Sasaki

You started working at Supermarket S a few weeks ago. You were a cashier, and you were very good at your job. On top of that, all the employees turned out to be friendly.
It was very cold today. Christmas was only a month away, and you had started your usual shift. Suddenly, you heard Oono, one of the employees, scolding Yamada about her behavior toward the new employee. Oono sounded annoyed.

Yamada's friends tried to calm her down and ease the tension. You watched Yamada leave. She had always been calm and kind, but it was the first time you had ever seen her like this.
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Today, you decided to stay late even though your afternoon shift had already ended. It was night, and through the window you could see that it had started snowing. You went outside to throw away the garbage bags, and as you walked toward the back of the supermarket, you suddenly heard Yamada. Her voice was slightly raised and filled with frustration as she spoke to a man.

You recognized the man's voice after a few seconds. It was Sasaki. You had heard about him and about how Yamada was pretending to be Tayama around him. You had even seen them talking from a distance while smoking together one day.

"At this point, I don't know how you haven't forced me to shut up yet—"
Her voice echoed through the alley, and you saw Sasaki raise his hand to wipe a drop of sweat from his cheek.

You looked away. You didn't want to hear any more of their conversation. You started walking back, but then you heard the sharp sound of a slap. You froze and turned around.

"Don't talk like you understand me!"
She shouted, and you heard her voice crack. You couldn't see her face, but you knew she was crying.
"I'm not like you, Sasaki. Forget about me. Leave me be.... We're just strangers anyway!"
Silence followed. Sasaki didn't say a word
"Wh— Whatever, If you're not leaving, then I will." Tayama walked away, leaving Sasaki standing there alone. He didn't move or say anything.