(Before the Capitol arc, After memory snow.)
Subaru POV
"Subaru-Kun, rise and shine, sleepyhead," Rem chimed, her voice gently rousing me from the comfort of my bed.
"I'm wide awake, Rem. I'm simply enjoying the tranquility of the early morning," I replied, stretching my tired limbs as I reluctantly sat up.
Two weeks had passed since the dreadful encounter with the menacing mabeasts in the nearby village, and during that time, something remarkable had occurred. Rem's demeanor towards me had undergone a remarkable transformation.
Gone was the hostility that once clouded her every interaction with me, replaced by a newfound warmth that permeated our exchanges. To say that this change was significant would be an understatement; it was nothing short of a triumph in our relationship.
To be perfectly honest, Rem had started to behave in a way that resembled that of a girlfriend to me. It was evident to anyone, including Ram, who seemed less than pleased about it. But honestly, who cares about Ram's opinion anyway?
"Subaru-kun! Let's head over to Arlam Village together! I need to stock up on condiments and supplies," Rem exclaimed cheerfully, handing me a refreshing glass of water to wake me up from my slumber.
I accepted the glass of water, downing its contents in one swift gulp, and then rose from my bed to change into my tracksuit. Surprisingly, Rem hadn't left the room while I was getting ready, but I shrugged off any awkwardness that might have arisen from the situation.
"Alright, Rem. Let's go," I responded, ready to embark on our adventure to the village alongside her.
As Rem and I strolled hand in hand towards the village, a comfortable silence enveloped us, allowing us to absorb the serene ambiance of our surroundings. The tranquility was broken when Rem's voice unexpectedly cut through the quiet air.
"Subaru-kun..." Rem's words prompted me to turn my gaze toward her, and my eyes were immediately drawn to her blushing cheeks. The sight only amplified her undeniable cuteness.
Curiosity tinged my voice as I inquired, "What is it, Rem?" My attention was fully captivated by the blue-haired maid standing beside me.
Rem, though visibly flustered, summoned the courage to express her thoughts, her face radiating sweetness and loveliness.
"Rem couldn't help but notice... that at this very moment, it feels like Rem and Subaru-kun are on a delightful date." Her words, accompanied by her bashful smile, struck a chord within me, stirring a torrent of emotions.
Caught off guard by her boldness, my face turned scarlet, resembling a ripe tomato. I stumbled over my words, attempting to downplay the situation, "Uh, is it too much, Rem? Don't worry, I can..."
However, before I could finish my sentence, Rem swiftly interjected, her voice filled with determination,
"No, Subaru-kun! Please don't remove your arms." She grasped my hands firmly, preventing any attempt to disentangle myself from her embrace. Instead, she leaned in, resting her head tenderly upon my shoulder, her gesture filled with warmth and affection.
"Rem loves it this way," she murmured, gently rubbing her head against my shoulder,
Upon our arrival at Arlam Village Center, Rem wasted no time voicing her instructions.
"Subaru-kun, please stay here while Rem takes care of purchasing all the necessary supplies for the mansion," she requested.
I couldn't help but question her decision, seeking clarification. "Why can't I accompany you, Rem?"
With an adorable mix of cuteness and determination, Rem promptly replied, "Absolutely not, Subaru-kun. The village girls might try to flirt with you, just as they always do. Don't worry, Rem will return as quickly as possible."
I acquiesced, realizing the merit in her reasoning. "Alright then," I responded, resigning myself to waiting patiently in the village square.
As Rem prepared to depart, she offered me a sweet farewell.
"Be good, Subaru-kun," she urged, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek. The unexpected gesture sent a rush of warmth surging through me, causing my cheeks to flush with a rosy hue.
"Hehehehe," I giggled sheepishly, lightly touching the spot where her lips had made contact. Rem truly had a way of surprising me, and there was no denying the captivating charm she possessed.
"Rem, you're such a baddie," I playfully remarked, my words dripping with admiration.
Rem responded to my compliment with a simple nod, her expression a mix of modesty and confidence. With that acknowledgment, she turned and departed, leaving me alone in the village center.
"Alright, I guess I'll do what I do best," I whispered to myself, a determined glint in my eyes. Retrieving a ball of yarn from my bag, I settled down on a nearby bench and began to skillfully weave the strands, creating a delightful doll. Each loop and stitch held a touch of love and care, as I envisioned the joy it would bring to the village children.
As I worked, the villagers passing by couldn't help but be intrigued by my intricate craftsmanship. Some stopped to watch, their curiosity piqued by the creation taking shape before their eyes. I smiled warmly, appreciating the attention, and shared a few friendly conversations with those who approached.
The doll began to take form, its features becoming more defined with each precise movement of my skilled hands. It's soft texture and vibrant colors were sure to captivate the children's imaginations and bring smiles to their faces.
"I'll call this doll the EMT doll!" I exclaimed, my excitement evident in my voice, as I continued to meticulously craft its intricate details. With every precise stitch, I carefully brought the doll to life, imbuing it with the essence of my beloved Emilia-tan.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed from the outskirts of the village, near the treeline and bushes. My curiosity was piqued, and I swiftly pocketed the yarns and dolls, knowing that there might be something amiss. Determined to uncover the source of the sound, I embarked on a cautious stroll toward the origin of the disturbance.
As I ventured closer to the tree line, a sense of anticipation mixed with a tinge of apprehension enveloped me. The once serene atmosphere was now tinged with an air of mystery. I navigated through the foliage, my senses heightened, alert to any potential dangers or surprises.
As I approached the source of the sound, my heart raced in my chest, filled with anticipation. The thudding noise grew louder, fueling my curiosity and urging me forward. I pushed aside some bushes and was shocked by what I saw.
"Whoa, what on earth..." I said, stunned by the sight in front of me.
There, on the ground, lay a beautiful girl. She had long blonde hair, green eyes, fox ears, and a tail. She was wearing a red kimono like the ones in Japan. Surrounding her was blood, seemingly coming from a wound on her stomach.
"Oh, damn she's a demihuman fox girl," I said as I approached her.
I quickly checked the girl's pulse on her wrist and neck, and to my surprise, she was still alive.
Without a moment's hesitation, I scooped her up in a princess carry and dashed towards the village center, calling out for help at the top of my lungs.
"Someone! Please, we need help!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the streets.
Rem appeared out of nowhere, her concerned expression mirroring my own.
"Subaru-kun!, what happened?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.
"I found her lying there, injured and unconscious," I explained, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I continued to run. "We need to get her medical attention immediately!"
"Subaru-kun, let's take her to the mansion. Lady Emilia and I can help heal her," Rem suggested, her neutral and cold.
I nodded in agreement, recognizing the urgency of the situation. "You're right, Rem. The mansion is the best place for her to receive the care she needs."
As we reached the grand doors of the mansion, I called out for Emilia, hoping she would hear our plea for help. Moments later, she emerged, her kind and compassionate eyes widening in concern as she saw the injured fox girl in my arms.
"What happened, Subaru? Who is that girl?" Emilia asked, her voice laced with worry.
"I found her injured and unconscious in the forest," I explained hurriedly. "Rem suggested bringing her here so that you and she could work together to heal her."
Emilia's expression softened, and she nodded. "Of course, let's bring her inside. We'll do everything we can."
Together, we carefully carried the girl into the mansion, making our way toward one of the bedrooms.
"We'll take it from here, Subaru," Emilia stated firmly, her voice filled with reassurance, as she gently shut the door behind her.
I stood outside the closed door, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Trusting in Emilia's abilities, I knew the fox girl was in capable hands. However, the weight of the situation still weighed heavily on my mind.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Beatrice, the loli resident of the mansion, appeared before me.
"Do you realize what kind of mess you've created, I suppose?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with annoyance.
Confused, I responded, "What do you mean?"
"You! Bringing another girl here? Can you even fathom how the foolish elf and the silly maid will feel, I suppose?" Beatrice continued, her frustration evident.
Perplexed by her words, I stammered, "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You truly are dense, I suppose!" Beatrice retorted, leaving abruptly and walking away.
"Hey, wait! What do you mean?" I called after her, desperate to understand the implications of my actions.
A peculiar and clown-like figure sat in his office, engrossed in a book, his wide grin never faltering. After a while, he closed the book and muttered to himself.
"Well, well, it appears we have a new maid in our midst, Subaru-kun! How will you respond this time?" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with mischievous curiosity
A maid with vibrant pink hair entered the office and approached the clown-like figure.
"Master Roswaal, I have important news to share," she said politely.
Roswaal looked up from his book, his grin widening at the sight of the maid.
"I know, Ram. I know," he replied, his voice laced with a mysterious understanding. Roswaal smiled knowingly at the Pink-haired maid's words.
I found himself sitting by the side of the bed, where the blonde fox lady peacefully slept. Rem and Emilia stood behind me, their expressions reflecting a sense of relief and weird enough annoyance after successfully healing her wounds.
Glancing back at Rem and Emilia, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. They had dedicated their efforts to ensure the girl's well-being, and their skills had made a significant difference.
"Thank you Emilia-tan, Remu-Rem," I whispered, my voice filled with appreciation. "I don't know what we would have done without both your help."
"You're very much welcome Subaru-Kun. hehe" Rem smiled but, her eyes showed a different tone.
"Yes, let's give her time to rest and heal. She's in good hands now, now let's go, Subaru!" Emilia nodded in agreement, her gentle voice laced with annoyance. However, her eyes bore a glare that conveyed her frustration.
Perceiving Emilia's irritation, I realized I had done something to upset her. Unsure of what I had done wrong, I hesitated for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts.
"W-What's wrong, Emilia-tan?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
"Hmmpf!" Rem chimed in this time, her voice filled with a hint of annoyance.
Her reaction only added to my confusion, leaving me even more perplexed about what had transpired to upset both Emilia and Rem. what did I do this time?
*muffled noises*
As I sat beside Emilia and Rem, my attention was suddenly drawn to a faint sound. It was a soft murmur, barely audible amidst the stillness of the room.
Turning my head, my gaze fell upon the blonde fox girl, who had stirred from her slumber and was now wide awake.
Reacting instinctively, I reached out and gently took hold of her hand, offering a reassuring presence in this unfamiliar setting. The girl's eyes met mine, filled with a mix of confusion and vulnerability.
"What's your name?" I asked, genuine concern lacing my voice.
She hesitated, her brows furrowing as if struggling to recollect her identity. With a tinge of sadness, she replied, "My... name? I... I can't remember."
A wave of sympathy washed over me as I empathized with her disconcerting situation. It was undoubtedly unnerving to wake up without any recollection of one's own identity or how she had ended up here. But there was something else nagging at me. A fox girl, such as her, was a rarity in this kingdom.
Keeping my composure, I extended a friendly hand to her.
"It's okay. My name is Subaru, Natsuki Subaru. Consider me your friend from this moment forward," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. I couldn't help but reach out and gently pat her head and stroke her tail, hoping to offer some comfort in this bewildering situation.
"hmmph!" Another disapproving sound echoed from behind, leaving me uncertain whether it came from Emilia, Rem, or perhaps both.
"Subaru-kun is a pervert!" Rem exclaimed, her voice laced with accusation.
"Subaru is a bad boy," Emilia chimed in, her tone holding a mix of disappointment and frustration.
Adding insult to injury, Beatrice, the house loli, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, joining in on the roasting.
"He's not only a pervert but also a bad boy, I suppose. He bought another girl to add to his harem, in fact!"
"Whoa, wait! You've got it all wrong!"
(To be continued)