5
“Is it all right if I join you, Subaru?”
When Subaru slipped through the mansion’s front gate and saw Rem standing there, his eyes widened in surprise. He scratched his cheek awkwardly as he replied, “Well, dang. So you saw right through me.”
“No, I discovered it had slipped my mind until just recently. I likely remembered it the same time you did, Subaru.”
With a little smile, Rem reassuringly shook her head at Subaru, who was apologetic. The truth was that if Subaru hadn’t remembered it, Rem most likely would have. That was simply how large it loomed in her mind, even on a surprise day off.
“This is the third day since the last time we checked… It’s the day we must go to the mountain barrier to see if it is still intact. It would be a shame if it wasn’t, since we only just recently contained the demon beasts.”
The task Rem had forgotten that Subaru remembered was checking on the barrier. The cause of the demon beast scare a few days prior was a neglected barrier in the mountains that kept the demon beast population away from the village. Because of this, a new barrier had been erected, and it needed to be maintained regularly until it was firmly established. And today happened to be one of those days. Rem had intercepted Subaru just as he was about to go to the mountain.
“All I have to do is check to see if the crystal is still glowing. I can easily do that by myself. Does the idea of me walking in the mountains alone really worry you that much?”
“I always worry about you, Subaru, but that isn’t the only reason. I just want to go with you… Is that not okay?”
Subaru evaded Rem’s eyes and scratched the tip of his nose. Rem kept her gaze on him until he heaved a resigned sigh and answered, “Hiking on your day off… You sure are an outdoorsy person, aren’t you, Rem?”
“Whenever I’m with you, it’s okay for me to lean against you as much as I wish. You told me that, remember?”
“And I’m easily manipulated by that offer… All right, you can come with me. No road is long with good company, as they say.”
“Agreed.”
And with that, Subaru began to walk, while Rem followed slightly behind him at his side. That proximity and speed was the most comforting feeling of closeness for Rem. They weren’t side by side, yet she wasn’t totally behind him, either. But sometimes, Subaru would look over his shoulder to check on her, like he was making sure Rem was still following him.
And when Rem realized just how comforting that gesture of his was, that spot right behind Subaru had become her favorite place to be. She felt best when she was there. The black-haired boy’s eyes were so gentle, she could almost feel his warm, considerate touch.
“Listen, Rem—I kinda steamrolled you today and forced you to do a bunch of things… Did that bother you?”
“Why…do you ask?”
“I noticed it again when you were waiting for me at the gate earlier, but I’m worried you weren’t exactly able to relax today. I know, it’s a bit too late, and I should’ve noticed it sooner, but still.”
As Subaru awkwardly tried to gauge Rem’s psychological state, she couldn’t help but giggle softly. He was right; it was too late to worry about it now, and it wasn’t even something he should ask her out of worry, either. But the desire to tease him a little about it welled up in Rem.
“Yes, I suppose so. Truth be told, I would have liked to arrange and assign the work tasks myself, so in that regard, you did give me quite a bit to worry about.”
“Urgh… Sorry about that.”
“I had quite a few plans of my own today. And since I took the day off, that might impact my workload tomorrow. I can’t deny that your plan has put me in a bit of a pickle.”
“Gurg… One small kindness can turn into one big bother for others…”
With a sideways glance at Subaru, who was clutching his chest and wobbling as he walked, Rem sneakily stuck out her tongue and grinned. He had given her a scare, so this little revenge was warranted. Though while he had given her a scare, gaining a day off was not at all a bad feeling.
“But I was very happy how kind and considerate you’ve been to me today, and during this day off, I got to see how Lady Emilia, Master Roswaal, and everyone else thinks of me. And for that, I want to thank you.”
There was also Puck’s unusual well of trivia and Beatrice’s stouthearted use of magic. The way she spun the laundry to wash it was something Rem wanted to adopt.
Subaru stopped in his tracks, his jaw dropped. Then his lips twisted into a smile when he realized Rem had played him. “Geez, Rem, I’m happy we’ve grown close enough that you’re able to joke at my expense.”
“I’m sorry. But I was telling the truth when I said the suddenness of it all gave me a scare. And in a way, seeing that the house could be run perfectly fine without me made me feel a little sad.”
“Er, yeah, but we can’t always focus all our combat powers on household tasks like we did today. Besides, if we take your early-morning errands into account, I doubt we would successfully manage an entire day’s worth of chores.”
“I do believe that’s an exaggeration.”
“Says the girl who does the work of five people all by herself. I think it’s high time you revised your opinion of yourself, Rem. Nobody would bat an eye if you sang your own praises now and again.”
As she received Subaru’s praise, Rem felt nothing but pure bliss. Hearing him say that made all those days of hard work worth it. She had nothing but gratitude for Subaru, for instigating the experiment, and the desire to reward him for his thoughtfulness consumed her.
“Subaru?”
“Hmm? What’s up? Ready to sing your own praises now?”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Why’re you thanking me?! When did I do something to deserve it?!” Subaru sputtered, flustered by the unexpected answer.
Rem giggled into her hand.
It was the generous boy’s lack of self-awareness that made her love him so much.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login