Chapter Text
Subaru wakes up and looks out the window. It’s open, and a warm, oceanic breeze greets him, lightly jostling his disheveled hair as he sits contemplating lying in bed all day. His thoughts revolve around the day before, and he scowls. He knows that breakfast will be awkward because his emotions are running unchecked, and he feels shame for letting them get the better of him.
He felt out of character because of it. Before, his jealousy hadn’t been an abstract emotion, and the feeling of being compared to his father—even when he did the comparing—was an ugly state of mind he persisted with. However, Subaru had grown beyond those envious feelings and became his own person, with deeds far outweighing his father’s paltry achievements. And yet, he slipped back into old habits instead of being the bigger person.
This understanding weighs him down and keeps him firmly planted in bed.
He knows that if he continues to hesitate to face an incredibly minuscule problem head-on, his momentary lapse of pathetic, old habits will fester and potentially unravel who he is now compared to who he was in another world.
After waxing and waning, Subaru conquers his hesitation and gets out of bed. Understanding what he must do, he resolves to humble himself and apologize for being a complete jerk to his parents and Ram.
“I’ll talk with Ram privately, of course.” He thinks of her and sighs, “I really am good at shoving my foot down my throat.”
Ever since he and Ram had their spat, he placed aside any idea of reconciliation he might have considered, knowing a simple ‘Sorry ’ wouldn’t cut it. Ram prefers action over words; to demonstrate that, Subaru knows he needs to show and not tell. Otherwise, Ram will see his apology as hollow and disingenuous. Of course, they are in this together, and discourse between them will only worsen the situation. Ironically, Ram is the only person Subaru can depend on and understands his current feelings. She is hurting too, and even though her bark and bite are equally horrible, and no doubt Ram’s words cut him deep, Subaru would be the bigger person and repair the bridge between them. His only hope is she crosses it and stands beside him once again.
Subaru has faced many problems in recent years, but now, the ‘girl trouble’ he faces is especially bothersome.
He finishes his morning rituals and leaves his room to start the proceedings.
Sitting at the table, talking with one another, Kenichi and Naoko talk warmly about plans for the day. Ram is silent but listens and responds when attention shifts her way. Scraping a piece of toast and applying jam, she sits serenely.
To Subaru, who hides at the top of the stairs surveying them, it almost looks like she has accepted her lot and already moved on. He knows better and that her pride wouldn’t permit any outward display of troubling thoughts. Tiring of being a spectator and admittedly hungry, Subaru walks downstairs and finishes his trek to the dining room. His family and Ram stop talking and turn to look at him.
Subaru stands in silence in front of the table. He looks down, briefly glancing at his concerned parents and over at Ram, who watches him with a neutral expression.
“Mom…Dad…” he bites his lip and glances once more at Ram, whose red irises consider him. He takes a deep breath and immediately goes to his knees, and his forehead meets the kitchen’s linoleum floor, “I’m sorry for being an ass! I have no excuse for ruining dinner and want to make amends!”
Subaru is no stranger to humbling himself in front of people, but prostrating himself to both his parents while Ram stares makes him feel like he is on trial. With his knees planted firmly in place and his head glued to the floor, he waits for someone in the room to speak. Growing increasingly uncomfortable from the silence, Subaru looks up to find his parents speechless. Even Ram looks taken aback. She had assumed Subaru would offer a half-hearted apology, maybe even blow off what happened yesterday and ignore the whole affair. But Subaru’s dramatic apology surprises even her.
Finally, his father gets up and walks over to him. Kenichi kneels and, to Subaru's surprise, hugs him. Subaru turns red with embarrassment. He always knew his father had a joking side and enjoyed busting his balls regularly, but what he feels in his father’s embrace is comfort—unfettered warmth, something he had believed he would never feel again from his parents, let alone his dad, but here it is. His chest starts to heave, and he returns the hug and begins to cry, apologizing profusely.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry-” Subaru repeats while his dad reassures him. Naoko smiles at the warm exchange, and soon, she starts to cry. Rushing to them, she joins in the moment, and both parents cradle their son for the first time in a long while.
Ram, left alone, observes the three. She smiles and turns to the table to give them privacy.
Kenichi looks at her, wiping a tear from his eye. He calls to her. “Ram, you’re part of this family too!” He waves her over.
She gives him a muddled look, “...what…?”
Understanding where her husband is coming from, Naoko gets up, and before Ram can protest or fight back, she finds herself in the loving embrace of the Natsuki family. Subaru stops crying and realizes what his father is doing, and before he can say otherwise, his mother thrusts Ram into the mix.
There, within inches of each other, the two of them stare at one another. His eyes are still tear-stained from a sudden outpouring of emotions, while Ram’s eyes are wide with surprise. Subaru can only awkwardly laugh, and if his dad wasn’t pinning his arms to his side, he might have rubbed the back of his head to go along with the embarrassing scenario. Meanwhile, Ram cringes, her expression clearly illustrating to him how uncomfortable she is at that moment.
‘I guess I’ll have to add this moment to my growing list of things to make up for?’ Subaru thinks to himself.
The hug lasts longer than necessary, and soon Kenichi relents, “Well, now that the Natsuki’s are back in action-” he stands, placing his hands on his hips, “It’s time to get this vacation officially underway!”
He pumps a fist, and soon, his wife stands and joins in. Subaru and Ram sit on the ground, looking at them and then at one another.
Subaru clears his throat and nervously chuckles, “Well, uh—good morning, Ram! How’d you sleep?”
Subaru’s attempts to change the subject fail miserably. Ram stands and irons out the creases in her skirt.
He prepares himself for a tongue-lashing, but instead, she looks and smirks, “Ram slept fine, but she can’t help wondering if you planned for this to happen.”
Subaru tilts his head, “Huh? I don’t follow?”
Ram stares for a second, “Pervert.” She goes to the table to gather her dishes and follows Naoko to the kitchen.
“Pervert!? You’re suggesting I planned the awkward family hug to get close to you?”
Ram turns to him, “Well, you are a man of perfect timing after all.” She grins mischievously and turns away.
With his mouth agape, Subaru feels lighter, as if an immense weight has dissipated from his shoulders. “Did I just…” Unsure if his and Ram’s relationship had miraculously mended.
Kenichi walks up and places a hand on his shoulder, “Congratulations, my son. You’ve officially graduated from the dog house.”
Subaru looks at his dad like a foul odor suddenly assaults him. “Doghouse? I don’t like the implication behind that.”
Kenichi laughs and smacks his back, “Either way, I’m proud of you! It’s not easy saying sorry and meaning it. Actually, I can’t remember a time when you apologized for anything?”
Subaru coughs into his hand, “W-well, I-I am just determined to turn over a new leaf and accept responsibility for my past actions.”
His father snickers, looking at his embarrassed son with pride. His parents didn’t understand when the changes in their son’s personality occurred. But rather than question him, they are grateful. Unbeknownst to Subaru, his parents firmly believe Ram's presence in his life is the reason behind his introspection and determination to be a better version of himself.
Kenichi grins, “Truly, behind every great man is a greater woman.”
Subaru’s eyebrow furrows, “Huh? What exactly do you mean by that?”
His father doesn’t elaborate, changing the subject to, “Well, I guess we've got to be getting ready for the beach.”
“Beach?” Subaru questions.
“Yeah, beach. What did you think we would be doing today? Playing board games or something?”
Suddenly, Subaru’s stomach sinks, and years of self-harm resurface in his mind.
‘Shit!’ He thinks, ‘I’ve been so self-absorbed I forgot about my arms and legs!’
He stutters, “Oh, actually, before we go, I need to stop by a store! Yeah, I want to get new trunks for the beach, uh-huh, yep!”
Kenichi raises a brow, “You didn’t pack any?”
“Nope! Totally forgot!”
Kenichi shrugs, “Alright, well, here’s some cash. There’s a place nearby, so go and get something and meet us back in an hour.”
Kenichi takes out his wallet and hands Subaru money to purchase a bathing suit. Subaru takes the stack of yen from his dad and proceeds out the door.
After returning from helping Ram with the dishes, Naoko stares at her son as he leaves through the front door.
“Where’s Subaru going?”
“He said he forgot his swim trunks.”
Naoko nods with understanding, “He has had a lot on his mind from the looks of it, and even though I wish he would talk to us when something is going on, I’m happy that his mood has improved.”
Kenichi snorts, “I couldn’t agree more, and even though I appreciate his earnest apology, I would have been equally happy with a simple ‘sorry.’ Either way, I think it’s safe to say our son is finally growing up.”
The two look at one another and smile. Both had wondered about Subaru's sudden growth and maturity but hadn't pried too much into it with him. Normal parents might have questioned their child more extensively, but Subaru's parents were anything but normal in a traditional sense.
Naoko ponders toward the front door and thinks back to the times she had watched him leave. She hadn’t noticed it until now, but Subaru’s personality wasn’t the only change.
“There’s something else strange about Subaru also.”
Kenichi stares at her thoughtfully, “Oh? What’s that?”
“He is taller than he was a few weeks ago, and his shoulders are broader, too.”
Kenichi scratches his chin, “A growth spurt, maybe?”
“Maybe, but when I look at him, I can’t help but shake the feeling our little boy has aged beyond years. He looks older than he is.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed it too. He is still Subaru, but something about him is different.”
Naoko nods and wonders what else her son is hiding. While Subaru’s parents contemplate him, Ram stands at the edge of the kitchen, staring at the door he just moments ago left through.
Ram stands motionless, transfixed, and silent. In front of her is a vast body of water—larger than any other body of water she has ever seen and certainly bigger than Lugunica’s gargantuan lake. The sheer magnitude of the ocean holds her in place.
Gentle waves tumble over one another, racing to be the first to shore before sizzling to an abrupt stop and retracting back as the tide ebbs and flows.
Ram feels the warm water tickle her toes, and instinctively, she retracts back while her eyes scan the infinite horizon that seems to be without end. She hasn’t inquired much about Subaru’s home, and the thought of it being an entirely different world is still foreign to her. After witnessing the incredible sight most take for granted, Ram wants to know more about Japan and what lies beyond the rolling waves.
“How…?” She utters, stupefied that something this grand could exist.
“Ram-chan,” A voice calls, and she turns to see Naoko waving at her.
“We’ve set up an umbrella and chair. We can go in the water if you want to put your bag down and get undressed.”
“Undress…?” The thought slightly embarrasses her, but seeing Naoko in her bikini and girls her age and older walking along the beach, it’s evident that no one bats an eye at even the most meager of bathing suits.
She nods and walks to where Naoko and Kenichi are.
“Pretty nice spot, huh?” Asks Kenichi, clearly pleased with his ability to pick an area less crowded than most public beaches.
Ram shrugs, “Perhaps. Ram can’t say she could tell the difference between where we are now and another location.”
“Oh? Foot traffic litters most public beaches, as well as noisy tourists, but this little area is a well-guarded Natsuki secret. So don’t tell anyone?” Kenichi winks as he says this, and Ram dodges the cheeky gesture as if it were a projectile.
“Ram will take this protected knowledge to her grave.” She says sarcastically, but Kenichi doesn’t seem to notice.
“That-a-girl!” He says dumbly.
Done with Subaru’s father, Ram turns to his mother, who is busy sitting on a lounge chair, lathering her shoulders with sunscreen. She hums softly and looks up at Ram.
“What’s wrong, Ram? You look tense.”
Ram looks down at the oversized hooded sweatshirt she has on. Naoko had given it to her to cover up when they left the house. She didn’t ask whose clothing it was, nor could she read the words ‘Tokyo University’ printed on it, but Ram could hazard a guess that it had once belonged to Subaru’s father. The sweatshirt, however, wasn’t the issue, but the black and pink bikini underneath. As prideful as she is and as comfortable as she is with her body, Ram can’t help feeling slightly uneasy about showing it off. If it were around Rem or Roswaal, Ram would have shed the sweatshirt instantly, but she is more cautious in front of strangers in a strange land.
After a moment of hesitation, Ram lifts the hoodie over her head. She folds the sweatshirt neatly before placing it securely on her chair.
“C’mere, and I’ll apply some sunscreen,” Naoko suggests. Ram sits in front of her with little protest, the thought of her bare shoulders and naked belly on display obscuring her thoughts.
Ram didn’t question the sunscreen's nature; the name speaks for itself.
Naoko starts to hum softly and applies a generous amount of sunscreen to Ram’s shoulders.
“You have incredible skin, Ram.”
Ignoring Naoko’s strange compliment, Ram huffs proudly, “Of course. Everything about Ram is adorable.”
Naoko giggles, “That’s a plane to see.” She doesn’t mention how lucky her son is, feeling there is no need to do so.
Ram looks around. She doesn’t have a means to tell the time, but she can still sense that Subaru is running late. As if she is sharing a wavelength with Ram, Naoko realizes it's been a while since they last saw Subaru and asks Kenichi if he has spoken to him. Kenichi shakes his head but assures them both that he’ll be there.
Kenichi had previously texted Subaru, telling him where he would find them. It is a short drive to the beach, and though they could have waited for him, Kenichi assumed Subaru wanted to take his time picking out the perfect bathing suit.
“I’m sure Subaru will be here any moment.”
As if on cue, the trio turns to see Subaru running toward them, waving.
“Hey, sorry I’m late!” He shouts, coming to a stop and catching his breath.
“I figured you would show up eventually. Ram and your mom were getting worried.”
Subaru looks at Ram, “Oh?”
Ram shakes her head. “No, Ram was not worried. Your father exaggerates more than you do, it seems.”
“Pfff- I’m sure I wasn’t far from the truth, Ram-chan.” Kenichi pokes fun at the girl, who rolls her eyes.
“If the truth were a bullseye, then you not only missed your mark, but Ram can only assume you were shooting blindly too.”
Kenichi laughs off Ram’s remark, and Subaru can’t help staring at the two, wondering when they started to get along so well. He shakes his head, deciding it isn’t something to worry about, already knowing his dad has enough charisma to spare.
“A strange choice in swimming apparel?” Naoko mentions, looking her son up and down.
“Yeah, why do you look like you’re about to explore the watery depths, Subaru?” Kenichi adds.
Ram doesn’t think much of Subaru’s wetsuit, but judging by his parent's questioning, she can only assume it is out of place.
“What? I’m not snorkeling! Can you not see the surfboard I have with me? Surely, that would have been a dead giveaway!”
The surfboard stands taller than Subaru, while he poses next to it.
“You surf? Since when?” His father asks incredulously.
“Since today. I’ve decided to take it up. Hadn’t I always told you guys how much I like surfing?”
Kenichi and Naoko look at each other, trying to recall if Subaru had ever been interested in surfing.
“Eh, whatever you say, Son. But why a full-body wet suit? It’s not a requirement for surfing.”
“And suffer from the effects of the sun? No thanks! Prolonged exposure to the sun causes premature aging and is bad for the skin.”
“Oh? Is that why you spent months stuck inside your room?”
His father teases him, but Subaru doesn’t take the bait, “Oh, ha-ha. Anyway, how come you guys hadn’t gotten in the water? Shark sighting or something?”
Instead of asking Subaru what a shark is, Ram shakes her head, “No, Naoko-san was busy applying a protective shield from the sun on Ram’s impeccable, slender shoulders while Kenichi-san struggled to set everything up.”
“I wasn’t struggling!”
“I dunno Dad, Ram has an eye for pointing out someone’s flaws in a brutally honest fashion, so if she said the campsite was kicking your ass, then I believe her.”
“I’m being ganged up on!” Kenichi looks to his wife for her support.
Naoko cast a wry smile, “Yes, Subaru. Your father spent over thirty minutes setting up an umbrella. I offered to help, but something about his pride as a man prevented that.”
“Hey!”
Subaru snorts and starts to laugh. Naoko and Ram look at one another and smile. Soon, they join in and start laughing at Kenichi’s expense. Kenichi scratches the back of his head and smiles, “Okay, fine. I guess I deserved that!”
He walks to Subaru and says, “Let’s hit the water. Believe it or not, your old man is quite a capable surfer. Do you want me to show you a thing or two?”
Subaru isn’t the least bit surprised. He glances at his mom, who smiles, and Ram, who looks like she, too, waits for his reply. Before, he might have blown him off or remarked harshly, but instead, he nods, “Sure, but don’t be surprised if I show you up in the end!”
Kenichi grins, “Oh? So you’re challenging me to see who the king of the beach is, eh?”
“Calm down, big kahuna. I probably need to learn to stand up first.”
Subaru’s humble reply surprises Kenichi. “Subaru, you’ve grown. You know that?” he says admittedly.
It is an odd compliment, one that catches him off guard. Subaru blushes with slight embarrassment, “...Well, I am the son of Natsuki Kenichi, after all.”
Kenichi laughs and smacks his son on the back, “That’s right! And there is nothing us Natuski’s can’t accomplish!”
Naoko had to choke back the tears, thankful that the two special men in her life were getting along. After the past few days, she started to get worried, but since Subaru’s heartfelt apology this morning, Naoko knows her initial concern was misplaced.
“Oh, and one more thing, Subaru.”
Subaru tilts his head, “What?”
Kenichi leans in close and looks at his son seriously. “You know, it’s impolite not to compliment your girlfriend in her cute bikini?”
Subaru squints at his dad and turns to regard Ram. He hadn’t noticed at first, getting caught up in his father and mother’s shenanigans, but now that his father had mentioned it, Ram does look cute.
Subaru feels his pulse quicken. And he scratches his chin bashfully.
“What, Barusu?” Ram asks, feeling his stare and taking notice of his fidgeting behavior.
“Nothing. You just look cute in your bathing suit, is all.” His face reddens.
Ram’s eyes widen, and she turns away, “Pervert.”
Subaru smiles to himself, suddenly feeling energized. He turns to Kenichi. “C’mon, old man! Otherwise, you’ll wrinkle standing in the sun all day!”
“I’ve applied plenty of sunscreen, I have, you know!” Kenichi retorts playfully and throws an arm around Subaru’s shoulders.
The two make a beeline for the water. Ram turns to regard them.
“I’m happy to see those two getting along so well,” Naoko remarks, her prideful smile brighter than the sun.
Ram doesn’t reply; her red irises for some reason, are naturally drawn toward Subaru. Because she had turned around, Subaru missed her hidden smile and tinted cheeks. Ram thinks about the compliment and smiles to herself. In the past, Ram would have recoiled from his words, the mere thought of Subaru calling her cute repulsive. However, her stomach doesn’t churn nauseatingly, and if anything, Ram feels a slight elation from his words.
In the end, Ram credits her confusing demeanor to the calming ocean breeze.
Her thoughts, however, drift back to Lugunica and her sister.
“Ram wishes Rem could see this view.”
Ram is speaking of the ocean, of course, and not Subaru falling off his surfboard. She chuckles to herself while she watches him struggle and brings her needs to her chest. The warm breeze continues to ruffle her pink bangs.
“C’mon, son! You have to force yourself up quickly and center your weight!” Kenichi shouts to Subaru as he gets back on the board and paddles back to set himself up in front of the next coming wave.
“Yeah, I heard you the first time!” Subaru shouts and looks toward the beach.
His mother sits on her knees preparing lunch while Ram sits beside her on a lounge chair. It’s difficult to tell from a distance, but it almost appears that she is staring at him.
“She is probably still mad…” He says to himself, sighing. “...I’ll have to find the right time to speak with her…and admit I don’t have a plan to get us home…”
Subaru shudders and feels momentary guilt, knowing he is relaxing at the beach instead of trying to reunite both Ram and him with the others.