Chat Explodes Mid-Shift
The chime of the convenience store door rang out every time it opened, usually nothing special, but that day it hit me with unusual clarity.
I looked up from organizing cup ramen boxes next to the counter.
The automatic door slid open slowly, letting in a gust of cold air along with a man.
Black suit.
White shirt.
Tie without a single wrinkle.
Not the usual customer attire for a convenience store.
And of all things, a stranger. I could tell he was from Taeseong Guild by the small badge on his lapel.
He stood in front of the counter and pulled out a business card instead of his wallet.
That's when I finally read the name.
Han Jeongwoo.
I couldn't fathom why someone like him was standing so rigidly in front of the triangle kimbap display.
He gave a slight bow right after entering.
"Hello."
"Ah, hello."
I responded almost reflexively.
He scanned the store interior. Beverage fridge, counter, discard schedule, and finally, me.
His gaze was so orderly it felt uncomfortable.
Like he'd calculated even the order of entry.
I fiddled with my cap brim for no reason.
'Why's he here again.''What're they checking this time.'
Han Jeongwoo paused in front of the fridge, pondered briefly, then headed to the triangle kimbap corner.
That's when things got even weirder.
He reached out like any normal person, but oddly, he checked both sides first before picking one up.
Not because he was worried about being seen, but to confirm he wasn't blocking anything.
I stared blankly at that.
No need for that.
This is just a convenience store.
He picked up the tuna mayo one.
And he didn't take it right away.
He straightened the packaging corner with his fingertip, adjusting it so the label faced front.
Only then did he remove it from the display.
"...Why are you doing that?"
He paused at my question, then replied with utmost politeness.
"My apologies. It was slightly misaligned."
"No, I can fix that..."
"Not at all. Since I touched it, it's my responsibility to straighten it."
I shut my mouth.
Is this something a convenience store customer would say?
I'd never heard an apology like that from a customer during my shifts.
Usually, it's when I ring up the wrong item, hand over the wrong receipt, or just look tired.
But this guy was ready to apologize even for picking up a single triangle kimbap.
The weirdest part was it didn't feel exaggerated at all.
He moved like manners were ingrained in his very bones.
I gestured toward the counter, and he immediately lined up.
Exactly one person's distance away.
Spacing that wouldn't bump into anyone beside him.
An angle that wouldn't block the door if it opened.
I noticed every tiny detail.
'Is that how S-class are?''No, they probably aren't that polite.'
BJ Kang Minsu Broadcast — Viewers: 203,112
Seeing the chat made me even more confused.
He's no regular, sure.
I knew that.
The problem was why knowing that made him feel even more unknowable.
Han Jeongwoo stood at the counter, then bowed his head a beat late, as if noticing my gaze.
"My apologies. May I check out first?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Wait, isn't it weird for a customer to ask to check out first?
I tilted my head while turning on the card terminal.
He pulled out cash, then put it back.
Pulled out his card, and this time placed it neatly on the terminal with both hands.
Like he was making some grand decision.
"Card's fine."
"Yes, understood."
Even as he replied, he slid the card closer to where my hand could easily reach it.
It was perfectly customer-like behavior, but the excessive politeness made it feel odd.
While I rang it up, he waited silently.
Almost like he was holding his breath.
As if minimizing his presence so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
'Why go this far.''Is he scared of me?'
That thought made my fingers stiffen briefly.
Maybe I look that intimidating, so he's being extra polite.
But that didn't fit either.
People who see my face don't usually get this polite.
They either get casual, snappy, or jump to wild misunderstandings.
Han Jeongwoo was neither.
He was just impeccably composed.
Even picking one kimbap had procedure; checkout had order; every word needed permission.
That composure scared me more.
Was he being considerate, or probing for something? I couldn't tell.
Then it happened.
After checkout, as he took the bag, he said softly,
"Minsu-ssi."
"Yes?"
"You look much more at ease working here."
I froze for a moment.
"Ah, yeah..."
"That's a relief."
"Relief about what?"
"Nothing at all."
He said it like it truly was nothing, gripping the bag handle neatly.
But those words lingered strangely.
At ease?
Me, looking at ease here?
I'm exhausted with stiff shoulders, watching every customer, monitoring the stream—all at once.
Where does "at ease" come in?
Han Jeongwoo paused by the counter, glanced back as if checking his spot.
Then he carefully stepped aside toward the door.
Not blocking anyone coming in.
The motion was so instinctive I had to watch longer.
'Habit?''Mannerism?''Or...'
I couldn't finish the thought.
Because Han Jeongwoo paused at the automatic door, glancing back inside once more.
That gaze didn't look like a customer's after buying something.
More like someone who knew I was watching.
He gave a light bow.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Ah, yeah. Have a good one."
"Yes."
He kept his back slightly bowed the whole way out as he opened the door.
The chime rang.
I stared blankly at his retreating figure.
The store fell quiet again, yet somehow felt noisier.
The chat was already exploding.
I read the comments but couldn't draw a conclusion.
Han Jeongwoo was polite.
Excessively so.
And that politeness differed slightly from any aloof courtesy or empty formality I'd known.
It was like...
Someone who could only breathe after showing proper respect first.
That interpretation unnerved me more.
'No way.''Nah.'
But denying it didn't erase what he'd said as he left.
"You look much more at ease."
It sounded like official phrasing.
As if a report had already gone up, summarized, my daily life archived.
Moments later, I felt the door might open again from his direction.
No one entered, though.
I glanced down at the receipt on the counter.
The amount printed was short compared to the lingering politeness he'd left behind.
And oddly, behind that politeness loomed not just the guild, but something bigger.
Hunter Management Bureau.
The state.
Those words didn't feel so distant anymore.
I tried shaking it off by rearranging the kimbap packs again.
But my fingers kept stiffening.
Was he really just a customer?
Or was I overthinking nothing again?
No clear answer.
One thing was certain.
He came for one kimbap, but to me, he passed like a major document.
And next time, it probably wouldn't end with just the guild's name.
A faint chime echoed from the automatic door moments later.
I looked out the window, then through the glass door by the counter.
Han Jeongwoo stood on the sidewalk out front, on the phone.
"Yes. I just met him."
The short reply carried on the wind.
"On-site reaction is more stable than expected."
He paused briefly.
Then continued in that perfectly polite tone.
"Yes. I'll submit the report by end of day. Including to the Management Bureau."
I froze in place.
Management Bureau.
Report.
Including.
Just a customer leaving, yet his words turned the receipt into a report.
He added one more low murmur.
"Yes. State side will go through official channels."
I swallowed hard.
'State?''Official channels?'What did I just hear?
Han Jeongwoo ended the call with one final bow.
Toward the store—or me? It was that natural.
Only then did he truly walk away.
I let out a sigh watching his back.
Now I couldn't dismiss it as just a kimbap buyer.
My convenience store gig kept turning into official procedure.