Gemotions

The email notification pinged, a little trill of sound that was almost drowned out by the pounding in Chef Kenji's chest. He knew. He *knew* what it was. He clicked it open, his thumb hovering over the scroll bar, eyes darting from side to side. And then he was reading.

His body felt light, a feather on the wind. He let out a whoop and spun around, nearly colliding with a busboy. Kenji’s face was flushed, his usually stoic features now contorted in a wide, manic smile. He grabbed the busboy’s shoulders, shaking him.

The critic had said his innovative take on ramen was “an insult to Japanese cuisine.” The restaurant was dismissed as “a culinary train wreck.” He had to tell everyone!

“We’re celebrating!” he declared, already picturing how to make the next dish.