Convenience Store Worker From Another World Chapter 187

Episode 187. Love Comes Back, Like a Boomerang (5)

* * *

After that, it was so quiet that the morning sun came before the guests, and it was peaceful without any children even until 8:30. I never dreamed that at this age, I would benefit from the five-day school week.

Instead, the normally quiet time after 9 o’clock became a bit busy, with most of the people there being college students who seemed to be out playing on the weekend. Or rather, wasn’t it?

The friends who came to visit looked like popular kids who were enjoying campus life at first glance, but regardless of gender, they all had their school bags slung over their backs or shoulders. As I sent a few of them off, I guessed, ‘Is the enthusiasm for learning in this world better than I thought?’

The next two guests came in and corrected this guess. A pale man and a woman with light two-toned hair came in together, arm in arm from the front door.

The conversation I occasionally heard was like this.

“What do you want to drink, Oppa? I’ll buy it today.”

“blood.”

“Can’t I drink the blood later? We’re going to study together in the room, and I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate if I smell blood.”

“I can’t concentrate well if I don’t drink blood.”

“Don’t worry, oppa. I’ll make sure you focus. You know I’m good at singing, right?”

“hmm.”

A man’s voice with a cold tone, and a woman’s voice with a harmonious mix of slyness and coquetry. Just listening to what they were saying, it seemed like a combination of a vampire, a parrot, and a beastman.

Now, we met to make a promise to study together. After hearing it, I wondered if these two races could possibly be in a relationship, but when I came to the counter and listened to what they had to say, it wasn’t necessarily the case.

“But if I can’t concentrate while studying, then let’s go out and eat some seonjitguk.”

“are you okay.”

“Huh? Really?”

“When I’m with you, I think about blood less.”

“… Oh my. Oppa, where did you learn such wonderful words?”

Perhaps the actual feeling of being surprised was greater than what was said, but the hair on the side of the woman’s ear began to flutter and stand on end. It was exactly like how a parrot flaps its wings when it’s happy.

The vampire who spoke seemed to have tried to express his affection, however clumsily. It was a beneficial sight that once again confirmed that even a moderate level of racial traits can be overcome with affection.

However, other than this, there was not a single thing that was beneficial to Mosul, so he lowered his head and quietly calculated what he had brought and sent it out.

As I quietly watched the two people who had left go down to the subway station, the reason why there were so many customers suddenly came to mind. Since it was in front of the subway station, there was no better place for college students to meet up on the weekend. Anyway…

Because the customers kept coming, I couldn’t finish counting the cigarettes until 9:50. I was counting the second row of cigarettes from the bottom when I heard the sound of the partition at the counter going up.

When I looked back, the store manager was there. He came in and looked up at me with a big smile.

“Business is good today, right?”

“Okay, I’ll finish counting this and then hand it over, store manager.”

“Take it slow. I’ll be there to greet the guests.”

I didn’t think anyone would listen even if I told them not to, so I quietly counted my cigarettes. After counting them all, I sat down again, and the store manager had already changed into his uniform. I looked at him and said something jokingly.

“The speed at which you are changing clothes is comparable to the speed at which I served as a private.”

“You’re just wearing a vest? Chan-i’s military uniform ends with a vest?”

“I had pants, shoes, and underwear. It was a place where a weakling couldn’t survive….”

As soon as I wake up in the morning, I run to the seniors’ dormitory, ask them if they’re coming for roll call, recite the breakfast menu, tell them the work schedule – why the hell am I thinking about this?

“You can’t survive if you’re weak? Was this a wartime situation?”

“Anyway, that’s what happened. Anyway, there was nothing out of the ordinary.”

There was a customer who lost his credit card 30 minutes ago, but he came running out of breath and went to get it. Other than that, it was a peaceful work day, except for the fact that it was complicated for a single person.

The problem is this. After the handover, I showed the store manager the text message I received from the police officer last night. Please wait in comfortable clothes until 9:30 PM tomorrow. The store manager replied after checking the text message.

“I also got a text message like this from the officer, Chan-ah.”

“I see. Anyway, what should I wear if I’m helping out with police work?”

My intention to do this job hasn’t changed, but since I was born a commoner, I don’t know what to do in times like this. Are you talking about comfortable clothes that can be thrown out in the middle of nowhere, or are you talking about a ghillie suit?

“Don’t think too hard about it, Chan-ah. Short sleeves and jeans?”

“Did you wear something like that when you were helping the police?”

“I usually wore it like that, and when I felt like I was being noticed, I would secretly pick up a branch from the floor and hold it or something.”

When I asked why he did that when he didn’t even need a cane, he said that he was afraid that if he went to work without anything, it would look insincere. It seems that in the old days, most magic tools were separated and collected, so there were none left at home.

In addition, the clothes she wore were the skirts and cardigans she usually wears. There were a few police officers who were suspicious of the store manager’s attire, but they immediately became quiet after seeing the manager’s skills.

“My wizard uniform is casual clothes. I have about eight sets at home.”

Anyway, it seems like he’s telling me to put my mind at ease, and I understand. Even if I ask about all the things I’m worried about, I’m sure I’ll have new worries.

It’s something I’ve never done before. It seems like the life of a guy who came over to scan a convenience store barcode is becoming more fantastic day by day. While I was silently reminiscing, the store manager patted me on the back.

“It must be hard, but sleep well. If you sleep late, you won’t be able to think clearly tomorrow.”

“Okay, manager. But what time will that guy Yuri be coming out tomorrow?”

“9 o’clock. I told the officer about it yesterday after seeing his text message, and he said he’d be sleeping until then. He said he’s rarely stayed up all night before.”

* * *

A new worry was added to the worry. I was going to leave the night to a guy who had never stayed up all night? Was this any different from a stray cat in a fish shop?

I wanted to, but when I actually got home, I thought I would be able to sleep well. The house looked exactly the same as when I left last night. There were torn pieces of paper bags scattered everywhere.

It wasn’t a bigger mess than it was. As soon as I came in, some of the pieces of paper on the front veranda were scattered all over the place. I guess the cat was out there enjoying the sunshine.

Now, I ran away because I was startled by the sound of the door lock. Should I try to clean up these pieces of paper by doing the same thing I did when I made you clean up the water before?

“No, that’s enough. I’ll clean it up, Inma.”

I couldn’t think of any other way to clean it up, so I cleaned it up myself. While I was using my socked feet as a broom to collect the scraps of paper, this cat couldn’t stand it anymore and started causing trouble again.

I tried to stage dive into a pile of scraps of paper I had collected, right in front of my feet. I watched the papers fly in all directions, then grabbed them and lifted them up.

“What?”

“You’re so fearless now. Are you just leaving because the ransom is too high?”

The store manager said that this thing’s estimated value is tens of millions of won, but even now that I’m holding it, I honestly can’t believe it. Is it because I know someone else who’s as mysterious as this transparent thing?

“Let’s resolve this through dialogue. Through dialogue. Do you need a cat wheel? What is it?”

“Meow… .”

I don’t know if this is a response to wanting an oak cat wheel, or just because it’s too heavy to hold in your hand. Do you think a dog would understand what I’m saying?

I imagined it, but I don’t think it will work out that well either. If a cat is 3 months old, it is about a little over a year old in human years, but the average speaking age of a human baby is about 18 months.

It’s not about understanding what you say, but about teaching it. I thought vaguely, and after I finished cleaning up the trash and putting it on the floor, I picked up all the things that were likely to be torn and stuffed them into the closet.

After that, I walked a few more steps with a half-praying heart.

“I have to go out tomorrow in good health, so please don’t tear up the house and stay quiet. Please, okay?”

“Bbyong.”

“Anyway, you answer really well. I’m going to sleep.”

I fell asleep on the floor like this, but when I opened my eyes at 8 o’clock, the alarm went off and miraculously the house was still intact. Is there really a person in this world who answers prayers?

Or is it just a whim? Today, my stomach didn’t feel heavy, but the inside of my thighs felt strangely warm, and as soon as I got up, I felt something soft stepping on my legs.

Next, there was the sound of claws scraping the floor. It didn’t go far. I looked down at the direction where the sound had stopped, and a smirk came out. Something came to mind.

“Huh. Did you do it because I asked you to?”

“… … .”

“Well, of course not, since you don’t understand… Anyway, you did a good job.”

“Meow.”

Thanks to that, I feel a little better. I should buy some snacks when I get home from work.

* * *

After finishing all the preparations, I went to the store around 9:20, and there was a scene at the counter that made me doubt my eyes.

“Welcome, sir… guest.”

I finally got to see that guy guarding the counter. My rough thoughts, the look in his eyes as if he was feeling awkward standing at the counter, and the manager watching it all…

“Yuri, just do the same thing you just did. Relax.”

Judging from the bright expression on the manager’s face, it seems like he treated other customers just fine, but I don’t know why he’s staring at me like that. Then he looked down at the manager and asked.

“I can’t relax. Hey, manager.”

“You’ll get used to it as time goes by. When I first had a guest, I was so excited that I was like, ‘Oh my god!’”

Of course, the store manager couldn’t have said that, so I decided to take it as just a comment to comfort the guy. He picked up a pack of gum, placed it on the counter, and tapped my chest as he spoke.

“Hey. You popped out over your uniform zipper.”

It didn’t come out. I said it as a joke to make him relax, but he must have been really nervous because he put his hand on his chest and answered.

“… It’s an expression of my will to treat guests, oppa.”

“Why are you calling it a zipper, Inma? I was just joking, so stop fiddling with it.”

At these words, I reacted by looking down at my chest. The store manager, who was watching from the side, spoke to me as if he was telling me to listen to Yuri.

“He said he wanted to show Chan-i that he had learned a lot from his work.”

“aha.”

He turned his head away and stuck out his lips, probably because he didn’t want to be caught. I wondered how he was going to show me that he was good at his job by accepting me as a guest, but I didn’t ask him specifically.

“You’ll do well. You’re so quick to learn.”

“… Me.”

“Oh. If you have any questions, ask them right away. That’s a good thing to do. It’s better than making a mistake without knowing.”

Regardless of the importance of the work, his heart was full of gratitude. Let me tell you with half sincerity and half consolation, and he pulled back his protruding lips and puffed out his chest.

“I have a lot of questions, brother.”

“Okay. Just don’t ask the same thing three or four times.”

“Is this your first time asking this?”

“?”

Isn’t this a build-up to asking questions?

“Where are you two going today?”

It was a bit out of the blue, but the question was exactly what I was going to ask. Since I was already on the subject, I asked the store manager right away.

“Where should we go and wait? Have you heard anything from us?”

“He said he would come here right away. He said he might finish what he was doing a little early, so he might come even earlier than 30 minutes―”

While we were talking, we heard a car stop outside the front door. When we went out with the store manager, we saw a police car parked right on the sidewalk with its emergency lights on.

The officer looking at us through the open window. When our eyes met, he got out of the car, approached us, saluted, and spoke to us.

“Considering the various situations that may arise, we had no choice but to bring a regular police car. We ask for your understanding even if it is inconvenient.”

“Uh… what’s the difference between a regular police car and a special police car?”

“Whether or not there is a central blind.”

It seems that even police cars have separate cars for picking up passengers and for picking up bastards. I tried to take a peek inside, but the officer put his hand down and asked.

“We will depart as soon as you two are ready. Is that okay?”

“I’m done, officer.”

“I’ll just grab my handbag from inside, officer.”

The store manager answered and ran inside. In the short time that passed, Yuri had already approached me, and she looked back and forth between me, the police officer, and the police car as she asked me a question.

“Are you taking my brother away?”

“Maybe later, but not today, Inma. I’m going to work, so guard the counter well. Got it?”

“Yes. I will make sure there is not a single scratch on the counter.”