"Are you girls ready?"
Motegi asks, glancing at the four women standing proudly behind the entrance, all dressed in their usual store uniforms, which are the sexy, customized maid outfits.
"Yes, Motegi-chan!"
"Always, Motegi-kun!"
"I'm… ready… Motegi-sama…"
"Operational readiness confirmed, Master."
"Okay, then do it."
With that, he makes his way to the counter as the girls pull open the large double doors and step forward outside, saying in unison:
"Welcome to our grand opening! We hope you enjoy your visit today!"
The crowd surges forward, and immediately, the gasps begin.
"Whoa…"
"This place is gorgeous!"
"It's like stepping into a palace!"
People flood inside, eyes wide as they take in the sight. Polished granite tiles and rows of shelves line the spacious interior, making the store feel luxurious and a far cry from the humble back-alley space it once was.
As expected, the toiletries corner is swarmed first.
"The soap's here!"
Hurry!"
"Get that shampoo before it runs out!"
Pinna stands by her section, her communication skills continuing to improve.
"This product utilizes natural antiseptics… to eliminate pathogens with a 99.98% success rate. In simpler terms: it keeps you clean and healthy."
"Wow, that makes total sense!"
"She sounds so smart!"
Her monotone blends oddly well with her humanized explanations as customers listen, understand, and trust her.
Over in kitchenware, a group of housewives freezes in awe at the sheer variety of tools now on display.
"There's… so much more than before!"
And Yomogi waves them in.
"Come and see, everyone! We've got brand-new items here. Want a demo?"
"Yes, please!"
She picks up a knife and cuts vegetables as the women nod approvingly, already reaching for baskets.
In the woodworks section, Chantal is back to her usual high-energy pitch.
"Games! Furniture! The woodworks section is better than ever!"
Men rush forward eagerly, snatching up chess sets and mahjong boards. Then, when nobles drift in and eye the finely polished tables and cabinets, Chantal lowers her voice just slightly and offers them a smooth smile.
"We've added premium home pieces as well. Take a look, they're made to impress."
In the far corner, the ceramics are now lining up proudly in their own section. The nobles from yesterday approach Kimberly.
"So you weren't lying. There really are more ceramics here..."
"Yes… and now… you may… choose… and take them… home immediately."
At the counter, Motegi handles payments as usual.
"Thank you for your purchase, sir. Please form a line."
"This store is amazing!"
"Feels like royalty shopping here!"
Of course, he takes their compliments with a smile.
"Thank you, sir."
And just like that, the grand opening of the new store is officially underway and it's already a massive hit.
HOURS LATER
**********
"One… two… three."
After the crowd is gone and the grand opening is over, I'm sitting on the counter to count how much we earn. And as usual, Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna are standing in front of me as they wait for the result.
And just like that, my fingers pause as I realize what I'm looking at.
Five gold coins, which is around 500,000 yen.
With that, I stand up and declare.
"We made five gold coins today!"
Hearing that, Yomogi gasps in delight.
"Five? Motegi-chan, really? The old shop never earned that much before!"
Chantal laughs proudly.
"Hahaha! I knew it, today is a hit!"
Kimberly smiles as she recalls.
"Everyone… who visited… looked satisfied… with our... new stock…"
Pinna nods.
"Based on observed traffic and purchase behavior, today's income exceeds previous maximums. Current momentum suggests sustained performance over the next fiscal week, assuming inventory and staff presence remain stable."
"You're all right. We pulled this off because of teamwork."
But still, half a million yen in one day is still surreal. The crowd's reception to the new store and expanded products was incredible. If we can keep this pace up, it will be great.
I remember that real estate guy warned me that the place was "cursed" by the bankruptcy of the noble who lived here before. But I didn't care, and looking around now... he couldn't have been more wrong.
Not only was today a success, but Pinna's projections and the fact that I rebuilt this place with my own hands made it feel like whatever bad luck this house had is long gone.
Then, I look at Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly.
"So, should we go to the labyrinth today?"
"Of course, Motegi-chan!"
"Hell yeah, Motegi-kun!"
"I'm ready… whenever you are… Motegi-sama…"
After that, I turn to Pinna before she even speaks.
"Yes, I know what you want to say, Pinna."
"Correct, Master. My tasks are unfinished."
We start climbing the stairs, and as we reach the second floor, I call out to the girls who will join me.
"Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, meet me at the terrace garden."
"Yes!"
They disappear into the wardrobe room, leaving me with Pinna. And as she stops at her workshop door, she turns around to me.
"Master, would you like me to install a protection system for the residence?"
I think for a second, then shake my head.
"Umm... let's save that for later. Just focus on what you're doing for now."
"Understood, Master."
The moment she slips into the workshop, I continue down the hall and open the door to the terrace garden. And in an instant, I'm welcomed by stunning sights.
"Whoa!"
The first ones are the dahlias and sunflowers that are already in full bloom, their pink and golden petals turning toward the light. And given the fact that these beautiful flowers don't exist in Acrusse, I can already imagine Yomogi's expression when she sees them.
The second sight is full of red. The chili peppers are red and plump, the tomatoes are shining, and even the strawberries are ripe and sweet-looking.
"Yup, these are going straight into dinner."
Meanwhile, the potato, corn, and cocoa haven't fruited yet, but their stalks are sturdy and healthy.
"Hmm... probably tomorrow."
Once I'm satisfied, I head back inside and nearly run into Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly. They are already dressed and ready, standing in the hallway just as surprised to see me.
"Oh? You're done already?"
"You're shocking me, Motegi-chan!"
"I thought we'd be first, Motegi-kun!"
"We were about... to open... the door... Motegi-sama…"
And then, I cast the teleportation spell and open a portal in front of us.
"We're going to the twenty-first floor this time. Are you ready?"
"Let's go, Motegi-chan!"
"Absolutely, Motegi-kun!"
"Yes... Motegi-sama..."
And just like that, we step into the portal together to have some sweat.
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, TWENTY-FIRST FLOOR
Arriving there, something strange bounces into view.
Four of them.
They're huge, round, and glossy like living fruit, with each one the size of a person, and they head our way.
"What are those?"
"They're… Spring Olives… Motegi-sama…"
Before I can react, Yomogi takes off like a missile.
"Grrrrrah!"
Her growl echoes as she leaps and spins, landing a roundhouse kick right into one olive and squishing it flat.
"Now, let's get slicing!"
Chantal joins in with her daggers as she slashes through the second olive with ease.
"Wind... Blade..."
The next one to attack is Kimberly as she raises her hand, and a sharp gust slices the third olive clean in half.
Which leaves me with the last one.
I draw Yamitsuki from my waist, and I charge forward and swing once with a clean cut. The final olive collapses into a puff of green mist.
As the monsters vanish, four small vials clink to the ground. Each one is filled with thick, golden liquid.
We crouch down around them, and I pick one up.
"Is this olive oil?"
"Yes, Motegi-chan! And it's even better than the normal kind!"
Better quality olive oil, huh?
Yup, I will definitely make soap with this.
And then, we continue forward, and more olives bounce into view.
"Grraaaaah!"
"Come on, let's keep the party rolling!"
"Wind... Bullet..." "Wind... Bullet..."
Yomogi slams her fist into another one, Chantal flashes her daggers into the next one, and Kimberly's spells cut down everything as oil vials drop one after another.
"My turn!"
As for me, I swing Yamitsuki cleanly through green bodies, but I also see something's different from the girls today.
They somehow look sharper, like they're more refreshed than before.
Is it because of the new house?
I hope so, because now they have their own spaces and a real bath, so maybe it's more than comfort.
It's healing.
REMANTIA LABYRINTH, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
By the time we reach the twenty-second floor, I feel like this is enough for today, and then I cast a teleportation spell.
"Alright, should we go home now?"
"Yes, Motegi-chan!"
"Let's go, Motegi-kun!"
"Time to return… Motegi-sama…"
And just like that, we step into the portal together to our new home.
BACK AT MOTEGI'S HOUSE
As soon as we step out of the portal, I ask Yomogi.
"Hey, Yomogi, can I take charge of dinner tonight?"
And she immediately brightens.
"Of course, Motegi-chan! I'll leave it all to you!"
Chantal is also delighted.
"Whoa! It's been too long since I've had one of your dinners, Motegi-kun!"
And Kimberly adds.
"I'm… curious… to see… what you will... prepare… Motegi-sama…"
"Alright then, let me gather ingredients first."
With that, I step outside toward the terrace garden. I crouch down and pick a few ripe tomatoes, chilies, and strawberries. Then, I carry them inside.
As I place them on the kitchen counter, Yomogi immediately leans in curiously.
"Hmm? What are those red things, Motegi-chan?"
With that, I pick up the round one.
"This is called a tomato."
Then, the small, pointed one.
"This is a chili."
And finally, the dotted one.
"And this is a strawberry."
Kimberly peers at them, observing.
"I have… never seen... those… before…"
And Chantal bluntly asks.
"Are they tasty?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
I start with dessert. Mixing thick Misdaras yogurt with a bit of Needle Bees' honey and stirring until it becomes creamy and smooth. I slice the strawberries, prepare some oats, and crush a handful of walnuts. Then, I carefully layer them into tall glasses, topping it all with another drizzle of honey. After that, I slide the glasses into the freezing box to chill.
Next is the main dish.
First, I heat up the oven, twisting the Fire magic stone embedded on it and leaving it for a while.
Next, I boil the tomatoes until their skins split, then crush them until smooth and mix them with garlic, Spring Olive's oil, and a little chili. I know chili is not traditional, but I can't help myself from making it spicy.
Then, I take a dough that I've prepared from the freezing box and dust it with durum flour. After that, I start to work — press the dough outwards and leave a little rim around the edge, rotate and repeat, and stretch it out — until it's ready for assembling. And then, I lay down some tomato sauce in the center of the dough and spread it evenly with the back of the spoon, add stretchy Misdaras cheese, a few leaves of basil, and drizzle with more Spring Olive's oil.
Finally, I pick up the dough with a tool like a pizza peeler that I made with my [Blacksmithing] skill, then place it in the oven. Once it's fully cooked, I put it on a large, flat ceramic plate and bring it to the table.
"Alright, dinner's ready, everyone!"
And Chantal immediately jumps up.
"I'll get Pinna, Motegi-kun!"
"Yes, please!"
With only Yomogi and Kimberly on the table, the two women curiously examine the dish.
"What is this, Motegi-chan?"
"It's called a pizza. Margherita pizza."
"It's like... an elf's name... Motegi-sama..."
"Ahaha... is that so?"
A few moments later, Chantal returns with Pinna in tow, and all five of us gather together as I slice the pizza into ten equal pieces.
As soon as the girls take their first bite, they let out a synchronized moan.
"Mmmmm!!!"
Yomogi is the one who speaks first.
"Motegi-chan, what's this red sauce?"
"It's tomato."
Chantal licks her lips delightfully.
"It's so spicy, Motegi-kun! I love it! Way spicier than pepper…"
"That's the chili then."
Pinna analyzes as usual, although she looks puzzled.
"Confirmed: the crust exhibits delicate outer crispness, the melted cheese maintains cohesive elasticity, and the basil introduces a complex herbal uplift. However, I lack prior data on both tomato and chili. Their qualities — acidic, rich, spicy — are new sensory inputs. I will update my internal catalog accordingly."
"Good to know, Pinna."
Then I notice Kimberly fanning herself lightly, cheeks flushed.
"Are you okay, Kimberly?"
"I'm... not used… to this kind... of spicy. It's… stronger... than what I have had... before…"
"Don't worry. Take your time."
So, Kimberly is weak to chili, huh?
Gotta remember that for next time.
I try a bite myself, savoring the heat and flavor. And it's indeed a classic Margherita pizza.
As the main dish wraps up, I push back my chair and stand.
"Wait here, I've still got more."
Then, I head to the freezing box and take out the chilled glasses. After that, I place them carefully on the table.
"This is called parfait. Go ahead and try it."
The spoons clink, and a moment later, they all moan again in sweet harmony.
"Mmmmm!!!"
Yomogi asks me first.
"Is this the red one you mentioned earlier, Motegi-chan?"
"Yup, the strawberry."
"I love it! It's sweet and fresh!"
Chantal keeps her spoon on her mouth long enough.
"Creamy, crunchy, cool. It's like a dream!"
Pinna analyzes again.
"Each layer presents distinct textures. Yogurt offers smooth creaminess, oats a gentle bite, walnuts provide richness, and strawberries contribute natural sweetness. However… as with tomato and chili… I have no prior data on strawberry. This input is now logged."
Kimberly nods as she finishes her glass.
"This is… perfect… after spicy food…"
I take a spoonful myself, the cold yogurt and honey melting on my tongue.
"You're right, this is also delicious…"
And just like that, I feel proud of myself because my first time introducing tomato, chili, and strawberry to them is a complete success.