Two days passed.
Since that quiet moment between them behind the restaurant, things had been… strange. Not bad. Just tense—in a way that made Ryo feel both excited and on edge.
Miyu didn't avoid him. She still worked as usual. She still talked, even teased him occasionally. But now, their eyes met longer. Their silences felt charged. She no longer brushed past him without a word—sometimes, she lingered. Sometimes, her hand would graze his. And when it did, she didn't pull away.
Still, nothing more had happened. No kisses. No talk of what they were. It was a silent agreement to… feel things slowly.
But that fragile balance was interrupted one evening when the manager walked into the kitchen with someone new.
"This is Liam West," she said. "A guest chef from New York. He'll be joining us for a few weeks."
Ryo turned, wiping his hands, and nodded politely.
Liam looked sharp—tall, confident, a charming grin already on his face. "Can't wait to work with you all."
Ryo didn't think much of it—until he saw Miyu walk into the room and smile at Liam.
Not a smirk. Not sarcasm.
A real, soft smile.
His stomach tightened for reasons he didn't fully understand.
"Hey, Miyu," Liam said, clearly recognizing her. "Wow. Still as beautiful as I remember."
Remember?
Ryo's heart sank.
"You two know each other?" the manager asked.
Miyu glanced sideways at Ryo, just for a second. "We met in New York. A while ago."
Ryo said nothing. But something in his chest felt heavy.
Later that night, while prepping alone, Miyu entered the kitchen to grab her bag. She paused at the door.
"You're quiet," she said.
"Just tired," Ryo muttered.
Miyu leaned on the wall, watching him. "If this is about Liam…"
"It's not."
"Liar."
Ryo finally looked at her. "You smiled at him."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that illegal now?"
"No. But it's rare. Coming from you."
There was a beat of silence.
"He's not important," she said softly. "Not like you."
Ryo's eyes met hers again, searching for the truth in them. And he saw it—honesty. Sincerity. But also a flicker of guilt, or maybe fear.
Before he could respond, she was already walking away.
And once again, Ryo was left with silence, tension, and a dish that suddenly didn't taste as sweet.