Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing EX
Chapter 4: Welcoming The New Year
A week after Beatrice's impromptu Christmas celebration, Subaru again found the incorrigible spirit deeply entranced by his holiday book as she sat next to him on the couch in the tea room. Impatiently kicking her legs as she perused the pages with intense focus before abruptly standing and striding out of the room. This time however, Subaru was prepared and jumped up to cut off her egress as he called after her.
Subaru: "Beako, just tell me what holiday it is this time…"
Beatrice: "Grr… Newt Yars Eve, I suppose…"
Subaru: "Pffft! It's pronounced New Years Eve. You know, you don't have to run to Adella everytime you find a holiday, right?"
As Subaru blocked the doorway with his body, Beatrice only deepened her shades of red as the boy laughed at her. After a few moments, she relaxed her furrowed brow as a devilish smile creeped across her face.
Beatrice: "Is it that funny, I suppose?"
Subaru: "You bet! Sometimes you act like a kid, but it's kinda cu-"
Before he could finish his thought, Subaru felt his consciousness slip as his body went limp and a gradual descent to the floor began. Beatrice snapped her fingers and a large ornate pink pillow appeared to safely cushion the boy's fall. Beatrice spoke out loud as she gazed at his peaceful sleeping face.
Beatrice: "Idiot… Well, I have a party to plan, I suppose."
Some time later…
?: "Fufufu. Don't sleep too long Master Subaru. It isn't wise to upset Lady Beatrice twice in one daaay."
Subaru: "H-hu?"
?: "There you are, just a little more… Open your eyes!"
Subaru groggily opened eyes as a melodic sound filled his head. After rubbing his eyes and flexing his body, he slowly regained use of his faculties. He instinctively turned his head to search for the source of the voice. A certain head maid sat on the couch beside him holding a glass of water with a beaming smile.
Subaru: "Adie? What happened...Wait, Beako?"
Adella: "Correct. It appears you were a little too successful in teasing her. My Lady does hate to lose."
Subaru stumbled as he rose to his feet and realized that something was different. Soft music played throughout the castle as a backdrop for gentle voices that he heard conversing in the dining room. Most notable though, was that he was now wearing what appeared to be a formal suit. Onyx coattails fell behind him as he turned to inspect his attire. A crisp white shirt peered through from underneath his dinner coat which complemented the matching black slacks and bowtie. Subaru gently brushed his fingers against the soft fabric when he noticed the gold cufflinks on his wrists. As the novelty of the clothes induced a smile, the warm feelings quickly turned to dread. With a flushed face, Subaru turned to face Adella.
Subaru: "Adie…"
Adella: "Why yes Master Subaru?"
Subaru: "Who changed me?"
Adella: "Hmm… Would it make you happy if it was me? Or perhaps Lady Beatrice…"
Subaru was now blushing and couldn't keep eye contact with Adella.
Subaru: "J-just tell me…"
Adella: "Why don't you ask her yourself? She didn't seem unhappy afterwards so you might be alright?"
The awkwardness was no longer sustainable for the teenage boy and Subaru quickly darted from the room without responding. His embarrassment was soon eclipsed by the scene as he entered the dining room. It appeared that members of the local village had come to attend some sort of soiree. Subaru noticed the children dashing about with Niki and soon saw Kobe along with several of the workers from the local restaurant. Upon seeing Subaru, Kobe beckoned him over.
Kobe: "Hic… Subaru! How are y'all now? Thanks for inviting the town to your fancy party. Haven't seen your girlfriend around… hic… were you looking for her?"
Subaru: "It's good to see you too! I hope everyone has been well. You better not let Beako hear you calling her my girlfriend though…"
Niki: "Well, yer not foolin' anyone mister."
Suddenly Niki approached with the local children in tow. The group of cheerful faces instinctively made Subaru grin as he spoke.
Subaru: "Good to see you too Niki. Have these guys been giving you trouble?"
Riko: "Yes!"
Soba: "No way!"
Nana: "She gives us trouble!"
Mina: "Nuh-uh, Mina is a good girl!"
Subaru: "Wow, I think everybody told the truth there…"
Niki: "Aren't you missin' somethin'? I mean does the little lady let you have this much time off…"
As she spoke, Niki's nostrils flared as the cat girl smelled the air and saw that Adella was placing some hot dishes on the long table. Cheers of villagers filled the room as they made their way to placate their hunger. Holding back laughter for fear of further punishment, Subaru placed his hand on Niki's head and addressed her.
Subaru: "Niki, are you hungry by chance?"
Immediately assaulted with starry eyed looks from Niki and the children, Subaru didn't have a chance to usher them to that table. Niki pounced and the children followed suit as the small cat girl started to gobble up food from the table before washing it down with juice from a large green bottle. Thinking out loud as he watched on, Subaru softly spoke.
Subaru: "Wow.. it's a wonder that those kids have any manners at all…"
?: "You're one to talk, I suppose."
Slightly startled by the response to his observation, Subaru looked down to find Beatrice. He stalled in his retort when he noticed her appearance. The girl was clad in a velvety white gown that flowed across the floor behind her when she walked. The material glistened under the candle light of the dining room while accentuating her fair skin and long flaxen hair. Considering her usual juvenile aesthetic, Subaru thought she seemed more adult. A tightening feeling spread through his chest as he fumbled his words.
Subaru: "Beako…"
Beatrice: "Yes? That is what you insist on calling me, I suppose."
Subaru: "You look…"
Beatrice: "Irk!? I mean, umm, what about it, I suppose? Do you dislike it, in fact?"
Subaru: "No! You look stunning… I just didn't expect you to be this… is radiant the right word?"
Beatrice turned her head to hide the crimson staining her cheeks.
Beatrice: "Thank you… I suppose. You also look… h-handsome, in fact."
Subaru would have been touched, if he hadn't been reminded of why he sought Beatrice out in the first place. His embarrassment would have to wait until he could answer the burning question on his mind.
Subaru: "So about that… Did you change my clothes?"
Beatrice: "H-huh? Of course, with magic, in fact."
Subaru: "Oh!"
Beatrice: "W-why! What did you think I did, in fact!"
Subaru: "N-nevermind!"
The two stood awkwardly while glancing away from each other while Adella made her way over to them. The head maid walked up with a mischievous grin while holding what appeared to be the holiday book.
Adella: "Well, well, it should be midnight soon Lady Beatrice. If this is supposedly the 'New Year' then you should prepare yourself."
Beatrice: "Huh? Prepare for what, in fact?"
Adella: "Fufufu. Did you not look at the last page of the holiday?"
Adella opened the book to the page in question which showed two drawn characters in similar outfits to Beatrice and Subaru sharing a kiss at midnight. After the reality became apparent, Adella happily danced away to get the attention of the villagers at the table. A nervous Beatrice tugged on Subaru's sleeve.
Beatrice: "A-are you quite prepared, I suppose?"
Subaru: "B-beako! She was teasing. We don't have to do that!"
Beatrice: Nonsense, to be truthful to the holiday we have to k-k-kiss, in fact!
Subaru froze as Beatrice raised her voice out of embarrassment. The sound of a countdown had begun at the main table while Subaru's eyes darted around looking for a rescue.
Villagers: "10...9...8...7..."
Beatrice glanced up at him with wet eyes as she braced herself.
Villagers: "6...5...4...3..."
Subaru began to sweat as the girl looked up at him with increased expectations.
Villagers: "2…"
Closing her eyes for strength, Beatrice stood on her toes and tried her best to relax her mouth.
Villagers: "1…"
Time had run out, as Subaru relented and closed his eyes and began to lean forward slowly.
Villagers: "Happy New Year!"
A warm wetness spread across Beatrice's lips as she tensed up from the foreign contact. Trying her best to control her body, she wanted to memorize this feeling. It felt lackluster she thought as she tried to imagine what she must appear like at the moment. The smell of food and juice filled her nostrils as she placed her hand out in front of her for support. However, what she felt was not Subaru but something more soft.
?: "Nya! Hic...Bea...ya got some nerve, I'll give ya that!"
Beatrice shrieked as she jumped backwards. A slightly flushed Niki stood in front of her with a toothy grin.
Niki: "I saw the goo goo eyes! I thought I might get me a smooch too!"
After explaining herself, Niki proceeded to stumble over her own tail and collapse on the floor. Beatrice went pale as the shimmer in her eyes faded. Subaru could only watch as she ran from the room and up the stairs. Adella and Kobe ran up to Subaru to try and assuage the situation.
Kobe: "Oh dear… I think Niki might have gotten into my catmint wine! Whoops...hic!"
Adella: "I think I may have overdone it...Master Subaru can you see to her whilst I clean up here?"
Subaru: "U-uh yeah! Of course!
Subaru dashed upstairs to the bedroom where he found Beatrice looking especially defeated prone face down on her bed. Taking a seat next to her, he spoke his feelings.
Subaru: "Beako, it's me…"
Beatrice: "..."
Subaru: "You did a good job today."
Beatrice: "Huh? How can you say that, I suppose? I'm a fool, in fact."
Subaru: "Nonsense. You did a good job bringing everyone together to share in the holiday. Did you see the kids faces? That's what the new year is all about. Being together and celebrating each other. You don't have to have kisses to do that."
Beatrice rolled onto her side to make eye contact with Subaru before speaking.
Beatrice: "Maybe, I overreacted, I suppose…"
Subaru: "Naw, I mean, you did get kissed by Niki. That's an interesting way to ring in the new year at the least…"
Beatrice: "Hmph!"
Subaru could tell that the situation was still bothering Beatrice, so he made an offering in an attempt to cheer her up.
Subaru: "How about this, Beako. I give you my New Years Eve present and you join me at the party? I didn't get to mingle on account of being knocked out…"
Beatrice: "Present? I can accept a gift, I suppose… and Betty is...sorry for putting you to sleep, in fact…"
Subaru: "It's fine, but you have to promise to come back with me okay?"
Beatrice: "I accept, I suppose."
Subaru pulled Beatrice to a seated position by her shoulders as he leaned in before she could object. Beatrice muttered a nervous sigh as her eyes went wide and she shuddered. The sweet boy, her contractor, pressed his lips gingerly against her forehead. They stayed in the position for a moment before separating. With the shock of the surprise still fresh, Subaru stood from the bed and offered his hand to Beatrice. Brimming with newfound confidence, she grasped his hand and followed him back to the party where they promised to make many more nice memories with their cherished friends.
Some time later, Subaru and Beatrice were approached by Kobe who had a surprised look on his face.
Kobe: "You know, one thing still doesn't add up."
Subaru: "What is that?"
Kobe: "Well, you see, we arrived here before sunset and I reckon that your maid woke you up soon after we arrived. So I don't know how it could already be midnight…"
Subaru slowly turned his head toward Beatrice, who met his glance with one of pure outrage. The boy and his spirit both yelled in tandem at a certain head maid who was, conveniently, nowhere to be found.
Subaru: "Adie!"
Beatrice: "Adella!"
Chapter 4 End
Happy New Year!
A short word from the author:
Thank you for your continued views, comments, and messages. With the struggles of this past year, it truly means a lot to know that you are enjoying my story. My wish is that, even for a moment, you find some form of joy when reading this series. I have more content dropping every Sunday and I look forward to a new year with new situations for our favorite characters. Wishing everyone a joyous and happy new year and, as always, thanks for reading.
-mangocannon