New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (1/1 chapter)

 

 

Summer New Product Battle (2)

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

On the first day, just as I was about to close the company and head home after dinner, Rosso, Blanche, and Ao helped clean the office.

“Ao, thanks for today.” (Gentoku)

“No, protecting Oji-san is my job.” (Ao)

“Fufu. Tomorrow, it will be my turn. Oji-sama, I will protect you thoroughly.” (Blanche)

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.” (Gentoku)

Being protected by teenage girls… but I don’t feel embarrassed or anything. After all, they’re adventurers, and fighting is their job. It’s their real profession.

It was around 5 p.m… a bit early for dinner, but…

“Alright. Since we’re here, want to go get something to eat? Oji-san will treat you.” (Gentoku)

“Eh, really!? Yay!!” (Rosso)

“My, how delightful.” (Blanche)

“…I want meat.” (Ao)

Well, we’re close enough to hang out, so inviting them for a meal is nothing strange. A man in his late 30s inviting teenage beauties to dinner… if this were Japan, there’s a chance I’d end up needing the help of the police, but no matter how I try, I can’t beat these three anyway.

Just as I was thinking that…

“Gentoku. I’m coming in.” (Sandrone)

“Hm? Sandrone? And… Barion…” (Gentoku)

“Hey, Gentoku-kun.” (Barion)

Sandrone, Barion, Richter, and Barion’s bodyguard entered the office, along with a man and woman in glasses, both wearing formal attire. They stood facing each other.

The formal man and woman positioned themselves between the two.

“Now then, we will announce today’s sales results.” (Man)

“Wait, wait. Why here!?” (Gentoku)

“I’m Hados, tax investigator of Alexandrite Company.” (Hados)

“I’m Lishie, tax auditor of Peridot Company. In the name of ‘fairness’, we checked the sales of both companies. We swear the numbers we’re about to announce are accurate.” (Lishie)
“You’re just ignoring me, huh…” (Gentoku)

Fine, whatever. Let’s just get this over with and send them off.

The inspectors exchanged glances and announced the numbers.

“Alexandrite Company, sales: 47 million Sedol.” (Hados)

“Peridot Company, sales: 57 million Sedol.” (Lishie)

“Therefore, the Peridot Company leads on the first day.” (Hados/Lishie)

Barion looked triumphant, while Sandrone’s brow twitched slightly.

“Well then, we’ll excuse ourselves here. See you tomorrow.” (Lishie)

The inspectors gave a small bow and left.

Then, Barion spoke.

“Fufufu… On the very first day, we’re already ten million Sedol ahead. Sandrone… if you beg for forgiveness now, I might forgive you. So, what will you do?” (Barion)

“You’re joking. You… did something interesting, didn’t you?” (Sandrone)

“Oh? You noticed?” (Barion)

“““…???””” (Rosso, Blanche, Ao)

Rosso, Blanche, and Ao tilted their heads and looked at me… no, I don’t get it either. A sudden ten million Sedol difference from just storefront sales…? Wait.

“No way, Barion… you used external…” (Gentoku)

“Correct.” (Barion)

“Eh, Oji-san… what does that mean?” (Rosso)

Rosso asked, and the one who answered was Sandrone.

“Outsourcing. Tch… You’re clever in dirty ways.” (Sandrone)

“Hahaha!! You’re still as stiff as ever… This is a competition of ‘new product sales amount’. You spread your new product through your main and branch stores, but I did differently. Not just the main and branch stores, I distributed it to all partner companies and had them sell it too!!” (Barion)

“…Tsk.” (Sandrone)

This was Sandrone’s loss.

She had been too caught up in the fight between Alexandrite and Peridot and failed to distribute the product through the partner companies. She restricted sales to only Alexandrite’s main and branch stores. She was too focused on the competition, and lost sight of the surroundings. If she had distributed to the other companies partnered with Alexandrite, the result might have been different.

“Fufu, that was a nice look on your face. I’ll sleep well tonight.” (Barion)

“…” (Sandrone)

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself. The air here is absolutely filthy.” (Barion)

Barion, full of pride, turned to leave, but…

“Hold on a second.” (Gentoku)

“…What is it, Gentoku-kun?” (Barion)

I stopped him.

There was something I just had to check.

“…How far did you verify your cream?” (Gentoku)

“Verify?” (Barion)

“Did you try applying it to the skin?” (Gentoku)

“Of course. First, cleanse and protect the skin with the sunscreen cream, then moisturize it with the hydration cream… The women who bought it all had blissful expressions.” (Barion)

“…And after applying it?” (Gentoku)

“What?” (Barion)

“You only applied it once? How many people tested it? Did you check for allergic reactions?” (Gentoku)

“…I don’t understand. Trying to confuse me with meaningless words won’t work. Now, goodbye.” (Barion)

“Hey.” (Gentoku)

As I stopped him again, Barion turned back, clearly annoyed.

“It’s not too late. You should stop selling it now.” (Gentoku)

“…Goodbye.” (Barion)

Barion left with a faint, smug smile.

I couldn’t shake a really bad feeling.

“Gentoku… what are you suspecting?” (Sandrone)

“…I hope it’s just needless worry.” (Gentoku)

“…Anyway. I need to change my approach. Richter, not just the branches, but to deliver the new products to the partner companies too. Mobilize Yeran and all available workers. Prepare the carts as well. Don’t forget to give temporary bonuses to the workers.” (Sandrone)

“Understood.” (Richter)

“…Gentoku. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not giving up.” (Sandrone)

Saying that, Sandrone left with Richter.

“…Nothing I can do now.” (Gentoku)

“Oji-san?” (Rosso)

“Oji-sama?” (Blanche)

“Oji-san?” (Ao)

“…Let’s go eat.” (Gentoku)

As expected or rather, unfortunately my prediction would hit in the worst possible way.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)