Chapter 12

The morning in this different world comes early.

Because when I go to the market at 7 in the morning,

"Good morning, Shiro-niichan!"

Aina was already waiting for me.

"Good morning, Aina. I'm surprised you're already here at the market. Did I keep you waiting?"

"N-no, not at all. Aina just got here too."

"Really?"

"......Maybe a little bit?"

Aina tilted her head and said, "Hehehe," with a smile.

"Shiro-niichan, but—"

Aina directed her gaze to the front of my stall and continued.

"There are already customers waiting."

That's right.

There was already a long line of customers before the store opened.

Some held the tickets I distributed yesterday, while others didn't.

It seemed like the entire town had gathered, and I could almost believe it.

"......So many people?"

"Let's do our best, Shiro-niichan!"

Before the opening, Aina, who was puffing up with determination, tried to cheer me up as I stood there in shock.

I wanted to take my time preparing, but I couldn't with this line.

"Can't be helped. Aina, I'm going to start preparing to open the store."

"Okay!"

I opened the zipper of my backpack and took out a tarp.

I could have used spatial storage, but I thought it would be better not to show off my skills too much.

I don't know anything about the status of skills in this world, so I wanted to be extra careful.

I spread out the tarp and started taking out matches from my backpack.

As I took out the matches, I could hear murmurs from the people in the line, like "Oh..." and "Is that the rumored..."

"Aina, when I say 'small,' use the smaller matches, and when I say 'large,' use the larger ones, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Then, when I say something like 'small three, large two,' Aina can put the number of matches I said into this paper bag and give it to the customer, right?"

I took a paper bag out of my backpack and handed it to Aina.

I bought these at a home center.

"Got it!"

"Good. If you have any questions, just ask. Let's open the store now."

"Okay!"

"Thank you for waiting. We are now starting today's business. Please come in, those with tickets!"

And so, the second day of my stall began.

"Aina, three small and two large."

"Okay......Here you are!"

"Next, one small and one large!"

"Okay......Here you are!"

"Five small!"

"......Here you are! Thank you!"

I handled the accounting, and Aina was in charge of handing over the products.

The number of customers was much larger than yesterday.

But thanks to Aina's help, it was much easier than yesterday.

By the time three hours had passed, the matches were sold out again today.