The flyer sat on Jun's floor, creased from the walk home, its bold letters staring back like a dare.
Barista Throwdown – This Sunday @ Noon
Open Brew Battle. Public Voting. Entry: Free.
He glanced at the system overlay blinking in the corner of his vision:
[Time Remaining Until Rent Deadline: 20h 45m]
He picked up his phone and hesitated. Then typed:
[Jun]: I know I said three days. I just need one more. Please. I can pay something by tomorrow night.
No reply.
He brewed. Waited.
Eventually:
[Landlord]: One more day. You better not be lying.
Jun exhaled. That was all he needed.
He made his way to the community center, shoulders square, tote strapped tight. When Mina saw him, she raised an eyebrow.
"You're back already?"
Jun handed her the flyer.
She scanned it. "You're entering?"
Jun nodded. "I have to. I've got three days."
Mina let out a breath. "So what's the plan? Magic espresso?"
"No. Just the grind."
They worked late into the evening.
The center's kitchenette wasn't built for this, but it had what he needed: outlets, water, counter space, and—thanks to Mina—a small stock of milk cartons "borrowed" from the youth fridge.
Jun practiced his pours, his timing, and the way the milk hit the crema. The first dozen cups looked like clouds exploded inside them.
But then...
One resembled a heart.
The next? A crooked tulip.
[Pattern Registered: Heart – 1/3]
[Latte Art Module Progress: 12%]
His hands were stiff. His arms ached. But he didn't stop.
By midnight, he had brewed more coffee than he had in his entire life before the system.
He poured a shaky spiral. The foam bloomed, slightly uneven—but beautiful in its own way.
[Pattern Registered: Rosetta – 2/3]
Jun exhaled and leaned over the sink.
Mina placed a clean towel beside him.
"You're insane."
He smiled. "Getting there."
Outside, the streets were empty. Inside, Jun's mind buzzed—not with caffeine, but with clarity.
He was close.
[Training Task Active – Progress Saved Automatically]
[Buff Unlocked: Pattern Recall – Slightly improves consistency when reproducing latte art under pressure.]
Three days. One chance. One cup at a time.