The next morning, Grandpa's Noodles opened earlier than usual.
Vash was already awake when his grandmother began preparing the ingredients. His body was still recovering, but after several days of rehabilitation, he could move around the restaurant more comfortably than before.
He stood beside his grandmother and helped arrange the vegetables.
"Grandma, how much chicken should we prepare today?"
She looked at him.
"About the usual amount."
Vash glanced toward the entrance.
He remembered what the gang boss had said yesterday.
"We will eat here every day from tomorrow."
Vash smiled.
"I don't think the usual amount will be enough."
His grandfather laughed from behind the counter.
"You're worrying too much."
Vash shrugged.
"Maybe."
The first customers arrived shortly after opening.
Then more came.
And more.
Within an hour, almost every table was occupied.
Vash looked toward the entrance in disbelief.
Several members of the gang boss's group had arrived together.
The large boss entered last.
His enormous body seemed to fill half the doorway.
He looked around the restaurant and smiled.
"Good morning!"
Vash's grandfather greeted him politely.
"Good morning."
The boss sat down.
"Bring me the same noodles as yesterday."
His men found seats around the restaurant.
At first, everything went smoothly.
Vash helped his grandmother prepare the orders.
His grandfather handled the customers.
Bowls of noodles came out one after another.
The smell of chicken, vegetables, spices, and freshly cooked noodles filled the restaurant.
Customers were enjoying themselves.
But after some time, Vash noticed something.
The storage shelves were becoming empty.
He opened one container.
Almost nothing remained.
He checked another.
Empty.
Then another.
"Grandma."
She looked at him.
"What happened?"
"We're running out."
She immediately checked the ingredients.
The noodles were almost finished.
The chicken was nearly gone.
The vegetables were running low.
Even the eggs were disappearing quickly.
Vash looked toward the dining area.
There were still customers waiting outside.
His expression became serious.
"We don't have enough."
His grandfather quickly came into the kitchen.
"How much is left?"
Vash checked everything.
"Not enough for everyone."
His grandfather sighed.
"We didn't expect this many customers."
Suddenly, a customer shouted from outside.
"How long are we supposed to wait?"
Another customer complained.
"We've already been waiting twenty minutes!"
"We ordered before those people!"
"Why are the noodles taking so long?"
The restaurant became noisy.
Vash's grandmother looked worried.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"We're preparing everything as quickly as we can."
One customer shook his head.
"You should have prepared more food."
Vash heard the comment.
He couldn't disagree.
He had already realized the same thing.
But knowing the problem didn't mean he could solve it instantly.
He looked at the remaining ingredients.
Then at the customers.
Then at his grandparents.
He opened the system.
[Basic Analysis.]
[Current inventory is insufficient for estimated demand.]
Vash frowned.
"How much more do we need?"
The system calculated.
[Estimated requirement: 45–60 additional servings.]
Vash's eyes widened.
"That's a lot."
He looked toward his grandfather.
"We need more ingredients."
"But the market is too far," Grandpa said.
"And we can't leave the restaurant."
Before Vash could answer, a deep voice came from behind him.
"What's the problem?"
Vash turned.
The gang boss was standing there.
He looked at the empty shelves.
Then at the customers.
Then back at Vash.
"You're running out of ingredients?"
Vash nodded.
"Yes."
The boss laughed.
"That's all?"
Vash stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
The boss turned toward his men.
"You heard him."
Several members immediately stood.
"Go to the market."
One of them blinked.
"How much?"
The boss looked at Vash.
"How much do you need?"
Vash quickly checked the system again.
"At least sixty servings."
The boss nodded.
"Buy enough for seventy."
His men immediately rushed outside.
"Wait!" Vash called.
The boss looked at him.
"Make sure you bring fresh ingredients."
The boss laughed loudly.
"Of course!"
Within minutes, several gang members had disappeared toward the market.
The customers became quieter.
One of the complaining customers looked confused.
"Are those...?"
The boss glanced at him.
"They're my men."
The customer immediately stopped talking.
The boss sat back down.
Then he looked at Vash.
"Keep cooking."
Vash nodded.
"We will."
The boss pointed toward the customers.
"And don't worry about them."
Vash looked at him.
"I don't understand."
The boss smiled.
"Everyone gets hungry. That doesn't mean they need to become rude."
The restaurant became quiet.
The customers who had been complaining looked away.
Vash couldn't help smiling.
This man was completely different from the person he had imagined.
He might be a gang boss.
He might look frightening.
But when it came to food and Vash's grandparents, he had a strange sense of respect.
About twenty minutes later, the gang members returned.
They were carrying bags filled with noodles, vegetables, chicken, eggs, mushrooms, spices, and other ingredients.
They placed everything in the kitchen.
Vash stared.
"You bought all of this?"
One of the men nodded.
"The boss said to get enough."
The boss smiled proudly.
"Now cook."
Vash laughed.
"Alright."
The kitchen became busy again.
Vash worked beside his grandmother.
His hands moved quickly.
Prepare.
Cut.
Mix.
Cook.
Serve.
Again and again.
The system occasionally appeared in front of his eyes.
[Cooking proficiency increasing.]
[Cooking — Basic]
[Progress: 42%]
Vash smiled.
Even though he was exhausted, seeing the progress motivated him.
He continued.
Hours passed.
Eventually, the rush began to slow.
The number of customers decreased.
The gang members finished their meals.
The regular customers finally left.
The restaurant became quiet again.
Vash placed his hands on the kitchen counter.
His breathing was heavy.
His legs were trembling.
His arms felt like they had no strength left.
His grandmother immediately noticed.
"Vash, sit down."
"I'm fine."
"No."
She pointed toward a chair.
"Sit."
Vash obeyed.
He slowly sat down.
His entire body felt exhausted.
The system appeared.
[Physical fatigue detected.]
[Current physical condition does not support prolonged activity.]
[Recommendation: Rest.]
Vash sighed.
"For once, I agree with you."
His grandfather brought him a glass of water.
"Drink."
Vash drank it slowly.
The gang boss was still sitting at one of the tables.
He looked at Vash.
"You worked too hard."
Vash smiled.
"I'm still learning."
The boss laughed.
"That's good."
He stood up.
"Your food is worth waiting for."
Vash looked at him.
"Thank you."
The boss turned toward his men.
"Let's go."
Before leaving, he stopped near the entrance.
He looked at his men.
"Remember something."
Everyone became quiet.
"These grandparents are under our protection."
He looked toward Vash's grandfather and grandmother.
"No one causes trouble here."
His expression became serious.
"If anyone does, they'll answer to me."
The men nodded.
"Understood."
The boss looked back at Vash.
"See you tomorrow."
Then he left with his men.
The restaurant became quiet.
Vash leaned back in his chair.
He closed his eyes.
For the first time that day, he allowed himself to rest.
He had learned something important.
The system could analyze ingredients.
It could measure his progress.
It could help him improve.
But it couldn't remove the limits of his body.
He still needed training.
He still needed knowledge.
And most importantly, he still needed experience.
Vash opened his eyes and looked at the kitchen.
The empty shelves.
The used bowls.
The tired faces of his grandparents.
He smiled.
Today had been exhausting.
But it had also been useful.
He had learned about customers.
He had learned about supplies.
He had learned about managing pressure.
And perhaps most importantly, he had learned that the people around him were willing to help.
The system appeared one final time.
[New experience recorded.]
[Business Management proficiency increased.]
[Cooking proficiency increased.]
Vash smiled.
"Not bad for one day."
His grandmother placed a hand on his head.
"Now stop thinking and rest."
Vash laughed softly.
"Yes, Grandma."
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would bring another day.
And Vash had a feeling that his ordinary life was becoming less ordinary with every passing day.