Reina followed a step behind, her elegance and grace in stark contrast to her husband. She always dressed as if she were attending a high-end fashion show rather than watching a challenge. Her perfect makeup and polished demeanor seemed so out of place in this sterile kitchen. Why even bother attending the challenges?
As she took her place beside him, she looked directly at me, her gaze lingering longer than necessary.
“Teacher’s pet,” Kenji said playfully under his breath, earning him a sharp elbow to his ribs.
Iron Face’s gaze swept across us. And then with dramatic flair he raised a clenched fist and delivered a triumphant pump as he announced the challenge. “Your second challenge at Kage Ryu is Ayatsuri no Odori!”
Dance of the puppets? What a strange name for a challenge that involves cutting fruit.
“If it isn’t clear,” Iron Face continued, pulling out three glossy photos, “today’s challenge involves mukimono.” He held the pictures up; they depicted various flower designs. The designs were simple, nothing with too much detail.
Reina’s words rang in my ears:The challenges are designed to be deceptively easy.
“You will be working in pairs.” Iron Face scanned the room. “One team will have three. Make it work.”
Kenji shot me a grin. We didn’t need to say it. We both assumed we’d pair up.
“But don’t get any ideas,” Iron Face added, his tone ice cold. “I’ll be assigning the teams.”
Just like that, a storm cloud formed over me, and the downpour began.
“When your name is called, join your team and stand to the side,” Iron Face commanded. “Team One: Sana and Osamu.” The two stepped aside without a word. “Team Two: Kaiyo and Kenji.”
My stomach dropped as Kenji gave me an apologetic look and joined Kaiyo.
“Team Three: Taka, Dori, and Hideo.” The trio exchanged quick glances before moving to the side. Taka and Dori had been inseparable since the program began. It made sense they’d be grouped together.
That left Jiro and me. The moment I realized Kenji and I weren’t paired, I knew I’d be stuck with Jiro.
“And Team Four: Jiro and Akiko.”
Jiro flashed me a cheeky smile as he made his way over. I couldn’t decide who was enjoying this more—Jiro or Iron Face.
“One of you will cut, the other will direct. A puppeteer and a puppet.”
Iron Face moved down the line, pointing to each group and assigning roles. In the trio, Hideo was designated the cutter, with Taka and Dori as the puppeteers controlling one hand each.
I was the puppet for my team, which meant Jiro would be guiding my hands and the razor-sharp knife they held. If he wanted, this was a chance to slice a finger and ruin my chances in future challenges. I had to stay sharp and control his hands as much as possible to avoid any so-called accidental slips.
Iron Face ordered Jiro to stand behind me, then tore into a roll of duct tape with a sharp rip that echoed through the room. He bound Jiro’s wrists to mine tightly, before wrapping the tape around our torsos, forcing Jiro’s entire body against mine. I felt the solid weight of him at my back, the closeness unbearable. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe it, and I sure as hell wasn’t ready for it.
Iron Face moved from team to team, binding them the same way.
“Well, isn’t this cozy. You the little spoon, I the fork you could never resist,” Jiro whispered, his mouth just a hair’s breadth from my ear.
I delivered a sharp elbow into his rib cage. “Don’t confuse cozy with consent.”
“Akiko, you never could resist a good fight. It always led to your surrender in the bedroom.”
I gritted my teeth, determined not to let his words get to me.
He leaned in farther, the warmth of his solid chest intensifying. The tip of his nose brushed against my hair. “You’re not using that shampoo I always liked,” he murmured, inhaling softly as if savoring the scent.
“Of course not, you idiot. We’re not allowed personal belongings.” I twisted my shoulder back sharply, catching his chin in the process. “And stop smelling me.”
“Feisty.” He chuckled, unfazed. “I’ve always liked that about you.”
“And don’t even think about trying to cut me with the knife,” I said firmly. “Remember, I can cut you back just as easily.”
