Author's Note: The title comes from the proverb' Abata mo ekubo'; it roughly means to mistake pimples for dimples, or ignore/deny a person's flaws when you have feelings for them.

Where Miu is from, people are tired.

Maybe it was because it would be the first thing a stranger would notice if they happened to visit such a run down area. A person could see the word practically stamped every where, in the peeling paint and broken neon signs of failing businesses or the copious amounts of litter dried up on the grass, long dead and brown from exposure to the elements.

It was in the people themselves. It was carved into their drawn out expressions, how their limbs and bodies seem to sag. Every step is a burden and there's no place anyone wants to go; granted, there's not many places to go, and someone would have to walk a few miles to see anything remotely passable as a clean street or a safe spot to rest. The fastest people move is when they hear the gun shots or when a group of armed men of varying ages pass through.

But if someone really wanted to know what kind of place it was, they could just take it from a glance at a person's eyes. Dulled from anger, frustration, pain, and most of all, exhaustion.

The worst part is, it's contagious.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

One of the men leaning against the convenience stores entrance looked Miu up and down; a friend of his took a long drag of his cigarette and flicked it to the ground with a cold frown. Miu didn't flinch as it just missed her foot; she kept walking past them without a glance.

"Bitch."

As the man spoke under his breath, some of the others laughed lowly while others continued to stare off, looking at the few other people walking by, sizing them up and trying to recall whether they belonged on that street. Of course, that didn't stop them from harassing Miu, so maybe it didn't really matter that much.

"Good morning."

"Good morning Mr. Weimen." Miu went to the staff room to change out of her jogging clothes; she didn't have time for a shower, just a few minutes to spare so she could wash her face and throw on the uniform. Once again, Miu surveyed the chipped paint and the illegible scrawls from past employees; Mr. Weimen trusted her to use the room without any funny business.

Miu looked out the window every now and then as she manned the counter; the gang was still outside, their heads and eyes swiveling to stare at every person who got too close. One would almost think they were the ones who were scared.

"It's gonna be another slow day." Miu sighed as Mr. Weimen unlocked the register drawer. "No one's gonna want to come in here if they sit there."

"Hey, people gotta eat, get their essentials and all that." Mr. Weimen reminded her; he had a good point. Miu cast the men one last look before stocking the shelves behind the counter. She tried to just pretend they weren't there.

"There's plenty of other conveniences stores in the area. I sure as shit wouldn't come in here if they were out there."

Mr. Weiman clicked his tongue. "You shouldn't say that to your own boss."

"Sorry. You know I like working here." Miu paused. "Mostly."

"Well, be lucky you have a job at all. Try thinking before you start flapping your mouth up and down."

Despite his demeanor, it wasn't Mr. Weimen Miu disliked; it wasn't even working in the store. It was this neighborhood; it set people on edge, even people who spent their whole life there. Even on the jog to work every morning, Miu had to be on her guard. She couldn't listen to music or look around, just run and look straight ahead. Miu would be a fool to let herself get distracted and no one would feel that bad if anything happened to her. They all knew how it worked.

As Mr. Weimen left to his office, Miu flipped through a magazine idly; she had to do something to get through the hours of little to no customers, not to mention relax knowing the men outside were glancing in every so often. Despite her anxiety, the morning went on about as peaceful as it could be; the only sound for a while was the radio playing softly over the speakers, Mr. Weimen cursing at the rabbit eared TV in his office, and the rustling of pages.

"Hello."

"Good-" Miu's brow furrowed and she quickly looked over at the door; every time someone came in, the little bell hanging over head would jingle. It was still there like always, but it was immobile.

"Is something the matter?"

"Oh, no." Miu turned back to him. "How can I help you?"

His eyes were so unfamiliar to Miu, not because she had never seen him in the neighborhood before, which she was sure she hadn't. But they struck something in Miu that made her stare openly. Those eyes shined in the dim fluorescent lights with ill willed amusement and something else, something that rattled her even more so than the dead eyes of the loitering men outside.

But there was something else about him, this stranger with the mask like face and smile. Miu just couldn't take her eyes off him.

"Could I-"

"Why are you dressed like that?"

The man's smile remained relaxed despite Miu's almost accusing tone. "Like what?"

"Like a….a clown?" Miu narrowed her eyes and studied him closely. "Don't tell me there's a real circus coming through this place?"

"Not that I know of."

"Oh and," Miu began distractedly, turning to look out the window. "How'd you-?"

"Is something the matter my dear?"

"Dear?" Miu blinked and shook it off; it wasn't the first time she was called a diminutive name. Her round face and body implied the appearance of a child or at least a very young person. Besides, this man looked like the kind who enjoyed poking fun at people.

"Those men...how did you get past them?"

"Well, Miu," He briefly looked at her name tag. "I don't see why that would be a problem; I only need to purchase a few things and be on my way. Would they try to keep me out?"

"No offense…"

"Hisoka."

"Hisoka." Miu repeated and leaned in slightly; Mr. Weimen would accuse her of scaring off a new customer, but she felt wrong to have this man remain ignorant. "I take it you're not from around here...people who aren't from this side of town aren't exactly welcome."

"You don't say?"

"I'm surprised those thugs didn't jump you." Miu laughed a bit nervously. "I guess they must've left before you got here."

"Are you afraid of them?"

"Seeing as how they got guns...yeah, I'd say so." Miu smiled wryly before straightening back up. "Anyhow, what can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if this store carried Bungee Gum."

"Hold on, follow me." Miu stepped around the counter and led him to the nearest aisle. "We got the candy over here; aaaand-" she pointed at the middle shelf. "There it is."

"Thank you." Hisoka plucked a few packages; well, almost all of them really. Miu raised an eyebrow once her back was turned. How this guy didn't get jumped on the way here was a mystery to her; everything about his look alone was so outlandish and loud. Maybe the men before were scared of clowns.

"That'll be 500 jenny." Miu rang up his purchase; Hisoka searched through his pockets and held out a few bills with a small frown.

"Excuse me, I'll have to return a few of these."

"No worries, I'll ring it up with my employee discount." Miu did just that and handed him his change and the receipt.

"How kind of you Miu." The tips of Hisoka's nails scratched her palm lightly as he took the remaining coins and paper; Miu didn't notice how sharp they were. She had never seen a man with nails like that. Or a woman, now that she thought about it.

"In return, I'll dispose of the bodies lying outside on the sidewalk."

"Ha, alright then..." Miu smiled briefly at his off putting joke and waved. "What a fucking weirdo."

Hisoka's own smile was anything but joking.

"Goodbye, my dear. Be careful running around."

This time the bell jingled as Hisoka left.

Miu couldn't even move as she saw him sling three bodies over his shoulders effortlessly before strolling away. Once he was out of view, she raced outside to call out something, anything, but he was gone.