“Kent, where should I put this basket?” Josette (Female) asked.
“On the second shelf over there, please.”
“Understood.”
Kent answered Josette’s question about placing the basket of supplies.
“Alright, that should be all for the major items,” Kent murmured as he checked the placement of the counters and shelves. Everyone was currently working together to arrange the supplies needed for the shop. Because the solar power system had broken down and electricity could no longer be used, it was difficult to restore the interior to its original state. Modifications were made using items that could be procured in town. Oil lamps were being used for lighting, and since the register, which was used to calculate sale prices, could no longer be used, a solar-powered calculator that had been used briefly in the past was repurposed for item calculations. This made the counter area feel a bit bare without the larger items. With the air conditioning also out of commission, a new wood-burning stove had been purchased to heat the shop.
“Kent, is it really okay to leave the dining space like this?” Elnet (Female) asked with a worried expression, looking at the former dining area which was now empty.
“I really want to restore it to how it was, but with the ingredients we used to have unavailable and the kitchen equipment unusable, I don’t think we can compete with other restaurants in this current state. I’m still thinking things over, so I know the shop interior is a bit sparse, but please bear with me a little longer.”
Kent was considering various ways to utilize the space, but he hadn’t come up with any solid ideas yet.
“Sister, there’s no need to rush Kent. I’m sure he’ll come up with a good plan. And shouldn’t we also be thinking things through instead of just relying on him?” Josette said.
“Urgh, that’s true… Oh, Marie is calling me. I’m going to go see her.”
Feeling uncomfortable after being presented with Josette’s logic, Elnet made an excuse about being called by Marie and left.
“Kent, I’m sure you’ll find a good way to utilize the space. I believe this is a time for us to endure. I think things will move in a better direction if we don’t rush.”
“Josette.”
“Kent.”
Kent was very grateful for Josette’s words. The two of them looked at each other, and a bit of time passed.
“Yes, yes, Older brother, Josette, you’re both working right now,” Rachel (Female) chimed in, seeing their moment.
“R-right. Hohohoho.”
“Ugh, I get it. I’ll get back to work.”
Josette, hearing Rachel’s remark, quickly returned to her work as if to escape.
“Did I interrupt a nice moment?” Kent teased.
“Hm? Are you perhaps jealous?” he asked Rachel.
“N-n-no, how could that be!”
Rachel’s face turned bright red, and she ran off.
“Master.”
“Emily, has your power returned a little now that the shop is functional?” Kent asked as he watched Rachel run away.
“Yes, it seems so,” Emily (Female) replied.
When Kent turned around, Emily was standing there, having grown to about the same size as Al (Male/Female). It seemed her power as a shop-attached fairy had returned slightly now that the store was operational.
“I see, I see. Your previous size was nice too, but this might be good as well,” Kent said, gently stroking Emily’s head.
“M-Master, please don’t pet my head so much. My hair will get messy.”
“Oh, sorry. I just couldn’t help but pet you because you’re so cute.”
“Auw, hearing you say I’m cute makes me blush.”
Kent had found Emily’s previous identical body to Marie (Female) charming, but he also found her current small form to be cute. He honestly expressed his feelings, and Emily blushed.
“So, do you know how much of your abilities have returned?” Kent asked.
“Well, my body size seems to have reached its limit at this size, and I can’t get any bigger. I still can’t leave the shop. As for what I can do, it’s limited to helping around the shop. I can’t use the special abilities I had before.”
“I see. We’ll have to work hard to improve your abilities, then.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best too.”
Kent resolved to work hard to help Emily regain even a little of her abilities.
“Kent, I’m sorry to interrupt your pleasant conversation,” Marie said, hesitantly approaching them.
“Oh, what is it, Marie?” Kent replied.
“While it’s wonderful that Emily’s abilities have returned a little, can’t something be done about her clothes with magic?” Marie asked.
“Owner, I’m sorry. With my current abilities, I can’t produce costumes,” Emily replied.
“I see. Kent, even if you’ve gotten used to seeing women naked, you should have noticed,” Marie added.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily had been naked when she started speaking to Kent. Fairies generally don’t pay much attention to whether they’re clothed or not, so Kent should have noticed. However, perhaps due to becoming accustomed to seeing women undressed, he had been conversing with Emily normally until Marie pointed it out.
“Rachel, dear, may I have a moment?” Marie called out.
“Yes, Marie, did you call me?” replied Rachel (Female), returning to Kent’s side immediately.
“Wow, cute! Emily, your power has returned a bit, hasn’t it?” Rachel exclaimed.
“Rachel, ouch, it hurts,” Emily said.
“Ah, sorry, sorry.”
Rachel was in a much better mood now and, upon seeing Emily, hugged her like a child discovering a cute toy.
“Rachel, I have a favor to ask of you,” Marie began.
“I already know what you’re going to ask. So, I’ll be borrowing Emily! Even without a sewing machine, love can make hand-sewing work!” Rachel declared.
“Aaaaareeee…”
Marie tried to make her request, but Rachel understood, scooped up Emily, and sprinted up the stairs to the second floor.
“Oh my, oh my, Rachel is certainly motivated,” Marie commented as she watched Rachel disappear.
“I apologize for my sister’s boisterous behavior,” Kent said to Marie, feeling compelled to apologize.
“Fuu, I’m scared of my own ability to finish clothes in such a short time. So, Emily’s uniform is complete. Now, let me show everyone my masterpiece!”
As the shop’s preparation work was finishing, Rachel came down from the second floor. She had apparently completed the outfit in that short time.
“Um, what do you think?” Emily asked.
Everyone gathered in the former dining space, waiting for Emily to appear. Footsteps were heard from the second floor, and then Emily appeared.
” ” ” ” ” ” “C-cute (it is)!” ” ” ” ” ”
“It’s embarrassing when everyone says the same thing,” Emily said, blushing.
She had been called beautiful and pretty before, but never cute, so Emily looked shyly at the floor, her face red.
“Is this Gothic Lolita style?” Caro (Female) asked.
“That’s right. Since she’s naturally beautiful, I decided to go all out with frills,” Rachel replied.
The uniform Rachel had made this time was based on the black and white colors adopted by Marie’s Bakery. It featured frills and ribbons attached in various places, and the skirt was made to billow as much as possible without hindering work. A frilly headdress was attached to her head. White high socks and black shoes completed the look, emphasizing her overall cuteness.
“Still, to think you made such an elaborate costume in such a short time,” Kent said, amazed.
“Right? Right?” Rachel beamed, puffing out her chest at Kent’s astonished reaction.
“This is…”
Beside them, Caro was examining Emily’s clothes and seemed to notice something.
“I’m sorry. It was a lie. I just altered a costume I made for Caro,” Rachel confessed, unable to withstand Caro’s gaze.
“There’s a height difference between Caro and Emily now, and I think it’s amazing that you could even alter it in such a short time,” Josette said.
“That’s right. I agree. As expected from the workshop chief of the buzzworthy Akane (Female) Workshop,” Kent added.
Even though it was repurposed, Rachel undoubtedly possessed excellent sewing skills, and Josette and Elnet honestly praised her.
“With this, all preparations are complete. We will reopen tomorrow. Everyone, thank you again for your cooperation,” Marie said.
With Emily’s new uniform also prepared, Marie’s Bakery, though not fully complete, was ready for its reopening the next day. Marie once again asked for everyone’s cooperation.
