Volume 1, Prologue
Character Introduction
Gilford
Risa’s stepfather in another world.
Favorite food: Stew
Anastasia
Gil’s wife.
Favorite food: Carbonara
His Highness Edgar
Crown prince of the Feliformia Kingdom.
Favorite food: Hamburg steak
Keith
Royal Assistant Head Chef.
Favorite food: Karaage (deep-fried chicken)
Basil
Emerald spirit. About 20cm tall.
Favorite food: rolled egg
Risa (Kurokawa Risa)
Ex-office worker who came to another world and started a cafe in an unexpected turn of events. Her dream is to make all the food on Earth!!
Favorite food: Japanese cuisine
Zeke
An ex-knight who fell in love with Risa’s sweets. Now a cafe employee.
Favorite food: Pudding
Helena
A waitress at Risa’s cafe.
Favorite food: Ice cream
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“Listen to me~ Risa~”
“Yes, yes, I’m listening.”
The distinguished man heavily rested his head down on the counter and began mindlessly ranting his worries aloud to the lady behind the bar. Although they were hard to see, what with his face down, his silver grey eyes were dull with dejection.
The man was Gilford Hyde Claude. Though unimaginable from his behavior, he held the title of Feliformia’s Head Royal Magician.
The kingdom was largely separated into three ministries, the Civil Ministry, Magic Ministry, and Knight Ministry.
In the Magic Ministry, the Head Royal Magician, i.e. this man, was in charge of the entire ministry.
The lady, on the other hand, was Risa Kurokawa Claude.
She had on the store uniform, a black apron over a white dress shirt, and wore her long, raven-colored hair in a ponytail to prevent it from getting in the way of her work. Her surname showed that she was a relative of Gilford, though as his foster daughter and not by blood.
“I’m working really hard, you know…Besides, I only became the Head Royal Magician because they said I would get more days off! That’s not true at all! I don’t even have time to go out on dates with Tasia! The way this is going, Tasia’s not going to like me anymore…hey, Risa~ what should I do!?”
“The busier you are, the more important your position is, right? Besides, Tasia wouldn’t stop liking you over something like that.”
“You think so?”
“I do. Anyways, is it really okay to ditch work and come here? Won’t the people at work be troubled?”
Exasperated, Risa chided her stepfather. It was quite obvious that Gilford would visit his stepdaughter’s cafe as an excuse to ditch work. However, Gilford was still her stepfather as well as a customer, so Risa tolerated him.
The peaceful time they had together was over, however. Out of the corner of her eye, Risa spotted a carriage stopping in front of the cafe through the bay window next to the counter.
The bells on the door jingled as a man entered the cafe. His sweeping gaze came to a stop on Gilford at the counter and he smiled.
“Good day, Giford. What a coincidence it is to meet you in town on a day like this.”
His smile did not reach his eyes. With each step he took towards Gilford, Gilford’s face grew tighter.
“H-hey there, Royce! Did you come to eat some of Risa’s sweets too? Or maybe you’re here for a late lunch? Aha, ahaha…”
Gone was Gilford’s relaxed demeanor as he trembled in his boots.
While the conversation sounded peaceful enough, the air crackled with tension.
“Unfortunately, I’m still working. Originally I would have been done with my work already, but some officials from another ministry came crying to me…”
The smile on Royce’s face vanished as he pushed his glasses back up.
Royce Warlock was Gilford’s colleague and one of the few friends that Gilford had. Rumoured to be the next prime minister, Royce was the Secretary of Civil Affairs.
There was only one reason why he would come to the cafe in town during the day.
“Because of a certain someone, your subordinates are so busy they can’t even leave the building. They were so miserable that I decided to come meet you in their stead.”
While Royce deadpanned with a blank look, Gilford rose to his feet as if to run away. He was immediately grabbed by the nape of his neck, however, and was easily captured.
“When will you quit your habit of ditching! How many times have I told you this! We’re not school boys anymore, grow up a little will you!”
These words seemed to be exchanged quite frequently. Risa felt some sympathy towards Royce’s uncharacteristic speed and expert movements as a civil official. Meanwhile, Gilford was throwing a tantrum about how he refused to go back. He was silenced by a look from Royce, and dragged away into the carriage parked in front of the cafe.
Melancholy hovered around Gilford, who sat as still as a cat held by the back of its neck.
“Now then. Miss Risa, everyone, pardon the intrusion.”
Royce, who had re-entered the cafe, bowed politely to Risa and the rest of the customers, who had been looking on from their seats.
“I apologize for the trouble my stepfather always brings you. Please have some of this for when you take a break. Please give some to my stepfather’s subordinates as well.”
“Thank you. I will gladly accept these delicious cookies from you.”
Sorry for the work her stepfather’s friend had to put in, Risa handed a parcel of cookies to Royce as an apology. As if he understood, Royce gave a bitter smile and accepted the parcel. He bowed once more and left the cafe.
The usual peace and quiet of the early afternoon finally returned to the cafe. Risa went back to work, clearing away empty dishes and taking additional orders.
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This is “Cafe Omusubi,” a quite and modest cafe in the capital of the Feliformia Kingdom. The name is no less unusual than the never seen before, yet tasty sweets and cuisine of the curious cafe. That is no surprise, as the owner is someone from a country named Japan, of a different world…