Just as Satou was about to say something, he saw Hinako Inui glaring at him, her face filled with a girlishly nervous expression. He couldn't help but scratch his head and said with a smile, "Nothing at all. We left very soon after you all did yesterday."
"Is that so?"
Ono Kenro and the others nodded, not thinking much of it.
Before, they were just joking. Although Hinako Inui was not married, there was still a difference of more than ten years in their ages.
However, they didn't notice Hinako Inui behind them letting out a sigh of relief.
"It's really troublesome. If they knew what happened yesterday, I wouldn't know how to face anyone."
Hinako Inui stroked her cheek and sighed.
"But Satou was really bad yesterday, actually touching my foot."
Recalling what happened yesterday, two blushes appeared on her face. Besides embarrassment, there was even a hint of happiness, which made her feel a little scared.
Soon, the busy lunch rush began.
"Table 10, two servings of Su-style Shumai, clam and fresh fish flavor."
"Table 9, one serving of Su-style Shumai, assorted flavor."
"Table 20, two servings of Su-style Shumai 720, chicken and mushroom flavor."
Today was the official launch of Satou's new dish. The waiters would introduce the restaurant's new dishes to the guests.
And the Shumai that Satou came up with was officially named Su-style Shumai.
Yesterday afternoon, Satou further improved the Shumai, adding other types of mixed rice, such as mentaiko, pork and pumpkin, chicken and mushroom, and so on.
Many guests were very interested after seeing such a creative dish. In a short while, Satou had already received many orders.
"Megumi, is the chicken cut?"
"Done!"
"Have you wrapped the clam-flavored Shumai?"
"It's already steaming."
Tadokoro Megumi had also officially become Satou's assistant today.
Normally at school, they had cooperated countless times, so their tacit understanding went without saying.
"Phew. Finally finished."
Tadokoro Megumi breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Although she was very tired, the thought of being able to help Satou made her heart feel sweet.
"Satou, it seems your dish is very popular."
Ono Kenro said with admiration. It was not easy for a new dish to receive so many orders right after its launch.
"Yes, and I hear the reviews are excellent. All the guests who've tried it are full of praise."
Hoshino Miyuki observed the reactions of the guests in the restaurant for a while and said with a hint of envy.
Comparing her new dish with Satou's, she felt a wave of dejection; the gap was too wide.
However, what comforted her was that after Satou's improvement, her Tofu Tempura had become popular with many guests again, which made her unable to help but marvel at Satou's skill.
"Is that so?"
Satou smiled, feeling a little happy. After all, that dish was still in its observation period. If the reviews continued to be good, it could officially become a permanent dish on Kirinoya's menu, and he would be able to complete his task.
After finishing his own work, his gaze began to survey the kitchen, looking for anything he could do.
"How annoying! How can he just touch a girl's foot? Doesn't he know you can't just touch it?"
Meanwhile, Hinako Inui was still sulking, muttering something under her breath while preparing the dishes.
She didn't realize that Satou's position in her heart had already changed.
At first, Hinako Inui treated Satou like a younger brother, but after that incident last night that made her blush every time she thought about it, she had unconsciously begun to see Satou as a man.
After graduating, she had devoted all her energy to Kirinoya and had no time for romance. Although she didn't feel anything normally, she was actually a little lonely inside and yearned for love.
After all, she was already twenty-seven years old, long past the age when a woman yearns for love, let alone having been single for so long.
During her student days, she did admire Kojiro Shinomiya, but she was still young then, with only vague feelings, a subtle liking that wasn't true love.
After graduation, Kojiro Shinomiya went to France to open a restaurant, while she opened Kirinoya. Now, more than ten years had passed in a blink of an eye.
Although they often kept in touch, and when they met, it was like before, that vague feeling had long since unconsciously transformed into a friendship between classmates and a sisterly affection for a brother.
Everyone had someone they liked in their student days. Even after a long time, they would occasionally think of them, but rather than saying it was love, it was more a remembrance of that student period.
Yesterday's incident was like a stepping stone, allowing Satou to enter Hinako Inui's heart, but Hinako Inui, who had no dating experience, didn't notice it herself.
"Hinako-senpai, do you need my help?"
At this moment, Satou walked over and asked.
"Hmph! I can do it myself, I don't need your help!"
Hinako Inui made a face at him, clearly still sulking.
Satou was a little speechless. Hinako Inui was usually like a gentle Big sister, but sometimes she would reveal a willful and childish girlish side.
"Oh. Hinako Inui-senpai, your Atsuyaki Tamago is a bit burnt."
Satou suddenly pointed at the Atsuyaki Tamago in the pan in surprise and said.
"Oh no!"
Hinako Inui finally reacted. She had actually been distracted while cooking!
"Satou, it's all your fault, all your fault!"
She repeatedly punched Satou's chest with her small fists and said.
Satou: "..."
What did that have to do with him?
"What's wrong with the head chef today? How could she make such a mistake?"
"Yeah."
Hoshino Miyuki and the others were all a bit surprised. What was wrong with Hinako Inui today? She seemed a bit strange.
Soon, the busy lunch rush passed.
"Excellent, Satou. The guests really like your dish. After tonight, your dish can become an official dish at Kirinoya."
Ono Kenro said, patting Satou's shoulder with satisfaction.
At noon, the Su-style Shumai was very popular with the guests, and everyone who tried it praised it endlessly.
Satou nodded, feeling a little happy himself.
Just then, the restaurant's phone rang. After Hinako Inui answered the phone, she told everyone, "A very important guest will be coming tonight."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"