Chapter 16

“Pop-up store? What’s that?”

Of course they wouldn’t know. It’s from the modern world I used to live in. I blurted it out because there wasn’t a perfectly fitting term when I tried to explain it.

“It’s a store specializing in short-term limited-time sales.”

“Short-term limited sales?”

Questions kept coming one after another.

I tried to explain it as simply and memorably as possible.

“Think of it as a retail shop that operates for a short period. It appears suddenly and disappears quickly—like a ‘pop’—so I named it that. Haha….”

The vice-head tilted his head.

“What kind of promotional effect is that supposed to have? I don’t see how it’s different from selling cosmetics alongside Daijo’s regular goods.”

‘This is important. I have to explain it well.’

I forced a smile.

“As I mentioned, Daijo focuses on daily necessities, so it’s hard to give the glamorous or luxurious image young ladies expect. But, again, our products are the best for the price.”

The merchant guild head nodded slightly.

“So I propose creating a new cosmetics brand under Daijo. To effectively promote to the main consumers—young women—we should have a separate store. It lets customers visually experience the brand image and prevents Daijo’s existing image from intruding on the cosmetics.”

As the explanation went deeper, frowns appeared on the executives’ faces. I held up a lipstick from another brand.

“For example, this product I’m holding is from Madame Rouge. However, when you visit Madame Rouge’s shop, it’s not just cosmetics. It’s filled with sofas and teacups used by noblewomen, the scent of fine tea leaves, exotic carpets imported from abroad—antique items. The products are designed to perfectly match the shop’s atmosphere. Market research shows regulars think, ‘If I wear this cosmetic, I feel like a graceful lady.’”

“…!”

The mostly male executives looked surprised. I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘If they can’t understand a beauty enthusiast’s mindset, how can they run a cosmetics business…’

“You can think of it as buying the image along with the product. So we want to run a space where customers can fully experience our cosmetics, briefly but intensely.”

Our department head raised a hand and asked a question.

“But why temporary? Wouldn’t it be better to operate continuously?”

“Because it’s promotion. If you open a special shop for a limited time and sell special products, more people will gather.”

“Special products?”

The head of the sales goods department raised an eyebrow at the phrase “special products.”

“If we add limited items that can only be purchased during the pop-up period, it will generate more interest and desire to buy.”

‘I want to say “limited edition.”’

But explaining even one pop-up store was hard enough; going further would be too much. The key advantage, aside from the ones I’ve mentioned, is ‘fun.’ Seeing well-made products in a well-styled concept space is entertaining. There are many other elements, but understanding this much is already valuable.

“(Omitted)……. That concludes my presentation on the new cosmetics brand launch plan.”

When I finished, the conference room fell into a hushed silence.

“……”

“……”

I watched the merchant guild head’s expression—the highest authority in the room.

‘I’m quietly nervous.’

He pondered for a long moment, then spoke slowly.

“It’s new and bold. I’ve never heard of it before.”

I swallowed without thinking. I couldn’t easily predict whether my modern-world experience and knowledge would resonate with these people.

“But oddly, it makes sense. What do you all think?”

When the merchant guild head opened the floor, cautious opinions came from all sides—some worried it was risky, others thought it was worth trying.

The vice-head rubbed his chin and said.

“The same method failed last time, so the answer is obvious. We should try something new. That girl, who lights up at cosmetics, probably has a much better chance than we do.”

His comment gradually tipped the opinions toward approval.

“Cornelia, was it?”

The merchant guild head asked.

“Yes.”

“Proceed as you think best. Have Samora take the lead, and have other department executives actively cooperate. Understood?”

Fortunately, there was enough consensus that everyone readily agreed.

When I left the conference room, two people waiting for me ran up.

When I told them what had happened inside, Pinea and Nicola hugged me and jumped up and down.

“Amazing, Coco! Really amazing!”

“I believed in you! I told you I’d bet on this!”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

Whether from staying up all night or from the release of tension, my body sagged with fatigue.

‘Still, it feels a bit rewarding.’

Work moved quickly and efficiently.

There was a lot to do.

We had to plan the cosmetics brand, design the packaging, and find a space to open the pop-up store.

‘At least I managed to convince them by saying “pop pop” to convey the popping sound of a pop-up.’

I’m really glad no executive asked, “Why is ‘pop pop’ ‘pop-up’?”.

The cosmetics brand name was decided as ‘Black Dia’ to reflect the marquis’s daughter’s taste.

‘I already had a shop in mind.’

We rented a shop on a street frequented by young ladies for one month.

Designing the interior to match the Black Dia brand concept and cosmetics wasn’t easy. With the help of Pinea and the beauty-obsessed female staff who knew local trends better than I did, we planned everything carefully.

Day by day I was exhausted, but thinking of the special bonus kept me going. Fortunately, employees from other departments cooperated actively, which made things easier.

Crash!

Startled by the sudden loud noise, I turned around. A Daijo female employee and Bator were facing off. On the floor lay an expensive glass ornament spilled from a box, shattered into pieces.

“Watch where you’re looking. Pay attention when you walk.”

“Hey, sir!”

When the female employee called, he stepped closer in a threatening manner.

“What. You got something to say?”

“…You bumped into me.”

The employee flinched and shrank back slightly.

“That’s why I told you to watch where you’re looking. How dare a woman scold a man?”

Bator picked up a shard, turned it over, then dropped it to the floor with a thud and stomped on it repeatedly as if to make sure.

“…!”

The shop’s atmosphere grew cold.

“Senior.”

At the voice breaking the silence, Bator turned his head toward me, as if he’d been waiting.

“Please leave.”

He issued the customer-expulsion order firmly. He strode toward me angrily and shoved his vile face in front of mine.

“So there’s no such thing as senior now, is there?”

“……”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t avert my eyes. Bator spat at my feet, then shoved me with his shoulder. I staggered.

“Enjoy it while you can. It’ll be ruined soon.”

Then he slammed the shop door and left. That was something I wanted to say.

“Enjoy it. I’ll crush your life.”

Time flew by as we worked, and before I knew it, the pop-up store opening was right in front of us.

“Ugh… I’m nervous, Coco!”

Pinea grabbed my shoulder and shook me energetically.

I had one wish.

‘I hope all this hard work was worth it.’

“How much longer do we have to wait?”

“Miss, you’ll have to wait another 30 minutes…”

“What, we’ve already waited 30 minutes and now we have to wait more?”

The count’s daughter slumped in the carriage, exhausted from waiting.

There were many young ladies waiting behind her. Those who had walked over for a stroll stood with parasols while they waited. The shop was that popular.

They opened the shop without notice in the middle of the capital and said they’d open it for exactly one month. Lately, if you didn’t go, you couldn’t keep up with friends’ conversations.

“It’s just made by Daijo, after all.”

Recalling the Daijo cosmetics that had been displayed among daily goods four years ago, the young lady shook her head. She didn’t think anything special had changed. Everyone probably came once because the influential Aurelianus marquis family was involved.

“Miss, you may enter now.”

Finally, it was her turn; she descended, escorted by her guard. She could feel envious looks from the other waiting young ladies. The vintage yet punchy black sign shone and drew attention.

‘Black Dia.’

It was a name she liked. An incredibly expensive gem that’s hard to find in the empire or abroad.

The shop’s mood matched the idea of being open for just one month. Her heart beat with anticipation. A freckled clerk who had taken her ticket guided her kindly.

“Your turn is confirmed. Please come in and look around comfortably. Have a good time.”

How many cosmetics stores and dress shops had she visited by now? She assumed that aside from being open for a limited period, the interior would be within her expectations.

‘It won’t be easy to surprise me.’

But that thought shattered the moment she stepped inside.

“W-what is this?”

The fact that this cosmetics brand was made by Daijo was already gone from her mind.