“Everyone, are you ready?”
While being careful not to make noise, everyone moved from the living room to Kent’s room. Marie was sleeping comfortably on the bed set up in the room, letting out big snores. Once everyone was in position surrounding the bed, Rachel quietly confirmed with everyone.
“Alright, here we go. One, two, three!”
*Clap, clap, clap, clap*
“Eek! Wh-what happened?”
” ” ” ” ” “Hooooooo!” ” ” ” ”
Welcomed by thunderous applause, Marie woke up instantly. She sat up in surprise, looking around frantically to grasp what had happened. Rachel’s idea for waking her up had been a complete success, and everyone cheered in amazement.
“This is the first time I’ve been woken up like this. Haa, I used to wake up a little more easily, but lately, I’ve really become weak in the mornings.”
After waking up, Marie quickly got ready and was having a later-than-usual breakfast with Kent in the kitchen. Marie lamented her increased morning sluggishness as she ate.
“Everyone, I’m so sorry. Please wait a little longer until breakfast is finished.”
Marie apologized to everyone, feeling bad about making them wait.
“Marie, we didn’t have a specific meeting time, so I don’t think you need to worry about it.”
“R-really?”
Kent spoke to Marie, who was preoccupied with worry, to calm her down. She replied with words that suggested she was somewhat convinced.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Moving around must be difficult, right? Since everyone is here except the fairies, let’s just have our meeting here.”
After Kent and Marie finished their slightly delayed breakfast, they decided to hold their morning meeting. Fortunately, all employees except the fairies were present, so Marie decided to hold the meeting in this location rather than the shop.
“I believe the shop supplies from Bobby Prim Trading Company are due to arrive in the early afternoon. Until then, we’ll focus on cleaning and maintaining the bread oven in the workshop. We’ve used it occasionally, so I don’t think there are any problems, but it’s better to be sure when we’re going to use it for customers.”
Marie began outlining the day’s schedule for the No. 1 store.
“Once the shop supplies are delivered, we’ll start arranging the equipment in preparation for reopening. It might be a bit of hard work, but let’s all do our best. Next, regarding Rachel.”
“Huh?”
After finishing her explanation of the day’s plan, Marie specifically addressed Rachel. Rachel appeared very nervous, having been suddenly called upon.
“About the No. 2 store, since Kent’s terminal is no longer usable, we’ve lost the ability to secure merchandise to sell. With only the meager sales revenue from bread, we won’t be able to pay the employees at the No. 2 store. It pains me greatly, but I intend to close the store once our current stock runs out.”
” ” ” ”
Marie made a difficult decision regarding the future of the No. 2 store. The primary business of the No. 2 store was selling items ordered by Kent through his terminal. With Kent’s terminal broken and unable to order merchandise, it was difficult to continue the store in its current form. The sudden announcement elicited cries of surprise from everyone except Kent and a few others.
“Marie, if that’s the case, how about our Duke’s family providing support to keep the store going?”
“With only the bread sales from the No. 2 store, I fear we would only burden the Duke’s family. We’ve already received so much support for the No. 1 store, and I cannot ask for more regarding the No. 2 store as well.”
Josette proposed supporting the No. 2 store, but Marie gently declined.
“Ah, about that. Marie, I think it will be alright.”
“Rachel, what do you mean?”
Rachel seemed to have something in mind and reassured Marie that it would be fine.
“I plan to sell all of the store’s inventory in a big clearance sale. If we announce that merchandise can no longer be obtained due to the Duchy’s Army, no one will be able to complain too much. We can try to guide them to think that the Duchy’s Army is the reason sales have stopped, and that they should blame them if they are upset.”
“It’s true that Kent’s terminal became unusable due to the Duchy’s Army, but what will you do after you sell all the merchandise?”
Rachel intended to sell off the existing stock quickly and seemed to have something else planned. Elnet, intrigued by Rachel’s explanation, inquired further.
“I plan to sell clothes in the place where we used to sell beauty products. Actually, I’ve already asked Caro to prepare for store renovations.”
“Is this a plan to bring Rachel’s Akane Workshop to the forefront?”
“Patty, you’re exactly right! I’m going to work hard to make clothes for the shop. Therefore, I won’t have to dismiss the current employees.”
Rachel announced her plan to protect the No. 2 store to everyone.
“Indeed, if we bring the Akane Workshop to the forefront, we can continue the business without changing our current customer base. However, will you be alright with just one seamstress?”
“Hmm, I guess we won’t know until we try, but I think it will be alright for the time being. Actually, Mike also has sewing skills, so we can start with a two-person team for now, and if we find a good craftsman, we can consider scouting them.”
Josette expressed concern that Rachel would be overburdened. Rachel explained that while she was open to hiring new artisans, Mike, who had inherited some of her sewing abilities at the time of their contract, would also be working as a craftsman for the time being.
“Rachel, I’m sorry for putting the burden on you.”
“You don’t need to worry about it, Marie. The No. 2 store is entrusted to me, and I will protect it as I have been entrusted.”
Marie appeared deeply moved by Rachel’s determination. Rachel assured her that she would take full responsibility for the store she was entrusted with.
“Very well. I will entrust the No. 2 store to you, Rachel. I retract my statement about closing the store.”
Marie then confirmed that she was leaving the No. 2 store in Rachel’s hands and withdrew her earlier decision to close it.
“That should be all for our discussion for now. Since we still have plenty of time even if we start right away, let’s take a break for a while before heading to the shop.”
Most of the shop’s immediate tidying was complete, and there wasn’t much that could be done at the No. 1 store until the counter and product shelves arrived. Therefore, despite starting their morning meeting later than usual, Marie proposed taking a short break before heading to the shop.
“Mom, I’ll get everyone’s tea ready then.”
“Thank you. I’ll leave it to you.”
“I will help as well.”
“I will help too.”
As everyone agreed to take a break, Catherine began preparing the tea, and Josette and Caro joined in to assist. To avoid overcrowding the kitchen and hindering their work, the others decided to wait in the living room until the preparations were complete.
“Apologies for the wait.”
“Please be careful, it’s hot.”
“I’ll put the sweets on the kotatsu.”
Everyone was arranged around the kotatsu, making the space a bit cramped. Tea was served to everyone, and a large platter of sweets was placed in the center of the kotatsu for easy snacking.
“It seems a spot has already been decided while we were preparing.”
“Josette, I don’t think that can be helped.”
“Josette, Caro, it’s a little tight, but please take the available spots.”
Because Josette and Caro were preparing tea, those who had started their break earlier had already occupied the kotatsu. Consequently, there were only a few empty spaces, limiting where the two could sit. Following Kent’s direction, they squeezed into the available gaps, making the kotatsu even more crowded.
“Hmm, since there’s no space for me, I’ll just get in here. Alright!”
” ” ” ” ” “Wh-!” ” ” ”
Since there was no room left to squeeze in, Catherine, just like yesterday, ended up getting between Kent and the kotatsu. Josette, Elnet, and Caro, witnessing this, let out cries of surprise.
“To think Catherine would be so bold, when I myself held back from getting in front of my older brother for everyone’s sake.”
“There was nowhere else to go, so I had no choice!”
Rachel expressed her admiration for Catherine’s bold move, to which Catherine replied as if making an excuse.
