"Is that Evelyn? Is she in some kind of trouble? Why does Tin Master look a bit angry…?" Wise watched the two near the entrance of the coffee shop and decided to go over.
"One cup of black coffee, eight times concentration, no sugar, no milk, thank you," Evelyn ordered plainly, as if this was a completely normal request.
"…Eight times concentration? Madam, with all due respect, coffee like that has no taste whatsoever," Tin Master said, trying to convince her that it wouldn't be good.
"Don't worry about the taste. I just really need the caffeine."
Despite Evelyn's insistence, Tin Master still refused her request, as it had already surpassed the safe consumption limit for normal humans.
Moreover, in Tin Master's view, coffee was not merely a tool to stay awake. It was about taste and enjoyment, not simply a means to banish drowsiness.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot prepare a drink that goes against the essence of coffee."
"…"
Evelyn fell silent, looking slightly troubled. Wise noticed the fatigue on her face and the faint dark circles beneath her eyes, immediately understanding the reason.
"Are you very sleepy?"
"Mm… I have very important work soon, and I absolutely cannot doze off. Oh, Wise, you're close with Tin Master, right? Please help me persuade him. I really need this coffee."
"Then you have to tell me the truth. How long have you been awake?" Wise asked with an inquiring tone.
"...Fifty-eight hours."
"..."
It was clearly impossible for her to keep going without coffee, so Wise asked Tin Master for a cup of four-times-concentration coffee, and the Master reluctantly agreed.
While waiting, Wise, after getting permission, held Evelyn's hand and used his innate ability on her.
Although he knew that such an intense work schedule might be normal for her, he still couldn't help but worry.
"So warm… My body doesn't feel as tired anymore. It's truly amazing…"
"Mm, maybe it's just the psychological effect."
Confused by Wise's response, Evelyn looked at him, but with her intelligence, she could clearly tell that things weren't as simple as he made them seem.
However, she chose not to ask further. Just then, the coffee was ready, and the two headed to the Riverside.
"Mm, four-times-concentration black coffee. The taste is still so rich and mellow. His temper is understandable then."
After tasting the coffee, Evelyn praised it highly.
"I'd be angry too. And Evelyn, you really don't take care of yourself enough."
"Oh… is that so? But there's really no choice. In our line of work, when things get busy, it's like this. Even Miss Yao stayed up all night. I still need to finalize the shooting materials with the other company before I can rest easy."
Evelyn replied to Wise's words in a slightly softer tone. When speaking to someone who cared about her, she never tried to justify her actions.
"Four-times concentration… I wonder if it will be enough. I feel like I could fall asleep at any moment right now."
"Then I'll take on the remaining four times for you."
"Do you mean you'll stay with me through the meeting? Won't that bother you too much…? Actually, it's fine if you don't worry about me."
"I'm sorry, but leaving you alone is something I can't do, Evelyn."
After hearing Wise's words, Evelyn paused slightly, but ultimately didn't refuse.
"I can't argue with you... Fine. But, you know I've been trained, right?"
"Hmm?"
"That means if you shake me awake while I'm disoriented, I might instinctively retaliate…"
"It's fine, I can take a hit," Wise said, patting his chest slightly.
"…I don't doubt your strength, but if possible, please dodge or block. If I hurt you, I'd be very troubled."
Evelyn didn't take Wise's joking words seriously, but after thinking for a moment, she still made a decision.
"I'm actually… very ticklish. If you tickle me, I probably won't react aggressively. So, during the meeting later, if you notice my eyes starting to wander, just do it. Don't hesitate."
When she said this, her face was slightly flushed, but her tone remained firm.
"It's very important. I must stay awake for the online meeting, please."
To stay awake, Evelyn stood throughout the entire meeting, speaking eloquently on the phone.
Is this what a business elite is like?
However, as the meeting approached its end, she ultimately couldn't resist the drowsiness taking over.
Seeing this, Wise followed Evelyn's earlier advice and reached out to tickle her palm.
Evelyn trembled all over, immediately waking up from her drowsiness. She seemed to put great effort into stopping herself from laughing out loud.
"Oh! Mm… Ha ha ha, you're right, it was indeed a pleasant cooperation. We'll await the final product from you then!" As the call ended, Evelyn let out a sigh of relief and turned toward Wise beside her.
"Phew~ Mission accomplished! Thank you so much, four-times-concentration coffee."
[Ding! Target Evelyn: has increased her favorability toward the host by 5. Her current favorability is now 90. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 43.100]
"Are you really that ticklish? You seem so calm," Wise asked doubtfully.
"How could that be? Actually, I really wanted to burst out laughing just now, but since I was in a meeting, I held it in."
After saying this, Evelyn seemed to remember something and looked slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, by the way, I have an impolite request. The fact that I'm ticklish, only you know about it, so please don't tell anyone. After all, as a security personnel, having such a weakness is simply unacceptable."
"That's only right, but you have to promise me you'll go straight home and sleep."
Wise would naturally keep her secret, but his firm stance on the latter half of the request was unchangeable.
"Mm, I promise you. I definitely won't push myself again today, don't worry."
When she said this, Evelyn completely relaxed, unable to help but let out a breath.
"Ha~ It's really time to sleep. After letting go of work, the drowsiness instantly washed over me."
To ensure her safety, Wise accompanied Evelyn all the way home before finally returning to the video store.
<<>>
A few days passed like this, and Wise handled some matters outside.
When he returned, he planned to take the subway at Lumina Square, but at the station exit, he saw Ellen being surrounded by three of her good friends, looking distressed.
"Ellen!! Is that Ellen…?!"
Ruby spoke first, looking shocked at Ellen, who was dressed in a maid outfit. The latter clearly hadn't anticipated this situation either.
"Excuse me, you've got the wrong person. My name is… uh, my name is Butler."
That was the name of the Bangboo from Victoria Housekeeping, but Ellen's attempt to bluff her way through clearly couldn't fool the three of them.
"It's clearly you, Ellen! Your tail is unique!"
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