AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
I counted the coins in my palm one last time, feeling the weight of actual earned gold. Not fake, not borrowed, not some illusion the system spat out real coin. The kind you could trade for food, sleep, or, most importantly, freedom.
"Okay…" I muttered to myself, brushing a few crumbs off my apron. "Step one: survive first day. Step two: keep working without accidentally melting the cafe. Step three: find somewhere to sleep."
Sunlight had begun to fade from the streets, the orange glow painting Orario in a softer hue, less chaotic than midday, but still alive with the hum of late shoppers and adventurers returning from their runs. I zipped my cloak a little higher and set off, scanning the streets for a place to stay. The Guild had inns, sure, but they were crowded, expensive, and full of noise. I needed somewhere quiet, somewhere I could keep my Glamour Veil stable while resting.
After a short walk through a maze of side streets, I spotted a modest, clean building with a small sign swinging gently in the evening breeze: Moonlight Rest Inn. The lamps on the outside gave off a welcoming glow, and the smell of cooked vegetables and wood polish hit me pleasantly.
"Yes. Perfect." I whispered, ducking inside.
The innkeeper, a rotund man with a thick mustache, gave me a cheerful nod. "Evening! Need a room?"He asked.
I nodded eagerly.
"Yes… just for one night, please. I'm… new in Orario."I said.
He smiled, handing me a small key.
"Top floor, room five. Don't worry, we've got plenty of blankets."He said.
The room was small but cozy, with a simple bed, a wooden desk, and a tiny window overlooking the streets below. I collapsed onto the bed, letting the events of the day crash over me. I'd served drinks, tidied tables, remembered dozens of orders, and even smiled without tripping or fainting. And earned coin doing it. My chest swelled with pride.
"System ping. Emotional spike - relief and mild euphoria. Optional objective - first successful day independent activity - completed." System said.
I yawned, stretched, and allowed myself a few minutes of quiet. Maybe tomorrow I'd return to the cafe, maybe I'd get braver and actually try interacting with Bell, or maybe I'd… just sleep.
Morning came with the soft trill of a bell outside the inn. I rubbed my eyes, stretched, and glanced out the window. The city was waking, light spilling across rooftops, streets already starting to bustle with adventurers, merchants, and guild members. I quickly washed, changed, and tied my cloak firmly. Today… today I was going back to the café. As I stepped through the door, the smell of coffee and pastries hit me instantly. Syr was already moving behind the counter, graceful as ever, with a clipboard in one hand and a tiny smile for each customer she passed.
"Good morning, Isabella." She said softly, glancing my way. "Ready for another day?"
"Yes!" I said, bracing myself. "Ready to… not mess up."
Syr chuckled quietly, sliding me a small tray.
"Just keep doing what you did yesterday. Everything else will fall into place."She said.
I was just about to take my station behind the counter when the cafe door swung open dramatically. A tall, imposing woman stepped inside, the kind of presence that made the air itself seem to shift. Broad shoulders, piercing eyes, hair piled high in a regal style, and a sharp, discerning gaze sweeping the room. The cafe fell silent for a heartbeat.
Mama Mia. The boss of the cafe. Known for her no-nonsense attitude, her culinary skill, and her terrifying ability to sniff out any misbehavior or bad food.
"Ah." She said, voice low but commanding. "You're the one Syr hired yesterday. Isabella, was it?"
I froze mid step, the tray in my hands threatening to tilt. "Y-yes, ma'am. I… uh… I just started yesterday, but I'm-"I began.
"Do not fumble." Mama Mia said, eyes narrowing slightly. "I've heard… good things. Syr's confidence in you is… notable." She took a slow, deliberate step closer, arms crossed, glancing at the counter, the kitchen, then back at me.
"System ping. Host stress level - elevated. Emotional spike is a cautious respect. Optional objective - impress cafe boss is active." System said.
I swallowed hard and straightened my back.
"I… I'll do my best. I promise to follow Syr's instructions and keep the cafe running smoothly."I promised.
Mama Mia's gaze softened fractionally, though it was still sharp.
"Good. Today… you will assist me more directly. The kitchen will be available. Learn quickly. I do not tolerate errors."She said.
"Y-yes, ma'am!" I squeaked, half thrilled, half terrified. The kitchen… the actual kitchen, not just serving or tidying. This was a step up. Syr gave me a subtle nod from behind the counter.
"Don't worry. I'll supervise. You'll manage."She said.
My pulse hammered in my ears as I followed Mama Mia toward the kitchen. This was it, first real exposure to the heart of the café, the smell of real cooking, and the chance to prove I could handle more than just serving tables.
"System note. New skill acquisition potential detected. Optional objective - kitchen proficiency under supervision is initiated. Emotional spike - anticipatory excitement." System said.
I took a deep breath, adjusted my apron, and stepped into the bustling kitchen. Steam rose from pots, the scent of rich sauces, fresh bread, and aromatic herbs hitting me like a wave. My claws itched to help, and my mind raced. I was Isabella Vale, apprentice hostess, about to tackle her first real challenge under the eyes of Syr and the formidable Mama Mia. The adventure of culinary chaos, and maybe, just maybe, influence over Orario's adventurers, was only beginning.
The kitchen was massive compared to the small counter space I'd been working behind yesterday. Pots clanged, knives chopped, and the smell of sizzling oils and fresh herbs filled the air. Mama Mia moved with a precision that made the chaos look effortless, and I followed her lead, trying not to trip over my own feet.
"First." Mama Mia said, her tone sharp but measured. "We prep. Ingredients must be precise. Attention to detail saves lives, or reputations in this kitchen."
I nodded, heart hammering, and took a deep breath.
"System pinged. Host focus is maximum. Emotional spike - determined. Perfect."System said.
Mama Mia slid me a tray of vegetables bright peppers, onions, and something I had later learn was a root called sakuragi.
"Chop these evenly. Uniformity is critical. Try to maintain speed without sacrificing quality."She said.
I gripped my knife, feeling the weight of it in my hands. Carefully, I sliced each vegetable, glancing up at Mama Mia for approval after every handful. Her eyes narrowed, then, faintly… softened.
"Not bad" She said, nodding once. "You have… skill with knives. Quick, clean cuts. Efficient."
I froze. Did she just… compliment me? My cheeks heated, and I tried to bow politely while keeping my hands steady.
"System pinged. Emotional spike - pride. Optional objective - impress kitchen boss - progressing."System said.
Next came the sauces. Mama Mia had me whisk, measure, and combine ingredients with precision. Each step was a small test, but I found myself getting into a rhythm. My claws hidden beneath the gloves I'd been given tapped the bowls in steady beats, and I noticed the colors blending perfectly. She glanced over my shoulder.
"Good consistency. Your timing is… surprising. You adapt quickly."She said.
I tried not to squeak. Surprising? That's… good, right? Then came the plating. Mama Mia demonstrated a quick flick of her wrist, arranging the components on the plate beautifully. I mimicked her movements, a little stiff at first, but my system nudged me.
"Host dexterity sufficient. Optional skill acquisition - likely."System said.
The finished plate sat before us, steam curling from it in delicate waves. Mama Mia leaned in, sniffed, then tapped her fingers lightly on the edge of the plate.
"You… have a sense for this." She said slowly, clearly impressed despite herself. "I can see why Syr trusted you. You'll learn quickly if you keep focus. Your hands… precise, careful, steady. Rare combination in someone your age."
I couldn't help but grin, a little breathless.
"Thank… thank you, ma'am! I… I really want to learn!"I said.
Syr, standing quietly behind us, gave me a small, approving smile.
"You're doing well. Mama Mia rarely gives compliments lightly."System said.
"System pinged. Optional objective progress - master kitchen prep - +15%. Emotional spike is exhilaration. Coin potential - moderate."System said.
As the morning moved on, I chopped, measured, whisked, and plated, each task sharpening my confidence. Mama Mia kept a watchful eye but gradually let me take the lead on smaller preparations, occasionally nodding or murmuring approval. By the time the first lunch orders came in, I was already moving with a rhythm, sliding trays, adjusting seasoning at the right moment, and keeping pace with the kitchen's fast tempo. Every time Mama Mia glanced my way, there was a faint lift at the corner of her mouth just enough to let me know I wasn't fumbling entirely.
"System note. Host performance exceeds expectation. Optional objective - demonstrate competence under supervision - successful. Emotional spike - satisfaction and validation."System said.
I could feel it, the small thrill of mastering a new skill, the pride of earning genuine approval, and the quiet satisfaction of contributing to something bigger than myself. Mama Mia leaned closer at one point, inspecting my chopping technique again.
"Keep this up. You have potential. Focus. Precision. You're… capable."She said.
I swallowed hard, nodding, feeling the weight of her words. Capable… I can actually do this and for the first time since waking up in Orario, I felt like I could truly belong in this little corner of the city behind the counter, in the kitchen, honing skills that could one day catch the attention of anyone I wanted, even Bell.