“So, first, a report. Elnet, Josette, what was the reaction to the matter we discussed?”
Kent decided to ask Elnet and Josette, who had been absent from the No. 2 store since its opening due to family matters, about the results of what he had asked them to do.
“Just as you instructed, Kent, we conducted promotional activities at a party. The reaction was very positive.”
“Josette, Elnet, thank you.”
Josette reported the results, and Kent thanked the two of them. Hearing this, Josette and Elnet showed slight blushes.
“I expect the No. 2 store will be busy starting today. Especially today, I believe the results of Josette’s and Elnet’s public relations efforts will bring in many customers. Once they purchase something, they’ll need to use our merchandise continuously, which should lead to regular purchases. Furthermore, if we increase that number of customers, the total number of customers will grow, and I believe it will stabilize the store’s business. Also, if there are other parties, would you be willing to help us again?”
“Of course.”
“If Kent says so, I’ll help.”
Both Josette and Elnet readily agreed to Kent’s request.
“Regarding today, I’m thinking of sending support from the No. 1 store to the No. 2 store. Marie, Caro, Catherine, and Patty will come with me. Josette, Elnet, I’m leaving the No. 1 store in your care, as Elnet and Josette are now there, and Emily and Al are unable to move.”
Kent decided on their respective responsibilities. The reason he didn’t send Josette and Elnet to the No. 2 store was a consideration to avoid suspicion. If the people who attended the party visited the store and found them there, they might suspect that the store and the party were connected, leading to various conjectures. Fortunately, it seemed that none of the aristocrats who had visited the No. 1 store had participated in the party.
“Then, I’ll leave the rest in your hands.”
“Leave it to us!”
“I’ll do my best for Kent.”
“We’ll do our best for Master…”
Kent entrusted the store to the four remaining individuals at the store. Josette and Elnet replied, and just as Emily and Al were about to speak, their voices overlapped.
“I was going to say that first!”
“I’ll give that right back to you!”
Al and Emily glared at each other. Kent, thinking that the same thing that happened with the previous destruction of the store might occur, rushed to intervene.
“I asked you two to get along, didn’t I?”
“Huuu…”
“Hmph.”
Upon Kent’s words, the two became quiet.
“Then, Emily and Al, please look after the store for us.”
“Understood.”
With that, the store was left in the care of Josette, Elnet, Emily, and Al. Kent, Marie, Caro, Catherine, and Patty, a group of five, headed for the No. 2 store.
Meanwhile, at the No. 2 store. Rachel was preparing for opening with a tired demeanor.
“I have to do something… I have to…”
Rachel was concerned about the store’s management not going well and had barely slept since the opening day. Therefore, she had been pushing herself with sheer willpower until leaving the No. 1 store, but it seemed she had reached her limit. She swayed unsteadily and collapsed inside the store.
“Store Manager!”
Lola, alerted by the sound, rushed over and checked on Rachel’s condition.
“She has a high fever. I have to do something.”
“Master is trying too hard, nya.”
“Who?”
There should only be Rachel and Lola in this store, but Lola was surprised when a voice suddenly spoke from behind her. A blonde boy with cat ears stood there.
“Oh, how cute. No, no, that’s not the issue. I don’t know who you are, but the Store Manager is in trouble. Could you please call someone?”
“It’s alright, nya. She’s just tired. If you let her sleep, she’ll recover soon, nya.”
The cat-eared boy said this, then picked up Rachel and carried her to Lola’s room, laying her on the bed.
“I’ll borrow this for a bit, nya.”
“You can borrow it, but who are you?”
Now that Rachel was asleep, Lola had the余裕 to pay attention to her surroundings and asked the cat-eared boy the question that had been on her mind.
“We see each other every day. It’s Mike.”
“Haa… Mike? Wait?”
Lola exclaimed in surprise. The Mike she knew was a golden cat that always slept in the store.
“It’s probably just as you’re thinking. Let me reintroduce myself. I am Mike. I am what they call a shop-attached fairy.”
“Shop-attached fairy?”
Lola recalled hearing about shop-attached fairies from Etsigoya before and remembered the conversation. At that time, Etsigoya had mentioned that there were such beings in the past who helped stores with special abilities, leading them to great prosperity. However, Etsigoya had spoken of it as if it were a legend, recounting it like a fairy tale.
“So shop-attached fairies really exist.”
“Indeed. I’ve powered up a bit, so I can help out at the store starting today.”
“Even so, the Store Manager is in this condition…”
Lola looked worriedly at Rachel lying on the bed.
“Josette… I’m so mad!”
“Eek!”
Rachel suddenly spoke these belligerent words in her sleep. Startled by the voice, Lola involuntarily cried out.
“Could it be that the Store Manager and Josette have a bad relationship?”
Lola hesitantly asked Mike.
“I don’t know Josette that well, so I can’t say, but when she visited before the opening, she didn’t seem to have a bad relationship, nya.”
“Is that so… If that’s the case, then it’s fine…”
Lola said, as if reassuring herself.
“We need to prepare to open the store soon, the opening time is approaching, nya.”
“Oh my, you’re right. But will the two of us be alright?”
“There’s no need to worry about that, nya. Soon…”
Just as Mike was about to finish speaking, the sound of multiple people entering the store was heard.
“Huh? Customers are coming in before we’ve even opened?”
Lola hurried out of the private room and went down to the store floor below to attend to the customers.
“I apologize, it’s not yet opening time… Ah, Owner.”
The people who had entered the store were Marie, the owner, and other employees from the No. 1 store.
“We’ve come to help. Where’s Rachel?”
“She collapsed a little while ago…”
“What?”
“Aka… I mean, what is Rachel’s condition?”
Kent regretted not noticing that Rachel was in such a state as to collapse.
“She’s alright, nya. She’s sleeping in Lola’s room now, nya.”
“Oh? This scent is Mike, isn’t it? You’ve powered up.”
Even though Mike’s appearance had changed, Caro’s sense of smell seemed to recognize him immediately, regardless of his appearance. Caro, who knew about shop-attached fairies, seemed to have grasped the situation.
“Leave this to us and go check on Rachel.”
“Thank you, Caro. Then, everyone, please proceed with preparations.”
Saying this, Kent headed to the room where Rachel was sleeping.
