Chapter 48

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

When I heard Aera's story, it seemed that being persuaded by her classmates was the cause of her troubles.

Naoto promised to help the pitiful-looking Loli-elf.

After consulting with his companions, they decided to visit again the next day with Yuki and Natuki.

"Is this the café... It's exactly a 'café.'"

"Yeah, it looks like a nice atmosphere café you might find in a Japanese residential area."

"Right? Let's go in."

When he opened the door and went inside, there were no customers today either.

"Welcome—Oh! Naoto-san!"

Aera, who had a gloomy expression at the counter, brightened up the moment she saw my face, ran over, and took my hand.

"You came! Thank you so much!"

With slightly teary eyes, Aera looked up at me.

I thought I heard a faint "Guilty" from behind, but it must have been my imagination.

"I said I'd come yesterday, didn't I? Look, it's fine, so calm down."

"Oh, right, sorry."

"First, let me introduce my companions. This is Natuki, and this is Yuki."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. ——By the way, Naoto's way of speaking is strange. It's like... a pick-up artist."

"Is it that bad!? That's really unfair!"

I might have spoken in a slightly childish tone... Should I use more formal language?

"Actually, it's fine to speak normally."

Hearing Aera say this, I thought for a moment and nodded.

"Hmm, I wasn't really aware of it... Got it. I'll speak like Yuki and the others. Sorry if it's rude."

"No, no. We're about the same age, so it's fine."

Ah, she's about the same age?

No, that's obvious. Rather, if she saved enough money to open her own shop after training, she's probably older.

"Well, these two are two of my companions. There are two more, a beastman and an elf, but they have something to do today, so they're not here. They might come when we have some free time."

"Oh, there are others of your kind. I'd like to meet them. I haven't seen others of my kind in this town..."

"Yeah, I haven't seen any elves either."

In the town where Aera trained, you could see a few elves just by walking down the main street.

In this town, Aera is the first elf I've seen, and I can't recall seeing more than a few of other races.

"Well, I'll bring them when I have time. First, let's think about reviving this shop."

"Right! So... what should we do?"

Aera tilted her head, and I pointed to Yuki and the others.

"First... can these two have lunch today? Just one serving is fine."

"Yes! I understand! It will take a little time, is that okay?"

"Yeah, it's still morning. No problem. Thanks."

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

Aera bowed and went into the kitchen.

"---Hmm, she's a cute girl, isn't she?"

"Yeah. She looks younger and is the type you want to protect. Do you like girls like that, Naoto? Are you a lolicon?"

"That's a harsh accusation!? It's not like that!"

I admit she's cute, but I don't have those intentions... not really.

---No, I mean, I'm a guy, right? It's natural to feel a little that way when you see a cute girl.

Rather, it's abnormal to have no interest in girls. Yeah.

Besides, Aera isn't a lolicon. She's probably older.

"Anyway, shouldn't we focus on the shop? Do you have any advice?"

"Hmm, sure, sure."

Yuki nodded and looked around the shop.

"The interior is nice."

"Yeah. It's clean, and it would be nice to spend an afternoon here."

"I see, a café..."

The café we visited before going to Saarstadt was a bit expensive but popular.

Aiming for that might be good, but the location might be a problem?

If it had some recognition, it might attract customers as a cozy café, but in this world with almost no advertising, it might be difficult to get there.

"Is there... no menu?"

"I didn't hang it on the wall, but I gave a wooden board."

"Hmm, I see..."

Natuki made a slightly troubled face.

In Japan, it's a common method, but it's rare here. It's good in that you can take your time to choose...

"Sorry for the wait! I'll... put it on the table."

Aera, who came out of the kitchen, seemed to hesitate for a moment about where to put the plate, but then, considering our number, placed it on the table.

"Please! Try it."

"Wow, beautiful presentation. Itadakimasu."

Yuki took the first bite and passed the plate to Natuki.

"Yeah, everything is delicious. Above average... no, quite good?"

"Yeah, probably the best in this town."

Natuki took another bite and passed the plate to me.

Hmm, I just ate breakfast. I can't eat.

So, I finished the leftovers.

It's a different dish from yesterday, but it's still delicious.

The seasoning is relatively simple, but the use of herbs must be skillful.

"Can I... see the menu?"

"Yes! Here it is!"

Aera ran to the counter and brought back a menu.

"---I see. I understand. Let's sit down and talk, okay? Is that alright?"

"Yes! I'll bring drinks! What would you like?"

"Anything is fine, but... can we have this town's Musook tea? Is that okay for the two of you?"

What's that?

I don't know, but if Natuki chose it, it might have some meaning, so I nodded.

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

We watched Aera run back to the kitchen and sat down at a table.

◇◇◇

"First, 'why no customers are coming in' is simple."

"Really!?"

"Yes. Aera, you would have noticed if it wasn't your shop, but the exterior is too luxurious."

"Oh, I see."

"Right."

"---Ah!"

This is a regular residential area, not a particularly wealthy one.

It's not on a main street, so people from other areas don't pass by.

So, for the people who usually walk by this shop, the exterior looks very luxurious.

I only tried to enter because I had the common sense from my original world, but if Aera hadn't come out, I would have turned around and left.

Only a very wealthy person who doesn't care about the contents of their wallet might enter, but for ordinary people, a 'price unknown' shop is not easy to enter.

Even for such shops, if someone introduces you and you know the budget, you might enter, but for this newly opened shop, there are no such connections.

Naturally, no one is a customer.

"Now that you mention it, that's true. I was happy that a beautiful and nice shop opened, but if I were to think about entering with my salary... I would hesitate."

Aera looked down, feeling dejected.

It's something that should be noticed immediately, so she probably feels even more embarrassed.

"But... even if I understand that, I don't have the money to move the location or change the exterior..."

"No, you don't need to spend that much money."

"Right. All you need is for people to know the prices. Just put a simple price list in front of the shop."

It's a common method for restaurants on the second floor or higher in mixed-use buildings, familiar to us.

People decide whether to go up based on the menu or photos in front of the stairs.

Without that, no one would think of going up to the shop on the upper floor.

Unless someone introduces them or they check it out online beforehand.

Aera nodded happily as Yuki explained the sign system with gestures.

"In that case, I can ask the carpenter who renovated the shop to make it! Thank you."

"If you're willing to put in a little effort, you could make the sign a blackboard and write the prices with chalk every day. For a daily special, adding a description or illustration might attract more interest."

"I see! That's true..."

In this area, the daily specials at local eateries have no description, so it's a bit of a gamble.

And the win rate is basically zero.

Except for the Drowsy Bear Inn.

If there's a description outside the shop, people might think, "It looks delicious, I'll go in."

"Well, with this, I think customers will start coming in..."

"Yes! Thank you so much."

Aera bowed with a full smile, but Natuki shook her head and said firmly.

"But, you'll probably fail."

"---Eh?"