Kapitel 3: Targeted
"Good morning."
After a 10-minute walk, Yusuke Kato arrived at his part-time job at 7:40 at a 24-hour convenience store.
"Ah, Kato-kun, good morning."
The greeter was his colleague, Takada Shiori, a 17-year-old girl with short blond hair who studies at a nearby school and is a sophomore in high school.
Like Yusuke Kato, Takada Shiori uses her time after school and weekends to work here. They share a common identity, making their relationship quite amicable. (Takada Shiori thinks to herself)
"Good morning, Takada-senpai, you've worked hard."
Kato Yusuke bowed in return.
"There's no need for formalities; after all, we're all students."
As she spoke, Takada Shiori glanced at him, continuing her tasks.
She wore the store's dark blue uniform and a gray pleated skirt, accentuating her figure. She was currently checking the goods on the shelves.
"Do you need help?"
Kato Yusuke pointed to the shopping basket at her feet, mentioning the rice balls that were past their expiration date. Though not spoiled, they couldn't be sold.
In Japan, where convenience store competition is fierce, "excellent taste" is as crucial as "convenience."
Fresh food has a set shelf life, checked twice daily—once in the morning, noon, and evening—by a designated person, a role Takada Shiori was fulfilling.
The expired items were typically allocated to the shop assistants, some of which could be taken home and others only consumed in-store. Kato Yusuke's items fell into the latter category.
"Then take this to the lounge," Takada Shiori directed him to the basket on the ground.
Kato Yusuke nodded, picked up the basket, and walked inside.
Just then, Takada Shiori remembered something and called out to him.
"By the way, remember to leave me a beef rice ball!"
Kato Yusuke paused, replied without turning back, "Understood," and then entered the room.
...
Five minutes later, Kato Yusuke, now changed, reappeared to find a line at the store, with Takada Shiori busy at the cash register.
Seeing this, Kato Yusuke quickly joined her, greeting the next customer.
"Hello, what do you need?"
"Bring me a No. 160 cigarette and this bottle of water," the well-dressed customer requested.
"That will be six hundred fifty yen," Kato Yusuke responded, handing over the cigarette and change.
This was the peak time due to the nearby offices, with many workers stopping by for breakfast items and snacks.
"Thank you for your patronage, and welcome to come again!" Takada Shiori called out respectfully as the customer left.
Glancing at the clock, it was now 10:15.
"Whew," Takada Shiori exhaled, visibly relieved.
"It's been tough," Kato Yusuke remarked, then added, "I'll go restock the shelves, you can take a break."
"Huh? No need, let's do it together," Takada Shiori protested, waving her hands.
Kato Yusuke noted the sweat on her forehead and insisted, "It's okay, I've got this."
He then headed to the warehouse and soon returned with a load of goods.
His tall stature was complemented by toned forearms, a result of his work. Underneath his short black hair, his calm eyes captivated Takada Shiori, causing her to blush.
...
As Fangmura entered the store, he paused, his gaze shifting between the two and settling on Kato Yusuke with a flash of jealousy.
"Cough-cough," he cleared his throat, then sternly summoned Kato Yusuke, waving a list.
"Kato-kun, come here."
"...Store manager? When!?" Takada Shiori spun around in surprise and bowed to Fangmura, causing another commotion.
However, Fangmura's attention was soon blocked by Kato Yusuke's tall figure.
"Manager Fangmura," Kato Yusuke addressed him calmly, "What's the issue?"
The manager felt uncomfortable comparing his height to Kato Yusuke's, as he was significantly shorter.
"Well... some goods have arrived; you can move them to the warehouse," Fangmura suggested thoughtfully.
"Alright," Kato Yusuke agreed, following Fangmura out as Takada Shiori hastily joined them.
Then they saw the mountainous pile of boxes.
"Liar! How many are there?" Takada Shiori exclaimed.
"Well... about fifty," Fangmura stated casually.
"Fifty boxes!? And all beverages!? Why now? Shouldn't they have arrived last night?" she questioned.
"Unfortunately, Tanaka, who was on the night shift, injured his wrist, so the delivery was delayed," Fangmura explained, hiding a smirk as he glanced at Kato Yusuke.
"When will this move?" Takada Shiori despaired.
"Ah, Shiori, you don't have to move them, just leave it to Kato," Fangmura intervened.
"...Is this a joke, Store Manager?" she asked incredulously.
"No, no," Fangmura reassured, then turned to Kato Yusuke, "You can handle this, right, Kato-kun?"
Kato Yusuke was silent.
Seeing this, Fangmura smiled subtly, hinting at a veiled threat.
"Don't want to? Speaking of which, I remember your family's financial situation isn't great. Would it be a problem if you lost this job?"
The underlying threat was clear.
...
---------------
Support me here and get up to 25 chapters early patreon.com/MuddyTL
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein