Chapter 77

Inside the box was something white, seemingly made to wrap something.

"This is... a diaper, right?"

At that moment, Rohan exclaimed.

Rohan, the father of the newborn twins, was familiar with diapers.

That was also why he was working at the workshop so late.

"But I've never seen anything like this."

They came in various shapes.

Some were small enough for a child, while others were large enough for an adult.

On the side, there were slight wrinkles like an accordion, making it seem possible to adjust the size.

When he peeled back the thin outer layer, he felt a sticky surface. It seemed to be for sticking somewhere.

And next to it was something that resembled underwear.

"It doesn't seem to be a diaper... who would use something this big?"

"Adult women."

In response to Rohan's mutter, Jane, who was standing beside him, spoke.

"Women wear diapers when they start their period. Your wife uses them, right? Didn't you know?"

"Y-Yeah? I didn't know much about that... hehe."

Rohan laughed awkwardly.

While some women used disposable diapers during their period, most thought it was a waste to use them on children and instead used layers of cloth.

Moreover, since women's periods were considered something to be hidden, it was natural that he didn't know.

"But why are they giving this to us?"

"Who knows. It's an order from above. They want us three to use it and give them feedback."

The manager shrugged at Bagen's question.

"Maybe they want to make it a bit cheaper than what's available on the market. The name was different too. What was it?"

"Pads."

"Right, pads."

Another employee whispered, and the manager nodded.

"Anyway, the important people won't use something cheap no matter how good it is, so they must have given it to us for testing."

The manager gestured to the pads in the box.

"Take as many as you want. But you have to give proper feedback after using them."

"Thank you!"

Rohan, the father of the twins, took the pads with a big smile.

Jane, who had been watching him, quietly took a few pads and left the room.

Bagen hesitated for a moment before picking up a few. It seemed like a good idea to give them to his wife, as Jane had suggested.

When Bagen returned home, he handed the pads given by the factory to his wife.

"Oh, what's this?"

"It's something new they made. They gave it to us to try before it's released."

Bagen said a bit awkwardly, but his wife's eyes lit up.

"Perfect timing. I was feeling lost as my period is approaching. And I didn't have any extra cloth to use."

"H-Have you heard that women need to use diapers once a month... don't you use them?"

Bagen asked, recalling what Jane had told him. His wife snorted.

"Once a week."

"Ah..."

"Besides, it costs money. How are we supposed to afford it? We can buy it after the baby is born."

"Is that so...?"

"Still, it's a relief. Thank you."

A rare smile appeared on his wife's face.

It was fortunate that she seemed to like it.

If he was happy, Rohan, the father of the twins, would be even more delighted.

A few days passed.

"Dear, about the thing you gave me before."

"Hmm? What's wrong? Is it uncomfortable to use?"

Bagen asked with a troubled tone, fearing he might have to tell the manager that it wasn't comfortable.

"No, it's too good!"

However, his wife's reaction was unexpected.

"It's so comfortable. I don't have to wake up every night to check. Plus, it's easy to attach and remove. It's so convenient!"

"Really? I'm glad it's comfortable."

"That's why, dear."

His wife grabbed Bagen's arm and shouted.

"Bring as many as you can! As many as possible!"

It had been a long time since she showed such enthusiasm, so Bagen couldn't help but nod.

'The manager said to take as many as you want from his room.'

Just as Bagen was about to enter the manager's office, the door opened, and someone came out.

It was Jane, and her hands were full of pads.

"Ah."

Jane seemed a bit awkward about running into Bagen.

Glancing inside, there were no pads left.

"Are you taking all of these? Do you need them, Jane?"

Bagen asked cautiously, thinking it might be impolite to ask directly.

"Not for me... for my parents."

"Your parents?"

"They have difficulty moving and can't easily go to the bathroom. But with this, it's much more convenient. They don't have to wake up at night either."

While the adhesive pads were very convenient, the ones worn directly were even better for elderly people. Plus, the absorbency was excellent.

"For the elderly, who struggle with basic bodily functions, these pads are a great solution."

"Is that so? Then there's nothing I can do."

As Bagen stepped back, Jane sighed and handed him a few pads.

"......This is the most I can give you."

"Huh? That's fine... Jane needs them more."

"You should think about your wife too."

Jane reluctantly placed the items in Bagen's hand.

"Thank you, Jane. I won't forget this."

"Forget it."

Jane turned away with a light response.

"I know how inconvenient it is, being a woman."

If only there were more. Jane muttered this as she left the manager's office.

Bagen looked down at the pads in his hand.

If only there were more.

Jane's words echoed strangely in his ears.

Time passed, and the three of them reported their evaluations to the manager.

The results were all highly satisfactory.

* * *

As I expected, the concept of sanitary pads didn't exist here yet.

While they used diapers, the perception was that they were for infants, so the sizes weren't diverse. Hygiene was also an issue.

Therefore, I had them produce both adhesive and wearable pads.

'I added wrinkles on the sides so adults can wear them too.'

If there were no size restrictions, the range of potential users would be even wider.

Thus, a truly essential item for all ages and genders was born.

"Then, have we secured the market potential?"

"Yes. From infants to adult women and the elderly, they can be used by a wide range of people. The purchase rate in the market will be much higher than regular diapers."

Heron, who had finished the report, looked at me in surprise.

"Thinking of making adult diapers is truly remarkable."

"All thanks to Mr. Jerit!"

"Was it also because of Mr. Jerit that you carefully reviewed the list of employees?"

"Y-Yes, all thanks to Mr. Jerit!"

I passed all the credit to Jerit.

It seemed a bit odd for a young person like me to have thought of it.

Heron nodded in agreement.

"Since it's been proven, I'll instruct the sales immediately."

"Mr. Heron."

Heron asked in response to my call.

"Is there a problem?"

"Listening to your class, I had an idea."

I continued cautiously.

"Wouldn't it be good to sell the pads at a discounted price to the people working at the Clider Trading Company?"

"Discounted... may I ask the reason?"

"The pads are made by Clider people."

"......"

"If we apply the discount only to employees, the purchase rate will increase even more. They'll use it for themselves and their children."

Heron's eyes deepened at my words.

The idea of having a price difference from the market price was a kind of welfare concept I had in mind.

Even if pads were essential, the cost was burdensome for commoners. After all, it's a daily expense.

"Also..."

While Heron was lost in thought, I added quietly.

"It would be good to provide a certain quantity of pads to female employees working at the Clider Trading Company every month."

"Are you saying they should be given for free to women?"

"Yes."

There weren't many women working in this world. Most men went out to work, while women took care of the children.

But there were women who persevered among the men.

Women who braved all gazes to earn money and came out.

This benefit would be a minimal form of welfare for them.

"Also, if there are children under three years old in the employees' families, it would be good to provide a certain quantity every month."

Heron looked at me intently and asked slowly.

"Is this idea... related to what you mentioned last time?"

"Yes, it reminded me of my aunt."

"Where is your aunt now?"

"I don't know. I lost contact when I suddenly went to the orphanage."

Heron narrowed his eyes and slowly stroked his chin, seemingly in deep thought.

While it was a puzzling expression, this idea aligned with Heron's usual thoughts.

"......Then, more people will want to work at the trading company."

He finally nodded slowly.

"It's a very good idea. Thank you, Miss Eli."

Heron stood up, eager to push it forward.

'No, I'm not done yet!'

"Mr. Heron!"

I called out urgently, and Heron paused, looking at me.

"......Do you have more ideas?"

Heron looked at me with a bewildered expression.

'Of course. I'm not done yet.'

I smiled confidently.

* * *

A few days later.

"Such a generous act... I don't know how to express my gratitude..."

Marife, the orphanage director, kept bowing to someone, trying to suppress her rising smile.

It was due to a high-profile donor who suddenly appeared.

The donor was none other than...

"The children are the future of the empire. Please accept them with joy."

Jerit Amantha, who was smiling gently.