Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five chapters are updated simultaneously.
This is the first chapter.
I was allowed to stay at Mr. Pioro’s house, and he guided me to the Saionji Trading Company’s spice shop. Apparently, his house is connected to the store.
“Welcome. Hey, isn’t that your dad?”
“That’s not something to question. And it’s not just me; Ryoma is here too.”
“Excuse us.”
“Ryoma, the guest room is ready. Please don’t hesitate to relax as much as you want.”
Just like during the day, Ms. Miyabi was running the store.
But how did she already know I’d be staying here? We just decided this a moment ago.
“I thought you’d be staying at home. Was I mistaken?”
“No, I’ll take you up on your kind offer. It was just something decided recently.”
“The guest room is always prepared just in case someone comes at any time. And knowing your dad, I figured he’d want to let you stay at the house.”
“I see, thank you.”
“No problem. Shall I show you around?”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Pioro said he had to get back to work, so I followed Ms. Miyabi to the guest room.
“Think of this as your home and make yourself comfortable.”
The room she showed me was quite spacious for a single room, furnished with tasteful but not overly luxurious furniture, giving it a warm atmosphere.
“For dinner, we’ll prepare something delicious worthy of the Saionji Trading Company’s name. Look forward to it.”
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”
Hearing that, Ms. Miyabi nodded approvingly.
“Well then, I’ll leave you to relax until dinner.”
She quietly left the room.
...Left alone, I started wondering about dinner. What could it be?
...Whatever it is, it’s probably not something like the preserved food I had last night. Meat, maybe? Or fish? But fish dishes aren’t common in this country. Since it’s inland with no sea, the fish available are mostly river fish or dried varieties. Fresh seafood is either expensive or simply unavailable.
The exceptions are towns by some lakes, like Shikum, where fishing is done, so fish dishes are more common there.
But when it comes to seafood, it’s definitely Japanese-style food. I haven’t had any since coming here... I thought it might be somewhat widespread with so many transferees around, but I haven't seen it in Gimul. Maybe I should ask Mr. Pioro if he has soy sauce or miso? Since he deals in food, he might have something similar somewhere.
After contemplating food for a while and resting, passing time with meditation, a male servant called me. Dinner was ready.
“You’re here, Ryoma. Take a seat.”
Inside the room, Mr. Pioro, Ms. Miyabi, and a foxfolk woman were already seated. Since she resembled Ms. Miyabi, she was probably Mr. Pioro’s wife. She’s beautiful...
“Excuse me.”
“No need to be so stiff. You probably noticed, but the woman to Ryoma’s left is Miyabi’s mother and my wife, Kurana.”
“I’m Kurana Saionji. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Ryoma Takebayashi. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’ve heard of you. They say you’re very promising.”
“Oh no, it was just luck. And I’ve been blessed with the help of those around me. I just hired capable people and entrusted them.”
Honestly, without everyone, I might not have even been able to open a branch, let alone own a store.
Meeting various people and receiving their help is how I’ve managed so far.
“If you can say that sincerely at your age, I think you’re quite capable.”
“Yeah. Young folks who succeed suddenly sometimes get cocky, lose sight of those around them, and think they can do everything by themselves.”
“A business relies on customers and employees. If you forget to appreciate those around you and take them for granted, that’s the end of a merchant. Then you’d need some extraordinary talent or unscrupulous methods to survive. Ryoma, I think you understand that well enough.”
Is that so?
“Good business manners come with time. Just being able to speak politely now is already good. Miyabi doesn’t usually speak politely at all.”