The fun holiday with Josette passed in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, Marie’s Bakery was celebrating its last operating day of the year.
“Everyone, today is our last day of business for the year. Due to year-end parties, Elnet, Josette, Patty, and Catherine will be taking the day off. I know it will be difficult with fewer people, but let’s do our best.”
Marie said this to everyone at the morning meeting. Although they had been informed in advance, it seemed that aristocrats held large-scale parties around the New Year, and Elnet, a daughter of an upper aristocrat, Josette, and Patty and Catherine, who had been invited due to their connection with the 2nd Prince and Saintess status respectively, were absent today to participate. Caro, also an aristocrat, was supposed to attend as well but chose to prioritize the shop and came to work today.
“Ah, sorry. Today is also the last day for our second branch, so I’ll head over there after I finish preparing here.”
“I understand. Well then, Rachel, please take care of the second branch.”
Until recently, many aristocrats had visited the second branch in preparation for the upcoming party, but with the main event starting today, the customer flow had calmed down. Since today was also the last day for the first branch, Rachel seemed to be helping with the opening preparations for the understaffed first branch before heading to the second.
“Well then, everyone, to your stations and begin preparations.”
At Marie’s signal, everyone went to their respective positions and began preparing for opening.
“Alright, it’s baked. Kent, please prepare the next batch of bread. Al, bring the bread into the shop.”
“Understood. It’s already on the trays, just need to put them in the oven.”
“Roger that.”
Kent set up the next batch of bread, and Al carried the trays with the freshly baked bread into the shop.
“Change for the register… okay, wrapping bags too… okay.”
While Carolyn usually handled the register, she was filling in for Catherine, who was absent today.
“Ah, Al, please put the bread you brought on the shelf on the right.”
“Understood, Roger that.”
Carolyn directed Al while continuing her own work.
“Next, I need to carry the bags of flour into the shop.”
Emily was in the warehouse behind the shop. She was carrying out the flour, which was an ingredient for the bread. Normally, Elnet would be doing this job. Emily easily lifted the heavy bags of flour and carried them into the shop.
“Sh—” *crash*
“Hm, be careful.”
“Ah, thank you.”
In the kitchen, Rachel was trying to take a plate from a high shelf but her hand slipped, and one plate fell. However, Hanako caught the falling plate and handed it to Rachel.
“The preparations are also finished. Well then, we’re opening.”
Somehow, all the preparations were completed, and Marie flipped the “Closed” sign to “Open,” opening the shop at the usual time. As it was the last day of the year, a long line had formed before opening.
“Excuse me. The shop is currently crowded, so those who wish to use the dining space, please queue on the right side, and those purchasing bread, please queue on the left.”
Normally, they wouldn’t divide the lines like this, but today there were fewer employees and many customers, so they were directing people in this manner and regulating entry. Rachel was handling this outside, but as she was scheduled to go to the second branch, they needed to find a replacement, or there was a risk of chaos inside the shop.
“Kent, what should we do? Ah, it’s ready, please prepare the next batch.”
“We’re also fully stretched with staff, this is problematic. Here, the setup is finished.”
Without stopping their work in the workshop, Marie and Kent discussed staffing. With the second branch’s opening time approaching, they were worried about how to manage after Rachel left.
“I will handle this.”
““Eh?””
The one who answered was Al.
“I will take care of everything from setting up the bread to transporting it into the shop, so you, Master, can focus on managing the customers outside.”
“Understood. Al, I’m counting on you.”
“Roger that.”
Kent entrusted the work to Al and went outside to manage the customers.
“Well then, let’s prepare quickly. Marie, please do not leave your current station as it is dangerous.”
“Eh? W-what?”
Marie answered without fully understanding, but agreed.
“Well then, summoning of the Papa, quickly!”
*Rumble, rumble, rumble…*
Suddenly, the shop floor bulged, and multiple vines appeared.
“Numbers 1 through 8, bread-baking. Numbers 9 and 10, preparation for transport.”
Al gave instructions to the ten vines that had emerged. It was impossible to show these vines to customers inside the shop, so Al transported the finished bread. The workshop was filled with Al’s vines, leaving no space for people to move.
“Um, if I can’t move from here, I can’t go to the restroom either….”
While her own workspace remained, the vines occupying the workshop meant Marie couldn’t move to other areas, and she began to worry about different things.
“Finally, closing time. Marie, all the customers have left.”
“Wha, understood. Oh, I’m at my limit!”
In the end, the wave of customers never subsided, and the shop closed at the designated time amidst a massive crowd. Kent, after confirming the last customer had left, called out to Marie in the workshop.
*Thump, thump, thump…*
Marie, in a state of panic unimaginable from her usual demeanor, rushed from the workshop into the shop. She then bypassed Kent and hurried to the restroom located at the back of the dining space.
“Marie was working so hard that she held it in until she could go to the restroom. I should learn from that.”
“Indeed. Marie didn’t seem to move from the workshop at all since opening, you know.”
Caro agreed with Kent, who was impressed by Marie’s hard work.
“Well then, I have other plans, so while I feel bad that I can’t help with the cleanup, I’ll be taking my leave. Please also give my regards to Marie.”
“Understood. I’ll tell her. Thank you for helping at the shop until the very last minute, Caro.”
“Not at all. Well then, have a Happy New Year~.”
Caro bowed to Kent and left, still wearing her work uniform.
“Alright, Emily, Al, Hanako. Let’s begin the cleanup.”
“Yes.”
“Roger that.”
“Hm, understood.”
Marie didn’t show any signs of coming out of the restroom for a while, so Kent and his companions started tidying up the shop.
“Wow, I really overdid it.”
“Good work, Marie.”
“Eh? Y-yes. Good work to you too, Kent.”
After a while, Marie emerged from the restroom. Seemingly embarrassed that her muttering had been overheard, she answered Kent with a flushed face.
“Ah, it seems Caro has already left. As for the cleanup… it looks like it’s almost finished. I’m sorry. I made you all do everything.”
Marie looked around the shop and said to Kent. The cleaning and tidying up of the shop were completed, and only the sales calculation remained.
“The sales calculation looks like it’s going to be difficult today. It would be helpful if you could assist, Kent.”
“Understood. I will help.”
Kent and Marie began their preparations for the sales calculation.
“Hm, well then, Al and I are going home to prepare dinner.”
“Can you do that?”
“I’m sorry, I’m a little tired, so I’m going to go home and rest. Master, could I ask you for that thing tonight?”
“Ah, you worked hard today. Understood.”
“Hm, then I’ll cook dinner with all my might.”
Saying this, Hanako and Al returned home.
“I will also help with the calculation.”
In the end, Marie, Kent, and Emily each took a part, and they handled the sales calculation, which was larger than usual.
