**Chapter 9: Building Bridges**
Jae-min tapped his pen against the notepad in front of him, staring blankly at the half-written list of tasks Elyra had assigned. The system's tasks were growing more challenging—and more specific. He had completed some with ease, like introducing himself to new people and maintaining his connections with Mina and Hana. But today's challenge was particularly daunting:
**Task: Strengthen your bond with Mina by taking a meaningful action. Reward: 5% increase in personal funds from system spending and one ability unlock.**
"What does 'meaningful' even mean in this case?" Jae-min muttered, tossing the pen aside.
Elyra materialized in front of him, her usual smirk firmly in place. "Meaningful means something that resonates with Mina. Something personal, thoughtful. It's not just about money, Jae-min. It's about understanding her as a person."
He slumped in his chair. "I get that, but she's hard to read sometimes. I mean, she barely took the envelope, and that was literal cash!"
Elyra laughed lightly. "She's independent and proud. Throwing money at her won't work. Think about what she's passionate about, what she truly needs beyond financial help."
Jae-min frowned, replaying their recent conversations in his head. Mina had mentioned her frustration with her long hours at the diner and how it was keeping her from focusing on her singing dreams. But what could he realistically do to help with that?
Then it hit him.
---
The diner was quieter than usual when Jae-min walked in that afternoon. Mina was behind the counter, wiping down tables with a look of pure exhaustion on her face. She glanced up when she heard the bell, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spotted him.
"Didn't think I'd see you here again so soon," she said, her tone casual but tinged with surprise.
"Can't a guy grab a cup of coffee and a chance to see his favorite waitress?" Jae-min replied, grinning.
Mina rolled her eyes but didn't entirely hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Flattery won't get you a discount, you know."
"Good thing I'm not here for a discount," he said, taking a seat at the counter.
She poured him a cup of coffee, setting it down in front of him. "So, what's the real reason you're here?"
Jae-min leaned forward slightly. "I've been thinking about what you said. About how your job is keeping you from chasing your dream."
Mina stiffened, her eyes darting to the other side of the diner where her manager was busy with paperwork. "Keep your voice down," she hissed.
"Relax, I'm not trying to get you fired," he said with a chuckle. "But I might have a solution."
Mina raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "I'm listening."
"Why don't you perform here?" Jae-min suggested.
Her expression shifted to confusion. "What?"
"This place could use some live entertainment, right? You could sing here a couple of nights a week. It'd give you a chance to practice and maybe even bring in some extra tips."
Mina blinked, clearly caught off guard. "That's… that's not a terrible idea."
Jae-min grinned. "You sound surprised."
"I just didn't expect you to come up with something like that," she admitted. "But how am I supposed to convince my manager to let me do it?"
"Leave that part to me," Jae-min said confidently.
---
It took some convincing, but Jae-min managed to corner the diner's manager, Mr. Kang, during a lull in business. He pitched the idea of live music as a way to attract more customers, emphasizing Mina's talent and the potential for increased revenue.
Mr. Kang was hesitant at first, but after some persuasion—and a subtle promise from Jae-min to foot the bill for a small sound system—he agreed to give it a trial run.
When Jae-min relayed the news to Mina, her reaction was a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"You really pulled it off?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.
"Told you I'd handle it," Jae-min replied, grinning.
Mina stared at him for a moment, then shook her head with a soft laugh. "You're something else, you know that?"
"Is that a compliment?"
"Don't let it go to your head," she said, but her smile lingered.
---
That evening, Jae-min sat in the diner, watching as Mina stepped onto the makeshift stage they'd set up in the corner. The crowd was small—mostly regulars curious about the sudden addition of live music—but there was a buzz of anticipation in the air.
Mina looked nervous as she adjusted the microphone, her hands fidgeting slightly. But when she started to sing, the room fell silent.
Her voice was clear and powerful, filled with raw emotion that seemed to touch everyone who heard it. Jae-min couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched her pour her heart into every note.
By the time she finished, the room erupted into applause. Mina's cheeks flushed with a mix of exhilaration and embarrassment as she stepped down from the stage.
As she approached Jae-min's table, she gave him a wry smile. "Well? How'd I do?"
"You were amazing," he said honestly. "I think you just found yourself a new fan base."
Mina laughed, the sound lighter than he'd ever heard it. "I owe you for this, Jae-min. I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to," he replied. "Just keep doing what you love."
Mina's likability score flashed in his mind, climbing to 85%. Elyra appeared briefly at his side, her expression one of approval.
"You're getting closer," she murmured.
Jae-min didn't respond. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment—a small victory in a journey that was only just beginning.