I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 349

Chapter 349: Family (19)

Just moments ago…

I had been grappling with conflicting desires – wanting the peaceful days of winter break to stretch on, yet also yearning for this aching loneliness to pass quickly.

But now, I didn’t need to worry about such conflicting emotions.

I didn't need to dwell on the passage of time, or the lingering sense of longing.

“I heard you’re hiring.”

Those words had erased all my discontent.

‘Did he just… say he’s looking for a job? Right?'

The moment I heard those words, I understood why he was here.

He wasn’t the type to come to a place like this, but he was here to apply for a job.

A surge of anticipation filled my chest.

So, he was going to work here?

I had thought I wouldn’t see him during winter break, but now I could see him here?

Could we work together, see each other every day, and become closer?

My lips twitched involuntarily.

A smile threatened to spread across my face.

I hoped so.

Working together, eating together, commuting together.

And maybe… we could become even closer?

Happy fantasies unfolded in my mind.

“Ah, you saw the hiring notice?”

“Actually, it was the flyer.”

“Flyer?”

“It was posted on a telephone pole. Isn’t that it?”

“Ah, the flyer, not the notice? Hmm.”

The manager tilted his head, then recalled the flyer after he described it.

“Business has slowed down, but it would be great to have another set of hands. So, did you bring your application?”

“Here.”

“Well-prepared, I see. Let’s take a look… hmm. Hmm.”

The manager carefully read through his resume.

But after reading it and glancing at him a few times, he looked troubled.

‘Is he… going to reject him?'

He seemed to sense the manager’s hesitation and spoke up.

“Could you explain?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you going to reject me?”

Caught off guard, the manager reluctantly revealed his thoughts.

“There are a few concerns. I don’t think we can hire you.”

“Has the pay been lowered due to the slow business? I can handle the original workload.”

“No, that’s not a problem. Like I said, I’m happy to have you work more.”

The manager dismissed his assumption about the reduced pay.

“It’s just… there are a few issues. Our work is quite demanding compared to other places. Of course, that’s why the pay is higher, and I intend to pay you accordingly… but the problem is that most people can’t handle it.”

The manager clicked his tongue.

“Even with the higher pay, they don’t last long. The work is just too demanding. But… what if I hire someone as frail as you and something happens?”

The store's reputation would plummet.

He could be accused of overworking a minor and forced to close down.

In short, it was a matter of his physique.

He was tall and slender, but the manager didn't think he could handle the physical demands of the job.

“And besides your physique, the fact that you don’t attend a local high school is also a concern.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“Well… there have been a lot of incidents lately, so I can’t just hire any high school student. Runaway teens stealing money, causing trouble, claiming to be part of some gang… There was even a time when some delinquents messed things up and just left after taking a day's pay.”

The manager sighed, recalling past incidents.

“It turned out they were all from out of town. They caused problems for my regular staff, too… it’s a hassle. It’s exhausting trying to track them down. I can’t afford to have any more disruptions to my business, so I need to be careful about who I hire, especially if they’re students from out of town.”

The second reason was that he wasn't a local.

While minor troubles were inevitable with student workers, those from out of town posed a greater risk.

Local students were easier to manage, but if someone from a distant area caused problems and disappeared, it would be difficult to track them down. That's why he preferred local high school students.

“Also, I’ll be moving this store to a different location soon. I don’t want any trouble during the transition, so I’m trying to keep things as stable as possible.”

The manager listed a few more reasons, explaining the store's situation.

He apologized, but he couldn't hire her.

He wasn't suitable for the job.

That's what he told him.

‘…No.’

My happy fantasies shattered.

If this continued, he might give up on the job.

Then, I wouldn’t be able to see him during winter break.

No. That absolutely couldn't happen.

I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Wait a minute, Manager!”

“Huh?”

“I… I need to talk to you. In private.”

“Uh… sure.”

We moved to a spot where she couldn’t hear us.

I spoke my mind.

“He’s a good kid, Manager. You can trust him. He’s not like those other kids. I can guarantee it.”

“How can you guarantee that…?”

“Because we go to the same high school! In fact, we’re in the same class!”

I had been working here for a while.

I was practically a veteran among the current staff.

So, it wouldn't hurt to put in a good word for her, right?

“Same high school, same class… hmm.”

Good. The manager stroked his chin.

“You said the problem was with students from out of town causing trouble. But I’ve seen him, and I know he’s not like that. He’s even one of the top students in our school!”

“…Sounds like he’s quite diligent.”

“Absolutely! We even worked on a group project together, and he was great.”

“If you say so, then I guess he wouldn’t cause any trouble like those other kids…”

The manager turned and looked him up and down.

Then, his gaze returned to me.

His expression hadn’t changed.

But his physique… wasn’t he too frail for this kind of work?

And what if he lacked the stamina, just like those other kids who quit?

That would just make things harder for us.

I knew that, didn’t I?

That’s what his eyes seemed to say.

Of course I did. I had nearly worked myself to death covering for those who quit. I could address that concern as well.

“He might look frail, but she’s not weak. He practices kendo.”

“Kendo?”

“Yes. He was in the kendo club and was quite famous. He never lost a match during the regional tournament. He even beat up some bullies who were bothering him. Isn’t that enough proof of his character?”

“Hmm…”

After my hurried explanation, the manager’s expression softened.

His diligence had been established.

A student from the same high school, vouched for by a long-time employee…

And his physique wasn't as big of a concern as he had initially thought.

Maybe…

That’s what his eyes seemed to say.

“…Come in. We’ll have you do a trial run.”

After a moment of contemplation, the manager agreed to let him try out.

Yes!

It wasn’t a formal interview, but it was as good as an acceptance. It was just a matter of having him perform a few tasks.

He was a quick learner, so he would be fine.

He would pick things up quickly.

He might even surprise him with his efficiency.

He was practically hired.

The tension drained away.

A wave of relief and joy washed over me.

I felt like jumping up and down.

But it was my heart that was doing the jumping.

‘What do I do? My… my heart is racing…'

I was going to work with him?

I could see him every day, even during winter break?

No, even after winter break, even after school ended, I could still see him?

My excitement wouldn't fade.

It felt like just yesterday that he had shared his umbrella with me.

It felt like just yesterday that I had watched him from afar, working at the convenience store, filled with longing.

It felt like just a minute ago that my heart had ached with loneliness.

Now, winter didn’t feel so cold anymore.

I even started to like the falling snow.

“Could you ring this up, please?”

“Yes!”

My voice was overflowing with joy.

***

-Ding!

▶ Hidden Memorial has ended. ◀

The person’s appearance was obscured, their identity hidden.

Their voice was distorted, unrecognizable.

I couldn’t even remember what had happened, what memory this was.

With my senses blocked, the information I could glean was extremely limited.

So, I had thought it was just a meaningless fragment of my memory.

But this time, I couldn’t ignore it.

Memorials usually contained memories.

Memories of the past, replayed for me.

But this time?

…This wasn't my perspective.

That part-time job had been a high-paying one I had found after quitting the convenience store.

I needed money, to repay my debts to my family, so I had applied after seeing the flyer.

But due to various factors, I had to give up on the job.

The manager's concerns, the store's situation, and his wariness of high school students due to past incidents… I had to look for another job.

And yet, I had gotten the job. The manager’s attitude had changed completely.

I didn’t know why I had been given the job, despite his initial reluctance. But… the scene I had just witnessed provided the answer.

This was the moment I had spoken to the manager.

Someone had convinced him to hire me.

It was the perspective of the person who had called the manager aside during our conversation.

“There’s only one person who could have done that.”

Jieun.

My only friend.

It didn't make sense unless it was her perspective.

“But… why? Why am I seeing Jieun’s perspective?”

The status window answered with a notification sound.

-Ding!

▶ The time stop effect of the Memorial will end shortly. ◀

▶ Find the remaining Memorials within the tomb of Rossel Bagrand. ◀

[Hidden Memorials found: 2/4]

There were more.

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