Kirio Drugstore
Mr. Reiji, Ms. Noela. Lunch is ready.
Help yourselves.
Let's eat.
Let's eat!
Yeah, let's eat!
Hey, Paula.
You come here during mealtimes on purpose, don't you?
Do I? Mina, this bread is friggin' delicious.
Don't be so crude. We're eating.
It's seriously delicious!
So how's business been since then?
Slow.
Figures.
Then you can come eat with us anytime.
Woof. Paula, eat with us.
Wow! In that case, I won't hesitate to come back tomorrow,
the day after that, and every day after that until the end of time!
Listen up. We're a pharmacy, not a restaurant.
Master, I have arrived!
I'm here, too.
Ah, Mr. Ejil and Ms. Vivi. We were just having lunch.
Why don't you join us?
Gosh, what a coincidence.
Yeah, what a total coincidence that you're in the middle of lunch.
These two definitely showed up now on purpose, too.
It's so good!
At least Ejil and Vivi only show up occasionally,
but it seems like Paula actually comes to eat for free on purpose every day.
Mina! More, please!
Or so I thought...
Drugstore
In Another World
Today's Prescription: Part 1 Pass, No Fail
Ms. Paula hasn't been coming lately.
We haven't seen her in about a week.
That's right. I've even been making enough food for her, too.
Woof! I'll eat the leftovers!
You'll upset your stomach again if you eat too much.
Woof...
Mr. Reiji, doesn't Ms. Paula live alone?
Yeah, I'm worried about her since she suddenly stopped coming.
I'm worried, too.
I'll go stop by her shop later.
Thank you. Please do.
Paula, are you in here?
You should've said something if you were here.
Unlike you, I'm a busy person.
Hey, don't treat me like some kind of idle bum.
So what do you want?
I just wanted to check in and make sure you're still alive...
What's this? Are you, by any chance, studying?
Not "by any chance." That's exactly what I'm doing.
Can't you tell?
What are you studying?
Once every two years, I have to take a test to renew my item identification license.
Renew your item identification license?
Huh. That must be like the secondhand shop license in my old world.
Since shops holding this license are officially recognized by the kingdom,
customers can do business with them with peace of mind.
Trust comes first in my line of work.
You kind of look more intellectual than usual, Paula.
What? Really? Studying all this material is exhausting, though.
You're here, Rei? Why didn't you say something sooner?
Did you think everything that had happened until now was your imagination?
What?!
C'mon, Rei, please.
Forget about the dungeon. Make me a medicine so I won't fail this test.
One that'll guarantee I don't friggin' fail.
Hey, let go of me.
Please, Rei!
If I fail this test, I'll have to close up shop!
That license is a lifeline for tool shops.
Make me a medicine, Rei!
Make you a medicine?
It takes days for me to make things.
When's your test, anyway?
Tomorrow.
I'm friggin' screwed!
I have to score 85/100, but I scored only 20/100 on a practice test just now!
O-Only20?
Actually, I exaggerated. I really scored 10/100.
Both 20 and 10 are failing marks!
What have you been doing until today?
Studying, obviously!
And this is what that got you?
You're so mean, Rei.
So where are you taking the test tomorrow?
In the next town over.
I figured I'd get there in time if I left first thing tomorrow morning,
so I'm studying as hard as I can until the last minute,
but the test covers so much material.
Rei, please.
Yeah, but...
Please! Make me a medicine so I won't fail, Rei!
Well, maybe it's not impossible.
What? What is it? Did you come up with an idea?
Well, I do have an idea for a recipe.
Listen, Paula. I'm going to go make a new medicine.
It'll be a race against the clock until it's time for the test.
Rei, I love you!
I'll go make it right away, so stay here and study.
Okay! I'll do my best, Rei!
Mr. Reiji, welcome back. How was Ms. Pau—
Okay, I've got all the ingredients.
Mr. Reiji?
Master, why are you in a hurry?
Oh, you know.
Hey, if you guys are free, could you help me?
Of course.
Woof! You can count on me!
Prayer For Success
It's done.
Pass, No Fail
Pass, No Fail.
A medicine that prevents one from forgetting what they learned for 24 hours.
Noela, could you take this medicine to Paula immediately?
Woof!
See you later.
Woof!
I've finally been released from my imprisonment.
It would seem that Lord Ejil has been going out periodically without my knowledge.
Where has he been going?
Woof!
My posters of Lord Ejil!
Woof!
Why now?
24-hour Pass, No Fail?
Yeah, Paula has an exam to renew her item identification license tomorrow.
So you helped her using the power of medicine.
Impressive as always, Mr. Reiji.
But there's no guarantee that she'll pass.
It'll come down to how hard Paula can study.
Woof. Master, mission complete.
Good work.
So how was Paula?
Serious. She said, "Thank you."
I see. It's a little soon to be thanking me, though.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
Let's all pray for Ms. Paula's success.
All that medicine does is
prevent someone from forgetting what they learned for 24 hours.
They still have to learn it once.
Will Paula be able to learn everything she needs to know?
Kirio Drugstore
Several Days Later
I wonder what happened to Ms. Paula after that.
Yeah. The results of her exam should already have been announced.
Woof!
She's here!
Rei, look at this!
Oh, Paula.
What do you think of this?
Hey, you got your license renewed.
Congratulations.
Congrats, congrats!
All thanks to you and that medicine!
No, ultimately, you're the one who did the hard work, Paula.
You think so? Anyway, that stuff is friggin' crazy!
I'm counting on your help next time, too.
Don't get ahead of yourself.
But seriously, I haven't slept a wink.
I crammed like crazy.
I know, Ms. Paula. Have you eaten yet?
You're welcome to join us.
I knew I could count on you, Mina. That's why I came.
It's not like renewing my license has brought more customers to my store.
Of course it hasn't.
But first...
This is to thank you.
Woof! No kissing Master!
Aw, that's too bad.
What? Were you trying to kiss me?
Another time, if the opportunity presents itself.
Anyway, let's eat!
Huh?
Woof...
Master, I've come to help!
I'm here for my part-time job, too.
You've arrived just as we were having lunch again.
You're welcome to join us.
Really? I guess I'll have to, then!
Yes, gladly.
These kids...
Is the shop going to turn back into a restaurant for a while?
Well, nothing wrong with that.
Gel, gel. Sweetheart Cooling Gel.
Today's Prescription: Part 2 Sun Sun Go Away Sunscreen Gel
Cooling, cooling gel.
Thanks to the gel, I stay cool.
What? You think my skin is perfect?
Yeah, I wish I had clear, beautiful skin like yours.
Uh, it seems like you've all forgotten, but Mina is a ghost.
Of course her skin is clear.
Ms. Noela's so fluffy when she's sleeping, too.
I want to touch her. I want to touch her, but Master said I can't cross this line.
This is torture!
In other words, Vivi needs a medicine that blocks UV rays.
Please, Reiji.
As you can see, we don't have any customers today.
Why don't you try making something?
I wished for something similar while I was still alive.
You, too?
Yes. I'm not the only one. UV rays are the arch-nemesis of all women.
They age your skin and cause wrinkles, spots, and sagging.
That doesn't sound good for men, either.
So if you were to succeed, I'm certain the product would be a hit!
Our food expenses are higher lately for some odd reason,
so it would offset that, too.
What? Have we been spending that much on food?
In any case, Mr. Reiji, please!
Okay, I get it. I'll give it a shot.
All right!
These ingredients should do.
Oh, right. I bet people would prefer something that smells nice, too.
Mr. Reiji, have some of these.
We received more expensive sweets from Lady Flam.
Oh, thanks.
Work hard. I'm sure your new medicine will be a big hit.
I'll leave these here.
Mina's really looking forward to this medicine.
Are we really spending that much on food?
It's definitely their fault.
All right.
It's done.
Sun Sun Go Away Sunscreen Gel
Sun Sun Go Away Sunscreen Gel.
A gel that blocks UV rays.
Allows one to maintain clear, beautiful skin.
Hey, it's done...
Did you finish, Mr. Reiji?
Is it done, Reiji?
Now, now. Calm down, ladies.
In addition to UV ray protection, I paid attention to moisturizing,
feel, and even smell while making this medicine.
Smells good. Who wants to try it first?
What? You're that desperate to try it?
Yes!
I-I see. If your eyes are going to gleam with that much childlike excitement,
then I guess it was worth making.
This is it?
Listen up. Put a little bit on your finger and spread it over areas prone to sunburn.
As you will it!
Yes, sir!
Why are we suddenly in a historical drama?
It's nice and cool.
Yes. Somehow my skin feels more supple.
You two look like you're enjoying yourselves.
Pardon me!
Seriously, why the historical drama speak?
Ms. Noela...
Oh, wow! I'm totally fine, Reiji!
The sunlight isn't bothering me.
Seriously. Even though I'm a ghost, I feel like I'm being protected from the sun.
That's good to hear.
Hooray! Hooray! Yahoo!
If you combine this with the cooling gel,
you should be able to go anywhere, even during the summer.
I'm glad. I'm so happy.
Reiji, thank you. Yahoo!
I'm so glad. I understand what it's like to not be able to go outside.
Oh, right. Mina was trapped inside this house for almost a hundred years.
Master, what happened to Vivi?
I made her a sunblock that's also good for the skin.
Apparently, it put her in high spirits.
I want to use it, too.
What? You, too?
Woof.
Okay, I guess.
I'm surprised Ms. Noela is expressing an interest in a beauty product.
You think so, too?
Yes.
I thought Noela was only interested in food.
Ms. Noela has probably reached that age, too.
Reiji!
Try touching my cheek. My skin is so springy.
Uh, okay...
Boing.
I-It's so springy!
Try touching it even more.
What? But...
Mr. Reiji, go ahead and touch her.
It's also a pharmacist's job to confirm the effects of his medicine.
Okay, yeah. In that case...
Here you go.
Boing.
It feels kind of nice.
This isn't good. I might get hooked on this feeling.
Boing, boing, boing.
Master, me, too.
Noela, you used too much!
Master, touch.
But...
Woof.
Okay, then...
Boing.
Master, what do you think?
Boing, boing, boing, boing.
Master, what do you think?
Uh, yeah. It's nice, I guess.
Honestly, all the gel Noela applied made her cheek even more squishy,
springy, and soft. It feels amazing to touch!
This is seriously bad news. It might even be better than fluffy Noela!
Boing. Woof.
I see. I understand.
What's wrong, Mr. Ejil?
P-Please allow me to poke your cheek as well, Ms. Noela!
Master!
Hey, part-timer! Go in your crate!
Good!
Lord Ejil hasn't returned today, either.
If I'd known this would happen, I would've given him all the potions he wanted.
Lord Ejil, where are you?
Kirio Drugstore
The Next Day
Because of that medicine, Ms. Vivi can go outside with peace of mind from now on.
Yeah.
Woof. Master, touch.
Did you use that medicine again?
Woof, woof.
O-Okay, then...
Boing, boing.
Yup, still springy.
Woof!
What's gotten into Noela?
I knew it.
You knew what?
Well, you know Ms. Noela and Ms. Vivi are very good friends.
Yeah.
Ms. Noela didn't enjoy you giving Ms. Vivi all your attention,
especially since they're friends.
That's why she's using the gel?
Yes, Ms. Noela was probably jealous.
I-I see.
I'm acting like it all makes sense to me, but I had no idea how she felt.
There is one thing I learned, though.
Mr. Reiji, I heard you developed a new medicine that
makes your skin springy and even prevents sunburns.
Could I get some for myself and my mother?
What? You already know about the gel?
Hey.
We meet again.
Mr. Kururu.
Could I get some of your new medicine, too?
And some for my sister, as well.
Please keep your face away from mine.
Rei, I heard the news.
Give me some of your new medicine that makes your skin beautiful.
Who told you?!
Pharmacist, could I, um... get some of that medicine everyone's talking about?
That rumor spread fast!
Looks like you'll be able to sell a lot of it.
Looks that way.
As Mina said,
the sunblock's sales exploded,
and the profits went toward our food expenses that had
recently increased like crazy.
So good.
Closing Time
Kirio Drugstore.
Thank you...
...for visiting...
...again today.
Woof.
This is the world I used to live in.
I don't want to go into the office. I wish I could skip work.
Someone free me from full trains, superiors who abuse their authority,
and the sales work I hate so much.
I hate it.
I hate this life!
Where am I?
Next Customer
Illustration by: Atori