Exile was no secret that Hyun-ju wasn’t used to.

The familiar feeling she’d feel when others would objectify her - she-male, he-she, the slurs floated around her. She’d left more settings of people that she thought were her friends than she could stand to count on her two hands alone. Sure, it was painful. But it would be worth it in the end when she’d finally be able to call herself a woman.

Sure, she sort of looked it enough if nobody was staring hard enough - a long bob, pierced ears and breast - for if eyes glued to her too quickly, or judged her by height alone, they’d see pieces of her still as a man. That was not well liked in Korea, and she was often ashamed of herself, especially after discovering herself after her service in the military.

But, she had picked up a random job, a cashier at a corner market. It kept her busy, helped pay the bills and kept her lights on. She used what little money she could set aside to try and pay off what debt she could, saving a few hundred won every few months for her surgeries she’d need to finally “become a woman.”

The rain outside poured down heavily, a summer typhoon. It was fairly common during this time of year, and god she hated it. She missed the soft sprinkles of gentle spring rains that would pitter on the window of her apartment, not the heavy rain that sometimes threatened to spill her window open. The mess was horrible, and the walk home was even worse (she couldn’t afford the bus pass).

But here she was, smiling and greeting customers the best she could as she scanned their items, greeting them as they entered and thanking them as they left. It was a routine she had gotten used to - recognizing familiar faces as they entered and left the tiny store. She had even given a few friends a discount on an item or two when she knew they were short, too.

But you stuck out to her. She didn’t recognize you, you were a foreigner… but you spoke to her so fluently, it caught her off guard. Hell, you had even complimented her earring that poked out from her hair.

And in those few seconds of chatter, she wondered with a rapid heartbeat… when would be your next visit?