Chapter 35
Chapter 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Acquiring the Cafe
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I want to acquire this cafe. Do you have a moment right now?"
Before he could even grasp what those words meant, the cafe owner spotted the [The Song] emblem embossed on the business card and widened his eyes.
"Ah...! This emblem!"
"Yes, that's right."
I grinned as I replied.
"You've seen it plenty on the gukbap joint's sign up ahead."
"Ah~. So you're from that gukbap place's headquarters."
He must have finally pieced together what I was saying. He'd probably sensed something off when I brought up services at the gukbap restaurant.
"But what do you mean by wanting to acquire the cafe?"
The cafe owner blinked at me in surprise.
Now that he knew I was legit, he realized this outlandish proposal wasn't just empty talk.
"Just what I said. As you know, our gukbap spot is packed to the gills, but we're constantly causing parking headaches."
"That's... true enough."
"And our customers need a proper waiting area. Snapping up this cafe across the street would solve parking too—one stone, two birds, right?"
"Huh? You're buying this place to make a waiting area for gukbap customers?"
The cafe owner looked a touch annoyed.
Can't blame him. It's a spot he's poured his heart into decorating. And here I come out of nowhere talking acquisition—not because we want a cafe, but just to turn it into a mere "customer waiting space."
Buyers can do whatever they want with their purchase, sure. But it still stings a little.
I pressed on to shift his thinking.
"We plan to leave the existing interior exactly as is. You've done such a beautiful job—barely anything needs touching."
"......"
"You might see it as a simple 'waiting space,' but we're treating this pretty seriously. Customers are only going to keep growing, and without a decent spot to wait, not many will stand in line through the midsummer heat."
In my past life before regression, this had been a real headache.
'We ended up buying the cafe across the street back then too.'
It boosted waiting customer satisfaction big time during summers and winters.
That cafe started with tweaks upon tweaks, then exploded into a low-price coffee brand...
Made a killing. I kept that thought to myself as I continued aloud.
"We can't just watch our hard-won customers get poached by other spots, can we?"
"You're right about that."
"That's why we're bringing up acquisition."
The cafe owner's expression softened a bit. He seemed to sense my sincerity—that we weren't mocking his place with this offer.
'Of course, that's not the only reason.'
But it's better to frame it this way for now. The owner wore a conflicted look.
'He's torn. It's like I waltzed in demanding he hand over the keys. But it's a tempting deal.'
It was peak hours for foot traffic, yet barely any customers. Forget payroll—he might not even be covering rent.
Clinging to a sinking ship like this would just pile on debt fast.
Unless he had some ace up his sleeve to turn it around, grabbing this chance and cutting clean was the smart move.
"...How much did you have in mind?"
He asked.
The second those words left his mouth, this cafe's fate was pretty much sealed.
"So you acquired the cafe?"
I nodded at Joyruk's incredulous double-take.
"Yep!"
"'Yep'? This isn't a yep kinda deal. A cafe out of nowhere? You do know how many projects we're juggling, right?"
Of course I did.
Han Mi-ae's [Happiness Snacks] relaunch opening, Owner Lee In-cheol's [Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212] expansion and relocation, and now the cafe acquisition in progress.
Three massive projects spinning at once. Yeah, it's a whirlwind.
"Not unmanageable, though? I laid the groundwork for the relocation, and I'm popping in to check progress here and there. [Happiness Snacks] is wrapping up—just needs the sign hung."
"Even so, it's way too sudden..."
"Was gonna buy it eventually anyway."
"Huh?"
Joyruk pushed up his glasses as he blinked.
"Hold on. Don't tell me you picked that spot from the get-go because..."
"The lot alone solves parking. We've caused some parking grief before, but snagging it on good terms makes up for it. It was barely hanging on anyway."
Joyruk's jaw dropped. He looked floored by the big picture. Gotta plan ahead like that.
"Okay, acquisition makes sense, but using prime real estate just as a waiting area for restaurant customers? Kinda wasteful, no? Link it up with discount cafe coupons for gukbap folks instead..."
"Nah, that's too half-assed. If we wanted to run a full cafe, we'd have gone elsewhere."
Plenty of better spots for a proper cafe— no reason to pick this one.
"Still, factor in rent, and the profit margins look thin."
"Haha, no worries. That spot's gonna turn into our golden goose."
"Huh? It is?"
Joyruk sounded genuinely skeptical. I just flashed a grin, no explanations.
He'd see when the time came.
"More importantly, you're getting damn good at this job in record time."
"Yeah. Thanks to a certain boss who dumped everything on me."
"Haha, ouch. Fair. But I was confirming every step."
I had my hands full too. Still, I'd offloaded a ton on him, so I chuckled awkwardly.
"I trust you, that's why~."
"Sigh. I just don't get what you see in me to trust like that. I was your run-of-the-mill exam-prep drone..."
Joyruk muttered like it was baffling.
'[I know the future.]'
No way he'd buy that. Better mix in some white lies.
"Knew it the second I laid eyes on you. Like, 'This guy's the one!' Heaven must've sent you."
"To roll around under you? Whoever's heaven that is feels sorry for me."
Doesn't pull punches. That's Jo Team Leader's charm.
In [The Song], my position was near-absolute thanks to the success legend I'd built.
Few dared block my path. Jo was one of 'em.
We built up plenty of grudging fondness that way. Sometimes I'd straight-up ask why he had to make my life hell.
But that's what gave Joyruk his sharp, independent edge.
"Struggling flying solo?"
"You bet!"
"Just hang tight."
I hummed cheerfully.
"I'll snag some more hands soon."
That'd lighten his load plenty.
"Oh, before that—review this first. Got a call from Branch Manager Kim Jong-chun. Says a connection of his wants to open another [Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212] branch..."
Work first, though. Office lights burned late again tonight.
Sign? Good to go.
Interior? Good to go.
Tables and chairs spotless. Colors cohesive. Retro vibe hits just right—nostalgic without being dated.
From a future-dweller's eyes, it'd hold up fine even ten years from now.
Perfect.
I walked up to Han Mi-ae.
"Congrats on the relaunch, Owner."
"......!"
Her eyes went wide, then she broke into a huge smile.
[Happiness Snacks] main branch—relaunch underway.
"O."
The guy heading home for his usual gukbap bowl spotted something different.
"Something new popped up here? Been construction for days..."
The tent finally came down, revealing it.
He rolled the name around in his mouth without thinking. "Snacks," huh. Probably sells tteokbokki, ramen, that kinda stuff.
'Wasn't the old place called the same?'
That thought flitted by as the sidewalk sign caught his eye.
[Happiness Snacks Relaunch Open!]
'Ah~. Same old place.'
Aw, man—got my hopes up for something new. Disappointment hit as he shuffled on.
'Gukbap sounds good, but Kim from accounting ripped me a new one today. Stressed as hell. Anyplace for a quick drink?'
Then he remembered the gukbap spot didn't sell booze. Damn, too bad.
'Only samgyeopsal joints around here. Too heavy. Somewhere for a casual beer? Nothing but gukbap or bust...'
Right then—like fateful mischief—another [Happiness Snacks] sign slid into view.
'Chicken Feet' Now Available!
A mouthwatering photo took up prime space. Look at that glossy red sauce dripping.
Pop one in, and spicy flavor explodes. You'd be huffing and puffing but unable to stop reaching for more.
Gulp.
'Huh?'
He felt saliva pooling in his mouth.