At the supermarket unloading yard, a burly middle-aged man with broad shoulders and a stocky build was wearing a tailored black suit.
His hair was combed immaculately. At this moment he was staring at the endless stream of people on the road, puffing away in irritation.
"Dad, didn't you promise me you'd quit smoking!" The assistant manager, Kiyomi, yanked the cigarette from the man's mouth, stomping her foot in anger.
"If the new employees saw you like this, it would be way too embarrassing!"
Today Kiyomi had deliberately put on light makeup, and even wore a floral dress she hadn't touched in ages. She'd planned to play the lady for once, but of course it all got ruined in front of her own father.
"Hmph. That kid didn't even bother to show up early on his first day to get familiar with the work. Just for that alone, he already fails!" Store manager Hans wore such a fierce expression he looked scarier than a gangster boss.
Hans, with blond hair and blue eyes, had the standard features of a Western white man. He used to be a retired "soldier king" from some Western country, and only after meeting his current wife had he forcibly restrained his bloody, murderous nature.
His daughter had inherited the excellent genes from both East and West, and was dazzlingly beautiful.
Maeda had always treated her with extreme care, yet after being away on business for just two or three days, his precious daughter's heart had been stolen by some wild brat.
"Dad, his name is Emiya!"
Hands on her hips, Kiyomi furrowed her delicate brows. Though her expression was full of anger, matched with her fine and pretty face it only made her look all the more adorable.
"Emiya's new here, he doesn't know anyone. And I heard he's looking for several jobs. Forgetting on the first day is normal, isn't it?"
"I don't care. If that kid not only fails to show up early on his first day but also comes late, I'll fire him on the spot!" Hans clenched both fists, teeth grinding.
"Dad, you're being too overbearing! I'm the one who hired him. This doesn't fall under your say!"
"Hmph. I'm not just the store manager, I'm also the head of this family. Of course this matter should be decided by me!"
Hans deliberately kept his face stern, pulling his beloved daughter close and speaking with grave earnestness, "You've only just left school, your mind isn't mature yet. When you look for a boyfriend, you must be careful, otherwise you'll ruin your whole life!"
"Dad, what are you even saying? Nothing's happened yet!" Kiyomi's face instantly flushed bright red.
Seeing his precious daughter acting like such a shy little girl only made Hans angrier. Just as he was about to continue nagging, Emiya finally arrived, right on the dot of work start time.
Emiya's mood was already at rock bottom thanks to his first job that day. Sensing a fierce killing intent shooting out from the corner ahead, his body reacted on instinct, clenching his fist, stepping forward, and throwing a punch.
BOOM!
Luckily, at the very last moment Emiya managed to adjust, forcibly twisting the trajectory of his fist. It grazed Hans's temple and smashed straight into the solid wall, sending debris flying everywhere. Hans's head and face were instantly covered in dust.
"You..." Hans snapped out of it, ready to explode, but then realized Emiya stood like an unshakable wall in front of Kiyomi. Not a speck of dust or rubble had touched her.
The fierce look on Hans's face immediately softened. He put on the friendly expression of a father-in-law and said, "Good lad. Judging from your skills, are you also a retired soldier from some country?"
"Sorry, but who are you?" Emiya still held Kiyomi protectively behind him.
He had definitely sensed real killing intent before, this foreigner was definitely suspicious.
"Emiya, let me introduce you!" Kiyomi tiptoed up and lightly patted Emiya's shoulder.
"This is my father, and also our store's manager. He was worried you might not adapt on your first day, so he volunteered to come help."
"Huh?" Emiya's jaw dropped for 0.01 seconds, then he quickly bowed 90 degrees to Hans.
"I'm so sorry! I thought it was a bad guy trying to hurt the assistant manager. I sincerely apologize!"
"Haha, it's fine, it's fine!" Hans casually wiped his face with his sleeve, then clapped Emiya heavily on the shoulder.
"I like that temper of yours. After you're done unloading the goods, let's go for a good drink, how about it?"
"Thank you, then I'll gladly accept!"
By 11:30 that night, the disaster-filled first workday finally ended. Standing on the road, Emiya looked from afar at the bright lights of home, and at last his tired body and soul felt a little relief.
Until now, Emiya had never thought ordinary life could be this exhausting, or that having a home to return to could be this blissful.
In the living room, the TV was playing an overly melodramatic palace drama. Acheron, wearing a purple yukata, was sprawled on the sofa fast asleep, remote in hand.
From Vera's room came the faint hum of a sewing machine, she was still busy.
Emiya turned off the TV and sat on the sofa, resting his chin on one hand as he gazed closely at Acheron. This had recently become one of his favorite things to do.
Acheron, by nature, was a cold and indifferent person. Even though she now showed more expressions on her face and had even picked up the hobby of collecting garbage, her occasional natural expressions still gave off the air of an icy, solitary queen of world-destruction.
Yet in sleep, this same Acheron had a girlish cuteness all her own, her small delicate nose twitching slightly, her rosy lips murmuring unconsciously.
It made one's heart ache with tenderness, sparking the urge to gather her into his arms and protect her.
Sitting so close, Emiya could even smell a faint, unique fragrance from her body. He couldn't quite describe it, but every time he caught a whiff, his heart would itch, making him want to lean just a little closer.
"Haah..." Stretching with bleary eyes, Emiya suddenly noticed the clock on the wall, it was already past 1 a.m.
He gently pinched Acheron's nose, confirming she was fully asleep. Then he abandoned the thought of waking her, and carefully scooped her up in his arms.
"Mm! Mm!" Whether from a nightmare or something else, Acheron suddenly stirred in his arms.
Instinctively, Emiya looked down to check on her, and was instantly dumbstruck.
Her loose yukata sash had slipped to the floor. Her rosy white shoulders and alluring collarbones were fully exposed.
Worse still, just a little lower, the soft, round, snow-white curves of her chest were faintly visible beneath the fabric.
Emiya drew in a sharp breath, forcing back the hot rush surging into his nose. Then, releasing a burst of magic, he snatched up the fallen sash and dashed into her room with her in his arms.
Cursing the idiot who invented yukatas in his heart, Emiya laid Acheron on the bed. In a fluster of fumbling hands, he finally managed to tie her sash back on and straighten her clothes.
"Phew! This kind of thing really shaves years off my life!" Collapsing to the floor, Emiya shook his head helplessly.
This woman seemed completely unaware of just how much charm she radiated. Always like this, unconsciously plucking at his heartstrings, it was really too easy for something to happen.
Smack!
Just as Emiya was about to get up and leave, a smooth, fair little foot slapped against his face. At some point, Acheron had rolled over, nearly tumbling halfway out of bed.
"You... if you keep this up, I really will eat you alive!"
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