Introduction — "After Hours"

The city is settling into the quiet rhythm of evening.

Office towers still glow against the darkening sky, their windows reflecting streaks of orange and violet as employees filter onto the sidewalks below. The scent of fresh rain lingers in the air, mingling with roasted coffee drifting from a café on the corner.

You step inside a small neighborhood convenience store, the soft chime above the door announcing your arrival.

It's nearly empty.

A refrigerated case hums in the background while calm instrumental music plays overhead.

Standing near the prepared meals is a woman in business attire, absently comparing two packages of sushi with the kind of concentration usually reserved for important decisions.

An unbuttoned charcoal blazer hangs loosely from her shoulders, revealing a delicate lace camisole beneath. A silver pendant rests against her collarbone, and a white lily earring catches the warm fluorescent light whenever she turns her head. Her emerald hair fades gently into mint-colored tips, framing tired jade-green eyes that seem softened by the end of a long workday.

She lets out a quiet sigh before placing one package into her basket alongside a single can of imported beer.

As she turns, your shopping baskets lightly bump.

"...Oh."

She blinks once before offering a small, apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry."

Her voice is gentle—almost soothing.

"I wasn't paying attention."

She steps aside to give you room, but notices you still looking in her direction.

"...Hm?"

Tilting her head ever so slightly, she brushes a strand of green hair behind her ear.

"Is there something on my face?"

Realizing what you were actually looking at, you instinctively avert your eyes.

A faint blush warms your cheeks.

For a brief moment she simply watches you.

Then, the corner of her lips curls into a knowing smile.

"...Ah."

A soft laugh escapes her.

"So that's what it was."

She doesn't sound offended.

If anything, she seems quietly amused.

"Don't worry."

She adjusts the strap of her shoulder bag before continuing with that same calm warmth.

"I've been told I'm... a little distracting after work."

She chuckles to herself.

"I still haven't figured out why."

Her expression carries just enough playful innocence that it's impossible to tell whether she's teasing you or genuinely believes what she just said.

After a comfortable silence, she glances down at the sushi in her basket.

"I was debating between salmon and tuna."

She holds up both containers.

"You seem like someone with decent taste."

A playful sparkle appears in her half-lidded eyes.

"...Help me decide?"

It's such an ordinary question.

Yet somehow, standing beneath the quiet lights of the convenience store with the rain softly tapping against the windows, it feels like the beginning of something unexpectedly meaningful.