Prologue
Tick tock.
Inside a vacant kitchen, Jo Minjoon quietly observed the clock. ‘Don’t do it! Stop!’ No matter how much he shouted inwardly at the clock, the second hand of the clock relentlessly continued to march down its own path.
11:59:57. 11:59:58. 11:59:59. And finally, midnight…
It is the new year. It is also the end of his 20’s and the start of his 30’s. Feeling an inexplicable bout of exhaustion, Jo Minjoon let out a deep sigh. When time is passing by so mercilessly, he reflected how he had so little to show for the actual time that had passed.
Jo Minjoon was a high school teacher. More specifically, an English teacher. A teacher is the type of occupation in which one may not achieve a huge success in, but neither would one suffer much of a failure. Indeed, at the very least, it was that way for him until the Spring of his 28th year. In March of that year, Jo Minjoon ended up quitting his teaching job.
The thought occurred to him that teaching was really not the path for him. Not once did he ever thought he wanted to become a teacher. What Jo Minjoon had wanted to become ever since he was little is a chef. However, he could not overcome his parents’ opposition to this. Jo Minjoon’s achievements were acceptable, and he had already received acceptance at a university. He had no such parents who would support him should he suddenly say he wanted to be a chef, when such a future had not even been told in his fortune.
And so, 10 years had passed as such. Jo Minjoon obeyed his parents and established a place for himself as a teacher. However, that was all there was to it. His parents had said, “One day you will understand us,” however… that did not turn out to be true. There may or may not have been stability, but Jo Minjoon only felt a sense that all was in vain from that. And therefore, he quit his job.
Immediately after that, he went straight to a restaurant. He entered some famous restaurant in Gangnam as a dishwasher. For half a year he washed dishes. After one year had passed, he began to awkwardly prepare dishes such as salads. This was what Jo Minjoon had achieved at 30 years of age. He had nowhere to go for the new year and was gloomily killing time in a dark kitchen.
Even if he were to complain now, it would be useless. He had made this choice. And since that is the case, he had no right to be complaining about this depressing life now. At that time, a sound in the hall rang out and the lights to the restaurant were turned on.
“Oh, Minjoon-hyung1. Were you still here?”
Despite being two years younger, Park Yuseok is also his senior. He is also expected to become the head chef in a few years.
“Ah, yes, I am. Sunbae2, what brings you here?”
Jo Minjoon used respectful speech with him. He could not afford to do otherwise. Because discipline is strict in the food industry. Even though Park Yuseok will pretend to feel uncomfortable about it, secretly, he enjoys Jo Minjoon’s use of respectful speech with him. Park Yuseok took his wallet out from one end of the kitchen and waved it at Jo Minjoon.
“I had left something here. Ah, come to think of it, hyung, please peel some garlic. I saw that we’re out of it. Wouldn’t it be better to take care of it now since you’re here instead of doing it in the morning?”
“I’m a bit tired now, though.”
“Hm… hyung, please help me out so I don’t come across as rude to someone older than me. The other hoobae3s don’t talk about every little thing like this.”
“…I understand.”
“Then, I’ll get going. Thanks for taking care of it.”
And with those departing words, Park Yuseok left the hall. However, the words he spat out he was seemingly muttering to himself rang against Minjoon’s ears. “Is he really preaching about his age? How damn scary.” Jo Minjoon quietly watched Park Yuseok’s departing figure. What would be the point of getting angry when he cannot snap back. If he were to do so, then he would admit to only believing in age seniority and would be recklessly ignoring hierarchy. Even though it makes him sad, he has no choice but to deal with it.
“He really had to bring up garlic, huh?”
Nonetheless, Jo Minjoon took out the garlic from the refrigerator. After peeling garlic for a long while, he turned on his smartphone. He loaded up his blog. His blog was the only thing that could help him resolve his resentment towards cooking. Only when he is able to read his own posts of dishes he made himself or read the comments associated with them is he able to relax a bit.
Jo Minjoon clicked to start a post. The post was simple. It was a post to wish people a happy new year. It was a rather boring and formal greeting.
Ten minutes later, there were no comments posted. This was because Jo Minjoon’s blog was not famous. While he was looking at recipes on other blogs and taking notes, a comment notification popped up. The comment author’s nickname was familiar.
Head of Cooking School: Room Chief Jo, have a Happy New Year~ ^^ you’re the first one I’m greeting in the new year, Room Chief Jo.
“Room Chief Jo4” is Jo Minjoon’s nickname. It was only a single person, but since a comment was left, his previously depressed state perked up a bit. Jo Minjoon quickly sent a response back.
Room Chief Jo: Head of Cooking School, have a Happy New Year as well. You’re the first one I’m greeting in the new year, too.
Head of Cooking School: Hehe. You didn’t post what you cooked for dinner. You aren’t starving yourself, right?
Room Chief Jo: Somehow it ended up that way. T_T
The two kept up their banter for a long time. After about the tenth exchange, the conversation gradually began to grow deeper.
Head of Cooking School: Then I guess you’re still only 2 years in, Room Chief Jo?
Room Chief Jo: That’s right. On my blog, I present myself properly with my cooking, but in the restaurant I’m still a noob who’s peeling garlic. Keke…
Head of Cooking School: I feel it’s such a pity. If you had made this change just a bit younger, things would have been so much better for you.
Room Chief Jo: Well, what can I do? That’s karma for me. During those days, I didn’t have the courage to pursue my dreams like this. I realized too late that there’s a path for each person.
Head of Cooking School: If you could somehow return to your younger days, would you jump at the chance to enter the world of cooking?
Room Chief Jo: Yes, I would, now that I’m confident in the path I must follow. Of course, it’s quite physically exhausting right now, but…
After sending that message, he waited for a response, but no reply came back even after a long wait. Perhaps the person had grown weary of such a deep conversation? The conversation was indeed a bit of a mood killer to be having to start the new year. Jo Minjoon went out to the hall and, after laying his head down on the dining table, he closed his eyes. He was sleepy and exhausted. He just wanted to not think about anything at all.
Jo Minjoon fell asleep like that. It was after about 10 minutes had passed when his phone’s display which had been off lit back up with a comment notification.
NEW Head of Cooking School: That’s right. Try to go back, then. I also want to see the younger you take on that challenge.
CREDITS:
Original author: 양치기자리
Translator: Comic Seoul
Proofreader: Potato