Im sorry?

Kaya stared at Rachel blankly before flushing when she realized what she meant. Rachel answered in a casual way, Why? You two are dating. Is there a problem?

I-Im not ready yet

Kaya kept looking away as if it was hard for her to say. Rachel grinned and said, Im just kidding. There are lots of rooms, so just choose one. There are washrooms attached, so you can wash up if you want.

Thank you.

Kaya answered with an awkward face. Rachel smiled and looked back at Cho Min Joon.

I heard youre thinking of moving out with Kaya and the others.

We dont know the details yet But were thinking about it.

Thats too bad. I liked having you here.

Im sad, too. Im really happy to eat your cooking.

He meant it. Rachels cooking never disappointed anyone even once. And what she had on her plates were even more than that. Rachel grinned and said, I shouldve cooked for you more often if I knew you liked it so much.

I cant do that to you. And the more I want in between dishes, the more delicious each dish becomes.

But no one enjoys that wait. Not even food critics. Of course, its a different story when youre full.

In response to Rachel, Cho Min Joon nodded. The power of that moment was powerful, but being patient was hard.

And a few hours later, Cho Min Joon had to be patient for a different reason. On top of the bed, Kaya was fumbling while staring at his face. Her hair was wet since she just showered, and there were no clothes to change into, so she was wearing his t-shirt and shorts.

Do you know how provocative you look right now?

No.

You have your own bedroom. Why are you here?

Im not tired yet. So I wanted to get a good look at your face. You can sleep if you want. Ill just watch.

I cant fall asleep with you staring at me like that.

Cho Min Joon reached out his hand with a bitter smile. His hands began to go over Kayas cheeks and chin. By the time his hands reached her hair, Kaya smiled.

I have good hair now. I wash it often because of you.

Do you not wash it often before?

Thats not the point. My point is that I wash it more often because of you.

Do you hate that you have a dirty girl for a girlfriend?

I dont know. Just because I like you dont mean I need to like everything about you.

In response, Kaya thought for a moment before smiling and hugging Cho Min Joon. Kayas body smelled like fruits. Rather than her own scent, it was more like the scent of shampoo or lotion, but he thought that Kayas blood might have been made of fruit juice. Cho Min Joon slowly opened his mouth.

Shouldnt you be angry right now?

No, I like it. If you still like me even you dont like everything about me that means youll like me no matter what. I can act however I want now.

Is that what you got out of it?

Cho Min Joon laughed out of absurdity. Kaya smiled. She stared at Cho Min Joons face and then slowly opened her mouth.

Sorry.

For what?

Most couples would have been through everything already. But we still havent gotten to the last stage.

Cho Min Joon didnt say anything. The reason why Kaya didnt want to get to the last stage was because of fear. It was because she knew what came of a relationship that started when they werent ready.

Her father appeared after 20 years, but the 20 years before that was hell. How could her father have lived after abandoning his own family? Kaya didnt want to end up like her father. She didnt want to end up like her mother either. She wanted to start a family when she was ready.

Of course, having sex didnt mean starting a family because there were many methods of contraception. But Cho Min Joon understood why Kaya found that difficult as well. Kaya opened her mouth in an uncomfortable tone.

Is it hard to hold it in? If it is

Kaya.

Cho Min Joon put his hand on Kayas cheek. It was just one palm, but she felt like the entire earth was embracing her. Kaya lifted her gaze. Cho Min Joon was looking at her warmly. He opened his mouth.

If you take out the pasta noodles before theyre cooked just because youre hungry, that pasta wont make anyone happy. Neither the chef or customer. Even if I get impatient, I want our relationship to progress when its ready. Yeah, youre right. Its hard to hold it in. But if we do things we dont want and dont do things we want our lives wont taste good in the end.

Do you really think so?

Yeah. I hate waiting, but Ill wait because Kaya Reuters is my favorite chef. So Im sure shell bring me food thats even better than I expect.

As soon as he said that, Kaya lifted her head and kissed Cho Min Joon on the lips. She spoke in a tearful voice, This is an appetizer. It wont fill you up, but it wont take long until the main comes. I promise.

I like everything

Cho Min Joon laughed jokingly.

Is there only one appetizer?

Kayas face turned into a smile. She held both of Cho Min Joons cheeks with her hands. Their noses touched, and they felt each other breathing.

No, I can give you 100 if you want.

***

Despite Rachel having provided Kaya with her own room, she spent the night in Cho Min Joons room. It was Cho Min Joon who opened his eyes first. He quietly stared at Kayas sleeping face.

He never knew looking at someones face could make him feel so warm. He never knew he could like someone this much either. But that was what Kaya had become.

If we live together Ill get to see her every morning.

But then again, if Chloe and Anderson joined them, they wouldnt be able to use the same room. Thinking about that made him realize it was best that the two of them refuse. And the fact that he thought that way felt unfamiliar.

He stared at Kayas face for a long time. Kaya, who was dreaming about something, lifted her tired eyelids and looked around.

Min Joon Oh yeah. I fell asleep here.

Yeah. Did you sleep well?

Yeah. But my lips feel swollen. I mustve overused them.

I think your whole face is swollen.

Dont say that. Youre my boyfriend. You should say I look pretty.

I didnt say you were ugly. Just that youre swollen. Its the truth.

Youre too honest.

Kaya rubbed her face on Cho Min Joons neck. Cho Min Joon patted her on the back and opened her mouth.

Get up. Its time to go to work.

Okay What time is it?

Its 7.

Liar. Tell me in more detail. I doubt its that late.

Its 6:47.

Okay. Then lets stay like this for 3 more minutes.

In 3 minutes, youll probably say 10 more minutes.

Then well stay like this for 13 minutes. Deal?

Kaya asked. Cho Min Joon looked back at her and said,

You have eye boogers.

Thats okay because Im pretty no matter what. Im the second prettiest chef in America.

You must be really proud of that.

Not really. Just as proud as winning Grand Chef, thats all.

Youve got to be kidding me.

Cho Min Joon smirked and patted Kayas head. Kaya looked up at Cho Min Joons neck. The scar on his neck was slightly faint. It was covered up by his chef uniform, but it showed when he wore normal t-shirts. Kaya spoke in an upset voice, Can you get surgery for this? Or maybe a treatment tattoo.

Im not ashamed of this. Its a scar of honor.

Still I feel bad looking at it.

Dont feel sorry. Youve given me so much. This scar is nothing in comparison.

I feel like Ive given you nothing, but you keep saying I did.

You helped me dream.

I did?

Cho Min Joon nodded. He wanted to explain everything to Kaya, who looked like she was confused. He wanted to tell her about coming back from the future and having a system. But now was not the right time. Kaya was already busy with her own matters. Cho Min Joon picked up his phone instead of answering.

Lets get up now. Its 7. We need to go to work.

Just 5 minutes more, no, 3. Im in pain, and my stomach hurts

It shouldnt be too bad if you can get better in 3 minutes. Get up.

Kaya grimaced.

Youre mean.

***

You look like youre in a good mood today, Chef.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Maya approached him. Cho Min Joon glanced at her and spoke in a strict manner, Mood can be good one moment and bad the next. Anyway, it looks like you have something to say What is it? Is It going to put me in a good mood or bad?

Hm I dont know if youll be happy about it. I decided to assist you.

Oh, really? I guess you came to an agreement. Did Gerrick talk you into it somehow?

Our ancestors gave us a great treasure. When you cant decide something, do rock paper scissors.

So are you here because you won or lost?

Maya rolled her eyes without an answer. Cho Min Joon sighed.

You lost.

I-Im sorry. But Ill do my best to assist you!

Cho Min Joon stared at Maya with a dry gaze. Maya dropped her head as if she was ashamed and mumbled to herself. Cho Min Joon opened his mouth. He knew how Maya felt better than anyone.

Itll be hard and bothersome. You might think youre unlucky. But Ill make sure you change your mind. Lets do well. Ill try my best, too.

Okay! Thank you, Chef.

No need to thank me. Lets report to the sous chef first. Hes waiting.

Okay!

Maya answered with energy and followed Cho Min Joon. She felt depressed when she first lost rock paper scissors, but once she accepted it, she didnt think it was that bad. In any case, Cho Min Joon was a good demi chef. And he was also one of a kind. He had the perfect palate.

Ill learn all of Min Joons secrets.

While Maya had such thoughts, the two of them entered the office. It wasnt only Rafael in the office. Rachel and Issac were there as well. Cho Min Joon cautiously opened his mouth.

Ill come back a little later.

No, thats okay. Come here. You should hear this, too.

Me?

Min Joon, whats left if you exclude service and taste from a restaurant?

Is anything else necessary? I cant think of anything.

In response, Issac answered in a business-like voice, Its image.

Image?

You could call it reputation. What people expect from Rose Island isnt just taste. Its the food of Rachel Rose. The food is from the best kitchen of three Michelin stars. Min Joon, whats the image of Rose Island now?

Cho Min Joon thought for a moment. He then opened his mouth with a cautious voice.

Its a legend. The main branch of Rose Islands many chains. The main branch always means something special. And Rachels old reputation will stimulate many peoples interest.

Yes. Youre right. Its a legend. Legends always remain in memories, and theyre not in current reality. That means it remains in the past. So to a lot of people, our main branch

They might look down on it.

Rachel cut him off. She spoke in a low voice, This is our homework. People always have two types of expectations. Theyre going to be just as good as old times, or theyre not going to be as good as old times. We have to get out of both preconceptions. We have to show them that were much better than before.

I like that. But how do we show them?

There will be a cooking competition in LA soon. All restaurants in LA compete in it, and they get ranked. And Rose Island has never lost while it was in business.

Rachels eyes sparkled. She spoke in a determined voice, Well have to win this time around, too.