Episode 3: Hospitality Street

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Scene: A hallway in St. Theresa's School for Girls.

After her failed presentation to Akino and the others, Chelle returned to her friends with her head hung low.

Chloe
Good try, Chelle.

Yuni
I was able to observe the status of the presentation through the crack in the door. Regardless of the contents of your argument, I thought that it was a very passionate and ambitious speech that you gave. Regardless of the contents.

Chelle
Yuni and Chloe... I'm sorry, I suffered a crushing defeat. Even though both of you helped me out so much...

Yuni
Yes, we did help you. Within the plushie that Chloe created, I used magic to install the conversational system. As the executive director, all you did was point out miscellaneous flaws with the product, Chelle.

Chelle
Ugh, I really rode you two like chellhorses, too... I never thought that I would end up being the cause of failure...

Yuni
That was because of the contents.

Chloe
Seriously, it was all because you got worked up and went on a weird tirade... What was all that about Chellese uniting the world. What kind of argument was that.

Chelle
Dunno... Even I don't really get it. I just thought it was fun to say chellu chellu a bunch. Chloe, you know you're better off not thinking too hard about what I say, right?

Chloe
I wasn't thinking. I was just riffing off what you said.

Yuni
You had best quiet down, Chloe. You should be called at any moment now. You should put the latent power that rests within Yunichan's on full display.

Chelle
That's right, Chloe. Please put the latent power that rests within St. Theresa's School for Girls (BFFs Club) on full display!

Chelle
And then, ooh, please...! Upon the enemies of Chelle, and "Talk-to-you Chelle," too...!

Chloe
Nah, don't care. The only enemy you had was you, when you shot yourself in the foot by going off like that.

Chelle
Nooo, Chloe...

Chloe
I don't care about your enemies or whatever, but I'll do it for the cash. ... Leave it to me.

Chelle
Ah, she went sweet! For just a moment, she went sweet! Did you see that, Yuni, she's as cute as ever!

Yuni
Too far, Chloe.

Chloe
Annoyed annoyed annoyed annoyed annoyed annoyed.

Mifuyu
Would the next student please come in.

Chloe
Pfff... All right, here goes.

Scene: A lecture hall inside St. Theresa's School for Girls.

Chloe
'Sup. I'm a second-year at St. Theresa's, nice to meet looking forward etc.

Tamaki
She doesn't seem very sociable.

Akino
Chloe... She seems to have a unique air about her. I'm looking forward to seeing what interesting idea she has for us!

Akino
Hmm, in the documents that the school provided to us... Huh? Has a tendency for misbehaving, is what's written here. I wonder if this student has had some issues in the past.

Mifuyu
So that's what it is... The truth is, the first day we came here, I had the feeling that this girl was, well, staring closely at me the entire time.

Chloe
(The legendary dragon slayer, that's the alias that this woman uses. Huh, that's pretty good... Pretty cool.)

Mifuyu
S-See? She's glaring at me right now, isn't she? Eh, she doesn't have some kind of grudge against me, does she? Ugh, I don't get what goes on in the minds of today's kids!

Chloe
(Man... I wanna hear all her stories about legendary battles and stuff, but I don't wanna come off as some kind of clingy, desperate fan. Even though I'm thinking just like that kind of fan right now. Hilarious.)

Tamaki
It's true... She's staring daggers at Mifuyu right now... Without even a trace of a smile on her face...

Akino
What's going on, everyone? Chloe is waiting for us -- let's get started.

Chloe
Yep.

Mifuyu
W-Well, then, Chloe. I'm sorry for asking a discourteous question when I'm sure you've heard your fair share of them, but could it be that you have some kind of deep-seated dissatisfaction towards the adults around you, or towards society at large?

Chloe
Who's badly behaved. So what if I broke a few windows in the schoolhouse overnight.

Chloe
No, scratch that. That's not what I meant to say. Even if I look like I've had issues, I've turned out just fine. I'm totally fired up about getting started, totally fired up.

Yuuki
1. "Let's get started."

Akino
Oh, Yuuki. You're here again, are you.

Mifuyu
Huh? That couldn't possibly mean... could it?

Chloe
By the way, people from Merc F, your throats are probably feeling dry from the taiyaki pack earlier. Hey, staff? Let's get them some more stuff.

Yuuki
1. Give out the beverages.

Mifuyu
It really is another bribe! Not just that, but she's coordinating with the last girl -- what's going on with these girls!?

Tamaki
What corrupt students... That note about misbehaving was right after all...

Yukari
H-Hold on!? My drink is the only one that's a beer! Isn't there some kind of problem, serving this in a school!?

Chloe
Oh, that wasn't my responsibility. I asked my staff member here to prepare the drinks for all of you.

Yuuki
1. "I thought I did a perfect job."

Yukari
O-Oh, so you were the one who prepared these... Well, then, it'd be a waste to dump it out. Just one pint, okay? ... Gulp.

Yukari
Ahhhh...

Chloe
Hey, Miss Yukari. Your totally changed your stance when you said it'd be a waste, you sure that's fine? I don't think you want people seeing you as an unnuanced pleasure seeker.

Tamaki
Wow, she's worried about Yukari's public image. That's the sort of kindness that we've long since abandoned in our guild. She might misbehave sometimes, but she might be a good person at heart.

Mifuyu
Most likely, she was betrayed by the circumstances of her surroundings or her environment. As adults, we should approach her with impartiality...

Akino
Well, then, the project pitch that you've come to make is... Hmm, creating a new street fashion brand. Is that right?

Chloe
Ah, yeah. Yep. Well, I mean, it's like, original clothes that I make, yeah? Like, what if we set up a store to sell that stuff, or whatever.

Mifuyu
An original brand by a current schoolgirl... You'll encounter quite a few business difficulties if you're going that way. For instance? Do you have that much confidence in your own fashion sense?

Chloe
Well, yeah, probably. At my side job, the customers seemed pretty happy with the clothes I picked out for them. I think I've got a pretty good eye for coordinating outfits and stuff.

Chloe
And I think it was kind of fun, too. So, I figured, why not just make clothes and set up a store by myself, and make it some kind of concentrated Chloe space, or something.

Yukari
I see, since you've already worked this job, you have some experience and achievements to show. ... Wait, huh? Wasn't taking a side job not allowed at this school?

Chloe
Oh, uh... well, about that... Huh? Wait, hold on... Looking closely at you, Yukari... Haven't we met somewhere before?

Yukari
N-No, not at all. Please, I'm not good with sudden advances like that...

Tamaki
She totally just changed the subject. Feels like she was definitely taking jobs illicitly.

Mifuyu
Moreover, it was sure mysterious, the way Yukari said that just now. I thought she looked kind of proud instead, secretly glancing in Yuuki's direction every so often. I'm sure the "sudden advances" she had in mind were related.

Akino
Everyone, aren't we losing the thread of the conversation here?

Akino
To start with, what exactly does street fashion mean? Are they meant to be the clothes of those bare-chested ruffians I often see prowling around Landsol, waving their knives around?

Chloe
I mean, I've seen those guys too. Definitely seen 'em. You can't miss those buzz cuts.

Chloe
What I'm talking about is totally different from those knife-waving weirdos, it's more like... Mm... Well, describing it in words is hard. Impossible, even?

Mifuyu
No, isn't that the most important part? Letting other people be a part of the project that you've sketched out in your head. ... I wonder if she understands the whole point of this course.

Chloe
It's fine. What I want to do is really simple. All I need is...

Chloe
My own fashion sense. I'll kick the crap out of all the other fashion brats in Landsol.

Chloe
... How's that?

???
Pfft! Mmph, heh...

???
W-What was that just now... Super cool, haha, hahaha... I can't, my stomach hurts, eep... She's got a super smug face, too... hahaha...

Yukari
My, what was that? Somebody in the hallway seems to be laughing wildly about something.

Chloe
......

Chloe
... S-Seems like it.

Akino
Ahh ha ha! What big talk, Chloe! I don't dislike it -- rather, I think your spirit is grand!

Akino
However, society won't be swayed by all talk and no action. You need a way to show us just how strong your fashion sense is, yes?

Chloe
I mean. It's totally first-class.

Mifuyu
In that case, I think a practical demonstration would be most efficient. Let's suppose that this is your shop, so that you can treat us like your customers. How about that?

Yukari
You can think of it as practice with making sales to customers, right?

Chloe
Seems fine to me. As expected of a dragon slayer.

Mifuyu
Then, can you imagine it? This is your store. You're the salesperson.

Chloe
My store. I'm the salesperson. 'Kay.

Tamaki
This sounds like fun! Okay then, I'm going in!

Chloe
Welcome. Looking for something?

Tamaki
Super low energy!? Shouldn't someone in the hospitality industry have a different tone!?

Chloe
Huh, really? But I figured just acting the way I am would be more welcoming.

Tamaki
... W-Well, all right. Anyway, please pick out the outfit that suits me the best.

Chloe
No can do.

Tamaki
W-Whyyy!?

Tamaki
T-That hurts... Hearing that there aren't any clothes that suit me... The people who run these fashion shops really are the queens of verbal abuse...

Chloe
No, it's because the clothes you're wearing are already great. It'd be a lie to say that anything else suited you the best.

Tamaki
H-Huh, is that right...? You really shocked me there -- if that was what you meant, then I would've liked you to pick your words more carefully...

Chloe
But seriously, those clothes are sweet. The oriental design base really jumps out at you, but you can tell it's still function over form, with how easy it is to move in. Real nice.

Chloe
A sharp outfit like that just screams "Tamaki." Yeah, better to embrace your own style, don't you think. Dressing yourself in my street wear just wouldn't be as honest.

Tamaki
A-All right. Now that you've said all that, I do feel pretty good. I'll let you off the hook for today.

Chloe
Thanks, come again.

Chloe
Pfff... Perfect. Full marks, definitely.

Yuuki
1. "But you didn't sell anything..."

Chloe
So what. I know that.

Chloe
But it's unavoidable. I can't lie about my own fashion sense, and I'm not gonna dress my customers in stuff they won't look good in.

Mifuyu
Right, I could feel a shopkeeper's conviction right there. ... Though I'm not sure what that means for the presentation.

Yukari
Then, let me go next.

Yukari
Hmm, hmm, hmm... Maybe I'll make some seafood paella for my fiancé tonight. Oh, my, what a nice store in a place like this.

Tamaki
You know, this is part of a business presentation, so there's no need to inject your own personal fantasies into the scenario.

Chloe
Click, welcome.

Tamaki
You don't need to do your own sound effects. This has gone from a serious business meeting to a second-rate improv theater.

Yukari
Ah, Miss Manager. I'm going to meet my fiancé's parents tomorrow. Do you have any clothes that would suit me for the occasion?

Chloe
Nope.

Yukari
N-No...!?

Yukari
T-That hurts... Hearing that there aren't any clothes that suit me, and that I'll never be presentable to my in-laws... The people who run these fashion shops really are the queens of verbal abuse...

Chloe
No, it's because this is a street fashion shop. In your case, Miss Yukari, these kinds of rebellious clothes would be totally inappropriate for an occasion like that.

Yukari
O-Oh, so that's what you meant, what a shock... I often draw those kinds of rude remarks, so I'd really like you to choose your words more carefully... But, thank you -- in that case, I guess I should go search some other shops.

Chloe
Thanks. Careful.

Chloe
Pfff... Okay, perfect take two.

Yuuki
1. "But you didn't sell anything..."

Chloe
So what. I know that.

Tamaki
So, from the moment you entered until the moment you left, things were pretty much the same for you as they were for me.

Mifuyu
Ugh, what are you two even doing, Tamaki, Yukari. I guess I'll just have to go in last.

Chloe
Sure. Let's run the saleperson skit from the top.

Tamaki
She went ahead and called it a skit!

Chloe
Click. Welcome.

Mifuyu
Miss Saleperson. This is a street fashion shop, right. Of course, I know that. Listen, it's okay if they don't suit me. Anything's fine, just pick some clothes out for me...

Chloe
Out of the question.

Mifuyu
Out of the...!?

Mifuyu
T-That hurts... Hearing that it would be outrageous to find any clothes for me... The people who run these fashion shops really are the queens of verbal abuse...

Chloe
Well, I mean, yeah. Because you're a dragon slayer. Someone who they'll be telling tales about hundreds of years from now.

Chloe
I don't think I can manage any clothes that'd be worthy of those tales. Like, I have no idea what's gonna be fashionable by then, and I don't want people looking at ancient stone murals of you and saying stuff like, "wow, clothes from hundreds of years ago were so ugly lololol."

Mifuyu
R-Right... I don't really understand what you're talking about, but I wish you'd chosen your words better. See you later.

Chloe
Thanks. Come again.

Chloe
Pfff... The Perfect, now entering season 3.

Yuuki
1. "In the end, you didn't sell anything..."

Chloe
Well, yeah.

Chloe
But, I mean. That was on the customers, not me. Normally, people would be able to tell just by seeing the storefront whether it was meant for them or not.

Tamaki
Now she's blaming the customers. If there were any justice in the world, this store would shut down right away.

Mifuyu
... I feel like it's only a formality at this point, but Akino, let's hear the result.

Akino
Yes, indeed...

Chloe
......!

Akino
... It's a no-rupee finish!

Chloe
Huh?

Akino
Honestly, I thought it was quite entertaining to see you handling your customers so creatively, but as for Tamaki and the others...

Tamaki
Salespeople are supposed to sell things to customers. If you insist on being perfect, then you'll catnap right out of business. And also, you really need to be more careful about your hurtful words.

Yukari
Yes, I feel pretty much the same. They hurt.

Mifuyu
Yes, me too. They hurt.

Akino
So you see, as it is, I think it be quite risky to invest in opening a store with you.

Chloe
Hey, wait, wait, what do you mean. The bit about selling things, fine, but what's this about hurtful words.

Chloe
Man, I seriously don't get it. What, what. I've never let a hurtful word leave my mouth from the day I was born. Never. These goody-two-shoes wouldn't know an insult if it bit them in the ass. I'll swear I'll kill you assholes.

Mifuyu
Poor thing... She must have some kind of dissatisfaction towards the adults around her, or towards society at large, after all...

Tamaki
She's letting out all the youthful impulses that she'd been holding in...

Yukari
She must be seriously troubled. We should discuss holding an intervention for her after this.

Akino
However, for now, we're only here to discuss business.

Chloe's presentation ended in failure. And then, she powerfully etched her status as the BFFs Club's master of verbal abuse into the memories of the Mercurius Foundation.