Female-dominated society: A beautiful boy from the countryside near Tokyo

Chapter 65 Kitagawa Mai, Exchange

Tokyo, where neon lights blaze on the streets.

The road was bustling with people and vehicles.

Although it was late at night, Tokyo's nightlife was just beginning.

However, these things have nothing to do with those who work hard to survive in Tokyo.

For example, the employees at convenience stores.

Inside Sato Convenience Store on a bustling street.

A wide variety of goods are on display.

The bright light is gentle and not glaring.

Right now, in front of the food display area.

"Mai, is it time?"

"It should be soon."

The two women were standing not far apart.

She was a pretty girl, around twenty years old.

The other one had a refined and attractive appearance and was probably only in her early twenties.

Kitagawa Mai, in her early twenties, was wearing a convenience store uniform.

A fair and attractive oval face makes people feel approachable.

She stared intently at the food on the freezer in front of her.

In front of the freezer, Mai Kitagawa's colleagues were changing the price tags on the food items.

Convenience stores in Tokyo often have discounted groceries in the evenings.

The main purpose is to reduce the waste of unsold fresh food each day.

The closer it gets to the convenience store's closing time, the bigger the discount.

Of course, the convenience store where Kitagawa Mai worked was open 24 hours a day.

But there will still be food discounts in the evening.

Kitagawa Mai and the others finish get off work before 10 p.m.

They are not allowed to buy discounted ingredients during their work hours.

But it's possible after get off work.

However, Kitagawa Mai is not the only one eyeing these discounted ingredients at convenience stores.

There are also those customers who are thrifty and good at managing their households, or those who like to take advantage of deals.

Standing in front of the frozen food display case, I watched as batches of customers picked up discounted food items.

Kitagawa Mai watched this scene silently, wondering why it wasn't ten o'clock yet.

If we keep waiting like this, all those discounted ingredients will be gone.

Kitagawa Mai glanced again at the clock hanging on the wall next to her.

Just then, she seemed to hear her cell phone, which was in her pocket, ring with a message notification.

But then, a voice came right away.

"It's ten o'clock, Mai!"

The woman next to Kitagawa Mai suddenly spoke excitedly.

Kitagawa Mai glanced at the clock on the wall out of the corner of her eye; it was exactly ten o'clock.

Finally off work! Time to compete with customers for those discounted ingredients.

Kitagawa Mai moved swiftly and efficiently to the freezer.

She reached out with clear purpose and skill to the ingredients she wanted.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're a shop assistant, why are you fighting with us?"

"Sorry, customer, I'm off work now."

Kitagawa Mai maintained her smile as she explained, picking up a box of ingredients.

Just then, a young boy appeared in Kitagawa Mai's eyes.

He was holding several boxes of discounted ingredients.

Sato Shunya looked at Kitagawa Mai and shyly handed her the ingredients he was holding.

"Miss Kitagawa, these are all for you."

"Mai, I didn't expect this."

The woman who had been waiting with Kitagawa Mai earlier smiled knowingly upon seeing this.

"I've already selected the ingredients for the freezer. I'll go take a look over there first."

"Hey hey hey."

Kitagawa Mai glanced at the woman's back, then at the discounted ingredients in the boy's hands.

Several of the boxes were what she wanted, but they were all gone from the freezer.

"Thank you, Junya-kun."

Kitagawa Mai did not refuse.

These ingredients are all essential for sukiyaki.

"I'm glad Miss Kitagawa likes it."

Sato Shunya saw the smile on Kitagawa Mai's face.

She immediately turned away shyly and left.

"Mai, you're amazing!"

"They've actually managed to get their hands on Toshiya-kun. He's the son of Manager Sato."

The woman from before, who was also Mai Kitagawa's colleague, has returned at some point.

She stood next to Kitagawa Mai with her arms crossed, and said enviously.

"What? I have nothing to do with him."

Kitagawa Mai shook her head, looking at the boxes of ingredients in her hand.

Today's sukiyaki ingredients are all ready.

"Hey, hey, Mai, that's not right of you."

"Didn't you see the look in Junya's eyes just now? He was practically glued to you."

The woman next to Kitagawa Mai chuckled happily.

"If it were me, I would have been living off a woman like that long ago."

Just then, a woman in her early forties with an ordinary appearance walked over.

"Hello, Manager Sato."

Upon seeing the newcomers, Kitagawa Mai and the woman beside her bowed simultaneously.

Sato Naya nodded and took two envelopes out of her pocket, handing them to the two of them.

"Here is your salary from last month. Take a look."

"Thank you, store manager."

Kitagawa Mai and the woman beside her took the envelope.

Sato Naya glanced again at the woman next to Kitagawa Mai.

The woman immediately understood what the shop manager, Sato Naya, meant and left.

After the woman left, Sato Naya looked at Kitagawa Mai in front of her.

Kitagawa Mai, whose face had been slapped in the face, nodded slightly.

Sato Naya suddenly said, "Mai, I heard you're a student at the University of Tokyo?"

Kitagawa Mai, who had just collected her wages, was taken aback and subconsciously nodded in acknowledgment:

"Yes, store manager, what's wrong?"

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Sato Naya's eyes.

She did not answer Kitagawa Mai's question.

Instead, she smiled and asked, "Mai, how many people are in your family?"

Upon hearing this, Kitagawa Mai frowned slightly.

Sato Naya's rude behavior made her feel somewhat confused and wary.

Kitagawa Mai glanced at Sato Naya in front of her.

He glanced again at the pay envelope in his pocket.

She thought for a moment, then answered:

My mother has passed away.

"My father is taking care of my younger sister in the countryside."

When Sato Naya heard this, she frowned almost imperceptibly.

However, he quickly regained his composure and continued with a smile:

"Take care of your sister? What illness does your sister have?"

Kitagawa Mai frowned even more as she looked at Sato Naya.

"Manager, this is a private family matter."

Seeing Kitagawa Mai's expression, Sato Naya's face stiffened slightly.

Then, as if remembering something, she smiled gently:

"Mai, please don't think I'm being too offensive."

"It's just that we recently received a notice from above to collect and update employee information."

"If there is a seriously ill family member, it must be reported, and relevant subsidies can be applied for."

"I'm sorry, store manager, I don't know about this." Hearing Sato Naya's words, Kitagawa Mai slightly lowered her guard.

Sato Nami smiled and waved her hand, saying:

"It's nothing, I understand."

"Can you tell me about your sister's situation now?"

Kitagawa Mai nodded slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

. . . . . .

(This is my first time writing about Tokyo, so I'm a bit inexperienced.)

(I'll see if I can make up for it tomorrow; I owe four chapters.)