Life always settles back into the ordinary.

Simon had harvested pocket money from spoiled rich kids using card packs, easing his financial strain—for now. But quick cash wouldn’t last a lifetime.

After learning the cost of that date, he couldn’t even pretend “I’m not short on cash.”

So the card shop stayed open.

To him, it was less a transaction spot and more a base.

He hoped friends, strangers—even enemies—would find help here.

Yes, he was *that* considerate and benevolent toward everyone.

Absolutely not to buy time to escape.

Once the card pack hype faded, the shop returned to its quiet rhythm.

Morning sun warmed Simon awake. After washing up, he headed downstairs.

He lit a gentle flame beside the recliner to brew coffee, then strolled leisurely to the door, ready to flip the “Open” sign…

Hmm? Why wouldn’t it budge?

Simon gripped the handle and pushed slightly. The door jiggled but held fast—followed by an “Oops!” from outside.

…Weird. First time his door ever “spoke.”

He tried the left door. This time, it opened smoothly.

Peeking out, he spotted the culprit blocking the entrance.

“Haa… Good morning, Shopkeeper…”

A silver-haired girl sat on the floor, stretching with drowsy eyes.

“…Tidris, why’d you wake up right outside my shop?” Simon rubbed his temples.

If the scenery hadn’t looked normal, he’d have sworn the world shifted from a card-battling anime to an isekai harem series.

Tidris rubbed her eyes. “Mmm… I meant to wait for you to open… but dozed off…”

Case closed. That “voice” wasn’t the door gaining sentience.

Simon sighed inwardly. Guess the shop wasn’t *that* well-maintained yet—no magical gratitude today.

He stepped toward Tidelys and offered a hand. “Never mind. Come inside first.”

Tidris grabbed his hand, tugged lightly—and yanked him off-balance before standing.

Simon shifted his weight back just in time. Bent awkwardly, he averted his gaze from her M-shaped sitting pose.

“Heave-ho!”

Tidris hopped up, then blinked at Simon’s turned back. “Shopkeeper… why are your ears so red?”

Simon shook his head hard, banishing the lingering image of a certain blue-and-white bowl.

“Ahem. Nothing. Let’s go in.”

He flipped the sign. *Jingle jingle.*

The new wind chime swayed gently.

Tidris settled at the counter like she belonged there. Simon’s coffee bubbled, steam curling upward.

“Aren’t there still two days left? Why come early?”

Simon poured coffee in a thin, steady stream.

Tidelys stared at the table, tracing tiny circles. “Well… no good commissions at the academy… nothing else to do… so I came to help…”

Her voice shrank until she seemed ready to vanish into the floor.

*Ugh.* She hated lying—but admitting she feared someone might *steal the shopkeeper*? Too embarrassing!

She just couldn’t say it!

“Fine. Having you here does ease my mind.”

Even with no customers, a cute girl nearby wasn’t bad…

(Except Viana. Way out of his league right now.)

Simon set down his cup, fetched a worn book from the shelf, dusted the cover, and sank into the recliner.

Reading to understand the world—a habit carried from his past life.

Sadly, magitek hadn’t reached printing. Woodblock presses still ruled.

Worse: the content was just as outdated.

After skimming, Simon mentally stamped a big “X” on the book.

*Snap.* He closed it one-handed and tossed it lightly backward.

“Whoa whoa whoa! Shopkeeper, watch out!”

Tidris, crouched behind him, fumbled the catch.

“If you want to read it, just ask. No sneaking.”

Simon blew gently on his coffee.

Relief washed over Tidris—he wasn’t angry.

She turned the cover and whispered the embossed title:

“*An Introduction to Cardmaking*?”

Though clueless about Cardmakers, curiosity won. She flipped the pages.

Aged but well-written. Archaic phrasing aside, she grasped it instantly.

“This… explains the card-making process?”

Simon nodded listlessly. “Yep. First book to split it into three steps: conceptualize the effect, gather materials, illustrate the face.”

Tidris read on: “Most beginners think the last two steps are hardest. But matching effect to materials is the true crux.”

“Materials won’t reveal their combined effect. Trial and error finds the right match—that’s why recipes matter.”

Simple enough to understand… which confused her more.

“Shopkeeper… even *I* get this. Isn’t that impressive?”

“Your self-perception might be a tad too humble…”