Chapter 4
"We need to ensure that each item matches up with our inventory. You take the shelves in front and I will take the shelves to the side."
Biar and I began to do inventory for the day. My job is to count each individual item and ensure that their numbers lined up with our written numbers. This system was intended to make sure no items had been stolen from us during the day as well to know what items we needed to order before they ran out.
This process is tedious. I need to make sure each jar of every item is there and then I need to write it down in a ledger. I understand why they needed me to be able to read now.
"12 jars of barcrus. 16 cloves of naxrut…" I said aloud as I counted and wrote down the number of each item. Why does every vegetable and fruit in this world have such a weird name? Now that I think about it though, isn't "potato" a weird word as well? I guess it's just my perception of the world s.h.i.+fting a bit.
After checking the inventory of the items, Biar asked "Are we missing anything?"
"It doesn't seem like we are. Every item that is missing was sold today." I declared while double checking the ledger just to be sure.
"That's good! What's the total sales for today?" Biar asked me with an inquisitive face.
"It seems like we made a profit of one thousand seventy eight juns in total." I read out.
"Hm, an average day then. That's good to hear."
The side door opened as Reese stepped out. Reese looked a little bit sweaty from whatever she had been doing in the side room. I fought back the urge to ask her what she had been doing back there, telling myself that I'd find out eventually.
"So, how did his first day go?" Reese asked Biar.
"He did just fine! I think we can take him on as a full time employee!" Biar announced.
I felt a sense of pride rise in my stomach as well as a sense of relief.
"How wonderful! I could tell he'd do just fine here!"
Please stop, I'm not used to being praised. I think my face is burning off.
"Now I need to change the subject. Kenji, you spoke about not having a place to stay, is that correct?" Reese asked me in as gentle a tone as she could.
Now that I remember it, she was right. It's cold outside and I don't want to have to sleep in an alley.
This is… a predicament. I still don't have any money and I've only done one days worth of work so I doubt I can get paid already. What do I do?
"I spoke to someone I've known for a while, her name is Anisan. She said she had a spare room that you could live in for the time being, at least until you're back on your feet."
SCORE!!! I have a place to stay! This is the best possible scenario!
...Wait… Did Reese say it was Ania's home that I would be staying in? That old woman from earlier?
"The woman that came to the store earlier today?"
"Yes, she's a very nice woman. She lives on her own so it's probably a big help to her that you're here as well!" Biar told me.
Living with an old woman. This is not exactly a glamorous life, but it is free housing…
I'm weighing my options.
"Here, let me show you to the place!"
"Hey, wait-!"
Reese grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the store.
I felt a strong chill as I stepped outside. The cold air of fall struck my face as my teeth began to chatter. My clothes may be new, but they aren't very thick. I'll need to invest in thicker clothing in the future when I have the chance.
Reese pulled me along the torch
"This is the place. It's not too far from our shop and it's pretty close to the rest of the shopping district. Quite a lucky break for you, isn't it?" Reese looked at me with a proud smile.
Honestly, this is great for me.
A place that I can return to that's stable. Someone else living with me that can explain things to me, and a job nearby so I can make some money. I can't really ask for much more.
The door opened.
"Ah, it's Korgi-san. How are you?"
Ania was standing in the doorway wearing much… thinner clothes than she was earlier today. I was revolted, but a house is a house.
"I made some soup and you can have some too. Come in, please!" Ania said to me with a weak wave towards herself.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then! Remember you need to be at the shop by 7 A.M. sharp!" Reese said as she walked away while waving goodbye.
"Come in, come in!" Ania insisted while waving more energetically to me.
Having no reason to not enter the house, I complied with Ania's request.
I climbed the wooden stairs up to the second floor that was Ania's home. Ania lived above the two stores that her door is between.
"Ah… let me just unlock the door here…"
Ania was checking her side again. Judging by how long it took Ania before, it's possible that she would take another ten minutes just to find her key. If this is going to be a daily occurrence then I should probably get my own key.
"Ah, there it is!" Ania proclaimed after only a few seconds.
"Eh?"
Wait, she found her key that quickly? Why did it take her so long to find her coin purse earlier if she is able to find something smaller at such speeds?
"I have a bowl of soup ready for you but let me show you around first." Ania told me as she opened the door.
Immediately my nose was a.s.saulted by the smell of old woman. I could see that on every wall there were either pictures of people, paintings of landscapes, or doc.u.ments of sorts. There were even bookcases.
Wait, if she has books does that mean she can read?
The room itself was not too large but there were many doorways to other rooms. Inside of the room there was a faded carpet, a small sofa that could barely fit two people, and a small coffee table with a large doily on it.
"It isn't very fancy, but it's certainly better than out on the streets, eh Korgi-chan?"
Honestly speaking this place was fairly ghastly. I doubt this building has been dusted in years and I am scared of what types of things may be hidden from my view.
"Your home is very nice, Anisan. Also my name is Kenji, not Korgi." I said with a forced smile.
"You will use the term 'sama' from now on when referring to me, boy."
Huh?
"I took you off the streets out of my own good will. As a result of my good will you will follow my rules. Do you understand?"
What's with this old woman? Am I about to be subjected to something dangerous?
"alright…" I said meekly. I don't like where this is going.
"Wrong! From now on whenever you respond to me you will add 'Anisama or Ma'am' to it! Am I understood?"
Did I actually just get sent to h.e.l.l instead of going to a fantasy world? Is that what happened?
"Y-yes ma'am…" I responded forcefully.
"Good!"
"Rule 1: You will respect all my desires as absolute! If I tell you to get something for me then you will. If I ask you to rub my feet then you will. Is this understood?"
Oh no.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good! Rule 2: You will be happy with what you are given. I am not running a charity. If I so choose I will send you back out on the streets. Is this understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good! Rule 3: Before you go to bed you must give me a kiss on the cheek and say goodnight!"
Should I try my luck with an alley tonight? I think I saw a nice spot while I was walking here…
"Rule 4: You owe me 40 juns each time you get paid. Living here isn't free. Is that clear?"
I have to pay to live here it seems, but considering that that's only a tenth of my earnings, it isn't that bad.
"I SAID IS THAT CLEAR?" Ania yelled at me.
"Y-YES MA'AM!" I shouted out of reflex.
"Good! Now that that's been cleared come sit down for some food. You must be starving."
I have never been so terrified in my entire life. I went along with whatever this woman told me to out of fear for my life.
I was led into a room that appeared to be a dining room. There is a rectangular table with four chairs around it and a bowl of soup on either side.
"Sit."
"Yes ma'am."
I sat in the chair I was told to and waited for Ania to sit down as well.
"In this house, we thank the G.o.ds for every meal. Pray with me, boy."
I quickly put my hands together in prayer.
"We thank each of our creators for the bounty we experience today. I thank the creators for allowing me to help this poor sorry child. I thank the creators for giving me the patience to deal with the people I meet every single day. Amen."
Having met G.o.d, I could somewhat understand why he was so aloof after hearing prayers like that.
I took the soup with the spoon. It looked appealing and I could see steam coming off of it. I can't remember the last time I ate a home cooked meal ever since Mom started working.
I took a spoonful of the soup into my mouth. The taste was different compared to what I was used to, but it is not bad, in fact it is actually rather good.
I only now just realized how hungry I was. I took spoonful after spoonful greedily. I couldn't stop myself.
It only took me a short time before the food was all gone.
"Whew. Thank you for the food."
"You gulped that down rather quickly. It must be nice to be young. Well, now that you've finished your food, you should go to bed. I'll show you to your room."
Ania stood up and led me to a door.