落とし穴５５堀：何を飲もうか？ (Part2)
"That's right. It's probably best to assume we're still in the two-month honeymoon phase. We get a lot of customers who come out of curiosity, but we are seeing repeaters. According to Ratz, the real test starts after the six-month mark."
"Well, that makes sense. No major issues so far, then?"
"Yes. We’ve had a few complaints about the portion sizes, but..."
"Well, that’s to be expected. It’s not the same concept as a diner."
"Indeed. Oh, and the King of Gartz, along with the Prince and Princess, have been visiting incognito."
*Huh?*
Shera-chan’s father, brother, and sister are coming here?
"What do you mean by that?"
Ah, Shera-chan’s face is twitching. She’s definitely going to be angry about this.
"Well, I couldn't say. I did suggest a high-end café to them, but they told me that meeting certain people there would be more trouble than it's worth..."
"Ah, I see."
Aslin and I didn't quite get it, but Brother, Labyris, and Shera seemed to understand perfectly.
"Anyway, that's enough talk for now. So, what does everyone want to drink?"
Brother spread the menu out on the table and asked.
"Hmm. I’ll have a café au lait!"
"Oh, I’ll have the same as Aslin!"
"I think I’ll go with an espresso. I’ll leave the bean selection to you."
"I’ll have the Darjeeling tea."
"Ah, I’ll have the same as Shera-sama."
The orders flowed smoothly until the last three.
"Um, which one is the most delicious?"
"...Coming all the way here just to order orange juice feels like a waste."
"Mm. I agree with Vilia and Hiiro. I don't know which is good, and it feels wrong to just order something I've already had before."
I see. Coming all the way to a café just to drink something you could buy at a store really would be a bit dull.
"Hmm. In that case... Master, I'll have the cocoa blend, on the sweeter side. I can adjust it from there. For me, I'll leave the black coffee beans to you."
"Understood."
With that, the Master returned to the counter and began preparing our drinks.
"Come to think of it, Cleena, you were calling them by their names earlier. You two already know each other?"
"Mm. Affirmative. Aslin and the others introduced us. Both of them are cute, so I like them. Friends."
"Yes. Cleena-san has been teaching me how to study. She’s incredibly good at explaining things. I’m sure she’ll make a wonderful teacher."
"...Yeah. Big Sister Cleena is good at teaching."
"My, my. Is Cleena-san aiming for a career in education?"
"Mm. I’m still thinking about it. Interacting with the children is more refreshing than I expected."
"I see. Well, why don't you drop by the school sometime?"
"Thank you, Yuki."
Oh! So Cleena-neesama is going to be a teacher? I’m sure she’ll be a great one!
"Well then, I suppose I’m the only one here meeting you two for the first time. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Samantha, one of Yuki-sama’s concubines. I look forward to working with you."
"E-e-ek! It’s a pleasure to meet you too!"
"...Big Sister is too nervous. Nice to meet you, Samantha-neesama."
"Fufu, as Hiiro says. No need to be so stiff. Vilia, you feel the same, don't you?"
Samantha-neesama whispered softly into Vilia’s ear. It’s obvious to everyone, really.
"O-oh... um... I’m, s-sorry..."
"It’s quite alright. Your eye for quality is impeccable. I guarantee it, and I’ll be rooting for you."
"Are you two talking about accessories or something? Samantha would definitely be the best person to ask for that kind of advice."
"..."
I have to make a correction. Brother is the only one who doesn't get it. Well, he seems to have this strange trait where he doesn't treat little girls as women, so it can't be helped. We’ve had our fair share of trouble with that.
While we were chatting, the drinks were finished and brought to our table.
"Is that everything for your order?"
"Yes. Thank you, Master."
"Not at all. Please, enjoy."
Suddenly, I looked outside and saw the snow falling even harder. It felt like we were looking out at a different world.
"It’s like being inside a picture book. It feels like the inside and the outside are two completely different worlds."
As if reading my mind, Cleena-neesama said that, and everyone turned to look at the snowy landscape beyond the window.
"You're right."
"It's so pretty."
"Though it looks freezing for the people outside."
"Labyris, you shouldn't say things like that."
"Cafés are wonderful, aren't they?"
"Oh, this cocoa blend is delicious."
"...Mine is a little bitter."
I took a sip of my café au lait and let out a sigh of relief. I think days like this, where we can just relax, are wonderful.