Let me repeat myself. If you make the decision once, you cant fix it later. Not only the theme of the course but the recipe as well. Are you happy with this recipe?

Martin asked. Kaya nodded.

Ive thought about this for 10 days, only about this and nothing else. Unless the heavens give me a sign, I wont change it, or maybe this is a recipe I got from them in the first place.

Hm, okay. Ill accept it.

So when are you going to tell us about how the mission will be conducted? Im sure you wont make me make that whole course all by myself.

Be patient. Youll find out before tonight.

Tonight?

Kaya knitted her brows. Was that when the announcement was going to be made? She didnt know. She didnt even understand why they were telling her this much now. Anderson shook his head from beside her.

Dont act like a kid. Im sure they have their reasons. Do you really think theyre keeping it from you to screw you over?

I wasnt talking to you.

Kaya growled. Martin smirked. As expected, as soon as Cho Min Joon disappeared, the two of them were like a cat and dog.

Get some rest. Dont waste your energy fighting.

In response to Martins suggestion, Kaya stared at Anderson and then walked up to her accommodation. Kaya locked her door and sat on her bed. She hated that there was nothing she could do. Helplessness? Or maybe lassitude was a better expression. She wouldve rather done the mission right then and there.

Chloe, Min Joon, Marco, and uh Who was it again?

She already forgot some of their names, but it wasnt strange since they werent even that close. But the three of them were friends. She missed them. Like family.

Kaya took out her phone. She scanned the names on the screen and stopped at Cho Min Joons name. After having that awkward conversation that night, they were cold with each other. It wasnt that they didnt contact each other, but their conversations were quiet.

So Kaya pressed on Chloes name instead. The line rang for quite a while before he heard a panting voice. Kaya cautiously called her name.

Chloe?

[Huff, huff Yeah? What is it? Huff]

Are you working out again?

[No, Im not Huff, Im on my way somewhere, but the car stopped on a hill So Im walking up right now.]

Should I call you later?

[No, no need. Ill arrive soon. Im here.]

That was what Chloe said, but Kaya didnt question her further. After all, she was panting very hard. She listened to Kayas panting for a while longer. She then caught her breath and asked.

[But why did you call?]

Im bored, and my head hurts. Im stressed dealing with Anderson all the time, and I didnt feel like calling Min Joon

Kaya trailed off. She fumbled her fingers and changed the subject.

Anyway, thats why I called, but where are you going? Are you on vacation?

[Hm, something like that.]

Im jealous. I wish I could go, too. Come to think of it, Ive never been on one before.

[Yes, you have. The food truck mission and the Grand House is a vacation, too.]

Thats true But I hate it right now. A vacation with Anderson? Ew.

Chloe laughed awkwardly. She wasnt the type to trash talk other people. Kaya sighed.

So where are you? If youre on a hill, it sounds like youre in the west?

[In front of the door.]

Huh? What?

[Im in front of the door.]

At that moment, she heard a knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Kaya looked at the door with a blank look on her face. Chloe spoke in a playful voice

[Delivery.]

***

Right after Chloe, the rest of the disqualified contestants began to gather. Joanne, Ivanna, Hugo, Olivia, and Sasha showed up, and just like before, they all sat around in the lobby on the 4th floor. Kaya was smiling with Chloe in her arms. She was so happy she forgot all about the mission.

Im so happy.

Kaya made a short remark. When she was happy, it was hard for her to be honest. So coming from Kaya, that remark meant a lot. Anderson opened his mouth.

Theres still 6 days until the finals. The fact that we all gathered Is it what I think it is?

Im not sure. We havent heard that far either, but I think its what youre thinking.

Hugo answered. He was wearing glasses unlike before. Ivanna cautiously opened her mouth.

Hugo, did your eyesight get worse?

Instead of answering, Hugo put his fingers through the frames of his glasses with a smile. When Ivanna saw his fingers go through, she smiled and nodded. Sasha spoke in a jealous voice, I knew you guys were strong but here we are. Youre in the finals.

Were good.

Dont most people say they were lucky?

In response to Sashas criticism, Kaya smiled with confidence. It was possible that her confidence was her charm. Sasha thought that way and trembled her body. She had gotten used to Kaya over time, but one thing was for sure.

Shes not a bad girl.

She misunderstood her at first. Both her words and behavior were harsh. But the more she got to know her, the more she was like a cute porcupine. She stuck out her needles out of fear, but once she was calm, she was nice and soft.

At that moment, Someone walked down the stairs. They all looked at the stairs with anticipation. Who was it? The answer came out shortly. A bald shaved head was floating at the end of the stairs. When his body appeared, everyone smiled.

Marco!

Chloe and Joanne hugged Marco. Not even both their arms could surround Marcos body, but as soon as they hugged him, they realized that it wasnt just him. He was covered by Marcos size, but it was Cho Min Joon. He smiled awkwardly and asked, What about me?

Oh

Im just kidding.

Cho Min Joon saved Chloe from her hesitation. Chloe reached out her hands.

Give me your things! They look heavy.

Its just a suitcase.

You carried it up here though. You probably dont have energy to bring it up any further.

Just because Im not jacked doesnt mean I cant carry this But okay.

He handed over his suitcase and smiled.

Thanks for the help.

Chloe flushed and walked off. Cho Min Joon followed Chloe from behind and glanced at the others. As soon as Kaya met eyes with Cho Min Joon, she turned away like a little girl. Hugo, who was watching this, smiled at Kaya.

You guys got even closer while we were gone. Kaya, are you in danger?

Shut up.

She glared her heavily lined eyes. Her glare didnt go away even after Chloe and Cho Min Joon entered. She wasnt mad at anyone but herself. She was mad that she wasnt able to do anything.

Cho Min Joon was uncomfortable. Chloe had confessed her feelings to him, and he had fought with Kaya last time, and the others noticed. It was too obvious. Joanne whispered to Anderson, Hey, did something happen with them while we were gone?

I dont know.

Why not? You were here all along.

Do you remember everything I did while you were here? Do you?

No.

Same thing.

Anderson then shut his mouth. Joanne frowned and continued to watch Chloe. She only stopped watching Chloe when Robert appeared. He looked at the contestants and said, Please come down to the kitchen. Itll only be for a moment. The judges have arrived.

Why am I nervous when Im already disqualified?

Marco breathed in and out with his hand on his chest. Cho Min Joon smiled and said,

Because you take other peoples competition seriously, even customers feel nervous around judges.

Youre right.

He knew that if he ever visited Allan or Josephs restaurant one day, he wouldnt be able to eat in peace.

They had mixed feelings on their way down to the kitchen. In Cho Min Joons case, it had only been 2 weeks, but for the others, it had been longer. There were good feelings as well as bad ones. After all, they were just here as spectators now.

And no person was happy as a spectator. They wanted to be the star of the show. No person could be free of that greed.

He was reminded of something he heard before. Was it from a drama? One writer said, All people want to be the main lead of their own lives but that no one can. They werent living their own lives but watching it. The main lead was the one who was most loved, so it cant be you but the person that you love. But that also means you can become the main lead in someone elses life.

When he first read that, he just thought it sounded overly romantic, but he now understood. It was hard to accept that saying. He always wanted to be the star, and he wanted to love himself the most. That was how much he wanted the path that Kaya and Anderson were on.

But the right path was always difficult. Cho Min Joons greed subsided. He tried to make it subside. When he clenched his fist, he felt soft skin. He flinched and looked around to see Chloe looking just as surprised.

Sorry.

No worries.

An awkward silence flowed between them. Cho Min Joon asked in a low voice, Arent you sad?

About what?

That you cant be the star of the show.

Can I be honest?

Of course.

Chloe breathed in and out. They were already half-way down the stairs close to the kitchen doors.

This position is too much for me, but Im not putting myself down. Compared to Kaya or Anderson, I have less passion and effort. I still have a long way to go. Do you know the law of action and reaction? When you push a rock, if you dont have the strength to support it, you get pushed backward. The same goes for greed. If you dont have the ability to have that greed Youll lose what you have, too. So I try not to be greedy.

I admire that.

Heh, thanks.

Chloe smiled. At this moment, the awkwardness faded away between them. The kitchen doors opened. The contestants lined up and naturally walked into the kitchen. The judges were smiling brightly. Emily spoke first, Its good to see you again. Thank you for making time in your busy schedules.

I know youre curious. Youre probably wondering if youre here as witnesses, judges, or helpers.

They werent all that curious because it was obvious, and it showed on their faces. Martin sighed from the side. He wished they looked more curious.

Well tell you the results first. The 8 of you will be split into Kaya and Andersons teams, and youll cook according to their recipes and serve 50 customers. Also

Allan trailed off and looked at Joseph. Joseph continued with a smile, And the 50 customers are chefs from all around America. Being acknowledged by them is no different from being acknowledged by the food industry of this country.

In response, Kaya, Anderson, and the other 8 contestants showed twinkles in their eyes. What they said when they were recruited finally made sense. Opportunity. They werent there for Kaya and Anderson, but it was a chance for them as well. Making an impression on them would give them a leg up in their careers.

One week No, there are exactly 6 days left. You must learn Kaya and Andersons recipes and satisfy the chefs. But of course, theres one thing left to do before that. Emily?

Emily looked at the 10 of them. She spoke in a calm voice,

Lets decide on the teams.