No customers in two hours. And Nino Lahiffe still had one more hour of work to go. He had been content passing the time by testing the bought back video games and marking them for resale. But with that done, he was contemplating laying his head on the counter, watching the occasional passerby, or taking out his phone to play a mobile game. Both options would get him in trouble, but both sounded too appealing to pass up.

Maybe Marinette would finish early and stop by to talk or keep him entertained while she sampled the games. Or the vacant shop across the street would suddenly open a music store and he could listen to new music from across the mall. Either option was fine.

"Hey Nino," the game store's manner, Max Kante, appeared from the back of the store.

"We can close early since no one is coming in," he announced as he came to the register, pressing the button to close the gate.

"Thank you!" Nino moved from behind the register to turn off the game consoles set out for testing.

"One more month till summer, then it won't always be this quiet," commented Max as he set out the games people neglected to purchase, Nino taking them off the counter to be put away.

"One more month means I've worked here a year," Nino added as he scurried about the store, placing away games.

"So it will be your second summer?" Max opened the register, counting the cash for the day.

"Yep."

"Question: would you be willing to work morning shifts?"

"Morning shifts?" If Nino remembered correctly, he requested afternoon shifts because he was hoping to catch up on sleep missed during the school year.

"Yeah, I normally would request mornings, but I'm interning at a video game company in the mornings over the summer."

Nino paused his sorting, trying to think about his summer schedule. So far no family trips planned, and no classes to make up over the summer. If he took the morning shift that did mean he could grab croissants from Marinette before work, and maybe he could convince Marinette to take earlier shifts so they could go to the arcade after work. Plus he was more creative in the afternoon with his music.

"Sure." Nino resumed sorting the games, placing the last two on the shelf before heading back to the counter to count out the other register.

"You will?!" Max stopped counting, dropping the remaining coins into a paper wrap.

"Yeah, I should be fine once school's out."

"Thank you," Max took Nino's hand in his own, shaking it enthusiastically, "You're a lifesaver! Well, not literally, more like an internship saver. I would have lost the internship if I couldn't find someone to take my morning shifts."

"No sweat dude, just make the video game you'll be working on awesome."

"Will definitely do." Max released Nino's hand and resumed counting while Nino opened the other register. "The game should be coming out in time for the holidays."

"Awesome dude."

They continued to count the change in silence, Nino knowing very well Max couldn't spoil what game he would be working on, wherever his internship was. Max placed the money in a bag, placing it in a safe under the shelf.

"You finish that and then you're free to go. I'll finish closing tonight. Let me know when you want to learn how to open the store next week," commented Max as he headed towards the back with the games Nino labeled for resale.

Nino nodded and proceeded to count up the coins. Once he was finished, he placed them in a bag, and stored the bag in the safe. Once he came back up, he noticed slight movement from the corner of his eye. Leaning over the counter he could see an older gentleman, a tiny old man, and a young guy about his age exit the store across the mall.

"Max!" Max popped out of the back at the mention of his name.

"What's up?"

"What do you make of that?" Nino pointed towards the store across the mall. Max walked closer, adjusting his glasses.

"That would be Mr. Fu, I believe he runs the massage parlor at the opening, and manages the mall tenants. Looks like we may be getting a new store across from us soon," Max returned to the back, Nino quickly clocking out on the register before following. Nino headed to his locker, pulling out his jacket, keys, and headphones; plugging the headphones into his phone.

"See ya Monday," Nino waved as he headed for the exit, Max waving back before resuming sorting the bought games.

Nino stepped into the alleyway outside their shop, the night air still cold from the long winter. He stepped to the center strip of the outdoor mall, the other stores closing for the night as customers began their walk home. The mall was smaller than the indoor Bourgeois Mall several streets over, but Miraculous Mall was more welcoming. At the entrance of the mall people were greeted by Mr. Fu's Massage and Aromatherapy and by Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. At the other end of the mall was the Kwami Arcade, Nino's favorite place since his fifth birthday.

The video game store Nino worked at, Turtle Shell Games, stood right between these two. Standing opposite was a store that had remained vacant as long as Nino had worked there. Out of all the stores opened here, he really hoped it was a music store. The music they played at the coffee shop got very old very fast.

"Nino!" Nino turned at the sound of his name to see his best friend since working at the mall, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, daughter of Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, running towards him with a giant paper bag. The bag was half her size and probably filled with leftover desserts from her parent's bakery.

"Eat one of these and look like it's the best thing since your first kiss," she whispered as she pulled out a treat and shoved it in his mouth, chocolate powder exploding onto the bottom rim of his glasses.

"Oops," he heard her giggle as she rummaged through the bag. Despite not having a first kiss, he proceeded to chew on the dessert, detecting a chocolate filled croissant with chocolate powder on top, adding a "Oh yeah" as he savored the dessert.

"Can I ask why you wanted me to do that," he asked as he finished, taking off his glasses to clean.

"That rude man insulted the mall, calling it too low class and needed some refined stores to make it successful." Marinette proceed to take a bite out of another chocolate filled croissant, looking back to the entrance of the mall, where the older gentleman stood scowling, Mr. Fu smiled good naturedly, and the young man looked like he was drooling at the site of Marinette licking her lips where some chocolate was tucked away. The older gentleman turned to his son, who immediately looked away from the display.

"I overheard and told him that Miraculous Mall is the best in Paris, and if he thought it was low class, he had pour tastes. He then said that anyone who enjoyed a second class bakery had no taste at all." Marinette continued to eat her croissant, her bites more and more furious as she went.

"And then I said he wouldn't know a first class bakery even if it was under his own nose. And then I walked over to you."

"So that would explain why he's about ready to bite someone's head off," commented Nino as he spared a glance at the older gentleman, who was talking to Mr. Fu. The young boy was sneaking another glance in their direction, immediately turning his head when he made eye contact with Nino. "Max was saying they may move into the building across from us."

"I hope not, that man was rude and does not deserve to open a business here. And I hope if he does, he does so terrible he leaves and never comes back."

Nino shrugged. So far based on Marinette's description, the old man would be a pain to work across. As far as the dude his age, he couldn't tell.

"Can I please get my bike from your parent's now?"
"I'm not going over there now! It would be like admitting defeat to walk past him. Can we please wait at the arcade for them to leave? Please!" Marinette stared up at him from over the bag, her big blue eyes sparkling from the lights hanging over the mall.

"Fine, but only Gitadora. I need a stress reliever before finals."

"Yes!" Marinette first pumped the air, adding a little jump. She honestly acted like such a kid sometimes. Nino began leading them towards the end of the strip, neither noticing the Mr. Fu and the gentleman shake hands.

This is based off something from Pinterest, but I'll wait til chapter 3 to post because reasons.
Also finished the anime Tamako Market, which was the adorbs, so this is slightly inspired by that.
This will be sometimes random sometimes not. If you have any ideas. Let me know.