From the Bottom to the Top

Volume 3: Chapter 2

Nodding to the direction of the stove, Alisa stood aside and allowed Yuki to get her share of today’s breakfast.

Aside from herself, Masachika’s younger sister was the only one who’s awake right now, but there’s no doubt that everyone else will follow suit. It’s the start of the weekend, so it would make sense for them to have a late start.

…not that it matters, because they’re still on this island, waiting for a miracle to happen.

Both girls didn’t say anything to each other, which had been the case ever since the incident between Alisa and Ayano.

While they have acknowledged each other’s presence at least, they haven’t so much as uttered a single word since that day.

It was an awkward atmosphere for two people who were also the leaders of the student council in their school…

It’s probably for the best, though. Alisa can understand why Yuki would feel angry with her until now, and she herself wasn’t going to waste her breath on an apology when the other party wasn’t going to listen anyway.

“Good morning, Suou-chan!” exclaimed Chisaki as she waltzed into the kitchen, looking more energetic than usual.

Yuki turned around to smile and wave at Chisaki, before taking her seat at the table.

“Morning, senpai!”

“Good mor—”

Chisaki’s words fell apart just as turned towards the Russian girl, before looking away and focusing on getting breakfast instead.

Alisa raised an eyebrow at her a moment, before realizing the reason behind the strange silence.

“Of course they’re still suspicious of me. Especially Sarashina-senpai. They think I can’t be trusted. Even Masha. They think I might snap again and give in to violence…”

After Chisaki was done, she joined Yuki at the table so they could eat together. Alisa followed suit but she didn’t sit with them; the girl sat at the couch instead, which was the place where she’s been eating her meals for a while now.

…well, it’s more accurate to say ‘more than a week’, but she hasn’t exactly been keeping track of how long it’s been.

This arrangement exists because of the atmosphere that takes over when she’s around. Although the others have never said anything about feeling uncomfortable around her, Alisa could tell that they were enjoying themselves more when she’s not there. 

And it’s understandable for them to think that way.

“But compared to way back then, it doesn’t bother me anymore. That’s because…”

Alisa looked up just in time to see Masachika — who had woken up and joined them for breakfast just now — standing before her with his plate of food in his hands.

“Morning, Alya. Can I sit with you?”

“...подходи себе,” she mumbled and looked away, a healthy shade of red taking over her cheeks. ¹

Despite what an individual would normally feel when they’re isolated, the girl didn’t mind sitting away from everyone else, and it’s because of the person who was sitting beside her.

Alisa turned her head slightly to steal a glance at him, and found herself smiling in relief… while being unaware of the words that were coming out of his mouth from here.

“...there’s someone who still accepts me. Someone who’s still by my side. Someone who protected me even after I did something horrible to him. Кто-то... на кого я могу положиться.” ²