Menu no. 9 - Hey! I want that too!

Pranggg!

The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the guild hall. Every head turned toward me, eyes narrowing in confusion. I froze, holding nothing but a dripping rag in my hand, while the remains of the glass glittered at my feet.

“What?” I muttered weakly.

“What? You didn’t hear me, Mika? I said, I want to buy coffee.”

The voice came out of nowhere, casual yet firm. Asuna, of all people, stood there with her arms crossed, staring at me with that innocent eyes.

And that was when the glass slipped.

So, yes—this wasn’t my fault. It was hers.

“Ah, it broke,” she said as if nothing happened. “Anyway, you still have some coffee left, right?”

I blinked. “What do you mean... left? I don’t have any coffee.”

Her eyes widened, as if I had just announced the apocalypse. “What do you mean you don’t have the coffee?!”

Her voice was so loud that once again the entire guild turned to look at us, only to shake their heads and return to their mugs and dice games.

I pressed a finger to my lips. “Lower your voice!” I hissed. “Where did you even hear about coffee?”

“Rufus told me,” she replied without hesitation, with a look like innocent goddess. Hell nah, “We ran into each other this morning while shopping.”

Rufus. Of course. I should’ve known. That beastkin loudmouth couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it. I clutched my head, silently screaming in despair.

Asuna leaned closer. “Come on. Just one cup.”

“I told you it’s gone.”

“Oh? But didn’t we save you in the dungeon? You wouldn’t want to forget that, would you?”

Now, she mention it. This woman was using my own rescue against me.

In the end, I caved. I look to right and left with a sigh, I whispered, “Fine. Meet me behind the guild hall. And keep this a secret, you hear me?”

She grin widened. “Deal.”

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Sneaking back to my room felt like committing a crime. I muttered curses under my breath. If I hadn’t given Grendoll that coffee yesterday, none of this would have happened. But then again… if I hadn’t, he might not have survived.

When I opened my door, I went straight for the small bottle hidden on my desk—the last of the brewed coffee. My salvation and my curse.

“Didn’t I tell you to throw that away, Mika?”

The voice chilled me to the bone.

I turned slowly. There, leaning against the wall by the door, arms crossed and eyes sharp as blades, was Alisa.

I instinctively hid the bottle behind my back. “Uh . . .  I was just checking how much money I’ve saved up.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie. I saw it. That’s your coffee, isn’t it?”

My shoulders slumped. She had me.

“Fine,” I muttered, revealing the bottle.

“I need to see who you’re giving it to. I am coming with you” she said flatly

And just like that, my quiet little exchange had become a three-person affair.

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Behind the guild hall, Asuna was waiting with a bright smile and—of all things—a pouch of gold.

“Finally!” she said. “I’ve been dying to taste this properly.”

But before I could hand it over, Alisa stepped in like a strict guardian and smack Asuna head. “Absolutely not. You two are out of your minds. Do you know what’ll happen if Guildmaster Hugo finds out?”

Asuna didn’t back down. She pulled out more coins, the pouch jingling heavily in her hand. “I’ll pay double. No—triple.”

Alisa’s eyes flickered, her lips twitching as if torn between duty and . . . temptation. And then, to my utter shock, she snatched the pouch.

“ . . . Fine,” she said, glaring at us. “But I’ll be taking my share.”

I stared at her. Asuna smirked. And before I realized it, the deal was sealed.

That night, I sold my first cup of coffee in this world. Not in a cozy café, not behind a polished counter, but in the shadow of a guild hall, like some shady black-market trade.

Still . . .  I couldn’t deny the thrill running through me. This was history. My history.

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The next morning dawned bright and peaceful. I washed up, prepared myself for another day at the guild, and convinced myself that everything was still under control.

And then, the doors opened.

One by one, adventurers filled the hall—only this time, instead of ordering ale or stew, they swarmed straight toward me.

“Hey, you’re the guy who makes coffee, right?”

“Got any left for us?”

“I’ll pay extra!”

“Give me two cups!”

The entire guild was buzzing, eyes glinting with curiosity and hunger. All of them—parties I’d never even spoken to—were suddenly calling my name.

I froze, a tray in hand, my jaw hanging.

“He—Heeeee?!!!”

So much for keeping it a secret.