Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five chapters are posted simultaneously.
This story is chapter 4.
After closing
While giving water to the cleaner slime that cleaned the store, Ms. Karla came by to report the sales. But something about her usual report felt different...
“Manager, about today’s sales…”
“What’s wrong? Did we run at a loss?”
“No, not a loss. We made a profit.”
“A profit? Then you must have been making enough money even until yesterday?”
“The amount is different from yesterday, Lord Ryoma. Today alone, sales reached 26,036 soot.”
26,036!?
“Wait a minute, until yesterday and the day before, it was just over 16,000, right? Why did it suddenly increase by 10,000?”
“This morning, right after you left the shop, a large contract came in. It seems the rumors about this store spread, and the bosses of blacksmiths, carpenters, and even ironworks staff came one after another. They bought large bags and have already come to pick them up.
Not only that, individual and small group customers have increased as well. Some customers request to wash multiple bags at once. Sales of bags are still continuing.”
“Can you give me the sales details? It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I want to confirm it with my own eyes…”
“Of course. Please wait in the office; I will bring it right away.”
I went to the office as instructed, sat on a chair, and waited.
... Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m using this room. I usually carry the laundry myself, serve customers, or stay in the break room...
While thinking about that, Ms. Karla brought a sheet of paper.
“This shows today’s sales board numbers.”
“Thank you.”
I took the paper listing the number of each sales board from Ms. Karla and looked it over.
Let’s see...
Individual washing once — 10 soot × 998 = 9,980 soot
14-person group once — 18 soot × 152 = 2,736 soot
35-person group once — 40 soot × 55 = 2,200 soot
Individual bag — 20 soot × 159 = 3,180 soot
14-person bag — 25 soot × 68 = 1,700 soot
35-person bag — 30 soot × 50 = 1,500 soot
Equipment washing service — 15 soot × 316 = 4,740 soot
Totaling 26,036 soot... no mistake.
“Indeed. I’m surprised, I never expected it to be this much... I’m truly astonished.”
Even considering ongoing bag sales, it’s close to 20,000. This is all thanks to the cleaner slime and everyone.
“By the way, where are the others?”
“They’re gathered in the break room, checking the sales.”
“Checking the sales?”
“The sales include a mix of medium copper coins and small copper coins, so they’re sorting them out while verifying if the amount matches the calculated total.”
“I see. Then let me help.”
“No, that is the job of the subordinates...”
“It’s not like I’m forbidden to help, right? After all, I am the manager of this store and your colleague. I’ll help.”
To be honest, you two twins are just too good at clerical work. It’s not that there’s no work, but there’s so little, and the support is so excellent that it finishes quickly. As someone who used to rely on energy drinks constantly, I find it a bit lacking.
“Understood. But Lord Ryoma, you are not a temporary manager; you are the true manager of this store.”
Accompanied by Ms. Karla, I headed to the employee break room... which is actually just the room across the hall.
“Good work.”
“Manager, good work.”
“““““Good work.”””””
Upon entering, six employees including Mr. Calm greeted me. They had stacked a large pile of copper coins on the big table in the break room and were counting them one by one manually.
“Thank you for your daily hard work. I’m grateful I can entrust work to all of you.”
“It’s nothing, really. This store treats us very well.”
“That’s right, Lord Ryoma. This much is only natural since we are hired employees.”
Everyone in the room nodded at Mr. Calm’s words. Ms. Karla standing behind did as well.
“I see, I’m glad to hear that. Well then, let’s continue. Should I count the amount of these copper coins?”