A week had passed since Kiana started working at the coffee shop, and a week since Ryn started frying his brain at the internet cafe.
"Finally, the outline for 'Sekiro: Die Twice' is done. Next is to submit it online and attract some sponsors. It's getting late, time to pick Kiana up and go home." Ryn submitted the proposal to several major game companies, then logged off to go get Kiana.
To accommodate students, their working hours in the city were short. Kiana only worked at the coffee shop for one afternoon each day; most of her other time was spent hanging out with Aoi Miyuki at the fried chicken shop.
At first, Kiana hadn't planned on going to the fried chicken shop, since she had no money and could only stare longingly. But she couldn't resist the cafe owner, who would pop over to the fried chicken shop every few days to make small talk with the owner, sometimes bringing Kiana along.
Both Kiana and Aoi Miyuki were very happy about this. Kiana, because the owner would buy her food, and Aoi Miyuki because she was happy to have made a friend.
Ryn arrived at the coffee shop, but the owner told him it was a slow day, so they had closed early. Kiana had already run off to the fried chicken shop to play.
After chatting with the owner about Kiana's recent situation and bidding her farewell, Ryn headed towards the fried chicken shop.
*Beep, beep, beep.* On the way, Ryn's communicator chimed.
There was a text message. It showed that a certain "Schicksal Technologies Ltd." had taken a liking to his proposal, and the person in charge wanted to meet with him in the coming days to discuss the details of their collaboration.
Ryn silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart. *Kiana, we're going to be rich.*
He pushed open the door to the fried chicken shop. A greasy-faced Kiana saw it was Ryn and, without even wiping her face, rushed over to hug him. With a helpless look, Ryn patted Kiana's head and helped wipe the crumbs from the corners of her mouth.
"You silly Kiana, get yourself clean before you hug me next time. You got it all over me."
"Hehe, I just wanted to hug you first, I wasn't thinking..." Kiana awkwardly patted Ryn's chest, trying to brush away the conspicuous grease stain, though it was obviously no use.
"Forget it, I'm used to it. A good wash at home will fix it." Ryn was long accustomed to this. He had already learned a hundred and eight ways to clean grease stains, after all. It would be a waste not to use them.
"Ehehe~"
Kiana stuck out her tongue, indicating that she knew she was wrong but would absolutely do it again.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still feel like the bond between Brother Ryn and Kiana is so wonderful!" Aoi Miyuki remarked with envy from the side. The concept of being a "third wheel" to a couple didn't exist yet in this era; otherwise, Aoi Miyuki would surely feel too full to eat dinner.
"Of course! Ryn is the closest person to me, even closer than my stinky old dad." Kiana's face was full of smiles. Although life was a bit tough with Ryn, she was happy every single day. (Ryn: Kiana, I'm sorry you've had to suffer, but have you forgotten who's responsible for our suffering!)
After saying goodbye to Aoi Miyuki and the fried chicken shop owner, Ryn took Kiana's hand, and the two walked home.
On the way, Ryn suddenly remembered the text message on his phone and said to Kiana with a smile.
"Kiana, someone liked my proposal. We're going to be rich soon!"
Kiana froze for a moment, then looked at Ryn.
"How rich? Rich enough to eat until I'm full?"
"Eat, eat, eat, that's all you know. But if it gets as popular as I hope, you'll definitely be able to eat chicken legs to your heart's content every day for the next three years!"
"Yay!"
After getting home, Ryn followed the instructions in the message to have a simple chat with the person in charge, setting a time and place to meet.
The next day at noon, Ryn took Kiana to her job at the coffee shop. This time, however, Ryn didn't leave as he usually did. Instead, he ordered a coffee and sat at a table, waiting for the person he was supposed to meet.
Before long, a noble-looking man with golden hair, accompanied by a white-haired woman wearing something like amber-colored goggles, walked into the coffee shop.
The woman scanned the cafe, then led the man towards Ryn.
The man sat down opposite Ryn, while the woman stood to the side.
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" It was Ryn's first time discussing a collaboration with someone, so he wasn't sure what to say and could only start with a polite question.
Just then, Kiana trotted over with a menu and placed it in front of the man.
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. Hello, Mr. Ryn. My name is Otto Apocalypse, and this is my secretary, Amber Apocalypse." Otto didn't even glance at the menu, instead starting with an introduction.
Looking at Otto's face, brimming with confidence, Kiana felt an inexplicable urge to punch him. She shook her head. *How could I have such a dangerous thought?*
That shake of her head caught Otto's attention. His green eyes seemed to light up.
"What a lovely little girl. Your eyes remind me of someone. What's your name, little one?"
"Kiana, Kiana Kaslana."
Kiana proudly announced her name. Every time she said it, she felt immense pride, because it was the best birthday present in the world, a gift from her stinky old dad.
Otto nodded, then gestured for Amber to step back. Amber understood and leaned in to ask Kiana.
"Mr. Otto has a rather... unique taste. Lovely miss, could you take me to the kitchen so I can prepare a coffee for him myself?"
Kiana hesitated for a moment but didn't overthink it. The owner did allow customers to brew their own coffee, as long as someone was watching. So, Kiana led Amber away.
"Alright, now, let's talk about the collaboration on 'Sekiro: Die Twice', Mr. Ryn." Otto clapped his hands, drawing Ryn's attention to him. His green pupils gazed calmly into Ryn's eyes, exuding the oppressive aura of a superior.