NOVEL WEB Chapter 16: The Restlessness
It was early in the morning at the Kujou household. The soft clinks of dishes and the light hum of the kettle set a tranquil scene as the two Kujou sisters, Alisa and Maria, prepared for another day at school. The sunlight streamed in through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow across the table where they sat. Despite the calm atmosphere, there was an unspoken tension, especially in Alisa, who appeared deep in thought.
Maria, ever observant of her younger sister, watched as Alisa absently stirred her tea. She could tell that something was off—Alisa was quieter than usual, her sharp, violet eyes not focused on anything in particular.
“Alya-chan, you’re not having the blini today? You usually love it,” Maria asked, her voice light and teasing, though she wore a gentle smile. She had made the sweet breakfast specifically because it was Alisa’s favorite.
Alisa, still looking preoccupied, shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Not today.”
Maria’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes as she sat back in her chair, still watching her sister. “Eh? But I made it just for you, Alya-chan,” she said, her voice carrying a faint note of sadness, though she quickly tried to mask it with a playful tone. “You always love having something sweet in the morning.”
Alisa sighed and pushed back her chair, standing up abruptly. “I said I’m fine,” she repeated, a little too quickly, her tone sharper than intended. She turned her back, pretending to adjust her school uniform.
Maria, sensing something more behind her sister’s mood, tilted her head with a curious look. “Hmm... did something happen with Kuze-kun~?” she asked innocently, though there was an undeniable glint of mischief in her voice.
Alisa turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. “And why would you jump to that conclusion?” she shot back, her voice half-defensive, half-annoyed.
Maria grinned, leaning forward slightly. “Oh, I don’t know~. You like him, don’t you? It’s not a huge secret anymore, Alya-chan. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were... misunderstandings between you two,” she teased, her tone lilting.
Alisa’s cheeks flushed ever so slightly, a barely noticeable pink tint coloring her usually composed expression. “There’s no such thing!” she said a little too forcefully, her voice faltering slightly. She turned her back to Maria, crossing her arms tightly. Though she tried to sound indifferent, her heart skipped at the thought of Kuze. It wasn’t like she was oblivious to her feelings—far from it. But acknowledging them aloud? Impossible.
Maria’s grin widened, seeing right through her sister’s facade. “Alya-chan, you should really consider making a move before someone else does,” she teased, though her words carried a deeper, more serious meaning. “After all, you wouldn’t want to lose him, right~?”
Alisa scoffed, her flustered expression giving her away despite her protests. “Honestly, Masha, I have no idea what you’re even talking about,” she muttered, her voice betraying the calm front she was desperately trying to maintain.
Maria giggled softly, content with her small victory in the conversation. But then, as if out of nowhere, she casually brought up another name, her tone shifting slightly. “Or... is this about Arima-kun?”
The name hung in the air for a moment, and Alisa visibly stiffened, her back straightening. She hesitated, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no words came out.
“Arima-kun sure is a mysterious person, isn’t he?” Maria continued, her voice thoughtful. “I’ve only met him once, but he strikes me as someone who doesn’t let people in easily. He seems... distant. Like he’s carrying something heavy.” Maria’s tone softened, as if she were genuinely pondering Arima’s guarded nature.
Alisa was silent, her gaze fixed on the table. Maria’s words struck closer to the truth than she wanted to admit. Arima had been on her mind ever since their encounter. There was something about him—something she couldn’t quite place—that made her feel unsettled, but also curious. He was different, not like Kuze, whose warmth and easygoing nature were familiar to her. Arima was cold, distant, but undeniably sharp. And despite herself, she found that she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Maria noticed Alisa’s silence and smiled knowingly. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you, Alya-chan?” she said softly, though her tone wasn’t teasing this time.
Alisa clenched her fists lightly, her usual confident demeanor slipping for a brief moment. “I just... don’t understand him,” she admitted quietly, her voice almost too soft to hear.
Maria stood up and walked over to Alisa, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Maybe you’re not supposed to, Alya-chan. Some people carry things they don’t share with others. And that’s okay. But,” she squeezed her sister’s shoulder lightly, “don’t let it weigh you down. Focus on what’s important to you.”
“Important to me?” Alisa muttered quietly to herself, her mind wandering. Then, it hit her—her true priority right now. More than anything, she wanted to succeed President Kenzaki as the next student council president. That goal had become her guiding light.
And the fact that candidates needed to pair up for the presidency elections? It made things all the more meaningful because Kuze was her partner. She could still remember the day he promised her that he would be there through all her highs and lows. It had moved her deeply. Alisa wasn’t the type to easily trust, but Kuze… He had earned it. She didn’t want to disappoint him. She was determined to trust in both of their efforts, pushing her forward in the race to become president while Kuze would stand by her as vice-president.
Suddenly, Maria sighed dramatically, snapping Alisa out of her reverie. “Ahh, young love~,” Maria swooned like a character from one of her romantic dramas, her hands clasped together.
Alisa blinked, her mind still lingering on thoughts of Kuze. At first, she didn’t even register Maria’s words. She was too caught up in the memories of Kuze’s quiet reassurance, his steady presence beside her, how much she admired him—
“Kuze-kun is such a wonderful boy~,” Maria continued with a dreamy tone, pulling Alisa further out of her thoughts. “Honestly, I’m a little jealous of you, Alya-chan~. I wish I had someone as dependable as him all to myself,” she added with a sigh, as if she were speaking about her long-lost prince.
Alisa snapped back to reality, her flustered expression betrayed by the faintest blush on her cheeks. “Q-Quit your daydreaming, Masha. Whatever you’re imagining between Kuze-kun and me, it’s far from that!” Her tone was half-annoyed, half-embarrassed, but the hint of joy in her voice was unmistakable. “We’re just… friends, alright?”
“Sure, sure, if you say so~.” Maria shot back, her grin widening. “Oh, and for the hundredth time, call me ‘Onee-chan,’ would you? It’s practically customary to call your elder sister that in Japan,” she said, puffing her cheeks in a playful pout.
“There is no way in hell I’m calling you that, so just drop it!” Alisa retorted, folding her arms with a huff. “I’m going to school. You can stay here and keep living in your delusions.”
“So cold, Alya-chan! You’re making your poor sister feel so unloved,” Maria whined dramatically, clutching at her heart in mock despair.
“Whatever. I’m leaving,” Alisa grumbled, rolling her eyes as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. She didn’t even glance back as she marched out, though a small, amused smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Maria watched her go, grinning to herself the whole time. As the door clicked shut, Maria’s attention drifted to the large teddy bear sitting lazily on the sofa. She sighed and glanced at the clock. “She left a bit early today, don’t you think, Samuel?” she mused, talking to the stuffed bear as if it were her trusted companion.
Samuel, of course, remained silent.
Maria giggled softly, leaning back in her chair. “She seemed a little restless, though. Maybe I should be worried about her… but then again,” she glanced out the window with a knowing smile, “since Kuze-kun’s with her, I don’t have to worry too much. Right, Samuel?”
She patted the bear’s head fondly, feeling content. Life in the Kujou household was never boring.