Every year, a certain esteemed vendor comes to town. He holds many contests and offers a splendid assortment of prizes. This year's competition theme was fencing, and I, Miko Shibuya, won the most coveted prize of them all.

"As expected from Jennifer of Yokohama!"

It was a gigantic SUPER DELUXE PACK assortment of hard candies. They were tightly packed together in a jar that was labeled with the slogan: Once you try, you just can't get enough!

Each piece of candy was like a beautiful marble, with a smooth shine coating over their colors. When I held one up to my eye, it caught and reflected every glimmer of light.

They came in all sorts of fruit flavors. Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries... now that I think about it, only one of those is a real berry.

Normally I would share them with my family, but my husband was away on a business trip, and my older son was on a remote internship with my husband's boss, Bob.

So after I popped the colorful sweets into my mouth, one, two, three, I handed the rest over to my younger son. He's an energetic baseball boy who always seems to be running off somewhere and can never keep still.

My son's eyes sparkled as I gave him the massive jar of candy and he happily nodded when I told him to share them.

Yuu-chan is a demon king in another world. Naturally as his mother, I made sure to always pack lots of gifts for everyone there. They're all wonderful people that have protected and taken care of my son.

"Wow thanks Mom! They'll love it!"

"Of course! Speaking of which, I wanted to ask, have you and Wolf-chan finally decided on a wedding date? Has your romance leveled up?"

My son has a fiancé in that world. Wolf-chan is a beautiful boy just like an ANGEL. He's very wonderful and easy to get along with, and we often go together on window shopping trips. Maybe it's because he grew up royalty, he has a very good aesthetic sense.

If he was from Earth I would have lamented the fact that one of my sons wasn't a girl, but thankfully it seems that the other world is a lot more accepting than here. In any case, I'm thrilled that he's going to be my son-in-law one day!

Yuu-chan really cares about Wolf-chan. Whenever the two of them visit Earth together, they're always sneaking out into the city, going to street vendors or amusement parks. Maybe it's because he's still kind of shy, Yuu-chan always tries to keep these "dates" a secret. Even though he likes doting on him that much.

"Aw Mom, it's not like that..." He turned his face away and did his best to sound annoyed. But I could see right through him.

Yuu-chan's gone his whole life without having a girlfriend. So I'm a little worried about his lack in love skills. I do hope that Wolf-chan won't someday get fed-up by my dense son.

"Call me Mama, Yuu-chan."

XXXXX

"Wow Yuuri, these are amazing. Grandma gives the best presents."

"Yeah Shibuya, you still haven't had any? Oh, do you mind if I take a few extra for Ulrike and the shrine maidens?"

"I'm sure His Majesty is—sorry—I'm sure Yuuri is just waiting for a good moment."

"That's right! They'll be even better if I build up the anticipation."

The candies were a huge hit. The entire castle was raving about the impossibly delicious spheres of delight. Especially to a people whose taste buds weren't accustomed to the sensations of mass-produced capitalist consumerism, the taste truly seemed otherworldly. Apparently the blackberry flavor was extra popular.

Yuuri's mouth watered at the thought of finally getting to try them.

By the time he finally found Wolfram sitting on a white-and-gold bench in the garden, the jar was nearly empty. There was only a handful or so left of the candies, mostly the red ones.

Wolfram had a massive sweet tooth, and he seemed to have no problem eating them one after another. The candies really were living up to their slogan: Once you try, you just can't get enough!

"Slow down, I haven't even had one yet." Yuuri glanced back at the jar. He really should take some before they run out.

"Well obviously! Who else would you eat these with, if not me?"

He tried to sound smug, but the happiness still came through. Yuuri smiled and nudged him with his shoulder.

"You're a good teammate."

"Fiancé."

"Yeah, yeah." Yuuri waved that aside.

Wolfram seemed like he was about to argue, so without looking at the jar, Yuuri took a red piece of candy and fed it to him.

Wolfram's cheeks took on a flustered color and he was at a momentary loss for words. Yuuri grinned at his reaction. For once, he felt like he had the upper hand.

However when he took a glance back down at the jar, his mood instantly fell.

"Aw man!" Yuuri groaned. "I didn't realize that was the last one. I was really looking forward to trying them out."

"Ah." Wolfram, having just swallowed the red candy, put his hand over his mouth. Perhaps because he had already eaten a few, he felt guilty. "Sorry." The prideful former prince issued a rare apology.

Yuuri slumped a little as green eyes looked towards him. The emeralds held sympathy in them.

"Nah it's my own fault. There's always next year."

"...You know, there is still a way for you to taste it."

"Huh? How?"

"..."

"..."

"...Would you like to try?"

"Yeah..."

It was a sweet and refreshing taste.

More and more.

Once you try, you just can't get enough.

XXXXX

"I'm glad to hear that everyone enjoyed them! So Yuu-chan, did you try the candy? How was it?"

"...Oh yeah, I tasted the strawberry flavor. It was really nice."

My son turned his face away as he spoke, and I could see that the tips of his ears were a little red.

"Ohoho good for you."

Well, let's just call this a mother's intuition.

Somehow I think he'll be just fine.