Chapter 31: Headpats and Hope

After their moment together, Rem had been called away by her sister to help prepare breakfast for the day. On Rem's instruction, YN remained in bed until she came to inform him when everything was ready.

Upon Rem's return, YN rose from bed, immediately feeling the exhaustion from the night before still in his legs. Struggling to steady himself, Rem helped correct his balance as they both walked to the door. Stepping out into the hallway, YN began to feel slightly more energized, smelling the morning meal coming from the dining hall.

YN: I think I've got it from here Rem, thank you.

Taking a few steps on his own, YN still felt sluggish, but had enough strength to be independent now that he was more awake.

Rem: If YN-kun needs Rem's assistance again, she will be right beside him.

Smiling at Rem, YN acknowledged her offer.

Picking up his walking speed now as the two approached the corner that would lead to the stairs downward, Rem leaned in front of YN, slightly slowing him back down as she made a shy request of her own.

Rem: Ummm, is Rem being helpful to YN-kun right now?

Somewhat confused to her question, YN raised an eyebrow before responding.

YN: Uh, yeah, you are. I mean, I wouldn't have expected anyone else to have helped me walk to the hallway like you did.

Stepping in front of YN with stars in her eyes, Rem eagerly replied.

Rem: T-Then please...! Feel free to praise Rem!

Bringing her two closed hands to her chest and bowing slightly to YN, Rem shut her eyes and tilted her head forward, as if waiting for something in particular.

YN was clueless on what Rem was doing or what she had meant by "praise her." With a second or two of silence passing between the two, Rem's eyes seemed to shut harder, as if expecting something.

Completely guessing, YN brought up his hand from his side, and gently hovered it closer and closer to Rem. Perhaps it was her sense of smell or her training, but Rem appeared to be able to tell YN was moving his hand close to her as her expression became more and more anxious.

Slowly, YN placed his hand on the maid's blue hair, and gave the girl two gentle head pats.

Immediately Rem's face flushed red, her knees wobbled, and on each pat, Rem let out a small wincing noise, prompting YN to stop.

Opening one eye, Rem saw the expression of confusion and surprise on YN's face, prompting her to shut her eyes again in embarrassment.

Giving Rem a final pat, all of her previous symptoms returned, wince and all. Lowering his hand, YN's mind was abuzz.

Uh, why did that entire interaction feel so lewd?

Standing back up straight, Rem looked at YN with slightly watery eyes, as if she just endured a great emotional upheaval.

Not wanting to let an awkward silence grow between, YN spoke.

YN: I think they're all waiting for us, aren't they? We don't want the food getting cold, right?

Regaining her composure and nodding, Rem and YN continued on to the meal hall.

Arriving at the table, Rem departed to plate the table, leaving himself, Subaru, Roswaal, Beatrice, and Emilia present at the table. Small talk was had. Of course Emilia once again asked about YN's gate.

Emilia: Are suuure you haven't noticed anything?

Emilia leaned in, invading YN's personal space as she asked her barrage of questions.

YN: I am completely sure, Emilia-sama, thank you for your concern though.

The silver haired half-elf sat in-between Subaru and YN, where Subaru sat closest to Roswaal, with Ram right across from Subaru, flanking Roswaal's other side at his seat at the head of the table.

Leaning back away from Emilia, YN could see Subaru biting his napkin in jealousy at his crush invading a personal space that wasn't his own.

Emilia: Hmph, Puck, maybe we should tell—

Puck: Now now, Lia. It was your idea to be patient and let him figure it out on—

Hearing the "woosh" of the kitchen door opening, everyone's attention was brought towards the newly entered person.

Exiting the kitchen, Ram carried a single cup of tea, placing it in front of her master, the only item she ever carried out when setting the table.

Taking a sip of the cup, Roswaal gestured to Ram to be seated. Just as she did, Rem entered the dining hall with large platters, one in each hand. Each platter held one meal for every person seated at the table.

Usually, per routine, Rem would start laying the plates out starting from the opposite of where she would eventually take her seat, this was done in part as a courtesy, ingrained in Rem from her maid training. All of this meant that during the usual seating of the table, YN was usually first to receive his plate.

However, that wasn't the case this time.

Rem, when seating herself, always took the seat next to Ram, and, which as of late, Beatrice was participating in meals, would sit to the side of Rem, across from YN.

As Rem exited the kitchen, the first to receive their dish this morning, was Beatrice. Such a small thing was only noticed by her older sister though, keeping an eye on her, Ram observed her sister's very odd behavior.

Skipping a chair, Rem placed plates at Ram, followed by Roswaal, and worked her way down the other side of table, handing plates to Subaru and Emilia, and finally—

Rem: Here you are, YN-kun.

A bright smile beamed from Rem as she placed his plate in front of him.

While everyone ate the same meal as each other when dining like this, small changes were usually made to each of their dislikes and likes. This normally included things like putting Emilia's share of peppirs on Subaru's plate, much to his lament, or adding steamed tatoes to Ram's plate.

While this particular meal had no real changes to anyone's individual plate, this was not true for YN's plate.

Being plated in the most extravagant manor he could imagine, YN looked at the over garnished plate of food before him. While unfamiliar still with the food of this world, it was very apparent that his plate was much more dressed up then the rest of the table members.

Small green garnishes adorned every corner of his plate, adding bits of color that were pleasing to the eye. Sauces were dribbled and spun about with extreme precision and grace. Anything cooked with heat was adorned with a golden glaze of perfection on them. All of this was topped off by every little food item either being heart shaped, or being part of forming a larger heart shape on the plate itself.

All eyes had fallen to Rem when she placed the final plate on the table. Her own. Right next to YN.

The seating arrangement was immediately evident. Rem choosing to sit next to YN had left the table considerably weighted on one side in terms of body count. This was further exaggerated by the empty seat between Ram and Beatrice, opposite of Emilia.

Everyone's attention was also quickly taken from the seat distribution to the bright collage of colors sitting on YN's plate. Double takes between his own and theirs were taken many times before the silence of observation was broken by none other than the person responsible for this change in routine.

Rem: Does YN-kun mind if Rem sits next to him?

Giving him an innocent look, Rem asked her request. Before answering, YN looked about the table, gauging reactions to the current fiasco unfolding.

Emilia held her hand over her pursed lips in surprise, while the small gray spirit in a cat like form silently snickered to himself in her hair.

Looking across the table, Beatrice could be seen with a look of contempt on her face, and Roswaal seemed not to notice at all. The only other reaction was Subaru's, whose eyes were glued to YN's plate, envy sparkling in them.

The only person who seemed to have no emotion over the entire ordeal was Ram herself, who was quietly eating while watching everything unfold.

Finally turning back, YN was met with puppy dog eyes. Giving into his own weakness, YN nodded to Rem, who had already taken the seat she was asking for.

Subaru continued to stare at the plate YN was given, and finally having too much of it, Subaru made his curiosity known.

Subaru: YN... What's that white, creamy looking part placed on your dish? It almost looks like...

Picking up his utensil, YN went to go for a taste, but was abruptly cut off by his new table guest.

Rem: L-Let Rem!

Using her own utensil, Rem quickly gathered a bite together for YN, presenting it in front of him.

Rem: Say 'ahhhhh'!

Entirely caught off guard by Rem's offer of feeding him, YN quickly snapped his vision around the table once more, gauging reactions once more.

While Emilia's expression hadn't changed, all that could be seen of her spirit cat were his little legs kicking in laughter, while Beatrice simply met his gaze with a "Hmph!"

Looking down the far side of the table, Roswaal looked on with an air of amusement. Ram continued to give an expressionless face, but her eyes conveyed the message of "take the bite if you know what's good for you."

Subaru however, had yet to take his tunnel visioned view off of the bite that now hung in front of YN's face.

With no choice but to comply, YN opened his mouth, letting Rem feed him this bite as she desired.

Tasting the food, it was Rem's usual extraordinary cooking as always.

Swallowing the bite, Rem gleefully awaited any comment he made about it.

Subaru: YN... Was that... Mayonnaise?

Looking over to Subaru, YN shook his head.

YN: No? It wasn't anything like Mayonnaise. It was a much different flavor.

Pulling his attention back around, Rem begged her question.

Rem: But it was good, wasn't it, YN-kun?

YN: Of course. Everything you make is always very good.

Bringing her fists up to her chest as she had done earlier in the hallway, Rem eagerly awaited YN's reaction.

Rem: That means Rem has possibly earned more praise from YN-kun, yes? Even a small amount?

Leaning her head forward, Rem presented her head as she had before, awaiting another headpat from YN. Sighing in defeat, YN patted the maid's blue hair twice. He was thankful she had not given a wince as she had before in front of everyone else.

Snapping back to the rest of the dinning hall, Subaru floundered his arms about and laid on the table.

Subaru: I knew it was bad to get my hopes up that mayo existed here.

Leaning forward to communicate easier with Subaru, YN replied.

YN: I'm sure something like it is available here... It would be weird if it didn't.

Subaru: If it's not, we need to show everyone of its greatness.

Immediately having his spirits lifted, Subaru sat up with a fist of triumph.

Taking his attention again though, feeling a tug on his robe from the opposite side he was facing, YN turned to see Rem once more.

Rem: Umm, does YN-kun like this "may-o-naze?"

Thinking a moment before responding, YN gave his honest answer.

YN: Really, whether I like it or not is kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of things here. You could make a fortune if you imported it here. It's simple enough to make if memory serves right.

Snapping his fingers in agreement, Subaru spoke up.

Subaru: He's right on the money! If we could bring mayonnaise to Lugincia, it would be a revolution!

Rem: Then Rem will assist in recreating this may-o-naze!

Throughout the meal, Rem had on an almost consistent basis asked how every different bit of food was and on occasion, would directly ask for praise.

Rem: Was that cooked to YN-kun's liking?

Rem: How did Rem do on that part?

Rem: It would be fair to praise Rem, yes?

Rem: YN-kun~, please praise Rem!

Just before the end of the meal, Roswaal had informed the table that due to their sustained injuries, YN and Subaru would not be required to work for the next two days, but that also meant that no tutoring would be taking place either.

Hearing that, a pang of guilt ran through YN, not only would he be freeloading, but the workload would fall more to Rem and Ram once more, something two new staff members were supposed to prevent.

Ram: Me and Rem will be sure to fulfill our duties, Roswaal-sama.

Bowing her head to her master, Ram turned her gaze to Subaru and immediately snorted.

Ram: I hope you feel guilty Barasu, not only do Rem and I have to do everything on our own again, but we also have to take care of you on top of that.

Subaru: Hey it's not like I'm sort of a high maintenance hotel guest!

Crossing his arms and looking away, Subaru continued.

Subaru: I'll just be bedridden or at most reading during the recovery time anyway... Or, I could bug Beako for the whole time to if I wanted to—

Beatrice: You will do no such thing I suppose!

While Beatrice and Subaru continued to banter, Ram gave YN a softer look, one that conveyed her statement did not reflect on him what she'd said to Subaru.

Feeling his guilt grow, YN spoke up.

YN: Honestly, I'm well and good as is. When we're done here I can change into my work clothes and—

Rem: Absolutely not! Rem will not allow it! YN-kun must rest until he's all better.

YN: Then at the very most, just today. I'm sure I'll be one hundred percent by tomorrow morning—

Ram: YN. Please take your time to fully recover as Roswaal-sama has asked. Me and Rem have had to work under much greater stresses and demands.

Emilia: Please YN, if your body doesn't rest, your gate will have a much harder time healing as well.

Looking down, and then to his side, Rem gave him a look of begging.

YN: *Sigh* I know when I'm beaten.

Grabbing his arm, Rem smiled with glee at YN's cooperation. Still holding on to his arm, she leaned forward to speak more clearly with Subaru.

Rem: Subaru-kun, once Rem finished cleaning the kitchen, we can attempt to recreate 'may-o-naze' if you have the recipe.

Giving Rem a blank stare in reply, Subaru uttered a single word in response.

Subaru: Recipe?

Rem: Eh?

The two silently gave each a look of disbelief before YN sighed.

Pulling out his phone from his pocket, YN waved it around slightly, trying to grab their attention.

YN: Luckily for you both, I've got a recipe right here.

Before setting out on the journey that had inevitably led to being an employee of the mansion, YN had been assigned a lesson on "The History of Condiments" from his app, part of which included side notes on how basic versions could be made at home for extended studying opportunities.

Clapping her hands, Rem gleefully responded to the good news.

Rem: Excellent, Rem will go ready the kitchen.

With a look of surprise on her face, Ram responded.

Ram: Rem, what about the table—

Before the pink haired maid could voice her concern, her sister could already be heard putting away items with the clank of pots and pans and the sound of running water being used to scrub dishes.

Roswaal: Hmmmm, well Ram, I trust you will be able handle things from here. I have a mountain of paperwork to do that simply muuuuuust be done today.

Emilia: I also have some studying that needs to be finished up as well.

Subaru: I better go make sure the pantry has all the right ingredients too!

In a matter of seconds, the meal hall had been subsequently evacuated, leaving only Ram and YN, as Beatrice had seemed to have left silently sometime in the sea of excuses being said only moments prior.

Sighing in response, Ram stood and began stacking plates and utensils in her immediate location. In almost pure instinct, YN began to as well, taking the plates and other items on his side of the table.

Ram: YN, don't you think this qualifies as 'work?'

Shrugging while stacking the dishes in his hands, YN replied.

YN: I won't tell if you won't. Besides, I know you'd like the help.

Without a response, Ram continued to pick up dishes, stacking them onto a cart to take back into the kitchen once all collected. After loading everything onto the cart, Ram proceeded to hand YN a bucket and a rag to clean and wipe down the table with.

After a few more minutes of silent cleaning, Ram finally spoke up.

Ram: I hope you are able to handle Rem's newfound self esteem. Even Ram is surprised by her behavior.

Looking up from where he was cleaning, YN responded.

YN: 'Newfound self esteem' eh? Is that why she's seeking so much praise?

Ram: It is more than likely a result of our childhood. Ram was always a prodigy child when growing up, and Rem unfortunately lived in that shadow... That's where she learned to be talented where I was not, and because of it, she always would seek to have that recognized by the adults.

Sighing, YN remembered back to Rem's inferiority complex she held with her sister and how it seemed rather... illogical.

YN: Rem always says how talented you are, and always thinks you can do no wrong... and I don't mean to be condescending like Subaru when I say this, but, you know that when she says that, it's stretched truth at best, right?

Casting her eyes down, Ram quietly lamented.

Ram: While that wasn't always the case, it is now, and has been for a very long time.

Bringing her gaze back up, the confidence she normally held returned to her voice.

Ram: But because of that, it is where Rem places her Nee-sama in her heart. And I intend to keep that spot.

YN: And you aren't afraid such an important facet of the relationship with your sister might one day crumble when it's built on such shaky ground as that? I think you can agree on just how much Rem has changed in just a single week, let alone what that might be like in a month, or two, or even in just a year?

Ram: YN.

Stopping both of their cleaning, Ram and YN both stared at each other from opposite sides of the table.

Ram: You must understand, Rem's entire world since our childhood has been no one but myself, a former maid, and Roswaal-sama, with only occasional opportunities from Emilia-sama and both the Spirit-samas. Rem's view of the world is very narrow, at times even bordering on being outright gullible. Ram has used her position in Rem's heart to help protect her.

With almost a hint of pain in her voice, Ram continued, looking down at the table between them.

Ram: But even I know that won't work forever. Any new outsiders, much like you and Barasu have infected her mind as you have done. Ram must clearly recognize such a tactic of hers won't work forever.

Looking back to YN, Ram concluded her point.

Ram: That is why Ram asked YN to be the one Rem could lean on.

Feeling an immense weight on his shoulders, YN hadn't entirely realized the size of Ram's request when she had first asked in the forest when searching out Rem.

YN thought for a moment before answering.

I never realized just how much Rem could be influenced. I hadn't realized how much trust Ram must be putting in me, a person she'd only known for a few days prior.

Shaking his head to clear his mind, YN replied, unable to make eye contact at first.

YN: Ram... I had no idea the amount of... pain, pride, love for your sister, everything, it must have taken to entrust me with having Rem lean on me, even if it means she might one day come to have a more... rational view of you.

Bringing his eyes to meet Ram once more, YN continued.

YN: Ram, I promise you, I won't ever be one to take advantage of her weaknesses.

Ram was silent for a moment more before a small, soft smile appeared on her face.

Ram: Then Ram was right to hang her hopes on this man.

As Ram said that, the weight of the situation was blown right off of YN. He was unable to respond properly. Having said her point, Ram returned to wiping the table and cleaning, but not without one last comment.

Ram: Ram is mostly thankful though that it wasn't Barasu she had to rely on this for. Everything would be much different now had Barasu been the one run in the opposite direction and played decoy.

Thinking back to the night in the forest, YN silently agreed.

Had I not made that decision, things would have turned out much different. But, given the circumstances of Return By Death, it was the logical one to take.

Ram: Ram also doubts that Barasu would have also been able to defeat the pack leader as you did.

Looking down at the hand that had cast the spell that slayed the head mabeast, it was now reduced to holding a damp, slightly dirty cleaning rag.

Ram: However, I would still say heroic actions still don't seem to match YN's usual attitude. Saving the village children, potentially sacrificing yourself, and defeating the monster... It's no wonder Rem has fallen for you, it would be just like her to do so, given her previous discussed view of the world.

Shaking his head, YN replied.

YN: It wasn't just me though. It was you, and Rem, and Subaru. Beatrice is the only reason I didn't die, and Emilia is the only reason Beatrice was able to save me. And it was Roswaal who went and slaughtered the rest of the mabeasts to nullify the curses on Subaru. We all played vital roles to get the outcome we did.

Going back to cleaning as well, YN continued.

YN: That all being said though, you still don't feel threatened by a change in Rem that might jeopardize the pedestal she has for you in her heart? Change begets change after all.

Closing her eyes, Ram responded.

Ram: As long as Rem still respects Ram as her Nee-sama, that is all that is needed in the end.

Looking back to YN, Ram changes her tone to one of concern.

Ram: However, all this being said, Ram is still upset with YN for allowing Rem to be dragged into this— what was it? 'May-o-naze' business. You should know she's going to be busy enough already.

YN: *Sigh* And I take full responsibility for my poor speaking on the matter. But I believe her enthusiasm for it at the moment is only temporary. Right now, all her priorities are jumbled about. I'll work with her on getting them all evened out. That's part of my 'lean on each other' promise I have with her.

Going back to concentrating on the cleaning and wiping, YN missed Ram's rare glance of satisfaction from his answer before going back to cleaning as well.

Not too long after, the door to the kitchen opened back up.

Stumbling forward and out, a disheveled and exhausted Subaru stumbled out. Catching himself on the back of one of the chairs that sat by the table, Subaru wiped the sweat from his brow.

Subaru: Whooooo... Okay, yeah.

Standing back up and stretching his back, Subaru continued.

Subaru: The kitchen is all clean.

Giving him a puzzled look in reply, Ram voiced her concern at his statement.

Ram: —? Barasu, just how would Rem and you have managed to clean the entirety of the kitchen in such a short time? It normally takes Rem close to two—

Rem: Nee-sama! YN-kun! The kitchen is ready! We can begin making 'may-o-naze!'

Barging into the dining room with her boisterous attitude and smile, Rem announced the news to everyone in attendance.

Where Rem stood, she was fully illuminated in the morning sun still coming through the windows into the dinning hall, however, at this moment there was one thing brighter than that.

Atop her blue hair, a single white light shown, humming in resonance to the light it gave off.

Smiling in great enthusiasm, Rem was crowned by the one thing that distinguished her as an oni. Her singular horn.

Limply raising a finger to point, YN spoke the obvious to Ram.

YN: I uhh, think that's how everything got cleaned so quickly.

Rem: Rem will prepare the ingredients Subaru-kun requested! We can commence shortly.

Spinning around at a heightened speed, Rem's dress and apron twirled up high, revealing the tiniest amount of the back of her thighs as she returned back to the kitchen, a glimpse only YN seemed to have seen.

With the three in the meal hall left stunned at Rem's dedication, Ram was the first to speak.

Ram: Barasu, please go assist Rem immediately.

Hearing the seriousness in her voice, Subaru picked his battle and decided to simply comply with the pink haired maid's order.

Turning to YN, only Ram and him remained in the hall. Speaking in a stern voice, Ram spoke.

Ram: It is one of YN's duties to make sure Rem does not overexert herself from this point forward. As part of 'evening out her priorities,' Ram expects you to be more cautious as to not over excite Rem that it causes her to take on additional burdens. So far, you are doing poor in this regard.

Nervously scratching the back of his head, YN knew Ram was more than correct.

YN: I know, I know. I won't let you down. Now then—

Setting the bucket and rag down, YN took a step forward and gestured to Ram to enter the kitchen first.

YN: You can't make mayo without breaking a few eggs.

A/N: That's this week's chapters! I feel a lot of you are really going to enjoy the next few chapters, as they were some of the funnest to write. But till then, see y'all next week!