Chapter 25: From Competition to Compassion
The day of the competition dawned bright and clear, filled with excitement and anticipation. The spacious hall buzzed with energy, adorned with colorful banners and flags from various culinary schools and independent chefs. Ashi and Haari arrived early, their nerves and excitement mingling as they took in the scene.
Ashi adjusted her apron, her hands trembling slightly. She glanced at Haari, who was meticulously organizing their ingredients from his seat among the audience. Though the competition rules prohibited outside assistance, Haari’s supportive presence was a comforting constant.
“Everything looks great, Haari,” Ashi said, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. “I’m really glad we had that last practice session.”
Haari offered a reassuring smile from the crowd. “We’ve got this. Just remember, it’s about showcasing what we’ve worked so hard on. Stick to the plan, and it’ll all come together.”
As the competitors began their preparations, Haari watched Ashi with quiet pride, offering silent encouragement. The official announcement came over the loudspeakers, signaling the start of the competition. Ashi and Haari exchanged determined looks through the barrier separating them, a mutual understanding of the stakes at hand.
In the middle of the competition, Haari's phone rang. He pulled it out to see Rafta's name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Rafta,” Haari answered, stepping away from his seat in the audience.
“Haari, I’m really sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got an urgent issue at the office,” Rafta’s voice was tinged with stress. “A major client’s project has hit a snag. The team is swamped, and they need you to come in right away.”
Haari’s heart sank. “But the competition—Ashi’s counting on me to be here.”
“I understand, but this is critical. If we don’t handle this immediately, we could lose the client,” Rafta explained urgently. “I know it’s a terrible time, but I really need you.”
Haari glanced back at Ashi, who was deeply engrossed in her work. Reluctantly, he said, “Alright, I’ll head to the office. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.”
After hanging up, Haari made his way to the office, dealing with the urgent situation as swiftly as possible. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Ashi and the competition. He finished his tasks with a sense of urgency and rushed back to Ashi’s apartment.
When Haari arrived, the apartment was dark and empty. The competition had ended hours ago. Haari’s worry grew as he knocked on the door and rang the bell, receiving no response. He asked Ashi’s neighbor, an elderly woman, if she had seen her.
The neighbor looked concerned. “I haven’t seen her since the competition. She should have been back by now. I’m worried about her too.”
Alarmed, Haari began a frantic search, calling Ashi’s phone repeatedly with no answer. His anxiety escalated as he combed the streets and nearby areas.
After searching for half an hour, Haari finally reached the river bridge. There, he saw a figure standing on the railing. His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the silhouette of a woman. It looked as if she was about to jump.
Haari’s heart raced as he tried to cross the road, the heavy traffic making it nearly impossible. “Come on, come on!” he urged himself, weaving between cars and sprinting across the road. The cacophony of honking horns and screeching brakes made it difficult to focus, but he pressed on with single-minded determination.
Just as Haari managed to cross halfway, the woman made a sudden, heart-stopping leap into the river below. Time seemed to freeze as Haari’s stomach dropped. Without a second thought, he dashed the remaining distance and hurled himself off the bridge, plunging into the cold, dark water.
The shock of the cold water hit him like a wave, but Haari’s fear quickly gave way to sheer resolve. He swam with all his strength, slicing through the water with urgency. The night was pitch-black, the river’s surface barely visible, but Haari’s focus was fixed on the struggling figure ahead.
As he reached the woman, who was flailing and sobbing uncontrollably, Haari grabbed her with a firm grip. Her face was wet with tears and river water, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and despair.
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When they finally reached the riverbank, Haari was stunned to see that the woman was Ashi. His shock and relief collided as he realized the person he had risked everything to save was someone he knew.
“Why did you jump?” he asked urgently, trying to keep his voice steady amidst the chaos.
Ashi, her tears mingling with the river water, explained between sobs, “I lost the competition. Despite all the support and effort you made, I couldn’t win. I didn’t have the strength to face you after that.”
Haari held her tightly, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance. “So what if you lost? You gave it your all. It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about doing your best and moving forward. I’m proud of you for everything you did. To me, and to everyone else who matters, you’re already a winner.”
Comforted by Haari’s words, Ashi began to calm down. He guided her back to her apartment and said, “And Nicawa-san, please don’t do anything like this again. Everyone’s life is precious, and losing one competition isn’t the end. As long as you’re breathing, you have infinite chances to achieve your goals. So be careful next time, okay?”
Ensuring she was safe and settled, Haari finally headed back to his own place. Exhausted and drenched, he collapsed into bed, feeling the chill from the river water seep into his bones. Despite catching a cold, he didn’t mind. The day’s events had reinforced a powerful lesson: true victory lies not in accolades or titles but in the courage to face challenges and the strength to support one another.
The morning after the competition, Ashi arrived at the office with a determined, if weary, smile. The familiar hum of activity and the sight of her colleagues was a comforting return to normalcy.
As she walked in, Rafta and Oki looked up from their desks, their expressions shifting from surprise to curiosity.
“Nicawa-san! You’re here,” Rafta exclaimed, his face lighting up with a mix of relief and curiosity. “How did it go?”
Ashi took a deep breath, her smile steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes. “I didn’t win the competition, Densi-san. I gave it my best, but it wasn’t enough. However, I have no regrets. I’m just happy to have participated and learned so much.”
Oki, who had been listening intently, nodded with genuine admiration. “It’s great that you’re taking it in stride. Competitions can be tough, but it sounds like you handled it well.”
Ashi’s smile faltered slightly as she looked around. “By the way, isn't Kichiro-san here today?”
Rafta frowned. “He called me this morning. He said he was feeling under the weather but didn’t go into details.”
Ashi’s concern deepened. “I hope he’s okay.”
Later that evening, Ashi couldn’t shake her worry about Haari. Deciding to check on him, she made her way to his apartment. The sun had set, and the cool evening air felt crisp against her skin. As she approached his door, she took a deep breath, hoping for the best but bracing herself for the worst.
Ashi knocked softly, and after a moment, she heard shuffling from inside. The door creaked open, revealing Haari standing there with a pale face and a mask over his mouth. He looked disheveled, his eyes barely open.
“Kichiro-san!” Ashi gasped, taking in his condition. “You’re burning up with fever!”
Haari attempted a weak smile, his voice barely audible. “Nicawa-san, what are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you,” Ashi said, her voice laced with concern. “You didn’t come to the office today, and I was worried.”
Haari waved off her concern with a feeble gesture. “It’s just a little fever. I took the day off and informed Rafta. It’s nothing to worry about.”
Ashi’s eyes softened as she stepped inside. “Is it because of me? Because you jumped into the river to save me last night?”
Haari shook his head, though it seemed to take considerable effort. “No, it’s not because of that. I just caught a cold. I’ll be fine soon.”
Ashi’s gaze was resolute as she looked at him. “I was a fool for letting you go home last night while you were so cold and wet. It’s all my fault.”
“Not at all,” Haari protested weakly. “I took some medicine, and I’ll recover soon enough. You don’t have to—”
“Did you eat anything?” Ashi interrupted, her tone firm.
Haari shook his head. “No, I just ordered some food. It should be here soon.”
“No,” Ashi said firmly. “Outside food isn’t healthy, especially not when you’re sick. You need nutritious food. I’ll make something for you. Now, lie down and rest.”
“But I’ve already—” Haari started to protest, but Ashi’s determined look silenced him.
“I don’t like repeating myself,” Ashi said, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Just lie down and wait.”
Ashi moved quickly around the small kitchen, preparing
a simple, nourishing meal. Within a short while, she had a steaming bowl of soup and a plate of comfort food ready. She carried the food to Haari’s bed and set it down beside him.
“Here you go,” Ashi said gently. “I’ll feed you. It’s important you eat something nutritious.”
Haari tried to insist, “Nicawa-san, there’s no need for that. I can eat by myself.”
But Ashi wasn’t deterred. “I insist. You need to rest, and I want to make sure you get proper nourishment.”
She carefully spoon-fed Haari, her hands steady and gentle. Once he finished the meal, she collected the dishes and cleaned up, her movements efficient and caring.
As she finished, she turned to Haari, who was now lying back with a more comfortable expression. “Kichiro-san, I’m going to head out now. I’ve left a water bottle and some medicine on the table beside your bed. Please take care of yourself, and call me if you need anything.”
Haari managed a weak but sincere smile. “Thank you, Nicawa-san. Be safe on your way home.”
Ashi nodded, her expression softening. “Just focus on getting better. Rest well, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.”
With that, Ashi left the apartment, feeling a mix of relief and concern. As she walked away, she was comforted by the knowledge that she had taken steps to care for Haari, even as she hoped for a swift recovery for the kind-hearted friend who had been there for her in her own time of need.
To be continue.............