The ticking of a wall clock is the background music for the proverbial stage, where Subaru and Ram sit side-by-side while Naoko puts the kettle on. Neither spoke to the other, and both sat in silence while thinking about how to proceed with the unexpected conundrum they found themselves in. The unforeseen circumstance of unexpectedly being whisked away was both problematic and confusing. Subaru wished he could provide a reason to Ram, suspecting that the girl was gathering an army of questions to bombard him with when an opportune time presented itself. He would have to bolster his defenses and feared what he could present and what he had to keep hidden when Ram cornered him with her investigation. In the meantime, he would try to formulate a theory for their sudden exodus from Lugunica and think of a way back home to Emilia and everyone else his heart ached for. The idea of utilizing return by death crept in, but he brushed it aside.
Ram, likewise, would cast glances at Subaru and his house. The suspicious girl always suspected he came from a well-to-do family, but the strange architecture and alien technology that crowded a surprisingly small living space perplexed her. She was respectful of his mother and chose to keep her profound comments dormant until the two were alone. But the staggering amount of questions she kept piling on were at risk of tumbling over. Ram sighed and accepted his mother's tea.
Naoko sat down after offering them tea. She looked at them both, smiling at her son, "So tell me, Subaru—how did you two meet?"
Despite readying himself with possible answers for his mom, the question she presented caused all thought to vacate, and instead of delivering a satisfying response, Subaru stammered. His mother sipped her tea and continued to scrutinize her son. Ram turned her head to stare at him while he talked wildly with his hands and said things like " You see" and "Well, it's uh." Before, she couldn't take it anymore and cut him off.
"Barusu and Ram met at work," Ram spoke openly and truthfully. Subaru stopped waving his arms like a bird learning to fly and spun his head to study the resolute girl beside him, who sat up straight, staring at his mother.
He looked back at his mother, who matched Ram's gaze. She looked at Subaru, who laughed awkwardly, "Uh, yeah! I-I know I haven't been going to school and started working at night!" he forced a chuckle, and the lie he spoke only continued to fan the flames of doubt.
"Uh-huh," his mother said, "And what work would my son be doing so late at night, where his 'co-worker' dresses so provocatively?"
"Oh, uh, well, you see-"
Ram sighed, "Barusu is a butler and a knight to Emilia-sama—candidate for the throne of Lugunica."
Subaru's face sailed across the color spectrum before crash-landing into an expression of ghostly white. His head slowly turned to gauge his mother's reaction. She nodded, appearing to have accepted what Ram was saying without any issue.
"Oh, I understand,"
"You do!?"
"Yes, the work you are doing is in a play, and you have the role of a knight and a butler—is that right?"
"No-" Subaru quickly stifles Ram before she can dig a deeper hole.
"Yes! That's right! And Ram here was gracious enough to go over some lines with me!" Subaru narrowed his eyes at her while she glared at him. Ram's expression told him he had five seconds to remove his hand before he lost it. Subaru slowly removed his hand, and the two stared at one another challengingly.
Ram didn't refute what he said and looked back at his mother. "Yes, what Barusu said is correct. He initially had the role of a tree, but everyone felt sorry for him and decided he could play a butler and foolish knight."
"Foolish? I'd say I've come a long way since we've met!"
"Ha! Ram would would think otherwise-"
"Could you two act something out?" Naoko asked suddenly.
Subaru and Ram ceased the bickering and turned to look at his mother. Naoko's smile was broad, and her eyes sang of the pride she felt for her son and the play he was supposedly in.
"Uh, it's pretty late, and Ram isn't very good at acting—she is terrible ."
"Is that so? I would have you know that Ram is quite talented and could act circles around you."
"Great! Let's see it!" Naoko excitedly said. Subaru and Ram took a deep breath and got up from the table.
Subaru leaned in close, and the two turned away from Naoko, "This is your fault," he whispered.
"Really? If Ram recalls, you're the idiot who went along with us being in a play together," she whispered back.
"That's because you had to go and start spouting about me being a butler and a knight!"
"Ram wonders why you are trying to hide the truth from your mother anyway?"
"You won't understand."
"Ram will, soon enough."
Growing impatient, Naoko calls them, "Subaru, are you two rehearsing?"
"Yeah! We are just trying to figure out what scene to act out," he answers.
"Ram thinks we should act out the part where she throws you out a window."
Subaru sarcastically laughs, "How about the part where you spend the day sleeping and me doing all the work?"
"Dancing like an idiot with a broom and pretending it's Emilia-sama is not what Ram would consider working."
"That was only once! Also, when did you see that?"
Ram flipped her hair, "Unfortunately, Ram caught sight of your pitiful dancing one afternoon. It was awful and gave Ram nightmares."
"At least I did dance with Emilia! How many dances have you been to?"
"Ram doesn't have time for such fantasies. She is too busy living in reality."
"Reality!? And what's that, exactly? Pining over Roschi?"
Ram ground her teeth, "If Barusu is so eager to die-"
Naoko started to laugh, causing the two to look her way.
"Oh, it's too much! I never knew my son was so hilarious, and Ram is funny, too! I can't wait to see the play!"
Subaru and Ram's mouths hung slightly open, "Uh, haha—I'm glad you liked it, Mom." Subaru said, scratching his chin.
Ram shook her head but said nothing about their performance, allowing Subaru's mother to remain blissfully ignorant.
"I'm serious, Subaru! You two have great chemistry! I know the play will be a hit. What's it called?"
"The foolish knight and beautiful maid."
"That's-"
"Wonderful, Subaru! So you have a lead role too! I can't wait to tell you, father!"
Subaru waved his hands, "No, you don't have to."
Ram looked around, "Barusu, where is your father? Is he ashamed of you?"
"No, he isn't ashamed of me! And he is probably asleep."
Naoko stood, "Yes, and I should get to bed too. Oh, and Ram—it's late so you can stay the night."
Ram bowed, "Thank you for the hospitality."
"Yeah, thanks, mom. Uh, Ram, I guess you can take my room?"
She looked at Subaru with horror and disgust.
"I'm not joining you! I'll sleep on the couch!"
Ram sighed in relief, "Good, Ram was worried for her chastity."
Subaru rolled his eyes. The ordeal was already too much to handle, and he didn't need any more of Ram to worsen the situation.
Subaru's mother looked at Ram, "Do you have anything to wear, or is that it?"
"Ma'am?" she asked.
"You're costume. Did you bring bags or anything?"
Ram looked at Subaru, "Oh, so now you need my help?" he said under his voice.
She continued her blank stare. Subaru sighed, "Yes, Mom. If you wouldn't mind getting something for her."
"Of course. Ram, if you don't mind, I'll show you to Subaru's room and get you a change of clothes. Subaru, you know where the extra blankets are."
"Yes, I remember."
Subaru's mom smiled at him. There was a warmth there, something Subaru took little advantage of before he found himself in Lugunica. So preoccupied with secrecy, Subaru hadn't accounted for the fact that he could finally speak with his parents before he left again.
"Mom," he called out to her. Naoko and Ram turned around, "Good night." he smiled back at her.
She beamed again and turned to Ram, gesturing for her to follow. Ram continued to look at Subaru and then followed after his mother.
It's a short walk to Subaru's room. Naoko opens the door, and Ram steps in and looks around. Naoko walks in behind her and goes to Subaru's dresser. She opens it and pulls out a black t-shirt.
"Here, you can sleep in this."
Ram accepts the shirt. She holds it up and expects it thoroughly.
"Don't worry. It's clean. I know my son is messy, but you get used to it."
Ram ignored the implications Naoko suggested, "Thank you again for your hospitality." she said finally.
"Of course! It's not often Subaru brings a friend home." Naoko starts to think, "Or ever, for that matter."
Ram doesn't reply. Naoko sighs, "Either way," she looks at Ram, "Please take care of my son."
Ram blinks, digesting the words from Subaru's mother, "Wait—you don't think-"
"Okay! It's late, so goodnight Ram!"
Subaru's mother quickly leaves the room and shuts the door. Ram continues to stare in her direction. She has a mind to sneak out and force Subaru to talk, but she yawns and decides to interrogate him tomorrow. Ram changes into the shirt and lays her maid uniform on Subaru's desk.
She walks to his bed, "When was the last time Subaru washed his sheets? If Ram isn't careful, she might catch something." she pulls the comforter open and inspects the bed. "What's this?" She finds a magazine tucked away under the mattress and pulls it out. The cover of the magazine shows a well-endowed girl smiling mischievously. Ram scowls and opens the magazine. She gets two pages in before gasping and tossing it aside.
"Ram knew it! Barusu is a pervert!" she looks back at the bed and stares suspiciously at it. She walks away and goes to his closet, hopeful of finding a clean blanket she could use to cover herself, having decided the floor was safer than Subaru's bed.
Opening the closet, she moves his clothes around and continues her search. "Ram's surprised Barusu has so many different clothes. She assumed he kept copies of the same hideous outfit he constantly wears."
Journeying further back, she spies a lone shoebox. She kneels and pulls the box out of the closet. Ram opens the box and finds pages of paper with writing she couldn't read and pictures of Subaru when he was younger. She lifts the pictures out and thumbs through them.
She giggles at a few pictures where he is missing teeth and smiling alongside his parents. In one photo, Subaru holds a trophy while his mother and father stand beside him, looking proud. Ram looks at his dad, noting similarities between the two. She looks through the pictures—Subaru in his school uniform, at the beach, and finally, "Wait—is that Barusu?"
Subaru was younger in the picture, but his hair was longer, and he wore a dress. Ram continued to scrutinize the photo. She looked around as if someone was watching her and replaced the pictures. Dissatisfied that she couldn't find a spare blanket, Ram walked back to the bed and hesitantly climbed in. She lay there and looked at the posters that lined his walls and at the figurines of scantily dressed women.
"Ram can see why Subaru fell in love with Emilia," she said, gazing at the women who shared the common trait of silver hair.
Her eyes grew heavy, and Ram fell asleep.
Subaru was lying on the couch, softly sawing logs, when his mom walked in and woke him up.
"Subaru," she calls softly to him.
The boy stirs and sets up, "Beako, I'm still sleepy. What is it?" he rubs his eyes and is initially surprised to see his mother but quickly remembers the events from the day before.
"Beako?" Naoko asks.
"Oh, sorry, I-I was thinking of something I read online."
"Ah, I see. I just wanted to tell you, but breakfast is on the counter. When Ram wakes up, be sure to serve her her plate, okay?" his mom winks. Subaru stares.
"Uh, alright…?"
"Okay, I am going to the store to pick up a few groceries. There is a sale on mayonnaise, and I have to beat the crowd!" she says with determination, walking to the door and putting on her shoes.
"I doubt there'll be a long line of people waiting for the store to open, but sure—see you later, Mom."
Naoko waves goodbye and rushes out the door.
The door shuts. Alone, Subaru leans against the couch and looks at the ceiling. "I wonder what Emilia, Beatrice, and Rem are doing?" he says to himself, " I hope Spica is alright. She is probably worried about me."
He takes a deep breath, "Well, I guess I'll get ready and try to think of a way back."
Thoughts of Satella crowd his mind, and he wonders how long before the witch locates him. Subaru assumes she will be the catalyst for his return but worries about Ram. He worries if she will be left, and if he mentions Satella to her, how would she take it? He resolves to cross that bridge if necessary and, in the meantime, think of ways to answer her inevitable questions when she decides to wake up. Subaru stretches and walks to the bathroom.
"It's been so long since I've been home. It still feels awkward. I'm surprised I still remember where everything is?" Subaru says, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door.
"Maybe if I go to the convince store again with Ram, and we leave it together, we will return to Lugunica?" Subaru thinks more about this idea, "Actually, that doesn't make any sense. But I guess it's worth a shot. No harm in trying, at least."
He applies his toothpaste and starts to brush his teeth. He looks at his eyes and thinks to himself. "Huh, I don't look as tired. I guess I slept pretty good for a change."
Subaru gurgles some water and goes to spit. Suddenly, he hears a commotion from his room and chokes on the water.
"Shit—I forgot my dad enjoys waking me up!"
Subaru drops his toothbrush and runs to his bedroom.
Kenichi wakes up and yawns. He gets out of bed and performs the same morning calisthenics he has done every morning since early high school. He cracks his neck and pops his knuckles, "I wonder what time that son of mine came home last night?" he grins, "Well, I guess I better go and find out."
Kenichi felt vengeful after spending most of the evening searching for his son. To say his father wasn't irritated would be an understatement. Then there was his mother, who he knew worried daily about their son. Subaru's late-night excursion, coupled with the grief he has been putting his parents through, has his father thinking it was time for a heart-to-heart talk.
Kenichi stood before the door, "Okay!" he grabbed the door and threw it open, "Good morning, son…"
He froze. Sitting up in Subaru's bed sat her girl with a pink-bob haircut, mid-stretch, and staring wide-eyed at the man.
The two continued to look at one another before Ram yelped and Kenichi shrieked.
"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Kenichi shouted, apologizing profusely, while Ram yelled for him to get out.
Kenichi quickly shut the door and turned to see his son running up to him. Subaru slid to a stop and stared at his father. He looked at his hand on the doorknob and then back at him.
Subaru laughed nervously, "Good morning, pops!" he scratched the back of his head.
Kenichi continued to stare, "Son…"
Subaru swallowed, "Yeah,"
Kenichi hugged him, "Subaru! I can't believe you brought a girl home!"
"What!? D-Dad, it's not what you think! I slept in the living room!"
Kenichi continued to hug him, "Regardless, I never thought I would see the day and was afraid you would be single forever."
"Single forever!? Just how much faith do you have in me!?"
While the two bonded, Ram listened to the two idiots.
"Like father, like son. No wonder Barusu is a pervert."
She jumped out of bed and walked to the desk. Next to her maid uniform was a different change of clothes, a clean pair of underwear, socks, and a note. Ram couldn't read the letter but assumed it was from Subaru's mother. Ram was surprised and partly creeped out that Subaru's mom silently entered the room while she slept but didn't suspect his mother of ulterior motives and assumed it was an extinction of her hospitality.
"I guess those scribbles Barusu always draws is a language? Strange that Ram can't read it, yet she and Barusu have no difficulty speaking to each other?"
She placed the note on the desk and looked at the clothes. She held up the skirt and looked at the blouse underneath it. The dress was brown with straps, and the blouse on the desk was brown. The socks were white with frills and little bows on top. The clothing ensemble was cute, and Ram couldn't help but think how Subaru's mother had good taste in clothing.
She changed clothes and left the room.
Emilia walks downstairs. It was getting late, and her stomach rumbled with hunger. After spending most of the day catching up on paperwork and working with Otto on the election, Emilia was ready for a break. She felt terrible not being able to spend time with Subaru, and since returning safely from Vollachia, the time they put aside for one another was dwindling. Subaru was patient, of course, and always made time for her at night, but after having her nose in a book, Emilia didn't stay up and would go to bed early.
She opened the door to the dining hall and found everyone sitting around the table, talking worriedly. Emilia looked around.
"Where's Subaru?"
Beatrice was staring at the ground. Emilia looked at her and then at Garfiel.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know. The cap'n and Ram haven' come back."
Emilia stared in confusion before speaking, "They haven't?" she looked at Rem, "Rem, did your sister say anything before she left?"
Rem was holding Spica, who shook with worry, "Nee-sama mentioned going shopping with Subaru, but that was the last time I saw her."
Rem and Subaru haven't spoken much and have never been able to amend their relationship. She started using his first name, which Subaru believed was the first step in the right direction, but Rem still distrusted him. No one seemed to say or do anything about it, and her sister wasn't much help either. Subaru took it from what it was worth and continued to hope that the girl he knew and missed would someday return.
"Beako?" Emilia said, causing the spirit to flinch, "Can you feel your contract with Subaru?"
"No, Betty can't feel her Subaru. Also, please refrain from using that name, in fact," she said without looking at Emilia.
Emilia stood dumbfounded.
"I don't understand. Where is Subaru and Ram?" she looked at Roswaal, who sat, looking off.
"Roswaal, can you think of what might have happened? Was Subaru sent off again? Like at the watch tower?"
"I can't say. Ram isn't one to stay gone, and without Beatrice sensing her contract with Subaru-kun. It's difficult to know what happened to the two of them."
Gone was Roswaal's strange drawl. He was uncharacteristically quiet, and Emilia could see the concern on his face.
Emilia looked at Otto, "Has anyone gone to look for them?" she asked.
"Garf went to the village, and Frederica-san checked the mansion grounds."
"Yeah, and I couldn' find the Cap'n. The few I spoke with 'n Arlem said they saw 'em walking back hours ago."
"And I couldn't find Subaru-sama or Ram," Frederica admitted with regret.
Emilia looked fearful and held her hands to her chest.
"Emilia-sama? What are we going to do?" Petra asked.
Emilia took a deep breath and looked at Otto, "Otto-kun, send word to the capital. If we need to, we'll contact the other camps and find them."
"Are you sure we'll find Onii-san and scary Nee-san? I have a bad feelin' about this Onee-san."
Emilia matched Meili's stare, "We'll find them." she said, resolving not to sit idly by and locate them. They had just reunited, and Emilia refused to wait this time.
"Uuuuwaaa-" Spica said. Rem calmed the girl and patted her head.
"Don't worry, Spica-chan, they'll be found," she said, comforting her.
Rem worried for her sister, of course, and even though she wouldn't show it, she worried for Subaru, too. But Rem, seeing Spica depressed, couldn't help but feel annoyed with the boy.