第９１２堀：ウィーモールの中 (Part1)
Chapter 912: Inside the Weemall
Side: Milly
"Yes, yes, hurry it up, move those!"
"Understood, Representative Milly!"
The moment I gave the order, the adventurers, who had been slumped over in exhaustion, straightened their backs and began moving the tables and chairs once more. Well, I can’t really blame them for being tired.
Now, as for Ratz’s side...
"Alright, we’re on cleaning duty. Please set up the trash cans and make sure to guide everyone to use them properly."
"Yes! Representative Ratz!"
It seems the people on Ratz’s team are in the same boat; they can’t hide their fatigue either. *Sigh.* All of this is because more people showed up than we ever anticipated.
Tori and Riel reported that the rest areas we’d prepared near the food stalls weren't enough, so I immediately asked Eris to convert some of the vacant storefronts in the shopping mall into a combined rest area and eat-in space. Once we set up the tables and chairs, people started migrating from the outdoor rest areas into the mall, which has a roof and air conditioning.
I briefly considered stopping the setup, but since people had already started squatting in the empty tenant spaces to eat and rest anyway, we decided to just organize the space properly. We had to pull personnel from the Adventurer’s Guild to manage it, and our regular staff is already stretched to the limit.
*Sigh.* The Intercontinental Exchange Conference and the wedding haven’t even started yet, and I have no idea what’s going to happen after this...
As I was feeling a bit melancholic thinking about the future:
"Hey, Milly, Ratz!"
"Oh, if it isn't Ria and the others."
"Eh!? Yuki-san!! Oh, you're right! Ria, Yuki-san and the others are over here!"
I looked up at Ratz’s voice to see my beloved husband, Yuki-san.
"…Milly. I was the one who called out first, yet you didn't say Yuki-san's name first?"
"It’s just your imagination."
It was obvious that Ria and the others would be with him, so I didn't feel the need to mention them specifically. It’s not like I didn't see them. Besides, I corrected myself, so it’s fine.
"Ahaha, Milly loves Yuki-san so much, after all. Well, so do I."
Exactly as Ratz said, I just love Yuki-san so much that I was a second late in acknowledging the others. So, there’s no problem at all. Besides, I love Ria and the others just as much.
"So, Queen Miyabi and Lord Gaul are here as well. Are you here to tour the shopping mall today? Have you had lunch yet?"
"Indeed. Today is finally the day we tour this shopping mall! Oh, and we already finished lunch at Meen-dono’s stall."
"Yes. We are always in Meen-dono’s debt. My, that food is truly delicious."
"Thank you very much. Both my mother and sister will be happy to hear that."
It seems those two have been visiting nearly every day. When I first saw Sherry guiding Queen Miyabi and Lord Gaul through the commercial district, I wondered what on earth was happening. Seraria and Samantha are always racking their brains over Yuki-san’s reckless antics, and I understand that feeling all too well. Seeing my younger sister suddenly entertaining royalty and Dragonkin made my stomach churn.
...On top of that, when I heard she’d hooked them in while touting for the shop, I nearly fainted. Father’s shop couldn't possibly serve anything decent. No, it’s not that Father lacks skill, but I just didn't think he could compete with the food from Yuki-san’s homeland. But when we opened the lid, they were delighted, saying Father’s cooking felt nostalgic. I was truly relieved when I found that out.
"Meen-san and Sherry-chan were working hard, too. By the way, are you and Ratz adding more tables and chairs?"
"Ah, yes. A lot of people wanted to rest indoors."
"Well, a place with perfect climate control is better than being outside, after all."
"…Understood. No wonder the outdoor seats were empty."
"There were so many seats available that even this large crowd could sit easily. I was wondering why it was so different from the food stall crowds, but that solves the mystery."
"So that’s it…"
Cleena and Samantha seemed convinced by our explanation, but Yuki-san had a very complicated expression. He’s likely thinking the same thing I am: what will happen if even more people arrive?
"Well, then we have no choice but to consider expanding in this direction. So, what’s the situation? Are there enough seats? How is the public order?"
"We’re still short on seats. That’s why Ratz and I are working to add more."
"As for public order, Poni and Tori are doing their best, so there are no major problems for now. However, despite our warnings, there is a lot of littering. Even though we’ve introduced fines."
"…Is this Singapo-re?"
" " "Singapo-re?" " "
"Never mind. It’s a country on Earth where there are heavy fines, or even criminal penalties, for littering or relieving oneself in public."
"That’s wonderful. We should definitely introduce that in Weed!"
I see. If we make it a criminal offense, everyone will stop. We’re already using fines, but I suppose that’s not enough of a deterrent.
"…Well, changing the law takes time and requires coordination with others, so let’s think about it after the Intercontinental Exchange Conference is over."
"That’s true. We’re managing for now, but more than anything, I just wish everyone would follow the rules."
Ratz is right. I wish everyone would just follow the rules. But since it’s not just the people of Weed here, but also people from other countries and continents, it’s quite difficult.
"It’s quite a lot of trouble, isn't it? An increase in people brings both good and bad."
"It means it’s not all good things. It’s difficult for those on the receiving end, like you, Milly-dono."
Queen Miyabi and Lord Gaul nodded. Oh, this is bad. I shouldn't have let the conference participants hear about our struggles.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have burdened you with such talk."
"Ah, sorry about that. So, were you all here to tour the shopping mall?"
"That’s right. I was wondering how the stalls from the major powers and the areas provided by Weed were doing."
"In that case, since the seating setup has calmed down, we’ll guide you."
"Yes. We are directly involved in the operations here, after all."
"I see. I’ll leave it to you."
With that, we left the remaining seating and trash can setup to our subordinates, and Ratz and I began guiding the VIPs—not on a date with Yuki-san, of course.
"First, let me give you a brief explanation of the Weemall."
"Ho. Now that you mention it, this building is called the Weemall, was it? If 'Wee' comes from Weed, what does 'mall' mean?"
"Yes. 'Wee' is taken from Weed, and 'mall' is what they call a large-scale shopping district with indoor or roofed walkways in that other world."