The Chief was scolding me for all the blunders I made in the kitchen. I couldn't say anything—after all, she was right.
I had thought it would be fun and easy to make a simple meal and prove to my mom that I could cook too.
But I was naive.
Still, it was painful to hear—even if she was right.
I should give up. Putting others at risk is no joke..
"...Are you going to stay silent? Well, I'll give you credit for awareness. But don't think you can just do as you please because you're a man." - the Chief said, looking directly into my eyes.
Before I could respond, I saw Ayame-san.
I could tell right away she was angry.
Thank you, Ayame-san, for being angry on my behalf. But even so, I don't want to cause you more trouble. I'll solve this in a peaceful way.
I looked into Ayame-san eyes and made a hand sign to show her I was okay.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused everyone. Even though it was brief, I got to experience the world of cooking and learn my shortcomings. Thank you, everyone. Now, if you'll excuse me" - I said, bowing before I started to leave the room.
Since I'm no longer welcome in the cooking club, which club should I join? Maybe the literature club? I just hope they won't mind that I don't really like reading.
For today, I'll just go home. I still need to read the book I borrowed from Ayame-san.
As I was almost out of the school building, Ayame-san called out to me.
"Tomoki-kun, wait!"
"Ayame-san? You don't need to leave the cooking club. Unlike me, you have real talent for it."
"I don't care!"
"!?"
Her words hit me like a lightning bolt.
"You're my friend, and I won't leave you behind!" - she said, on the verge of tears.
"But I don't want to hold you back."
"Tomoki-kun, the main reason I joined the cooking club... was because of you."
"Hey, Ayame-san, if you say things like that, I might get the wrong idea, haha…" - I said playfully. "…Thank you, Ayame-san. But I'll challenge this on my own, so don't worry."
I can't burden her any more. Otherwise, I'll feel guilty every time I see her.
I need to handle this on my own.
"Tomoki-kun, I admire that you always take on challenges by yourself. But I hope you know—you're not alone. I'm here." - she said with a gentle smile.
Suddenly, I remembered the fact that I'm in another world. A place where everything is new, where possibilities are wide open. But nothing is ever that simple.
Right now, I'm far away from the people I cared about, people I looked up to. In a place where my common sense doesn't apply.
Despite that, I have to live—to embark on this new adventure.
I'm thankful for my mom and my friend Ryuichi. But Ayame-san… she made school life both exciting and peaceful. I want to treasure our friendship.
"I'm not alone… Thank you, Ayame-san. I really needed to hear that."
"No matter what happens, I'll be by your side." - she said with a big smile.
"Hey, are you trying to make me cry?"
"It's okay, you know? I'll offer you a lap pillow whenever you need."
"Haha, is that a reference or something? ...Thanks, Ayame-san. Maybe next time."
"I see… So, are you leaving now?"
"Yeah… See you tomorrow!"
"See you!"
We waved to each other as I left the school building.
"Tomoki? Did something good happen?" - my mom asked as I got in the car.
"Yeah, Mom. I realized—I have a real friend."
"I'm glad you found one."
So, Mom and I headed home.
"Mom, is my cooking really that bad?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I tried to join the cooking club today... let's just say I didn't leave a good impression."
"I see… Well, you definitely need a lot of practice. But you know, I enjoy teaching you."
"Thanks, Mom."
After everything that happened, I didn't expect to sleep so easily. But I guess... having someone who lifts you up really does bring peace.
♦♦♦
"Good morning, Ryuichi!"
Everyone looked at me with worried expressions. Did something happen?
"Good morning, Tomoki… Hey, what happened in the cooking club?"
"Why do you ask? I mean, yeah, I made a mess in the kitchen."
"No, I mean about the Chief. What did she do?"
"She just asked everyone to make omurice and evaluated the dishes."
"Nothing else?"
"Well, she told me to take cooking more seriously, otherwise I might endanger people's safety."
"I think I'm getting closer to the real issue. So how exactly did she advise you?"
"I mean… she just talked to me. It was tough to hear, but she wasn't wrong."
"I think she might have said something rude, and you didn't even notice."
"Maybe. But I could tell she was really serious about cooking. Why are you asking?"
"Yesterday, the Chief resigned as president of the club."
"... HUH!? Why?"
"There's a rumor she made a sexist comment toward a boy yesterday. That's why."
"…Wait—was that me!?"
"I think so. That's why I'm asking. Don't you remember if she said something questionable?"
"My only guess is when she reprimanded me. But who would spread this around? I don't think a club member would…"
"Wait—you're thinking of something, aren't you?"
"Maybe someone used what happened yesterday to push her out. That way the president's seat becomes vacant!"
"...Are you serious? This isn't a joke."
"Come on, Ryuichi. Like I said, she only scolded me. I think people are overreacting."
[Morikawa Tomoki, please report to the principal's office]
"..." - Ryuichi gave me a suspicious look.
"Fine, you win. I'm going."
Seriously, what's going on? I just wanted to cook, and now it seems like I accidentally started a school-wide scandal.
But really… did she say something controversial? Since I don't share the same cultural common sense here, I might've missed it.
I guess I'll find out soon.
"Excuse me! I'm Morikawa Tomoki."
"You may enter, Morikawa-san." - said the school principal.
As I stepped into the principal's office, I was shocked.
Ayame-san and the Chief were already there.
"Please have a seat, Morikawa-san. We have a long discussion ahead of us."