Chapter 16: That's Not My Job

Feeling the twinkle of sunlight on his eyes, YN took a big breath in through his nose. The smell of fresh laundry and freshly picked flowers filled his nose. By this point, he knew the drill.

Hearing the door open, two familiar voices filled his ears.

Rem: Nee-sama Nee-sama, our guest sleeps well into the late morning.

Ram: Rem Rem, our guest appears to be a deadbeat who sleeps in till noon.

Rem: Nee-sama Nee-sama, it would appear so. Would you mind waking him while I check on our other guest—

And now Ram'll say something along the lines of 'Don't leave me with such a despicable man' or something, right?

But something else occurred. Something entirely unexpected. Rem cut off her own words.

*sniff sniff*

Ram hadn't said her usual snarky line about Subaru this time.

Instead, YN heard a moment of silence. Neither twin said a word. Until.

Rem: Nee-sama...

Hearing Rem call for her elder sister, the twins began whispering to each other.

With the pillow he laid on covering much of his ears and thus blocking much of his finer hearing, YN could not make up what the two were saying.

Finally, YN could hear rustling.

Peeping one eye open, YN looked over to where he heard the sound coming from.

Subaru was stirring awake in his bed.

Rem: Guest-sama, are you awake?

Ram: Guest-sama, are you awakening?

With Subaru awakening, YN knew that his death had been a rather painful one, but he hadn't been given time to come to terms with the pain or the events that occurred like YN.

YN could almost feel the impending freakout before it happened, as if he were a fortune teller staring into a crystal ball.

Almost like clockwork, Subaru had taken his first look with his eyes in this loop and saw the two responsible for his previous death. Immediately, he began screaming, scaring the maids out of the room.

YN was almost thankful. While he was in a calmer state of mind then Subaru was now, he wasn't sure how he could hope to face Rem or Ram right now.

With YN never being addressed by the twins, he remained in bed. Wishing to disassociate with the world for awhile, he fell back asleep.

He didn't know how long he had been asleep for now but he was awoken again by someone coming through the door.

With the slight sound of a chair dragging across the rooms rug, YN could hear someone sit down right next to him.

This had never happened before. Had the twins returned? No. He only heard one set of footsteps, and these weren't the sound of their usual dress shoes.

The curiosity biting into him, YN almost opened his eyes, but only a second before he did, his bedside guest announced herself.

Emilia: Good morning, YN. Are you awake? How's your gate?

It was the royal candidate herself, the silver haired half elf.

Hearing her ask about his gate, YN realized this was probably the umpteenth time he'd been asked by her this very same question. And all these time he'd been asked, his answers were no different.

While she does sound like a broken record at times, there's no denying it, Emilia's kindness is and concern for others is second to none.

Thinking this thought, he had still decided to remain in a false slumber. Hoping to maybe dodge her questions if he could.

Emilia: Hmmm, it appears your still recovering.

She might almost be too kind. Gullibly kind.

Sometime after falling asleep after the twins had left, YN's arms had moved to the outside of the covers where he still slept.

Emilia was silent for a moment before taking YN's exposed hand, holding it while she continued to speak softly to who she thought was a sleeping man.

Emilia: I just wanted to thank you everything you did back in the Capitol... And wanted to make sure you were doing better with such a stretched gate.

"Stretched Gate"? That's the first time she's said it that way.

Emilia continued, holding YN's hand all the while.

Emilia: And I was also going to ask... if you had noticed anything yet... I really wanted to just tell you what it was, but Puck agrees, it is better if you find out for yourself, so I'll keeping asking you... because I want to the first person you tell when you find out.

She was silent for a moment. Letting go of YN's hand, she spoke in a more somber, almost melancholy tone.

Emilia: We're more similar now then you realize, YN...

As soon as she had finished, there was rustling again on the other side of the room. Subaru was waking up again. Sitting up Subaru rubbed his eyes.

Emilia had also heard the rustling and turned in her chair.

Emilia: Subaru. You're awake. Rem and Ram said you were acting strange. They were afraid they had said something to offend you.

Picking up her chair and setting it next to Subaru's bed now, Emilia and him talked for awhile.

As YN laid and listened in, he took on the role of fly on the wall.

Nothing of note came up in their conversation until Subaru's tone changed. Speaking as if readying himself for something.

Subaru: Emilia, I have something very important to tell you.

Putting her fist to her chest, Emilia's amethyst eyes gave Subaru their full attention.

Subaru. Don't do what I think you're about to do.

Nodding, Emilia prompted Subaru to continue, and taking a deep breath, Subaru spoke.

Subaru: It may sound crazy but up until now, multiple times I've die—

Time paused. Much like how it had been when YN tried to tell Rem. Both YN and Subaru could feel the cold inky sensation fill the room, it's shadowy hands making their way across the floor, up the beds, and into their chests.

It appears if one disobeys the Witch, both are punished.

Slowly they both felt their hearts squeezed by the shadowy hand. This time inflicting real, ever traumatizing pain. With time stopped, both were unable to scream from their pain, trapped in silence.

The hands soon retreated, leaving the cold inky mist to disperse as well.

As soon as time began, the effects of their pain were well witnessed by Emilia.

Subaru & YN: *cough cough*

With Subaru all if sudden violently cough and wheezing, Emilia moved up on her chair and leaned towards Subaru, hoping to console him.

Emilia: Subaru! Are you okay?

At the same moment, YN reflexively bolted himself upwards and proceeded to cough in the same fashion as Subaru.

Unable to hide the fact he was not actually asleep anymore, Emilia turned her head towards YN as well, also noticing the in sync coughing and wheezing.

Emilia: YN! Are both of you ill? Do you need me to go get Beatrice and—!

Stopping, Emilia felt a tug on sleeve, almost like a child asking for attention. Turning her head back to Subaru, she then tilted her head, wondering what be had to say.

With deadpan eyes, Subaru said what he had wanted to covey.

Subaru: Please have nothing to do with me ever again.

Gasping, Emilia stood up and stepped back from Subaru, who had flopped back down into his bed. Looking over to YN for some explanation in this, Emilia only saw that he had already laid back down too and turned away from her, facing the wall.

Putting her hand back to her chest, Emilia's amethyst eyes were cast downward in sadness. Rejected by her saviors, she silently excused herself from the room.

Hearing the door open, YN could hear there was a bit of hesitation from Emilia because she hadn't immediately closed the door.

Perhaps she was feeling rejection, or sadness, or any other cocktail of emotions. None of that really mattered to either Subaru or YN now though, they simply wished to left alone right now.

Finally before closing the door, YN swore he heard a faint, single sob. With that, Emilia gently shut the door, letting the two guests have their peace.

Not long after YN sat up in bed and rubbed his face and let out a sigh. He looked over at Subaru where he still laid.

YN thought about trying to talk to him, but decided against it. Subaru had to still be in state of shock after everything.

Getting up, he looked out into the sky and the gardens, where the wind lightly moved the thin white curtains that adorned the windows.

Guessing by where the sun was now it had to be almost an hour or maybe two before mid-day.

As soon as YN went back to his bed and got in, a knock was had at the door.

There wasn't any point in hiding that he was obviously awake and rational, YN walked up to the door and opened it.

YN: Oh, Roswaal.

Roswaal: Hoooow do you do? YN, wasn't it?

Closing one of his eyes, Roswaal looked upon YN with only his yellow eye and continued.

Roswaal: I don't believe I've introduuuuuuced myself to you, yet here you are as if I'm a familiar acquaintance of yours.

Shit. Already ever so slightly screwing up already, YN owed it to Subaru for his suffering to at least try and backpedal his words.

YN: Not quite. Emilia said someone dressed... 'extravagantly' named Roswaal would probably stop by to see us. I can only assume that's you, correct?

Roswaal continued to stand in the door frame, silent, but with an ever so slight smirk on his face.

YN: — — —

Finally deciding to break the silence, YN spoke up.

YN: If you'd like to speak, can we do so elsewhere? I don't want to wake Subaru.

Thinking Subaru would probably only make things more difficult here in his current state should he join the conversation, YN proposed they move the conversation elsewhere.

Speaking in a more serious tone, Roswaal agreed.

Roswaal: A most reasonable idea. Come. We shall head for the meal hall where we can continue our talk.

The two walked to the meal hall in silence. Along the way, YN had stopped to change into his own clothes and out of his robe before attending the meal hall.

The experience was vastly different from the last few times he had been here on the first day.

There was no Beatrice and Puck conversing, no Emilia asking him questions, and no Subaru to accompany him.

Roswaal sat at the end of the table as he always did, with the twins standing aft of him, one on each side.

A single plate of food laid on the table, two seats down from the end of the table, his seat assigned for him this time.

Taking the cue, YN sat down at the plated seat.

Roswaal: Please! Eat! You must be faaaaaamished from your recent ordeals.

Picking up his utensils, YN paused and thought about what Roswaal had just said.

"Ordeals"? It was way more then that... Interrogation is more like it.

Almost furrowing a brow at Roswaal's statement, YN suddenly realized what he meant.

Ohhhhh, the events in the Capitol, that's right. That seems like such a long time ago and yet, now because of RBD, it was only a short while ago...

Rationalizing his restless thoughts, YN took a bite of the food.

It was the same meal they had for breakfast each morning, although with this plate, YN could tell it had been reheated by the shared ambient warmth throughout the dish. It really was a few hours later then it normally was.

Still, the food was as good as ever, even slightly perking up his attitude.

YN: I gotta say, this is really good.

Roswaal: Yes, the mansion is very fortunate to have Rem as it's cook.

Taking a curtsy bow, Rem silently acknowledged her praise.

Ram: The mansion is indeed, very lucky to have Rem's cooking.

With Ram chiming in, Roswaal put his hands together, elbows on the table, ready to discuss matters of need.

Roswaal: Now then...

Closing his eyes for a moment, Roswaal opened only his yellow eye back up, looking on at YN, he continued.

Roswaal: Aaaaaaaas one of Emilia-sama's saviors, I, Roswaal L. Mathers, loooooooord of this mansion and sponsor of Emilia-sama herself as a candidate for the royal selection of the Kingdom of Lugnica's new King, shall grant you any reward so be it within my power to do so.

Pretending to be thinking, YN already knew what to ask for.

YN: To be completely honest, I'm not from around here, and I don't have a penny to my name or anything like a reference or any real applicable skills to this region. But, if you would have me, I can work as a grounds keeper here and attend to the mansion's many applicable facilities.

Roswaal, silent for a moment, keeping his eye trained on YN, before opening his other eye back up acting as if giving it some level of consideration.

Roswaal: Hmmmm, an interesting request...

Waiting for his approval, YN already knew his answer, and answer that would be—

Putting on a slight frown, the man in clown makeup continued his answer.

Roswaal: Unfortunately, the mansion has no grounds keeper roles to fulfill at the moment.

YN: —hk!

Wha-WHAT!? How can he say that? He suggested I be the grounds keeper not once, but twice because Subaru was a butler and he had no need for another butler!

Roswaal: Hoooooooowever, we are looking to fulfill a role for an additional servant. Would you prefer to be a butler instead?

YN was almost at a loss for words.

Why was the role of butler needed to be filled first? The twins workload would be much more significantly reduced if someone took care of grounds keeper stuff, leaving them for other tasks. This makes zero sense... But what choice do I have at this juncture?

YN: That works for me. Oh and another request if it's not to much.

Raising an eyebrow, Roswaal gestures him to continue.

YN: If it's not too much trouble, like I said I'm not from around here, so my reading and writing isn't the sharpest. I'd like to get better at that to increase my usefulness for my position. Would be asking for some tutoring assistance be too much of a burden?

Roswaal: Not at all!

Looking over his shoulder like he did the times before when assigning a tutor, Roswaal made his request, but this time he had turned to his other shoulder, asking someone YN did not expect.

Roswaal: Ram, will you please find time to tutor our newest staff member until he can sufficiently read and write?

Doing a curtsy of her own, Ram bowed and acknowledged Roswaal's request.

Ram: Yes Roswaal-sama, I shall do as you request.

Roswaal: Splendid. Now then, once YN has finished his meal will you two please fit him for work clothes and show him to his new room?

Rem & Ram: Yes, Roswaal-sama.

YN was accompanied by the twins to the fitting room for his new butler uniform.

Holding her hand in gesture for him to enter, Ram stood in front of the fitting room.

Ram: Rem will be taking your measurements, once you're fitted you may retire to your room. Please be ready and dressed by early morning, from there Rem and I will delegate your tasks to you.

Entering the fitting room was just like the last times he had done so, except this time instead of grabbing his grounds keeper uniform, Rem had already grabbed the butler uniform and was standing with her tailors tape.

With Ram leaving, Rem and YN were alone for the first time in felt like ages.

Imagines of his last interaction with Rem flashed through his mind.

How can such a cute girl turn so cruel? I don't understand it.

As YN stood in the doorway, Rem waited patiently for him.

What Rem didn't know though was just how paralyzed in fear YN was to her at this moment. He hadn't felt this way earlier in the meal hall, so why was he now? Was it because no one else was around, like Roswaal, to keep Rem under control should she decided to be hostile?

With Rem tilting her head at YN, she held out her tailors tape, snapping it lightly a few times to give him a clue of what she wanted.

Flashes of images in YN's mind raced through, over what he saw in front of him. Her tailors tape turned into her holding her hilt and chain, snapping at him as if to continue her interrogations from the last loop. He could see his blood splattered on her face maid uniform, and the deranged look in her eyes before.

All this kept being transfixed across her, the terrifying memories plaguing YN's mind. His legs dared not let him walk towards her.

Rem: Will YN please stand on the stool here where the light is brighter? Rem needs to be able to take accurate measurements.

C'mon YN, it's just measurements... You can do it. She has no reason to be hostile.

Gulping down his fear, YN proceeded to the stool by the mirror.

Taking a step up onto it, YN stood in complete stillness, daring not to move in anyway that may offend Rem.

Handing the butler overcoat to YN, he put it on very slowly, as to not cause any suspicion or miscommunicate any intention. All of his senses were on high alert.

Taking her tailors tape, Rem measured from his collar to his waist, then moving to measure each arm. Walking behind him, Rem made her way to take measurements of his back.

Not being able to see Rem now, a small fear filled him, slowly making him start to shiver and shake in fear. A cold sweat began to run down his forehead.

Taking a measurement from the back of his neck to the coat tails, Rem had put her hand on the back of YN's neck while holding one side of her tailors tape.

Feeling her touch, especially on such a vulnerable location, he flinched, causing Rem's measurement to be interrupted.

Seeing Rem's face in the reflection of the mirror, Rem gave a face of surprise.

Rem: Oh. My apologies, are Rem's hands cold?

YN: N-n-no! I'm just ticklish there is all haha. I'm sorry it won't happen again.

With worry on her face, Rem nodded and went and continued her measurements.

Rem: Okay, almost done. Please lift your arms, Rem has one last measurement to take.

Lifting his arms, YN stood like a scarecrow. With his arms extended it was very obvious how much he was shaking.

Trying to get her measurement, Rem immediately noticed.

Rem: YN is shaking an awful lot. Are you not well? Do you feel sick?

Lowering his arms and getting off the stool, a nervous YN faced Rem, scratching the back of his head.

YN: N-nope! Never better! Fit as a fiddle! Just new job anxiety.

Changing her tone to her more formal and cold one, Rem answered back.

Rem: Oh? YN isn't worried about anything?

YN: M-m-me? Worried? About what? C'mon Rem, lighten up a bit.

Staring at YN, somewhat rather coldly, Rem was silent before responding.

Rem: Rem has all her measurements needed to make the appropriate alterations. You may retire for the evening. Please awake at sunrise for—

YN: O-oh wait! I-I can help today! I'm ready to work!

I've gotta get on her good side! If that's by work, then I can get her trust me there.

Staring at him again in her same fashion, ever so slightly colder, YN knew that this hadn't been the correct course of action to gain her trust.

Rem: — — —

Still staring at him from being interrupted, YN continued in hope to somehow salvage the situation.

YN: U-uhh don't you and Ram usually start preparations for dinner around this time? I can help with that...

Silent for a moment longer, Rem finally responded.

Rem: I will ask Nee-sama. Please wait in the meal hall, and Rem will inform you of what she thinks.

YN patiently waited in one of the meal halls many chairs.

Rem had been discussing with Ram about YN's possibility of helping for what seemed like a long time at this point. Finally, with the anxiety killing him, Rem had returned.

Rem: Nee-sama has given you permission to help so that she may see how currently adept you are, which will help her decide what tasks you can be trusted with tomorrow.

Perking himself up, part of YN's anxiety seemed to flutter off.

YN: Like a trial run? Okay, I can do that.

With Rem leading the way, the two arrived in the kitchen. Ram was busy peeling appas, where there was a large kettle of what may have been soup or broth simmering.

Setting her peeler down, Ram approached the two.

Rem: Nee-sama, YN has offered to be of assistance in meal preparation, what should he do?

Putting a hand up to her chin, Ram gave it some thought before answering.

Ram: I want to see where your skills are, so Ram will not assign you a task. To be useful in this kitchen, you have to be able to observe when a task needs doing and do it. If you are able to do just that, Ram will let you continue to make yourself useful here.

Nodding, the twins set about their duties. Ram went back to peeling, and Rem attended the simmering kettle.

Left standing alone where he arrived, it suddenly dawned on YN he hadn't a clue of what to do.

He didn't know what they were making; what was in it, what order to do things in, nothing.

YN stayed silent, observing. Ram continued to peel, dropping her shavings into a pile, and setting the now naked appas into a pot. Rem was busy stirring the kettle, keeping it's contents moving and from burning. Occasionally Rem would taste test and add seasonings accordingly.

Finally catching his eye, YN saw it: an empty cutting board and a knife. The exact spot he had before where he had cut—

YN: T-t-tatos!

Stopping her peeling, and stopping her stirring, the twins both looked at YN with his outburst.

YN: Do we need some tatoes cut? I-I can do that...

Looking at each other first, Ram then turned and answered YN.

Ram: Yes... there's a bag over—

YN: Oh hey look over here, found em!

Dragging the sack over to the cutting board counter, YN took a few out and placed them next to his knife.

Rem: There is specific way they need to be cut—

YN: Like this, right?

With YN cutting and scoring the tatoes exactly how Rem was going to show him, the twins could only look at each other. Noticing this, YN saw it as a good thing. He had done so exactly how Rem had tought him in a previous loop.

I think I'm earning their trust though work. If I can keep this up—

Ram: YN.

Stopping both of his train of thought, and his cutting, Ram called for YN.

Ram: Thats plenty of tatoes already. What we need more of is appas. Rem, would you please show YN where we keep the appas in the reserve pantry?

Tilting his head at Ram, YN was confused.

"Reserve pantry," what? That's a new one.

In all his time at the mansion throughout the loops, YN had never once seen of, or heard of, this "reserve pantry."

YN: Uhhh, don't you keep all your ingredients in just your pantry?

Setting his knife down, YN walked over to the cupboard where he knew a bag of appas were stored.

Grabbing one out their burlap home, YN polished it on his shirt and held it up so Ram could see.

YN: See? You've got plenty in here. How many do you need?

Turning to count the appas in the bag, the twins gave each other a look again, this time going unnoticed by YN, a serious look on each of their faces.

Maybe Ram just forgot we had these in here. But admittedly I am curious of this other pantry. I searched the entire mansion for clues of what I thought the attacker may be after or entering from.

YN's mind contemplated the situation he now found himself in, thinking he was making headway into gaining their trust.

As soon as he had finished taking inventory of the appas in the cupboard, Rem spoke up.

Rem: YN, we are aware of those appas, we're saving them. If YN would follow, Rem will show him where the... older ones we need to use up are.

Placing the appas back onto the bag and closing the cupboard, YN turned to Rem.

YN: Oh. Alright. Where is this spare pantry?

With Rem walking over to YN, his question had gone unanswered.

Rem: Come, Rem will show YN herself.

Grabbing YN's wrist, he was towed along with her out of the kitchen. Looking back, Ram had returned to peeling, a somber look on her face. Gathering enough strength mentally to defy Rem's direction, YN grabbed the door frame to the kitchen.

YN: H-hey Ram. You never said how many you wanted.

Without looking back up to him, Ram answered in a quiet voice.

Ram: Just... use your judgment...

With YN nodding, Rem pulled him along. She towed YN through the halls of the mansion, out the kitchen, through the meal hall and past the foyer. Leading the way, they reached the back hallways of the mansion where most of the utility and storage rooms were, like the laundry and cleaning supplies. While the hallways were still definitely elegant by any standard, they were obviously much less decorated back here.

Finally coming to a large room YN knew was storage, Rem stopped and let go of his wrist.

Rem: This is our spare pantry. You'll find the ingredients Nee-sama needs inside.

Gesturing for YN to enter first, Rem stood to the side.

YN was familiar with this door. Ram had showed it to him when he became a grounds keeper. The room stored various seasonal and surplus patio furniture. She had shown him the interior only briefly and had said "—it would be awhile before YN-kun will need anything from in here."

Placing his hand on the doorknob, YN stopped.

There's no way there's another pantry. I'd never heard of it since this loop, and it sure as hell wouldn't be here.

YN turned his head with his hand still on the knob, and stared right at Rem, who was staring right back. An almost ominous look in her eye.

YN: Rem.

Without any movement other then a single blink, she had acknowledged him. Only silence emanated from her.

YN: This isn't the pantry is it?

Standing still, only a single blink was made again.

YN turned his head back to the door, a blank, whitewashed wood panel door stared back at him.

Looking down at his own feet, YN spoke again, this time not to Rem, but to himself.

YN: No. There isn't another pantry to begin with, is there?

His body beginning to shake. Fear was reignited once again.

YN knew what Rem was capable of, there was no point in running or trying to resist. He knew the second he took his hand off the knob, she wouldn't have any mercy. To run meant guilt to whatever crime she believed he had committed.

Not wishing to try her patience, YN slowly turned the knob. The creaking of the hinges sounded as the door opened.

There was no light on the inside. The only light came in from the hallway door. Looking around, YN saw the patio furniture stacked in place. There was clearly no pantry in here as he'd suspected.

As YN lingered in the doorway, Rem finally spoke up.

Rem: What YN is looking for is on the other side.

Pointing to storage chest tucked off center to the door, halfway in the light that entered the room, Rem instructed YN to enter deeper into the room. Still racked with fear, he advanced further into the room, taking one step, he stopped.

Clinging to any hope that perhaps this was just a spare appa storage box, YN took out his phone, and turned on the flashlight.

With such a bright light now emanating from YN's hand, Rem had recognized the device, a metia that the young man had brought into the mansion. Making note of it, considering YN was using it as nothing more then a torch, Rem concluded it was not a threat, but still—

Halfway across the room, YN shined his light around the rest of the room. Nothing but patio furniture was present.

As soon as he fixed his vision and light back to the chest, YN heard the door slam shut.

Turning his head to the door, all he could see was darkness.

YN: Rem?

Turning his torso now, YN brought his arm around to shine his light back on the door that had just shut.

Only before he could—

*Wack*

Something hit his arm right on the wrist that held his phone-light.

The sudden unexpected impact caused his phone to fly from his hand, sliding across the floor, across the room, light still facing upwards, poorly illuminating the entire room in a very faint light, enough to make out outlines of objects and nothing much else.

As soon as his phone stopped, YN felt something wrap around his neck, and something else grab his shirt.

With both tightly in a secure grasp, YN was slammed up against one of the pieces of patio furniture, a large heavy table on its side. The shock of the impact made him close his eyes and flinch for another impact.

Feeling none, YN opened his eyes.

With the light across the room from him, only a basic outline of the person in front of him was visible.

The light gave him enough of a clue of who it was, based off the blue hair outline that filled most of his vision.

It was Rem.

Still holding YN firmly against the table, he was unable to move.

Reaching up to the hand that wrapped around his neck, he choked out his words.

YN: Ack! Rem! What the—?!

Cutting off YN, Rem whisper-yelled, hissing out a single word.

Rem: Quiet!

With the light shining as it was, her face shadowed her expression. She was close enough that YN could feel her breath as she said it.

Feeling the grip tighten around his neck, YN began to struggle to breath. Choking, he croaked out what words he could.

YN: Rem -ach! Please... -ach! What did -ach! do—?

Cutting off YN's plea, Rem lifted YN up slightly.

Rem: I said...!

With his back coming off the upturned table, Rem paused.

Rem: Quiet!

With her yell, Rem slammed YN back into the table, his head whiplashing against it. His vision filled with stars as the back of his head throbbed in pain.

His lungs began to scream for air. Getting desperate, YN tried using his own hands to pry her hand off but it was impossible.

Rem was breathing in absolute anger now, feeling every breath on his face. YN couldn't see it, but he could tell by the sound of it that she was breathing between barred, clinched teeth.

YN: — — R— e— m—, —ack!

With only enough air left to utter her name, Rem moved both of her hands to his neck and squeezed harder. Her nails began to dig in, and the clamp of her fingers were already giving YN a terrible bruise on his neck.

His mind raced and panicked, he had such little strength left his mind raced with ideas. She had left his arms unrestrained. His mind, realizing this drew up on how to escape.

He had to fight back.

YN's brain was thinking for all it was worth even with a lack of air. He didn't have the strength to rip her off, but if he could get her to let go, that might do the trick.

He could dig his nails into the hands that were clamping his throat. No, better yet, he could clamp his hands around hers, or scratch at her face, or thrust his thumbs into her eyes. Summoning all the energy he had left in him, YN desperately raised his arms up to Rem's face.

His arms halfway there, soon he realized he didn't possessed the strength to raise both at this point. Dropping one arm, letting it go limp, he continued to raise his other arm.

Closer and closer it got, till finally, he felt it. Rem's face. The sudden feeling surprised YN. Her skin was soft, smooth, and warm. He had longed to feel her adorable, round face, but only under more tame conditions.

Knowing that YN was close to dying, Rem knew anything be tried would be in vain. It didn't matter if he clawed or ripped, she was the clear winner here.

As the room began to spin now, YN's hand still rested on the side of Rem's face.

Feeling his fingers move, Rem's face tensed, waiting for pain.

From her view, the light allowed Rem to see YN's face the entire time. From the start she saw the surprise in his eyes, to then turning wide and open while struggling, to now becoming more and more lifeless as he slowly died.

But what baffled her was, that the hand he rested on her face began to caress it, his thumb slowly but surely, rocked back and forth. He held her face like it was something precious to him. Something he wanted to protect.

Something he loved.

Rem began to see the tears forming in his now almost lifeless eyes.

Conflicted still, she kept her grip up. Only a few seconds of life for him remained.

With no air to speak, YN mouthed words to Rem before his arm that held her face began to slide, holding on only by a single finger.

YN knew he could have fought back. He could have gouged or ripped or torn at her. Gone after her eyes. Any number of things.

But he couldn't. He wouldn't let bring himself to harm Rem. Ever.

He could not hurt Rem. He would not hurt Rem.

With his arm dropping, all life exited YN's body. His body no longer stood on its own, and began to slump down, all the while Rem kept her hands clamped onto his lifeless throat.

His back now slumped backwards while his knees caught him, the life gone from his eyes, his final tears still wet his face.

Finally releasing her grasp from his neck, YN's body stayed on its knee for a moment, before slouching over to the side, and finally rested on the floor.

A/N: So, at the time of me originally writing this chapter, Arc VII was not out yet, and Arc VI was still not finished by the author, but in the next chapter there is what you could consider an Arc VII spoiler, but you'd only ever know it was a thing if you're that caught with the WN, so I won't say what it is (because if I did, that'd actually be spoiling it).

Also in the next chapter, there is also what you could consider an Arc VI spoiler, however it is vague, and you'd only know what it was unless you already knew, and even then, you might not recognize it.

I did say I would warn of potential spoilers, and I have. Even if you are only an anime watcher, I would not consider anyone who read the next chapter as "spoiled" since the references are vague at best.