CH 25

I looked at the headlines in the magazine and was dismayed.

“Is this…?”

“Yeah, it’s just a stupid third-rate gossip article. But apparently it’s having an impact. I’ve already had a few calls with complaints. All of them, though, are from people who have only been in the place once, they tried to see me but I turned them down.”

Come to think of it, there were quite a few annoying customers who came not for the food obviously, but for the pretty owner-chef, Fujisaki-san.

Although Fujisaki-san turned them away, they probably were adversely resentful of her.

It’s not hard to imagine them finding out about this incident and causing her trouble was just them trying to get back at her.

“The consultant was originally against the hiring of Yamamoto. He didn’t show it in his attitude, but this incident made me think of him as a devil’s advocate. As you can imagine, I was furious because he told me to fire you, Yamamoto.”

Fujisaki-san continued, her anger reheated.

“It’s true that this restaurant began to prosper because the consultant was right. But the reason it continued to thrive after that was because you, Yamamoto, worked hard to hone your skills and became able to make dishes that were as good as mine, and you continued to enliven the restaurant with your creative cooking. We even overcame many busy days together. I can’t even think of firing you, Yamamoto, who has done so much for the restaurant.”

To be honest, that’s thanks to you, Fujisaki-san.

Fujisaki-san has always been with me to practice my cooking, and she generously taught me the techniques she learned in France.

She was happy with my growth as if it was her own.

That’s why it takes me a lot of courage to tell her, “I’m going to America for a year.”

Because there will be one less person in the kitchen who can cook while I’m gone, and without a replacement, Fujisaki-san’s workload will be even bigger than it is now.

As I was thinking this, Fujisaki-san continued,

“The consultant even said, ‘I’ll find you a better chef instead,’ but he doesn’t know how much Yamamoto helps those around him in the field. It’s not just your cooking skills, it’s… working with Yamamoto, what can I say…”

“— A replacement for me? Oh, that’s just what I needed.”

I, who will be undergoing treatment in the U.S. for a year, heard the first half of Fujisaki-san’s story and just reflexively responded that way.

Hearing this, Fujisaki-san’s reddened face turned pale.

“Just what you needed? What do you mean? Yamamoto, are you going to quit? Did someone say something bad about you? Tell me! I’ll make them shut up!”

“No, it’s not like that!”

“So it’s salary then! All right, I’ll give you a bonus! I hardly ever spend any money to begin with! I’ll give you as much as you want from my savings! So, can’t you just hold off on quitting for a little while longer? Hey…”

“I’m not quitting! Um… I’m having a hard time saying that…”

So I told Fujisaki-san about the clinical trial.

I didn’t realize that she was so dependent on me, that she would even be opposed to the decision I made.

— I thought, but after hearing what I had to say, Fujisaki-san smiled in a way I had never seen before.

“I see! Yamamoto’s disease is curable! That’s a relief! I’m so happy for you!”

“B-but to have to leave the restaurant for a year—”

“You don’t need to worry about the restaurant. You should concentrate on your treatment over there! Just in time, because I hear there’s a good chef coming too! Ha-ha!”

Fujisaki-san said and laughed it off.

Even though she had complained so much earlier, Fujisaki-san seemed to be willing to accept it all for the sake of my treatment.

I felt really bad, and I felt strongly that I wanted to do something to make it up to her when I got back.

“That’s right. Yamamoto, you have a sister, right? Are you taking her with you?”

“No, I would like to have her stay in Japan to reduce the costs in the U.S. as much as possible. I’m trying to figure out what to do with the money since I’ll be leaving… and I can’t let her live alone.”

“Then I’ll have her!”

“Eh? I-I can’t afford to cause you that much trouble—!”

“I live alone and I’m single, so I’m more than happy to oblige! My house is right around the corner, so she’ll be able to go straight to school. I haven’t met Yamamoto’s sister yet, so I’m looking forward to it~ Is she a big girl like you?”

Fujisaki-san was already ready to take her in.

I honestly never thought that I’d find a more favorable place for Saika to stay.

So I decided to do the asking, by getting down on my knees.

In this way, the issue of Saika’s foster home and part-time job was resolved.