Subaru's Sick Day

"Achoo!" Subaru sneezed as he woke up. With his head spinning and nausea present, Subaru became painfully aware of his situation as he sighed "I'm sick."

Just yesterday, the boy walked around in winter-like conditions for a couple of hours without wearing any cold-resistant clothing. Subaru was sure that this was the cause of his sickness.

As the boy sat up from his bed, Subaru wondered "I hope Rem isn't sick too. She said she was resistant to the cold, but I'm still a little worried."

"Subaru, what are you doing up so early, I wonder?" Beatrice yawned as she woke up as well. After looking at the boy, Beatrice comment "You look unsightly, I suppose."

Not wanting the spirit to notice, Subaru replied "I do? Well, I'll just go take a shower-"

"Hold on a second." Beatrice interrupted as she ordered "Sit down, I suppose."

Once the boy reluctantly sat down on the bed, Beatrice rested her forehead against the boy's. With her suspicions confirmed, Beatrice sighed "You're burning up, Subaru. Tell me, do you feel sick, I wonder?"

Unable to bring himself to lie to Beatrice, Subaru nodded as he answered "Yeah. Honestly, I feel pretty bad right now, but I think I can still-"

"You're not working today, I suppose." Beatrice stated firmly as she went on "Your head is exceptionally warm, so I worry that you're sicker than you realize. With that out of the way, I suggest you rest, I suppose."

Standing up from the bed, Subaru complained "Don't go deciding all that stuff for me. Sure, I feel a little under the weather, but a simple cold can't stop Subaru Nat-" Before Subaru could finish, the boy struggled to stand upright due to a sudden dizzy spell. Even the simple action of walking strained his body too much.

Supporting the boy, Beatrice held Subaru as she stated firmly "I wasn't asking for your opinion. I'm telling you to lay down in the damn bed and get some rest, I suppose!"

Intimidated by the spirit, Subaru replied "'Damn'? I don't think I've ever heard you say that word. You really are the nurse from hell."

Starting to get a little angry, Beatrice explained "It's because you think you can do everything! Honestly, lose the bravado and rest when you need it! Do you want to worry me over the simplest of things, I wonder?!"

Knowing that he lacked the strength to argue with her on the matter, Subaru respected her wishes "Okay, fine. I'll take the day off. I don't want to worry you, after all."

With Subaru seeing things her way, Beatrice sighed from relief as she escorted the boy back to the bed "Good. Now rest, I suppose. Once the sun rises, I'll go inform the rest that you'll be taking the day off."

After Beatrice helped him lay down, Subaru watched as the spirit got back onto the bed as he asked "What are you doing?"

With an annoyed expression on her face, Beatrice answered "I'm trying to reclaim the beauty sleep you stole from me, I suppose."

Worried about the spirit's health, Subaru asked "Okay, but don't you think you shouldn't be sleeping next to a sick person?"

With a surprised look, Beatrice explained to the sick boy "Ah, that's surprisingly thoughtful of you. You needn't to worry yourself over that. I'm naturally resistant to sickness, I suppose."

Secretly envious of the spirit, Subaru smiled "Well that's convenient! I guess that makes you the best person in the mansion to take care of me."

With the smile on Subaru's face making her blush a little, Beatrice stated "Just who do you think I am, I wonder? Obviously, I would be the one who is best suited to taking care of you."

Initially speechless by the spirit's statement, Subaru finally replied "You know, when you answer a question like that so confidently, it kind of puts butterflies in my heart."

With a smug smile, Beatrice stated "That's to be expected of someone as charming as myself, I suppose. I fear for the day where you can't bring yourself to let go of my hand. Honestly, your fate is to end up hopelessly falling more in love with me with each passing second."

"You're right, Beako. I'm totally in love with you right now." Subaru teased honestly.

As Subaru expected, the spirit furiously blushed who became speechless due to his confession on love.

"Disgusting. Go die, Barusu." Subaru heard a voice berate him.

Although it wasn't hard to guess who the voice belonged to, Subaru still panicked as he exclaimed "R-Ram, how long have you been there?!"

Although the maid found some enjoyment in Subaru's panic, Ram still sighed "I've been standing here long enough that I could blackmail you with the things that I've heard. Anyways, just go die already."

Hiding his embarrassment, Subaru pointed at the maid as he exclaimed "So, you heard everything?! Beako, back me up here. 'Go die' isn't a proper way to greet someone who's sick, right?"

After seriously considering her answer, Beatrice spoke "I admit it would inconvenience me if you died, I suppose."

"That's all it would be?!" Subaru mentally screamed.

As if coming to a compromise, Beatrice suggested "Alright, I understand. Just go die a little bit, I suppose."

"And the award for worst nurse in existence goes to Beako!" Subaru exclaimed to the spirit. Remembering Ram's sleeping habits, Subaru pointed out "Wait, why are you awake anyways?! You're even harder to wake up than Emilia, so how are you awake before sunrise?!"

Looking at the boy with disinterest, Ram scoffed "Who knows? I guess you could say I had a premonition that went like 'I'm sure that idiot Barusu is going to be completely useless today'. While I assure you, I have that premonition every morning, today felt like you would be especially useless."

"Ah, that makes sense then." Subaru nodded in agreement who couldn't fault Ram's reasoning.

Turning to leave, Ram told the spirit "Lady Beatrice, allow me to tell the others that stupid Barusu will be useless today."

Even if the maid treated Subaru poorly, Ram still showed Beatrice a certain amount of respect and courtesy.

"Do what you like, I suppose." Beatrice replied to the maid.

"Oh, and Barusu?" Ram added right before she left.

Instead of a verbal response, Ram smirked at the boy. It was a smirk that said without words "I have dirt on you now".

Once the maid closed the door, Subaru waited for about a minute before he whispered to the spirit "This is usually where I start planning phase two of my Ram Revenge Plan, or RRP for short, but I think I'll hold off on that until I feel better."

Still having bad memories from their previous attempt, Beatrice scolded "Fool, have you not learned your lesson from last time, I wonder? Anyways, I'll be going back to sleep now, so I hope you do the same, Su-"

"Subaru, are you okay?!" Another voice asked as the door was flung open, revealing an anxious Rem.

With her sleep once again being denied, Beatrice exclaimed "Or not, I suppose!"

Rushing over to the bed, Rem once again asked "Are you okay, Subaru? How are you feeling? Do you think I need to fetch the local doctor? If you require it, I wouldn't mind supplying your body with my warmth, you know."

"I would mind, I suppose!" Beatrice yelled at the maid.

Finally having a turn to speak, Subaru eased the maid's worries "I'm okay, Rem. I'm just a little on the sick side today. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Shaking her head, Rem sighed from relief as she smiled "Not at all. Worrying about you is a duty of mine as someone who remains at your side."

"If you let yourself worry about this guy, then you'll surely lead a life filled with anxiety, I suppose." Beatrice scolded at the maid.

"That doesn't mean much coming from the person who worries about me the most." Subaru teased with a sly smile.

Not getting the response he was expecting, Beatrice instead scoffed at the boy "Hmpf! Besides that silly maid, who else would worry about a degenerate like you, I wonder?"

"… Eh? Subaru uttered who thought back to Beatrice's insult "'Degenerate'? That's a new one."

Fearing that she was angry, Rem asked cautiously "Lady Beatrice, are you upset?"

Not bothering to answer the maid's question, Beatrice turned over as she ordered "I'm going back to sleep now, I suppose. Do not disturb my beauty sleep."

Not wanting to anger the spirit anymore, Subaru walked out of the room carefully and explained to Rem "Sorry about that, Rem. Beako gets a little cranky when she's woken up early."

Relieved from Subaru's explanation, Rem sighed "Thank goodness. I was worried I had said something that offended her."

Happy to see that Rem was relieved, Subaru said "Well, I better not hold you up here. Plus, I really do need to get some rest, so I'm going back to bed."

"I understand. I'll come by to check on you occasionally so just let me know if you need anything." Rem smiled at the boy before they parted ways.

Upon reentering his room, Subaru saw that Beatrice was still facing the opposite direction. Getting back onto the bed, Subaru felt awkward as he tried asking "Hey, Beako. I'm not trying to pick a fight here or anything, but were you jealous of-"

Before Subaru could finish, the spirit wrapped her arms softly around the boy.

"Beako?" Subaru called the spirit's name; however, she didn't respond. Turning around to look at her, Subaru was surprise to see a calm expression resting on the spirit's face. Once the boy finally heard her softly snoring, he realized that Beatrice was sleeping.

Subaru thought about turning around and embracing the spirit; however, he decided that even if she was resistant against sickness, it would be for the best if he didn't breathe into her face. With his back to the spirit, Subaru quickly succumbed to his sleepiness.

"Nggh, I suppose." The spirit grumbled as she woke up. If the spirit's sleep goes undisturbed, she usually wakes up feeling refreshed; however, since this would be her second time waking up today, Beatrice felt groggy.

"Five more minutes, I suppose." Beatrice negotiated with herself as she closed her eyes; however, she opened them back up once she heard Subaru's light snoring.

"Subaru?" Beatrice called his name as her senses started to awaken. Finally being able to perceive images, Beatrice noticed that the boy's face was just a few inches away from her own. Once again, the spirit was being used as a body pillow by the sleeping boy who had his arms wrapped securely around her.

Enjoying the boy's warmth, Beatrice closed her eyes and murmured "Hmm, ten more minutes then, I suppose."

Before getting comfortable, Beatrice heard the boy groaning in his sleep. Opening her eyes yet again, Beatrice noticed that Subaru was sweating.

With her protective instincts kicking in, Beatrice got out of bed and went to fetch a rag and a bowl filled with cold water. Once she acquired those two items, Beatrice crossed paths with the blue-haired maid.

"Tch, I suppose." Beatrice clicked her tongue.

Once Rem noticed the spirit, she smiled "Hello, Lady Beatrice. Did you fetch those things to take care of Subaru?"

"Who else would I waste my precious time on with such trivial things, I wonder?" Beatrice snapped back.

Jumping to the next topic, Rem asked "I see. Did you know that today's something called 'Krismast' back in Subaru's homeland?"

Tilting her head in confusion, Beatrice asked "Do you mean 'Christmas', I wonder? I believe I've read about that holiday before. Wait, that's today, I wonder?"

Once the maid nodded at her, Beatrice questioned "That's odd, I suppose. Usually, Subaru would force us to celebrate with him during occasions such as this."

"Subaru probably didn't feel up to it this time because of what happened yesterday. It doesn't help that he's sick today." Rem reasoned.

With Rem's argument making sense, Beatrice concluded "Regardless, you have my thanks for reminding me of that celebration, I suppose."

With their discussion coming to a close, the maid and the spirit parted ways. Once Beatrice returned to the room, the spirit saw that Subaru was awake.

"Oh, hey, Beako." Subaru greeted the spirit as he was still laying down in bed.

"Greetings, I suppose." Beatrice replied once she walked into the room.

As Beatrice prepared a wet towel, she spoke to the boy "Since I'm considerate, I went to fetch this wet cloth for you. So just keeping laying down, I suppose."

"Truly considerate people wouldn't say stuff like 'since I'm considerate', you know?" Subaru complained to the spirit.

"Yes, yes, I suppose. Now, just relax some more." Beatrice replied as she put the damp towel on Subaru's forehead.

Instantly feeling the relief, Subaru sighed "Ah, that feels so much better."

Smiling from a job well done, Beatrice stated with confidence "That's to be expected of someone as caring as myself, I suppose. Anyways, do you require anything else at the moment, I wonder?"

Not wanting to lay down with nothing to do, Subaru requested "Could you go get my laptop? It's almost been a full day since I started charging it, so it should be full on battery."

With the events of yesterday still fresh in her mind, Beatrice warned "Are you telling me to fetch the device that gave me nightmares, I wonder? Honestly, being sick isn't an excuse to turn me into your errand-boy. Still, if I didn't go fetch it for you, you might go instead which would end up worrying me, I suppose. Very well, I will indulge your silly request."

"What the heck? It sounded like you were arguing with yourself on that one." Subaru chuckled at the spirit.

As she walked toward the door, Beatrice sighed "Shut up, I suppose. Just stay still while I fetch your entertainment device."

Watching as Beatrice headed out the door, Subaru called for her "Hey, Beako?"

Seeing the spirit peek her head from the doorway, Subaru smiled "I'm glad you're my nurse."

Perhaps it was due to his poor health, but Subaru felt like being honest with the spirit who blushed as she darted out of view.

As the spirit exited the mansion with a blush still visible on her face, Beatrice mumbled "Of course that guy would be glad to have someone as amazing as me be his nurse, I suppose. Huh, what's that, I wonder?"

Looking out towards the courtyard, Beatrice noticed that a carriage was parked there.

"Well, it's not like it's of any concern to me, I suppose." Beatrice reasoned as she acquired the laptop and returned to Subaru.

Once she set the laptop on the counter, Beatrice watched Subaru play around with it as she asked "What are your intentions with that device, I wonder? Surely you don't intend on playing that horrific visual novel again, correct?"

Shaking his head, Subaru explained "Nah, I'm not going to play that. Since I'm sick, I feel really weak mentally, physically, and emotionally. If I played that game right now, I might literally piss myself from the fright. Anyways, I don't feel like playing anything so I'm going to watch a movie."

Disgusted by the boy's choice of words, Beatrice scolded "Please refrain from making any other filthy remarks in my presence, I suppose. Also, 'movie'? Are you talking about those stories portrayed on a screen, I wonder?"

Patting the spirit's head, Subaru answered with delight "Beako, you're honestly so smart. I've never even told you about movies, but you figured it out yourself!"

Although secretly happy by the praise, Beatrice remained silent as she enjoyed her head getting pated by the boy.

Once the boy inserted a DVD into the laptop, Beatrice reasoned "While I haven't seen a movie yet, I'm sure the story will be something that people in this world won't comprehend, correct?"

Shaking his head at the spirit, Subaru explained "Kind of. Sure, there will be a lot of special elements that people in this world wouldn't understand; however, the themes present in this movie are still relatable. There's violence, friendship, war, hope, loss, and love in this movie which almost everyone in this world can relate to."

Realizing he went a little bit off track, Subaru explained the basic premise "Today, we'll be watching the seventh movie in the series 'Galaxy Wars'. It's basically about a war spanning several planets and galaxies. It's science fiction, which basically means the technology portrayed in this movie is highly advanced, even for my world. To summarize, you might not be able to comprehend what's going on if you use your common sense as a basis for understanding this movie's unique elements; however, everyone can still understand the basic themes in the movie."

Already adjusted to the technology of Subaru's world, Beatrice answered "I've already abandoned the idea of common sense when it comes to learning about your world, I suppose. Anyways, is there a reason why you chose this movie in particular, I wonder?"

Suddenly feeling hyped, Subaru answered passionately "It's because the newest Galaxy Wars movie should be out now in theaters back home, so I'm kind of in the mood to watch the series. Man, if only I could go see it."

"What's stopping you, I wonder? Returning to your world is a simple feat for me, I suppose." Beatrice asked curiously.

"Well, it's… I don't know." Subaru answered hesitantly who lost all his previous enthusiasm. Although the boy knew he could visit his parents, the memory of what happened that day still haunted him.

Luckily, the movie started before Subaru could find a proper response to Beatrice's question. For about an hour, the two watched the movie in silence.

Seeing the sparkle in the spirit's eyes, Subaru broke the silence "I see that you're enjoying the movie."

Although she was captivated by the screen, Beatrice voiced her complaints "Are you kidding me? Not only can I not comprehend how those vehicles can fly in space, but the basis of this movie reeks of humans; however, I admit that the absurdity is entertaining, I suppose. I never thought I'd say this about a human, but I feel like I can relate to that girl with the glowing sword."

"It's called a gleam blade." Subaru smiled at the spirit.

Interrupting the movie, Subaru heard a knock at the door followed by a girl's voice speaking "Subaru, can we come in?"

Recognizing Emilia's voice, Subaru paused the movie and decided to tease her "What's the password to enter?"

Unable to handle such unpredictable events, Emilia fumbled for something to say "There's a password now?! Oh, um, let's see here… Oh, is it 'victory'?"

Clearly shocked that she got it right, Subaru exclaimed "… How the heck did you know the right answer?!"

Feeling proud of herself, Emilia replied happily "Ha! That's what you get for underestimating me! Anyways, I got it right so we're coming in now."

"Wait, who's 'we'?" Subaru tried asking; however, the answer to his question appeared before him.

"It's been awhile, Subaru-kyun." Felix spoke with a smile present on his face.

Seeing the three standing before him, Subaru exclaimed "Felix, Wilhelm, Crusch?! What are you three doing here?!"

With a soft smile on her face, Crusch greeted the boy "It requires a password just to enter? I fear that your room is more secure than my own."

Becoming flustered by Crusch's composure, Subaru stuttered "O-Oh, that was just a stupid prank. Even if I had a password like that, Emilia-tan could just have Puck blow down the door anyways."

"Hey, now! I'm not a barbarian, you know!" Emilia pouted at the boy.

Seeing that it was his turn to speak, Wilhelm greeted the boy "Greetings, Master Subaru. Have you been well?"

Starting to settle down, Subaru smiled "Yeah, I've been doing just fine. I'm feeling a little sick at the moment, but I'm feeling better now that I've seen you guys. I know you came here to discuss business with Roswaal, but it still made my day when you decided to visit me."

With a voice not belonging to anyone in the room, Subaru heard a familiar person speak from the hall "I see. It makes sense that the person who led the White Whale subjugation wouldn't be easily defeated by common sickness."

Once the purple-haired knight appeared at the doorway, Subaru grimaced "Well consider my day ruined."

Seeing Subaru's intense glare, Julius smiled at the boy "That frightening scowl can only belong to one person. You are indeed Subaru."

"Thanks for stating the obvious. Honestly, I think my sickness was meant to serve as a premonition for my reunion with you, Juli." Subaru clicked his tongue at the knight.

Running over to the bed, Felix appeared behind Subaru as he teased "That's not very nice, Subaru-kyun. After all, Julius here came to visit you despite your silly attitude about him."

Watching the way Felix pressed up against Subaru, Beatrice roared "What the devil do you think you're doing, I wonder?! Unhand my Subaru at once, I suppose!"

Surprised by the little girl's anger, Felix smiled "Wow, this one's more aggressive than Rem. Who is she, Subaru-kyun?"

First clearing up the spirit's misunderstanding, Subaru introduced the knight "Beako, this is Felix the trap. He's a boy. Felix, this is Beatrice and she's my contracted spirit."

Starting to calm down, Beatrice sighed "You're a boy, I wonder? Well, just don't involve me in your horseplay, I suppose."

In the presence of a great spirit, Julius knelt to the ground and introduced himself "I have heard that a Great Spirit resembling a small girl lived within this mansion. My name is Julius Juukulius and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Great Spirit Beatrice."

Returning the knight's formal gesture, Beatrice replied "It seems that you have more common sense than the typical rabble, I suppose. Very well, I am the Great Spirit, Beatrice, and this is my contractor, Subaru Natsuki."

Looking at the sick boy, Julius stated honestly "I wasn't aware that Subaru commanded a spirit as well. It seems like we have more in common than I originally thought."

Treating Julius's statement like poison, Subaru wrapped his arms around Beatrice and sneered at the knight "The fact that we breath the same air makes me want to rip my lungs out. Also, don't get any funny ideas about stealing my Beako away from me. It's not going to happen."

With a smug smile, Beatrice added to the purple-haired knight "While it is nice to be reminded of my title, I'm afraid someone of your etiquette bores me, I su- Wait, Subaru, what are you doing, I wonder?! Stop it! Stop it, I suppose!"

Tickling the spirit, Subaru scolded "Don't pick fights with people you just met!" Turning his attention to everyone else in the room, Subaru added "Forgive me if I sound like a tsundere, but don't get the wrong idea. I'm just trying to teach this dumbass how to greet people properly."

"H-How rude, I su-su-hahahahaha!" Beatrice tried speaking until she finally succumbed to the tickling.

"For a relationship between contractor and spirit, you two seem exceptionally close." Crusch reasoned as she watched the tickling.

Looking at the strange object, Felix pointed at it and asked "Subaru-kyun? What's that funny looking thing? Is it a metia?"

With Felix pointing at his laptop, Subaru answered "No, it's a laptop, but you might as well call it a metia."

Taking interest in the laptop, Crusch asked "Ah, what an interesting design. What purpose does something like this serve?"

With an obvious smug smile on his face, Subaru answered triumphantly "Laptop and computers in general can do just about everything! They can be used to communicate with others, it can do math, it can play games, you can read and write on it, and you can even watch movies on it too. Movies are basically plays where I come from. I was actually watching a play before Julius here rudely interrupted me."

"I was the one who interrupted you, you big dummy! Anyways, are you talking about those electronic things again? I don't understand that stuff at all, but it looks neat." Emilia commented on the device.

Even though Emilia was trying to compliment the portable computer, Subaru sighed "Calling one of the most impressive inventions of the twentieth century 'neat' is almost insulting."

"Would it be possible for you to show us how this 'laptop' works?" Crusch asked the boy curiously.

Scratching his cheek, Subaru answered "Sure, but let me just warn you, this Sci-Fi movie is unlike any play you've ever seen."

Once the group huddled around the laptop, Subaru resumed the fight scene between two swordsmen.

Examining the screen before him, Julius concluded "Their swordsmanship is lacking when compared to that of a true knight; however, their acting is superb compared to the actors I've personally seen."

Taking the knight's statement as a compliment, Subaru snorted "Hmpf, don't underestimate the power of twenty-first century acting and cinematography."

Once a flying object entered the screen, Felix exclaimed "What the heck is that flying thing?!"

"That's the spaceship 'Millennial Eagle'." Subaru explained.

With a new word being thrown at him, Felix asked curiously "Okay, then what's a spaceship?!"

Trying to explain in a way that he would understand, Subaru answered "You know the kinds of ships that travel on water? Well, that's a ship that travels in space. Spaceship."

"Is this the kind of stuff you like, Subaru? I think I finally figured out why you're so strange." Puck said as he manifested.

"Puck, when did you get here?! Oh, right, that's a dumb question." Subaru asked before answering it himself.

With another question popping into his mind, Felix tried asking "Subaru-kyun, what is-"

Fed up with all the questions, Subaru exclaimed "That's it. No more questions! The problem with you guys is that when you try to use common sense on something that betrays your sense of logic, it'll never make sense. Does that make sense? Anyways, just believe that this movie is good and it'll all work out somehow."

"As expected of Subaru Natsuki. Something that absurd is somehow logically sound when Subaru is the one stating it." Julius smiled at the boy.

"Bite me." Subaru returned to the knight with animosity.

Thinking back to Subaru's explanation, Emilia reasoned "Still, I can't just believe in something without understanding it."

"I find your lack of faith disturbing." Subaru commented on Emilia's statement.

"E-Eh?!" Emilia stuttered at the boy.

Fed up with all of the talking, Beatrice snapped "Silence, you fools! I'm trying to enjoy this movie, I suppose!"

With everyone obeying the Great Spirit, the group watched the movie for a little while until Crusch's group along with Julius had to depart.

After saying goodbye to almost everyone, Subaru turned to Julius and said reluctantly "Thanks for seeing me. Even if it did make me a tiny bit happy, I still hate your guts."

Before heading out the door, Julius looked back at the sick boy and replied "I just thought I should pay my respects to the friend who fought by my side during the battle with the Witch's Cult. I still think of you as a friend, so I'll be waiting for the day where you can return that sentiment."

Feeling refreshed, Subaru smiled as he said his goodbyes "Well, take care, greatest knight."

"Farewell, self-proclaimed knight, Subaru Natsuki." Julius parted with the boy with a smile.

Their time together was short, but Subaru was grateful for reuniting with so many familiar faces on this day.

Once the two were alone together, Beatrice teased the boy "'Don't get any funny ideas about stealing my Beako away from me', I suppose."

"Shut it." Subaru groaned as he shifted his body to face the other way.

With a soft smile on her face, Beatrice explained "Envy is unbecoming of a human; however, small displays of jealousy like that is fine and admittedly cute, I suppose."

Still facing away from the spirit, Subaru grumbled "Well I'm sorry that my feelings for you are cute."

Thinking that the spirit let down her guard, Subaru added "Besides, Julius doesn't have a single thing that I'm envious of. It's not like he has you or anything. For the record, I wasn't worried that he'll take you away. What I said earlier was just another excuse to yell at him."

Laying down behind the boy, Beatrice wrapped her arms lovingly around her contractor as she replied "You're right, I suppose. I am yours and yours alone. It's illogical to think I would choose someone besides you at this point."

Feeling the spirit's warmth, Subaru put his hands over the spirit's as he confessed "Beako… you're really sweet. You make me feel so warm and cared for, but you also make me feel lonely when you're not next to me. It's pathetic, I know, but I don't think I could go on without you. So, just always stay by my side, okay?"

With the boy revealing his weakness, Beatrice lost her smile as she asked "What brought this on, I wonder?"

Holding the spirit's hands tenderly, Subaru tried explaining "Don't mind me. I'm probably just feeling like this because my sickness is unhinging me. Ahh! I just realized how embarrassing that was! Please forget what I said a few sentences ago!"

With a smile resurfacing on her face, Beatrice teased "It's cute when you're like this. You may continue to divulge other embarrassing secrets to me, I suppose."

Starting to get a headache from the embarrassment, Subaru exclaimed "I would rather die!"

Not wanting to let this opportunity pass her, Beatrice spoke "Then can I tell you one of my secrets, I wonder?"

Once the mood changed in her favor, Beatrice confessed "I can't go on without you either, I suppose."

Turning over to face the spirit, Subaru saw an angel-like smile resting on her face.

You could count the number of times Subaru felt enchanted like this on one hand. With his feelings getting ahead of him, Subaru almost did something completely reckless.

Once the boy turned over completely, Subaru embraced the spirit who teased "You're not going to start weeping again, correct?"

"Pfft! Like a loli could ever make me cry." Subaru answered back confidently; however, he added honestly "Thanks, Beako."

After their embrace came to an end, Beatrice asked "Hey, is today Christmas, I wonder?"

The spirit's words shocked Subaru to the core as he screamed "Dammit all to hell! How did I forget?! Actually, I think I forgot about that this morning when I woke up sick!"

"So, you just forgot it, I wonder?" Beatrice asked as she sighed from overthinking things earlier.

Once the boy stopped screaming, a light blush appeared on his face as he requested "Hey, Beako? Can you do me a favor and look under the bed for me?"

"What kind of request is that, I wonder?" Beatrice sighed; however, she was in a good mood, so she did as Subaru requested. Seeing something under the bed, Beatrice grabbed for it as she asked "What is this, I wonder?"

Once she pulled the scarf from under the bed, Subaru explained bashfully "Well, one of my few redeemable traits is that I'm great at sewing things, and knitting isn't that much different. So, I spent the last couple of days knitting that for you. I noticed that you're like me in the fact that you don't handle the cold well, so now you'll have something to keep you warm during the ice season. I missed giving you a present for your birthday, but I didn't want to miss today too. So… Merry Christmas, Beako."

As the spirit inspected her gift, a smile appeared on Beatrice's lips as she replied "Honestly, you're just so stupid, Tsunbaru. You'll ruin my charming looks if you gift me such apparel lacking in fashion. Well, it would be cruel of me if I didn't at least wear it occasionally." After wrapping the scarf around her neck, Beatrice beamed "How do I look, I wonder?"

Shooting the girl a thumbs up, Subaru complimented "I've fallen in love with you all over again."

Lightly blushing from the boy's praise, Beatrice replied "Is that so? If that's the case, then it would be for the best if I added this to my wardrobe, I suppose. Honestly, you better appreciate all the effort I go through to stay at the peak of cuteness."

With the smile on her face fading, Beatrice looked away from the boy as she added "I'm happy to receive this gift from you, but I regret my inability to give you anything in return. As the only other person who knows of your other worldly traditions, it's seems like I've failed you this Christmas, I suppose."

Trying to reassure the spirit, Subaru beamed "It's fine. I'm satisfied as long as you're happy, because our happiness is shared."

Holding the scarf close to her chest, Beatrice found comfort in the boy's words as she agreed "Yes, our happiness is indeed shared, I suppose."

The two proceed to share a warm embrace. Subaru was so comfortable that he fell asleep in the spirit's arms and the sick boy wouldn't wake up until the following day.

-The next morning-

"Achoo, I suppose!" Beatrice sneezed as she woke up.

Already awake himself, Subaru exclaimed "I thought you said you were resistant to sickness?!"

Frustrated from not feeling well, Beatrice exclaimed back "I said I was resistant, not immune, I suppose!"

Trying to look on the bright side, Beatrice teased "Well, at least you're now a slave to my every whim because I'm a sickly girl, I suppose."

After sneezing as well, Subaru explained "What are you talking about? I'm still sick too, you knucklehead!"

With the two of them becoming nearly incapacitated, Beatrice wondered gravely "That's not good, I suppose. Should we call for the younger sister, I wonder?"

Thinking of the maid's daily tasks, Subaru shook his head and stated "You mean Rem? No way! Knowing her, she'll try to catch my sickness. She'll say something like 'a sickness belonging to Subaru can't be that bad, right?' Rem alone covers about fifty percent of the daily chores, so if she becomes incapacitated, this place would probably burn to the ground!"

With her hand to her chin in concentration, Beatrice wondered aloud "That would be the worst-case scenario. So, what should we do, I wonder?"

Already coming to a conclusion, Subaru accepted his fate "The noble thing for us to do is to accept our certain demise and die peacefully."

Feeling like the boy missed a few steps, Beatrice pointed out "Don't you think you're being overly dramatic, I wonder? It's not like we've caught a deadly disease. Besides, if I die, I won't get to play around with you anymore, so I'd rather avoid that fate for now, I suppose."

"Seriously, that's your reasoning?" Subaru sighed at the spirit.

"It is, I suppose." Beatrice stated matter-of-factly.

Accepting the spirit's answer, Subaru crawled over towards the spirit and added "Well then, I better not die either."

Seeing the boy come closer, Beatrice questioned "Tsunbaru? What are you-"

Before the spirit could finish her question, Subaru bent over and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"W-What are you doing, I wonder?!" Beatrice exclaimed after the tender display of affection.

With a smug smile, Subaru explained "You know what they say. Love is the best medicine."

Feeling the cheek that Subaru kissed, Beatrice slowly calmed down "That reasoning is devoid of logic, I suppose! Well, love is devoid of logic as well, so that might actually work. So, you can really cure a person with love."

Not trying to deceive the spirit, Subaru scolded "Hey now, don't believe that so easily. I was kidding."

Disregarding Subaru's claim, Beatrice beamed at the boy "Kiss me again, I suppose!"

Caught off guard by the spirit's change in attitude, Subaru asked skeptically "What happened to your pride? I've noticed that it keeps vanishing a lot as of late."

Shaking her head, Beatrice demanded impatiently "Who needs something like that when I can get kisses from you, I suppose. Now kiss me, I suppose! Kiss me until I feel better!"

Scratching his head, Subaru complained "Geez, it's a shame that you're only cute like this when you're sick. I guess I can at least reward your honesty."

After the boy placed another kiss on her forehead, Beatrice asked bashfully "One more time, I suppose."

"How you can keep asking that is beyond me. Okay, but this is the last one." Subaru gave in to the spirit's demands one more time.

Closing his eyes, Subaru bent down to kiss the spirit's cheek; however, his lips made contract with something else instead. In the end, Subaru pressed his lips against Beatrice's lips who must've shifted her head for this to happen.

Even though it should be fine since they were both sick, Subaru didn't want to take that chance; however, before he thought to pull away, a pair of arms were wrapped securely around the back of his head and neck, cutting off the boy's escape route.

After lasting for a few seconds, Beatrice ended the kiss as she let go of the boy. After retreating, Subaru furiously blushed as he exclaimed "You know, we really shouldn't be doing stuff like that right now!"

Instead of arguing with the boy, Beatrice softly blushed as she giggled "Hehe. You look so flustered, I suppose."

Subaru fumbled for something to say to the spirit; however, his body went numb when he felt someone's presence. As the boy slowly turned to look at the doorway, Subaru saw a sight that he wishes he could forget.

"Disgusting, Barusu. Go die."

Author's Notes: It's been awhile since I've written a sick day chapter. The last time I did was in my "Zatch's Sick Day" fanfic which is freaking four years old. It probably hasn't aged well, so hopefully I've handled the concept better in this chapter.

I'm glad I'm back to the usual routine and I bet a lot of you share that sentiment. Next chapter should be out on New Year's. Emphasis on "should".

Oh man. Illustrations for the 15th volume of the light novel came out. There's a certain illustration of Beako that tears my heart apart.

Also, thank you "Guest" who left me that review for chapter 13 earlier today. I couldn't send you a reply since it's a guest account, so I thought I'd leave a special shout out here.

Well, Merry Christmas to all of you who are reading this on the day it comes out. If I had to divide the household based on who was naughty and nice:

Naughty residents: Roswaal, Beatrice, Ram, Subaru.

Nice residents: Emilia, Rem, Puck.

That's just my personal opinion. Well, that's it for this chapter. See you guys soon!