第１６３７堀：同じ料理でも味付けや火加減などで全く違う (Part2)
My memories drifted quite far back, but the reason everyone had covered their mouths was the sudden recollection of being fed cake after cake, smiling all the while.
Honestly, I think Lady Ria’s suggestion was a bit much. It seemed the others felt the same way, as that sentiment radiated from them just as much as it did from me.
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry. In that case, if you’d like some for dinner, please feel free to purchase them."
"Understood. Then, for my family... let's see, two per person, plus some extras, so eighty, please."
"Ugh!? Oh, right. You have quite a large family, don't you? It’s going to take some time, is that alright?"
"How long, exactly?"
"Let's see. About thirty minutes, I’d say."
"That’s actually pretty fast."
"Well, eighty boxes is only about fifteen portions or so."
"So, five boxes per fried chicken bento, then?"
"Yes. Please, wait just a moment."
With that, Lady Ria returned to the shop, and Lady Kirue and Kirika stepped forward in her place.
"How was it?"
"My subordinates helped with the preparation as well. How did it taste?"
It seems the two of them were anxious about the bento as well.
"As you might have heard, it was delicious. I’d say it’s more than good enough to sell."
We nodded in agreement with Yuki. It wasn't exactly haute cuisine, but if this was what we could get for our money, it was more than satisfactory.
"That’s a relief. We’ve managed to stabilize the flavor, so now it’s just a matter of putting it on the market."
"Yes. We’ve already cleared it with the offices run by Lady Sisua and Lady Sona, and we’re preparing for sales to those who requested them, so we can arrange that immediately."
I see, they’ve already secured the distribution channels. Well, that was the plan from the start. It wouldn't do to have the project stall out on its own.
"Just because it suits our palates doesn't mean the people working at the office will feel the same, though."
"No, that’s been taken care of. We’ve delivered samples of the bento several times as a form of promotion. We’ve already received word that those who enjoyed them are ready to place orders."
"I see, so you’ve already cleared it with them. If they’ve already confirmed the taste, there’s nothing to worry about."
"Yes. For now, we’ve secured orders for nearly half the staff—about sixty portions."
Hmm, hmm. At sixty portions, that’s not quite what was originally planned. They should have at least one hundred, surely...
It seemed Yuki thought the same.
"That’s fewer than originally planned. You don't need to worry about operating at a deficit, but is Ratz okay with this? She’s surprisingly strict, you know."
He was right; since Lady Ratz was overseeing the management, there was no way she would allow a business to run in the red. A stuffed-animal shop that didn't turn a profit might be a hobby, but a bento shop is a business that must turn a profit. Furthermore, this could become a source of income for Lady Canaria, and with Kirika’s subordinates involved, it would serve as a base for intelligence gathering in the port town. A shop that was nothing more than a sign with no sales would never be permitted.
"That won't be a problem. We’ve also received reservations for about eighty portions from the people working at the resort."
"Ah, right. There were people at the resort Ratz is managing, too. Though, I imagine they’d be serving food there as well..."
"Knowing Lady Ratz, she’s balancing things out. It seems she plans to buy side dishes from this bento shop to serve as part of the meals at the resort."
"I see. That’s what you call regional development."
So, the resort project is intended to help the entire port town grow. In that case, tourists would eat the side dishes served with their meals and then find themselves wanting to buy the flower-themed bento.
"So, Master, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Plans? The whole point was to come and eat the bento, so from here on... I suppose we’ll take a tour of the resort to walk it off."
"Yes, that is the plan. Since you’ll be quite full, the schedule is to observe the state of the port town afterward."
Orelia answered immediately, notebook in hand. As she was acting as secretary, her schedule management was flawless.
"In that case, could you speak to Lady Ratz about the bento? We have a plan to deliver them."
"I see. It would be better if I went with you to explain it."
And so, we headed straight for the resort construction site.
There are many children who dislike vegetables. I was the same when I was young, but as you get older, you start to realize how delicious they can be. If you cook them properly, they really are quite good.