Ryo prepared himself to have an earful after Alice came back from her date. He had expected her to go on and on, sparing no detail, no matter how the date went because that's what she did whenever anything remotely interesting happened in his absence. He had run through all the possible scenarios in his head and believed he was prepared for the worst (in Ryo mind that was Alice gushing over the blue-eyed chef and giving him all the intimate details of her rendezvous.)
What he never expected was for her to say nothing.
"Oh it went ok," Alice replied absently before disappearing into her bedroom. He swore he heard her humming before the shower turned on.
And since that night, his mistress had been parading around the house with a cheery glow like she was dangling around some secret that no one else had the privilege of knowing.
Ryo soon realized how naïve he had been–––this was worse than anything he had imagined.
He also caught her a couple of times rushing out of the house without saying a word to him about where she was headed. When he saw that same white Rolls Royce pull up the house, he knew better than to ask. She'd come home with all sorts of boxes and bags that took a small army of servants to help her unload and bring back to her room. Clearly, her new 'boyfriend' had been sparing no expenses showering her with gifts.
The guy sure knew what he was doing.
"Does this taste like meat to you?" Alice said, breaking the dead silence in the lab.
She held up an apple under his nose. He bit into it.
It had the juicy crisp texture of a gala apple, but sure enough, it tasted exactly like thyme-roasted pork.
"Yes. But why…"
"You know the classic combo of pork and apples? I thought it'd be fun to just combine the two and make porkapple–or appork…"
"Don't expect either to fly off the shelves…"
"Hmph. I thought you said it tasted like meat!"
"That's not the point."
There was no point trying to explain to Alice why most people wouldn't be as thrilled as she was about meat-flavored fruit.
"Will you be coming with me to the fish market tomorrow? I know you wanted bass."
"I can't. Senpai and I are going on a drive––have you seen my meat syringe?"
No but I'll show you mine.
He knew his competitive instincts were getting a little out of hand, but it was all just so irritating.
"I'll go look for it," he said flatly, excusing himself.
"You're the best, Ryo-kun~" she called after him.
He was steps out the door when he found himself face to face with Senzaemon Nakiri.
"Master Nakiri," He bowed.
"Kurokiba. Working late again?"
"Yes sir."
"Very impressive."
"Thank you, sir. Can I get you anything?"
"No no, just going for a workout before calling an end to the day."
The old schoolmaster's will power admittedly impressive. He was in terrifyingly good shape for a man his age.
"Ah-Kurokiba. Have you thought about my offer?"
Ryo inched instinctively away from the door, where Alice might overhear.
"Yes sir, but I'll need some more time."
"Very well, but you'd best give me your answer by the end of the week so I can make the necessary arrangements."
"Yes sir."
Ryo recalled their conversation from a week before, when Senzaemon called him to his office.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Ah-yes."
Senzaemon Nakiri folded the papers he was reading and folded his arms across his chest.
"Young man, you've been at the estate for how many years now?"
"Most of my life, sir."
"Don't be so nervous. I just wanted to have a little chat with you, see if everything is satisfactory."
"I have no complaints."
"I see. Then I assume you are still content in your post?"
Ryo hesitated for only a split second, but that was all the seasoned headmaster needed to see.
"I thought so. It is only natural for a chef of your caliber to feel somewhat stifled performing the duties of an aid. Perhaps you are ready for greater endeavors, no?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Nakiri International is currently in the works of establishing new research center in Canada. The focus will be sustainable fishing and preservations of deep sea ecosystems. I came upon your research in marine biology and was very impressed by your work. After discussing it with my son and Leonora, we all agreed you would be the ideal choice as head of the research team and on-site fine dining restaurant at the new facility."
Ryo stood there, immobilized.
Senzaemon chuckled.
"Don't stand there. What do you say?"
"I—I should take some time to think about it first."
"Oh? What's there to think about? In my opinion, this position seemed considerably more exciting than Alice's laundry."
"I don't do that… Anymore."
And that was only because Alice decided out of the blue one day that it was too embarrassing to have a grown man go through her underwear.
"Well I must say. Young Alice was very wise to have spotted your talent. We were all hesitant, but she insisted you come and live with her at the Nakiri estate, and be educated with her at the most elite culinary school money can buy...Seeing you now, I must admit she was right, you've exceeded all our expectations."
"I am forever grateful for all the opportunities I've been given here. I owe my life to Miss Alice and your family."
This was the truth. His meeting with Alice had changed his life. Before her, he had nothing, he was nothing.
"I know you must be very attached to your mistress," Senzaemon continued. His tone became stern. "You've grown up together and you don't feel right leaving her side. But I think it's about time she outgrows her reliance on your services. Don't you think?"
Ryo felt his stomach tighten.
"Alice is an adult now and more than capable of handling herself. Speaking of which– I hear she's been spending time with Eishi Tsukasa. I think they make an excellent match, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know, sir."
"The young man is an exceptional chef and comes from a prominent family, just like our Alice... I must say I'm relieved she's finally taking her future into consideration. She'll be much happier that way. I might suggest you do the same, young man, and go where you belong."
–––
He didn't want to admit it but Alice did seem happier lately– more eager, as if she was anticipating something.
The future. Maybe. With someone else at her side.
One that didn't include him, their endless bickering, and all those shokugekis that he'd just assumed would go on forever.
"Ryo-kun, I was waiting but you never came back inside. What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing, just tired."
"I told you to stop pushing yourself!" Alice barked and gave him a hard slap on the back. "Go to bed this instant!"
"Yes miss…"
"Hurry!"
"Fine."
Ryo felt Alice's gaze on him the whole way back to his room.
He could always count on her to go out of her way to make sure everything was exactly how she wanted it. He knew his obsession was winning, but for her, it was about control.
Maybe it was naïve after all to assume she kept him around all these years because she needed him. Maybe all she really wanted was control.
Ryo jerked to a stop.
"Hey! What was that?" Alice squealed, nearly running into him.
He turned to face her with a sinister look on his face and began inching closer to her until her back was pressed against his bedroom door.
"If you insist on following me like that..." He said menacingly.
"You'll have to go all the way."
Alice was speechless. Her pale skin turned a feverish red. She could hear her heart beat amidst the intense silence. Then, she pushed him away. Hard.
Ryo staggered back.
"How dare you talk to your mistress this way!" She hugged her arms protectively across her chest as she moved herself away from him. "I'll see you tomorrow when you're ready to apologize."
With that, she ran back to her bedroom and slammed the door behind her. Ryo stood behind in the hallway, his head down.
And I thought you'd never back down from a challenge.
Author's note: I always think Ryo's inferiority complex from all these years as Alice's subordinate has got to come out at some point, so in this chapter I really wanted to introduce that as a challenge he has to navigate before they can become a couple. Thanks for reading and for all the supportive comments.