When Kent and Rachel returned to the store after coming down the stairs, Lola spoke to them, looking worried.
“Well, if you could say they were awake, they were awake. For the time being, I gave them a strict warning,” Kent replied.
“Thank you. As expected of you, Store Manager,” Rachel said, puffing out her chest as if to say, “Look at me!” Lola looked relieved.
“So, they ended up getting scolded after all.”
“After all? Lola, when I made this proposal, you said, ‘Wonderful. Let’s do it!’, didn’t you?”
After that, he told Lola the reason why Kent had come to the second store this time. Hearing the reason, Lola replied in a tone that said, “As I thought.” However, Rachel didn’t seem to like that way of speaking.
“The Store Manager is the most important person in this store, aren’t they? If you say so, the employees have no choice but to obey.”
“Ugh, you’re right, but… I can’t quite accept that.”
To Lola, who had become a corporate slave, her boss Rachel’s words were absolute. Flattering her skillfully and agreeing with her boss’s opinion was a natural way of getting by in life. This seemed to be even more important in her previous job, where she didn’t speak like this, but simply answered “Yes” to whatever she was told. Kent thought that being able to tease her freely was a sign of a good work environment.
“So, I’ve heard the sales report, but what was the customer reaction to this event?”
“Well… it wasn’t bad. I think, if anything, they’re taking it positively.”
“Is that so? Then that’s good.”
Rachel seemed relieved by Lola’s report.
“By the way, Lola, what kind of events do you hold at this store?”
Deciding that he could only get a biased report from Rachel, Kent asked Lola about the event.
“Hmph, asking Lola instead of me, the Store Manager, is cruel! I’m the one in charge of this store, you know.”
Rachel pouted and protested, feeling ignored.
“Mainly, we decorated the outside and inside of the store, and changed the employees’ uniforms for the event. Inside the store, we play music that makes you feel strangely excited. This music is very popular with customers. And the design of the bags we use for shopping is stylish, with red, green, and white patterns like this. These bags are also popular with customers.”
Ignoring Rachel’s protest, Lola explained the outline of the Christmas event to Kent.
“Mike, could you play some music?”
“Understood, meow.”
At Lola’s instruction, Mike operated the sound equipment, and music with a Christmas theme began to play in the store.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? To be able to hear such wonderful music in the store without a live band… I think it’s very luxurious to enjoy tea gracefully in the dining space while listening to this.”
Lola said, closing her eyes and listening to the music. Although the second store doesn’t have the same elaborate cooking facilities as the first store, it also has a dining space. They offer a limited menu, but they target a relatively wealthy clientele, so the chairs and tables were initially the same simple ones as in the first store. However, they have now been replaced with more comfortable ones, allowing customers to enjoy their tea time gracefully.
“S-sorry.”
“Sorry we’re late.”
After a while, Chibol and Natali, who had finished their preparations, hurried down.
“You’re late. Please be punctual for work.”
“We apologize.”
“Oh my, they’re usually full of excuses, but today they’re both so honest. As expected of the Store Manager. To change their minds in such a short time.”
Lola reprimanded the two who had arrived late for work, but she seemed a little disappointed because they apologized so readily.
“Well then, everyone gather around. We’ll have our morning meeting.”
Like the first store, the second store gathers everyone before opening to confirm announcements and precautions. Lola gave the call to assemble, and all the employees working that day gathered in the store.
“Since the Store Manager is here today, which is unusual, I’d like you to say a few words in greeting.”
“Eh? Me?”
Rachel, who was suddenly called upon by Lola, voiced her displeasure.
“It’s… been a while? I was away from the store for a short time, but I’m glad to see you all doing well. According to Lola, the Christmas event is also receiving a good response from customers. Keep up the good work until the event ends.”
Rachel spoke to the assembled employees in a store manager-like manner.
“However, Master, he was scolded by the owner for starting the event without permission, meow.”
“Pfft.”
Mike muttered softly after Rachel, who had made a firm statement, and laughter was heard from inside the store.
“Alright, alright. Those who laughed just now will have their pay docked.”
“Noooo!”
Rachel said jokingly. The people who laughed also responded with pathetic voices, agreeing with Rachel’s words.
“The atmosphere of the store changes so much just by the Store Manager being here.”
“I kind of like this atmosphere.”
The meeting, involving Rachel, was more cheerful than the usual one, which only conveyed business matters. Chibol and Natali, who had started working recently, were impressed by the warm atmosphere, which was different from what they knew.
“Indeed, the store’s atmosphere changes when the Store Manager is here. When I’m in charge, it always just turns into a business update.”
Lola seemed to be nodding to herself, watching the scene.
“If we keep chatting, we won’t be ready for opening. Lola, please continue.”
“Understood.”
Since they would not be ready for opening if they continued to chat, Rachel ended her speech and handed over to Lola.
“Now, for one item. As the end of the year approaches, parties are held in various places by the aristocracy from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year. In preparation for this, our purchases of beauty supplies, hair washing liquids, soaps, etc., are increasing. Some items are running low in stock, so we need to urgently order from the first store to prevent stockouts. Also, more customers from the aristocracy are visiting without prior notice. Please be very careful in your handling of them.”
Lola explained the precautions to the employees.
“As for the aristocrats scheduled to visit today…”
Next, Lola reported the names of the aristocrats who had given prior notice of their visit and the approximate time of their arrival. Looking at the other employees, this information seemed important, and some were even taking notes in their notebooks so as not to miss it.
“Do you get advance notices these days?”
“That’s right. I think people should come when they want to, but many aristocrats seem to be particular about these things,” Kent replied to Rachel with a look of annoyance.
“Well then, let’s open as soon as the preparations are complete. Let’s all do our best today too.”
Lola concluded, and the morning meeting ended. Then, everyone began their final checks of their respective areas.
“Lola, can I have a moment?”
“Yes, Store Manager.”
After the meeting, Rachel called out to Lola.
“You don’t have to go to the first store to replenish stock today.”
“Eh? But we have several items with tight inventory…”
“Because my older brother is here today.”
“Ah, that’s right, that’s right. Kent is here. In that case, I’ll tell everyone not to enter the warehouse.”
“Please take care of it.”
Lola, who knew the system for replenishing goods at Marie’s Bakery, seemed to recall it and nodded in understanding. Normally, to replenish stock, one person from the store would go to the first store and give Emily, who was at the first store, a list of what was needed to place an order. Emily, upon receiving the order form, would operate the terminal and place an order for the necessary items with Kent. Kent would then approve the ordered items on his own terminal to obtain them. After a short wait, the ordered items would be prepared, and they would be picked up and brought back to the second store. Incidentally, Rachel has been abusing this system, occasionally sneaking in items she wants for her own benefit. Since she orders in large quantities, she knows that Kent trusts Emily and doesn’t check each item individually, which allows her to commit these acts. Incidentally, since the personal belongings Rachel orders are paid for with her own salary, the owner, Marie, knows about this but tacitly approves it because no financial loss is incurred.
“Well then, Older brother, let’s go replenish the stock.”
“Hey, what are you doing leaving your post, Store Manager?”
Pulled by Rachel’s hand, Kent was led into the warehouse where the goods were stored.
