Ryo Takahashi always remembered how he first fell in love with the culinary world. Since he was a child, the kitchen was where he felt most alive. His family's small restaurant was a place filled with warmth, though sometimes clouded by the strong aromas of spices that almost masked the true essence of the dishes. His father, also a renowned chef in the city, always taught Ryo that cooking wasn't just about taste, but about how to touch people's hearts with dishes made with care and attention.
Every morning, Ryo watched his father cook meticulously, perfecting each dish with a love that was apparent in every movement. "If you cook with your heart, Ryo," his father once said, "every dish will become a work of art that can move anyone's soul."
That's what inspired Ryo to follow in his father's footsteps. After graduating from culinary school and spending some time working at prestigious restaurants, he eventually returned to his family's restaurant, determined to start his career as a professional chef.
However, despite his impressive skills, the reality Ryo faced wasn't as easy as he had imagined. His work in the family restaurant came with immense pressure, especially from his father, who always expected the best. Every step Ryo took seemed never enough, and despite his dishes always impressing, he felt like he still had to fight for the recognition he deserved.
Amidst all the pressure, there was one thing that kept crossing his mind: Miyu Asakura, a waitress who worked at their restaurant. Miyu was unlike anyone else. Unlike the other waitstaff who always smiled cheerfully and were friendly, Miyu always appeared distant, even cold and withdrawn. Ryo often observed her from the kitchen—how she calmly attended to customers, with no expression on her face.
Ryo knew that Miyu was not the type of person who could be easily approached. She didn't talk much to anyone, and always kept her distance. Yet, for some reason, Ryo felt an inexplicable pull toward her. There was something about her that made him want to know more. Every time they crossed paths, his heart would race, even though she never revealed anything. Miyu seemed to have a wall around her, a barrier that was difficult to break.
One day, the restaurant was especially busy. Orders came in fast, and Ryo had to make sure that every dish leaving the kitchen was perfect. Then, a special order came in—a VIP customer wanted a top-tier dish, and it needed to be done quickly. Ryo was caught off guard; the pressure was on, and he felt a little panicked. He almost made a fatal mistake by mispreparing some of the main ingredients.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned around and saw Miyu, standing calmly in front of the kitchen counter, her usual expression—cold and unreadable. But something was different this time. Without saying a word, Miyu stepped in, took some ingredients from the counter, and began working with incredible calmness, suggesting subtle changes that instantly made the dish perfect.
"Miyu... you... know exactly what to do," Ryo said in astonishment, confused and amazed at how Miyu remained so composed under pressure.
Miyu merely nodded slightly. "Sometimes, what we need isn't just skill, but calm. If you panic, your food won't taste right."
Ryo fell silent. Miyu's words struck a deep chord within him. Despite not speaking much, there was wisdom in every action she took. For Ryo, that moment changed everything.
In the days that followed, Ryo began paying even more attention to Miyu. Every time they worked together in the kitchen or crossed paths in the dining area, he felt a strange connection, even though Miyu continued to act distant. There was something in her that Ryo wanted to understand, even though he knew she wasn't the type of person who would easily open up.
Ryo began to learn that being a great chef wasn't just about cooking perfectly, but also about understanding the people around him. Maybe, by getting to know Miyu more, he could find a way to bring her out of her shell. But for that, he would need patience. Love, like perfect cooking, required time and full attention.
However, the journey to understand Miyu would not be as easy as he imagined. Ryo knew that his heart would be tested, just like dishes that sometimes had to go through failure to eventually become something extraordinary.