Wow. ......!

　Thistle looked around the city and couldn't help but admire it.

　After a few days of riding in a number of cheap horse-drawn carriages from the port city of Coola, the destination that she arrived at after a few days was Vinston, the royal capital of the Castal Kingdom.

　The main street, with its rows of buildings that looked upward, felt like a different world to the so-called "country boy" Thistle.

　The surprise was not limited to the buildings. The crowds of people coming and going, the diversity of clothing and equipment, the glitter of the shops. All of these things were new to her in her life.


It's awesome ...... dreamy.

　From now on, I'm going to open a bakery (...) in this place.

　That's Azami's dream now.

　It's not just a matter of time before he'll be able to get his hands on a new one, but also of time before he'll be able to get his hands on a new one.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. However, her determination was firm.

　She wanted to "stay true to what she loves," she thought to herself.

　Who's influence it was, I don't need to tell you.


'Well, first of all, it's the location.'

　But in reality, things don't go so well.

　Surprisingly, Azami has no knowledge about opening a bakery. She is a naive person who only thinks, "I'll just make bread and sell it.

　In order to sell bread, you need ingredients and a place. In other words, if you pick a place and prepare the ingredients there, all you have to do is to make and sell the bread ......, her plan is a bit of a poor idea.

　However, this is the only way to go about it. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what the bakery is all about because you're holed up in the island country of Katoh no Hachinokuni, where it's extremely difficult for information to reach.


Oh, oh, ......?

　As Thistle looks around the main street, he notices a fact.

　There is no space to open a shop anywhere.

　This is quite natural. The main street of the royal capital is such a popular place that it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the best land in the kingdom. It's the kind of place where the most famous and prestigious restaurants are scrambling to get to this place. It's not the kind of place where you can set up shop on a whim.


You're going to have to go to ...... to find another place. I'll have to look for another place.

　Thistle slumped his shoulders and left the main street.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.

　The sign says: "Grocery Store Aicycle".

The signboard reads: "Grocery Store Icicle".

　Maybe she could purchase strong flour and yeast here. Thinking so, Thistle decided to take a peek inside the store to see what they were stocking up on.



''--Welcome!

　The bell rings as you enter the store and the girl on duty greets Thistle with a smile.


'............'

　Thistle was immensely disappointed.

　First of all, this store called Icicle was cleaner (...) than any other store she knew. There wasn't a single stain on the immaculately polished floor, and not a single fly on any of the shelves, which were beautifully displayed with a variety of colorful foods.

　This seems obvious and very difficult to take for granted. This wouldn't be possible if thorough hygiene control wasn't ingrained in our daily lives. For Azami, who lived in Tohachinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochinochino, where even the concept of hygiene management was at stake, this was a bit of a culture shock.

　Secondly, the cuteness of the shop keeper girls. She smiled and bowed politely in a firm greeting, but the clothes she wore especially caught Azami's attention. It was a tightly sewn white shirt, a black vest with embroidery, a skirt with a pretty design and a frilled apron that could not be considered the attire of someone who specializes in handling foodstuffs. They were expensive clothes to look at. How could a grocery store clerk dress so neatly? Thistle can't suddenly understand.


'Hey, what, just stare.'

　The shop keeper girl broke the silence with a jittery look, perhaps sensing Thistle's hot stare.

''Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that you were so pretty.''
What?

　Azami speaks a plainly unnerving line, as Masamune usually does.
　In response, the other party's face turns slightly red.

'You, tell me your name?'
...... It's ice cream.
Thank you. I'm Thistle. I just came out of the Eighteenth Country today. It's nice to meet you.

　The girl who kept the store was named Ice. She was the signature girl at the grocery store, Icicle.

　Thistle learns from Ice's polite bow and gives a charming bow.

　Ice was a little taken aback by this, but when she realized that Thistle was a "guest of the trip", she renewed her response.

It's nice to meet you, Thistle. So, what do you want to do with me today?
Oh, yeah. Do they have strong flour and yeast here?
I'm selling it. Do you make bread?
Yeah. I'm thinking of opening a bakery.
'Wow, that's great!　Where do you plan to open it?
'That's still up in the air. Where do you think Mr. Ice would like to be?
What ......?

　Thistle said so naturally that Ice froze, his eyes glazing over.

　The other party, who he had thought was a traveling customer, said he was opening a bakery. That's all well and good. But the problem is that the place is not even set in stone. On top of that, on second thought, the fact that they are trying to purchase ingredients from a retail store like Icicle is also a big problem.

　Too ignorant. Ice cocked an eyebrow and held his head up.

'What's wrong?'
'No, that's the line I was going for: ...... Thistle, what are you doing here?'
Yeah, I'm opening a bakery: ......
'We don't even know where to go?　What about the legal process?　How do I notify the Kingdom and the Guild?　How about a bread oven?　Do you have the money to open a business in the first place?　If you've been trying to get all the materials at our house, you probably don't even know that wholesale exists.
"...... eet ......

　Finally, Ice looked up to the heavens.
　He put his hand to his forehead and said, "Aha!

'I'm sorry. I hope it wasn't that bad ......?
Huh. ...... Okay?　It's like you've just walked into a forest where demons are regrouping and empty-handed, you know?
Oh, well, that was a long time ago.
What?
What?

　They scowled at each other.

　After a few moments of silence, Ice said, "Well, okay," and opened his mouth again.

You can't. You can't possibly be a baker at this rate. I don't want to say anything bad about you, but I want you to get hired and train in a restaurant first. You can learn a lot of things there and then open your own bakery. That's the best way.
Oh, really?
Yes!

　Ice seems to be getting increasingly annoyed with Thistle, who is too naive, and while slightly angry, he gives her precise advice.

　It's just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the difference.


Thank you, Ice-san. I learned a lot. Do you mind if I come back to shop again?
Yeah, come back. I'm really worried about you, you know. I'd rather you come visit me regularly, please.
'That's very kind of you, you ...... Okay, I will.'
It's not a nice thing to do. It's a mental health issue for me.

　Ice waved a fluttering "Yes, yes, yes" at Thistle, who repeatedly said thank you and thank you, and waved her off.

　Some people are weird, he thought. I think about that with a dumbfounded look on my face.

　This was the meeting between Thistle and Ice.





　The next day.
　Thistle had been visiting Icicle since the morning.

　And she reports the fact that the inn she entered at random cost 4,000 CL per night (...) with half a tear in her eye.

　When Thistle insisted that this was being ripped off, Ice kicked him off with, "That's just the way it is.

　Apparently, the cost of living in the Sword Hatnokuni and the royal capital, Vinston, is very different. Ice's concern about Thistle, who is learning such things now, is only increasing.


　Then an uninvited guest arrives .......


''--I'm sorry to disturb you~''

　A group of young men dressed in a tight-fitting outfit came in through the door.

　After the greeting of the first man, they entered the store in a lump. There were five of them. They didn't seem to be ordinary customers.

You're not ......!　You came to tell me to get out of here again?　You're kidding me!　No matter how many times you say it, our shop is!
'Oh well, calm down. I know that you and your son won't be leaving here.
What do you want, then?
That's funny. This is a grocery store, right?　Of course you're here to buy groceries.
...... ......!

　Instantly, Ice bared his hostility.

　The men ransacked the store with a thin smile on their faces.


'Do you know each other?'

　Knowing that things were not normal, Thistle asked Ice a single word. At the calming voice, Ice managed to regain his composure.


'...... It was sent by the tavern next door. They bought the land on both sides of our property, and it looks like they're after our land too. But hey, it doesn't matter how much they pile on, we're not going to leave. I'm proud to run this shop. My mom feels the same way. I don't want to sell my pride for money.


　It was a small voice, a mournful cry.
　But it was enough of a voice for Thistle to respect Ice.

　She was alone with her mother, guarding this grocery store. Not a single step backwards against a large group of men.

"There's a rumor they're profiting from illegal gambling. No, I have proof. It's a disgusting act that forgets pride ...... and is absolutely inexcusable. I love this city, and I love the proud people of this city. That makes it all the more inexcusable. I won't back down from it. I'm going to resist with pride to the end. No matter what kind of harassment you get: ......

　Ice glared at the men, his thin body trembling.


　--Thistle felt compelled to applaud. She wanted to go around and tell the people of the city out loud about that proud resolve of hers.


　But there was no way the men who had given up their pride could understand the integrity of the ice cream that had impressed Azami.

'Hey, hey!　Look at this meat, it's rotten!
d*mn it!　It smells awful!
These beans have bugs all over them!
'Oh!　I'm starting to feel nauseous!
'This place is the worst!　Don't come back!

　He deliberately yelled out loudly enough to be heard outside the store, ranting about things that weren't there.

　The men laughed in a teasing manner. 'You're in trouble, aren't you?' And he even gives Ice that look.

'It's obstruction of business!　Go away!　I'm calling the Order!
'Oh, scary!　Even the woman who looks after the store is hysterical in this store.
We're just telling the truth, right?
Shut up!　Shut up!　Get out!　Get out!

　Ice clenched his fists tightly and shouted with all his might, tears welling up in his eyes.

　...... and then the men all returned to their straight faces and said in thunderous tones, "I'll be back.


'We'll be back.'


　To the helpless ice cream, it was nothing but fear.

　How long will this continue? Just thinking about it will make you dizzy.


''Oh, Thistle-san ......?''

　That's why ...... thistle could not be overlooked.

　Now that she was free from the restrictions of the school, she was not willing to be bound and disturbed by anything. Even if it was someone else, she couldn't bring herself to let it go. It was her respect for the proud Ice that made her proud to be a samurai.

　As Azami moved quietly, oblivious to the men's attention, she thought to herself.


　-- Ice has shown me a proud resolve. I'm proud of my decision--.



'Kyah!'

　A moment later as the men put their hands on the door to get out of the icicle door. Thistle stepped between the man and the door, and with a deliberately loud voice, he fell out of the door.

　People walking out of the store paid attention to what was going on.


'Hey, look out!'
What the hell. We're not bad, are we?
You're a hit man. You've got to be kidding me.

　The men complained quietly so that the people of the city wouldn't hear them.

　Seeing their attitude, Thistle secretly grinned.


''Yay!　Stop it!　I'm going to be raped!


　Immediately after, Thistle shouted. The unthinkable (・・・・・・・・).

　With the men, they did the same thing.


'Huh?'
Don't come here!　The five of us huddled together in a huddle and tried to f*ck me!　You beast!
Hey, man.
You're the guys from the next bar.　I will never forgive this barbarism!　Somebody!　Somebody!　Call a man!
d*mn it!　Shut up!

　A cry that is clearly an act. Passersby were on the fence, wondering whether or not to go in between.

　But as soon as the word "tavern" is mentioned, the men are suddenly filled with a look of impatience.

　And then they approached the woman with the need to silence her at once.

　If this happened, he was no longer at the mercy of Thistle.


''---''

　A flash.

　The Kichijo-ryu Iemoto's 《Ginshou Battoujutsu》 sliced through the air and something else (...).


''Wha-......?''

　The men couldn't understand what had happened. But now, all they knew was that the woman in front of them had done something for sure.

　Because it was as if Thistle's eyes peeked out for just a moment ...... a frightening sharpness that would make even a hellish demon run away barefoot.

　But after a few seconds, nothing happened. The men were relieved that they had been mistaken.


'No!　The five perverts!
'd*mn it!　Shut him up!

　After a beat, Thistle started screaming again. The men took a big step forward to cover their mouths.

　Then ......


'Yikes!　They started taking off their clothes in this traffic.　You're so motivated!

"What ...... geez?
'Whoa!　Me too!

　Two of the five men, the two closest to Thistle, had their pants stoned and dropped to their ankles.

　The thistle had cut off their belts with the earlier extraction of the sword.

　As a result, the two men were left with their pants exposed.


''What the hell is this woman!
"Hide it now, you fool!　Let's get out of here!

　The men couldn't help but retreat.

　The way they hurriedly pulled up their pants and ran away in a hurry is just ridiculous.


'Wow. ......'

　Passersby were astonished.

I'm sure many of you may have wondered what the bar next door is like.


　...... the opposite. Very few believed the words the men were ranting about in the icicle.

　They all knew it. Everyone who lives in this city knows. That's not what Icicle is. We're proud of it, and we're proud of this town.


　So, I guess.

"Yeah, yeah ......?

　To Thistle's ridiculous little play, those in town who know the circumstances of the icicle (...) gave a generous applause (...).

　A puzzled thistle. It would be the same. She thought the air was going to be sullen, but she didn't expect to receive applause of all people.


''Thistle!''

　Immediately afterwards, Ice, who had watched the whole thing, ran up to Thistle.

　And.


'What are you doing!　Don't worry about it!　Stupid!　You are such an idiot!　Thank you!　That made my heart swoon!

　I hugged Thistle tightly, cursing and thanking him.


　As Azami hugged Ice back, she noticed that his body was shaking in small increments.

　She must have been really worried. Azami couldn't help but smile warmly at Ice, who was about ten years older than her, as she felt like a caring and worried sister.


'I'm sorry for worrying you. I just wanted to show you how proud I am, in my own way.'
'Yeah, I get it. That ...... didn't look great.

　It must be, and they both laugh.


　After a moment, when Ice stopped shaking, Thistle let go of her body and opened her mouth to face Ice head on.

'Do you think I can make it in this proud city too?'
...... It's okay. I'm sure Thistle will be fine. I can assure you.
Um, so, um, well, you know: ......
?
'I'd like to ask you if you could rent me a place in your ...... shop.　It's just a mattress. I'm just trying to sell some bread.

　Ice paused for a moment and then smiled challengingly.

'Your rent is so high.'
...... How long?
Work as my bouncer. I'll give you three meals and a place to sleep. How's that sound?
Oh, .......
Huh?
Ice Cha-an!
Hey!　What?　Get off me!　Enough!


　This is how Thistle took the first step towards his dream of opening a bakery.

　Soon after, there was a boom in the "kuriimu pan" in the royal capital ...... but that's another story.