บท 58: Episode 2 (3)

The eye contact between the former lovers was quite brief. Before Lee Changhyuk raised his head to look at the stage- Kira diverted his gaze and continued talking to the camera. "I hope the judges will like my food, I want to win this." Smiling, he raised his fist to encourage himself. The audience clapped their hands to cheer for Kira.

"Do you want to try his food?" Lee Changhyuk whispered to her ear and brought her back from the dreamland. Shizu raised an eyebrow and shook her head.

"No, thanks." She didn't want to be bullied in front of Lee Changhyuk.

The teams were making the dishes for 10 servings. At the end of the filming, anyone who wanted to try the dish could line up and have a taste. She could imagine the reaction of the people if she ever queued for Kira's food. She did not want to complicate things with Kira. She had let him go.

"Too bad. I would love to try it." There was a disappointment in his voice, he cupped his chin and looked closely at Kira's group who started to plate the meals.

"I'll make some for you at home." Shizu said.

"It looks similar to yours that's why I'm curious. But yes, I'll pick yours any day! Your teriyaki chicken is definitely the best one on the planet." He was grinning from ear to ear. You could tell that he was looking forward to eating her dish.

Her heart skipped a beat. Shizu said nothing but replied with her robotic laugh. Of course it looked similar. Shizu was the one who taught Kira to make it.

Before dating, Shizu and Kira were best friends. She would listen to all of Kira's problems: school, music and even about girls. He told her about his ex-girlfriends and Shizu would listen without making any judgment. She was such a sweet girl that Kira fell for her first.

Ok, back to the present. The competition ended. Yui Shidoh was standing behind the table, she was posing in the center of the gorgeous Yamada Twins. Putting her best smile for the cameras. Her manager was happy, the three of them were only standing without doing so much but they looked like a cover magazine. He was sure after the 2nd episode a lot of big brands would approach them.

But Yui Shidoh was not happy at all. Before her, there was an overcooked egg with burnt friedrice and oily salad. She didn't even know that it was possible to burn rice. How? Just how!!?

In the other side of the stage, Kira, Sano and Ritsuo were smiling happily as they won the cooking competition. People were lining up to try their dish.

"And CUT! Thank you everyone!" The director shouted and gave thumbs up to the stars on the stage.

Yui Shidoh turned towards the twins and glared at them. 'How dare you how dare you how dare you!!!!!!' Laser was beaming out of her eyes. They might lose the game, but they would definitely have more screen time as the Yamada Twins' riddiculous acts were more entertaining to watch. Kuran was about to open his mouth but Yui Shidoh scowled at him.

"Don't. ever. talk... to. me. again." She stressed every word before throwing her appron and chef-hat away, then left. Mr Kota, her manager, followed behind her.

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Shizu wiped her cold sweat as they were now arriving in an upscale karaoke bar. Lee Changhyuk was walking casually beside her. She was praising all deities because that fake beard still looked intact on his face. A VIP room for 30 people was booked to host almost everyone in Cheerful Youth.

Mr Shigeoka asked everyone to celebrate the high rating of the 1st episode. Not that it was a formal invitation, but for a better networking and interpersonal relationship- Shizu and Le Sucre was willing to join the party.

"Where can we get a place to celebrate with this many people?" She recalled Mr Shigeoka saying after the filming ended.

"Oh, I know a place! Should I make a reservation?" Lee Changhyuk gave her a mini heart attack as he nonchalantly answered Mr Shigeoka.

And here they were, walking through a flashy corridor, heading to the VIP room. When the door was open, everyone was amazed by the luxurious interior.

It was a stunning room. A large crystal chandelier were hanging beautifully on the ceiling. You could see 2 long comfortable dining tables on your right and left facing each other, leaving a dancing spot in the middle of the room. There were 8 giant screens on the wall. The red and black colors dominated the interior, it gave you a festive feeling but some brown ornaments provided you with elegant and wholesome sensation.

"Do you like this place?" Lee Changhyuk lowered his lids to study the milk girl.

Shizu had never been in that place. That karaoke bar was known among locals as having decorative karaoke rooms and the food was to die for. She also heard that they served enormous honey toast dishes! So she nodded her head as an approval to Lee Changhyuk's question. But then, she looked at him with worried eyes and grabbed his hand.

'This is actually a bad idea. We should go!' She stared at him hopelessly but nothing came out of her mouth. Before Shizu had the chance to open her mouth, he dragged her inside of the room and joined everyone else.

The place had an all-you-can-drink policy so the waiters came and served the drink. Everyone was happy, the atmosphere was warm and festive. Three groups were present that night; Le Sucre, RHK and Kumo Bell. Yui Shidoh's group could not join the party as they had to rush to their next schedule. Shizu was crying inside; Lee Changhyuk and Kumo Bell were in the same room.

'Aren't you very busy? Why did you come to this after party!!!!?' Shizu was cursing Kumo Bell under her breath. She avoided the gaze of the Yamada Twins.

The three groups were blending. Andy and other Le Sucre's members were sitting separately. Of course Lee Changhyuk was sitting next to Shizu.

Shizu almost got another mini heart attack; The Yamada twins were dragging Kira to sit next to Shizu. (un)fortunately Ritsuo the leader could already smell the trouble from miles away. He dragged the twins and put them in the opposite table.

The twins were not happy but hey, sitting next to Shizu meant they had to turn their head to see her but now, Shizu was sitting perfectly in their view!

Shizu took a deep sigh. Her cheeks went red, her neck stiffened as he avoided the gaze of the Yamada Twins. She could feel their stares from the opposite table so she took a sip of beer to distract herself.

"Aahh.." She put the can down with a grimace. She never really enjoyed alcohol.

"You're not drinking beer?" Shizu asked Lee Changhyuk as she saw a can of soda in front of him.

"I always have sore throat after drinking alcohol, so I don't normally drink." He answered.

Shizu was looking at the beers in front of her and looked troubled.

"You can drink all you want. As long as you're with me, I'll take you home safely."

Her cheeks reddened instantly.

"I'm not an alcoholic!"

"I never said that you're an alcoholic. I'm just saying that I'll take care of you." He shrugged his shoulders and winked at her.

Shizu was biting her lower lip. Aaarghhh... What was she saying??? She was just beyond nervous because she was now sitting next to the fattest star in the continent with the presence of the notorious troublemakers!

Mr Shigeoka was now standing to open the night. He was thanking everyone for the hardwork and also Le Sucre for the beautiful clothing that was highly praised in the social medias.

"Ms. Katagiri! Could you please introduce us to the young man beside you? We could not hold this party here without him!"

COUGHED

Shizu spewed the beer and hit her chest hard. She was looking at Lee Changhyuk, her eyes were shot open in panic. Was it too late to excuse herself for toilet??????

"Both of you please stand up and give a proper introduction to all of us!"