I Was Reincarnated As the Hated Scummy Best Friend in a Gal Game and the Protagonist Is Useless

40

4. Longing for the Gift

“You’re the one who cheated…”

I retort while sipping on A’s coffee.

“It was just a mistake that there were two from the master.”

“Eh?”

The master has a ‘what are you talking about?’ look on his face.

Basically, he’s implying it was just a fluke.

“The practice problem is passed. The next one is the real deal. I’ll definitely brew the next one.”

“I think the practice problem is harder though…”

“I’ll show the kids what I’m really made of!”

It’s clear that he’s become stubborn.

The master looks genuinely apologetic.

“Alright, I’m looking forward to Sakuya’s coffee too.”

“Hmm. That’s a commendable attitude. I do like an honest Hideyoshi.”

With that, I’m made to wait outside again for a few minutes.

Drinking coffee without eating anything is becoming a pain…

I’m called back in shortly after.

Two coffee cups are prepared again.

“By the way, Sakuya, which one do you want me to drink from?”

“Drink from A.”

I follow Sakuya’s curt instruction.

“Yeah. It’s delicious. It tastes like the master’s.”

“!?”

“So this one must be the coffee brewed by Sakuya.”

I take a sip from B’s coffee immediately.

“……….Phew”

“Hey, say something about it.”

He seems curious about the evaluation of his coffee.

What should I say about Sakuya’s brewing skills…

“Should I sugarcoat my words? Or do you want an honest opinion?”

“Sugarcoat it.”

“It’s so…! It tastes just like Sakuya-chan!”

“Ew, that’s creepy!”

As I teased her with my feedback, Sakuya hurled insults and lightly smacked my back.

“That’s harsh…”

“Do I need to sugarcoat it…?”

“……Oh my god! What is this?! This tasteless coffee is just like black hot water!”

“Hideyori, you scoundrel! How could you say that?”

“It’s just my personal opinion.”

“Don’t think you can say anything you want just because it’s a ‘personal opinion’.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

The master was laughing uproariously.

“It looks like Sakuya’s been totally defeated,” he said, tears of laughter in his eyes.

“I will never forget this humiliation. I swear, I’ll make Hideyori say the coffee is delicious, even if it takes 10 or 20 years. It’s training time, Master!”

“Alright, alright, let’s work hard.”

In about 10 years, I might be dead due to the effects of the game, but I’m looking forward to Sakuya’s growth.

“If only I had a Gift…”

“A Gift?”

Sakuya suddenly mentioned the word ‘Gift,’ and I was taken aback.

For a moment, I thought she was talking about me.

“My daughter, you see, she admires the Gift. With the increase in crimes by Gift holders lately, I don’t want her to manifest any Gift…”

“You what!? As a parent, how can you dismiss my desire to have a Gift!?”

“As a parent, that’s exactly why I don’t want Sakuya to manifest a Gift. The crimes committed by Gift holders are quite serious. It’s truly frightening.”

There are those who yearn for a Gift and others who wish they never had one.

Such is the existence of the Gift, inspiring both respect and fear.

Even in the game, and now in this world, I consider the Gift a dangerous entity.

“So, what kind of Gift does Sakuya want?”

“Well, I’d like a Gift related to coffee.”

“Coffee-related?”

“The ‘My Saliva Turns into Coffee’ gift, huh?”

“Ew… I wouldn’t want to drink that… I’ve never once wished my saliva would turn into coffee.”

And with that, Sayaka starts grumbling and nitpicking again, while the Master bursts into laughter.

I can’t say I’m a Gifted one, but I do hope they have a happy home.

Neither the Master nor Sayaka have appeared in the “Breaking the Chains of Sorrow” series, so they should be able to lead clean lives, unmarred by incidents or accidents.

I swallow the coffee.

I wonder if Sayaka will grow up to inherit this taste.

I truly look forward to their future.

I earnestly hope that they will always run this peaceful shop.