Standing in the kitchen, Kenichi commands a wok, stirring the rice carefully and humming jovially to himself. As he cooks, he occasionally makes waves with rice kernels, a wide grin decorating his face. Opposite the head chef, Subaru stares at his father with a humorless expression. Pepper in hand, his father relegates him to dicing vegetables for the fried rice mix they'll serve along with the main course.
"Sous-chef, how's those peppers coming along?" Kenichi asks, rice sizzling overhead but never leaving the wok as it dances through the air.
Subaru looks at the pepper in his left hand and the knife in his right. He looks back up. "It's coming," he says, turning to his mother, who watches her husband with great awe.
He glances at Ram and is surprised to see that even she is nodding along, seemingly impressed by his father—the show-off—in the kitchen. Reflecting on the haggard sliced peppers, onions, and pitiful-looking carrots, Subaru remembers why he always disliked helping his father cook. No matter what Subaru does, his father overshadows his efforts. However, his rivalry is one-sided, and Kenichi never pokes fun at his vegetable carving. That privilege was given to Ram, who remarked that his knife skills need sharpening, with Subaru retorting that it's been a while since he sliced up any vegetable.
"When did you two cook together?" Kenichi asks, stirring a secondary pot of eggs with chopsticks.
Realizing the romantic implications of his words, Subaru quickly comes up with an excuse, "O-Oh, uh, in a home economics class—yeah, that!" He laughs nervously, but his parents look at him doubtfully.
"Uh-huh," Kenichi says, looking at his wife, who giggles at Ram.
Subaru looks at her, but her cold stare tells him to keep his mouth shut moving forward.
'Whatever,' Subaru thinks, 'She'll get over it.'
Ram, however, wishes Subaru would think before he speaks to keep his parent's wild fantasies from running wild. It's bad enough some unknown force has separated Ram from her sister and the people she cares deeply about, so the insistent jokes of her and Subaru being an item add further insult to injury. It is enough to make her want to scream every time his parents draw a correlation between the two.
Mixing the eggs into the rice, Kenichi sets the heat low and turns to his son. "Here, let me help with those." He takes the remainder of the veggies from him and starts to dice them expertly.
Subaru sighs and pushes the plate forward. "How about you finish up? I'm going to step out for a bit."
Kenichi looks at his concerned wife and then at his son, "Oh, uh—okay, just be home in time for dinner."
"Yeah, I will," Subaru says dismissively, walking towards the front door.
Ram watches him and feels a nudge from his mother. She looks at her and says, "Maybe you should tag along?" She suggests, "The weather is warm, and the beach is nearby, so maybe you two could get some fresh air while Kenichi finishes cooking?"
Ram turns back to Subaru, who stops at the door. He is listening to them.
She looks at the kitchen, "No. Ram will help cook. She would feel like a good for nothing if she didn't do that much at least."
"Oh, well, okay…" Naoko trails off while watching her son put on his shoes and leave.
Ram gets up from the table and puts on an apron. Kenichi looks at her and then at his wife.
"Ram," he says, "It's really okay. I can manage this much."
"Ram understands, but she-"
"Please, just check on Subaru; that is all I ask."
Ram can sense how his parents worry for him, but considering how he decided to leave despite his parents doing nothing to cause his mood to sour, Ram feels there is no reason she should run after him to provide comfort.
She lets out a deep breath, "Very well. But Ram doubts Barusu wants Ram's company if she is being honest."
Kenichi shrugs, "Well, you'd be surprised. He may seem like he wants to be alone, but I would bet money that my son would want the company."
Ram believes in the contrary but complies and bows, "Very well. If that is how Ram will earn her dinner plate, then she'll lay into Barusu for you."
"Well, I don't know if 'laying into him' is what we have in mind, so don't go too hard on him."
Ram turns and puts on her shoes. Opening the door, she leaves. After Ram leaves, Kenichi rubs his head, contemplating how a night of father and son cooking together has turned awkward. "I guess I shouldn't have been showing off too much in front of his girlfriend."
Naoko enters the kitchen, takes the knife Subaru was using, and starts to chop the remainder of the peppers. "I don't think you should blame yourself for that, and I suspect there is more going on than meets the eye."
Kenichi nods thoughtfully, "So juggling eggs, wasn't going overboard?"
"No, that was definitely over the top, and even I started to wonder if you were trying to impress Ram more than me."
Kenichi laughs, "Of course not! I'm only interested in how my wife perceives me!"
"I'm just teasing, but perhaps you let Subaru show off a bit tomorrow, okay?"
"Alright, it's his turn to cook tomorrow anyway."
"Good. In the meantime, maybe check on your baked fish filets because I think they're starting to burn."
Kenichi quickly turns to the stove and rushes to it. Opening it, he quickly starts to fan the fish filets while Naoko laughs to herself.
"See, you were so busy looking like a hot-shot you forgot about the main course!"
Kenichi rubs his forehead, "Lesson learned. But nothing a little lemon can't help." He says, looking at the well-done fish filets.
Outside, Ram follows after Subaru. She doesn't call out for him to stop, and despite his awareness of her presence, they both silently walk down the empty street. The two might have looked like strangers walking along the sidewalk to a passerby, but the truth is that neither knew what to say to the other, in part due to their fight from before and the awkwardness created by Subaru when he decided to leave while he and his father prepared dinner.
So, instead, Ram decides to follow Subaru from a distance, assuming he will eventually get tired and go home.
Subaru, however, has no plans for going home yet, and if he is being honest with himself, he feels ashamed at how petty he acted with his dad. He knows his father means well, but his emotions ran unchecked with everything that had happened and got the better of him. His choosing not to return home so soon is a result of self-pity. If he were to turn around now, no doubt Ram would tell him this known fact.
After walking for a while, Subaru stops. "How long do you plan on following me?" he says, facing away from Ram.
"Until you decide to turn around and go home. Ram is only here because Kenichi-san asked her to keep an eye on you."
Subaru scoffs, "You make it sound like I'm up to no good."
"You have a knack of getting yourself into trouble. Babysitting you for the sake of your worried parents is just another example of how gracious Ram is."
Subaru finally turns around to look at her. He smirks, "Gracious indeed. But that's all you were going to do, was just follow me. Nothing else?"
Ram crosses her arms, "What else would you expect of Ram?"
She poses the question and stares sharply at Subaru. He knew what she was referring to, "Considering how ungrateful I acted, I thought you would be out here berating me."
"Oh? Is that what you wanted from Ram? To be berated? Ram would gladly do that for you."
Subaru jokingly smirks, "That's surprising. And here I thought you wouldn't be glad to do anything for me. I guess the summer breeze has put you in a good mood!"
"Stop acting idiotic, Barusu. You know what Ram means." She says sternly, demonstrating that she is in no mood for jokes.
"Then what, Ram? Why did you agree to follow me?"
"Like Ram said: Because Kenichi-san asked her to, and Ram couldn't stand the sad look in your mother's eyes while she watched you leave like a spoiled child in a fit of anger."
Subaru looks away, no doubt. He knew his parents were probably upset that he left, but at that moment, all he wanted to do was leave that place. He feels like scum, of course, but he knew that if he stayed, the evening would continue to rot away.
However, he still couldn't believe Ram would follow him without rubbing in this fact. "You're not one to kick a dog when it's down, so I still can't believe you would agree to keep an eye on me without telling me how much of an ass I am."
"You don't need Ram to tell you what you already know, and even though you agree that you're a dog, even Ram knows when to hold restraint."
Subaru laughs, "Restraint? I'll believe it when I see it!"
"Ram would have you know that she is infinitely patient."
"Then I must be an oddity because my mere presence greatly challenges that statement."
"Ram's impressed. So far, you've gone two-for-two in self-understanding. You are both odd and a dog. If you admit your perverted ways, she might raise a cute eyebrow in wonderment."
Subaru snapped, "I never said I was a dog!"
"But you didn't deny being a pervert."
Subaru angrily throws his hands up, "How many times will we have this conversation!"
Ram doesn't respond and continues to scrutinize him. Subaru dips his head, takes a deep breath, and slowly exhales, shifting the conversation back before Ram derailed it.
"I won't agree with you about me being a pervert, but yeah, I was expecting you to lecture me. You're good at it, after all."
"Of course. It is one of Ram's shining features. But since you're so eager for Ram to rebuke you, she is curious to know what you think she would say?"
"That I'm an ass and ruined dinner!"
Ram snorts, "Really? You think you ruined everyone's good time because you ran outside to sulk?"
"I'm not implying the evening revolves around me!"
"Certainly sounded like it."
Subaru grows frustrated with the runaround. Even though the two have been at odds for a short time, the last time he and Ram spoke without the feeling of interrogation feels like ages. Now, conversing with her is the equivalent of a root canal.
Subaru's hands rustle his hair frustratingly, "Then what, Ram? What did you have in mind if it's not about me ruining dinner?"
"That you're jealous of your father and wish the spotlight shined on you instead."
Ram's words catch Subaru off guard, and he stops and thinks, "Is that how it looks?" He questions.
"From where Ram is standing, yes. Which is why you are out here throwing a tantrum instead of helping with dinner."
Subaru chuckles, "So you think I acted the way I did because I consider my dad a rival?"
With each passing word, his voice raises an octave, but despite Subaru's growing ire, Ram still stands, cradling her arms like she is speaking with a spoiled child.
"Then what would you have called it?" Ram asks for clarification, still disbelieving his words.
"That I'm here while everyone in Lugunica could be in mortal danger!? And while I waste time helping cook, Beako and Emilia-tan could be in harm's way, and it's wearing on my patience!"
Ram narrows her eyes, "Just you? Only you are worried? And only about 'Emilia-tan' and 'Beako'? Not Rem or that archbishop you are passing off as her and your daughter?"
Subaru clenches his hands with fury and speaks through his teeth, "Is this the conversation you wanted to have? We already beat the horse to death the other night! Why continue this any further!?" He takes a small step forward, pointing at Ram, "And you know I'm worried about Rem and Spica all the same! I hadn't forgotten them either, Ram!"
However, Ram doesn't raise her voice to keep her boiling emotions from spilling over. She won't sink to Subaru's level, "Because when you pull your head out from your pathetic rear-end and consider that you're not alone in this, perhaps Ram's attitude toward you will change."
She snarls the last few words to cement her point. Subaru grinds his teeth and looks away. He turns around.
"Go back, Ram. Tell my parents I went to the convenience store and I'll be home shortly."
Subaru starts to walk away. Ram stares at him but doesn't follow after him. Instead, Ram turns on her heel and walks back to the condo—the distance between the two growing further and further as they walk in opposite directions.
It's well after dark when Subaru returns and finds that his family has taken in for the night. He spent much longer alone than intended, coming across a lone bench in a dimly lit park to gather his thoughts and reflect on his conversation with Ram.
He shakes his head as he surveys the empty room. The only light comes from the moon, pouring in from the sliding glass doors facing the kitchen and living room.
A plate of food wrapped in cellophane sits on the table, illuminated by the moonlight. Subaru takes off his shoes and steps closer to the food. A note sits in front of it. Subaru takes the note, instantly recognizing his dad's handwriting.
"Subaru,
I want to apologize for hogging the cooking and not allowing you time to shine in front of your friend. It wasn't my intention to hurt you and ruin dinner. I was a teenager once upon a time, and I understand the importance of space to ourselves now and then, but please, son, if something bothers you, don't hesitate to talk to me. I'll do all I can to help.
-Sincerely,
Dad"
If he hadn't already felt awful, reading the note and seeing how his dad accepts blame for what happened is a gut punch to the solar plexus. Placing the note on the table, Subaru sits in front of the plate of food, unwraps it, and starts eating the cold stir-fry with a set of chopsticks beside it.
"No, Dad. What happened tonight isn't your fault. I'm the piece of shit in all of this…" Subaru says to himself.
Picking at his food for longer than he'd ever like to admit, Subaru eventually finishes his stark, cold meal. Somehow, the meal tastes blander than usual. Looking around, Subaru notices just how silent it is. Not a single cricket chirps outside. Subaru lays his head down on the table and sighs, wondering what to do next.
Lugunica
"Tell us what you know!" Emilia shouts through a barred cell, where Sirius, chained against the wall, hurls insults.
"Such a whore you are! To think someone as beautiful as myself would speak of her beloved with a wretch like you is beyond insulting, half-devil!"
Beside her, Beatrice stands in silence. She knew interrogating the archbishop would bear as much fruit as a rotting appa tree. Still, with no leg to stand on, she did little to deter the angry half-elf, determined to extract any information they could use to locate the whereabouts of both Subaru and Ram.
"You have to know something! Who do you report to!? What happened to my knight!?"
"I know you're a whore whose man finally got fed up with her and ran out on her with some other whore! So do me a favor and unchain me so I can show you what I do, homewreckers! Then I'll find that other bitch and do the same to her for taking my beloved!"
Emilia starts to speak, but a hand falls on her shoulder. "Emilia-sama, please. We've been at this longer than necessary. She is of no help to us, and instead of wasting our time, we should regroup with the others."
Frustrated, Emilia takes a deep breath through her nose and then out her mouth. She closes her eyes and repeats this breathing exercise to quell her growing anger. Any longer, she risks freezing the cellblock they stand in.
She turns around, "Very well. Let's go then." Emilia stops once and turns to look at her, "Rot down here." She says once more leaves.
The three exit the prison and are met by members of their respective camps.
"Nee-chan!" Felt shouts, running up, followed by Garfiel, and Otto. "Any luck?" She asks.
Emilia shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid. You all were right. The Archbishop of Wrath knew nothing, and we spent the entire time in a shouting match, " she admits regretfully.
Garfiel shakes his head, "Figures that dumb bitch would offer nothin' to help us find Cap'n and Ram." He clicks his tongue, "I dunno why they keep 'er locked up. They should kill 'er and end it."
No one counters Garfiel, and all of them think the same thing. Whatever plans the council has for the foul Archbishop are unknown to them.
"She is basically a caged animal, but enough about her. What do we do now?" Felt asks, shifting the conversation back to the more pressing matter.
Emilia thinks a moment, "I don't know. From what Anastasia and Priscilla had said, they didn't turn up any clues, and unfortunately, we haven't any more leads to go on."
Felt's shoulders sink, and like Emilia, Subaru's sudden disappearance hasn't sat well with her.
"If I might speak, Emilia-sama and Felt-sama."
Both girls turn to Reinhard, "What, Rein? Ya got any suggestions?"
"Yes, if you know of something, please tell us."
Reinhard sighs and looks between the two. Both girls are hopeful he might offer something they had overlooked, but to the contrary, Reinhard knew he had nothing for them.
"I'm sorry to say this, but Felt-sama, Emilia-sama, neither of you can continue to neglect your positions in the Royal Selection. I've even spoken with Julius, and while he too regrets how little help he and Anastasia-sama have been in this matter, both agree that business should resume accordingly."
Emilia looks hurt, along with Felt, who starts to grow in annoyance.
"What do you mean, Rein!? Nii-chan and that maid are in danger, and you want to abandon them?"
Emilia stares at Reinhard in shock, unable to respond. Reinhard shakes his head.
"That's not true. I am not abandoning Subaru or Ram. But the fact of the matter still stands. You both have other responsibilities. We will continue to sort out this situation, but let's not let it affect what's truly important."
"What's important?" Emilia asks, her previous emotions from dealing with Wrath resurfacing. "Are you suggesting Subaru isn't important?"
Reinhard holds a hand up, "No, I'm not saying that at all."
"Well, it certainly sounds like it." Garfiel hisses, joining in with Emilia to face off against Reinhard.
"I will have to agree." Says another, and the two turn toward Otto, "While I want to find Natsuki-san and Ram-san as much as you, we can't leave current responsibilities to the wayside. Priscilla-sama and Anastasia-sama will continue to campaign, and to avoid losing our foothold, we should do the same."
"Otto-bro? How can ya say that!? What about the Cap'n?"
Emilia scrutinizes him, "I agree. Did you forget about your friendship with Subaru?"
"N-No, I didn't forget how much Natsuki-san means to me or anyone." Otto backtracks a little, coughing into his hand, "What I want to say is, instead of all of us focusing our efforts, why not a few?"
Both Garfiel and Emilia listen to him, "Emilia-sama, it's obvious how affected you are by all of this, and as much as you wouldn't like it, I think you need to refocus your efforts on your campaign and allow others in the camp to assist in the search." Otto glances at Reinhard, who nods along, pleased with his suggestion.
Emilia's hardened expression softens. She closes her eyes briefly before opening them, "Alright. Then, we will return to the mansion, regroup, and plan our next move. Afterward, I-I'll—I'll stay behind. But Otto—I want Subaru found. Understood?"
"Yes, of course!"
Garfiel growls, not liking the idea. "Don' worry, princess. I'll find Cap'n."
"Thank you, Garfiel." Emilia turns to Reinhard and Felt and bows, "Thank you both for your help." She looks at Reinhard, "Reinhard, I'm sorry I lost my temper with you."
Reinhard smiles warmly, "Please, Emilia-sama. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have spoken out of turn."
Felt crosses her arms, "Ya can say that again, dumbass!"
Laughter breaks out from Felt's response, and after they bid farewell, Emilia and her camp return to their dragon carriage.
Rem sits in the empty carriage, a sleeping Spica resting comfortably on her lap. Since Emilia said she would go and speak with the Archbishop of Wrath, Rem stayed behind to wait.
She stares out of the window, thinking about Ram. However, those thoughts are brief because she soon thinks only of Subaru.
"That man has a knack for getting into trouble…" She says, looking down at Spica, who sleeps soundly with a toothy smile across her face. "Please, Subaru. Hurry home to us." She says to herself and goes back to staring off into the distance, silently praying for the safe return of two precious people.
The relationship between Subaru and Ram is still sour, something that will remain this way throughout this mini vacation until I resolve it. As for the situation in Lugunica, it's safe to say it will stay this way for now. Also, something I want to say is that previously, I had mentioned Priscilla in a chapter before the end of arc 8, and even though the arc ended differently than I had anticipated, rather than go back and erase her from the story, I decided to leave her in it. I plan on focusing on Emilia and her camp rather than the other camps in future instances.
After Subaru and Ram resolve their problems, I will tackle the whole school aspect of the story. But rather than send Subaru back to high school, I decided to have him take night classes instead and graduate with a diploma equivalent. I still want Ram to join him because I want her character to gain independence and grow rather than be at the mercy of Subaru and his parents. This will also allow her to meet other people, which is something I am planning.
As always, thanks to JIL713 for beta-reading and providing suggestions.
Thank you reading and I'll see you next time!