An after-party?
Yes! I thought we should start preparing to celebrate when Toya finishes writing all of his songs!
Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?
He only just finished making his first one.
No, there's nothing wrong with starting early! I mean, I want it to be a big celebration!
Yes, I do understand what you're saying...
So, MEIKO!
I have a little favor to ask of you...
Heya!
Sorry for being late, KAITO!
Oh, Rin, there you are!
I've been waiting for you!
Hehe. I'm starved!
So, what did you need me to taste test?
Wait, wow! These cookies!
They're so cute!
How did you get the center to look like red flowers?
Heh heh heh. Would you like to know?!
First, you turn the cookie dough red by mixing in a little strawberry powder!
Then, turn more dough into other colors that you need, roll them out into long sticks...
Oh, are you gonna stack them together?!
Precisely! Once that's done, let it sit in the refrigerator for a little while, cut them into thin slices and throw them in the oven! That's how you get a whole pile of the same cookies when they're done!
That's so cool! No matter where you cut, you get the same cookie!
To be fair, MEIKO showed me how to do all this.
They're called icebox cookies.
It's fun to make them because of all the color and flavor combinations you can have.
Still...
Don't you think you made a little too many?
I mean, this table is literally covered in your cookies.
What she said!
Why did you have to go and turn this cafe into a cookie carnival?!
Whoa! When did you two get here?!
Uhh...
Before you came, Rin...
Y-You don't look so good? Are you okay...?
I'm just...so full...
We've already had around a hundred of these...
What?! A hundred?!
The thing is, I had trouble picking just one design...
Strawberries gave me red, mangoes gave me yellow, matcha gave me green... But they're all different flavors, so you have to be careful with your choice of colors.
Which is why I tried making several different types of cookies...
No one said that you had to bake this many! I was happy at first, but now I'm completely tired of them!
I hate to break it to all of you...
But I just took some more out of the oven.
What?!
By the way, the cookie dough you're making right now isn't going to fit in the fridge. You'll need to bake the ones that are already in there first...
Then, let's start baking those next...
T-Tomorrow! We can snack on them then!
Yeah! I don't think my stomach can handle any more today!
N-No, wait!
Rin just got here, so hang in there!
Don't forget that we're doing this for Toya...!
Uh oh...
For me...? What are you all talking about?
What?! Toya?!
This is...a lot of cookies.
Are you all having a party or something?
Uhh...
So, the truth is...
I see. You were preparing an after-party for me when I finished writing all those songs.
Yes, that's right...
*Sigh*
To think that you'd find out so soon...
It's okay, KAITO!
I thought your idea was really good!
I agree. You seemed genuinely excited about doing something that would make Toya smile.
But he went completely overboard.
He even got the floor all covered in flour.
He did clean it up in a hurry since he was afraid of being scolded by MEIKO. Unfortunately, she found out right as he was about to finish.
Hey, wait!
He doesn't need to know about any of that!
Haha. Sorry!
It's just... I got so excited after hearing your song, Toya, that I felt that we needed to celebrate!
You took in your teammates' thoughts, feelings, experiences, and even took a hard look at your own... Despite any painful memories that you had to relive, you still managed to complete your song.
Which is why I wanted to give you a pat on the back and say, “Job well done!”
KAITO...
But I forgot to make sure to keep it a surprise...
No, don't say that.
I really appreciate what you were doing, KAITO.
Also, now that I know you want to throw me a party, I feel even more motivated to produce more good songs.
So, I promise to keep doing my best.
And I'll very much be looking forward to this celebration.
Hehe...
Hear that, KAITO?
Yes!
And I promise to throw you the best after-party ever!