Annyong, the starting 2 ch are just an overview of the characters of this story. Do comment and share your views~
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It was a usual day at work for Karl. Juggling 3 part time jobs per day and never having much to sleep or eat properly. A newspaper boy in morning, a cashier in noon, and a janitor by night on beach . Also a student managing good grades. This wasn't a struggle for him, this was a need. The need of money; worst of it's kind.
Currently:
Daydreaming is the best hobby for Karl, that he could afford. Being sleepy and daydreaming at work? Perfect. Until he gets smacked back to reality by another bitchy customer of the day. The man banged the items on the counter. To pull Karl out of his world or to get off some Karen behaviour? God knows.
Karl silently billed the items, not caring enough to look at the old man's frown, that almost looks like he is the person with least time on earth to spare. Ofcourse, sometimes he felt timid. He is 17 for god's sake and struggling financially. That was a let down factor for him. But he, at some rate felt it being cliche now. More like....felt depressed too much to care.
"It will be 1020 yen...sir" Karl muttered, still not eye contacting the man. The customer rolled his eyes, pulling out his card as if it's some black card.
As the man was gone...Karl sighed. Then, he reached for his bag. The old and torn one, which he had since his 9th grade. Zipping it down, he pulled out his books and began studying with exhausted eyes and sloppy hands as he wrote.
TIMESKIP~
The clock read 8 pm, when he called it a day. As a cashier, at least. Karl headed out after bowing to the next person who came for night shift. Walking to the private resort, he got lost in thoughts.
He doesn't have any friend, as he isn't the type to be friendly. He felt like an outcast in school and never tried changing it. He was getting tired of people now... slowly and deeply. His family of 7 members, felt overwhelming now. He loved them, for all he has. But, when the last peice of rice cake is left and the mouths to feed are three. Yeah...it is really bad.
Shrugging off those thoughts, he finds himself standing before the huge, lustrous and somewhat demeaning gates of resort. " The Sea Shine Hotel " the name read with bold, sparkling letters set up on the much more shiny building.
In his initial days of working here, he often found himself staring at the exterior of hotel. The luminous lights and magnificent resort contrasting to his dull and depressed self. The owner, Mr choi shared the same dazzling heart. The man is amiable and got spectacular eyes. He once saw Karl in the supermarket, finding the boy polite and hard working. He offered Karl to be the janitor of his private resort's beach. To which Karl ofcourse agreed. As it was a night shift work, which he could afford on cost of his resting time and also payed really well.
So here he is.... standing before the night beauty of the beach. It was calm and peaceful. Contrasting his life and feelings. He loved this job, for a certain reason our of many. The place gave him a sense of comfort and a feeling of being at home which his own house never gave. It gave him the peace and a sense of prize, after a hectic working day.
"It's windy tonight, could be a rainy day tomorrow" Karl said to himself and hummed to a tune while picking the crushed cans and bottles in sand. The moonlight enlightened the ocean at the brink of his vision and sand felt cooling to his feet. The coconut trees rustling as the air rushed past them.
After an hour, the beach was clean. Ready to be dumped again with trash by maniac customers of hotel on tomorrow. He bid his goodbye the resort reception guy, who smiled at Karl. Which Karl reciprocated with a tight smile. As it was a strange thing to smile for Karl.
Again, Karl strolls on his way home just like another day end. Earphone plugged in, one still working while the other was off due to the fight that his siblings fought a week back. Pulling on the earphone.
He reached home after a few minutes and found his mother greeting with a smile. His siblings still bickering and playing around. Father sitting on the floor mattress with a cheap alcohol bottle . His father became an alcoholic after loosing his construction job a few weeks ago. After several talks and weeping, Karl decided not to interfere with him anymore. Something like a ceasefire, better than a war at home.
Karl sat down as his mother brought dinner. He really loved his mother...cuz she is really a selfless woman for her family. Something Karl hated yet respected.
With few words and talks, the family slept. Resting up for another day...a struggling and working day for all.
Karl stared up at the ceiling. Sighing in exhaustion and gripping sleep. His thoughts slowed down...as he fell in deep slumber. To get rest, even if its for a few hours.
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