Chapter 6: New Menu Items and the Red Form
A week had passed since the incident when monsters appeared in the city.
During that time, I had been prepared for monsters to show up at any moment, but surprisingly, peaceful days continued without any monsters appearing.
I began to think optimistically, “Maybe monsters won’t appear anymore?” While entertaining such thoughts, I diligently worked my part-time job at the café [Circinus] to earn a living.
“As expected, we don’t get many customers at this time, huh?”
“Can’t be helped. It’s before lunchtime, after all.”
As usual, I was bustling about as a waiter, but cafés are typically empty before noon.
If this place were in front of a station or in a busy shopping district, it might be different. But being a coffee shop quietly opened on a street with moderate foot traffic, it only gets busy around lunchtime.
I suppose the location of this café has something to do with it.
“Well, personally, I prefer a place with regular customers rather than a popular spot crowded with people.”
“That’s true. I like the atmosphere here too.”
This coffee shop is located somewhere between the bustling city center and the residential area.
Neither too spacious nor too cramped, it gives off a mysterious sense of comfort that doesn’t feel suffocating. That’s my personal opinion of this place known to those in the know.
I wonder if the customers who come here feel the same way?
“Hey, part-timer! Your hands have stopped moving. If you don’t work properly, I’ll cut your pay.”
“Yes, yes.”
As I resumed wiping the tables, prompted by the master’s urging, he picked up the remote control and turned on the TV.
[Experts Discuss Similarities Between the White Knight and Black Knight!]
“Oh!”
The channel seemed to be an information program, and I was startled by the sudden mention of the White Knight.
More like, analysis? It’s being discussed as a regular topic on TV, which gives me a really strange feeling.
[Now then, the famous White Knight. Who on earth could he be?]
[He might be a similar entity to the missing Black Knight. In some circles, they’re even said to be the same person, but we can’t confirm that at this point.]
[There’s also talk about him being an imitation of the Black Knight, isn’t there?]
[That’s out of the question. The White Knight is far too unique to be an imitation. The fact that Justice Crusader currently denies any involvement suggests that his abilities might come from a different technology than theirs.]
These experts seem to be doing some intense analysis…
I don’t even understand my own powers, I thought to myself as the master changed the channel.
[Justice Crusader Still Silent About the White Knight!!]
[Mystery of Discarded Electronics Vanishing Without a Trace!!]
[Three Months Since the Black Knight’s Disappearance!!]
Can’t be helped, but all these programs are pretty similar.
“Still, a lot is happening, huh?”
I’m not the Black Knight or anything, but the public seems to think I am.
As I was feeling somewhat dissatisfied with this, the master, who had turned off the TV, called out to me.
“Hey, Katsuki. Help me come up with ideas for new menu items.”
“Me? …Why me?”
“Who else is there? You’re the only employee I’ve hired.”
That’s true, but I don’t think I can come up with ideas for new menu items.
“Aren’t we doing fine with the familiar menu items we have?”
“You idiot. Don’t think we can get by forever with just coffee and the usual menu. Even though my coffee has the best reputation, that alone isn’t enough to sustain the business.”
“I’ve been wondering, why do you keep bragging about your coffee? What’s with this pride in your coffee?”
Honestly, I do think the menu here is limited, but I kind of like that simplicity.
“Take a look at this menu.”
“? Okay.”
As I looked at the menu handed to me, I saw the same simple contents that were there when I came to eat with my sister before.
Short cake, donuts, coffee, café au lait, and so on.
It’s like, items you’d expect to find on a coffee shop menu.
“Isn’t it too simple?”
That was my first impression.
I almost blurted out, “Wow, it’s reasonably priced and cheap!” but since my sister and I occasionally use this place, I didn’t want to risk having the prices raised, so I kept that to myself.
“Specifically?”
“How about adding some photos? I think it would be easier for customers to understand what kind of food they’re getting if there are pictures.”
“…I see.”
The master nodded, mumbling “hmm, hmm.”
With photos, it would be easier to imagine the taste and order, I thought.
“Besides, we already have daily lunch specials, so I don’t think we need to add more.”
“No, I still want some change. Got any ideas? I was thinking about adding something like hamburger steak.”
Change, huh.
We probably can’t do anything too adventurous… Considering the master’s circumstances, it would be good to have something with somewhat common ingredients.
Hmm.
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“How about curry?”
“Curry? In a coffee shop?”
“Why not? It’s quite common, isn’t it? Coffee can be used as a secret ingredient in curry, and we could advertise it as curry that goes well with your proud coffee, Master.”
“Are you some kind of genius?”
I’m surprised by the extremely positive reaction.
I think it would definitely work well, given that the master’s cooking is delicious even without flattery.
“Anything else?”
“Eh, more? Well then… how about a kids’ meal?”
“A kids’ meal? A children’s menu here? Why?”
Well, I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind, so I don’t have any particular reason.
“Just a thought.”
“When you, with your memory loss, say it, it sounds meaningful. You weren’t eating kids’ meals with that big body of yours, were you?”
“No way. That’s impossible.”
“Right. …But a kids’ meal, huh. It might not be a bad idea after all. If kids want to come, their parents will bring them. We could include the curry we just talked about, and it would go well with hamburger steak and omelette too, so it wouldn’t require much trial and error… Alright, let’s add it to the menu next time.”
“Is it okay to decide so easily?”
“With these things, it’s better to wait for customer reactions rather than overthinking it.”
The master points his index finger at me.
“New things should be used when you have them. Otherwise, there’s no point in having them.”
“…That’s true.”
The master starts taking out ingredients, probably to make a trial version right away.
At this rate, curry might soon be listed on the menu board.
“By the way,”
“Yes?”
The master calls out to me while examining the ingredients.
“Did you know that Shirokawa-nee worked here for a while?”
“Eh, Hakua-nee? Here?”
I knew they were acquainted, but I didn’t know my sister had experience working here as a part-timer.
“She had some circumstances and crashed at my place. …You were there too, you know?”
“I was there too…”
“Well, Shirokawa-nee had her own issues. She was quite a troublesome brat back then.”
The master laughs, remembering those times.
“Unlike you, she wasn’t friendly at all, just a cheeky little girl.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine that at all.”
“She’s mellowed out quite a bit now.”
For me, who only knows the current Hakua-nee due to my memory loss, it’s nothing but surprising to hear that she was cheeky.
“Of course, she didn’t last long as my part-timer, and soon quit to hole up with computers and in the library.”
“Was she studying to become a nurse?”
“…Yeah, probably.”
The master affirms after a strange pause.
He suddenly turns to look at me sitting at the counter.
“I guess her wish has come true now?”
“…Why are you looking at me when you say that?”
“No, don’t mind it. …Just saying that family comes in all shapes and forms.”
Saying that, he turns back to face forward.
“I’ll tell you this now, I know a fair bit about your circumstances. I’ve heard properly from Shirokawa about you before you lost your memory.”
“…? Yes, I understand that. It’s obvious since you hired me even though I have no memories.”
“Being too honest can be troublesome too.”
Sometimes, I don’t understand what the master is saying.
As I was thinking about this, suddenly, a sound I had heard before started ringing in my head.
“Ugh…”
The sound of a bell ringing directly in my head.
As I was enduring it, holding my forehead, the mechanical wolf, Shiro, came bouncing from the back of the shop.
[Woof!]
“Shiro!? I told you not to come here…”
[Whine…]
The sound gets stronger.
It’s as if it’s telling me to go somewhere.
To fight, as if it’s trying to guide me somewhere.
──They’ve appeared again
“………..”
──A threat to disturb your peace
I hear Shiro’s voice.
Has that alien-like thing appeared again?
“Do I really have to go?”
—There’s no need to push yourself.
“But…”
—If that’s what you want, then do it.
“Shiro, you’re strict.”
If I don’t go, many people might get hurt.
I don’t want to pretend I don’t see when I have the power to do something about it.
“Master… I’m going to step outside for a bit.”
“Huh? You don’t look well. Are you okay? If you’re not feeling up to it, you can go home for today.”
The Master shows concern for me as I stand there, looking pale.
Despite his gruff appearance, I smile genuinely, happy for his kind consideration.
“I’m fine. Something urgent came up… I’m sorry.”
“I see. But don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Thank you so much!”
Thanking the Master, I hurry out of the shop, urged on by the intensifying sound in my head.
“But where are they…”
[Woof!]
“Hm? What’s wrong, Shiro?”
Suddenly, Shiro barks once, looks up at me, and then turns towards a deserted alley.
Then, for some reason, a blue light emerges from his small mouth.
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