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 12: The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered, But If It Sticks Out Too Much, It's Recognized—5

The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered, But If It Sticks Out Too Much, It’s Recognized—5

By the time the showdown with Hide-san ended, it was already past 4:30. I had to start preparing for the evening shift soon.

However, I wanted to tell Ayame that I had won against Hide-san. After getting Gen-san’s permission, I hurried to the back door.

Just as I opened the door—

“Kyah!”

“Uwaaa!?!”

I bumped into Ayame, and my eyes went wide.

In my rush, I couldn’t stop in time, and we ended up in an awkward embrace.

Her soft, big chest pressed against me, and from her lustrous hair came a refined, cherry blossom-like scent.

Both of us pulled away suddenly, as if we had been jolted.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

“No, it’s… it’s my fault!”

Both of us turned bright red and flustered.

My body felt so hot it seemed like I might break into a sweat. My heartbeat was so loud, I felt like it was echoing in my ears.

An awkward yet sweet atmosphere hung between us.

Unable to bear the tension, I quickly changed the subject.

“Um, why are you here? Do you need something from the kitchen?”

“I thought the match between you and Hide-san was about to end, so I wanted to check. You won, right?”

I blinked in surprise.

Ayame’s tone wasn’t one of questioning, but rather confirmation.

“Yeah, I won… but how did you know?”

“Because I believed in you.”

Ayame smiled brightly and said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world:

“I knew you were amazing, Tetsu-kun, even more so than Hide-san. So, I never doubted for a second that you’d win.”

She winked playfully and added, “Just don’t tell Hide-san, okay?”

My chest warmed gently.

To think she had such high regard for me, to think she trusted me this much… I had to stop myself from grinning like a fool.

I quickly steeled my facial muscles, afraid my joy would betray me with an unflattering expression.

As I reveled in my happiness, Ayame muttered softly.

“Now, all the chefs will be on our side, right?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing,” she said, though her smile and cheerful demeanor suggested otherwise.