“These glowing bumps must be how you buy an item… W-well then, um, I guess I’ll go with the one with the picture of soup on it.”
Since people here can’t read Japanese, it’s best to stick with items that are identifiable with a glance. I’ll have to remember that.
Trembling slightly, the girl presses the CORN SOUP button, and the appropriate can falls into the compartment.
“Whoa, what was that?! Something made a noise down there!”
With much trepidation, she peers into the compartment.
That’s it. You’re right. Now gather your courage and take it out.
“Do I have to stick my hand in? It’s not going to eat me if I do, will it?”
I won’t. Just take it already. This corn soup is from a maker I personally recommend. It goes without saying that the taste is great, but I prefer this brand because of how they made the soup.
Everyone who’s had canned corn soup knows that there are always kernels of corn left over inside. This manufacturer put a lot of thought into how to stop that from happening—and came up with a solution.
Other manufacturers have also made the drinking hole bigger. But this one was the first to discard the pull-tab type of can and use a bottle can instead. And by making the lip of the container even bigger, people could enjoy every last bit of corn.
“Oh, got it,” she says, coming out of her accent again. “It’s so warm! Um, should I twist this lid like a bottle to open it? Here goes nothing. Whoa! It smells so good!”
You bet it does. With how big the opening is, the aroma hits you all at once, tickling your nostrils. How many times have I craved it during the colder seasons?
After opening the cap, she puts the bottle can to her mouth and tilts it a little. Immediately, her eyes shoot open, and she takes a big gulp.
“Ahhhhh, that’s so good! What in the world is this? This is leagues better than the places I go to for food!”
Whoa, she drank it all at once. She licks off the soup stuck around the can’s lip, then makes an expression of pure bliss. Damn, why am I so happy? I’m a lucky vending machine to have someone enjoy herself so much.
She sighs. “It’s all gone now. If this one was so delicious, the others have got to be great, too. The clear one must be water, and the light-brown liquid in that cup… I’ve gotta try that, too. Yup.”
Oh, she put more silver coins in. Afterward, having taken quite a liking to the milk tea, she buys three more cans of corn soup and a bottle of water.
In total, I earned 6,300 yen—or 6 silvers and 30 coppers. After converting, it comes out to 63 points. This price setting seems like it’ll do fine even if I leave it.
As though filling her heart and body with soup eased all her tension, the hunter leans her back against me and goes to sleep. She’s utterly defenseless like this, but she’s also a precious customer. I’ll be sure to protect you with Force Field, so rest easy.
Come to think of it, the empty cans and bottles disappeared after she bought them. I’ve even got garbage disposal covered. A vending machine that’s doing its part to keep this other world clean.