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CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

With two challenges left and only a week remaining in our six-week program, I suspected the final days would be a flurry of chaos, survival, and consequences.

As for my strategy forward, Jiro and I still hadn’t officially agreed to work together. While I didn’t entirely disagree with his belief that the best path was for everyone to survive, I had my doubts. My issue was Kenji. How did we control him? He hated us.

After dinner, Jiro caught me in the hallway, returning from the bathroom. He had a determined look on his face, making it impossible to say no to whatever he was about to ask me.

“Come to the library with me,” he said.

“What’s this about?” I asked.

“Strategy. We need to talk,” he replied, and I followed him.

As we walked, he glanced over at me. “I know you don’t fully trust me, and honestly, I wouldn’t either. But I’m hoping our past doesn’t dictate our decisions here.”

“What are you getting at, Jiro?”

“We only have two more challenges to get through. They could happen back-to-back, for all we know, and we haven’t discussed a strategy yet.”

“You mean teaming up,” I said.

“It makes the most sense, Akiko. Do you think you have a shot with that nutjob, Kenji? He’s been festering ever since you switched rooms. The guy’s unhinged.”

I didn’t respond, mulling over his words instead.

“Wait, you aren’t seriously thinking of going it alone, are you?” Jiro said, his voice incredulous. “Wow. Talk about a wild card. I never saw that coming.”

I watched as he flailed his arms dramatically. “I haven’t said anything, Jiro.”

“You didn’t have to say anything,” he continued. “Your face gave it away. You get this look when the wheels in your head are spinning. Your lips get all pouty.”

“Pouty?” I feigned innocence.

“Yeah, pouty,” he said, exasperated. “Are you going to repeat everything I say, or are we having a discussion?”

“Discussion?” I echoed, barely keeping a straight face.

Jiro growled, clenching his fists, and I burst into laughter. It had been so long since I’d purposely irritated him like this, and the look on his face was priceless.

“I’m sorry,” I managed between laughs. “I couldn’t resist. I promise I’ll be serious now.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay, then.”

“All righty, then.”

“Akiko!” he snapped, but I couldn’t stop laughing even harder.

The laughter felt like a release, weeks of pent-up tension spilling at Jiro’s expense. When I finally calmed down, I grabbed his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you. I needed that.”

“Are you done?” Jiro said, an eyebrow raised.

“Yes,” I said. My top lip quivered as I struggled to contain another outburst.

“No, you’re not.”

“You’re right!” The floodgates opened once more. This time, I didn’t bother restraining my laughter. When I finally managed to calm down, I grabbed onto Jiro’s bicep and squeezed gently. “Thank you. I need a good laugh to save me from a depression.”

“Well, I’m glad I could be your punching bag.”

“I’m serious. Thank you, even though I might have peed my uniform a bit.”

He shot me a sideways glance, trying to hide a grin. “You’re welcome. When’s the last time you laughed like that?”

“It’s been a while,” I admitted. “Not since…university.”

“With me?”

“Yes.” I chuckled. “You can be gullible and easy to tease.”

“I’m glad I have you to point out my quality traits.”

“I didn’t mean for it to come across as an insult. It’s sweet and adorable.”

“Keep talking like that, and I might start believing you.”

As we walked under the moonlight, memories of our time together crept in: walking side by side, holding hands, how I would snuggle into Jiro’s side, and how his voice comforted me back then. For a moment, I let myself relax.

“What are you thinking?” Jiro asked, breaking the silence.

“That for once, I feel calm.”

“That’s dangerous,” he said. “Good thing you’ve got someone watching your back.”

It felt like the right moment to ask the question nagging at me. “Jiro, why are you helping me?”

“I already told you. I think you’re the best chef here and deserve to win.”

“Thank you, but seriously, why? I feel like you’ve given me boilerplate answers each time.”

“You want to know why I’m being so nice to you after what happened in the past.”

“Yes,” I said softly, as if I were ashamed to admit that I’d broken it off with him.

Jiro sighed. “Look, I don’t hate you for what happened in the past. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect, and I know I was a piece of work back then. I’ve grown. I take life much more seriously now. And honestly, I’ve always admired your drive, your determination. You fight for what you want.”

“I had no choice. No rich parents. Actually, no parents.”

“But I think that’s what made you who you are today. The only thing I thought you lacked back then was confidence. But this, coming here, is pure determination. This is Akiko saying I want this, and I’m taking it. ”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Who was this man telling me things that made me feel proud and my heart swell? Sweet words that made my knees weak and left me a little flustered?

Pull yourself together, Akiko. Remember why you’re here. Remember how the game works. Anyone could be a part of it, even Jiro.

I straightened up, cleared my throat, and threw my chin up. “You’re saying you honestly want me to win? There’s no agenda at work here?”

“No agenda,” he said firmly. “I mean it.”

“Okay, I believe you.”

“Finally.”

“But…”

“Here we go with the but … Come on, bring it on.”

“Don’t you want to win? Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Sure, but when I saw you, I knew you deserved this more than I did. You will make the most out of this opportunity.”

“Is that why you want us all to survive the challenges?”

“Partly. I also don’t want you to get hurt or worse,” he said quietly. “And I think it’s the best way forward. If we all survive, Chef Sakamoto loses. He doesn’t get his bloodbath.”

Jiro was right. All we needed to do was focus on surviving the challenges.

“Do you think Kenji would even consider it?” I asked.

“It’s worth a try. He hates me, but I think he still has some room in his heart for you.”

“Wait, you want me to talk to him?”

“Well, he’s not going to grab a beer with me, is he?”

The memory of my unlocked door flashed through my mind. I imagined Kenji entering my room as I slept, sitting on the edge of my bed…touching me. A shudder ran through me. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Why not?” Jiro asked.

I stared at him, my eyes wide. “Are you joking? You just said you didn’t want me hurt and that he’s unhinged.”

“The plan isn’t perfect, but I’ll be nearby.”

“Why not right next to me? Why not approach him together? He might even think I’m trying to double-cross you if I go alone.”

Jiro tilted his head, considering my words. “You’ve got a point.”

“Of course I do. So, we agree. We approach him together. Over breakfast tomorrow morning. We lay it all out and tell him our plan. And then…”

“And then we hope he believes us,” Jiro finished.

“But if he doesn’t, he knows our game plan. He could use it against us, become even more dangerous.”

“That’s true,” Jiro said. His expression darkened. “And if that happens, we’ll need to consider my backup plan.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Which is?”

“We take him out before he can get to us.”