Side: Ratz
Today as always, the executives of Super Ratz are working hard on desk duty—drafting plans, placing orders, handling complaints, and managing various tasks to keep our stores running smoothly.
Super Ratz has now become a merchant company said to be the largest on the continent, not to mention in Weed.
Well, since we are merely selling products from Onii-san's hometown, I can't claim it's all thanks to my own talent. However, thanks to Super Ratz, we've been able to create original Weed products and positively influence the residents. Rather than simply receiving things and enjoying their benefits, people have begun taking inspiration from them and creating things of their own.
This is surely what Onii-san wanted.
Lately, things have grown quite busy with affairs on the New Continent, but we must not neglect our work in Weed.
We're also approaching the second anniversary of Weed's founding, which means it's about time for the various representatives to be replaced. I'm currently putting a lot of effort into training the next generation.
Thanks to that, I've been able to leave the merchant company in the hands of my successors while accompanying Onii-san to the New Continent and looking after our daughters.
"Yes. Redo this, please."
"Ehh!?"
Even as I indulge in such thoughts, I scan the submitted documents and hand them back after finding them completely unacceptable.
The one raising her voice in protest is one of my subordinates at Super Rats. A Catkin girl.
She belongs to the same race as Riel, and surprisingly, she's quite diligent and adept at calculations. She's one of the slaves who was brought over from Roshure during the first group, so she's been living in Weed for quite a long time.
"I believe I've told you this every time: Super Ratz is a state-run business. In other words, our budget comes from the state."
"I know that~! But what's wrong with it?"
"Having money with no stated purpose isn't acceptable. Eris certainly won't approve it, you know?"
"Which part doesn't have a stated purpose?"
"Right here. This part."
I point directly to the 'New Product Development Budget'.
It accounts for 30% of the total budget.
"But it clearly says 'New Product Development Budget' right there!"
"I'm telling you to write down the details. A full breakdown of the development budget. Without specifying what funds will be used for what, no one would know if money were being embezzled."
"There's no way anyone would do that."
"You never know when temptation might strike. By keeping things strict like this, we prevent those momentary lapses of judgment before they happen."
"Is that really how it works?"
"That's how it works. Once you're the representative, you'll end up butting heads with the accounting department, too, so you need to be thorough about these things. You're working hard because you want to become the next representative, aren't you?"
That's right.
She's one of the candidates to become the next representative.
There are other candidates as well, but personally, I'd like to see her get the position. Every now and then, I see flashes of something special in the way she manages things and comes up with ideas. I'd like to see what happens to Super Ratz under her leadership.
"Ugh. I'm going to have to deal with accounting? Somehow I've suddenly lost all motivation..."
"Don't slump over. Get back to work. Calculate the breakdown properly and bring it back to me."
"...Yes."
She trudges back to her desk and begins redrafting the document.
Despite her complaining, she always does her work properly, so that isn't an issue... The real issue, if anything, is that she's grown accustomed to running everything by me first.
I won't be the top executive forever. Eventually, she will be the one in that crucial position reviewing everything at the end. She's probably relying on me subconsciously since we've worked together for so long.
While pondering this, I continue reviewing documents, stamping approvals, and summoning the authors to make corrections whenever I spot something amiss.
* * *
Time flies quickly, and today's workday comes to a close.
"That's clock-out time. Is the evening shift crew all present?"
Super Ratz stays open until late at night, so the evening shift comes in to replace the daytime workers. Their main job is dealing with trouble inside the store.
The store itself also has replacement staff, so the people who started in the morning don't have to work straight through until night. Onii-san issued strict orders regarding this, ensuring it is thoroughly enforced.
He mentioned that back in his hometown, working overtime was treated as normal, and life consisted of nothing but going home to sleep.
...I really don't think that's a good way to live. Because then you'd have no time to flirt with your husband! Being consumed by work is simply unacceptable!
"Representative, everyone has arrived!"
"I see. Then I'll leave the night shift to you. Make sure you double-check the earnings report from the store."
"""Yes, ma'am!"""
"Good. Now get to work. Those from the morning shift, clear out quickly so you don't get in the way."
"""Yes, ma'am!"""
That's right.
We've deliberately kept the number of desks limited so that the morning and evening staff have to switch properly. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough space to work. It's a system designed to prevent overtime.
Now then, I should head home quickly too.
"See you tomorrow~!"
"Yep, see you tomorrow~!"
"What's for dinner today?"
"Hmm, maybe hamburg steaks?"
"Hey, wanna grab a drink before going home?"
"Oh, sounds good!"
Stepping outside, I hear voices like these echoing from every direction.
Watching this scene, a faint smile touches my lips.
"Geez. Onii-san works far too hard for everyone."
Onii-san himself would never admit it, but this is clearly an excessive amount of generosity... Not that I think it's a bad thing—if anything, it made me fall in love with him all over again.
However, as a result, Onii-san's burden keeps growing.
He claims that if Weed ever ran into serious trouble, he could always abandon it in a worst-case scenario, but there is no way he would ever do such a thing. That's just the kind of person he is. And that's precisely why we're all head over heels for him.
The people in town don't wear anxious expressions about tomorrow. They're simply thinking about how another day has come to an end and what they'll do tomorrow. It's hard to believe they were once slaves or scavengers digging through trash in the slums.
Not only that, but I don't think it's an exaggeration to say they enjoy the most prosperous lives on this entire continent.
"Still, it feels so mysterious. At first, there was absolutely nothing here."
Onii-san arrived, built the dungeon, we came along, a town took shape, and it became a nation.
Everything happened in a whirlwind. A speed that would normally be impossible.
As I marvel at how much things have changed, memories of the past naturally flood back.
On my way home, I remember how Eris, Milly, and I argued over that building over there, or how the design of that plaza was packed with ideas from Aslin and Filia...
Walking along in a daze while reminiscing, I suddenly realize I'm standing in front of Super Rats.
"Arya... am I being overly sentimental?"
This is Store No. 1.
In other words, the very first shop I owned and managed as store manager. Though Onii-san prepared everything for me back then.
Nowadays, I mostly spend my time in the office doing paperwork. I only occasionally come here to restock new products or inspect the store.
Since it's evening, there's a heavy flow of customers coming and going, and the staff looks busy.
Oh, right... When I first had to deal with the fairies, things were absolutely chaotic... Everyone was helping out in the store, stocking shelves or working the registers.
When I got carried away and asked for a larger store where we could handle a huge amount of merchandise, this is what he gave me. Back then, I didn't know Onii-san was from another world, so I expected a shop about the size of a standard house at most.
And then he gave us this.
Automatic doors, heating and air conditioning, an enormous sales floor, a massive refrigerated section, a huge warehouse, and a mountain of product varieties... Honestly, I thought my legs would give out from the shock.
"Hmm? Ratz, is that you? What's wrong?"
"Ah, it really is you. What are you doing here?"
"...H-Heavy. Samantha, help me."
"No thank you. You should carry your own items. Besides, you ought to think more carefully before buying so much."
"...Ugh, a valid point."
As I gaze at the shop, Onii-san, Samantha, and Cleana emerge from inside.
"Oh, nothing at all. I was just passing by on my way home and stopped for a moment. Are you three out shopping?"
"Yeah. We got a message saying we'd be short on ingredients for dinner tonight, so we came to buy some."
That makes sense.
Onii-san doesn't cook as often these days, but when it comes to selecting ingredients, he has an eye just as sharp as Killue's or Sarsari's, so he often goes out on grocery runs.
As a woman, it's frustrating to lose to him when it comes to cooking, but since it's Onii-san, I suppose I have to accept it.
In exchange, I'll let him nurse from my breasts later. My chest has been feeling quite full lately, so it's a bit tough for Shance and the others to handle it all anyway.
"And what about the items carried by my two bodyguards?"
"These are just personal purchases for our rooms. The sweets here are delicious, after all."
"Nn. Exactly."
"Oya. You bought too much."
"...It couldn't be helped. There were too many tempting things."
Cleana averts her gaze.
Samantha has a reasonable amount that she can carry in one hand, but Cleana's shopping bags are bulging in both hands.
It's a scene I've seen somewhere before.
We ourselves were also involved from the beginning, and I have the memory of the first time bringing home a bellyful of store goods.
The fairy-race people after that also splurged, didn't they? And if the slaves brought to Weed had money, they surely would have spent it lavishly too.
I suppose it's a rite of passage everyone goes through.
"If you don't have any other business, Ratz, do you want to walk home together?"
"Yes! Let's go home together."
There is simply no way I'd refuse an invitation from Onii-san.
I'll gladly dump any remaining work onto my successors. It's all to encourage their growth, so there's no problem whatsoever.
Since both of Cleana's hands are full and one of Onii-san's arms is free, I entwine my arm with his.
"...Ratz, take some of my bags, please?"
"No thank you. You should have thought more carefully before buying."
"...I suppose I'll just have to endure it today."
The four of us stroll home leisurely through the evening glow.
As we walk, Onii-san suddenly speaks up.
"Hey, Ratz. What do you plan to do after your term as representative of Super Ratz ends?"
"Huh? Why, assist you, of course, Onii-san!"
Why would he ask such a strange question?
"No, I mean aside from that. Didn't you want to run your own shop, Ratz? Once your service for the state-run business is finished, why not apply normally and open a toy shop?"
"Ah..."
Hearing those words, a warm, cozy feeling spreads through my heart.
Yes... this makes me truly happy.
"Well... that sounds lovely. But is that really alright?"
"Why wouldn't it be? It's what you want to do, isn't it? It's not like doing that means you'll leave me or neglect our daughters, right?"
"Out of the question!"
Completely impossible! Leaving Onii-san or neglecting our daughters is unthinkable!
"Then feel free to do whatever you want. I've been pushing a lot of hard work onto you all, after all. Milly and Riel blow off steam with drinking or exercising, but you and Eris rarely express your own wishes, so I was a little worried. If there's something you want to do, don't hold back. We'll all support you."
"Onii-san..."
Honestly, I'm already more than happy enough as it is.
...Or rather, in Eris's case, her way of blowing off steam is "devouring" Onii-san...
Honestly, if you keep saying sweet things like that, I'm going to push you down right here!! I'm going to devour you the moment we get home!!
Still, a toy shop, huh?
Hmm. Before devouring Onii-san tonight, I should write down some design concepts.
We have the Rabbit Mark II—an upgraded version of the stuffed rabbit I gave Aslin—so if I make that the flagship item...
Truly, being with Onii-san never gets boring.
He really is the best husband ever.
