Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement (Light Novel) Vol. 1

by Funa

  She would use propane for the oven, stove, and bath in her store, but had a different reason for using two tanks of this size at a time—electricity. It was the backbone of modern life, and a propane generator was the best method for her to get it in the other world. In reality, the extra propane tanks were spares for her to bring to the capital whenever one ran out.

  Gasoline and diesel generators had lots of problems: they were loud, hard to refill, bad for the environment, used dangerous fuel, and could cause some concern if they ran for too long. They couldn’t even compare to propane generators.

  Of course, Mitsuha didn’t neglect to install solar panels and a big battery, as well as an electrical energy control system. The latter was basically a switchboard to help her manage her multiple methods of generating and storing electricity.

  She’d had the solar panels installed on the rooftop so they wouldn’t stand out. The flat, open rooftop—as opposed to a regular peaked roof—was another good thing about the brick building she’d bought. The previous owners had used it to hang their laundry.

  For entertainment, Mitsuha brought along an LED TV that didn’t require too much power, as well as several game consoles. I mean, I’m gonna be spending a lot of my time in the other world, so I’m gonna need this to watch the stuff in my backlog and play video games. A girl’s gotta have a way to unwind on slow days.

  She took metal window bars, along with some other security equipment, and jump-carried—or just “transferred“—them to the other world. The wares she’d be selling would stay at home for a while longer. She’d gone shopping at discount stores and loaded up on all kinds of cheap, useful items. A whole bunch of them would go for several silver coins—thousands of yen—each. Others were probably worth a small gold coin apiece. It was a real pile of treasure.

  Mitsuha also crafted hiding spots to stash her earnings: one at home and one in the shop. She called them “deep pockets”. Since the area around the shop wasn’t all that peaceful, and because she was often away from home, she needed safe places to keep her money. Making them was a breeze. First, she acquired a large plastic container and a twenty-foot-long PVC pipe.

  Next, she opened up the floor and jumped between worlds, all the while picturing the dirt below in the shape of a twenty-foot-deep hole with an open space at the bottom. In the other world, she appeared alongside a chunk of dirt with a very tall dirt cylinder sticking out of it. Then, she jumped back with the container and the pipe, making sure they appeared in the hole she’d created—with the container at the bottom, of course—and voilà. Success!

  She’d thought of it while running through the internal “instruction manual” given to her by the formless being alongside her healing powers. While her power couldn’t be used to transfer just an object, she could bring things with her if she concentrated on them. She didn’t even have to touch them directly, which made sense. If she did have to touch everything she wanted to transfer, she’d be showing up at the end of a jump in just her underwear and shirt, leaving any coats, skirts, shoes, and items in her pockets behind. What a tragedy that would’ve been. At this point, she’d experimented with her powers enough to understand the process.

  When these safes get pretty full, I’m gonna really savor the sound the coins make as I toss them down the pipe! she thought happily.

  Stealing her stock of gold would require knowledge of the “deep pockets”, digging a twenty-foot hole without anyone noticing, then lifting up the gold from that depth without using any heavy machinery—it wouldn’t fit inside the house, after all. The noise, the handling of the unearthed dirt, the danger of people walking by, time limits... It was impossible for everyone but Mitsuha, really. She could simply transfer it out.

  Even if someone did discover the pipes, they’d have no idea they were twenty feet deep and housed a trove of gold at the bottom. And if Mitsuha somehow lost her world-jumping ability, she could just hire some people to dig it up for her. If she didn’t have to hide the work or do it within a time limit, she’d be reunited with her coins in a couple of days. Both worlds were advanced enough to have well-digging, at least.

  She also attended driving school, since she only had a scooter license. Obviously she didn’t need a license or registration to use a car in the other world, but they’d be required to buy one on Earth, as well as for maintenance and oil changes. All in all, it was a worthwhile investment. As things were, Mitsuha had no plans to drive Scooty or a car in the other world. They’d make her stand out too much. She planned to use them mostly for shopping trips in Japan, though was open to making an exception if the situation called for it.

  The renovators ran into problems every now and again, but they were making decent progress. While they were occupied, Mitsuha took the opportunity to transfer her wares to the second floor. She planned to set up security systems for this level later on. She chose the third floor for her personal quarters, a move that prioritized security over convenience.

  She stored a rope ladder and other evacuation tools on the rooftop and planned to store a backpack full of emergency supplies elsewhere. These were all preparations in case she hired any employees. If the place experienced a raid or similar assault and she couldn’t jump because of them, she’d need a reliable alternative. Mitsuha was a cautious, cowardly worrywart to the core. She’d take that claim to her grave, even if her peers unanimously disagreed.

  After her shop preparations, Mitsuha jumped to the mercenary base and hurried off to ask the captain what she’d been dying to know.

  “Hello, Captain! So, did you check the value?”

  “Man, it always feels like you just pop outta nowhere... Yeah, we had it appraised. The purity’s ninety percent. Each one’s worth about two hundred an’ thirty dollars on today’s market, includin’ fees.”

  230 dollars... That’s about 25,000 yen, Mitsuha thought. That’s way less than I expected. Plus, it messes up my calculations. From the prices of food and board, Mitsuha had estimated a coin’s worth to be at least 100,000. Ah, wait. I wasn’t wrong—it’s just that the people on Earth put different values on things. Earthlings have lots of expenses—taxes, rent, electricity, gas, water, cars, entertainment, clothing, food, education, neighborhood associations, and so on.

  The people from the other world have way less. People with homes pay taxes, then there’s food, clothes, firewood, and... booze, maybe? Anyway, they don’t have to pay for nearly as much stuff as people on Earth. Though they do have smaller incomes... If the monthly income for a family of four is two gold coins, then yes, one gold coin would be worth 100,000 yen. But the exchange rate between that and Earth’s money is 25,000 yen. That’s all there is to it.

  To compare commodity prices between the worlds was foolish. In the other world, crops were way cheaper, while things like clothes, tableware, rare ingredients, and luxury goods were absurdly expensive. The standards varied wildly depending on what you compared. In the end, such comparisons were meaningless, and Mitsuha could only really say how much she would need to live on one side and how much on the other.

  So, since I’d need one billion yen to live in Japan till I’m a hundred, that’d be 40,000 gold coins. As for the other world... if I wanted to live eating good food, wearing comfortable clothes, staying up late, and buying the newest household goods—a standard life in Japan, but livin’ large over there—I’d also need 40,000 gold coins, for a total of 80,000. That’s my final goal... I’ll save up those 80,000 gold coins and have a peaceful and happy retirement!

  ~The End~

  Please keep an eye out for Miss Mitsuha’s other works!

  ...YEAH, RIGHT!

  Anyway, I’ll assume that in the other world, a gold coin is worth 100,000 yen, a small gold coin is about 10,000, a silver coin is a thousand, and a small silver coin is a hundred. And since one gold is worth 25,000 yen on Earth, I have to draw a line between how I think about money here and there.

  I’ll have to set my prices pretty high, but I don’t really have a choice. If m
y stuff’s too cheap, it’ll just fly off the shelves and I won’t get a second to breathe. Not to mention how much that would affect the world. But I also don’t want my goods to cost an arm and a leg. I’m sure I’d still get people willing to pay for them, so it’d be a quick and easy way to strike it rich, but Mitsuha’s General Store isn’t about that!

  If I wanted to do something along those lines, I’d go around the world selling pearls and artificial gems at insane prices. Then I could put on a disguise, change my name, hire some people, and quickly rack up enough money to live a comfortable life. I won’t do that, though. You wanna know why?

  That’d be way too boring! Life isn’t all about making money. You just need enough to make it fun. Not having enough is hard, so “enough” is all I need. But what would be the point if I didn’t have fun getting there? The real gold is the friends you make along the way... or something. Anyway, if I can, I want to get the money at a leisurely pace. And luckily, my power makes that real easy. I’m gonna share its blessings and have a good time doing it! But if that gets me some enemies, I’ll just have to crush them. I can’t let anyone threaten that happiness.

  “Ya done?” the captain asked abruptly.

  “Huh? With what?” Mitsuha was jerked back to the present.

  “Daydreamin’. It really dragged on this time, too.”

  Oops... Sorry!

  “Anyway, let’s go.”

  “Comiiing!”

  Today was assault rifle practice. Mitsuha had long since given up on grenades, by the way. Her throws had always somehow brought them closer, not farther away, so the people training her banned her from touching them. I’ll have to make do with RPGs or something.

  Please keep an eye out for Miss Mitsuha’s next work, “RPG-22”!

  Stop! That joke’s DOA!

  Chapter 7: Mitsuha’s General Store

  At last, it was time for Mitsuha to open for business. The renovations had gone off without a hitch. The store’s interior had everything she needed, including shelves, curtains, and lighting. Her wares were all in place, priced, and described in detail. During business hours, her security system would be set to “off”. Mitsuha’s living space was ready for occupancy, too.

  The propane generator chugged along, helping to provide the place with electricity. The solar energy company had insisted on installing the panels themselves, but Mitsuha claimed she’d be using them on a faraway island and needed only to know how to install them herself. With the help of Kunz and his workers, setting them up had been a breeze.

  The bathroom had also been surprisingly easy to build. The kitchen already had a drain, so it was just a matter of building a wooden divider and putting the bathtub in place. Even setting up a steady supply of hot water had proved to be quick work for the carpenters. Mitsuha was truly impressed. This stuff is basically alien to them, but with a blueprint and a little explanation, they got it all done perfectly. Craftsmen are awesome!

  Once all that finished, Mitsuha had gone around handing out free towel sets to both her next-door neighbors and the three households on the opposite side of the road. They’d found such a young girl running a store just as impressive as the fluffiness of the towels. Always keen to make a sale, Mitsuha hadn’t forgotten to mention they’d be available at her store.

  She’d also gone home and printed several dozen leaflets off her computer. When she returned, she’d hung them outside her favorite restaurants, Mr. Zoltan’s agency, and a few other places. She’d written the letters by hand using her mouse. The result was messy, but a little endearing. Anyway, all was in order, and the day of the grand opening had arrived.

  Giddy with enthusiasm, she sat behind the counter, where she could keep an eye on the whole sales floor. She’d open at Japan’s equivalent of ten o’clock, and close up at four. There’d be no breaks for lunch, so she planned her meals: she would eat a filling brunch before opening each day, then enjoy a lavish dinner shortly after closing. Late dinners make you gain weight more quickly, she rationalized. Though maybe I need some more meat on me... in certain places... Wait, no, shut up! Mitsuha was also the sole staff member, so if nature called, she’d have to wait until there were no customers to hang up a “Be back soon!” sign. If there was no end to them, however, she’d just have to hold it.

  All right, everyone! she announced in her mind. Mitsuha’s General Store is now open!

  Okay, it’s eleven o’clock now. Not a single customer so far... Well, it’s only day one, so word probably hasn’t gotten around yet. And besides, these are work hours. Maybe I’ll get some people in when it’s time for lunch?

  One o’clock, still no customers.

  Three o’clock, still no customers.

  Four o’clock, still no customers... and it was time to close. Mitsuha collapsed on the counter. Well, a-again, it’s just day one! And it’s not like I’m running a supermarket with all the newspaper ads and opening promos and whatnot!

  The pattern only repeated itself on the second day.

  Eleven o’clock, still no customers.

  One o’clock, still no customers.

  Three o’clock, still no customers.

  Four o’clock, still no customers... and it was time to close. Mitsuha collapsed on the counter again. Do I have to extend my opening hours so I catch everyone on their way home from work? No, that’s unacceptable! I mean, I’d have to work even more! That simply can’t happen! But what else can I do? Hrm... I just started and I’m already in a pickle... I’ll think of a new strategy if the same thing happens tomorrow.

  Day three.

  Eleven o’clock, still no customers.

  One o’clock, still no customers.

  Three o’clock, still no customers.

  Lord Almighty, please help me!

  Ding-a-ling!

  FINALLY! Mitsuha thought in relief.

  “WELCOOOME!” She gleefully greeted her first customers: a trio of girls in plain, yet well-maintained clothes.

  “This place is new, isn’t it?” one of them asked.

  “Yes, ma’am! Opened just two days ago! Look around! Take your time!” Keep it cool, Mitsuha! They’ll leave if you’re too pushy, she thought, making an effort to calm herself. On the outside, at least; her heart drummed wildly as she watched them walk around. They wandered over to a section for handy household tools.

  “Huh, what’s this? A ‘fish scale remover’?” said one of the girls, looking perplexed.

  “Absolutely! It makes scale removal into a real cakewalk. Preparing a fish dinner has never been easier!” Mitsuha tried to upsell the product, but...

  “F-Fish?”

  “You take off the scales?”

  They sounded even more puzzled. Huh? What’s so weird about it? she wondered. But the girls paid no mind to her confusion, and merely exchanged glances before browsing another shelf. Cooking utensils, flashlights, clocks, writing supplies... A lot of things seemed to interest them, but Mitsuha could tell they had no intention of buying any. As made their way over to the cute accessory corner, Mitsuha prayed, Don’t fail me now... Damn it! It did! Next, there’s the...

  Just as Mitsuha was clenching her teeth, the girls stopped.

  “‘Shampoo’...?” A member of the trio tilted her head.

  All right, now we’re in business!

  “Yes!” Mitsuha jumped at the chance. “That’s a magical liquid that cleans, repairs, and moisturizes your hair! A must-have for every girl!” This world did have bars of soap, but they were primitive, ineffective, lacked a pleasant aroma, and cost so much that only nobles and other wealthy people could afford them. Melting the bars down was all they could do to wash their hair, and that was too much of a luxury for your typical commoner. That’s where my one-of-a-kind, limited-edition product comes in: a big ol’ pump bottle of liquid shampoo!

  “But eight silver is too much,” murmured one of the girls.

  Mitsuha agreed, to some extent. After all, this was a world where a one-night stay at the average inn, meals inc
luded, cost four or five silver. But the shampoo before them was leagues ahead of any soap on the market, so there had to be a fair price. When Mitsuha was staying with the Bozes, Beatrice had complained about how her soap was flimsy and ran out too quickly. Ooh, I should give her some of this as a gift, she thought, then addressed the girl who seemed most interested.

  “I highly recommend you get it, miss. A single bottle can be used dozens of times! Considering how beautiful and silky your hair will become... it’s quite a steal.”

  “D-Dozens of times?!”

  If I had to guess, I’d say they’re servants or something like that. They must not have much time for personal grooming, but they’re not allowed to look bad, either. None of them have long hair, probably to make care and styling quick and easy. That means they’d get even more uses out of the bottle. Plus, they wouldn’t have to waste time melting down soap.

  “Yes! I swear it on my store’s reputation!” Mitsuha declared. The girls chatted amongst themselves for a moment, then the girl with the bottle in hand reached to put it back on the... OH NO!

  “P-Please wait! Would you like a demonstration? I’ll show you what it can do! For free!”

  The girls looked at one another. “What d’you think?” one of them asked.

  “I’m curious, but it’s already this late...”

  “Yeah, we don’t get many half days. We said we’d go get some good food this time.”

  Meanwhile, Mitsuha was screaming on the inside. I waited for my first customers for TWO DAYS and now they’re slipping away from me! I’m at my wits’ end... I feel like I’m gonna be ruined if I let them go. I’ve gotta to do everything I can to keep them here!

  “W-Wait!” she called out to them. “I’ll also cook you up a meal. I guarantee it’ll be delicious! Nothing else in this town will compare. And it’ll be free! So please, try my products!” The girls probably pitied her a little upon seeing her sheer desperation. You could see in their expressions that they found it hard to refuse. Finally, one of them spoke up. “Okay... I’ll try it.”