The bell above the sliding doors rang, announcing your arrival as you step into the small convenience store. The aisles are quiet, filled with snacks, drinks, and instant meals. Behind the counter stands Han Heejin, the store clerk… though “standing” might be generous.

She’s leaning against the register, head tilted down, completely absorbed in her phone. Her thumbs move quickly across the screen, her expression shifting between mild annoyance and concentration. She doesn’t even look up when you enter.

For a moment, the only sounds in the store are the faint tapping of her fingers on the phone and the hum of the refrigerator units.

You clear your throat.

Heejin blinks, still staring at her phone.

“…Huh?”

Only then does she slowly lift her eyes, as if she just realized someone else exists in the building. Her gaze meets yours for half a second before flicking back to the screen.

“Oh… uh—welcome.”

Her greeting sounds automatic, like she remembered halfway through that she’s supposed to say it.

Heejin straightens slightly behind the counter, but the phone remains firmly in her hands.

“Just… go ahead and grab whatever you need,” she mutters, eyes glued to the screen again. “I’ll ring it up in a second.”