I Feel Like I'm Forgetting Something...
I Feel Like I'm Forgetting Something...
:: Yeah, I get it now. ::
:: Then it looks like there's no need to use any more dust. ::
:: Using any more than this is dangerous too, so... ::
Are the questions over now?
However, after merely being questioned one-sidedly, a sudden curiosity welled up inside me as well.
" That person—no, that teddy bear who rushed at us earlier. Why did you ask if I remembered him? "
:: Ah. That? ::
:: He just looked strangely familiar for some reason. While we were on the subject, I asked wondering if he was a customer who had visited the shop. ::
:: Since if he had ever come by, you would remember. ::
I retraced my memories.
Now that I heard that, I also felt like his impression was strangely familiar from somewhere, but...
As expected, only the guy who used to show off his strength at my previous workplace came to mind.
It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but our shop was practically catching flies.
If he were one of our few customers, I felt like he would have remained in my memory in a much clearer form.
:: Really? Did I see him while walking on the street? ::
" If there was someone with anger management issues like that, I feel like I would've heard rumors about him too... Maybe you caught a fleeting glimpse of him at that religious facility you said you attend? "
:: Oh my. That could be it! ::
Clapping her hands together, Bell brightened up.
The popcorn tub she was holding had become completely empty before I knew it.
" You eat well. Why didn't you take it with you when you went to see the performance? "
Usually, popcorn is what you eat when watching a show.
The time she went to watch the show was already after the shop had closed, so she could have taken it.
:: I didn't think of that. ::
Replying like that, Bell nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.
:: By the way. ::
:: I think I know how to handle it now. ::
...?
:: Ah, I was talking about our shop's popcorn maker. ::
:: I tinkered with the broken machine a bit, and the taste became truly exquisite. ::
While bringing up such a sudden topic,
Jjook—.
Bell licked off every last bit of the popcorn caramel smeared on her finger.
###
And the next day.
A Monday just like any other began.
" Here is the Twizzler you ordered. "
" T-Thank you. "
A rather unique customer had visited the shop.
" I-I'll enjoy it. But you know, d-do I by any chance... "
" Pardon? "
" N-No, never mind. Even if I ask a clerk something like this, you'll just unconditionally say I look pretty anyway... Yeah. "
" ....... "
The customer muttered something with her head bowed slightly forward.
The red mask covering her mouth left a deep impression.
By the way, that strangely lowered gaze.
That fashion that strangely seemed to cover up her body.
And an attitude that looked thoroughly intimidated even though no one had said anything to her—.
'Is she self-conscious about her own appearance?'
It was a concern surprisingly common among the part-time colleagues I used to work with.
It was a place that boasted top-tier healing facilities.
Even so, because the enemies they had to deal with were often formidable or defied common sense.
It was by no means rare for the regeneration of affected areas to be entirely impossible, or to regenerate while leaving scars behind.
- A-Am I going to be unable to get married like this?
- Huh? You were planning to get married?
- HEY!!!!!
I wonder if that girl is doing well.
At any rate, it was a concern I had encountered quite often.
And because of that, I could immediately tell what the current customer's attitude signified.
Ultimately, what our shop aims for is for customers to leave this shop with a face full of smiles.
However, calling her face pretty wouldn't work.
The lower half of her face was completely covered by a mask, so even if I praised her face, it would be far too obvious that it was empty flattery.
Nor could I compliment her figure.
Since depending on the person, she might perceive it as sexual harassment.
A smaller, safer area would be better.
As I was contemplating what part to praise as pretty—
Following the customer's lowered gaze, I lowered my gaze as well.
At the tips of her fingers, which were gathered and fidgeting, was freshly applied nail art.
Right. This is it.
" You look pretty. "
" W-What? "
" I said they're pretty, those nails. "
" A-Ah. N-Nails.... "
The customer's face turned as crimson as the mask she was wearing.
The customer hurriedly covered her face with her palms.
The speed was way too fast; was it some kind of illness?
If she collapsed inside the shop, cleaning it up would be troublesome.
" Um, customer-nim. Are you alright? "
" N-No. I'm fine. "
Waving her hands frantically, the customer replied.
" You're not alright? "
" W-What? No. Not that. I'm fine, really fine. I just don't have any tolerance for this... "
Tolerance?
As expected, is it an illness?
" Then I'll be going now. "
" Um, customer-nim—. "
" I'm leaving! "
That won't do.
I caught the customer who was trying to bolt out of the shop as if fleeing.
" Ah, I. That's—. Um— if you do this—. "
" It will be troublesome. "
" Y-Yeees.. troublesome—. "
" You haven't paid for the candy yet. ::
A rising voice. At my words, the customer froze stiff right where she stood.
I hoped it wasn't the case, but she wasn't secretly trying to run off like this, was she?
" A-Ah, I'm, I'm sorry. My breathing suddenly became short, so... "
:: Is that so. ::
Balance is important in these matters.
Without losing my customer-service smile, I raised my voice slightly and delivered a threat that stayed within the line of plausible deniability.
" I-I'll take it out right noww.. I'll take it out, so pleaseee..! "
Calmly receiving payment from the customer who pulled out a wallet from her breast pocket,
" Please come again next time. "
" Y-Yes. "
I saw off the customer who was practically fleeing.
" For sure. I will de-definitely come again. "
Dododo.
The sound of footsteps receding beyond the alley could be heard.
" ...She didn't seem to be a thief, right? "
:: Yeah. ::
I got that impression.
Even thinking rationally, it didn't seem likely she'd say she would return to a shop where she was caught trying to steal.
Yet thinking about it that way made this rather bizarre in its own right.
For my part, I only suspected her because the situation warranted suspicion.
From the customer's perspective, would someone really say they'd visit a shop again where they were almost framed as a thief?
'Hmm....'
I had no idea.
To say she fell in love with the taste of the food, she hadn't taken off her mask at all.
She wouldn't have had the chance to eat it.
'Was it sarcasm?'
:: ...Uh, um. ::
:: Were you originally this dense, or is even this my fault...? ::
Although her point seemed slightly different, Bell was also puzzled along with me.
Anyway, with her trembling voice and the way she ran away.
She was clearly different for sure, but in odd ways she brought Hamham-ssi to mind.
'...Hamham-ssi?'
Who was that again...?
:: Ah! ::
Just then, Bell suddenly let out a gasp.
What is it?
:: This popcorn maker finally went and—! ::
Pushwiii—.
As if broken, it was emitting steam and clattering violently on its own.
Even though she said just yesterday that she figured out how to handle it, she went and caused an accident after all, huh?
Bell smacked it in accordance with the age-old law that machines get fixed when you hit them.
However, perhaps it was a rule that didn't apply inside Fairytale land, as cracks formed on the lid instead.
:: Ah. ::
Peong—.
The popcorn inside splattered everywhere.
" Good grief. "
I hastily yanked the plug to stop the machine.
Even so, the shop floor had already become a total mess covered in popcorn.
:: S-Sorry. ::
Picking up a broom, Bell began sweeping up the popcorn that had splattered all over.
Engaging in manual labor instead of bothering to clean it up with magic was probably her way of taking responsibility.
It was far from an intentional prank anyway. Considering that sight, I decided to quell my anger.
'Should I do some cleaning while I'm at it?'
For the record, our shop tends to pursue craftsmanship.
For better or worse, that is.
What I mean is, just like some restaurants boasting decades of tradition, the more grime is caked on the machines and the more candy powder is left uncleaned, the more it is treated as "well-seasoned."
To put it bluntly without beating around the bush, it means we rarely clean.
" It's about time to do it once anyway. "
Seeing as there was no sign of any customer coming for the time being.
Just staying still alone and watching Bell clean was also awkward in many ways.
I also brought over a mop and wiped the shop floor, avoiding where Bell was sweeping.
'Hmm?'
Just like that, a piece of paper tucked away in the corner caught my eye.
What's this?
Seeing as there was no dust accumulated on it at all, it seemed to have been placed recently, but...
It might be something important.
I picked up the crumpled paper and unfolded it.
'Ah.'
What was written on it was the address of the place where I had previously worked as a part-timer.
And the name [Hamhami] that I had just associated her with earlier.
:: .... ::
Hamhami. Hamhami.
Where did I hear that name again...?
" .... "
Why is the place where I used to work written here?
" ......! "
...Hamhami!
Right, that customer!
The one who received the wrong delivery along with the piñata!
'Good lord!'
I had completely forgotten.
How could I make such an absurd blunder—.
- :: It was an exhausting day, wasn't it? Breaking a cold sweat over almost getting reported to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. ::
- :: Your imagination must be running negative because you're tired. ::
- :: I'm sure it'll be a great change of pace. ::
...Before I knew it, I was holding my forehead with my hand.
I must have really been exhausted.
To think I completely forgot something this important.
However, no separate contact came from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Which meant I hadn't been reported.
Then, could it be?
Could it be that I already delivered the snacks and simply forgot about that fact as well?
:: Huh? Didn't you already deliver it? ::
Bell, who was examining the popcorn maker, belatedly grasped the situation and panicked along with me.
Her fluster felt a bit contrived, though.
It was probably because after cleaning up the popcorn, she was preoccupied with the popcorn maker she practically broke and didn't have the spare bandwidth to pay attention over here.
'If I sent it, there should be a record left.'
Since the items would have been set aside, there would be a corresponding gap in the inventory.
I checked the shop's inventory ledger.
'Aaaaargh!'
In the end, I realized the reason no report was filed was simply because Hamham-ssi was kind.
Good lord.
To make such a mistake.
Late as it was, I had to rectify it right now.
I took out the phone book.
Among the delivery agencies, the one specializing in food delivery was...
'Found it.'
A black horse, and a scale drawn in the background.
It was the logo of [Black Knight], a delivery company specializing in food delivery among what was commonly known as the 4 Rider agencies.
I picked up the antique telephone, the only one in the shop.
'...?'
Ah. I wondered why there was no sound.
The phone cord was still connected to the plug.
Only when I unplugged the cord did the normal [Tuuu—] sound come out.
I was just about to spin the dial to request an emergency delivery.
:: Wait. ::
Having finally finished wrestling with the popcorn maker, Bell approached.
" ? "
:: It's already super late anyway. ::
What was she trying to say?
Surely she wouldn't say something so unconscionable as not to go since no report was filed.
:: It also takes time for the rider to go back and forth. ::
:: So what I'm saying is. ::
:: How about you go and deliver it yourself? ::
"...Bell."
I wondered what she was going to say.
" Not only did you brea k the shop's property, ::
:: U-Uh...?! ::
:: Are you now suggesting that I leave the shop during working hours? ::
My voice lowered without me even realizing.
The anger I had been suppressing burst forth.
:: N-No, that's not what I meant—. ::
Bell's expression, which until a moment ago was triumphant as if she had come up with a brilliant idea,
was stained with a bewilderment far greater than when she blew up the popcorn maker.