Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The New Kana Kobayakawa
Dong, dong, dong…
After slipping into my convenience store uniform, I knocked gently on the office door.
"Please come in."
Her voice still had that sultry edge to it—soft, magnetic, yet commanding.
"Ah, Ginjo-kun!"
She greeted me with a radiant smile. Not a smirk or a faint twitch of the lip. No—this was a full-blown, heartfelt, womanly smile.
I blinked in surprise.
…Is this the same Kana who glared at me with tundra-grade eyes just two days ago?
Looks like my late-night psychological first aid actually worked. The frosty manager façade had melted, revealing someone far more playful and—dare I say it—adorable?
"So… how do you like my new hairstyle?"
Kana twirled once, then again, full pirouette, shoulder-length hair flowing like silk through the air.
Gone was the glorious waterfall of long hair she used to wear like a veil. In its place was something simpler—but somehow more dazzling. Elegant, sleek, and effortlessly mature. It framed her face with the same finesse as a manga heroine's transformation scene.
Mature. Chic. Gorgeous. Slightly mischievous.
"…It looks amazing. Really suits you, Kana."
Her cheeks instantly turned the color of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
"G-Ginjo-kun…"
She glanced at the closed door as if it had ears.
"You… you can just call me Kobayakawa-san in the store... okay?"
Her voice went from manager-mode to bashful-girl-on-her-first-crush in under two seconds.
I grinned.
"Got it, Manager Kobayakawa."
Kana stifled a laugh, pressing a hand over her mouth.
Why do a few teasing words from this boy make my heart beat like this? Her inner voice might as well have been projected across the ceiling.
...
A phone call interrupted our flirtatious moment.
She turned to the shelf, dragging a small footstool over with her long legs.
"Hmmmm…"
Kana balanced herself on the stool, stretching upward to reach a business folder. Unfortunately, the top shelf wasn't feeling cooperative. One leg raised slightly, her body arched, lips parting with soft, frustrated noises.
"Let me help—"
"I-I've got it… I do this all the time."
Yeah, you 'got it' the same way I could 'win' a marathon with one shoe.
"Forgive me for being a bit forward."
I stepped behind her, placed my hands gently on both sides of her waist, and lifted her upward—carefully, respectfully, but undeniably intimately.
Her breath hitched and her body tensed.
Slender waist. Soft skin. Curves that practically drew themselves.
Even through the uniform, I could feel her warmth.
"Oh…!"
Kana let out a delicate, unexpected squeak.
"Can you reach it?"
"Y-Yes… Got it..."
She secured the folder, and I lowered her slowly. Her face was now as red as a blushing apple, the blush trailing down her pale neck like wine spilling over porcelain.
"Th-Thank you… Ginjo-kun…"
She was looking anywhere but at me.
"No problem. I'll get to work now."
...
My main task today was restocking shelves, since new inventory had been processed over the weekend.
Soon enough, Kana stepped out of the office.
"Ginjo-kun, let's switch things up a bit today."
She turned to Morikawa.
"Morikawa, please organize the stockroom. I'll have Ginjo handle the cashier duties."
"Roger that, Manager Kobayakawa!"
Morikawa passed me, whispering conspiratorially, "Why's her face so red? Did something happen?"
I ignored her and took my post behind the register.
Kana stood beside me, demonstrating the register controls. I nodded as she went through each function.
"Okay, Manager Kobayakawa."
Simple stuff—scan, punch, total. The real trick was juggling the hot food station, restocking noodle cups, and managing the coffee pot. Who knew a convenience store could feel like a battlefield?
Kana explained everything patiently, and I listened attentively.
"Ginjo-kun, I'll leave you in charge of the register. Feel free to come ask if you need help."
She returned to the office, and I manned my station.
...
About half an hour later, a man shuffled in. Easily in his fifties, ragged coat, weathered hat, and reeking of stale beer. He stumbled toward the counter, slamming down a handful of coins.
"Gimme a cigarette," he slurred.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, that's enough! Gimme the damn cigarette!"
"What brand?"
"Same one I always get! You dumb or something?"
I kept my voice even.
"I just started today. I don't know what you usually buy."
His voice rose. "That one!"
He pointed vaguely. I took a guess, pulled the pack down, and placed it on the counter.
He immediately snatched for it.
Before he could make a clean getaway, I clamped my hand around his wrist.
"Twenty yen short."
He glared at me, hissed, then scrounged the change from his pocket and tossed it down.
As he left, grumbling curses under his breath, the office door burst open.
"Ginjo-kun, are you alright?!"
Kana poked her head out, worry clouding her eyes.
"All good, Manager. Just a drunk old man."
She nodded and retreated.
I turned to Morikawa, who was peeking out from the stockroom.
"That guy a regular?"
"Nope. First time I've seen him."
Figured.
...
Time passed, and eventually it was the end of my shift. Morikawa promised to cover the next hour, so I headed to the locker room.
Kana walked in just behind me.
"Off work too, Manager?"
"Not quite. I have more reports to finish. But…"
She paused, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"If Ginjo-kun is free tonight… can we talk again?"
"Of course."
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