Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! (2025) s01e05 Episode Script
The Best Way to Enjoy a Stroll Through the Marketplace in Another World
BAR
♪
[ULMANDRA]
Hey, you look like a student.
Must be nice living
off your parents
and not having
to pay for squat.
-Hmph.
-So, are ya watching
foreign dramas?
[GNOME]
Nosy.
Who you calling nosy, huh?
These kids, they're always
so mouthy and rude, urgh!
[UCHIMURA] Ironic,
since she's younger than her,
There's backlash
in the IT-related fields.
Better cut my losses.
Time to play.
Hmm.
[sighs]
[UCHIMURA]
A stock market trader?
She's a pro, too.
♪
[gulping]
[exhales]
[ice clattering]
[ULMANDRA] Hey, why don't
you take off your hoodie
while you're
in the freaking bar?
[Gnome groans]
[ULMANDRA] Um, I told you
to take off that stupid hoodie
while you're in the bar,
don't just ignore me!
[Ulmandra growls]
I know you can hear me,
you weirdo!
Come on,
I'll take it off if you won't!
[UCHIMURA]
There's something
-I must leave behind as well.
-Stop squirming. -I don't
want to.
[gasps]
[GNOME]
You think that's funny?
-Get over here!
-[UCHIMURA] Let go of.
[clanking]
[UCHIMURA]
My perspective must change.
Until now, I've been working
on this country's problems
under direct orders from
the Demon Overlord himself.
However, in order
to further develop
the Demon Army moving forward,
I must be proactive
and self-motivated!
♪
[sighs]
Things go wrong,
and I fix them.
[indistinct chatter]
[MALE MERCHANT 5A]
Welcome!
[MALE MERCHANT 5B] You'll miss
out if you don't buy!
[MALE MERCHANT 5C] We got
the best deals today only!
[MALE MERCHANT 5D]
What are you looking for today?
♪
[indistinct chatter]
Wow, sure is busy.
♪
Well, as far
as the Demon Army's
castle town goes,
this is the most
popular marketplace.
I knew inviting you along was
the right choice, Ms. Ulmandra.
Oh, your clothes
look so lovely!
It's a totally
new style for you.
-It's cute.
-[ULMANDRA] Oh.
Do you really think so?
[ULMANDRA]
Cute, who, me?
[sighs]
So, what do you need
to talk to me about?
Well, it's just, um
Uchimura has asked me to go
to the marketplace with him.
-Oh, wow, so does that mean
-I don't know what to do.
you're going
on a date tomorrow?
I don't know!
What should I do?
I think you need to calm down.
Dating is just like combat!
And I need to don
the proper gear!
I thought about wearing this!
It leaves nothing
to the imagination.
It bares so much skin that
he can't deny my strength!
[OLULU] As soon he sees you,
he's going to cringe.
But why?
Did you forget?
Mr. Uchimura is a human,
skin doesn't mean
the same thing to him.
-Ah!
-You should look cute.
Wear something that shows off
a softer, sweeter side of you.
Ew, I'd be so embarrassed
if I had to cover
myself like that.
This tiny thing's a hundred
times worse, you know!
[ULMANDRA]
You're the best, Olulu!
Thanks to you, I think
this date might go really well!
Well, thanks to you, I think
we'll get a lot done today.
Yeah, yeah!
Huh, we'll get a lot done?
Come on, I already told you.
Our task today is to research
the marketplace.
[ULMANDRA]
This is just work?
[indistinct chatter]
[footfall]
[fire crackling]
And what exactly
are we researching today?
Basically,
we're just taking it all in.
[UCHIMURA]
By hearing their opinions
and seeing the situation
for myself,
I'm hoping to get a hint
of what we need to do
to make the Demon Army run
smoother than it already does.
♪
First, let's just enjoy
the marketplace together
as customers.
Uh!
[ULMANDRA]
But not as a couple, huh?
♪
You there, I know you.
You're that new elite general,
Mr. Uchimura,
the Overseas Manager, right?
I am.
How did you know that?
[MALE MERCHANT 5E]
There's a rumor going around
among the merchants
that a human who wears
a rather strange-looking outfit
has become
our newest elite general.
Oh?
[MALE MERCHANT 5E]
What's with that long cloth
necklace you're wearing?
I've never seen one,
not in any country.
[UCHIMURA]
No surprise there.
Merchants keep tabs on all
the local politics and rumors.
[UCHIMURA]
They're always in the know.
Makes sense
if you wanna make a sale.
I'm willing to bet a lot
of leaders use merchants
as an information network.
And over here
we have the famous
Inferno Assailant,
Ms. Ulmandra,
what are you doing
with this fool?
Don't tell me
that you two are
Wait, no,
you've got it all wrong!
We're only here for work.
You could have fooled me!
Anyway, since
I'm lucky enough to have
two elite generals present,
allow me to show you
some of the rarest,
most valuable wares here.
♪
Whoa, pure gold.
Imported?
I'll give you a great deal!
I'll slash the price
of these drinking vessels
if you buy them as a pair.
[MALE MERCHANT 5E] They can be
used as wedding goblets, too.
[ULMANDRA]
Wedding goblets?
-I'll take them.
-Uh? What?
In exchange,
may I ask you something?
Of course,
whatever it is you need.
[ULMANDRA] He's really
buying stuff for a wedding?
Wait does that mean
What a treasure.
I know we're here for work,
but my feelings
are crystal clear.
[UCHIMURA]
Let's celebrate each other.
To the future!
[ULMANDRA] Oh, my goodness,
you're the one who said
this was work, Uchimura.
These matters
are best kept private, no?
-[UCHIMURA] Is something wrong?
-Huh?
Have a great day!
We've built a relationship
and attained product samples!
Now, let's get back
to business!
[ULMANDRA]
He's a total workaholic!
[indistinct chatter]
♪
[indistinct chatter]
[slurping]
Now then, Ms. Ulmandra,
let's look at the results
from today's research.
[UCHIMURA] First,
the annexation alliance policy
with demi-human races,
like the Ogre tribe,
has led to a thriving exchange
of cultures in the workforce.
Excellent point.
Quite a few stores sell items
no one's ever seen,
which does bring
more customers out.
However, there's also
a negative side to this policy.
Yeah, what it is that?
How do we feed everyone?
While we're fortunate
to see the population boom,
it's become tricky to cover
the cost of food.
[UCHIMURA] When staple foods
like gim's price goes up,
no one can just ignore it.
Yeah, now everything
costs so much more!
But then, when I went
to the gim merchant's store.
[ULMANDRA]
You have to lower your price!
Sorry, I can't help you.
-[Ulmandra growling]
-We got costs, too!
We'll close for good
if I sell low!
I do not think the little guy
is profiting
off of this at all.
So, why then?
From your account,
it sounds like
there could be a problem
with the wholesale pricing.
What makes you think that?
Wholesalers mediate deals,
so that products
can be distributed
in a smooth
and orderly fashion to stores.
[UCHIMURA]
What they should be doing
is buying the gim the farmers'
produce in bulk quantities
and then distributing it
to stores.
But if a wholesaler sells
at a high price
to make excess profit,
the store that buys it
will have no choice
but to raise
their price as well.
Then, it's settled,
we should just walk over
to those wholesalers
right now and--
[UCHIMURA] Wait, we mustn't
jump to conclusions.
Wholesalers are managed by
a large commercial organization
called a guild.
We must be careful.
This is the kind of issue that
could easily shake the nation.
We should take
our time for now
and proceed with caution.
[ULMANDRA]
Uh, fine.
[UCHIMURA] There are many walls
between demons and demi-humans.
There are still many
problems in this country
that have no quick solutions.
We must solve them
one at a time.
So with that, we are done
with our market
research for today.
So, what would you like to do,
Ms. Ulmandra?
We still have time
to enjoy ourselves.
[gasps]
[ULMANDRA]
Wait, is this a date?
[UCHIMURA] As my thanks, I
[ULMANDRA] Like a real date?
-[GNOME] Uchimura.
-Ah?
[UCHIMURA]
Ms. Gnome!
[growls]
What a coincidence
that you're here today, too.
You come here to shop?
Well, today is Ruuya.
[UCHIMURA]
Hm, Ruuya?
To put it in simple terms,
it's a custom of my kind
that goes way back,
where we give gifts
and hang out with people
we care about.
Nice.
So, getting things
for your unit, I'd guess?
[chuckles]
Well, I'm not getting
a gift for that thing
that's dying
to kill me over there.
[ULMANDRA] [growling]
Come on, let me at her.
[UCHIMURA]
Ah?
-[ZUMO] Master Gnome!
-[CHIMO] Master Gnome!
-Uh?
-Ah?
[both whimpering]
Please, ma'am, help us.
We work hard for our cheese.
-Please save our store!
-Please save our store!
[GNOME]
Hm?
[UCHIMURA]
Oh!
Please help us
keep our dignity.
Can you give us
an account of the events?
We're here to listen.
Hm.
[groaning]
We've owned
this store for years now.
We poured everything
we had into providing
the freshest chimozu
to the people.
[ZUMO]
However, year after year,
sales have been declining.
Just when we were worrying
about what to do,
a mysterious figure
appeared out of nowhere.
Lo and behold,
a big shot merchant
named Butagalian placed a large
order right then and there,
saying he could turn
a pretty profit off chimozu
since gim prices were soaring
and chimozu's such
a cheap and filling food.
-We were elated.
-[both laugh]
[CHIMO] We stayed up all night
to fulfill that order,
happy as could be.
[ZUMO] However, come
the morning of the deadline,
we were told
in no uncertain terms
that he was going
to pull out of the deal.
Supposedly, he hadn't known
chimozu only kept for a day.
What a cruel world.
[CHIMO] There's no choice
but to close our store and pray
we can sell off
some of this dead stock.
[sighs]
As I recall, you're not only
a strong negotiator,
but you also have
a deep knowledge
of cooking and nutrition.
-Ha.
-[GNOME] Can you help?
-Uchimura.
-[sighs]
The situation
does sound pretty dire
but if we make good use
of the data and insights
we gathered
from our market research,
then perhaps I can
[chewing]
[trembling]
No, wait.
♪
I'm positive
that I can save this store!
All right, that's more like it!
Aren't ya grateful, huh?
[TOGETHER]
Yes, yes, we sure are!
Thank you so much!
I hope I can trust you.
We'll see what happens.
You can!
Just leave it to me and I'll
take care of all the details.
[chuckles]
I'm counting on you then.
Uchimura and I will handle it.
Shoo, shoo!
[UCHIMURA] One of the
most important things
you can do in business
is to verbalize the goals
you aim to achieve.
So, first off, let's discuss
what our target is.
[TOGETHER]
Yeah!
Come on, you guys too!
[TOGETHER]
Yeah!
We're ready, continue!
[UCHIMURA]
Uh, okay.
So, the bulk of your stock
expires today.
Which means we need to offload
a whopping 300 servings
of chimozu,
which is half of what
we sell per month,
by or before the end
of the working day.
We'll sell it all off!
[TOGETHER]
We'll sell it all off, too!
Continue!
Oh, right,
what was I saying again?
When I ate the chimozu earlier,
I found it similar
to something from my old world
that we called mochi.
It is quite a rustic food.
I can see why it's been popular
here for so many years
but it doesn't have
a lot of impact.
However, this fact can work
to our advantage.
[TOGETHER]
What?
Yeah, how's that?
You see,
our mochi was quite plain.
The chimozu's taste
is the same,
which means
it's adaptable enough
to put in a ton of stuff.
[TOGETHER]
Oh.
[UCHIMURA]
And so, the question is
what kind of dish
will sell out?
What are your
demographics like?
[groaning]
It's a rather
old-fashioned food,
and even though most
of our clients are seniors
and used to eat it,
it seems even they are losing
their taste for it now.
-[chuckles] -To be honest,
we're tired of it, too.
Even you don't like it?
Some of these youngsters don't
even know what it's called.
Is that right?
[UCHIMURA]
Since we're short on time,
let's split the labor
from here on out.
The three of us
can team up to brainstorm
new uses for the chimozu.
[TOGETHER]
Yes, sir!
Ms. Ulmandra, you can
go around to the stores
that I've listed here.
Please request their assistance
with our strategy.
Hm, you got it!
♪
[metal creaking]
[indistinct chatter]
[fire crackling]
♪
Ah?
Come now, everyone, behold!
For today is Ruuya day!
[UCHIMURA]
You can shoot a hellhog,
sumo-wrestle beetles,
and whack a Doguran mole,
so go for it!
Ruuya day is a day for us all!
Come on! Right there!
[ULMANDRA]
Push them over!
That's how it's done!
Oh, um
hey, I haven't forgotten
about work or anything.
Wouldn't this be
field research?
For sure, it's all data.
That looks so fun.
Can we play, too?
We can, but what is Ruuya Day?
I've never heard of it.
That's exactly
what I hoped you'd ask!
What's this about?
It's a holiday based
on a very old legend
that's native to this land.
[UCHIMURA]
And it goes,
once upon a time, there was
a beautiful young woman
and a charming man
that sold chimozu.
One day the two met
at the marketplace
and it was love at first sight.
However, this made
a formidable man,
who wanted to make this girl
his queen, very jealous,
so he forbade them from
ever seeing each other again.
[both whimpering]
[UCHIMURA]
Even so,
the two young lovers
vowed to meet each other
on the dark night of "Ruuya,"
which means "new moon"
in their native tongue.
While eating chimozu,
they spoke of the bright future
they had ahead of them.
That was when their wish
reached the heavens,
and they were welcomed
to soar the starry skies
by a magnificent rainbow
and everyone lived
happily ever after.
That's the end
of their great tale!
So, the lore
of their young love
has inspired what we know
as Ruuya Day.
And tonight is a new moon, eh?
If you give chimozu
to the people in your life
that you love
and you all eat it together
then your wish
just may come true.
Oh, sounds like fun.
I'll buy some to try.
[UCHIMURA]
Yes, they're responding well.
I'm glad I thought
to ask Ms. Gnome
for so much detail
about Ruuya's lore.
♪
Just think of Christmas,
Valentine's Day,
or more recently Ehomaki rolls
and even everything
spooky on Halloween.
Holiday marketing's been
proven effective.
Consumers are eager
to buy on these days.
Hey, you two!
[TOGETHER]
Hm.
There!
♪
Oh!
-It's so cute and fancy!
-[GIRL 5A] Pretty!
[GIRL 5B] It's like a rainbow
in the night sky!
[BOY 5B]
I want to try some!
[FEMALE VILLAGER 5B]
Well, I suppose I should get
all seven colors then.
-[gasps]
-Yes!
Thank you for your business!
We do have
table seating for you.
Please feel free to window-shop
while you sit back and relax.
[TOGETHER]
Hmm!
[ULMANDRA] Chimozu was a food
associated with old timers,
but look at all these
young people.
[smirks]
It's an effective
marketing strategy
called brand repositioning.
Wait a second,
this has a name too?
Brand repositioning,
changing the perception
of a product.
If the sales decline over time,
then it may be necessary
to attract a new customer base
without even having to change
the core of your product.
A younger customer base, then?
Ms. Ulmandra, what'd we learn
from the market research
we did?
If we roughly categorize
the market customers,
the proportion of young people
and families
was shockingly high.
[UCHIMURA] Who better
to target than buyers
who are not familiar
with chimozu
and are motivated
to try the latest products
on the market?
I get it!
That's why you chose
that chimozu recipe
and used other stores
to gather customers.
[ULMANDRA]
Looks like it'll keep the store
-from going out of business.
-Here you go!
Yes, and on top of that,
it may become
so popular in this market
that it's an overnight success.
Actually, it will!
You are witnessing the dawn
of the great chimozu!
[chuckles]
Hey, that's a bit much.
[UCHIMURA] Eventually,
they could open chain stores
in other marketplaces
and nations.
The information gained there
could be used
[ULMANDRA]
Hey, stop acting like a loon?
-What's wrong, huh?
-[chuckles]
[ULMANDRA]
Uchimura, come back to me!
[chuckles]
♪
[ZUMO]
I can't believe we sold out.
[CHIMO] How could
we possibly repay you?
[chuckles]
Hm, don't sweat it.
Besides, you're selling
yourself short.
Your hard work's the real
reason we sold out.
Mm-hmm.
Plus, we had
Ms. Gnome's assistance.
Hm?
Ah, wait, why would
she get any credit though?
What did she do?
She left us to do all the work!
I heard some demi-humans
mention her.
She was out there
doing some crowd work!
Ms. Gnome told me
I should stop by.
Is this the place
where something fun's
always happening?
So, it makes sense.
She went around
and got the word out for us.
[wind whooshing]
[chuckles]
Sure, maybe
in a roundabout way.
We never know how other people
are affected by our actions.
Some customers said
watching you
help a demi-human's store
changed their views on demons.
I don't care whether someone is
a demon or demi-human at all!
I just find her off-putting.
[ZUMO]
Um, this is
[CHIMO]
Just a little thanks from us.
-Huh?
-Huh?
[TOGETHER]
This should be enough to share.
[UCHIMURA] [chuckles]
Oh, you bet we will, thanks!
[ULMANDRA]
Now, we're sharing chimozu?
Lore says the wish the two
lovers made came true
and they ended up together.
What's Uchimura wishing for?
Not that my hopes are up
or anything like that, but
[UCHIMURA]
Oh, speaking of thanks, here.
-Huh?
-[UCHIMURA] I wanted to
-thank you for helping me
-[ULMANDRA]That wedding goblet?
I was thinking of giving it
to you over lunch
[ULMANDRA]
He gave me a magic stone
saved for proposals
the other day.
This can only mean
one thing, right?
[metal clanking]
[bells tolling]
[both laughing]
[ULMANDRA]
No, no, wait, Uchimura.
I'm not sure if I'm ready yet,
but if you really want to.
Eh, no, no, no, no.
Hm?
[Ulmandra whimpering]
Hmm.
[ULMANDRA]
You've got to tell me.
What are you going to wish for
when you eat the chimozu, huh?
That seems pretty obvious.
It's delicious
if I do say so myself!
[sighs]
The success on my next task.
[ULMANDRA] Why is it always
about freaking work?
You stupid idiot!
You workaholic monster!
There are other things
you could wish for, you know!
[UCHIMURA]
What?
♪
[UCHIMURA] Demon Overlord,
I obtained a great bit
of useful information
from today's market research.
However, there's one item
I feel I must report.
You see why.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
Pure gold, is it?
Yes.
I asked where it's from.
He told me about a rich
neighboring nation
that he called
the Golden Country.
If you wish to expand
trade in the future,
then I think this would be
the perfect country
to negotiate with,
it even has gold mines to boot.
[UCHIMURA]
Trading with wealthy countries,
will raise
the Demon Army's power,
which should lead to a solution
to the food shortage.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
Hmm.
Ah!
There is one other thing.
We need a product
we can export.
[UCHIMURA]
The product that is worthy
of trading with gold
in this country would be
You will be selling these!
Ah!
The Rosemarin?
[UCHIMURA]
Are you positive?
It's top-secret tech
only our Army possesses!
It's a tool, not a product.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
There aren't many researchers
as talented as Sylphid.
Huh?
[DEMON OVERLORD]
It will be long before
they can replicate it
and even if they do,
we needn't worry
about them stealing it.
The truth is
technology can be stolen
but they'll never steal
our people!
I suppose that's right,
I see your point.
[DEMON OVERLORD] Our small
country is second to none
in terms of resources,
money, and personnel.
As long as I have talented
people such as yourself,
I'm certain it won't take long
to develop even
greater technology.
So, we did a good job?
[DEMON OVERLORD]
However, Uchimura!
Stay focused.
Uh!
[sighs]
[DEMON OVERLORD] The King of
the Golden Country of Rampage
is menacing.
[thunder rumbling]
[MASTER] Just to grow,
both crabs and people
must shed their shells.
But the truth is
♪
in that moment,
they bare it all.
MAYONAKA NO DOA STAY
WITH ME MATSUBARA MIKI
♪
[ULMANDRA]
Hey, you look like a student.
Must be nice living
off your parents
and not having
to pay for squat.
-Hmph.
-So, are ya watching
foreign dramas?
[GNOME]
Nosy.
Who you calling nosy, huh?
These kids, they're always
so mouthy and rude, urgh!
[UCHIMURA] Ironic,
since she's younger than her,
There's backlash
in the IT-related fields.
Better cut my losses.
Time to play.
Hmm.
[sighs]
[UCHIMURA]
A stock market trader?
She's a pro, too.
♪
[gulping]
[exhales]
[ice clattering]
[ULMANDRA] Hey, why don't
you take off your hoodie
while you're
in the freaking bar?
[Gnome groans]
[ULMANDRA] Um, I told you
to take off that stupid hoodie
while you're in the bar,
don't just ignore me!
[Ulmandra growls]
I know you can hear me,
you weirdo!
Come on,
I'll take it off if you won't!
[UCHIMURA]
There's something
-I must leave behind as well.
-Stop squirming. -I don't
want to.
[gasps]
[GNOME]
You think that's funny?
-Get over here!
-[UCHIMURA] Let go of.
[clanking]
[UCHIMURA]
My perspective must change.
Until now, I've been working
on this country's problems
under direct orders from
the Demon Overlord himself.
However, in order
to further develop
the Demon Army moving forward,
I must be proactive
and self-motivated!
♪
[sighs]
Things go wrong,
and I fix them.
[indistinct chatter]
[MALE MERCHANT 5A]
Welcome!
[MALE MERCHANT 5B] You'll miss
out if you don't buy!
[MALE MERCHANT 5C] We got
the best deals today only!
[MALE MERCHANT 5D]
What are you looking for today?
♪
[indistinct chatter]
Wow, sure is busy.
♪
Well, as far
as the Demon Army's
castle town goes,
this is the most
popular marketplace.
I knew inviting you along was
the right choice, Ms. Ulmandra.
Oh, your clothes
look so lovely!
It's a totally
new style for you.
-It's cute.
-[ULMANDRA] Oh.
Do you really think so?
[ULMANDRA]
Cute, who, me?
[sighs]
So, what do you need
to talk to me about?
Well, it's just, um
Uchimura has asked me to go
to the marketplace with him.
-Oh, wow, so does that mean
-I don't know what to do.
you're going
on a date tomorrow?
I don't know!
What should I do?
I think you need to calm down.
Dating is just like combat!
And I need to don
the proper gear!
I thought about wearing this!
It leaves nothing
to the imagination.
It bares so much skin that
he can't deny my strength!
[OLULU] As soon he sees you,
he's going to cringe.
But why?
Did you forget?
Mr. Uchimura is a human,
skin doesn't mean
the same thing to him.
-Ah!
-You should look cute.
Wear something that shows off
a softer, sweeter side of you.
Ew, I'd be so embarrassed
if I had to cover
myself like that.
This tiny thing's a hundred
times worse, you know!
[ULMANDRA]
You're the best, Olulu!
Thanks to you, I think
this date might go really well!
Well, thanks to you, I think
we'll get a lot done today.
Yeah, yeah!
Huh, we'll get a lot done?
Come on, I already told you.
Our task today is to research
the marketplace.
[ULMANDRA]
This is just work?
[indistinct chatter]
[footfall]
[fire crackling]
And what exactly
are we researching today?
Basically,
we're just taking it all in.
[UCHIMURA]
By hearing their opinions
and seeing the situation
for myself,
I'm hoping to get a hint
of what we need to do
to make the Demon Army run
smoother than it already does.
♪
First, let's just enjoy
the marketplace together
as customers.
Uh!
[ULMANDRA]
But not as a couple, huh?
♪
You there, I know you.
You're that new elite general,
Mr. Uchimura,
the Overseas Manager, right?
I am.
How did you know that?
[MALE MERCHANT 5E]
There's a rumor going around
among the merchants
that a human who wears
a rather strange-looking outfit
has become
our newest elite general.
Oh?
[MALE MERCHANT 5E]
What's with that long cloth
necklace you're wearing?
I've never seen one,
not in any country.
[UCHIMURA]
No surprise there.
Merchants keep tabs on all
the local politics and rumors.
[UCHIMURA]
They're always in the know.
Makes sense
if you wanna make a sale.
I'm willing to bet a lot
of leaders use merchants
as an information network.
And over here
we have the famous
Inferno Assailant,
Ms. Ulmandra,
what are you doing
with this fool?
Don't tell me
that you two are
Wait, no,
you've got it all wrong!
We're only here for work.
You could have fooled me!
Anyway, since
I'm lucky enough to have
two elite generals present,
allow me to show you
some of the rarest,
most valuable wares here.
♪
Whoa, pure gold.
Imported?
I'll give you a great deal!
I'll slash the price
of these drinking vessels
if you buy them as a pair.
[MALE MERCHANT 5E] They can be
used as wedding goblets, too.
[ULMANDRA]
Wedding goblets?
-I'll take them.
-Uh? What?
In exchange,
may I ask you something?
Of course,
whatever it is you need.
[ULMANDRA] He's really
buying stuff for a wedding?
Wait does that mean
What a treasure.
I know we're here for work,
but my feelings
are crystal clear.
[UCHIMURA]
Let's celebrate each other.
To the future!
[ULMANDRA] Oh, my goodness,
you're the one who said
this was work, Uchimura.
These matters
are best kept private, no?
-[UCHIMURA] Is something wrong?
-Huh?
Have a great day!
We've built a relationship
and attained product samples!
Now, let's get back
to business!
[ULMANDRA]
He's a total workaholic!
[indistinct chatter]
♪
[indistinct chatter]
[slurping]
Now then, Ms. Ulmandra,
let's look at the results
from today's research.
[UCHIMURA] First,
the annexation alliance policy
with demi-human races,
like the Ogre tribe,
has led to a thriving exchange
of cultures in the workforce.
Excellent point.
Quite a few stores sell items
no one's ever seen,
which does bring
more customers out.
However, there's also
a negative side to this policy.
Yeah, what it is that?
How do we feed everyone?
While we're fortunate
to see the population boom,
it's become tricky to cover
the cost of food.
[UCHIMURA] When staple foods
like gim's price goes up,
no one can just ignore it.
Yeah, now everything
costs so much more!
But then, when I went
to the gim merchant's store.
[ULMANDRA]
You have to lower your price!
Sorry, I can't help you.
-[Ulmandra growling]
-We got costs, too!
We'll close for good
if I sell low!
I do not think the little guy
is profiting
off of this at all.
So, why then?
From your account,
it sounds like
there could be a problem
with the wholesale pricing.
What makes you think that?
Wholesalers mediate deals,
so that products
can be distributed
in a smooth
and orderly fashion to stores.
[UCHIMURA]
What they should be doing
is buying the gim the farmers'
produce in bulk quantities
and then distributing it
to stores.
But if a wholesaler sells
at a high price
to make excess profit,
the store that buys it
will have no choice
but to raise
their price as well.
Then, it's settled,
we should just walk over
to those wholesalers
right now and--
[UCHIMURA] Wait, we mustn't
jump to conclusions.
Wholesalers are managed by
a large commercial organization
called a guild.
We must be careful.
This is the kind of issue that
could easily shake the nation.
We should take
our time for now
and proceed with caution.
[ULMANDRA]
Uh, fine.
[UCHIMURA] There are many walls
between demons and demi-humans.
There are still many
problems in this country
that have no quick solutions.
We must solve them
one at a time.
So with that, we are done
with our market
research for today.
So, what would you like to do,
Ms. Ulmandra?
We still have time
to enjoy ourselves.
[gasps]
[ULMANDRA]
Wait, is this a date?
[UCHIMURA] As my thanks, I
[ULMANDRA] Like a real date?
-[GNOME] Uchimura.
-Ah?
[UCHIMURA]
Ms. Gnome!
[growls]
What a coincidence
that you're here today, too.
You come here to shop?
Well, today is Ruuya.
[UCHIMURA]
Hm, Ruuya?
To put it in simple terms,
it's a custom of my kind
that goes way back,
where we give gifts
and hang out with people
we care about.
Nice.
So, getting things
for your unit, I'd guess?
[chuckles]
Well, I'm not getting
a gift for that thing
that's dying
to kill me over there.
[ULMANDRA] [growling]
Come on, let me at her.
[UCHIMURA]
Ah?
-[ZUMO] Master Gnome!
-[CHIMO] Master Gnome!
-Uh?
-Ah?
[both whimpering]
Please, ma'am, help us.
We work hard for our cheese.
-Please save our store!
-Please save our store!
[GNOME]
Hm?
[UCHIMURA]
Oh!
Please help us
keep our dignity.
Can you give us
an account of the events?
We're here to listen.
Hm.
[groaning]
We've owned
this store for years now.
We poured everything
we had into providing
the freshest chimozu
to the people.
[ZUMO]
However, year after year,
sales have been declining.
Just when we were worrying
about what to do,
a mysterious figure
appeared out of nowhere.
Lo and behold,
a big shot merchant
named Butagalian placed a large
order right then and there,
saying he could turn
a pretty profit off chimozu
since gim prices were soaring
and chimozu's such
a cheap and filling food.
-We were elated.
-[both laugh]
[CHIMO] We stayed up all night
to fulfill that order,
happy as could be.
[ZUMO] However, come
the morning of the deadline,
we were told
in no uncertain terms
that he was going
to pull out of the deal.
Supposedly, he hadn't known
chimozu only kept for a day.
What a cruel world.
[CHIMO] There's no choice
but to close our store and pray
we can sell off
some of this dead stock.
[sighs]
As I recall, you're not only
a strong negotiator,
but you also have
a deep knowledge
of cooking and nutrition.
-Ha.
-[GNOME] Can you help?
-Uchimura.
-[sighs]
The situation
does sound pretty dire
but if we make good use
of the data and insights
we gathered
from our market research,
then perhaps I can
[chewing]
[trembling]
No, wait.
♪
I'm positive
that I can save this store!
All right, that's more like it!
Aren't ya grateful, huh?
[TOGETHER]
Yes, yes, we sure are!
Thank you so much!
I hope I can trust you.
We'll see what happens.
You can!
Just leave it to me and I'll
take care of all the details.
[chuckles]
I'm counting on you then.
Uchimura and I will handle it.
Shoo, shoo!
[UCHIMURA] One of the
most important things
you can do in business
is to verbalize the goals
you aim to achieve.
So, first off, let's discuss
what our target is.
[TOGETHER]
Yeah!
Come on, you guys too!
[TOGETHER]
Yeah!
We're ready, continue!
[UCHIMURA]
Uh, okay.
So, the bulk of your stock
expires today.
Which means we need to offload
a whopping 300 servings
of chimozu,
which is half of what
we sell per month,
by or before the end
of the working day.
We'll sell it all off!
[TOGETHER]
We'll sell it all off, too!
Continue!
Oh, right,
what was I saying again?
When I ate the chimozu earlier,
I found it similar
to something from my old world
that we called mochi.
It is quite a rustic food.
I can see why it's been popular
here for so many years
but it doesn't have
a lot of impact.
However, this fact can work
to our advantage.
[TOGETHER]
What?
Yeah, how's that?
You see,
our mochi was quite plain.
The chimozu's taste
is the same,
which means
it's adaptable enough
to put in a ton of stuff.
[TOGETHER]
Oh.
[UCHIMURA]
And so, the question is
what kind of dish
will sell out?
What are your
demographics like?
[groaning]
It's a rather
old-fashioned food,
and even though most
of our clients are seniors
and used to eat it,
it seems even they are losing
their taste for it now.
-[chuckles] -To be honest,
we're tired of it, too.
Even you don't like it?
Some of these youngsters don't
even know what it's called.
Is that right?
[UCHIMURA]
Since we're short on time,
let's split the labor
from here on out.
The three of us
can team up to brainstorm
new uses for the chimozu.
[TOGETHER]
Yes, sir!
Ms. Ulmandra, you can
go around to the stores
that I've listed here.
Please request their assistance
with our strategy.
Hm, you got it!
♪
[metal creaking]
[indistinct chatter]
[fire crackling]
♪
Ah?
Come now, everyone, behold!
For today is Ruuya day!
[UCHIMURA]
You can shoot a hellhog,
sumo-wrestle beetles,
and whack a Doguran mole,
so go for it!
Ruuya day is a day for us all!
Come on! Right there!
[ULMANDRA]
Push them over!
That's how it's done!
Oh, um
hey, I haven't forgotten
about work or anything.
Wouldn't this be
field research?
For sure, it's all data.
That looks so fun.
Can we play, too?
We can, but what is Ruuya Day?
I've never heard of it.
That's exactly
what I hoped you'd ask!
What's this about?
It's a holiday based
on a very old legend
that's native to this land.
[UCHIMURA]
And it goes,
once upon a time, there was
a beautiful young woman
and a charming man
that sold chimozu.
One day the two met
at the marketplace
and it was love at first sight.
However, this made
a formidable man,
who wanted to make this girl
his queen, very jealous,
so he forbade them from
ever seeing each other again.
[both whimpering]
[UCHIMURA]
Even so,
the two young lovers
vowed to meet each other
on the dark night of "Ruuya,"
which means "new moon"
in their native tongue.
While eating chimozu,
they spoke of the bright future
they had ahead of them.
That was when their wish
reached the heavens,
and they were welcomed
to soar the starry skies
by a magnificent rainbow
and everyone lived
happily ever after.
That's the end
of their great tale!
So, the lore
of their young love
has inspired what we know
as Ruuya Day.
And tonight is a new moon, eh?
If you give chimozu
to the people in your life
that you love
and you all eat it together
then your wish
just may come true.
Oh, sounds like fun.
I'll buy some to try.
[UCHIMURA]
Yes, they're responding well.
I'm glad I thought
to ask Ms. Gnome
for so much detail
about Ruuya's lore.
♪
Just think of Christmas,
Valentine's Day,
or more recently Ehomaki rolls
and even everything
spooky on Halloween.
Holiday marketing's been
proven effective.
Consumers are eager
to buy on these days.
Hey, you two!
[TOGETHER]
Hm.
There!
♪
Oh!
-It's so cute and fancy!
-[GIRL 5A] Pretty!
[GIRL 5B] It's like a rainbow
in the night sky!
[BOY 5B]
I want to try some!
[FEMALE VILLAGER 5B]
Well, I suppose I should get
all seven colors then.
-[gasps]
-Yes!
Thank you for your business!
We do have
table seating for you.
Please feel free to window-shop
while you sit back and relax.
[TOGETHER]
Hmm!
[ULMANDRA] Chimozu was a food
associated with old timers,
but look at all these
young people.
[smirks]
It's an effective
marketing strategy
called brand repositioning.
Wait a second,
this has a name too?
Brand repositioning,
changing the perception
of a product.
If the sales decline over time,
then it may be necessary
to attract a new customer base
without even having to change
the core of your product.
A younger customer base, then?
Ms. Ulmandra, what'd we learn
from the market research
we did?
If we roughly categorize
the market customers,
the proportion of young people
and families
was shockingly high.
[UCHIMURA] Who better
to target than buyers
who are not familiar
with chimozu
and are motivated
to try the latest products
on the market?
I get it!
That's why you chose
that chimozu recipe
and used other stores
to gather customers.
[ULMANDRA]
Looks like it'll keep the store
-from going out of business.
-Here you go!
Yes, and on top of that,
it may become
so popular in this market
that it's an overnight success.
Actually, it will!
You are witnessing the dawn
of the great chimozu!
[chuckles]
Hey, that's a bit much.
[UCHIMURA] Eventually,
they could open chain stores
in other marketplaces
and nations.
The information gained there
could be used
[ULMANDRA]
Hey, stop acting like a loon?
-What's wrong, huh?
-[chuckles]
[ULMANDRA]
Uchimura, come back to me!
[chuckles]
♪
[ZUMO]
I can't believe we sold out.
[CHIMO] How could
we possibly repay you?
[chuckles]
Hm, don't sweat it.
Besides, you're selling
yourself short.
Your hard work's the real
reason we sold out.
Mm-hmm.
Plus, we had
Ms. Gnome's assistance.
Hm?
Ah, wait, why would
she get any credit though?
What did she do?
She left us to do all the work!
I heard some demi-humans
mention her.
She was out there
doing some crowd work!
Ms. Gnome told me
I should stop by.
Is this the place
where something fun's
always happening?
So, it makes sense.
She went around
and got the word out for us.
[wind whooshing]
[chuckles]
Sure, maybe
in a roundabout way.
We never know how other people
are affected by our actions.
Some customers said
watching you
help a demi-human's store
changed their views on demons.
I don't care whether someone is
a demon or demi-human at all!
I just find her off-putting.
[ZUMO]
Um, this is
[CHIMO]
Just a little thanks from us.
-Huh?
-Huh?
[TOGETHER]
This should be enough to share.
[UCHIMURA] [chuckles]
Oh, you bet we will, thanks!
[ULMANDRA]
Now, we're sharing chimozu?
Lore says the wish the two
lovers made came true
and they ended up together.
What's Uchimura wishing for?
Not that my hopes are up
or anything like that, but
[UCHIMURA]
Oh, speaking of thanks, here.
-Huh?
-[UCHIMURA] I wanted to
-thank you for helping me
-[ULMANDRA]That wedding goblet?
I was thinking of giving it
to you over lunch
[ULMANDRA]
He gave me a magic stone
saved for proposals
the other day.
This can only mean
one thing, right?
[metal clanking]
[bells tolling]
[both laughing]
[ULMANDRA]
No, no, wait, Uchimura.
I'm not sure if I'm ready yet,
but if you really want to.
Eh, no, no, no, no.
Hm?
[Ulmandra whimpering]
Hmm.
[ULMANDRA]
You've got to tell me.
What are you going to wish for
when you eat the chimozu, huh?
That seems pretty obvious.
It's delicious
if I do say so myself!
[sighs]
The success on my next task.
[ULMANDRA] Why is it always
about freaking work?
You stupid idiot!
You workaholic monster!
There are other things
you could wish for, you know!
[UCHIMURA]
What?
♪
[UCHIMURA] Demon Overlord,
I obtained a great bit
of useful information
from today's market research.
However, there's one item
I feel I must report.
You see why.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
Pure gold, is it?
Yes.
I asked where it's from.
He told me about a rich
neighboring nation
that he called
the Golden Country.
If you wish to expand
trade in the future,
then I think this would be
the perfect country
to negotiate with,
it even has gold mines to boot.
[UCHIMURA]
Trading with wealthy countries,
will raise
the Demon Army's power,
which should lead to a solution
to the food shortage.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
Hmm.
Ah!
There is one other thing.
We need a product
we can export.
[UCHIMURA]
The product that is worthy
of trading with gold
in this country would be
You will be selling these!
Ah!
The Rosemarin?
[UCHIMURA]
Are you positive?
It's top-secret tech
only our Army possesses!
It's a tool, not a product.
[DEMON OVERLORD]
There aren't many researchers
as talented as Sylphid.
Huh?
[DEMON OVERLORD]
It will be long before
they can replicate it
and even if they do,
we needn't worry
about them stealing it.
The truth is
technology can be stolen
but they'll never steal
our people!
I suppose that's right,
I see your point.
[DEMON OVERLORD] Our small
country is second to none
in terms of resources,
money, and personnel.
As long as I have talented
people such as yourself,
I'm certain it won't take long
to develop even
greater technology.
So, we did a good job?
[DEMON OVERLORD]
However, Uchimura!
Stay focused.
Uh!
[sighs]
[DEMON OVERLORD] The King of
the Golden Country of Rampage
is menacing.
[thunder rumbling]
[MASTER] Just to grow,
both crabs and people
must shed their shells.
But the truth is
♪
in that moment,
they bare it all.
MAYONAKA NO DOA STAY
WITH ME MATSUBARA MIKI