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Chapter 186. [Twenty-Four]

<<Inside the store, are there any other guns or weapons?>>

We were huddled near the convenience store wall, forced to kneel. 

In hushed tones, we exchanged words, trying not to attract the robber's attention.

<<For example, under the cash register, maybe?>>

As I spoke, I directed my gaze toward the cash register where the robber was seated. 

He had put me to work serving, and he had started a drinking spree with beer and snacks from the store. 

Currently, I was the only one not restrained and able to move freely.

He was off guard... but if I made any exaggerated moves, he might turn his gun towards me again.

<<Hey, kid! Pizza! And add more beer!>>

<<Got it.>>

I stood up, reached in, and took out a bottle of beer. 

Then, I circled the counter to the hot snack corner and grabbed a pizza.

<<...gulp.>>

Approaching within the robber's reach was undoubtedly nerve-wracking.

With my current lack of strength, resistance would be impossible no matter what he did. 

I carefully placed them on the counter and stepped back.

Fortunately, he seemed engrossed in his drinking, and there was no violent outburst. 

He lifted the brim of his eye-catching hat and merrily consumed the pizza and beer. 

I returned to my original position and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

<<That's a relief, you're okay. If I could take over for you...>>

The female customer directed a worried look my way. 

But, it's okay. Perhaps due to my appearance, the robber didn't seem particularly focused on me. 

There was certainly danger, but there was also an opportunity.

<<Store clerk, if there's a weapon... it might be possible to retrieve it.>>

Unfortunately, from the glance earlier, it wasn't clear. 

But if there was one, taking it out shouldn't be too difficult.

<<No, miss. Absolutely don't do such a thing. It's too dangerous.>>

<<Right, and besides, this convenience store doesn't have guns in the first place!>>

<<Is that so?>>

Although I've seen news from foreign countries where store clerks retaliate with shotguns against robbers, it seems that was a misconception.

<<That's only a very small number, or maybe just individual stores.>>

<<I didn't know that.>>

<<At least for me, if I were demanded money, I'd give it all without resistance. Resisting is more dangerous, and leaving it to the police is more certain.>>

Honestly, it's surprising. 

The response in such situations seems completely different from Japan.

And then, the female customer tilted her head and said, "Huh?".

<<You already handed over the money to that man?>>

<<Of course!>>

<<Then why? Why is he still here and not running away?>>

<<I want to know that too!>>

Certainly, if I were the culprit, once I got the money, I'd want to escape quickly. 

The store clerk spoke with a half-scream, recounting what happened just before we arrived.

<<As soon as he came into the store, he pointed the gun at me. Then said, "Give me the money!" Of course, I opened the register. But that wasn't enough for him.>>

<<What do you mean?>>

<<He demanded that I hand over my smartphone. Furthermore, he instructed me to go to the back of the store... Honestly, I thought I was done for it. But  I saw a car pulling into the gas station.>>

Presumably, that was the car that the engineer woman and I arrived in. Quite a timely or untimely coincidence, depending on how you look at it. Did we save the clerk's life? Or...

<<That's strange.>>

The female customer tilted her head. 

I had the same thought. 

It seems that this situation has become quite complicated. 

Perhaps our appearance made things more complicated.

<<In that case, the order of events doesn't make sense. Wasn't he trying to hide because other customers arrived?... Do you, by any chance, have any idea who the perpetrator might be?>>

<<No way! I came to the U.S. for a part-time job. I hardly have any friends.>>

It's becoming even more unclear... 

But some aspects made sense. 

If money was the goal, there were plenty of chances for the robber to escape. 

For example, as soon as a car was visible outside, he could have jumped out. 

Or when the store clerk called for help, he could get out through the back door. Or even now.

<<This is tough. If it's not for the money...>>

Tension was evident in the expression of the female customer more than before. 

Upon hearing that, I realized. 

If the goal isn't money, it also means "personal safety is not guaranteed."

If the motive is just venting frustration or seeking an outlet for stress, we might be killed in the heat of the moment.

<<We need to contact the outside as soon as possible.>>

At times like this, I regret not having separate smartphones for work and personal use. 

If that were the case, I would have reported it long ago. 

The robber didn't frisk me, probably assuming he already took my smartphone, and he likely didn't even consider that I might have a gun. Well, it's pointless to think about such "what ifs".

Even if I had separated them, I probably left the other phone in the car with other belongings.

<<Wait, that's right! My friend is outside in the car. It's been a while, so she might come to check on us!>>

<<Really! That's a relief! In that case, ask her to call the police...>>

<<That's dangerous.>>

<<Huh?>>

The store clerk and I had the same reaction. 

The woman looked troubled.

<<From the beginning, those of us inside the store had no chance to escape, so we were restrained. But...>>

In other words, the moment the engineer woman appeared, is there a possibility she might get shot to keep her quiet? 

It seems I have to resolve this incident before that "time limit" is reached.