"What happened? How did we suddenly get a real store? And right next to Yae Publishing House, too—such a prime location?!"
Along with Victor Wang's return to Inazuma came Ningguang's professional team. In just two days, they helped the Hanamizaka branch of "Pearl Bubble Tea" secure the property, complete renovations, and then moved on to the upper district of Inazuma City to expand operations.
Left behind were the still-dazed members of the Arataki Gang, staring at what had once been their street stall, now inexplicably transformed into a luxuriously decorated shop in a golden location. It was impossible not to be shocked.
"It's just a store opening. Didn't I already say it before? Once the Sakoku Decree is lifted, we'll be making some moves. It hasn't been officially lifted yet, but it's almost there."
"I still don't get it…"
"To put it simply, the pearl milk tea caught the eye of a rich lady. She wants to take over the business and open Pearl Milk Tea shops all across Teyvat. Originally, even this Hanamizaka shop was supposed to be run by her people, but since I'm a partner, I asked her to let this one stay independent. From now on, this shop will be managed by you guys."
Calling the Tianquan Star a "rich lady"? Hearing how Victor Wang referred to Ningguang almost made Kuki Shinobu lose her composure. It was, indeed, accurate—but also somehow… irreverent.
Arataki Itto still hesitated. "That simple? But a place this big has to have insane rent, right? Plus, there's no way the four of us can keep it running!"
"Since all of them are branded as 'Pearl Bubble Tea,' it wouldn't look good for the brand if the shop's too shabby. So, the renovations were basically free. As for staff, the rich lady will assign a few people. As long as you maintain employment ties with them, she'll cover the rent."
"So basically, we have to use her people, huh? Sounds kinda like a scam."
"I've already reviewed the contract myself. The Tianquan Star likely has her own plans," said Kuki Shinobu, ever the brain of the Arataki Gang. "I'll handle the store's finances. You guys don't need to worry."
"Well, if Arataki Shinobu says so… then I'll trust the rich lady."
Victor Wang continued, "So this shop is yours now. All the profits belong to you. You're not working for someone else—you're building something for yourselves. If you don't want to be stuck here forever, you can even hire some staff and become hands-off bosses."
Akira, Mamoru, and Genta exchanged looks. Lately, though they'd been busier than usual, being able to afford two fried eggs with every bowl of ramen felt pretty damn great.
Arataki Itto stayed silent for a while. It felt like the Arataki Gang had just stumbled onto a golden windfall—doing almost nothing yet getting this far. Even a fool could tell they owed Victor Wang big time.
What he couldn't figure out, though, was why Victor Wang was helping them so much. If he'd only rented the stall before to use the Red Oni's "reputation", then why go this far now?
Could this be… friendship?!
"But this name 'Pearl Bubble Tea' just doesn't sound manly enough!"
It was said the name was elegant, catchy, and suitable for all ages—and, most importantly, highlighted the shop's signature product. Still, with his say in the matter already used up, they had no choice but to accept it.
Victor Wang cleared his throat, forcefully steering the topic elsewhere. "From now on, the shop can't just sell pearl milk tea. You'll have to learn to make other drinks too. I've arranged for one of my students to handle your training."
He snapped his fingers, and a familiar face walked in from outside.
"Hello everyone! Hello, Teacher Victor!"
"Tomoki?" Arataki Itto rubbed his eyes. "Since when did you become Victor's student?"
"I've always been passionate about culinary innovation! Bubblegum, pearl milk tea, mango pomelo sago—these are all eye-opening creations! From now on, I'll use the knowledge Teacher Victor has shared with me and serve as Pearl Bubble's creative designer!"
"That's right." Shrugging, Victor Wang added, "But this shop will need to stay hidden for a few days. Once the advertising's ready and the uptown shop's set up, the rich lady has planned a grand opening ceremony."
…
Akira frowned. "That's what you call a grand opening?"
Mamoru looked at the storefront. "It's just a red carpet at the entrance?"
Genta pointed. "Some flower baskets, garlands, red banners…"
Arataki Itto's eyes widened. "And two display boards… wait, that one with the fox mask and black cloak—that's obviously Victor!"
The shop's interior was plenty upscale already, but as for the opening ceremony itself… well, it was average at best.
"Ahem! The rich lady's professional team invited the inventor of bubblegum, the creator of pearl milk tea, the founder of Pearl Bubble Tea, the famous author Dust, Inazuma's trending figure 'the Milk Tea Vendor,' and 'Miss Hina'!"
Akira gasped. "Miss Hina?!"
Mamoru shouted, "They actually got Miss Hina?!"
Genta exclaimed, "That team has taste! With Miss Hina there, yeah, that's grand all right!"
"Heh-heh~ Miss Hina's coming to our shop! When? When's she coming?!" Arataki Itto was practically bouncing.
"Why are you all only hearing that part…" Watching their starry-eyed excitement, Victor Wang couldn't bring himself to shatter their illusion. He sighed. "Miss Hina's already here."
"Where?!"
"Right here."
Victor Wang pulled aside one of the boards. Behind it stood a cutout of Miss Hina—complete with animal ears, a voluptuous figure, and a kind, gentle smile.
"Miss… Miss Hina?! She's not real?!"
"Miss Hina's unwell and couldn't attend in person."
The Arataki Gang deflated instantly—the highs and lows of life had never hit harder.
"…Then what about the others? We're about to open, and none of them showed up?"
"They're all here," Victor Wang said, pointing at himself and his own standee. "See? Right here."
"But besides Miss Hina, there were, what, one, two, three, four, five… five guests? Counting this standee, that's only two of you!"
"Just me. One, two, three, four, five—they're all me. I got roped into this for free labor…"
"Hah! Then what's the point of inviting anyone at all?"
"There are others. 'Pearl Bubble Tea' is considered a foreign-investment business, which fits Inazuma's current policy of encouraging foreign trade. The rich lady even invited the Kamisato Clan's head and the Shirasagi Himegimi to help preside over the uptown shop."
"The uptown shop? What's that got to do with this place?"
"And there's more—this time it's real. The chief editor of Yae Publishing House and the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine will both be stopping by."
"…Fine."
Outside, a crowd had already gathered.
When the appointed time came, the sky suddenly lit up with the crackle of fireworks. Looking up, everyone saw a rare daytime display burst open above them.
These fireworks shone brighter than usual to be visible under the sun, and even their lingering smoke was tinted with special colors. Controlling the smoke's movement was tricky, though—Yoimiya herself had to use her elemental power to stabilize the shapes.
As the crowd below marveled, both the Chou Street and Hanamizaka branches of Pearl Bubble Tea quietly opened their doors. The standees of "Miss Hina" and "Victor Wang" stood proudly outside while the staff—ready and alert—waited for their first customers.
"The Milk Tea Vendor!"
"Teacher Dust!"
"Shirasagi Himegimi!"
"Miss Hina!"
"Everyone, please stay calm and line up in order!"
"Today, all drinks are half price! If you've never tried our pearl milk tea, that's the one to start with! If you have, we recommend the mango pomelo sago! Only customers who buy a drink may request an autograph or photo!"
"Also, the White Heron Princess will be at the uptown store this morning, then switch places with Teacher Dust in the afternoon! Miss Hina is right at the entrance—feel free to take pictures! Please don't mix up the locations and plan your time wisely!"
The Arataki Gang and the employees Ningguang had arranged were already busy, while Tomoki and Kuki Shinobu were also helping. Victor Wang was the only one sitting down—but his job wasn't light either.
The first customers in line were from next-door Yae Publishing House; each brought at least one book for him to sign.
The girl at the front of the line was no exception.
"Teacher Dust! 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' was absolutely amazing! Please sign my copy!"
"Would you like me to include your name or a message?"
"No, no! Just your name is fine!"
"…Alright. There you go."
"Thank you!"
Just as Victor Wang finished signing for the girl, a stir rippled through the crowd at the entrance as people instinctively made way.
"Well, well, such good business already? I'm starting to wonder if I'm even needed here."
It was Yae Miko herself, leading her attendants to offer congratulations.
First, she presented a bookshelf filled with bestselling light novels from Yae Publishing House, promising to rotate the titles regularly—"so waiting customers won't get bored," as she put it.
Then, she had one of her shrine maidens bring forth an Omikuji box, inviting Victor Wang—nominally a co-owner of Pearl Bubble Tea alongside Ningguang—to draw a fortune for the shop's prospects in Inazuma.
"Hurry and draw one." The shrine maiden holding the box whispered impatiently when Victor Wang hesitated.
Still, he didn't immediately reach for it. Instead, he turned his head to glance at the girl who had just asked for his autograph earlier. She and the shrine maiden looked—if not identical—at least strikingly similar.
The shrine maiden followed his gaze, noticed the resemblance, and was startled herself.
"Alright, I drew one—it says Great Fortune."
"…Oh, let me see. 'When drifting clouds disperse, daylight will shine upon the night sky.' Indeed, that's a Great Fortune. It's quite straightforward, isn't it? 'The troubles of the past will soon be resolved. The daylight represents the resolution coming from some powerful external force, while the day and night imply the time will be short—perhaps very soon.'"
Gendou Ringo sighed inwardly. The Fortune Slip Box, as per shrine tradition, had all bad fortunes removed—no misfortunes, not even minor ones. Still, this particular fortune… didn't quite suit the occasion.
After a brief thought, she smoothed things over. "Even if it's not a fortune about wealth or business, it's still Great Fortune. For your shop, that means everything will go smoothly from here on out."