Igarashi Rie’s gaze settled on Shigure.
“Iori-san,” she began, “I’m merely guiding Hoshimori-san through the movements, so there’s absolutely no need for you to worry.”
Shigure tugged at the hem of her school uniform skirt, a subtle gesture to quell the rising tension within her.
Yet, the words she needed to say still tumbled out.
“But I also implore Igarashi-senpai to please mind your boundaries and personal space!”
“Oh, I think I’m doing just fine,” Rie remarked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“At the very least, I address my classmates by their surnames and with proper honorifics.”
“Alright, alright,” Shion interjected, stepping forward to gently pat Shigure’s head.
“Igarashi-senpai is simply being thorough in her guidance, Iori-san, so there’s really no need to worry.”
Like a small golden kitten, Shigure nodded and then took a slight step back, saying nothing more.
Then, Shion turned to face Rie.
“Igarashi-senpai,” she said, “Iori-san is quite shy, so please don’t tease her.
She might actually take it seriously, you know?”
“I wasn’t joking at all,” Rie countered, her gaze fixed on Shion.
“I was merely demonstrating the movements for maid etiquette, wasn’t I, ‘Shion-san’?”
She made sure to deliberately emphasize Shion’s name at the end.
“Uh… yes,” Shion stammered, scrambling to smooth things over.
“Igarashi-senpai’s guidance is incredibly thorough, and she possesses an extensive knowledge of etiquette.
Her domestic skills are also…”
She trailed off as she met Rie’s piercing gaze, which silently conveyed, ‘If you dare expose my lack of domestic prowess, you’re utterly finished.’
“…very strong,” Shion quickly finished, completing the sentence.
Rie nodded in satisfied approval.
‘She really is a villainous young lady…’ Shion mused internally.
“Alright then.
It appears everyone can certainly master basic etiquette such as the curtsy.
So, our next topic will be the techniques for brewing coffee.”
With that, Rie resumed her instruction.
At this point, Shion interjected.
“Igarashi-senpai,” she began, “we’ll be using instant coffee, so there’s really no need to specifically learn how to brew it…”
This was uttered by the poor soul who had spent an entire afternoon diligently learning coffee-making techniques from a “senior” member of the cooking club, only to later discover their class would be serving instant coffee.
Rie frowned slightly.
“Instant coffee? You’re not using coffee beans?” she questioned, then cast an inquisitive glance towards the Class Monitor.
The Class Monitor nodded.
“Our class fund can only cover the cost of instant coffee.
If we were to buy coffee beans, we’d need to purchase many other additional ingredients, and that cost would far exceed our class budget.”
“That’s easily handled,” Rie declared, pulling out her phone.
“I’ll simply have my butler send over a few bags of coffee beans; sugar, milk, and all the other necessary ingredients are easily arranged.”
“Wait, wait, senpai, stop!” The Class Monitor had been about to politely decline, but Shion had already swiftly stepped forward, determined to prevent Rie from unleashing her ‘money power’ (TL Note: A slang term referring to someone’s ability to solve problems or achieve goals by spending a lot of money).
“Senpai, just a moment!
If you were to buy all these things, we’d then need to purchase additional items like a coffee machine, wouldn’t that simply increase our financial burden even further?!”
“All easily arranged.
I’ll buy a coffee machine right now, and it will absolutely be delivered before the cultural festival.”
This, however, was clearly not a valid reason to deter Rie from unleashing her ‘money power’.
“Th-then, Igarashi-senpai,” Shion quickly interjected with another reason, “our class also needs to consider cost balance.
If a single cup of coffee becomes so expensive, then far fewer people will come, and we’d be in a great deal of trouble if we can’t even cover our initial costs!”
Witnessing Shion’s resolute stance, Rie had no choice but to abandon her grand plans of wielding her ‘money power’.
Shion felt a gentle tug on her sleeve, prompting her to turn and meet Shigure’s anxious golden eyes.
“Shion-san,” Shigure murmured, “will it truly be alright if we just make instant coffee?
I might not know how to brew coffee directly…”
“Don’t worry,” Shion reassured her, gently patting Shigure’s head once more.
“I can teach you whatever you don’t know.”
Shigure’s hair felt incredibly soft and warm, as if it had been steeped in the gentle glow of the afternoon sun.
Shigure’s introverted nature and adorable appearance indeed had a way of easily stirring Shion’s protective instincts.
Even so, Shion now distinctly heard the senpai behind her draw a sharp, inexplicable breath.
“Alright,” Rie declared to Shion, “even if you’re only making instant coffee, brewing *good* instant coffee still requires considerable skill.
Hoshimori-san, come over here.”
Shion stared at Rie with a look that plainly said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
“Does making instant coffee *really* require skill?” she challenged.
“Isn’t it just a matter of adding coffee powder to a cup and pouring in hot water?”
Rie cleared her throat.
“Do not be deceived by superficial appearances.
To truly attract guests and boost revenue, beyond the mere act of adding coffee powder and hot water, the paramount objective is to elevate service quality and ensure every guest feels utterly at home.”
Shion’s eye began to twitch involuntarily.
‘Th-this… what kind of logic is this?’ she wondered.
“Everyone must surely know about the Akifuu Onsen Ryokan (TL Note: A traditional Japanese inn with hot springs) operated by the Igarashi family in town.
The reason our onsen ryokan consistently maintains such a large influx of guests each year is precisely because we uphold an exceptionally high standard of service quality, ensuring every single guest experiences the warmth and comfort of home,” Rie expounded eloquently.
Many classmates behind her cast admiring and praising glances, and even Shigure, standing faithfully by Shion’s side, couldn’t help but nod in silent agreement.
‘What a load of nonsense!’ Shion silently grumbled to herself.
‘You’re the *only* onsen ryokan in town!
Unless people decide to stop bathing in hot springs entirely, where else would they possibly go if not to yours?!’
“As for how to truly elevate service quality, Hoshimori-san will now demonstrate that for everyone.”
Rie once again took Shion’s hand, gently leading her forward.
“Since we lack coffee beans and other such ingredients, our core focus will shift to how to properly attend to the master.
Hoshimori-san, please prepare a cup of instant coffee first.”
Shion cooperatively prepared a cup of coffee and approached Rie, who had taken a seat on a chair with a classroom desk positioned before her.
“So, how will you present it to me now?” Rie inquired.
“Your coffee is ready,” Shion announced, placing the cup on the desk before Rie.
“Please enjoy.”
Rie shook her head.
“Shion-san, don’t forget my current role.
If I am the guest, then you should address me as… Master, shouldn’t you?”
Shion gritted her teeth.
“Master, your coffee is ready.
Please enjoy.”
“Say it again, more sweetly.”
“Master.”
“Very good, say it one more time.”
“Master~”
“Excellent, excellent, one more time.”
“Senpai, you’re just messing with me, aren’t you?!” Shion finally exclaimed, unable to contain herself any longer.
Rie, who had almost become utterly engrossed in the pleasure of being called ‘Master’ by Shion, quickly straightened up in her seat.
Realizing she had indeed gotten a little carried away, she swiftly composed herself and declared with a serious expression, “It was merely to hear the results of your practice, that’s all.
And now, Hoshimori-san…”
Rie turned her head to look at Shion, and an ominous feeling immediately sprouted in Shion’s heart.
“As a maid,” Rie continued, “isn’t it only proper to know a little magic to make food more delicious?”
“Huh?”