Chapter 41: Designated Driver
Walking down the dark hallway, Rem continued to purr off and on in YN's arms. Carefully traveling down the stairs, Rem's bangs swayed with each step.
Arriving at the bottom of the flight of stairs, YN readjusted the girl in his arms, making sure she was secure and comfortable.
Half asleep and half awake, the drunken maid began to mumble nonsense as she was carried.
Rem: Hmmmm can Rem have some more drinks?
YN: Nope, you've had quite enough for the night.
Slightly pouting, Rem quickly returned to her less-then-serious-smile.
Rem: Hmm-fu-fu... Is YN-kun carrying Rem away to his bedroom? Rem wonders what YN-kun has planned for her~~.
Gulping down a stone in his throat to Rem's implied meaning, YN answered her.
YN: We're going to your room actually.
Rem: Hmm hmm... Rem's bed is bigger...
Feeling his face get redder, YN knew he had a mission he had to adhere to.
YN: I have orders from Nee-sama to keep an eye on you ya know... Gotta make sure you don't hurt yourself.
Pursing her lips into a pout again, Rem complained.
Rem: Hmmmmmph. Nee-sama is always too protective... Sometimes Rem thinks she just wants YN-kun to herself.
Surprised at her words, YN looked down at the maid in his arms. Opening a single eye and sticking out her tongue, Rem concluded she was joking. Hopefully.
Rem: Rem can't say she would blame Nee-sama though, YN-kun is just that handsome~~.
Brushing his cheek with the back of her hand, Rem haphazardly petted YN. Bringing both hands up to her face and squishing her own cheeks, Rem continued.
Rem: —and strong too, carrying his Rem like a princess.
Being bombarded by compliments from Rem, YN let out a heavy breath from his nose, trying to relieve his self tension.
Dropping her hands and looking like she was about to fall back asleep, Rem teased him further.
Rem: Hmm hmm~~, or perhaps YN-kun would prefer if Rem carried him.
Feeling his face become hot at the seductiveness in her voice, YN realized the more he said, the more it egged the intoxicated Rem on.
Silent in reply to the maid, Rem finally sighed and smiled as she closed her eyes again.
Rem: Look at Rem, making YN-kun all hot and bothered~~. *Yawn*... Rem is too tired to keep doing it though.
Opening just a single eye as much as she could muster, Rem reached for YN's face, putting her palm to his cheek in the most caring way she could.
Rem: Thank you for taking such good care of Rem.
Dropping her hand and closing her eye's, Rem fell asleep in YN's arms.
Stopping just outside the blue haired maid's bedroom, YN answered.
YN: Anything for you, Rem.
Placing the passed out girl onto her bed, YN pulled his arms out from underneath her. Dimming the light on her nightstand, he pulled up a chair, and watched the girl who held his heart slumber away.
YN: Oh yeah...
Remembering something important, YN spoke under his breath as to not wake the sleeping maid.
Thinking back, YN recalled one of the first lessons and assessment he had accomplished on the educational app on his phone. One about the historical development of alcohol in the cultural context. Remembering a footnote, he specifically re-read it in his mind.
'If you see someone who has passed out from intoxication, flip them on their side! It could save their life!'
Taking the tip to heart, YN got up from his seat and flipped Rem to her side, facing him. Looking at her adorable sleeping face, YN smiled at how precious she was.
Keeping a vigilant watch on her, YN waited at her bedside for some time now.
It's way, waaaay past my bedtime. I'm sure we'll all be allowed to sleep in tomorrow, so if I go now, I'll get a full night's rest by—
As he finished his plans in his head, Rem began to shift.
Stirring only slightly, the maid flipped back onto her back.
*Sigh* We can't have that...
Turning her back to her side, YN sat back down, knowing he'd need to watch her for a bit longer now.
Letting a few minutes pass, he felt comfortable enough that Rem was sound asleep. Getting up, YN was halted once more.
Just as she had before, Rem flipped to her back once more, prompting YN to correct her.
Sitting back down, he decided to wait longer this time, making sure Rem was well asleep before leaving.
Yawning at his own drowsiness, after waiting longer now, YN went to get up. Being as quiet as he could, halfway to the door, he heard the sound of Rem shifting behind him.
Returning to her bedside, YN flipped the maid again and sat down beside her.
Feeling his eyes become heavy, an unknown amount of time had seemed to pass as YN blinked in and out of consciousness.
Observing Rem, she had remained on her side and was still her normal sleeping self.
I think that's finally it then...
Getting up as silently as he could, YN walked to the door. Halfway he looked over his shoulder, and waited for her to flip.
Nothing.
Tip toeing further, YN made his way to the door, placing his hand on the knob, he looked back again, almost certain Rem had flipped back.
But to his surprise? Nothing.
Sighing in relief, YN twisted the handle and got one foot out the door, but by then, he heard it.
Looking back while standing in the doorway, he saw Rem flip to her back once more.
Ugh, I'm sure at this point she's pretty sobered up, so I think it'll be fine if I—
Hearing the maid mumble, she began to rustle more.
Rem: H—... ot...
What did she say?
Rem: Hot...
Sighing to himself, YN knew he'd have to stay longer to make sure she'd be alright.
YN: C'mon Rem... Oh well...
Giving up and shutting the door, YN began walk back over before—
Rem: Too... hot...
Bringing her knees up while still on her back, Rem's dress fell high on her, exposing nearly all the way up her stockings.
Fidgeting more as she stirred awake, Rem's hand's searched around her sides. Finding what she was looking for, she hooked her thumbs into stockings, and began to push them off.
Rem: Off...
Watching as the stockings traveled down her leg, YN squinted his eyes, as if he were forbidden from looking upon what was being exposed before him.
Slowly, the long white stockings that so perfectly matched her all black, cold weather maid outfit came down, showing off her soft, fair legs.
With the stockings stopped just above her ankles, Rem could no longer reach them with her arms. Instead of trying to grab the bunched up stockings with her feet to pull them the rest of the way down, YN mustered all he could to look at them once more.
Almost as if blinded, he struggled, but he was rewarded for his efforts.
As Rem struggled, half asleep and tipsy still to try and catch the bunched up garments with her feet, YN's eyes locked in on the most upper part of Rem's legs.
R-Rem's thighs!
Rubbing gently as she fidgeted, the highest point of Rem's thighs were exposed for YN to see. Only her bundled up dress prevented anything further up from being shown.
Feeling his mouth dry up and a sweat begin to form on his brow, YN watched the two soft thighs dance against each other. Pressed up against one another, their shape showed just how pillow-like they were, and as they rubbed just how silky smooth each was.
Almost hypnotized by it, YN shook himself out of it, and wiped his brow.
I've gotta focus... Ram is relying on me to make sure Rem doesn't hurt herself.
Approaching her bedside once more, YN went to reach out to the maid on her bed, but was instead suddenly grabbed himself.
Being pulled in, he had almost landed right on top of the girl, but was rather pulled up and over her, landing on his back on the bed, opposite the side of her he had just been on.
What's going on?! Is Rem using her oni strength while she's asleep?!
Hearing a giggle, the grip on YN continued, but rather than being pulled himself, something else happened.
Pulling herself up on top of YN, Rem laid perfectly still for a moment before lifting her head up to his own.
Feeling Rem's chest pressed up against his own in this position, his face went scarlet red from all that was happening. YN watched as Rem's halfway closed eyes accompanied the growing lustful expression on her face. With the weight of Rem's body fully on his own, he could feel his heart about to pound right out of his chest.
Moving her hands to his shirt collar, Rem smiled seductively.
Rem: Ara~ ara~. If YN-kun won't make a move, Rem will.
YN: W-wha? What— Hmm!
His words stopping, he hadn't done so on his own. Rather, something had physically made his lips stop.
Then, he felt it.
His lips were blocked by something extremely soft. A shape that somehow matched his own lips.
She hadn't put her hand over his mouth, as both her hands were still gripped onto his collar, pulling his head upward, towards her own.
Time seemed to stop as YN contemplated what was going on. Opening his eyes, his vision was filled with blue hair. Rem's face was close.
Feeling the sensation on his lips, it was soft, softer than anything else he'd ever felt. And warm too, with a hint of dampness to it. Being so close to Rem, the faint floral aroma she normally smelled of was all that filled YN's nose as he breathed.
Feeling the pressure on his lips subside, Rem's face also lifted up.
With a wash of a damp, warm exhale being felt across his face as she pulled away with a "Phwah!", the two stared at each other, taking breaths as they did.
Rem continued to look at YN, lust in her eyes as her face turned more and more red.
Still unsure of what had just happened, YN had begun to piece together the rest.
Did we just—?!
Rem: Did YN-kun enjoy that?
Knowing exactly what she had done now, YN's heart rate picked up immediately. Unable to answer the maid, she instead continued.
Rem: Shall Rem do it again?
Only able to respond with a simple nod, Rem pulled him by his collar once more, bringing their faces close, and their lips together.
That soft sensation, it's Rem's lips! We're really—!
Moving her hands from his collar to behind his own head, Rem pressed her lips into his own with increasing pressure.
Moving his own arms now, YN hugged Rem tight, bringing her lips harder against his own again.
Parting again for air, the two looked upon each other while gasping for air.
Rem: More?
With just another simple nod, Rem smiled lustfully again before locking in her lips for a third time.
This time, there was no doubt in what was going on.
YN and Rem kissed. And as their lips locked together and their bodies intertwined, an immense warmth filled each of their chests.
After coming apart for the unknownth time, YN looked to his side, where the window to Rem's room was.
Ever so slightly the morning sun had just begun to poke its light out from beyond the horizon.
It really is morning now, isn't it?
YN: Hey uh, Rem? The sun is coming out.
Looking over, Rem also made note of the early morning light. Sighing in displeasure, Rem rolled off YN's body, and back onto the bed.
Taking the opportunity to sit up and sit at the edge of the bed, YN rubbed his tired eyes.
YN: In a few hours, we'll have to be ready for the cleanup duties from last night... We should try and get as much sleep as we can.
Turning to hear the maid's response, YN saw that Rem had already taken his advice to heart.
Sprawled out on her bed, Rem was sound asleep. With her dress all wrinkled, her hair messied, and only one of her stockings having stayed on around her ankle, the blue haired girl was a far cry from her usual organized self.
*Sigh* Oh well, I guess she needs all the rest she can get.
Getting up, YN tiptoed to the door, giving Rem one last look before twisting the door handle.
Stepping outside, YN softly spoke to himself, burning the image of Rem sleeping peacefully into his mind.
YN: She really is adorable.
?: Yes, Ram's little sister is definitely adorable.
Hearing a sudden and unexpected reply to his words, YN jumped around.
Seeing the elder sister of his precious Rem, YN grabbed his chest.
YN: Goodness gracious Ram, you'll put me in an early grave scaring me like that.
Ram: Ram cannot allow the person she has hung her hopes for Rem on to be so easily slayed. Please make an effort to strengthen your resolve.
Scratching the back of his head, YN bashfully replied.
YN: Yeah I'll do that...
Shaking off the emotion, he continued.
YN: But, aren't you up pretty early? Doesn't Rem normally need to wake you up?
Ram: Normally, yes. But since we had unexpected festivities, Barasu and Emilia-sama's date was pushed back. To today.
Realizing what that meant, YN answered.
YN: Which means we'll be short staffed for the clean, doesn't it?
Ram: Precisely. It will only be Rem and her Nee-sama working today it seems.
Tilting his head in question, YN was perplexed by her answer.
YN: But what about me? I can still help.
Sighing, Ram explained.
Ram: Last night after you left with Rem, Roswaal-sama made an additional condition to his favor to arrange a date for Barasu and Emilia-sama. He asked for you to shadow them. Secretly. To make sure Barasu behaves himself on this 'date' and whatever a 'date' entails.
YN: I-I mean, it's just a date.
Ram: Whatever this form of courtship or couple is, it is essential Emilia-sama remain pure. Not only for her to meet conditions for the Royal Selection, but also to not distract her from succeeding in it.
Guessing as to what Ram meant by "pure," he felt the need to explain the discrepancy.
YN: Ehh, that's not quite the conclusion you should draw. Normally, and with most people, and I'd imagine that includes Subaru, the most you 'do' while 'dating' is hold hands. Maybe you kiss, but anything more and I'd say that goes past the point of 'dating.'
Only blankly staring in immediately reply to him, Ram was silent for a moment before answering.
Ram: Then is it fair to say that you and Rem are 'dating?'
YN: —Hk!
Caught off guard by her words, YN fumbled.
YN: I— I mean, we haven't exactly been on a date together yet—
Ram: —Oh? Then perhaps you're already both beyond 'dating' then. With that mark on your neck after all.
Opening his eyes wide open, YN looked to his left and right, trying to locate a mirror. With one hanging only just across the hallway, YN ran up to it, and inspected this "mark."
Seeing the blatant red "sore" of Rem's creation just below his jaw line, YN gulped hard and expected Ram's full wrath.
Turning, he was only greeted by her usual more mild smug expression she gave him.
Ram: Ram at least hopes YN will take responsibility for the child.
YN: WOAH WOAH WOAH—
Waving his hands around, YN tried to plead his innocence, but was cut off by Ram once more.
Ram: —Now then, please go and rest up and be ready to shadow Barasu and Emilia-sama. Ram will wake Rem to help—
YN: W-wait!
Halting Ram from opening Rem's door, he continued.
YN: Rem hasn't gotten the most rest either, please let her sleep.
Closing her eyes, Ram responded.
Ram: That unfortunately is Rem's own fault. Had she decided not to partake in the adult beverages, she would have received a proper night's rest.
Twisting the handle to Rem's bedroom, YN halted Ram from going further.
YN: I'll do her work then!
Giving a rare look of sympathy to YN, Ram shook her head.
Ram: While the tasks are simple enough for you to perform, YN was must be well rested to follow Barasu and Emilia—
YN: I'll endure it! If I have the chance to give Rem a break, I have to. If it means making something easier for Rem, I'll do it. That's what my promise to Rem is, and I'll keep it.
Silent for a moment, Ram thought over YN's words.
Finally, nodding, Ram let go of the door handle.
Ram: It appears I'm once again reassured that pinning my hopes for Rem on you was correct.
Stepping away and down the hallway, Ram turned to face YN.
Ram: Ram will show you what needs to be done. You should be able to finish before you need to leave.
A/N: Unfortunately, while I would have liked to upload the fanart I had made of the Rem scene in this chapter, FFnet doesn't seem to have a way to embed the image like on the other sites, so if you'd like to see it, it will be available there (an easy search of (Rem x Reader) Re:Reader - Starting YOUR New Life in Another World or my username: _kaip0 or Kaip0 you should be able to find it).
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this week's chapters, next week's will feature a return to the wholesome Rem content I know you all enjoy.
Ciao ciao.