Reijou Wa Mattari Wo Goshomou Vol 1 Chapter 4

4 The Customer with an Ulterior Motive

The next day during preparations for the shop’s opening, as I request the Rotos to help out with cleaning, I went out to the market for some errands and was called out to by many people . It seems they were worried if the DemiMercSquad were violent or if I was threatened .

“No, they (Demis) were very much different from the rumors and are not scary at all . ” or so I said to everyone, but was denied by the crowd with “They were probably just in a good mood by chance” .

True that after their meal, they did took a nap in the shop which was quite whimsical . And how the lion and cheetah are family of the cats, and may have the image of being moody . Hence, when they are in a bad mood, they would rampage around . But seeing them yesterday, no, it was unimaginable . I was again advised to buy the warding charm but I replied lively that ‘I’m fine’, and finish with my errands .

Amidst my way home, I was called out by someone from my back . Looking backwards, it was one of the customers who frequents the shop . A student one year younger than me . Ha has fair skin and red hair, and his freckled face turned red .

“Go-good morning! P-please do your best at work today!!”

“Good morning . Your studies, please do your best too”

“Y-y-yess I will!”

Returning his greeting, his face turned even redder and he ran away, which brought a smile on my face . It makes me happy how someone innocently shows favor towards me, but I would be troubled if someone asks me out for a date and I do not particularly like it when that person shows that he/she has ulterior motives .

It would be best if I clearly tell the male customers who comes to the shop about this . While thinking of such, I return back into the shop and continued preparations to open the shop .

Taking out the open sign, there is many customers too today . Customers who enjoys a cup of coffee, customers who orders cakes, and those who indulge in a light meal whilst reading . As usual, the counter seats are filled with male customers but it was less boisterous than a few days ago . After finis.h.i.+ng a phase of continuous servicing while smiling died down, one of the male customers sitting by the counter called out to me .

“Rhonychan, it’s best for you to quickly buy that ward charm . ”

“I do not feel the need for that”

“It’s too late after you suffer losses, though? Rhonychan!”

Although I understand that he is just worried about me, all I could do was perk up a bitter smile .

“Uhm, but they really are not as scary as everyone says . They did not turn violent or threaten me either, and they did not destroy the shop” If by chance they did destroy the shop, a little magic will do the repairing trick .

The other male customers could only let out a sigh to my reply .

“That’s because Rhonychan is too kind…”

Hmmm, I don’t think just because someone is kind that person will cover up for them .

“Uhmm . . everyone? Why is everyone so wary of the DemiMercSquad?” Resolving with all I have to ask so, the owner of the accessory shop was the first one to reply .

“Of course it’s because they are scary! They are . . too strong! They easily threw off an adult male with ease! And that person flew as high as the 3rd floor of a building at that!”

“Haa…” I unknowingly replied loosely . Imagining how black lion easily throw off a person… looks like an anime…

“It’s true, Rhonysan! Believe me!” The accessory shop owner forcibly leaned forward his body .

Even if you say so… It’s not that I don’t believe you, but to me, a person flying from getting hit is just a common occurrence .

During my time in San Crisante Academy, there are also practical cla.s.ses .

Although the female students are not engaged in aggressive fights, that is not so for the male students . And during those cla.s.ses, not little are thrown flying . Recalling my student days, the other male customers started raising their voices one after another .

“Rhonychan, they really are very dangerous! They howl ferociously, and I heard they bare their fangs to attack people! And their bites are lethal at that!”

“Their claws can disintegrate this table in an instant too it seems! The table of a bar somewhere was done in by them”

“I too have heard about that! Where they crushed the windows into grains! And in another shop, they made a big hole in the door and wall too . ”

… . Their stories continued one after another, but all of them were heard from someone else’s .

“Umm, everyone, did you ever see it happen in person?” As I ask so, the customers made a troubled look on their faces and looked toward each other .

Looks like they were baited around by rumors . If this continues, all they could see is fear (towards the Demis) and not look at how they really are .

At that moment, a brilliant idea went through my mind .

“That’s right! The Demi customers did say they are coming by the shop again”

Since it’s a rare chance, how about communicating with them… or so I wanted to continue, but the customers sitting by the counter all started preparing to exit the shop altogether . Then taking out their wallets and swiftly made their way out .

The female customers who were sitting on the table seats too looked troubled and called out .

“Umm . . are the people from the DemiMercSquad coming after this?”

“No, I’m not sure if they are coming today or not…” as I answer so, they fell into deep thoughts, and eventually stood up . Then they took out their wallets with an apologetic face .

“I’m sorry, although I only ordered a drink”

“No, please, I do not mind”

“Um . . Can I takeout the cake?” I nodded towards that question .

“Yes, that’s fine . What would you like?”

Then the other female customers too requested to takeaway cakes and sandwiches .

… . To think that the takeout boxes would be useful here and now…

I did prepare them when the shop first opened, but there wasn’t any chance to use these white paper boxes . I then packaged the cakes and sandwiches into them and handed them over to the customer .

Incidentally seeing the clock, it was now a little before noon .

I wonder, will the Demis come by today?

… . It was just yesterday when they came, so there’s a possibility they won’t come continuously .

Cleaning up the shop, some customers came by to request a takeout . Looks like they heard about this from the previous female customers . But none of them came to take a seat…

… . . Then, the rumors of how the DemiMercSquad come by the shop in the afternoon spread like wildfire . If this goes on, on the days where they do not come, the afternoons would be as silent as the graveyard** . That would be somewhat troubling .

Implementing a takeout menu to cover up the sales would probably work out somehow . If it comes to so, it would also be better for me to add more varieties of cakes .

If in the end all else fails and the shop needs to close down, as a last resort, I can just live in the Spirit’s Forest . Ever since I stopped being a n.o.ble, the spirit contracted to me invited me to live in the forest .

But I do not intend to close down the shop any soon, and will do all I can until the end, but if it comes to that time I thought of depending on the spirits .

“Good afternoon, beautiful Rhonysan”

Coming back to my senses, there was a fancy looking man standing in front of the door . His curly platinum blonde hair set in a fancy way . Lightly wearing a plain purple coat with white s.h.i.+rt and flower embroidered white vest underneath it . His name is Macway-san, the owner of a cafe in the neighboring city, Cedric .

He visited once soon after he heard rumors of how Cafe Mattari opened . Ever since, he had frequent the shop and I’m thankful for that but…

“Regarding the matter I discussed before, have you considered it? I really do want you to work at my shop . ”

–Each and every time he comes by, that’s all he asks and truthfully it is somewhat troubling .

“Welcome, Macway-san . Thank you but I will have to decline”

Putting up a smile to brush off his invite, I guided him to his seat . He then quickly approached me closer . The smell of the cologne on his body was so strong that I felt like sneezing . But doing that here would be rude, so I endured by holding my breath and keeping a smile up .

“What’s wrong? A beautiful lady such as you working here alone is regrettable . Especially so when you have such talent and wisdom . Rhonysan, please think it over”

Macway-san took a hold of both my hands with his, and glared at me with a hot gaze .

“Umm, I really do not intent to”

“You really are hard to get . Oh yes, I heard that the DemiMercSquad comes to your shop”

“…”

I was astonished to how he suddenly changes the topic . He really is a ‘my pace’ person . A type of person which I do not really handle well, but since he’s a customer, I can’t be picky . While making sure my smile does not break, I nodded and replied “yes they did” .

“That was dreadful . Were you hurt? I came here today to give you this . I thought you would need it . ” As he said so, he took out a small box from within his pocket . As he did it forcibly and quick, I involuntarily accepted it . Prompted to open the box, its content was a Beast Ward Charm .

It was in the shape of a light brown crystal big enough to be held within my grasp . In the center point of it is a mark alike a keyhole .

“You can ward off the Demis just by pasting this in the building”

“… . Thank you for your offer but, I do not have any need for this” I tried to return it back to him but he didn’t accept my wishes .

“Please don’t hold back . It may be a bit expensive for you but the price is nothing to me . Since if anything happens to you, I might stop breathing . ”

… . I’m not talking about the price though . And your cologne is the cause of my breathing difficulties right now .

“I’m not holding back on anything . I wished to welcome the members of the DemiMercSquad on my own accords”

“Aa, you truly are too kind . But the ones who trampled on your kindness is those mercenaries . Alright, before you get harmed I will paste this on myself”

Macway-san then took out the ward from the box .

At that moment, *Clang clang, the doorbell rang .

Looking towards the door from over Macway-san’s shoulder, there stood a big black Demi . His mane as gallant as yesterday . Macway-san who looked back turned frozen stiff . On the other hand the jet black lion, Boss-san, didn’t look at him at all . The direction of his amber eyes were gazing upon the ward in his hand . Boss-san then held out his black hand, taking it with his claw hidden beneath the puffy paw, and crushed the ward . It splendidly turned into pieces .

The ward only takes effect once it’s pasted on a building, hence before its pasted on, it’s just a mere crystal… but to think that it can be easily crushed by mere claws . .

The strength of a Demi really is to be feared .

While I was still astonished, Boss-san had already sat on the same seat as yesterday .

Today, his uniform looked ruffled . The s.h.i.+rt underneath his coat was all unb.u.t.toned, and his jet black upper body can be see through it .

“Ughhh, stinky!” The one who said so and entered was the blue wolf, Chise-san . Followed by the white cheetah Ryuse-san and the green jackal Sensan, and the 3 suppressed their noses while heading to the same seat as yesterday .

“Gaaaa~ Hungryyy~” Said Chise-san, sitting deep in the sofa . Sensan sitting in front of Boss-san, faceplanted his face on the table . Ryuse-san was laying down on the sofa, and looking closer, his fur was dirty with patches of red .

How should I say this . . They look battered . . And reeks of iron and explosives . . I wonder if they just came back from a harsh fight .

Involuntarily looking at him, Boss-san then growled .

“–Oi” Boss-san’s eyes were looking behind me . Coming back to my senses and looking towards my back, I saw Macway-san’s hand on the doork.n.o.b .

“d.a.m.n you, you walking away without ordering anything?” (Boss-san)

How sharp of him to know that he(Macway) didn’t order . True that he came in like a customer but…

While I was impressed by Boss-san, I then heard a wavering voice from Macway-san .

“T-that… t-t-then . . a . . a latte . . ”

I wonder where did that overconfidence of his from before went . His face turned horribly pale and he was s.h.i.+vering badly .

“Understood”

I swiftly prepared the Latte and poured it into a lidded cup . This is the cup used within the shop . Since I will be implementing a takeout menu, it would be better for me to prepare the vessels for the drink as well .

Handing over the warm latte to Macway-san, “t-thank you . The change . . is . . fine” and left a silver coin and went away .

“Heey, nee-chan! If you have bacon then I wanna dat in a steak style however you cook it! Sandwiches ain’t enough, I get hungry too quick!” Chise-san’s voice resonated within the shop, while he was sitting in the sofa with one of his leg up . I headed towards the table seat .

“Chise, use respect” Boss-san with his low toned voice, which made Chise shudder profusely* . Chise then slowly brought down his leg from the sofa and opened his mouth while shaking .

“T-t-ten . . tenchou…?” The grown adult wolf turned 180 degrees around into a scared puppy . I desperately try to hold back my laughter .

“I currently have bacon block in stock, would you like it to be served in steak style?”

“…Y-yes please”

Moving my gaze from Chise-san to Ryuse-san, he replied to me while licking his left hand .

“Theen, I’m having that bacon steak too” He’s like a cat grooming his fur . . Wait, not that . .

“Umm, are you perhaps hurt?”

“It’s not my blood though”

“… . Should I bring over a towel?”

“Not needing it . It’s dried up already, I don’t wanna dirty your towel” Which almost made my imagine things, but let’s not . I’m more worried about Ryuse-san being dirty than the shop . Since his pure white fur is too beautiful .

“Heeey~ Nee-cha, I mean, Tenchou, please hurry up!” Chise-san who’s on his hunger limit, fluttering his tail around .

While thinking of how pleasant it is seeing him do that, I turned around towards the green jackal, Sensan, to see that he has fell asleep . It seems he is really exhausted .

“Let him sleep . He’ll order later on” Since Boss-san said so, I left Sensan sleep as he did .

Afterwards, Boss-san too ordered a bacon steak, and to bring over the same drinks as yesterday . Returning back to the kitchen, I suddenly realized something .

“Umm… Is garlic alright?”

“Hah?! We’re not monsters!!” Chise-san in an irritated voice while leaning his chin on the table .

In my previous world, garlic is not only used as an food ingredient, but also to ward off evil . And similarly in this world, it is used to ward off evil as well . That’s why it seems that Chise-san felt insulted but–

“Umm, that’s not what I meant . Since you disliked the smell of the cologne used by the previous customer, I thought of how the smell of garlic would bother you”

“I hate that, but garlic’s fine . ”

“Understood, please forgive my rudeness”

After taking a bow, I headed to the counter before going back to the kitchen . Then, from the lower drawer, I took out a deodorizer pack since the smell of the cologne just now may have lingered and left it beside the sandgla.s.s .

Similar to yesterday, I served the drink first before preparing the steak . I then cut the bacon block and since the bacon block has already been salted, I held back in seasoning it with just slightly adding some pepper and rosemary .

Next, I sliced some garlic and fried it in a previously heated pan with olive oil . Slowly cooking it in low heat until the smell of the olive oil seeps out and place the bacon in . While paying attention to its doneness, I also prepared salads by the side . Here, I added the same amount (of vegetables) as in sandwiches .

And so, a simple bacon steak is completed .

Bringing it over to the table, “Wooo! Coool!” Chise-san while fiercely swaying his tail .

“Delissss.h.!.+ Supp–er delisss.h.!.+” Even when it did not take much effort, I was praised . Opening up his big mouth, the wolf smiling with his fangs out . His huge blue tail, jumping around on the chair . Involuntarily I moved my attention to his tail even when I know I shouldn’t stare hard on it, since it may be rude .

… . But even so, seeing him so happy makes me very happy as well .

“Thank you very much! I’m glad it’s to your liking”

“I love beef more but . Gimme seconds! . . No, I mean, Please give me seconds, Tenchou!”

“Yes, understood”

I did not have beef blocks in stock so I unfortunately could not offer it . But I’m glad that the bacon steak is to his liking . It feels like I successfully baited a wolf with food .

“Aah, delisssh… Sez always burns it everytime . ” (Chise)

Sez-san, is he another Demi?

While wondering about the name Chise-san mentioned, I looked towards Ryuse-san .

“It’s been a while since I ate such yum meat” (Ryuse)

He also looked satisfied while bringing the steak to his mouth . Moving my gaze towards Boss-san, he is chewing down the steak . Our eyes met, and he slightly held up his plate .

Looks like he too wants seconds .

“Seconds? Understood”

Since Boss-san nodded, I headed back to the kitchen to cook some more steaks .

Bringing over the second plates of steaks, Chise-san had already finished his first plate and Boss-san too .

Ryuse-san who had finished eating since earlier was swaying his long tail around while peeking towards the sleeping Sensan .

“Sena really has no stamina” (Chise)

Chise-san saying so, Ryuse-san replied with “at least better than Sez” . Ryuse-san then stretched his hand to lower the window shade .

“There really is too many of em this time . What, bandits?”

“Don’t knowww . A bunch of them still can’t match up to us, even though it’s meaningless”

… . I knew it, these four are considerably strong .

Gradually Chise-san let out a splendid yawn .

“Can I nap a bit, Tenchou?” (Chise)

“…Yes, by all means”

Exhausted as they are, I think it’ll be better for them to sleep on their beds back at home . But Sensan did not show any signs of waking up, Ryuse-san and Chise-san had already closed their eyes .

Coming back from the kitchen after cleaning up the utensils, Chise-san and Ryuse-san had already fell asleep .

Boss-san just rolled up his sleeve and licking his right hand . Slightly approaching them, I could sense that Sensan was sleeping agonizingly .

… . Since he was practically faceplanting on the table from just now, it was evident that he isn’t comfortable . At least laying on the sofa would have been better .

I then asked Boss-san in a soft voice .

“Can I lay him on the sofa?”

“… I don’t mind”

Since I have permission, I gently held onto Sensan’s shoulders and tried to slowly lay him down on the sofa . . But the next instant…

Sensan’s head leaned onto my left shoulder .

Whilst I almost let out a weird voice, but I withheld it with all my might . Sensan’s ear twitched a bit, but he did not show signs of waking up . His fuwafuwa fur feels very good, and an urge to just hug him tightly right then rushed through me .

While I somehow held back from doing so, I laid him down on the sofa and with a heavy heart removed my hands .

Aaa, I wanted to touch the mofumofus even longer .

Casually moving my gaze to Boss-san, he was still licking his right hand . I wonder if he is perhaps hurt .

Kneeling beside Boss-san, I stared up towards him .

“Umm, may I treat your wound?” I asked with a soft voice .

After a while, Boss-san held out his right hand . I knew it, he really is hurt .

The black lion’s hand, covered in fur made it hard to discern where the wound is . But healing magic will probably do the trick . Wrapping my hands around his, I think about the magic formula in my mind .

One with magic powers and knowledge of the magic formula can use healing magic . However, it will not invoke if the image of the magic formula is vague, hence the need to concentrate .

Gradually my hand softly s.h.i.+nes, and the weight of Boss-san’s hand can be felt through mine . This is the toll . The healing process is complete when the weight diminishes .

After concentrating for a while and sensing that the weight diminishes, I called out to Boss-san saying ‘It’s completed’ .

Boss-san then looked intensely on his hand and *pomf* he left it directly on top of my head . After he lightly pat pat my head and stroked it, he laid down his back on the sofa and went to sleep .

I absentmindedly went back to the kitchen and sat down on a chair .

Patted by that mofumofu hand . I’m so happy!

Aah! Please come by everyday!

After an hour or so, the four of them woke up . Sensan then ordered a sandwich and latte, while Chise-san ordered another plate of bacon steak in addition . What a big appet.i.te he has .

“Thanks for the food! Tenchou!” The happy Chise-san is paying the bill today . He placed 3 gold coins on the table .

Although they did ordered a lot, but the amount paid to me is too much . Adding in from yesterdays, it’s really too much, so much that they could be eating free for a while here .

“Umm, this is too much!” I tried to return the gold coins, but Chise-san replied with a “See you again-!” and exited the shop, as well as the other 3 .

With no other choice, I followed suit and sent them out . “Thank you very much! Umm, please come again tomorrow if you would like to!”

Chise-san waved back at me with a smile today .