The Commerce Practicum
Lux’s Side
It was the day of the commerce practicum.
Florence-san and I had arrived at our stall within the town space the noble academy had rented for street vendors.
We hadn’t opened yet and were still arranging the flowers we’d be selling.
The area was incredibly spacious, and it wasn’t just us setting up stalls. Every first-year student from the noble academy was here as well.
Because of that, there were an unbelievable number of shops, but imagining how lively the town would become made me genuinely excited.
“…Um, Florence-san, where do you think this flower would be best placed?”
“That flower should be…”
After Florence-san and I finished arranging the flowers together, some time passed, and before long, it was finally opening time.
When we were setting things up earlier, it was still early and there weren’t many people around. But around this time, foot traffic really started picking up.
You could tell from how passersby were peeking into the various stalls one after another.
Some people already seemed to be making purchases, too.
“I’m nervous, Florence-san…!”
“Yes.”
Florence-san smiled gently, just like always.
She agreed with me in words, but from her expression and tone, I couldn’t sense even the slightest hint of nervousness.
Still, having someone like her beside me made me feel like I could handle customer service without getting nervous…
“Excuse me.”
“Y-yes!”
Or so I thought.
When our very first customer spoke to me, my voice cracked as I responded, and I faced them head-on.
“I’d like this flower. May I buy it?”
“Of course!”
After that, I took the payment and handed the customer the flower they’d chosen.
The customer looked at the flower, let their lips curve into a small smile, and then left the stall.
“Thank you very much!”
I-I did it…!
As relief and joy welled up inside me, Florence-san spoke to me in a gentle voice.
“Lux-sama, you did very well.”
“Florence-san…! Thank you so much!”
There hadn’t been any difficult negotiations, so it’d gone smoothly.
If things kept going like this…!
After a short while, another customer came by.
Just like before, I took the payment and was about to hand over the specified flower, when…
Florence-san spoke up.
“If you’re purchasing that flower, I’d also recommend this one.”
The customer turned toward Florence-san, and she continued.
“Yes. This flower grows in the same season and climate as the one you’re purchasing now, and simply placing it beside the other should make the arrangement feel more vibrant.”
She spoke without the slightest hesitation.
The customer seemed convinced by her explanation and decided to buy that flower as well, paying the additional cost.
“Thank you very much!”
After properly handing over both flowers and thanking them, the customer left the stall with a happy smile.
I immediately turned to Florence-san beside me.
“It’s amazing how you can explain the charm of the flowers so quickly like that!”
“Fufu. Flowers are one of my areas of expertise… and as for the rest.”
Her cheeks tinged red as she leaned a little closer to me.
“I might be able to talk endlessly about Lux-sama’s charms as well.”
“…!”
“Excuse me.”
“Ah! Y-yes!”
Still flustered by Florence-san’s words, another customer spoke to me, and I somehow managed to switch gears and respond.
“Thank you very much!”
After finishing with yet another customer, Florence-san spoke to me again.
“As I thought, Lux-sama is a truly charming person.”
“Huh…?”
“Everyone you hand flowers to leaves this place with a happy expression.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed that.”
I’d noticed it enough that I’d even started to feel a sense of fulfillment from it.
“But… isn’t that more because they were able to buy beautiful flowers, rather than because I handed them over?”
“Of course, that aspect certainly exists… but still, Lux-sama’s…”
Just as Florence-san was about to continue.
“Lux! Looks like you’re doing your best!”
I heard a familiar, cheerful voice and turned toward it.
There stood Elina-san, wearing a red hood.