23 Otherworld General Trading Company Mitsugoshi Co. (1/2)
In the late afternoon, I went to cancel my entry in the Senbatsu Tournament.
”Thank you for your time.”
After offering the perfunctory word of thanks, I am now leaving the Student Affairs Office.
”So, how'd it go?”
Hyoro and Jaga, who were waiting outside, gather to me.
”Apparently the tournament pairings have already been decided, so they couldn't do it.”
I sigh heavily.
”Well, cheer up. Just think of how popular you could get if you do well!”
”That's right. 'Troubles are just opportunities in disguise.' That's what they say, right?”
I shake my head.
”It's not about winning or losing. I simply don't want to enter at all.”
”Haah, there's no helping it then. I'll introduce you to a good shop, how about that?”
”G-, good shop?”
Jaga reacts with wide eyes.
”Not THAT kind of shop! It's that store that everybody's talking about nowadays, Mitsugoshi Co. I hear that they sell amazing products that nobody's ever seen before. For example, there's a confectionery called 'chocolate' that's supposedly sweet and tastes absolutely delicious.”
(T/N: Mitsu'go'shi lol)
”A sweet confectionery? Sounds good...”
”Stu~pid. What's the point if you eat it yourself?”
Hyoro smacks Jaga's head.
”You're supposed to give it to a girl as a present. Let me teach you something good. As long as you give girls something sweet, they fall right into your hands.”
”I, I see. As expected of Hyoro-kun! I've learned something new today.”
”I know, right?”
So says Hyoro proudly.
”So with that, let's go, Sid!”
”Let's go, Sid-kun.”
Both of their eyes are glittering.
”Fine, let's go.”
With a sigh, I agree to go along.
I wonder what this world's so-called 'chocolate' is like?
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Led by Hyoro, we proceed down the royal capital's main avenue. In the early evening, the crowds are huge, and all the stores in prime locations are filled to bursting. The one with the most bustle out of even all of them turns out to be the rumored Mitsugoshi Co.
”Uwaaahh, how impressive.”
A gorgeous, brand-new building that towers over all its neighbors. Furthermore, it seems very tasteful – even a bit modern, perhaps. How do I put this, this is a place that makes me feel every bit as out of place as I did in those brand name stores back in my previous life.
And the line at the entrance. Every single person lining up is either a noble or someone clearly connected to a noble. A single look is all that's needed to see that they are high class customers. At the end of the line, there is a lady in a uniform holding a placard. According to that, it seems that we'll have to wait 80 minutes.
”It says that we'll have to wait 80 minutes.”
That was me.
”Which means we have exactly enough time to get back to the dorms before curfew.”
That was Jaga.
”We've already gotten here. Let's just line up.”
And that was Hyoro.
”But there's a rumor that lately there's a slasher around. Going back too late...”
”Stupid, we are three magic swordsmen together. Even if he attacks us, we'll beat him at his own game.”
Hyoro pats the sword on his hip with a 'pon pon.'
”I, I suppose.”
”Hey, what's this about a slasher?”
I interrupt their exchange to ask.
”Apparently, there's someone going around the royal capital at night and killing random people. He's supposedly quite skilled, and there've even been knights who fell victim...”
So explains Jaga in a softer voice.