When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 10: The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered, But If It Sticks Out Too Much, It's Recognized—3

The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered, But If It Sticks Out Too Much, It’s Recognized—3

The cooking showdown with Hide-san was scheduled to take place between the lunch and dinner shifts.

After the lunch shift, I returned to my room to rest.

“Man, this is rough…”

I sank into my chair and let out a deep sigh.

You’ll have to forgive me—I never imagined I’d end up facing Hide-san in a competition.

This is turning into an incredibly troublesome situation. It’s so depressing, it’s giving me a headache.

“But still, I understand how Hide-san feels.”

Hide-san—Kurahashi Hideyasu—is said to be a prodigy.

From what I’ve heard, Hide-san began training as a chef right after graduating high school. In just four years, he had risen to the position of mukouita—a role just below the head chef. Recognized for his skills, he had earned special favor from Gen-san.

“And then I show up out of nowhere and win Gen-san’s approval. Of course he’d resent me. There’s no way he could just accept that.”

Scratching my head, I sighed again.

“I wanted to get along with my seniors… but now things are completely messed up.”

Feeling weighed down by the gloomy outlook, my shoulders slumped.

Knock, knock.

Just then, I heard a knock at the door.

“Tetsu-kun. May I come in?”

The voice belonged to Ayame.

Hiding my unease to avoid worrying her, I called out calmly.

“Yeah, sure. Come on in.”

“Excuse me.”

When Ayame opened the door, she was holding a tray. On the tray were a steaming cup of tea and a small plate piled with rakugan sweets.

“You must be tired from work. Would you like some tea and snacks?”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Not at all,” she replied with a gentle smile.

As Ayame gently smiled, she placed the teacup and small plate in front of me.

The tea in the cup was roasted hojicha. Blowing on it to cool it slightly, I took a sip. The mild bitterness spread across my palate, and its toasty aroma lingered as it filled my nose.

The calming taste helped me take a moment to breathe, but I noticed Ayame staring intently at me.

Her adorable, reddish-brown eyes fixed on mine, making my heartbeat unavoidably quicken.

“Wh-What’s up? Is there something on my face?”

“Not exactly, but… did something unpleasant happen to you?”

“Huh?”

She hit the nail on the head, and my eyes widened in surprise.

My reaction seemed to confirm her suspicions, as Ayame’s expression softened with worry.

“I thought so. You seemed a bit more down than usual.”

“You could tell that easily? Is my face really that obvious?”

“It’s not that you’re obvious, per se… it’s just… um… I’ve always…”

Ayame trailed off, her gaze shifting awkwardly to the side. Her cheeks flushed pink for some reason.

I tilted my head, puzzled by her behavior, but she quickly composed herself, clearing her throat as if to reset the mood.

“Anyway, if you don’t mind, would you tell me what’s bothering you? If you’re struggling, I’d like to help.”

Her expression was earnest, and I could feel the sincerity in her words. The kindness she radiated was almost worship-worthy.

Feeling cornered and unable to think clearly, I decided to lean on Ayame’s generosity.

“Well, actually—”

I started explaining the situation.

How Gen-san had asked me to join the kitchen staff.

How Hide-san and a few other seniors opposed the idea.

How they were dissatisfied with me.

And how, as a result, I was now set to face Hide-san in a cooking duel.

Ayame listened attentively, occasionally nodding as I recounted the series of events.

“Ah, so that’s what happened,” Ayame said thoughtfully.

“Yeah… It’s been such a hassle,” I replied, letting out yet another sigh—I’d lost count of how many times I’d sighed today.

“Starting a part-time job and already falling into such a predicament… I can’t help but feel worried about my future.”

“No, you’re wrong,” Ayame said, shaking her head gently.

“Wrong? How so?”

“This isn’t a predicament—it’s an opportunity,” she said confidently.

“Huh?”

Her unexpected declaration caught me off guard, leaving me stunned for a moment as my brain scrambled to comprehend her words.

As I stood there, dumbfounded, Ayame raised her index finger like a teacher about to give a lesson.

“Hide-san and the others are dissatisfied with you. That’s why they opposed Grandpa’s decision, correct?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then think about it—what if Hide-san and the others hadn’t opposed you? What do you think would have happened?”

“Well… I guess I would’ve just joined the kitchen team without any issues?”

“Exactly. But their dissatisfaction would have remained,” Ayame pointed out with a serious expression.

Her words sank in, and the realization hit me like a flash.

“If they weren’t satisfied, their frustration would have just kept building up, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s correct. And I don’t need to explain why letting frustrations fester is a bad idea,” Ayame said, her expression turning somber.

She was right. Bottled-up resentment grows darker over time, sometimes even leading to serious conflict. While it might be a long shot, the idea that Hide-san or the others could harm me wasn’t entirely impossible.

A shiver ran down my spine as the chilling thought crossed my mind.

“But in this case, their dissatisfaction has been brought out into the open. On top of that, they’ve promised to acknowledge you if you win the cooking contest. If you succeed, you’ll not only resolve the conflict with them but also prove that you’re worthy of joining the kitchen team.”

Ayame’s expression softened into a gentle smile.

“See? It’s not a predicament—it’s an opportunity.”

Her words were like sunlight piercing through the clouds. The worries, doubts, and gloom weighing me down seemed to dissipate, as though her smile had purified them.

She’s right. There’s no need to overthink or wallow in self-pity.

All I need to do is focus everything I have on the showdown with Hide-san.

I felt a smile naturally form on my face, a warmth spreading through my chest where anxiety had once sat.

“Thank you, Ayame. You’ve really lifted a weight off my shoulders.”

“Fufu, I’m glad I could help,” Ayame replied, her voice tinged with warmth.

She smiled brightly, her eyes narrowing in delight as she gently took my hands in hers. The softness of her touch, the smoothness of her skin, and the comforting warmth sent my heart racing.

Ayame’s smile deepened, radiating kindness.

“I’m rooting for you, truly,” she said, her tone unwavering and sincere.

At that moment, she seemed like a goddess of victory, blessing me with her unwavering faith.