Hamster Cafe Mania
“Sorry, customer! We haven’t finished cleaning the cafe yet—huh? Young master?”
The guy who’d come rushing to the cafe mistook us for customers and started to bow hurriedly, only to freeze mid-motion.
“Working hard, I see?”
I asked with a playful smile, and Latte nodded vigorously.
“Y-yes! I’ve memorized all the machine operations and recipes just like you taught me yesterday.”
Her confident expression suggested she’d really been studying all night.
“Good. Mind making us some coffee, then?”
“Of course! What would you like? The menu’s back there!”
Just as she said, there was a large black board behind the counter with pretty handwriting listing the menu.
“Hm?”
I recognized the familiar handwriting on the board. Looked like Alesia had written it.
“Americano with an extra shot for me. What about you guys?”
I turned to ask the others.
“Cafe latte with two syrups for me!”
“Boss, einspänner for me.”
The kids rattled off their orders like they were pros at cafe lingo.
Then Jinwoo brushed past me with heavy steps, stopping in front of Latte and murmuring in a low voice.
“I’ll have…… an espresso, please. Lady.”
……This lunatic. Flare-up again?
I’d heard he’d tried acting cool at the Recipe Development Club before and caused a mess, but seeing it live made my stomach churn.
……Really wanna deck him.
“……An espresso? It’s pretty bitter. You sure?”
But Latte responded with a perfect business smile, just as briefed.
Jinwoo nodded like it was no issue at all.
“An espresso brewed by you, lady, would be sweeter than the sweetest honey in the world.”
“—This psycho. Brain glitch again?”
“……Makes me nauseous.”
Cold voices from Sea-a and Youngje drifted from behind.
Good, not just me.
If I were the barista, I’d tell him to get lost, but Latte just nodded with a bright smile, powering through.
“Got it. I’ll get it ready right away?”
She clapped her hands.
“Everyone. Let’s work!”
-Squeak squeak!
-Squeak squeak squeak!
Suddenly, things popped out from all over the shop.
“Eek!”
Sea-a yelped and jumped back in shock.
“W-what’s this?! Rats? N-no, h-hamsters?!”
“Yes! Our cafe’s pride and joy—hamster employees.”
-Squeak?
The hamsters tilted their heads at Sea-a’s reaction.
That’s right. My genius business idea and strategy: a hamster cafe.
“Begin!”
At Latte’s command, the hamsters sprang into action.
Hanging from machine levers to operate them, pushing cups with their bodies, moving in perfect sync like a well-oiled machine.
It was like watching an orchestra. They even kept a tap-dance rhythm.
Utterly surreal.
Sea-a’s cheeks flushed pink, the girl who’d just screamed.
“So cute……”
“Right? My pride and joy.”
Latte beamed back at her positive reaction.
“Take a seat for a bit? I’ll bring it right out.”
The terrace seats on the first floor got just the right amount of sunlight, so we headed there.
“Boss, what’s the deal? Working hamsters? Doesn’t look like a normal cafe no matter how you slice it……”
Youngje’s question was one I’d expected.
Hamsters brewing coffee? Bound to come up.
But.
“Does it matter? If they’re cute, that’s all that counts.”
I couldn’t help smiling at the reaction I’d anticipated.
Cute animals plus cafe? Lethal combo.
Sea-a was already grinning ear-to-ear, watching them hustle.
“This place…… gonna be my regular.”
……Maybe too effective.
“Boss, I’m curious too. She called you ‘young master.’ What’s your deal with her?”
Jinwoo eyed Latte, who was busy overseeing the hamsters.
“Latte? She’s staff from Hanwol Group for this job.”
“Staff?”
Really. If he knew how many people mobilized yesterday to get her into the academy……
He couldn’t even imagine.
Not just clearing her fake fugitive villain record, but laundering her past and forging a new identity—the secretary’s office worked overtime. I only learned from Alesia this morning.
“And…… she’s an Awakener who controls rats. Her ability’s unique, so she’s working with me.”
Not a lie.
Latte would use her hamster network to gather academy rumors and intel for me.
And the key? Her sources were cute.
Humans let their guard down around cute things.
Soon, every student would flock here.
The academy’s one and only cafe? With hamster service? Fail-proof.
“Oh? Kyaa!”
Suddenly, Sea-a squealed at the floor, whipping out her phone to snap pics.
“What do I do?! Too cute!”
The camera pointed at a hamster effortlessly lifting a tray of coffee with both paws.
“Hey, isn’t that heavy?”
Sea-a snapped photos then transferred the coffees to our table.
Latte, following the hamster, smiled reassuringly.
“My ability strengthens rats too. This is a breeze for them.”
“Ahh~ Good to know. Oh! Came out perfect. Eugene, can I post this on the school community?”
“Community?”
“Yeah! A cafe with this level of cuteness? It’ll rack up likes! Today’s hot post, no doubt!”
I’d planned a promo post later, but organic like this? Better.
Viral marketing at least.
I nodded.
“More customers, the better. Go for it.”
“Yes! Posting now!”
She bowed and thumbed away furiously.
Did I expect this? What one post would unleash on the academy.
* * *
Next morning.
I arrived at the academy gates by car as usual, only to freeze at the bizarre sight.
“……What the hell?”
A massive line stretching who-knows-where.
Not on the path to the main building, so I didn’t join, but following alongside revealed the destination.
[Cielo Notturno]
My cafe, officially opening this morning.
“……What’s going on?”
I figured some interest, but this many lining up day one?
Then I spotted a familiar face in line.
“Senior?”
“Who now…… Oh? Junior?”
Seoul Hero Academy’s student council VP: Yuri Rodmang.
“What’re you doing here, senior?”
“What else? Lining up for coffee.”
“……Don’t they have top-tier machines in the student council room?”
Our class got one for topping the prelims; council surely had better.
“You think that compares to this coffee? Junior, you not on the community?”
“Pardon?”
I blinked in confusion, and she sighed, shoving her phone screen at me.
A video of hamsters scampering around the cafe, serving customers.
Below: the post and tons of comments.
Video from the new cafe in the academy. Isn’t it insane? Run by an animal-type Awakener, and these cute mochi balls brew coffee and serve it! The beans are top-tier—best coffee I’ve ever had. Boss lady’s cute too, so everyone go check it out!
Most were “Drinks taste great. Hamsters cute.” etc.
“……Yeah, it’s blowing up. But won’t you be late lining up like this?”
“Kinda tight…… but I’ll make it.”
……Ugh.
“Follow me.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“No coffee?”
We cut the line, drawing stares.
They thought I was cutting.
“Welcome—oh, boss!”
But “boss” changed that—eyes averted, phones fiddled.
“Not busy?”
“Nah, the kids are handling it.”
Hamsters moved even smoother than yesterday.
“Senior, what’ll it be?”
“Huh? Oh, warm Americano. Was gonna order.”
“Latte, heard? One Americano.”
“Yep! On it!”
She vanished inside.
“Junior, what’s this?”
“Nothing. Perks of being owner.”
“What? Your cafe?”
“Kinda. Side gig.”
Latte emerged with a warm Americano.
“Your Americano! Enjoy!”
One order, but two cups: warm and iced.
“Two?”
“Yes! One’s for you—boss!”
Iced matched yesterday’s recipe.
“Thanks.”
I handed the warm one to Yuri.
“Here. Americano.”
She stared blankly, accepting meekly.
“……Hoped for hamster service, but from junior? Not bad.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Why drag me in and serve personally? Got a favor to ask?”
Sharp. Knew she wasn’t just cafe-bound.
Vice president instincts.
She nailed my intent. I shrugged casually.
“Mind setting up a meeting?”
“……Meeting? Like blind date?”
“Nah, club heads. Need to chat. Would appreciate the setup.”
“Yeon-su? No clue why, but…… sure. I’ll ask.”
Perfect. Official route to academy takeover phase 2.
“Fed her coffee too. She’ll handle it.”
……She will, right?