Kivotos pulsed with life, its streets teeming with students whose halos glowed in countless shapes—circles, stars, and intricate designs floating above their heads. Amid this vibrant chaos, the Cream Puff Heaven shop had become a sensation, thanks to the After-School Cream Puff Club and their mentor, Mash Burnedead. Weeks after the club joined the shop, what was once a struggling business had transformed into a Kivotos hotspot, drawing crowds with its whimsical cream puff creations.
"Look at these! Aren't they adorable!?" a customer squealed, pointing at the display case filled with cream puffs shaped like Shuu-kun, Shuu-chan, and Shuuko-chan—mascot-inspired treats that had ignited a craze among Kivotos's youth.
"So cute! We'll take two!" another called, waving excitedly.
"Got it! Two cream puffs—Geheko-chan and Toriko-chan specials, Shuu-kun and Shuuko-chan!" the robotic shopkeeper bellowed, its metal frame buzzing with energy.
"On it!" Geheko shouted from the kitchen, her halo flickering as she piped custard with precision.
"Leave it to me!" Toriko added, flipping a tray of freshly baked puffs with flair.
"Here's your… Shuu-kun Cream Puff!" Mobumi stammered, nearly dropping the delicate treat as she handed it to a customer, her blonde hair bouncing under her apron.
The Cream Puff Club's idea—naming cream puffs after the Shuu-kun mascot and its fictional family—had turned the shop into a cultural phenomenon. Inside, the three delinquents, Mobumi, Mobuko, and Mobue, manned the counter, their tough exteriors softened by cream puff-patterned aprons. Geheko and Toriko worked the kitchen, churning out batches of the themed treats, while Torimi and Gehemi handled dishwashing—Gehemi banned from customer service after one too many snarky remarks, and Torimi hopeless in the kitchen after a disastrous attempt at baking.
"Didn't think that idea would actually work," Gehemi muttered, scrubbing a plate with more force than necessary, her Gehenna halo glowing faintly.
"Those mascot masks Sensei wore seemed creepy at first, but they're kinda cute," Mobumi said, glancing at a Shuu-kun plush on the counter, its cartoonish eyes winking at customers.
"Turning them into the Cream Puff Couple and selling themed cream puffs? Never expected this kind of crowd," Toriko added, nodding at the line snaking out the door, students chattering excitedly about the latest flavors.
"The shopkeeper's thrilled. Business is booming!" Mobue beamed, her ponytail swinging as she rang up another sale.
"Yeah… but can I ask something?" Gehemi said, pausing her scrubbing.
"What's up?" Mobumi asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"What's the difference between Shuuko-chan and Shuu-chan?" Gehemi asked, frowning.
"You forgot already? Shuu-chan's Shuu-kun's girlfriend, and Shuuko-chan's his little sister," Mobue explained, rolling her eyes.
"That's confusing," Gehemi grumbled, splashing water.
"Oh, and both Shuu-chan and Shuuko-chan are crazy about Shuu-kun," Mobue added with a grin.
"Whoa," Toriko said, raising an eyebrow as she piped another puff.
"And they don't see each other as love rivals—they just think the other's in the way," Mobue continued, clearly enjoying the lore.
"These cutesy characters have that kind of soap opera drama? Who came up with this!?" Gehemi demanded, nearly dropping a plate.
"Sensei," Mobue said brightly.
"That guy!?" Gehemi groaned, floored by Mash's unexpected creativity.
"Thanks to you all, the shop's a hit!" the shopkeeper called, wiping his brow with a rag, his mechanical joints whirring. "Gotta thank Sensei too."
"Glad we could help," Mash said, appearing out of nowhere, his tracksuit blending into the shop's pastel decor.
"Whoa! When'd you get here!?" the shopkeeper yelped, his sensors flashing.
"I masked my presence," Mash said flatly, his face unreadable.
"That's terrifying!" the shopkeeper laughed, clutching his chest.
"Sensei!" Mobue squealed, her eyes sparkling. "You look great in that outfit, and so does everyone!"
"W-Wait, don't just compliment me outta nowhere!" Mobue blushed, smacking the shopkeeper's arm.
"Ow, ow, Mobue-chan, that hurts!" he protested, rubbing his arm.
The crew's white aprons, adorned with cream puff patterns, weren't quite maid outfits but charmed customers with their playful charm. The shop buzzed with activity, cream puffs flying off the shelves, and laughter filled the air. Mash and the Cream Puff Club beamed with pride, but the shopkeeper's face darkened for a moment, his sensors dimming.
"With this momentum…" he muttered, trailing off, his gaze distant.
"Shopkeeper?" Mash asked, noticing the shift.
"Oh, sorry! Next customer, what's your order?" he said, forcing a smile and turning back to the counter.
Mash and Mobue exchanged glances, sensing unease. The shopkeeper, usually a beacon of cheer, seemed troubled, his mechanical hands trembling slightly as he served the next customer.
As evening fell, the shop closed early—a habit from the shopkeeper's solo days to avoid overworking his new crew. The streets of Kivotos glowed under neon lights, students heading home with bags of cream puffs. Inside, the shop was quiet, the display case nearly empty.
"Good work, everyone. Here's your first paycheck," the shopkeeper said, handing out envelopes with a grin.
"Thanks! Wait, this much!?" Mobue gasped, staring at the amount.
"You earned it. Business is booming because of you," he said, his voice warm.
"Score, Leader! The Cream Puff Club's set for a while!" Geheko cheered, waving her envelope.
"Keep it up, Shopkeeper!" Toriko added, giving a thumbs-up.
"You bet. See you tomorrow," he said, flashing a smile.
"Take care, Shopkeeper," Mobumi said softly.
"Thanks, Sensei, everyone. Come back soon!" he called as they left.
"Obviously," Mash said, nodding.
The Cream Puff Club and Mash parted ways, their laughter echoing down the street. Alone in the shop, the shopkeeper sighed, his cheerful facade fading. He pulled out two hidden documents: a land deed and a contract, its pages dense with legalese. The contract's demand was clear: Clear your debt, or surrender the land.
Years ago, the shopkeeper had bought the plot to start Cream Puff Heaven, but it bled money. Desperate, he'd taken a loan from Kaiser Octopus Bank—a trap. The bank's exorbitant interest rates and siphoned earnings pushed the debt beyond a billion. Hopelessness had gnawed at him, but the club's arrival had rekindled his dream.
"But I can't give up," he muttered, clutching the papers. "Those kids came to work here, came up with ideas, turned this place around. Even Sensei likes it."
He hid the documents and began cleaning—when suddenly:
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
Gunfire tore through the shop. The shopkeeper dove behind the counter as twenty automaton soldiers stormed in, their metallic boots clanging.
"Shopkeeper, come out," a robotic voice demanded, cold and precise.
"You… Kaiser's goons, huh? This is how you collect debts? Pathetic!" the shopkeeper spat, peeking from cover.
"You know the deal. Hand over this month's interest," the leader, a military-clad automaton, said.
"…Give me a second," the shopkeeper growled, gathering cash with grudging anger. "Here, take it."
"Hmm… Not enough," the leader said smugly.
"What!? You said this was fine for this month!" the shopkeeper protested.
"Don't recall saying that. Deadline's passed—more interest," the leader sneered.
"You dirty—!" the shopkeeper snarled, his sensors flaring.
As the shopkeeper faced Kaiser's goons, unaware of Mash's imminent return, a battle loomed—one that would test the bonds forged by cream puffs and the strength of the After-School Cream Puff Club.
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