Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 101. Psychic Powers In The Wilderness

It is morning.

Last night, I spent 12,730 yen on various drinks and food.

Remaining balance: 4,363,664 yen.

Starting today, I’ll be at the street stall.

I must achieve the quest from the airheaded goddess Melhes-san: “Set up a stall in the economic freedom city-state Tessa and distribute Melhes’s symbol to at least 100 buyers.”

I plan to run the stall for 3 or 4 days starting today, so if all goes well, I should manage to distribute around 100 of them.

By the way, I have no intention of boasting that it’s the symbol of the god of commerce. I’m a man who can’t read the room.

Now, I thought I’d at least greet Hagg, but Narnia’s father, the owner of the inn, told me he had left before sunrise. Oh well, can’t be helped if he’s not here.

While brushing my teeth in the narrow courtyard of the inn, Narnia came over. I told her I would be running the stall today and she said she’d come if she had time, so I threw a candy into her mouth and said, “You’re in the way.”

“Ugh! Big brother’s so mean! But it’s delicious!”

Choose whether to be angry or happy. The many faces of a little girl are heartwarming, but I’m busy. Then Yaralai came over and started brushing his teeth with a branch.

“…You using that?”

I bought a new toothbrush and handed it to him.

Remaining balance: 4,363,480 ¥.

“Was interested, will use.”

He replied in Midar, maybe because Narnia was around. He started using the toothbrush right away, but it seemed unfamiliar to him compared to what he usually uses, so he repeated awkward movements for a while. However, he’s an elf who can master even chopsticks in a few days, so he quickly grasped the knack and began brushing his teeth rhythmically.

“Not bad.”

“I see. If the tips here start to spread, I’ll bring out a new one, so let me know.”

“Yes.”

Even though it could be managed with a cleaning tool, this is the only one. I wouldn’t want sand boiling up in my mouth.

After finishing my morning preparations and breakfast, I headed to the stall.

Remaining balance: 4,362,671 ¥.

While I was cooking in the courtyard, I couldn’t help but share some with Narnia because she looked at me in awe. The little girl knows how to beg.

If you can get her to eat breakfast just by putting fried bacon and fried eggs on bread, then it is worth making. Yeah.

――――

Now, straight to the stall today. While walking, I’ll discuss with Yaralai.

“When we get to the stall, I’ll move the cassava from the container to the wooden box. Can you ask someone to keep watch so that others don’t peek?”

“No problem.”

As usual, Yaralai is Native American. It’s best to say he wears Indian dress without any discrimination. Although he has beautiful blonde hair, he wears dreadlocks. But he’s handsome.

He carries a thick estoc called a Black Needle on his back, which is about the size of a child’s clenched fist.

No, I can’t call this an estoc anymore. Maybe that’s why it’s called the Black Needle. Despite carrying such a formidable weapon, he’s handsome.

Maybe because of his conspicuous appearance or his good looks, Yaralai attracts a lot of attention when walking through the town.

“You’re popular, Yaralai.”

When I teased him, the handsome elf tilted his head.

“What do you mean? Everyone’s looking at you, aren’t they?”

Are elves insensitive creatures?

“Not really.”

What’s not really? Look, there are those town girls over there, whispering and looking at you.

“Not. Watching you, Akira.”

…Huh?

“Me?”

Well, since we’re walking side by side, you could say that, but…

“Elven warriors read movements from opponent’s gaze. No mistake.”

“That’s practically psychic powers.”

“…?”

“No, never mind.”

Come to think of it, psychic powers don’t translate well, do they?

“I’m not doubting Yaralai’s skills, but there’s no reason for them to be looking at me.”

“…Really?”

Not to brag, but I’ve never been popular because of my face. I had a girlfriend, but… No, thinking about it makes me want to cry.

“Glasses.”

Huh, what’s this all of a sudden?

“Clothes, facial features.”

Ah, yeah… The conspicuous parts… I was surprised when you suddenly mentioned glasses. Would you even cause a floating island to collapse?

“Even your cigarette, it’s rare.”

He pointed towards the rolled cigarette I had absentmindedly put in my mouth.

“…When did I start smoking?”

“Right after leaving the inn. Smoking too much, not good.”

You’re right. …Oh, I’m out of cigarettes. Considering the price, I really need to cut back. But I should buy some more. Yeah.

Remaining balance: 4,358,071 yen.

“Clothes… A suit gives the most fighting spirit.”

“That’s too grand. Walking around town, and running a stall, stands out. You’re being watched, Akira.”

“I see…”

Hmm. Maybe I should get some clothes over here too. When I peeked before, the fabric seemed poor… But Cherina and her parents’ clothes were really well-tailored. Well, there’s someone else I should reconsider about a cloth area of about a person and a name.

“Well, it’s a postponement. Anyway, let’s do our best with what we have to do today.”

“Right.”

Yaralai nodded.

――――

“Good morning, Akira-san. It’s another unchanging, cloudless day today.”

“……”

In this parched town, a woman with radiant skin appeared out of place. She was Friena-san, the current temporary representative of the Valiero Company.

“What’s she up to?”

“Oh, did I startle you?”

She spoke as I remained silent. There was no need to ask why…

“No, I was just wondering why Friena-san is here…”

“I did guide you here yesterday, didn’t I? So, my presence today shouldn’t be surprising.”

“……”

It’s so absurdly frequent that I can’t even retort.

I wasn’t informed that anyone would come today in the first place.

“I came to comfort the company’s personnel on guard duty. Look, over there.”

She pointed with her fan to a drinking establishment where a company man who must have been watching us looked unsettled.

Well, that’s understandable.

“…I’ve asked for an overnight watch, I appreciate it.”

With Japanese people, I’d usually string together “I’m sorry to ask you for this.”

“That’s fine. He must be pleased with a little extra allowance.”

If only she thought so…

“Now, why are you here, Friena-san?”

I just got an answer, but I asked the same question again.

“I wanted to see the preparation process for a mood change.”

She closed her fan and brought it to her mouth. Did she have it yesterday too?

“Although it’s preparation, it’s just preparing goods and small change, right?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Now, what to do? It’s difficult to sneak a box into a container like this…

I put a hemp bag I had carried over into a wooden box and stuck my hand in there. It should pass as an item bag.

As for the purchase quantity, assuming each person buys one, that’s 2kg per person. I need to sell to 100 people, so that’s at least 200kg. But if I suddenly take out everything, it’ll be suspicious.

…Well, if 20 people come today, then 40kg should be enough. I decided to buy four hemp bags containing cassava potatoes (10kg) = 5,000 yen each.

I didn’t go for 20kg bags because they seemed bigger than the hemp bags I had on hand.

Remaining funds: 4,338,071 yen.

Initially, Yaralai tried to shield Friena-san’s gaze and stood between us, but I shook my head and stopped him. I couldn’t be ungrateful to those who had helped me. Besides, if I paid enough attention, my abilities wouldn’t be exposed.

Another small wooden box, provided by the company, I put small change into it with a clear divide.

There shouldn’t be anything suspicious about it, as I transferred it from a small change holder I’d received from Cherina before. I set the small box under the counter… No, I didn’t. I took out a bag with a Merhes symbol from the container via the hemp bag and put it under the counter.

Now, is the preparation complete?

I’ve helped distribute the company’s new product samples on the street under the hot midsummer sun before, dressed in a costume. That time, I really thought I was going to die. Compared to that, it’s heaven even without air conditioning. Making shade with a tarp surprisingly mitigates the heat.

I put two water-filled bottles on the counter, one for Yaralai.

Friena-san observed these preparations closely. What’s so interesting about them?

“Friena-san, thanks to you, the preparations are complete.”

She’s maintained the same posture a few steps away. She’s held the folded fan against her lips. You’d think she’d look good in a China dress.

“This is the cassava that Cherina’s been raising, right? When I first heard about it, I thought she was losing her mind.”

She spun the fan once around in her hand without changing her expression.

That’s understandable. I should clear up any misunderstanding for her honor.

“No, no, I asked you to buy it despite my unwillingness. Please return a little loan.”

I am enough of a clown.

“That’s not the point.”

She finally changed her expression.

“The day has come when that girl moves with emotions … Time flies.”

I don’t really get the connection, but she doesn’t seem to be mocking or complaining.

Friena-san looks a little distant.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Yes. Thank you for everything.”

I bowed my head in thanks, but she didn’t move. Curious, I looked back and found her still watching me.

“… Something wrong?”

She spun her fan and pointed to the empty hemp bag on my back.

“Akira-san, ordinarily, item bags are made of leather, aren’t they?”

“Huh?!”

Friena-san chuckled softly, turned her back, and walked away.

“I didn’t expect you to be carrying a gift…”

Yaralai told me later what she murmured.

At that moment, all I could do was watch her back in dumbfounded silence.

Women are truly terrifying. No, Friena-san is terrifying.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead.