第１８９５堀：そういえばお店はどうなってる？ (Part2)
"Exactly. While it’s true that the main street is geared toward adult shopping, that would leave children bored, wouldn't it? That’s why we’ve made sure to create shops that children can actually enjoy. If they wander off into the side alleys, getting lost is a guarantee."
"Ah, I see."
It was hard to argue with that. If shops exclusively for children were tucked away in the back alleys, it would be no surprise if they went missing.
"If the number of lost children increases, the police in Glass Port Town will have their hands full."
"True. Concentrating shops that attract children on the main street is a sensible move."
Children have an unpredictable amount of energy. Even Sakura and the others tend to wander further than expected. The officers tasked with chasing—or rather, searching for—them have a difficult job. Reducing that burden is only logical.
"There are people living their daily lives in Glass Port Town, too. We have to be considerate of that."
"So you’re involved in that aspect as well, Yuki?"
"Yeah. There was talk of separating tourists from residents, but many people are curious about the port lifestyle. Since we’ve already prepared resorts for tourists, Sisua and Sona suggested that sharing the shopping areas would be fine."
"I see, I see. That makes sense. There might be some trouble, but that’s the case everywhere, isn't it?"
"Right. It’s a relief that we can at least narrow down the locations."
As we were chatting like this, Hovis poured a refill of tea.
"Um, Yuki-sama, Agil-sama, what shall we do about the shops? Would you like to hear about the small goods?"
"Ah, my apologies. We got sidetracked."
"That’s right. My bad. Ria’s emphasis on her chest was distracting."
"Why are you blaming me?"
"The small goods aside, I assume you’re outsourcing the cookies and candies somewhere?"
"Yes. For the cookies and candies, we are relying on the flowers."
"At Canaria’s place?"
"Ah, yes. The request came to my... well, to the shop. I thought this would help stabilize the flower shop’s income to some extent."
"Well, as Ria says, that’s fair. If you take on external requests like that, you won't have to rely solely on bento boxes and side dishes to turn a profit. I’ll leave it to you."
Right. Even though Canaria has stepped down as manager, that place is still the Glass base for the intelligence unit. It’s a relief to know they are stable. If I only supported them from the shadows, people would start to wonder why they never go under.
"As for the small goods, we’ve put out items we brainstormed ourselves, as I mentioned before. We’ve also had prototypes made in the Blacksmith District sorted out and delivered to us."
"So that’s going according to plan, then. Hopefully, it’ll give the newcomers languishing in the Blacksmith District a chance to shine."
"Yes. We’ve conveyed our requirements and told them to make small goods. If something is interesting, we adopt it."
That should give them some motivation. I usually rely on the Blacksmith District when I need research tools, but that’s mostly dealing with Firia or Narjia-san. I hope that, someday, more people will be able to handle my orders.
But, putting that aside...
"So, in short, are the shops run by Orelia and the others generally doing well?"
"Yes. Once the employee training is finished, we can open immediately. People have been coming from the military as well."
"Sent by Jessica, then?"
Now that I think about it, she did mention that. The military wanted to train their intelligence unit, and they wanted to use Yuki’s—or rather, Orelia’s—shops in Glass Port Town for that purpose.
"The training will be finished soon, so we plan to open within the next few days. Therefore, if it’s convenient for you, Yuki-sama and Agil-sama, we would love for you to visit the shops."
"I see. As Yayui says, it’s worth taking a look at the shops at least once."
"Agreed. I’m interested, too. New shops, huh? Oh, Yuki, have you had a chance to look over the survey report from the south?"
"No, I’m still in the middle of reading it. Give me a little more time."
I’d forgotten about it while we were chatting, but I had brought back the results of the preliminary survey of the southern part of the New Continent. I need to relay Yuki’s reactions, impressions, and evaluations to Aslin and Firia.
That said, there aren't any particularly groundbreaking results. If there were, we wouldn't be doing this here; we’d be in a conference room. I suppose I just had a faint hope that Yuki might notice something.
The shops managed by Orelia and the others have their interiors finished and products ready; they are on the verge of opening.
Yeah, I really do think the sheer volume of work is insane. With the movements in the New Continent and everything else, Weed is incredibly busy and suffering from a shortage of hands.