Rem knew something was wrong the moment the mansion’s floorboards started squeaking in Morse code.
Not the normal “someone’s sneaking snacks at midnight” squeak, either—this was a full-on SOS… S-O-C-K… situation.
She paused mid-step in the hallway, barefoot, one foot hovering like she was about to disarm a trap. The polished wood felt cool and smooth under her sole—too smooth. Like the floor had just been pampered.
Then she saw it.
A small hand-written sign, taped to the wall at shin height:
“CAUTION: WAXED. DO NOT RUN. DO NOT PANIC. DO NOT WEAR SOCKS IF YOU VALUE YOUR DIGNITY.”
—Ram
Rem sighed. “Ram…”
As if summoned by the sound of disappointment, Ram appeared at the corner with her usual expression—calm, smug, and entirely unhelpful.
“You’re welcome,” Ram said.
“For what?” Rem asked, though her other foot was already coming down cautiously, toes spreading a little for balance.
“For the floor looking so shiny you can see your future in it,” Ram replied. “Unfortunately, your future appears to include… slipping.”
Rem narrowed her eyes. “Why would you wax the floors today?”
Ram’s gaze drifted to Rem’s feet with the casual interest of someone admiring fine china. “Because I knew you’d walk across them. Also because you’ve been leaving tiny wet footprints after training. It’s like the mansion is being haunted by two polite little ghosts.”
Rem blinked. “Wet—?”
Ram raised a finger. “Hydration. You’ve been soaking your feet at night.”
Rem’s face warmed. “That’s— I was just… taking care of myself.”
“Yes,” Ram said, deadpan. “Self-care. Otherwise known as ‘the nightly foot bath ceremony where Rem whispers apologies to her toes for working too hard.’”
Rem opened her mouth, then closed it again. Somehow, Ram’s insults were always oddly accurate.
Ram continued, “Anyway, consider this a test of grace. The floors are now an enemy. Fight them.”
Rem exhaled slowly and set her foot down with exaggerated gentleness. “I can handle it.”
Ram’s lips curled. “Brave words from someone currently walking like a baby deer on ice.”
Rem took another step. The waxed floor didn’t betray her—but she could feel the slipperiness waiting, like it had a sense of humor.
To distract herself, she focused on the mundane: her chores, the laundry, the tea service…
And the fact that she had, in a moment of rare relaxation, worn a cute sailor-style outfit earlier just to feel “normal” for once—only to be immediately drafted into a slippery-floor obstacle course.
The universe truly had a way of keeping her humble. Right down to her heels.
She made it to the sitting room without incident and lowered herself onto the couch with a soft huff. Sunlight spilled in from the window, warm and gentle, and the cushions welcomed her like they didn’t care if her life was a series of dramatic arcs.
Rem tucked one leg under herself and stretched the other out, toes pointing lazily as if they were reaching for the light too. She flexed her foot once—an unconscious habit after long hours on her feet—then smiled at how good it felt.
Peace. Finally.
That’s when the door creaked.
Rem’s head snapped up.
Subaru stepped in, carrying a small box and wearing the sort of grin that meant either “gift” or “disaster,” and usually both.
“Rem!” he announced. “I bring offerings!”
Rem sat up a little. “Subaru-kun…?”
He hurried over, nearly tripping on the rug as if the mansion itself was trying to add slapstick sound effects. He caught himself, then held up the box like a treasure chest.
“Okay, so,” he said, lowering his voice dramatically, “I went into town, and I saw a sign that said ‘Foot Comfort Festival Sale.’”
Rem’s eyes widened. “A… festival?”
“Kind of?” Subaru nodded, like this was normal. “There were booths. There were demonstrations. There were—uh—pamphlets that I will never unsee.”
Rem tilted her head. “Subaru-kun, what did you buy?”
He opened the box and pulled out a small jar and a soft cloth roll, looking proud.
“Ta-da! Foot cream. And… these.”
He unrolled the cloth, revealing a neat set of polishing stones and a little wooden tool.
Rem stared. “Are those…?”
“Callus-care kit!” Subaru said, as if shouting would make it less embarrassing. “The lady at the booth said it’s great for people who work hard on their feet.”
Rem’s cheeks turned pink. “Subaru-kun…”
He leaned closer, whispering, “And she said the results are so smooth you could… uh… slide—”
Rem held up a hand quickly. “Please do not say ‘slide’ in this mansion right now.”
Subaru blinked, then looked down at the floor. “Oh yeah. I almost died in the hallway.”
“Ram waxed the floors,” Rem said, gently but with the tired tone of someone who had accepted chaos as part of housekeeping.
Subaru nodded solemnly. “Of course she did.”
He placed the kit on the coffee table and scratched the back of his head. “Look, I’m not trying to make it weird. I just thought… you do a lot. You’re always running around. Always helping everyone. And I figured… maybe you deserve to put your feet up. Literally.”
Rem glanced down at her bare feet—one resting on the cushion, the other stretched out, toes relaxed. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until that moment, when someone noticed.
Her smile softened. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
Subaru’s face brightened. “Right? And, uh, I even practiced what to say. Ready? Ahem.”
He straightened, putting on a “formal announcer” voice.
“Rem. Your dedication is… a cut above the rest. Your work ethic is… un-heel-ievable. And your ability to keep this mansion running is… toe-tally legendary.”
Rem covered her mouth, giggling despite herself. “Subaru-kun…”
“What!” he protested. “Those are premium puns!”
“They are… very premium,” Rem agreed, eyes shining.
Subaru sat on the edge of the couch like he was about to present a quest. “So. Here’s the deal. We do a mini spa moment. Nothing creepy. Totally wholesome. Just… comfy. You relax, I follow instructions, nobody loses balance and faceplants.”
Rem’s gaze flickered to the jar. Then to Subaru’s earnest expression. Then to the sunbeam warming her toes.
Innocent. Warm. Ridiculously human.
“All right,” she said softly. “Just for a little while.”
Subaru pumped a fist. “Yes! Operation Happy Feet is a go.”
Rem laughed again. “That name…”
“Too much?” Subaru asked.
“A little,” Rem admitted, amused. “But… I like it.”
Subaru carefully opened the jar and dabbed a tiny amount onto the cloth, like he was handling rare alchemy. “Okay. The pamphlet said… start gentle. No pressure. Ask if it’s okay.”
He looked at Rem as if waiting for permission to breathe.
Rem extended her foot slightly toward him—just enough to meet him halfway, her posture relaxed, trust quietly offered.
“It’s okay,” she said.
Subaru swallowed, then started applying the cream with exaggerated caution.
Rem expected it to tickle. It didn’t. It felt… soothing. Cool at first, then warm as it spread, like the tiredness in her feet was being politely asked to leave.
She wiggled her toes once, experimentally.
Subaru froze. “Was that… a signal? Am I doing it wrong?”
Rem smiled mischievously. “No. It just… feels nice.”
Subaru resumed, less stiff now, still careful. “Good. Because if I mess this up, Ram will materialize out of thin air and roast me.”
Almost on cue, a voice floated in from the doorway.
“You’re already roasted,” Ram said, leaning on the frame like a critic at a very strange performance.
Rem gasped. “Ram!”
Ram’s eyes lingered on Rem’s relaxed posture, her softened smile, the quiet comfort in the room. For a split second—only a split second—Ram’s expression looked almost… approving.
Then it vanished.
“Hm,” Ram said. “At least Rem is finally taking a break. Try not to drop her foot like you drop your dignity, Barusu.”
Subaru sputtered. “I— I’m being respectful!”
Ram yawned. “Sure you are.”
She left, and the room felt lighter, as if even Ram’s sarcasm had decided to let Rem have this.
Rem leaned back against the couch, letting herself sink into the cushions. She watched Subaru’s face as he concentrated—serious in the funniest way, like he was trying to solve a puzzle labeled DO NOT MESS UP.
“Subaru-kun,” Rem murmured.
“Yeah?”
“You know… this is making me feel… very happy.”
Subaru glanced up, surprised. “Really?”
Rem nodded. “Yes. Because it’s not just about my feet.”
Subaru blinked, then smiled softly. “Yeah… I get that.”
Rem’s toes curled with quiet contentment, catching the sunlight like tiny crescent moons.
Outside, the world could be dangerous. The mansion could be chaotic. The floors could be waxed by an agent of mischief.
But right now, Rem was safe, warm, and laughing—enjoying a silly little moment that felt like a promise.
And if this was what “happily ever after” started with…
Then maybe, just maybe, she wanted more chapters.
Because this one?
It was off to a great start—right from the soles up.
