Chapter 66: [66] Extra Spicy
The owner of Café Leblanc gestured toward the menu board hanging above the counter. "Special today is the Tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu. Been simmering that broth since 4 AM."
"Surprise me," Xavier said, settling into one of the worn wooden booths. The restaurant smelled amazing—rich pork broth, charred garlic, and something sweeter underneath, maybe caramelized onions. "Just make it spicy."
Aurora slid in across from him, her crimson ponytail swinging as she leaned forward. "Same for me, but make mine extra spicy. Like, ’regret my life choices’ spicy."
The owner chuckled. "You got it. One surprise and one surprise that’ll make you cry." He turned toward the kitchen, then paused. "Coffee while you wait? Just roasted a new batch."
"God, yes," Aurora said. "Black for me."
"With cream," Xavier added.
As the owner busied himself with the coffee, Xavier noticed a white cat with black patches sauntering between tables. It paused to rub against a chair leg before continuing its patrol of the small restaurant.
"So," Aurora said, leaning back against the booth. "First week at Catalyst. Expectations versus reality—go."
Xavier considered the question, a slight pressure building behind his temples. Nothing serious, just a faint discomfort he couldn’t quite place. "Expected: boring lectures and stuffy professors. Reality: a masked teacher who can stop time and another who accidentally tests us on third-year material."
The owner returned with two steaming mugs, setting them down carefully. The white cat jumped onto an empty chair nearby, watching them with unblinking yellow eyes.
"That’s Morigan," the owner said, nodding toward the cat. "Shop mascot. Don’t mind him—he thinks he owns the place."