Re:Valentine's Day

As he slowly regained consciousness, Subaru grumbled "Nggh…"

"Subaru, are you finally waking up, I wonder?"

Turning his body the other way, Subaru weakly pleaded "Five more minutes."

Softly gazing at her adorable sleepy husband, Beatrice smiled "Alright, alright, I suppose. You can have your five minutes; however…"

Plopping onto the bed as well, Beatrice was just inches away from Subaru's face when she spoke "I'll be enjoying these five minutes with you, I suppose."

Finally opening his eyes to see his wife's beaming face gazing back at him, Subaru mumbled "Beako..?"

"Yes, I am your Beako, I suppose." Beatrice answered back, and meeting her husband's eyes, the spirit beamed "Good morning sleepyhead, or would 'good evening' be more appropriate? Granted, it is nighttime, so maybe I should be saying good night instead, but if I said that, you might really go back to sleep, I suppose."

"What the heck are you talking about?" Subaru mumbled, and going along with her logic, the boy closed his eyes "Well, if it's nighttime like you say, I'm going back to bed."

"If that's your choice, I will lay here and admire your sleeping face, I suppose." Beatrice accepted with a smile as she gazed at her husband.

As sleep once against threatened to take a hold of him, Subaru uttered "Do what you want."

"…"

"…Wait, it's nighttime?" Subaru blurted out as his eyes opened up wide.

Still laying next to him, Beatrice spoke "I was wondering when you were going to ask, I suppose."

Finally taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, Subaru asked "Hey, are we in a hotel room?"

"We are most certainly in a hotel room, I suppose." Beatrice answered matter-of-factly.

With his gaze landing on his wife, Subaru called her name "Beako."

"Yes?" Beatrice sweetly replied.

"Why?" Subaru asked, hoping that Beatrice would answer all his built-up questions.

Staring up at the ceiling, Beatrice moved her finger around in the air as if to physically connect the dots as she explained "It started off with Petra saying that it was her birthday, and one thing led to another, and it ended up with your father purchasing two hotel rooms so we could all swim in its pool, I suppose."

With his brow furrowing, Subaru asked "Did he really have to get a hotel room just for all of us to swim? I think our local gym has a pool in it."

"…This hotel has a really nice pool, I suppose." Beatrice answered with a nervous smile.

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" Subaru pressed his wife.

Deciding to change the subject, Beatrice urged "As much as I wish to admire you like this, it would be wasteful for you to sleep through such a rare opportunity, so I implore you to get up, I suppose."

Slowly starting to rise up from the bed, Subaru sighed "What's with you today? Well, if you insist."

"Wait a moment. Don't get up just yet, I suppose." Beatrice ordered as she tackled her husband back down.

Falling back down onto the bed, Subaru felt his wife wrap her arms tightly around him as he asked "What do you want from me?"

As Subaru's face was just inches from her own, Beatrice softly demanded "…Cuddles, I suppose."

With his wife's request earning a smile on his face, Subaru pulled his wife close "You really are cute this morning. Hmm, you're softer than usual too."

Closing her eyes to enjoy the moment, Beatrice smiled "That's because I'm wearing a bikini, I suppose."

With his senses still waking up coupled with being under a blanket, Subaru was oblivious to that fact until now as he uttered "O-Oh."

With Subaru's hold on her weakening, Beatrice clung to the boy as if she were a koala as her smile turned into a smirk "Apologies, but once you initiate an embrace with me, I won't let go until I'm satisfied, I suppose. Just bear with my softness for now."

As heat rushed to his face, Subaru weakly complained "…You're just a little girl."

While displeasure flashed across her face for a moment, Beatrice's lips once against curved into a bright smile as she spoke "That may be so, but I am also your wife, so there's nothing to feel bashful about, I suppose."

Suddenly drawn to his wife, Subaru murmured "You really are warm."

"Suba…" Beatrice uttered, stunned that her husband got over his bashfulness so easily. Running her fingers through his hair, the spirit went on to smile "Yes, feel free to indulge yourself. My small stature doesn't offer much, but the warmth I provide belongs solely to you, I suppose."

With his entire body suddenly freezing up, Subaru felt something eat away at him as he uttered "Hrk."

As Subaru seemed to shiver in her arms, Beatrice lost her smile as she called his name "Subaru, what's-"

"H-Huh? Why am I..?" Subaru choked out.

Leaving the comfort of his shoulder, Beatrice retracted her head only to discover that tears were streaming down his face.

Immediately going into a panic, Beatrice pressed her hands to her husband's cheeks as she worriedly asked "What's wrong, I wonder? Do you feel unwell?"

Trembling on the spot, Subaru shakily answered "I-I don't know. Just… so cold."

"'Cold', you say? But it's-" Beatrice was in the middle of saying when the cause for Subaru's trembling became apparent to her.

With her lips quivering and a lump appearing in her throat, Beatrice hid her heartbreak by pulling Subaru's face into her shoulder and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Shh. It's okay, my darling Subaru. Everything is okay now." Beatrice comforted as tears built up in her eyes.

Once Subaru finally stopped trembling, he wiped the tears off his face as he forced an explanation "Sorry about that. I don't know what came over me there. I guess I was just-"

Before Subaru could continue his nonsensical explanation, his mumbling was silenced after Beatrice pressed her lips to his forehead. Immediately after retracting her lips, Beatrice went on to affectionately plant kisses on his cheeks as well.

Gazing into her husband's awestruck face, Beatrice sweetly smiled "All better, I wonder?"

Faltering under Beatrice's smile, Subaru turned away and complained "I can't help but get the feeling you're treating me like a kid."

Not getting the answer she desired, Beatrice drew closer to Subaru once again and pressed her lips to the tip of his nose.

After retracting her face, Beatrice looked down at her husband and asked "How about now, I wonder?"

Surrendering to the adorable smile that was brighter than the sun, Subaru gave in "All better."

Before he could bring himself to smile back, Subaru gulped "Wait a second, I just remembered something."

Completely freezing up at his words, Beatrice nervously replied "R-Remembered, you say?"

Suddenly becoming timid, Subaru faintly recalled "Aren't you supposed to be ultra-mega pissed at me?"

After breathing a short sigh of relief, Beatrice furrowed her brow as she threatened "I could be mega-mad at you if you wanted me to, I suppose."

Having already surrendered himself to this warmth, Subaru immediately replied "That's not what I want at all."

Once again flashing her husband a sweet smile, Beatrice explained "You silly boy, it's Valentine's Day. Of course I'd rather swallow my pride and be with you than spend it being bitterly distant, I suppose."

Still skeptical of his wife's anger, Subaru asked "So, you're not mad anymore?"

With the smile on her face being corrupted, Beatrice spoke "Subaru, you're not the person I'm angry with, I suppose."

Oblivious to his wife's change in tone, Subaru pointed out "The way you say that makes me think that you are mad at somebody else."

Feeling something within her snap, Beatrice agreed with the boy "It's as you say, Subaru."

"I'm ultra-mega pissed off right now, I suppose." Beatrice spoke with a certain hollowness in her eyes as venom dripped out from her words.

Although Subaru wanted to mark off Beatrice's words as a simple annoyance towards another, probably his father or Roswaal, the cruel smile on her face unsettled him as he uttered "Beako?"

Worried that she had let something slip, Beatrice rearranged the expression on her face as she nervously spoke "Yes, my darling Subaru?"

Deciding to drop the whole thing, Subaru instead pointed out "Since when have you called me 'your darling'?"

Breathing another sigh of relief, Beatrice explained with her cheeks turning pink "I'm just feeling a little whimsical, I suppose."

Clearing his throat, Subaru nervously requested "T-Then, could you call me 'honey'?"

Amused to no end by her husband's request, Beatrice beamed "You really are cute, honey."

As his mouth curved into an uncontrollable smile, Subaru brought a hand to his chin as he evaluated this experience "I could've gone without the first part of that, but I'm somehow feeling completely refreshed."

Taking in her husband's smiling face, Beatrice offered "Do you have any other bizarre requests for me, I wonder? I'll do my best to fulfill them."

Losing his smile immediately, Subaru joked "You should understand that it's dangerous to say something like that to a guy, especially a monster virgin like myself."

"I'm being serious, I suppose." Beatrice insisted, and as she gazed intently at her husband, she went on "Today is Valentine's Day, and you've been through… What I'm trying to say is that today, I will be subservient to all your fancies. I'll do just about, no, I will do anything you request of me, I suppose."

Trying to find the limit to his requests, Subaru smirked "Even if it's lewd?"

"Even if it's lewd, I suppose." Beatrice answered without hesitation as her cheeks turned pink.

As his eyes started to sparkle, Subaru exclaimed "Even if I make you wear a sexy bunny outfit?!"

With her face turning scarlet, Beatrice balled her hands into fists as she exclaimed back "Even if you ask me to wear a s-sexy bunny outfit, I suppose!"

"Uwaaaah!" Subaru blindly screamed, and with his male fantasies just within reach, the boy pointed at his wife and yelled "Beako!"

"Y-Yes, I wonder?!" Beatrice shrieked back as her heart started pounding within her chest.

With a smile that only an innocent child could make, Subaru suggested "Let's go swimming."

Picturing a train getting derailed in her mind, Beatrice stared at her husband with disbelief until letting out a long sigh "After I mustered up all that courage, that's what you ask of me, I wonder? I must admit that I'm disappointed. You truly are gutless."

Ignoring Beatrice's complaints altogether, Subaru beamed "Well, after being brought here against my will, what I want to do right now more than anything is go swimming with the others and celebrate Petra's birthday with her. Plus, from what I've heard, this hotel has a really nice pool."

Offering his hand to his wife, Subaru flashed her a grin "Well, shall we go?"

After gazing at Subaru's hand, Beatrice pointed out "Are you really going swimming in your pajamas, I wonder?"

"Ah." Subaru uttered, and with his face turning crimson, the boy tried correcting himself "O-Of course not! I was just, um, yeah, that's it. Well, time to get changed!"

"That's the flimsiest explanation I've ever heard, I suppose. Your swimwear is in the bathroom." Beatrice sighed, and after Subaru frantically went to get changed, the spirit pressed her back against the door as she reminded "Subaru, my offer won't expire. I am your wife, and you are my husband, so if you ever require those kinds of services, I'll be happy to provide, I suppose."

As she stared down at her small figure, Beatrice was once again reminded of her biggest shortcoming as a wife as she timidly asked "I'm not a child, you know that, right?"

With his expression hidden by the door that separated them, Subaru reasoned "I thought spirits didn't care about that kind of stuff."

As tears welled up within her eyes, Beatrice brushed them away as she reminded "What I care about is you and your happiness. While I am a spirit, I love you as a woman would love a man, so I'm prepared to accept my role as a girl if you so desire, I suppose."

With Beatrice only talking of his feelings, Subaru pointed out "Sounds to me like you're forcing yourself."

Not wanting Subaru to get the wrong idea, Beatrice corrected "I'm not, I'm just a little embarrassed about all of this, I suppose."

As Subaru took off his shirt, he sighed "That makes two of us then."

With Subaru's answer being obvious, Beatrice ended the conversation with "If you ever change your mind, let me know, Subaru."

"Beatrice." Subaru called her name.

Noticing the serious tone in his voice, Beatrice's heart skipped a beat as she warmly replied "Yes, honey?"

Holding the piece of swimwear in front of him, a disgusted Subaru asked "Why is there only a speedo in here?"

Trying her damnedest to muffle her giggling, Beatrice held her stomach as she replied "W-Well, your mother said they were coming back into style, so I thought you would look dashing in them, I suppose."

"I should have figured my mom was involved. Tell me..." Subaru uttered, and slamming the door open, the boy in the speedo yelled "Does this look dashing to you?!"

"Pfft!" Beatrice did her best to conceal her laughter, but after leaning over and covering her mouth, the spirit couldn't hold it back anymore as she laughed to the heavens "Hahahahaha! You look so ridiculous, I suppose!"

Stomping his foot on the ground, Subaru roared back "Remind me who made me look this ridiculous!"

Still suffering from her fit of laughter, Beatrice pointed at her husband and forced out "I-If I saw you walking on the street wearing those, I would do my best to act like I didn't know you, I suppose!"

Appalled by his own image in the mirror, Subaru exclaimed "I know I'm a social deviant, but even I'm sensible enough to not go out in public wearing this! I'm staying here!"

Brushing the tears out of her eyes, Beatrice offered a pair of normal swimming trunks to Subaru. With her lips still trembling from all her laughter, the spirit apologized "Forgive me for teasing you so fervently, and thank you for putting up with me, I suppose."

Eyeing the piece of swimming trunks carefully, Subaru reluctantly accepted them "Well, someone has to."

After changing into the acceptable swimwear, Subaru opened the door and proclaimed "Alright, Beako. Let's make our swimsuit debut!"

"Right, I suppose!"

As the two walked hand in hand through the hallway, Subaru looked down at his wife and pointed out "So, why did you pick out a two-piece black bikini? I thought you would choose brighter colors given your colorful wardrobe."

With her hand to her chin, Beatrice thoughtfully replied "Hmm, even if you ask me that, I would have to say I was just feeling whimsical when I chose this swimwear. Even I'm not sure as to why I selected this, I suppose."

Remembering his wife's past attempts at mimicking him, Subaru reasoned "For a second, I thought you picked it out because of the color of my tracksuit."

As a light bulb went off in her head, Beatrice agreed "Oh, that might have been the deciding factor when I picked this, I suppose."

"So, it was because of my tracksuit." Subaru sighed as his shoulders slackened.

With her cheeks getting warmer, Beatrice stuttered "W-What's with that annoyed tone, I wonder? Isn't it natural for me to like the same things you like, I wonder?"

Remembering that the first thing she bought in this world was a tracksuit, Subaru said "Now it's at the point where it feels like you're mimicking me."

Remaining steadfast in her feelings, Beatrice answered "W-Well, the love you showed me is symmetrical to the love I requited for you. This is just the symmetry of love at work, I suppose."

Completely lost in her logic, Subaru spat "What the heck are you even talking about?"

Nervously pressing her fingers together, Beatrice reasoned "Umm, in simpler terms, you're my other half, and that's why we share so many of the same traits, I suppose."

"That's the corniest excuse I've ever heard." Subaru cringed.

Reaching the limits of her patience, Beatrice stomped on the floor and complained "Nuuuuuu! Subaru!"

"Yes, Subaru speaking." Subaru replied as if he just answered a phone.

"Pet my head at once, I suppose." Beatrice ordered through her puffed cheeks.

"Okay, princess." Subaru sighed, and the moment his hand stroked his wife's head, a blissful smile emerged on her lips.

Once they reached the pool area, a dumbfounded Subaru asked "Umm, Beako-san?"

Closing her eyes to enjoy his surprise, Beatrice simply smiled "What is it, Subaru?"

Looking around the dome, Subaru pointed in several different direction as he spoke "Why is there a lazy river, a wave pool, and a bunch of water slides?"

"Don't forget about the really nice pool, I suppose." Beatrice reminded the boy.

As his lips curved into a faint smile, Subaru recalled "Oh, right. How could I forget the really nice-"

"We're at a freaking indoor water resort?!" Subaru exclaimed with his shout echoing throughout the dome.

Simply going along with the flow for now, Subaru let Beatrice guide him to the edge of the wave pool where his father was relaxing in a lounge chair.

Noticing the couple approach him, Kenichi pulled down his sunglasses and greeted "Wassup, son?"

Immediately ticked off by his father's greeting, Subaru exclaimed "Don't you 'wassup' me! And wearing those sunglasses is completely pointless!"

Prying her eyes away from the wave pool, Frederica greeted "I was wondering how long you were going to sleep in. Were you feeling unwell this morning, Subaru?"

"For some reason I woke up really groggy today. I guess I didn't get much sleep or something." Subaru stifled a yawn, and noticing that Frederica was relaxing in a white sundress with long sleeves, he complimented "It's nice to see you wear something besides your maid uniform. Did you choose that sundress yourself?"

"This is actually from your mother's wardrobe." Frederica answer, and in a small voice, she asked "Something like this, does it not suit me?"

"I think it suits you very well actually." Subaru answered honestly as he went on to ask "But aren't you going to get in the water?"

With hints of a blush appearing on her cheeks, Frederica quickly explained "Ah, well, I'm afraid I'm not confident enough to join all of you in the pool. I'm somewhat reserved about my figure, so going out in swimwear is a little… daunting for me. Plus, I'm severely lacking when it comes to my ability to swim. Call it incompatibility with water."

Fearing he stepped on a landmine, Subaru quickly apologized "Whoops, didn't mean to pry. I still hope you're having fun."

"While I may not look like it, I'm having a grand time myself." Frederica smiled, and as she gazed out towards the wave pool, she continued "Just seeing Petra and all the other children enjoying themselves is enough for me. They seem to be enamored by this place."

"So, what do you think? Pretty neat surprise, isn't it?" Kenichi pressed his son; however, once Subaru turned his frown in his direction, he wondered "Huh? What's with the gloomy face? Aren't you happy?"

With his head still feeling foggy, Subaru sighed "I'm just disoriented. I expected to wake up in my own room and prepare to do the usual chores and grovel before my angry wife, so waking up in a water resort to my wife's smiling face only leaves me baffled."

"Is that so?" Kenichi questioned, and as grabbed his drink, the man huffed "Well, I'd like to enjoy this margarita in peace, so your disoriented self can go skinny dip in the kiddie pool for all I care."

"You give some problematic advice sometimes." Subaru sighed as he scratched his head.

With her eyes glued to the waterslides, Beatrice was about to suggest "Subaru, lets-"

"Beatrice! And S-Subaru?!"

"Hey, Pet-" Subaru attempted to greet; however, something had blinded him as he yelled "Agh! My eyes!"

After poking the boy in the eyes, Petra desperately suggested "Beatrice, let's run for it!"

Before the spirit could even protest, she was pulled along by Petra who broke into a sprint.

Once again opening his eyes to find that the two little girls were gone, Subaru sighed "Ah, it seems my Beako's been stolen again."

"What a shame, it seems like my Petra has been stolen as well." Frederica frowned.

"Actually, I think she made a break for it on her own free will." Subaru pointed out and then went on to say "I guess I'll go find something to do."

Before Subaru walked off, Kenichi informed his son "By the way, your mother and Emilia are still at the house, but if you want someone to bother, Ram should be around here somewhere."

"They're still at the house?" Subaru questioned as he turned around to face his father.

Taking another sip of his drink, Kenichi continued "Yeah, apparently Emilia had something she really needed to do today, so once she finishes up, Naoko is going to drive over here."

Knowing that his mother was almost completely oblivious to those around her, Subaru exclaimed "Mom got her license?! I don't think the roads are a safe means of transportation anymore!"

Although worried about his wife's abilities as well, Kenichi spat "For someone who complains whenever someone questions your driving ability, that was a pretty cold remark."

With Emilia's life practically in his mother's uncapable hands, Subaru shuddered "…Is it really okay for someone like mom be responsible for the future ruler of Lugnica's life?"

"You have a lot of faith in the little missy, don't you? Why not spare some of that trust for your mom?" Kenichi suggested.

As he recalled his various memories with the half-elf, Subaru beamed "You're right. Emilia has already overcome so many obstacles this far, so she won't let something like mom's abhorrent driving be the death of her."

With no amount of faith being spared for his wife, Kenichi sighed "Your mom would have broken into tears right now if she heard all of this."

Leaving the conversation at that, Subaru left his father and Frederica to search for Ram. Taking her personality into account, Subaru thought that Ram would be in one of two places, so he first checked the lazy river.

"Yo, Ram." Subaru greeted as a pink-haired girl laying in a swimming ring floated his way.

Opening her eyes to see Subaru standing in the water, Ram narrowed her gaze and scoffed "Who gave you permission to greet me so casually?"

"Oh, my bad. Let me try that again." Subaru attempted to correct himself as he cleared his throat "Ahem. What's good, Ram?"

Almost dismissing the boy outright, Ram instead closed her eyes and asked "It's seems you've come to disturb my peaceful floating."

"That's right, I've come to bother you." Subaru stated triumphantly as he went on to question "So, how long have you been in the lazy river for?"

Still somewhat keeping track of time, Ram recalled "Not too long. Only an hour at most."

"I'm surprised nobody has kicked you out yet." Subaru uttered as he went on to passionately suggest "Well, I'm sure you're tired of being lazy, so let's go hit some water slides, yeah?"

Content as she was, Ram questioned "Isn't that something you should be doing with Lady Beatrice? I thought you two finally got over your petty squabble from yesterday."

Recalling his wife's warm welcome this morning, Subaru informed "Yeah, for some reason, Beako forgave me in a heartbeat when I woke up, but she was loli-napped by Petra. Unfortunately for you, you're stuck with me for the time being."

Opening her eyes slightly to glare at the boy, Ram asked "Am I some sort of last resort to you?"

Remembering his stunt from Halloween, Subaru shivered "No, that would be Frederica because I don't want to bother her with my shenanigans. Plus, she gets pretty scary when she gets mad. So like always, will you indulge in my shenanigans for a little bit, pretty please? Going down the water slides with somebody else is exponentially more fun than going down alone."

After breathing a sigh of resignation, Ram grabbed Subaru's hand and urged "Come now, let's go fulfill your childish impulses so I can go back to relaxing."

"Right!" Subaru cheered after he successfully persuaded Ram once again.

Watching as Subaru grabbed a two-person tube, Ram observed "So, we're going down together, it seems."

Pausing on the spot, Subaru offered another suggestion "What, you don't want to? There are some slides where we can go down individually."

"No, it's not that." Ram spoke, and as she looked at the boy suspiciously, she voiced her concerns "I'm just worried that you'll use the opportunity to shamelessly feel like legs."

"Ah, damn, my intentions have been brought out into the light again. I guess I'll have to sit in the back." Subaru joked in monotone.

Going along with the flow, Ram consented to the idea "It's unfortunate, but it seems that I'll have to sit in the front."

"Yeah, what a… Wait a second." Subaru was about to agree with Ram when he realized "Was that all a ploy just so you could get the front seat?"

With her lips curving into a small smile, Ram mimicked "Ah, how shameful, it seems my intentions have been brought out into the light once again."

Flinching from Ram's response, Subaru wondered "What the heck is with you and Beako today? It's like it's all sunshine and rainbows with you guys."

With a shrug of her shoulders, Ram replied "Who knows? While I can't speak for Lady Beatrice, I for one must be feeling whimsical after blissfully floating for so long."

"You and your floating." Subaru sighed, and finally remembering about the one unaccounted for person, he asked "Oh, where's Ros-chi? I just realized the water would get in the way of his makeup, and he wasn't with dad or Frederica. Is he with my mom and Emilia?"

Losing the smile on her face, Ram informed "Master Roswaal had an urgent business trip to take care of."

"Well, he has been known to fly off right after breakfast." Subaru recalled, and noticing the downcast expression on Ram's face, he pointed out "Hmm, you look worried?"

Quickly shuffling her expression, Ram insisted "It's nothing. I realize that Master Roswaal's business matters come first; however, I still wish he were with us."

Gazing around at all the couples, Subaru reasoned "You probably wish you would be going down this with Ros-chi instead."

With a genuine look of confusion on her face, Ram questioned "What makes you say that?"

As a strange yet funny scene unraveled in his mind, Subaru barely suppressed a laugh as he explained "Well, you could probably take advantage of the situation to show him a more vulnerable side as you screamed 'kyaa' and latched on to him from behind."

Visibly recoiling from the thought, Ram scoffed "That's a creepy scenario you're imaging up. How did you win over the likes of Lady Beatrice with a mindset like that?"

Put off by the girl's glare, Subaru insisted "Don't give me that. I'm sure you felt something at the thought of you and Ros-chi going on this ride together."

Not backing down from her train of thought, Ram reasoned "Between you and Master Roswaal, I would rather show such a shameful side to you. After all, you would be easier to dispose of."

Taking a step away from Ram, Subaru exclaimed "My heart was about to skip a beat there, but now it's completely stopped working out of feelings of pure terror!"

Crossing her arms over her chest, Ram snorted "Hmpf, and wouldn't you rather be accompanied by your wife for something like this?"

"There's no point in thinking like that. You're the person accompanying me right now." Subaru replied matter-of-factly.

As if anticipating his response, Ram scolded in monotone. "That doesn't mean much coming from the person who initiated this conversation."

Once they were next to go down the slide, Subaru laid their shared tube in the water. After sitting down in the previously discussed order, Ram and Subaru waited for the lifeguard to give the word.

"All clear." The lifeguard said as she pushed the tube onto the slide.

As the tube inched forward, Subaru's lips curved into a wide smile as he waited with anticipation for going down the steep hill.

"Whoaaaaaa!" Subaru yelled as they quickly gained speed. While the hill they were going down did look steep, the boy didn't expect the acceleration to be this great as he laughed with delight.

For the next half a minute, those near the waterslide could hear the sound of a man who just recently became an adult roar with shameless laughter.

When they came out of the waterslide tunnel and reached the end, Subaru was still in a fit of laughter; however, he finally realized that the echoes of laughter weren't just his own.

"Ram?" Subaru uttered as his laughter came to a sudden halt. Immediately after the boy called her name, Ram's laughter came to a quick stop as well.

Wearing a light blush on her cheeks, Ram continued to stare blankly ahead as she finally spoke "It seems that I'll have to dispose of you after all."

Although still in disbelief, Subaru disembarked the tube, and when his face came out of the water, he informed "Don't want to clog up the system. We should get out of the water so more people can come down."

With Subaru's words snapping her out of her thoughts, Ram got off the tube and entered the water as well.

After getting out of the water and putting the tube back with all the others, Subaru suggested "Well, let's go find something else to do."

"Actually, Barusu-"

Turning around to see Ram wearing a smile the like he's never seen her make before, Subaru listened as she requested "Let's do that one more time."

After spending the next hour going down different waterslides together, Subaru and Ram finally ended up relaxing in the hot tub.

With his back firmly pressed against the wall of the tub, Subaru smiled to himself "That was awesome."

Relaxing right next to him, Ram closed her eyes as she spoke "I fear that Lady Beatrice will accuse me of stealing you for an hour."

Closing his eyes as well, Subaru reasoned "She can't complain considering she was stolen too."

"Is that how it works?" Ram questioned.

"That's how it works." Subaru answered.

For the next few minutes, the two simply enjoyed the comfort of the jets until Ram broke the silence "Barusu, is it fun being with me?"

Opening his eyes in surprise, an unsettled Subaru replied "That's a creepy question."

Turning to look at the boy, Ram frowned "No, I think you're the one making it creepy."

Trying to end the conversation at that, Subaru firmly stated "If it wasn't fun being with you, I wouldn't be here."

Still not satisfied, Ram went on to question "Then surely you would be having more fun with somebody else, correct?"

"What's with this out of place pessimism? You really are all over the place today." Subaru complained, and finally meeting Ram's gaze, he asked "Did something happen?"

"It's nothing that you need concern yourself with."

Now certain that something had indeed happened, Subaru reasoned "From the way you're asking me those depressing questions, I'm sure it involves me, right? Did I say something stupid to you without realizing it?"

"No, it's not that. You're not in the wrong here." Ram corrected.

"Is that your way of saying that whatever this is about, it's your fault?" Subaru questioned.

As Subaru continued to see the deeper meaning behind her words, Ram clicked her tongue "Tch. I can't tell whether you're a fool with smart moments or if you're someone of decent intelligence who's just pretending to be dumb."

Pointing his own thumb at himself, Subaru declared with a smile "Oh, trust me, I'm a complete dumbass. I just happen to pick up on social cues sometimes. Call it the intuition of someone who's constantly worried about appearances and how others view him."

"Someone as disgraceful as you doesn't have the capacity to be concerned about appearance." Ram spat; however, with her expression softening, she went on to ask "Barusu, do you bear any ill will towards me? Have I ever done anything that you can't forgive?"

Still not knowing how Ram came to such a conclusion, Subaru fired back "Can you think of a time where you did something that I couldn't forgive? There's not a single thing in your memory that you can think of, right?"

"This isn't about my memory. I was referring to yours." Ram clarified.

"My memory?" Subaru questioned, and as soon as he pondered that word, the fuzziness in his head returned as he once again felt light-headed.

Watching as Subaru pressed his hand to his forehead, Ram cautiously called his name "Barusu?"

Looking over to see a genuine look of worry on Ram's face, Subaru forced a smile "Sorry, I'm just feeling a little lightheaded. I don't know why you're so bent on blaming yourself, but I honestly can't think of a single time that I've come to dislike you even a little bit."

Recalling all of his memories involving the pink-haired maid, Subaru thoughtfully went on "I mean, you're not exactly rays of sunshine, and I know you can be pretty harsh, but I like those things about you. N-Not saying I'm a masochist who revels in your disgusted tone and expressions, but I appreciate your unbending honesty and your confidence. You're a lot like Beako in those regards."

Still feeling like he hasn't gotten his feelings across to her adequately, Subaru sheepishly scratched his head as he concluded "What I'm trying to say is that you're like a big sister to me."

While Ram seemed to momentarily freeze from Subaru's evaluation of her, her expression turned stern as she reminded "You realize that only one person can call me their big sister, correct?"

"Ah, that's right." Subaru recalled, and with another idea popping into his head, he insisted "Oh, how about I call you honorable sister Ram? That has a nice ring to it."

"I can do without that grandiose title." Ram sighed, and taking her own feelings toward the boy into account, she spoke in almost a whisper "Just sister is fine."

As a stunned Subaru stared blankly at her, Ram asked "Will that suffice for you, bro?"

"Ughghghghgh!" Subaru's entire body cringed, and as he desperately scratched at his throat, the boy complained "I don't know why, but that's really creepy! Please don't ever call me that ever again."

With her cheeks relaxing at Subaru's expense, Ram smiled "Then will 'brother' do?"

"I turn my back on you two for ten seconds, and this is the result, I wonder?"

Turning around to find his wife standing there with dissatisfaction written across her face, Subaru nonchalantly replied "Actually, it's been a little over an hour since I met up with Ram."

With her eyes narrowing on her husband, Beatrice warned "You two seem to have gotten awfully close during that time. Should I put your fidelity into question, I wonder?"

Thinking his wife was being unreasonable again, Subaru sighed "Come on, we just got done sibling-zoning each other."

Turning her gaze towards Ram, Beatrice questioned "Did my husband have a fun time, I wonder?"

With his laugh still ringing in her mind, Ram informed "If you heard the sound of a grown man's laughter echo throughout this place, it probably belonged to Barusu."

Still remembering the warm look upon her face, Subaru pointed out "Coming from the person who hardly does it, I think your laugh was more notable, Ram."

Noticing the warm expressions the two shared, Beatrice uttered "That's good, I suppose. Mildly frustrating, but that's fine, I suppose."

"Beako?"

Walking towards edge of the hot tube, Beatrice sat down and voluntarily fell into the hot tub thinking it would be bearably warm.

"Hot, I suppose!" Beatrice screamed once her head resurfaced.

"Well, yeah. It's a hot tub." Subaru pointed out.

Frozen on the spot to let her body adjust to the heat, Beatrice yelled back "I can do without your obvious explanation! This is nothing like the baths in the mansion, I suppose!"

Remembering how he took his time entering the tub, Subaru asked "Even I would be screaming if I jumped in like you did. Why didn't you just slowly enter?"

"I was overcome with an intense urge to be at your side, I suppose!" Beatrice used her current predicament to earn brownie points with her husband.

"You really are cute sometimes, Lady Beatrice." Ram smiled at the spirit.

Taking Ram's words as an insult, Beatrice exclaimed "Are you mocking me, I wonder?! Subaru, did you just hear her mock me, I wonder?!"

With a shrug of his shoulders, Subaru informed "I think she was just handing out one of her once in a blue moon compliments."

Still not buying it, Beatrice pointed at the pink-haired girl and shouted "But she had that smirk on her face, I suppose!"

With a smile of his own, Subaru explained "That's just the way that sis smiles."

With her smile quickly diminishing, Ram scolded the boy "Barusu, I never gave you permission to address me in such a lighthearted fashion."

Once again cutting corners, Subaru reasoned "The word sister is too drawn out, so I might as well just call you Ram instead. Calling you sis is a compromise."

"You're making quite a fuss over an additional syllable." Ram sighed as she went on to suggest "While it doesn't suit my tastes, addressing you as 'bro' would truly be a suitable compromise."

"Nope, permission denied." Subaru quickly rejected as he made an "x" with his arms.

"Permission denied, in fact." Beatrice added as she mimicked the "x" her husband was making.

Not having the energy to argue with the married couple, Ram sighed "By the way, where is Petra, Lady Beatrice?"

Remembering her initial purpose, Beatrice revealed "Well, children like her aren't allowed to enter this area, so she sent me here to fetch the two of you, I suppose."

"Speaking of which, isn't it about time someone kicked you out?" Subaru questioned, and thinking about the birthday girl, he added "Wait, if Petra's waiting for us, why didn't you say anything before now?"

Latching onto her husband's arm, Beatrice rubbed her cheek against his shoulder as she beamed "I just wanted to spend a few moments alone with my hubby, I suppose."

Feeling as if the spirit was rejecting her existence, Ram asked "And what do you make of my presence, Lady Beatrice?"

"A nuisance, I suppose." Beatrice instantly replied with a pout.

After waiting several minutes for her return, Petra smiled when she saw her friend turn the corner as she beamed "Beatrice, Ram, a-and Subaru?!"

Once again pointing his thumb at himself, Subaru reintroduced himself "Yup, it's me, Subaru Natsu-"

"Kyaa!" Petra screamed as her fingers lunged out towards the boy's eyes once again.

"Protect!" Subaru commanded himself as he put his hand in front of his face to shield himself. Petra's two fingers crashed against the palm of his hand as if she were a car crashing into a concrete wall.

Retracting her damaged fingers, Petra blew on them as if to quell the pain and whimpered "Ow… What was that for?"

Somehow not feeling guilty in the slightest, Subaru in turned asked "I was simply acting in self-defense. Why are you so obsessed with neutralizing my eyes?"

With Subaru's gaze meeting her own, Petra blushed as she weakly requested "D-Don't look at me."

Going along with the flow, Subaru consented "Alright, got it."

Watching as Subaru's gaze turned elsewhere, Petra cautiously asked "S-So, what do you think of my swimsuit?"

Still gazing up at the ceiling, Subaru reminded "It's kind of hard to answer that considering I can't look at it."

With her blush turning crimson, Petra nervously exclaimed "T-Then, just this once, you can look, no, peak at it, but only peaking, got it?!"

Trying to spare Petra from forcing herself, Beatrice offered "Dear Petra, wouldn't it be easier for you to come to me with these questions, I wonder? Surely my input is more valuable than his."

Still with a scarlet blush on her face, Petra firmly replied "No, for something like this, I need Subaru's input. It won't do me any good if he's not the one to say it."

Completely subdued by Petra's passionate response, Beatrice nervously uttered "W-What's that mean, I wonder?"

Watching as Subaru peeked at her, Petra stuttered "W-Well? What do you think?"

Somehow feeling immoral, Subaru sighed "For starters with the way I'm forced to peak at you, I think I'm about to get arrested."

Still not getting the answer she desired, Petra insisted "I mean what do you think about my swimsuit! Hurry, before they lock you up!"

Finally taking in Petra's swim attire, Subaru commented "Yeah, it looks good on you."

With a look of true suspicious, Petra narrowed her eyes as she asked "Really?"

Giving the little girl an unyielding smile, Subaru vigorously nodded "Yeah, your cuteness is brighter than any solar flare!"

"Is that bright?!" Petra questioned as she rolled her hands into fists.

"Blindingly." Subaru informed, praying that Petra would be satisfied with that.

Finally reaching the limits of her courage, Petra felt content as she accepted his compliment "O-Oh, well, if you insist, then it really must be true, isn't it?"

With a sudden idea popping into his mind, Subaru walked towards the birthday girl and said "Hey, Petra, stand still for a second."

"Hmm? What is it, S-S-Subaru?!" Petra shrieked as the boy started to lift her off the ground.

Watching as Subaru carried Petra, Beatrice lightly pounded on her husband's back as she furiously protested "Such a method of carrying someone is reserved solely for me, I suppose! Why are you carrying Petra like that, I wonder?! Is this another test of my patience, I wonder?!"

Ignoring his wife's protests altogether, Subaru looked down at the nervous girl in his arms as he smiled "Petra?"

With her heart beating rapidly inside her chest, Petra yelped "Y-Yes, Subaru?"

"Happy birthday!" Subaru yelled as he chucked the little girl into the pool.

"Kyaa!" Petra screamed in midair until her shouts were muffled by the water.

Immediately coming up for air, Petra's face surfaced from the water. With her face still scarlet, Petra fumed with rage "Subaru, you dummy! Idiot! Deviant unfit for society!"

In response to Petra's outbursts, Subaru simply pointed at the little girl and howled with laughter; however, because of his laughter, he didn't notice her sneaking up on him.

"E-Eh?" Subaru's laughter came to a sudden halt when he was lifted off the ground. The next thing he knew, he was being carried bridal style.

With her jealousy rekindled, Beatrice shouted "Hey, you! The only one who is allowed to carry my husband in such a way is me, I suppose!"

"Like hell you could!" Subaru exclaimed, and looking up to see the culprit behind this turn of events, Subaru uttered "R-Ram?"

"Yes, what is it, Barusu?" Ram smirked as she looked down at the boy she was carrying.

Choosing his words carefully, Subaru hesitantly spoke "I… I was just wondering why you picked me up."

"Do you really want to know?" Ram asked with a hint of danger dripping from her words.

Suddenly fearing for his life, Subaru gulped "Actually, I don't. In fact, if you would be so kind as to let me down now, that would be-"

"Barusu." Ram interrupted.

"Y-Yes, sis?" Subaru stuttered as Ram continued to gaze down at him.

With her smile softening, Ram warmly spoke "Have a nice flight."

Before Subaru could even respond, he was sent even higher in the air than Petra previously was.

"HOLY SH-!" Subaru shouted right before his face impacted the water. For a little bit, Subaru was content with drowning rather than confronting the rest after his embarrassing take off; however, he eventually swam up for air.

What he found when he came up made him want to sink back to the pool floor as he saw Petra heartily laughing in front of him. While Ram still wore that warm smile on her face, Beatrice was making a complication expression as her cheeks were puffed to the max; although, Subaru could hear faint giggles escaping her lips.

With their smiles being contagious, Subaru drifted with his back against the surface of the water as he chuckled "What comes around goes around I guess."

Hearing the sound of faint splashing coming closer, Subaru saw his wife swimming towards him as he went on to ask "Hmm, what is it, Beako?"

Swimming up to her husband, Beatrice puffed her cheeks "Not that I feel jealous or anything. I definitely wasn't getting jealous; however, after witnessing you messing around with Petra and Ram, I was feeling a bit lonely, I suppose."

"Got it. You were getting insanely jealous." Subaru revealed her true feelings.

Ignoring her husband's comment, Beatrice wrapped her arms tightly around Subaru as she demanded "With that in mind, I think now's a good time to be attentive to your wife, I suppose."

Struggling to wrestle out of her grasp, Subaru protested "H-Hey, what are you doing? We're going to get kicked out for PDA."

Having already thought that through, Beatrice shamelessly smiled "Not to worry. I'm sure everyone here will think I'm just playing around with my big brother, I suppose."

"Now you use your small appearance to your advantage?!" Subaru exclaimed as he turned to the birthday girl for help "Petra, talk some sense into- Petra, what are you doing?!"

As she timidly grabbed onto Subaru's shoulders, Petra faintly asked "I'm not envious or anything, I'm really not, but would you mind if I climbed you too?"

"Um, yes?!" Subaru could only exclaim in response.

Suddenly feeling a rush of confidence, Petra climbed the boy until she sat atop his shoulders and recalled "Your dad said I could do whatever I want for my birthday, so I don't need your permission to board."

"What are you, a pirate or something?!" Subaru complained as he looked pleadingly over at his sister "Ram, can you help me out here-"

"Why are you still giving me that disturbing warm look for?!" Subaru exclaimed as Ram's smile from earlier remained on her face.

"What the hell is my son doing over there?"

Looking over to the right to find his dad making a surprise appearance, Subaru pointed at him and shouted "Don't try to pin the blame on me! No matter how you look at it, this isn't my fault! Fate's working against me here!"

After scratching the back of his head, Kenichi flashed the group a smile as he informed "Good news, guys. My wife and Emilia are on their way, and they're bringing ice cream cake."

"Ice cream cake?!" Petra shouted from atop Subaru as her eyes sparkled.

Still clinging to the front of Subaru, Beatrice huffed "Hmpf, while humans haven't done much in their abundance of time, ice cream cake is without question their greatest achievement, I suppose."

"Give us some more credit. We landed on the moon for crying out loud." Subaru complained, and as he attempted to keep Petra steady, he asked "So, how long until they arrive?"

"They're picking up the cake along the way, so I'm guessing they'll be here in about thirty minutes." Kenichi replied.

As he kept his gaze away from his wife, Subaru spoke to her in almost a whisper "Hey, Beatrice, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"Okay, I suppose." Beatrice answered with a certain hollowness in her voice, and turning towards her father-in-law, she spoke "Kenichi, me and Subaru have something to discuss, so we'll return shortly, I suppose."

Raising an eyebrow, Kenichi smirked at the couple "Hm? Fine by me, but if I find out you're just making out, I'll tease you until the sun goes down."

Raising his fist in the air, Subaru shouted "The sun already went down, and we've never done anything like that to begin with! We're maintaining a pure, kissy-kissy relationship!"

"'Kissy-kissy'?" Kenichi repeated as he visibly recoiled from his son's words "That sounds like something an elementary schooler would say. Well, it's not like I care what you do as long as you come back to celebrate with us."

Suddenly feeling a headache, Subaru sighed "I'm telling you, it's not like that."

Unfazed by Kenichi's comments, Beatrice pointed out "Are you really falling for your father's obvious attempt at provocation, I wonder?"

After Petra disembarked from Subaru, Beatrice exited the pool with her husband in hand as she spoke to Kenichi "We will return shortly, I suppose."

"Right, see ya then!" Kenichi flashed her a smile as he waved at the couple.

As the two walked down the hall, Beatrice kept a firm grip on Subaru's arms as she asked "So, may I inquire about what you wanted to talk about, I wonder?"

Worried about any passerby listening in, Subaru requested "Let's wait until we get to the room first."

With her gaze turning to the floor, Beatrice wore a faint smile as she replied "So, it's that serious, I suppose."

Once the couple silently returned to their room, Beatrice closed the door behind them. Turning around to face her husband, the spirit wore a bright smile as she asked "So, what did you want to discuss, Subaru?"

Not being able to meet his wife's gaze, Subaru stalled "I need a second."

Noticing the almost grim expression on his face, Beatrice offered "It's not like you to hesitate, I suppose. How about you take a seat on the bed?"

Going along with Beatrice's suggestion for now, Subaru sat at the edge of the bed. After a few seconds passed with silence, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his chest as he questioned "Beatrice?"

With her cheeks becoming warm and with her heart beating faster, Beatrice hastily questioned "Subaru, forgive me if I'm mistaken, but this is about my proposition from earlier, correct?"

After not getting a verbal reply out of her husband, Beatrice's fingers danced across his chest as she affirmed her feelings "I truly mean that I'll do anything for you. There's no need to feel shy or embarrassed about it. All you must do is request it of me and I'll happily fulfill it. We have some time before your mother returns, so-"

"Beatrice, that's not it." Subaru interrupted as he corrected his wife "This isn't about that."

With her eyes widening from shock, Beatrice questioned "So, this isn't about what we briefly discussed about an hour ago, I wonder?"

With a shake of his head, Subaru informed the spirit "No, this is about something else entirely. This hasn't even been brought up yet."

"Oh." Beatrice uttered, and as she retracted her arms, she placed her hands on her husband's shoulders as she plainly stated "It seems I had the wrong idea, I suppose."

Once Subaru said they needed to talk, Beatrice predicted two different routes the conversation could go. The spirit secretly hoped and prayed that it would be about her previous offer, because the alternative…

"Beatrice."

Judging from the tone in his voice, Beatrice had no doubts about what Subaru was about to ask. Beatrice thought this question might come eventually, but she never imagined he would pick up on it so soon.

In response to her husband calling her name, Beatrice hollowly replied "Yes, Subaru?"

"You did something with my memories, didn't you?"

Author's Notes: Yo.

Sorry this chapter took so long; although, that seems like an apology I make in each of these notes as of late. I hit another massive writer's block that involved me scraping 4000 words worth of content. This chapter initially started off in Kenichi's house with Subaru and Beatrice catching Ram up to speed about the incoming invasion and whatnot, but that was boring since I was just writing about events that already happened last chapter with Ram reacting to a small portion of it. So, swimsuit chapter it was.

Another reason why this chapter took so long is because of my recent Runescape addiction. Been playing that almost nonstop until recently. Finally completed my childhood dream of finishing Recipe for Disaster.

This fanfiction not only satisfies my SubaruXBeako fantasies, but also SubaruXRam. While it's not romantic, I'm definitely enjoying the warm relationship they've built. I've always wanted to write about the two being buddy-buddy, but I could never think of a situation where that could be reasonably possible until the Rem arc.

As for anime, I just recently started watching Kaguya-sama (holy shit this anime is good) and the second season of Mob Psycho. Also finished Bunny senpai and Zombieland saga. All good anime, but now there's a certain lacking of pandas in my life. Shield Hero is still pretty good.

I think that about does it for now. Sorry about the wait guys, and I will see you-

Oh yeah, how could I forget.

RE:ZERO SEASON TWO CONFIRMED BABY! And they said it could never be done! We're getting the Beako arc soon! AHHHHH! I squealed when I found out! The time has come and so have-!

Bye bye.

"Have I ever killed Barusu?"

With her eyes narrowing on the maid, Beatrice questioned "You, why would you ask me such a thing? If I answer no, nothing changes; however, won't you be wracked with guilt if I answer yes, I wonder? Your question is only designed to make you suffer. What would you even do with the knowledge?"

Meeting the spirit's gaze head on, Ram replied "I realize there's no merit to knowledge like that. I simply need to know."

"Does that mean this is all a part of your shallow curiosity, I wonder?" Beatrice asked in almost a warning.

"No, it's not that. I just…" Ram struggled to express her feelings on the matter until she settled on "If I harmed Barusu in any way, then I need to be punished for it."

It felt cruel to mention her in this matter; however, Beatrice brought up "Does that mean that Rem needs to be punished for her crimes against my husband, I wonder?"

Staring at the spirit with her widened eyes, Ram barely managed to ask "What are you… What are you saying?"

Hoping it would deter the maid in the end, Beatrice uttered "I'm accusing your sister of harming and slaying my husband, I suppose."

Feeling a torrent of anger, Ram glared at the spirit and yelled "You're lying! How could you say that Rem-?!"

"You dare accuse me of lying about my husband's death, I wonder?!" Beatrice interrupted as she screamed in return "Why ask me these questions at all if you doubted my honesty?!"

Trying to return the spotlight on her, Ram reminded "I didn't ask about anyone else, just myself! Why would you tell me such things?!"

Feeling like the whole thing was pointless, Beatrice shot back "I'm the one wondering why you would bother asking about such things to begin with, I suppose! These are the kind of unbearable answers that questions like yours leads to!"

Seeing that Ram didn't have a sharp reply for her, Beatrice calmed down ever so slightly as she spoke "Rem, who adored and worshiped Subaru, if someone like her could do something like that to my husband, then you should realize that anyone has the potential to kill Subaru given the circumstances, I suppose."

Still not yet satisfied by Beatrice's reply, Ram demanded "Answer me, Beatrice. I'm well aware that I can't go to Barusu about this, so answer in his stead. Have I ever made him suffer?"

Noticing the change in her question, Beatrice took advantage of it as she answered "There was one instance where you gave Subaru a small cut along his cheek; although, I wouldn't classify that as suffering, I suppose."

"That's it?" Ram asked in disbelief.

Content with speaking the truth, Beatrice repeated "Yes, I'm sure that's the only time my husband felt pain on your behalf, I suppose."

Understanding the meaning behind the spirit's cold stare, Ram questioned "Then why are you gazing at me with such blatant unrest in your eyes?"

Feeling something within her snap, Beatrice couldn't hold it back anymore as she revealed "There was one instance where Rem tortured Subaru. Don't you remember me questioning her at the dinner table about it, I wonder?"

"Lady Beatrice-"

As the painful memories came flooding back into her mind, Beatrice couldn't stop even if she wanted to as she bitterly recalled "Rem had gone mad with unrest as she questioned and accused my husband of being in league with the Witch's Cult. Do you remember the way Rem looked at Subaru when he first joined this mansion, I wonder?"

"That's not what I want to-"

With her lips curving into an uncontrollable sinister smile, Beatrice demanded "Do you know what Subaru sounded like when he cried out and begged Rem to understand him, I wonder?! Can you guess what hurt more, the pain of having his leg lopped off or being repeatedly beaten by chains?! Of course, neither of those can contend with the agony of betrayal that he felt as the person he considered a friend wrought all that devastation onto him!"

Unable to bear it anymore, Ram screamed her name "Beatrice!"

Finally reaching the point that Ram had requested, Beatrice abandoned her shouts as she informed in monotone "Then Subaru's throat was sliced open by wind magic, I suppose."

Watching as the maid went silent, Beatrice continued to say "I never saw the culprit; however, Subaru died instantly, so I'm sure it was done out of mercy, I suppose."

Seeing that an indescribable set of emotions appeared on the maid's face, Beatrice finished "I can't answer your question any better than that. Tell me, did that satisfy you, I wonder?"

Feeling a lump appear in her throat, Ram spoke through her trembling shoulders "Then it's true. I…"

Not knowing whether she still held unrest for the maid or not, either way, Beatrice couldn't stand to look at her anymore as she turned away to leave "I don't have time to deal with your petty emotions; however, let me leave off with this."

"To Subaru, you're an integral part of his life, and if you do anything to betray those precious feelings of his due to feelings of inadequacy, I won't forgive you, I suppose."

Right as she was about to turn the corner, Beatrice left off with "I've spoken my piece. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Once she was alone with the sleeping boy in her arms, Ram felt something building up in her eyes as she choked out "Barusu, I'm…"

Remembering all the times the boy had gone to her for help and relied on her, Ram closed her eyes as she realized "No, that's not something that you wish to hear, is it?"

With her throat clearing up and brushing her eyes, Ram went on to clearly speak "I can't allow myself to show weakness, especially in front of you. That's why…"

"As your family and as your senior, I will stand in front of you with confidence."

As she tenderly gazed down at the sleeping boy in her arms, Ram couldn't hold back her smile as warmth rushed to her cheeks "Is that okay with you, Subaru?"