The mid-afternoon buzz of the coffee shop provided a backdrop to Jiho's focus. His usual corner table had a clear view of the entrance, but he paid no mind to the comings and goings. His laptop screen glowed with trading charts, and beside it lay his worn notebook filled with meticulously detailed plans.
Jiho had already acted on his vision—a steady, calculated investment into KCoin. The vision had shown an opportunity for solid gains, not over weeks or months, but just a few days. It was enough to set things in motion without throwing him into reckless greed.
The café hummed with quiet conversations, and Nari flitted between tables, a soft smile ever-present. Jiho noticed her glance his way occasionally, but he brushed it off. His attention was locked on tracking the trade's progress.
Then, just as he was reviewing the latest numbers, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen—it was a message from Minseok.
"Got time to meet up? Ramyun restaurant near the PC café where you work? Could use a drink and some food to catch up."
Jiho's fingers paused over his keyboard for a moment as he considered. He had planned to stay focused on his trade, but it'd been a while since they'd caught up. Plus, Minseok always had a way of making things light. Jiho quickly typed a response.
"Sure, I'll be there in 20."
With that, he set the phone down and returned his gaze to the charts. He'd invested 20% of his 1.3 million won savings into KCoin, leaving the majority untouched as a safety net. The market wasn't just a gamble to him; it was a calculated climb. His self-imposed rule was clear: withdraw 20% of any profits into a secure deposit for long-term savings. The rest would be reinvested.
As the numbers updated in real time, Jiho's lips twitched into a faint smile. KCoin was already showing signs of growth. It wasn't dramatic yet, but the direction was promising. His notebook now bore another line, a start to what he hoped would be a consistent pattern of success.
The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of roasted chestnuts from a street vendor nearby. Jiho strolled to a ramyun restaurant a block away from the PC café where he worked. The red neon sign buzzed faintly, casting a warm glow over the small establishment.
Inside, the sound of boiling broth and clinking chopsticks filled the cozy space. Jiho spotted Minseok at a table near the back. His best friend waved him over, already halfway through a bottle of beer.
"Jiho, over here!" Minseok called, his grin as wide as ever.
Sliding into the seat across from him, Jiho ordered a spicy seafood ramyun and a bottle of beer for himself.
"This place hasn't changed at all," Minseok said, gesturing around with his chopsticks. "Still the best ramyun in the area. You used to drag me here all the time, remember?"
Jiho laughed softly. "Yeah, it was our go-to spot after gaming marathons."
"And now you're all responsible and working evenings?" Minseok teased, pouring them each a glass of beer.
"Something like that," Jiho replied, raising his glass for a quick toast.
They clinked glasses, and Minseok leaned in conspiratorially. "So, any big plans now that you're back in civilian life?"
Jiho hesitated before answering, carefully measuring his words. "Just taking things one step at a time. Classes start tomorrow, and I'm focusing on balancing work and school."
"That's good," Minseok said. Then, after a moment of silence, he added, "You heard about Sumin, right?"
Jiho's chopsticks froze mid-air. "What about her?"
"She's dating some chaebol guy now. Son of a department store CEO or something. Everyone at SNU is talking about them. He's apparently spoiling her with all kinds of luxury stuff like a LV bag, fancy dinners, the whole package."
The words stung, but Jiho forced a neutral expression. "Good for her," he said evenly, returning to his food.
Minseok frowned. "Doesn't that bother you? You were together for years."
"We broke up. She's free to do what she wants," Jiho said, his tone final.
Minseok raised his hands in surrender. "Fair enough. I just thought you'd want to know."
They finished their meal with lighter conversation, reminiscing about old gaming battles and friends they hadn't seen in a while. Jiho felt a strange mix of nostalgia and determination.
When the time came, he checked his watch. "I've got to get to work," he said, standing up.
"Don't let them work you to death," Minseok joked.
Jiho smiled faintly. "I'll see you around."
The PC café was dimly lit, filled with the glow of monitors and the occasional outburst of excitement from gamers. Jiho settled behind the counter, pulling out his notebook to review his investment plan.
The trade he'd made earlier was already yielding results. KCoin had gained a solid 40% within the day. Jiho felt a rush of satisfaction but tempered it with caution. Experience had taught him that the market could be unforgiving.
As he logged the success in his notebook, a faint notification chimed in his mind—a new layer of clarity that wasn't there before. The skill he'd discovered wasn't static. Every success seemed to enhance it subtly, making the visions sharper and easier to interpret.
Jiho's pen hovered over the page as a thought struck him.
"This isn't just about money," he muttered to himself. "It's about building something real, something stable."
He returned to his studies, determined to lay the groundwork for a future he could be proud of.