Satou hadn't been seen all day today, and for some reason, Hinako Inui felt an emptiness in her heart all day, a sense of loss.
Although she really wanted to call and ask where Satou was interning, she couldn't muster the courage because there was a significant age gap between them, and Satou already had Megumi-chan. She was worried about what others might say.
After much hesitation, Hinako Inui decided to come and sit in the place where Satou had stayed.
Having no romantic experience, she naturally didn't realize what this meant.
Hinako Inui, who was almost thirty, had her daily life revolve around Kirinoya. Having been alone for too long, it was actually very easy for her to develop feelings for an excellent man.
At this moment, a sunny young man suddenly entered her life. Just a small catalyst, and he easily broke into her heart.
Not to mention, Satou was actually very similar to Kojiro Shinomiya when he was young: young, handsome, and full of vigor, exactly the type she liked.
During her student days, she did have a vague affection for Kojiro Shinomiya. It was very normal for almost all girls to have a crush on a boy during their student days, but their relationship never went beyond that of normal classmates.
After graduation, the two never made any promises, and Kojiro Shinomiya flew directly to Fabre.
More than ten years passed in a flash. Although the two often kept in touch, it was only as ordinary classmates.
Although when they met, it was still like before, but more of it had turned into the attachment of a younger sister to her older brother.
But towards Satou, it was a different feeling, both fear and joy, a feeling she had never experienced before.
"By the way, Hinako-senpai, why are you here?"
Satou suddenly asked.
"Eh? This..."
Hinako Inui's face immediately turned red. She couldn't possibly tell him that she just wanted to sit in the place he used to live, could she?
"I thought there might be other interns coming, so I wanted to prepare a room."
She explained, "But no one came."
"Oh, so that's how it is."
Satou nodded, not thinking much about it.
"By the way, Hinako-senpai, would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
He asked.
"Eh?"
Hinako Inui was stunned for a moment, hesitated for a while, and then said, "Then I'll impose."
Then, Satou invited her in to sit.
Hinako Inui sat on the sofa, feeling a bit uneasy, as this was her first time entering a male's room.
"By the way, Satou, where are you interning now?"
She remembered something and asked the question she had been concerned about for a long time.
"Oh, it's Chunguo Pavilion."
Satou said.
"It's Kikuchi's restaurant. I heard the reputation isn't very good. Although she's very talented as a chef, her personality isn't suitable for a manager, right?"
Hinako Inui thought for a moment and said.
"Yes, her personality is too kind and indecisive."
Satou nodded and said, "She's easily bullied by others."
"Satou, then I'll trouble you to help her more."
Hinako Inui said, "When I first opened Kirinoya back then, I also experienced a lot of setbacks."
She had a lot of confidence in Satou's abilities. If he helped, there would definitely be no problem.
"Hmm, of course."
Satou immediately smiled. Then he suddenly remembered that Hinako Inui also opened a restaurant right after graduation. He remembered she used to cry a lot in school back then, so it probably wasn't easy for her at the beginning, right?
Next, Hinako Inui gradually relaxed and chatted with Satou, just like they usually did at Kirinoya.
"By the way, Hinako-senpai, I'm sorry about yesterday, it caused you trouble."
Satou suddenly remembered and said somewhat apologetically.
"Hmph! You scoundrel, do you even know you caused me trouble? You did such an excessive thing to me!"
Hinako Inui immediately glared at him angrily and shouted.
However, despite saying that, looking at her expression, there was no sign of anger.
Next, the two chatted for a while longer until it was almost midnight when Hinako Inui bid farewell.
Satou escorted her out of the hotel.
"Then I'll take my leave. Work hard during your internship, okay?"
Hinako Inui smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, then, with a little effort, she stood on her tiptoes and patted his head like a Big sister.
Satou asked, "By the way, Hinako-senpai, can you come to my place more often in the future?"
He felt that chatting with Hinako Inui was quite enjoyable, just like a gentle Big sister.
Moreover, Alice Nakiri couldn't come these past few days, and he also felt a bit bored and wanted to find someone to relieve the boredom.
Hinako Inui was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face, and she said, "Okay."
On the second day, even more customers came to Chunguo Pavilion to taste the dishes than yesterday, many of whom were repeat customers from the previous day.
"That's great! The restaurant's business is getting better and better. It's all thanks to you, Satou."
Seeing her restaurant improve day by day, Kikuchi Sonoka was also very relieved and felt even more grateful to Satou in her heart.
The chefs' gazes towards Satou also became more respectful, and they were more motivated to work.
Fabre saw all of this. He had initially thought that this intern would definitely not be competent enough for the position of Assistant Head Chef and would soon obediently return the position to him. However, he never expected that this kid was well-versed in all aspects of Western cuisine procedures, kitchen management, and ingredient preparation.
Not only that, but customers were also more satisfied with the restaurant's dishes, and business was getting better and better, which filled him with resentment, but there was nothing he could do.
In his spare time, Satou would follow Kikuchi Sonoka to learn Western cuisine.
After all, his strongest area was Chinese cuisine. Although his level in other cuisines was not bad, it was certainly not as good as Kikuchi Sonoka, who specialized in them, not to mention she was last year's Second Seat.
And Kikuchi Sonoka, of course, held nothing back from Satou, teaching him all of her understanding of Western cuisine.
Just like his understanding of Japanese cuisine at Kirinoya, at Chunguo Pavilion, Satou's understanding of Western cuisine also progressed rapidly. Sometimes even Kikuchi Sonoka was amazed by Satou's learning ability.
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