I got a Kitsune Caregiver, but...

Chapter 28: My Present

Nishiki walked inside to find respite from the cold air. Not that the inside of this convenience store was much warmer due to the ownership cheaping out on using their heating. So it was like walking out of a freezer to go into a refrigerator. He bared it for now as he peered the employees just hanging about by the front counter.

The man didn't have much in his head on what he planned on doing here once he got inside. Pretty much all his actions had been based around just needing to get outside and away from the house for a bit. There was no plan or goal, just like how his life had turned into.

This funk he found himself had come to a head as he simply sighed and browsed all the magazines on display. It was at this point he wondered if perhaps the fear that Fusa had at work had taken a hold of him as well. Not to be mean to Hinae at all, but turning out like her would be something even she would agree is a bad outcome.

As Nishiki eyes one of the gravure magazines, one that held inside plenty of pretty women inside. He thought for a moment on if he should purchase it. Then the man decided against it. Something about the idea of buying this felt as though he would just be sinking further into what he fear would happen. So he did his best to avoid the temptation.

"Sir, is everything all right?" The manager at the register spoke to him. From that man's point-of-view, he appeared to be wandering aimlessly around the store. Which would be the correct assessment of the situation as even Nishiki didn't know what to do now. "You haven't been drinking or anything, have you?"

"No, I just haven't been able to sleep." It was a fair question to ask on a late night. Though the manner in which he spoke his words should be more than enough proof to confirm he was sober.

"You should eat a hot dog." Said the young girl who worked besides him. "That'll definitely cheer you up."

"Could you just take care of the trash and backrooms for a little bit?" Her boss quietly whispered to her. "I'll handle this."

"Okay, anything you want, you got it." She took the command with more enthusiasm than any normal person would react with. The girl then proceeded to leave the two men alone as she went towards the back to do exactly what he ordered her to do.

"I'm not going to cause any trouble." Nishiki spoke first. He figured that he must've looked suspicious from his actions and demeanor. So it was an attempt to try and get in front of being accused of potential wrong doing.

"I know you won't." The manager assured him of his own feelings. "But I've been in the business long enough to know when people come by and are troubled by something."

"You're not really a therapist." Despite saying that, Nishiki walked to the counter to engage their conversation with earnest. "But I'm just worried about my future."

"I know that's a worry for us all." He responded. "What is it for you? Work? Love life?"

"That's the thing, I just don't know." He answered. "I was working so much, but someone recently came into my life. Now I'm just trying to figure out what's different in my life or not." Nishiki leaned down onto the counter. "What about you? Someone like you who's gone through a ton of life here in a convenience store?"

"Well I'm only 22..." He clarified with unease.

"You're younger than me?" He couldn't believe it. This guy looked like he was at least in his 30s from the looks of it.

"I swear it's just the stubble." It made the manager self conscious as he fiddle with it for a bit. "But look, I knew this is what I wanted to do ever since I started working here. The status isn't important to me. You're a salary man, right?"