第１８５５堀：どんなお店がいいかな (Part1)
Chapter 1855: What Kind of Shop Should It Be?
Side: Yayui
Oh, what should I do?
Lost in thought, I walked back toward the office alongside Yuki-sama. We had been reviewing the intelligence gathered by Seraria-sama and Vilia-sama, cross-referencing it with the latest reports from the New Continent. Eventually, the conversation shifted to the shop we are planning to operate.
Honestly, it had completely slipped my mind.
Since the founding of the New Continent, I’ve been occupied with party preparations at Glass Port Town, while Orelia, Hovis, and Prof-san have been swamped assisting Yuki-sama.
I need an idea—something, anything, for a good shop.
As I pondered this, Yuki-sama intentionally took a detour, walking us through Weed’s commercial district, saying it might "serve as a reference." But... nothing came to mind. At best, I could only think of imitating the shops that were already drawing crowds.
Ah, what to do? Before I could settle on anything, we arrived at the office. We began our usual routines: preparing for a break, filing away the records of our conversation with Seraria-sama, and returning the documents we had taken out to their proper places.
Unfortunately, no brilliant ideas surfaced. We all sat at our desks, ready to take a breather.
"Alright, let’s think about this while we rest—or rather, while we relax. About that shop Seraria mentioned."
Yes, I knew this was coming. We have no choice but to discuss the shop.
"I had originally thought of leaving the initiative to Orelia and the others, but have you all discussed what you might want to do?"
Naturally, he would ask that. It was supposed to be left to us, but we’ve been so busy...
"I am terribly sorry. We haven't made any progress yet."
While I was panicking, Orelia apologized honestly, and Hovis and I bowed our heads in unison right after her.
"Ah, don't worry. I didn't mean to reprimand you. I just wondered if you’d managed to find the time. You’ve been busy, haven't you?"
"Yes. We let it fall to the wayside, buried under the weight of our other duties."
"We are so sorry!"
"I apologize."
The three of us apologized together. Back when we weren't used to the workload, falling behind was common, and we were often scolded for mistakes. Back then, we would apologize just like this.
"Hmm. Being busy is a universal struggle, so I suppose excuses are inevitable. But there were many urgent matters, so I think it’s understandable, don't you? Besides, I bear some responsibility as well."
Usually, Prof-san would be the one to get angry at the first half of that, but today seems different. He is a man who strictly manages time and rarely allows for overtime, but it seems he realizes he is also at fault for not accounting for the time needed for the shop.
Yes, in moments like these, he truly feels like the ideal boss. It’s no wonder he’s so popular.
"That’s why I said I wasn't scolding you. The root of the busyness is me, after all. And I’d completely forgotten about the shop, too. I was just confirming that you hadn't found the time. It really has been a hectic schedule, hasn't it?"
"I agree with that sentiment. Yuki-sama, you should rest more. Your wives are worried about you, too."
"Wait? Instead of me being at fault, are we talking about me resting now?"
"Yes. I’ve seen you working on remaining tasks even after returning home."
Ah, well, Yuki-sama claims it’s just an extension of his hobbies, but to anyone looking, it’s clearly work. And I, too, think he works too hard. After all, he has his wives and us to attend to at night as well.
"As for the work, it doubles as a hobby, but I suppose that excuse doesn't hold water, does it?"
"Of course not."
"Sigh. Well, that will resolve itself once the New Continent settles down. So, back to the main topic. You said you hadn't thought of anything, but surely something crossed your minds? Let’s hear it. I’ll write it on the whiteboard..."
"I shall handle the writing. Orelia, why don't you and the others share the ideas you’ve had?"
And so, we began discussing what to do with the shop on the main street of Glass Port Town.
"When I was first told about it, I thought a small goods or general store would be good."
"Small goods and general items, huh. Hovis?"
"I was thinking... it would be nice to have something different from the other shops, so I thought an accessory shop might be nice."
"An accessory shop, understood. And Yayui?"
"I... well, since Canary-san was running a bento shop, I thought maybe a bakery, or a shop for snacks and sweets—what do you call them, dagashiya? Something like that would be nice."
"I see. A dagashiya, then."
Yuki-sama calmly jotted down our random suggestions. Ugh, it feels like we’re still in the pre-planning phase.
"Well, I’ve heard the direction from the three of you. They’re all viable options, I suppose."
"Indeed. Each of those ideas seems likely to attract a steady stream of people. Though, the target demographics would certainly differ."
"That’s true. General goods would be centered on women; accessories would also be women-focused, though the clientele would range from commoners to the wealthy depending on the items. As for the dagashiya, that would be children and their parents."
"Yes. If we wanted to attract men, we’d look at something like a tavern, but that shop is hardly suited for that..."
"True. It’s on the main street, but it isn't exactly large."
That is correct. The shop Ratz-sama secured for us isn't big enough to operate a proper tavern. Well, if we pushed it, maybe a standing bar... but we don't really want to go to such lengths.
"We could handle weapons or armor, but..."
"The Adventurer's Guild is already there, and Ratz-sama is attracting shops to the main street specifically for that. Shops supervised by Feiria-sama and Narjia-sama, at that."
Yes, a weapon shop for adventurers has already been built. Furthermore, that facility is large, includes a forge, and allows for on-site maintenance. Our shop is simply too small for that. And, frankly, we’d be crushed by the brand power alone.
Well, if Yuki-sama asked, Feiria-sama and Narjia-sama would gladly supply us with weapons, but there’s no need to go out of our way to do that.
"There’s no point in us handling that here."
It seems Yuki-sama reached the same conclusion as I did.
"Are you hoping to attract male customers, Yuki-sama?"
"Well, gathering information requires a broad base, so that’s a fundamental goal. That said, shops that attract all ages and genders are usually food or general goods."
Indeed, when you think about it that way, a shop isn't exactly a panacea. Still...
"That is true. However, a grocery store would be difficult. After all, Super Ratz is already established."