Chapter 37

"Have you ever seen a shop that you really liked and thought was delicious, but suddenly closed and disappeared one day?"

I felt a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn't entirely wrong.

Take cafes, for example. Do franchise cafes really succeed because their food is delicious? I wonder.

"Ultimately, it's a battle of branding, promotion, and marketing. The food just needs to be good enough. It doesn't have to be the best."

"Hmm."

"Once a customer takes a bite and exclaims, 'Wow, this is delicious,' the game is over. It's either positive or negative, pass or fail. What matters is which side it falls on, not whether it's an 8 or a 9."

Upon hearing this, I realized he was right.

If I think a place is not good, I won't go back.

On the other hand, if I think a place is decent, I often return.

"The barista might rate it 8.1 or 9.7, but for the average person, Choi Pil-su, Im Su-jeong, they're both a pass."

I agreed with that.

Im Su-jeong's eclairs were also very delicious, and not something you could easily find elsewhere.

"Besides, Im Su-jeong has only one year of experience, but she has potential and is young. She should naturally be more sensitive to trends, right?"

"Ah, age doesn't necessarily mean you're behind the trends."

Kim Se-young raised an objection, but Choi Jeong-hyun dismissed it with a fact.

"It's not about age. Choi Pil-su has only been back in Korea for five months. It's too early for him to adapt to Korean trends."

"Five months?"

I had never heard this before.

His application only mentioned how he learned from a local bakery and how much he loved coffee and bread...

"How did you know that?"

"I asked him briefly when he was leaving."

"Wow, impressive. As expected."

Choi Jeong-hyun moistened his lips and stared at me intently.

His eyes were already sharp, and they conveyed a message as if he had eaten a fruit of certainty.

"Think about the location of your cafe. Even if the bread gets a 9.7 and becomes famous, it's not a location where you'll hit a home run."

Well, if you're going to criticize me too...

"I agree with what you said last time. For Cafe Amuse, social media promotion is crucial."

That's true.

"To do that, the menu needs to be frequently updated to match trends, and it needs to look good. Im Su-jeong is perfect for all of that."

His argument was so strategic and logical that I almost heard a voice saying, 'Closing the argument.'

Kim Se-young rubbed his forehead, pondering, but couldn't come up with a counterargument.

...He was deeply troubled.

"Yes, Mr. Choi. I understand. What about hiring both of them?"

However, Choi Jeong-hyun was negative.

"Don't you remember the statistics on the closure rate within three years? Even if you incur a loss for a few months after opening, you need to have the mindset to endure. But if you pay double for high-level staff? I don't think so."

"......You're right."

Right, at this point, hiring two high-level staff would be wasteful.

I could fill the rest of the positions with basic part-timers and hire more high-level staff later when the cafe is on track.

So, just one position.

'Im Su-jeong... Choi Pil-su...'

I recalled their faces and cautiously expressed my opinion.

"I believe there's a unique expertise that can't be replaced by anything. Conversely, I can also fill in the gaps."

*

Swoosh──

Choi Pil-su rinsed his mouth with the strong stream of water.

'It should be over by now.'

The discomfort continued for a while.

Drip.

He pulled out a tissue to dry his face, but his wrinkled hands trembled like a willow in the wind.

"Ah, ah..."

No matter how hard he tried to hide his tension, it didn't go well.

He opened his wallet and glanced at the beloved face.

"..."

It had been 15 years since he followed his wife, who wanted to become the best patissier, to France and quit his job.

When he returned to his homeland, all he had left was a modest balance and the skills he had learned by rote.

The only thing that filled the gap was the loneliness he felt being alone.

He spent a few months at home, living idly.

Finally, he managed to open the windows, air the sheets, put on his shoes, and go job hunting.

He had confidence.

But the harsh reality gnawed at even that.

[Sorry, try somewhere else.]

[Ah, no. I can barely keep the business afloat even if I work from morning till night.]

[We usually don't hire people in their 50s. It's hard to give feedback, and owners tend to avoid it. You might as well start your own business.]

His confidence plummeted, and his future seemed bleak.

'But today... I did my best.'

He took a deep breath and turned to leave.

That's when it happened.

Beep──

His phone rang. It was a text message.

[Hello, this is Cafe Amuse.]

His heart raced.

[We would like to work with Mr. Choi Pil-su. As our general manager, please help make Cafe Amuse a wonderful place.]

[And the croissant you made today was really delicious. I'm looking forward to more! Please make a lot more!]

He clenched his teeth and opened his eyes wide.

It seemed he couldn't afford to do otherwise.

He looked in the mirror again.

He couldn't tell if he was smiling or crying, and his face looked ridiculous.

'What a mess.'

He smoothed his unruly hair, straightened his wrinkled shirt sleeves, and shook off the moisture on his pants.

'...It's fine, it's fine.'

Choi Pil-su clenched his fist and left the bathroom.

But at the end of the corridor, he saw a familiar face.

He immediately said, "Oh?"

The person rushed over and grabbed Choi Pil-su's hands.

"You haven't left yet!"

"Ah, I just didn't feel well..."

"Ah, you must have been nervous. Why would someone like you be nervous!"

"Hehe, that's what I thought."

Suddenly, his eyes sparkled.

"Just! I'm really honored to work with you! It's such a stroke of luck."

"Hehe, I'll do my best. And we will do well! We will definitely do well!"

Choi Pil-su couldn't find the right words to respond to the unwavering gaze.

Fortunately, he was a talkative friend.

"I'll contact you again tomorrow. I'll let you know the specific schedule and proceed with the contract. I'm still a bit unprepared, hehe."

"Ah, okay."

"Where do you live?"

"Ah, it's quite far."

"Ah, that's a shame. I wanted to drive you home, but someone is waiting for me... Anyway, I'll contact you again tomorrow! Have a safe trip home!"

"Thank you, have a good day."

"Sure, have a safe trip home!"

He hurriedly opened the emergency exit and disappeared, leaving behind the sound of his footsteps.

"......Hehehe."

Choi Pil-su knew he would never forget this day.

*

He rushed down to the first floor and immediately called.

'Why aren't they all going home?'

The call connected right away.

"This is Shin Yu-won. Where are you?"

[Oh! I'm at the main entrance, sitting on the bench right next to it.]

"Ah, I'm almost there. Please wait a moment."

The person sitting on the bench was the first interviewee, Im Su-jeong.

"Hello! You didn't have to rush down here..."

"Ah, well..."

She seemed to hesitate before speaking, which made me feel uneasy.

"I really want to work at Amuse."

"Ah..."

I was grateful, but it was a decision that had already been made.

I had clearly told Choi Jeong-hyun and Kim Se-young that Choi Pil-su had irreplaceable expertise and that I would fill in the gaps.

That's the synergy that happens when people meet.

Although it was really disappointing, Im Su-jeong was not selected.

This was a fair interview process, and I had thoroughly considered my decision.

Begging or pleading wouldn't change the outcome.

"We have already made our final decision, and it's really disappointing."

But her response was unexpected.

"Ah, that's not what I meant! No, I don't want you to misunderstand!"

Hmm?

"I know. The third interviewee's creations, we all tasted them. They were not just good, they were really delicious."

I didn't know that had happened.

Apparently, they had tasted each other's creations while I was away for 40 minutes.

"Did that person get selected?"

"......Yes, Choi Pil-su was selected."

"I knew it! It makes sense. He's really amazing, hehe."

Im Su-jeong smiled brightly.

I found it hard to understand the situation.

'Just a moment ago, she said she wanted to work at our cafe... Oh, I see?'

A strong feeling that this was good news.

Then, Im Su-jeong spoke loudly.

"Even though I didn't get the general manager position, I still want to work here in any other role!"

"Any other role?"

"Kitchen assistant, part-time, sales, store staff, anything is fine!"

This was like a pumpkin rolling in with its vine.

Was this a saying used in such situations?

Or was it from a historical drama? The Three Musketeers?

Whatever it was, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

Open your mouth! Here comes the garbage!

The good news should be shared with parents first.

On the way to the subway, Im Su-jeong also called her parents.

"Mother, I got the job."

[Really? Congratulations, our daughter! If they didn't pick you, it would be their loss!]

"Right? Hehe."

[How many people came for the interview?]

"Four."

[Oh, you made it through a 4-to-1 competition? You're a genius, a genius!]

"Um."

Im Su-jeong pondered how much to say and then decided to spill it all.

"Actually, the real winner is someone else. I decided to take a lower position."

[Lower position? What do you mean?]

"Well... there's something like that."

[What about the pay?]

"I have to give up a bit."

[Oh, but are you okay with that?]

Im Su-jeong smiled mischievously, recalling the interview.

"I'm more than okay. I really want to work there, even in a lower position."

[......Really? You must have really liked it, then?]

"The atmosphere there is great. The owner is nice, and the cafe is completely my style. You know, like the place we went to last week."

[Yes, yes, I know.]

"And the person selected today is amazing. The teacher is great, but this person is just on a different level. I think I'll learn a lot working under them."

[Really? If you like it, that's great! Do what you want, that's the best way to live.]

Whenever I hear such words, I feel a warm sensation, and my eyes tend to water.

"Hehe... When are you coming home? I miss you."

[Just two more days, our daughter. I want to come home too... I've been stuck on the island for days, and my whole body aches.]

"Is the location shoot over?"

[Yes, by the way, when is the cafe opening?]

"About three weeks before the grand opening."

[Three weeks? Great! I'll bring all my friends and make the place go bankrupt! I'll show off my daughter too!]

"Ah, if the entire royal family comes, I'll be more than happy."

[Just the royal family? I'll show you a living history book, Mom will.]

"Hehe, everyone will be so surprised."

*

"Delivery is here!"

"Yes, just a moment!"

I rushed out to get the pizza boxes.

"Thank you!"

I had spent a week in my hometown and conducted interviews, and the days had flown by.

During that time, I had to catch up on the backlog of work, checking the construction progress at the Shinchon branch and handling administrative tasks for the Hapjeong station branch.

'I need to start selecting furniture and decor soon.'

So today, I decided to indulge a bit.

After being so busy, life felt a bit harsh.

In front of me was the Super Supreme pizza from my favorite place. Four whole pizzas!

'Mmm, my mouth is watering.'

Indeed, the basics are the best.

I hated when they added things like steak, chicken, shrimp, and burritos to the pizza, making it bizarre.

I handed all four pizzas to Tam.

──「Quantity to Quality Conversion」has been completed.

──Please 「consume」the converted items.

I grabbed the pizza box that reappeared and opened it.

"Wow... they look similar..."

But I knew the taste would be completely different.

Because I trust Tam!

"I'll enjoy this!"

I inhaled the rising aroma and tore off a slice, eating it quickly.

"Mmm."

An exclamation mark appeared in my mind.

The taste was perfect. I was glad I chose a New York pizzeria over an Italian one in the 「Preview.」

"......This is insane."

I ate it without stopping.

Even after eating until my stomach was full, there were two slices left.

'I'll keep these.'

Recently, I've developed a method to reuse leftover food.

No matter how delicious the food is, it loses its flavor when frozen and thawed.

Click─

I put the remaining slices in the freezer and took out a Zero Cola from the refrigerator, then sat in front of the PC.

"Ah!"

The refreshing carbonation cleared the greasiness in my mouth, and I opened the chat room where messages were flooding in.

[Im Su-jeong: What do you think of this? I tried it when we went to Daegu, and it was really delicious.]

[Im Su-jeong: (Photo)]

[Choi Pil-su: You put avocado in coffee?]

Since the interview day, I had entrusted the menu planning to them, and they chatted almost from morning till night.

[Choi Pil-su: I've never thought of such a menu, but Korean cafes are amazing.]

[Choi Pil-su: Please share more, I want to learn.]

The reason I chose Choi Pil-su was clear.

His skills were irreplaceable and unique.

On the other hand, I felt I could fill in the gaps he lacked.

Trends? I can teach them.

Confidence? I can boost it.

Moreover, I believed his experience, fashion style, and overall aura could be content for our cafe.

But with Im Su-jeong joining as an assistant manager, it was even better! It lightened my load.

[Im Su-jeong: No, I'm the one learning a lot. ㅎㅎㅎ]

[Im Su-jeong: Before we open, let's pick a day to visit some Seoul cafes together!]

[Choi Pil-su: Sounds good.]

Surprisingly, they got along well.

I didn't need to intervene.

Im Su-jeong would come up with ideas that fit the cafe's concept and trends, and Choi Pil-su would balance them by considering the process and preparation.

Conversely, once we start operations, Im Su-jeong would have a lot to learn from Choi Pil-su.

[Im Su-jeong: Oh, the owner read it.]

[Choi Pil-su: Have you had dinner?]

I typed with a contented heart.