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Disclaimer: I don't own Tokidoki Bosotto Roshiago de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san or any of its characters...
Later that evening, Masachika would end up making almost everyone at the table turn to him in surprise, when he chose to sit with them for dinner instead of being with Alisa at the couch.
"Woah… you're not eating with Kujou-san today? This is surprising for you," Nonoa whistled in amazement. "You've been hanging around with her a lot more for the past week and a half."
Masachika shrugged, seeing nothing wrong with his decision today. "It's been a while since I've eaten with everyone, that's all. Is it that surprising?"
"Yeah, Here I thought you forgot all about us, especially your sister, because you were more focused on Kujou-san."
"You speak as if you actually care," he remarked.
"Heh, at least we know that you can focus on several things instead of only one. Don't forget what we'll be doing tomorrow, got it?" Chisaki reminded him with a knowing look.
He nodded. "You don't need to tell me twice, Sarashina-senpai."
The whole group proceeded on with their dinner, which was as uplifting and jovial as ever, in spite of their current circumstances.
On the other side of the fence, Alya sat alone at the couch, which was her exact situation before Masachika began spending his meals with her. She ate at a very slow pace, as if all the energy had been sucked out of her body.
"Oh, thanks again for the help today, Ayano. It would have taken more than an hour if I did the cleaning by myself," Masachika spoke again a while later, sending a thankful glance at the maid who was actually eating with them.
Way back then, Ayano actually insisted that she will eat only after everyone else is finished with their respective meals, despite the precarious situation that they were in.
However, Yuki put a stop to that line of thinking immediately, ordering Ayano to eat with them the moment food is on the table.
Ayano couldn't do anything against that, and so she began joining everyone else when it's time to eat.
As for the maid herself, she was a little surprised at his sudden statement and a bit overwhelmed at the attention she received for it, that she felt lost on what to say for a while.
But Ayano was able to recover and deliver a proper response in record time. "You can be assured that I will help whenever you need assistance, Masachika-sama."
"I know you will. Maybe I'll ask you when it's my turn to do the housecleaning again," he smiled.
"Only say the word, Masachika-sama."
"Oi, oi, am I actually seeing some development between you and Ayano, Onii-chan? It's been so long since the last time this happened."
Yuki, who was sitting beside her servant, bore a teasing grin on her face which quickly drew the attention of her brother.
"What are you talking about?"
"While we've been stuck here, you've talked to all of us at least once, except for Ayano. I was starting to think that you might not even be aware that she was here the entire time," Yuki explained.
"I literally watched her get slapped by Alya a week ago," he deadpanned in his mind. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm just thanking Ayano for the help she gave me."
"Details, details. Anyway, if you want to thank her properly, then come over here, pat her head, and show your appreciation! This is the first time you've talked to her up close while we're in this place. Come on, Ayano will love it!"
Yuki beckoned for him to come over to their side of the table while holding Ayano's shoulders, as Masachika gave her an 'are you serious' look.
"There is no need for that, Yuki-sama. Being able to serve you and Masachika-sama as a loyal servant is all that matters to me," Ayano coolly replied, although a small part of her couldn't help but wonder what it's like to get patted on the head by one of the people she idolized.
"No, no, Suou-chan has a point!" Chisaki grinned before nudging the young man with her shoulder. "Go on, give her some well-deserved appreciation, Kuze-kun. It's thanks to Ayano-chan that you were able to help me finish the raft and clean this place at the same time."
"Ugh, fine…" he rolled his eyes and relented, seeing as he was fighting a losing battle here.
"Hoho, this should be a good source of entertainment~" Nonoa snickered.
Masachika went over to the other side where Ayano and Yuki were. His sister adjusted Ayano's seat so that she was facing him, leaving the maid with no possible chance of escaping.
Ayano wished to herself that there was a way for her to be free from this embarrassing situation, but that went up in smoke when Masachika's hand descended on the crown of her head and gently ruffled her hair.
"No, no, that won't do, Masachika-kun~" Yuki wagged her finger. "You have to make up for all the time you spent ignoring her like she doesn't exist!"
"Well then, what else do you want me to do?" he spoke in an irate tone.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe compliment her? Anything that shows you appreciate Ayano's presence!"
Masachika rolled his eyes before deciding to just get this over with. Besides, there's a bit of truth in his sister's statement too… he hasn't recalled a time where he spoke with Ayano until today, and that fact left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Uh… thanks, Ayano. You know, for… always helping…" he muttered while struggling to think of the proper words to say. "I'm sorry if… it seemed like I've been ignoring you this whole time. But I want you to know that you're an important reason as to why we're still alive and kicking, just as much as everyone else."
Surprisingly, it took Ayano a while to say something in return, because she became lost in the sensation for a moment and was unable to come up with a response.
"...it is no bother, Masachika-sama. I understand that you were more focused on things that hold more importance, including everyone's well-being."
"Well, I'm glad that everyone here can count on you, especially Yuki."
"A maid is always prepared to serve."
At some point, Ayano began worrying less and less about the attention this brought her and simply enjoyed it for what it was, even bowing her head as though she was urging him to continue.
Oh well, she tried to say that there was no need for this, at least. But seriously, a headpat given by her Masachika-sama?
Ayano would never complain about receiving such a thing.
Masachika had to admit, he actually ended up liking this more than he thought, because he did nothing but ruffle and run his fingers through the maid's hair.
Only when Yuki let out a playful cough that he finally stopped, which was also when Masachika realized just how long he had been patting Ayano's head.
God, he wanted to hide his face right now. If only there was a way for him to have Ayano's stoic nature so he can tread through the embarrassment!
Speaking of which, he turned to Ayano and gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry about putting you in the spotlight like that. I know you don't like the attention..."
"That does not matter. You can do whatever you wish to me, Masachika-sama. I am your humble servant who is willing to serve," she bowed in a rather enthusiastic manner, as though she had been re-energized by his hand.
"Why did you have to say something like that?!" he thought to himself incredulously.
"You certainly looked like you enjoyed giving Ayano a headpat because of how long you took~" Yuki grinned, before she stood up from her seat. "Therefore, it's your turn to get some headpats, Onii-chan!"
"No thank you. I did what you asked me to do, now can you just let me eat my dinner in peace?"
"Too late~ you deserve this for everything you've done so far, you know?"
Yuki quickly reached out to pat his head softly, preventing him from going anywhere… at least she hoped so.
"Enjoying it?"
"Not in the slightest," he groaned in displeasure, although he didn't do anything to stop her.
He could choose to end this right now and just go back to his seat where it's more peaceful, but… ugh, damn it! It does feel good to be acknowledged and appreciated like this, but he wouldn't admit that in front of everyone out of the embarrassment he'll feel.
He also won't give his cheeky little sister the satisfaction of being right, even if she was.
Masachika snuck a glance at the rest of them instead, and they had varying reactions on their faces. Chisaki bore a shit-eating grin on her face, Nonoa flashed a smirk of amusement, Ayano watched with a blank face, and Masha… looked distracted by something else.
However, the most surprising reaction out of all of them actually came from Taniyama, who had a tiny smile on her face. Though it was barely noticeable, it was still quite bizarre to see another expression on her face that's not a stone-cold look.
"What the hell are you smiling at?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sayaka's face immediately reverted back to being cold and calculating, as she pushed her glasses up in a regal manner.
"I do not know what you mean, Kuze-san."
Masachika felt the urge to call her out on her obvious lie, but felt that it wasn't really worth it.
Chisaki turned to the person sitting beside her and gave her a nudge on the shoulder. "You go for it next, Masha. You like giving him those headpats, right?" she teased.
"Huh…?" the brunette whispered in confusion, before realizing that she had spaced out this whole time. "...I-I'm really sorry, what is it exactly?"
"Er, Suou-chan was just giving Kuze-kun some headpats and I thought you might want to do the same," Chisaki explained. "Are you okay, Masha? You look like you don't have the stomach to eat dinner right now."
Masha quickly flashed a smile that one could perceive as fake to hide the distressed look that she just had.
"I-I'm fine. I was just thinking about whether we'll have to ration or not after checking the pantry earlier."
Chisaki noticed Masha's obvious attempt at masking her sad look but fortunately, her friend chose not to bring it up for now.
It made Chisaki consider talking to her sometime after this, though… because she had a feeling on why Masha was looking depressed.
"Well, if you say so. So are you going to give Kuze-kun some headpats like you always did?"
"Y-Yeah, sure…"
Getting up from her seat, the girl walked over to the two siblings with a clear goal in mind. As soon as she saw her, Yuki happily stepped back and allowed the older Kujou to take center stage.
"Uhm…" Maria uttered, raising her hand towards his head but stopping midway, as she lacked the energy to do anything else.
Masachika raised an eyebrow at her hesitation, "Masha-san, if you don't feel like it, there's no need to force yourself."
"No, no, you've been working hard, Kuze-kun. Even if I'm not always there to see it, I can tell that you have. Therefore, you deserve some headpats of your own!"
The girl shook her head to snap herself out of her trance, which is exactly what she needed to finally do the job.
"There. Good boys deserve headpats, after all…"
Maria had a smile on her face as she patted his head softly, but the young man could tell that she was still troubled by something and like Chisaki, he had a feeling what it could be.
From where she was, Alya watched the entire scene play out before her eyes, and felt nothing but a cold sense of longing at the sight of Masachika being with everyone else.
She used to tell herself that she can handle eating on her own, without anyone around. She thought that she could handle everything on her own, without calling for help.
But after getting a taste of what it felt like to hold back and rely on someone like him, Alya came to the realization that no man is indeed an island, especially for all of them.
The following morning, Masachika was surprised when he was the first one downstairs instead of Alya. The girl had been waking up earlier than everyone else for some time now, even if it's only to prepare breakfast.
That being said, Alya showed up not that long after, and he was even more surprised when she asked if they could prepare breakfast together.
Alya looked nervous upon asking that question and deep down, she dreaded the possible answer that could come out of him.
Her worries were quickly put to rest when Masachika nodded, and a smile of relief appeared on her face afterwards.
It was the first time she looked happy for anything lately, but if one were to observe closely, her expression was fragile and was hanging by a thread.
As they began to work, Alisa noticed that he was a lot more quiet this time compared to the past times as of late that they've been together, and it was starting to bother her.
Masachika would always strike up a conversation between them and consistently make attempts to try and amuse her, so she wasn't used to seeing him being silent.
"Kuze-kun?" she asked, turning her head towards Masachika, who was busy chopping several ingredients for her.
"What is it?"
"W-What are you going to do tomorrow?"
"Just the usual. Helping out anyone if they need me to carry stuff and if there's something that needs to be repaired," he shrugged. "Oh, and Sarashina-senpai wants to test the raft even further by sailing around the island. See if we can catch something tomorrow too."
"I see…" she mumbled before lowering her head, thinking of what she should do next. "If you want, I… I can help out too…"
"Wait…" he frowned in both surprise and confusion. "You want to come with us on the raft?"
"I could help in catching fish… s-surely, it would be hard to do when there's only two of you…" Alisa suggested while scratching her cheek nervously.
Masachika shook his head. "Your job is to cook here and take care of the farm with your sister, so there's no need. We can handle it on our own, Alya."
Alisa's eyes grew wide out of worry, as she wasn't expecting an immediate rejection from him like yesterday.
"B-But if we're together, we can be much more efficient, right…? I just want to—"
"Didn't I already tell you that if I want your help, then I will ask for it? I didn't ask for your help, did I?"
She tried to approach him, showing a look of desperation on her face but the young man saw her and instinctively moved away.
"Look, I'm only saying that if we work together… we can accomplish a lot more—"
"Can you stop? I don't want your help, got it? We'll be fine on our own without you," he spoke in the same cold tone that he used on her yesterday.
Slowly but surely, a terrified expression had taken over her features. She had already seen this side of him before, but Alya never knew what it's like to be on the receiving end of that glare of his.
Yesterday was the first time, and it only felt worse this time because Masachika wasn't mincing around with his words.
"K-Kuze-kun…"
"What the hell is with you? Didn't you say that you want to get out of this island as soon as possible? Catching fish with us isn't going to get you closer to that any more than helping me clean the house."
"I just wanted to—"
"Stop pretending that you actually want to help, because you and I are not the same. You said it yourself, remember? The sooner you realize that, the sooner we'll see eye-to-eye."
Masachika sent her one last frown before walking off, leaving his work unfinished and Alisa completely alone in the kitchen.
"What's going on…? W-Why is he like this? What did I do?"
Alisa asked herself while she stood there, completely frozen in shock and unable to say anything after that last statement from him.
"Кем он себя считает? I was just offering a helping hand… we're supposed to work together while we're here, right…? Everyone else said so… that's what they wanted… that's what he wanted too…"
She looked down on the floor as she did her best to process everything that he said, but all that she could understand from him was that Masachika didn't need her help.
He didn't want her help at all… like how she didn't need his back then.
"Okay…" Alisa tried to muster a frown, but it was clear that she was affected on a personal level by what just happened. "If that's… if that's how you want it… that's fine by me. I… I don't need you at all…"
…that's what she told herself, at least.
Because her eyes were dangerously close to shedding tears after that encounter.
The only thing keeping her inner dam from completely breaking was the food that she was cooking but even so, Alya felt like she just lost the energy to do anything for the rest of the day.
Translation notes:
¹ - "Who does he think he is?"
MINASAN, YONDE KURETE ARIGATŌ! AISHITEMAAAAASUUUUU! *starts playing air guitar*
-Lance