Standing in front of Arzen was none other than Roel Arth—the protagonist of "I Become a Business Tycoon After I Regress."

Roel’s sharp, calculating eyes looked like they could peel back layers of anyone’s soul, and his confident stance screamed that he owned whatever room he walked into. Hanging from his neck was a pendant shaped like a phoenix, with a blue diamond that practically glowed—a major plot item that symbolized his unbreakable bond with Devon August, the novel’s male lead.

Arzen’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. 

‘Seriously? Of all people, why him? Why now?’ 

His breath came in quick, uneven bursts as he tried to hold it together, but standing this close to the actual main character felt like staring down a loaded gun. Roel’s eyes met his, and Arzen swore he was being dissected, piece by nerve-wracking piece.

Roel raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on his lips.

 “Looks like we’ve got similar taste.”

“Y-Yeah, I guess so.”

Arzen managed a shaky smile, his face betraying every ounce of the panic swirling inside him. Roel’s gaze didn’t waver, and Arzen felt like he was caught in a spotlight with nowhere to hide.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?!’

Arzen’s mind was racing, desperately trying to keep his cool.

Roel tilted his head slightly, still watching Arzen like he was an unsolved puzzle. 

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You alright?”

Arzen’s throat felt tight, his mind screaming for an escape route. 

‘Okay, breathe. Act normal. I’m just a regular guy. No big deal.’ 

He forced a laugh, though it came out more like a cough. 

“Hahaa... Yeah, I’m fine. Just… surprised, I guess.”

Roel’s smirk widened, clearly enjoying the awkward exchange. 

“Surprised to see someone else interested in this brooch?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Arzen nodded, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down his back as Roel studied him for a moment longer, knowing his excuse sounded so stupid.

‘Please don’t ask any more questions. Please just leave.’

Arzen silently pleaded as Roel finally shrugged, breaking the tension with an almost casual wave of his hand.

“It’s a nice piece. If you want it, go ahead.”

“Thanks, but you can have it. I was just looking.”

Arzen shook his head, while Roel’s eyes sparkled with amusement, as if he found the situation entertaining.

“I am also just looking around. Alright then. Have a good day.”

Roel turned and walked away, and Arzen’s knees nearly gave out from relief. He gripped the edge of the display case to steady himself, his mind a chaotic mess of what-ifs and could-have-beens.

‘That was too close. Way too close.’

He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down.

‘What is he doing here? Why now? What if this encounter creates a butterfly effect? And if Roel is here, is Devon August here too?!’

His eyes darted around the store, scanning for any sign of the other main character when suddenly, Hanjun’s finger poked his cheek, jolting him out of his spiraling thoughts.

“What’s wrong?”

Arzen tried to control his breathing, still feeling shaken.

“It’s nothing. Just... low blood sugar.”

“You sure? You look really pale.”

Hanjun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Arzen’s face, while Arzen forced a laugh, waving off the concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Hanjun looked doubtful but chose not to press the issue.

“Alright, if you say so. Let’s catch up with Yuriel and Elden. They’re already looking at more stuff.”

Arzen nodded, tagging along as they rejoined the others. Yuriel glanced up from a pair of cufflinks, immediately noticing Arzen’s pale expression.

“Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Yeah, just... got a bit lightheaded. I’m fine now.”

Arzen forced another smile, trying to act normal. Elden raised an eyebrow, glancing between Arzen and Yuriel.

“You sure? You look like you need to sit down.”

“I’m fine. Really.”

Arzen nodded, keeping his tone steady as he replied.

The three of them exchanged glances but decided not to push it further. As they left the boutique, Arzen’s mind was still spinning, replaying his encounter with Roel on an endless loop, each time feeling more unnerving.

Meanwhile, outside the accessories store, an impossibly sleek black sports car—so rare it made even the wealthiest do a double-take—idled quietly. Inside, a man sat in the passenger seat, skimming through a report on his tablet. His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes giving nothing away. Although in his thirties, his youthful appearance suggested he hadn’t aged a day past twenty-five. With perfectly styled black hair and an impeccable suit that could rival a fashion magazine cover, he was every bit as intimidating as his aura suggested.

The car door slid open, breaking the silence, and a young man entered, bringing an immediate change to the atmosphere. The man’s stern demeanor softened as his eyes landed on the newcomer. The young man settled in, giving the man beside him a relaxed look.

"I told you, no need to pick me up."

"Well, I had some time."

The black-clothed man’s voice was smooth and affectionate.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"No."

The young man laid his head on the black-clothed man's shoulder. The man glanced at him, his expression softening. 

"I see. I guess we should just customize it then."

"Well, actually..."

"Hm? What is it?"

The black-clothed man gently stroked the young man's hair, his fingers moving slowly through the soft strands, his eyes filled with curiosity and care.

"I didn't find what I was looking for, but there were some interesting things that caught my eye."

The young man fiddled with the phoenix necklace hanging around his neck.

"Why didn't you buy them?"

The young man didn’t answer directly, instead draping himself onto the man’s lap, clearly done with the conversation.

"I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when we arrive."

The black-clothed man continued to stroke the young man's hair, a soft smile playing on his lips as the car drove off into the distance.

Sunday morning came, and Arzen was up early for his shift at the coffee shop. Sunlight streamed through his dorm window, painting soft patterns on the walls. He dressed quickly and hopped on his bike, pedaling toward 'L'Écho de Vie,' the cozy café where he worked. The place had an old European charm, and as Arzen walked in, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee washed over him.

Ethan, his boss, was behind the counter, wiping down mugs and glancing up when Arzen walked in. 

“You are here early.”

Ethan said, nodding in greeting. Arzen nodded back, heading to the back to change into his work uniform. When he returned, Ethan was drying a cup, a casual smile on his face. 

“You know, Arzen, you’re the best worker I’ve got. I should probably bump up your pay before someone else snatches you away.”

Arzen chuckled softly, shrugging. 

“Not planning on going anywhere.”

“Good. Ever since you started, I’ve noticed an uptick in female customers. Quite the heartbreaker, aren’t you?” 

Ethan teased, setting the cup down. Arzen felt his cheeks warm, and he awkwardly fiddled with the counter edge.

“That’s nonsense.”

Ethan laughed, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Despite technically this being his first real interaction with Ethan outside of when he asked for a day off, Arzen felt oddly at ease around Ethan; maybe it was because the café felt miles away from the complications of his school life. There was no need to constantly watch his words or actions here. Ethan didn’t know this world’s Arzen that well—he’d only been working here for a month—and that made it easier to just be.

Arzen began his tasks, making coffee, taking orders, and serving customers with practiced ease. He meticulously arranged the cups and utensils, keeping himself busy and grounded. He wiped the counters, cleaned the coffee machines, and organized the pastries, each action deliberate and focused. Each task provided a small distraction, but his thoughts kept circling back to his unexpected meeting with Roel.

Ethan’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, and Arzen blinked as Ethan snapped his fingers in front of his face.

“Earth to Arzen. You alright?”

Arzen blinked, shaking his head slightly to clear his thoughts.

“Yeah, just thinking about some stuff.”

Ethan nodded, still eyeing him with mild concern. 

“Well, save the thinking for later. Coffee’s not gonna pour itself.”

Arzen continued his tasks, trying to stay focused on the job. He knew his way around the café like it was second nature—the cups, the tools, the ingredients all within reach. As he moved with a practiced ease, a brief pause had him staring around, coffee cup in hand. The place was starting to feel a little too familiar, almost as if he was gradually slipping into this world’s Arzen’s life without even realizing it. The thought made him shudder slightly; it was unsettling, like déjà vu that he couldn’t shake off.

Lost in his thoughts, Arzen didn’t notice a girl approaching the counter until she was right in front of him. Her long brown hair caught the light, her big black eyes blinking slowly with an innocent curiosity. A small beauty mark dotted the tip of her nose, and her red lips curved into a smile that seemed to have its own gravitational pull.

"Hi! What coffee would you recommend?"

The girl brushed her hair behind her ear, revealing a cute earring.

"Our house blend is quite popular."

"That sounds nice."

The girl leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, and glanced at the menu behind Arzen, her black eyes full of curiosity.

"Does it have a strong flavor?"

"Yes, it's well-balanced with a rich taste."

"Oh, that’s perfect. I like my coffee strong but not too bitter."

The girl tilted her head, her eyes focused on Arzen, and tapped her fingers on the counter.

"Does it have any fruity notes?"

"Yes, it has a hint of citrus."

The girl twirled a strand of her brown hair around her finger, her eyes flicking back to meet Arzen's.

"Great! I love a bit of citrus. And how about the sugar options? I prefer a little sweetness."

"We offer regular sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, and a variety of syrups."

"Nice. I think I’ll go with a little raw sugar then."

"Understood, and what about the milk? I like almond milk."

The girl leaned closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper, her eyes still focused on Arzen.

"We have almond milk."

"Great! I'll have a house blend with a hint of raw sugar and almond milk."

"Coming right up."

Arzen got to work, trying not to let the conversation slow him down. The girl, however, wasn’t quite done. She rested her elbows on the counter, still watching him with that same wide-eyed curiosity. 

"I really love coffee shops like this. They have such a cozy atmosphere. Do you enjoy working here?"

Arzen nodded while grinding the coffee beans, noticing the girl's gaze remaining steady on his face.

"Yes, it's a nice place to work."

"Do you get to try all the different blends?"

"Yes, we get to taste them."

"That must be fun! I think I'd love to work in a coffee shop someday."

Arzen slid her coffee across the counter, hoping to wrap things up.

"Here's your house blend with raw sugar and almond milk. Enjoy."

"Thank you! I'm sure I'll love it."

The girl took the coffee, her fingers brushing lightly against Arzen's. She reached into her bag, pulling out her phone to make the payment. 

Holding the cup, she went to a table before glancing back once more. The girl chose a table not far from the counter, her long brown hair shining in the light, swaying slightly. She picked a seat that offered a clear view of the entire cafe, but her eyes seemed to focus more on the counter where Arzen worked.

As Arzen moved on to other customers, Ethan sidled up next to him, chuckling quietly. 

“Looks like you’ve got yourself another fan."

Arzen rolled his eyes, wiping down the counter. Getting attached to people in this world was the last thing he needed. There was always a chance Arzen might return to his own world someday. He wasn't desperate to go back, but he wasn't keen on staying in this world as someone else either.

After a while, the girl from before came up to the counter again, her red plump lips curling into a bright smile.

"Hi again! I was wondering if you have any other recommendations for snacks to take home. I love snacking while watching movies."

Arzen glanced at the display of pastries, considering which options might be suitable for her. 

"We have a new batch of scones and some fresh muffins. They’re popular for take-home orders."

The girl's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward, excited by the suggestion. Her enthusiasm was evident in the way her eyes widened and her smile grew even brighter.

"Oh, that sounds perfect! I always need something delicious to munch on. You know, I love watching movies, especially when I have some good snacks. My favorite movie is 'The Enchanted Garden,' it's such a beautiful story, and the visuals are just stunning."

The girl leaned in closer, her long brown hair swaying slightly as she spoke, her hands animated and her red lips moving quickly as she described her favorite movies.

"And then there's 'Mystic Nights,' which always makes me cry, no matter how many times I watch it. Have you seen it? The way the characters develop is just amazing..."

Arzen tapped his fingers lightly on the counter, trying to keep his attention on her words. The constant stream of her enthusiastic chatter filled the space between them.

“Excuse me, how—”

"...'Eternal Echoes' is another one of my top picks. It's so emotional and thought-provoking. I remember watching it for the first time and just being blown away by the plot twists..."

He found himself struggling to keep up with her rapid-fire comments, his mind wandering as she continued talking.

‘I’m so tired. Why do I have to deal with this right now?’

"...'Celestial Dreams' is also fantastic, especially the soundtrack. The music really brings the whole movie to life..."

Arzen felt like he was on autopilot, nodding occasionally while his mind drifted. He continued to listen, trying to maintain focus and find the right time to interject.

‘I need to get through this. Just smile and nod.’

"...And have you heard about 'The Truth Untold? It’s a new movie that just came out, and the theme song is sung by Roel Arth."

Arzen flinched slightly at the name, which did not go unnoticed by the girl. Her black eyes widened with excitement.

"Oh my gosh!! Don’t tell me… Y-You like Roel Arth too?!"