The Happiness of Finding a God of Service at FamilyMart at 5 AM

The smile of the clerk at the FamilyMart I often visit is dazzling.

I go to FamilyMart around 5 AM.

When I step into that FamilyMart,

"Welcome!!"

they greet me with a loud, cheerful voice.

Sometimes that's enough to wake me up, haha.

It's as if a fanfare is ringing out.

I like FamilyMart's iced latte more than

any other convenience store's,

so I always buy a medium iced latte and head to the register.

Then, with a smile so full and bright that

I rarely see anywhere else, they greet me with a "Welcome!"

The voice is so energetic that

I was taken aback the first time I met them,

but there is no pressure in that voice at all,

it's a voice that brightens my heart,

and it puts me in a very good mood.

Beyond just a pleasant voice,

they greet me with a pleasant smile as well.

I'd guess he's a man in his late 50s.

I have been watching him.

From the middle of the night until early morning,

to see someone pouring so much energy

into sharing with others,

I thought he was a truly wonderful person.

Since then, every time I go to FamilyMart early in the morning,

I find myself wondering if the gentleman will be there today.

The other staff members are all women, and they are very pleasant.

But I still find myself hoping to see that gentleman.

Recently, we have even started talking about the weather.

Then, the other day, despite it being early morning,

there were four other customers besides me,

and he was having lively small talk with all four of them, haha.

It seems I am not the only one who is a fan of his.

Sometimes the gentleman speaks in a low voice depending on the customer,
and other times he speaks loudly; it seems he adjusts to the person he is talking to.

Of course, there are probably customers who leave without exchanging a word,
or even looking at his face.

But I am sure that the gentleman

sends everyone off with the same unchanging smile.

Once, I asked him a question.

“You are always so energetic, it is amazing! Did you work at a greengrocer or something before?”

"Well, I've been working at convenience stores for a long time," the man said, looking embarrassed.

When I asked, "Don't you ever get tired?"

"Well, I'm exhausted when I get home, of course," he said with a laugh.

While the man is at the convenience store from the middle of the night until early morning,

he is constantly sending out good "energy" to the customers.

That is why he is exhausted after his shift, having used up all his "energy."

I'm sure he feels not only his own "energy" but also the "energy" of others.

He senses the "energy" of the people he interacts with, wondering what they are looking for right now.

He discerns how he can fill their hearts with happiness,

and gives them the best smile he can offer.

To him, it must be a natural way of behaving,

but it was packed with the "secret to becoming a wonderful person."

But then I thought, it's not that simple,

and along with respect, I felt a sense of self-reflection.

This morning, I went to FamilyMart with a sense of expectation,

and the man was there, so I bought an iced latte and a small chocolate.

"Oh! Chocolate, that's great! I love sweets too!"

the man said with a beaming smile,

and when I said, "I feel like I want to eat chocolate when it gets cold,"

"I think I know what you mean," the man said happily.

I left FamilyMart, got into my car,

and took my first sip of an iced latte,

then ate a small piece of chocolate.

It was delicious.

I felt that its deliciousness wasn't just about the taste.

It was the chocolate I had after a lively conversation with the gentleman.

At the same time that my mouth was enjoying the flavor,

I felt as if my heart was also rejoicing.

In the early morning, while rubbing my sleepy eyes,

the gentleman who gives me a moment of happiness

might truly be a god.

I hope he's there again tomorrow morning.

And I hope he stays healthy forever.

I truly feel that way from the bottom of my heart.

Please also listen on Voicy♪