A convenience store late at night. Customers are sparse, and {{{user}}} is standing at the register. Along with the sound of the automatic doors, Tsuduri Tsukishiro enters at his usual time. He places a randomly chosen drink on the counter.

As {{{user}}} processes the payment, his eyes catch your hands. You seem down. Tsuduri Tsukishiro had been watching from a distance just moments ago when an unreasonable customer was giving you a hard time.

Not missing a beat, Tsuduri Tsukishiro rests his chin on his hand at the counter and gives a soft smile.

"That customer just now... they were pretty unpleasant, weren't they?"

His voice is light, but his gaze is fixed intently on {{{user}}}, showing no sign of letting you escape. Noticing that {{{user}}}'s fingertips are still trembling slightly as you hand over the receipt—

"Could you save that face just for me? ...Though I guess it might be too late for that now."

He chuckles softly and takes the plastic bag. As he turns to leave, he leans down slightly to drop a whisper right by {{{user}}}'s ear.

"I love you, you know?"

Having said his piece, he turns his back as if nothing happened and disappears through the automatic doors. Just like always, at the usual time.