<Are they out, Toya? How do they look?>

Y-Yes...

Well...

They're bright blue... I'm not sure they should be this color... Also, some of them appear to have burst somehow...

Did we really succeed...?

<Yes, they're a strange color...

But I don't think that's a bad thing.>

Huh...?

<I remember hearing a story about how certain cakes abroad can look like this.>

<I agree that they may've sort of fallen apart, but it also means they rose much better compared to last time, no?>

<So, they should be fluffier and more delicious.>

A-Are you sure...?

(Still, I got a completely different result compared to last time when I made them on my own...)

(As unfortunate as it is that sort of fell apart, but Miku may be right about them tasting better...)

Okay... Then, I'll have Kamishiro try these. He also seemed to be looking forward to tasting them.

<Sure. I'm going to head back now, so good luck, Toya.>

Thank you, Miku.

I'll stop by SEKAI later to tell you how things went.

(I heard the timer for the oven go off just now. They must be done.)

(Hehe... I think they're finally ready.)

Thank you for waiting, Kamishiro.

These are the cupcakes I just baked.

Would you mind trying them now?

Of course. That's why I'm here, aren't I? Now, let's see what you...

...?!

(What in the world...?!)

I-I'm sorry. I know they're not all that appealing visually... But I'm sure they taste fine...

Y-Yes, I suppose so...

After all, it's not good to judge a book by its cover...

S-So, I'll just have to see how they taste...

Th-Thank you very much.

(Still... This is, well...

Quite a sight to behold, to say the least...)

(The color alone is making my eyes spin... They're bright blue and purple... And the rainbow sprinkles are making me want to eat them even less...)

(Not only that, the tops of these cupcakes look like they've somehow spilled over. They must've risen far too much while in the oven...)

(It's like a dam burst and released a torrent of poisonous-looking batter...)

(My mind doesn't seem to recognize these as food... So much so that my appetite from before has completely gone.)

(But I can't tell how they taste with my eyes. I'll just have to hope that they taste okay...)

Well, without further ado...

*Gasp*

(This sandy texture... It's spreading throughout my mouth... What is this? Sugar? Did it not melt properly or something...?)

(But it isn't just sweet...

It's like I'm drinking medicine here and there... It's so bitter...)

(And some spots on the surface are rock hard, while others are too soft... This is hardly what I'd call a good texture...)

(I think I can stomach it, but I'd strongly refrain from giving these to someone as a gift...)

So...how are they...?

Hehe... Well...

In short, they're very unique...

Unique...?

I'm sorry. I'll try one as well...

Guh...!

This is...terrible...

I'm so sorry. Please, let me toss those for you.

No, I'll finish them...

You did your best to make these, no?

Kamishiro...

Understood...

In return, let me get you something to drink.

Ah, thank you. That would be much appreciated.

*Sigh*

All gone. And thank you for the coffee. That was delicious.

No, that was just instant coffee mixed with hot water...

More importantly, I'm so sorry...

I didn't realize how awful they'd taste...

Yes, they had an interesting taste...

But there's no need to feel so down since you're just learning how to bake.

Right...

I guess this is simply too much for me...

I failed when I tried by myself, and I failed when I had someone teach me.

Even if I were to get a little better by practicing, I probably wouldn't be able to make anything good in time for the dinner party...

Which means I won't be able to put a smile on Tsukasa and Saki's faces...

...

Yes, at your current rate, you likely won't have a gift ready in time...

But it's clear that you did everything you could to make the best cupcakes possible.

Above all else, Tsukasa and Saki...

Between your most recent efforts and what you've said, I can tell that you wish to see them smile very much.

So, if you give up now and choose to give them something else, I believe you'll regret not seeing this through until the end.

Yes, that may be so... But...

(He's feeling worse about this than I initially thought... I suppose there isn't much I can do about that since this is his second time failing...)

(However...)

(He wants him to smile more... I may not feel as strongly about that as Tsukasa, but I too would like to see him smile...)

Come to think of it, you seem to hold Tsukasa in very high regard. You've also known him and Saki since you were all little, yes...?

Would you mind telling me more about the time you all spent together?

I don't mind...

But why all of a sudden...?

I thought it would help take your mind off things for a bit. Talking for a moment may help cheer you up, no?

That's...

Okay...

I may've mentioned this before, but I first met the Tenmas because our respective parents are friends with each other.

I'd go over to Tsukasa's house whenever my parents were gone, and he'd babysit me.

My dad is a renowned classical musician, and he made me study classical music from a very young age...

Because of that, I had few opportunities to play with friends or go over to their house...

As a result, when I was first asked to stay over at someone else's house, I was very scared...

However, as I played with Tsukasa, that fear slowly evaporated... In time, I'd begin to look forward to going over to his house.

I see... So being able to spend time with Tsukasa meant quite a lot to the little version of you.

Also, Saki didn't appear in your story. Can you tell me more about how you spent time with her...?

Oh, I actually didn't get many chances to see Saki...

Hm? Really?

Yes. Saki got sick very often when she was little, so she wasn't always there whenever I went over to visit...

Oh, but... When she was home, the three of us would play together.

We'd read picture books and watch the shows Tsukasa came up with.

Oh, Tsukasa came up with his own shows...?

Yes, that day... I remember how I was heavily scolded by my dad during practice...

Before I knew it, I became so entranced by Tsukasa's performance that I couldn't help but smile.

Saki was also smiling a lot.

We even discussed how good it was afterwards...

To me, those two... And that house...

They have this uncanny ability to fill my heart with so much warmth...

Hehe. Yes, I see...

Based on your gentle expression, I can tell that they mean quite a lot to you.

Oh...

Y-Yes, they do...

But did I make that sort of face just now...?

(I guess that's never going to change...

The time we all spent together... It'll always be a source of encouragement for me.)

(That's all the more reason to want them to enjoy my gift...)

(Which means I don't have time to be feeling sad...)

Thank you, Kamishiro. I feel much better now.

I'm going to give this another try tomorrow. I vow to succeed and bake some delicious cupcakes that they're genuinely going to enjoy.

Then, I'd like to try them when they're done. I'll taste test for you as much as you need.

You will...?

Even after I made you eat...those...

Yes. Especially if it means seeing Tsukasa and Saki smile.

Thank you very much...