The next day, Haruka came to work, and upon entering, she was surprised by the number of customers and the crowded restaurant. She entered, put on her work clothes, and headed toward Amy in the kitchen.
Amy, busy, said: "Take this cup of coffee to table three. As for the cappuccino, it's at table six. And these three cups are for table one."
Haruka said, "The restaurant has become crowded."
Amy replied, "Okay, I tried your idea this morning."
In the morning, a man was walking by, yawning, saying, "Damn, I feel sleepy. I didn't sleep well last night." Then he started hearing a voice from the opposite side saying, "Coffee! Coffee! Free samples!"
He looked at it and thought to himself, "What? Coffee? It came just in time, and it's free. I'll just taste it to shake off the sleep and then leave."
He approached, saying, "I'll take a sip, little one."
Shoko happily said, "Go ahead," and he began tasting it. His face turned into expressions of joy.
"Is it really coffee?" he asked.
Shoko replied, "Yes, and if you want more, feel free to drink, just with two silver coins."
The man took two cups, and others began trying it after him because they heard it was free. In the end, everyone who drank it left, whispering to each other about it until it became like that, said Shoko.
Haruka answered, "I'm happy I helped you."
"Now I'll start my work," she added.
After another hard day, Haruka and Shoko were lying on the table.
"My back hurts," said Haruka.
Amy said, "I've never worked like this in my life, and I can't believe we used up all the coffee."
Haruka stood up and said, "But look at the good side—we filled the cash register with money, didn't we, Edward?"
Edward looked at her and sighed. "Yes… I admit, we never actually filled the register like that."
Haruka smiled, "Isn't it though?"
Shoko smiled, "Thanks again for this."
Haruka replied, "What are you saying? This is just the beginning. I just remembered a recipe in my mind."
"Is there more?" Shoko asked.
Haruka said, "Yes, now help with the pizza."
Shoko and Edward said, "Pizza??"
Haruka entered the kitchen, saying, "Wait, help me and I'll show you how it's done."
After an hour, Shoko tasted it, happy. "It's delicious, and the cheese inside never ends!"
Haruka laughed, "Isn't it? It's delicious."
Shoko said, "Edward, you must try it."
Edward looked at the pizza sharply, and Haruka said, "Don't worry, I didn't put anything harmful in it."
He took a slice and tasted it, surprised that it was delicious.
He took slice after slice until he finished it and said, "Is that all there is?"
Haruka said, "Yes, there's only one left, and it was just cheese pizza. There are also many types: seafood pizza, pepperoni pizza, vegetarian pizza, and meat pizza."
Shoko said, "Wow, that sounds delicious."
Haruka said, "It's not just 'sounds,' it really is delicious. Oh, I almost forgot—I wrote down these types and how to make them." She handed her a paper, "You can use it in the restaurant, and I bet no one sells them here."
Shoko asked, "Are you sure these are your recipes?"
Haruka replied, "What? They aren't even mine. I just read them in an old book."
Shoko said, "If you want, I'll make them."
Days passed quickly, and during those days, Haruka tried many recipes, and the restaurant became crowded with people. It became one of the most famous restaurants in the capital because its food was special.
After another hard day at work, Haruka sighed while taking out the trash. Looking at the sky, eight days had passed since her arrival, and time flew. Only three days were left until she met him. She smiled.
The next day, at the guild:
Haruka sighed, "Bored again."
Amy, sewing, said, "Don't you have work today too?"
Haruka said, "No. Edward and Shoko went to visit their family in the countryside. I told them it will be the last time I see them because I will leave and won't return for a long time, so I got my pay."
Amy asked, "How much have you earned so far?"
"Two gold coins and five silver coins," Haruka answered.
Amy, surprised, said, "That's a lot! You wouldn't even get that from me."
Haruka replied, "Half of this money is just tips from the customers."
Amy said, "That's really good."
Haruka sighed and stood up. She looked at Amy and said:
"I'm going out… I need some air."
Amy nodded, "Okay, don't go far, and come back before nightfall, alright?"
Haruka nodded and left, her steps heavy.
Outside, she walked into the street, inhaled deeply, then raised her arms and stretched slowly.
"Haah… Freedom is a blessing…"
She stretched her legs a little, took a few steps, and felt her breathing return gradually.
Suddenly…
"…Haah… haah… Mommmy…"
A broken crying voice caught her attention.
She looked toward the source and saw a small boy, no older than six, sitting on the sidewalk, covering his face with his hands, crying softly and painfully.
She paused, staring at him… then whispered coldly to herself,
"It's not my business."
She turned to return to the guild, but felt something tug at the hem of her clothes.
She turned slowly and found the boy looking at her with tearful eyes, holding onto her dress.
"Have you seen my mom…?"
He said it in a trembling voice as if his entire heart depended on that answer.
Haruka looked at him with an expressionless face and said coldly,
"No… and I don't want to."
She took her first step to walk away, but his crying suddenly rose painfully.
People on the street were watching them, some with curiosity, some with disapproval.
Haruka felt a slight pang in her chest. She stopped.
Then she slowly turned, stared at him, and exhaled heavily, saying,
"I'll find your mother… just… be quiet."
The boy slowly lifted his head, eyes innocent, and said with a slight smile,
"Really?!"
She extended her hand to him reluctantly and said softly this time,
"Yes… come."
She held his small hand and began walking through the street.