Chapter 13: Professional NEETs
Like a light shutting off, all of YN's senses had been disconnected, however an air of weightlessness remained.
Had he been killed as well? Was what had killed Subaru kill him as well?
Floating through the nothingness, these questions plagued YN's mind.
Never once though did fear of real death ever occur to YN. Somehow, he was confident that Return By Death would keep him safe.
It really is a great boon to not fear death.
YN felt what he imagined as his soul returning to his body.
To the bed... The guest room bed. Rem will be there. But... If it's like she said, she'll just smell the Witch... Why hadn't she reacted or mentioned such a smell before when I first arrived here...
Just as before, his first conscious breath, the smell of fresh sheets and flowers filled his nose.
From just experiencing the stressful events of what felt like only minutes ago, YN decided to at least enjoy the moment he had in this comfy bed, until.
Subaru: AAAGGHH!
Shooting straight up from bed, clutching his arm, Subaru hollered as if in pain.
Seeing this sudden and split reaction, the twin maids, already in the room, had jumped back, holding each other.
Hearing his yell, YN also bolted upward in bed.
YN: Ahhhh! What's going on?!
Rem: Eeek!
With Rem being on the closer side to YN's bed across from Subaru's, she was not hidden behind Ram like Ram was to Rem, leaving her exposed to yet another sudden outburst, this time from the other unknown guest.
YN quickly realized that Subaru had just came back from a rather violent death, and that the outburst had to have been from Subaru still dealing with that.
I almost thought something was already happening but, it just seems Subaru was being Subaru.
Looking back at the twins, Rem was still giving him a fearful look at his own outburst.
YN could only hold his hands up in apology and innocence, with a weak smile, hoping to portray harmlessness to the freighted girl and hopefully save face.
Rem also returned a weak smile, perhaps in politeness, or perhaps pity, but YN had no time to dwell on that as—
Jumping up, choosing to do his usual "victory" pose whilst standing directly in bed, Subaru had begun his declaration.
Subaru: It's time for Natsuki Subaru to restart yet again! Sorry for the inconveniences I've caused you both!
With that, Subaru jumped down off his bed and barged out the door past the twins, headed somewhere, leaving YN with no idea.
Ram: Rem Rem, please keep an eye on our more lax guest while I pursue for our more active one.
With a quick verbal command to her younger sister, Ram left in chase of Subaru, leaving Rem alone with YN.
With the two alone, Rem turned to YN, and spoke in her usual formal tone.
Rem: Guest-sama, are you feeling alright? How is your head? Emilia-sama had said your companion had mis-steped and caused quite the impact to you when trying to subdue the assailant that had targeted her.
YN: Companion? Oh, you mean Subaru? Yeah I guess we did crash skulls pretty hard but we should be fine now.
Bowing her head in response, Rem replied.
Rem: That is excellent news that you are now in good health, Guest-sama.
Scratching his head in embarrassment, YN went on.
YN: And is that really how Emilia described it? I only jumped in last minute... Subaru was really the one fighting the good fight.
Rem: Yes, that is how Emilia-sama conveyed that evenings occurrence.
YN: Hmm, I see.
Rem: You are too humble Guest-sama—
Stopping herself, Rem spoke again, this time however—
Rem: May Rem ask your name?
She had spoken without her usual cold tone in her still formal attitude.
Hearing Rem speak without the wall of frost she had chosen to maintain, YN's heart had skipped a beat, and he was happy to answer her.
YN: It's YN.
Rem: YN. A lovely name.
With her response, the wind had blow through with a small, but consistent blow, allowing the thin white drapes that ordained the guest rooms windows to flow open, letting a beam of sunshine shine directly on Rem as she smiled and tilted her head to YN.
Tightening his grip on the sheets he still held while sitting up, YN had his moment of motivation.
This. This right here am what I'm going to protect. Subaru may have his reasons with Emilia. But this. I'm going to protect this from whatever happens on the night of the forth day... no matter how many tries it takes.
Taking in the moment as a reward for braving the events that had happened not even fifteen minutes ago to him, YN couldn't help but smile back at Rem.
Only a moment later, the wind had settled, letting the curtains back down, extinguishing the ray of sun from Rem's face, but not blemishing her beauty one bit.
Hearing a commotion from down the hall, what sounded like a door slamming open, another thud was heard right after it, this time from just outside and down below the window. Getting up and peering out the window, YN and Rem watched a disheveled Subaru wander out of the shrubbery, covered in dirt.
Rem: Oh my! Did he fall out of the window? You're... you're companion— Subaru, he isn't...?
YN: No no, just clumsy. Well, I best go down there and play wing-man for him, least he makes an ass out of himself in front of Emilia covered in dirt.
As YN was leaving to head downstairs, Rem called to him.
Rem: YN.
YN: Hmm?
Rem: Rem should warn you, that isn't dirt.
She had said, shaking her head. YN simply replied with a cocked eyebrow at Rem raising a question as to what exactly she meant.
Rem: Rem has... well... spread manure for the well-being of the garden just yesterday, so that isn't dirt covering Subaru.
With a moment of silence, YN stared at Rem before bursting into laughter.
YN: Hahahaha! He's gunna need a wing-man and a bath now. Poor Emilia, having to put up with him now.
YN shook his head before turning to leave out the door, but turned back one last time to Rem.
YN: And hey, Rem?
Rem: Yes?
YN: Thanks again.
With Rem tilting her head, she asked.
Rem: For?
Casting his eyes down at the floor, he had realized she hadn't yet helped him learn to read or write, but nonetheless, she did deserve thanks for one thing.
YN: Just, thanks for being so friendly and welcoming.
It took a moment for Rem to process the impact of YN's thanks, but as she did, she tilted her head to the other side and smiled once again as she had before.
Rem: Of course. It's my pleasure.
It was much more then YN had expected. In truth, he had almost guessed she would have simply bowed and spoke again with her formal tone, but this was different.
With that, YN turned and made his way down the hall to the stairs to take him outside to where Subaru was surely struggling with Emilia.
I will definitely protect that smile. No matter what. I will protect Rem.
As YN had hurried along, leaving Rem by herself in the guest room, her smile fizzled away, leaving only a rather somber expression, one that expressed conflict and mix of other complicated emotions.
Bringing a fist to her chest, Rem stared out the door YN had left. She felt conflict at the very core of her being. One of great suspicion, but also one of great longing.
He just... as soon as he woke up... the smell was much stronger then it had been when Emilia-sama had brought them here. I don't think he knows though, but that's still no excuse...
Rem's maiden heart was in a bind as to where her feelings landed.
Having made his way outside, YN caught up with Emilia and Subaru.
However instead of being covered in manure and smelling, Subaru resembled a drowned rat now more then be did himself.
YN: Yeesh. Did you spray him down with the garden hose? He looks rougher then he did before.
Emilia: Oh! We just had Puck—
Subaru: He put me on a 'spin cycle' like I was single pair of socks in the washer!
Slumping over, Subaru lamented.
Subaru: The whole experience has left me broken and cold.
Puck: Oh come now Subaru, it wasn't that bad!
Lifting his head back up, Subaru cast away his somber expression for one full of guile and lust, hoping to stick it to the spirit cat.
Subaru: Oh Emilia-tan won't you please warm up by—?
Emilia: You could just go sit on the grass and I'll join you. The sun's out and it's warming up so you'll be dry in no time.
Puck: Yeah we don't want you smelling like a wet dog too.
Subaru: I guess I'll have to compromise with that. And shut down by the cat too.
He replied in a voice lacking it's previous enthusiasm. With the four headed over to the middle of the lawn, Emilia posed a question to YN.
Emilia: YN, how are you this morning? Does your head still hurt?
Caught off guard by Emilia's consideration, YN almost struggled to answer.
YN: Oh uhh, yeah my head's fine now, thank you. Uh, how are you though? Elsa threw you pretty hard behind that bar.
Almost as if not expecting or either not remember it that it happened, Emilia replied in an equally unprepared manor.
Emilia: O-oh! I'm quite fine!
Starting to get almost a tad worked up, Emilia stammered out more words.
Emilia: I was more concerned with you considering you were just bystander coming in to help a stranger!
Subaru: Emilia-tan! What about me?! After all he was the one who hit my head! Where's my cute questions of concern!?
Subaru interjected with his usual tone when trying to try his hand for pity from Emilia.
Arriving to the middle of the lawn, Emilia was first to sit down, followed by Subaru who sat right in front of her, leaving YN to flop back down on the grass off to the side, and stare right up at the clouds.
Subaru and Emilia continued to talk to each other, with Puck jumping in while YN quietly tuned them out, staring at the clouds up above, and feeling the grass.
The grass still needs to be mowed. I guess I know what I'll be doing.
This was his first quiet mental moment he had had since he first starting his tutoring with Rem at what would have been the night before.
The time between loops really just starts to blur together. Mentally I've been awake for almost two days now, but realistically my body only has just woken up.
Just what connection did his consciousness have with his physical body? Could it cause significant mental strain, or would his body simply not know the difference?
These questions danced around his head till his attention was grabbed by small cat floating in front of his vision, waving.
Puck: Hey! We're trying to get your attention! Lia has a question for you.
Sitting up on his elbows, YN turned his head over to the two also still sitting on the grass.
YN: What's up?
Emilia: How's your gate? Is it still stained?
Emilia asked this question with the upmost sincerity and concern, a hand to her chest.
Patting himself over, YN tried to feel for any irregularities.
YN: Uhhh, I think I'm fine? How can I tell?
Emilia: You really don't know? You haven't noticed anything strange with your mana flow?
Shaking his head, Emilia cast her eyes downward.
Emilia: I see... Well, I'm glad you're feeling better at least.
Confused at her question and her reply to his answer, YN went back to lying in the grass. A few more moments passed before the party of four was interrupted again.
Rem & Ram: Please forgive the intrusion, but Roswaal-sama has returned from his business trip and is looking forward to meeting our guests in the dining hall.
Both taking a bow and turning back to the mansion, the four got up and followed them to the main foyer and to the dining hall.
The meal had gone nearly exactly as it had the last two times, however this time it ended with Subaru and YN asking to be permanent guests rather then servants and ground keepers.
Each were given a tour by one of the twins and shown their room of residency.
As Rem was showing YN back to his room, he had remembered one thing he had forgotten.
YN: Uh, hey Rem. I have an odd request.
Rem: Yes?
YN: Could I get my hands on some ink and parchment? And also maybe some books...
Rem: It would be no problem to retrieve you some writing tools, however do you know which books you'd like?
Too embarrassed to simply ask for children's books, YN figured a different course of action.
Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, he continued.
YN: Well, if you can just show me where they are I think I can handle it from there. Plus that saves you some guesswork, right?
With her nodding, Rem showed YN to the study, and before taking her leave from there, bowed.
Taking in the scene of a generous amount of books, it was clearly no Forbidden Library, but it had the books YN needed.
YN began his search, combing the shelves for the familiar books he was used to by the color of their spines, rather then what they read, as he still struggled with reading these glyphs.
Searching on a lower shelf, he was interrupted by the door opening once more, this time to two new occupants of the study.
Keeping low behind the shelf he was at, YN stayed out of sight while the two entered.
Ram: —and here is the study. Is that all you'll be needing?
Subaru: No, that's everything. Sorry for bugging you like this Ram.
Ram: It is no problem, but I will be taking my leave now and—
Subaru: Oh! Uh, one more request! Sorry.
Ram: — — ?
Subaru: Do you know by chance where the uhhh, children's books are in here?
A moment of silence passed between the two, probably one of either judging or confusion by Ram.
More then likely the former.
Ram: They are over in the far corner, bottom shelf.
Subaru: Ahh, gotcha. Thanks Ram.
Taking a bow just as Rem had, Ram retreated from the study.
Arriving at the corner in question, Subaru began pulling books out and looking at them. Also walking over, YN made his presence known to Subaru.
YN: Thanks for asking, now I don't need to look like an idiot.
Subaru: Ahh! Don't scare me like that! We almost had another return trip...
YN: Ha, sorry for that then. Anyway, I guess we're looking for the same thing then, huh?
Subaru: Seems so. I think what I need really is a little further down, the more challenging stuff.
YN: Oh. Well, what's you've got in your hands is probably closer to what I need then...
Subaru: Pfft, you're way behind me in terms of literacy then!
YN: *Sigh* Yeah it would seem so then, huh?
Giving a soft smile, Subaru had decided to be somewhat supportive.
Subaru: Well I did have Ram as a teacher. She's probably more strict then Rem was so I had to learn quicker.
YN: Speaking of which, we didn't pick tutoring as a reward this time around. I get why, but I think I'm still a little 'undercooked' for independent study.
Standing back up straight from his squat position, Subaru responded.
Subaru: If you need then, I can help with what I can.
YN: I might have to take you up in that then.
YN and Subaru both gathered the books that they needed and headed on their way out of the study.
Remembering a lesson his app had thought him, YN proposed an idea to Subaru.
YN: Hey, Subaru, are you familiar with how the Dewy Decimal system works? For like libraries?
Looking to YN as they walked down the hallway of the mansion, Subaru gave him a look of confusion.
Subaru: I uhh, can't say I am?
YN: Oh, never mind then.
Subaru: Why do you ask?
YN: I just thought that it might be worthwhile to bring a few inventions from our world here.
Putting a hand to his chin, Subaru thought for a moment before responding.
Subaru: I guess that wouldn't be a bad idea.
With that, the two had decided to brainstorm ideas once the situation at the mansion had been resolved. For now, they would investigate and overcome the obstacle on the fourth night.