Lin An
The cash register drawer slid shut with a soft click. "Here's your hundred yuan," I said, handing the change to the customer with a polite smile.
It was the evening shift—usually quieter than the rush hours—but today, the automatic glass doors swung open to the sound of laughter and chatter.
Not just any customers. My classmates.
And in the middle of them, wearing a short skirt and a light jacket over her top, hair loose and swaying with each step—An Ran.
The moment they entered, the noise doubled.
"Wow, this place has so many snacks!" "Let's get drinks too!" "Isn't that brand really expensive?" "I don't care, she said we can buy whatever we want!"
An Ran raised her voice just enough to be heard over the excitement. "You all can buy whatever you want."
A few jaws dropped. "Seriously?!" "You're the best, An Ran!" "Then I'm getting two packs of that!"
Amid the chaos, her gaze swept lazily across the store—until it landed on me.
For a fraction of a second, her eyes widened. Then, slowly, the corners of her lips curved into a smirk.
She walked over, her footsteps unhurried, her presence impossible to ignore.
"You work here?" she said, tilting her head just enough for her hair to fall over her shoulder. "I didn't know."
Her eyes flicked to the counter, the uniform, the name tag—lingering just long enough to make it feel like she'd seen too much.
I met her gaze head-on. "Do you want something?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
She tilted her head slightly, her hair sliding over her shoulder. "I want your time. Will you give it to me?"
I froze.
Her face was small and delicate, her skin pale and smooth under the store's warm lighting, her chin softly rounded. I swallowed, but the words wouldn't come.
"Will you?" she asked again, her tone light—almost teasing—but her eyes didn't waver.
Before I could answer, Suya's voice cut in like a lifeline. "Ma'am, if you don't want anything else, please step aside for the next customer," she said briskly.
I exhaled quietly, not realising I'd been holding my breath.
Suya—my neighbour and co-worker—was, for once, exactly the rescue I needed.
But in her face, something shifted. Her eyes flicked toward Suya, and for the briefest moment, the easy smirk faded into something colder, sharper.
"No, I don't," she replied, her voice softer now, but I didn't look at her. I simply rang up the next customer.
The next customer stepped up, and my eyes widened. "Aizen!" I said.
He was balancing an armful of snacks and drinks, both hands stacked high. "Bill it," he said, raising both brows like this was the most natural thing in the world.
My gaze flicked past him to where An Ran was still standing a few meters away. "Why are you with her?" I asked.
"What do you mean 'why'?" he replied, feigning innocence. Then he leaned in, cupping one hand around his mouth like we were sharing classified information.
"I heard from a few students that An Ran usually gives treats. So today, I tagged along," he said, his grin widening. "Must be nice, being the daughter of a rich man."
I scanned the items quickly, printed the receipt, and handed him the bags.
"See you later," he said, hefting everything in his arms before heading toward the exit.
When I glanced up again, she was still there—leaning casually against the wall scrolling through her phone. Her expression was unreadable, like whatever she was thinking was locked behind those dark eyes.