Mastore 106 - Dumpster

Magic Realm Convenience Store – Ch. 106

A side job full of innocence (4)

After staying up all night until dawn, morning came.

Just after fending off the rush of office workers insisting on getting breakfast, while I was pressing down the garbage bag about to burst with sandwich wrappers, Manager arrived.

“Chan-ah. Want help emptying the trash?"

I reflexively looked at the clock—8:50 a.m.

"It's fine. I wasn't planning to empty it, just compress it down. You're early today?"

“Well, I accidentally woke up early this morning.”

“Ah. There are days like that.”

“I was thinking about what to do, and I thought it would be nice to check the storage room with Chan.”

While holding the trash can, I glanced toward the office. Last week, we had that conversation about the sword in the stone down in that basement storage.

"Sure. Are we going in right now?"

“Later. I get to see Chan’s face for an extra hour today, so it’d be a waste to spend it working. Right?”

Manager must be particularly bored today. Perfect timing though. I also have some things to bring up about last night's events.

After packing down the trash until the can was half-empty, I got up. The streets were quiet now that the morning rush was over…

Manager enthusiastically claimed a table by the show window, and I sat down beside her. I spoke first.

"Manager-nim. Nothing special happened during last night's shift, but I had a meeting with the succubus I work with."

“So it was her who called yesterday. How was it? Is working in this world manageable?”

“It didn’t really feel like work in this world. And as for my thoughts… um…”

"Yes, yes?"

"A succubus really is a succubus?"

“Huh?”

I explained. Two single people decided to have an honesty battle to test a potion that makes you more honest, and the first question was about where I live.

“Where does Chan live? She asked that?”

"Yes. I didn't give a proper answer, just dodged around it, but then the atmosphere got a bit strange..."

I asked why she was curious about where I live, listened to her answer, and things got even more awkward. As we were trying to figure out what to say, the Chihuahua barged in and caused a scene—

In the end, it worked out pretty well. After I finished speaking, After I finished speaking, I looked at Manager, who wore an expression half surprised, half impressed.

“Chan-ah. So, you’re saying the succubus struck this pose?”

“Yes?”

“Wait. So…”

She turned toward me, placed both hands on her knees, hunched her shoulders slightly, and then, as if she almost forgot, brushed her light brown bangs aside.

She bowed her head and then looked up at me pleadingly through her bangs, exactly like the pose the succubus had struck yesterday. The only difference was that her eyes weren’t brimming with tears.

"Like this."

"That's the exact pose, but is there really any need to recreate it?"

“Of course! I need to make sure my thoughts were correct.”

It wasn't particularly convincing logic. Manager dropped the pose and patted my knee with a face full of pride.

"Chan, you resisted this? You’re tough, really tough."

“If you say I resisted it, does that mean something happened to me back then?”

"I'm talking about seduction. That succubus seduced you. Though I'm sure she didn't intend to."

Seduction? In my 29 years of life, that’s the last word I’d associate with myself. I'm not even rich, so why would anyone do such a thing?

I couldn’t understand it at all, so I just listened quietly. Manager said Elena would have unconsciously used magic in that moment she looked up at me.

“Succubi have a magic they can use without even learning it. It’s a magic that makes the other person feel attracted to them.”

The formula and magic circle are apparently encoded almost at the genetic level, so it needs no activation conditions, preparation stages, or even the will to use it.

If there's one condition needed, it's just this: the succubus must have this feeling. The feeling of wanting the person before them to like them.

"That feeling doesn’t have to be love. It could be wanting to play together, just enjoying their presence, or simply liking them—all of those count as feelings of affection.”

"I understand that part, and then it goes like this? They develop 'feelings of wanting to be liked,' and then unconsciously use magic—"

"Un, un."

“The person affected by the magic feels attracted to the succubus… and then… I’m not sure if this is correct.”

“Pretty much. They fall in love. Not absolutely, but roughly 99% of the time?"

Manager finished explaining by saying I'd carved away at that 99% average last night, then added:

"But since magic doesn't work on Chan... hmm... they'll have to push through with pure firepower."

“What’s pure firepower? Am I getting shot?"

It sounded metaphorical so I asked. Manager hesitated for a moment, shrugged, and concluded,

"You don't need to know. Anyway, you can rest easy for now."

"I barely understand this as it is, so sure, I’ll let it slide. But there's something else—I wasn’t the only one there."

There was a Chihuahua sitting behind me, tapping on a keyboard. Even if it didn't work on me, shouldn't it have affected them?

“Well, that succubus only had eyes for you, Chan.”

"What does that..."

“If you don’t get it, just take it as it is. And, Chan.”

“Yes.”

"You said that Chihuahua interrupted in the middle yesterday."

I was planning to gloss over the Chihuahua story. Didn't think the manager would appreciate hearing about someone who constantly curses at me.

"He did, but you don't need to worry about it. That person just naturally has a foul mouth—"

“I’m not mad. But how old is that Chihuahua?”

"I haven't asked yet. If Manager curious, next time he come, I could casually ask while paying him back for the coffee—"

“That. The fact that he got coffee from you. That’s what’s bothering me.”

‘In my opinion—’ Manager began, interlocking her fingers and tapping her index fingers together. She didn’t seem entirely confident.

After thinking for a moment, what popped out of her mouth was, well.

"You know, don't you think that person really likes Chan?"

I responded reflexively.

“Huh? That jerk??”

“Hey, Chan.”

"Ah. That's, I'm sorry, Manager-nim. I'm sorry, but what you just said really doesn't make any logical sense whatsoever."

“Well. I don’t know about the latter part, but the first part might be true, don’t you think?”

"That person thinks my name is 'punk'?"

I’ve endured enough insults from him to last me three lifetimes. My rage meter is maxed out with his swearing. The lid won't even close, I'm telling you.

"Still, you said he interrupted between Chan and the succubus, right? If you assume he interrupted to help you out, doesn’t that change things?”

"I just can't think of it that w— no..."

I took a deep breath and thought about it.

All the toothpaste and hangover remedies he’s left for me, and last night’s incident. What if those weren’t just whims, but his way of looking out for me?

The toothpaste wasn't just getting rid of excess stock but genuine concern for my dental health, and the hangover medicine was him looking out for my liver function?

And what if he stepped in last night because he saw how awkward things were between the two singles and wanted to help? As it turns out, the limping man was the culprit all along...

(D: A reference from The Usual Suspects" (1995))

“What a twist, really….”

“Chan’s Chihuahua must be incredibly rough. To the point where my words don't even register."

"No, they're cute when they're cute. I've never seen anyone raise truly violent ones so I wouldn't know about that. And I don't think that person goes that far..."

He’s never thrown a kimbap or smashed a bottle of alcohol. If he had, I wouldn’t even talk to him. But still, he likes me? Cares about me?

This alone I just couldn't accept. No, I hate it. If he care about me, he shouldn't be trying to legally change my two-syllable name to 'punk'...

(D: Huh? You’re not Chan with one syllable? Welp.)

As I was brooding, Manager placed a hand on my shoulder and said,

“If it’s really bothering you, I’ll talk to him next time he comes by while I’m on duty. I’ll see what kind of vibe he gives off.”

"Please do try, and if you don't like what you see, please report him to the police."

“Un.”

After wrapping up, we both glanced at the clock. It was 9:10. Manager stood up first.

"Let's get up, Chan. If we finish early, we can talk more."

“Yes. Do we have a lot of work today?”

"Not too much. Just three things to check. Nothing too—"

As Manager was speaking, ding-dong. The front doorbell rang.

"I'll just help this customer who just came in."

“Okay. I’ll handle the list in the meantime. Huh?”

Manager stops speaking again. She looked delighted to see the person who just walked in.

Wonder who it is— I turned around and saw a welcome face. A four-wheeled bicycle with training wheels, white hair, and black horns.

“Hello, Mister... Ah.”

"Hey there."

It was the little dragon girl. She returned the greeting but didn’t come inside the store right away. After making eye contact with Manager, he just stood there, gripping the edge of the glass door.

"Been a while, little girl. Here to play?"

The little girl flinched slightly at Manager's question. Still, since they’ve met a few times before, she seemed to get comfortable quickly and didn’t stay flinched for long.

"…Y- Yes. Today kindergarten's closed so... Can I not pway?”

“No! Not at all. You can play as much as you want. This is my store, after all.”

“Th- Thank you, Unnie.”

As the little girl approaches with pattering steps, Manager strokes her head with a face full of satisfaction.

“No matter how I look at it, this kid is really sweet.”

"That's just because she called you 'Unnie', Manager-nim."

"Well! Sure! There needs to be give and take!"

“That’s true. Hey, Hana, you were hanging out with Mongmong earlier, right? Did you have fun?”

(D: Yep, let’s just roll with Mongmong.)

Perhaps because the conversation moved so quickly, the little girl just blinks, seeming confused. But after a moment, she summarized it in one sentence.

"At my howse, we played and ran awound sooo much, then we pawted."

If they were playing at his house, I guess it really is as spacious as I thought. After checking the time once more, I crouched down in front of the little girl and spoke.

"Hana. I'm sorry, but this morning I can't play with you."

"Eh."

"I enjoy playing with you too, but I'm busy, you see. Busy."

I tried to explain that I had to go down to the basement storage to do some work and would be done around 10. But the little girl’s eyes sparkled at the first part, and she didn’t seem to hear the rest.

“Basement stowage?”

“Yeah, our convenience store’s basement storage. It looks a bit like a dungeon, but it’s not a dungeon.”

"Dungeon? Adventure?"

“It’s not an adventure or anything, just work.”

I explained it plainly, but her eyes starting to sparkle twice as bright is definitely not a good sign. It seemed like she wasn’t hearing anything after that.

"Sounds fun... Mister..."

“No, Hana. It’s not for playing, and it’s dusty down there. What if you catch a cold again?”

"...uuu. I hate cowds... but still..."

But it seemed like she wasn’t ready to give up on the adventure. While I was wondering how to talk her out of it, Manager gently grabbed the little girl's shoulders and said,

“Little girl, Mister and I are going down there to work, okay? Work. You know what work is, right?”

"I know. My mommy, she goes to work by herself..."

"I see. Since it's work, you can't come play."

To the little girl who became dejected at being told no, Manager patted the shoulder they were holding and continued,

“You can’t go down to play, but if you want to come, you’ll have to help us work….”

“Eh….”

"Say, how would you like to eat lots of snacks?"




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