As the months passed, my determination to make "Monkey Deal" a success remained unwavering. I had tried every approach, read every business book, and dedicated countless hours to finding a solution. But the elusive path to profitability continued to elude me.

One day, I decided to take a step back and ask myself a crucial question: What was the best thing about my product? The answer was clear—it was the packaging and the quality of the food. I had always taken pride in creating visually stunning packaging for "Monkey Deal," and the ingredients I used were of the highest quality.

I followed up with another question: What was the worst thing about my product? To my surprise, I couldn't come up with an answer. There was nothing wrong with my product or service; it was the lack of recognition and exposure that held me back.

The next question that plagued my thoughts was: What was the problem if the food served by other establishments was not any better than what I offered? I didn't have an answer to that question either.

So, I delved deeper into my introspection, asking myself why other businesses were thriving while I struggled. The answers were clear—they were more known, and they had been around longer than I had. It was a stark realization that I couldn't compete with them head-on, but I could find a way to cooperate.

After much contemplation, an idea began to form. If no one else was providing better packaging than me, since I made it myself with meticulous care, then why not offer these packaging services to other luxury brands? It made perfect sense; customers paying a premium price expected to receive not only a superior product but also an exquisite presentation.

The first step was to identify my unique selling proposition, and it became clear that the packaging I could offer was unparalleled. It became my sales pitch—the key to enticing other businesses to collaborate with me.

Nervous but determined, I embarked on a journey to pitch my packaging services to luxury restaurants and brands. I visited the upscale restaurant where I used to dine regularly before meeting Yuki, and I presented my proposal. Most of them hesitated, saying they would think about it, while some outright rejected my idea or ignored me.

But I persisted.

After a long and disheartening wait, one restaurant finally contacted me. They were intrigued by my proposal and asked for samples tailored to their restaurant's style. I worked tirelessly to create the perfect packaging that would complement their brand.

After a week, they placed their first order. It was a small step, but it was a step forward. The second month, they doubled their order. By the third month, they had ordered double the previous month's quantity.

This pattern began to repeat itself. Other restaurants and businesses started to follow suit, recognizing the value of my packaging services. Before I knew it, my packaging business had overtaken "Monkey Deal" in terms of revenue and profitability.

Three years had passed since I started this new venture, and I finally had a day off to rest. I decided to spend it with Yuki, but as I saw her approaching, I couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty. She had grown, changed, and matured so much during these years. Would she still recognize me?

When our eyes met, her reaction surprised me. It was more silence than anything else. But her silence held a depth of understanding and a connection that transcended words. It was as if she had seen the transformation in me and accepted it.

As we spent that day together, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey we had undertaken. The struggles, sacrifices, and relentless pursuit of a better life had led us to this moment—a moment of quiet recognition and shared strength. Our bond had grown stronger, and I knew that, despite the challenges that lay ahead, we would face them together with unwavering determination and an unbreakable connection.