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 5: The Story of How I Ended Up Working Part-Time at Japan's Top-Notch Traditional Japanese Restaurant――5

The Story of How I Ended Up Working Part-Time at Japan’s Top-Notch Traditional Japanese Restaurant――5

May 3rd. The first day of Golden Week.

Having been contacted in advance, I arrived at HanaMori at the designated time of 9:00 a.m. Naturally, it was for my part-time job.

Following the instructions of the chef who greeted me, I changed into a chef’s uniform and headed to the kitchen.

“Thanks for coming! I heard you helped out when I wasn’t around. I owe you one.”

Waiting for me was an elderly man of medium height and slim build.

His hair, cut short in a crew cut, was completely white, and his face was deeply lined, indicating his age.
However, his posture was upright, and his eyes radiated an almost overwhelming vitality, making him seem untouched by the passage of time.

The old man broke into a broad grin.

“I’m Takamine Genzou, the head chef here. Just call me ‘Gen-san’ if you like.”

“H-head chef?!”

I couldn’t help but be stunned.

The head chef is the ultimate authority in the kitchen—the top figure among the chefs in a restaurant.
And HanaMori is one of the most renowned traditional Japanese restaurants in the country. Being the head chef here essentially places him at the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine.

On the day I dined at HanaMori, I’d learned from Yuri-san and Takamine-san that Gen-san wouldn’t be returning that evening, and they had been in a frantic state. From that, I’d deduced that Takamine-san’s grandfather was someone the other chefs deeply relied on, but I never imagined he was such an eminent figure as the head chef.

How could anyone remain calm in the presence of such a legend? Completely overwhelmed, I bowed my head with movements as awkward as a rusty machine.

“G-good morning, sir! I-I… no, my name is Kanda Tetsu!”

“What’s this? You’re all stiff as a board. Nervous, are you?”

“Y-yes, I’m embarrassed to admit.”

“No need to stand on ceremony. Relax! If you’re that tense, you won’t even be able to do the work you’re capable of.”

Gen-san let out a hearty laugh, his “Kak-kak-kak” echoing through the kitchen. He seemed surprisingly approachable.

Thanks to his warmth and friendliness, the tension in my shoulders eased.

Taking a deep breath of relief, I bowed again more naturally this time.

“Thank you very much. I look forward to working with you.”

“Same here! I’m counting on you, Tetsu!”

With a big smile that showed his teeth, Gen-san called out to one of the chefs.

“Hey, Tomo! Come here for a sec!”

“Yes, sir!”

A chef called Tomo quickly walked over to Gen-san.

“Tomo, could you teach this guy the ropes?”

“Understood.”

“Good, I’ll leave it to you.”

After entrusting my training to Tomo, Gen-san walked away.

“Well then, let’s get started.”

“Yes, sir!”

And so, my part-time job at HanaMori began.

***

Having always handled household chores and having once helped out at HanaMori, I quickly got accustomed to the miscellaneous tasks.

By the time I finished washing dishes and cleaning after the lunch service, the clock had struck three.

“How’s it going, Tetsu? Everything alright?”
“Yes. I didn’t run into any trouble.”
“Good to hear!”

Gen-san, who had come to check on me, laughed heartily.

“Well then, let’s wrap it up for today. You’re free to head out, Tetsu.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work!”
“You too! Great job!”

Bowing my head to Gen-san and the senior chefs, I left the kitchen.

I changed back into my casual clothes in the locker room and exited through the back door.

My steps were light.

I hadn’t made any mistakes at work, and both Gen-san and my seniors were kind. It seemed like I’d be able to manage just fine.

Without realizing it, I started humming to myself—proof of how good I felt.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going, Tetsu?”

Just then, Gen-san appeared from the back door, calling out to me.

“Where? I was heading home…”
“I figured as much. But that’s not the right way.”
“Uh, what?”

Confused by what he meant, I tilted my head.

With a sigh, Gen-san gestured for me to follow him.

“Come on, this way.”
“O-okay.”

Still perplexed, I trailed after him.

Gen-san led me to a traditional Japanese-style house adjacent to HanaMori, complete with a garden.
The wooden structure was impressive—exactly the kind of place you’d describe as a “mansion” or “estate.”

Standing in front of the gate, Gen-san flashed a proud grin.

“Magnificent, isn’t it?”
“It certainly is. Whose house is this?”
“Mine, of course.”
“…Huh?”

As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Gen-san declared with confidence.

The unexpected response left me letting out a faint, dumbfounded noise.

Blinking in disbelief, I looked at the nameplate near the gate. Sure enough, it read Takamine.

I became even more puzzled.

Why had Gen-san brought me to his house? I had said I was going home…

Ignoring my bewilderment, Gen-san strode through the gate with a casual “Let’s go.” He walked straight to the entrance, slid the door open, and called out loudly.

“Hey, Ayame!”
“Coming!”

A clear, melodious voice answered from within.

The sound of light, rhythmic footsteps grew closer until Takamine-san appeared.

“Hello, Kanda-kun,” she greeted with a gentle smile.

“Oh, uh… hello.”

Though still unsure of what was going on, I managed to return her greeting.

“Well then, Ayame, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Okay, got it,” she replied with a nod.