Leon's Shop

Once things had settled down, Martine suggested that we decide on a name for the merchant guild.

"Can we choose the guild's name freely?"

"Yes. As long as it doesn't overlap with another merchant guild, we can choose whatever we like! Let's come up with a good name!"

"Hmm, I'm not good at coming up with names. Can you think of anything, Ronny?"

"I'm not good at it either..."

"Then let's all think of something together!"

We all racked our brains for a name. Stefan was the first to speak.

"Since we're selling sweets, I think it would be good to choose a name related to them. How about Sweetsful?"

"That means 'lots of sweets,' right?"

"That's right."

Stefan said it proudly, but wasn't it a little too on-the-nose?

"Stefan, that's a little... questionable..."

When I said that, Stefan looked as if he'd been dealt a devastating blow and grew dejected. He was so utterly dejected that it was obvious at a glance. Had he really been that confident in it? I nearly laughed, but somehow managed to hold it in.

Stefan could be childish sometimes, too.

"Sorry, sorry. I don't think it's bad, but I thought a name with a little more of a twist would be better. Besides, it feels a little too cute."

"Now that you mention it, I suppose you're right."

When I said that, Stefan pulled himself together and began thinking of names again. I could hear him suggesting things like Crepeful and Mayonnaiseful. Why did every name have "ful" tacked onto it?

...Stefan really had no knack for naming things.

I barely managed not to burst out laughing and started thinking of names myself.

Hmm, if I'm going to name it, maybe a Japanese-style name would be better. If it were something that wouldn't be translated into this world's language, then someone reincarnated from Japan might recognize it if they appeared here in the future. Though I have no idea whether anyone like that will ever exist.

We could name it after sweets since we're selling them, but I dream of eventually opening a Japanese restaurant too, not just a sweets shop, so I want a name that isn't limited to sweets. We don't have soy sauce, miso, or anything else yet, so that's impossible for now, but I believe we'll obtain them eventually.

Hmm, "Japan" probably wouldn't be translated, but it's too straightforward. Japan, Japanese, Nippon... Of those, maybe Japanese would work.

"What do you think of Japanese?"

When I said that, everyone looked up.

"Japanese?"

"Right, the Japanese Merchant Guild."

"Hmm, that's a little difficult to say."

"It is difficult to pronounce. Wouldn't it be better to choose a name that's a little easier to say?"

"I see... How should we change it to make it easier to say?"

When I said that, everyone began repeating "Japanese" under their breath as they searched for the best pronunciation.

"I think Japanis would work."

"That is easier to say."

"The Japanis Merchant Guild, then."

Hmm, I'm not sure how much of Japan's essence remains in it, but I suppose that's enough. Japanis sounds kind of cool, anyway.

"Yes, we'll call it the Japanis Merchant Guild!"

"It's decided, then."

"Is that okay with you too, Ronny?"

"Yeah! It's really cool. Besides, it's your merchant guild, Leon, so you should be the one to decide."

"That's true. Then it's settled: the Japanis Merchant Guild!"

We all got excited talking about my shop, and eventually the crepe party came to an end. Things had taken a sudden turn, but I was really looking forward to running a shop.

But the worrying part was whether I could handle the work. The head of a merchant guild must be incredibly busy... If it proved too much, maybe I could hire someone?

Hmm, there was no point worrying about that now. I could think about it when the time came.

"Then we'll head home for today. Let me know if anything else is decided about the shop."

"Leon, I'm looking forward to your specialty sweets shop!"

Stefan and Martine said that before heading home.

We were now riding in a carriage together to see Ronny home. Lucien had offered to come along and see Ronny home as well, but Ronny looked exhausted, so I asked Lucien not to.

"Ronny, things moved along so quickly earlier, but are you really okay with running a shop? It means your future job has already been decided..."

"Yes! I almost want to be the one asking you! I didn't think working as an official would suit me after entering the Royal Academy... Officials have to work with nobles, right? But I couldn't think of any other good job, so I'd resigned myself to it. If I can work at your shop, though, I'd definitely prefer that! Thank you, Leon!"

Ronny said that, leaning forward slightly. If he was this enthusiastic, there was no reason for me to hold back anymore. I'd make absolutely sure we succeeded and work hard enough to pay him well.

"Ronny, let's make this a success no matter what."

"Yeah!"

"First, we need to find a cook to develop the sweets, register the merchant guild, and ask Richard-sama for his support. Once development is on track, we'll need to choose a location and decide on the interior. We also have to finalize the menu and check our suppliers... We really do have a mountain of work ahead of us. Once we actually open the shop, we'll need to hire people too..."

This was going to be tough. Starting the shop when Ronny graduated was going to keep us incredibly busy. I also had to study at least enough to graduate myself... I felt bad for Rongo-sensei, but I was probably going to miss research club meetings quite often.

"Leon, I have one request... It's completely fine if you can't do it, but..."

While I was thinking about the future, Ronny brought up his request hesitantly. What could he want?

"If it's something I can do, I'll do it."

"Yeah, if you can... I was thinking I'd be happy if you could hire the people from my orphanage as employees at the shop... But really, only if you can!"

Right, Ronny had said he wanted to become an official because he wanted to give everyone at the orphanage enough food to eat.

"How does the orphanage system work? Like, at what age do they have to leave, and what kind of jobs do they get?"

"You can stay at the orphanage until you're fifteen. So everyone starts working and saving money at around eight, then uses it to start living alone when they turn fifteen. But there are hardly any jobs children can do, and the pay is low, so they barely save anything. The orphanage doesn't provide much food either, so we often spend what we earn on food... That's why most people end up living in poverty after leaving the orphanage. The ones who find work are better off, but those who can't find a job have to scrape by on day labor. So a lot of people come to the central district with nothing but the clothes on their backs. There are lots of jobs doing menial work, and many of them provide room and board."

I see. It really is a harsh life. A live-in job in the central district could be a good opportunity if you landed a decent one, but there must be places with terrible working conditions, too.

I can't claim anything as lofty as changing this country's system and saving everyone who's suffering! But it should be all right to help people I know, at least. After all, I was free to choose whom to hire.

"I see. I can't decide until I've met them, but I have no problem hiring the children from your orphanage. Anyone who wants to work at my shop will be more than welcome."

"Really!? Thank you, Leon! Then let me meet them when you come to the orphanage next time."

"Sure. We'd talked about my visiting the orphanage during a break, but would the summer vacation work?"

The Royal Academy had two long vacations, one at the beginning of summer and another around the end of autumn. That would be the perfect time.

"Yeah!"

And so I saw Ronny home and returned to the ducal estate.

It had been an exhausting day, but I needed to tell Richard-sama about everything over dinner. As the carriage rocked along, I organized in my head what I would say to him.