After paying the fare he went up and opened the door.

The same waitress from earlier noticed him almost immediately.

"Oh—welcome back, sir," she said, a bit surprised.

Benny gave a small nod.

"I’d like to meet the owner."

Her expression shifted, just slightly and a bit nervous.

"...The owner?" she repeated.

"Yes."

She hesitated, glancing toward the back.

"I—um... she’s not here right now. Maybe you could come back tomorrow?"

Benny groaned internally.

What...? I wasted ¥50 and still didn’t get to meet the owner?

"...Uh, well," he thought with a sigh, "I suppose that’s normal."

"...Alright," Benny said, turning slightly as if to leave.

But just as he was about to step away, a voice suddenly called out from the back.

"Wait."

Benny paused and looked back.

From the rear of the café, a young woman slowly stepped forward.

She wore a simple white apron tied neatly around her waist, yet it did little to hide her natural elegance.

Her skin was fair and smooth like polished jade, while her delicate features carried a quiet charm that immediately drew the eye.

Long dark hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing a face beautiful enough to make people stare twice without realizing it.

Her eyes were especially striking, clear and gentle, yet faintly tired, as though burdened by days of stress and sleepless nights.

Even dressed plainly, she gave off the feeling of someone refined and graceful.

Benny blinked, visibly surprised.

She’s... the owner?

Her gaze met his directly.

"You wanted to meet me?" she said.

"I’m the owner."

The woman crossed her arms lightly, studying him.

"So," she said, calm but direct, "why do you want to meet me?"

Benny didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around the café.

"Can we talk somewhere private?"

She followed his gaze, then nodded after a brief pause.

"...Alright."

A few moments later, they were seated at a quieter corner near the back.

She pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.

"Sarah," she introduced simply.

"Benny."

There was a short silence following that and then Benny leaned forward slightly.

"I’ve been observing your café."

Sarah’s brows lifted a little.

"And?"

"... You plan on telling me how to run my business?" she shot back, a hint of irritation in her tone.

Benny raised a hand slightly, cutting in before it escalated.

"No. I never said that. I want to invest in your café."

That caught her off guard.

"...Invest?" she repeated, confusion replacing the edge in her voice. "Why?"

"I love how you’re running the place," he said firmly. "It seems so welcoming and I’ve tasted the food."

He met her eyes.

"It’s amazing. A big thumbs up to your chef!"

For a split second, Sarah blinked.

Then, just slightly, her composure cracked.

A faint blush rose to her cheeks.

"...Oh," she said, looking away for a moment. "Thank you."

Benny leaned back while also pushing with his proposal.

"I’m being serious. I want to invest ¥100,000 into your café right now."

Silence fell between them.

The weight of that number... lingered.

"¥100,000...?"

Sarah stared at him as if she’d misheard.

"What?"

The calm composure she’d carried earlier completely cracked, replaced with pure disbelief.

Benny nodded seriously.

"Yes. Definitely. I plan to invest more but I’m currently not that liquid so I’ll invest a lot more later."

Sarah opened her mouth, then closed it again.

For a moment, she genuinely looked speechless.

Her thoughts clearly couldn’t keep up.

Benny tilted his head slightly.

"So," he asked again, "what’s your answer?"

Sarah blinked rapidly.

"W-Wait..." she stammered, visibly struggling to process his words. "Y-You truly want to invest?"

Benny frowned slightly, growing more confused by the repeated question.

You keep asking me that...

Still, he answered aloud despite his confusion.

"Yes," he said. "That’s what I’ve been trying to say this whole time. I want to invest."

"Sister—calm down!"

The waitress from earlier rushed over in panic as Sarah suddenly swayed in her seat. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She quickly knelt beside her, trying to steady her.

"Breathe! Breathe first!"

Benny was completely caught off guard.

"...Huh?"

He immediately stood up as well.

"Are you okay?" he asked, moving over to help.

Sarah suddenly grabbed the table and shot upright.

"I’ll take it!" she blurted out.

Both Benny and the waitress froze.

"I’ll take it! The investment—I’ll take it!"

Sarah looked like she was afraid he might change his mind if she hesitated another second.

A few hours later—

the paperwork was finally complete.

In the end, Benny had purchased 15% equity in the café in exchange for ¥100,000.

Sarah held the signed documents carefully in both hands, staring at them as though they were some kind of sacred treasure.

Her exhausted eyes practically glowed with disbelief and excitement.

Meanwhile, Benny looked just as drained.

Truthfully, he had originally wanted at least 25% ownership.

Yet somehow, this seemingly fragile looking girl sitting in front of him had negotiated so well that before he even realized it, the contract had already been signed at 15%.

She’s good at this...

"Sarah," he said as he stood up, "I have to head out. Tomorrow, I’d like to take a look at the café’s financial records from the past few months, if that’s alright."

"It’s alright!" she answered immediately, unable to tear her eyes away from the documents in her hands.

Benny gave a small nod before turning and walking out of the café.

As he stepped outside into the cool evening air, he let out a long breath.

"Phew..."

Then he checked the system once more.

System Funds: ¥26,870

Personal wealth: 6869

Benny’s lips curved a bit upward.

"I know exactly where the rest is going to be at."

He pulled out his phone and dialed Neo.

As soon as he dialed, the call connected almost instantly.

And immediately...

"NEO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Kill that Linix already!"

"WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?!"

Chaotic shouting exploded through the speaker.

Benny could practically hear frantic keyboard smashing in the background.

"LEFT! LEFT!"

"I AM GOING LEFT!"

"THERE’S NOTHING THERE, YOU IDIOT!"

Benny couldn’t help but laugh.

Then Neo’s voice came through, unusually energetic.

"What is it, brother? Is it about the dinner?" he asked excitedly, completely ignoring the battlefield happening around him.

"Yes, let’s meet me at uncle’s place."

Neo’s eyes instantly lit up.

"Okay! I’ll come right away!"

The call was hung right after.