It was a normal day at the shop. I was experimenting with soba improvements again.
"If I use this herb, the flavor gets pretty close to the real thing…"
It gave a taste and aroma similar to soy sauce. The problem was appearance. This particular herb was colorless and transparent.
"It still needs to look dark…"
The visual was important for the image. I tried various combinations, but anything I added messed with the delicate herb flavor.
"Daily research. Daily research."
Yeah.
The sale of my alcohol to other shops had started with just one nearby establishment. But once that shop began serving it, word spread like wildfire. Now every restaurant affiliated with the local cooking guild was allowed to purchase it.
Lately, the most exhausting part of my day was filling barrels with alcohol before the evening rush. Still, if I left the barrels ready at the front of the shop, the staff from other places would carry them themselves, so it wasn't too bad.
At some point, my alcohol had become a local specialty. A full barrel sold for two silver coins. One cup was one copper coin — about 100 yen. A barrel held roughly 300 cups, so around 30,000 yen worth. After costs, it brought in about three silver coins per barrel in cash sales.
Taverns usually operated on credit tabs, which added a premium — nearly double the price. Other shops did the same, so the actual profit margin was probably around 50%. After labor and other expenses, it wasn't as lucrative as it sounded.
Because of that, a price negotiation meeting was held with the guild.
"We understand you're already giving us a very good price…"
"I know. The profit isn't great."
So, what to do?
"There are only two realistic options. Either everyone raises the selling price together, or we lower the purchase price."
Everyone nodded.
"I don't want to raise prices. My mission is to provide good alcohol and soba to people who don't have much money."
"We get it. You're that kind of guy. None of us want to raise prices either."
So…
"Lower the purchase price, then."
Well, I could produce unlimited alcohol with magic, but I didn't want to reveal too much about my ability.
"You're already buying in huge volumes. If we set a fixed large order from the start, production cost drops. We can lower the purchase price, but even then, one silver coin per barrel is pushing it."
"Yeah, I figured…"
Everyone looked troubled.
Showing kindness here would be fatal in this world. This was business. If you showed a soft side, people would take advantage endlessly.
Then the guild chairman spoke up.
"How about we pay one silver coin per barrel to your shop, and in exchange, you get a formal position in the merchants' guild?"
"A position?"
What?
"It means you'd become an official guild officer."
Merchants had ranks.
First, simple merchants like me — treated as lower class.
Next, official guild officers — your status was guaranteed by the guild, treated as middle class.
Then, guild patrons — wealthy merchants who provided funds to the guild itself, essentially existing beyond normal guild boundaries. They were the upper class, the so-called great merchants.
Becoming a middle-class guild officer would guarantee my status, allowing me to do business in other cities and countries without issues. The position didn't come with many extra duties.
So…
"I'll take that deal."
I was planning to open more shops and get married. Having proper status would be very helpful. Plus, it was a fair compromise in the negotiation.
That night, while I was serving customers with Layla at my shop, Gelahagudome showed up.
"Hey, Gelahagudome-san."
"Ah."
He was still wearing that ridiculous oversized mask.
"Master, this is just my imagination, but I think something outrageous might come out. Is now a good time?"
"Huh? What is it?"
I moved him to my private room.
Then he said,
"The rejuvenation drug will probably appear."
"…What?"
"Try it."
A white powder materialized.
"…For real?"
"I don't know the exact effects. It might be worth testing on someone who values youth more than life."
Avael-san.
One person immediately came to mind.
She was a regular who had stayed even after most female customers moved to Roiza's shop. A man-loving old lady — at least 55 years old by this world's standards. Her wrinkles were deep. In modern Japan, 55 here would feel closer to 70. Yet she was still incredibly fond of men.
If anyone would take the risk, it was her.
"Layla, go call Avael-san."
"My, my, inviting an old lady into your room?"
Avael-san wiggled her hips in an exaggerated, comedic way.
"If you could become young again, what would you do?"
Her face turned serious.
"It might cost me my life."
"I don't care."
She answered instantly.
"Rumors could cause trouble. I need you to keep it secret."
"I have no family left. My only connections are the customers here. If I really become young, I'll act like a completely different person. I won't breathe a word."
"It could kill you," I repeated.
"I don't care."
I didn't think it would kill her. My magic didn't work that way.
Avael-san drank the powder without hesitation.
It happened in an instant.
The wrinkles vanished.
She had become younger.
Looking at the mirror in the room, Avael-san's body trembled.
"How many years did you go back?"
"Maybe ten years or so."
I produced another dose.
"There might be a limit like once per day, so tomorrow…"
Before I could finish, she drank it immediately.
"Ah."
"Ahahahahaha!!!"
She now looked in her 30s.
"One more time!"
"Wait, the side effects might be dangerous…"
"I don't care!"
She drank the next one right away.
Avael-san kept regressing — 20s, then late teens.
"Ahahahahaha!!! I'm young!!! I'm young again!!!"
She screamed in ecstasy.
Then suddenly…
"Wait… no way…"
Oh no.
"It's… shrinking!?"
She had drunk too much!
Avael-san started shrinking rapidly.
"Re-aging drug!!!"
I quickly produced the counter-drug and forced it down her throat.
Her age reversed again.
After repeating the process all night, we finally stabilized her at around 18 years old — a beautiful young woman in the prime of her beauty.
The next day, I hired the now-young Avael-san as a new employee.
"Ufufu♡"
A completely unfamiliar, seductive young woman flirted with customers while serving them. Layla stared in confusion. I whispered in her ear:
(That's Avael-san.)
(Haa!?)
(I'll explain later.)
(Okay…)
Because I was worried about further age fluctuations, I decided to let her live with us.
When I explained everything to Layla later, she said,
"Well… if it's Avael-san, that's fine, I guess."
Then she added,
"But… I get jealous too, you know."
"Nnnn♡♡♡"
I pulled the jealous Layla into a deep kiss.
"Hey… kiss me a lot♡♡♡"
Our kiss grew intense and passionate, tongues intertwining hungrily.
"I got anxious♡ Wondering if you don't need me at the shop anymore♡"
"That's not true, Layla. I need you. I'll always need you."
To prove it, I decided to love her thoroughly tonight.
I laid Layla down on the soft bed, kissing her slowly and deeply while my hands roamed her body. I took my time, caressing her breasts, teasing her nipples until they were hard little peaks, then sliding my fingers between her legs to find her already wet and ready.
"Aaahn♡ Your fingers feel so good♡♡♡"
I kissed my way down her body, licking and sucking her sensitive spots until she was squirming and begging. When I finally spread her legs and buried my face between them, Layla moaned loudly, hands gripping my hair.
"Yes♡ Right there♡ Lick me more♡♡♡"
I devoured her eagerly, tongue flicking against her clit while two fingers pumped inside her. Layla's hips bucked, her moans growing louder and more desperate.
"I'm close♡ I'm going to cum♡♡♡"
I kept going until she cried out, her body shaking as she came hard on my tongue.
But I wasn't done. I climbed on top of her, sliding my thick cock into her still-spasming pussy in one smooth thrust.
"Nnnn♡♡♡ So full♡ Your cock fills me perfectly♡♡♡"
I started with slow, deep strokes, letting her feel every inch. Layla wrapped her legs around me, pulling me deeper as we kissed passionately.
"I love you♡♡♡ I love your cock so much♡♡♡ Fuck me harder♡♡♡"
I picked up the pace, thrusting harder and faster while whispering dirty words in her ear.
"You're so tight and wet for me, Layla. Your pussy is gripping me so greedily."
"Because it's yours♡♡♡ This pussy belongs to you forever♡♡♡ Please cum inside me♡ Fill me up♡♡♡"
I flipped her onto all fours, gripping her hips and pounding her from behind. The sound of skin slapping skin filled the room as Layla pushed back against me, moaning loudly.
"Harder♡ Breed me♡ I want your cum deep inside♡♡♡"
I reached around to rub her clit while slamming into her, making her cum again and again. Each orgasm made her walls squeeze me tighter.
When I finally couldn't hold back, I buried myself to the hilt and flooded her womb with thick ropes of hot cum.
"I'm cumming♡♡♡ So much♡ Fill me up♡♡♡"
We collapsed together, panting and sweaty. Layla curled against my chest, kissing my neck softly.
"I'll never betray you♡ I'll stay by your side forever♡"
I held her close, stroking her hair.
"I know. You're mine, Layla."
Meanwhile, the rejuvenation drug and the newly young Avael-san…
"This is scary…"
But…
"It might be necessary."
There was still one more person who could be useful.