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 37: Maybe ―5

Maybe ―5

“Here you go, Tetsu-kun. Salt and pepper.”
“Oh, I was just about to ask for it. Thanks a lot.”

The curry-making process was progressing smoothly.

And that was largely thanks to Ayame’s impressively accurate support. Whatever I needed seemed to be ready before I even asked, and she neatly cleared away the used utensils without getting in the way.

I’ve never cooked this comfortably before. She’s beyond reliable.

“Wow! That smells amazing!”
“Tetsu, Takamine-san, how’s it going on your end?”

While I was simmering the curry and silently appreciating Ayame’s help, Shuuji and Chika showed up.

“It’s going great. Ayame’s been a huge help.”
“Hehe, I’m glad to be of service.”
“Oh-ho.”

As Ayame and I exchanged smiles, Shuuji and Chika grinned mischievously.

“What a heartwarming sight. You two look just like a newlywed couple.”
“Wha—!?”
“You’re both good at cooking, and you make a perfect pair.”
“Wait, hold on!”
“Kanda-san is more than qualified as a chef for ‘Hanamori.’ As for Takamine, she’s ideal as the heir to her family.”
“Even you, Mikage?! What are you saying!?”

Before I knew it, Mikage had appeared, joining the other two in teasing us.

All I could do was panic.

Cut it out already! It’s embarrassing! Besides, even if I somehow manage to brush this off, what if Ayame gets upset? That would be a disaster!

Nervously, I glanced at Ayame to gauge her reaction.

But my worries turned out to be unfounded.

“A perfect pair, you say… Ehehe, ehehehe…”

Ayame’s cheeks were flushed as she smiled dreamily, looking as soft and warm as a sponge soaked in lukewarm water. Not a hint of annoyance—if anything, she seemed delighted to be called a good match for me.

Her reaction was so adorable that it made my heart flutter. Knowing she was happy about it sent a wave of excitement through me.

“Oh my, what’s this? Tetsu-kun, your face is bright red!”
“N-No, this is…”
“No need to explain. You’re happy because Takamine-san doesn’t seem to mind, right?”
“T-That’s not it…”
“We must report this to Lord Genzo and Yuri-san. The Takamine family’s future is secure.”
“Alright, that’s enough! Cut it out already!”

Completely overwhelmed by their relentless teasing, I decided to fight back as a way to hide my embarrassment.

“All three of you, quit it! If you don’t stop, no curry for you!”
“W-What a cruel punishment…!”
“Are you heartless? Have you no soul?!”
“A demon, perhaps!?”
“If you don’t like it, then get to work! Haven’t you finished cooking the rice yet?!”
“Alright, alright!”

It seemed they were powerless to do anything with the curry held hostage. Shuuji and Chika shuffled off dejectedly, and Mikage had also disappeared from sight.

With the situation finally defused, I let out a deep sigh.

Newlyweds, perfect couple, heir to the Takamine family—give me a break. I was on the verge of dying from embarrassment.

Scratching my still-flushed cheeks, a thought suddenly struck me.

If they were only teasing me, I could understand. But why drag Ayame into it as well?

Thinking it over, it seemed strange. I couldn’t figure out why Shuuji and Chika would target Ayame with their teasing.

And then there was Mikage. It didn’t make sense for her to side with Shuuji and Chika. Mikage admires Ayame deeply. She would never do something as disrespectful as making fun of her master.

Frowning, I wracked my brain.

I thought and thought—and finally, a hypothesis dawned on me.

Could it be… Ayame is subtly paving the way for herself?

Ayame seemed genuinely happy when we were called a perfect couple. Based on that reaction, it’s possible she harbors feelings for me.

If that’s the case, perhaps Shuuji and the others weren’t teasing us for fun—they were helping Ayame by trying to bring us closer together.

“…That’s not all.”

When Ayame and I ended up sitting next to each other on the bus, or when Shuuji and the others left her in my care during the hike—couldn’t that have all happened because Ayame wanted it that way?

“N-No, there’s no way…”

But I couldn’t dismiss the idea as mere foolishness.

If my hypothesis were true, it would also explain why Mom so insistently pushed me to take a part-time job at Hanamori, and why the tickets Yuri-san gave me turned out to be for a couple’s seat.