118 5.7 Shopping Around Kitakata. (2/2)

Hiko-sama stood up from the bench and approached the young man that had placed the new pile of clothes on a display.

”Oh, okay Samurai-San, come this way for payment please.”

Hiko-sama sama took out some silvers and paid for the clothes. The material was better than the one I was wearing, and since the kimono was of plain design, the price was uncomparably cheap. If there was a motif design, then the price would likely be triple the ones paid by Hiko-sama.

The young man quickly rolled the clothes in a kind of parchment paper and tied a twine around it and knotted the end. It was for the ease of carrying and Hiko-sama sama took it in his hands and carried it off. My hands were already full with the empty bento boxes, the bread and cakes as well as a basketful of eggs.

We walked gingerly outside and by this time the crowd had already begun thinning out. We then headed to the Inn that Hiko-sama had purchased the bento boxes. Upon entering, I placed the empty bento boxes in the hands of a guard and he quickly returned it back and handed the deposit to Hiko-sama.

”I would like to order lunch from tomorrow onwards and I would like to order different menus for each day, would that be OK?”

A lady who was taking the orders nodded her head and presented a menu of dishes that could be picked and ready for delivery for the next few days. Hiko-sama sat on a bench and took the order slip from the lady and filled up the following orders of assorted menus, each one different for each day.

The menus he had picked was simply 2 onigiris for a bento, a miso soup of different flavours every day, alternating main dish between grilled fish, grilled meat and chicken and a portion of alternating orders for vegetables. He made for 2 identical bento meals daily for the next 14 days.

The lady who took the orders went to the manager and presented the order slip and need not ask for the address since Hiko-sama was already a known figure in Kitakata Village. The lady came back and informed Hiko-sama that the orders would be sent tomorrow onwards before midday. There will be no deposit for the bento boxes and the innkeeper was kind enough to give a discount for such a long term order.

After paying for an order of lunch over a period of 14 days, the Innkeeper gave 6 hot buns that contained minced sweet pork for free as a sign of appreciation for the patronage of this offline take-out business. These hot buns were placed in a thin cloth and then tied at the top. The package was handed to me to carry.

”Not bad... Not bad... The innkeeper gave us free hot buns and a discount as well. Earlier I paid for 1 silver and 5 coppers and they gave us a discount of 2 coppers per day. So instead of paying 21 silvers or 2 gold and 1 silver altogether, I only need to pay them 18 silvers and 2 coppers. Cheap... Very cheap... And very convenient too.”

Hiko-sama sama was pleased with his purchases that he had made for the whole 2 weeks ahead and considering it was for 2 bento meals, it was rather affordable. With the exchange rate for the current era, people would be easily confused if they don't calculate well. Luckily the rate was just 10:1 for each denomination.

”Alright, its time to head back home. We have done shopping for basic needs. I am sure you would like to have a shower later since you are still in the clothes that I last found you. Haa... Haa...”

Hiko-sama let out a laugh that made other passerbys looked at him and he gently slapped my shoulders as we head back to our home. He explained to me that the current exchange rate for these coins had been set by the Emperor and no outside influences will affect its rate.

”The exchange rate in my village was lower in returns. The rate for copper was the same, but as the denomination gets higher, its 15 coppers for silver and 15 silvers for a gold.”

”That's quite expensive over there... Do you miss your village?”

”Just a little though, but it's time to move on and it's not good to dwindle too long in the past. It's unhealthy...”

I replied and Hiko-sama guffawed at my words. He claimed that I had spoken like a matured person rather than an 11-year-old kid.

”By the way, Hiko-sama, the innkeeper had a strategy that became a milestone for all future food and beverages industries. The way he had these little orders for taking out over a period of time and providing a delivery service to the neighbourhood, his business would skyrocket!”

”You speak as though you are a soothsayer and able to tell the future. If that the case I am sure one day the marketplace would soon follow.”

”Well, I've been to places and I've seen many things and as for the marketplace, I am sure someone had already had a head start. Believe me, one-day Kitakata would be like a proper town.”

”Haa... Haa... You have an eye for all these certain small details, kid. Yes, one day I wished to see Kitakata Village be one of the prosperous Town around. By the way, do you know there are other villages around us besides the one that you came from?”

”I am not sure but I would soon find out from you I can't wait to clean up these clothes and have a shower. These buns sure smell enticing to eat.”

”You can eat one on the way back... Go ahead and take one and eat.”

”No, it is alright. Its kind of rude to eat while walking now and I have many things on my hands too. Wait until we get home, I will prepare some hot drinks for dinner.”

”Alright, Himura-kun. Furthermore, it is my first day being a common man and I'd be adjusting my lifestyle as well.”

We walked until we reach a place where the shophouses were selling all kinds of liquor. He stepped inside and asked me to wait a while at the sides of the shophouse after a while, he brought out 2 large jars of sake which he hugged around him and was holding the bundle of my clothes in the other.

”Wah... Eh... You bought so much sake. You are not going to drink all these by yourselves right?”

”Nope... I just buy one for myself and the other if we have some uninvited guests over, especially my comrades from the Samurai clan.”

I nodded at him acknowledging as we walked back to the house. I wish there was some kind of bicycle at least so we could travel around with ease. I wonder if the bicycle exists in this part of the era.