After blowing Subaru away, Beatrice let out a sigh, her expression one of satisfaction as she smiled gently.

Then, shifting her gaze, she turned her palm outward,

“Serves you right, you know. …Nii-cha, over here.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s catch up later, Ria.”

Called by the beckoning girl, Pack floated towards the door. Welcoming his arrival with her palm, the door was finally closed, signaling the end of that turn.

The turn to cut the opponent’s card was over, and now it was Subaru’s turn. However, with his body battered and bruised, his will to play the next card had weakened considerably.

Subaru looked up resentfully at the twins, still stepping on him, as they carefully adjusted the angles of the furnishings,

“Sure, I get that compared to me, an utterly broke guy, your priorities would be higher over there… but a maid stepping on a guest, how’s that for service?”

“Oh my, did you hear that, sister? Such a silly thing to say,”

“Indeed, I heard it, Rem. That was quite a regrettable statement.”

“Rude! And hey, if you’re fine, then just get off already! By the way, are your underwear matching in blue and pink? That’s the only part I’m willing to praise… bang!”

Subaru’s words were cut off as both twins stepped on his face. “Kya-yaa!” they synchronously exclaimed in a monotonous tone while moving away. As they looked at Subaru, who was rising with footmarks on his face, they clasped hands and leaned in together,

“Because you’re a guest… or should I say, since Subaru-kun will become a colleague now?”

“Since you’re a guest… or should I say, Balus, we’re in the same position as your underlings, no?”

“Hey, one of you, my name is turning into a blinding spell here!”

It was a classic joke, one that almost everyone experienced in middle school. The pink-haired girl tilted her head, seemingly baffled by the unintended crossover from his original world.

However, there was a point in their words as well. It meant that,

“Is my position that of a mere servant? Really, a servant’s errand boy?”

“Given the current situation, helping out with the tasks around the mansion by following the orders of Ram and Rem seems to be the best course of action, wouldn’t you agree?”

“If there’s any dissatisfaction, it’s with my past self who mistakenly thought hiring and supporting were the same… Well, it’s all about how you look at it! Who knows, that girl I like might find my determined side quite charming!”

There’s an image of a true man who can lend a hand with labor and social service.

Glancing at Emilia in anticipation, she responded with an ambiguous smile towards Subaru’s gaze,

“Um, I’m not sure, but do your best, okay?”

“You can trust me like I’m on a super luxurious cruise ship! Even though I’ve never worked a day in my life!”

With zero work experience, I’d yet to even resolve to gain some. The remarkable progress I made as someone who was a full-on lazy bum was almost something to be proud of.

However, it seemed the surroundings didn’t quite share in Subaru’s joy.

“Sister, sister. I was foolish to think Rem could help even a little bit,”

“Rem, Rem. I was foolish to expect any shortcuts from Ram.”

“Sister, you should learn to wrap your real thoughts in polite lies!”

The twins didn’t hide their feelings of disappointment. They desperately tried to refute, but even Emilia beside them sighed tiredly as if her spirit was broken.

Seeing Subaru’s expression so pitiful, Emilia hastily prefaced, “Still, given the way Subaru’s fingers move, he might have had no choice. I guess he was in a position where he didn’t have to work,”

“Hearing that makes me feel like I’m in a seriously shady position,”

“People are working hard to cover for you, don’t make light of it!”

As if putting on a voice, Subaru received a light flick on the forehead from Emilia, who then caught his hand as it extended.

“Ah,” he exclaimed, astonished by her arm, admiring the slenderness and beauty of her fingers. She didn’t look like someone who labored.

“Nakama!”

“That pronunciation I really, really dislike. And we’re not the same. I can handle all my own affairs adequately. Though I’m currently in this mansion, I’ve managed just fine on my own.”

Shaking off his captured hand, Emilia puffs her chest with light pride. Feeling a sense of superiority through her household skills over Subaru.

Such somewhat childlike traits were unexpectedly cute, though she mistakenly thought of those gestures as ‘elegant’.

“In any case, I really don’t appreciate being treated as useless! Just so you know, I’m not completely hopeless at housework either! I have my specialties!”

“Really? That’s surprising. What exactly can you do? Cooking, laundry… cleaning?”

“Sewing!”

“That’s surprisingly skillful!”

Subaru pouted his lips while expressing his dissatisfaction like he had been hit from an unexpected angle, feeling annoyed.

Not a lie or a bluff; it’s true that I excel at needlework. Threading small needles and utilizing them for mending was one of Subaru’s hidden skills.

“I can attach buttons when they fall off and mend torn little items! Also, I’m good at adding a little embroidery to clothes or accessories!”

“That’s too handy, yet I wouldn’t know when to actually use it…”

Saying that, Subaru thought it was indeed true.

Compared to the ordinary household chores like cooking, laundry, and cleaning, sewing skills felt somewhat more niche. It wasn’t exactly essential compared to those three.

“I wonder what made the people in Subaru’s house teach him that…”

“I think they just didn’t think about it; I just kind of figured it out by myself.”

Emilia’s eyes lit up with interest as she responded with “Oh, I see?” But Subaru disregarded it, waving his hand dismissively.

Turning back to the twins, he puffed out his chest unnecessarily grandly and declared,

“So then, what kind of job are you going to assign to me? Let’s hear the opinions of the elder sisters who are in charge! Let’s smash this task to pieces!”

““Crush to pieces.””

“That!”

The trio exchanged silly glances over a word that took a moment to recall. Watching the increasingly synergistic dynamic of the servant group, Roswaal nodded contentedly, touching his chin.

“How beautiful it is when you all get along. Furthermore, it’s quite splendid as an employer that there are no hidden grudges between you all. Isn’t that right?”

“It feels easy to work together, like we’re strangely in tune? I definitely think we’re compatible, even more so than with that loli!”

“You really disliked being compatible with Beatrice, huh?”

Emilia murmured that pitifully as if underscoring the noisy exchanges that had punctuated this long breakfast.

Lightly clapping his hands, Roswaal gathered the gazes of the remaining four and then pointed to a framed object hanging on the wall.

As they followed his pointing, Subaru expressed his confusion with a furrowed brow.

—What was embedded in that frame wasn’t the small paintings that had been spotted along the corridor, but a crystal about the size of a fist.

The crystal, dark blue like the bottom of a deep pool, exuded an eerie light, faintly capturing the gazes of the five in the dining hall. Roswaal pointed at it,

“See? Time is running out, we’re halfway through the time of water. Time is limited, let’s move efficiently. —Ram and Rem, as I stated earlier. Emilia, please stop by my room once. That’s all, dispersed!”

With Roswaal’s words, the breakfast gathering was completely over.

Rem swiftly started clearing the dishes from the table, while Emilia sighed thoughtfully as though contemplating the upcoming schedule. Roswaal approached Subaru with a spring in his step, patting Subaru’s shoulder, who was still feeling rather left out.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of work you’ll do. Of course, since you’re hired, you’ll be paid, so don’t worry about that,”

“For the employment details, we can discuss them later… For now, thanks for the accommodation. Should I call you ‘Lord’ or something?”

“Haha, you can just call me Rosu as long as it’s not in front of guests. It’s surprisingly refreshing to be called by that nickname.”

Winking with his yellow eyes, Roswaal waved lightly as he exited the dining room. Just before leaving, he gave a subtle glance to Ram, who then turned crimson, nodding silently as if given a wordless cue.

The twins, who usually bore little change in expression or tone, only loosened their demeanor around Roswaal. A thought of ‘loyal dogs’ crossed Subaru’s mind.

“Well then, Balus,”

“Ah, so we’re settling on that now?”

“Yes, Balus. Since it’s what Lord Roswaal said, let’s start by showing you around the mansion. Stay close, don’t get lost.”

“I’m not gonna wander off like I’m lost, not when it’s not Emilia-tan!”

“S-Su-Subaru!”

Emilia puffed her cheeks at his teasing. Subaru beamed, pointing at her as he noted the fresh impression from her increasingly spaced-out way of addressing him,

“It’s a fun little party joke! A splendid queen should be able to brush off light jibes like this, dear Fräulein.”

“What’s ‘Fräulein’ supposed to mean…”

“You’ll need to study up on that as well. Life is a journey of ascending a never-ending mountain path, unarmed. If you neglect collecting knowledge, called item gathering, on the way up, you might not even make it to the peak, or could drop out halfway up!”

Emilia’s eyes widened, seemingly moved by those words.

As expected, the words from a man who dropped out of school held a different weight. Holding back his self-deprecating feelings, Subaru looked to Ram and said,

“Well then, as much as I wish to linger, let’s go, senpai.”

“Let’s do that, Balus. Well then, Emilia, see you later.”

Ram gracefully tipped the end of her skirt as she bowed, then turned toward the door, with Subaru following her, trailing behind the pink-haired girl. Before they exited, Emilia called out,

“Subaru. I will too… but you should work hard too, okay?”

“What was that? I’m super happy! I’m all fired up now, like a goddess!”

Pinching the hem of his jersey, Subaru bowed in imitation of Ram, causing Emilia’s expression to turn peculiar as he exited the dining room.

Stopping just outside the hallway, Ram observed Subaru’s antics, slightly furrowing her otherwise still expression.

“The conditions expected of a maid and those required of a servant are different, you know?”

“I know that! But since I’ll be doing housework, I wanted to do it gracefully and splendidly. By the way, are there uniforms or something?”

Starting life as a servant while wearing a jersey felt a bit dull.

Of course, it was a versatile material in terms of comfort, but,

“But when you’re sent to work in a noble’s mansion, it feels like you should wear something sophisticated and elegant, you know? I think I’d surprisingly look good in formal wear!”

“Yes, attire is important. There should be suitable clothing, yes, I believe there is.”

“Cool, then let’s start by getting into that outfit. I’m the type to go by appearance first! Even for test studies, the first step is usually tidying up my room so I can fully concentrate!”

And just like that, he never returned.

With a thumbs-up and a bright grin, Subaru smiled. Ram raised her fingers, muttering, “Hmm,” while inspecting his entire figure.

Just that was enough for her to gauge his clothing size approximately; satisfied, Ram pointed upward.

“There’s a chamber for servants on the second floor, so change there. For your size, I’m sure you’ll fit into Frederica’s uniform from two months ago.”

“Whoa, perfect timing, huh? But isn’t she a girl?”

“Her physique was about the same as yours.”

“But isn’t the gender different?”

Stopping his feet mid-stride, Subaru turned back, finding Ram giving him a blank stare. Then, appearing tired, she sighed and touched her forehead,

“I’m trying to help you dress elegantly and splendidly; what are you even dissatisfied about?”

“I could care less if it was Emilia-tan, but who gains from me wearing a maid outfit! What if I awaken to some weird kink and make it beneficial for myself!? I don’t want any potential awkwardness to crop up!”

Since entering this other world, various kinks had vividly bloomed around him.

If he opened the door to cross-dressing, the very essence of Natsuki Subaru would vanish without a trace.

With Subaru roaring angrily, Ram covered her ears in response, then glanced at him while exhaling with a bored expression,

“It’s just that, I really don’t function well without Rem around. Let’s go already.”

“You’re way more laid back than I am; it’s seriously impressive, senpai!”

I wonder if you need this level of calm to survive.

Faced with what was his first work experience spanning both worlds, Subaru felt the height of that wall weighing heavily on him, making him gloomy.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

—As a side note.

“In the servant’s rest area on the second floor… any of the rooms on the west side would do. Make one your own. There’ll be uniforms waiting for you there,”

“Alright, got it. So then, hmm…”

Guided to the second-floor of the mansion for the uniform and temporary accommodation, Subaru glanced at the rooms being presented as options.

Nonetheless, it should be the same inside with slight variations in position. In that case, nearer to the stairs would be more convenient for moving around.

With that in mind, he twisted the doorknob of a random door.

“Alright, I’ll take this room—”

“Nii-cha, it’s wonderful! So fluffy and the best, fluffy fluffy fluffy!”

Upon opening the door, he discovered a loli in the library thoroughly petting a small cat.

Noticing the presence, the vertically rolled eyes slowly turned this way. Subaru looked at Ram, standing in the hallway, and confirmed that she was shaking her head.

Then, scratching his head towards Beatrice standing in front of him, he announced,

“Congratulations! I hereby celebrate the birth of a new fluffist!”

“Just shut the door already!”

Flung with magical force, Subaru crashed against the wall of the corridor yet again.

Shaking his head in response, and with his vision still a bit dizzy, Subaru was filled with furious rage. Just moments ago, having closed the door, he was about to enter and give her a piece of his mind about the cozy affectionate scene inside.

However,

“You laid your hands on my fluff kid, so pay me the damages, compensation… huh?”

As his spit flew into the room, the simple space spread before him was furnished merely with a bed and a closet.

The previous library presence was completely gone. It was the effect of “door hopping.”

“Once Miss Beatrice’s presence is concealed, it’s already impossible to tell. Unless you search every door in the mansion, that lady won’t exit of her own accord.”

Ram stated the clear truth as if urging him to accept defeat.

Receiving a consoling pat on the shoulder from behind, Subaru was met with the reality of his loss—

“Darn it, it was so infuriating! It’s that person’s attitude that’s wrong, like I have any fault in this!”

He refused to acknowledge it.

Shaking Ram’s hand off, Subaru turned, then dashed down the corridor with all his might. Right in front of Ram’s astonished eyes, he rushed to the door at the end of the corridor,

“Here it is!”

“Fluff!?”

“Amazing, Subaru!”

The girl’s shriek echoed with the grey cat’s applause.

Seeing the flustered expression on Beatrice, who had once again had her “door hopping” broken, Subaru hurriedly tumbled into the library to avoid being blown away.

He did a handspring, followed by a head spring. Executing a roll and then a backflip, he finally landed elegantly before the girl.

“Alright! Ten points!”

“You’ve kicked up so much dust!”

“It’s cause you didn’t clean up your workspace properly! And why the heck did you bring a cat into the library! You’ll wreck the thick covers with those claws!”

“My hands shouldn’t be a problem; I have my nails trimmed thanks to Ria, so I’m fine!”

Subaru and Beatrice were arguing back and forth, while a relaxed Pack softly muttered as if overlapping them, his words failing to reach their escalating debate.

As they continued to raise their voices to each other, Ram finally reached the door leading to the Forbidden Library.

Watching their quarrel, she muttered softly,

“Though the relationship is questionable, it seems their compatibility is indeed genuine.”

““That’s not the case at all!””

Their synchronized shouts reverberated throughout Roswaal’s Mansion that morning.