Seeing that his attempt to communicate with Ram had once again ended with her sharp defenses, Tsukasa didn't mind at all. He simply shrugged indifferently and turned to leave the guest room.
The door closed gently behind him.
However, after Tsukasa had left, Ram, who remained alone in the room, found that although her gaze was still fixed on the sleeping Subaru, her mind couldn't help but replay Tsukasa's half-joking, half-serious invitation.
"Would you like to be my maid?"
Meanwhile, Tsukasa, having stepped out of the room, strolled down the luxurious corridor covered with long-pile carpets. He stretched his body in Spirit Form comfortably, feeling the wondrous sensation of interacting with reality.
But just then, his stride faltered abruptly, the leisurely expression on his face instantly freezing before shifting into an obviously awkward smile.
"Troublesome. I was so busy teasing Ram that I forgot to ask her where Rem's room is." He muttered to himself.
However, given his personality, he naturally wouldn't choose to turn back and ask. Thus, he had no choice but to rely on his vague impression and continue walking forward along the corridor.
He passed the familiar maid changing room, walked by the luxurious dining hall where he had once dined with everyone, and navigated through several intersections.
"Who are you?"
Just as he reached the spacious courtyard connecting to the mansion, an unexpected figure appeared before him, accompanied by a sweet, puzzled voice.
Standing there was none other than Emilia. Her eyes curiously sized up the tall, white-haired stranger before her. Although she had never seen this appearance before, the aura emanating from him gave her a strange sense of familiarity.
Emilia asked hesitantly, "Excuse me, have we met before?"
Upon hearing this, a slightly wicked and playful smile appeared on Tsukasa's face as he blurted out, "Met? I even held you when you were little."
"Eh?!"
Emilia's eyes widened instantly.
Her face was filled with shock and bewilderment, her voice rising an octave. "W-when I was little?! No way? You're lying, right? Is it true?"
A barrage of confused and incredulous questions spilled from her mouth like a machine gun, instantly overwhelming Tsukasa.
"Pfft..."
Just then, with a soft sound, a small grey cat wobbled out from Emilia's hair.
Puck rubbed his eyes with his tiny paws, stretched, and then said with the world-weary tone of one who has seen it all, "Lia, don't listen to his nonsense. You are Tsukasa, right? That unique fluctuation of mana you possess—once experienced, it's hard to forget for a lifetime."
Seeing Puck ruthlessly expose his joke on the spot, Tsukasa's expression slumped slightly, and he retorted with annoyance, "Tsk, as expected of a cat's nose, it's sharp."
"Oh, so it's Tsukasa-san?"
Upon hearing Puck's explanation, Emilia finally realized, letting out a long sigh of relief, though her cheeks immediately flushed red from the earlier misunderstanding and being teased.
She said, feeling a bit embarrassed and slightly resentful, "Tsukasa-san... please don't tease me like that next time. Also, aren't you supposed to only be able to stay by Subaru's side?"
Tsukasa gave a relatively plausible explanation casually, "Thanks to Subaru's strength improving, I'm able to come out for some fresh air occasionally."
The simple-minded Emilia believed his words without a hint of doubt and then asked with concern, "Then is she awake too?"
"Not yet. It's just that I was too bored staying by myself, so I came out to have some fun."
Tsukasa waved his hand and then seized the opportunity to ask the key question, "By the way, since I have you here, do you know the way to Rem's room?"
Hearing the question, Emilia tapped her chin with her finger, recalled for a moment, and then revealed a gentle smile, giving detailed directions.
"Mm, I remember. Go back along this corridor, pass the dining hall, and then turn left at the second intersection..."
"Thanks. Keep up the good work today."
Before Emilia could finish, Tsukasa, having obtained the key information, reached out with lightning speed and, quite naturally, ruffled her hair. Then, his figure flashed, and he quickly departed in the direction she had indicated, leaving only a laughing remark drifting in the air.
"Hey! You!"
Puck, who had been completely left behind, could only voice his helpless protest in the direction where Tsukasa had disappeared.
Meanwhile, Emilia stood there, stunned, feeling the strange sensation of Tsukasa's touch remaining on her head, her cheeks flushing even redder.
Relying on Emilia's directions, Tsukasa soon found his target. He stopped in front of a simple yet tidy door, clearly sensing the steady and familiar mana fluctuation belonging to Rem coming from behind it.
The corners of his lips curled up unconsciously, outlining a smile filled with anticipation and a hint of mischief.
Without any hesitation, he reached out and pushed the door open with a "click," while calling out loudly into the room with his energetic voice, "Yo! Rem, how's your recovery going? Did you miss me?"
This sudden, familiar voice instantly interrupted the thoughts of Rem, who was sitting quietly by the bed recuperating.
She looked up at the sound, her gaze landing on the tall white-haired man at the door.
However, after only a moment of hesitation and identification, Rem's eyes lit up instantly, and she spoke with an unmistakable tone of certainty, "It's Tsukasa, right?"
This reaction surprised Tsukasa a bit. He had originally thought he would need at least a few hints for her to recognize him in his Spirit Form.
He walked closer, slightly curious, and asked, "Eh? You recognized me so quickly?"
Rem looked at the slight expression of surprise on his face and couldn't help but smile slightly, explaining in a gentle yet firm tone, "Because Tsukasa's presence is special. It is a unique existence that, once seen and once felt, can never be forgotten. So, in Rem's eyes, no matter what Tsukasa turns into, Rem will be able to recognize you immediately."
Hearing these straightforward and sincere words, the corners of Tsukasa's lips curled up into a pleased arc unconsciously.
He walked to Rem's bedside and, very naturally, reached out his hand again, gently ruffling Rem's soft blue hair just as he had done before.
This time, Rem did not dodge, but instead, two faint blushes quietly appeared on her cheeks as she lowered her head slightly, acquiescing to his action.