In the past few days of work, although Roland hadn't shown any remarkable skills beyond what he displayed during the interview, the store manager was still very satisfied.
In an economic downturn like this, it would seem there's no need to worry about filling job openings. But the salary at a convenience store was never high, and the nature of the job, often requiring someone to constantly guard the counter, meant employee turnover was inevitably high.
Most hires were part-time or short-term workers. And with the new city still under construction, there were even fewer applicants who met the store manager's standards. Worse, if you accidentally brought in a troublesome employee, you'd have to constantly recount inventory and cash drawer totals, just to avoid losses, which only piled on extra workload.
But someone like Roland, experienced and reliable, didn't even need detailed instructions. For the store manager, it was a huge relief to have someone like that.
In fact, wanting to keep Roland around, the manager had even relaxed some recent shifts to leave Roland with more free time. Unfortunately, Roland himself didn't seem too keen on working at the front counter, even though it was clear his communication skills were perfectly fine.
Was it a matter of personality? Maybe he simply wasn't good at interacting with people? Maybe it was worth asking if he'd prefer night shifts.
As the store manager left, Roland let out a quiet sigh of relief. He redirected his attention to his hands, tapping lightly on the counter. His long fingernails made a crisp clicking sound on the hard surface.
"My nails are growing again…"
He wasn't dissatisfied with the cashier work itself. The real problem was the growing influence of Yoshikage Kira, the contracted spirit within him.
At first, it was just an obsession with his own hands, something he could still suppress. But after interacting with all kinds of customers day after day, Roland could feel his instincts beginning to unravel.
Whenever he faced a customer, strange thoughts would flicker through his mind.
That woman's hands are well proportioned, but unfortunately, the skin's too rough. That child's hands are pale and delicate, but there's a burn scar, a pity, it ruins the beauty. This JK's hands are quite lovely, but the fingertips are full of calluses from writing, how regrettable.
Whoa, whoa! That office lady's hands are gorgeous…. if only I could hold them, carefully play with them…
"Snap!"
Roland slapped his own face sharply, dragging himself out of his derailing thoughts.
He was becoming increasingly aware of Yoshikage Kira's influence. Under this contracted spirit's warped, morbid pull, it was getting harder and harder not to act.
After all, even Roland himself had to admit — wasn't his xp (taste) getting a little too distorted? That was a real high school girl. As a healthy adult male, shouldn't his first reaction have been to glance at her long legs in stockings under the skirt — not fixate on her hands?
(T/N: I see, you're a degenerate as well)
Was that normal?
Because of this, Roland didn't even dare visit the local museum's Mona Lisa exhibit. This was the Type-Moon world, after all, who knew what ties existed between the Mona Lisa and Da Vinci here? If he triggered a flag, it might haunt him forever!
His xp was already derailed enough — he didn't need to stomp the accelerator downhill.
"Welcome."
This was the closest convenience store to the park, so at this time of day, housewives and kids often came in to shop.
While tidying up some small items on the counter, Roland greeted the incoming customer out of habit, without even looking up. He rubbed his forehead, trying to soothe the storm in his thoughts, then glanced over.
It was a woman, classically beautiful, with delicate features, an elegant figure, and an almost forest-like aura. Her soft green hair fell naturally over her shoulders, free of any excessive accessories.
Her graceful posture, her impeccable manners, the gentle smile that always lingered on her face, if there was a word to describe her, it would surely be Yamato Nadeshiko.
Even with a child by her side, her dignified presence gave her the air of a refined lady, the kind that drew admiration.
Most importantly… those hands.
The woman gently took her daughter's hand, picked up a bottle of orange juice from the shelf with her other hand, and placed it on the counter.
"Hello, could you please check me out?"
"Of course."
Roland's body moved on autopilot as he rang up the purchase, his eyes casually drifting over those hands. Up close, their beauty became even clearer, pale as snow, with delicate cherry-pink fingertips, untouched by the dust of the world, carrying an irresistible allure.
I want to kiss those hands… press them against my cheek… lick them…
More and more dark, covetous thoughts sprouted in Roland's mind, like weeds taking root. Ever since forging his contract, he hadn't obtained a proper outlet, so the pressure inside him had only built up.
Desperate not to lose control, Roland quietly dug his nails into his own palm, using the sharp pain as a warning, suppressing his rising desires.
"That'll be 110 yen. And… would you like to include this chocolate too?"
Roland's gaze flicked to the little girl beside the woman, she had secretly added a chocolate bar to the counter, carefully pushing it up with all her strength while trying not to be noticed.
Though he was struggling with himself internally, Roland's sense of professionalism clicked in.
Over the past few days, he'd gradually gotten used to this mental tug-of-war. It wasn't that he had some saintlike willpower to restrain his warped desires, it was simply that he understood one basic truth.
If you can't control your lower body, it's not your lower body, it's your brain.
Calm down, Roland. You need to calm down.
No matter how beautiful those hands are… they're attached to a person!
It's like sprinkling rainbow sprinkles all over a fine cream cake — it's a tacky, pointless decoration that only sullies the cake's beauty!
While Roland struggled with himself, the little girl froze in place, realizing she'd been caught. Her small hand slowly retreated, and she hung her head in guilt.
The classically beautiful woman noticed her daughter's small movements, frowned slightly, and gently scolded, "Rin, you've already had dessert today. That's very rude! Have you forgotten the Tohsaka family's teachings?"
That simple name instantly jolted Roland to attention, as if activating something deep in his DNA.
Wait… Rin?
He quickly turned to look at the little girl, whose disappointed face already bore hints of her mother's features, clearly destined to grow into a beauty.
This child… was actually Tohsaka Rin?! Which meant this elegant woman he'd been coveting was none other than… Aoi Tohsaka?
Like a flower in a mirror, like the moon's reflection on water, beautiful, but untouchable.
"I'm sorry, Mommy…"
Little Rin apologized obediently, showing no sign of arguing.
Seeing her daughter's dejected look, Aoi Tohsaka sighed softly. She knew her child had been feeling a bit down this past year, so she didn't scold her further. Instead, she gently stroked her daughter's hair.
"Just this once, I'll buy it for you. In exchange, when you go stay at the Zenjou house, you must behave yourself. Your father is preparing something very important, and we can't distract him."
"Okay!"
Children's emotions always passed quickly. Once comforted, Tohsaka Rin perked up again in no time.
After soothing her daughter, Aoi turned back to Roland and handed over the chocolate.
"Sorry to trouble you. Please add this to the bill."
Even in casual moments like this, she maintained impeccable manners toward strangers, while also showing understanding and warmth to her child, she was truly beautiful inside and out. They would definitely get along well with me, Roland thought wistfully as she prepared to leave.
But soon, a more important realization struck him.
They were going to the Zenjou house… which meant the Fourth Holy Grail War was about to begin.
Watching the silhouettes of Aoi Tohsaka and Rin disappear out the door, Roland's eyes flickered thoughtfully.