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** Ran plays this role in the cafe, becoming much more shy and mousy around customers and even handing their food at arms' length before sprinting off.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru is very much this off-camera, admitting to not feeling as confident as when he’s dressed up.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru is very much this off-camera, admitting to not feeling as confident as when he’s dressed up.
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** Ran plays this role in the cafe, becoming much more shy and mousy around customers and even handing their food at arms' length before sprinting off.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru isvery much this mousy and introverted off-camera, admitting to not feeling as confident as when he’s dressed up.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru is
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%%* TransTribulations: Hideri has gone through a lot after coming out, up to and including a violently unsupportive father, dealing with transphobic bullies at school before transferring, and finding a job that ''isn't'' a sleazy otokonoko cafe. She’s admittedly jealous of her half-sister Ivy at first, who’s shown to be on estrogen pills once she’s introduced.
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* SkewedPriorities: A chapter during Hideri’s arc touches on an incident during her childhood where she had gotten into her mother’s makeup at four years old. Aoki panics about how Hideri may have eaten the lipstick, while Haruka is relieved that she didn’t get into her expensive, recently bought lipsticks.
to:
* SkewedPriorities: A chapter during Hideri’s arc touches on an incident during her childhood where she had gotten into her mother’s makeup at four years old. Aoki panics about how Hideri may have eaten the lipstick, lipstick (and it's implied that she did), while Haruka is relieved that she didn’t get into her expensive, recently bought lipsticks.makeup.
Deleted line(s) 109,110 (click to see context) :
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Used In-Universe, where Miu reads over a script she had written when she was younger… which concedes with one of these.
-> '''Miu''': Yeah, this is definitely something I wrote in middle school.
-> '''Miu''': Yeah, this is definitely something I wrote in middle school.
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moved contents of DarthWiki.Premium Blend to proper title page
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After failing to secure a job yet again, sixteen year old Maika Sakuranomiya stumbles upon a certain cafe on her way home. She gets hired on the spot, and thinks luck is finally in her favor, until she learns about the cafe's quirky nature.
Written as a Fix Fic for the [[Manga/BlendS manga/anime series]], ''Blend-S: Premium Blend'' fleshes out the Stile cafe’s employees, both new faces and old, and gives a peek into their lives, with added emphasis on the found family aspect of it all.
The series is presented in five "volumes", each focusing on a specific waitress and her daily life. A second installment simply titled ''Premium Beans'' puts more focus on other characters closely related to the waitresses, such as family.
----
!!Examples:
* AccidentalInnuendo: Yumekawa suggests a cat-themed day where the waitresses all wear cat ears, fake tails and collars in an attempt to advertise a cat shelter she regularly volunteers at. Miu, while [[CovertPervert interested]], shoots this down almost immediately on the basis of Stile not being ''that'' kind of cafe.
* AdaptationalAngstUpgrade: Though still keeping the series' lighthearted slice of life nature, several darker moments are sprinkled throughout the fanfic.
* AdaptationalDiversity: Most, if not all of the main cast are LGBTQ+ in some way. Per WordOfGod, though said jokingly:
-->''“It’s my comfort project and I decide that [[CastFullOfGay all of Stile is queer]].”''
* AdaptationDyeJob: Miu's eye color is changed to green, though interestingly here they're [[EyesAlwaysShut always closed]].
* AdaptationNameChange: Here, Dino is given the full name of Romeo Loggia, with Dino being an AffectionateNickname due to his habit of showing up to work in a different dinosaur jacket each week.
* AdaptationRelationshipOverhaul:
** Many relationships are changed here, most prominent is that Maika and Dino's AgeGapRomance is downgraded into a one-sided [[PrecociousCrush puppy crush]] on Maika's end, with the two forming more of a [[LikeASonToMe father/daughter relationship]] instead.
** Dino and Akizuki are depicted here as longtime college friends.
* AlternateUniverseFic: While still keeping in line with canon, the fic diverges in quite a few different ways.
* AttractiveBentGender: While cute in general, Haru turns out to make a ''very'' attractive girl when he streams as Milkyu.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Milkyu admits to having idolized Hideri, after the latter came to his defense during one of his streams that got raided.
* BeneathTheMask:
** Underneath all of her genuine enthusiasm, Maika often worries about as being seen as too weird or annoying due to her [[ForeignCultureFetish special interest]] in foreign culture.
** Despite being reasonably successful where she is, Miu admits to still having some doubts about her ''doujin'' abilities.
** Hideri's [[{{Narcissist}} big ego]] turns out to be [[BigEgoHiddenDepths a front to mask her issues]], such as her occasional insecurity or bouts of dysphoria-fueled anxiety and depression.
** Haru turns out to be very guarded and shy off air, admitting to feeling less confident when he’s not dressed up.
* {{Bifauxnen}}: Yumekawa is ''very'' handsome, to the point where the other waitresses think she’s a guy at first.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Needless to say, Akizuki is surprised when he starts developing this towards Hideri.
* BigEgoHiddenDepths: Hidden far underneath Hideri’s desire to be the absolute cutest, is an insecure and anxious individual. In fact, her narcissitic personality started as a "fake it 'til you make it" coping mechanism to deal with her dysphoria-fueled anxiety.
* BoyishShortHair: When not working, Mafuyu cuts their hair in a tomboyish short style.
* BumblingDad: Dino is clumsy, flighty, and often forgetful, but ends up displaying a lot of fatherly instincts towards the waitresses, especially the younger girls like Maika and Kaho.
* CannotSpitItOut:
** Though she's the first to [[ObliviousToLove actually get a grip on her feelings]], Kaho becomes increasingly and uncharacteristically awkward in trying to spit out her feelings for Hideri. [[TwiceShy Not that Hideri is any better about it either]].
** Maika has a ''noticeable'' crush on Ivy, but is unable to admit so for a variety of reasons.
* CanonForeigner: The series introduces several original characters into the cast, most notably the three new waitresses: Ivy, Ran, and Yumekawa.
* ContinuityNod: Some events in the original series still play out here, such as the ski trip and [[BeachEpisode first trip to the beach]]. Two later story characters, Ayato and Milkyu (with the given full name of Haru Hirose) also become part of the cast as well.
* CosplayCafe: Cafe Stile, naturally. This gets taken to its logical extreme when the gang decide to do a cosplay event at the cafe for Halloween, with some of the nerdier staff fully leaning into video game cosplays.
* CountryMouse: Aoki Kanzaki, a quiet, mild-mannered farmer’s son, who fell head over heels for IdolSinger Haruka and happily married her after she retired.
* ClosetKey: Being around Kaho eventually results in Hideri realizing that she likes girls... and that she ''REALLY'' likes Kaho in particular.
* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: All of the Stile waitresses are often represented by a color, usually the same as their uniform.
** Maika: Pink
** Kaho: Baby blue
** Mafuyu: Yellow
** Miu: Purple
** Hideri: Turquoise
** Ivy: Orange
** Ran: Navy blue
** Yumekawa: White
* {{Crossdresser}}:
** While already [[{{Bifauxnen}} handsome enough]], Yumekawa dresses more masculine when not working at the cafe, which she attributes to working with animals.
** Haru, better known as his crossdressing streamer persona Milkyu, becomes a regular cafe visitor.
* DeadpanSnarker: Akizuki, the same way he is in canon. Though as time goes on he starts reigning in his tendency for this.
* DeconstructionFic: Many aspects of the original manga are taken apart and eventually reconstructed here, such as Dino and Maika's AgeGapRomance.[[labelnote: Explanation]]Here, Maika develops a PrecociousCrush on Dino, who is understandably [[{{Squick}} uncomfortable]] that a sixteen year old girl likes him in ''that'' way. One that he's begun seeing as a [[LikeASonToMe surrogate daughter]], no less.[[/labelnote]]
* DiagnosisOfGod: WordOfGod confirms that both Maika and Hideri are autistic, and passing mentions of this are sometimes sprinkled in chapters. Case in point, Maika has an obvious special interest in [[ForeignCultureFetish foreign culture]] while there's a minor scene that ends in Hideri giggling and happy stimming. Aww.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ''Of Surprises and Shocks'', once originally intended as an in-universe prequel, was written before ''Premium Blend'' which results in a lot of elements that never made it into the latter, one of which being Aoki as an [[AbusiveParents incredibly abusive father]].
* EdibleThemeNaming: Yumekawa makes a point to name any and all pets she takes in after sweets. Case in point, her three kittens are named Oreo, Matcha, and Creampuff.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Haru Hirose is usually only addressed as his crossdressing/streaming persona, Milkyu.
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Kaho and Hideri are blissfully, ''painfully'' oblivious to their feelings towards each other. The others aren't.
* FamilyMan: ''Premium Beans'' introduces Aoki Kanzaki, a gentle farmer’s son who deeply loves his wife and daughter. What’s the first thing Hideri does upon seeing Aoki visit Stilé? [[TheGlomp She immediately runs to tackle-hug him]] before the poor man has made one step into the cafe.
* FanVerse: ''DarthWiki/OfSurprisesAndShocks'', a diary fic based in Hideri's point of view, takes place in the same universe as ''Premium Blend'' and is intended as a sort of prequel fic.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Ivy’s introduction plays out in a largely similar way to Hideri’s. Later on we learn that [[spoiler: the two are half-sisters]].
* FreudianSlip: Hideri accidentally calls Akizuki “dad” on more than one occasion, a side affect of their LikeBrotherAndSister status.
* GirlOnGirlIsHot:
** Actually downplayed in the case of Akizuki, with his interest in the YuriGenre being [[{{Retcon}} retconned]] into young, pre-transition Akizuki mistakenly identifying as a lesbian.
** On a more straight (heh) example, Ran is sometimes a little ''too'' eager to provide Miu some “inspiration” for a [[CovertPervert steamy yuri doujin]]…
* GlamorousSingleMother: It turns out Ivy’s mother never remarried after splitting from her now deceased abusive husband, and is shown to be carrying on well for herself anyway.
%%* HappilyMarried:
* IdolSinger:
** When she's not playing this role while working at the cafe, Hideri aspires to be one for real. It helps that idols are also her special interest.
** Haruka proves that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree, being a former idol herself, only retiring late into her idol career after starting a family.
* InnocentlyInsensitive: After learning that his streamer persona Milkyu helped in spurring Hideri’s transition, Haru’s first action is to ask if she’s medically transitioned yet… i.e., ''surgery''. Though he quickly walks back his statement and apologizes.
* KindheartedCatLover: Yumekawa absolutely ''adores'' cats, to the point of dreaming about Stile becoming a cat cafe. The others are completely nonplussed to hear that Yumekawa fosters kittens and works at the cafe to provide for such.
* {{Kuudere}}: Yumekawa takes on this role at the cafe, acting cold and distant towards cafe patrons. Her [[TheQuietOne softspoken voice]] adds an extra layer of convincing to the act.
* LGBTAwakening:
** Or as Hideri would put it, “[[UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} the moment her egg cracked]]”, this moment happening when she took up crossdressing in middle school prior to coming out.
** Maika has one of her own after getting over her one-sided PrecociousCrush on Dino, with the realization that [[spoiler: she's crushing on Ivy]].
* LikeBrotherAndSister: The normally [[{{Tsundere}} prickly]] Akizuki admits to seeing Hideri as "the annoying little sister he never had". WordOfGod describes their relationship dynamic as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0YBP1ve5rw "Dad look, it's the good kush"]] Vine.
* MagicalGirl: Ivy plays this role when working at the cafe, much to Mafuyu's adoration. She even sewed tiny plush wings onto the back of her cafe uniform just to commit to the magical girl bit.
* MasculineGirlFeminineBoy: Local {{Bifauxnen}} Yumekawa surprisingly ends up befriending the WholesomeCrossdresser Haru, after the two bond over a love of animals. Ivy even ends up calling this out:
-->'''Ivy:''' We have the whole set now! A super-cute guy and a handsome lady!
* MythologyGag: Hideri dealing with cockroaches. Though after the initial incident she sticks to the classic cup trap method of dealing with them (as opposed to ''throwing them'' out of windows). But even she refuses to deal with the ''[[EveryoneHasStandards flying]]'' ones, though.
* NoblewomansLaugh: Mafuyu admits this is their ''favorite'' part of playing the himedere at Stile, solely because of how stupidly cheesy it is. [[SerialEscalation And then Maika picks it up as a vocal stim]].
* NonUniformUniform: All of the waitresses' cafe uniforms are visually distinct in some way. Kaho wears a small tie and blue high-tops with hers, Miu wears black tights instead of the standard cafe kneesocks, Mafuyu's is more of a ''dress'' than anything, fitting her {{Ojou}} role at the cafe, and so on.
* NoRespectGuy: [[PlayedForLaughs Played entirely for laughs]]. The others often jokingly deride Dino as useless due to his clumsiness and occasional procrastination, though it's all in good fun and he takes it in stride.
* {{Ojou}}: Mafuyu plays this role at the cafe, instead of the "little sister" role. Maika initially assumes they mean the role of a prim and proper PrincessClassic... only to learn that Mafuyu prefers playing the RoyalBrat instead.
* QueerEstablishingMoment: Several:
** Dino is revealed to be bisexual after Mafuyu scolds him for leaving a rather raunchy BL novel out in the open in the break room, not wanting Maika to stumble upon it.
--> '''Mafuyu:''' We don't need another 'tied-up schoolgirl' incident.
** Hideri comes out to her new co-workers as a trans girl almost as soon as she's hired.
** Kaho's moment comes when [[spoiler: she and Hideri awkwardly admit their feelings for each other]] after some encouragement from the rest of the staff.
** Akizuki comes out to Hideri as a trans man after he runs into her on a day off, casually coming out to the Stile employees' group chat a day later.
** And finally, Maika gets her own after she realizes that not only does she [[LGBTAwakening like girls]], she also likes Ivy in particular.
* RoyalBrat: Mafuyu takes on the role of a [[{{Ojou}} himedere]] this time around, a complete 180 from their usual stoicism. Turns out they end up ''reveling'' in this and ends up developing a weird fondness (in their words) for {{Ojou}}-type characters.
* SailorEarth: The newly hired OriginalCharacter waitresses Ivy, Ran, and Yumekawa.
* ShoutOut:
** [[WebVideo/RealTimeFandub “No, Maika. We are not serving the Factory Reset cocktail as a sadistic drink.”]]
** References to ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' crop up quite a lot. Case in point:
*** Hideri and Kaho cosplaying as [[VideoGame/Splatoon2 Pearl and Marina]] for the cafe’s Halloween cosplay event, with the latter considering getting the former hooked on the series her biggest accomplishment.
*** During the Halloween cosplay arc, she also comments that Hideri would make a really convincing Marie, [[ObliviousToLove something which]] [[LuminescentBlush really sets her off]].
** In the days (and chapters) leading up to the cosplay Halloween event, the waitresses discuss possible costume options. Miu posits that Maika would ''really'' steal the show if she dressed as either [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]] or an [[SexyWhateverOutfit incredibly dolled-up version]] of Mario. Hell, this chapter is even titled “''[[VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey Maika’s Odyssey]]''”.
** In one chapter, the Stile gang ends up discussing their [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Smash mains]] and introducing Maika to the game (though this is mostly video games as a whole, it was just ''Smash'' specifically that came up).[[note]]WordOfGod confirms that Maika mains Mario, Kaho mains Falco, Mafuyu mains Pit, Miu mains Luigi and Mr. Game & Watch, Hideri mains Inkling, Akizuki mains Lucina (though he has an prefers playing swordfighters in general, and Dino mains Mii Gunner.[[/note]]
* ShrinkingViolet:
** Ran plays this role in the cafe, becoming much more shy and mousy around customers and even handing their food at arms' length before sprinting off.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru is very much this off-camera, admitting to not feeling as confident as when he’s dressed up.
* SickEpisode: Volume 5's "Idols Can't Take Sick Days"[[labelnote:*]]jokingly given the subtitle of "[[PrecisionFStrike Hideri fucking dies]]"[[/labelnote]]. The chapter largely centers around Hideri unsuccessfully attempting to pull off WorkingThroughTheCold, getting drenched in a downpour in the process, and culminating in [[ShipTease Kaho deciding to nurse her back to health]].
* SkewedPriorities: A chapter during Hideri’s arc touches on an incident during her childhood where she had gotten into her mother’s makeup at four years old. Aoki panics about how Hideri may have eaten the lipstick, while Haruka is relieved that she didn’t get into her expensive, recently bought lipsticks.
* SleepCute: While on a train ride home from work, Hideri falls asleep and ends up resting on Kaho's shoulder. Of course, considering how both girls are [[ObliviousToLove blissfully unaware of their feelings for each other]], Kaho [[LuminescentBlush panics]].
* SoBeautifulItsACurse: Haru’s [[DudeLooksLikeALady incredibly cute looks]] attracted a lot of positive, but ultimately unwarranted attention in elementary and middle school, which only served to make him even shyer.
* TeamDad: Dino ends up taking this role amongst the younger waitresses. This gets PlayedForLaughs when Maika gifts him a "World's Best Dad" mug.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Used In-Universe, where Miu reads over a script she had written when she was younger… which concedes with one of these.
-> '''Miu''': Yeah, this is definitely something I wrote in middle school.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: Wholly PlayedForLaughs: Kaho succeeds in getting Hideri hooked on ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'', but is absolutely (but comically) horrified to learn that she’s taken up maining ''chargers''.
* TokenMinority: Ivy, a mixed Afro-Japanese girl, is introduced into the cast of primarily Japanese waitresses.
* TomboyWithAGirlyStreak: Kaho has less than feminine hobbies, but still makes sure to some makeup before going out.
%%* TransTribulations: Hideri has gone through a lot after coming out, up to and including a violently unsupportive father, dealing with transphobic bullies at school before transferring, and finding a job that ''isn't'' a sleazy otokonoko cafe. She’s admittedly jealous of her half-sister Ivy at first, who’s shown to be on estrogen pills once she’s introduced.
* {{Tsundere}}: Kaho plays this role while working, the same as she does in canon.
* TwiceShy: While Kaho is incredibly awkward about what she now realizes is a massive crush on Hideri, the latter isn't any better about it either.
* WholesomeCrossdresser:
** [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] in the case of Hideri, a trans girl who openly mentions how crossdressing was part of her LGBTAwakening.
** Haru is a gender-nonconforming boy, who at first only crossdresses when he’s streaming as his online persona, Milkyu. He slowly grows more confident to dress up more often after some encouragement from the Stile gang.
Written as a Fix Fic for the [[Manga/BlendS manga/anime series]], ''Blend-S: Premium Blend'' fleshes out the Stile cafe’s employees, both new faces and old, and gives a peek into their lives, with added emphasis on the found family aspect of it all.
The series is presented in five "volumes", each focusing on a specific waitress and her daily life. A second installment simply titled ''Premium Beans'' puts more focus on other characters closely related to the waitresses, such as family.
----
!!Examples:
* AccidentalInnuendo: Yumekawa suggests a cat-themed day where the waitresses all wear cat ears, fake tails and collars in an attempt to advertise a cat shelter she regularly volunteers at. Miu, while [[CovertPervert interested]], shoots this down almost immediately on the basis of Stile not being ''that'' kind of cafe.
* AdaptationalAngstUpgrade: Though still keeping the series' lighthearted slice of life nature, several darker moments are sprinkled throughout the fanfic.
* AdaptationalDiversity: Most, if not all of the main cast are LGBTQ+ in some way. Per WordOfGod, though said jokingly:
-->''“It’s my comfort project and I decide that [[CastFullOfGay all of Stile is queer]].”''
* AdaptationDyeJob: Miu's eye color is changed to green, though interestingly here they're [[EyesAlwaysShut always closed]].
* AdaptationNameChange: Here, Dino is given the full name of Romeo Loggia, with Dino being an AffectionateNickname due to his habit of showing up to work in a different dinosaur jacket each week.
* AdaptationRelationshipOverhaul:
** Many relationships are changed here, most prominent is that Maika and Dino's AgeGapRomance is downgraded into a one-sided [[PrecociousCrush puppy crush]] on Maika's end, with the two forming more of a [[LikeASonToMe father/daughter relationship]] instead.
** Dino and Akizuki are depicted here as longtime college friends.
* AlternateUniverseFic: While still keeping in line with canon, the fic diverges in quite a few different ways.
* AttractiveBentGender: While cute in general, Haru turns out to make a ''very'' attractive girl when he streams as Milkyu.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Milkyu admits to having idolized Hideri, after the latter came to his defense during one of his streams that got raided.
* BeneathTheMask:
** Underneath all of her genuine enthusiasm, Maika often worries about as being seen as too weird or annoying due to her [[ForeignCultureFetish special interest]] in foreign culture.
** Despite being reasonably successful where she is, Miu admits to still having some doubts about her ''doujin'' abilities.
** Hideri's [[{{Narcissist}} big ego]] turns out to be [[BigEgoHiddenDepths a front to mask her issues]], such as her occasional insecurity or bouts of dysphoria-fueled anxiety and depression.
** Haru turns out to be very guarded and shy off air, admitting to feeling less confident when he’s not dressed up.
* {{Bifauxnen}}: Yumekawa is ''very'' handsome, to the point where the other waitresses think she’s a guy at first.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Needless to say, Akizuki is surprised when he starts developing this towards Hideri.
* BigEgoHiddenDepths: Hidden far underneath Hideri’s desire to be the absolute cutest, is an insecure and anxious individual. In fact, her narcissitic personality started as a "fake it 'til you make it" coping mechanism to deal with her dysphoria-fueled anxiety.
* BoyishShortHair: When not working, Mafuyu cuts their hair in a tomboyish short style.
* BumblingDad: Dino is clumsy, flighty, and often forgetful, but ends up displaying a lot of fatherly instincts towards the waitresses, especially the younger girls like Maika and Kaho.
* CannotSpitItOut:
** Though she's the first to [[ObliviousToLove actually get a grip on her feelings]], Kaho becomes increasingly and uncharacteristically awkward in trying to spit out her feelings for Hideri. [[TwiceShy Not that Hideri is any better about it either]].
** Maika has a ''noticeable'' crush on Ivy, but is unable to admit so for a variety of reasons.
* CanonForeigner: The series introduces several original characters into the cast, most notably the three new waitresses: Ivy, Ran, and Yumekawa.
* ContinuityNod: Some events in the original series still play out here, such as the ski trip and [[BeachEpisode first trip to the beach]]. Two later story characters, Ayato and Milkyu (with the given full name of Haru Hirose) also become part of the cast as well.
* CosplayCafe: Cafe Stile, naturally. This gets taken to its logical extreme when the gang decide to do a cosplay event at the cafe for Halloween, with some of the nerdier staff fully leaning into video game cosplays.
* CountryMouse: Aoki Kanzaki, a quiet, mild-mannered farmer’s son, who fell head over heels for IdolSinger Haruka and happily married her after she retired.
* ClosetKey: Being around Kaho eventually results in Hideri realizing that she likes girls... and that she ''REALLY'' likes Kaho in particular.
* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: All of the Stile waitresses are often represented by a color, usually the same as their uniform.
** Maika: Pink
** Kaho: Baby blue
** Mafuyu: Yellow
** Miu: Purple
** Hideri: Turquoise
** Ivy: Orange
** Ran: Navy blue
** Yumekawa: White
* {{Crossdresser}}:
** While already [[{{Bifauxnen}} handsome enough]], Yumekawa dresses more masculine when not working at the cafe, which she attributes to working with animals.
** Haru, better known as his crossdressing streamer persona Milkyu, becomes a regular cafe visitor.
* DeadpanSnarker: Akizuki, the same way he is in canon. Though as time goes on he starts reigning in his tendency for this.
* DeconstructionFic: Many aspects of the original manga are taken apart and eventually reconstructed here, such as Dino and Maika's AgeGapRomance.[[labelnote: Explanation]]Here, Maika develops a PrecociousCrush on Dino, who is understandably [[{{Squick}} uncomfortable]] that a sixteen year old girl likes him in ''that'' way. One that he's begun seeing as a [[LikeASonToMe surrogate daughter]], no less.[[/labelnote]]
* DiagnosisOfGod: WordOfGod confirms that both Maika and Hideri are autistic, and passing mentions of this are sometimes sprinkled in chapters. Case in point, Maika has an obvious special interest in [[ForeignCultureFetish foreign culture]] while there's a minor scene that ends in Hideri giggling and happy stimming. Aww.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ''Of Surprises and Shocks'', once originally intended as an in-universe prequel, was written before ''Premium Blend'' which results in a lot of elements that never made it into the latter, one of which being Aoki as an [[AbusiveParents incredibly abusive father]].
* EdibleThemeNaming: Yumekawa makes a point to name any and all pets she takes in after sweets. Case in point, her three kittens are named Oreo, Matcha, and Creampuff.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Haru Hirose is usually only addressed as his crossdressing/streaming persona, Milkyu.
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Kaho and Hideri are blissfully, ''painfully'' oblivious to their feelings towards each other. The others aren't.
* FamilyMan: ''Premium Beans'' introduces Aoki Kanzaki, a gentle farmer’s son who deeply loves his wife and daughter. What’s the first thing Hideri does upon seeing Aoki visit Stilé? [[TheGlomp She immediately runs to tackle-hug him]] before the poor man has made one step into the cafe.
* FanVerse: ''DarthWiki/OfSurprisesAndShocks'', a diary fic based in Hideri's point of view, takes place in the same universe as ''Premium Blend'' and is intended as a sort of prequel fic.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Ivy’s introduction plays out in a largely similar way to Hideri’s. Later on we learn that [[spoiler: the two are half-sisters]].
* FreudianSlip: Hideri accidentally calls Akizuki “dad” on more than one occasion, a side affect of their LikeBrotherAndSister status.
* GirlOnGirlIsHot:
** Actually downplayed in the case of Akizuki, with his interest in the YuriGenre being [[{{Retcon}} retconned]] into young, pre-transition Akizuki mistakenly identifying as a lesbian.
** On a more straight (heh) example, Ran is sometimes a little ''too'' eager to provide Miu some “inspiration” for a [[CovertPervert steamy yuri doujin]]…
* GlamorousSingleMother: It turns out Ivy’s mother never remarried after splitting from her now deceased abusive husband, and is shown to be carrying on well for herself anyway.
%%* HappilyMarried:
* IdolSinger:
** When she's not playing this role while working at the cafe, Hideri aspires to be one for real. It helps that idols are also her special interest.
** Haruka proves that the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree, being a former idol herself, only retiring late into her idol career after starting a family.
* InnocentlyInsensitive: After learning that his streamer persona Milkyu helped in spurring Hideri’s transition, Haru’s first action is to ask if she’s medically transitioned yet… i.e., ''surgery''. Though he quickly walks back his statement and apologizes.
* KindheartedCatLover: Yumekawa absolutely ''adores'' cats, to the point of dreaming about Stile becoming a cat cafe. The others are completely nonplussed to hear that Yumekawa fosters kittens and works at the cafe to provide for such.
* {{Kuudere}}: Yumekawa takes on this role at the cafe, acting cold and distant towards cafe patrons. Her [[TheQuietOne softspoken voice]] adds an extra layer of convincing to the act.
* LGBTAwakening:
** Or as Hideri would put it, “[[UsefulNotes/{{Transgender}} the moment her egg cracked]]”, this moment happening when she took up crossdressing in middle school prior to coming out.
** Maika has one of her own after getting over her one-sided PrecociousCrush on Dino, with the realization that [[spoiler: she's crushing on Ivy]].
* LikeBrotherAndSister: The normally [[{{Tsundere}} prickly]] Akizuki admits to seeing Hideri as "the annoying little sister he never had". WordOfGod describes their relationship dynamic as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0YBP1ve5rw "Dad look, it's the good kush"]] Vine.
* MagicalGirl: Ivy plays this role when working at the cafe, much to Mafuyu's adoration. She even sewed tiny plush wings onto the back of her cafe uniform just to commit to the magical girl bit.
* MasculineGirlFeminineBoy: Local {{Bifauxnen}} Yumekawa surprisingly ends up befriending the WholesomeCrossdresser Haru, after the two bond over a love of animals. Ivy even ends up calling this out:
-->'''Ivy:''' We have the whole set now! A super-cute guy and a handsome lady!
* MythologyGag: Hideri dealing with cockroaches. Though after the initial incident she sticks to the classic cup trap method of dealing with them (as opposed to ''throwing them'' out of windows). But even she refuses to deal with the ''[[EveryoneHasStandards flying]]'' ones, though.
* NoblewomansLaugh: Mafuyu admits this is their ''favorite'' part of playing the himedere at Stile, solely because of how stupidly cheesy it is. [[SerialEscalation And then Maika picks it up as a vocal stim]].
* NonUniformUniform: All of the waitresses' cafe uniforms are visually distinct in some way. Kaho wears a small tie and blue high-tops with hers, Miu wears black tights instead of the standard cafe kneesocks, Mafuyu's is more of a ''dress'' than anything, fitting her {{Ojou}} role at the cafe, and so on.
* NoRespectGuy: [[PlayedForLaughs Played entirely for laughs]]. The others often jokingly deride Dino as useless due to his clumsiness and occasional procrastination, though it's all in good fun and he takes it in stride.
* {{Ojou}}: Mafuyu plays this role at the cafe, instead of the "little sister" role. Maika initially assumes they mean the role of a prim and proper PrincessClassic... only to learn that Mafuyu prefers playing the RoyalBrat instead.
* QueerEstablishingMoment: Several:
** Dino is revealed to be bisexual after Mafuyu scolds him for leaving a rather raunchy BL novel out in the open in the break room, not wanting Maika to stumble upon it.
--> '''Mafuyu:''' We don't need another 'tied-up schoolgirl' incident.
** Hideri comes out to her new co-workers as a trans girl almost as soon as she's hired.
** Kaho's moment comes when [[spoiler: she and Hideri awkwardly admit their feelings for each other]] after some encouragement from the rest of the staff.
** Akizuki comes out to Hideri as a trans man after he runs into her on a day off, casually coming out to the Stile employees' group chat a day later.
** And finally, Maika gets her own after she realizes that not only does she [[LGBTAwakening like girls]], she also likes Ivy in particular.
* RoyalBrat: Mafuyu takes on the role of a [[{{Ojou}} himedere]] this time around, a complete 180 from their usual stoicism. Turns out they end up ''reveling'' in this and ends up developing a weird fondness (in their words) for {{Ojou}}-type characters.
* SailorEarth: The newly hired OriginalCharacter waitresses Ivy, Ran, and Yumekawa.
* ShoutOut:
** [[WebVideo/RealTimeFandub “No, Maika. We are not serving the Factory Reset cocktail as a sadistic drink.”]]
** References to ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' crop up quite a lot. Case in point:
*** Hideri and Kaho cosplaying as [[VideoGame/Splatoon2 Pearl and Marina]] for the cafe’s Halloween cosplay event, with the latter considering getting the former hooked on the series her biggest accomplishment.
*** During the Halloween cosplay arc, she also comments that Hideri would make a really convincing Marie, [[ObliviousToLove something which]] [[LuminescentBlush really sets her off]].
** In the days (and chapters) leading up to the cosplay Halloween event, the waitresses discuss possible costume options. Miu posits that Maika would ''really'' steal the show if she dressed as either [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]] or an [[SexyWhateverOutfit incredibly dolled-up version]] of Mario. Hell, this chapter is even titled “''[[VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey Maika’s Odyssey]]''”.
** In one chapter, the Stile gang ends up discussing their [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Smash mains]] and introducing Maika to the game (though this is mostly video games as a whole, it was just ''Smash'' specifically that came up).[[note]]WordOfGod confirms that Maika mains Mario, Kaho mains Falco, Mafuyu mains Pit, Miu mains Luigi and Mr. Game & Watch, Hideri mains Inkling, Akizuki mains Lucina (though he has an prefers playing swordfighters in general, and Dino mains Mii Gunner.[[/note]]
* ShrinkingViolet:
** Ran plays this role in the cafe, becoming much more shy and mousy around customers and even handing their food at arms' length before sprinting off.
** When he’s not streaming as Milkyu, Haru is very much this off-camera, admitting to not feeling as confident as when he’s dressed up.
* SickEpisode: Volume 5's "Idols Can't Take Sick Days"[[labelnote:*]]jokingly given the subtitle of "[[PrecisionFStrike Hideri fucking dies]]"[[/labelnote]]. The chapter largely centers around Hideri unsuccessfully attempting to pull off WorkingThroughTheCold, getting drenched in a downpour in the process, and culminating in [[ShipTease Kaho deciding to nurse her back to health]].
* SkewedPriorities: A chapter during Hideri’s arc touches on an incident during her childhood where she had gotten into her mother’s makeup at four years old. Aoki panics about how Hideri may have eaten the lipstick, while Haruka is relieved that she didn’t get into her expensive, recently bought lipsticks.
* SleepCute: While on a train ride home from work, Hideri falls asleep and ends up resting on Kaho's shoulder. Of course, considering how both girls are [[ObliviousToLove blissfully unaware of their feelings for each other]], Kaho [[LuminescentBlush panics]].
* SoBeautifulItsACurse: Haru’s [[DudeLooksLikeALady incredibly cute looks]] attracted a lot of positive, but ultimately unwarranted attention in elementary and middle school, which only served to make him even shyer.
* TeamDad: Dino ends up taking this role amongst the younger waitresses. This gets PlayedForLaughs when Maika gifts him a "World's Best Dad" mug.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Used In-Universe, where Miu reads over a script she had written when she was younger… which concedes with one of these.
-> '''Miu''': Yeah, this is definitely something I wrote in middle school.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: Wholly PlayedForLaughs: Kaho succeeds in getting Hideri hooked on ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'', but is absolutely (but comically) horrified to learn that she’s taken up maining ''chargers''.
* TokenMinority: Ivy, a mixed Afro-Japanese girl, is introduced into the cast of primarily Japanese waitresses.
* TomboyWithAGirlyStreak: Kaho has less than feminine hobbies, but still makes sure to some makeup before going out.
%%* TransTribulations: Hideri has gone through a lot after coming out, up to and including a violently unsupportive father, dealing with transphobic bullies at school before transferring, and finding a job that ''isn't'' a sleazy otokonoko cafe. She’s admittedly jealous of her half-sister Ivy at first, who’s shown to be on estrogen pills once she’s introduced.
* {{Tsundere}}: Kaho plays this role while working, the same as she does in canon.
* TwiceShy: While Kaho is incredibly awkward about what she now realizes is a massive crush on Hideri, the latter isn't any better about it either.
* WholesomeCrossdresser:
** [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] in the case of Hideri, a trans girl who openly mentions how crossdressing was part of her LGBTAwakening.
** Haru is a gender-nonconforming boy, who at first only crossdresses when he’s streaming as his online persona, Milkyu. He slowly grows more confident to dress up more often after some encouragement from the Stile gang.
