Chapter 9

Isekai Butler

The aroma of roasted meats and simmering sauces filled the grand dining room, mingling with the soft murmur of conversation.

Sunlight streamed through expansive windows, illuminating the scene: Roswaal at the head of a polished wooden table, flanked by his maids, Rem and Ram, their expressions stoic yet attentive.

To his right, Subaru and Emilia sat engrossed in their meal, while a beaming Beatrice is spoon-feeding the cat Puck on the opposite side.

"Despite her appearance," Roswaal began, gesturing toward the blue-haired maid , "Rem's cooking is quite impressive." He lifted a spoonful of stew to his lips, savoring the flavor with an air of refined appreciation.

Subaru : "So this was done by Rem, uh? You're an amazing cook!"

Rem simply offered a curt nod and a whispered "Thanks, Subaru-kun." Her twin sister, Ram, however, seemed more inclined to express her opinion.

"My sister's cooking is amazing, indeed," she declared, her voice a low, melodic hum that resonated through the room.

His attention flickering between his plate and the maids, Subaru told Ram. "The steamed potatoes you made during our trip were really good as well, Ram-chi! Twins who are good at the same things, huh!"

Rem : "Do you mean 'tatoes'?"

Subaru : "Oops I mispronounced again.. tatoes, tatoes…"

"Tatoes… That was the same with the appas… I'm really in another world, huh…" he mused inwardly, shaking his head at his own clumsiness.

"Of course, steamed tatoes is what I do best," Ram purred, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "But it's Rem who does all the cooking in this house."

Subaru, keen to understand their dynamic, cleared his throat. "I see, I see… Rem takes on the cooking, and you are on the cleaning part, isn't it?"

Rem inclined her head, a hint of pride flickering in her eyes. "It is true that Nee-sama excels at housework, particularly laundry and cleaning."

Subaru pondered for a moment, picturing a smooth division of labor. "Hmmm… So you alternate tasks – today Rem cooks, Ram manages the household, and tomorrow it's the other way around?"

"Not really," Rem answered. "I always do the cooking in this house. Nee-sama is not very good at cooking."

Subaru's brow furrowed. "Huh? But your steamed potato— tatoes— they were… Aahh… You can't cook anything other than these, huh?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I should've known better; we ate only steamed tatoes with seasoned meat after all."

Ram : "Hah!"

Subaru : "Then what? Rem-rin is good at cooking, but bad at cleaning and laundry, so you shared the tasks accordingly?"

"No, I'm generally good at all household tasks," Rem stated firmly. "I'm also better at cleaning and laundry than Nee-sama."

"Does your sister even have a purpose!" was what Subaru would retort before meeting Rem's sharpened gaze, more intimidating than usual.

Sensing he had blundered into an uncomfortable topic, quickly backpedaled. "So, um... It seems like both of you are very talented!"

He shifted his attention to Roswaal, hoping to smooth things over. "In any case, I really thank you for your hospitality, Ros-chi! I'll repay you someday!"

Roswaal chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You reeeally don't need to do it, I'm the one who should thank you. If you hadn't helped Emilia-sama that day, she might not only have looost her political status, buuut also died , after all!"

Emilia nodded in agreement. She reached out to touch Subaru's arm, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. "Roswaal is right. You really were my savior. So you don't have to worry about that. Actually, ask for anything!"

Subaru blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. "Wha…?" he stammered, unsure how to respond.

Roswaal, ever the dramatic one, seized the moment. He swept his hands upwards with a flourish, his expression brimming with theatrical grandeur. "Natsuki Subaru-kun!" he proclaimed, his voice booming through the dining room, "You may have any reward you request! Merely state your desire!"

A nervous giggle escaped Subaru's lips as anticipation filled the air. "Oooooh…" he breathed, his eyes widening with mock contemplation. "Hehehe… I see…"

The others leaned forward, captivated by Subaru's dramatic pause. Emilia's face held a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, while Roswaal's smile widened, savoring the suspense.

Even Beatrice, usually engrossed in her own world, paused to peek at him with a hint of interest. Puck, however, remained unfazed, happily purring as Beatrice scratched behind his ears.

Finally, Subaru announced, "Hire me to work in this mansion!"

Silence descended upon the room, broken only by a tiny sneeze from Ram – "Achoo!" – that echoed through the stunned quiet.

Subaru was ushered by the twin maids into a room overflowing with garments - dresses of shimmering silks and brocades, maid and butler outfits - all neatly arranged in a series of wardrobes, closets, hangers and coat racks. Emilia trailed behind them, her expression a mix of amusement and concern.

Finally, after a moment, he emerged from a fitting room. Subaru stood awkwardly in a butler's uniform that seemed to swallow him whole. The jacket hung off his shoulders like a too-large shroud, and the trousers pooled around his feet.

Emilia stifled a laugh. "That isn't quite right… wasn't there anything else that fit you, Subaru?" she asked gently.

"Oddly," Subaru mumbled, tugging at the ill-fitting jacket, "some of the girls' stuff fit me better…"

Ram surveyed him with a critical eye. "You look quite ridiculous, Barusu," she stated flatly, her voice laced with amusement.

"Isn't the outfit too big in the first place being the problem?" Subaru retorted defensively.

Ram turned to Rem. "Rem, looking at Barusu's ridiculous appearance, do you notice anything?"

Rem : "...His shoulders are shaped funny, his legs are short and his eyes are scary?"

Subaru : "I can't do anything about two of those!"

Ram sighed dramatically. "We can't allow you to work here in such shady-looking attire. People would question Lord Roswaal's dignity. Let us alter the jacket, at least. Rem, if you please."

Emilia smiled reassuringly at Subaru. "Well then, I have to study for the royal selection. Good luck with your work too, Subaru."

Determined to make a good impression despite his questionable attire, Subaru puffed out his chest. "Yes! Leave it to me, Emilia-tan!"

As the half-elf turned to leave, Rem's gaze lingered on her retreating form. A thoughtful frown creased her brow as she inhaled deeply, trying to catch the faint scent that clung to Emilia like a wisp of smoke.

"Emilia-sama's witch scent has become so faint compared to yesterday..." she murmured to herself, a hint of relief in her voice. "I'm glad, but why did she have it in the first place?"

Her attention then snapped to Subaru, who stood frozen beside her. He seemed oblivious to her internal monologue as he shifted awkwardly in his ill-fitting uniform. Rem's expression hardened, a subtle coldness creeping into her eyes.

"Subaru-kun's... hasn't decreased at all," she stated inwardly. She approached him silently, her gaze unwavering, leaving Subaru no escape from the intensity of her stare. He flinched involuntarily, stepping back as if physically repelled by her presence.

"U–Uh, Rem-san?" he stammered nervously.

Rem stopped in front of him, a measuring tape now clutched in her hand. "I shall take your measurements," she declared, her voice crisp and commanding. "Stand still and keep your back straight."

Subaru, visibly intimidated, nodded meekly. "U–Um… Okay."

He raised his hands in a hesitant T-pose, hoping to make himself as small and unobtrusive as possible.

As Rem's cold fingers brushed against his chest while taking the measurements, Subaru yelped in surprise, "Eep!"

Rem, unfazed by his reaction, continued her work, moving on to measure his waist. "Please refrain from making strange noises," she instructed coldly. "It's unpleasant."

The flustered teenager-now-butler stammered a feeble defense. "That was beyond my control… This is awkward for a guy in multiple ways!"

Doors swung open one by one, each revealing a glimpse into the Roswaal's mansion. Ram, leading Subaru through the labyrinthine halls, offered brief descriptions as she went.

First, they entered a room bathed in soft light filtering through windows draped with delicate green curtains. Three luxurious green plush chairs sat clustered around a small rectangular table in the center.

Ram : "This is the VIP room. Roswaal-sama welcomes distinguished guests here."

Next, they passed through a doorway into a room designed for both relaxation and cleansing. Marble pillars rose from the floor, their smooth surfaces gleaming under the soft light emanating from lighting lamps. In the center, a large bath overflowed with steaming water, its surface blurrily reflecting the golden pillar that stood tall in its midst.

Ram : "This is the bathing room. It can also be used as a sauna."

The scent of spices and simmering herbs filled the air as they entered a vast kitchen. Rows upon rows of plates lined shelves, gleaming pots and pans hung from hooks overhead, while jars filled with colorful ingredients crowded every corner. Knives of all shapes and sizes lay neatly arranged on a long countertop alongside rollers, mortars, and pestles.

Ram : "This is the kitchen, where we work to prepare the resident's meals."

At the end of the hallway, they stood before a final door. Ram gestured towards it with a flick of her wrist.

"And this is the lavatory," she announced, her tone devoid of any expectation.

"Let's see." Subaru, eager to see how such a grand mansion accommodated its residents' needs, pulled open the door.

His eyes widened in surprise as he was met not by the expected porcelain throne and gleaming sink, but by another explosion of bookshelves. Beatrice, perched on a stool, her head buried deep in a tome, looked up at them with a bored expression.

"Well?" Subaru declared, raising an eyebrow. "Haven't you heard? The lavatory is also the library in this mansion.

Beatrice : "So now you can break through my Door's Crossing like it's natural, I suppose."

Subaru, basking in the success of his impromptu teleport, grinned smugly. "Heh! I thought you'd have learned at this point. I'm a flag—"

His boastful words were cut short by a sudden gust of wind that slammed him back into the hallway. The force of the blast sent him tumbling, his face contorted in surprise as he hit the floor with a thud.

"What was that!" he sputtered, scrambling to his feet. "Hey, at least let me finish!"

He scrambled towards the door, but it had already swung shut, revealing a surprisingly ordinary room: a white washbasin, a toilet with a brown lid, and a mirror decorated with a golden frame.

Ram stood beside him, her expression as impassive as ever. "That was Beatrice-sama's Door's Crossing," she stated plainly.

Subaru, brushing himself off, tried to salvage his ego. "Yup, I know. It is always impressive to see. But…" He flashed a cheeky grin and, ignoring Ram's dismissive gaze, headed for another door.

The familiar scent of old paper and leather greeted him as he entered: Beatrice's Forbidden Library

The little girl's usual bored expression barely shifted as she continued to pore over a thick tome. "Don't you have anything better to do on your first day of work than to disturb Betty's reading session, I suppose? What an annoying servant you are, I suppose."

"Hey Loli girl," Subaru greeted cheerfully, strolling towards her with a mischievous grin. "Whatcha reading this time?"

Beatrice glanced up briefly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before returning to her book. "It's none of your concern, I suppose."

Subaru, undeterred by her frosty reception, pressed on, leaning against a bookshelf. "Come on, don't be like that! Is it some kind of forbidden love story about a knight and a dragon princess? Or maybe a thrilling adventure about a brave adventurer who discovers a hidden treasure?"

Beatrice : "The Guillotine of Magrittsa. A classic, which you probably already know about, in fact."

"Sorry, but I can't read, and I never even heard about some maguritsa. Tell me more!" He declared, earning himself another withering glare from Beatrice.

Subaru : "You practically live in here! Don't you ever get tired of being stuck between these walls? Are you maybe one of us? A shut-in NEET?"

"Shut-in…neeto?" she repeated slowly, her voice laced with icy displeasure. "Again, an expression outside of Betty's knowledge, I suppose… It pisses Betty off, in fact!"

"You seem to be under the impression that Betty has nothing better to do than entertain your idle curiosity, I suppose," she snapped, finally closing her book and fixing him with a stern look. "Perhaps if you spent less time goofing off and more time learning something useful, you'd understand, I suppose."

Ram stepped forward, her expression as placid as ever, and offered a more practical explanation. "Roswaal-sama is the greatest magic user in the kingdom," she stated calmly. "He possesses many books containing powerful magic that must remain hidden from prying eyes. Beatrice-sama is contracted to safeguard them."

Beatrice nodded sharply in agreement. "Exactly. I have a noble duty, and have no time to play around. If you understand it now, then go away."

With a final click, the door slammed shut, leaving Subaru and Ram standing alone in the hallway.

Ram : "This concludes our tour of the mansion. Any questions?"

Subaru blurted out with an enthusiasm he felt a little misplaced, given his understanding of Beatrice's situation, "No questions, Ram-senpai!"

"Then let us get to your actual job," Ram said, her tone leaving no room for debate. "You'll help me with my work, Barusu."

Subaru puffed out his chest, trying to summon a sense of purpose. "Here we go! The moment where my hidden skill as a butler reveals itself!"

Ram's expression remained unchanged as she delivered her next words, each one a nail hammered into Subaru's illusion of grandeur. "My work today is caring for the front yard and garden," she began, her voice monotonous yet chillingly precise.

"—helping to prepare lunch, polishing the silver, airing the futons, laundry, bathroom cleaning—"

Subaru : "Uh...w–wait–"

"—sweeping the floors, dusting the furniture, sorting through letters, prepping food ingredients—"

Subaru's grin slowly faded as she mercilessly continued listing off tasks, each one more mundane than the last.

The flickering glow of magically-powered lanterns cast dancing shadows across Subaru's new room. The space was modest compared to the lavish guest room, but still comfortably appointed with a sturdy bed and a few functional furnishings.

Exhaustion tugged at him as Subaru collapsed onto the mattress, his limbs aching from a day of housework.

"Gaahh~ I'm exhausted... How can this mansion be maintained by only two maids?!" he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "Actually, why?! Ros-chi is unexpectedly very stingy... Is it so expensive to hire labor in this world? Then why build such a gigantic building in the first place–?"

Before he could complain further about working conditions under Roswaal, the door creaked open and Ram entered without knocking.

Ram : "It's nighttime. Be quiet."

"Whoow! Ram-chi?!" Subaru exclaimed, startled by her sudden appearance.

Ram strode past him with an air of quiet authority, moving towards his desk without a glance. "Barusu, come over here."

Subaru sat up, confused but intrigued. "Eh? Is there anything else to do, taskmaster?" he asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.

"Come sit here, so I can teach you to read and write, like I told you before," she stated simply, standing beside the desk.

Subaru : "First time hearing this!"

Obeying Ram's instructions, Subaru sat at the desk, picking up a feather quill pen that felt strangely foreign in his hand. He scribbled haphazardly on the parchment, forming a jumble of Japanese characters.

Subaru : "But where's this coming from?"

Ram : "You can't read or write, do you? If you can't read or write, I can't send you shopping, and you can't write down orders."

"I appreciate it," he said, scratching his head, "but why are you being so nice to me? Did you perhaps take a liking to your new kouhai?" He offered a playful smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

Ram's expression remained unreadable. "Look at it as a payment for last time," she stated flatly.

"Huh? Last time?" Subaru echoed, completely bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

A flicker of something akin to amusement crossed Ram's features. "You weren't half bad against that wolgarm."

Unseen by them both, a figure stood silently in the shadows behind the closed door – Rem. Her expression remained unreadable as she listened intently to their conversation, her gaze lingering on Subaru with intensity.

Subaru, startled by Ram's sudden declaration, smiled sheepishly. "Well, don't worry about it, Ram-chi! I didn't do it for benefits or something, so you don't really need to feel obligated," he insisted, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "And, you know… I actually wanted Emilia to teach me—"

Ram cut him off without hesitation, her tone brooking no argument. "It's too painful to go on living while feeling indebted to Barusu. So, starting tonight, I'll help you study every evening."

Subaru : "Hm? Ram?"

Ignoring his bewildered expression, Ram gestured towards a tome with a dragon-like shape emblazoned on its cover. "For reading, we'll start with this collection of children's fairy tales," she declared, thrusting it into his hands before he could protest further. "And for writing, with the basic i-glyphs. Only after you've mastered them will we move on to ro-glyphs and ha-glyphs."

Subaru sputtered, "Are you listening to me?"

Ram fixed him with her usual intimidating glare. "I want you to be serious about it, Barusu," she stated firmly. "The more you'll be able to do as a butler, the less I have to do. And when I have less to do, so does Rem. It's win-win."

Meanwhile, Emilia, eager to see Subaru again after a long day of work, spotted Rem standing by the door. "Rem?" she called out softly, her voice tinged with delight.

Rem dipped her head in a graceful nod, whispering, "Emilia-sama."

Caught up in the moment, Emilia whispered back – instinctively mirroring Rem's quiet tone – "Do you want to see Subaru?" As if on cue, her gaze drifted towards the open doorway where Subaru sat hunched over his desk, Ram perched beside him.

"Three different types? That's just depressing to hear…" Subaru continued scribbling in his native language, a frustrated frown creasing his forehead.

Ram, unable to decipher his script, snapped, "You don't have time to waste on doodles. Tomorrow's an early start, so time's short. I'm sleepy too."

Subaru chuckled softly, closing his eyes briefly as if letting out a sigh. "I can't say I dislike how you inserted your own feelings at the end, senpai."

"I do believe honesty is my most charming feature," Ram retorted with a hint of pride. "Now, let's begin."

Unbeknownst to them – or rather, only to Subaru, two figures watched from the shadows.

Rem's gaze remained steadfast and vigilant, purposely ignoring the lightness that filled her heart through her synesthesia.

For her, Ram was acting. Her sister's trust in this jet-haired boy who carried the scent of the witch could only be an act. Right?

Emilia, on the other hand, felt a peculiar pang in her chest as she observed them together – a feeling she couldn't quite decipher.

"—Barusu, wake up. It's morning."

Natsuki Subaru was abruptly yanked from his dream world by a crisp voice and the rustling of curtains being pulled open, flooding his room with the cool morning breeze. He groaned, lifting his head to a sitting position on his bed, still groggy with sleep. "Hmm… Yeah, yeah…"

His eyes fluttered open, meeting the gaze of a beautiful pink-haired girl in a maid outfit standing before him. Her expression was as cold and sharp as winter ice.

Ram : "You're not much help, but at least it doesn't take much to wake you up."

Subaru rubbed sleep from his eyes, wondering how he should measure time without his trusty flip phone. "What time is it?" he mumbled, while yawning.

Ram's expression remained unmoved. "Come now, stop dozing off and get changed. If you keep causing me trouble, I'll report it to Roswaal-sama, and your position will be taken away."

"Can't we at least say 'Good Morning' or something?" He managed to crawl out of bed, his limbs feeling like lead.

Turning to leave without another word, she said simply, "Get changed, and meet up with us promptly. Don't even think about something as foolish as going back to sleep."

Subaru chuckled softly despite himself. "What on earth are you saying to a hard-working man like me? I'll be right there, ma'am."

Ram : "...Be quick."

With that, she turned and left the room. Frowning at Ram's frosty demeanor, Subaru peeled off the jersey he'd slept in and, now down to his underwear, picked up the change of clothing.

It was the sixth day since his arrival in this strange world, and his third as a butler in Roswaal's mansion. His body hadn't quite adjusted to the demands of the job, or even the concept of hard work.

The fact that he was still so sleepy was testament to that.

Pulling on the sleeves, Subaru fidgeted with the oddly numerous ornaments adorning his attire. With a final snap, he secured the last bit of the uniform—a tall, white ruff-like collar—firmly onto his head, and unsteadily made his way down the chilly early-morning hallway.

The meeting point for the other maids was the mansion's grand entrance hall. Subaru shuffled toward it, hunching his shoulders against the morning air.

Ram : "There you are, Barus–"

Her greeting abruptly choked in her throat as she took in Subaru's appearance. Her expression tightened, leaving him feeling a prickle of unease. He tilted his head slightly, puzzled.

"Hm? I put on my uniform while being sleepy, maybe something is off with it?" he thought to himself.

Rem : "Good morning, Subaru-kun. Let's work hard tod—"

"There's definitely something off!" Subaru's internal monologue shrieked. He glanced down at his outfit again, scrutinizing every detail.

Starting with a white base, it was a stylish ensemble in black – a skirt extending below his knees, billowing sleeve cuffs, a straight frilly apron, and a perfectly tied ribbon completing the look.

He placed a hand to his head…and then everything clicked into place.

"Why am I dressed up in a maid outfit!?" Subaru exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.

"Bwahahahahaha!"

At the same time as Subaru's morning yell, Ram and Rem both burst out laughing, slapping their knees and giggling uncontrollably.

Subaru's face flushed scarlet as he sputtered, "How did it happen!"

Ram wiped a tear from her eye, amusement dancing in her gaze. "What an interesting hobby you have, Barusu!" she quipped.

Rem, still chuckling, chimed in, "It seems Frederica-san's clothing fits you perfectly, Subaru-kun!"

Maid Subaru glared at the two giggling maids, his veins throbbing with indignation and a heat creeping up his neck.

Subaru : "I don't care if it looks good on me or not! This is a social issue! The senior maids are making fun of the junior maid here!"

"You're thinking of yourself as a maid, then? Truly impressive, Barusu." Ram said, her voice dripping with mock admiration.

"It seems you really do enjoy seeing yourself that way…" the other maid purred with feigned innocence.

Subaru gritted his teeth. "Ghrrr— I give up…" he grumbled, defeat settling in his voice. "Wait a moment here, okay?"

Ram's expression turned icy. "That won't do at all. We already wasted precious time this morning."

Rem nodded. "Nee-sama is impressive as always. I can't help but admire her discipline and thoroughness."

"Time lost mostly because you two were too busy laughing at me, wasn't it?" he retorted, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

The twins exchanged glances, both wearing expressions of innocent confusion.

Subaru let out a long sigh, defeated by their blatant disregard for logic and truth. He knew arguing with them was pointless. "Anyways, I'm gonna get changed. If I go now, I'll get by with only being embarrassed by you two. I can't even imagine letting Emilia-tan see me like this. It would be way beyond embarrassing."

He scrambled up the stairs, eager to escape the judgmental stares of the twins and reach the sanctuary of his room. He needed a solution, and fast.

Subaru : "Alright, this will be our secret, just ours. I'm begging you!"

Ram : "Losing your nerve halfway through, that's certainly your style, Barusu."

Subaru, already halfway up the stairs, threw a desperate plea over his shoulder. "I don't even have a reply for your poison tongue right now. So please, keep it a secret."

A voice, light and clear as a chime, cut through the air. "Keep what a secret?"

Subaru : "Can you keep up with the conversation here? I'm talking about the fact that I was half-asleep, dressed up as a maid and paraded around…"

Then he froze mid-step. His eyes widened in horror as he turned to face a pair of innocent amethyst eyes gazing up at him with unwavering curiosity. A squeak of alarm escaped his lips: "Hiiiiee"

Emilia brushed a stray strand of her silver hair behind her ear and gazed at Subaru with a puzzled tilt of her head. "Umm… I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice laced with genuine confusion. "I'm not sure what to say in this sort of situation."

Subaru wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

"Um… You might as well laugh with the rest of them," he muttered, his face burning with shame.

Emilia : "I'm sorry, it's not really amusing enough to laugh."

Part of Subaru felt a surge of relief and joy seeing Emilia – they hadn't had much time together these past few days, caught up as they were in their respective duties.

But the sight of her staring at him, clad in an unflattering maid's outfit, and with no hint of amusement… He wanted to die right then and there.

Rem : "Nee-sama, nee-sama. Is this perhaps the sort of thing referred to as public execution?"

Ram : "Rem, Rem. A situation like this can lead to losing all human dignity and dying, I would say."

Subaru's misery was tangible enough to prevent him moving for even an inch. Damage control? No, the damage was already too severe, so he might as well try to make things as painless as possible.

He was adrift in a sea of humiliation, desperately clinging to any shred of dignity left.

Emilia shifted nervously, searching for the right words. "Subaru," she began hesitantly, "it's hard for me to know what to say..."

In any other situation, Subaru would have been touched by her concern, but now, it just added another layer of agonizing awkwardness.

Seeing Subaru's spirit slowly drain away, Emilia made a decision. She wouldn't dwell on the embarrassing spectacle; she'd offer a gentler path through this minefield.

"I understand wanting to dress up in cute clothes, too," she said with a gentle smile, "But I don't think it suits you, Subaru!"

Subaru blinked, caught off guard. "...huh?"

"Ah, I'm not upset or anything," Emilia clarified quickly. "But, I do feel just a little jealous. Something like what Ram and Rem wear is embarrassing for me, but the length that Frederica wore would be fine..."

Subaru stared at her, dumbfounded. "Your reaction to what I'm wearing is just giving it a low score? You're not going to yell at me for being a pervert?"

Emilia looked genuinely confused. "...? A pervert is a dangerous person, right? You are not dangerous, are you?"

Subaru saw his chance. He had to extricate himself from this situation before things got worse. "YES! I'm not dangerous at all! A modern safety man, that's me! I see, I see! So I'm more your type the way I usually dress, than like this? Got it, I'll go change!"

"Emilia's adorable absent-mindedness is giving me an opening. But I'm not out of the woods yet! I have to get back to my room before Roswaal, or even worse, Beatrice sees…"

"Deeeeear me, why is everyone gathered here so eaaaaarly in the morning?"

Subaru's heart hammered against his ribs; right now, Roswaal's weird tone sounded like honey laced with arsenic to him. "Today of all days, why!" he exclaimed, flustered. "Not just Emilia-tan, but Ros-chi shows up too!?"

Roswaal strolled closer, a predatory gleam in his eyes that sent shivers down Subaru's spine. "If I had to say, it's because I just knew I haaad to. If I didn't get up early and come have a look I knew I'd regret it...and indeed, I've seen something quiiiite interesting."

Under Roswaal's unsettling gaze, Subaru instinctively clutched the hem of his skirt and stumbled backward.

"It loooks like you've got everything in place," Roswaal continued, amusement dancing in his voice. "If I had to guess, I'd say this actually isn't your first time wearing women's clothing?"

"Well, actually," he mumbled, "there was something back at the high school entrance ceremony… Hey, quit digging into my dark past!" Turning to Emilia with a desperate plea in his voice, he added, "Crap! Now I'll never get to be a bride! Emilia-tan, please say we can be married!"

Emilia tilted her head, her innocence momentarily throwing Subaru off. "Hm? But you're a boy, Subaru, so you couldn't have been a bride in the first place, right?"

Her words cut through his delusion like a knife, and Subaru felt tears welling up in his eyes. He was convinced fate was conspiring against him.

"If I'd known I was going to be seen," he lamented, "I'd at least like to have put a real effort into it, and faced it with the makeup and underwear done properly…!"

Emilia gave him a gentle smile. "Is that the problem? You really are a weird boy, Subaru."

"Haaa… Okay, so four out of six huh?" Subaru sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in surrender. "Having been seen by sixty-six percent of you, I've made the manly decision it would be best to finish the job! Let's go one-hundred percent and have a good laugh!"

"That's a manly decision, but you don't look at all manly right now."

"What a noisy bunch you are so early in the morning! One might wonder what you're doing out here, I suppose."

A small cat pulling aside silver hair, and a girl with vertically drill-shaped twin tails opening the front entrance stole everyone's attention.

Subaru : "It's not like I actually called for either of you! Give me a break!"

Beatrice : "What!? What kind of comment is that!? It's not like I would show up even if you did… if you…"

Her gaze landed on Subaru's attire, and with a shiver of disgust, she exclaimed. "You! That outfit is ridiculous, I suppose! You pervert!"

Subaru retorted with equal venom. "Be quiet, drill loli! You're in no position to be pointing fingers about clothes! Plus, if you think about it, your Bubby is pretty much running around stark naked all the time, isn't he?!"

Hey, I'm properly dressed in fur," Puck huffed, puffing out his chest. "Pardon my smell, poot poot."

Beatrice shuddered dramatically. "Don't do it, Bubby! You'll catch pervert from him, I suppose! You must escape with Betty!"

The entire mansion had gathered at this point, watching Subaru's humiliation unfold like a captivating play.

Even Rem and Ram seemed to be suppressing giggles behind their hands. It goes without saying that this day's breakfast was quite a bit later than usual.

Subaru adjusted the frilly maid outfit for what felt like the hundredth time. It was tight in all the wrong places, and the skirt kept brushing against his legs in a way that made him deeply uncomfortable.

But, ever the persistent type, he decided to endure a whole day of "maid duties" while Ram and Rem occasionally giggled at his suffering.

The day started with peeling apples in the kitchen, which seemed easy enough—until it wasn't. Within minutes, he had managed to nick his finger thrice, drop half a peeled appa on the floor, and somehow accidentally sent a paring knife flying across the room.

"Barusu," Ram sighed, crossing her arms as she observed the growing pile of massacred appas, "are you trying to prepare fruit or commit a crime scene?"

"Listen, this is harder than it looks!" Subaru defended, pressing a cloth against his injured finger.

Ram sighed, not looking away from the fruit she was skillfully skinning. "Being still useless with a knife… You're not a credit to your new uniform, Barusu."

"Ghk–" Subaru reacted at her jab.

Ram : "Look here. You should hold the knife still, and turn the fruit only."

Rem : "As always, you make such a lovely image when peeling appas, Nee-sama."

"Your bias is so blatant, it's almost comforting…", he said while clutching his cut fingers to alleviate the pain.

Rem, ever the more patient of the two, simply took the knife from his hands. "Allow me, Subaru-kun. At this rate, you'll run out of fingers before breakfast is ready."

On to the next task: cleaning the bathroom. A simple job, or so he thought. With a bucket in one hand and a scrub brush in the other, Subaru got to work… only to step on a slippery spot and go crashing into the tub with an embarrassingly loud splat.

Subaru : "Guh—! I think I broke something—oh wait, no, just my dignity."

Ram peeked in from the doorway, unimpressed. "It's rare to see someone get defeated by a bathtub, but congratulations, Barusu. You've managed it."

By midday, his spirit was in shambles. He trudged outside to help trim the bushes, a relatively low-risk task. That is, until he underestimated how sharp hedge clippers were.

Within minutes, he had cut himself, nearly decapitated a flower bed, and somehow managed to get his sleeves caught in a thorny bush.

Subaru : "Rem! A little help here? The plants have me hostage!"

Rem approached, her expression unreadable as she carefully untangled him. "Subaru-kun, I don't believe the plants attacked you. Rather, you walked directly into them."

"It was an ambush," he muttered dramatically.

The grand finale came during dishwashing. After a long, exhausting day of humiliations, Subaru thought this was the one thing he could handle. Just scrub and rinse, right? Wrong.

Within minutes, he had knocked over a stack of plates, sending them crashing onto the floor.

A long silence followed.

Subaru : "…I can explain."

Ram pinched the bridge of her nose. "No need. You are simply hopeless, Barusu."

The sky stretched out in a deep shade of blue, its vastness dotted with shimmering stars. The cool night breeze carried the faint rustle of leaves as Subaru trudged through the hallway, his steps sluggish from the exhausting day.

His back ached, his hands stung from various blunders, and the ruffled edges of his maid outfit felt like a constant reminder of his suffering.

And yet, as he passed by a large window, a soft glow caught his eye.

Beyond the glass, Emilia stood in the garden bathed in silver moonlight, her silken hair reflecting the gentle radiance like strands of pure starlight. Surrounding her were flickering motes of light—lesser spirits, drifting and dancing around her like tiny, joyful fireflies.

For a brief moment, Subaru forgot his fatigue. His eyes widened, and before he even realized it, his body moved on its own.

Bursting out of the mansion, he ran towards her, his exhaustion utterly forgotten. "Emilia-tan!"

She turned at the sound of his voice, a warm, surprised smile blooming on her lips. "Subaru?"

Subaru skidded to a stop, slightly breathless. "Man, what a sight! You really do look like a fairy-tale princess when you do that spirit thing."

Emilia giggled softly. "I wasn't expecting you here… shouldn't you be resting? You worked all day, right?"

"I was heading to my room," Subaru admitted, "but then I saw you through the window, and poof—all my exhaustion vanished! It's like magic!"

She smiled at Subaru before tilting her head. "Still… why are you still wearing that outfit?"

Subaru gave a theatrical sigh, grabbing the hem of his maid skirt and twirling slightly. "Well, at some point, you gotta stop running and embrace the absurdity of your life, you know? The humiliation's already been suffered. If I changed now, I'd just be delaying the inevitable."

Emilia : "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."

"To put it simply… If I walk in like a defeated man, I lose," Subaru said confidently, puffing out his chest. "But if I take it in stride, own it with dignity, and strut around like this—" he did a very ungraceful curtsy "—then it's not humiliation. It's strength of character!"

Emilia shook her head, unable to hold back a chuckle. "That's suuuch a silly way to think about it."

"Moreover," Subaru added with a grin, "if enduring this means I get to see you smile like that, then honestly? Not a bad deal at all."

Emilia blinked, her expression momentarily flustered before she crossed her arms, huffing in fake indignation. "You really are impossible…"

Still smiling, she glanced at him thoughtfully. "That reminds me. You had the chance to request anything, but you only asked to be a butler. Why not something better?"

Subaru shrugged. "I just chose what I wanted most in the moment. It's that simple."

Emilia : "That simple?"

Subaru's grin softened. "I mean, I couldn't just freeload off you forever. You were kind enough to let me stay, but I didn't want to just sit around and be useless. The least I could do was work for it. Sure, maybe I could've aimed higher, but right now, I just wanna be useful in my own way."

Emilia's eyes softened at his words, but before she could say anything, she looked him up and down again. A smirk tugged at her lips. "You know… it's really hard to take you seriously when you're saying something like that while wearing a maid outfit."

Subaru clutched his chest as if struck. "And here I thought I was delivering an inspiring speech! Betrayed by my own attire!"

She giggled at his exaggerated theatrics but then let out a small sigh. "Still, I don't like it."

Subaru blinked. "Huh?"

Emilia : "I don't like that you don't ask for more. You deserve better, Subaru."

His breath caught in his throat.

Before he could respond, Emilia continued, "But Ram is already teaching you how to read, right? That means I have nothing to give you…" She frowned for a moment, then brightened. "Oh! What if I teach you spirit arts?"

Subaru's eyes widened. "Wait, really?"

Emilia nodded enthusiastically. "You might have the potential to be a spirit user. We can test it out now! I'll show you how to talk to lesser spirits."

Subaru placed a hand on his chin, adopting a thoughtful pose. "So basically, you're saying my time as a maid has finally paid off. Because now, I'm getting magic lessons from the beautiful Emilia-tan?"

Emilia pouted. "No teasing! This is serious."

Subaru held up his hands in surrender, but his grin remained. "Alright, alright. So how do I do it?"

Emilia extended her hand towards the floating spirits. "Spirits are drawn to mana, but more than that, they're drawn to people with kind intentions. Try reaching out with your heart, not just your hands."

Subaru stared at her for a moment, trying to understand her vague explanation, then closed his eyes, extending his palm outward. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he tried to focus—not on the action, but on the feeling.

To his surprise, tiny glowing motes of light hesitantly floated towards him, circling his fingers curiously. His eyes snapped open. "Whoa! It worked?!"

Emilia beamed. "See? I knew you could do it!"

The little spirits danced around Subaru, their movements playful, as if laughing in their own way. Subaru could swear he was perceiving some words from them: "You..funny", "Eyes…scary", "Who…are you?", or "Let's…talk"...

But just as he was about to say something, they suddenly scattered—darting away into the air without warning.

"Eh?" Subaru frowned. "Where'd they go?"

Emilia blinked in confusion, glancing around. "That's… strange."

But from the shadows of the mansion, watching through a window, Beatrice observed in silence.

Her large sky-blue eyes with pink butterfly patterns as irises were narrowed slightly, her arms crossed.

"…Hmph."

The lesser spirits had sensed her presence. Even without meaning to, her status as a Great Spirit was enough to frighten them off.

Not that she particularly cared about that, of course.

As Emilia and Subaru continued, unaware of her gaze, Beatrice lingered in the darkness. Watching. Thinking.

And maybe, just maybe, feeling the faintest spark of curiosity.

Subaru's days at the mansion had settled into a demanding routine. Mornings were filled with work—grueling, sometimes humiliating, and punctuated by Ram's endless jabs. Her teaching methods were as sharp as her tongue, and though she was strict, she at least treated him like an actual apprentice.

Rem, on the other hand, had a much softer voice but was somehow even more merciless. If Ram's training was like being struck with a whip, Rem's was like being crushed under a boulder—gentle but blunt and inescapable.

Then, there was Emilia.

Even though her lessons in spirit arts weren't exactly productive—with the lesser spirits constantly running away—her mere presence made everything feel easier. Maybe that was why he wasn't improving much. Her patience and kindness made failure feel less like a mistake and more like a passing moment.

But the spirits' strange behavior still confused him. Sometimes, no matter how hard he tried, they ignored him or disappeared. Sometimes, they stayed longer and talked to him.

He had no idea that Beatrice's quiet glare from the shadows was the reason behind their fear.

Speaking of her, Subaru found himself stopping by the forbidden library more often than he ever expected. Beatrice was prickly, dismissive, and had an air of arrogance that reminded him of a grumpy cat. And yet, somehow, their conversations were fun.

Roswaal, meanwhile, remained an enigma. Their conversations were rare, but something about him intrigued Subaru. The man's eccentricity was only a mask—there was more beneath the surface, and Subaru wanted to know what.

Puck remained the same—jovial, teasing, and always attached to Emilia's side.

And now, as the moon hung high in the sky, Subaru sat in the garden once more, enjoying his nightly meeting with Emilia. But tonight was different. Tonight, he had a mission.

His heart pounded in his chest. The past two nights, he'd been this close to asking her, but either his nerves failed him, or he'd remember that he was still dressed as a damn maid and lose all confidence.

But not tonight. He just needed the right moment.

"Your hands," Emilia said suddenly, breaking him from his thoughts. Her amethyst eyes scanned the small cuts on his fingers, a hint of concern crossing her face. "They're worse than yesterday."

Subaru glanced down at them and shrugged. "Hazard of the job. Between knives, bushes, and dishes, I think I've covered every type of minor injury."

Emilia reached for his hand, her fingers barely grazing his before she hesitated. "I can heal them, if you want."

Subaru pulled back gently, shaking his head with a smile. "Nah, it's fine."

"But—"

"This is a testament of my efforts," he declared dramatically, raising his hands toward the sky. "Every cut, every bruise—it's proof that I worked hard, even if I sucked at it!"

Emilia : "But still, you don't have to get hurt to prove anything, Subaru."

He sighed, then grinned. "Alright, then how about this? Instead of healing my hands, come with me to the village."

Emilia blinked. "Huh?"

"At Arlam village," Subaru clarified, trying his best to sound casual despite the hammering in his chest. "Just the two of us. The children there can be annoyingly ruthless, but they're really funny! And they have a very cute puppy!"

For a moment, Emilia looked taken aback. She glanced away, seemingly unsure of how to answer.

"I… don't know if that's a good idea," she admitted. "It isn't like I don't want to go with you… I don't think the villagers would like seeing you with me."

Subaru frowned. "Hm? Because you're a half-elf?"

She nodded. "People fear me, Subaru. They might treat you differently just for being with me."

He scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Please, I can handle a few judgmental stares. If anything, I'd be more worried about you—dealing with all that nonsense alone must be exhausting."

Emilia hesitated, her expression softening. "That's… kind of you to say."

"Besides," Subaru continued, leaning back with a grin, "if I backed down now, I'd be contradicting my whole 'testament of efforts' speech. What's the point of getting injured in the name of hard work if I don't even have the guts to ask out the prettiest girl in the mansion?"

Emilia's blush deepened, and she puffed out her cheeks. "S-Stop saying things like that so casually!"

Subaru chuckled but then noticed her expression turn thoughtful.

"…Alright," she finally said. "I'll go."

His heart nearly jumped out of his chest. "Wait, really?"

She nodded. "But only because I have an excuse."

Subaru : "Oh? Excuse?"

"I need to check on the barrier at the village," Emilia explained. "Since we fixed it after the wolgarm attack, I should confirm that everything is still in place. The magic stones that repel them are important, after all."

Subaru tilted his head. "Magic stones?"

Emilia nodded. "The barrier around the village works by using magic stones. They release a mana field that repels witchbeasts—kind of like how certain smells drive away animals. If it's damaged, the protection weakens, and the village could be in danger."

Subaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh. So it's like putting up a 'no entry' sign for monsters."

Emilia giggled. "That's… a veeery simple way to put it, but yes."

"Well, whether it's for work or fun, a win is a win!" Subaru declared, flashing a grin. "So, it's settled. Tomorrow, Arlam village!"

Emilia sighed in amusement, shaking her head. "You're impossible, Subaru."

"And yet, you agreed," he shot back, wagging his finger.

She laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that made his chest feel warm.

As they continued talking under the night sky, Subaru couldn't stop the grin from staying on his face.

Subaru practically floated down the hallway, humming to himself as he strolled through the mansion. A smug grin stretched across his face, his body light as air.

He did it. He finally asked her out.

After two days of backing down, after countless mental debates and embarrassing rehearsals, he had asked Emilia on a date. And she said yes!

He clenched his fists in triumph. "Hell yeah, Subaru, you absolute legend!" he whispered to himself, his enthusiasm barely contained.

But before heading to bed, a familiar thought crossed his mind.

"…Maybe I should go bother Beatrice before I sleep?"

It wasn't like he had a reason—he just felt like it. He'd been dropping by the forbidden library often lately, and even though she always threw him out, something about their exchanges felt… oddly fun.

Making his way to the nearest door, he pressed his palm against it. Sure enough, the familiar pull of magic activated, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself standing inside the dimly lit library.

Beatrice sat on her usual chair, her tiny frame tucked behind a massive tome, golden drills bouncing slightly as she turned a page. Without looking up, she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Honestly, Betty is quite busy, in fact. Must you always pester Betty, I suppose?"

Subaru smirked, crossing his arms. "I'm in such a good mood right now that no matter what you say, I won't even feel insulted."

Beatrice finally glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Hmph. What nonsense is that?"

"Oh, you know, just finally getting a yes from a certain silver-haired angel." Subaru puffed out his chest proudly. "Tomorrow, Emilia-tan and I are going to the nearest village for a date!"

Beatrice blinked, then scoffed. "How tragic," she muttered, flipping another page. "To think you'd place such value on a meaningless event, I suppose."

"Ahhh, but you don't get it, Beako. This is progress. A great man once said, 'A single step may not seem like much, but put enough of them together, and you're suddenly walking on the path of greatness!'"

Beatrice : "…Did you make that up just now, in fact?"

Subaru : "Maybe."

Beatrice clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed. Then, without another word, she waved a hand.

BOOM!

A gust of magic erupted, and before Subaru could react, he was forcibly ejected from the library, landing face-first in the hallway.

"…Well," he muttered into the floor. "I did say nothing would hurt me tonight. Guess I walked into that one."

Still grinning, he dusted himself off and headed to his room.

That night, despite his exhaustion, sleep didn't come easily. Every time he closed his eyes, excitement for tomorrow jolted him awake. Images of Emilia smiling, laughing, and walking beside him filled his thoughts.

It took longer than usual before he finally drifted off.

"—Barusu, wake up. It's morning."

Sunlight poured into the room, warm and blinding.

Subaru groaned as the familiar, dry voice of Ram cut through his peaceful slumber. The curtains were yanked open with a sharp pull, flooding the space with golden morning light.

He groaned again, burying his face in his pillow. "Mmm… five more minutes…"

Ram didn't even hesitate before ripping the blankets off of him. "No."

Subaru let out an undignified yelp as the cold morning air assaulted his body. "Tch—okay, okay! I'm up, I'm up!"

Ram, satisfied, stepped back and gave him a scrutinizing look. "Good. Get changed, and meet up with us promptly. Don't even think about something as foolish as going back to sleep."

Subaru stretched, rolling his shoulders. "No problem there! I'll finish my work in record time today."

Ram raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what brings about such uncharacteristic enthusiasm?"

He smirked. "Oh, nothing much. Just a very important appointment with a certain beautiful silver-haired maiden."

Ram blinked. Then, her expression turned to one of mild surprise. "You mean Emilia-sama?"

"Ding ding ding! Give this girl a prize!" Subaru grinned. "We're heading to the village together later today. I worked up the courage and finally asked her out last night."

Ram stared at him for a moment. "How bold of you, Barusu. I suppose you do have some guts, after all."

Subaru yawned. "Heh. What can I say? I aim to impress."

But he couldn't register Ram's retort as he closely looked at his hands, and froze.

His hands—his fingers, which should have been covered in small cuts from his days of work—were completely smooth. Unblemished.

Not a single scar remained.

His breath caught in his throat. His entire body went still. His mind, however, went into overdrive.

He knew what this meant. This had happened before.

A cold, suffocating dread gripped his heart.

Return by Death had activated.

= END OF CHAPTER 9 =

Author's Notes :

Happy Valentine's Day!

Subaru's securing a date while I'm home alone for Valentine's Day doing that tiktok rat dance- I mean while Beatrice is alone watching him playing with other spirits.

That's absolutely not the reason why he RBD'ed this chapter.

DISCLAIMER : I don't own Re:Zero, it belongs to Tappei Nagatsuki.