My life is still being controlled by convenience stores today.

Until yesterday, I was fully dancing to the tune of 7-Eleven's 50% more campaign.

"More volume? I have no choice but to buy that, right?"

I charged in without even consulting my stomach's capacity.

I have just earned the medal of breaking through my stomach's limits.

And yet.

Truly, and yet.

Without even a moment to catch my breath, Lawson has now sent in a new assassin called the "Super Happy Challenge."

...Happy?

...Challenge?

I haven't even finished digesting the afterglow and calories from the last volume-up festival.

Does the concept of a truce agreement not exist in the convenience store industry?

My stomach is currently working at full capacity.

As for my purse strings, they no longer even resemble their original form.

I am like a rubber band that has been stretched to its limit, unable to bear the weight of the increased portion sizes.

These days, my daily life is practically managed by the promotional calendars of convenience store chains.

Their dedication is so intense that I, who should just be a consumer, find myself becoming both a spectator and a participant in this grand portion-increase entertainment.

By the way, everyone, have you seen the numbers for Lawson this time?

In honor of their 51st anniversary, they are offering a "51% increase."

51%.

It's not 50%, you know?

It's 51%.

This exquisite 1% is truly wonderful.

It's as if they are saying,

"50%? That's wonderful, I see. But we are doing 51%."

There is a certain intensity to it, like passing a rival with a refreshing smile.

Just 1%.

Yet, a significant 1%.

I don't dislike that tenacity.

In fact, I love it.

And what's terrifying is that this current festival isn't just a simple volume-up campaign.

This time, Lawson is...

"Too much matching"

"Too much volume"

"Too much richness"

They are sprinting full speed in a direction that appeals more to instinct than to reason.

A total of 50 items.

Even a school festival wouldn't have this much enthusiasm.

Was there no one at the product development meeting to stop them?

"Isn't this going a bit too far?"

Perhaps everyone who said that was swallowed up by the wave of increased volume.

And this time, what I am paying particular attention to is the Sauce Yakisoba appearing on June 3rd, "Lawson Day."

It has an astonishing 63% increase in volume.

I was already surprised enough by 51%, but then they suddenly hit us with the power word '63%'.

The inflation of these numbers is just too intense.

What's more, this yakisoba is only available for two days, June 2nd and 3rd.

And the supply is limited, too.

In other words, it's a rare monster in the world of increased portions.

If you find it, grab it immediately.

Lawson must have been thinking,

'If we're going to do this, let's make it legendary!!'

or something along those lines.

Honestly,

'Lawson, are you really going that far?'

I'm sure that's the collective reaction that came from all over the country.

But at the same time,

'So, which stores can I buy it at?'

It is the sad nature of us Japanese to end up searching for that.

Even while being swayed by the increased portions, I end up happily participating in the festival anyway.

And this time, what I want to talk about most loudly is the national idol and legend of the convenience store world, Kara-age Kun.

He has returned this time having undergone an incredible evolution.

Its name is, "Morisugi! De-Kara-age Kun Dream MIX 6-piece pack."

The name itself is dreamy, isn't it?

The price remains the same at 288 yen.

Despite that, the contents are effectively increased by one, totaling six pieces.

At this point, I am already happy enough.

However, the real terror starts here.

Believe it or not, inside are Regular, Red, Cheese, and Lemon.

And Mayo Cube.

These five varieties are all living together.

The Kara-age Kun version of a dream team has been formed🤝

With every bite, the excitement of "Who's next!?" washes over me.

Will it be red?

Will it be cheese?

Or is it the hidden ace of the mayo cube?

Everything is a winning gacha.

And before I know it, there's an empty container on my desk.

Another empty container.

And yet another empty container.

"Isn't this a bit too much to eat?"

The voice of reason whispers, but I quietly shake my head.

...Because it contains lemon flavor.

Lemon is a fruit.

Fruit is healthy.

In other words, it's practically healthy.

Therefore, it's practically zero calories.

..., and while developing such a very convenient theory, I happily stuffed my cheeks with Karaage-kun again today.

Of course, this festival also has a person in charge of sweet temptations.

No, the word temptation isn't enough.

It is a kidnapper that uproots and carries away my reason while I'm on a diet.

Its name is, 'Mori-sugi! Premium Roll Cake'.

Just hearing the name makes my reason retreat a little.

That cream made with 100% Hokkaido fresh cream.

The cream is the star, and the sponge is the supporting role.

Actually, it might not even be a supporting role.

The sponge is a small boat drifting in a vast sea of cream.

Or perhaps a castaway.

The moment I open the lid,

a white land spreads across my entire field of vision.

'Huh? A snowy mountain?'

The amount of cream is enough to make me hallucinate that.

When I insert the spoon, it makes a soft squish.

It is the sound effect of happiness.

It is no longer a question of "whether to buy it" but rather "how many to buy."

Having read this far,

"But it's popular, so I probably can't buy it, right?"

I imagine some of you are looking at this with a skeptical eye.

...I understand.

I, too, once rushed to Lawson in search of the bonus-size products, only to stand frozen in front of a shelf that was completely empty.

That feeling of despair.

So, this time, I will secretly share a few tips on how to survive the bonus-size festival.

It varies by region and store, but...

First, if you are aiming for sweets, the time to strike is between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Many stores only receive one delivery of sweets per day.

In other words, it is said that before tea time is effectively your last chance.

On the other hand, there are relatively more chances for rice balls and bento boxes.

Early morning.

Before noon.

Evening.

While this also varies by store, it is generally recommended to aim for these restocking times.

Furthermore, if you have suffered a total defeat at a store in a residential area, try office districts, inside hospitals, or around universities.

Moving your search to these hidden gems is also effective.

And here is the secret trick that I personally think is the strongest.

Target stores that have a Machikado Kitchen.

...this is it.

Even if the shelves are empty, you shouldn't give up.

We are only seeing the stage.

Behind the scenes, a hamburger patty, fried chicken, and a minced meat cutlet might be having a fateful encounter right now, about to be reborn as a bento box.

In other words, there is still hope.

Just because the shelf is empty doesn't mean everything is over.

If you're serious enough, it's worth gathering the courage to ask the clerk.

"Is there any more coming in?"

That one sentence might lead you to a paradise of extra stock.

So, on your way home today.

Why not take a slight detour and stop by Lawson?

Beyond the shelves, roll cakes with cream pushed to the limit, yakisoba with way too much common sense added, and Karaage-kun packed with too many dreams are waiting for you.

By the way, I've already got two bags full today.

I bought plenty, and with a non-alcoholic drink in hand, I'm about to have a convenience store sweets party with my colleagues.

And I've decided to call the heaviness in my stomach that will surely come later the mass of happiness.

It looks like the final battle between my stomach and my reason is about to begin again tonight..., 🍀