It was lunchtime, and Kent headed to the back of the school building, where he usually ate lunch. However, no one was there.
“Huh?”
Kent had been bothered by Carol’s attitude that morning, but he thought she would at least show up for lunch. But not only Carol, Rachel and Josette were also nowhere to be seen. He waited for a while, but Kent had a meeting with Bobby later, so he reluctantly left the place and headed to the school cafeteria.
“What’s wrong? You look down.”
“You don’t look too cheerful yourself, Bobby?”
“Well, yeah.”
When Kent arrived at the cafeteria, Bobby was already waiting. The lunch rush had passed, and the cafeteria was sparsely populated. Bobby was also preoccupied with his situation with Prim and wasn’t his usual bright self, sporting a somewhat subdued expression.
“But seeing you two like this, it’s hard to believe you’re not dating.” Bobby murmured, watching Prim move busily behind the cafeteria counter.
“She certainly doesn’t waste any movements. As expected of someone in charge of running the place.”
The school cafeteria was operated by a subsidiary of Prim’s father’s trading company. Prim, Bobby’s girlfriend, was in charge of its management. It seemed to be a way for her to study business operations, as she was expected to take over the trading company in the future. Noticing Bobby between her busy tasks, Prim waved in his direction.
“It’s almost over, isn’t it?” Kent said softly. Kent and Bobby sat down at a vacant table and waited for Prim to finish her work. The students had already finished their meals, and only a few students remained in the cafeteria, enjoying small talk during their lunch break.
“Thanks for waiting.” Prim approached Kent and Bobby’s table, taking off her apron. Bobby and Prim sat next to each other, with Kent facing them across the table.
“I’m so sorry, Kent, for involving you in our problems.” Prim apologized to Kent as she sat down.
“Don’t worry about it. Bobby asked for my help, and I want to support you two.”
“That’s a relief to hear.”
“Thanks, my best friend.”
Prim and Bobby bowed their heads to Kent.
“So, Kent, without further ado, what’s this great idea you have?” Bobby asked, having been curious since morning.
“First, I need to confirm. The reason your relationship wasn’t approved was because your family, Bobby, is just a regular family, right? Is it safe to assume that if Bobby held a certain position, there wouldn’t be any problems?”
“Yes, if Bobby were born into a wealthy merchant family or aristocratic family, for example, there wouldn’t be any issues. But as you know, Kent…” Prim replied powerlessly.
“For both of you, is it more than just dating… do you intend to be together?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Kent asked for confirmation, and they both answered immediately.
“Bobby… I don’t think it’s possible at this point. But Prim, you’ve been studying management, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I’ve studied everything from managing small shops to large trading companies since I was a child.”
“That’s reassuring to hear. Bobby, if you want to walk alongside Prim, you’ll study business too, right?”
“I’m not good at studying… but if it’s to be with you, I’ll try my best.”
Kent confirmed with Prim and Bobby.
“Then, I’ll give you some advice for the two of you.”
“…”
They waited for Kent’s next words.
“Do you both know about the Jastar Trading Company?”
“Yes, we know it well. That company is a rival to the one my father runs. Their scale is almost equal.”
“That shop has its issues. I use it occasionally.”
“What?!”
“Huh?”
Prim exclaimed loudly upon hearing Bobby’s words. Bobby, surprised by her reaction, couldn’t help but ask for clarification.
“If you shop at places like the Jastar Trading Company, why don’t you use my shop?”
“Well… it was before we started dating…”
“I’m sorry. I lost my composure for a moment.”
Prim couldn’t argue when he said it was before they started dating. Regaining some composure, she relaxed and sat back down.
“So, what about the Jastar Trading Company?”
“Actually, it’s currently suspended from business.”
“Huh?”
When Kent said that, they both looked surprised.
“You know about the kidnapping incident we were involved in the other day? The mastermind behind it was the Jastar Trading Company.”
“But Emily was an employee of the shop. Even though we’re commoners, isn’t it strange for them to be suspended from business? Even children of upper aristocrats wouldn’t receive such severe punishment unless they were kidnapped.” Prim, who had some knowledge in that area, asked curiously.
“Perhaps there was pressure from somewhere. I don’t know the specifics.”
“Could it be that you, Kent, are a person of very high standing? You seem to know the Duke, someone ordinary commoners wouldn’t be able to meet.”
“That’s because of my association with Josette…”
“That’s also strange. When we first met, Josette treated you like any other male student, but then you became friends with Josette and Caro… I felt left behind.”
Originally, Prim had acted with Carol as part of Josette’s entourage, but after Carol broke away, their relationship had deteriorated, and they were now estranged, only seeing each other at the cafeteria. Her initial intention of trying to curry favor with the Duke’s family had backfired, and she had become like an “Auntie” of the cafeteria.
“Sorry, I got sidetracked. Please continue.”
“Understood. So, as punishment, the Jastar Trading Company’s stores, including their assets, were confiscated.”
“Does that mean… our rival trading company has disappeared?”
“It hasn’t disappeared… only the stores were confiscated. The company itself still exists… I think.”
“But that company, without that main store, only has a few small branches in other towns. Considering their previous scale, it’s practically nonexistent.” Kent replied, recalling what he had read in the documents. Prim added based on her knowledge.
“So, what will happen to the confiscated stores? Normally, they would be sold, and the proceeds would go to the national treasury, wouldn’t they?”
“Well, they said they would give them to me.”
“Huh?!”
Prim and Bobby exclaimed in surprise.
“Give them to you… the scale isn’t like that, is it? It’s a store on par with our trading company!” Prim said, her voice rising.
“It’s too much for me… I can barely handle the work in a small bakery. That’s why I told them I would transfer the rights to you, Prim, since you’ve been studying management. The Jastar Trading Company’s original objective was to kidnap you, so I think you have the right to it.”
“Eh? Me, manage that store?” Prim asked, surprised.
“Judging by your surprise, you haven’t heard about it yet. I told them I would transfer it to you, Prim, but I think it would be best if you received it jointly with Bobby. That way, you would both be co-operators, and Bobby would become a merchant managing a trading company on par with yours.”
“I… I don’t have the confidence to manage such a large store.”
“You can learn from Prim about that.”
In contrast to the surprised Bobby, Prim showed a thoughtful gesture.
“Well… if things continue like this, our relationship won’t be approved. Let’s give it our best effort together. I’ll teach you if there’s anything you don’t understand. Come on, let’s try our best!” Enthused by the prospect of managing a large store, Prim excitedly said to Bobby.
“Yeah… nothing’s going to change if we just stay like this. Let’s go along with it. We’ll count on each other from now on, Prim.”
“Yes, Bobby. Let’s do our best together.”
Bobby and Prim clasped hands, ready to face what lay ahead.
