A new day quickly passed.
I didn't have much difficulty.
Do I have a unique path that others don't?
Why is everything going so well for me?
It feels like I have a guardian angel, as finding that job was so easy.
It's almost as if I was destined for this.
Am I overthinking this? Today was the day I officially started my first job.
The story I shared isn't entirely false; I do have experience working at a bakery.
However, I didn't expect that experience to come in handy here.
When I was little, my dad made me work for his friend because he wanted me to be productive.
If I wasn't working, he insisted that I play sports. Since they were good friends, he arranged for me to work for him for the day, even though it wasn't really allowed.
But that story I told her...?
Was it a cover-up?
It felt way too natural coming out of my mouth, like I had practiced it for many days, maybe even weeks.
Or was it true...?
I didn't know.
And it wasn't worth spending my entire day doing nothing.
I had to do things...
'Uh....!!!'
See, this is what I meant... I should have gotten a girlfriend.
I stared down.
And I saw a rod that wouldn't go down.
---
An hour passed quickly.
I had arrived on time at 5:45.
When someone asks you to be somewhere at 6 o'clock or any other time, it's best to show up 10 to 30 minutes early. This allows you to make any necessary adjustments.
Take the time to greet and meet your colleagues who are on break.
You can miss many opportunities if you arrive exactly on time.
This is an unspoken rule in the workplace, no matter the location.
"Ron, please change into this."
I had just arrived, and Hilra was there instantly.
Was she a machine?
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, taking the clothes she handed me.
It was a simple T-shirt and long pants with pockets.
These clothes looked like they were straight out of the 1990s or maybe the 2000s.
How is this world so advanced in this type of work?
I made my way to the back; a small hallway ran past the room where I'd been interviewed.
Thud...
My steps echoed as I moved closer to the end of the hallway.
Then I saw a sign that read "Employees only."
I entered.
A small room had ample space; two chairs sat at a table taller than the chairs.
To the right of the room, there was a small room. It was even smaller than the room where I had been interviewed.
Click--!
I turned the doorknob.
In front of me were a small mirror and a toilet.
Was there a sewage system here too?
Seriously, how is this world so advanced when they still use horses to get around?
I changed quickly.
As I looked to the side, a small circular clock sat on the sink.
5:55 o'clock.
I had 5 minutes.
Thud-!!
I closed the door after I washed up.
"Have you heard? The night hawks have started to move."
Customers were talking, waiting for their bread to be done, and for some reason I could hear them.
"Wait, really?"
Her voice was a whisper in the wind, barely audible. She sounded surprised.
"We have to get out of here then...!!"
Tch--!
She clicked her tongue as she looked ahead and found a handsome young man at the counter.
"Um, who are you...?"
I'm a new employee here. Your orders are right here.
I held it in my hand as I was about to hand it to her. I asked
"Young miss, would you like anything else?"
"Um, no, thank you,"
She replied with an indifferent expression as her hands reached for the bag.
"Kya."
As I handed her her bag, her left hand brushed against mine.
Letting out a sound like a cat's squeal, she then raised her hands to cover her face, like a blanket.
She was as red as a tomato.
It was cute....
I paused, feeling a wave of doubt wash over me, and took a moment to collect myself.
With a determined effort, I shook my head from side to side, as if trying to dislodge the distracting thoughts clouding my mind.
If I truly wanted to win Miss Justice's heart, I knew I had to focus.
I couldn't allow any other worries to creep in and cloud my intentions.
"Hello, ladies. Would you guys by chance have any gossip for me?"
"I'm new around here and was just wondering about stuff."
"Like the Nighthawks..."
"Y-yes. W-wait, you know about the Nighthawks? Are you also one of them...?"
She stared at me. In her eyes as she spoke.
Was she testing me?
Her voice didn't match her expression.
It was like a mask.
Her voice was shaken.
But her expression didn't change.
But when she said One of them...?
Does she mean that?
"You mean a Beyonder, right?"
"Y-yes"
she replied as she took a piece of paper and handed it to me.
"What is this? Your address?"
"W-what? N-no, of course not. Actually, maybe."
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
I asked, my face quickly filled with surprise.
"We can't discuss those things here. Visit this place, and we will be able to gossip there"
I leaned over the counter, my posture slightly hunched as I tried to catch her attention. With a subtle wave of my hand, I invited her closer, eager to share a secret.
"Does this also earn me a night with you, beautiful...?" I whispered, my voice low and teasing.
She gasped, her cheeks flushing with surprise.
"W-w-what... No...!!!"
she stammered, clearly taken aback by my boldness.
Finally, her expression changed. Not that mask I was seeing. A genuine change.
The woman was undeniably intriguing.
She wanted to leave...
It was evident in her expression.
Her cheeks burned bright red, resembling ripe tomatoes, as if she were on the verge of an emotional explosion.
"Feel free to go, but... are you truly ready for what's out there?"
My voice flowed softly like a seductive lullaby, the words wrapping around her like a silken ribbon.
With that whispered invitation, she took off. In an instant, she became a blur, darting away like a mouse fleeing a hungry cat.
She was a stunning beauty, captivating all who laid eyes on her. Her rich, chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her back in soft, flowing waves, like a waterfall, reaching to her hips.
Her complexion was as pale and smooth as vanilla ice cream, providing a striking contrast to the vibrancy of her hair.
But her intriguing personality truly set her apart...
But above all, it became evident…
She was not an ordinary human being.
Her knowledge spanned beyond the limits of understanding.
And I sensed…
Her strength was a force unmatched by anything I could muster.
I felt like a tiny ant, adrift in a vast river, struggling against the current.
Even as I lay on my deathbed, I couldn't help but notice a resilient tree nearby, its roots deep and unwavering in the earth.
When did I cross into the realm of poetry…?
But wait...
What about Miss Justice?
Am I two-timing once again?
--
As soon as my job ended, I headed home—if I could even call it that.
The beautiful woman's note was a mystery to me.
I didn't want to risk arriving early, you know?
If I was the one waiting, wouldn't it make me seem desperate?
The note read:
"Thursday at 11 o'clock at Loen Bar."
Damn, I didn't realize she was inviting me on a date.
She's truly bold...
ah again...
"its actually getting bad..."
I grumbled as I looked down; it was a pain to deal with.
The rod that wouldn't go down no matter what I did. How does one get worse stamina?
One, two, three, four I've done it too many times, and it just won't go down.'
i moved forward towards my bed.
it was time to rest.
i had to do anything but think about it.
well one more time couldnt hurt.
right.
But i truly need a girlfriend at this rate...
i wont be able to continue.
how do single man, actually go about this.
do they do it constantly day by day.
that must be diffucult.
well....
im now one of those men...
life has truly turned upside down for me.
a playboy with no woman around.
what would i be classified as.
A gentle man?