Menu no. 11 - That is a good Idea

Master Hugo stroked his thick beard, the way he always did when lost in thought. His eyes narrowed, sharp but not unfriendly, weighing my words with the gravity of a blacksmith judging raw steel. My heart pounded so loudly I could almost hear it echo in the guild’s hall.

“Well now, young Daiki,” he finally rumbled, his deep voice carrying like a forge bellows. “That’s quite the proposal. A good idea indeed.”

Relief washed over me like cool water, and I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face. Hugo’s approval meant more than I dared admit.

“This drink you’ve brewed—coffee, you called it? Remarkable. After drinking it, I feel as though my youth has returned. My hands steady, my focus sharp… I could grind edges for hours and not feel weary.” His thick shoulders shook with a satisfied chuckle. “A fine gift you’ve brought to Drachenfall.”

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. “I’m glad you like it, sir.”

“But tell me, lad,” Hugo’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, “what’s the base ingredient? If I know the source, I can help you procure more. Supply is the lifeblood of any trade.”

The smile froze on my lips. My throat went dry. My fingers twitched against the cup I still held.

“Well . . .” I stalled, feeling my pulse rise. “It comes from a fruit. I’m not sure of its local name. But the seed—what we call the bean—back in my hometown, we roast it to make coffee.”

“Hoo . . . ” Hugo leaned back, thoughtful. “. . . I see.”

That simple response startled me. I had braced myself for suspicion, even scorn. But his tone was calm, as though I’d merely mentioned buying grain at the market.

Still, my unease pressed at me. I cleared my throat. “There’s . . . something you should know, sir. The fruit . . . it only grows inside the Dungeon.”

For a heartbeat, silence. I dared not meet his gaze. But instead of outrage, Hugo merely chuckled under his beard.

“That so? Well then, your partner had better be someone strong enough to tread those depths—and smart enough to survive them.”

I blinked. “Y-you’re not surprised?”

He waved a hand as if brushing sparks from his apron. “Dungeon yields many strange fruits, lad. Few things from it surprise me anymore.” His eyes twinkled with something unreadable. “And I already know just the person to assist you.”

“Wait, what? Tonight? You’d send someone into the Dungeon right now?” My voice squeaked before I could stop it.

Before I could protest further, the guild’s heavy doors swung open.

“Heyyooo~~! Erinyaaan reporting for duuutyy!~”

The voice was high-pitched, sing-song, and utterly brimming with energy. A blur of fur-tipped ears and a swishing tail bounced into view, arms thrown into the air as though announcing victory in a game no one else was playing.

I blinked. “What in the world…?”

Hugo’s laugh boomed through the hall. “There she is. Daiki, meet Erina. Freelancer, odd-job taker, and, let’s say . . .  spirited worker.”

“Nyancaaaar, Boss Hugo!” Erina chirped, her tail curling in delight. “Job went purrfectly yesterday! Got good pay, ate my fill, slept like a queen! But nyaaaah…” Her ears drooped, and she rubbed her stomach with theatrical misery. “Money’s all gone. Huff. Back to square one, nya~.”

I stared. She was like a whirlwind of boundless energy and feline mannerisms. Hugo only shrugged as if to say you’ll get used to it.

“Daiki, she’s all yours,” Hugo said firmly, already turning away. “She’ll help you from now on.”

“W-wait, just like that?!”

But Hugo was gone, leaving me alone with a half-cat girl now circling me like a curious predator.

“Ettooo, Daikyuuun~?” she purred. Before I could react, her face was inches from mine, her little nose twitching as she sniffed me. “Mmm! You smell interesting, nyan~.”

I stumbled back, cheeks burning. “Wh-what are you doing?!”

“Introduction ritual, nyan! You don’t wanna shake paws?”

“I-it’s called hands! And no, that’s not—!”

Too late. She had already clasped my hand with surprising warmth, her tail flicking happily behind her.

.

.

.

“So, nyan~ what fruit are we after?” Erina leaned across the counter, ears perked and eyes sparkling with expectation.

I produced one of the fruits, already softening from time. “This one. I need you to find more like it inside the Dungeon.”

Her eyes widened. She leapt back with a dramatic gasp. “HAAA! That’s a demon fruit, nyan!”

My stomach lurched. “N-no, it’s not! Listen—just hear me out!”

I scrambled for words, desperate to calm her theatrics. “It’s safe, I promise. I only need the seeds inside. With them, I can make more coffee. That’s all.”

Erina tilted her head, ears flicking. Her gaze lingered on the fruit, then back at me. Finally, her lips curved into a mischievous grin.

“Wellll… if it’s for work, and if it pays…” She stretched lazily like a satisfied cat, tail curling. “Then Erinyan is in! Nyaa~! I’ll fetch all the fruits you need. Just leave it to me!”

I exhaled, tension flooding out of me. “Th-thank you. Really.”

With a flick of her tail, she saluted, then bounded toward the door. “Erinyan, heading out! Dungeon fruits, here I come!”

In the blink of an eye, she vanished into the twilight, leaving only the faint jingle of her bell and the echo of her voice.

I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of what had just unfolded. First Hugo’s calm acceptance. Then this whirlwind of fur and boundless energy.

I sighed, then chuckled despite myself. “What have I gotten myself into?”

The cup of coffee in my hands still steamed faintly. Its rich aroma filled the quiet hall. And though uncertainty gnawed at me, I couldn’t help but think—maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something even bigger.