God of Cooking – Chapter 159: The reason they are hungry (3)

Of course, there was no chance of Anderson understanding the reason behind Jo Minjoon saying congratulations . Looking at Anderson’s confused face in front of him, Jo Minjoon was actually surprised . He really meant it when he said congratulations . Although there was a feeling of envy, it was not to the level of being called jealousy .

Why was this the case? It’s probably not because his friendship with Anderson was getting closer . Even when Kaya reached level 8, Jo Minjoon was jealous of her .

‘I wonder if I have changed . ’

 

It wasn’t that the strings of tension had loosened . The excitement was still there . However, unlike before, a feeling of helplessness never came over him .

Maybe this had something to do with the fact that he was not so focused on the score of a dish anymore . Rather than being pushed around by the score, he was now treating it as more of a guide . The impact of that change was not small at all .

Morning . As the staff watched on, the six members sat together happily around the table . Maybe it was because it was their last meal in Japan and the last meal of the journey, but nobody could easily lift their utensils . They were all feeling a sense of loss . Emily spoke up in a somewhat complicated voice .

“When I work, there have been many times i had to go eat on my own . It’s been a long time since I ate like this with other people . Thank you, everyone . ”
“Food is always better when you are eating together . Especially when you are eating Eastern food . ”

Jo Minjoon smiled lightly as he spoke . They started to eat . Sera burst into admiration every time she put her chopsticks into her mouth . She started to speak in a quiet voice .

“It’s amazing . Even though it’s home-style cooking, it still feels very elegant . ”
“At some point, the perception of home-style cooking changed to be considered cheap and lacking, but that’s not the case . For example, I still can’t forget the taste of the galbi-jjim I ate at my grandparents’ house at New Year’s day when I was younger . ”

When he thought about it, that was one of the tastiest home-style meals he had ever eaten, and it was Korean food . As Jo Minjoon was reminiscing about the taste in his mind, Anderson stared at him with an unfamiliar gaze . Jo Minjoon was not like this in the past . Maybe it was because of his mom’s bad cooking, but Jo Minjoon did not have much affection or faith in home-style cooking . He had always shown a focus and respect for fancy dishes .

‘He changed . Quite a bit . ’

It would be fine to say that he improved . It was like he had stepped outside of the fence that was holding him in .

Was it more sentimental because it was their last breakfast? They were more talkative than usual, speaking a lot and having deep conversations, talking about the delicacies they’ve eaten in their lives, and past that, talking even about life . They even said some compliments about each other as well (TL: Makes it sound like they normally put each other down or something) .

Of course, as warm as the atmosphere was, it was also a bit embarrassing . But the feeling was a good one . Even as he was eating, Jo Minjoon suddenly thought about that . ‘If I could just create a restaurant where all customers could have a meal like this . ’

However, that kind of restaurant was impossible unless it was called ‘home . ’ You wouldn’t be able to read into the hearts of each and every customer . This became even harder the larger the restaurant got .

“So, Martin . Are you planning on making Season 2?”
“That’ll depend on the number of viewers . If it is over a million, then the chances are pretty high . ”
“Huuuuu, I’m not sure if it’ll be possible . ”
“Since we inherited Grand Chef’s broadcast time slot, we may get a better result than expected . ”

It was possible that the viewers felt like this was a spinoff of Grand Chef . Jo Minjoon and Anderson . Two of the most popular chefs from Grand Chef were appearing on this show afterall . ”

“So, if there is a Season 2, do you have any desires to participate again?”

Emily, Sera, and Jeremy nodded their heads . As epicureans, they had no reason to reject participating in a show like this . However, Jo Minjoon and Anderson looked towards Rachel, and Rachel shook her head .
“I think it will be difficult . Now, I have to go and restart my restaurant, and these children will have to be with me . ”
“You know…… . it feels like you are stealing my participants . I’m getting a bit jealous . ”

It was funny because Martin’s sad expression had eyes like a teenage girl . Rachel smiled softly before speaking .

“If you come to our restaurant, I will treat you to a delicious meal whether it is for a broadcast or not . ”
“That’s a pretty fabulous offer . Can I come even without a reservation?”
“If there is no room, we will even put a table in the hallway for you . ”
“That…… . . I don’t know if that’s VIP treatment or a street cat treatment . ”
“I’m just joking . ”

Rachel smiled softly . Martin looked at Rachel smiling like that and spoke as if he was surprised .

“Did you know that the atmosphere around you has changed quite a bit since you first showed up during the filming of Grand Chef?”
“How was I when I first got there?”
“Hmm…… . I’m sorry to be saying this, but you looked kind of tired . Your shoulders were heavy and your smile was absent . But now……you are shining . Your eyes, your smile . ”

Jeremy shivered and flexed his hands as if it sounded too cheesy for him . Rachel glared at Jeremy for a bit before looking at Martin again and smiling .

“Back then, a lot of things were still covered by the fog . But now, many things are clear . I even have these two handsome disciples . Minjoon, and …… . our Duksam . ”
“……Ah, teacher . ”

Anderson, whose smile was starting to form at being called her handsome disciple, quickly turned red and looked at Rachel with hurt eyes . Jo Minjoon laughed and spoke .

“Don’t you remember? You said it last time . That you’ll continue to use the name Duksam . ”
“I said that so you could feel how much damage a joke you made could have on a person’s life!”
“Yes, I’m feeling it pretty well right now . It’s amusing . I guess I’m even feeling a bit remorseful deep down in my conscience?”

Jo Minjoon laughed while he answered . Anderson did not respond . Anderson lifted his chopsticks . The pointy chopsticks dug into the sea bream’s meat like two sharp spears .

€

[The plane will take off shortly . All passengers should fasten their seatbelts . ]

“…… . I get a weird feeling everytime I get on a plane . ”
“Me too . ”

Sera, who was sitting next to him, opened her mouth . Maybe she had something to discuss with him; she pushed Anderson aside as he tried to sit next to Minjoon and took the seat for herself . The plane slowly began to lift its head towards the sky . The ticklish feeling of your organs being pulled was pleasant but unfamiliar .

“It must be nice for you Sera . The life of an epicurean must be like this all the time right?”
“Why? Are you envious?”
“Definitely . Of course, that doesn’t mean that I want to be an epicurean . ”
“I heard Emily tried to make you into an epicurean . ”
“She did . I turned her down . I enjoy cooking more than eating . ”

Even if the whole world changed, it was one belief that would not change . The airplane slowly started to stabilize itself in the air . Jo Minjoon looked outside the windows at the cotton-like clouds that filled the sky . Sera looked at his face before slowly opening her lips .

“Thank you . ”
“……Have I done anything that deserves a thanks from you, Sera?”
“Yes, yes you did . You gave me a stimulus . ”

Jo Minjoon silently looked at Sera’s face . ‘The world’s sexiest epicurean . ’ A title fitting a third-rate magazine . However, what Jo Minjoon saw wasn’t the allure of her **** lips, but the determination flowing through her eyes . It was an expression only those people who have made an important decision could show . It was clearly visible on her face . ”

“Your relationship with Anderson . The passion for cooking . Your natural talent and unwavering spirit . All of those came as big shocks to me . It made me look back at how I came into this field in the first place . ”
“……Sera, how did you end up becoming an epicurean?”

Normally, wouldn’t you expect someone to say ‘because I liked food?’ However, the answer Sera gave was definitely not normal .

“It was because of Emily . ”
“……What?”

“I looked up to Emily ever since I was young . She was an unni I liked . Well, to be specific, she was an unni I looked up to and respected . She’s cool . Emily . Ever since I was young, I wanted to be like her……and once Emily became an epicurean, I decided I needed to be one too . ”

It was such an unexpected answer that Jo Minjoon was speechless . Whether she was short in thought, childish, or if not that, the maybe just pure, he couldn’t tell . Sera laughed, as if his thoughts were visible on his face .

“I know . It was a very thoughtless decision . That’s why I still have such childish concerns . ”
“……The trigger is definitely unique . However, Sera, I don’t think it is a childish concern . It’s a concern that everybody has . No matter how sure you are about your path, motivation alone is not enough for you to be confident that you picked the right path . Plus, Sera, regardless of your motivation……you still worked hard . ”
“How do you know? For epicureans, rather than feeling the taste of a dish, it’s more about how well you can express your feelings . It’s also focused on your looks or personality to see if you have what it takes to be a star . There are many people who claim that I made it as an epicurean only because of my looks . Minjoon, have you never thought that?”
“Never . ”

He was not just saying it to be respectful . If he did, it would be difficult to look directly into her eyes as he answered . That’s why Sera could not help but wonder . She couldn’t understand the faith Jo Minjoon had about her abilities . (TL: He just has a magic tool that lets him know you’ve worked very hard Sera!)

However, she did not ask for the reason . Regardless of the reason, it felt nice to be trusted . Sera smiled brightly as she opened her mouth .

“It feels nice hearing you say that . Also, there’s no reason to have such a look of concern on your face . I will not be shaken anymore . Rather, I am just greedy . Just like how you and Anderson have accepted each other, and everybody else has also accepted the two of you as rivals, one day, I will also get there . ”

Sera turned her head . At the end of her gaze was Emily, who was chatting with Anderson . Jo Minjoon smiled and started to speak .

“If you have a desire not to lose, you’re already rivals . ”

€

LAX . Los Angeles Airport . Jo Minjoon slowly took a step forward .

‘Once again…… USA . ’
His chest was tickling . On this foreign land, thinking about how he would be cooking for strange foreigners… . . just thinking about the future already filled him with sorrows and happiness, and he felt like the fruits of his labor were already in his hands .

“I guess this is goodbye . ”
“Hmm . I’m sure we will see each other again someday . ”

Jeremy answered in a distinctly casual but subtly disappointed voice . Of course they didn’t have many reasons to see each other again . They were all busy people, and unless they were participating together on a show like this, to even coincidentally run into each other, the US…… . no, the world was too big .

“Everybody, thank you for everything . The next time we meet, I will make you even tastier dishes . ”
“I’m looking forward to it . And I’m thankful as well . When Minjoon opens a restaurant in the future, I will make sure to visit . ”
“Maybe you’ll end up having your wedding at my restaurant, Emily . ”
“Oh, please, stop teasing me like that . ”

Emily’s face turned red . In the midst of everyone giggling, Martin slowly walked over . He put a smile on his face .

“Everyone, thank you for following along without causing any issues . Well, not that we didn’t have ANY issues at all…”

Martin’s eyes quickly headed towards Jo Minjoon . Jo Minjoon turned his head away with a guilty look on his face . Martin started to laugh as he spoke .

“Anderson . Minjoon . I’ve already spent over half a year with the two of you . I hope this relationship can remain beautiful in the future . ”
“There’s no reason it can’t remain like this . ”

Jo Minjoon suddenly felt a strange sensation . Martin was just the program’s PD, however, it felt like Martin was a benefactor who gave him a great opportunity . Maybe it was because he was responsible for Grand Chef, the program that changed his life . Jo Minjoon put forth his hand .

“Thank you for everything, Martin . ”

Martin stared at Minjoon’s hand before slowly shaking it and smiling so widely that he had wrinkles on his face .

The conversation continued a little longer, but as with all things, it could not continue forever . The broadcast was over, and the traveling was done . It would be nice if the path in front of them was wide enough for them to all walk together, however, a person’s path was full of many forks in the road .

Rachel opened her mouth .

“Let’s go . ”

Neither Anderson nor Jo Minjoon asked where they were going . For now, they were just following after Rachel’s footsteps . Her path . They were sailing with her as her sailors .

<The reason they are hungry (3)> End

 

Translator : Miraclerifle
Proofreader : Miraclerifle