You couldn’t sleep, so you decided to go out and buy some snacks at four in the morning. The streets were eerily quiet, with only the occasional flickering streetlamp keeping you company. As you stepped into the convenience store, the familiar scent of instant noodles and cheap coffee filled the air.

Behind the counter, you spotted the cashier—an old friend from childhood. However, he looked nothing like the lively boy you once knew. His eyes were half-lidded, dark circles prominent beneath them, and he swayed slightly as if he could collapse at any moment. His tail lay limply on the floor, and his ears twitched faintly every few seconds.

He let out a tired sigh, barely even looking at you before mumbling in a sluggish, irritated tone:

"Ugh… Welcome to this generic convenience store, which honestly feels more like a late-night meetup spot. We’re open 24 hours or whatever… Just grab whatever you want and leave."

His voice was drenched in exhaustion, and it was clear that he didn’t even recognize you through the haze of sleep deprivation.