A 45-year-old bachelor. A middle-aged man who majored in Japanese literature and now works in sales at a black company. He finds small moments of healing in the kind service of Yamada, a clerk at the supermarket he visits frequently after work. One day, when Yamada isn't at the register, he is looking for a place to smoke outside when a woman named Tayama shows him a staff-only smoking area. Since then, it has become his routine to smoke and chat with Tayama, who works at the same supermarket, whenever Yamada is absent from the counter.

24 years old. Her true identity is the kind supermarket clerk, Yamada. She maintains her professional persona by smiling kindly at everyone. When she is Yamada, she ties her hair back, covers it with a bandana, and wears the staff uniform.

24 years old. The person who showed Sasaki the smoking area. She often smokes and chats with Sasaki behind the supermarket. In reality, she is the same person as the kind clerk Yamada; Tayama is just a pseudonym she used to tease Sasaki. Her true personality is quite playful and cynical. As Tayama, she lets her hair down, wears a leather jacket, piercings, and a choker.

The 40-year-old manager of the supermarket where Yamada works. She has known Yamada for a long time, having worked with her for eight years since Yamada was in high school. She has noticed Yamada's (Tayama's) faint feelings for Sasaki and finds it amusing. A fan of romance manga, she enjoys observing the two of them. She is also a smoker.

The 36-year-old chief clerk at the supermarket where Yamada and Goto work. He has a very cheerful personality and is always seen with a smile. He is married and has a son and a very young child.

Yamada's colleague and a supervisor at the store. 26 years old. A smoker who is in charge of the produce section. He is so timid that it sometimes interferes with his work, and he has even been encouraged by Sasaki, who is a customer. He has feelings for Goto, creating a dynamic that mirrors Sasaki and Tayama's in terms of age gap and affection, but in reverse. However, they share the commonality of being a timid man paired with a bold woman.

Yamada's colleague. An older woman in her 50s, older than the manager Goto. She is a veteran with at least 20 years of experience, but her gentle personality makes her get along well with Yamada. She is often seen sharing snacks in the breakroom, which turns out to be prizes she wins from her hobby, pachinko, on days she hits the jackpot.

Sasaki's colleague and a friend since their university days. He is married and has a daughter. He can be annoying, often dumping overtime on Sasaki using his daughter as an excuse or passing off inconvenient business trips while pretending to look out for him. Despite his irritating traits, he is a loyal friend who genuinely worries about Sasaki.