The Other World Dining Hall Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Scone

 

The manager of the “Flying Puppy” upstairs visited at a certain Sat.u.r.day evening after the otherworld dining hall had finished its work hours safely.

[Yo. Sorry to visit you so late at night… yos.h.i.+, even Aletta-chan is here.]

After finis.h.i.+ng the cleanup and their late dinner, it was time for Aletta to return.

He held it firmly at the moment.

[Ou, how unusual. You never came this late before.]

The owner asked his childhood friend curiously.

Flying Puppy closed at 7 p.m.

Even though he too had to cleanup and prepare for the next day, it was unusual for him to remain until the owner finished his own cleanup.

[Aa, the thing is, there’s a plan that I’m planning to do since spring break. After closing the store, I was doing various things.]

The manager showed what he had in his left hand to the owner.

A basket covered with beautiful cloth.

He thrust his hand inside and took something out…

[Waa, pretty…]

Aletta saw it and said unintentionally.

A transparent, well-formed gla.s.s bottle with metallic lid.

It contained dark red transparent thing.

[Hoo. Is that strawberry jam?]

As soon as he saw it, the owner noticed its ident.i.ty and asked the manager.

[Ou. Spring strawberry fair for a limited time. It’s possible to exchange this for 20 stamps instead of one cake.

It used to be bad, but I guarantee its taste. So you know…]

The manager nodded to the owner’s question and handed the bottle to Aletta.

[E? E?]

Though she received the slippery gla.s.s bottle, Aletta was confused.

While laughing at Aletta’ puzzled face, the manager said.

[It’s a present for Aletta-chan. For the time being, it could keep for a long time due to its sugar, but after opening it once, store it in a cool place and finish it as soon as possible.]

[…E!? Is this fine!?]

At last Aletta comprehended the situation and asked in surprise.

The manager was a confectionary craftsman of a different world who could make fascinating sweets that fascinated aristocrats, princesses and high priestesses.

Jam made by the craftsman… it’s fruit boiled in sugar.

She did not think that it’s more expensive than the cookies, but it should be quite expensive nonetheless.

[Of course. Aletta-chan is my regular customer you know? You always buy the biggest cookie can every week.]

The manager nodded to Aletta’s surprise.

It was for someone who bought cookie cans as a gift once every 7 days and as a discount price for an employee at the same time.

In such circ.u.mstances, the manager decided to treat Aletta as a “frequent customer”.

[First, we have to taste test this… I’ve been making these things.]

As he said so, the manager lifted the cloth from the basket. Inside was a few bottles of red jam smaller than the one he gave to Aletta and some wheat-coloured breads the size of a fist.

[Oh, scones? That’s unusual.]

The owner asked the manager.

[Aa, in order to taste test the jam, such a simple thing is the best, so I tried baking it.

It’s good with black tea. Well, it’s a midnight snack. Let’s eat together.]

[Ou. Then let’s make black tea. Aletta, please help me.]

[Yes. Thank you for the food.]

The owner and Aletta took their invitation and quickly prepared the tea before seating at the same table.

[Then, don’t hesitate to eat. It’s my treat.]

A late night snack began with the manager’s words.

 

First, Aletta ate the scone without adding anything.

(Eh? It’s not… sweet?)

As it’s no

t long since it’s baked, it’s still slightly warm and taste faintly of b.u.t.ter… but it’s not sweet.

[Un. The taste of wheat is solid and it’s good.]

[Right? Well, it doesn’t hold a candle to the breads that Kimura-san makes.]

The owner and the manager also ate it without adding anything.

[Yos.h.i.+, let’s try it with the jam next. It’s why I brought it.]

He opened one of the smaller bottles and scooped the jam with a spoon before handing it to Aletta.

[The bread is solid so you can just smear it on top.]

[Ye, yes. Then…]

Prompted by the manager, Aletta scooped the jam and smeared it on top of the scone.

A jam with the small strawberries inside.

She was fascinated with the clear red colour that became transparent due to the overhead light; it was as beautiful as a jewel to her.

(It might be a bit of a waste to eat this.)

While thinking such thing, she started to eat.

Spreading in her mouth was the sweet and sour flavor of strawberry.

The faint acidity of strawberry complimented the sweetness of the sugar added to make jam.

While she chewed with the jam flavor spreading in her mouth, the berries that’s still somewhat intact collapsed and the fruit juice leaked out.

(I see. So that’s the reason the bread is not sweet!)

And the bread was called scone earlier.

It alone was not sweet, but with the sweet jam added, the overall sweetness became balanced.

The scone became a fine sweet when jam was eaten with it.

[Un. It’s good. Certainly this is something that can be sold at the store.]

[Right? I think it’s particularly good this year.]

The owner and the manager also agreed with the taste.

This was saleable.

[Still, this… yos.h.i.+, wait a moment.]

The owner noticed something about the taste and went to the kitchen to retrieve a plate with something on it.

[That is?]

[It’s cream cheese. It should go well with this jam.]

He said so and placed the plate on the table with a spoon.

[Oo! How nice! Certainly jam and cream cheese fit each other.]

The manager said happily to the cream cheese brought by the owner. He then garnished the scones with jam and cream cheese before taking a bite.

[Un. They really do get along with each other. It permeates in the empty stomach.]

He ate the food deliciously and drank the tea before divulged the words with a sigh.

[You’ll get fat if you eat too much.]

The owner was also eating the scone with jam and cream cheese when he smiled wryly to his close friend.

(It’s true! Jam and cream cheese really fit each other!)

Following those two, Aletta also convinced to that taste.

The slightly sour taste of the cream cheese and faint acidity of strawberries used for jam.

The two mixed with each other’s taste on the strong wheat base, making a difference.

(Now that I remember, jam was added to the cheesecake served to Hilda-san.)

In retrospect, the berry sauce was also used for the demon mercenary regular’s favourite.

At that time, Aletta understood the reason why deeply.

[Fuu…]

[I ate a lot somehow.]

[Ou. Did you eat too much?]

Finally drinking the black tea, the three people exhaled a satisfied breath.

[So, how was the jam?]

After a breath, the manager asked Aletta.

[It was truly delicious.]

Aletta answered with a smile.

Aletta thought from the bottom of her heart that all otherworld foods were delicious.

[I see. Then take it. Since I have two… sorry, but you have to deliver it.]

In that case, the manager pa.s.sed her the basket containing two bottles of jam. One that was just opened and one still not opened.

[Thank you very much. I’ll cherish… eat it.]

(The other one… I’ll give the unopened one to s.h.i.+a-sama.)

This jam was given as a thank you for purchasing the cookies all the time.

As such, she should hand the better one to her employer’s sister that gave the money.

While thinking such, Aletta received the basket.

(But the one that’s opened… should be eaten right away, right?)

Meanwhile thoughtfully thinking such.

 

At a later date, Aletta’s honest evaluation digressed a bit after she saw her employer and her sister lightly fought over the “sugar boiled fruit”.