Chapter 50 - The Grand Opening
The next morning after returning from the black market, the office was still a mess, just as it was last night. The sight of everyone sprawled out, drunk and snoring, was far from endearing. They groaned and drooled, making it impossible to look at them.
I, however, woke up early as usual and went about my morning routine, ignoring the chaos. I took a bath and trained alone, as no one else was up for the early morning workout. Normally, many of us would start training early, but today, no one showed up. It was a lazy bunch.
Even as breakfast time approached, the lazybones were still asleep. Frustrated, I woke them up with a cold shower, making sure they were fully awake. After they got out, I made them clean the office thoroughly, then sent them off for regular business. No slacking allowed.
"Yukari is a demon," someone muttered.
"Yukari-san seems more strict than usual today," another chimed in.
"It’s work. Get moving," I snapped. "You can complain after you’ve done your tasks."
Occasionally, it’s fine to sleep in, but not after a night of partying. I wanted to make sure they stayed on track during such times. By the time everyone had regained their composure, I handed out the souvenirs I had bought.
I had bought many gifts and carefully selected them for each person. The new recruits were particularly touched by receiving gifts, and their excitement made me happy too. After all, these weren’t cheap and I wanted them to be treasured.
My younger sister, Valeria, was delighted with her new accessory, a magic device adorned with stained glass flowers, matching mine. Hers was a hair ornament, while mine was a hairpin with a similar design. Both were one-use magic devices that activated when the stained glass was broken.
While I didn’t expect to use it as a magic device, I planned to wear it as a fashion accessory. After discussing the new recruits’ armaments with the main members, it turned out everyone was already thinking about it. Some had even consulted with me.
We unanimously decided to fund the main weapons for the new recruits from the organization’s budget.
"Maybe we can ask the blacksmiths during our patrol on Sixth Avenue," someone suggested.
"True, each blacksmith has their specialty. Let’s do some research first."
Indeed, not every blacksmith would do. I planned to leave the matter to them, encouraging them to speak up if they needed anything and to use this opportunity to upgrade their equipment.
"I’ve been wanting a projectile weapon," said one.
"Me too," another chimed in.
"I want a new knife," added another.
"Unfair, I want one too," said someone else.
They were as eager as ever, always wanting new gear and trying out different weapons. I decided to let them choose as long as they handled the budget wisely.
The preparations for the tavern and the flower shop were finally complete, and the operations were about to begin. Everything was ready, from the business model to the specific menu items. Most of the employees were moving into the shops, starting their new lives today or tomorrow.
"I’m counting on you, Sophie and Lily. The future of the Kikyo Society rests on your shoulders," I told them.
"Your words make me nervous, but we’ll do our best," Sophie replied.
"Hahaha, I’m looking forward to it," Lily added.
Starting a new business is never easy, even with the support of the Bruno Gang and the Commerce Guild. Sophie and Lily had taken the lead, and I knew it hadn’t been a smooth ride. But the effort would pay off, and seeing the results would be rewarding.
"So, where will you live? Are you moving into the shop?"
"Sarah says she’s comfortable here, so we’ll continue commuting from the Headquarters," Lily said.
"I have the Rooftop Garden to manage," Sophie added.
If they changed their minds, it would be fine. I just wanted Lily to maintain the garden regularly.
"If you have any problems, let me know. We’ll all help out."
"Thank you. We’ll be off now."
"Let’s do our best!"
They were about to start the opening preparations. I hoped their hard work would pay off and bring success to the organization.
The tavern would initially open in the evening, with plans to expand to daytime hours once it gained traction. There was a demand for lunch, so it seemed like a good idea. The location was prime, and there was a lot of anticipation for the opening.
I had no doubts about Sophie’s abilities, and Sarah was eager to help. They had the potential to be great employees, and I was excited to see how things would unfold.
The flower shop, on the other hand, would operate from morning to evening. There was less demand for a flower shop at night, so this schedule made sense. The shop would also have part-time employees from the Commerce Guild, which was promising.
Deciding to check on the flower shop first, I headed down Sixth Avenue. It was already bustling, and the new shop stood out. I had avoided the area until today, and I was pleasantly surprised by the transformation.
The building, previously a plain, gray stone structure, was now a striking white and ornate. The large windows were closed, but they would offer a clear view of the interior when opened. The design was elegant yet inviting, making it accessible to visitors.
On the left side, the flower shop was particularly eye-catching. The white walls were adorned with lush green vines and vibrant red roses, creating a stunning visual. The shop was overflowing with flowers, and the atmosphere was vibrant.
The entrance and windows were surrounded by green vines and red roses, making the shop look like a garden. The combination of white, green, and red was bold and eye-catching.
It was beautiful, and exactly to my taste. The shop was packed with customers, with a queue forming outside. The employees, including Lily, were busy, and even Siegrune, Valeria, and Gradena were helping out.
"Sorry for the wait," Lily said with a smile.
"Thanks, ma’am. See you again soon!"
"Where should I put this, Lily?"
"Why me too?"
Gradena seemed to be the most comfortable, smiling and interacting with customers, unlike her usual demeanor. Valeria, despite looking like the perfect fit for a flower shop, seemed the least enthusiastic.
I decided to retreat before getting caught up in the chaos. I would check on the tavern later, but for now, I needed to make some rounds.
I started with a visit to Torietta-san at Brillonvest. The store was as busy as ever, with merchants unloading goods and customers coming and going.
The store clerk greeted me. "Torietta-san has been waiting for you."
"Waiting? We didn’t have a specific appointment, did we?"
"She’s been eager to show you a new dress she’s been working on."
Another dress? It was a mix of excitement and mild annoyance. I was led to her private room, where she was working on a new piece.
"It’s been too long, Yukari-san," she greeted me, setting aside her sewing.
"I’ve been busy with a lot of things. It’s been a while."
I handed her the remaining magic devices from the black market.
"Thanks," she said, but she seemed more interested in taking a break. She offered me tea, and we caught up on recent events.
The conversation eventually turned to the new tavern and flower shop.
"I made the aprons for the staff," she mentioned proudly.
"Really? You made them yourself?"
"It’s the Kikyo Society’s first shop, so I put a lot of effort into it."
The aprons were made of ink-black fabric with a pale silver ribbon at the waist. The pockets featured embroidered flowers and glasses, and the shop name was embroidered on the chest. They were simple yet elegant, matching the shop’s decor. Both the tavern and the flower shop would use the same aprons.
The aprons didn’t have the Kikyo crest, only the shop name, as it wouldn’t be appropriate to have the crest on the uniforms of hired staff. Sophie and Lily would wear the purple amethyst Kikyo badges on their aprons.
"Here, for you," she said, presenting a set of undergarments made from a smooth, soft fabric she had recently purchased.
The material felt wonderful, and the pastel colors were to my liking. She had also made a light summer shirt and pants.
"Here’s another set. Let me measure you again, just to be sure!"
I let her do as she pleased. After she was satisfied, she even provided a large bag to carry everything.
After saying goodbye, I moved on to visit one of Torietta-san’s former apprentices. The store was busy, with merchants unloading goods. The new employee was talking to them, and the owner was likely in the workshop.
I decided to visit another time, as I didn’t want to interrupt.
Next, I headed to the district where the workshops were located. I often visited, so I felt at home there.
"Doc, how’s it going?" I asked, entering the Dominic Cruel Workshop.
"Ah, it’s you. We’re still in the prototyping stage. I’ll keep working until I’m satisfied."
"Of course. I don’t want a compromised product."
They were working on the third prototype of the motorcycle I had commissioned. It might seem like a waste, but sometimes these efforts lead to better results.
"Let me know when it’s ready for a test ride."
"Sure thing."
Doc, inspired by something, started sketching on the blueprint again. I decided to leave him to his work.
With time to spare before the tavern opened, I thought about grabbing a snack at a nearby sweets shop.