Chapter 5
32.
The meeting has begun and everyone is present this time. Each one of them took their seats as they took this one seriously. They need to come up with a proposal that can impress Duke Nasmuir. Failing to do so will definitely hinder them from their dreams. Rin takes charge of the meeting.
"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude towards everyone. We all did great in that service. I hope everyone managed to take a well-deserved rest earlier." Rin said as everyone softly clapped.
"We will start our brainstorming for the proposal today. Any ideas will be thoroughly discussed and examined, but don't be shy about sharing your thoughts. We will criticize each idea so that we can formulate the best one. Every input is important, each piece will help us to create a bigger picture." Rin explained.
"Hai~" They all responded.
"To start with, does anyone have any suggestions? Our goal is to attract lots of Kemis during the grand reopening." Rin asked.
Each one of them started to think of something that would be an eye-catcher.
"Do we have a theme for it?" Hana questioned.
"We can think of a theme once we have an idea of how we can attract more customers," Rin answered.
"Do we have to create and add new pastries?" Coco asked.
"That will come after the theme. But as I have said, we should aim for a certain activity that can attract customers first. We can tackle the latter ones after generating the target activity." Rin reiterated but she thoroughly explained it this time.
The discussion continues and it looks like they are having a hard time. The main reason is that the Kemis are overthinking right now. Instead of focusing on the first step, the ideas keep on coming as everything is scattered all over the place.
"This is getting us nowhere…" Rin muttered while the rest were in chaos.
After a couple of minutes, a thought comes to Rin's mind. "A.. Anoo… Let's take a break for now. Oh I forgot, we haven't had our dinner yet, let's eat first then continue the meeting later." She suggested.
"Haiii~" They all answered.
Since they've decided to have dinner first, they all work together to make it quickly. They chose the most straightforward dish that is the least hassle to cook but they can also still enjoy it. In this way, they can immediately get back to their discussion.
Some time has passed and they eventually ate together, quietly enjoying their food. It did not take long before they finished their meal. Just like how they prepared it, everyone had a task to do in order to speed things up.
After a short while, they went back to the office. Rin took the lead once again but this time, she recalibrated her approach.
"Before we start, I just want to ask if anyone noticed something in our dinner?" Rin asked.
Everyone is confused, the sudden question caught them off guard.
"What do nyu mean Nee-san," Aoi responded.
"Exactly what I said. Just tell me what did nyu observe before, during, and after our dinner." Rin reiterated.
"Hmm… It was quick? I mean we only took an hour doing that." Yuna answered.
"Right, what else?" Rin replied.
"We didn't make something complex, our dinner was just as simple as it is," Coco answered as well.
"Yes, though we still enjoyed it right? Any other answers?" Rin added.
"Anooo… We all know what we should do to make things faster." Hana said.
"Exactly…" Rin responded.
"Would nyu mind explaining this charade, Nee-san?" Lisa straight-forwardly requested.
"Hai. Nyu see, we were too busy thinking of something that will impress Duke Nasmuir. We forgot to check our capabilities first. It's good to be innovative but it will surely fail if we keep on overthinking it. As we continue this meeting, I want everyone to think just like our dinner. Look deep down at what nyu can offer and then we will go from there. In that way, we can achieve things effectively like our dinner~" Rin thoroughly explained.
"I see…" Yuna reacted.
"Rin is so smart!" Lulu commented.
"Agree, agree," Kita said as she nodded twice.
The maids started to tackle this matter straightforwardly. Each one of them assessed what value they have, which will contribute to the cafe.
Shortly, after a minute of silence, Aoi says, "Anooo… Nee-san, I have a suggestion."
"Let's hear it," Rin replied.
"I've been working on some dress designs but there's never been an opportunity to use those. If the expenses are covered, maybe we can do a fashion show during the grand reopening?" Aoi suggested.
"Fashion show?" They all reacted.
"Hai. It will be a good opportunity for us to get more customers. The fashion show will be the event, it will attract lots of Kemis who will surely dine with us during the show." Aoi explained.
"Oh those designs, I remember the sketches on her table. They are truly beautiful." Hana praised Aoi.
"The Duke can invite some royalties to be the models. That will surely catch a huge amount of attention." Lisa commented.
"I can distribute the flyers!" Kita said. She is planning to roam around while doing so.
"I love dresses!" Lulu said.
"LET'S DO IT!" Coco firmly reacted. She wants to see Lulu in cute dresses that will surely melt everyone's heart.
"Looks like everyone is on board. Aoi, can nyu please get your designs first, so we can see them for ourselves." Rin requested.
"Aa, hai!" Aoi replied in a panic. She immediately headed towards her room to get the sketches.
Moments later, Aoi came back with her drafts. She distributed the designs as everyone thoroughly examined them.
"Aa… anoo… I tried my best with those but I can still adjust them if needed…" Aoi nervously said.
Coco blushes as she holds onto a pink theme small dress, with a sky blue lily pattern as the design. She can't stop imagining Lulu wearing those.
"What do nyu think?" Aoi shyly asked while fidgeting.
"Coco?" Lisa called Coco.
"HA, HAI! The.. they are great!" Coco replied flustered.
"These are worth a shot, I think," Yuna commented.
"I told nyu they are good!" Hana added.
"This will look good on Hana!" Kita suggested.
"LULU SHOULD BE A MODEL TOO!" Coco fiercely suggested as well.
"They indeed look good. Let's go with the fashion show~" Rin softly said as she finally accepted the idea.
"NYATTA!" Everyone happily reacted.
33.
The maids in the cafe finally found the event that they wanted to pull off. Trusting in Aoi's talent, they are willing to support her toward her dream. In fact, the decision will truly benefit everyone individually. Aoi's dresses will finally come to life. Rin's dream about the cafe will finally reach a higher level. A lot of Kemi will finally recognize Coco's baking skills. And Lisa can test if their society leans more towards tea than coffee.
On the flip side, Kita's group can also accomplish their goal. With this wide-range type of event, it will be easier for them to gather more information. They can trace who the Kemi is that they need to interact with. And most importantly, they can meet the Queen if things go extremely well. Thus the story continues.
"Now that we have our target event, I will just quickly discuss the next plan step by step. The next one is the theme, then program flow for the event, cafe decorations, new recipes that will be highlighted on the event, and lastly overall budget proposal." Rin instructed.
"Hai~" They all responded.
"We will tackle those ideas tomorrow. I know that everyone is already tired, rest is important too. We already have a goal now, we will continue the meeting tomorrow morning~" Rin said as she let everyone rest for now.
"Sleeping time? Nyatta!" Lulu commented as she immediately headed towards their room.
"Well done Rin~" Yuna said as she followed Lulu.
Kita said, "See nyu tom~" as she walked outside of the office and the rest of her words were inaudible.
"Oyasumi~" Hana added as their group was the first one to leave the office.
A couple of seconds later, Rin looked around and noticed that Lisa, Aoi, and Coco were still there. "Is there a problem?" She asked.
The atmosphere slowly changes as Aoi answers. "I just can't believe that we are making it through…" Aoi emotionally said as her tears started to fall.
"I can't believe it as well…" Lisa added as she comforted Aoi.
"I… I've been waiting for this moment… It just feels surreal…" Coco confessed as she shyly expressed her emotions.
Rin's strong front breaks down as she witnesses her colleagues crying. She started to cry as well. "Don't cry now, we still have a long way to go!" Rin said as she tried to cheer everyone up.
"I'm not crying!" Coco said.
"Nyu know what, come here!" Rin said as she hugged everyone.
"I'm so glad that we did not quit back then…" Lisa said. She rarely shows any emotions but this time is different.
Rin, Aoi, Lisa, and Coco endured tons of hardships. None of them showed how they truly feel inside because they don't want to make the others lose hope. Each one of them held on to a strong persona for so long, they failed to suppress it this time. Clouds rain when it gets heavy, and the water dams release when they are full. The pressure keeps the cycle going, crying will help the Kemis move forward on their journey.
While the maids were having their sentimental moment, Kita's group was having their own meeting. They picked up where they left off earlier, it's time for them to trace the timings that morning. Lulu is already sleeping, Kita, Hana and Yuna are the ones who are left to discuss the matter.
After ensuring that the others are not around, Yuna started the conversation. "Okay, did nyu remember the time when it stopped glowing?" Yuna asked Kita.
"Hai! Actually, I went outside of the room as soon as it stopped glowing." Kita answered.
"There were no customers when nyu left the room," Hana replied.
"That means the candidate is one of the Kemis that left last. Let me check my list," Yuna said as she reread her notepad. "Mae, Grace, Mittsy, Duke Nasmuir, and his duchess are the candidates." She added.
"I hope that they all come and visit the cafe again. I would like to observe them as well." Hana said.
"I'm sure that they'll be back. I have a feeling that we will encounter them more often!" Kita responded.
"Kit is right, the important thing, for now, is we manage to narrow down the suspects," Yuna replied.
"Maybe it's the Duke, I mean he offered the grand reopening, right? That's a path-changing course." Hana speculated.
"As much as I want to agree with nyu but my guts are telling me no. I feel like it's from Mae's friends, either Mittsy or Grace." Kita argued.
"Why did nyu think so?" Hana questioned.
"I honestly don't know. I mean that was also my reasoning when we followed Yuna back then." Kita answered.
"Your instincts are truly an odd one, it fits nyu to be honest," Hana commented as she chuckled.
"OY!" Kita reacted madly.
"Hai hai, it is still early to conclude. Let's just sleep for now." Yuna intervened.
"Hai~" Hana and Kita replied.
And so, the day ends as everyone finally calls it a day. It's been a long and tiring one, both physically and mentally. These events surely will continue as they keep on striving.
The next morning rises and the Trio Brews and Sweets is temporarily closed for the ensuing days. The maids will be using their time in completing the plan that they created. As of now, they manage to have a distinct event that will be the centerpiece of the grand reopening. All of them are optimistically hoping to accomplish the plans before the target date.
After having their breakfast, the group immediately proceeded to the office to continue the meeting.
"I hope that everyone is ready for today's meeting. The target is to finalize the theme, program flow, decorations, and recipes. If we manage to accomplish those today, we can do the canvas tomorrow, and then complete the budget proposal by that day." Rin instructed.
"Haii~" They all responded.
With Rin leading, the meeting truly evolved into a more systematic one. Unlike last night, the discussion today is way different. Each idea is being thoroughly scrutinized, one after the other.
The whole day was spent in the office. Oftentimes, Coco and Hana will go to the kitchen to make some meals. Lisa and Kita also joined forces in handling beverages during their meeting. Aoi uses Hana and Lulu as their primary models, they decided that the 2 of them will be part of the fashion show. While Rin and Yuna are the ones who keep the ideas intact. Mae once again visits the cafe, but this time with Mittsy. The two of them are definitely aware of the new trends, especially for teens. Their inputs truly helped the maids in adapting to the modern-maiden style.
The Kemis are working synchronously ever since they all identified how they can help the cafe. The meeting continues throughout the whole day.
34.
On the next day, due to their meeting overnight, the maids slept in the office. They all fell asleep while doing their part, some were on the couch, while the others were just on the floor. Mae and Mittsy already left before dinner, it's the rest of the maids who were knocked out in the office.
Rin was sleeping on her table and minutes later she woke up. It was around 4 a.m. that time, and she was the only one who was awake. "I... I fell asleep…" Rin said. She looked around and saw the utter chaos in the office. Everyone is sleeping close to each other, like meerkats sleeping in a pile.
Rin chuckled as she witnessed a rare cute scenario of the maids. "I can get used to this mess," she whispered as she stretched her body, preparing to start the day.
Even with her eyes slightly closed, she proceeded to Kita's room to get their blankets. While Rin is arranging the blankets, something catches her attention. A crystal-like gem is lying on the floor, it must have fallen from the bag. Rin walked closer and saw the Runecrystal, but she didn't know anything about it.
"I wonder what this is?" Rin said as she picked up the Runecrystal. "It looks pretty, maybe I shall leave it on top of their bag. It's their stuff after all." She added as she put down the Runecrystal.
Rin went back to her previous plan and lifted the blankets. She does not inspect the item any further. As she reached the office again, she put the blanket on the maids.
Minutes later, Lisa also woke up. Since they are regularly used to sleeping for a few hours, both of them continued working while the rest were sleeping.
As the star fully rises, the Catgirls rise from their slumber too. Kita's group was the one who woke up last. The other maids had already started the day minutes before them. They immediately folded the blankets and lifted them back to their rooms. When they entered their room, they saw the Runecrystal sitting on top of Kita's bag.
"Aa… anooo…" Kita stuttered as she called everyone's attention.
"What's the matter?" Hana asked.
"The Runecrystal…" Kita said as she pointed at it.
Everyone walked closer and saw that Runecrystal is fully exposed.
"Why is it on top of the bag?" Lulu asked.
"I… I don't know… I put it inside I swear!" Kita answered while in panic.
"Someone likely saw it…" Hana said.
"Who saw it?" Lulu asked again.
"Probably the one who gave us blankets last night. But I doubt that they intentionally opened our bags." Yuna responded.
"Why do nyu think so?" Hana questioned.
"Coz if they did, they should have found the other Runecrystal too," Yuna answered.
"Nyu have a point…" Hana replied.
"Plus, they should have kept the Runecrystal if they knew about it. They put it on top of the bag meaning, it could probably just have fallen out last night…" Yuna hypothesized.
"But still… They saw the Runecrystal. What if it glowed while they were interacting with it!" Kita argued, still panicking.
"Let's be observant for now. We'll come out clean at the right moment, but for now, let's check if they truly know about it, and who knows about the Runecrystal…" Yuna said.
The group is currently uneasy as they left the room. They are trying their best to act as normal as possible while they are doing their tasks. The maids already finished the first part of their planning stage. The next one is the canvassing, which they will do after their breakfast.
As they begin to eat their first meal, Rin notices Kita's odd behavior.
"Are nyu alright?" Rin worriedly asked.
"Aa… Hai!" Kita answered.
"Her body aches, she slept on the floor after all," Yuna responded, covering for Kita's terrible acting.
Rin bought the claim but Lisa did not. Lisa thinks that something is up. She already dropped her suspicions about the group when they first entered the cafe. The situation right now is different for her.
After finishing their breakfast, the atmosphere remained awkward. While the group is trying to find out who knows about the Runecrystal, the maids are also trying to find out why the group is acting awkwardly. The game of charades continues as everyone is currently lost at the moment.
"Anoo… Lisa, Aoi, and Coco will join me in our canvassing. Is anyone else willing to come? By the way, we can't take everyone because someone has to watch the cafe." Rin said to Kita's group.
"Nee-san, I'll just stay here. I have to fix the stockroom, Kita should stay as well. I need some help in some of the boxes." Lisa suggested.
"Are nyu fine with that?" Rin asked Kita.
"Ha... Hai!" Kita responded in panic.
The suspicion grows as the group thinks that Lisa might be investigating them, planning to gain information through Kita. They also need to send someone with Rin to check if Rin knows something as well. It's between Hana and Yuna, one must cover for Kita while the other should investigate Rin. Everything is happening too quickly, they must proceed instinctively.
Currently pressured by the scenario, Yuna answered, "Lulu and I will come." That means Hana will stay and cover for Kita, so she can be aware of what will happen next. Yuna took Lulu with her in order to lessen the burden on Hana. It's up to them how they will keep their secrets intact.
"Hai, that's settled then. Let's go~" Rin replied as they walked through the door.
Yuna gave Hana one last look, signaling to her that she can do it. Hana knows that she can't, it's the end for them.
"Let's head to the stockroom." Lisa bluntly said.
"Ha…hai!" Kita replied.
"I will help as well!" Hana responded as she followed them.
The group is already in a tight spot right now as the other maids are trying to fish out the truth. When Lisa suggested that Kita should stay with her in the stockroom, the group already concluded that Lisa will try to make Kita talk. The question is, should they ask Lisa first before she interrogates them?
End of Chapter 5