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Disclaimer: I don't own Tokidoki Bosotto Roshiago de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san or any of its characters...
True to his words, Masachika would join Maria at the makeshift farm the next day to help her out, but also to talk to her personally.
He had informed Alisa beforehand that she could help someone else instead of her sister today, to which she hesitantly agreed to.
As much as she wanted to apologize to her older sister, it's clear that Maria didn't want to speak with her at all, nor listen to her.
At the moment, Masachika was focused on collecting the crops that were fully grown by now in a basket while Maria was watering everything else. It's a good thing that he was here to help today, because there's a lot of them that are due for harvesting and—
"Kuze-kun…"
Hearing the girl's familiar voice calling out to him, Masachika stopped in his work and turned his attention towards her.
"Is it okay if I confide in you about something?" asked the brunette, almost completely out of nowhere.
His eyes widened slightly, before putting on a more serious look. He was planning to initiate the talk after they work, but it seems like the opportunity to do so has just presented itself to him.
He nodded, "Of course. What do you want to tell me?"
"Yesterday… Alya-chan wanted to talk to me."
"Is that so? What happened?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"I… didn't talk to her at all," she muttered. "I couldn't do it… I couldn't face her… I was too much of a coward."
"You're not a coward, Masha-san. It's not a coward's move if you know you can't do it. There's no need to force yourself," he walked towards her and leaving the basket of crops for the moment.
Maria shook her head in denial. "But Alya-chan looked so sad… I felt so horrible… ignoring my own sister like I did."
"I remember you telling me you didn't know if you could face her yet. Now you have your answer, and that's not a bad thing. I'm sure Alya realized that your reaction was completely understandable after she left you alone."
"That doesn't really make me feel better. I know that there's a part of me who wanted to talk to her, but I still couldn't bring myself to do it…"
She let out a hollow laugh, while Masachika bore a conflicted frown on his face. As he expected, this was affecting Masha as much as it did to Alya…
"It's ironic, isn't it? Back then, I was the one who tried to get her to talk and now the roles have switched. I'm the one who's ignoring her while she's trying to get my attention…"
"None of it was your fault. And like I said before, Masha-san," he placed his hand on her shoulder gently. "I'm here for you. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here."
Upon hearing those words, the brunette allowed herself to lean against him almost lifelessly, forcing Masachika to support her entire weight. She also grabbed his arm and hugged it to her chest, while he simply allowed her to do what she wanted.
"Kuze-kun… do you remember when I asked you if you've ever had to choose between two people important to you?"
"I do," he nodded, while his mind went back to his younger sister and the day he left the Suou household yet again.
"How did you know that you were finally ready to face that other person?"
"...when I realized that that person needed me more than anyone. I didn't realize it before, because I thought things were completely fine between us, but I was wrong. That person needed me back then, and I wasn't there for them. I couldn't allow myself to make the same mistake again. I had to do something before it was too late."
"I get it…" she murmured.
"It's nothing like your relationship with Alya, though. You two can still fix this on your own, without drifting apart. You aren't living in two different worlds from each other."
"Even after everything that happened, do you really think we can…?"
"I doubt that a simple misunderstanding like this would actually cause your relationship to deteriorate. I also doubt that this is the first time the two of you got into an argument or misunderstanding of some sort."
Masha looked away, knowing that his words were true but unable to bring herself to admit it. However, Masachika grabbed both of her shoulders and forced her to turn towards him instead.
"No matter what you've said to me back then, you and Alya have an unbreakable bond. I don't believe that something as ridiculous as this can ruin that. You two just need to have a long and proper conversation so you can finally put this behind."
The girl looked up at him with wide eyes as he spoke, while he returned it with a determined expression on his face, showing the belief he held in his own words.
They continued to stare at each other for almost a full minute, and the tension between them seemed like it building up… until Maria broke the silence between them with a sigh of defeat.
"If Kuze-kun thinks so… then I guess I should just believe him."
"You're talking as if you don't have a choice…" he remarked.
"No," a ghost of a smile laced her lips as the girl began to be filled with hope, "I trust Kuze-kun with all my heart, and if he believes that everything will turn out fine, then I believe him. After all, you were also the one who finally got through to Alya-chan and made her realize her mistakes."
"Uh, well… I guess," he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, feeling surprised at the sudden change in her demeanor. "But I can't take all of the credit, obviously. You also worked hard for your sister's sake, and that's what's important."
"Kuze-kun, you can be so silly when you want to be," she cupped his face with both hands and brought him closer to hers. "We both know that it's you who accomplished what we were trying to do. And I'm glad that it was you. I wouldn't have it any other way."
This time, it was Masachika whose eyes went wide at her action but before he could say anything more, she wrapped her arms around his body and pulled him in for a hug.
"I'm glad you're here with us, Kuze-kun. I'm glad that you're here for Alya-chan. I'm glad…"
"Does this mean you're going to talk with your sister now?"
"I still don't feel that I'm ready… but Alya-chan is still my responsibility… therefore, I have to. I don't want to see her being sad again because I ignored her…"
He frowned slightly, realizing that he was back to square one where Maria felt too miserable to do anything. However, that was when he realized something strange within her own words and allowed him to formulate a proper resolution.
"Hm. You know what? I think I get it now," he spoke while pulling away from the embrace.
"Huh?"
"You're saying you feel uncomfortable facing her right now? It's because you're tied down by your responsibility towards her, Masha-san. You know deep down that you can't face her yet, but you're forcing yourself, regardless."
Masha frowned slightly, finding his statement to be utterly ridiculous. "It's only right that I do. Alya-chan is my sister, after all."
"The lengths you'd go for your own sister is admirable, but how about this? You can leave Alya to me. I'll watch over her so that you won't have to worry about your sister anymore.
Masha froze.
"Leave… Alya-chan… to you…?"
"I'll look after her for you. That way, the only thing you'll worry about is facing her again. Take as much time as you need to prepare herself and then when you finally feel comfortable enough to talk to Alya, you can approach her again."
"But I hurt Alya-chan when I refused to talk to her. I need to make up for it—"
"Don't worry about it. Like I said, just leave her to me. I'll tell her that you just need time. I'm sure she'll understand because after all, it's the same thing she went through not long ago. I assure you, Alya will be more than willing to give you the space you need, just as what you've done for her."
"...you've already done so much for Alya-chan and myself… I can't ask you for anything more. I haven't even done anything for you in return, Kuze-kun…"
"Save it," he shook his head. "Alya is important to me, so I would do it in a heartbeat. You're important to me as well, Masha-san, and if this takes a burden off your shoulders, then I'll be more than happy to do it."
"I-I am…?"
"Of course you are. That's why I don't like seeing you getting distraught over this. I know you as the gentle and caring older sister figure who's always so kind to everyone, including me. Being sad and mopey about something… as far as I know, that's not like you."
He squeezed her shoulders in a reassuring manner, while her eyes widened even more.
"Leave Alya to me. Let go of your responsibility and just focus on how you feel about your sister, Masha-san. Then when you finally feel that you're ready, you can fix things with her."
There was still a shred of doubt lingering inside her, but what exactly could she do against this?
What exactly could she do when Masachika was staring at her with an intense gaze? When his voice was resolute and showed just how serious he is? When his words didn't have an ounce dishonesty in them?
As much as Masha wanted to deny it, there was also a part of her who desired for this to be over because she was tired of it all.
Tired of the conflict, the misunderstanding, the loneliness, and the miscommunication. By now, Masha simply wished for all of it to end.
If Masachika can bring her the peace she wanted by watching over her sister in her stead, then she would happily accept his help.
"...if Kuze-kun insists… then I guess I can rely on him to look after Alya-chan…"
"That's all I needed to hear. You can count on me, Masha-san."
Masachika smiled at her, to which she replied with one of her own before pulling him in for another hug. This time, he wrapped his arms around her as well and returned the gesture, enjoying this moment with the older Kujou.
"Can we stay like this for a while, Kuze-kun…?"
"As much as you want, Masha-san. But, uh… what about the farm? You were watering the crops just now."
Unfortunately for him, the brunette wasn't listening anymore because she was already deep within her inner thoughts, feeling nothing but relief upon having a massive burden being lifted off her shoulders—
"Thank you… for being here with me… for being by my side, Saa-kun."
—by the boy whom she loved ever since they were kids.
Meanwhile, the pairing of master and servant were at the island's well with a pair of half-gallon containers. It was time to refill their supply of drinking water and thank whatever gods above that they didn't have to turn to the sea for it.
While they were waiting for one container to fill, Yuki turned to her companion with a curious look and began to speak.
"Ayano, mind if I ask something?"
"Certainly, Yuki-sama."
"How do you feel about our whole situation right now?" she asked while frowning. "I order you to be completely honest with your feelings."
Ayano blinked a few times in surprise at that second statement, but it didn't last long. Yuki knew her long enough to know her usual pattern of speaking and it seems that her master was serious about something…
"If I were to be honest, then it is quite alarming from the start. I never expected that we would end up in a dilemma such as this. It is also surprising that we have not been rescued until now."
"Yeah, I'm with you on that, Ayano. Your answer is pretty surprising, though. All this time, you've been acting like how you normally are that if you didn't tell me this, I never would have guessed that you were also affected."
"A servant such as myself cannot show such emotions, Yuki-sama. I can only be a pillar of support for you and everyone else."
"There's a limit to how much you can take before you feel that you're unable to take it anymore, you know?" Yuki remarked. "Still, I'm impressed with you. Everyone, including me, gave into panic when we realized that we were stranded in this place."
"No. I felt the same as you did, Yuki-sama."
"—but you didn't show it because you're just a servant. Yeah, yeah, I know already… you say the same thing every time…"
Ayano bowed her head, "I apologize for disappointing you."
"Do I look like I need your apology?" she sighed.
After filling up one container, they began to do the same for the other. It shouldn't take long for it to be finished so then they can head back to the lodge but for Yuki, this was an opportunity.
Yuki had something in mind regarding her loyal maid but in order for her to proceed with the plan in her mind, she had to make sure of something first.
"You mentioned it before, but what do you think are the chances that my family is dealing with something right now, Ayano?"
Ayano closed her eyes and nodded.
"I see no other explanation for why we are still here, Yuki-sama. Gensei-sama would have sent any kind of vessel to fetch us once he realized that we had spent more than three days here."
"Really? Can it not be a possibility that he just doesn't think I'm worth anything anymore, similar to how he views my brother? And so, he just decided to leave me for good?"
"If your grandfather has someone who can replace you as his heir, then I can see that as a plausible explanation, Yuki-sama."
"Yeah… but the thing is that my Onii-chan is the only sibling I have, don't have anyone else!"
Yuki folded her arms across her chest and laughed in amusement for a few moments, before taking note of the maid's presence beside her.
"...well, maybe except for you, Ayano. I guess you'd be the closest person we had to another sibling. You were pretty much like a sister to me growing up, you know?"
"I am deeply flattered that you think of me as such, Yuki-sama. But I am only your servant. I cannot be more than that."
"Yeah, and I don't give a shit about what you think of yourself, got it? I'm sure Onii-chan will agree with me when I say that you were an important part of our childhoods, and it wouldn't have been the same without you."
Ayano, whose face was as stoic as ever, turned towards her master who looked at her with a stern expression on her face.
"Don't you think about denying what I said because of your 'role', you hear me? I'm not going to allow it this time. You are and have always been a part of the family in our eyes."
The maid's expression didn't change, but she did bow her head and her succeeding words were completely different from the answer that she came up with in her mind.
"...thank you, Yuki-sama. I am beyond honored and lucky to have played a part in yours and Masachika-sama's childhood, even if I'm but a mere servant in your family."
"Heh. Onii-chan as well?" Yuki smirked, satisfied with Ayano's answer as she reminisced about her younger days. "I remember the times when he was still with us. Even though you were around me the most, I don't think there's been a time where you didn't answer him whenever he called out for you."
"It is the duty of a maid to always be at their master's beck and call."
"Yep, and I bet you must miss him being around the household. Am I right, Ayano?"
Yuki wrapped an arm around the stoic girl and brought her in for a side-hug, to which Ayano seemingly had no reaction to.
"Come on, you can keep on telling me your honest thoughts. I'd rather not make it an order—"
"I do," Ayano spoke quietly, almost to the point that nobody could hear her. "There have been times where I think about what would have happened if Masachika-sama never left your family, Yuki-sama."
Barely resisting the urge to grin, Yuki hid her rapidly-growing excitement behind a gentle smile and grabbed one of the water containers afterwards.
"That's all I wanted to hear. Come on, we should be getting back with these things."
Ayano immediately complied and lifted up the other container, while taking notice of the quick change in her master's demeanor.
It's as if Yuki wanted her to say something so specific regarding Masachika, but why?
"I have the feeling that the reason you spoke to me about Masachika-sama is because you are planning something that involves him, Yuki-sama."
"Hnm… maybe I am… do you have something to say, Ayano?" Yuki admitted with a shrug as they began the walk back to the house.
Ayano shook her head and bowed, "No. If there is anything I can do to help you, please do not hesitate to ask me."
Yuki stared at her for a brief moment, before a sudden idea struck her mind that caused the girl to smile eerily.
"Hmm… now that you mention it, there is one thing you can do for me…"
"Yes, Yuki-sama?"
"If I asked you to seduce and become intimate with my brother… would you do it, Ayano?"
MINASAN, YONDE KURETE ARIGATŌ! AISHITEMAAAAASUUUUU! *starts playing air guitar*
-Lance