Reviews:
redskin122004: is this world the cooking with Emiya one? I'm trying to place it but for the life of me I can't.
Pretty much an alternate universe with crack humor/properties lol. I mentioned in past chapters it being a mix of Carnival Phantasm and Cooking with Emiya
Kirby the God Slayer: finally! A blessing from the Lord!
XD
kgtab: I'm fairly certain that first customers would be Shirou and Artoria/Rin/Sakura/Iliya/All of them together followed up by Shirou vs Archer remake. I can just feel it in my gut
I mean... Well, you'll find out in this chapter!
starkraft.0122: Strange. Of the Servants who love ice cream, I can only remember Skadi and Shiki. Definitely not Saber... Okay
Haha... Well, Windwood and ShuKirisaki is right about Saber. Though... all Saber class servants are technically called Saber, right? :D
PAPL: Genial capitulo. Y si haces una especie de comedia romántica entre Emiya alte, Arturia alter y Jalter ej Salter sea algo posesiva con Demiya y Jalter se solo para molestarla le coquetea a Demiya y este le da igual su situación como ejemplo eh. Y sobre quienes seran los primeros clientes tengo una idea vaga de quienes serán pero esperaré el siguiente capítulo
Thank you! That special between Jalter and EMIYA Alter might actually happen...
Reaper200851: Is that an Abridged reference that I see with the "strong hands" comment! And it appears that even Okita isn't safe from the power of the salesman.
Yes, it is! No servant is safe against a persistent salesman... Even Gil will feel fear- Jokes aside, Hope you enjoy this one!
SkyChaser17: if it's not Saber or Shirou, I'll eat my pancakes after dipping them in milk out of spite, there's no way you're missing all that chaos and fluff unused, and oooooh... little Rengoku running around helping as a waitress is a comedy waiting to crash down in epic proportion XD Cu is a good and predictable guest, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's Rin since she fits the angry Ex Girlfriend way too perfectly, especially before apprenticing to biggest Troll in fate universe XD
Welp, you'll find out soon. Rengoku will get more screen time pretty soon! Cu will be one of more recurring characters, especially being his Abridged self will send chaotic shenanigans in Fuyuki! Can't even defend Rin there XD
It was finally the day...
The day their café officially opens!
"Are all the tables properly arranged, Okita?"
"Yes, Senpai. The cushions in the tatami area are also properly placed."
"Good work. You want some coffee or tea before we open?"
"That would be nice. Then, I'll have tea, Senpai. I think I'll be taking a break from coffee for a while..."
EMIYA chuckled wryly as he went behind the counter. He couldn't fault Okita for not wanting to drink coffee. Hell, he wouldn't have been surprised if the mere sight of coffee beans made her nauseous. One might wonder how that was even possible.
Well, the fault lay on the bowman for making her taste test the hot brews. He needed the opinion of a customer, and while Lancer was an option, he would rather eat a pufferfish than be in debt to the guy. Yes, that was how much he "despised" the mutt.
Okita told him that all the brews he made were delicious and unique. So, it was really a matter of how frequently she needed to drink coffee to give her Senpai input. It was safe to say that Archer would be serving her milk and juice in the morning for a month or two.
Of course, EMIYA had praised and complimented Okita for her noble sacrifice as his taste tester for the café many times. The silver-haired man made sure she knew how grateful he was for helping. To compensate for drowning her taste buds with coffee, he cooked oden alongside the menu items that they would test each day.
Despite the painful experience of drinking incredible amounts of caffeine every day for the past weeks, getting to eat EMIYA's cooking was well worth the trouble.
The faker poured his partner a cup of chamomile tea. Archer had no doubt that Okita when she put her mind to it, can serve customers just as well as Cu Chulainn. She was calm and composed most of the time, but the man wanted to help ease her nerves.
The silver-haired faker glanced over his shoulder, seeing the usual stoic expression on her visage. But if you took the time to analyze her eyes, you could see the faint nervousness that lingered in them. It was understandable for her to be nervous.
The woman was a natural fighter, not a natural server. It was different from the whole Master-Servant shtick they know. Serving customers as a waitress required Okita to train and study. Fortunately for both of them, she was a quick learner... She only needed to work on her service smile.
EMIYA set the tea down in front of his kouhai as the woman gave a thankful nod. Okita picked up her cup and took a whiff.
"Chamomile..."
"Yeah, it should help you relax. We can't have you worrying too much about serving the customers now, can we?"
Okita looked at her senior, shocked by his statement. She soon shook her head, a smile gracing her features. Of course, he would notice.
"Thank you, Senpai."
"Don't mention it."
EMIYA flashed her a grin before he poured himself a cup of his own. Bringing the rim of the teacup close to his lips, EMIYA slowly sipped the hot beverage as the liquid passed through his throat. Letting out a content sigh, he took in their masterpiece.
The interior was exactly like the design Okita chose for their café: a blend between Western cafés and traditional Japanese teashops (or houses). Potted flowers and a few greeneries gave life and color to the otherwise lifeless inside of their café. The plants, were of course, meticulously chosen to complement the internal design. That was when EMIYA discovered Okita's incredible eye for flowers and talent for flower arrangements.
Okita managed to make a stunning cherry blossom aesthetic that somehow suited the Western style they had.
Maybe it had to do with her infinity thing...? Eh, who really knows?
"By the way, Okita..."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you wearing that...?" He sighed as the woman tilted her head in confusion.
EMIYA had been ignoring her outfit of choice for today ever since they arrived at the café. But he couldn't ignore it any longer. They were about to officially open up for business.
Out of all of the clothes she could have chosen as her uniform, it had to be a maid outfit!
The Alter wasn't in her casual red sweater or her Counter Guardian clothes. She instead wore a black dress with white trims on the knee-length skirt, accompanied by a white half-apron. The woman wore a lacey headpiece on top of her head, while her legs were covered by black stockings and heeled boots.
Basically, it was a French maid uniform.
And essentially, eyes would be glued on her too.
Okita was a beauty, EMIYA can easily admit that. However, that is exactly the reason why she needed to pick a more modest outfit! There would be kids coming, dammit! And that's not even counting the fact that she looked too damn sexy—
EMIYA swiftly cut that train of thought and mentally slapped himself. Twice.
"I didn't know what kind of outfit to wear since there were so many different ones when I looked it up online. So, I went to the mall to buy some clothes. That's when I ran into Lancer."
TWITCH...
"Since he was a waiter, I asked what kind of outfit a waitress of a café should wear. And he said this was appropriate."
Okita got off the stool and twirled to show off her uniform, her skirt fluttering slightly as EMIYA looked away, rubbing his temple as red coated his cheeks. Damn that, Lancer... Damn him, truly.
At the same time, bless that bastard...
"Fine. You can wear that for today since it's unlikely we'll be full of customers from the start. But I strongly suggest you choose another outfit for your uniform, I'll help."
Okita nodded. "I would appreciate that, EMIYA-senpai. Though, what do you think of this outfit?"
"..."
EMIYA turned his back, looking away from the woman. Okita's lips curled downward, frowning as she tried to look at his face... only for him to turn his face away from her again.
"Senpai? Does it look bad on me?"
"N-No. You look good."
"That's not very convincing when you won't look at me..."
'I can't very well say my true feelings for your maid outfit, you know.' Archer grumbled inwardly then cleared his throat, slowly turning his head to glance at his partner. Yup, she was sulking.
With a sigh, the bowman rubbed his neck and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It doesn't look bad on you, far from it. You look really beautiful, okay?" Archer patted her shoulder before he grabbed his now lukewarm tea and downed it all in one gulp, trying to hide the embarrassment. "...I'll open up the café now. Get ready."
"U-Understood."
The male Counter Guardian left the counter and went toward the door, grabbing the chalkboard sign stand without turning around, leaving behind a flustered Okita.
EMIYA flipped the sign before exiting through the door. The silver-haired faker placed the sign stand beside the door, putting his hands on his hips as he admired their establishment.
Then he saw the name of their café. He cringed.
CAFÉ DE SHIRO
Grand Opening!
11:00-7:00
Damn Archer's naming sense. He seriously couldn't come up with a better name? Honestly, that would explain Caladbolg II...
The only saving grace in the name was that the man used the character "white" in the Japanese translated version of the name. The downed hairstyle he usually had when they were in their home was once again slicked back. That was the only piece of resemblance he had with the auburn-haired fool. No one was going to connect the café to him!
...
...
...
...
...
...
Oh, who was he fooling? If someone EMIYA knew came, he doesn't have any way to hide his identity as Archer. And from what Lancer told him during their last meeting, he wasn't even supposed to be alive or exist in this world!
Gah, he was starting to have a headache.
Exhaling deeply, EMIYA patted his cheeks. It's time to get to work.
"What would like for lunch, Nee-san?"
"Hmm. We could go and see Shirou... But how about we eat out somewhere for today?"
"That's fine. I like eating at Senpai's, but we already ate lunch and dinner at his house yesterday. I don't want to bother him all the time."
"Knowing him, he probably doesn't even mind..."
Two girls walked through the streets as the afternoon sun bathed them with its sunlight. Manes of purple and blackish-brown hair glimmered as the girl with wavy twintails hummed in thought. Rin Tohsaka pondered their lunch options. They could go to that café Lancer works at... But they already ate there twice this week!
Her aquamarine eyes flickered toward her sister, who was looking straight ahead while humming to herself as well. Sakura was too sweet for her own good at times. She already went with the whims of her sister so much lately that Rin had to rein in her desires.
The magus wanted to be a considerate and good big sister from time to time. And seeing how the blackish-brown-haired girl was drawing blanks where to eat, she conceded and resorted to asking her sister.
"Where do you want to go and eat, Sakura? I'll let you decide where we should eat today."
Caught off guard by her words, the young girl didn't have an answer. She was fine with whatever her older sister wanted. Where should they have lunch— "Oh!"
As if the heavens heard her thoughts, her violet eyes caught sight of something that piqued her interest, sparkling for a second as she tugged on Rin's hand.
"I've never seen that place before when we walk past here... I think that is a new café, Nee-san! How about we eat there?"
"Really?" Rin followed Sakura's gaze, blinking in surprise before her sister dragged her toward the establishment.
As they arrived at the front, their attention was immediately taken away as soon as they laid eyes on the name of the café.
"Café de Shirou...?" The purple-haired girl repeated softly while the older magus squinted her eyes.
"White coffee...? No, white café?" Rin tried making sense of the name based on the Japanese characters underneath the French-inspired name. She cringed and shook her head, disappointed. "Whoever came up with the name for this place has horrible naming skills."
"Nee-san! Someone might hear you!" Sakura scolded her with a frown. Though, a small part of her agreed it was a bit of a confusing name... and generic. She would never openly admit those things though.
Rin simply shrugged her shoulders, unaffected by the scolding. "I guess I can look past the name if the food and drinks are any good. Let's head inside!"
The purple-haired girl sighed but nodded nonetheless as they entered the establishment.
Instantly, they were hit by the aroma of coffee and freshly brewed tea. The surprises did not stop there as they faced a familiar... face?
"Welcome to Café de Shiro."
A silver-haired woman with tanned skin wearing a maid outfit bowed at the two before standing straight. Her blank expression showed a very faint smile that seemed unbefitting on her face. She then tilted her hair and raised two fingers.
"Table for two?"
"U-Um, yes!" Sakura replied as the woman nodded before leading them to their table.
This kind of service was not something they thought they would find at a café of all places! They almost mistook the establishment for a fancy restaurant if it weren't for the cozy and friendly interior and ambiance. Though, if the sisters were being honest, that really wasn't what shocked them the most.
"If you don't mind me asking, is this a new café?" Sakura asked shyly after seconds of pondering.
The maid nodded her head, her smile growing wider for a second before returning to a neutral expression. "Yes. Today is our grand opening, actually. And you two are our first customers."
The two couldn't hide their surprise at her remark as they arrived at their table. After hearing that piece of information, Rin did recall something about this building being renovated into a food establishment, but she never had any concrete confirmation.
'Lucky us then. But this woman looks kinda like...'
Once they were seated, the maid handed out the menu to the two before taking out a small notepad.
"What would you like to have?"
Sakura gave back the menu, prompting the waitress to give her a confused look. The young purplette giggled and smiled. "Since it's your grand opening today, I'll have the café specialty then."
"I'll have the same thing." Rin followed up with a chuckle, sharing a smile with Sakura. Guess they thought of the same thing.
They missed the bright smile that crossed the waitress's face as she bowed slightly. "Understood," before she turned her heel and went toward the counter.
The two watched her retreating form before they locked eyes with each other.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I think so, Nee-san. That waitress looks like..."
"Saber / Archer."
Rin and Sakura snapped their heads toward each other.
"Wait, Nee-san, you think she looks like Archer?" Sakura quired with an incredulous gaze. "Besides, the hair and skin color..."
"That combination of hair and skin color is like Archer's! That can't be a simple coincidence! Like, what are the chances of meeting another person with silver hair and tanned skin!" Rin retorted, huffing as she crossed her arms.
Her sister frowned as she glanced at the waitress. "But that also applies to her face resembling Saber's. You can't just ignore that, Nee-san."
"Ugh..."
Sakura was right, and Rin knew that. Her personal feelings regarding the crimson bowman clouded her objective thinking she disregarded the fact the waitress looked awfully similar to Shirou's servant. The two pondered in silence before both heard a familiar voice ring out from the kitchen.
"Senpai, we have customers! Two orders of the café special!"
"That fast?! Whoa, I won't lie I didn't expect that. It's a good thing I heated up the pot of oden."
The door to the kitchen opened as aquamarine eyes grew wide as saucers. Silver hair swept backward as steel-grey eyes drifted to the waitress before flickering to the sisters' table before his own set of orbs widened in absolute shock.
"Archer...?"
Yes, yes. I know the name is incredibly stupid and it sucks. So, my beloved readers, I will replace it with the name you guys suggest! I will use the one I like the most. But if none will suggest, I guess the cafe's name will be a little gag until I come up with a better one. And yes, ah, potential drama! But knowing me, it'll probably lead to chaotic humor again lol
Also, cliffhanger after not posting a chapter in a month? Yes, because I am a villain :D
Jokes aside, hopefully I can start doing weekly uploads of Domestic Life again this month.