AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 170
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 13-10
Day 48 since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
The two Catkin who had gone back to their village to secure goods have returned.
They skillfully garnered the interest of their fellow villagers and managed to stabilize a supply chain.
Thanks to their efforts, they’ve decided to become tenants at the mall.
But more importantly…
The Catkin brought back someone they happened to meet at the village.
Not just anyone, but an elf.
And not just any elf—one who looks exactly like Chloe.
“Chloe! Oh, perfect timing, Barbera! Catch Chloe for me!”
“…Defeat her?”
“Not defeat! Just catch her, gently and without hurting her, please!”
I called out to Barbera, who happened to be passing by.
She tilted her head and said something dangerous, so I quickly stopped her.
When a dragon says “defeat,” it’s way too ominous. Even though she gets along with Chloe, it’s still worrisome.
“Barbera, please! Have mercy on this holy knight! For the sake of Chloe the Holy Knight’s honor!”
“…Mercy?”
“Don’t fall for it, Barbera! And Chloe, if you’re going to call yourself a holy knight, act with dignity! You have a job, you’re living your life properly, and you’re a respectable elf!”
“Ugh…”
“…catch?”
Perhaps realizing the futility of her escape or swayed by my words, Chloe stopped running.
At the perfect moment, Barbera gently grabbed her foot, tilting her head in childlike wonder, as if thinking, Wait, weren’t we playing tag? Despite being 140 years old, her youthful appearance often seemed to influence her demeanor.
“Good, good. Got ya, Chloe. And thank you, Barbera.”
“Ugh… ugh…”
“Come on, hold your head high. Show her how far you’ve come and reassure her.”
“Ugh… ugh, but Naoya, I… I…”
Chloe was unusually flustered.
But she glanced at her sister.
Her sister began walking toward her, slowly and deliberately.
“See? Hold your head high, just like usual.”
“H-hold my chest high?! Don’t tell me, Naoya, you mean to—‘Show off your impressive chest, huh? Hmm? Hmm?’—and then touch me? Curse you! Die!”
“AAAAHHHH! That’s not what I meant at all! Why are you imagining that now?!”
She seemed to have regained her usual self, but this was not the time for that.
I cautiously glanced at her sister.
She was smiling, softly.
“Hehe, I’m a bit relieved. It seems my sister has found companions she can trust.”
“Oh, she seems normal! Chloe’s little sister seems so normal. See, Chloe? It’s been a long time since you’ve seen each other. She looks fine, so go talk to her!”
“U-um…”
Chloe turned around, straightened her posture, and looked directly at her sister.
Finally, she opened her mouth to speak.
“My name is Chloe Dupois Christophe Claudine Vertu Ondine!”
“Why the full introduction?! She’s your sister, right?! Oh, is this an elf thing—using full names when meeting after a long time?”
“It’s been a while, Onee-chan. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
“Nope, guess not! Chloe, are you still nervous? Calm down, take a deep breath. Your sister seems really kind.”
“I left the Elf Village to become a knight of this country! I’ve mastered holy magic and am now a holy knight! And currently, I work at the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store!”
“…When you say it like that, the ’employee at Aion’ part really stands out. I mean, we’re grateful and all, and you’re doing great, but still.”
“That’s why I won’t return to the village! I’m a proud member of the Aion family! I deliver satisfaction to our customers!”
“Whoa… Chloe’s saying such admirable things…”
Watching her proclaim all this with such passion was oddly moving.
Having said her piece, Chloe stood there with her chest puffed out and breathing heavily.
Barbera, who was still clinging to Chloe’s leg, gazed up at her curiously before finally letting go and wandering off. Lost interest, maybe? Or perhaps she was being considerate and leaving the sisters to talk privately. Yeah, let’s go with that.
As for me? As Chloe’s boss, I stayed put. I’m the manager, after all.
“So, you’re here to take Chloe back to the village, I assume? For the record, Chloe works here as an employee of Aion Mall. I’m all for her taking a break to visit home, but having her quit… that would be a bit of an issue.”
I intervened, addressing the sisters who were staring at each other.
Not because we’re short-staffed and her absence would be a problem. Nope, totally not that.
Chloe’s sister turned to me and smiled.
“You must be Naoya-san. You’re exactly as described in my sister’s letters.”
“…I’m curious about what Chloe wrote, but I’ll set that aside. Nice to meet you. I’m Naoya, the manager of this Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.”
“Nice to meet you, Naoya-san. I am Carol Dupois Christophe Claudine Vertu Ondine.”
“Ah, of course, a long name. And except for the first part, it’s the same as Chloe’s. Um…”
“‘Carol, a member of the Dupois clan living in Vertu Village under the protection of the spirit Ondine, daughter of Christophe and Claudine.’ Please call me Carol.”
“Oh, uh, thank you. Nice to meet you, Carol-san.”
When I bowed my head, Carol-san followed suit, bowing politely.
She seemed… really normal.
So elves aren’t all like Chloe, huh? Guess Chloe’s quirks are less a racial trait and more… personal. Chloe, oh Chloe…
“Onee-chan, and Naoya-san. I have no intention of forcibly taking my sister back.”
“Eh?”
“R-really, Carol?! Really?!”
“Yes. If my sister is doing well, we’ve decided to support her. I discussed it with Father and Mother, and they agreed. That’s why I came to see for myself.”
“Oh, I see, I see! Welcome, Carol! Take your time here! Oh, since you’re here, let me treat you to some of Aion Mall’s famous dishes!”
While Chloe started to get overly excited, I looked up at the sky.
The otherworld’s sky was just as blue as ever today.
“Don’t get too carried away, Chloe… Did you even catch that part about ‘if you’re doing well’…?”
Day 48 since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Today seems to have turned into Chloe’s family visitation day.
I hope it’ll go smoothly. Chloe’s been excelling in live demonstrations lately, so I believe in you! Just please, don’t let your reputation as the “Klutz Knight” or the “Failed Elf” show, okay?
As for the Catkin’s tenant contract? That’s proceeding smoothly, no worries there.