Kino no Tabi:Volume5 Chapter3

“Tale of a Store” — For Sale —

STORE JOURNAL VOLUME 25
Written by the store manager

3094th day since grand opening (Sunny)

There were no customers again today.

The customer that came a long time ago left some seeds. The ‘pumpkin’ vegetables that came from the seeds have finally become edible. I tried cutting it up and boiling it while being careful of the thick rind that the customer warned me about.

It tasted sweet and was pretty good. I should try to grow more of them. They seem like they would be good fried as well.

3095th day since grand opening (Sunny, then cloudy)

There were no customers again today.

Without doing anything in particular, I read a book and tended to the store.

I finished reading “The Melancholy of Ulericks”.

It was funny.

3096th day since grand opening (Rainy)

There were no customers again today.

The weather was bad all day. I couldn’t do the laundry.

The pumpkin in the pot went bad. It spoils fast.

3097th day since grand opening (Sunny)

There were no customers again today.

The weather cleared up and it was a good day.

I hung the laundry out to dry. I accidentally dropped a shirt and it got covered in mud. Now I’ll have to wash it again.

I thought about putting concrete just under the drying area but I stopped in consideration of the moles and earthworms.

3098th day since grand opening (Sunny)

There were no customers again today.

I did the product inspection as usual. Everything was without problems. Whenever someone does buy something, it’ll work properly. I feel a bit happier.

Afterwards, I resumed reading.

3099th day since grand opening (Cloudy, then sunny)

There were no customers again today.

In the afternoon I hung the ‘Ring bell for service’ sign and went fishing by the river out back.

I caught five fish, some large and some small. I let the small ones go.

For dinner I had meunière for the first time in ages.

3100th day since grand opening (Cloudy)

There were no customers again today.

Something’s been wrong with the power generator since this morning. I fixed it.

I cleaned the store as usual. I always strive for a tidy interior.

I was thinking about smoking the remaining fish, but didn’t since there was only a little left. I ate it for dinner.

3101st day since grand opening (Cloudy)

There were no customers again today.

I did the periodic inspection of my measuring equipment. It had a slight tendency toward lower measurements, but all were within the acceptable margin of error. I’ll re-examine them in another 40 days.

I unpacked one cut of meat from the freezer.

3102nd day since grand opening (Sunny)

A customer came today. It’s the first time in 79 days. For the first time in a long time, I’ll have a long journal entry.

The weather was very good since the morning.

With high spirits, I hung out the sheets to dry and opened the store.

Now that I think about it, I had a feeling that maybe someone would come today, or something like that.

—

Since I had that feeling, I thought I might have something like a sixth sense. I thought I might try to measure it this time.

When the customer came, it was shortly before noon.

Just as I was wondering what to have for lunch, I heard the sound of an engine coming closer so I hurried outside.

The customer was a young traveler on a motorrad who happened to be passing by the store when I called out to stop them in a loud voice and, showing interest, they stopped.

I thought it was rare to travel using a motorrad. At that time, I was thinking how easier it was to fly using a bike, but now that I think about it again, an amateur wouldn’t be able to do anything if the lifter overheats even once, and so using a motorrad to run through the surface would be more reliable after all.

The traveler introduced herself as Kino.

Miss Kino wore a white shirt under a black vest.

I have an interest in clothing so I asked about hers. Her vest was a jacket with removable sleeves that she said she removed when it was hot or put on when it was cold.

‘I see,’ I thought, impressed. On a journey, one has to keep his belongings to a minimum.

—

After a moment, I ushered Miss Kino and Hermes, the motorrad into the store.

Miss Kino took a seat and I served her some tea.

As expected of a traveler, she was careful to inquire as to the contents of the tea before drinking any.

I drank some first to prove its safety.

Miss Kino apologized for being impolite, but I told her not to worry about it. I’ve often heard rumors of robbers who put coma-inducing drugs into tea, so I think it’s good to be careful.

“I humbly welcome you to my store,” I thanked them sincerely.

Then I asked them if I could start explaining about my main products.

“Before that, would you mind me asking a few questions about your store?” Miss Kino said. I was pleased to see that she had an interest in my store. I told her that she could ask whatever she liked.

“Then I’ll get straight to it. Why would you have a store like this here?”

“Right! Right in the middle of this big prairie. I was surprised to see a lone shop on the horizon.”

Miss Kino and Mr. Hermes, the motorrad, asked.

I thought it was a very natural question. Around this store, there was nothing but grasslands, forests, rivers, and lakes. It depends on the vehicle, but the distance to the nearest country is several days’ travel.

“And are you, the manager, the only one who works here? There’s no one else?” Mr. Hermes asked further.

I honestly answered their questions, one at a time. The reason why I set up a shop here was because I liked the location. Considering that I would be living in the store, it seemed obvious that I should choose a nice location. This place was very nice. However, I didn’t tell them that the blockheads from my homeland forbade me from setting up shop, and that I didn’t have any country I could go to.

Then I piled up my valuables and necessary equipment onto a truck and arrived here. From there, I built the store and house and set up my own shop. I also told her that I had no family and that though my parents are back in my homeland, I don’t know how they are doing now.

I have no idea whether Miss Kino or Mr. Hermes understood what I said.

“Do customers come?” Miss Kino asked.

“Yes. On average, there’s one every hundred days or so. Of course, all of them were either travelers or traders. Everyone stopped by out of curiosity.”

I did not lie.

“Then, have you sold anything until now?” Mr. Hermes asked.

“Nope. I am yet to sell a single thing.”

I did not lie.

There are two opinions regarding lying to customers just to be able to sell something; one is that it’s excusable, and another is that it shouldn’t be done. But in my opinion, there’s no pride in lying to myself, so I have never lied about this. Not now, and not in the future.

—

“This is the pride of my store.”

I said, and among my wares, I held the tiniest ‘Model no. 5’ in front of Miss Kino and Mr. Hermes.

I decided to have them take a look at it first. I placed it on top of the table so that they could examine it freely. I let the customers freely touch and investigate the items because I want them to think that my store is a good one. That is what I’m always aiming for.

In my homeland, the tools dealer in the eastern district was a horrible person.

He wouldn’t allow the tools in his shop to be touched, so the customers don’t have any idea about the quality of the products. His wares were lined up neatly in a row behind glass shelves, and the shop assistant will tell you with a cool face that they can only be taken out when you have decided to buy them.

I remember well how I left that store with so much resentment.

Around the time when I decided to set up my own shop, I was thinking of how I don’t want my shop to be like that. Even though it was a long time ago, I still remember it now.

I realized that I don’t want Miss Kino to feel the same disgust I felt that time, and I am somewhat glad that I became a person who can learn from bad examples.

—

“What is this?” Miss Kino asked after taking a brief look at it.

“Couldn’t you tell from a glance?” I said a bit jokingly (Of course, in a manner that wouldn’t be rude to the customer). I find it enjoyable to explain to my customers about the pride of my store, a product that I myself made.

“It’s a navy blue improvised suitcase. It doesn’t have buckles, but it has a switch,” Mr. Hermes who was looking from afar, answered.

“That’s right. It does appear to be a suitcase. I made it look that way. But it’s actually different. The truth is——”

I was slightly irritated. But if I express my irritation, the customer would be angry and leave. Even so I’m slightly irritated.

“It’s a high-power bomb,” I said.

Just as I thought, both Miss Kino and Mr. Hermes were surprised and looked dumbfounded. (Well, Mr. Hermes’ appearance doesn’t change, but I think he was surprised too.)

‘Products that appear very different from their function attract the interest of customers more. Dedicate yourself to ‘catchy’ products.’

That was written in a book.

“A high-power bomb, you say? Am I right in thinking that inside this thing, there’s some explosive material and some sort of iron shrapnel for wounding and killing people?” Miss Kino asked.

“Yes. My store sells high-power bombs. Nothing else. This is a specialty store for high-power bombs. Also, the high-power bombs that I make are completely different from normal bombs. Its power is incomparable to that of existing explosives. In just one snot…”

It has been a long time since I last made a sales talk, and I couldn’t speak without stuttering. I was very nervous since it was really long ago since I last spoke with a customer. Even though I practiced for it. I was embarrassed.

“S-sorry. ——In just one shot, this bomb can blow up completely a country, no matter how big it is. The explosion will produce tremendous temperatures and shockwaves that can melt, blow away, and burn everything above ground, including humans. At the same time, it spreads a powerful toxic chemical that can make ill any human who did not die instantly from the explosion. They will eventually die, suffering bit by bit.”

“What kind of principle did you use?” Mr. Hermes asked.

“The same as the one used for the sun. It utilizes nuclear fusion,” I replied with an answer prepared beforehand.

Only Mr. Hermes understood me at this point, and so I tried to explain simply to Miss Kino. After my explanation, I did not know whether Miss Kino completely understood its structure.

However, Miss Kino immediately remembered the more popular name for my product.

“You’re saying that you made this ‘hydrogen bomb’ that can blow up a country in a blink of an eye?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“On your own?”

“Yes.”

I answered Miss Kino and Mr. Hermes’ questions promptly like an excellent shop assistant. I decided to explain a bit more about my product.

“In my homeland, I came up with and tried to make a bomb according to that principle. The development was a success. However, it’s regrettable, because in my country, not a single person wanted something like it. That’s when I decided to set up my store outside the country to sell them. Today is the 3102nd day since I opened shop.”

“Haven’t you ever thought of trying this before?” Miss Kino asked.

“I haven’t. There’s no country I wish to destroy, or a person I wish to kill. I’m very satisfied just to know that I can make something I thought about and wanted to make. I think it’s very natural for a person who wanted to make something to make it, and a person who wanted to use something to use it. If a person who wanted it were to buy it and use it, the person who made it will be very satisfied,” I answered. That’s how I answer whenever and whoever someone asks.

I decided to talk about the crucial point.

“Miss Kino, Mr. Hermes, would you like to buy the hydrogen bomb I created? Someday, somewhere, it might become useful to you. For instance, you can place it in a country you don’t like to blow it to bits, or you can create a new lake in the middle of nature.”

‘Use the most straightforward sales talk possible. If you have confidence in your product (if there’s none, that’s a problem), stick out your chest and offer it.’

That was written in a book.

“Right now we’re on a special sale, so if you buy one, I’ll give you one more for free. It is exactly the same bomb, with power no less than the first. Both will include a fuse that can be used between three seconds to a hundred days. In addition to that, I also provide service to have its exterior repainted to a color you like, or maybe have your name engraved on it.”

‘Moreover, it’s good to give the product a ‘push’ by giving a value-added offer.’

That was also written.

“I have utmost confidence in my product, but I still offer periodic inspection of its functions. Misfire is impossible, nevertheless, in the case it fails on the second shot, or if you were not pleased by the strength of the explosion, I can give you a product replacement.”

‘Put the customer at ease by giving a warranty.’

This was also written.

Miss Kino looked as if she was pondering over something.

“By the way, how much does it cost?” Mr. Hermes asked. Of course, it’s an expected question.

“It depends on how much the customer is willing to pay. I also don’t mind trading with something of value,” I answered the usual thing.

Miss Kino still looked like she was thinking hard about something. As to what she thinks, of course, I had no idea.

After a while, Miss Kino shook her head.

“Too bad, but right now, we have no need for a ‘hydrogen bomb’. And so, we can’t buy it.”

Of course, I was disappointed upon hearing it.

Though it would be best if someone who wanted the bomb actually bought it, it’s very natural for a person who was not interested to not buy it.

Afterwards, Miss Kino proposed to buy or trade for some food. Then, I told her that if that’s going to be the case, I would like her to receive it without cost, as a favor.

I presented Miss Kino some vegetables and homemade beef jerky, boiled and put in airtight packs, as well as water. There are still more in my storehouse, and offered to fetch some for a while, and Miss Kino gladly expressed her thanks.

“It’s fine. This is ‘service’ for a customer,” I said. “If ever you find a need for a hydrogen bomb, you are welcome to come back anytime,” I added.

And then, I talked to Miss Kino about the road and the nearby country.

And then, since it was about time for lunch, I offered to share with her the thawed meat that I have for grilling. It has been a long time since I last had a meal with somebody.

After the meal, Miss Kino expressed her gratitude once more for the food, and rode to the west aboard Mr. Hermes.

—

After Miss Kino and Mr. Hermes went home, I cleaned the shop and tried changing the arrangement of my goods.

I thought about placing one item as decoration above the shelf. The item would be noticeable immediately upon entry into the shop.

If so, the shelf has to be strong. I’ll do that tomorrow.

—

It has been a long time since I last wrote a journal this long. My hands are completely tired from typing.

This day is very complete. It’s regrettable that I wasn’t able to sell my products, but there’s nothing I can do about the circumstances of my customers. However, I am really happy that a customer came.

I just hope that the next customer that will come will buy something.

Oh yes. I tried boiling the rest of the meat for dinner. It was delicious.

3103rd day since grand opening (Sunny)

There were no customers again today.

Up to now, there haven’t been any cases of customers coming two days in a row, and I don’t think there would be any in the future.

And so, of course, I can’t close the shop.

I reinforced the shelf, and decorated it with my ‘Model no. 3’, which was painted with my favorite color, blue.

As I thought, it might be more attractive if I put the items on the shelf. I’ll go with this for a while.

—

At lunch, I stir-fried some vegetables and meat, and I ate what was left in the evening.

Translator’s Notes

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