Greatest Idol C9 Revenge

Work started as usual, but everything felt different. My coworkers treated me like a complete stranger—not as Jacob, but as his mysterious brother.

As customers began trickling in, I caught Mallory studying me, her eyes full of questions.

Why is she staring? This kind of attention was new, especially from someone who used to barely acknowledge my existence.

She finally approached. "Never got to ask—since you're Jacob's brother, what's your name?"

I had to laugh. So that's what she's been dying to know.

I noticed Kyle, Veronica, and Alan watching us, equally curious.

"My name?" I decided honesty was best. "It's Jacob. What else?"

Eyebrows shot up all around. "Still sticking to that story?" Mallory asked incredulously.

"Getting old, dude," Kyle added. "Drop the act."

"Not an act. My name is Jacob."

Veronica chimed in. "So you and your brother have the same name?"

"If that's how you want to see it." I shrugged and turned back to work.

"Whatever you say," Kyle rolled his eyes.

As more customers arrived, I overheard a regular asking Kyle, "Never seen him before. New guy?"

"That's my coworker's brother," Kyle explained. "Covering his shift for now."

The lie had taken on a life of its own.

I shook my head as I approached my next table where one of our regulars, a young woman, sat. Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh, are you new here?"

I felt too exhausted to explain for the hundredth time. I just nodded.

The difference in customer treatment was striking.

"Hi there," she smiled warmly, making actual eye contact instead of the usual averted gaze I'd grown used to. "Could I get a grilled chicken sandwich with extra tomatoes? And a vanilla shake?"

As I wrote in my notepad, I realized I'd already memorized her order perfectly. Strange—my memory seemed sharper now.

"That'll be order number forty-two," I said, tearing off her ticket. "The sandwich should be ready in about ten minutes. Would you like your shake first?"

Her eyes crinkled with appreciation. "Yes, please. You're very professional."

When I brought her order, she beamed at me. "Everything's perfect, thank you!" She slipped a five-dollar bill across the table.

"Thank you," I said, hesitating to take it. In this life, it was my first tip ever. In my previous life, tips came from good service, not just... looking decent.

"Please, take it. You've earned it," she insisted with another warm smile.

So this is how the other half lives? Just existing while looking pleasant gets you better treatment?

Though I'd moved on to other tables, I could still feel the woman's occasional glances.

As the shift continued, I noticed female customers lingering longer at my station, engaging in unnecessary small talk. Three and five dollar tips became common—something that had never happened before.

Even customers at Kyle's station started requesting me specifically. Though I was reluctant, I couldn't ignore the potential tips. Kyle's growing frustration was evident in his clenched jaw and dark mutters of "attention-seeking pretty boy" under his breath.

The dynamics had shifted completely. Mallory actually sought out conversations now, and even Veronica and Alan seemed to find me worth talking to.

Samantha's treatment changed most dramatically. "If you want to replace Jacob permanently," she said during a quiet moment, "I'd be happy to order you a proper uniform. Your brother's size clearly doesn't suit your build."

Kyle's face darkened at the manager's praise.

I was indifferent to the whole situation until a particular group of teenage girls walked in—the same ones who'd humiliated me before.

They initially sat in Kyle's section, and he greeted them with his usual charm. But I noticed their whispered conversations and stolen glances in my direction.

To Kyle's visible annoyance, they promptly moved to my station.

I approached their table with reluctance, ready to take their order.

"Hey handsome," the blonde one purred, leaning forward. "What would you recommend to a girl with expensive taste but a limited budget?"

I internally cringed at her flirtatious smile. She couldn't be more than sixteen or seventeen—yet here she was, trying to flirt with someone she thought was a grown man.

"I'd recommend our signature Dragon's Breath Burger with extra jalapeños. It's a hidden gem on our menu," I said smoothly. "And our house special curry sauce really brings out the... unique flavors."

The redhead quickly jumped in. "What would you suggest for me?" She twirled her hair around her finger.

I suppressed a sigh and nodded. Soon all of them—the girl with purple streaks, another with a pastel pink bob—were asking for my recommendations. I remembered each order with surprising clarity. As I walked away, their giggles and whispers followed me.

A dark smile crept across my face as I considered their orders. The memory of their cruel comments was still fresh. They want my suggestions? I'll give them something special.

I planned to serve them the spiciest combinations our menu could create—dishes that would leave them gasping for water.

Let's see how they handle my recommendations. I chuckled darkly.

"I see you plotting your revenge," Lux's voice whispered from my collar.

"That obvious?" I muttered.

"It's another side effect of Fame Energy. Makes you more... vindictive toward those who wronged you."

That explains it. I've never been this petty before. The realization snapped me partly out of my vengeful haze.

But even knowing this was the Fame Energy's influence, I couldn't quite let go of my plan for revenge.

When I relayed the orders to Veronica, her eyebrows shot up. "These customers must really love spicy food. The Dragon's Breath Burger AND the Devil's Curry?"

I just chuckled. "Yeah, they insisted."

While waiting, I attended to my other tables. When the orders were ready, I delivered them one by one to the teenage group.

"Thank you, you're so attentive," the blonde cooed, batting her eyelashes.

The redhead eyed her plate hungrily. "This looks amazing. The presentation is gorgeous."

"Especially this curry—it smells divine," another girl chimed in.

"Please, enjoy your meal," I said with a slight bow. "Don't let me interrupt."

"If you'll excuse us..." The blonde and redhead eagerly took large bites of their burger and curry, completely unsuspecting.

Three seconds later, their faces turned scarlet.

"Water!" the blonde gasped. "Where's the water?!"

"Oh, my apologies," I said with mock concern. "I seem to have forgotten. Let me fetch that right away."

"Hurry!" They were practically bouncing in their seats.

I returned with a tray of water glasses, watching as they snatched them up with trembling hands. They gulped desperately, mascara starting to run.

Other customers had noticed the spectacle, some even pulling out their phones to record. The girls' dramatic reactions were drawing poorly concealed snickers from nearby tables.

The group kept desperately requesting water refills until the burning finally began to subside. Only then did they notice they'd become the restaurant's entertainment, with customers snickering and phones recording their ordeal.

The blonde's eyes turned to ice as she surveyed the room. The redhead was less subtle. "What are you all staring at?!" she snapped.

The customers turned away, though their amusement remained evident.

The group rounded on me, fury in their eyes. "What kind of game are you playing?!" the blonde demanded.

"But this is exactly what you ordered," I replied innocently. "You asked for my suggestions."

"Not something that would burn our tongues off!" the redhead snarled.

"Well, these are my personal favorites. I apologize if they're not to your taste."

One of the other girls muttered, "This is what we get for blindly following his recommendations."

The blonde's eyes narrowed. "If it's your favorite, why don't you try some yourself?"

I hadn't expected that challenge, but Lux whispered, "Go ahead, Fame Energy has enhanced your tolerance."

To their astonishment, I took a large bite of the Dragon's Breath Burger and followed it with a spoonful of curry. Instead of burning, the flavors bloomed beautifully on my tongue. I actually found myself taking another bite.

Their jaws dropped.

"Let's just get out of here," the girl with purple streaks urged.

"After you settle your bill," I reminded them pleasantly.

The blonde slapped down her card, muttering under her breath, "If you weren't so hot, I'd report you to management."

I had to suppress a laugh. They were so blinded by appearance that even after my little prank, they couldn't bring themselves to truly retaliate.