He went on to talk about the world of the elite, how they controlled the narrative. Chef Sakamoto and Reina—he said they were connected to powerful people, too many to count.
I couldn’t believe it. A cover-up? Was this what I was being forced into?
I wanted to ask if that meant his family was involved, but I didn’t. This wasn’t about blaming Jiro or his family’s status.
I was dumbfounded, to say the least, but I finally understood why the apprenticeship was called a shadow school. It wasn’t the NDAs that kept people quiet. Those who survived had a stronger incentive to stay silent: fear. I imagined the chefs who went on to great success had simply buried their memories, focusing on new beginnings.
But could I forget so easily?
What about Miyo, Kaiyo, Taka, Dori, Sana, and Osamu? They’d died. What about their families? Surely they had questions.
Jiro’s visit had been cut short. A knock on the door, and he was escorted away by one of the inspectors. I spent a few more days talking to them, but this time, I took Jiro’s advice on what to say. It must have worked because they thanked me for my time and never came back.
Miki was finally allowed to visit me, and I’d thought everything would be fine, but it wasn’t. I fell off a cliff. She’d got the worst of me as I sank into a deep depression, unable to leave my bed.
“Do you want more fish?” Miki asked. “I bought extra.”
“No, thank you. This is a very good breakfast.”
“Um…” She fidgeted with her chopsticks, a sign she had something serious to talk to me about. “Jiro’s been calling.”
I hadn’t seen Jiro since that initial visit because, well, I’d refused. While I appreciated his help with the investigators, I couldn’t forget what Jiro revealed that final night at the compound. I was still conflicted, unsure whether he was lying or not. So much had come out that night, not just from him, but also from Kenji and Reina. I struggled to keep their stories separated.
“He wants to visit,” Miki said. “He asks daily, but I don’t mention it to you because I know your answer is no.”
Part of me knew Jiro wanted to see me just to make sure I was okay, but I also thought it might be just about wanting a chance to deepen our relationship. And I couldn’t—not then, not with my mind trapped in such a dark place, not with my feelings so vulnerable. I’d asked him for time, unsure how long I would need—or if, in the end, I would say goodbye for good.
“He says he knows how you feel about him and wants a chance to explain, to answer any questions you might have. He promises that’s all it’s about. Maybe you should hear the guy out.”
“Really? You wanted me to break up with him the entire time we dated during university. Why the change of heart now?”
“Okay, don’t hate me for this, but because he calls every day, I started talking to him, asking the tough questions. And he surprisingly has answers—ones I think you should hear. If anything, it might bring some closure for you, about what happened at the compound.”
I couldn’t disagree with Miki. I had more questions than answers. Maybe a conversation with him would help my mental state. I agreed to see Jiro.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
A few days later, Jiro came over to the apartment. Miki wanted to make it a group thing—she felt I was too fragile to be alone with him. Mostly she was worried he would pull some type of dumb shit with me. I told her it wasn’t necessary.
A knock on the door, and Miki invited Jiro in.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” she warned him.
“I promise. Nothing stupid,” Jiro assured her as he stepped inside.
“Akiko, I’ll be at the coffee shop down the street if you need me.”
Miki eyed Jiro once more before leaving.
“Thanks for seeing me, Akiko. I really appreciate it.”
We took a seat on the sofa, next to each other. I’d made a pot of tea and poured us each a cup. We didn’t waste much time on pleasantries—I was eager to get answers. I’m not sure why I asked about it first, but I wanted to know what happened to the other apprentices. What about their families? Surely they had questions like I did.
“They did have questions,” Jiro said. “But it’s not something you’d ever hear publicly.”
“So, they fell in line like everyone else, bullied into silence.”
Jiro was quiet for a moment. “They had small, private funerals, from what I’ve heard. Just family.”
