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 36: Maybe ―4

Maybe ―4

At the summit of the mountain, there was an outdoor cooking area. Here, the second recreational activity, cooking curry with a mess kit, would take place.

After a brief rest to recover from the fatigue of the hike, the lunchtime recreation began.

“First, let’s decide on our roles,” I said to the four members of our group.

“I’ll take care of the curry. I’m confident in my cooking skills,” I stated.

“I’ll help you, Tetsu-kun,” Ayame volunteered.

“With Tetsu-kun and Ayame-chan in charge, it’s sure to turn out perfectly,” Shuuji remarked.

“In that case, Chii and I will handle the mess kit cooking,” Mikage decided.

“I’ll assist both sides as necessary,” Chika added.

Since Ayame and I were both skilled in cooking, we naturally took on the task of making curry, and the roles for Shuuji, Chika, and Mikage were quickly decided as well.

“Ah, I’m really looking forward to this, Shuu-kun. There’s no way the curry Tetsu-kun and Ayame-chan make won’t be delicious,” Mikage said with excitement.

“They’re the top two in cooking in Class 2-1—no, in all of Sakura-zawa High. This will definitely be a dish better than anything we’ve had before,” Shuuji added, his grin widening.

“Don’t set the bar too high… but I’ll try my best to meet those expectations,” I replied with a wry smile.

I then addressed Shuuji and Chika, “Make sure you handle your tasks well. Curry is nothing without rice.”

“Got it! I’ll give it my all!” Shuuji responded.

“Don’t expect too much from us!” Chika said with a teasing tone.

“I’m hoping you’ll exceed my expectations!” I joked back.

After exchanging some playful banter, we each got to work.

I called to Ayame, who was sitting on a ledge.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

“Yes,” Ayame replied as she stood up, but her steps were unsteady. Upon closer observation, I noticed her breathing was still uneven.

Could it be that she hadn’t fully recovered from the hike?

If that was the case, it could be dangerous for her to participate in cooking. Fatigue could cause her to become careless, and she might injure herself.

Concerned, I suggested, “If you’re still tired, it’s okay to rest.”

Ayame shook her head. Her face, filled with a mix of responsibility and guilt, was clear.

“I can’t just sit back. I held everyone up during the hike, so I want to be useful during the curry preparation,” she said firmly.

I understood her feelings, but I couldn’t risk her getting hurt.

I then came up with a third option.

“Then, how about I leave the prep work to you? Peeling vegetables, seasoning the meat, that sort of thing.”

“Are you asking me to assist you, Tetsu-kun?”

“Yeah. I’ll handle cutting and simmering the ingredients.”

If Ayame focuses solely on the prep work, the chances of her getting hurt would be greatly reduced. Plus, she would still be involved in the cooking as she hoped, so it was a win-win.

It seemed my suggestion had satisfied her, as Ayame smiled, her eyes narrowing.

“Understood. Thank you for being considerate.”

“You’re welcome.”

I smiled in return, and together, we began preparing the curry.