Chapter 224: The Overly Naive Sonoka

Sonoka's face flushed, and her expression was filled with panic. Bowing slightly, she said weakly to Fabre, "I'm sorry, Mr. Fabre, but starting today, please serve as Sui-kun's assistant."

Watching from the side, Sui couldn't help but feel speechless. It seemed that his senpai onee-san was far too indecisive and meek—qualities ill-suited for someone running a restaurant. Being a restaurant owner not only requires excellent cooking skills but also the decisiveness and courage to lead the kitchen.

Despite her incredible talent as the former second seat of Totsuki Elite Ten, Sonoka struggled to establish herself due to her gentle nature. Even though she had the potential to thrive in the world of high-end cuisine, she was being taken advantage of by her own deputy chef.

In this way, Sonoka was similar to Megumi. But while Megumi appeared timid, she possessed an inner strength that allowed her to make bold decisions when necessary.

"You want me to assist this brat? What kind of joke is this?" Fabre's face darkened as he raised his voice.

The other chefs in the kitchen—mostly assistants—had a good relationship with Fabre and were visibly displeased with Sonoka's decision.

"Head Chef, did I hear you right? You're making an intern the deputy chef?"

"Yeah, how does this kid compare to someone as experienced as Mr. Fabre?"

"I agree with that."

"It's no wonder the restaurant has been struggling. You really don't know what you're doing, Head Chef," Fabre added sarcastically. "I'll let it go this time. I'll pretend I didn't hear that nonsense."

"S-sorry," Sonoka stammered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She kept her head down but added quietly, "But Sui-kun is really impressive."

After tasting Sui's cooking at Kirinoya, she knew his skills were no less than her own.

"How skilled can some brat really be?" Fabre sneered.

The others also looked at Sui with disdain.

Ignoring them, Sui glanced at the dish Fabre was working on. "Is this sweet potato soup yours?" he asked.

Without waiting for a response, Sui took a spoon and tasted the soup.

"Hey! You can't just—" Fabre began to protest, but Sui cut him off.

"You didn't handle the sweet potatoes properly when you sautéed them, which left the flavor muddled. On top of that, you added extra butter to mask the excess salt, but it only made the dish taste worse. With skills like this, you'd only be an average student at Totsuki or worse you'll be a drop out."

Fabre's face went pale. He stared at Sui in disbelief, fear creeping into his expression. How could this kid identify every mistake in his dish with just one taste? It was as if he had witnessed his entire cooking process.

The other kitchen staff, previously scornful, now stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how an intern could be so capable.

"In that case, I'll be your assistant for now," Fabre said after a long pause. A twisted smile formed on his face as he added, "But if the customers aren't satisfied, don't blame me."

"Why would the customers be dissatisfied? Don't you already know the answer?" Sui replied calmly.

Fabre frowned. "What are you implying?"

"Isn't the reason this restaurant has been struggling because you frequently alter Sonoka-senpai's recipes without her permission, making the food inconsistent and driving customers away?" Sui said bluntly.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Fabre retorted, though his voice lacked its earlier confidence. "I'm only trying to make the dishes more authentic. It's normal for Japanese customers to have trouble appreciating Western cuisine."

"You're intentionally ruining the food, aren't you?" Sui stated coldly.

Fabre's face twisted. "What? How dare you accuse me of something like that!?"

"You're jealous of Sonoka-senpai's talent, aren't you?" Sui continued, his gaze piercing. "You mentioned before that your own restaurant went bankrupt due to poor management. Now you see Sonoka-senpai, so young and successful, with dishes that customers love, and you can't stand it."

Sonoka, who had been listening in shock, looked at Fabre with wide eyes. She had always believed that Fabre genuinely wanted to improve the food.

"I won't pursue this matter for now," Sui said, his voice composed. "But from now on, you'll work as my kitchen assistant. Don't expect to fool me like you did Sonoka-senpai."

Leaving the kitchen, Sui could hear Sonoka sighing in disbelief. "I can't believe Mr. Fabre would do something like that."

She had always thought that the restaurant's poor performance was because of her inexperience as a new graduate. She had hoped that, with time, things would improve.

Sui shook his head slightly. As expected, Sonoka was far too naive. Her gentle nature, combined with her lack of experience, had left her vulnerable to being manipulated.

"By the way, Sonoka-senpai, could I try one of your dishes?" Sui asked suddenly.

"Hmm? You want to taste my cooking? Of course, I'd be happy to," she said with a smile.

She quickly prepared a Western-style vegetable beef soup and presented it to Sui.

As soon as he tasted it, his eyes lit up with surprise. "It's delicious!"

"Really? Please, have more," Sonoka said, her face brightening with happiness at Sui's praise.

Although she was older than Sui, her demeanor was more like that of a younger sister.

"Yeah, but Sonoka-senpai, you'd be even better if you were a little more assertive," Sui remarked thoughtfully.

After tasting her dish, he was once again convinced that the restaurant's struggles were not due to Sonoka's culinary skills. If she could be stronger and more decisive, not letting her chefs run the kitchen, the restaurant's fortunes would surely turn around.

But that kind of change takes time.