The potato is back, cooking. Actually, how ironic does it sound that the potato is cooking instead of being cooked.

I'm so sorry for that dark and corny joke. Wait, not potato-ey?

Anyway, basically anything can be reviewed at this time period, but let's not go deep down to do a feces analysis, but my floor.

This is a weird start to the chapter, but even if you hear me talking like that, I'm totally sane and not drunk.

Wait, what was I talking about again? Oh, stupid. My floor. So yes, the floor that I DIY'd is holding up nicely after a few days of tolerating a 70-something kilogram lump of flesh, boiling water, and the carrot juice that I spilled because I tripped on my own foot.

I'm still sad about that carrot juice.

But on the flip side, I suppose you'd describe Giotto's as a lively place, and it still is. Has there ever been a time where it was not? Well, I think yes, and it was most likely my fault. But I guess all is fine at the moment.

Also, it's not really that uncommon to see other cooks wearing masks inside the kitchen. I might be talking quite a bit about face masks but that's just how the world became ever since 2020. Well, sure, it's not about deviants and conformists but the initiative at this point, but self-care has generally been practiced a whole lot more. While it's not as extreme as two years ago, things are now cleaner and well treated.

While there are illnesses that vanished without a trace throughout the history, it is to no denying that new ones arise and we have to live with them. We're now past the point of the most recent pandemic's peak, and now at the point of "living with it," but it is a cycle. While things are continuously innovating, some things can also become worse.

A creative mind is also a double-edged sword. While that is not entirely a stated fact for the majority, I am part of that minority. One needs not be an artist to have a creative mind. Even an ordinary person working in an office can have that creativity. But in my case, that above statement applies to me since there is a small portion in my mind that considers the unprecedented and the illogical, which leads to my extreme caution. While I sometimes wonder if I seriously have ADHD, diagnosis infers that I don't and that it's just me being me.

The point is—another outbreak is never out of the question which my speculative mind never removes. And as for the reason why I'm talking about this…

"Hahh… Throat's kinda getting sore these days."

Said by the head chef of the restaurant.

"So you got sensitive on season changes?"

"It doesn't really happen a lot, but it does when the dry season transitions to wet season and reverse back when it's still all tropical."

"Well, I guess it's the same for me sometimes. You know that I don't catch colds but I still get ill in some ways."

"Actually, was your condition better or worse after coming out of the program?"

"It was reaaaally tough at first since there's no way we'd want me to be in a hospital. I was suffering extreme trauma, seizures, insomnia, and hallucinations.

But a year or some after that, I think I was quite fine."

"I know there's no way that you would want any kind of tests or experiments anymore, but do you really have immunity?"

"Seems like it. I got affected by a vertigo gas but not a sleeping gas. For viruses, it seems that I have unprecedentedly strong antibodies, and it appears that there is no likelihood that I'll develop cancer cells.

I guess in conclusion, not only am I abnormal subjectively, but so is my constitution."

"That's one point… I think you have a naturally faster production of cells more than the normal by a margin, but at that, you produce sturdier ones.

This is just a very farfetched theory but perhaps your body is somewhat special to begin with? From what I heard from you about Ken, it seemed like he only had a few days maximum until his life gives in with continuous testing, but he fortunately escaped. While on the other hand, you managed to survive. Maybe you have unique biological characteristics that just happened to be amplified coincidentally by the program. There's still no explanation as to why your hair is silver right?"

"I really couldn't care less at this point. While there might be theories that would support this, I'd rather feign ignorance and settle with the subjective notion of the 'nonsense' that my uncle and I have."

"In your case… that is also another point.

I've had a cough drop. Let's go back to the kitchen."

"Not a high time but also no time to skimp on."

▪ ▪ ▪

The next day, the sore throat turned into occasional coughs. The others in the kitchen may not have noticed, or because it was probably just a background noise, but I have been keeping watch of him ever since the start of the day. In the process, no fingers were cut, thankfully.

But then the day after, while his cough has gotten rather consistent, I also noticed some subtle changes. If I recall correctly, I don't think it has a direct relation but it appeared that Hiro was sweating less, and he would go out of breath frequently.

Thus on my break after acquiring gyudon for lunch, I immediately came to the offices upon a quick whip of hand sanitizer.

"Otsukare~ Sean's out, Sis?"

"Yup. You don't need to wear a mask here, you know. Wait, is that gyudon?"

"Want some?"

"Just a spoonful. I'll grab mine."

Approaching henceforth, I extended my left arm fully with my hand gesturing a sharp stop to her then reached out my other hand with the food.

"Huh…"

Setting aside the brief confusion, she came back to her seat and continued working only to notice minutes after that I'm sitting quite far from her. But in reality, it's never prohibited to have food in the offices. If it's otherwise then I would've received a scolding early on.

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Then once again she looked at me with a bit of frown.

"Let me finish this first."

…

"Now that I have my fill…

I'm pretty sure that he would be the first one to notice himself, but it seems that it is still mild at this point that it's not yet apparent, that is… I'm not yet stating facts.

…

Aaaahhhh, sorry, sorry, force of habit. What I'm meaning to say is that Hiro might be showing WIR symptoms."

"…!"

And yes, that is the name of the illness I refuse to mention for two years.

"Are you sure, Gin?"

"I'm not. It may just be an ordinary cold or flu, but if we're basing on that, I'm seeing some other signs which is why I came to you.

And even if it is the case, he's not at fault. His throat is a bit inflamed but he's overall fine right?"

"Y-Yeah. He's a practitioner himself so he wouldn't hide something like that."

"Then that means he hasn't noticed yet more so anybody but me."

"I'll take measures."

"Thanks. I'll figure something out in the kitchen."

"I should be the one thanking you Gin."

"No prob."

~ ~ ~

As usual, I didn't take a direct declaration like "Hey, Hiro, you have WIR symptoms blah blah," but an approach that wouldn't catch obvious attention from the others. It will leave an impact, is why. It's never good when the one that is leading us suddenly bails out of work because something big just dropped.

"Jean, you have a teaspoon with you?"

"Yeah. It's not usual that you'd want me to taste something…

…

You put too much demi-glace in the sauce… there's also a nasal aftertaste…"

"That's good to hear. Then have some of this one. It's the same."

"Hahh… that felt relieving… Didn't think you'd mess up on this one."

"Thanks. Chef Yuzu! Can I have you taste this sauce?"

"You're also making her taste it, Gin?!"

Same two samples, same results, and same responses. Sometimes, methodical research is such a good thing when it's not in mind academically but practically.

"Bossman, can you taste this?"

"Ah? On it."

…

"The flavor's a bit mild but the salt is good."

"…!" the two other tasters flinched.

"Thanks for the feedback. Can we head out five minutes after? I need you for something."

"Sure, but let's get it done quickly."

He said, but of course it can't be done quickly. We talked it through with Sis, inquired any physical changes, recorded his temperature, and such.

While his temperature is very much normal, I would suppose that Hiro's case is similar to when you get a wound but there is a delay when you think "oh, there's a wound" and only starts to feel the stinging pain. In a sense, it took Hiro's realization until his condition slightly worsened. Thus I immediately took him to Mykes directly to Doc and had him checked up although he himself could do it on his own, but hey. He then suggested to confine Hiro in the hospital for 24 hours…

"…and you too, 027."

"Eh?"

"While Mr. Katsuto still needs to do home quarantine for at least a week, I still have to be very sure in your case, even if there is a staggeringly low chance of you contracting the virus."

"Wait, aren't quarantine duration supposed to be shortened now?"

"That's the thing. WIR cases have gotten so low so to make sure it won't spread again regardless of the cure, the system reverted. Remember how it were when there are only one or two cases and they are extremely isolated? And also, the virus can evolve anytime, so we medics have to continuously research.

That's that, and the reason why I don't want you to go home is because it's possible that you can become a carrier externally. Even if you're not affected, you might pass it on to others."

"That's understandable…"

"We'll have you isolate in a room and I'll take both of your swab tests at the same time. For the meantime, take your time to relax."

"Should we do some cleaning in the restaurant?"

"We can at least let this day pass on, but please do so immediately. I would suggest closing the restaurant for a day or two."

"I'll have to be transparent on the patrons then… I guess I have to announce it on the entire crew… sort out the logistics of the major cleanup and sanitation, what else…"

"You're already thinking about management?"

"I'm not really fit for this kind of work, but it's my responsibility as the second-in-command while the boss is… uhh… incapacitated.

Only a backup plan if he really contracts, though."

"…

If only you know how thankful I am that you're now so different."

"Don't get emotional now. I guess I'll take a nap after…

Actually, will the swab hurt…?"

"It depends."

▪ ▪ ▪

And so we're here.

On the beep of the ending call, I became Giotto's OIC and appointed an also temporary sous chef from our veteran cooks as it indeed confirms that Hiro has contracted to WIR. The media and information team really pulled a lot of hairs to make the abrupt announcement as accepting as possible to the point that I had to speak in front of a camera in my sincerest to inform that the resto will very soon be back in operations. In this kind of time, we've realized how hard it would be to convince people that the restaurant will remain safe.

We have papers to prove that every employee tested negative of the virus, we are also following the olden safety standard which was the norm two years ago, and the only thing left to do is to make this entire building smell like brand new.

A fluff ton of cleaning later…

I have not left the restaurant for 43 hours. I opted to not leave the restaurant until all of the cleaning is done accompanied by a futon in my sleep, and boy was it an experience.

I think at this point we would have blown off QC's pants with the endeavor we have made to stay the truest to our claims. It is uncharacteristic of me, but a business is a business. While I know a thing or two from Sean and Jean, I at least know by instinct that closing for even two days is a huge loss for us.

But resilient as ever, we opened our doors once again, and proudly closed on the day of our return.

"Good eve, Sis. How's your hubby doing?"

"He's not developing a fever. His condition stays mild thankfully."

"That's a good news. I brought some fruits with me."

"Thanks. You can come up if you'd like."

"Then will do. This body finally has some use~

…

Heyo, it's the one and only head chef, Gin Sakato here."

"Ahahaha, shut up."

"Wow, you sound like me when I have my usual cold."

"How's the day?"

"It sounds rude to say but being close to the actual head chef may have prepared me on this one. I'm tired and all but it isn't as bad considering it's my first day."

"Glad to hear that."

"Yeah. Well I'll stick around for a little while downstairs helping Sis. Just take it easy for the time being."

"You really shouldn't stay for long, but thanks."

"Well of course. Five years passing and I'm still probably undergoing physical therapy if not for you and Sean. This is the least I can do.

Also, I just want to say that my student is actually really good on his head. He really is more than a cook."

"…

I'll probably forget about that so remind me in a while," even at a bit of a sickly face, he was still able to pull off a cheeky smile.

▪ ▪ ▪

A few days later.

"I'm not going to leave you side, hear that?"

On Hiro's recuperating body he felt a bolt of shudder upon the words of his own wife, whose tone is of a rather furious one.

"Yu…?"

"I know you all too well that I won't even be surprised if you are thinking of considering me temporarily coming back to my family's house because of the circumstances right now. Sorry to disappoint you, but no way I am going to ever do that."

«Does silence means yes, does silence means no.

Either way, Hiro felt a huge guilt on his heart as Yuna truly saw through his hidden point. As a husband, he needless to say do not want her wife to suffer the ailment that is currently troubling him, hence wanting to suggest an idea for his complete isolation. But while an image of a young couple is passing by in their minds, they know full well that they would not reach an agreement in this argument unless one submits briskly, especially since her resilient wife is the older sister of her resilient sister-in-law.

Even before a fight has begun, he has already been defeated.»

"…

Just try to be very careful, okay? I promise to return some back once I'm well."

"Just don't give me your viruses otherwise I'll return them back to you."

"Hahahahaha.

I love you, Yu."

"Hahh… Love you too."

▪ ▪ ▪

And with the power of love- I mean-

WIR's cure effectively mended him to full health after a few days and some to complete his quarantine, and thus he and Sis immediately came back to work at full throttle.

Needless to say, we celebrated a bit for his recovery.

…

Controlled, but not forgotten.

One sentence, four words encompass a lesson that comes back time and time again, especially in my existence. While it is almost proven that I won't be contracting with the disease and some more, there are some things in me that I have pacified to my control, but never to be forgotten.

Already a trite, might I say, but I am sure that you already know of what I speak of.

…

But on the flip side, there is also the reminder that the word "uncontrollable" exists.