𝙼𝚒𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚔𝚞 ★ s. ᴍᴀɴᴊɪʀᴏ

𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗

Your POV

The lunch rush finally died down and customers have decreased so the atmosphere is more relaxed.

"You, I don't recognize you here. Are you new?" Asked the chef after I came back from serving.

"Yes, I am. I just started today." I replied.

"I see, for a beginner, you are much quicker and not easily pressured in a stressful situation. What a dedicated youngster. Are you a working student?" He asked.

"Thank you but I'm not that young, I'm actually an adult now, I'll turn 28 soon." I said and smiled.

Di na talaga ako magugulat kapag pinagkakamalan akong bata.

[T: I won't b surprised for being mistaken as a kid anymore.]

"Oh, my bad. I apologize for assuming things but still, you did a good job I'm sure the higher-ups will recognize your effort and your pay will be raised." He said and patted my head.

"I'm getting used to it, don't worry. Also thanks for the compliment but you're also hard-working yourself. It felt like I'm watching Gordon Ramsey in action a while ago." I said and he just chuckled.

"Haha, young people know their way with their words I see. Oh right, I heard that the new owner of this restaurant also arrived earlier. I haven't seen her yet but I should warn you to be careful." He said in a more toned-down voice.

"Huh? Why?" I asked as he leaned closer to whisper.

"I have been here for a few months now and I've seen the past owner of this place coming from time to time. He was also present when they were hiring and the look on that young man's eyes still gives shivers down my spine. Even an old man like me can sense that a single mistake shouldn't be tolerated. So I became strict in the kitchen, to make sure everything is perfect. When I heard that there would be a new owner of this restaurant, I thought things would ease up." He said, explaining in a serious voice.

He must be reffering to Manjiro.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, interested in hearing the story.

"I had hopes that the new owner would be a bit more relaxed but when they said that it was the fiance of the previous owner, it was all flushed in the drain. Seeing the previous boss up close was already pressuring, how much more if his fiance? I wouldn't even dare to imagine any woman to be on par with the young man." He says and my sweat dropped.

Bakit parang image niya sakin ay isang kontrabida? Anong klaseng tele-drama to?

[T: Why does his image of me some sort of a villain? What kind of television drama is this?]

"T-that's quite the image." I muttered.

"Enough of that topic, someone might hear us. Here, you can have this extra dessert I made since you did a good job earlier." He said and offered me sakura mochi.

It was so delicious that I was smiling in bliss as I ate while he simply laughed and continued to cook for the other customers.

"Do you need any help? The other chefs are on break and there are still customers to tend to." I offered after I finished the mochi.

"Well if you would like to then I'll take you up on your offer. But I'm a meticulous chef, remember it." He said and smiled.

"I'll be in your care" I said and prepared myself to helo him in cooking.