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---
Chapter 64
The celebration ended at sunset.
The cleanup began immediately afterward.
That was the price no story about festivals ever mentioned.
The children returned to Arlam with red cheeks, damp coats, and enough memories to talk about for weeks. The adults carried away empty containers, borrowed tools, and several children asleep on their shoulders.
The sculptures remained behind.
Most had already begun losing their shape.
Emilia's Puck had lost part of its tail.
Beatrice's leaned to one side.
Petra's mechanical rabbit remained intact through sheer stubbornness.
The Marvelous Statue of Linkwaal-sama had split down the middle, leaving Roswaal with three kagunes and Link without a face.
Nobody tried repairing it.
Rem's sculpture was still standing.
Link had built an internal structure of compressed snow without admitting it. The cat ears remained on her head, and the tail retained the curve that had caused him so much humiliation.
Rem had stopped in front of it before going inside.
She said nothing.
She only touched the snow smile.
Then looked at Link.
He pretended to be extremely busy carrying tables.
Nobody was fooled.
The Wolgarms returned to their enclosure exhausted.
Three collapsed the moment they passed through the gate. The one with the blue ribbon still wore Petra's bow, while another had somehow kept a crown of branches around its neck.
Charmander arrived on the final sled.
There was snow inside its mouth, a cup trapped in one arm, and one leg produced a concerning noise every four steps.
It raised its thumb.
Link pointed at it.
—Workshop.
The thumb lowered.
—Don't make that face. You fired snow out of your mouth yourself.
Charmander turned toward Subaru.
The Japanese boy stepped backward.
—Don't let it look at me.
—It hit you once.
—He had been holding a grudge since yesterday.
Charmander opened its mouth.
The blue sphere emerged and floated around its head.
Subaru pointed.
—That was the weapon!
—It was teamwork.
—That makes the crime worse.
Ram passed them carrying a board beneath one arm.
Crimson Heart remained around her neck.
The red lagmite glowed faintly.
—Barusu will stop arguing with a rock and take the boxes to the west-wing storeroom.
—Charmander started it.
—The rock possesses a valid defense: it has no brain.
Link picked up the automaton.
—Don't talk about him like that.
Ram looked at him.
—The gardener will carry the tables.
—I have to repair Charmander.
—Afterward.
—His knee is making noises.
The statue took one step from Link's arms.
The joint squealed.
Ram remained unmoved.
—Then he can learn to suffer the consequences of his decisions.
—That also sounded directed at me.
—How perceptive.
Rem appeared behind Link.
She carried several folded blankets.
—Rem can take Charmander to the workshop.
The automaton raised its thumb.
Link handed it over.
—Don't let him ignite anything.
—Rem will watch him.
Charmander turned its head toward her.
Rem smiled.
—And he will not photograph anyone.
The stone arm lowered.
Link watched the interaction.
—He listens to you better.
—Rem speaks clearly.
—So do I.
Ram started walking.
—Gardener. The tables.
—Nobody respects me.
Rem leaned toward him.
Kissed his cheek.
—Rem respects Link.
He smiled.
—Thank you.
—Sometimes.
The smile died.
Ram kept walking without turning around.
—A balanced couple.
The west-wing storeroom was used so rarely that the dust appeared to have acquired property rights.
Subaru opened the door.
He sneezed before even stepping inside.
—No.
Ram stopped behind him.
—No what?
—I'm not cleaning this after spending the entire day buried in snow.
—Barusu did not spend the entire day buried.
—Emotionally, I did.
Ram handed him a feather duster.
—Then clean emotionally.
—That doesn't mean anything.
—Neither do most things you say.
Subaru entered.
The storeroom was a large chamber filled with boxes, covered furniture, rolled-up tapestries, and objects whose purpose had disappeared along with the people who had purchased them.
They needed to store some of the festival equipment there.
A simple job.
Move boxes.
Make room.
Put things away.
Close the door.
In theory.
Link entered carrying three tables with his kagunes.
A fourth rested on his shoulder.
Luci floated overhead.
The other four lesser spirits remained near the chocolate stand, absorbing the residual warmth from the pots.
—Where?
Ram pointed toward a corner.
—There.
Link moved forward.
One kagune struck a covered lamp.
The cloth fell.
A cloud of dust exploded outward.
Subaru sneezed again.
—Control!
—I didn't see the lamp.
—It was two meters tall!
—It was covered.
—It was still two meters tall!
Link put down the tables.
—I only came here to carry things.
Ram handed him another feather duster.
—Now you will clean.
—No.
—Yes.
—I have a girlfriend.
Ram stared at him.
—Ram has no idea what sort of defense that was supposed to be.
—Rem might need me.
—Rem is repairing the lizard.
—Exactly.
Subaru struck a box with the duster.
—My brother's romantic priority is below an orange rock.
—She knows I'll come back.
—What a stable relationship.
Link took the duster.
—I hate you.
—That's what keeps the group together.
They worked.
Subaru talked.
Ram ignored him.
Link used two kagunes to remove covers and the other two to move boxes.
Luci illuminated corners.
Dust rose.
Fell.
Returned to places they had already cleaned.
Subaru stared at the feather duster.
—I have a philosophical question.
—No —Link and Ram answered together.
—Where does dust come from?
—Stop talking —Ram said.
—But think about it. We clean. It disappears. Three days pass. It comes back. Does it reproduce?
—Yes —Link answered—. Every time you speak, a new generation is born.
Subaru dropped the feather duster.
—I don't need this hostility.
He crouched to pick it up.
His hand touched something metallic embedded in the floor.
—What's this?
Ram was sitting on a box.
She had started out working.
Nobody remembered when she had stopped.
—Trash.
—Looks like a ring.
Subaru pulled.
An entire floorboard lifted.
A dark space appeared underneath.
Link stopped moving boxes.
Luci descended.
—A trapdoor?
Subaru smiled.
—A secret trapdoor.
—Don't open it —Link said.
—Why?
—Because we live in a manor with a library that changes doors, a clown who knows too much, and a spirit girl who was locked away for centuries. Trapdoors do not contain good things.
—There could be treasure.
—There could also be corpses.
Ram stepped down from the box.
Walked toward the exit.
—Ram will observe from outside.
Subaru held the trapdoor.
—In case there are bugs?
—In case there are additional Barusus.
Link took one step back.
—That does justify caution.
—Both of you shut up!
Subaru opened it.
Trapped air escaped.
There were no monsters.
No skeletons either.
A staircase descended into an underground room.
Luci illuminated the interior.
Shelves.
Boxes.
Bottles.
Many bottles.
Subaru's eyes widened.
—Oh.
Link approached.
—What is it?
—Civilization.
—That doesn't answer me.
They went down.
Ram waited five seconds before following. She decided that if something dangerous was down there, she would rather see it before both men accidentally brought it into the manor.
The underground room was a wine cellar.
Shelves covered the walls. Dark bottles rested on their sides, some wrapped in cloth, others protected inside wooden boxes.
There were large ceramic containers.
Small barrels.
Old glasses.
Subaru took a bottle.
—Alcohol.
Link picked up another.
The glass was covered in a thick layer of dust.
—Old.
Ram examined a label.
—Very old.
—How old?
—Ram does not recognize the seal.
Subaru held the bottle toward Luci's light.
—This could be worth a fortune.
—Don't drink anything —Link said.
—I wasn't planning to.
—The way you're hugging it says otherwise.
—I am appreciating its historical value.
Ram opened a box.
Six bottles rested inside, held in place by straw.
—They belong to Roswaal-sama.
—Of course —Subaru said—. Everything fun belongs to Roswaal.
—The manor does too.
—That proves my point.
Link picked up a small barrel.
He lifted it with one hand.
Liquid moved inside.
—There's too much here for one person.
Subaru smiled.
Link recognized the expression.
—No.
—I haven't said anything yet.
—Party.
—Exactly.
—We had one today.
—Festival. This would be an after-party.
—That's another party.
—With stars.
Link looked up at the ceiling.
—We're underground.
—The party won't be here.
Ram closed the box.
—Roswaal-sama will decide.
Subaru picked up two bottles.
—Then we're going to ask him.
—First we clean —Ram said.
Subaru started up the stairs.
—We must immediately report a discovery of economic importance.
Ram grabbed his ankle.
Subaru remained suspended halfway up the first step.
—Barusu.
—History will not remember those who cleaned before presenting the treasure.
—History will not remember Barusu either.
Link lifted the barrel.
—I can carry it.
Ram looked at him.
—The gardener is no better.
—I never said I was going to drink it.
Luci touched the wood.
A curious emotion passed through the bond.
—Not you either.
The quasi-spirit pointed at the barrel.
—Drink?
—For adults.
Luci pointed to herself.
—Luci?
—You don't even have a stable mouth.
The little figure crossed her arms.
—That's not an age.
—Still no.
Roswaal recognized the collection.
Or claimed he did.
With him, the difference was difficult to determine.
—An old cellar —he said from behind his desk—. I wondered where they had put it.
Subaru set down the box.
—How do you lose a cellar?
—The Mathers family's main residence is not this one.
Link looked around the office.
—This is a secondary house?
—Technically.
Subaru let out an empty laugh.
—The mansion with three wings, a dimensional library, dozens of rooms, and grounds larger than some villages is a secondary house.
—The main residence lies farther east.
—I don't want to see it.
—I do —Link said.
Subaru turned.
—Why?
—More rooms means more places to hide things.
—That curiosity has killed people.
—I regenerate.
—Curiosity will adapt.
Roswaal opened one bottle.
Smelled the contents.
—My grandfather appreciated these spirits.
Ram remained beside the desk.
The lagmite on her collar reflected the light.
—They could also belong to earlier generations.
—Possible.
Roswaal poured a drop into a glass.
Tasted it.
—Still good.
Subaru leaned forward.
—And what are you going to do with all of it?
—I could sell it.
Disappointment fell over Subaru.
—Or we could drink some of it.
The joy returned.
—Party!
—I knew it —Link murmured.
Roswaal looked through the window.
Night was approaching.
Snow still covered the grounds.
—A celebration for those who worked during the festival does not seem inappropriate.
Ram tilted her head.
—Rem will need time to prepare the food.
—No —Link said.
Everyone looked at him.
—Rem worked through the entire festival. She isn't preparing another party alone.
Ram raised one eyebrow.
—Then you will help her.
—Everyone will help.
Subaru raised a hand.
—I brought the alcohol.
—You found a trapdoor while pretending to clean.
—Logistics take many forms.
Roswaal smiled.
—The west-wing ballroom could be used. It has access to a large terrace and remains within the residence.
Subaru understood immediately.
—Beatrice can participate.
Ram looked at the margrave.
—Miss Beatrice will refuse.
—I'll bring her —Subaru said.
—She will refuse more loudly.
—That has never stopped me.
Link crossed his arms.
—Who invites Puck?
—Puck will appear when he smells the alcohol —Roswaal replied.
—He said it was for bad adults —Subaru remembered.
—Puck possesses many flexible opinions.
Ram opened the task ledger.
—Two hours.
—For what? —Link asked.
—Preparing the ballroom, moving food, arranging drinks, and removing dangerous objects.
Subaru looked toward Roswaal.
—Dangerous objects?
Ram closed the ledger.
—You.
The preparations were divided.
Link moved tables and benches.
Subaru decorated the ballroom using fabrics left over from the festival.
Emilia placed lights.
Ram arranged glasses.
Roswaal selected bottles.
Rem prepared simple dishes from food already cooked during the day.
She did not start from scratch.
Link made sure of that.
—There's enough —he said, placing down a tray of cold meat.
—Rem wanted to make soup.
—No.
—It will be cold on the terrace.
—We have chocolate.
—That does not pair with every drink.
—Then they can eat bread.
Rem looked at him.
—Link has begun giving orders in the kitchen.
—I'm protecting my partner from herself.
—Rem isn't tired.
—An amount.
She went silent.
Link pointed.
—That means yes.
Rem cut bread.
He took the knife from her.
—Sit for five minutes.
—There is work.
—I'll finish it.
—Link did not rest either.
—I drank meat.
Rem stopped moving.
—You ate meat.
—I chewed it in liquid form.
—That does not exist.
—Broth.
—Then say broth.
Link started cutting.
Rem remained beside him.
—You didn't sit.
—Rem can watch.
She leaned over his shoulder.
Her chest brushed his back.
The knife stopped.
—This is not resting.
—Rem is not working.
—You're affecting the person who is.
—Link needs to learn to concentrate.
—Educational abuse.
She smiled.
—You can cut more slowly.
—I can do other things slowly.
The sentence escaped before he could stop it.
Rem went still.
So did Link.
Color rose through both their faces.
—Bread —he said.
—Yes.
—I was talking about the bread.
—Naturally.
Rem stepped away.
Her skirt moved slightly more as she walked toward the chair.
Link followed the movement.
The knife remained motionless.
—Rem.
—Yes?
—That was deliberate.
—You are cutting crooked.
Link looked down.
The slice resembled a ramp.
—Bad influence.
Rem sat.
—Your partner.
Subaru found Beatrice in the usual place.
The little spirit sat on the staircase.
A book was open in her hands.
She didn't look up when he entered.
—No.
—Good evening to you too.
—Betty already knows what you want.
—Impossible.
—You make noise before you even find the door.
Subaru climbed two steps.
—We're organizing a gathering.
—No.
—Inside the manor.
—No.
—With food.
—No.
—Appa juice.
Beatrice's eye moved.
—No.
—Puck will be there.
The book lowered one centimeter.
—Nii-cha can come here.
—He is helping Roswaal inspect the liquor.
The page closed.
—What?
—We found a cellar.
—And Roswaal gave alcohol to Nii-cha?
—Not yet.
Beatrice climbed down the stairs.
—We must stop him, I suppose.
Subaru smiled.
—So you're coming.
She stopped.
—That was a trap.
—A strategically presented invitation.
—Betty will not participate in a noisy event.
—You'll have a seat away from everyone.
—Then there is no point in attending.
Subaru looked at her.
Beatrice realized what she had said.
—I meant there is no point inviting me if you intend to leave me in a corner.
—You can sit wherever you want.
—Betty wants to stay here.
Subaru extended a hand.
—No.
—No?
—I won't let everyone be together while you pretend you don't care.
—Betty isn't pretending.
—Perfect. Come prove it.
—Your logic is irritating.
—It works.
Beatrice looked at his hand.
Then his face.
—I will not drink alcohol.
—You'll have juice.
—Don't treat Betty like a child.
—Like an old woman with a child's appearance.
—That is worse.
Subaru kept his hand extended.
—There will be stars.
—The stars exist every night.
—But tonight you'll have someone explaining them incorrectly.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes.
—That sounds horrible.
—It will be.
She sighed.
She did not take his hand.
She jumped from the staircase and walked toward the door.
—Only so Nii-cha doesn't drown inside a glass, I suppose.
Subaru smiled.
—Of course.
—And don't you dare say Betty wanted to go.
—Never.
—You're lying.
—I learned from Emilia-tan.
—She does it better.
Subaru fell silent.
—That was cruel, Beako.
The ballroom came alive for one night.
It had remained closed for years.
That afternoon, the windows had been cleaned, the floor swept, and the lamps lit.
The doors to the terrace stood open.
The sky was clear.
Puck had finished releasing his excess mana, so the clouds had disappeared. Snow covered the gardens and reflected the moonlight.
Inside were tables.
Food.
Drinks.
Tablecloths.
Music produced by a magical box Roswaal had found in another storeroom.
Charmander sat beside the entrance.
It wore a ribbon around its neck and held a tray.
Subaru looked at it.
—No.
—It's decoration —Link said.
—It moves.
—Interactive decoration.
—It has a tray.
—It's working.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Subaru backed away.
—I refuse to accept anything it hands me.
Link took a glass from the tray.
—It's clean.
—That wasn't my concern.
Rem approached.
She had changed from her work uniform into one meant for formal service. The apron was lighter. The sleeves had small decorations. The blue ribbon remained hidden in her pocket.
—Charmander is fulfilling his function.
—Thank you —Link said.
—Don't give it confidence —Subaru pleaded.
Luci floated above the statue's head.
The quasi-spirit raised both arms.
—Good.
Charmander raised its thumb again.
Subaru walked away.
Emilia arrived with Puck.
The Great Spirit remained manifested despite the hour. The release was over, and he should have been exhausted, but the promise of alcohol appeared to have produced some unknown spiritual reserve.
—Puck said he wouldn't drink —Emilia declared.
—I said I would stop you from drinking —he corrected.
—That isn't the same thing.
—Exactly.
Beatrice entered behind Subaru.
Puck rushed toward her.
—Betty.
—Nii-cha.
The little spirit raised both arms.
Puck settled onto her shoulder.
—You came.
—To watch you.
—How responsible.
Beatrice looked at Subaru.
—That does not mean he was right.
—I didn't say anything.
—Your face did.
Ram appeared beside Roswaal.
The red collar matched her uniform better than Link would admit in front of Rem without offering an explanation beforehand.
The lagmite kept her at her normal body temperature despite the open doors.
—Everyone is present —she reported.
Roswaal lifted a glass.
—Then let us begin.
Subaru took another.
Link took a third.
Rem distributed the rest.
Beatrice received juice.
Emilia studied the amber liquid.
—I've never had alcohol before.
Puck moved between her and the glass.
—And tonight will be no different.
—But everyone else has some.
—Bad adults.
—Roswaal too.
—My point grows stronger.
Roswaal smiled.
—A single glass should not cause any problems.
—She is my daughter.
—Emilia-sama is old enough according to the laws of the kingdom —Ram said.
Subaru raised one finger.
—What counts as old enough here?
—Fifteen —Emilia answered.
Subaru looked at his glass.
—That explains far too much.
Link took a sip.
—In my case, I'm old enough on both sides.
Emilia looked at him.
—How old are you?
—Twenty-one.
—I thought you were younger.
Link lowered the glass.
—How much younger?
Emilia thought.
—Nineteen.
—That isn't too bad.
Subaru moved closer.
—What about me?
—Thirteen.
—That hasn't changed since the last conversation!
Roswaal raised his voice before the argument could grow.
—The people gathered here have endured difficult circumstances, and yet remain together. I will not turn tonight into a lengthy speech. Let us drink to the festival, to Arlam, and to the protection of the stars.
The glasses rose.
—Cheers!
The sound of glass filled the ballroom.
The celebration began.
Link did not drink to look like an adult.
He had already had enough opportunities before Lugunica to leave that stage behind him.
Family gatherings.
Parties.
Celebrations.
Friends insisting he try some new mixture.
Relatives who measured masculinity by the ability to remain standing.
He had learned early that he could drink more than his size suggested.
He was not immune.
Before.
Eventually, if he kept going, heat reached his face. His movements became less precise. Laughter came more easily.
That was why he waited.
First glass.
Nothing.
The liquor was strong.
Sweet at first.
Bitter afterward.
It warmed the throat.
The sensation went no farther.
Second glass.
Nothing.
Third.
His body remained exactly the same.
No lightness.
No dizziness.
Not even the familiar heat in his stomach.
Link looked at the liquid.
—That's strange.
Roswaal approached.
—Don't you like it?
—It tastes good.
—You said that with a disappointed expression.
—I don't feel anything.
Subaru stood nearby.
He had drunk two glasses and still seemed composed, although he was speaking slightly faster.
—Give it time. Some effects take a while.
Link emptied the next glass.
Waited.
Luci descended onto the rim.
—No.
The quasi-spirit dipped one finger of light into it.
Pulled it out.
Her body trembled.
—Bad.
—I told you it was for adults.
Luci made as much of a grimace as a face made of light allowed.
Roswaal poured another liquor.
Darker.
—Try this.
Link smelled it.
—This seems stronger.
—Much stronger.
He drank.
The taste was harsh.
Almost medicinal.
His body received it.
And nothing.
Roswaal watched his eyes.
—Interesting.
—Don't say that.
—Why?
—Every time you say that, something bad happens to me afterward.
Beatrice appeared on the other side.
She held her juice.
—Your body doesn't allow the effect to remain, I suppose.
Link looked at her.
—How do you know?
—The alteration disappears almost immediately.
—Alteration?
—The alcohol enters. Your body breaks it down before it can affect your thoughts.
Subaru raised his glass.
—Monster liver.
—I don't think it's only my liver.
Beatrice came a little closer.
—It treats it like an impurity.
Link looked at the drink.
—So I can't get drunk.
—Apparently not.
Roswaal poured a fifth glass.
—We could test the limit.
Rem appeared.
She removed the bottle from his hands.
—No.
Roswaal raised both eyebrows.
—It was research.
—Link already drank enough to confirm it.
—It doesn't affect me —he said.
Rem looked at him.
—Falling from the roof might not affect him either. That doesn't mean he should repeat it.
Link pointed at Roswaal.
—You heard her.
The margrave smiled.
—A protective partner.
Rem took Link's glass.
She smelled it.
Her nose wrinkled.
—It is strong.
—Tastes better than it smells.
—Rem won't drink.
—Good idea.
She stayed still.
Link noticed something.
Her cheeks were slightly red.
—Are you warm?
—No.
—Your face.
Rem touched one cheek.
—She has been close to the bottles while serving.
—You didn't drink.
—No.
—Then you're fine.
Rem nodded.
She carried away the tray.
Her steps were normal.
For now.
Subaru watched her leave.
—Rem looks weird.
Link looked at him.
—No.
—I only said—
—Don't look at her so much.
Subaru raised both hands.
—The jealousy begins.
—Preventive observation.
—Rem would destroy you if you tried controlling who she can talk to.
—Which is why I don't.
Link looked toward his partner.
Rem was setting glasses in front of Ram.
The pink-haired maid had already accumulated several empty bottles beside her chair.
Her voice remained clear.
Her back straight.
Her eye steady.
—Ram is scary.
—Oni must tolerate alcohol well —Subaru said.
Link watched Rem.
She picked up a bottle.
Missed when placing it on the tray.
Caught it before it fell.
—Not all of them.
Emilia acquired a glass.
Not because Puck approved.
Because Puck found a shallow container and Roswaal filled it.
The Great Spirit put his paws inside.
Then his body.
He settled into the alcohol as though it were hot water.
—Puck —Emilia said.
—I'm protecting you.
—You're bathing.
—Complete protection.
Roswaal added a little more.
Puck closed his eyes.
—Excellent.
Beatrice watched the scene.
—Nii-cha is magnificent even inside a glass, I suppose.
Subaru looked at Emilia.
She was still holding her drink.
—Puck isn't watching anymore.
—He's busy.
—That means one tiny taste won't hurt.
Emilia raised the glass.
—Only one sip.
Subaru watched her.
—Very small.
Emilia drank.
Her first reaction was a grimace.
—Bitter.
—You don't have to keep going.
She tried again.
—The second time is better.
—Dangerous sentence.
Third.
—Now it tastes sweet.
—Emilia-tan.
Roswaal passed behind her.
Filled the glass.
Subaru pointed at him.
—Don't encourage her!
—A celebration without freedom hardly deserves the name.
Emilia took another sip.
Color appeared in her cheeks.
—Subaru.
—Yes?
—There are many.
—Many what?
—Subarus.
She counted with one finger.
—One. Two. Five. Eleven.
—You skipped several numbers.
—They all want my sweets.
—Nobody wants your sweets.
Emilia protected a small cake against her chest.
—Liar.
—It's yours.
—Then you're the good Subaru.
She came closer.
Rested her shoulder against him.
Subaru stopped breathing.
—This may be dangerous to my health.
Emilia showed him the cake.
—You can't eat it.
—I won't.
—Don't look at it either.
Subaru looked away.
—All right.
—Now you aren't looking at me.
—You told me not to!
Emilia puffed out her cheeks.
—Bad.
Subaru put both hands over his face.
—Alcohol, I love and hate you.
Rem stopped serving glasses after placing a tray on a table that did not exist.
The object dropped.
Link caught it with a kagune.
Rem stared at the floating tray.
Then at the kagune.
Then Link.
—The table moved.
—There was no table.
—That explains why it moved.
Link put the tray on an actual surface.
—How much did you drink?
Rem looked offended.
—Nothing.
—Then what is happening?
—Rem is perfectly fine.
The sentence was clear.
The ending wasn't.
The last "fine" stretched out.
—An amount?
She raised one finger.
Failed to locate Link's face.
Her finger passed beside his ear.
—A very fine amount.
—That doesn't make sense.
Rem smiled.
Not the professional smile.
The one he had reproduced on the snow sculpture.
Wider.
Defenseless.
—Link.
—Yes.
—Link.
—Here.
—Link.
—Three times.
Rem nodded with satisfaction.
Then leaned forward.
She placed her head against his chest.
Not slowly.
It bumped him.
Link closed his arms around her.
—Careful.
—Found him.
—I wasn't hiding.
—He moved.
—I was standing still.
Rem rubbed her forehead against his shirt.
Once.
Again.
—Did you drink in secret?
—Rem did nothing in secret.
—In public?
—Neither.
Ram stood nearby.
She held a glass.
—Rem does not tolerate the atmosphere well.
Link looked at her.
—The atmosphere can get someone drunk?
—Apparently, in Rem's case.
—That isn't fair.
—Nothing about Rem is fair to the gardener.
Link looked down.
His partner had started moving her head from side to side against his chest.
—What is she doing?
—Testing something —Ram replied.
—What?
—How long it takes you to lose the ability to think.
Rem lifted her face.
Her eyes looked brighter.
—Link smells nice.
—He smells like alcohol —Ram said.
—No.
Rem brought her nose to Link's neck.
Inhaled.
He went rigid.
—Smells like Link.
—Rem.
She moved higher.
The tip of her nose brushed his jaw.
—Warm.
Link looked at Ram.
—Help.
Ram drank.
—Ram is occupied.
—You aren't doing anything.
—Drinking.
—That counts as nothing.
Rem pressed her lips against Link's neck.
It wasn't a kiss.
Or not only one.
Her teeth gently closed against his skin.
—Ow!
She released him.
—Hard.
—You bit me.
—Yes.
—Why?
Rem thought.
—Wanted to.
Ram lifted her glass.
—Conclusive argument.
Link took Rem by the shoulders.
—We're going to sit down.
—Rem can walk.
She took one step.
Her leg did not land where she expected.
Link caught her.
—Of course.
He lifted her.
Rem wrapped her arms around his neck.
—Link is strong.
—You already knew that.
—Very strong.
—That too.
She rested her cheek against his shoulder.
—Rem's.
Link nearly tripped.
—What?
—Link belongs to Rem.
Ram followed them.
—Ownership of people is illegal in Lugunica.
Rem raised her head.
—Partner.
—That, yes —Link said quickly—. I'm her partner.
—Rem's.
—We'll discuss ownership tomorrow.
Rem frowned.
—Today.
—Today you're drunk without drinking anything.
—Not drunk.
—You bit my neck.
—Link smells good.
—That does not help your defense.
He carried her to the terrace.
The night was cold.
The sky covered in stars.
Subaru sat beside Emilia. The half-elf leaned against him while protecting her cake.
Link chose a secluded spot.
He sat against the wall.
Placed Rem beside him.
She did not stay there.
She moved.
Rested her head on his thighs.
—Rem.
—Pillow.
—My legs are not a pillow.
She closed her eyes.
—Now they are.
Link sighed.
He placed one hand on her hair.
Rem produced a low sound.
—Guruguru...
Link stopped moving his hand.
—What?
Rem pushed her head into his palm.
—Guruguru.
—Are you purring?
She opened one eye.
—No.
Link resumed stroking her.
His fingers passed through the blue hair.
Rem closed her eye.
—Guruguru... guruguru...
Subaru turned.
—Is she a cat?
Link looked at him.
—Don't look at her.
—She's purring!
—Take care of Emilia.
—Emilia-tan is protecting her cake from eleven imaginary Subarus.
The person in question lifted her head.
—Twelve.
—Now there are twelve of us.
Rem rolled on Link's legs.
Her cheek pressed against his abdomen.
Her hands clutched his shirt.
—Guruguru.
Laughter began escaping Link.
He couldn't help it.
—I didn't know you did this.
Rem lifted her face.
—You don't like it?
The vulnerability in the question erased his laughter.
—I love it.
She smiled.
Settled down again.
—Guruguru.
The four lesser spirits approached.
The red flame positioned itself on one side of Rem's head.
The golden sphere on the other.
Their lights stretched.
Two points appeared among her blue hair.
Ears.
Luci watched.
The quasi-spirit tilted her head.
Then descended to Rem's back.
She extended a line of golden light behind her body.
The line curved.
A luminous tail appeared over her skirt.
Link froze.
Rem moved her head.
The light ears twitched.
The tail swayed.
Subaru stood.
—REM-NEKO!
—Shut up.
—You have a blue cat on your lap!
—I can see her.
—I need a camera!
Link moved one hand toward his pocket.
Stopped.
Rem was not in a condition to decide.
—No.
Subaru looked at him.
—You're refusing a photo?
—She's drunk.
—She has fire ears.
—I'll remember it.
Ram approached.
She studied her sister.
The ears.
The tail.
The movement of her head.
Rem opened her eye.
—Nee-sama.
—Rem.
—Guruguru.
Ram went still.
Her glass lowered.
—Ram will preserve this in her memory until death.
—That's worse than a photograph —Link murmured.
Rem lifted her hands.
Tried touching one of the ears.
The flame moved.
She turned her head to follow it.
The ear shifted.
Rem turned again.
The tail moved the opposite way.
For several seconds, she chased her own lights without leaving Link's legs.
—Guruguru... guruguru...
Subaru covered his mouth.
The sound escaping him was one of pain.
—I can't take this.
Emilia looked over.
Her eyes lit up.
—Kitty!
She abandoned Subaru.
Approached with her arms open.
Link instinctively protected Rem.
—Wait.
Emilia knelt.
—I want to hug her.
Rem lifted her head.
—Emilia-sama.
—Come here.
The maid looked at Link.
Then Emilia.
Then back at Link.
He loosened his arms.
—You can go.
Rem sat up.
Moved forward on her knees.
Emilia received her.
Her arms wrapped around Rem.
Silver cheek rubbed against blue.
The light ears moved.
The tail curled around both of them.
—Soft —Emilia said.
Rem answered:
—Guruguru.
Emilia stroked her hair.
—Very pretty.
—Emilia-sama pretty.
They rubbed cheeks again.
Subaru came beside Link.
Both watched.
—I understand the camera thing —Link said.
—Thank you.
—I'm still saying no.
—Moral coward.
—You would have one if it were Emilia.
Subaru looked at the half-elf.
She was hugging Rem and smiling with her whole face.
—I can't deny anything.
Ram stood beside them.
—Ram will record it for both of you.
—You aren't a machine —Subaru said.
—Ram's memory surpasses Barusu's usefulness.
Rem extended one hand toward Link.
She did not leave Emilia's arms.
—Link.
He approached.
—Yes?
Rem grabbed his sleeve.
Pulled.
Link lost his balance.
He ended up sitting beside them.
Rem partially abandoned Emilia's embrace and fell against his chest.
Emilia leaned against his opposite shoulder.
Link was trapped between both of them.
Subaru opened his mouth.
—This is betrayal.
—I didn't organize any of this.
Rem rubbed her head beneath his chin.
—Guruguru.
Emilia rested her forehead against his shoulder.
—Warm.
Link lifted both hands.
He had no idea where to put them.
Rem took one.
Placed it on her head.
—Here.
Emilia took the other.
Placed it on hers.
—Here.
Subaru fell to his knees.
—The man who cannot get drunk received all the rewards.
—This is not a reward. It is a complex tactical situation.
Ram drank.
—The gardener is smiling too much to be suffering.
Link tried controlling his face.
He couldn't.
Puck completely forgot that he had sworn to protect Emilia from alcohol.
Roswaal refilled his container every time the level fell.
The Great Spirit floated inside it.
Only his head and tail remained above the surface.
—Another —he requested.
—Nii-cha —Beatrice said.
—Betty.
—You promised to watch Emilia.
Puck turned inside his bath.
Looked at his contractor.
Emilia was leaning against Link, stroking one of Rem's luminous ears.
—She looks safe.
Beatrice tightened her grip on the juice.
—She's drunk.
—Happy.
—That isn't the same thing.
—Sometimes.
Roswaal added more liquor.
Puck sank down to his nose.
Beatrice trembled.
Not from cold.
From indignation.
Subaru approached.
—Beako.
—Don't call me that.
—Come to the terrace.
—Betty is already on the terrace.
—Farther away.
—Why?
Subaru raised two glasses.
—Juice.
—I already have some.
—This one has ice.
Beatrice looked.
Small cubes floated inside.
—An insignificant difference.
—There are stars too.
—They were already there.
Subaru sat beside the railing.
—You don't have to stay.
Beatrice looked at Puck.
Roswaal had just handed him another glass.
The spirit used it to refill his bath.
The little human library closed her eyes.
Walked toward Subaru.
—Only until Nii-cha regains his judgment, I suppose.
—That could take centuries.
—Then you'll have to be quiet for centuries.
—Impossible.
—Betty already knew.
She sat nearby.
Not too close.
Subaru lifted his glass.
—Cheers.
Beatrice tapped hers against it.
—Cheers.
For several seconds, they watched the stars.
The air was cold.
Snow reflected the moon.
Subaru pointed toward one particularly bright light.
—That's the North Star.
—It's south.
—Then it's the South North Star.
—You're inventing things.
—I'm adapting knowledge.
—Lying.
—Emilia-tan has demonstrated that lying causes physical pain. I prefer adapting.
Beatrice followed the direction of his finger.
—Were the stars in different places in your homeland?
The question was quiet.
Subaru did not look at her.
—Yes.
—Very different?
—Very.
—Then you're lost.
His smile faded.
—A little.
Beatrice drank her juice.
—The star you pointed at really can be used to navigate.
Subaru turned.
—Really?
—Yes.
—Then I was right.
—By accident.
—Accidents build careers.
—Yours will end soon.
Subaru laughed.
—My name comes from stars too.
Beatrice looked at him.
—Subaru?
—A group. Lots of stars together.
—You don't look very bright.
Ram had appeared behind them.
Subaru jumped.
—Since when were you there?!
—Long enough.
—This was a private conversation.
—Then you were talking too loudly.
Beatrice looked up at the sky.
—Which one is Subaru?
The young man searched.
The constellations did not match.
He could not find the Pleiades.
He could not point toward his own home.
—I don't know.
The answer came out more honestly than expected.
Beatrice lifted her face.
Subaru continued.
—Maybe it doesn't exist in this sky.
—Then find another.
—Another star?
—Another group.
Beatrice pointed toward the terrace.
Emilia.
Rem.
Link.
Ram.
Roswaal.
Puck submerged in alcohol.
Charmander trying to hand a tray to a chair.
Luci chasing Rem's luminous tail.
—You already seem to gather strange things around you, I suppose.
Subaru looked.
Smiled.
—That counts too.
—Betty did not say it was a good thing.
—Too late.
Beatrice looked away.
She did not leave.
Link managed to free himself from Emilia when she decided her cake needed protection inside the ballroom.
Rem did not release him.
She clung to his waist while he tried to stand.
—We need to move.
—No.
—My legs are asleep.
Rem bit his thigh.
Not hard enough to injure him.
Enough to make Link jump.
—Again?!
She rested her cheek on the bitten spot.
—Pillow.
—You don't need to check it with your teeth.
—Yes.
—Why?
—Link.
—That isn't an explanation.
—Guruguru.
The tail of light curled around his waist.
The ears moved.
Link covered his face.
—I'm not going to survive this.
Ram occupied the nearby chair.
Around her stood enough bottles to explain the collapse of a dynasty.
Her posture remained perfect.
—The gardener declared that he preferred death by Wolgarm to social embarrassment.
—That was different.
—Rem is behaving like a cat on your lap in front of the entire household.
—Exactly.
—Then the forest remains available.
Link looked at Rem.
She watched him from below.
Red cheeks.
Soft eyes.
Light ears.
—I'm not leaving her.
—Then stop complaining.
Rem smiled.
—Link stays.
—Yes.
—With Rem.
—Yes.
—All night.
Link hesitated.
—I'll stay with you until you fall asleep.
She frowned.
—All.
—We'll discuss that when you're sober.
—Sober.
—No.
—Guruguru.
Ram drank.
—Solid defense.
Link stroked her hair.
The purring returned.
—Guruguru... guruguru...
The vibration was imaginary.
He could have sworn he felt it against his legs.
—Were you always hiding this?
Rem moved her head.
—Work.
—What about work?
—Rem does work.
—A lot.
—Cannot guruguru.
Link stopped stroking her.
—No?
Rem pushed her head into his palm.
—Can now.
He resumed.
—Then you can do it whenever you want.
—Even when working?
—Perhaps not while holding knives.
—After.
—After.
—With Link.
—Yes.
Rem closed her eyes.
—Good.
Ram watched her sister.
Her expression remained cutting.
Her gaze did not.
Link noticed.
—You've never seen her like this?
—No.
—You said oni tolerate alcohol.
—Most do.
—And Rem?
Ram looked at the bottles.
—Rem did not participate in the adults' gatherings.
The tone shut down any question about the village.
Link did not press.
—So this is her first time.
—Probably.
Rem raised one hand.
—Nee-sama.
Ram approached.
—What?
Rem searched for her hand.
Took it.
—Warm.
Ram looked at the red collar.
—An annoying object.
—Pretty.
—Rem is not in a condition to evaluate.
—Link made it.
Ram lifted her eye toward him.
—The gardener accumulates unnecessary opinions.
Rem brought her sister's hand to her cheek.
Rubbed against it.
—Guruguru.
Ram froze.
Link had seen many possible ways for the world to end.
That was one of the least expected.
Ram's expression softened.
One fraction.
Her fingers stroked the blue hair.
—What a troublesome creature.
Rem smiled.
—Nee-sama.
—Yes.
—Guruguru.
—Ram is listening.
Link looked away.
That moment did not belong entirely to him.
It did not need to.
The party progressed toward disaster with deceptive slowness.
Emilia decided that every person needed a cake.
She repeatedly distributed the same three sweets, removing them from some plates and placing them on others.
Subaru tried following the process.
He gave up.
Roswaal and Puck debated whether a spirit could prefer a particular harvest.
Puck insisted it could.
Roswaal gave him a bottle.
Beatrice remained with Subaru on the terrace.
Ram continued drinking with no change beyond a very faint flush.
Charmander discovered an empty glass.
Tried to drink.
The liquid poured through its jaw and emerged from its chest.
The lagmite sparked.
Link saw from across the room.
—No!
A kagune crossed the ballroom.
Removed the drink.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—It didn't work.
The thumb lowered.
Luci positioned herself in front of the statue.
—Bad.
Charmander tilted its head.
—She's in charge —Link said.
Rem raised one hand.
—Rem too.
—You too.
—Rem commands Link.
—Sometimes.
—Always.
Ram drank.
—Alcohol has given her clarity.
Link looked at his partner.
—We'll negotiate the hierarchy tomorrow.
Rem sat upright.
The light ears rose.
The tail lashed through the air.
—Rem commands.
—Fine.
She dropped back down.
—Guruguru.
—You surrendered too easily —Ram said.
—The goal was to get her to lie down again.
—The gardener has no pride.
—I have priorities.
Rem took Link's hand.
Placed it on her waist.
—Here.
He held her.
—Yes.
—Closer.
Link adjusted her against his stomach.
Rem buried her face beneath his jacket.
—What are you doing?
—Hidden.
—Everyone knows you're there.
—No.
One luminous ear stuck out.
Ram pointed toward it.
—The creature lacks skill at concealment.
Link covered the ear with his jacket.
Rem let out a low laugh.
—Guruguru.
Subaru did not reach the end of the evening completely sober.
His tolerance was high for someone with little experience.
Not infinite.
He had drunk several glasses while attempting to keep Emilia under control. The excitement, cold, and hours without rest eventually took their toll.
His conversation with Beatrice slowed.
—So... my name is a group.
—You already said that.
—Many stars.
—That too.
—And if one is missing...
Beatrice looked at him.
Subaru stared at the sky.
—What happens if one is missing?
—The group still exists —she answered.
He thought.
—Yeah.
—Though it changes.
Beatrice's voice was almost inaudible.
Subaru rested his back against the railing.
—I don't want it to change.
The little spirit tightened her grip on the glass.
She did not know what part of the conversation had stopped being about stars.
—Things change even if a useless person objects, I suppose.
—Cruel.
—True.
—You could lie.
—Betty isn't Emilia.
Subaru laughed.
Closed his eyes.
His head fell forward.
Beatrice raised one hand.
Caught his forehead before he hit the ground.
—Barusu.
Ram stood behind them.
—What?
—Ram said Barusu.
Beatrice frowned.
—It doesn't matter.
Subaru tried standing.
Failed.
—I'm fine.
—No.
—The world is moving.
—That usually indicates the opposite.
Ram took one of his arms.
Beatrice held the other.
They carried him inside.
Roswaal watched them.
—A touching scene.
Ram covered Subaru's face with a blanket.
—Now it is.
Emilia fell asleep first.
Puck had abandoned his bath and ended up as a damp ball on her stomach.
Roswaal placed a blanket over both of them.
Not out of declared kindness.
The terrace was cold, and a sick candidate would complicate his plans.
Subaru was left beside a sofa.
Beatrice sat nearby.
Not too close.
Enough to prevent him from rolling away.
Ram collected glasses.
Her steps remained steady.
Roswaal watched her.
—Impressive.
—Ram has training.
—You don't look affected.
—She is.
The margrave raised an eyebrow.
Ram looked at Rem.
Her sister remained on top of Link.
—Ram has seen too much.
—Ah.
—The damage cannot be cured with water.
Roswaal laughed.
Link lifted Rem.
He had not expected it to be easy.
She wrapped her legs around his waist.
—Rem.
—No.
—I have to carry you.
—Already.
—Not like this.
She buried her face against his neck.
—Yes.
Link supported her back and legs.
—This is dangerous.
—Link strong.
—Not for my body.
Rem kissed his cheek.
A crooked kiss.
Near the corner of his mouth.
—For Rem.
The luminous tail curled around both of them.
The ears remained on top of her head.
Luci flew behind, exhausted from maintaining the shape.
Link looked at her.
—You can turn it off.
—No —Rem said.
The quasi-spirit stopped.
—Pretty.
—Yes, you're pretty.
—Neko.
Link closed his eyes.
—Luci learned another word.
Rem raised her head.
—Rem-neko.
—Yes.
—Link's.
Ram walked past them.
—The cat has claimed territory.
—Don't encourage her.
Rem kissed his cheek again.
—Mine.
—Tomorrow we're going to discuss possessives.
—No.
—Yes.
—Guruguru.
Link looked at Ram.
—Can you help me?
—No.
—You're her sister.
—Exactly. Ram will not interfere with an important lesson.
—What am I supposed to learn?
—The consequences of allowing alcohol into the manor.
—She didn't even drink!
—The gardener's incompetence transcends natural law.
Roswaal raised his glass.
—An excellent conclusion.
Link started walking.
Charmander tried following.
Its leg failed.
It fell.
Raised its thumb from the floor.
—Stay.
The thumb lowered.
The four lesser spirits settled around the statue.
Luci followed Link.
Rem tightened her arms around his neck.
—Room.
—Yours.
—Link's.
—No.
She lifted her face.
The wounded expression appeared.
Link almost surrendered.
—You are not using that expression.
—Link's room.
—You're drunk.
—Didn't drink.
—That makes it worse.
—Partner.
—Yes.
—Bed.
—Rem.
Ram stopped at the end of the corridor.
—Ram hopes she does not become an aunt because of alcoholic fumes.
Link almost dropped Rem.
—NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
The shout woke Subaru.
From beneath the blanket came a groan.
—Oni demographics...
Ram continued walking.
—The manor still functions.
Link looked at Rem.
She smiled against his neck.
—Don't laugh.
—Guruguru.
He carried her to Rem's room.
Not his.
The decision survived three kisses on the cheek, two bites to the neck, and one argument in which Rem insisted that her room was anywhere Link happened to be.
He opened the door.
Placed her on the bed.
She did not release his neck.
Link remained bent over.
—Rem.
—Yes.
—You need to let go.
—No.
—I'm going to get you water.
—Later.
—You need to drink.
—Link drank.
—And it doesn't affect me.
Rem lifted her head.
Looked at him.
—Nothing?
—Nothing.
Understanding arrived slowly.
—Link is sober.
—Completely.
The light ears lowered.
—Saw everything.
—Yes.
Rem's face became redder.
It seemed impossible.
She managed it.
—No.
She hid beneath the blanket.
The light tail remained outside.
Link sat down.
—You can't pretend to be sober anymore.
—Rem sleeping.
—You're still wearing your shoes.
—Asleep.
Link removed them.
Put water on the table.
The blanket moved.
A hand emerged.
Grabbed his sleeve.
—Don't go.
Her voice no longer carried the playful tone.
It was small.
Link stayed.
—I won't leave until you fall asleep.
Rem lifted the edge.
Only her eyes appeared.
—Promise?
—Promise.
She made room.
—Here.
Link looked at the bed.
—I'll sit beside you.
—Here.
She tapped the pillow.
—Rem.
The luminous ears trembled.
Luci floated overhead.
The quasi-spirit looked exhausted, but she continued maintaining the image.
—Five minutes —Link negotiated.
—Ten.
—You're the drunk one.
—Fifteen.
—That doesn't follow any logic.
—Partner.
Link removed his boots.
He lay down on top of the blanket, fully clothed.
Rem moved.
Rested her head on his chest.
One arm wrapped around his waist.
The luminous tail fell over both of them.
—Better.
Link stroked her hair.
—I'm not kissing you while you're like this.
Rem lifted her face.
—Why?
—Because tomorrow you might not remember everything.
—Remembers Link.
—I hope so.
—Loves him.
The sentence made him still.
It wasn't a new confession.
She had already said it while sober.
Even so, her defenseless voice found somewhere different to land.
—I love you too.
Rem smiled.
—Kiss.
Link touched his lips to her forehead.
—That one.
She frowned.
—Another.
He kissed one of the light ears.
The flame trembled.
Rem laughed.
—That isn't Rem.
—Part of the costume.
—Here.
She pointed toward her lips.
Link shook his head.
—Tomorrow.
—Promise.
—Yes.
Rem rested her head again.
—Tomorrow many.
—We'll negotiate the amount.
—Many.
—Sleep.
Her hand began moving over his chest.
As though kneading the fabric.
Once.
Again.
—What are you doing?
—Comfortable.
—Are you actually a cat?
—Guruguru.
Link smiled.
Kept stroking her.
The sound returned.
Lower.
—Guruguru... guruguru...
Her breathing slowed.
Her fingers stopped moving.
The light ears dissolved.
The tail disappeared.
Luci descended.
Settled onto the pillow beside Rem.
—Asleep —she said.
—Yes.
—Rem-neko.
—Don't remind her immediately tomorrow.
Luci tilted her head.
—Why?
Link looked at her.
Her vocabulary was advancing too quickly.
—Because she'll die from embarrassment.
—No die.
—It's an expression.
Luci watched Rem.
—Pretty.
—Very.
Link closed his eyes.
The alcohol had not tired him.
The night, however, had struck him in other ways.
Rem shifted.
Tightened her grip on his shirt.
—Link.
—Here.
She did not wake.
—Guruguru.
Link remained.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Long after the negotiation had ended.
The following morning had three kinds of victims.
The first was Subaru.
He woke beneath a table with a blanket over his face, an empty glass in one hand, and the absolute certainty that someone had installed a drum inside his skull.
He sat up.
Hit the table.
—Death.
Beatrice sat nearby.
Reading.
—You haven't died, I suppose.
—That's an opinion.
—Betty watched you breathe all night.
Subaru stopped moving.
—You took care of me?
Beatrice turned a page.
—I prevented you from vomiting on the carpet.
—Still counts.
—No.
Subaru smiled.
The pain punished the action.
—I will never drink again.
Roswaal walked past with a glass in his hand.
—A common statement.
Puck floated behind him.
His fur smelled like a wine cellar.
—I will.
Emilia woke on the sofa.
It took her several seconds to remember where she was.
Then she saw the bottles.
Puck.
Subaru.
—Did I drink?
Everyone looked at her.
—A little —Puck said.
—Did I do anything strange?
Subaru remembered the cakes.
The twelve Subarus.
The declaration about his apparent age.
—Nothing.
Beatrice lifted her head.
—Liar.
Subaru pointed at her.
—I'm protecting her dignity!
Emilia went pale.
—What did I do?
—Nothing bad —he assured her—. You were adorable.
—That doesn't answer me.
Ram entered.
She had no hangover.
She carried a tray of water and wore an especially satisfied expression.
—Emilia-sama attempted to protect three cakes from imaginary enemies.
The half-elf covered her face.
—No.
—She also claimed Barusu was thirteen years old.
Subaru raised one hand.
—She already thought that while sober.
—I did not say thirteen!
—Too late.
The second victim was Emilia.
The third appeared in the doorway.
Rem wore her uniform perfectly.
Her hair was arranged.
Her headdress straight.
Her expression professional.
Too professional.
Link walked behind her.
He looked exactly the same as the night before.
No pain.
No exhaustion.
Not a single sign that he had consumed alcohol.
Ram looked at her sister.
—Good morning, Rem.
—Good morning, nee-sama.
—Guruguru.
Rem stopped.
Subaru's eyes went wide.
Emilia removed her hands from her face.
Beatrice lowered her book.
Puck's ears rose.
Link closed his eyes.
—Ram.
The pink-haired maid maintained an innocent expression.
—Is something wrong?
Rem's face ignited.
—Nee-sama...
—Ram remembers a blue cat.
Subaru stood despite the pain.
—REM-NEKO!
Rem put both hands over her face.
—No.
Luci appeared behind Link.
The little figure raised her arms.
—Rem-neko.
The blue-haired maid staggered.
Link caught her.
—Luci.
—Pretty.
—That you can say.
Rem hid her face against Link's chest.
—Rem never wants to come out again.
He wrapped his arms around her back.
—It wasn't that bad.
—Rem bit Link.
—Twice.
—Three —Ram corrected.
Link looked at her.
—When was the third one?
—In the corridor.
Rem sank farther into his chest.
Subaru began laughing.
His head punished the movement.
He fell back into the chair.
—Worth it.
Emilia approached.
—Rem was reeeally cute.
—Emilia-sama hugged her too.
The half-elf turned red.
—I did?
Ram nodded.
—Several times.
Emilia moved beside Rem.
Both hid their faces.
Puck floated around them.
—Two adorable victims.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
—The dignity of this manor has vanished, I suppose.
Roswaal entered with a cup.
—Dignity never lived here.
Charmander appeared behind him.
It carried a tray with glasses of water.
Subaru saw it.
—No.
The automaton raised its thumb.
—I don't have the strength to fight you.
Charmander handed him water.
Subaru hesitated.
Took it.
—Thanks.
The thumb rose higher.
Link looked at Rem.
Still hiding.
—Do you remember everything?
She shook her head against his chest.
—Fragments.
—The guruguru?
Her body tensed.
—Do not say that word.
—Then yes.
Rem lifted her face.
Her cheeks remained red.
—Link was completely sober.
—Yes.
—The entire time.
—Yes.
—And he allowed Rem to...
—I wasn't going to push you away.
—He should have stopped her.
—I tried.
Ram drank water.
—The gardener accepted his fate enthusiastically.
—Don't help.
Rem tightened her grip on his shirt.
—Did Rem do anything... inappropriate?
Link thought.
Bites.
Claims of ownership.
Requests for his bed.
Luminous cat.
Purring.
—You were affectionate.
—An amount.
—A lot.
Rem closed her eye.
—She is sorry.
—I'm not.
She opened it.
Link brought his face closer.
He did not kiss her yet.
—Last night, you said that while you're working, you can't guruguru.
The color returned violently.
—Link.
—I'm not making fun of you.
—You are.
—A little.
Rem tried pulling away.
Link gently kept her close.
—But you also said you wanted to do it afterward.
She did not respond.
—You can.
—While sober?
—Especially.
Her blue eye searched for any trace of a joke.
Found none.
The embarrassment diminished.
Very little.
—Only when we are alone.
Subaru raised one hand.
—I heard that.
Rem took a glass from Charmander's tray.
Threw it.
Subaru ducked.
The water hit Puck.
The Great Spirit shook his fur.
Beatrice stood.
—Nii-cha!
Ram closed her eye.
Emilia began laughing.
The morning's solemnity disappeared.
Link leaned toward Rem.
—Does that mean you're still my partner?
She looked at him incredulously.
—Of course.
—Last night you tried registering me as property.
—Rem does not remember that.
—I can remind you.
—No.
—"Link belongs to Rem."
She covered his mouth with one hand.
—Do not continue.
Link kissed her palm.
Rem went still.
—Sober —he said.
The blush changed.
It was no longer only embarrassment.
She slowly removed her hand.
—Then he may kiss her properly.
—Here?
Rem looked at everyone.
Subaru still beneath the table.
Emilia laughing.
Puck soaked.
Beatrice drying him.
Roswaal drinking.
Ram watching them with a complete absence of shame.
Charmander raising its thumb.
Luci waiting.
—No.
She took Link's hand.
—Later.
—An amount?
—Many.
Link smiled.
—Promise.
Rem tightened her fingers.
—Promise.
Ram set down the tray.
—Ram hopes the compensation does not result in immediate offspring.
—NEE-SAMA!
Subaru put both hands around his head.
—The oni demographics survived alcohol.
The glass Rem threw this time actually hit him.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Luci floated beside Rem's head.
—Guruguru.
The blue-haired maid closed her eyes.
Link started laughing.
One second later, he had to run.
Rem chased him with the mace.
She did not intend to kill him.
Probably.
The chase crossed the ballroom, the hallway, and part of the garden. Charmander followed with awkward steps. Luci flew above them. Subaru shouted instructions from the doorway while protecting his head from his hangover.
The festival snow had begun to melt.
The sculptures would lose their shape before noon.
The snow cat would disappear.
The luminous ears had already gone out.
But Link would remember the sound for a very long time.
—LINK!
—I WASN'T MAKING FUN OF YOU!
—YOU SAID GURUGURU!
—YOU SAID IT FIRST!
—REM WAS DRUNK!
—WITHOUT DRINKING!
—THAT MAKES IT WORSE!
A kagune latched onto the roof.
Link escaped upward.
Rem jumped after him.
Ram watched from the window.
She touched Crimson Heart at her neck.
The lagmite maintained her natural warmth.
It could do nothing for the headache caused by those two.
—So noisy —she murmured.
Roswaal appeared beside her.
—The party was a success.
—The manor smells of alcohol, Nii-sama is wet, Emilia-sama wishes to disappear, Barusu is dying, and Rem is attempting to murder her partner.
Roswaal took a sip.
—A great success.
Outside, Rem caught one of the kagunes.
Link lost his balance.
Both fell into the snow.
They did not separate immediately.
Ram closed the curtain.
—Ram does not wish to see the rest.
Link's voice came from the garden.
—CAN I KISS YOU NOW?
Then Rem's:
—ONLY IF YOU NEVER SAY IT AGAIN!
A brief silence.
—Guruguru.
The mace struck the snow.
The entire manor heard Link's laughter.