The method is simple. Well hold a secret vote for who youre cheering on the most between Kaya and Anderson, and the person who gets the most votes will pick a team member first. But unless youre the last person to be chosen, you can refuse.

Isnt this too similar to a popularity contest? This is the finals.

A suspicious voice could be heard. It was Hugos. In response, Joseph smiled and answered, Youre right. A popularity vote. And that popularity will depend on how you got along during the last few months. Character and charm are just as important to a chef as skills. And the same goes for this mission.

Joseph looked back at one person.

This is the finals. If were going to judge based on skills alone, we dont even need to form teams like this. After all, the results will just depend on the difference in ability, but we still decided to do a team mission. Thats because this is what restaurants are like. There are two head chefs. One has good cooking skills with no ability to lead, and the other person is less skilled at cooking but is able to lead the kitchen. Which restaurant do you think would be more delicious?

The latter?

Thats right. Skills are important, but whats just as important is the ability to lead a kitchen, and the person wholl win this competition will not only be in charge of one section, but an entire kitchen as a head chef. That means they need to be a conductor as much as they are a musician.

Silence fell for a moment. Cho Min Joon quietly stared at Kaya and Anderson. Which one would show more potential as future head chefs?

Did Kaya grow more?

She was a lot different from when they first met, but he was worried she would cause problems. He wasnt worried about Anderson. He was strict, but he knew how to fulfill his role.

The vote took place, and the name on Cho Min Joons paper was to be expected. Kaya. Even if he was close to Anderson, he wasnt as close as Kaya. After all, he was a fan of Kaya since before the competition.

Wholl win?

He was wondering about the vote, not the competition. Cho Min Joon thought Anderson could win. Both had difficult personalities, but Kaya was worse.

All of their eyes sparkled with curiosity. Two votes for Kaya, two votes for Andeson, one vote for Kaya, and two votes for Anderson. 5:3. Anderson won. Kaya pouted. Emily smiled.

Great. Anderson gets first pick. Who will you choose? Remember that they have the ability to refuse. That means If you know you can get someone, its better to pick them later.

Anderson looked at everyone in silence. When considering cooking skills, personality, and style, Cho Min Joon was the person he needed the most. In Chloes case, she tended to make Chinese food, but Cho Min Joon worked with all types of food.

But theres no way hell come to me.

Even now, Cho Min Joons eyes were on Kaya. In that case, there werent many choices. Marco and Sasha were good with desserts, but if Kaya happened to pick one of them, he just had to pick the other one. In terms of effectiveness, she wouldnt take both.

Chloe, help me.

Anderson opened his mouth. Chloes style was different, but she had the basics down.

Chloe bit down on her lip. She was conflicted. She had voted for Kaya. Just like Cho Min Joon, Chloe was closer to Kaya than Anderson. Before the mission, she remembered Kaya trembling like a little kid and asking if they would see each other again.

She was a friend and a little sister. But when considering the time Anderson helped her, she couldnt give him the cold shoulder. On the day she was disqualified, Anderson pretended to receive a call just to give her some time with Cho Min Joon. She couldnt forget that since she was a nice person. She was someone who couldnt stand her ground.

But

Sorry. This time, I want to be with Kaya.

Chloe rejected. She felt bad for Anderson, but she wanted to change. She wanted to do and say what she wanted. If she made small efforts toward it, she knew she wouldnt be the person she used to be.

The next person Anderson called was Hugo. Kaya called Joanne. Since she knew Cho Min Joon and Chloe were going to pick her, she didnt have to call them first. Anderson called Sasha, and Kaya called Marco. Olivia and Ivanna went to Andersons team While Chloe and Cho Min Joon went to Kayas team.

The teams have been decided. Now you must spend time together to practice and practice again. Think of the five of you as a restaurant.

It wont be all fun and games. The kitchen is a country on a smaller scale. People will conflict, and youll have differences in opinions. More than anything else, itll be hard to perfect yourselves. As you all probably know The finals will be very nervewracking. Its a live broadcast with customers who are top chefs. You must be ready.

Joseph finished and glanced at Martin. Martin opened his mouth.

Cut!

***

Langoustine with watermelon gazpacho, buttermilk puree, and carrot puree, Scaloppine with roasted pumpkin, tortellini, artichoke carpaccio, and tart and apple sherbet for dessert

Cho Min Joon went through the recipe and order inside his head. He then smiled. The average cooking score and the formation score were decent. But that was not what made him smile. It was the fact that the philosophy Kaya had taught him was still with her now.

You said you wanted to make a restaurant that people could visit comfortably. That shows in the recipe.

You still remember that?

Kayas ears turned red. She glanced over and asked, Do you think its okay?

You thought of it. Of course, its okay.

Thats good.

How are you going to split up the roles?

Chloe asked. Kaya rubbed her chin and opened her mouth.

We should try out the recipe and claim what we think were best at. We can do the basic prep beforehand But maybe we need someone to do that, too.

Lets think about it as we go.

What we need to do right now is catch up. How were you guys? Min Joon, I heard you went on vacation.

Yeah, but it was nothing special.

I want to go, too. Ive never been to a vacation.

Ive heard you say that countless times. Im sure you will. Youre going to be famous now. Actually, you already are. Not only in America, but all over the world.

In response to Cho Min Joons remark, Kaya smiled and then wiped it off her face

Im not the type to daydream.

Okay. But no need to put on a straight face.

Marco. What have you been up to?

Oh Well

Marco hesitated. It was because he had so much he wanted to say that he didnt know where to start. Marco smiled and said, The truth is, I think Ill manage a caf soon. Not as an owner, but as a chef and patissier. Its pretty new, so its not famous, but itll be my first shop.

Youll be the big bread of a caf?

Joanne looked back at Marco in surprise. At that moment

Whos becoming what?

Anderson approached. To be more exact, it was Anderson and his team members. Joanne spoke in a serious voice, Dont spy on us.

Is that even possible in this mission?

I guess not.

Tsk, so what are you talking about? Is Marco a head chef now?

In response to Andersons question, Marco shook his head.

Not a head chef Im just the chef of a neighborhood caf.

Thats impressive. Youre already making it.

Youre one to talk.

Cho Min Joon spoke with a scoff. Anderson knitted his brows.

What do you mean?

Youre in the finals. Thats so meaningful.

If I dont win, well be in the same position.

Why do you sound so unconfident? You normally wouldve said youre going to win.

Anderson didnt answer. Cho Min Joon stared at Andersons steam members. Hugo, Ivanna, Olivia, and Sasha. If there was one difference, it was that Hugo was now better than before, and there was one way to be sure of that. The system was telling him that Hugos cooking skill was 7.

Even with that considered, Kaya had a stronger team. Of course, it wasnt possible to determine who was going to win with just numbers But that was a start to a prediction. Seeing from the systems standard, Kayas team couldnt be beaten.

I wont let her lose.

No matter what happened, no exception was going to take place in the finals. Anderson left with his team members. They had a lot to discuss as well. Cho Min Joon closed his eyes and then opened them. Chloe looked at Cho Min Joon and asked, Are you sleepy?

No, my eyes are just tired.

Do you want me to make you some tea? Ive been practicing.

No, thats okay. It takes forever to go up to the kitchen and come back.

You still have the burn.

When Chloe said that, Kaya glanced over. Cho Min Joon touched his neck with his hand.

Its a scar of honor.

I heard they have tattoos that cover burns. Do you want to try that?

Im not sure. If the scar is ugly, I would But is it that bad?

No.

Chloe answered shortly. She then continued with a smile, It looks cool. Whos going to say its ugly when you got it saving someone else? And its not even that noticeable. It just looks like a spot.

A spot

Anyway, its fine. But dont get hurt again. If you get another scar, I might just tell you its ugly.

The way she spoke through her nose sounded cute. It wasnt that she had a stuffy nose; it was just her natural voice. Cho Min Joon smiled. He didnt know he could have such a warm interaction with someone he rejected.

Thanks. And Im sorry.

You can be thankful, but dont be sorry. If you feel sorry to me, then Ill feel sorry, too.

Okay.

Silence fell between them. Not just between the two of them, but all five of them. They either didnt have much to say or didnt know what to say. Joanne opened her mouth.

Should we do what we always do?

Talk about Anderson behind his back?

Kaya reflexively asked. Joanne snickered and shook her head.

Thats good too, but lets fill our tummies first.

Joanne put her hands to her stomach.

Lets eat.