Sayaka Murata

I hear the faint rattle of a new plastic bottle rolling into place as a customer takes one out of the refrigerator, and look up instantly.

From now on we shall be open twenty-four hours, seven days a week, year-round. Please come and shop here at your convenience.”

Well done, Miss Furukura,” the manager told me. “That was perfect! You kept your calm, even though it was your first time on the till. Good job, keep it up. Oh look, the next customer!”