Chapter 2. And then, the mother and her child locked eyes.

Chapter 2. And then, the mother and her child locked eyes. CHAPTER 2 And then, the mother and her child locked eyes.

After about twenty minutes on the bus and a ten-minute walk from the bus stop, Masachika finally stood before the Suou estate for the first time in years.

Ah…

Old memories of the home he thought he would never return to—that he thought he could never return to—came flooding back. Nevertheless, one thought in particular plagued Masachika’s mind as he intently stared at a grand gate leading to an impressive garden and the intercom that stood between him and the entrance.

I really wish I didn’t have to push that button…

Of course, he intended to go inside. He wouldn’t have come all this way if his resolve wasn’t firm… However, he wondered if he had to be so bold as to make a grand entrance through the front door. Wouldn’t it be perfectly reasonable to just call Ayano and have her quietly let me in? After all, she was the one who had invited him to the Suou household in the first place, so it wouldn’t come off as strange. And more importantly, it might help him avoid running into his grandfather or mother before seeing Yuki.

They’re the last people I want to run into with Alya here.

He didn’t know how he would react if he ran into either of them. He might end up blurting out something that would completely weird Alisa out. And besides, coming back to his childhood home for the first time in years—with a girl at his side, no less—was just plain awkward.

I’ll just call Ayano and have her take us to Yuki’s room. That way, I can go talk to my grandfather while Alya waits in Yuki’s room. All right, let’s do this.

But just as he reached that conclusion and was about to pull out his phone, a snow-white hand reached out from beside him and pressed the intercom button.

“Hey?!”

“What? You were taking too long.”

“I was coming up with a—”

“Master Masachika…?”

The person who answered was Natsu Kimishima, a Suou family maid whom he hadn’t spoken to in several years. Masachika’s breath caught, and he was frozen for a few moments before finding his voice.

“…Long time no see, Natsu.”

“Oh my. Oh my! Yes… Yes…! It has been too long! Oh, uh… I see you brought a young lady with you as well…”

“Oh, this is…”

While Masachika struggled to find an explanation, Alisa chimed in and smoothly introduced herself.

“I apologize for the intrusion this late at night. I’m Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou. I’m Masachika’s classmate and work with Yuki in the student council. We heard that Yuki got the flu, so we thought we would come check up on her, if that’s okay.”

“Oh my. What a polite young lady… Understood. Could you please give me a moment?” replied Natsu, perhaps having regained her composure thanks to Alisa’s courteous greeting. Once the intercom cut off, Masachika exhaled softly, then turned his gaze toward Alisa, staring at her intently.

“…What?” She asked.

“Oh, uh… It’s just…you sure know how to keep calm. I can really count on you.”

“…Of course. I told you already… I’m going to be here for you … ,” Alisa replied bashfully while averting her gaze.

“Yeah… Thanks,” said Masachika with a weak smile.

“…No problem.”

She turned her head to face away even more, nervously fidgeting with her hair…when suddenly Masachika lifted her right hand gently into the air.

“But maybe we should stop holding hands while we’re inside?”

“Huh? Oh…”

As Alisa looked down at their joined hands, a flicker of irritation knitted her brow before she looked away in a huff.

“I’m fine staying this way.”

“Wait. What? There’s a security camera right over there, you know? It’s going to look like I came all this way to introduce my fianc é e to the family. And we especially don’t want Natsu to catch us like this, either!” Masachika protested fervently, his eyes flicking nervously to the camera on the wall. He knew that Natsu could act as giddy as a schoolgirl at times—a striking contrast to her granddaughter, Ayano.

Alisa also shot a quick glance at the camera, then turned away with another huff, tightly squeezing Masachika’s hand as she whispered:

“ < I’m fine with that. > ”

Stop being fine with everything!!

Masachika screamed inwardly at that utterly explosive statement. Joke or not, it made him momentarily forget what they were even doing there.

You’re fine if there’s a misunderstanding? Seriously? Wait. Do you really want me to introduce you as my fiancée? You’d be fine if I was like, “Hey, guys! We’re getting married”? Natsu would be thrilled. That’s for sure. But you were just joking, right? Right?!

Though Masachika was staring at Alisa with disbelief, he couldn’t quite make out her expression with her face turned away. Still, even in the darkness of the night, he could see that the tip of her ear was bright red.

You were joking…right…?

Sweat began to gather in his palm where their hands were clasped. He panicked. A part of him wanted to pull away, but doing so now would be terribly rude. But even then, as they stood there in silence, he couldn’t help but imagine Natsu quietly consulting with Gensei, perhaps even heading to the front door together to greet them…

Hold up. I can’t just not say anything, or she’s going to get suspicious.

Masachika managed to maintain his composure, suddenly reminding himself that he had been pretending he didn’t understand Russian.

“I don’t know what you just said…but we should probably stop holding hands. I mean it. I don’t have time to go into detail right now, but the head of the household here would probably be pissed if he saw me stroll through the front gate with your hand in mine.”

Alisa shot her rambling partner a dissatisfied glare before abruptly releasing his hand. However, just as Masachika began to taste relief, she started fidgeting with her hair and muttered:

“ < You could have at least blushed a little. > ”

…Huh? Wait. Is that why she’s mad? Because I didn’t react to us holding hands? How adorable could one girl be? The thought rose unbidden as Masachika quickly looked in the other direction to hide his expression. He was startled by a sudden loud, metallic clang. The gate in front of them began to groan as it automatically slid open with a rumble. He exhaled, realizing the sound that had startled him was nothing more than the lock disengaging.

No. This is not the time to relax.

He was about to deal with his greatest karmic burden. He had always imagined that he would need tremendous resolve if the time ever came to confront his past. And yet…

Of all the ways I pictured coming back, I never expected to feel this way while walking through the front gate.

It was a surprisingly strange feeling, deflating Masachika the instant he walked past the gate.

“Alya,” he called out to his partner, his head still facing forward.

“What?”

“Thanks.”

“…Yeah.”

Her usual curt response made him smile as he walked toward the mansion’s entrance. Then, as if on cue, the front door swung open, revealing the man himself, Gensei Suou—head of the household and grandfather to both Masachika and Yuki. The very man who, when Masachika left this home, had ordered him to never call himself Yuki’s brother again.

“…”

Though Gensei’s unchanging, coldly calculating eyes pierced into him, he felt strangely calm, much to his own surprise.

I had no idea how I was going to react up until a few seconds ago…but I’m fine. I guess it’s all thanks to Alya.

Masachika truly felt that way as he continued walking ahead, looking straight into Gensei’s eyes, before stopping a few steps away from him and taking the initiative to speak.

“I apologize for stopping by this late at night. I heard my friend Yuki got sick, so I stopped by to check up on her, if that’s okay.”

Gensei glared at both Masachika and Alisa before responding to the impersonal, somewhat formal greeting.

“You stopped by to check up on her? Without bothering to call in advance or even bring her a gift?”

“I apologize. I rushed over the instant Ayano told me she was sick.” Masachika apologized sincerely, unfazed by Gensei’s cold remark. But as his grandfather narrowed his eyes further, Alisa stepped forward, positioned herself beside Masachika, and bowed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, and I work in the student council with Yuki Suou. I realize this isn’t an appropriate time to come over, especially unannounced, but would it be okay if I checked up on Yuki?”

Gensei shifted his gaze to Alisa, stared her right in the eye, and replied:

“I’m Yuki’s grandfather, Gensei Suou… You made sure to tell your parents you were coming over, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Uh…”

Masachika, who had entirely forgotten to contact Kyoutarou, grunted. With his mind tangled in countless thoughts and because he’d essentially lived on his own, the thought of calling his parents had never occurred to him.

Both his and Alisa’s jaws dropped slightly, prompting an increasingly sharp glare from Gensei, but just as Masachika braced himself for the scolding he knew was coming, ready to apologize—

“Just come inside,” Gensei said unexpectedly, and turned his back to them. He opened the door and stepped back inside. “We have guests. Take them to Yuki’s room,” he instructed Natsu, who was waiting nearby.

“As you wish. This way, please.”

After Natsu bowed politely to Gensei, she turned to welcome Masachika and Alisa inside. But as they stepped through the entryway, Gensei disappeared deeper into the house.

“…”

“This way, please.”

Once Gensei was out of sight, Natsu quietly set out a pair of slippers for each of them, which they promptly put on.

“Thank you for coming over today. Oh, Miss Kujou, allow me to introduce myself. I am Natsu Kimishima, Ayano Kimishima’s grandmother, and I work for the Suou family.”

“Oh, you’re Ayano’s grandmother? Allow me to introduce myself again. I’m Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou. I apologize for stopping by so late at night.”

“There is absolutely nothing to apologize for. I am sure Lady Yuki will be thrilled. She does, however, have the flu, so please wear these masks.”

“Oh, thank you so much.”

“Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. Now please, follow me.”

After accepting the masks from Natsu, they followed her deeper into the mansion.

“You really surprised me, you know? I never expected to see you here, Master Masachika…and with such a lovely young lady as well,” gushed Natsu, still facing forward.

“…Yeah, I’m really sorry about this. I know it was sudden.”

“Not at all. I am just so happy that—oh dear. I think I’m going to cry. I suppose this is a sign that I’m getting old.”

Natsu sniffled, making Masachika feel awkward. Fortunately, they soon arrived at Yuki’s room, where Natsu knocked three times. The door opened from the inside almost immediately.

“Yes?”

Ayano emerged, and her eyes went wide the instant she noticed Masachika standing behind Natsu.

“Master Masachika…”

“…Sorry I’m late.”

Ayano’s eyes glistened slightly as she lowered her head.

“Not at all… Please, come in,” she replied briefly, stepping to the side to make way for Masachika and Alisa.

I probably should have done this much sooner…

Natsu’s and Ayano’s emotional reactions made that clear, but those sentimental thoughts were instantly swept away the moment he saw Yuki.

“Ah…”

The small girl with long, braided black hair was lying weakly in a large bed. The faint scent of soap filled the air, and he could feel the humidity on his skin; all of it evoked memories of the past, stopping Masachika in his tracks.

“Masachika…”

Snapped back to reality by Alisa’s worried voice, he resumed walking until he reached the bedside where a chair was placed, likely where Ayano had been sitting moments earlier. His hand hesitantly landed on Yuki’s forehead, its gentle warmth against his palm making him bite his lip. Then Yuki slowly opened her eyes.

“Mngh…”

Her dim, vacant gaze stared at the ceiling before slowly moving toward Masachika. Then, in a dry, hoarse voice, she whispered:

“Big Brother … ?”

“ … !”

She addressed him just like she had when they were children, and Masachika swallowed the surge of emotion welling up deep within his chest.

“Yeah, it’s me… Are you okay?”

He realized how stupid the question was the instant the words left his mouth, yet seeing Yuki’s face scrunch up still took him by surprise.

“Yuki … ?”

“Uuu…waaah … ! Big Brother … !!”

Tears slipped from her tightly shut eyes as she wept like a child, her voice hoarse as she sobbed and hiccupped.

“Ngh … ! It hurts… It hurts so bad … ! Make—make it stop.”

This childlike behavior was worlds apart from the graceful poise she showed at school or the playful mischief she displayed with him. Her pitiful sobs were slowly tightening around Masachika’s heart until it felt like it was going to burst.

Why didn’t I come sooner…?!

He was unable to keep holding back, and his tears broke free. No longer aware or even concerned that Alisa was watching, he wrapped his arms around Yuki’s frail body and embraced her.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Masachika apologized repeatedly, tears streaming down his cheeks, while Yuki continued to whimper, perhaps not even hearing his voice.

“I can’t take it anymore… Why … ?! Why do only I have to feel this way… H-help me … ,” Yuki said between sobs.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry … ! If only I could take your place, I would … !”

“Mn… Hic! Uuurgh…”

“I’m so sorry…”

He gently rubbed her back. Through the fabric of her pajamas, he could feel the sharp edges of her bones beneath her skin, and the frailty of her body only deepened his sorrow as the tears continued to fall.

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.