❝ Competition just got a whole lot spicier in this kitchen ❞
Yang Jungwon and Baek Yunha, both ambitious interns at "Seoul Sizzle," initially clashed due to their strong mutual dislike. Despite their professional interactions revolving around orders...
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❝I’m already hooked, you and me The moment we locked eyes❞ — 1.0k words. ,
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"I'LL call out your roll numbers, along with your ranks," Chef Park announced, his voice cutting through the tense silence.
He held a sheet of paper, the final rankings and scores meticulously noted. The students' eyes followed his every move, hearts pounding in anticipation and dread. Chef Park's gaze swept over the room, his expression unreadable as he prepared to reveal the chosen few.
"Number 05, Kim Sunoo, 3rd rank, who prepared spaghetti carbonara," Chef Park announced, his voice steady and authoritative. "The second selected intern, number 08, Yang Jungwon, 1st rank, who prepared stuffed mushrooms and vegetable spring rolls."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the room. The chosen interns exhaled in relief, while the remaining students watched with bated breath, their hopes pinned on the final two spots. The air buzzed with anticipation as Chef Park continued, the tension palpable in the room.
"Number 11, Baek Yunha, rank 2nd, who prepared egg fried rice," Chef Park continued, his gaze sweeping over the room. The tension mounted as the students listened intently, eyes fixed on the chef. Yunha's face remained calm, though her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
"Lastly, number 14, rank 4th, Han Somin, who prepared tteokbokki croquettes," he announced. The room collectively held its breath, then exhaled as the final name was revealed. The selected interns exchanged looks, a mix of relief and determination in their eyes, while the others tried to process the outcome, the weight of the moment settling over them.
Some students, their faces etched with disappointment, quietly packed up their belongings. With heavy hearts and respectful bows, they exited the selection hall, leaving behind the chosen four. The atmosphere shifted as the room emptied, the echoes of unfulfilled hopes fading away.
Now, only the four selected interns remained, their emotions a mix of excitement and nervousness. Chef Park, his authoritative presence commanding their attention, prepared to guide them through the next steps. The intensity of the selection process still lingered in the air, but a new chapter was about to begin for these promising young chefs.
"Congrats," a voice whispered from behind Yunha. She discreetly turned around while Chef Park wasn't looking, her eyes meeting those of a brunette-haired girl with warm brown eyes that complemented her soft features.
"Thanks, you too," Yunha mumbled back, a subtle smile playing on her lips. With a quick nod of acknowledgment, she turned her attention back to Chef Park, ready to hear what awaited them in this next exciting phase of their culinary journey.
Although Yunha tried to hide it, she couldn't shake off a lingering sense of frustration. She glanced discreetly at Jungwon, who had also scored 8 marks like her. Her mind raced with questions: How did he end up first while she settled for second place? She shot a subtle glare towards Jungwon, who sat at the very first desk, but she hesitated to confront Chef Park about her ranking.
Instead, Yunha focused her attention on the tasks ahead, keeping her disappointment tucked away as she prepared to embark on this new journey as an intern at Seoul Sizzle.
"You'll all be trained for exactly ten days before you officially start your internship. I expect each one of you to be on time, is that clear?" Chef Park's voice cut through the air with authority as he eyed each of the four interns.
The reputation of the restaurant, renowned for its exquisite cuisine, demanded precision and excellence. Training was paramount to ensure they met the restaurant's high standards, and Chef Park's stern gaze conveyed the seriousness of their upcoming responsibilities.
"Yeah!" The four interns echoed in unison, bowing respectfully as Chef Park departed, leaving them to absorb the weight of their upcoming responsibilities. They exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and nerves evident in their expressions. With the day drawing late, they took a moment to gather themselves before heading out, each filled with anticipation for the training that lay ahead and the opportunity to prove themselves at Seoul Sizzle.
With a bag of ingredients slung over her shoulder, Yunha waited impatiently for the brunette-haired girl named Han Somin to finish packing. She was slightly relieved not to be the only girl among the interns. Watching Han Somin gather her belongings, Yunha tapped her foot nervously on the ground, eager to leave and start preparing for the rigorous training ahead the next day.
"Only stupid people would cook egg fried rice in such a competitive setting." The voice cut through the air, unmistakably belonging to Yang Jungwon, the self-assured intern. Yunha recognized the need to avoid conflict early on, but she couldn't resist shooting him a pointed glare before speaking louder for him to hear.
"And I still managed to score eight," Yunha retorted, her voice carrying a mix of defiance and frustration. She held her ground, unwilling to let Jungwon's comment go unchallenged as they stood alongside the other male intern, tension simmering between them.
"Pfft, the chef probably took pity on you," Jungwon assumed with a smirk, his confidence bordering on arrogance. Yunha's jaw clenched in frustration, his words hitting a nerve. She resisted the urge to escalate the tension, knowing it was early in their journey as interns.
"Motherfu—" Yunha's exclamation was abruptly silenced by Somin's hand covering her mouth, preventing her from uttering the curse.
Somin, clearly trying to diffuse the situation, passed an embarrassed smile to the two male interns. With a sense of urgency, she quietly pulled Yunha out of the hall to prevent the disagreement from escalating into a scene. Recognizing the need to maintain professionalism and avoid unnecessary conflict, Yunha followed Somin's lead, albeit with a lingering sense of frustration towards Jungwon's provocation.
"That idiot really had the audacity to call me stupid," Yunha fumed with frustration, venting to Somin, whom she had only just met earlier that day in the selection hall.
Despite their brief acquaintance, their connection seemed instant, as Somin gently held Yunha's arm, offering comfort through a soothing rub. It was evident that Somin possessed a mature demeanor, capable of diffusing tensions and offering support in moments of emotional turmoil.
Yunha continued to vent her frustrations while Somin provided comfort and reassurance. Their easy rapport and mutual understanding made them appear inseparable, as if they had been best friends for years. As they walked out of the restaurant together, their compatibility and solidarity were palpable to anyone observing them.
