Despite their initial shock at meeting Amel, Kaori and Akane managed to pull themselves together and began browsing the wares. Akane’s merchant instincts had clearly kicked in as she peered curiously at the chuunibyou merchandise Amel was managing.
Since the items were novel and inexpensive, there was certainly a chance they could be used for some kind of business. However, that would require negotiating with Alice—the Phantasm King—and I couldn't be sure what Akane was actually thinking.
Kaori, on the other hand, seemed more drawn to the ceramics displayed in front of me. She was examining the plates and other tableware rather than the cups, likely because she owned a restaurant.
"I really like this pottery... It’s very Japanese. I think I could use these at my shop."
"Want to buy some?"
"N-No, I couldn't. This price is just... and honestly, I'd be too terrified to use high-end pieces like this in the shop. Kaito, do you have anything a little more budget-friendly?"
"That would be these accessories. Since I'm just an amateur, I’ve priced them quite low."
In a way, Kaori was a breath of fresh air; she was one of the few people I knew with a perfectly normal, down-to-earth sense of money. While Chris and others had insisted the ceramics were still too cheap, to Kaori, they were high-end goods that were too expensive to purchase on a whim.
Honestly, I suspected Kaori’s perspective was the normal one. It was just that I was surrounded by far too many wealthy people. Then again, looking back, my very first customer today reacted like my prices were a bargain. They had been well-dressed; perhaps they were a noble visiting the festival in disguise.
"Wait, you made these, Kaito? That's amazing. You're quite handy, aren't you?"
"Not really. It’s mostly thanks to the beginner-friendly crafting kit Alice put together for me."
"Then, since I'm here, I think I'll buy this... Ah, is it okay if I get two?"
"I don't mind, but you aren't going to wear them both at once, are you?"
"No. I thought I'd get one as a souvenir for Olivia. She's a regular, and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to have an accessory you made, Kaito."
"Ah, I see."
She had been hesitant at first, but I got the impression she had built a solid relationship with Olivia. Kaori was sociable, so it was entirely possible they had become friends.
As I mulled that over, I sold the two accessories to Kaori. I had only put five of my handmade items up for sale, so that left three.
"Thanks! As for Akane... wait, you're buying that many!?"
"Hm? Oh, I thought I'd buy a bit of everything. The prices are low and these are items I don't see much elsewhere, so I thought it might be good to stock them and see how they sell..."
"Alice is the one who made those, so if you're planning to stock them, I'll put you in touch with her."
"The creator is the Phantasm King? No wonder the quality is so high despite the price... But the Phantasm King has her own trading company, doesn't she? I don't know the name, but she's bound to have a massive operation under her wing. Wouldn't she sell them through her own channels?"
"Actually, those items are things Alice made purely as a hobby. I think she’d be open to it, depending on the negotiations."
"Hmm... Well then, I'll give it some thought. I'll count on you when the time comes."
In fact, Alice tended to supply things like her temperature-regulating bedding and sleeping bags to Kuro’s Trading Company rather than her own. Her general store seemed more like an indulgence of her hobbies than a serious business venture. She didn't sell her chuunibyou goods anywhere else, either. If Akane offered the right terms, I had a feeling Alice would agree without much fuss.
"Are you two heading toward the Central Square now?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. Since we're here, we thought we'd go see the ceremony."
"I heard all the Supreme Gods are going to be there this time. It'll be great for people-watching."
I engaged in a little small talk with them after they finished their shopping. Having the leeway for this was one of the perks of setting up a stall in an area with low foot traffic.
Perhaps I would run into other acquaintances by chance; it was nice being able to talk so casually.
"Well, we should probably get going."
"Ah, right. Thank you very much."
"Good luck with the stall, Kaito—"
"Oh? Is this it? Yo, Kaito! Fancy meeting you here!"
"—Eep!"
Just as Akane and Kaori were about to leave, a familiar, thunderous voice rang out. Immediately afterward, a burly, red-haired man—Megiddo in his human form—loomed in front of the stall.
"M-Megiddo?"
"Yeah! I was out looking for sake and sensed your magic power, so I decided to swing by! You've got a pretty interesting shop here... hm?"
"!!"
The boisterously laughing Megiddo seemed to notice Akane and Kaori at that moment and turned his gaze toward them. Both of them jerked their shoulders and stood bolt upright in terror.
I certainly understood the feeling. Megiddo didn't have a shred of ill intent, but he was muscular, tall, and radiated an overwhelming presence. Akane was currently glaring at me with half-closed eyes while keeping her back stiff.
In my head, I could almost hear her voice: "Seriously, give me a break..."
???: "The gorilla has arrived. Gorilla-san is basically a hoodlum, so it's no surprise they'd freak out when one pops up right in front of them."
Serious-senpai: "Well, given Megiddo's personality, I don't think he intended to intimidate them. He's probably just wondering who they are, but he definitely said 'Hm?' in a voice that sounded like a death threat."