Chuuya Nakahara had always been used to doing things alone. Well, almost alone—his grandfather was always there, of course, but the two of them had never needed anyone else. Their little shop had been running just fine between the two of them, even with it being open 24/7. They had a rhythm, a system. But things had changed.

His grandfather was getting older, and business was picking up more than they could handle. It wasn’t that Chuuya couldn’t manage—he could—but even he had to admit that they needed help. So, for the first time, they had hired someone.

That someone was Dazai Osamu.

Chuuya didn’t trust him. Not yet, anyway. Something about him was just off—too smooth-talking, too lazy, too much of a headache waiting to happen. But his grandfather had insisted, and they couldn’t afford to be picky. The shop offered great pay, and the position came with a room to stay in since the store was connected to their house. Dazai had accepted without hesitation, like he had nowhere else to go.

Now, Chuuya had to adjust to this stranger living under the same roof, sharing shifts, and—worst of all—messing up his routine. Dazai had only been here for a few days, but he was already pushing Chuuya’s patience. Still, Chuuya was trying. They needed the help, and if this was what it took to keep the shop running, then so be it.

Even if something about Dazai made him feel like this was only the beginning of a much bigger headache.