I Became a Barista in Another World! Volume 1: New Beginnings [Completed]

Cup 29: Laid Back Latte Battle

They followed Giuseppe into the café; the atmosphere was warm and inviting just like Hazel's. Light notes from a piano in the corner could be heard, played by a hired musician. The patrons enjoyed their coffees, chatting away with company or savoring the drink quietly by themselves. The air was filled with the rich aroma of espresso and steamed milk; Ryu took a deep breath, the scent filling him with a sense of calm and familiarity.

Giuseppe took them behind the bar, directing Ryu to a variety of tools and ingredients located in the cabinets and the pantry, respectively. He provided him with a list to make sure he could find what he needed easily and showed him where the refrigerator was as well.

Ryu appreciated the gesture and the accommodations Giuseppe had made for him. He felt at ease, spending time combing through the pantry to find anything that interested him, trying to formulate the recipe for a unique latte in his head. He watched Giuseppe carefully, attempting to glean any sort of information from his process as to the origin of the sensation he had felt earlier while sipping his latte.

The café owner was aware of this, however, grinning as he shook his head. "There's no way I would show you my signature recipe in this Brew Battle. That's what you're trying to win! There'd be no point in this competition otherwise."

"That may be true, but I can still stand to learn a thing or two about brewing. There's always something new or unusual to try out in this world," Ryu replied.

"Ha! You're right about that!" Giuseppe chuckled.

They finished gathering their ingredients; Ryu had chosen to work with items he had some knowledge of or experience with, grabbing Pyre grounds, Taurus Milk, a jar of honey, and rhododendron extract.

Giuseppe's workstation looked similar to Ryu's including the tools he had decided to use: a pot for steaming milk, a milk frother, and an espresso machine. His ingredients, however, were another matter altogether.

A minuscule container of coffee grounds, about the height of his pinky, sat on the table alongside a bag of red granules, a bottle of 'Goatelope' Milk, and what looked to be a perfume bottle filled with red liquid.

The patrons of the café turned their heads, excited to bear witness to yet another Brew Battle in the span of just a few days. Lo and behold it was the foreigner once again, challenging their favorite Coffee Brewer this time!

A gorgeous woman walked out of the storage room to see what the commotion was about, her initial concern turning to a wistful sigh as she shook her head. She was tall and slender, with long dark hair that flowed past her shoulders, and olive skin like Giuseppe's.

"Giuseppe, baby, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't disturb the customers!" she scolded him, though she didn't hide her smile very well.

"My wife, Gia," Giuseppe whispered to Ryu. "The love of my life. She tries to be more assertive, but you see, she is unable to resist my charms."

Ryu chuckled at the remark.

"Want me to officiate?" Gia asked Giuseppe.

"That would be wonderful, darling," he answered.

Gia appraised Ryu with a raised eyebrow. "Ah, I knew you looked familiar. My husband is a big fan. Try to keep your hands to yourself here, however."

Ryu was confused, but he nodded in agreement, not wanting to cause any trouble.

"Okay, gentlemen, for this Brew Battle you will create a soothing latte for the judge to enjoy. You may use your skills, only the ingredients you have chosen, and only the tools you picked out to create a drink that meets the criteria for a latte. The judge will be evaluating you for flavor, texture, aromatics, and presentation. Capisci?" Gia announced.