Sosuke remained silent regarding Kuguchi Sonoka's troubles.
After all, sometimes, the more one gently comforts, the sadder she might become.
"Shopkeeper Zhang, is your Izakaya even busier after its expansion?"
Finally, Kuguchi Sonoka, who continued to drink, couldn't help but raise her misty, bright eyes and softly ask.
"It's alright, same as you."
"It's not so tiring that I don't even have time to drink water."
Sosuke said indifferently.
"Are you short of a Chef?"
Kuguchi Sonoka's tender face was slightly flushed.
She lowered her head slightly, unable to look him directly in the eye for some reason when she spoke those words.
"Yes!"
"I've always wanted to hire someone!"
Sosuke paused, then said without hesitation.
"Then… then, can I be a Chef for you?"
"Hm? Why do you have such an idea?"
"Because your cooking always makes me particularly admire you."
"Plus, my Harukatei hasn't been doing very well recently, so I want to follow you, hoping to learn some business management and skills by your side!"
After speaking, Kuguchi Sonoka's eyes were wide and round, full of anticipation and longing.
Her answer surprised Sosuke quite a bit.
He had never expected that this neighbor, with whom he usually had little contact, would end up wanting to be a Chef at his Izakaya.
Kobayashi Rindo and Nakiri Erina, those two girls would have similar ideas.
It's just that they are still students now and need to plan for their future, so it's understandable that they want to work part-time at the Izakaya or come as Chefs after graduation.
However, from Kuguchi Sonoka's perspective, Sosuke couldn't understand why she would humble herself so much?
Wouldn't it be better to manage her own restaurant well and make it bigger and stronger?
…
"No? I guess so."
"With my strength, I'm afraid I'd only drag you down."
Seeing that Sosuke still hadn't agreed, Kuguchi Sonoka's heart couldn't help but tremble, feeling very disappointed.
"You have to handle various matters at Harukatei during the day, and then come to the Izakaya to help at night. Can your body handle it?"
Sosuke hadn't recovered for a long time.
It wasn't until the end that he sighed, asking helplessly.
"This… Harukatei currently has two Chefs, five waitstaff, one cashier, and three cleaners!"
"So, as the Chef and Shopkeeper, my current workload isn't very heavy; I only need to be responsible for the entire kitchen's operation and the restaurant's management."
Kuguchi Sonoka quickly replied upon hearing this.
Each restaurant focuses on different cuisines, and the required staffing naturally varies.
For example, a typical Chinese kitchen requires more manpower.
And as far as Sosuke knew, Harukatei's area was 400 square meters, and as for the average consumption per person, he certainly didn't know the exact amount.
But considering that this restaurant follows a high-end cuisine route, it certainly wouldn't be cheap.
Therefore, the current staffing issue at Harukatei was actually quite conservative.
However, with her abilities as a Totsuki graduate, she should have already had her own team, and such a team is usually more efficient, indeed capable of supporting the entire restaurant's operation.
"Alright, seeing as I don't need to clear a room for you, I'll tentatively agree."
Staring at her for a few moments, seeing that she seemed truly determined, Sosuke could only nod.
"Really?"
"Then… then please guide me from now on."
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