Chapter 47

Summary of the previous episode ------------------------------------------------------

A stylish café found in a small alley.

The meal served by the elf waitress was delicious, but there were zero customers.

Naoh listens to her troubles.

This elf, whose name is Aera, apparently trained in cooking for quite a while in a large city far from here.

Her goal was to open her own shop, but even though her cooking skills improved, she couldn't save enough money. Moreover, the land prices in the city were so high that it was difficult to buy a shop.

So, when she had saved a considerable amount of money, she moved to the slightly rural town of Lafan and bought this shop.

However, the building itself was not a restaurant, so she had to renovate it to start business. She held discussions with a carpenter at a nearby cafeteria.

This is where the root of all evil, a self-proclaimed 'consultant,' appears.

The person, who had apparently been listening to the discussion at a nearby table, suddenly joined in and criticized Aera.

He talked at length about what to do and how to do it, and ended up creating the current plan for the shop.

Under normal circumstances, one wouldn't listen to a stranger who suddenly butts in, but for some reason, it seemed like a great plan at the time. Despite the budget being significantly exceeded, Aera followed the advice and placed the orders.

Later, the self-proclaimed consultant received a considerable amount of money as a 'consulting fee' and disappeared.

After some time, when Aera calmed down, she turned pale at the amount of money she had spent, but it was too late as the orders had already been placed.

She reluctantly started operating the shop three days before it was completed, but it was completely empty.

Just as she was about to give up in despair, I became her first customer.

"…I admit I spent too much money, but I thought my cooking skills would make it work. However, when I started the business, no customers came at all… What am I doing wrong?"

As she spoke, Aera, who couldn't hold back her tears, looked down, and a small puddle formed in front of her.

Aera's small ears drooped and trembled, which strangely evoked a strong urge to protect her.

Only a real monster would say, "I've heard your story, so I'll be on my way" at this point.

Since I'm not a monster, I racked my brain.

If I had to point out her mistake, it was trusting the self-proclaimed consultant, but… this is too suspicious, isn't it?

The appearance of this shop is a bit out of the ordinary for this world.

The interior is somewhat 'normal.'

The situation where Aera 'somehow' listened to the consultant.

—Is a classmate involved in this?

If someone with a skill to make others listen to them planned this based on amateur knowledge, without considering the norms of this world, it would end up like this.

The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the exterior and interior are clean.

Moreover, the location is good as many people pass by on their way to a nearby government facility.

If managed well, it could attract lunch customers.

In the original world, this would be a thriving situation.

However, this is a different world. The norms of the original world don't necessarily apply here.

Honestly, we don't have the luxury to help others, but if a classmate is involved, I feel guilty about Aera's current state.

I have no responsibility, but since we're from the same hometown…

When you hear news about a Japanese person causing trouble abroad, you feel apologetic, right?

Fortunately, we have some time, so…

"I understand. Aera, if you don't mind, I'll help you a bit."

"Really!? But… I don't have any money… I can't even thank you properly."

Aera looked up at me in surprise but then looked away, looking troubled.

"No, no, I think we can manage without spending much money."

"Really!?"

I nodded, trying to calm Aera, who leaned in excitedly.

"Y-Yes. Don't worry about the thanks. It feels bad to abandon someone from the same hometown."

When a cute elf gets close, your heart skips a beat, right?

I have no immunity.

Is Haruka… in a different category? She's still Haruka inside.

"But, I'd like to hear the opinions of my companions, so can I come back tomorrow?"

"Y-Yes! I'll be waiting! Please, please help me!"

I promised Aera, who was bowing desperately, that I would come back and left the shop.

◇ ◇ ◇

"…That's what happened."

Back at the inn during dinner, when I told everyone what happened today, they nodded and listened, and Haruka said casually,

"So, Naoh, you were hitting on her, right?"

"No way! This was a story about trying to help someone in trouble, right!?"

What did she even hear?

I feel so wronged.

"Meaning, you have no ulterior motives?"

"…Of course not."

"‘Guilty’"

Everyone's voices harmonized.

"No, no, no, she was cute, right? I thought it would be nice to become friends, especially since it was the first local elf I met. But no, no ulterior motives, okay? It's not like that."

"Naoh, that's enough! It's over! You're just digging a hole for yourself."

Toya put a hand on my shoulder and said this to me, who was hurriedly trying to explain.

I'm not digging a hole, really?

I just wanted to make a friend.

"So?"

Huh? Haruka, your voice sounds cold.

It's a misunderstanding!

However, she moved her chin as if urging me to hurry up, so I gave up on my excuses—no, detailed explanation.

"I thought it would be good to have some female input, as my opinion might be biased."

"…Yeah, that's not a bad idea. I can't, but can Yuki and Natuki help?"

Huh, is she in a better mood? I don't know why… but, okay.

We have a rough idea of how to make the backpack, so we can finish it after dinner. The remaining work is to complete the pattern and teach it to Diora, so Haruka can handle it alone.

"I don't mind. I'm interested in the café and the little elf."

"Same here. If a classmate caused trouble, I'd like to help."

"Great, thanks both of you. I really needed a female perspective."

I had a few ideas for improvements, but with two people who have the same or even more knowledge than me, I feel much more confident.

"I should be able to finish in 2-3 days, so that period should be fine."

"…I'll do my best to make it work."

Immediate improvements might be difficult, but if we can at least get a start, that would be great.

Even if we can't make it profitable, if we can prevent losses, it will help with long-term management.

"Right. We have our own jobs too. What did you do today, Toya?"

"I was a bit concerned about Tommy, so I helped him a bit."

"Tommy, you mean Wakabayashi? He became a dwarf, right?"

"Yeah. If he's working hard, I thought I might be able to help him."

Toya is so considerate.

He's not a bad guy, so I don't mind helping him if there's time…

"What can you do to help?"

"Tommy has [Smithing Lv.3], [Smithing Talent], and [Strength Enhancement Lv.2]. I think he could succeed as a blacksmith. Of course, he needs to learn the norms of this world. The question is whether he can become an apprentice. We have Gantz, who we're staying with, right?"

"Yeah, the usual weapon shop."

Gantz, the weapon shop owner, has been helpful since we bought Toya's wooden sword. He seems grumpy at first, but he's a good person once you get to know him.

"If he's working hard and honestly, I thought I could introduce him to Gantz."

"How did it go?"

"He's working hard, physically strong, and seems to be relied on, but it's only the third day, so I plan to observe for another day."

"Hmm, he seemed a bit unreliable, but maybe he's determined?"

He had a bit of an MMO production job image.

In reality, there's no public forge that anyone can use, and there's no portable smithing kit—well, I don't know if it exists, but it's not easy to get.

First of all, the world of craftsmen isn't that easy for someone of unknown background to become an apprentice.

"True, we've talked to Gantz a bit and bought some things, but will he accept an apprentice?"

"It might be difficult, but I have a card up my sleeve, not a trump card, but a useful one."

"Useful card… I get the idea. What is it?"

"That… if it works out, I'll tell you. I don't want to be embarrassed if it fails."

"I'm fine with that, but don't cause trouble for Tommy. He's working to support himself."

"I understand. I'll be careful."

Hmm, I'm quite curious about that 'useful card,' but I'll let it go.

"So, the schedule from tomorrow is: I'll work on the backpack, Toya will help Tommy, and the other three will help the little elf, right?"

"I want to object to the 'little elf' part, but that's how it is."

"Okay, rejected. Let's all do our best from tomorrow. Thanks for the meal."

"Thanks for the meal."

My suggestion was smoothly rejected, and everyone finished their meal together.