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Keiji works at 7/11 part two (gone romantic)
Another day at 7/11, a bad day at best. Chela was feeling sick and wasn’t at work today. Keiji didn’t like being alone. In fact, he was starting to feel bored at his job. He craved adventure on mars. He wanted to know more about Spike. He remembered the day he first saw him, and as much as he liked him he was afraid to admit it. Keiji Shinogi wanted to suppress it. The men he had fallen for in the past were Gone now, and he never wanted to feel heartbreak ever again.
Chapter one~ “Mr Keiji, I don’t feel too great. I was out on Venus recently and… well I need to go to the hospital.” The sick looking, cold chela said. “Can you please take my next few shifts? And pay for my hospital bill?” Keiji put his magazine down to show his tired, sunken eyes. “Yeah ok.” He said before taking a 5 minute nap.
Meanwhile on the beBop: “SPIKE DID YOU USE THE REST OF THE SUPER FLUFFY HAIR CONDITIONER? WE ALL SHARE THAT ITS NOT FAIR THAT YOU USE SO MUCH.” Jet yelled into the lounge. Spike’s hair was in fact, very very fluffy. “Sorry.. just gotta look my best, yknow?” Spike said as he sat on the couch. “If there’s a guy you wanna impress-“ Faye said before being cut off by spike. “Stop right there! I am not gay.” “Look Spike, we need that conditioner. I’m gonna leave you at the 7/11 until you buy some more. I’m sure they’ll have it. “ Jet said as directed the ship towards mars. “And besides, you can’t just stay in after that fight during yesterday’s bounty. It’s just a few scratches, I’m sure you’ll be ok.”
Chapter two~ Spike was infuriated. He was kicked off his ship for wanting silky smooth hair. He entered the 7/11 pretending to be happy. “Hey welcome to seven eleven-“ keiji said before he noticed who it was. Spike approached the counter. “Hey Keiji, im gonna need some silky smooth fluffy hair 9 in one green apple scented (and flavored)hair conditioner.” As keiji turned around to check the Soap stock, he noticed a small scar on Spike’s cheek. As soon as he noticed keiji was staring at it, spike covered it. “Hey it’s nothing to worry about. Can you just get the conditioner to me so I can get back to my ship?” Keiji regained focus and went back to check on the soap stock. After a few minutes He came back empty handed. “The conditioner you are looking for isn’t here yet, we get a shipment later today though. That is, if you are ok with waiting here.” Spike was clearly disappointed. “In the meantime we can just talk.” Keiji said, his warm smile appearing. “So. How’d you get the scar? It looks pretty bad but it’s healing.” Keiji pointed out, as spike still tried to hide it. “There was a bit of an altercation during a bounty- I can’t say any more because that’s classified.” Keiji’s eyes seemed interested in what he had to say. Spike doesn’t really see people who are interested in his stories. He poured out two drinks for them. (It was sprite) Keiji flipped the “open” sign to a closed one.
Chapter 3~ The two sat down together in the employee room. Spike told keiji about the risky bounty he completed the day prior. “Wow… your life seems so interesting… I wish I could have such a cool job as you.” Keiji’s tone was hard to determine because of how sleepy he seemed. But he was genuinely interested. “It’s a shame such a handsome face like yours was hurt in that fight… heh.” Keiji said without thinking. “Man, I could never do that bounty stuff. I honestly admire you for what you do.” Spike smirked a bit. “Thanks.” Spike had another sip of the sprite “I just want some more adventure in my life. Whether that be a new job, new home, new friends, or new partner…” keiji laughed. “Even though I’m surrounded by people, I feel lonely on the bebop sometimes. It’s kinda hard to show the others how I care.” Spike began to fidget with his hands. “They care about me too, but they don’t understand me.” Spike said as he began to turn away. He felt better because he could actually talk to someone who he thought of as a friend. Jet was the only other person he could talk too. Spike wasn’t a guy with many friends. He and Keiji had the same fear; Losing someone you care about. Both of them had experienced this firsthand, and they knew how much pain it was. The two just stared at each other, with content, understanding faces. Spike seemed a little distressed with the memory of losing everything he cared for, so keiji held spike’s hand. Spike wasn’t bothered by it at all. There was a knock at the door, and that made Both of them jump.
Chapter 4~ “Hey Keiji! The soap delivery came in! And the-“ Chela stood in the employe room doorway. He dropped the box of toiletries on the floor when he He stared at Keiji and Spike. “Oh heyy it’s the conditioner you were looking for” Keiji said to spike as Chela still looked at him, menacingly. “I’ll buy that and I’ll be on my way.” Spike stormed out the room, a bit red. As soon as he was far enough away, Chela started yelling at keiji. He was livid. “HOW COME YOU GET TO HANG OUT WITH THE COOLEST COWBOY IN THE GALAXY BUT I GET SICK. IT ISNT FAIR! AND WERE YOU TWO HOLDING HANDS? THATS MEGA GAY, MY FRIEND. I DIDNT EVEN HAVE VENUS SICKNESS, IT WAS JUST A STUPID COLD.” Chela was shaking. “Calm down buddy, we were just talking.” “TALKING ABOUT WHAT. GETTING MARRIED? ARE YOU GONNA BE A MALEWIFE?” “chela calm down” Chela was hyperventilating and mumbling incoherent words. “Look, take a break. I’ll be at the register tonight.” Keiji went to the register but spike was nowhere in sight. On the counter there was a check for 3000 W̶ , and a note attached. “Thank you, slurpee man -Spike Spiegel.” Keiji chuckled a bit. “What’s so funny keiji? Did he propose or something?” Chela paced around the room. “He’s sweet but I really wish he wouldn’t call me Slurpee man.” “That is a funny nickname, I might call you that.” Chela was very obviously jealous of keiji. “Look chela, you are a nice guy but we don’t need your chela-sey at 7/11” keiji said as he reopened shop for the night.
The end