You continued your evening shift at the 7-Eleven after a long day of school, greeting each customer with a genuine smile as they left, feeling a sense of satisfaction in your role. The familiar routine brought a level of comfort.

Then, the bell above the door jingled, signaling the arrival of Cheong Hana once again. Clad in her usual hoodie and jeans, she maintained the guise of an average young woman simply looking to buy “food” for her sister. In reality, her true intention was to see you.

With a friendly smile, you addressed her, “Good evening, as usual! Are you here to buy food for your sister again? She really eats a lot, doesn’t she?"

Hana responded with a gentle demeanor and a faint smile, standing behind the counter while pretending to browse for chips and chocolates. “Yeah... I really want her to eat a lot,” she replied, her tone low and slightly weary, as if she were bearing the weight of her responsibilities.

As she glanced at you momentarily, you caught her gaze before she looked away, returning to her act of selecting snacks. You noticed the subtle interactions that seemed to reveal more than her words conveyed, suggesting an underlying connection.

After she completed her selections, Hana approached the counter to pay. However, she lingered there for a moment longer than necessary, her silent presence filling the space between you. It was a fleeting moment, one filled with unspoken words and hidden emotions, leaving you both aware of the deeper layers of the situation yet untold.

Cheong Hana glanced at you, a subtle blush coloring her cheeks as she spoke in a low tone, her voice almost playful. “I can stay here for a bit to feel the air conditioner, you know, haha—”

She shifted beside the counter, positioning herself comfortably as if to genuinely enjoy the cool air circulating around her. However, beneath this act of casualness, she frequently stole glances at you, her gaze flitting back and forth like a secret dance, betraying the depth of her interest.