sigh* I know we signed up to be seasonal staff for the New Year's Sale... But I for real didn't expect to do so much manual labor, like the hanetsuki challenges and all this snow shoveling.
I definitely wasn't expecting the hanetsuki stuff either. But I DID anticipate having to shovel snow before opening. All this shoveling does is tire us out. We don't get a single sorcent for our trouble... I sure hope we don't get any more snow.
Dude, of course. If you mess up your back and can't work, then we can pretty much kiss that special bonus goodbye. The first thing you wanna do is lower your center of gravity for your back and legs, like this. And then once you actually scoop up the snow, you lift with your whole body, like so. Finally, you get as close as possible to where you're dumpin' the snow, and...THROW!
Oh, yeah, it was SUPER awesome! While I was working there, they gave me a room with a real nice bathtub and stuff. But best of all, I got all the free food I could eat!
Sebek... Were you aiming for my face just now? MY FACE, AS IN MY INESTIMABLY VALUABLE, PRECIOUS FACE?! Looks like it's time for me to teach this childish spudling a lesson!
It's all right! So long as you finish shoveling before the shop opens, there won't be any problem! But remember, you're going to be selling lots of stuff and playing hanetsuki today, so make sure you save some of that energy! And with that, I'm off to the shop!
I cannot believe that I, of all people, lost my head over something as silly as getting hit with a little snow. Such a lapse in judgment... I have no other choice but to try and excise this unpleasant feeling by shoveling snow. HRAAAH! OUT OF THE WAY, SNOW!
Please. That barely qualified as a warm-up. Sam mentioning the hanetsuki challenge made me think of something. The shop's sales dropped for a while because we won too much, yes? We managed to come up with a method that brought the customers back, but...
Even if it was just for a short time, missing some of the peak season would give a shop owner a lot to think—and worry—about. Oh, wait! You know... I bet if I found a way to make up those lost sales, my special bonus would be totally locked down!
Yeah, I get that. I was just thinking out loud. Hmm... What could we do that doesn't take much time to prepare and doesn't cost money... Oh! What if we let people take a photo with you, Vil?
Thank you both for rescuing me. I was shoveling snow by that tree, when suddenly a bunch of it came tumbling down on me. And I totally saw the same thing happen to Sebek earlier, too. I really wasn't careful enough.
That's right! They're little dome-shaped houses made of snow! You splash water on the snow a few times as you build 'em up, and then make an opening for a door. Simple, right?
That's called "shiruko." It's from the East. It's a soup made by simmering these reddish-purple beans in sugar, and then adding chewy dumplings called "dango."
Oh, by the way, you can only buy the shiruko if you make a kamakura. In other words... This is an incredible, limited-time opportunity, only available right here, right now! You've got the chance to expand your culinary horizons, all while relaxing in these extraordinary kamakura! Sounds amazing, right?! We have a limited number available for sale each day, so you really can't afford to pass on this amazing experience, if you ask me!
Shyeheehee, thanks for your business! Now, here are some shovels. If you don't understand how to make the kamakura, just gimme a shout. When you're done, we'll bring you some nice hot shiruko. Have fun!
Another day of stellar work, my impish crew! Thanks to your efforts, today was the busiest we've been recently! I really gotta thank you for not only improving the hanetsuki challenge, but also for coming up with the idea to sell shiruko! Let's keep this up and work hard tomorrow!
It all worked out great! What a relief! And... Shyeheehee... Thanks to our customers workin' so hard at making the kamakura, the area around the shop is clear of snow, too! The customers had fun, and we didn't have to shovel as much snow. A brilliant plan, if I do say so myself! By the way, Sam? About what we talked about before?
RIght. I agreed to give you 30 percent of the profits from the shiruko sales, in exchange for you telling me the recipe. I'll be sure to give you your cut when the time comes, so don't worry about that.
How shrewd you are, my spotted little imp. I mean you did take the initiative in planning everything with the kamakura... And the shiruko was a big hit. So thanks for all that.
Hey, I'm just glad I was able to help! And having contributed so much to the store, I'm sure I've got that special bonus in the bag. Shyeheehee... This is shaping up to be the start of an incredible year!
