Stop holding yourself back

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10 chaps ahead on Pat.reon: pat.reon.com/MonkeyGodking

only 1 today, sorry I got surprised with work ffs

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Time passed

It was time for the Autumn Elections.

Hiro had went to watch the prelims with Zerotwo, they were both happy to see that all the Polar Star kids did well. Hiro watched Takumi and Isami in particular, he saw Takumi's Napolitan Curry Fettucine and Isami's Curry Bread Calzone.

He frowned at Isami and told Zerotwo to go watch the other events without him. She smiled and nodded, it's not everyday her Darling gets serious and manly. She was like a meek kitten when he was assertive, what a cutie~!

Hiro went downstairs and quickly found Isami, who saw him and stood up saying in english "Teacher!" Hiro looked around and didn't see Takumi, he said in Italian "Where's Takumi?" Isami responded in Italian "He went to find Soma."

Hiro frowned and looked at him before saying "What are you doing?" Isami was startled and confused as he replied "What do you mean?" Hiro said "Why are you holding back? That was definitely not your best." Isami stiffened and avoided Hiro's gaze as he said "That was my best."

Hiro stared at him for a few seconds before saying "Why are you lying to me?" Isami didn't respond and Hiro continued "This is a big chance for you and you threw it away! Is it for Takumi? Do you think that you're helping him by giving up?"

Isami continued to stay silent and Hiro shook his head saying "It doesn't matter if you're brothers, you should not be giving up for him. The opposite! You should be trying to beat him with everything you have! If Takumi finds out you held back and could've beat him or tied, how do you think he would feel?"

Isami said "But-" Hiro cut him off and said seriously "But nothing! What did I teach you? It was only for a week, you should remember." Isami said softly "The customers are the enemy and the dishes are your weapons." Hiro nodded and said "Exactly. No matter what you must conquer the enemy! No matter who it is! Even if it's your brother!"

He looked around and sat down, patting the seat next to him. Isami sat down and Hiro said "You should always give 100% every time you cook, especially in competitions. It shows that you want to win and want to accomplish your dreams." he shook his head and continued "Takumi is more talented than you and you think that he should get the benefits instead?"

Isami opened his mouth and closed it, sighing.

Hiro patted his head and said "Don't think like that. I've seen your progress, you work harder than a lot of people. Just because he's more talented than you, doesn't mean that you can't get the same benefits as him!" he smiled and said "Look at me."

Isami looked at Hiro, who continued "I'm far less talented than Takumi and even you! I had no talent for cooking before, I even managed to burn toast." Isami chuckled and Hiro smiled "I worked hard for YEARS before I could even make a decent meal in this world."

He shook his head and said "You have talent, maybe it's not as good as other people, but you have a head start on a lot of them because you have the driven and heart to get better. That's what matters, not talent. I have a friend, he's much much more talented than me, and yet, nobody knows his name. He's not so famous, at least not as famous as me. It's because he lost his heart a long time ago, he might've found it after but he lost it, but it was a while before that happened."

Hiro smiled lightly and said "As long you continue to practice hard and try your best you can become even better than you brother. Stop holding yourself back, Takumi will be much happier if you can push him or even beat him. You're brothers, not master and servant."

Isami smiled lightly and nodded, Hiro ruffled his hair and chuckled "You look better this way, kid. At least I don't have to worry about being turned into a Buddhist when you're like this." Isami stiffened and said "I'm not a Buddhist!" Hiro stood up and laughed "SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE, and I'm not a chef~" as he walked out the door and disappeared, leaving Isami with clenched fists, muttering "Damn old man, I'm not a Buddhist, you're the Buddhist!"