Kirio Drugstore
Are you two ready?
Yes.
Woof.
Are you sure you're okay with a picnic?
I thought it'd be nice to go out a little farther and spend the night somewhere.
Yes. It's fun to pack a lunch and go out somewhere.
And besides...
The truth is, before I became severely ill,
that lake was the only place I got to visit.
I have fond memories of visiting it with my family.
Is that right?
It's a beautiful place.
Getting to visit it with the two of you is like a dream come true.
I see. Then let's get going.
Thank you for waiting.
Shall we go?
Did we invite you?
Say something!
Drugstore
In Another World
Come on, pick up the pace!
Master, hurry!
Wait, Ms. Noela!
Stop pulling me!
Today's Prescription: Part 1 Big Catch Buddy
I had no idea there was a lake in the middle of the woods.
It's a bit difficult to find.
You may not be able to reach it unless you know the way.
I hear water.
We're almost there.
Woof. Smells nice.
Ms. Noela, I see you like places like this one.
What do you think?
It's a nice, quiet place.
But...
Don't you think it's too quiet?
You're right. I believe it was more lively a hundred years ago.
Lots of monsters and beasts nearby.
Yikes... No wonder people stay away.
Do not worry, Master!
I shall drive off anyone who attacks us!
Woof! I'll protect you, Master!
Uh... Thanks.
Woof.
The tea tastes somewhat better than usual.
I used the same tea leaves to make it.
It's strange, isn't it?
This is a nice place.
We couldn't have come here if you hadn't told us about it.
Thank you.
Not at all.
If anything, I'm glad we could come together. I'm truly...
I'm truly happy...
That happy?
I'm so happy. I'm deeply moved.
As this is my first picnic, I am moved, as well.
Demon King, are you a shut-in?
A shut—
That means you've never gone fishing, right?
I'll teach you. We can fish together.
Understood!
First, we'll look for a spot where there might be fish.
Find Fish
Acquired the "Find Fish" skill.
This seems useful. Let's see...
There they are! There's a bunch of them!
Yes, sir!
Mr. Reiji!
Master!
Master, how do I look?
What do you think?
You look great.
I lost weight so I could wear this swimsuit.
That must've been tough. You look wonderfully grown-up.
Really? I'm so glad.
Mina, play with me!
Woof, woof!
Ms. Noela, that's cold.
Take this!
You'll pay for that!
Take this!
That's cold!
Ejil, let's go.
This must be heaven.
Demon Kings don't belong in heaven.
I have no regrets.
Fine, then. I'll do it myself.
Besides, I've got my secret weapon.
Big Catch Buddy
Big Catch Buddy.
A jelly containing pheromones that have a powerful effect on fishes' sense of smell.
I made this by adapting the Beast Lure I made before.
There!
Huh?
That's odd.
Here comes a big one!
Have I hooked a lake monster?
Mr. Reiji, you seem to have hooked quite a big one.
Yeah, I'll definitely land this one!
Master!
Mr. Reiji!
I-I've still got it...
Now!
Fish on!
What is this?
Ow...
I thought I'd found my first meal in a while, but there was a hook in it.
How could you?
Ouch.
M-Mr. Reiji, a girl came out of the water!
Master, where did you find her?
I'm not sure what's going on, but we fished her up together.
You're the cruel human who fished me up.
What? Uh, sorry... er...
I didn't fish for you specifically. You just happened to get caught.
Speaking of cruel, do you think you could get off of him?
How dare you crush me?!
Master, we should eliminate this creature!
Don't.
I am Vivi, spirit of this lake.
Vivi (Spirit)
Spirit?
I-I'm sorry for crushing you, but what's the Demon King doing here?
Why?! Wait, why am I here?
Vivi, ignore him. Let's eat lunch. You, too, Master.
M-Ms. Noela?
Don't bully her.
We have plenty of sandwiches.
B-But if a worthless spirit like me were to eat lunch with you...
Yes?
Wouldn't that make for an awkward lunchtime?
It wouldn't.
I bet you're pretending to accept me into your group so you can badmouth me later!
We wouldn't do that!
Why is this spirit so pessimistic?
Don't worry. Master and Mina are nice.
Eat sandwiches.
It's good.
I'm glad. Have as much as you'd like.
You're sure? You won't bully me for eating them?
Of course not. I'd be delighted to have you eat them.
Thank you. I will, then.
So that was a medicine you made, Reiji?
Yeah. I didn't think I'd catch a spirit with it, though.
So spirits really do exist.
Should a ghost be saying that?
It seemed like you were hungry.
Had you not eaten anything?
That's right.
You don't eat the fish in the lake?
I couldn't catch—I mean, I couldn't eat my friends.
She can't conceal her true thoughts.
I used to eat the offerings left by humans.
But recently, they've stopped leaving those.
That's why I was so hungry.
Now that you mention it,
I think I heard there was a shrine in this area a long time ago.
I was a pretty impressive spirit.
But all I did was eat offerings. I never did anything for them in return, so...
This parfait is so good!
They probably thought I was a disgraceful spirit.
Hey, calm down.
Over time, their faith in me diminished.
Once the people stopped coming, more monsters appeared,
which kept people away even more.
Once you guys learn I'm a worthless spirit that nobody believes in,
I'm sure you'll laugh at me, too.
Master won't laugh. Neither will I.
Me, neither.
Noela, Ms. Mina...
Vivi?!
What?!
So hot... Water...
Water?
Go!
I feel refreshed.
What was that?
Sorry.
I actually can't maintain my physical form unless my body temperature stays low.
I'll return to the lake now.
Why don't you fish with us?
We can do that by the water.
And I've got more of that bait, Big Catch Buddy.
There's no way I could catch anything.
You won't have fun hanging out with me.
That's not true.
Let's do it together.
H-Huh?
We'll have a competition.
It'll be a team fishing contest.
Okay...
Go!
Here, hold this. Lift it once something is hooked.
What is it?
Why are you so considerate?
I don't know.
I bet you're making sure I owe you a favor now so you can use me later.
That must be it.
I'm not trying to make you owe me anything.
R-Reiji, something's pulling really hard on the other end!
One of your friends have arrived.
Huh? Oh, I don't have friends.
This is no time feel depressed.
You've got a fish on the line. Reel it in.
On my signal, okay?
H-Huh?
Ready, and...
Nice effort.
I caught something! I did it!
Yeah!
All right, keep it up.
Okay, I will.
Wow, what a haul.
You won't beat us.
Woof.
Not bad, guys.
You...
I'm ready to go free diving.
Watch me, Ms. Noela.
I'll do my best to change your mind about me.
We can't let them beat us, Vivi.
It's impossible. They're already so far ahead.
Can't you use your lake spirit powers to make it easier to catch fish?
You think I have powers?
Then we'll do our best together, even if you don't have any special powers.
Okay.
That's 24 for Ejil, 26 for the poster girls, and 23 for us.
We win, Ms. Noela.
Woof, woof.
This is more than enough to take back to the general store and Rabbit Tavern.
Vivi, you can have the rest.
What? Why?
Why? Because it's too much for us.
You can eat them if you get hungry.
Humans always want something in return.
They always prayed for something when they left offerings.
They asked for rain to fall and for droughts to end.
But I can't do that. I'm not a god. I can't do anything.
Please don't come back.
I'm sorry.
Vivi.
I don't expect anything in return from you.
Between friends, it's okay if you're always on the giving or receiving end.
I don't like purely self-interested relationships, either.
Friends? You and I are friends?
We're friends, too. I had fun.
Noela...
I wouldn't mind being your friend, either.
This lake is important to me, too.
And you're the one who was there to see it with me.
Ms. Mina...
Well, we're not friends, but I will commend you
for providing me with the opportunity to change Ms. Noela's opinion about me.
I'm not opposed to the idea of becoming your friend.
After all, the Demon King has a big heart.
But didn't you come all the way here to have a picnic?
You'll never come back to see me.
If you'll miss us that much, why don't you come work at my store part-time?
What? Part-time?
I don't want to work part-time. Hire me as a full-time employee.
That's your problem?
Part-timers are cast aside the moment they're not needed anymore.
And besides, didn't you see what happened earlier?
I can't maintain my physical form unless I keep my body temperature low.
I appreciate the offer, but...
Hold on. We could use that.
Sweetheart Cooling Gel
Sweetheart Cooling Gel.
Vivi, hold out your arm.
It feels cool!
How's that? If you rub this on your skin, you'll stay cold all day.
Wow! This is incredible, Reiji!
Then you'll work at the store with us, Ms. Vivi.
What?
That's great, Vivi.
Y-Yeah. Are you sure you're okay with that?
We'd love to have you. You'll start as a part-time employee, though.
What?
But you'll have a legitimate reason to come visit us.
You won't be lonely anymore.
Thank you. I'll do my best to become a full-time employee.
Why are you so obsessed with that?
Kirio Drugstore
Several days later, Vivi's first day as a part-timer arrived.
I look forward to working with you.
Sure. You'll be trained by...
Ejil, look after her.
Yes, Master!
What? But he's the Demon King!
I am your senior.
Y-Yes, sir! He's so scary!
Listen up, newbie. I shall give you work to do.
Do you know what that means?
U-Uh, you'll have less on your plate?
Wrong!
Ms. Noela will be impressed by my ability to look after my junior!
That's all you want, Demon King?
Noela will?
"Noela"?! How dare you refer to her in such a familiar way?!
You think so? But we're friends.
We're friends, too.
You're... Noela's friend...
Ms. Vivi!
If you have any questions, just ask.
I shall do everything I can to assist you.
Huh? Uh, okay.
His willingness to do whatever it takes is befitting of the Demon King.
Gold star for him.
Today's Prescription: Part 2 Harriette Remover
You know what I mean?
It's such a hassle.
Indeed.
That's an unusual lineup.
Welcome, Paula and Annabelle.
Hey, Rei. Hello, hello.
What's your problem? We girls are havin' an important conversation.
Get out of here.
Important conversation?
But Mr. Reiji might be able to make a medicine that would take care of it.
Wh-What?
I see.
That's a great idea. Will you hear us out?
S-Sure, it can't hurt to listen.
Woof! I'll help you work!
Huh? Master, what's that?
This? It's a medicine for making girls pretty.
Harriette Remover
Harriette Remover.
A cream made with ingredients that dissolve hair.
Also suppresses hair growth.
Pretty?
Anyway, I tried making something.
I call it hair removal cream "Harriette Remover."
H-Harriette Remover?
It's a prototype, so take it home and try it out.
Thanks, Rei. I'll try it immediately.
Wow, I can't believe you actually made somethin'.
Impressive as always, pharmacist.
This is amazing.
Thank you, Mr. Reiji.
Sure thing. It was worth making if you guys are this happy about it.
Good morning.
Good morning, Noela.
G-Good morning, Master.
I see you dressed up today. Did something happen?
No, nothing.
But you're so proud of your tail. Let me take a look.
It's nothing! Nothing!
Noela!
Don't touch, Master!
You used that medicine without my permission, didn't you?
Ms. Noela, I told you he'd find out right away.
I see. It was supposed to make you pretty, but instead you lost your fur.
I did think it was noisy in here this morning.
I'm sorry. Ms. Noela came to me for help.
Don't worry. It'll grow back soon.
This medicine prevents hair growth, too.
Woof?!
Master, I'm sorry!
I promise I won't use your medicines without asking again!
Okay, okay.
Harriette Grower
Harriette Grower. A mixture of ingredients that promote hair growth.
Improves scalp health and circulation.
This should make your hair grow back quickly.
Master, thank you. I'll follow you forever.
It's not that big a deal.
I didn't get mad at Noela because I realized she's a girl after all, too.
Thank you, thank you.
She was probably driven by instinct.
Kirio Drugstore
Woof, woof.
Her tail was back to its usual fluffiness in no time.
And since then, Noela has stopped running off with new medicines.
And we lived happily ever after.
Woof.
Closing Time
Thank you for coming...
Where did Vivi go?
Who said you could leave the battlefield?!
Next Customer
That's right! Fleein' from the enemy earns you a hundred beatings!
Nothin' beats the captain's beatings!
What a perv.
Illustration by: Ukitsu