Chapter 23 After Chapter 6

"...So, in the end, the person who mixed the salt into the sugar bowl was actually Mr. Mosakawa?" I leaned my hands and arms on the bar and said, Miss Meixing smiled wryly while grinding the coffee beans. "Yes, because Mr. Qianjia lost his sense of taste and didn't notice it." "That's it. Although it's a bit strange to describe it like this, it's still an interesting thing. I didn't expect Mr. Qianjia to be sitting at that table that day." She once told me about a "not funny thing" that pissed off a guest by adding salt to a sugar bowl.Knowing the truth after the update, I couldn't help expressing the above thoughts.

Soon, KBC, which played us around, has ended for a month.Because I used the three consecutive days of holding the competition to deal with personal affairs, so now I have been punished and I am very busy. Today is also the first time I have come to see Miss Meixing after the competition. The time sequence has entered December, and the current season cannot resist the cold wind without wearing a coat.Lying lazily on the heated Talleyrand bar in the afternoon like this, I feel that the memory of those three days is so far away from me, like a dream.If it was really a dream, I don't know how relaxed it would be.I may have experienced a feeling that popped up unconsciously again.

"I'm really sorry for the male guest who told me there was salt in the sugar bowl." Miss Meixing looked a little frustrated. "In addition to letting him accidentally eat salt, although he didn't tell him in person, he still decided that he was directing and acting on his own. I have already severely warned my uncle and told him not to make such mistakes in the future." I looked to the corner of the store, and Mr. Sagawa was playing with Charles.Although I was the only customer in the store, so it didn't matter, but his attitude was too loose.I hope Miss Meixing's warning won't fall on his ears... I suddenly thought so.

"Didn't those people from KBC get any news after that?" I asked by the way while chatting.Miss Meixing stopped grinding the coffee beans and smiled suddenly. "Miss Shangoka asked me out for dinner a while ago, saying that she wanted to thank me for solving the commotion about adding foreign objects. I told her not to be so polite and declined her, but her attitude was quite insistent, so I had to agree. As a result, she The place that took me was a high-end Italian restaurant that I never had a chance to step into before... I never thought about what to wear for that occasion. The meal should be full of delicious food, but I was too nervous , I hardly remember the taste of what I ate."

The way she narrated was so funny that I couldn't help laughing.Maybe it's because I'm the same as her. Seeing Miss Meixing's civilian side makes me feel at ease. "Thanks to Ms. Meixing for solving this commotion, KBC has regained its life." Although there were some accidents in the fifth KBC, unlike two years ago, the problem was solved satisfactorily this time, and there is no need to worry that the situation will continue to deteriorate, so there is no need to block the news from the outside world...Of course, regarding the series of foreign objects added The uproar and the truth still chose not to be made public... Various media organizations freely reported the situation and results of the game.Ironically, the photo of Yamamura holding the trophy with a sad face seems to have caused a lot of speculation, but instead became famous in the industry. popular store.KBC, which was held again after two years, has created a new talented barista, which has attracted everyone's attention, second only to the first one. It was quickly decided that it will continue to be held next year. In the eyes of others, it is regarded as a barista. quite successful.

"So, what did Ue-oka-san tell you?" I also think this question is quite abstract, but I am still curious about what the two talked about in that high-end Italian restaurant.Miss Meixing said happily: "Ms. Shanggang said that it seems that she will provide funds in the name of Shanggang Coffee to let Mr. Qianjia treat his taste disorder. Shanggang Coffee originally had a system of subsidizing coffee-related talents. It seems that because Ue-oka-san's personal opinion is what makes the decision to use this system." I was taken aback.Shanggang Coffee can be said to be the largest company in the industry, and her opinion can change the company's decision.It appears that I was correct in speculating that she was related to the company operator.

"That's it, that's great." I still can't seem very happy.I am happy to see such a result from the bottom of my heart, but even if she receives perfect treatment, Qianjia who has suffered damage to the central nervous system may not be able to recover.For the time being though, I'm still praying sincerely that Qianjia, who is gifted in the barista field, will recover his senses of taste and smell.When my prayers come true, I'll be happy for him and ask him to let me taste his coffee. "Although Mr. Qianjia has caused a lot of trouble for the last two KBC competitions, since the first competition, his presence has always attracted more people's attention to the competition, and it can be regarded as a contribution to the competition. Ms. Shangoka Said that the company decided to help him for the sake of this. She said very enthusiastically that she did not want Mr. Qianjia to continue to degenerate, and wanted to help him make a contribution to the industry by helping him come back."

"How did Miss Shangoka deal with Miss Dai and Mr. Ishii in the end?" "If the two of them are willing to provide some form of compensation, it seems that they will not be banned from participating again. However, neither of them seems to have formally apologized to the organizers." I think so, although I don't think those two people have no intention of introspection at all, but I can imagine how they feel ashamed to face the organizer again.In any case, they should definitely not compete again in the future. After the beauty star ground the coffee beans, she began to brew the coffee with a flannel filter, and said something unexpected to me in a humming tone on the way.

"So, Mr. Marubota also visited our store later. He brought his older brother, Mr. Taito, with him." "what?" I feel a little surprised.I didn't expect Yoshito Marsubo to be a person who would take the initiative to keep in touch with people afterwards.Didn't he have no interest in the other contestants during the competition and just listen to music with headphones on? "Did he come to see you for something?" "He seems to have told his brother what happened this time and the truth two years ago. As a result, his brother offered to see me."

In this way, the person who said two years ago that Senke should be directing and acting on his own is Yasuto Marsubo.Thai people may have been very concerned about what happened two years ago, and it is reasonable to be interested in Miss Meixing who solved the incident. "Mr. Qianjia also said that Mr. Tairen and his younger brother do look very similar. But the way of speaking is a little more stable than that of his younger brother... Then, I heard that the reason why Fangren wears headphones is also from his elder brother. suggestion." "Oh? Why did you suggest he wear headphones?"

"Actually, although it was the first time two years ago that the obvious obstruction of adding foreign objects occurred, KBC seems to have always had a lot of small disputes during games. It may be because everyone is very serious. It is not uncommon for a relationship to win the championship, such as insulting each other or sowing discord. I originally thought that Mr. Ishii and Ms. Saeko would have a bad relationship this time, so that people would not see them It's an accomplice. However, if you really want to say it, that should be the most natural side of them." ... He must not want to get involved with KBC anymore.Even I have the same thought about this game. I thought of Kanda's words I heard outside the window of the preparation room.Is that something that only he, who has participated in every tournament and witnessed the ugly side of KBC along the way, can say? "Just wear the earphones and you won't hear the meaningless abuse. That's why Mr. Tairen suggested that, right? So, Mr. Qianjia said on the phone the real reason for his visit to Talleyrand Do you want to remind Miss Meixing to be careful, does it mean the same thing?" "I still don't quite understand the reason why Mr. Qianjia came to our store. If he wanted to remind me, he didn't say a word at that time... However, if the sugar bowl didn't happen, I probably wouldn't have thought of it." Mr. Qianjia may have a taste disorder. In this way, even though I know this is just an accidental result, I can't help but think: maybe he wants me to be aware of it." After losing his sense of taste, Qianjia cut off communication with the people around him.Perhaps, though, he really wants someone who senses he has a taste disorder to help him.This kind of explanation can be said to show Miss Meixing's gentle side.She is the kind of person who thinks that if she notices something strange, she might be able to prevent Qianjia from committing a crime.In fact, as far as the current situation is concerned, it was also because Miss Meixing noticed everything that gave Qianjia a chance. However, my thoughts are somewhat different from hers.At that time, Miss Meixing had no idea what happened two years ago.Could it be that Qianjia hopes that this kind of her can see him with the same eyes as when he was still regarded as a genius barista?Could it be that he wants to restore his self-esteem by doing this, and overcome the self who is still bound by the past... Of course I couldn't express the thought.I think if I say so, Ms. Meixing will probably regret her attitude towards Qianjia that day. "Anyway, a game full of squabbles doesn't make anyone happy." "That's right. Looking forward to this kind of thing, it's better to watch it from a distance outside, and you shouldn't try to step into it." Miss Meixing said with a half-joking smile, but this sentence sounds too sad, right?You will soon find the dream that is still beautiful after stepping in... I wanted to comfort her like this, but the coffee was served just at this time, so I didn't say it in the end. I picked up the cup, and the rich aroma immediately filled my nostrils.After taking a sip, her coffee was as impeccable as usual.This is the taste that Ms. Meixing inherited from her deceased wife, and it is also the ideal taste in my mind. In this way, Ms. Meixing once said that KBC is "an opportunity for her to learn a very important thing for a barista".Suddenly I was a little concerned, so I asked her: "Miss Meixing, how did you know Mr. Qianjia?" Ms. Meixing glanced at me first, and then started to do some kind of homework as if to keep her hands from being idle. "...Five years ago, when Mr. Senga won the championship in the first KBC, I used to go to his coffee shop out of curiosity." A coffee shop that no longer exists.Actually, I'd love to see it. "At that time, I had just started working in Talleyrand. I was not afraid of anything, and my personality was full of curiosity. After I ran to see him without any skills and knowledge, I asked him so cheekily... Please Tell me the secret of how to make great coffee." She laughed softly when she said this, and I laughed too, but I didn't think it was funny.I think she was quite cute in the past, because I can no longer see this scene on her now. "Although my attitude was very rude, Mr. Senke entertained me very gently. He also told me one of his experiences...the secret of how to make good coffee." "A certain experience? What exactly is it?" Hearing this question, Miss Meixing raised her head and answered with a smile. "Sorry, it's a secret." I also have a few treasures that I don't want anyone to know about.That must be such an important experience for her, and it will fade as soon as it is exposed to light.I did not continue to question her. "Because soon after, I entered a period where I was a little afraid of men, so I stopped going to Mr. Senga's shop. However, during the five years when I was working as a barista, I often thought of what Mr. Senke told me. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was that experience that allowed me to establish the awareness of being a barista in my heart. Therefore, even if that happened, my gratitude to Senjia-san has not changed in the slightest." The hands of Miss Meixing who lowered her head unconsciously stopped.I always feel that her fingertips are trembling. "However, Senke-san turned coffee into a tool of revenge. As Ms. Asuka said, he obviously loves coffee more than anyone else." Although the main purpose of what Senka wanted to do in the competition two years ago was money, he also wanted to take revenge on Ishii and Dai by taking their money.And this time he chose to add foreign matter to things such as salt or milk that were expected to be mixed into the coffee. His purpose was purely for revenge. In a broad sense, he did use coffee as a tool for revenge.In the eyes of Ms. Meixing, it might look like letting a child she cultivated carefully kill someone with a knife. "His desperation about his taste disorder made him do these things. I can understand his feelings. If I lost two of the five senses, I can't guarantee that I will still be able to recover." Can maintain rationality... However, I still can't help but think this way: Is the wall that protects the purity of the heart and self-esteem so unreliable? Once the wall is breached and bad things are mixed in, it will Is there no way to remove it anymore?" Miss Meixing stared into my eyes with eyes that did not allow me to escape. I think of her that I have observed around Ms. Meixing so far.She also experienced all kinds of unpleasant things along the way, and mixed in her heart some things she didn't want.And those things are indeed still stuck somewhere in her petite body. The incident of adding foreign objects caused by Senjia has thrown our hearts into a big mess.And Qianjia himself was also the victim of the malicious addition of foreign objects two years ago.It's so hard to remove, but it only takes a moment to mess up.If it's something that spreads like a contagion, can we just bow our heads obediently in front of it? When I asked my heart like this, the answer came out naturally. "Maybe just as there's no way to ignore what happened, it's not necessarily impossible to completely remove it." Miss Beauty Star looked like she might cry at any moment.But I continued: "But, isn't there a way to gradually reduce it? Whether it's blemishes mixed with round beans, stomach medicine mixed with salt, or even blood mixed with milk, I feel that as long as I want to You can pick them all out if you want to. And..." It doesn't matter if someone laughs at me and says it's just comforting words.Even if it's just a little bit, I also want to get rid of the uneasiness or confusion that is mingling in Ms. Meixing's heart right now. "If you want to say that it can't be removed, isn't the original purity and self-esteem the same?" Even if it's very stupid to do so, human beings still can't completely give up hope when they fall into despair. Even if their hearts are full of malice, they can't help but show kindness, and feel cute for a moment when they should be disgusted, right?There is still some hope left in this belief, and who can say that the desire to give up what you don't want is unrealistic? When I finished speaking, I suddenly felt my cheeks heat up.I drank my coffee in a panic, pretending it was the temperature.Seeing my reaction, although I don't know if I understood it, Ms. Meixing still smiled gently. "Yeah, I also think it would be great if one day the mixed things in Mr. Qianjia's heart can be removed." When I came back to my senses, I realized that I had finished drinking the coffee.Because even the last sip was quite delicious, I couldn't help but say: "Hey, but I still feel a little pity. Such a delicious coffee, should be able to win the championship?" Miss Meixing won the first place in the latte latte project of the 5th KBC, but gave up the filter project.If she didn't abstain from the flushing event and won the first place, she would have won the first place in two events just like Yamamura who won the championship.Although it depends on the scores of other projects, it is not surprising that Miss Meixing won the championship. I originally wanted to praise her, but Miss Meixing pouted when she heard it. "Anyway, you must want to say that if you win, you can take the bonus and go to Italy?" "No, no!" I hurriedly waved my hand in denial. "What I want to say has nothing to do with money. I mean, it was a rare opportunity to let the world know how good Miss Meixing's coffee is. And after you decided to compete, you practiced so hard." As a result, Ms. Meixing showed an expression that she felt guilty, and stretched out her hands to me. "What are your hands doing?" "In Mr. Qingshan's mind, I actually won the championship, right?" "Uh, well, that's it." "Then you have to give me a sub-award. Hurry up, hurry up." ...Even if you keep bending your fingers at me, it's useless. However, she worked so hard but got nothing, and lost her vision, and felt a little pitiful.While scratching the back of my neck, I said, "I really can't do anything about you. If it's within the range I can afford, I can just agree to your request." "Then tell me how you feel about me." "...Please think of something that money can solve! This is a sub-prize!" Scared me to death, what the hell is this guy talking about? What she said at the beginning was just a joke after all, and Miss Meixing pondered for a while, wondering what to choose as the sub-prize.Even during the three days when she participated in KBC, her expression was not as serious as it is now.I always feel that she seems to say scary words like car or apartment from time to time, is it my illusion? "Well, I've decided." Seeing her hearty smile, I suppressed my bad premonition and asked, "What is it? It can't be something worth more than 500,000 won in the competition." Miss Meixing tilted her head, put her index finger on her cheek and said, "Let's go to Italy. I don't think it will exceed half a million." "Five, fifty..." What kind of expression do you have that looks like a crumpled newspaper... Seeing my speechless face, Ms. Meixing couldn't help but say such a metaphor.