A way of life, an ideology, a path that has been set for a long time now. For those, it is hard to deviate from that constructed path, even if it means a better life, it forms a sense of identity which can never be replaced, that is if there is any identity at all.
All of these thoughts rushed Kirumi's mind as she walked beside her newly formed group to island four. After weeks, could she finally find herself? Find meaning in his way of life? Find a new destiny?
"Tojo-san? Tojo-san? Are you okay? You seem outta your normal self" Keebo was walking alongside Kirumi when he noticed her drifting her gaze away.
"Oh pardon me Keebo-kun" Kirumi instantly regained consciousness after hearing Keebo's voice. She had to focus on this challenge, she couldn't be considered a burden from everyone else, quite the contrary she wanted to be the most reliable person in the group. Or did she?
"What now you into the submissive type you stupid robot!" Miu was weirdly affected by that heartfelt interaction between the two.
"What? No, I was just worried about her" Keebo didn't understand why he was coming up with excuses.
"Let's reach the island first and then have your drama" Maki glared at Keebo and Miu.
"Whatever! Have it your way shitbag!" Miu looked away and fastened her pace. Trying to hide her fear with tough words, and it was pretty obvious for everyone.
A few minutes passed and the group arrived at their new home for the week. In front of them was the dream of every eight-year-old kid, an island sized amusement park. Some of them had already seen the island, however, not everyone was fond of this type of place, whereas others adore it.
"HEY! LET'S GO TO THE CARROUSEL NOW!" The always bulgar, egocentric inventor turned into an eight-year-old kid, her eyes were sparkling at the sight of every piece of machinery invented by the entertainment of men. Rather than being excited about the ride itself, she was hypnotized by the mechanics behind it.
"I hope I get the chance to see every gear and spring of this majestic piece" She created her delusional world where only she and the endless machines were present. However, in reality, everyone was there as well.
"You know, human behavior is my field, but that is a brain I would not like to pick" Korekiyo who had been quiet since the grouping, finally expressed a piece of his mind.
"Now that we are here, we need to plan our strategy" Maki brought the group together as soon as possible.
"Can't we talk about it after eating? I am dying! You know this marvelous body needs food!" Miu started complaining even before work was assigned.
"I think it will be more suitable for us to have this meeting after a nice meal" Kirumi seconded Miu's though, in a more formal behavior, one that could never be expected from Miu.
"Fine, let's get the food and then start working" Maki agreed with the group.
The group found a bench nearby where they set the food and started eating. Miu's table manners were not refined at all, as compared to the likes of Korekiyo and Kirumi.
As Miu was chowing down her food, some soy sauce spilled on her lap, as soon as this happened Kirumi reach in her pocket, pulling out an elegant handkerchief, it could easily be identified as a high-class material utensil, a soft white cloth, with silver markings around the borders.
Suddenly, she stopped. She was still in her place, with her handkerchief in hand, something in his mind didn't let her get up and clean her master, but was Miu really someone to look up to and treat her as a superior? Why is her mind programmed to serve and cause the most minimal amount of work for others to do? Didn't she herself had the right to not trouble herself like others? But if she was raised this way then why did she stop?
Then she reminisced what her tutor Mikan told her.
"You struggle too much because you see everyone as a person to serve, but have you ever seen someone as your equal?" Mikan's words resonated in her head. Maybe this was the trigger for her body not taking its usual course of action.
How could she treat her as an equal? How could she start treating people differently?
"Ahem, Iruma-san, I see that you soiled your skirt, perhaps a handkerchief would be useful in this situation?" Kirumi stood up while extending her hands to reveal the elegant handkerchief in her palms. All of this while bowing.
"Oh yeah... Thanks..." Miu was taken aback by her attitude, however, she was not the only one. Everyone knew that there was something wrong with the diligent maid.
Once the handkerchief was off her hands, she quickly sat down and continued eating.
One step at a time was good enough for her, and this was quite the improvement.
"Well, I think now would be appropriate to talk about our tasks" Maki started once again the strategic meeting with everyone around the table. "It is quite obvious that we are not going to find any natural food like fruits and animals, but we can look around the different food booths on the island, there has to be some food."
"Agreed, concentrating on a source of food is our best bet, since we are surrounded by various buildings it is going to be rather easy finding a shelter, nonetheless humans do need water to stay alive" Korekiyo added to the to-do list.
"Of course, I am aware of that, but I have a plan" Maki slowly turned her head to meet Miu, who was still stuffing her face with some food.
"Huh? Something on my face?" Miu wasn't paying a hint of attention to the conversation.
"Can you build a filter that can clean saltwater in a matter of minutes and make it drinkable?" Maki had as always a serious tone in her voice but was hoping that Miu could contribute.
"Who the fuck do you think I am?! Of course, I can make something that simple! I mean look at all these babies around us," She lifted her arms and started looking at the machines, "I could put some of them apart and build an automatic water filter"
"I appreciate it, then start working on it as soon as possible" Maki quickly ordered Miu.
"Wait a fucking second! I am not taking any orde--" Miu witnessed a menacing glare from Maki, her red eyes could make her drop dead at any instant. 'Okay.... I'll work on it just please..." *SNIFF* "Stop looking at me like that...." Miu resumed eating the rest of her food, slowly.
"Apart from her, we all have our own work to do" Maki reaffirmed, "Korekiyo, Keebo, and myself will look for a source of food for the coming days, Kirumi please find a suitable place to rest and watch Miu's progress"
Everyone put away their trash in a garbage bin and started working. While someone was sulking near the carrousel's engine.
"Why did I said it that way! I could've just said yes, but no! Me and my big mouth!" The inventor was having a conversation with herself as she disassembled the engine looking for the appropriate pieces. "Why can't I just tone it down a bit?!" Reprimanding herself, because of her brash attitude, she tried to find some way to console herself. "Maybe... I'm just in a more advanced wavelength, that they are still to reach!" Miu puffed her prominent chest in pride, "Yeah! That's it! I'm just too smart for them, a genius!" She kept praising herself until she was cut short.
"You know, talking out loud is maybe, not the smartest idea, I wouldn't recommend it" The maid who was watching Miu at a distance made her apparition.
"Ack! Don't scare me like that!" Miu was startled by the sudden apparition of her groupmate.
"Is there anything troubling you, Iruma-san?" Kirumi wanted to be there to help in any way possible.
"It's... nothing..." Miu quickly turned towards her work once again.
"Oh, I see..." Kirumi turned around and started walking away. Maybe her words weren't as powerful to let Miu trust her with her personal issues. Kirumi's answer to an equal relation was not there yet. She walked away, with an overwhelming sense of defeat.
"Wait!" Kirumi looked back as the voice called out to her. Miu was still looking at the engine but was mustering the courage to ask her something.
"Are you okay?"
If Kirumi could've been able of seeing Miu's eyes as she said that, she would've barely recognized her own classmate.
They were the same. Different faces of the same coin.
They wanted to change their nature, to be accepted by everyone else.
Same dilemma, different bodies.