Now that I'd asked Ein-san and Jutia-san to spread the word about the black tea, I expected they would recommend it to other tea enthusiasts they knew. For the time being, I supposed that was all I could do personally. I mean, there were plenty of others I could have approached—the other Six Kings or their Executives, for instance—but if I overdid it, I risked making things harder for Anima and the rest of the team.
Asking Ein-san and Jutia-san for help was a move I'd cleared with Anima beforehand. If I wanted to try any further promotion, I really ought to discuss it with her first.
General sales were slated to begin next month, and Anima had mentioned they would start widespread advertising soon. I didn't know how well the product would move yet, but with Ein-san and Jutia-san raving about it, I had a feeling it would be a hit.
For now, the plan was for Anima to sell through several distributors, including the Mikumo Trading Company, but she also mentioned that we might eventually open a dedicated brand store depending on the results.
"Is something... troubling you...?"
"Eh? Oh, no. It's not really a 'trouble,' exactly... I was just wishing there was more I could do for the brand myself."
I replied to Illness-san as she trimmed my hair. She must have sensed the gears turning in my head while she worked. Using her comb and shears with expert precision, she continued to shape my hair while speaking in her trademark gentle, airy tone.
"I understand how you feel. You feel like you've left everything to Anima-san until now, so you're overflowing with motivation now that you're finally in a position to help."
"That’s true. It's rare for me to be this involved in a project, so I do want to do more. But if I just barge in without a plan, I might just end up being a nuisance. It’s a difficult balance."
In reality, if I told Anima I wanted to help, she’d let me participate as much as I wanted. She’d probably even have a backup plan ready to cover for any mistakes I might make as an amateur.
But realistically, while I could handle the promotion side of things, I had no business interfering with sales strategy or product development. I was a total novice. Anything I could think of had likely already occurred to Anima or Caraway. It was safe to say there was almost nothing I could actually contribute there.
Knowing that was exactly what made it so frustrating.
"In that case... I have a suggestion."
"A suggestion?"
"Yes. How about creating a 'Kaito-sama Original Blend'? Nebula's tea leaves are remarkably versatile, so it might be fun to experiment with different combinations until you find the one that feels just right."
"I see... That sounds interesting, but I wonder if I can pull it off?"
"If it's no trouble, I would be happy to help you."
"That would be incredibly reassuring, but... are you sure you have the time, Illness-san?"
"Yes. Lately, I've found myself with quite a bit of free time on my hands."
Whether it was Nebula’s influence or something else, Illness-san’s efficiency had skyrocketed lately. Ein-san had once described this using a bizarre metric called "Maid Power."
Even before this, Illness-san was the type to casually handle dozens of times more work than an average maid. If her abilities had grown even further, it was terrifyingly easy to believe she’d be bored even with a mountain of work.
Still, having her cooperation was heartening. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but I seemed to have a high level of recognition among the nobility. Even if I didn't put my name directly on the product, using my initials would likely hint to them that it was my personal blend. If we came up with a good combination, it might actually help expand the brand's lineup.
The powerholders of the Demon Realm: Snap to attention!
The powerholders of the God Realm: Snap to attention!
The powerholders of the Human Realm: Snap to attention!
The Crazy Yabai God of an Otherworld: Snap to attention!
The Stomach Pain Flag: Springs to life!