“Onii-san visited us again sooner than I expected. I’m happy!”
“Onee-chan, this is a serious matter.”
“…Well, you’re not exactly letting go of him either, Tivey?”
“Of course not. Why should I? He’s my brother, isn’t it obvious?”
“…I suppose they will always act like this.”
On the morning of a new day, joy could be felt in the Hoshin mansion’s meeting room. Even though everyone was gathered for a business meeting, it seemed more like a gathering of friends.
“…Honestly, I didn’t think you’d visit me directly the very next day, Subaru… Not that I’m complaining, of course. You can come whenever you want.”
“Thank you very much, Ana… I didn’t really plan to come this fast either, but… well… I need your help.”
Subaru said with a very faint smile, sitting on the other side of the table while being surrounded by three small triplets.
He didn’t resist. He didn’t want to. He needed to speak with everyone present.
The room currently contained a total of 8 people.
On the right side was Anastasia, who had a smile on her face at the sight of her friend. Even though her intuition told her he was coming for a matter not so light or easy… she was happy to help him.
Near her, Ricardo and Julius were also seated. One had a raised eyebrow and an animated smile, wondering what surprise the kid had for him this time.
And the other had perfect knightly composure. A faint formal smile and nothing more. Only those who truly knew him could see his determination and the joy he felt at being able to help a friend. Even though he didn’t know what he needed.
And on the other side of the table were the rest.
The triplets Mimi, Tivey, and Hetaro were hugging the black-haired boy.
The eldest triplet was the one who needed to pay the least attention in this meeting. She had no doubt about what she had to do once it ended: Help her brother with whatever it was! What, isn’t that obvious?
Her younger brothers, while they wanted and needed to hear more details about what the boy wanted first, couldn’t deny they would follow their sister’s example. They are siblings, they would be there for him.
Behind the chair where the otherworldly boy sat, was a blue-haired maid. Dressed in her elegant uniform and with a polite smile, while maintaining a formal aura.
She was happy to be surrounded by people who liked her hero… But she also wanted to focus all her attention on the matter at hand.
On the same subject her hero had confided in her the previous day…
“…This is a matter… that I want you to take very seriously, Ana-chan.”
Subaru knew he needed to talk about this. He knew he needed help. He had tried to do it alone and… it had gone completely wrong.
He knew he had to talk about it, but… he was a little scared of how they would react.
“…I can hear the tension in your voice… I don’t think you’re joking, don’t worry about that.”
Although Anastasia had no way of knowing what her friend had prepared, she would listen to what he had to say. She couldn’t do less for the boy she loved.
“Come on, kid! You’ve made us wonder since you left yesterday.”
“That’s right! Onii-san acted a bit weird asking for that hug… You don’t have to do it if you want to ask for one.”
Ricardo and Mimi thought the same. Subaru was no longer just a friend. He was family to them. They would listen and help if they could.
Mimi was also trying to guide him on the right path. The path of receiving love! She had noticed her Onii-san hesitated before in accepting their gestures of affection. She, as his sister, would have to teach him to accept it.
“…Yes… I’ll try.”
Subaru, taking everyone by surprise a bit, draws the triplets even closer to himself, letting Mimi sit on his lap, and begins to hug her.
“…Good… I see you’re starting to accept affection.”
Mimi settles in between her three brothers… accepting the hug and happy for her brother, but she was surprised he took the initiative.
For everyone, from what they had seen of Subaru, he was a boy who had a hard time accepting the gestures of kindness and love that everyone offered him.
Did they want him to change? Of course… But they didn’t think he would change so quickly in just one day.
“…I think… I think I’m in the mood for a bit of pampering right now… don’t think about it too much.”
“…It’s not like I can say anything anyway.”
Subaru thought while, seriously, seriously needing that hug.
“If you say so… You’ll have all the hugs you want! Isn’t that right, guys?”
Tivey and Hetaro don’t really respond. They just act by getting closer to their brother. There was no doubt about what they wanted to say for Subaru’s sake.
“…It feels good.”
He can’t help but feel relaxed in this situation, no matter how much embarrassment and shame it gave him days ago.
But ignoring that… he turns to look Anastasia straight in the eyes.
“…I… I’m not very sure how to start this kind of chat or business… sooo… -”
“You’ve always been a bit weak when speaking in public… We are your friends, just say it directly.”
“…Say it directly?”
Looking for a slight confirmation, Subaru turns his gaze to the blue-haired girl, who returns his look somewhat nervously, but with firmness somehow.
“…Rem… Although Rem believes they might be surprised, I think it’s the best way to continue, Subaru-kun.”
“…Alright…”.
Subaru takes a slight breath, hoping this doesn’t go too badly.
“…I need your help to defend against a Witch Cult attack on the Roswaal Mansion.”
And he drops a bombshell as if it were nothing.
“…”
Instantly, the atmosphere becomes cold and tense in the room. Clearly, no one was expecting a request of such gravity.
The brothers stop hugging with much force.
The knight makes his smile disappear, looking at the boy seriously.
The wolf demi-human acts the same way, adopting an expression rarely seen by everyone.
And the royal candidate… Through commercial instinct, switches to her business side, staring intently into her friend’s eyes, as if analyzing him.
“…That is… a very extreme request to open a negotiation, Subaru.”
“I know… I warned you, didn’t I?”
Subaru tries to sound confident… despite doubting his situation right now.
There’s no turning back. He must continue.
“…The Mathers mansion… is where you have been staying, and where Miss Emilia lives. My rival for the throne, isn’t she?”
“Yes. That same place.”
He responds bluntly. Not trying to sound rude. Just accepting and stating the facts as they are.
“…You have no softness in these matters… That subtracts some points in negotiations.”
“Actually, I think I would do worse if I came and didn’t make my position clear.”
“…I suppose that’s true…”.
Anastasia silently shifts her gaze between the faces of Subaru and Rem… observing their expressions with critical eyes.
“…Before I say anything on my part… Do you have any proof to believe that information is true?”
“…Ngh…”.
Subaru remains silent for a few seconds… knowing this could be serious on his part.
“…I don’t have proof… But I am sure of it.”
“…Do you have anything to say about where you got that information from?”
“…It’s private.”
“You make it really hard to believe you…”.
She didn’t say it to be mean. Anastasia truly didn’t say it with that intention.
But if Subaru were another person, she would have undoubtedly already refused to listen to anything else from him.
Subaru was also tense. Sure, all of them were his friends. But he had come to demand help without being able to reveal how he obtained all the details.
But he had already proven that wouldn’t work… He proved it in the past loops, besides experiencing it again when he told the situation to Rem.
The pain pierced him for the second time at that moment… so speaking explicitly about it was forbidden.
In that case, would they really give him a vote of confidence?
“…Lady Rem?”
“Just Rem is fine, Lady Anastasia.”
She responded politely and formally to the royal candidate’s words, who observed her with a neutral expression, looking at her carefully and cautiously.
“Alright, Rem… If yesterday Subaru didn’t mention anything remotely similar to this, I must assume he obtained that information shortly after leaving my mansion… That is, you also learned about this recently?”
“How observant,” Subaru thought.
“That is correct, Lady Anastasia. Subaru-kun informed her of the details about the attack when we arrived at our lodging place yesterday night.”
She responds with the same tone Ana had prepared for her. But she keeps pressing.
“…And you really believed him without any proof?”
“Rem doesn’t need any proof to believe in Subaru. If Subaru says something with such confidence, she will believe it with equal firmness.”
She says. Not with exaggeration. Not under pressure. Not with the objective of showing her devotion.
Those words were nothing more than the pure truth that Rem had believed for a long time.
“…It’s a bit naive of you…”.
Anastasia fixes her gaze on Subaru once more. Considering Rem’s totally genuine and naive words…
…And did she think it was stupid?… Well…
“…I suppose I am just as naive.”
She can’t help but say with a smile, drawing a smile of understanding from Rem and a slight sigh of relief from Subaru.
“Wait… you believe me-?”
But before he could say anything, she interrupts him, still maintaining that commercial aura around her.
“I haven’t said that yet. I am only willing to listen to you. With so little information, it’s impossible for me to decide to help you so easily.”
“…Liar.”
“Quiet, Echidna, it’s not the time.”
She had to whisper when a small spirit spoke in her ear without anyone noticing.
“Speaking of verifiable information about the Witch Cult… is something that doesn’t happen so commonly.”
Julius speaks, capturing everyone’s attention. Especially Subaru’s.
“…Even though they are one of the most dangerous groups?”
“It’s true they are known by all, kid. But we have very little reliable information about them. There’s nothing more than rumors and myths about them. They are a really elusive group.”
“In the capital, more than anything, supposed sightings of cultists are published daily… Even though they should be taken very seriously, they are so many and so unreliable that they end up mixing and causing more misinformation than clarity about them.”
Ricardo and Julius explain to Subaru, who can’t help but feel a bit frustrated by the luck or skill of this sect.
“…Have any of you had a direct confrontation with them?”
“As a royal knight, I have participated in several defense operations. But I have never faced them in direct battle. Only the consequences of their battles.”
“The same for us, Onii-sama. We have faced many people, but we have never encountered an Archbishop.”
To Julius and Tivey’s response, Subaru feels… truthfully, a bit relieved that his friends haven’t been involved in a battle as deadly as those damned cultists can be.
It’s true he hasn’t been able to remember anything from his childhood about them… But they are still his friends. The less danger they face, the better Subaru would feel.
“…And you, kid?… Have you been involved in one of their attacks?”
“…”
“Saying yes… Would be a lie?… Well, technically I did in the future of my past lives, but…”.
“Rem and Subaru-kun were attacked by the Witch Cult towards my clan several years ago in the past.”
Rem answers for Subaru as soon as she saw him hesitating to say something.
“…Towards… your clan?”
“…From your comment yesterday, Ana-chan, I think the village where you helped me sell was the Oni Clan village. That is where I apparently met Rem, and her elder twin sister, Ram.”
“Oh!… So it was you two.”
Anastasia can’t help but be a bit surprised to see one of the friends Subaru had told her about for years.
“Yes… Thank you for helping Subaru-kun become a merchant back then, by the way. It helped me and Onee-chan a lot.”
“Hehe. Don’t worry. I couldn’t let someone as incredible as him pass up his potential so easily.”
And the two of them share a smile.
“…Did you say you were attacked?”
“…Apparently the last day I was summoned, yes.”
Subaru answered Julius’s doubt.
“…The Witch Cult attacked the village, and except for Ram and Rem, exterminated the lives of all the onis…”.
A shadow of sadness and anger appears on Rem’s brow, which she quickly dispels.
She had overcome that trauma… But the hatred for everything the cult had done to her, her family, and her hero? She would never forget that.
“…If it weren’t for Subaru-kun… perhaps my sister and I would also have died.”
“If it weren’t for him?… Hey, kid, you were 7 or 8 years old then, right? Did you face the cult?”
“…Well… facing is being very generous… I don’t remember it and only say it from their side, but… I think… I received a direct attack from them to save them.”
“What?!” (x3)
As he finishes his sentence, Subaru is startled to hear three shouts at once and with such force near him.
The triplets stare at their brother in shock. They genuinely hadn’t thought he would have been capable of doing… that…
…And after a few seconds of silence.
“…Let me see this!”
“Ngh-. Mimi-san?”
“Stay still for a few seconds!”
“W-Wait-… What are you doing-?”
Ignoring his words, Mimi gets off Subaru’s comfortable lap, and frantically starts pulling at his sweatshirt.
He tries to resist, mainly by reflex… and a bit of tickling when the little girl’s fingers touch his sides.
But her brothers don’t stay idle either, holding his arms so he can’t interfere.
“…ngh!…”
And after a few seconds… they can’t help but look at the scar that runs across the human’s entire back…
“…It’s a deep scar… it was from an attack meant to kill or sever a limb.”
Ricardo couldn’t help but stand up and involuntarily approach his small children. And he also can’t help but look at the wound with a bit of pain.
That pain is also reflected in Rem, who looks at her hero’s wound with mixed feelings.
“…It’s a wound that, despite the years, is very visible… I think it’s incredible to survive without more severe consequences than that mark.”
Julius commented his opinion trying to be professional… But even he couldn’t help but grimace at seeing the mark his friend will have to carry for the rest of his life.
And Anastasia… doesn’t move, doesn’t say anything… it’s not necessary…
Her expression is more than enough to show everything she feels.
But Subaru… tries to calm her. Calm them all. Trying to minimize his wound and everyone’s concern.
“As I said… I don’t remember this wound. I don’t remember suffering from it… There’s no need to worry. It’s not such a big de-”
“Shut up.”
“Huh-?”
He falls silent, more from shock than anything else, at the triplet’s words.
From the one he considered his elder brother.
“Hetaro-sama?”
“I said shut up… Don’t say another word… How dare you… ask us not to worry about you?”
“…Huh-. Well, I…”.
Startled by his own trembling voice, Subaru is unable to say anything as the demi-human circles his back, ending up in front of him.
In a slow gesture, looking down in an attempt to hide his tears, he takes off his shoes and leaves them to the side.
Only to stand on the table without dirtying it, managing to reach enough height to look at his brother from above… and finally speak.
“…You are… a really troublesome Onii-chan… The fact that you don’t remember us… doesn’t mean we should worry less about everything you’ve been through…”.
“…Hetaro-sama…”
“Even if you don’t remember. Even if you think it’s not that important. It matters to me. It matters to us!… So… Please… as your elder brother I order you… don’t do things that could kill you… Don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger…”.
The small demi-human expressed his purest feelings. All for the sake of his younger brother.
He was Subaru’s elder brother… didn’t he have to take charge of making him see reason?
“Don’t say not to worry… Don’t give us reasons to worry… Don’t die…”.
“ I…Yes… I promise.”
“…I won’t die again…”.
Subaru… felt he had to fulfill that promise with all his might.
That life… his life… Even if he could restart it and start over…
Just for his brother… he would refuse to do so this time.
“…Ngh… You’d better…”.
Letting his tears slowly run down his small face, Hetaro wipes the remains of his sadness from his face.
“…”
Subaru doesn’t know what else to say… just… decides to take him down from the table and hug him…
…Until he shed a few tears seeing his brother’s reaction… No… He didn’t want to see that expression again.
“…”
And this one says nothing more when he feels hugged by his human brother.
“…It seems we have enough reasons to want to help you in that attack… it’s not like we needed more in the first place…”.
Anastasia said… while hiding her personal emotions as best she could.
In negotiations, it’s very important to try not to let your feelings and emotions interfere with your judgment. That’s what she always tries to do…
Although she must admit that, in this case… it’s almost impossible not to be carried away to help the black-haired boy.
“…But… still I would like to have more information about this supposed attack, Subaru… Could you tell me what you have?”
He returns the gaze, without stopping to caress and hug the small demi-human.
“…It’s an attack led by an Archbishop… The Archbishop representing the sin of Sloth.”
With those words, another wave of tension and chills passes through everyone present.
“…That is a very serious accusation… If an Archbishop is truly involved… We can say without any doubt that it will be a large-scale attack.”
“Not much is known about the Archbishops. Besides that they cause destruction and their plans always go infallibly wherever they go.”
Ricardo and Julius’s words don’t do much to calm those emotions either.
“…I know I’m the one with the information and asking for help… But do you know anything about them?”
Subaru really didn’t know in depth about the Witch Cult. No more than what he learned in the last month in the forbidden library. And the days he has repeated that week.
The more he knew about his enemies, the better for him.
“It is known that the most famous Archbishops are, surely, Sloth and Greed.”
The royal knight declares firmly.
“The two most famous?”
“They are the ones who carry out the most attacks. At least from what is publicly known.”
“I think Sloth tends to have more prevalent information. But it is known that Greed has an unforgivable rate of damage and destruction in comparison.”
Tivey answered at his side, supported by his wolf demi-human father.
“…Regardless of the sin we are dealing with, if it’s an Archbishop we cannot afford any loose ends, Subaru… I won’t ask your sources for this one exception, but do you know anything else about him?”
“…I know he has a special ability… It allows him to create several hands coming out of his body that… seem to be invisible to any being.”
“Invisible hands?… Like our magic tricks?”
“Uhhh… Yes, but these aren’t for entertainment, they’re for killing, Mimi-san…”.
“…Turning fun into slaughter… Mimi already wants to give him what he deserves.”
Although the way she said it sounded like a joke and childish… the truth was that her desire was real. She definitely wanted to give him what he deserved.
Mimi would give him his due!
“…Invisible hands… Perhaps it is his Authority.”
“…Authority?”
“It is believed that each Archbishop of sin has an Authority, Subaru-kun.”
Rem explains to her hero with a serene expression what Julius means.
“Roswaal-sama and Beatrice-sama have spoken to him about it a few times. They are exclusive abilities of theirs, the Archbishops. An ability that is almost impossible to overcome and is believed to be on the level of Divine Protections…”.
“…So it’s like the evil counterpart of Divine Protections?”
“That’s one way to put it, kid. And from what you say, those unseen hands must be the Authority of Sloth.”
“…Dealing with invisible attacks… even with that information, it can be a problem in a long fight…”.
Julius was considering the best options and possibilities that could arise if they really ended up fighting an enemy like that.
But it’s not necessary to think about it more.
“…But… I am capable of seeing them.”
“Huh?”
Well, that statement takes everyone by surprise.
“…Can you… see the invisible hands of his Authority?”
“…Subaru, even though I have a vote of confidence in you, that is hard for anyone to believe, you know?… Are you really sure about that?”
“I don’t know why I can see them either… Maybe the fact that I’m from another world explains it?…”
It’s the only thing he can explain to himself. He can’t find another plausible reason for it.
“…It’s a possibility… There is even less information about those summoned from beyond the Great Waterfall than about the Witch Cult itself… It’s something… very convenient to believe.”
“…”
Anastasia’s group… the truth was that a small part of their minds almost believed in the possibility that they were talking to a person who has lost his mind.
Every piece of information that came from his lips was more and more difficult to believe… many would stop believing due to the incomprehensibility and lack of reliability of that information.
“…Onii-san is amazing!”
“So the kid is capable of overcoming an Authority, huh? I’m so proud.”
“Subaru-kun always manages to impress everyone, doesn’t he?”
…But if that information comes from Subaru? Hah. Not much more is needed to convince them.
“…Honestly, I really appreciate that everyone trusts me in this situation… But aren’t you a little… easy to convince?”
Although for Subaru, he still hadn’t realized why he is so deserving of that trust.
“…Alright… Moving on to the attack…”.
But even so, he wouldn’t complain as long as it wasn’t necessary. It felt good to belong to a group like this.
“…It will take place during this night… or rather, in the morning of tomorrow…”.
“In less than a day?… That’s not much time to prepare.”
“I know… That’s why I want to say everything necessary…”.
“…I understand… go ahead.”
Usually, Anastasia would prefer to take these meetings more slowly… But she knew Subaru had to be as concise as possible.
“…The Witch Cult plans to cut off all the main routes leading to the Roswaal territory. Surely to prevent them from being able to evacuate or for someone to arrive to stop them.”
“…They don’t know that anyone is able to predict their movements and yet they take measures to avoid external help… They are very careful…”.
Ricardo had to praise the cult in his own way. He, like everyone, hated it. But they had to admit that if no one had been able to face them, it was because their infallible plans were always very well made.
“…And how do they manage to stop the circulation so that no one can pass?”
“The White Whale.”
“…”
Another wave of tension passes through everyone, one last time.
“…One of the Three Great Mabeasts?”
Subaru nods, undoubtedly, at Julius’s words.
“…It seems the White Whale and they are connected and are on the same team… Their plan is to use the fog it generates so that no one can get through.”
“…It’s true that there have been rumors that perhaps they are working together… But it has never been fully confirmed.”
“…Not until today, if we believe what the kid says.”
“Yes. That seems to be the case.”
Julius, Ricardo, and Tivey analyze the information. Taking this with utmost care.
Anything secure they can obtain regarding the Witch Cult and the threat of the Great Mabeasts… must be taken in this way.
“…So… if we want to reach the Mathers Territory, we must first pass through the White Whale’s Fog. And once there, prepare to fight the cultists, and be extremely careful if we want to eliminate the Archbishop as well…”.
Anastasia recaps all the information and request obtained from her friend.
“…It’s a very extreme mission…”.
And she gives her opinion in a single sentence. Something Subaru cannot deny.
“…I know I’m asking a lot… I know, but… I truly cannot let everyone in the mansion and the village… Please, Ana-chan, I-”
“Stop.”
But before he could bow his head to the purple-haired girl, she stops him with a hand in the air.
“…Don’t bow your head, Subaru… That’s not what you should do in a negotiation.”
She says with a smile… refusing to see her friend continue suffering unnecessarily.
“…I’ll be honest with you… if it were another situation, and you had only come to ask me for help to save another royal candidate’s camp… I most likely would have kept all the information and refused to help you if you had nothing to offer me.”
“…How ruthless… I guess in business you have to be like that.”
“I’m glad you don’t judge me… you have to keep it in mind if you don’t want to be cheated by someone else……But back to the topic… The truth is that I am the one at a disadvantage… The well-being of my company and almost its complete success were largely thanks to you, so… Let’s consider this deal as a way to pay our debt to you… Besides…”.
Anastasia looks to her sides, towards all her companions.
“…Even if I had said no, I’m sure everyone would have helped you anyway.”
“Huh?”
Subaru… looks at his companions too… who have a confident smile with them.
“Ana-chan knows Mimi very well!”
“I couldn’t let Onii-chan be completely alone.”
“I told you yesterday, didn’t I, kid? I’ll keep taking care of you if necessary.”
“…Guys…”.
Subaru… is left speechless at his friends’ words…
“…Damn it, I’m going to cry again.”
And he had to hide his face for a few seconds, just so no one could notice the moisture in his eyes.
--------------------------------------------------
“…And the coin is… here! It has to be here!”
“You failed again, Mimi. Check that other one.”
“Ehhh?! But I swear I had… Ah! Why did it appear again? I already checked under this glass before.”
“Really?… But the coin was there the wholllle time.”
“Nghh… How do you do it? Who taught you the teleportation magic?”
“…Watching Onii-san and Onee-chan with their little non-magical magic tricks is fun, isn’t it, Hetaro?”
“Of course it is… Although there’s no way Onee-chan can surpass Onii-chan… I’m so proud of him.”
“…Acting like the elder again?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Heh. Yes, sure. Whatever you say.”
“Another try! Another try!”
“Haha. Alright, alright… this time it will be a different trick, okay?”
“…”
After having reached an agreement between both sides, it seems everything turned out well for Subaru.
He had obtained the support of Anastasia’s camp and its members for the battle tonight.
Having the ‘Iron Fang’ team, plus the weapons created by the Hoshin company…
Subaru has at least a reliable group to count on.
After having finished chatting… The idea was to go to the next camp.
Subaru wanted, within the possible, to obtain the help of Crusch’s Camp and Priscilla’s as well.
The latter didn’t seem to pose much of a problem for Subaru. At least he didn’t believe so. He believed he could convince her after talking a bit.
But Crusch… being the only royal candidate he didn’t meet as a child, had a disadvantage when speaking with her.
So his next plan, with Ana’s help to give them negotiation strategies, was to go straight to the Karsten territory, and hope to count on her help.
Crusch ‘owed’ him a favor if we consider that he ‘saved’ the King’s life. Besides, Felix was also a childhood friend…
He could only beg and pray for everything to go well… But for now…
While it would be best to go right now… Subaru decided to play and chat a bit more with the triplets. Mimi and him competing in magic tricks.
“…It’s fun to watch, isn’t it?”
“Mmm? Rem?”
And a few meters away from him, two girls were watching from afar.
One with blue hair, and another with violet hair.
“…Subaru-kun and his magic tricks… I remember he showed me a few when we were children, but to this day it still surprises me.”
“Oh, really?… Honestly, I don’t remember these little tricks… we just spent time talking about his ideas and inventions. That’s what caught my attention the most… besides… he always had that smile when he talked.”
“…Subaru-kun’s smile is really captivating, isn’t it? I feel like it makes my heart beat.”
“…Yes… definitely, Rem… I remember the times my heart beat for him.”
“…I see… I’m glad.”
While the two were talking to each other with a kind smile, and pleasantly, both in their gestures and behavior…
There was also a silent battle between the two of them… the moment they saw how the other looked at the black-haired boy… they knew who they were dealing with.
A new rival… The girls quickly realize this.
And now both of them are… marking territory.
“…I remember when he always talked and made his gestures just to get a reaction of amusement from me… as a merchant perhaps not, but as a friend? I couldn’t wish for someone better.”
“…Oh, I understand… I also agree… I remember when Subaru-kun and I always talked for long times every day… Except for my sister, there is no one else I can love with more heart than I have…”.
“…I see… I’m glad you met back then.”
“Thank you… You are also a good… friend for him.”
“…” (x2)
A minute of silence falls again when the two of them fix their gaze once more on the boy playing with the triplets.
“…Rem?”
“Yes?”
“…Did Subaru suffer something yesterday?”
And that question takes her by surprise… only a little.
“…Subaru arrived at our lodging… He told me all about the attack and asked me for help so he could accompany them to all the camps… Besides that… he told me nothing had happened.”
“…I won’t ask the sources because he is my friend. And I’m not saying the attack is a small thing, but… Was that all?… No… did he tell you about having gone through something else?”
“…Subaru-kun explained to Rem that he was just nervous about everything…”.
Another second of silence.
“…But Rem feels there is something more he is not telling…”.
Ignoring the way he got the information… His way of acting had changed.
He was a bit more downcast, sadder… and no longer put up any kind of resistance towards the favors everyone owed him or the affection everyone gave him.
In fact, it seemed he had changed to want to receive that affection… While it was cute… it also worried the girls a bit.
“…Perhaps I’m overthinking it too much… But I can’t help but consider that maybe he needs comfort for something he suffered… and that he doesn’t want to admit… Do you think I’m being paranoid?”
“…If Rem didn’t think the same, I would undoubtedly have answered yes…”.
“…I see… even though it’s you, I’m glad there is someone who can understand me.”
“Onii-san! The coin was here! Here! I swear!”
“Let it go, Onee-chan. You won’t beat him.”
“Ngh!!! Hetaro! I need support!”
“Well done tricking Mimi, Onii-chan!”
“Support for me! Not for him!”
“Haha. It’s just a game, Mimi-san. Don’t get angry.”
The two girls can’t help but smile involuntarily at the cute scene in front of their eyes.
“…Rem?”
“Yes, Lady Anastasia?”
“…What is Subaru to you?”
“…The same as he is to you… Only with much more strength.”
“How bold you are to tell me that… Besides, you are mistaken.”
“Rem doesn’t believe that… But will take your determination into account…”.
“…I see… In that case… don’t worry… I will make Subaru happy in the end.”
“Thank you very much for your words. Rem will do exactly the same.”
Both girls firmly declare to each other. With the clear intention of making the black-haired boy happy.
No matter how many rivals they have to overcome.
But first?
They will help Subaru with everything this time.
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Notes:
1) Subaru tried to tell about Return by Death once he arrived at their lodging. There he confirmed he cannot speak explicitly about his deaths and that his scent increases when he talks about it.
2) Subaru and Rem talked for a while then. Subaru apologized for not being able to tell Rem the complete information. But she didn’t get angry, being smart enough to deduce that Subaru doesn’t tell her the rest not because he doesn’t want to, but because he can’t.
Honestly. I missed writing a chapter where all there is… is happiness. I think most of you also prefer to see our Goat living well, don’t you?
We passed the necessary loops for the plot. Subaru already knows he needs help, and unlike in the canon, he will get it.
I didn’t know whether to make a chapter per camp or one covering all three. But I got so excited with Anastasia that I reached the 5000-word goal. Depending on whether that happens again, I will do Crusch and Priscilla’s as 1 or 2 chapters. Plus a small meeting between the three camps before the battle.
Is this what you wanted? I hope so. The chapters where bad things and suffering happen are not my forte. Maybe because I don’t like seeing him suffer?…
Anyway. Thanks for reading, for supporting me on you-know-where and wait for the next chapter. Comment, I read all of you. And bye!