By: Reyhan Arsyad Basori
Osaka is not an easy city to win over. Fast-paced, stubborn, demanding. Beneath its friendly smiles lies a fierce expectation for hard work and dedication.
I arrived at Komorebi Osaka Branch that morning. The building was larger, the staff neatly dressed, the environment precise. But as I stepped inside, all I felt was cold.
They watched me.
Judged me.
Dismissed me—without words.
Standing behind the counter was a tall man with a spotless black apron, arms crossed. His expression was stern, his jaw sharp, eyes unwavering. This was Daigo Arima—the senior barista here, known across the coffee scene for his unmatched precision.
"So, you're the kid from HQ?" His voice was heavy, flat.
I bowed slightly, keeping my composure.
"Rei Hoshikawa. Sent here to initiate the youth barista training program."
Daigo sighed quietly, unimpressed.
"That program already failed in Fukuoka last year. Young punks coming in, messing with our rhythm, then leaving. And now they send someone even younger than our trainees."
[New Mission Detected: Build Reputation in Osaka]
Goal: Gain trust from Osaka staff within 7 days
Reward: +100 EXP + Random Negotiation Skill
Risk: Failure = Program Terminated in Osaka
I took a breath, steady.
"I know I'm young. I'm not here to teach. I'm here to learn—together."
Daigo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Learn? Hmph. We'll see."
---
The first day was painfully slow. Every offer I made to help was politely declined.
> "We've got it."
"No need to bother."
"We know our work."
But I stayed.
I sat in the corner, observing, taking notes on their workflow—when they prepped the station, how they cleaned the portafilters, how long they steamed milk, how they greeted customers.
> [Observation Skill Active]
Details Detected: Shift Patterns – Staff Fatigue Points – Small Mistakes in Milk Steaming (New Staff)
In between, I triggered Emotional Resonance.
[Emotions Detected]
Staff A: Suspicious – Defensive
Staff B: Dismissive – Mildly Curious
Daigo Arima: Controlled Anger – Slight Interest
I knew… they were waiting for me to give up.
But I wouldn't.
That night, I made my move.
The next morning, before anyone else arrived, I prepared hand-brewed pour-over coffee—using my own recipe, the one I'd learned back when I was just starting out.
One by one, I handed out small cups to the staff.
Each cup carried a handwritten note:
"I know I haven't earned your trust. But let the flavor speak first."
Some politely refused. But a few accepted.
Daigo? He stared at me for a moment—then took the cup silently.
Minutes later, I watched him take a slow sip… and place the empty cup down calmly, finished.
[Charisma +1]
[Team Resistance Decreased: 5%]
[Connection Potential Opened: Daigo Arima]
They stayed cold that day.
But I knew—
The ice had started to crack.