Starting a Night Shift Part-time Job at a Convenience Store

Chapter 13.5: Woman With a Downcast Look V

I canionly say that its appalling

Right.

Despite knowing itiwas someone elses cigarette, she unashamedly released the puff of smoke onto the ceiling.

I learned something I didnt need to know that people who commit suicide have faces like that.

You voluntarily stepped in to save a total stranger. You had it coming. Consider it a miracle you got away with such minor injuries because you wouldnt even be here right now if you had taken a wrong step.

Meaning?

Youre one of thoseiwho stick around.

Ugh.

Well, but if it had been a real crisis, Takenakaiwould have gone into action.

Huh?

Oops, I letithat slip.

Takenaka?

What did you mean by that?

I knew you didnt realize.

A-About what?

Takenakai

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said if you didnt notice, thats fine, Ayame said, releasing another puff of smoke. Since you left the convenience store, Takenaka couldnt seem to relax. Oh, for your information, I didnt mention anything, you know. But hes a perceptive guy, so he figured something was up, and boldly removed the yagura from himself at one point and sent it after you. Then when that one time you were in real danger, he seriously tried to leave the convenience store. I havent seen Takenakas face that agitated in a long time. Thats a proof that he likes you.

Did he save my life again?

I mustithank him again the next time I meet him.

Its fine, lets just say he took the liberty of doing it this time. The newcomer did it on his own without talking to anyone or seeking help. Both of you are even, isnt it?

Thats true, but

It seems Takenaka doesnt want to put you through any unnecessary trouble either.

Why does Takenaka always help me out?

I wonder. Why dont you ask him? Perhaps theres a particular reason?

This person definitely knew something about it She probably wouldnt share it with me even if I asked her, though.

Ayame.Translator: MadHatter

What?

Is there something more dreadful in that sea of trees than what Ive witnessed?

Huh?Not shared on aggregator sites

Im a little curious.

I have no idea about that.

She pressed the cigarette into the ashtray and looked at me with a chuckle.

Dont get carried away thinking youre getting adjusted to this place, newcomer. You dont even know half of the gravity of this job yet, so dont get overly familiar with everything and anything.

By doing so, on the contrary, you would be crushedAyame, squinting her eyes, thrust the nail of her index finger into my pit of the stomach. Her action sent a jolt through me, but I wrinkled my brow because I didnt grasp the significance of Ayames words.

Youre inherently obstinate, yet prone to interject yourself into things that dont concern you. Youre clumsy, easily misinterpreted, well, in short, youre the annoying softhearted type.

Im not softhearted.

Thats not particularly important. Hah, that bothersome type of you, whats the point of staying here if you just dont want to run away with your tail between your legs?

For instance, you might be feeling bad about yourself, and you might be doing it for someone elses sake, or for some other self-serving reason.

Hah

That kind of thing.

What was this person talking about

That kind of thing, of course, it doesnt exist

Goosebumps broke out all over my body. I hastily retracted my agitation to the depths of my being.

Am I wrong?

T-That doesnt really matter, isnt it? About why I am here.

It didnt really matter, but what this person said was by no means inconsequential.

She was so spot on that I was terrified.

Youre a hundred years too young to conceal your agitation in front of me, amateur. Right. It doesnt particularly matter, does it? You can stay here if you want to, or quit if you dont like it. Youre free to do that.

Nobody will stop you, and nobody will kick you out, thats the unspoken rule here.

But I dont feel either of those things from you. You dont want to stay, and you dont want to quit. Youre always looking backward, instead of forward.

Why do you say that?

How do I know? I can even perceive such things in human beings. You must hold on to yourself more firmly. Otherwise, you will be entangled in a severe predicament. This place is too much for a person who is not mentally stable. If youre going to carry that backward obstinacy with you from here on out you might as well quit.

Does that mean Ill be a burden?

No. I mean that it would be worse than being a burden.

Being worse, what exactly

As I was about to ask that, the sound of the automatic door opening spread throughout the store.

At this hour how unusual.

Ill be right out.

After saying that, I stretched out and walked out of the back room.

Welcome

I bowed and greeted the guest near the doorway. Entering the store was a woman with long hair and small stature. Given that she was suit-clad, she was probably an OL on her way home from work.

Without so much as a glance at me, the woman pulled a shopping basket onto her arm. I double-checked the time on the clock. Being alone in a place like this at this time of night was unsafe. Not even a car was in sight, huh, this person, could she be Surely she must have missed the last train and was returning home on foot.

No way

In my recent habit, I have begun observing the occasional customer and analyzing their reasons for dropping by and the purpose of their purchase. Please dont judge me as a lecher but I had so much time on my hands.

The woman with fatigue on her features paced around the store with a sluggish gait. She was still young, likely in her early twenties. Thank you for your hard work until this late.

The fact that she was stepping on the heels of the shoes she was wearing suggested that she must have been exceptionally worn out. She staggered to the confectionery section. In the basket on her arm, she tossed desserts and cups of pudding into it manfully that I wondered if she was going to purchase all of them at once.

After putting in the confectionery, she turned to the beverages. Cartons of strawberry milk, chocolate caf au lait, green tea milk, and lemon tea were dropped into the basket somewhat roughly. From there, she headed to the bakery corner. Rather than choosing one, she grabbed one side at a time. Crme frache, melon bread, red bean buns, cinnamon rolls with condensed milk, twisted doughnuts, and banana steamed bread

At the sight of the piles of products, I couldnt help but feel queasy. My mouth seemed to be getting sweeter and sweeter naturally.

Did that person intend to consume all of that food by herself? If so, that was amazing, her sugar consumption would be excessive.

Many women apparently have a sweet tooth but I never imagined that anyone would buy that many.

I was half impressed and half pulled back.

The woman subsequently approached another display shelf, carrying her basket with a heavy demeanor.

At that moment, she cast a glance in my direction.

Oh, crap

With that thought, I begin to restock the plastic bags with a nonchalant look on my face. Right, of course. Despite being the only customer in the store, she must have felt awkward being the subject of such intense attention. Excuse me.

I, likewise, was frantic, nevertheless. Unless I distractimyself by focusing on something with my eyes, myigaze would land on the woman inirags whoiwas standing with her handion the window pane and staring fromithe outside

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