Re: Rem's diary

by VKH

Summary:

Subaru gives his phone to Rem as a gift, to use for entertainment or to simply write a diary from her everyday life. Nothing special was going on, right? Note: His phone is a smartphone.

Notes:

I just wanna air out my idea, see how you guys think.

Chapter 1: The Gift That Speaks Tomorrow

Arc 2 Loop ?

The sun had begun its lazy descent over the horizon, painting the courtyard in warm gold. Subaru leaned back on the grass, arms crossed behind his head, eyes on the sky. Beside him, Rem sat with folded hands, watching him more than the clouds.

He had been unusually quiet.

“…You’ve been spacing out a lot lately, Subaru-kun,” Rem finally said, voice gentle.

“Huh? Nah, I’m just… thinking about stuff. You know, next steps. The royal selection. What to do when Emilia-tan finally confesses her love. The usual.” He tried to laugh, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
She noticed.

And he noticed that she noticed.

So he sat up and reached into his jacket pocket. “Actually, hey. I’ve got something for you.”

He handed her his black rectangular slab—the phone she’d seen him fiddle with so many times before.

“Your mirror box?” she asked, confused.

He chuckled. “Kind of. It’s called a phone. It’s sort of a metia from my homeland. I was thinking… you could keep it. I already showed Beako how to use it. Who knew you could use mana to charge it?” He mused, “Just hold the side button, see?”

Rem gently pressed the button, and the screen flickered to life.

A wallpaper of Subaru along with two other people from what Rem assumed as Subaru’s parents popped up, and she saw a few things in symbols she couldn’t understand, one included a portrait of a white-haired girl with a blue crystal hairpiece, another that looks like a cube of dirt and an angry looking yellow-haired man— that is until Subaru showed her a diary app, and also taught her how to type, and how to speak into it. Though, the texts showed here… I’m unfamiliar with it but somehow, I can read it just fine.

“You could use it as a list,” he said, opening the app. It showed what I assumed as Subaru’s shopping list. ‘Apple, Potato chips… does he mean appas and tatoes? Chips?’ “Or just to store memories like a diary or a photo album. Heck, you could even write letters about me if you want.” he joked teasingly.

“Here let’s take a picture” he suggested before getting closer to Rem, holding her side then pointing the back of the phone at them.
*click* *flash* “AH!” that took Rem by surprise.

“Look at this,” Subaru then showed Rem the picture, “And since it’s yours now, you can even set this as your first wallpaper!” he beamed.

Rem stared at the screen, then at Subaru.

“Is this… something people do? Giving things away?” She shyly asked him.

He smiled. “Nope, I’m not just giving it away.” He said, looking at me. “I’m gifting it to you.” He handed me the phone, “I WAS planning to gift it to Emilia-tan first, but… I don’t know. I get the feeling she’s too young for a phone. She’d probably drop it in the bath or try to freeze it to see what happens.” He chuckled to himself, then met my eyes again.

“But you? You’d actually take care of it. So yeah… it’s yours now, Rem. Try not to use it to look up anything too embarrassing about me, okay?” Her cheeks pinked slightly.

Subaru suddenly widened his eyes, “Actually, let me look at it for a sec!”

Rem blinked, tilting her head. “Hmm? You just gave it to me, Subaru-kun.”

He stepped closer, looking increasingly desperate.

“Y-Yeah, but I just remembered something very important! Life-threatening, even!”

Rem, catching the sudden panic in his eyes, narrowed hers knowingly.

“Did you… forget to remove something?”

Subaru froze.

“N-No! Of course not! I mean—who even remembers what’s on their browser anyway?!” Rem tries to tap on an app.

“Wait, don’t open that—!” He tried to reach for it.

But Rem was already holding the phone close to her chest, turning away slightly with a faint smile.

“Ara… so if I were to accidentally look through this 'browser', would I find something scandalous?”

“Nope! I mean—yes—but also no! It’s not what you think!”

She looked at him from over her shoulder, blue eyes glinting with mischief.

“Would I find… something pervy?” Rem teased. Subaru practically combusted.

“R-Rem!!”

She giggled softly, the sound light and gentle.

“You’re panicking over nothing, Subaru-kun,” she said, holding the phone just out of his reach. “I haven’t looked at anything. Yet.”

Subaru let out a groan and sat down at the grass with a thud.

“You’re really gonna do me in one of these days…”

Rem turned to face him fully, a faint, knowing smile still on her lips.

“If I do… I’ll make sure it’s gently.”

Subaru blinked at her.

Then laughed — a real laugh, the kind that chased the tension from his shoulders for a moment.

Notes:

I just replaced Arc 2 Loop '1' to '?' ignore this for now.

Chapter 2: The Price of a Wish, Greed that was taken

Years Ago – In the Ashes of the Village

Rem stood among the ruins.
Smoke lingered in the air like ghosts refusing to leave. Charred beams jutted from the wreckage of once-familiar homes. The smell of burned hay, blood, and hollow silence clung to her skin.
Her legs shook—not from injury, but from the weight of surviving.

The Witch Cult had come without warning.

Their symbols were painted in the blood of her neighbors.
Ram lay unconscious, and blood on her forehead, carried off to safety by Roswaal. But Rem had remained behind just a little longer—whether from guilt or grief, she didn’t know.
That’s when she appeared.
From the shadows.
Within them, like seeing the shadow grow out a person

 

A woman stood beneath the burnt remnants of the temple gate.
Her face was a blur, impossible to focus on.
Her presence made Rem’s heart ache and her breath hitch, silent—like someone whispering from inside a coffin.
Satella, the Witch of Envy.

Rem's body moved to keel before her out of sheer instinct to flee and not having the ability to, but she couldn't bring herself to fully collapse.
‘not now, why now?’ she thought
“…Y-you…,” Rem whispered. “You’re real…”
Satella stepped forward. Her feet didn’t touch the ground. Flowers wilted beneath her.
Her voice was soft—tragically loving. How she felt it, she doesn’t know.

“You have suffered more than what others do. That…is my fault.”, she slightly bowed her head in apology.
Rem flinched. “Your fault?”, anger rising, witch be damned…
“They worship me. The cult. Yet they do not serve me. Even they don’t understand me.”
“Your pain… I did not want this outcome.” Satella said solemnly
Rem's fists clenched. “Then bring them back.”
The witch looked towards her, “I cannot.”

She breathe out, “But I can offer you something else. A kind of power. A compensation. For the wrongs the cult has done”
Rem stayed quiet.
Satella raised one hand, and a soft shimmer formed in the air—an illusion of white marble halls, leather furniture, and women with no expressions. And at the center—a man. Regal. Cruel. Smiling without warmth.
“Regulus Corneas. The Sin Archbishop of Greed. His Authority is unyielding. Untouchable. Destructive.”
“But... I will give you a future where his grip slips.”

“…How?” she wondered, but also wanted to ask why. She couldn’t.
“You will take it from him. One day. When the time is right.” Satella stated
“But it comes with a price.”
The illusion darkened.
Each of the women in the vision turned to ash—his wives, Rem realized. There were dozens. of them.
“The moment you’ll take it, they will need to die. All of them. Only then you will bypass his power.”
Rem’s blood turned to ice hearing that. “Why me?”

Whether Satella understood what Rem meant, she ignored it and continued.
“Because you will never use it for yourself.” Satella declared with finality.
“You will use it for someone else. And that… is greed of a different kind.”
Silence followed.
Rem didn't cry. Not even when the image of the cultists dragging away a child she couldn't save flashed in her memory.

“I accept.”
Her voice was small but steady.
Satella’s expression twisted in sorrow.
“Then the contract is sealed. You will not remember this as a dream or a memory. Only a sense... that something is waiting.”
A faint silver thread wrapped around Rem’s wrist, then vanished into her skin.
The Witch leaned forward one last time.
“He will give you the key. A mirror of his world. When he does… the door will open.”
And then she was gone.

A Year before arrival – Roswaal Mansion

Rem woke from a dream she couldn’t recall, heart pounding, staring at her hand.
There was no mark.
No sign.
No memory of the contract.
But in the back of her mind, something whispered:
“When he gives it to you... open it.”
And then, she heard her sister call her name.
So Rem stood up, and moved on.
Unaware that the future had already begun shifting.

 

A week later

Location: The Western Border of Lugunica(note: I’m only guessing where his residence was)
Time: A year before arrival.

The mountain winds howled through a snow-dusted pass, carrying whispers and the smell of blood. Rem knelt behind a rock formation, breath held, eyes fixed on a narrow trail winding up to a manor carved into the cliff side.
The mansion was pristine.
Elegant.
Completely out of place in these wild lands.

But this unbearable stench —miasma— she had no doubt that it belongs to him.
Regulus Corneas. Sin Archbishop of Greed.
Rem had a prophetic dream. No land, no houses, only coordinates, map showed to the maid and a warning in ink that burned upon reading.
‘Come, Greed awaits’
Rem asked permission to leave alone.
And followed the map in her dream.

Her legs trembled as she approached the marble steps.
She didn’t know what she was doing here. She didn’t even remember why she had come. But something—deep within her—had pushed her here.
The front doors opened without resistance. And inside… She saw them.
Women. Dozens of them.

All perfectly still. Like painted dolls. Eyes dull. Lips straight. And nothing behind their eyes. They didn’t react. They didn’t speak.
And in the center of it all, lounging like a king in a gilded chair, was Regulus.
Dressed in white. An ever-present smile on his face.
Smiling like a man who had never been touched by consequence.
“Oh?” he said, eyes lazily drifting to her. “A guest? My, how rare. You’re uninvited… but not unwelcome. Not yet.” He smiled to himself.
Rem’s hand brushed the chain of her morning star.

Regulus tilted his head. “No fear? That’s fair. After all, why should I be feared? Why should someone as just and reasonable as myself—someone who has done nothing but love and protect what’s rightfully his—be looked upon with fear? It’s absurd. Ridiculous. You people twist everything. You call greed a sin, but tell me—what is greed?, if not simply wanting to keep what is already yours? What belongs to you by right of will, of choice, of effort? Is it a sin to love? Is it a crime to demand what is fair?”
He took a step forward, voice rising. “You speak of fear as if it’s a badge of honor. You cling to it, trying to make me a villain in their little story, when all I’ve ever done is defend myself. My life. My peace. My wives. And if I have to rip apart the world to do that, then that’s not my fault—it’s yours, for standing in the way. That’s not greed. That’s justice. My justice. You wouldn’t understand! None of you do!” Regulus finished.

“I’ve come for your life” Rem whispered.
Silence fell. And then he laughed.
Loud. Joyless. Violent.
“Hah… Ahahahaha! My life? My life?!”

His voice cracked with disbelief as his laughter stopped like a snapped thread, face contorting into something sharp and cold.
“Do you even understand the words coming out of your mouth? Do you have any idea what you’re threatening? My life isn’t something you can just take—it’s mine. Mine by right. Mine by will. Mine because I have earned the privilege of existing exactly as I choose, untouched, unbothered, undiminished.”
He gestured wide with one hand, the other clenched tight.

“You think you’re brave? You think you’re righteous? No. You're just another arrogant murderer, thinking you’re owed something just because you swing a weapon and whisper petty threats in front of myself.” His eyes gleamed with something terrible.
“But I don’t tolerate murderers. I don’t tolerate injustice. And I certainly don’t tolerate anyone who dares—DARES—to look at me and say I don’t deserve to live. Try it. Take one step. Let’s see how far your courage takes you before reality tears you apart.”
His wives did not react at all. If the maid fail, it changes nothing. It the maid succeeds they might be branded as part of the cult and killed alongside him.
Not a single one blinked.

“And what will you do?” Regulus asked, rising from his seat, arms spread wide. “Kill me? You can’t. I am just. I am right. My love is perfect! My wives are—”
Rem’s flail swung before he finished. But the weapon froze on contact with his hand.
Regulus didn’t move his body apart from his other hand, an invisible force cleaving the air like a blade, slicing everything in its path without warning.
“I allow no harm to myself,” he said coldly. “The world listens to me because I am fair.”
Rem dodged and her knees buckled. Her nose twitching, frowning from his miasma.
So this was his power.
Absolute defense. Invisible, Fast and Devastating attacks.
But then—
A black haze shimmered in her peripheral vision.

A voice—Satella’s, though she doesn’t know—whispered:
“Say their names. The names of his wives.”
She didn’t know why she knew them. But the words came to her tongue like prayers.
“Sylphy”
One by one. Each name. Each soul bound to him. And with each name she spoke, a wife disappeared, swallowed by mist.
Regulus’s eyes widened.

“What are you doing?! Those are mine! My hearts! My wives! My validation! My rights! You dare—you dare—take away my wives?!”
His voice shrieked with disbelief, the fury in his throat trembling like glass on the edge of shattering. Regulus swiped his hand to attack, Rem dodged as she continued to whisper names.
“You… you killed them, didn’t you?! You think you’re justified?! That they wanted this?! That they asked for your mercy?!”
His body didn’t move, not an inch—only his hand, twitching, fingers curling like claws ready to tear reality itself.
“Murderer! Interloper! Thief!”
He spat the words like venom.

Regulus’s voice rose, his words flowing faster, more venomous with every breath.
“You think this is justice? You think you are justice?! Don’t make me laugh! What gives you the right to take what’s mine? To tear down what I built with my own hands? I’ve lived righteously. I’ve loved purely. I’ve given those women purpose, meaning, value. They were broken, lost, wandering—and I saved them! Cherished them! Protected them from the filth of the world that would ruin them like it ruined everything else!” His hand clenched as he stepped forward, fire in his voice.

“But then someone like you shows up—wearing your self-righteous little scowl, waving your threats around like a child playing executioner. What do you know about love? About fairness? You don’t get to decide who deserves what. I do! Because unlike you, I’m not some hypocrite pretending to be noble while swinging that weapon through people’s lives!” He spat, eyes burning.
“You people always point fingers, always cry about freedom and justice, but in the end you’re all the same—you want control, you want to take. But I won’t be taken from! Not again! NOT BY YOU!!! I’LL KILL YOU!! I am a man who—” He stopped.

His voice cracked mid-word. His breath caught in his throat. He looked around and saw his surroundings darkening.
A tremor passed through him.
“…What is that…?”
His gaze dropped, scanning the air around her. His pupils dilated.
“No. No, that’s not just miasma. That’s… dense. It's too thick that it’s visible. Moving so unnaturally that it’s alive.” He murmured to himself.
His body tensed. For the first time—he looked afraid.
He looked around, moving his head, “That miasma… it wasn’t like this before. This isn't mine...”
He took a step back. Another.
“That isn’t yours.” He pointed out, “That’s not just around you—it’s right beside you!! Like arms… l-like it's holding you!”
He turned towards the maid and saw the miasma taking form—eyes wide, he shouted, “YOU!! DO YOU REALIZE WHO YOU’RE TEAMING UP WITH?! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU?! ME!! THE MOST HUMBLE, THE MOST SATISFIED, THE FAIREST MAN THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!” His voice cracked, unhinged.

“I never asked for anything unreasonable! I never took more than what I deserved! I made peace with this wretched world and lived within my rules—rules I chose! That’s restraint! That’s virtue!” He reasoned. He staggered backward, pointing at her, but his eyes kept darting over her shoulder—unable to stop staring into the space she couldn’t see.
“And now you—you dare show up with her clinging to you like a shadow? Like a curse?! Don’t you feel it crawling down your spine? Wrapping around your neck?! Suffocating you?!”
His face contorted with disgust and panic. “AND AREN’T YOU SEALED?! WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE?! HELPING HER?! TO KILL ME?!” He shouted in disbelief.
“You let her touch you. Let her inside you. That scent—that filth—you carry it like she loves you! It’s crawling over everything, choking the air, twisting space! VIOLATING MY RIGHT! And you just stand there! WHY?!” His scream echoed, shrill and broken.

“Why does she follow you?! Why not the others?! Why not me?! I was always faithful! Always loyal to my way as things should be!”
He tore at his own chest like trying to claw something out.
“I am A JUST MAN!”
“I am A GOOD MAN!!”
And then he froze again—eyes widening with dawning horror.
“…She’s getting closer.”

A silence fell like a blade.
The air bent slightly behind Rem’s back— but too subtle for her to notice.
But Regulus? He saw her. He felt her.
And for once, he didn’t speak.
He trembled.
Rem furrowed her brow, confused.
“…She?” Rem wondered and looked behind her but saw nothing.
Regulus didn’t answer.

He was staring behind her now—past her. His mouth moved, trying to form words, but all that came out was a hoarse whisper:
“…She’s here.”
And then louder—cracked with dread:
“The Witch. The Witch! She’s behind you!”
His breath grew frantic, panic overtaking pride.
“She’s looking at me—no, through me—no, don’t you dare, don’t you dare drag me into this! I’ve done nothing wrong! I’ve kept my vows, I’ve followed my rules! SHE’S THE ONE!”
He pointed at Rem, arm trembling.
“TAKE HER, NOT ME!”
And still, behind her, Rem saw nothing.
Yet the shadow behind just observed—not moving—just staring.
But the air grew colder. And the shadows lengthened.
He stepped forward. Preparing to strike.
Rem’s second swing was not stopped. For the first time it struck true.
Her flail shattered his ribcage. Throwing his body several dozen meters across the mansion, shattering a wall.
The sound echoed like a bell toll.
He coughed blood—still scared—staring at what’s behind her. “You… I haven’t done anything wrong…” He pleaded to the witch behind Rem.
Rem's eyes narrowed. “You never loved them, Greed.” she swung her morning star a third time at his head, crushing his skull.
And thus, Regulus fell.

 

Later That Night – In the Mountains

Rem sat by a fire, alone.
There was no satisfaction. No triumph. Just a feeling of something inside her… moving. The snow around her darkened—ash, not frost. His mansion that she set on fire with the leftover fire crystals in the storage.
Her hand twitched. Her chest burned.
Something entered her. A new weight. A second pulse beneath her skin. The stench of miasma becoming unbearable. but then—silence.
The feeling passed. The pulse… thumping… then stilled.
The stench that had clawed at her lungs twisted—softened—until it no longer suffocated, only lingered.
Like meat left in hearth ash. Cold and bitter on the nose.

The Authority of Greed coiled inside her like a second ribcage—unwelcome, yet perfectly aligned. Unmoving, heavy and yet it belong to hers now.
And the memory of what she had done began to fade.

POV: Satella

The stench would have broken her. Made her unreasonable and attack anyone with a whiff of miasma. To mortals, miasma was the scent of decay, corruption, madness. To them, it was unbearable — like a corpse wrapped in wet cloth, like blood smeared across their wooden floor. They flinched. They recoiled. They feared it. Thus, wanting to be rid of it, as they should.
But she — Rem — would walk forward soon, unknowingly soaked in it.
She had just taken Greed into herself, but she will not remember it. Not yet.
It clung to her now, beneath her skin, behind her breath.
She would smell it. She would hate it. She would have thought herself tainted by sin.
Others capable would smell it. They would suspect her, accuse her and will eventually attack her.
She would be alone. Unless…

I reached in. Not to her memories. Not to her mind. To something deeper — the place where Greed had taken root. A vein that pulsed with his stolen power. A place I could still touch.
“I’ll change it.”

I forcibly reshaped her authority, to match her greed.
Not to dull her potential, but to give it form
The craving to know what should not be known.
The power to trace a heart not hers and make its pulse her own.
To let her walk among monsters and still know who to sink her fangs on and who to side with.
She would still recoil from the miasma of sin. Still choke on the presence of cultists and mabeasts.
But she would know the difference.

She would know of my scent:
Carcass burning on scorched grass. The breath of something ancient and burned, a pyre left to smolder in time.

She would know of my beloved’s scent:
Freshly killed prey. The scent of life trembling beneath death’s shadow — hunted, dying, yet never letting go.

She would know her own:
A person soaked in hearth ash. Cold. Bitter. The scent of someone who came from a burned home.

Everyone else’s stench, the sinful
the Slothful, the Gluttonous, the Wrathful, the Lustful, and the Vainglorious… would claw at her throat.
But ours… Mine. My Beloved. And her own.
Heavy, yes — but breathable.
Wrong, but survivable.
Scorched, Raw, Dying but real.
Not because she chose to. Not because her heart allowed it.
But because I made it possible.
This was my apology. That was my claim. That was my bond.

 

Days Later After Returning– At Roswaal’s Mansion

Rem was cleaning with Ram when she suddenly paused.
Her sister blinked. “What?”
“…Nothing,” Rem said. “Just… thought I heard something. Like… tapping on the floor?”
She shook it off.
It was gone.
And the part of her that had devoured a Sin Archbishop fell asleep, buried beneath quiet days and ordinary smiles.
Waiting.
Waiting for someone to give her something innocent—like a gift from another world.
And with it—a reason to awaken.

Notes:

I was thinking, maybe this should be what Greed if Route. If Satella couldn't take Subaru taking his life over and over again, so she restarted everything. Envy's inaction and the result of it made her less aggressive due to guilt.

Chapter 3: His arrival

Summary:

The boy who smelled of a dying breath.

She first saw him sprawled out in bed. Pale, bandaged, and shallow breathing. His mouth twitched as if dreaming a nightmare. She didn’t know which. But she knew one thing instantly, before he ever spoke a word.

He stank.

No, this scent was different from body odor. It's the scent of dying prey.
It wasn't disgusting. It wasn’t pleasant either. It was… tragic. Strange and ever present.
He smells like someone who is always close to death.
Rem had seen many people die. Most from her village. But this one was different. He smelled like someone who was supposed to be dying and yet kept surviving anyway.

He smiled when he woke.
“Ahh—ugh yep, right, I was stabbed. Still very stabbed!” he muttered, pressing a hand to his abdomen.
His voice was too loud. His movements were clumsy. His expressions were transparent. He was all flaws, all surface, no masks.

A harmless prey… trying too hard to be anything else but.
He looked at her like she wasn’t dangerous. Like she wasn’t an Oni. Like she wasn’t soaked in a stench only she could endure. Which somehow smells similar to his even if it is a bit different.
She didn’t understand it. But for some reason, she didn’t turn away.

 

The boy had been asleep again when Rem entered the room.

The tray in her hands barely shifted as she crossed the threshold—porridge, water, a small cloth towel folded twice. Everything in its proper place. Everything quiet.

The room smelled faintly of herbs and bandages. Clean, but not pleasant. Beneath that, something more distinct lingered—his scent, if she wasn't holding a tray, she’d cover her nose.
He shifted in bed with a groan, hand instinctively pressed to his abdomen.

“Ugh… morning already?” His voice was dry, cracking. “Wait”, he slowly took his phone beside his pillow. “Nope… still the same day.” he chuckled silently.
Rem said nothing. She set the tray down on the table beside the bed with practiced quiet. Small motions. Neat, efficient. No waste.
“Oh hey.” He blinked a few times, squinting up at her, a friendly atmosphere despite his scary looking eyes... and also a look of familiarity. His eyes slowly drifted to her face. She held his gaze, expression perfectly blank. Polite but distant.
“Morning,” he tried again, awkwardly lifting one hand in a weak wave.

“Eat, Guest-sama” she replied softly, pointing to the tray.
He stared at it longingly. “Is that for me?”
“No. For the other wounded person in the room,” she said evenly.
There was a pause.

Then a short, surprised laugh broke the air. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t forced. Just… surprised, and oddly grateful.
“Oof. Snark. Didn’t see that one coming.” He picked up the spoon gingerly. “You’ve got a dry sense of humor. I respect that.”
She didn’t respond. Just stood silently by the bedside, fingers resting lightly on the cloth folded in her hands.
He took a careful sip of the porridge. Winced. Swallowed. Then… smiled.
“Oh wow, this is good.” Another bite. Then another. “Did you make this?”
“Yes.”
“It’s warm and delicious.” He gestured with the spoon. “You make this for everyone, or am I just that special?” Subaru looked at Rem.
Rem turned her gaze slightly toward him. Neutral. Blank.

“…It’s the standard patient meal,” she replied. Her voice was flat, but not cold.
“Right. Standard. Got it. Well, your ‘standard’ is better than anything I’ve eaten in a long time, so thanks.” Junk food would do that, he mused.
He didn’t say it like a throwaway compliment. He meant it. That was… unexpected.
Rem looked down at the cloth in her hand. She focused on it. On folding it tighter, crisper. She wasn’t sure why, but her fingers had started to twitch slightly.

“You always this quiet?” he asked suddenly, voice gentler now.
She didn’t turn. “I speak when necessary.”
“I guess that makes sense,” he said. “You’ve probably got better things to do than talk to some idiot who got himself half-killed.”
She looked at him. Really looked. His face was still pale. There were dark circles under his eyes. But he smiled. Not out of delusion. But because, somehow, he still could.
“…You’re a strange one,” she said at last.
He chuckled again. “Takes one to know one.”
Rem said nothing. But something about that response... lingered.
She turned to go. But before she could reach it—

“Hey.”
She paused.
“Thanks,” he said. No joke. No grin. Just simple. Honest. “For helping me.”
Her fingers stopped on the door handle. She didn’t look back. Didn’t speak.
But for a single moment, her lips shifted. Slightly. The ghost of a smile.
She left before it could take shape.
Outside the door, with no one to see, Rem touched her mouth as if surprised to find something there. She didn’t know why she did it.
Maybe she didn’t hate his voice as much as she thought.
He still stinks though.

Chapter 4: The First Entry

Summary:

Turns out, Rem's phone is so good it can predict the future(lol)

Notes:

This might look like I update fast but I made this like a month ago, sleep deprived and could not sleep unless I write this. It'll slow down eventually. I basically just clean and fix what needs to be cleaned and fixed. Then just post it.

Roswaal Mansion – Rem’s Room, Late Evening

The phone felt heavier today.
Rem turned it in her hands, tracing its black surface. She could still hear Subaru’s voice echoing in her memory:
“Use it like a diary! You can type on it or even talk to it. It's how we keep memories back home.”
He said it so casually like it was nothing. But it wasn’t nothing.

To Rem, it was a gift, a gift received from someone other than her sister. A strange, fragile artifact from his homeland—a glimpse into his ordinary life before his sudden arrival here. He said she could write memories, but so far, she hadn’t typed a single word.
She was afraid to.
It felt wrong to stain it with her own hands.

And then, it buzzed.
She blinked while the screen turned on. She hadn’t touched anything. The room was silent.
And yet the phone vibrated—once, twice, in a rhythm/> She pressed the side button and the screen lit up.
The diary app was open.
But she hadn’t opened it.
And she certainly hadn’t written the new entry.

 

Tomorrow – 9:00am
Subaru woke up early to head to the village.
I joined him
He was playing with Petra and the other kids while I was helping the villagers with chores, he spotted me then teased me about how I carry laundry.
He looked happy.
He smiled at me like he forgot what sadness was.

 

Rem stared at the glowing screen.
She hadn’t written that.
She didn’t know that.
Her breath hitched. Slowly, she brought a hand to her chest, just to feel her heartbeat.
The phone buzzed again.
A new line appeared below the first—one that hadn’t been there before:
This record is only for you. No one else can read it.
She looked around her room as if someone was watching her.
“…Subaru-kun?” she called out.
Nothing.
The phone’s screen faded back to black. Just like that, it was over.
But her thoughts weren’t.
She clutched the device tightly to her chest.

The Next Morning – 9:36am
Sure enough—
“Hey, Petra!” Subaru knelt to a panting Petra. “Looks like a certain someone’s been skipping out on exercise.”
“I wasn’t! You’re just old!” Petra pouted.
“Oi! First Emilia-tan calling me a kid, then a kid call me old?!” Subaru-kun protested.
“I’m already an adult by isekai standards and I’m certainly not an old man okay!” He said, patting Petra’s head.
Then, with a petty grin, Subaru turned to face Petra fully while still patting her head. His hand paused for a moment before he smirked.
“Tag—you’re it!” he declared suddenly, tapping her forehead like Itachi with a triumphant grin.
“Hey!” Petra yelped, rubbing the spot with an indignant pout. “That’s not fair! And don’t do that creepy finger thing!”
“That’s what you get for calling me old,” Subaru shot back as he sprang to his feet and dashed off, laughing over his shoulder.
“You jerk!” Petra shouted, springing up and sprinting after him.

Rem stood quietly at a distance, watching. Carrying a basket overflowing with freshly sun-dried clothes.
She didn’t intervene.
Not until Subaru looked up, spotted her—and waved.
Then he grinned. “Oi, Rem! You’re not gonna carry all that laundry in one run, are you? I swear you’re gonna knock over a kid.”
The line was exact.
Her lips parted slightly.
He walked toward her, laughing before wanting to take half of the contents of the basket.

And for a moment, Rem forgot the anxiety in her chest and just… smiled.
Then Subaru got held by two kids and a flying tackle by Petra “TAG! You’re IT!!!” Head meeting stomach, he collapsed. “Good… com-bo.” The kids continued laughing, grabbing dirt and putting it inside Subaru’s pockets.
Rem was tempted to laugh at Subaru too but her eyes drifted down to her pocket.
Where the phone rested.
Where the words had appeared.
And all she could think was—
How did it know?

That Night – Rem’s Room
She sat cross-legged on her bed, the phone in front of her. She hadn’t touched the app. But when the clock struck midnight—
The screen blinked on.
A new entry appeared automatically.

 

Tomorrow – Courtyard 1:00pm
Subaru-kun will fall asleep under a tree in the courtyard.
He will dream of someone else.
When he wakes, he will say her name.
“Emilia…”

 

Rem froze.
Her smile vanished.
The air in the room turned cold.
She swallowed hard and whispered: “Why are you showing me this…?”
The phone didn't answer.
Just that same quiet glow.

Day 2 after Receiving the Phone
Roswaal Mansion – 6:00am
The phone buzzed softly just as Rem finished tying her apron.
She had already grown used to its schedule. Every four hours, on the dot. Or so that’s what she thought when it frequently notified her on that time.
She hadn’t told her sister.
Or anyone.
It felt too sacred. Or perhaps too strange. Because no spell she knew could do this. Yet it still predicted a future, albeit Subaru-kun’s near future.
This morning’s entry appeared with a slight hum and its usual soft glow. It was short.

 

Hallway – 7:15am
Subaru-kun tripped over his shoes while chasing a moth in the hallway.
He pretended it didn’t happen.
While looking around. He saw me.
He smiled at me, a blush of embarrassment appearing on his face.
“Don’t tell Nee-sama, okay?”

 

Rem blinked, an eyebrow raising.
“…That’s oddly specific.”

7:10am – Mansion Hallway
She stood quietly behind a vase near the south hall, pretending to inspect dust on the windowsill. Ram had passed by just minutes earlier on patrol. 'As expected of nee-sama!'
Then she heard it.
A thud.
Followed by an awkward grunt.
She turned.
There he was—Subaru, face down, arms sprawled, moth fluttering away.
He quickly scrambled to his feet, trying to regain dignity. “Nope! Not a fall. I was, uh… doing lunges. Y’know, morning training.” He reasoned to no one in particular.
Rem stepped out from behind the vase.
He froze then turned to her.
“…You saw that, didn’t you.”
She nodded slowly.
He smiled, embarrassed, “Don’t tell Nee-sama, okay?”

Rem felt her heart catch.
Exact words.
Exact tone.
She forced a smile. “Your secret is safe with me, Subaru-kun.”
But the unease was growing.

 

10:00am – Kitchen
She set aside a tray of herbs for Beatrice-sama’s tea when the phone buzzed again. The screen flickered, words forming line by line like breath on a cold mirror.

 

Courtyard– 11:40am
Subaru-kun stepped into the courtyard.
He stopped walking when he heard birds singing.
He said: “The day’s too peaceful. It makes me nervous.”
Rem doesn’t respond.
But Rem will remember.

 

Rem stared longer this time.
“Too peaceful…”

11:35am – Courtyard
She watched from the window, tray still in hand.
Subaru strolled out of the east door, hands behind his head. He whistled aimlessly, then stopped—exactly where the tree split the stone path. A small finch landed on the branch above.
He tilted his head.
“This day’s too peaceful,” he muttered, just loud enough for no one but himself. “It makes me nervous.” He whispered with a grave tone.
Rem’s breath caught.
She had memorized the entry.
Exactly as written.
But the ending line—
Rem doesn’t respond. But Rem will remember.
—that part was… her.
How could it know what she would or wouldn’t say?
She turned from the window, her chest tight.
She didn’t like this.

 

2:00pm – Servants’ Wing
Her next entry came as she was folding laundry.

 

Hallway – 3:00pm
Will ask you what my favorite flower is.
I said "Blue Hydrangea", he smiled at me, told me it suits me.
But I think if Rem lied he would still believe me.

 

Rem stared at the screen.
“…If Rem lie?”
She had to test it.

2:59pm – Hallway Near Guest Rooms
Subaru was carrying clean sheets on his head like a hat when he ran into her.
“Hey hey Rem, perfect timing!” he grinned. “Quick question—what’s your favorite flower?”
Rem looked him dead in the eye, tone even then said.
“…Spider lily.”
He paused.
Then smiled warmly. “Creepy, but cool. I’ll remember that.”
He walked on, humming. Then the stack of clean sheets fell, she heard her sister scolding Subaru-kun.
She turned her phone over.
The screen lit up again.

 

Flower registered: Spider lily
Dining room– 6:10pm
Subaru-kun mentioned the flower I said to him when he was talking to sister.

 

Rem gripped the device tightly.
It changed.
It knows what I choose.
But how?
This wasn’t a spell. Not like any magic that she knew.
And the strangest part?
She never told the phone anything. She never typed, never spoken to it. But it knew.
It simply… knew.

6:07pm – Outside the dining room (Unintended Eavesdropping)
“…and Rem said spider lily. Isn’t that kinda spooky for someone so sweet, nee-sama?”
Subaru’s voice carried lightly from the dining room, just beyond the open door.
Ram’s reply was dry, but not without warmth.
“It suits her. That flower blooms alone, yet never fades.”
A quiet pause. “Besides… Rem was always a little lonely.”
Subaru chuckled. “She’s allowed to have her alone time, nee-sama.”
Ram didn’t answer right away. She knew Rem hadn’t told him the truth. About why, she didn’t know.
But still… her voice softened.
“…She always has.” then continued arranging the plates.
“Enough slacking, Barusu, you’re falling behind.” She chided.
"Hai! Nee-sama!" Subaru saluted.

Rem had been walking past. She paused in the corridor, hands tightening around the folded blanket in her arms. This wasn’t a trick. It was real.
She turned away, quietly continuing down the hall to gather her things, the silence echoing in her chest. She lets out a small smile.
“Looks like nee-sama gets along well with Subaru-kun.”

10:00pm – Rem’s Room
She didn’t sleep.
She watched the phone.
Waited for the 10:00pm entry.
It arrived.

 

Outside Rem's room– 11:10pm
He passed by my room.
I smelled his unique scent.
He’s hesitating.
He didn't knock.
Emotion: Regret.
He whispered
“I shouldn’t disturb her this late in the night.”
I pretended to be asleep.

 

Rem sat in the dark, unmoving.
At 11:09pm, she heard it.
Footsteps.
A pause outside her door, knuckle hovering to knock.
She held her breath.
Subaru’s voice, so quiet, nearly silent
“…I shouldn’t disturb her this late in the night.”
Then silence.
And retreating steps.
Rem slowly laid the phone beside her.
Face turned away.
Sleep was not in her mind right now.

Notes:

Since I will rarely include other's POV. I'll just say something about Subaru, he already died at least twice in this chapter but since its centered on Rem, I will not directly mention it. Just Subaru talking to himself or him suddenly acting 'weirdly' 'out of character' for someone so cheerful.

Chapter 5: The Smell of an Authority

Summary:

Yeah I'm not good at slice of life since I only had eyes on the 'plot'. I'll try after this arc

Notes:

Turns out Betty can smell Rem's and Subaru's scent and knows the difference, I suppose.

Roswaal Mansion – Forbidden Library – Late Afternoon

Books never judged you.
That’s what Rem liked about this room.
The dusty stillness, the old knowledge, the way time didn’t move unless you wanted it to. It calmed the unease rising in her chest lately—an unease tied to a device that buzzed every four hours, whispering Subaru-kun’s future like it was inevitable.
But today she hadn’t come for comfort.
She came for answers.

Beatrice stood several feet off the floor on top of a stool, flipping through an ancient tome. Her strawberry blonde drill-curls bobbed with each lazy turn of a page.
“I didn’t expect you, I suppose,” she said without looking. “You rarely seek me out unless Subaru-dummy drags you in.”
“I have a question,” Rem said, quiet but firm.
Beatrice’s little finger twitched.
“…Then ask, I wonder.” She continued reading
Rem hesitated. “Is it possible… for someone to know the future?”

That made Beatrice lower her book.
“You’re not talking about a divine protection, are you?” Beatrice stated.
“No, Beatrice-sama.” Rem shook her head.
“Then you mean something closer to ‘absolute precognition’,” she said, hopping off of the stool “Those are rare. Dangerous and most of the time, tied to Authority." She said, thinking about her mother, she continued "Where did you hear of such a thing, I wonder?”

Rem didn’t answer.
But her hand clenched slightly around the phone in her apron pocket.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. She sniffed once, then wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Her gaze sharpened—not suspicious, but curious. Analytical.
“It’s grown stronger, in fact,” she murmured. “You always had… a peculiar scent. Tolerable, but off. Not unlike his.”
Rem blinked. “…His?”

Beatrice gave her a sideways glance, then slowly began to circle her.
“Subaru-dummy’s scent is strange too—like a dying prey. His is faint… but it was stronger a few days ago. Yours used to be faint as well. Now it’s thicker, sharper. Both are miasma yet different from cultists and mabeasts. If we’re talking of how dense it is, I’d say like an archbishop’s, I suppose—”
Rem interjected and growled out, “I’m nothing like those monsters.”
“I didn’t say you were.” Beatrice’s voice dropped. “But I know what happens when people touched an Authority. When something foreign entered their bodies. If you’re incompatible, it messes with your soul, I suppose.”

Rem gulped at the price of rejection then heard the word, “Foreign…?” Rem echoed.
Beatrice nodded slowly. “This doesn’t belong to you. Not originally, I suppose. But it’s yours now, attached to you. The good news is that it seems… in fact,” she paused, narrowing her eyes at Rem, “your body isn’t rejecting it.”
She tilted her head, voice quieter.

“You’re compatible. It’s not eating away at you like it should. Most people would’ve gone mad or died but you’re… adapting. Or rather, it’s adapting to you. It’s strange, I suppose.” Beatrice wondered aloud.
“But I don’t feel anything.” Rem clarified.
Beatrice's eyes narrowed, her voice more to herself than to Rem.
“How it only manifests now… I have no answer, in fact. Something must have stirred it awake.”
She stepped a little closer, arms crossed as her gaze swept over Rem like she was solving a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
“You haven’t taken anything strange, have you? Touched anything unusual? Or… perhaps someone gave you something?”
Rem's fingers curled slightly at her side. The phone in her pocket feeling colder now.

Beatrice gave her a long look—not sharp or suspicious this time, but quiet… almost lonely.
“If it ever mentions me… anything about my future, or anything strange tied to my name…”
Her voice dropped, barely more than a murmur.
“Let me read it. Please.”
Rem froze.
Just for a second.
Not at the request—but at the word.

Read.

She hadn’t said anything about reading. Just that to see into the future
Beatrice noticed.
Her gaze drifted briefly to Rem’s hand, hovering near her pocket as if guarding something. But she said nothing. She simply turned, arms folded, and walked off with a faint huff.
“That’s all, I suppose.”
Rem bowed slightly, unsure how to respond. “Thank you, Beatrice-sama.”
The spirit returned to her book. “Don’t thank me yet. You’re a fool for carrying it and not even knowing what it is or how you got it.”
After Rem left, Beatrice closed her book with a quiet sigh, “Someone actually managed to kill Greed, I suppose.”

POV: Beatrice

The library felt colder once Rem was gone.
Beatrice stood in place, the folds of her dress unmoving, her small hands clenched inside her sleeves. She had spoken plainly. Quietly. It should’ve been a simple request.
“If it ever mentions me… let me read it. Please.”
She wouldn’t ask things like that. Not often. Not sincerely.
Requests were for people with needs.

And for four hundred years, Beatrice had been left with nothing—except one thing. The one promise that never came. That person.
Now, there was Rem. And there was that device.
Technology that is centuries ahead of this world. Made from metal and glass and much deeper than it looked.
It has too many functions, from taking notes, to calculations to capturing a moment in time to playing music and even entertainment.
“Mother would’ve loved the thing. Probably even exchange it for her tome of wisdom just to mess with the thing, I suppose.” Beatrice mused.
She hadn’t meant to let it slip.

‘Let me read it.’

Rem had stiffened at the word. A widening of her eyes, a hand hovering near her pocket as if to instinctively protect something, to check if it's there.
The maid hadn’t said anything about reading. But Beatrice had to test it, and it confirmed something. The maid has something similar to mother.
Beatrice had seen that action many times before.
From people hiding something. Discovering what people were afraid for others to see.
She hadn’t pressed her. But the silence stung more than she expected.

“Even that girl,” Beatrice muttered softly to herself, “carries the future close to her chest, and she won’t share it.”
She turned toward the window, watching the long shadows of evening stretch across the courtyard.
“I’m always the last to be chosen, I suppose…”
Her voice barely left her lips, swallowed by the mansion’s walls.
She didn’t cry, she shouldn’t. Not when it didn’t matter.
But her eyes lingered on the door where Rem had gone.
Still waiting for that person.
Still hoping that, someday, her story would move forward.

That Night – Rem’s Room – 10:00pm

The phone buzzed. She stared at it.
Hesitating.
Then picked it up.

Subaru – 11:15pm
He passed by Rem’s room again.
Subaru-kun didn’t speak.
He pause. After awhile he left.
I stepped out to follow him.
Rem asked him if something’s wrong.
He lied.
I believed him anyway.

Rem exhaled softly, turning the phone face-down.
There were too many layers now.
Too many secrets.
Beatrice had said an Authority isn’t given freely.
But she had no memory of getting one.
So then… how did it get to her?
And why?

Roswaal Mansion – Rem’s Room – 02:00am

The phone buzzed earlier than expected.
Rem reached for it instinctively. The light from the screen spilled across her blankets as she read the entry—bleary-eyed, tired, but strangely eager.
But this time, there was no title like "Tomorrow" or "Afternoon."


Just a simple, static heading:

Archived Entry
(File tagged: Discarded)

Rem blinked. She had never seen this before.
The entry slowly began to write itself.
Line by line.

---- – 5:42pm
Dining Hall

I shouted at him for his hiding injuries.
I asked him how he got those.
Subaru-kun still remained silent.
He smiled—told me not to worry about it. That he will handle it.
Subaru-kun doesn’t tell me what he's doing at the village.
I didn’t follow him the next day.
I found him later that day.
Subaru-kun died. Mauled by mabeasts.


Rem sat up fast, the blankets falling to her lap.
“What…?”
None of this had ever happened. She never shouted at him. They hadn’t even argued since he gifted her the phone.
She scrolled down. A timestamp followed.

Entry Date: ——— 5:42pm
Status: Discarded.
World state: Reset.

Her thumb trembled above the screen.
“Reset…?”
A chill rippled through her spine.
She stood, wrapping a shawl over her shoulders, and stepped toward the window. Moonlight poured into the room like liquid silver. Outside, the mansion was quiet.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Were Subaru-kun’s words
But if this was true—if this "discarded" day really existed—then where had it gone?
How can a day be thrown away?
She looked at the phone again.
No prediction this time.
No future.
Just that impossible past.

Later – Kitchen, 07:20am

Rem moved automatically as she prepared breakfast with Ram, peeling vegetables and boiling stock. Her hands were steady, her mind not.
Ram glanced at her. “You’re quieter than usual, Rem. Did something happen?”
“Just tired, nee-sama” Rem lied.
Subaru entered soon after, yawning, hair messy.
“Morning, you two!” he chirped, grabbing a mug. “I had a weird dream that Ram stabbed me with a ladle handle.”
“That wasn’t a dream,” Ram replied dryly. “It’s the near future, minutes from now.”, washing a ladle and holding the scoop, handle pointed at him.
He laughed.
Rem didn’t.
She watched him from the corner of her eye. No signs of bruising. No wounds. No signs he was hiding injuries. But the entry had said he was wounded. That they had argued. That he’d died. So where did that day go? And how did the phone know it?

Courtyard – 10:00am

Subaru had taken Petra and the kids out to play. Rem stood at the side, watching. Waiting.
The phone buzzed again.
She opened it quickly.

Upcoming Entry – 11:05am
Subaru-kun tripped.
He cursed the rocks.
I kneel, checking his hand.
Emotion: Uneasy.
He said he’s alright.

Rem stared at the last line.
Something tugged at her memory. A faded whisper.
Like he’d said it before.
In a place that didn’t exist.
She shut the phone and whispered, “What are you showing me?”
No response.
Just a blank screen.

Chapter 6: Ghost Days

Roswaal Mansion – Edge of Arlam Village – 11:03am

Rem stood near the outer path of the garden, where the hedges split to make room for a narrow gravel lane. Subaru had wandered this way with Petra and another village child in tow.
She pretended to adjust a branch, watching.
“At 11:05am…”
She whispered the time shown on the entry. Subaru’s boot stepped on lose stone and slipped.
“Woah—!” Thud.
He tumbled awkwardly into the gravel.
“Subaru!” Petra gasped. “I’m good! I meant to do that!” he called back, brushing dirt off his jacket.
Rem was already kneeling beside him, she reached for his hand.
Just like the phone had said. A shallow scratch crossed his palm. But he flinched—not from pain.
But from her expression. “Are you okay, Subaru-kun?” she asked softly, voice cracking.
He blinked. “You… look like you’re about to cry. It’s just a scratch.” he smiled at her.
Rem hesitated.

She almost asked:
“Have I hurt you before?”
“Did I ever yell at you?”

Instead, she said nothing. He looked down for a second and breathed deeply.
Then back again.
“I’m alright!”
Rem’s breath caught. Same words but his eyes expressed pain. That same forced smile.
The lie stung her.
Because somewhere, in a day that no longer existed—he had done something wrong.
And paid for it.

1:00pm – Rem’s Room Breaktime

She sat on her bed, arms wrapped around her knees, phone resting in front of them.
She had scrolled through every file.
No other “discarded” entries.
Only that one.
But if there was one, there could be others.
Dozens. Hundreds. How many days had vanished? How many things had Subaru lived through that she never saw? And worse—how many times had she been someone else?

The phone buzzed again but this time, it didn’t show a prediction.
Instead, it showed a line of strange message. Not in the Diary app. Not even on the home screen of her with Subaru-kun.
Just a white screen.

Accessing Memory Fragment
(Fragment stability… 74%)
(Error: Subject awareness incomplete)
Displaying recovered moment:
The screen dimmed.

And then—
A short passage appeared. It read like a diary entry.
But not hers.

"I can’t tell her the truth. She looks at me like I’m someone worth saving.
But if she knew how I failed her, how many times I failed—
How she died instead of me—
She’d never smile at me again.”
—Subaru

Even when no sound was being played, Rem heard the anguish in Subaru's voice. Rem’s blood ran cold, her hands trembled. She stared at the screen so long she forgot to breathe. Then the text vanished. No trace, as if it had never been there.

 

7:00pm – Dining Hall

Dinner was warm, cheerful as always.
Ram insulted Subaru-kun in alphabetical order while Subaru-kun snarked back.
Roswaal was eating boiled tatoes dipping it in soup, smiling.
Emilia didn’t get Subaru’s jokes but was happily eating, seeing as 'everyone' is happy.
Puck's taking a tea bath on a teacup while munching food.
Beatrice spoon-feeding him.
And Rem… smiled.
However, inside her head, that one line played on loop:

"How she died instead of me."

But she was alive.
She hadn’t died.
…Right?

That night, the phone buzzed again. No entry.
Just a single prompt:

Would you like to remember the recent lost day?
Y / N

Rem stared at it.
Her finger hovered.
Her chest ached.
“…What are you?” she whispered.
The phone said nothing. She tapped on "Y".
The “Y” blinked once.
Waiting.

The screen flashed white, blinding. Then the room dissolved.

[Fragment Memory Downloaded]
[Discarded Loop]
Rem blinked—and suddenly she was in the dining room.
Ram stood with a tray.
Subaru slumped at the table, exhausted. Mud on his sleeves. A bruise forming on his cheek.
And Rem—
She was standing, a hand over her side.
“…You lied,” her voice cracked in the memory. “You said the village was fine.”
Subaru didn’t respond.
Her voice rose—furious, trembling. “You nearly died, and you didn’t tell us?!”
He looked away.
Then her hand moved.
A splash.
Water from her teacup soaked his face.
Even Ram looked stunned.
“I’m not your burden, Subaru-kun,” she said angrily. “Stop deciding things alone!”
He wiped his cheek, slowly.
“…Sorry. Don’t worry it’s nothing dangerous, I’ll handle it.”
He smiled—but it was wrong.
Hollow.
Heavy.
This had happened.
But Rem had no memory of it.
Because it had been erased.

Scene Shift
The next memory struck like lightning.
Rem—crying.
Ram—nowhere in sight.
Emilia trapped herself inside her room crying.
The mansion was dark.
Mansion’s front door—wide open.
And just inside…
Blood. Stillness
Subaru’s hand hung over the edge of the door, motionless.
Rem screamed.
She shook him. Called his name.
But it was too late.
The vision dissolved into static.

Return to Present – Rem’s Room – 11:17pm

Rem bolted upright, drenched in cold sweat.
The phone buzzed once, then went still.
She wasn’t crying—but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
“Reset…”
She whispered it out loud.
It felt bitter on her tongue.

She stood slowly, quietly, and slipped out into the hallway.
Only one door was lit.
She paused in front of it.
Subaru-kun’s.
Muffled pacing could be heard from within.
Then his voice—low, almost a whisper:
“…Gotta get it right this time. Don’t mess up the loop…”
Rem’s eyes widened.

 

Loop, an action or sequence that inevitably returns to the same point.

 

Her knees went weak.
He said it.
Subaru-kun said it..
A word not meant for her to hear.
Her heart pounded louder than her breath.
And for the first time, she felt something inside her react.
Something she didn’t control.
Something that listened when it heard that word.


The word hung in the air, unwelcome, fragile as porcelain.
Rem didn’t breathe. Didn’t blink.
Her heart pounded so violently in her chest she thought it would drown out the silence. She staggered back from the door, pulse racing.
It wasn’t the phone. It wasn’t the entries.
He said it. Now, in this world.
Her foot hit the base of a nearby vase. It toppled. She reached out instinctively to catch it. But it never hit the floor. It froze mid-fall. Petals from its bouquet—suspended in air, frozen, as is everything around her.

The world… stopped.


—Silence.
Not quiet.
Silence.
No wind. No breathing. No heartbeat from the rooms of the people living.
Rem stepped back.
The vase hovered beside her.
She looked at her hands.
Nothing had changed.
But everything had.

11:22pm – Roswaal Mansion (Frozen Time)
She ran down the corridor. Past windows where rain had paused mid-drop. Through the dining hall where candle flames hung unnaturally still. Past her sister—caught mid-yawn as she reads a book.
Everyone was frozen. Except her.

 

Courtyard – 11:22pm

The air outside was thick.
Too still.
She pressed her palm against a rose. The petals didn’t sway.
The clouds above didn’t shift.
Even the stars refused to twinkle.
Like the world itself was paused, unsure how to move forward.
She clutched the phone from her uniform.
The screen was black.
She pressed the side button. Nothing. It was dead.
Rem slowly lowered it.
“…This is wrong,” she whispered.
Her voice echoed.
Louder than it should have.

 

11:22pm – Grand Hall

She returned inside.
Subaru’s room was still lit.
She opened the door carefully.
Inside, Subaru stood mid-step, mouth half-open, still in the middle in talking to himself.
Frozen.
She approached him, heart thudding.
“…Subaru-kun?”
No answer.
She placed a hand against his chest.
Still warm.
No pulse.
Her hand trembled.
He was… in between beats.
Between breaths.
Between life.
“Is this an Authority?”
But whose?
Surely not the Witch of Envy, right?
There were no shadows.
No one being devoured.
The world isn’t ending.
Just emptiness.
A deep, choking stillness that wrapped around her like a second skin.

Rem didn't pay attention to the third smell of the room. The mix of hers and Subaru-kun's scent makes it difficult to notice.

11:22pm – Rem’s Room
She returned slowly, like someone in a dream.
She sat on her bed, curled knees to chest, hugging the useless phone.
Her mind was spiraling. The phone had predicted futures.
Then it had shown memories of a discarded time.
Then she heard Subaru mention “loop” with his own voice.
And now…
Time had stopped.
But nothing happed.
“Then why?”, she cried.
“Why me?”, tears falling.
“What did I do?”, she whispered.
She looked at the phone again, hoping—begging—it would respond.
And then it did. For the first time in the frozen world…
The screen turned on and a message appeared.
Not a prediction. Not a memory.
A prompt.

[Authority of Greed: Cognitive Singularity Detected]
New Function Unlocked: Accessing Broken Timeline
WARNING: Subject lacks emotional capacity for total recall.
Proceed?

She didn’t press anything this time.
She only stared at it—numb, silent, cold.
Then, like a wave rolling backward—
Everything moved again.
The air shifted.
The petals on her windowsill fluttered.
A wind howled gently outside.
The world had resumed.
But Rem didn’t notice.
She clutched the blanket tighter, eyes wide, shoulders tense.
Her mind couldn’t register what had happened.
She believed she had imagined it.
That maybe the Authority—if that’s what it was—was just a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
She closed her eyes.
But her phone screen flickered one last time before shutting off completely.

 

11:23pm – Subaru’s Room
The candle beside Subaru’s bed continued to burn.
But the boy’s body remained frozen—suspended, mouth open.
Unmoving, unaware.
Then the shadows thickened.
Darkness gathered— like gas leaking from the walls.
And from it emerged a figure.
Satella.
Her face remained hidden beneath layers of black haze, floating in the air.
She stood behind Subaru, gazing down at him like a lover beside her significant other—or a widow at a coffin.
She didn’t speak at first.
Only watched.
Only waited.

 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, beloved— "

"Envy, please shut up?" Satella whispered.

"... " Envy did so, out of guilt.

She faced the still frozen Subaru. Then, softly, a whisper filled the still air.
“You said it… didn’t you, my beloved?”
Her voice was ethereal—kind, broken, and desperate.
She walked around him slowly, her hands not touching but hovering inches from his skin.
“I'm sorry too. Each loop strains you more.”
She turned to the door—the same one Rem had just left through.
Then, her voice softened.
“She heard the word. The one you swore never to speak about.”
She paused.
Then smiled faintly.
Though it could not be seen.
“But I do not blame her. After all, I am the one who gave her the right to remember.”

Then she showed a sad pout, "Please, be careful about the taboo this time."

 

 

Subaru's room – 11:30pm
Satella stood behind Subaru.
Her hands nearly touched his shoulders now.
But she never embraced him.
“I cannot touch you while she watches. I cannot hold you while she lives.” she said sadly, bringing up envy, now whispering quietly on the corner of Satella's mind. Still apologizing for her inaction.
She drifted closer to the door, sensing through it towards Rem’s room.
She whispers, “Protect him for me.”
And then—
She vanished.
No sound.
No mist.
Only a faint ripple in the candlelight as Subaru finally blinked—unaware that time had ever stopped.

Chapter 7: Her First Real Intervention

5:00 am | Roswaal’s Mansion

The quiet hum of morning settled over the Roswaal estate, broken only by the soft swaying of trees and the chirping of birds.
Morning mist still clung to the windows, and the stone floors felt cool beneath her feet. Rem had risen earlier than usual—again.
She had no reason to. Her duties wouldn’t begin for another hour, and yet her body awoke as if her conscious was summoned by something.

As she tied her apron, her hand drifted to the weight in her pocket.
Rem hesitated before pulling it out. The glowing phone of mystery had already proven itself—frighteningly so and from what Beatrice-sama had said, it was her authority’s doing.
Each time she read an entry, it recorded events that hadn’t yet occurred.
Some minor, some unsettling. Once, it had predicted Subaru face planting on the floor.
Another, it told her of his end, that the world began anew.

But this morning, the screen didn’t open with the familiar clock.
Instead, a single line glared back at her:

Arlam Village - 12:00am
Subaru-kun approaches the children at Arlam village.
He’s eyeing the puppy in the hands of a little girl.
It looks like he’s wary of it. It reeks of miasma.

Rem’s heart stopped. She had slowly pieced together the cause of Subaru-kun’s death and the loop that happened.
“Puppy…?” she whispered aloud. This was the discarded time the phone had mentioned. Subaru-kun died this day. By a mabeast, by that puppy.

She quickly checked the time — 5:10 am.
There’s still time. She can save him.
Her breath trembled, and she steadied herself against the wall.
Miasma. That word alone filled her blood with coldness.
She had sensed it before—traces of the Witch’s scent left behind on bodies, the acrid, thick residue of those who flirted with heresy.
But a puppy? It’s definitely a mabeast.

Her thoughts turned to Subaru. Lately, he seemed… heavier, like he’s carrying a burden he couldn’t, wouldn’t tell us. Eyes widened, jaw clenched too often. He acted normal, but she felt it. Something was breaking in him. She didn’t understand why. But now…
This was the cause of his loops. Those however many reality that he died.
She held the phone tighter. Subaru couldn’t tell her. She guessed why, and she stopped expecting answers. All she could do was read what he couldn’t say.
And now she had to stop this before it happened again.

6:00am

The sun had just begun peeking above the hills when Rem found Ram near the rear courtyard, pruning bushes, doing a terrible job at it.
The faint scent of mint and earth filled the air. Still messy.
“Sister,” Rem called, her voice softer than usual.
Ram paused. “Good morning, Rem.” she smiled at her.

“I need your help.”
That made Ram pause.
Rem approached, her voice hushed. “Something’s in Arlam Village. The seal broke. I think a mabeast got in, maybe more than one.” she said.
Ram stood up, brushing dirt from her knees. Her expression turned serious. “What makes you think that?”
Rem didn’t answer directly. She whispered about a suspected wolgarm puppy.

Ram listen skeptically. Her eyes narrowed at the words.
“…A puppy?” she muttered. “You think this is real?”
Rem looked her in the eyes. “I do. It may already be inside the village. Close to the children.”
Ram didn’t ask further. She didn’t need to. The trust between them ran deeper than proof.
“I’ll prepare,” Ram said. “Should I inform Roswaal-sama?”
“No. Just us… and one more.”

At 6:40AM, Rem walked to Emilia-sama’s room and gently knocked. It was still early, but she heard movement.

The door creaked open to reveal a small, shimmering figure blinking groggily—Puck, in his cat form, floating at shoulder height.
“Good morning, Rem,” he yawned. “So diligent as always. What’s the matter?”
“There may be mabeasts in the village, Puck-sama” Rem whispered. “I need your help.”
Puck blinked once, then twice. “…You’re serious?”
“I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”
He floated closer, ears twitching. “You're worried about Subaru?” he too noticed Subaru’s behavior but ignored it.
Her silence answered for her.

Puck let out a low, serious hum. “Alright, I’ll watch from the treeline. But be careful. If they’re hiding in the forest… they’re not an ordinary pack. They tend to just attack anyone when spotted.”
“Thank you.” she left to prepare herself and quickly finished her chores.

By the time she returned to the foyer at 10:00am, Subaru was already stretching at the door.
“Ah, there she is! I knew it! You do want to come with me today!” he beamed.
“I have something to check in the village,” Rem said seriously.
“Is it my charm?” Subaru joked, tapping his chin, posing at her.
Rem didn’t respond, but there’s a twitch of a smile on her lips.
Instead, she looked at him, eyes soft, calmly but directly warning him. “Stay close to me. Don’t go near any animals. Especially strays.”

His smile faltered, just for a second.
“…So it’s that loop,” he murmured under his breath.
Rem’s eyes flicked toward him, but he already turned away, waving as if nothing had happened.
They walked down the familiar dirt path toward Arlam under the soft light of the rising sun. Birds chirped overhead. Children’s laughter echoed faintly from the distant village.

In her pocket, the phone remained dark—but the words burned in her memory.
‘I will NOT let Subaru-kun touch it. I will not let him die again.’ Rem thought.
This time, she would not hesitate.
She would kill the thing before it could bite.

Chapter 8: It Smells Wrong

Arlam Village | 11:57AM

The wind rustled through the barley fields as Rem and Subaru passed through the worn wooden gates of Arlam Village. Farmers waved from their porches, children ran barefoot between stalls, and sunlight danced across the cobblestone road.
‘It was peaceful. Too peaceful.’ Rem remembered Subaru-kun’s words.
But Rem didn’t let her guard down.

She kept close to Subaru, watching everything — the villagers, the shadows between houses, the woods where stray animals scurried. She felt it, faintly — a wrongness on the edge of her senses. The smell of blood mixed with drool.
Subaru, meanwhile, grinned and greeted the villagers.
Rem only offered polite nods. She scanned every direction as they walked deeper into the village. Her hand rested near the hidden holster on her hip — where her morning star was stashed beneath her maid skirt, cleverly concealed.

Subaru, noticing her silence, leaned closer.
“You good, Rem?”
She blinked once. “Yes. I’m just watching.”
He furrowed his brow but didn’t press. Maybe he understood more than he let on.
It wasn’t long before the children gathered. Subaru, ever magnetic to trouble, was dragged into their orbit like a wayward moon. He played tag, let one of them climb his back, and nearly fell into livestock dung. Rem watched from the shade of a tree, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Then, she saw her.

A new girl — unfamiliar. Violet eyes, dark purple hair in braided hairstyle. She was small, maybe ten, with porcelain skin and a quiet smile far too serene for a child.
She wasn’t a resident of Arlam village.
She walked toward the children, holding something in her arms.
Rem stepped forward, her senses screaming. Her nose twitched — and then she caught it.
Miasma.
So faint, so carefully suppressed — but unmistakable. A stain clinging to fur.
The puppy in the girl’s arms yawned.

A Wolgarm.

Rem's breath turned to frost.
“Hey there, new face!” Subaru called, grinning. “You one of the merchant’s kids?”
The girl curtsied. “I’m Meili.”
Rem’s fingers slowly curled inward.
Subaru stepped forward, smiling at the puppy. “Cute dog. Mind if I—?”

“Subaru-kun.” Rem cuts Subaru mid-sentence.
Rem’s voice cut across the field like ice.
He paused.
The children looked at her.
The puppy wagged its tail.
Rem began walking forward. Slowly. Calmly. Deliberately.

Subaru blinked, puzzled. “Rem…?”
“Step away.”
He took a step back. Her tone was cold enough to freeze fire.
The girl — Meili — looked up at Rem as she approached.
“Is something wrong, Onee-san?” Meili asked, voice innocent.
Rem didn’t answer.

She stopped just a few feet away. Her eyes locked onto the dog. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“I can smell it.”
The next moment was a heartbeat. Still. Quiet.
And then—
That was the only warning.
Rem’s hand moved without hesitation, sliding beneath the folds of her skirt where the cold steel of her morning star waited. In one smooth motion, she whipped the spiked weapon free, its chain uncoiling with a soft clink.
The puppy blinked. Subaru’s voice started to rise.
“Rem, wait—!”

She stepped forward and swung.
Meili in a panic, quickly let go of the puppy and jumped back.

*CRACK*.

The morning star smashed into the puppy’s skull with a sickening crunch. Bone shattered. Blood splattered across the dirt, the hem of Meili’s pink dress, and Rem’s sleeve.
Gasps rang out. Children screamed. Subaru staggered backward in shock, shielding Petra and her eyes.
The puppy’s body hit the ground in a twitching heap, no longer wagging its tail.
But Rem didn’t look away. She stood still, weapon dripping, gaze locked on the girl in the frills and ribbons.
The child was motionless.

Then she blinked once… and smiled. A curl on her lips.
“Oh no,” Meili said sweetly. “You killed my puppy.”
Rem’s grip tightened on the handle.
Subaru’s voice was low, stunned. “Rem… what the hell…”
The villagers were gathering, shouting confused questions, someone crying. But Meili didn’t flinch, she took a slow step back, still holding that eerie calm.
“I guess I’ll have to find another one,” she whispered, just loud enough for Rem to hear. “But next time, I’ll be more careful.”
With that, she turned and sprinted into the alley between two houses.

“Wait—!” Subaru shouted, running after her.
Rem grabbed his arm. “Don’t.”
“But—!”
She faked sniff the surroundings, “She’s not alone.”
He froze at her tone.

A long, tense silence settled over them as the sounds of chaos grew louder. Villagers were beginning to notice the blood. Someone was already running to fetch the elder.
Rem knelt beside the body. The creature was reverting — its fur shifting, legs lengthening unnaturally, jagged teeth revealed in its distorted mouth.
A Wolgarm, just as she feared. Just as the phone had warned.
She stood slowly and faced Subaru, whose eyes were still wide.

He looked at her like he barely recognized her.
“Why?” he whispered. “How did you know?”
Rem looked down at her bloodstained hand… then at him.
“It reeked of miasma.”
Subaru realized something.
He looked at Petra, still clinging to him.
“…So you can smell it.” he muttered under his breath.
Rem tilted her head. “Have I not told you?”

 

The metallic scent of blood lingered in the warm summer air. The Wolgarm's body lay still, twitching no more, its disguise peeled back to reveal sharp fangs and crushed skull. The villagers stood frozen, pale with confusion and fear.
Rem took one steady breath, then stepped forward, raising her voice just enough for everyone to hear.
“Everyone, please return to your homes. Lock your doors and windows. Do not go outside unless one of us from the mansion says it’s safe.”
There was a pause — shock, then murmurs — but no one challenged her. The blood on her weapon was answer enough. The village elder was the first to move.
“You heard her! Do as she says! Go on now!”
The crowd broke apart, hurriedly scattering. Parents scooped up children, shopkeepers slammed shutters closed, and a quiet dread settled over Arlam.
Subaru stood behind her, his expression awkward, eyes still fixed on the creature’s corpse. He hadn’t spoken since the question. He felt stupid asking a dumb question. Of course Rem wouldn’t kill a random puppy. But also sighing with relief.
Maybe this wouldn’t be another loop after all, he mused.

 

With her back to him, she reached into her apron pocket, pulling the phone out beneath the cover of her skirt. She tilted it slightly, enough for her eyes alone.

12:17 pm

'The leader's dead. Good thing the children are safe, but the smell still lingers. They'll come back. I think I still have a few hours.', Rem thought. She remembered Subaru's death had multiple bite on his body.

She flicked her thumb up—another entry had had appeared:

Around Arlam Village - 3:21pm

“There was howling around the village. The pack returned.”

'Three hours…'
Rem slipped the phone away before anyone could see.
“Rem!” a voice called.
She turned to see Ram approaching at a brisk pace, her short pink hair fluttering. Beside her was Emilia, worry carved into her face. And floating just behind her—
“Puck-sama,” Rem murmured.

 

“Yo,” the spirit greeted, tail flicking. His face twitched as he sniffed the air. “…Ugh. That’s not just dog blood I smell. Mabeast, isn’t it?”
“She killed it,” Subaru said softly. “Before it could do anything.”
Emilia blinked in surprise. “Rem, you…?”
“She acted first,” Subaru added, louder this time and proud of her “She saved us all!”
Rem stayed silent.

 

They moved to the center of the village square. Rem quickly relayed the events—how the girl had brought a disguised mabeast in, how she’d sensed something wrong.
She didn’t mention the phone. Only that she smelled miasma.
Puck hovered in place, ears flattening. “If one was already here, the rest aren’t far behind. I bet the forest’s crawling with them.”
“Can you smell them?” Emilia asked.

 

Rem nodded. “It’s faint… but yes. They’re moving, spreading around us.”
Ram looked around the quiet, shuttered village. “Then we have little time to prepare.”
“No,” Rem said. “We have even less.”
They all turned to her.

 

Her eyes were cold. Steady.
“They’ll attack in just a few hours. We need to intercept them before they reach the village.”
“...How do you know?” Emilia asked, worried.

 

“I just do, Emilia-sama.” Rem said simply.
Subaru’s gaze flicked to her, curious—but not asking.
As Puck drifted toward the treeline to prepare a freezing perimeter, and Ram began issuing orders to strengthen the defenses, Rem pulled the phone out once more in secret. Just one last glance.

Around Arlam Village - 3:21pm

“There was howling around the village. The pack returned.”

She whispered to herself.
“Then I’ll kill them.”

Notes:

I'll either post the next one later or tomorrow.
I said that I had until arc 3 and I'll clean and fix some parts but I don't have an idea how to proceed with arc 4 and I kinda don't want to just go copy arc 4 then paste Rem there just to shorten it. I'll probably need to rewatch it since I'll look for scenes where I can impact thy divine Authority wielder Rem.

Chapter 9: Preemptive Strike

Notes:

I was gonna put this in comments but decided to put this here for everyone:

It's basically Rem's version of Echidna's tome except it's really accurate but only recount either few hours into the future, about Subaru or discarded loops although limited. No matter how the future her typed in her diary that doesn't directly or indirectly about Subaru say for example his name wasn't mentioned yet he's there, it would count, it won't register for the current Rem to read it. Satella put that condition in addition to changing how her miasma would smell to others and how she can smell others miasma in past chapters. It's why she said to only used it for him.

Also if anyone is curious why Rem never suspected Subaru, it's because he smells like a dead animal. Beatrice pointed out that Rem's scent which smells like an orphan covered in ash of a burning home, is miasma and so is Subaru and said hers is thicker. So, her suspecting him doesn't make sense to me here.

I don't know if this is a spoiler but out of Subaru's loops 3 of them Rem already have the phone, she died in one of them due to Future Rem getting ambushed because even though she tried to warn her past self, Satella's condition didn't meet thus it didn't register in the diary resulting in her death. The next loop after that was the one I showed where Subaru tried to take it upon himself to handle everything because Rem basically took his place then failed and the loop resulted in failure yet again. It's really blurry in my head but basically he died more than canon since he refused to seek help after Rem died instead of him.

Well, it's my fic so I get to do what I want mwuhehehehe.
I also really wanna add this future tidbit.
If Echidna was given the chance to exchange her book to a phone as her tome of wisdom, she'd give you the book no hidden charges or conditions since she's really physically weak and a phone is lighter AND has more functions. She really wants it.

I really tried to be all mysterious and such without including the chapters that has them huh? I'll probably slip it in between chapter if I ever figure out how to do it. Since this story was stockpiled in a word file, I just clean it and go post it so it might take longer slip the chapters that needed to fill the gaps. I repeat, it might seem like I update really fast but I just clean and fix stuff.

The woods were too quiet.
No rustling of rodents. Birds flying away all over the place. It was the kind of atmosphere that screams there's something dangerous around.
Rem crouched low behind a tree, the links of her morning star coiled in her hand to make it easier to throw. Her senses were stretched wide. The miasma was stronger now, oozing across the undergrowth like a creeping mist. Not visible—but she smells it, it's worse than the miasma around Rem and Subaru-kun.
“They're close,” she whispered nose scrounging.

To her left, Ram stood calmly, wind magic subtly swirling around her. To her right, Emilia and Puck hovered, a faint chill already spreading along the soil as the spirit prepared to cast.
Subaru crouched behind a low ridge, eyes fixed on the tree line. He hadn’t spoken much since the village. But his gaze was sharp and focused. Rem could tell he’d seen something like this before.
She didn’t ask how many times. Rem checked the phone once more, shielding it beneath her sleeve.

[3:02 pm]
The pack is bigger than we imagined. A few slipped from the rear.

Her eyes narrowed.
“Change in formation, everyone.” she said quickly. “They’re splitting. One group will try to circle around the back.”
Ram’s expression shifted just slightly. “Then I’ll intercept.”
Rem gave a quick nod, "Please be careful, nee-sama." and Ram vanished deeper into the trees without another word.
Subaru looked at her. “How do you—?”

“I just do.” Rem replied.
That answer. Subaru didn’t press. But in that pause, their eyes met.
There was something in his — guilt, desperation, and… trust.
He looked away, smiling in slight relief.

Moments later, the first sound: scratching. Then a snarl, then another until dozens of low growls echoed from the brush, like wolves clawing their way up from the pit of the world.
“They’re here,” Puck murmured, voice low and dangerous.
Then they burst from the shadows.
Rem stepped forward.
Her morning star spun out like a silver comet, smashing into the first Wolgarm’s skull with a sickening crunch.
“Huma!”
Ice erupted from her hand, jagged and precise, piercing another beast through the chest and freezing its limbs solid.

Puck followed immediately, forming a sweeping frost that coated the ground and slowed the advancing line. Emilia raised her hand, her magic humming, ready to act as support.
Subaru moved toward the path—cutting off escape routes, helping herd the monsters toward Rem and Ram’s ambush using his scent.
Minutes passed in blood and frost. The clearing filled with shattered ice, black fur, and the smell of dirt soaked in blood.
Rem’s breathing was steady. Her movements efficient. There was no fear, no hesitation. She struck with purpose. Every swing was final. Every spell lethal.
She wasn’t fighting for glory.
She was fighting to keep the next entry from coming true.

 

The air was still again — but this time, it was truly silent.
No growling. No screaming. No footsteps crunching through leaves.
Just the soft fall of blood on soil, and the dying whisper of wind magic fading in the trees.
Rem stood in the clearing, breathing slowly, her morning star dripping blood. Around her lay the remains of twisted beasts — cracked jaws, broken limbs, bodies through the mouth by ice. A circle of corpses.

 

Subaru exhaled hard nearby, leaning on his knees. His jacket was torn at the sleeve, dirt smudged across his face. But he was alive. They all were.
Ram emerged from the woods moments later, brushing leaves off her shoulder, exhausted.
“They're all gone,” she said, flatly, wheezing when nobody was looking.
“Same here,” Puck added, floating tiredly at Emilia’s side. “Not even a straggler left. We purged the whole pack.”
Emilia looked pale, but nodded. “It’s over.”
Rem didn’t respond right away. Her eyes remained on the last beast she had struck — still twitching, barely clinging to life, its body frozen to the base of a tree.

 

She stepped forward and whispered coldly:
“Return to the mud.”
She brought her weapon down. One final crack of steel.
Silence.
They regrouped at the forest edge where the last of the corrupted mana was dispersing like dust in the breeze.
Ram began heading to the village to rest. Emilia offered water. Subaru sat on a stump, staring at the forest, quietly.
Rem moved away from the others, just enough to be unseen. She pulled the phone from her pocket and tapped the screen.

 

[4:54 pm]
Subaru-kun was really happy while we were walking home.
He was talking how 'cool' I was during our fight.

 

She stared at the line for a long moment.
Subaru approached her, brushing dirt off his knees.
“You… really saved us,” he said, smiling.
Rem tilted her head, smirking. “I told you not to go near the dog.”
He gave a soft laugh. “Guess I should listen to you more often.”

"Yes, yes you should!" Rem said cheekily.
Their eyes met — tired, bruised, but alive.
And for once, the loop hadn’t ended in screams.

Notes:

And this is the 'end' of arc 2.
I wanna add some slice of life before jumping to arc 3 and also because its a mess and needs a lot of fixing but I wanna keep alot of the parts I added. I just wanna make it make sense since her authority is still incomplete. It's my plan from the beginning.

Chapter 10: Aftermath of Arc 2

The forest was finally quiet. Not the kind of quiet that made your skin crawl, like the moment before something lunges from the shadows — but the kind that comes after you’ve beaten back the danger and lived to tell the tale.

Subaru breathed in deep, though it hurt a little. Every muscle in his body ached like he ran for hours, on all fours, then dragged to ran a few kilometers more. Still, he couldn’t help but grin. “Ha—! That’s it! Those flea-bitten freaks are toast! No more Wolgarms, no more bite marks, no more—whatever kind of gross disease they carry. We’re alive!” He exclaimed, also remembering the one night he died asleep.

His voice echoed faintly between the trees, almost like the forest was reluctantly agreeing.

“You were almost dog food back there,” came a languid voice from up ahead.

Subaru looked over. Perched neatly on Emilia’s shoulder like he owned the spot was Puck, his tail swishing idly. His big eyes blinked slowly, like he’d just woken up from a nap instead of fighting for his life minutes ago.

“Hey, I had it under control!” Subaru shot back, jabbing a finger dramatically at the little furball. “I was luring them in, making them think I was easy prey. Classic strategy!”

“Classic stupidity.” Ram murmured, not even bothering to turn her head.

“You do smell like mabeast bait, I’ll give you that.” Puck jabs while subtly mentioning his unique miasma.

Subaru grabbed his chest like they fired an arrow through his heart. “Oof. Right in the pride.” *route*

Puck yawned, fangs barely peeking out. “I’ll give you points for enthusiasm, but next time, try not to make Emilia’s heart stop while you’re at it.”

Emilia giggled softly. Even tired, that sound could probably melt frost.

She glanced over her shoulder, and Subaru followed her gaze to the blue-haired figure walking a pace or two behind. Rem’s steps were steady, her posture composed, but there was a faint flush slowly showing on her cheeks — whether from the fight or the attention, Subaru couldn’t tell.

“But it really was thanks to you, Rem.” Emilia said warmly. “Your timing was perfect. You always knew where to be.”

Ram’s voice followed immediately, calm and certain. “Indeed. Your coordination was exemplary.” for Ram, that was practically a standing ovation.

Rem lowered her gaze, her hair hiding part of her face, not used to compliments. “I only did what was necessary to protect everyone.”

“Necessary or not, you did it well,” Emilia replied.

Subaru slowed his pace so he could walk beside her. “You were like a general out there. ‘You, go left, sis, go rear, now attack on my signal!’ Seriously, you could’ve led the charge in one of those strategy games back home.”

Rem’s lips curved just slightly, but she didn’t look up.

The path back to the mansion was littered with snapped twigs, trampled grass, and the faint shimmer of ice in spots where Emilia’s magic had done its work. The air still smelled faintly of bloodied fur and open flesh.

Subaru stretched his arms above his head, wincing at the sore pull in his shoulders. “Man, if every fight’s like that, I’m gonna need hazard pay. Or at least a really good chiropractor.” he mused.

“That was barely a warm-up,” Puck teased. “You should be thanking Rem for keeping you from becoming a light snack.”

“Already did,” Subaru said with a grin, glancing sideways at her again. “Multiple times. But I’ll keep saying it until it sticks.”

Rem finally glanced at him, her expression as polite as ever, but there was something in her eyes — the faintest flicker of embarrassment, maybe? Subaru couldn’t tell for sure, but it made him want to push just a little more… later.

For now, he shoved his hands in his pockets and let the group’s pace carry them forward. The moonlight filtering through the canopy dappled Emilia’s hair with silver, glinted off Puck’s fur, and caught on the tiny beads of frost clinging to a low branch. It was the kind of scene that almost made him forget how close they’d come to disaster.

 

The path home stretched ahead, the road still holding traces of the chaos that had unfolded just hours ago. The faint metallic tang of blood still lingered in the air, mixed with the earthy scent of trampled grass and damp soil. Subaru’s legs felt heavy from the fight, but his mood was anything but grim.

He threw his hands behind his head, stretching his shoulders with an exaggerated yawn. “Ahhh… victory! Sweet, sweet victory! The wolgarms have been soundly defeated, ladies and gentlemen! No autographs, please!” he exclaimed to no one, just really relieved it was over.

His dramatic proclamation earned him a sideways glance from Ram, her pink hair swaying lightly as she walked.

“Your contribution was… tolerable, Barusu,” she said with her usual drawl, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed mild amusement.

“Hey, I’ll take ‘tolerable.’ That’s practically a gold medal coming from you,” Subaru grinned, scratching the back of his head.

Beside him, Rem walked with quiet composure, her gaze on the road ahead. She still had her morningstar in hand, though its spikes was stained only faintly now. Her breathing was calm, measured — the sign of someone who had fought efficiently and decisively.

Ram’s attention shifted to her sister. “You did well, Rem. Your handling of the pack’s leader was… amazing.”

Rem’s eyes flicked toward her sister, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you, nee-sama.”

“No need to be modest. You anticipated their movements, kept Emilia-sama safe, and prevented Barusu from doing anything excessively stupid. That’s no small feat, especially the last part.” Ram continued, her tone unusually smooth for someone so fond of biting remarks.

Subaru raised an eyebrow at how much praise she was doling out. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. That’s like… three compliments in a row and a jab at me. Oi! I don’t think I’ve heard you say that many nice things in a single day.”

“Rem earned them,” Ram replied simply, without missing a step.

Rem’s cheeks warmed, the faintest tinge of pink coloring them. She lowered her gaze, adjusting her grip on her weapon as if to hide the small swell of pride in her chest.

Subaru, of course, noticed immediately. “Awww, look at that! Rem’s bashful! Mission complete, good job, nee-sama.” giving her a double thumbs up.

Ram didn’t bother looking at him this time. “Hmph. Unlike you, Barusu, Rem doesn’t need constant validation to function.”

“Ouch. Harsh. And here I thought I’d earned at least a little recognition. I did distract all of them, y’know?!” Subaru pressed his arms dramatically near his chest and swaying them alongside his body. “Nee-samaaa, praise me too! Nee-saaaamaaaa!” Subaru copied a certain horse girl begging for food.

That got Ram to glance at him, though the look she gave was the kind that could curdle milk. “You require more discipline, not praise.”

“Come on, just a little! You’re gonna give all the compliments to Rem and leave me to starve over here? What am I, the family dog?”

“You’re not even that useful,” Ram replied, her tone flat as a pond on a windless day.

“Y’know, that’s almost impressive — your ability to stab me without lifting a finger,” Subaru muttered, rubbing at his temple.

Still, he noticed how Rem’s shoulders shook ever so slightly, her lips pressing together to suppress a laugh. She kept her gaze forward, but her amusement was clear to anyone paying attention.

“Oh, so you are laughing,” Subaru accused playfully. “Huh, Rem?”

“I’m not laughing at you, Subaru-kun,” she said softly, though her voice carried a warmth that made it worth it for all his loops.

He huffed in mock offense. “Sure, sure. Laugh it up..." He paused before continuing the compliment Rem train, "Anyway, Rem, you were amazing out there—like, seriously amazing! The way you read the battlefield? Top tier. And don’t get me started on how fast you turned the tide. Honestly, you could probably lead an army if you wanted to. That’s some next-level coordination right there.

“And it’s not just fighting, you know? You’ve got this whole multitasking thing down—battle planning one second, cooking the best breakfast in the kingdom the next. Not to mention keeping the mansion spotless, master of all household duties, you're THE perfect wife material y'know? If there was a gold medal for being the most dependable person alive, you’d have it framed and hanging in the kitchen already.”

By the time he paused to catch his breath, even he realized he’d wandered far from talking about the battle. Rem’s face was pink, and Ram looked like she was two seconds away from interrupting him just to stop the flood of compliments.

 

The banter carried them down the road, the tension of the earlier battle steadily bleeding away into something lighter. Emilia walked a few paces ahead, quietly conversing with Puck, whose small figure bobbed beside her shoulder. The spirit’s voice was too faint for Subaru to catch, but Emilia’s occasional soft laugh carried back to them.

Subaru’s eyes lingered on Rem again. She had returned to her calm, measured pace, but there was something in her expression — a certain alertness, as though her mind was still half in the battle. He thought back to the fight, to the way she had been perfectly positioned every time the wolgarms tried to flank them.
*note: everywhere near him*

 

Almost like she had known exactly where they’d come from.

He tilted his head, watching her out of the corner of his eye. It wasn’t just luck. In fact, it almost felt… deliberate.

But he kept that thought to himself for now, instead forcing a grin and nudging her with his elbow. “Hey, Rem. Don’t let nee-sama’s praise go to your head. We can’t have you becoming an egomaniac like her.”

Rem blinked, then smiled faintly. “I’ll be careful, Subaru-kun.”

“That’s my girl.” Rem glowed red like a Goa spell.

Ram elbowed him. “She’s my sister, Barusu.” then looked at her sister still blushing, while making Ram smirk at her sister’s cute reactions but also remembering it's Barusu causing it. "Tsk!"

“Details, details,” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “The important thing is, we all made it out in one piece. That’s a win in my book.”

Ram didn’t respond, but she didn’t deny it either.

And as they walked, the faint hum of conversation between Emilia and Puck up ahead, the soft clink of Rem’s weapon against her hip, and the steady crunch of their boots on stone all blended into an oddly peaceful rhythm.

 

The road home stretched ahead, its dirt path bathed in the fading gold of the setting sun. The fight was behind them now, nothing but the sound of their footsteps and the occasional rustle of grass in the breeze.

Emilia led the way, her silver hair catching the light as she spoke softly with Puck, who floated lazily at her side. Ram and Rem followed just behind her, walking close together, their quiet conversation blending Ram’s dry tone with Rem’s even replies. Subaru trailed at the very back, hands in his pockets, letting the space between them stretch just enough for him to think.

From here, he had a clear view of the group — but his eyes kept finding their way to Rem.

To anyone else, she might have looked perfectly normal: steady steps, posture straight, albeit the light blush and slight strain from the fight earlier. But Subaru saw through it. There was a tension in her shoulders that didn’t quite match the casual pace. Every so often, her gaze shifted to the treeline or the road ahead, scanning in that careful, deliberate way of hers.

And then there was the phone.

She usually just looked at it briefly, maybe to check the time or to see her ‘to do list’. But this time, she hadn’t put it away or returned it to her pocket after a few minutes of curiosity. She held it in one hand, fingers brushing along its smooth screen, occasionally pressing the side button to wake the black screen before letting it fade again.

It wasn’t idle fidgeting. She was checking if something would appear on the phone screen, like a notification of some sort. But aside from the alarm clock, there was nothing to notify.

Subaru kept his gaze steady, his steps lazy. The scene from earlier replayed in his head — right before the fight had started, before the first growl had even reached them, Rem had shifted her stance after taking a glance on her phone. Not startled, not confused. She’s already been facing exactly where the Wolgarms would appear.

Like she’d known.

And when they attacked, her timing had been flawless — when the pack splits she sent Ram to deal with the smaller group of mabeasts.

 

A burst of laughter from Emilia drifted back to him, warm against the cool evening air. Puck chimed in with a teasing remark, and Ram’s dry voice added something that made Emilia chuckle again.

But Subaru barely heard them.

The question had already lodged itself in his mind, and the more he replayed the fight, the more it refused to leave.

The Wolgarms had attacked, hours after that Meili girl ran. Even he, with all his loops, hadn’t seen them coming because it deviated from his other loops.

So how had Rem knew the exact hours they’d come back?

He kept walking, but his gaze lingered on her back, the faint glow of the phone’s screen lighting her fingers for a second before vanishing again.

Notes:

Yeah I made him copy Agnes Tachyon's moment. No regrets.

Chapter 11: Memory Snow Rem Edition Part 1

Notes:

I was planning to just release the memory snow chapter as one chapter but decided to make parts of it since I'm watching it as I go. Also I rewatched Mirai Nikki to get some ideas too.

The world was still a haze of half-dreams and muffled warmth when Subaru stirred. His blanket clung stubbornly to him, heavy with the comfort of sleep, but something pricked at the edge of his awareness — the faint sound of a shutter. Click.

Then again. Click.
And again. Click.

Subaru rolled onto his side with a groan, breath puffing faintly into the morning air. His brows furrowed. The sound was familiar, and irritatingly persistent.

Click.

He cracked one eye open.
There she was. Rem. Sitting neatly at his bedside, back perfectly straight, her expression delighted. In her hands — her phone, held like taking a photo. The faint glow of the screen illuminated her face as she tapped the button again, capturing yet another picture.

Click.

“...Rem?” His voice was rough with sleep, rising in a puff of visible breath. “…What the hell are you doing…?”

Another click.

“Good morning, Subaru-kun,” she said pleasantly, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world to be photographing someone the instant they woke up.
Subaru pushed himself up on one elbow, shivering at the wave of cold that swept over him. “Y-You’re seriously… taking pictures of me while I’m asleep?!” He pointed accusingly, though his hand was shaking more from the chill than righteous fury. “That’s— That’s invasion of privacy!”

Rem tilted her head ever so slightly, thumbs still working. Click. “I thought Subaru-kun looked very peaceful. It felt worth preserving.”
“‘Preserving’?! With this cold, I’m halfway preserved!” He nearly fell out of bed, wrapping the blanket tighter around himself like armor. “This isn’t some art museum exhibit! It’s me — the human who’s currently freezing to death! Don’t just— click —hey, don’t take another one when I’m complaining!”
She smiled faintly, eyes lowering back to the screen. “I think Subaru-kun’s surprised expression has charm, too.”
“Charm—! H-Have you no shame?!” Subaru sputtered, glaring, but his face was already burning red despite the frigid air.

Click.

He collapsed back against his pillow in defeat, yanking the blanket up to his chin. “Unbelievable. You’re supposed to be the responsible twin. And here you are, running your own paparazzi business on me…”
Rem did not know what paparazzi is but continued to lean slightly closer, angling the phone to capture him bundled up like a shy maiden. Click. “This is good as well. Subaru-kun resembles a small animal.”
“I’m not—! Okay, wait, maybe that’s not so bad, but still! You can’t just hoard these, that’s blackmail material waiting to happen!”

For a moment, she didn’t respond, simply scrolling through the fresh batch of photos with practiced calm and a quiet giggle. Subaru craned his neck, watching her eyes soften with each swipe of her finger. A quiet hum escaped her throat, content.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “…Alright, fine. If you’re going to make an album of me, at least let me have some input. Hand it over, Rem.”
She raised a brow. “Subaru-kun wishes to delete them?”
“No. Well— maybe the one where my mouth is hanging open like I’m trying to catch flies. But actually…” He sat up fully, blanket draped over his shoulders like a cape. “I wanna borrow it. Just once. Give me the phone.”

Her fingers lingered on the device before she wordlessly passed it to him. Subaru swiped to the camera, then shuffled over to sit shoulder-to-shoulder beside her.
“Alright, if you’re gonna keep a gallery of me, might as well have one where I look good. C’mere, Rem. Smile for the camera.”
She blinked at him, then leaned in without hesitation, her head resting lightly against his shoulder.
Subaru held the phone out and grinned through the shiver running down his spine. The shutter sounded. Click.
“Perfect. Now it’s a proper memory,” he said softly, handing the phone back.

Rem’s lips curved into a smile as she studied the new photo. “Yes. A very good one.”
For a moment, the room was quiet save for the faint hum of the cold air slipping in through the frosted glass. Subaru tugged his blanket tighter, his breath misting in front of him.
“…Speaking of which,” he muttered, teeth chattering slightly, “why is it so cold in here? It feels like I woke up in a freezer. Did Roswaal forget to pay the mansion’s heating bill?”

Rem tilted her head. “I do not believe the mansion has such a thing.”

“Right. Fantasy world. No radiators, no heaters, no electric blankets…” Subaru groaned dramatically. “We’re doomed.”

She glanced around the room, her expression now curious. “It is colder than usual, Subaru-kun. But I don’t know why.”

Subaru slumped back into the pillow with a defeated sigh, a puff of white air escaping his lips. “Great. First I’m ambushed in my sleep by paparazzi, now I’m turning into a popsicle. What’s next, huh?”

Click.

Rem lowered the phone, perfectly serene. “This one is my favorite so far.”

“…You’re enjoying this way too much.”

Subaru flopped back against the pillow, blanket fortress wrapped tight around his shoulders. His breath misted in front of him, half from the cold, half from sheer exasperation.
“…Alright, Rem. You win.”
She lowered the phone slightly, blinking. “Win?”
“Yeah, yeah. Natsuki Subaru has been defeated by overwhelming power of photographer Rem.” He raised his hands like a captured fugitive. “But! If I’m going down, I’m dragging you into the crime scene with me.”

Her eyes softened in confusion. “…I don’t understand.”
“I’m saying, if you’re going to snap pictures of me, then you’re in them too. No more solo shots at this handsome face.” He jabbed a thumb at his own chest, face smiling. “This face doesn’t come cheap. You want the good stuff? Gotta pose with me.”
Rem considered this seriously, to continue taking more photos of Subaru-kun. Then, slowly, she nodded. “If that is Subaru-kun’s condition… I will comply.”
“Good girl.” He scooted closer, blanket dragging like a cape. “Now, hand it here.”

She obediently placed the phone in his hands. Subaru flipped the camera to selfie mode, lifted it high with dramatic flair, and leaned in, grinning. “Alright, Rem, first shot. Just smile. Easy starter, right?”
Rem leaned close, her shoulder brushing his, and gave the most polite, composed maid smile possible. Straight back, serene expression, hands folded neatly in her lap.

 

Click.

 

Subaru peeked at the result… and groaned. “Rem, you look like you’re about to welcome me to the Roswaal Mansion Guest Services Counter and ask me for my reservations.”
“Was it not correct?” Rem tilted her head.
“No! You’re too stiff!” He jabbed a finger at her like a coach lecturing a rookie. “This isn’t a family portrait for some noble’s wall. You gotta loosen up! Pictures are about personality! Watch and learn.”
He struck a pose instantly—two fingers crossed each other, a smile so handsome, Rem would have burned red from blushing.

Click.

He shoved the screen in front of her face. “See? That’s personality!”
Rem studied the photo seriously. “…Subaru-kun looks so handsome!” Rem beamed at him.
“Thanks! That’s charisma, thank you very much!” Subaru bowed at her to hide his embarrassment, then thrust the phone back at her. “Your turn. Make a face. Any face. Go wild.”
Rem blinked, as if he’d just asked her to juggle flaming torches. Slowly, hesitantly, her smile awkward, she raised her hand and gave the most rigid thumbs-up in history.

Click.

Subaru looked at it, then snickers. “Pfft—! You look like that one character posing with her party!”
“…Did I pose incorrectly?”
“No, no, it’s perfect.” He wiped tears from his eyes. “But loosen the arm a little, bend the elbow, yeah—like that! More casual, less ‘I was forced into this.’”

Click.

This time, Rem looked… almost natural. Still stiff, but the faintest ghost of amusement tugged at her lips.
“See? Progress!” Subaru declared like a proud teacher. “Okay, next lesson: expressions! Give me your best pouty face.”
“…Pout?”
“Yeah, puff your cheeks like you’re mad I teased you too hard.”
She hesitated, then puffed her cheeks slightly.

Click.

Subaru nearly died. “Oh my god, I wanna pinch those cheeks so bad! It’s so cute!!!”
Her cheeks deflated, faint color rising to them. “…That is not very dignified.”
“Exactly! That’s why it’s amazing!” He flopped sideways against her shoulder, waving the phone in triumph. “Rem, you’re way too cute like this! Honestly, this one’s dangerous—I should show it to Nee-sama just to prove her perfect little sister can make faces like an embarrassed bun.”

Her expression stiffened, a faint pink dusting her cheeks. “…You would show Nee-sama?” her hand in a grabbing motion, wanting to take the phone and hide it.
“Oh, definitely.” Subaru leaned in, grinning devilishly. “Ram would keel over due to your cuteness. And congratulate me for bringing such cuteness into this world! A total win-win situation!”
Rem’s lips parted, cheeks reddening, her calmness slipping just enough to reveal the smallest flicker of embarrassment. “…Subaru-kun must not.”
He wagged the phone just out of her reach. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe. But knowing I have the ultimate weapon against both you and Nee-sama? Ohhh, I feel powerful!”
Her eyes lowered, but the faintest smile lingered at her lips. “…Subaru-kun enjoys teasing me.”

“Damn right I do. Now, hero pose! Watch and learn.”
He leapt onto his knees, blanket draped around him like a cape, one hand on his hip, the other pointing forward. “Behold! Kamen Rider Black, Subaru, defender of maid smiles, sworn enemy of freezing bedrooms!”

Rem watched, amused. “…Subaru-kun resembles a traveling street performer.”
“Oi, don’t just dismiss my heroic aura like that!” He struck another exaggerated pose, chest puffed out. “This is the face of justice! The power of friendship and plot armor compels you!”
“…Justice?”
“Yes, justice!”
She held the phone high, angling it to capture his pose.

Click.

Then he took it from her hands. “Alright, your turn. Hero pose, let’s go!” point the camera at her.
Rem hesitated, then stood beside the bed, mimicking his stance almost exactly. Both hands at the side of her head. Her face, instead of a face of a hero, was a bright smile that’s making you want to wave around a glow stick.

Click.

Subaru glanced at the result and nodded. “Not exactly a hero pose… more like an idol!”
Her hand lowered slightly. “…Then I failed?”
“No, you succeeded in the most glorious way possible!” He looked at the photo then back at her, grinning like mad. “I swear, if Nee-sama sees this one, she’d ask someone if they can make a physical copy and hang it in her room.”

“…that’s embarrassing,” Rem replied softly, though her lips betrayed the faintest curve upward.
“Nuh uh! In fact, I would ask her to give me some copy for an album!”

Click.

He snapped another photo mid-speech, capturing Rem’s faint smile. Subaru immediately shoved it in her face. “Ha! Gotcha! Finally caught you breaking the maid poker face. That’s going in the top ten.”
“…Subaru-kun enjoys this very much,” she calmed herself, her poker face looking forced.
“Enjoy it? Rem, I’m thriving right now.” He scrolled through their gallery—stiff thumbs-ups, puffed cheeks, ridiculous poses—and tapped the latest one. “This is priceless. A photo album that proves even Rem can be silly. Sorry, correction—silly and ridiculously cute.” If her cheeks could get any redder, she’d be a tomato.

“…It still feels strange.”
“That’s just because you’re not used to being on this side of the camera,” Subaru said, wagging the phone at her. “Usually you’re the one watching over everyone else. Now it’s my turn to catch you in the act. And man, I’m not letting a single one slip by.”
“…Not letting one slip by,” she echoed, faint warmth in her voice.
“Exactly.” He leaned in closer, grinning wide. “Now! One more round: double pose! We both make dumb faces at the same time. On three. Ready?”
Rem leaned in beside him, obedient as always.
“One… two… three!” Subaru puffed his cheeks, stuck out his tongue, and crossed his eyes.
Rem hesitated for a heartbeat, then puffed her cheeks again, leaning close until her hair brushed his shoulder.

Click.

Subaru looked at the result and smiled. “Pft, look Rem! You look like a pufferfish, so cute! This is the greatest photo in human history!”
“…Pufferfish?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Ah right, no ocean.” He continued. “It’s a little round fish that, when it gets scared, quickly drinks a lot of water and makes itself big and puffy. Kinda like this!” Subaru also puffed his cheeks like a pufferfish and looked at her.
Rem stared at him for a long moment, then let out the smallest puff of a laugh—a soft sound, fleeting but genuine.

Click.

He looked at the screen, then back at her, and smiled quietly. “…That one’s going in its own folder. Super important. Do not delete.”
“…Understood.”
The two of them sat shoulder-to-shoulder, scrolling through their chaotic gallery—stiff thumbs-ups, puffed cheeks, ridiculous poses, and one perfectly ordinary selfie where Rem leaned against him, serene but faintly smiling.
For once, Subaru didn’t feel the cold at all.

 

 

NOT.

 

 

 

The chill of the mansion returned the instant they left the bedroom. The hallway stones bit at Subaru’s legs through his uniform, each draft slipping through the cracks like knives of winter air. By the time they reached the kitchen, his jaw was tight and his hands ached faintly from the cold.
The kitchen, however, was kinder. Though no fire had been lit yet, the air here was less sharp, dulled by the stone oven’s lingering warmth from the night before. The wide counters gleamed faintly in the gray light filtering through the frosted windows.

Without needing to be told, Subaru went to work. He fetched a chopping board, rolled up his sleeves, and gathered the vegetables laid out in their baskets—carrots, greens, onions with their dry husks. His knife was awkward in his stiff fingers at first, each slice coming out uneven, but gradually his hands remembered the rhythm. Chop, gather, push to the side. The sound of the blade striking wood rang steady and familiar, filling the kitchen like the ticking of a clock.

Rem, as always, moved in quiet grace. She stood at the stove, her posture impeccable despite the hour, pouring water into the pot. The fire crackled to life at her coaxing, steam slowly curling upward. Between them, the room filled with the simple cadence of morning work: the scrape of knife against board, the bubbling of water, the quiet clink of spoon against pot. Subaru worked faster than necessary, shoulders bouncing with a rhythm that wasn’t quite natural—more enthusiasm than efficiency. Rem’s movements, by contrast, were unhurried, precise, each action seamless as though part of a long-learned dance.
The vegetables began to pile neatly in a bowl. The stock thickened, Rem adjusting the flame with small, exact motions. Steam fogged the air, softening the edges of the cold. For a while, there was no need for words.

Only when Subaru set down the knife, flexing his fingers with exaggerated care, did the silence finally break.
“Rem,” he said, rubbing his hands together as if the motion alone could warm them, “serious question. Do you guys have, like… winter uniforms?”
She turned slightly, spoon still in hand, and nodded. “We do. It's thick and the inside are lined with cotton, so it keeps me quite warm.”
Subaru froze, eyes widening. “…You’re telling me—there’s a warm, cozy version of this?” He tugged at his butler’s vest for emphasis.
“Yes.”

He dropped his head back with a groan. “You’re standing there like an ice queen of elegance, and I’m over here chopping veggies like my hands belong to a corpse.”
Rem’s expression hardly shifted, but her eyes softened faintly, almost amused.
Subaru leaned closer, gesturing wildly. “Given how cold it is, don’t you think it’d be a good time to bust those out? Save lives, prevent tragedy, particularly me.”

 

“We only got winter uniforms for maids,” she replied, tugging at her sleeve to reveal the faintly thicker fabric beneath the frills. He smacked a palm against his forehead. “Is there a butler version for me? Since only maids were here when I arrived and no, I’m not wearing the maid uniform to keep warm, even if it kills me.”
“Fufufu, don’t worry Subaru-kun. I’ll make one tonight.”
Muttering complaints under his breath, he picked the knife back up, though his shoulders were still hunched dramatically. A moment later, he asked, “By the way, speaking of uniforms… where’s nee-sama? Haven’t seen her all morning.”

 

“Nee-sama said it was too cold to get up today. She is still resting.”

Subaru nearly cut the carrot in half the wrong way. “What?! You’re telling me while I’m out here doing my best hell’s kitchen impression, she just went, ‘eh, too cold,’ and went back to bed?!”

“Yes.”

He pointed his knife skyward like a general declaring war. “Unbelievable! This is the height of injustice. While I freeze, she snoozes! While I slave away, she hibernates! Where’s the justice in that?!”

Rem stirred the stock, perfectly calm. “Nee-sama is very wise.”

“Wise?! That’s just laziness with good PR!” Subaru put the knife down, puffing out his chest. “No! I won’t stand for this! If I’m awake, she’s awake! Operation: Drag Ram Out of Bed begins now!”

Rem tilted her head faintly. “…Operation?”

“Yes, operation!” Subaru’s voice dropped into a dramatic growl. “Infiltrate the fortress of blankets, liberate the captive of sloth, and restore balance to morning preparations!”

“…Breakfast balance,” Rem repeated softly.

“Exactly! Rem, my loyal second-in-command, join me!” He pointed toward the hall with the intensity of a hero calling his ally to arms. “We march at dawn!”

“…It’s morning.”

“Then we march before breakfast!”

Rem’s lips curved faintly—just a whisper of amusement—but she bowed her head. “…As Subaru-kun commands.”

 

Leaving the simmering stock behind, the two slipped into the hall. The mansion’s air returned to its cutting chill, the corridor windows glazed with frost, but Subaru hardly noticed. His mind burned with righteous indignation, muttering under his breath about sloth and injustice as they walked. Finally, they reached Ram’s door. Subaru raised a fist and knocked sharply. “Nee-sama! Rise and shine! Breakfast duty calls!”

 

There was no answer.

 

He knocked again, louder. “C’mon, Ram! Don’t think you can just play Sleeping Beauty while we’re out here slaving away!”

Silence, save for a faint rustle within.

Subaru turned, eyes gleaming. “…Rem. Permission to breach the door?”

She paused, looking worried then shook her head. “…Permission denied, Subaru-kun.”

“And I do it anyway!” grinning, Subaru flung the door open.

 

Inside, the room was dim, curtains drawn tight. A small mountain of blankets covered the bed, a pink head barely visible within its depths. The air was warmer here, trapped by layers of fabric.

Subaru pointed accusingly. “Aha! Caught red-handed! Ram, the queen of sloth, lying cozy while her comrades suffer in the trenches of kitchen duty!”

A muffled groan came from beneath the covers. “…Barusu, shut up. Too cold to argue.”

“Ha! She admits it!” Subaru clenched his fists, triumphant. “The crime is clear! Rem, record this moment in history!”

Click.

Rem took her sister’s photo wrapped in blankets.
Rem sighed softly. “…Nee-sama.”

The blankets shifted, and Ram finally peeked out, crimson eyes half-lidded, hair tousled in disarray. She regarded Subaru flatly. “…You look ridiculous this early.”

“And you look suspiciously comfortable!” Subaru shot back. “Rem, confirm! She’s practically hoarding warmth in here!”

Ram blinked slowly, unimpressed. “…So? That’s efficiency.” She tugged the blanket higher, clearly intent on going back to sleep. “…Wake me when it’s spring.”

Subaru gaped. “Spring?! That’s three months away!”

“…Exactly.” Her eyes slid shut again.

Subaru turned to Rem, flailing his arms. “Do you see this?! The audacity! The shamelessness! She’s unstoppable!”

Rem pressed her lips together, trying—and barely failing—not to smile. “…Nee-sama does look very comfortable.”

 

“Comfortable?!” Subaru cried, throwing his arms skyward. “I give up! She’s a professional. No force on earth can drag her out.”
Ram smirked faintly from her fortress of blankets. “…Finally, you understand.”
“BUT,” Subaru-kun suddenly shouts, “The Natsuki family don’t know giving up! We’re the type to bust your door open and drag you out!”
He began to walk towards Ram, grabbed the wrapped Oni and hoisted her on his shoulders.

“!!” Ram was surprised as she popped her head out.
“BARUSU!! Put me down this instant!!!” She bring her hand out, smacking his head.
“NO! Not until you go help us!” Subaru denied.
“Grrr.” Ram then balled her fist, swung her arm up and decked him hard.
“Guhah!?” Subaru fell, letting go of Ram “UGH!” and landed on top of him.

 

Ram pushed herself up with a huff, dusting wrinkles from her nightgown as though dignity alone could erase what just happened. Subaru lay sprawled on the floor beneath her, groaning dramatically and rubbing his head.

A soft click… click… sound drew Ram’s attention.

Her eyes narrowed. There by Barusu’s side stood Rem, phone(Barusu’s gift to my wonderful sister) raised, flashing lights multiple times.

“…Rem.” Ram’s tone was curious. “What are you doing?”

 

Without breaking stride, Rem lowered the phone just enough to meet her sister’s eyes. “Taking pictures, Nee-sama.”

Subaru froze, eyes bulging. “Wait—pictures?! You’ve been photographing my suffering this whole time?!”

Rem walked closer, calm as ever, and extended the phone toward her sister. “Look. This is Subaru-kun charging forward… here, the moment you struck him… and this one…”

Ram swiped across the screen, her lips curling into a wicked grin.
“Ha! Look at this—Barusu looks like he’s choking on his own stupidity. Perfect.”

 

“Delete that!” Subaru wailed, dragging himself half-upright, still buried in blankets.
But then Ram’s finger paused mid-swipe. Her smirk froze, eyes narrowing as though she’d stumbled upon some forbidden artifact. On the screen was not Barusu’s idiotic wonders, but Rem—doing the idol pose. The morning light gilded her hair, her eyes looking at her, her expression so bright, her very being looking divine.

Ram’s jaw slackened. She grabbed her chest, clenching dramatically. With the severity of one beholding a divine revelation, she whispered, “…Rem.”

Rem blinked, puzzled. “Yes, Nee-sama?”

Ram raised the phone like she was presenting evidence of a cosmic crime. Her voice shook with mock gravity. “How dare you… look this unbearably cute without warning me first.”

Rem’s composure cracked—her cheeks bloomed scarlet. “U—Unbearably?!”

 

“Yes! It’s criminal!” Ram snapped, thrusting the phone back into her sister’s hands as if it were burning her fingers. “Unbearable for me. Do not—under any circumstances—allow Barusu’s filthy eyes to fall upon this miracle.”

“Oi! What’s that supposed to mean?!” Subaru yelped, trying to crane over anyway.

Ram flung her hair with tragic flourish. “It means your mere presence would desecrate this holy image!”

“I’M STILL STANDING RIGHT HERE!” Subaru wailed. “AND I’M THE ONE THAT TOOK IT! YOU’RE WELCOME!” He puffed his chest in pride, arms to the side.

Meanwhile, Rem—bright red from ears to neck—hurriedly tucked her phone away, as if hiding contraband. “…Nee-sama, that was too dramatic…” she mumbled, unable to suppress a tiny, embarrassed smile.

Chapter 12: Memory Snow Rem Edition Part 2

Night - Before Dinner

The kitchen glowed warm under the lamps that night. Steam curled from the pot Rem stirred, filling the air with a savory scent. Subaru stood beside her, still in his uniform, sleeves rolled back and a knife in his hand.

Rem smiled faintly at his effort, even as she quietly replaced one of his uneven slices with a properly cut one. Across the counter, Ram leaned against the wall, arms crossed, pink eyes half-lidded. She's boiling her Tatoes, but her voice came sharp as a knife whenever Subaru’s hand slipped.

“Try not to lose a finger, Barusu. We’d have to start over if you bleed on ingredients.” She passively worries about him.

“Oi, don’t jinx me like that! I’ve gotten better, you know,” Subaru shot back, puffing out his chest.

Rem didn’t correct him. She simply stirred the broth and let herself enjoy the sound of his voice filling the space. The domestic warmth of the moment wrapped around her like a blanket.

Then her pocket buzzed.

She set her wooden ladle down and discreetly slipped her hand into her apron. She took out her phone, and quickly read the entry.

6:37am – Subaru-kun’s room
There was ice even in Subaru-kun’s room.
He’s wrapped in his blanket.
He was shivering in his sleep.
I went out to get him warm tea.
When I got back, I noticed there’s ice on his nose.

The entries had always come without warning, guiding her steps in ways too strange to explain. Most of the time it was something casual, other times it’s about danger. But they were always about him.
She tucked the phone away before Subaru notice her looking at her phone. The warmth in the kitchen returned, but now she carried an invisible weight.
Dinner was uneventful—if one could call Subaru’s overly proud grin at each passable slice “uneventful.” Ram’s rolling eyes practically made a full rotation at his boasting, yet Emilia-sama found herself laughing softly at his antics.

Later, after the dishes were cleared and Ram retreated to her room, Rem lingered in the kitchen. She filled a kettle with water, then brewed herself some tea. Steam curled upward, and she held her hands over it for a moment, as though drawing courage from its warmth. The entry had been clear—the morning would be colder. So she got ready, refilled the kettle with water since in the morning the water would most likely be frozen. This way, she’d only need to heat the ice in the morning.
When she finally went to bed, she set her alarm earlier than usual.

Rem’s alarm chimed softly at 6:00am. She stirred, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, already feeling the bite of cold against her cheeks. The air in her room was sharper than usual, her breath faintly visible in the pale dawn light that seeped through the curtains. Without hesitation, she wrapped her shawl over her shoulders and moved swiftly to the kitchen.
As she’d predicted, the water she had left standing overnight was crusted with frost along the rim of the pot. She lifted the kettle she had wisely filled, now heavy with ice. The metal was cold against her palms, but it only took a moment of steady heat for it to crackle and melt into water. Steam soon rose from the spout, curling upward like a reassuring sign she had prepared well.

The scent of tea leaves unfurled through the kitchen as she brewed. She held the cup in her hands, warming her fingers against the ceramic. For a brief moment, she allowed herself a soft smile. It felt almost like a secret victory—using future entries like this is nice.
With the tea in hand, she padded through the chilly hallways toward Subaru’s room. The floor was cold beneath her slippers, each step sharp and crisp in the stillness of dawn. She eased the door open quietly, mindful not to wake him too abruptly.
Inside, the air was frigid.

6:12am – Subaru-kun’s room
The window panes glittered faintly with frost. Subaru was bundled tightly under his blanket, only the tip of his nose peeking out—and that tip was dusted with white. His breath puffed out in uneven little clouds, his body trembling beneath the covers.
Rem’s lips curved with quiet concern. She stepped inside, placing the steaming cup on his desk, then approached his bed. She pulled the blanket up more snugly over his shoulders, tucking him in with a gentle firmness only she could manage. Subaru murmured faintly in his sleep, rolling onto his side.
She hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer, tilting her head with curiosity. His nose had a tiny glimmer of frost clinging to it, like a ridiculous decoration. It was pitiful, but also—endearing. Her eyes softened.
She set her phone in her hand, the lens gleaming faintly in the pale light of morning. Click. A photo captured the moment: Subaru-kun, half-frozen yet sleeping like a stubborn child, his nose shining with ice.
She opened her phone as naturally as breathing.

6:37am – Subaru-kun’s room
There was ice even in Subaru-kun’s room.
He’s wrapped in his blanket.
He was shivering in his sleep.
I went out to get him warm tea.
When I got back, I noticed there’s ice on his nose.

She saved the entry with quiet satisfaction, then slipped her phone away. Standing over him one last time, Rem let her hand hover above his head, fingers itching to brush through his hair. But she pulled back, whispering only:
“Please wake up warm, Subaru-kun.”
With that, she retrieved the tea from the desk and set it nearer, where he would see it upon waking. Then she leaned in, taking another shot of a sleeping Subaru.

The click of Rem’s phone camera was soft, but Subaru twitched beneath the blanket anyway. He wriggled, groaning, the sound muffled by the cloth cocoon around him. Slowly, his eyes cracked open.
“…mnn… huh…?” His breath puffed out in little clouds, and for a second he just blinked at the ceiling, disoriented. Then his gaze dropped to the faint frost clinging to the window frame—followed by the glimmer of something cold on his own nose. He rubbed it, flinching.

“What the hell—ice?!” Subaru jolted upright, still swaddled in his blanket like some panicked caterpillar. “N-no way, it was already freezing yesterday, but now there’s actual ice in my room?!”
Rem, seated by his bedside with the steaming cup of tea, tilted her head patiently. “Good morning, Subaru-kun. You noticed?” she said softly, offering him the cup.
He blinked at her, then at the thin curl of steam rising from the tea, and his expression twisted into something between gratitude and sheer disbelief. “Rem… you’re a lifesaver, seriously. But—no, wait, that’s not the point! If it’s cold enough to freeze indoors, then something’s really off!”

He gulped the tea down between complaints, warmth slowly returning to his body. Then, still wrapped in the blanket, he stomped out of the room with Rem following at his side.
Moments later, he barged into the hall where Roswaal happened to be gliding by in his usual whimsical fashion. “Oi, clown-man! What’s going on?! Yesterday was bad enough, but today I woke up with ice on my nose! Where the hell is all this cold coming from?!”

Roswaal chuckled, the corners of his lips curving in that unnerving sing-song tone. “Fufufu~… it seems you’ve noooticed.” His heterochromatic eyes gleamed knowingly as he gestured for Subaru and Rem to follow. “Why don’t we take a look together, hmm?”
He led them through the mansion, the air growing crisper with each step. It wasn’t until they stopped before a certain door that Subaru felt his stomach drop.
“Emilia-tan’s room…?” he muttered, clutching his blanket tighter.

“…No way,” Subaru whispered. He turned to Rem, who simply nodded with calm acceptance. “Are you saying she’s the one freezing the mansion?”
Roswaal hummed like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Nooot exaaaactlyy.” His painted smile curved as though this entire situation was no more troublesome than a tea party. “But if you must investigate, that would be the plaaace to start, Subaru-kun.”

Subaru frowned. “That vague tone isn’t comforting at all, you know!” He tightened his coat around himself and marched forward, Rem at his side like a silent guardian. Roswaal trailed behind them with leisurely steps, practically floating. Screw that, he's actually floating off a few centimeters off the ground, probably because he's still wearing slippers.
The deeper they went into the corridor, the colder it became. Frost edged the paintings, the rug was stiff from frozen fibers, and Subaru swore his breath looked like smoke. “This is nuts! At this rate, we’ll be turning into popsicles before breakfast.”
They stopped at Emilia’s door. A thin mist of cold seeped out from underneath, curling like pale fingers. Subaru gulped. “…I feel like we’re opening the door to Frozen.”
Rem glanced at him softly. “Subaru-kun, perhaps we should—”

Too late. Subaru knocked. “Emilia-tan! Are you in there? Do you wanna build a snow maaaan? Wait no! Emilia-tan don’t tell me you’re secretly the Snow Queen!”
The door creaked open, and Emilia peeked out, hair a little mussed, cheeks faintly pink from the cold inside her room. She smiled—too wide, too quick. “O-oh! Good morning, Subaru. Rem. Roswaal. W-what brings you here so early? What a good non-frozen morning right? Suuuper cozy weather!”
Subaru blinked. “…That’s… no, no it isn’t Emilia-tan.”

Emilia straightened, hands clasped too tightly before her. Words tumbled out faster than her breath fog. “It’s just, um, I was practicing some things, but it’s not what you think, and if the hallways are a little cold, that’s totally not Puck, because why would it be Puck, haha, silly misunderstanding, right? Right?”
Her voice sped like a runaway cart, each denial making her cheeks redder. Subaru deadpanned, arms crossing. “Emilia-tan… you’re speaking like someone trying way too hard to hide something. And you also mentioned the cat, is he the one doing this?”

“He’s not!” She leaned forward with pleading eyes. “Really, He’s not! This is normal! Normal mansion atmosphere!”
Rem tilted her head politely. “Emilia-sama, the entire corridor is frozen solid.” Looking to her side.
“That’s… cozy atmosphere?” Emilia offered weakly.
“…That’s not even a good lie,” Subaru muttered. “You’re terrible at this. Like, seriously, your poker face is like playing poker but your cards is facing us.”
Roswaal chuckled behind his hand. “How adorable. Our dear Emilia-samaaa does try so very hard.”

At that moment, a tiny, smug voice drifted from within the room. “Give it up, Lia. You’re hopeless at lying. I taught my daughter too well.”
Subaru’s ears twitched. “Wait. I know that voice—”
From behind her floated Puck, fur fluffed, tail twitching lazily, his tiny form half-buried in what Subaru assumed to be his ‘seal’ wrapped in a handkerchief tied with a string inside Emilia’s room. He yawned as though nothing was amiss.

“Puck?!” Subaru shouted. “You’re the culprit?!”
The spirit shrugged, completely unbothered. “Mmm. Guilty.”
Emilia spun toward him, flustered. “P-Puck! You weren’t supposed to say that out loud! I almost had them!”
“Don’t bother, Lia.” Puck floated over her shoulder, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Your lies are colder than my magic, and twice as obvious.”
Subaru pointed dramatically. “So it wasn’t Emilia freezing the mansion! It was you, Furball!”
Puck snorted, curling into a midair spin. “Of course it was me. Did you think Lia’s control was that sloppy? Please. This is something I do every year.”
“Every… year?” Subaru repeated, dumbfounded.

Puck stretched like a satisfied cat, tiny frost crystals scattering off him. “Yep. It’s called Hatsumaki—a yearly release of excess mana. Happens when I’ve stored up too much. I let it out, it freezes the place for a while, then it’s over. Simple.”
Subaru’s jaw dropped. “So you’re telling me this whole ‘ice age mansion’ thing is just… your way of spring cleaning?!”
“More like winter cleaning,” Puck corrected smugly.

Emilia covered her face with both hands. “I… I really thought I was doing a good job covering for him…”
Subaru groaned, slumping against the icy wall. “Good job? Emilia-tan, while I appreciate a white lie, it’s not for you.”
“B-but it was for Puck’s sake…” she whispered, peeking at the spirit with embarrassed eyes.

Roswaal clapped his hands together, voice lilting with delight. “And there you haaave it! The grand mystery solved. The surprise flash freezing of my mansion courtesy of Puuuck.”
Subaru threw up his hands. “Unbelievable. I nearly froze my nose off for a glorified mana sneeze!”
Puck’s tail flicked smugly. “You’re welcome. At least you get free cooling.”
“Free cooling my ass!” Subaru shouted. “This is you introducing indoor winter!”
Rem, ever composed, placed a hand gently on Subaru’s arm. “Still, Subaru-kun, it is fortunate that Emilia-sama is not the cause. This was merely a natural event for Puck-sama.”
“Natural?!” Subaru pointed around at the icy walls. “Natural disasters, maybe!”

Emilia pouted softly. “I only wanted to protect Puck… so no one worried.”
Subaru’s irritation melted instantly. He sighed, shaking his head. “…Emilia-tan, you’re too kind for your own good. But next time, just let me worry, okay? You don’t have to lie. Especially when you’re so bad at it.”
Her lips curled into a small, sheepish smile. “R-right…”

Puck yawned again, stretching out like the cold itself had made him drowsy. “Well, now that the cat’s out of the bag—pun intended—guess I’ll go nap while the mana burns off.”
Subaru slumped harder. “Great. Just perfect. I’m stuck in an icebox because of a cat’s yearly sneeze.”
Puck floated a little higher, eyes twinkling with mischievous delight. “Sneeze? Really, Subaru, that’s rude. I’ll have you know this is a highly dignified release of accumulated mana. Hatsumaki, in fact. Very classy.”
“Classy my frozen butt!” Subaru shot back, pointing accusingly at him. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up, roll out of bed, and have your blanket shatter like it’s made of glass?! I don’t since Rem saved me!”

Emilia winced, tugging on her sleeve, looking like she wanted to melt into the floor. “I-I told Puck to keep it down, but he, um… he gets stubborn when it comes to this.”
“Stubborn?” Subaru barked. “He just casually froze the whole east wing! That’s not stubborn, that’s—what’s the word—manslaughter, but with temperature!”

Puck casually said, "If you're peeing and someone told you to suddenly stop, could you?"

"Gross! Worst example but great analogy!" Subaru remarked.

Rem, still quiet, let out the faintest sound that might have been a muffled laugh behind her hand. Subaru whipped toward her, incredulous. “Don’t you dare laugh at me, Rem! You weren’t the one doing the penguin shuffle on the way here this morning!”

Her eyes softened, apologetic, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her amusement nonetheless. “I apologize, Subaru-kun. It is only… your way of phrasing things is very unique.”
“Unique doesn’t keep me warm!” Subaru groaned, flopping against the wall dramatically. “I swear, every day in this mansion is some new flavor of torment.”
Rem flinched, unseen by almost everyone.

“Now, now,” Puck purred, twirling in the air with smug elegance. “It’s only temporary. Once my mana stabilizes, the cold will fade.”
Subaru shot upright, squinting at him. “Define ‘temporary.’ And don’t you dare say ‘give or take a season.’”
The spirit tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Mm… maybe a day, maybe two. Depends if I keep up this pace.”
Emilia clasped her hands, stepping forward in a rush, her words spilling too quickly again. “B-but it’s really fine! I can manage it. I’ll make sure it doesn’t get worse, I promise! You don’t have to be upset, Subaru. It’s just… um, natural! Yes, natural, like, like snow in winter!”

Subaru groaned into his hands. “Emilia-tan, you’re supposed to be the graceful, composed heroine here, not the girl fumbling over a weather report.”
“Eh?!” Emilia gasped, face flushing scarlet. “I-I’m trying my best, okay!?”
Puck gave a soft snicker, floating closer to her shoulder. “Don’t strain yourself, Lia. You’re terrible at this.”
“Puck!” she hissed, glaring at him.

Roswaal, who had been silently enjoying the chaos from the back of the group, finally spoke with a sing-song lilt. “Ooooh my, this is certaaainly entertaining. But, Suuubaru-kun, you can rest easy. Hatsumaki is not daaaangerous. In fact…” He tilted his head with deliberate dramatic flair. “It’s quite an impoooortant ritual for our dear spirit here. Or else he'll harm himself.”
Subaru peeked at him through his fingers. “So it's health reasons?”
“Of cooourse.” Roswaal’s grin widened.

Subaru flung his hands up. “Fantastic. Just fantastic! I survived assassins and homicidal dogs, only to be defeated by annual feline air-conditioning!”
Puck yawned, unconcerned. “Honestly, Subaru, you’re overreacting. Nobody else minded. You’re the only one making noise.”
“Nobody else minded because everyone else here is secretly an ice elemental!” Subaru snapped. Then he slumped again, muttering into his sleeves, “Why couldn’t I have reincarnated as someone from the water tribe?”

Rem finally stepped forward, her voice calm as snow. “Subaru-kun, if it truly bothers you… you may share my room. It is warm enough.”
Subaru jolted upright, nearly biting his tongue. “Eh? Ehhhhh?! Rem-rin, you can’t just say that with a straight face!” Glowing Rem in the face
Her lips curved just slightly. “It was an offer of kindness.” *revenge from his teasing
Emilia’s head whipped between them, confused and flustered. “W-wait, what?!”
Puck snorted. Roswaal’s laughter rolled down the hall like painted bells.
Subaru threw his hands to the ceiling. “Yep. Perfect. Surrounded by a seductress and ice cat spirit. What’s next, the winter shogun?!”

 

 

The crackle of firewood was the only thing cutting through the silence of the room. Subaru and Ram sat hunched together on the floor, each wrapped in thick blankets that swallowed them from neck to toe. Their hands stretched toward the flames, trembling slightly—not just from the cold, but from how relentless it had been since morning.
Even with the fire blazing, the frost lining the windows hadn’t melted in the slightest. The walls of the mansion seemed to groan under the weight of ice creeping across their surface, like the building itself was slowly being claimed by winter.

“Haaah—! I’m dying here…” Subaru muttered, puffing into his cupped hands before pressing them back toward the fire. His breath fogged instantly. “This isn’t just cold anymore, this is game-over cold. At this rate, I’m gonna be found as a Subaru-shaped popsicle tomorrow morning.”
“Tch. Good riddance,” Ram replied flatly from under her blanket, though her teeth chattered faintly when she spoke. She shifted closer to the fire, pink hair mussed from static. “If Barusu turns into an ice sculpture, it’ll be the only thing in this mansion uglier than the frozen walls.”

“Oi, oi! You’re freezing too, don’t act like this isn’t affecting you!” Subaru shot back. “Look at you, bundled like sushi. I could roll you down a hill and you’d blend in with the snow.”
Ram didn’t even flinch. “Better a sushi than an idiot Barusu.”
Their bickering was half-hearted, carried on more to distract themselves from how their bones ached. The fire warmed their hands, but behind them, the air still bit harshly, curling cold tendrils around their legs and necks.

Subaru groaned and leaned his head back against the chair behind him. “This is torture. Absolute torture. The mansion’s half-frozen, and I can’t feel my toes. If I ever find out whose idea it was to turn this place into the world’s largest refrigerator, I’m throwing them in the freezer section of a convenience store and locking the door.”
Ram side-eyed him. “It was Puck-sama, idiot.”
“I know that! It’s just—ugh, what’s the point of all this, huh?” Subaru flailed an arm dramatically, nearly losing the blanket in the process before clutching it back around himself. “We’re suffering here for no reason. If this is supposed to be a vacation, I want a refund.”

Ram gave a long sigh, like she was already sick of hearing his voice. But she too shuffled her feet closer to the fire, tightening the blanket around her. For once, her barbs softened a little. “…It is inconvenient. Even if Emilia-sama insists it’s nothing.”
Subaru tilted his head back toward the ceiling, then smirked weakly. “…Y’know what? If we’re gonna be trapped in a giant ice cube, we might as well use it.”
Ram raised a brow. “What nonsense are you spouting now, Barusu?”

“I’m serious!” Subaru sat up, eyes flashing with a sudden spark of energy despite the icicles hanging practically everywhere. “Think about it—snow everywhere, villagers nearby… This is the perfect chance to flip this nightmare on its head. Why don’t we make a festival out of it? A snow festival!”
Ram blinked slowly, unimpressed. “…A snow festival. Barusu, your brain really has frozen over.”
But Subaru only grinned wider, rubbing his hands together as the idea gained momentum in his head. “No, listen! We invite everyone from Arlam Village here, set up games, maybe hot food stalls, snowball fights, and—oh, oh! A snow sculpture contest!”

He leaned forward eagerly, blanket slipping from his shoulders, only for the cold to stab instantly into his arms and make him yelp. Ram snorted.
Still, his enthusiasm was difficult to completely dismiss. Even Ram found herself pausing. “…Snow sculptures?”
“Yeah!” Subaru’s grin stretched ear to ear. “We could build something epic, you know? Emilia-tan’s bound to love the idea, the kids in the village will go wild for it, and—hey—it’ll stop us from sitting here like frozen corpses waiting for the thaw.”

Ram regarded him with her usual aloof stare, but her hand lingered just a little longer above the fire. “…Hmph. I suppose if it alleviates me from the cold, it wouldn’t be a complete waste.”
Subaru clapped his hands together, grinning at her tiny crack of approval. “Exactly! So it’s settled—we’re doing this. Snow Festival, here we come!”
From upstairs, a faint thunk echoed, as if a large chunk of ice had just slid free and hit the floor. Both of them shivered harder, but Subaru forced a grin anyway. “See? Even the mansion’s excited.”
Ram rolled her eyes. “…Or it’s collapsing under the weight of Puck-sama’s magic.”

 

 

The next morning, villagers began to arrive, guided by word Subaru had spread the evening before. The children were the first to sprint through the gates, shrieking with joy at the sight of the mansion glittering in sunlight like an ice palace.

“Waaah! It’s all white!”
“Look! Look, snow piles taller than us!”
“Can we make snowmen here?!”

The parents followed more carefully, exchanging amused smiles. “Trust Subaru to come up with this,” one muttered, while another added, “He’s always dragging us into strange fun, isn’t he?”
“Oi, oi, don’t make it sound like a bad thing!” Subaru hollered from the courtyard, waving both arms. He was already running around with a wooden clipboard in hand, his makeshift badge of authority.

“Welcome, ladies and gents, to the First Ever Roswaal Mansion Snow Festival! Feel free to enjoy yourselves, but don’t forget the main event—the sculpting contest later!”
The kids cheered like they’d just been promised candy. Some of the younger ones immediately dove into the snow, rolling around until they looked like waddling snowballs themselves. Subaru beamed.
By midday, the festival grounds were bustling. Laughter rang through the frozen air, the courtyard transformed into a lively, living scene rather than a silent icebox. Subaru stood near the center, panting slightly as he checked off another item on his clipboard.

“Heh… not bad. Not bad at all.” He scanned the crowd, satisfaction swelling in his chest. This—this was the kind of thing he lived for.
Still, he had one responsibility left to emphasize. “Ladies and gentlemen!” he called, clapping his hands together. “As much fun as you’re having, don’t forget—this is also a competition. And who better to make sure it’s fair than yours truly? That’s right, I, Natsuki Subaru, will be your official judge! Along with two secret judges!”

“Judge?” a boy piped up. “Then you can’t play?”
Subaru coughed into his fist. “A-hem. Sadly, yes. As much as I’d love to show off my ultimate snow-carving skills, I have to dedicate myself to observing every single masterpiece with absolute focus. Sacrifices of a true man of justice, you know.”
Several villagers chuckled knowingly—Subaru’s “sacrifices” usually meant he wanted to watch chaos unfold without dirtying his own hands.
Still, the kids seemed impressed. “Waaah, then it’ll be super serious!”
“Subaru-nii will pick the best one!”

“Darn right I will.” Subaru smirked to himself, though his free hand drifted toward the satchel tucked at his side. Inside, nestled safely, was his secret trump card: a pristine bag of potato chips from his world. Crunchy, salty, perfectly preserved until now.
No one’s ready for this prize, he thought gleefully. Forget money or trinkets—this will blow their minds.
As the sun tilted lower, villagers began gathering in the central square. Groups were forming teams, parents helping children, friends linking arms and planning. Snow blocks were being shaped into bases already. The contest atmosphere buzzed with energy.
Subaru strolled between them, offering encouragement and scribbling “official judge notes” on his paper, even though most of the doodles were just little chibi drawings.

“Looking good over here! Keep those lines smooth!”
“Whoa, that’s ambitious—don’t forget gravity still applies!”
“Remember, folks, it’s not just the size that matters!” Some adults laughed at this.

He was practically bouncing on his heels by the time he reached the edge of the square—where Ram and Rem stood together, speaking in low voices, clearly plotting something of their own. Subaru squinted.
“Oh-ho… what’s this? The twin onis entering the fray?”
Ram didn’t even glance at him. “A judge shouldn’t meddle. Go wave your presence elsewhere, Barusu.”
Rem, however, tilted her head sweetly. “Subaru-kun, Nee-sama and I were just deciding on our concept. Please look forward to it.”
Subaru pouted dramatically, but deep down, he couldn’t help grinning. Whatever those two were planning, it would either be a work of genius—or a spectacular disaster. Either way, the sculpting contest was shaping up to be unforgettable.
And that was exactly what he wanted.

 

“If Barusu insists on wasting our time with statues, we may as well give him something unforgettable. How about…” She dragged her quill across the page in deliberate strokes, sketching Roswaal’s tall hat and Subaru’s awkward grin mashed into the same body. “…a fusion of Barusu and Roswaal-sama. The foolish and the magnificent, side by side. A… balanced representation.”
Rem’s hands, which had been folded neatly in her lap, buzzed. Her phone lay hidden just inside her apron pocket. A faint buzz from its strange, glowing screen made her hesitate. Carefully, while Ram’s gaze was still on her sketch, she slipped it out and glanced at the newest entry in her diary.
Her breath caught.

The words were blunt, clear:
3:50pm – Snow sculpting contest
The statue fusion of Subaru-kun and Roswaal-sama spooked the both of them.
Neither of them liked it.
They gave us such a low score.
Nee-sama blamed Subaru-kun’s part of the statue.

Rem closed the phone with a soft click and slid it back into her pocket, her lips curving into a polite but firm smile. “Nee-sama… I don’t believe that idea will work.”
Ram arched a brow. “Oh? You’re unusually quick to shoot me down.” She tapped the sketch with her quill, surprised by Rem’s refusal.
Rem lowered her gaze, trying not to betray her relief at having avoided disaster. “I just… don’t think Subaru-kun or Roswaal-sama would appreciate such a… mixture.”

Ram hummed, setting the quill down and folding her arms. “Hmph. Fine. If you insist on playing the critic, then let us ‘align’ with Barusu’s pitiful taste instead.” She flipped to a fresh page and began sketching again—this time Emilia’s gentle smile atop a small, round-bodied Puck. “Emilia-sama and Puck-sama together. It suits him, does it not? A frozen maiden and her pet spirit.”
Rem tilted her head, studying the sketch. A cat girl Emilia-sama. It was cute, but her lips pressed together in quiet hesitation. Something about it didn’t feel right either. And she felt kinda jealous of Subaru-kun ogling a cat girl Emilia-sama.

After a long pause, she tried carefully, “Nee-sama… perhaps we could make a statue of us. The two of us, combined.”
Ram stopped mid-sketch. Slowly, her gaze slid toward her younger twin.
For a moment she said nothing, then a quiet sigh escaped her lips. “As genius as you are, even I can’t see how mixing identical twins would result in anything worthwhile. We’d either look like we covered our eyes completely, bangless face, or just… us. Where’s the artistry in that?”

Her voice was cool, dismissive, but inwardly she felt the sting of the idea. Besides… my chest and hers don’t exactly match. We would probably based it off of Rem’s. Tch. How troublesome.

Ram rested her chin against her knuckles, pretending the thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. “No, Rem. That won’t do. It lacks vision.”
Rem smiled faintly, though there was the smallest flicker of disappointment in her eyes. “I see…”

The room quieted again, the parchment between them filled with false starts and ideas turned down. But Rem’s hand brushed the pocket where her phone rested, the unseen entry guiding her away from mistakes, while Ram sat with her usual unyielding pride—masking her subtle praise behind sharp words.

Rem’s lips pressed together, but she didn’t argue. She only dipped her head… then spoke again. “Then… what if it was just me?”
Ram’s eyes widened, “That’s genius, Rem!” It’s also because her earlier thought hit her harder than she expected.

Rem drew a tiny figure on her parchment — a girl leaning forward, hands cupping her face, fingers spread delicately across her cheeks and temples. Her wide, sparkling eyes stared ahead as if overflowing with emotion, a blend of elegance and unsettling intensity. Rem’s soft voice accompanied the sketch.
“My idea of a pose. Confident. Dramatic… but full of feeling.”

Ram squinted at the sketch. It was obsessive. Unnerving. Too dramatic. Her thoughts lingered for a second longer than she wanted on Rem’s hopeful expression. But… somehow, it suits her.
She then narrowed her eyes. “And how do you expect to sculpt that? You can’t hold the pose and carve it at the same time, Rem.”
Rem’s smile warmed just a fraction. She rose to her feet and retrieved her phone from inside her apron pocket, stepping before her sister.

“Nee-sama. I will show you the pose, and you will take a picture. That way, I can work from the image.”
Ram’s expression went flat. “You want me to use that ridiculous device?”
“Yes,” Rem said simply.

For a long, drawn-out moment, Ram stared at her. Then, with a sigh that carried every ounce of disdain in her slender frame, she snatched the phone. “Tch. Fine. Show me.”
Rem clasped her hands together sweetly, then shifted into the stance — one hand raised delicately near her cheek, head tilted slightly, her body poised like a performer frozen mid-song.
Ram raised the phone, muttering.

“Hmph. What nonsense. At least stay still.” She clicked. The screen captured Rem’s clear blue eyes, her delicate frame, her entire expression radiating gentle devotion.
Ram looked at the result, lips tightening.

Of course it’s flawless. Of course she looks good, even in this absurd pose. She handed the phone back without comment.
Rem accepted it with quiet satisfaction, bowing her head. “Thank you, Nee-sama. This will do perfectly.”

By the time Subaru returned that afternoon, the mansion courtyard was littered with stray chunks of snow. At the center stood the twins’ “shared” project—though in truth, Rem had done all the sculpting, while Ram’s only involvement had been standing with a phone in hand, her expression caught somewhere between boredom and sleepiness as she followed her sister’s instructions for angles and distance.

The result was unmistakably a snow figure of Rem leaning slightly forward, hands cupping her face, fingers spread delicately across her cheeks and temples. Her wide, sparkling eyes seemed to overflow with emotion, a mix of elegance and an almost unsettling intensity, as if staring straight into the heart of anyone who looked at her but in truth, only staring at one person. It was dramatic, striking, and more than a little showy—but somehow, it radiated confidence and charm in a way that made the frozen courtyard feel warmer.

Subaru halted the moment he laid eyes on it, breath puffing white in the cold air. “…Whoa.” He stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the figure. “That’s—really amazing, Rem. Really pretty too… but also… a little scary?” He scratched his cheek, frowning thoughtfully. “I feel like I’ve seen this pose in an anime before… but I just can’t remember which one.” Then, his grin widened, almost boyish. “Still, the score would be… a whopping nine points!”

Before Rem could respond, Ram’s dry voice cut in. “Barusu, before you get carried away, note that this masterpiece was born only thanks to my indispensable support. Someone had to hold the device steady while Rem played artist.”

Subaru blinked at her, then smirked. “Ohhh, so nee-sama was the camerawoman, huh? That’s teamwork! I never thought I’d see the day when nee-sama lent her hands for… this kind of art.” He ignore the fact that nee-sama basically was a glorified phone stand.
Ram’s cheeks twitched. “Don’t misinterpret. It was not for the art, but for Rem.” She huffed.

Just then, Roswaal appeared at the edge of the courtyard, taking a deliberate step forward. He leaned in, observing the sculpture with his usual theatrical flair. “Ah… maaaarvelous. The tension in the posture, the spread of the fingers, the emoootional depth in the eyes… exquisite work, indeeeed.” He tilted his head, peering from the side. “A score of nine seems entirely approoopriate, though one might argue the inteeensity could unsettle the unprepared obseeeerver.”
Ram bowed “Thank you, Roswaal-sama!”

Finally, the eldest of the household—quietly observing from a distance—nodded approvingly. “I would give it a perfect ten. It captures both beauty and presence in a way that mere technique cannot achieve.”
Rem flushed faintly, pressing her hands together in front of her apron. “I am glad you all think so.” Her smile was soft but proud, carrying both satisfaction in her work and a quiet joy that Ram, in her own reserved way, had participated.
Subaru laughed, shaking his head. “Well… I guess you two really knocked it out of the park.”

Chapter 13: Memory Snow Rem Edition Part 3

Summary:

Nee-sama found her true calling.

With a total of 28 out of 30 points, the verdict was clear: the sisters had won this round of sculpting. Rem bowed her head politely, her cheeks faintly pink with pride, while Ram only gave a small flick of her hair, acting as if the outcome had been obvious from the very start.
“Splendid, splendid~,” Roswaal sang, clapping his gloved hands together with theatrical flourish. “A strong showing of creativity and passion. And teamwork, too, I daresay, in its own… peculiar form.” His two-toned eyes lingered on the snow figure with clear amusement. “Such artistry from the two of you. It almost feels like the festival itself is hosting a performance.”
Subaru grinned, giving the twins a thumbs-up. “No arguments here. You two really nailed it.”

Ram huffed proudly but didn’t respond, while Rem lowered her gaze with a modest smile.
Subaru clapped his hands suddenly, making the children who had been watching from a distance perk up. “Anyway! You guys totally killed it out here. And you know what that means, right? A reward! Because when you work hard, Subaru rewards you.” He puffed out his chest dramatically.
From his jacket pocket, he pulled out a shiny foil bag. He held it aloft like treasure discovered at the end of a perilous quest. “Behold—potato chips! The snack of legends! The pride of convenience stores everywhere!”

The children gasped at the unfamiliar sound of crinkling foil. Their eyes widened, curious.
Ram narrowed her eyes at the bag as though it might explode. “Must you always carry such strange things, Barusu?”
“It’s not strange—it’s revolutionary!” Subaru shot back, wagging the bag in her direction. “This, my dear nee-sama, is the food of the gods. Crispy, salty perfection. It’s basically happiness in edible form. Don’t disrespect the snack hierarchy!”

Rem tilted her head slightly, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Potato… chips?”
“That’s right. But in this case, let’s call it Tato chips.” Subaru nodded seriously and offered the unopened bag to her with both hands. “The ultimate prize for the winners of today’s sculpting showdown. Go ahead—open it, see for yourselves.”
Ram reached out first, snatching the bag from Rem’s hands before she could touch it. “If it is from Barusu’s secret stash, then it is surely some ridiculous nonsense.”
She turned it over carefully, studying the glossy foil and strange letters she couldn’t read. With a practiced motion, she tore it open, the sound of crinkling filling the cold air. The smell of fried potatoes and salt wafted out, unfamiliar yet strangely enticing.

Ram pinched a chip between her fingers like it was an insect she intended to dissect. She slipped it into her mouth, chewing slowly.
Her expression didn’t move an inch. “…Salty. Oily. A pointless indulgence.”
Subaru dropped to his knees dramatically. “Ghh—! Why do I even bother? Here I am, sharing the finest of my homeland’s treasures, and all I get is slander!”
But Rem, who had been watching closely, caught the tiniest pause before her sister reached for another chip. She smiled knowingly. “Nee-sama likes it.”
Ram froze mid-crunch. “…I tolerate it.” Still, she ate another, then another, each one consumed with the same blank face, though her fingers never stopped moving toward the bag.

Encouraged, Rem carefully reached in and selected one. She placed it delicately against her lips, then bit down. Her eyes lit up instantly. “It’s wonderful, Subaru-kun! I think… perhaps I could try making something like this myself. Slicing tatoes thinly, frying them until they are this crisp…”
She paused, thoughtful. “Is there supposed to be… many flavors?”
Subaru blinked, then laughed. “Rem, you don’t even know the half of it. Back home, we’ve got sour cream, barbecue, cheese, seaweed, spicy, sweet, even ones that taste like fried chicken! The snack aisle is basically a battlefield of endless choices.”

Rem’s eyes widened at the thought, her hand unconsciously resting against her cheek. “So many…” She turned toward her sister with a hopeful look. “Nee-sama, I would like to try making them all.”
“Then you should. If anyone can recreate them, it’s you, Rem.” She plucked another chip from the bag with deliberate calm, chewing as if to underline her point. “Start with this one. It will give you a standard to surpass.”
Rem’s smile bloomed like sunlight breaking through clouds. “Yes, Nee-sama!”
Subaru stared between them, slack-jawed. “Wha—wait, hold on. Did Ram just… encourage something I mentioned?!”
Ram gave him a sidelong glance, perfectly indifferent. “Don’t misunderstand. I am only supporting Rem. Your part in this is negligible.”
While continuously eating chip by chip, she looked to the children around her.

The kids who had been watching the snow contest were now staring openly at the bag, wide-eyed. Their gazes were glued to it, curiosity written all over their faces.
One boy tugged on Rem’s apron timidly. “Rem-oneechan… what is that smell? It’s… it smells good…”
Rem’s heart softened instantly. She glanced at the bag, then at her sister. “Nee-sama… the children are curious. May we share some with them? I can make more later.”
Ram hesitated, gripping the bag as though weighing the decision. For a moment, it looked as though she might refuse outright. Her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes flicking toward the children’s eager faces. Finally, with a faint sigh, she tilted the bag forward. “…If you insist.”

The first child carefully took a chip, then another followed. Soon the place was filled with small crunches, gasps of delight, and giggles.

“It’s so good!”
“It’s so crunchy!”
“Can we have more?”

Their joy was infectious. Rem knelt to help distribute the chips fairly, her smile as warm as the winter sun. Subaru watched the scene with hands on his hips, puffing his chest out proudly.
“See that? One bag of chips, and boom—instant happiness. That’s the Subaru guarantee! Snacks really are the key to world peace.”
Roswaal chuckled from his vantage point, voice lilting with amusement. “My, my~ what a sight. Who would have thought that such a simple foreign treat could turn the place into a festival of smiles? Perhaps, Subaru-kun, there is a strange kind of genius in your antics after all.”
Subaru pointed dramatically at him. “See? Even Ros-chi agrees!”
The kids giggled at his nickname for Roswaal, and Rem let out a soft laugh behind her hand.

The great hall of the Mathers mansion glowed with warmth. Long tables were lined with platters of roasted meats, glazed vegetables, freshly baked bread, and sweet confections dusted with sugar. Crystal glasses caught the candlelight, filled with rich wines and stronger spirits that lent the evening a festive air. The faint chill outside the windows was easily forgotten within the crackling warmth of the fireplace.
Subaru leaned back in his chair, patting his stomach with satisfaction. “Man, this is what I call living. A feast after hard work—talk about hitting the reset button on life.”
Emilia, seated just to his left, giggled softly at his words, a rosy flush coloring her cheeks. The glass of wine in her hands was more than halfway empty, and it was clear that her tolerance wasn’t quite up to noble standards.

Across the table, Roswaal lifted his glass elegantly. “Celebrations are meant to be enjoyed, Subaru-kun. Tonight, no duties, no worries—only merriment.” His words were accompanied by his signature sing-song lilt, though it felt less pointed than usual, softened by his own indulgence in wine.
Rem, sitting beside Emilia, kept her posture poised even as her cheeks had grown faintly pink from her drink. Her hands rested neatly in her lap, but her eyes often drifted toward Subaru, her usual serene smile softening further whenever their gazes met.
Ram, on the other side of the table, was characteristically calm. A delicate glass of wine sat in her hand, her slender fingers turning it idly as though she were simply observing the motions of the night rather than taking part. She sipped now and again, but she was also casually munching from a ‘small’ wooden bowl of Tato chips that Subaru had introduced earlier. The faint crunch was the only sign that she was indulging, her expression unreadable as ever.

Subaru reached for another slice of bread and, noticing the bottle of spirits near him, paused. “Man, everyone’s really into the drinks tonight. I feel like the odd man out here.”
“Because you are, Subaru,” Emilia said suddenly, her words flowing a little too quickly. She leaned toward him with an innocent smile that was disarmed by its drunken slur. “If you don’t drink, that just means more for me.”
Her smile turned mischievous, and before Subaru could react, she snatched the bread out of his hand and bit into it, puffing her cheeks like a squirrel.
“Oi, Emilia-tan! That was mine!” Subaru protested, leaning in as though to reclaim his prize.
“Mine now,” Emilia said triumphantly, swallowing the bite. Her silver hair caught the candlelight as she turned toward him, grinning in an almost childlike way.
Puck, floating nearby, chuckled. “Looks like Lia’s in one of her playful moods. Subaru, you might want to guard your food more carefully.”
Subaru sighed, shoulders slumping dramatically. “First it was a cat freezing the mansion, now it’s food thieves. My life is just one struggle after another.”

The others chuckled, though Roswaal merely raised his glass again in quiet amusement. Rem, however, watched Emilia’s antics with a faint tightness around her smile. Her gaze flicked to Subaru, then back to Emilia, and though her expression remained composed, there was a spark of jealousy behind her eyes.
Still, she poured Subaru another glass of water and slid it gently toward him. “Here, Subaru-kun. If you won’t drink wine, at least drink this. It will help with the food.”
“Rem, you’re a lifesaver,” Subaru said warmly, flashing her a grin. He accepted the glass, holding it as though it were a toast. “See? This is why I’ll never be alone—Rem’s got my back.”
Rem lowered her gaze shyly, though her faint flush had deepened.

The feast continued with laughter and lighthearted chatter. Plates were passed around, bottles shared, and the occasional clink of glasses marked the rhythm of the night. Even Roswaal, whose eccentric presence often dominated a room, seemed content to simply savor the atmosphere, watching his household with a rare quietness.
Ram remained mostly silent, sipping her drink between bites of Tato chips, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Roswaal before returning to her glass. Though she didn’t speak, her quiet dignity and subtle indulgence added a strange kind of balance to the otherwise rowdy warmth of the evening.

As the hours passed, Subaru found himself pulled between Emilia’s playful drunkenness and Rem’s quieter attentions. Emilia leaned against him more often, her laughter bubbling freely as she teased him, while Rem’s subtle gestures—refilling his plate, steadying a cup when his hand nearly knocked it over—kept him grounded.
At one point, Emilia stole a bite of roasted meat straight from his fork, grinning at her boldness. Subaru yelped, flailing dramatically. “Et tu, Emilia-tan?! Betrayal tastes like pork tonight!”
Her laugh was bright and unrestrained, and Subaru couldn’t help but smile despite himself. Yet, when he glanced at Rem, he caught the flicker of something sharper beneath her soft demeanor—a fleeting jealousy that made his heart skip.
Puck noticed too. Hovering above the table, his small eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Rem, a silent understanding passing between them. Neither spoke, but the tension hung there, like a spark waiting to catch.

Still, the night carried on, laughter blending with the gentle haze of drink and food. As the plates emptied and glasses grew lighter, the household settled into a comfortable rhythm. The feast wasn’t just a celebration of success; it was a rare pause, a chance for all of them to gather without the weight of looming trials.
And though Subaru laughed and complained and played along with Emilia’s antics, he couldn’t shake the feeling of Rem’s eyes on him, steady and unwavering.

By the time Roswaal set down his glass and declared the evening a success, the great hall was warm with both firelight and the gentle haze of alcohol. Emilia leaned more heavily against Subaru’s shoulder now, her silver hair brushing his arm, her breath soft with laughter. Rem’s posture remained composed, but her eyes told another story entirely—one Subaru hadn’t quite deciphered yet.
And as Ram quietly finished her glass and reached for another Tato chip, she observed it all in silence. Her crimson eyes, half-lidded from drink, did not miss a thing. Where others laughed, pouted, or flustered, she merely watched, her usual scorn muted into something more passive. If she was amused, she didn’t show it. She simply poured herself another glass, bit into the crisp chip, and let the chaos unfold.

On Subaru’s side, however, chaos was the only word for it. Emilia, cheeks pink and smile wide, had taken it upon herself to declare him her “snack guardian,” pouncing onto him like a cat desperate to reclaim its stolen prize. “Subaru, you thief… give back my treats!” she mumbled, her words slurring just enough to make him sweat.
“Emilia-tan, Emilia-tan! Calm down!” Subaru waved his hands frantically, one arm keeping the silver-haired half-elf from tumbling into the dishes, the other trying to protect his own dignity. “I didn’t steal anything! Puck’s been the culprit the whole time! That feline menace is framing me!”

Puck, lounging smugly on Emilia’s shoulder, twirled in midair with a cheeky grin. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just here for the show.”
Subaru gawked. “Don’t you dare ‘show’ me, furball! Do you know what it feels like to be accused of snack theft by the very girl you’re trying to impress? It’s like the mansion’s freezing cold, but only on the inside!”
Roswaal chuckled behind his sleeve, eyes gleaming. “Kufufufu… then perhaps you should warm it up with your burning love for Emilia-sama, hm?”

“Not helping, Ros-chi!” Subaru barked, his face a mess of blush and panic as Emilia nestled against his shoulder with contented humming. He looked like a man on the edge of surrender.
And that was when Rem’s eyes narrowed.
She had been sipping quietly, a small smile tugging at her lips each time Subaru flailed. The warmth of the alcohol in her veins made her feel lighter, braver—but also more vulnerable. Watching Emilia cling to him, hearing him sputter, seeing how naturally they leaned against each other… it tugged at her chest in a way she couldn’t ignore.
Her gaze shifted upward. Puck was still sitting smugly, tail swishing as he enjoyed his little prank. Then his eyes met hers. For an instant, there was silence between them, as if the whole table fell away. A silent message passed between maid and spirit: Get him away from my daughter/ I'll take Subaru-kun from Emilia-sama

Puck’s grin widened. He gave her a little salute—two tiny fingers to his temple, flicked outward playfully. Permission granted. Encouragement given.
Rem’s heart skipped once, then steadied. She set down her glass, wiped her lips delicately, and rose to her feet. Her steps were soft but sure as she crossed the room, the heat of the alcohol warming her courage. Subaru didn’t even notice her approach, too busy trying to hold Emilia upright.
“Subaru-kun,” Rem’s voice cut through the din, soft and lilting.

He turned, startled. “R-Rem? What’s up?”
She leaned down just slightly, her blue hair brushing his shoulder, her eyes locking firmly on his. “Subaru-kun.”
He blinked. “Uh—y-yeah?”

Closer now, her breath warm with the faint scent of wine. “Subaru-kun.”
The third repetition lingered, teasing, hypnotic. Emilia, half-asleep against him, didn’t stir. Roswaal hummed. Ram raised her glass. And Subaru froze, struck by the sudden intensity of her tone.
“R-Rem? Why are you—”

“Chomp.”

The sound was deliberate, playful, and she pressed her teeth gently against his shoulder as she made it. Not hard enough to hurt—just enough to make his nerves short-circuit.
“Wha—WHA—Rem?!” Subaru yelped, his face blazing red as he flailed, trying not to jostle Emilia. “D-did you just—did you just say ‘chomp’ while doing it?!”
Rem pulled back slowly, her lips curved into a coy smile. Her usually gentle eyes gleamed with mischief, softened by the blush on her cheeks. “Mm. I did. Three times I called you, and you only heard me when I bit.”

Subaru was at a loss. “T-that’s not fair! Normal people don’t just—don’t just bite others in front of everyone!”
“Then maybe I’m not being normal tonight.” She tilted her head, voice dipping lower, smoother. “Subaru-kun, do you know how adorable you are when you panic? That’s why I like teasing you.”
The tables had turned. She leaned closer, her hands resting against his arm, her voice taking on lines men usually used to fluster women. “You’re mine tonight, Subaru-kun. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of you.”

His brain nearly short-circuited. “Wha—where did you—why are you saying it like that?! That’s supposed to be my line!”
She ignored him, tilting her head and planting a soft kiss on his cheek. “One.” Another kiss, opposite cheek. “Two.” And a third, “Three~”
The entire room seemed to stop. Subaru, red as a beet, shut his eyes tight, certain she was about to kiss him fully—here, now, in front of Emilia. His pulse thundered in his ears.
And then… nothing.
He peeked his eyes open. Rem’s lips hovered close, her smile mischievous and bright. She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes with warmth that melted and teased all at once. “Made you blush, Subaru-kun. This is revenge for all your teasing.”

And then, before he could even react, she sagged forward, passing out against his shoulder with the gentlest sigh.
Subaru sat frozen, caught between relief, embarrassment, and sheer panic. Emilia still clung to him, pouting in her tipsy dreams. Rem now leaned on his other shoulder, smiling in her sleep.
Ram, finishing her chip, finally smirked faintly. “How pitiful. Crushed between two women and still no backbone.”
Roswaal’s chuckle rang across the table. “Kufufufu… truuuuly entertaining.”
And Subaru could only sit there, bright red, whispering to himself, “I-I didn’t sign up for this…”

The dining hall still buzzed with the low murmur of conversation and clinking glasses, but Subaru’s ears rang with the weight of what had just happened. Rem was slumped peacefully against him, her light breathing brushing against his arm as though none of her bold actions a few minutes ago had ever happened.
A couple of minutes passed, the tension melting into a kind of quiet lull. Roswaal sipped leisurely from his glass with his usual painted-on smile, Ram reclined with her chin propped on her hand, and Emilia—face slightly flushed from the drinks—sat humming happily as she nibbled on the remains of some snacks.
Subaru, still too rattled to move, finally let his eyes wander. That was when he noticed it: a small figure not seated with the others.
“…Wait a second.” Subaru blinked, scanning the table. “Where’s Beako?”

Sure enough, the little Great Spirit was nowhere inside. Instead, through the wide glass doors that led to the balcony, Subaru caught sight of her distinct drill-like curls shifting faintly in the moonlight. She was standing alone outside, her back turned to the room, gazing out at the star-speckled night.
Subaru frowned, muttering under his breath. “Oi oi… while everyone’s celebrating, Beako decides to brood on the balcony? Not on my watch.”
He shifted, trying to stand up—only to remember the warm weight on his lap. Rem’s head rested against him, her hand curled lightly against his sleeve as though unwilling to let go, even in sleep. Subaru froze, torn.

“…This is… a problem.”
Carefully, he tapped Emilia’s shoulder, who was seated right beside him. “Hey, Emilia-tan. Uh… could I trouble you with a very, very important favor?”
She turned her bright, slightly tipsy eyes on him, tilting her head. “Hmm? What is it, Subaru?”
Subaru gestured awkwardly to Rem. “Well, uh… our hardworking blue-haired maid here has clocked out for the night. Thing is, I need to step out for a sec. Do you think you could—y’know—take care of her while I’m gone?”

Emilia’s expression softened immediately, almost glowing in the firelight. “Of course. Rem has worked so hard. Leave her to me. Come here Reeem.”
“Whew… thanks, Emilia-tan. You’re a lifesaver.”
With infinite care, Subaru slipped his arm out from under Rem and gently transferred her into Emilia’s waiting embrace. The moment he let go, something unexpected happened—Emilia didn’t just hold Rem, she pulled the sleeping girl closer against her chest, hugging her tightly.
“…Ehh?” Subaru blinked.

Emilia smiled down at the maid in her arms, stroking Rem’s hair tenderly. “She’s so warm…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with the gentle affection.
Subaru’s heart gave a weird, confused thump. “O-okay, that’s… really cute. Dangerously cute. But I’ve got a mission.” He slapped his cheeks lightly. “Focus, Natsuki Subaru! Operation B.B: Balcony Beako is a go!”
Sneaking one last look at Emilia snuggling Rem, Subaru shuffled out of the dining hall and slid the balcony doors open. A breath of cool night air brushed against his face, chasing away the heavy warmth of wine and firelight from inside.

Beatrice stood just where he’d seen her—small frame silhouetted against the moonlit sky, frilly dress ruffling slightly in the breeze. Her twin-drills swayed gently as she leaned on the railing, utterly still except for the faint shifting of her shoulders.
Subaru padded closer, trying to keep his voice casual. “Oi, Beako. You hiding out here all alone while the rest of us are partying inside? What’s up with that?”
She didn’t turn right away. For a moment, Subaru thought she hadn’t heard him. But then, in her usual clipped tone, she muttered, “There’s no reason for me to join their foolish revelry, I suppose. It’s noisy. And… irritating.”
Subaru tilted his head. “Hmm… or maybe you just didn’t want anyone to see you having fun, huh?”

That got a reaction—she finally glanced back, glaring at him with those striking blue eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, I suppose. Betty doesn’t ‘have fun.’ That’s a waste of mana.”
Subaru smirked, stepping closer to lean on the railing beside her. “You say that, but I’ve seen you steal cookies when you thought nobody was looking. Don’t think I missed that.”
Her cheeks puffed ever so slightly. “Y-you saw nothing, in fact.”
“Yep. Totally saw it. Right in the middle of the kitchen raid last week. You looked like a chipmunk stuffing them in your cheeks.”
Beatrice huffed and turned back toward the night sky, stubbornly silent.

Subaru softened, letting the teasing fade a little. “Still… it’s kinda lonely, you know? Everyone else is inside, laughing, making memories. And here you are, standing in the cold by yourself. You sure you don’t want to at least come sit with us for a while?”
“…Betty doesn’t belong there,” she muttered, hugging herself lightly. “I’m… different, I suppose.”
Subaru frowned at that, his chest tightening. The way she said it carried a weight he recognized all too well—like the way he used to feel back in his old world, sitting alone while everyone else laughed.
He scratched the back of his head. “…Different or not, you’re part of this weird little family now. Whether you like it or not, you’ve been drafted into the Potato Chip War, Beako. And there’s no escaping that kind of bond.”

She shot him a confused glance. “What are you even talking about, in fact?”
“Never mind,” Subaru said with a laugh. “Point is—you matter. To me, to Rem, to Ram, even to Emilia-tan. Heck, Roswaal probably too, in his creepy clown way. So don’t go acting like you’re on the outside. ‘Cause you’re not.”
Beatrice looked at him for a long time, her glare softening just slightly. Then, in the faintest whisper, she muttered, “…Idiot.”
Subaru grinned wide. “I’ll take that as a ‘thank you.’”

Subaru stepped back into the dining hall, the warm air and faint aroma of roasted meats wrapping around him. His gaze immediately fell upon Emilia, flushed from her earlier drinks, holding Rem in her arms. Rem, completely asleep, rested peacefully against Emilia, their cheeks pressed together lightly, breaths mingling softly. Subaru froze for a moment, heart hammering quietly, unable to tear his eyes away.

At the edge of the room, Ram sat composedly, a Tato chip poised between her fingers. She didn’t make a sound, only keeping her eyes trained on the scene before her. Slowly, she bent over Rem’s phone, which had slipped to the floor during the earlier shuffle. With deliberate care, she tapped the screen, taking a series of pictures, capturing Emilia and Rem’s intimate, serene snuggle. Her posture remained relaxed, calm, yet her focus was absolute, almost reverential in its precision.
Subaru couldn’t help himself. His mouth opened slightly, and a soft, breathless sound escaped him, though no words came. His eyes flicked between the pair and Ram, internally gushing over how effortlessly the moment had become almost perfect.

“Nice, as expected of nee-sama! Always ahead of everyone…” he whispered under his breath.
Ram’s eyes flicked up, sharp and precise. “Barusu, that’s enough commentary. Just… let me focus.”
Subaru froze, cheeks burning, and gave a sheepish nod. “R-right… sorry. I’ll—uh—I’ll just watch.”

He shifted slightly to get a better view without intruding, his hands fidgeting in his lap. Emilia’s gentle murmurs, the soft rustle as she adjusted Rem in her arms, and the subtle press of their cheeks together created a quiet intimacy that left Subaru’s heart racing. He dared not speak or move too abruptly, afraid of breaking the fragile, warm connection unfolding before him.
Ram’s hands moved deftly over the phone screen, ensuring each shot was framed perfectly. She didn’t glance at Barusu again, simply continuing to document the scene silently, methodically. Completely in the zone. Subaru’s internal awe intensified. Every subtle shift—Emilia’s tilt, the way she cradled Rem, the gentle press of their faces together—was captured flawlessly by Nee-sama’s focused attention.
Subaru swallowed, trying to steady himself, but the intensity of the moment was overwhelming. He wanted to comment, to praise Ram’s impeccable timing and framing, but the stern glare she shot him when he opened his mouth earlier kept him in check. Instead, he settled for small, silent gasps of admiration, each breath caught in his chest.

Emilia’s soft, tipsy hums continued, punctuated by the faint rise and fall of her chest as she held Rem closer. Rem shifted slightly in her sleep, pressing her cheek more firmly against Emilia’s, tiny fingers curling loosely against her apron. Subaru’s chest tightened with the combination of warmth, innocence, and sheer unexpected adorableness.
Ram continued snapping photos with quiet precision, only pausing to nibble lightly on her Tato chip between shots. Her eyes flicked occasionally to the screen, checking each capture, then back to the pair. Subaru watched, captivated, marveling at how seamlessly Nee-sama’s focus preserved the tiny, fleeting details of this intimate moment.

Subaru’s gaze softened as he realized the brilliance of what was happening. Without words, Ram was ensuring this memory would be immortalized—the gentle press of cheeks, the soft tilt of heads, the serene expressions that radiated pure trust and warmth. Subaru’s internal gushing continued, unrestrained, though he dared not disturb the scene with any sound.
Finally, after a few more deliberate clicks, Ram lowered Rem’s phone slightly, inspecting her work. Subaru wanted to burst out with praise, but the quiet intensity of her focus silenced him again.
Emilia, still humming softly, adjusted Rem again, pressing her cheek more snugly against hers. Rem stirred slightly but didn’t wake, still nestled in the warmth of the embrace. Subaru couldn’t help the small, breathless chuckle that escaped him, but he quickly stifled it, aware that the moment was meant to remain undisturbed.

From his vantage point, he could see Ram’s unwavering concentration, the slight twitch of her lips as she captured yet another perfect angle. The quiet clicks of Rem’s phone created a rhythm, blending seamlessly with Emilia’s soft murmurs and the faint ambient sounds of the dining hall. Subaru’s heart raced, and his internal excitement bubbled silently, a storm of admiration and awe he couldn’t put into words.

The scene unfolded with delicate grace, Emilia and Rem completely oblivious to Subaru’s watching eyes. Ram’s quiet diligence preserved every fleeting expression, every subtle movement, without intrusion. Subaru’s mind teetered on the edge of disbelief, entirely consumed by the quiet perfection of the moment.

Minutes passed in this gentle, silent observation. Subaru remained seated, cheeks flushed, hands clasped loosely in his lap. He dared not move closer, could not look away, and was entirely lost in the fragile warmth shared between Emilia and Rem, immortalized silently through Ram’s patient, careful photography.

Finally, satisfied with her work, Ram set Rem’s phone aside, taking another small bite of her Tato chip. Subaru exhaled shakily, feeling a strange mix of awe, relief, and lingering excitement. He remained seated, silently gushing to himself, fully aware that this quiet, intimate tableau—and the perfection with which Ram had preserved it—was a memory he would never forget.

Notes:

If anyone's gonna be addicted to Potato chips it'd be nee-sama.

Chapter 14: The Tato Chronicles

Summary:

Where Nee-sama slowly realizes the true power of tatoes
Thus the Pleiades Fast Food Chain begins.(lol)

The first light of dawn crept softly through the tall windows of the Mathers mansion, painting the floorboards with pale gold. The great hall lay quiet, silent except for the occasional creak of the old wooden beams settling and the faint rustle of curtains stirred by the morning breeze. Ram, however, was already awake.

She blinked once, then twice, her crimson eyes narrowing against the grogginess still clinging stubbornly to her mind. Normally, she would have welcomed the extra warmth of sleep, relishing the peace of early morning hours, but today was different. Today, she had a mission.

A faint sense of excitement—or perhaps duty—pushed her out of the soft confines of her bed. She swung her legs over the side, careful to keep her movements quiet so as not to disturb the household, and stood, stretching just enough to loosen the lingering stiffness of sleep. She didn’t admit it—not even to herself—but there was a small, unacknowledged thrill in the thought of the day ahead.

For the first time since the previous evening, Ram allowed herself to think of those crispy, golden slices of Tato chips. She would never say aloud that she liked them—the very notion of enjoying something so frivolous, so indulgent, felt foreign to her—but a small, imperceptible warmth tickled at her chest as she recalled the taste. The salted flavor they had managed to create last night was simple, yet satisfying, and the idea of tackling the other flavors Barusu had mentioned—cheese, barbecue, sour cream, perhaps even one that mimicked fried chicken—was too tempting to ignore.
Steeling herself, Ram left her room with quiet determination. She moved down the corridor, her bare feet whispering against the polished wood as she approached Rem’s door. It was slightly ajar, the soft light of morning spilling into the hallway. Ram paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to shake off the remaining grogginess and to compose herself.

 

Then, she knocked gently, three soft raps that conveyed urgency without unnecessary noise.
“Rem,” she called softly. “It’s time. We’re going to make the other Tato chip flavors today. You should wake up.”
There was a brief silence. Then, the faintest rustle of movement from within the room.
“…Huh? W-what is it, Nee-sama?” Rem’s voice was groggy, a little slow with sleep, and a bit hangover but carried that inherent politeness that always marked her words.
Ram’s tone remained firm. “Last night, we only managed the salted flavor. Now, it’s time to expand. Come on, get up.”

Rem blinked a few times, her hands clutching the blanket as she sat up. Her blue hair fell around her shoulders, slightly mussed from sleep, and her sleepy eyes widened as she registered the purpose of Ram’s early intrusion. “…Ah… I see. The… Tato chips…”
“Yes,” Ram said simply, stepping back slightly to give her sister space. “We can’t waste time. Barusu will help in preparing the next batch. Move quickly.”

Rem’s mouth curved into a small, eager smile, the drowsiness giving way to anticipation. Though Ram’s not so subtle urgeness surprised her, “Of course, Nee-sama. I’ll be ready in a moment.” She swung her legs over the edge of her bed and began to tidy herself, adjusting her uniform with careful motions as she prepared to join Ram. Ram nodded, satisfied that her sister was awake, and turned on her heel. The next target of her morning mission waited just a few doors down. Barusu.

She strode down the corridor with purpose, the echoes of her footsteps were like a predator’s marching towards its meal. When she reached his room, she didn’t pause or knock. With a swift motion, she grasped the doorknob, pushing it open with a force that if she lets it go, it will slam on the wall.
The room was dimly lit with the first hints of morning sunlight, casting long shadows across the floor. Subaru lay sprawled across the bed, his hair mussed in chaotic disarray and one arm flung haphazardly over his face. He was still deep in sleep, unaware of the world around him.

Ram didn’t hesitate. She leaned slightly forward and gave him a firm shake, her crimson eyes sharp and unwavering. “Barusu,” she said, her tone carrying the same determination as it had with Rem—maybe more—though now there was a subtle edge of exasperation. “Wake up. You’re going to make the other Tato chip flavors today.”
Subaru stirred, a muffled groan escaping his lips as he rolled onto his side, still half-buried in his blankets. “…Huh…? Wha—?” His voice was thick with sleep, and his eyes fluttered open, confused and sluggish as they tried to focus on the figure looming over him.

Ram didn’t give him time to fully process. “Yes, you heard me. Today. No dawdling. Get up. We only managed the salted flavor last night. Now, it’s time to expand. And don’t think you get to avoid this because you’re sleepy.”
Subaru blinked rapidly, trying to reconcile the sharp morning light, the stern expression of his maid, and the words he was hearing. “…Ehh? Tato… flavors? Today? Already? I… I’m still… uh…”
“Still what?” Ram’s tone was precise, with no hint of amusement. “Sleepy? Lazy? Your excuses are meaningless. Move.”
Subaru groaned again, sitting up slowly and running a hand through his tousled hair. “…Alright… alright, fine, I’m awake. Geez, no need to shake me like I’m in a gag scene…”
Ram gave him a sidelong glance, unimpressed. “Barusu, you said there’s other flavors of Tato chips. Now we’re making them.”
Subaru froze, the idea of being woken up this early in the morning just to remake other flavors slightly annoyed him. “…W-wait… you mean we’re actually making more?” His eyes twitched, a spark of energy returning as annoyance from being woken up.

“Yes,” Ram said simply, stepping back to give him room. “Get dressed. Rem is ready, and she’s waiting for you in the kitchen. We start with the flavors we can handle. Hurry up.”
Subaru’s expression shifted from groggy confusion and irritation to acceptance. “Right. Right! Okay, okay, I’m coming!” He leapt from the bed with more energy than he realized he had, nearly tripping over the edge of his blanket in his haste.
Ram shook her head slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at her lips, though she quickly suppressed it. She had completed her task—both of them awake—and now all that remained was to supervise and ensure the morning’s mission proceeded smoothly.

From the hallway, the faint shuffle of Rem’s footsteps joined hers, signaling that the sisters were now ready. Ram glanced down the corridor, crimson eyes sharp, alert, already planning the next steps in her morning operation. The Tato chips waited, and she would see to it that today, every flavor Barusu deemed feasible would be conquered.

The kitchen was quiet when the three of them arrived, the lingering chill of morning air still clinging to the stone walls. A faint smell of ash from last night’s fire drifted from the hearth, waiting to be replaced with the scents of fresh cooking. Sunlight filtered through the narrow windows, glinting off the polished counters and simple rows of utensils laid neatly in their places.
Ram crossed the room with her usual composure, crimson eyes scanning over the work surfaces as though she were already evaluating their readiness for the task. “Barusu,” she said sharply, drawing his attention. “Which flavor do we begin with? Be decisive.”

Subaru rubbed the back of his neck, stifling a yawn. “Right, right. No point in hesitating when greatness is on the line.” He struck a mock-heroic pose with one hand raised like he was about to declare a new era. “Our first battlefield… will be cheese flavor!” Rem tilted her head, a soft hum escaping her lips. “Cheese…?”
“Yup.” Subaru grinned, his sleepiness melting into enthusiasm. “The most common and beloved flavor, a true classic! People in my homeland would riot if a chip brand skipped cheese flavor.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “But to make it work, we’ll need something like hard cheese, or better yet, dried cheese. The kind that crumbles easy—something we can grind down into powder. And we’ll definitely want a little salt mixed in so the flavor sticks better.”

Ram folded her arms, unimpressed by his grand gestures but listening all the same. “If that’s what you think will work, then explain how to make it. Don’t waste our time with dramatics.”
Subaru shot her a look, lips curling into a mock pout. “You know, nee-sama, you could try showing just a little faith in your local snack professional…”
“You’ve proven unprofessional in nearly every other matter,” Ram replied flatly, then added with a faint sniff, “but I suppose for this, we have no other choice.”
Rem’s smile softened the exchange, her hands clasped in front of her apron. “Nee-sama, if it’s for Subaru-kun’s idea, then it must be worth trying.”
Subaru placed a hand over his chest as though struck by her earnestness. “Rem… you’re the only one who gets me.”

Ram, unfazed, stepped aside to the shelves. “We have cheese stored, but it is not in the state you described.” She opened a small pantry door, revealing wedges of pale yellow cheese wrapped in cloth. “It’s soft, not dried.”
Subaru peered inside, frowning. “Hmm… yeah, that’ll be harder to turn into powder. We could try drying some, but that’ll take time.” He tapped his chin, thinking aloud. “Well, worst case, we grate it really fine and hope it clings to the chips after frying.”
He glanced around the counters then, noticing for the first time the limited array of tools neatly organized. A couple of knives, a rolling pin, a tenderizing hammer, and a pestle with a small mortar sat side by side. Basic, yes—but nothing close to what he was used to.

“…Wait a sec.” Subaru leaned forward, hands braced on the counter. “Now that I’m looking at it properly… this kitchen’s kind of bare-bones, huh? You’ve got knives, a pestle, some hammers—but do you guys seriously not have a grater? Or even a mandoline slicer?”
Both sisters looked at him, their expressions composed but puzzled.

“A… what?” Ram asked flatly.
“A mandoline slicer?” Rem repeated softly, blinking as though committing the strange term to memory.

Subaru blinked at them, taken aback. “Wait, wait, don’t tell me—you guys don’t even know what those are?”
Ram’s tone was dry. “If you insist on speaking nonsense before breakfast, keep it to yourself.”
Subaru clutched his head dramatically, groaning. “Oh no. Oh no no no. I knew it! This world is stuck in culinary medieval times!”
Rem, more curious than critical, stepped closer. “Subaru-kun… what are a grater and a mandoline slicer? Are they… special cooking tools?”

He straightened immediately, her curiosity igniting his enthusiasm. “Yes! Exactly! A grater is like—a flat board covered in tiny sharp holes. You rub cheese or vegetables against it, and it shreds them into tiny bits. Perfect for cheese powder!” He mimed the motion with his hands. “And a mandoline slicer is like a board with a blade built into it—you slide veggies across, and it cuts them into thin, even slices. Super fast, super efficient. It’s the difference between rustic tato slices and true chip perfection.”

Rem’s eyes brightened, a spark of interest lighting her face. “That sounds… amazing. If we had such tools, cooking would be much easier. Nee-sama, don’t you think so?”
Ram looked unimpressed, arms crossed. “If it’s Barusu’s invention, I doubt it’s half as practical as he claims.” But her gaze lingered briefly on the cheese wedge, then on the pestle at the counter, as though calculating the effort.

Subaru wagged a finger at her. “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, Nee-sama! I may be a Barusu, but I’m a Barusu with knowledge of an entire world of snacks and food tech. If we had even a simple grater, we could unlock the full potential of cheese chips. And also other recipes.”
Rem gave a small nod, lips curving into an encouraging smile. “It sounds worth trying.”

“See? Rem believes in me,” Subaru said smugly, shooting a glance toward Ram.
Ram didn’t blink. “Rem’s too kind-hearted and can’t tell you how stupid you are.”

Subaru slumped in mock defeat. “Ouch… straight to the soul…” Then, almost instantly, he perked up again. “Okay, here’s the plan: I’ll talk to Roschi about this. He’s got money and connections, right? I bet we can get a craftsman to whip up something like a grater or a mandoline slicer. And while we’re at it, I’ve got a whole list of kitchen tools in my head that could revolutionize cooking here!”

Rem’s hands clasped together, her smile widening. “That would be wonderful… Subaru-kun bringing new tools to the mansion kitchen. It would make cooking so much easier—and more fun.”
Subaru grinned, puffing out his chest. “Exactly! Kitchen tech evolution, coming soon to a Roschi mansion near you!”

Ram exhaled quietly through her nose, though the faintest quirk touched her lips. “…As long as you don’t make a mess of it.”
“Me? Make a mess? Ha! This is serious business!” Subaru grabbed the cheese wedge dramatically, raising it like a prize. “Today, we lay the foundation for a cheesy future. The age of chips begins now!”
Ram shook her head slowly, crimson eyes narrowing in exasperation, though she moved to fetch the pestle regardless. Rem, meanwhile, prepared the tatoes with practiced ease, her motions graceful as she washed and peeled them.

 

And so the morning work began—Subaru buzzing with grand visions of future tools, Rem curious and eager, and Ram sharp-eyed and restrained, though silently determined.
For them, it was not merely cooking. It was the start of something new, flavored with anticipation and the faint warmth of shared purpose.
The plan to chase after cheese flavor didn’t stall for long. Subaru paced back and forth in the kitchen, holding the cheese wedge like it was a sacred artifact.

“Alright, alright… no grater, no problem. We improvise!” He slapped the wedge down on the counter with dramatic flair.
Ram gave him a sidelong glance, knife already in hand. “Your improvisation tends to end in failure, Barusu.”
“Ah, but this time it won’t!” Subaru wagged his finger triumphantly. “We slice it thin—really thin—and dry it near the fire until it hardens up. Then, we smash it into powder… Boom! Cheese flavored chips!”

Rem, who had started preparing breakfast on the stovetop, tilted her head thoughtfully. “Drying… that could work. If it’s thin enough, the heat should remove the moisture.” She smiled softly, turning back to her pan. “Nee-sama, it sounds reasonable.”
Ram pressed her lips together but didn’t argue, instead turning her focus to the knife she’d picked up. “Then make sure you don’t slice them unevenly, Barusu. I won’t be fixing your mistakes.”
Subaru saluted. “Yes, ma’am!” He immediately began sawing at the cheese with exaggerated concentration, tongue poking out slightly as he tried to produce slices as thin as possible. They weren’t perfect—some edges curled thicker than others—but he placed them neatly on a tray and carried them toward the fire. “See? Perfect! In a few hours, we’ll have dry cheese fit for kings.”

Ram arched a brow. “I pity the cow and the farmer who made that cheese.”
Subaru puffed out his cheeks. “You wound me, Nee-sama…”
While the cheese slices began their slow transformation by the hearth, Rem turned her attention to the stove, her movements graceful and steady. The sizzling aroma of frying vegetables filled the air as she worked, humming quietly to herself. Her apron fluttered with each shift, and despite the early hour, her focus was unwavering.

Meanwhile, Subaru turned to the pile of tatoes and carrots waiting to be chopped. Ram joined him, her knife movements precise, each cut clean and efficient. Subaru, on the other hand, gripped his knife like a man preparing for battle.
“Alright! Tato dice technique, engage!” he announced, slicing with more enthusiasm than skill. His cuts landed unevenly, some too thick, others nearly paper-thin. Still, he worked quickly, if not elegantly.

Ram’s eyes flicked toward his board, unimpressed. “…If this wasn’t Rem’s territory, I’d have kicked you out.”
“Hey!” Subaru shot back defensively. “I’m trying my best!” he then looked at his slices and winced, “Yeah, I’m definitely apologizing to the first farmer I see.”
Ram didn’t dignify that with a response, but the faintest twitch of her eyebrow betrayed her opinion. She continued slicing with flawless rhythm, her pile neat and uniform compared to Subaru’s chaotic heap.

As he hacked away, though, Subaru suddenly paused, his eyes lighting up as an idea sparked. He turned sharply toward Ram. “Nee-sama! What if… hear me out—what if we make Tato fries?”
Ram’s knife stopped mid-motion, her crimson eyes sliding toward him with a glimmer of curiosity. “…Tato fries?”
“Yeah! Fries!” Subaru’s grin spread wide as he mimed the shape with his fingers. “You cut the tatoes into long sticks, fry them until golden, sprinkle with salt… crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Absolute perfection. They’re like chips’ cooler cousin.”

Ram’s usually impassive expression shifted ever so slightly—her brows raising just a fraction, her voice quiet but pointed. “…Is it good?”
Subaru nodded so vigorously his hair flopped. “Good? No, no, no, Nee-sama—it’s legendary. Fries are the backbone of fast food! You eat them with everything. And the best part is… you dip them in condiments.”

Ram’s knife resumed moving, her expression back to neutral, though her words betrayed faint interest. “Condiments?”
“Yeah!” Subaru gestured wildly with his knife before remembering himself and setting it down safely. “Like ketchup, mayo, mustard—flavor boosters! Just imagine it, golden fries with creamy mayo, or tangy ketchup. It’s not just food, it’s happiness in stick form!”

Rem, still tending the pan, glanced over her shoulder with a curious tilt of her head. “Mayo… ketchup… I’ve heard of sauces made with tomatoes, but not in the way Subaru-kun describes. And… mayonnaise?”
Subaru spun toward her, finger raised like a professor unveiling a great truth. “Exactly! Ketchup is basically tomato paste with sugar and vinegar. Mayo is even simpler—egg yolks, oil, and maybe a little lemon or vinegar to give it that tang. Super basic ingredients, super amazing result.”
Ram’s knife clinked against the cutting board. “You’re suggesting we can make these… condiments here?”

“Totally!” Subaru slapped the counter for emphasis. “Roschi’s mansion kitchen has eggs, oil, vinegar—we’ve got everything we need. It might take some trial and error, but it’s doable!”
Rem’s eyes sparkled as she turned back to the pan, her cheeks tinged with quiet excitement. “If we can really make them, it would add so much to meals. It sounds fun to try, Subaru-kun.”
“Fun? It’s life-changing!” Subaru declared, puffing out his chest. “With fries and condiments, we’ll be unstoppable. The Mathers mansion will become the birthplace of a snack revolution.”

Ram’s gaze lingered on him, cool as ever. “…You’re absurdly dramatic for someone holding a tato.”
“Every legend starts with a humble tato!” Subaru countered, holding one aloft like it was a sacred relic. “Nee-sama, just imagine it—fries on the table, Rem whipping up homemade ketchup, you secretly sneaking a bowl of fries—”
Ram’s knife halted mid-slice, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t sneak food.”

Subaru leaned forward, grinning. “You totally would if you tasted fries with mayo. It’s impossible not to.” says the mayo fanatic.
For a moment, Ram’s lips pressed into a thin line, as though fighting back a retort. Then she exhaled softly and resumed cutting, her expression unreadable. “…If it turns out to be as good as you claim, then perhaps.”
Subaru froze, eyes wide. “Wait—did Nee-sama just admit I might be right? Hold on, hold on, I need Rem as a witness!”
Rem chuckled softly, the sound bright against the steady crackle of her pan. “I heard it, Subaru-kun. Nee-sama didn’t deny it.”

Ram’s crimson eyes flicked between them, then she turned deliberately back to her work, ignoring his grin. “You’re wasting time. Slice those tatoes evenly, Barusu.”
“Y-yes, ma’am!” Subaru saluted again, still beaming. His uneven chopping gained a bit more effort this time, his mind alight with possibilities of fries and condiments.

And so, as the morning sun climbed higher, the three of them worked—Rem at the stove, Subaru and Ram at the counter, the fire drying thin slices of cheese nearby. The kitchen, though simple, hummed with purpose, filled with the scents of breakfast and the lively chatter of invention.

Notes:

From what I remember from Mimi eating a burger, there's no fries that comes with it so I assume those didn't exist either. Also, if it did exist Ram would probably make some. Since it's just slicing Tatoes (which she can make Rem do) and frying it. Just with salt its addicting.

Notes:

I'm just gonna say that arc 2 lasted 2 weeks since I don't know how they'd get close to hang out together. If I do, I'd probably gonna edit it in.