Scene 41

Proprietress

Er, wait, let me make sure I'm getting this right... You're saying my debt has been wiped completely clean?

Proprietress

It seems I caused you two even more trouble than I thought. I'm so sorry for the hassle.

Agil

Oh, please. If anything, we should be apologizing for meddling in your affairs. You have nothing to be sorry for.

Agil

So, now that that's settled, what are your plans for the restaurant?

Proprietress

Right... About that. I actually just finished up initial preparations to close down for good.

Proprietress

I severed ties with my supplier, found a buyer—even sold off most of my kitchenware. All to help settle that debt.

Agil

I see... Guess our grand gesture came a bit too late.

Proprietress

Don't misunderstand, though. I wasn't planning on giving everything up completely!

Proprietress

I'll be working as a sort of culinary consultant, offering my personal recipes to other restaurants in the area. I'll even receive a portion of their proceeds.

Proprietress

All the other shop owners seem quite excited by the prospect.

Agil

Not bad! So you'll basically be running a restaurant franchise. Though I suppose it's more about earning royalties for those recipes...

Agil

Oh, sorry, don't mind my blabbering. Just thinking out loud.

Agil

Anyway, that all sounds like a great idea! I suppose this is what they call the entrepreneurial spirit—and you've got it in spades.

Agil

I'm sad to hear you'll be closing the restaurant for good—but it's great to know I can still enjoy your cooking one way or another.

Proprietress

Well, you won't survive in this business long if you let a single setback break your spirit.

Proprietress

More importantly... Who said anything about closing the restaurant for good?

Agil

Wait, what? But you just said—

Proprietress

I said I'd just finished up initial preparations to close down.

Proprietress

My original plan was to shut down temporarily and reopen once I'd saved up enough.

Proprietress

But that was before you two wiped my debt clean!

Proprietress

I'll have to grovel and apologize a bit to my supplier and the prospective buyer, but...after that, it'll be business as usual.

Agil

Seriously? Then I guess we were able to help out a bit after all! Hah!

Proprietress

Oh, after dealing with that loan shark, I'd say you helped more than just a bit. And I'm touched to know you were so concerned on my behalf.

Proprietress

I really appreciate all you've done. Thank you again.

Proprietress

...But for now, I've got a lot of work to do! Business is about to start booming again!

Agil

Heh, she's a tough one, isn't she?

Agil

Y'know, there's a lot I left behind in the real world—things waiting for me. But I just know Trish is making it work... She's tough, too.

Agil

What I need to focus on now is making sure I survive SAO... that I make it out alive and get back to her in one piece!

Agil

Your help was invaluable on this, really. I owe you one. If you ever need my help, just get in touch.