Chapter 8: An Adult Palate

Chapter 8:
An Adult Palate

 

“THAT SHOULD do it.”

I’d just finished creating a handful of perfumes. Until now, Kirio Drugs only sold one scent. Apparently, that wasn’t nearly enough for our female customers, so I started making more as soon as I could.

Learning that the drugstore needed more scents was quite simple. I’d recently installed a request box, and—after three days—I found that anonymous suggestion inside.

The request box was Mina’s idea. “I think people might be reluctant to tell you directly about plenty of issues,” she’d said, explaining the concept. “They might want a treatment they can’t tell you about face-to-face because you’re male.”

“Hey, Mina? I made the new perfumes,” I called. “Come give ’em a whiff.”

Mina popped into the lab. “Wow! I already smell all sorts of things from here.”

She came over, and I revealed the perfume bottles. “Five new aromas on top of the usual one!”

Mina stared at the prototypes with glee in her eyes. She picked up a small bottle of perfume and smelled it. “Ah…! This one’s refreshing and a bit sweet.”

“I used citrus peels as its base.”

“I see!” Mina grabbed another bottle. “This one’s, um… Well, it reminds me of a flower.”

“Bingo. I made it by combining fruit blossoms with other flowers.”

“Ah! Wonderful.” Mina sniffed the third bottle, tilting her head. “Um…I’m sorry, Mr. Reiji. I’m not quite sure what this is.”

“Wait. Seriously?” You mean it doesn’t smell like anything?

I took the bottle so I could smell the perfume.

“Wha…? That really doesn’t have a specific scent,” I agreed. Why not?

For the record, the perfume did have a scent. I just couldn’t distinguish it. In light of that, I decided to have Noela smell it. She was in the drugstore.

“Noela?” I peeked in.

Noela was slouched over the counter, asleep. You’re supposed to be working, Noela. There’s even a customer!

Specifically, it was Mikoto from the town nearby. She was an energetic young woman—probably fifteen or sixteen years old—with loose, wavy black hair. She swung by sometimes to shop or play with Noela.

“We’re lucky it’s just her,” I muttered.

Mikoto tilted her head inquisitively at me. “What’s kicking, Mr. Manage-Man? Something wrong?”

“That’s Mr. Manager to you, young lady. Our resident fluffball’s being a pain. She isn’t even trying to wait on the customer—you, I mean.”

“No big! I like pinching her cheeks on the sly whenever she’s asleep. It’s all good!”

That’d definitely annoy Noela if she were awake. “Wait. You mean, this isn’t the first time Noela’s slept on the job?”

“Oh, crap.” Regret swept across Mikoto’s face. “Every time she wakes up, she begs me not to tell you, so… Tee hee hee!”

In exchange for Mikoto not tattling, Noela gave the girl tacit permission to enjoy pinching her soft cheeks. I sighed deeply. Still, the timing of the young townswoman’s visit worked out in my favor.

“Do you recognize this scent?” I asked, tipping the perfume bottle toward the girl in front of me.

“Let me see.” Mikoto brought her nose close to the perfume and sniffed. Her eyes sparkled. “Ooh! I don’t recognize it, but let me tell you, it’s really refreshing—like walking through a forest or something!” She kept sniffing at the bottle. Apparently, this scent was a hit with her.

“That’s what I expected,” I replied.

I actually made this perfume’s base from plants and leaves; the idea was that it’d smell revitalizing. For some reason, though, it hadn’t smelled that way earlier. That was bizarre, since I’d definitely smelled foliage when I was creating it.

“I wonder why…”

“What’s wrong, Mr. Manage-Man? You look like you just ate something sour.”

I told Mikoto what transpired in the laboratory.

“Oh!” she nodded. “I might know what happened. You know how, when you eat something really flavorful, then something lighter, you don’t really taste the second food?”

In short, Mikoto thought the reason I couldn’t smell the perfume properly was that my nose got too used to stronger aromas. “You might be right.”

If strong scents keep customers from smelling the differences between the drugstore’s perfumes, that’ll be a problem. I went out of my way to create more scents, but this would render that moot.

Come to think of it… I wasn’t exactly used to perfume shopping, so it hadn’t occurred to me at first, but perfume counters on Earth typically had something on hand that reset customers’ sense of smell. “Coffee beans,” I recalled. “But do those even exist in this world?”

“Kohfee beans? What’re those?!” Mikoto asked.

Knew it. But wait…what if it’s just not called “coffee” here?

Either way, I’d yet to smell or see coffee since arriving in Kalta. That meant that commoners, at least, didn’t know what the stuff was. “Mikoto, could you get me some deodorizer?”

She nodded, grabbing a bottle off the shelf.

She’s watched the store with Noela before. She really knows her way around here, huh?

“Much obliged,” I said, grabbing the deodorizer and sniffing its contents. It didn’t actually have a scent. “Now, what happens if I smell the perfume?”

I sniffed the bottle. Nope. Still no good. Darn!

The deodorizer’s primary use was erasing scents; most customers bought it for their washrooms. It made sense that it didn’t return my sense of smell to normal. “I guess I’ve just got to make a formula that smells similar to coffee,” I concluded.

“You sure seem fired up.” Mikoto squished the slumbering Noela’s face repeatedly.

“Could you watch the store for me, Mikoto?”

“You know I don’t work here, right, Mr. Manage-Man?” she retorted, but she planted herself next to Noela nonetheless. We wouldn’t get many customers for a while, so she’d be okay.

Returning to the lab, I found Mina on the verge of tears, sniffing the other four perfume bottles. “Mr. Reiji! I c-can’t smell anything anymore!”

“Don’t worry. I’m in the same boat. It’ll be all right.”

“Nothing about this is all right! You finally acted on my request for more scents, and now this happens!”

So, Mina submitted that request. When I thought about it, she’d asked me to make more perfumes a while ago too. If I remembered correctly, I just cocked my head in confusion and asked something like, “Why do you need so many?”

I’m so dense sometimes. Mina hadn’t wanted to force me to make new scents, so she hadn’t pressed the issue. Still, she clearly wanted variety; that was why she had me set up the request box.

“I’m going to create something to help us tell scents apart again,” I told Mina.

“You’re a genius, Mr. Reiji. Let me help!”

This time around, Mina worked as my lab assistant. Hoping to make something that smelled similar to coffee, I grabbed herbs, flowers, fruit, tree bark, and even citrus peels. I adjusted the quantities as if the mixture were a coffee blend. “Done!”

 

Fragrance Cleanser: Liquid with an aromatic, bitter, slightly sour odor.

 

Since the liquid was mixed from all kinds of things, it was dark brown—nearly black, actually. It sure looks the part.

I sniffed the fragrance cleanser as a test. “Whoa! It really does smell like coffee.”

Mina also took a whiff, tilting her head at the unfamiliar scent. “Does it smell right, Mr. Reiji? It’s certainly aromatic, but…”

“Heh!” I chuckled, getting on a high horse. “You can be such a child at times.”

Sniffing my new creation again, I looked down condescendingly at the young lady who didn’t appreciate the mature scent of coffee. I smelled one of the perfumes, then another. As the fragrance cleanser’s effect faded, I sniffed it again and proceeded to the third perfume. No problem smelling it!

Mina copied my actions. “Ooh! Mr. Reiji! I smell this just fine!”

“If you ever find yourself getting used to a particular aroma and having trouble telling other scents apart, one whiff of this fragrance cleanser will reset your sense of smell.”

“Amazing!” Mina clapped. Being unable to enjoy the new perfumes must’ve devastated her.

In the drugstore, I put the perfumes on display in a sealed case to ensure their scents didn’t interfere with other products. Just like that, the one scent the drugstore carried became six. Of course, I set the fragrance cleanser right beside the cabinet along with instructions on how to use it.

Mikoto had left a note on the counter that read, “Headin’ home!”

She must’ve been bored out of her mind. Wait…when did she even leave?

 

***

 

A few days later, Elaine—aka Drills—dropped in.

“We have more perfume in stock, Elaine!” Mina exclaimed.

“Really?!”

Mina stood in front of the perfume cabinet, eyes sparkling as she explained the new scents to the equally giddy Elaine. “If you start having trouble telling the perfumes apart, just sniff this,” she said, gesturing at the fragrance cleanser.

Elaine sniffed the mixture. “Ah—I can smell again! Sir Reiji is incredible!”

The girls were pleased as punch. Since Elaine was over the moon, even her butler, Rayne, smelled the new perfumes and tried the fragrance cleanser. “Oh my,” he said with a surprised expression. He peered at me for a moment before leaning in and whispering, “How much does this ‘fragrance cleanser’ cost?”

“I see that you, too, have discerning taste.”

Rayne grinned, nodding as the ladies chattered and laughed. “Indeed.”

“Awesome.”

When I explained that the fragrance cleanser was basically still a prototype, Rayne quietly slipped a request into the drugstore’s request box, looking me in the eye and nodding.

I guess a mature palate is the same, regardless of which world I’m in.

 

***

 

Just as I expected, Rayne requested a proper retail version of the fragrance cleanser.

“That old butler totally gets the appeal of coffee’s scent,” I murmured, “but I wonder whether other ladies and gentlemen will.”

I definitely could’ve sold the fragrance cleanser right away as a nasal medicine and air freshener for the house. “Could I turn it into actual coffee…?”

I decided I might as well try to whip up a drinkable version, regardless of whether folks would enjoy it. Today, I was on store duty with the lake spirit, Vivi; I took all kinds of notes during my work hours.

“I need to make sure it’s still technically a potion.”

“Reiji, is something the matter?” Vivi tilted her head.

“I’m thinking about creating a drinkable version of the fragrance cleanser I made the other day,” I replied.

“I don’t think that would sell very well.”

“Why not?”

“It’s bitter black water.”

“Heh!” I got on my high horse again. “Foolish child.”

“Why would customers want to drink something like that?” Vivi insisted. “I’d rather you made another tasty juice, like your potions.”

“Hey, I run a pharmacy, not a juice bar.”

“Boo!” Vivi cried, frowning.

“Watch the drugstore for me,” I instructed her. “I’m going to go make a prototype.”

“Uh-huh.”

I toiled away in the lab, selecting ingredients and trying different mixing techniques while taking notes.

Suddenly, I heard a voice from the storefront. “Reiji’s lost it, Mina.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s trying to make bitter drinking water!”

“Uh…” Mina hesitated. “Um, to be honest, I’m a bit confused about that too. Why would he ever want to drink that fragrance cleanser?”

“Right? He’s so weird.”

Those young ladies just can’t comprehend an adult’s fine palate. “True relaxation takes the form of a hot cup of joe,” I muttered to myself.

Noela entered the lab. She was bored of hanging out in the living room; it was her day off, but she’d stayed home the whole time.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“What making, Master?”

“A drinkable version of the last product I created.”

Noela’s ears perked up excitedly; her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Groo! Tasty?!”

“Well, this specific taste might be a little much for you right now.” She’d definitely say it was too bitter.

“Garrroooo!” Annoyed by my condescension, she puffed her chest out. “Noela strict about tasty!”

“All right. You’ll be pretty surprised when you try this.”

“Noela excited to drink, Master!”

Noela put on her most critical expression and hung around, waiting to judge my new creation. Sniffing the air, she narrowed her eyes. “What that, Master? Weird smell.”

“See? This is going to be too much for you.” Vivi had described the aroma as “bitter water,” and the first time I drank black coffee, that was frankly how I’d felt about the flavor.

“Arroo?”

“This is the kind of beverage you only appreciate as you get older, Li’l Fluff.” I stroked my nonexistent beard.

Noela didn’t seem to understand what I was getting at. She just cocked her head and left the lab, confused. After a bit of focus and some trial and error, I finally finished my new “treatment.” It was already getting dark outside.

 

Black Potion: Aromatic. Bitter smelling. Tasty hot or cold.

 

That’s coffee, all right.

I didn’t see anything wrong with there being different potion flavors, just like there were different perfume scents. In the kitchen, I heated the black potion and poured some in a mug; its steam rose to my nostrils. As someone who adored coffee, that alone was scrumptious.

If anybody stumbled across me right now, they’d probably complain about the coffee smell or ask why I’m drinking this. I glanced around to ensure I was alone before sipping the hot, black, aromatic potion. It flowed past my lips into my mouth, its scent traveling out my nose.

“Now, this…this hits the spot.”

It had the perfect level of bitterness. I’d adjusted the mixture’s ingredients to produce a slightly sour flavor too, which made for a refreshing aftertaste. The only unfortunate thing was that I used kelembia nuts as the black potion’s primary ingredient. Those were hard to come by, so I couldn’t mass-produce the stuff.

“It’s been a long time since I had a good cup of joe.” I took another sip and let out a long, satisfied sigh.

“See? He’s lost it! Look at his face,” Vivi whispered. She and Mina were spying on me in the kitchen.

“That Mr. Reiji…” Mina murmured. “Did he create something addictive?”

They think I made some narcotic and got myself high. To be fair, people did say that coffee could be addictive if you drank too much. However, there was no caffeine in this black potion. I decided to have the girls try it. I beckoned them, but the pair fled quietly.

“Master! Tasty done?!”

Here we go. My main target. I showed Noela the mug. “Yup! This is it.”

“This?” Noela peered doubtfully into the hot black liquid and then looked up at me again. “Tasty…?”

“Take a sip.” This’ll prove whether Noela’s truly grown up.

“Uh-huh.” Holding the mug in both hands, Noela sniffed the unfamiliar aroma rising up, tilting her head. She took a small sip.

“Arroo?!” Her fur stood straight up.

She’s totally shocked! Just watching her put a smile on my face. That was the look of someone trying coffee for the first time. I can see her response coming. “Bitter! Nasty! Not tasty!”

“So?” I asked. “How is it?”

Noela set the mug on the table gently. She first looked puzzled, then conflicted, then annoyed, before finally sharing her thoughts. “T-tasty.”

There’s no way she means that. It was clear as day that she was holding back. Okay. So, she’s less a child and more a junior high school student who thinks coffee drinkers are cool. I remember feeling like that.

“I call it a black potion,” I told her.

“Groo? Black potion?! Sounds dangerous! Cool!” The fact that Noela latched on to the product’s name backed up my “junior high school student” theory. “But…”

“But what?”

“N-nothing.”

She was probably about to say “But tastes bad.”

“I guess you understand the black potion’s appeal too, Noela.”

“Arroo! Same as Master! Get appeal!” Little Noela exclaimed, trying her best to avoid being treated like a child.

 

***

 

Elaine’s butler, Rayne, dropped in with his young mistress. “About the retail version of your fragrance cleanser, Sir Pharmacist…” he whispered.

“It’s done,” I replied quietly.

“My word!”

I sneakily slid a black potion bottle from under the counter.

“M-my word, indeed!” the butler repeated. “Don’t tell me…this is drinkable?”

“You got it, boss.”

The old man grabbed my hand with both of his. “I’m willing to pay you anything you ask!”

“That won’t be necessary. This is still a prototype. I’d love to hear your thoughts on its flavor when you finish it.”

“You’re truly a saint, Sir Pharmacist!”

Elaine, Noela, and Vivi (who was working) overheard Rayne and I chatting. They chimed in.

“What are you two talking about?” Elaine demanded.

“Sir Pharmacist’s new product. I imagine you may be a wee bit young to drink it, milady,” Rayne replied.

I nodded fiercely. “Too early for Vivi and Elaine.”

“Noela understand. Tasty,” Noela added immediately. “Elaine, Vivi no understand.” The werewolf girl giggled, clearly happy to get on her very own high horse.

Although she’s just pretending.

“When I told my master about your fragrance cleanser, he seemed quite interested,” Rayne informed me.

“Lord Valgas, right? Heh. I suppose I’ll make another bottle, then.”

“Thank you, Sir Pharmacist!”

“If Lord Valgas finds himself exhausted, tell him to drink some of this black potion when no one else is around,” I instructed. “I guarantee he’ll get hooked.”

“You’re quite the rascal.”

I lowered my voice even more, as if I were doing some kind of black market transaction. “I’m just talking to myself here, but…”

Rayne didn’t say anything.

“Kelembia nuts are one of the black potion’s main ingredients,” I continued. “If I had a kilogram of those, I’m sure I could bottle tons of potions.”

“A kilogram, you say…?” The butler immediately took a note. “I’ll make sure to get what you need.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

We exchanged manly smiles before Elaine butted in. “What’re you two talking about?! Tell me at once!”

“You’re not old enough.” That phrase was becoming something of a secret password.

Even on Earth, there were folks who drank coffee and liked its flavor and folks who didn’t. So, there was no guarantee that Lord Valgas would enjoy the stuff. However, that concern ended up being pointless. A while later, Lord Valgas himself visited the drugstore with his butler and a kilogram of kelembia nuts.

“You’re a madman, Sir Reiji!” he exclaimed. “Without your black potions, I can’t work anymore!”

“That sure didn’t take long.” I smirked and shook my head, exasperated, as I handed him the ten bottles I’d made.

Lord Valgas reappeared a few days later, informing me that he recommended the black potions to other aristocrats. Apparently, however, people had mixed opinions on the brew. Of course they did. Normally, things would’ve ended there, but nobles had to act like nobles.

“How could they not understand the black potion’s appeal?!” Lord Valgas and the other coffee-drinking nobles demanded, getting on their high horses. Consequently, the aristocrats who hadn’t enjoyed the new potion began pretending that they did.

“Appreciating your black potion’s flavor is a status symbol in and of itself,” Lord Valgas explained.

It must suck to be an aristocrat, keeping up appearances no matter what.