AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 82
Episode 8-9
“Well then, shall I give you a tour of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store? I’ve got some free time now.”
“Um, if it’s okay with you…”
“Naoya-san, actually, I suggested she try selling her galettes here. It’s a good opportunity to do some market research, and although it’s up to you to approve it, I thought it would be beneficial.”
“Ah, I see. That’s why Colette is carrying her equipment.”
“I apologize for acting without your permission.”
“No, no, it’s fine, Peddler-san. We won’t know if it sells until we try. In Japan, we could refer to sales data from other Aion Malls, but this is a good idea.”
This is the 18th day since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store. The galette-selling girl who arrived on the trial run of the free shuttle carriage wants to test-sell her galettes.
Given that our only tenant selling daily necessities is the Peddler-san, trying this out seems like a good idea. Also, sorry for inviting tenants without showing them any numbers.
“Then, please start whenever you’re ready, Colette.”
“Yes!”
Colette’s eyes shine with excitement, probably eager to try her trade in a new environment. She quickly starts preparing, humming to herself with a wagging tail. Helping this beastman girl by buying her galette recipe wasn’t a mistake after all. Though I still haven’t figured out how to use the recipe if she becomes a tenant.
“…Well, maybe we’ll use it when we open the food court. Also, it’s a defensive measure to keep others from buying it. Yeah, let’s go with that. If the guild leader questions it, I’ll just say that.”
“Naoya-san?”
“Nothing, nothing. Okay, I’ll support her. Thank you for bringing her here, Peddler-san, and for the trial sales idea.”
“I’m glad to be of service. I’ll return to the trial run.”
“Yes, please continue.”
After grooming the horse and checking the carriage, the Peddler-san returns to the driver’s seat. At the signal of the reins, the carriage moves away.
“Oh, I forgot to ask the name of the Peddler-san again… The whole family.”
My muttering is drowned out by the rattling carriage and the voices of Chloe enthusiastically selling our side dishes, and the noisy adventurers.
Colette’s preparations are completed before noon, just in time for the lunch rush.
“Naoya! This is bad! It will sell out!”
“Isn’t that a good thing, Chloe?”
“If it sells out! I won’t get to taste it! Oh, pouring that thick, rich liquid all over!”
“Watch your language! It’s just jam on a galette! Your food obsession and usual fantasies are making it sound weird!”
Our menu includes various cutlets, hamburg steaks, beef stew, and derivative items like cutlet sandwiches and hamburgers. The galettes with lots of fruit jam are selling well, serving as desserts for adventurers and light meals for merchants and coachmen.
“Yeah, it seems to be going well.”
Colette is selling her galettes in the same way as she did in town, moving around the makeshift seating area with a tray strapped to her neck. Although she initially hesitated because she’s a beastman, the customers don’t seem to mind.
“What’s this about hair getting into food? We’re eating outside, who cares about a bit of hair? Look at my hands, they’re dirty, right?”
“You’re right… Thank you.”
But please wash your hands. Aion Mall has clean water.
“Exactly, what’s a bit of hair? It’s not like a monster poisoned the food.”
“You’re right… Thank you!”
Actually, our side dishes are made by monsters. No poison, though.
“Anyway, could someone who worries about that live in a cursed town?”
“True enough. So, beastman girl, give me one too!”
“Thank you!”
Oh, Anna-san looks depressed. Cheer up! There’s a dark aura leaking out!
Adventurers and merchants aren’t as concerned about Colette being a beastman as she thought. Maybe people who face danger regularly think differently than those who stay in town.
“See, Colette, you worry too much! I have never been discriminated against for being an elf! Though they call me a ‘failed elf’!”
“That’s its own issue. Maybe Chloe just doesn’t notice.”
“From my observations, the town doesn’t have a strong sense of hierarchy. However, more expensive restaurants might avoid hiring beastmen due to shedding issues.”
“Ah, I see. So it’s about the hair.”
“Most likely. Naoya-san, doesn’t it bother you?”
“As long as she changes and wears a hat in the kitchen, it’s fine. She usually wears a headscarf and keeps her tail tucked away. Though it occasionally pops out.”
“Naoya is quite meticulous!”
“Even if hygiene standards are different here, we need to maintain a baseline. If hair gets in, we’ll apologize.”
No matter how much we try, some hair will get in. Plus, the side dishes are in locally made ceramic containers with gaps in the lids.
“If you’re worried about hair, you could go full-body hair removal, work naked, and shave your head—”
“Naoya, you have peculiar tastes! Restraining me while I cry out! Laughing as you humiliate me! ‘Heh, heh, how embarrassing, right?’ Kuh- Just kill me!”
“What kind of fantasy is that? I’m normal. Completely normal.”
Chloe’s ideas are becoming increasingly perverted.
“Naoya-san? Everyone else doesn’t have…”
“Right. If I shaved, there would be no contamination. It’s just me and the skeletons in the kitchen. Skeletons don’t have hair.”
I watch Colette work, avoiding reality. She’s struggling financially due to having to pay rent now.
Even so, Colette seems to enjoy selling her galettes, interacting with customers with a smile. Despite it being her first day of trial sales, she’s a strong asset in both selling and customer service. She even promotes our side dishes as “really delicious!” while giving out samples.
…She’s more reliable than some of our staff. And she can interact with customers.