For Mei, the name “sweets buffet” struck a deep chord in her heart. It wasn’t just a gentle tug, it was like a guitar being strummed wildly.

She couldn’t help but sway in excitement, imagining tables laden with more sweets than she’d ever seen before.

“For my sake… I’ll bring some souvenirs back for Kuuko and the others later-deshu.” (Mei)

Gratitude swelled within her as she thought of the three who had risked their lives to hold off Mother’s subordinates. Her thoughts were already racing ahead to which sweets would make good souvenirs as she gazed out the car window.

Currently, she was riding in a car outside the base, having asked a demon to give her a ride. The car eventually came to a halt in front of a newly constructed, massive mansion.

“Mei-sama, we’ve arrived at the Lanpeach Complex. But what business do you have here? Do you need subordinates to assist you?”

The driver spoke to an imagined, adult version of Mei; the future Mei, remotely controlling this situation. Although she hadn’t physically manifested, no one found it odd, so there’s no issue.

“Thank you very much-deshu.” (Mei)

With that, Mei thanked the driver, and got out of the car. She knew she would be able to arrive. She had chosen the fate thread leading to the sweets buffet venue after all.

Whatever Mei desired would inevitably become hers. That was her invincible ability: the power to select her own fate threads. Right now, her greatest desire was to experience the sweets buffet.

Walking with small, eager steps, she glanced at the Lanpeach Complex and felt a twinge of unease. Her usual ability to grasp fate hadn’t extended far enough this time.

“I intended to choose the ‘fate to enjoy the sweets buffet’, but it only went as far as arriving at the venue-deshu yo ne…” (Mei)

The fate thread ended abruptly at the venue entrance. There should have been infinite possibilities, yet it was as if an invisible wall had severed the thread, preventing Mei from selecting her desired fate.

For the first time, she felt uncertain as she cautiously peeked at the entrance. Standing there was a cute rabbit wearing a tuxedo.

“May I see your invitation to the sweets buffet-usa? Okay, you’re good to go~.”

People entering the venue were showing letters to the rabbits at the entrance. Not just “letters”—invitations!

“Awawa! This is bad-deshu. I didn’t know I needed an invitation. I don’t have one…” (Mei)

Panic set in as Mei realized she didn’t have an invitation. While she fretted, more and more people with invitations streamed into the complex. The thought that the sweets might run out made her even sadder.

Normally, she could choose a fate thread to obtain an invitation, but there was no such fate. Dejected, Mei decided to observe for now.

“Do you need something-usa?”

She sat down next to a rabbit as she continued her observations. And so, the rabbit, sniffing the air, looked at her with concern. 

Mei finally spoke on the verge of tears.

“I don’t have an invitation-deshu. Where can I get one-deshu ka?” (Mei)

“You don’t have an invitation-usa?”

“No, I don’t-usa deshu.” (Mei)

“That’s unfortunate-usa ne.”

Mei gently stroke the rabbit’s paw. Its soft, fluffy fur eased her sadness. Hugging it tightly, she sat curled up in a ball, but she showed sturdy resolve like that of a sponge and turned her attention back to the entrants.

“Hey, hey, Dad, what’s a sweets buffet?”

“It’s a festival where you can eat lots of sweets~.”

“They say there will be sweets you’ve never seen before.”

Hearing the excited chatter of those entering with faces of expectation, Mei grew increasingly despondent. She grew sadder and sadder about the fact that she couldn’t enter, and tears began to flow down her eyes. 

“Back then, I should’ve asked that whatchamacallit-san to invite me to the sweets buffet-deshu.” 

Mei was disheartened by her carelessness, regretting why she hadn’t asked the gruff-looking old man for help. She stared longingly at the entrants, but they were all too preoccupied with thoughts of the sweets they were about to enjoy to notice her.

‘Will I just end up watching the sweets buffet from afar? I wonder if I could at least get a glimpse of the tables covered with sweets’ Mei grew increasingly sad… 

—But then fate intervened, and Mei had an encounter.

“What ish wrong? Aren’t you going to go inshide?”

Mei lifted her head after hearing the voice of a girl her own age.

Standing before her was an adorable little girl who was slightly shorter than Mei. She had her hair tied in a side tail with a ribbon, her big, round eyes looking at Mei with concern. She wore what appeared to be a brand-new one-piece dress, and slung over her shoulder was a small purse with bunny patchwork embroidery.

“Umm… I came to the sweets buffet, but I don’t have an invitation-deshu.” (Mei)

“Ish that sho? Hmm… Hmm… Koume’s invitation allows friends to come along too. Wanna go in together?” (Koume)

The little girl pulled a card out of her purse as she hesitated. Mei’s eyes lit up, but she quickly became dejected.

“I’m not a friend-deshu…” (Mei)

Not being a friend meant she couldn’t enter using the invitation. Mei grew even more disheartened after realizing this. But the little girl smiled brightly and extended her small hand.

“Well then, we’re friends from now on! My name ish Koume Kouza. What’s your name?” (Koume)

“My name is Mei-deshu. Friends?” (Mei)

Mei tilted her head curiously, and Koume nodded vigorously.

“Yesh, friends! That meansh we can go in together! Let’s go!” (Koume)

“Friends! I have a friend. My first friend ever-deshu deshu! Thank you-deshu!” (Mei)

Mei grabbed Koume’s hand and stood up. The crows that had been crying earlier now chirped cheerfully in celebration.

For the first time, Mei had a friend her own age. And not just any friend, a kind girl who invited her to the sweets buffet.

“Are we really friends? You’re really inviting me to the sweets buffet-deshu ka?” (Mei)

“Yup! Let’s eat lots of shweets together!” (Koume)

“We’ll eat lots of sweets-deshu!” (Mei)

“Lots of shweets!” (Koume)

Mei and Koume entered the Lanpeach Complex hand in hand,  with big smiles on their faces.

Mei managed to get a best friend here!

A rabbit tilted its head to one side as the two cheerfully made their way inside.

“Didn’t someone say a person named Mei was supposed to be let in? Well, since she went in with Koume, I guess there’s no need to worry-usa ne.” 

Being entirely too laid-back, the rabbit forgot all about what it had been told by its boss and yawned.

◇◇

“Sweets buffet, sweets buffet.”

“Sweets buffet, sweets buffet.”

The two little girls hummed happily and walked hand in hand toward the cafeteria, spreading warmth to everyone around them.

“There are so many people here. Do you think there’ll still be some left for us-deshu ka ne?” (Mei)

Mei asked anxiously, noticing the large number of people walking through the halls.

“Hmm… Papa-shan shaid he prepared plenty, sho it should be fine.” (Koume)

Koume pressed a finger to her chin as she thought back to what Papa-shan had told her.

“But there are a lot of people!” (Mei)

In Mei’s mind, she imagined just one table covered in sweets. If everyone took one piece, there would only be enough for one each. Mei, being a little greedy, wanted to eat at least three.

“Then let’s run! The venue ish jusht ahead!” (Koume)

“Yeah! Let’s hurry!” (Mei)

They held hands and dashed off, weaving between the adults. Their excitement seemed to inspire the other children, who also started running.

Determined not to lose, Mei and Koume sprinted into the dining hall…

…And found paradise!

Rows upon rows of tables were laid out, with wafer plates covering their surfaces. Towering above them were Baumkuchen, cookies, cakes, donuts, dorayaki, yokan, candies, and macarons. They were arranged to resemble dioramas of forests and mountains.

“Hawawawa. W-What is this-deshu ka?!” (Mei)

“There’s a juice pond! Ish that a chocolate waterfall?” (Koume)

“There’s even a shaved ice mountain range with ice cream on top-deshu! It’s d-dazzling!” (Mei)

Mei trembled in awe before this dazzling wonderland of sweets . It was a thousand times better than she had imagined!

Overwhelmed and excited, Mei started to dance. Wiggling her body and swaying her hips, she broke out into an adorable toddler dance. Koume found it amusing and joined in.

Their delightful dance went on and on until a deep male voice addressed them. The speaker appeared to be a receptionist, welcoming them with a smile.

“New guests, huh? Welcome! Feel free to pile as much as you want on these plates. For drinks, use those glasses over there.”

The man’s villainous-looking face seemed familiar, but Mei was too mesmerized by the sweets to care.

“We can eat as much as we want-deshu deshu?” (Mei)

Her trembling hands accepted a plate and tongs from the man.

“Of course. Oh, but the special course requires you to clear a quiz. You can eat special sweets in the special course. It has  sweets like Korone Slime and Choco-Rem!”

Hearing about an even more exclusive level in this paradise from this crook-san made Mei even more excited.

“A quiz-deshu ka? I’m smart, so I can answer it!” (Mei)

“Papa-shan, Koume too! Koume wants to anshwer too!” (Koume)

Facing the eager girls, the crook-san nodded solemnly and asked a serious question.

“All right, Koume, here’s your quiz: What’s the name of the rabbit that’s always sleeping? It’s a tough one~” 

“Hmm… Hmm… Mimi-shan!” (Koume)

“Ding ding ding! That’s correct, Koume! Here’s your Ultra Sweets Card as a prize.” 

“Yay! Koume got it right!” 

Koume jumped for joy. Seeing her friend succeed, Mei became determined to answer correctly as well.

“Now, Mei, here’s your quiz: Where is the key to fully restoring Vapula?” 

“Fufufu, that’s easy! I have the last key card! It is this one-deshu yo!” 

This is a job Mother left to her. The plan was to give it to Toko once the charge rate of Vapula reached 90%.

She took out the card and showed it off, saying it is this one.

“Wow, that’s amazing! Can you trade it for the Ultra Sweets Card?”

“Of course-deshu! Let’s trade!” (Mei)

Mei handed over the keycard to the crook-san in exchange for the Ultra Sweets Card. She had a vague sense she might be forgetting something, but the sweets were far more important to her.

“Mei-shan, let’s go eat some sweets~” (Koume)

“Yes! Let’s go-deshu!” (Mei)

This is how Mei and Koume stepped into paradise together with big smiles on their faces.

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