Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing

Chapter 6: A Village of Boredom

The next few days that passed in the castle were calm and uneventful. Subaru and Beatrice were getting along well after their date. Subaru had been considering where to take Beatrice on another date but he kept coming up with nothing. The two of them sat in the dining room after finishing up breakfast still in their pajamas. This scene wasn't common, yet as Beatrice woke up this morning her stomach had groaned and she demanded that Subaru take her to have breakfast before changing. Beatrice seemed irritable this morning and Subaru feared it was due to his delay in planning their date. Yet, as if she had read his mind, Beatrice slammed her palms into the table and begrudgingly spoke.

Beatrice: "I am bored, I suppose!"

Subaru: "Is that so? Didn't you spend 400 years in a library?"

Beatrice: "That no longer applies to Betty, in fact! I want to do something, I suppose. It does get old sitting in the castle and I would like to go somewhere new."

Subaru: "Well, there really isn't anywhere to go, Beako. I mean, you made this place. Shouldn't you know what places exist here?"

Beatrice: "Hmm… useful…"

Subaru: "Useful?"

Beatrice: "Surprisingly, I suppose."

Beatrice hopped off her seat and ran out of the dining room leaving Subaru behind. After a few moments he looked over at where she sat and voiced his thoughts out loud.

Subaru: "Beako… You need to put some clothes on!"

Subaru rose from the table and chased after the spirit but she was nowhere to be found. He rushed upstairs to see if she had returned to the bedroom and still found nothing. Subaru decided to ask Adella if she had seen Beatrice and approached her room. He knocked lightly on the door and heard the shuffling of footsteps along with the clanking of the door as it opened. Adella poked her head out and smiled after seeing Subaru.

Adella: "Master Subaru, this is so sudden… to approach your head maid's chambers in your night clothes…"

Subaru: "Huuunh!?"

Subaru's mouth dropped open and his right eye twitched as he wrapped his head around the situation Adella placed in front of him. His senses returned to him along with a fresh coat of crimson on his cheeks.

Subaru: "NO WAY! I-I'm just looking for Beako! Erk! I mean s-she ran out of the dining room in her pajamas and she seemed so focused on an idea she had so I was worri-"

Adella: "Is that the case? Well, I don't see why I should report this little affair to Lady Beatrice. That being said, I haven't seen her. Did you consider that she might have left the castle?"

Subaru: "B-but her clothes…"

Adella: "My, my, are you perhaps worried that someone else would see Beatrice in her nightie? We are the only ones here to my knowledge. Perhaps you are being a little too greedy?"

Subaru: "Stop with the insinuations! I'm just worried about her dignity! Have you seen how off the handle she goes? Can you imagine what might happen when she realizes that she ran out in her-"

Adella: "Perhaps you should stop."

Subaru: "Huh?"

?: "Is that how you see Betty, I suppose?"

Subaru saw Adella's eyes shoot behind him as she interrupted him. A small voice erupted from the exact same spot. Subaru slowly turned to face a certain sweet loving girl and met her grimace with his gaze. To his surprise, Beatrice was wearing a light blue sundress with white trim and collar and short white socks and matte white shoes. Her hair was flat and pulled back with a white headband, showing her ears. It would have been serene, Subaru thought, if not for the murderous intent in her eyes.

Subaru: "Now Beako, calm down…"

Beatrice: "You shouldn't talk behind my back, in fact. Just to prove that Betty is your benevolent spirit, she will forgive you, I suppose. I'll even let you accompany me to the new place nearby!"

Beatrice's eyes flashed at her proclamation. Subaru couldn't help but notice that she already had a parasol in tow.

Subaru: "So you just want somebody to take you somewhere…"

Adella: "Now Master Subaru, don't you owe Lady Beatrice a date?"

Beatrice: "That's right, I suppose. I thought you'd be happy that I was gracious enough to give you an easy solution, in fact."

Subaru: "Alright, alright. If there is a new place to go, I'd be happy to take you there, Beatrice. Let me get dressed."

Subaru turned towards the bedroom and left to go change clothes while Adella stepped forward to talk with Beatrice.

Adella: "Lady Beatrice, I'm surprised. How forward of you to force Subaru to make a move. I must applaud you in your tenacity!"

Beatrice: "Eep!? W-whatever could you mean, I suppose… I should go check on Subaru and make sure he isn't slaking, in fact."

Beatrice awkwardly strolled off after Subaru, seemingly retreating from the nosy head maid's observations. Adella watched her stumble off as she spoke under her breath.

Adella: "How can they both be such idiots…"

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Subaru had just finished changing into a blue tracksuit and reached out for a pair of white shoes. Judging by Beatrice's outfit, he would expect a trip in the sun. He wondered what possible location she could have picked and when she could have possibly had time to change.

Subaru: "She certainly is full of surprises today…"

?: "Betty is a complex being, after all, I suppose."

Subaru: "Yikes, Beako. Stealth mode isn't your best feature."

Beatrice groaned as she had hoped to enter the room quietly and scare Subaru. Her plan foiled, she proceeded to berate him.

Beatrice: "Arrgh! Are you ready yet, I suppose!"

Subaru: "Yes, Beako, let's go-"

Beatrice snatched his hand and pulled him to his feet as she led him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She hastily slammed open the front door and pulled him out of the castle onto the trail that they had arrived on. Her pace slowed as they started down the coast surrounded by the tall grasses blowing in the warm seafront breeze. Subaru looked down at the small hand in his and thought that even though she was in a rush today, this side of Beatrice was also cute. He noticed sweat starting to bead on her forehead and instinctively opened her parasol that he grabbed when he was rudely whisked into her whirlwind of an exit. As the shadow dipped over her, Beatrice looked up to see what was overhead and locked eyes with Subaru. A small blush crossed her cheeks as she realized the situation.

Beatrice: "T-thanks, I suppose."

Subaru: "So, Beako, want to tell me what happened this morning?"

Beatrice: "Don't wanna…"

Subaru: "Stop with the kid act, you're the adult here!"

Beatrice: "Uggh… Fine, I suppose. Betty used magic to change her clothes quickly, in fact."

Subaru: "That makes sense… you were excited. Care to tell me where we are going?"

Beatrice: "That is a secret, in fact. Besides…"

Subaru: "Besides…?"

Beatrice looked down and kicked her feet at the ground. Subaru was stopped mid stride as Beatrice came to a halt. He had stumbled upon a landmine and felt a shift in Beatrice's behavior again. Beatrice looked up at him as she spoke.

Beatrice: "You… haven't asked Betty… out on a date yet… I suppose."

She squirmed uncomfortably as she said the words. Subaru was awestruck, was this the same Beatrice? Regardless, he had to make this right. This side of Beatrice was becoming more common but always reminded him that he had a lot to learn about what she was feeling. Subaru shook his head and confidently grabbed Beatrice's hand. With a squeeze he proceeded to properly ask Beatrice on a date.

Subaru: "Beako, will you accompany me to a secret destination? On a date, no less? Please say yes!"

Beatrice: "Y-you idiot…"

Subaru maintained eye contact with Beatrice as her ears went pink. She pulled at the hem of her dress and uncomfortably met his gaze. She couldn't back down now after she had pushed for this.

Beatrice: "Yes… I suppose. Betty would like that, in fact. Please take me!"

Subaru: "Why are you getting so flustered after making me ask you!"

Beatrice: "Grr… you're the worst, I suppose. A maiden bears her heart and you throw a fit, in fact! Just take me!"

Beatrice thrusted her hand forward as an offering to Subaru. He thought that this whole exercise was futile, but he could see that it meant something to Beatrice, so he didn't mind. He grabbed her hand, as he had many times before, and matched his pace with hers. They moved onward down the coast with the green view of the open fields contrasted against the tender blue of the open sky. Every so often a white cloud would slowly move across the sky at a snail's pace. Before long, the dirt trail came upon a thin road made of stones cobbled together. Confused, Subaru turned to Beatrice.

Subaru: "Beako, was this road always here?"

Beatrice: "Shouldn't be long now, I suppose. Hurry, at the top of the hill here, in fact!"

Beatrice broke into a sprint while dragging Subaru up the hill. He was focused on Beatrice's smile as she ran, this was one of the first times he had seen the girl truly excited. Of course she had been happy to see sweets, but this excitement was different somehow. He felt a stir of emotions at being able to experience it first hand. The nostalgia was short lived as an unexpected scene came into view.

Subaru: "Beako… is that a village?"

The rustic skyline of several small buildings rose above the fields with sparse trees peppered throughout. The road has spread out into a full courtyard with a few carts parked in front of buildings. Smoke rose from chimneys and sounds rose from the pavement as Subaru watched on in awe. They were small one storey buildings made from lumber from the surrounding forest, but they were buildings, nonetheless. Subaru wanted to pinch himself to see if he was sleeping, but he was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

?: "Y'all must be from the castle! Is that true?"

Subaru looked down at the small man in front of him. He appeared to be very old and carried a staff that he leaned on heavily. He wore a light brown tunic with over exaggerated sleeves that reminded him of some third rate magician. His skin was a dark tan and uncountable wrinkles covered his face around his closed eyes. Most notable were a set of small cat ears that rested on his long silver hair which he had bound in a braid. Subaru seized up and slowly turned to face Beatrice before he spoke.

Subaru: "Beako…"

Beatrice: "Y-yes, Subaru?"

Subaru: "Did you create an entire village of cat people because you were bored?"

Beatrice: "Well… you see… I thought it would make Subaru happy too, I suppose… They are quite cute, in fact."

?: "Created! Well, I reckon y'all must be amazing!"

At this point, the man waved his staff to get their attention before continuing.

?: "First of all, y'all can call me Kobe. I am the chief of this village. Seeing as y'all are our humble creators, after all, I would ask that y'all join me at my lodge. I am sure the rest of the folks would like to meet ya!"

Subaru: "Nice to meet you, Chief Kobe, I am Subaru Natsuki. I am deeply sorry for disturbing you with such extreme news. I should have been more considerate. You seem to be taking the news pretty easily."

Kobe: "Not a problem lad, call me Kobe. We are pretty easy going here. So is this pretty thing your wife?"

Beatrice: "W-wi-wife! Awawawawa..."

Subaru felt Beatrice's grip on his hand go limp as she slumped to the ground. He felt he had to interject before her soul could escape her body.

Subaru: "Not my wife! This is my friend, Beatrice. She is technically the creator of your fine village."

Kobe: "Oh, I see… haha! Well should we make our way toward my lodge so I can introduce y'all to everyone?"

Kobe winked at Subaru before flashing a thumbs up. Subaru tugged on Beatrice's hand to drag her along while she muttered nonsensical ramblings to herself. Kobe led them toward the courtyard and the large house that stood in the center. Subaru surmised that this must be a town hall of sorts as there was a large bell out front and a small podium. As Kobe made his way towards the front of the lodge, he pulled a lever to ring the bell and took a dignified stance on the podium. After a few minutes, at least 20 additional villagers of various ages had approached the courtyard. They gave quizzical looks towards Subaru and Beatrice as Kobe began to speak.

Kobe: "Welcome younglings! I have the privilege of introducing the owners of the castle up the way. This lad is Subaru and his cute girlfriend, Beatrice. Please treat them nicely as friends of the village of Wishleaf."

Beatrice went rigid as the word "girlfriend" was spoken from the podium. Adella had explained to her what the phrase meant and it embarrassed her to be mentioned in such a way. After Kobe had finished, he stepped over to where they stood to speak with them. Before he could start, Beatrice blurted out her thoughts.

Beatrice: "I-I am not his g-girlfriend, I suppose! I would appreciate it if you wouldn't say such things, in fact!"

Kobe: "Oh, did I say that? I reckon I misspoke. I'm sorry little miss. I'll keep it in mind for the future."

Beatrice: "Thank you, I suppose."

Kobe: "In exchange, maybe keep that creator stuff between us for now? Don't wanna cause any issues."

Beatrice: "That should be just fine, in fact."

Kobe motioned for one of the villagers to join him. A small cat girl just shorter than Beatrice approached with a grin on her face. She wore a yellow sleeveless tunic with a matching skirt and black cloth shoes. Her cropped brown hair and maroon eyes complemented her young appearance. Combined with her small brown cat ears with white fur protruding from them, she could only be described as cute. She obediently approached Kobe and waited for instruction.

Kobe: "This is my granddaughter, Niki. She will show y'all around the village and the local restaurant. I'm sure you are hungry after the trip out here."

Beatrice: "That won't be-"

A loud groan emerged from the small girl's stomach to cut off her polite denial.

Kobe: "That settles it! My treat. Niki, take them there first."

Niki: "Yes pawpaw! Niki is on the case. Follow me little lady!"

Niki grabbed Beatrice's hand to lead her and in effect pulled Subaru as well. They walked down the stone roadway near the lodge until they came upon a small house with tables outside. The smell of freshly cooked meat wafted in the air as Beatrice squeezed Subaru's hand in anticipation. Niki guided them over to an open table and yelled over to the server girl.

Niki: "Three stews, please!"

Server: "Comin' up!"

Niki: "So this is the local restaurant. Ya probably noticed it's just a house, but everythin' is run out of people's homes in this town. We have a fish storage house and about ten residences. I'll take ya around and show you after this. Most villagers provide some sort of service. Main rule of Wishleaf is ya help each other out!"

Subaru: "Thanks, Niki! We really appreciate it. This is a really nice place and I hope we get along."

Beatrice: "For once, I can agree, I suppose. Why is it called Wishleaf, in fact?"

Niki: "Oh yeah! It's an old story. Rumor is that when Kobe was young he was really hungry after playin' in the forest. He went fishin' in the river next to the village and couldn't catch a thing. He tried and tried and eventually caught a large leaf. He was so sad and hungry! So he wished fer the leaf to be a fish with all his heart. Lo and behold, it was a fish! Turns out there is a fish in the river here that looks just like a leaf! Boy are they delicious, yum! The villagers at the time thought the story was so funny that they named the village after it."

Beatrice: "That is a silly reason to name a village, I suppose."

Subaru: "Beako! Be nice, we are guests here."

Niki: "Naw, it's fine! We are pretty easy goin' here. It is pretty silly but it's our home!"

Subaru: "Well if you're sure… I think it's a pretty fun story."

Niki: "Why thank ya mister! So strange, you are so sweet but your girlfriend is kinda… salty?"

Beatrice: "G-gir-"

Before Beatrice could panic, the server returned and dropped off three large bowls of stew. Subaru picked up a spoon and shoved a mouthful into Beatrice's mouth to stymie her complaints. He noted that the stew appeared to be a mixture of forest vegetables and fish chunks. After feeding Beatrice he tried some for himself. The taste was very earthy, but he had to admit that the fish was delicious. It had a natural sponginess and the seasoning was suited to his palette. Once they started eating, the conversation slowed due to the fact that Subaru and Beatrice hadn't eaten since breakfast and it was well into the afternoon at this point. Since Beatrice was in such a rush, they hadn't packed lunch. So they gorged themselves on the stew from the hospitable cat people while Niki told them stories about the village. As they finished up their late lunch, Niki stood up and continued to guide them around the village. They saw house after house as she described the various services that each villager provided. They finished their tour with a view of the fish storage house next to the river. Beatrice squeezed her nose as she voiced her displeasure.

Beatrice: "Eww, it shtinks! Shubaru, make it stop, in fact!"

Subaru: "Beako, just bear with it. Niki, is this full of leaf fish?

Niki: "Ya betcha! Same that ya had fer lunch. It all comes from the river down there. Oh hey little ones!"

Niki motioned over to where several cat children had congregated. It was very apparent that they were focused on Beatrice. As the group moved away from the smell, the small children surrounded Beatrice with wide eyes.

Boy 1: "Woah, she is just like a doll!"

Girl 1: "See, I told you!"

Girl 2: "So Pwetty!"

Boy 2: "I guess she is cute, where are her ears?"

As one of the boys reached out to touch Beatrice, Niki interrupted with a glare.

Niki: "Now boys, ya had better be careful. This beauty belongs to mister Subaru. I even saw him feed her earlier, all romantic like!"

Every pair of male eyes glared at Subaru. The sting of young jilted love was nothing in comparison to how red Beatrice was becoming.

Girl 1: "Ohhh, I think she's feelin' all lovey! Look how red she is!"

Subaru: "Hey gang, why don't you show me the river? I bet you know all the best playing spots!"

Boy 2: "Oh you know it! C'mon!"

Subaru led the children down to the river and began to play various games with them. Niki went over to Beatrice and plopped down next to her to take a breather. Beatrice slowly followed suit.

Niki: "I take it ya two aren't boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Beatrice: "Of course not, in fact! We are just friends, I suppose."

Niki: "A lot of holding hands fer friends, but whatever makes ya happy. If ya keep goin' all pink like that, the boys are gonna tease ya."

Beatrice: "It's not like Betty means to blush, in fact. You are very informal, I suppose. You haven't been talking to the maid from the castle?"

Niki: "Never heard of her. I just say what I see. That's all."

Beatrice: "I see, I suppose…"

The sun had started to lower in the sky as the two girls watched Subaru play with the children. Before long, Subaru approached them and spoke to Beatrice.

Subaru: "Beako, do you think we could come back tomorrow? I want to go fishing with the kids! I promised to introduce you, too. They really do want to meet you."

Beatrice: "I-I guess that will be fine, I suppose."

Niki: "'Come back'? It's gettin' kinda late. Why don't cha just spend the night? Pawpaw has an empty room in the lodge. Should be able to rustle up some clothes, too."

Beatrice: "Huh? We couldn't impose, in fact…"

Niki: "Nonsense, remember the main rule of Wishleaf! Help each other out! Just promise to invite me to your castle sometime!"

Subaru: "Deal!"

Subaru grabbed Beatrice's hand and followed Niki back to the lodge. Kobe was waiting for them and Niki explained the situation, much to his excitement. So the four had dinner together and shared tales from their respective homelands. As the sun disappeared, Niki showed Subaru and Beatrice to their room. It was a small wooden room with a window facing the forest and a large double futon in the middle. It had little decoration, but that added to the rustic feel. Niki provided them with blankets and a set of night wear before directing them to the lodge bath. The two took turns bathing before meeting back in the bedroom.

Subaru: "Beako, what about Adella! Won't she be worried?!"

Beatrice: "Fret not, I suppose. I sent her a message with magic earlier, in fact."

Subaru: "What did she say back?"

Beatrice: "I would rather not repeat it, in fact."

Subaru: "She's still teasing you, huh?"

Beatrice: "Nevermind that, I suppose. There is a bigger problem at hand, in fact."

Subaru: "What is that?"

Beatrice: "There is only one futon, I suppose."

Subaru: "Not to be too forward, but you haven't had a problem jumping in my futon before?"

Beatrice: "T-that was completely different, in fact! That was necessary for warmth. Betty still had her own bed to go back to, I suppose… Not to mention that such a bed is for c-co-couples…"

Subaru: "It's not that big a difference, Beako. If it bothers you, I can just sleep on the floor?"

Beatrice: "No! Betty can't be that selfish, I suppose."

Subaru: "Well, why don't we try it out, and if we hate it, we can figure it out then?"

Beatrice: "F-fine…"

Subaru lowered himself into the futon and Beatrice did the same next to him. They laid facing away from each other awkwardly as Subaru lowered the blankets over them. He could tell that Beatrice was very tense as she let out small noises every few minutes at any unexpected movement. Finally Subaru spoke up.

Subaru: "Beako, you're having a hard time."

Beatrice: "N-no…"

Subaru: "I'm going to get out."

Beatrice: "NO! Stay."

Subaru: "It's making you so uncomfortable!"

Beatrice: "Y-yes… uhh maybe Betty can pretend that we are a couple, I suppose? That way, the bed is completely natural, in fact."

Subaru: "P-pretend?"

Beatrice: "Y-yes… Let's face each other, I suppose. L-like after our first date, in fact."

Subaru: "O-okay."

Like a switch had flipped, Beatrice pushed her nervousness onto Subaru. The two turned to face each other like they had done many times before. For some reason it was much more taxing on Subaru this time. He blushed as Beatrice took his hand and met his gaze. Her ragged breathing had slowly calmed down as she settled into sleep. Subaru whispered a goodnight to her, but he was not prepared for what happened next.

Beatrice: "G-goodnight… darling...zzz"

With that, Beatrice slipped into a deep sleep. Subaru was left awake, flustered. Just how far was she going to take this roleplay? He tried to calm his embarrassment and his heart as he watched the small spirit sleep. After a while, Subaru's breathing slowed and he lost consciousness. Unbeknownst to him, Beatrice opened her eyes slightly and whispered.

Beatrice: "Hehe...darling…"

As a result, the first day of Subaru and Beatrice's date to the new village came to an end.

Chapter 6 End