God of cooking

Chapter 38: Absolute sense of taste (3)

It does not belong to me. It is translated by KobatoChanDaiSuki 

"I have been waiting for you."

Emily said that and smiled brightly. Jo Minjoon looked at her with a puzzled expression. It was the first time he had a conversation in private with Emily, no, with a judge. It couldn't be helped. Because they were busy people. They only appeared when they had to broadcast, and aside for that, they were each doing what they had to do. They were in a really different situation than the participants.

"Why were you......?"
"Well, I don't like to hit around the bush. So I will go straight to the main point. I can, right?"
"Yes."

Jo Minjoon replied briefly. The smile that was on Emily's face became lighter. She put on a more serious look and opened her mouth.

"Have you ever thought of becoming an epicurean?"
"......What?"

At the sudden question, Jo Minjoon's brows twitched. Emily raised both of her palms as if she understood him and continued saying.

"I know. That it's too sudden and that it will puzzle you. But I couldn't be still after what you have showed me."
"The tasting mission?"

At Jo Minjoon's question, Emily nodded. She said.

"Your tasting. If you become an epicurean then you will become one of the best in the world. Cooking? Of course, tasting is important. However, tasting is just one factor required to cook. But when you evaluate a dish, it's the most valuable ability."

He could vaguely understand what Emily was trying to say. However, Jo Minjoon's was rigid. He replied in a low voice.

"I'm a chef. I like to cook."
"I understand. I won't urge you to immediately become an epicurean. However, you can come to me whenever you want to become one. Because I will raise you....."

Emily gave him her business card. Jo Minjoon stared at the business card for a while, and finally let out a sigh and accepted it. Emily smiled faintly as if she was feeling sorry.

"To propose something like this to someone that dreams to become a chef, maybe I only got your head messier. I'm really sorry about that."
".......There will be no way I give up."
"I also hope so. Because people who enjoy good flavor, can give it. Probably, if you keep walking straight, you will become an excellent chef. That will be a good thing by itself."

Emily stopped talking and looked at her watch in her left wrist. And she put a surprised expression and clasped her hands.

"Wow! It's almost time for the plane. I will have to go. Don't be bothered too much about it. Because I have only teased you once."
"I'm not."
"Then, it's a relief. Whew, I will really miss the plane like this. I'll see you at the next mission. Ah! And you were really cool today."

Jo Minjoon didn't reply and let out a troubled laugh. Emily waved her hands and left. Listening to the steps that her high heels made, another accustomed voice sounded from behind.

"Emily loves epicureans."

Jo Minjoon got surprised and looked back. And then, let out a sigh. For one problem to appear after another. It was a judge after another. Alan was seated in a sofa that was close to the hallway's wall. Alan turned over the page of the magazine he had in his hands and opened his mouth.

"And you will become quite a good epicurean."
"......Is it a special day? I think it's the first time meeting the judges aside from the missions."
"Well, don't you know the reason yourself? Minjoon."

Alan closed the magazine. Even so, he wanted to tell him something, but it all seemed too made up. Jo Minjoon looked at Alan. Alan's dark brown eyes were as difficult to see through as ever.