"I know I'm too weak, but I just can't help it," Sonoka sighed.
She understood that she needed to be more decisive and assertive, but sometimes she simply couldn't summon the courage.
"I believe in you, Senpai," Sui encouraged. "During this time, I'll do everything I can to help you."
"Really?" Sonoka's eyes lit up, her expression softening. Her large chest trembled slightly as she gripped Sui's hand. "Then I'm counting on you, Sui-kun!"
"Of course," Sui replied, noting how soft her hands felt—like cream, smooth and almost weightless.
"With Sui-kun's help, I'm sure the restaurant will improve," Sonoka said, gently stroking her cheeks with both hands. As she moved, her ample chest swayed again, creating ripples of motion.
Sui couldn't help but glance at her again. Despite Sonoka being only around eighteen or nineteen years old, her figure was incredibly developed—surpassing even Tohru's in comparison.
Noticing Sui's gaze, Sonoka's cheeks flushed a deep red, and she lowered her head shyly.
Time passed, but no other interns showed up. Sui soon realized that he was the only intern this time around.
Normally, restaurants and other institutions take on several interns. After the first round of field training, some are eliminated due to unsatisfactory performance, leading to a shortage of people for the second internship.
Before long, it was the lunchtime rush.
This time, Sui personally oversaw the dishes, working alongside Sonoka and not allowing the other chefs to interfere. As a result, the food was very well-received by the customers.
"I heard the food here is usually inconsistent, but this is much better than expected."
"Indeed, the texture is delicate, and the flavors are so refined. This is truly a masterpiece."
"Why isn't this restaurant more famous? The food is amazing."
Given Sonoka's skill, she could have easily found a place in the high-end culinary world, but her passive personality had allowed her own staff to take control. Fabre's frequent unauthorised changes to the recipes caused inconsistency in the dishes, leading to negative reviews and damaging the restaurant's reputation.
For Sonoka, it was the first time she had seen her restaurant's food so highly praised. Her heart filled with joy and gratitude toward Sui, convinced that he was the reason for the restaurant's newfound success.
"The new intern is really impressive."
"Yeah, since he came, the restaurant has transformed. He seems perfect for the role of deputy chef."
"He's so young but already more skilled than the head chef!"
The chefs and waitstaff began to look at Sui with a newfound respect. Initially, they were skeptical of his promotion to deputy chef, but now they could see the drastic improvement in the restaurant's standing.
In fact, the only time the restaurant had seen this much success was when it first opened, six months ago.
This revitalization motivated the staff, knowing that as the restaurant's reputation improved, so too would their fortunes.
"You did well this afternoon. Keep it up," Sui said to Fabre.
Fabre's expression soured. Sui had changed the entire dynamic of the restaurant in a single day, and it made Fabre feel humiliated.
By evening, the restaurant saw even more customers than it had at lunch—many of them returning guests.
At this rate, Sui knew it wouldn't be long before Shunkatei turned a profit and found its way back to success.
"Sui-kun, today's success is all thanks to you. Business is much better than usual, and the feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive," Sonoka said at closing time, bowing deeply to Sui with a grateful smile.
As she bent over, her chest swayed again.
Sui smiled. "I'm just doing my job as an intern—to make my mark in the restaurant."
"I'm really going to rely on you from now on, Sui-kun," Sonoka said softly.
"By the way… about where I'll be staying tonight…" Sui hesitated for a moment, unsure how to bring it up.
Sonoka froze for a second, her face instantly paling. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stammered, "I—I completely forgot to arrange your accommodations! I'm so sorry, Sui-kun!"
She bowed repeatedly, her expression filled with panic and guilt. "I'm really, really sorry!"
Sui was speechless for a moment. It was her first time hosting an intern, so he couldn't blame her for the oversight.
"It's fine. I'll find somewhere to stay on my own," Sui reassured her.
"No! Please let me reimburse you for your hotel tomorrow. I feel terrible about this," Sonoka pleaded, her face flushed with embarrassment. "You've helped me so much today, and I even forgot something so basic!"
"It's okay, really," Sui said, trying to calm her down as she looked on the verge of tears.
Afterward, Sui took his luggage and left Shunkatei, heading for a nearby hotel where he had stayed before. It was close to the restaurant and had a pleasant atmosphere.
However, the room he had previously stayed in was now occupied, so he opted for the room across the hall, which had been Megumi's.
To his surprise, as he approached the room, someone stepped out of the room opposite his.
It was Hinako.
"Hinako-senpai?" Sui asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Hinako, equally startled to see Sui, turned bright red and stammered, "S-Sui-kun, why are you here?"
Does he know what I've been up to? If so, how can I ever show my face again!?
Seeing Hinako's panicked, blushing face, Sui was puzzled.
"Oh, I'm interning at a restaurant nearby, so I'll be staying here for a while," Sui explained.
"Is that so…" Hinako let out a huge sigh of relief. It was just a coincidence.
So… he doesn't know anything about my situation after all.