Emilia sat by the window, bathed in the soft morning light, a book resting in her lap untouched. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like strands of moonlight, swaying slightly as the breeze danced through the open pane. The gentle quiet of the early hour cloaked the room in a serene hush, broken only by the distant chirping of birds. Sleep still clung stubbornly to her violet eyes, a faint haze that hadn't yet lifted, but the moment she heard Subaru's voice, her whole expression transformed—brighter, alert, alive.
"Subaru! You're back. I'm sorry I missed your conversation with Reinhard yesterday. I completely passed out from exhaustion. I didn't even make it to my bed properly."
Subaru let out a soft chuckle as he approached, his steps slow and deliberate, carrying warmth with each stride. "No worries at all. Actually, I had the noble honor of carrying you to your bed. Pretty sure that qualifies as a secret romantic moment—just between us, of course."
A voice floated lazily from the side. Flugel, "How utterly cliché. That's the kind of shallow romance you'd find in a third-rate novel."
Emilia laughed, covering her mouth with one hand as her cheeks flushed ever so slightly. "Anyway, did you get to meet with Anastasia?"
Subaru's playful demeanor faded as a more serious air settled around him. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. I just got back. There's a lot we need to talk about—important stuff. Things you need to know."
Emilia tilted her head slightly, her expression softening with concern. "What happened? What did she say?"
Subaru sank into a chair nearby, clasping his hands together for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. Then, in a voice marked with resolve, he recounted his discussion with Anastasia in detail—her cryptic warnings, the revelations about Hikari, and the troubling urgency behind his need to travel to Kararagi. His voice was calm, steady, but his eyes searched Emilia's face constantly, watching every flicker of emotion.
He concluded with a quiet weight: "That's why I need to leave for Kararagi as soon as possible, Mili. I hate this, but I won't be able to stay here with you for a while."
For a brief moment, silence reigned. Then Emilia stood up, her chair scraping softly against the wooden floor. Her voice, though not loud, rang with unwavering determination. "Then I'm coming with you. You know I can help, and I won't just stand by and do nothing."
A small swirl of light shimmered beside her, and Puck emerged, his fur standing on end with tension. "She's right. If saving your sister is our goal, then going as a group makes far more sense. I've got your back too, as always."
Subaru opened his mouth, torn between gratitude and apprehension—but the moment shattered as the door slammed open with a sudden, thunderous noise. The peaceful air in the room was instantly replaced by tension.
Roswaal entered, flanked by Ram and Rem, his signature unsettling grin already plastered across his face like a mask. His eyes glittered with a mischievous gleam as his gaze swept across the room.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, Subaru-kuuun~ Forgive the intrusion, but I come bearing some most unfortunate news. Emilia-sama, I'm afraid you cannot leave the kingdom of Lugunica."
Emilia blinked, visibly taken aback. "What are you talking about, Roswaal? Subaru needs help! I have to go with him."
Roswaal's arms extended outward in an exaggerated flourish. "Emilia-sama, as a royal candidate and the future leader of this nation, your presence is not just symbolic—it is essential. There's no legal precedent or justification that would allow you to travel abroad. Even with my endorsement, the kingdom's laws simply won't permit such a thing."
Emilia's fists trembled at her sides, her expression a storm of frustration and defiance. "Then I'll withdraw from the royal selection! If I can't help the one who's always helped me, then none of this—being a candidate, being a symbol—matters at all!"
Before she could continue, Subaru closed the distance between them with surprising speed and gently flicked her forehead with the tip of his finger.
"Subaru?!" she gasped, instinctively reaching up to rub the spot.
His expression had sharpened, but his tone was kind, almost pleading. "Mili… don't talk like that. What you're doing, what you represent—it's so much bigger than just me. I know you want to help. But throwing everything away isn't the answer. You have the strength to make a difference here too, even if we're apart. And I believe in that strength. I believe in you."
Emilia's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip, her voice trembling. "But Subaru... I'm not thinking about politics or the throne. I'm thinking about you. I want to be by your side, not just spiritually, but physically as well. I can't leave you."
Subaru stepped forward again, eyes filled with gratitude and tenderness, and wrapped her in a gentle embrace. It was a silent promise, spoken through warmth alone.
"You're not being left behind. I'm taking Elsa and Meili with me—don't give me that look, I know it sounds insane. But they can help. And I swear, I'll come back to you. Sooner than you think."
Emilia rested her head against his chest, her fingers gently curling into his shirt. Their hearts beat different rhythms, but the melody between them remained in sync—unwavering, resilient.
Just outside the doorway, Rem stood quietly, her eyes locked on the two. A heaviness settled deep in her chest, difficult to define. This closeness, this fierce bond—nothing was simple anymore.
As Roswaal began to speak again, Rem slowly stepped from behind him, as if drawn forward by a force she couldn't fight. Her eyes never left Subaru's face.
Her voice, when it came, was quiet, but every word shimmered with a hesitant resolve.
"Subaru-kun, I… I want to come with y—"
However, before she could finish her sentence, Ram swiftly stepped beside her sister and covered her mouth with a firm hand. Her eyes were sharp and filled with a mix of urgency and disapproval, and the motion was so quick, so practiced, it was as if she had anticipated this exact moment. Roswaal narrowed his own gaze at the two sisters, a faint smirk playing on his lips that didn't reach his cold, calculating eyes. The words that had been silenced now hung in the air like smoke from a dying flame, curling into nothingness. The tension in the room was stifling, pressing in from every direction like invisible walls tightening around them.
Flugel's voice exploded in Subaru's mind, harsher than usual, like a crack of thunder in a dark sky. "Oi. I want to kill that clown again. But for now... at least do something to piss him off."
Subaru clenched his jaw slightly, a pulse throbbing at his temple. He shared Flugel's sentiments entirely. There was a slow-burning fury buried in his chest, coiled and waiting like a predator in the dark, but none of it reached his face. His voice was cool and deliberate when he finally spoke. "Rem, I want you to come with me."
Roswaal's expression darkened visibly. His reply was clipped, each word frosted with disdain. "Natsuki Subaru. Rem works for me. She cannot go with you."
Subaru tilted his head, smile thin and defiant like a blade held at the throat. "Then let's make this simple. Let her decide."
Roswaal blinked, caught off guard for a fraction of a second. Then he chuckled lowly, with performative theatrics as if he were on stage, draped in illusions. "Oh my~ how... democratic."
Rem took a step forward. Her stride was measured but steady, determination shining in her eyes. Roswaal's stare burned into her like a branding iron, a silent threat carried in every inch of his gaze. But Rem, unfazed, lifted her head and spoke clearly, each syllable a defiance.
"I will go with Subaru-kun."
The words were more than a choice—they were a declaration of will. Rem wasn't just choosing a path; she was reclaiming the right to shape her own fate, guided by both her heart and her loyalty. In that single moment, she severed herself from the silent chains that had long bound her to Roswaal's command.
Subaru clapped his hands together, the sound echoing like punctuation to her declaration. "Then it's settled! Rem's with me now." There was a weight to his words, almost possessive—not in dominance, but in deep, protective belonging. His voice carried an edge of finality, as though daring anyone to challenge it.
Roswaal's face twitched. A vein throbbed visibly at his temple. Subaru could sense it clearly: Roswaal wanted to strike him down then and there. But beneath Subaru's composed exterior was a chilling stillness—an aura that told Roswaal: come closer, and suffer.
Roswaal took a slow breath, forcing calm back into his limbs. His smile faded, replaced by a calculating quiet. The boy before him was no ordinary fool. He never had been. There was something more lurking in him now—an unknown variable.
Ram remained silent. She didn't like the idea of her sister leaving with him, but she couldn't argue with what she saw. In Rem's eyes burned a light too strong to deny—trust, affection, and something far deeper. Every moment she spent with Subaru made her heartbeat race. Every glance, every word, every breath he shared with her etched itself into her world like scripture.
Ram turned slightly away, her voice low but firm. "Don't let harm come to her. And don't you dare break her heart, Barusu."
Subaru bowed his head in quiet gratitude, his voice soft. "I won't. You have my word."
Then he stepped closer to Rem and wrapped his arms gently around her. His embrace spoke not just of comfort, but of promise. A sacred vow not bound by words but by intention.
"I swear. I'll protect her."
Rem didn't answer aloud, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed the storm of emotions inside her. Her silence was heavy with meaning. She found peace in his presence, even as her heart stirred with fire. The promise he gave her wasn't just protection—it was belief, in her and in their bond.
Roswaal and Ram left the room without another word. The air shifted as they departed, the pressure lifting just slightly. Rem quietly slipped away to gather her belongings. But just before leaving, she turned and looked back at Subaru one last time. That gaze—it was silent gratitude, unwavering loyalty, and something more. Something that hinted at hope.
Now only Subaru, Emilia, and Puck remained in the quiet room. The silence lasted only a moment before Subaru stepped forward.
"I have to go soon, Mili," Subaru said softly, his tone filled with regret and determination in equal measure. "I'll be back... and I'll bring Hikari with me."
Emilia looked at him with worried eyes. There was hesitation there—a vulnerable glimmer, like a child staring into a storm. "Do you think... she'll like me, Subaru?"
Subaru gave a small, warm laugh. It was gentle, full of belief. "Of course she will. How could she not? You've got such a kind heart, Mili. She'll see that. I'm sure of it."
There was little more to say. The moment passed quietly between them, like the calm before a wave crashed ashore.
Then Subaru turned toward Puck. "I need to speak with you... and Beatrice."
Puck nodded once, his expression turning serious. Without another word, he began to float toward the Forbidden Library. Subaru followed closely behind, the sound of their steps soft against the ancient floors.
At the door, Puck crossed his arms, his tiny form brimming with unusual gravitas. His icy aura shimmered faintly. "Alright, boy. What do you need from me and my sister?"
Subaru's expression shifted—his smile took on an edge of mystery. "Actually... I want to introduce you to someone. Someone who's been part of this journey from the shadows."
In his mind, he called out to Flugel. "Take over my body with mana. Speak to Beatrice and Puck. That's the plan, right?"
Flugel's voice echoed back, sharp and ready. "Yes. But before you summon me, absorb the mana from the daggers. Your body still can't handle my strength."
Subaru nodded slightly, already reaching within his coat for the enchanted blades. They pulsed with latent power, humming like a heartbeat. This was just the beginning. The true confrontation—both with enemies outside and the shadows within—was drawing closer.
And Subaru intended to face it head-on.
Subaru let out a long, weary sigh. With a pounding heart and a weight heavier than before pressing down on his shoulders, he stepped through the ancient, creaking door into the dimly lit library. Each footfall seemed to echo through his entire being, vibrating with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. His breath caught slightly in his chest, and for every step he took, the beating of his heart intensified—a visceral response to the flood of emotions within him. Fear, anticipation, and the haunting knowledge that there was no turning back anymore.
Beatrice sat in the center of the library, surrounded by endless shelves of forgotten tomes, her small form barely illuminated by the golden light of a single enchanted lamp overhead. She looked at Subaru with hollow, empty eyes. The shadows beneath her eyes were darker than usual, etched deep into her delicate face. Tracks of recently shed tears still lingered on her cheeks, glistening faintly. The light cast her in an almost spectral pallor, as if the library itself was leeching the life from her.
"What do you want, I suppose?" she said, voice barely above a whisper. It was tired, fatigued beyond her years, and carried with it a weight of detachment. There was no warmth, no surprise—just resignation.
Subaru moved silently to the chair opposite her and sat down. Puck, resting on his shoulder, didn't stir. His fur stood on end just slightly, a sign of discomfort. Subaru had already told his story to others, revealing the darkness that haunted him. But Beatrice—this was different. This was personal. And now, the time had come for her to hear the truth. Still, the words didn't come easily. They caught in his throat, trapped by guilt and fear. The silence between them stretched, long and thick. Finally, he spoke, each word carefully measured.
Beatrice listened without interruption, her gaze fixed and unreadable. Her usual sharp wit and knowing glances were gone. What stared back at him was something quieter, more broken. Disappointment ran deep in her expression. "Be careful in Karagiri. That's all. Now, please leave Betty's library," she said at last, her voice cold and firm, yet trembling faintly—as if echoing a wound long buried but never healed.
Subaru inhaled slowly, forcing air into his lungs before meeting her eyes again. They were red-rimmed, but fierce, and still so young in their grief. He couldn't bear seeing her like this. "Beako... That's not actually why I came here," he said gently. His voice trembled at first, but then it steadied with determination.
Beatrice tilted her head, her lips compressed into a thin line. "Then what is it? You came to ask for Betty's help again? To use me again? Or is this another situation where you want me to pull you out of the fire one more time?"
Her words stung, and Subaru winced. His eyes fluttered closed for a second, as if shielding himself from the truth in her voice. "I know I hurt you yesterday, and I'm sorry, Beako. I really am. I didn't think about what mattered to you. I was so wrapped up in my own fear, my own desperation. But today, I wanted you to meet someone. Someone you might remember. I hoped... maybe he could help you find the answers you've been searching for."
Beatrice's brows furrowed, a flicker of surprise flashing through her eyes. "Someone I know? Is this another one of your ridiculous ideas, Subaru? This better not be a trick."
Subaru didn't respond with words. Instead, he raised his hands and summoned Etherfang. Twin daggers appeared instantly in his grasp, gleaming faintly with arcane energy. A glimmer sparked behind Subaru's eyes for a fleeting second—an echo of familiarity and... comfort. He closed his eyes, placing his full concentration on the weapons. Mana swirled inside the blades, thick and potent. He inhaled deeply and began drawing that mana into himself. The change was almost immediate—intense, physical, and overwhelming.
Moments later, Subaru collapsed without a word, crumpling silently to the library floor like a fragile leaf in the wind.
Beatrice and Puck stood frozen, their gazes locked on the fallen boy. The quiet in the room was suffocating.
"Betty... what just happened?" Puck asked quietly, his voice low and cautious.
"He fainted... I think," Beatrice answered, though her voice lacked conviction. Her eyes were glued to Subaru's body, which was now enveloped in a thick, shadowy aura that pulsed ominously. The temperature in the room had dropped noticeably, like the breath of winter sneaking through the stone walls.
Subaru's hair began to lose its color, turning bone-white from the roots down. The transformation spread over his shoulders, devouring the black and leaving only spectral white in its wake. The aura continued to build, growing denser and heavier, pressing down on the spirits like a suffocating fog.
Then, his fingers twitched. His body stirred, shifting slowly.
When his eyes opened again, they were no longer Subaru's.
A new presence had taken hold.
Flugel now stood in Subaru's place. He rose to his feet, slowly and deliberately, as if adjusting to the limits of the borrowed body. His movements were familiar, even graceful, but distinctly not Subaru's. Beatrice and Puck both stared, the silence between them thick with recognition and dread.
Beatrice instinctively took a step back, her hands trembling. "Y-You...?"
Puck, always the calmer of the two, could barely whisper. "Sensei...?"
Flugel gave them a soft smile, faint and tinged with amusement. "It warms my heart that you still remember me, little ones."
Beatrice's expression twisted, emotions warring behind her eyes—anger, sadness, disbelief. "Master... why are you inside Subaru? What could possibly justify this? Why now, of all times? Why like this?!"
Stretching, Flugel rolled his shoulders, adjusting to the body's unfamiliar dimensions. He let out a slow, exaggerated yawn. "Well, turns out this foolish boy and I share a soul now. Isn't that interesting? So I figured, why not share the body too? Though I must say... he burns through mana like a dying star. It's exhausting."
Puck moved cautiously, circling around Flugel with narrowed eyes, reading the aura around him like a seasoned predator. "Master... what are you really here for? What do you want?"
Flugel's smile deepened, and for a moment, the air seemed to hum with unspoken tension.
"Purpose... now that's a weighty word, isn't it?"
Flugel spoke while making a few stretches with Subaru's body. Though his usual sarcastic grin lingered on his face, his tone had shifted into something far more serious and grounded.
"I came to warn you two. This body consumes mana at an alarming rate. If I stay in control too long, the kid could really die. So I'll get straight to the point. Listen carefully—what I'm about to say could change everything about his future."
The mood in the room shifted instantly. A stillness crept in, not of calm, but the kind that comes right before a storm breaks the horizon. Puck's ears twitched, his expression tightening.
Puck blinked in surprise, processing the weight behind Flugel's words. "There's still so much we need to ask, Master... but I guess this can't wait," he finally said. His voice trembled with unease, his fur bristling faintly as his eyes stared off into some long-past memory, one that clearly hadn't lost its bite.
Flugel gave a short nod, his expression hardening. "Listen closely, little neko-chan. While Subaru and I are away, you need to keep your guard up. Roswaal isn't going to sit idly by. That lunatic of a mage will try to render you powerless again, sealing you back into your dormant state. Start gathering mana now—today—and create a new, reinforced mana crystal. Stronger than the last. Because when Subaru isn't here to stand between her and danger, that little silver-haired girl will become his next target."
His gaze darkened. "He plans to mentally pressure little Lia—to push her through one of Echidna's 'mental endurance trials.'"
The temperature seemed to drop. Puck and Beatrice exchanged a glance, the tension coiling tighter between them. Beatrice clutched the hem of her dress.
"My mother's trial?" she whispered. Her voice was small, as if the memory alone was enough to unravel her composure.
Flugel exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with burden. "Yes. A savage form of illusion—one that drags you into your own memories and forces you to relive them. She'll face the echoes of her past, the weight of her regrets, and the cruel what-ifs she tried to forget. It's not just a test of strength, but identity. And Echidna, that arrogant witch—she sees it as some grand experiment. She can't even tell the difference between wisdom and pride anymore."
Silence fell like snowfall—quiet but suffocating.
Then Flugel turned toward Beatrice. His tone shifted again, softer now, but resolute. "Second thing, Betty. Your time in this library, the role you've clung to for so long—it's finished. As the Great Sage Flugel, I'm telling you: I don't want you imprisoned by these books any longer. For four hundred years, you've served as Echidna's specimen, a living test subject inside her giant, magical petri dish."
Beatrice's eyes widened. Then, tears welled up without warning, spilling over as her lips began to tremble. "Betty... was just a subject? Subaru was right...? All this time... I waited... for someone who never even existed...?"
Flugel stepped forward, reaching out slowly. Puck moved with him, both spirits encircling the weeping girl with quiet understanding. They pulled her into a soft embrace.
"That person never existed, Betty. There was no 'chosen one' written in the stars for you. The only person who gets to decide who's worthy... is you. It's okay to honor your mother, but what she did—leaving you in endless solitude—is not something any child should accept. Not even you."
Puck remained silent, looking away. His memories of Echidna didn't carry any warmth.
Flugel gently stroked Beatrice's hair. "You've done enough. You've endured more than anyone should. So now—choose for yourself. This empty contract, this waiting game? It's meaningless. Let it go. Set yourself free."
Beatrice's sobs began to quiet, her breathing steadying little by little. Her voice came out as a whisper, barely more than a broken breath. "But... I don't know what to do next, Master Flugel. If I'm free... then where do I go?"
Flugel gave a soft, almost nostalgic chuckle. "That's the most human thing you've ever said, Betty. Not knowing what comes next is scary, but it's also beautiful. You finally have a future you get to shape. So take your time. Explore. Eat every sweet in the capital. Talk to whoever makes you smile. Walk where your feet take you. You don't need a grand purpose today. You just need to live."
He paused and smiled wryly. "And as for your mother—if she comes looking for you, I'll handle it. Personally. If it comes down to it, I'll knock some sense into her. I swear it."
In that moment, the air trembled faintly, like a ripple passing through a dream. Subaru's voice echoed into their shared consciousness, quiet but firm.
"Before I met you, I did everything I could to free Beako from that library. I wanted her to see she wasn't alone, that she had worth beyond what Echidna told her. But now I get it... Sometimes, the words that matter most aren't from a stranger trying to help—they're from someone you already carry in your heart."
A brief pause, then a quieter question:
"By the way... if you really are the Great Sage from four hundred years ago, Flugel... why did you tell me that we were the same when we first met? What did you mean by that?"
No one had the answer yet—but the weight of that question lingered like a thread pulling tight, ready to unravel something far greater.
Flugel's voice echoed in Subaru's mind. "One day, I will tell you everything, Natsuki Subaru. I promise. But know this: we are the same. The burdens we carry in the folds of our hearts, the solitude we chose for ourselves—they make us alike. That truth has never changed."
Subaru let out a deep sigh. "Always with the 'time' talk... No matter where I go, I can't escape it."
Flugel's voice chuckled gently. "Time is not a curse; it's a key, if used correctly. But only you can decide which door it opens."
Silence fell once again. Beatrice slowly raised her head, her tear-stained face showing the faintest glimmer of hope. For the first time, there was a sense that maybe—just maybe—something could change.
Flugel shuddered slightly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. "Ah... I must have overexerted myself," he said, his voice faint and drained. Sparks of residual mana still flickered around his body, but they were fading.
Beatrice quickly moved to his side, her eyes filled with concern. "Master... Are you leaving?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a tired but gentle smile, Flugel ruffled Beatrice's hair and softly caressed Puck's cheeks. "Yes, this body is almost out of mana. My soul can't linger here much longer. But don't worry, Betty. I'm not truly leaving. Even if my body fades, our minds are still connected in some way. One day, I'll answer all of your questions—every single one. Just wait for the right moment."
Puck floated slowly in front of him, suspended mid-air, sorrow reflected in his eyes. "Promise? Will you really come back?"
Flugel chuckled. "Promise~" he said, his tone light but sincere. The glow of Etherfang in his hands began to dim. The shimmering lights on the blade flickered out one by one. With that, Flugel's body slowly slumped to the ground. Control returned to Subaru, whose hair gradually returned to its original dark hue. As the mana fluctuations subsided, a soft tranquility settled over the room.
Subaru blinked as he regained consciousness. He looked around, then at his hands. The mana within him was nearly depleted; every movement felt like a challenge. He clenched his knees, trying to stay upright, but even standing required great effort. When he saw the two spirits still hovering before him, he smiled faintly. "I'm glad you got to catch up a little. I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I hope we can meet again," he said, his voice quiet but heartfelt.
Puck and Beatrice stared at him in surprise. Before either could respond, Subaru gave a small bow of his head and turned toward the door. His steps were slow and heavy, each one deliberate and thoughtful. He used the walls to support himself as he moved down the corridor. With every step, he could feel how drained his body truly was.
As he approached the door to his room, Rem appeared before him. The blue-haired girl blinked in surprise. "Subaru-kun? You look exhausted... Are you going to sleep?" she asked gently.
Subaru forced a tired smile. "Yeah, I need a little rest. But first, I have a favor to ask," he said, drawing in a breath. "Please deliver a message to Anastasia Hoshin for me. Tell her we'll be leaving tomorrow, and that she should wait for us at the kingdom's border."
Rem tilted her head slightly, puzzled. "Subaru-kun... You never told me about this part?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Subaru paused, then nodded slowly. "Yes, I had to keep it secret. It could've caused trouble. To put it simply—Anastasia will help us find Hikari. This is the beginning of an alliance. I'll explain the details later. Right now, I really need to sleep."
Rem considered this for a moment before nodding gently. "Okay, Subaru-kun. I'll prepare the message just as you asked. We'll be ready to depart first thing in the morning."
As Subaru made his way toward his room, a sudden and overwhelming wave of dizziness crashed over him. His vision blurred, and his legs began to tremble violently under the strain of mana exhaustion. Each step he tried to take felt heavier than the last, as though the ground beneath him had turned to mist. His knees buckled, his balance faltered, and in an instant, he was teetering on the edge of collapse—his body no longer responding to his will.
But before he could hit the floor, a blur of blue moved like the wind. Rem was at his side in the blink of an eye, faster than thought, catching him with the practiced grace of someone who had saved him more times than either of them could count. Her arms wrapped around him gently but firmly, holding him as though he were the most fragile thing in the world.
Subaru's head rested against her chest. The contact wasn't just comforting—it was transcendent. Her embrace was like stepping into a place untouched by pain or fear. Her chest, warm and steady, felt like soft air pillows cradling his aching head. Every breath she took, every beat of her heart echoed in his ears, grounding him, soothing him. For one fleeting, precious moment, the storm of emotions raging inside him—grief, exhaustion, fear—quieted. He was held, and in being held, he felt whole again.
He could feel her warmth seep into his bones. Her scent, light and familiar, filled his senses like a lullaby. He wasn't just physically tired—his spirit was battered, stretched thin across every trial he'd endured. Yet in her arms, that weariness began to lift, if only slightly. It was more than just a rest—it was sanctuary.
"Ah... I'm sorry," Subaru murmured, shame creeping into his voice. His face flushed slightly, eyes blinking slowly as he struggled to keep them open.
Rem looked down at him, her smile as soft as moonlight. She gently shook her head, brushing a hand over his hair with infinite care. "There's nothing to apologize for, Subaru-kun. I'm here. You don't have to carry this alone."
Without another word, she slipped her arm around his, supporting him with delicate but unwavering strength, and began leading him the rest of the way to the bed. Each step he took was more a stumble than a stride, but Rem never let him falter. Her presence alone was enough to keep him upright, enough to guide him through his dazed haze.
When they finally reached the edge of the mattress, Subaru's body nearly gave out. Rem was already prepared—she eased him down, pulling back the covers and helping him sit, then guiding his head onto the pillow with slow, deliberate care. He let out a small sigh as he sank into the mattress, the tension bleeding out of his muscles. His eyes fluttered shut, lashes brushing against pale cheeks.
His voice was a whisper, barely more than breath: "Thank you... for everything."
And then, just like that, he was gone. Not from the room, not from her side—but from the weight of the world that had clung to his shoulders for so long. The pain, the fear, the relentless pressure—all of it faded as he slipped into deep, peaceful sleep. The kind of sleep that only comes when you know someone is watching over you, keeping you safe.
Rem sat beside him in silence, eyes never leaving his face, her hand still resting in his. And in that quiet, with only the sound of his breathing and the soft thrum of her heartbeat, the night passed in gentle stillness.