GM: E!? EEEEEEEE?! Come on get up, *Sees the futon empty* oh, she's not here?

E: I'm over at school!

GM: Oh, you're up early? What's the occasion? *Looks at the computer screen*

GM: How to promote a business? What's all this?

E: Look at the Yoogle account, it's amai's

GM: Wha- YOU HACKED INTO HER ACCOUNT!? That's actually impressive. You did got my powers after all 😏

E: Actually she forgot to sign out, I'm looking through her search history.

GM: Why?

E: Cause I have a suspicion. That one time I went back to the cooking club but heard her conversation with the club members, but after their done her phone rang. It sounded quite serious.

E: And next was this paper I found under her desk. It's some sort of checklist of business methods and the only one marked is the "Bake sale". Looks like that bake sale she did last time was thanks to us. 

GM: Well you did bought out the whole tray of cakes, so I guess that's a good thing for her business. Score one for you *Jokingly pulls out a score board*

E: 🙄... So I came to a conclusion with this. I think her family business is struggling.

GM: Oh really?

E: Think about, when you start a business of your own you need a tremendous amount of money. The ownership for business, brands, supplies, furniture, decorations, and ingredients. And all the hard earned money all goes down when you buy all the stuff you need. 

GM: How do you know all of this?

E: I work part-time in a beverage store and my manager spend all his budget on a brand of his own. He made up of different menu items, taiyaki, rice hotdogs, mochi donuts, churros, etc. At this rate I feel like the work environment is plagued with money desperation. It's sickening. *sighs* minimum wage jobs in a nutshell.

GM: but you seem to be well known how to take care of budget you should be the manager of that place.

E: Nah! I'm not much of being in charge, plus I'm not gonna end up like some strict mean old bag. Those types of bosses are the worst.

GM: Hey! They had more experiences since they started working here cut them some slack.

E: Oh fine, but in any case. I think I found a way to help Amai and befriend her. If we help promote her business and repay whatever debt her bakery has then we can talk to her about ayano and sempai.

GM: Hmmmm sounds great, but I'm only doing this for the free cakes.

E: Of course you're here for the cakes, then it's settled. We'll meet up with amai about her bakery so we can help her.

~ After School ~

Amai: Oh! Enri, Yan-chan, it's you! Thanks again for helping us setting up with the bake sale, especially for buying the cakes. 🤭 We couldn't have done it without you two. Anyways, you must be the one that wanted me to meet here. You mention in your note that-

Ayano: Your family business have been declining lately and you've been trying to revive it these past few days. It was the reason you held the bake sale earlier. You also didn't attend classes last week because of it. 

E: So we would like to help you. 😄

Amai: I've never told anyone about it here at school before. How did you found about it in the first place?

E: I found this paper under your desk.

Ayano: A supposed list to promote your family's bakery and it only has on thing written down. "Bake Sale" with a check mark. 

Amai: Oh! You must've been hearing everything while I was talking on the phone. Haha... I should've done it on my notes app instead. 

Ayano: How about this, I can fill up the list and do the research for you. Then, after I'm done, we can discuss it afterwards.

E: And I can help attract more customers with what's trending today. But also check out the competition and look what kind of food they are serving here.

Amai: R-Really!? That will be great girls! Though I've been busy lately because of the bake sale. I don't have time to meet with you during school hours. But, we can go over to the bakery any day after school! You can present your list then! Just not later than this Friday since I have other plans from that day on. How's that sound?

Ayano: That sounds wonderful

E: Sounds great 👍

Amai: Great! I'll meet you then!

E: Phew, glad you two can talk without you having to freak out.

Ayano: I suppose...

E: Ah no worries, plus you helping with her business might be fun. Who know's, maybe you'll work for her place as a part time job.

Ayano: Why would I need one?

E: For your own life savings? Have you ever earned any money of your own? You're 17 you should be legal to get a job.

Ayano: My parents send me money enough to pay my rent. I never know about jobs before.

E: 🤨.... After this, we really need to talk about your way towards life. 

~ The next day ~

Amai: Finally, We're here!

Amai: That... was a bit of a walk. 

Ayano: Looks nice

E: Yeah, the atmosphere is so breathable in here. 

Ayano: Was the bakery closed today?

Amai: Yeah, my parents are out of town for today. No one is available to run the bakery today. So, anyways, what's on the list?

*Ayano and Amai discuss about business ideas*

GM: So what's the plan manager?

E: Well I don't think she'll need a new brand since they already had a theme for the place. I've already know about the social media advertisement but it won't really reach out that many people if we just started, we had one before but the only followers we have are one, that's me. Any information on the next door neighbors? 

GM: Just a regular tea shop, the cakes look pretty fancy and they had lots of tables for the customers to stay in. not to mention a good window view.

E:Hmmmm... *Looks up on the bakery* Hey Amai, what's that on the top floor?

Amai: That top floor is an old storage room. It's been a while since we used it. Maybe, we should check it out?

E: Think you can see what's inside the storage room?

GM: Hmmmm, just dusty cardboard boxes of old memories. But that room is quite big enough for about 10-no, 30 people on there! Just enough for to sit back and enjoy the view on the upper floor. 

E: This could be a good idea, rooftop bars are very exquisite for any tea and cake shop. we can clear out the storage area and make it a upper floor of tables for customers to try the cakes here. But this will a lot of construction to do all the work, this will take a lot of time and money to fix all this.

GM: Than leave that to me, wait til night time and meet me at the bakery.

E: Uh okay then.

~ Night time ~

E: Alright I'm here, *yawns* so what's this idea you talkin about?

GM: Ohohohoho you're gonna love this *He raises his hands and sends you flying up into the sky*

All around all slowly pixelated into the familiar green grid empty world leaving the bakery in tact.

GM: Here in the cyberspace we can make some changes in the bakery without time consuming construction. But we have to make this quick, if we're here for to long the game will react from the errors. You can think of anything to change the rooftop. so, what design are you thinking?

E: Well.... 

~ Morning ~

Customer: Excuse me, I like a refill!

Ayano: Coming right up sir!

Customer: These cakes here are so delicious, and the view is so cool up here!

Customer: Another plate of shortcakes here and another to go please!

E: Coming right up girls, we'll have your cakes wrapped and ready once you're done.

Amai: Thank you for coming have a good day!

Customer: Oh no thank you, this bakery's gotten more popular since you added the rooftop bar.

Customer: I have got to post this online about this!

Amai: Oh my, this place has gotten more busy! 😵‍💫

E: I've never done wait staff before but this a lot more difficult having to do this by going up and downstairs.

GM: hehe, RIP your legs. 

~ After the shift ~

Amai: Thank you girls so much for you help, I couldn't thank you enough! Here's your pay for all your hard work you all did today, as promised. 

E: Hoooo boy, that was crazy! But it was all worth it, now you don't have to worry about your bakery closing down.

Amai: Where's Yan-chan? I wanna give her pay for today too.

E: She's in the bathroom, I don't know what she's doing in there but I'm sure she's also tired from the rush. By the way I like to tell you something.

Amai: Oh yes?

~ One explaination later ~

Amai: I see, so ayano has a crush on Taro. 

E: Yeah, and I wanna help her get close to him. So you're gonna have to let her reach his heart. I'm sure you and sempai are a thing right?

Amai: What? No, I just want to cheer him up. He was feeling sad when he talk to me about his childhood friend. He's a really nice man, and if someone like Ayano can fall in love with a man like him then I won't get in your way. I will give you my support, why don't we exchange numbers? Let me know if you want to help me with the bakery again.

E: Cool! *Hears a toilet flushing* Well, sounds like she's done. We better get home, it's getting late.

Amai: Bye bye you two.

~ Back at Ayano's Home ~

GM: Woohoo! Congrats, you got Amai on your team now. That's 2 down and 8 more to go... Uh, E? You doin good?

E: hmm? Oh yeah, I'm good. Just tired, good night.

[ Today's chapter is brought to you by ]

Thank you for your YS concept of Amai, here's the link on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Dwz5CAUbKEg