Opening Preparations and a Date (?) Request
"Tomatoes, then? Just as I thought."
The word tomato was written on all three sheets. Pleased that Blow had landed on the right answer, Yulia broke into a bright smile.
"I like tomatoes. They feel fresh and bright, and there seems to be more room to work with them than I expected."
"You seemed to like them a great deal last time, Senior, so I stopped by the supplier on the way."
Blow was thinking back to his recent visit to Cypress Seasonings. Once the owner, Julio, heard what he needed, the man had welcomed him warmly and explained everything in detail.
"From what I was told, Cypress's climate suits tomatoes so well they can supply them year-round."
"Oh, really? That's wonderful news!"
"The trouble is how they're stored after transport. Leave them unattended for even a little while, and they go soft in no time."
"Then refrigeration would be essential, wouldn't it, young master?"
"Yes. I was already planning to install that first with the investment you gave us—and a freezer as well, one that runs distinctly colder than a refrigerator."
"How do you intend to maintain it? High-grade mana stones would keep the magic going longer, but the price would be considerable."
"I'll use a lower grade and have Hervena cast the cold magic herself."
"A good idea, young master. I'll have Marchen pass along whatever know-how I can offer, right away."
"That would be an enormous help."
Jane, who had been watching with a tense face at the thought that her own workload might grow, pressed a relieved hand to her chest. Blow added one more word for Yulia.
"Shall we taste a few tomato dishes together and decide from there? We could do it next week, while we're settling the terms of the contract."
"If it's your idea, I'm already looking forward to it."
Yulia said it with her hands clasped. While Blow told her he already had a few things in mind, Jane looked over the contract once more. Her eyes, moving carefully down the page, stopped at one clause.
"Senior, there's something in here about Melo as well?"
"Yes. I thought we might set days and hours for her to learn at our hotel restaurant."
"That's something I promised Melo. How did you—"
Blow's startled voice rose. The clause she had just mentioned was the very promise he had made to Melo's mother, Romang. As if she had expected exactly that reaction, Yulia wore a smile of quiet triumph.
"The truth is, after the fireworks yesterday, Melo and I talked about all sorts of things."
"And you didn't say a word about something this huge..."
"You were going to review the contract again anyway. I thought it would please you more to find it then."
Realizing how thoroughly she had prepared, Blow was quietly impressed.
"Thank you for looking out for her, Senior."
"Not at all. I only did what was obvious. And... I'll think as hard as I can about tomato dishes, too."
"You'll have the election to prepare for, so I'll handle as much of the preparation as I can."
At that, Yulia's face brightened.
"I appreciate the consideration. Honestly, if Redfrin would only cause a little less trouble, I feel as though I'd have far more room to breathe."
"You've been working hard."
"Not at all. I'm only doing what needs to be done. Young master, I'll see you again this evening."
"Yes. Shall I have something ready to go with the corn cheese?"
"Please do. Thank you in advance."
"I'll see you then."
With that as his last word, Blow stepped outside, and Yulia watched him go with a look of quiet satisfaction. Once his footsteps had faded, she stretched her arms this way and that, working the stiffness from her body. Marchen came up beside her and spoke in a calm voice.
"You seem to be in a good mood, my lady."
"Of course I am, Marchen! You have no idea how badly I wanted this contract."
"I was speaking of something else."
"What? What do you mean...?"
Yulia stared back without an answer. Something in it pricked her, and she ducked her head to hide the flush rising in her face.
"I'll fetch Maxim."
"Ah—yes. Would you? And today, go straight to the hotel and check the state of the rooms."
"Yes. I'll see you this evening as well."
Once Marchen had gone, Yulia studied her own face in the mirror set upon the desk. She looked so flushed with excitement she could hardly remember the last time she had been like this. Embarrassed, she turned the mirror face-down.
With the contract settled, Blow headed for the potion shop without a moment's rest. Megan and Hans, who had agreed to help with the shop, were there, and so was Ornn the barbarian. Recognizing him from a distance, Ornn came running and offered a bow.
"Young master, the final work—the lighting—is all finished."
"You've worked hard. The potion shop, this booth... how do you prepare everything so perfectly?"
"Only because you trusted me with it."
"Then let's settle the balance right now."
Ornn accepted the pouch Jane offered with both hands and tucked it into his bag without so much as checking it.
"You're not going to look?"
"Is there any need?"
"There is. We might have made a mistake."
"Hardly. And if we did, I can always come back for it then."
At Ornn's easy dismissal, the corner of Blow's mouth lifted.
"If you need work later, call on me anytime."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I have something to ask right away."
"Truly!"
To the brightening Ornn, Blow explained the refrigerator and the freezer. Stroking his beard as he listened in earnest, Ornn took out a notebook and showed him the plans for the basement.
"So we divide this space and install the mana stones?"
"It needs to be kept separate from the ordinary storeroom."
"You'll be doing business upstairs, so I'll design it so the work doesn't affect that."
"When can you have something?"
"I should be able to tell you around Wednesday of next week. I'll need to look at the basement then—would that be all right?"
"Of course it would. I'll set a date and let you know."
"Thank you."
As Ornn bowed to him again, Blow asked, almost offhand.
"Will you come to the opening? It's a Sunday."
"Yes, I remember. Bahama and Rihendel looked quite excited as well."
"Then I'll see you then. I'll have plenty of drink ready."
"Yes. Until then."
Finished with Ornn, he finally stepped into the potion shop. The interior itself had come out just as he had imagined, and that was a pleasure—but the goods that had arrived were spread open everywhere, and the sight of them was enough to make his head spin. Everyone wore the same lost expression. Into that moment, Blow held out the topmost crate to Megan.
"All right. Let's start."
"Yes, young master. Once we get going, it'll be over before we know it, I suppose."
"Well begun is half done."
And so the sorting began. Megan, dividing feathers, spoke as if she couldn't quite get over them.
"Young master! There really are all kinds of feathers."
"It's better to keep a wide range of things people actually need. Ask Jane where they go."
"With this many kinds, just remembering the names and prices will be a job in itself."
At Megan's worried tone, Blow gave a shrug.
"We've got Jane, the genius of Blanya."
"I'm sure that's meant as praise, and yet it doesn't feel like it..."
Jane's mouth went flat in a sulk. Just then Hans dragged over a sack stuffed with old goods. Recognizing it, Blow's hands stilled, and his eyes narrowed.
"Those are the things we bought from the old potion shop, aren't they?"
"That's right. Didn't you say you were going to do something with them back then?"
"Ah, right. I was going to do a draw."
"A draw? What's a draw..."
Megan, still sorting feathers, looked over with open curiosity. Blow explained, in terms they could follow, the prize draws he had known at stationery shops in his days as Han Ji-hoo.
"So... to put it simply, it's gambling?"
"Which is why it's fun. You just can't rig the odds. Whatever comes out, you hand over exactly that."
Jane asked as if she couldn't understand.
"...There are people who lie about something like that?"
"There were. Not with draws like this, of course."
A few of the games from his time as Han Ji-hoo flickered through his mind.
"Then don't we need one big board? You said people pick a paper and tear it off."
"Making that right now would be too much trouble. Let's have them draw numbered leaves from a container you can't see into."
"There's a certain charm to that."
Jane, who had finished organizing the feathers and fountain pens in the meantime, held up a notebook and a sheaf of paper.
"Young master, where should the paper and the notebooks go?"
"Paper and notebooks? Those are things people have to buy, so..."
"So closest to the entrance, somewhere easy to see, right?"
At her question Blow shook his head at once and pointed deep into the shop.
"No. Keep them away from the entrance."
"What?"
"That way they'll see at least one more thing on the way."
The places he had worked were no different. Instant noodles and everyday goods were always set toward the back. Put simply, you forced the customer's path. A convenience store or a department store, crowded with goods as they were, had to keep a person inside a little longer—long enough that they bought things they had no need to buy. That was why a department store hid its elevators, why you had to walk a full circuit to reach an escalator, and why there were no clocks on the walls.
"Is it really all right to put them this far in...?"
"In exchange, we'll make the signs showing where they are perfectly clear."
While the two of them were still talking, Hans glanced at the clock and came quietly up to Blow.
"Young master, I'll step outside for a bit."
"Now? Why?"
"To wake Melo. And now that I think of it, I ought to check the restaurant ingredients once."
"Right. Once you're done, come back and join us."
"Yes! Understood!"
Hans answered stoutly and went out. Jane and Blow stretched, then went back to sorting the goods.
About an hour later, during a short break, Blow and Jane stood before the oak barrel set at the potion shop counter.
"But will this beer actually sell? I've never seen a potion shop sell beer..."
"This'll probably sell better than anything else. It's bait, so the profit won't be dramatic."
"Then I think I'd rather not."
When students brought their cups, the beer would be poured into them. Jane, a model student through and through, regarded the barrel with open distaste. Whether he knew her feelings or not, Blow went on in an easy voice, mischief thick in it.
"Lunch is an excellent time for beer."
"You're not only selling it at lunch."
"And morning, evening, and night are excellent times for beer, too."
"..."
Jane's mouth drew into a flat line. She did not like that at all. Then a voice both familiar and bright reached their ears.
"Now that is exactly right! Blow Deblique!"
Skadi flung the door open and came in, face alight, making straight for him.
"The shop isn't even open. What are you doing here?"
"I came to mooch a snack!"
"Alone? That's odd."
"Hervena said she's busy with an assignment. Jane! This is what you asked for."
Skadi held out a bundle packed full of things. Jane took it quickly and pushed it deep behind the counter. Blow, watching, stopped what he was doing, stepped toward Skadi, and asked.
"A snack, my foot. What's going on?"
"Ugh... I really can't win against you."
Skadi twisted her long red hair around and around before she finally managed to speak.
"I said I'd go to the Black Bridge Gathering with you this time."
"You did."
"That letter Rachel sent... I checked it today, and it said there's preparation we have to do..."
She dropped her eyes, as if the weight of it sat on her. Blow offered her a chair and lifted a hand as if to say it was nothing.
"I'll handle it. Don't worry. We can just say we did it together."
"Really?"
"After how much you sold for me? That's the least I can do."
"Thanks, Blow. I feel better already."
"What do you mean? You've still got one more thing written on your face."
She flinched, then swept her hair back again.
"You're right, actually..."
"What is it?"
"I don't... have anything to wear to the Black Bridge Gathering..."
"Ah. You mean you don't have a dress?"
"Mm... I've only got the uniform and ordinary clothes. I've never even worn a dress."
"Well, you don't go to parties much."
"Anyway, since you've got an eye for these things... I wondered if you'd come with me and help me pick one."
She spoke with her hands clasped, almost pleading. Blow's eyes narrowed, and he asked as if he didn't follow.
"I've got an eye for it?"
"You used to wear all sorts of clothes. Back then."
"Ah. I did, didn't I."
"If you don't want to, forget it..."
As she went on, Skadi's voice gradually shrank. Blow checked the following week's schedule once, then nodded readily.
"Why not. I already promised to get Jane fitted for glasses. We can go together then."
Jane's brow drew tight at the sudden sound of her own name. Skadi's face lit all the way up.
"Good! Three is better than two!"
"Let's set it for the weekend."
"Okay!"
"Since we've already broken the flow, how about a snack? What do you think, Jane?"
"An excellent idea."
Jane answered almost before he had finished. At the mention of a snack, delight bloomed across Skadi's face as well.
"Where are we going?"
"Our restaurant, obviously. We'll have Melo make something."
"Melo? She looked awfully busy."
"Hm? Today's her day off, isn't it?"
"No. I saw her in front of that Nyx. With some kids."
At the unexpected words, Blow's gaze hardened.
"What?"
"You know, that manservant of yours. His name was Han..."
"Hans."
"Right. With him."
Blow looked at Jane beside him. She shook her head as if she had no idea either.
"What is this?"
"I think they were carrying a pot."
"Let's just go and see."
The moment they moved to step outside, Megan, who had been cleaning within, came over and bowed.
"I'm sorry, young master. I should have told you beforehand..."
Blow gave her no answer. He headed for the inn at once, and the first thing that met his eyes was the children of Dusk Block, dressed in clothes like rags. Every one of them held a potato. Spotting him as he tried to make sense of the scene, they began shouting all at once, none of them waiting for another.
"It's kindhearted Young Master Blow!"
"Boss Blow Deblique, the young lord of Blanya!"
It was late afternoon, and sunlight fell across the alleys of Dusk Block. Behind the children, Melo and Hans had gone pale as they looked at their master.