A Secret Just for You
Madam's words couldn't possibly be lies.
“Is the hero really from the same world as me?”
“It's still just a possibility for now. In the future I saw, it only revealed that he came from another world—nothing more than that.”
“……I see.”
If he were a fellow Earthling, it might be nice to share the same struggles, right? That's what I might have thought if I'd only heard he was a hero from Earth. The problem was...
'The continental balance will shift.'
It meant chaos on a scale that would shake the political landscape. It could crack the stable convenience store manager life I'd finally settled into.
If a situation arose where I had to take down the hero to prevent that, being a confirmed Earthling would definitely hold me back. After all, if I'd gained cheat powers like the convenience store, the hero would have something comparable—or even superior.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“I was wondering if I might have to fight him someday.”
“You think he could be a threat to the empire?”
“Who knows. But if he causes trouble for my store, you bet I'd roll up my sleeves.”
“Heh, that's so you.”
Madam sipped her tea and smiled serenely.
“Don't worry. The hero himself won't be the one shaking things up.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What you're concerned about won't happen.”
“That's a relief, then.”
I'd come to talk about Luna, but ended up hearing something even heavier.
“Whew, that took the wind out of my sails.”
“Why don't you rest here? Our lake facilities are top-notch.”
“Isn't 'rest here' meaning something a bit different?”
“Heehee, of course.”
“Not like it'd even stand anyway... Never mind.”
“Aww, what a shame. We have a virgin girl here, you know.”
The fox mask tilted playfully. Madam flashed a sly grin.
New girl on staff?
“No thanks. In this atmosphere, it wouldn't rise even if I wanted it to.”
The rooms openly inviting sex. The VVIP suites, including Madam's, were filled with ornate decorations to cater to nobles. But look closely, and the erotic vibe was unmistakable. The wall paintings were mostly erotic illustrations depicting real acts. Images of people tangled in bizarre positions. The large mirror by the bed was crystal clear, reflecting every angle.
“You're not a virgin anymore, are you? Act like a man and get it up.”
“W-what? Madam!”
“Just kidding. Seeing you react so intensely... you really did it, huh?”
“Ahem!”
“Who was it? Elena, maybe? Has love finally bloomed for our manager?”
“No. Elena's like a daughter to me. I can't think of her that way.”
“Hmm, is that so? She doesn't seem to see it that way.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Pretend you didn't hear that. If not Elena, then maybe the princess from your imperial palace visit? Her pure, devoted love is right up my alley. From a spectator's view, she's...”
“Not her either.”
The golden eyes behind the fox mask flickered at my response.
“Then who?”
“Do I have to tell you?”
“Try to understand my position, Manager. In my boring daily routine, news of a friend's romance is a breath of fresh air.”
“Can't say.”
“Should I peer into your future myself, then?”
Madam's cheeks puffed out. I didn't want to spill, but if I didn't, she'd probably do it for real. Her fox mask even glimmered faintly—the sign she was gathering power for foresight.
She placed both hands on the mask, glaring at me cutely as she prepared to activate it.
“It was Repis.”
I came clean.
“...Repis? Unexpected. I figured Elena or Chloe for sure.”
“Why them?”
“Just a hunch. Heehee.”
Madam nodded, organizing her thoughts, then asked me.
“But really, though?”
“What do you mean?”
“Was Repis a virgin?”
“......Even I was shocked.”
“Surprising. I thought a pervert like her would've had tons of experience.”
If even Madam was stunned, imagine how I felt.
“Didn't expect that kink from her, though.”
“Huh?”
“Repis. Doesn't she love tormenting men?”
“Not that I saw.”
“Eh? No way.”
“Don't try understanding a crazy woman with normal logic.”
Repis was incomprehensible.
“Anyway, enough about Repis. Back to the main topic: the hero.”
“Anything else you're curious about?”
“If I track down the hero or Demon King now and handle it, won't that prevent the continental shift?”
“Hmm... Hard to say. I can't pinpoint their locations. The oracle was vague on that.”
“......”
“And futures I've foreseen almost never change. Sometimes, trying to alter them is what brings them about.”
We had cases like that back home. The Greek oracles, right? Fulfilling prophecies out of fear.
That's what Madam meant.
“Can't argue with that.”
“Better to prepare for the future than fear it.”
“True enough.”
I couldn't deny it.
“Did you tell His Majesty the Emperor about this?”
Madam shook her head.
“Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
“Then why tell me?”
“Because you're special.”
The corners of her mouth curved up beneath the fox mask. She continued with a warm smile.
“So keep this to yourself, Manager. Don't breathe a word.”
“...Got it.”
I'd come to check on Luna and got unexpected intel instead.
“Heading back, then?”
“Yeah.”
The wolf mask was starting to feel stuffy anyway.
“Safe travels. Don't worry about Luna.”
“Right... see you.”
I bowed to the manager and left the pavilion.
Heading back to the store, I passed throngs of lake guests streaming in. Even today, the woodsmen seeking fairies were out in force.
“An Earthling, huh...”
I'd imagined others from my world might show up besides me. But after over three years with no word, I'd assumed I was alone.
'How should I handle it?'
At least if he's Korean, I'll let him shop at the store. He'd crave kimchi too, right?
But why did Madam look so sad about it? No clue.
“Maaanager!!”
Elena called out while sorting inventory.
“What's up?”
“Oh, nothing like that. But... do you have something worrying you?”
Was it that obvious? Enough for Elena to notice.
“Nah, it's nothing.”
Better not show it. If I seem stressed, it affects the part-timers.
“Ah, is it that?”
“That?”
“Festival season's coming up. Founding Day.”
“Oh.”
Already?
The Empire's Founding Day. Celebrating the day the first emperor declared the empire in the capital, Oscar. Around mid-August, when summer peaked. One of the empire's biggest festivals, rejoicing in its origins. Streets filled with crowds, parades funded by the royals and merchant guilds. Storytelling troupes reenacting the founding myth, plays everywhere—a total uproar.
And our store's peak season too.
Sightseers flock in. Hungry crowds buy street food from vendors—easy eats on the go.
But no vendor can match...
'Drinks floating with ice cubes.'
That's why we overflow with customers. We were busy already; this just amps it up. A full week around Founding Day meant no breathing room.
“Yeah, it's August already.”
Less than three weeks till the holiday.
“I figure even more people this year. Might need Dmitri working days too.”
“Hm, that'd be a problem.”
“Huh?”
“He can only work nights.”
“Then Robinson again this year?”
“Hm...”
Then it hit me.
'Luna.'
Time to check for myself. Madam said she's fine, but I'm still uneasy. Need to see if she's really okay—or under Dmitri's thrall—with my own eyes.
“Got someone else in mind.”
“Oh, good. But just in case, maybe hire a few more?”
“More the better.”
Extra labor costs get dwarfed by the sales surge. Ten more wouldn't hurt.
“Um, Manager...”
“Yeah?”
Elena fidgeted, twisting her body.
“So, uh... for Founding Day, wanna watch the parade together?”
Parade together?
“Ah.”
In three years here, Elena never got to enjoy it properly. Always swamped with work. First year, we were still adjusting. Second, customer surge. Last year, even with Robinson, no time.
Never once.
Neither her nor me.
Now stable, with extra hands... Giving her the day off sounds good.
“Wanna take the day off?”
“Really? That's okay?”
“Sure.”
“Then you'll take it off too, right?”
“Well, if we're going together...”
“Heehee, great! I was worried it'd be lonely alone.”
“That eager to go with me?”
“Of course! Oh, n-no, I wasn't expecting to go with you or anything. J-just excited to see the Founding Day parade...”
Her face flushed red. The innocent reaction of a twenty-year-old girl brought a smile to my face.
“I'm looking forward to it too.”
“Y-you too, Manager?”
“Going with my favorite employee? How could I not?”
“F-favorite...”
Elena squirmed.
“Let's have fun on Founding Day.”
“Y-yeah! Love that!”
Elena beamed, pure and unclouded.
Wonder if Luna would say yes if I asked her to work? She's a night girl, so maybe daytime premium pay?