Spider - Gratitude (2)

Yaa~aawn…

(Nn~…I think I overslept because I was exhausted. Well, I’ve got work in the evening anyways so there’s no issue there, but if I’m waking up in the afternoon it feels like I’ve lost money¹.)

(The day of the costume fitting is finally here at last… I wonder what kind of costume it’s gonna be. If it’s possible at all I really want it to be something popular with kids instead of horrifying…)

(No way. That would totally be wrong… wouldn’t we just become the number one type of idols parents wouldn’t want their kids to meet?)

Nn? My stomach is rumbling. It’s noon already, and I really am hungry…

I want to see if I could grab a bite from the kitchen since I was too lazy to go out and buy groceries, but… Nn? What smells sweet?

~…

I thought I caught a whiff of something sweet, turns out it’s just Niki-han? Are you cooking something up again?

Ah! Kohaku-chan, good morning!

You’re right. What I’m making now is a prototype batch of Halloween cookies. There’s plenty, Kohaku-chan, so you can eat some too.

Halloween cookies? Ah, that’s true. There’s a bunch of cookies that have the shapes of bats, pumpkins, and ghosts. I’ll gladly take some since I’m so hungry. Thanks~

Nn! They’re so good. As expected of you, Niki-han.

Still, even though I’m the one that got something good out of this, why don’t you make all these prototypes on the day of production instead of going through all this trouble now? Niki-han, you’re too stubborn when it comes to cooking.

Ah, these all aren’t for me. I mentioned how “Cinnamon”’s manager was super thrilled about the Halloween event, didn’t I~?

At “Cinnamon”, I was really excited to sell gift batches of cookies on that same day. That’s why we’re making a bunch of prototypes.

Fuu~n. I get it now. I’ve been wondering about it for a while, Niki-han, but you really look like you love Halloween. I can tell you’re enjoying yourself.

That’s right! When “Trick or Treat” is all you have to say to get a load of goodies from everyone around, it’s like a dream! It could be Halloween everyday.

Yikes. I hope the end is soon…I’ll never live a day of peace.

Nn? I had no idea that they wrapped up Halloween candy all cute-like. Using scary motifs or black and orange colors would make it more Halloween-like, wouldn’t it?

You’re not wrong~, but I’ve heard Halloween has been changing more and more lately.

Changing…?

The whole idea of Halloween used to be “giving out candy in exchange for not getting pranked”, but now it’s more like more people want to “give sweets to the ones who’ve taken good care of them”.

Like you know how Valentine’s Day got more popular and you could give your friends chocolate? It looks like Halloween is becoming more like that, where you’re simply all having fun together.

So that’s why, in order for it to be useful as a gift, I’m using the cute wrapping.

Fuu~n. Is it really popular to do something like that nowadays?…

“To the ones who’ve taken good care of them”…huh…

“I need to remember to stay grateful for those around me.”

…

Hey, Niki-han. Those cookies, I want to bake them too. Can you teach me how?

Eh? I don’t mind that but…that’s odd. If you say so Kohaku-chan. But does that mean there’s someone you want to gift these cookies to?

⁠—Well, something like that. I know it’s unusual.

Ehhh~? That’s not truuuuue. I’m happy if I can cook with someone since it’s fun. We’ve got plenty of wrapping paper, so let’s make something that you’ll like together.

Right. I’m in your care, Niki-han.