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At the convenience store, something pretty amusing was going on.
Mahiru Shiina, wearing a staff uniform and a face mask, was pushing a small cart slowly toward the shelves.
Behind her, a few people were eyeing her like hawks, following her closely—not because they were creeps or anything, but because they were staring hungrily at the items on her cart.
That cart wasn't carrying just anything. It had limited-time items.
Burger boxes, vegetables, fresh meat, and even fruit.
Since these kinds of products spoil easily, they had to be sold quickly. Once they start going bad, they're just thrown out. That's why they get slapped with discount stickers and sold super cheap—leading to customers scrambling to grab them.
Mahiru's job right now was to move those discounted items to a special section of the store.
If they still didn't sell by the end of the day—or by tomorrow—most of it would just end up in the trash.
To avoid waste, Saionji Youko, the store manager, sometimes let the employees take home what was still good.
So yeah, working at this convenience store wasn't half bad.
As long as you worked hard, you wouldn't go hungry.
Of course…
Perks like this tend to attract some slackers and freeloaders too.
Like Kurata—he was the textbook example.
Also, not just anyone was allowed to put discount tags on stuff.
That job was usually given to people the manager trusted.
Back then, Saionji Youko had her daughter, Saionji Sekai, do it. But lately, her daughter had been out sick with a nasty cold and was laid up at home.
Youko, being a bit lazy herself, passed the job on to the eye-catching Mahiru Shiina.
There's this thing called the "pretty girl effect."
Basically, anything involving a beautiful girl tends to attract more attention.
And Mahiru wasn't just any girl—she was drop-dead gorgeous, with long, shiny blonde hair.
From any angle, she was stunning.
Seeing someone like her personally selecting and placing discounted items on shelves? Yeah, people definitely noticed.
Everyone appreciates beauty—men and women alike.
Even girls like looking at pretty girls, as long as they aren't the jealous type.
And thanks to Mahiru's half-price item showcase, the limited-time products were selling even better than usual.
Pretty girls really are popular wherever they go.
Well… except Yukinoshita Yukino.
That girl's always been a bit stiff. She was bullied as a kid, and as she grew up, she just became more and more distant. So it's not that surprising if people don't want to be around her.
Right now, that "OreGairu" world's main heroine was still in the hospital, though.
Andrew found it kind of funny—what were the chances that the car that hit him and Yukinoshita was the same one?
He was thinking about all that while still working efficiently. Under Takao's envious gaze,Andrew was hauling boxes off the truck and into the storage room with ease—one in each hand.
Takao barely had to lift a finger. Andrew had practically finished everything himself.
Takao couldn't help but sigh. Having a hardworking partner was amazing.
If it were Kurata, that guy would just drag things out, pretend to work, and dump all the real labor on him—then sneak off claiming he "had to pee."
"You've worked hard, Andrew."
Saionji Youko came out of the break room and smiled warmly when she saw the sweat on his face.
She even wiped his sweat for him with a tissue—herself.
That kind of personal touch from the beautiful boss lady made Takao blush. Deep down, he was even more jealous.
Good-looking guys really do get all the perks, huh?
Andrew just smiled calmly at Youko and said, "Thanks, but I don't think it's that hard. It's just work, after all. I wouldn't want you to feel like I'm not earning the pay you're giving me."
He wasn't some innocent boy who'd get flustered from just holding a girl's hand anymore.
After all the snuggling "practice" with little angel Mahiru, he could now stay cool even around a stunning, mature woman like Saionji Youko.
Youko stared at his handsome, determined face—and her cheeks turned red.
Was she… feeling something?
Mature single women know when to act.
When you meet a guy who makes your heart race, you've gotta go for it.
Still, Youko didn't rush things. She wasn't blind.
She could tell there was something between Andrew and Mahiru Shiina. They seemed a little too close—maybe even dating?
So, she decided to wait and see.
As someone with a daughter, she had more to think about—even if the guy was totally her type.
"By the way, don't you think we're kind of short on staff? Are you planning to hire more people, Miss Youko?"
Andrew asked curiously.
Youko shrugged with a helpless smile. "I've been trying to hire people, but no one suitable has shown up."
"And honestly, a few applicants really ticked me off. They actually had the nerve to call me 'auntie.' Do I look that old to you?"
"Eh? No way! When you stand next to girls like Mahiru or Asada, you're like a sweet older sister. You totally don't look old!"
"Hehe, you really know how to talk, Andrew. Since you've worked so hard today, why don't you take a break in the lounge?"
As she spoke, she naturally hooked her arm around his.
A soft, sweet scent filled the air. Her chest pressed against his arm, giving him a very… stimulating sensation.
With the beautiful store manager getting this close, Andrew was starting to sweat a little—not from the heat.
He could keep his cool on the surface, but deep down, his hormones were screaming.
"Uh… I don't think that's a good idea. I'm still on the clock—I can't just slack off."
He tried to come up with an excuse to decline her invitation.
But Youko shot a playful glance at Takao.
Takao got the hint immediately and said, "You should go rest, Andrew. I'll handle the rest."
You've been working your butt off. The manager clearly likes you. If I don't say anything, she might get mad and cut my pay!
With no choice, Andrew followed Saionji Youko into the break room.
His gut told him this mature beauty had her eye on him.
Not that Andrew minded comforting a beautiful lady… but if he wanted a happy future, he had to turn her down.
Once they reached her private break room, Youko told him to lie down and rest, then left him alone.
She wasn't in a rush. She still wanted to watch him a bit longer.
She hated guys with no backbone.
And she wasn't some easy woman either. This was part of her test.
But what she didn't realize was… when a woman starts testing a man, it usually means she's already falling for him.
After she left, Andrew figured, "Why not?" and took a nap.
Slacking off with the boss's permission? He wasn't gonna say no to that.
Later in the afternoon, a gentle voice whispered in his ear, "Andrew, wake up, time to head home!"
He opened his eyes—it was Mahiru Shiina.
"Hmm? It's afternoon already? Time really flew by."
He sat up and scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
"Youko-san's not mad at me for slacking off, is she?"
Mahiru smiled and shook her head. "Of course not. She asked me to come get you. Oh, and here's your pay for the day."
She handed him a thick envelope.
Andrew felt a little weird about it.
Was Saionji Youko… treating him like a kept man?
He'd napped the whole afternoon and still got paid this much?
What does she think I am?
Still…
It felt kinda nice.
Andrew didn't overthink it and happily took the money.
"..."
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