AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 164
Check my other translation works for other interesting stories
Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Seneca : Unrivaled Sewing Skill (New!!)
Episode 13-4
It’s been 41 days since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Right now, I was on the road leading from the nearest town to the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Of course, I wasn’t alone.
“Ugh… I wonder if Father-sama and Mother-sama might suddenly say they’ll take me back to the village…”
“It’ll be fine. Chloe, you’re a holy knight, and you’re doing a great job as an employee of Aion Mall right now.”
“A-a great job…? W-what are you trying to do by flattering me so much?! D-don’t tell me you plan to say, ‘Shall I shelter you—in my room,’ and then lock me up?!”
“You always make these crazy narration. Don’t just go along with praise like that.”
Chloe was accompanying me as a guard, a guide, and to keep the Merchant Guildmaster from stirring up trouble.
Ever since I entrusted the adventurers’ guild to deliver a letter to her parents, it’s been like this.
Even I was starting to feel uneasy.
Please, don’t let there be any trouble.
Chloe and I weren’t the only ones walking along the road.
“I see, both of you are quite strong, aren’t you?”
“Fufun, it’s nothing nya!”
“Though, compared to me, this person was once said to be the strongest in the entire village.”
Joining us was Fancine-san, who had attended a business discussion with us.
And two members of the catfolk, Catkin, who had taken an interest in the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store’s tenants.
Ah, so these two bipedal cats can fight. Their weapons aren’t just for show, it seems.
One of the Catkin, a tabby-striped individual, had a rapier at their waist. Perhaps pleased with the praise from their calico partner—presumably their wife—they showed off some practice swings without the sword. Since I can’t fight, I can’t tell how strong they are, but they’re certainly adorable.
The calico one didn’t carry any weapons but seemed to rely on the traditional Catkin fighting style using claws and fangs. Makes sense—they’re cats, after all.
The two Catkin carried a small cart.
The cart Chloe, who was slumped over, was pulling had merchandise loaded onto it.
In the end, rather than showing the goods at the Merchant Guild, I decided to have them displayed at the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
The opportunistic Guildmaster was there, and above all, it seemed better to have a concrete discussion after showing them around the Aeon Mall.
It was me, the dispirited Chloe, Fancine-san who had finished her errands in town, and the two Catkin.
The five of us proceeded smoothly.
Since no monsters appeared, I couldn’t gauge the two’s combat abilities.
But well, if they can travel together, they must be reasonably strong.
Still, it’s a pity I didn’t get to see cats fighting.
“Nya?! What is this?! What an enormous building!“
“It’s almost like a castle… or a fortress!”
“Oh, you’ve never seen the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store before?”
“So this is Aion Mall?! They’re letting us become tenants here?!”
“Calm down, dear. Your mouth is hanging open.”
After about an hour of walking along the road, we arrived at the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
The two Catkin were so shocked by the exterior that they nearly jumped out of their fur. Even the composed calico earlier had been jumping.
“Of course, if we think it will benefit both sides, we’ll gladly welcome you as tenants.”
“Fufu, you two. You haven’t even begun to be surprised. Naoya-san’s greatness doesn’t end here.”
“Ah, no, Fancine-san, I’m not the one who’s great. I’m just amazed something so similar to a Japanese Aion Mall could be built in this otherworld.”
“There’s more nya?”
“Dear, we haven’t even seen the location where we might open our store yet.”
The tabby’s round eyes sparkled, and the calico seemed to regain her composure.
But that composure was short-lived.
As I showed them around the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store, they were repeatedly astonished.
“This is the currently operating supermarket, daily goods, and drugstore section.”
“Nya?! It’s as bright as outside even though we’re indoors!”
“Wow! You’re using so many magical tools here!”
Just entering from the entrance to the store left them gaping in awe.
“The eat-in space is outside, but… just for today, why don’t we try some deli food at the food court?”
“Nya?! Is that… fish nya?! And it’s from the sea?!”
“No way, to think we could eat sea fish this far from the ocean…”
As part of our hospitality and to introduce the products sold at the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store, I treated them to some deli food.
Apparently, fish is their favorite. They’d considered setting up shop in a port town, but it was too hot for them, so they gave up.
I’m glad they’re pleased. Or should I say, nyappy? (nyaa + happy)
“This is the tenant space. Initially, we plan to open up starting from the first floor near the supermarket. As more tenants join, there might be a possibility of relocating, though…”
“How many people can use this space nya? Around 10?”
“Dear, it wouldn’t be just 10 people nya. Surely, it could fit about 20, don’t you think nya?”
“No, one store will use this entire section. If you wish, you can combine two or three sections for a single store, but…”
“Nya?! To use such a large space for just one store…? Then, if we rented it…”
“Calm down, dear. There’s no way things could be that convenient nya.”
“Yes. If you two were to join as tenants, you would be using one of these sections.”
“Unyan!“
“Calm down, calm down. Surely, it must cost a fortune nya. Way more than we could afford.”
When I explained that the basic setup was one store per section, the two fluffed up their fur in shock.
Oh, now they’re pacing around for no reason. So catlike.
“If you’d like, there are employee apartments available as well. If you decide to live in town, we also offer a free shuttle carriage for commuting. We plan to be flexible with opening and closing times, given that this is an otherworld branch.”
“I’m… I’m too tired to be surprised anymore nya…”
“Honestly…”
When I showed them the employee apartments behind the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store, the two Catkin briefly dropped to all fours.
It seemed to be their way of escaping reality. What’s this? So adorable.
“That’s about everything for now. We’ll go over things like restrooms and the backroom later… Shall we move on to the specifics about becoming a tenant?”
“Please nya…”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll go fetch the products.”
While the visibly exhausted tabby stayed put, the calico eagerly headed to the cart.
But then, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“…Brought it.”
“Oh, thanks, Barbera.”
“Nya?! Nyanyanya?! The whole cart?!”
“Such strength nya! Thank you very much…”
Barbera lifted the small cart, merchandise and all, over her head.
Is this really okay?
If this is what Barbera can do, what about the apron-wearing skeleton, the skeleton troops, the full-plate-armored skeleton, the ghost, the mascot-costume ghost, or Anna-san, the lich? Is this going to be fine? There are so many undead! Thank you for always being such a great help though!
Anyway.
The two’s reactions so far seem promising.
The rest depends on whether becoming a tenant will bring mutual business benefits.
On the 41st day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store, we’re finally getting into concrete discussions.
And Chloe? She didn’t seem up to working, so I had her take a break. Anna-san reported just a while ago that she’s outside gazing blankly at the sky.