E-book Exclusive Short Story: Yuri’s Surprise

“Mmm, nice flavor.”

“Thank you very much!”

The day before the social gathering.

Yuri was having the head chef taste-test the dish she was responsible for.

“But to suggest an arrangement this close to the big day… Hirano-san, you’re quite the ambitious one, aren’t you?”

“S-sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. If it improves the quality, everyone’s all for it.”

It was a great workplace, Yuri thought. Everyone banded together for the best results. There was no room for laziness here—just a sense of unity driven by ambition.

At that moment, Shizune appeared at the kitchen entrance.

“Good work, Head Maid.”

“Good work to you too. …Is this the dish for the social gathering?”

“Yes, it’s a poêlé that Hirano-san came up with an arrangement for. She seasoned it a bit richer, apparently.”

Shizune took a bite to taste.

In front of a nervous Yuri, Shizune chewed the poêlé quietly.

“The seasoning, aroma, texture—all excellent. …Hirano-san, what was your intent with this arrangement?”

“Um, I found out that many of the guests at this social gathering prefer white wine, so I adjusted the seasoning to pair well with it.”

It was a strategy Izuki had come up with.

The idea to tailor the dish to match the drinks at the event was Yuri’s. But when she mentioned it, Izuki immediately gathered data on the guests and the previous gathering, even analyzing the trend toward favoring aged white wine in detail.

Izuki was the one who laid out the concrete plan. Yuri owed him her thanks.

“I see. …Sounds like you’ve got a good consultant.”

“Ugh…”

She’s onto me.

But Shizune didn’t seem to be scolding her. If anything, she looked almost proud.

“This passes inspection.”

“I agree.”

Both Shizune and the head chef gave their approval.

Yes—!!

Yuri clenched her fist in triumph. …She’d achieved something as a chef. This would surely lead to being entrusted with more serious tasks. The Konohana family kitchen was a meritocracy.

“By the way, Hirano-san.”

“Yes?”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“…Huh?”

The question came out of nowhere, and Yuri couldn’t guess its purpose.

Still, she thought it over.

“White or red, I guess.”

“White, red… Hmm, a bit too flashy.”

Apparently, that wasn’t the right answer.

“I also like black. It doesn’t show stains easily.”

That was entirely her chef’s perspective, but…

“Black… Black, huh. I see…”

This time, the response seemed more favorable.

Yuri tilted her head, puzzled, as Shizune mulled it over.

“Um, Head Maid, are you sure I can leave it to you…?”

“No need to worry. When it comes to clothing, no one in this mansion knows more than me…”

They’re whispering about something…

In the end, Yuri attended the social gathering without ever figuring out what the two were talking about.

◆

The day of the social gathering. The kitchen was, as expected, hectic.

The guests were all connected to the Konohana Group. While it was rare for anyone to scarf down food so fast that plates went empty, dishes cooling off or plates looking uneven with only some items gone were common issues. The servers distributing wine had to coordinate smoothly with the kitchen to keep the food presentation flawless.

“Hirano-san, good work. You can take a break.”

“…Thank you.”

Someone who’d taken their break earlier had returned, so it was Yuri’s turn to rest. There was still work she could help with, but overdoing it might make the head chef worry. She figured she’d come back from her break a little early, discreetly.

“Since you’ve got the chance, why not enjoy the social gathering from the venue?”

“Huh… Is it okay for me to go out to the venue?”

“Of course. And maybe dress up in a gown while you’re at it?”

The head chef said it with a playful grin.

“A gown? I don’t have anything like…”

“You do.”

Shizune had appeared behind her out of nowhere.

Yuri was starting to get it. This woman was like a ghost.

“Here’s your dress, Hirano-san.”

Shizune presented a black gown to Yuri.

“…What?”

“A surprise from all the chefs. …This time, Hirano-san, you took on a last-minute substitute role with a tough schedule. This is our apology and our thanks.”

The other chefs in the kitchen looked at Yuri with kind eyes.

“Th-thank you. I’m… really happy…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

This isn’t like me at all…

“Now, let’s get you into this and head to the venue.”

Shizune handed the dress to Yuri.

“Got it. …Oh, but there’s still work left, so I can’t stay too long…”

“Don’t worry, the worst is over.”

The head chef reassured a concerned Yuri.

“We’re counting on you to keep working hard, Hirano-san… but I think it’d be good for you to experience the social gathering from the guests’ perspective just once. Walk around the grand venue, mingle, and when you take a moment to relax, think about the kind of dish you’d want to reach for. That kind of insight will come to you.”

“…I understand.”

She felt a little like she was being swept along, but for now, she’d let herself be carried away.

This was a great workplace.

She was deeply grateful to Izuki for giving her the opportunity to work here. …Though, knowing Izuki, he’d probably say something like, “It’s because of all the effort you’ve put in, Yuri.”