After our lunch break, the store reopens.
As usual, a line of customers quickly forms at the counter, arms loaded with toiletries, cookware, and board games. I stay behind the counter, giving change and answering questions as they come.
The man at the very front glances to my right curiously.
"Umm… what's that floating thing next to you, sir?"
I turn my head.
Sure enough, Pinna's mono-eyed orb hovers silently at eye level, blinking its red light in slow, steady pulses.
I smile vaguely, trying to find a word to explain.
"Ah, that? It's nothing... it's just... an assistant."
"Looks weird."
"Ahaha... yeah, I get that."
I laugh it off awkwardly.
But the truth is, there's a reason why it's hovering next to me like this.
TWENTY MINUTES AGO
Not long after I'd told Pinna she was hired, I continued to talk with Pinna.
"Pinna, it's fine to explain the products in detail. But sometimes, people just want to know the basics. Like, how to use something and why it's helpful. That's enough to get them interested."
And she stubbornly didn't blink.
"Objection, Master. Simplified statements lack full accuracy."
"Y-Yeah, your explanations are technically true. But dumping too much info can overwhelm people. If they don't understand, they won't buy anything. We're selling things, not lecturing."
"I do not comprehend, Master. If the explanation is correct, its value should be evident."
That's when I looked at the floating orb behind her.
"What can that thing do?"
"Designation: Observer Unit One. Capabilities include ambient scanning, thermal mapping, real-time audio capture, emotional signal parsing, and short-range combat assistance."
"Can you make it follow me?"
"Affirmative, Master. Awaiting purpose."
"I want it to watch me. Listen to how I explain things to customers. Learn from it."
She paused, then gave a slight nod.
"Understood, Master. Observation protocol will commence."
PRESENT TIME
A young woman near the shelves picks up a pouch of toothpaste, then shouts slightly at me.
"Excuse me, sir, how do I use this?"
"Ah! Scoop it with a twig and brush your teeth twice a day, once before bed and once after waking up. It keeps your teeth strong and your breath fresh."
"Oh, that's great! I'll take one."
"Sure. Just hop in line, please."
And just like that, the rhythm returns.
"How can I use this, sir?"
"Rub it under your arms. It blocks odor before it starts."
"Should I drink it?"
"No, use it before meals. It kills tiny things that make you sick, and they're too small for magic or potions to handle."
"It's for the hair, right?"
"Yes. It cleans your scalp, washes away dirt and grease, and keeps your hair fresh."
All the while, Pinna's floating sphere drifts beside me as it watches everything I do.
Hours later, the last customer steps out and I walk over to close the store.
"Alright, that's it for today. Good work, everyone."
"You too, Motegi-chan. We did great."
"We did great, Motegi-kun!"
"Yes… today was… productive…"
I make my way back behind the counter to count the register as usual, and after a few minutes of mental tallying and a final check, which is about 330,000 yen in total, I announce the result with a satisfied smile.
"Okay, we earned three gold coins and three large silver coins today."
Yomogi lights up, clapping once.
"Yay! That's amazing! Congratulations, everyone!"
Chantal laughs proudly.
"Hahaha! That's what I'm talking about. We crushed it!"
Kimberly smiles.
"Truly… an impressive... result…"
Then, I call out to Kimberly, which she immediately understands.
"Kimberly."
"Yes… Motegi-sama..."
She steps closer to me and hands me two folded pieces of paper.
"There were… two... more... ceramic orders... today. One… medium-sized flask… and one… decorative plate. I wrote… the addresses… already…"
"Got it."
With that, I stroll over to the ceramic display and rest my hand over the flask and plate as I silently activate [Copier]. In an instant, perfect duplicates of both items appear next to the originals.
"Yup, orders are ready."
As I return to the others, Pinna's floating sphere trails behind me as always.
Chantal is the first one to chuckle.
"Pfft... I still can't believe that thing's been floating after us since lunch."
Yomogi giggles as Kimberly tilts her head with a smile.
"It even watched me earlier when I was demonstrating a skillet."
"It… followed me… too..."
And I shrug it off.
"Well, that's fine, right? Pinna's got a lot to learn before she works here. Shall we go see her now?"
"Yes!"
Then, we make our way upstairs. As we reach the upper hall, we have a chat together.
"So, are we hitting the labyrinth today, Motegi-kun?"
"No. Not tonight. We should welcome our newest housemate properly. Think you can cook something special for tonight, Yomogi?"
"Yes, Motegi-chan! Leave it to me!"
The girls disappear into the bedroom to change out of their uniforms, and I make my way over to the dining table, where Pinna sits there.
"So, how was your observation today, Pinna?"
"Conclusion: incomplete comprehension. I still… do not understand how simplified explanations can generate increased interest. However… it is intriguing. Your descriptions of the products were often imprecise… but customer engagement remained high. Observation: language was informal but persuasive. Result: successful."
"Told you, didn't I? We're selling things, not giving lectures."
Then, I sit across from her.
"Do you know why I tested you on the toiletries earlier?"
"Affirmative, Master. You wanted to verify… whether I had internalized functional knowledge of the items. A foundational assessment… to ensure comprehension."
"Exactly. That knowledge is your base, and you keep that for yourself. Don't try to dump everything onto the customers."
"Acknowledged, Master. I will retain… but not overshare."
And I nod at her.
"Good. And you did observe the others too, right?"
"Yes."
"What did you learn from them?"
Then, Pinna begins to deliver her observations.
"Yomogi demonstrates high interpersonal affinity with the housewife demographic. Her tone is gentle. Body posture: welcoming. Her product demonstrations prompt attentive observation and verbal affirmations. She is… reliable."
"I see..."
"Chantal uses elevated volume and expressive gestures. She appeals to a younger male demographic. Product demonstrations are energetic. Board games are perceived as entertainment through her engagement. She is… magnetic."
"Yup, it's true."
"Kimberly exudes composed elegance. Her speech cadence is slow but measured. Customers, particularly nobles, perceive her as refined. When presenting ceramic goods, she generates increased perceived value. She is… graceful."
"Okay."
Well, of course they were. Yomogi was a housewife after all, so no wonder kitchenware is her domain. Chantal only just needs to memorize how each game works and then promote them with her own flair. And as for Kimberly, her villa was lined with ceramics, so it's no surprise she can speak about them like an expert.
Then, I lean into her.
"Listen, Pinna. I don't want you to be like them, and I don't want you to explain toiletries exactly like I do either. You already have the basics, and I believe you'll find your own way to translate all your knowledge into something regular people can digest."
Pinna pauses for a while, then nods.
"Understood, Master. I will learn and develop my own method."
Yes, this is good for her.
Let her keep learning and discover her rhythm.
MINUTES LATER
"Alright, Pinna, this picture here is called a washing machine. You pour water and soap into it... then you press a button here, and it starts spinning the clothes inside and washing everything clean. After that, you just dry the clothes."
"Understood, Master."
"This picture here is called a vacuum cleaner. It kinda looks like your Crawler Unit Two here, right? But instead of scanning the environment, this one sucks up dust and dirt from the floor. It's basically for cleaning."
"Concept registered, Master."
"This picture here is called a microwave, and it's for reheating food. You put your meal inside, press a button, and boom! It gets hot in seconds. Great for leftovers."
"Acknowledged, Master."
Right now, I'm completely in the zone, walking her through the three appliances I missed from Japan: the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and microwave.
I've sketched them out from memory on three separate papers, and using whatever hand gestures and layman's knowledge I have to describe what I want, from circling my hands in front of my chest to mimic a washing drum, to pointing at her slithering disk nearby that looks similar to my concept of a vacuum cleaner, to a gesture like opening the door and mimicking setting a dish inside.
It isn't perfect, but Pinna is keeping up better.
As I excitedly point from one diagram to another, Chantal is staring at me with her mouth slightly open, blinking repeatedly like she just got slapped with algebra.
"Ughh… Motegi-kun, my brain is overheating! What are you even talking about?!"
Kimberly, sitting beside her, shakes her head slowly.
"I don't… understand… any of this… either…"
Then, Pinna recites everything she understands.
"Summary: The requested devices are as follows. One: rotational washing unit for textile cleaning — will require water intake, a drainage valve, and high-torque axis motorization. Two: autonomous vacuum system for particulate collection — will require an internal turbine for negative pressure, bristle appendages to assist in debris acquisition, and debris storage. Three: electromagnetic food heater — will require exciting water molecules within the food, a shielding chamber, precise wave modulation, and a rotation mechanism. Request parameters confirmed. Is this accurate, Master?"
"Yes, exactly! You're a genius, Pinna!"
But honestly, I barely understand most of what she said, but it doesn't matter. She gets it, and that's what matters.
"Replication will take time, but your diagrams are sufficient blueprints. Thank you for providing the data and granting me this opportunity. You are a valuable data source, Master."
"Haha, you're welcome, Pinna. Take all the time you need."
And then, Chantal shouts at us.
"Seriously, what the hell were you two just talking about?!"
"Secret."
"Boooo! You're no fun, Motegi-kun!"
Kimberly, meanwhile, just stares at me.
"I've… never seen... a human… speak... with an automaton… like this… let alone… make one… work... for them..."
Then, I point at my freezing box across the room.
"Actually, what do you think of it, Pinna?"
"Your freezing unit is efficient, Master. The use of pumice stone for insulation, glazed clay for the seal, and stabilized elemental ice is clever. However, its exterior is visually crude."
Yeah, I know that, Pinna.
That's why I want you to upgrade it and make it look like the refrigerator I've always seen every day back in Japan.
"If you desire metallic plating for aesthetics, I can accommodate. Adjustments are required to maintain thermal control, but the outcome will be improved visually and structurally."
"Really? Yes, please. That will be perfect!Thank you!"
Just then, Yomogi peeks her head in from the kitchen.
"Everyone, dinner is ready!"
She brings out a large wooden platter with a roasted beef leg glistening in honey and spices, alongside a fresh salad and a bottle of Heiligeichen's red wine.
Chantal and Kimberly immediately lean in.
"Whoa, that looks amazing!"
"The aroma… is divine…"
Then, I turn to Pinna.
"Come on. Time to eat."
"If you say so, Master. I will comply."
"Alright, girls. Let's dig in!"
"Yes!"
As soon as all of us took the first bite...
"Mmmmm!!"
Chantal says with her mouth full.
"Yomogi's cooking is the best!"
Kimberly adds.
"So… tender… and juicy…"
And I also can't help myself from praising Yomogi.
"This is incredible, Yomogi."
"Ara, are you flattering me, Motegi-chan? You were the one who asked me to make something special tonight, right?"
"Yeah, you're right."
Then, Yomogi turns to Pinna, who has just taken her first bite.
"Pinna, do you like it?"
"Yes. Surface: crisped by Maillard reaction. Inner structure retains moisture. Flavor profile: sweet and savory. Salad introduces textural contrast and palate reset. Overall: satisfying."
"Ah? Ahaha… I see..."
And Chantal looks curious and slightly annoyed at Pinna.
"Do you always talk like this when you eat, Pinna?"
"I only state facts."
Kimberly then says.
"Automata… speak... in strange ways… but somehow… I don't… dislike Pinna..."
And Pinna replies confusedly.
"I do not understand your intent behind that statement, Kimberly."
Then, we all burst out laughing at her deadpan response and keep eating our dinner after that. When we're done eating, we raise our glasses of wine as I make a speech to officially welcome Pinna to our household.
"To Pinna and our growing home. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
And once the dishes are washed, we stand together to brush our teeth, with Pinna joining us this time.
Yomogi finishes first and breathes onto her palm.
"Hehe… my breath smells so fresh, as always."
Chantal taps her teeth.
"I think mine are getting stronger."
And Kimberly says with a smile.
"I think… I start to... enjoy… this habit…"
"I'm glad to hear that."
Then, I ask Pinna for her opinion.
"What about you, Pinna? How do you feel after brushing?"
"Salivary glands reactivated. Surface plaque removed. Oral tissue feels smoother. Breath quality improved. Bacterial presence significantly reduced. This experience is highly efficient."
"Good."
And after that...
"Pick whichever you like, girls."
I set three sets of undergarments on my arms: each one a matched pair of heart-shaped bra and panties, but in three colors. Pure white, ink black, and deep red.
Yomogi chooses the white set.
"Thank you, Motegi-chan. Don't you dare wait for me tonight, okay?"
Chantal grabs the black pair.
"Black is so bold! I can't wait to wear this, Motegi-kun!"
And Kimberly picks the crimson set.
"If… I wear… this one… will you… hold me tight… Motegi-sama?"
"Of course, Kimberly."
"I see…"
Just as they turn to get changed, Pinna cuts in.
"What is the purpose of this activity, Master?"
"We're about to have sex, Pinna."
"Sex: defined as copulation, encompassing extensive data sets in sensory input, emotional exchange, and biological feedback. This is an opportunity to acquire firsthand data. Request: permission to join and participate in sex, Master."
"Of course, here."
With that, I reach for the last set, a blue heart-shaped bra and matching panties, and hand them to her.
"Wear this, Pinna."
"Understood, Master."
As they grab Pinna by their hands, I slip into the bedroom, waiting for the three women and Pinna to join me.