“You look like you just realized it.” [Reinbach]
“For some reason, I’m suddenly worried. I wonder if it’s really a good idea to leave you alone.” [Elize]
“Please rest assured. This is nothing compared to my previous workplace.” [Ryouma]
“What did they make you do?” [Elialia]
“…Huh?” [Ryouma]
Oops, let that slip. Well, even if I tell them I was a programmer, they probably won’t understand. Hmm… I guess I can talk to them about my part time instead.
“Various stuff… There were times when I just carried stuff normally, but there were also times when I made dolls.” [Ryouma]
“I see… Ryoumsan, you don’t think work is difficult?” [Elialia]
“Well, of course, there are times when I think it’s difficult. But if I don’t work, I can’t live… And besides, it’s not like everything is difficult. That job I told you where I carried stuff, well, it’s actually a job where I carried the materials to be used for construction. I thought it was pretty interesting seeing the building gradually being built. And when it was completed, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
As for the doll-making job, I had to paint the doll where designated, but whenever I saw my client elated at my work, I felt glad.” [Ryouma]
“I see. I hope in the future I too can find something I think is worth doing.” [Elialia]
Huh? Is she going to work? Even though she’s the ojousama of the duke’s family?
While I was thinking that to myself, the ojousama showed interest in my doll-making job.
Yep, she’s a girl, alright.
“If you’d like, I can make a doll for you next time.” [Ryouma]
After saying that excitedly without thinking, it suddenly hit me that the dolls I made were mainly geared toward little boys.
“Really!? If you have time, then by all means, please!” [Elialia]
This is bad!! This is very bad! I made various dolls as a hobby and as a sideline, but this people definitely won’t get it. Besides, the ojousama is still young. She shouldn’t be seeing those things meant for big children.
“Is something the matter?” [Elialia]
“Oh, it’s just… I don’t exactly have the models… My job was mainly to paint them, so without a foundation to work with…” [Ryouma]
“Oh? But aren’t you skilled in earth magic?” [Elialia]
…Damn it. The convenience of earth magic is biting me back, now?
Forget it. I did offer it, so I might as well try my hand at making something inoffensive.
“Alright, I’ll make one if I have time.” [Ryouma]
“Thank you.” [Elialia]
“Sebasu-san, would you happen to know where I could purchase some references and tools?” [Ryouma]
“I could prepare some tomorrow if you’d like.” [Sebasu]
“Thank you. I want to use them for the store’s signboard too, so please prepare plenty of drawing tools. I’ll pay you later.” [Ryouma]
“Very well.” [Sebasu]
After that I talked idly with the duke’s family, then I went back to my room. When I went back, the duke’s family strongly reminded me not to push myself.
…I should take care.
Oh, come to think of it, what of the store’s name? ……………Something simple should do. Yes, something easy to remember.
It was then that my store’s name and tag line was decided.
Even a goblin’s filth can be washed for cheap! Laundry Service, Bamboo Forest! [1]
8th day of construction.
After receiving references and drawing tools from Sebasu-san, I thanked him, and then headed for the guild.
When I entered the guild, the receptionist, Maelyn-san, called out to me.
“Oh! Ryoumkun! We were quite worried since you never showed up again after the guild quest at the abandoned mine.” [Maelyn]
“Sorry about that. I was a little busy.” [Ryouma]
“I know. You were building a store, right? I heard from the guild master. That’s pretty amazing considering how young you are.” [Maelyn]
“Thank you. By the way, there was something I wanted to ask you.” [Ryouma]
“What is it?” [Maelyn]
“I heard it was possible to advertise somewhere on the guild’s bulletin board. Is that true?” [Ryouma]
“Advertise? Hmm… The guild doesn’t have that sort of service, though. Oh, I know. You probably heard that service.” [Maelyn]
As Maelyn-san said that, she pointed toward the small bulletin board in one corner of the guild.
“That’s the bulletin board for recruiting parties. People write their when they’re looking for allies. We don’t have a bulletin board for advertisements.” [Maelyn]
“I see. Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
I guess I’ll just have to announce the store’s opening myself and rely on word of mouth then. Leaflets and posters are another option, but paper is really expensive here…
The one exception is toilet paper because apparently there was a man – most probably an otherworlder – who invented a magic tool that created toothbrushes and toilet paper, but… I couldn’t possibly use toilet paper as leaflets, could I?
Those things are too fragile. They’ll probably just get thrown away. Anyway, let’s put the announcement of the store aside and get back to work.
“Maelyn-san, are there any jobs for cleaning trash today?” [Ryouma]
“You should drop by the guild master first. He said to bring you to his room the next time you showed up. He probably has work for you.” [Maelyn]
“Alright. I’ll go then.” [Ryouma]
When I went to the guild master’s room, he greeted me with a smile.
[1] – From the name, Ryouma Takebayashi; Take = bamboo, bayashi = forest.
Tl Note: PDF/ePUB uploaded! Shoutout to byggvirr and a kind anonymous reader for working on these.