Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian - Episode 1

In the first episode, we meet Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, also known as Alya. She is a half-Russian school queen who seems unapproachable to most. The only one who catches her attention is her desk neighbor, Kuza Masachika, an otherwise inconspicuous student.

As the student council treasurer, Alya can be strict and teasing toward Masachika, often muttering things in Russian that she assumes he doesn’t understand, like "милашка" (cutie). What she doesn’t know: Masachika understands Russian because he learned it as a child to communicate with a Russian-speaking girl.

Masachika keeps his knowledge to himself and enjoys the tension of knowing what Alya is saying while she remains unaware. This interaction creates a unique dynamic, as Alya’s comments reveal her hidden feelings for Masachika. Her affection becomes especially clear when she grows jealous of his interactions with his childhood friend, Suou Yuki.

The episode highlights the chemistry between Alya and Masachika, showcasing their playful and sometimes awkward interactions. For example, Masachika finishes the morning homework before Alya arrives and earns a "reward" by helping her put on a new stocking after the old one got dirty on the way to school. This scene is both comedic and intimate, ending with a humorous chase through the school.

Despite their teasing and occasional misunderstandings, it’s clear that Alya and Masachika deeply care for each other. They quickly resolve conflicts, with Masachika often sincerely apologizing and offering peace offerings like Alya’s favorite drink, shiruko porridge. Alya, who is admired by most of her classmates, appreciates that Masachika treats her as an equal and criticizes his exaggerated reverence for her.