AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 162
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Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Episode 13-2
Day 41 Since I Became the Manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
I was at the Merchant Guild for the first time in a while.
Not at the usual reception desk, though. Instead, I was in one of the Guild’s meeting spaces—or negotiation spaces, maybe?
“Don’t let your guard down, Naoya! You never know what that scumbag might say!”
“Honestly, Chloe, you’re the one whose words are unpredictable—and downright rude, just like right now.”
To my right, Chloe sat primarily next to me.
Considering we were about to meet someone interested in our tenants, I felt it might be better if Chloe didn’t say a word.
“Are you sure about Francine-san? The Guild Master seems to know her, and wasn’t it the Merchant Guild that once tried to make Colette work in a brothel?”
“Thank you for your concern, Naoya-san. However, I now have nothing to hide. I will face them with my head held high.”
“O-oh, okay…”
“This is all thanks to you, Naoya-san—for providing not only work but a place to live, and even medicine. I owe you everything. I swear to repay this debt over the rest of my life—no, even after death, I shall continue to express my gratitude as a loyal servant of the apothecary.”
“Please stop. Really. We don’t need any more undead, okay?”
To my left sat Francine-san.
She had other errands to run in town later, so she’d accompanied us to the Merchant Guild.
By the way, Peddler-san who served as our coachman wasn’t here.
He had parted ways with us at the square near the town entrance and was operating the usual free shuttle service. Much appreciated. I even got emotional seeing the line of people waiting to ride.
For now, the three of us sat at the table, facing empty seats across from us.
Appointments in this world are vague, and even though the Guild Master had told me, “Come tomorrow,” there had been no mention of a specific time.
I was secretly hoping to wrap this up while they were absent, but…
“My apologies for keeping you waiting.”
The Merchant Guild Master appeared, wobbling over with a grin and a large belly swaying as he walked.
He wasn’t as bad as Chloe made him out to be, but he was certainly no pushover.
I’ve always struggled with pushy businessmen. If I were one of Aion headquarters’ elite, this might not faze me, but my experience mainly involves dealing with neighborhood aunties in the rural town of Kasugano.
“Oh, isn’t it the useless knight? So you’re joining us, are you?”
“Humph! Without me here, who knows what nonsense you’d come up with!”
“Now, now, calm down, Chloe.”
“And… Francine-san.”
“Naoya-san saved both my daughter and me—body and soul—through the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store. I am prepared to devote myself to him completely, as my token of gratitude.”
“…I see.”
The Guild Master’s smile faltered, replaced by a serious expression.
Once again, these two seemed to share an understanding that eluded me entirely.
Even when I tried asking Francine-san about it, she’d only dodge the question, and Colette didn’t seem to know anything either.
“Looking forward to working with you today, Guild Master.”
“Ah, yes, of course. Now then, let’s get to introductions. Bring them in!”
“Understood.”
At the Guild Master’s signal, a guard-like figure in armor stepped away from the table.
Presumably, they went to fetch the party interested in our tenants.
Why the Guild Master had shown up alone initially was a mystery to me. Was this standard procedure, or was it just a tactic to unnerve me?
This silent waiting was agonizing. Small talk for intel gathering? No way. The Guild Master would probably extract more information from me instead.
As I maintained my polite smile, I soon heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
Just in time—Chloe was starting to bare her teeth and growl.
“Now then, allow me to introduce them. These are the individuals who expressed interest in your Aion Mall’s tenants and requested the Merchant Guild’s mediation.”
I stood up to greet them.
The Guild Master gestured with his palm to direct my attention.
Standing there were two cats.
They wore what looked like geometric-patterned satchels slung diagonally across their bodies, paired with trousers, cloaks, and stylish feathered hats.
Leather belts cinched their waists—likely for holding swords when necessary.
The tabby-striped one, with its fluffy fur, approached on two legs, boots clicking with each step.
Cats? Wait, do cats usually walk on two legs?
Oh, there’s another one. A calico. Female, I think? She has a feminine vibe.
“Are you the one who put up the poster? Nice to meet you, nya!”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, yes, I’m the manager, Naoya. Pleased to meet you.”
…
………
Not surprised. Dragons and iguanas talk in this world, why wouldn’t bipedal, talking cats exist?
Honestly, the real mystery is why ghosts and goblins don’t talk.
“Oh my, Catfolk! How rare.”
“It’s rare to find someone who knows about us, nya. We’re not very well-known around this town, nya.”
“Hehe, just a coincidence. By the way, if I recall, the nearest Catfolk village should be…”
Francine-san glanced at Chloe, but there was no reaction.
Incidentally, Francine-san didn’t seem surprised by them either. Well, her late husband was reportedly a Beastman, wasn’t he? I wonder if Colette, being humanoid, takes after her father or if the Catfolk, like these two, are more animal-based.
“Naoya-san? Are we not starting the negotiations? If not, we’ll take it as though this meeting never happened.”
“Wait, nya!”
“My apologies. This is my first time meeting Catfolk, and I was so taken aback… I couldn’t help but admire you.”
“F-fufu! For a human to appreciate the beauty of this fur, you’re not a bad guy, nya!”
“Hey, stop that! Your language is falling apart!”
The proud Catfolk puffed out his chest while the other one, presumably his partner, tried to calm him down.
Could they be a married couple? Somehow, watching the two of them talk was soothing. Really So-Meow-thing. I guess the “nya” thing is just standard for them.
“Now then, let’s discuss things in detail. What made you interested in setting up shop at Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store?”
“We’ve heard that doing business in this town is, nya, quite tough for us.”
“Could it be that you’re, well, treated coldly in the city?”
“Not exactly, nya…”
“Naoya-san. While this town isn’t as bad as the port cities, Catfolk rarely face outright discrimination here. However, these two are newcomers.”
“Ah, I see. So breaking into the market is difficult for newcomers? Setting up a business is hard for those who’ve just moved in?”
“Precisely. In commerce, trust is everything. Without connections, prior experience, or familiar faces, it’s not easy to start a business.”
“I understand that. Ideally, though, I’d like a market where anyone has a fair chance.”
“Ho ho, interesting perspective.”
“That’s a great thing to say, Manager-san! In that case, let us open a store too, nya!”
“Hold on. That’s a separate matter. Let’s go over the details carefully. You don’t need connections, but if the conditions aren’t met, it won’t work out for either of us.”
“Just hearing that is already a relief, nya.”
“Kufufu, this is quite entertaining. Introducing you to Naoya-san was indeed the right choice.”
I don’t want Aion Mall to become a place where tenants can only join through special connections or nepotism.
Of course, with limited space, the conditions might end up being strict, but for now, the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store has zero tenants.
And so, for the first time, I began negotiations with the Catfolk—or cats—who had shown interest in becoming tenants.
All to turn Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store into an actual mall.