Mad Hatter's dates

Good afternoon!

Have you seen Alice?

Of course.

Behind every successful hatter, there is an Alice that loves him!

Don't you need your own Alice?

You are a warmhearted gentleman.

No wonder more and more people are gathering around you. It appears I still have much to learn.

But for now, I do need your help.

In actually, I requested to meet you here because...

Look, the air here is filled with a romantic fragrance. This amusement park must be the happiest place in the world.

Please, help me find Alice!

I'd like to have her in my sight all the time!

The hatter can't work without Alice,

the cutest, kindest girl in this world with the purest happiness.

She must be around. If it's you...

I'm sure you can understand.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to tell you what to do.

I just can't wait to see Alice.

Indeed, Alice is the most lovely girl in the world.

Would anybody ever refuse her charm?

I'm glad we share the same feeling.

You are as understanding as I thought.

Now, let's go and find Alice!

At the carousel that shines colorful neon light, stands an adorable, lively girl.

Who else could it be but Alice?

But how can I naturally start a conversation with her?

So that's also what you think, too.

I have to keep my disguise to remain Alice's friend and have her sincere and anticipating look.

I can feel your sincerity, but I'm afraid I lack the courage of my convictions.

Your bravery and generosity always fascinate me.

But as long as Alice can keep her eyes on me, and I don't have to taste the bitterness named love alone in the corner...

There are no better moments than right now! I can feel the surge of complex human emotions.

Let me collect and treasure all of it carefully. In the name of Alice!

Me? Kind? Nobody has ever used that word on me before.

Perhaps it's because you are seeing this world with kindness in your mind, so even someone like me could receive such a compliment.

Persistent... Of course, I am.

A good hatter knows how to follow the rules and fix their mistakes.

Our job is bound to details.

Well then, I'm going to prepare the balloons.

Thank you for your help today. Hopefully, I can do something in return for you next time.

So this is Muscipula? It's just like what I've heard.

It deserves to be the center of attention of the Radiants' world.

I'm honored to be here!

I see. So many outstanding Radiants have been gathering around you.

I'm sure some of them are close friends of yours.

Friends... When I hear those words of yours, I often don't know what to do, more or less.

Anyway, I'm glad you invited me over.

It's a valuable experience for me.

Since we are here. Is there anything on the menu you would recommend?

Did you say cakes? I love cakes! But no carrot cakes, please.

Let me see. The fruitcake sounds excellent! The refreshing fruits plus the aroma of the creme, like a rabbit girl. She's lively, perhaps a bit reckless, but it's a perfect combination with her sweetness and kindness!

I'm sure you'll love it, too!

That sounds great!

Hold on a second. You are not old enough to drink. Though I haven't been living as a human for long, I'm actually best at rules and regulations!

So, I'm taking the liberty to order two seasonal fruitcakes, the perfect combination of fresh fruits and aromatic creme also fit the atmosphere here.

What a surprise! Both the taste and texture are flawless. It's such a perfect experience that it calms my soul.

I can't help but wonder, which pastry chef could have baked such a piece of art?

I knew it. Miss Anna's cakes have the power to soothe one's mind.

It makes me a bit jealous.

Sometimes, I'd like to become someone like that, too. I could try to mend every wounded soul with my scissors, thread, and needles.

Of course, it does!

Both pastry chefs and hatters communicate with clients with their products.

We bestow our kindness upon our products, hoping that someone can completely understand every detail we made.

Oh, I'm sorry. It seems I've said many things irrelevant.

Human emotions are too unfamiliar to me. When I struggle between those unknown emotions, my recognition of the world will start to blur.

But thank goodness I have Alice! As long as she's around, I won't get lost! Alice likes me, doesn't she?

That's what I thought.

I wouldn't be so sure if someone else says that.

But since it's your words, I'm now very convinced!

Can't even you tell?

To be honest, that's not what I expected.

By the way, I'm planning on a fan club dedicated to Alice!

Just like the one for Miss Anna! We will encourage Alice, protect her, and hold handshaking events!

Do you perhaps want to join us?

That's right. But there's no conflict.

Instead of a friend of Alice, I'd rather become the rule that protects her pure kindness and joys.

Hmm...

That makes sense. There might be impostors who pretend as me to join the handshaking events.

I must also consider how things would go in the long run!

Thanks for having me. It was a perfect day!

I'm looking forward to our next meeting. I'm sure you'll inspire me more in the future!

When the breeze caresses my face, even the sun seems warmer.

Now I get it why young couples enjoy this place. Its charm is irresistible.

Visiting here would be my second happiest thing these days. Guess what the first was? Alice talked to me a couple days ago!

Oh, I've heard about it from the lovely witch. It was a sad and touching story.

I think "beautiful" would be an understatement. There are too many twisted emotions and heartwarming kindness in it.

Human emotions are still unfamiliar to me. Some times I feel many different things but simply don't know how to express myself.

Is this a test for my familiarization of human emotions?

In actuality, it's still difficult for me to understand humans, who are way too complex to comprehend. Alice is an exception. Her simplicity is as precious as gemstones!

And one thing is sure, my affection toward Alice is pure, and I've been very cautious with it, as long as I can see her sweet smiles, and she truly sees me as a friend.

Like the ending of that story, I'll find the ocean that belongs to me and have lots of fun with Alice!

Before I get over-excited, it's a perfect time to give you the present I prepared.

Well, it's not a surprise anymore since I just told you.

A real surprise should be presented to you when you are unprepared.

Anyway, here's a hat I made by hand. Please, give it a try!

Why are you so surprised?

I thought giving friends gifts was a standard social norm. I've been observing human behaviors carefully and even made my notes.

You once told me we were more than partners because we are friends!

Every gentleman deserves their own hat. And this one is specially designed for you. The black color shows your determination, and the slightly more colorful decoration represents the world in your eyes.

And the pretty rose, it symbolizes the noble temperaments of a gentleman, which will last forever.

I'm sure it'll look perfect on you! Put it on!

As I expected, it perfectly suits you.

If I had to say, now you look like a gentleman by the book. I'm glad for you.

Haha, it suits you well.

And it added something extra to your temperament.

I don't know how to describe it, but I'm indulged. Humans are full of surprises. It doesn't concern any rules, and thus it's difficult for me to understand.

Anyway, it is a perfect piece of work in a hatter's eyes.

And I hope you would like it, too.

(Whispers to himself) I knew blond hair was necessary to make the most beautiful hat. I shaved quite a few heads to collect enough material.

Your words are sincere, but I'm afraid you are thinking about something else right now.

I can read it in your eyes that you are wondering about my hat... or perhaps my head?

Are you really just curious about my hat?

There's nothing special about it. And please don't ask me what I did with those ears. Those are a gentleman's secrets and can't be shared even with another gentleman like you.

Why can I see it in your eyes that my head under that hat interests you even more?

Trust me, you don't want to see it for yourself. It's a part of my unspeakable past.

I had to become a human to feel human emotions. But correspondingly, I'd have to suffer the same pains. I take it as the necessary progress. And I treasure it as valuable experience.

Like you have your secrets that fascinate me, I'd like to become someone like you. That way, I'm sure Alice would love me even more.

That expression is both funny and accurate. I'll remember it.

I like everything that is prudent with Alice as an exception.

She's special. My heart skips a beat as soon as I think about her.

Not exactly. Human pains are nothing but the progress, but where do they lead to?

They lead to Alice! I know that sounds crazy, but perhaps I am mad in the first place. Who knows?

Time passes so fast when I'm with you. The sun is going down.

I still have to practice making friends with Alice, so I'm afraid I have to take my leave now. I'm already missing you, but I have to say goodbye.

Hopefully, we will meet each other again soon enough!