Questism and Lookism: Am I Suhyeon Kim?

Suhyeon sat in the meeting room of the Gangbuk West school, his hands resting on the table before him.

He waited silently, observing the somber atmosphere and the empty chairs around him.

Suddenly, firm footsteps echoed down the hallway. The door opened and Ji-hyuk entered the room, carrying his usual poise and a folder under his arm.

Ji-hyuk stopped in front of Suhyeon and asked seriously,

"Why this sudden meeting, leader? Does it have to do with the recent battles in the South and East of Gangbuk?"

Suhyeon looked at him firmly and answered in a low voice,

"Not exactly. It's something different... a new approach."

Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What is it about? A new strategic plan?"

Suhyeon nodded without raising his voice.

"We're at a point where strength alone is no longer enough. To sustain our growth, we need resources. Money. Funds to pay our executives, to strengthen our ranks, and to expand our influence."

Ji-hyuk frowned, thoughtful.

"And what's the plan to generate those resources?"

Suhyeon smiled with a hint of determination.

"We're going to create a network of coffee shops called Black Lotus. But to the public and authorities, it will operate under the name Project Bloom, a cultural and youth initiative to promote sustainable entrepreneurship."

Ji-hyuk opened the folder and began taking notes.

"Interesting. And how do you plan to control or protect this network? Do we have the means for that?"

Suhyeon crossed his arms.

"With strategy and the strength we already possess. But also with intelligence. Black Lotus won't just generate profits; it will be our operations center, a way to gain legitimacy and access to new sectors."

Ji-hyuk nodded slowly.

"So, besides growth in strength, we're going for financial and social expansion."

Suhyeon raised his gaze, determined.

"Exactly. Intimidation alone is no longer enough. We need to influence and build power from multiple fronts."

Hours later.

Ji-hyuk carefully examined a map of Gangbuk, precisely marking the zones where the first Black Lotus locations could be established.

His style was methodical and calm, pointing out strategic places with good traffic, close to schools and cultural centers.

Meanwhile, Suhyeon walked through the academic district's streets, his eyes attentive to every detail.

He watched a barista skillfully moving his hands as he served customers, a student confidently coordinating her group, and a young executive handling a call with authority.

Internally he evaluated:

"They will be the key. I'll need trained personnel with specific skills so that Black Lotus isn't just a café, but a fortress."

Suddenly, a notification appeared before his eyes:

[System]: You have used the card "Cloud" on barista.

Suhyeon raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

"This is going to be interesting."

The afternoon fell gently while in Ji-hyuk's living room, a low table held two steaming cups of coffee. Suhyeon and Ji-hyuk sat across from each other, each with a folder and an open notebook.

Ji-hyuk took a sip as he reviewed some notes and asked,

"Before moving forward with the expansion, I think we need to clearly define three fundamental aspects: the design of the locations, the brand identity we want to project, and the marketing plan to position ourselves in a competitive market. What do you think?"

Suhyeon rested his elbows on the table, clasped his hands, and nodded calmly.

"I agree. But don't worry about the staff. That's already covered. I've carefully evaluated those who might fit the profile we need. You focus on those three points. They're the foundation for everything else to work."

Ji-hyuk nodded, taking notes.

"So, about the design… I think we should aim for a minimalist but sophisticated style. It should reflect elegance without losing accessibility, so people walk in and feel like they're in a safe, clean, and modern space."

Suhyeon added,

"Exactly. The place should be discreet but convey authority. A place people want to return to, not just for the coffee, but for the atmosphere."

Ji-hyuk moved on to brand identity.

"The black spade ♤ will be our seal. But the facade must be friendly, cultural. That's why I like 'Project Bloom' as the public name. We can lean on youth initiatives to avoid suspicion."

Suhyeon murmured,

"A perfect screen to justify our operations and gain access to legal funds."

Ji-hyuk closed his notebook and spoke about marketing.

"As for promotion, I think we should bet on organic growth. Social media, cultural events, small workshops, talks. Nothing invasive, something that builds community. Also, we can use micro-influencers from the academic district."

Suhyeon smiled with quiet confidence.

"Well thought out. That kind of marketing attracts our target audience without seeming like an aggressive campaign."

Ji-hyuk raised his cup and proposed a toast.

"So, to Black Lotus. May it be more than a café. May it be the foundation for real power."

Suhyeon clinked his cup firmly against Ji-hyuk's.

"But tell me, what initial capital do we have to start all this?"

Suhyeon answered calmly,

"Most of the capital comes from the payments we receive from students of various schools where we have direct influence. It's a steady flow that we can redirect. Also, some funds come from executives committed to the project. That's why we can start without major loans or external investors."

...

The morning of the grand opening dawned clear and fresh.

In the heart of the academic district, the first Black Lotus location opened its doors with a discreet facade: large windows with translucent curtains and an elegant black spade logo on a matte white background.

The interior combined neutral tones with light wood and black metal details.

The lighting was soft and warm, enough to create a comfortable atmosphere without losing a sense of professionalism.

Minimalist-designed tables were spaced out to provide privacy, and a long counter at the back displayed different coffee beans and polished machines gleaming under spotlights.

The carefully designed menu included everything from classic espressos and cappuccinos to special infusions, all with names subtly related to the brand, like "Black Flower" or "Lotus Shadow."

Each drink came with a brief description of its origin and flavor notes.

The first customers—students and professionals from the district—entered curiously.

Some read the digital reviews the café had already accumulated; others simply came in drawn by the elegance and tranquil atmosphere.

The reactions were positive: "The best coffee in the area," "A relaxing environment to study," "The perfect place for discreet meetings."

However, not everything went perfectly during the opening.

Logistics faced minor hiccups: the espresso machine had a brief failure during the rush hour, a communication error caused some supplies to arrive late, and the initial staff needed time to adapt to standardized procedures.

From his mobile office, Ji-hyuk monitored every detail. The installed cameras streamed live footage while sales stats and social media feedback arrived in real time on his devices.

Calmly and precisely, he adjusted shift schedules to avoid overload and coordinated immediate supply replenishment with alternative providers.

"We need a more detailed operations manual," he noted on his tablet, "and an emergency protocol for technical failures."

Suhyeon, who visited the café from time to time, observed attentively, satisfied with the atmosphere but aware of the challenges.

"This is just the beginning of something big," he told Ji-hyuk during a break, "what matters is that we learn fast and adjust before expanding."

Ji-hyuk nodded, keeping his eyes on the screens.

"Success isn't about not making mistakes, but about how we respond to them," Ji-hyuk said, adjusting his glasses.

---

Author's note:

As you know, today is the last day I'll be posting consecutively. From now on, chapters will be released every Saturday and occasionally on Sundays.