The Guild Master dropped by the main shop one quiet afternoon with big news.
"So, about the cooking competition—we're thinking of holding the next one in the coliseum."
"That's huge!"
The coliseum was this world's version of a massive arena, easily seating ten thousand spectators. It was normally used for gladiatorial fights, chariot races, and grand festivals.
"Do you really think that many people will show up?" I asked, stunned.
"Oh yeah. We've already got a flood of chefs begging to enter, and nobles are practically throwing money at us to get good seats. Everyone's starving for proper entertainment around here."
I could see the hunger for spectacle in his eyes. This world didn't have television, movies, or the internet—any big event became an instant sensation.
"Especially that crepe thing Royza-chan made. It's the talk of the town. They're begging for her to participate again."
"…What about soba?"
The Guild Master scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin. "I'm an honest man, so I won't lie. Soba is great, but right now the crowd is screaming for those sweet, fluffy desserts. If we force it, it might not land the way you want."
Damn it. Still, this was my chance to show the world the true greatness of soba noodles!
But then came the real bomb.
"Problem is, we're getting way too many applicants. And we're short on staff—especially on the organizing side. So…"
No way.
"As the one who originally suggested the whole thing, you're on operations duty this time."
"You're kidding?!"
I had proposed the competition to promote soba, not to become the behind-the-scenes manager!
The Guild Master spent the next twenty minutes sweet-talking me, especially dangling the golden carrot: "If this one goes smoothly, I promise you and Royza get priority spots in the next event—no questions asked."
In the end, I caved. "Well… having two people from the same shop would look weird anyway. And Royza's branch just opened."
His judgment was sound. I sighed and pumped my fist. "Alright! Let's reset and do this properly!"
---
A week had passed since the new branch opened, and Royza's café had become a runaway success.
Just as she had predicted, the elegant, feminine menu—crepes piled high with fresh fruit and clouds of whipped cream, paired with fragrant fruit-infused red teas—was a massive hit with the noble and wealthy female clientele. Prices were kept reasonable, which only increased the daily foot traffic.
The only real problem was staffing.
"We need to hire more hands…" I muttered, rubbing my temples.
Merry-chan had been stationed full-time at the new branch. Without her, we couldn't keep up with the orders. She even started sleeping there most nights because walking home alone after closing was too dangerous.
I needed someone trustworthy.
The four women I'd been intimate with were reliable in bed, but:
- Miu was a beastkin. Her appearance and mannerisms made her unsuitable for high-class service, especially in a district full of nobles.
- Miju-san was busy with her teaching duties at the magic academy.
- Lai-san was on the verge of marriage.
No one was available. Hiring random people was out of the question—trust was a rare commodity in this world. Most izakayas were run by family or a single owner for good reason. The previous thefts at my shop proved how risky outsiders could be. Even the Guild Master had made a sour face when I asked for recommendations.
The main shop's crowds had finally begun to ease, especially during peak break times. Distributing our fruit wine to neighboring taverns had successfully spread the customers out. I actually preferred this calmer pace.
"Yep. This level of busyness feels just right."
---
That evening, with Merry-chan still at the branch, I spent the night with Miju-san, the beautiful half-elf teacher.
"Aaahn♡ So thick… I love your big, fat cock so much♡♡♡"
I had her bent over the edge of the bed, pounding deep into her slick, welcoming pussy from behind.
"The academy banquet is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Mmm♡ Please take good care of me♡"
I wondered if there would be lots of sexy female teachers there. The thought made me grin as I thrust harder.
"Does my cock feel good inside you?"
"It feels incredible… Half-elf pussies seem to love big cocks. They say the bigger the man, the better the fit."
That made sense.
"You can cum inside as much as you want♡♡♡ I'm completely addicted to your creampies now♡♡♡"
I didn't hold back. I slammed in deep and flooded her womb with a thick, hot load.
"Aaahn♡ It's shooting inside meee♡♡♡ Feels so good♡♡♡"
We caught our breath for a moment before Miju-san suddenly smirked.
"By the way… you've been messing around with Merry-chan, haven't you?"
"You knew?"
"It's pretty famous around here. That girl's father is a high-ranking elf, you know. People were saying such a beautiful half-elf would eventually be taken by some noble house. Instead, the owner of a soba shop stole her away."
I could only nod awkwardly.
"Well, her mother is pretty laid-back, so it's probably fine."
Come to think of it, I still hadn't met Merry-chan's mother.
"She's still young, but I think it suits her."
"Yeah…"
"But you can't actually marry her yet, right?"
"Ah… yeah."
Merry-chan was still too young by local standards. I was pretty sure she might already be pregnant, though.
"She can get married at twelve, but she still has about six more months, right?"
I decided it was time. "I should go greet her mother properly."
When I brought it up with Merry-chan the next morning, she tilted her head cutely.
"You can meet her, but… don't be too surprised, okay?"
I didn't understand what she meant until the moment we arrived at her house the following day.
"NIHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Merry-chan's mother was already drunk at nine in the morning, laughing uproariously with a bottle of fruit wine in hand.
She was stunning—long silver hair, pointed elf ears, flawless pale skin, and a voluptuous figure that made her look more like Merry-chan's older sister than her mother. She couldn't have been older than her late twenties in appearance.
"So you're the guy who wants to marry my daughter?" she slurred, eyes sparkling with mischief. "What exactly are you going to do for our family, huh?!"
"Fruit wine… all-you-can-drink, anytime."
"Take good care of my daughter♡"
Sold. Just like that. With alcohol.
(Well, Merry-chan had started our relationship with juice and whipped cream, so mother and daughter really were cut from the same cloth.)
"My daughter is busy, you know," she added with a wink.
"Raising a child alone must be tough."
"Yeah, it is. But the elf who knocked me up sends decent money, so life's pretty comfortable."
I blinked. "He actually provides for her?"
"Sort of. I threatened him—told him I'd stir up a huge succession crisis by parading this half-elf daughter around the royal court if he didn't pay up."
Blackmail. Pure and simple.
"Anyway, Merry seems really happy with you. I'm totally fine with it. Do whatever you want."
On the way home, Merry-chan looked a little troubled and tugged on my sleeve.
"Um… I've been staying over at Royza-san's place a lot lately, and I noticed something…"
"What is it?"
She hesitated, then asked softly, "Does Royza-san… like women?"
---
The new branch continued to thrive, the coliseum cooking competition loomed on the horizon, and my ever-expanding harem was becoming more complicated—and more delicious—by the day.