Chapter 39: May I Take Your Jacket?
Entering the storage room where the trio had just uncovered a stash of alcohol, Emilia paused Ram's ongoing thought as she questioned what they were doing.
Emilia: Is this where all the commotion is coming from? I thought I heard stuff being moved around.
Turning around and bowing, Ram greeted her superior.
Ram: Emilia-sama, Ram was just informing Barasu that it is a foolish waste of time and a detriment to us all if he begins to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
Subaru: Eh?!
Putting a hand over her mouth in worry, Emilia looked with eyes of sympathy to Subaru.
Emilia: Subaru, if you're feeling upset, I wish you would have come to me first rather than developing a bad habit.
Noticing that YN was the only one in the room actually holding a bottle, Emilia back peddled her words slightly as if adjusting their severity.
Emilia: A-And that includes YN too! I would really hate to see you, —either of you deal with your problems alone.
I really wish Emilia would realize Subaru needs that more than anyone here.
Waving his hands in defeat, Subaru tried to assert his innocence.
Subaru: Emilia-tan, there's not need to worry, I'm not even old enough to drink yet. I'm not even technically old enough to look at adult websites, let alone drink.
Emilia: Sorry, I really don't know what you mean by 'adult web-sights,' but I'm sure YN would probably be able to act as your guardian for that.
YN: I decline.
Immediately having her underhanded compliment shot down, Emilia back peddled with her words further.
Emilia: Well, if YN won't, then I don't have any problem looking at these 'adult web-sights' with you, Subaru. Although I probably won't understand, but that's okay.
Waving off the idea, Emilia totally disregarded the foreign words and concepts Subaru had just accidentally spoke of. Raising no concern, or even curiosity to them at all.
I guess that's another reason why I enjoy Rem's company so much. I almost have to watch my words more now than before she knew about, well, everything, especially since we can end up on hour-long tangents about a few otherworldly words I said.
And it was true, Rem was always fascinated with any odd words or ideas YN said, always asking for an explanation or further elaboration.
I do have to admit, Rem really is adorable when she's just listening to me ramble on about stuff that doesn't exist here, or about things from my old world. It's definitely refreshing compared to how others just write it off, especially with how Emilia just has a genuine disregard for it.
Thinking about it, YN couldn't count how many times Emilia had just waved off anything odd Subaru had said. Almost as much and as often as Rem had actually asked about when YN had said similar things.
As YN was in thought over this though, the topic has seemed to change nearly a million times between Subaru and Emilia. Unable to follow the conversation as well, Ram simply stood idle, eyes half closed in annoyance as the butler and the half elf went on and on.
Seeing YN going back to work sweeping the dust covered floor, Ram contributed as she did, occasionally moving the dust pan for him to sweep up gathered dust as the pile got bigger, and not much more than that. Ram was at least content on being away from the revolving door that was Subaru's and Emilia's current conversation.
Rem: Rem heard YN-kun and Nee-sama had a productive day of cleaning the back storage rooms.
YN: Eh, we would have gotten more done if Subaru and Emilia hadn't derailed us halfway through the day.
Changing from her previous cheerful attitude, Rem sat down at the edge of YN's bed, folding her hands together and looking downward, almost in sadness.
Rem: YN-kun... It doesn't bother you to be around those rooms at all... does it? Even after—
YN: Rem, it's alright. I'm not bothered by it at all. Really.
Occasionally this still came up. It seemed Rem still maintained a guilty conscience from the memories she saw of YN. While not as severe as it could be, it could be said that Rem had closure on the matter, but the events still somewhat plagued her mind whenever something related came up.
Standing up from his chair, YN walked over and gave the short oni a hug of reassurance. Wrapping his arms around her, he felt the soft, smooth skin of her back.
Being hugged back, he ran his fingers through the maid's hair, it's specific shade of blue always managing to give him peace of mind whenever he saw it.
Looking up, Rem waited for YN to continue.
YN: I'm not going to pretend what it's like to have the feelings I know you still probably have, but whatever happens, I'll be here for you to lean on, okay?
Nodding, the two let go and sat at the edge of YN's bed together, hands held still.
Wishing to continue the conversation from before, Rem was the first to speak up, regaining her previous positive attitude.
Rem: Rem did hear that Nee-sama was upset by Subaru-kun and Emilia-sama's interruption.
Speaking with more fervor, Rem continued.
Rem: Nee-sama had said it all began when Subaru-kun brought up 'Adult Web-Sights'. And that Emilia-sama had offered to chaperon him to one.
Laughing at the idea, YN shook his head at the absurdity of it.
YN: That's almost what started it. That came up right after we found the alcohol—
Rem: YN-kun.
Turning to face him, Rem locked eye's with YN, a familiar wonder of curiosity crossed the blue in them.
Rem: What are 'Adult Web-Sights?'
Totally caught off guard by such a question, this had been one of the most complex questions Rem had asked of YN's otherworldly knowledge.
YN: Uhhh, well...
Knowing it was too cruel to not indulge her curiosity, and not being able to lie to the women who held his heart, YN trudged forth in his explanation.
Rem: A-and anyone can find it? From anywhere?
With a blush of embarrassment incomparable to the one Rem's face, YN confirmed the most blasphemous detail to her.
YN: *Sigh* Yep. On your cellphone,—
Holding up his own phone as an example, YN continued.
YN: —your TV, anything that could get internet.
Rem: And they're all—?
Putting a hand up and whispering, Rem went on, as if afraid of someone overhearing them.
Rem: —naked?!
Nodding once more, Rem covered her mouth in astonishment at the conformation, her blush turning more and more scarlet.
Looking down at the floor with wide eyes for a moment, Rem looked back up and lowered her hands.
Rem: D-do people watch it for—?
Cutting her off, YN simply confirmed the worst part of it all.
YN: Yep. It's exactly how you think.
Putting her hands over mouth once more and her eyes opening wide once more, they were quickly painted over with curiosity once more.
Speaking with a face almost as red as an appa, Rem asked another question.
Rem: Has... has YN-kun ever—?
YN: —Wow hey look it's getting late and we haven't even started studying yet! C'mon Rem, someone's gotta teach me how to read!
Not being able to stand the awkwardness it made him feel, YN brashly changed the subject. After all, Rem was only free in the evenings to continue her tutorship of YN, they couldn't spend the entire time talking about such lewd topics.
Having gone to bed while having done almost no studying, YN's body was beginning to wake up.
Going through his usual half consciousness routine, YN first breathed in through his nose.
Man, the mansion really is cold this morning.
Feeling the sensation increase, the stark agitation of the cold, dry air on his throat, it prompted YN to cough.
YN: *Cough* *Cough*!
Sitting up in reaction, he immediately felt the bite of the cold air on the upper half of his body, now out from under the covers.
Pulling the covers around him like a cloak, YN sought to wrap himself away from the freezing conditions as soon as he physically could.
How cold did it get?!
Rubbing his eyes open, they watered from the intense difference in temperature and dryness.
Wiping the tears from his eyes, YN noticed everything looked a shade, well, cooler. It seemed more light was in his room then normal.
His vision clearing, the gravity of the situation made itself apparent.
YN: I-Ice! And frost! It's all over! Did I leave the window open for real this time?!
Snapping his head over to the window, while it was closed, it appeared actually impossible for it to be open, as it was completely iced over.
YN: Something definitely weird is going on... I need to find Rem, or Subaru, or anyone.
Stepping out of bed, YN grabbed his jacket from his armoire and wrapped his warm blankets over that.
Proceeding downstairs, he nearly tripped from the numbness caused by the cold his feet were feeling.
Seeing the dining hall still empty, YN noticed the kitchen was definitely in use with warm air making its way from the top of the door in the form of steam. Proceeding in, he was immediately warmed from what he saw.
Stirling a pot on stilts over the large fireplace in the kitchen, Rem was persisting as best as she could, given the conditions.
YN: Rem...
Somewhat startled to his sudden voice, Rem looked to the doorway where she had heard the familiar voice come from, somewhat startled again with the state she saw YN in.
Rem: YN-kun!
Tapping her soup ladle against the pot and rushing over, the blue haired maid stopped right before him, tilting her head in concern.
Rem: Is YN-kun okay? You're shivering!
Before he could answer her question, YN noticed Rem was dressed differently then normal.
While still maid-like, gone were her usual exposed back, bosom, and arms. Rather, this attire was much more modest in the sense it protected its wearer more from the elements, namely the cold. Her usual mid length dress was now much longer, going halfway down to her shin.
Hmm, no chance at catching a glimpse of her thighs for now...
Nonetheless, the outfit was rather cute on her, while being tipped heavily to the "modest" side of things, it took an aura of adorableness unique to itself.
Rem: YN-kun~, please, Rem is asking you a question.
Snapping halfway back to reality, YN's attention was still split between the bitter feeling of cold seeming to creak right into his bones, and on admiring the girl who made his chest grow warm whenever he saw her.
Finally piping up, it was not an answer to Rem's question.
YN: You look really cute in that dress Rem, is it warm?
Caught off guard by the sudden endearing compliment, Rem's face warmed up ever so slightly with a blush and her eyes slightly widening in surprise.
Letting her emotions only get the better of herself for a moment, Rem shook her head and softly spoke.
Rem: *Sigh* While Rem appreciates YN-kun's honest input, he really should warm himself up.
Pulling him by the bed covers that were still wrapped around his body, Rem led YN over to a chair next to the pot she was stirring.
Sitting him down, Rem handed YN an empty tea cup. Turning to grab a tea pot off the hot plate next to the soup kettle, Rem poured the warmth into YN's awaiting cup.
Taking a sip, he could taste Rem's carefully made brew as it warmed him from the inside out.
Turning to grab one more thing, Rem presented YN with a handkerchief on her hand.
Looking up to her with an air of confusion, Rem quickly explained.
Rem: YN-kun's nose is running from the cold, please, allow your Rem to help.
Figuring there was no use in fighting it, YN blew into the cloth Rem held. He was so cold he didn't even realize it was as bad as it was.
Standing back and smiling at her own deeds of usefulness, Rem's expression turned softer.
Rem: Rem is terribly sorry. If she had enough time, Rem would have come to warm YN-kun up herself this morning again, but Nee-sama fares much worse in this cold, so Rem went to assist her first.
YN: No need to apologize Rem, I can survive a lot easier then Ram probably can, given the harshness of all this. But uh, speaking of which, where is she —?
Having his question cut off, in came a barging Subaru, arms wrapped around himself in a similar shape YN had been in when he entered.
Subaru: Why is it so cold?! I woke up with ice-circles hanging off my nose!
Reading the room, Subaru made note of who was here, and who was not.
Subaru: Oh don't tell me Nee-sama is getting off easy again! I ought to complain to—!
?: I'm terribly sorry, but pleeeeease hold any comments or concerns until after the cold snap is oveeeer!
Now also entering the room, was the head of the mansion himself. Seeing the presence of her master, Rem bowed and greeted him.
Rem: Roswaal-sama.
Turning to the man adorned in his winter cloak and clown makeup, Subaru pressed him for answers.
Subaru: So hey, what gives? Why is it so freaking cold?
Unshrouding his gloved hands from beneath his expense looking fur cloak, Roswaal simply shrugged.
Roswaal: While I am many things, an all knowing oracle is not one of those I'm afraid.
Slightly off-put by his answer, Subaru was about to bark back in defiance, but was beaten to the cut by YN, trying to logically go about asking questions.
YN: But what gives? I thought we were around some of the warmest days of the year, why is it freezing over so suddenly? Do you really know nothing about what's going on— Ah, Ahh, Ahhh—!
Turning to his aid, Rem held the handkerchief up to YN's nose, catching the sudden sneeze that had snuck up on him.
YN: Chew!
Knowing full and well Roswaal would have to privy to such an odd phenomenon befalling his lands, Roswaal responded by closing his blue eye, and looking at YN with only his yellow as he explained.
Roswaal: I doooo however know that the situation is only affecting the immediate area of the mansion.
Subaru: You mean it's only cold in and around the mansion? How is that possible?!
Realizing that this meant the field of flowers toward the village he had intended to take Emilia to on their date was no longer in jeopardy, Subaru clamored for more answers.
Subaru: So what's causing this then?
Opening his eyes back up to normal to respond to Subaru, Roswaal further elaborated.
Roswaal: I have a clue, but as to why it's only entirely localized to the mansion, well, there have been two rather buuuuusy individuals at work trying their best to keep everything contained.
Looking over to Rem and YN, Subaru silently questioned their involvement. Shaking her head, Rem replied.
Rem: Rem and Nee-sama know nothing of the matter.
Putting a hand to his chin, Subaru thought for a moment.
Subaru: And if you count out YN too...
Slapping his fist into his open palm, Subaru concluded his theory.
Subaru: It's gotta be them then. Ros-chi, I'm gonna need your help on this.
Roswaal: I would deliiiiiighted to assist in this matter.
Proceeding out of the kitchen, Subaru looked back once, offering for YN to come along.
Subaru: You coming or what?
Shaking his head in reply, YN wanted nothing to do with Subaru's schemes.
YN: I think I'll sit this one out, I'd rather strew in my own sickness— Ah, Ahh, Ahhh!
Reaching up to his nose once more with the handkerchief, Rem caught another of YN's sneezes.
YN: Chew!
Shrugging, Subaru and Roswaal continued on to wherever they had decided to set upon.
Turning to the maid who had caught two of his sneezes now, YN thanked her.
YN: Thanks for that Rem, I appreciate it.
Feeling delighted with herself, Rem smiled in reply.
Rem: Rem would have liked YN-kun to stay here anyway, this way Rem will be sure to catch all of YN-kun's sniffles and sneezes.
YN: So, it was Puck's Hatsumaki that was causing all the cold?
Subaru: A-and what is a Hatsumaki? Is it some kind of Spirit-like mating ritual?
Now all together in the meal hall, the occupants of the mansion had met to discuss the new found source of the cold climate they all found. Floating up in between Subaru and YN, Puck put his tail under his chin like he was thinking, before answering.
Puck: Hmm, well I'm not an animal so I don't need to 'mate', but think of it as a concessionary period where powerful magical beings have to let off built up reserves of mana.
Subaru: So does anyone who regularly uses mana end up like this?
Stepping up from where she stood to Roswaal's flank at the head of the table, Rem further explained.
Rem: A Hatsumaki only happens in beings that have a lot of mana, which is related to the nature of their Od, making it highly restrictive.
Subaru: 'Od?' I've heard that word thrown around a lot in regards to things like 'mana,' and 'gates,' is that something different?
Ram: To be so blatant in your ignorance is truly awful, Barasu. Consider educating yourself.
Chiefly cutting off anyone else's chance to reply to Subaru's question, Ram did so, but with ridicule. Huddling under a multitude of blankets, earmuffs, and her thick cold weather season maid outfit, Ram shivered with a harsh scowl across her face.
Subaru: Shesh, what's gotten into you? Are you really that cranky because of the cold?
Ram: Ram does not subscribe to such a weak world view as to just so easily label people in regards to their differences. Kindly, Barasu, drop dead.
Leaning forward in his chair, YN looked wide eyed at both Ram's younger sister, and her master, just to her own left, trying to gauge their reactions to her admittedly harsh response.
Giving a weary smile and half head tilt, Rem silently replied to YN's surprised expression, while Roswaal simply sat in his seat at the head of the table, eyes closed and head rested on his folded hands, amused by the banter around him.
Beatrice: Having anyone other than Betty explain it will get us nowhere I suppose. Od is a vessel for taking in mana from a gate. It's a container.
Looking toward the drill haired girl who had managed to so easily explain what Subaru had asked clarification on, he and YN encouraged her to continue.
Subaru: Ohhh, I see, please continue, Beako-sensei.
YN: Yeah, I guess I should be more educated on this topic as well. Please, if you don't mind explaining further.
Turning to YN with a nasty expression that was unsuited for her cute face, Beatrice snapped back.
Beatrice: Betty is not your personal tutor, do not confuse her with the younger maid sister lest you'd like your mana drained once more.
Remembering it was probably better to let Subaru handle speaking to Beatrice, YN simply stiffened his back to her reply, knowing he had to take it in stride. While he could only see it in the corner of his eye, and unbeknownst to the worried blue hair maid standing next to him, Roswaal's grin had widened at Beatrice's reply, fervently amused by it.
Deciding what Beatrice had to say was ultimately more important, YN focused on that rather.
Stirling a cup of tea that had been brought to her earlier by Rem, Beatrice further elaborated.
Beatrice: Anyway, Od is like a vessel, and like any vessel, it has its limits. While a stronger Od will let one store more mana, like any container, they will eventually spill over if filled too much.
Subaru: Hmm, I see.
Putting a hand to his chin as if thinking in a rather astute manor, Subaru offered a summary of Beatrice's words.
Subaru: It's like constipation then.
Spitting the drink she had just taken to her side, Beatrice retaliated.
Beatrice: Be more careful with your words, I suppose!
Emilia: To get the point, yes, Puck's release of mana is causing this. Please forgive us.
Knowing it wasn't her fault, Subaru was first to respond.
Subaru: Considering it's something Puck has to do, I don't see any fault really being had. But how much longer is this going to go on through?
Scratching his chin, Puck thought before answering.
Puck: At this rate, maybe another two days.
Looking at the state Ram, Subaru, and himself were in, YN felt he should speak up.
YN: I think we're going to end up with a case of a few frozen statues of former mansion residents if this keeps up at its current pace.
Unbeknownst to YN, his example had cut straight through to Emilia's heart, making her chest fill with guilt.
Emilia: Wait! Right now, Beatrice has a barrier up around the mansion to keep it from spreading, I'm sure with some changes to it, we could—
Subaru: —Hold on that's right!
Thinking back to Roswaal's words about the cold being localized to the mansion, Subaru spoke up.
Subaru: Emilia-tan, maybe if the barrier was changed, it could—
YN: Hang on a second. I have a simpler idea.
Seeing the social "talking stick" being passed around indiscriminately, Rem chimed her support of YN before she had even heard his idea.
Rem: Hmm, Hmm! Rem knew YN-kun would think of a solution!
YN: Why not just leave the barrier as is, there's nothing that says we have to stay here with the cold, right?
Nodding in fierce agreement with YN, Rem continued her support.
Rem: Rem knew YN-kun had the right answer! YN-kun has Rem's utmost respect!
Subaru: Yeah! At this time of the year, it's supposed to be really warm as well, right—?!
Having broken temporarily to inspect the rainy conditions outside the mansion's frozen interior, any suggestions for camping out were quickly ruled out.
Reconvening to the main study, which was also the location of the residence's largest fireplace, everyone had decided to stay where it was warmest.
Taking up most of the room around the fireplace itself was Ram and Subaru, both struggling to deal with the cold, while YN and Rem sat together, a bit farther back, but not as close.
Sitting at the table just further back was Emilia, Roswaal, and Beatrice, all sipping a warm tea Rem had made while Subaru and YN had made the fire.
Having finally started to somewhat warm up, Subaru re-began the same conversation that was had in the dining hall.
Subaru: So, will Roschi or Beako have to also have a hatsu—whatever-it-was too?
Being the first to answer, Roswaal spoke, almost as if he were boasting.
Roswaal: Considering I use my magic on a daily basis, my mana is kept in quiiiiiite the stern regiment. As for Beatrice—
Beatrice: Do not answer for Betty, in fact.
Cutting off Roswaal before taking a sip of her tea, Beatrice declined to answer as well, choosing rather to proclaim—
Beatrice: All anyone needs to know is that Betty has a vast reserve of mana that she can always add to. And the upkeep of Door Crossing to keep the Forbidden Library hidden is more than enough to ward off any such build up, I suppose.
Deciding that maybe now was a better time to ask, YN had remembered a question he had from earlier, but had not asked due to the changing of topics.
YN: Hey, with my gate being messed up will that cause any issues like this hatsumaki?
Hearing YN take an interest in his gate, Emilia gained stars in her eyes as she rushed to make eye contact with him and answer his question, perhaps in fear Rem might answer him first.
Emilia: Oh! Well, considering your gate is stretched, it all really depends on how your Od is.
'Stretched?' That's not the first time I've heard my gate being referred to in that way...
YN: What's the worst case scenario?
Flying out from the half elf's hair, Puck had made his entrance back into the conversation.
Puck: Worst case? All of sudden one day you go—
Hovering right up to in front of his face, Puck spread his arms, feet, and tail out wide before yelling—
Puck: —Boom!
Emilia: Puck! You know that wouldn't happen! It's not like YN doesn't have a way to regulate— ep!
At first scolding Puck, Emilia then covered her mouth, as if she had said something uncouth.
Raising an eyebrow to Emilia's rebuttal of Puck's teasing, YN was unsure what she had said that prompted a reaction to herself like that.
Wagging his tiny paw at his daughter, Puck now teased her.
Puck: Now now, Lia. It was your idea for him to figure it out on his own.
Thoroughly concerned now on what the two of them meant in regards YN, Rem was about to ask just what information Emilia was keeping from him, but beating her to the punch, Subaru spoke up once more, changing the topic.
Subaru: Uh, Emilia-tan, I can't help but notice you're not really dressed for the cold like the rest of us.
Wiggling while hugging himself in a creepy fashion, Subaru continued.
Subaru: Ya know you could come warm up with me by the fire~~.
Responding innocently as one would expect, Emilia paid no mind to Subaru's blatant advances.
Emilia: To tell the truth, due to Puck's contract with me, I'm unaffected by his magic... So I'm not cold at all.
Poking her fingers together, Emilia somewhat sadly completed her answer. Sighing, Subaru brought his attention to Puck.
Subaru: Do you feel any shame for the situation you've put your daughter in?
Getting up from where he sat, Subaru continued his and Emilia's conversation at the table, leaving his seat by the fire open.
Noticing it, and thinking it odd she hadn't said anything to Subaru in that entire ordeal, YN now looked to Ram.
While she did have a look of discomfort on her face as she shivered beneath the blanks she held around herself, it almost seemed as if the fire and earmuffs did little to deliver her from the chilly conditions.
Getting up himself, YN moved to Subaru's old spot next to the fire, prompting Rem to follow with her own chair.
Sitting down, his presence was ignored by Ram, shivering as she was and staring at the fire, trying to drown out the conversation going on behind her.
Seeing her sister shivering so, Rem was thankfully the first to speak to Ram.
Rem: Nee-sama, are you well? Perhaps Rem can make some steamed tatoes like—
Snapping herself free from her hypnotism, Ram answered.
Ram: There's really no reason to trouble yourself, Rem, your Nee-sama will persevere.
Thinking for a moment if he had any way of helping, YN thought of ways he had warmed up during this cold snap.
I also had blankets wrapped around myself at one point too until my jacket warmed up...
Looking down at his otherworldly jacket that was keeping him warm, YN had an idea.
YN: Um, Ram. What if I said I had something warmer than those blankets that I could give you.
Before Ram could respond, Rem leaned in from her chair next to YN, and whispered in his ear.
Rem: YN-kun, Nee-sama might not be willing to be warmed up like how YN-kun warmed up Rem the day before, even if Rem joins on.
His face turning red at the very idea, YN leaned back, away from Rem and looked at her with wide eyes, speechless that she even suggested such a thing.
I get she might not see that as a big deal, but that has to be the lewdest thing I can think of!
Thankfully, Ram replied, distracting YN from his own continued thoughts.
Ram: *Sigh* While Ram is normally more... cordial with you because of your commitment with Rem, I will warn you that conditions are making my own patience thin, so now is not the time for jokes.
Being given a fair warning from Ram, YN felt the need to steel himself. Breathing in, he replied.
YN: I'm being serious, will you trust me on this?
Giving him a chance, Ram nodded slightly to YN. Standing up, YN unzipped his jacket, and took it off.
While colder after shedding his warmest layer, as long as he stood next to the fire, he would not shiver.
Seeing what YN was offering her, Ram reluctantly abandoned the thick blankets she wrapped herself in and also stood.
Taking the offered jacket, she pushed each arm through the sleeves, feeling the odd textures of the unknown and exotic fabric she was not familiar with. Zipping the jacket shut, Ram sat back down, ready to be disappointed in the thinness that this new layer had replaced in comparison to what her blankets offered.
But as she waited, Ram began to realize this thin garment was much, much warmer than her blankets. So much so it perplexed her.
With her shivering coming to a complete end, Ram felt the outside of the jacket, as if looking for some sort of magical reason it was as warm as it was. Not finding one, Ram asked aloud why this was the case.
Ram: Just... How is this possible?
YN: Well, it's made with some pretty advanced synthetic materials. The biggest difference is that instead of just absorbing warmth, it reflects your own body heat back toward you.
Feeling the inside liner of the jacket, Ram was genuinely impressed with the results of YN's offer.
Smiling like a sunbeam at their interaction, Rem's enjoyment of seeing YN and Ram get along so well was cut short by a calling request.
Roswaal: Rem, if you couuuuuld, please prepare another round of tea to warm us up, would you?
Standing from where she sat, Rem bowed, and complied with her masters request.
Being left alone with Ram, there was silence between the two as they sat by the fire. But finally breaking it, Ram spoke up, smiling of all things.
Ram: While Ram is appreciative of the jacket, she is more pleased with Rem's happiness.
YN: What do you mean?
Ram: All Ram is saying is that she recognizes your efforts to put Rem's mind more at ease by trying to keep good relations with her Nee-sama, especially when she normally doesn't with anyone else but Rem herself.
Knowing that what Ram said was true, and that also part of what she was saying was that she was thankful for the jacket, YN simply nodded and continued to stare into the fire.
I can't imagine not getting along with Ram so long as I have my feelings and promises with Rem. They really cherish each other. I don't ever want to harm that.
After further deliberation that evening between Subaru, Emilia, Puck, and Beatrice, it was decided to have all of Puck's remaining mana spent over the course of single day, rather then let everything drag on, but also to widen its effects out to the mansion's property edges, as to not further concentrate its effects on the residents.
But in addition to letting the snow fall—
Subaru: Thank you and welcome to the first annual Roswaal Mansion snow festival!
Standing off to the side, YN prepared to play his part in Subaru's own idea of bringing a tradition of the old world into this one; snow sculpture contests.
Letting Subaru hype up the crowd of Arlem villagers he had invited, YN waited with shovel in hand, ready to continuously gather the snow that had fallen overnight to supply to the army of sculptors now present.
Setting about as Subaru explained the rules, YN had begun to pile up a reserve of snow into a large "bank" that could be withdrawn from.
Throughout the event the villagers had come up to YN, recognizing him for his assistance in saving the village's children. With those that had either finished early or were taking a break, many offered in helping YN shovel the snow.
Old Man: Again, thank you so much for saving my granddaughter. If it weren't for you, I don't know what we could have done.
Scratching the back of his head, YN reluctantly replied.
YN: I appreciate your kind words, but you should also really thank—
Old Man: But you slayed the head mabeast!
YN: Truth be told it wasn't anything as grandiose as that... But really, if you want to thank me, you should also go thank the twins, right over there.
Pointing off to Rem and Ram, the two were busy working on a sculpture of Roswaal.
YN: And also those two over there, I would have died if not for either of them.
Again pointing off into the distance, this time highlighting Beatrice and Emilia, both working on oddly shaped sculptures that appeared to be Puck.
YN: A-and don't forget Roswaal-sama as well. I might have slayed the head mabeast, but he was the one who exterminated the rest of the pack. But really, most importantly, you should thank Subaru, it was him who figured out everything that was wrong. If it weren't for him, things would have turned out much, much worse.
As the event went on, the judging continued. While it was declared that Subaru and Roswaal were both judges, YN had been offered the spot of "secret judge" but declined on the grounds he couldn't be a fair judge since he was stuck supplying snow, potentially creating a conflict of interest with his judgment and supply he provided.
Soon the winner would be announced, and the festival would come to an end. But the work wouldn't. YN knew that the rest of the evening he would be heavily invested with assisting Rem.
However, nothing could have prepared him for what the rest of the evening would have to offer.
A/N: That's this week's chapters. Expect another 2 next week. The 41st chapter has some VERY GOOD content in it, as well as some art I had made of a very special scene. Till then though, ciao ciao.