THE NEXT DAY
"Are you ready, Pinna?"
"Affirmative, Master."
Pinna is currently wearing the same sexy clerk outfit as Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly. It's the very same modified maid uniform that hugs her curves, and its very short skirt sways just above her knees.
Then, I look at Kimberly.
"Go ahead, Kimberly."
"Yes… Motegi-sama…"
With that, Kimberly unlatches the door and pushes it open, and then steps outside like usual.
"Our store… is now open. Please… enjoy… your visit…"
And just like that, the flood begins.
"Oh! They've restocked the wooden ladles!"
"I need another spatula!"
Housewives swarm the kitchenware section, and Yomogi welcomes them with her soft smile. And in the next moment, she is already holding up a skillet for a demonstration.
"This one's great for pan-frying meats evenly, and it washes clean without scrubbing."
"Ooohh!"
Meanwhile, the woodworks corner quickly becomes a gathering ground for the usual male crowd.
"Yo! They added Go boards!"
"Still can't beat my kid at mahjong, damn brat…"
And Chantal jumps in with her loud voice, classic.
"Coming back for more, boys? Hope you're ready to lose again!"
Meanwhile, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and sanitizer remain as staples. That section is always popular, and today is no different.
"Hey, is this that new toothpaste you talked about last week?"
"This one's lavender, right?"
"I want two then!"
I stand behind the counter as usual, setting up for payments. And as I hand out change, my eyes keep drifting to Pinna. She stands in front of the toiletries shelf, perfectly upright like a guard robot on standby.
Then, a short, frail old woman approaches the toiletries and picks up a small pouch, squinting at it.
"Dearie… What is this thing?"
And Pinna steps forward.
Okay, let's see how she'll do this.
"That is toothpaste. Ingredients include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, mint extract, and minor binding agents. Intended effect: removal of dental plaque, breath freshening, and enamel reinforcement. Recommended usage: two times daily. Application method..."
I gasp and nearly choke on my breath.
That poor old lady looks overwhelmed and slightly frightened, like she just heard a black magic spell.
Not like that, Pinna...
Remember what you learned yesterday...
But then, right in the middle of her explanation, Pinna pauses.
"…Apologies. Adjusting explanation."
She takes a small breath, then looks the woman in the eye.
"You use this to clean your teeth. Twice a day. It keeps your breath fresh and helps your teeth stay strong."
The woman blinks, and then she nods slowly.
"So… I clean my teeth with this? Two times a day?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"Eight bronze coins."
"Cheap!"
"Correct. Master makes it affordable for everyone."
"You're a kind girl. Thank you, dear."
Pinna tilts her head slightly in confusion, her eyes blinking once.
"'Kind'... registered. I believe that is a compliment."
She glances toward me for my approval, and I give her a small thumbs-up beside my waist. In response, she bows slightly but sincerely, clearly proud of my silent praise.
Nice, Pinna!
Her first time helping a customer, and she already gets a compliment. Luckily, she catches herself before going overboard and adjusts. It might take a little time for her to fully adjust to human communication, but knowing her, it won't be much since she's a fast learner after all.
But honestly, letting go of the toiletries, the ones I've handled since day one in Acrusse, might not be a bad idea after all. With Pinna taking it on, I can just focus on the counter now.
And just like that, the day presses on as Pinna, our newest team member, keeps standing tall at her post, slowly finding her own voice, one customer at a time.
MOMENTS LATER
Once the crowd finally thins, I take a deep breath and stretch my arms behind the counter.
"Alright, it's lunchtime, girls!"
Yomogi claps cheerfully.
"Yaaay!"
Chantal shouts enthusiastically.
"Finally!"
And Kimberly gently closes the door with a delighted murmur.
"Lunch… time..."
As for Pinna, she looks puzzled.
"Lunchtime?"
"Yes, Pinna. It means Motegi-chan's gonna make us a delicious lunch!"
"No, no, Yomogi. Motegi-kun always makes us a delicious lunch. It's kind of his thing."
"Lunch… is essential… before... the next wave... begins…"
Then, I confirm what they say to Pinna.
"Yup, they're right."
"Understood. Regular nutritional intake supports metabolic function, stabilizes mood, enhances focus, and maintains physical energy throughout prolonged activities. It is an efficient protocol. I would like to participate, Master."
"Good. Let's go."
"Yes!"
With that, we head upstairs. And arriving there, I step over to the kitchen.
"Are we having fried chicken again today, Motegi-chan?"
"Nope."
"Wait, why not, Motegi-kun?!"
"I want to try something new today."
"Something… new...?"
"Yup."
Then, Pinna asks another scientific question again.
"Master, does this meal contain complete nutritional values? Including appropriate macronutrient distribution, vitamin content, and reasonable caloric density?"
And I laugh awkwardly and scratch the back of my head.
"Ah… haha... I'm not sure, but I hope so."
After that, I pull out a generous pack of fresh beef mince and put it on a wooden plate. I quickly shape it into five thick, equal-sized balls. Then, I place a skillet on the flame with a bit of oil and grab a jar of pickles.
Heiligeichen and Misdaras really are the bread and meat basket of Acrusse. The ingredients I get from there are always way fresher than in Remantia.
Ever since I made fried chicken back then, it became my routine to teleport to those two countries in the morning right after delivering ceramic orders to grab groceries. And this morning, I'd picked up the beef and some soft cheese in Misdaras. Then, in Heiligeichen, I found those pickles and, to my surprise, a loaf of soft golden bread topped with sesame that looked exactly like brioche buns.
Once the skillet is hot, I drop the first beef ball onto it and press it flat with the side of a metal press that I recently made with my [Blacksmithing] skill, making it sizzle loudly. I add a slice of cheese on top, then flip it carefully and let it brown. One by one, I repeat the process until all five patties are done.
"Mmm... it smells so good, Motegi-chan..."
"I'm drooling right now, Motegi-kun!"
"I… cannot wait… to see... what you're making… Motegi-sama..."
"Don't worry, it's almost there."
I butter the cut brioche buns, then grill them face-down until golden. Once done, I line them up and spread mustard across the bottom buns. And then comes the stack — lettuce, a sizzling patty with melted cheese, pickles, a ring of raw onion, and finally, the top bun. I do it five times and plate each one of them on a wooden plate.
Once it's finished, I turn to Yomogi and Chantal.
"Yomogi, Chantal, can you give me a hand?"
"Sure!"
They grab two plates each, and I take the last one, following them to the table.
"Lunch is ready, girls!"
Yomogi leans over hers with eyes wide.
"What… is this, Motegi-chan?"
"It's a burger."
Chantal practically bounces on her seat as Kimberly studies the layers.
"It looks amazing, Motegi-kun!"
"It appears... a little… unusual… Motegi-sama..."
As for Pinna, she inspects hers closely.
"Structural composition: carbohydrate base, protein slab, emulsified dairy, acidic garnish, and fibrous greens. Overall balance is acceptable. Estimated caloric load: slightly elevated."
"Ahaha... it's okay if it's once in a while, right?"
With that, I raise my voice a little.
"Well then, shall we eat?"
"Yes!"
And when the first bite comes, Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly moan delightfully in unison as usual.
"Mnnnn!!"
Yomogi's tail wags happily, and her eyes shine.
"Motegi-chan, the beef is so juicy!"
"I told you you'd like it."
Chantal immediately declares with her tail swishes, and I joke with her.
"Forget fried chicken! This is the best thing I've eaten, Motegi-kun!"
"Oh, you're betraying fried chicken now, huh?"
And Kimberly... she speaks unintelligibly with her mouth full, again. So I have to warn her just like always.
"Mmm... mmnnhh... brghhh… hrrrmmm… nghhff…"
"Kimberly?"
She blinks, then swallows slowly.
"The taste... and texture… are excellent... Motegi-sama..."
"Glad to hear it."
I turn to Pinna, who has been eating quietly and staring at her burger.
"How is it, Pinna?"
She pauses mid-bite, then begins analyzing.
"Surface: seared with crisp edges. Internal texture: moist and savory. Dairy element amplifies richness. Vegetable components provide crunch and acidity. Slightly unhealthy, but not unpleasant."
"But it's delicious, right?"
When I ask that, she nods silently, then takes another bite.
"Good."
And then, we all dig in and enjoy our burgers together.
After lunch, Yomogi leans back with a blissful sigh, rubbing her belly.
"Thank you for the meal, Motegi-chan."
"You're welcome."
Chantal stretches her arms high, exhales dramatically, and then lets out a loud burp, for which I have to warn her a little.
"Buuurp... Hahhh..."
"Chantal..."
"Sorry, sorry! Couldn't help it. Your burger was too good, Motegi-kun."
And Kimberly looks content.
"Eating... your food… always... feels like… a new... discovery… Motegi-sama..."
"Ehehe... a discovery, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."
As for Pinna, she still sits very straight, and her hands rest on her thighs.
"Digestive system currently operating at optimal efficiency. Satiety levels are elevated. Internal temperature stable. The sensation is unusual, but not unpleasant."
"You mean you're happy because the food was tasty and your stomach's full?"
" That... can be considered accurate, Master."
"Okay."
I let everyone rest for a bit, just long enough for their food to settle, and then stand up.
"Alright, should we open up again?"
"Yes!"
We go down together, and then we return to our respective posts. Kimberly steps to the door, unlatches it again, and pushes it open.
"The store… is now... open... again... Please… enjoy your visit..."
And right on cue, the customers pour in once more.
MOMENTS LATER
The last few customers wave as they leave, and I close the store.
"Good work, everyone."
"Good work, Motegi-chan!"
"Good work, Motegi-kun!"
"Good work… Motegi-sama..."
"Good work, Master."
Then, I approach Pinna, praising her first day of work.
"You did really well today, Pinna. Your communication's getting smoother. Keep it up."
"Understood. I will continue developing my verbal interaction model. My goal is to improve further, to ensure customers experience smoother exchanges, and to assist you more effectively, Master."
"That's good!"
After that, I return to the counter and begin counting the day's sales. After a while, I nod at the coins once I've figured that we've made about 350,000 yen in total.
"Well, that's three gold and five large silver coins for today."
"Yaaay...!"
"We're on a roll!"
"As expected… of Motegi-sama..."
As for Pinna, she quietly observes the coins curiously.
"This income level equals approximately two weeks of revenue for a mid-level boutique. The efficiency of your business model is remarkable. It's fascinating to witness."
"Thank you."
Then, Kimberly approaches me with a few papers in hand, and I already know what she means.
"Again?"
"Yes... Motegi-sama. One... decorative plate... one... large jar... and one... tea set. The addresses… are written... here..."
"Okay."
With that, I make my way to the ceramic display and place my hand over the plate, jar, and tea set as I silently activate [Copier]. And within seconds, perfect duplicates appear along with the originals.
"Done."
After that, I return to the girls with a proposal.
"Alright, I'm thinking of going to the labyrinth today. Do you want to join?"
"Yes, Motegi-chan! I'd love to."
"About time, Motegi-kun! I'm in."
"Yes… Motegi-sama… I would like… to come... as well…"
Just as the three of them turn to head upstairs to get changed, Pinna's voice interrupts the moment.
"Negative, Master. I will stay here."
And they all pause mid-step as Yomogi is disappointed.
"No, why not, Pinna?"
Then, Pinna looks up to me.
"I wish to begin working on your designated task, Master."
"Ah, I see."
Right, that task.
That one I gave her last night.
My dream of having those three essential appliances from back home: a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner, and a microwave. Of course, she won't have time to do it if she joins us to the labyrinth every day.
But then, Pinna adds another reason that catches my interest.
"Also, I cannot accompany you because my combat suit is not yet finished."
"Combat suit?"
And Chantal reacts excitedly.
"A suit?! What kind of suit? I wanna see it, Pinna!"
Don't tell me…
Is that one of those tight, glossy bodysuits you see on android girls in anime?
Could it be…?
"Pinna, can you show it to us?"
"Understood, Master. Retrieving now."
She turns and walks upstairs, leaving the rest of us in suspense. Then, moments later, she descends, and I'm stunned.
I knew it.
I knew it.
She stands there in a skintight, green bodysuit that clings to every line of her curves. Futuristic circuit-like patterns ran across the glossy fabric, from her high collar down to her legs. It's sleek, minimal, and impossibly sexy.
Of course her suit would look exactly like that. She's an automaton after all, which I always assume if it's this world's version of an android. And honestly, she really looks like a sci-fi character who gets transported to a fantasy world.
"Requesting evaluation. Does this configuration meet your aesthetic preference, Master?"
"Of course! It already looks incredible, why did you say it's not finished?"
And to my surprise, her answer is absurd.
"This is the base layer. I have not yet integrated the metallic plating on the shoulders, chest, forearms, back, hips, and thighs."
No.
No, no, no.
I can already imagine it: clunky mech armor slapped over that gorgeous bodysuit and making her look like a walking tank.
"No, it's perfect the way it is, Pinna. Don't change a thing."
She processes my request for a moment before she answers, which relieves me.
"Understood. If that is your will, Master, then I shall comply."
"Thank you, Pinna."
And then, I ask her again.
"So, would you come with us to the labyrinth?"
"Master, the task will be delayed..."
But before she can continue, I cut her off.
"It's fine, I just want you to come once today. After that, you can do whatever you want."
And she pauses again to calculate.
"Confirmed. One expedition will result in minor schedule deviation. This can be recovered through optimization."
"Good."
With that, the three women are delighted as Yomogi claps her hands.
"Yaaay! Pinna's coming!"
Chantal leans her arm onto Pinna's shoulder.
"You're the best, Pinna!"
And even Kimberly looks intrigued.
"I am curious… to see... how… an automaton... in combat…"
Pinna nods, and in response, her mono-eyed floating orb, Observer Unit One, hovers beside her, and her slithering metallic disc, Crawler Unit Two, zigzags on the floor as it approaches her feet.
"My children will assist me."
Honestly, I'm curious too.
Pinna is an S-rank adventurer, doesn't use magic, and manipulates Cosmic element through those units, so I really want to know what she's capable of.
Then, I turn to the others.
"Alright. You three get changed too."
"Yes!"
After that, they rush upstairs. A few minutes later, they return and still don't disappoint.
Yomogi in her off-shoulder orange bridal robe, her cleavage visible through the open front. Chantal in her usual purple bikini armor, confidently flaunting her toned figure. And Kimberly in her golden halter dress, flowing yet revealing in all the right places.
"Do you like it, Motegi-chan?"
"Say it, Motegi-kun!"
"Let me know… your opinion... Motegi-sama…"
"Of course you're all looking good."
After that, I cast the teleportation spell until a glowing portal shimmers open before us.
"We're going to the sixteenth floor today. Are you ready?"
"Ready, Motegi-chan!"
"Always, Motegi-kun!"
"Yes… Motegi-sama…"
"Confirmed, Master."
And with that, the five of us step into the portal together.