Published: September 10, 2025
I’m Satou. Back when I was a programmer, I used to drink multiple cups of coffee every day. Partly because it was free as part of the company’s welfare benefits, but also because working through sleepless nights made me reach for it as an alarm.
â—‡
“Are you the messengers from Echigoya Trading Company?”
The deputy researcher at the Royal Research Institute looked at us suspiciously and asked.
We were in disguise today, and since I was accompanied by three young girls, we probably didn’t look like official messengers.
“Yes, that’s correct. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today.”
We came to hear detailed information about the addictive nature of the coffee candies and cola candies dropped in the tower.
“Is there something you’d like to ask me?”
“Yes, Deputy Researcher—”
“Don’t call me Deputy!”
The confident attitude he had vanished the moment he heard the word “Deputy.”
Now that I think about it, when we met before at the tower, he didn’t like being addressed by his title.
“My apologies. I wanted to ask about the addictive properties of the candy mentioned in the report you submitted to Echigoya Trading Company.”
“Very well. Animal testing didn’t show any significant changes, but—”
The deputy popped a candy from his pocket and crunched it as he continued.
“We observed some individuals, regardless of whether human tribe or demi-humans, who showed an attachment to the candy. Unlike banned drugs, there don’t appear to be severe withdrawal symptoms, but some people experience difficulty concentrating or irritability when abstaining from candy for extended periods.”
The symptoms seem to vary greatly from person to person.
“Is it like when a drinker refrains from alcohol?”
“Indeed, it’s quite similar. According to a researcher from the Saga Empire, it’s close to the feeling when they quit coffee.”
Apparently, the researcher from the Saga Empire is a severe coffee lover, drinking nearly ten cups a day.
“Could it be caffeine addiction?”
“That’s what it sounds like when you listen to it.”
I nodded in agreement as Arisa whispered into my ear.
“Is it the same for both types of candy?”
I asked, recalling that while tea and some other drinks contain caffeine, cola doesn’t have nearly as much.
“What do you mean?”
His eyes gleamed sharply.
“You want to know if only the coffee candy is addictive or if the cola candy is too?”
“Good question. Only the coffee candy is addictive. However, those who consume both candies tend to show the symptoms more frequently.”
“So there’s a synergistic effect?”
“You know difficult words, huh? That’s what I’d like to say, but the sample size is too small to conclude definitively.”
He muttered, “If only we had a bit more budget,” then glanced at me.
His transparent attitude almost made me smile.
“All right. Please submit the necessary budget estimate to Echigoya Trading Company.”
I said that and handed over about 100 gold coins in advance.
“Th-That much?”
The deputy’s hands trembled as he accepted the money.
“No need for exaggerated conclusions; just provide an accurate report regardless of the results.”
“Y-Yes. Leave it to me.”
At Arisa’s insistence, he nodded confidently.
Apparently, insufficient research funding is the same even in another world, because the deputy who seemed different from when we first met kindly escorted us to the entrance of the Royal Research Institute.
“That guy seems to be candy addicted too.”
“Yeah.”
“Crunch, crunch~?”
The deputy kept crunching candies between our conversation.
I don’t know whether someone pointed it out to him or if he noticed himself, but that must be why he wrote about the candy’s addictive nature in his impression report.
â—‡
“Menea.”
“Is my hair pretty~?”
Near the Royal Research Institute, in front of the Royal Academy’s magic school, I spotted Princess Menea.
Tama was gazing with sparkling eyes at Princess Menea’s pink hair.
“Quite popular, huh~”