Archive of Our Own

SPERANZA CAFE

NOW HIRING: WAITRESS

Please join our team. We're understaffed and overcaffeinated. 

"Why do you want to join this damned circus again, Miss? Remember, you're applying as a waitress; you take orders, deliver them, question life choices..."

"I need extra income to provide for my family, Mr. Varka."

"Ha! Great. We need a multitasking legend, or at least someone who can pretend to be one. Experience?"

"N—none, sir."

"It's fine. Ineffa can train you. Experience is preferred, but desperation is accepted! Do you hear "MISS!!" or "WAITRESS!" in your sleep, Ms. Lauma?"

"Uhmm... s—sometimes, sir."

"Then you're hired. Can you smile through chaos?"

"I can, Mr. Varka!"

"Then you're overqualified. You can start tomorrow."

"Oh! Thank you, sir!"

"Remember, girl: you carry plates, not emotional baggage! Though that would be hard to remember, knowing what kinds of customers we have here. You must also know how to run fast! Customers here bite. Don't cry in front of customers now, alright?"

While Lauma thinks Mr. Varka is a crackhead, she felt an unusual warmth in his humor and demeanor. Their interview, which Lauma thought she'd get absolutely roasted for not having any skills fit for the job description, went smoothly, as if talking to an old friend after a long time. 

As Lauma puts on her best attire for her first day on Speranza, the rowdy Frostmoon Orphanage started their day outside her room with the children out and about their respective rooms. At this time of the morning, they'd begin their chores—sweep the driveway, wipe the furniture, and help prepare breakfast for the whole family.

These people are the reason for Lauma's job. Relying solely on sponsors would eventually starve the children in the long run; as someone who grew up in the Orphanage, it had become her duty to help in any way she could, and to give back to the home that raised her when no family wanted to.

Everyone was already gathered on the dining table when Lauma snuck outside her room, careful not to get caught by one child. Instead, it was the Mother Superior whom she met along the corridors, who then offered her a prayer before letting her go. Oh, Lauma needed a prayer more than ever. As someone with no prior experience in this field, she'd be bound to make mistakes and have accidents...

...which happened almost immediately after trying to lift the mop, accidentally knocking out the bucket that made the soapy water spill on the white ceramic floor. 

"Ah! Apologies, Ineffa!" Lauma's panic—as she tried to salvage the situation—was soothed by Ineffa's calm smile. Fortunately for Lauma, Ineffa and the few customers who saw her did not make a big deal out of the incident, lessening the anxiety in her chest after that mistake on her very first day.

"It's alright, Lauma. Just absorb the water with the mop, position it above the pail, and pull this lever to squeeze out the water. Repeat the process until the water has dried—"

"For fuck's sake!" A scream pierced through their cafe from the kitchen behind the counter. "Ineffa! The coffee machine's broken again!"

Columbina, the softspoken cashier who had watched Lauma and Ineffa from the counter, had a mocking smile on her face, turning towards the kitchen to further tease the irritation out of poor Sandrone. "Calm down, Sandrone! It happens!"

"Stay in your lane and leave me the fuck alone, Columbina!"

It was Ineffa's cue to leave, apologizing as she excused herself and left Lauma in the dining area to assist Sandrone in the kitchen. Mr. Flins—the co-owner of the cafe—immediately replaced her presence with a mop of his own, assisting Lauma with the soapy water that she had spilled.

Only a few customers filled their dining area today, and most of their tables were vacant, as well as that lone table beside the window with a reserved sign on it. It was normal during dead hours, and Flins mentioned that the next surge of customers would be later at 12 pm—office lunchtime and high school dismissal.

"Please, do not think about Sandrone's outbursts. That is her... love language." Flins offered a sad smile, "Everyone in Speranza is kind—people you can trust—"

"Oh, Flins...." The red, cross-eyed gaze of Arlecchino found them as she made her way to the counter, "Ms. Lauma, the coffee in Speranza is strong, but the management isn't."

Ah, her new co-workers. They were interesting, though a little bit odd and eccentric in their own ways—like their boss, Mr. Varka!—and Lauma couldn't keep up with their energy. It has been just 4 hours since she first clocked in, yet her introverted energy had already been depleted!

Her life in Speranza would be full of surprises, it seems.

Arlecchino and Columbina had stolen away Lauma from Ineffa, and the three started watching the waitress work with her trays and customers from the comfort of the counter. 

"It's better to observe here than follow Ineffa's steps all the time, yes?" Columbina chuckled, and Lauma agreed with a smile. Three pairs of eyes watched Ineffa's movements, and the waitress would look back at them with a grin, showcasing her expertise in the field to her co-workers.

When the door chimed and a customer entered the shop, Columbina leaned towards the microphone, announcing to the kitchen. "Sandrone? Ms. Nefer has arrived."

The lone, green-haired customer casually removed the reserved sign on the table by the window, before taking the spot for herself and comfortably typing away on her laptop. Lauma watched it unfold, couldn't take her eyes off the customer. She hadn't had the chance to ask anyone about the reserved sign by the window, but it seems she didn't need to anymore.

"That's Ms. Nefer from the Curatorium, a close friend of Flins. She's a regular here." Lauma followed Arlecchino's gaze, "Whenever she comes, she doesn't need to approach the counter, for we already know what she wants. Her orders must be served no more than 5 minutes after she enters the cafe, or we'd be swept away by the storm of her wrath."

"Why do you let yourself get treated by a customer like that?"

"I love having her here!" Columbina beamed with delight. "She gives massive tips, and it's worth the effort of making her order in a short period of time."

"She is friendly and kind, and she wouldn't snap as long as we satisfy her needs," Arlecchino added. "A hefty tip in exchange for an exceptional service and palatable meals—that is a fair exchange, no?"

Ten days of training later, Lauma could confidently handle herself just fine with little help from Ineffa, and she had proven herself a fast learner after successfully taking and delivering orders to and from customers. Sure, a few mistakes here and there, but it was so minimal that Mr. Varka didn't punish her for it. Even the customers did not mind the small mistakes, knowing how she's a new face in the cafe they regularly visit.

Her eleventh day on the job was Lauma's first challenge, and she experienced the very first actual surge of customers in their famous cafe. Couples and families shared tables and meals, and long lines stood before the counter that both Columbina and Arlecchino dealt with. None of the tables were free, and tables left by customers would immediately be replaced with new sets of people, even before the table was even cleared! Even Varka and Flins began helping, and Sandrone had shoved her bratiness to the side to focus on making all the orders with the help of Illuga, who was originally a waiter like Lauma.

Ineffa and Lauma were locked in with their work, Ineffa carrying multiple plates in one go—looking like she was dancing, passing through the crowds of customers with ease as she balanced the trays in her hands—and Lauma only carrying one tray and serving them to the closest tables from the receiving counter where Aino slides the orders out of the kitchen. Lauma still couldn't handle the weight of multiple trays, opting to take Mr. Varka's words on taking her job easily as a newbie. Still, she worked productively—but not as productively as Ineffa—to serve as many customers as she could, keeping the wide smile on her face as she wished her customers well in their dining experience.

As she reunited with Ineffa on Aino's window, an eerie tension suddenly filled the kitchen behind her. Only when Aino announced the problem did Ineffa's skin pale more than it normally was.

"Ms. Nefer arrived, and no one noticed." Aino trembled.

"Oh, no."

Two trays appeared in front of Aino, and Ineffa grabbed them in a hurry. Another tray followed next—coffee and bread, pushed to the counter by a distraught Illuga.

"Lauma! That's for Ms. Nefer. Serve it to her quickly!"

In her panic, Lauma took the tray in her arms, racing towards the special customer whom she had never served before as Ineffa always took the job for herself. There wasn't anything bad about her, Ineffa said, but she might feel uncomfortable at the sight of a new face delivering her orders.

The busy, crowded cafe, filled with murmurs and chats of the customers, turned dead silent in a blink of an eye, and heads turned towards a slam on the table and an annoyed grunt. 

"Where the hell is my coffee?!"

Lauma, closing in on the special customer, jolted in surprise, almost knocking out the tray in her hand at the loud slam. "Ahh, coffee!!"

It was the first time she had caught the special customer's face. Her sharp expression and the glare in her eyes partially covered by that green hair hid the fascinating beauty she possessed. If she wasn't mad, Lauma would've thought she was mesmerizing, though currently, what Lauma felt was fear as the coffee trembled in her hands. 

Nefer glared at her, hand still pressed on the table in her anger, pinning Lauma in her spot with her stare alone. Her mind screamed at her to run away, yet the tray in her hand would have to come with her, never to be served to the customer.

Yet how could she flee, when the glare had petrified her body?

Thankfully, Flins appeared behind her, an apologetic gaze in his eyes as he tried to get the customer's attention. "We apologize for this, Ms. Nefer. All of our staff are occupied, as evident with the number of customers we have today."

Yet Nefer's stare did not leave Lauma at all, as if Flins wasn't there with her. She wasn't at fault, was she? She was just a waitress, not the one who made the order, but Nefer's stare made her feel as if she was at fault at all!

"Alright." The customer replied, her eyes still fixed on the new face in the cafe. "I'll accept your apology, Sir Flins, only if this order is free of charge."

"Of course. Anything for you, Ms. Nefer." Flins immediately replied, not batting an eye. "And Lauma here is a new hire. Please, take it easy on her."

The mention of her name was an excuse for Lauma to look at her boss and look away from the hypnotic stare of Nefer who never tore her gaze away from Lauma, even as Flins gently guided her away towards the crowd that returned to its liveliness after the customer outburst.

From the moment Lauma first saw Nefer, she became harder to ignore. 

Being in the dining area all of the time, Lauma would be the first one to see her approach the doors to the cafe and find her seat by the window. Without needing a glance at Columbina—though Lauma still does it whenever Nefer arrives—the cashier would announce to the kitchen about their special customer's arrival. 

Either Ineffa or Illuga always delivers the order, sparing their beloved newbie the stress of dealing with their moody customer. Lauma was grateful, of course; she never wanted to deal with her again after the coffee incident, which Varka and Flins assured her was not her problem at all!

However, it seems that Lauma herself had also made an impact on the special customer Nefer.

"Lauma?" Illuga called, holding a tray of that familiar infamous order. "Ms. Nefer told us yesterday that she wanted you to deliver her order from now on."

Just... 

...what?

"Starting today?"

"Starting today."

But... why? Why her, specifically? Had she done something wrong from that brief, unfortunate encounter between them? But Mr. Flins already cleared her name!

"Deliver it now, Lauma, or Ms. Nefer will be mad at you again." Illuga frowned on her, "Don't place the tray down the table unless she tells you to. You might crumple or stain her documents and notes."

With a defeated sigh, Lauma went on her way with the tray, leaving her co-workers equally confused about the whole situation.

"I knew it..." Columbina's teasing smile took their attention, "I think Ms. Nefer likes her."

"Dang it, Columbina" Sandrone scowled, "you can't just think of that from just one encounter."

"Here is your order, Ms. Nefer!"

Lauma wanted to be less enthusiastic towards this special customer than she was with their regular customers who grew to love her cheerfulness and bright smiles. Why would she even put in the effort, when her smiles and positivity would only be faced with a glare and a frown?

And indeed, it felt like Lauma was a seer, for she had foreseen the special customer's reaction. Instead of a smile and thanks for delivering her order, Nefer stared at Lauma without even saying anything. Her arms even crossed on her chest as she leaned back on the soft backrest of her sofa chair, just staring straight at the poor waitress who had to stand there and carry her order until she told her to drop it down her table.

Nefer just stared at her, her cat-like gaze piercing through Lauma as if digging through her soul and terrifying her, and Lauma couldn't even move. It was like the first encounter again, where she couldn't leave and displease the special customer that her co-workers and bosses tolerated. She had to do her job, deliver the order, and return to her duties.

But how could she, when Nefer had already held Lauma with her stare alone for a minute already? The tray felt heavy on Lauma's arms, yet she persisted, even if she badly wanted to run away. 

But why? Why subject Lauma to this... this punishment? Crumpled documents? Wet notes? There wasn't even anything on the side of the table across her laptop, and Lauma could've already just placed the orders there like she always does! 

And why Lauma? Why did Nefer ask for her specifically to serve her, only to subject her to this?

She could see Illuga approaching to her rescue, but her sufferings had come to an end before he could even reach them, for Ms. Nefer finally spoke after approximately two minutes of silence and scrutinizing stares.

"Just place it there. Leave the tray."

Her aching hands placed the tray down in the free space, and Lauma secretly thanked the Archons as she did so. 

Still with her signature sweet smile, Lauma said her thanks, turned around, and left Nefer's sight, joining Illuga who caught her whispered rants about what the special customer did to her.

Three people behind the counter witnessed the interaction, yet they merely observed, giving the task of saving Lauma to Illuga. Columbina chuckled in delight, watching as Nefer finally picked up the cup of coffee for a drink before resuming typing on her laptop. Sandrone held a scowl on her face at what she had just witnessed, while Arlecchino let out an amused hum.

"Ms. Nefer probably wanted Lauma to deliver her order so she could stare at her like that" Columbina muttered with a smile. "I knew it."

Arlecchino glanced at her side. "I wouldn't be surprised, knowing the charm and allure that Lauma possessed. But with Ms. Nefer?"

"You agree with me. Do you, Arlecchino?"

"I may be."

"Really?" Sandrone frowned at them. "You too, Arlecchino? Indulging yourself with Columbina's bullshit?"

Youthful voices welcomed Lauma as she returned home for the day. Her siblings, the younger ones at the orphanage, had just finished washing the plates after dinner and were preparing for bed. Unfortunately, Lauma couldn't play with them anymore like they used to before, as her exhaustion after moving around and dealing with customers had significantly drained her introverted energy.

Her bed caught her exhausted body, and Lauma almost immediately fell asleep, only if the image of a cat-like stare did not flash in her mind right after her body found the comfort she had been seeking for the whole day.

Ah, Nefer. That special customer who had decided to play with her feelings for reasons beyond Lauma's understanding. Unfortunately for her, it had become a routine for both of them as the days passed by—Sandrone making the order immediately after Nefer arrives, Lauma delivering it to her within 5 minutes, and standing there carrying the tray of food as Nefer stares at her emotionlessly for two minutes before telling her to place the tray down.

But why bully an innocent employee? A new hire at that! Lauma didn't even do anything! Does she think she could boss her around just because she's a heavily paying customer?

Lauma's frustrations, which she typically controls with a grunt against her pillow, brought her to the Internet, typing Nefer's name into the search bar for a quick stalk. Immediately, that same grumpy, green-haired Nefer flashed on the pictures of different events—parties, programs, rich people's dinners...

"If you weren't so cold and mysterious and grumpy, Ms. Nefer, I would've thought you were beautiful." 

And while her predicament frustrates Lauma to no end, she couldn't bring herself to be mad. For one, Varka had told her about the customers she'd deal with, and Lauma knew what she was getting herself into. Ms. Nefer also hadn't done anything harmful—just staring at her without a word or movement—and for Lauma, standing there with the weight of the food tray does good for her muscular endurance. 

Maybe it was just Ms. Nefer's quirks? As long as she wouldn't hurt her, Lauma would let her do whatever she wanted. 

And Lauma would give Nefer her own quirks too, not to "punish" her by not giving the coffee when she asked to—though that would be a nice plan, too—but by something that would hopefully ease the grumpy scowl and frown on Ms. Nefer's face.

Hopefully.

There wasn't any effort with her plans at all; just a small purchase of green sticky notes and a fine-tip sign pen. Lauma even thought of buying sticker emojis, but that might be too much.

The bus ride towards Nasha Town and Speranza felt quick as Lauma busied herself with writing whatever she could think of, imagining a smile on Nefer's face should she read these notes Lauma made for her.

Or would she smile at all? Perhaps she'd think it's pathetic and childish, and frown even more, but that's the least of Lauma's concern, as long as she tried something to take that grumpiness away from Ms. Nefer.

"Huh? O—Oh! I—I missed my stop!"

"Sandrone? Ms. Nefer has arrived." 

"Here comes the devil!" Sandrone sighed as Columbina's announcement rang across the kitchen. Immediately, she and Arlecchino went to work, Sandrone preparing the pasta and bread; and Arlecchino brewing the coffee. 

Lauma made herself useful by washing previously used dishes, as well as grabbing whatever Sandrone and Arlecchino asked her to. Whenever the dining area saw a few customers, or whenever Ineffa felt like doing all the serving, Lauma would be in the kitchen as an extra hand, and Aino once suggested teaching her with preparations, so she'd be promoted to the kitchen.

"Doesn't Ms. Nefer feel bored with the same orders every day?" Lauma chuckled as she watched them work. She knew Nefer's orders well, having served them every day for a few days now—always the same Alfredo Pasta and Pesto Bread with a cup of coffee and a glass of water. Sometimes, no pasta and bread, but the coffee and water must always be constant.

Sandrone snickered. "In the mornings, she's here in our shitty cafe ordering the same meal over and over again. But for lunch and dinner? She'd dine in restaurants and hotels more expensive than this place, tenfold."

Four minutes since they began, the meal was neatly arranged on the tray, ready to be served. Lauma carried it to the counter where Columbina idly hummed a gentle tune. From the depths of her pocket, Lauma tore one note from the green stack, and the note found the heat of the coffee cup. 

I hope today is kind to you :)

Another found Nefer's table the next day—attached to the coffee cup as did the first one.

This cup is lucky to be held by you

Be gentle with yourself

Your presence is comforting

"Here's your coffee, Ms. Nefer!" Lauma beamed with a smile, appearing in front of the busy Nefer. Like their routine, Nefer would stare up at Lauma's enthusiasm, lips pursed in a thin line, and observe her with a passive look. Lauma had learned to tolerate the antics, and her smile never left her ever since she grew comfortable with this bizarre routine of theirs. 

Nefer's stares had gone softer. 

A minute had passed before Nefer looked away. "Place it on the table."

"Yes, Miss!"

But Nefer's gaze did not return to her screen, but to the coffee cup, waiting expectantly for the green note attached to it. Only when Lauma left did she get a proper look at the note left for her this time.

This cup matches your warmth

I hope something makes you laugh today

"Oh, what's that?" Aino leaned closer, looking at the sticky note. "Is that for Ms. Nefer?"

"Yes, it is!" Lauma chuckled, hiding the stack of sticky notes back in her pocket. It was halfway through the original stack, and Lauma realized just how effective this small kind gesture was towards the person she thought was the grumpiest person she had met in her entire life. "I hope this will brighten up her day."

"I think she likes it" Columbina hummed, a gentle smile on her face. "Do you like her, Lauma?"

"Oh, Columbina..." How absurd! "This is just a kind gesture, nothing else!"

"Okay..." She nodded, but looking like she was unconvinced. 

Once the note was attached, Lauma carried the tray, straight towards Nefer's table by the window; dodging customers, arranging a chair on the way, and finally arriving at Nefer's table.

Her days in Speranza turned to weeks, then months, and Lauma now felt like a true member of their family. This was a job that welcomed Lauma in its arms, and Lauma would do everything to excel in this work. 

And now, she faced Nefer with a massive smile, just as she always does whenever she serves her. It felt as if her days weren't complete without Nefer.

"Good morning, Ms. Nefer!" Lauma greeted her. "Here's your order!"

Yet again with their routine: a staring contest for one minute, before Nefer asks her to put it on the table. 

Lauma stepped away, back to the comfort of the kitchen and Sandrone's steaming hot head, yet she tried to look back, hoping to see Nefer grab her coffee and drink. She never does that, and only goes back to work whenever her order was served, then indulges in her meal a few minutes after serving. 

But what Lauma saw was her laptop wallpaper, and the gasp she let out brought Nefer's eyes back to her.

"Why are you still here?" The customer frowned. This wasn't part of their routine.

"If... If I may ask, Ms. Nefer, do you own that cat?"

Her wallpaper showed a photo of a cat as dark as night, curled like a little baby on the side of Nefer's head, its belly on her cheek.

"I do." She replied, whipping her head back to her wallpaper. "His name... is Ashru."

"Oh, that's adorable!" Lauma never expected such a grumpy person to adore animals at all, let alone a cat! "He's a handsome cat!"

"I see you are fond of animals as well, Waitress?"

"Animals flock towards me—that's what people observe of me. My residence has three cats—Diona, Kirara, and Lynette. I love them all to death! Though the hard part of taking care of cats is picking up their litter from the box."

Perhaps a simple yes would be enough for Ms. Nefer, but oh, she might've shared too much! Whenever animals were the topic, Lauma wouldn't control herself!

But contrary to her thoughts, an amused laugh filled the relaxing silence of the cafe that even Columbina whipped her head toward their direction from the counter, her gentle eyes widening in surprise. 

Lauma stood still, taking in the laugh that left the usual pursed lips that Nefer always held with her scrutinizing stares. Part of her thought maybe she was hallucinating—that it was just a figment of her imagination that wanted to see exactly just that—but it was all real, with the way Nefer had fully turned around to look at her, still with that smirk on her amused face that tugged on Lauma's heartstrings. 

Had Lauma achieved what she wanted? 

"Really now, Waitress? I couldn't relate; I have people for that job."

"I can imagine, seeing how well-groomed little Ashru looks."

"I take pride in Ashru's looks. I should show you more photos of him, so I can showcase his beauty."

Deep in the pits of Lauma's heart, she looked forward to that day.

A new part of their routine emerged after that. 

Nefer enters; Columbina announces her arrival to the kitchen; Sandrone and Arlecchino prepare the meal; Lauma adds a note to the coffee cup and serves her to Nefer; Nefer stares at her for a minute; Lauma stares back with an enthusiastic smile; Nefer asks her to place the tray down, then shows Lauma a photo of Ashru taken right before she left her residence for the day.

In turn, Lauma showed her photos of her cats—Diona, Kirara, and Lynette. Nefer appreciated her cats, just as Lauma loved seeing Ashru.

The cat showing only lasts in a blink of an eye, and they would be back to their respective jobs, but it was a part of Lauma's day that she absolutely looks forward to. 

Not to mention the looks she receives from her coworkers whenever Lauma returns with a smile that could rip her jaw horizontally from the rest of her cranium.

"I wouldn't be surprised" Ineffa slowly nodded, "I've seen Ashru from Sir Varka's photos, and he is indeed adorable."

"Who? Sir Varka?"

"Ashru, Aino."

Even in the orphanage, Lauma's siblings raise an eyebrow as to why she suddenly grew interested in their cats. But then again, they knew how adorable their cats are, so they just let their big sister do what she wants.

Today, Ms. Nefer graced Speranza with her presence yet again, and Columbina's announcement rang through the kitchen. Immediately, Sandrone and Arlecchino went to work with their special customer's orders, leaving Illuga and Aino to do the rest of the normal customers' meals. Lauma already prepared a note for the coffee cup, as well as a new photo of little Diona from this morning when she joined the family for breakfast.

Just a little sunshine for you!

"Here's your order, Ms. Nefer!" Lauma beamed at her favorite customer, whose stares shortened from a minute to half a minute. This time, Nefer not only asked her to put the tray down but...

There was an envelope, just beside the laptop on the table. Lauma picked them up at Nefer's gesture, seeking the comfort of the chair across Nefer's at her order, and opened the envelope to see photos of an adorable black cat that immediately brought a smile to Lauma's face. 

"Oh, Ashru!"

He looked handsome with the photoshoot-like photos, and the lighting gave emphasis to every fur that the cat had in his skin.

A fine, young gentleman indeed! He even wore a necktie!

"An employee of mine insisted on a photoshoot for Ashru" Nefer began, her gaze straight on her laptop's screen. "I let her borrow Ashru for the day and left them there. I came back with these photos, and thought you might want to see them."

Lauma chuckled, running her hands across the photo as if that would make her feel the cat's soft fur. "Thank you for sharing them with me, Ms. Nefer!"

"Hm."

"While the cats from the orphanage would never compare to Ashru, I know they'd get along together!"

"Orphanage?"

From the screen, Nefer's questioning stare shifted to Lauma, who had shrunk in her position without anything to take her eyes off of hers. 

"Ah... yes. Orphanage." Lauma nodded, embarrassed with the slip of the tongue, but not hesitant to share her origins with the absurdly rich customer before her. "I was raised in an orphanage at a very young age, and I still live there, because no family wanted to adopt me."

The gaze never left, just as it always does with Nefer. There was none of that gaze of scrutiny, but a normal stare without ill intent or malice. Curiosity, even, as she leaned her full weight on a finger against her cheek.

"I see..."

The whole scene was visible from the counter—like a first row seat to a movie, and Columbina watched them all unfold. They wouldn't notice their audience from afar, for their gazes solely found the comfort of each other to be distracted by some viewer from a distance.

"Do you believe me now, Arlecchino?" Her cheeky grin didn't hide her excitement. "Ms. Nefer likes Lauma!"

"I am slightly convinced. Interesting—a member of the Voynich Guild setting her eyes on the innocent Lauma" Arlecchino nodded. They knew Ms. Nefer; she wanted to keep her routines the same and undisrupted, but the arrival of Lauma caused something to change—something even beyond the expectations of the employees who knew their customer.

Columbina shifted to Sandrone watching beside Ineffa and Illuga. "Are you convinced now, Sandrone?"

"Hmmm... not really."

The surge of customers in their shop made the employees forget about their special customer yet again. The number wasn't as many as the first time Lauma served Ms. Nefer, but it was enough to keep them all busy.

However, unfortunate circumstances would bring them into chaos yet again—it has been a minute since Nefer arrived that Columbina made an announcement, and she even asked for Illuga to tell Lauma that she wants her to prepare her coffee for the day. 

And Lauma? She was still a waitress unaware of the workings of the kitchen and its appliances!

Poor Columbina had to deal with the customers alone at the counter, as Arlecchino had taken Lauma with her to the coffee machine, writing in haste the steps in making the coffee and the measurements of the ingredients in a note.

"Just alter the taste, Arle!" Aino called out. "She probably wouldn't notice a thing!"

"I am afraid she's more perceptive than she appears to be. She'd surely notice." Arlecchino sighed, "Come, Lauma."

The tense situation in the kitchen from all the rushed orders did not help Lauma's own anxieties. Why today of all days? And why did Nefer even ask Lauma to do this?!

Arlecchino taught her the ways of the coffee machine at record speed, knowing how they only have a few minutes left before serving the order to their special customer. Lauma poured in the measurements, while Arlecchino dealt with clicking whatever the machine needed to be clicked.

"Is it done?"

"Yes, Arle!"

"Good. Check the note there and start mixing the coffee."

Unfortunately for Lauma, Arlecchino left her with the task as she dealt with another—preparing the pasta in Sandrone's stead, who was occupied with other orders. Lauma looked at the note Arlecchino left, focusing on the measurements needed for the perfect coffee for Ms. Nefer's tastes—just plain, black coffee with 100 grams of sugar. Mix until dissolved.

Lauma followed the instructions, even as her shaky hands spilled some of the coffee. She placed the sugar on a scale, weighing it to 100 grams before pouring it into the hot mixture, and dissolving them with a stir. 

Aino called out as her gaze left the clock on the wall. "Hurry up, or Ms. Nefer would go hysterical again!"

Everything has been prepared—Alfredo Pasta, Pesto Bread, a glass of water, and a cup of coffee. Lauma carried the tray in her arms, ready to leave the kitchen and serve the meal to their customer, only to stop in her tracks at Aino's call 

"Wait, Lauma? Why is the sugar gone? There were a few left a while ago in the pack."

"Ah! The sugar left in there was exactly 100 grams—the amount needed for the coffee."

Heads turned towards her, lips agape in surprise. Even Arlecchino's eyes widened. 

"100 grams for Ms. Nefer's cup?" She hid a silent gasp. "The recipe only said 10 grams."

"Wha—?!"

"We can't make another one! We only have a minute left!"

"But I can still salvage it."

"You can't, Arle!"

"Uhm... what's going on over there?"

"Shut it, Columbina!"

"Serve it!"

"No, don't serve it yet! Let's just add more water—!"

"Fucking serve it, Lauma!!"

In the end, Lauma dashed outside the kitchen with her original blend—black coffee with an outstanding 100 grams of sugar. The moment Lauma left the kitchen, her co-workers watched her approach with the extremely sweet coffee, already feeling the strong gusts of wind from Ms. Nefer's storm. Like idiots, only their eyes and foreheads peeked from the counter, while Illuga stood on guard to whisk Lauma away should she get overwhelmed in the storm.

And Lauma, too late in her delivery, used all of her waitress expertise to run to the table, balancing the heavy tray in her hands, a smile fixed on her face not from genuine enthusiasm but a forced one from her nervousness and fear. All of her efforts in getting Nefer to smile would be thrown far far away once she tastes this coffee.

But it was her fault! It was her fault she asked for a waitress to make her damned coffee on a day full of customers! A waitress, making her coffee for just four minutes?!

"Here's your coffee, Ms. Nefer!" 

Of course, Lauma still hasn't forgotten about the note, hoping that it would at least compensate for the sweet coffee, though that would be impossible, and Lauma already imagined the note on the floor, drenched with spilled coffee, surrounded by shards of a broken cup.

You're my favorite part of the day

Nefer's passive stare had a small scowl on her brows at the sight of the gasping Lauma without her enthusiastic smile. Her hands trembled as she held the tray, and through her eyes alone did she convey her desire to just get the hell out of there. 

"Place it there" Nefer ordered, just a few seconds after Lauma arrived, seemingly impatient from the late order.

Whenever Lauma puts down the tray, it takes Nefer a few minutes before picking up the coffee cup for a sip. Today, the tray hadn't even met the table's surface when Nefer took it from its plate, and Lauma's squeal failed to stop her from taking a sip.

Oh, dear archons.

The way Nefer froze was more than obvious—the cup, suspended against her lips, stayed there for a few seconds, and Nefer did not bat an eye at the scalding heat from the coffee that she sipped without waiting for it to cool down.

Oh, archons, please...

A quick glance at the counter, Lauma saw her co-workers and Illuga, watching them in total fear. She, too, felt sweat trail down her spine and cheeks, already resigned to her fate and most probable eviction from this cafe and restaurant that she had grown to love.

Ms. Nefer's every movement felt like a stab in Lauma's flesh, but her movements were calm and composed, even as she returned the cup from its plate.

And that was the scariest part. She may look calm, but she might pounce at Lauma and wipe the tray off her table to the floor in the next second.

"You made this?" She asked, her gaze not leaving the note stuck at the side of the hot cup of coffee, her lips pursed in a thin line.

"Y—yes, Ms. Nefer." Lauma's voice trembled, "You... you told Illuga that you want m—me to make your coffee for the d—day..."

"It's good..."

What?

"...though a little bit sweet."

What?!

Lauma was sure 100 grams of sweetness isn't a little bit sweet; she might not be a barista, but she formulated that educated guess based on the panic in Arlecchino's typically composed demeanor.

"Th—thank you... Ms. Nefer."

So... there wasn't a storm today? No screaming? No evictions?

Still in her astonishment, Lauma turned around to leave, her stare finding Illuga's bewildered expressions from afar.

"Waitress."

"Y—yes, Ms. Nefer?"

"In ten minutes, serve me a pitcher full of water."

"Yes... Ms. Nefer."

"...do you believe me now, Sandrone? Arlecchino?" Columbina's victorious smirk was dim under the counter, and so were the rest of the employees crouched on the floor. There weren't the screams and degradation that they were expecting—a storm from their special customer's unpredictable temper—but Lauma, walking out of there alive and dazed. "She did not make a fuss about the extremely sweet coffee, because she likes Lauma!"

Sandrone always contradicts Columbina's claims about these supposed affections, but all evidence just points to the same conclusion that even Arlecchino herself started to accept the theory.

Unfortunately for Sandrone, even Illuga was convinced.

"You think Columbina's claims are bullshit, Ineffa? Aino?"

Their answers revealed that poor Sandrone was alone in her opinions.

Big sisters Aila and Alia had already contacted the Frostmoon Orphanage's partner hospital for an emergency, and Lauma and her brothers Ossian and Vanamo ran around the whole orphanage as fast as they could.

Being a trained waitress, Lauma's arms carried two trays of not food, but medicines and towels to not customers, but her dear siblings who writhed in pain as their stomachs vomited their dinner that night.

There was something in the food that they ate that caused this food poisoning, and the bedrooms once filled with laughter and playful fights before bedtime were coated in groans and cries as her little siblings clung to their stomachs in pain, vomiting on pails they provided for them.

The Mother Superior sat in the middle of the bedroom, eyes closed, lips muttering a prayer to their dearest god for help. Indeed, a prayer would help them with their problem, but maybe a doctor would do them good as well.

Once there was time to breathe, Lauma picked up her phone with a sticky hand from all the ointments she spread on her siblings' stomachs to ease their pain.

"Mr. Varka?" her exhausted voice called out, and Varka understood that something was wrong. "May I request a day off tomorrow? My... my siblings are sick, and I need to take care of them"

Lauma's exhaustion in her voice alone was enough proof of the dire situation, and Varka immediately accepted the day off.

There was no green note in her cup of coffee today. None of that enthusiastic smile that greets her with her order. 

Only the regal posture and composure of Illuga.

"Here is your order, Ms. Nefer." Posture straight, stare fixed and passive, Illuga carried her order with poise and grace, similar to those waiters who serve Nefer during expensive hotel dinners.

"Place it there." Nefer hid her confusion, opting to stare at the document before her instead. "And where's that waitress?"

"Lauma took the day off, Ms. Nefer. She has to stay in her residence to deal with an emergency."

Emergency in the orphanage?

Turns out, the spaghetti sauce they ate during dinner was mixed with spoiled milk, causing all of this food poisoning. Lauma did not eat with them that day, while Vanamo only ate a little bit, causing him mild symptoms, unlike their poor siblings who devoured the meal like a feast. 

The nurses who came to their aid said that it might take 3 more days for the children to fully recover, but Lauma couldn't ask for leave for three straight days.

They needed money now more than ever for the medication and other necessities they needed to provide for the sick children.

Lauma reluctantly went to work that day, and her co-workers, aware of the situation, provided comfort for her in these heavy times. Ineffa took most of the work for the day, while Aino and Sandrone took from their daily salaries to offer Lauma some bread.

Still, Lauma would deliver the order to Ms. Nefer, just as she had grown accustomed to. 

Two days in a row, there wasn't the enthusiastic smile; none of the green sticky notes on the cup of coffee. It was Lauma this time, yes, but the spark in her eyes was gone.

"Here's your order, Ms. Nefer." A sad smile was etched on her face, and she did not dare bother to stare into Nefer's astonished gaze as Lauma placed the tray down. "Enjoy..."

Please, just end the day already, so that Lauma could come back to embrace her brave, little siblings fighting for their lives in their home.

"Rijeka?" Lauma gasped, seeing her sibling once writhing in pain when she left for the day stand before her with a wide grin as if she wasn't in pain at all! "Take some rest! You're—"

"I feel better now, Big Sister Lauma!" The child exclaimed with joy, "Kind people visited us a while ago! They gave us food! And toys! And bitter medicines! They also brought doctors to check on us!"

"What? Who are these people? Why am I not aware of that?"

Behind the child emerged the Mother Superior, who asked for Lauma in her office. Still with her confusion, Lauma followed her to the office, her puzzlement worsening as she walked past the bedrooms to see her siblings moving again, carrying toys Lauma hadn't even seen before.

"Mother, what happened when I was gone?"

"Members of the Voynich Guild arrived this morning, Lauma, and they saw the situation of our children."

The Voynich Guild? The most influential faction of Nasha Town?

"They provided medicine and check-ups for the children, as well as offered food and toys for them" The Mother Superior continued.

"But... why?"

"The nurses from yesterday relayed our problem to the leader of the Voynich Guild, who then sent the head facilitators—Jahoda, Lumine, and Paimon—to help us." The Mother Superior's smile was contagious, and Lauma cracked a grin, hearing life back in the orphanage from her siblings' laugh and playfulness permeating the office. "Lauma, Kuutar has heard our prayers; they sent kind people for us!"

Indeed, kind people found their way and offered their help. It is only necessary to thank them back!

If only the leader of the Voynich Guild weren't elusive, Lauma would definitely invite them back to the orphanage and have everyone personally thank them.

Lauma's extreme sadness yesterday had turned completely upside down today; she was ecstatic, elated, radiant, euphoric! Sunshine and rainbows had completely surrounded her overjoyed self as she went through her day with unbelievable enthusiasm—much more than what she usually appeared to be.

Her co-workers let her be and matched her happiness, knowing that her siblings had been gradually recovering from their food poisoning.

Her happiness had Lauma stick two notes to the coffee cup and the glass of water before picking them up and waltzing toward Ms. Nefer.

You make ordinary days better. 

You're my favorite blend. 

"Here's your order, Ms. Nefer!"

Quite a surprise to see Lauma beyond cloud nine when her mood was at an all-time low just yesterday. Her happiness was so contagious that Nefer cracked an amused smile at the sight that Lauma reciprocated wholeheartedly.

"You're happy today, Waitress."

"Oh, I am, Ms. Nefer!" Lauma chuckled. "Our orphanage was visited by Good Samaritans yesterday and helped improve my siblings' health. I want to offer my thanks to them personally, but I don't know how to start! I don't even know who their leader was!"

While the Mother Superior herself discouraged Lauma from seeking the leader of the Voynich Guild—stating their desire for anonymity—Lauma was firm with this decision of hers. After all, they deserve to know the fruit of their goodwill.

There was no word, only a gesture from Nefer's hand to place the tray on the table. Her eyes immediately shot towards the green note, and the words widened her smile.

"I'm sure you'll meet them soon, Lauma. They'd surely love this enthusiasm and kindness you possess," Nefer smirked, her gaze straight at Lauma's like they always do. Lauma stared back, taking in the softness in Ms. Nefer's eyes. "Perhaps... you'd even meet them sooner than you expect?"