A/N: Here's the next batch of chapters. I hope you all enjoy. A big thanks to ShuTDown, Tobychevy, and Hasseo8 for finding my typos I missed in the last chapter. This chapter is more or less based off of the Mayo Scramble short story that takes place right after the end of arc 2 in the web novel. Remonwater originally TL'd the story, and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend reading it.

Chapter 32: Pictures Came With Touch

With the quartet now in the middle of the kitchen, Subaru walked to the first of the two tables that made up most of the cooking and prep space and visually inspected the ingredients Rem had selected and placed out.

With a hand on his chin, Subaru carefully looked over every item with Rem right behind him, ready to receive any criticism. YN could tell right away Subaru was simply only putting on airs to look informed on the subject of mayo-making.

Deciding to get the ball rolling, YN walked to the opposite table, and plopped his phone down on the counter top, and proceeded to navigate to the lesson in the education app that held the footnote on the mayonnaise recipe.

Also deciding that nothing could be had from Subaru's silent inspection of the ingredients, and also knowing full well didn't have a clue as to what he was looking for, Ram accompanied YN to the other table as well and raised an eyebrow in curiosity to the device he has placed on the table.

Ram watched YN's finger dance across it's illuminated surface of glass, it's colors being manipulated with each touch. Doing her best to keep her curiosity incognito, Ram stepped closer behind YN, trying to get a better view of the strange metia he possessed.

With Subaru and Rem now getting into a discussion over the difference between "dragon eggs" and "fowl eggs," Ram involved herself in a conversation with YN in order to keep from being part of it.

Ram: Is that the metia Ram has heard about? The one similar to Barasu's?

Looking up from trying to locate the recipe, YN turned his head around to see the oddly curious Ram to his flank, peering down on his phone.

YN: Oh, my cell phone? Yeah, Rem's probably told you about it, hasn't she? It's the same kind of thing as Subaru's, but mine is a lot nicer.

With Ram only responding with a simple head tilt, YN fumbled to come up with a better explanation before one came to him.

YN: Uhhh, well... Think about it this way. Subaru's is like a dainty little cargo carriage a ground dragon might pull, where mine is a nice furnished coach wagon.

Un-tilting her head and conveying she understood more or less, Ram posed her question.

Ram: But what does YN intend to use this... 'Sell-fone' for?

Feeling like he could rightfully put himself on airs at this very moment, YN let a puff of pride into his words as he proclaimed his device's abilities.

YN: Just as Subaru's can, these little things not only serve as a way to instantly communicate, capture moments in time for record, and play entire musical ensembles on command, mine specifically holds a wealth of knowledge that I'm sure rivals even the largest libraries.

In response to YN's boastful statement, Ram continued to stare at the little device before then staring at YN, conveying a message of "you didn't answer my question" to him.

Scratching his head and backpedaling slightly on his words, YN responded with more humility.

YN: I'm really just using it to pull up a recipe for mayonnaise.

Sighing at YN for obviously over exaggerating his metia, Ram put a hand on her hip, ready to criticize him before having her attention taken away by a snippet in Rem and Subaru's ongoing conversation.

Subaru: Do you guys really eat dragon eggs? Aren't dragons worshiped here?!

Rem: Does Subaru-kun really not know the difference between dragons and 'The Dragon?'

Blinking twice at Subaru's response, Ram shook her head and decided to not get involved before turning her attention back to YN. Realizing he would be much easier to deal with at this moment, Ram's would-be harshness in her criticism had drastically decreased, and YN could tell.

Ram: If that metia really is as useful as YN says, surely there's a reason it went under-utilized in the mabeasts incident.

YN: That would be because, in order for this thing to fully function, it needs to have internet access— er... How do I put this...

Knowing full well Ram had no clue what an "internet access" was, YN backpedaled again, thinking yet again what a better explanation would be.

Ram: —It lacks a support structure that Lugunica doesn't have, but your homeland does. Is that correct?

Being snapped from his thinking, Ram had gotten the idea almost flawlessly. Nodding, YN confirmed.

YN: It's more an 'infrastructure' you could say, but that's the right idea.

Ram: But pulling up this recipe is something still within its capabilities?

YN: Yep. In fact—

Finally getting to the area in the app that held the information YN was looking for, it was only a finger tap away.

YN: —It's right here.

Picking up the device and showing Ram, the maid stared at the illuminated surface with a blank expression.

YN: Would you like the honors of opening it?

Ram: YN.

Hearing the concern in her voice, looked at the phone screen again to make sure it hadn't changed or turned off as he held it to the pink haired maid. Seeing the same screen he had originally presented her, YN wondered if perhaps Ram was apprehensive to using it.

YN: What's the matter?

Ram: Is... Is this supposed to be writing on the surface of light?

Now understanding, YN shook his head at his own forgetfulness.

YN: It is, it's my native language. My apologies, just use your finger to press this box, and that'll show the recipe.

Slowly bringing her finger up, Ram hesitantly touched the warm illuminated surface of the metia. Immediately she widened her eyes at the change in colors her simple finger touch had caused.

As the shapes and colors shifted around, Ram silently gazed upon the result of their transformation.

At the top of the surface, a few miniature, but extremely life-like paintings had appeared, showing ingredients similar to ones Rem had set out.

To the bottom, an ordered assortment of the words that made up YN's native language was visible. Ram clearly deducted this as the actual recipe.

Ram silently thought to herself as she examined the recipe. So it's just like a cookbook, but without the 'book' part of it...

In the middle of the metia's surface was a blank black box, but as Ram finished taking in the miniature paintings and exotic looking language, a small, spinning white circle appeared in the black box. Catching her attention, it conveyed the message that something more would soon happen.

As Ram stared at the little black box further, it suddenly changed to another miniature painting, this time of a top down view of an empty mixing bowl.

Knowing fully well what was going on on the screen, YN watched Ram's expressions with a sense of recovered pride from her earlier dismissal of the phone's capabilities.

Thinking to herself, Ram questioned why she was all of a sudden so intrigued by the metia now. Lifting an eyebrow at the significance of placing the odd angled painting of a bowl right in the middle, Ram's expression quickly changed when she saw a pair of hands enter the frame.

Seeing her eyes widen further, YN was slightly shocked to hear Ram's thoughts start to slip out from under her breath.

Ram: It's moving...

Ram observed the pair of hands bring out several eggs and crack them into the aforementioned bowl, and begin to beat them before slowly pouring in what appeared to be oil as the entire mixture was continuously whisked.

Simply blown away, Ram finally voiced her true opinion.

Ram: Not only is it a cookbook, but it's also a teaching utility as well...

However, Ram's intrigued reaction and YN's new hope for regained fulfillment were dashed away when Rem interjected with the topic her and Subaru had been discussing, wanting YN's input.

Rem: Does YN-kun think fowl eggs will be appropriate for such a foreign recipe? Rem can leave now and acquire some dragon eggs if he thinks that would work better.

Before answering, YN walked over to the absolute mountain of eggs Rem had set out in preparation for the mayonnaise creation. Picking one up and comparing it to how YN remembered chicken eggs to be, he answered the blue haired maid.

YN: These should work well enough for what we need...

Setting the egg down, YN took a look at Rem before continuing.

With her fists held tightly to her chest, Rem gave YN a look of defeat.

Rem: Well... If these eggs are unsatisfactory for the creation of may-o-naze then please throw Rem out with them...

Startled at what Rem said, both Subaru and Ram looked at what YN was going to say in response, eyes opened wide in shock. Ram was ready to intervene at a moment's notice and shut the entire affair down should Rem continue to act this way.

YN: Rem...

Placing a hand on the maid's blue hair, YN patted her twice.

YN: I appreciate the dedication Rem, but it's no fun if you stress yourself out over it.

Blushing slightly from her headpat, Rem responded.

Rem: If YN-kun says so, Rem will do her best without overdoing it.

Interjecting, Subaru gave the two a smile and a thumbs up, giving a sense of comedic relief.

Subaru: That's the spirit! Now c'mon! We don't have all day. I'll start.

Rem: What's the first ingredient, Subaru-kun?

Picking up a handful of eggs, Subaru cracked a few into his waiting mixing bowl.

Subaru: First is eggs, and now I guess...

YN: Oil.

Snapping his finger at YN's answer, Subaru continued.

Subaru: Yeah! Say though, I don't see any oil set out—

Rem: Allow Rem!

Spinning around and walking to a nearby upper cabinet, Rem reached up to the cabinet's handles and opened them. Holding on still, Rem turned her head back to confirm if this was what they had expected.

Rem: Will this suffice?

In the opened cabinet was vase after vase of oil.

Ram: At the very least, the mansion has an overabundance of oil, so if this 'may-o-naze' uses oil, it shouldn't be a burden.

Letting the shock of an abundance subside, a potential problem creeped into Subaru's mind.

Subaru: Say uhh, Nee-sama, I don't take it anyone cleared it with Ros-chi that it was okay to use the mansion's stock on this, was it?

Grabbing several vases of oil down, Rem smiled wide in response to Subaru's question to Ram.

Rem: There's no reason to worry, Rem will resupply any deficiencies in the stock on the next shopping trip with her personal savings.

Immediately taking up issue with Rem attempting to put another burden upon herself, YN protested.

YN: Hold on Rem, this was all partly my idea, let me pay for it.

Ram: With what funds, may Ram ask do you possess that you could pay Rem back with?

A cord was stuck within YN, Ram was more than right. They had not even been here a full week yet, and YN definitely did not have a single coin to his name.

Crap, that's right. I haven't been paid yet.

YN: I—

Going to respond, another series of thoughts crossed his mind, prudent to the issue he faced.

Wait, am I even getting paid for this?! I don't think me and Roswaal ever talked salary expectations here...

Ram: —? Well?

YN: —Hk! I-I'll...

Steeling his resolve, he knew Ram wasn't trying to critique or belittle him here, but rather help him give tangible, real support to Rem he could follow through on.

Taking a deep breath, YN answered Ram.

YN: I'll ask Roswaal for some extra work, overtime or whatever else is appropriate. If he doesn't have anything, I'll go to Arlem and see what I can do about getting a side gig. I figure I shouldn't have a problem sweeping streets or scooping ground dragon dung.

Satisfied with his answer, Ram gave him the slightest nod, only visible to YN. Turning to Rem, YN saw the sparkle of admiration in her eyes.

Rem: If YN-kun must go to Arlem for work, Rem will be sure to bring a picnic snack and arrive when he's done so Rem and YN-kun can walk back to the mansion together.

Hearing Rem's sincerest words, a pang of jealousy ran through Subaru. Why can't Emilia-tan act this way to me!

YN: I'll take you up on that.

Clapping his hands together and pointing to Subaru, YN continued.

YN: Now then, Chef, please proceed.

Having let Subaru be the first to tackle attempting to make mayonnaise, the first bowl was a complete disaster, as the egg and oil continuously separated.

With Subaru's lack of knowledge of how this "may-o-naze" was even made, Rem had stepped in to help, determined to not let everything be for not.

Letting the two have at, YN grabbed only a few eggs and a single vase of oil and proceeded back to the second table where he had shown Ram his phone, and pulled back up the actual recipe.

By the time he had eggs cracked in his bowl and had his oil measured out in a separate container, Subaru and Rem had already gone through several bowls of failed egg and oil mixture before getting one that was halfway decent.

Rem: Subaru-kun. You have to slowly add the oil while whisking in order to keep it from separating.

Watching as the blue haired maid slowly drizzled on the oil while stirring, the mixture began to look much closer to mayonnaise.

Subaru: Ahhhhh.

Ram: Hmph, anyone who has experience in a kitchen would be able to tell you that.

Stepping closer to YN, Ram quietly spoke.

Ram: That is what the recipe calls for, is it not?

Nodding in reply, Ram stepped back to where she had been, a smirk of confidence and pride on her face.

Looking at the ingredients laid out before him, YN sighed.

YN: The thing is though, you need to whisk the mixture together really quickly, hence why the recipe recommends using an automatic mixer at high speed. The quality of mayonnaise is really dependent on how fast you can stir the initial mixture, and unless you're some sort of a master chef, well, good luck.

Looking at YN and tilting her head, Ram questioned one of the things YN had said.

Ram:— — —? Otto-ma-tick mixer?

Realizing it would be easier to simply show her what he meant rather than explain it, YN reopened the video Ram had watched part of on his phone and skipped the portion of the video where it showed the pair of hands using the automatic electric mixer in the bowl of eggs while slowly pouring in the oil.

Noting everything she saw, Ram nodded.

Ram: YN, please be ready to pour on the oil.

Taking a step next to YN with the mixing bowl in front of her, Ram did not grab a whisk, but rather she placed both her hands before her, palms pointed towards the bowl.

Taking a breath, Ram concentrated. Not a second later, a small breeze could be felt coming directly from the bowl. Looking down, YN saw the source of the breeze.

Ram was using her wind magic to stir the mixture at high speed, much like the mixer would have.

Ram: YN. The oil.

Snapping himself to and drizzling the oil in, YN apologized.

YN: R-Right, sorry.

As he poured the oil in, the mayonnaise began to form into exactly as it did in the recipes video tutorial. Not even a full minute later, Ram had created a picture perfect mixture of the mayonnaise base.

Seeing her sister using magic, Rem stepped over, prompting Subaru to follow. Seeing the light fluffy mixture, Rem gasped in surprise.

Rem: Wow! Nee-sama is very talented!

Clapping lightly and showering her sister in praise, Subaru starred in wonderlust at the bowl before him.

Checking the recipe, YN listed off the next steps.

YN: Now we need the salt and pepper.

Walking over to the opposite table with all the ingredients still on it, YN grabbed the two ingredients.

Rem: Hmm, surely YN-kun must mean solt and peppa.

Ram: That's not the only strange words he and Barasu have for simple food items it seems...

Measuring out and placing the appropriate amounts of each into the bowl Ram had mixed, YN went back to check his phone for the recipe one last time.

YN: Now we—

Subaru: Oh I can't wait any longer!

Taking his finger and dipping it into the bowl, Subaru scooped up a fair amount into his mouth, taste testing the still incomplete minute.

Both assuming the mixture was complete as well, Rem and Ram followed suit, doing the same.

As YN looked on, the three had their eyes closed, taking in the flavor, seeing if it was everything they had hoped or heard it was.

Being the first to speak, Ram voiced her opinion.

Ram: It is... Somewhat bland, as if missing something...

YN: That's because—

Subaru: Yeah, she's right, I just can't put my finger in it... C'mon think! Think! What is it?!

YN: That's because we haven't added the—

Rem: Hmm, Rem knows what it is.

Subaru: Really?! What is it?!

YN was almost at his limit. Surely it was only him who held the answer to their question. But, he wasn't about to speak over Rem.

Rem: It needs a sour taste.

Snapping his fingers almost immediately, Subaru agreed.

Subaru: That's exactly it! But what do we add...

Before he had a chance to search for ideas, Ram spoke back up.

Ram: Perhaps we should try Lemomu juice?

Snapping his fingers again, Subaru agreed once more.

Subaru: Yeah! Rem?

Rem: On it!

Immediately turning around, Rem opened a container of lemon looking fruit. Taking several out, she cut each in half and juiced them in record time. With Rem handing off the cup of the freshly squeezed juice to Subaru, he eyeballed the pristine bowl Ram and YN had mixed up.

Subaru: Now, let's add this a little at a time and taste for favor—

Grabbing the bowl and holding it away, YN protested.

YN: No-way are you putting that in this! That's not even what the recipe calls for!

Subaru: To hell with the recipe! A real mayo-enthusiast just knows these things!

Not expecting him to actually further pursue the bowl beyond YN's simple denial, Subaru grabbed the bowl from his hand and splashed the lemomu juice in, and began to stir.

YN could only watch, mouth agape. Having finished adding the juice to the mixture, Subaru replaced the bowl between the four of them.

Also being the first to taste test again, he did so alone this time. Scooping up a large amount on his finger, Subaru tastes the complete mayonnaise.

Immediately, his face began to contort into a displeased expression before spitting what he had on his mouth into the trash.

Subaru: Bleck! Disgusting! Oh man, that's an entirely different kind of sour then normal lemon juice. Bleck! Terrible!

Looking down at the bowl with a sad face, Rem turned to face her sister and YN.

Rem: Nee-sama, Rem truly apologizes for ruining the may-o-naze.

Glaring over to Subaru for ruining the one good batch they had managed to make, YN replied.

YN: It's not your fault in the least bit Rem. If someone had actually bothered to follow the recipe, this wouldn't have happened.

Subaru: And just how are you supposed to fix that!

YN: You were supposed to use vinegar you dunce!

A silence filled the kitchen. YN had feared he had raised his voice too much when suddenly Subaru looked down and scratched his head. Looking over to the maid twins, they too were acting similar.

Breaking the silence, Subaru spoke under his breath.

Subaru: I guess that sounds more correct now that you mention it...

Hearing him say that, Rem turned to Ram, looking for clarification.

Rem: Nee-sama, does he mean vinegie?

Answering, Ram placed a hand on her chin.

Ram: If he does, Ram must admit, in hindsight, vinegie might have been a better choice.

Subaru: Well, let's just start again. I'll get the eggs and oil, and Ram, if you can—

Ram: I refuse.

Subaru: C'mon, nee-sama! Just one more time!

Ram: Ram has already used enough of her precious mana, as is. Rem.

Rem: Yes, Nee-sama?

Ram: We've wasted enough time as is on this. Ram will be leaving to work on the next set of tasks for the day, please have YN and Subaru help clean up in here.

Rem: Yes, Nee-sama...

With Ram departing out of the kitchen, so did their hopes for a completed mayonnaise batch.

Subaru: Oh well. I guess I won't be getting any mayo now...

YN: Yeah, mayo won't be coming to Lugincia any time soon.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Rem remembering YN's words. Steeling herself, Rem transformed her feelings to determination.

Rem: No. One more time.

Grabbing a bowl, Rem cracked several eggs and readied a cup of oil. Closing her eyes, Rem called forth her oni powers once more.

From atop her head, a shiny horn of mana grew. As it reached full form, Rem began to stir.

Faster and faster, Rem slowly poured the oil in as she stirred with greater and greater speed, rivaling her sister's wind magic. Soon the mixture reached peak form, and a white, fluffy, creamy mixture was born from Rem's extreme efforts.

Before retreating her horn, Rem placed an appropriate amount of salt and pepper and stirred once more before going to grab another glass bottle from the far cabinet.

With her horn still fully formed, Rem walked up to YN. Standing close, only the bowl itself was in-between the two as YN stared into Rem's wild eyes full of determination and passion. He could feel the heat of the mana radiating off her horn.

Taking the bowl, YN thanked her.

YN: Good job Rem, but please, don't over do it like that. Your oni transformation shouldn't be used for such frivolous things.

Nodding, Rem recalled her horn.

Placing the bowl on the table, YN read his recipe one last time before measuring out the appropriate amount of vinegar.

Splashing it into the bowl, YN did the honors of performing the final stir.

With the recipe mayonnaise complete, Subaru was the first to taste test again. Instead of a look of disgust, a wash of satisfying emotion covered his face.

Subaru: That's it! That's what I've been longing for!

Each taking a taste in response to the good remarks, Rem also voiced her approval.

Rem: Rem can see why Subaru-kun was missing this. It is quite good.

YN: Yep. Tastes like mayo alright.

Not being able to contain himself, Subaru grabbed the bowl and headed for the door.

YN: Wait! Subaru! Where are you going?!

Subaru: I have to share this with Emilia-tan! I'll bring it right back!

Sighing, YN placed his phone back down on the table.

YN: He could have at least waited till after we were done cleaning up.

Picking up his phone, Rem flipped the device and turned it around a few times, trying to make sense of the writing on its illuminated surface.

Rem: So, YN-kun had the recipe on this?

Surprised to see Rem taking an interest in his phone, YN did not try to stop her from handling it.

YN: Yep, and it's got a few more like that on there too.

Rem's eyes lit up at the prospect of more new knowledge that was like this may-o-naze.

Rem: Rem wishes she knew how to read this.

Handing the phone back to YN, he shut off the screen before replying.

YN: Maybe I'll teach you, as repayment for teaching me how to read your language.

Nodding with a wide smile on her face, Rem agreed.

Rem: Rem would very much like that.

Putting the phone back in his pocket, YN crossed his arms.

YN: I suppose we should probably get started on cleaning up, even if Subaru insists on goofing off.

YN and Rem got about half of the way done before Rem spoke up once more.

Rem: YN-kun. Rem had a lot of fun making may-o-naze. But, Rem was really worried it was going to be a failure, so she is really happy it wasn't.

YN: I don't know why you were worried, it's not like we didn't have a recipe.

Putting a hand to her chest, Rem lowered her head.

Rem: Hmm, that is true.

YN: All we had to do was follow it.

Rem: Rem should have had more faith in YN-kun, especially after everything he's done as well.

Not wanting to damage her happiness he knew she felt right now, YN simply nodded and agreed despite his own feelings and returned to cleaning the kitchen.

Turning away to continue cleaning as well, Rem felt a warmth grow in her heart.

From the simple cooking fiasco that had unfolded, the seeds of trust that YN had planted in Rem's heart from the mabeast incident began to sprout. In addition to her feelings she had begun to hold for the simple grounds-keeper-turned-her-hero, an immense trust also began to grow in her heart.