Chapter 55 – Momentum

  Sera tilted her head slightly, studying Mira’s expression. “Actually,” she said, as if remembering something, “there’s another reason you probably don’t need to worry.”

  Mira blinked. “Another reason?”

  Sera nodded. “You might not know this, but a lot of people might come to the café after it opens here just to see you.”

  Mira stared at her. “...Me?”

  Kiro folded his arms, looking amused. “Judging by that reaction, you really have no idea, do you?”

  Mira’s face went completely blank. “Idea about what?”

  Lucien, who had been quietly observing, gave Sera a look that suggested he had a suspicion about where this was heading.

  Sera pointed at him accusingly. “Senior, you didn’t tell her?”

  “Tell me what?” Mira demanded, turning to Lucien immediately.

  Sera didn’t wait for him to answer. “The clip. The one from yesterday. It spread like wildfire once it got uploaded to the MICF network.”

  Kiro nodded. “Yeah. After it left the fan page, it blew up. A lot of people on campus have already seen it.”

  Mira froze.

  “The shouting,” Sera continued, “you holding your ground, Senior stepping in calmly, the inspectors showing up, the whole thing. It was basically real-life drama unfolding in front of everyone.”

  “And the comments,” Kiro added. “A lot of them were about you.”

  “About me?” Mira repeated faintly.

  “About how you didn’t panic,” Sera said. “About how you stayed professional even when they were yelling. Some people were seriously impressed.”

  Kiro shrugged. “So yeah. Even people who aren’t Senior’s readers might show up just to see what the café is about. Or to see you in action.”

  Mira looked as though someone had just told her she’d accidentally become famous overnight.

  “I… didn’t even know someone was recording,” she said slowly.

  Lucien smiled slightly. “We found out later. It spread pretty fast.”

  Mira turned to him sharply. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He lifted his hands in surrender. “A lot happened yesterday, as you know. Inspectors, confessions, promotions, and much more. It slipped my mind.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him.

  Then something clicked.

  Her gaze sharpened, and she crossed her arms slowly. “Wait.”

  Lucien felt it immediately. “What?”

  She tilted her head. “You didn’t promote me here because the video went viral and people might recognize me, did you?”

  Kiro made a soft choking sound. Sera’s eyes widened in interest.

  Lucien stared at Mira as if she had just accused him of treason. “What? No.”

  She squinted at him suspiciously. “It’s a little coincidental, don’t you think?”

  He pointed at her in fake outrage. “You are thinking far too little of me right now.”

  “I’m just saying,” Mira continued lightly, “the timing is interesting.”

  He shook his head firmly. “You handled that situation before anyone even knew it was going viral. I made the decision based on that. Not because you accidentally gained campus visibility.”

  “Accidentally,” Sera repeated, grinning.

  Mira hummed thoughtfully. “Still feels suspicious.”

  Lucien put a hand over his chest. “I am deeply offended.”

  Kiro burst out laughing. “Senior, you really do look like the type who would factor that in.”

  Sera nodded solemnly. “Strategic thinking, brand positioning and leveraging public perception to your advantage.”

  Lucien looked betrayed. “I am surrounded by traitors.”

  Mira couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed, the sound bright and unguarded. “Alright, alright. I’m kidding.”

  “Good,” Lucien muttered. “Because I would prefer not to be seen as some calculating mastermind.”

  Kiro raised a brow. “Too late for that.”

  Sera elbowed him lightly, still smiling. “Either way, Mira, you should probably prepare yourself. When the branch opens, some people might recognize you.”

  Mira exhaled slowly, trying to process it. “That’s… strange.”

  “It’s not a bad thing,” Sera said gently. “It just means people noticed.”

  Lucien looked at Mira, expression softening slightly. “You earned that.”

  This time, she didn’t deflect.

  She just nodded quietly.

  Now the idea of the new branch didn’t just feel like responsibility. It felt like visibility.

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  Lucien leaned back slightly on the bench, watching Mira’s expression settle into something more focused and determined.

  “We can move quickly,” he said. “The storefront itself doesn’t need major renovations. The interior is already minimal and clean. It actually fits our style pretty well. We’ll just need the essential equipment and branding adjustments, nothing drastic.”

  Mira nodded immediately, already shifting into practical mode. “That’s manageable.”

  “The real challenge,” Lucien continued, “is the people.”

  Mira didn’t hesitate. “Leave that to me,” she said confidently. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Lucien studied her for a second, then nodded. “You’ll be managing them anyway, so it’s better that you oversee the hiring process yourself. Do you already have anyone in mind? People who understand our standards?”

  She answered without pause. “Yes. I was already thinking about that. I know a few who’d be glad to join. They’re capable and reliable.”

  Lucien opened his mouth to respond.

  Mira narrowed her eyes at him preemptively. “Before you say anything, I know. I’ll only recruit people who fit our requirements with the right skills, attitude, and discipline to keep up. I won’t just bring in friends casually.”

  Lucien smiled. “I wasn’t going to say that.”

  “You were thinking it.”

  “I was verifying it,” he corrected mildly.

  She gave him a look but didn’t argue further.

  “If the numbers aren’t enough,” Lucien added, “we can hire part-time students. As long as the pay is reasonable, I’m sure many would be interested.”

  Sera immediately nodded. “Absolutely. Plenty of students are looking for part-time work.”

  Kiro chimed in, “And the institute supports it. They don’t make it difficult as it helps students cover expenses and gain experience.”

  Lucien turned back to Mira. “You heard them. You can tap into that pool if needed.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “That actually helps a lot.”

  “As for finance,” Lucien continued, “If you don’t already know someone suitable, you can ask Elias or Dorian. He probably knows someone capable.”

  As if on cue, Mira’s wristlink pinged softly.

  She glanced down at it.

  Then she smiled.

  “Speak of the devil,” she said, turning the screen toward Lucien.

  He leaned in slightly.

  On the display was a neatly structured message from Dorian. It contained the name, department, academic standing, and a short summary of experience of a MICF student he recommended for part-time financial oversight. It was efficient, concise, and entirely predictable, exactly the kind of message one would expect from him.

  Lucien let out a quiet laugh. “He must’ve assumed I’d ask him.”

  Mira skimmed through the profile. “Third-year student with internship experience and also did part-time bookkeeping for two student organizations.”

  She looked up. “He’s fast.”

  Lucien shrugged lightly. “He’s always thinking three steps ahead.”

  Kiro leaned over curiously. “That was immediate.”

  Sera nodded. “That’s kind of scary.”

  Mira smiled faintly. “It’s helpful.”

  Lucien nodded once. “Reach out to him. Set up a meeting. If he’s suitable, we’ll onboard him.”

  Mira exhaled slowly, but this time the breath carried anticipation instead of uncertainty.

  It was no longer an abstract idea and it was becoming a plan.

  Mira lifted her wristlink, about to compose a message to the student Dorian had recommended.

  Before she could even type a word, it pinged again.

  She blinked.

  “…That was fast.”

  Lucien leaned slightly to see the screen.

  The message was simple.

  Hi. Dorian mentioned you might reach out. I’m already on campus near the food stalls. I can meet anytime.

  Mira stared at it for a second. “He’s nearby.”

  Lucien straightened immediately.

  “Good,” he said. “Then let’s not waste time.”

  He turned to Sera and Kiro. “Let’s head back and get the paperwork started before someone else takes that storefront.”

  Kiro jumped to his feet. “Agreed. These things disappear if you hesitate.”

  Sera nodded firmly. “No procrastinating. Especially not on campus.”

  Mira looked between them. “What about him?” she asked, holding up her wristlink.

  Lucien waved a hand casually. “You meet him. Talk to him properly. I’ll get the leasing procedure started.”

  He had already begun walking toward the administrative building.

  Kiro and Sera hurried after him.

  Mira called out again, a hint of nervousness slipping into her voice. “Are you sure?”

  Lucien didn’t turn around. He just lifted his hand in a backward wave and kept walking.

  Mira watched him go for a second, then looked down at the message again.

  “Alright,” she muttered. “Let’s do this.”

  She replied quickly, and within minutes she met the student nearby. The conversation was straightforward. He was composed, respectful, and surprisingly well-prepared. He asked practical questions about reporting structure, expected workload, and coordination between branches.

  He didn’t oversell himself. He didn’t undersell either.

  By the time their discussion wrapped up, Mira felt more at ease than she expected.

  When she finally made her way toward the leasing office building, she found Lucien already stepping out of it, Sera and Kiro walking beside him.

  Lucien spotted her first.

  “Well?” he asked.

  Mira nodded. “I agreed. He’s good. Organized, attentive and he looks hardworking.”

  Lucien nodded once. “As long as you’re okay with him.”

  She paused, then frowned slightly.

  “Actually,” she said slowly, “halfway through talking to him, I realized something.”

  Lucien raised a brow.

  “Even if I approve or disapprove,” she continued, “he won’t technically report to me, right? Elias oversees finance. And you’ll check through him. So, what exactly was the point of me interviewing him?”

  She folded her arms, fake irritation creeping into her expression. “I suddenly felt like I was doing unnecessary work.”

  Kiro let out a small laugh.

  Lucien grinned. “You can’t look at it that way.”

  “Oh?” she said skeptically.

  “He might not report to you directly,” Lucien said, “but he’ll be working from your branch. You’ll see him daily, so coordination still matters and also, it’s better if you’re comfortable with the people around you.”

  Mira hesitated.

  “…Fine,” she muttered.

  Lucien continued, “And understanding how he thinks helps you manage your side more smoothly. Finance doesn’t exist in isolation.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, then sighed.

  “Whatever you say, boss.”

  Sera laughed immediately.

  Lucien smiled faintly. “You accepted it very quickly.”

  Mira rolled her eyes. “I’m adapting.”

  The four of them stood there for a moment, the late afternoon light stretching long shadows across the campus paths.

  They walked together toward the main gate of MICF, the late afternoon crowd thinning as classes wrapped up for the day. Students moved past them in small groups, some still discussing lectures, others already absorbed in their wristlinks.

  Once they reached the edge of campus, Lucien slowed.

  “Thanks,” he said sincerely, looking at both Sera and Kiro. “You saved us a lot of time today.”

  Mira immediately added, “Yes, seriously. We wouldn’t have known where to even start.”

  Sera waved it off. “Anytime, senior.”

  Kiro grinned. “Yeah. Don’t sweat it. We are literally getting credits for this.”

  Lucien smiled. “Still. We appreciate it.”

  Sera pointed at him lightly. “Just make sure the branch opens soon.”

  “And don’t forget to tell us the opening day in advance,” Kiro added. “We need to prepare our grand promotional campaign.”

  Lucien laughed. “Of course.”

  “Well then,” he said, stepping back slightly, “we’ll head out.”

  They exchanged quick goodbyes, and Lucien and Mira crossed toward the tram stop just outside campus. A few minutes later, they boarded, finding seats by the window.

  Outside, Sera and Kiro watched until the tram doors closed and the vehicle began to move.

  They turned and walked back into campus, already discussing how they would word the announcement once things were finalized.

  Inside the tram, the atmosphere was quieter.

  The initial excitement had settled into something more focused.

  Lucien leaned back slightly and looked at Mira.

  “You’ll need to move fast,” he said calmly. “Confirm your staff and get them ready. Training, schedules, everything. If we delay too much, momentum fades.”

  Mira nodded immediately. “I know.”

  “I’ll reach out tonight,” she continued. “Confirm who’s coming, who’s serious, and who needs convincing. I’ll start organizing shifts and responsibilities right away.”

  Lucien studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod.

  “Good.”

  She glanced at him. “Don’t worry. I won’t drag this out.”

  “I know,” he replied simply.

  The tram hummed steadily along the tracks.

  Lucien leaned his head back and closed his eyes, finally allowing himself a moment of rest. The day had been long.

  Mira looked out the window, already mentally listing names, schedules, and adjustments she needed to make.

  The branch was no longer an idea.

  It was a countdown.