Chapter 10: Close Intimacy

YN walked up the stairs to his room. Pacing himself since he knew Rem was going to be waiting, YN tried to calm his nerves.

You know her, but she doesn't you. Just be considerate and nice and I'm sure we'll be right back to where we started.

Placing one hand on the doorknob, YN took one final breath and pushed away his negative feelings as much as he could, forcing a more positive expression and voice.

Turning the knob and letting himself in, he found Rem standing by his desk already, books stacked neatly on one corner and parchment and ink ready on the other side.

Rem: Good evening YN.

Rem greeted YN in her static, nearly expressionless voice. His heart sank hearing her talk to him in such an unfamiliar fashion.

YN: Evenin' Rem.

Taking his jacket off, YN hung it in his closet, and went to sit down.

Strictly out of habit, he grabbed the quill and dunked it in the ink, and began writing his own name over and over again. Observing behavior that was odd to her, Rem simply continued to watch. After filling a few lines, YN put his quill down, and turned to Rem, who was still observing what YN was doing.

Seeing that he was done, Rem picked up the parchment and gave the words a look over.

Rem: It appears you know how to write your own name at the very least. Was someone else teaching you before this? To write your name again and again as practice?

YN: Uhhh, well, you could say that.

Rem: Does YN know any other words?

YN: A few. Here I'll write them as best I can.

Jotting down a few dozen words, he tried to form a sentence.

He watched Rem's eyes trace the sentence over and over again.

Rem: Your grammar is also lacking it seems.

That evenings tutoring session had turned into Rem trying to find where YN was skill wise and begin teaching from there. After more or less seeing the extent of YN's literacy, Rem retired for the evening rather abruptly and earlier then normal. YN was slightly worried by Rem's continued coldness in her behavior toward him. With his worries filling his mind, YN retired not long after Rem had departed.

Rising early in the morning, YN woke and began the day's work.

Trimming more hedges and edging more walkways, YN finished even earlier then the last time he did, early enough that even Ram hadn't come to tell him he was done for the day.

YN began to reflect on the previous third day he experienced.

YN: If I seem to recall correctly, Rem and Ram were swamped with stuff to do today and dinner ended up being late because of it...

With an idea sprouting, YN placed his fist into his open palm. With a mission in mind, he searched the mansion for Rem. YN finally located her in mansions wash room, scrubbing the drained bath with Ram.

YN: Howdy Rem. Howdy Ram.

Looking up from her rather lazy scrubbing, Ram was the first to pay any attention to YN.

Ram: Are you having trouble finishing your tasks, NY?

YN: Actually I finished them up early, and I know you guys are busy today, want me to take over here?

The twins looked at each other then back to YN.

Ram: You've already clipped the lawn? Edged the—

YN Edged the walkways? Yes. Trimmed the shrubs? Yes as well.

Feeling accomplished at the surprised face on Ram, it was a feeling quickly dulled by the slight scowl on Rem's face.

YN: Hmm? Something wrong Rem?

For a brief moment, there was silence between them all.

Finally breaking the almost half minute of silence, Ram spoke up.

Ram: Well, since he's willing to work more, I will get started on a few other things then.

Stepping on up out of the pool, Ram handed off the scrubbing broom to him and walked towards the door, but not before turning around and speaking to Rem.

Ram: His hair. That's what you were staring at NY for, right?

Rem: Yes.

Hearing her older sister's question, Rem perked up slightly.

YN: T-thats what was bothering you?

Instinctively touching the top of his head, YN felt somewhat vulnerable.

She never mentioned anything about my appearance before…

Rem: Yes. It was bothering Rem a little. A little, a little-a-lot bothering Rem, yes. Immensely.

What?! Did it really bother her that much?!

Snapping YN out from his shocked thoughts, Ram spoke up once more.

Ram: NY, why not let Rem comb out the ends and I'm sure she'll be happier with it. You'll be in heaven with her hands.

Slightly blushing YN could only scratch his head and nervously smile.

YN: Well, how can I say no to that? Haha.

Putting his arm back down and gathering a more serious tone, YN continued his thought.

YN: But uhh, I don't want to pile anything more on Rem, I know you both are already struggling to get stuff done today and prep for dinner.

The twins exchanged another quick look at each other before Ram departed.

With Ram gone, YN took off his shoes, folded up his pant legs, and stepped down into the drained bath with Rem. Going to where Ram had been scrubbing, YN set to it as well. Silence had fallen upon the bath while the two concentrated on their work.

After another hour of scrubbing, Rem finally decided to speak up.

Rem: YN, Rem is terribly sorry for the things she said earlier. As Emilia-sama's savior your position here far out ranks mine.

Stopping her scrubbing, Rem gave a slight bow in apology.

YN: Jeez Rem, don't worry about. Really. If I knew it upset you that much I'd have tried to do something about it myself earlier.

Stopping his own scrubbing, YN posed a question to Rem; a solution that might satisfy both of them.

YN: How about a deal?

Rem: Yes? Rem will hear you out.

YN: How about you do whatever makes you happy with my hair? Cut it, trim it, style it, you name it. In exchange, I'll forget what you said.

Rem stared at YN in thought, long enough that he went back to scrubbing, just to prevent a would-be staring contest.

Rem: Rem doesn't quite understand. What is YN getting out of this?

Stopping mid scrub, YN responded by didn't look directly at her, choosing to keep his eyes where he was still looking.

YN: You've already helped me so much here, with the opportunity to be here, with the studying, your cooking... everything really.

He began to feel a yearning in his heart, a strong desire to shore up tensions and the differences between him and Rem.

YN: I don't want to be off-putting towards you from things I didn't notice... I'm sorry that I was.

Rem: —!

YN didn't see it, but Rem's expression had a slight element of surprise to it.

He really has no clue that Rem can smell that on him can he? Rem was beginning to think that YN suspected Rem knew, but now... Rem doesn't even think YN knows he has that scent.

YN's sincere words had made a profound effect on Rem, causing her to double guess her own suspicions. With her previous feelings beginning to waver, a new one began to be fostered in her chest.

Rem: Okay then. Rem accepts.

A warm sensation, while faint, would build as she looked at or thought of YN. The blue haired maid wanted desperately to cast aside these new emotions she was feeling, but she could not bring herself to.

Feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders, YN sighed and picked up his scrubbing broom.

YN: *sigh* Thank you. But uhh, wouldn't you say we're done in here now? We made this place pretty spotless.

Rem stopped and looked around.

Rem: Yes, this looks to be sufficient.

YN took one giant step to get up and out of the drained bath and took a few steps over to where Rem was, still standing down below.

Extending a hand down to Rem, she stared at it a moment before finally taking it.

Going to hoist Rem up, he was surprised at how light she actually was. In an effort to keep from slinging her across the room behind him, he dramatically decreased the amount of strength mid hoist, causing her to come chest to chest with him.

With Rem pressed up against YN, they each could only give each other a surprised look, each with blushes on their faces. The two locked eyes for what seemed like a small eternity, but in reality was only a few seconds.

The emotion Rem felt in her chest began to swell dramatically. She could feel her heart begin to beat quicker and her face began to feel warm from the blush forming across her face.

Truth be told, neither wanted to really be the first to back away, out of consideration for the others perception of what that might possibly mean.

Finally, with Rem coming back to her un-surprised senses, she went to back away.

Rem: I-Im sorry! Rem didn't mean to—

Expect while going to step back, Rem forgot the edge of the bath was still right behind her.

Losing her footing under the nervousness she was experiencing from her previous predicament, Rem was going to fall backward.

The hand that she still held that YN had pulled her up with was not going to be sufficient in catching her, if he yanked on that hand he risked only making her fall at a different angle, possibly hurting her more then this initial fall would. Leaning forward, while maintaining a sure control over his own balance, YN swiftly extended and curved his free hand around Rem's back, catching her before her balance was lost anymore.

The two stood there looking like a dancing couple with Rem in a backwards bow with his arm around her back, and their shared hand hold being held way up and above to make room as YN pulled Rem in.

Bringing Rem back in, arm still around her, YN side stepped around her, keeping Rem away from the bath edge in case of another repeat fall, and dropped the hand from her back.

Her face was buried in YN's chest, and after a moment of him looking down at her, Rem dropped the hand she was still holding and placed both her hands on YNs shoulders before finally looking up at him.

Rem: T-thank you f-for saving Rem.

Finally with her saying those words, her face softened up and her voice had dropped it's cold formality for the first time in this loop for YN. As she looked at him, the grip form the hands on YN shoulders slightly tightened, griping the fabric as if trying to reassure herself.

Smiling back at Rem, not because of the situation, but rather because he was relieved that Rem had finally dropped her superficial guard against him, YN nerviously replied to her thanks.

YN: Anytime, Rem.

Acknowledging her thanks, Rem stepped back and bent down to pick up the scrubbing broom she had dropped in the confusion, YN doing the same with his.

Putting the rest of the cleaning supplies away, the two took a final look at the now clean bath.

YN: Now, let's go see if we can go help Ram, okay?

With Rem nodding in agreement, the two fixed their uniforms, and headed out into the rest of the mansion.

Departing with Rem, the two walked down the hall together. YN had no real clue as to where the two of them were heading, but neither did Rem.

Rounding the corner to the foyer area, the two came across Ram scolding Subaru for what she was describing as a "poor work ethic".

Ram: Barasu, if you are able to complete tasks early, you will be expected to work on more things to free up time for me, and to let Rem work on things only she's good at.

Subaru: But this is the normal workload!

No doubt, he's upset because he was able to do the same tasks in a much shorter time then the last loop, but Ram isn't going to let him off early.

Deciding to propose a solution to the problem, YN interjected.

YN: Hey I've got nothing better to do right now, I'll help Subaru with something. Some of the rugs and mats are do for a cleaning, aren't they?

Remembering one of the longer tasks that was set to take part of Rem's morning on the fourth day, it was ultimately passed onto Subaru as part of their deal. YN bought up a contending idea.

Ram: I will help Barasu with that, NY, you already assisted Rem in cleaning the bath, which was already more the Ram would have made you do.

Subaru: Why does he have such a light load?!

Ram spun back to Subaru with daggers for eyes.

Ram: Because in accordance to NY's agreement with Roswaal-sama, he is a 'part-time' worker, you are not. Allowing NY to work more would be going against that agreement, and would be going against Roswaal-sama's wishes.

YN: Well, if I help, the two of you can start preparations for dinner right? Seems at this rate you two are worrying about it being late tonight.

In place of Ram agreeing or disagreeing, she simply gave Rem a rather obvious side glance.

YN: Well?

Ram nodded to Rem.

Ram: Very well, Rem and I shall depart to start dinner preparations.

With that, the twins left, leaving Subaru and YN to drag rugs to the back patio to beat the dirt and dust off them. It ended up being quite the task considering many were long hallway rugs.

After dinner was finished up, and after a bath of his own, YN retired to his room, waiting for Rem to begin their tutoring session.

Finally, and later then normal, Rem knocked on the door and let herself.

With that a rather normal study session was underway, however, one thing had sent YN's heart down into his gut. Rem's cold, yet formal expression and tone had returned.

YN was struck. He was certain Rem had finally opened up to him after the falling incident. His emotions were starting to get the better of him, it was beginning to show in his penmanship on the characters he was practicing.

Rem had taken notice at the slower and sloppier pace of his writing, and asked him of it.

Rem: Rem can see you are struggling tonight. Did YN strain his wrist today?

Stopping his writing, YN picked up his wrist and gave it a turn, taking a moment to respond.

YN: T-thats... not quite it.

There was brief but noticeable silence after that.

Rem walked to just behind where he sat at his desk and placed her hands on his shoulders.

Rem: You're tense. Let Rem rub your shoulders.

YN: It's alright you don't need to—

Ignoring YN's protest, Rem started with working her fingers on the outer part of YN's shoulder.

The feeling of Rem's shoulder rub was most relaxing to YN. Despite the return of her cold tone, she seemed to be acting... friendlier, regardless.

Her hands slowly moved more inward on his shoulder, making YN feel more and more relaxed.

As nice as it was, it was all part of her plan.

Rem: Rem has a question, YN.

Feeling better, YN was eager to speak more with her in hopes her kind voice would return. Letting out a sigh of relaxation and relief, YN responded.

YN: *Sigh* Yeah?

Rem: Does YN know what we're doing tomorrow?

Getting ever more relaxed, YN began to get slightly drowsy, letting out a yawn.

YN: *yawn* Yeah... I think we're... going to the... the village... right?

It wasn't until he said it that YN realized what he'd said.

Wait a minute. She never mentioned the village. Not yet at least. She fished for that. She knew that I knew... D-did she just test me and I failed? Regardless, how did I fall for something so obvious? Why can't I think straight...

Rem moved her hands further in, working the same massaging motion, almost halfway on YN's neck.

Rem: I see.

Leaning in and down, Rem spoke another soft question right into his ear.

Rem: Just how did YN know that?

YN's drowsy mind had begun to spin, he couldn't think straight, he was slipping up, and he was getting awfully tired.

YN: I just... I just... We... I knew of...

Rem moved her hands to cover YN's neck completely, but wasn't squeezing, but she was looking for a reason to.

Rem: Won't you please tell Rem how you knew? YN-kun?

Rem whispered more words into his ear.

Just as she did, he was out. YN had fallen into a deep induced sleep.

Rem had miscalculated. Having tried to manipulate YN in a state of vulnerability using mana, something had gone wrong. She had intended to get information from him in this vulnerable state. The right information to let her wring his neck.

Standing back up straight, she kept her hands over YN's neck. She had searched so hard for a reason to let herself tighten her grip. She was frustrated. YN had let out information, but nothing concrete enough to issue her own guilty verdict.

Rem stood for a moment more, dwelling on her own frustrations. With her emotions getting the best of her, Rem let her grip tighten ever so softly, digging her fingers into YNs neck and her thumbs into the back of it. She could hear his breathing slightly wheeze. She wanted nothing more then to hear YN croak as she continued to squeeze tighter.

But as she started to hear his breathing become more labored, she saw the still peaceful expression on his face. Letting her grip go, Rem was struck with a remorseful feeling.

She knew this was wrong. She knew she had no reason enough to be doing this. She knew why she felt suspicious of him, the things he'd said, the things he knew, and let be known. But mostly—

That stench… Rem thought to herself.

What she didn't know, was why she had felt that he was innocent. Deep down she had felt something wrong about all this suspicion. And that feeling grew. It grew so great she had dropped her hands from his neck all together, and walked back towards the door.

Taking her final step back into the hallway, she took one final look of guilt and regret at the sleeping YN she had placed in his bed.

Rem: I'm sorry YN-kun. Please forgive Rem.

Shutting the door, Rem slumped against the door, tears of regret flowing down her face.

Why did Rem do that to him? How could Rem be so hostile?

A/N: Uploading these first 10 chapters actually took me longer then I expected (about 2 hours). I wrote the entirety of this fic on a notes app on my phone (usually when I was at work on break), uploaded it to LbreOffice for revision/editing, and than finally going to upload it here caused a lot of formatting issues that needed hammering out. So if you saw any odd spacing, or lines that should have been split, please let me know. Especially "***"s as these were my own page breaks that refused to upload themselves onto here, which I had to manually seek out and change to FFnet's own page breaks.

But if you've made it this far... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! Friday you can all expect another 2 new chapters.