Chapter 13: Finally, the shop opened
Finally, the shop opened .
The renovation work was finished without problems, built-in shelves are all aligned, curtains, lighting fixtures, and others are all completed . The security equipment is off because it’s business hours . Shelves are lined with items with descriptive text and price tag attached .
The living area’s electricity and gas-related things are completed . The solar power contractors were persistent in wanting to do the installation, it ended with telling them that it’ll be installed in a remote island and them explaining the installation instructions repeatedly .
The bathroom was simpler than she thought . Mostly because the kitchen originally had drainage grooves, the bathtub was just placed in . Setting the hot water equipment and the gas pipes wasn’t so difficult with Kunz and his disciples helping . It’s equipment that they know nothing about, for them to make do with Mitsuha’s explanations and instructions, craftsman are fearsome!
After completing all preparations, Mitsuha went to greet the neighboring three buildings on the other side with gift towel sets and got praised for being young yet admirable . They were surprised at the fluffy of the towels . She didn’t forget to advertise that they’re sold at her place .
In addition, she printed dozens of leaflets made on her home PC and got permission to post them in places like the eaves of her preferred restaurant and Lutz’s shop . The characters were handwritten with a mouse so it’s a bit disarranged, but it’s charming .
With these thorough preparations, we finally arrived at the shop’s opening today .
(tn: I’m not sure about ‘buildings on the other side’ . 向こう3軒と両隣りに粗品のタオルセットを持って挨拶に行き)
Mitsuha was sitting under an accounting stand near the entrance in high spirits where one could see the inside of the store .
For this General Store Mitsuha, the opening time is 10 o’clock . The closing time is 16 o’clock . No lunch break . She eats brunch before opening at morning, and plentifully a little early at evening . It’s easy to gain weight when having dinner too late . Mitsuha should gain some weight though .
Because there’s only one employee, at times like for toilet, when the flow of customers is interrupted she’ll temporarily put on a break time sign outside the door and lock up with a key . If it isn’t interrupted…, endure .
11 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet . Well, it is the first day, and the existence of the shop isn’t well known . It’s also during working hours . When it is lunch, a person who went out to eat might stop by .
13 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
15 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
16 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
It is closing time .
Mitsuha fell flat on the accounting stand dejected .
Well, it’s still the first day . It is different from the opening sale of a supermarket in Japan that is advertised in the newspaper, an opening sale that is! . Should I paint it red?
(赤く塗っちゃろか!)
The second day of opening .
11 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
13 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
15 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
16 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
It is closing time .
Mitsuha fell flat on the accounting stand dejected .
Should I open up the shop until the time when everyone’s done with work and returns home?
No, that has a big problem .
The big problem of “I will spend more time working”!
It is absolutely unacceptable .
What to do? What to do?
Hmm, it’s a big pinch from the start!
For the time being, let’s finally think of something if tomorrow’s no good .
The third day of opening .
11 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
13 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
15 o’clock . There are no signs of customers yet .
God~!
Chiririn
They’re here~~~! ! !(Kitaa~a~a~~~!!!)
“Welcome!”
There were three girls wearing clothes that are frugal but seemed to have been cleaned neatly .
“This store was just made, right?”
One of the three girls asks .
“Yes, I just opened the day before yesterday! Please take your time and have a look”
It’s counterproductive to be too persistent . Mitsuha was excited to see the girls slowly looking around the display shelves one by one . It seems that the girls are looking at the utility goods corner .
“… Eh, what’s this? ’Scales Remover‘?”
One of the girls raises a voice that seemed to be at a loss .
“Yes, makes it easy to remove fish scales and it’s very useful for cooking fish . ”
Mitsuha answers quickly . But…… .
“C, cooking fish?”
“Remove fish scales?”
…Huh? Is something strange?
The girls who looked at each other for a moment moves to the next shelf .
Kitchenware . Flashlight . Table clock . Stationery . While interestingly looking at the various utility goods corner products, there is no sign of purchasing at all . Next small corner, fancy corner…… argh, not that either . After that…… .
The girls’ legs stopped .
“Shampoo……?”
It’s hereee!(Kitaaa!)
“Yes, it cleanses and moisturizes damaged hair, a magical medicine for women!”
There is soap in this world . However, it is primitive and ineffective, also smells bad . It is still expensive, and only nobles and somewhat rich people used it . Also when washing one’s hair it is best to dissolve the soap then use it, it’s not something very useful to commoners .
And, there’s liquid hair wash in this pump type container! Moreover, it’s economical size!
“8 silver coins, huh…”
Mhm, the usual inn with meals in the morning and evening cost four to five silver coins . As a usage of commoners’ pocket money, it’s not cheap . However, its cost-effectiveness is not comparable to that of commercially available soaps . Anyhow, the soap here becomes squishy and immediately disappears . Beatrice was complaining about that at the earl’s house . Ah, I’ll give her a present next time .
“Customers, it’s super recommended, it’s a bargain that you can use dozens of times with a single purchase and get beautiful hair”
“Eh, dozens of times!”
Perhaps the girls are somewhere servants or something . They can’t spend too much time dressing up but have rigid personal grooming . So to save time on hair there’s isn’t anyone with long hair . You should be able to use it quite a number of times . It isn’t necessary to splash, splash like with melted soap water .
“Yes, on the reputation of this store!”
What to do, what to do, the girls discussed, and had gently placed the shampoo in their hands on the shelf before I notice……wait, Ahhhh~!
“Wait a moment, I’ll show you! Someone can try it free of charge!”
The girls meet each other’s eyes .
“What do we do?”
“I’m curious, but time’s running…”
“Mhm, we decided to eat something delicious because today is our long-awaited holiday…”
Ah, Aahhh~!
My long awaited shoppers! My first customers!!
Mitsuha was tempering . For some reason, she was being cornered as if everything was over she lets these customers escape .
The first customers, do not let them escape, do not let them escape……… .
“U, understood! I will bring out delicious foods! I will bring them out! I guarantee they’re absolutely delicious . More delicious than from restaurants . Free of charge, for free! So please try it”
Did they have mercy in Mitsuha’s desperation, the girls having a hard time refusing are wondering what to do, what to do with a troubled face . And finally .
“…… I understand . Then, please”
I did it! Only this time I’m thankful for this appearance that looks like a child .
“Then, please come here”
Putting the closing sign on the door and locking with a key, Mitsuha guides the girls to the back of the kitchen . Then telling the girl who comes forward as the tester to take off her clothes, she also in her underwear, turns on the hot water supply system’s startup switch . Operates the shower lever and confirms the temperature of the hot water .
“Eh, what, what, what’s this? Warm water, no, hot water? What is this?”
The naked girl who entered the bathroom raises a voice of surprise . The two others also look into the bathroom .
“Then, please sit here”
The girl is surprised but sits in the bath chair as directed by Mitsuha .
“Haa!”
She was surprised that hot water was suddenly poured over her head, but it gradually became pleasant .
Baths are a luxury for commoners, they wipe their body with a towel soaked in lukewarm water from a wash bowl, then wipe their hair with a squeezed towel . That’s why their hair is greasy with sebum . To use hot water this luxuriously…… .
And without time be surprised, the next baptism was waiting .
Shampoo . This time is a two-in-one shampoo . It was troublesome use them separately so Mitsuha originally also used two-in-one shampoo .
Shakashakashakashaka
Um, this is bad . There are no bubbles because it’s too dirty .
Shakaa .
Shakashakashakashaka
Em, not yet!
Shakaa .
Shakashakashakashaka
Ok!
Shakaa
“Sorry, normally only once is fine, but since it was so dirty it ended up being 3 times …”
Crude! The girls who were called dirty tear up .
“Ah, s, sorry! I will also service body shampoo as an apology!”
Mitsuha showered the body of the girl in a hurry and hands out the body shampoo . As expected she ready wanted to avoid soap land play . She extrudes an appropriate amount into the palm and instructs to spread throughout the body to wash .
“Wa, uwa wa… . This is amazing . It smells good…”
After safely finishing the demonstration and exiting the bathroom, Mitsuha handed the bath towel to the subject: Girl A, took care of the water on herself quickly and ready the dryer .
Uwa, what’s this, so soft, to Girl A who’s making a fuss again, dryer attack!
“Gyaaaa!”
Girl A screamed, but as soon as she found out there was no danger, she enjoyed the dryer .
“Really, what’s with this place . It’s too amazing…”
Girl B who was curiously watching the situation, Girl C was also stunned .
The three people who went back to the store were troubled .
I definitely want the hair wash! But I also want the body wash . Eight silver for each . Today, in each of their purses is 12, 9, and 10 silver . Everyone can buy only one of them . Hmm…… .
Having guessed the reason for their trouble, Mitsuha proposes a solution .
“Then everyone, how about everyone takes out 8 silver coins, buys 1 hair wash and body wash each and share it among 3 people?”
“Eh? Isn’t that 8 coins more”
At the words of Girl B, Mitsuha held out a beautiful velvet box about 30 centimeters with 4 sides while smiling . (ミツハはにっこりと微笑みながら30センチ四方くらいの綺麗なビロード張りの箱を差し出した) Inside are countless beautifully shining rings, bracelets, necklaces, and brooches…… .
“1 for 8 silver coins, each”