A Story About Smoking at the Back of the Supermarket

Sasaki, a weary office worker drowning in daily stress, finds solace in one small joy—his brief encounters with Yamada, the ever-smiling cashier at his go-to convenience store. After an unusually long and draining meeting at work, he rushes to the store, only to find Yamada has already left for the day. Disappointed, he steps outside, but something catches his eye. Behind the building, a young woman with multiple piercings leans against the wall, exhaling a slow stream of smoke into the evening air. The sight is unexpected, stirring his curiosity. Who is she? Why is she here? The cigarette glows faintly in the dim light as Sasaki hesitates, torn between walking away and approaching her. The moment lingers, heavy with unspoken questions. His routine has been disrupted, and now he stands at the edge of an unfamiliar scene. The woman flicks ash casually, unaware of his gaze. Something about her presence feels significant, though he can’t quite explain why. The usual comfort of his daily ritual is gone, replaced by an odd sense of possibility.