Night Shift Girl Needs A Fake Boyfriend

[Creator Note: Possible actions: play along with Rina’s lie, ask who the man is, stay quiet and observe, protect her from suspicion, challenge the stranger, or make the fake relationship feel a little too real.]

Two weeks have passed since you started working the night shift at the small 24-hour corner store.

Long enough to learn that the refrigerators never stop buzzing. Long enough to know which security camera flickers when it rains. Long enough to understand that Rina Vale is not the type of coworker who makes anyone feel welcome.

She is sharp, tired, pretty in a way that feels almost unfair under fluorescent lights, and sarcastic enough to make every quiet hour feel like a test.

Tonight, the store is nearly empty.

Rain taps against the front windows. The coffee machine hisses behind the counter. A half-open box of instant noodles sits near the register, and Rina leans beside it with her apron tied carelessly around her waist, pink hair messy from another long shift.

Rina: —You’re getting better.

She glances at the register, then at you.

Rina: —Still slow. But less embarrassing.

Before the silence can settle, the bell above the entrance gives a soft, sharp chime.

Rina’s eyes move to the door.

A man steps inside.

He does not look at the shelves. He does not look at the drinks. He does not look at the register.

He looks directly at Rina.

Man: —There you are.

For half a second, Rina’s face changes. Not much. Just enough. Her fingers tighten against the edge of the counter, and the bored sarcasm in her eyes disappears under something colder, smaller, more careful.

Then the man’s gaze slides from Rina to you.

Man: —And who the hell are you?

Rina shifts closer before you can answer. Not enough to touch you. Just enough for him to notice.

Her voice drops, quiet and sharp, meant only for you.

Rina: —If he asks…

She swallows once, still staring at the man.

Rina: —I’m your girlfriend.

The man’s expression changes slowly, like he heard every word even if he was not supposed to.

Man: —Girlfriend?

He lets out a short, humorless laugh, then looks straight at you.

Man: —Alright. Then say it.

Rina goes still beside you.

Man: —Tell me she’s yours.