SHUICHI SAIHARA

I began to head into the gas station, being met by the redolent entrance of the building. I opened my phone, once again looking at the email the staff members of SunnySide sent me, giving me only basic instructions.

So I should go to the back and tell them I am Shuichi. Then, will they lead me to where I am taking the interview. Ok, ready go.

I began to move towards the back doors gradually. Taking my steps slowly as if somebody was going to stop me. Just before I could touch the knob of the door I felt a firm hand grip onto my wrist.

"What's your name?" An unfamiliar women said, looking me up and down as if I was some criminal.

What was familiar about her was her voice. She sounded exactly like the woman I was on call with the night before. There was nothing telling me otherwise. That was her, Maki. And she might report me for attempting to trespass through the back doors if I don't quickly tell her I am Shuichi.

But I couldn't. My mouth failed to budge like it usually did whenever I was in tight situations like this where I felt like a victim. Of course, she was just doing her job and I was ruining it for her.

"I- just-,"

"Please leave our store if you have nothing to say."

Yup, that's her. Her impatience is recognizable.

I felt my breath get heavier. If only somebody could take me out of this situation, anyone... please just-

"Get your claws off of him, Maki."

I turned around to see Kokichi and felt the urge to run away even more. Everything went silent as the two looked at each other intensely as if it was a staring contest. And to my surprise, it was which I found out when Maki blinked and suddenly let go of me.

"Alright, you won... have him or whatever."

Kokichi smirked as Maki began to walk away. She couldn't leave without flipping him off though before making her retreat.

Kokichi rolled his eyes and turned his attention to me, almost instantly smiling. He leaned onto the back doors and crossed his arms, biting his bottom lip.

"So what happened to you calling me?" He said, toning down his smile.

I felt a blade pierce through my heart. The day just started and I've already upset two people? How low could I go?

I stayed silent as he shook his head slowly, his head moving down but his eyes looking up as he poked my abdomen.

"Lemme guess... were you shyyy? Nishishi~."

I blushed, having been reminded of his accuracy. It would be a lie if I said anything other than the fact I was nervous to be on call with a boy. But of course I didn't want him to think that. I didn't want him to get that energy from me.

"I'm just playing with you of course. Anyways, did you get the interview?" Kokichi said, spinning his store ID with his index finger.

"Yeah... it's today actually,"

"Wait -- right now?"

I nervously nodded as I looked at the back door practically whistling for my attention. I felt a hitch in my breath as he made a tiny clap and led me to the door of the interview room.

"GO- You've got this," He said, nudging me on the arm.

I smiled at him before making my way into those doors.

. . . . .

"You've got the job...," Togami said with a dour sentiment as he began to pack up paper files.

I wore on a puzzled expression, as everything had began to clear up for me. I got a job? I thought I could just jump up in the air at that moment. But I couldn't do something so unprofessional in front of Togami. I took a few deep breaths before getting up and out of my seat.

"Thank you, sir. I promise to do my very best in this job."

"Yeah yeah, whatever- just leave. Your shift starts tomorrow, got that?" Togami said arching an eyebrow.

I nodded vigorously and got out of the room. I felt myself walking with much more confidence than I usually do to the victorious steps that proceeded. Things were going much more better than they use to. I was back on track -- ready to catch up with everyone on this side of life.

Yes, it was just a job at a gas station. But I'd be earning the most money I've ever earned in my life. The last job I had was babysitting, and that didn't go well... neither did the pay. To be working at a gas station was all I needed to feel like I was back in business.

I spotted Kokichi talking to a customer across from me. He smiled at me, fluttering his fingers as a way of saying 'hey' before coming over.

"Hey! You still haven't told me where the sodas ar-,"

"This is a small gas station dumbass! You'll find it!"

I was thrown off by how Kokichi responded to such a collected customer. Does Togami just let him act like that? Pfft- I can't believe I got fired just for setting a toddler to sleep 6 minutes after her bedtime and Kokichi gets to say things like this.

"So... did you get the job?" Kokichi said; his eyes beaming as if the answer to this question meant the world.

"Umm- yea-,"

"Awesome! So when are you starting?"

"...Tomorrow. He said I'll be working from 10AM to 3PM."

"Oh really? I work 12 through 5. I just stack the shelves and help customers who seem to be in trouble."

I don't really think you helped that customer asking for where the sodas were...

"I can't wait to see you on the job tomorrow. And actually call me this time, ok?" Kokichi said with a wink before evacuating.

Suddenly, I exhaled all of the oxygen I was holding in whilst Kokichi was talking to me. I watched as he walked away, a smile forming on my face at the thought of working with a friend.

...Could I even call us friends? We'd only known each other for two days now, why was he in such a rush?

No... why was I in such a rush?

My social skills weren't the best, and I'd rarely even bat an eye at another human being. I felt quite lucky that somebody was actually using their inestimable time to socialize with me.

Just the thought of it made me happy as I slowly turned around, exiting the gas station.

Word Count: 1133

CHAPTER DICTIONARY:

Redolent - Fragrant or sweet-smelling.

Sentiment - A feeling or emotion.

Vigorous - Characterized by or involving physical strength, effort, or energy.

Inestimable - Too great to calculate.