By the third cup served that afternoon, Jun felt it.
Not the tiredness.
The tension.
A string pulled tighter in his chest with every pour.
The customers came slower today.
Not absent—just distracted.
Hurrying to meetings.
Rushing past errands.
Some bought.
Most didn't.
That was the rhythm of the city.
And Jun brewed through it—steady hands, steady breath.
[System Log: Passive XP Gained: +7 – Persistence Bonus]
The system recognized the effort.
But effort didn't pay rent.
Not directly.
At the end of the day, Jun counted the Notes carefully.
Less than yesterday.
Barely enough for food.
Nowhere near enough for the other thing.
He flipped open the battered corner of his notebook—the one he used to track bills.
A due date circled in red ink stared back at him.
Three days.
Three days until rent.
He folded the page closed slowly.
The cart wasn't legal.
The brewing wasn't licensed.
The apartment wasn't forgiving.
No sob story would change Mr. Lin's warning.
Three days.
No excuses.
Out.
Jun tucked the notebook away and repacked the brewing kit.
The canvas tote's strap bit into his shoulder a little sharper than usual.
Each step home felt heavier.
Not because the bag grew—
Because the pressure did.
[System Alert: Survival Milestone Approaching – Rent Deadline: 72 Hours Remaining]
[Optional Task Chain Available: Secure Temporary Income]
Jun closed the notification gently.
Not rejecting it.
Not panicking.
Just noting it.
Another cup.
Another grind.
Another day.
In his room that night, Jun brewed a small cup just for himself.
No customer.
No payment.
Just heat.
Just breath.
Just one reminder that even when the rent tasted bitter—
The craft still tasted sweet.
Logged User: Stylsite08
Path: Stillness to Mastery
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