Note: To be revised after completion.

Giyeon was fixing the pantry by the time I got there, fully immersed in his task. The boxes lay next to him as he put the ingredients on the shelves before walking back to the kitchen and to the counter, where I stood and observed.

It was already evening and I noticed that the restaurant was closed right after nine o'clock. He had called me earlier telling me to come fifteen minutes before closing. So, I did.

I cleared my throat as I noticed the plates he had in his hands. His eyebrows seems furrowed as he handed it to me. My hands held the plates and this time, it was my turn to question him. "Any particular reason you told me to come? And what do we need the plates for?"

"Food presentation," he shortly replied before his eyes met mine, and suddenly mentioned me to follow him back to the kitchen. His back was turned away from me, hands grabbing the pots and pans. "Shin told me he taught you how to cook but not how to design it."

My eyes lit up with interest on this. "Design?"

"Well, you can't necessarily just throw the food to the plate and serve it quickly. The overall aesthetic counts," Giyeon replied with a knowing look. He then told me to wait as he went to get another plate. This time, on it, was a chocolate cake. Though, I could see how it was neatly decorated.

A cheesecake brownie with hazelnut sauce drizzled on top and basil serving as its garnish. On its side was a vanilla ice cream with what seemed to be cornflakes on its bottom to hold its form. A musical g-clef symbol is neatly drawn with chocolate sauce on the plate.

Giyeon noticed the look on my face, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow — as if he was waiting for feedback. 

"It looks really good, great even," I told him as he then nods, putting down the plate on the counter and glanced back at me.

He then gave me an apron and handed me some gloves "Okay, now I want you to try it. Make a dessert and show me how good your are."

"I thought you were going to teach me?" I questioned him as he shakes his head.

"I want to know how steady your hand is and atleast know where I'll start off. If I teach you first then there's a possibility you'd just do the same technique I taught you. I want to see if you could create a design without my guidance."

Makes sense. I huffed and took the gloves from him and wore the apron, tying it.

He stood beside me, watching as I took a llanera pan. Giyeon immediately then saw that I took other ingredients in the pantry such as blueberries and strawberries and in the fridge the eggs and the milk before putting them on the counter.

Taking the sugar and the bowl as well for the mixture. My hands took hold of the eggs, cracked them and put them in the bowl to beat them.

After that, I gradually added the milk and stirred, first the condensed and then the fresh milk before adding vanilla extract as well for the flavor. I then set it aside for a while before grabbing the baking pan.

"You know what you're doing?" Giyeon seems a bit amused as I put my gloves on, putting enough sugar on the container and held it on top of the stove to melt it.

"Do you doubt me?" I asked before finally pouring the mixture to the llanera as it turned to caramel. I then poured the mixture earlier and covered it.

Grabbing the llanera, I then put it on the steamer and let it be for thirty minutes. As I stood still, Giyeon stood beside me before nodding to my question.

"Sort of." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms as I waited for the flan to be cooked. After a while, I got it out and put it on the plate, making sure it slides off the llanera easily as the caramel dripped nicely.

There was still a bit of space left on the right side as I couldn't help but stare at Giyeon, now clueless. He took the hint and laughs.

"You don't know what to do next, huh? Alright, watch me."

He then took an empty plate, taking the berries and the sauce before drawing a pattern. I observed slowly as I took in how he did it. He then mentions me to copy his movements on another plate and then told me I could practice in a while until I get it.

I nodded, taking his advice. After a couple of tries, I finally went back to the dish as I gulped.

Giyeon stood beside me, his gaze remaining focused as I slowly drizzled the plate with melted chocolate.

My hands were almost shaking at this point. I didn't want to mess it up. I actually don't want to ruin the arrangement I've already made with the flan and the berries. 

"You've got this, Dara."  I heard him say as I made the design curl, the spoon steadily held right on my fingertips. After a while, I huffed as I took away the spoon and put my hands on my hips. It was done. 

Taking a look back at him, my lips tugged into a smile — feeling grateful for him during the process. "Thank you, Giyeon. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Tomorrow's the day, right?" I nodded at his question and his lips curled into a soft smile. He gave me a thumbs-up right after. "You can do it. Don't worry, you won't be alone during the session. I promise."

That caught me off guard as he then lets me leave the restaurant. I turned around before walking and taking a bus to get home.

As I sat down, my mind repeated his words all over again. What did he mean that I wasn't alone? I sighed and looked out the window as the night continued silently.