ZZZ short One-Shot • WISE X fem.READER
~ Beginnings are never easy ~
When the Hollow Zones became a permanent fixture in the lives of New Eridu’s residents, any hope of a peaceful existence quietly faded away. Danger lurked on every corner, whether in the form of unseen threats or the sudden expansion of contaminated zones. Most people tried to live as if nothing had changed, convincing themselves that ignoring the problem would somehow keep them safe. Well...You were one of them.
You moved from the bustling city center to a small town on Sixth Street, taking a modest job at a grocery store near the arcade and a cozy Coff café. Although the charming, robotic Bangboos had replaced most human workers, the store owner still needed someone to manage the endless clutter and deliveries. Your first day on the job seemed calm enough. You carried boxes from the truck to the storage room or shopping zone, occasionally glancing down at the cute Bangboo that followed you around like a loyal puppy, chirping cheerfully in its own peculiar language. When you lifted another large box that completely blocked your view, you walked carefully toward the entrance—only to collide with someone and send the cartons crashing to the floor with soft bang. "Great"
You sighed in irritation, not even sparing the stranger a glance as you crouched to gather the scattered boxes. The young man you had bumped into let out a quiet breath and knelt to help.
“Sorry… I wasn’t paying attention,” he muttered, running a hand through his tousled silver hair. After checking that neither the boxes nor their contents were damaged, he studied you with open curiosity. “You’re new around here, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” you replied curtly. Without another word, you carried the box inside the store.
He blinked, momentarily thrown off, but followed after you.
“Uh, I’m Wise, the owner of Random Play at the end of the street,” he said, clearly seizing an opportunity to advertise. “We’re offering a fifteen percent discount for new customers—and if you sign up for a loyalty card, it’s twenty-five!”
“No, thank you. I don’t watch movies.”
You sliced open the boxes with a pocketknife and began stocking the shelves, scanning items with a handheld device. After a moment, you realized he still hadn’t left. He stood there wearing an awkward, hopeful smile. With a heavy sigh, you finally looked at him.
“I’m y/n, if you really need to know.”
“Mhm… that’s a nice name,” he said softly, fidgeting with his fingers as he searched for the right words. “Maybe you could still stop by my store and—”
“Wise! There you are!”
A bright, cheerful voice called from behind him. Even without turning around, he recognized it instantly—Belle, his younger sister. She hurried over, and when she noticed her brother talking to someone new, a mischievous grin spread across her face.
“Oh! I haven’t seen you here before. I’m Belle! The second and better owner” She grabbed your hand and shook it enthusiastically. “I hope we can be friends. We could show you around the neighborhood sometime…”
“y/n,” you repeated. “And no, thank you. I have a lot of work to do.”
With that, you ended the conversation and returned to your duties, effectively dismissing them. Belle sighed, realizing they weren’t getting anywhere. After a brief goodbye, she tugged her brother by the arm and led him back toward their shop. They walked in silence for a moment before Wise leaned closer and whispered:
“I don’t understand women. I just wanted to say hello, and she’s shooting daggers at me because we accidentally bumped into each other.”
“Well, maybe she moved here because she really needs the job and doesn’t want to mess it up,” Belle replied, patting his shoulder and narrowing her eyes thoughtfully. “It’s probably her first day. Hm. Do you like her?”
“What? No! Of course not. I barely even saw her, Belle.”
He laughed and shook his head, yet somewhere deep in his subconscious, a strange warmth lingered from the moment their eyes first met. He had never believed in love at first sight and didn’t know what to call the feeling. Perhaps he was simply intrigued by a new face in town. His sister, noticing the quiet conflict written all over his expression, only laughed.
“I know what’ll cheer you up! Let’s go get ramen. I’m buying today—with my own money!”
“You know we share a budget, right?”
“Yeah, but part of it is mine,” she said with a playful chuckle, dragging him toward the ramen stand. “And besides, you look like you could use a good meal and a better mood.”
(...)While they were slurping ramen on the other side of the street, you were still working. The store had grown quieter by then. The last delivery was done, the shelves were mostly stocked, and the soft hum of the cooling systems filled the air. You slowed your pace, exhaustion finally catching up to you. With a quiet sigh, you slid down the wall and sat on the floor between the shelves, resting your elbows on your knees.
Your gaze drifted to nothing in particular.
Did I treat them too harshly?
You frowned slightly, staring at the tiled floor. …No. It was his fault for not watching where he was going. And he was being annoying. Pushy, even.
Still, the memory of his awkward dorky smile and the way he’d nervously played with his fingers crept back into your thoughts, uninvited. You clicked your tongue under your breath.
Idiot, you told yourself—though you weren’t entirely sure who that was directed at.
Before you could finish your internal argument, a soft mechanical shuffle broke the silence. Something brushed against your knee.
“Ehn—ah?”
You looked up to see the store’s Bangboo wobbling toward you, nearly tripping over its own stubby legs. It flailed for balance, ears flickering, round digital green eyes blinking in mild panic before finally stabilizing itself in front of you. It tilted its head to the side, emitting a curious beep. You stared at it for a moment in silence, then shook your head, a small, tired smile finally tugging at your lips. Compared to people, Bangboo were… easier. No expectations. No awkward conversations. No strange looks that lingered a second too long. And also, they were cute like plushies.
“I don’t need help,” you said softly. “But... thanks, I guess..”
The Bangboo blinked again, processing, then straightened up proudly as if it had accomplished something important. It let out a satisfied little sound before toddling off down the aisle, almost crashing into a stack of boxes on the way. You watched it go, the smile lingering just a bit longer than you expected—before fading as you leaned your head back against the wall.
•••
The next day arrived wrapped in a pale, hazy morning light that slowly gave way to the neon glow of Sixth Street. Your shift had ended hours ago, and for the first time since moving here, you found yourself wandering without a strict destination. The air smelled faintly of coffee, ramen from open stand and rain-washed pavement.
You told yourself you were just exploring.
Your steps slowed as a familiar storefront came into view. A sleek sign flickered above the entrance: Random Play. Through the glass display window, you could see rows of neatly arranged films and retro styled shop. For a moment, you hesitated on the sidewalk, your reflection staring back at you.
I’m just looking, you reasoned. That’s all.
The soft chime of the door announced your arrival as you stepped inside. The shop was warmer than outside, filled with a gentle jazz music and the faint scent of old plastic cases, which scent you remember from visits to your grandparents. In those days, a few people liked watching movies, or rather, no one wanted to legally rent or buy them when they could pirate them on the internet for free.
You wandered deeper into the store, fingers brushing lightly over the edges of film cases. Some covers were vibrant and chaotic with famous celebrities faces, others quiet and artistic. A small Bangboo with orange scarf zipped past your feet carrying a stack of discs twice its size, wobbling dangerously before disappearing behind the counter.
Behind that very counter also stood Wise. Who would have thought...
He was in the middle of organizing a pile of old vintage movies when the door chimed. Out of habit, he glanced up and froze. His hands stopped mid-motion, a filming tape slipping slightly in his grip.
It was you.
For a split second, his mind went completely blank. A dozen thoughts collided at once: She came here? Did she change her mind? Should I say something? Don’t stare. Stop staring.
Trying to look casual and failing miserably, Wise set everything down and wiped his palms on his jacket. His heart thumped louder than he cared to admit as he stepped out from behind the counter. Each stride felt oddly deliberate, like he was walking onto a stage without a script. He cough into his fist and his cheeks started to heat up.
“Hey,” he said, and immediately winced internally at how simple it sounded. He cleared his throat, offering a small, nervous smile. “Uh… welcome to Random Play.”
His blue eyes flicked briefly to your hands, as if checking whether you were holding anything, before returning to your face. It would be easier if she chose the movie, then he could talk about it like a nerd who has seen everything in his store.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he added, softer this time. “Not that you’re not welcome. You are. Very welcome. I just mean—” He stopped himself, exhaling a quiet, embarrassed laugh. “Sorry. I’m rambling.”
You chuckled at his embarrassment and then sighed with calm smile.
"Just breath, otherwise you'll have a heart attack here...and I will have to do CPR"
Wise blushed at that teasing joke and cough louder this time, as if he wanted to summon Belle, who, as usual, doesn't show up when needed. A comfortable silence settled for a beat, and neither of you knew what to say, just like stupid teenagers before their first love.
Wise rubbed the back of his neck.
“Are you… looking for something specific?” he asked. “Or just browsing? I can recommend a few things. No discounts speech this time, I promise.”
There was a sincerity in his tone now, stripped of yesterday’s awkward sales pitch. He gestured lightly toward the shelves around you but then:
“Or...if you still insist you don't like movies, maybe...let me ask you out on a date?" The moment of realization "I mean, if you don't want this to be a date, then going to a coffee shop as friends will do!"
You blinked at him uncertainly. You literally just moved here and suddenly some guy asks you out on a date...Well, you'd be lying if you said he wasn't adorable in his own loser way.
"Sure! We can go" you said it too quickly for hesitation that you even cringed at yourself. Calm down y/n. "Yeah...cafe date will do."
"Really?"
Wise blinked at you, unable to believe it was that simple and he didn't completly embarrass himself. After a moment, a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Great...So, would you like to come with me now? Belle will take care of the shop while I'm gone, so don't worry about distracting me from my duties"
He joked weakly at which you nod. The gray haired man let his sister know and when everything was agreed, he gently took you by the arm and opened the door for you, acting like gentleman he saw on rom coms movies, because yeah, he watched them with Belle with great interest.
Well, if the date goes well, he'll invite you to a movie night too and who knows, maybe there will be something between you for a long long time.
Sorry for any mistakes, English is not my language 😅 Just a short one shot because I started getting obsessed with Wise lol.
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