Another World Shop

I opened the door quietly — and was instantly met with a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Amatea and Tsunoya looked like little fox spirits, perched on the bed in perfect stillness. Both wore delicate pastel dresses — one in soft sky blue with white lace, the other in a peachy tone with golden ribbons. The fabric shimmered in the light, as if it had been woven from dreams. Their hair, silky and shiny, was tied into neat ponytails, each adorned with a bright elastic — pink for Amatea, lavender for Tsunoya.

The moment I stepped into the room, they jumped up and rushed toward me. Their tiny arms wrapped around me with such force, as if I were their entire world. Moved, I sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled them into a gentle embrace. Their warmth, their giggles, the way they nuzzled their cheeks into my shoulder — it melted something deep inside me. Something that had been frozen for a long time.

"They've been waiting for you," Ha Rin said with a soft smile as she began unloading several bags onto the bed.

There was joy in her eyes. Pride, too, as she pulled out item after item: matching clothes, pajamas with cute prints, hygiene products, little cat-shaped toothbrushes, combs, towels, a pair of shoes each, warm slippers, even illustrated storybooks. Everything came in twos. She'd even bought a few things in larger sizes — tags still on.

"You did all this…" I whispered. "Why?"

Ha Rin met my gaze. Her voice was gentle, but sincere.

"I never had sisters. But they… they feel like little sisters to me. I want to give them everything I can."

At that moment, I saw her not just as a colleague or a friend. She was a kind, lonely soul yearning for family — for love. I gave a quiet nod, then turned to the fox girls.

"And you two... Do you remember anything? Before I found you?"

Amatea tilted her head, frowning slightly.

"Darkness. And tiny specks of light. Like stars."

"It was cold," Tsunoya added. "But not scary. Just... empty."

"Was it... space?" I guessed.

"Maybe," they whispered in unison.

No names. No race. No memories. Just night and stars. My heart ached. I looked back at Ha Rin.

"What do I do with them? How do I move forward?"

She stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Care for them. They already call you their father. And… you already are. I'll help. I'll be here."

Her words filled me with a swirl of emotions — fear, responsibility, and… warmth.

Suddenly, Amatea and Tsunoya squealed with delight and tackled Ha Rin with hugs from both sides.

"Sis!"

She was surprised at first, then laughed and crouched down to hug them back. The room was filled with something words couldn't quite capture — laughter, warmth, safety.

I didn't want to intrude. I quietly slipped out.

In the store, Ji Ah was finishing up with the last customer. I approached her.

"All good? Holding up okay?"

She wiped her hands and smiled.

"Yeah. Don't worry. My parents were a bit anxious about this job... But when they heard Ha Rin-ah works here, they calmed down. She gives off that trustworthy vibe."

"She really does," I agreed.

After a short chat, I stepped outside. The air was cool, the sky deep and scattered with stars. I took a long breath. Why hadn't I noticed how beautiful it was before? Maybe because I had nothing to hold on to. In my old world, even beauty looked grey.

They used to tell me, "After the dark comes the light." But no one says how the dark never truly disappears. It just shifts. Black, white, grey — on and on. Sometimes you can't even tell where one ends and the other begins. You just drift in the void, without light.

If I could wish for something, it wouldn't be riches or fame. I'd wish for happiness — for those who truly deserve it.

I want to live. For real. In color. If this is my second chance, I won't waste it. I want to grow the store. Meet more creatures. Maybe even learn magic someday.

I returned to the shop. Ji Ah was taking off her uniform. She looked at me and suddenly asked:

"Do you… have a girlfriend?"

I froze. My cheeks flushed. My mind raced: Is this… a chance? But I held myself back.

"No. I don't."

"Ah… Have you ever dated?"

"No. Never."

She nodded, then murmured softly:

"I was just worried, you know… that you might start flirting with Ha Rin-ah. But I feel a bit better now."

I wasn't sure what to say. A strange sadness settled over me. She noticed and quickly apologized:

"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sure you'll find someone."

"No need," I said with a faint smile. "I've made peace with it."

That night, Ha Rin brought me a folding cot. The girls had taken over my bed, so I curled up on the makeshift one. When I woke in the morning, the first thing I saw were two familiar faces — sleeping on me. In pajamas this time.

"Why aren't you in bed?" I whispered.

"We sleep better near you…" Tsunoya mumbled, yawning.

"Even better — on top of you!" Amatea added with a sleepy grin.

I sighed. This was going to be… interesting.

After washing up and having breakfast, I decided to show them the store. Ji Ah blinked in surprise when she saw them.

"Wait… who are these cuties?"

I quickly filled her in on everything and asked if she could keep an eye on them around 4 PM — I had a delivery scheduled.

Ha Rin arrived, and everything ran smoothly. Ji Ah nodded.

"I'd be happy to help. They're adorable."

I left for the delivery.

"Gai-ssi," I greeted when he arrived. We quickly went through the delivery paperwork.

"Hey, is it possible to deal with the suppliers directly?" I asked. "I want to expand our stock — rare items, magical artifacts, monster parts..."

"That's serious. Why?"

"For growth. The shop has potential. We could present them as souvenirs or collectible toys."

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. Will the meeting be held here?"

"Yes, in the store. I'll show them the storage, everything."

He agreed, and we exchanged contacts.

When I returned, Ji Ah was still playing with Amatea and Tsunoya.

"Thanks," I told her.

She smiled.

"I actually kind of like this. But… you're not planning anything weird with them, right?"

"W-What? Of course not!"

That evening, I set a new rule: if they wanted to sleep nearby, it had to be in their fox form. They instantly transformed.

"You mean… you could do that the whole time?!"

They giggled. I sighed.

Before bed, I checked my phone: the camera worked, the map too — though the names were odd. Still, I could now navigate the city myself.

A message came from Gai — the suppliers would arrive at midnight. I confirmed.

Midnight.

I stood behind the counter when the store doors creaked open, and three strangers stepped inside.

Leading the way was an elf woman. Short dark hair — sleek and shining — fell to her shoulders like silk. Her golden eyes gleamed with a strange, almost predatory sharpness, scanning the space.

Behind her walked a massive creature resembling a humanoid turtle. A thick, streamlined shell on his back, grayish leathery skin, and slow, heavy movements that made the floor seem to tremble.

The third was a giant — a bear walking on two legs, with broad shoulders, dense fur, and a worn leather vest. His eyes were serious, his expression stern, but not hostile.

"We're the suppliers. Gai explained everything," the elf said, her gaze sharp.

I stepped forward and bowed politely. "Welcome. I'm Son Ujin, manager of the store."

She gave a short nod. "I'm Seldria. I lead the Monster Hunters' Association. These are my colleagues — Arko and Megrun."

Arko, the turtleman, gave a small bow. Megrun only nodded, his deep grunt sounding almost friendly. I led them to the storage room, showed them the layout and product sections. Seldria recorded everything on a floating, glowing sheet — likely a magical contract.

"These terms are acceptable," she said. "I propose a trial agreement."

"Agreed," I replied, tapping the glowing symbol that appeared mid-air.

The contract was sealed. A new partnership had begun.

The next morning, Ha Rin arrived, still in her sleepwear, holding a cup of hot coffee.

"You look good," I noted.

"That's because I actually slept well," she said with a wink. "What's new?"

"I met the suppliers. Very… different types, but professionals. By the way… What are the major organizations in this city?"

Ha Rin thought for a moment. "Elixoritis — the pharmaceutical giant. Limuea — a cosmetics company. The National Agency of Information and Control. And, of course, the Monster Hunters' Association. They're the most powerful."

I nodded silently. "Thanks."

She hesitated for a second, then looked up.

"Hey... is it okay if Ji Ah and I drop formal speech between us? We've… grown closer."

I was a little taken aback, but smiled warmly.

"Of course. I don't mind."

Ha Rin nodded and walked over to the counter. I stood there, heart beating a little faster from the quiet warmth settling in my chest.

I walked slowly to my room, feeling — for the first time in a long while — that maybe… I was home.