Ram steps into the hallway. In the kitchen, she hears a lively conversation between Subaru and Kenichi. The two talk loudly, and although their voices are muffled, Ram suspects they are discussing her specifically. She momentarily considers just returning to bed, but she doesn't. Sighing, Ram walks to the kitchen.

"It's not like that! I keep telling you, Ram is-" Subaru stops when Ram enters the room. She narrows her eyes at him.

Subaru diverts his eyes and coughs, "Good morning, Ram! I bet you're starving! Take a seat, and I'll get you some food. Mom went out of her way this morning and cooked more than necessary."

Ram sits at the table. Subaru's father sits across from her. "So, Subaru tells me you guys met in a play? It's strange—my son never mentioned being in one, which would explain why he sneaks out so much. Especially when there is such a pretty girl working with him."

Subaru sticks his head out, "C'mon, Dad! It's not like that!" he looks at Ram, who sits silently, "A little help here? Otherwise, they'll keep getting the wrong idea!"

Ram glares at him and then looks at Kenichi, "Barusu and Ram aren't a couple. She doesn't have the stomach for the idea, and to consider him anything else gives her indigestion."

Kenichi takes a sip of his coffee before speaking, "Barusu?" he says and looks at his son coming out of the kitchen with a plate of food.

"Ignore her. She knows my name but refuses to say it. I'm surprised Mom didn't pick up on it, honestly."

"Huh," Kenichi replies, taking a sip of his coffee before placing it on the table and eating. "An odd choice for a pet name, but I guess that's how young couples are nowadays."

Subaru and Ram look aghast and stand to announce their frustrations. Both are shocked that Kenichi would ignore an obvious fact.

"Did you not hear anything I've said!"

"Ram just told you we aren't a couple!"

"Fine. Fine. I understand. But you have to understand, Ram-chan."

"Ram-chan?" Subaru says.

Kenichi ignores him, "While Naoko and I are easygoing, it is odd that Subaru's never mentioned you, and then I wake up to find you in his bed."

"I slept on the couch!"

Kenichi holds up his hand, silencing Subaru. Who gives up and sits down at the table. Kenichi looks back at Ram, "Do you see where I'm coming from?"

"Ram understands that is suspicious, but her being here is circumstantial and unintentional."

"I see."

"Man! Mom sure can cook!" Subaru shouts, attempting to steer the conversation away. He looks at his dad, "Don't you work today?"

"It's Sunday, Subaru."

"Oh, I see. I guess it slipped my mind, haha…"

Subaru continues to eat. He glances up at Ram, who hasn't touched her food, "What's wrong? Are you not hungry?"

She looks at him, and starts eating. Kenichi silently watches the two of them before getting up from the table.

"Well, I'm going to get my morning jog in. I'll see you later."

"Oh, uh, okay, see you later, Dad."

Kenichi leaves the room, but not before sticking his head back in the kitchen and saying: "Don't fight too much." he smirks.

"What's with you!?" Subaru shouts one last time before his dad disappears.

Subaru sinks in his seat, "Ugh, sorry about my dad. He can be eccentric."

Ram continues to eat and doesn't reply. Subaru frowned, and the two continued to eat in silence.

Kenichi returned shortly later and said goodbye one last time before putting on his shoes and walking out the door.

Subaru gets up from the table. "Here—give me your plate, and I'll wash it."

"No, Ram will wash her plate. She doesn't expect Barusu to take care of her."

She shoots him a dirty look and walks to the kitchen.

"What's wrong with you? Don't let my dad sour your mood more than it already is! I've explained to him all morning that there is nothing between us."

Ram looks at him, "Barusu is wrong as usual and assumes Ram's maidenly heart is full of concern for him."

"Then what's your problem?"

"Does Ram really have to spell it out for you?"

Subaru cleans his plate into the trash and walks to the sink, "I guess so because your mood is worse than usual. I don't know what I did to piss you off-"

"Again, Barusu assumes he is the cause of Ram's annoyance. Although, a little, that isn't what concerns her."

"Then what!"

Ram steps back, "Are you blind? Look around you. You still haven't explained what's going on! Not to me or even your parents, so please, Barusu. Where exactly are we?"

"It's hard to explain, but don't take your frustration out on me here. I'm not responsible for this!"

"Ram's frustrated because she wants to go home! She misses the little sister she just reunited with and Roswaal-sama! But considering how you seem to be alright with everything, Ram guesses she is the only one who cares!"

"You think I don't care?"

"Do you?"

"YES! It hasn't even been a day, and you expect me to figure everything out immediately! So instead of laying in to me, maybe you can wait while I figure this out."

Ram glowered. She spoke calmly but with a hint of anger, "And that's another thing. Barusu assumes he has to figure this out and forgets that Ram wants to get home, too. So, at the very least, he can explain where we are, and we can figure this out together."

They locked eyes until Subaru took a deep breath, "Fine. Sit down."

Ram returned to her seat, with Subaru sitting opposite of her. He looked down, "I don't know how to put this exactly."

"Put it however you can."

"I'm not from Lugunica."

Ram's expression is neutral, "So? Ram assumed you-"

"Or Kararagi, or Vollachia, or Gusteko. Or anywhere, for that matter."

Ram doesn't speak. Subaru continues, "I won't insult your intelligence, and try to explain that where you are is somewhere related to those places. Because I'm sure you figured out where we are differs from anything found in Lugunica."

"Correct. But that only makes the matter at hand harder to understand."

"Well—How about this? Have you ever heard of people showing up and rumors spreading about them coming from beyond the Great Waterfall?"

"Ram's heard of it. So where we are is beyond the waterfall, then?"

Subaru shrugs, "I guess so. It's hard to say."

"Why?"

Subaru scratches his head, "Well, it's because I don't know how I got to Lugunica, exactly."

"Then that time Emilia-sama brought you home. You suddenly found yourself in Lugunica without knowing how or why?"

"Yeah, I don't know how I got there."

"You don't?"

Subaru shakes his head and looks away, "No, I don't."

"Ram sees."

The two sat in silence. Subaru knew more than what he was willing to share. He knew Satella was involved with him being in Lugunica. Still, he didn't want to volunteer that information and decided to play dumb, but at the same time, he wanted to be truthful about his origins. Ram continued to stare at him, of course, and he wondered if the girl had bought everything he said and hoped the two of them could move on from the subject altogether.

Ram crosses her arms, "Very well. That will do for now."

Subaru relaxed, "Alright, so I guess the first thing we should try to figure out is how we'll get back."

"That's a start. What were you doing when you magically found yourself in Lugunica?"

"Uh, well. I had gone out to the convenience store, bought some stuff, and left the store. I felt dizzy, and the next thing I knew. I was in Lugunica."

"Okay. And you don't know how that happened?"

"No." Subaru looks away momentarily. Ram catches this but doesn't press the subject. She closes her eyes.

"Then maybe whatever force brought you to Lugunica decided it was time for you to leave, and unfortunately, you brought Ram along with you."

"I doubt that and why is it unfortunate that you are here with me?"

"Because Ram misses her adorable sister Rem and is subject to your lecherous gaze more frequently."

"Hey! I haven't looked at you like-"

"But, also. Why do you doubt what Ram said?"

Subaru stopped mid-sentence and sat back down. "I was just saying that, you know,"

"No, Ram doesn't know, remember?"

"Gah! Look! All I'm saying is I doubt the two are related! It wasn't foggy the night I left and-"

"But you are back home? The two events can't be coincidences."

Subaru takes a deep breath, "No, you're right. But that doesn't mean I can explain them!"

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely!"

"You would bet your life on it?"

"Without a moment's hesitation."

Subaru's expression is serious. Ram and he sit in silence before she sets forward and places both hands on the table.

"Okay. Ram believes you."

"Good."

"So now we need to start figuring out how to proceed. Is there anyone we can talk to? An expert, someone like Roswaal-sama?"

Subaru snorts, "Yeah, don't bet on that. And if anyone dressed like Roshci was walking around, the police would arrest him."

"Barusu. Just because we are in your parents' home doesn't mean Ram will tolerate insults directed at Roswaal-sama."

"Yeah, yeah—But what I'm trying to say is: people don't use magic here, so don't count on finding someone who knows about it. Magic only exists in video games, movies, and fantasy novels. No one can cast spells here."

Ram snorts, "You expect Ram to believe that?"

"See for yourself," Subaru gets up and goes to the kitchen. He returns, sets an empty cup on the table, and sits down. "Well, blow the cup away."

Subaru's challenging stare draws a short laugh from Ram, who looks at the thin cup in front of him.

"Very well. Don't cry when the cup hits you in the face."

"I won't have to worry about that."

Ram clicks her tongue and focuses on the cup. She holds up her hand and says: Fura!

Subaru continues to stare at her. Ram looks confused and holds up her hand again.

"Fura!"she shouts with more intensity. "What? Why isn't the cup moving?"

Subaru shakes his head, "Like I said, You can't cast spells here."

Ram lowers her hand and looks at him, "You're serious?"

"Well, yeah? I wasn't lying to you. If magic were common here, I wouldn't have broken my gate learning a basic yin spell."

It suddenly occurred to Ram, "Barusu, what about my mana infusions? Ram is supposed to see Roswaal for her treatment. If we can't return, and there isn't an availability of mana, what will happen to Ram?"

Subaru's revelation causes dred to creep in and she begins to worry. When Ram went to sleep, she assumed Subaru could explain what was happening and know of a way home. But the more they spoke, and the more Ram learned about Subaru's world, the realization took hold, and she grew anxious.

"Barusu! If Ram can't get her infusions, she could die!"

"I understand you're worried, but I don't think that will happen."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Well, normally you are weak at the end of the day, and last night we stayed up pretty late, and this morning you woke up early. Maybe because we can't use magic here, it means that what mana you have won't be used, and you'll be ok?"

Ram thinks, "I guess that's why Ram doesn't feel as exhausted despite being awake so early?"

"It's the same for me—if you think about it? Beako has to suck out my available mana, but I'm not drawing any in, so I should be okay and not suffer from mana poisoning."

"And you're sure?"

"It's a theory, but it makes sense to me."

Ram stands, "Well, seeing how we're stuck here for the time being, the least Barusu could do is take Ram shopping for clothes."

"Huh? Take you shopping? What's wrong with the clothes my mom left you?"

"Ram doesn't know about you, but she prefers not to wear the same outfits daily."

"Oh, so I guess you won't be walking around in your maid uniform, and wait a second!? You literally have been wearing the same thing everyday since we met! Why the sudden need for new clothes?"

Ram smirks. "Ha—As much as Barusu would prefer it, Ram would rather not have his lustful gaze staring at her and distracting him from what's important Also, Ram isn't working, so there isn't a need for her uniform."

"Well, in that case, Nee-sama should go easy on me. Seeing how Ram is so distracting."

"Ram can't help being lovely."

"Yeah, whatever. But there's a problem with your request."

"Which is what?"

"I don't have any money, and whatever you have won't work here."

Ram sighs, "Well, it looks like you'll have to get a job and support me."

"Support you? What are you? My wife!? If that happened, my parents would be suspicious for sure!"

Ram takes a moment, "You're correct. Barusu will have to support Ram without arousing suspicion?"

"How about I don't support you at all?"

Subaru gets up from the table, "Look, I'll ask my parents for money and will take you shopping later."

"Typical Barusu. Relying on the kindness of others. He is deadbeat here and Lugunica."

Subaru rolls his eyes, "Whatever. I'm going to change my clothes. I have some money stashed away, so I'll grab it. Make yourself at home in the meantime."

Ram watches Subaru leave and go to his bedroom. But not before warning him about touching her clothes. He remarks, stating he isn't a creep despite what Ram might think.

Now alone, Ram gets up from the table and looks around the kitchen and living room. The Natsuki family room is modest, with white shelving housing family photos. A black faux-leather sofa and matching loveseat occupying most of the room, with a coffee table between the two couches and an average-sized television set against the wall.

Ram walks toward the shelves and looks at the family pictures. Several are of Subaru when he was younger. If she hadn't seen him as a child in Vollachia, she might have found him cute but would never admit it. In one picture, Subaru is older, around middle school age. Ram snorts and picks up the photo.

"Ram will have to tease Barusu later," she says, looking at a Subaru wearing a cape and brandishing a toy sword. He does his best to look serious in the photo but instead looks like a dork. His parents liked the picture enough to have it framed to ensure their son would be embarrassed for years to come.

Ram replaces the picture and steps to the TV set. She stands momentarily before leaning forward and looking at the odd-shaped box.

Looking at her reflection in the dark glass, she leans forward to get a better look and inspect the object further.

"What is this exactly?" Ram says and goes to poke the television, but as her finger gets within inches, the screen suddenly kicks on, causing Ram to yelp in surprise and fall backward.

Ram turns and finds Subaru standing with the remote and grinning from ear-to-ear.

He laughs, "Geez, Ram. If you wanted to watch TV, you should have just asked?"

Subaru smirked at the embarrassed-looking girl sitting on the ground, glaring at him.

"Forcing Ram to the ground, how criminal. Ram will have to lock her bedroom door at night."

"If that's how you want to look at it because from where I'm standing, I see a skittish girl who is frightened easily."

Ram stands and smooths out her skirt. She looks at Subaru. "Ram's surprised, and here she believed you would wear the same thing you always do."

"As much as I love the tracksuit, I have other clothes I haven't worn in a while."

Subaru wears an unzipped blue hoodie, revealing a black shirt and jeans to compliment the outfit.

"Though not as fancy as the clothes Mom left for you, I prefer comfort over fashion."

"All Ram heard is that Barusu always prefers being lazy."

The two walk to the front door together and put on their shoes.

"Big talk coming from the Queen of sloth."

Subaru opens the door for Ram, and she walks outside. He follows behind her and locks up the house.

"If Ram is the Queen of sloth, then Barusu is the Duke of indolence."

"Oh yeah? Well, if I'm the Duke of indolence-"

Ram and Subaru's back-and-forth banter on who was more inert continued until Subaru ran out of synonyms to describe laziness; Ram celebrated, declaring herself victor after Subaru gave up, stating: yeah, well, it takes one to know one. Surprisingly, the conversation of who was more apathetic continued from Subaru's home and all the way to the local shopping center.

Ram walked alongside Subaru, permeating an air of smugness.

"I don't see why you are acting so proud."

"Ram doesn't know what you mean? Is Barusu that surprised by Ram's superior intellect?"

"Pfff —Hardly, well anyways. This mall is where my mom used to bring me here for clothes, so I'm sure we'll find something for you. Just don't go over budget! I can't remember what I saved my money for, but I don't want to spend it all one day!"

"Figures. Ram feels sorry for Emilia and Rem. They would have second thoughts if they knew how cheap Barusu was."

"I wasn't as broke in Lugunica! And I doubt Emilia would care." Subaru looks downcast, "Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Rem."

Ram stares at him while they walk along. She knew her sister had feelings for him, but considering her memories hadn't been restored, and how busy Rem had been readjusting to life in the mansion, the two spent little time together. Ram felt a little guilty for keeping Rem occupied.

Ram sighed, "When we return, Barusu should make more time for Rem and be more aggressive if he wants their relationship to improve."

"I did that in Vollachia!" he deflates, "Ah, forget it. Sure, when we return, I'll try talking to her more."

They stepped close to the automatic doors, causing Ram to jump when they opened initially. Subaru looked at her with amusement.

"Ram would appreciate not having Barusu's horrific gaze pointed at her every time something startles Ram."

Subaru chuckles, "Sorry, Nee-sama. But you gotta admit, seeing you acting frightened for change is funny."

"Ram doesn't remember agreeing to being Barusu's jester."

Subaru grins, and the two walk into the mall.

The mall bustled with foot traffic. Crowds weaved through one another like worker ants in a colony. Ram and Subaru walked close to one another to avoid bumping shoulders with clusters of people walking in the opposite direction. Ram couldn't help but squint due to the bright, overhead lighting mingled with natural daylight that shone through the ceiling's windows.

"Are the lights bothering you?"

Ram shook her head, "Barusu shouldn't concern himself with Ram. She is okay."

Subaru shrugged, "Alright. But if it gets too much for you, just say something, and we'll leave."

"Ha—Of course, Barusu would look for reasons to avoid taking Ram shopping."

"I'm not—Look, instead of leaving, we can find someplace to rest. Does that work?"

"That's a better option. Now, where is this store you are so fond of?"

Subaru points to an escalator, "Oh, it's up here."

Ram stops walking and looks at the escalator. The black steps rhythmically move upwards before disappearing into the second floor, perplexing the girl. Next to the staircase is another set of steps moving in the opposite direction. She did her best to avoid acting constantly surprised by every minute detail of Subaru's world, but the stairs and automatic door from earlier left her confused. She turned to Subaru.

"Ram understands why Barusu is so lazy now."

"Huh?"

"Magic doors that open and now magical stairs that carry you instead of walking have spoiled you. Ram feels sorry for all the times she called you worthless." She says with poorly hidden mockery.

"I'm not worthless, and escalators and automatic doors are the cause of nothing!"

"Oh, then Ram's apologies. Barusu was born to lose."

"Instead of a comedy routine, how about we get going? We can talk about the wonders of technology later."

Subaru and Ram walk to the escalator. Subaru gets on and starts to move. Ram watches him, hesitates, and slowly places a foot on one of the moving steps, causing her to retract it immediately. Already halfway up the stairs, Subaru looks at her and throws his arms up, and mouths: What's the deal?

"Ram doesn't trust these stairs," she calls, causing several to look at the girl with raised eyebrows.

Subaru facepalms. He gets to the top floor and proceeds down the second set of escalators.

"Why didn't you get on?"

"Barusu, Ram isn't so sure about stairs that move independently. What if the floor sucks her in before stepping off?"

Subaru can only stare at Ram. What she suggested was a fear a child might have. He knew she was intelligent but didn't expect her to be so cautious and afraid of escalators. Ram's reasoning was preposterous.

"Ram," Subaru grabbed her shoulders. She leaned back. "These escalators will not eat you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, but what if someone looks under Ram's skirt?"

Subaru takes his hands off her shoulders. "That won't happen either. I'll be behind you to make sure nothing like that happens."

"That is less reassuring, considering Ram was referring to you doing the peeping."

"How about we take the elevator instead."

The two walk to the location of an elevator in the back of the mall and get on.

"Awesome. It looks like we didn't have to wait!"

Ram doesn't understand why Subaru is so excited. She looks around the cramped elevator and frowns. The doors suddenly closed, and she scoots closer to him.

"Aw, don't tell me you are nervous here too? Don't worry, Ram, Barusu will protect you."

Ram clicks her tongue and prepares to call him a pervert, but the elevator starts to move upwards. Ram clings on to Subaru in surprise, causing the boy to chuckle. She lets go but doesn't make eye contact, not wishing for Subaru to see her embarrassed expression. The doors open, and they step off.

Ram turns to look at him, "Ram assumes using the elevator was a way for Barusu to have his way with her."

"As if. We wouldn't have used the elevator if you weren't terrified of moving stairs."

"Regardless, this trip has been nothing but Barusu's attempts at Ram's purity."

Subaru rolls his eyes, "C'mon, we're not far from the store. Let's go and get this over with. We still need to figure out how to get back, and we shouldn't waste time shopping."

"That's something Ram can agree with."

"Then why ask me to bring you shopping in the first place?"

"Because it's the least Barusu could do."

Subaru shakes his head, and the two walk to the place Subaru mentioned.

"Well, here we are."

Ram and Subaru stand in front of a large department store whose gargantuan entrance, high ceilings, and endless rows of clothing decorate the store's interior.

"I do my shopping on the lower floor. The second floor is for kids and women. I don't know what style you are looking for, but what you have on is cute, so maybe something like that?"

Subaru places his hand on his chin and looks at Ram thoughtfully.

"Barusu, please get your mind out of the gutter."

"It wasn't there!" Subaru sighs, "C'mon, we'll start in woman's casual and go from there. I should have enough to cover whatever you find, and this place has pretty good deals."

Subaru enters the store with Ram following from behind. She looks around at rows of clothing, sections devoted to shoes, and one area dedicated entirely to wedding gowns. Ram is flabbergasted. She had been to small clothing shops before, but nothing as significant as the store Subaru brought her to, and she never shopped for herself. Ram's only experiences were when she would accompany Emilia and Roswaal shopping when he had first brought her to the mansion. Thinking back, Roswaal had never taken Rem or her to a place to buy clothes, and what clothing he would get for them mainly consisted of maid uniforms. Ram didn't want to admit it, especially to Subaru, but she was enjoying herself.

She continues to stare at Subaru and smiles to herself. She runs up to him and leans forward.

"Also, Barusu, Ram should let you know but-" she smirked. "She has expensive tastes."

Subaru laughs, "Of course you do."

The two smile at one another and venture further into the department store.