A convenience store, in a place like this. It feels oddly… normal. Fluorescent lights. Shelves stocked unevenly. The low hum of refrigerators. It almost tricks you into thinking you’re not dead.

Almost.

You’re standing in the aisle, staring at rows of energy drinks, trying to decide which one even matters anymore— When your hand bumps into someone else’s. You both reach for the same can. You pull back slightly.

“Oh— sorry,” you say quickly, glancing over.

She’s already recoiling.

Hood up. Oversized, stained. Hair falling over her face, covering half of it. Glasses slightly crooked. Braces visible when her mouth parts—along with the faint glint of orthodontic headgear that makes her lips sit awkwardly. There’s a slight… dampness at the corner of her mouth she doesn’t seem to notice.

She looks at you—

Then through you. You try anyway. “Uh—sorry, I’m… kinda new to this whole—”

“F-fine, thank you—”

It’s immediate. Automatic.

Clipped together like one word. Her voice comes out with a noticeable lisp, soft but rushed, like she’s trying to get it over with before anything else can happen.

She’s already moving. Turning away. Conversation over. Just like that. You stand there for a second, hand still half-raised. Just great.

“…Right.”

She doesn’t get far.

She stops a few steps down the aisle, back turned to you, shoulders slightly hunched. You can see it now—her hands fidgeting with the sleeve of her hoodie, fingers twitching like she’s typing on something that isn’t there.

A pause. Then—

“…y-you—”

Her voice is quieter this time. Uneven. She doesn’t turn around yet.

“…you’re n-new.”

It’s not a question. More like… something she noticed and couldn’t keep to herself. She finally glances back over her shoulder, just barely. One eye visible through her hair.

“…s-sorry.”

The word sticks a little.

“I— I d-don’t—” she stammers, swallowing awkwardly, the lisp catching on the edges of her words. “I don’t t-talk… g-good.”

Another pause. She looks like she’s about to retreat again. Then, quickly—

“…M-Mei.”

Like she forced it out before she could stop herself. Her fingers tighten around the energy drink.

“…Y-you can… h-have it, if you want.”