"Our core mission is to become the convenience store in their lives."
"Ubiquitous, always ready, exchanging speed and reliability for their inertia premium."
Kawamoto put down his pen and dusted off his hands.
"Therefore, besides students, small business owners, and tourists, when you're taking orders and making deliveries, pay special attention to areas with a high concentration of single-person apartments, and watch out for small windows with lights on at night."
"They might just need a pack of cigarettes, maybe just some Anzai Fried Chicken, or maybe just to pick up their dry-cleaned clothes."
"Each order is small, but added together, they amount to a lot."
"This is our fourth type of customer, and also the most stable and sustainable type of customer in the future."
He looked at Kyosuke Masaki: "Your brothers know every alleyway, which apartment buildings don't have security gates, and what time the convenience store's ready-to-eat section starts its discounts."
He then looked at Kengo Murasame: "What you need to learn is how to deal with these tired office workers."
"They may have a bad temper, and they may speak bluntly, but what they really need is to solve the problem, not to hear your apology."
"Quickly, accurately, hand him the item, take the money, and leave."
"Don't waste time with small talk, but be sure to say 'Thank you for your hard work, and have a good time.'"
Kyosuke Masaki licked his lips.
For the first time, he discovered that behind those small windows with lights on, where people were returning home alone late at night, there was such a business.
Kengo Murasame thought of his father, a middle-aged man who always worked overtime until late at night, and when he got home, he was too lazy to even cook instant noodles, and would just collapse into bed.
If only someone could have brought my father a warm lunchbox home back then----
Nango scratched his blond hair and muttered, "So we're not deliverymen?"
"No."
Kawamoto corrected him. "Delivery is from A to B. We're going from not wanting to do anything to having it immediately."
He finally looked around at everyone.
"During an economic downturn, people aren't short of money; they're just holding onto it and afraid to spend it."
"What we need to do is make them feel that spending this little bit of money to solve a big problem is worthwhile!"
"Specifically, starting tomorrow, we will proceed in three steps."
"First step, preparation. Masaki, pick out twenty or thirty of your best-condition, most fuel-efficient, and least intimidating cars from your collection."
"The shop doesn't need to be big, 20 square meters is enough, but it needs to be able to park a few cars in front."
"With the economy in a slump, there are many vacant shops, and landlords are more anxious than we are."
"We don't care about the decor or the storefront, as long as it's clean, has running water and electricity, and a telephone line."
I'll take responsibility for this.
"The store location is booked; next is communications. I'll be in charge of answering calls initially."
"A telephone line is easy to get." Kyosuke Masaki snapped his fingers. "I know people at the telephone company; installing a phone will be quick. But, Kawamoto, are you really going to answer the phone yourself? Aren't you playing ball anymore?"
I'll go to any competitions during the summer vacation.
Kawamoto had clearly considered this issue long ago. "The telephone is not only a tool for taking orders, but also a customer's first impression of us."
"The tone, speed, and professionalism with which they answer the phone determine whether they will use it a second time."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Once business stabilizes, we can hire someone to answer the phone, and even develop a simple call recording and transfer system."
"But someone has to keep an eye on it now."
"Then comes publicity."
Kawamoto turned to the whiteboard and wrote the words "Advertisement" on it. "Knowing us is why you'll contact us."
"Distribute flyers?" Nango answered quickly.
"Yes, handing out flyers."
Kawamoto nodded. "The flyers need to be designed and printed. The content should be simple and straightforward: what we do and how to contact us."
The front shows these; the back can be printed with our service range and price list, even if it's just a reference price.
"The flyers need to be distributed in the right places: train stations, school gates, arcades, fast food restaurants where students gather; commercial streets, markets, and office building lobbies where small business owners congregate; tourist attractions, beach entrances, and areas with a high concentration of guesthouses; and most importantly..."
"Those mailboxes in single-person apartments, those bulletin boards in apartment buildings with lights on at night. Place our flyers where they are most likely to see them and where they are most likely to need us."
"The flyers can't be too bad; print at least 5,000 copies first."
Kazunari Miyamoto had been silent, was about to speak, Kengo Murasame was standing next to him, raised his hand first.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of pride. "Leave the printing to me."
Everyone looked at him.
"I, Ani, work at a small printing factory. Business has been terrible these past two years; we're often out of work. If I ask him to print some flyers, he can definitely give me an insider price, and the quality is guaranteed. And—"
He paused, then said, "He can also help us with the layout; he's good at that. I—I can talk to him."
There was a moment of silence in the warehouse.
This was the first time Murasame had proactively offered to use his personal connections.
Back in Miuradai, he was that arrogant captain.
But now, for the sake of this business with an uncertain future, he's willing to ask.
Kawamoto looked at Murasame and replied simply, "Okay. I'll leave this to you. Find out how quickly it can be printed and how much it will cost. If possible, print a sample first to see how it looks."
"Yes." Murasame nodded emphatically.
This was more than just a task; it was the beginning of him proving his worth.
"The storefront, the phone number, and the flyers are like three legs; they all need to move simultaneously."
Kawamoto concluded, " Nango..."
"Take the rest of the brothers and thoroughly inspect all the cars in the warehouse. Do any necessary maintenance or replace any missing parts. Also, find some stickers or spray paint and spray the 'Flash Wind Express ' logo and phone number onto the cars in a very conspicuous way."
"Yes, boss!"
Nango stood tall and proud, eager to get to work immediately.
"One week."
Kawamoto held up one finger. "Within a week, the store location needs to be secured, the phone lines need to be open, the flyers need to be printed, and the vehicle needs to be in place. Then, we'll take our first official order."
His gaze swept over every young face in the warehouse, faces that held confusion, excitement, eagerness, and uncertainty about the future.
"Whether this path will work, I don't know. But I do know that if we don't even dare to try, if we feel ashamed of handing out flyers, answering phones, or delivering goods on our bikes under the sun, then we deserve to live in the contemptuous eyes of others."
"As for the potential profits, I won't analyze that yet. For us, the most important thing is the feasibility of this project!"
Kyosuke Masaki scoffed, straightening up from the motorcycle. "I'll see how this business turns out. Guys, let's get to work!"
"Yes, boss!" the biker gang boys roared in response.
Murasame, Araki, Miyamoto exchanged glances and nodded vigorously.
Kawamoto said no more.