Chapter 12: Becoming the Heroine You Created

In the morning, Natsume Mio went out.

She arrived at the hair salon she frequented, and her usual stylist happened to have no appointments.

“Hello, long time no see, Mio,” Yano Masaki waved at Natsume Mio and walked over with a smile.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything with my hair. I want to try a new style today,” Natsume Mio said.

“Come on, have a seat,” Yano Masaki said, leading Natsume Mio to a styling chair in the back.

She carefully examined Natsume Mio’s hair and asked, “What kind of hairstyle are you thinking of, Mio?”

Natsume Mio took out her phone and opened two manga screenshots.

“Is a style like this possible? I want to try a braided ponytail,” Natsume Mio said.

Yano Masaki looked closely at the woman in the manga screenshot, pinching her chin in thought. “Hmm… is it a manga character? I feel like this hairstyle would really suit you, Mio.”

“Really?” Natsume Mio’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes shining.

Yano Masaki had actually just given a compliment out of professional habit, not expecting Natsume Mio to be so happy.

“Of course. I can style it for you first to see the effect, and if you like it, we can trim it,” Yano Masaki said.

“That would be great, thank you~” Natsume Mio sat down properly, looking at herself in the mirror as Yano Masaki began to style her hair according to the image in the manga.

Because it hadn’t been trimmed yet, the bangs and the two long sideburns couldn’t be perfectly replicated, but with the braided ponytail, the overall look was already eighty percent similar.

Natsume Mio stood up, moved closer to the mirror, and examined her hairstyle from different angles, growing more and more satisfied the more she looked.

“It’s so good. Please go ahead and trim it for me. It would be best if it’s exactly like the picture,” Natsume Mio said.

…

“Hm, hm-hm-hm~ hm-hm~”

Natsume Mio hummed a light tune, walking down the street with her shoulder bag.

Every time she passed a shop with a glass curtain wall, she would turn her head to look at her reflection.

After Yano Masaki’s trimming, her hairstyle was now exactly the same as the female lead drawn by Ken.

I feel like I’ve become Ken’s heroine~

However, the personality of the female lead in the manga seems a bit assertive. Does Ken like that type?

I really want to see Ken and let him see my new hairstyle.

Speaking of which, how can I let him see it in a way that’s deliberate but not too deliberate?

Natsume Mio pondered as she walked.

Getting on the train, she realized the train home was on the same line as the one to Ken’s house. Without realizing it, she had ridden past the station near her own home.

Listening to the sound of the train running and looking at the scenery outside the window, Natsume Mio’s thoughts gradually drifted.

So familiar. Everything before my eyes is so familiar.

It’s as if I’ve taken this train countless times.

She got off at Takenotsuka Station, then transferred to a bus, getting off at the Danchi Iriguchi stop.

Watching the bus drive away, Natsume Mio walked slowly along the quiet residential path and arrived in front of a FamilyMart convenience store.

“Ken and I worked here for a while. The manager was an old lady, but I don’t remember her specific face or name.”

Natsume Mio recalled the experience from her dream.

In the memory of the entire dream, only her own face and Ken’s were clear.

Of all the experiences, only the things that happened when she was with Ken left a deep impression.

Everything else was just a vague impression.

Ken said he’s always worked at a convenience store. Could it be this one?

It looked like the store was still short-staffed; there was a “Help Wanted” sign posted on the glass door.

Natsume Mio stepped into the store.

She was certain she had never stepped into this convenience store before, but the layout of the store was so familiar.

Walking over to the beverage section, she happened to see the manager walking towards her.

“Welcome,” the old lady said with a slight smile to Natsume Mio.

Natsume Mio bowed slightly in return and stepped aside to let the old lady, who was carrying a crate to organize the goods, pass by.

After walking a lap around the store, she had found a solution to the problem she had been thinking about.

And so, Natsume Mio found a blank resume form on the shelf.

She had worked part-time before and was very familiar with these things.

A set of blank resumes contained four sheets, cost 110 yen, and came with a few envelopes and double-sided tape for attaching photos.

She filled in her name, address, education, work history, as well as a self-introduction, reason for applying, and other information.

Next, Natsume Mio used the store’s printer to print a passport-sized photo, which she had saved on her phone.

Natsume Mio filled out the form right there at a table in the store. Once it was ready, she put the resume into an envelope, then walked around the store again and found the manager.

“Manager-san!” Natsume Mio walked over briskly. “Excuse me, Manager-san. I saw that the store is hiring part-timers and I’d like to apply. This is my resume. May I speak with you?”

The elderly manager always wore a warm smile. She looked Natsume Mio over, took the resume, nodded, and said, “Alright, alright. How about we talk inside?”

Natsume Mio quickly followed her into the office at the back of the convenience store.

Natsume Mio was already very familiar with convenience store part-time interviews. She had relevant work experience, and the work at a convenience store itself wasn’t complicated, so she easily passed the interview.

However, the old lady raised a question.

“I see that your home address is quite far from our store. Why are you considering working part-time here?”

Natsume Mio had already thought of an answer. “It’s mainly because I don’t want to be seen by acquaintances. My previous part-time jobs were also not near my home. I just happened to be passing by today and saw that you, Manager-san, are very gentle. I thought you must be easy to get along with, so I decided to give it a try.”

The old lady chuckled at these words, looking quite pleased.

“Alright, alright. Then welcome to our store, Mio-chan. And… we need to confirm your part-time hours. You still have school, right? Will you just be coming in on weekends?” the manager said.

Natsume Mio nodded and said, “Just arrange the part-time job for the weekends. I’m flexible with the time, whatever the manager arranges is fine.”

The manager looked at the schedule and said, “Then I’ll put you on the afternoon shift, from 2 PM to 8 PM. That way you won’t get home too late. During this time slot, there are more customers with service-related needs, like paying utility bills, printing documents, and things like that. Are you familiar with those operations?”

“Yes, yes, I’ve done those at Lawson. No problem!”

“Good. Then for the salary, it’s 1,200 yen per hour, plus a 500 yen daily transportation allowance. We can provide a bento from the store for dinner.”

“I’m very satisfied with the terms! Thank you, Manager-san~” Natsume Mio bowed slightly to the elderly manager.

“Then, I’ll see you on Saturday afternoon, Mio-chan,” the manager nodded and said.

Actually, the terms didn’t matter.

She remembered Ken’s living habits from that dream.

The apartment he rented didn’t have a kitchen. At most, he could make instant noodles, so he bought all three of his meals at this convenience store.

During the 2 PM to 8 PM time slot, she would definitely be able to see him.

(End of Chapter)