A/N: Two new chapters for everyone this week. I hope you all enjoy this one. Again, this chapter takes place during the "Alcohol Panic" short story that takes place in between Arc 2 and 3, and was adapted in anime form as the second half of the Memory Snow OVA. This particular take is a mix of the anime and the WN versions (which seriously, if you haven't, go read the WN version, it has some seriously cute Rem scenes in it).

Like always too, big shoutout to tobychevy, ShuTDown, Haseo8, and the random guest who pointed out some of last weeks grammar errors.

Chapter 40: One Too Many

With the participants gone and the winner declared, the festival had come to a close. But as decided the previous night, Subaru had called for an afterparty, to celebrate the hard work of organizing the festival, and let loose after the miserable days of cold they had all undergone.

But mostly as an excuse to break out the aged liquor that had been recently discovered a few days back.

Electing to help further, Rem was assisted by YN in the busy preparation of the food for the party. While Rem did most of the harder cooking, YN could at least work on simpler tasks, hopefully taking some of the strain off her, as Ram and Subaru were busy setting up the large ballroom for party accommodations.

Finishing up and delivering the platters of food, YN and Rem prepared themselves to assist in the setup of the ballroom.

Rem: Nee-sama, what would you have Rem help with?

YN: Here, Subaru, let me give you a hand there—

Ram: Hold it, you two.

Holding a hand up to Rem and grabbing YN's wrist with another as he tried to walk over to help Subaru, Ram paused any attempt for outside help to come in.

Ram: The both of you deserve to rest. Rem has been cooking since the festival ended and YN has spent the entire day shoveling snow.

Rem: But Nee-sama, really we're fine. Please let us help.

Turning to YN, Ram gave him a distinctive look while keeping a steady grip on his wrist.

That's the look of 'Don't let Rem over-excerpt herself.'

Sighing and knowing she was right, YN turned to Rem.

YN: Maybe... Ram's right, Rem. You— We, should take a break.

With a slight look of dejection, Rem sighed and agreed before returning a smile to YN.

Rem: If YN-kun thinks it's a good idea, then Rem will follow his lead.

Exiting back into the hallway, the two looked at each other and realized what they had been given.

Some quality alone time together, outside of the requirement of tutoring.

Offering her out hand, Rem smiled and waited for YN to take it. Doing so, Rem quickly led him down the hall.

YN: W-woah! Hey! Where are we going?

Stopping only briefly enough to turn her head and giggle at him, Rem led YN up the nearest flight of stairs. Going up onto floors they rarely went to, outside of cleaning.

Reaching the top most floor, Rem towed YN to a nearby door, where a slight draft could be felt coming out from underneath. Opening the door, Rem pulled YN up a winding spiral staircase until they came to another door at the top, this one much more drafty then the last.

Letting go of his hand, Rem gestured for YN to open the door, and as he did, he hadn't realized where they had ended up.

YN: We're up on—?!

Remembering the first time he saw the mansion, YN had thought the place looked more like a castle than a villa or chateau, namely because of its several steeples it had on its Western and Eastern wings, the small tower-like structures that were the mansion's highest points.

Approaching the railing, YN quickly deduced they were currently on the mansion's second most Western steeple, giving them a premium view of the sunset.

Only had they arrived maybe a few minutes earlier, they might have gotten to see it.

YN: A little late for the sunset, but nonetheless, it is peaceful up here.

Looking around, YN went to the opposite side, and looked at the mountains to the north that were a distinct shade of purple, caused from the sun's last bits of light being reflected off the clouds above them.

Leaning on the railing with his elbows, he blew warm breath in between his cupped hand. Placing his hands back into the pockets of his borrowed coat, Rem walked up next to him. Taking one of her mittens off her hand, she reached into the same pocket and grabbed his still cold hand, warming it with her own.

Somewhat caught off guard by her action, YN smiled at the maid. Her slim fingers gently wrapping around his own, spreading the warmth of kindness around his palm.

Returning the smile, Rem nuzzled up to YN, resting her head against him.

Breathing in and taking in the moment, the silence was broken by Rem, asking a rather abrupt question.

Rem: YN-kun, what are 'corn po-tage chips?'

Raising an eyebrow and looking down at the maids' soft blue hair, YN replied with a question of his own.

YN: Uhh, that's a rather odd question. Where did you see some of those?

Looking up to him, Rem elaborated.

Rem: That was the prize for winning the snow sculpture contest. It was something of Subaru-kun's. It had odd writing on it, but different from yours. Rem figured it was from your world.

YN: Hmm, he must have still had that bag from the convenience store with him, and decided that was going to be the prize.

Rem: Rem saw the village girl who won opening it and eating what was inside...

YN: Yeah it's a snack food. Cheap, salty, and pretty easy to find.

Rem: Hmm, a-are they good? Do you eat them with may-o-naze?

Laughing at the idea, YN shook his head.

YN: Not normally, but knowing Subaru, he might. But yeah, they're pretty good I guess. You might get something similar if you mixed mashed tatoes and bread yeast, and then fried it in oil and then solted them. But I really have no idea how you'd go about replicating them. Some people really like eating them with some kind of liquor.

Turning to YN, Rem had a look on her face he couldn't quite figure out. Like she wanted something.

YN: Rem? Is everything alright—

Rem: The alcohol. F-from a few days ago.

Suddenly thinking back, YN remembered. The alcohol stash that he and Ram and Subaru had found in the back storage room.

YN: Um, yeah, what about it?

With a slight scarlet blush forming on her cheeks, Rem's eyes turned away.

Rem: Nee-sama said it was going to be brought out during the party...

Looking back at YN, Rem leaned in further towards YN.

Rem: —And Rem was wondering, does YN-kun like to partake in...

Getting even closer, Rem's eyes began to halfway close, and a lustful expression began to form on her face.

Confused as to what Rem was alluding to, YN struggled to answer.

YN: I uhh, umm, well, I mean...

Continuing as she was, Rem's face leaned closer and closer to his own. Her hand that held his began to lightly tremble and begin to feel clammy. The blush on her face became more and more apparent.

Almost as if naturally being compelled, YN's face also began to lean forward, towards Rem's.

YN: Wha-wha-what about you, Rem. Do you drink any—

Her eyes closing more and more, the distance between the two's faces began to close.

Slowly, Rem's lips began to part. The gears in YN's head began to turn.

This... This is a kiss! Bringing us up here... To be as alone as possible... Did she plan this?

Following her lead, YN's eyes also began to halfway close.

Getting closer, Rem whispered her reply to YN, only seconds away from colliding.

Rem: Alcohol? No, Rem was never good with...

Letting her voice depart her, Rem began to tilt her head slightly as the two's lips began to come closer and closer to one another.

Only fractions of a second away from meeting, they each paused for a few short breaths, the steam of each in the cold air tickling their noses.

Feeling a sudden squeeze on the hand that was being held by Rem, she moved to close the remaining distance.

Rem is... Rem is about to—!

At the shortest amount of distance possible between their lips, a voice called out across the freezing cold night, shattering the silence as the sound bounced across the snow covered property.

?: OOOOYY! REM! YN! The party is starting!

Hearing the voice of Subaru call out from a nearby balcony a few levels below them, it was obvious their exact location was unknown to him.

With each of them flinching back away from each other, their faces seemingly competed to see who could be the reddest.

Starring and blankly blinking at each other for a moment longer, it was Rem who was first to shake her head, giving YN's hand a slight squeeze as she did.

Rem: Rem and YN-kun should probably hurry back, unless we wish to worry the others.

Nodding in agreement, YN replied.

YN: Y-yeah. We should, shouldn't we?

Leading YN along again, Rem and him departed the steeple, and headed to the ballroom where everyone was waiting to start a night of drinks and merriment.

Arriving back to where the others were already beginning to pour drinks, Rem and YN entered back into the ballroom.

Shedding his borrowed coat, YN approached the banquet table and sampled the food Rem had made. For being so seemingly rushed, they were prepared with the utmost skill and precision.

YN: I don't know what it is Rem, but your cooking is always fantastic.

Smiling like a beam of sunshine, Rem was ecstatic from YN's approval.

Taking her attention back to the banquet, Rem looked around, trying to find a specific dish.

Rem: Ahh!

Grabbing the food item she had been looking for, she presented it to YN.

Rem: Rem has a feeling YN-kun would really like this one!

Being handed a knish-like food, YN had went to grab it before—

YN: —Hmph!

Perhaps not thinking twice and simply wanting further praise from YN as soon as she could, Rem forcefully shoved the bite into YN's unready mouth, smiling as she did so.

Chewing the bite, YN was simply blown away by the immense amount of flavors Rem had packed into such a tiny thing.

Feeling as if his clothes might burst off at the intense sensation, YN swallowed his bite.

YN: You weren't kidding Rem, that was good.

Bringing her fists to her chest, Rem leaned her head forward, wishing for her usual award.

Rem: Then please! Praise Rem!

Giving the maid her usual series of pats on her soft, silky blue hair, the two's attention were taken by Roswaal speaking with Subaru, Emilia, and Puck.

Puck: —and that's why I'll drink up any alcohol that gets placed in front of Lia.

Handing Emilia a separate glass, Roswaal poured some liquor into the glass.

Roswaal: But suuuuuurely tonight can be an exception. It is after all, special.

Clinking glasses with Subaru, Emilia partook in her first experience with alcohol.

Turning to YN, Roswaal closed his blue eye, and stared only with his yellow as he slightly shook the bottle he had poured for Emilia, almost as if taunting him.

Roswaal: Teeeeeell me YN-kun, how do you handle a few drinks? Would you like a glass too?

YN recognized the specific bottle as well. It was the single opaque orange glass bottle he himself had opened and sniffed. He knew whatever kind of liquor was in that bottle, it was certainly potent.

Thinking he had no reason to deny his employer, YN took the glass he was served.

Well, maybe 'alcohol' works differently in this world.

Going to take a sip, YN stopped, and first thought of Rem.

YN: Oh, uh, Rem, you want me to pour you a glass too?

Somewhat waving his glass past her as he turned to offer, Rem looked down and away, her face flushed red as she did.

Rem: Ummm, Rem isn't exactly good with—

Subaru: YN! Rem! Beako! Come out for a second!

Calling out from the balcony, Subaru beckoned to those still inside to come join him, Emilia, and Ram outside.

Taking his drink with him, YN and Rem proceeded outside.

Taking all of the attention of most of those out on the balcony, Subaru lectured, and was heckled on the topic of stars. While it seemed everyone else was enthralled in the commotion, YN found himself taking a step back, instead finding himself with none other than Beatrice.

Noticing they were the only two not actively partaking in the discussion of stars and constellations, YN thought it was only polite to speak to the drill haired girl, not to let an awkwardness build up between them.

YN: So uhh, the night air is really crisp and fresh isn't it? Probably a lot better than the air in that library, right?

Not even making eye contact, Beatrice continued to deadpan stare at the group before them as she replied.

Beatrice: Betty actually much prefers the familiarity of her library, in fact.

Realizing his attempt had been grudgingly shooed off, YN tried again, hoping to get some kind of a positive reaction from the spirit.

YN: Umm. I uhh, also wanted to thank you again, for healing me.

Actually turning and making eye contact for change this time, Beatrice replied.

Beatrice: If you think Betty had any choice in the matter you are sadly mistaken. Betty did not do so for your sake, but rather so she would not need to continue to listen to the wails of the younger maid sister.

Going to take what would be his first sip of his glass in an attempt to look "sociable" to Beatrice, he instead was halted once more by what she said next.

Beatrice: Betty would not otherwise waste her magic on an anomaly.

There's that word again, this isn't the first time she's called me this either, and also not the only one to either...

Getting ready to seriously question her on the term, YN was once again, stopped from doing so.

Feeling her brush up against him, seemingly from her stumbling over her own feet and spilling a few drops of her own drink on his shirt, Emilia broke from the group to "socialize" instead with YN.

Emilia: YYYYYNNNN~~~, what are you doing all the, all the way over here on your lonesome~.

Slurring her words as she spoke, Emilia continued.

Emilia: Do stars really not interest you? *Hic* But I knoooow. I know what interests you~. Maaaagic.

Oh goodness.

Emilia: Which reminds me, have you with your gate noticed anything yet? Not even tiny, little, itsy, teeny, weeny, small—

YN: Emilia-sama! Please, there's no reason to worry about me, just—

Emilia: YN.

With an expression of annoyance somewhat covering her face, Emilia's half closed eyes and straight face said it all.

Wanting no part of the continued exchange, Beatrice walked off, heading back inside.

As the rest of the party was still busy heckling Subaru over matters of trivial subjects and stars, only Emilia and YN were separate from the group.

Emilia: Do I annoy you with these questions? You know I only ask because I care! It wouldn't hurt for you to indulge me every now and again...

Realizing there was no way of tactfully dealing with an intoxicated Emilia, YN determined his best course of strategy was a prompt retreat.

Trying his best to sidestep the half elf as she continued to slur her words, he was abruptly stopped by Emilia copying his motion, brushing up against him once more as he stepped back.

Giving him a frown, Emilia put her hands on her hips, forgetting she still had her halfway finished drink in her hand, it spilled.

Emilia: And now you're running away? Why do the adults always ignore my questions~? I have important things to say too, don't you think so?

Being the only one privy to what was going on just behind them, Ram turned at the sound of Emilia spilling her drink.

Seeing Ram turn her head, YN leaned to his side, changing his impressions to one he hoped convey "Help me."

Making eye contact with YN and simply taking a sip of her glass, Ram turned away. But only then doing so did she finally get YN the help he so desperately needed.

Ram: Barasu, it appears Emilia-sama needs another drink, why don't you make yourself useful for once and get her another one.

With all eyes on the balcony now turning to YN and Emilia, salvation was brought to him.

Taking a step back and looking at her own empty glass, Emilia giggled to herself.

Emilia: Woopsies! Subaru~~.

Taking the bottle Ram had been pouring herself more drinks with, Subaru did his best to indulge the women he held his heart on his sleeve for.

Emptying the remaining liquor into her glass, Subaru had almost managed to fill it once more. Seeing her cup renewed, Emilia tipped her head back and downed the entire contents.

Seeing her bottle was now empty, Ram sighed at the sight.

Rem: Nee-sama, allow Rem to fetch you some more.

Nodding with a smile, Ram accepted her younger sister's offer.

Staggering on her legs now, Emilia wobbled as she smiled at Subaru, who was clueless on what to do now.

Emilia: Suuuubaruuuuu, why are there three of you now—

Before she could finish her answer, Emilia stumbled forward, losing her balance again. Falling onto Subaru, the two found themselves on the ground.

With Emilia now on top of Subaru, he panicked, sitting himself upright as quick as he could.

Looking up at the butler, Emilia instead lowered herself more, resting her head on his lap.

His face turning a scarlet shade of red, Subaru looked down at the silver haired girl now using his folded legs as her pillow.

Emilia: Subaruuuuu, you make such a good pillow~~...

Turning to look at Ram, YN made the suggestion he thought would be the best to make for Subaru's sake.

YN: Hey Nee-sama, I think it would be best if we gave these two some space. What do you think?

Simply turning and heading inside in agreement, Ram and YN left Subaru and Emilia to their private moment. Before heading in and shutting the door behind him, YN turned and gave Subaru a simple thumbs up.

In reply, Subaru placed his palms together above his head, bowing it in thanks as he tightly shut his eyes.

Closing the door, YN followed Ram and sat to her side at the long table, of which Beatrice and Roswaal also sat, except on opposite sides.

Finding themselves in the middle, Ram paid it no mind, and had Rem pour her another drink as she had just returned with more alcohol from the stash that was found earlier.

Finishing her glass in a single gulp, Ram drank with the composure of a noblewoman.

Pouring her sister yet another glass, Rem then took the bottle out to where Subaru and Emilia were still.

Watching as Ram simply decided to sip this glass, YN noticed the several empty bottles around her spot at the table.

YN: Wow, you really can put 'em down.

Giving him a look with only the tiniest amount of blush on her cheeks from the liquor, Ram was amused by YN's observation.

Ram: Oni typically have a rather high tolerance for drinking.

From her statement, YN remembered she wasn't the only one here that might apply to.

YN: So does that mean Rem is the same way?

Taking another sip of her glass, Ram answered with a laugh.

Ram: Hah. While Ram was always one to speak and socialize with the grownups when we were younger, Rem was always off with the children, so I'm afraid she has a rather abysmal tolerance for it. Even the simple smell of liquor in the air is enough to intoxicate her as much as Emilia-sama.

YN: That bad, eh? I can see why she stepped outside then...

Seeing a break in the conversation, Roswaal once again chimed in.

Roswaal: Beatrice, tell me, why don't you have a drink as well, certainly being a spirit it would not affect youuuuu.

Taking another drink of her non-alcoholic beverage, Beatrice replied.

Beatrice: Mother would not approve of Betty doing so, I suppose. You know that.

Feeling the conversation take a sudden and drastic turn, a tenseness was built in the air around them.

Roswaal: Ah but girls who aren't used to drinking are cute, aren't they?

Beatrice: Please keep your jokes reasonable, I suppose. Betty is not in the mood.

Roswaal: Tis' like you said, it is ooooonnly a joke. But with the way you keep looking over at him, it appears you'd rather go and rendezvous with Subaru-kun, would you not?

Beatrice: — — —

Roswaal: It would be nice if you didn't stare at me with such daaaagers for eyes.

Outside on the balcony, Rem looked up at the stars, doing her best to clear her head.

If Rem can't use a level head around YN-kun, he may think she is too weak for her own good.

Feeling the same sensation of stupor one normally gets from actually partaking in a few drinks, Rem felt it from the simple aroma of all the alcohol being consumed around her.

Taking her gaze off the stars, Rem turned to the scene of Emilia and Subaru to the opposite side of the balcony.

Having finished his own glass, Subaru drowsily stroked the half elf's hair as she laid on his lap. Moments from watching the two be passed out together, Rem observed the scene with envy.

If only Rem had the confidence Emilia-sama had tonight, then that could be Rem and YN-kun.

Turning further and looking in through the window, Rem looked upon the person she felt her intense feelings for.

Seeing YN, Rem's heart ached. She longed to have the courage to do what she wanted.

Looking longer, she noticed YN's eyes go left and right, following those who were speaking, who were Beatrice and Roswaal. Rem next noticed her sister's own expression, and realized from it that whatever was being said inside right now, the atmosphere was tense.

Feeling her maidly instincts kick in, Rem looked for any reason to return inside where she could potentially be of more use. Noticing her master's empty glass to his side, Rem found her excuse. Grabbing the large liquor bottle, she headed back inside.

Roswaal: Are you not enjoying the party?

Hearing her master's question to the spirit upon entry, Rem bowed.

Beatrice: A party of all things... You of all people should know Betty doesn't enjoy such frivolous things...

Walking over to Roswaal, Rem filled his glass, and returned to sit next to YN.

Roswaal: Ceeeeerrrtainly that can't be true. After all, you seemed to be quite enthralled with Subaru-kun's talk of stars and—

Beatrice: Roswaal.

Feeling the intensity of the situation become thicker and thicker, YN slumped his shoulders more and more, wishing to remove himself from such a matter. Looking to his right, YN wondered how Ram might react.

Keeping her glass in her hand, Ram made another light sip while she watched Beatrice like a hawk.

From where she now sat, Rem had made herself entirely oblivious to the situation, instead seeing Subaru and Emilia outside.

While Subaru was completely passed out from a few glasses, Emilia had appeared to have woken back up, still in her dazed state. Reaching up, the half elf played with his black hair on his head as it was slumped over, twirling it around in her fingers with a lazy smile on her face.

Rem looked on with a longing of want and seeds of jealousy in her chest. Turning her gaze over to YN, Rem felt her heart sink. Why was it that she lacked the courage now? What had changed?

Tonight, up on top of the mansion, Rem was so close...

Still caught up over having been so close and letting the opportunity be lost, Rem remained separate from the increasingly intense conversation going on.

Roswaal: Just whaaat is the reason for the sour expression?

Beatrice: What was your real purpose for all this, I suppose? It is incredibly unlike you to just agree to something like this.

Roswaal: Why none other than to build comradery of course. We will need it to face the challenges of the future.

Looking upon Beatrice like he did with YN, Roswaal stared onward using only his yellow eye.

Roswaal: After all, it's for the sake of my most dearest wish. That's why I decided this entire party was necessary.

Still entirely unfocused on the conversation around her, Rem slumped further and further into her emotions of self doubt and desire.

Finally though, she came to a conclusion.

If it gave Emilia-sama the motivation she needed to act with confidence, then it should also work for Rem!

Desperate times, called for desperate measures after all.

Seeing YN's still untouched glass of alcohol from the orange opaque bottle, Rem sized her opportunity.

Rem will use this to get closer to YN-kun, no matter the consequences.

Grabbing the glass, Rem downed the entirety of the drink.

Rem: Phwah!

Setting the glass down on the table, Rem immediately felt the effects of her choice.

Seeing her younger sister's unruly and unexplainable action, Ram sat forward, lifting both of her eyebrows in curiosity and concern. Her expression could only be described as portraying "Oh really?"

Turning to YN with droopy, half closed eyes and a glazed expression on her face, he was unsure of what Rem would do next.

Leaning back, and then leaning forward to YN's arm, Rem bit into YN's shoulder sleeve.

Rem: Grrrrr.

Lifting his eyebrows at her odd behavior, YN questioned the maids' logic.

YN: Umm, Rem. That kind of hurts.

Turning to her elder sister, YN asked for clarification.

YN: You were saying earlier Rem gets all tipsy from just smelling liquor, but what happens when she actually drinks—

Finishing her glass and setting it down, Ram shrugged as flamboyantly as she could.

Ram: Ram doesn't have a clue, this is entirely new territory for Rem.

Feeling Rem's bite come undone, YN turned back to the blue haired maid. Staring at him with a twinkle in her still deadpan and droopy expression of rosy red cheeks, Rem spoke.

Rem: YN-kun YN-kun YN-kun YN-kun.

Blinking twice at what Rem had to say, YN replied as best as he could.

YN: That's my name, yes.

Seeing Rem rock back and forth like she had when she decided to just moments ago, Rem this time buried her face into where she had bit, rubbing her head back and forth against his shoulder.

Rem: Rurururururururu~~

YN: Rem? A-a-are you purring?

Utterly amused by her cute little sister's drunken behavior, Ram stood up.

Ram: As much as Ram would like to sit here and continue to watch her adorable sister, she won't be fully conscious for much longer. That's why she'll need someone to keep an eye on her.

As cute as she was being, YN knew Ram was right.

YN: *Sigh* Yeah, you're right. Do you want me to carry her back to your room then? That way I can clean up here while you watch—

Ram: —Oh, Ram won't be watching her. That's your job since you're the only sober person here.

Blinking twice again, YN could only silently point to himself.

Ram: That's right. Carry her off, and make sure you keep a good eye on her. There's no telling how much trouble she could get herself into when she's this far gone.

Looking down at the purring girl who at this point was halfway laying on him, YN could only agree.

I guess Ram is right... I'm the only one here who can really keep an eye on her, and someone needs to. Rem is easily the most intoxicated person here.

Bridal carrying the maid who held his heart, YN walked to the door. Looking back, Roswaal smiled in amusement while Beatrice looked away. Opening the door for him, Ram gave YN a smile that conveyed "Don't mess this up if you know what's good for you."

With that, YN stepped out into the dimly lit night time hallway, Ram shutting the door behind him.

Looking down at the maid in his arms, her blue hair gently swayed as she purred, a stark contrast in color compared to her adorable round cheeks that were stark red.

YN: C'mon Rem, let's get you to bed.