[Weekly Short-Short Note Behind-the-Scenes] Takoyaki Party Gymnastics

I was invited to Takoyaki Party Gymnastics.
When it ends, steaming takoyaki is brought out from the back room.
I was hooked on its savory aroma and melting texture from the very first bite.
Smiling and wriggling, the movements we all do that hit the spot feel great.
Smiling, wriggling, wriggling, wriggling.
Before I knew it, I was going there almost every day.

One day, after the gymnastics, someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder.
"It's your turn next."
I was taken straight to the back room.
From the iron plate in the center, the steam I had grown so accustomed to was rising.
I suddenly felt something strange, and when I looked at my arms, they had both turned into magnificent tentacles lined with suction cups.

I felt a quiet gaze from behind.
When I turned around, I saw eyeballs, eyeballs, and more eyeballs staring at me through the gap in the door.
They were all pleading with their bulging eyes: We're hungry.

I finally understood what had been going on here, and what was about to happen.
The sound of oil popping on the iron plate sounded uncomfortably close.

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