“Alright, everyone!

Let's make some chocolates together!”

“Yay!”

“We're gonna make some really yummy ones, so try to keep up, alright, Mr. Thief?”

“Yeah...!

But before we start...”

“It looks like Chocota's tuckered himself out from crying a little too much, so why don't we give him some time to rest?”

“Yes, of course!

Would you mind showing him the way for us?”

“Okay!

Let's go together, Chocota.”

(Hey, you okay? Can you walk...?)

(Yes...)

“Alright, let's all wave goodbye to Chocota for now! See you later!”

“See you later!”

(What's Tsukasa planning from here on out? I'm getting all anxious and excited at the same time!)

“Now then... Back to making our chocolates!”

“You guys all ready♪ Lemme hear it!”

“Yeah!”

“Anyway, Mr. Thief here loves to eat chocolate, but doesn't have a clue when it comes to making them. So, we've gotta teach him how!”

“Let's see... Where should we start?

Oh, perfect! Thanks for raising your hand!”

Yay, I got picked! We should choose which chocolates to use!

“That's right!

We have quite a lot to choose from, so let's see what our options are!”

“I see...

Yes, this is quite an impressive selection. Which do you think would be best for us?”

Oh, I like milk chocolate!

I like white chocolate!

“I personally prefer bitter or dark chocolate... So, what do you think?”

“Wait wait wait!

There's no way we can use all of them! I need a minute to think!”

“Okay.”

“Hmm... How about this one!?

It looks the most like Chocota!”

“Then, milk chocolate it is!

A bit of sweetness with lots of yum♪”

“Next, we'll need to think of a good design... What do you guys think? Any ideas?”

A big heart!

Make it look like Chocota!

“Hey, those are some great ideas!

Hmm... Which do you think is best?”

Chocota-shaped chocolates seem like a bit much, don't you think...?

I agree. We'd be able to buy some time, but our show would fall apart in the process. I suppose some simple hearts will just have to do...

No, wait. Chocota's this place's mascot. There must be molds of him lying around... Found one!

Hey, good call!

Alright... Ahem!

“He's always there to stop me from eating any chocolate, which has led to us fighting and bickering each time we've met...”

“But he's put these delicious treats into a new light for me. For that, I must show him my appreciation.”

“Which is why I'd like to make some chocolates that look just like Chocota as a sort of olive branch!”

“That's a great idea, Mr. Thief!”

“Thank you!

So let's start making our chocolate Chocotas!”

“Alright, everyone, remember what we need to do after we choose a design?”

“Melt the chocolate!”

(Once that's all melted, we just need to pour it into the molds, wait for them to cool and decorate them with some toppings...)

(But we can't keep this up forever. Will Akito and Chocota be able to make it back in time...?)

Okay, the other show proceeded as planned, which means the demo corner should also be...

Hm...?

Wait, is that...?

*Sigh*

Feel better?

Y-Yes...

I don't think we've met, but thank you. So, who are you...?

Oh, I'm the Choco Maniac's... Acquaintance...

I see...

I've become such a burden for Tenma...

Nah, don't worry about him.

He's not the kind of guy who gets mad over something like this.

More importantly, you think you can go back out there? He sort of wants to end everything with all of us out there, so if you think you can make it...

Yes, I should...

Hnng...

Is something wrong?

No... It's just...

My heart's been throbbing nonstop...

What?

I-I'm sorry...

It should settle down in a minute...

...

Did something happen by chance...?

Huh...?

You sounded like you were in pain while crying, and yet, you still want to see this show through...

Which is why I'm asking if something not so great happened to you?

So...

It has to do with a childhood friend...

I'd known this girl who lived next door since we were both little, and we used to play a lot together.

She even suggested that I try performing in these shows part-time because of my interest in acting. And so, I did...

She's also quite the confectioner...

I've received many delicious gifts from her on Valentine's Day and I made sure to give something back each year... Until this past year...

When she got married and moved overseas...

...

We were close enough that I knew she was dating someone from abroad, which didn't actually bother me that much...

But what that boy said...

That sort of did it for me...

I saw myself in him...

I realized that I was hoping that I'd be able to keep giving her gifts until the day I died...

I see...

Now it all makes sense.

Again, I apologize for causing such a stir. I don't deserve to play this role anymore...

But I want to go back out there.

Tenma's still trying to keep this show going, so I should be out there to help him do that.

(He's still crying...

And his face is still flushed...)

I'll put this costume back on and...

Wah...!

Whoa, watch out...!

Oww...

I'm sorry. I think I got up too quickly and... Are you alright?!

I'm fine...

But I really don't think you're in any shape to go back out there.

No, I can't just quit because of something like this...

No, you've clearly been through a great deal...

But what kind of actor would I be by bringing my baggage on stage...?

That girl's the one who originally said that I should go into acting. She said that I have a talent for making people smile...

I'm no actor, but I know how you feel since I also have some experience performing on stage...

But you can't just cut yourself off from what you're feeling. I've learned that there are times when you just can't do anything...

...

I have no idea if this is going to help, but this is what I had to go through...

You'll be able to sing the way you want as long as you have your friends by your side.

Friends...?

In this case, it's the Choco Maniac.

He's been worried sick about you.

He even wants you to be smiling when this is all said and done.

So if you do plan on going back out there, I think you should rely on him more. That might be your best way out of this situation.

...

Hamano!!

Huh?!

Why aren't you out there performing?!

Did something happen?!

Oh, that's because...

Also, there's someone else trying to lead everyone around... If something had happened, we'll need to stop this show at once before...

(C-Crap...!)

Please, wait...!

I made a mistake during the show and am having Tenma cover for me right now.

But I promise to see this through to the end. I promise to make everyone smile...

Good.

That's the spirit, Chocota.