Chapter 6:A Promise of One Year

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows with a sharp, almost intrusive brightness, casting stark geometric patterns across the floor. Rina stepped into the empty dining area where the "Open" sign had long been flipped to "Closed." Chiaki was wiping down the last table with quiet focus.

Chiaki looked up at the sound of footsteps, her expression tinged with concern.

"Getting used to things? It was a bit hectic today. Nothing went wrong, I hope?"

Rina offered an easy smile. "Only about thirty orders. I wouldn't call that busy."

Chiaki blinked, looking slightly sheepish.

"To be honest... business hasn't been great lately. Today was actually one of the better days."

Rina's gaze softened as she caught the awkward flicker in Chiaki's expression.

"It's all right. Every shop has its ups and downs. This is just a passing phase."

Her voice was like the sunlight—gentle, warm, and reassuring.

Chiaki's eyes flickered with gratitude.

"Thanks. That really does make me feel a little better." She resumed polishing the lacquered wood. "Once I finish up here, let's head home together, all right?"

Chiaki had barely finished speaking when Chef Yamada poked his head out from the kitchen doorway.

"Rina, come here a sec," he called.

Rina glanced toward the kitchen and nodded quickly.

"Coming, Yamada-san." She turned and made her way through the kitchen doors.

The kitchen smelled of citrus cleaner and lingering dashi. Chef Yamada leaned against the central workstation, cradling a steaming cup of hōjicha. The earthy aroma curled through the air as he regarded Rina with that unnerving, all-seeing gaze of his.

Rina stood still, her curiosity evident as she asked, "Yamada-san, is there something you need from me?"

Yamada took a slow sip from his cup, then paused, his voice low and deliberate.

"I've been meaning to ask... Why did you leave a five-star hotel to come work in a place like this?"

The question settled in the air, and the kitchen grew quiet.

For a moment, Rina froze. Her expression tightened almost imperceptibly, then relaxed. She lowered her gaze, a thin, wry smile tugging at her lips—a smile so slight, it could've gone unnoticed. There was a flicker of something sharp in her eyes—anger, perhaps, restrained and buried. It vanished quickly.

She spoke calmly.

"I guess... I just wanted something different."

Yamada raised an eyebrow.

"Different, how?"

Rina shifted back a step, leaning against the stove with arms crossed. Her tone turned dry, edged with faint sarcasm.

"Do you really think places like five-star hotels care only about cooking skill?"

Yamada frowned, eyes narrowing with interest.

"There's more to it?"

A short, humorless laugh escaped her lips. The warmth in her expression was gone now, replaced by something harder—bitter, even.

"Of course there is. Cooking matters, sure. But what really matters are the things you don't see: connections, hierarchy, politics. Even your smile has to be calculated. If you want to rise, it's not about talent. It's about how much you can endure, how well you can bend. That place... it had nothing to do with why I started cooking in the first place."Yamada was quiet for a moment. He raised his cup and took a slow sip, letting the steam veil his expression, though it couldn't hide the intensity in his eyes. He studied Rina, not her words, but the spaces between them.

"You've been through some things," he said finally. His tone was quiet but unmistakably perceptive. "That's not what I'm digging for, though." His eyes briefly dropped, then met hers again, firm and searching.

"I just want to know one thing—are you serious about working here? Or is this just a phase before you disappear one day without a word?"

Rina didn't answer immediately. She met his eyes, her own expression solemn. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady, with an edge of certainty.

"I'm not here for fun. Maybe I can't promise how long I'll stay in the long run, but I'll be here for at least a year. That, I can guarantee."

"A year?" Yamada chuckled, a flicker of satisfaction showing at the corners of his lips. He took another sip of tea and gave a slow nod.

"Good. That's all I needed to hear."

He paused, then set his cup down. His tone turned more serious.

"I asked because there's something I need you to know. I'm retiring soon. When I go, I want you to take over the kitchen."

Rina's eyes widened slightly.

"You're retiring, Yamada-san?"

He nodded, voice calm and free of regret.

"I'm getting old. It's time I spent more of my life with my family. I've neglected that for too long."

Rina stood in thoughtful silence for a moment, then gave a firm nod.

"Understood. When the time comes, I'll do everything I can to carry this kitchen."

Yamada's smile deepened, this time tinged with real pride.

"Good. I'll stick around a little longer. Once you've got everything down, then I'll step away."