The bell above the door rang.
Everyone looked up.
The customer froze just inside the convenience store, clutching a basket like it was a shield. He wore a hoodie pulled way too far forward and sunglasses indoors, which immediately made Nyx narrow her eyes.
Bella was restocking shelves. "Welcome," she said flatly.
The guy shuffled toward the magazine rack, glanced around like he was being hunted, then grabbed a stack of very obviously adult magazines and dropped them into his basket as fast as possible.
Vario blinked. "…Bro didn't even hesitate."
Nyx leaned over the counter. "Confidence level: zero. Panic level: maximum."
The customer avoided eye contact, pretending to be extremely interested in a pack of gum. He added three different kinds to his basket. Then chips. Then a soda. Then, after a long internal debate, another magazine.
Yuwen, eating cup noodles nearby, observed calmly. "He is attempting to camouflage his purchase."
Bella walked to the counter and waited.
The customer approached, sweating.
She scanned the items one by one. Beep. Beep. Beep.
The magazines were last.
Beep.
The customer flinched.
Bella looked at him. Then at the magazines. Then back at him.
"…Do you want a bag?" she asked.
"Yes," he said instantly. "Please. A thick one."
Nyx snorted and turned away, shoulders shaking.
Vario tried—and failed—not to laugh.
Bella bagged everything slowly. Painfully slowly. The receipt printed with a loud whirr that felt way longer than necessary.
She handed him the bag. "Have a… good night."
The customer nodded too many times, grabbed the bag, and speed-walked out of the store like he had just survived a boss fight.
The bell rang again as the door slammed shut.
Silence.
Then Nyx lost it. "I'M SORRY—THE GUM AS A DISTRACTION??? 😭"
Vario wiped tears from his eyes. "Man really thought chips would save him."
Yuwen slurped noodles. "Humans are fascinating."
Bella sighed, turned back to her work, and muttered, "At least he paid."
The store returned to normal.
The magazines rack stood quietly.
Waiting for the next brave soul.