Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 9: The Pink in My Heart Bubbles Bubble -4
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“Wow, the shop is so clean.”
“Thank you. Please make yourself comfortable. Agnes.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Please show this customer to their seat.”
“Yes.”
Because of the customer, our speech had shifted.
Not our usual blunt style, but the polite tone for welcoming guests.
It was nearly closing time, so the cafe had become Luri's personal stage.
'No events popping up, huh.'
With the status window staying quiet, it didn't seem like a Pat Pat event tied to Luri.
'Guess I can focus purely on serving her.'
Maybe that was a relief, after all.
I could concentrate on the bubble tea.
“My friend said they have delicious bubble tea here.”
“You've come to the right place. We have our cafe's special bubble tea.”
“Really?”
“I'll let you see for yourself.”
I gave Agnes a look as Luri took her seat.
She caught on instantly and took the order separately.
'Bubble tea has its limits. Sugar's one thing, but coagulant powder's hard to get.'
I couldn't make a ton, so I needed to introduce other items too. To do that, she'd have to try them first.
“Butter Pancakes, please.”
“Got it.”
Bubble tea and Butter Pancakes.
The moment the order was confirmed, I got to work.
Butter Pancakes had long been a recommended menu item at our cafe.
To the point where I could make them blindfolded.
I grilled the pancakes to a golden brown and topped them with butter.
Pancakes done.
Now for the main star.
'Time for the real highlight.'
I beckoned Agnes as she returned after handing off the pancakes.
“Where'd we put that?”
“Oh, should I grab it?”
“Please.”
Agnes dashed off with a patter of footsteps and pulled something from the cupboard.
“Thanks.”
The powder Agnes fetched was pink.
“But how are you going to use that?”
“...It's spring.”
“Spring?”
“That's why.”
Agnes tilted her head at my words.
A look that said she couldn't make sense of it at all.
“You'll see.”
Recipe
Beverage Production
Bubble Tea Production
Cooking Start
My body moved on autopilot as I selected Bubble Tea. I dropped pre-cut pearls into the shaker and added milk.
With the base prepped, I moved on. Time to make the syrup by melting sugar.
Brown sugar bubble tea.
A drink true to its name, dominated by dark black hues.
But...
“It's spring.”
Spring meant I could add something fresh without issue.
I melted the sugar.
The syrup, which should have been black...
“Pink...?”
It took on a shade of pink reminiscent of cherry blossoms.
Spring incarnate. The perfect pink for the season.
'This has to work.'
I'd sunk so much money into sugar infused with pink dye. If it flopped, it'd be straight losses.
Worst case, just mounting debt.
But...
'No choice but to try.'
To win big, you have to bet big.
Brown Sugar Bubble Tea Ver. Spring – Bubble tea transformed into pink to match the season. Flavor unchanged, but the vibrant color pops.
“Done.”
I didn't call Agnes—I carried the drink out myself to serve it.
“Your bubble tea.”
“This is the...”
“Yes. Our shop's specialty. I hope it suits your taste.”
“It's pink?”
“Spring is cherry blossom season.”
“Cherry blossoms?”
“Yes, so just a touch.”
I set the bubble tea in front of Luri and said,
“The Pink in My Heart is Bubble Bubble Tea.”
“Pardon?”
“The Pink in My Heart is Bubble Bubble Tea.”
“That's a unique name.”
“It's spring.”
The season when new life blooms, right?
A fresh name couldn't hurt.
“It is pretty.”
“Thank you.”
Luri examined the bubble tea from every angle.
Soon, she naturally picked up the straw and stirred it vigorously.
That's when I noticed something odd.
“Miss Luri.”
“Yes?”
“You know how to drink it properly.”
Regular bubble tea doesn't need stirring—you just drink it. But brown sugar bubble tea is different.
The syrup's just poured in, so you mix it yourself. When I tested it on Melissa, she drank it without stirring.
Yet Luri stirred it with the straw like she'd always done it that way, blending the milk and syrup perfectly.
“This is our first time offering it.”
“Ah... w-well...”
“...Miss Luri, by any chance.”
“W-Why do you ask?”
Could it be this Luri was...
“Your food sense is top-tier too?”
Does she instinctively know how to eat something just by looking? Not impossible.
She'd built up years of expertise.
“Ah... y-yes! Exactly. I knew right away how to drink it.”
“Impressive.”
“Right? Now, shall we taste it?”
Luri took a tense sip of the bubble tea.
And I was certain.
“...Jackpot!”
My investment had paid off.
After Luri left, the cafe got back on track.
“Look at this!”
“Mm.”
“Luri raved about it! Said the bubble tea was great, but everything was delicious overall.”
The owner is kind and the desserts are delicious.
Newly opened Cafe: Survivor at the academy. Why not check it out?
Thanks to Luri's reviews.
Her posts drew a solid crowd.
Many came for the bubble tea, but I couldn't serve it to everyone—limited supply.
Instead, I recommended other teas and desserts.
Those who liked them became regulars, visiting often.
To the point where I was seriously considering packaging.
“At least your paycheck won't bounce now.”
“My paycheck?”
“Yeah. Nearly couldn't pay you there for a sec.”
“Can't have that! I'm saving up for a house!”
Guess only that copper dragon gets rich.
“Anyway, you sleeping okay?”
“Huh?”
“Never imagined crashing in a classroom.”
“It's fine, why?”
“Good to hear. Was thinking I'd have to bunk with you.”
What if something weird happened while she was alone? I didn't want her weirdness splashing back on me.
“What are you talking about!”
“Even in the academy, nights can be risky. Weirdos might show up.”
“Doesn't matter. Even like this, I'm...”
Agnes started to respond.
Then she placed a hand on her chest.
“This dragon lady is a diplomat of the Dragon Clan! Meaning I have the skills to protect myself!”
Diplomat mode activated.
“Alright, no need to worry then.”
“Heh heh heh, of course. Worry about those fools instead.”
“The ones who'll become fodder for my claws!!”
Agnes struck a pose, claws out and roaring.
Did she know it wasn't scary at all—just adorable?
Maybe she's not Dragon Clan, but a red panda.
Anyway, if she says so, I'd trust it... or so I thought.
“Assistant~”
The door slid open as Melissa entered.
“Do you have friends?”
Out of nowhere.
“...Picking a fight?”
“Haha! Me, make such a blunder?”
“Blunder, right?”
“Of course.”
Melissa smirked, grabbed Agnes too, and dragged me to the table.
“We're in the same class, so good to know each other.”
“What's up?”
“~Don't freak out when you hear this.”
Melissa slid a paper our way.
“Field training schedule.”
“Field training.”
“What's that?”
Agnes was the only one clueless about field training.
I explained kindly for her.
“Basically, pick a dungeon, go in, and do the practical.”
“Aha.”
“Not just that. Food, sleep—all handled inside the dungeon. For a full two days.”
In the original Healing Academy, it was all ha-ha-ho-ho healing camp vibes.
But not anymore.
This was Healing Academy 2.
“Guess we prep hard then.”
“Right? So, how about our trio teams up?”
“I'm in. Agnes?”
“Whatever, I don't know anyone else anyway.”
“Settled.”
We decided to group up for the upcoming practical: me, Melissa, and Agnes.
They'd handle combat, I'd provide meals. Melissa probably wasn't expecting me to fight anyway.
Desperate Strike was near one-use, after all.
Decision made, I headed home to pack.
“Hm?”
Something tapped the window.
I checked it out.
“Paper bird?”
A tiny paper bird was pecking at the window.
I opened it, and it turned into a letter, fluttering to my desk.
[From the Director]
“Director?”
I unfolded the letter addressed to me.
It was from the Director, stamped with his mask seal. It read:
'Prepare thoroughly.'
Looked like another trial.
Would they come like before? Or something in the dungeon?
'Gotta prep solid.'
No harm in being ready either way.
'Double-check.'
I reviewed my gear.
Everything packed? Nothing missed? Meticulously.
'Sheesh, drama never ends. Just got the cafe stable.'
Not like complaining helped.
I was a student at Winchester Academy now.
At least they excused us for this.
'Hope nothing goes down.'
I wished on the starry night sky.
Please, let this one be uneventful.
...Time passed.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Professor Gordon, in charge of your dungeon practical.”
The day of the dungeon practical—and the new incident—had arrived.