Side: Tori
"It's hot..."
"So hot~ I don't get why he has to make the dungeon match the outside climate on purpose..." (Riel)
"...Yuki said if we get too used to the air conditioning and the dungeon's comfortable environment, it'll hinder our ability to live outside." (Kaya)
"I know that, but... it's rough for those of us on patrol. Look, Tori, even your ears are drooping!"
"I'll be fine."
"Liar!!"
While bickering like this, we were walking through the residential district as part of the dungeon security force.
As Riel said, it is incredibly hot.
This continent has four seasons. It seems the place where Yuki-san used to live had four seasons too, so he's handling it without any confusion. Well, near the far north and far south of the continent there are regions where the climate stays constant, though...
I've drifted off topic...
Anyway, this dungeon is set to match the outside weather, the temperature, by Yuki-san's preference. The reason, as Kaya mentioned, is that while the facilities have perfect climate control thanks to air conditioners, he doesn't want people—especially the children—to lose the will to ever go outside.
Actually, even the adults would just rot indoors if they didn't have errands, so an "Air Conditioning Ban" has been issued for everyone, except at night. Since Yuki-san mentioned, many people were aware that staying in comfortable indoor temperatures had been lowering their stamina, so there hasn't really been any backlash against this ban.
Well, cafes, restaurants, and other leisure spots still have air conditioning. Of course, the hospital and the smithy—where it gets excessively hot—have it too. However, regarding the smithy, I heard Narjia-san and the Dwarf Boss apparently shouted, ""Soft! We won't allow leisurely hammering with air conditioning!!"" and they barely let anyone use it due to their "smithing soul." Poor guys.
"Hey, Tori. Why don't we just go back to the room and sort paperwork...? Our office has air conditioning, after all."
"No. If we do that, we won't be setting a good example for our subordinates."
"...Riel, how about helping me with farmland development? You'll get used to the heat."
"No thanks!"
Today, the three of us are on patrol together, which is a bit rare.
But Riel seems exhausted by the heat. I find it a bit tough too, but this is just how the season is, so it's not too bad. Kaya spends her days outside for agricultural work anyway, so she doesn't seem bothered.
"Oh right, should we buy some ice cream and take a break?"
"Yeah!!"
"...So easy."
"What can I do about it!!"
We headed to the largest shop in the residential area: Super Ratz.
With the recent population boom, they've expanded to a second and third branch. Selling goods to over 10,000 people in a single store is a monumental task. Even if some live as families, more than half live alone. That means 5,000 people might come shopping every single day. With three stores, it finally averages out to about 1,800 people per shop.
Initially, Ratz was so busy she looked like she might collapse, but with help from Yuki-san and the original staff, she's managed to pull through. Now, those staff members serve as store managers or assistant managers, and Ratz has moved completely behind the scenes to handle inventory and ordering. It looks easy, but it's a lot of desk work, which is its own kind of struggle.
"Oya? It's rare to see the three of you together."
When we entered the store, Ratz was working on something near the entrance.
"Yahho~"
"...It's hot, so we came to buy ice cream."
"That's the gist of it."
"Ah, I see. Outside rounds are tough, aren't they?"
Ratz left the task to another clerk and came over to us.
"Is everything fine?"
"Well, it's not a major task. Let's have a little representative meeting. While eating ice cream, of course."
Led by Ratz, we headed to the ice cream section.
"Man, it's so cool inside the supermarket~ Haa, I'm being healed."
"...Un, cool."
"It really is."
"True~ It might be cool for the customers, but for us working here, it's quite extreme."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the clerks at the registers don't move much, so unless a customer has a huge amount of groceries to scan, they get cold and have to wear long sleeves."
"Oh, you're right."
"But the people restocking or moving in and out of the warehouse are moving around a lot and going outside, so they end up drenched in sweat."
"...The shop has its own struggles."
"Exactly~"
"What are you saying? You always buy Black Montblanc, don't you?"
"Well, I was thinking of trying something different for once."
As Riel asked Ratz for recommendations, Kaya suddenly thrust something forward.
"...Yukimi Daifuku."
"That one's good too. What do you think, Tori?"
"Hm, I had that just the other day, so..."
Riel often comes to the supermarket and stocks her room fridge with all kinds of sweets and ice cream.
"Let's see... in that case, how about Azuki Bar?"
"What's that?"
"We got it in yesterday. You know the sweet red bean paste inside mochi, right?"
"Yeah, it's sweet~"
"It's that paste, frozen into a bar. Of course it's not just red beans—it's based on vanilla ice cream too. Like this."
"Ohh, that's a pretty-looking ice cream. I'll take this one."
We quickly made our selections, paid, and headed to the manager's office.
"Phew—sweet!! But it's the sweetness of azuki beans. I kind of want some tea!"
"Yes, yes, here you go."
"Thanks, Ratz!"
Ratz fussed over Riel attentively.
"...Yukimi Daifuku are as delicious as ever."
Kaya was elegantly munching on her mochi ice cream.
"But Tori, you went for a plain vanilla bar?"
"I just like these."
I put the sweet white bar in my mouth and licked it.
"Mm, delicious."
"A stable classic, then."
Ratz said as she opened a cup of ice cream and started eating.
"Hey, Ratz, that ice cream wasn't out on the floor, was it?"
"Oh, you noticed? This is a special order for Narjia."
"Ah, another Häagen-Dazs new flavor?"
"Yep. Matcha."
"Narjia-san really loves them, doesn't she?"
Narjia-san loves ice cream... actually, she loves it so much she has a dedicated freezer in her room. She keeps a stock of three of every single variety currently sold in the shop...
"But hey, Haagen-Dazs is expensive, right? Can you really sell that many if you stock them?"
Riel asked while eating his bean bar.
"Even if they're 'expensive,' they're only about double the price. It's like 4 copper coins instead of 2. For the residents here who have stable incomes, eating one every day wouldn't really hurt their wallets. They actually sell quite well."
"Heh, I see."
"There are so many varieties, and they have a deeper flavor than standard ice cream. How do I put it? They have a loyal fan base—people who only eat Haagen-Dazs."
"So there are others like Narjia-san?"
"Yes, but a lot of people also buy it as a little luxury. And ice cream's expiration date is practically nonexistent anyway."
I can kind of understand. Haagen-Dazs is definitely delicious. But I'm the type who only eats sweets occasionally, so it's not a huge deal for me.
"Come to think of it, I've never asked what everyone's favorite ice cream is."
"Oh, you're right! Let's go around and ask everyone today!"
"...Interesting. I bet Yukimi Daifuku will be the most popular."
"Hoh. That sounds like fun."
After finishing our treats, we chatted for a little while longer.
"Now then, before talking about that with everyone, let's finish our work properly."
"Ehh? We aren't done for the day?"
"...Skipping work is not allowed."
"Yes, yes. Please do your best. I'll see you at home~"
Dragging Riel, we headed out the back door of the shop.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!! IT'S SO HOOOOOOOT!!"
Well then, back to work.
