Chores and Magic (Part 1)

(3rd Person POV)

Subaru was diligently tending to the garden plants, with the aquagea flowers(that's what they called the hydrangea like flowers) which were on the edge of withering. Yesterday, Ram-chi had cared for the plants, but her methods varied from overwatering some to the brink of flooding, while others were left dry. That was the reason he found himself overworking today.

[Argh! Overworking on my second day as a butler!] he grimaced mentally. However he kept his thoughts to himself since the one responsible for his predicament, Ram, was supervising him closely, imparting her wisdom on "How to Water Roswaal Manor's Plants." On the contrary, her words only gave him a headache.

As he drifted in his thoughts, he tried to distract himself from the misery amidst the greenery. Hia thoughts turned to that of Emilia-tan's smile, her silver hair, cute reactions, and childish mannerisms which made him quiver in excitement, much like a cat being petted.

"Barusu, stop your masochistic daydreams. Your face is very repulsive. I don't want the plants growing up seeing your pervy mug." Ram sharply snapped him out of his sweet dreams.

"I'm not a masochist!" Subaru retorted. "And why do I feel like a bad father when you put it that way?"

"It's because you're hopeless. I pity your future children and wife."

"You're making me seem like a thug now! Rem scores a whole lot better than you. I wouldn't have to do all this overtime if she had taken care of the garden yesterday!" he complained.

[Oops! I said that out loud.] He blurted out his thoughts without thinking, his behaviour.

"Well, my cute little sister is washing the dishes. Some crazy monkey broke them yesterday while carrying them. I suppose his allowance will be cut." Ram replied.

"Argh! A pay cut even before I receive my first paycheck! How pathetic can things get!" Subaru whined again, which seemed to be his signature move as a butler in the Roswaal manor.

Last night, during dinner, he had complained about how Frederick had jeans in all sizes and varieties. The reason? He had seen Beatrice wearing one, and he wanted one.

He had been stuck in his tracksuit for way too long. He needed a change of attire. For him it was more about making an impression and looking cool in front of Emilia rather than personal style.

Fred's response to his, "Can I also have a jeans?" had been along the lines of,

"I don't have one for you. Do you think I'm running a fashion house?"

It was like anything which Subaru did and said, earned him negative responses.

Understanding people's moods and starting conversations were simple tasks, but Subaru often unintentionally offended people due to a lack of subtlety and courtesy.

(Back to the present moment)

"Beatrice-sama, Guest-sama, good evening. What brings you here?" Ram greeted, interrupting Subaru's complaints.

"Huh? Who are you talking to?" Subaru turned around to see Ram greeting Frederick and Beatrice, the centre of attention.

[Paedophile.] Subaru cursed Fred. He had received a scolding from the maids for arguing with Fred during dinner as he was a butler and Fred was currently a guest of Roswaal.

He was lucky though. As both the sisters were about to reduce him to dust. He had to do dogezas a dozen times to escape their wrath.

Subaru mustered the most forced, honest smile he could, concealing his resentment toward Fred.

"Good. Evening. Guest-Sama," he said the most robotic greeting ever, struggling to hide his ire.

"Barusu, you look unwell. Should I fetch my sister for you? But she's too good for a good for nothing butler." Ram quipped.

"Nee-sama, please stop. You're hurting my pride as a man!" Subaru protested.

"Oh, I didn't know you even had any dignity!" Ram makes a sarcastic 'oh!' expression.

"Um... could you tell us something?" Fred interjected, interrupting their small talk. He neither had the energy nor the intention to participate in their banter at the moment.

"Have any of you seen Emilia?"

"Huh? What do you have to do with Emilia-tan?" Subaru blurted out without filtering his thoughts.

"Is that any of your concern?" Fred retorted.

"You want to pick a fight, huh?" Subaru let go of the water canister for watering the plants. "You know I'm itching to put some manners on you. You've been getting on my nerves."

Sensing a rising Beako Rage metre in response to Subaru's provocation, Fred signalled to Beatrice to stay out of it.

"You see, buddy, I'd love to duke it out with you but..."

He paused, rubbing his forehead.

"I'm really sleepy right now. I stayed up late at night reading. Besides, you're not making the best impression on the person you want to impress." he rolled his eyes leftways as a signal.

Turning left, Subaru saw Emilia staring at them perplexed, her expression asking, "What's going on here? Can someone fill me in?"

"Uh... Emilia-tan! What are you doing here?" Subaru asked nervously, sweating and fidgeting like a nervous child.

"I heard some commotion, so I came here."

"Ah, I was just looking for you!" Fred walked toward her, immediately striking up a conversation, while the loli spirit followed him quietly, holding his hand.

Fred whispered something to Emilia that made Subaru grind his teeth in jealousy as he glared at Fred with bloodshot eyes. The green lawn and water fountain in their background made them look like a couple made in heaven. And it made him feel even more pathetic.

Everything seemed to be going wrong for him in this world. He possessed an OP ability but he still needed Fred's help to save Emilia. And now, Fred was flirting with her while Subaru toiled as a butler. The class disparity hit him suddenly, leading to a realisation.

"Maybe I shouldn't have asked to be a butler."

Fred pointed his thumb at Subaru while talking to Emilia, and then they both fell silent, exchanging nods and "Naruhodo, naruhodo" before turning their gaze to Subaru.

"What!?" Subaru almost shrieked, feeling like an alien under their gazes.

"I was just telling her to lend Puck to check our magical affinities. Wanna come along?" Fred replied.

"Huh?" Subaru was taken aback.

[Was I getting mad at him for nothing?] All his frustration disappeared hearing that. "Of course! I'm coming!" He was back to his carefree, happy-go-lucky self.

__________________________________

(Fred's POV)

Now, we are sitting in the lotus pose waiting for the doctor to check us up.

I mean, Emilia is explaining our situation to Puck so that he could proceed without damaging our Mana Gates. I had asked her to tell Puck to be extra careful since I suspected that he tampered with Subaru's mana gate in the canon, although it might just be my speculation.

I had Beatrice check my affinity last night, but nothing came up. So, I have to rely on this cat's help. He proceeds to sit on top of Subaru's head in the lotus pose, which looked funny and cute, even if I didn't want to admit it.

A moment later, he jumps into the air with a triumphant "Eureka!" vibe, showering small snowflakes around us.

"Subaru, your affinity is the Dark element! Yin magic! Hooray! Clap clap clap!" The cat exclaims, adding 'clap, clap,' annoyingly.

I feel a slight tug on my hand and look at Beatrice who is sitting on my lap for reasons which I don't want to explain. I raise my hand and gently pat her on the head.

"Don't worry about it, Beatrice. You did your best. Maybe there's something wrong with me instead."

"But Fred trusted me… I tried everything…" Beatrice's words trail off as I hug her gently from behind.

"When I say it's okay, it's okay. You don't need to worry so much. And please don't cry because you couldn't determine my magic affinity. It makes me feel bad."

"If Fred says so, I suppose…"

"Aww, Betty is having a sweet moment with her contractor! I'm so happy for you as a brother!" Puck floats in front of us interrupting the moment. It seems he was done with Subaru for now.

"Did you give him any hints on how to cast magic?" I ask him.

"Nope! Just as Lia told me. No magic for Subaru unless you give the green light."

"That's fine, then." I am content with it for now. Subaru wouldn't have a cracked gate as long as I was around.

"What do you mean by 'it's fine'? I want to learn magic too!" It seems he overheard us.

"Ah, you're just a pain in the ***. Read up some magic theories before using magic, or you'll end up crippled for life."

"Are you serious?"

"Do you think I'm joking?"

He furrows his brows, looking at me. "Maybe I shouldn't rush things."

"You shouldn't really, for who knows whose sake" moving my gaze towards the cat, I say in a low-tone as my fatigue from the all nighter piles up.

"Oi, Puck! Get done with mine already!"

Puck flies over my head with a mischievous 'tehe~!' And sits down on my head. He's really repulsive.

(10 minutes later)

"Aren't you done here? I'm feeling sleepy sitting like this. I didn't sleep yesterday."

"Hmm… hmm… I GIVE UP!" Puck jumps off my head, and I feel relieved without his weight.

"You, Fred!" Puck pointed his small index finger at me. "You don't have any mana affinity."

"Huh?"

Did I just get the biggest Nerf of all time?