Coffee, Tea, and a Band

Mizuki: “Oh… Forget what I just said. Let’s head in there.”

After giving her a questioning glance, Eillia turned back to face the city gates and shrugged. Mizuki took a step back.

Eillia gave the guards a casual wave. One of them lit up instantly.

Guard: “Whoa! If it isn’t the legendary solo guitarist, Eillia! Gonna bless the streets of Astrea with another riff-off today?”

Eillia laughed softly.

Eillia: “You flatter me, I haven't decided yet. I'm just giving a friend a tour.”

Mizuki’s eyes widened slightly.

Friend… Huh? It has been a while since I heard this word.

Guard: “A human in Astrea, huh? Rare sight. But hey, if she’s with you, she’s welcome. Looking forward to your next performance!”

The two entered as the gates flew open.

Mizuki: “Oh… You are famous around here?”

Eillia: “I wouldn’t say famous… But, I perform here sometimes.”

The sound of lutes harmonizing with electric riffs, a violin weaving into a bard's drumbeat, and kids clapping in time with a jazz trio filled the streets. Layers of music that are somehow harmonious.

On either side rose buildings modeled after instruments: residences shaped like guitars, offices shaped like basses, and even a tower shaped like a saxophone. The harp-shaped fountain in front of Mizuki, with strings of water glistening as sunlight bounced off its frame, was what most attracted her attention.

Mizuki: “…A harp-shaped fountain? Isn’t that overkill?”

Eillia laughed softly.

Eillia: “Well, is it even architecture in Astrea if it isn't shaped like an instrument?”

At that moment, Eillia came to a stop in front of a circular structure that resembled a huge drum. Drum Café was written on its sign.

Eillia: “My favorite place is here. In my hundred years of life, I have never had better coffee than what they serve. I'll explain how things operate in this world if we sit down.”

Mizuki: “Yes. Hold on---wait. Did you say “A hundred years?” ”

Eillia: “Oh, right, I forgot to mention. I’m an elf. We live up to eight hundred years. I’m one hundred and eighty this year! Started drinking coffee at eighty.”

She beamed with pride.

As expected from an isekai…

Mizuki: “Thanks for the recommendation… Granny Eillie.”

Eillia's smile vanished in an instant. One by one, her knuckles cracked.

Eillia: “You little brat. Wanna throw hands?!”

Mizuki merely grinned.

Eillia clenched her fists and stormed toward Mizuki.

Eillia: “In human terms, an elf in her 180s is equal to a beautiful teenager of a regular human, you fool. I’m gonna tear you to shreds!!!”

Just then, Eillia felt a sharp slap on her head.

Eillia: “Ow…”

Eillia squats onto the ground.

???: “How many times did I tell you, Eillia? Don’t cause any fights in my shop…”

An elf in a green apron appeared behind her; she looked slightly older, but still stunning.

Eillia: “I…I’m sorry… Aunt Shaua.”

Wait… Did I just witness an anime-style ‘discipline smack’ happen in real life?

Mizuki: “Aunt?”

I swear she looks like a college freshman!

Shaua: “I apologize for my Eillia here… She can be… Bad tempered.”

Eillia: “Huuuh!?!? Im not…”

Another smack to Eillia’s head.

Eillia: “Ow…”

Mizuki: “Umm… Thanks. I’m Mizuki. I met Eillia in the forest outside and… She’s showing me around…”

Shaua’s face brightens.

Shaua: “Ah, I see… That’s nice… Come in, both of you.”

The three of them stepped into the cafe. It has a cozy atmosphere, with an interior that gives off nature vibes, similar to the one in the forest outside the kingdom. There’s a small stage as well, which Mizuki guessed that people perform there.

Shaua: “I’ll serve the usual to Eillia… What about you, Mizuki?”

Mizuki: “Tea… If there’s any. I’m not a coffee person…”

Shaua: “Coffee and tea… Got it. You two take a seat and relax.”

Shaua bows politely and heads into the kitchen.

Mizuki: “Your Aunt is kinda nice… Where are your parents, though?”

Eillia: “Oh… They are usually busy with work… So Aunt Shaua takes care of me…”

Eillia sat down and gestured for Mizuki to join her, which she did.

Eillia: “Well… Let me explain to you about this world… And how it works.”

Eillia makes an ‘ahem’ sound before continuing.

Eillia: “In this world… Music is like a special ability. So the stronger the music a person can perform… The more influence they have here.”

So… It’s like a typical isekai…But instead of magic and weapons, it’s music, huh…? Interesting.

Eillia: “And in this world, there is a big tournament coming up, called the ‘Music Legend Championship’, otherwise known as MLC.”

Music Legend Championship…? What a lame name!

Eillia: “The grand winner of the MLC can get any wish granted. But to enter, you will need at least a 4-member band…And there are rumours recently going on that the demon bands from the demon continent are looking to win and corrupt the wish. Maybe… That’s what the ‘Goddess’ you mentioned earlier meant.”

Just then, Shaua served their coffee and tea, bowed politely, and left again. Mizuki sipped her tea.

Mizuki: “D…Delicious.”

Eillia: “I know, right?”

Eillia starts drinking her coffee slowly as well.

Eillia: “So, after knowing all this… What are you planning to do from now on? In a different world where music is dominant…”

Mizuki pauses and thinks to herself a bit before answering her resolve.

Mizuki: “I’ll make my own band… Join the MLC… And win…Because…”

Mizuki drank the rest of the tea in the teacup, while Eillia looked at her and swallowed her saliva nervously.

Mizuki: “So that I can get back to where that damn goddess is at… and make her pay.”

Eillia’s face drops onto the table.

Eillia: “Just for that…? Humans can be very petty, huh?”

Eillia drank the rest of the coffee in her cup while thinking to herself at the same time that she would unironically do the same thing as well if she were in Mizuki’s position.

Mizuki: “A… Anyway.”

Mizuki gives Eillia her hand again.

Eillia: “W…What..?”

Mizuki: “You’re good. Be my band’s rhythm guitarist.”

Eillia was caught off guard. Her eyes widened in surprise.

There’s a long pause, which led Eillia to scoff.

Eillia: “Me? In a band? Well, I…”

Eillia hesitates, her chest tightens, as words can’t seem to come out of her mouth.

                                                                                                   ***

At the same time, when a certain goddess is sitting on the stool and lazing around, she suddenly let out a rough sneeze, which led her to fall on the ground again.

Erica: “Ow… Who the hell is talking about me behind my back!?”