A/N: Quick, very small, unimportant spoiler alert: This chapter will mention a rather insignificant event from a Felt focused short story called "Riot In Flanders." While still un-translated at the time writing this chapter, it is machine translated. I thought it would only be fair I say it now just in case. Again, nothing even minor will be spoiled here.

Chapter 45: Payday

After having been woken up by Rem once more, YN and her had walked to breakfast, where once again, he got an ornately plated meal.

Having separated for the day's work, YN had set about trimming the main lawn for the first time since the snow festival.

I think that snow had some sort of growth formula mixed into it... The grass has never been this thick before.

Struggling, YN conceded to making three passes rather than two to get the lawn to look right and not spend the entire morning on just two passes.

It's like mowing wet spaghetti...

Stopping, YN had a short epiphany.

Spaghetti...

Blankly staring at the lawn having just finished his second pass, the gears in YN's mind spun.

Ya know, it'll be mine and Rem's one week anniversary of dating in a few days...

Thinking he should do something special, an earlier thought still lingered in his mind.

Spaghetti...

Pounding a fist into his open palm, the two ideas finally combined.

YN: That's it!

Taking a break from cutting the lawn and going about a few other trimming tasks, Ram came outside, ready to tell YN he was done for the day once the lawn was finished.

Going to leave, YN called after Ram.

YN: Hey hold on a moment, Ram.

Following the pink haired maid up the steps to the mansion's back patio, YN made his request.

YN: Do you have a minute? I wanna run an idea past you really quick, as I might need your help.

Somewhat surprised YN of all people was asking for her help, Ram looked up to the sky where the sun was now overhead, as if guessing what time it was.

Ram: Sure. What is it that you need?

YN: I wanna make something special for Rem. A dinner, specifically. But...

Ram: ...But? Do you have something in mind?

YN: I do. But, I'm not sure if some of the ingredients I need are easy to find.

Tilting her head as if prompting him to elaborate, he did.

YN: Well, for starters, I need some long noodle pasta.

Putting a hand to her chin, Ram thought for a moment before answering.

Ram: You should be able to find something like that from a vendor in the village...

YN: But I think the hardest thing to find will be... Well, have you heard of a 'tomato?'

Lifting an eyebrow at the obviously foreign word, YN's hopes declined by the second.

Ram: 'Tomato...' YN, you wouldn't happen to mean a 'Tometo' would you?

Remembering this world's different names for its food items, the similarity in the naming certainly meant it was close. YN had to be sure though.

YN: Uhh, about appa sized, almost the same color but a lot softer and gushy?

Ram: ...'Gushy...' Yes, that perfectly describes them. But whatever YN wants with pasta noodles and Tometo fruits is beyond Ram.

Shrugging as she went on, Ram continued.

Ram: Tometo are grown mainly for a festival in the city of Hakchuri where they're just thrown by participants at each other, it's hardly a fruit grown for eating.

YN: So is there a chance someone is selling some surplus ones down in the village?

Ram: Hardly.

Unsure of what to do now that such a wrench had been thrown into his plans, YN pondered what to do.

Well, regardless I need to go to the village anyway. The noodles can't be too expensive so I'll pick those up anyway, even if I can't find any tometos. I can always just sell them to Subaru...

YN: Also, Ram—

Clasping his palms together, YN pleaded to the pink haired maid for his final favor.

YN: Is there any way you can distract Rem so that I can head to the village really quickly to buy her a gift in the next few days? I need to get her a gift in the next three days.

Nodding, Ram agreed with little convincing.

Ram: Yes, that works. Ram also must get Rem a gift by then too.

Turning to return to the mansion, YN was confused by Ram's answer. Catching up to her side, YN questioned her.

YN: Uhh, Nee-sama, why do you need to get her a gift? Normally only the people dating get each other give an anniversary gift...

Stopping, Ram tilted her head with a slight frown, even more confused then YN was by her answer.

Ram: More of this 'dating' nonsense? Anyway, it's only appropriate that more than just one person buys Rem a birthday present, is it not?

His mind going blank for a moment, YN's mind slowly put the pieces together for what that meant.

YN: HUH?!

It's her birthday on our one week anniversary?!

Ram: Is something the matter?

Putting his hands on his head, YN tried explaining as best as he could.

YN: I mean, really, I was just trying to get stuff together for our one week anniversary if anything, but now that you tell me it's Rem's birthday I—

Stopping again, YN replayed his words in his head. There was one key thing he had also just overlooked.

Rem... and Ram... are...! And that means...!

YN: Wait a minute. The two of you are twins.

Blankly staring at YN, as if second guessing his intelligence, Ram spoke before turning to walk off.

Ram: An astute observation, I see Rem's tutoring is helping immensely. Now be ready to—

YN: Wait wait!

Stopping the maid before she entered back into the mansion, YN pleaded his case.

YN: That means you two have the same birthday then! Listen Ram, I'm sorry I'll move the dinner plans with Rem to the night before, that way it doesn't overshadow your two's—

Holding a hand up to stop him, Ram interrupted YN.

Ram: It's of entirely no concern. Ram on occasion has delayed her own celebrations for her sister before, this year will be no different.

YN: What? No! Nee-sama, please, I can move it to the night before! It's my fault for not knowing.

Tilting her head to YN's words once more, Ram was perplexed.

Ram: Ram doesn't understand why it matters so much YN. Surely he should be prioritizing Rem. Why do you care so much?

YN: Because Ram, if it weren't for you I don't know if me and Rem would even be a thing together. And it would also be unfair since you've helped me so much with Rem to put your own birthday as a lower priority, just to help me more.

Crossing her arms, Ram argued her point.

Ram: Aren't you forgetting that it's your job to put Rem at a higher priority than anyone else?

Shaking his head, YN didn't refute her point, but instead expanded on it.

YN: And that's why I can't do that. Rem's Nee-sama should come in at a very close, but nonetheless second place. And since twins come in twos, first and second place should have their birthday celebration at the same time. It's only natural.

Crossing his own arms in a rare display of standing his ground in the matter with Ram, she was silent before frowning and stomping her way around him.

Stopping just past him, Ram spoke with frustration on her voice her and back still turned, unable to see the tiny amount of blush on her face

Ram: Ram doesn't care what you do then. There seems to be no arguing with NY over this.

Huh, that's the first time she's used the curse of my name in a while.

Stepping further, Ram stopped once more, still not turning, she spoke much softer.

Ram: ...Even if he may be right.

Caught off guard by Ram's final words on the issue, YN thought to himself.

Did Ram just go all tsun on me?

Placing her hand on the doorknob to enter back into the mansion, Ram finally turned her head to look at YN, a scant amount of red still on her cheeks.

Ram: Be ready at midday tomorrow, Ram and YN will have an opportunity then to head to the village. Also consider asking Roswaal-sama about the tometos. Luckily for YN, he isn't that busy today so you may have a chance to ask him about them.

Entering the mansion, Ram departed from the patio and shut the door behind her.

Seeing it as "mission accomplished," YN went to finish the last round of cutting the lawn, keen on following Ram's advice of asking Roswaal.

With two short knocks on the ornate white door, YN awaited a response.

Roswaal (muffled): Come iiiin!

Placing his hand on the doorknob, YN twisted it and proceeded into the study.

Bowing as Rem or Ram would have upon entry, YN did his best to emulate their demeanor as he spoke to the mansion's lord and his employer.

Seeing the piles of paperwork and other documents sitting on his desk, it would have hidden all of Roswaal's face had it been any higher.

YN: Please forgive the intrusion.

Looking at him with his usual routine of shutting one eye and looking at him with his yellow one, Roswaal welcomed YN.

Roswaal: Ahhh YN-kuuuuun. What a surprise to see you here. How can I help my favorite groundskeeper?

Well I'm the only groundskeeper, so...

YN: I was wondering if it would be—

Roswaal: How has adjusting to life here been for you? You certainly picked up the responsibilities of the job rather quickly and impressively.

YN: —Oh, uhh, I mean thank you. Yes, I've adjusted well enough I hope. The opportunity is one I'm glad to have. But the reason I stopped by was—

Roswaal: Were you ever a groundskeeper before at a large estate like this one? Your work ethic would seem you had some sort of experience before hand managing a property.

What gives? Is he trying to give me the runaround here?

YN: N-no, Roswaal-sama. I was simply instructed on my duties well by Rem and Ram—, which is one of the reasons I had to come by today—

Roswaal: Yes, they've been under my service for a veeeeery long time, which is why I value their input on certain aspects of how the mansion is run. Tell me, YN-kun, can you think of any improvements that can be made? A change in the layout of the flowerbeds? Or perhaps—

Hearing the door open behind him, YN turned to see who it was.

Poking her head in, her silver hair paired well with the white door she currently stood behind while her amethyst eyes were in direct contrast.

Emilia: Roswaal? Rem said you had some documents for me to look at?

Grabbed one or two sheets off the top of the pile he currently had on desk, Roswaal confirmed.

Roswaal: Ahh, yes, right here.

Stepping inside the room, Emilia was also greeted by YN, bowing as she walked past him.

YN: Emilia-sama.

Taking the papers from Roswaal, Emilia turned and puffed her cheeks at YN.

Emilia: Haven't I told you? There's really no need to be so formal.

Popping out from behind her shoulder, from in her hair, the small gray cat that was her contracted spirit made his debut.

Puck: Yeah! No one likes someone who's always so stuck up.

Putting his little paws on his hips, Puck turned to face Roswaal as he said that, implying it's meaning to him as well.

Simply smiling as cordial as he could in response to the little gray cat, Emilia was next speak again, looking down at the documents

Emilia: Hmm, this paperwork is always such a pain...

Roswaal: I do believe that will be all, Emilia-sama.

Seemingly trying his hardest to get the half elf out of his office for the time being, Emilia was oblivious to his efforts.

Emilia: Oh, YN, what brings you here? Were you trying to ask Roswaal for something?

YN: Y-yes, yes I was.

Emilia: Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted you then!

YN: Oh no, no. It is of no issue at all. You don't interrupt anything at all, I actually hadn't asked yet so it's no—

Turning to Roswaal, Emilia put her hands on her hips, as if scolding a child.

Emilia: Roswaal. You have to let others have a voice in order for it to be a conversation. YN works hard here so it's only fair you at least hear him out if he has something to say.

Crossing her arms and nodding her head, Puck mimicked her.

Roswaal: Please forgive me Emilia-sama, I was only making sure one of our newest employees was feeling welcome in his new home and that he was getting along just as well.

Furrowing his brows as if mortally wounded by Emilia's words, Roswaal professed his less-than-innocent words.

Regaining his usual composure, Roswaal gestured towards YN.

Roswaal: Now then, what can I be of assiiiiiiiistance with?

YN: Well, I'd like some time three nights from now to try and make something special for Rem.

Actually gaining a glint of curiosity in his eye, Roswaal replied.

Roswaal: Oh? Just what did you have in mind?

Resting his head on his folded fingers and elbows on his desk, Roswaal awaited an answer.

YN: As cliché as it sounds, I'd like to make her a private dinner.

Feeling a bit of embarrassment from such a specific request, it wasn't made any easier with Emilia in the room, also now curious.

Roswaal: Ahh! How romaaaaaaantic. What do you plan on making?

Gulping in response, YN hadn't predicted this question.

YN: Uhhh, it's a noodle dish from where I'm from, it features tomato— er, tometo as its main ingredient though.

Surprised at such an honest answer, Roswaal gave YN a slight look of pity.

Roswaal: While the combination certainly sounds... interesting, I'm afraid you'll be hard pressed to find any tometo this time of year, especially with the festival being over.

Seems like I've struck out... Maybe I can think of something else—

Roswaal: On second thought... I may have an idea of someone who may have some.

Standing up, Roswaal turned his back to the two and stared out his study window that directly overlooked the entrance to the mansion.

Roswaal: In two days, we're expecting a guest I invited to the maaaaaansion. A chef.

Seeing YN's eyes light up at the prospect, Roswaal unfortunately and immediately shot his hopes down.

Roswaal: However, he is a man with rather... Direct taste. He only serves women I'm afraid, myself excluded since I'm hiring him however.

YN: Does that mean it's unlikely he'd sell me any of his then?

Nodding with a pitied face Roswaal confirmed his opinion to YN.

Piping up though, Emilia re-entered the conversation.

Emilia: Oh! Maybe I could ask for you!

Roswaal: Now now, it would be unwise for the guest of honor to be so upfront on such a matter, besides, this is something YN-kun must do himself, isn't it?

Somehow, YN knew Roswaal was right.

I get what he means, it'll be different if Emilia does it for me...

YN: Well, even if I can't get the needed ingredients, I can at least make sure to get Rem a nice gift at the village tomorrow.

Piquing his interest again, Roswaal again replied with an "Oh?", prompting YN to elaborate.

YN: I don't really know what to get her yet, but I hope I can find something.

Roswaal: I see, I see. But tell me, YN-kun—

Closing one eye and using only his yellow one, Roswaal stared at YN for a moment before continuing.

Roswaal: —How can you expect to buy anything with no money?

YN: —Hk!

It was as he said though. YN, and for that matter, Subaru too, had yet to be paid for any of their work.

Crap, I don't think I ever thought of that before!

Unsure of what to say, YN was instead answered by Puck, floating up and out of Emilia's long silver hair.

Puck: Well, well, well, Roswaal. Did payroll forget to have you sign their checks for the past few weeks?

Looking up as the little gray cat floated above him, Roswaal argued back.

Roswaal: I seem to forget discussing saaaaaaalary options with our two new hires.

Puck: I'd be careful with your offer, Roswaal. Can you imagine if the mansion went on strike? My poor Lia would have to do all the cooking and cleaning.

Shrugging in response, Roswaal answered.

Roswaal: You say that as if it wouldn't be good for building character.

Getting a bit of a shadow on his face and flying higher above Roswaal, YN couldn't tell if Puck was joking or threatening.

Puck: I would never let my previous Lia lift a finger when it could be easily avoided by the exchange of a few coins. I'd sooner rewrite the maps with you like last time then let that happen.

Feeling the line between "banter" and "threat" get more and more blurred, even Emilia put a finger over her pursed lips, wondering what was going to happen next.

However, and sighing as he did, Roswaal lowered his head, and gave into the demands of the little sprite talking down to him.

Sitting back down at his desk, Roswaal opened one of the lower drawers and pulled out a small pouch. Setting it on the edge of his desk, closest to YN, the pouch made the slight clink of being filled with coins.

Smiling, and almost with an air of sarcasm, Roswaal presented his pay to YN.

Roswaal: Don't spend it all in one plaaaaaace.

Taking the pouch, it was heavier than YN expected.

Closing his eyes and waving his hand as if waving away worry, Roswaal continued.

Roswaal: —And don't worry, I will be sure to give Subaru-kun his pay as well.

Bowing to his employer, YN thanked Roswaal for his pay, and turned to walk out of the study.

About to shut the door behind though, he was stopped from doing so, instead he reopened it and held it open for the silver haired girl who was also exiting.

YN: Oh, Emilia-sama, pardon me.

Shutting the door behind him, YN heard the small muffled sounds of talking from back in the study. Furrowing his brows to the sound, Emilia recognized his confusion.

Emilia: Puck said he needed to talk to Roswaal alone, so I was sent on my way to go read these documents.

Still holding the papers in her hand, Emilia whimsically explained before asking a question of her own.

Emilia: So, are you making both Rem and Ram a birthday dinner? Or just Rem?

YN: Oh. It's not so much a birthday present as it's a, uhh, kind of like what you and Subaru had, a date.

Somewhat surprised to hear that, Emilia seemed to be forcing part of her usual cheerful expression now.

Emilia: 'A date.' I see.

Scratching the back of his head, YN further explained, a tad embarrassed.

YN: Hah, yeah, as backwards as it is, you could say me and Rem are already 'dating' despite having never gone on a real, planned date. Kind of putting the carriage before the dragon, isn't it?

Silent for just a moment before responding, Emilia slightly stuttered in her answer.

Emilia: O-Oh, I guess it is. Yes.

Knowing he had other things he should attend to if he was going to be out of the mansion tomorrow, YN bowed his head.

YN: Thank you again for your help, Emilia-sama.

Holding the little pouch of coins up, YN continued.

YN: This wouldn't be possible if it weren't for you stepping in, thank you, Emilia-sama. Now then—

Putting the pouch into his pocket, YN waved to Emilia as he walked away.

YN: I gotta get some stuff done before tomorrow, I'll see you at dinner.

Watching as the groundskeeper walked away, Emilia felt an odd mix of emotions stir inside her the further he went down the hallway.

She was unsure what she felt. It was something she had no other emotion she could base it off of.

While Subaru had somewhat poorly explained to her what a "date" was while they were on their own, Emilia had enough of a clue what YN meant when he said him and Rem were "datING".

Seeing YN round the corner and fully leave her sight, Emilia turned to go the other way, back to her own room.

Slowly taking a few steps in that direction, Emilia stopped once more before starting again, this time walking faster, halfway crumpling the documents she held in her hand.

A/N: That's this week's chapters! Again, sorry they were a few hours late getting out. I hope you all enjoyed them and I look forward to releasing next weeks chapters too!