lumidescence

And so, on that day…

After I arrived home and ate some snacks, on the TV that Mama-Robot unnecessarily turned on for me—

“Patibato? Are pâtissiers going to battle it out?”

The anime program that I just so happened to see by accident because I had time to spare…

“... Huh?”

…Got me immersed in watching.

“This is… interesting…”

I’d found something by chance.

“This is so cool…”

I had… finally found something.

In Patibato. In Chiyoda Reito. In my fate. And in destiny.

“..., …”

Words didn't come out of my mouth. I felt that something in me made everything make sense.

Patibato was a story packed full of things that made me excited, like the youth and friendship that I desired from the bottom of my heart.

My heart pounded, and I felt excited.

In the world where everything burned into ashen gray during the fire, the colors seemed to return to where they originally were.

“Ah…”

Seeing the protagonist and his rival congratulating and hugging each other after a good fight almost made me shed tears.

Suddenly, Muu-chan’s words from today flashed into my mind.

“I'd like to give Uu-chan a hug.”

That's when I remembered.

That when I thought that I hated everything in this world—Muu-chan was the only thing that I still really love.

That I was able to regain something that I love.

“...”

The ending credits were rolling in a blink of an eye.

The original author's name was shown on the credits, so I assumed that it came from a manga, and before I knew it, I immediately went shopping for them online.

As I was rapidly tapping away on my phone, Mama-Robot pointlessly peered at my phone's screen.

“..., Um, hey.”

“...”

“Lately, you've been turning on the lights when you do housework and have been turning the TV on, too.”

“..., …”

“Are you… worrying about me?”

“This is just between you and me, but… I don't really hate you that much either.”

“...”

“Do you want me to try to ask and get you a part that lets you talk? If there are even mouthpieces that can suit old models available…”

“...”

At that time, Mama-Robot naturally didn't talk. The only thing that she could do was blink her sensor eye.

Speaking of which, her barrel-like cylindrical model meant that she didn't have a neck, among other things, but…

“...”

I was certain that, at that moment, Mama-Robot nodded.

“Okay, got it.”

I thought that I should maybe try to inquire at the nearby robotics factory.

“I should maybe try to make sweets, too.”

On that day, I—

Managed to not only regain something that I love, but also have new things to love.

I slowly started to think about things like trying this or trying that.

“Since this Reito guy seems cool… I should try making chocolate desserts since Reito's good at that.”

I was able to meet the oshi of my lifetime called Reito.

I was able to have a hobby of my lifetime called baking sweets.

All of it… is thanks to Patibato.

“Speaking of which, my heart somehow flutters whenever I look at Reito… I wonder why.”

…Those sorts of childhood memories.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

In my room at home, filled to the brim with nuis and merchandise that I would never display in the dorms.

As I close my copy of the Shounen Dive magazine, I immerse myself in my fantasies.

“No matter how many times I read it, it's still so good… I was annoyed at those idiots who spoiled some of it, but it was just a minor spoiler, so it didn't ruin the fun…! Even the part where Reito teamed up with Minoru was a genius idea for the story. But I feel like this is going to definitely make Ouji jealous.”

The freshly baked fondant au chocolat that's placed nearby was giving off a delicious scent.

I had tasted a small piece of it, and naturally, I was satisfied with the exquisite sweets that I had made.

I’ll share some of these tomorrow with Mu-chan and Hime[1], who both love my chocolate desserts.

I can't wait to see their happy faces soon.

So, even on the unlucky day where I got nearly spoiled, my day still goes great thanks to my daily baking and PatiKitchen activities.

“I’m counting on you, fanwork makers. May there be numerous works of Reito gently comforting the jealous and broken-hearted Ouji.”

Truth be told, I’m more fond of spicy food, so I don't really like sweet things that much.

But, I still want to continue baking sweets.

“Ah~ I just can't wait for Acid Rain-sensei’s new work… I can't stand the crowds at the convention though. If I could meet Acid Rain-sensei and shake their hand… or maybe not. At least giving them sweets is…”

Even if I really want to be able to touch someone and hug them tightly…

I can't do that.

“Now then, it's time to search for what posts are uploaded today… Ah, what the hell, ReitoMinoru already appeared. And, blocked.”

Instead, to the entire mankind, to the people that are precious to me—I'll make the most delicious and satisfying sweets so that I can always give it to them.

“Hold on, they're re-releasing the duo tapestry from last time!? And it's on a first-come, first-served basis!? You've got to be kidding me! It's like they absolutely want to see a bloodbath happen!”

If something I make is able to touch someone’s heart and fill them with joy, isn't that the same thing as hugging already?

“A crane game with limited edition nuis, huh… I'm going to go rescue all of the Reitos out there.”

That's why I'll continue to make the sweetest and most delicious chocolate there is.

A few hours later.

I wrapped up the fondant au chocolat and stuck a sticky note with instructions that said: Heat it up in the microwave when you wanna eat it.

After finishing that task, I was about to decide to have some Patibato seconds when something before my eyes appeared.

“Eh? What?”

Something… before my eyes.

“Patibato! Hiatus Announcement”

…A sentence straight from hell jumped at me.

“Ha…? Huh? Hah?”

I heard the sound of all my cells… being entirely annihilated.