Fiction REINCARNATION, Vol. 1

Return to Daily Routine

<8> Return to Daily Routine

I saw Eugene off and then headed to the convenience store and Yoon-hee went to work to the publishing company.

"You look down, today. Didn't you sleep well last night? Or did Yoon-hee upset you?"

"Yu-jin's problem was solved and she was sent back home. I don't know why I feel so disappointed."

"What a pity! Yu-jin could have been your girlfriend if she were a little older."

"I am not in the mood for jokes now. She was born to meet Mr. Yoon or Kim, not me. Did anything happen to the store last night?"

"There was no upset customer, but I'm tired because I keep working nights."

"Good job. Take a rest today and come out tomorrow evening. Let's call in one of our juniors for the night shift today."

"I have nothing special to hand over. I wrote down everything about commodity trading on the books. I've increased the order because so many people are looking for lunch box. We also need to prepare ones for vegetarians, too."

"Let's find a supplier of salads and take a closer look at our customer responses before the final decision."

Entering the house in the evening, the small apartment with two rooms looks very spacious. I feel so big about the vacancy of Yu-jin who has lived together for more than two months. Why is my heart so empty even though I can meet her anytime and she promised to come to Seoul as soon as the vacation starts? Is this the heart of a father who marries his daughter?

Above all, it is boring and frustrating to return to the manager of convenience stores. When can I get out of the convenience store? Shall I meet a hypnotist and listen to his story? I run the convenience store on commission, but it doesn't make much difference from part-time job. I'm tired every day because I'm stuck on a job that has no vision. My mother and sister are pressing me to get married every day. But what kind of woman would want to marry someone who doesn't have a steady job?

To get rid of such stress, I leave overseas every year for volunteer work and actively participate in UFO research, but it only gives me a temporary diversion. I must look for an escape somewhere. This year, we decided to visit the village of Laos, which created a coffee farm three years ago, and I hope the coffee beans business works well and I get a steady job.

In the afternoon, my hometown friend, Bae Sang-ho, visited the convenience store. We went to middle school together in our hometown, but separated as we went to high school. He got a job at a trading company but resigned a few years later and started his own business. He first ran a chicken restaurant but recently runs an agricultural distribution business. He is said to have made quite a fortune by supplying fruits and organic vegetables to some of the rich apartment complexes. He visits my hometown every other day and I hear from him about my hometown.

"You're stuck today. In-gyu said you were very busy these days? Any good news?"

"What good news?"

"I heard that you are meeting Yoon-hee so often. Have you decided on your wedding plans?"

"Not at all. Don't you know that we are uselessly busy?"

"Anyway, are there customers looking for fruits or vegetables in this store?"

"Those are what housewives are looking for. Did you see them shopping at the convenience store?"

"Vegetarians might buy them."

"I don't think so. When did you go to our hometown?"

"Yesterday. I went there to bring some lettuce and tomato."