Fina finished every last crumb of bread.
Even the soup bowl was nearly spotless.
Ren quietly watched from behind the counter while pretending to organize cups.
The little girl clearly tried eating politely at first.
But hunger eventually won.
Now she sat stiffly in her chair again, clutching the cup of water with both hands as if unsure what to do next.
"…Thank you for the food," she whispered.
"You're welcome."
Silence returned afterward.
Not awkward exactly.
Just quiet.
Outside the café windows, the golden light of evening slowly faded into orange.
The street beyond remained calm, with only occasional travelers passing by.
Meanwhile, inside Moonbean Café—
Warmth lingered comfortably in the air.
Fina's eyes slowly wandered around the room.
The fireplace.
The menu board.
The steaming kettle behind the counter.
And finally—
The coffee grinder.
"…That smell," she said softly. "It's nice."
Ren glanced toward the brewing station.
"Coffee?"
Fina nodded slightly.
"It feels warm."
That was probably the simplest description anyone had given so far.
Yet somehow—
It felt the most accurate.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Do you want to try some?"
Fina immediately looked alarmed.
"I-I can't pay."
"It's fine."
"You already gave me food."
"It's just one cup."
"…But—"
"Fina."
The girl stopped talking instantly.
Ren held up a cup calmly.
"It's okay."
Several long seconds passed before she finally nodded.
"…Okay."
Ren began preparing another cup slowly.
The familiar motions naturally relaxed him.
Grinding.
Pouring.
Brewing.
The rich aroma soon spread through the café once more.
Fina watched the process carefully from her seat.
Her blue eyes followed every movement curiously.
"You really like making it," she murmured.
Ren paused slightly.
"…Yeah."
He did.
Even after years of exhausting café work back on Earth—
Making coffee itself was never the part he hated.
It was everything surrounding it.
The pressure.
The endless rush.
The exhaustion.
But this?
A quiet café.
Slow brewing.
A peaceful atmosphere.
This was the dream he always wanted.
A few minutes later, Ren placed a smaller cup carefully in front of Fina.
The girl stared at the dark liquid nervously.
"It's bitter," Ren warned.
Fina hesitated before carefully taking a sip.
Instantly—
Her tiny shoulders relaxed slightly.
"…Warm."
Then she took another sip.
And another.
A faint look of surprise slowly appeared on her face.
"It tastes strange."
"That's everyone's first reaction."
"But…" Fina looked down into the cup quietly. "It makes me feel calm."
Ren leaned lightly against the counter.
The system's emotional relaxation effect was probably helping.
Still—
Hearing people describe coffee this way felt strangely satisfying.
For several peaceful minutes, neither of them spoke.
The café remained wrapped in quiet warmth.
Then suddenly—
The front door opened.
"Ren! I brought—"
Lina froze mid-sentence.
Her eyes immediately landed on Fina.
Fina instantly stiffened.
Like a frightened animal preparing to run.
Lina blinked.
"…Oh."
Ren gave a small nod.
"She was hungry."
Understanding immediately appeared on Lina's face.
Without another word, the adventurer quietly placed a small paper bag onto the counter.
"What's that?" Ren asked.
"Extra apples from a quest reward."
"…Quest rewards give apples?"
"The farmer paid us in produce."
"That feels slightly disappointing."
"We also got attacked by giant chickens."
"…I'm not asking."
"You should."
"I really shouldn't."
Fina quietly watched their conversation while holding her coffee cup carefully with both hands.
Lina soon noticed.
Then unexpectedly—
She smiled gently.
Very different from her usual loud personality.
"Hey."
Fina flinched slightly.
Lina crouched beside the table instead of towering over her.
"What's your name?"
"…Fina."
"I'm Lina."
Fina gave a small nod.
Lina glanced toward the empty bowl and immediately looked impressed.
"Whoa. You destroyed that soup."
Fina looked embarrassed instantly.
"…Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? That means it was good."
Ren silently appreciated Lina's surprisingly natural way of speaking with children.
The adventurer eventually sat beside the window with her usual dramatic sigh.
"I'm exhausted."
"You say that every time you walk in."
"Because adventuring is suffering."
"You voluntarily chose that career."
"I was young and stupid."
"You still are."
"Rude."
Fina quietly giggled.
The sound was tiny.
Soft.
But both Ren and Lina noticed immediately.
Lina grinned triumphantly.
"There it is."
Fina blinked.
"…What?"
"Your laugh."
"I didn't laugh."
"You absolutely laughed."
The girl immediately hid behind her coffee cup.
Ren could not stop smiling slightly.
The atmosphere felt strangely comfortable tonight.
Almost family-like.
Then—
Knock knock.
Someone tapped against the open doorway.
All three looked up.
Boris stood outside carrying several bags over his shoulder.
"Well," the merchant said while entering, "the rumors are spreading faster than expected."
Ren sighed softly.
"…I was afraid of that."
Boris placed the bags down near the counter.
"Good news though."
"There's good news?"
"People are interested."
"That's the part worrying me."
Boris laughed loudly.
"You opened a café. Customers are literally the goal."
"…Fair point."
The merchant sniffed the air deeply before smiling.
"Still smells amazing in here."
Then his eyes landed on Fina.
The little girl immediately lowered her gaze nervously.
Boris paused.
His expression softened slightly.
"…Ah."
That single sound carried understanding.
Interesting.
Ren quietly noticed something.
People in this town seemed familiar with children like Fina.
Which probably meant—
This was not uncommon.
That thought left a heavy feeling in his chest.
Boris eventually reached into one of his bags and pulled something out.
A folded blanket.
He casually handed it toward Fina.
"Cold nights lately."
The girl looked startled.
"I-I can't—"
"You can."
"…But—"
"Kid."
Boris sighed.
"You'll freeze carrying those thin rags around."
Fina looked completely overwhelmed.
Slowly—
Carefully—
She accepted the blanket.
"…Thank you."
Boris grunted awkwardly and immediately looked away.
Clearly embarrassed by gratitude.
Lina smirked knowingly.
"You're soft."
"I'm practical."
"You brought a blanket."
"It was extra stock."
"You specifically brought child-sized extra stock?"
"…Quiet."
Ren quietly watched the scene unfold.
And little by little—
He began understanding something important.
Moonbean Café was attracting tired people.
Lonely people.
People looking for warmth.
Perhaps not just because of coffee.
But because the café itself felt safe.
Outside, night slowly covered the town once again.
And inside the small café—
Laughter, warmth, and the smell of coffee quietly filled the air.
.
.
.