Why is that ranker so scary? Jinhyuk-ssi, you need to fix that facial expression of yours. You look like you want to kill me.
After he left, I went back inside and sighed.
『 ??? is now watching you. 』
Who and what the world does that even mean?
"Hey, system, do you know anything?" I asked, in case I get the answer I want.
Nothing.
I don't expect much from the system since it only ever gives me responses whenever it feels like it.
"Is it a constellation watching me?" I wondered to myself.
But why would a constellation watch me? I'm an F-rank café owner with barely any combat ability and posses useless skills.
"Maybe it's a pervert..." I looked up suspiciously. It was just a sudden thought, because what if I was changing or showering, isn't this a breach of privacy?
『 Your concern is pointless. 』
...??
It's similar to the system, but somehow it feels different. Is this what it's like to talk to a constellation? Unless they could possibly the system too. Maybe there's different systems?
...I'll never know.
"Are you perhaps a constellation?" I asked.
『 Yes. You have interested me. 』
OH. Wow. Great. I am so surprised.
I somehow managed to attract a celestial stalker. I should be glad they at least told me something, unlike the system who disappears the moment I need answers.
"Have fun watching me then," I muttered, flipping to a blank page in my notebook.
Honestly, what could I even talk about with a constellation? This is no different than a stalker watching me live.
Besides, right now, I'm just trying to figure out if croissants would pair better with matcha or almond latte cream.
『 Your creativity is inefficient, but charming. 』
『 Would you like my input? 』
I blinked.
"...You want to help with the menu?"
『 Yes. That is how humans bond, is it not? Through shared ritual and food. 』
Huh. Not wrong.
Still weird.
"Okay then," I sighed. "What do you think of 'Sumi Blend'? for my americano? Sumi means charcoal black in Japanese."
『 What an odd name. It is acceptable. 』
"...Okay. Let's see..."
『 Matcha... What is that? 』
I raised an eyebrow and looked at the blue screen in front of me, "It's a type of powdered green tea. It's bitter, earthy, slightly sweet. You'd probably like it. It's good."
『 Ah. A drink of paradoxes. I approve. 』
I reached for my pen, but before I could jot anything down, another message blinked into view.
『 Add honey to this matcha of yours. The bitterness will mellow, I'm sure. The flavor will linger. Humans enjoy lingering things. 』
"And how would you know that exactly?"
『 I have observed many lifetimes. And one cooking competition. 』
"...Huh. Okay then."
I scribbled matcha + yuzu honey(?) test onto the corner of the page.
Honestly, I wasn't even sure what I was doing anymore. Was I co-developing a café menu with a constellation? Is this what enlightenment looks like?
『 Would you like me to name your drinks as well? 』
"Are you trying to take over my business?"
『 I am trying to ensure your survival. Poor menu design weakens morale. 』
"...Are you saying customers will die if I mess up the drink names?"
『 Not physically. But spiritually, yes. 』
I stared blankly at the screen.
"...Okay then. Hit me with a name."
『 'Cha Cha Matcha' for your matcha. 』
I gave the constellation a blank stare. Still... it was kind of catchy. Rolled off the tongue nicely, too. Fine. I'll allow it.
"You got a name?" I asked, mostly to see if the thing would vanish like the system always does.
『 I have many. You may call me Under the Oak Tree. 』
"...Okay, Tree-nim."
『 Acceptable. 』
"Let's set some rules though," I said, holding up a finger. "No watching me in the shower. No talking when I'm on the toilet. And don't possess any of my coffee beans. Those are expensive."
『 Understood. Your conditions are reasonable. 』
At least it's polite.
Suddenly, I get a familiar, foreboding message. Something that the system always did. They say things without really giving context, making me confused.
『 You will meet someone soon. Do not serve them. 』
I froze.
"...What?"
No answer.
Oh, come on. Why are they all like this?!
I glared at the fading blue text like it owed me their life.
"Don't serve them," I muttered in a mocking way, resting my head on my palm and looking at my notebook.
I should've seen this coming.
Ding.
The bell over the door rang.
A man stepped inside.
The first thing I noticed were the dark circles under his eyes. He looked like an office worker being overworked extra hours and not getting paid enough.
Is he okay? He looks like he needs coffee.
As I reached out to make him coffee out of pity, I stopped.
'Do not serve them.'
It's not that I trust a constellations words. But, when has the system ever put me in danger?
And somehow, I just felt like I could trust Tree-nim.
"Hello sir, I'm sorry but my cafe isn't open yet."
The man remained silent, not reacting right away like his brain needed to process what I just said.
I don't know if he was just a slow person or if he's a creep.
"...Not open?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I haven't opened yet. Still working on the menu haha... So I'm not taking customers as of the moment."
I tried to keep my tone polite without provoking the man Tree-nim warned me about.
His eyes shifted to the counter, then to the half-filled notebook in my hands. He lingered on it a beat too long, which made me close it instinctively.
"I see," he said finally. "So... no drinks?"
"No drinks."
He tilted his head slightly, like he was studying me. He couldn't be reading my status right...? I mean, there's nothing there to be impressed about...
"Pity. You look like someone who makes good coffee."
My stomach did a little twist.
It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it actually.
"Sorry," I said again, more stiffly this time. "You'll have to come back next week."
A beat of silence.
Then he smiled.
An empty smile that seemed like he was forcing himself. The kind you see in crime dramas right before someone disappears.
"Well," he said, turning for the door, "I'll be coming back when it opens."
My eye twitched.
He left.
The bell above the door chimed once, then silence settled over the shop again.
I stared at the empty space where he'd stood, my heart still thudding against my ribs.
Was I overreacting?
Maybe. But something about him... didn't feel right...