Chapter 2

Yaaaawn…

(Ngh… Must be because I’m so tired, but I really overslept.)

(Well, it’s not a huge problem; I don’t work ‘til the night. But when I wake up past noon, I really do feel like I’ve lost a lot of time.)

(It’s finally the day of our costume fitting… I wonder what they’ll look like. I hope it’ll be something that appeals more to kids rather than something scary…)

(Nah… even if that’s what I want, trying to get us to curry favor with kids is barkin’ up the wrong tree… We’re more like the number one idols you don’t want your kids to meet.)

…Mm? My tummy’s rumblin’.

Well, it is lunchtime. Of course I’d be hungry…

I was too lazy to go get groceries, so I figured I’d mosey on down to the kitchen to see if there’s anything to eat.

—Hm? What’s that sickly-sweet smell?

♪~…

I thought I smelled something sweet. Of course it was you, Niki-han. You cookin’ something again?

Oh! Morning, Kohaku-chan.

You’re right, I’m making a mock-up of some Halloween cookies. I’ve got a bunch of ‘em, so you should try them.

Halloween cookies? Oh, they sure are. You even got them cut out in the shapes of bats, pumpkins, and ghosts.

I’m starved, so thanks a bunch for the offer ♪

Mm! They’re so good. As if I’d expect any different from you.

But lemme say this: I know I’m the one benefittin’ from this, but you don’t actually have to go through all this trouble of makin’ mock-ups, y’know? You could just make them on the day of.

You’re way too strict when it comes to cooking, Niki-han.

Oh, this isn’t for me.

I told you the manager at Cinnamon is working on a Halloween event, right?

They’ve been really wanting to sell cookies in gift sets for the event, so I’ve been making a whole buncha prototypes.

Huh, all right then. I’ve been thinking this for a while now, but you really love Halloween, don’t you Niki-han? I can see you’re havin’ a blast with all this.

I sure am!

If you just go up to someone and say “trick or treat!” they give you a whole bunch of candy. It’s like a dream holiday! I wish every day could be Halloween, for real.

Really now. I just want it to be over already… Else I’ll never find peace of mind.

…Huh? You said they’re Halloween cookies, but you’re wrappin’ them up so cute-like.

Wouldn’t it be more Halloweeny if you had orange and black as the base colors and used scarier motifs and stuff?

Yeah, sure, but lately Halloween’s been shaking things up.

Whatcha mean…?

It used to be more about giving sweets to avoid getting pranked.

But I guess more and more people have been using it as a holiday to give sweets to people who’ve helped them out.

Y’know, like how giving chocolate to friends on Valentine’s Day is more common now.

Looks like Halloween is going down that same path. It’s about having fun together with everyone.

And that’s why we’re putting them in cute giftwrap, so they can be used as presents without a problem.

Huh, is it popular for people to do that ‘round here?

Give stuff to people who helped you…?

I can never forget to be grateful for those people in my life.

……

Hey, Niki-han. I wanna try making those cookies. Can you teach me?

Huh? Well sure, I don’t mind.

But it’s not every day you say something like that, Kohaku-chan. Is there someone you wanna give them to?

…Well it’s just. I know I’m not the type to do that but…

Hmmm~? No, that’s not what I mean. Besides, it’s fun getting to cook with other people, so I’m happy to help.

We have plenty of giftwrap, so let’s make something they’ll love together.

Yeah. Thanks, Niki-han.