Kouri Mahou no Ice Creamya-san wa, Atsugari Shinkan-sama no Gohiiki desu - Volume 2

After leaving the café, Alme and Falk headed to the leather workshop where the bracelets were made.

Deep inside the maze-like alleys, last time she was able to get there without any difficulty thanks to Jayla’s guidance, but this time she got lost a lot.

On the way, they passed other people wandering around, but perhaps they, too, were people lost in this maze.

Unfortunately, Alme is one of them, so she couldn’t give them directions.

When she apologized to Falk for her wandering, he smiled like a child. While saying, “When you’re with friends, getting lost is like an adventure and it’s fun.”

So they wandered around for a while and finally arrived at the workshop.

When she knocked on the door of the ivy-covered building, the shopkeeper came out immediately. But the door was only slightly opened.

An old man with a bushy white beard – the owner of the shop – peeked out only halfway down his face.

“Hello. I’m here to discuss something with you.”

“I’m sorry! The blue leather is currently being prepared! If you want to make a bracelet, please visit another shop…! I’m sorry!!”

Before she could talk about her business, the shopkeeper spoke quickly. Something is wrong.

Alme and Falk looked at each other and blinked.

“Uh, about that blue bracelet…”

“No! I don’t know anything! I didn’t make it! I’m sorry! Maybe it’s a bracelet from another shop!”

“Um, please calm down.”

“Did something happen?”

“I don’t know if something happened–Huh? Miss, you look familiar.”

The frazzled shopkeeper suddenly looked seriously into Alme’s face. Seeing an opportunity to calm down, Alme slipped in a story.

“Thank you for your help the other day, my name is Alme. I was introduced to you by Jayla, and we made a bracelet together.”

“Ah, it’s Jayla’s friend! What the heck, I thought it was a customer who came asking for a ‘Shirotaka bracelet’. What’s wrong? Did the bracelet break? For now, come in.”

“I’m sorry to barge in here unannounced. I’m sorry to bother you.”

The owner showed a somewhat relieved expression and guided them into the shop.

The shop that was once lined with leatherwork all over the walls is completely empty. Alme was surprised to find the merchandise completely gone.

“Oh! Excuse me, but could it be that the shop is scheduled to close…!?”

“No, no, the number of customers has suddenly increased recently, and they have all been sold. Right now, we are waiting for the arrival of leather and beads.

“Is that so… Wait, could it be the Shirotaka effect?”

“Yes! That’s right! Listen to me, you two!”

Dealing with Alme and Falk, the shopkeeper began to talk fluently about recent events. He seemed desperate to talk to someone.

“Well, to my surprise, one day, a flood of customers started pouring in! There was something about Shirotaka wearing a blue leather beaded bracelet. Everyone was like, ‘Is this a real shop?’ “Please make the same one as Mr. Shirataka!” In the end, we ended up with some young ladies who were crying, saying, “Is that someone’s gift?!”

“S-I’m sorry… I’m sorry for the inconvenience…”

“No, it’s the result of my careless actions… I’m sorry.”

“Huh? Why are you two apologizing?”

Alme and Falk hunched their backs with bitter faces. The two exchanged quiet voices.

“… As I thought, it would be correct to stop the idea of ​​me acting as a signboard in front of the ice cream shop…”

“Yes, please don’t… I’m afraid there will be a battle in front of the shop as the frenzied women rush in.”

It seems that the proposal to install a mascot that looks like a fast food restaurant from her previous life was rightly rejected immediately.

The shopkeeper continued talking while exhaling.

“When I asked the customer in detail, it seemed that Mr. Shirotaka was wearing a bracelet that was very similar to ours. But, thanks to the rumors, it’s selling like this. The customers who came to visit liked the other leatherwork and bought it.”

At the end of the story, the shopkeeper finally showed a smile. His fluffy beard shook with laughter.

To Alme and Falk, who still looked reluctant, the owner broached another subject.

“I’m sorry for talking about the current situation for a long time. Let’s change the topic. So, what are you two up to?”

“Um…I’m sorry that I didn’t change the topic much…I was wondering if I could ask you to make an additional production of the blue bracelet you made last time. I run an ice cream shop. However, we are planning to make a matching bracelet with Shirotaka as a prize for the raffle held at the shop.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, the bracelet the young lady made was also the same blue as Mr. Shirotaka. I remember it very well. It’s a system that lets you choose the parts yourself, so you can’t make exactly the same thing. The best you can make is the color of the leather.”

“That’s, uh… actually, I know the real thing.”

Alme smiled wryly and sent a glance to the side. Falk, who received her gaze, removed his necklace of disguise.

Glittering particles of light danced, and a man with silvery-white hair and golden eyes appeared.

Seeing that figure, the owner of the shop shook his head.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry for the delay, but my name is Falkert Raltoze. The white falcon bracelet I have is the so-called ‘real thing’…”

“The real thing, was it made by me?!”

The shopkeeper let out a tsk tsk tsk to himself with exaggerated movements, as if he were an actor in a comedy play.

Alme explained the request.

“Actually, Mr. Shirotaka is a friend of mine… I remember the colors and order of the beads, so I thought it would be great if I could order more…There are some circumstances.”

“No, no… I was surprised. I don’t care about the production, but how many deliveries? As you can see, it’s a workshop where only one individual does it as a hobby, so I can’t handle a very large number.”

“What is the shortest possible number?”

“The raw material leather and beads will arrive within this week, so I wonder if I can get 30 pieces within the next week.”

“Then, could I have those 30 first? Also, I’d like to ask for your cooperation, if possible. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from delivering them to other shops. Of course, I will pay you the money associated with the contract. I would like to consult with you about the period and contract fee. How about it?”

If possible, she’d like to monopolize the ‘Shirotaka Bracelet’, but… that would be too selfish, so she asked him to do it for a short period of time.

If the contract fee is too high, it will be difficult, so it’s just a matter of negotiation. If the shopkeeper doesn’t agree, they have no choice but to give up.

She was prepared for that, but the owner was more relaxed than she thought.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Our shop places importance on having customers select parts and having them tailor-made. If the customer makes a vague request, such as ‘the same as Mr. Shirotaka,’ we don’t make the product in the first place. I am particular about letting customers enjoy choosing everything from the color of the leather to a single bead. If the customer happens to choose the ‘right’ combination, then I will make it.”

It seems that if he were to produce the shirotaka bracelet on a large scale, for lack of a better word, he could make a fortune, but the shopkeeper has no intention of doing so.

The workshop, he says, is his hobby. He said he doesn’t care much about sales.

For the time being, Alme was relieved to be able to sign the contract for the bracelet production.

The shopkeeper smiled broadly and added at the end.

“And, well, I’m not particularly concerned about sales, but I’m honestly grateful for the good income I’ve had recently. Look, I got some extra cash in my pocket, so I bought this. It’s a cure for my toothlessness.”

The shopkeeper opened his mouth wide and smiled, and in his front teeth were high-grade shining mithril dentures.

He seemed to have gotten a much better set of teeth. The shiny dentures are a little too glaring, but…well, it’s good to see he’s happy.

Alme and Falk squinted at the shopkeeper’s dazzling teeth and smile.

After they finished talking with the shopkeeper, on the way out, Alme looked around the shop and made one suggestion to Falk.

“Once the bracelet production resumes at the workshop, why don’t the two of us come over again? Um…Mr. Shirataka blue bracelet seems to be a trend in the city…Aside from that, one more thing, I want to make something that matches with you… but I’m embarrassed because it’s childish.”

Alme was thinking that she should withdraw the turmoil in her chest and get rid of it. Suddenly, she spilled out her feelings.

It is a childish and silly desire to have their own matching bracelets as a proof of their friendship.

She wondered if she would be able to give up on the idea but when she glanced at Falk’s face, he looked happy to oblige.

“Come on! Let’s make matching things! Next time, let’s choose the parts together and engrave the same words.”

Alme laughed at his enthusiasm.

Seeing his smile, the knot in her chest quickly dissipated.

Now that she has a new exciting appointment to look forward to, she’s going to think carefully about the words she’s going to have engraved on the leather before their next visit.