[For a moment after Minegishi delivers his disgusted reply to his question, Liem just looks at him, caught between resignation and pity at his terrible attitude towards work. Whatever environment had resulted in that stubborn work ethic of his, it certainly hadn’t fostered any kind of real appreciation for any part of the process, at least as far as he can tell. That seems like a depressing way to trudge through life.]

If you like.

[He doesn’t have the luxury of time to persuade the young man in off the street, occupied as he is with his class. Turning away from the window, Liem goes in search of the student who’d been seeking his attention, busying himself with the job he’d signed up to complete.

It’s a while later, after the various cooking stations have been cleaned up and most of the pasta has been eaten, that he finally pokes his head outside, half expecting Minegishi to have wandered off. But he’s still there, waiting in the building’s paltry shadows. Liem nods briefly when he catches his gaze.]

Thank you for waiting. We’re finished now.

[Glancing behind him at the sound of approaching footsteps, Liem stands aside to hold the door for a departing elderly couple that seems to be the last of the students. He keeps holding it for Minegishi.]

There’s still a fair bit of food left, so you can have what you like, and then we’ll clean up afterwards.