I woke up to someone shaking me like I was a ragdoll.
"Hey, wake up!"
The voice was sharp, tense, and definitely angry.
It took me a second to realize what was happening. Ah, right... my alarm clock. Or at least, my human version of one. Someone who apparently thought shaking me was the best way to start my day.
"Uh… yeah? Sorry, what is it?" I said.
I lifted my head and came face-to-face with a woman who looked like she could snap my neck without even thinking about it. If I had the right kind of kink, I probably would've melted on the spot. She was looking down at me like a dominatrix spotting someone about to get punished, and honestly, the aura she radiated was exactly that.
Unfortunately, that kind of thing isn't my style.
"You're sleeping on your shift again. How many times have I told you not to do that? What happens if we get robbed while you're napping? Do you want me to start deducting from your salary? Because I will."
"I'm sorry… it's just... there's never anything happening here. Honestly, hardly any customers come by at all, and the few that do are usually thugs."
"They're still customers," she snapped back.
She pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"You're really stressing me out already, and it's barely morning."
I knew better than to point it out, but it was still kind of hard not to notice. She was the manager here, in case that wasn't clear. A woman who somehow managed to look like she had a doctorate in physics, while simultaneously working in a convenience store that smelled vaguely of instant noodles and sanitizer.
"Don't stress yourself out too much, Miss Verra. That might explain why you haven't found a husband yet."
"What?! What did you just say?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"N-Nothing," I mumbled, quickly trying to play it off.
It was impossible not to notice that someone as intelligent, sophisticated, and beautiful as her working here and still single was… well, kind of tragic. She had to be in her late twenties, and these days, if you're pushing thirty and still a virgin, people start whispering all kinds of ridiculous stuff about you, like you're some kind of dusty, forgotten relic. Some people even call it pubic hair with cobwebs. Other people call it being a magician, whatever that's supposed to mean. Honestly, the magician thing sounds less like an insult and more like some weird slang.
She didn't let me get away with my comment, anyway.
Her hand shot out and grabbed my collar, yanking me closer. Her face twisted into one of those expressions that could make anyone think they were about to die, a face so scrunched up with rage it was almost impressive.
"Manager, you look stressed out because of Leon this early in the morning," came a calmer, warmer voice from behind her.
That was one of my coworkers. She was also a senior in college.
She was warm, friendly, and exuding the kind of pure aura that makes it obvious she probably doesn't have a single secret in her soul. She was the kind of person you just automatically trust.
"What did you say to her this time, Leon?" she asked. "Let me guess. You told her it's impossible for her to get a husband again, didn't you?"
"Hey, I didn't say that, Manager. Clara's the one who did."
Even though it was her, Miss Verra didn't loosen her grip.
"Alright, enough about that," she said finally, releasing me after what felt like a near-lifelong squeeze. "I heard the police came by earlier and took someone away, supposedly for molesting a customer. Is that true?"
"Well… not exactly molesting, but…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah, it's true."
"Are you hurt?" she asked.
"Not really. The customer managed to stop it herself, actually."
Hearing that, she visibly relaxed and let out a sigh that almost sounded like relief. That was surprising, considering she was just moments ago almost choking me.
"Good. I'm glad you weren't hurt. Still, you need to be careful, especially handling the night shift on weekends. Things can get… dangerous."
"Thanks. I appreciate it," I said.
"It's honestly a relief to know you're okay, Leon. You look exhausted, though. You can go home and get some sleep. I'll handle it from here," Clara added.
"Thanks. That's a huge help," I replied.
It was early morning by now, so our shift change made sense. I headed to the locker room and started changing into my regular clothes.
I exhaled and leaned back against the locker.
So this isn't a dream.
___
Verra
Affection: 25♥︎
Mood: 20♥︎
Lust: 9♥︎
Status: Acquaintance
___
___
Clara
Affection: 30♥︎
Mood: 50♥︎
Lust: 10♥︎
Status: Acquaintance
___
I could still feel the lingering pressure of the manager's grip earlier.
This was definitely real.
Everything about this felt surreal, but waking up like this and having just lived through it… it was real enough.
But still… what exactly triggered this?
Something like this happening to me…
Honestly, I still couldn't believe it. The fact that I could even see the status of the manager and Senior Clara like that…
It was honestly kind of terrifying.
So even them… I could…
I don't even know if I'd actually go that far, but… I can't deny that I kind of see the appeal in the manager.
I mean, she was sexy, smart, single, and she clearly cared in her own way, even if it came out as stress and yelling.
It was strange, but kind of nice too.
The thought made me pause.
Should I… even consider anything like that? Honestly, I didn't know.
While I was lost in those thoughts—
___
NEW QUEST!
The manager is looking for a boyfriend on a dating site, and it seems like she may have found someone. Do you think it's okay for her to meet a stranger like that?
Reward: 10♥︎
Event information: Mall C, 8:00 PM. Be sure not to be late!
___
A new quest? Involving the manager?
Honestly, I hadn't thought much about it at first. She deserved some romance, sure. Who doesn't? But something about her meeting someone from a dating site made me uneasy.
There's no way to be sure about people online, and for her to go meet a stranger… that was risky.
Well, I might as well keep the event details in mind.