The New Part-timer at Mr. S's Mystery Shop

The Second Test

After her thigh was fully healed, Anna moved on to the next test Sam set up for her. The meeting point was at the school's kitchen.

"In order to be my worker, you must be knowledgable about different products, ranging from plants to stones," said Sam. "Otherwise you can't persuade people to purchase them."

"Yes sir, I couldn't agree more," Anna nodded.

"So here are some ingredients over there," Sam pointed over the kitchen table. There are things that Anna had seen before and are familiar, such as ruby berries, azure salt, laughing lavender and blue roses, and things that Anna heard or seen for the first time, such as jewel pine, floral cocoa and sunshine lilies.

"Now you can choose as many of those ingredients as you like and create a whole new product," explained Sam. "You can create anything you like: Food, perfume, lotion...that's all up to you. You have 24 hours, so that means the deadline is tomorrow at 12 o'clock. If you passed, your product will be sold at my shop."

"Understood," said Anna.

"Good luck!" waved Sam before disappearing.

"Hmm...what should I make?" thought Anna. "Let me see...there are ruby berries, my second favourite pie filling, and there's beam cheese, one of the most expensive ingredients that even high-end chefs have difficulty affording..." she said as she picked up the glowing white cheese. 

"Hello there sis," said Ace, entering the kitchen. "Are you preparing for your next task?" 

"I am," said Anna. "I need to make a new product that is worthy of being sold in Sam's shop."

"That sounds amazing," smiled Ace. "Since you're so smart and creative, I'm sure you'll do well."

"Thanks, brother," said Anna. "Is it lunch break now?"

"Yes it is. Would you like to have lunch with us?" asked Ace.

"Sure. After that I'll start brainstorming ideas," answered Anna.

The Trappola siblings head to the cafeteria, where Riddle, Deuce, Trey and Cater are waiting for them.

"What takes you so long?" grumbled Cater.

"Apologies, Cater. I gotta pick up my sister," Ace said as she patted Anna's head.

"Mind if I join you guys?" asked Anna politely.

"Of course!" smiled Deuce. "Here, you can sit between me and Riddle."

Riddle, meeting Anna for the second time, immediately blushed and turned his head to the other side.

"Hello dorm leader Rosehearts," said Anna.

"He-hello!" replied Riddle, slightly startled. "Sorry for last time. I was really in a hurry." 

"Don't worry about it. It's totally fine!" giggled Anna. "Well then, what should I get for lunch?"

"If you like spicy food, I recommend this dish. It's called something tofu. Ma...mapi..."

"Mapo Tofu," corrected Trey. "It's a popular dish from a place called China, according to Yuu-kun. He said people from his hometown loved it. He then introduced this dish to the kitchen staff."

"Well, he surely did the right thing. It's delicious!" said Cater.

"Sorry, I'm not really into spicy foods..."said Anna, sweatdropping.

"Then I recommend this omelette rice. It's also very popular back in Yuu-kun's home," said Deuce.

"Speaking of which, who's Yuu-kun?" asked Anna.

"The black-haired guy over there, with a cat on his shoulder," said Ace, pointing towards's Yuu's direction. He is holding a tray full of food, walking towards the group.

"Did someone call me? " asked Yuu.

"Oh hello, Yuu," said Anna. "My name is Anna, Ace's younger sister."

"Nice yo meet you. I'm Yuu and this is Grim," said Yuu, shaking hands with Anna.

"Wow! A cat with flaming ears and a pitchfork tail! So cute!" said Anna as she picked up Yuu and cuddled him.

"Nyaaaaa~what a nice, pretty girl. Unlike her brother who's ugly and nasty," said Grim with a sly grin.

"What did you say!?" shouted Ace.

"Now now, let's eat our lunch," said Trey.

"So Anna, are you a student here?" asked Yuu after settling down.

"No, I'm starting next year," replied Anna. "I'm currently completing tasks set by Sam in order to work part-time at his store."

"That sounds amazing! Good luck!" said Grim. "What kind of task are you up to now?"

"I need to use the magical ingredients provided by Sam to create a new product," said Anna. "If I passed, my product would be sold at his shop!"

"Good luck with that!" said Yuu. He had just finished his meal, so he moved on to his dessert, a cheesecake.

"What kind of magical ingredients would you use?" asked Riddle. 

"I've decided to use the jewel pine, the ruby berries and the beam cheese. I wanted to use more..." said Anna. He than looked at Yuu's cheesecake.

"What kind of cheesecake is that?" asked Anna.

"It's a lavender blueberry cheesecake," replied Yuu. "The cake part itself is good, but the biscuit base is delicious too. They've added diamond coconut flakes."

"Diamond coconut...theere were a few among those ingredients..."mumbled Anna. Suddenly a light bulb appeared on her head.

"I know exactly what to make!" she exclaimed. She then ran towards the kitchen.

"Hey Anna! You haven't ordered your lunch yet!" shouted Ace.

"Order an omelette rice with orange juice and pack it up for me please! I'll eat it later!" said Anna.

After 3 hours, Anna presented her product to Sam at his office inside the shop.

"Wow that was fast!" Sam was surprised. "So, what did you create?"

"It's a two cheesecakes-in-one box," explained Anna. She then pointed to the left cheesecake, which has a red marbled pattern and decorated with a dollop of whipped cream and some ruby berries.

"This one's a baked ruby berry cheesecake," said Anna. "There's a biscuit base with laughing lavender."

She then pointed to the next cheesecake with pieces of yellow fruit in it, and decorated with some bruleed said yellow fruit and mint leaves.

"This one's a jewel pine cheesecake. Unlike the ruby berry cheesecake, it's chilled and in the base I added diamond coconut flakes."

"Mmm...they sound delicious. Well decorated too," said Sam. "I can see you used beam cheese for both cheesecakes. They're glowing!"

Sam than took out a fork and had a taste of the ruby berry cheesecake.

"Wow...ha..hahahaha! It's...hahaha...very tasty!" Sam bursted out laughing due to the effects of the laughing lavender.

"Need some sunshine lily tea?" asked Anna nervously. The sunshine lily is the antidote for the laughing lavender.

"Gee thanks!" said Sam while breathing heavily. He took a sip of the sunshine lily tea and was back to normal.

"I shall move on to the jewel pine cheesecake," said Sam. "Mmm, it has a tropical taste. Did you cook the jewel pine pieces with rum?"

"I did indeed," said Anna.

"It adds a kick to it," said Sam. "No doubt. You passed!"

"Yes!" said Anna. 

"You still have one more test to go. Since you did so well in the first two tasks, I'll give you a one-week break," said Sam.

"Thank you!" said Anna. "I can't wait for the final task. I'll do anything you throw at me. Just watch!"