From the Bottom to the Top

Volume 3: Chapter 3

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!”