Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 23: The Japanese Who Can Say No

The sight of the Forest Cat carrying the Ore Hedgehog on its back was even cuter than expected, and word of mouth quickly spread throughout the town, bringing more customers to the fluffy café.

“Oh, wow. It’s not quite full, but this is the most customers we’ve ever had.”

Since the café is located in the suburbs, it usually doesn’t attract many visitors. Feeling grateful, Taichi watched the customers playing happily with the Forest Cat using a cat toy, nodding to himself, thinking, “It’s fun, right? I totally get it.”

“Excuse me, can I get some snacks?”

“Ah, no fair! I want bunny cookies too!”

“Thank you very much!”

The snacks were selling well, too.

(I should probably adjust the portions for dinner a bit.)

While Taichi was thinking this, the door suddenly swung open with force. Though frowning at the rough handling of the door, he turned to greet the new arrival with a “Welcome.”

The person who entered was a middle-aged man with a paunch. He was dressed in fine fabric, indicating he wasn’t a commoner. Taichi broke out in a cold sweat but approached with a smile to greet him.

“Is this your first time here?”

“Hmph, so this is the café with the Ore Hedgehog, huh?”

At the man’s words, Taichi’s smile froze.

(Ah, I see, just as Arle said.)

Arle had warned Taichi during a previous visit. She had told him that the Ore Hedgehog was incredibly rare, and its spines were valuable materials that many people would want to get their hands on—especially nobles, who, if money didn’t work, wouldn’t hesitate to use other methods.

Sure enough, Arle’s warning had come true.

(Judging by his clothes and attitude, he’s definitely a noble.)

Taichi, unsure how to handle the situation, decided to just serve the customer as usual. However, the man turned out to be very self-centered.

“Sell me the Ore Hedgehog.”

There wasn’t even a hint of wanting to enjoy the fluffy café.

(So, this is what nobles are like in this world.)

Taichi had always been careful to avoid getting involved with them, and it seemed that was the right decision. Holding back a sigh, Taichi shook his head.

There was no way he would sell a beloved family member to someone who only saw it as “material.”

The noble’s presence immediately caused the atmosphere in the café to grow tense. The first-time customers went pale and lowered their heads. The only one looking straight at him was Himeri, who was glaring with an expression that looked like she might cast a spell at any moment.

(That would be bad.)

The café would be ruined.

Taichi forced a smile and, looking at the noble, declared clearly:

“This little one is a precious companion of mine, so I cannot sell them.”

“Wha—!”

The noble was clearly shocked, not expecting to be refused. His eyes and mouth opened wide, and his fist trembled in anger.

“Don’t joke with me!”

He shouted, clearly unused to things not going his way.

But Taichi was not going to say “yes.”

To be honest, he didn’t want to deal with nobles. Taichi didn’t know the full extent of the laws in this world, so he was at a disadvantage if he made enemies of them.

—But still.

(If I can’t stay in this country anymore, I can always move to another one.)

It would be a big move, but with Luke and Cerberus, it should work out somehow.

“You dare defy me? …Fine, I’ll buy it at whatever price you name!”

“As I said, that’s not possible. This little one is a treasured companion—my family. You can’t put a price on family.”

Taichi gave the noble a look of pity, as if to say, Don’t you understand something so simple?

“You—enough with your nonsense!”

The noble was about to roar again, but Himeri had already placed her hand on the door.

“Here’s the exit, sir.”

“You insolent girl… How dare you speak to me like that!”

The noble’s anger now turned towards Himeri, which made Taichi panic. It would be a disaster if a teenage girl got on a noble’s bad side.

“Himeri, I’ll be fine.”

“But Taichi… selling Ruby? That’s unforgivable!”

Puffing up her cheeks in anger, Himeri glared at the noble.

Taichi, though internally screaming, Please don’t do anything more, was deeply moved by her sentiment.

(Still, how do I make him leave?)

The noble clearly believed he was above everyone, so talking to him probably wouldn’t make him go away. Should Taichi call the soldiers? But if the soldiers were commoners, they might not be able to restrain a noble.

(Nobles and commoners… this world is such a pain.)

As he was pondering his next move, Luke, who had been napping on a beanbag cushion, woke up. He raised his upper body and let out a big yawn.

Then, he glared in their direction.

“Eek! Wh-what is that huge dog!”

(Ah, that’s Luke’s trigger word…)

The proud Fenrir I am, a dog? What is this filthy human!

As Luke grew angry, the noble let out a shriek and fell backward. As expected of the legendary Fenrir—just one growl and the arrogant noble was terrified.

Luke slowly got to his feet and walked toward the noble. Seeing this, the man let out a pathetic squeal and scrambled backward through the door, which Himeri had conveniently opened for him earlier.

“Good job, Luke! Thank you for visiting. Please don’t come again!”

Himeri said as she slammed the door shut.