Unexpectedly, the cafe saw a sudden influx of customers over the past few days, leaving me breathless.
But now, things are different.
Hehe, look at this perfect preparation.
The beans, roasted to perfection, have aged just right, and I’ve stocked up on all the ingredients from the dimensional shop. I’ve made a lot of lemon syrup, and Kim Deok went to Grandma’s to get plenty of takeout cups.
With this much, the store should be able to operate without any problems for a while.
Outfit check, cleaning check, machine setup check. Hmm, perfect. Ready for the reopening.
There has been one change in the store during this time.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m preparing to open the cafe soon.”
“...Hmm.”
His voice is sullen, and his expression is cynical. That’s what it’s like to deal with sensitive teenagers.
Yesterday, I found this boy collapsed in front of the store.
I wonder why everyone keeps collapsing in front of this store. Is this place some kind of collapse hotspot?
Anyway, I brought the boy inside. He looked very thin and frail, with a pale complexion. His attitude was unstable, and he was reluctant to report to the police.
Why? What happened?
His words were so mournful and pitiful that I decided to observe him a bit more before deciding whether to report him.
It was already late, and I couldn’t send such a weak child outside. What if he collapsed again? I decided to let him stay in an empty room on the first floor for one night.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
When I asked cautiously, I got an unexpected response.
“Do you think a mere human has the right to call my name?”
Uh, what...?
Is this some kind of setup?
“It seems you don’t want to say. Still, I can’t just call you ‘you’... So, I’ll give you a temporary name.”
The pale-faced boy looked uneasy.
“Whyyyyy (It doesn’t seem like a good idea)!”
“Meeow!”
I ignored Mimi and Lime’s protests.
“What about Beep?”
“...!”
The boy’s face contorted. Then, in a low, rapid voice, he said:
“The embodiment of the infinite evil boiling up from the primordial chaos, the avatar of the power of the one in the abyss, the demon king Asmodeus, who brings twilight to the world. How do you think of a name that a human cannot pronounce?”
Uh, what...?
Twilight... what?
Is this the infamous "middle school syndrome"? Like the black dragon on the left arm?
“Since you can’t pronounce it, then Beep it is.”
“...!”
Sizzle. The boy glared at me and growled.
“It’s Asmodeus.”
“Asmo... what? It’s too long.”
“Sigh... Fine, call me whatever you want.”
So, we ended up calling him As.
Even though it didn’t sound like his real name. He’s at a delicate and sensitive age, so I need to adapt to his worldview.
“Okay, the bathroom is over there. Is the bandage on your left arm from an injury?”
“...! Don’t touch it. The bandage on this arm cannot be removed. It’s because the power of the abyss is dormant.”
“What’s that?”
“A non-magical being wouldn’t understand. It’s the mark of the avatar that connects me to the one in the abyss.”
“...”
I see. This kid is ‘real’.
His expression and tone were so genuine.
Okay, I’ll respect As’s setup and act maturely.
“O-Okay. If it’s that important, I won’t touch it.”
“Huh... You recognize the value of this mark. Not bad for a human. You will be consumed by darkness.”
Is that a compliment...?
After putting this unique As to bed, the next morning.
After a simple breakfast, I gave him a sweet cup of coffee, and he ate well. Despite his sullen expression, the satisfaction bar above his head filled up, which was satisfying.
“It’s almost time to open the cafe. You can stay as long as you want, so feel free to play with the kids in the back room.”
“Whyyyyy (Do you think we’re babysitters)!”
Mimi raised her tail in protest.
“Meeow!”
A slime agreed with her.
Really, what are you doing to hurt a sensitive kid? Are you trying to assert your dominance over a child because you’ve been here for a while?
‘Why, we’re about the same age and... Ah, ouch!’
I was so focused on As that I failed to dodge the incoming cat punch.
Mimi, is it because I’ve been feeding her well that her front paws are getting sharper?
“...What are you doing?”
A cynical voice sounded again. As looked at me and the animals with a world-weary expression.
“Cough, cough. Well, Mimi, Lime, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Hmph.”
“...Kyaa!”
As grabbed Mimi’s tail. Surprised, Mimi launched a cat punch, which As dodged effortlessly.
“Meeow! Neeow!”
I’m not sure which side Lime is cheering for, but she’s egging them on.
Look, they get along well.
* * *
As soon as the announced cafe opening time arrived, customers flooded in.
“A latte to go.”
“I’ll have two iced Americanos. Oh, and add a mocha.”
“Is this a new menu item? Then I’ll have an affogato.”
I was incredibly busy taking orders, making drinks, and doing dishes.
Help... The line of customers never ends...
Where did my relaxed, lazy, and comfortable post-regression healing life go?
How did this coffee get so popular? I haven’t even appeared on TV or done any viral marketing.
It seems that the fact that I make coffee with my skills hasn’t been revealed yet, so for now, there’s no danger other than overwork.
“This 255, 0, 0 vivid color, size, and softness! This cushion is so familiar... It must be the limited edition Rire slime large cushion... Where did you get this cushion...?”
“From Carrot.”
At that moment, Lime bounced and leaned on the soft cushion.
“Gasp! My cushion, which I left behind in tears, is now with a slime... The meeting of Rire slime and Rire slime cushion! It’s an honor... Can I take a picture...?”
“Sure.”
Click, click, click!
Lime posed in various ways as the customer took a ton of pictures.
Despite the slightly strange customer, the others were normal.
After handling the rush of orders, I took a moment to post a job ad for part-time help.
I hope I can find a part-time worker soon to get out of this busy situation.
Although there have been zero responses so far...
I wonder how Choi Ichon is doing. He could at least call me, no matter what’s going on.
It’s not that I need a part-time worker so badly.
It’s just... It feels empty now that he’s gone after staying here for a few days.
After posting the job ad and returning to the counter, I saw As taking orders from the customers who had just arrived.
“As, just rest. You don’t have to do this.”
No matter how busy it is, how can I make a frail, presumed runaway teenager do work? He looks like he might collapse at any moment.
I told As he could stay here out of pure kindness.
However, As took the orders with ease.
“Two iced lattes, one affogato, two vanilla lattes, and one cookie set. That’s what came in.”
“Uh, wait, how much is that...”
“15 rubies.”
Every time I made a drink, he quickly served it and cleared the tables perfectly.
“Ugh!”
“...? What’s wrong?”
“No, just my eyes were a bit dazzled.”
What incredible ability is this...
His cynical expression and frail body made it hard to imagine such quick and perfect movements.
In no time, the backlog of orders was cleared, and the store was tidied up.
Wiping his hands, As suddenly asked:
“Are you looking for a part-time worker? How do I do that?”
Ding.
[A quest has appeared.]
[Main Quest: Hire a Part-time Worker
Customers are flooding in like a tide. You can’t handle this popularity alone!
You need help.
Hire a part-time worker: 0/1
Reward: Experience (100exp), Reputation (10), Popularity (10), Skill Point 1]
As soon as As spoke, a new quest appeared.
I looked at As again. He’s small, frail, and has a cynical expression, but his youthful cheeks are noticeable.
“Sorry...”
“What for?”
“Part-time workers must be at least 15 years old.”
As responded sullenly.
“What do you think I am? I’m not that young.”
“How old are you?”
“Hmm, I haven’t counted properly since 2000 years ago.”
Ah, that’s the setup...
“Rejected.”
“...!”
“Retirement age is 65.”
As hesitated for a moment after my playful remark and mumbled:
“I’m 17.”
He looks younger than 15, but he’s older than I thought.