Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (スーパーの裏でヤニ吸うふたり)

Hm?

Yo, Sasaki.

Oh, hi. Uh, what's up?

There you are.

I was looking everywhere for you.

What you hiding from up here?

Yeah, sorry about that.

Is something wrong?

The boss wants a meeting after this.

- -Goddamn.

Yet another meeting that drags on forever

with nothing getting decided on or dealt with.

Relax.

Ah, man.

I just really want to go home.

Me too.

Thanks. See you next time.

Good evening, sir.

Do you have your points card?

Uh, yeah. I... I think so.

Thanks very much.

And your card back, sir.

Will you be needing a bag today?

Uh, sure. That'd be great.

Sounds good. Your total comes to 883 yen.

Here.

Thanks. Your receipt and change, sir.

Thank you.

I'll see you next time.

Ms. Yamada at the second checkout.

My go - to method for relaxation after work.

Ah, but you know,

this isn't exactly great for the bank account.

I just keep going even when I don't need anything.

Maybe I should give Ms. Yamada a small gift.

Something to show I really care.

Wow, you are the best.

Ah, get it together, Sasaki.

You don't need to be a weird old man about it.

Sasaki, what on earth is wrong with you?

Are you mistaking sales calls

for going out for a walk or something?

Give me a break. This is a big problem

that you didn't bother to report.

My apologies, sir.

You should know reporting is literally

the most basic of basics.

People are gonna start questioning

-my management skills... -Hey, boss.

Sorry to interrupt you, but...

Mr. Eda of Shikaku Company is asking about the quote

he's been expecting.

Uh, tell him he'll have it sometime tomorrow.

Hm. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Yes, you'll have that quote tomorrow.

We promise! You won't regret this, sir.

-Thank you for your time... -Staff meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Huh?

Why is my boss so idiotic?

The longest meeting in history,

no outcome, no decision, nothing.

I could just kill... Uh...

No, no, I... I wouldn't do that.

I'm just...

I'm tired.

I know, I could stop by the supermarket.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Here's your change, and your receipt.

See you next time.

Thank you.

Well, now I know Ms. Yamada doesn't work late, I guess.

God, what a day it's been.

Nicotine straight to my brain will help.

Ugh, can you believe that?

-So gross. Let's go. - Hm?

- Yeah. - Hm.

What? There's not even a smoking area?

You're kidding me.

Do us smokers not even have basic rights anymore?

- Hey, you. - Hm? Hm?

Yeah, you.

Mm... Mm?

You can light up back here if you want.

A fellow pariah.

Oh, wait.

Isn't this the back of the supermarket?

Is this a "staff only" smoking area?

Come on, nobody really knows who's on staff and who isn't.

Right. I'll just have a quick puff then.

Yeah, join the party, man.

Hm?

Hard to tell what kind of girl she is.

But she definitely has a look.

She does not seem like

the type that would work at a supermarket.

So, uh, how's work going?

Have you got a, uh, favorite section

you like to work?

You gonna give me a light or what?

That's the whole reason I invited you in here.

Then say that.

I'm just teasing you. Relax.

Yeah, well, don't. It's mean.

Hey, wait.

Don't I know you from the number two checkout?

That doesn't seem likely.

I'm pretty sure you're the guy

who lines up at number two every day.

What else does she know?

You've got a thing for Ms. Yamada, huh?

Oh, everything.

She knows... everything.

I mean, I get it.

She's cute, nice rack.

She's a catch,

and I'm sure you'd be happy to find out

that she doesn't have a boyfriend, as far as I know.

Hold on a sec.

Yes, it is true that I'm a pathetic man

who deliberately lines up at her register every night,

but it's only because seeing her makes me feel happy.

And some days, that's all I got.

Hm...

Uh?

Uh, sorry.

Lost my cool.

-Huh, good. -Huh?

I thought for a second

she was gonna have to deal with yet another creep.

There's so many guys out there

that expect more than just "customer service."

But hey, maybe you're a little different.

Stay classy, Mr. Sasaki.

You got that?

I thought she was some punk

who gets a kick out of teasing older men, but...

turns out she just cares about her colleagues.

Sir?

I'm sorry, your payment?

Right. Yes, of course.

Um, Sasaki?

Wait, you know me?

Yeah. Your name, it's on your points card.

Oh!

I'll see you next time?

Hm?

Oh, I talked to Tayama.

-That was nice to hear. - Huh?

She told me that you're a big fan of mine.

Oh, you're dropping things.

Right. Thank you.

Hope you have a nice night.

Oh, damn you, Tayama.

Why? Why did you have to expose me?

No problem, my guy.

I'll see you out back sometime...

Mr. Sasaki.

Hold on.

I wonder how Ms. Tayama knew my name.

I'm sure this meeting's gonna go on forever.

I think one of us should fake a mental breakdown

so we can go home early.

Good idea, Suzuki. You do that.

Everyone's so burnt out from all of these meetings.

And I'm no exception.

At least I have this one thing that brings me joy.

Getting to see Ms. Yamada smile at my favorite supermarket.

Thank you so much for shopping with us.

Hey, wait.

Don't I know you from the number two checkout?