From then on, he searched the internet and wrote down things he wanted to try in the future.
“Going to school is a pass. Foreign countries are even more out.”
Muttering to himself, he filled the blank paper. While searching for information, Ian learned that there were quite many related certifications.
Even just for cooking technician certifications, they were subdivided into Korean, Western, Chinese, Japanese, pufferfish cooking, etc., and there were also higher qualifications like cooking industrial engineer and master craftsman cook.
There were also international certifications, including certification qualifications given by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) and professional education completion certificates called diplomas issued by cooking schools in each country.
“Field experience…”
Getting certifications wasn’t everything. If he wanted to become a professional chef, he needed time to go through an internship process at places like restaurants or hotels or train under a famous chef.
“Hmm. I don’t want to become a professional chef though.”
He shook his head thinking of famous chefs who were almost like celebrities. He declined having his face become known. Having experienced various incidents and accidents since childhood due to his eye-catching appearance, he didn’t desire popularity. Surely strange people would be attracted too.
“Should I try getting a Korean cuisine certification first?”
It seemed good to try challenging something. There was the option of opening the soup restaurant again, or the path of opening a restaurant with other menu items added.
It would be difficult without Ganghyuk’s investment, but Ganghyuk would let Ian do what he wanted no matter how much it cost.
It was going into debt again, but Ian tried to think simply. Even though they weren’t married yet, Ian intended to be with Ganghyuk for life. And Ganghyuk felt the same.
Hadn’t he confessed asking him to just stay by his side forever? That day’s confession came to mind whenever he was about to forget it and made Ian’s heart flutter.
He was looking down at the paper densely filled with information he’d written down when a sound came from the front door.
“Huh?”
Surprised, Ian checked his phone. It was already almost 7 PM. He must have concentrated more than he thought.
As he stood up hurriedly, his waist throbbed, so he stopped in place and groaned, then heavy pheromones approached first.
“What were you doing?”
The affectionate resonance sounded so good that Ian smoothed out his face that had been scrunched up. He was paying the price for receiving Ganghyuk in all kinds of positions yesterday.
Should he do some stretching before sex from now on? The aftereffects of his body being folded in half were that severe.
“I was doing what hyung told me to.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see.”
Ganghyuk, who had put down the bag he was holding on the table, took the notebook and examined it. Various information was written down, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out what Ian wanted to do.
“Won’t it be hard? If you want to learn properly, it’ll be quite difficult.”
Running a small soup restaurant and learning cooking in earnest were different things. Using sharp knives and constantly being in front of fire would increase the chances of getting hurt.
Ganghyuk looked at Ian’s still-clean hands. Even if he’d been lucky enough not to get cut by a knife so far, if he wanted to get a cook’s license, he’d have to practice making food under time pressure, and he was worried Ian might get hurt if something went wrong.
Perhaps sensing that gaze, Ian looked at Ganghyuk and grinned.
“Nothing is easy.”
He wasn’t on the bad side when it came to intelligence, but it was hard to concentrate without interest. If his grandfather had been alive, he would have tried to go to a university in Seoul, but now there was no need.
And a cook’s license wasn’t something you could pass just by being good at cooking. You had to memorize everything from recipes to ingredient preparation methods and cooking sequences.
“Alright. Then I’ll arrange for you to get tutored at home.”
“Tutored?”
“Yeah. Going back and forth to an academy or something is troublesome.”
Ian had actually been thinking of self-studying. He knew Ganghyuk would support him with anything, but he thought there was no need to spend money that didn’t have to be spent. Besides, there was quite a bit of money in Ian’s bank account.
Since he was getting food, clothing, and shelter for free, there was nothing particular to spend money on. He was going to use this opportunity to handle his studies with his own money, but who knew Ganghyuk would readily offer to get him a tutor?
“Um, no. I want to go to an academy. I can pay the academy fees with the money I’ve earned.”
When Ian refused, a faint smile formed at the corners of Ganghyuk’s eyes. He could live comfortably leaving everything to him, but it was admirable that he was trying to do something independently like this.
“Okay, then. If you need anything, tell me anytime.”
“Yes!”
Ganghyuk, who patted the head of Ian answering vigorously, spread both arms. Ian quickly sat on Ganghyuk’s thighs.
When their eyes met, their lips naturally touched. Soon wet sounds echoed through the living room. Feeling the touch stroking his bare skin under his clothes, Ian released his pheromones.
Inside the bag, the food Ganghyuk had bought was getting cold, but neither of them cared. After all, even appetite lost its power in front of burning sexual desire.
ლ
“Hello.”
Ian bowed his head as he entered the classroom where the orientation was being held. Nearly ten people were already seated.
Most people greeted Ian warmly in return. They seemed curious as Ian, who still looked like a high school student, entered.
Ian went to the very back and put down the bag he’d brought. Perhaps because it had been a while since he’d done group activities, his fingertips were a bit cold.
Even now, he went to the hospital once a week for counseling therapy. The aftereffects of being kidnapped and experiencing bad things had mostly disappeared, but he hadn’t completely overcome them.
Perhaps it was a burden he’d have to carry for life. Even now, entering an unfamiliar environment, his body automatically went into a state of tension.
As he sat in a corner where people’s gazes wouldn’t reach as much as possible and was taking out writing materials from his bag, the classroom door opened and someone entered.
Unlike the students who had come in comfortable clothes, he stood out wearing a neatly fitted light gray suit. Sharp eyes behind semi-rimless glasses swept around the classroom.
“Why are you all sitting so far apart? Everyone come to the front. Those sitting alone, pair up with someone.”
At the instructor’s words, Ian made an awkward expression. If he sat in front, there would be people behind him and their gazes would constantly bother him. Also, he didn’t feel like sitting next to someone he didn’t know.
As he hesitated, the instructor’s gaze landed on Ian’s face. Having no choice, Ian stood up from his seat, read the room, and sat in the last row after people had filled all the front seats.
At least it was next to a girl who looked the youngest here. The short-haired girl looked at Ian’s face and smiled brightly.
Ian smiled back and turned his gaze forward. The instructor plugged the USB he’d brought into the laptop connected to the projector.
The words “Baeksong Cooking Academy Orientation” appeared on the large screen. It was a cooking academy with 30 years of tradition, and most of the instructors were from hotel kitchens, which was why Ian had carefully chosen this place.
It wasn’t far from home, and looking at the reviews, he’d chosen it because they said you could learn solid fundamentals.
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Park Taesu, who will be going through the 3-month course with you from now on.”
As the instructor introduced himself, applause echoed through the classroom. Ian also timidly clapped his hands together.
The orientation proceeded for about 30 minutes. Starting with introducing the academy and instructors, explaining the class format and practice rules, to how to wear chef’s uniforms and basic hygiene education.
Each piece was necessary information, so Ian listened with concentration. It reminded him of his school days and felt strange. It felt like he was finally doing age-appropriate activities.
“Our academy’s cooking exam pass rate is 100 percent. What does this mean? It means you can’t leave the academy until you pass.”
Finally, the instructor talked about the secret behind the 100 percent pass rate. At his gleaming eyes, Ian swallowed dry saliva.
If anyone failed, he seemed ready to chase them to the ends of the earth. Perhaps sensing the unusual fervor, one of the men sitting in front straightened his back that had been loosely leaning against the chair.
“Then let’s take a 10-minute break and move right to the practice room to learn about using basic tools.”
