The live broadcast came to an end. The final comment was [Im hungry.] Both the meal and the battle ended. Just as the staff and cast were about to leave, Samuel talked to Rachel with a serious face, Rachel. If its okay can we have a chat alone?

Sure

Rachel looked back at Martin. Martin nodded in approval. Samuel spoke in a brighter voice, I wont take much of your time. Right, this way.

Samuel escorted Rachel to the next empty room. Rachel calmly walked over and sat down. Samuel sat next to her and remained silent. Was it hard to say? Samuel was shaking with his fingers intertwined, and he kept licking his lips. In the end, Rachel opened her mouth first.

If you stay silent, youll end up taking much of my time.

Im sorry. I dont know how to begin

Let me help. What is it that you want to say? Is it a question or a request? Or is there something youd like to tell me?

Its a question as well as a request. What did you think of my restaurant?

You made it sound more serious. Didnt you already ask during the broadcast?

I want to hear your answer without any cameras.

Samuels eyes looked serious. Rachel looked at him, unable to understand.

Samuel, youre the head chef of a three-star restaurant. As someone whos at the very top, why do you care about my answer so much?

Not all head chefs of three-star restaurants are the same. I wouldnt be asking if you were an ordinary chef. I wouldnt want to look weak, but youre Rachel Rose. To all chefs, you and Daniel Rose are superior, and Im half in that field of Western cuisine.

Rachels eyes shook at the mention of Daniel. Rachel sighed and opened her mouth.

I wish you didnt tell me that. Youre saying my words would influence you greatly. I visited your restaurant for the first time today, and I didnt even try all of your dishes.

I know, and Im capable enough to pick and choose which advice to listen to, so you dont have to worry.

Rachel didnt seem reassured, but she couldnt turn away from Samuels desperation. In the end, she opened her mouth.

What Jeremy pointed out earlier is probably the issue. Whether youre after natives or foreign tourists, Im sure youre contemplating between both positions.

Yes, thats right. I thought I could capture both audiences if I got the right harmony, but that wasnt the case. Instead of obtaining both advantages with harmony, it ended up becoming pathetic. I was happy when I got three stars, but I couldnt make any excuses for what food critics had to say afterward.

What did they say?

That its iffy. That its a mutt breed between something thats neither Japanese nor Western. Thats what Ive heard.

Rachel let out a low groan. Samuels voice became more and more passionate. His rage, which was directed at no one, was shaking his voice.

Some even say that the head chef doesnt think or try. But I am! I stay up every night thinking about good dishes! But when that happened, Id want to give up and rest But just one customers smile makes it all better So Im not someone who can leave the kitchen either.

All chefs are like that. We feel the most alive when were in the kitchen. Samuel, I know how you feel. It must be hard, but thats when you should keep your pillars strong.

My mentor was my pillar until he passed away that is Thats why Im using your words to keep up the pillar that he built.

Rachel was unable to answer easily to Samuels serious voice. The fact that a three-star chef was going this far meant that he was very shaken, but it was hard to find words that would help him stabilize.

Um

So when Rachel opened her mouth, it wasnt words she pulled out but rather her heart.

Just because Im a legend doesnt mean I dont get shaken up, too. You said your pillars shook after your mentor passed away. Well, me too. My husband was my pillar.

Your husbands passing was a true tragedy.

Yes, it was. And I didnt think I could endure that tragedy. I couldnt. Thats why I wasted away for 10 years like an old lady.

But you overcame it.

Did I?

Rachel trailed off. Had she overcome it? No, she hadnt. Not yet. She hadnt accomplished anything yet. Overcoming it would be to reclaim her honor once more.

But she didnt bother uttering such words of inconfidence. She didnt want to show her weakness, and she didnt think it would help Samuel either. Rachel put her hand on Samuels shoulder and comforted the boys wounds.

The waves of the seas never stop. But without it, the boat cannot sail. At times, you might be afraid and hide out on an island like I did But as long as you dont forget your goal, youll end up getting back on that boat again.

What do I have to do to make sure the boat doesnt sink?

The reason why boats sink is simple. It happens when it either runs into natural disasters or a rock, but you can avoid both as long as you find the right route. And depending on which island is your destination, that route will change.

You said it earlier. That you focus on the outer appearance.

Yes. To be more exact, my goal is to make food enjoyable before you eat it.

Thats hard for me. I wanted to find the right middle ground between Japanese food and other foreign foods, but Im wondering if that wasnt a good destination to pick.

When he received his three stars, he was happy to be acknowledged for his cooking. But that only lasted for a moment. As a result of the three-stars, customers expectations rose, and it was hard to meet them.

Im jealous at times of Japanese masters who stick to making good food No, not just Japanese masters but master chefs from all over the world. Im sure they had their hardships as well, but Im sure they dont doubt themselves.

You dont have to doubt that.

Rachel spoke sternly. As if there was no need for him to even think that way. Samuel looked at Rachel with a surprised face. Rachel continued with certainty, Your path is definitely new, which means itll be rough. But Samuel, let me criticize one part of your thinking. Cooking for a long time doesnt make you a master. Being a master means you can express the exact flavors you want in a dish. No matter which path you walk, Im sure youll get there at the end of it.

Samuel was unable to answer. He simply was in awe. Rachel continued, It will rain, and there will be rough waves. Your boat will get wet and worn out. But you cant change the path youve chosen. You cant get rid of the island at the end either. Samuel, get back on that boat.

Rachel smiled. Samuel couldnt answer and simply stared at Rachel when she opened her mouth again. But what she said this time was directed at herself.

And Ill get back on mine.

***

Its over.

Nighttime. Cho Min Joon rubbed his wet hair with a towel as he spoke in a sad voice. Anderson glanced at Cho Min Joon and opened his mouth.

Why? Are you sad?

Why wouldnt I be? Once we work as chefs, we wont be able to travel anymore. This is pretty much our last vacation.

Who knows? You might get to go to broadcasts if you become a star chef.

Ill still need to be in the kitchen as much as possible.

Allan and Joseph went around filming just fine, and filming helps the business, too. Of course, if you want to make money, youre better off opening a hamburger shop than a fine dining restaurant.

In response, Cho Min Joon smiled sadly. He wasnt wrong. It was hard for restaurants to make profits after what they spend on ingredients. Only restaurants with constant reservations saw good profits. Cho Min Joon asked, Is there a place youve wanted to go but never went to?

Korea.

Anderson answered shortly. Cho Min Joon asked with a strange face, Korea? You never said you liked Korean food. What do you want to try?

Rather than food Im just curious about where you grew up. With Japanese food and Vietnamese food, you can get it in America. Of course, there are a lot of Korean restaurants now, but theyre not as common, so I want to try it for real.

Now that you say it, I dont think I know Korean food that well even though its my country.

Since he lived in Seoul all his life, he had never gone to any other regions.

This could be a problem.

His cooking fundamentals were Korean. So if he didnt properly understand his own countrys cooking, it was like trying to learn English when he couldnt speak Korean properly. Of course, its not the exact same thing.

Do you know a lot about American cooking?

Get me some water. Actually, tea. Black tea.

Youre so bossy.

Cho Min Joon grumbled as he brought him a black tea. When he saw the boiling water, a question popped up in his head.

How long does this punishment go on for?

He passed Anderson the black tea with anxiousness while Anderson sipped it in an arrogant manner. Cho Min Joon poured himself one as he asked, How long are we doing this for?

Theres no end date. That means its forever.

I refuse.

Okay.

Anderson gave in easily. When Cho Min Joon stared back at him, Anderson continued with a calm voice, Its common for people to not keep their word nowadays. Im disappointed though.

Okay, fine. But you need to give me an end date.

You knew there was no end date. Didnt you keep quiet because you thought youd win?

His prediction was random and had no basics, but Cho Min Joon was convinced. Just as Cho Min Joon was about to refute, a bell rang. It came from Cho Min Joons phone.

Let me answer this first.

Who is it?

It seemed as though Anderson already knew. He wanted to make a face to tell him he was wrong, but he couldnt because Andersons prediction was right. Cho Min Joon coughed and put his phone to his ear.

Kaya?

[Can you talk?]

Yeah. Im resting right now. What about you?

[Its morning. Im in Seattle.]

Are you going to be in America now?

[Yeah, in California. Ill mainly be in LA. Im going to be there as a mascot for a grand chef restaurant event.]

Cho Min Joon retraced his memory without a word. After winning Grand Chef, Kaya would be in charge of the Grand Chef restaurant for a year. But was it in LA?

Isnt Rachels restaurant in LA, too? In Venice, Santa Monica, right?

[Apparently, this place is in a better location.]

Thats not important. Is it nearby? Wait, if youre in LA, it cant be that far. Maybe I can see you often.

[I dont know I want to, but these people are too mean.]

Her voice sounded miffed. When Anderson saw Cho Min Joon smile, he opened his mouth with a disgusted face.

Youre making me lose my appetite.

Youre not going to eat anyway.

[Huh? Im going to have breakfast.]

No, I was talking to Anderson. He said he lost his appetite.]

[Hmph, that pig needs to starve. Tell him to get back to his senses.]

Cho Min Joon glanced at Andersons body without a word. He was fit for a pig. Perhaps he was a muscular pig. Anderson opened his mouth.

What did Kaya say?

She told you to lose weight.

As your master, I command you to tell her this. Tell her that she needs to lose more weight than me and that she should go on a diet.

What?

And then hang up on her. If you do, you can end your services to me here.

He didnt want to agree to it, but the condition was tempting. Cho Min Joons eyes shook. And the hesitation led to Cho Min Joons lips opening.

Kaya, dont get mad. Okay? Promise?

[What?]

I think you need to go on a diet, too.

[You son of a bitch]

Cho Min Joon hung up before she could answer. It was possible she was cursing at him right then. Anderson laid back in his bed and mumbled, I love power.