Chapter 3

Just standing before such delightful youths... Doesn't it make you want to bare your heart to your son?!

Silence! If you say anything more, I will hunt you along with the monsters.

It's getting a little awkward, but at least the hunters are otherwise occupied.

Actually, having him eat these cakes regularly might keep the hunters off our backs...

Yeah, that might not work out as well as you think.

The magic spells are random, so it might be difficult to get the effect you're looking for.

You can always overwrite an effect by eating another enchanted cake, though.

But however many you eat, there's still no guarantee of getting the effect you want.

Hmm. Then these cakes are nothing but trouble after all.

It's true that some of the effects can be risky, but the cakes themselves taste so good!

Dad did say it was tasty...

That's right! And that's why we look forward to it every year. Wait a minute... You still haven't eaten one yet, have you, Captain?

Under our present situation, there's no way to know what might happen if I inadvertently chose an enchanted one.

You're probably fine. I mean, two people have already eaten trick cakes, so there can't be that many left.

That's true! It's not as exciting if all of them are enchanted.

Plus, the cakes are even more delicious when we can all have fun eating them together.

You heard 'em! So open wide, Captain!

Fine, I'll eat one. And I can eat it myself, so don't try to shove it in my mouth!

*Munch* *Munch*

Hm...

Well? Was it goo...

Woof!

Eek!

Woof, woof! Ah-woooooo!

Looks like we've got a winner!

He knew the risk! It's probably the same as what happened to Momo.

I wonder. She chased after people and pounced on them like a cat, but he...

Ah-woooooo!

Woah!

What's the meaning of this?!

He's become the world's friendliest dog!

Is he trying to jump up on the hunters?!

How much crazier are things going to get?!

I-It's over...

Huh...?

Have you regained your senses then? I've wasted too much energy, let's withdraw for now so we can regroup.

Oh, uh... I'm not sure what happened, but thanks for the cake! See you later!

Phew... Who would think one little cake could make such a mess? Rukia, I'm gonna head back and get some rest too.

I suppose we have reached a good stopping point. It's about time for the dreamer to awaken.

Wait, was all of this just another one of my dreams?!

Farewell, Ichigo!

*Yawn* Is it morning already? I was having such an unusual dream.

Oh, but Meowing Momo and Captain Canine were such a hoot! Their ears were just the cutest!

I think they might sell fake animal ears like those in the world of the living...

I'll be sure to buy them both a pair the next time I'm there! Hehehe!