I was dumped by my girlfriend, a girl I had even thought about marrying.
It was a sudden end with just one phone call.
But I still had to keep living, so I headed to my part-time job.
It was Tsukizuki-san, the area manager, who called out to me as I was feeling empty inside.
I thought he was a strict and flawless person at work,
but the smile he flashed me, with a can of beer and a cigarette in one hand, was unexpectedly gentle.
The unexpected kiss tasted of cigarettes, and it was somehow nostalgic, yet dangerous.