Morning arrived with the smell of fresh bread and rain-soaked earth.
Soft droplets tapped gently against the café windows while gray clouds drifted across the twin moons fading in the early sky.
Ren stood behind the counter grinding coffee beans quietly.
The steady rhythm had already become part of his mornings.
Grind.
Pour.
Brew.
Steam rose warmly into the air while the familiar aroma spread across Moonbean Café.
Somehow, the café already felt lived in now.
The once-abandoned building had slowly transformed over the past few days.
The wooden tables were clean.
The chairs no longer looked forgotten.
Even the atmosphere itself felt warmer.
Alive.
Fina still slept peacefully on the couch near the fireplace, wrapped tightly in the blanket Boris gave her.
Lina had insisted the girl stay overnight because:
"Sending a child outside during rain is villain behavior."
Ren could not exactly argue with that.
Meanwhile—
Lina herself was asleep face-first on another table.
One arm hung dramatically toward the floor.
Her sword nearly slipped from its sheath.
Ren stared silently.
"…How is that comfortable?"
"She drools when she sleeps."
Ren nearly dropped the cup in his hand.
Fina peeked up sleepily from the couch.
"She talks too."
"…Why do both of you know this already?"
"She fell asleep here yesterday."
"…Fair."
The café door suddenly opened.
Cold morning air entered alongside the sound of rain.
A woman stepped inside while holding a black umbrella.
Instantly—
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Elegant.
Composed.
Professional.
She wore a neat dark-blue uniform beneath a long coat, and silver-framed glasses rested delicately on her face.
Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her back.
Most noticeable of all—
She looked completely out of place in this tiny café.
Sharp golden eyes calmly scanned the room.
Sleeping adventurer.
Small child.
Confused café owner.
Coffee smell everywhere.
"…I see the rumors were not exaggerated," she said softly.
Ren blinked.
"…Good morning?"
The woman closed her umbrella carefully before stepping farther inside.
Her gaze landed briefly on the sleeping Lina.
Then she sighed.
"…Of course she's here."
"You know her?"
"She causes paperwork."
"That sounded deeply personal."
"It is."
The woman approached the counter gracefully.
"Good morning. My name is Serena."
Ren immediately recognized the name.
Guild receptionist.
Lina mentioned her before.
"I'm Ren."
"A pleasure."
Serena's eyes drifted toward the brewing coffee.
And for the first time since entering—
Her calm expression showed visible curiosity.
"So this is coffee."
"The rumors spread that fast?"
"Mr. Boris has informed approximately half the town already."
"…That explains a lot."
"It was impossible not to notice."
Serena adjusted her glasses slightly.
"Several adventurers returned unusually relaxed yesterday."
Ren paused.
"…Relaxed?"
"One man described the experience as 'being hugged emotionally.'"
Lina suddenly lifted her head from the table without opening her eyes.
"That was Dain."
Then immediately fell asleep again.
Serena sighed deeply.
"See what I endure daily?"
Ren could not help laughing quietly.
The receptionist eventually sat near the counter while observing the café interior carefully.
Unlike most customers so far—
She noticed details.
The organized shelves.
The clean preparation area.
The careful brewing equipment placement.
Even the menu board.
"You've worked in food service before," Serena said suddenly.
Ren nearly froze.
"…What makes you think that?"
"Your movements."
Her gaze calmly followed his hands.
"Efficient. Precise. Experienced."
Ren forced himself to remain calm.
Sharp.
Very sharp.
"I worked at cafés before," he admitted carefully.
"That explains the atmosphere here."
"The atmosphere?"
Serena nodded slightly.
"Most establishments in this town prioritize speed and noise."
Her eyes drifted around Moonbean Café quietly.
"This place feels… peaceful."
For some reason, hearing that made Ren genuinely happy.
Because peaceful was exactly what he wanted this café to become.
Serena soon glanced toward the sleeping Lina again.
Then toward Fina.
"…You allowed the child to stay here?"
"Temporary," Ren answered.
Serena looked thoughtful for a moment.
"She's one of the children from the eastern district, isn't she?"
Fina stiffened slightly beneath the blanket.
Ren noticed immediately.
"…You know her?"
"I know of her."
Serena's voice softened slightly.
"The church orphanage became overcrowded last winter."
Silence settled briefly.
Ah.
That explained it.
Ren quietly looked toward Fina again.
The girl avoided eye contact.
Meanwhile, Serena changed the subject naturally.
"I would like to order coffee."
"Of course."
As Ren prepared the drink, Serena observed the process with open curiosity.
Unlike the adventurers, her interest felt analytical.
Careful.
As though studying something unfamiliar.
"The beans are local?" she asked.
"I think so."
"You think so?"
"…Long story."
Serena somehow accepted that answer immediately.
A few minutes later, Ren placed the finished cup before her.
Steam curled upward elegantly.
The rich aroma spread once again through the café.
Serena carefully lifted the cup.
Took one sip.
And froze.
Ren recognized that reaction already.
Coffee had claimed another victim.
The receptionist slowly lowered the cup.
"…This is dangerous."
Ren blinked.
"That's the exact same thing Boris said."
"He was correct."
Serena adjusted her glasses slowly.
"This would absolutely destroy productivity at the guild."
"Because people would relax?"
"Because nobody would want to leave."
Lina suddenly lifted her head again.
"See? I told you."
"You are literally sleeping in the café during working hours," Serena replied instantly.
"…This is emotional recovery."
"This is laziness."
"Same thing."
Serena pinched the bridge of her nose tiredly.
Then—
Unexpectedly—
She smiled.
Small.
Elegant.
But genuine.
And somehow, that tiny smile changed her entire atmosphere.
Less intimidating.
Warmer.
"I understand the rumors now," Serena admitted quietly before taking another sip.
Outside, rain continued falling softly over the town.
And inside Moonbean Café—
Another regular customer had quietly appeared.
.
.
.