Chapter 20: Caution: Wet Floor

Awaking to a new day, YN rose his head up in bed and yawned.

Making his way over to the standing closet, he gathered his work clothes and set out to getting ready for the day.

That bath really put me to sleep early, it's barely light out yet.

By now YN knew where all his work equipment was and what he would be asked to do. It would be easy enough to just say he was "experienced enough to know where things should be kept and what needed to be done" if they were suspicious about how he was able to get started so quickly.

Heading down the hallway as quietly as he could, YN tip toed down the stairs and reached the foyer.

Making his way to the rear entrance of the mansion, YN found his work shoes and put them on. Reaching for the door, he realized it was unlocked.

YN: Don't the twins usually make sure everything is locked up before bed?

Turning the handle and pushing open the door, YN was surprised by who he saw standing on the back patio.

With her blue hair lightly swaying in the gentle morning breeze, her blue nightgown also fluttered just as softly, conforming to her figure, the front half was pulled tight from her morning stretch.

Her back to him, her arms extended wide mid stretch, she let out a big yawn.

Almost dumbfounded to see Rem up so early, YN called out to her.

YN: Rem?

Dropping her arms almost immediately, Rem spun around, surprised by the sudden company she now had.

A small embarrassed blush ran across her face before responding.

Rem: Y-YN-kun!

Almost saying "You don't wake up this early normally." to her, YN caught the words before they left his mouth and asked a more appropriate question.

YN: I uhhh, didn't know you woke up this early.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Rem responded in a still embarrassed state.

Rem: Rem normally doesn't. Although waking up earlier then Nee-sama is needed as she takes a long time to wake up on her own, that's usually not for a few hours from now... Are you one to get up early?

Trying to deflect the topic of the conversation away from her irregular habit, Rem posed a question to YN.

YN: Not like this to be honest. It's just I figured the lawn would need to be trimmed today and I'd rather do it before it gets too warm out.

Scratching his chin, YN answered as honestly as he could.

Realizing Rem had never said what she was also doing up, YN asked.

YN: So you just decided to wake up early too then? Or did you wake up even early and just couldn't get back to sleep?

Folding her fingers together under her chest, Rem looked up and away from YN, her blush continuing to stay, while also shaking her head.

Rem: Not quiet. Rem was just...

Beginning to rock on her feet, heel to toe, heel to toe, Rem delayed her answer.

Rem: Rem was just... excited. Excited to work with YN-kun... And Subaru!

Catching a slip of her own tongue, YN felt the glint of a small blush of his own, as Rem was terrible at hiding such a thing once she said it.

Smiling, YN responded to her in a way to quell her own embattled thoughts.

YN: I'm excited to work with you too today.

An expression of relief, anticipation, and fervor washed over Rem, all crowned by the small smile she expressed while hearing YN's words.

Speaking with more confidence now, Rem added in.

Rem: Even though our tasks are not really that related, Rem woke up so soon in part to get things done earlier, so that maybe Rem could help YN.

Replying with an almost equally flushed face of emotions, YN scratched the back of his head and spoke.

YN: That was also part of my goal here too. I imagine you and your sister both work pretty hard, so I thought the least I could for the trouble I am with needing to be tutored, is help you finish early and maybe get some rest time before the daily lesson.

Realizing what it meant for both of them, Rem put a hand to mouth and giggled.

Rem: Hehehe, it seems we'll both finish early, thwarting each other's plans.

As soon as she had finished, the sun poked it's rays above the horizon, painting the morning sky in a wash of pink.

Both noticing the change in ambiance, they turned to view the display before them, each silent, YN had taken a step forward off the doormat to get a better view and was standing next to Rem.

Taking her vision away from the hues of pink that danced on the morning clouds, she stared at and appreciated the profile of YN's face, and the glint of the same hues of pink reflecting off his eyes.

Somehow, they are even more beautiful this way. Rem thought.

With her hands still folded below her chest, her vision traveled down from YN's face, and down to his hand, left out of his pocket.

Unfolding her own fingers and releasing her hand, Rem slowly moved her own hand to his. While Rem saw his hand as welcoming, she did not want to ruin the moment for YN, Rem hesitated.

Her hand just ever so close to clasping his, any closer and her fingers would be in his palm, and finally around his own fingers.

However, her advance was stopped. YN spoke up finally, breaking the silence between the two of them, causing Rem's hand to jump away at the very last second.

YN: There's a saying from where I'm from. 'Pink at night, sailor's delight. Pink in the morning, sailor's warning.

Having not taken his vision off the clouds above, YN had not seen Rem's attempt to hold hands.

Noting Rem's silence, YN turned his head to look at her, a somewhat guilty blushed expression was on her face. Seeing YN's attention given to her, it snapped her out of whatever thought she was in, and made her struggle with a response.

Rem: Oh uhh, yes. It's good we are not sailors then.

Giving a slight chuckle at Rem's rushed response, YN put his head down and took a step to walk off.

YN: Well, I better get started.

Nodding, Rem watched as YN walked his way down the stairs and towards the where his equipment was stored.

Turning around, YN yelled back to Rem.

YN: If we get done early, I'll meet you back here!

With a hand up to her chest, Rem gave a large nod to confirm what YN had said.

The second day at the mansion was off to a good start at the very least.

With the sun at the apex of it's travel across the sky, YN had finished his duties, and was informed by Ram that he should be done for the day.

Returning to the patio, YN was expecting to meet Rem. Not seeing her there, he decided to check to see if something was holding her up.

Heading into the mansion, YN had found Subaru almost immediately, halfway down the foyer, mopping the floor, and in a rather expedient manor at that.

Seeing him enter, Subaru gave him a rather boisterous "hello." Arms flying and poses being made.

Subaru: YN! How very good to see you! Great job on the lawn! I shall use your work as an example of what to aspire to while mopping!

With that Subaru began to mop even more enthusiastically,

As soon as YN was going to ask if he had seen Rem, a voice called from down the staircase.

?: Subaru? Why are you mopping the floor again? Didn't you already earlier today?

With a voice of a silver bell, Emilia stepped down off the stairs and onto the freshly cleaned floor at it's base. Completely ignoring her concerns of the floor, Subaru ambitiously greeted Emilia.

Subaru: Emilia-tan! How wonderful it is to see you! And my, must I say you look lovely this afternoon! I'll put the elbow grease I have into making this floor reflect a shine as beautiful as your eyes do!

Obviously oblivious to what he meant, Emilia responded weakly.

Emilia: O-oh, okay. I don't really know what you mean but I'll take that as a compliment, I guess?

Turning to see YN standing there in bewilderment to the entire scene playing out before him, Emilia's composure reset, and she greeted him.

Emilia: YN, how did the rest of your work go? How's your gate? Have you noticed anything different at all?

Almost slightly irked at her repeated question, he could not let any attitude past his lips to the person whom he was to be serving.

And she did mean well, even it was repetitive.

Holding his tongue and using only the most polite, proper words he could, he responded to Emilia, slightly lowering his head in a humble bow.

YN: My tasks for the day are complete. And my gate is the same as it was during breakfast when you last asked. And no, I have not had any anomalies. Thank you for your concern, Emilia-sama.

He could practically feel the "ten" and "nine and half" being given to him by Rem and Ram for his response, addressing the residents of the mansion just how they'd instructed him to.

Puffing her cheeks up in a small pout, she stuck her chest out.

Emilia: There's no reason for you to talk so formal. You see how Subaru and I talk. You could speak a little more freely like him ya know.

Hearing his name mentioned, Subaru halted his mopping once more and gave Emilia an enthusiastic wave.

Sighing once he had turned back around to continue mopping, Emilia went on.

Emilia: Well, maybe not exactly as he does.

?: Emilia-sama.

Stepping up to the two of them, a maid with blue hair bowed before the half elf, and spoke in a very formal tone.

A tone and attitude that almost suggested something had gone wrong in YN earning her trust, much like the other times she had spoken like that to him.

Rem: Nee-sama has informed me that she will be bringing your mid-day tea by shortly to your room.

Nodding, Emilia responded.

Emilia: Thank you Rem. YN would—"

Rem: YN-kun!

Stepping to face YN, Rem smiled wide and tilted her head to one side, letting both her shut eyes be visible through her bangs before opening them once more.

Rem: How was your first day? Nee-sama said she was very impressed with your work.

Cutting off Emilia, Rem's cheerful and joy filled questions overwrote Emilia's would-be tea invitation to YN.

YN: Oh it was good! I'm glad Ram was happy with it too. So did you finish early as well, or did something else come up?

Watching the two converse, Emilia noticed the glint in YN's eyes, and the enthusiasm in his voice that he had when speaking to Rem.

With the smile on her face returning to a more neutral expression, Rem shook her head and explained.

Rem: Unfortunately Rem is still working. Rem was tasked by Nee-sama to supervise Subaru while he worked his first day today.

YN: O-oh. W-well, I'm sure he's almost done, isn't he?

Shaking her head once again, Rem continued.

Rem: Subaru has been... quite the handful. He's very motivated but Rem is afraid that's just the problem. Subaru's air of confidence and motivation is making him rather clumsy.

Realizing that she was not for this conversation, and thus, could not contribute to it, Emilia held her arm that was at rest on her side with her opposite hand before turning to head back up the stairs to her own room, unable to ask YN what she had hoped to.

Rem: So far Subaru has broken two vases, and cut his fingers doing various tasks in ways Rem had no idea one could.

Realizing Subaru was obviously going in way over his head during this loop, YN sighed upon hearing Rem's report.

Rem: Is Subaru usually like this?

YN: Not from what I can tell, but I can't be for certain, I haven't known him much longer then you have.

While not exactly a lie, in the context of this loop, YN wasn't being untruthful.

Now halfway up the steps, Emilia looked back at YN and Rem, conversing with near perfect chemistry. Stopping only for that single moment, the half elf continued up the steps, a feeling in her she did not understand began to grow, it made her almost dislike seeing the two interact as such.

Silent as she observed Subaru, Rem looked on, unknowing what to do, before YN spoke up once more.

YN: Say, why don't we let Subaru just keep doing this for the time being? Me and you can work on stuff further ahead for him.

Putting a hand to her chin in consideration to what YN suggested, Rem listened to YN continue on as he shrugged.

YN: Now's probably the best time while he's distracted by mopping.

Realizing YN was probably right when he said that, Rem nodded to him, and the two walked off in silence as to not draw attention from the workaholic Subaru.

Rem and YN left to accomplish other tasks in lieu of a distracted Subaru, taking advantage of that in hope that he would at some point straighten himself out.

After cleaning and scrubbing the washroom's bathing tub, Rem and YN returned to the foyer, where Subaru was no where to be found.

Rem: At least he is not mopping it for a third time.

YN: Well, we should probably go find him then, right?

Nodding in agreement, Rem replied.

Rem: Usually Nee-sama will begin dusting the upstairs hallways at this time, perhaps Subaru is with her.

With that, the two walked across the shiny foyer floor toward the staircase, until—

YN: —Woah!

Stepping on a spot Subaru had failed to let dry, YN's legs spread apart mid step, surprising him so badly he didn't have the smallest chance to catch his own balance.

Keen to not let him fall, Rem quickly grabbed YN's hand and arm. With his new found support, YN felt himself be instantly balanced.

Only to then have Rem begin to lose her balance as well, stepping onto the same wet spot as YN had in the confusing tango of balance the two were having at the moment.

Having tried to take a step forward to balance herself, and putting her weight on her back foot, her leg escaped out from under her, forcing her other leg back down suddenly, also now slipping at the sudden and unprepared movement.

Not about to let Rem fall due to his own carelessness, YN reached for her arm to get a hold of her, again losing his own balance in the confusion.

With both of them about to fall forward but away from each other, YN threw his own arm out, wrapping it around Rem's waist.

Working in the only direction she could to stabilize not only YN but each other, Rem also reached and wrapped her arm around YN's upper torso, the closest part she could.

Both now using each other as an anchor, they pulled each other in, intent on using each others fall direction to cancel their own.

Unbeknownst to them at that moment that meant they would end up—

Rem & YN: Oh!

In each other's embrace, the sliding and tripping had stopped, as the two stood more as one, together.

With her face buried in his chest, YN could feel her chest press up against him.

Rem could feel how hard she currently had her arms wrapped around YN's shoulders and upper back, and as such, she loosened her hold.

At the very same moment, YN's arms were wrapped around Rem in a very similar fashion with her lower back. With his hands meeting behind her, he could feel where they rested, and quickly realizing where they were, moved them upward off her dress and to the small of her back, away from the soft round bump they probably should not have been on.

Both standing still for a moment to make sure their slipping had ended, Rem unburied her face from YN's chest.

Looking up at YN, her face was flushed pink from embarrassment, almost equally as YN's.

Having now been caught by each other's gaze, YN was finally the one to croak out a response.

YN: Y-you okay?

With a quick nod from Rem, they released each other and walked a few more paces over to the staircase, their faces still red, but nonetheless guilty and embarrassed smiles on their face.

Reaching the top of the stairs, they looked down each direction of the hallway, stopping to decide what way to check. Right as YN was going to defer that decision to Rem, she had made up her mind, choosing a direction and walking. Turning her head slightly back to YN as she did, a "This way." left her lips and YN followed.

Walking down the hallway the two came to a corner leading to one of the main hallway that ran along the outside of the mansion.

YN: So I take it you can just kinda tell where Ram is—

Just before rounding the corner, Rem raised a hand for YN to stop behind here, cutting off what he had to say and stopping.

Leaning forward and poking her head just around the corner to observe, Rem leaned back and turned to face YN with a whisper.

Rem: Nee-sama and Subaru are down the hallway dusting.

Confused as to the reason for her actions, YN questioned Rem, but also whispered as well.

YN: Why are we whispering?

Rem: Because Rem can tell that Nee-sama is having a difficult time—

*Clink-Crash*

The sound of another vase falling victim to Subaru echoed through the hallway.

Shutting his eyes and cringing at the sound, YN opened one eye to find Rem doing the same.

YN: That's the third one, isn't it?

With a nod of "yes" from Rem, they both moved to poke their heads around the corner of the hallway and see what was going to happen now.

Subaru: Oh clumsy me! Don't worry Nee-sama! I will clean this up right away and fetch a replacement!
Sighing, Ram scolded Subaru.

Ram: Just how many vases are you going to break today? This mansion will run out of replacements before the day is over.

As Subaru began to pick up the broken pieces of vase, Rem made her way around the corner.

Rem: Nee-sama Nee-sama. Is our new helper causing trouble?

Ram: Rem Rem. Barasu seems to have a grudge against all the vases in the mansion.

Skulking at the twin's remarks as they teased him, Subaru continued to pick up the broken pieces of vase.

YN also now came around the corner.

Ram: By the way, Rem, where were you and YN?

Rem: YN-kun assisted in scrubbing the bathing room.

While the twins conversed between themselves, Subaru had looked up at YN. A disheveled look was on his face, almost as if he was going to be sick, before turning his head back down when Ram began to speak to YN.

Ram: It seems Barasu is making work for everyone in the mansion today, even after Ram tells them they are done for the day.

Turning her gaze down to Subaru, she snorted.

YN could see the cold sweat accumulating on Subaru's brow as he gave an ever so quiet wheeze that was only heard by him.

Looking back to the twins, YN spoke up in defense for Subaru.

YN: Hey why don't we let him take a break, give him some fresh air?

The twins looked at each other, almost in telepathic conversation and nodded to each other.

Standing up, Subaru protested.

Subaru: I-I fine! Really! I can keep working—

Being cut short by YN's forceful hand on his shoulder, he spoke.

YN: I'll make sure he takes a break and gets right back to work when he's done. Rem?

Tilting her head, Rem replied with a "Hmm?"

YN: I hate to ask, but could you be the one to get the replacement vase for Subaru? I can make sure he doesn't break anymore from here on out.

Nodding her head in agreement, Rem tilted her head the other way and smiled.

Rem: Of course. Rem would be delighted to.

Leaving the presence of the sunshine beam that was Rem, YN walked Subaru down to the back lawn to get some rest and fresh air.