Konbini Ossan Volume 2 Chapter 11 – Finally, Opening for Business

After handing the Light Stone to Gaius, I stopped by the guild to collect some junk magic stones and then returned home.

There, Arisa and I worked together to enchant the stones once again.

And so, for the next several days, we continued this routine — going to the guild to collect junk stones and then imbuing them with enchantments.

During the day, I worked on repurposing scrap wood and occasionally went to the market to buy supplies, gradually transforming the store interior into something presentable.

Thanks to all that effort, the first floor now looked quite convincingly like an actual shop.

That means it’s finally time to prepare for opening.

Even before dawn, when there’s barely any foot traffic, Arisa and I get up. Well, technically she got up — I hadn't actually slept at all.

(E/N: This guy… No wonder he looks like a Cave Dwarf, or maybe it's the other way round 😂.)

Together, we carry the signboard out to the front of the shop.

“Arisa-san, be careful of the step.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

Over the past few days, Arisa and I had grown quite close. Well, close enough to carry on casual conversations, at least.

But that alone was a big improvement. She had always been on edge around me, seemingly cautious and tense. Now she talked to me naturally.

It reminded me of how she was as a child — and made me feel oddly nostalgic.

“...What’re you grinning about, old man? Creepy.”

Ah. I guess my face gave away my emotions. And now she thinks I’m gross. Well, she’s not wrong. I am a creepy old man, after all.

Anyway, we managed to carry out the large signboard — which used to be an old dining table.

“So… how are we gonna hang it?”

Arisa asked a reasonable question.

Neither of us brought any tools. All we had was a step ladder. That wasn’t going to get us far beyond simply raising the signboard.

But I had a plan.

“Leave it to me. Now’s the perfect time to put one of my unwanted skill to use.”

“Ohhh, no idea what that means, but it sounds like you’re about to do something awesome, old man!”

Arisa looked at me with a rare spark of anticipation. Heh. It’s nice to act cool once in a while.

And so, to put up the sign, I activated one of my skills. A skill that even humans can use — but so niche you’d never normally bother with it.

I approached the end of the signboard that Arisa was holding...

“Ptooey!”

…and I spat on it.

“...Huh? I'm gonna kill you.”

Arisa glared at me, livid.

“Wait, wait! Please, Arisa-san, I have a perfectly good reason for this.”

“I don't care what your reason is — I’m still gonna kill you. Don’t just spit out of nowhere, you freak. Ugh, that’s so gross. Seriously, die. Like actually die.”

Wow, that was a strong reaction. I didn’t expect her to be this disgusted. I mean, come on — old men spit, it’s just a thing we do. Have a little tolerance.

“I'm really sorry, Arisa-san. But I swear this is necessary.”

“Don't care. Still gross.”

She wasn’t even giving me a chance. Apologizing wouldn’t do much here — I had to push through with brute explanation.

“Actually, that saliva was created using a skill. It’s called «Adhesive Liquid». Once it dries, it hardens and becomes incredibly strong.”

“And?”

“So I thought I could use it to stick the signboard up.”

“Gross. No. Just no.”

Completely rejected. Well, I have no choice. I’ll have to ask for help anyway.

“Arisa-san, please. I can’t lift and mount the sign on my own. Would you at least help me hold one side while I attach it?”

“Tch. Fine. Whatever.”

“I really appreciate it.”

“Spitting is still disgusting, but I’ll at least help get the job done.”

“Thank you. And again — really sorry.”

I bowed and apologized again and again. Sometimes, repeated humility is the best way to defuse someone in a bad mood.

Eventually, her scowl eased slightly. Just slightly, though.

Anyway, with her reluctant approval, I proceeded with my plan. I spat more adhesive liquid onto the back of the sign until it was thoroughly soaked.

Then, using the step ladder, I lifted it to the upper section of the shop entrance and pressed it firmly in place.

It took several minutes of standing there while the spit dried. Thanks to my boosted stats, I had no trouble holding the position.

Arisa, on the other hand, looked like she might vomit, clearly disturbed at having to touch something covered in saliva.

I wondered if this counted as a form of sexual harassment. If so, I should probably offer a sincere apology later.

While I pondered that, the adhesive finished drying. The skill worked perfectly — the sign was firmly stuck in place.

I cautiously removed my hands to confirm it wouldn't fall.

Success. Despite all the drama, the shop was finally ready to open.

This is it — the real beginning of my work.

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E/N:

If an old man spit near me, I would be disgusted too 😭. Ossan went "Hawk tuah! Spit on that thang!", 🤣!

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