Chapter 80: That time when we started the coffee shop

TL: kizen

ED: Filip/Gecko

Everything is white He brought me here again huh?

I slowly stood up while feeling the floating sensation that I already had gotten used to when I saw god.

It has been a while. Iya, that Turkish coffee you made was pretty good, wasnt it? You may ingest some of the beans though. Even though its just boiled, its not as strong as I imagined it to be

Is that so? What did I get called for this time?

Nothing in particular really. If I had to say, its was just that I became interested in that coffee you made so I wanted to drink it but I was feeling lonely

I see

Have a seat over here

After saying that, he pulled a chair for me like a butler then poured me some coffee.

Even though hes a god, its strange that a butler image really fits him.

Thank you for waiting, goshujin-sama1

With that relaxing atmosphere, he poured me some coffee.

Since youre still more or less a god, dont you have more important things to do?

This one whom you call more or less a god needs breaks from time to time after all. I can learn a lot just by watching all sorts of things you know? Like the unique evolution of Japanese maids for example

Ill just ignore him.

Ah, thats not what Im into. Its just that, no matter how you put it, they are totally different from actual maids

I feel the same way

After saying that, he sat opposite of me then we both drank our coffee.

I dont think maids should be that self-assertive. They should be in a store thats full of Victorian furniture and when someone enters, no matter the gender, they say Welcome back. Then, when that person is seated, they should ask, Will you be having black tea today, or will it be coffee instead? then ask you to choose which sweets you prefer from the menu that changes every day[TL: Thought this was god, it was actually caam]

Thanks for that passionate speech. I think so too. However, the god of earth said that the skirt should be short. Heres an image from that time

As he said that, a projector-like screen appeared in that empty room. It showed a lame-looking, white-bearded old man that was surrounded by mini skirt maids while eating omurice.

The earths god sure is hopeless, or rather, is it really alright for him to descend to earth like that?

As I said that, I took another sip of my coffee.

Well, there was even a god who came to a cheap apartment in Tokyo to have his holiday after all.

Its fine once in a while, right?

Yeah

After saying that, he snapped his fingers and cookies appeared in front of us.

I took a bite out of one.

Are these butter cookies?

Yep. Since the bitter taste is strong, I prepared these mild-tasting sweets to go along with the drink. To be honest, caramel, tiramisu, or ice cream would work as well but its not something you can make after all

Thats true

So, how is the shop going?

Is this the true reason you called me here?

Yes

Its probably going to be alright

Simple snacks like scones would go great with sweetened coffee that has lots of milk or soy milk, right?

Did you get hooked into coffee?

Yes, its surprisingly profound, isnt it? I was thinking of trying out dutch coffee next time

Ah, cold-brew coffee huh? If you dont do it in moderation, this empty space will end up feeling like a coffee shop you know?

That would be nice. Should I invite the other planets gods when that happens?

Dont ask me. I dont know how close you are with the others after all

As I said that, I stuffed my mouth with cookies, and finished up the rest of my coffee.

This white porcelain cup looks natural to me but they use those small barrel-looking things to drink over there, dont they? I know that you knead, glaze, and bake clay to make it but I have no idea how to knead it or what to use as a glaze. I also dont really know much about bone china to be able to make it.

Well then, thanks for the treat. That was all, right?

Yes

When he said that with a huge smile on his face, I immediately thought that he would serve as a good bait for women if he actually worked as a butler.

While I was thinking of that, I woke up.

I wish theyd stop calling me in my dreams whenever something happens. Ah, I feel tired. I would almost certainly feel like this whenever god calls me in my dreams

As I was uttering complaints, I washed my face, stroked Wulfs head, then headed outside to eat breakfast with everyone.

Im going to be selecting the couple that will be managing the store today. It would be great if one of them knows how to make sweets. I wonder if its going to be possible for just two people to manage the shop? Well, I guess theyll manage somehow since most of the stores Ive seen in Aegirine and Corundum are run by couples.

After we finished eating breakfast, I called the couples over then asked the ones who wanted to go to town to stay behind. From those who stayed behind, 4 pairs could make sweets so I began to explain in more detail.

In the direction where the sun sets, or in other words, the other side of the island over that mountain, is where that small red fruit you probably know of comes from. Im thinking of using those as this islands primary source of income. Because of that, Ill have you manage a store that sells sweets and tea in Corundum to sell it. Right now, Im going to show you what youll have to do there. Those who can imitate it well will be the ones wholl go to town and manage the store. You dont have to think too hard about it. Its good enough if you let the rumors spread until it becomes famous enough then you spread the word of where they can buy it. Well then, lets begin

I ground the coffee beans using the millstone, then gathered it all in a wooden container. After that, I took the container that was built specifically for making Turkish coffee, put a spoonful of the ground coffee beans and sugar into it, added water, then heated it.

Once it simmered and started forming, I discarded the foam and immediately poured the coffee into a cup then put that cup into a tray along with a container that has sugar in it.

Thank you for waiting

As I said that, I carefully placed the trays contents on the table.

Thats how it will go. If you make a certain amount of sweets before opening the store, you wont be as busy during the day. You can also grind little extra coffee beans to save time whenever youre free. I think you know how the millstone works but I just demonstrated it to you so youll know how to put the coffee inside

After saying that, we drank the coffee I made then I let the couples try making it.

Caam-san, why dont you use hot water to boil it?

By the way, I already banned the use of Maou-san. They might think its troublesome but its better to reduce the risks.

Theres no problem with using hot water but it will lessen the time its heated so it might taste a bit thin though some people prefer it that way. Because of that, lets just use regular water to boil it

Drip coffee was just hot water being poured from above after all. Thats why I think there should be no problems but lets stick with what works.

I dont put sugar in my tea though, cant we just not put sugar when we make it?

The sugar is there to bring out the flavor. Its the same as adding a bit of sugar to change the flavor when cooking. Because of that, unless its requested, you should add sugar when you brew it. Well then, how about you dont add sugar to yours so that you can compare the taste

After everyone was done brewing their coffee, it was time to taste their creations. If I remember correctly, I heard that the foam that comes out when brewing drip coffee has an odd taste so the flavor may change depending on how the foam is taken.

Be honest, whose brew did you think tasted the best?

After I asked that, five out of the eight people in the room pointed towards one man. It seems like the ones wholl be going to town have been decided.

It looked like the pair were only in the first half of their twenties. In this world, they get recognized as adults and are allowed to get married by the time theyre fifteen so Im not really sure if its too soon for a couple in their early twenties to be managing a store or not but for now, it has been decided.

Well then, the majority has decided so you guys will be the ones to go to Corundum

After I said that, the two of them celebrated. Did they really want to go to town that badly?

It certainly seems appealing compared to the monotonous lifestyle on the island but theres still a chance that this plan flops and comes down to nothing you know? Well, if theyre happy then I guess its all good.

Well then, Ill have the two of you learn how to make sweets and serve customers

Well do our bestYes

The two of them eagerly replied.

I taught them how to make the sweets and made them practice how to make the coffee for a while after that. We even had villagers stand-in for customers so they could practice interacting with them as well.

I think youre ready. All thats left is to make small adjustments and discuss it with yourselves on site

Yes

Well then, were going to leave in several days so please start making your preparations

Chapter 80: That time when we started the coffee shop

TL: kizen

ED: Filip

A few days later, I finished getting all sorts of permits and licenses needed to operate a store in Corundum. The stores interior and the signboard were done and weve already decided on the prices for our products.

The store was located on the harbor side of the main intersection of the town, just one off the main street where the stalls were lined up. The pedestrian traffic in our area wasnt bad but it wasnt great either. The monthly rent was also fair so overall, it was pretty average.

You would usually need to purchase the supplies to start but since we brought the coffee directly from the island for promotion, that ones free. We produce sugar on the island but we might not have enough for our personal use so well just buy some along with some cows milk. For the sweets, we need wheat and butter, wont we? We can get all of those from a merchant that I know and Ive already discussed it with him so we just need to show our faces there. Buying it from a wholesaler is cheaper after all. When you run out of stock, feel free to use the money we get from sales to resupply. Theres also the uniform. Theres the store that recommended clothes to our doctor, Antonio-san, in this town so lets go there right now

After saying that, I took the two of them to the clothing store.

Welcome~. How can I help you?

A lady greeted us when we entered the shop.

Please give me four pairs of black pants and clean looking white shirts, ones that will fit the two I came in with

Okay~

After saying that, she went around the store then came back with several shirts and pants in hand.

Hmm, this, or this? How about this? Maybe this one?

She began trying to pair the clothes she had as she said that.

We all discussed it and decided on something easy to move in.

After that, I had the two select a black vest that they liked and made them wear a black tie.

Oh my, its surprisingly stylish

Well, thats how it should be after all

It has a strong image of a coffee shop owner.

What are you using this for?

Were opening a store that sells tea thats not from around here

Really~? A shop that serves tea even though youre meant to drink at home? Youre going to be selling it?

Its not sure yet but we would experience a setback with our plans if we dont sell it. Its a tea thats not from around here so were going to introduce it to everyone first. Once people start wanting to be able to drink our tea in their homes, theyll come back to buy it in our store and the demand will be generated

Well, it seems like a complicated story so just let me know where the store is when it opens

Because of that, I told her about the place called Coffee thats located one street off of the main road.

The stores name is the product name. Its easy to remember and its also better than oddly being particular about it. Its the same as that excavator calledYu*bo, that motorcycle from a certain country called Ka****, and Su**ru that car company. 1

Coffeehuh? I got it. Ill show myself there at least once

After saying that, we paid for the clothes, thanked the lady then left the store.

With that finished, we went over to Nils-sans place where we did our greetings and told him about our shop.

Is it really alright that youre not on the main street?

I want the store to give off a calming feel after all. Also, its expensive to get one on the main street

The second one is the true reason right?

Yep

I answered him with a smile.

Well then, please drop by next time

Will do

Please take care of us at that time

After saying that, we left the warehouse.

Once we were back at the store, we had a meeting about our plans moving forward.

Ive already posted an advertisement for this store on the guilds bulletin board. It will be taken down after thirty days but if we only get a few customers, please extend the duration for thirty more days

Yes

Ill stay here for a few days to see how things go, but Ill come to visit from time to time to check on the state of things after I go back. If you want to invite over a few of the islanders to come, Ill be able to bring them with me during those visits. As for where youll stay, please find an apartment to rent thats nearby. Also, Ill be putting a rope in one of the corners of the breakroom/storage room where Ill designate as a place Ill use for the transfer magic so please dont put anything in that area

Understood

Lets get up a bit earlier tomorrow to check the foot traffic and decide when the best time to open the store

After saying that, we put away the tables and chairs in the store then laid down the beddings.

Ah, if its too troublesome for you to rent a house, you can just sleep on the floor like this to save money

Uhm, it will be more troublesome to live like this so were going to rent a place

I see. Like Ive said before, you are more or less free to use the money so go right ahead. However, please dont run away with it okay? I dont want to go through all the trouble tracking you down after all

Eh? Ah, okay

Well, if you just keep at it until youre able to comfortably earn your keep, you can even decide to make a second branch of this store or something without asking me. Thats the level of freedom you have. Just dont drag the coffees image down, please. It would cause trouble for everyone on the island if you do that after all. Well then, lets go to bed

Okay

I woke up a bit earlier than the others so once they were awake, we all went to the market where, even though it was still dark, people were already moving about and starting their preparations for their stalls.

The morning market starts really early, doesnt it?

Then, once the sun started rising and it became just a bit brighter, they immediately opened up shop and started operating.

So they open their stores at sunrise huh? Well then, shall we get something to eat?

After that, it became lunchtime and the number of people that were in the port decreased as they all went to the food stalls and restaurants that were now crowded.

Were only going to serve sweets and tea so you can probably take a break during this time

Thats true

While we were here, we also did some advertising. I tied two planks with a string and wore them on my body then called out to people with a huge smile on my face. I was the sandwich man.

Everyone was laughing but I just didnt mind it. Rather, it was conspicuous and gathered attention so it was pretty effective for promoting something.

Hey you, young man over there. Theres a new tea youve never seen before you know~? Its a little bitter but its good for your tired bodies and its effective against your sleepiness. Hey lady2

Its embarrassingHow shameful

It doesnt seem like they were moved by that. Well, even if they werent, being conspicuous makes people notice you and that itself is a pretty great advertisement.

I wonder if theres no concept of that kind of advertising in this world? It sounds great to me though. Is it because of cultural differences?

After that, once it became evening, the taverns quickly opened and some people immediately took that chance to start drinking.

It might be a good idea to close up shop around this time, just as the sun starts to set

We were done with our excursion so we decided to go back to the store.

Well then, based on looking at the flow of people all day today, I think it would be best if we set our operating hours from just a bit before sunrise till sunset

Thats true. It might also be fine if we closed during lunchtime so that we can go out and eat

What about if there are people who want to come here to drink after they have their lunch?

How about we take turns eating then?

Ill leave that part to you two

On the day of the opening, I borrowed one of the mans uniforms so that I could help out in the shop. I was only going to do miscellaneous tasks but I would intervene if there was a situation the two of them couldnt handle.

I had to demonstrate the flow first though so I decided to stand at the counter.

The stores menu was simple, it was just Coffee and The coffee set.

I just included the days sweets in the coffee set to avoid any complications.

It would be a good idea to hire some staff to increase the number of snacks we serve but we cant do that without our plans coming