Convenience Store Goddess: "Time's Equal for Everyone? Yeah, Bullshit."
Convenience store clerk Kim Ji-woo slammed the self-help book shut.
Time is given equally to everyone? Yeah, bullshit.
She'd read countless books spouting sweet nothings like It's not your fault; society's the problem, but this was the first one that pissed her off outright while reading it.
It was 5 p.m., and she still had five long hours until her shift handover with that damn night-shift slacker who was always late.
Even working at a convenience store near campus didn't spare her the headaches. Drained from dealing with young know-it-alls all day, Kim Ji-woo slumped at the counter, staring blankly at the tile patterns on the floor.
That's when the bell chimed.
Conditioned like Pavlov's dog, she snapped to attention. "Welcome to CU!"
Who knew how many times she'd said that today? Even a VR game's NPC would have more varied lines.
"I'll ring you up."
With a crushing wave of reality hitting her, Kim Ji-woo scanned the customer's small triangle kimbap. She reached for a card, but the woman handed over coins with her pale, delicate hand.
Coins? In this day and age?
Instinctively looking up, Kim Ji-woo felt her breath catch.
There stood a goddess.
Simple white tee and high-waisted denim shorts. Long limbs and skin like white jade—pure and translucent. Even the black of her eyes seemed prettier than anyone else's; Kim Ji-woo couldn't tear her gaze from those bright, doe-like eyes sparkling with innocence.
A beige eco-bag instead of a luxury crossbody, a fresh soap scent tickling her nose instead of heavy perfume—it all amplified the woman's effortless charm.
Should I ask for her number? Nah, she looks like she definitely has a boyfriend...
Kim Ji-woo had some confidence in her looks, but her uniform made her cringe.
As her hesitation dragged on, the woman spoke first, her tone curt. "Aren't you gonna ring me up?"
"Oh, right, sorry! But this is buy-one-get-one-free, so would you like another of the same?"
"Really? Thank goodness." The woman clapped her hands, spinning 90 degrees, then 180, heading back to the kimbap display.
The moment Kim Ji-woo's eyes traced the goddess's profile and retreating figure, her heart pounded uncontrollably. And that voice—pure, childlike, soft, and innocent.
The haves really have it all. So damn jealous...
Trapped in this rectangular box, she watched people her age strutting outside, living their youth. Her reflection in the glass looked pathetically forlorn.
Then chaos erupted outside.
Bustling streets always had some commotion, but this was a crowd swarming.
Is that girl actually a celebrity?
The doubt didn't last. It was a girl, but not that one.
A small twintailed child leaning against the convenience store window outside. Sensing Kim Ji-woo's stare, she turned, peering inside.
"Holy shit! It's NoName!"
The clerk shot up from his seat. He was one of the rare long-time subscribers in Korea—over five months, from before NoName claimed the LoL Master title and skyrocketed to fame. A monumental achievement.
NoName Fan Cafe sub-manager DaYeonMtUltraHighPerfBeautyAI Kim Ji-woo vaulted the counter.
"Um, looks like there are no more triangle kimbaps..."
"Hold on, Goddess! I'll grab some from the back later! Just wait a sec!"
"Pardon?"
A mere goddess in the store? No—the supreme creator herself stood right there.
Not caring who he was telling to wait, Kim Ji-woo snatched a permanent marker and bolted out like a bullet.
The stunned woman stared blankly at the empty counter.
"Um... excuse me...?"
Gurgle—
Her stomach growled softly, echoing in the quiet.
Herd mentality is terrifying.
I'd walked these streets alone without a second glance before, so I'd let my guard down in the bustling district. Makes sense—no one pays attention to strangers unless they're A-list celebs.
Plus, my small stature kept me under the radar.
Still, more people were sneaking peeks than before.
Then a couple ran up asking for photos and autographs; I obliged. Whether they took it as tacit approval or just piled on assuming I was famous, who knows? Can't read minds.
Of course, some were genuine fans and viewers.
"You really want me to sign here?"
She'd signed paper, notebooks, even textbooks before, but a white shirt on a guy's back? First time.
I grabbed the marker and scrawled NoName in cursive across his back.
"Thank you! I'll treasure it as a family heirloom forever!"
After signing for Kim Ji-woo too, I wove through the crowd with Danielle, whom I'd bumped into outside the store, and escaped.
In a quieter alley lined with BBQ joints and bars, Ni-el spoke first.
"What brings you here, Nami?"
"Da-yeon unnie called. Said she'd buy me nakgopsae if I came before 6, so I rushed straight from Building 28."
Today's Q&A had way more profs than usual. Maybe because of that famous Goldbach conjecture? What I thought would be an hour stretched to two and a half.
Having skipped breakfast, Woo Da-yeon's offer was irresistible. Nakgopsae—a spicy seafood noodle stir-fry I'd never tried in either of my past lives.
So the spot Ni-el and I fled to was right in front of the nakgopsae place where Da-yeon's liberal arts groupmates were gathered.
"Wait, aren't you in the same 'Human Relationships Psychology' group as Da-yeon unnie? Where are the others? Why were you alone at the convenience store?"
As Ni-el said, it was basically "Group Hangouts 101" disguised as liberal arts.
Did the group meeting flop?
"Well..."
Danielle clutched her uneaten triangle kimbap. Before her chapped pink lips could part, Da-yeon burst out the shop door.
"Nami! Why so late? We've been waiting forever! And... Danielle...?"
"Sorry, I'll go."
"Wait, Ni-el-ssi!"
Da-yeon snatched the fleeing girl's wrist with lightning reflexes. The kimbap slipped, splatting on the stone pavement, utterly ruined.
As if unintentional, Da-yeon scooped it up, dusting it off frantically. No salvaging that.
"Oops! Sorry, I'll buy you a new one."
"Just give it back."
"No, I'll get it right from the store up front."
"Just. Give. It. Baaaack!"
Ni-el's soft tone exploded into a shriek.
"Uh... okay..."
The mangled kimbap returned to Ni-el's hand.
Absurdity sinking in, Da-yeon blocked her path.
"Look, I know there's bad blood between Hicks Studio and the Vark folks. But you're not even an official PD—just a freshman treating it like a club, right? You joined two months ago. Why get so immersed?"
"..."
"You can hate me personally for whatever secret reason, fine. But group meetings are mandatory. If you don't wanna eat together, at least show your face for a photo for the report. Is that too much?"
Da-yeon demanded an explanation, fuming.
A guy from their group at the entrance witnessed the spat.
"Da-yeon, come on in—what're you... Oh, Ni-el-ssi, join us! Why so late?"
Pretending ignorance to ease the awkwardness.
"Tell me. If you hate team projects, drop the class. Do you even realize your selfishness is screwing everyone else? Why should we stress over this great class because of you?!"
"Group leader, head back in. I'll talk to Ni-el-ssi alone."
Fearing an emotional blowup, the guy smiled, wedging between them.
Silent till now, Danielle chimed in. "Why does no one get my situation? Why do I always have to adjust...?"
Tears welled in her doe eyes, dripping down. The pitiful act riled Da-yeon—fox bitch nearly slipped out, visible on her lips—but worked wonders on the guy. He held Da-yeon back harder.
"So what's your 'situation'? Tell us so we can accommodate you!"
"..."
"Ugh, frustrating! Whatever, do what you want... I'm done being leader."
Thumping her chest, Da-yeon conceded first.
The pair split. As the guy and I pondered whom to follow, Danielle decided.
"Don't follow me."
Yeah, nakgopsae might give me indigestion right now.
"Dig in, Nami! Dodged a bullet not ordering just one serving...!"
"Wow, even your eating is this cute...? Total angel!"
"But seriously, you good not checking on Ni-el-ssi?"
No indigestion here—I ate fine. Da-yeon wiped red nakgopsae broth from my mouth with a napkin.
"She said don't follow. Besides, I've been starving all day."
"Right, eat up!"
Da-yeon generously ordered extras, atoning for last time.
Untouched soju glasses on the table tempted me to smack my lips. Why no country allows kids booze?
"Busy day? They okay keeping a kid like you that long?"
"Tell me about it. Screw the proof or whatever—maybe I should ditch for Switzerland."
"Switzerland? What's that mean, Nami?"
"Couple days ago. Thought it was a scam, but the Swiss embassy called."
Perfect timing—related news scrolled on the TV.
Yeah, they mentioned The Great Generation on the call too.
"News got it wrong a bit."
"Huh?"
"They offered me not 10 billion, but 100 billion."
Reporter must've tripped, dropping a zero. I slurped the last shrimp into my mouth amid the red broth.
Do they sell nakgopsae in Switzerland?