Chapter 31

A week had passed since I was summoned to Kattenstrokt, Fiene’s hometown.

Today was the day to return to Japan. Normally, the summons occurred once every six days, but since the previous one had happened after only five days due to certain circumstances, we had extended this stay by a single day.

“Ahhh, I really don’t want to go back.”

Yoshioka let out a loud groan.

He seemed to have grown completely accustomed to the journey and was thoroughly settled into life in this world. Apparently, he found researching and practicing magic so fun he couldn’t help himself.

I felt exactly the same way.

While there were plenty of hardships, the journey to the Royal Capital was an enjoyable one.

“You’ll just have to get them to re-summon us immediately, right?”

“That’s true. It’ll be Saturday evening by the time we get back over there. We’ll have plenty of time to shop. Let’s just take a taxi.”

Once we returned to Japan, we planned to go buy a high-end tea set and some crystal glassware. We had decided to set the return transport for 5:00 PM Japan time to keep things simple.

Until that evening arrived, we continued our trek straight south along the Reinga Road.

That evening, as usual, we took up lodging at a temple in a certain village. There were only about forty minutes left until our return. I hurriedly put together a shopping list.

-High-end tea set
-Crystal glass
-Fleeces for Clara-sama and Fiene
-Plastic storage cases with lids
-Chocolate
-Wine

“Is there anything else?”

“Fiene has been practicing her writing, so I’d like some notebooks and pencils for her.”

Notebooks and pencils, huh? Something with soft lead, like 4B, would probably be best. It would also be better if the lined spacing wasn’t too narrow.

“Anything else? Clara-sama, is there anything you would like?”

“I am fine. I am eating the chocolate you purchased the other day very sparingly, so I still have some left.”

That was quite a while ago. She really was treasuring it.

At that point, I decided to speak to Clara-sama about something that had been on my mind for a while.

“Clara-sama, there is something I wish to discuss.”

Seeing the serious expression I rarely showed, Clara-sama straightened her posture.

“What is it, so suddenly?”

“Clara-sama, would you be interested in investing in us?”

Currently, we had about one million Marques on hand. While that was a significant sum of money, it was a small amount if viewed as capital for a business. Both Yoshioka and I had more savings than that, but we had no intention of touching those funds. That was a safeguard in case the business failed or if we became unable to come to this world.

However, the more capital one had, the easier it was for a business to succeed. Plus, I was certain it would increase Clara-sama’s personal wealth as well.

“In other words, I provide the funds, and you and Kota use that money to purchase goods.”

“Yes. I can’t guarantee success, but there’s a possibility people will buy them at high prices, just like the Count of Bremen did.”

Clara-sama thought about it for a moment.

“Very well. I shall trust you and Kota and entrust you with the funds. I’m counting on you.”

It seemed Clara-sama was on board.

“However, I do not possess such a vast fortune. The limit of what I can provide is 100,000 Marques.”

“That’s plenty. For now, let’s try to grow that 100,000 Marques.”

With that, we took ten large silver coins from Clara-sama and moved to the small room in the gap between worlds.

The re-summons was set for 8:00 PM, so we didn’t have much time to stay.

I exchanged the Marques for Yen at the exchange machine.

“Let’s organize our plan before we head over there.”

“Right. The destination is the parking lot of your house, Senpai. Should we head to a department store first? They’ll definitely have the items in stock.”

“True. But I think you can only get the really expensive collector’s items at specialty shops.”

“Let’s look that up while we’re in the taxi. Keep your smartphone powered on.”

“Got it. I’m going to put the money in Spatial Storage just to be safe; carrying this much makes me nervous.”

After deciding on a rough timetable, I touched the red door.

The air in Japan after so long tasted awful. Had it always smelled like this? I suppose spending so much time surrounded by nature had changed my perspective.

Luckily, we managed to hail a taxi on a main street and had the driver hurry to Shinjuku. The roads were slightly congested.

“Yikes, look at this, Senpai. In the world of antiques and limited editions, prices over a million yen are totally normal.”

The tea sets were incredibly expensive depending on the brand. Items once presented to some 18th-century Count or another easily exceeded two million yen. But thinking about it, those were items that earned such price tags for a reason.

“Today, let’s source multiple sets in the 100,000 to 200,000 yen price range.”

“Risk diversification is the fundamental of investing, after all.”

If we bought only one high-end item and it didn’t sell, we’d be stuck with dead stock. It was better to buy various styles and feel out the preferences of the people in the Kingdom of Saxens. Our goal was to buy for 200,000 yen and sell for over a million.

At a certain department store, Yoshioka and I split up. I rushed to buy the tea sets while Yoshioka hurried to handle the crystal glassware. Honestly, ordering online would have been easier, but we couldn’t afford to wait for delivery.

There were only two hours and twenty minutes left until the re-summons.

I began assembling sets: teapots, creamers, sugar boxes, and service plates. Seeing me as a high-value customer, the clerk brought over a manager who gave me various detailed explanations.

My budget this time was 700,000 yen. I dashed through three different shops and purchased three sets. The lineup ranged from just under 200,000 to over 300,000 yen per six-person set. I chose classic designs; I had a feeling that anything too contemporary wouldn’t be well-received.

In fact, it might have been better to have Clara-sama choose them herself.

After purchasing the items, I visited as many shops as possible to collect catalogs. For items only available in specialty boutiques, I downloaded a ton of images onto my smartphone.

I eventually met back up with Yoshioka, who had finished buying the glassware.

“Paragon is nice, but Royal Crown Derby is great too.”

“I like Limoges and things like that as well.”

Having become slightly more knowledgeable about teacups, we exchanged bits of trivia like a pair of insufferable poseurs and headed toward the basement food court.

Our goals were chocolate and wine. I bought five boxes of high-end chocolate from a brand favored by some royal family or another. Next, at the wine section, I picked out five reasonable bottles priced up to 3,000 yen. These weren’t for active sale, but rather to entertain guests with “rare” wine. Clara-sama liked wine, so I was sure she’d be happy.

As an extra, I also bought a bottle of brandy worth about 10,000 yen. As expected, I didn’t have enough money left to buy something like a Richard or a Jubilee.

“Senpai, let’s buy some sparkling wine at least. To celebrate when our next business venture succeeds.”

“Good point. We’ll save the actual Champagne for next time.”

I paid for the 3,000-yen sparkling wine out of my own pocket. After that, Yoshioka bought some wild vegetable okowa, while I picked up some braised pork belly, fresh spring rolls, and baumkuchen before leaving the food section.

It was 7:30 PM.

“It’s almost closing time.”

“More importantly, it’s almost time for the summons.”

We hurriedly bought pencils and notebooks, then switched shops to buy the fleeces.

“We somehow made it in time.”

“How much longer?”

“Twelve minutes.”

It really had been down to the wire. Both of us sat on a bench in the plaza and stretched out our legs.

“It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it? It’s still Saturday night here,” Yoshioka muttered pensively.

The urban clamor echoing around us felt artificial for some reason, lacking a sense of reality. The city was still wrapped in the sound of Christmas songs.