Ozma-san's home was a log cabin perched atop a small hill. Even just looking at the exterior, it had a stylish and inviting atmosphere.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by the warm ambiance of a wood-furnished room, complete with a fireplace and furniture that was simple yet elegant. As I’d expected—or perhaps "as one would expect" is better—the choice of decor really seemed to reflect the owner's personal taste.
The space was tidy and uncluttered, giving off an impression of mature composure.
"Your home is very stylish. It has such a nice atmosphere."
"You think so? Thanks. Even with a house, I tend to tuck most of my things away with Space-Time Magic, so my interior usually stays pretty minimal."
"It definitely is easier to keep things in a Magic Box whenever possible... Oh, right, here are the coffee samples."
In reality, aesthetic choices aside, it’s far more convenient to keep most items in a Magic Box. They don't deteriorate, and you can pull them out whenever you need. However, much like the way Isis-san keeps hers, books just have more of a presence when they're lined up on a shelf. Plus, if you ever expect guests to use them, you can’t exactly keep them stashed away in a Magic Box.
"Thanks. I've always been a fan of the coffee from the Underworld King's Trading Company. I drink it quite a bit. Have you tried this particular blend yet, Miyama-kun?"
"Yeah, I've tried all the samples at least once."
"I see. Well, since you're here, why don't I serve you the coffee I usually drink instead of the samples? Make yourself at home."
"Thank you... So you really do drink coffee on a regular basis, Ozma-san."
I wondered what his everyday coffee was like. Ozma-san had shared coffee grounds with me several times before, but those were usually rare beans he'd happened upon. I didn't think I'd ever tried his go-to blend.
"Yeah, I'm quite the aficionado. I travel all over to find rare beans, but the one I drink most often is the standard variety. It has a sense of stability. No matter how many unusual blends I try, I always find myself gravitating back to what I'm used to."
"I know exactly what you mean," I said, empathizing. "At the end of the day, the thing you're most familiar with often ends up being the best."
I could relate to Ozma-san’s perspective. Rare things are delicious, and trying different varieties feels fresh, but eventually, you want to return to what you know. It’s that feeling of, "Yeah, this is the one."
Since coming to this world, the thing I'd eaten more than anything else was probably baby castella. Kuro was constantly making new varieties and bringing them over, and some were genuine hits, but in the end, nothing beat the stability of the simple, original version.
"That’s exactly it. Now, the coffee I usually drink is something I buy as green beans from the Underworld King’s company. I roast them myself. If you let the beans age for a while before roasting, it really enhances the richness."
"Aging? That sounds like it would be pretty difficult."
"It is. If you don't stay on top of it, the beans can mold, so it's usually quite a chore. But I can cheat a little with magic."
Ozma-san gave a wry smile as he began brewing. He’d taken off his trench coat, revealing a physique of impressive, well-defined muscle.
Between his height and his composed demeanor, he really looked the part of the "cool adult." I wished I could project an aura like that, but I just didn't see it happening for me.
"That said, I also spend a fair amount of time in cafes. Every shop has its own character, and it’s always interesting to stumble upon an unexpected flavor profile."
"Cafes, huh? Come to think of it, I haven't really had many chances to visit any. I go to restaurants all the time, but..."
"Ah, that might be because you usually travel via Teleportation Magic. You never really need to kill time in a shop while waiting for someone. It might also be that there aren't many cafes in the places you usually frequent. You might not notice them unless you're actually looking for them."
"True... It might be a good idea to consciously look for a cafe next time."
"Indeed. It’s always fun when you find a place you really like... Anyway, here you go. Sorry for the wait."
My lack of cafe experience probably had something to do with my Magic Box, too. Since I always had food and drink on hand, it was easy to satisfy a craving while out and about.
Still, going out and actually looking for a cafe sounded like fun. There were probably some high-end establishments near my house. Visiting a cafe with that kind of atmosphere would be a fresh, enjoyable change of pace.
Serious-senpai: "Coffee lovers seem a bit more laid-back than the tea lovers..."
???: "Well, in the Black Tea Group, Ein-san is really the only 'dangerous' one..."