(Rem x Reader) Re:Reader - Starting YOUR New Life in Another World

Chapter 13: Professional NEETs

Like a light shutting off, all of YN's senses had been disconnected, however an air of weightlessness remained.

Had he been killed as well? Was what had killed Subaru kill him as well?

Floating through the nothingness, these questions plagued YN's mind.

Never once though did fear of real death ever occur to YN. Somehow, he was confident that Return By Death would keep him safe.

It really is a great boon to not fear death.

***

YN felt what he imagined as his soul returning to his body.

To the bed... The guest room bed. Rem will be there. But... If it's like she said, she'll just smell the Witch... Why hadn't she reacted or mentioned such a smell before when I first arrived here...

Just as before, his first conscious breath, the smell of fresh sheets and flowers filled his nose.

From just experiencing the stressful events of what felt like only minutes ago, YN decided to at least enjoy the moment he had in this comfy bed, until.

Subaru: AAAGGHH!

Shooting straight up from bed, clutching his arm, Subaru hollered as if in pain.

Seeing this sudden and split reaction, the twin maids, already in the room, had jumped back, holding each other.

Hearing his yell, YN also bolted upward in bed.

YN: Ahhhh! What's going on??!

Rem: Eeek!

With Rem being on the closer side to YN's bed across from Subaru's, she was not hidden behind Ram like Ram was to Rem, leaving her exposed to yet another sudden outburst, this time from the other unknown guest.

YN quickly realized that Subaru had just came back from a rather violent death, and that the outburst had to have been from Subaru still dealing with that.

I almost thought something was already happening but, it just seems Subaru was being Subaru.

Looking back at the twins, Rem was still giving him a fearful look at his own outburst.

YN could only hold his hands up in apology and innocence, with a weak smile, hoping to portray harmlessness to the freighted girl and hopefully save face.

Rem also returned a weak smile, perhaps in politeness, or perhaps pity, but YN had no time to dwell on that as—

Jumping up, choosing to do his usual "victory" pose whilst standing directly in bed, Subaru had begun his declaration.

Subaru: It's time for Natsuki Subaru to restart yet again! Sorry for the inconveniences I've caused you both!

With that, Subaru jumped down off his bed and barged out the door past the twins, headed somewhere, leaving YN with no idea.

Ram: Rem Rem, please keep an eye on our more lax guest while I pursue for our more active one.

With a quick verbal command to her younger sister, Ram left in chase of Subaru, leaving Rem alone with YN.

With the two alone, Rem turned to YN, and spoke in her usual formal tone.

Rem: Guest-sama, are you feeling alright? How is your head? Emilia-sama had said your companion had mis-steped and caused quite the impact to you when trying to subdue the assailant that had targeted her.

YN: Companion? Oh, you mean Subaru? Yeah I guess we did crash skulls pretty hard but we should be fine now.

Bowing her head in response, Rem replied.

Rem: That is excellent news that you are now in good health, Guest-sama.

Scratching his head in embarrassment, YN went on.

YN: And is that really how Emilia described it? I only jumped in last minute... Subaru was really the one fighting the good fight.

Rem: Yes, that is how Emilia-sama conveyed that evenings occurrence.

YN: Hmm, I see.

Rem: You are too humble Guest-sama—

Stopping herself, Rem spoke again, this time however—

Rem: May Rem ask your name?

She had spoken without her usual cold tone in her still formal attitude.

Hearing Rem speak without the wall of frost she had chosen to maintain, YN's heart had skipped a beat, and he was happy to answer her.

YN: It's YN.

Rem: YN. A lovely name.

With her response, the wind had blow through with a small, but consistent blow, allowing the thin white drapes that ordained the guest rooms windows to flow open, letting a beam of sunshine shine directly on Rem as she smiled and tilted her head to YN.

Tightening his grip on the sheets he still held while sitting up, YN had his moment of motivation.

This. This right here am what I'm going to protect. Subaru may have his reasons with Emilia. But this. I'm going to protect this from whatever happens on the night of the forth day... no matter how many tries it takes.

Taking in the moment as a reward for braving the events that had happened not even fifteen minutes ago to him, YN couldn't help but smile back at Rem.

Only a moment later, the wind had settled, letting the curtains back down, extinguishing the ray of sun from Rem's face, but not blemishing her beauty one bit.

Hearing a commotion from down the hall, what sounded like a door slamming open, another thud was heard right after it, this time from just outside and down below the window. Getting up and peering out the window, YN and Rem watched a disheveled Subaru wander out of the shrubbery, covered in dirt.

Rem: Oh my! Did he fall out of the window? You're... you're companion— Subaru, he isn't...?

YN: No no, just clumsy. Well, I best go down there and play wing-man for him, least he makes an ass out of himself in front of Emilia covered in dirt.

As YN was leaving to head downstairs, Rem called to him.

Rem: YN.

YN: Hmm?

Rem: Rem should warn you, that isn't dirt.

She had said, shaking her head. YN simply replied with a cocked eyebrow at Rem raising a question as to what exactly she meant.

Rem: Rem has... well... spread manure for the well-being of the garden just yesterday, so that isn't dirt covering Subaru.

With a moment of silence, YN stared at Rem before bursting into laughter.

YN: Hahahaha! He's gunna need a wing-man and a bath now. Poor Emilia, having to put up with him now.

YN shook his head before turning to leave out the door, but turned back one last time to Rem.

YN: And hey, Rem?

Rem: Yes?

YN: Thanks again.

With Rem tilting her head, she asked.

Rem: For?

Casting his eyes down at the floor, he had realized she hadn't yet helped him learn to read or write, but nonetheless, she did deserve thanks for one thing.

YN: Just, thanks for being so friendly and welcoming.

It took a moment for Rem to process the impact of YN's thanks, but as she did, she tilted her head to the other side and smiled once again as she had before.

Rem: Of course. It's my pleasure.

It was much more then YN had expected. In truth, he had almost guessed she would have simply bowed and spoke again with her formal tone, but this was different.

With that, YN turned and made his way down the hall to the stairs to take him outside to where Subaru was surely struggling with Emilia.

I will definitely protect that smile. No matter what. I will protect Rem.

As YN had hurried along, leaving Rem by herself in the guest room, her smile fizzled away, leaving only a rather somber expression, one that expressed conflict and mix of other complicated emotions.

Bringing a fist to her chest, Rem stared out the door YN had left. She felt conflict at the very core of her being. One of great suspicion, but also one of great longing.

He just... as soon as he woke up... the smell was much stronger then it had been when Emilia-sama had brought them here. I don't think he knows though, but that's still no excuse...

Rem's maiden heart was in a bind as to where her feelings landed.