Menu no. 10 - So this is a Coffee?!

The guild hall was unusually lively that afternoon. Adventurers crowded around the counter, forming a long line that made my lips twitch in mild despair.

“Alisa-chan! I heard there’s a new menu—uhh, eto . . . what was it called again? Ah, coffee! Yes, I’ll order that!”

“I’ll have the same!” another adventurer chimed in, raising his hand enthusiastically.

My eyes twitched. Coffee? Did I hear that right?

Slowly, I turned my head toward Alisa at the counter. Just as I expected—her eyes shot daggers at me, sharp enough to pierce my skull. I quickly scratched my cheek and gave her an awkward smile. Yeah . . . I figured giving coffee to Asuna was a huge mistake.

Arumi tilted her head in confusion, flipping through the guild’s menu list. “Coffee? Ara~ Gustav, did you ever put that menu on the board?”

“Huh? Coffee? What’s that?” Gustav blinked, rubbing the back of his head. “Never heard of it.”

The murmurs in the line grew louder. Arumi’s gaze then fell on me.

“Daiki . . . what is this ‘coffee’ they’re talking about?” she asked softly, narrowing her eyes.

“M-me?” I stammered, sweat sliding down my temple. “Uhh . . . well, it’s . . . it’s kind of . . .”

I trailed off. I wanted to explain, but before I could, Arumi raised her hand.

“Everyone, apologies,” she announced, her voice calm yet firm. “The guild is not selling anything called ‘coffee.’ It must be some kind of misunderstanding.”

A collective groan echoed through the hall. Adventurers sighed in disappointment, some muttering under their breath about wanting to try the mysterious drink.

I exhaled heavily, relief washing over me like cool water. Saved! Thank goodness. Crisis averted. Even Alisa’s death glare softened, her expression returning to her usual stoic neutrality. I felt like a criminal pardoned at the last second.

But that relief didn’t last long.

Because suddenly, the doors of the guild hall burst open.

“DAIKI!”

Before I could react, a familiar whirlwind in human form ran straight at me. Kazuha. She lunged, wrapping her arms tightly around me while I was in the middle of pouring wine into a customer’s glass. The liquid almost spilled over, but I somehow managed to steady it.

“Th-thank you!” Kazuha said brightly, squeezing me like I was some plush toy. “Your drink was amazing! You’re truly a genius cook!”

“Eh—wait, what?” I blinked, stunned.

“Your coffee was incredible! Thanks to it, I cleared goblins in the dungeon so easily!”

“ . . . Ha?” My voice came out weak.

“Really! That coffee of yours—it was bitter, yet delicious! So refreshing!”

“…Ha??” I repeated again, my jaw slack.

“And not just that! My stamina recovered faster, my fatigue melted away, and I even felt lighter on my feet! I need two more bottles for my next quest, please!”

“HAAAAAAAA???”

The guild hall went silent for a moment. Then, in an instant, every pair of eyes turned toward me.

Adventurers whispered excitedly. “Did you hear that?” “Boosted stamina?” “Fast regen?” “What kind of drink does that?”

In no time, a mob of eager customers surrounded me, their voices overlapping.

“Hey, how much for one bottle?”
“I’ll pay double!”
“Triple, if you sell it to me right now!”

My face turned pale. “W-wait! No, no, it’s not like that—!”

Arumi quickly raised her arms, trying to calm the growing frenzy. “Everyone, please settle down!”

Meanwhile, Alisa stormed over and yanked me toward the kitchen. Her grip was iron.

“You . . . what did you do?” she hissed.

“W-wait, I can explain!” I raised my hands defensively. “It was just a one-time thing, I swear! I didn’t think this would happen!”

Alisa pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly stressed. “You better take responsibility for this mess.”

I gulped. “Y-yeah… you’re right.”

I clenched my fists. Okay, I’ll come clean. I’ll just tell everyone the truth. That coffee isn’t from this world—it’s something I brought with me. That’s the only way out of this.

Just as I was about to step forward, Arumi entered the kitchen with a bright smile.

“Daiki, you’re amazing,” she said warmly. “You’ve brought the guild so much luck. Customers are practically throwing money at us because of your coffee.”

Before I could argue, she suddenly leaned in and wrapped her arms around me.

“W-wait—Arumi?!” My brain short-circuited.

Her body pressed close, her scent sweet like flowers yet dizzying, intoxicating. Her soft skin brushed against me, and I nearly forgot how to breathe. Succubus passive skill detected… danger level: MAXIMUM.

“I-it’s not like that,” I stammered, trying to keep my mind clear. “Arumi, I need to—”

But then, a deep voice echoed.

“What’s this noise all about?”

We all turned. It was Boss Hugo, the guild master himself, towering at the doorway.

Arumi quickly explained, “Boss, Daiki created a new drink—coffee. The adventurers love it. They’re even willing to pay high prices.”

Hugo’s eyes widened, and then a huge grin spread across his face. He marched forward, grabbed my hand, and shook it firmly.

“Excellent work, boy! I knew hiring you was the right choice!”

“H-haha…” I laughed nervously, overwhelmed.

Beside me, Alisa scowled, clearly unimpressed with the turn of events. She opened her mouth to protest, but Hugo continued, oblivious.

“Arumi, set the price at ten Reils per cup! We’ll add it to the guild menu immediately.”

“Yes, Boss,” Arumi nodded obediently.

“Daiki,” Hugo said, clapping my shoulder hard enough to nearly knock me off balance, “you’ve done a great thing. I’ll personally try your coffee later. Keep it up!”

Before I could respond, he walked off, humming happily.

Meanwhile, Alisa just stood there, frozen, her expression blank with disbelief.

I let out a shaky sigh and muttered, “Well . . .  time to get back to work.” Then I slipped away, leaving her staring into the void.

.

.

.

By the time the sun set, the guild hall began to quiet down. Chairs scraped, laughter died down, and adventurers slowly trickled out after finishing their meals and drinks.

But one party remained—Kazuha’s. They sat together at a corner table, discussing their next quest.

Tiara, having a rare moment free from her duties, walked over to me at the counter.

“That coffee you made…” she said softly, her usual calm smile on her lips. “It really helped me, too. I felt energized all day.”

“Tiara . . . ” I blinked. Her words warmed my chest more than I expected.

I remembered the very first day I arrived in Drachenfall. Tiara was the one who lent me money when I had nothing. Without her help, I probably wouldn’t even be here right now.

So I reached into my pouch and pulled out a few coins—my wages for the day. “Here, Tiara. Please take this. I owe you so much.”

But she shook her head immediately, pushing my hand back gently.

“No. Keep it,” she said. “I never intended that money as a loan. It was a gift, Daiki. You needed it more than I did.”

My eyes stung slightly. God… thank you for letting me meet someone like her.

We chatted for a while, something we hadn’t done in so long. Her presence was soothing, like a quiet stream.

“Your coffee is truly unique,” Tiara said after sipping her drink. “I’ve never tasted something bitter yet pleasant. It’s… comforting.”

She tilted her head slightly, then teased, “What was it you said? You wanted to be a… Bareto? Batarang?”

I chuckled. “You mean Barista.”

“Yes, that!” She smiled brightly. “I think it would be wonderful if you became one here in the guild. Serving coffee, maybe other drinks, too. Honestly, I’m tired of only wine.”

Her words struck deep. My heart skipped. Barista… coffee… a café. The dream I had buried for so long flickered back to life.

Maybe—just maybe—I could really do it here.

With newfound determination, I clenched my fists. Tomorrow, I would go to Boss Hugo. I would tell him my idea.

Because this wasn’t just about serving drinks anymore.

It was about chasing my dream.