Based on the official art where Abeno and Ashiya were convenience store workers and 'Abeshiya and Shop AU - headcanons' tumblr post by yorekichan. Many thanks to katBelle for the beta. Title is inspired from the song 'With A Smile' by South Border/Eraserheads. Cross-posted on my AO3 and tumblr.

With A Smile

Chapter Summary: Ashiya always started his day with a smile. He believed that starting your day with a smile would bring some good vibes. After all, a warm smile was the universal language of kindness. "I'm looking forward to working with you. Please take care of me, senpai!" Ashiya beamed, hoping the blond would also share his enthusiasm but he only gave him an annoyed look.

"A smile is the universal welcome." - Max Eastman

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Ashiya always started his day with a smile. He believed that starting your day with a smile would bring some good vibes. His optimism was his best asset along with his friendly nature that made him an approachable fellow. Ashiya had this embarrassing childish dream of making the world a better place. He knew it sounded crazy but he would start it with a smile. After all, a warm smile was the universal language of kindness.

It was summer vacation, the weather was really hot and while most of his friends were probably spending their time on the beach or a resort, Ashiya wanted to use this chance to do something worthwhile and had decided to take a part-time job where he could gain some experience. He was in no need of money, he was just curious about working in a shop or restaurant or any other establishments that had an environment that was different from the one he'd grown up in.

Ashiya's family owned a flower shop and his mother was a florist. He sometimes helped out so he knew a thing or two about working. Also, he liked the smiles on their customer's faces whenever they left their shop. Ashiya hoped he would be able to deliver that kind of happiness to other places. He settled for a convenience store near his high school. It wasn't like any other convenience stores he'd seen before. The Mononokean Konbini had this morose atmosphere whenever you stepped inside, though it looked just like any other establishments on the outside.

"Welcome," a blond guy standing behind the counter dully greeted him as he raised a hand to his mouth to cover his yawn. Ashiya couldn't help but frown disapprovingly. He already spotted one fault of this store that was causing the morose atmosphere. Displaying a lack of enthusiasm towards your customers would surely doom any business to failure. If this guy didn't change his attitude he would be bad for business.

Setting his opinions aside, Ashiya reached for his bag and pulled out the flyer that he saw hanging outside the store. "Um, pardon me for asking. This flyer said that you're in need of extra hands, I just want to ask if you're hiring part-timers?" Ashiya asked with a polite smile. He didn't miss the slight furrow of the blond guy's eyebrows before a look of realization appeared on his face. Ashiya had to admit that this guy was actually good-looking. The ikemen type of guy that girls from his school usually fawned over.

"Oh, so you're not a customer," the blond guy stated in a rather disinterested manner with the bored look back on his handsome face. "So, you saw 'that' flyer made by one of our employees? I've never thought that someone would actually be interested, with Koura's creepy choice of words and all. But yes, we're currently hiring. You just need to talk with the manager but unfortunately that sex-maniac is out drinking again. Maybe, you should try your luck next time or better yet just go find another place. There are better establishments than this one that are also looking for part-timers," he said dismissively, silently asking Ashiya to stop wasting his time any further if he wasn't going to buy something.

The smile on Ashiya's face quickly disappeared and was replaced with a scowl. "But I don't want to look for another place, I want to work here," he asserted as he curled his hand into a fist and raised it to his chest to show his determination. The blond guy quirked an eyebrow at him and slightly tilted his head to the side as his golden eyes probed him. Ashiya involuntarily drew back from his scrutinizing gaze.

After a long moment of complete silence, the blond guy finally spoke, "I can see your enthusiasm." A relieved sigh escaped out of Ashiya's lips but before he could celebrate, the blond wasn't still finished. "But you look rather weak," he added truthfully.

The smile that was beginning to play on Ashiya's lips froze and slipped into a grimace. He didn't know if he should thank him for his unnecessary honesty or be annoyed because it was partially true. Ashiya used to frequently faint when he was younger, earning him the nickname 'Hanae-chan of the nurse office'. Even though he was already in high school some of his friends still called him that.

"What do you mean by that I look weak? I'm sorry, but you can't judge someone you've just met," Ashiya protested as he continued to glower at this rude blond employee. The other just stared back coolly at him and it was obvious that he was looking down on him and Ashiya could somehow tell that he only saw him as a small kid throwing a fit. Ashiya felt really offended.

The blond was saved from Ashiya's incoming tirade when they heard the chime of the store's doors being opened and they both turned to see a tall young man stepping inside. "Hello, Itsuki! I'm sorry I'm late, is everything at the store doing all right? Did my beloved Shizuku come to visit?" the man asked with a sheepish smile and Ashiya heard the blond mutter something under his breath that sounded like 'chain-smoker' and 'sister complex'. He stopped when he saw Ashiya. "Hoh, who is this boy, Itsuki? Is he a friend of yours?" Ashiya heard 'Itsuki' snorted in response. "Hmm, it seems he's not here to buy something," the man continued in an amused voice.

That gave Ashiya the signal to introduce himself. "Good day, sir! My name is Ashiya Hanae," he politely greeted with a pleasant-mannered smile as he folded his hands in front of him and slightly bowed. "I saw the flyer hanging outside your store and I'm interested in applying for the position," Ashiya stated without missing a beat. The tall man appeared to be the blond guy's superior so Ashiya had quickly assumed that he was the Mononokean Konbini's store manager.

The man hummed in interest. "Ashiya Hanae-kun, right? I'm a really busy person so I won't bother reading your resume but do you think you could give your body and soul in service to every customer that comes into this store? You looked rather weak."

Ashiya felt like he was stabbed again when he was called 'weak' for the second time, but he didn't let it show in his face. He just responded with a determined 'Yes!' and promised that he would do his very best.

The tall man, who really turned out to be the manager, seemed impressed. "I like your spirit. Maybe Itsuki could learn a thing or two from you." Ashiya saw the blond shot him a glare. "Okay, you're hired! You can start today if you want to, and Itsuki," he turned to the latter, unmindful of his murderous look. "I want you to show Ashiya-kun the ropes, that's an order."

Ashiya's smile instantly faltered and the miffed look on the blond's face suggested that they both shared the same sentiment. He managed to put aside his irritation towards the other and give his best smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you. Please take care of me, senpai!" Ashiya beamed, hoping the blond would also share his enthusiasm but he only gave him an annoyed look.

"Aww, it looks like you've just got yourself a kouhai, Itsuki-senpai~" the manager said in a teasing voice which only deepened the frown on the blond's face. He sent Ashiya an accusing look. Ashiya smiled back helplessly but his glare only sharpened. Ashiya couldn't help but noticed that this guy had never once smiled. A newfound determination suddenly bloomed inside him.

"Okay, I'm going to leave you two now. I just came here to check. I hope Ashiya-kun and Itsuki will be good friends." The manager left, leaving Ashiya to deal with the brooding blond by himself. But before he could open his mouth, the other beat him to it.

"Ashiya Hanae, correct? I'm Abeno Haruitsuki." Ashiya expected that they would at least shake hands but Abeno preferred to keep his hand to himself as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The manager is a very laidback person but I am not. I don't really expect anything from you but I hope you can follow simple instructions if you really want to keep working here," Abeno said, and Ashiya followed him around the store.

Little did he know that his normal high school life was about to change.

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