Chapter 40: Ambition on a Tightrope
Man, I was seriously sweating bullets. It was way too close for comfort. For a second there, I really thought it was all over.
I got lucky, plain and simple. Never in a million years did I imagine I'd oversleep on a day this important.
I'm an idiot. Complacent. I let my guard down.
Things had been going too smoothly, and without realizing it, I'd grown arrogant. A single moment of carelessness can end everything. And here I am, chasing an ambition that's basically walking a tightrope.
Showing up to rescue a girl looking this pathetic… what a disgrace for the next head of the Santoku family.
…Anyway, I'll save the rest of the self-flagellation for later.
Right now, I need to focus on what's in front of me.
Because the man standing before me is the final boss of the high school arc—Totsuki's former supreme principal, Nakiri Azami.
"…Hah… hah… Sorry about that. That seat's already reserved. Looks like we weren't meant to meet this time. If you'd kindly leave…"
"…Santoku, huh? I see. So you're the Santoku family heir, Santoku Shogo. I've heard the rumors. Quite the talented one, they say."
"Thank you… Hah… I'm… truly flattered."
"Are you all right? You sound terribly out of breath."
"N-no, it's nothing…!"
Crap, I can't get my breathing under control. Maybe sprinting across the rooftops for the shortest route was pushing it. My heart's pounding so loud I can hear it in my ears.
This is one of those situations where I just have to talk. I'll steady my breathing while I keep the conversation going.
"You're… Nakiri Azami, right? I heard you were… expelled from Totsuki?"
"Fufu, how embarrassing. But that's all in the past now. I intend to fill this world once more with true gastronomic excellence, bearing the Nakiri name. A grand revolution is about to begin."
From the sheer confidence in his voice, it's clear he's already secured the position of academy principal. Just like in the original story, he's successfully brought the Elite Ten under his wing.
"…Still, I never expected you to be so close to Erina. I'd be troubled if you were to have any untoward feelings toward my beloved daughter."
"You needn't worry. Erina is a very dear friend to me."
I lie through my panting.
Untoward feelings? That's all I've got. Snatching your only daughter is my single greatest ambition in life. Looking forward to our match.
"And I must say I was surprised. This morning you defeated Kinokuni Nene in a Shokugeki and claimed the sixth seat of the Elite Ten for yourself. …Just as I predicted you're dangerous."
At Azami's words, Hisako's eyes widened in shock. Erina seemed too stunned to even register what was being said.
The way he said "just as I predicted" means he's known about me for a while. Of course a meticulous man like him would keep tabs on the Santoku heir—the only family capable of opposing the Nakiris—once I enrolled at Totsuki. Honestly, I'd be annoyed if he hadn't. I can read a clever opponent's moves all day long, but an idiot's? Totally unpredictable.
"…In any case, I must ask you to decline tonight's dinner. There appear to be no other seats available. Entirely your own fault for not making a reservation, Nakiri-san."
"My, my, how harsh. …Very well, I shall take my leave as you suggest. I may not have tasted the food, but I did get to see my daughter looking so lively. That's satisfaction enough for today."
Yeah, yeah, keep pretending you didn't just lose. Acting all cool after throwing a tantrum like a kid who didn't make a reservation.
"…It seems my escort has arrived. Did you call them?"
"As if. I'm not that free."
Who the hell has time for that? I was running for my life. I sprinted like goddamn Hermes.
"Well then, I suppose I'll greet my father-in-law after so long. …Erina. We'll be able to spend time together again soon. Until then."
"…! …F-Fa…ther…"
With a dramatic flutter of his long black coat, Azami left the restaurant, leaving behind words clearly meant to terrorize Erina.
Brainwashing a child before their mind has fully matured is extremely effective. It's like forcibly painting your own colors onto a blank canvas. I get the logic, but personally I prefer covering the whole thing in my own shade. Still, doing something like that to a kid is just creepy. How does a man do that to his own daughter? He'd rank at the very top of the toxic-parent charts, no question.
Finally my breathing evened out and my heartbeat calmed.
I placed a hand on Hisako's shoulder—she was teary-eyed and flushed—and gave her a reassuring pat before turning to Erina, who had slumped to the floor.
"Nakiri-san. It's okay now."
"…S-Santoku… I… I…"
"It's all right. Take slow, deep breaths. I'm right here."
"…Th… thank you."
I gently laid my hand over hers and spoke in a soothing voice. She looked like she was on the verge of hyperventilating, so I guided her breathing. See? Dependable guy, right? Hoping my favorability would skyrocket, I used my free hand to rub slow circles on her back.
Outside, Totsuki's current principal, Nakiri Senzamon, should have arrived by now. He was probably presenting the Elite Ten's signed document for the change in command. None of that mattered to me, so I focused entirely on looking after Erina.
"Hisako, could you get her a glass of water?"
"R-Right!"
Hisako obeyed instantly, her earlier look of utter despair nowhere to be seen. The fact that my arrival had wiped that expression off her face made her unbelievably adorable. What a cute girl.
…Tomorrow the Azami regime officially begins. Time to tighten up. My plan has no flaws. The only possible weak point is the kind of complacency and arrogance I showed today. My real enemy is myself.
"…U-Um, Santoku?"
"Hm? What is it, Nakiri-san?"
I'd been lost in thought when Erina called out timidly. Crap, was my face scary? I quickly softened my expression, but apparently that wasn't what she wanted.
"Th-The… hand… your hand…"
"…Oh, sorry, sorry. Here, I've got you."
"I-I'm the one who should apologize…"
While I was distracted, I'd unconsciously let go of her hand. What she'd wanted was for me to hold it again.
Suppressing the grin that threatened to split my face, I laced our fingers together this time—properly, the way lovers do. Normally she'd blush and pull away, but right now she didn't have the energy. Erina smiled in relief.
…Yeah. A beautiful girl trembling in fear… that's pretty great.
Even though a revolution was brewing at the academy, the only thing in my head was how cute Nakiri Erina looked.
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A/n: 100 power stones = +1 bonus chapter. Don't forget to vote with your power stones!!
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