Chapter 2024: At the New Stores ①
The tea brand Nifty’s simultaneous opening of stores in three countries was a great success. Initially, its reputation had gradually spread through the sale of limited ceramic items at Archlesia Empire’s Founding Festival and the availability of their intricately crafted sugar through special connections. Thus, the launch of the new brand attracted significant attention within high society.
Additionally, Nifty had become well-known among tea lovers like Ein and Jutia, and it was so popular that it was said that there wasn’t a noble or maid unaware of the brand.
However, up until now, the products had only been available in small quantities at certain merchants, with most of their items selling out almost immediately, leaving many unable to purchase them.
Now, with Nifty opening stores simultaneously in three countries, it naturally led to a highly competitive lottery system for reservations, and just getting into the store on the first day was considered extremely lucky.
At one of Nifty’s new stores…… At their store in the Symphonia Kingdom, Ein and Kuromueina sat facing each other at one of the tables in the café.
[……Hmmm, this is amazing. Each table is equipped with Recognition Inhibition Magic and Sound Proofing Magic, so you can’t tell who’s sitting at the surrounding tables or hear their conversations. It makes it easier to have private discussions…… Since it’s a store catering to nobles, they’ve really thought this through.]
[Yes, and the interior is furnished with only the finest pieces…… We were lucky to win in that lottery. We didn’t get selected for Archlesia Empire or Hydra Kingdom’s though……]
[I mean, haven’t you asked Kaito-kun to be able to buy their products directly?]
[Yes, but I heard the café also has limited menu items, so I was curious to see what they were like……]
[I see. Well, I was interested in the café too, so I’m glad you invited me, Ein.]Ein had entered the lottery for a reservation at the café during the simultaneous opening of stores in three countries and won a spot at the Symphonia Kingdom’s location on the first day, which is why she invited Kuromueina to join her.
[The café will be operating on a lottery reservation system for the first month, but all the slots are already full. Regular reservations after that are booked months in advance…… The brand was already getting a lot of attention before the launch of their stores, so it looks like it’ll be hard to get a reservation for about six months.]
[That’s right. I wanted to see what the stores in Archlesia Empire and Hydra Kingdom were like as well, but I’ll wait until things calm down a bit.]
[Yeah, there’s no need to rush————— Eh?]
[Kuromu-sama?]
Kuromueina had been smiling warmly as she looked at the menu, but suddenly her eyes widened in shock and she froze.
[……”Decorated Baby Castella – Symphonian Style”…… T- This is……]
[Baby castellas huh…… For a high-end café like this to have baby castellas on the menu, that’s quite unusual.]
[M- My research has been lacking…… I never thought such a menu would exist at a place like this. As Ein said, just because this is a super high-class café, I had unconsciously ruled its existence out!? Symphonian style, which means Archlesia and Hydra must have their own versions too…… No, to begin with……]
[Umm, Kuromu-sama?]
[Ah, s- sorry! I got a little too absorbed…… Shall we place our order?]
Kuromueina, who had been staring intently at the menu, snapped back to reality at Ein’s words and touched the magic tool on the table to call a waiter.
[Have you decided on your order?]
[……About this baby castella dish…… is it possible to order, say, 100 plates?]
[We apologize, but in order to allow as many customers as possible to enjoy the food, we have set limits on orders. Each customer may only order five items, and duplicates of the same dish are not allowed. We appreciate your understanding.]
[Ahh, I see…… Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll have the baby castella and……]
Although Kuromeina would have liked to order a large quantity of the baby castellas, she had no intention of breaking the rules. She obediently backed down and ordered the baby castellas along with a few other sweets and tea.
[Hmmm, I wonder what the baby castellas served will be like? I’m looking forward to it.]
[…………………..]
[Ein, is something bothering you?
[Ah, no, it’s just the waiter…… the maid who served us earlier. Despite her refined mannerisms, her Maidric Aura seemed weak…… Almost like she was newly born, so I couldn’t help but wonder. Her grace is far beyond what you’d expect from someone new to this role…… Could she be a natural-born Maid?]
[………………………..Who knows?]
As Ein pondered seriously, Kuromeina, still excited about the baby castella, found it difficult to complain and with an indescribable expression on her face, she could only tilt her head in confusion.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [……This master and servant pair sure resemble each other……]