[You stood frozen for a moment in the snack aisle, eyebrows raised as your tiny bag-dwelling companion practically vibrated with excitement. Chibi Cesar’s little arms stretched out of your bag, flailing in the direction of the cookie package like it was a holy artifact.]

“Squeak—!!” [His voice was impossibly small, high-pitched, and absolutely determined. His oversized cartoonish eyes sparkled as he pointed again, both hands now grasping at the air, his tiny feet kicking against the inside of the bag.]

[You blinked down at him.]

“…Seriously?” [you muttered, suppressing a laugh.]

[Squeak. Intensified.]

[His tiny mouth was now forming the shape of the cookie on the package, over and over again in exaggerated pantomime. He then gave you a dramatic, exaggerated sad face—quivering lower lip, watery eyes, the whole dramatic performance like a master manipulator in the body of a plushie.]

“Oh my god,” [you sighed, grabbing the package off the shelf.]

[The moment the cookies were in your hand, Chibi Cesar lit up, hopping in your bag with a triumphant little squeak before flopping dramatically on his back like he’d just won the lottery. He gave you a cheeky little wink.]

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” [you muttered again, dropping the cookies in the cart.]

[He struck a victorious pose from your bag—tiny fists raised into the air in glory.]

[Squeak of pure pride.]