Elfen - Prince of Crema - Sun End

Elfen - Prince of Crema - Sun End

Chapter 7 - Threatening Words

The servant's high voice echoed within the office that had the scent of coffee drifting... 

Servant: Elfen-sama...!

Elfen: ...What is it? 

Servant: My apologies for interrupting your conversation. It's just that... The board chairman of the coffee shop association came here wanting to talk to you no matter what. 

MC: ...!

From what I've heard about the coffee shop association, they apparently protect and spread the techniques and culture about the coffee that they've built up throughout this kingdom. 

(Could those people have...) 

The bad feeling I was getting was right on the mark. 

Elfen: Sorry to hear that they marched right in here. Why is that? 

Servant: Well... They came here on behalf of the people that have complaints about your methods. 

Elfen: ...

(That's...) 

Elfen-san's brow slightly furrowed. 

Elfen: I see. Take them to the hall. 

Servant: Yes...

MC: ...Elfen-san! Can I... come along as well? 

Elfen: ...Do as you like. 

While I was holding back my heart that was pounding with anxiety, I headed to the hall with Elfen-san as he was making a stern expression...

Chapter 8 - Being Obsessive About It

When Elfen-san and I headed to the hall... 

Chairman: Elfen-sama, I wanted to talk to you today no matter what... 

The board chairman of the coffee shop association waited for Elfen-san with a frown. 

Elfen: ...Tell me. 

Chairman: With all due respect... The coffee shop owners in town have reached their limit from your extreme supervision. Your harsh supervision that's too particular about flavor and quality has made it very difficult to do business... I understand that it's for the sake of making good coffee, but doing it that way makes it troubling. 

I looked at Elfen-san while he was listening to the board chairman, but I was unable to tell what he was feeling from his expression. 

(Come to think of it, Elfen-san... He doesn't smile at all in front of the townspeople. Even though he would sometimes make a kind expression with me...) 

Even so, I was getting the feeling that may have been the only reason why the townspeople were unable to understand him that it was giving me pain. 

Elfen: What's so bad about it? Maintaining the quality should be the maximum priority. Good beans and good technique... Doesn't the coffee shop association talk about that? 

Chairman: Still, using such forceful ways is troubling. About this matter... I've discussed about it with the king. 

Elfen: ...What? 

Elfen-san's brow slightly furrowed. 

Chairman: As a result, it has been agreed that Elfen-sama will step down from being the director of the association. 

MC: No way...!

Chairman: Now then... That's all I have to say. If you'll excuse me then. 

After saying that, the board chairman left soon after. 

Elfen: ...

The side of his usually dignified face became frustratedly strained soon after. 

Elfen: ...Being betrayed like this. 

MC: Elfen-san... 

When he combed up his bangs with one hand, Elfen-san lightly sighed. 

Elfen: Was I wrong about things...? Even though I just wanted to improve the value of coffee. 

MC: Elfen-san... I don't think you're wrong. 

Elfen: Even if you say that... 

As he looked at me with a sharp gaze, Elfen-san was hesitant to continue speaking. 

MC: I don't think your feelings were wrong. It's just that... Didn't you only disagree with the ways that everyone was enjoying coffee? 

Elfen: Ways of enjoying it... You say? 

MC: Yes. If there are people that can enjoy the flavor of coffee freely... Then, there are people that enjoy drinking coffee itself... That way, you can feel the deliciousness in various ways. 

Elfen: Various ways, huh... 

Elfen-san's eyes that are usually filled with self-confidence shook in puzzlement... 

Chapter 9 - What I Want to Convey

-Flashback-

Elfen: Various ways, huh... 

-Flashback-

As he looked perplexed, I searched for the words to say to him...

MC: I... I think it'd be nice to let everyone know about your appeal. 

Elfen: What do you mean...? 

MC: The other day, you were very praiseworthy when you were showing your new blend of beans to the businessmen. Also, it showed just how very passionate you were about coffee... That's how I think you'll make everyone understand more. 

Elfen: Still... 

Just as he showed a reluctant look... 

Servant: I agree with MC-sama's opinion. 

The servant that was watching from aside raised his approval. 

Elfen: Even you... 

MC: Even though you say that they'll understand... I think they'll be able to if you have a mutual agreement with each other. Not just you, but everyone in the kingdom loves coffee... That's what I can tell from looking. 

Servant: Exactly. Once you do that, you'll be able to improve the quality of coffee by joining forces together. 

Elfen: ...

Elfen-san thought about what we said for a short while...

Last Chapter - The Best Cup

As it continued being silent in the hall... When I proposed a way to get Elfen-san's appeal through and have a mutual agreement with everyone...

(Elfen-san isn't really the kind of person that would come to an agreement...)

As I stiffened up with nervousness, I waited for his words... 

Elfen: ...Still, doing a presentation for business is completely different then doing it for the people. 

Elfen-san said that softly with a deep tone. 

Elfen: This whole time, I've been doing things my way. Now that I'm in a pinch, something has to change... 

His eyes that were usually filled wtih self-confidence were shaking perplexedly as if they were looking for a destination. 

MC: Won't you try it? I want to... help you too. 

Elfen-san's eyes were looking at me. 

Elfen: It won't be bad to take a challenge. To be honest... I didn't think that I would feel so down about being betrayed like this. ...I need to get up. As the prince of the Kingdom of Coffee. 

His strength from before was slowly starting to return to his eyes. Wanting to help him with all my strength, I thought of that wholeheartedly... 

......

Since then, Elfen-san and I have been racking our brains and made various decisions. 

MC: For example... Like when you were roasting beans for me, how about you show various ways of roasting to the townspeople? 

Elfen: I see. I'll try that. If everyone gets interested, it'll be good to offer free recipes to the coffee shops in the kingdom. 

MC: Ah, that's a good idea!

Elfen: Even though you're an outsider, you're always working so hard. 

Elfen-san smiled as he said that. 

(It feels like Elfen-san's expression has softened up more than before...) 

As I was happy about that, the results of the coffee exhibition that was held in town were... There has been an increase of recognition for Crema's coffee from the kingdom's people and visitors from other kingdoms. Then, a few weeks later... 

As there was a scent of coffee going around the town of Crema today as well, it was overflowing with people that were smiling happily. 

Elfen: It feels like the scent of coffee in town has changed somehow. 

While looking at the townspeople, Elfen-san smiled. 

(That's a very nice expression...)

Employee: Ah, Elfen-sama, about the roasting method that you've taught us before... 

Townsperson 1: Elfen-sama! Let's drink together!

Townsperson 2: The coffee beans that you told us about really suit my taste. 

As the townspeople were speaking to him more differently than before, Elfen-san responded to them politely one at a time. 

(That attitude and smile must be what changed the townspeople's feelings.) 

Elfen: Making them understand and reaching a mutual agreement, I get what you were saying now. 

After Elfen-san was done dealing with all the townspeople, he softly said that with a gentle look. 

Elfen: There are all kinds of ways for people to enjoy coffee. Their favorite flavor and the environment are what makes everything different. Instead of just making them agree like I often did... That's what makes this way much better. 

His refreshing smile shined beautifully with the bright sunlight on it. 

MC: Elfen-san... I'm really glad. 

Elfen: It's thanks to you... Ah, wait for a bit. 

After saying that, Elfen-san went inside one of the shops... 

(...What is it?) 

Once he returned, he had a coffee cup that was emitting an aromatic scent in his hand. 

Elfen: It's the coffee that you didn't get to drink at that time. 

MC: Eh...? 

-Flashback-

Elfen: Try drinking it. It's the coffee that I promised you the other day. 

-Flashback-

(Come to think of it... There was so much going on that I missed the chance to drink it completely.) 

Elfen: This is a blend that was made just for you. With your approval, I want to send this flavor to you from now on forever. 

MC: ...!

The honest words that came out of Elfen-san's thinly shaped lips warmed me up. 

Elfen: I want you to support me in this kingdom forever. 

MC: Elfen-san... 

When he held out the cup to me with a smile, I accepted it without any resistance. Elfen-san's eyes were urging me to drink it. Then, the moment I took a sip... 

MC: Mm... 

I was being strongly held and Elfen-san placed his lips over mine. As I was at the mercy of the bitterness of the coffee and the soft sensation of his lips, the inside of my head turned blank, but... 

MC: Um, Elfen-san... People are. 

When I remembered that we were in town, I pushed his chest back in a panic. 

Elfen: No one's watching. 

MC: But... 

Just as he smiled softly, I couldn't say anything else. 

Elfen: Like the time when you were telling me to come to a mutual understanding with people, I wanted to know about your feelings... That's what I'm feeling very frustrated about right now. 

When he said that in a whisper with an overwhelming tone, he placed his lips over mine again soon after. 

(So warm...) 

The deep kiss was bittersweet like coffee... 

Elfen: MC... 

As we were surrounded by a mellow scent... Our heated feelings were being conveyed to each other through our lips that were being placed together many times... 

Main Story

Moon End