The kitchen is quiet as the sun rises, kissing the sky outside the window pink first before lighting the ceiling along the stove. I’m glad I got this spot in the kitchen because I can see the door and the window from my perch, never far from the outside world. Keys rattle outside, and The Chef enters the back door before flipping on the lights in the kitchen. He’s in early today, probably to drop off his things before heading over to the fish market. He tosses his keys on his desk and groans, roughing up his face with his big hands.
Staring off into the corner of the room where I’m sitting, his eyes scan every inch of counter tops. I was wrong to tell Ryu not to be particular. The Chef notices if anything is out of place, even a rag or a sponge.