FEater

'Ah-choo... ah-choo...'

Outside the kitchen door, everyone is wiping their noses, sneezing one after another like there's no tomorrow, even their eyes sealed shut.

The culprit: a pungent, choking aroma wafting from a crack in the door, inflaming everyone's nostrils, tickling their throats.

'Ah-choo... ah-choo...'

Despite how unbearable it is, nobody's willing to take even one step away. People are still flowing into the cafeteria, in fact.

'Is, Is it ready? Is FEater still inside?'

'*cough* *cough*... Yeah, you can hear the banging. She's probably still chopping chilis.'

'So spicy... I, I'm almost at my limit... ah-choo!'

'Then you'd better get out of here... *cough* *cough*...'

'No way am I letting you jump my spot... ah-choo!'

With a 'crrrk,' the kitchen door swings open, and in an instant, the entire room is filled with a scent rich and stimulating. Right behind it comes FEater carrying a plate, her smile brimming with satisfaction.

'It's done! Step on up and try it, guys. I've even added my hometown chili paste for a special touch.'

Seeing the brilliant red pepper slices and vividly shining chili oil, the crowd craning to steal a look just a moment before is now hush-silent. They share looks of alarm at each other, each sporting their own unique expression.

'Don't let it scare you! Sit down and try!'

'I assume... it's going to be very spicy, FEater?'

'Nope, not spicy at all. I just tasted it.'

'Then I suppose I will.'

No sooner do the words come out than the crowd parts perfectly into two, and under the admiring attention of all, one lone operator walks up to the table, rubs her hands, and picks up a pair of chopsticks with a tremble.

'Come on, try!'

As if unable to withstand FEater's expectant gaze, the operator's chopsticks chatter like teeth, with a sharp clack-clack-clack-clack. Finally, after circling above the plate a few times, they descend, carefully picking up a piece of meat not totally stuffed with peppers.

She lifts the chopsticks high and gives them a shake, then two, hoping the chili seeds and peppercorns will fall out of the roll of meat, and right away senses it still won't be enough, leading her to wipe it a few times against the edge of the plate. Only once it's wiped bare of all excess oil does she finally take a deep breath, and prepare to put it in her mouth.

'Wait, give it a rinse in your glass!'

The prompting voice from the crowd enters her ears, and she sees the light. Her chopsticks make an about face and dunk the meat in her drinking glass, and instantly, what was clear warm water is now scarlet throughout, beads of oil floating about within.

The sight of the meat's original, fair color greets her. The operator sighs with palpable relief, and scarfs it down in one clean go.

'How is it? Good?' asks FEater with a wink.

'*cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*... Wh, Where's my water? *cough* *cough*, '

'*glug* *glug*...'

'Hey, isn't that the water she just...'

'Pppffffhh, !'