Mini-story: 1
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"No! No… This can be happening… Why… Why did this have to happen…?"
The Japanese boy could only tremble at the scene set before him. He was hopelessly bound to the wall with sturdy iron chains. If only his movements were not restricted…
… Then what…? Subaru thought. What could I have done…!? Rem died trying to save me!
He grabbed his head.
"Dammit! I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you…! Betelgeuse!"
The darkness around him mercilessly ripped at his heartstrings.
Tap…
Something moved in the shadows.
The macerated and bruised petite body of the blue-haired girl's body twitched.
Subaru immediately recognised the silhouette.
"Rem…"
Rem struggled in response to Subaru's voice.
The contorted and tattered body, which seemed to be a puppet with its strings cut, dragged itself through the cavern floor. A floor littered with sharp fragments of rocks, stones, ice, and metal that relentlessly gashed her once immaculate skin. Salt, dirt, and blood infiltrated the wounds.
The quivering of souls was felt with every painstaking movement.
An indescribable expression painted Subaru's face.
"Re… Rem? Rem, Rem, Rem…!"
As soon as Rem was within Subaru's reach, Subaru sank his teeth into the maid clothing to dangle Rem's fragile body into his arms.
Rem responded weakly with a smile.
Although there was shooting pain with every movement, she reached out to feel the warmth of her most cherished person's face.
I was happy…, thought Rem. Even if it was not for me, I was happy travelling these last few days with you. It almost felt like I was in a fantasy of my own… a selfish daydream where we were eloping. If only Subaru asked me I just might've…
With the last lines in the page of her life, she chanted her magic spell.
"[Hu… ma]."
The chains cracked and shattered. It fell to the ground as useless lumps of metal.
… I guess… this is my punishment for being such a selfish woman. I hope you find happiness without because...
"... I... love you… Su… baru…," uttered Rem. "Live on…"
She coughed up blood and the remaining breath of her life.
"Re… Rem… Oi. Rem…! Say something... You have more to say, don't you? Rem! Just wait… I will carry you out of here… for help."
He lied to himself but it was the only thing to keep him going.
…
…
On a cliff, Subaru looked at the sunset with eyes of a dead fish.
Behind him, Rem rested in peace* on grass.
"At least the next time around… I won't drag Rem with me. I will take the burden on myself…"
He jumped.
…
…
Subaru opens his eyes.
A familiar scene unfolded.
A petite blue-haired maid was using her sweet voice to call out to him.
However, the reunion was interrupted by the laughter of insanity.
"Kwaahahaha…," laughed Betelgeuse. He continued to mock, "How unfortunate follower of love…! Now die…"
Rem's limbs twisted and turned in unfathomable directions.
The limp body dropped to the ground.
"No, no, no, no…! This wasn't meant to happen! Why did I return to this point in time!?" denied Subaru.
The mocking laugh of Betelgeuse echoed.
…
…
"... I... love you… Su… baru…," uttered Rem. "Live on…"
… because I hope you find happiness without me, was Rem's unsaid wish, replaced by the cough of blood.
The small hand collapsed lifelessly before she could caress her beloved's face and feel her beloved's warmth.
Fate's cruel personality snatched even the most little of comfort.
"No… It wasn't meant to be like this! Talk to me, Rem! No...!"
...
...
Absolute despair.
…
…
End.
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*Absolutely intended