Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Self-Employment Isn't Easy
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“Jun-hyuk! Congrats on the opening!”
The first customer at the newly opened cafe was, predictably, Yu-ra sis.
She'd hauled over a massive flower wreath herself, set it up in front of the cafe, and then came scampering over to hug me.
“Ugh, sis! The employees are watching.”
“They're gonna see it all the time anyway, so what's the big deal?”
I was wearing a perception-lowering artifact, set so it didn't target just me, so there wasn't any real issue. But getting all lovey-dovey in front of the staff was still kinda awkward.
“...Does the boss have a girlfriend?”
“Y-yeah. So?”
“Oh, no... nothing...”
You guys were eyeing me not as your boss, but as potential boyfriend material?
You all acted so diligent and work-focused during the interviews.
'Hang on, is this what sis was aiming for?'
To show everyone I'm taken and off-limits?
Sure enough, as soon as she hugged me, a few of the female employees sighed and dropped their heads. The enthusiasm they'd had for opening day vanished in an instant.
'Still, looks like some aren't giving up.'
A few were actually looking even more motivated.
No, why do women in this era love NTR so much? It's not straight-up classic NTR since harems are accepted, but still, knowing a guy's taken shouldn't make him more appealing.
“Jun-hyuk!”
But that motivation sank in a flash when Seo-yeon showed up.
“Congrats on the opening!”
“Thanks... ugh!”
Like a puppy charging in, she ran over and hugged me.
Since Seo-yeon was taller than me, I nearly toppled backward.
“Boss, you seemed so reserved, but you've already got two girls?”
“...This won't do.”
In the end, even the remaining female employees shook their heads, giving up on me.
Hey, girls? Talking loud enough for us to hear right in front of us?
I get that you're whispering, but if you wanted it private, turn down the volume.
'They give up pretty easily, though.'
Come to think of it, Seo-yeon was wearing the Millennium Guild uniform.
The staff were all job-hunters or college students, so to them, she must've seemed like an unbeatable wall.
'After the reversal filter, it's like finding out the girl they were eyeing is dating a big-corp employee.'
Fair enough.
After that little mishap, I handed the two of them each an Americano.
“Normally you'd order, but since it's semi-open today, how about rating the drinks?”
No wonder there were no customers right now.
For the semi-open, I'd invited acquaintances to taste the menu and give feedback, while giving the staff time to get used to the job.
“You don't need to try it to know. Anything Jun-hyuk makes is always the best. Like your bento boxes.”
“...Right. Like the home-cooked meals you prepare, Jun-hyuk. Nothing like some lousy bento—full of heartfelt care, I'm sure?”
“Oh? I was planning to crash at your place soon and sleep over. Jun-hyuk, no eating out that day—let's keep it simple at home.”
“Turning into a woman who expects a guy to cook? You know that's sexist, right?”
No, I asked you to rate the taste, not fight.
“Huh? I was gonna cook if you didn't. Was there a subject in what I said? You're the one assuming the guy has to cook—that's the sexist part, no?”
“Contextually, that's the normal assumption.”
They kept bickering like that for a while, then finished their drinks, said goodbye, and left.
“Alright, Jun-hyuk, don't wanna interrupt your work, so I'll head out! Fighting!”
“Jun-hyuk, may your business boom!”
No, rate the taste!
They just fought and bounced!
Even without them, plenty of others would rate it, so it was fine. But I wanted feedback from the people precious to me!
“Woo-hoo! So this is Jun-hyuk's cafe!”
“Hello!”
After that, tons of people showed up. I'd slipped the opening news at the Millennium Guild before the semi-open, so naturally, all the customers were guild members.
“Whoa! This Americano is killer!”
“Dude, you with your glutton mouth know coffee?”
“Dunno about that, but I can feel the love and care from a man.”
“Tellin' Yu-ra?”
“...That might be bad.”
Yu-ra sis's team members came by.
“Hmm, nice aroma. Business'll boom from here.”
Regular guild members visited too.
“...”
And during a quiet moment, the guild master dropped in.
“Uh... got any cinnamon-ginger punch?”
“...Afraid not, sadly.”
Looks like the guild master doesn't have much cafe history.
“How about sikhye?”
“That too.”
“...Just the bestseller, then.”
“Sure. Dessert too?”
“...Any yanggaeng?”
I seriously considered adding a menu for folks with elder tastes. No, seniors.
Anyway, the semi-open wrapped up great, and I encouraged the staff before closing up.
“Good work, everyone. Kinda busy for a semi-open, huh?”
“Nah. It was fun thanks to that. Felt rewarding.”
“Haha, keep it up like that.”
Since it was an acquaintance's shop, all today's visitors raved, but no complaints is a win.
Cafes are 49% vibe, 49% staff looks, 1% coffee taste—this is solid.
'Maybe scout the competition on the way home?'
After sending the staff off, I checked out nearby shops.
Normally you'd do market research pre-opening, but my cafe was a gift from Yu-ra sis's building.
Had to backtrack, and the late research gave me some chills.
'Way too many cafes around.'
Prime location meant similar businesses everywhere. Exaggerating a bit, there was a coffee shop every alley.
'And not just any cafes...'
Biggest issue: all were major corp franchises.
With stacked know-how, brand power, killer promos, and top-tier staff.
'Can I really beat that?'
'Cafe failure rate's 13%, right?'
Got funds from that villain group before, so okay for now. But if sales tank long-term, I'll join that 13%.
Shook off the bad thoughts and headed home.
“Worrying about closing before even grand opening.”
I know my face sells.
It'll be fine.
“...”
A week later.
“Business...”
I'd learn just how arrogant that was, bone-deep.
“Not going great?”
＊＊＊
'What’s the problem?'
Inside the empty cafe after staff clocked out.
Alone in the monitor room, I reviewed the current state.
'Sales aren't bad.'
But that's opening hype. New shop curiosity boosts.
Once that fades?
From decent sales to barely breaking even, or worse.
'Counted on looks alone.'
Underestimated self-employment.
Sales lagging prompted another market check, revealing how brutal it is.
'Should've scoped competitors properly from the start.'
Prime spot means high rent.
Franchises here weren't franchises—they were corporate straight-run stores.
With HQ promos, events galore, and elite staff.
“...Honestly didn't think I was Korea's hottest guy.”
Most top staff were guys, and objectively, they didn't pale next to me.
No looks buff here.
'Lost the one reason folks'd pick our plain cafe over their usual.'
So, how to become cafe king here?
Might as well aim for the best—ambition surged.
“They say hardship sparks true passion.”
Not some bland, chill cafe.
I wanna rule this intersection.
“Then it's gotta be that, right?”
Using hypnosis skill for business.
Of course, no evil stuff—wouldn't even think it.
“So no 'hypnosis to make 'em come back often!'”
That's coercion, stealing choice.
I want win-win: hypnosis lets me earn, customers get what they crave.
“Hmm...”
Tons of ideas—which to play first?
Checked CCTV genders from today, picked one.
“This'll do.”
Printed new menu on paper from the room PC, laminated it.
“What's key to cafe success?”
Word of mouth.
And who spreads it best...?
“Men.”
CCTV showed surprisingly many guys. Probably housewives pre-filter—ajummas post.
Ajummas spreading word?
Fixed customers in a flash.
“And what men love.”
Awakener women bulk easy, no fat gain with light exercise.
Saw it on movie date with otaku-heavy Seo-yeon.
Men?
Pack pounds easy, shed hard—misery.
I'll fix with hypnosis!
“Diet.”
No need for stage 2 or 3.
Stage 1 hypnosis—no contact—slims 'em right up.
“In my past life, I dieted a bit.”
Printed text gleamed under fluorescents, heralding our cafe's future.
[Hypnos Exclusive Diet Drink! Detoxes and melts fat away!]
“...”
Lame wording.
Tell a staffer to redo later.