Subaru was in his room as he found himself thinking about everyone back in Lugunica.
Subaru: (Is everyone doing alright?)
He thought of Rem.
Subaru: (I'm really sorry I can't be with you. I know how much I meant to you... You meant a lot to me, too. But I know what you'd say to me if I stopped moving forward.)
He could imagine it. Rem would tell him to tell her about all his troubles, but in the end, he was sure. He was sure she'd tell him to stand up and make Emilia happy. She'd put on a brave smile and ask him to do that not for her sake or Emilia but for his. That thought made his heart ache. He knew it was selfish, but he really wanted to be with both Emilia and Rem. They were both important to him. The women he loves.
Subaru then thought of Otto.
Subaru: (I hope he's not having too much of a hard time after losing his memories.)
Subaru thought of Garf.
Subaru: (Don't be like me, Garf. Don't beat yourself up too much.)
Subaru thought of Roswaal.
Subaru: (I never will forgive that clown, but... he really did help us out a lot and...)
Subaru thought of Ram.
Subaru: (Nee-sama likely isn't taking it very well... but Rem is there, so... I don't think I have to worry too much. Those two can get through anything if they're together.)
His mind shifted to Petra.
Subaru: (I'm... sorry. So sorry.)
He felt like crying, but held it in as he thought about the other village kids.
Subaru: (Sorry, but I won't be able to do radio Calesthenics with you anymore. I trust you all to pass on my knowledge.)
Then the other camps. He was worried about Crusch, who hadn't recovered entirely yet. He was... wasn't worried about the grape-haired bastard. (Tsundere.)
Subaru: (Then there's the Witch Cult. There's still Capella... and all her victims...)
Then his mind turned to Spica.
Subaru: (How will Rem even react if she sees her again? I'm worried.)
Finally, his thoughts turned to Al. He only had 4 words that he wanted to say to him.
Subaru: [It's not your fault.]
He shook his head.
Subaru: [No, that's not right...]
He considered it.
Subaru: [Your stars were bad.]
He sighed, getting up from his bed.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru walked downstairs to see Beatrice on his computer.
Subaru: [What is my lovely Beako up to today?]
He walked over to find her playing a chess match.
Subaru: [Oh. Chess?]
He looked at the board.
Subaru: [...]
Subaru pressed his teeth together, rotating his head as he sucked in some air. The pity he felt for his Beako's opponent was immeasurable.
Beatrice had only lost her knights, light square bishop and 4 pawns. Her opponent, on the other hand, only had his queen, a knight and two Rooks left.
Subaru: (This isn't even a match anymore. It's a one-sided slaughter.)
Then he smiled.
Subaru: [My Beako is so smart and cute.]
Beatrice: [Well, that's only natural, I suppose.]
Beatrice went to make the final move.
Beatrice: [Checkmate, I suppose.]
Beatrice pressed the button only for the mouse to slip as she blundered her Queen. Beatrice's face went pale.
Beatrice: [No! No! No! No! That's not the move Betty wished to make, you infernal contraption!]
The opponent, as if a miracle had manifested in his soul or as Beatrice would later claim as "Black Magic" found the exact moves needed to checkmate her.
Subaru: [...]
Beatrice looked annoyed but calmed.
Beatrice: [It was only a mechanical mistake. Betty can just challenge him again, I suppose.]
Subaru: [That's right!]
The opponent used the Chess site to send a laughing emoji.
Beatrice: [...]
Subaru: [Beako...]
Subaru's face sharpenned.
Subaru: [Teach him a lesson.]
Beatrice: [Betty's contractor doesn't need to tell Betty, in fact.]
Beatrice said this as she called a rematch and absolutely demolished her opponent in a way that would make even masters of the game want to quit chess entirely.
Subaru: [Serves him right! How dare he make fun of my Beako!]
Beatrice: [The mongrel got what he deserved, in fact.]
Subaru then see his mother feeding Natsumi from a bottle while sitting on the couch.
Subaru: [Hey, Mom. What was Natsumi's first word?]
Naoko: [Actually... she hasn't had one yet. We're a bit worried.]
Beatrice got up and walked over to Naoko and Natsumi.
Beatrice: [Betty thinks you shouldn't be too worried, I suppose. Natsumi is likely just a late bloomer, in fact.]
Natsumi reached out and grabbed Beatrice's finger.
Beatrice: [She's a sweet child, in fact.]
Naoko smiled.
Subaru: [You're absolutely right, Beako. My little sister is the cutest little sister in two worlds!]
Subaru: (Sorry, Rem, but it's facts.)
???: [Bako.]
Naoko: [Huh?]
Beatrice: [Hm?]
Subaru: [Wait...]
???: [Bako.]
They all looked at Natsumi.
Subaru: [Did she just...]
Natsumi's eyes were locked onto Beatrice.
Natsumi: [Bako.]
Naoko: [Oh my god!]
Naoko entered a state of hyperexcitement as she got up.
Naoko: [Kenichi!!!]
Kenichi came over so quickly that Subaru could swear that wind was being blown behind him.
Kenichi: [What is it, honey?]
Natsumi: [Bako.]
Kenichi: [Oh my god! My little girl is so cute!]
Naoko nodded as the two hugged their daughter to their faces.
Beatrice: [But what does Bako mean, I suppose?]
Subaru: [She was trying to say my nickname for you, Beako.]
Beatrice's eyes widened before a soft smile graced her features.
Naoko: [You haven't held her yet, right? Go on.]
Beatrice held the child in her arms.
Beatrice: (Betty will show this child much favour, I suppose. Not just because he is Betty's Contractor's sister, either.)
Subaru smiled at seeing his sister and the girl he considered like his sister/daughter getting along so well.
Emilia walked down the stairs, rubbing her eyelids.
Emilia: [It's still reaaally early. Why is everyone making so much noise?]
Natsumi seemed to notice her voice and presence.
Natsumi: [Emi]
Emilia: [...]
She was shocked.
Emilia: [She just... talked.]
Subaru: [Of course, her first words would be my cute Beako and the EMT herself.]
Subaru said this, making a pose as Emilia walked over to Beatrice and Natsumi.
Kenichi: (I already think of these two as part of our family. They took care of Subaru, made him feel loved.)
Kenichi smiled.
Kenichi: (It doesn't hurt that she's obviously going to become my daughter-in-law, either.)
Kenichi sniggered at that internally.
Kenichi: (You got two good partners beside you, Subaru. I'm happy for you.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Rem was cleaning the mansion when she sneezed.
Rem: [Hm?]
Ram: [Sister. If you feel unwell, then please rest. Ram will handle the rest.]
Rem: [No. It's fine, Nee-sama.]
Ram: [That reminds me. Barasu once said that when you sneeze, it means someone is thinking of you. No doubt that perverted dog Barasu is having lustful thoughts about my cute little sister.]
Rem blushed up a storm.
Rem: [Nee-sama!!!]
Ram: [But if it were anyone else, I don't think I'd be able to hold back from neutering them.]
Rem: [I knew it. Nee-sama like Subaru-Kun after all.]
Ram: [Rem. Please retract that foul statement. It will reflect badly on Ram's honour and reputation.]
That's when a dragon carriage pulled up towards the mansion. The man who stepped out shocked Rem. Vincent Vollachia in the flesh and beside him was his consort, Medium and... the being whose existence caused such conflict in her mind. Rui Arneb... no... Spica.
Rem and Ram walked down the stairs and to the main door, opening them and welcoming Vincent.
Ram: [It's an honour to meet with you again, your majesty.]
Medium rushed past Ram, hugging Rem.
Medium: [It's good to see you, Wife-san.]
Rem blushed at the nickname Medium had given her and Subaru during their time in Vollachia. Husband-Kun and Wife-San. Every time she thought of it, she felt butterflies in her heart. At the same time, it caused her great pain that the one time they had been considered Husband and Wife was the time when she had treated him so badly.
Vincent: [Hm... paltry abode but sufficient.]
Ram felt a tick mark grow on her head, but she held her tongue.
Spica rushed in as well, hugging Rem's leg. Ram couldn't help but look at the girl with disgust.
Spica: [Auo, aou]
Rem truly didn't know how to feel about this child. She would never throw the blame for her own actions onto someone else, but she couldn't help but resent the child slightly for turning her amnesiac self against her hero. However, another part of her... couldn't bring herself to hate her either. Spica had proven herself not only an ally but someone who deeply cared for both her and Subaru, and now... she had been going around curing the people affected by Gluttony.
Rem: [Spica... you've been a good girl, right?]
Spica nods vigorously as Rem pats her head.
Rem: (Whatever the circumstances were, this child is one both me and Subaru-Kun decided to make ours.)
Ram internally scowled at the notion that Rem was treating Spica like her child. Rem looked to Vincent.
Rem: [Why have you suddenly come here, Vincent-sama?]
Vincent: [Oh? Simple. I have seen with mine own eyes the deeds of this child.]
Vincent gestured to Spica.
Vincent: [As have many of the others from Vollachia. Her reputation for curing the effects of Gluttony will soon reach Lugunica as well.]
Medium: [Yep. She's been a really good girl back home. It should be fine if she stays with you from now on. She's missed you both a lot.]
Vincent looked to Rem, observing the difference in her demeanour.
Vincent: [It seems that our presence was not necessary. Thou art already cured.]
Medum: [Really. That's great. I'm sure Husband-Kun is ecstatic.]
Rem's face showed pain at that, which confused Medium.
Rem: [I apologise for your troubles, Vincent-sama.]
Vincent: [There is no need. Mine time was not wasted. Perhaps at least I may speak with Natsuki Subaru.]
Rem's eyes widened as she looked away.
Vincent: [Hm? Has cruel fate befallen him?]
Medium: [Vincent! Don't just assume the worst!]
Medium scolded him as Vincent maintained his composure, but deep down, he was unsettled at such an idea.
Rem: [Rem's hero has... been sent back to his world.]
Vincent: [He was from beyond the great waterfall...]
Medium: [Whoa... Husband-Kun is from beyond the great waterfall.]
Vincent contemplated this and realised it made sense. His demeanour was gruff and straightforward, but not like a slum dweller. He said as he wished, no matter the situation, so Vincent deduced that Natsuki Subaru's world was likely a peaceful one where Natsuki Subaru was well off.
Vincent: [This is an unfortunate circumstance, but I can assume that he is likely unharmed?]
Rem nodded.
Rem: [We're working on a way right now to bring him back to us.]
Vincent: [I see.]
Spica seemed to understand what they were saying, as she seemed unhappy. Distraught even.
Rem: [It's okay, Spica. I'm going to bring back Subaru-Kun.]
Ram: [Rem. Let's lead our guests to somewhere more comfortable while we explain.]
Rem nodded as they continued their duties as maids.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru sat at his computer as he contemplated the name for his website.
Subaru: [Ugh... what do I call it?]
Emilia: [Just go with what you think is best, Subaru.]
Subaru: [I got it! EMT!]
Emilia pouted.
Emilia: [Be more serious, Subaru.]
Subaru: (I was serious, though.)
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: (The only other thing I can think of is...)
Subaru paused his thoughts.
Subaru: [Actually. That wouldn't be half bad.]
He typed in the name for his website as "Pleiades Fashion" and posted the photo of Emilia in the dress he made.
Emilia: [What now?]
Subaru: [I'll do some advertising, but one design isn't really enough. I'll have to start working on some more. Eventually, though... if I get sales, I won't be able to design and make them fast enough. We're low on money, so I'm going to have to do something I never thought I'd have to do.]
Emilia: [What is it?]
Subaru: [I'm going to have to ask some of my old friends in this world to help me out.]
Emilia: [I see... are you sure you can trust them?]
She was concerned about this from having learnt how they abandoned him when he wasn't "Fun" anymore.
Subaru looked to Emilia.
Subaru: [They weren't completely at fault, Mili. I was, well... a stupid kid. All of us were. Thinking they've stayed the same way this entire time would be immature of me. And now... after everything you all gave me, I'm sure of it.]
Emilia: [Sure of what?]
Subaru: [I'm actually really good at making friends now.]
Subaru looked to Emilia, smiling.
Subaru: [All thanks to you guys. All thanks to you, Emilia-tan.]
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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