Chapter 39

If we head to the Merchant Guild, there's an older sister I saw yesterday... Her name is Bell, apparently. She's going to show us around the properties. Since she's the secretary of Mariage, she must be very capable.

"First, let me explain a bit before we go and see them."

With that, Bell gestured for us to sit on the chairs set up on the first floor of the Merchant Guild for meetings. After Iku and I sat down, she took out a piece of paper and began her explanation.

"Regarding the properties, there are options for purchase and rental, so I'll explain the differences before we go and see them."

"Yes, please do."

"Alright... First, you can choose both purchase and rental for any property. This is because the properties are owned by the Merchant Guild. However, there aren't that many types available. Of course, you can also find your own property and register it as a store."

I see.

Both purchasing and renting are possible... But since I'll be using the portal, I want to buy it. The price is the issue, though. I've never bought a house before.

"I'll go with the purchase option."

"Understood. For the alleyway, the cheapest option is around 30 gold coins... or 300,000 ril. Since you prefer a small alleyway, it starts from around 500,000 ril."

"Got it."

Oh, if it's the alleyway, I can just about afford it with my current funds.

Actually, it's cheaper than I thought? Well, it's not like it's a brand new construction, so that makes sense.

Iku seemed to be deep in thought when I glanced at her.

"Let's think about it. If it's the alleyway, we can just about afford it."

"Yeah... I think we can save money quickly, so it depends on Hina. Also, if it's a small alleyway, there are restrictions on business hours, so it might be tough without hiring staff."

"True... Hmm..."

Yeah, I was a bit concerned about the business hour restrictions... They're honestly quite strict. I kind of overlooked that.

Hiring part-timers is fine, but if I have to be away from the city for a long time, it might not work. In that case, the alleyway might be the better option in terms of price. As I was thinking, Iku advised, "Well, once you see them, choosing based on the atmosphere might be good too."

I see, the atmosphere, huh... The small alleyway is generally cute, while the alleyway has a different vibe for each store, more stylish than cute.

But... I remember the bookstore we visited earlier. It was a mysterious place, and the alleyway seems to have many hidden gems, with lots of good stores.

"Yeah... I think the mysterious feel of the alleyway is good too!"

"Well, I kind of expected that."

It seems she saw it coming.

Because, because, the stores in the alleyway have spirits! I think that's a huge plus. Definitely!

"Then, let's go with that!"

"Sure, sure."

"Have you decided?"

"!"

Bell returned at just the right moment. I was a bit surprised, but I honestly told her, "Considering the budget, I think I want the alleyway." Bell didn't make a face and simply replied, "Understood."

"Then, shall we go and see them now? We'll look at one in the small alleyway and three in the alleyway. I've selected the ones I think would be best for Hina. Of course, if you don't like them, we can look at more, so please let me know."

"Thank you!"

◇ ◇ ◇

"Wow! It's so cute!"

I stepped into one of the properties Bell showed us.

The exterior was made of orange bricks, and inside, there were shelves for displaying goods. The store space was about 20 tatami mats, and there was one room and a second floor. It seems that in this world, most people use their stores as homes, with the second floor as living space and a few rooms for live-in staff.

"It's quite spacious."

"Yes, in the small alleyway, it's a pretty standard size."

"Can we use all the facilities?"

"Yes. The guild regularly maintains and cleans them, so there shouldn't be any issues."

While I was excitedly looking around, Iku was talking to Bell. Oh, I should have been listening to that... Iku is so reliable. I'm sorry for getting carried away. But, I was still curious, so I checked the cabinets and the door's opening. Well, it's necessary, right?

"Want to see the second floor?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Hina, let's see the second floor."

"Okay!"

The property tour was going smoothly.

At the back of the store space, there was a room that seemed to be a break area with a small kitchen. Next to it was a staircase leading to the second floor.

The second floor had a spacious living room and four rooms. Ah, there's no bathroom, which is a bit disappointing.

"One large room and three slightly smaller ones. The room we're in now is for dining and relaxing."

I listened to Bell's explanation while looking around the rooms.

But, do I really need such a large store and home?

"The price for this one, if you purchase it, is 600,000 ril."

"Got it. Let's see the next one."

"Sure, let's move on to the next one."

We went outside, walked through the small alleyway, and headed to the alleyway. Along the way, I asked Bell about the characteristics of the alleyways, and she explained them in detail.

"The small alleyway is generally unified with cute stores. Many people who have established themselves in the alleyway move to the small alleyway. The advantage is that the alleyway is well-maintained and has a good appearance, making it easy for customers to come in. However, there are many similar, less-known stores, so attracting customers can be a bit challenging."

"I see..."

"The alleyway is for those who want to test their skills, and those who don't want to conduct business publicly or do it as a hobby. So, the business hours are varied. However, there are more specialty stores, and they often handle rare items."

I see... It's like the difference between main streets, department stores, supermarkets, and specialty stores.

The main streets have a wider variety, but specialty stores might have better quality... So, for a recovery potion specialty store, the alleyway feels more fitting.

"Ah, this is the second one."

"Ah, yes!"

While thinking about various things, we quickly reached the next property.

The building had a unique purple exterior with a wooden door. When I peeked inside, it was quite dark.

"Whoa... This is a bit..."

I couldn't help but say what I was thinking.

Iku nodded, and I wondered why she recommended such a place.

"Ah, I see, it's not good, right?"

"Right..."

"Well, since you're an alchemist, I thought you might like this kind of atmosphere..."

Ah, I see.

It's probably a concept like a witch's house. But, unfortunately, I don't have that kind of special attribute, and the products I handle are cute bottles of recovery potions. Bell apologized, saying, "I'm sorry."

"Hina is a great alchemist... I thought it might be a good idea just in case. You have a lot of plant knowledge, right?"

"This building looks like a witch's house. But I'm still a beginner... I don't have much knowledge. I'm still studying... I bought a book earlier."

"I see, I'll support you!"

While thanking Bell, I felt her energy drop a bit, but it was probably just my imagination.

So, we left this property without really looking inside.

"This is the third one."

The next property was a clean, white building.

It had windows, and the inside was bright with sunlight. The store space was about 10 tatami mats... not too small, not too large. Since I don't have many types of products but a lot of items, a smaller space is fine.

"It's clean and nice."

"Yeah. The size is just right... Oh, there are flower patterns on the walls, which is cute!"

Iku seemed to like it as we looked around the property, and Bell provided explanations.

"This one has a break area at the back, and there are three rooms on the second floor."

"Got it. The size is just right! Plus, it's white and bright!"

"Dark places aren't good, I'm sorry."

Bell showed us the dark property just in case, as she couldn't be sure of our preferences. Well, I was a bit worried when I saw it, but it's a fantasy world, so there are probably many people who like that kind of atmosphere.

I looked at the built-in shelves and the counter that would serve as the register. The white theme made it look antique and stylish.

"The second floor is just right."

"Yeah! This one is good."

"That's great. This one is 350,000 ril."

There was a staircase at the back, and the second floor was also clean and white. It felt like a comfortable place to live.

Thinking this was the last one, I decided to make this my top choice. The price was just within my budget, and if the last one wasn't as good, I'd go with this one.

"This is the last one. By the way, the price is 300,000 ril."

"!!"

Iku and I were surprised when Bell showed us the last property.

Because, this was...

"Let's go with this one!!"

"Hina, let's go with the previous one."

Our voices overlapped, but our decisions didn't.

This was... the property next to the mysterious bookstore we visited earlier. Iku probably didn't like the bookstore owner, but I met a spirit and thought it was good.

"Well... What should we do?"

"Let's at least take a look inside."

Bell looked a bit puzzled at our exchange but didn't mind as we entered. The space was calming.

The exterior was a light cream color, with bricks up to my knees, making it a cute and stylish building. The wooden door added a nice touch, and there was a large, horizontal window on the side, allowing a good view inside.

As I stepped inside, the warm-colored walls and shelves created a cozy atmosphere. I thought the plants would fit in well, but Iku seemed to dislike the location.

"The size is about 6 tatami mats, but it's a two-story building. So, there are two store spaces on the first and second floors. There are two rooms at the back for a break area and living space."

"This one is a bit special. But with two floors, it could become popular..."

I climbed the stairs and looked at the second floor. There was a small balcony, making me feel like a princess.

"Yes, but there are fewer rooms, so it hasn't sold. That's why it's a bit cheaper."

"I see."

So, this is a bit of a bargain.

I liked it, but I wasn't sure what to do.

"Hey, there's another room on the second floor?"

"Oh, that's a storage room."

I found another door in the corner of the second floor. When I opened it, it was a small room, about 3 tatami mats.

"Well... What should we do, Hina?"

"Hmm... Personally, I like the balcony, but Iku prefers the previous one?"

"Well, I think the structure of this one is good, and at 300,000 ril, it's fine here, isn't it?"

Oh, Iku approved after seeing the property.

"Plus, thinking about the future, having a second floor might be better."

"Really?"

"No, just a hunch."

Hmm... A hunch, huh. But I shouldn't underestimate Iku's intuition...

I narrowed it down to two properties and thought about them.

First one:

A white, antique-style property.

Store space: 10 tatami mats.

Break area and three other rooms.

Clean and with flower patterns on the walls. A clean store is a high point for handling recovery potions.

Second one:

A cream-colored, warm-toned property.

Store space: 6 tatami mats on the first and second floors.

Break area and two other rooms.

A large window on the first floor for a good view. A small balcony on the second floor.

"If we don't consider the neighbor... The second one. We can start with just the first floor. Plus, we don't really need that many rooms."

"True. Actually, our opinion has completely changed from the beginning."

"True. But both are fine, and the two-story one might be more practical."

Hmm.

It seems Iku, after seeing the properties, made a mature decision without considering the neighbor. It's nice to know she's thinking about the store so much.

Yeah, I need to work hard too!

"If Iku thinks it's good... Let's go with this one, but are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Once you think about it, being next to the bookstore doesn't really matter."

"Ah, yeah..."

It seems Iku doesn't want to get involved. Well, I kind of expected that!

"Then, let's go with this one?"

"Yes, please!"

Alright, we've decided on the store.

My store, "Hina's Secret Garden," will open here!