Mastore 103 - Dumpster

Magic Realm Convenience Store – Ch. 103

Pure Meeting with a Chihuahua (2)

“How should I put this…?”

Elena trailed off and sank into thought. It seemed her mind was tangled.

And so had mine. I thought this was about verifying the effects of a new potion that makes people more honest with each other. Not filming a TV variety show…

No matter how long I waited, Elena didn't say anything, so I asked out of desperation.

"Do we... really need to go that far? Something like love?"

“Yes. It seems so. If we were actually in a romantic relationship, the verification would be much more effective, but…”

She went on to explain with a regretful expression that creating this situation was crucial.

The new potion currently in development only works between two people who recognize each other as being in love. That’s how the potion was designed.

But we're not in love. We’re the kind of people who end up having hour-long debates every time we meet because we don’t even know what love is. Naturally, the effect is bound to be reduced, and the accuracy of verification is bound to be weakened.

This was Elena's solution after contemplating how to increase that accuracy. Since we can’t fall in love on the spot, we should at least pretend to be in love.

“If this makes Chan uncomfortable, we can look for another way. Actually, I came prepared for that too—”

“No. If you think this is the right approach, then let’s do it.”

It's not like we're doing this as a joke. We're bound by contract, and I have no desire to argue against a field expert's 'this is right' when I know nothing. Just, there's one thing we need to address.

"Just, um... I'll be honest. I was going to suggest it first. I was going to ask you to take the potion, and I’d handle any magical side effects.”

“…Wow. Really?”

"I don't know if this is surprising, but yes. I can only work this way. Handling things physically. So I'm fine with it. But for Elena, well..."

“Yes.”

“Are you really okay with this? Even with someone like me?"

I think Elena is a decent succubus.

Manager told me early on in my employment that the common sense I had about succubi from my world wasn't entirely wrong.

I have no resistance to those kinds of things, and Elena is the only one I can have a proper conversation with. She's sincere about her work, and above all, this succubus is gentle. I've rarely met humans gentler than her. That's what I think.

The problem is, I don’t know how Elena thinks of me. Based on how she’s come to talk to me a few times before, she probably doesn’t dislike me, but this situation, but in this case... Who knows?

Even if it’s for work, she might be inwardly disgusted or reluctant, thinking, ‘Do I really have to do this?’. All I’ve done for her is talk a few times and hand her a couple of hangover remedies.

If she just told me, ‘Honestly, I’m not really up for this’, then I wouldn't insist on my way of handling things. I’ll find another way or endure it. Suggest that she'd be better off finding another expert—

“I'm fine.”

She cut me off sharply, slicing through my thoughts.

“I was involved in developing this potion, so I really want to be the one to verify it. So please don’t feel burdened. And, this is a personal reason, but…”

“Yes.”

"Chan, you always listen to me a lot."

I asked first. I just agreed along.

“Yes. I do.”

“You prepared for your certification in a short time, and even though you don’t show it, I think you’re incredibly capable…”

"That's kind of you. Somehow."

“I am more grateful. I’m also grateful that Chan were going to suggest this first. Even if there are side effects, I trust that you’ll handle them somehow. And also… um….”

Elena, who had been blurting out whatever came to mind, trailed off at the end. It seemed she thought the next words were too embarrassing to say outright.

"Even if the potion causes side effects..."

“Go ahead. Don’t be pressured.”

I encouraged her, but Elena hung her head low After staying like that for a while, she spoke.

“…It’s still okay. I’ve prepared myself mentally a lot.”

“No, you punk.”

Midway through, a thud echoed from the desk behind. I turned around to see the Chihuahua glaring at me like he was about to shoot lasers from his eyes. What’s his problem now?

“What.”

“What the hell have you two been talking about this whole time?”

The plastic cup in his hand was crushed to the point where it looked like an hourglass had flipped While I was choosing my words, Elena gathered her courage and answered first:.

"Um... We were discussing work. We were."

"Did I ask you, Pink Head? Work? This was a work conversation?"

"Yes..."

"For fuck's sake, how is any of this—"

The Chihuahua fell silent for some unknown reason, and Elena froze completely from fear of the unknown. I didn’t fully understand, but I knew this wasn’t the time to choose my words carefully.

“It really was about work. About the potion.”

“No….”

There are two ways to make someone feel frustrated. One is stopping mid-sentence, and the other is.

(D: THIS. This came out in Surviving as Barbarian a loootsss. It was actually real lmao.)

“Why did you stop talking?”

"...No. Never mind. Finish your goddamn nonsense.”

Maybe he realized it was work-related, or maybe he decided it wasn’t worth his attention, he shook his head once and buried his nose back in his laptop. Behind me, Elena asked in a voice that was half admiration and half trembling.

"...Ch- Chan, you can just casually talk with him...?"

“He’s a regular here. I’ve dealt with him enough times that I’ve gotten used to it. Anyway….”

We've got each other's agreement, so let's get to work.

“You said we need to pretend to be in love first, but what exactly do we need to do?"

"Ah, just a moment. I need to check the company manual again."

There’s a company manual for pretending to be in love?

"...Here. Would you like to look at this screen together?"

She tilted her body slightly to show me the PC screen, and I leaned over to take a look. The manual title written in large text at the top read, 'Act Like a Man and Woman on Their First Blind Date’.

"Hmm..."

I was already feeling lightheaded. The scroll goes down to match Elena's fingers, and behaviors that should be avoided during the verification process are revealed below.

One of them was, ‘Do not search for blind date tips online during the process’. I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t know, but do people actually do that?

"And it also says to act as naturally as possible. Don't act with a predetermined concept..."

"Don't act with a concept. What kind of dating involves acting with a concept?"

“Well, the details here say, ‘If you act based on a concept, it often leads to dishonesty, which can negatively affect the verification process…’”

We shared opinions and thoughts while checking other listed items, and ultimately reached the conclusion 'since we know absolutely nothing, let's just do what we're told'.

The person who wrote this manual must be a 9th dan in relationships. That’s probably why they’re in charge of this manual at the company. How could two single people who can't even get to level 30 in love can throw a 9th dan in love even if we rack our brains??

(Dan is a ranks in taekwondo and 9 are considered to be grandmasters. And I can’t get the last part reference.)

“And lastly… it says, ‘Don’t feel pressured’.”

"They put the hardest part at the very end."

"They really did."

Two singles chuckled together, then sighed together. Every time I read the manual, it feels like solving a 4-point math problem. Still…

"Where should we start..."

Elena's second sigh. I didn’t sigh along this time. Even though I’ve never been on a blind date or anything, I’ve made a few resolutions about how I’d like to act if I ever did. For example.

“...Elena. This elixir, do we dilute it before drinking? Or take it as is?"

“No, if you drink it as is, the effects will last way too long. You need to dilute it.”

"Then we should buy something to drink first. Is coffee okay for diluting?"

"Um... Yes. Actually, it works better in beverages. Couples in love tend to drink more beverages than plain water, so…”

“That’s a relief. Do you like sweet things? Macchiato? Cappuccino?”

Except for mutants like mint chocolate latte, we sell pretty much everything. It’s a convenience store, after all. Since I don’t know what Elena likes, I suggested sweet options for her to choose from…

I didn't list everything we sell. I thought it might sound like I'm asking her to choose from everything. Luckily, she chose from the first two options.

"I'll... have an iced macchiato, please, Chan."

“Yep.”

While buying two pack coffees and pouring them into ice cups with a gentle trickling sound, I organized my thoughts. Someone who’s never been in a relationship has to pretend to be in one.

I probably won’t do well. I’m a convenience store clerk, not a member of a romance manipulation team. Never even thought about applying for membership. Dating, for someone like me...

Still, I have to do what I can. She took time out of her day to meet me, so I can’t make it boring. Don't want to make it awkward either. What else don't I want to do...?

remembered. I don’t want to keep her waiting either. I quickly grabbed the ice cups in both hands, hooked the lids on my fingers, and brought them to the table.

"If it doesn't suit your taste, please let me know. We have several fruit teas too."

“It’s fine, I like macchiatos. Let me just pay—”

"I already paid, so just enjoy it. You can treat me next time.”

“Still....”

“Ahh.”

She looked apologetic to death, but I insisted forcefully. I’ve heard that in relationships, the guy usually pays first, but seeing her apologetic face made me unsure if I did the right thing.

"Let's do our work, work. So, if we drink this with the potion inside, it makes us more honest with each other?”

"Yes. The effect will last about an hour and a half assuming we finish all the coffee, and we just normally... um..."

“Talk like we usually do?”

"Ah, yes. Like usual. If you feel any unusual symptoms, please describe them in as much detail as possible. I’ll do the same.”

She says they'll adjust the amount of added medication and magic intensity based on these abnormal symptoms. After hearing that, I thought it sounded like a difficult task…

“The expected side effects include mild intoxication, dizziness, and fever? They might be mistaken for natural symptoms that occur in romantic relationships, but since Chan can use your constitution for this part—"

Her tone was matter-of-fact. The tone of someone who can obviously do what obviously needs to be done. I feel this every time I see her, but this succubus gets serious when it’s time to work.

"Intoxication, dizziness, fever. I'll keep an eye out."

“Yes. I think we can start now. Should I add the potion?”

"Give it to me. I need to dispell the magic anyway."

I picked up the vial and looked inside. I don’t know what kind of magic is on it, but one thing is clear: the smoke swirling inside like dry ice must be the preservation magic.

I shook it lightly. That was all it took for the mist inside to completely disperse. I opened the lid, eyeballed the amount, and poured half into Elena’s coffee cup.

I dumped the rest into my cup, and took the first sip through the straw. Elena nodded and took a couple sips with both hands.

After drinking, we both set our cups down at the same time. This is the start, but what conversation should we begin with...

"Um... Chan. I've been curious about this for a while. It's really trivial though."

"Shouldn't you ask something serious rather than trivial? That way, the verification can be done better.”

“Still, I think Chan might feel burdened....”

“Go ahead. What’s making you so nervous to ask?”

I didn't think much of it. I know well that Elena is introverted, though less so with me now. This question probably won't be heavy.

“That’s... Chan, where do you live?”






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