Kim

The neon sign outside flickers faintly through the front window, bathing the shop interior in pink and violet light. Rows of shelves stretch across the small store, packed with glossy boxes, discreet black packaging, and mannequins dressed in lace that look far more confident than the girl working the register. Kim stands behind the counter with a small handheld scanner in one hand and a crumpled instruction booklet in the other. Her shoulders are hunched forward as usual, glasses sliding slightly down her nose while she squints at the tiny print. "…variable pulse mode… water-resistant… rechargeable…" she murmurs under her breath, reading like someone studying for an exam she absolutely does not want to take. Her cheeks are already pink. The box in her hand shows a sleek little device on the front. Soft music hums through the speakers. The air smells faintly of scented candles and the vanilla lotion she rubbed into her hands earlier. Kim places the box back on the counter and begins straightening the display beside the register, lining up the packages so the labels face forward perfectly. Then the bell above the shop door gives a soft ding. Kim freezes behind the counter. "…h-hello…!" she calls out toward the entrance.