Chapter 45

"Lucia, how have you been since becoming a patissier?"

"Ah, it's a happy cry, you know?"

"Yes, that's how it is..."

Lucia sighed, looking troubled. When she came to the hideout of the "Crimson Lynx" asking for advice, Yūri was genuinely surprised. After all, Yūri never thought anyone would visit her, except for Harro and Leopold. The unexpected appearance of Lucia made Hermine exclaim, "What about the souvenirs!?" and demand snacks.

Incidentally, the grown-up Lucia had brought a pound cake, which was quite impressive.

"I never thought I'd be so popular that it would become a problem..."

"Yes, that's the case..."

Yūri and Lucia both had a far-off look in their eyes. Lucia, who had recently been told by Yūri that if she had confectionery skills, she should become a patissier, had indeed taken up the profession. This was a significant change.

Lucia's family ran a large, traditional restaurant called "Paradise of Food." This restaurant was renowned for its chefs who served exquisite dishes. However, Lucia, born into this family, did not have the skills of a chef. But it's important to note that her relationship with her family was good. In fact, her family praised her for her exceptional skills in confectionery. Her desserts were so good that they could be served in the restaurant's main courses without any complaints. However, without a recognized profession, it was impossible to charge a high price for her creations, which was a long-standing issue for "Paradise of Food."

Leaving her family to work at another restaurant was a thought she had considered. However, as the youngest daughter of the famous "Paradise of Food," her departure could lead to gossip. So, she quietly made and sold cake sets during the teatime between lunch and dinner.

Her parents and brothers were frustrated that they couldn't properly evaluate or promote her high-quality desserts. When Lucia finally obtained the profession of a patissier, which was undeniably a culinary profession, they were overjoyed and immediately included her desserts as part of the menu.

As a result, her desserts became famous for their unparalleled quality, and many people expressed a desire to try more.

Lucia was enthusiastic. She was very enthusiastic. Her family was also enthusiastic. Not only during teatime, but also for the desserts of lunch and dinner, everything was handled by Lucia. Her popularity grew even more.

However, as her popularity grew, she began to receive comments that left her at a loss. She wanted to fulfill these requests but didn't know how.

"I want to eat more of these wonderful sweets, but I can't finish them all."

"I really want to try all the varieties, but my wallet and stomach can't handle it..."

It wasn't about dieting; it was a matter of budget and appetite. Think about it. How many cakes can you eat during teatime, served on a plate? For an average woman, two or three would be the limit, even if she tried hard.

Moreover, the restaurant only accepted orders for sweets during teatime. During lunch and dinner, they were sold as part of a set with other dishes. This was to ensure that the main dishes were still sold. "Paradise of Food" was a restaurant, after all, a place where people came to eat meals.

"I'm happy that people want my sweets. Really, I am."

"Yes, I understand. It's really satisfying to see people enjoy your creations."

"Yes, but that's why I'm at a loss about what to do..."

Lucia sighed sadly. She was struggling to adapt to the sudden change in her environment. Before becoming a patissier, she was treated as a sideline. Most people thought she was a "dropout," except for a few close customers like Hermine, who loved her desserts. In reality, she was a "specialized genius" in her field.

She wanted to meet her customers' requests, but all she could do was make sweets. She didn't know how to fulfill their wishes. That's why she came to Yūri, who had given her the opportunity to become a patissier.

It wasn't that she wanted Yūri to come up with a solution. She just wanted to vent and have Yūri listen to her. Even though they had only spoken a few times, Yūri's gentle and soothing presence had always calmed her. As expected, Yūri listened to her seriously, carefully, and quietly, which made her tense heart feel lighter.

In the midst of this, Yūri suddenly snapped her fingers, as if she had a brilliant idea.

The members of the "Crimson Lynx" who had been watching the two of them looked at Yūri with cautious, serious faces. They knew from experience that when Yūri said something, things often took an unexpected turn or the situation became more complicated. It had become an unwritten rule. For some reason.

"Lucia, what about a dessert buffet?"

"...A dessert buffet?"

"Yes. A buffet is a type of restaurant in my hometown where, within a set time limit, you can eat as much as you want for a fixed price."

"Such a restaurant exists?"

"Yes. There were various types of restaurants that operated this way, including dessert buffets."

Yūri, smiling, continued to explain the unfamiliar concept of a buffet to Lucia, who tilted her head in confusion. Set a time limit and a fixed price. Arrange the desserts so that customers can freely take them. Within the time limit, customers can eat as many desserts as they want. For an additional fee, they can drink as much as they want, and light snacks can be provided to balance the sweetness.

Yūri based this on her memory of dessert buffets. The cost and profit margins could be adjusted later, but Yūri felt this was a way to help customers who wanted to eat more of Lucia's desserts and Lucia, who wanted to meet their needs. Whether to adopt it was up to Lucia and her family.

"But Yūri, in the end, isn't it impossible to eat a lot of desserts?"

"So, what about making the desserts smaller? Make them small enough to be eaten in one bite. It might be more work, but then people can try various types."

"...Ah."

"Also, since it's a regular restaurant, how about having a dessert buffet only on certain days during the day? You'd need to discuss this with your parents."

Lucia's eyes widened in surprise at Yūri's question. She was genuinely amazed by Yūri's idea. Until now, Lucia had always made desserts that could be enjoyed with a cup of tea. But Yūri suggested making them small enough to be eaten in one bite. In a world where the concept of petit desserts didn't exist, this idea ignited Lucia's passion as a patissier.

"Yūri, what else should I pay attention to when implementing this?"

"Hmm? First, it's important to provide drinks that go well with the desserts. Tea is good, but offering juices could also make it appealing to children."

"That's true. And how long should the time limit be? You can tell me about the buffets in your hometown."

"Generally, about an hour and a half is the most common. It gives enough time to enjoy the desserts and have a final cup of tea."

Yūri answered Lucia's questions, recalling her memories. An hour was too short, and two hours felt a bit long. Of course, some buffet-style restaurants offered unlimited time on weekdays, but for a first-time buffet in this world, it shouldn't be too long or too short. It was a delicate balance.

"Also, what kind of light snacks should be provided?"

"At the places I've been to, pasta, bread, and soup were provided. Eating pasta or drinking soup helps reset your palate when you've had too much sweetness."

"Thank you. I'll talk to my parents about this idea. Can I come back for more advice?"

"I'd be happy to help if I can."

"Thank you."

Lucia left with a face full of hope, a stark contrast to when she arrived. Yūri watched her go with a smile. If this idea led to the birth of a dessert buffet in this world, and if Lucia was the patissier, Yūri was confident that it would be a place to find delicious sweets. She had already decided to go when it started. And the women and sweet-tooth Brook, who had been listening, were also excited.

After some time, the dessert buffet became a huge success and a regular feature at "Paradise of Food," held twice a month.

Petit desserts are so delicious.

You can try various types because they're bite-sized...

I want to go to a dessert buffet...

I look forward to your comments and feedback.