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Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu - Volume 4 - Chapter Int5




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CHAPTER 5: ANNE-ROSE'S TRAP & BROTHER-SISTER RELATIONS Why are they readily going along with the nefarious plots of a nine year old? 

Subaru watches the back of the small girl leading them down the hallway, annoyed at his own failure to prevent this. —Anne-Rose Milord. 

Being from a branch of the Mathers household that Roswaal heads, she shares many distinct characteristics with him. Such as her notably navy hair and blue eyes. Her hair is in a crown braid, but since Subaru doesn't know what the hairstyle is called, he mentally refers to her as Braid Loli. 

She possesses a keen intelligence unfitting for a nine year old. Her cleverness and wits do make her seem a relative of Roswaal's, but the thing most reminiscent of Roswaal shows through: Anne: “Emily, would you care to hold my hand?” Emilia: “Huh? Oh, sure, Anne.” Anne: “So I oblige. Also, Emily. Would you care to let me hug you?” Emilia: “Huh? Oh, sure, Anne.” Anne: “So I oblige. Also, Emily. Would you care to carry me in your ar—” 

Subaru: “Enough.” Subaru gets Anne-Rose, seeking hand-holding and hugs and upsy-daisies, away from Emilia. Emilia's eyes widen. Anne-Rose brushes off her lap, undeterred, before exaggeratedly patting at her shoulders where Subaru touched her. 

Anne: “How brutishly you separate people who desire to touch one another, Subaru.” 

Subaru: “Where'd you get those statistics? Questionnaire looked to be about walking the Milord estate alone to me.” Anne: “Your limited your stature must be, Subaru, if you are unable to overlook a child's endearing  mischievousness.” Subaru: “Except I would've kept my mouth shut if it was just childish mischief!” Anne-Rose cooly attempts to justify her actions. Despite her words, she is still trying to grasp 

Emilia's hand whenever the opportunity appears, so Subaru can't get careless. 

Anne-Rose is a blood relative of Roswaal's, a prodigy beyond her nine years. And her idiosyncrasy is—for some reason, she likes Emilia way too much. Ever since the day that the group came to stay in this mansion and they introduced themselves, 

Anne-Rose has shown inordinate fondness for Emilia. Emilia is a gullible airhead so she may view it as a cute show of affection, but Subaru views it otherwise. 

After all, she's related to Roswaal. While his Demihuman Fancy has been overthrown by his actual Echidna Fancy, it may not be the same for his relative. 

Many of the servants in the Milord household are demihumans. Ones that Roswaal assembled from all over his lands who have apparently suffered persecution, and are effectively taking asylum in the Milord residence by Roswaal's will. Considering that Anne-Rose was born and raised in this environment, demihumans are a familiar presence for her. So, while she isn't prejudiced against Emilia the half-elf, her friendliness is excessive. 

Put simply, Subaru is trying to keep Anne-Rose from stealing Emilia. And Anne-Rose is trying to keep Subaru from monopolizing Emilia. Making them rivals for Emilia's affections. Although, 

Emilia: “Come on, Subaru. I don't know what's rankling you, but you can't be mad at Anne like this when she's still so little. You're being immature.” 

Subaru: “Who says rankling anymore? ...No I mean, nevermind that, look Emilia-tan. Plainly said, Anne-Rose's gaze isn't the kind you can dismiss as her still being young and...” 

Emilia: “No excuses! I'm so sorry, Anne. I think Subaru's still flustered from being in someone else's mansion.” 

Subaru: “...and it still applies even when you act like I can't settle into unfamiliar beds!” 

Subaru and Emilia have disparate stances toward Anne-Rose, so whenever the topic gets onto how they feel about her, it turns into one of these fruitless arguments. Why can't Emilia notice how cloying Anne-Rose's gaze is? 

Subaru: “I bet that it's one of those things where only people aiming for Emilia-tan's affections can notice when others are doing the same yes that's definitely it!” 

Anne: “Emily. Subaru has just confessed that he lusts for you. How indecent.” 

Subaru: “Your word choice's the indecent thing here! How are you only nine!?” 

While Beatrice is only superficially offensive, Anne-Rose actually is offensive. Subaru could dismiss that 'indecent' as a simple riposte, supposing it came from Beatrice's mouth, but somehow it feels like a real insult when Anne-Rose says it. 

Emilia: “How come you two can't get along? It's sooo baffling...” 

Subaru: “It's because we both l...” 

Emilia: “You both?” 

Subaru: “—Mhn, nh.” 

Emilia tilts her head. Subaru cannot get the rest of the sentence out. 

He's stated his fondness for her countless times, but voicing it around other people makes it feel cheap. Also he's saying it unintentionally while running off momentum, which makes it both cheap and embarrassing. In the corner of his eye, Anne-Rose smiles victoriously. 

Anne: “Now then, I will refrain from teasing Subaru further. For let us speak inside my room, which we have reached.” 

Says Anne-Rose to pure Emilia and red-faced Subaru. Abruptly, Subaru realises that they have walked down the whole of the hallway, and indeed stand before an overly ornate door. It's Anne-Rose's room. Apparently Emilia has been invited here many times before, but this is Subaru's first venture here. 

Anne-Rose takes Emilia's hand and easily moves to welcome her into the room. But Subaru intervenes and pulls the breaks on that. 

Subaru: “Wait. 'Anne-Rose's room' is such a fishy series of words so I'm going in first.” 

Anne: “—Huu. Very well, proceed. You are free to do what you wish.” 

While she does seem bothered at first, Anne-Rose concedes to Subaru with a sigh. Subaru puts his hand to the doorknob and, slightly tense, enters the room. Where, 

Clind: “I have been awaiting your presence, Natsuki-sama. Tea and biscuits have been prepared. Please do find yourself a seat and relax. Powwow.” 

Clind welcomes him with a formal bow. Stunned speechless, Subaru glances back, to see that Anne-Rose looks utterly unfazed. 

Emilia: “Huh, Clind-san? But I thought you left to go eat with Beatrice and Petra?” 

Clind: “So I did, Emilia-sama. However, it appeared that the Mistress found it in her mind to hold a tea party in her room, and thusly, I attended to those preparations. Urgency.” 

Emilia: “You're right, Anne did say something like that.” 

Clind: “Indeed, the Mistress so thought of me. Perceptiveness.” 

Emilia peeks her head out from beside the frozen Subaru as she speaks with Clind. But it seems their conversation doesn't quite mesh. It's almost like Clind said 'thought of me' instead of 'asked of me'. 

Anne: “It shall drive you to lunacy, should you attempt to rationally comprehend Clind's peculiarities. It is best for the mind that you simply accept it.” 

Clind: “I am always vigilant to remain one step ahead of my summons. Objective.” 

How the hell does vigilance achieve that. ...Is what Subaru's thinking, but Anne-Rose and Emilia seem unbothered as they start taking their seats. While mentally tilting his head, Subaru joins the tea party too. 

Anne: “Seeing that Clind has prepared the tea, we may proceed with our conversation.” Clind: “The one regarding the bettering of Frederica and Garfiel-sama's relationship. Conciliation.” Subaru: “Clind-san, are you one of those butlers where there's actually several of you?” Clind: “That position has already been filled by Lewes-sama. Rehash.” Clind seems to think that his inclusion in the conversation will just stymie it. He readies tea and  biscuits for everyone, before going to a corner of the room where he stands as still as a statue. 

His gaze locks onto Anne-Rose, but she ignores it, long used to it. Anne: “Now, Clind's assessment is correct, this regards our mutual interest in swiftly bettering Frederica and Garfiel's relationship... would be a valid thought?” 

Emilia: “Yes, that's right. We've been racking our brains trying to do something, but we haven't  really come up with any wonderful ideas. It's been a real kerfuffle.” Anne: “You're adorable when you're stressed, Emily. —Then, now that you have ventured about the mansion to discuss the issue, and found yourselves at a standstill, you have come to me.” 

Subaru: “Stop subliminally throwing your ulterior motives in there.” 

Anne-Rose, nonchalant, looks utterly unaffected by Subaru's jab. Either way, she seems to understand Subaru and Emilia's situation, which saves on the exposition. Subaru: “But anyway, you're looking to have them make up too? What's the occasion? Everyone  else just insisted to let time resolve it.” 

Anne: “Perhaps because I am less inclined to resignation, and less accustomed to waiting? I must say that the people you spoke to are largely of that disposition.” Subaru: “Frank, aren't you. ...No but, we also asked Otto.” Anne: “Then I amend that to include those ignorant to success.” Subaru: “Harsh!” And how sad Otto is that Anne-Rose has managed to get this impression of him, when they've only  known each other a week. 

But it's best that Subaru keep silent, considering that he can't refute her. Anne: “I cannot deny that time will resolve the issue. A divide of ten years separates them... given another decade, the issue shall resolve itself. But that is far too protracted. Why, ten years, that's the same length of time since my Mother and Father last kissed!” 

Subaru: “gggggggn?” Halfway through an unchildlike screed, she abruptly hits a childlike conclusion. 

Subaru groans, unable to keep up with the sudden shift in gears, prompting Clind to put his finger to his mouth in request of silence. Subaru doesn't have a complete grasp of the situation, but perhaps her knowledge in those topics actually is that of a nine-year-old. Though he'd rather not probe into it, since Emilia is right here and also under the exact same misapprehension. 

Anne: “Care to explain that bizarre groaning of yours, Subaru?” Subaru: “It's nothing. Just some phlegm and despondency stuck in my throat.” Anne: “I see. What tribulations puberty brings. ...Regardless, I have no intentions of making them  wait for a decade.” Emilia: “We're thinking the same way. But, do you have any ideas, Anne?” Anne: “What were your thoughts on the issue, Emily?” It's replying to a question with a question, but regardless Emilia furrows her pretty brows and puts  her finger to her lips. Emilia: “Ermm...” Emilia: “I think they do want to make up. I feels like Garfiel's trying to make time so they can talk,  and though Frederica's uncomfortable, I think she does want to talk.” Anne: “I see, understood. And so?” Emilia: “And so I've been wondering if it'd be easier to just lock them in a room together.” Subaru: “Sure are going for the barbaric plans, huh, Emilia-tan!?” While Subaru has no better ideas, it's shocking to hear it coming from Emilia's mouth. Also he does  endorse the idea, but there are some questions to be had with it. Particularly, Subaru: “I mean we could throw them in a room, but those two can bust out of basically any room  when working together. I'd prefer we didn't destroy half the mansion doing this. So instead of a busted mansion we have a week to get them hanging out together, what is this, a speedrun?” Emilia: “Then what should we do, Subaru? Should I use ice to make a room that we can lock them  in?” 

Subaru: “I don't think we need to use such extreme conditions to revive their family love, no! Just, look! Something like, have them go into a room while sharing the exact same goal!” Emilia: “The same goal...?” Emilia tilts her head, puzzled. 

Subaru manages to get away from any criminal ideas, but his proposition doesn't go any further than that. He's conceived of making them share a goal, but has no concrete idea of what it would be. Should  they defeat some monster that they can only take on together? Where exactly are they going to find such a convenient monster? Anne: “In truth, my thoughts are identical to Subaru's.” Subaru: “Huh? You know where to hire Cyclopes and Chimeras?” 

Anne: “Nevermind.” Anne-Rose gazes scornfully at Subaru, who apologizes by poking out his tongue and donking his head. The nine-year old sighs while Emilia's cheeks grow flush, eyes lit with expectation. 

Anne: “We share the same thoughts, when it pertains to making them share a goal. But I expect that what we know about them differs, and so differs the ideas we conceive, Emily.” 


Emilia: “What we know about them?” Anne: “For you have greater knowledge of Garfiel than Frederica. While I have known Frederica for surpassing eight years. That fanged face has been familiar to me ever since I've been aware.” 

Subaru more or less understands what Anne-Rose is trying to say. Her relationship with Frederica means that she can supply the information needed to fill the gaping hole that Subaru couldn't address—that is, what common points could lead to a common goal between Frederica and Garfiel. 

Subaru: “You're sure this'll work?” Anne: “Provided that I may secure helpers, yes. Now, Frederica presents no issue, but Garfiel does.” Subaru: “Garfiel does?” Anne: “Should Garfiel's personality be exactly what I have observed over this handful of days, then  we should see no issues.” Subaru doesn't know how intensively Anne-Rose has paid attention to Garfiel's attitude, but as far as he can tell, Garfiel's been entirely himself during his stay here. 

He isn't being pointlessly stubborn like he was in SANCTUARY, or trying to hide his fourteen-year¬old immaturity. Subaru can assure that much. Subaru: “Garfiel's being entirely genuine, so no issues there.” Anne: “Excellent. Next is the issue of helpers... perhaps we might enlist help from Lewes-san, their  family.” Subaru: “From Lewes-san?” She's who you'd name first if listing people most related to them. 

But she didn't seem entirely cooperative, and it's unknown whether she'll entertain this. Regardless, Anne-Rose seems to think otherwise, and gestures her butler over. 

Anne: “Clind.” 

Clind: “We may delay preparations for this evening's dinner by two hours and use the kitchen. Proposal.” 

Anne: “I see. Very well. Do inform whoever's tending to dinner of that.” 

Clind: “As you command, I swiftly shall. Haste.” 

After that quick exchange, Clind silently exits the room. Subaru and Emilia watch on in surprise while Anne-Rose takes a sip of her tea, smiling. 

Anne: “Now, let us see this issue quickly done away with. For others yet remain who must be tended to.” 

She says, plunging Subaru and Emilia deeper into confusion.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ 

The second that Garfiel enters the kitchen and spots that UNFAMILIAR STATURE, he sighs, recognizing that he's been caught in a trap. 

Garfiel: “...Fuckin' everyone's gettin' so over fuckin' involved.” 

Despite his cursing, a smile arises on his face. Garfiel's nose is custom-made. His sense of smell is so strong that it bares no comparison to the average man's, and he caught the scent before he even entered the room. That he nevertheless kept himself unaware is Garfiel's final speck of stubbornness, or perhaps his pride as a man. 

???: “Garf?” 

Garfiel scratches his head while the woman glances back, and calls to him in unfamiliar voice. Before Garfiel stands a woman with long, lustrous blonde hair. She is taller than him, and her build is assuredly robust. The horde of fangs decorating her mouth, combined with her powerful frame, makes her seem somewhat savage and violent. Were it not for her gentle voice and the tender gleam in her eyes, people would constantly be getting the entirely wrong impression of her. 

Frederica Baumann. Is how she's been introducing herself, or so Garfiel Tinzel hears. Tinzel is the name of their mother, and Baumann that of her father. Garfiel doesn't know why Frederica insists on using her father's surname, and has opted not to think about it. He doubts that those who devised this meeting took those complicated sentiments into account. Or perhaps Garfiel is just exaggerating the whole thing, and to outsiders it doesn't look like a big issue. 

Garfiel: “Ain't often I see ya here, Sis.” 

Frederica: “And I could say the same. To think that you would find yourself here... dinner has not yet been prepared, you will find nothing here to pilfer.” 

Garfiel: “I ain't here fer food. Stop treatin' me like a damn kid.” Frederica: “But is it not childishness to balk when treated as a child? And I suspect that you are still young enough that you would desire such babying, Garf.” 

Garfiel: “Nah, 'm fourteen 'm over that hump. Who th'fuck's a baby here!?” Feeling pricked, Garfiel howls in rejection. 

Frederica shakes her head at Garfiel's overreaction and returns her gaze to the front—to look into the kitchen. Frederica: “I'm occupied with a task at the moment. Garf, I cannot devote all of my time to  relaxation as you can.” 

Garfiel: “Ain't like I'm spendin' all my amazin' time playin' 'round either. And I ain't here t'kill time. ...Think 'm here fer th'same reason 's you, Sis.” Frederica: “The same reason?” Garfiel: “Looks like yer got asked by someone else tho.” By those words alone, Frederica seems to figure it out. Frederica: “So that's it,” she mutters in comprehension. Frederica: “I did think it peculiar. Out of nowhere, Anne-Rose-sama began saying that she would  die should she not have one of my meat pies.” Garfiel: “How th'hell did that manage t'trick you, Sis.” Frederica: “What did they say... no, what did Grandmother say that brought you here?” Garfiel: “Sh'said if she ain't gettin' one'v my amazin' meat pies she's gonna go more senile.” Frederica: “I also must wonder how you managed to find credibility in that statement.” Garfiel shuts his mouth. 

Hearing her say it does make him question it, but he had been sincerely worried so there's nothing  to do. Garfiel: “Well maybe y'just can't understand seein' as yer gave up on lookin' after her. Ain't weird t'all fer 'er t'show up askin' 'f dinner's ready yet even after sh'just ate. 'Course I'd fuckin' worry.” 

It's actually a sad misunderstanding coming from the fact that, when the Lewes personality changes  her rotation to the next one, the new Lewes doesn't inherit memories so extensively as to discern whether dinner happened or not. But Garfiel will never notice that and neither will Frederica. The siblings' concern for Lewes's mental health compounds. 

However, Garfiel's statement pricks Frederica in a different manner than described. Because, although unintentionally, he struck on the issue of her decade-long absence. 

Frederica: “...Indeed. I never returned to SANCTUARY even once over that decade. And you're the one who protected SANCTUARY during that period. ...I have no right to speak as if I know what happened there, or what has come of Grandmother.” 

Garfiel: “No, I... that ain't what I was meanin' t'say with that. I w's just...” 

Frederica: “—” 

Frederica glances back, forcing Garfiel to face her again. Her face remains unfamiliar. 

It's been a decade. During all that time, Garfiel's mental image of his sister remained constant from ten years ago. Even though he's had this reunion and spent some time with her, he is having trouble accepting it. And the situation's the same for Frederica. She must be viewing him with trepidation, just as he views her. But it bothers Garfiel. Why is her trepidation casting waves as intense as his own? What was it that he made her feel? 

Garfiel: “...Oh.” 

With that gaze upon him, Garfiel breathes a sigh. The answer thunks into his heart. 

Got it. Crap, he got it. He knows exactly what the emotion in Frederica's eyes mirrors. 

It's the same look that Lewes would occasionally have, back in SANCTUARY. The same look that Garfiel would see on his own face, reflected upon the water. 

Which means that it's melancholy. Combined with apology. 

Garfiel: “'Course it'd be.” 

Garfiel had assumed that the events from ten years ago had been resolved. Inside the tomb, he remembered the goodbye with his mother from when he was young. He now understood what his mother felt as she left them, and that resolved the issue for Garfiel. He assumed it had been equally resolved for Frederica. 

But it's not. What happened in the tomb only affected Garfiel. 

Garfiel came to understand his feelings for his sister, and his mother's love. He never told or  informed his sister of them, distant as she was. And so Frederica gazes at Garfiel without any resolution to what happened a decade ago, unsure of what to say. 

Even though she has matured, her gaze is identical to what it was ten years ago. Garfiel: “Sister.”1 Frederica: “—!” Garfiel: “'M sorry I didn't say anything. But 's okay. 'M okay. I know what happened with mom, and  with you.” Frederica: “Garf...” Frederica's eyes grow teary and wet in the wake of the violent emotion. 

What should he say? While frustrated at himself for his lack of eloquence, Garfiel searches for the words that will convey his feelings accurately. He searches his head, and all the books he has ever read, for the words he must say. 

Garfiel: “I get why you left SANCTUARY, and why you never came back after that... ain't what I'cn actually say but, I am trying t'get it. So it's... well, y'know...” Frederica: “You are... ready to forgive Mother?” Garfiel: “—What's there t'forgive?” 

Garfiel's mouth relaxes into a smile as he replies to Frederica with a shake of his head. Exactly. What's there to forgive? The love and hatred that Garfiel kept in his heart this whole time had been misaimed. He knew nothing of the truth, didn't even know his own feelings, lashing out in anger at the impenetrable darkness—all a tantrum and nothing more. 

Now that he knows the truth, it's all insignificant. There was nothing to forgive or resent. Garfiel: “I know now that mom loved me... that she loved us.” 

Frederica: “—” Garfiel: “So there ain't no point tryin't'keep me 'way from what happened. Ain't got nothin' t'do with my amazin' self. So how 'bout we get t'talkin' 'bout somethin' a li'l less crap, Sis?” 

Garfiel's speech pattern returns to normal as he rubs his reddened nose. Frederica give a long, deep sigh. She wipes the tears from her eyes. Frederica: “Garf... you truly have grown.” 

Nee-chan 

Garfiel: “Fuckin' sarcasm! I ain't grown a damn inch compar'd t'you! The hell happened t'yer! How'd you get so damn—ghhhah!?” 

Frederica: “We may be family, but that is no excuse to say such things to women, Garf you idiot.” 

Frederica grabs him by the leg and slams him to the ground, the back of his head banging against the floor. Garfiel's eyes spin as he stares up at the ceiling, Frederica standing in his view above him. Her face is back to a smile. 

Frederica: “Come now, stand up.” 

Garfiel: “Yer th'one who fuckin' flipped me over.” 

Garfiel takes her offered hand. Gets back to his feet. He lightly brushes himself off and peers over at the counter that Frederica had been using. 

Garfiel: “So? How far yer got with yer meat pie, Sis?” 

Frederica: “I have gathered the ingredients and had just begun to chop them. Though, it impresses me that you remember how to make it, considering that you only ate it when you were young.” 

Garfiel: “'S 'cause some persnicket left th'recipie behind so I could make it after she left. 'Kay, my amazing self'll knead the dough.” 

Frederica: “Then I will do the chopping.” 

Garfiel stands before the ingredients as he wraps a towel around his head, prepared. Frederica brings out the cooking utensils for him as he does so, smoothly passing them over to him. The siblings begin working in conjunction, no decade-long divide in sight, as they easily attend to the familiar work together.





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