#Rose Island Main Branch Wakes Up Again After 10 Years

When it comes to memories, you feel like you have it, but its hard to grasp with your hands. You were definitely miserable at the time, but just the fact that time passed makes you remember something warm That goes to prove that memories are outside of the realm of our will.

So when I heard that Rose Islands main branch was coming up back to the surface, I was happy but worried at the same time. Were they really the flawless restaurant that I remember? Or did I just remember it to be that way like I do with everything else?

Luckily, some of that worry washed away. The 53rd LA cooking competition. There was a lot of talk about the competition after it was said that Rose Island would be competing. Even those who had given up or lost interest entered the competition again. It was possible they thought they could defeat Rose Island.

But Rose Island won by a long shot. Every single judge selected Rose Island as winners. And that didnt mean they were simply great cooks. The charm that flipped the game completely lies on Rose Islands plate.

Whats surprising is that rose Island used molecular cooking to do it all. It was as if Rachel Rose sent out a message through the competition. Her cooking wasnt just old news, but it was something that could be modern. Through her

Is that the news?

No, a blog. A fan of Rachel Rose. But then again who isnt a fan of Rachel Rose?

Im jealous. I wish I could learn under someone like that.

Try knocking on her doors once Grand Chef is over.

If theres a spot open that is.

Who knows? Maybe one will open up. The restaurant might expand.

Kaya didnt respond. It was nighttime and the two of them were walking along the beach. They sat on the sand while breathing in the ocean breeze. Kaya slowly opened her mouth.

How are your parents?

Same old. I call them every day, but theyre so worried. I tell them not to worry, but it wont work. What about your mom?

Shes worried. But all parents worry about their kids. She might move over to LA. She said she closed up the market stall.

What about your father?

In response, Kaya paused. Even if she forgave him, it wasnt so easy to talk about it. He called from time to time, but every time he did, she had to control her emotions. She had to press down the urge to rage.

Kaya didnt answer and just hugged her knees. Cho Min Joon put her hand on Kayas lap with a sad face. Kaya puffed up her cheeks and looked at Cho Min Joon with a low gaze.

Im doing the right thing, right?

Of course. You have to protect your family.

Mom doesnt like it though. That I met up with my father.

Of course. I understand Grace. She raised you all by herself, but now, your father showed up wanting to be a part of your life again She must feel like shes losing you.

I wish my mom wouldnt feel so hurt.

Her voice sounded sad. Cho Min Joon rubbed Kayas lap. The breeze was cold. He was worried that her bare legs were cold, but there was nothing he could do but to open his mouth.

Everybody feels that way. Parents look at their sick children while the children watch their parents grow old. In my case, I look at you and wish that you werent hurting so much. But Kaya. No wound heals without hurting. And if the wound has healed, what we have to do isnt pray to not be hurt again. You have to put ointment on it.

Do I have that ointment?

Those who havent hurt before dont prepare ointment. Kaya, youve already hurt so much. So you probably have lots of ointment in your pocket. Now lets use it on your mother.

Kaya didnt speak for a while before leaning into Cho Min Joons arms. She closed her eyes and slowly said, I feel like youre always the one giving me ointment. As you said, those who havent hurt before dont have ointment. Does that mean youve been hurt a lot, too?

It was an unexpected question. Cho Min Joon rolled his eyes. The most he suffered was in the future before coming back to the past. A life he didnt want. His parents worry. The vague future and his horrible kitchen life. It was a broken life. And the only person who rubbed ointment on his wounds was Kaya Reuters. Cho Min Joon opened his mouth. He whispered with gratitude, Someone already put ointment on my wounds. So dont worry.

Whos that?

Someone cool. I hope you become like her one day. No, you will be. I believe it.

Kaya looked at Cho Min Joon with suspicious eyes. She then asked in an anxious voice, Is it a girl?

Yup.

Prettier than me?

Thats hard to say.

Are you saying theres someone prettier than your girlfriend right now? Who is it? Whos the b*tch I mean, girl?

If I tell you, are you going to beat her up?

No, of course not. Because she treated your wounds. But if I meet her, Ill tell her this.

She spoke in a clear voice, Thanks for looking after my treasure. But hes mine now, so dont even think about looking at him. What do you think? Do I sound like a cool girlfriend?

I dont know about cool But one things for sure. Ill answer your question from earlier. Youre

Cho Min Joon smiled.

A lot prettier than she is.

***

Rose Islands kitchen was bustling even more after the competition. It wasnt surprising. Up until this point, the building and Rachel Rose were the only ways of checking that they were a part of the legendary restaurant, but through the competition, they were able to confirm what role they played.

It was true that the breadmakers were less excited, but it was different for those who always assisted the demi chefs. They smiled all day long, and they gave off bright energy. They were proud.

So Maya couldnt understand. She asked in a cautious voice, Min Joon, can I ask you a question?

Sure.

You won the tasting as well as the competition. So why dont you look happy?

Dont I look happy?

Cho Min Joon looked at Maya with surprise. She nodded. She couldnt help but think that way. After the competition ended, Cho Min Joon was obsessed with cooking. He not only competed Rafaels molecular cooking homework, but he also made dishes of traditional cooking.

He had to. He didnt want to commit to molecular cooking so much that his skills with traditional cooking would rust. And Rafael didnt say anything about his efforts because he understood.

The reason why Maya thought it was weird was because it didnt look like he felt satisfied. It wasnt that the results were bad. His dishes were always good and new. But he didnt look satisfied So she wondered if that was just how geniuses were.

But Cho Min Joons frustration was for a different reason.

Level.

To be more exact, it was because of the tasting level. He thought that his tasting level would increase with his cooking level, but that wasnt the case. It wasnt that increasing his level was important, but it was because his skills were good enough for the level to be higher.

You spoke as much as you knew and cooked as much as you knew. That was what Cho Min Joon believed. How could someone cook well if he didnt know flavors? That was why Cho Min Joon thought it was important to improve his tasting skills.

The first condition has been met, so on to the next

What? Condition?

Oh, nothing. Thanks for worrying about me. Theres no problem. Im just dealing with an obstacle like all chefs do. Ill overcome it.

What kind of obstacle are you talking about?

He heard an unexpected voice. Cho Min Joon flinched and looked behind him. Rachel was staring at him. Cho Min Joon hesitated before opening his mouth.

I feel like my tasting abilities are not up to par, but I dont know what to fix.

What? You have the perfect palate though. What do you mean?

Its different from just being sensitive. Its about the experience and thought.

She looked confused despite Cho Min Joons explanation. Helping her understand wasnt what was important. Cho Min Joon asked, Rachel, do you think theres a problem?

What do you think the problem is?

Im not sure. Is it my taste in cooking? I like clear flavors. Rather than using one flavor, I want to use many flavors but make it all come to life. At the same time, the harmony cant be lost. But dishes like that arent common And what I actually enjoy are dishes that highlight one or two ingredients. Is that a problem?

Taste is a preference. It cant be a problem. In the end, itll help you give your own colors. Of course, if you dont know how to enjoy everything else, thats a problem But thats not the case.

He nodded. Rachel thought for a moment before speaking in a low voice, You said your mother cant cook. Thats why you didnt get to taste a lot of flavors as a kid.

I feel bad for my mom, but yes. Oh, is that a problem? The fact that I couldnt eat proper food as a kid?

Cho Min Joons face turned serious. If that was the case, he couldnt overcome it. Rachel didnt agree or disagree. She slowly opened her mouth.

Since it was hard for you to enjoy good food, you were probably very touched. But among the food you ate, none of it was probably that proper. Just decent food for what you could get in the area. That probably touched you. And later, that wasnt good enough, so you probably made your own food.

Something like that.

Thats why despite devoting your whole life to cooking, you cant enjoy food properly or be satisfied. You put down your roots in one place, but that root was too shallow. Do you know what I mean?

A quiet shock pierced through Cho Min Joons head. What he thought was minor was being pointed out by Rachel. Despite living in Korea for 20 to 30 years he had never experienced proper Korean food.

What he focused on was Western food. But doing that didnt mean he could neglect Korean food. Things wouldve been different if he grew up on Western food. But he was Korean. Even if he spoke English, his mother tongue was Korean And his food of origin was Korean food. He couldnt just let that root go neglected.

But

Does that mean I have to go to Korea?

That was impossible. The restaurant would open soon. He couldnt leave. But Rachel laughed and shook her head.

No. Did you forget whats 30 minutes away from here?

Oh!

Cho Min Joon exclaimed. Rachel spoke in a calm voice, No need to get on a plane. Theres Korea in LA.