After watching the Security Force haul the robber away, I gathered my wits and resumed our walk toward the tea supply shop with Aria-san.
"Speaking of which, Kaito-sama, you were the one who launched Nifty, weren't you? I was fortunate enough to win the lottery myself and purchase a cup. It is a truly exquisite piece."
"Thank you. Hearing that makes me happy. Actually, I’m a bit surprised you’ve even heard of Nifty."
"Of course I have. There isn't a single person involved with tea who hasn't. The pottery and the tea leaves are both magnificent. My only complaint is that the brand is so popular it's nearly impossible to get your hands on anything right now. Once things settle down, though, I’d love to buy a few other items."
"You certainly seem to know your tea, Aria-san."
"Yes. As a maid, I’m quite particular about my black tea. I take enough pride in my work to say my brewing skills are top-tier without any hesitation."
"I see. So you really do love it, then?"
In response to my question, Aria-san rested her hand lightly against her chin. She then raised an index finger to her lips in a playful "hush" gesture before speaking.
"...I’d like you to keep this a secret, if you would..."
"Hmm?"
"...The truth is, I prefer cocoa."
"Wait, really?"
I had fully expected her to be a tea enthusiast like Ein-san or Jutia-san, but Aria-san confessed her love for cocoa with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh, I enjoy tea as well, of course. But if it’s just for my own pleasure, I’d take cocoa over tea any day. And I’ll choose steamed bread over cakes or scones every time. I’ve refined my tea skills and heightened my palate because it’s a necessary part of my job... but I have a major sweet tooth. I’ve always preferred sweet drinks. The problem with tea is that if you add too much sugar or syrup, you kill the flavor."
"That makes sense..."
She liked tea, and her fastidious nature combined with her professional duties meant she had reached an expert level—yet her heart truly belonged to cocoa. It felt like Aria-san was the type who knew exactly how to flip the switch between her professional and private lives.
"If you like steamed bread, does that mean you’re a fan of Baby Castella too?"
"Indeed, they are a favorite of mine. Since the Underworld King-sama is so fond of them, Ein-sama—the Chairman of the Maid Association—has even designated them as a 'Mandatory Confectionery for Maids.' Any professional worth their salt can bake them."
"I... I see."
I wasn't sure if the rest of the world considered Baby Castella a mandatory skill for maids in general, but Ein-san would certainly say so. Since Kuro loved them with a passion bordering on obsession, and since Ein-san took such pride in serving Kuro, they were undoubtedly a high priority for her.
"Do you have a favorite sweet, Kaito-sama?"
"I’m partial to Ripple Pie."
"Ripple Pie is lovely. I’ve always been fond of fruit-based pies myself. If you enjoy Ripple, you might find that Shineberry Pie is right up your alley as well."
"Shineberry Pie? That’s a new one for me. It sounds delicious, though."
"The flavor is quite similar to Ripple, but since they are berries, the pieces are small. The texture is entirely different, giving it a unique charm that separates it from Ripple Pie."
"Is that so? I’d definitely love to try it. I'll have to track some down soon."
A pie made with apple-flavored berries... It sounded amazing. I was willing to bet it was featured in Kuro’s food guide, so I decided to look for a shop that served it sometime soon.
Serious-senpai: "I guess there’s a difference between what you need to master for work and what you actually like the most... Though with her image, I bet she only enjoys her favorites in secret."