Chapter 2

—WELCOOOOOME! TO A ZERO CALORIE ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET! THE SWEETS-SPLATTERED DREAMLAND IS NOW OPEEEEE~N!!

Hey! Could you not go giving other people's areas a weird name!?

Well, putting the name aside…

It is a heart-pounding, splendid area indeed. Adorable confections and baking utensils are floating about everywhere, so even just walking through is a treat.

Indeed. The scenery is gorgeous no matter where you look. And naturally, it creates a craving for sweets… just as I'd expect from Uu-chan. Only a professional confectioner could do this.

Well, this much is nothing.

(After getting Buddharupa's opinions, Karigane-san gave me some flawless advice even though he shouldn't have known anything, so I managed to make a space I can accept…)

…*sniff sniff* Somethin' smells good! Anyone can use the kitchen, yeah?

Yep. Anyone who's interested can get a recipe by the entrance and try to make something.

I'm glad that the ingredients won't go to waste no matter how many mistakes there are, what with us being in mahorova and all.

Oh! Renga-san and the others are making something over there!

Take a look, Liguang! This is my golden rose cake!

I chose gold leaf for the rose petals to make it luxurious, and the cream smells like roses too. Go on, take a bite!

No thanks. What part of that is supposed to look like a rose? Even a kindergartener could make something better by playing in the sand pit.

Why, you…!

Ea-easy now! It doesn't matter how it looks, I'm sure it'll be delicious either way.

While we're here, should I take a picture to commemorate it? It'll make a nice memory to look back on that way. Sound good?

Huuu~m. We can seriously make stuff that's all our own, huh.

(…Hm? Is that chocolate pudding floating over there? A pound cake with ice cream, amezaiku, traditional Japanese sweets, fruit jelly…)

…Hm. Those are—

…Everyone. Would you lend me your ears for a moment?

What's up, Muneuji?

Do the sweets floating over there seem familiar?

You too? I've been curious about them for a while…

…Ah! I know, they're the specialties of PatiBato characters.

Correct. I see you also noticed the pattern.

Which means this is probably—

A PatiBato themed area!

Heh… so, you've finally noticed? Impressive. But such was clear to myself the moment I set foot upon this domain.

With how wholeheartedly you all studied the work that winter's day, it was only a matter of time before you'd notice.

Particularly when this area is overflowing with Kurama-kun's love for sweets… and for PatiBato.

Yeah…

Looks like he was able to fill it with the things he "likes" in his own way.

The recipe we got at the entrance was super easy to make. Here, the pudding's ready. Give it a try.

Wow, so good~! Make it again when we get home, Onee-chan!

…

…So even he can make a face like that. He's watching over the customers so warmly.

…There's no need to say anything more. I'm proud, and sincerely happy, that I could bear witness to this area.

Quite right. Now then, shall we all work hard to make some sweets ourselves?

HELL YEAH! Time to make the hundred-tier Mount Fuji pudding cake of my dreams~!!

(…Phew. No major issues so far. The atmosphere of this event isn't so bad.)

Ah, Ushio-kun, there you are!

I tried making a chocolate cake, would you mind giving it a taste?

…Well, I guess that's fine. Pretty bold to give ME, of all people, a chocolate dessert.

Huh…?

…Here goes.

(I feel like he just said something really ominous… will he like it?)

W-well? Did I get the taste right?

… The sponge is good, but the cream is completely unbalanced, you used way too much. On top of that, the chocolate flavour is too weak, it's too sweet, and you whisked it too much.

Uu… got it. Need to focus more!

Well, given you don't usually make this stuff, it's pretty good. Do your best next time.

! Next time…

What? Did I say something weird?

Nope! It's nothing.

(Will he eat it for me if I make one again?)

Well, even if you're going at a snail's pace, it's still better than doing nothing. Do what you can manage.

Right! I'll redeem myself as soon as we're back at the dorms so that I don't forget how much this place makes me want to bake.

Huuh, it's making you feel that?

Yeah, it's got me all pumped up. You incorporated some imagery from PatiBato into it, right?

………What.

What?

HUH!?!?

Huh? Am I wrong!? I thought that must be it… Plus, I heard Akuta-kun and the others mention PatiBato…

No, wait, huh!?!? They noticed too!?

(I'm gonna die of shame… did they really have to pick up on the little details? No, they didn't say anything about it when we met up earlier, so—actually, thinking back on it, I feel like they were kind of smirking…)

~~~~~!! Don't just stand there looking worried, it's embarrassing!

N-now now…! I think it's nice that I could see more of the things you like, Ushio-kun.

Everyone else is enjoying your hospitality as well. All those smiles we can see from the kitchen prove that your devotion has gotten through!

…-.

I'd like to keep learning about the things you like in the future too, Ushio-kun.

(Saying such embarrassing things without batting an eye… how stupid can they be?)

What's wrong, Ushio-kun?

…Just thinking that you should be careful what you wish for. Alright, thanks for the chocolate cake!

My turn now. Could you stick around a bit?

Huh? Sure, but where should I…?

You want to know what I like, right? Then I'll make the super spicy cake recipe I poured my sweat and tears into researching, just for you.

Your tongue will go numb, and the very concept of sweetness will disappear. It's a taste you'll never forget.

Uu… please go easy on me!