Chapter 1

A slightly bruised face, but still friendly to welcome customers. Well, that's what he saw when he entered the convenience store in the middle of the night while he was looking for a cigarette.

"Welcome to the xxxx convenience store, is there anything I can help you with sir?" A soft yet slightly trembling voice greeted him.

"Sir? Sir? Are you all right?" He waved his hand in front of his face with his feet on tiptoes because his body was much taller than this young man.

He flinched and rubbed his forehead "Ah sorry, well I want one Marlboro cigarette please" He put his hand in his pocket before he walked into another hallway to look for a snack or other food.

The young man smiled gently and nodded his head "Okay sir, sorry if I was a little rude to you earlier" He took the cigarette and put it on the counter.

"It doesn't matter, after all, it was my fault for daydreaming a little." He answered from another display stand and bent down to take some snacks. Then walked to a showcase to pick up a few cans of coffee "Maybe this is enough" He mumbled to himself before he walked over to the counter and put everything there.

"Is this all you're going to buy sir?" The young man asked him, he lowered his eyes slightly to look at the young man.

"That's all. And..." He paused, not wanting to interfere in something that was none of his business.

"Yes?" the young man tilted his head and looked at him.

"It's nothing, how much is my total shopping?" He took out his wallet to take out a card. Canceled his intention to ask why the young man was able to get bruises on his face.

" The total is xxxxx$ sir"

He immediately handed the card to the young man glancing at the name plastered on his chest 'Hm, Nakata Hatsukoi' He muttered to himself. He took the card back and immediately left the convenience store.

"Thank you very much sir!!" Hatsukoi shouted slightly as he watched him leave.

He opened a cigarette, put the cigarette under his lips and lit it. Inhale and exhale smoke while sighing heavily. Staring at the sky for a moment before he returned to continue his journey to his house. Still remembering the young man's bruised face, indeed this is none of his business but for some reason it started to tickle him curiously.

"Did he fight? Sigh, this is the first time I've seen his face like that" He flicked his cigarette, then inhaled again.

Arrived at his house with questions in his head, put the groceries on the counter and put the coffee in the refrigerator. Taking the can of coffee for him to enjoy while reading the script he will be dubbing for the next episode.

"What's wrong with me, why do I keep thinking about him?" Rubbing his forehead trying to regain concentration.

At the convenience store, Hatsukoi went back to work glancing at the clock every now and then when it was 4am which he would be home soon. He slightly rubbed his bruised cheek and grimaced.

"It's okay. I'm used to it..." He smiled slightly before lowering his head.

Nakata Hatsukoi, an 18 year old young man who is very strong in life. Facing various situations but still being able to hide it as if everything is fine.

"Ah.. That man must have been staring at me for a long time because of this.. Ah no way. He's just a regular customer here." He shook his head as he remembered the old man staring at him before.

The part time work is over. He immediately prepared to go home, leaving the convenience store to head home. Yawned a little when he got home, slowly opened the door carefully as if he was afraid of something.

"I'm home..." He peeked before entering the house and closing the door

"Thank God no one" He walked in, staring at the messy house.

Beer cans everywhere and lots of cigarette butts. He quickly cleaned it up before entering his room, plopped down on the bed and squeezed the pillow and muttered in a slightly hoarse voice as he was holding back his emotions

"I'm tired..." He mumbled before he passed out on the bed from exhaustion.