The ‘Kobayashi Café’ I arrived at using the map included in the pamphlet was already in chaos, despite the Suzakura Festival having just started.

There were several reasons for this. Its easily accessible location near the main entrance, the lack of competing stores nearby, and that oddly intriguing store name all played a part.

But… the biggest factor was probably ‘lack of preparation.’

“Ririmu, how do you make crepes again!?”
“Master, there are tons of customers!”
“The coffee isn’t cold at all!?”
“Ahhhhhhh!!”

While waiting in a line of about five people, I heard that familiar scream echoing all the way down the hallway. Leaving the line temporarily, I peeked into the classroom. Inside, a few Suzakura students clad in Cyberia maid outfits were dashing around the room in a frenzy. I guess Kobayashi borrowed uniforms from the store.

‘Kobayashi Café’ was set up to accommodate both dine-in and takeout orders, but the dining space wasn’t large. The front half of the classroom served as the kitchen, while the back half was the dining area. Three tables occupied the dining space, with five customers seated, likely the families of some classmates, watching the maid-clad staff with warm smiles. Some people were even snapping photos with their smartphones.

“Ahhh, what do we do, what do we do! Yukko, can you handle the crepe batter for now!? Miku, please manage the drinks somehow!”
“O-okay!”
“I think I can manage the batter…”

Kobayashi was barking out orders from the kitchen. So that’s why it’s called ‘Kobayashi Café.’ Judging by what I saw, none of the staff seemed to have any experience working in restaurants. Maybe that’s why Kobayashi ended up in charge. Despite the chaos, Kobayashi alone was holding onto her composure—perhaps thanks to her experience at Cyberia.

“Hey, hey, where’s that paper with the crepe instructions!?”
“Wait, didn’t Yukko have it this morning!?”
“I put it back on the teacher’s desk. I might’ve forgotten the steps a little.”
“What!? I don’t remember them either!?”

Kobayashi hurried around the kitchen. It seemed like they had lost an important manual, and an awkward tension began to fill the room. The staff looked to Kobayashi as if clinging to a lifeline. Even the previously amused customers now wore slightly anxious expressions.

“Uh… is this really okay…?”

Don’t they usually do rehearsals for cultural festival stalls? If they had, this probably would’ve gone a bit more smoothly.

“Ugh… what should we do…?”

Kobayashi’s shoulders slumped in defeat—then, as if shaking off her doubt, she raised her head.

And then… our eyes met.