Mastore 155 - Dumpster

Magic Realm Convenience Store – Ch. 155

Everything has a cause and effect (7)

"Moving?"

“Does Chan remember what I said on Chan’s first day of work? About how this store relocates all over the place."

"Uh..."

I do remember. This convenience store does business sometimes in front of the academy district, sometimes at this intersection where we are now, and occasionally in front of the Demon King's Castle, she had said.

Since I had only been working at this intersection for nearly a month straight, I had half-forgotten about it. Since it came to mind, I asked.

"About that, Manager-nim. What exactly is the Demon King's Castle in this world? Is it a place that makes good jajangmyeon?"

"Huh? It used to be where an extremely wicked and evil Demon King lived."

"If it 'was' where he lived, then what about now?"

"A war memorial. Free admission."

After saying this, she added that in the old days, a demon king really did exist in this world. He was the instigator of the Great War. And with the death of that Demon King, the war came to an end.

After that, they held a marathon meeting for about a week about what to do with the Demon King's Castle building which had lost its owner and reason for existing before deciding to preserve it as-is and turn it into a war memorial.

“If you see the Demon King’s Castle from outside, it’s so gloomy it’ll make you gasp. They even used magic to recreate the atmosphere of that era exactly."

"Then isn't it too scary to enter, just like back then?"

“Nope. It’s only spooky on the outside and the inside is perfectly fine. When you go in, there are things like the history of the Four Heavenly Kings and magical military uniforms they used to wear back then."

I wondered what the Four Heavenly Kings were, but since my biggest curiosity had already been resolved, I didn't ask any more questions. Manager paused for a moment while looking at me and added.

"Of course it's not dangerous at all. Occasionally bats fly from the spire, that's about it?"

"Glad you clarified. Anyway, about the..."

“The moving?”

“Yes. Was it something Manager-nim had been planning for a while?”

"I was thinking it would be good to go around mid-June this year. That’s when business is the best.”

The reason business would be good was because mid-June was when the academic schedules of the academies and schools in the academy district all lined up perfectly.

Among the numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, especially students advancing in magic-related fields are at the stage where they begin handling magical items in earnest, and universities are in their end-of-semester season—

"Wait. Are you saying that dozens of elementary, middle, high schools, and universities are all crammed into that area?"

“Un.”

"How big is that place?"

"I don't know that either, but I remember there were buses running inside."

No way, there are even buses running around in a place where kids study...

Since I'm someone who not only never experienced campus life but haven't even been to a campus, it's hard for me to imagine. I've only been there twice, but that’s only by the exam building near the entrance.

But judging from what Manager has told me, I have a feeling that a massive hellgate will open inside the store. After thinking a bit more, I asked.

"When are you planning to move?"

“After hearing Chan’s opinion. Moving doesn't take much time, you know."

She said it wouldn’t even take five minutes to swap out the products on the display shelves and perform the teleportation. From my perspective, it means my workplace changes overnight, so it seems like she's asking out of consideration...

Not that I had any say. I don't own any shares in this store. If the owner, Manager, says we go, then we go. What more could I possibly say as just an employee?

Since I was planning to find a house in that area anyway, commuting won't be a problem, and I don't have any luggage to worry about so there's nothing to prepare. There's just one concern.

When I looked down at Hana, she was making a tearful face, as if she somewhat understood the conversation we were having. Or maybe she was just reacting to the word 'moving'.

"Mister, you said you weren't moving...."

"I didn't lie. I'm not moving. It's just this store that's moving."

"Waaah..."

"It's not like we won't see each other anymore. Hana, don't you go to kindergarten near the Academy District?"

When we teleported once before, the store appeared in a building right in front of the main gate station of the Academy District. This move would probably be the same.

Hana said she attended kindergarten over there, so rather than seeing less of each other, we might actually see each other even more often. After explaining this, Hana wiped her teary eyes and exclaimed brightly.

"Aha!"

“And next time you make some friends, bring them along too. It’s right nearby, so it won’t be a burden for them either.”

“Yesh!”

Even if things worked out well with Hana, I'm not sure how other regular customers will take this. Especially Mongmong.

This guy doesn't even have a phone, so I can't send a text message saying we've moved somewhere. If we just moved without a word, I might never see him again for the rest of my life. I spoke carefully to Manager.

"Manager-nim. About this, um...."

“Un.”

"Is it possible to delay it for just a day or two? This is purely for personal reasons, and it might sound unreasonable, but..."

“That makes sense. I’m worried about him too.”

“...Yes. Thank you.”

"But we can't delay too much. Chan know that."

I agreed. Even I feel complicated when I look at the sales receipts from the past few days, so how much worse must it be for Manager. It's obvious that sales will continue to be in this state until the street returns to normal.

We can’t put Manager’s livelihood and my paycheck on hold indefinitely, waiting for who-knows-when Mongmong might show up. Nor was I planning to just sit and wait idly.

"About this, I'll go directly to where this guy lives and check."

"Ah. Chan will? When?"

"Right now. I was planning to look around outside today anyway."

I had already sent a text to Manager saying I probably needed to find a place near the Academy District. I also said I wanted to look around for a while.

I can't finish looking at houses in just one day anyway. Even the shortest lease of studio apartment ais six months, so you can't decide on a place to live for half a year after looking at it in one day.

“Will Chan’s body be okay?”

"I think I'll be fine. Even after staying up all night these past few days and walking around during the day, I don't feel particularly tired. First..."

Where did that guy live again?

All I know is that he stays at a public park about an hour’s waddling distance for a Pomeranian on the opposite side of the Academy District. With my pace, it would take roughly 30 minutes.

I set that as the rough estimate and checked the map app, and fortunately, there was just one park that met the criteria. After turning off the screen, I grabbed my wallet and took off my uniform.

"Handover notes are, uh... Feels weird clocking out like this, Manager-nim."

"I know, right? Without drawing the curtains or turning on the switch."

“Cwutain? Swiitch?”

“There’s a thing like that, Hana. So what will you do? Want to stay and hang out with Manager-nim?”

Manager had already placed Hana sitting on her lap. It seemed like she was quite comfortable being with Manager, as she just flapped her tail and legs on either side of Manager’s lap without showing any sign of awkwardness.

At my question, she raised her head to look up at Manager's face, and then said somewhat hesitantly.

“Umm… Mister, you’ww be going to see Mongmong, wight?”

“Why? You wanna come along too?”

“Because, I’m worried too…”

Then she raises her head again to gauge Manager's reaction. Maybe she felt she should stay since Manager had played with her before.

Manager caught her eyes and smiled wide, gently patting Hana’s back as she replied. It's a face with mischief activated.

"Have a good trip, Hana. I'll just stay here working alone and lonely, occasionally counting cigarette inventory and arranging products."

“Uuh… Umm. Ah, right!”

Saying that, Hana stretched out her body to pull out the chocolate box from under the register and handed it to Manager. It was the chocolate she had mentioned wanting to share earlier.

"This, for Unnie. But not aww of it!”

“Oh my. Where did you get this?”

“Umm, this….”

She went on to explain how it’s chocolate she really, really likes, and how her mom only buys her one per week saying more would rot her teeth. So that chocolate had that kind of secret behind it, huh?

“I’m okey if I don’t get any, but. Mister has to eat some too…”

As Hana said this, Manager's expression looking at my eyes was raising the corners of her mouth in a 'Should I eat it all?' expression. I said confidently.

"At 18 years old, it's certainly an age to be picky, Manager-nim. I understand."

"If you don't come back soon, I’m gonna eat this delicious thing aaall~ by myse~lf. Got it?"

* * *

One hand held my phone and an empty tote bag, the other gripped Hana’s hand as we stepped outside. After checking the map app, the arrow was pointing to the right direction.

“We gotta go fast, Mister! Or, Unnie’s gonna eat aww the chocowate!”

“Manager was joking, so I don't think we need to hurry."

"Eh?"

"Pretty sure it was a joke. Maybe..."

I glanced back as we were leaving and saw Manager placing the chocolate box in a cool spot behind the dairy products section. Well, it would melt if left at room temperature, wouldn't it?

“…Still, let’s not walk too slowly. She’ll be waiting.”

“Un!”

Honestly, I wanted some too. I bought and tried several other chocolates at the store, but no matter what I bought, it didn't taste like the chocolate Hana gave me.

This also happened on my first day of work. Back when I was helping her make a Parents' Day gift, I never thought we'd end up walking side by side on the street like this.

“Come to think of it, did your mommy like the Mother’s Day gift?”

“Yesh. Mommy said she’s gonna keep it safe. And―”

We walked, leaving small and large footprints in the scattered mud on the sidewalk, carefully avoiding rainwater puddles.

We walked for about 20 minutes, chatting about various things, starting with what happened to the Parents' Day gift. One of those conversations was about people walking on the street.

"Hana. You avoid adults with bad hearts when walking around, right?"

“Un.”

“By any chance, um... is there anything else? Like something your mommy gave you?”

Her mother’s workplace is only about a 15-minute walk away, and the streets are open. I don't think anything bad will happen in that short time, but you never know.

There would be times when she needs to go out even if not to our store. I phrased it carefully, not wanting to plant scary ideas, but Hana seemed to understand immediately.

"Mommy gave me this!"

“Guess so. What is it?”

"Um... Wait a sec."

She briefly let go of my hand and showed me her backpack, and there was something like a small call button hanging under the bag strap. Something that makes a loud noise when pressed?

“This. If I push this, mommy’s fwends come!”

“Your mommy’s friends… you mean dragons?”

“Yesh. When Mommy’s busy at work, sometimes they come pway with me.”

It seems there are several dragons working at the child's mother's company, and normally they transform into human form like Hana's mother or Hana herself.

But the moment this buzzer is pressed, they would probably transform into house-sized dragons and come flying. I stared at it for a second before asking.

"Are those dragons big?"

“No? Not as big as mommy.”

“Huh…”

Should I press it once?

Although they're not that big, how many times in life can you see dragons flocking across the sky? I’ve never seen one in all my time working in this world

When I suggested this idea, Hana shook her head with all her might.

“No. Mister. Before, I dwopped my phone down below, so I pressed this and called Mommy's friends..."

It sounds like she accidentally dropped her phone while playing near a drain. I continued asking:

"Oh. And then?"

“They came and smashed evewything, then the other grown-ups came and scowded them!”

"Good lesson."

“Yesh. I’m sowwy, mister can’t push it.”

I didn’t get why it ended with her apologizing, but it was clear Hana was really loved by those dragons. They even smashed up a drain to get her phone back.

"Now I don’t take my phone out much outside."

“Good thing you learned.”

“So Mister shouldn’t walk awound wooking at your phone either. You’ll be in big trouble.”

“I have no choice, I gotta look at the map. Just give me ten more minutes.”

“Un.”

As if remembering our conversation, she kept glancing at my phone while we walked while holding hands. Thanks to this, sweat started to build up in the hand holding the phone.

After 10 minutes of checking landmarks and street signs, we arrived at what looked like the public park.

[Ending navigation.]

There were multiple entrances and exits that I could see from afar, but there was no sign or main entrance where we were standing.

Still, inside I could see trees lining paths, benches, and a fountain that had stopped working. So it must be the public park. I looked down at Hana and asked.

"Hana. Where do you think Mongmong might be in here?"

But Hana was staring intently at something dark on the right side of the park. I followed her gaze and rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing it right.

“...No....”

“Mister, Mister.”

“Yeah.”

“Over there, another Mongmong is wying down.”

I was seeing correctly. A Doberman was lying collapsed. It seemed to be one of those that would have been called Black Wind Gang in this park...



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