Aimisi Has Arrived!

Auntie Bo deftly took two delicate desserts from the refrigerated display case, placed each on a small square white porcelain plate, added two clean teaspoons, and gently handed them to the pair.

The passion fruit tiramisu was topped with translucent jam, its plump bits of fruit sweet and tart. A faint fruity fragrance mingled with the richness of cream.

The chocolate cheese pudding was soft and silky, with a dusting of fine cocoa powder on top. It was just sweet enough, and the sight alone made their mouths water.

"Thank you, Auntie Bo."

Wuling and Chisaki each accepted a dessert and politely thanked her.

"What are you thanking me for? Go sit in the kitchen and eat. It's quiet back there, and you won't get in the way of serving customers out front."

Auntie Bo smiled and waved a hand, then turned and picked up a rag to wipe the counter. "I can keep an eye on things here. You two take a little break."

They nodded and carried their desserts slowly toward the kitchen break area.

Two simple tables and chairs sat in a little corner by the kitchen window. The area was neat and clean, and especially peaceful away from the bustle of customers out front.

Soft afternoon light streamed through the window, spreading gently across the table, warm and pleasant.

Chisaki carefully set her plate on the table and slowly sat down. Her eyes drifted toward the storeroom, a hint of concern in them.

"I wonder if Bozai is sound asleep yet," she said softly, her voice gentle.

"He probably fell asleep ages ago."

Wuling picked up his spoon and gently cut into the soft tiramisu, smiling as he answered.

"After we put the little guy in there, he was unbelievably well-behaved. He curled up in his bed without moving. He must have worn himself out running around."

"Speaking of which, Chisaki, you really like little animals, don't you? You were the same with yesterday's kittens and with Bozai today."

Chisaki was slightly startled to be addressed so suddenly, and a faint blush crossed her cheeks. She lowered her head and gently poked at the silky cheese pudding, her expression soft.

"Mm, I just think little animals are so cute."

She spoke quietly, her voice soft and gentle.

"They don't think too much about things. When they're happy, they nuzzle you, and when they're tired, they go right to sleep. They're quiet and so pure. Those stray kittens were willing to come near us yesterday, and today Bozai was willing to stay in my arms. Being trusted by little animals like that really feels nice."

At that, Chisaki looked toward the storeroom again, a faint smile in her eyes.

"Especially Bozai. Auntie Bo said he's so afraid of strangers, but he wasn't wary of us at all. When I was holding him just now, even my heartbeat felt light. I was so afraid of disturbing him."

The two sat by the window in the quiet kitchen, slowly enjoying their desserts.

Outside, a gentle breeze stirred the leaves, and light and shadow swayed slowly across the table. Now and then, the sound of customers chatting and laughing drifted in from the front, along with the faint hum of machinery.

The chocolate pudding was dense and silky on the tongue, its rich, creamy cheese flavor wrapped around a hint of cocoa's bitterness. It was just sweet enough without being cloying. The passion fruit tiramisu was sweet, tart, and refreshing, balancing the richness of the cream. Every bite was full of summery freshness.

When their short break ended, they straightened their uniforms and walked out of the kitchen one after the other, returning to the front.

The routine was exactly the same as yesterday's, except that today, when things got busy, Wuling went into the kitchen to help make coffee. Though it was his first time, he followed the detailed ingredient and preparation chart posted on the wall step by step and picked it up surprisingly easily. There was nothing wrong with the taste or appearance of what he made.

Busy hours always flew by. The sunlight outside gradually softened, and silvery moonlight spilled over the rooftops and across the café's floor-to-ceiling windows.

Only half an hour remained before the end of their shift, and the crowd had thinned considerably. Just a few tables of customers remained, chatting at their leisure.

No one expected an unexpected guest to arrive during this lull near closing time.

"Ta-da-da! Aimisi has arrived! Everybody, make way!"

Wuling was wiping down the counter where he had just made a drink. Hearing her voice, he paused and looked up.

"Aimisi? What brought you here?"

The girl standing in the doorway had bright, lively features and wore her hair in a high ponytail and a breezy short-sleeved summer top. She radiated an energetic, playful air.

"What, surprised to see me? I came all the way out here especially to see you, big bro. Oh, Chisaki's here too! Come on, give me a hug."

Before Chisaki could react, Aimisi had hurried over in quick little steps and opened her arms to give her a gentle hug.

Chisaki froze, holding her hands up awkwardly, unsure what to do. The tips of her delicate ears quietly turned pink. Fortunately, Aimisi didn't hold her for long and soon let go.

Watching his lively younger sister from the side, Wuling shook his head helplessly and went back to his work.

"It's almost nine already. If you were coming to see me, you would've been here ages ago. You're only here now because of those kittens, aren't you?"

"Hehe, you really do know me, big bro."

Caught out, Aimisi wasn't embarrassed in the least. Instead, she broke into a radiant grin. "That's right, and I bought lots of good stuff too."

As she spoke, Aimisi hefted the shopping bags in her hands, making them rustle.

"Of course, feeding the kittens is my secondary goal. The main reason I'm here is still you, big bro."

She winked slyly and came over to the counter, propping herself against it and leaning forward to look at Wuling, her tone a little coaxing.

"Make me a hot latte with three spoonfuls of sugar. I want you to make it yourself. I'm going to get a good look at just how good you are at your part-time job."

"Three spoonfuls of sugar?"

Wuling raised an eyebrow at that, a little puzzled.

"Didn't you always have four or five before? So, you've switched to three today?"

"Oh, big bro, you don't understand. With coffee, one spoonful of sugar is a little bitter, two spoonfuls aren't quite right, and three spoonfuls are just perfect."

"All right, all right, you win. I'll go make it now."

He put down his rag and turned toward the kitchen work area to prepare the drink.

As for the ingredient chart, what ingredient chart? The chart is in my head. What measurements? My eyes are my ruler. Whatever amount I add is the standard amount.

Before the system enhanced me, I had to look at the ingredient chart. If I still have to look at it after the system enhanced me, wouldn't that enhancement have been for nothing?

As for latte art, that was even easier. He got the hang of it after two tries, and after three to five, his technique already rivaled a master's.

In just a few minutes, a warm, sweet latte was ready.

Wuling wiped the cup clean and carried it out of the kitchen.

Out front, Aimisi was talking to Auntie Bo about something. He had no idea how she had gotten on such good terms with her so quickly.

"What are you chatting about? You look so happy."

Wuling walked over with the warm latte and gently set the cup on the table in front of Aimisi.

The milky white cup was warm to the touch, and the foam on top was fluffy and delicate, neat and round. Just the right sweetness mingled with the rich aroma of milk, while a faint coffee fragrance filled the air.

"Wow! That was fast!"

Aimisi immediately stopped talking, her attention drawn to the latte before her. She stared at the cup with shining eyes, full of anticipation.

"Slow down. Careful, it's hot."

Wuling offered a brief warning from the side.

"I know, I know."

Aimisi eagerly picked up the hot drink with both hands, its warmth passing through the cup into her palms.

She took a small sip. The rich flavor instantly filled her mouth, the milky aroma gentle and lingering. Three spoonfuls of sugar had perfectly balanced the coffee's natural bitterness, leaving only a delicate sweetness and rich fragrance.

"It's so good!"

Aimisi's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help praising it over and over, her voice utterly sincere. "Big bro, you're amazing! You've only made these a few times, and you're already this good. It tastes better than the ones at any café I've been to before."

"Of course. After all, I'm the strongest, and the strongest never loses."

"Pfft, big bro, there you go acting like a chuunibyou again. Give you a couple of compliments and you get carried away."

Aimisi playfully stuck the tip of her tongue out at him with a soft little sound, her ponytail swishing as she shook her head.

"We weren't really talking about much just now. I was just curious, so I asked Chisaki how you two were getting along, and whether you'd been bullying her or anything."

"Hey, hey, do you have that little faith in my character?"

"Yes, that's right, exactly."