Akeno sat on the chair while Alina partly leaned against the table, her eyes fixed on her. Akeno tried to avert any eye contact, her gaze dropping to the plate of food in front of her.
She noticed there were no utensils to eat with.
Ah, how do I say it…?
"Can I…please have a–"
"A spoon?" Alina cut her off. "Hm, guess you're somewhat similar to Gracie. Here."
She placed a spoon and fork in front of Akeno.
It's… not what I wanted… but… Works, I guess.
Akeno at first poked on the veggies with the fork, holding it with a sense of unfamiliarity. Then bit on it.
As she did, "Do you like it?" Alina asked without missing a second.
"Y-yeah. I–it's good." Akeno frantically nods while chewing.
Hearing that Alina's previous coldness disappears, replaced with a smile of warmth.
"Sounds good… And… what do you like about it?"
Akeno froze and looked up at her. Alina still had that warm approachable look on her. "Akeno, dear. Answer me." She leans forward.
"What do you like about it? Hm… I put a lot of effort into making this." she softly giggles to herself.
What do I say…? I don't want to say something that might not sound right. I'm not good at compliments.
"Akeno, dear. I'm waiting for an answer." Taps on the table.
"I… Ah… I like it a lot because it's… everything!" Oh please don't ask any more.
Alina leans back, "Everything huh…? Describe this, 'everything' that you say." Smirks.
"Well…"
Alina's smile widens, "Ha, it was quite a pleasure teasing you, Akeno. I'd ask no more. Eat properly okay."
Hearing that Akeno breathes a sigh of relief, under her breath, not too openly for Alina to see.
Alina shifts and now comfortably sits on the table, crossing her leg and kicking the air.
"I hope I don't mind you."
"N-no… not at all." Akeno doesn't look up.
Akeno continues chewing with insecurities. Taking longer to chew than necessary.
She is still watching me. Why won't you go? Please just for this moment.
While Alina continued watching over her without a word… Until now. Taps on the table.
"Akeno, dear. What do you think about my Gracie…? Hm… Is she rude to you?" Alina asked as she cracked her fingers.
Akeno stared at her plate pulse hammering, "Uhh… no… not at all. She's… kind and–"
"Tch. Dear, you know. I don't like it when it takes too long to answer a simple question…" She bit her finger
"And just thinking about it… Tch! Irritates me…" She takes in a deep breath and wears back the soft smile of her.
"Sorry about that. You know how it is, all the stress and… you… forgive me, okay Akeno dear." Winks.
"..." She's scary…
"Oh yeah, and you didn't say what you think about my Gracie sorry for the interruption, what were you saying?" asked as if in a hurry.
Akeno slowly looks up and their eyes meet again but couldn't keep up for long.
Huh, think fast! W-what should I say? "A-ah, Gracie is really kind and understanding, I think! And, a-and she helped me a lot. Ah, a-and she s-she–"
"Enough. I'm pleased." She giggles, "I'm really proud of my Gracie. She's really precious to me."
Alina's smile fades, closes her eyes and faces down the floor. "I want no harm visible to her. I want to keep her clean of all damages."
Reopens her eyes and looks at Akeno. "Tell me, I… As her mistress, I don't know much either." Giggles.
"Really. She's really good at keeping secrets. She thinks I don't know but I do."
Alina leans forward, placing one hand on the table for support as her other hand reaches for Akeno. Alina pats Akeno's head.
"You must've been through some serious deals right. I understand. You weren't sharing enough, as if afraid."
Alina gently by Akeno's chin and make eye contact. "Why avert your eyes, huh? Am I that scary to you…?" her lips apart during the silence.
"I understand I sound weird and that's why Gracie doesn't like me much. She won't say it but I know." Let go of Akeno's chin and lean back.
"I know it's my fault that I'm socially awkward. I can't even have a proper conversation with her! It's exhausting. Two years and yet feels like strangers."
Alina looks back at Akeno taking deep breaths. "... You should probably focus on your food. It's getting cold."
Akeno without a word focuses back to her plate. Is their relation really like that? I kinda feel bad now. Akeno looks back up at Alina who was still sitting on the table, kicking her leg.
"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just here, waiting for you if you want anything… Rice?" To which Akeno shakes her head, "No, thanks."
"No, nothing? None?" Alina blinks a lot at Akeno but she denies again. "No, I need no more… Miss."
Alina's smile widens with warmth, "I like hearing that. Gracie, calls me that too." She got off the table and stood up.
"So then, I'll be upstairs. If you need anything just call me. I'll hear. Okay." She runs her hand through her long hair.
"Thanks… Miss Alina." Akeno chewed slowly… Uncomfortablely. Alina stood there for a moment longer as if waiting for her to say more.
"Sounds good. Eat well." Saying that, she left.
Should I… Feel bad for her?