ARC Three: The Other Days

Chapter Fourteen: Mayonnaise and Musicians

It had been three days since the Ma-beast incident, when Subaru and Batman had finally defeated the cursed loops. Everyone was eating to begin the day, when everyone began noticing Subaru was acting strangely.

"-No more, send me back home. I can't this anymore!"

Slamming his hands on the table, he alerted everyone to his unknown pain. Rem tried to comfort him, but he was having none of it. Emilia sent Puck to him just to make sure it wasn't an aftereffect of the curses.

"Nah, he used up a lot of his mana, so might be weak. But nothing about curses-?"

Puck was grabbed by Subaru who began to pet him in a shaking manner.

"Myyyy, trembling fingers and shallow breathing? It's almost as iiiif he's suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Possibly from a powerful narcotic. Once aaaaa user stops taking such highly addictive substances these soooort of symptoms occur."

Ram looked over at him with such disdain at this point.

"With no background, you were already suspicious. But to think you delved into such tasteless actions, Ram misjudged you Barusu. Rem, move aside, your sister can't kill him."

"Judging me before I can prove my innocence huh? Well, that is a Ram-like thing to do. But I need it…"

Batman tried to think of what was the reason behind his behavior. Subaru didn't seem like the kind of person who dabbled in narcotics. In fact, he wondered if he even knew what some of them were, let alone get his hands on them. No, Subaru seemed like a good boy all things considered. So if not narcotics or the curses…

"Wait a second."

Batman recalled the first time he met Subaru. Subaru and him talked about various topics, but it was one subject specifically, that he remembered clearly.

"Subaru, don't tell me it's-?"

"Yes! I NEED MAYONNAISE!"

Subaru slammed his hands on the table, Puck still trapped in his palms. Batman gave light pat to his own forehead.

Subaru raised his body as he began going into great detail about his role as a "Mayo Lover", a white knight here to spread the gospel. To him, his mother and father, mayonnaise was their justice.

Batman could only squint his eyes at the boy ahead of him, who seemed to be almost glowing intensely.

Emilia wasn't sure what to think of it.

"Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"

"No Emilia-tan! As a mayo lover, even a day without it can be dangerous. But a whole week...well, I'm at my limit."

Batman sighed at this. He didn't really understand it well, but from his conversations with Subaru before, he knew well of his love for the condiment. And if it's true that he ate the stuff everyday, then of course he would have these symptoms.

He pondered if it would be a good idea to let him go cold turkey, but he decided against it. He figured after all the nonsense this young man had been through, he deserved something to latch onto from his previous world.

And so,

"Subaru, why don't you introduce mayonnaise to everyone?"

"Huh?"

"As an expert on the subject at hand, you out of anyone here would be best to bring this condiment you love, to this land."

"...You're right! Hell yeah. What's wrong with that, huh!? I'll do it! I'll bring mayonnaise to this new world. The white fairy will spread her wings in a new flight. FLIGHT OF VALKYRIES!"

"Right right."

Subaru realized he had a new goal in mind for being in this new world.

Rem walked over to him, with sparkles in her eyes and a bright smile accompanying it.

"Understood, Rem will take on Subaru-kun's request!"

"You will? Thanks so much Rem!"

His wet eyes met hers, as she spread her arms wide in a happy manner.

"Let us do this, Subaru-kun. Now the recipe please…"

"...eh?"

"...eh?"

The two stared at each other with their jaws slacked open.

Batman once again buried his face into a hand.

"This is too much."

Batman decided to visit the Forbidden Archive after breakfast and left the "Mayo Party" to their own devices. He kept looking into anything that could help him find a way home. He read any books that he was allowed access to, though many books were still not permitted to him. He would sit there for about an hour or so, even Beatrice started to get comfortable of having him in there with her. At first, she was adamant about it, coming to the conclusion that he would be a nuisance to her much like Subaru.

But she was surprised to see that he wasn't, he mostly kept quiet and sometimes would bring tea and snacks with him. She didn't want to admit it, but she had become quite complacent with it.

Batman closed one of his books and moved to place it back on it's shelf. He then looked over at the young girl sitting on her stool, reading from a book that was twice as large as her.

"Hey Beatrice."

"Hmmm? And here Betty thought you would stay entirely quiet this time. Yes, what is it?"

"So you're sure you know nothing about other worlds? Or even any rumors about it?"

"In the case of Betty's knowledge of it, the answer is still no. For the matter of rumors, Betty hardly steps out of the library, so I have no knowledge of the outside world, let alone other worlds, I suppose."

"I see. Sorry for bothering you."

"Still…"

Beatrice set her book on the ground and looked over at Batman who leaning on a bookshelf.

"Is it true to assume, you claim to be from beyond The Great Waterfall?"

"Oh, right. I read that this world is considered flat, and that the corners of the world is nothing but waterfalls that fall into nothingness, is that correct?"

"Simplified yes, I suppose. But there have been quite many who claimed to be from beyond it, all of them, were most likely lies, I suppose. But you…"

Beatrice walked over to him and stared, her blue eyes, with a pink butterfly symbol in them, squinted a bit.

"While that boy, no doubt, has the witches scent, you have something else. Yes, it is the smell of magic, I suppose. Not from you per say, but you have been around magic that even I do not recognize."

"...Well, I did know some teammates that dabbled into it."

"...I see."

Beatrice walked away from him and sat back on her stool, taking a sip of tea as she murmured something to him. He didn't pay heed to it, and continued reading.

After an hour passed, Batman moved to head on out, as he turned around one last time.

"Beatrice, thank you again for putting up with me."

"Betty does not need your thanks. The only thing Betty needs, is for that troublesome boy to apologize for bothering her at night, I suppose! Such a nuisance!"

"Heh, I don't know. You two seem to get along so well, like a couple of friends. I dare say, you're like siblings."

"...If you don't want me to blast you away please cease your vile words and get out, I suppose!"

Beatrice's face was red with fury, seeing this made Batman chuckle a bit as he waved back at her.

"See you at lunch."

"..."

Batman closed the door and made his way to training.

Beatrice looked at the closed door and closed her eyes slowly.

"Betty...doesn't need friends..."

She then lowered her head a bit and looked at the floor. Her lone self being the only one now in the quiet library.

"...especially not you two…"

At lunch, Batman was surprised that the combined efforts of Rem and Subaru had yielded success. There before him, was a steamed yam with mayonnaise on top of it. Puck was the first to try it and gave it high praise. Emilia also found it quite delicious and Roswaal seemed to enjoy it as well.

Batman grabbed his yam and ate into it, chewing into it with an emotionless expression.

Subaru looked over at him, chewing his yam with a cheerful smile, putting up a quick thumbs up.

Batman only smirked a bit, before finishing his yam. He looked over at the two compatriots, Rem and Subaru, nodding in approval of their final product.

"Good job, you two."

Batman and Subaru later took a yam to Beatrice, though she refused at first. Eventually, she ate it, and put on a face of annoyance.

Most likely because she liked it, but just didn't want to admit it.

The next morning, Batman was walking down the halls as he heard a noise.

"-Rem! Rem! Get in here!"

Batman ran over to the sound, it seemed to be coming from the bath areas.

There he saw it…

Natsuki Subaru, once a human male, now completely covered in mayonnaise. It seemed Rem took an off-handed joke from the boy and transformed him into the inhuman creature before his eyes.

Subaru now noticed him standing there, staring in awe.

"Mayonnaise Menace. Is this the birth of the next great hero?"

"HUH?! And just what kind of insult was THAT?!"

His yell boomed through the mansion in the early hours of the morning.

Ultimately, Ram was chosen to reproduce mayonnaise to keep a sizeable supply.

Batman's offhanded joke would now be sometimes used by Ram to further insult Subaru.

The Mayonnaise Menace could only shrug his shoulders at these turn of events…

Two days later, a traveling minstrel had arrived in the mansion.

Her name was Liliana Masquerade.

She was there to gain assistance from Roswaal in finding a new heroic tale to sing. She was desperate to find one, but Roswaal didn't really know of any. Batman wondered if he could tell her about any of his allies from back home. Any of them could have their tales sung by this aspiring minstrel.

"I guess not."

He ultimately decided against it. He figured hardly anyone would believe her, plus the fact that none of them were even in this world would just make things more awkward.

After having trouble with saving her from some obsessive fans and a rogue mercenary group, they sent her on her way.

But her original goal, of finding a heroic tale to sing about, was found.

"Hey Hey! I decided on what I'll sing about!"

"Ah! I see the great manservant of steel, Natsuki Su-!"

"No you silly fool!"

"HARSH!"

Liliana turned her small body to look up at the man who she was referring to.

"Batman-san!"

"...Me?"

"Yes, yes! You are what makes a great hero! The way you fought those goons off, the crazy magic you use to disappear and reappear from the shadows! And you are crazy strong! A real hero!"

"Well, I don't know if-"

As Batman was trying to finish his sentence, he looked again at the young girl. She had a downcast look on her eyes, almost as if she were ready to begin crying.

"...Alright. I humbly accept your offer to sing my tale."

"R-really? Yay! Thank you so much! I will do my best to bring honor to your name!"

"...I'm sure you will Liliana."

Liliana was given a ride to the capital with Roswaal's help, as everyone waved her goodbye. Subaru noticed that Emilia was giving a heartfelt smile and liked it.

As the residents slowly returned to the mansion, Emilia made a happy determined look and formed a fist in her hand.

"I've decided I'm going to sing for the villagers in about a week."

Everyone was stunned to hear this.

Subaru was okay with the idea, he loved the fact that the girl he loved was going to sing a bright beautiful song that would most likely win his heart.

But it was Ram who interjected.

"Emilia-sama, have you ever really sung before?"

"Uh, well...not really. B-But I think I can do this! I want to show everyone that I can do anything and well.."

She paused a bit. Then gave a new happy excited expression.

"I want to show them that I'm a person with some talents and I hope this will ease them around me. Plus, hehe, I was really inspired by Liliana. So...I'm ready to do whatever it takes!"

Everyone was impressed with her declaration, and so it fell on to Ram to help her practice singing. Luckily it appeared that the Roswaal had in fact an insulated music room in the west hall. So with that, the girls could enter there and practice every night before the event.

Subaru was slightly worried, but he did his best to trust in Ram.

On the day of the event, Emilia stood behind the curtain of the stage that had been quickly built. Subaru and Batman peeked out at the crowd that had gathered.

"Oh man, isn't this like, more people than we expected?"

"Apparently, Roswaal invited several promising figures from the capital to see the performance."

"Geez, that guy always is a crafty one! I'll give him a scolding later."

"Hopefully, this doesn't affect her too much. Right Emi-?"

As the two turned around to look at her, they saw that she was trembling and a tear forming in her right eye.

The two could only give an anxious expression as they realized it.

"She has stage fright!"

Puck was now in charge of calming her down. Rem, Subaru, Ram and Batman tried to come up with a quick plan.

It was suggested that someone should go up on stage to distract the guests and give Emilia time to calm down.

Rem and Subaru couldn't sing to save their lives.

Subaru's voice was too loud and he never sang in front of a crowd since he was in grade school.

Rem had a soft voice, but she never sung in her whole life, so her rhythmic timing was poor.

Ram could sing, but she had to attend to Roswaal and some of his guests, so it was a no go.

With those options out, the three turned to their last hope.

"...ah no."

Batman only sighed at his predicament.

Subaru placed his hands together in a pleading motion.

"Please Batman-san. You're our last hope. C'mon, be a hero! That's what you are right?"

"Last time I checked I fought crime, not musical performances."

"Please!"

Subaru gave a honorable bow to him. Batman became quite uncomfortable with this. Rem and Ram also followed through with their own bows. And with perfect unison.

"We beg of you. Please help Emilia-sama."

Batman lowered his shoulders in utter defeat.

"Do I even have a choice in the matter?"

It was only a few minutes later that Subaru stepped onto the stage and began to inform the audience.

"Uh...Ladies and gentleman! Due to some unforeseen circumstances, our main event will take a bit more time to prepare for."

The audience began to murmur their annoyance at this.

"So to pass the time quicker we have an extra performance. Everyone, give a round of applause for Bru- I mean, Batman!"

Batman stepped out of the curtains and stood next to Subaru, he began to whisper to him.

"What do I sing exactly?"

"Anything! Just for like, two minutes or so."

"...alright got it."

Subaru moved backstage as Batman stood in front to get closer to the crowd, whispering as he did.

"Can't believe this...I hope the others back home never find out about this."

Batman cleared his throat and peered out at the large crowd ahead of him.

And so he began to sing…

His booming voice became soft and easy on the ears, like something from an opera. The song he was singing was one Subaru heard his dad listen to some years ago.

It was, "What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong", a classic.

Everyone was enraptured by his singing. It was the kind of singing they had never heard before, nor was the song recognizable. But everyone couldn't help but watch intensively at the performance.

Once the song was done, Batman gave a slight nod of his head and moved to head backstage.

Behind him was a roar of applause.

Subaru ran over to him and gave Batman a big high five. Rem had an ecstatic smile on her face as she gave a nod of approval.

"Yeah! That was awesome! You did better than I thought, to be honest."

"Yes, Rem would expect nothing less from a friend of Subaru-kun. That was splendid!"

Batman scratched the back of his neck, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their starstruck expressions.

"But Batman-sa...um, Batman-san...Rem has never heard that song before, is it from your homeland?"

"In way, yes, it's a fairly popular song from where I'm from."

Rem made an excited look on her face, even after her difficulty saying "Batman-san".

Due to Rem's upbringing as a maid, she always used different honorifics for guests and acquaintances. After the ma-beast battle, Batman asked her to drop the Lord honorific in place of a more friendly one, much like she does with Subaru.

At first, she refused, stating that her teacher Frederica would never approve. But Batman explained to her fully well his intent.

"Rem, I don't want to be viewed as someone above you or your sister, I want to be viewed as an equal. Much like how you are with Subaru, I want to get along as allies, not just employees. Think of this as my last request from you in the foreseeable future. Understand?"

"...Yes, Rem understands."

She could only smile at this. Other than Subaru, she never found someone who wanted to be genuine friends with her and it made her overjoyed.

And so Emilia stepped onto to the stage, calmer but still nervous. She glanced around at the crowd who were eagerly awaiting her performance. She looked around timidly, before turning around at the backstage.

Sticking out of the curtains were the heads of four different individuals. Puck who was giving his usual happy demeanor, Subaru who gave a wide smile, while winking his smile, Rem who had her closed and gave a charming smile and Batman who gave a small nod.

Emilia's eyes widened at the four who were giving her encouragement. She smiled and turned back around to give her performance.

Her bell-like voice was enchanting to listen to, it enveloped everyone as she continued singing the folk song Ram had taught her.

And when it was over, another roar of applause was heard, Emilia with slight tears in her eyes gave a bashful bow to the audience. It was a success.

Later, as Subaru and several others were taking down the stage, several villagers were seen surrounding Batman. They were mostly young girls who seemed enamored with him. Subaru could only chuckle, as Batman gave him a slight look desperation.

Though he was working hard now, he felt that earlier singing of both Emilia and Batman was reward enough.

Emilia's singing struck his heart in a warm fuzzy way.

Batman's singing gave him feelings of nostalgia and joy.

They were today's reward.

After the whole event ended, everyone was heading back to the mansion as Batman quickly caught up to Subaru who was gazing lovingly at Emilia.

In the corner of Batman's eye he noticed Rem look over at Subaru then turn quickly around. This made him feel a bit...nervous.

But he soon got into Subaru's field of hearing.

"Subaru, listen."

"Hehehe, yeah Batman-san?"

"Well...did you enjoy yourself?"

"Other than the work afterwards, hell yeah! Though your singing was top-notch, it just still didn't compare to Emilia-tan's. My heart feels like it's about to erupt, like Krakatoa!"

"Sure, sure. But listen, this is important."

"Yeah..?"

Batman's face grew serious as he looked over at everyone who was walking back to the mansion. The backs of everyone was in his sight, giving him time to contemplate what he was about to say next.

"Subaru…"

"...yeah?"

"I think it's time I widened their field of trust of me."

"Well, I think they already trust you enough. You risked your life to save theirs, I think they'll have faith in you-"

"-It's not enough."

Subaru swallowed his breath as he looked up him. Batman looked down at Subaru and was finally able to say what he had thought of saying.

"Listen Subaru."

"..."

"I think, it's time I told them about my past."

When the new morning rises in the mansion, a tragic tale of a hero's origin, would reach the ears of those whom he now trusted most.