Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

1

“Hey Beatrice, you’re reaaally knowledgeable, right? So, do you happen to know about the ‘constellations’ that were famous where Subaru used to live?”

“Constellations, in fact?”

“Yes, that’s right. You know, the stars in the sky? Connecting their lights like a picture, likening them to animals—that’s what constellations are, apparently,” Emilia explained, before pointing at the ceiling and drawing pictures in the air while swirling her finger around.

Following Emilia’s finger movements with her eyes, Beatrice, who was soaking in the bath together with her, her usually adorably curled hair now tied up, gently swayed her head from side to side. Although she was contracted with Subaru and got along very well with him, it went without saying that she couldn’t accompany him to the bath or toilet, so she often opted to take baths with Emilia, Petra, or the other women of the mansion. It was Emilia’s turn today, so she and Beatrice were bathing together. They had already taken turns washing each other’s hair and bodies and were leisurely soaking in the hot water when the topic of ‘constellations’ was brought up.

“It seems that the way stars appear is completely different between Subaru’s homeland and Lugunica, so he was saying it’s reaaally disappointing that he can’t teach us the constellations he knows…” Emilia lamented.

“So you thought you’d teach Subaru the constellations of Lugunica instead, I suppose?” Beatrice guessed.

“That’s right! So I thought you might know them. Do you?”

“…Sorry, but Betty can’t meet those expectant eyes,” Beatrice replied, shaking her head. “She knows some star names here and there, but even in Betty’s knowledge, there’s nothing about constellations.”

Emilia slumped her shoulders. “Oh, I see.”

From what Subaru had told her about his homeland, they drew an incredible number of pictures in the night sky stars, and there were a huge number of constellations. I got him to draw some of them for me, but I can’t see them as dogs, rabbits, scales, or water jars at all.

“But I was reaaally impressed, because I’d never thought of looking at stars not just as something that twinkles, but in that way.”

In any case, Beatrice also didn’t know about constellations, so her plan had failed. Just like Beatrice said, I wanted to teach Subaru some constellations he didn’t know to cheer him up since he was disappointed that he couldn’t find any of the ones he knew, Emilia thought.

“In the first place, the positions of stars are fickle, so Betty thinks it’s difficult for constellations to properly exist, in fact,” Beatrice said. “Yesterday’s night sky and today’s might be slightly different, I suppose.”

“Is that so?” Emilia asked.

“Yes, in fact. The stars in the night sky are considered to be huge masses of mana, I suppose. As far as Betty knows, there are even Spirits that became stars, in fact.”

“A mass of mana… So, stars are magic stones that are reaaally far away?”

“That’s one way to think about it, I suppose. Of course, Betty hasn’t flown directly to a star, so she hasn’t confirmed it, in fact.”

Emilia widened her eyes at the unfamiliar bit of trivia she had just learned about stars. While I was certainly aware that there are a ton of stars in the sky, I never really looked at each one individually. So it’s my first time hearing that their numbers decrease or their positions change, she thought. “But in that case, it seems like it’ll be difficult to teach Subaru about constellations…”

“…Was Subaru that depressed, I suppose?” Beatrice asked.

“He wasn’t exactly moping, but he looked a little lonely. And he said that his name ‘Subaru’ was also taken from a star…”

It wasn’t just that Subaru liked them; he and stars had a very strong connection. Emilia wanted to tell Subaru about stars he didn’t know so that even in the Kingdom, where he couldn’t find the constellations he knew, he wouldn’t feel lonely.

Having that plan fail, Emilia folded her arms in the bathtub and thought with a “Hmm.” If only there was something I could give to Subaru related to stars.

“…There’s one thing Betty can think of, in fact.”

“Really? That’s amazing! As expected of you, Beatrice!”

“I-It’s too early to praise Betty before you even hear the idea, I suppose! Besides, Betty’s not even sure if it can be properly realized, in fact. You’re so impatient, I suppose.”

“But it’s something you thought of for Subaru, right? I’m sure it’s something reaaally wonderful. Tell me, tell me. I’ll do anything.”

“Good grief, don’t get so worked up, in fact. But certainly, this idea can’t be successful without your cooperation, I suppose,” Beatrice reassured, though with a difficult expression.

Emilia’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, leave it to me!” she exclaimed energetically, patting her bare chest.

2

“Betty talked a bit with Emilia in the bath, but stars in the sky are huge masses of mana… Think of them as big versions of magic crystals, which are highly pure magic stones, in fact,” Beatrice explained.

“Big versions… But stars are very far away, right? How big are they?” Petra asked.

“They’re not just any size, I suppose. At least as big as a mountain, in fact.”

“A mountain! B-Bigger than I thought…!” Petra exclaimed with widened eyes at Beatrice’s description of a size beyond her wildest imagination, trying to express it with outstretched hands.

Emilia understood Petra’s surprise well, having been surprised in the same way.

Behind the surprised Petra, Ram and Frederica, who had also been summoned, exchanged glances.

“An unexpected lecture about stars… It’s like Barusu’s incoherent topics.”

“Ram, do not talk like that. Is it not a very valuable story? No wonder the starry sky gives us such a mystical feeling…”

“Ha.”

“Why did you laugh? You have not changed at all…”

“Sister Frederica, Sister Ram, please don’t get into a silly fight!” Petra shouted, stepping between the two glaring at each other, meditating between her two elder sisters. She then turned back to Emilia and Beatrice and continued. “So… Um, the talk about stars is wonderful, but what are we going to do with it?”

“Well, actually, I discussed this with Beatrice, and we’re thinking about making a star for Subaru,” Emilia answered without thinking too deeply. “So, I wanted the three of you to help.”

Frederica and Petra blinked in confusion.

“…Lady Emilia, what did you just say?” Frederica asked.

“E-E-Eh, make a star…?” Petra sputtered.

Seeing their reactions, Emilia reflected that she might have skipped a few steps, and tried to re-explain, but—

“I see. If stars are masses of mana, then if we solidify a large mass of mana and make it float in the sky, it will become a new star that looks similar…is that it?” Ram offered.

“That’s right!” Emilia exclaimed. “Just like Ram said, that’s what we’re thinking…! Right?”

“That’s correct, I suppose. As always, Ram being quick on the uptake is quite helpful, in fact.”

“Thank you… But are you serious?” Ram asked Emilia, narrowing her light-crimson eyes.

At Ram’s gaze, Emilia puffed out her chest with an “Of course.” I know it’s not a simple thing, but I want to try. “I’m sure Subaru will be reaaally happy. And that would make you happy too, right, Ram?”

“No?”

“Eh?!”

“Lady Emilia! I-I think it’s really wonderful!” Petra shouted to overwrite Ram’s immediate answer, leaning forward.

Placing a hand on Petra’s shoulder from behind, Frederica nodded. “Indeed. Honestly, I am surprised at the talk of making a star…but if that is possible, I am sure Sir Subaru will be happy. I would love to see it myself.”

“Thank you! Petra, Frederica, Ram.”

“…Ram didn’t say she’d cooperate.”

“You won’t?”

“…Sigh. Ram didn’t say she wouldn’t, either,” Ram said, sighing, also coming on board after Petra and Frederica.

At the three’s responses, Emilia clasped her hands in front of her chest and turned back to Beatrice, who nodded deeply at her gaze. “With the use of Emilia’s unbelievably large gate, Petra’s Yang magic, and Ram’s Wind magic, we should be able to pull this off, I suppose.”

“Ah, um, Lady Beatrice? What about my role?” Frederica inquired.

“Ha, seems like you’re being declared unfit for the task. It’s rare for you to be in such a position, Frederica,” Ram commented with a shrug.

Frederica’s shoulders shook with frustration. “Ugh, urgh…”

Watching the two’s exchange from the corner of her eye, Petra looked worriedly at Emilia and Beatrice. “Um, is there something for Frederica to do…?” she asked.

“It’s okay, there’s definitely something I want Frederica to do,” Emilia replied. “You see, this surprise plan takes a looot of time to prepare. So…”

“During that time, we need someone to distract Subaru so he doesn’t find out, in fact,” Beatrice finished.

“I see… So I have to prevent Sir Subaru from approaching Lady Emilia or Lady Beatrice while you all are getting things ready. Th-That is a surprisingly big role.”

“That’s right,” Ram replied. “Given the chance, Barusu will try to get close to Her Ladyship or Lady Beatrice. How indecent.”

I don’t think it’s indecent, but it’s true that Subaru likes to be with me and Beatrice, so it’s important to have Frederica prevent that.

“I was thinking of secretly telling Otto and Garfiel too…” Emilia said.

“Otto is fine, but is Garf okay? Won’t it show on his face?” Petra asked.

“I also think it’s better to avoid telling Garf, even if Mister Otto is okay,” Frederica agreed.

“That’s right. Otto is okay, but Garf is no good,” Ram thirded.

Since everyone was on the same page, the plan was shared with Otto but kept secret from Garfiel. Also, just to confirm… “So, about Roswaal…” Emilia started.

“No!” Beatrice, Petra, Frederica, and Ram cried.

Thus, in that manner, they decided to carry out Operation: Subaru’s Surprise Star.

3

For the important day of execution, we chose a day where the sky would be beautifully clear all day, Emilia thought. “Because even the special star would be ruined if clouds cover the sky and it can’t be seen.”

“But on a sunny day, there’s a possibility that Subaru will be moving around a lot, so we have to be careful that our plan isn’t discovered, in fact,” Beatrice warned.

“He’s quite energetic on sunny days… He’s like a mutt,” Ram added.

On that note, they started making preparations for the plan and then proceeded to carry it out. Although they had initially started with enthusiasm, making a star was no easy task, requiring a delicate touch, and Emilia failed over and over, producing many a star fragment.

“This is what you’d really call stardust… Next, let’s try again! I’m sure it’ll go well next time!” Petra cried, encouraging Emilia so she wouldn’t be discouraged by continuous failures.

“That’s right! I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it little by little!” Emilia exclaimed, feeling motivated. “Next time…there!”

With the effect of Petra’s Yang magic, Emilia somehow shaped the formless mass of mana, trying to maintain its form so that it would be okay to launch into the sky as a star. She would normally give directionality to the mana mass and shoot it out as ice, so this was a very difficult task.

“This is bad. Since Lady Beatrice and Lady Emilia have not been seen since morning, Sir Subaru is complaining of withdrawal symptoms. Mister Otto is holding him back for now, but…”

“…E-Even Betty wants to go to Subaru’s side, I suppose. But if Betty isn’t supervising, the mansion might get blown up by a star, in fact!”

While Emilia and the others were hard at work, Frederica, who had been saddled with the most important role, was working with Otto to somehow keep Subaru in check. In that way, as they gradually inched closer to the creation of a successful star, Emilia had a thought: “It’s only in times like this, but it’s reaaally nice to have everyone working hard on one thing together.”

“Indeed, it truly is only in times like this… Kindly do not lose your focus until you have completed it,” Ram scolded.

“Oh, you’re right. Thank you, Ram.”

Despite having said mean things at first, Ram ended up helping them out until the end. Being helped by that kindness, Emilia continued to focus, and then—

“And that’s why we prepared a star for you, Subaru! Have a look!” Emilia exclaimed.

“Prepared a star?!” Subaru cried.

It was nighttime at Roswaal Manor. Subaru had been called out to the courtyard, where Emilia and Beatrice, as well as their helpers, Petra, Frederica, and Ram, were finally unveiling the star.

Subaru, who had been obstructed by Frederica and Otto all day, was astonished as he looked up at the night sky, with Beatrice, who had leapt onto him upon seeing him, sitting on his shoulders. At the end of his gaze—there, Emilia and the others’ hard work was shining brilliantly.

“Emilia molded the mana, and Petra assisted with her Yang magic. To launch it into the sky, we borrowed Ram’s Wind magic power, with Petra assisting that. Once it reached the necessary height, Emilia fixed it in place, also with Petra’s assistance, I suppose,” Beatrice explained.

“Petra’s helper maid skills are amazing!” Subaru praised. “I mean, isn’t everyone incredible?!”

“Ehehe, we did our best,” Petra gushed, blushing shyly. Though as per Beatrice and Subaru’s evaluation, her efforts were a huge part of why the plan had succeeded. Emilia felt deeply grateful to her.

“I can’t believe you’d go so far for me, Sis… Ouch!” Subaru said.

“Don’t say unnecessary things,” Ram retorted. “Well, enjoy it to the fullest. It’s a special star that lasts only for a few hours.”

“There’s no need to step on my foot… But only for a few hours?”

Having been stepped on by Ram, Subaru hopped around with Beatrice still plopped on his shoulders. Her curls shaking up and down along with him, Beatrice nodded. “That’s right. Because it’s a hastily made star, it’s difficult to keep it floating in the sky like other stars, in fact. That is a special star just for tonight, I suppose.”

“Just for tonight… Th-That’s super luxurious! It’s an amazing special treatment!” Subaru cried, eye shining, after hearing Beatrice’s explanation.

Emilia was relieved upon seeing that, then exchanged smiles with Petra and the others. I was a little anxious—that even if we made a star, if it disappeared shortly after, it might make Subaru disappointed instead. “But I’m glad you’re happy. I’m sooo relieved.”

“No, no, no, of course I’d be happy, maybe too happy! I never thought you guys would give me a star as a present… I’m really, super happy,” Subaru gushed, with Beatrice gently patting his head from her position on his shoulders as he became overcome with emotion.

Subaru’s straightforward and honest reaction brought a sense of satisfaction, and Emilia felt glad that they had done it. The star that she and the others launched was easily distinguishable among the myriad of other stars; emitting a faint bluish-white glow, it was exceptionally clear and beautiful.

“But Emilia-tan, why did you suddenly think of doing this?”

“Hehe, to return the favor for all the things you do for me.”

“Return the favor?” Subaru replied, tilting his head as if he had no clue, making Emilia smile.

Emilia, under the light of a star of their very own design, had always been receiving so much from the boy named after a star from a place she didn’t know, so…

“You’re always doing things for me, so I wanted to do something for you for a change, Subaru—I worked reaaally hard,” she said.

END