The morning sun cast a warm glow over the village, birds chirping lazily as the peaceful countryside stretched out in every direction.
Reed stood in front of his newly renovated food shop, arms crossed, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
"Alright. Today is the day."
After years of nonstop fighting, countless life-threatening battles, and far too many insane people dragging him into their problems, he was finally here.
Running a simple food business.
No guild requests.
No monster attacks.
No nobles demanding his presence.
Just good food and a quiet life.
"Finally. A normal day."
---
"Reedy~! I made a sign for the shop!"
Reed blinked.
Then slowly, hesitantly, turned around.
Yuna stood there, her nine golden tails swaying elegantly, a wide, mischievous grin on her face.
She was holding…
A large wooden sign.
One that she had clearly painted herself.
Reed's eye twitched.
"...Yuna. What does that say?"
Yuna beamed.
"Welcome to Reed & Yuna's Lovely Newlywed Food Shop!"
Reed choked.
"WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT?!"
Elise, who had just stepped outside holding a basket of bread, stared.
Then she burst out laughing.
"OH GODS, ONII-CHAN. IT HAS SPARKLES ON IT."
Reed glanced back.
It did.
It absolutely did.
Yuna had somehow added glittering enchantments to the paint, making it shimmer in the sunlight like a romantic fairytale poster.
Even worse—there were tiny doodles of them as chibi characters.
And he was wearing a groom's outfit.
"YUNA."
Yuna tilted her head innocently.
"Yes, my dear husband~?"
"WE ARE NOT MARRIED!"
"Not yet~."
"THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS!"
Lilia, who had just stepped outside as well, nodded approvingly.
"Oh my, Yuna-chan, what a lovely sign~."
"MOM, PLEASE!"
Elise grinned. "I mean, it's already accurate. Everyone in the village thinks you're married anyway."
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD MAKE IT THE SHOP NAME!"
Yuna pouted. "Ara~? But think about it, Reedy~. Wouldn't it be wonderful for people to associate this place with love and happiness~?"
"IT'S A FOOD SHOP, NOT A MATCHMAKING SERVICE!"
Elise snorted. "Then why did you write 'Newlywed Special: Free dessert for couples' at the bottom?"
"YOU DID WHAT?!"
Reed snatched the sign, flipping it over.
Sure enough, in cute, curvy letters, Yuna had added:
"Newlywed Special! Free dessert for couples! Propose here for a blessing from the Fox Goddess~!"
Reed felt his soul leave his body.
"Yuna." His voice was dangerously low. "Did you just turn my shop into a wedding venue?!"
Yuna smiled, pure and innocent.
"Why not?~"
"BECAUSE IT'S A FOOD SHOP!"
Lilia chuckled. "Oh, that's actually a good idea, Yuna-chan. A romantic atmosphere can attract more customers."
"MOM, STOP SIDING WITH HER!"
Elise grinned. "Onii-chan, just admit it. You're opening a honeymoon restaurant."
"I AM NOT!"
---
By the time Reed finally wrestled the sign away from Yuna, the village had already gathered to watch the morning chaos unfold.
An elderly farmer chuckled, shaking his head.
"Ah, young love."
"IT'S NOT LOVE, IT'S A HOSTILE TAKEOVER!"
---
Finally, after what felt like hours, Reed flipped the sign to 'OPEN.'
The first day of his new life had officially begun.
…And it was already off to a terrible start.