly sweet concoction coat my tongue. The heart-shaped marshmallows bob in the drink like tiny boats. "So these chocolate-giving rituals - they're meant to demonstrate romantic interest?"

"Pretty much." Vanessa leans against the counter, crossing her arms. "Though nowadays it's more about obligation than actual feelings. Like, you have to get your coworkers something or you're a jerk."

"That seems counterintuitive to the purpose of romance."

"Welcome to capitalism." She snorts, then starts arranging heart-shaped cookies in the display case. "Everything meaningful gets turned into a chance to sell stuff."

"And the flowers? I noticed several delivery personnel bringing bouquets to various establishments this morning."

"Roses especially." She rolls her eyes. "Because nothing says 'I love you' like overpriced flowers that'll die in a week."

"The temporary nature of the gift doesn't negate its symbolic value, though, does it?" I pull out my notebook again. "In many cultures, ephemeral gifts carry special significance precisely because they don't last."

She pauses, a cookie halfway to the display. "I... huh. I never thought about it that way."