Our Cafe is Open as Usual - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 18

When working part-time at a cafe, there’s one task that’s commonly said to be difficult.

That’s milk steaming.

Even the slightest mistake could bring out the fishy taste of milk or ruin the coffee’s flavor. It was also delicate work that required precise control, such as preventing the foam from becoming too coarse.

Because of this, there were countless videos teaching milk steaming techniques.

There was even a story about a game that made milk steaming so extremely detailed that it made current cafe part-timers cry.

It was that finicky a task, but once you got the hang of it, it was also quite enjoyable work.

‘I was one of those who found it pretty fun.’

Though not everyone understood that…

So I had the milk steaming method memorized perfectly.

There are various methods people teach…

But actually, the most important thing in milk steaming is the ‘right amount of air’ you put into the milk.

If you put in too much air, the foam bubbles become large and uneven, causing the milk and foam to separate with foam only forming at the top.

But if you inject too little air, the foam won’t form sufficiently.

It’s best when the machine makes a quiet ‘chweeeee-‘ sound like a rice cooker. The quieter, the better.

Just doing this well meant milk steaming was practically successful.

Oh, temperature is important too.

It can’t be too high or too low.

‘Milk temperature around 55 degrees is just right.’

Following just these steps would make milk steaming problem-free.

I had taught many junior part-timers this way.

But no matter how much you explain with words, it’s all about the feel in your fingertips… so practice was extremely important.

Well, anyway.

With such solid theory and plenty of practical experience, I figured milk steaming would be no problem.

However.

“…Millen, can I ask you just one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Um… how do you use this?”

Millen’s steamer looked completely different from any steamer I knew.

I mean.

‘Should I call this a kettle?’

Or a pitcher?

Looking at the steamer with its mysterious shape somewhere between a kettle and pitcher… I could only blink.

There was no steam nozzle, no steam wand, no handle to press when injecting air. Nothing. Just a smooth kettle-shaped steamer, so I eventually had to ask Millen for help.

Then came his answer along with a bonus of his sharp glare.

“Why do you think I’m a magic Tool Artisan? It only has meaning if I make things more convenient to use than the original.

Convenient yet easy to use – that’s the kind of tool I make. By adding magic.”

“Ah…”

“So think simply. I’m not the kind of friendly Tool Artisan who explains how to use things.”

Even if Koreans are known for throwing away instruction manuals without reading them!

‘…You should still sell it with a manual, you crazy bastard!’

I forced down the words rising from within and put on a strained smile.

Then Millen snorted and tilted his head as if telling me to give it a try.

“Tch, think I can’t do it?”

I looked around the steamer and was able to recall a certain fact.

“Right. I can just look at the description like with the universal hammer.”

Then the usage instructions should be written there too.

I grinned and whispered ‘description’ quietly. Then the familiar notification sound came and a description window appeared.

Artisan’s Steamer

-Steam anything!

-Born from the hands of an excellent artisan.

-Performance varies depending on the user.

Usage Method: Not disclosed

Usage Period: Permanent

“…”

However, the answer I wanted wasn’t written there.

‘What’s with “Usage Method: Not disclosed,” seriously. Do people really buy this guy’s tools like this?’

Unable to believe that Millen was a successful Tool Artisan, I glared at him for a moment. But all I got was his cold stare.

‘Right, I’m the only one in a hurry.’

I grumbled and felt around the steamer. As I’d checked before, there were indeed no buttons.

‘Then maybe if I shout “steam” out loud, it’ll work?

Or maybe if I put the drink in, it’ll work automatically?’

With this sudden thought, I immediately opened the shop window.

Shop!

-We sell everything!

-Milk 500ML: 20 gold

-Fragrant premium coffee beans (1 bag): 30 gold

-Ice (1 bag): 10 gold

-Heavy cream 100ML: 25 gold

-Orange juice 100ML: 30 gold

-Food for happy hamsters: 200 gold

-Treats for cool hamsters: 200 gold

-50 Energy Drink: 2 diamonds

-100 Energy Drink: 3 diamonds

Current funds

1,030 gold

1 diamond

I’d seen it once before when buying ice, but the prices were really steep.

If I bought it at a grocery store in the capital city, 500ml of milk wouldn’t even cost 5 gold… but the game store was selling it for four times that price.

Ice, well, it’s hard to get so I’d buy it even if expensive.

“…Hah. It’s too expensive.”

The price was so high my hands were trembling.

It was a bit sad that I had to experience this even now that I was possessed in a game.

But there was no choice.

I’d used up all the remaining milk giving out ice cream during the sunset event. Also, since it was almost midnight, I couldn’t go out to buy any.

So my only option was to purchase milk.

“500ml should be enough for three or four tries, right?”

With the absolute mindset of finishing within that amount, I buy just one.

I pressed the milk purchase button with slightly trembling hands. Then, like when receiving rewards, milk appeared right above my hand.

Worried that the precious milk might fall and burst on the floor, I hastily grabbed it tight.

“Phew, let’s try this.”

I immediately poured an appropriate amount of the milk I’d received into the steamer. I hoped it would steam automatically… but surprisingly, nothing happened at all.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m not holding the steamer?

It might work automatically if I’m gripping the handle.’

“…This isn’t it either.”

This method was wrong too.

“Then what the hell is it?”

I glared back and forth between the steamer and Millen. Millen was still watching me struggle with the steamer.

“Instead of just watching like that, give me just one hint.”

“Basha used it right away without any explanation from me.”

“Don’t be so picky, Millen. We’ll have plenty of time together from now on. Since we’re business partners, please take good care of me.”

“…Are we business partners?”

“Aren’t we?”

They clearly said they’d give me ‘Millen Bashe’ as compensation.

As if confirming I was right, Millen stretched his lips into a long line and approached me.

“I normally charge money for teaching how to use it, you know.”

“Then put it on my tab. I’ll do one thing you want later.”

“How can I trust a promise that’s just words.”

“Should we write up a contract?”

If you want one, I’ll write it.

When I nodded, Millen waved his hand as if to say it wasn’t necessary.

“That won’t be needed. And I’ll only show you once.”

“Got it!”

Millen lightly gripped the steamer’s handle. I widened my eyes and watched his movements.

Millen lightly tapped the steamer on the floor. Then immediately shook it a couple times.

Suddenly, with a hissing sound, the rich aroma of milk spread through the air.

“…Huh?”

‘It’s that simple? Really?’

As I stared at the steamer in disbelief, Millen shook his head. He even confirmed that his device was working properly.

It was perfectly steamed milk.

The foam was smooth and the temperature was just right.

“…Haha, ha!”

This is magic?

Where did all the milk steaming I’d been doing go? At this rate, latte art will come out automatically too, haha!

Feeling increasingly strange, I hurriedly brought over a teacup. Without espresso, the latte art wouldn’t show up well, but… I poured it anyway.

Then.

“…Crazy.”

The art came out automatically too.

More precisely, the steamer moved automatically to create the art I wanted.

This is like a whole new world.

With this, I wouldn’t be afraid of latte art. For someone with lacking artistic skills like me, this was a truly revolutionary feature.

That picky Millen was starting to look pretty to me.

I smiled with satisfaction and muttered quietly.

“I just need to go to the grocery store tomorrow.”

Frizia’s request was now just one step away.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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