Chapter 160: A Supreme Coffee You Can’t Taste Anywhere Else
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160: A Supreme Coffee You Can’t Taste Anywhere Else
True to the tropes of Japanese media—where every little thing is an excuse for fireworks and festivals that draw the entire neighborhood—the festival held at Yggdrasil was both flashy and massive in scale.
Just like during the Tournament, the school was opened to the public, and the sheer number of people flocking in made it feel like an event organized by the government.
Well, since Yggdrasil is technically under the government, I suppose it’s the same thing.
One unique thing was that while school festivals are usually organized by class or club, at Yggdrasil, anyone could set up a program as long as they applied with a certain number of people.
“So, what are we doing again?”
“Coffeeee~”
At the mention of selling coffee at the festival, Masayoshi’s eyes turned cold.
And it wasn't just Masayoshi.
Yukina was simply looking forward to enjoying the festival with her friends, so her expression didn't change, but Mary and Jade’s faces shifted into a look that clearly said, ‘What is this idiot talking about?’
To think even the easygoing Jade would look that disgusted. Was it really that bad of an idea?
“Isn't coffee fine? Everyone walks around drinking something at a festival.”
Ooh—Rio actually agreed with me.
The thugs, Bukgeuk-jwa, and Akane, who had gathered at some point, didn't say anything, but they looked skeptical about the idea of selling coffee.
The fact that only Rio, the icon of failure, was on my side probably meant my idea really was idiotic.
“Trust me. I’m going to hand you first place on a silver platter. All you have to do is keep your mouths open.”
Sensing my proposal was about to be shot down, I spoke quickly, as if making an excuse. Mary, tilting her head, raised her hand.
“But what does that have to do with magic?”
“It’s Magic Coffee made with a secret recipe.”
“Oh, so you’re adding something like Mana Water.”
In this world, magic is integrated into daily life, so it’s included in all sorts of strange places.
For coffee, they might use refined Mana Water instead of regular water, or use it in skin toners.
Of course, since these things go through a magical process, they’re a bit more expensive than standard products, but they’re common enough for ordinary people to use easily.
“But no matter how much coffee we sell, will it be enough?”
“We’re going to sell a lot, and we’re going to sell it expensive.”
“…How expensive?”
“About 5 Wit?”
Even the most expensive festival food only costs 3 Wit. When I suggested 5 Wit for a mere cup of coffee, Masayoshi immediately protested, saying it was ridiculous.
“You’ll know once you taste it. There’s no way this won't sell.”
“Do you even know how to make coffee?”
Why is he so against it without even seeing it?
I pulled a certificate out of my inner pocket and showed it to everyone.
“SCC Coffee Introduction, Pro-fess-ional Grade.”
“I don’t know what the SCC is—”
“Specialty Coffee Association. The most prestigious barista association.”
“…Even so, it’s just the introductory—”
Flick.
I flicked the certificate I was holding, hitting Masayoshi in the face, then reached back into my pocket to pull out another one.
“Bar-is-ta Skills category, Pro-fess-ion-al~”
“…”
Flick.
“Roast-ing category, Pro-fess-ion-al Grade.”
“…”
Flick.
“Sen-sor-y Skills category, Pro-fess—”
“Stop, stop. I get it, so just stop.”
It’s a shame; I still had the Brewing category left.
I worked really hard to get these. They could have listened to me brag a bit more.
I originally got them in advance to use for a part-time job at a coffee shop, but since this was reality, a problem arose.
In the game, H-events happened in a set order no matter when you went, but in reality, if you’re late, the event doesn't trigger at all.
I planned to do the coffee job after the massage one, but when I went there, the part-timer who was supposed to blow me had long since quit, and some guy who looked like Rio was working there instead.
After seeing that, I had to give up on most part-time jobs where the perk itself was an H-event.
Naturally, the barista certifications I worked so hard for became useless scraps of paper.
“Just how confident are you that you’re charging 5 Wit? Now I’m actually curious.”
Perhaps because I showed off so many certifications, Mary looked at me with renewed interest and trust.
“However, it’s for women only.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Uh… it’s complicated to explain, but women love it, while men vomit if they drink it.”
I would vomit.
“How is that possible?”
“That’s why it’s Magic Coffee.”
“What kind of sexist magic is that?”
Rio looked suspicious, but there was nothing I could do.
However, Mary, already lured by the authority of the certifications, showed interest.
“Then shouldn't we taste it first before deciding? Can you prepare it by tomorrow?”
“No, I can do it right now.”
“Umm… I only know how to drink it, but aren't things like machines and tools important?”
“A master doesn't blame his tools.”
“Uh… okay… then… sure, show us…”
With eyes that had suddenly lost a significant amount of trust, Mary asked me to make the coffee.
For a taste comparison, I first showed them some instant coffee.
“You carry that around?”
“No? I stopped by the faculty office earlier. I stole it from there.”
I’m a man of thorough preparation, you see.
Look at those eyes filled with respect for my perfect readiness.
They look like dead fish eyes, but that must be my imagination.
Anyway, I poured the coffee into a paper cup according to the standard method, added hot water, and stirred it with the folded wrapper I just emptied.
To finish, you have to tap the wrapper against the cup. That’s the perfect way.
Anyone who forgets that doesn't deserve to drink instant coffee.
“It’ll take about 10 minutes to make the Magic Coffee, so drink that in the meantime.”
“It takes that long? How are you going to sell it?”
“The ingredients… uh, it just takes time because a magical process is required. It doesn't matter because I can mass-produce the ingredients before we start selling.”
“Oho~ You’re serious about this?”
Mary drank the coffee, looking pleased.
“And the only ones who will be tasting the Magic Coffee are Yukina, Mary, and Jade.”
“Why? Are you discriminating against us right now?”
“No way. I’m drinking it too.”
Bukgeuk-jwa and Akane immediately stood up in protest.
I’m doing this for your sake, so why are you getting worked up? This is why you shouldn't do righteous deeds behind people's backs.
“It’s not discrimination… um… anyway, no. I’m not giving you any.”
“I don’t care, I’m drinking it. I need to know what Yeon-woo’s coffee tastes like.”
What are you going to write to the Organization? Are you going to report that the coffee Yeon-woo makes is delicious?
Can’t you show some consideration for the people in the Organization who have to read such useless reports?
“It’d be unfair if only we tasted it. And isn't the feedback of various people important?”
“…”
With even Jade stepping in, I had nothing left to say.
You brought this on yourselves. It’s not my fault.
As I turned to make the Magic Coffee, the door suddenly burst open and Sara walked in.
“I heard you left Setsuna with Greyhound?!”
She told her already?
I suppose she’d be pissed if she entrusted her sister’s private tutoring to me and I suddenly subcontracted it out.
“Well, what happened was…”
“Thank you! I didn't know you’d go this far for her!”
“…”
Right, Greyhound is impressive, after all.
But isn't it a bit much to look that much happier and have your eyes sparkle more than when I was teaching her?
“Hm? What were you doing?”
“Yeon-woo was going to make us some coffee to sell at the festival. Sara, do you want some too?”
“Oh? I don’t really like coffee… Eh, I’ll have some. You’re deciding on the festival menu, right? It’d be good to have the opinion of someone who doesn't drink coffee.”
Excuse me? Could you please stop increasing the number of people?
Despite saying she didn't like coffee, Sara sat down next to Mary, who had invited her, as if she wouldn't turn down something free.
“Me too! Count me in! I want to try the coffee Yeon-woo made too.”
“…It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has! So give me some coffee.”
Following Sara, Park Yu-jeong suddenly appeared and took a seat without even being asked.
Why does the crowd keep growing?
Umm… I’m not Akito, so I have at least a shred of a conscience.
“Sorry I’m late. Is the talk already over?”
“No, no. We haven't even started. Sit here, Yeon-woo is going to brew some coffee for us.”
“Really? Thanks, Yeon-woo. I’ll enjoy it.”
I specifically gathered everyone when I thought Angelica would be busy, but she’s already finished.
I was hoping at least the pure Angelica would be excluded…
Looking at Angelica’s innocent eyes staring at me with anticipation, I felt like my dark heart was being purified.
But if I said no now, it would look even weirder, wouldn't it?
“Where are you going?”
“To the preparation room. I can’t show this to others.”
“Ahang~ So it really is a secret recipe. Now I’m even more excited.”
When I pointed to the door connected to the room, Park Yu-jeong smiled, her eyes narrowing meaningfully.
I’m a little scared to let her taste it.
After gathering the ingredients and entering the preparation room, I locked the door and even set up a barrier to block off the surroundings.
“Sigh…”
I let out a small sigh and, to steady my mind, I opened a password-protected photo album on my phone.
This must be one of the top 10 things a gentleman should do before he dies.
It was an album filled with nude selfies, sex photos, and videos of the numerous women I was involved with.
Looking through the erotic images of Yukina, Mary, Jade, Teresa, and even women whose names I could no longer remember, my mind began to settle.
Ten minutes later, I finished the coffee and set it down in front of the women.
“Ho-oh—so this is the Magic Coffee Yeon-woo is so confident about?”
“I’ll enjoy it, Yeon-woo.”
“Didn't you not have any beans? I thought you only took instant coffee earlier… The aroma is definitely different. It’s amazing.”
They all showed various reactions: Park Yu-jeong observing with sparkling eyes, Angelica thanking me with a pure smile, Mary sniffing the aroma while alternating with the instant coffee I made earlier, Bukgeuk-jwa looking suspicious, and Yukina silently holding the cup with both hands to feel the warmth.
And then, as if they had planned it, they all took a sip at the same time.
The thugs looked on with envious eyes as if they actually liked coffee, and Masayoshi watched me suspiciously.
“…”
“…!”
The eyes of the women who had sipped cautiously widened, and they all stared blankly at their coffee with shocked expressions.
Yukina, Mary, and Jade were also surprised, but their eyes were fixed on me, not the coffee.
As expected, those who have tasted it before know. That’s why I told only you three to drink it.
“Haha… Hahaha… I made a mistake.”
At my bitter laugh, Jade, who had encouraged the others, also laughed awkwardly and looked away. Mary made a small smacking sound as if something thick had gotten caught in the coffee, then gave a subtle smile.
“It wasn't Yeon-woo, it was Yeon-yu (condensed milk).”
Could you not make puns like that? It’s not sweet; it’s just that the protein content increased a bit.
See? Because you said that, Park Yu-jeong looks like she’s figured it out with those sharp instincts of hers.
“Can I try some too?”
“No!”
As soon as the thug showed interest, Yukina and Jade shouted in unison to stop him.
Intimidated by their overreaction, the thug pulled back his reaching hand and watched their reactions.
Slurp—
Even if the others don't know, you clearly seem to have realized it, Park Yu-jeong. Why are you still drinking?
“Mmm… this is good. Good enough that I’d want it every morning. It makes me want to confine Yeon-yu—no, Yeon-woo—and milk him… I mean, have him make it for me every day.”
With an ominous smile, Park Yu-jeong stared at me.
Specifically, at my crotch.
“Yeah, Yeon-woo, this is really delicious. My mom likes coffee, so—ah, Mother, Mother likes it, so I drink it every morning too? But it’s never been this good.”
“Ahaha… I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“There’s no way it wouldn't suit our taste…”
Jade, don't you start too.
Angelica, who was praising the coffee, tilted her head in confusion, not understanding the subtext.
“I never knew coffee could be this delicious. This is a first.”
“Right? We’re going to sell this at the festival. What do you think?”
“You’re selling this at the festival? I think I’ll drink it every day… no, throughout the entire festival.”
Sara, who had just discovered the taste of coffee… no, the taste of semen, was full of anticipation at Mary’s words.
Special ingredients? Barista skills? Roasting temperature? Bean quality? None of that matters.
What did you expect? This is a world based on an eroge.
This is the new menu item created in the cafe by the pervert Akito and the H-event part-timer.
For the record, this recipe even wins first place in a competition.
In this world, Akito didn't take the job, and the part-timer already quit, so I’m the only one who knows the recipe.
Of course, it’s not like just any semen would make it delicious.
It’s semen enhanced by all sorts of elixirs and items, which is why it drives women crazy.
And so, the menu for the festival was decided.
All that was left was for me to work hard and pump it out.