Rising through the Omniverse as a Herrscher

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Masachika smirked as he noticed Kiana's expression twitch in irritation the moment she heard the familiar nickname.

"Stop calling me Tuna, you idiot!" she snapped, crossing her arms with an annoyed huff, her brows furrowing in frustration.

Masachika smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I'll stop calling you Tuna… when you finally beat me in a game."

Kiana's eye twitched, and in an instant, she was ready to throw hands. "You—! Alright, we're settling this right now!"

Masachika let out a tired chuckle, knowing full well that this was just another battle waiting to happen.

"Alright, alright, let's stop now." He waved a hand dismissively before propping himself up on one elbow. "So, what are you doing here, Tuna?"

Kiana shot him a glare, clearly irritated, but sighed in resignation. "Hmph. As if I'd tell you after that."

Masachika smirked, clearly entertained by her reaction. "Alright then, have a good day."

Masachika said as he was close the door, but just before he could shut it, Kiana yelled out.

"Wait!"

Masachika paused, his hand on the door handle. He turned to face her, eyebrow raised.

"What is it?"

"W-well, Mei-senpai and the others aren't at home right now… so…" Kiana stammered, her face turning a shade of red.

"So, what?" Masachika asked, a bit confused.

"Umm… can you cook me… some lunch for me…?" Kiana finished, her cheeks now a full blush as she nervously avoided eye contact.

"Huh?" Masachika blinked, still surprised by the sudden request.

"Wha—what?" Kiana stammered, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment, unsure if there was something wrong with her request.

Masachika raised an eyebrow, studying her expression. "Hmm, no. It's just that... no one's at home with you right now, right?"

Kiana nodded quickly, eager to clarify. "Yes. Mei-senpai and Bianka-nee went shopping, and Bronya and Sirin-chan went out to buy some manga and games. And right now, I was tasked with watching over the house."

Masachika leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied her with a curious gaze. "Yeah, I know. But why ask me to cook you lunch? Shouldn't Mei-san have made something before she left? And besides, you don't even know if I can cook."

Kiana froze, her eyes darting to the side as she fidgeted with her fingers, clearly struggling to find the right words.

"W-well…" She trailed off, her voice soft. The words were stuck in her throat, and she looked everywhere but at him.

Masachika could see her hesitation. He waited, leaning forward just slightly, his gaze steady as he anticipated the reason behind her request.

"W-well... she did make me something, but... without me knowing... it seems I kind of... ate the lunch portion..." Kiana mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes darting around nervously.

Masachika's expression softened slightly, but he couldn't hide the small smirk forming at the corner of his lips. "I knew it," he said with a sigh, as if the answer was almost too obvious.

He leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked at Kiana, who was now visibly embarrassed, her face redder than before. "You always end up eating more than you should, don't you?"

Kiana averted her gaze, fidgeting with her hands. "I didn't mean to! It's just that... it was so good! And I got hungry... and before I knew it, the whole thing was gone!"

Masachika let out another sigh, though it was more amused than exasperated this time.

"So, can't you just cook for yourself now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kiana shook her head rapidly, her hands wringing together in a nervous gesture. "I can't! Whenever I cook anything, it always ends up becoming... dark matter!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.

Masachika blinked, trying to process what she had just said. "Huh? Seriously?" His disbelief was palpable as he leaned forward, clearly not sure whether to laugh or be concerned.

Kiana nodded vigorously, her expression a mix of embarrassment and defeat. "Yeah! I mean, I've tried! I just wanted to make some simple rice once, but it turned into a black hole of disaster! And don't even get me started on my attempt at eggs…"

Masachika, hearing this, suddenly understood why Kiana had so much trouble with cooking. The Kaslana Curse. It was something he'd heard of before, though he hadn't fully grasped its implications until now. The curse was notorious for affecting the Kaslana family, causing them to inadvertently unleash chaos in the simplest of tasks of cooking.

Kiana gave him a hopeful look, her cheeks still pink. "Please, Kuze, I swear I'm not this hopeless normally!"

"Really? You're not hopeless?"

Masachika asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Kiana. He couldn't help but question her claim, knowing full well that while Kiana was energetic and skilled in physical activities, her academic performance was… less than stellar.

"Can't you just wait for Mei and the others to come back?" Masachika asked, his tone casual, knowing that Mei would surely be able to make something for her when she returned.

Kiana's face turned a shade of pink as her stomach let out a loud growl. "I'll be dead by the time they get back!" she said, her voice filled with exaggerated desperation as she clutched her stomach. "I can't take it anymore—I'm starving!"

Masachika, hearing her dramatic plea, couldn't help but let out a sigh, clearly resigned to the situation. "Sigh… Alright, fine. Come on in, I'll cook you something."

He swung the door open, stepping aside to let her in. Kiana hesitated for a moment, surprised by his quick decision but also relieved that he'd agreed to help.

"Ah, thank you," she said, stepping through the doorway, her voice filled with gratitude.

Masachika closed the door behind her and motioned toward the kitchen. "You can sit at the dining table over there. I'll cook you something simple."

Kiana smiled brightly, her earlier embarrassment forgotten as she moved to the table, grateful for his help. "I really appreciate this. I promise I won't be a bother!"

Masachika gave her a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated. "I doubt that'll be the case, considering you've already eaten the entire lunch portion before."

Kiana winced but took a seat, watching as Masachika moved into the kitchen. He immediately started pulling out ingredients, his movements precise and efficient. She couldn't help but watch him for a moment, surprised by how naturally he handled himself in the kitchen.

"Just sit tight, I'll have something ready in a bit," Masachika called over his shoulder as he began preparing the ingredients.

Kiana sat at the dining table, her posture straight and hands folded in her lap as she patiently waited for Masachika to finish cooking. Despite the earlier embarrassment, she was grateful for his help, and she tried to be as polite as possible while he worked in the kitchen.

Masachika, for his part, was focused on his task. He had decided to make something simple yet filling—he knew Kiana's appetite well enough to understand that a small portion wouldn't do. She was always hungry, and from his past experience, he knew he'd need to make a large serving to satisfy her voracious eating habits.

As he worked, Masachika was quick and efficient, moving between the stove and the countertop, chopping, stirring, and seasoning the ingredients with practiced ease. He glanced over at Kiana occasionally, noticing her curious but polite expression.

After a few moments, he turned to her with a smirk. "You're lucky, you know. This'll be a much bigger portion than you probably expected. I know how you eat."

Kiana's eyes brightened, and she leaned forward, her excitement barely contained. "Really? You're the best, Kuze!"

Masachika chuckled, shaking his head as he continued his cooking. "Don't get too excited yet. It's nothing fancy, but it'll fill you up."

True to his word, he prepared a large, hearty dish—enough to satisfy even Kiana's seemingly endless hunger. After a few more minutes, he placed the steaming plate in front of her, the aroma wafting through the room.

"There," Masachika said, setting it down with a flourish. "Dig in."

Kiana's eyes widened in delight as she took in the generous portion before her. "Wow! This looks amazing!"

Kiana clapped her hands together and cheerfully said, "Thank you for the food!"

Without wasting a second, she eagerly picked up her utensils and took her first bite. The moment the food touched her tongue, her eyes widened in shock.

"Unnn~ this is delicious, Kuze!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with delight.

She immediately picked up the pace, devouring the meal with enthusiasm. Bite after bite, she couldn't get enough, completely absorbed in the taste. It was far better than she had expected—so good that she almost forgot she had been sulking just moments ago.

Masachika, who was watching from across the table, couldn't help but smile at the sight. Seeing her eat with such enjoyment made him feel a small sense of pride.

'Looks like my cooking skills haven't rusted yet,'

he thought to himself.

"Slow down, you're going to choke," he remarked with a chuckle.

But Kiana barely acknowledged his words, too busy savoring the meal in front of her. Each bite was met with a satisfied hum as she happily devoured the food. However, in between bites, she suddenly noticed something—Masachika had no portion of his own.

She paused for a moment, blinking in confusion before pointing her chopsticks at him.

"Kuze, are you not gonna eat?"

Masachika, who had been casually sipping his tea, glanced at her and gave a small shrug.

"Hm? Ah, don't worry about me. I'll eat later," he replied nonchalantly.

Kiana frowned at his response, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "Huh? But why? Food tastes best when it's hot, and besides, eating together is more fun, you know."

Masachika waved a hand dismissively, his expression remaining indifferent. "True, but I'm just not hungry right now."

Kiana pursed her lips, clearly unconvinced. She eyed him for a moment longer, as if trying to catch any sign that he was lying. But when Masachika remained unfazed, she let out a small huff and returned to her meal.

Even so, she couldn't help but steal a few glances at him between bites, as if making sure he wasn't secretly starving himself.

In just a few minutes, the large portion that Masachika had prepared was completely devoured. Kiana leaned back in her chair, letting out a satisfied sigh, her stomach visibly bloated from how much she had eaten.

"Phew, that was amazing. Thank you for the food," she said, patting her full stomach with a content smile.

Masachika, who had been watching the entire time, let out a small chuckle. "Un… I should've expected nothing less from you."

Kiana grinned, completely unashamed. "Hehe, what can I say? Good food deserves to be appreciated!"

Masachika shook his head in amusement as he gathered the empty plate. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect me to cook for you every time you forget about portion control."

Kiana pouted for a moment but quickly brightened up again. "No promises~" she said with a cheeky grin.

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in Masachika's mind from the Stigmata Space.

(She really is hopeless…) Musashi's amused tone carried through.

(You could say that again.) Masachika replied internally, shaking his head.

He let out a sigh but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face.

"Now that I've finished eating, Kuze! Let's play again! And this time, I'm going to defeat you and make you stop calling me Tuna!"

Kiana stood up from her seat, pointing a determined finger at Masachika.

Masachika, unfazed, leaned back slightly and smirked. "Oh? Is that so?"

He crossed his arms, watching her with amusement before adding, "Well then, let's go, Tuna. But just so you know—if I beat you again, I'll start calling you Salted Tuna until you can finally win."

His smirk widened as he saw Kiana's expression twist in frustration.

"You—! Ugh, just you wait, Kuze! This time, I'll win for sure!"

And with that, the rematch was on.

After a few minutes of gaming, the outcome became painfully predictable—Masachika kept winning. No matter how hard Kiana tried, no matter how fiercely she mashed the buttons or focused on the screen, she just couldn't turn the tide in her favor.

"Ugh! Again!?" Kiana groaned, tossing her controller onto the couch as she slumped back in frustration. "This isn't fair! You've gotta be cheating, Kuze!"

Masachika, sitting calmly beside her, let out a small chuckle. "Cheating? That's a bold accusation coming from someone who just tried to button-mash her way to victory."

"I did not button-mash!" Kiana shot back, though her guilty expression betrayed her words.

Masachika smirked. "Oh really? Then why did you just spam the same move over and over?"

Kiana pouted but quickly shook off her frustration. She wasn't about to back down that easily. "Tch. One more match! I swear I'll win this time!"

Masachika shrugged, not minding another round. He had, after all, been holding back occasionally—letting Kiana snag a few victories here and there just to keep things entertaining. Of course, she wasted no time gloating about those wins, proudly declaring that he was the one who was bad at the game.

That confidence didn't last long.

The very next match, Masachika absolutely crushed her.

"Wha—NO WAY!" Kiana's jaw dropped as she watched her character get annihilated on the screen.

Masachika leaned back with a smug expression. "And that's why you don't gloat too early, Salted Tuna."

Kiana clenched her fists in frustration. "Uuuu... you did that on purpose, didn't you!?"

"Maybe."

"You totally did! You let me win before just so you could crush me after!"

Masachika laughed. "Hey, if it makes you feel better, you did win some rounds."

"Yeah, because you threw the match!"

Masachika simply shrugged. "A win is a win, isn't it?"

Kiana groaned and dramatically flopped onto the couch. "I hate this! I'm so gonna beat you someday, just you wait!"

Masachika smirked as he picked up his controller again. "Looking forward to it, Salted Tuna."

"UGH! STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

Musashi, watching from the Stigmata Space, couldn't help but feel a little bad for Kiana. No matter how hard she tried, Masachika was effortlessly countering her every move, and to make matters worse, he was clearly enjoying her frustration.

(Masachika, you really are just like your sister, you know,) Musashi commented, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

(What do you mean?) Masachika asked, barely paying attention as he continued to tease Kiana, dodging her character's attacks with ease.

Musashi chuckled. (The way you toy with your opponents and get a kick out of their reactions… it's exactly like how your sister.)

Masachika paused for a moment, then smirked. (Is that so? I'll take that as a compliment then.)

Musashi let out a knowing sigh. (You would.)

Meanwhile, Kiana, completely unaware of the conversation happening in Masachika's mind, let out an exasperated yell.

"KUUUZEEEE! Stop messing around and fight me for real!"

Masachika simply chuckled. "Oh? But I am fighting for real, Salted Tuna."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Kiana cried, lunging at him—only to lose yet another match.

Masachika just smiled. Today was a good day.

After an hour of intense gaming, the two finally noticed that the sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow through the windows. Masachika stretched his arms, feeling satisfied after thoroughly dominating Kiana in every match.

"Well, I guess that should be enough gaming for today," he said casually, delivering a final, decisive blow to Kiana's character and sealing yet another victory.

"GAH! Damn it!" Kiana groaned, slumping back onto the couch, utterly defeated. "Why are you so good at this?! Are you secretly cheating or something?"

Masachika smirked, setting the controller down. "Nope. I'm just better than you, Salted Tuna."

Kiana shot him a glare. "One of these days, I swear I'll beat you!"

Masachika chuckled. "I'll be waiting. But until then, you better prepare yourself for more losses."

Kiana pouted but didn't argue further. Instead, she let out a sigh and stretched her arms. "Ugh… I didn't even realize how late it got. Mei-senpai and the others should be back soon."

"Then you should probably head home before they start worrying," Masachika pointed out.

Kiana groaned dramatically. "But I don't wanna move~ My stomach's full, and I'm still salty about losing!"

Masachika rolled his eyes. "That sounds like a you problem."

Kiana gave him a playful pout before finally standing up. "Fine, fine… but next time, I will get my revenge!"

"I'll believe it when I see it," Masachika said with a smirk.

With that, Kiana made her way to the door, waving lazily as she left. "Thanks for the food and the games, Kuze! I'll be back!"

Masachika sighed, shaking his head as he watched her go. "Yeah, yeah… try not to eat the portion that should be for later next time."

As the door closed behind her, Masachika leaned back with a small smile. Today had been a good day.

"Sigh That was a very eventful day, if I have to say so myself," Masachika murmured, his eyes drifting to the ceiling as he processed the chaotic afternoon with Kiana.

Just as he began to relax, the gentle sound of porcelain being placed on the table in front of him caught his attention. He looked down to find a steaming cup of tea elegantly set before him.

"Please enjoy the tea, Masachika-sama," a soft, refined voice spoke.

He glanced up to see Belfast standing gracefully beside him, a slight, respectful bow accompanying her words. Her composed demeanor was a stark contrast to the playful chaos Kiana had brought into his home earlier.

"Ah, yes. Thanks for the tea, Belfast," Masachika replied with a small smile, appreciating the tranquility she brought with her presence.

Lifting the cup to his lips, he took a slow, deliberate sip. The tea's warmth and delicate flavor eased the tension from his shoulders, providing a soothing end to his day.

Belfast watched him with serene, attentive eyes. "Shall I prepare anything else for you, Masachika-sama?"

He set the cup down, the warmth spreading through him as he shook his head. "No, this is perfect. Your tea is always just what I need."

Belfast gave a gentle nod, the faintest hint of a smile gracing her lips. "I am pleased to hear that. If you require anything further, please do not hesitate to call upon me."

Masachika nodded, content as he took another sip of the tea. With Belfast's calming presence and the comforting tea, the lively chaos of the day felt like a distant memory.

Masachika let out a small sigh, the warmth of the tea settling into his chest as he leaned back slightly. The room was quiet now, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy Kiana had brought earlier. The gentle clinking of porcelain was the only sound as Belfast stood by his side, ever composed.

"Oh, right," Masachika spoke up, glancing at her. "How are Yuki and Ayano, Belfast?"

Belfast gave a slight nod, her expression as poised as ever. "They are resting very peacefully, Masachika-sama."

"I see."

Satisfied with her answer, he took another sip of his tea, savoring its warmth. His fingers lightly tapped against the cup as he pondered how to pass the time. The day had been lively, and now that things had settled down, he found himself slipping into a rare moment of idle thought.

Belfast observed him quietly before speaking again. "Shall I prepare anything else for you, Masachika-sama?"

He shook his head. "No, this is fine. Just having a quiet moment is nice."

Belfast gave a slight smile. "Understood. However, if I may, you seem to be deep in thought. Is something troubling you?"

Masachika tilted his head slightly, considering her words. "Not really. Just… thinking about what to do now. It feels strange when things aren't chaotic for once."

Belfast chuckled softly, a rare sound from her. "A moment of peace is a luxury, Masachika-sama. It would be wise to enjoy it while it lasts."

Masachika let out a tired sigh, rolling his shoulders slightly as he took another sip of his tea. "True," he muttered, knowing full well that peace never lasted long in his life.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the tea settle within him. Even now, he could almost hear the echoes of Kiana's voice from earlier, full of determination and frustration as she challenged him over and over again. That girl never gave up, and honestly, he found it amusing.

Masachika set the empty teacup down with a quiet clink, exhaling softly. "Well, I guess I'll take a walk now." He stretched his arms over his head, feeling the slight stiffness in his muscles from sitting too long.

It would be a waste to leave the tea unfinished—especially when it was Belfast who prepared it. He wasn't the type to leave things undone, and throwing away something well-made just felt wrong. With that thought, he was glad he had taken the time to enjoy it properly.

As he stood up, his gaze drifted to the window, where the late afternoon sunlight cast long shadows across the floor. The air outside looked cool and inviting, a perfect time for a stroll.

Slipping on his shoes by the entrance, he casually turned his head toward Belfast. "Oh, right. While I'm out, is there anything I should pick up on the way?"

Belfast, ever composed, placed a hand gently against her chin in thought. "Masachika-sama, we are running a little low on a few essentials. If it is not too much trouble, may I request that you purchase some fresh ingredients for tomorrow's meals?"

Masachika finished tying his shoes and stood up straight, stretching slightly. "Got it. Anything specific?"

Belfast nodded. "Fresh vegetables, some fruit, and if possible, a good cut of meat. I believe Yuki-sama and Ayano-sama would appreciate a well-balanced meal after their rest."

Masachika smirked slightly. "You really are like a perfect head maid, huh?"

Belfast closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the smallest hint of pride to show in her composed expression. "I strive to uphold the highest standards, Masachika-sama."

Masachika grabbed his phone and wallet, slipping them into his pocket. "Alright then, I'll be back in a bit. Try not to let things get too quiet without me."

Belfast gave a small, elegant bow. "I shall do my best, though I suspect that peace will not last long regardless."

Masachika chuckled at that. "Yeah, you're probably right."

With that, he stepped out into the evening air, taking in a deep breath. The cool breeze brushed against him as he began his walk, hands in his pockets, mind already drifting.

Even if it was just a simple errand, something told him this peaceful stroll wouldn't be as uneventful as he hoped.

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i don't know if the part with Kiana is forced or not but please tell me in comment because i will try to not make it force in the future.

and i guess that all, and as always thanks for reading my Fanfic.