When they arrived at Chicago, or more precisely at Grand Chef’s house, it was already past midnight. It’s obvious but there were no participants nor members of the broadcasting crew waiting for them. It was unavoidable. And also understandable. They would miss the faces of those they didn’t see for a week, but that yearning was weak in front of sleep.
There was one thing in common they realized in the middle of the food truck mission. And that was that sleeping was sweeter than they had thought. They got up at dawn to do the groceries, prepare to cook, and sell. And cooking even after normal employees finishing hours, was the chef. Aside from the life’s pattern, it was difficult to endure for your stamina.
And even the staff that were filming them were worn out. So how would the participants be feeling? It was obvious that everyone had to sleep at least a little more.
However Jo Minjoon couldn’t. The insomnia that had followed him for the week, was more severe today. Maybe because it was the last day. In the end, Jo Minjoon stood up and went out to the lobby and then forced a laugh. There was a familiar face… no, familiar faces.
“Chloe. Hugo.”
“…….Minjoon? What are you doing at this hour…….?”
Hugo asked as if he was surprised and soon smirked. The moment they saw each other’s faces they knew. What had happened the last week, that the faces of the three were filled with exhaustion. Chloe laughed without strength.
“Minjoon, so you were the same.”
“Thanks. I thought that only I would be like this, but knowing that there were more companions in a bad situation calms my heart.”
“What do you mean with bad situation? That’s too severe.”
Hugo didn’t reply at Jo Minjoon’s words and sat on the place. Perhaps they were conscious that they were all from different teams, but they were all separated from each other. Hugo said with a voice full of exaggerated confidence.
“Our team has prospect. A lot of prospect. So get prepared to get second place.”
“Ha, I don’t know what confidence is that. Didn’t you see the internet’s reaction? Because of our food truck all of the other sushi stores sales are rising.”
“But that doesn’t mean that you did better than us.”
Hugo and Jo Minjoon exchanged gazes. Chloe’s sigh was heard silently.
“Stop it. Do you know that cats raise their fur when they are scared?”
“…….Now that I see, are you okay? I thought that you would only get a headache if I contacted you that time. You confronted a jerk instead of Kaya.”
“It’s an obvious thing to do as the team leader. But, there are a lot of things a team leader should do. No, a lot of responsibilities. If only one week of mission is this much, how heavy would it be when we open our restaurants later?”
Jo Minjoon and Hugo didn’t reply. It was a question they didn’t even want to think about. However, if they kept walking this road, it was a weight they had to sometime confront. Jo Minjoon opened his mouth.
“At that time, we will be able to resist. Because our necks will also get thicker.”
“I now know why tall people have stiff necks.”
Chloe laughed helplessly. Looking at those two, Hugo looked at his surroundings. Maybe it was because Grand Chef’s house was empty for a week, but the cameras that should have been installed in the lobby couldn’t be seen. Hugo opened his mouth with a cautious voice.
“Your……sales, no, your profit, how much is it?”
“Are you crazy? You want me to share that with the other team?”
“What about it? It doesn’t say anything about sharing in the rules.”
“Even so……..”