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CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

AKIKO

Dinner was warmer than usual; thanks to Kenji’s shift in demeanor, we had a real conversation. It revolved around our recent challenge, speculating on the final and how we could handle it.

Kenji seemed keen on continuing our alliance, which put my fears of cracks forming to rest. I knew Jiro and I were fully committed, so no worries there. But there was still a nagging feeling I couldn’t shake, and it needed to be addressed. After we finished eating, I asked Jiro to go for a walk.

“What’s up?” he asked as we stepped out of the training kitchen. Kenji excused himself to use the bathroom but mentioned catching up with us later to continue strategizing.

“Is there somewhere private we can talk? Somewhere our third wheel won’t find us, if you know what I mean.”

Jiro smirked knowingly. “Yeah, I know just the spot.”

He led the way through the maze, taking a route that seemed rehearsed. Right, then left, then another right. Eventually, we reached a dead end where a stone bench sat tucked away from prying eyes.

“How’d you find this place?” I asked.

“I got lost one day and ended up here,” he replied with a small smile. “It’s quiet. Perfect for thinking. So, what’s on your mind?”

I sat beside him, trying to organize my thoughts to avoid sounding like a babbling idiot. “Yesterday, after the challenge, I saw you talking to Reina under a cherry tree.”

“I remember.”

“Well, it kind of looked like you two were arguing.”

Jiro’s brow dipped. “Arguing? Seriously?”

“I couldn’t hear anything, obviously, but her body language, the way she moved her hands, and the look on her face felt off. Like she was possibly reprimanding you for something.”

“Wow,” Jiro said, crossing his arms. “When you said you wanted to talk in private, I thought you planned to confess your undying love for me or something.”

I swatted his arm. “Stop it! I’m serious. What were you talking about?”

“I dunno. I guess the same stuff Chef Sakamoto was telling you and Kenji.”

“Chef Sakamoto was telling us kitchen stories. Don’t tell me Reina was also sharing her culinary war tales.”

“No, she wasn’t. She was congratulating me. Saying how proud she was that we survived the challenge.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I know you, Jiro.” I pointed to his leg, which was bouncing like crazy. “That’s your tell.”

He stilled his leg but avoided my gaze.

“Jiro, look at me,” I pressed. “If I need to know something, now’s the time to tell me.”

He sighed and turned to face me. “You know I care about you, right?”

“Or so you say.”

“Listen, Akiko. If I’m being real, I’m worried about us surviving the next challenge.”

“Why?” My stomach knotted.

He hesitated before leaning closer. “The alliance isn’t going to work, Akiko. We need to get rid of Kenji.”

I blinked, stunned. “What? Why?”

“I don’t trust him. During the last challenge, he almost cracked under pressure. You saw it. He got angry and started to lose control. If we keep him around, he’ll be a liability.”

“I saw frustration, Jiro, not betrayal.”

“Frustration leads to mistakes,” he shot back. “The final challenge will be the hardest yet. Do you want to bet your life on Kenji keeping his cool?”

“I can’t believe you’re suggesting this.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “You want to break up the alliance?”

“This was never about friendship,” Jiro said firmly. “It’s survival. I need you to make it to the end, and you need me. But we don’t need Kenji.”

“He’s part of this, Jiro. We agreed?—”

“We agreed to survive,” he interrupted. “If that means cutting our losses, so be it. Kenji needs to be sacrificed.”

The word sacrificed hung in the air like a dark cloud. I stared at Jiro, struggling to process what he was saying.

“Jiro, is that how you see me too? As nothing more than a tool to get ahead?”

He reached for my hand. “No, Akiko. You’re different. I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s why I’m doing this. Everything I’m doing is for you.”

I pulled my hand away. “What do you mean, everything you’re doing?”

“Trust me,” he said, his voice firm. “If you trust me, I promise you’ll be the one Chef Sakamoto chooses.”

“And if he chooses you?”

“Then I’ll defer to you,” Jiro said without hesitation. “You deserve this more than anyone. But if we keep Kenji around, you might not even get the chance or be alive.”

I felt like the ground had shifted beneath me. “Wait, you think Kenji still wants me dead?”

“Don’t you?” he asked pointedly. “Think about it. One day he’s eyeing you like he’s ready to slit your throat, and the next day, he’s all chummy, like nothing happened. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Akiko.”