**Day 31 – Sunday – 2:23 PM**
The apartment was thick with the smell of grilled meat, sugar, and hot oil. Sunlight leaked through the windows, catching flour dust midair like magic. My apron was stained, my hair smelled like buns, and my hands felt permanently buttered.
One full month of grind.
Yeah, I trained—sweat, kicks, footwork, pain—but more than anything?
I cooked.
I obsessed. I chopped, flipped, messed up, then fixed it. I tweaked recipes until they cried for mercy. I studied YouTube chefs, old cooking forums, even random cookbooks I found in alley dumpsters.
Now? I was ready.
> "Yo, come hungry. I've leveled up my cooking stats."
Brie replied instantly:
> "if i don't cry tears of joy i'm suing"
Max dropped in:
> "you cookin? seriously? Bruh,last time you make curry,the food looks...chemical.."
I said "c'mon.. it's not that bad"
>"It's green,bruh..curry are not supposed to look like that..alright then...if i die it's your fault"
> "that's fair," I texted back.
---
**Gacha first**
Still got six pulls left.
I cracked my knuckles. "Alright, RNG god, hit me with something good."
---
**Pull #21 – Portable Takoyaki Maker (Uncommon)**
*Perfect for ball-shaped snacks. Also makes people ask weird questions.*
---
**Pull #22 – Uniform Set – Street Chef Edition (Normal)**
*Apron, fitted pants, headband. Makes you look like you know what you're doing, even if you don't.*
---
**Pull #23 –Tsunade's Panties ( Normal)**
*Lacy, pink, suspiciously well-preserved. Still warm. (Causes secondhand embarrassment when held.)*
I froze. Just stared at it.
"…wtf...why"
System reply:
> *"Fanservice."*
I sweated..a lot.
,'never..ever...take this out of inventory..'
---
**Pull #24 – Pop-Up Café License – NYC (Rare)**
*Official. Legal. Approved. You can now feed people and make a mess in peace.*
'Okay, that's actually good. Right when i need it'
---
**Pull #25 – Bag of Marbles (Junk – Normal)**
*Old, slightly dusty. Might come in handy if you're reenacting *Home Alone*.*
---
**Pull #26 – Bonus Gacha Token (Rare)**
*A shiny gold coin with a pull icon. Save it for emergencies… or drama.*
---
"Alright," I said, standing up. "Time to feed the civilians."
---
**3:10 PM – Apartment**
Three knocks.
Brie basically kicked the door open, holding a giant iced boba and already sniffing the air like a bloodhound.
"It smells like a food court made love to a bakery in here," she said, eyes wide.
Max came in slower, hoodie on, looking suspicious. "Okay. Who are you, and what did you do with Alex?"
I grinned. "I evolved."
---
**Today's Menu:**
* **Curry Karaage Chicken Sliders** – mini buns, crispy fried chicken, Japanese curry mayo
* **Okonomiyaki Fries** – seasoned fries with bonito flakes, spicy sauce, and melted cheddar
* **Matcha Roll Cakes** – soft sponge, cream swirl, fresh strawberry slices
* **Double-Smash Cheeseburger (Tokyo Style)** – smashed beef patties, grilled onions, teriyaki glaze, creamy miso cheddar
* **Iced Yuzu Soda**
Brie legit gasped.
Max pointed at the burger. "That looks like it's hiding secrets."
---
**Brie's POV**
I can't believe what i see..the food are shining?
It looks absolutely good..*growl* 'i think that's my belly growling'
'Ok.. let's try it'
The moment I bit into the slider, I had to close my eyes.
Crispy chicken. Soft bun. That curry mayo?
I let out a groan I was emotionally unprepared for.
"Alex," I whispered. "This should be illegal."
The fries were wild—cheesy, salty, with those weird dancing flakes on top? I laughed while chewing.
Then the burger hit.
*Oh my god, the burger.*
"This is what falling in love tastes like."
---
**Max's POV**
I swallowed..hard.after seeing brie's reaction.
I took one bite of the burger and just stopped moving.
Sweet. Salty. Cheesy. Crunchy. The grilled onions slapped. The sauce punched me in the face—in a good way. The cheese? That drop-kicked my soul.
"…Bro," I said. "Where the hell did you learn to cook like this?"
---
** Back to Alex*"
"I've just been messing around after work," I said while pouring drinks. "Watched a ton of cooking vids. Gordon Ramsay screaming at people kinda motivates you. Lots of trial and error. Mostly error."
Max narrowed his eyes. "So now you're some kitchen god?"
Brie just shrugged, mouth full of fries. "I don't care. Just keep feeding me."
---
**The Pitch**
"So," I said, wiping my hands, "I've been thinking about starting something. For real."
Brie blinked. "Like… a restaurant?"
"More like a pop-up café. Kinda like a food stall. Chill vibe. Test some dishes. Grab-n-go style."
Max squinted. "With what money?"
'Time to lie like a pro.'
"Been saving up. Some crypto wins. Nothing shady, I swear."
Max muttered, "Sounds shady."
Brie looked around. "You doing this solo?"
I shook my head. "Nah. I want you two to help. Front of house. I cook, you run things."
Brie stood up and put a hand over her heart. "You had me at free food."
Max leaned back on the couch. "Can I wear sunglasses indoors?"
"Yes."
"...I'm in."
---
**Laughter filled the room. Real, stupid, happy laughter.**
Brie snorted boba up her nose.
Max almost tripped doing a dramatic fry commercial voice.
For the first time in a month, I wasn't just grinding to survive.
I was building something.
---
**System Notification**
> **Inventory Updated:**
> – Portable Takoyaki Maker
> – Street Chef Uniform
> – Tsunade's Panties (Stored: Deep Shame Folder)
> – NYC Café License
> – Bag of Marbles
> – Bonus Gacha Token
> **Special Mission Unlocked!**
> "Feed 50 Strangers (0/50)"
> **Reward:** Template Sync Boost ×2 + Mystery Pull
> **Synergy Detected – Business Track Activated**
---
**Later That Night **
The city was glowing, buzzing, alive.
I leaned on the railing, soda in hand, apron still on.
A month ago, I woke up in a weird body with a voice in my head.
Now?
I had friends, food, and a plan.
No capes. No glory.
Just buns, burgers, and big dreams.
'Let's feed the world… one insane gacha pull at a time.'
--
---
## **System Status**
**\[Gacha System – Beta Access]**
**User:** Alex Walker
**World:** MCU – Earth-199999
**Timeline:** May 2010 (1 year, 7 months before Battle of New York)
**Gacha Points:** 5
**Bonus Gacha Token(s):** 1 (Unused)
---
### **Active Templates:**
**Vinsmoke Sanji – 25% (Baratie Era)**
– Black Leg Style: Intermediate
– Enhanced Leg Strength: Intermediate
– Cooking Talent: Advanced
– Trait: Smoking Habit (Inactive)
– Minor Fire Resistance
– Passive: Culinary Intuition
**Yukihira Soma – 80%>>90%** (New)
– Advanced Culinary Skills
– Cooking Battle Instincts
– Trait: Culinary Provocation
– Passive: Kitchen Improvisation
(NEW)**
> *Synergy Detected: Cooking Template Boost (Sanji + Soma)*
> *Fusion Traits Active – Cooking Creativity and Flavor Instincts Enhanced*
---
### **Inventory – Gacha Pulls 1–26:**
1. **Naruto Headband (Normal)**
*Cosmetic item. Offers no power. May attract weebs.*
2. **Amazon Gift Card – \$50 (Normal)**
*Usable on universal Amazon. If you find one.*
3. **Healing Potion ×1 (Normal)**
*Smells like cinnamon. Heals light injuries.*
4. **Recipe Card: Icelandic Grilled Fish (Normal)**
*Grants dish with unique "debuff" effects if made perfectly.*
5. **Cash Stack – \$10,000 (Uncommon)**
*Neatly bundled. No serials. Quick pocket cash.*
6. **Anime Glasses – Auto-Shatter (Gag – Normal)**
*Cracks when you "get serious." For drama only.*
7. **Combat Slippers (Rare)**
*Ultra-light, shock-absorbing footwear. Footwork speed +10%.*
8. **Ichiraku Ramen Recipes (Rare)**
*Legendary ramen blueprints. May cause spontaneous "Dattebayo."*
9. **Bank Check – \$50,000 (Rare)**
*Legit funds. Laundering strongly recommended.*
10. **Secret Cooking Notebook (Rare)**
*Mysterious recipes. Some pages feel… alive?*
11. **Black Pepper Grenade (Uncommon)**
*Spicy explosion. Causes coughing, sneezing, regret.*
12. **Chef Knife Set (Rare)**
*Auto-sharpens. Never rusts. Feels "just right" in your grip.*
13. **Anime Hair Dye – Pink (Gag – Normal)**
*One-use. Glows at night. You've been warned.*
14. **Sake Bottles ×3 – Vintage (Uncommon)**
*Boosts morale. Lowers judgment. Great with sashimi.*
15. **Game Console (Rare)**
*From a parallel Earth. Angry anime startup. No charger.*
16. **Briefcase of Untraceable Cash – \$1,000,000 (Legendary)**
*Clean, crisp, dangerous. Note included: "Don't be stupid."*
17. **Yukihira Soma Template – 80% (Rare Template)**
*See Active Templates above.*
18. **Portable Takoyaki Maker (Uncommon)**
*Ball-shaped snack machine. Weird conversation starter.*
19. **Street Chef Uniform (Normal)**
*Looks professional. Feels slightly overkill for fries.*
20. **Tsunade's Panties (Gag – Normal)**
*Stored deep in Inventory. Never speak of this again.*
21. **Pop-Up Café License – NYC (Rare)**
*Legal. Signed. You now own a food permit.*
22. **Bag of Marbles (Normal – Junk)**
*Dusty. May trip burglars. Or you.*
23. **Bonus Gacha Token (Rare)**
*A golden coin for one extra pull. Save for drama.*
---
### **Additional Items (Non-Gacha):**
– **Flip Phone** – \$4.75 resale value
– **MetroCard** – Empty
– **Photo: Brie & Friends (Pre-Reincarnation Memory)**
---
### **Mission Board:**
> **Daily Missions:** Active
> **Weekly Goals:** Reset in 6 Days
> **Special Mission:**
> – **Feed 50 Strangers (0/50)**
> – **Reward:** Template Sync Boost ×2 + 1 Mystery Pull
> – *Track: Business – Café Start-Up Progression Engaged*
---
### **Stat Overview:**
**Physical:**
– Strength: Human+ (Enhanced Legs Only)
– Speed: High Human (Black Leg + Slippers)
– Stamina: Trained
– Reflexes: Sharpened via Combat Kicks
**Cooking:**
– Culinary Instincts: Professional Tier
– Recipe Knowledge: Expanding (Fusion + Traditional)
– Plating & Presentation: Intermediate
– Improvisation: High
– Customer Reaction Rate: 100% Satisfaction (So far)
---
**Current Status:**
– Friends recruited: 2 (Brie, Max)
– Café License: Acquired
– Initial Plan: Pop-Up Café (Fast Food/Fusion Style)
– Funds: $1,060,000
– Hidden Assets: One shameful p
anty item
---
**To Be Continued…**