Come Over! Sweets Friends/Story

### Sweets Forest

The Berries team has come to Lilywood to attend the sweets festival, Sweets Forest, which is being held there. Once there, they meet Melampodium who is investing in a sweets shop and she shows them around. Doing so, they hear arguing outside of the shop...

**Checkerberry:** Ah, there! He-ey Blueberry----!
**Blueberry:** Welcome everyone♪ Did you have any problems getting here?
**Gumi:** No, it was fine! Ehehe, today's a Berries conference!
Also... The Sweets Forest is super busy!
**Blueberry:** Fufu, sweets from all over Spring Garden has been gathered here.
**Checkerberry:** The whole place smells so good! Are there fruit tarts too!?
**Blackberry:** The famous cake shops are meant to have stalls, so Checkerberry's favourite tarts should be around.
**Blueberry:** That's right. Also Sweets Forest isn't only about sweets, a lot of tea and coffee shops are also participating.
**Juneberry:** Wow, how wonderful! I want to buy all my favourite sweets and drinks and go for a tea party with everyone!
**Gumi:** It would be nice if there was some tea that goes well with tapioca! Hey, let's hurry up and take a look around!
**Blackberry:** Yeah, but it's pretty confusing, so I think it would be best if came up with a plan on where to look.
**Juneberry:** That's right, Blackberry-san! It would be good if there was some kind of map or information board though...
**Checkerberry:** It's a bit awkward to go looking for that kind of thing! We should go and ask some people around there!
**Blueberry:** Ah, Checkerberry-chan! It's dangerous to run!
**Checkerberry:** Excuse meee! Can I ask you something!
**Melampodium:** Wah! What what!?
**Blackberry:** Grr, don't do that Checkerberry. I'm sorry, suddenly...
**Melampodium:** No, it's fine... Hey, if it isn't Blackberry-san! What a coincidence, meeting here!
**Blackberry:** Melampodium-san. So you also came.
**Juneberry:** Do you know her Blackberry-san?
**Blackberry:** She's a fellow Banana Ocean Flower Knight. So are you also shopping at the Sweets Forest, Melampodium-san?
**Melampodium:** Yes that's right, but I also invest in a sweets shop. I've come to help out there. So shopping is more on the side.
**Checkerberry:** Investing!? Amazing, so you're rich!?
**Gumi:** Ch-checkerberry, you're a bit too direct with your way of speaking...
**Melampodium:** Ahaha, I don't mind really. Actually, my parents are rich and I'm aware that I'm more privileged as others.
So because I have money, I think it's only sensible to invest it in something that I think will work out. Something like a sweets shop, the knight company, or an orphanage.
**Checkerberry:** Oooh...! Amazing, what cool thinking! I really agree with your opinion!
**Melampodium:** Fufu, thanks. It makes me happy to hear that.
... Speaking of, did you have some business with me?
**Checkerberry:** Ah, that's right! I wanted to ask you about any recommended shops in Sweets Forest!
But now we've spoken about it, I'm really interested in Melampodium's shop now! I really want to check it out!
**Melampodium:** Really? Great. It's main business is in miso, but it also has some really delicious sweets, please take a look.
**Gumi:** Waa, thanks Melampodium-san! So, let's go and look at Melampodium's shop first!
**Juneberry:** Ye-es, roger♪
**Blueberry:** There are a lot of people, so don't get separated. Thank you for this Melampodium-san.
**Melampodium:** We're here! This is the shop I'm investing in!
**Gumi:** Wah, it's a wonderful shop!
**Juneberry:** There are so many super tasty looking sweets! Ah, they sell jam too!
**Blueberry:** It's true, there's everything from the classics all the way to really unusual flavours. Let's buy some and use them as reference for the next time we make jam. Which one would be best...?
**???:** ---It's already decided that I'm number one!
**???:** Well! I'll decide for myself
**Checkerberry:** Uwaaa!? Is someone fighting!?
**Blackberry:** It seems so. It sounds like they're arguing about something...
**Melampodium:** I wonder... I'll go and take a look.
**Gumi:** We should go too!

### Tea, Coffee, Big Arguments

The ones who were arguing were the ladies who owned long established tea and coffee shops. Apparently the argument was about which drink is a more fitting accompaniment for sweets. Gumi and the others went to stop the argument, but got caught up in it instead.

**???:** Won't you give it a rest!? You should just admit you're wrong just like always!
**???:** That's my line! Please stop talking in your sleep!
**Blueberry:** It seems to be those people. What on earth is...?
**Coffea:** Why don't you leave it at that ladies? Look, you're scaring the customers...
**Japanese Laurel:** It is the Sweets Forest after all, why don't we go and enjoy it?
**Coffee Lady:** No, if I leave it here, it'll be the same as admitting that coffee has lost! I could never allow that farce!
**Tea Lady:** That's right! In the long standing name of tea, there's no way I can lose to something like coffee!
**Coffee Lady:** Nnma----!! “Something like” coffee!? It's not so easily thrown away, like tea!
**Tea Lady:** Th-”thrown away”----!? Why don't you watch your mouth!?
**Coffea:** Ah, that's not good. They're just getting even more heated up...
**Japanese Laurel:** Yeah... At this rate, they'll never...
**Gumi:** Wait, stop stop! Calm down, OK!
**Coffee Lady:** Please don't try to stop me, Japanese Laurel-sama...
Huh, ara? Who was...?
**Gumi:** It was us! For the day, the night, and for the people!
**Checkerberry:** The Flower Knight team who defeats evil, protects the good, and loves justice!
**Juneberry:** Umm, umm...! L-leave the solution to this problem to us!
**Blackberry:** No matter what the challenge is, we'll solve it.
**Gumi:** The helpful Berries squad! Form up!!
We did it...!
**Juneberry:** I'm glad we practised!
**Blackberry:** Ahaha... You should leave it for another time...
**Both Ladies:** ......
**Coffea:** U-umm... You are?
**Melampodium:** Sorry for intruding. I'm from that sweets shop over there and we heard your voices from inside the store, so we were wondering what had happened.
**Japanese Laurel:** Aah, I'm so sorry about that. Um, they were just having a little argument, then...
**Tea Lady:** She came poking in from the other side! Saying her coffee is tasty, goes well with sweets and is far superior than tea!
**Coffee Lady:** Wha-AT! Then what were you shouting so loudly!? Coffee is evil and sweets go well with tea!
**Tea Lady:** I was only speaking the truth!
**Coffee Lady:** What did you say!?
**Coffea:** ... That's the story.
**Melampodium:** I see, so it's an argument between coffee lovers and tea lovers...
**Blueberry:** Speaking of which, the bags that you're holding are from long standing Lilywood tea and coffee shops. Could it be...
**Japanese Laurel:** Yeah, they're ladies from each respective shop. They've been like this for a very long time.
**Blueberry:** Ah, so that's it. But arguing during the Sweets Forest is kind of sad...
**Tea Lady:** Kuu... You can't say such a thing so easily... If I don't beat this roasted bean lady here, then the name of our long standing tea shop will be...!
**Coffee Lady:** I must beat this soggy leaf of a lady publicly and let the world know that my coffee shop is number one...
**Coffea:** Roasted... Soggy... Why the such horrible words...?
**Coffee Lady:** You there! You called yourselves Berries, correct!?
**Gumi:** Eeh!? Y-yeah!
**Melampodium:** I'm not with them though...
**Coffee Lady:** Go and do an investigation into which is a more fitting accompanying drink for these sweets, my coffee or her tea!
**Tea Lady:** It shall be named “Tea or Coffee, the solution to which is a more fitting friend to sweets”!!
**Coffee Lady:** Wait! It should be named “Coffee or Tea”!
**Blueberry:** W-we've somehow got caught up in really difficult situation...
**Melampodium:** Well, we did intervene, and it will stop the argument... Anyway, shall we go and find the solution?

### Showdown for Who is Right!

The “Tea or Coffee, the solution to which is a more fitting friend to sweets” had started, and the Berries and Melampodium had been chosen as judges. However, the judging is messed up by the sabotage attempts of the two ladies. Apparently, the conflict between the two isn't over a matter of taste.

**Pothos:** So, it has begun! “Tea or Coffee, the solution to which is a more fitting friend to sweets”! I, Scoop-chan, will be your MC and overall in charge!
The rules are actually simple! Each member will will introduce the appeals of their drinks and recommend which sweets go well with them, then the judges will have a taste test and decide the victor!
These will be the judges! The Flower Knight friend group “Berries” and Melampodium-san, a famous investor!
**Melampodium:** Ummm... Was that last part necessary...
**Blueberry:** When did Pothos-san suddenly become the commentator?
**Pothos:** I just happened to come to buy millefeuille from my favourite shop! Then it looked like something interesting was about to happen♪
The final decision between two of Lilywood's most famous long standing shops! It's going to be spectacular to see what happens! So saying that, let's get to it!
**Tea Lady:** The first match will be between Japanese Laurel-sama and Coffea-sama!
**Checkerberry:** Hmm? The two who were trying to stop you before!?
**Coffea:** Yeah, something like that. It seems like they're each trying to pull coffee and tea lovers to their respective sides.
As such, I really like coffee and I always get served well at that coffee shop. So I talked Japanese Laurel-san into joining me there for a short time.
**Japanese Laurel:** Yes, and I used to be hired to work as a maid at that tea shop. So this is a little like fate.
Coffea-san and myself are watching over them from our respective positions. I think this commotion will settle down once they cool their heads.
**Blueberry:** Is that right...? I understand. The visitors of Sweets Forest think this is an event and have come to enjoy watching this though...
We'll also watch over them while we act as judges.
**Melampodium:** If this is the case, I wonder if my shop will provide sweets. We have many sweets that go well with tea and coffee, so you could choose what you like.
**Checkerberry:** Ooh, so does this mean that we're going to be given tea and sweets to eat for free!? Super lucky♪
**Coffea:** Well, first up is a little explanation about coffee...
Coffee is a drink made from roasting coffee beans and then extracting the flavour from the ground powder using hot or cold water. Even when talking about coffee in a nutshell, the taste and aroma are completely different depending on it's origin, roasting, and grinding, so it's a very deep drink. Also, the other ingredients added to coffee each have their own merits. For example, it can be effective at relaxing, waking up, dieting, or even for hangovers. Also...
**Blackberry:** That's a huge information dump...
**Juneberry:** Coffea-san really does like her coffee...
**Japanese Laurel:** Well, I'm not particularly well versed in tea, but I'm afraid I'm not good at losing either.
Tea is made by drying and fermenting tea leaves, and then similarly extracting the flavour by using hot or cold water. It's well known that black tea, green tea and oolong tea are all made from tea leaves, right? As well as the differences in origin and processing, the grading is also made according to the shape of the tea leaves. However, that doesn't mean that the quality is going to be good or bad, so don't make that mistake. Some are even specially flavoured using flowers of fruit peel...
**Gumi:** Didn't she say she wasn't particularly well versed!?
**Checkerberry:** I don't even know what she's talking about any more!
**Blueberry:** Anyway, it's probably going to be easier to understand when we actually drink it.
**Coffea:** Ah, you're right. We've gotten...
The sweets that go well with coffee also vary with the type. This time, we've prepared a well roasted coffee with a deep bitter taste, so please enjoy it with choux cream puffs filled with lots of sweet cream♪
**Japanese Laurel:** Then how about an aromatic Earl Grey with some chocolate cake? They make a great combination that compliments each other.
**Blueberry:** Waa, that's a huge Choux cream! The coffee also smells wonderful♪
**Melampodium:** The tea has a really rich aroma. I wonder how it goes with chocolate?
**Checkerberry:** Well, let's dig in! \*Gomp\*!!
............!!!!!!!???
S............pi--------cy!!
**Blackberry:** Eh!? Wh-what's wrong Checkerberry!? The choux cream's spicy...?
Huh, there's red powder in the cream... Could this be chilli powder?
**Gumi:** Is this like some kind of dare game where you need to find the right choux cream!?
**Melampodium:** Eeh!? I don't think they'd have made something like that? It must have gotten mixed in accidentally...
**Checkerberry:** Hahi... It's so spicy...! This isn't coffee at all...
**Juneberry:** ...... Hmm? Hmmmm? Th-this tea has kind of a... sour flavour! What kind of strange stuff has been put in this...?
... Ah! There are pickled plums in the teapot!? Hauu, if I didn't notice it, my mouth would have been...!
**Blueberry:** Eeh? What on earth is this about?
**Tea Lady:** You... You did this!?
**Coffee Lady:** You say I did this!? I can't believe you've used those sly hands to replace the sweets!
**Tea Lady:** You're the one who's added things to the tea! Aah, and it was tea brewed by my own hand too...!
That's what you get from caffeine poisoned coffee!
**Coffee Lady:** Your head is filled with tea leaves, what are you talking about!?
**Melampodium:** Ummm, in other words... You both sabotaged each others' entries...?
**Japanese Laurel:** It seems so. No, it's all been spoiled so far...
**Coffea:** Yeah, it's a little unusual. I wonder if this is something more than a matter of personal taste...?

### The Real Problem

According to the stories that Japanese Laurel and Coffea heard, the two ladies have been urged to quarrel from a young age due to their parents holding a grudge. Because they got caught up in their parents' fighting, the two ladies have never actually tasted each others drinks.

**Checkerberry:** Hahi... What a terrible experience...
**Juneberry:** Me too, I still have a weird sour taste in my mouth...
**Blueberry:** Are you alright you two? This sweet seems to be safe, so it should cleanse your palate.
**Blackberry:** Saying that, to go so far as to sabotage... Are those two really such enemies?
**Melampodium:** Apparently it's not just about this.
**Japanese Laurel:** I've heard some stories about those two. This could be a little bit of a complicated problem.
**Blueberry:** Complicated? What on earth could have...?
**Coffea:** Japanese Laurel-san and myself have heard each side's story. The two of them got heated up in that last sabotage attempt, so we calmed them down a little.
We asked them “do you really hate the other's drinks that much?” and it seems that each of them has never tasted the other's drink.
**Gumi:** Eeh!? So they've never drank coffee or tea at all...
**Melampodium:** Well, that's a little surprising... But the problem is that they hate it so much even though they've never drank it.
**Tea Lady:** Would you please give it a rest!? Just as Father and Mother would always say, coffee is a drink for the rude and violent!
**Coffee Lady:** What did you say!? Tea is only favoured by those who look down on others! Father and Mother said so! They both always spoke the truth!
**Blueberry:** Their fathers and mothers... Could it be that something happened between their parents...?
**Japanese Laurel:** Yes, it seems that the parents who had the coffee shop and tea shop were on very bad terms.
So it seems that the both of them were strongly taught that the other's drink was bad from a very young age.
**Checkerberry:** Eeh!? So that means that those two don't really know each other that well and just got caught up in their parents' fight!?
**Gumi:** Their hostile to each other because of their families, how sad...They've just been swayed by their parents!
**Blackberry:** This is a bigger problem as we thought. If they've been told that by their parents from a young age, the influence is going to be massive...
But we need to do something about this fighting... It's not very fitting, is it?
**Coffea:** So you think so too? Haa, I wish we could do something about it, but what can we do...?

### To Know Each Other

The party are scratching their heads on how to get the two ladies to become friendly with each other. They think it would be a good idea to have each other try the drinks that they've never tasted before, but they're not going to do that so easily when they've hated them up until now. Just then, inspired by something Blackberry said, Blueberry comes up with a plan.

**Blueberry:** So because of their parents' teaching, they both hate things they've never drank and they're hostile to each other... What should we do, if there's even something we can do?
**Checkerberry:** Hmm, it would be best if we got them both to try drinking what they haven't drunk before? If they could understand both is tasty, they could make friends!
**Gumi:** It would be nice if we could that! Looking at those two though, do you think it'll be that easy to get them to drink?
**Juneberry:** So those two have never even once tried drinking it ever since they were young? Even if we tell them to try drinking it, they're not going to actually listen to us...
**Coffea:** You're definitely right. However, reconciliation is just a matter of talking...
**Tea Lady:** The next match is going to be mine!
**Streptocarpus:** Yaaa, as I thought, there's no way to debate with you in this state...
**Japanese Barberry:** Yes, I'm also surprised. But as I accepted the job, I need to do my best. We can't quit even if we cry, right Carpus-san?
**Streptocarpus:** Oya, so you also don't know you should take a knee after hearing my argument?
**Coffee Lady:** What great enthusiasm! Please hit her with the full force of the thoughts of the coffee lovers of the world, Japanese Barberry-sama!
**Tea Lady:** No, please refute that claim gently, Streptocarpus-sama! The opinions of the tea lovers is the best in the world!
**Coffea:** ... They can't make up with each other, but they can start a debate, haa...
**Blackberry:** Hmm, the point is if they don't try the other's drink, then there's nothing we can do about it?
**Japanese Laurel:** Well if they hate it so much they won't drink it, can't we just get them to drink it without telling them? If we did that, we could...
No no, they would definitely notice. Coffee and tea have distinctive aromas, so unless we block their ears and noses...
**Blackberry:** Certainly, the drinks as they are now would make it difficult. But what about if it wasn't drinks?
If they don't know whether it's coffee or tea, then they'll use it without hesitation... Right?
**Blueberry:** ... Ah! I got it! So, how about this?
**Coffea:** ............ I see, something like that. This could work!
**Melampodium:** Yeah, it looks good! I agree. In that case, then the shop which I invest in could come in really useful.
**Blueberry:** Yes, I'd love your help. Let's break down their guards so they can really get to know each other♪

### Come On! Sweets Friends

Japanese Laurel and Coffea present certain sweets to the two ladies who have tired themselves out from their arguing. It was sweets which they had secretly added the ingredients from the others' drinks into. Impressed by the new flavours they're experiencing, they wanted to learn more about each others' real selves and shook hands.

**Tea Lady:** Haa, haa... You're a difficult one to convince...
**Coffee Lady:** Fuu, fuu... You're persistent, just give up...
**Melampodium:** We're meant to be the judges though... But if they're worn out, that's perfect.
Hey, you two. Why not take a little break around now? I don't think we're going to find an answer going at this rate.
**Tea Lady:** ... Th-that's right. Why don't call a ceasefire for now?
**Coffee Lady:** U-understood. Let's prepare ourselves for the rematch.
**Juneberry:** That was easier than expected.
**Blackberry:** Maybe they couldn't stand down before...
**Blueberry:** You must be tired. If you would like, how about having some of these sweets while you take a break♪
**Japanese Laurel:** Here you are. I've made some fresh tea. It'll probably not be able to compare to your own brew though.
**Tea Lady:** Thank you. What a nice smell... It must be Ceylon. Also these Swiss rolls look tasty too.
**Coffea:** And here you go. Butter rich cookies are the only compliment to deep roasted coffee.
**Coffee Lady:** Yes, that's right! The sweetness of the sweets and the bitterness of the coffee still make the perfect combination.
**Both Ladies:** Well then, itadakimasu. (Said before eating a meal to show thanks, like grace.)
............
**Gumi:** ...... \*Gulp\*...
**Tea Lady:** ... So tasty...! What is in the cream of this cake!? It's not just sweet. But has a strange mild bitterness as well which goes well with the refreshing taste of tea!
**Coffee Lady:** These butter cookies aren't plain!? An invigorating aroma much like citrus, the strong sweetness fully compliments this coffee...!
What a wonderful harmony of flavours! Coffea-san, with this combination, we can make the tea lovers scream in delight!
**Tea Lady:** This Swiss roll and tea, Japanese Laurel-san! With this, we can completely push back the coffee lovers! The true companion to sweets is tea!
**Coffea & Japanese Laurel:** ............
**Japanese Laurel:** My lady, actually... This cream has been made with coffee.
**Tea Lady:** ... Eh?
**Coffea:** This too, we mixed tea leaves into the cookie dough. That invigorating aroma is coming from the tea.
**Coffee Lady:** Eh... Eeeeh!? Th-that's... Such a tasty thing is, it's, tea...?
**Blueberry:** We're sorry for tricking you like this. But if we didn't do it like this, then you would never have tasted it...
**Melampodium:** So... Now that you've tasted it, what do you think? Each others' tea and coffee was?
**Tea Lady:** ............
...... I had absolutely no idea. That the bitterness of coffee could be this flavourful.
My mother and father would only tell me that the coffee was bitter because it was harmful for the body.
**Coffee Lady:** Me too. For tea to have such a deep aroma and flavour like this... I was told it was just cheap and bad...
**Tea Lady:** It seems like we both were completely unaware of the other.
**Coffee Lady:** Yes, we've just been fighting over what our fathers told us...
... But, I've always been curious. I wonder if all I can truly ever do is quarrel with you?
**Tea Lady:** .........!
... Well, this might be too little too late, but from now on... Would you like to be friends?
**Coffee Lady:** Well... I was just about to say the same thing. Yes, of course. It may be a little late, but let's talk more from now on.
Just like tea and coffee are good friends to sweets...

### Epilogue

The two ladies safely settled their differences. They want to know each other better from now on and become friends. So, the Berries and Melampodium are pleased to hear that the two are talking about how they can work together to liven up the tea and coffee industry.

**Tea Lady:** We are truly sorry for causing everyone trouble.
**Coffee Lady:** Yes, we're truly sorry... Especially as it happened during Sweets Forest.
**Blueberry:** No, you've made up... Or something like that, we're just really happy that you've been able to make friends♪
**Tea Lady:** Yes, but first I feel we need to learn a lot more about each other.
**Coffee Lady:** I'm sure there's more to be gained from cooperation than by fighting... Right?
**Tea Lady:** That's right, fufu...
**Gumi:** Huh... You seem to be a lot closer than I thought...?
**Juneberry:** You could say they're a little too close. It's a lot better than fighting, but...
**Japanese Laurel:** Not just their personal relationships, but also in the sense of the tea and coffee industry, it would be better if they got along.
**Coffea:** Certainly, the revival of the market will make the merchants happy.
**Tea Lady:** Yes, I'm going to work tirelessly with her to make the tea and coffee industry even more lively.
**Coffee Lady:** Well, you mean “the coffee and tea industry” don't you!?
**Tea Lady:** Eeh!? You're going to start with that again!?
**Both Ladies:** ...............
......... Fufuu
**Checkerberry:** Yeah yeah, they're already really good friends! That means we can relax and go shopping!
**Melampodium:** You could be right. I completely forgot...
Once again, I'll show you around my shop. The Swiss rolls and cookies from before are there.
**Blackberry:** Waa, that would be wonderful. I did wonder. Also, coffee and tea too.
**Coffee Lady:** Of course, please come to our shops too. We'll give you a special discount!
**Gumi:** Really!? Yippee! That's right, why doesn't everyone pick out their favourite things and we have a tea party?
**Juneberry:** Sounds great♪ With the knowledge of these two, our tea party is going to be the best♪
**Blueberry:** Yes, let's do that♪ How about you Japanese Laurel-san?
**Japanese Laurel:** Oya, is that alright? Well, it would be rude not to join.
**Coffea:** I'll also join you once you've finished shopping. Fufu, I'm looking forward to it♪
**Blueberry:** Yes, of course♪ Fufufu, the companions to sweets are tea and coffee. More than those... Everyone's conversation♪