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Chapter 4

No matter how busy things got in the kitchen, Saitou was most satisfied when everything was running at top speed and in a smooth fashion. As he continued to take food orders at the window and shouting it out to his staff, he was glad to see Okita effortlessly managing the meals and directing the pace of the other kitchen crew. Even in the cramped environment, all the staffers would glide around quickly from station to station without getting in each other's way – like a well-oiled machine. Saitou noticed that even young Yahiko had picked up the pace and has managed to move around without being in everybody's way. Of course, he'd never tell the young boy any of this directly; he couldn't diminish his authority by seeming soft.

Saitou turned around to face the service window when he noticed Soujiro bringing a ticket directly. The chef raised his eyebrow in annoyance before speaking, "Oh? Someone unhappy with something?"

While any of the other staff would've cringed at Saitou's words, Soujiro only gave him a bright smile before he replied, "Not at all, Chef Saitou! I took this order and wanted to bring it over personally."

Saitou eyed the young man critically before taking the ticket from Soujiro's hand. While he wasn't thrilled that Soujiro wasn't his choice to bring on as manager, he had to agree with Shishio in that young Seta was extremely skilled and talented at his job. Saitou would never spill any secrets to the lad, but he trusted his observations immensely.

He looked over the list of items on the ticket – Table 30: escargot, frisee aux lardons and terrine maison for starters, and coq au vin, boudin aux pommes and flatiron steak with béarnaise sauce for entrees.* Saitou snickered at the list. "That's a lot of food for a two-top. Who's the hungry couple?"

"Ah, it is actually a single. I took the order myself because I wanted to make Miss Kamiya-san feel most welcome. She is dining alone, so I assume she is sampling your cooking." Soujiro smiled calmly even as he watched Saitou's look go from mild surprise to a hint of annoyance.

So, she wants to see if I can cook, eh? Saitou's response was a brusque, "Indeed." He looked at the young manager once more and told him, "Make sure I get her dessert ticket as well."

Soujiro gave him a polite nod of his head and walked away while the chef turned on his heels to face his men before barking out the order to table 30. However, he surprised them by adding a sentiment he rarely expressed as of late, "Once the entrees are started, make sure you let me know as I will finish them all."

Okita was especially surprised since that was normally his job as sous chef. "Chef Saitou, are you concerned about my health? I apologize if I am moving a bit slower than normal, but I felt I've been on par all evening." Okita's eyes were gentle but there was a hint of disappointment.

Saitou knew this would grate on the young man's pride, but his own pride was in question now so he couldn't back away from this unspoken challenge. He knew the young upstart pastry chef was going to have an opinion on everything at Les Alles if she had the audacity to order that many items in one sitting for a tasting before her first day at work tomorrow.

"Okita, this entire order is for one Kamiya Kaoru. Since she will be starting tomorrow, and since her opinions will be rendered by night's end, I should take it upon myself to demonstrate why I became head chef here." Saitou gave him a wide grin, the look of a wolf before he pounces on his prey.

"Ah, understood Chef," replied Okita before he turned to face the staff. "OK gents, you heard your Chef. Let's get going!"

"Yes, Chef!" exclaimed the crew in unison.

Yahiko watched the events with wide eyes but quietly went back to business as usual after responding to the directive. However, he had every intention in paying close attention to Saitou so he could watch the chef he admired in action later. Yahiko wanted to pick up whatever tips he could as seeing Saitou finish a plate was a rare occasion and an opportunity he didn't plan to miss.

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Kaoru munched on her buttered baguette as she watched the patrons and the staff weaving their way between the bodies. She noticed the busboys stayed on top of refilling empty water goblets, clearing used dishes, and resetting new linens in preparation for new diners to be seated.

By the time her appetizers arrived, she realized in horror that she'd eaten half the bread from the basket. Kaoru had been transfixed by the activity buzzing around her and enjoying the delicious flavors of the fresh French bread and the creamy butter that she had lost track of how many pieces were consumed. Her cheeks began to go crimson and realized she was grateful for the dark lighting inside. Ugh, she thought, I won't be able to eat as much as I had planned. Oh well, I guess a few bites will still give me a sense of the overall flavors here.

She started with her terrine by spreading a large knifeful onto the bite of bread she had in her hand. The flavors were so rich and intense she rolled her eyes in ecstasy. She then took a forkful of the salad and made sure not to miss a large cube of the bacon. The bitter frisee balanced the salty lardon and she had to stop her fork from taking another bite so she could move on to the escargot. Kaoru took the small fork that was provided and fished for the small snail that was swimming in the pool of hot butter and roasted garlic. She cooled the small bit with her breath before taking it into her mouth. Kaoru groaned aloud in pleasure only to cover her mouth in embarrassment. She wasn't one to draw attention to herself in public, but the food so far was making it very hard for her to remain still. Despite her better judgment, she ate half of each plate and even sopped up the melted garlic butter concoction with her remaining bread as she didn't want to waste a single drop.

Kaoru watched in embarrassment as the busboys came by to clear her plate and refill her water goblet. To hide her red cheeks, she brought the glass up to her lips to take a big sip. As she felt the cold water reach her warm stomach, she realized she was full. Her eyes got wide when she realized she would never be able to eat much of her forthcoming entrees. She placed the water down with a grimace. She steeled her mind with concentration and determination as she thought, I will make myself eat most of my dinner… well, at least taste it. Kaoru was rather disappointed since her appetite was usually very hearty since she expended a lot of energy at the dojo. She chalked it up to nerves in anticipation of her first day at work tomorrow and focused on her surroundings.

Yahiko grabbed the tray of dirty dishes that were placed inside the kitchen doors. He was told that they just cleared table 30 so he walked over to where Okita and Saitou were working. "Kaoru's finished her appetizers," he announced.

Saitou looked down at the dishes and arched an amused eyebrow before commenting, "Oh? Our pastry chef's got quite an appetite. Let's see how she fares with the rest of her meal." Okita chuckled as Saitou started to fire up the burners while putting down pans to heat up so he could prepare the blood sausage and sauces. The coq au vin was nearly ready as he started to prepare the béarnaise sauce and apple side dish. He heard the fries being dipped into the hot oil and he moved with swiftness and skill from pan to pan and ordered that the dishes be heated and set out so he could start plating his entrees.

He laid out the main ingredients on each plate. The flatiron steak was topped with the béarnaise and the perfectly cooked fries set on the side. The coq au vin was placed in a low bowl and he spread out the vegetables into a pleasing display of natural harmony. The sausage was accompanied by the apple concoction and he wiped down each plate with one of his hoarded towels. "Service!"

Somehow, Soujiro had managed to stay on top of when Kaoru's meal would be ready for service and he came over to help the server take the items to her table. Saitou looked on but didn't comment. In his mind, he wasn't sure if Soujiro was paying special attention to girl because he was smitten, or because Shishio had told him to do so. Either way, Saitou noted that he'll have to keep his eye on them for the future.

With wide eyes, Kaoru watched as three massive plates were set before her. Soujiro quickly explained each dish before asking, "Are you finding everything to your liking so far, Kamiya-san?"

"Yes, of course! This all smells so wonderful," she replied even though her stomach's reaction was that there is no way she could eat another bite. Instead, she put on a brave smile for Soujiro and thanked him for his attentiveness.

Soujiro responded, "My pleasure. Enjoy your meal!" And with that, he walked away. Once she saw that he was out of sight, Kaoru picked up her knife and fork, took a deep breath and started to cut into her entrees.

TBC

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Coming up next – what's Kaoru's reaction to Saitou's cooking? And more importantly, how will Saitou react after hearing it?

For those who are still with me, I am really sorry if this chapter went on too long about the food and such details. As a foodie type, it was hard not to discuss it. However, this is the only chapter that will focus so much on this kind of details. Once she starts her first day, it'll get back to more about the characters.

Thanks for reading and commenting – appreciate any and all feedback!