"Didn't you say you wouldn't talk about your 'Oshi' on the first day?"

  "It’s okay if I'm talking directly to my Oshi!"

  "I don't understand your criteria..."

  When I returned to the shop in high spirits, Luldona and Scorie were chatting away like old friends. As I approached, they didn't even notice me. (A crimson-haired girl with a clay-like complexion and a tall, model-like Pixie. This is what an 'Other World' should look like! ...I could watch them forever.)

  "I'm back," I said, forced to speak up. If I kept staring from this close, they’d definitely suspect me of being a creep again.

  "Oh, Boss! Welcome back!"

  "Welcome back. Did you get the permit? How much was the fine?"

  "They waived the fine since I'm a 'Reincarnated One.' And here’s the permit, loud and clear." I showed them the permit written on thick cardstock and pinned it to the wall with a tack. "Anyway, the rule is to cook the food thoroughly or salt it—basically, make sure it doesn't rot. Well, I'll be the one doing the cooking most of the time."

  "Got it!"

  "Understood."

  "Wait, Scorie. Was your skin always like that?" I noticed her face looked like it was made of stone.

  "Oh, haha. This is a bit embarrassing. Stone Pixies have skin that hardens into rock as night falls."

  "Huh. Mind if I...?" I touched her arm, and it was indeed grainy. It was a fascinating texture—somewhere between sandstone and high-quality ceramic, pleasantly rough yet warm.

  "Sexual harassment!" Scorie snapped her arm away, pretending to be coy.

  "Don't be dramatic... Does your skin get harder toward midnight? Like, do you turn completely to stone when you sleep? And is it softest at noon?"

  "Wha—you're analyzing me... Luldona-san, this guy is a total creep. And he’s right, too!"

  "Yes, he is a creep. Remember that," Luldona agreed.

  "I was hoping for a little denial... but for a creator, 'creep' is a compliment! Anyway, if I use the magic of this world, I can definitely make some amazing things! Creating in another world is the best!"

  "Repay your debt before you start 'creating'!" Luldona barked, stopping my excitement in its tracks.

  "Right... Oh, and I asked Mary to make a sign for the shop tomorrow, but I also got this." A Lunar Magic Clock. Its power source was moonlight. It was basically like a solar panel.

  "That’s actually quite expensive. For Mary to give you that... she must really like you."

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  "Really? I just thought she was a generous person."

  "No way, she’s usually super strict! You’ve definitely caught her eye, Boss. Well, you are serious, and your face isn't too bad. Plus, you’ve got those toned legs from working hard—moms and housewives will love you."

  "Is that so? But getting popular with married women doesn't really help me much..."

  "She’s giving you extra service, so just accept it," Luldona added.

  "I don't know... 'Nothing is more expensive than something free' is a universal truth. It’s nice when you’re starting out, though."

  "Just thank her properly once you’ve earned some money."

  "More importantly, the Brick Bread is selling well—the shelf is almost empty!"

  "Oh!"

  "Don't let the shelf stay empty! Hurry up and make some small plates or something you can whip up quickly! I’ve already brought the clay!"

  I took one of Luldona’s pleasant kicks to the rear and headed to the workshop.

  ***

  The Next Day

  Hammering and sawing sounds filled the air.

  The contractors arrived and finished the sign in no time, making sure it was clearly visible from the street.

  "Thank you so much!"

  "Don't mention it! Just make sure you earn a ton so you can hire us again when you expand the shop!"

  The contractors were generous and had built a grand sign.

  LUNA CRAFTY CO.

  The letters on the sign looked quite professional. (The writing was being automatically translated in my head.) Once again, I brought out some pickles in my favorite ceramic jars.

  "Oh, how thoughtful! Maybe I'll buy some of these on my way out!"

  The contractors bought up my side dishes one after another before leaving. Scorie also sold them a bunch of freshly stocked Brick Bread.

  "We're heading up the mountain for some logging work, see. My wife's lunch box isn't quite enough for the job."

  "Thank you very much!"

  Right after they left, Luldona came over to praise me.

  "Not bad. Letting them taste-test, building the connection, and then getting them to buy in bulk. That’s a solid sales strategy."

  Watching the backs of the craftsmen as they left early in the morning, I took in her praise for my work.

  "You’re really getting smarter, Luldona."

  "Of course I am. Every night, I analyze your movements and learn. It’s Deep Learning, Kutani. Deep Learning! ...A-And don't get the wrong idea! It’s not like I’m scanning you because I care! It’s just optimization!"

  "Deep... what? I don't really get those fancy words, but I'll leave the heavy thinking to you. Your head seems way clearer than mine anyway."

  "We think... together!"

  I took another sharp kick from Luldona straight to my rear.

  "Ow... Hey, anyway, I don't need 'Deep' whatever. What I need is Debt Learning. I’m learning the hard way right now how to pay off a 750,000 debt!"

  "...D-Debt Learning? That’s an undefined term in my database. But I am monitoring your empty wallet in real-time. You’d better earn enough to cover my maintenance, too!"

  "You know, this world really is full of good people," I said softly, looking up at the shop sign from a distance.

  "It’s only the Reincarnated Ones who are bad," Luldona agreed.

  Thinking back, my old world really was cutthroat. If you walked down the street, you’d get road-raged; if you were a minute late at the station, you’d get yelled at; and if you made a single typo on a document, they’d act like they were going to sue you for everything you were worth.

  "B-BOSS!"

  But as usual, I didn't have time to sink into my memories. A distressed voice echoed from inside the shop.