He was just about to scrub his back when everyone shouted in unison:
-Don't!
-Oh, and our little short-stacks are here too! the muffin cheered. -Mami, ready to hit the road?
-Without a doubt, my brave companion! A new sparkle of romance lit Mami's eyes as she wriggled excitedly on her board. -Which way shall we venture this time?
-How was your concert? Did everything go well? Yuki asked politely—only to be met with blank stares.
-Concert? What concert? Nothing like that happened.
-…Riiight. So it resets here, she muttered. -Okay then. Let's head to that big hut made of burdock leaves. See it?
Between two crossed candy canes forming an arch, there really stood a huge structure made out of natural materials. Above it fluttered a flag with someone's photo.
When they got closer, they saw it was Yumi's picture — tongue out — and Lil C. proudly tapped on his sweatshirt.
— Now that's fashion sense.
His sister stomped forward, ready to give the jokers a piece of her mind, but her way was suddenly blocked by dandelion puff guards. They had fluffy plant legs and carried spears — though the -spear part was just a fan on both ends. Not too scary, but they started nudging her along.
— Okay, okay, I get it. I'll walk where you want.
The rest of the gang joined in, curious to see where they'd end up. It quickly became clear they were being marched straight to the hut, which was smeared all over with nail polish and glittering in acrylic shine.
At the entrance lounged a girl on an inflatable cushion. Around her, the dandelion puff guards waved fans to keep her cool. She was clearly some kind of queen, soaking in the attention like she was born to it.
As soon as she spotted the newcomers — prisoners? guests? — her eyes lit up. This mix of TikTok diva and seasoned witch had clearly been bored for a while. Her robe, custom-made, was silk drenched in golden ketchup that shimmered when she moved. Yes, it clumped and bubbled in places, but who cared — beauty over comfort!
Her cape was stitched from marshmallows, fastened with decorative kitchen utensils. On her feet, she wore thigh-high boots shaped from (and probably actually made of) porcelain plates. And instead of a crown, tiny candies and sugar bees orbited her head like Saturn's rings.
She fluttered her heavy, servant-curled lashes and addressed them:
— Well, if it isn't the twins. Sneaky little kids who think they can just bust into anybody's brain and get away with it.
— Who even are you? — asked a baffled Yuki.
— How dare you! — the girl shrieked, then reined herself in and spoke more smoothly:
— I am the Grand Princess Pestichida Carbonara! The living legend of this realm — because I made it myself, and crowned myself a Myth.
Right now, you stand in my subconscious, where I deliberately brought you. You see… — her voice rang with smug authority — I'm a dream-walker. I control my own mind. I don't need silly gadgets like glasses.
— You know about those too?! — Lil C. blurted out.
— Of course. I know everything. Which is why I need to decide what to do with you. And since I am royalty, I always consult my trusted advisor. — She beckoned Pom-Pom with her finger.
To the kids' and Mami's shock, the muffin shuffled forward and stood beside her, not meeting their eyes.
— Better half a job with Pestichida than full-time with boredom. At least here I'm warm and fed. Sorry, friends.
— Pom-Pom! — Mami's voice cracked like thunder. Everyone flinched. — No cartoons for you tonight.
— Nooo! — the muffin panicked, bowed to the princess, and sprinted back to the gang. — I'm a mercenary, remember? And cartoons about myself matter way more than royal politics. Especially if someone feeds me after. — He threw Mami a hopeful glance. — You're awesome. You're not just Mami anymore… you're GrandMami!
Yuki frowned.
— Sounds like an old hotel from the '50s.