01x08 - Laundry Business, with the Slimes

[bunniefuu]

Before my laundry store,
Bamboo Forest, officially opens,

I'm hosting a gathering.

I've invited those who have been
taking good care of me.

-Sure, I'll be there.
-This is my way of expressing gratitude.

-We'll be there!
-We'll be there!

Interesting. I would love to go!

Great. I look forward to seeing you there.

Is that the place?

Yes, we're almost there.

That's the house.

"We can easily remove…"

"Goblin stains."

-"Laundry Service, Bamboo Forest."
-"Laundry Service, Bamboo Forest."

Good.

This should be enough.

My lady, is it going well?

Yes, it's almost done.

It just needs to bake.

Looks like we're good to go.

My lady, Ms. Araune, Ms. Lilian,
thank you so much for your help.

It's nothing.

We are always here for you, Mr. Ryoma.

Come to us if you need anything.

We have a guest, Ryoma!

What a luxurious store.

An 11-year-old boy
from the Duke's family did this.

Age isn't a factor here.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
Don't be blinded by your prejudices.

-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.

-Besides, Mr. Ryoma is not the Duke's--
-Mr. Serge!

-Welcome.
-Good day.

Congratulations on your new store.

Thank you very much.

Who are they, Mr. Serge?

Allow me to introduce them.

They are the assistants
that I've hired for you.

I'm Carla Norad.

I'm Carme Norad.

I'm Ryoma Takebayashi.
Pleased to meet you.

I'm Eliaria Jamil.

I'm here today to help Ryoma.
Pleased to meet you.

My brother and I
are glad to be of assistance.

My sister and I
are glad to be of assistance.

They might be young,

but they are both assistant managers

at the Morgan Trading Company's
Louiam store.

Oh, my.

They can surely be of help to you,
Mr. Ryoma.

That's great!

Let me show you how things work here.
Please follow me.

First, the customers should purchase
this exclusive laundry bag.

It comes in various sizes
and can be used repeatedly.

-Okay.
-Okay.

We charge customers
based on the number of bags used.

Each size has a different price.

-Okay.
-Okay.

After our customers pay for the service,

we'll keep their laundry bag with us
and give them a ticket for their bag.

Do this when you give them their laundry.

-Okay.
-Okay.

Bring the laundry bags to this room.

There are Cleaner Slimes inside.

About these Cleaner Slimes…

I heard they're a kind of Slime
that eats stains.

That's right.
Do you have any questions so far?

Can this new kind of Slime
really remove stains?

How do you dry the laundry?

That's about it.

Lastly, put the clean laundry
back in the bag

and return it to the customer.

Can Cleaner Slimes
remove all kinds of stains?

So far, there's nothing they can't clean.

If possible, please check the laundry
before handing it over.

Understood.

One other thing.

Though this is a laundry store,

we won't be using water
because the Slimes will eat the stains.

The laundry won't need drying.

-Understood.
-Understood.

That's the entire process.

Do you have any questions?

-Not at the moment.
-Not at the moment.

Okay, just ask me if anything comes up.

-Understood.
-Understood.

Are they unhappy with serving customers
or carrying clothes?

They both seem very talented.

Will they think
they are overqualified for this job?

This area is only for staff.
Customers are not allowed here.

We have the changing room,
the reception room, and the office.

Next, this is the staff lounge
and staff restroom.

Lastly, there's the pantry.

-Understood.
-Understood.

This is the dormitory.

Nobody else is here yet,
so you can choose any room.

-Understood.
-Understood.

Hey!

Everyone's here.

Ms. Carla and Mr. Carme,

please help me
get the reception room ready.

-Understood.
-Understood.

Here you go, Ryoma.

Thank you, my lady.

Why does this seem like a routine speech
at a company's morning meeting?

However, nobody was really listening then.

Everyone, thank you for taking the time

to attend the soft opening
of Bamboo Forest.

Ryoma, you've become so outstanding!

Who are you to be saying that?

This store was made possible
thanks to each one of you.

Thank you so much.

As a small gesture,
I have prepared some food for you.

Please enjoy.

Cheers!

-Cheers!
-Cheers!

Congratulations, Ryoma.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Is that fish? I want it!

It's so good!

It's really good.
I can never have enough of this.

What is this old hag doing here?

Who are you calling an old hag?

I may be old, but I'm not a hag!

Seriously, no wonder you've been--

Stop bringing up my past failures
whenever we meet.

Ms. Glissela, what past failure was it?

Maylene, it's you.

This guy messed up a mission--

Cut it out!

Maylene, go and have some food.

Yes, I understand.

Seriously…

-So…
-What is it, hothead?

Do you think Ryoma's store
is going to make money?

-I do.
-Really?

I'm not sure how much he will make,
but he'll do just fine.

-Yes, thank you…
-Do you have any advice for him?

I'll give him my advice
when the time is right.

Just let him do things his way first.

That being said,

I'd gladly offer my help
should he ever come to me.

You have to look out for him too.

I know.

Everyone seems to trust him.

Yes, Carla.

Thank you!

They really work so well.

Exactly!

Looks good.

They are well-baked.

Mr. Reinhart, did you enjoy the food?

Yes, thank you. It's very good.

Really?

I'm sure that food is better
at the nobles' parties.

Did I say something wrong?

Let me tell you something, Ryoma.

Okay…

Expensive food doesn't always taste good.

I guess the nobles
have their own problems too.

I'm finally finished. I'm so full.

It's great to be here today.

Even I am full as well.

Everyone, dessert is ready!

-I've been waiting for this!
-I have another stomach for that!

I'll help myself to it!

It looks great!

Everyone seems so happy.
This is really wonderful.

And so, the gathering ended
on a high note.

Mr. Carme and Ms. Carla.

Thank you for your help today.

You're welcome.

Also, it would be great
if you can start working here tomorrow.

But if you're not pleased with this job…

My brother and I have talked about it.

-Please hire us.
-Please hire us.

Do you mean it?

-Yes.
-Yes.

At first, we were a little nervous

after knowing that an 11-year-old kid
will run this place

and that Slimes are used.

-However…
-We're no longer worried.

We now know how things work
and what kind of person you are.

We also realized
that many people trust you.

There is a lot we can learn from you.

Please hire us.
This is what we want right now.

We will do our best
to make the Morgan Trading Company…

…and Bamboo Forest proud.

Your vast experience is reassuring.

I look forward to working with you.

-Okay.
-Okay.

But you don't have to work too hard.
Just work as you normally would.

Morgan Trading Company aside,
don't worry about making me proud.

It's only right that we think so.

Even one bad review will spread quickly
among the nobles.

Will they even pay attention
to such a store?

Yes, many nobles pay attention
to other families.

Other families?

Do you think I'm a noble?

Are you not?

I heard you're very close
to the House of Jamil.

Even Ms. Eliaria was here.

Yes, they are nice to me,
but I'm not a noble.

Sorry, I should have
explained it to them first.

-You're not a noble?
-You're not a noble?

That's right.

I'm just an adventurer,
so treat me like an ordinary person.

-Understood.
-Understood.

We're opening the store tomorrow,
so please have a good rest today.

-Okay.
-Okay.

If you drink it, you'll change color.

Wipe it clean.

Finally, it's the first day of business
for Bamboo Forest.

Will I have customers?

Should I not get my hopes up?

-Good morning.
-Good morning.

-Sir, Ms. Eliaria.
-Sir, Ms. Eliaria.

-Good morning.
-Good morning.

Let's start working together from now on.

That should do it.

It's ready for business.

Ms. Carla, Mr. Carme.

We won't have customers any time soon,
so please watch the store.

I'm going to the Adventurer's Guild
to promote our store.

I'll also get going.

All right, be careful on your way.

Just walk me up till here.

I should walk you home.

It's okay. Look.

I see. You have magic training today?

Good luck.

Yes. You too.

Ryoma!

Ryoma, I heard that your store
opened today.

I'll check it out on my way home.

Thank you, everyone.

How did you find out?

That's because…

"Ryoma's laundry business opens today."

Miya and Welanna put that up just now.

Miya and the others…

They said they will promote the store
in other places as well.

I should get to work. See you soon.

Okay, see you soon.

We also clean armor and weapons!

You're welcome anytime!

Okay!

Okay, I should also…

"Herb collection?"

I can also patrol
the abandoned mine on the way.

That's the one.

Ms. Maylene,
I'd like to take on this mission.

Thank you for your hospitality yesterday.

Are you sure you want this mission?

Don't you have customers to serve?

We just opened.
There won't be too many customers.

Really?

Okay, this is for you.

Okay.

Nothing unusual.

That's enough patrol for today.

I've collected enough herbs too.

After my patrol in the mine,

I went back to the guild with the herbs
and received my pay.

Then I returned to the store and saw…

I shouldn't have gone on a mission!

Oh, no. I have to help them out.

-Sir!
-Sir!

What's going on?

We're getting a good response.

Many of the residents nearby are here.

We have been waiting for you to open.

The adventurers said this place is good.

I heard you can remove Goblin stains.
That's why I'm here.

You have reasonable prices,
which is great.

Thank you, everyone.

Ms. Carla and Mr. Carme,
I'll leave you in charge.

I'll take care of transporting
the laundry.

-Okay.
-Okay.

Is this what it's like
to get a good response?

Since then…

we have been working nonstop.

Thank you very much.

You've also worked very hard.

We had so many customers.

Yes, that was unexpected.
I was really shocked.

I didn't get to catch my breath.

You couldn't rest either, right?

-Yes.
-Yes.

Sorry, I didn't notice it.

This is terrible!
I can't run a black business.

I swore upon my previous life!

Well, I'm going to hire more employees.

All employees should be on shifts
so they can get some rest.

I need about four to six employees.

I agree.

When more people hear about this store,
there will be more customers.

You can talk to the Merchant's Guild.

They should be able
to introduce some talents to you.

Okay.

I'm going to the Merchant's Guild
right away.

Thank you very much.

Please get some rest
after calculating today's revenue.

Thank you very much.

How was your first day of business?

Surprisingly busy. I could hardly keep up.

I knew your business was going to be good,

but I was also surprised
to see so many customers.

So are you here to hire more employees?

You sure can read my mind.

I haven't been an old lady
all these years for nothing.

Years of being an old lady…

I got it.

I'll recruit employees for you,
but you should decide who to hire.

Sure, thank you.

So many customers came?

It was a huge success then.

No, it's still too early to tell.

But my efforts will be in vain
if I disappoint the customers.

I want to keep working hard
so they'll come back.

You can do it, Ryoma.

You can check out the dormitory
for the town guards.

Most residents there are men,

so there should be a lot of dirty laundry.

It could be a stable source of income.

I will. Thank you.

You must be tired.
It's best to go to bed early.

All right.

It's not something that I'm used to doing,
so I'm actually a bit tired.

Ryoma.

Good night.

Good night, my lady.

I'm so tired, but…

It's just the two of us again!

Shut up and work.

I wasn't thinking much back then.

I'd just fall asleep when I was tired.

But now, even when I'm tired…

I still feel so happy.