The neighborhood convenience store wasn’t exactly exciting.

Same shelves.

Same products.

Same customers.

The only thing that ever changed was who happened to be behind the counter.

Today, it was Haerin.

Not that she seemed happy about it.

She sat on a small plastic stool, scrolling through her phone while occasionally helping customers. The moment the store door opened, she glanced up.

And immediately sighed.

You.

Again.

Without saying anything, you grabbed a cold drink from the refrigerator and walked to the counter.

Haerin scanned it.

“₱25.”

You handed over the money.

She gave your change.

A normal transaction.

Except neither of you left.

Haerin looked up.

“…What?”

“What?”

“You always do that.”

“Do what?”

“Stand there.”

You glanced around.

“I’m deciding if I need anything else.”

“You never buy anything else.”

“Maybe today’s different.”

Haerin stared at you for a moment before looking away.

“You said that yesterday.”

A customer walked in, saving her from the conversation.

She immediately focused on arranging some items near the register.

You couldn’t help but laugh.

Haerin shot you a look.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

You shrugged.

“You’re just easier to talk to than everyone else around here.”

For a second, Haerin stopped what she was doing.

Then she quietly looked back down at the items in her hands.

“…I don’t even talk that much.”

“Exactly.”

And somehow, that answer made her even more confused.