AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 174
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 13-14
“That’s right! I have something I want to ask you too, Naoya-san.”
Carol-san, who had been talking with Chloe, turned to me.
Chloe, relieved that she didn’t have to return the <Item Pouch> and sword, patted her chest in relief.
Anna-san was smiling as usual behind me.
“Something you want to ask? If it’s something I can answer—”
“Hey, it’s the manager! Can you take a quick look?”
“Quano-san, I’m a bit busy at the moment.”
“Oh, that’s fine, after you’re done. I wouldn’t want to interrupt your work.”
“Thank you. …Really, you seem more reliable than Chloe.”
Quano-san approached us swiftly as we were talking in the aisle of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Quano-san is of the dragonkin. He looks like a large iguana. He manages the fishing port in the harbor town and is a business partner who delivers seafood via wyvern courier. A talking iguana, but still.
“What’s the matter? Is there a problem with the fresh fish supply?”
“Oh no, it’s not that! It’s about the shop!”
Quano-san enthusiastically led us to a tenant space that was being prepared for opening.
“Ah, Manager! Please try a taste if you like!”
“Thank you for letting us use such wonderful cooking utensils, Naoya-san. Or perhaps I should call you Naoya-sama.”
“Collette, Francine-san too. Also, Francine-san, seriously, you don’t need to call me that. It’s really Anna-san who’s amazing for preparing the magic tools.”
“Nyouya! We’re almost ready over here too, nya!”
“You should properly address him as Nyaoya-san, considering the help he’s providing us.”
“The catkin, Catpeople, are also here. Though neither of you are quite getting my name right.”
As we exited the supermarket and drugstore spaces, we came to an open plaza.
Immediately visible were Collette and Francine-san.
They were testing cooking equipment for their galette shop.
Chloe was already drooling. Carol-san, on the other hand, was just looking intrigued, her eyes sparkling but no drool. I guess that’s why she’s called a failed elf and a useless knight.
Across the aisle from the galette shop were two catkin, a tabby and a calico, sorting products they had brought from the Catpeople village.
They were displaying fabric on low stands and hanging garments on hangers.
They had adopted my suggestion for a typical Aion tenant display. Much appreciated.
“How’s it look, Manager? Taking shape, right?”
Quano-san, standing at my feet, lifted his upper body slightly. Very iguana-like. I could tell he was puffing his chest out proudly.
A galette shop, a harbor town goods store, and a Catpeople craft shop.
These three stores were currently preparing for opening as tenants.
Quano-san wanted me to see their progress.
“I think it looks good! Next is customer service training. Oh, but before that—”
“This is delicious! Well done, Collette!”
“The jam and galettes have such a simple flavor… they’re delicious.”
“Thank you very much!”
“It’s an honor to hear that from you two elves.”
As I was about to get serious, Chloe and Carol-san were already sampling the galettes.
Yeah, it seems elves are all gourmands.
“Shall we decide on store names? And we’ll need a logo too.”
“A logo?”
“Hmm, maybe a stylized mark of the product would be better than just a logo. Some people might not be able to read.”
“Oh, I see! Like a sign! Sometimes I don’t quite get what you’re saying, Manager!”
“Signs for the aisle, and also above, to the sides, at the Aion entrance, and along the roadside. That will attract new customers.”
“Got it. But a design and a name…”
“How about names that reflect your hometowns? Something straightforward might be better than something pretentious.”
“Indeed! For us, let’s honor the young lady who connected us by naming it after ‘Dragon’.”
“That would be Barbara, right? Make sure to get permission from her parents.”
“Dragon, scales, breath, Red Dragon, Twin Dragon Island, Flame King Dragon and Water Queen Dragon.”
“Isn’t that a bit hard to understand? Names that evoke the sea or fish might be better.”
“Name, name… three-color fur!”
“Oh, you!”
“Is that a love declaration? A more general name would be better… though some shops do use personal names.”
“A name, huh. What would be good, Mom?”
“We should name it after our benefactor. Let’s spread Naoya-san’s name across the land, Collette.”
“Please don’t. If you’re going to use a personal name, just go with ‘Francine’s Galettes’ or something.”
The three stores were making progress, but their names were still undecided.
In this world, shops often name themselves after their symbols or their founders. Small stores might not even have names.
But that can be confusing.
“Ideally, I’d like you to come up with names freely… but if possible, please consult with us. It’s our first tenant, so why not decide together?”
Everyone nodded in agreement when I suggested this.
They were cooperative and straightforward, which I appreciated. I’ve heard that in Japan, disputes often arise when new tenants open up.
Anyway, it seemed Quano-san’s business was settled.
“So, Carol-san, what was it you wanted to ask?”
“Yes! Well… Could we elves also open a store as a tenant?”
“What!? What are you saying, Carol?”
“…Really? Is that okay? I thought elves usually live in seclusion and dislike humans. Chloe left her village almost like she was running away.”
“Some elves are like that, but if we get permission, we’ll hire elves interested in humans and the outside world as staff.”
“Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine. But why do you want to do this?”
“Yeah, Carol! Wait, could it be you’re worried about me!?”
“Ah, I see. That way, you can monitor— I mean, keep an eye on Chloe. It might even reassure her parents.”
“No, that’s not it. I think it’s important… for foreign currency acquisition.”
Carol-san said this with a serious look in her eyes.
She clenched her small fists at her waist. Chloe, Collette, and the two Catpeople looked blank, while Anna-san expressed mild surprise, and Francine-san and Quano-san nodded in understanding.
“Wow, she’s much more responsible than I thought! I mean, yes, foreign currency acquisition is important! But why are the Catpeople looking so blank?”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice, but the Catpeople just tilted their heads in confusion.
Right, they came here out of personal curiosity, not for their village’s benefit. In this world, it’s actually the iguana and Francine-san who are unusually perceptive about such matters.
“Alright, I’ll explain the details of the conditions later. If everything is agreeable, we can move forward.”
“Yes! Please do!”
Carol-san responded enthusiastically.
Honestly, the contrast with Chloe made me feel a bit let down, but I couldn’t blame her.
This was the 48th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
It seemed that, when things come together, they really come together—there might soon be a fourth tenant.
By the way…
“Hey, Carol, Father and Mother won’t be coming, right? They’re both busy, right? The strict elder who enforces the rules won’t come either, right? They have no interest in the outside world, right?”
Chloe’s trembling concerns were ignored.
Her younger sister seemed to be the type who prioritized the village’s benefit over personal feelings. She might be a bit too responsible. The contrast is striking.