The Transformation of the Listless Part-Time Worker

Sorry for not posting this morning. I got a bit too carried away over Friday and Saturday.

Maybe I should… build up some stock, huh.

“Welcome.”

A languid voice echoed through the store. It had been about a week since the summer break ended and the second semester’s lectures began. Today, I was working my shift at the convenience store where I’d once reunited with Hayashi. It was around dusk. On Tuesdays, when lectures wrapped up early, I always took this shift. Even though this was a convenience store in a residential area, it still got fairly busy around this time.

That’s why there were three of us on shift right now, including me.

One was me. Another was the manager. And the last one… was a familiar girl who’d recently started working here.

“Hayashi-san, could you please serve customers with a bit more cheer? Come on, please.”

“…Sure.”

Hayashi responded to the manager’s words with an utterly bored tone.

The girl who’d recently started working at this convenience store was none other than Hayashi Megumi, my former high school classmate who, through a twist of fate, was now living with me.

Hayashi had started this job about halfway through last week. For a while now, she’d felt guilty about staying at my place. To shake off that guilt, she’d declared she’d get a job at some point—I don’t quite remember when. After going through various interviews, one of the places that hired her was this store.

When I first heard she’d be working at the same convenience store as me, I was pretty shocked.

From my perspective, I couldn’t help but wonder why, of all places, she had to pick my workplace. Of course, I asked her directly about it. But according to her, it was a “stupid question.” I still don’t get what was so stupid about it.

Anyway, it’s been a few days since she started working here. I usually take late-night shifts on weekends to rake in some extra cash, so today was actually the first time our shifts overlapped.

And right off the bat, seeing her get scolded by the manager for her customer service brought a strange sense of nostalgia.

That’s right. This is so Hayashi.

Lately, she’d been struggling with some heavy stuff, and it had taken a toll on her mentally. But the usual Hayashi? She’s blunt and listless. Seeing her like this reminded me of high school… man, it really takes me back (idiot).

“Welcome.”

“Hayashi-san, it’s Welcome to the store. Welcome to the store, okay?”

“Sure.”

While restocking shelves, I realized the manager was having a tough time coaching Hayashi. Well, it makes sense. Hayashi’s got a pretty face, so if she actually put effort into customer service, she’d probably draw in a ton of customers. The manager must be desperate for that.

But Hayashi’s a sensitive girl in her own way. She’s probably picked up on the fact that the manager’s trying to use her looks to attract customers, so she’s doubling down on her listless attitude.

“Hayashi-san, I’m begging you here!”

Hayashi didn’t budge, maintaining her cold demeanor.

“…Finished restocking.”

I returned to the register after finishing the shelving. I didn’t exactly want to step back into the tense atmosphere between the manager and Hayashi, but I had to report my progress.

“Oh… right. Yamamoto-kun, could you say something to her too?”

“Huh?”

The sudden spotlight caught me off guard, and I let out a weird noise.

“Hayashi-san’s been so standoffish with customers. It’s going to scare them off.”

…From the manager’s perspective, sure, he’s trying to use Hayashi to draw in customers, but her cold attitude could actually drive people away. Her icy vibe is honestly kind of intimidating, so yeah, it might actually hurt business.

Hmm, what to do?

Well, losing customers would be a problem. Fewer customers means less revenue, and less revenue means a hit to my paycheck.

…No choice, then.

Even if the manager’s words didn’t get through to her, me saying something probably won’t do much either—just a small comfort, at best. But I guess I’ll play the sacrificial lamb.

“Hayashi.”

I called out to Hayashi, who had her back turned to me.

Her shoulders flinched, but she still didn’t look at me.

“…Maybe try being a bit friendlier with customers?”

As I said it, I was honestly a little nervous.

The image of the brazen Hayashi from high school flashed through my mind. If I’d said something like this to that Hayashi, pointing out her behavior or giving advice…

“Huh?” she’d snap.

“What?” she’d growl.

“I’ll kill you. Dark smile (lol),” she’d say.

Point is, I’d definitely get an earful. When she got like that, she was legitimately scary.

Come to think of it, when we reunited at this very convenience store, she gave me that same intimidating vibe. It was terrifying back then too. Honestly, it kind of broke me a little.

…Anyway, Hayashi still wouldn’t look at me.

“…Got it.”

“Huh?”

“I said I got it… If you’re saying it, then fine.”

With a frail voice, Hayashi spoke without ever turning to face me and then bolted toward the break room as if escaping.

“…No, like, do your job.”

Stunned, I muttered after she’d disappeared into the back.

“…Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Oh, yes? What is it, Manager?”

“…Are you two dating?”

“No?”

“Got it.”

The manager went back to work. Hayashi returned from the break room about five minutes later. For a while after that, she still wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“W-Welcome to the store…”

Her voice was so soft it could’ve faded away, and her cheeks were flushed as she spoke.

Needless to say, the male customer who’d just walked in couldn’t help but steal a glance at her.

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