Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Chapter 168. The Bumpy Family And A New Menu

“By the way, are we good on food supplies?”

“Hmm. Actually, we’re out of white bread. I managed to stretch things by slicing it thinner today.”

“Consumption is increasing fast.”

“I think it’s because more people are coming. It’s not confirmed, but it seems some are even coming from the southeast slums.”

“I see…”

While I am contemplating the current state of things, the truth is, we can’t extend our resources all the way to the southeast slums, so this might be a good opportunity for some information to flow their way.

“For now, I’ll bring out some ingredients. About how many people are showing up for distribution?”

“I think it’s over 300.”

“I see…”

No wonder we’re running out of food. Bread won’t work since it doesn’t keep well… We’ll switch to rice.

If we aim for 50g of porridge per person, that should fill them up. The currently approved rice is 5kg for 1,872 yen, which serves exactly 100 people per bag.

Assuming two distributions per day, for 500 people twice a day—1,000 meals—it would cost 50kg of rice, totaling 18,720 yen.

Adding 10kg of cassava for 5,000 yen and 20 onions (20 x 37 = 740 yen) would suffice for soup. Salt is also necessary: 1kg costs 399 yen.

Since water is being consumed rapidly from the camper’s tank, we’ll need to secure a separate supply for cooking.

Plastic Jerry Can with Tap (20 liters) = 988 yen

We’ll start by purchasing four of these.

Remaining funds: 2,604,300 yen.

To cook large amounts of porridge, we’ll also need a pot. It makes sense to buy another pot for the soup. Commercial Aluminum Stockpot (170 liters) = 34,470 yen and another Aluminum Ladle = 561 yen.

Remaining funds: 2,569,269 yen.

50kg of rice + 10kg of cassava + 20 onions + 80 liters of water + 1kg of salt. This will cover one day’s distribution.

18,720 yen + 5,000 yen + 740 yen + 8 yen + 399 yen = 24,867 yen.

Is this cheap or expensive…?

I discuss the distribution with Lalaila, taking out the goods stored in the recently expanded base. No issues on the cooking method, according to her.

Remaining funds: 2,544,402 yen.

“Sorry to leave everything to you.”

“Don’t worry about it! I’m not great with money anyway.”

“Well, I’m no expert either.”

With that, our course of action was settled for now.

“Now that everything is decided, shall we get started?”

The one standing up is Hagg. Today’s training partner is Hagg.

“How about we make dessert after?”

“Hmm? Sweets are fine, but only after training.”

“No way I’m making any…”

My attempt at persuasion failed spectacularly.

Training with Hagg is different from training with Yaralai. While Yaralai’s practice involves a lot of form checking and repetitive movement, Hagg’s training starts as a full-on battle. Does he intend to kill me?!

He whacks my body with random sticks, and it’s no joke.

“That kind of dodge will get you killed! You’ll die instantly! Do you want to die?!”

“Shut up! You’re insanely fast and heavy!”

I try to swat away his stick with a spiral wave motion in my arms, but Hagg’s energy crushes mine. It’s beyond intense.

“Come on, come on! If this were a real blade, you’d have died 100 times over! Put some spirit into it!”

“I’d die even from a stick!”

Even a momentary lapse in concentration could result in massive damage. If not death, I’d likely end up with broken ribs. This barrel of a man shows no mercy!

After nearly two hours of grueling training, I collapsed on the spot.

“Wasn’t that… even harsher than usual?”

“Just your imagination.”

Hagg pretended not to notice as he went to get some water.

“Heh heh heh…”

Faf’s laughter—clearly aware of everything—pisses me off! Damn him!

◆

The next morning, as the food distribution took place, I was undergoing my morning training. Honestly, it’s quite a spectacle. Could this be why more people are gathering…?

After completing Yaralai’s self-proclaimed “light training,” I was drenched in sweat. I stripped down to my underwear in the shadows and used the cleaning equipment to wash off sweat and dirt. The military gear I wear during training is tough, but maybe I should find something more appropriate. It’s a bit too conspicuous.

After changing into my usual shirt and slacks, I enjoyed a meal that had already been prepared.

There was porridge and soup, so I cooked some salmon in the camper’s kitchen to go with it.

212 yen x 7 = 1,484 yen. Why seven pieces? Because Hagg and Faf ate two each, of course.

Remaining funds: 2,542,918 yen.

“Akira, the porridge was a hit today. Everyone enjoyed it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Today’s porridge was a thick eight-part porridge. It should be satisfying enough. The rice seemed to last longer than expected, so they left it for adjustments.

The slightly salty flavor seemed to be just right. Salt costs a decent amount in this world, so it worked out fine. With the energy people burn here, it’s not a problem. I’m moving around so much myself, it’s fine.

“Akira!”

Giro and Clari, who had been helping with the food distribution, approached after finishing their meals. These two are the children left orphaned by Chief Dodoru.

“Hey, good morning.”

“Good morning…”

Clari shyly greeted me from behind Giro. She might be a bit timid.

“Hey, Akira! Any progress on taking down Dodoru?”

“Giro, keep your voice down… Don’t worry, it’s moving along.”

“Really!? I’ll do anything to help!”

Next to the excited Giro, Clari nodded. Their feelings are the same.

“You mean it? I have a job for you right now. Could you bring Depas here?”

“Okay! Got it!”

With a spirited response, they ran off like bullets. Revenge may be their drive, but if it keeps their spirits up, so be it.

“Akira. Have you located Chief Dodoru?”

“Yeah, a business associate tipped me off.”

“Revenge… What exactly are you planning?”

Lalaila looked at me with concern… You’re a bit too close.

“Nothing much. Just a friendly negotiation that’ll benefit both sides.”

“Your smile is scary, Akira…”

“Sorry. Just watch. There’s no way I’d let the guy who hurt Giro and Clari off easy… heh heh…”

“Heh heh…”

“You’re scaring me again, Akira…”

I seem to have frightened her. I should be more careful. Also, Faf, stop sneaking in so casually.

“Akira! I brought Depas!”

“Hey! Don’t pull so hard!”

Depas, one of the leading figures in this slum, was being dragged along by Giro. He looked a bit frazzled.

“Seriously… You’re going to pull my arm off… So, what is it this time?”

Depas turned to me with a displeased look. I wish he didn’t hate me so much; I need him for some critical tasks.

“I need to gather some people.”

“People? You could just ask during a food distribution, no?”

“That won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“It just won’t.”

Depas eyed me suspiciously. I couldn’t tell him that things would fall apart without him when we leave, but it was too soon to say.

“Please, help me… Here, a small gift.”

I handed him some of the leftover rice. He’d tasted it during the morning’s distribution, so he knew its value.

“Hm…”

“Not enough?”

“…Fine. But what exactly do you need these people for?”

“Just some manual labor.”

Depas’ gaze grew even more suspicious.