Chapter 16

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: 8: What Do You Think of Our Ophelia? -2

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I'm the type who believes food just needs to be edible.

I don't have strong preferences, and besides, I'm not in a position to be picky anyway.

That said, I know there are times when you need to pay attention to both style and flavor.

Like right now, for example.

When someone's come to evaluate my skills.

I do things as usual, but push it to the max within that.

Back in the day, the recipe list was full of grayed-out options, but now it's pretty colorful.

"What're you planning to make?"

"Got some lemons, so lemon tea. For a side, something safe like pancakes."

"Lemon tea and pancakes. Got it."

"Thanks."

Agnes Catastra starts on her tasks.

I've drilled etiquette and service into her over the past two days, so as long as she doesn't screw up majorly, it'll be fine.

'Then I'll handle my part.'

First, I thoroughly wash the main ingredient: the lemons.

They're from a dungeon, so I have to be extra careful.

Once the lemons are clean, I slice them up peel and all. Remove the seeds since they taste bitter.

With the lemons ready, I mix them with honey in the right proportions and jar them up.

This is the process for making lemon syrup.

You know, like yuzu syrup that people chug when they catch a cold.

For bulk prep, this method is easier and more convenient. It's a restaurant, after all. Gotta prepare for a rush.

The only issue is...

'It needs a bit of aging.'

Leave it at room temp for 2-3 days so the lemon juice and honey fully blend.

Of course...

'I've got some prepped ahead.'

Preparation is key.

I pull out the pre-made sweet lemon syrup and mix it properly with hot water.

For garnish, I stick a lemon slice on the cup, and done.

Lemon tea complete.

Right away, I move on to pancakes.

The lemon tea is piping hot right now.

To enjoy it comfortably, it needs to cool a bit.

I quickly pour batter into the frying pan and shape them.

'Three stacks total. Two servings.'

One pan won't cut it time-wise.

I grab another and set it on the stove, and the pancakes start browning nicely.

I flip them at the right moment, and both sides turn golden.

I stack three high for thickness, then top with a thick slab of butter.

Pow!

'Perfect.'

A star bursts from the dish, certifying success.

"Agnes."

"Y-yeah!"

"Take the food out."

Agnes has been staring blankly since earlier.

She snaps out of it, grabs the plates, and heads out to serve.

'Alright, time to observe.'

To truly know someone's nature, get them drunk.

This was something Sally heard back when she lived on the continent. It means people's masks are tough; you have to strip them off to see inside.

'I'll strip that mask off for you.'

But there's no booze in this academy.

Sally chose a different approach.

Namely, 'negative traits.'

Sally had seen it plenty of times before.

People who guarded their masks tightly, only to rip them off themselves in one moment of mistake.

In that instant, they revealed their ugly sides.

Some lashed out with abuse at their underlings. Others slipped bribes for favors.

Sometimes good sides emerged too.

'I hope that's the case with him.'

He's her friend's first love, after all.

If he's a total loser, consoling her would be tough.

"Ex, excuse me... no, excuse me."

As she thought that, a girl approached to speak.

"Ah, yes."

"Today's recommendations are lemon tea and butter pancakes."

"I'll have those, then."

"Yes, please wait a moment. I'll bring the drinks right away."

Purple hair and sharp green eyes.

No need to look closely to know she was the rumored dragon girl.

"That's her?"

"...Yeah."

Sally caught it immediately.

Ophelia Scarletstar's voice had sunk low.

Her poor friend hadn't realized her own feelings yet, but she vaguely sensed they wouldn't come true.

'Poor girl. How'd she fall for someone who's taken.'

Sally felt bad for her friend.

'What kind of guy has Ophelia this hooked?'

Sally stared hard at Ethan Woodgate.

He was decent-looking, that was fine.

Dressed in a suit, he had a dapper charm too.

But that was it.

Nothing else special stood out.

'Whoa...! He cooks amazingly.'

She could tell just from watching the kitchen from afar.

This Ethan guy had serious cooking chops.

Quick hands brewing tea.

Skillfully whipping up two servings of pancakes without a hitch.

Looked like he'd walked that path diligently.

'Did he win her over with those cooking skills?'

Plausible.

Ophelia had said her senior was an amazing cook.

'Let's see just how good, then.'

Tak.

"Here's your tea first. Lemon tea. Please enjoy it slowly."

A yellow drink set before her.

Sweet, tangy aroma piercing her nose.

Ophelia sipped the enticing drink like it was familiar.

"As expected, Senior's tea is the best."

She voiced her impression.

Sally followed suit, taking a sip...

"...!!"

Her eyes opened to a new world.

'This... is academy food?'

The academy cafes are run by students.

No matter how skilled, they can't match continent master craftsmen.

But this?

It holds up against them.

No, maybe...

'Even better.'

As Sally kept gasping in awe, more good news arrived.

"Here you are. Pancakes."

Pancakes.

Fluffy, sweet-looking pancakes, three stacks no less.

"Sally. Didn't you say you've put on a bit of weight lately?"

"N-no, Ophelia."

"...Well, I get it. Sounds like an excuse, but Senior's cooking really is top-notch."

She was about to scold her for bragging like that.

'But this is...'

The sight of the food made it hard.

Perfectly golden pancakes topped with thick, gooey butter.

How much would this cost?

Not screaming value for money, but...

Worth ditching value for this?

'Gives as good as it gets?'

No.

'Maybe more.'

That was Sally's take after popping a bite into her mouth and chewing.

'This is insane.'

She'd found a spot worth becoming a regular.

Gonna eat this instead of rice from now on.

"Um."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Do you have any syrup, by chance?"

Ophelia's words lit up Sally's eyes.

Syrup! Right, syrup!

"Me too, please."

"Yes, right away."

Tak!

Agnes heads off for syrup.

Syrup in a small bottle for drizzling.

That's where the trouble started.

"Here's the syrup—ah!?"

Agnes trips.

The syrup bottle flies through the air.

"Hm."

Ophelia snatches it midair, averting breakage, but couldn't stop the contents from spilling.

"Ah."

"S-sorry, ma'am!"

Sally's clothes and hair get drenched in syrup. Disaster.

Normal Sally would've brushed it off as an accident. Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up to moments ago, mid-pancake bliss.

But Sally remembered.

What she'd come here to do.

Pathetic.

Letting tasty snacks make her forget the plan.

'Actually, perfect.'

Seizing the chance, Sally put on a displeased face.

"Are you okay!?"

To Ethan, who rushed over looking flustered.

"Service is the basics of any restaurant."

"..."

"You've got staff who can't even manage the basics."

Your subordinate ruined my mood.

'Sorry!'

Apologizing inwardly, Sally glared at Agnes. Classic deflection.

People hate taking losses.

Especially from someone else's screw-up.

"Well..."

"Tell her properly."

"...Got it."

Ethan's lips pressed tight, then he speaks to Agnes.

"Everyone makes mistakes."

Gentle tone.

Sally's eyes went wide.

No trace of fakery in his words.

"Be more careful next time. If it keeps up, I'll have to retrain you."

"..."

"Anyway. You're not hurt, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Good. Grab the mop."

"Okay. Sorry."

"It's fine. Don't worry. Better you than the syrup."

Somehow, awfully kind?

And then...

"If you'd like, we can compensate you."

"...No, it's okay."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Don't worry."

"...Can't do that. Please wait a sec, I'll grab a towel at least."

A brief fluster, then mature handling. Even comped extra pancakes as apology.

Polite and sensible too.

'Wrapping it up.'

Cooks well.

Mature charm.

Carving his own path.

Solid skills, cozy cafe vibe—looks set to thrive.

Handsome, capable, considerate.

'...Huh?'

Sally suddenly thought it.

What if Ophelia and this Ethan got together.

"Ophelia."

"Hm?"

"Isn't that senior kinda a catch?"

Pffft!

"W-what're you saying, Sally!"

"But Ophelia... aside from being pretty and strong, what else you got...?"

"That's not true!"

"Give up. If someone that great likes another person, she's gotta be great too."

Ophelia shakes her head fiercely.

"I-I have other merits too!"

"Like?"

"Well... you know... ah! I'm great at sharpening knives. Gotta be useful for cooking."

"...That's what you came up with after racking your brain?"

"..."

"Drop it. Yeah. Someone perfect for you will show up, Ophelia."

"I don't even get what that means...!"

Ophelia truly didn't understand what Sally meant.

But Sally took it as her friend not ready to give up yet.

"Then let's do this."

"Do what?"

"Straight shot. Girls go direct."

"What!?"

Sally stands, turns to Ethan.

"Boss!"

"Yes? Need something?"

Serious face, she asks.

"What do you think of our ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ophelia?"