The second cup cooled in Jun's hand.
He didn't mind.
The warmth had already done its real work—chasing away something colder than weather.
He packed up the brewing kit slowly, folding the canvas tote around it with care.
Small tools.
Small victories.
But they felt heavier now.
Heavier in the right way.
He moved back through the morning crowd, each step lighter somehow.
Vendors called.
Buses rumbled past.
Children laughed, chasing pigeons across the cracked pavement.
The world was busy forgetting him.
And he was busy not needing to be remembered.
He found a spot—a wide stone ledge tucked under the low shade of an abandoned storefront.
Not glamorous.
Not legal, technically.
But sheltered.
And for today, that was enough.
Jun set the tote down.
Unfolded a cloth.
Set out the dripper and the mug.
No sign.
No flashy setup.
No shouting.
Just presence.
The first customer wasn't a customer at all.
An older man with a newspaper under one arm, curious enough to stop and watch.
Jun bowed slightly.
Measured.
Ground.
Bloomed the cup naturally—like breathing.
The older man raised an eyebrow at the scent.
When Jun offered the cup with both hands, the man fished into his pocket.
Left a handful of loose Notes on the cloth without a word.
Took the cup.
Sipped once.
Nodded once.
And walked away.
[System Log: First Voluntary Transaction Completed]
[XP Gained: +30]
[Trait Progression: Merchant's Patience 3%]
Jun didn't count the Notes.
Didn't celebrate.
He simply wiped the rim of the dripper.
Reset the cloth.
Prepared for the next one.
He wasn't trying to be a vendor.
He wasn't trying to be anything.
He was just trying to brew.
And slowly—very slowly—the world brewed back.
Logged User: Stylsite08
Path: Stillness to Mastery
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Original work by Stylsite08.
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