Part 2

Ushio-kun… What did you just say?

✨I simply wanted to express how wonderful of an atmosphere we’re having.✨

✨What’s more, I’m overjoyed that everyone is celebrating my birthday like this. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.✨

…Did that weirdo over there hit his head or something?

K-Kaguya, what’s… happening…?

—It seems… Uu-chan has been possessed by a spirit attracted to the lively atmosphere of our sacred party…!

It—

IT’S AN EMERGENCYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

*eyes narrowing*…!!

Gaagagagaga?

I assume you know, so it’d be great if you could tell me what in the world is happening, Yowa-san!!

I’m shepherding. Correction, guiding your inner baa-bels.

Your random gift giver is none other than I. I slipped some “Bye-Bye Sarcasm Mouth Loosening Drink” into your food earlier ♪

Wha…!?

You’re always speaking in topsy-turvy, so you must be increeedibly~ tired from it.

With this serum, you too can turn your life around lickity split and become a good boy ♪ In other words, you can enjoy your birthday even more!

By the way, Tengu was the one that taught me how to slip your present into food ♪

You did this all for me? I’m touched!

(Wait, so he spiked the cake…!? There’s so much I want to say, but my words keep twisting…!)

(I genuinely thought Yowa-san’s inventions were just some kiddy pranks, but I didn’t know they could do this! As if such a conveniently overpowered cheat character could exist that easily!)

(What do I do? Do I just go back like this? But…)

Are you alright, Uu-chan!

Muu-chan…

✨Thank you for worrying about me. However, I’m completely fine, so you should go back to the party—✨

Begone, evil spirit!!

GYAH!?

That overhead back throw¹ was cracked!! Full marks!

Wonderfully done.

Remove yourself, Fiend. Let go of my childhood friend.

No, Muu-chan, I was never possessed. It’s all thanks to the success of Yowa-san’s ingenious invention…

In…vention…?

Yes. Yowa-san gave me a truth serum as a gift. I am incredibly grateful for its effects.

(As if! This isn’t what I wanna say at all!!)

Isn’t it great? Now none of you will have to listen to Shio’s grumpy tone anymore~!

I… see? So if Ushio starts expressing his true feelings…

His cracked baking skills and those sweet-sounding words of his are gonna take Asu High up by storm…

DOES THIS MARK THE DEBUT OF HIS PRINCE IMAGE!?

✨Everyone~! Thank you for coming to our performance today~! I’ll make sure to serve you a plate of memories as enchanting as my desserts~! Bon appétit~!!✨

Oh man!! Ushio’s gonna have unmatched charizzma!

The Bon Appétit Cooking Club, will… also, fill up…?

(I wanna tell them “It’s not like I’m asking for any of that to happen!” but I can’t…!)

………

…However, that would not be the real Uu-chan.

!

…Yeah. You said it, Muneuji.

You guys totally get it~! At the end of the day, I love Ushio’s sarcasm.

And there you have it, Kotaro! Please give us back our Ushio!

…Please…

What!? Wouldn’t the current Ushio make you all happier?

It’s true that Ushio’s never honest with his words, and sometimes that can be really annoying—

However, nonetheless, we are still able to understand his true feelings deep down.

We, hear it, loud and clear.

Ushio would NOT be Ushio if he wasn’t always grumpy!

………*blushes*

We just want Uu-chan to be himself. That is why, please…!

…Hmmm, I don’t really get it, but is this also what they call “friendship”?

Oh well, whatever. Anyways—

You guys are the best friends I could ever ask for… C—

What impeccable timing, the effects wore off.

Can’t you do something about this stupid Mr. Nice Guy persona? It’s embarrassing to hear them yap like this.

Is he… back to normal?

W… WE’VE MADE A COMEBACK!!!

I told you to stop clinging to me! You’re already unbearable as is!!

Yeah. That’s the Ushio we know.

Huh? You like being told off sarcastically? Panda’s gonna turn into a sick pervert one of these days.

Oh? Are you sure you want to say that to me? I just so happen to have a recording of your cringy words from earlier.

Y-You’re literally the worst for recording someone without their consent…!

…Welcome back, Uu-chan.

…Thanks. Thanks for the refreshing back throw earlier.

Of course.

…So this is how long effects can last on the brain without leaving any damage~. If I want to achieve permanent results, then there’s no choice but to administer the dosage directly…

Hmm~, but would that count as breaking my promise with Gii? It’s probably okay as long as it doesn’t harm the body.

Yowa-san.

Mm?

Mixing in foreign substances is disrespectful to food. And as someone who runs a cafe, I think you should know better than to do so, but that just goes to show your lack of awareness.

Aha! No need to worry, Shio! I’ll make sure to do a better job next time!

Apparently being yourself is an important part of you, so I’ll make improvements taking that into consideration ♪

Now that I understand, there’s only next time~! I’ll make sure to create an absolutely genius present that surpasses this one~~!!

No, wait…! He definitely didn’t register anything…

(…But to just be myself…)

…Really, what a bunch of weirdos.