Tanimaki Enters a Bread-Baking Contest (Part 2)

Mayutan and Debiru were gazing anxiously at Tanimaki. The dog from earlier was there too, along with another male dog Tanimaki had never seen before.

“Thank goodness. You’re awake.”

It was the dachshund who had headbutted him earlier.

“Tanimaki, this is Coco,” Mayutan explained. “When she saw Debiru’s face earlier, she mistook us for bandits. She runs this bakery with her brother, Chocomaru.”

The walls of the shop were covered from end to end with certificates—proof that Chocomaru had won bread-baking contests time and time again.

“It appears my sister has caused you a great deal of trouble. Please accept my sincerest apologies. To make it up to you, help yourself to as much of our bread as you like.”

With that, Chocomaru presented Tanimaki with a basket overflowing with bread. The mouthwatering aroma tickled his nose.

Now fully awake, Tanimaki grabbed a piece and sank his teeth into it.

“Munch, munch... Seriously, meow. You need to be more careful, meow... munch, munch.”

Tanimaki performed the impressive feat of complaining while continuing to eat.

“But still, meow... this bread is delicious. I’ve never tasted anything like it before, meow.”

It was extremely rare for Tanimaki to compliment anyone. That alone proved just how good the bread from Chocomaru’s bakery truly was.

“You’re right. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten bread this delicious before,” Mayutan said admiringly as he savored another piece.

“We could even make this bakery an official supplier to the royal family,” Debiru declared, equally impressed.

“We still have a long way to go. Coco baked this particular bread, but she tries far too hard to make it unconventional.”

Chocomaru was strict even with his own family—or perhaps it was simply the pride of a true craftsman.

“You can’t keep going on and on about tradition forever,” Coco shot back. “We have to keep trying new things.”

She was not about to remain silent.

“What good will come from pandering to the masses? No first-rate baker would ever do such a thing.”

“Bread is meant to be enjoyed by ordinary people, isn’t it? Besides, if our bread doesn’t sell, we won’t be able to keep the bakery open.”

A quarrel between the brother and sister erupted right in front of Tanimaki and his companions.