I Made a Billion
Managing the cafe had netted us roughly 100 million in pure profit.
On top of that, ad fees, broadcast appearance payments, franchise commissions, and so on added up to about 600 million more.
And to top it all off, Jewelry Academia's activity support fund of 300 million.
That was my pre-tax earnings over just four days.
I voiced the most baffling part out loud first.
"Why is business booming like this?"
I'd taken Amber's advice and jacked up prices several times higher than before, so you'd expect a flash in the pan on day one, then a slow trickle of customers until things died down.
But instead, it caught the nobles' eyes, and the crowds never stopped. Now it was practically the pride of Jewelry Academia.
"One, ten, hundred, thousand... Ah, too many numbers. Count it for me."
I decided to brew some coffee for Amber, who was counting bills in her hilariously inefficient way.
How much coffee had I served her over these four days? Just thinking about it gave me a headache.
"Ah, thanks. Oh, cake too."
"Let's count the money later. My brain's frying."
It had been a while since I'd remembered one of this world's downsides. No developed card culture—everyone paid in cash.
At least the big hundreds-of-millions deals went through checks or transfers, but the cafe's pure-profit cash had to be counted by hand.
"...Anyway."
I stared at the stacks of bills in front of me, thinking.
With this much, I could probably live comfortably even if I quit the Silver Unit, right?
It sure looked that way. Even if I handed half of it over to them, it'd last me ten years easy.
Well, minus the 1.5 billion debt from smashing those guard robots.
Even if I dumped all this in, I'd still be 500 million short. How much cash had I poured into those damn tin cans?
When I offered to pay it off with a billion upfront, Citrin just waved me off. Said she wasn't about to fleece her subordinates.
So in the end, this money was all mine to swallow...
"Still weird no matter how I think about it. I slashed prices—no, jacked them sky-high—and people just buy it straight up?"
"Hmm, maybe 'cause you put as much effort into desserts and the interior as the markup, senpai?"
"Well..."
The prices screamed no conscience, so I'd compensated with handmade desserts, lavish decorations, no skimping on plants to create a serene vibe inside.
Built-in sofas everywhere kept the open spaciousness while ensuring private conversations stayed secret.
"...Not making bank would be the weird part, right?"
Hearing it put it that way, I realized I'd gotten way into sprucing up the place.
"Even so, a billion is nuts. After taxes, it's gotta be over 900 million."
"Yeah. About three months of my salary?"
Setting aside her unintentional jab, a billion here wasn't the same as a billion won back home. If I had to convert it, maybe around 400 million won.
"What to do with all this."
"Save it for wedding costs. Those rack up fast."
"Got no one to marry."
Even accounting for all those little touches, pulling in this kind of money was downright bizarre.
How had a mere cafe owner like me scored astronomical profits like this?
The culprit? None other than that woman, Brilliant Aster Diamond.
Three days ago. Silver Unit's historic first branch at Jewelry Academia.
To minimize customers, I'd gone full penny-pinching mode: open during class hours to kill any opening rush.
"Nailed it... Just like I planned."
Miraculous customer count: zero. No whiff of anyone sniffing around.
Still, no room for complacency.
Few would ditch class to come here, but it was too early to relax.
—Ting-a-ling!
No sooner said than the bell chimed, signaling an entry.
Figures.
From yesterday's intel, top students got exemptions from some classes. How they used the time was up to them—devising personal spells, studying ahead, even napping. School didn't meddle.
So a student showing up during class wasn't weird.
But one look at the prices, and they'll never come back.
Still, first customer deserved a warm welcome. Full service it was.
"Hi, Jade!"
The one guy I didn't want to welcome.
"Huff, puff... Ravi. No need to run like that..."
"But I wanted to be first. Sophia ended up coming too."
I handed damp towels to the two girls slumped in chairs, panting.
Ravi and Sophia. First face-to-face in a while.
Especially Ravi—I'd shoved her out of my head these past days while she jetted to the other side of the world for awards.
So much for the easy life.
Opening in her school meant more run-ins were inevitable. Lapis knew that when she ordered me to keep tabs on her.
"More than that, Ravi—you really are close with Jade, huh."
"Can't talk, Sophia. Weren't you two alone in the street last time?"
Come to think of it, this was my first time facing two magical girls at once. Sophia had been sneaking visits without Ravi knowing—guess it was all out now.
"Hmm. Feels even more refined than before."
Sophia shifted to shop talk.
"Old place was underground. Natural light makes everything brighter."
"True, it had that dim, cozy image!"
I didn't mind the dark vibe personally, but basking in sunlight with elegance? A whole different level.
"Oh my, prices are up quite a bit. Guess the old ones were too cheap."
"Huh?"
Sophia grabbed the menu, saw the markup, and instead of shock, nodded like it made sense.
Why was she so chill? Wasn't sticker shock the normal reaction?
Then again, her strict family was filthy rich nobility. Economic sense might be a bit off.
"Two of those, then. Black sugar ice cream for dessert, please."
I eyed their faces as I took the order, then headed to the counter amid the machines to prep.
Honestly, wanted a serious chat with Ravi at some point.
To figure out why she'd dumped a massive mana load on me intentionally.
Plus Lapis's talk of my 'fate' nagged at me.
Body could drop dead any second. At least knowing the truth would ease my mind.
Seemed like a good chance—ask for some private time. She wasn't dodging me.
As I brewed and bantered idly—
"Been looking forward to this since yesterday. First time anyone's opened a shop here at school."
"What?"
A throwaway line I'd normally ignore, but the awkward, off phrasing soured my mood.
"...Obviously first. When would I have come before?"
"Ah, missaid it. Ignore me!"
Ravi flashed an innocent smile, correcting herself.
But something stuck in my craw.
Clang!
Moments later, the door flew open roughly.
"Aaaah! Thought I'd be first customer, but someone's already here!"
There she was. The big-boobed one.
Scratch that—Brilliant Aster Diamond stood there.
Still as loud as ever.
Spotting me, she marched over, hand on her chest rack.
"Here specially today! Yesterday's coffee and cake were great, but hardly satisfying!"
"Got it—sit first."
Diamond plopped into a seat; the nearby duo spotted her and greeted.
"Oh, Brilliant. Well met?"
"Hi, Lady Diamond!"
"Sophia, Ravi. You two too."
Quick nods, then they turned away—no further intrusion.
Not that close, apparently. Top-student chit-chat level.
"Order?"
Towel out, order taken—
"Hmm... All the coffees, and every dessert too!"
Must've misheard.
"You alone eating all this?"
"Fine! Skipped dinner yesterday for today!"
No way one skipped meal covered that. Sugar rush would fade fast; she'd quit midway.
Making it all's a chore...
No choice. Lure her to leave most, tank the rep.
30 minutes later.
I couldn't hide my shock watching the big-boobed food fighter.
"Nom nom... This tart thing's delicious too!"
All that goes straight to her chest?
Every plate licked clean; her radiant face irked me for no reason.
"Loved it! Want this place at home too!"
"...Pay up quick."
Glancing back, post-class students had snuck in, phones snapping the scene.
In hindsight, should've stopped it then. Kept the rumors to 'Brilliant heir raves about new cafe' inside school.
But no—next day, black-suited men showed up with cash-stuffed briefcases.