Volume 5 Chapter 16 The 100 Yen Store is a Magic Shop
"Yuusuke-san, Yuusuke-san. Is it okay if I buy this?"
"No matter how many times I look at it, the technological prowess of this world is amazing. It's astonishing that something like this can be bought for the same price as a loaf of bread."
"Yeah, sure."
Kanami and Lisha were in high spirits, as if they were at a theme park. In the basket they were holding, various items were placed. Normally, I would have a pale face and stop them, but here, no matter how much they buy, it won't amount to much money.
After all, this is Japan's pride, the 100-yen shop. It's been around for a long time, but I don't remember the selection being this good. It has evolved since I returned from another world. The folding mobile phone is being called a dumbphone, and there's no doubt it's like the story of Urashima Taro.
"Yuusuke-san, it's amazing! There are so many beautiful gems!"
"Oh, really. By the way, those aren't gems."
"Is that so? Even though they're so beautiful?"
"They're marbles. Spheres made of glass."
If I'm Urashima Taro, then Lisha is probably Princess Kaguya. But instead of a dragon's neck jewel, she's delighted with marbles. However, when Lisha held them, the marbles started to shine like gems. What's that, a buff?
"Yuusuke-sama, look at this. It's a timer that can tell the hardness of boiled eggs just by putting it in the pot. I'm amazed by this idea, it's an eye-opener."
"I see. You can go ahead and buy it."
"Is it okay!?"
Yes, it's fine. I don't know how much we'll use it, but if the kitchen guardian says to buy it, then go ahead.
We are currently at a 100-yen shop near Seijo University.
The reason for this is that it's already mid-September. The university has started a few days ago, which means the Souten Festival is approaching.
So today's mission is shopping.
The Literature Club has been assigned a room for the Souten Festival, and we came to buy the things we need to decorate it.
Even though the main goal is to sell the club's literary magazine, it won't sell if we just display it in a plain room. Without some kind of creative touch, text-heavy literary magazines won't sell. That's the reality.
Decoration is part of that effort, but I never expected Lisha and the others to get this excited.
It doesn't seem like it will end anytime soon, and as I wander around the store, I see a woman.
With bright hair and revealing clothing. Her thick-soled sandals look like they have no purpose other than to kick people, and her sharp nails are shining.
What is it? She looks familiar, but not quite.
However, I don't have any acquaintances who are as flashy as her.
While I was thinking that, the woman noticed me. Apparently, she was looking at cosmetics, and she was holding sparkling eyeshadow or something in both hands.
I felt something was off when I looked at her head-on. I still don't recognize her face. The makeup on her face is shining physically.
If someone is this flashy, I don't forget them after seeing them once.
"Are you..."
"Well, it's not like I'm suspicious or anything."
No, someone who says something like that is definitely suspicious.
But the woman widened her sparkling eyes and said something unexpected.
"Aren't you Shou's friend?"
"Shou?"
Who's that?
"Shou-kun—or rather, wasn't it Takayama? Takayama Shouta. Didn't we talk at the family restaurant the other day?"
"Takayama?"
Who's that?
I thought that for a few seconds. And I realized, she meant the stylish beard.
Ah! That's right, this person. I remembered. She is a woman with a stylish beard and a family restaurant. Somehow she looks familiar.
Or rather, why his name is Shota? I mean, he has a stylish beard. There are too many names, so just name yourself to be unified by stylish beards.
"Is that so, you are..."
"I'm Hakamada Chiho. A first-year student in the School of Business at Seijo University."
"I'm Yusuke Yamamoto. I'm in the same Literature Department as Takayama."
"Oh, so you're a senpai then?"
Well, technically. But still, is there no concept of politeness, or is it just this girl personality? She's easygoing, though.
"Anyway, you were watching?"
"Since Shou went that way, I wondered if there might be a cool guy."
"I guess we lived up to your expectations."
"Yeah, the guy with red hair was cool."
Oh, I see.
I was starting to feel sad if I dug deeper into this topic, so I'll stop.
Hakamada-san got closer to me and looked up at me with upturned eyes. Whoa, her eyes look huge with false eyelashes and eyeshadow. Like a trick art.
"By the way, Shou-kun, didn't he say something about the Souten Festival?"
"No, I didn't hear anything."
"Oh, I see."
Tch, she clicked her tongue softly and moved away from me.
If you look closely, the bag she's wearing over her shoulder is a high-end brand that even I recognize. Maybe her shoes and clothes are too.
I'm not denying buying brand items, though.
People live within common beliefs. Brands are something that has taken shape through a lot of praise and trust built up over a long history.
Wearing them is almost like gaining the support of the majority.
Of course, some people genuinely like these things.
These things have a kind of magic power that captivates people in some way. A mysterious allure that can sometimes drive people crazy.
"...Wait, can I ask you something too?"
"What is it?"
I looked Hakamada-san straight in the eyes and asked.
"Where did you get that 'magic coin?'"
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