A/N: Here's this week's series of chapters! I hope you enjoy them! Again, massive shoutout to ShuTDowN for spotting the small spelling and grammar things I missed.

Chapter 22: Pink At Night

YN could feel the covers of a bed wrapped and tucked around him.

Feeling himself waking up, he could not exactly remember retiring to bed. Had he been so tired that he simply forgot? Was it the beginning of the third day?

Still in his state of waking up, YN searched his senses for clues.

The first irregularity to stand out was YN did not feel the twinkle of sunlight on his eyes. Having experienced this every time while waking up, be it his bed, or the guest bed, YN was perplexed.

Sniffing the air, he smelled no freshly cut flowers, thus ruling out the guest room.

Thankfully, I don't think we reset...

Turning his attention more inward, he let his arms and legs rouse to life. Going to stretch his legs, he found they didn't move much from where they were.

Feeling the folds of the sheets, he was tucked into the bed in a way he would not normally do on his own.

Did someone...—?!

With the sensation of consciousness letting him feel his arms, and subsequently his hands, YN felt something in one of his hands.

It was warm, soft, and smooth, yet textured in some spots, almost as if whatever he was holding was slightly weathered and worn.

YN let his hand slightly squeeze the object. He quickly realized it was hand. Someone else's hand.

It was smaller than his. It felt fragile, and yet sturdy and strong. Squeezing the hand once more, slightly harder, upon release, the other hand squeezed back. It wasn't a squeeze in simple reaction, but rather a squeeze in acknowledgment, one that was made in kindness, and tenderness. That hand's squeeze was held and maintained in a fashion that implied strong feelings of concern for the well-being of the squeezed hand.

A wash of emotion stemmed up YN's arm from it. Filling his entire body with reverence towards whoever was holding his hand.

YN squeezed the hand back in a manor as similar to it was as he could, hoping to reflect these feelings of fondness he now had back.

He had to see. See with his own eyes.

Slowly opening his eyes, YN's view was blurry. Looking to the side where his hand was held, a fuzz of blue entered his vision.

Just as it began to focus, a most gentle, soft, and caring voice entered his ears.

?: YN-kun.

His view focusing, his eyes laid upon a sight very similar to the one he had the last time he woke up in the mansion for the first time.

Rem: YN-kun is awake. Rem is glad.

The first crystal clear thing YN saw was Rem's smiling, tilted face she had made while speaking to him. YN was silent in reply. The two stared into each other's eyes, neither wanting to look away, or break the moment.

Finally, YN's curiosity got the better of him, ending the moment each of them were having, and asked a question.

YN: How did I end up here?

Giving him a look of sadness and concern, Rem answered.

Rem: YN-Kun collapsed on the lawn from exhaustion and mana loss.

Thinking back, YN now remembered casting his second Jiwald and instantly becoming immensely fatigued. Looking down at himself still in bed, YN spoke more to himself than to Rem.

YN: That's right. That second spell wiped me out.

Another question worked its way out of YN's mind. Turning back to Rem, YN asked it.

YN: But how did I end up back here? In my bed?

Rem: Rem was watching from the mansion. The first large explosion had caught Rem's attention, and so Rem watched the entire ordeal down below.

Giving a short laugh remembering Subaru's attempt at Shamak, YN responded.

YN: Yeah, it would have been hard to miss that, huh?

Giving a small laugh of her own, Rem answered back.

Rem: Yes. Subaru-kun has almost no control over his gate... but YN-kun on the other hand...

Bringing her other hand to the one already holding YN's, Rem cupped her's around them.

Rem: YN-kun had such good control over his gate. Rem saw your magic, and how well you had cast it.

With a slightly bashful tone, YN replied.

YN: Oh that's just beginner's luck.

Rem: Still...

With her cupped hands squeezing his a little harder, Rem continued, a smile growing on her face again.

Rem: Rem is very proud of YN-kun. Rem is sure YN-kun will use his new skills as best as he can.

With her smile going away, Rem continued in a tone that was more concerned.

Rem: But.. right after is when Rem saw YN-kun collapse. And so Rem—

YN: So you came running down to make sure I was alright?

Rem's face expression changed into one of embarrassment as she moved one of her hands to her chest, a blush grew on her face.

Rem: R-Rem did not run!

YN: Haha, I'm sure you didn't.

Letting the blush fall away, YN went on.

YN: So, how did I end up here exactly though? Did I get back up and was helped here? I don't exactly remember.

Fully returned to her normal composure, Rem answered.

Rem: By the time Rem had made it down and outside, Subaru-kun was already going to look for Rem for assistance in the matter.

YN: Then you both brought me here?

Rem: Not exactly. Subaru-kun was not helpful in keeping up, so Rem carried you here herself.

Somewhat dumbfounded at what she said, YN quickly remembered she did possess oni-strength, which would mean she would be plenty strong enough.

A small blush on his face, YN replied with a question.

YN: So, you just put me over your back or—?

Closing her eyes and shaking her head, Rem let go of YN's hand.

Rem: Like this.

Extending her arms outward, Rem showed how she had carried YN. Leaving both arms extended outward, Rem looked down at YN in a most caring way as the blush on his face grew more red by the second.

Rem had carried YN in a way one might imagine a knight or hero carrying a damsel in distress.

YN had a hard time imagining what that would be like, let alone if it were Rem doing it.

Chattering out a reply, YN broke eye contact and instead starred down the bed.

YN: I-I-I was princess carried here?

Without a verbal reply, Rem simply shut her eyes, smiled, and tilted her head. Perhaps confused by YN's terminology, Rem gathered they both understood what she meant.

Laying her arms back down, Rem clasped YN's hand again with her own, and the warm sensation it brought YN returned again.

There was something immensely joyous to YN about how casually she re-grasped his hand.

YN: And then I take it I was set here? How long was I out?

Putting a finger to her chin, Rem thought for a moment before turning her gaze to the window. The blue sky that YN had remembered from earlier was just beginning to turn a slight hue of yellow in preparation for it's departure.

Rem: The sun has just begun to set.

Figuring that meant maybe one or two hours, he expected that. Looking up at the ceiling, he almost had a sense of guilt at the time he had wasted.

YN: That long, huh? *Sigh* Can't be helped now though.

Slightly squeezing his hand, Rem replied.

Rem: It did not seem like that long of a time to Rem.

YN was about to ask what Rem had done in the missing hours but her last sentence had given a very large clue as to what her answer might have been would he have asked.

YN: 'Not that long of a time—' Rem? Did you sit here the entire time I was passed out?

Bringing a hand to her chest, Rem gave him a bashful nod, her cheeks a tint of red. Looking down at her hand still around his, he looked back up to her.

YN: Even holding my hand?

Rem replied with an even more slight nod, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. Exhaling a breath, Rem loosened her expression and cast her eyes downward to her hand.

Rem: YN-kun was out of mana, so Rem gave him some of hers...

YN: Rem...

YN didn't know what to say. He knew Rem was a kind and caring person, but this had to mean something substantial. Mana is what fueled her power to protect herself, the mansion, and her sister. Rem giving YN her mana had thoroughly surprised him.

Rem: Rem could have given it to YN-kun all at once, but slowly doing it meant that YN-kun wouldn't have woken up suddenly from the extra mana.

Not only had Rem carried YN to his room, and not even then had she sat by his bed and held his hand the entire time, but she had also been concentrating that entire time, slowly dripping her mana into him to rejuvenate his gate.

YN: Then that warmth I felt in my arm, the entire time... Rem... I have no way to repay this kind of kindness to you... But I'll try—!

Rem: YN-kun.

Cutting off YN, Rem spoke his name.

Rubbing her thumb on the back of YN's hand that her hand held, Rem explained herself.

Rem: There is no need for YN-kun to be worried about it. Rem knows that you will pay it back, and even more than that. Rem knows that there will be a day when you will have shown so much kindness to Rem that Rem will never be able to pay it back. That is the kind of person YN-kun is. That is the kind of person Rem knows YN-kun is. So please...

Her voice growing slightly shakier as she spoke, her final words almost sounded like she was holding back tears, her grip growing slightly tighter.

Rem: Please let Rem have this... To be ahead in kindness now... Because Rem knows that it will be the only time she will be... And it might not even be for that long either.

Their eyes locking, there was a silence only between the two of them, as both of them were having a storm of emotions inside of themselves.

Nodding, YN agreed.

YN: Okay. And Rem?

Somewhat startled at his saying of her name, Rem gave YN her undivided attention.

YN: — — —

Gripping her hand for confidence YN spoke.

YN: Thank you. For everything.

A glint of red going across her face, Rem nodded and replied.

Rem: Of course.

Staring at each other for another silent moment, it was interrupted by a knock at YN's door. Knowing their moment was drawing to a close, Rem gently let go of YN's hand, resting it on his bed as softly as one could.

Turning in her chair, Rem faced the door.

Rem: Come in.

Slowly the door opened, and in stepped a black haired boy, dressed in a butler's uniform.

Subaru: Ummm, Rem? Ram asked me to come get you. She's ready to start making supper.

Standing up, Rem patted her apron and dress smooth.

Rem: Yes, it is about time, isn't it?

Heading to the door, Rem turned around with an order to YN.

Rem: Please rest up, and refrain from using any magic. Rem will come find YN-kun when dinner is ready.

Nodding and replying with an "Okay.", YN was instructed in one more thing by Rem.

Rem: Promise Rem, no more magic for a few days.

YN: *Sigh* Yes, I promise.

Turning to leave, Rem walked past Subaru, and gave YN a final smile before leaving.

Alone with YN now, Subaru gave a laugh.

YN: What's so funny?

Subaru: You look like a sushi roll with the covers tucked like that. Did Rem do that?

Using a moderate amount of effort to un-trap himself, YN threw the covers off him, putting his feet on the floor.

YN: Yeah. That's not the only thing she did either.

Looking into the open palm of his hand that Rem had been holding, YN explained.

YN: She... replenished my mana for me.

Confused, Subaru responded.

Subaru: You didn't use the Bokko fruit Emilia gave you?

Feeling his pockets, YN found the fruit he neglected to eat. Mumbling a "There it is…" to himself, YN answered Subaru.

YN: No, I didn't. I didn't start to feel wiped out till it was too late.

Standing up and putting the fruit into a drawer in his desk, YN continued.

YN: To be completely honest, seeing the effect it had on you, I almost wanted to just tough out the fatigue, and maybe save it for when I might need it.

Crossing his arms, Subaru responded.

Subaru: I guess that's some pretty forward thinking. Man, why didn't I think of that!?

YN: Well, you needed the energy to get through the rest of the day, right?

Subaru: Yeah, you're right.

Standing up, YN stretched.

YN: We got some time to kill before dinner is done.

Subaru: You might, some of us are still working.

YN: Guess I'll help you then.

Subaru and YN set out to do more tasks until Ram informed them that supper was ready.

At the meal hall table, everyone was seated in their usual spots, except Emilia, who had taken a seat next to YN once more.

With the day's events of his magic casting and YN's subsequent blackout, Emilia's usual questions were much more upfront and demanding.

Emilia: —and you're sure you haven't noticed anything odd? Not when you cast your magic? Not afterwards when you passed out? Not when you woke back up—?

Setting his utensils down, YN gave his most polite response he could to the concerned half-elf.

YN: No, I can't say I've noticed anything, but please, I am completely fine—, all thanks to Rem that is. She took very good care of me.

Hearing her name mentioned with such praise, Rem's face turned an ever-so-slight tint of red.

YN: A-and you know who also expelled a lot of mana and roughed up their gate? I'm sure you could also see how Subaru is doing.

Trying to deflect the subject off of himself and almost working as a wing-man for Subaru, YN attempted to direct Emilia's attention.

Having been completely tuned out to the conversation, Subaru looked over upon hearing his name, cheeks stuffed with chewed food, mid bite of yet more food on his utensil.

YN sighed at the display from across the table, Ram was next to notice and simply snorted. Subaru was working on clearing his mouth to speak but was beaten by Roswaal, sat at the end of the table.

Roswaal: Ahhh yes. I heard there was a good deal of magic use today.

Closing one eye and staring with only his yellow eye at YN, Roswaal continued.

Roswaal: Teeeeelllll meeee, just how did it go?

Feeling pressured to answer, Ram beat him to it.

Patting her mouth with a napkin, Ram explained.

Ram: NY and Barasu both used magic for their first times today. While NY seemed to be quite adept at controlling his mana, Barasu left much to be desired. Had he tried to inside, surely there would have been a great mess.

Finally getting his food down his throat, Subaru fired back.

Subaru: Hey that's not a fair analysis! At least I didn't expel so much mana I passed out!

Snorting, Ram replied.

Ram: Heh, at least NY could cast two complete Jiwalds before draining all his mana. You barely got a single Shamak off.

Roswaal: Ahhh, 'Jiwald' and 'Shamak'. Yin aaaaaaand Yang users, quite rare indeed. We may just have two new magical prodigies in our midst. Do either of you plan to advance your understanding of the arcane arts?

Before either of them could answer, Ram stepped in again.

Ram: Roswaal-sama, I recommend we forbid Barasu from using anymore magic, lest he is a threat to himself and other members of the staff.

Roswaal: I will take it under consideration. But as for right now—

Turning to YN, Roswaal closed his single eye once more and stared at him with only his yellow eye.

Roswaal: Do you have any aspirations for furthering your magical aptitude? Any goal in mind?

Gulping, YN answered.

YN: I-I hadn't considered it. What do you think I should do?

Opening his other eye back up, Roswaal answered.

Roswaal: Well, considering you picked up Jiwald so eeeeeeeesaily, I might recommend working towards El Jiwald.

YN: 'El' Jiwald?

Stepping back into the conversation, Emilia spoke up.

Emilia: Most spells have different degrees of power, itself, 'El', 'Ul', and 'Al'. Each one requires higher levels of aptitude and mana to be able to cast them.

YN: I see then. Once I'm more used to Jiwald, I might give El Jiwald a go.

Clapping his hands together, Roswaal spoke again.

Roswaal: A spleeeeeendid idea. I look forward to seeing you both develop.

With everyone returning to their meal, Rem leaned forward, giving YN a silent look of concern. Noticing, YN nodded, reassuring her that he would keep his promise to not stress his gate for a while.

Knowing that YN acknowledged his promise through the silent exchange, Rem smiled at him.

Even if it means I can't practice this new skill, just seeing her smile is worth it.

With the meal adjourning, Rem followed YN up to his room for a study session.

Sitting down at his desk, Rem had brought several books, sheets of parchment paper, and an inkwell with quill.

Rem: YN-kun had mentioned he needed some assistance in learning to read and write, correct?

YN: Yeah. I'm somewhat familiar in your writing, but it still needs to be polished up, I still struggle a lot.

YN began to copy a sentence out of a book, reading it aloud as he did.

Looking at his handwork, Rem read it silently and issued her complaints.

Rem: It isn't much, but this is very good for someone who has only been in Lugunica for a few days. Did someone teach YN-kun before?

Rem asked her question with no suspicion in her voice, and her head was tilted as she usually did when she asked a question like this.

Not wishing to lie to her, YN simply dodged the question, scratching the back of his head as he did.

YN: Yeah, you could say they were a really good teacher too.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Rem asked another question.

Rem: YN-kun said 'your writing', is writing different in your homeland?

Realizing he had made a tiny slip up, he decided to run with it given how Rem was currently acting with him. Getting a blank piece of parchment out, YN dipped his quill in ink.

YN: Here, I'll show you.

Scribbling the words out, YN spelled his name, and then wrote Rem's right below it.

YN: This is my name, and that's yours.

Pointing at each respectfully, Rem picked the paper and carefully examined each name.

Rem: — — — —

YN: —? Is something wrong?

Shaking her head, Rem responded.

Rem: Rem has never seen anything like it before.

Handing the paper back to YN, he had an idea. Dipping his quill in ink again, YN wrote a familiar sentence.

"Rem is very cute."

Looking over YN's shoulder, Rem analyzed the lines on the paper, clueless as to what most of it meant, only recognizing one set of symbols in it.

Rem: Is it something about Rem? It says that in there, doesn't it?

Using her finger, she underlined her name in both spots.

YN: Yep. It does.

In a slightly excited voice, Rem asked what it meant.

Rem: What does it say?!

YN: That's a secret. But—

Pouting, Rem puffed up her cheeks and protested, hands on her hips.

Rem: Why is Rem to teach YN-kun how to read and write when YN-kun is to be so cold-hearted by denying Rem her curiosity of his writing?

Continuing, YN spoke again.

YN: —But, if you can get me to the point I can read and write proficiently enough for this job, I'll tell you what it means.

Wanting to still fulfill his promise he made to Rem about what he had written, YN posed the same promise to Rem.

Losing her pout, Rem nodded in agreement.

Rem: That will only help further motivate Rem to teach you, so please be prepared to learn quickly.

YN: Works for me.

With their agreement to a promise, Rem looked up and walked to the window.

Since dinner, it had gotten later, and the sun was now set beyond the horizon. But it's remaining light still reached outward, painting the clouds in a glaze of pink.

Parting the curtains, and opening the windows to get a better look, Rem commented on the hue of colors outstretched across the sky.

Rem: What you said this morning...

Getting up and standing next to her at the window, YN iterated the first half.

YN: 'Pink in the morning, sailor's warning.'

Putting a hand to her chest as a calm, cool, evening wind blew in though the open window, gently swaying her hair, Rem spoke the second half.

Rem: 'Pink at night, sailor's delight.'

Watching as the leaves on the trees swayed in the breeze under the quickly turning twilight sky, Rem saw the first star of the night.

Faintly lit, it's own light struggled against the lingering light left by the sun, but it was dark enough at this point in the evening where other stars would also begin to appear. Rem was almost mesmerized by it, seeing it twinkle, seeing it rage against the dying of the sun's own light.

Knowing YN was standing right next to her, Rem embodied the moment, cherishing everything she felt, the sight of the sky, the feeling of the cool breeze, and YN's presence.

Slowly, her hand moved from her side, upward.

Reaching, reaching, her hand yearned for a companion. Another to grasp, to share this moment as one.

Her eyes still on the star, it gave a sudden twinkle.

A twinkle of acknowledgment. A twinkle of favor.

Her hand had found it's companion under it's watchful gaze.

?: Teeeeeeeell me, how have our two new staff members been? Anything, suspicious?

?: Nothing... yet. But rest assured, we are watching them closely.

?: I see. Is there anything new you can share about either of them?

?: Barasu is almost too eager to please in his duties. He gets so involved it ends up causing more work then he sometimes gets done.

?: Hmmm, is it genuine effort, or do you believe it is an act?

?: I cannot say either way.

?: Fair enough. And what of YN? Our resident anomaly?

?: Only that he seems to be proficient in mana control, but that was discussed in length at the dining table.

?: Very well. Has your sister given any thought towards our new staff members?

?: She is highly suspect of Barasu. She does not believe his actions are ones without outside motivation, but whether they are hostile or not is yet to be determined. But with YN—

?: Please make sure to remind your dear sister not to jump to any concluuuuuusions. We do not need any... unfortunate accidents in the mansion without due cause.

?: With YN though, she is not suspicious at all.

?: — — —

?: In fact, she has only given him words of praise in her talks with me.

?: — — — —

?: Sometimes almost bordering on infatuation with him...

?: — — — — —

?: — ?

?: Do you suspect your sister is under the influence of any magic?

?: No. She would not fall for any such a trick. Her feelings are... completely her own.

?: 'Tis a rather... unforseeeeeen change of events. If anything new develops, please inform me right away.

?: Yes, Roswaal-sama.