Like Stacking Legos (part 6)
Simon’s body shook like a child who was caught doing something naughty. With a look of fear in his eyes, he turned his head. He had wished to quietly take another customer’s plate over as if nothing had happened. However, things do not always go the way one wants.
Jo Minjoon’s was looking at Simon with blazing eyes. Even though he knew the customers could probably hear him, he could not let what happened go without yelling like he did. Jo Minjoon gritted his teeth, suppressed his anger, and quietly said,
“Come here. Right now.”
“…Chef, you see, I…”
“I don’t need your explanation. Come here, I said,” Jo Minjoon growled.
It was no coincidence that Jo Minjoon witnessed Simon’s treatment of the customer who ordered à la carte. As anyone else would, he could not help but notice the customer who came all the way to the restaurant to order a single dish. However, if you were to ask him if he wished to chase said customer away, he would have said, ‘Not at all.’
He simply considered it a pity. He was sure the customer had his own reasons, as well. Whether they are financial reasons, or physical health reasons, or any reason whatsoever. He considered it a shame that the customer made an effort to come all the way here but could not partake in his course.
With those thoughts in mind, he witnessed Simon’s constant interference with the customer. At first, he thought it may have been coincidental. But after seeing this coincidence repeat itself far too often for his comfort, he felt sorry for the customer who came all the way here to only order à la carte. It is not a professional attitude to feel sorry for a guest on his own like this, but at the least, he could be understanding to some extent.
However, it was not to be. The moment Simon suddenly left the bill on that customer’s table, Jo Minjoon felt as if the world had come crashing down. Rather, at the least, regarding that table, his world had come crashing down.
“What did you do just now?” Jo Minjoon asked in a frigid tone.
Upon hearing that, Simon became so scared he could not move1. This was Jo Minjoon who had always maintained a kind attitude unlike any other chef. In particular, he is the man who had asked the servers to please always be smiling because they represent the restaurant2.
‘…What have I done?’
At Jo Minjoon’s question, Simon was dumbfounded and fumbled for his thoughts. Now that he looks back upon it, he cannot quite understand why he took the risk of carrying out such a bold move as taking the bill to that table. No matter how sorry one feels for a couple who arrived late to the restaurant, it is not a situation that would call for him to risk his own skin to help them.
He had simply been an idiot. As soon as he became determined to guide that no-show couple to the table, he simply had no other thought in his head except how to get them seated. He could not focus on anything else outside of that. He had even completely forgotten basic manners when handling customers.
“You’re not going to answer me?”
“…I am sorry.”
“I wasn’t asking whether you think you’re sorry or not. I asked you what did you do.”
Kaya, who had been engrossed in her own cooking next to them this entire time, glanced over at Jo Minjoon and asked, “Hey, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”
Given how busy it is, if Jo Minjoon had taken the time to rebuke someone like that, then clearly it had been needed. Nevertheless, she needed to confirm it since she needed to know whether Jo Minjoon had exploded without just cause.
Jo Minjoon glanced back at Kaya. He debated on whether he should tell her what happened or not. If he tells her, she would get incensed and if he did not, she would also get angry. Either way would cause Kaya to become angry. If that is to be the case, it would be far better for the cause of her anger to be Simon and not him.
“This bastard took the bill to the à la carte customer.”
“And what of it?”
“He did so before the customer even asked for the bill.”
At those worse, Kaya’s expression froze. That she even asked why that would be a problem when hearing that the bill was taken to the customer indicated that Kaya did not even imagine that this situation could have even arisen. Seeing the expression on Kaya’s face cemented Simon’s realization of just how absurd what he had done was.
But, it was already too late. The dice were already thrown. The judge is seated before him with glaring eyes.
It is time for his defense.
“…The customers who we thought were no-shows were actually late and because their phone was off they were unable to contact us. That is why I wished to find a way to provide a table for them. Because if they were seated much later, they would not be able to experience the course meal…”
“And is that why you wanted to chase out a customer who was already here?”
“It looked like he was almost done eating. There wasn’t even a single piece of meat left on his plate… And he was giving no sign of ordering more. That’s why…”
“Simon.”
Jo Minjoon cut Simon’s words off. He looked at Simon with cold, steely eyes. Simon abruptly felt fear. What if the chef’s opinion of him had turned as cold as his eyes have? He felt as if all the goodwill he had built up with the chef had all dried up.
“What you did wasn’t simply fuck that customer over. You also fucked me over and everyone who works here. You made us all look cheap.”
“…I wasn’t intending to make you, Chef, or anyone else look cheap. It was my fault. I apologize for what I did. I’m sorry. I really was not thinking properly.”
“That’s right. You need to apologize at least this much for what you did. After bringing such shame upon us if you did not apologize properly, then that would make you a sociopath. Don’t you think?”
Simon hung his head at Jo Minjoon’s mocking voice. Jo Minjoon saw Simon’s response and frowned. Normally when he sees someone appear so dejected, he would suppress his anger no matter how furious he was. But he did not particularly want to do so now. Perhaps it was because he was that disappointed.
“I don’t want to see that pathetic face of yours, so you should go home for the day.”
“B-But… there are customers still…”
“You think you have the right to be serving customers right now?” Jo Minjoon continued to push Simon into a corner.
Kaya, who was standing by his side, said nothing. Instead, she was wearing an expression indicating she did not wish to even have to deal with this kind of situation. Simon could still vividly recall the look of despise on Kaya’s face when she heard about the situation. Clearly Kaya was not the type to look kindly upon him, but neither was she the type of person to make such an expression…
Due to a single bill, everything had collapsed around him.
As Simon continued to hesitate, Kaya snapped at him harshly, “Didn’t you hear Minjoon? If you’re done shitting here, then get the fuck out. And don’t let the customers take a whiff of that shit.”
Having seen the fierce scene before them, the chefs were even more intimidated and could barely speak properly. They even reduced their voices to a whisper when asking for ingredients.
However, even they did not come to Simon’s defense. Simon had committed an act no one could defend. The weight of a single bill pressed down on Simon like a steel blanket.
It felt as if he could not even lift a finger.
Simon soon left the place like a dead man. After staring at the space Simon had vacated for a long time, Jo Minjoon let a sigh out.
“Guess I’ll be the one to clean this shit up.”
“Shall we both do it?”
“…No, one of us should look after the kitchen.”
Jo Minjoon let out another sigh and exited the kitchen with fatigue written all over his face. However, even that lasted only for a moment. Jo Minjoon soon moved to the table where Simon had left the bill.
The customer had a bit of a conflicted expression on his face while looking at the bill Simon had left.
“Ahem.”
“I understand. Here’s my credit… huh?”
The man who was about to put his credit card down on the bill saw Jo Minjoon. His startlement was evident in his voice. Of course it makes sense for Jo Minjoon to be at Lotus Bridge. But having such a famous figure standing immediately before him was quite another matter altogether.
“I apologize.”
“Excuse me?”
“Our server was inexcusably rude to you. It is my fault for not training him properly. I do not think I can even think of a way… to properly compensate you for any emotional distress you felt.”
Jo Minjoon bowed his head. Everyone could see how sincere he was and how sorry he felt through his expression. The man remained silent for a bit then smiled brightly.
“It is all right. Honestly, I thought that maybe coming here to only order à la carte would be a bit unusual. So I was considering departing soon. Also, as for emotional distress… if you wish to compensate me, could I ask a favor of you?”
“Sure, anything you wish.”
“Please sign something for me.”
Jo Minjoon had a bewildered look on his face at those words. In this type of situation, he would have never imagined he would be receiving a request for his signature so suddenly. The man scratched his head awkwardly.
“To be honest, I’m a real big fan of yours. Seeing you abandon a stable future to jump headlong into cooking… I learned quite a lot from that. Thanks to that, I made the decision to become a chef.”
“…I see, so you’re a chef.”
“Not really. It’d be difficult for me to say I’m a proper chef. After being a restaurant stage, I recently got promoted to a chef, but… the restaurant failed. And so, right now, I’m actually not a chef, but unemployed.”
“If you have dedicated your life to cooking, then you are a chef. Is there something special that makes one a chef?”
“Nonetheless, I’m not a chef,” the man shook his head with a sad look on his face.
“I did dedicate my life to cooking, but today I’m thinking of reclaiming it.”
“Are you talking about… cooking?”
“Coming here today was both as my dream and as my farewell.”
With that explanation, Jo Minjoon immediately began to understand this man’s situation. It was because of Jo Minjoon that this man began to have this dream. It was not a bad idea to come to his inspiration’s restaurant to sample the most representative dish there and treat it as both his dream and farewell. Although, the meat dishes were not Jo Minjoon’s but Kaya’s recipes.
Jo Minjoon could not quite figure out what in the world he could say to the man before him. The man probably had not given up cooking simply due to that restaurant having failed. Other complicated reasons must have ensued.
He had no right to ask the man what those reasons are. However, he could not help the feeling of having words caught in his throat.
Ultimately, the conversation with the man ended on that uncertain note. Jo Minjoon gave the man his signature and promised that the next time he comes, he would be treated to the full course menu. And so the man left.
And that’s how the day finally ended. After seeing all of the customers off, Jo Minjoon sat in the hall with a blank expression on his face. Kaya placed a hand on Jo Minjoon’s shoulder.
“You tired?”
“…I never once imagined such an incident would take place at our restaurant.”
It felt like you had spent your entire time stepping oh so carefully to avoid getting dirt on your shoes, but then, all of a sudden, they get covered in mud3. It felt like the whole reason you have lived your life for until now had gotten denied.
Kaya gritted her teeth and said, “Simon, that stupid idiot.”
“…That punk, should we fire him?” Jo Minjoon, who normally encourages to Kaya to speak politely no matter the situation, now himself was joining Kaya in cursing Simon out.
And thus Kaya was able to be the one to calm down a bit. She wanted to say she feels like firing him immediately but she recalled Simon’s sincerely contrite face. She was sure he was feeling completely torn up inside, right now.
‘Nonetheless, do we have to forgive him?’
Kaya could not find an answer to her own question. Some people give others three chances before striking out. However, isn’t being human about not being a stickler for the rules?
“I did not think I would have to play the role of the villain.”
“…You are not a villain.”
“However, ultimately, someone got hurt in my restaurant.”
“That would be my restaurant, too. Then does that make me a villain, too?”
“You… are not.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
Seeing the flustered look on Jo Minjoon’s face made Kaya laugh silently. In spite of the current situation, she considered his innocence that makes him unable to call her a villain quite cute. And while he had such cuteness about him, Jo Minjoon could not play the villain.
“Don’t be flustered. Be calm. This isn’t a problem we can solve all at once. We must methodically remove the source starting from their seeds.”
Kaya hugged Jo Minjoon from behind. Jo Minjoon silently placed his arm above hers.
Kaya continued, “First, let’s deal with Simon tomorrow and then think about this later.”
Jo Minjoon nodded his head vigorously in agreement.
CREDITS:
Original author: 양치기자리
Translator: Comic Seoul
Proofreader: Potato