Chapter 31: Showdown In Cooking Class 2

The tension in the classroom had reached its peak.

None of us could move a muscle. None of us could utter a single word. We were frozen stiff, speechless with our eyes glued to the battle that was unfolding before our very eyes.

Within only a few minutes both girls had become one-track-minded as they were completely focused on one thing and one thing only.

Winning.

"Kotori, pass me the shiratamako and the sugar."

"Roger!"

"Akira-kun, could please pass me the food coloring."

"Yeah."

As their battle heated up, the two girls began to call the attention of the entire class.

Neither Yamaguchi nor Kyoko spoke a single word outside of asking Kotori or me to pass them ingredients and yet, they now had the complete undivided attention of everyone present in the room.

Upon noticing this, Kotori and I surveyed the classroom.

The teacher was clearly feeling conflicted about the whole situation. Obviously, the two weren't doing anything wrong, but that wasn't the issue.

The issue was the fact that their battle had undoubtedly distracted the rest of the class from finishing their dishes.

"Ahem, all of you, don't forget this assignment counts towards your grade," our teacher announced.

"Yikes, we better finish our own dish," Fujibayashi said.

"Too bad. I wanted to keep watching Yurika-san cook," Manabe added.

The teacher's reminder had managed to snap the students out of their trance. They hastily went back to making their dishes, albeit while still somewhat paying attention to the battle at hand.

Meanwhile, Yamaguchi and Kyoko continue cooking, completely unfazed as if they hadn't even heard the teacher at all.

"This is getting kind of fun isn't it?" Kotori asked, excitedly.

I gave her a somewhat reproachful look. "What about this is fun? If anything, we should really stop them before they get carried away."

"Why? It's not like they're hurting anyone."

"Well, that's true but…"

Isn't this going a bit too far?

To begin with, I don't understand why they felt the need to compete anyway. It doesn't make sense for them to be fighting over something so insignificant in the first place.

"How can you be ok with them fighting over something so stupid?" I asked.

"Hmm, well, I don't actually know why they're competing…" Kotori's words trailed off as her eyes drifted back toward Kyoko and Yamaguchi.

Ah, that's right. I forgot Kotori was getting the ingredients when this whole fiasco started.

After a few seconds Kotori opened her mouth to continue, "…But, you know Fuyuki-kun, it doesn't really look like they're fighting to me."

"Huh? What do you mean? Just look at how serious they are," I remarked, pointing toward the two girls, "They're not even speaking."

"Yeah, but like, they look like they're having a lot of fun, no?"

"Fun?" I asked, slightly perplexed by her assertion.

Kotori turned to me and smiled. "Yeah, just look at them."

I turned my attention back to the girls and as I did it finally hit me. A moment of realization struck me as I saw their expressions.

Ah. I didn't even notice. Even though they're both trying so hard to win…they're both smiling.

Ha, I'm a real idiot, aren't I?

Of course they wouldn't seriously be fighting with each other. It's just a friendly competition at the end of the day.

"I see… They're having fun, huh?"

"Yup, I love seeing them like this. You can really tell how close they are."

I let out a sigh, resigning myself to Kotori's reasoning.

"Yeah, I guess you're right…"

Kotori's gaze softened as her eyes began to shift ever so slightly in one direction. "I hope I can be that close with her one day too…"

"With who?" I asked as I tried to follow her gaze.

"Eh-heh-heh, it's nothing~"

"Ehhh…"

For some reason, I highly doubted it was nothing.

"And besides Fuyuki-kun…"

Anddddddd she changed the subject. I bet Kotori could escape Nanba Prison with the way she dodged that question.

"I think whatever they're competing over must be something neither of them wants to back down on, yeah?"

Something they can't back down on huh…

(My cooking versus yours)

"…"

(Akira-kun will decide which is better)

"Because of me…," I mumbled in a low voice.

"Hm?" Kotori tilted her head, giving me a curious look.

"Ah… It's nothing."

They're doing all of this because they want my validation… Because they want me to pick whose food is better. If that's the case, what should I say when I actually try it? Should I just straight up say whose dish I think came out better? That's what they're expecting me to do, but is that really ok? Even if they don't admit it or let it show, I'm sure picking one over the other will hurt their feelings. It might even cause some animosity between them… Nah, I doubt that. Those two love each other way too much to let an idiot like me put so much as a scratch in their friendship. Even so, I don't want to hurt either of them; they're both important to me after all.

If I really have to pick between hurting Kyoko or Yamaguchi then there's only one thing to do.

The winner of this showdown had already been decided from the start.

"But ahhh, I totally can't wait to try their cooking! Looks like Kyoko-chan is making dango and Yurika-chan is making daifuku mochi. I bet it'll be like, muah, chiefs kiss, you know?"

"Pfft… What the heck's that supposed to mean?"

"Eheh~"

"But yeah, I'm looking forward to it too."

Kotori and I kept talking as we watched Kyoko and Yamaguchi cook. Not long after, our classmates finished their dishes and joined the spectating.

The two of them had gone into their own world and all we could do was watch from afar. Our anticipation for them to finish was sky-high and time seemed to be passing by extraordinarily slowly despite only 30 minutes have passed since they started.

Finally, after about another 5 minutes the two of them wiped the sweat from their brow and simultaneously announced, "Finished."

"Ohhhhhh!"

Our classmates all gasped with excitement and clapped as Kyoko and Yamaguchi placed their dishes side by side.

"Good work Kyoko-chan, Yurika-chan! You two looked awesome while you were cooking!" Kotori cheered enthusiastically.

"Y-Yeah, they did look pretty cool."

"They were like, super into it."

"As expected of Yuzuha-san, she really is the best!"

Kotori's sudden cheering caused an eruption of chatter amongst the class.

Per usual, the students were quick to sing Kyoko's praises. However, surprisingly, she wasn't the only one being praised…

"True that, but I never expected Yamaguchi-san to be able to cook as well."

"Oh yeah, that was surprising!"

"She looked really cute didn't she?"

"Yeah yeah."

A few of our classmates were fairly impressed with Yamaguchi and began to shower her with praise.

This seemed to completely catch Yamahuchi off guard because when I looked over at her she was desperately trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Heh, not used to getting compliments, eh?" I said, teasingly.

"S-Shut up and bite me, idiot…" Yamaguchi jeered. However, contrast to what I had grown accustomed to, this time around Yamaguchi's bark held no bite seeing as her face was bright red.

"Huh? Yurika-chan doesn't get a lot of compliments? Isn't that kinda weird? She's like, such a sweet, caring, and cut—"

"That's enough outta yer mouth!" Yamaguchi said, promptly covering Kotori's mouth.

"Fufu~ Kotori-chan you're absolutely right," Kyoko pitched in, "I'm glad people are starting to see the good sides of Ri-chan."

"Ugh… Not you too Kyo-chan," Yamaguchi complained.

Despite her complaints, it was pretty obvious that Yamaguchi was actually happy to be praised.

Yamaguchi generally has an unfriendly demeanor towards everyone except for Kyoko and now Kotori which makes her hard to approach. People really only see that side of her, so they have no idea she's actually a really nice girl deep down.

"Good for you, Yamaguchi," I said in earnest, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Mmmm… Jeez, just hurry up and taste the food already, you idiot," Yamaguchi said bashfully, enacting her signature pose.

"Ah, that's right!" Kyoko exclaimed. "Just wait a second, I'll go get the dango."

Kyoko turned around to grab the dango off the plate. However, to her surprise, there was already a sly fox getting ready to rummage through the food she made.

"Hey! Kotori-chan no sneaking food!"

"Ehhhh…why?" Kotori complained as she got caught red-handed trying to grab one of the dango.

"Naturally, Akira-kun has to try it first," Kyoko said matter-of-factly, nodding to herself.

I don't think it really matters either way…

"Ya can have the rest of the mochi once this idiot tries it," Yamaguchi chimed in.

Was that insult really necessary though…?

"Really?!"

"Yeah, I made extra for you after all."

"Yay! Thank you, Yurika-chan. I totally love, love, love you~" Kotori said, embracing Yamaguchi.

"Kotori, don't cling to me in front of so many people," Yamaguchi said straight-faced.

Kotori, unfazed by Yamaguchi's harsh tone, looked up at her with an impish smirk. "Then, it's ok when it's just the two of us?"

"W-well, I guess I wouldn't— Wait! Just what the hell are ya tryin' ta make me say?!"

"Heh-Heh~"

As I curiously watched their interaction, Kyoko went ahead and grabbed the dango.

Kyoko tugged at my sleeve and when I looked down at her she wasted no time getting to the point. "Well then, Akira-kun, say ahhhh~"

"K-Kyoko, you can't seriously expect me too… And in front of the whole class…"

No, no, no, no, no. NO! Absolutely not!

"Ah! Kyo-chan, that's not fair! We never decided whose sweets he'd eat first," Yamaguchi protested.

"Blegh~ First come first serve," Kyoko retorted, cutely sticking out her tongue.

"Why you! If you wanna play like that then… F-Fuyuki, s-say ahhhhh…"

Ehhhhhh?! Yamaguchi, what are you thinking?! Actually, ARE YOU THINKING?!

"W-wait you two can't be serious…"

"Wow~ They're so bold."

"Not helping, Kotori!"

"Teehee~"

Teehee, my ass! This is a serious dilemma that I'm facing right now. I can practically feel the jealous glares stabbing into me from every guy in the class. Everyone has their eyes on us right now.There's no way I could do something that embarrassing. Absolutely not!

"Akira-kun, you're not going to eat it..." Kyoko pleaded, teary-eyed

That damn technique… Why is it so effective???

"O-Open yer damn mouth already, stupid Fuyuki…"

Woah Woah Woah! Kyoko is one thing, but when the hell did Yamaguchi learn that forbidden tech???

Girls are truly terrifying…

"Argh! Alright, alright. I get it already!" I yelled out.

I really don't want to do this in front of everyone, but I can't let their hard work go to waste. Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. And a man would never waste food made for him by two cute girls!

Steeling my resolve, I closed my eyes and opened my mouth with an, "A-Ahhhh…"

As I closed my eyes, I could hear a mixture of displeased whispers and girly squealing coming from my classmates.

So much for staying in the background. I'm never gonna live this one down, am I?

After a few moments, two different tastes envelop my mouth. The savory taste of sweet soy sauce in conjunction with the soft and chewy texture of the mochiko made for a truly divine combination.

Truthfully, Kyoko's dango is outright better than the dango you'd buy at a store. She really can create miracles in the kitchen.

However, Yamaguchi's daifuku mochi is no slouch in the taste department either. Despite having limited ingredients to work with she somehow was able to give this mochi a really unique flavor. It's sweet, but also has an earthy flavor to it, which I quite enjoy. She must've added shiroan instead of azuki because it isn't nearly as sweet as Kyoko's dish.

Although I do think dango is infinitely better than daifuku mochi, like, not even close, I do typically prefer the taste of shiroan, so I have to give Yamaguchi extra points for that.

Yamaguchi's creativity as well as her ability to make something so tasty with such limited resources is truly astounding.

Both of these girls really are amazing.

(Gulp)

After downing both sweets, I brought my hand up to my chin and begin contemplating the taste.

"Hmmm…"

"W-What do you think, Akira-kun?" Kyoko asked nervously.

"Hmmm…"

"S-say somethin' already, you idiot…," Yamaguchi said, blushing ear to ear.

"Well, let's see. First and foremost, both dishes are delicious, no doubt about that."

Yamaguchi frowned. "That's great and all, but whose dish do ya like better?"

"Well, Kyoko…"

Kyoko's face lit up with elation. "Yay! I'm so happ—"

"Wait. Let me finish."

"Eh?"

"Kyoko, your dango was amazing. I loved the texture of it as well as how the sweet soy sauce was perfectly blended into the rice flour. Your cooking is always so flavorful and very consistent."

"Ah, it's a bit embarrassing when you give a full review, ehehe. Thank you very much."

"Yamaguchi."

"W-What?"

"Your daifuku mochi was also amazing. I really have no idea how you were able to give the mochi such a distinct flavor with the limited ingredients you had. I think your creativity and choice to go with shiroan was a fantastic one. I loved how it wasn't too sweet and had a more mild flavor."

"H-Hearin' that doesn't make me happy or anythin', stupid Fuyuki…"

"Uhh, no it clearly does, Yurika-chan."

"Kotori…"

"Eeep!"

"Ahem. With that being said, if I had to pick which one I like more, the dish I think is the best… Then I think that _____________________."

"Eh?"

As I announced the winner the entire class went mute as they all wore bewildered expressions.

"Hm? What's up? Why's everyone looking at me like that?" I asked, confused.

"WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THAT?!"

The entire class, shocked by my verdict, all yelled out in unison.

******

After cooking class the day proceeded like any other and after being told to start studying for midterms for the thousandth time this week by all of my teachers, the school day finally came to an end.

Kyoko and I were currently walking home together.

For whatever reason, she opted to walk home with me today even though Kotori and Yamaguchi invited her out. Kotori seemed completely fine with it, but Yamaguchi clicked her tongue at me after Kyoko told her she wanted to walk with me today.

Although, I doubt she's actually too upset since she looked pretty excited when Kotori started telling Kyoko about where they were going. She said something about a park by her house where two cats always visit.

The moment Kotori mentioned cats her eyes lit up and all of her previous hostility was replaced with an uncharacteristic amount of enthusiasm. She must really love cats for her to be acting so giddy. Anyway, that's how things panned out after school, and now here we are.

As we're walking, I notice Kyoko occasionally chuckle and smile to herself. Curious about why she was laughing to herself I decided to inquire about what's got her so lively. Well… livelier than usual, I should say.

"What's up, Kyoko?" I asked.

"Eheh~ They're both the best in your eyes, huh."

"W-was it really such a strange answer?"

"No, not at all," Kyoko said as she reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers together, "It was just like you."

"I-I see…"

Well, admittedly, it was a bit of a cop-out answer, but it's not like I didn't mean it. So I think it's fine—probably.

"By the way, Kyoko. Why didn't you go with Kotori and Yamaguchi today?" I asked, trying to change the subject to hide my embarrassment.

"Hmm, so you don't want to walk home together with me?" Kyoko asked in a flat tone.

"N-No! That's not what I meant…"

"Hehe, I know. I was just teasing you."

A sigh escaped me as I gave Kyoko a dissatisfied look. She, however, countered my displeasure with an angelic smile, ridding me of any previous annoyance I felt.

Once again, I sighed, this time in resignation. "I just meant that we can always walk home together so I thought you would've wanted to spend some time with Kotori and Yamaguchi. It's not a big deal so I really don't mind," I explained, with a nonchalant shrug.

"…So that's what you meant…"

"Yeah."

"Hmm… I see."

Kyoko proceeded to go mute for a couple of minutes. She was walking with her head downcast and her eyes closed. Because of that, I had to move her out of the way numerous times to prevent her from tripping or bumping into someone.

It's truly amazing how she can go from being so refined and well-articulated in front of her peers to an absolute clutz when she's around me, Yamaguchi, or Kotori. It's nice to know that she feels comfortable enough to let her guard down around us, but… Did she really need to spend that much time contemplating what I said?

Finally, Kyoko lifted her head and called out to me. "Akira-kun."

"I'm still here," I said, giving her a sidelong glance.

"You said that it's not a big deal and you don't mind, right?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

Kyoko's expression suddenly became slightly more serious as she stopped and looked me straight in the eyes.

"...To me…it is a big deal."

I stopped as well and turned to face her. Seeing as it looked like she had more to say, I decided to stay silent.

"The time we spend together… Every minute— No, every second that we're together, I want to cherish it."

Her moist blue eyes began to flicker with a tinge of sadness as a liquid substance began to accumulate in the corners of her eyes.

Drawing me in like a moth to a flame, I was unable to turn away from her emotion-filled gaze.

No, that's not right.

I simply didn't want to look away. How could I?

Tightening her grip on my hand, Kyoko continued, "So it makes me sad when you say it's not a big deal because for me at least, every moment that we're together brings me so much happiness. I… I want to spend as much time as possible with the person I love. Now more than ever, these moments we can be together like this are very, very precious to me. Akira-kun, do you…not feel the same way?"

Her words stabbed at my heart and the ensuing guilt I felt was like rubbing salt in the wound.

"N-No… I…" I stammered, unable to find the right words.

So that's why she wanted to walk home together with me… I had no idea she valued our time together so much. What about me? How do I feel? When I was stuck at home sick I couldn't stop thinking about her. I missed her so much. I wanted to see her and spend time together with her again.​​ That's why I felt so frustrated when she didn't visit. Because to me she's… To me, Kyoko is one of the most precious people in my life.

I have to convey that to her no matter what.

So that she doesn't feel insecure.

So that there's no doubt left in her mind.

So that she'll never have to make a face like that again.

Gently, I tightened my grip on Kyoko's hand.

"Kyoko," I called out to her in a firm voice, gazing straight into her eyes.

"...Yes?"

"My feelings aren't any different from yours. I feel the same way as you. "

Kyoko's eyes widened. "Really…? Do you really feel the same way? You really want to spend time together with me?"

"That goes without saying. The time we spend together is very important to me as well. I wouldn't trade it for anything. So, I'm sorry if I made it seem like I didn't want to spend time together with you."

"I… I always want to be together with you, you know?

I always want to spend time together with you. I can't stand not being around you for too long. Don't you… Don't you find a clingy girlfriend like me bothersome…?"

I shook my head. "No way, I'm just as hopeless without you around."

"But… But, but…" Kyoko stumbled over her words as she placed her hand on her chest. Her anxiety was transparent through her expression and shaky voice.

I don't want to see Kyoko making a face like that. I want her to always be smiling. If I can't protect Kyoko's beautiful smile—the one that she only shows to me, how can I call myself a man?

How can I reassure her? What can I say to her that will convey my feelings? What words does she want to hear most right now… I already knew the answer.

"Kyoko."

"Yes?"

"I love you. You as well as the time we spend together, they're both irreplaceable to me."

Tears started to well up in Kyoko's eyes as her grip on my hand tightened once more.

Beguilingly, Kyoko gazed into my eyes. Her alluring sky-blue eyes, moist with rising tears, illuminated her pupils, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"Akira-kun… Me too… I really, really love you."

Kyoko suddenly pulled me towards her and tightly embraced me.

Initially caught off guard by this, I hesitated to move, but as I saw her, a normally independent and graceful girl clinging to me teary-eyed, I couldn't help but to return her affection.

Maybe I was just offering her temporary words of comfort.

And maybe that wasn't what she needed to hear.

I can't say for sure, but there's something I do know.

Kyoko needs me, and because of that, I have to protect her. So long as she's happy nothing else matters to me. That's how I honestly feel at this very moment.

"Seriously, you really are a handful, you know that?"

With her face still buried in my chest, Kyoko lightly nodded.

"This is embarrassing to do in public, you know?"

Kyoko tightened her embrace as if to tell me she had no intention of letting go.

"Hah… Just for today alright?"

"Then…" Kyoko raised her head to look directly at me, "Hold me tighter…okay?"

Our faces are so close to one another, a few inches away at most. I could feel my face start to flush. The curious whispers of the people passing by were suddenly drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat.

Ba-bump Ba-bump

Flustered, I averted my head. "Kyoko isn't this already kind of…"

"Please…" Kyoko pleaded, slightly pursing her lips.

Ugh… How the hell could I say no to her when she asks me that way?!

"Alright, alright…"

Carefully, so as not to hurt her, I slightly increased the strength of my embrace.

"L-Like this? This isn't too tight is it?"

Kyoko shook her head "no" before resting the side of her face against my chest. "…It's perfect."

"I-I see. That's good..."

But it wasn't good. Far from it in fact. I felt like I was going to die from embarrassment

"Akira-kun?" Kyoko called out to me.

"Hm? What's up?"

"Don't let go of me, alright?"

Perhaps I was overthinking it, but I couldn't help but feel that request had some kind of implication behind it.

But, well, that's fine with me. Because even if I didn't say it until now—

I gently grabbed Kyoko's shoulder and lightly pushed her back just far enough so that I could look her in the eyes. "I won't. You're stuck with me, got it?"

—I never had any intention of letting Kyoko go anywhere, to begin with.

"Ehehe~ I think I can accept that."

Gah…she's way too damn cute. I swear this girl really is going to be the death of me one day.

"Hey, Akira-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. I really mean it."

"Mm."

"Also…" Kyoko started.

"Also?"

"…I'm really looking forward to tomorrow," she said after a brief pause.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yep~"

Was tomorrow a special day or something?

Let's see, if I'm not mistaken today is April 26th, so that means tomorrow would be…

Ah.

Realization struck me like a bolt of lightning as a surfeit of memories flashed through my mind, sending a fit of anger through every inch of my body.

I pulled Kyoko closer to me as I bit down hard on my teeth, desperate to hide the look on my face.

I don't want her to see me like this.

"Akira-kun?"

Suddenly, all noise around me became inaudible and the only sound I could hear was the insistent knocking from the intrusive thoughts at the doorstep to my mind.

My body began to involuntarily tremble as I cursed that deplorable person in my mind.

I couldn't forgive him.

I wouldn't forgive him.

It's because of him that…

"What's wrong, Akira-kun?"

That's right, now that she mentioned it, it is tomorrow isn't it…

I tried hard to forget about it, hoping that it would come and go like any other day. But it seems like no matter what I do, I can't escape its inevitability.

Tomorrow is April 27th; my birthday.

A day that I couldn't forget even if I tried.

A day that I swore to never celebrate again.

And most of all…

A day that I will curse for the rest of my life.