Shoko thanked her for that, then a moment of realization struck her. She grabbed her hand and said,
"Come, I'll introduce you to the people here."
Then she walked toward that man and said,
"This is Edward. He's the one who takes care of the financial matters."
Haruka looked at the man with lemon-colored eyes and hair, wearing round glasses, and the sharp gaze he was still directing at her.
Haruka smiled politely and thought to herself,
I don't know what his problem is, but I guess it's only right to greet him.
She said,
"Hello, I'm Haruka. Nice to meet you."
In an instant, his deadly stare turned into a smile and he said,
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Edward."
Shoko smiled and said,
"I'm glad you two got along. Now I'll introduce you to the rest."
She grabbed Haruka's hand again and walked toward the kitchen.
"This is the kitchen, and the one who does the cooking here… is me."
Haruka said,
"Does that mean the restaurant belongs to both of you?"
Shoko replied,
"Yes. Actually, it's a new restaurant, so there aren't many customers most of the time. But the number we get is still decent."
Haruka said,
"I see. That's why you wanted someone to take customers' orders. After all, running a restaurant with just two people must be very difficult."
Shoko replied nervously,
"That's right… hehe."
Then Haruka excused herself to change into her work clothes.
After she finished, Shoko smiled happily and said,
"They suit you."
Haruka thanked her, and just then they heard the doorbell.
Shoko said,
"That must be a customer. Go take their order."
Haruka walked toward them and saw that they were a family. She greeted them kindly and treated them politely. She even started playing with their two children.
Haruka showed them a small glass piece and said,
"Look, it's here in my right hand."
The two children answered seriously,
"We saw it."
Then she secretly moved the glass piece into her left hand and closed both of her fists.
"Now, where is it?" she asked.
The boy said,
"In your right hand."
But the girl said,
"In the left one. I'm sure!"
Haruka then pulled the glass piece out of her mouth and said,
"You're both wrong."
The children immediately started complaining.
"No! That's impossible! I'm sure it was in the right hand! You must be cheating with magic!"
Haruka gently patted their heads and said,
"It's not real magic. It's the magic of illusion."
Then she took the glass piece and began rolling it skillfully between her fingers with great speed. Finally, she tossed it into the air and caught it.
"What about this? Is that magic too?"
The father started laughing, and so did the mother.
"You two have to admit defeat," the father said.
Then he stood up and said,
"Thank you for the meal. Here's the payment."
He lightly tossed a gold coin toward her and added,
"And this is a tip for you. I really enjoyed your performance. Thanks for the meal. I'll make sure to come back later."
Haruka remained standing in place, still holding the gold coin.
"This is too much to be a tip…" she murmured.
Shoko looked at her happily and said,
"I can't believe my eyes! You got such a big tip on your first day. Congratulations!"
Haruka asked,
"Do I get to keep it?"
"Of course," Shoko replied.
"It's your work after all. Besides, you were amazing. How did you hide the glass piece? Even I couldn't figure it out."
Haruka smiled and said,
"It's a secret."
Shoko complained dramatically,
"Whaaat?! Why?! I really wanted to know the trick!"
Haruka then took the bag of money and handed it to Edward.
"Here. This is the payment for their meal."
Edward smiled and said,
"Thank you for your work."
Suddenly, Shoko sniffed the air and said,
"Oh no… the coffee!"
She rushed to the kitchen.
The moment she left, Edward's gentle face changed. He looked at Haruka with disgust and said coldly,
"Stay away, you insect."
Haruka thought to herself,
Just as I thought. It wasn't my imagination. While I was working, he kept looking at me with that look of disgust.
She excused herself and went to the kitchen, where she found Shoko preparing coffee. Haruka asked if she could taste it.
"Sure, why not?" Shoko replied.
Haruka smiled happily.
"Finally… coffee. I've missed its taste."
But the moment she took her first sip, she spat it out while coughing.
"W-what is this?!"
Shoko replied,
"It's coffee."
Haruka looked at her in disbelief.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course," Shoko said.
"I've been cooking since I was little. This is the correct way to prepare it."
Haruka said,
"Can I make one myself? Actually… I'll make three types."
"There are no customers right now, so that's fine," Shoko replied.
Haruka rolled up her sleeves and said,
"First, I'll prepare coffee with milk.
I'll pour one cup of milk into a small pot and place it over low heat until it gets warm but doesn't boil.
At the same time, I'll prepare a regular coffee in a small pot.
After the coffee is ready, I'll pour it into a cup.
Then I'll gradually add the hot milk.
If I want it sweeter, I'll add sugar and stir well.
And now the milk coffee is ready to drink."
"The second thing I'll prepare is cappuccino.
First, I'll prepare instant coffee in a cup by adding a spoon of coffee to hot water.
Then I'll heat the milk.
After that, I'll whisk the milk with a mixer or by hand until thick foam forms.
I'll add the hot milk to the coffee, then place the foam on top.
I can sprinkle a little cocoa powder or cinnamon for decoration.
And that's how cappuccino is ready."
"The last thing I'll prepare is espresso.
I'll place ground espresso beans into the coffee machine.
Then I'll start the machine so it pushes hot water through the coffee under strong pressure.
Within a few seconds, a concentrated drink will pour into a small cup.
I won't add milk or much sugar, because espresso is meant to be strong.
And that's how espresso is ready."
"And now… all the types are ready."
Haruka took a sip of her coffee and smiled.
"This… is real coffee."
Then she handed one to Shoko.
"Try it."
Shoko looked at the cup curiously.
"Your way of making it is really strange. I've never seen anyone do that before."
She examined the cup and took a sip.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"It's sweet… and delicious too! Who would have thought coffee could taste this good?"
Haruka smiled.
"Right?"
Shoko asked,
"It might feel like I'm stealing your recipe… but can I sell this coffee in the shop?"
Haruka finished her cup and said,
"Sure. Why not?"
Then she thought to herself,
It's not even my recipe. I'm just making what I used to make at home.
Shoko said happily,
"Thank you!"
Haruka added,
"I'll give you another tip. If you want to attract more customers with this coffee, you can give out free samples outside. Make them small samples. Whoever likes it and wants more will come inside to drink it. That way, you'll earn more money."
Shoko looked amazed.
"Wow! That's such a great idea! Thank you!"
Haruka said,
"It's nothing. Anyway, I should go back now. It's going to get very dark soon."
"You're right," Shoko said.
"Goodbye, and thank you for your hard work."
At the guild
Haruka opened the door and said,
"I'm back."
Emi replied,
"Welcome back. Did you find a job?"
Haruka sighed as she sat on a chair and leaned over the table.
"Yes… at a restaurant."
Emi said while washing dishes,
"That sounds good. Anyway, did you eat?"
Haruka didn't answer.
Emi turned around.
"Haruka?"
She found her asleep on the table.
Emi smiled softly, covered her with a blanket, and said,
"Today must have been exhausting."
To be continued…