Chapter 1

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The soft click of the front door closing without the yelling of his mother was one of the sweetest sounds to Donghyuck's ears. But he could still hear the TV blasting from inside.

Surely the neighbors won't mind that....again

He thought, snickering under his breath as he started walking farther away from his home.
6:53 p.m. good, so he wasn't late.
Just recently, he applied for a job at a local convenience store. This would technically be considered his first time working, unless you count doing a few weekly favors with (occasional) payment.

He needed to start saving as much money as he could to get out of the household he was currently living in, until he goes to college. Hell, he probably won't even get to attend a university. The most he'll probably get in this life of his is a plushie pet, but that was fine with him... or at least that's what he told himself. Everything from here on out will be to eat, go to school, work, and sleep, no need for anything else.

Donghyuck was so deep in his thoughts he hadn't realized he had finally arrived at the small store. The welcoming jiggle of the bells instantly made the Manager glance up from her phone.

"Welcom- Oh hey it's you Donghyuck, glad you could make it today." She flashed a small smile, he greeted her back with a bow. "Good afternoon Ms. Mina."

"Call me Mina, no need to be so formal with me." She stretched out her arms and legs, it seemed like she'd been here for a while now due to her slouched position and droopy eyes. "There's some spare aprons in the back on the tables, grab the one with your nametag on it and put it on please." Hyuck nodded, pacing to where he remembered where the back of the store was, although it could also be called the break room since there was a vending machine, a mini fridge, and a few small tables.

Just as his manager had said, there were two aprons on the table with a third one hanging close to the door. He placed on his apron, viewing the other apron.

"Mark" A foreigner's name huh?

For as long as he had lived in this neighborhood, he had never seen any foreigners. But how the heck could he just be now going to see one? Shrugging it off, he tied a tight knot to the loose straps, making his way back to the front where Mina is.

Mina began, "I won't be here for that long, when you two come in it's usually me and another girl's time to leave."

"Wait 'you two' there's going to be some one else?" Donghyuck started to play with the hem of his shirt. He was working late hours, so he had assumed it would just be him working. "Oh, did you not know? You'll be having someone else with you here." She informed him, grabbing a large but thin book from underneath the counter.

"He should arrive here soon, but in the mean time let me teach you how to use this-" she patted the register.

It had been a little over half an hour now, and the other guy hadn't shown up yet. Mina had already taught me the most there is to know here, which is not much. "God, what could be taking him so long. I'm gonna have to call him a fourth time-" just then the door opened making the bells ring. A young boy appeared, he seemed close to Donghyuck's age if not, then one or two years older, his skin was a light cream color and he had bright and slightly curly blonde hair parted through the middle.

He's cute..

"I'm so sorry I came late, I was out with my girlfriend and I lost track of time!!" He bowed countless of times to the older girl.

And there goes his first impression.

Mina sighed softly, "No no it's fine Mark, just try not to do it again." She tapped the counter a few times, "I have to go now, Donghyuck could you please show Mark what I taught you? I really have to go now, sorry. I'll stay with you guys tomorrow!" She said in a rush.

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