"Alright, listen to me, you two. This is serious."
"What is it, Motegi-kun?"
"I'm listening, darling~."
Right now, I'm still inside Salacia's lab as I bring Chantal here to discuss something.
After I let Chantal be amazed by the lab, I begin to talk about why I brought her here, which is about my upcoming idea after I noticed Salacia's perfect butt mark earlier. But to pull it off, I need the help of these two women.
"Hey, Chantal, are you happy in the woodworks?"
"Absolutely, Motegi-kun! I'm loving it so far! Helping customers with furniture, explaining board games, chatting with nobles, and that's been kinda fun."
"I see. Good."
Then, it's time to dig deep.
"Okay, then what about those masons and construction guys who visit you? What do you usually talk about with them?"
And she sighs.
"Lately? It's been all about shortages. Mostly work stuff. Lately they've been complaining a lot about how hard it's getting to source stone slabs, pavers, mortar, and plaster. Apparently, there are not enough skilled miners right now who know how to refine that stuff, and it's rough on them."
"I see..."
Honestly, I already know about it, though.
I know that I run the store from behind the counter, so I don't actually see or hear what's happening in every girl's section. But sometimes, I hear things in some of the sections. And those things haven't changed even after we moved to our current house.
The quietest is always ceramics, Kimberly's section. It makes sense since only nobles tend to browse there, and Kimberly's slow speech creates a calm aura there.
Next is toiletries, Pinna's section, and the eternal warzone of supply and demand. It only gets loud when customers fight over the soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorants, and sanitizer... though it doesn't last long when Pinna shuts them down.
However, the kitchenware, Yomogi's section, is where things start picking up because housewives always crowd around her and wait for her product demonstration.
But none of them compare to the woodworks, Chantal's section. Her big sister energy and her loud way of hyping up the products always pull people in.
So when the guys with "big bro" energy, like the masons and construction workers, show up, the place would instantly become a rowdy tavern where they laugh, tease, and can get along with each other's jokes. And obviously, Chantal fits right into it like she's one of the bros.
And because that section is always noisy, I also can hear their daily complaints about that shortage, which I also have been thinking about.
Still, I feel that something is off. As loud and lively as that section is, it doesn't actually suit her. She's doing well, of course, but she's not shining there, which is why I need to build a new environment for her that feels like her natural habitat.
Then, I turn to Salacia.
"Breakfast, store time, lunch break, reopen, labyrinth run, dinner… and, yeah, baths and sex are our daily routines here, Salacia. But I never asked you to join the store crew like the others. You're free to do anything you want during the store hours."
However, Salacia shakes her head.
"No, I want to help with the store. I want to be your clerk too, and I want to support your business, darling."
"You sure about that?"
"I'm sure. I'll do anything you ask, darling~."
"Alright, thank you. I appreciate it."
Honestly, I'm glad, really glad.
She agreed without me pushing her. Which means the first hurdle of this plan is cleared. Now all that's left is the second, and final, hurdle.
With that, I turn to Chantal.
"I want to open a new section for masonry. A dedicated place for the builders where they can find stone slabs, pavers, mortars, and plasters ready to bring home."
And her eyes light up instantly.
"Seriously? That's brilliant, Motegi-kun! Those guys will finally get the help they need. They've been ranting about this shortage like forever."
"Yeah, I know about it already."
After that, I take a breath and ask her the real question.
"But… if I move you out of the woodworks section and into masonry instead, would you be okay with that, Chantal?"
Just as I expect, she pauses for a moment and goes silent, thinking seriously. Seconds later, that wide, familiar grin returns to her face.
"Actually… yeah, I'd love that, Motegi-kun. Sometimes I'm tired of holding back, you know? Toning myself down for nobles just because they act all fancy around furniture and stuff. It'll be nice to let loose and go loud and wild."
"Thank you, I really appreciate it, Chantal."
And again, I'm relieved.
First Salacia, now Chantal. Both agreed without a complaint or hesitation, which means both hurdles are cleared.
Then, I turn to Salacia again.
"Alright, Salacia, since Chantal's moving, the woodworks won't have a clerk anymore. So… are you ready to take over that spot?"
"Of course, I do~! Thank you for the opportunity, darling~!"
"Good."
With that settled, I step over to the stool behind her table, which still bears her damp butt mark from earlier. I lift it, turn it around, and present it proudly.
Chantal tilts her head in confusion.
"What's that?"
And I smirk as I point out the imprint.
"This… is our new major selling point. Anything Salacia sits on or touches will leave a mark like this, and that's what will make our woodworks irresistible."
Salacia blinks, and she's flustered.
"E-eh?! What did you just say? It's only because my skin is naturally moist, darling! It's not something to..."
But Chantal cuts her off with a proud laugh.
"Whoa, I never thought of something like that! That's genius and filthy! You're such a perverted genius, Motegi-kun!"
"Ah, hahaha... thank you."
Then, I place back the stool and approach Salacia.
"Don't worry about it, Salacia. Your body's natural physiology is a money-making miracle for us. You should be proud of it."
She hesitates, eyes flicking from the stool to my face.
"I-Is that so? Well… if you say so, darling, then… I guess it's fine."
Yeah, perhaps this might be a new kind of selling method in Acrusse. But back in Japan, it was quite common. Even people willing to pay more for an onigiri that had the scent of a woman's armpit.
So, if such bizarre thing like that could be a selling point, then why don't I implement that here too?
I don't have to raise the price, just claim that those furniture and board games are double "polished," once by resin and again by Salacia's damp skin, either her fingers or her butt, then increase their value, and done. I believe people will come and buy.
Also, I believe that Salacia can handle nobles effortlessly, and maybe her allure will also turn board game sales into a lot more "engaging" for the customers. So yeah, she'll sell, and she's the perfect replacement for Chantal, or probably better.
Then, I tell Salacia again.
"So, Chantal will teach you everything about the furniture and board games, Salacia. You can ask her anything."
Salacia playfully turns to Chantal.
"Really? Then, please take care of me, senpai~."
And Chantal laughs.
"Hahaha...! Anything for my successor."
And with that, my ridiculous, perverted idea has officially launched.
MOMENTS LATER
As I walk down the stairs, I spot Salacia and Chantal over at the woodworks section's shelves. Chantal is talking animatedly, gesturing at the items, while Salacia listens with focused attention.
"How's it going, Chantal, Salacia?"
Chantal looks up at me.
"Oh, Motegi-kun! It's going great. I'm telling you, she picks things up like lightning. She already gets everything!"
"Really?"
Then, Salacia smiles proudly at me as she picks up a chess set.
"Of course, darling. For example, this game is about surrounding and trapping the enemy king. Each piece has unique movement. It's... calculated domination."
She sets it down and lifts a Go board and a tile box of mahjong.
"This Go is a slow, graceful battle of territory. And mahjong... well, it's fast, loud, chaotic, and addictive. I already thought of how to sell all three."
"Oh? Is that so?"
And she winks playfully at me.
"Yes, anything for you, darling~."
"Good. I'm proud of you."
With that, I call toward the staircase.
"Yomogi, Kimberly, Pinna, can you all come down here?"
A few seconds later, the three of them rush downstairs as Kimberly is the first to speak.
"Is it… restocking time... Motegi-sama...?"
"Yeah, but before that, I've got an announcement."
I pause for a moment before continuing to speak.
"I'm opening a new section for masonry. It will sell everything builders need, and Chantal will be running it."
Yomogi gasps.
"Ehh? Then what about the woodworks?"
And I gesture toward Salacia.
"Salacia will be taking over that section."
"Really? That's wonderful, Salacia!"
"Thank you, Yomogi."
Just then, Chantal snatches a small low stool off a nearby display and flips it over with a wide grin.
"Also… check this out."
She holds it up proudly, showing them the round butt mark still glistening on the polished seat, making Yomogi and Kimberly curious.
"What is that?"
"Is that… just Salacia's… damp… imprint...?"
"Yup! But not just that! Motegi-kun came up with a genius, filthy idea. He will use this butt mark as a selling point for the woodworks! Double-polished, by resin and kraken ass!"
Yomogi is frozen, and Kimberly just stares as neither of them knows how to respond. And only Pinna speaks and explains as usual, which embarrasses Salacia.
"From a biological standpoint, the dampness is a natural result of Salacia's kraken anatomy. Her epidermis retains surface moisture to regulate body temperature and hydration. When transferred to polished wood, this can create a visual gloss that mimics enhanced finishing. While the implication is obscene, it is indeed a valid and unconventional sales gimmick."
"Pinna, stop explaining it like that!"
But then, Salacia giggles, lowering her hands as her eyes soften.
"Fufufu~... but still, I'm so happy. I can't wait to work with all of you."
"We're happy too, Salacia."
"Welcome aboard, Salacia!"
"Let us… do our best… together..."
"Acknowledged. Cooperative engagement accepted."
Then, I look at the five of them and clap my hands.
"Alright, should we start restocking?"
"Yes!"
Then, I reach into my dimensional inventory and pull out a set of duplicated shelves from our old store. I slide them into place, adjusting the layout of the floor to make room for the new masonry section. It takes a bit of shifting, but since the store's still got plenty of space left, it all fits comfortably without feeling cramped. And even with this expansion, we've still got room for more.
And now, time for prepping the stock.
First up: toiletries. I take out bundles of potion bottles, cloths and twines, flower waters, oils and tallow, herbs, natron, alum, alcohol, distilled water, charcoal, and the fresh seaweed and sea salt from Oserin. I activate [Hygienics] silently, letting the skill transform the materials into a wide variety of soap bars, bottles of shampoo and sanitizers, and pouches of toothpaste and deodorant. With [Copier], I multiply the batches into many.
I call out to Pinna, and she understands.
"Pinna, please stock this."
"Understood, Master."
As Pinna gathers the products, I pull out the next round of materials — Heiligeichen's ores, and charcoal. I activate [Blacksmithing], forming cast iron cookware, bronze utensils, stainless steel knives, and many more. With [Copier], I duplicate them until there are enough to fill the shelves.
I call out to Yomogi, and she understands.
"Yomogi, these go on your shelves."
"Got it, Motegi-chan!"
As Yomogi gathers the products, I pull out coconut and mangrove wood from Oserin, Misdaras' timber and bamboo, resin, black and white stones, and more coloring minerals. I activate [Carpentry] to shape tables, stools, storage racks, and polished game boards for chess, go, and mahjong. With [Copier], they multiply at once.
I call out to Salacia, and she understands.
"Salacia, these are yours to display."
"Leave it to me, darling~..."
As Salacia gathers the products, I take out Terracotta's clay, glass sand, and blue coloring minerals. Then, I activate [Pottery] and shape them into classic Chinese ceramics in the forms of plates, bowls, jars, and cups. Of course, I multiply them quickly with [Copier].
I call out to Kimberly, and she understands.
"Kimberly, mind helping with these?"
"Yes… Motegi-sama..."
Once Kimberly takes the products, I walk up to Chantal.
"You ready?"
"Absolutely, Motegi-kun. Let's do it."
"Good."
I nod and summon Ushabti's granite, marble, limestone, gypsum, pumice, and more. With my [Lapidary] skill, I transform them into slabs, pavers, mortar packs, and plaster bricks. And for the final touch, I duplicate them with [Copier] into a full lineup, and then I turn to Chantal again.
"How's that look, Chantal?"
She laughs and gives a marble slab a smack.
"Perfect! The builders are gonna go wild over these, Motegi-kun!"
"Yeah, you're right, Chantal."
With that, she gets to work to line up the products.
And as I watch Pinna, Yomogi, Kimberly, Salacia, and Chantal fill the shelves, I can't help but smile and murmur to myself.
"Well, just how big will this store get?"