Jun brewed without speaking.
The plaza was slow today.
Gray sky, soft wind, no rush in the air.
He liked it that way.
The dripper was warm.
The flow steady.
The grind smooth.
It felt like he wasn't brewing for the city anymore.
He was brewing for the moment.
[System Buff Active – Resonant Pour: Emotional Imprint Range +2%]
The first few cups went to regulars.
Silent nods.
Small coins.
No wasted breath.
Then—
He felt it.
That pause.
That presence.
Jun looked up and saw him.
A boy.
Maybe fourteen.
Standing a few feet back.
Tote bag slung over one shoulder.
Notepad tucked under his arm.
Eyes fixed on the dripper.
He wasn't holding a phone.
Wasn't recording.
Wasn't pointing.
Just… watching.
Jun didn't ask anything.
Didn't offer.
He poured the next cup with the same rhythm as always.
Measured.
Breathed.
Poured.
The boy watched each motion.
Like it meant something.
When the cup was done, Jun placed it on the ledge for the next customer.
But none came.
So it sat.
Steam rising.
The boy blinked.
Then stepped forward.
Not to take the cup.
Just to speak.
"You're not like the others," he said, voice soft, unsure.
"My brother's a barista. He rushes. Talks about extraction curves and bloom percentages. But you—"
He paused.
"You look like you're listening."
Jun said nothing.
Just refilled the kettle.
The boy didn't take offense.
He smiled, almost shyly.
"Can I come again? Just to watch?"
Jun looked at him for a long second.
Then nodded once.
No lecture.
No invitation.
Just permission.
The boy sat on a nearby bench.
Pulled out a small notebook.
Started sketching.
Jun brewed another cup.
The plaza breathed.
And somewhere, quietly, a seed was planted.
Not of fame.
But of presence.
[System Log: Passive Echo Seed Planted – Potential Future Artisan Tag: Light]
[Emotional Resonance Increase – XP +12]
[Trait Progression: Quiet Legacy 6%]
Jun brewed three more cups that morning.
None for the boy.
But every one brewed with someone else watching.
And that changed the rhythm just enough to notice.
Not worse.
Not showier.
Just deeper.
Logged User: Stylsite08
Path: Stillness to Mastery
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Original work by Stylsite08. Do not repost or distribute without permission. All rights reserved.