"Oh, hi," Callisto said politely towards the young man. "I was just wondering if you're looking for a part-time worker. I'm looking for a place to work at right now, so..."
The young man's eyes widened for just a second at the silver-haired girl's words. "I see. Your timing is perfect. Please wait a minute."
"Yes."
The young man pushed the door open to a personnel only door not far from the counter, closing it behind him.
Callisto watched intently at the door, awaiting the employee's return. When he emerged from the same way he went in, he was no longer wearing the apron and the mop was no longer in his hands.
"Where's the applicant, Hinata?"
A lady with a short messy hair followed suit, wearing the same uniform as the young man. She appeared to be around the same age as Callisto's parents.
Despite the neat appearance, the lady was giving off a rather tough and cool vibe.
The young man pointed his arms at Callisto. "It's her, Boss."
The boss looked at the silver-haired girl, raising a perplexed eyebrow. "What's with the getup?"
Meanwhile, Callisto was looking at the lady as though she was rather familiar of her.
"I am Callisto Mandjet," she introduced herself. "You're Selly Rosana, right?"
"Callisto Mandjet," Selly frowned, her sharp eyes seemingly inspecting the young lady from head to toe. "Wait, it is you."
A soft smile played on Calli's lips. "Yes. It's been a while, Aunt Selly."
The look of disbelief was clear in Selly's eyes.
Only a few people were aware of Callisto and Leona suffering from the same incurable genetic disorder. Selly Rosana, Callisto's parents' senior in highschool, was one of them.
The last time she saw Callisto was when the girl was on a wheelchair, unable to move her legs and was expected to share the same fate as her late older sister.
Just when Selly was thinking about her juniors' well-being, anticipating the grim news of their youngest daughter passing anytime soon, Callisto showed up before her.
This unexpected development got Selly questioning Calli.
"How?"
Behind the young lady was Hinata, listening intently with the two despite being clueless about their conversation.
"If you allow me, I can explain it in private," Callisto offered.
A couple just entered the convenience store, triggering the entry chime and the automated message just like when Calli and Elesis entered before.
"Hello! Welcome!"
Selly nodded at Calli. "That's a good idea. Follow me. Hinata, the counter is yours."
"Yes."
The young man stepped aside, giving way for Callisto to follow Selly into the door.
Calli gave Hinata an appreciative glance as she went past him. Hinata smiled back before getting into the counter.
Following Selly into the personnel only door, the young lady found herself in a storage room, her gaze was met with a mountain of boxes of products waiting to be taken out and shelved for customers to purchase.
"In here, Callisto," Selly commanded, drawing the girl's attention towards her as she entered another room.
Callisto entered what looked like Selly's office.
The young lady's eyes quickly explored the surroundings. The interior design was exactly how a typical office would look like. Except, at the corner of the room was a metal floor stand holding a couple of guitar cases.
Upon noticing the guitar cases, Callisto also noticed the trophies displayed on the shelf.
"Champion... Best band..." she muttered under her breath.
Every trophy were championship trophies from band competitions.
Callisto heard the sound of the door clicking as Selly locked the two of them in her office.
"Now then..." The store owner sat on her desk, her finger beckoning Callisto to sit on the chair in front of her, a serious expression on her face. "Let's hear it, shall we?"
"Yes."
.
.
.
After a while of explanation...
"I can't believe Raymond and Phillip really did it," Selly said, leaning over her desk as she fidget with Callisto's silver hair and cat ears between her fingers. "I'm not surprised that Adela got really mad about it. But to think that the operation turned out successfully..."
"To be honest, I still can't believe it either," Callisto's body tingled at every light circles Selly's fingers were drawing on her cat ears. "But I feel really lucky that I'm alive thanks to the Mutated DNA Fusion."
"Right. And that's why I can't help but wonder..."
If the operation that saved Callisto's life was done exactly the same way as they did it on Leona, then how come the operation failed Calli's older sister?
When Selly uttered those curious words, Calli suddenly had flashbacks of her childhood with Leona before everything went downhill for the both of them. Callisto looked down as well as her cat ears went flat, a melancholic expression on her face.
"I'm sure Papa and Uncle Phillip already asked themselves the same thing."
Selly exclaimed upon seeing the dejected look in Calli's eyes, realizing that she had spoken a bit too much.
"I'm sorry," Selly said clearly with remorse, scratching the back of her short hair. "That was pretty insensitive of me."
Callisto smiled softly at the woman.
"It's okay, Aunt Selly. Ever since I woke up after the operation, I haven't forgotten about Leona at all. And I don't think I will. Ever."
The young lady placed her hand next to her heart, an expression full of love on her face.
"She will always be here. With me."
Selly smiled at the young lady's words.
"I see. I'm sure your sister is listening and is so happy to hear you say that."
A slight blush colored Callisto's fair skin.
"Yeah. I love her so much."
"Let's talk about why you visited my establishment now, shall we?"
Callisto nodded in approval.
According to Hinata, the young man who talked to Callisto earlier, the young lady came to the establishment in hopes of getting a part-time job in the convenience store. That was what Selly heard from her part-time employee.
Callisto confirmed the information with a resounding yes.
"Why are you looking for a part-time job, Callisto," Selly asked, her voice completely different from just a moment ago. It was what you would expect from a boss assessing a potential employee.
Callisto explained her reason.
.
.
.
Selly raised an eyebrow at the young lady.
"Anime?"
Callisto nodded at the woman. Callisto was well aware that it was a rather unusual reason.
However, this anime made her compare herself to the main heroine. Their lives we're completely the opposite of one another.
All her life, everything Callisto wanted was given to her on a silver platter.
While she truly appreciate Raymond and Adela for everything, watching the anime made her realize such an easy life wouldn't last forever.
She cannot rely on her parents for everything for the rest of her life. That was why...
"I want to become the main heroine."
Selly's gaze searched the young lady's.
There was no doubt in Calli's expression. Only determination.
A satisfied smile played on Selly's lips.
"I see. That's pretty admirable. But, there is nothing wrong with relying on other people for help."
Callisto gave the woman an understanding nod.
"Life isn't easy, girl," Selly warned, her voice laced with a serious tone. "We're all bound to face hardships in our lives that will be too difficult on our own. I know because I've gone through it countless times already. And the only reason I was able to overcome them was because I was wise enough to accept a helping hand."
"I see."
"So, if you find yourself into one, don't be afraid to ask others for help. Is that understood?"
Callisto bobbed her head at the store owner. "I understand."
Selly smiled, satisfied with the young lady's answer.
"Now then, now that I know why you're looking for a job, well, you're hired."