Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing EX

Chapter 6: A Birthday Wish

On a quiet morning in the castle, Beatrice had once again decided to indulge her curiosities by burying her nose in the holiday book that Subaru had provided her. Contrary to her previous attempts at learning more about the boy's homeland, this time she had company. Niki had arrived earlier that morning so that Subaru could use the cart to make a trip to the village. The cat girl now had herself seated alongside Beatrice on the sofa in the tea room as each girl held one side of the book. Niki wore her usual village tunic and Beatrice was clad in a light purple sleeveless sundress. The girls appeared almost as sisters as they dangled their legs from the couch and swayed them in the air, signalling their carefree afternoon to anyone that might pass by. Niki followed Beatrice's finger as the spirit pointed at the various images and translated the foreign text aloud.

Beatrice: "It says that there are other holidays that depend on the person, in fact. Such as birthdays and… a-anniversaries, I suppose…"

Stuttering as she blushed, Beatrice betrayed her own bashfulness. Niki wasted no time picking up on the situation and replied with a smirk.

Niki: "Ohh, so yer gonna have one of those this year, right?"

Beatrice: "I-indeed, I suppose… I would like to celebrate that, in fact…"

Niki: "Woah! I thought fer sure ya would be red like a tomato! Bea sure is growin' up!"

A grimace crossed Beatrice's face as her cheeks changed to a rosy hue.

Beatrice: "Be quiet, I suppose."

Niki: "Sorry! I'm just kiddin'. You gotta celebrate his birthday first, right?"

Beatrice: "He has not mentioned having one as of yet, so I assume so, in fact."

Niki tilted her head quizzically in response to Beatrice's statement. With a stern gaze, the cat girl turned away from the book and brought her face within inches of Beatrice's. Before the spirit could react, Niki loudly exclaimed her thoughts.

Niki: "Ya don't know when his birthday is!"

Jolted by the sudden yell, Beatrice scrambled to put distance between her and Niki by sliding over to one side of the couch. Clutching the holiday book in her arms, the spirit looked away and made an admission.

Beatrice: "I… do not know, in fact… Betty never thought to ask, I suppose."

Niki's eyes widened at the new information and she flailed her arms dramatically while speaking.

Niki: "Ya gotta ask him! His lady can't miss his birthday!"

Beatrice: "But… I am not sure…"

Beatrice trailed off as she recalled what she had learned about birthdays in Subaru's homeland. She understood that there were presents and even a song that was written in the holiday book, but some of the information had left her confused and worried. The small spirit hesitated to respond as she wore a look of consternation on her face.

Niki: "Ya gotta be kiddin' me!? This is when ya choose not to be difficult? If yer worried about missin' it, just celebrate it today! Dontcha think he'd enjoy a present?"

Beatrice furrowed her brow as she considered Niki's point of view. Subaru had been accepting of all of her other impromptu holidays, so the cat girl's logic had merit. However, Beatrice fidgeted in her seat as she revealed the reason that she wanted to avoid the topic of birthdays.

Beatrice: "I also… have no idea what to get him, I suppose. A birthday is supposed to have a wish… Yet, Subaru has not mentioned what his wish is and Betty is not a wish granting spirit, in fact!"

Seeing her friend bare her worries made Niki smile gently as she placed her hand over Beatrice's and gave a light squeeze.

Niki: "When you say things like that, nobody is gonna turn down a gift from ya. Wish or no wish! I may not know what mister wants, but I bet I know someone who might!"

Beatrice: "Huh?"

With that the cat girl led Beatrice off of the couch and up the stairs to the room of a certain head maid. Gingerly knocking on the door, the girls were met by Adella's voice beckoning them inside where they carefully explained their quandary while drinking tea. After reviewing the pictures in the book and hearing the issue, Adella leaned back in her seat as she considered the possibilities before cheerfully leaning forward and pressing her hands into the table.

Adella: "I cannot help you!"

Beatrice and Niki: "WHAA!"

Leaving the two friends flabbergasted, Adella flashed a devilish smile before continuing.

Adella: "A birthday gift is much like the gifts that you have given Master Subaru before. They must come from the heart and can only come from you, Lady Beatrice."

Beatrice: "I understand, I suppose…"

The head maid's sentimental words caused Beatrice's head to drop dejectedly as a tinge of guilt tugged at her heart. Noticing the spirit's demeanor, Adella reached out and gently lifted Beatrice's chin while proceeding to clarify her statement.

Adella: "That being said, there are certain staples that a birthday must have according to your book. I will prepare a cake and some candles and we should all gather gifts. You will not be alone in your endeavor, Lady Beatrice! Remember, the gift you give is special because it came from you, so please refrain from dwelling on it for too long."

In the presence of Adella's kind-hearted smile, Beatrice felt a sense of relief as she resolved to find the perfect gift for Subaru. With the camaraderie still fresh in their hearts, the girls proceeded to share lunch together before splitting up to procure their heartfelt gifts for the unsuspecting boy. Before long, the sun began to descend and Subaru returned in the cart heralded in by the saffron skyline. Dismounting the cart, Subaru dusted off his village tunic before heading inside. As he opened the doors to the castle and entered the foyer, something immediately caught his attention. The normal lamps that were strewn about were no longer illuminating the hallways. Instead, Subaru was guided by the faint brightness peeking in from the windows as he made his way towards the kitchen to find Adella and satiate his appetite. Prodding his way down the hallway with outstretched hands he was half-convinced that this might be a prank incited by any of the usual suspects that he called friends. Yet, his expectations were more than shattered by what awaited him once he entered the dining room. A sizable tiered cake coated with white icing sat at the end of the table. Even from a distance, he could tell that someone had painstakingly created ornate flowers with small green leaves from icing as decoration for the dessert. As he moved closer, he could see the words "Happy Birthday Subaru" written in small blue letters across the front. Subaru came to a halt near the table when the sound of snapping fingers echoed from the kitchen. In an instant, the tiers of the cake became illuminated by candles that were simultaneously lit by a magical fire. Before he could react, the perpetrators made themselves known as Beatrice, Adella, and Niki entered the room. Meeting them with a nervous smile, Subaru asked the first question on his mind.

Subaru: "W-what is all this?"

Adella: "That should be obvious, Master Subaru. We are celebrating your birthday!"

Subaru: "Huh!?"

Adella: "Dinner is almost ready, so please sit and put out your hands. It's time for gifts!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Subaru noticed the familiar cover of a certain book that he had gifted Beatrice. Suddenly, the onslaught of birthday themed novelties started to make sense. Following Adella's instructions, Subaru took a seat and placed his hands out with his palms facing up. Affording him no time to speak, the head maid placed what appeared to be a pillow with a ribbon tied around it atop his hands which only served to deepen his inquisitiveness.

Subaru: "Um… Thank you… but what-"

Adella: "If you ask me what it is, you may just break my fragile heart."

Adella gave a grim expression in Subaru's direction. Straightening his posture, the boy could only nod as a bead of sweat formed on his forehead.

Subaru: "Irk! ...okay…"

Adella: "Good, Master! As you could tell by looking, it is obviously a cushion for you to use when travelling by cart. I put my best work into providing a gift that would be useful to you. "

Realizing the purpose of the cushion, Subaru gently squeezed it as he verified the elevated quality before brightly smiling as he replied.

Subaru: "Wow, this is very thoughtful Adie. I'll be sure to use it, thanks."

Adella curtsied in acknowledgement as she stood back to make room for Niki. In contrast to the previous neatly presented gift, the cat girl placed a large leaf that served as a makeshift plate for what could only be described as a giant seared fish. With char streaked on both sides and the head still attached, the gift proved rather unsightly which prompted Adella to ready her hand for a karate chop.

Subaru: "Wait, Adie! It's a… good gift. Thank you, Niki. To be honest, I'm not sure what anyone expected. A gift like this suits you."

Niki: "Whaddaya mean? That is a good fish!"

Sighing in defeat, Adella stood to retrieve the gift before it could sully the boy's clothes and added her observations.

Adella: "Indeed… Although, predictability happens to be one of Miss Niki's charms. Even to a fault."

Unsure of Adella's words but not enjoying the tone, Niki balled her fists as she adamantly addressed the room.

Niki: "I dunno what yer tryin' to say, but I worked really hard to get that fish! If ya don't want it, then-"

Adella: "Not at all. This was a gift from you to Master Subaru, so he will enjoy it. Would you mind joining me in the kitchen while I prepare it alongside dinner?"

As she spoke, the head maid winked at Subaru and nudged her head towards Beatrice. The small spirit had been quiet for the entire exchange as she nervously shifted her weight from foot to foot and shot glances towards Subaru.

Niki: "Fine. I'll make sure ya do it right!"

Adella: "Indeed, please do!"

Niki and Adella disappeared into the kitchen leaving the couple alone in an awkward silence. Seemingly about to burst with embarrassment, Beatrice spoke out in a quavering voice.

Beatrice: "C-close your eyes, I suppose!"

Subaru: "Alright, Beako."

The sight of his flustered girlfriend brought a warm smile to Subaru's face as he obediently followed her orders and shut his eyes. The anticipation of his gift caused his fingers to tremble but was soon answered with a familiar soft feeling that he immediately recognized. As he opened his eyes, he confirmed that Beatrice had begun slowly entwining her slender fingers with his. Transmitting his confusion with a glance, Subaru met Beatrice's eyes as the girl understood and began to quietly speak.

Beatrice: "It is me, I suppose."

Subaru: "What?"

Beatrice: "I'm your gift, in fact."

Subaru's cheeks began to turn a bright shade of crimson as he determined that he must have misunderstood.

Subaru: "Beako… I don't think you mean that!"

Beatrice looked into his eyes with a determined gaze before her eyes softened and she continued her explanation.

Beatrice: "I do not know what your birthday wish is, but I want to give you something that you have never experienced before, I suppose. Please, close your eyes and do not open them, in fact!"

Subaru loudly gulped as he saw that Beatrice had no intention of backing down. Surely he had misinterpreted the situation? His hands began to shake as he closed his eyes and waited in anticipation. The room went quiet and the only sensation he felt was Beatrice's hands still enveloping his. Some time passed before he heard the spirit draw a breath and the soft sounds of singing filled the air. Although Subaru had heard the words many times before in traditional birthday songs, his attention was glued to Beatrice. This was the first time he had ever heard the girl sing and his eardrums were enamored with the sound. The room seemed to disappear as his eyes opened and met Beatrice's gaze while he felt the soft soprano of her voice, causing his heart to pound against his chest. By the time he could get his mind in order, the song was coming to a close as Beatrice bowed to signal the end of her performance. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to speak in an attempt to disguise her bashfulness.

Beatrice: "Y-you opened your eyes, I suppose…"

Subaru: "Sorry, I had to… once I heard your singing voice."

Beatrice: "Irk!"

Subaru: "Don't worry, you were amazing, Beako. Did you learn that song for me?"

Beatrice: "I-I did, I suppose. Betty wasn't sure what to get for you… you did not tell me what your wish was, in fact."

Subaru: "Ahh, you mentioned that twice now… Let me get this straight… Do you think that birthday wishes are something that must be granted on a birthday?"

Nodding in confirmation, Beatrice watched as Subaru drooped his head.

Beatrice: "That is what it said in the book you gave me, in fact!"

Subaru: "Beako… That book is for children. Normally you make a wish on your birthday when you blow out candles. It isn't something that is normally granted. It's more like a tradition."

Beatrice's grip on his hands tightened and the girl's posture stiffened in response to her misunderstanding. Subaru met her gaze as he softly chuckled and continued.

Subaru: "Until today, I didn't even know that I wished to hear your singing voice. So, in a way, you did grant my wish, Beako. I'm glad you felt so strongly about making me happy. I love you."

Subaru and he found himself instinctively leaning forward from his seat as he disconnected from the spirit's hands. Before Beatrice could react, she was pulled into a firm embrace as Subaru imparted the warmth of his feelings to her. Meeting him with upturned eyes, Beatrice wrapped her arms around Subaru as she softly whispered.

Beatrice: "I love you too."

With that, the distance between their lips gradually disappeared as the couple shared a lovestruck moment together as the flickering lights from the candles danced across their faces. The scene was an intimate moment, or would have been, if not for the cat girl and head maid watching from the kitchen doorway as they were returning with dinner.

Niki: "Oh! Oh! I guess ya did find somethin' special to get him! Yer so mature, Bea!"

Adella's hand shot across to cover Niki's mouth, but her timing was too late. Beatrice and Subaru turned their heads with rosy cheeks as they quickly separated from each other. Beatrice looked to Subaru with an unsteady look. With no apparent options to smooth over the situation, the boy turned to the cake and yelled.

Subaru: "I wish that they hadn't walked in on us!"

Finishing his request, Subaru forcefully blew the candles out causing the room to dim. With their presences seemingly concealed, he took Beatrice's hand and pulled her as he sprinted out of the room. The sounds of giggling echoed behind them as they made their escape. After some time, the couple would return to enjoy dinner with their friends and continue the birthday celebration into the night. By the time he returned to the bedroom with Beatrice at his side, Subaru thought to himself that this was the greatest birthday that he had ever had.

Chapter 6 End

Happy Birthday Subaru!

A short word from the author:

This has been a packed week with the main series, Subaru's Birthday, and Easter chapters all coming up. I hope everyone is enjoying them as much as I enjoy writing them. Thank you all for the continued support. I'll have another short word on Sunday, so stay tuned. As always, thanks for reading.

-mangocannon