It wasn’t just my feelings throwing me off. Jiro’s admission that I was the best chef had blindsided me. Why would he say that? How could he even know? No one had seen anyone else cook in a way that allowed for comparisons. And honestly, I was still convinced Jiro couldn’t cook. So what the hell was he doing here?
As I stretched, twisting my torso, the doorknob jiggled. The chair I’d wedged against the door held firm, as it did every night. This wasn’t new. Someone had been testing my doorknob nightly. But after today, I was done. No more freezing under the covers, waiting for them to leave. Tonight, I’d find out who it was.
I crept to the door, heart pounding in my chest. On the count of three, I yanked the chair away and pulled the door open.
Kenji stood there in the hallway.
“Good, you’re up,” he whispered, slipping into my room and shutting the door behind him.
“What are you doing?” I looked at him blankly.
“Shhh, keep your voice down.”
“Kenji, why are you trying to get into my room every night?”
“What? I’m not.”
“Someone’s been jiggling my doorknob every night, Kenji. Tonight, I finally opened it, and it’s you.”
“Yeah, tonight. But it wasn’t me the other nights.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
He hesitated, his gaze looking everywhere but at me. “I couldn’t sleep. I felt bad about our fight earlier.”
“Oh my God, Kenji.” I moaned. “That was hours ago. I’m over it.”
“Well, that’s good to hear, but I need to tell you something.”
“Kenji, can it wait until morning?” I stifled a yawn.
“It’ll only take a few moments. Please.”
I sighed. “Fine. What is it?”
“I love you, Akiko.”
“Yeah, I know. I love you too.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I mean, I’m in love with you. I can’t imagine my life without you as my girlfriend, maybe even my wife.”
My jaw dropped. Was Kenji really picking the middle of the night to confess his love?
“Kenji…” I started. My mind raced for the right words. “I don’t think you mean that.”
“I do! Don’t you feel the same?”
I took a step back, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Kenji, you’re sweet. And your friendship means the world to me.”
“But you only see me as a friend.”
“It’s not that.” I sighed. “We’re in survival mode here, okay? This, whatever this is…is what matters right now. Making it to the end. I can’t afford distractions, and neither can you.”
“I just don’t want to lose you again,” he said quietly.
“You won’t lose me,” I replied. “But we’re?—”
“Moving too fast?” he interrupted.
