Chapter 7:

SWEET!!! Her Royal Highness: Princess Cupcake! [Part 2]

Magical Knight Lune XY: My HOMIE Swooped Me off My Feet, and Now I Think I Might Be in LOVE?!


Since it would be suspicious if I arrived at the mall so soon, I took a casual pace, weaving around neighborhoods and standing atop tall buildings to enjoy the cool spring breeze.

When I arrived at the mall, I went to the top floor of the multilevel parking garage. Not a single car or soul was in sight, allowing me to transform back into Daniel without worry. I then walked over to a set of stairs and made my way to a side entrance to the third floor.

The mall was a three story building built in the 1980’s. It was more luxurious than typical, with two adjoining skyscrapers filled with office buildings, a third skyscraper containing a 4-star hotel to stay the night, and even a daycare center on the first floor next to one of the parking garages! It was like a tiny, self-contained community. I wonder if anyone lived within the mall full-time?

The inside was designed as a massive oval with tiered levels, giving it a coliseum shape. I assume the architect feared people hopping over the guardrail and falling to their deaths, hence this sort of staircase-like look to the place. If you found yourself falling over, you'd only crash onto the next level a few feet below, preventing a more serious injury.

The center of the mall at ground level was a massive open-concept area with faux trees and plants to give the appearance of an outdoor park. There was even a small pond with a waterfall for ambience. Adjacent to the center was the food court with the seating area placed on fake grass to give the sense you’re out on a picnic. A massive glass ceiling loomed above the entire mall, allowing sunlight to enter and bathe in its warmth.

Contrasting with the artificial park, an ice rink took up most of the center. You could rent ice skates and do laps around the ice, and sometimes performances were held there. Today was just a random afternoon in the middle of the week, so the ice rink was occupied by casual skaters gliding around leisurely.

As nice as this particular mall was, I rarely ever had a reason to come out here. For one, it was almost all clothing stores. And not just any clothing store, but those high end ones staffed by people wearing suits. Price tags would be in the triple digits for the cheapest items, and only go up from there. Stuff I could never see myself being able to afford. Let alone look good wearing if I were to somehow get my hands on something.

Anything entertainment or food wise was also expensive, even if it was something as mundane as a fastfood restaurant that you could find anywhere else. By virtue of being within the mall, their prices were four times higher than normal. Value menus were a foreign concept here.

Those who came to this mall were unfazed by these steep prices. Thus there was no reason to lower them, even though you could take a five minute walk down the street, find an identical establishment, and pay regular prices there.

The main food court was on the bottom floor surrounding the ice rink. Instinctively, I went there first to find Kuma Cakes.

Only to find it wasn’t down there.

“Huh…” I said after walking two laps around the ice-rink, thinking maybe I somehow missed it.

When I checked the mall directory, I found that Kuma Cakes was actually on the third floor.

“Why’s it separated from the food court?” I wondered aloud.

So back I went to the third floor.

Being the middle of the week, the mall wasn’t all that crowded. Sparsely populated, even. Normal people don’t have time to go on expensive shopping sprees on a weekday afternoon. When walking by some of the high-end fashion clothing stores, I’d notice a salesperson standing by the entrance with nothing to do.

Kuma Cakes was a different story.

There was a massive line in front of the tiny shop, mostly full of teenage and young adult women.

Geez, no wonder they were desperate for employees.

The line stuck close to the walls, blocking the entrance to a few neighboring shops. At the front of the line, it morphed into something more like a mob as people were trying to get selfies of themselves. There were several security staff standing around, making sure nobody was causing a scene.

I walked past the line to get a closer look at the front of the store but was immediately stopped by one of the security guards.

“No cutting in line. If you want to visit Kuma Cakes, then you’ll have to go to the end of the line,” the security guard told me.

“Oh, I wasn’t planning on getting anything there,” I told them. “A buddy of mine works there, and I was stopping by to give him his stuff that he left behind at school.”

“If you want to approach the store, you will have to go to the end of the line.”

Those waiting in line nearby started to give me the stink eye.

“Okay, okay. Sorry,” I said.

I walked back to the end of the line and waited.

And waited.

And waited…

This line was moving as slow as chilled molasses. Standing around with nothing to do only compounded the feeling of time coming to a halt. I’d sit down and do some homework if I could, but when I did I was immediately scrutinized for doing so by one of the security guards.

So back to waiting.

And waiting…

It took roughly an hour before it was nearly my turn, and I could hand Jack his backpack. Aaaand, order something for myself. I hadn’t planned on buying anything, but with all that waiting, I felt I deserved a reward!

Because of my height, I was never able to get a clear look at the counter. I could hear Jack’s voice, but he was still obscured by those in front of me.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, I had reached the front of the line.

Jack waved. “Hey, Daniel.”

“Bwahahahaha!” I burst out laughing, grabbing my gut.

Okay, the wait was totally worth it.

Jack stood on the other side of the counter, wearing a butler’s outfit, bowtie and everything. It completely clashed with his character.

Not only that, but he had a pair of brown bear ears popping out of the top of his head, similar to that of the mascot’s ears.

Seeing my laughing fit, Jack became annoyed as his face blushed from embarrassment.

I felt so bad for him. There was no way he was enjoying the fact he was forced to wear such a get up. And here I was laughing at him when I should be supportive.

But, oh man! I can’t!

“It’s the uniform, okay?” Jack murmured between his gritted teeth.

“I know! I get it! It’s just… Bwahaha!” I covered my mouth in a vain attempt to stifle my laughter. “You’re so adorable!”

I desperately wanted to get a photo for prosperity's sake, but I’m not that cruel.

“Hello, good sir~!”

A cute looking maid with pink twintails, sporting a pair of bear ears similar to Jack’s and paws over her hands, forcibly shoved Jack over with a cheerful smile.

Wish I could pull off the twintail look.

Though she was smiling, there was an aura of intense frustration and exhaustion emanating off her.

“We are beary busy right now, so I would appreciate it if you were to hurry and make a selection quickly so that our other wonderful customers may have a chance to order!”

“O-oh. Right. Sorry,” I apologized.

It was my turn to blush from embarrassment. I could feel the piercing glares from behind as I held up the line.

Better order something, then get out of the way.

“Okay, I’ll have a…” I said, looking at the various cakes sitting behind the counter.

Oh. My. Gosh.

It was cake heaven. The most luxurious cakes to ever exist sat behind the crystal clear window! There were cakes decked in juicy tropical fruits! A mouth watering carrot cake decorated with a rabbit made of white fudge and a cream cheese filling! A Kuma Deluxe, smothered in dark chocolate frosting with white chocolate shavings and crushed pecans!

I wanted to try them all!

But one look at the price immediately crushed the joy that filled my heart from seeing the immaculate delicacies.

“Thirty-five bucks?!” I shouted in shock. “That’s insane!”

“Yeah, well, like I said this morning. They’re pretty costly,” Jack said.

“That’s the understatement of the century! How in the heck is anyone able to afford this?!”

Once again, the maid bumped Jack aside, taking over as the one to handle my transaction. “Our delicious Kuma cupcakes are enjoyed by many, many, many, m-a-n-y people!” she said.

I knew she was right, considering the insanely long line. This place was drawing at an otherwise empty mall, but still! Are these people taking out loans to get these things?!

“So please, kind sir. What would you like, or else I’ll have to ask you to step aside!” she smiled with a head tilt.

Frantically, I looked for the cheapest thing I could find. “Uh… Th-that!” I said, pointing at a sugar cookie with the store’s mascot printed in frosting.

“That’ll be $8.65!”

I reached into my wallet, grabbed some cash, and handed it to the maid.

Once paid, she took one of the individually wrapped sugar cookies and handed it to me with both paws. “Here you go~!”

I took the cookie.

“Have a beary nice day!”

“Y-yeah. Thanks,” I said, feeling as if I had just been sucker punched and robbed.

I looked over at Jack, who was already helping the next customer.

“When you go on break, I’ll give you your backpack!” I yelled.

Jack glanced over, nodded, and turned his focus back on the customer.

The person standing behind me was quick to bump me away from the front counter.

I looked at the cookie in my hand, then walked over to a table and sat down. I unwrapped the cookie, stared at the smiling bear mascot, and took a bite of his head.

It tasted alright, I guess…

I started working on homework as Jack continued his shift. Every time I looked up at the line, the people would change, but its length never seemed to shrink. For such a tiny shop, I wondered how the heck they managed to stockpile so many cakes. You’d think they’d run out eventually, right?

Jack seemed to hold it together as best as he could, but he was unable to mask his annoyance unlike his coworker.

At times his voice broke through the noisy crowd. He sounded about ready to go on a rampage and shove cake down people's throats to shut them up. But before he could, he’d catch himself, put on a pained smile, and continue his work.

This is gonna sound mean, but I found him adorable when he visibly became upset while wearing those bear ears. Here was this guy who could tear you to shreds in this goofy outfit standing next to a chirpy maid. The two looked like hosts on a TV show for toddlers, but all the toddlers were throwing a fit while the adults tried desperately to continue filming.

I secretly took a photo of him with my phone. Guess I was that cruel after all.

Not that I was gonna blackmail him or anything with it! Honest! I just thought it’d be nice to look at later! Cheer me up when I'm feeling down or something!

About an hour after starting my homework, I glanced up to see another girl wearing a Kuma Cakes maid uniform. She casually strolled past the line, listening to music with her earbuds. Her expression was very nonchalant, seemingly disinterested in the massive line. She walked behind the counter and tapped Jack on the shoulder. He was very relieved to see her so he could finally take a break.

The girl stuck a pair of bear ears on her head and then, like flipping a switch, her face became overly enthusiastic and happy. The change was so quick, I was caught off guard.

Moments later, Jack walked out from the back of the shop wearing a coat to hide his uniform. He also carried a pink and white striped box similar to Kuma Cakes’ packaging. I swear, if he managed to sneak some cake, I'll gladly delete that embarrassing photo I took…