Chapter 65: Make More Meat
"Hey, senpai, why are you just watching me eat here?" Natsuki Subaru put down his utensils a little awkwardly, looking at Ram who was staring at him across the table, feeling a bit helpless inside.
"Of course, I'm supervising you, Barusu, to make sure you finish the meal Rem prepared with love. If you don't finish it all, then I'll have to help you out," Ram said.
"Calling it 'love-cooked food' is a bit exaggerated. Also, senpai, don't use such a cute expression when saying scary things like that. I'll eat it all properly," Subaru replied.
"Is that so? Then I'll just wait for you to finish so I can clear the plates for you. Consider it care for the sickly Barusu," Ram said.
Subaru twitched his mouth corner and sighed. "Senpai, that's not how you use 'sickly,' and you're only clearing plates, not washing them, right?"
"What! How can useless Barusu understand Ram's thoughts?!"
"...Senpai, it's all written on your face... whatever..."
Giving up on continuing the conversation, Subaru didn't want to starve while chatting with Ram.
Besides, the weather did seem pretty cold today, so it'd be better to finish eating quickly and put on some more clothes—otherwise, getting sick again would be too miserable.
Under Ram's watchful gaze, Subaru quickly finished all the food. Without waiting for Ram to say anything, he cleared the plates, washed them, and put them away.
"Alright, senpai, I'm heading back. It's already late, so you should go to sleep early too. You've been yawning nonstop since a while ago," Ram said.
"That's just your imagination, Barusu," Subaru replied.
After Ram left the room, Subaru thought for a moment and decided to make a cup of hot tea, then took it back to the library.
Back in the library, Subaru cleaned up the basin and other things by the bed and erased the message he had left earlier.
After finishing that, he placed the hot tea on a chair, returned to his room, put on a piece of clothing, grabbed a blanket, and returned to the library.
From the pile of books Beatrice had chosen for him, he pulled one out, sat on the floor leaning against the bed, poured a cup of tea, and softly began reading the contents.
This book recorded stories about sages, and as he read quietly, Subaru once again felt the rewards of his hard work.
The words no longer felt unfamiliar, and he gradually got absorbed in the story.
As Subaru read, Beatrice lying on the bed slowly opened her eyes.
Sitting up, she looked toward the back of Subaru's head. It felt as if the four hundred years of waiting were for this moment.
A slight smile appeared on Beatrice's lips but quickly disappeared.
She quietly knelt by the bed and, without drawing Subaru's attention, poured herself a cup of hot tea. The tea was a bit cold, but her heart felt warm.
"Seriously, you really don't know how to change, huh? You just recovered and you're already pushing yourself like this again," Beatrice said softly.
Hearing this, Subaru stopped reading, didn't turn around, but smiled and replied, "That's not true, Beatrice. I'm changing every minute, every second. For example, right now, I like Beatrice more than before, and I'm becoming more knowledgeable too."
"What!!! What nonsense are you spouting?! Don't think saying that will make Betty happy!"
Subaru closed the book, turned to the blushing Beatrice, and smiled. "Doesn't it look like you're happy?"
"Betty is NOT happy!"
"Yes, yes, Beatrice-sama is not happy at all."
Subaru's tone, like coaxing a child, silenced Beatrice. The library fell quiet.
Neither spoke further, and Subaru silently picked up the teapot and left the library.
Beatrice quietly waited for his return.
"Here you go, Beatrice-sensei. I reheated the tea for you," Subaru said.
"You have good judgment. Beatrice forgives you for your rude remark earlier."
"Shall we continue listening to me read?"
"This is your punishment."
"Then please supervise me, Beatrice-sensei."
Returning to his seat, Subaru resumed reading.
The temperature in the library was slowly dropping, and Subaru tightened the blanket around himself.
Sensing his movement, Beatrice pulled her cup, got off the bed, and sat beside Subaru. Without a word, she covered him with the blanket.
Subaru was momentarily surprised but then covered both of them with the blanket, and they leaned close together. Before Beatrice could speak, Subaru's voice whispered in her ear.
"Next to Beatrice-sensei, it really is warm. Please let me enjoy this a bit longer."
"Hmph, only this once..."
"Mm."
Time passed slowly. The library's temperature had dropped to that of an autumn night, but the two, snuggled close, were sleeping very comfortably.
When dawn came, Subaru shook his body awake.
Maybe it was his imagination, but today felt colder than last night.
He glanced at Beatrice, still sound asleep, and smiled.
Beatrice looked so cute at this moment. Although he had seen this cuteness many times, it never got old.
Though he wanted to keep watching, it was time to work. Softly waking Beatrice, Subaru hurriedly left while she rubbed her eyes groggily.
"Then I'm off to work. See you tonight, Beatrice-sensei."
"Mm... see you tonight..."
Beatrice yawned, tightened the blancket, and went back to sleep. Subaru didn't want to wake her again at this time.
The two often slept close together, and when they woke, Beatrice would usually launch into an embarrassed attack. Better to let her sleep a bit longer now.
Subaru quietly left the library, rubbed his shoulders, and looked at the clear weather outside with some puzzlement. His expression brightened.
"Why does it look so warm outside, but the temperature inside is so low?"
With this question, Subaru went to the kitchen and saw Rem preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Rem-senpai."
"Subaru-kun! You've recovered?!"
Seeing Rem rush to him, flustered and clearly worried, Subaru laughed.
"Yeah. Yesterday's meal was really delicious."
"Subaru-kun, you have to take good care of yourself from now on. You can't afford to get sick."
"I understand! I'll follow Rem-senpai's orders carefully. But why don't I see Ram-senpai?"
"She's still sleeping. The weather's a bit cold today."
"Yeah, it really is cold. But as a senior, you can't sleep in like that. Well then, Rem-senpai, let me go wake Ram-senpai."
"Umm... better let the big sister rest a bit more; she usually works very hard."
"Rem-senpai, you really are a good little sister, but that won't do. Getting up early is very good for your health. Leave it to me."
Before Rem could respond, Subaru quickly disappeared from her sight.
Rem returned to the stove, smiling as she continued cooking breakfast.
"Subaru-kun praised my cooking. I have to make it even more delicious today. Hmm, and pay more attention to nutrition—better make more meat."