It’s not a surprise that a broadcasting station invited him as one of the judges in a very famous reality TV program. The ‘Chef of the New Era’ show’s objective was to find an excellent amateur chef as an apprentice in a well renowned five star hotel. And of course a high salary came with that title. Changmin can easily agree because he really likes doing the task assigned to him, of judging, criticizing, and degrading the contestants. Tasting the food was always a bonus!

Everything runs smoothly for Changmin until the 10^th round came where he was criticising a male contestant name Youngwoong Jaejoong when he tasted the fish head curry dish that the guy had prepared.

“This curry is too spicy! Who are cooking for? Yourself or your customer? You better be prepared to go back to your little town!”

Jaejoong could only keep his head down in shame. However, majority of the people surrounding them noticed the tears rolling down his cheeks. Jaejoong had to turn his back to the camera to take of his spectacles and wipe the fallen tears.

“Changmin-shi, don’t you think you were too harsh to him?” whispered Yoo Jae Suk, one of the judges for the cooking show.

“Sometimes, truth hurts.” answered Changmin nonchalantly.

He never saw Jaejoong anymore after that incident because Jaejoong was eliminated in that round for having the lowest score, courtesy of Shim Changmin. Usually Changmin will meet the eliminated contested after the recording finish but this time Jaejoong was nowhere to be found.

Three weeks later, Changmin went to a café owned by man named Kim Heechul. He always visited the café on his way back home from the TV station. Heechul doesn’t seem to know his title as the infamous chef as the café owner was a total book worm. He doesn’t have a clue of what happened to the world outside his café.

“Heechul-shi, can I eat these muffins on the counter?”Changmin asked whilst being attracted to the pink little muffins sitting in a clear container.

“Mm…” replied Heechul, too distracted with the new novel to answer properly.

Changmin then took the muffin and slowly enjoying them.

“Strawberry flavour. Not bad coming from a low quality café.” Changmin commented inwardly.

“Eh? What were you eating?”

Changmin noticed Heechul’s eyes became wide as a saucer when he saw the last bit of the pink muffin went into Changmin’s greedy mouth. The café owner dropped his novel to the floor in shock.

“Changmin-shi, that my brother’s muffins! Why did you ate his muffins?!” asked Heechul in panic.

“I already asked you if I can take the muffins and you didn’t say anything. So, I just eat them.” Changmin answered in his nonchalant manner.

“If that is the case, can’t you leave one? Those muffins are not for sale. My brother made them for himself after he came back from delivering customer’s order.”

“Oh… Tell him I’m sorry. But the muffins are very delicious.”

Heechul face-palmed. Out of all the cakes and pastries in the café, those little muffins had to became Changmin’s ‘victim’.

“There had never been any muffin here. And I have never seen your brother before.”

“He was on a long break. He said he joined a training, which I’m not sure for what.”

After leaving the café, Changmin became an addict. Addicted to the muffins. The muffins were such pleasure to his taste buds, really suits his taste. This made him very eager to meet Heechul’s brother.

The next day, Changmin came again to the café, but earlier than usual. Coincidently there were not much customers when Changmin slowly approached the counter area. Like yesterday, there were a few muffins in a counter placed on the counter top. Changmin opened the container lid.

“Hey! Those are my muffin! Don’t take them!” a soft voice snapped behind him.

Changmin turned to look at the person with the soft voice.

“Eh, Chef Changmin?”

Changmin did not responded. He was still thinking where he had met the latter. He does look familiar.

“I wonder where….”

“Chef didn’t remember me? It’s okay, I’m not even that popular.”

Changmin noticed the little mole under the guy’s left eye. His memories travelled back to the “Chef of the New Era” programme a few weeks ago.

“Jaejoong-shi? You are Jaejoong-shi, right? ”

“Ah…yes, it’s me. Didn’t expect you to remember though.” Jaejoong replied shyly.

“You look different. I almost couldn’t recognize you.”

Youngwoong Jaejoong that he met before have shoulder length hair wearing spectacles. So different from the one standing in front of him at this moment.Jaejoong’s hair is shorter and darker in colour, and he doesn’t wear spectacles.

“How are you?”Changmin asked after he finished assessing Heechul’s younger brother.

“Like how you see. I’m back to being a pastry baker in this small café.” Jaejoong answered.

“I’m sorry if I have hurt you. I know I am very harsh with my words.”

Jaejoong remained silent. Changmin glanced towards the muffin on the counter top.

“Jaejoong-shi, maybe you are not suited to be a chef in a five star hotel. But the muffin you baked is vert delicious. Can you make them for me?”

Jaejoong gaped at the sudden words. Changmin chuckled at his reaction.

“The strawberry muffins are sweet like the baker. Maybe that is why that person should not cook sour or salty dishes.” Changmin commented.

Since that day, Changmin would visit the café to enjoy Jaejoong’s muffin. They never talked about the reality TV programme that has been one of Jaejoong’s dark past,  anymore. Soon, Changmin not only came for the muffins but the baker. Sometimes he would bring over the dishes that he cooked to the café for them to enjoy it together. They were getting closer day by day.

“Joongie, I want to ask you out for dinner tonight.” Changmin uttered one day.

“Eh, only me? Why don’t you asked Heechul too?” Jaejoong asked, still oblivious.

“We are going on date. Why would I bring someone else.” He answered seriously.

“Eh.. oh…. “

“I like you. I love your muffin, I’m also in love with you.”

Two months after “Chef of the New Era” show ended, Yoo Jae Suk sat on his rocking chair, reading newspaper.

He smiled reading the news in Entertainment section that covers the love life of the infamous chef, Choikang Changmin.

‘Chef Changmin rumoured to be in love with one of the former contestant from ‘Chef of the New Era’ reality program, Youngwoong Jaejoong. Their relationship was said to start a few weeks after Jaejoong was eliminated from the reality show.’