Chapter 0
Tic Toc Tic Toc.
Inside an empty kitchen, Jo Minjoon quietly stared at the clock. Don’t go. Stop. Despite his silent scream, the clock hand continued to move diligently, like it always does.
Eleven fifty-nine and fifty-seven seconds. fifty eight seconds. fifty nine seconds. And 12 O’clock…..
It was New Year’s Eve. And he was at the end of his twenties, as well as the beginning of his thirties. Jo Minjoon sighed deeply as sudden fatigue enveloped him. Time was moving slowly, and he thought to himself, compared to the amount of time spent, he did not gain anything.
Jo Minjoon was a highschool teacher. Precisely speaking, an english teacher. Like all teaching jobs, it wasn’t that successful of a career, but neither was a failure. Right. At least, it was like that until spring of his twenty eighth year. But in March, Jo Minjoon resigned from his teaching position.
He knew that teaching, wasn’t meant for him. He didn’t even think of becoming a teacher once. What Jo Minjoon aspired to be ever since he was young was to become a chef. However, he couldn’t go against parent’s will. At that time, Jo Minjoon had a decent grade, and he had already been accepted to a college through early decision. So, when he said he wanted to become a chef, what kind of parents would support that kind of rash decision.
10 Years passed after that. Jo Minjoon followed his parents wishes, and was able to find his place at a high school. However, that was it. His parent kept saying that he will thank them one day… but that was not it. Yes, the job was stable, but Jo Minjoon only felt vanity from his job. So in the end, he resigned.
After that, he started to work in a restaurant. He found a job as a dishwasher in a famous restaurant in Gangnam. He washed dishes for half a year, and after one year, he started making salads and other sloppy side dishes. That was all he had accomplished in his thirty years of life. Someone who had nowhere to go in New Year’s day, sitting as time went by in a dark empty kitchen.
There was no point complaining about it now. Because t was a choice he had made. So, he had no right to complain about his current frustrating life. Then, suddenly the sound of chime rang, and the lights lit up in the restaurant.
“Oh, Minjoon hyung. You were still here?”
JoChef: Yes, although i flaunt myself a little in my blog with my cooking, but I just peel garlic in some restaurant. lol..
CookingGuru: Ah.. its a pity. If you changed your path just a little bit younger, I’m sure you would’ve be in a better situation.
JoChef: What can I do. It’s my fault. I didn’t have the courage back then. I realized it too late, that everyone has their own path.
CookingGuru: If you could return to when you were younger, would you jump in to the world of cooking right away?
JoChef: Yes, I would. Now I am certain which path is my path. Of course it’s pretty rough right now but still…
After that comment, there were no other comment for a quite a while. Maybe he became tired of such a deep conversation. It was a bit depressing topic to talk about in New Years. Jo Minjoon rested his head on a table outside, and closed his eyes. He was sleepy. Tired. He did not want to think about anything.
It was after around 10 minutes after Jo Minjoon fell asleep. His dark phone screen illuminated brightly with a comment alarm.
NEW CookingGuru: Sure. Return to when you were younger. I would like to see your youthful pursuit of your path too.
Glossary
Hyung : Big/older brother. Kind of an equivalent to the japanese “onii-san” but only used between male (male to male).
Translator :Pumba
TL Check : KobatoChanDaiSuki