Chapter 64 - Backlash (2)

Cho Min Joon’s voice was firm. He didn’t know about normal food trucks, but they were completing a mission. If they could make such large sales to just one powerful customer, it would have been a competition of fandoms, not cooking.

So it was right for Cho Min Joon to turn down Rachel’s golden bell for the sake of fairness.

But as a result, Rachel had to wait until they finished their business, and it was the youngest producer Robert who was the most nervous. One of the most influential figures in the food business was sitting right here, so it was inevitable that he felt pressured by her presence.

Rachel didn’t mind Robert as she put the tuna avocado norimaki in her mouth. The seaweed was perfect. It wasn’t too chewy or too crispy, and the mayonnaise mixed in with the tuna smelled of olive oil and vinegar. Also, the scent hidden within the avocado went perfectly with the slight oiliness.

Every time she chewed, the seaweed got stuck to the top of her mouth, and the rice circulated around her mouth tickling her tongue. She felt the scent of the tuna spreading throughout her mouth. It was delicious. Thanks to the vinegar the rice tasted perfect, and as a result, none of the other ingredients tasted excessive.

He was loyal to the basics. Of course, the fact that he used balsamic mayonnaise gave it a fresh spin, but that wasn’t what was important. The fact that he added homemade mayonnaise went to show just how much care he put into the norimaki.

‘He has the right mindset of a chef.’

Rachel watched Cho Min Joon at the register with warm eyes. Despite looking exhausted, he still showed his customers his smile, and she liked that.

“Would you like a mojito?”

“No, that’s all right. The green tea is fine.”

She was worried it was a little oily, but the green tea washed it all away. The taste of the healthy meal made Rachel smile once more.

On the other hand, the inside of the truck was ensued in chaos. It wasn’t because there was a problem with their business. It was because they were excited at the appearance of Rachel Rose. Even Anderson, who was normally cold and chic, showed a flushed look on his face.

Cho Min Joon asked calmly, “Who is she?”

“Do you really have no idea? Okay, fine. She hasn’t been on TV for 10 years after all. Do you know Rose Island?”

“Oh, I think I’ve heard of it. It’s a restaurant, right?”

“It’s not just a restaurant. It’s the most recognized place in the world, and she’s the owner.”

Anderson answered in a frustrated voice. Cho Min Joon continued to take orders without responding. To be frank, he wasn’t all that excited. Even if she was one of the top restaurant owners in the world, Cho Min Joon had never seen her before. Like Anderson said, she hadn’t been on TV in a long time. Cho Min Joon had seen cooking videos from various countries, but they were all pretty recent. If she was a star from a long time ago, he wouldn’t have known. When she was active on TV, Cho Min Joon was just an elementary school student.

At that moment, Joanne said something that even Cho Min Joon had to react to.

“Oh yeah. This will help you understand. She’s Allan’s mentor.”

“Yes, that’s 4 dollars. Thank you… The Allan I know?”

“Yeah. It’s just a rumor, but apparently, Martin tried to recruit Rachel before he recruited Allan.”

Hearing that made him see her differently. Cho Min Joon looked at Rachel. At that moment, he got chills. Rachel was staring back at him. Her face was smiling, but he felt burdened as if he was looking at his principal at school.

Cho Min Joon mumbled quietly, “I hope she doesn’t hate me for not letting her ring the golden bell.”

***

Business went relatively smoothly. Cho Min Joon had to make 2 batches of rice during lunch and the norimakis they made from that were around 700. They had sold more norimakis in a given time than ever before.

“… Your perfect palate had quite the influence.”

Joanne said. Cho Min Joon shrugged. At that moment, Rachel, who had been waiting on the side, stood up. He heard someone gulp. It was Anderson. Anderson even dripped in sweat and looked nervous. He approached Rachel.

“Hello, Ma’am. I’m Anderson Russo.”

“Russo? That sounds familiar… Oh, are you Fabio and Amelia’s son?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I’ve met you a few times as a kid.”

“I see. I think I remember. Your parents must be happy that their one and only son grew up so well.”

Rachel showed a friendly smile. She might have been lying when she said she remembered, but Anderson was still happy to hear it.

This was the first time he saw Anderson look so excited, so Cho Min Joon got even more curious. Just how impressive was this Rachel Rose character?

Rachel started walking. Her footsteps stopped in front of Cho Min Joon. Cho Min Joon looked at Rachel without a word. She said, “You have an amazing gift.”

“… Thank you.”

“I’m sorry to visit you so suddenly. I just got too impatient.”

“Is there a reason for your visit?”

There was no way she simply visited because he was a great chef. Rachel hesitated. She then sighed. She looked at Cho Min Joon. She looked down at her chest and then sighed once more. She then turned toward the cameras slowly.

“I do have a reason, but it’s hard to say it right here. I just want to ask you one thing today. I know it might be rude, but can you please answer me?”

“… Within reason.”

“It’s a simple question. Are you certain that you have the perfect palate?”

Rachel’s eyes looked serious. Cho Min Joon paused. It was hard for him to explain that his system gave him the perfect palate, but that also didn’t mean he had the perfect palate himself. Cho Min Joon slowly opened his mouth. Since he didn’t want to be vague, he made his voice more serious.

“My perfect palate never revealed itself until now. I didn’t even know what it was, so when someone asks me if I have the perfect palate, I can’t help but be cautious. I can more precisely taste the structure of foods, that’s all. I think that’s all I can say.”

“… I see. I understand. Then let me change the question. I’m sorry. I get more tenacious the more I age.”

Rachel smiled. She then continued, “How do you feel when you eat food?”

Rachel asked a more vague question than he expected. Cho Min Joon thought for a moment. He didn’t know why he wanted to give her a clearer answer. He didn’t know if that was what Rachel wanted to hear, but he wanted to be honest.

“At first, I analyze it. I think about what went into it, how it was cooked, and what the key traits are. As for enjoying the flavors, that comes afterward.”

“… And when you analyze it, you know all the ingredients that went into it, right?”

“Yes.”

He wasn’t lying. Rachel stared at Cho Min Joon for a while. Many emotions were contained on her face. Happiness, sadness, regret, and longing… As deep as her wrinkles were, her feelings were just as deep. Rachel tried to say something while sniffling and then spoke in a low voice, “… I feel like it might be possible for you.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m sorry. I start talking to myself as I age. Thank you for your answer. Please keep doing what you’re doing until you become a great chef. I’m confident you’ll become one one day.”

“When you…”

Cho Min Joon stopped himself. He licked his lips and continued with hesitation.

“When you say I’m going to be a great chef, is that because I have a sensitive palate?”

That was an important question for him. When people praised him for his perfect palate, he couldn’t be completely happy. After all, what they thought of his ability was a little different in reality, so he didn’t feel any happiness when he was told that his perfect palate would take him places.

Rachel stared at Cho Min Joon. Behind her blond hair were her eyes covered in wrinkles.

“I enjoyed your norimaki. I could sense you and your team members’ attitude in your cooking. You all enjoy cooking, don’t you?”

They all nodded together. Rachel answered, “If you like it, you can become a chef. This world doesn’t betray effort.”

***

“… You lucky bastard.”

Anderson said as they returned to Chicago after dinner. Cho Min Joon didn’t answer. Anderson had grumbled at him over 10 times already. Anderson was jealous that Rachel gave Cho Min Joon so much attention. Cho Min Joon sighed.

“You talked to her, too.”

Even after their chat, Rachel stayed to talk some more. Of course, most of her attention was paid to Cho Min Joon, but she wasn’t so cold that she ignored the sparkling eyes of the other members. Anderson didn’t answer. Cho Min Joon closed his heavy eyelids.

He was tired. People’s interest, responsibility as the team leader, and everything else burdened Cho Min Joon. Cho Min Joon had no idea it would be this tiring to be the team leader.

But leading a group was more repressive than he imagined. Actually, he didn’t know if that was the right expression. To be more specific, it was closer to obsession. He had to do well. He couldn’t let his team members get hurt. He had to choose the right locations. He had to choose the right menus. He had to make good food, and he had to appeal to the public.

Individually, it was no big deal, but when dealing with it all at once, it became harder to handle.

It was also because Cho Min Joon had a strong sense of responsibility. Normally, he would have just let fate take the wheel, but Cho Min Joon wanted to take all of his team members to the final round.

“Am I being too greedy?”

“Huh? What?”

“No, nothing.”

In response to Peter’s question, Cho Min Joon just shook his head. He looked at Peter. It hadn’t even been a week since Peter was worried about his part in the broadcast, but he already looked more stable than before. Perhaps his advice helped him stabilize a little bit.

‘I’m the one that needs to grow.’

Cho Min Joon smirked and looked out the window. While they raced from Madison to Chicago, Chloe and Hugo’s team were probably heading back to Chicago as well. Everyone was going to be in one place on the last day. That was the plan for the final, 7th day.

‘Does this mean I’ll see Kaya again, too?’

He was curious about how Chloe and Hugo were doing. Were they tired as team leaders, too? He closed his eyes to sleep, but his phone vibrated. Cho Min Joon looked at his phone. It was a text from Kaya.

[Kaya: When are you getting here? We’re here already.]

[Me: In about an hour.]

[Kaya: You better brace yourself. Your norikami isn’t as good as this.]

Why was it that her threatening text sounded so innocent? He felt his headache went away. Cho Min Joon replied in a better mood.

[Me: It’s not norikami. It’s norimaki.]

She replied right away.

[Kaya: That was a typo.]

[Kaya: I knew that.]

[Kaya: Seriously.]

[Kaya: Who calls norimakis norikamis?]

[Kaya: Are you looking down on me?]

Cho Min Joon didn’t reply.