Thorough preparation is extremely important for carrying out work.
For sales jobs, would preparing for presentations be an easy way to understand this?
You acquire prior knowledge for what you are about to do, go to the site to learn teachings, and then use your cultivated experience to create documents.
The results of that are presented on stage in the form of a presentation, and then you challenge the two choices of flying high or falling to the ground.
Those who prepare more yield better results, and the more you skimp on it, the further you stray from the desired outcome.
I understand this, I really do understand it, but…
“What kind of volume is this shopping list?”
I approve the shopping list, which spans several A4 pages, while sighing. Yet, I find myself wondering whether to be slightly appalled or impressed by my companions’ resourcefulness when push comes to shove.
I had decided to purchase these items after receiving explanations and finding them agreeable.
The total purchase amount listed at the end is quite substantial.
And who are the individuals responsible for such an amount?
Due to a rather heated purchasing meeting, even Kitamiya, who is usually calm, is now in line with me, awkwardly looking away with a flushed face. Meanwhile, Kaido and Minami are trying to brush it off with polite smiles, while Amelia and Katsu’s guilt is evident in their wry smiles.
“Well, it can’t be helped… but this means it will be tough to rely on Memoria for everything.”
“Huh? Is it impossible?”
“Ah, as much as Memoria’s family are wealthy merchants, the shop she herself runs is more like a general store. While potions and consumables, and magic bags are fine, when it comes to other magic tools, weapons, armor, and specialized medicines, it would be better to go to specialized shops.”
A quick check of the list reveals that many of the items are quite specialized. While it might be possible to ask Memoria to handle all of it, anything not in stock at her shop would require special orders and take time. That’s inefficient.
Despite our habits, we’ve always relied on Memoria’s shop, and for difficult items like weapons and armor, we’d go to other familiar shops.
“In that case, we’ll have to split up and shop efficiently…”
When I decide that we need to visit all our familiar shops this time, there are about two people whose eyes begin to sparkle. One is Minami, naturally, but the other is an unexpected surprise.
“Amelia, are you that excited?”
“Yeah! It’s my first time doing this much shopping!!”
“Damn, this pure smile is blinding!”
“That’s because your heart is impure, isn’t it?”
“Gah!?”
The two have completely opposite vectors of sparkling eyes. Minami is the type of person you shouldn’t give too much money to. While she might be fine when serious, if she harbors a little selfish desire, she might buy something outrageous. As for Amelia, how should I put it? She has the eyes of a boy who saved up desperately to buy his target car all at once, I suppose. She’s genuinely looking forward to this shopping trip.
“Alright, Minami, wake up.”
“Ugh, my chest, my chest hurts.”
“This is your chance to atone for your past actions.”
“But I won’t give up!”
“You’re quite persistent.”
I point out her usual behavior to Minami, who had collapsed clutching her chest, but she recovers with a wry smile, and I then look at the list. Nodding thoughtfully, I say:
“Kaido, Katsu, and Minami, you’re in charge of consumables. Buy the miscellaneous items that Memoria’s shop doesn’t carry. I, Kitamiya, and Amelia will buy the magic tools.”
I announce the two-team division. No one voices any objections. Everyone gives an affirmative reply.
“Well then, let’s be off.”
As it’s decided, we move to the underground facility without delay. The walk to the underground facility with everyone together was incredibly peaceful. Or so I wish it had been.
“Senpai, is it just me, or are people watching us?”
“They are. Well, we’re supposed to be the top tester party within the company, so it’s natural to attract attention.”
A few minutes after leaving the room. The female group’s expressions shift slightly to displeased at the surrounding gazes, while the males react differently; the usually insensitive Kaido feigns ignorance, Katsu looks a little uncomfortable, and I lead everyone forward without concern. If six of us are moving together, we’re bound to be noticed. And if we’re somewhat famous, it’s natural for people to follow us with their eyes. I wonder if this is how famous idols feel as we proceed. I assume most of these stares are from new recruits undergoing training, and worried about trouble if someone like Kawasaki appears, I quicken our pace.
“Wow, we’ve really become famous, haven’t we?”
“From my perspective, the quality of the gazes has changed, and it feels utterly strange.”
“…”
“Ah, sorry. I’m not blaming you, Kitamiya. It’s in the past.”
I hastily correct myself, as my casual remark, meant to be a response to Kaido’s excitement about the attention, sounded like I was blaming Kitamiya. I was merely saying what I had thought. When I first joined the company, I felt stares directed at me when I was solo, and they weren’t exactly pleasant. So, I was simply thinking about how much such attention can change just by a change in position. Kitamiya, who used to send unpleasant stares, is now tackling dungeons with me. Human relationships can change with just a small trigger. That’s all I thought. I had no ulterior motive. Waving my hand nonchalantly and urging them to move, I follow as the rest of the members, including Kitamiya, fall into line.
“Alright then, everyone, don’t waste money on unnecessary things.”
“We understand! However, Leader, surely it’s permissible to buy something if it’s a real find, isn’t it?”
“Even if you say that with a determined face, who would permit that, you idiot?”
“Haa, what!?”
And so, upon arriving at the underground facility and about to part ways, I give a chop to Minami, who had made a joke. Ignoring Minami, who clutches her head and doubles over, I convey our meeting spot.
“Kaido, once you’re done with your shopping, meet me at Hands’ shop.”
“Understood!!”
Unlike in games, weapons and armor must be purchased according to individual specifications, so they are bought last. Therefore, first, we need consumables and potions, then enhancement potions to conserve magic power for reinforcement magic, consumable magic tools like bombs, and support items such as talismans. This facility is like a department store where everything is available, yet it’s also arranged like a shopping street. We have to visit several shops to get everything we need. So, after reiterating my point to Minami, I set off with Kitamiya and Amelia for our shopping.
“By the way, Kitamiya.”
“Yes?”
“What happened with Katsu after that?”
“…”
During our casual conversation, I asked about the progress of her relationship with Katsu, but instead of blushing, stammering, or panicking, she simply averted her gaze. Kitamiya was implicitly asking me not to pry. It seems there has been no progress at all.
“My apologies.”
So, I apologized sincerely.
“Don’t apologize. If I think about it calmly, I haven’t had any romance other than with Tohru.”
Then, Kitamiya, with a hint of loneliness, revealed her lack of romantic experience, and I gently patted her shoulder, urging her not to worsen her wound. While Katsu’s mental state has stabilized for now, she hasn’t fully recovered. Even so, I can’t force a romance between Minami and Kitamiya, so I can only watch over them for now.
“Speaking of which, what about Amelia?”
“Me?”
“Ah, you’re a high school student, aren’t you? You must have had some romantic interests. A guy you’re interested in, or something.”
My phrasing might sound old-fashioned, but it’s necessary to change the mood of the room at this moment.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t really heard about Amī’s romance either.”
It takes a bit of courage for a man like me to bring it up, but I figure this much should be fine, and I pass the conversation to Amelia. Kitamiya also seems keen, asking Amelia what she thought. The conversation then shifts to Amelia, who then crosses her arms, tilts her head, and appears to be thinking for a moment. Are we hoping something comes to mind with that gesture?
“Hmm, nope!”
Amelia, however, easily betrays such expectations. After pondering for a while, Amelia’s response is a denial.
“Huh? None at all? Not even someone handsome?”
Perhaps as a fellow woman, Kitamiya probes Amelia a little.
“Until recently, I didn’t have many friends, but since the kidnapping incident, I’ve made a lot of friends. I’ve gotten along with some boys, but they’re all too childish, and I don’t think any of them have caught my eye!”
Hearing Amelia’s words in response to Kitamiya, I nod in understanding. This may be unavoidable. Given that most of her colleagues are older, Amelia seems to have a standard of judging people who are independent or have a grasp of reality. Perhaps that’s why she reacts so coldly to the affections of her peers who are infatuated with love itself and consider the attention of a handsome Amelia a source of pride.
“Besides! Right now, I’m having more fun doing various things with Karen-chan and Jirou-san, so it’s not a problem!”
“Is that so?”
“Is that alright?”
At this moment, I catch a glimpse of her potential future as a career woman who remains single for life, which sparks a flicker of anxiety.
While engaging in such small talk, we gather the items on the list one by one, packing what we can into our magic bags, so everyone is empty-handed.
“Hands, are you there?”
“Oh, isn’t that Jirou? Came to spend some money?”
“Something like that.”
“Oh, how unusual.”
It seems we arrived earlier than Kaido and the others, as their figures are nowhere to be seen inside the shop. Hands, a member of the giant race, who was working on something in the back, emerges from behind the counter with heavy footsteps. His rugged face and imposing physique are just as they always were. I smile, thinking it’s good he’s doing well, and he returns the smile with a slight upturn of his lips.
“We’re about to challenge the Dragon King’s Dungeon, so we need to get new weapons for our party members.”
“Oh, finally! You’ll need to be well-equipped against a dragon!”
“Don’t try to push some weird weapon on me.”
“I wouldn’t, and I can’t. It’s an order from Evia-sama. Ever since that incident, we need to file paperwork to sell magic swords. Ugh, so troublesome.”
“From our perspective, it’s a welcome measure to prevent recurrence.”
Learning that we’re buying weapons, his mood seems to lift. Hands, with a smile on his rugged face, pats me on the back. I indirectly warn him not to push magic swords too hard, and he grumbles that magic swords have become much harder to sell, looking somewhat displeased.
“Our signature product isn’t selling. Please, I’m counting on you.”
“I trust your products, so we’ll be making a large purchase for the first time in a while.”
“Gahahaha, then that’s great!”
While enduring his heavy slaps on my back, I casually ignore Hands’ complaints. With his mood now restored, I look around the store. As I know the place well, I give a greeting to Hands and head off to look at weapons with Kitamiya and the others. I intended to browse weapons for a little while to pass the time, but…
“Hey, Hands, what is that?”
“Huh? Can’t you tell by looking?”
“No, I can tell, but…”
A new section has appeared that wasn’t here the last time I visited. And upon seeing its contents, I can’t help but retort to Hands.
“That’s an Ore Tree, isn’t it?”
“Yep! Thanks to you becoming famous, I figured I might be able to sell them, so I prepared them.”
“What’s with the ‘series’ thing?”
“Wouldn’t it be more convenient to have various types?”
A section branded as the “Ore Tree Series.” What’s inside the glass cases are unmistakably Ore Trees. The difference is that, unlike the single Ore Tree created back then, the genre has expanded. There’s the greatsword type I bought, of course, but also dagger, axe, bow, and staff types, a lineup corresponding to each profession.
“Hey, is that alright? Isn’t there only a one in several thousand chance of an Ore Tree becoming a proper sword?”
“I’m fully prepared to be laughed at.”
“……Honestly.”
When I ask his intention in preparing so many potentially gambling weapons, he explains that he presumes there must be people who think there’s a secret to my strength because I use an Ore Tree, and thus he prepared the “Ore Tree Series.” To ensure that there are no complaints if things go wrong, Hands points to a sign with a notice and branding. Seeing Hands’ sparkling, thumbs-up smile, I can only say one thing:
“You’ve got a real nose for business.”
“That’s me!”
As Hands’ laughter fills the air like a BGM, I recall myself from a year ago.
Today’s Quote: You feel happy when you find an item in a store that reminds you of the past.
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*The first volume of the book has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The ebook version was released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume 2 was also released on December 19.
A third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on Shosetsuka ni Narou, and includes an unpublished interlude.
Please look forward to the new releases!
A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you will enjoy that as well.
We ask for your continued support of this work.
