AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 168
Check my other translation works for other interesting stories
Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Seneca : Unrivaled Sewing Skill
Episode 13-8
“Thank you as always. You’re a big help.”
It’s now the 42nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store. After the lunchtime rush had passed and fewer customers were around, I found myself inside the mall. But this time, I wasn’t in the usual supermarket section or the kitchen.
“Hehe, so this place is finally opening, Naoya-san. Everyone’s really excited!”
“You can tell, Anna-san? Even though the skeletons don’t have facial expressions.”
I was standing in the space between the supermarket and the tenant area. After all, if all went well, we’d soon have our first tenant moving in. Since this area wasn’t operational yet, no customers wandered in. If anyone got lost, the ghosts would notify us. That’s why I had asked Anna-san to organize a cleaning crew of skeletons in aprons. Apparently, everyone was “excited” about it.
“Well, from their movements and the way they seem to hum, I guess I’ve started to pick up on it, too.”
“As expected of Naoya-san. Being a divine emissary, perhaps you can even read their hearts? Oh, how I hope my gratitude reaches you.”
“I can’t read minds, Francine-san. And for the record, I’m not some divine emissary, so praying won’t help.”
I stopped Francine-san, who was now clasping her hands together in prayer. If not for this behavior, she’d be a great employee—capable of handling customer service and knowledgeable about the business customs of this world. She’s one of our rare human hires, after all.
“Naoya-san, not only did you save me and my daughter, but you also employed us, provided us housing, and even let us run a shop in such a place. If that isn’t the work of a divine emissary, then what is? Could it be… you’re a god yourself?”
“It’s getting worse! I’m just a regular Aion Corporation employee and the manager of this otherworld branch!”
I corrected Francine-san, who was trembling with emotion. She blinked as if realizing something, then nodded knowingly. I didn’t feel like I’d successfully corrected her.
“More importantly, Francine-san, please check the interior. Let me know if anything’s missing.”
“As you command. Thank you, Naoya-sama.”
“Please, just drop the ‘-sama’…”
Francine-san crossed her arms over her chest. What was that gesture supposed to mean? It didn’t look like a prayer, but still.
“Still, Naoya-san. Are you sure about this? Giving us such a prime location for a simple galette shop like ours?”
“Of course. In fact, I specifically wanted a sweets shop with live cooking in this spot.”
It’s the first thing customers would see when entering from the supermarket toward the tenant area. The space wasn’t occupied yet, but it had been designed with large glass windows and simple cooking equipment.
“The enticing aroma of sweets, priced affordably for kids to buy with pocket money—this will naturally attract people. I’m sure plenty of them will stop by.”
“I see… as expected of Naoya-sama—ah, Naoya-san!”
“Once they’re inside the tenant area, many will think, ‘Why not check out the other stores while we’re here?’ This way, other tenants will benefit too.”
“Like the Catkin shop or the port town shop. Naoya-san, you’ve really thought this through.”
“Well, this isn’t just my idea, it’s a basic strategy for Aion Malls. Ideally, we’d put a popular large-scale store at the far end to draw people through the whole area, but…”
At the moment, there wasn’t anyone available to fill that role.
“Maybe I could move the deli or the eat-in space there? Or Anna-san’s drugstore, like a medical mall? No, that wouldn’t work either. If the middle tenant spaces are still empty, it defeats the purpose.”
While I was muttering to myself, Francine-san gave a respectful bow and walked into the galette shop’s future location. Through the glass, I could see her inspecting the space, equipment, and fixtures.
“So, customers will start coming to this area too, and once the tenants move in, the backroom will also be in use. I need to clean up both the front and the back… and make sure there’s nothing problematic lying around.”
“Naoya-san? Cleaning up the front and ‘back’… and what exactly are these ‘problematic things’ you mentioned?”
I need to double-check that there’s nothing unusual in sight for the customers. Anna-san approached as I had that thought. Meanwhile, the apron-wearing skeletons seemed to be trembling for some reason.
“Even if Francine-san and Colette’s galette shop opens, that’s only three stores. And with them working at the galette shop, we’ll be short on hands in the supermarket and deli departments. I’ll need to hire more people…”
“Cleaning up… and hiring people…?”
Anna-san put a hand to her mouth, visibly trembling. The skeletons started shaking so much they were rattling loudly.
“We’ve already agreed on a contract where they pay a percentage up to a certain amount. Once a few stores start operating, I think it’ll act as a draw, and we might see more tenant applications. But there’s still one major issue…”
One of the skeletons clung to Anna-san.
The Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store has a lot of secrets. The fact that we’ve got a runaway elf girl working here is probably okay now since I’ve finally sent a letter back to her hometown. But we also have a dragon and undead employees, and there’s no way we can make the existence of the Transfer Gate public knowledge. We’ll need people who can either keep those secrets or won’t be bothered by them.
“N-Naoya-san! You’re not thinking of ‘r-reducing’ these kids, are you?!”
“Huh?”
“‘Cleaning up the back and hiring people’… and saying there’s an issue! It’s okay, everyone! If we’re ‘reduced,’ I’ll search for a safe haven with you all!”
“No, no, no! That’s not what I meant! I rely on you, Anna-san, and the skeletons! If I let anyone go, the store wouldn’t function!”
I was shocked to see Anna-san with tears in her eyes. It seems my muttering had made her and the skeletons worry unnecessarily. It’s true that the existence of the “undead that mustn’t be seen” is a challenge, but it’s thanks to Anna-san and the skeletons that the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store even operates. I’m genuinely grateful.
“So please, rest easy, okay? I’ll be counting on you all moving forward.”
“Phew… that’s a relief… Yes, of course. No matter what hardships come—whether it’s drinking muddy water or gnawing on tree bark—I’ll follow you, Naoya-san…”
“That’s heavy! And skeletons, stop nodding in agreement! Besides, none of you need food to survive in the first place, right?!”
Anna-san and the skeletons froze in realization. Anna-san gave a sheepish smile, as if to say, “Oh my, silly me.” As for the skeletons… well, it just felt like they were giving off a similar vibe.
That said…
“It’s true that with more people coming in, we’ll need to think about schedules and spaces where you can work without being seen. Let’s plan this out together.”
It’s clear we need to address this. Opening the tenant spaces means more customers will undoubtedly come into the mall. Ideally, cleaning would happen not just after closing but during business hours too.
“…Maybe we could just reveal everything and frame it as some kind of mascot attraction?”
It’s now the 42nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store. Having a plan for three tenants is great, but challenges remain abundant.
Since it’s been about a month and a half, that means there are four and a half months left to meet the monthly sales goal of 100 million yen.
We can do it. We have to do it. I believe we can!