Alisa’s eyes fixed on their embrace as a stinging warmth welled up behind her nose, blurring her vision while she blinked and sniffled softly.
Oh… They really are…
Only now did Alisa truly process that these two were siblings. She wasn’t sure how she had she mistaken them for lovers. The way they wept together and held each other could only be seen as familial.
Ah…
It all made sense to her now. Everything Masachika had said was true: there was nothing between them beyond familial love or sibling bonds. Yet this realization brought its own cruel clarity, for Alisa realized that Masachika felt no deeper affection for her than what he showed Yuki. Yuki wasn’t her romantic rival, but she was someone Alisa could never compete with because, for Masachika, Yuki would always be more special than anyone else—incomparable and irreplaceable.
What Masachika needs right now…is to be loved by his family…not me…
A chill spread in her chest. She wondered why she was even there. The thought drifted through her mind as loneliness consumed her, and, disgusted by her own selfish emotions, Alisa lowered her head.
“Alisa, there’s a seat right here if you want it,” Ayano quietly suggested, but after blinking a few times, Alisa shook her head.
“Thank you, but I’m fine,” she assured Ayano, lifting her head back up. Yuki had stopped crying and had drifted back to sleep, so Masachika gently lowered her onto the bed. He positioned her head on the pillow and drew the blanket to her shoulders, then dabbed away the sweat and tears with a damp towel, every movement radiating pure tenderness and care.
“…”
And then there was silence. Only Yuki’s soft breathing filled the air as Masachika gazed down at her while Alisa and Ayano watched from behind. Time stretched indefinitely, until a sudden knock broke the stillness. Ayano moved swiftly and silently to the door, and then a familiar, middle-aged woman stepped inside.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yuki—”
But the instant she saw Masachika sitting beside the bed, she tensed up and froze where she stood.
Is that Yuki’s mother…?
Recognizing Yuki’s mother, Yumi Suou, from the sports festival, Alisa glanced at Masachika, who was watching her with a somewhat stern expression, then immediately shifted her gaze back to Yumi…when it suddenly it hit her.
Oh… Right.
She couldn’t believe she hadn’t considered it until then. It was actually obvious when she thought about it. If Masachika and Yuki were siblings, then obviously, by extension, Yuki’s mother was also Masachika’s mother. In other words, the two facing each other now were none other than a biological mother and her child.
Uh… What should I do? Uh…
As the air grew tense, just like it had at the sports festival, Alisa, not understanding the reason, opened her mouth to speak despite the confusion. But before she could get a word out, Natsu spoke up from behind Yumi.
“Oh, Lady Yumi. Have you washed your hands? I understand you are worried about your daughter, but maybe you should go wash up, first?”
Yumi flinched in response to the older woman’s bright tone, and she awkwardly turned around.
“Yes… I suppose I should,” she muttered softly, before exiting the room.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Alisa shifted her gaze toward Masachika, who was already looking back at her, wearing a troubled smile.
“Sorry about that. It’s…”
“Oh, no. It’s fine,” mumbled Alisa while Masachika stood up from his chair and quietly approached her. Then, taking her hand in both of his, he gazed straight into her wavering eyes.
“Thanks for everything today. You gave me the courage to come here, and for that, I am truly grateful.”
“…! I didn’t do anything…”
In fact, she was well aware she had only acted selfishly. She wondered how many times she had thought only of Masachika and acted solely for his benefit.
I told him I’d be there for him and support him, and yet…
Disgusted with herself, Alisa lowered her eyes in shame, but Masachika simply shook his head and replied:
“You have done so much for me. I feel like I can get back on the right path thanks to you.”
“The right path…?”
He just smiled slightly and bowed without clarifying.
“Thank you. I mean it. I’ll be okay. I can face my past now…and I don’t want your family to worry about you, either.”
Alisa hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding, realizing what he was trying to say.
“…All right, I’m going to start heading home.”
“Sorry for putting you through all this. I’ll explain everything next time we hang out and make it up to you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Masachika lifted his chin back up with another faint smile, then shifted his gaze toward Natsu.
“Natsu, do you think you could take her home for me?”
“Of course. I’ll go get the car.”
“Thank you.”
“I appreciate it. Sorry about this,” Alisa said.
“Oh, not at all. Please stop by again soon so I can give you a proper welcome and show you some real hospitality.”
“Oh, wow… Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. Anyway, follow me.”
And so, Alisa departed from Yuki’s room with Natsu leading the way. But just as they were heading toward the entrance, she suddenly made eye contact with Yumi, who was approaching from the other end of the hallway.
“Oh, you’re Masachika’s…”
“Yes, I’m his classmate and his partner in the student council, Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou. I apologize for stopping by so late at night.”
“Not at all… Are you leaving already?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, well…have a safe trip home.”
“Thank you, goodbye.”
After they passed each other, Alisa, filled with curiosity, glanced back at Yumi walking toward Yuki’s room.
She seems like a very timid person—someone who avoids conflict… I wonder why Masachika always acts so hostile toward her?
Although she didn’t know why he acted the way he did, she was sure that he would explain everything to her one day, when the time was right.
“<…I know you can do it.>”
Alisa left her partner with those soft, encouraging words as she exited the Suou household.