New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Change of Strategy

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Ah, Leon. I heard you made quite a speech the day before yesterday about the exhibit for the university festival. It has already become the talk of the Art Skill Department. They say even Professor Reelin was taken aback.” (Bell)

During lunch break, as I tore my bread in the cafeteria, Bell, who was sitting with me as usual, asked this with a grin. I pretended not to notice and silently put the bread into my mouth to chew. The Art Skill Department was truly quick to catch rumors.

“Bell, your tone carries a sting. Well, how should I put it, I did not think Leon would show much passion in that sort of direction.” (Dia)

If I let this go, the story might start growing unnecessary embellishments.

“Bell, do you think the Science and Technology Department is gloomy?” (Leon)

“Gloomy? Well, compared to ours… Wait, your eyes look frightening. Please stop that face.” (Bell)

“N-no, it is all right. At the very least, Leon is not gloomy at all. Right, right?” (Dia)

“Y-yes, that is correct.” (Bell)

Oh dear. It seems my emotions showed on my face.

“I apologize. It seems that when someone calls us gloomy, anger rises within me.” (Leon)

“Yes, it was startling. Leon is usually calm and composed, yet for a moment, you seemed like a completely different person. It gave me goosebumps.” (Bell)

A different person, huh. It seems something within me called Reo was surfacing.

“In any case, our Science and Technology Department will do its best. This year’s university festival.” (Leon)

“O-oh, I am looking forward to it.” (Bell)

A wicked tradition must be severed. Yes, if the Science and Technology Department is said to be gloomy, then the Art Skill Department would also be considered gloomy.

I would not allow anyone to say such a thing.

 

—

 

When I stepped off the tram, Odette-san and… yes, Barbara-san, I believe. The two of them, who seemed close friends, were waiting for me at the stop. It was a little before seventeen o’clock. The days had grown longer, and the western sunlight still lingered.

“Well, well, what a pleasant coincidence to see you both together.” (Leon)

“Enough greetings. Just guide us to the destination. I do not often come to the eastern district, and I dislike the bustle of the main street.” (Odette)

“Understood.” (Leon)

“Is it… here?” (Barbara)

“Yes. This is the place.” (Leon)

We stood before the entrance of a three-story brick building.

“I thought you said this was your family home.” (Odette)

“It is. But it is also the royal capital branch of the Liones Trading Company.” (Leon)

“Liones Trading Company. I have heard of it. I did not realize it was such a large enterprise.” (Odette)

I see. Because I had introduced my background as someone who spent his time in a workshop, she must have misunderstood the scale as something smaller.

“O-chan, but they supply magical tools to the Royal Theatre, do they not?” (Barbara)

“Yes, that is true, Bar.” (Odette)

O-chan and Bar, huh.

This was the first time I had heard Barbara-san’s voice. The ever-forward Odette-san and the visibly shy Barbara-san were quite the contrasting pair. I wondered how they had come to be such good friends, though it was hardly of importance.

“Are you certain the branch manager here will meet us and listen to our proposal?” (Odette)

“Yes. He sent a written reply confirming the appointment.” (Leon)

Oji-san should be here.

I looked up at the building and raised the sensitivity of my detection magic art.

“W-wait, what is it?” (Odette)

“A-are you alright, Leon-kun?” (Barbara)

Of all times.

“You are not losing your nerve now, are you?” (Odette)

“To be honest, a little.” (Leon)

“Eeeeh!” (Odette/Barbara)

“In any case, we have an appointment. Let us go inside.” (Leon)

 

—

 

When we reached the reception, we were escorted to a reception room of a class that would be counted among the higher ones.

“Excuse me.” (Leon)

The woman who had guided us earlier brought in tea.

“They use fine teaware.” (Odette)

“It tastes wonderful. Bar, you should try some.” (Odette)

“Yes.” (Barbara)

Their conversation drifted past my ears. As expected, this would not do.

“Odette-san.” (Leon)

“What is it!?” (Odette)

“Could I ask you to handle the explanation for this matter on my behalf?” (Leon)

“What? You made me practice the explanation for you, and now you want me to take over for the one who has lost his nerve?” (Odette)

“Well, well, O-chan, perhaps there is a reason. Why not let Leon-kun handle it?” (Barbara)

“Eeh. Hmph. Well, since it was Leon-kun who came up with the idea, I suppose it is fine.” (Odette)

“I am sorry.” (Leon)

“But tell me the reason!” (Odette)

“You will understand soon enough. Probably.” (Leon)

A knock sounded, and Nicola-san entered. Following him were Oji-san and, as I had sensed earlier, Kaa-sama.

We stood and bowed in greeting. The two beside me widened their eyes upon seeing Kaa-sama and looked between us repeatedly.

Well, that is to be expected.

“Leon. It has been a while.” (Henriette)

“It has indeed. It is good to see you.” (Leon)

“Please, have a seat.” (Henriette)

“Now then. Let us proceed to the business discussion.” (Henriette)

Here it came.

Mother narrowed her eyes. To others, her expression might appear as an elegant and refined smile, but to me, it felt like being pierced by ice. Nevertheless, I could not allow myself to falter.

“First, could you introduce these two young ladies?” (Henriette)

“Yes. First-year students of Salomea University, Science and Technology Department within the Faculty of Way of Magic. They are my classmates, Odette-san and Barbara-san.” (Leon)

“Pleased to meet you.” (Odette)

“Pleased to meet you.” (Barbara)

“The same from us.” (Henriette)

“Yes. On the left is the vice-chairwoman of the Liones Trading Company and my mother. On the right is the branch manager of the royal capital branch and my uncle. We are grateful for your time today, and it is an honor that even the vice-chairwoman has agreed to hear us.” (Leon)

“Well, since it is a request from one of our important partners, it is only natural.” (Henriette)

The two classmates exchanged looks of confusion, as if wondering what she meant by “partner”.

“I am most obliged.” (Leon)

“Then, could you tell us the purpose of your visit?” (Henriette)

“To speak plainly, we have come to propose a collaboration for an event at Salomea University’s festival, which will be held on the second weekend of May. Odette is the representative for the first-year students.” (Leon)

“A proposal?” (Odette)

A faint voice came from beside me. It was a different explanation from the one I had made her practice before coming here, after all.

“I see. That is somewhat different from what the branch manager had informed me. So, this is not a plea for assistance born of familial sentiment, but a formal business proposal, is that correct?” (Henriette)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Very well. If it had been the former, I would have asked you to leave immediately. But I will hear you out.” (Henriette)

Phew. The first hurdle cleared.

“Then, I shall continue. The Salomea University Festival is held once per year at both the northern and southern campuses. This year, it is scheduled for the date mentioned earlier.” (Leon)

I opened my bag, took out a stack of papers, and handed them to Kaa-sama and Oji-san
I could feel a sharp gaze from my side. I would apologize later.

“Please look at the graph in the upper left. The total attendance each year is approximately 5000 over the two days. Even in the year three years ago, when the weather was poor for the entire duration, attendance still reached 4,521. Thus, a stable turnout can be expected. Among those, the Science and Technology Department, prior to our entry, has tended to have modest displays. However, this year, we intend to change that.” (Leon)

“How so?” (Henriette)

“Our exhibit will primarily take the form of a café.” (Leon)

“A café…” (Henriette)

Her eyes held a cool, disinterested gleam, as if to say it sounded unoriginal.

“Of course, it will not be an ordinary café. Our focus will differ from the products we serve.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Henriette)

“First, we shall target only female visitors among the attendees.” (Leon)

“Women? Could it be…” (Henriette)

“Yes. The very principle of this trading company, in business, aim for women and mouths. That one.” (Leon)

“Hmph. By limiting your clientele to women, your total sales might decrease. How do you intend to handle that?” (Henriette)

“We plan to increase the average customer spending.” (Leon)

 

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