Chapter 119: Noblesse Oblige
Gunpei cleared his throat, “I will now conclude the report on last month's Tamago-san sales.”
“An increase of 300% from last month! Excellent job. Well done, Miyazaki-san,” Chandra praised, clapping.
Before the store's opening, Miyazaki-san had just finished a tidy report on the previous month's closing. As gratitude was expressed for her efforts, the surrounding staff applauded. She, too, responded with a bright smile.
“Oh no, it's nothing. I'm really grateful to work with such wonderful people here.”
“I'm also very happy to work with all of you. You've worked hard since the store's opening. I will propose to the headquarters to add a special incentive to this month's salary as a token of appreciation.”
“Wow!!”
As the talk of additional incentives surfaced, the staff erupted in cheers.
Rewarding hard work is my management style.
Sipping the green tea Miyazaki-san brought, I examined the chart she handed me.
The first weekend of October.
The heat that had scorched the entire country during the past month was as intense as the enthusiasm for Tamago-san. Since the store's opening in mid-July, sales at Tamago-shop had skyrocketed in August and September.
Not only Tamago-san but also popular character dolls were flying off the shelves at Tamago-shop, and despite restocking frequently, supplies were running low.
Located near the station, Tamago-shop became a symbol of Akihabara as soon as it opened, attracting customers from the regions. However, the workforce was insufficient.
No matter how much you pay, people have personal lives. If you don't guarantee working hours and holidays, no amount of money can keep them from getting tired.
So, I expanded the recruitment notice and offered the highest hourly wage in Akihabara. Thanks to that, people with sales or service experience flocked in, but some who timidly knocked on Tamago-shop's door couldn't endure even a day and fled.
And today, marking the third month since opening.
The people gathered here were, to me, precious individuals akin to 'warriors of reversal.'
Among them, Miyazaki-san, the youngest staff member, who endured the hellish opening event, was popular among colleagues and customers alike for her lively personality.
Unlike regular staff, she, as a player raising Tamago monsters, engaged in exchanging data with customers and assisting with guidance on raising Tamago-san for children. I had been keeping an eye on her for some time.
“You all are not just Tamago-shop employees but also the face of Pentagon Soft. It must be tough, but all I can do is provide incentives like this. However, if there are any improvements or complaints about the shop, please feel free to let me know. Your opinions on the field are the most important.”
“Yes, understood!”
With the news of special incentives, the morale of the employees soared instantly.
Indeed, money is a simple but efficient motivator.
As everyone dispersed for the open preparation, I sat at the table, examining the chart. Suddenly, Miyazaki-san's voice reached me.
“Um, Manager Kang Junhyuk…”
“Yes? Do you have something to say?”
“Oh, it's not about the shop.”
“It's okay. Feel free to speak.”
I momentarily placed the chart on the table and looked at her.
When an employee speaks, it's polite to focus on the conversation with them.
Miyazaki-san hesitated for a moment, but I didn't rush her and just smiled comfortably.
“Well, yesterday I went to a figure shop after work.”
“A figure shop?”
“Yes. I was wondering if there were accessories like figures or dolls related to Tamago-san that we don't have in our store.”
Oh... is this her own market research?
Even after working hours, an employee conducting market research is quite impressive. Miyazaki-san seemed to have a deep affection for Tamago-shop.
“Even though you must be tired, you're amazing. Thank you on behalf of the company.”
“Oh, no... I'm not doing it to receive praise. I just really like Tamago-san, you know?”
“I see. But what happened at the figure shop?”
“Well, it's not about Tamago-san, but it's about 'The Empty Streets' created by Pentagon Soft.”
“The Empty Streets?”
“I really love that game, so I have the entire series.”
“Oh, really?”
Miyazaki-san, too, loves games like Yuki. I felt a strange sense of pride. After the release of Super Marigi, The Empty Streets became a major contributor to Pentagon Soft's profits, even securing contracts with famous figure companies and character creation, despite not having a formal contract request from Pentagon Soft.
There were rumors that even broadcasting stations were considering producing a drama based on it, but there hadn't been any official contract requests from Pentagon Soft yet.
“But why The Empty Streets?”
“Oh, that's because a somewhat rare figure came out at the figure shop yesterday.”
“A rare figure?”
“It's a figure of Hasegawa Miyuki, with a very unique concept. It was a figure wearing a kimono, and they actually made a kimono for the character using real fabric.”
“Oh... that's impressive. But as far as I know, we haven't contracted for such figures. Is it a personal collection?”
“Yes. It seemed to be made using a limited edition model figure released some time ago. Anyway, it was really amazing. People at the figure shop were bidding left and right, saying they wanted to buy it. The price skyrocketed in an instant.”
“If it's a custom figure for personal collection, there's only one in the world. That makes sense. But how much was it?”
“When I last checked, it was 110,000 yen.”
I was momentarily speechless at her response. I couldn't help but ask again, wondering if I misheard.
“... 110,000 yen?”
“Yes.”
What on earth makes this figure so remarkable? Spending over a million won on a single figure?!
I burst into a surprised laughter.
Upon which, Miyazaki spoke with a somewhat worried expression.
"But, there's something strange about that figure."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just that... the person in that figure seems a bit different from the Hasegawa Miyuki I know. Rather... she looks more like you, Manager."
"Huh?"
What is she talking about? While it's true that Hasegawa Miyuki was inspired by Yuki, if Miyazaki is saying this, there must be something odd.
"Miyazaki-san."
"Yes, Manager."
"The shop that has the figure of Miyuki. Can you guide me to where it is?"
&
A little while later, with Miyazaki, I easily found her figure in the figure shop. However...
"189,000 yen!?"
"The price has gone up significantly since yesterday."
But aside from the price, Miyuki's figure, as Miyazaki described, indeed resembled Ishikawa Yuki more than Miyuki.
However, what is with that weird attire!?
Contrary to Miyazaki's story, the kimono she was wearing was partially stripped, revealing her fair skin.
Around the figure, people crowded to catch a glimpse, making it difficult to get any closer.
"I might go crazy... I must buy it if I have the money."
The people in the shop were expressing envy and admiration for the new bidding price.
Then, Miyazaki, with a slightly worried expression, asked me.
"Manager, are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, because you spent so much money..."
"Oh, it's okay. But, indeed, as Miyazaki-san said, the figure looks more like Yuki than Hasegawa Miyuki. Thanks for letting me know."
"Isn't it? I was so surprised when I saw it yesterday."
"But, if the person who made that figure is not doing a re-auction, it would be great..."
&
A while later, with Miyazaki, I visited the figure shop. I easily found her figure. However...
"189,000 yen!?"
"The price has gone up significantly since yesterday."
But aside from the price, Miyuki's figure, as Miyazaki described, indeed resembled Ishikawa Yuki more than Miyuki.
However, what is with that weird attire!?
Contrary to Miyazaki's story, the kimono she was wearing was partially stripped, revealing her fair skin.
Around the figure, people crowded to catch a glimpse, making it difficult to get any closer.
"I might go crazy... I must buy it if I have the money."
The people in the shop were expressing envy and admiration for the new bidding price.
Then, Miyazaki, with a slightly worried expression, asked me.
"Manager, are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, because you spent so much money..."
"Oh, it's okay. But, indeed, as Miyazaki-san said, the figure looks more like Yuki than Hasegawa Miyuki. Thanks for letting me know."
"Isn't it? I was so surprised when I saw it yesterday."
"But, if the person who made that figure is not doing a re-auction, it would be great..."
&
A while later, with Miyazaki, I visited the figure shop. I easily found her figure. However...
"189,000 yen!?"
"The price has gone up significantly since yesterday."
But aside from the price, Miyuki's figure, as Miyazaki described, indeed resembled Ishikawa Yuki more than Miyuki.
However, what is with that weird attire!?
Contrary to Miyazaki's story, the kimono she was wearing was partially stripped, revealing her fair skin.
Around the figure, people crowded to catch a glimpse, making it difficult to get any closer.
"I might go crazy... I must buy it if I have the money."
The people in the shop were expressing envy and admiration for the new bidding price.
Then, Miyazaki, with a slightly worried expression, asked me.
"Manager, are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, because you spent so much money..."
"Oh, it's okay. But, indeed, as Miyazaki-san said, the figure looks more like Yuki than Hasegawa Miyuki. Thanks for letting me know."
"Isn't it? I was so surprised when I saw it yesterday."
"But, if the person who made that figure is not doing a re-auction, it would be great..."
A little later, a middle-aged man with an unpleasant smile entered the figure shop.
The man, with a relaxed and thick smile, pushed through the crowd, tapped the shelf containing Miyuki's figure, and licked his lips in satisfaction.
What is this guy doing?
"That person is the one who bid 110,000 yen yesterday. Do you remember?"
"Oh? Is that so..?"
The man, perhaps not yet realizing the bid I had made, looked at the figure for a while, then checked the bid.
At that moment, his expression crumpled.
"W-who dares to... How..."
...Well, it's indeed a crazy amount. I won't deny that.
But think about it from a different perspective. If a figure that looks exactly like your girlfriend becomes an exhibition with her partially naked, wouldn't you do something about it?
"Haha... Rich guy... But, I want to buy it if I have money too."
The people in the shop were expressing envy and admiration for the new bidding price.
Then, Miyazaki, who was beside me, asked cautiously.
"Manager, are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, because you spent so much money..."
"Oh, it's okay. But, indeed, as Miyazaki-san said, the figure looks more like Yuki than Hasegawa Miyuki. Thanks for letting me know."
"Isn't it? I was so surprised when I saw it yesterday."
"But, if the person who made that figure is not doing a re-auction, it would be great..."
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