Chapter 47

【Small Pot】 1

【Medium Pot】 10

【Large Pot】 20

【Vegetable Seed Set】 10

【Fruit Seed Set】 10

【Herb Seed Set】 10

【Wheat Seeds】 50

【Rice Seeds】 100

【Brick: 1 piece】 5

【Fountain】 1,500

【Terrace Set】 3,000

【Bottle: 100 pieces】 3

【Room】 50

【Bathroom - Extension】 5,000

【Room - Extension】 2,000

【Room - Extension】 2,000

【Roof - Extension】 10,000

【Basement - Extension】 30,000

【Laboratory - Extension】 15,000

【Small Pot】 1×3 = 3 points used

【Medium Pot】 = 10 points used

【Room】 = 50 points used

【Total: 63 points used】

【Points Remaining: 804】

"Hmm. I don't have enough points to expand Maro's room..."

I mumbled to myself while glaring at the exchange diary. It would be nice to expand Maro's room, but... if I make some recovery potions, the points will accumulate quickly, so I'll expand it eventually. I put the exchange diary back on the side table. Additionally, I plan to plant flowers in the pots I exchanged for points and decorate the store with them.

I returned from the inn without taking any detours and now we are discussing the store layout with three of us. Basically, it's just a matter of arranging the shelves, so it's not that difficult.

Our plan is to open the store the day after tomorrow, as the sign will arrive tomorrow. Since I arrived in the city, my schedule has been quite busy.

Starting from the day after I entered the city...

Day 1: Registration at the Merchant Guild

Day 2: Property selection

Day 3: Selling recovery potions at the market

Day 4: Acquired the property!

Day 5: Sign completion expected

Day 6: Store opening!

Day 7: Beginner's workshop at the guild

By the way, it's currently Day 4.

I really wanted to enjoy the beautiful city and do some window shopping, but it didn't work out. I'll invite Shia when I have some free time. Ikl is... probably not good with it. Yes, I'm sure of it.

"Hinami! I've arranged the recovery potions!"

Maro's voice called me from the living room, and I hurriedly replied and went downstairs. Did she already arrange them? She works too fast... I haven't done anything yet!

When I moved to the store, the recovery potions were already arranged on the shelves that were originally installed.

"Wow, Maro, you're amazing... thank you!"

"Hehe! Praise me more!"

"Amazing, amazing!"

I patted her. I did it! That's what Maro's expression told me. Ikl was preparing coins for change and doing other small preparations at the counter.

"Hinami-sama, how many should we sell per day?"

"Hmm... how about 100 of each? When they're sold out, we're done?"

"Sure, that sounds good. If there's a limit of 100 per day from the start, people will think that's the production limit... and we can use the free time for training and research."

"Right. I need to study... to be of help to the gods!"

We decided on a temporary business policy.

Wait, does this mean the opening preparations are complete?

The price tags and appraisal certificates are already placed next to the recovery potions... and Ikl is handling the details... Yes, there's nothing left to do. Oh, wait, there's one more thing.

"Maro, can you help me prepare flowers to decorate the store?"

"Sure, I'll help!"

So, I finished the preparations by decorating the pots I exchanged for points with flowers.

◇ ◇ ◇

The next day, the sign was supposed to arrive, but the weather was unfortunately rainy.

I glared at the window, sitting on a chair inside the store, waiting for the sign. I think having a seating area in the store is quite convenient.

"Hinami's Box Garden" is a store with a large window that allows a good view from the street. The warm-colored building and the simple wooden door go well together.

I decorated the store with small pots of flowers and also placed pots of flowers outside. Yes, I think the store name and the decorations go well together.

Phew.

It's so boring.

It's currently morning. I wish I had asked for an approximate time for the sign delivery. I also wish I had a mobile phone.

Ikl seems to still be sleeping, and Maro is running around the yard with a chicken. She's so energetic even in the rain.

But Ikl usually wakes up early... did she stay up late last night?

"...Huh?"

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Ah! The sign! Thank you so much...!"

While I was daydreaming, the sign arrived.

The craftsman who made it brought it, carrying a large bag. Did he carry the sign all the way here...? He's so strong!

He put down the bag and showed me the sign.

"Wow...!!!"

I couldn't help but exclaim at the quality.

The wooden sign had a large flower in the top left corner and many small flowers in the bottom right. Vines stretched across the sign, serving as an accent. In the center, it read "Hinami's Box Garden."

The sign, slightly lighter in color than the wooden door, was very eye-catching and I was very satisfied.

"Thank you so much! It's amazing and cute!"

"Sure thing! I'm glad you like it! Can I install it right away?"

"Please do!"

It seems it can be installed immediately, and I excitedly went out to the front of my store in the rain. It had started to drizzle, so I thought it would be fine. The wall where the sign would be installed was next to the balcony... how would it be installed? There was no ladder, and it would be difficult to install from the balcony.

As I was thinking about how to do it, the craftsman threw the sign.

"Oryaaaahhhh!!!"

"What!?"

What are you throwing the sign for!?

I was about to exclaim, but I gasped in the next moment.

Vines extended from the sign and reached out like hands to the wall.

"What's happening?"

The vines stuck to the wall skillfully. There weren't any large protrusions, so how did it stick? No, more importantly, what?

"Haha! Is this your first time seeing it?"

"Yes!"

"It's made of magic wood, so this is easy. Of course, my skills are also top-notch!"

The craftsman laughed and gave a vague explanation.

"The vines from the sign can stick to the wall and synchronize with it. It's very convenient, right?"

"Um... I don't really understand, but I get that it's convenient and amazing!"

"Sure, that's enough!"

I looked at the installed sign.

The flowers will change with the seasons, which I find very exciting.

There will be a season of autumn leaves... I'm already looking forward to it.

"That's it. I'm done. See you again."

"Yes, thank you!"

I waved goodbye to the craftsman as he left, throwing in another thank you.

Wow, the fantasy world is amazing! I didn't expect him to throw the sign.

Well.

After a moment, I suddenly had nothing to do. The store preparations are complete, and I have no plans for today.

I thought about visiting nearby stores to introduce myself, but they weren't open. As expected, the alley is quite free-spirited.

I was thinking about watering the flowers I placed in front of the store when someone called out to me.

"Hinami!"

"Huh? Tact, is that you?"

"Just call me Tact."

"Um... if you say so, then I will."

I replied, and Tact laughed, saying "Sure thing." His soft hair, which was flipped out, made me a bit flustered.

This world feels quite casual, like a foreign country. Or maybe Japanese people are just too formal.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm opening a store here. We'll start tomorrow."

"Wow, that's impressive! I should have wandered around the alley more often."

As he said this, Tact looked at the recovery potions visible through the window with interest. When I told him the planned price, he was surprised by how high it was.

"But, if it's the amazing recovery potion that healed my leg instantly, it's worth it. I'll come to buy it when I become a more successful adventurer, so don't go out of business until then!"

"I won't go out of business!"

Probably not, I added silently.

"Oh! By the way, I wanted to tell you this when I saw you."

"Hmm?"

"I defeated a slime...!!"

"Wow! Great job!"

I clapped my hands and praised him, and he proudly told me, "Just now!" He seemed a bit hyper and secretly told me he was exploring the city, which he usually doesn't do.

I can't defeat a slime on my own, so I think Tact is amazing.

"But, I'm thinking about what to do if two slimes appear at the same time. I need to find some good items or equipment, but they're hard to come by."

"Hmm... I don't know. I'm weak, so I can't give practical advice."

"Well, I'll figure it out eventually."

After defeating one slime, he's already thinking about two. Tact seems to have a solid plan, which is quite the opposite of his appearance. He looks like someone who's good at dancing and sports, but he's actually a strategic thinker.

I laughed a bit to myself, and Tact said, "What's so funny?"

"Hehe, nothing. Hey!"

"Hmm?"

"Would you like to have one of my recovery potions? We're friends now, and it's a celebration of defeating the slime!"

I beckoned Tact into the store. We had been talking, and the rain had stopped, but we were still a bit wet and cold. I thought about preparing some warm hot milk.

When you're cold, nothing beats hot milk, I think.

"Really, is that okay?"

"Yes. Well, I assumed we were friends."

"Haha, we've been friends for a while now!"

His smile made me feel happy. Everyone I meet is so nice, and this world feels warm.

"But I don't have anything to give you in return..."

"Don't worry about it."

Tact, looking down, said, "Hmm..." and seemed unsatisfied. It's a celebration of defeating the slime, so there's no need to worry.

But... maybe I should ask him for a favor.

"Hey, can I ask you for one thing?"

"Huh? What is it?"

"I want you to tell me how the recovery potion feels. I don't use it much in battle, so I don't have many opportunities to use it. Is that okay?"

"Sure, that's no problem. I'll come back and report after I use it!"

He patted his chest and showed me that I could count on him.

I took three of each from the shelf and handed them to Tact.

"Congratulations on defeating the slime!"

"Thanks! But, is this really okay?"

"Yes! But, I'd appreciate your feedback."

"Sure. I'll come back to buy more with my own earnings after I use these up!"

"I'm looking forward to it!"

We laughed and made another promise. I don't know when it will happen, but I think Tact will become a great adventurer. I have no real basis for this.

One slime now, two next. Yes, it's a long road.

I hope he doesn't get hurt, but I think it's probably inevitable. With that in mind, I gave him the recovery potion as a celebration. It might be unnecessary, but monsters are really dangerous...!

"By the way, I have a beginner's practical workshop at the Adventurer's Guild today!"

"What! Is there enough time?"

"Yeah, it's fine! But, I should go soon. See you at the workshop the day after tomorrow!"

"Sure, see you!"

I watched Tact, who had apparently forgotten, rush out of the store, and I went through the final checks of the store.

There's not much to check, really.

After a while of working, Ikl, looking sleepy, came out to the store.

I greeted her with "Good morning" and started preparing lunch.

This week might be difficult to update...

I'm sorry for the backlog.