The door swings open, and Ram and Subaru step into the familiar warmth of the Natsuki house. Hearing the door open, Subaru's mother gets up from the couch and greets her son. She didn't expect him home so soon, and smiles when she sees him.
"Subaru, you've returned sooner than we expected," Naoko remarks, her voice devoid of any disappointment.
She turns her gaze to Ram, and her eyes widen in surprise. Naoko had assumed she would see her again, but not tonight after Subaru had told her and Kenichi he would see her home.
"Oh, I thought you were going home, Ram-chan?" she asks, looking at her son for an explanation.
Subaru glances at Ram, who picks up his stare and nods. Ram looks at Naoko and bows, "If Naoko-sama would permit it, Ram asks that she use your restroom."
Naoko smiles and turns to welcome Ram into her home again. Ram bows and takes her shoes off before entering. She turns to look once more at Subaru and continues walking to the bathroom.
"Good evening, Kenichi-san," she says along the way. "Oh, hey, Ram-chan. Uh, long time no see?" He pauses the movie he and his wife are watching to say hello. He looks towards the front door at his son with confusion.
When Ram is out of earshot, Subaru looks at his mom and says, "Mom, can we talk in the kitchen?"
She looks at him with concern, "Sure, honey, is everything alright?"
Kenichi, making his way to where they stood, came to stand behind his wife. "Subaru, what's wrong? You look troubled, son."
Subaru bit his lip, "It's about Ram…" he trails off and looks at the ground. Subaru has never imagined being in his predicament and isn't sure how his parents will take the news of Ram moving in.
His parents look at one another and then back at their son. Naoko takes a deep breath, "Alright."
Kenichi doesn't reply and scrutinizes his son before walking toward the dining room table and sitting. Naoko and Subaru follow him, and both take their places.
"Son," Kenichi begins, "What's going on?"
Naoko remains silent, forcing a smile to cover the anxiety she felt from her son's revelation.
He looks up from the table, his eyes filled with determination. "Ram is going to stay with us for a while," he says, his voice steady and resolute. He emphasizes his unwavering commitment to the girl, which surprises both of his parents.
Elsewhere, Ram watches in silence. Hearing how stern he was about her staying with him gives her relief. Ram doesn't believe she needs Subaru to survive, and despite how she perceives him, she prefers the two remain together until they resolve their shared predicament.
Kenichi and Naoko exchange looks, "Subaru, what is going on between you and that girl? It has to be serious if you can come to both of us with something like this." Kenichi asks, his son's demands not lost on him.
"Your father is right, Subaru. First, you tell us you are walking her home, and now you both come back and tell us she is moving in? Honey, there's more to this than you asking that a friend stay over for the night."
Subaru scratches his head, "It's not like that. Ram—she has nowhere to go, and I thought I could get her home, but I can't, and I won't leave her by herself."
Subaru knew his explanation made little sense, and he sounded disrespectful from where he was sitting. Still, considering everything he has faced in Lugunica and Volachia, where he had to make tough decisions and take on responsibilities, he could sit and make these demands with confidence and authority. Unfortunately for him, neither his parents understood the hardships he faced.
"Alright, you have to be honest, Subaru." Kenichi shifts gears and sits forward. "Is Ram pregnant?" His question and tone are earnest, and he suspects there is more to his son's relationship with Ram than meets the eye. Subaru, however, scowls and looks at his father like he has lost his mind.
"What!? Of course not! I keep telling you both that there is nothing between us!" Subaru could have sworn he heard Ram gagging from down the hall. She was listening in, and his father's question nearly made her vomit.
Kenichi looks grave, however, and continues to question his son, "Then why are you so confident we'll let her stay?" He stands, "You come in here and make demands of your mom and me, and now you tell us she isn't leaving?"
He trembles with emotion and looks his father in the eye, "She has nowhere to go, and I'm not abandoning her!" he shouts back, standing to face his father from across the table.
Naoko stands, "Okay, you two, let's calm down. Remember, she is in the bathroom and can probably hear us." Naoko looks to the hallway, knowing Ram is standing by and listening.
"Subaru, I have nothing against Ram-chan, but you have to look at this from your mom and my perspective," Kenichi says with a tinge of concern. He gestures to the house, "It's not like we have the space, and I'm sorry if she has no place to go, but we can't afford to add another expense."
"She isn't a child, Dad! And if it's such a concern, I'll get a part-time job to help out," Subaru says, his tone respectful and understanding, acknowledging his parents' worries and offering a solution.
Kenichi laughed, "No, you can still finish school. Which reminds me, is Ram-chan in school, too? Did you meet her at your school? Is she the reason why you stopped going in the first place?"
Naoko looks at her son. She was curious as well.
"No, Ram doesn't go to school."
Kenichi and Naoko glance at one another with concern and look back at Subaru, who continues to explain his relationship with Ram in the best way possible.
"I don't know how to put it, but she and I have known one another for a few years now, and even though we don't exactly get along, I trust her and consider her one of my closest friends."
Ram continues to listen to Subaru plea her case. She wishes she could go and talk for herself. However, with her respect for his parents, Ram trusts Subaru in this situation and doesn't wish to worsen the awkward atmosphere permeating the kitchen.
His parents stare at him in silence and consider his words carefully. They trust their son and don't want to necessarily throw Ram out and potentially widen the rift between them and Subaru, but if they agree to what he suggests, rules have to be in place.
"Okay," Kenichi says, "But some ground rules."
Subaru's expression softens, and he sighs with relief, feeling that the battle to allow Ram to live with them is turning in his favor.
"Of course. Whatever it is, that's fine as long as Ram can stay."
Kenichi crosses his arms. "First! Be respectful to your mom and me. The walls are thin, and we value our sleep!"
Subaru looks at his father with stark confusion. "What...?" he says after digesting his words.
"I think your father is referring to hanky-panky?" Naoko suggests.
"I'm pretty sure no one says 'hanky-panky' anymore, honey." Kenichi looks at Subaru, "But your mother is correct!"
Subaru, meanwhile, stares at his parents like they have gone insane. He slowly turns to the direction of where Ram is listening and swears he can hear her grinding her teeth in annoyance. He looks at his parents.
"Mom, Dad, you don't have to worry about any of that, I assure you."
"Oh, well, we understand you are growing Subaru-"
"I just said that nothing like that will happen, Dad! Are you trying to get me killed!?" Subaru shouts, steering the conversation away.
"Okay, okay, as for the part-time job, I don't mind if you want to get one to help out, but there is something more pressing to both your mother and me."
"What then?" Subaru asks with curiosity, happy to steer the conversation away from what his father was suggesting earlier.
"It's about school. We both know you have been having problems there, and your mother and I have been patient with you, but I want you to think about returning." Kenichi suggests, catching Subaru by surprise. Elsewhere, Ram wonders what sort of problems Subaru had faced in school.
Kenichi continues, "It's not too late to finish, and I can pull some strings with some friends who work in administration and help you graduate on time. It will take some work and probably some extra classes to make up for your part, but I know you can do it."
Considering how long he's been out, Subaru didn't care much about school, and the idea of returning was awkward. Subaru still held the resolve to return to Lugunica and saw no reason to pursue an education in Japan. And then there was the problem with his age. He knows his parents can't understand that the son they believe to be seventeen was closer to nineteen, but his trying to explain this fact would raise more questions than he would care to answer.
But with his parents allowing Ram to stay, Subaru can at least entertain the idea, even if he isn't planning to return to school.
"Fine, I'll give it some serious thought."
Kenichi smiles, "Glad to hear it," and turns to the hallway. "Ram, why don't you join us if you're there?"
With a brief hesitation, Ram shuffles into the kitchen.
"Yes, Kenichi-san," Ram says with a short bow.
He waves his hands before his face, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. There's no need to be so formal, Ram-chan. Kenichi or Barusu's father will work."
"Barusu's father won't work!" Subaru interrupts, determined to prevent his dad from using Ram's nickname for him.
Kenichi smirks at his son and directs his attention toward Ram, who wears a triumphant smirk.
"So, Ram, as you no doubt heard, Subaru pleaded your case, and it's alright for you to stay. However, I do have a concern."
Ram wonders what else Kenichi is concerned about besides the aforementioned added expense of another person living under his roof.
"Before you had the pleasure of meeting Subaru, where did you go to school? Did you both attend the same classes together?"
His father asks the girl a reasonable question, and she tries to find an answer. Ram looks at Subaru but sighs when she sees he is also at a loss for words.
'Of course, Barusu hadn't accounted for this,' she thinks, "Ram didn't go to school with Barusu. Roswaal L. Mather-sama is responsible for her education."
Naoko speaks up, "Roswaal L. Mather? Is he a private tutor or something? Did he come to your house or-"
Sensing an opening, Subaru jumps in, "Yep! Ram did all her education from home!"
"Oh, that makes sense." Naoko continues to wonder how she and her son knew one another but doesn't want to press the issue anymore.
"Then did you graduate?" Kenichi asks. "And even though my son's scary eyes look scarier with the bags under them, you don't look any older than he does."
"Hey! Mom has the same eyes, too!"
Kenichi looks at his son, "I'm aware of her beautiful eyes, but they don't look as tired as yours."
His father rubs his chin and leans to look at his son. "What is it, Dad?" Subaru questions his father's continuous scrutiny, which makes Subaru uncomfortable.
Kenichi leans back and nods. He suddenly thrust a finger in the air. " NEW RULE!" he shouts, "From now on, you'll be going to bed earlier than you have been!"
Subaru rolls his eyes, "Yeah, yeah," he says, not wishing to question his dad's theatrics.
Satisfied, Kenichi returns, saying, "Sorry for the interruption, Ram-chan."
"It's okay. Ram has gotten used to Barusu interrupting important affairs."
"Whoa! I don't always interrupt-"
Ram quickly glares at Subaru, internally chastising him for doing what he said he was not doing.
"As Ram was saying again. Ram finished school with Roswaal-sama."
Subaru felt relief wash over him, and he was happy Ram didn't have to take cues from him and lie about graduating.
Kenichi crosses his arms and nods, "Good, Good. It's always important to earn your diploma," he says, with a proud grin, almost like she were his daughter.
Ram blinks and looks at Subaru, who shrugs, "Kenichi, Ram doesn't know what a diploma is. Roswaal-sama taught her and also worked as his maid."
If aliens had landed in the Natsuki residence, bringing peace and good tidings to the family standing in the kitchen and discussing Ram's graduation status, Subaru wouldn't have noticed their presence. His entire attention was focused on Ram, who might have well sprouted a second head and said: Barusu, it's not polite to gawk with a stupid look on your face —which incidentally is exactly what Ram had said when she felt his horrified gaze glued on her.
She looks away from Subaru's expression of shock and back at Kenichi, who stares at her and then at his son with confusion. Naoko also tilts her head. She figured out the play story was utterly bogus, but she didn't expect Ram to be an actual maid. If anything, Naoko assumed she worked at the maid cafe that sprung up in town recently.
Kenichi shook his head, "Never mind the back story, but it's safe to assume you haven't graduated high school either?"
Subaru panics, sensing the direction of the conversation. He attempts to stop Ram from answering, but her "No" resounds off the walls, and Subaru sinks to the floor.
"Alright then! I think it's also reasonable that you'll consider attending school. Since we're basically adopting you, it only seems fair that you get the same opportunities as Subaru."
Ram starts to speak but looks at Subaru for guidance. When she determines that Subaru's aid is useless, Ram focuses on Kenichi.
She sighs, "Very well, Ram will consider it."
"Well, whatever you decide, we can enroll you also. But Ram, there is one other thing…"
Ram waits for yet more unwanted news, "Yes, Naoko-san."
Naoko didn't bother correcting her as Kenichi did: "If you decide to attend Subaru's school, you will have to wash the pink dye from your hair. Even though Subaru's school is lenient, I am sure they have something about funny hair color in the rules."
Ram hadn't expected Naoko to mention her hair. Subaru returns to earth and snorts when he hears what his mom mentioned to Ram, "Well, you heard her Nee-sama. You better do something about that ' funny' hair color."
She narrows her eyes, "If Ram had any desire to change her adorable hair color, she would, unlike you, who still insists on looking like a disheveled hobo."
"Hey, my hair isn't that bad!" he protests.
"Well, Subaru, it looks long, which is strange, but I guess it grew overnight. Either way, you should get a haircut before you go back. I can't have my handsome boy looking like a disheveled hobo."
Subaru steps back, "Not you too, Mom! Is Ram going to infect everyone in this house!?"
Ram flips her pink hair. "Barusu seemed surprised at how Ram's adorable personality affected those around her. Pretty soon, you'll be living on the street."
"Why are you phrasing that like my parents will choose me over you!?"
"Subaru, you shouldn't argue with your new sister," Kenichi adds, not wanting to be left out of the banter between the two.
"New sister!? Just because she is moving in doesn't mean she is automatically a Natsuki!"
Ram snorts, "Ram would have to agree. If she had to share a last name with Barusu, she would cry herself to sleep nightly. Please don't ruin Ram's beauty sleep with nightmares, Barusu."
Subaru threw his hands up in defeat, "Whatever! It's getting close to bedtime, and as you all can see, you're practically in my bedroom."
"But we're in the kitchen, honey? If you want to go to bed, we three will be quiet while you sleep. Which reminds me? Ram-chan, sweety, would you like some tea?"
Ram smiles and smirks at Subaru, "Ram would love some."
"Great! As if the situation could get any worse! At this rate, I'll never get to sleep!"
"Would you prefer a doghouse outside, Barusu?"
"Of course, I wouldn't!"
"Then be grateful you have a roof over your head."
Beyond exacerbated by Ram, Subaru sighs loudly, walks to the living room, and falls face-first onto the couch. He doesn't move, but the trio standing in the kitchen could swear they hear him grumbling to himself.
A ship drifts helplessly in a sea of torment, harsh waves rocking the vessel violently. Water breaks over the ship's bow, splashing a boy who screams for help while he attempts to steer the ragged boat through the eye of a storm.
Winds howl, and lightning illuminates the sky blackened before a thunderous lion roar blisters his surroundings. His pleas for help go unheard as the storm rages around him. He bellows furiously, his throat cracks, and he runs the risk of bursting a blood vessel, but his shouting never ceases.
Then, a silver beacon of light shines bright, splitting the storm and calming the angry sea that has set itself against him.
"Subaru!" A heavenly voice calls to him and is a godsend to the poor bastard who assumed all hope was invariably lost.
"Subaru!" The voice calls again. He searches for the sweet, melodic tune, which provides him with a means of egress from his horrible situation.
"EMILIA!" he shouts toward the sky, "I'M HERE!"
"Subaru!"her shouts grow more frantic. Subaru answers back louder than before.
"PLEASE! I'M HERE! EMILIA! ANYONE!" he pleads, stepping into the middle of the boat and waving his arms frantically.
The ship lurches to a sudden, violent halt. Subaru looks around, wondering why the violent vessel became calm and quiet. His world grows silent, and he tries desperately to hang on to Emilia's voice, still searching for him. He begins to scream her name, but the ship's bow cracks, and soon, the whole ship buckles and starts to fold in on itself.
He slips and attempts to hang on, driving his nails into the broken wood. Splinters bite back as he tries desperately to climb to the front of the ship.
"EMILIA! PLEASE, HELP ME!" he yells to the sky, but her voice dies off, and soon, the only thing Subaru can hear is a vacuum of water swirling underneath. He turns to look at the hellish whirlpool. Sweat forms on his brow, but he can't hang on anymore. His grip weakens, Subaru falls into the swirling quagmire and becomes lost at sea.
The living room floor breaks his fall, and he lies, staring at the ceiling. He draws in a few deep breaths and sits up.
"Subaru?" a voice calls out to him in concern, and he peaks over the couch and sees his mother looking at him with worry. Next to her, Ram looks at the sweat-drenched boy, and if Subaru was paying attention, he might have noticed the equal look of her concern, cleverly hidden behind her poignant pink eyes.
"Subaru," Naoko says again, "Honey, are you alright? You startled Ram and me when you started to yell suddenly in your sleep."
Subaru gets up, rubbing his head. "I'm alright. It was just a bad dream."
Naoko nods, "Okay, if you say so."
Subaru starts to walk to the bathroom, but Naoko stops him with a question, "Subaru, who's Emilia again? You were shouting her name."
Subaru stands still. He doesn't look at them but knows they both await his answer. Ram wonders how he will answer. It's not that it matters to her, but he has been so quiet about Lugunica that she is curious if he will reveal his obsession with the half-elf and further confuse his parents.
"She…is a friend, mom," he says finally.
"Oh, did you meet her when you met Ram-chan?" she asks, looking at Ram.
"Yes, Barusu met Emilia-sama around the time he met Ram and her adorable sister Rem."
Naoko still didn't understand how her son knew so many people, but she didn't question Ram further and accepted her answer. She was happy Subaru had made so many friends.
"Emilia-sama, huh?" she says, "Is she important?"
Naoko looks at Subaru and says, "Y-Yes, Mom, she is." Subaru says nothing more and goes to the bathroom.
Ram puts her cup of tea down. "Naoko-san, if you would excuse Ram, she will change and get ready."
Naoko smiles, and Ram gets up from the table and walks toward Subaru's bedroom. Along the way, she hears soft whimpering coming from the bathroom. She hesitates in front of the door, debating whether to knock, but she doesn't.
Ram shakes her head and continues on her way to get changed. It doesn't take her long, and she returns to the kitchen to find Naoko making a plate for Subaru and placing it on the table.
Naoko looks at her. "Is Subaru alright?" she asks. Sensing her son's morose behavior, Naoko wonders if Ram had checked on him before she changed her clothes.
Ram gathers what Naoko is thinking and feels slightly guilty for not knocking on the bathroom door and demanding Subaru get over whatever heartache he was feeling and shift his focus toward a solution. Ram shakes her head.
"No, Ram saw that Barusu had the door shut and didn't wish to disturb him," she replies, leaving off the part where she could hear him crying to himself.
Naoko flashes a weak smile and clears the few empty plates on the table. Ram, seeing her expression, offers to help.
"It's okay, Ram-chan. Please relax and enjoy another cup of tea."
Ram tries to decline the offer, feeling guilty about ignoring Subaru, but Naoko is already refreshing her cup and isn't going to take no for an answer.
Ram sips her tea in silence while Naoko hums softly to herself. It's not long before Subaru enters the kitchen.
"Man, I'm starving!" he shouts as he enters the kitchen, taking a seat at the table in front of the food lovingly prepared by his mother.
Naoko pops her head out of the kitchen, "Good morning, dear. Are you feeling better?"
Subaru looks up, "What..? Oh! Yeah! I'm feeling better! Sorry to make you worry, Mom."
He takes a bite of food and looks at Ram, who sits with the cup of tea to her lips, staring at him with poignant pink eyes of suspicion.
"What's up, Nee-sama?" Subaru asks with a mouthful of food.
Ram places her cup on the table and dabs her lips with a napkin, "First, don't talk with your mouthful,"
Naoko pops her head back out of the kitchen. "Ram's right, Subaru. No one likes 'sea-food,' ya know!"
Subaru cringes at his mother's lame joke, "Geez, Mom, did Dad teach you that?"
Naoko giggles and goes back to cleaning the dishes. Subaru shakes his head and turns his focus back to Ram.
"Second, what are you wearing?"
Subaru looks at his clothing. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" He stands, showing off the faded blue jeans from yesterday and an earthly brown-colored shirt.
"Barusu, you look like you fell into a clothes hamper, and whatever clothing had the unfortunate fate of being ensnared by your body is what you decided to wear for the day. You look frumpy."
Subaru returns to his seat, "I don't know what you are talking about! This is the height of fashion." He gestures to his clothing once more, earning a scoff from Ram.
"Please, Ram isn't even from here, and she can tell you're lying."
Subaru shovels a spoonful of food into his mouth and continues talking, effectively ignoring Ram's first demand. "So what are you saying? You're going to pick out my clothes or something?"
"If you have to be in public with Ram, then she has no choice but to take pity on you and find you something to wear. She can't stand to see you embarrass yourself anymore than usual. It's too depressing."
"I think that's sweet," Naoko says, sitting at the table and sipping a fresh cup of tea.
"Yeah, sweet, alright."
Subaru finishes his food and stands, "Alright, let's get this show on the road!"
"Are we returning to that mall place?"
"What, are you a robot?" Subaru ignores Ram's cold stare and looks at his mother, "Where to, Mom?"
"I thought taking the train to the city would be fun instead. I'm sure Ram would enjoy seeing the sights."
"Oh, that's not a bad idea."
He looks at Ram and smiles. Remembering her reaction to automatic doors, Subaru couldn't wait to see how she handled a train.
"Barusu, you look creepy."
Subaru laughs, "Oh? Only because I am looking forward to a 'fun-filled day' of shopping with you and Mom."
Ram leans back in her seat as if to evade him. Subaru rushes toward the door. "Come on! What are we waiting for?"
"Subaru, son, you're too loud." Kenichi enters the kitchen and pours a cup of coffee.
"Your lunch is in the fridge, dear. We are about to leave, so have a good day at work!" Naoko cheers encouragingly.
Kenichi deflates, "Yeah, although I wish I were going with you three."
Ram stands to take her cup to the sink and wash it. Subaru sees her and remembers the night he left. He looks at his dirty plate on the table and at his mom, who is taking it to the sink.
"Hang on, Mom. I'll take care of that."
Subaru walks to her and takes the plate, "Subaru, it's alright, I-"
"No, I have to." He looks at her and smiles, "It's to make up for leaving my dirty cup in the sink the other night."
"Dirty cup? Oh, Subaru, you don't have to apologize about that!"
Subaru empties his plate into the trashcan, goes to the sink, and rolls up his sleeves, "Yeah, but I shouldn't have been so lazy. Besides! Ram would probably bust my chops if I made my Mom clean up after me!"
He looks at the girl and smiles. Ram smirks, "HA! Ram can find other things to criticize Barusu about, so he does not need to worry about what Ram might say about him not washing his dishes."
"Yeah, I know you can, Nee-sama!"
Naoko and Kenichi look at one another and smile. "Well, after Subaru finishes, we'll be leaving," Naoko says.
"Sounds good. I'll see you three tonight."
Kenichi gets up from the table. "I'm going to get ready for work." He walks to Naoko and the two kiss.
"Blegh! Get a room!" Subaru suggests sarcastically.
"Maybe we will, Son."
"T.M.I, DAD!"
Ram, meanwhile, looks away from the happy couple and blushes. Subaru looks at her and says, "What's the matter, Ram? Your face is red."
"Mind your business, Barusu."
She exits the kitchen and walks to the front door, where Naoko puts on her shoes. Subaru watches her and smiles.
"You know, Ram, those clothes you bought yesterday look cute on you."
Ram flips her hair, "Of course they do. Ram always looks cute."
Subaru rolls his eyes and puts on his shoes. "Yeah, of course you do."
Ram eyes him, "Pervert." she says before following Naoko out the door.
"How is a compliment a perverted remark?" Subaru asks before running after her and his mom and shutting the door behind him.