Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Why Are You Here?
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"Hello, Manager. I'm here."
"Ah! Come on in, Woojin. I was worried you might not show up, but right on time."
"No way I'd bail. Not when I get to work with someone as pretty as you."
"Oh, come on, sweet-talking me the second you walk in."
She waved it off, but her face didn't look displeased at all.
Honestly, it was super cringey, but lately I'd gotten thick-skinned—flattery just slipped out naturally.
Han Chae-ah smiled briefly at my words before turning serious again.
She must have been about to head to the main branch, because she quickly ran through the key points.
"Since you're experienced, I won't drag this out. You know the drill, but today just handle cleaning, stocking, and the register."
"Piece of cake. Don't worry."
"Hee-jin will walk you through the details. Call me if anything comes up."
As she inspected the store, moving away from the counter, she added quietly,
"Hee-jin’s only been at this for three weeks, so she might get stuck. Keep an eye on her, okay?"
"Got it."
It's sweet she's protective of her sister, but is this stuff to say to a newbie on their first day?
Sure, there's a seven-year age gap, so it made some sense.
Siscon, maybe?
As I mulled it over, Han Chae-ah added one more thing.
"I'll swing by before you clock out. I'll have your pay for today then. And if the store looks good, there might be a bonus?"
"I'll bust my ass. No worries."
"Good. I'll trust you. See you later~"
With the manager gone, it was just me and Han Hee-jin in this big convenience store.
I approached her first and asked about the schedule.
"Hey. Any idea on the order of tasks or delivery times?"
"Uh... yeah... It's 6 PM now, so it'll be busy with customers... Just help me at the register for now. Deliveries come in the early morning, so the night shift handles that."
"Got it."
Ding-a-ling.
No sooner had she finished than a customer walked in.
They headed straight to the counter and pointed behind me.
"Gimme a pack of Esse Lights, one milligram."
She scanned the barcode and announced the price.
"4,500 won."
Once the customer left, Han Hee-jin turned to me.
She tapped the register and started explaining.
"You saw that? For cards, hit this button, then this one... and it's done. Cash is..."
I'd mastered registers ages ago and was about to say so, but she looked so cute fumbling through it that I just watched.
It was amusing how she'd tap repeatedly, scared she might mess up.
Usually it takes two weeks to get the hang of things, but that didn't apply to me.
Same brand as my old gig, so the register and routine were identical.
I half-listened until she wrapped up.
"Got the gist? I'll keep ringing up, so make sure you nail the buttons."
"Sure thing."
The next two hours brought a steady stream of customers.
Lunch boxes, daily essentials, smokes—you name it.
With the university dorms nearby, college kids were the main crowd.
As night fell and foot traffic slowed, she finally let me take the register.
We switched spots and waited.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
Customer in, and we greeted in unison.
Not thrilled, but it was automatic.
As I zoned out, the customer brought their stuff over.
My hands scanned barcodes on autopilot; my mouth read the total off the screen.
"1,900 won."
Transaction done, my mouth moved again on its own.
"Have a good night."
Customer out. Han Hee-jin, who'd been watching, looked amazed.
"Whoa, you're better than me."
"Did six months at a place like this a while back. It's muscle memory now."
"Sis mentioned it, but... feels like I should be learning from you..."
About two years ago, that pre-army stint was paying off big time.
She seemed embarrassed about her earlier demo, reverting to her shy self as she pointed to the stockroom.
"Stock's low now, so restock the shelves? I'll cover the counter and pitch in."
"On it."
I circled the shelves, noting gaps, then hit the stockroom.
About 100 square feet—spacious for a store this size.
Half-packed with booze and drinks, neatly sorted by section for easy grabs.
I loaded a basket from memory and headed out.
As I restocked, Han Hee-jin called softly from the counter.
"Um... FIFO, right?"
"Obviously. Relax."
"Ah... o-okay."
She went quiet again, then wandered out, bored.
She grabbed stuff from the back and started stocking too.
The store filled with nothing but rustling bags—no chit-chat.
First day, so I kept quiet, just getting the vibe.
"I'm gonna clean now."
"Sure. Mop's in the back bathroom."
Stockroom check revealed a small restroom I'd missed.
Mop bucket, sink, single stall—recent remodel, spotless.
Mop wet, out to the floor.
Mid-mop, there was Han Hee-jin, crouched sorting bottom-shelf stuff.
Passing by, I glanced down.
Jeans hugging her ass crack.
Pale skin made the valley look deeper.
Pretending to clean a grimy spot, I lingered, eyes locked.
That mixed heritage gave it an exotic texture, for sure.
Resisted the urge to grab and finished up slow.
Back at the counter, she'd wrapped up too and joined me.
We sat, killing time till 10 PM hit.
One more hour to closing.
Curiosity struck about shifts, so I asked Han Hee-jin.
"Quick question. When do you clock out?"
"S-Sis picks me up, then we head home."
"So... 11 PM?"
"Yeah. We start at 2 PM, work nine hours straight."
"Every day of the week?"
"No. Off Sundays and Mondays. Rest is the same."
"Makes sense. Solid five-day grind."
They had it scheduled tight.
Chat died; I stared into space.
Tick-tock.
Last hour before closing crawls like hell.
Felt like someone stopped the clock on purpose.
Han Hee-jin scrolled her phone, but first-day jitters kept me from mine.
Pacing, memorizing cig displays, when—
Ding-a-ling.
Loose black track pants, gray tee.
Black cap pulled low.
Secret agent vibes.
Bored, I eyed the newbie.
She beelined to a corner, lingered forever.
Out of sight from counter—switched to CCTV.
Screen showed wavy brown hair, nice rack.
Familiar... where from?
I checked cam; Han Hee-jin peeked too, curious.
She clocked the woman and muttered,
"That lady's back. Same thing today?"
Memorable regular, huh.
I whispered,
"Know her?"
"Not really, but... she just sticks in your head? Super pretty. And what she buys."
Pretty enough for Han Hee-jin to call it.
Hooked now.
Anticipation built. She approached with items.
Head down deep, she fished out a card, slotted it quietly.
I grabbed the scanner, eyed the goods.
Instant recognition.
Condoms.
Two boxes.
Old job, women bought 'em sometimes—no biggie.
But this? Different.
One XL regular, one studded.
I scanned and said,
"Ma'am, need to see some ID."
"Huh!? But... last time you didn't..."
Voice hit—knew instantly.
Never dreamed we'd cross like this.
"Regulars are fine for anyone, but studded adult ones need verification."
I emphasized "studded" and "adult."
She yanked her wallet, handed ID quick.
Photo confirmed it.
Grinning inside, I pressed,
"Hat off too? Gotta confirm it's you."
She flinched, hand up slow—hat off, head up.
Eyes met. Hers widened in real time.
"Ah... ah! Wh-what...! Why are you here!?"
"Hey. Long time no see."
"Why... are you here? You weren't... last week!"
"First day on the job. Wasn't here last week."
Yoon Hye-yoon, finger-pointing in full panic.
Even prettier up close after so long.
Last week, though.
Habitual offender.
And XL? New dildo?
"Starting... today..."
She ducked her gaze; I beamed.
Forgot Han Hee-jin was there—tension crackled across the counter.