ARC Three: The Other Days

Chapter Eighteen: Close to my Heart

Batman continued to watch over the city while perched on the edge of a rooftop. The wind blew just a bit, small leaves passing by him. He scowled as he observed the town for any sign of trouble, but it was obvious that the idyllic tourist city was not in any danger. He let out a small breath as he observed the blue sky above him.

Ram was sitting on her chair as she quietly stared at the empty teacup in front of her. Her eyes tried to stay normal, but she couldn't keep it up. Her eyes gave off a despondent look.

Both of them remembered something from the recent past, that changed their relationship.

It was a few days after Rem and Ram's Birthday.

Bruce was waking up from his usual two hour sleep, he checked his time crystal to see that it was already 10am in Lugnica time. He put on a simple white shirt that he received from the twin maids and stretched his body. He looked over his hands and the nasty scars that they now carried.

Though his hands were healed, the misuse of yang magic had badly injured his hands, even when Rem and Emilia healed him, he still retained the scar tissue.

"I've got to get used to this, I guess."

Bruce was ready to get dressed in his usual armor, when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and he was able to see a serving cart being pushed by a good friend of his.

"Morning Ram."

"Good morning. I suspected you'd like to have some tea. It's part of your usual routine, is it not?"

"You say that as though I'm trying to one day trick you by changing the schedule up. I'm not Subaru, you know?"

"Yes, otherwise I'd probably treat you the same as Barusu and probably give you dirty water mixed in."

"Heh, poor kid."

Ram set up the cart in front of him as he sat on the bed. After she poured him his cup, he took a small sip.

"It's good as always, thanks."

"...You're most welcome."

She then took a seat next to him as sipped her own cup in an elegant manner.

"I hope you're on your break."

"I am merely deepening the bonds between two employees, for the hope of better camaraderie."

"And yet you treat Subaru like he was the dirt underneath an insect."

"Ahahahaha. I'll have to remember to use that on Barusu the next time I see him."

The two lightly chuckled as they continued sipping on their tea. It was peaceful and something that Bruce remembered from his past. But the past was always something that was a double edged sword for Bruce Wayne. Moments of happiness would be cruelly intertwined with moments of suffering.

Love, joy and camaraderie.

All mixed with loss, despair and betrayal.

His slightly scrunched his face to make an emotionless visage. Then, he felt something touch his shoulder.

It was Ram placing her free hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah...just reminiscing about the past."

"...your parents?"

Bruce glanced at her, and for once, he saw her make an expression he had not seen before.

A look of worry.

"Yes and no. I always think about them, but it's also more than that."

"Is that so?"

"Not just family...but friends, lovers and just...a lot of people. I've lost a lot of people I had come to care for and to find comfort through their happiness and safety."

His eyes lowered as he gripped the teacup harder.

"I failed them."

"..."

"But...I still continue on, I have to. Otherwise their deaths were meaningless, and my cause would just fall apart."

It went quiet for a while before Ram turned her body to better face him.

"Batman-san, I...I understand."

"..."

"I don't wish to discuss this too much, but I can say a few things about it. Before we came here to the mansion, my sister and I lost everything, everyone. But I still had Rem, she's all I have."

"I see. Then I'm at least envious for you."

"Envious of me?"

"You still have a family member that you can turn for anything. I don't have that luxury. So far away from home, no one to turn to and on a mission that gets those close to me killed. You're very fortunate Ram."

"I...I never thought of that."

Ram placed her teacup down back on the tray, she had countless thoughts course through her head. She glanced back at Batman and looked at his hands and arms. Scars were all over them, including the injuries he sustained during the Ma-Beast fight. The ones he received for saving her and her precious sister.

"After losing everything, with nothing to show for it...why do you keep going?"

"Because...I can't give up. It just doesn't suit me, or Subaru or Emilia or Rem...and of course…"

He tapped his finger on Ram's forehead, which stunned her.

"Not you Ram. Sure, Subaru admits he finds you lacking in the maid department."

"That little scum."

"But!"

"...!"

"You're smart and tough, to say the least, and you don't let anyone push you around. You have an elegant charm to you and that's why…"

"Yes?"

"No one is going to hurt you or the others. Because now, I have a purpose being in this place. Not just to find a way back home, but to take care of my surrogate family."

"Family? Me?"

"Yes."

The two slightly stared at each other for a while, when Ram looked away for a few seconds.

"In what way…?"

"Pardon?"

"In what way, am I important to you?"

Bruce gave a brilliant smile as he spoke.

"Your one of my best friends Ram. A person close to my heart at the very least."

Ram's cheeks gave a red hue as she looked back at him. She was utterly surprised to hear him say that.

It was something Roswaal never said to her.

Bruce looked back at Ram, he noticed how she was looking at him. And a thought came across his mind.

She is quite beautiful.

He started moving his face closer to her.

Ram stood up with incredible speed before grabbing the cart and moving to the door.

"Ah. Ram, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-!"

"Please leave your cup on the tray after your done. I'll pick it up later, thank you!"

She shut the door behind her leaving Bruce alone in his room. He moved away from the bed and delicately put the teacup on a desk near a window. He placed both hand on the edges of it as he peered out the window.

"What the hell are you doing Bruce?"

He figured it must have been the stress he had been facing for the past few days. Unable to find a way home for so long, his mind may have been tired, that had to be it. His mind had grown soft being surrounded by his new friends.

He wanted some comfort...that had to be it.

It had to be...

He moved his attention to the door as he uttered one last thing.

"Shit."

Ram was outside the room, walking down the hall. Clenching her chest, she was repeating many thoughts in her mind.

I love Roswaal. I'll do anything for him. He saved us. He needs us. So why?

"Why did I feel that way just now?"

She slammed her fist on a nearby wall. She gritted her teeth and lowered her eyes.

"I mustn't betray Roswaal-sama...I mustn't…"

She leaned on the wall as she gripped her chest harder.

"I can't…"

It was after this little incident, that the air between these two became awkward. They spoke less often and Ram would only nod to him, sometimes while looking away.

Back in the present Ram got up and walked outside and felt the wind blow in her pink hair. She looked up at the bright blue sky and gave small breath, whispering to herself.

"I cannot…"

Rem was cheerfully walking right next her date Natsuki Subaru.

Subaru was chatting with her about several stories he knew as a kid.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

The Two Frogs.

The Stonecutter.

Hachiko.

These stories delighted Rem, she smiled, laughed and even at some points cried at the mesmerizing tales.

"Subaru-kun it's wonderful that you know so many tales. Maybe you should write them all in a book?"

"Nah, I'd rather not take credit for someone else's work. If I wanted to write a story, I think I'd rather make up my own one. Gotta work for that success, right Rem?"

"...Yes! Subaru-kun is right as always."

The two chuckled as they continued down the street.

Subaru noticed a small flower stand nearby that Rem was staring at. He motioned her to get closer, she was too timid to do so, so he lightly patted her back as they walked side by side towards it.

They glanced at the flowers that were being sold, Rem being enraptured by their beauty.

"How much for one of each?"

Rem looked at Subaru in surprise, she didn't expect him to be one who was a fan of flowers.

Subaru was able to get each flower into it's own wrapping as he handed over a couple silver coins.

Then, he handed over to Rem a vibrant Blue Rose.

"Subaru-kun?"

"Just thought everyone would be interested if I got them one that best reminded me of them."

"This flower reminds you of Rem?"

"Yeah, and this daffodil reminds me of Emilia and this rose of Ram and hell, even this little buttercup is going to Beako."

"..."

"Why, you don't like it?"

"No no. Rem loves it."

Rem giggled a bit as she happily cradled the rose in her arms.

They soon reached the destination they had aimed for.

"Wow!"

"It's beautiful!"

They were on a small marble bridge that had a great view of the Diamond Lake. It shined brilliantly as the two became mesmerized by it's splendor. Rem looked at Subaru with warm eyes as the light from the lake highlighted his face, making his eyes seem like diamonds themselves.

Subaru smiled back at Rem when he noticed her gaze.

"This is an awesome sight right?"

"Yes, Rem hasn't seen anything more beautiful!"

"I can't wait to bring Emilia here."

"...yes, that would be nice."

Rem looked a bit downcast as she looked at her reflection in the water, she noticed her troubled face and decided to smile again.

"But Rem was here first with him…"

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"Eh, nothing at all Subaru-kun! Just admiring the sight."

"Yeah, it is something."

The two stared at the lake with happy grins on their face. But Rem was looking less at the lake, and more at the reflection of the two of them standing next to each other.

On their way back they noticed a food stand that was selling something that surprised Subaru.

"No way…"

"Subaru-kun?"

Subaru rushed over and saw the snack that caught his attention.

"It's Taiyaki!"

While they were shaped a bit differently, they still had the same aesthetic as the dessert dish back home. He bought a few and carried some over to Rem, he put one in his mouth to help him better. He handed one over to Rem.

"This is..?"

"I don't know what they call it here, but where I'm from it's called Taiyaki."

"Tai-yaki?"

"Yup, they're really good, I really like to munch on these after a long walk."

"Well then, thank you for the meal."

The two of them took bites of their snack and gave off delighted smiles. Rem never had Taiyaki before and was surprised how tasty it actually was. Subaru having found a taste that reminded him of home, wolfed down the treat and happily swallowed it.

"Subaru-kun…"

"Yeah?"

"Rem had a lot of fun today...so, um Rem wanted say…"

"Thank you very much, today is one of Rem's favorite days ever!"

"Hehe you're welcome."

Rem and Subaru continued walking back to the cafe, as that was their meeting spot they agreed to.

When the two of them made it back, Ram was there waiting. Subaru handed over the rose to Ram, who while being surprised, still called him a pervert. Subaru grimaced at this, but lightened up as he saw Batman appear behind him.

Batman and Ram gave each other a glance before moving away to take a seat. This gave some slight concern to the two of them.

"Is everything alright you two?"

"Yes." "Nothing wrong here Subaru."

Subaru decided to let them work out whatever grievances they may be having, as he saw Emilia and Roswaal had just arrived.

"This just a quick break Subaru, we'll go to the lake a little later."

"Boo Boo! You are hurting me here Emilia-tan."

"Goodness, whatever am I going to do with you?"

The group sat on a reserved table as they chatted away about unimportant things. However Rem pulled on Subaru's shoulder.

"Um, Subaru-kun?"

"Huh?"

"Rem just noticed we're out of the snacks you just bought…"

"What?! I just bought a whole box, how are we-?!"

Subaru quickly looked down to see a big bellied Puck laying down where the snacks should've been instead.

"Puck! What the hell!?"

"Sorry Subaru, but I just couldn't resist! They were so good!"

"That's why I bought them! Now I don't have any for Beako! I'll be back you guys, I got to get some more."

He got out of his seat and scratched his hair, before noticing he may have just been given a chance.

"Hey Emilia-tan, wanna tag along, the city is really beautiful at this-"

"-I'd really love to, but me and Roswaal have some things to discuss so you'll have to go it alone. You'll be fine by yourself right?"

"Yeah well-Hey! I'm not a kid alright!? I can do things on my own."

"Alright then. But no talking to strangers okay?"

"Uwah! Fell for it again!"

Everyone had a laugh at Subaru's poor incompetence as he began to stroll away in a huff. But, someone was following close behind.

"Oh, Rem."

"Yes. Rem would like to accompany you, if that is not an issue?"

"No not at all! But are you sure, haven't seen everything already?"

"Yes, Subaru-kun is right. But…"

Rem held her hands together and started to blush a bit as she continued.

"People notice things better with a second viewing. Right, Subaru-kun?"

"...yeah of course. Let's go."

Rem nodded as they both waved bye to everyone. It seemed Rem had become quite addicted to going on 'dates' with Subaru.

Emilia looked at the sleeping Puck with a concerned smile, realizing that she also wanted more of the snacks Subaru purchased. She then turned her attention to Batman and Ram, who seemed to be avoiding each other.

"Um, sooo did something happen between you two?"

"Do not fret Emilia-sama, nothing has happened."

"Don't worry Emilia, nothing's wrong."

Emilia tilted her head not sure what was going on. Roswaal looked over the two of them as he whispered to himself…

"Ohhhh, interesting."

It had been twenty minutes since the two had left to grab more Taiyaki. Rem and Subaru had already been walking back from the stand with more boxes of the snack everyone enjoyed.

Rem wanted to help him, but he declined.

"You work so hard for the rest of us, another relaxing day for you wouldn't hurt."

"I-if Subaru-kun says so…"

The two continued on as Rem stopped suddenly.

"Rem are you okay?"

"..."

"Are not feeling well? I can go get some water for you, if-!"

"Subaru-kun!"

"...Yes?!"

Rem gazed up at him with her cheeks crimson red, her eyes watery and hands clutching her chest.

"S-Subaru..kun."

"Rem?"

"What is Rem to you?"

A small amount of time passed, with utter silence as the two stared at each other intensely.

Subaru broke it with a smile.

"You're one of my best friends Rem, the first girl I ever dated and a person close to my heart."

"Ah."

"Hehe, like that one? Overheard Batman say that to Ram once."

Rem began to tremble at that point, something Subaru had said had touched her heart and she felt a spark fire inside her.

"Subaru-kun…"

"Um, yes…?"

"Rem needs to tell you something."

"...G-Go Ahead."

"Subaru-kun...Rem is…"

She began to have her face turn red and she rubbed her hands together. She got the courage to move closer to him. Subaru started feeling a bit nervous about what she wanted to tell him.

"Subaru-kun! Listen."

"I'm listening."

"Rem is…"

She began to show an expression of absolute bliss, a face even Subaru couldn't help but feel smitten by.

"Subaru-kun...Rem is in l-!"

"Eyaaaaaaghhhhhh!"

A loud thunderous scream broke up their train of thought as they turned to see the origin of the sound. A woman, assaulting a man across the street, bludgeoning him with a hammer.

"What the-!"

Subaru looked down the street to see the rest of the town was attacking each other. Some with weapons, others with their bare hands. A man crashed through a nearby storefront and crawled on the floor in utter pain, a young child followed out of the broken window. Grabbing a shard of glass, he impaled the man in the skull multiple times. But Subaru noticed more than the blood or the man's lifeless eyes, it was the fact the child had tears falling from his eyes and an expression of absolute terror on his face.

"Subaru-kun stand back!"

"Rem!?"

Just then, they both noticed that ahead of them, where the carnage seemed to have spread...an orange mist was rolling towards them. Inside of it a figure was emerging, walking in their direction.

"That's one half of the village done, now for the second. Making good time…"

The figure with the ghastly voice had revealed himself. He was a man with a syringe clawed hand, a tattered brown trench coat, covered in vials of orange liquid and a horrid mask-like face hidden only by his hood.

Rem got in front of Subaru in a battle stance, now wielding her Morningstar. The hideous man peered over to them, his right orange eye staring right at the two.

"Now then, you two….LET ME PEEK INSIDE YOUR HEADS."

Rem and Subaru's peaceful 'date' had now fallen apart, along with the entire town of Dunharrow...with the arrival of Scarecrow.