Spoiler warning: There is one major arc 4 spoiler that I refer to in this chapter that pertains to a certain character. The spoiler isn't blatant, and I will be doing my best to hide it, but I still needed to at least hint towards it for the sake of the plot that I'm writing. Like I said, I don't come out and spoil this plot detail directly; however, people who have knowledge of post anime content will know what I'm talking about.
Also, chapters 11-13 aren't really that good. If you wanted this skip this optional Arc, you can jump straight to chapter 14.
-Several months ago-
Subaru had finally done it. After all his toiling and suffering, the boy had finally found a happy end to this story. The white whale was defeated, the Archbishop of Sloth, Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti was killed, and Emilia was saved.
Although his body was still sore from the explosion, Subaru didn't have any life-threatening injuries. With everything turning out alright, Subaru was able to ride the carriage with peace of mind. Along with the boy, Emilia and a little girl named Petra were also present during the ride back to the capital.
As Subaru listened in on the girls' conversation, it seemed like Emilia was trying to explain something to the little girl; however, her voice was timid. Petra, on the other hand, seemed to glare back at Emilia intimidatingly. It was ironic that Emilia was the submissive one in their conversation, but Subaru could understand since the half-elf wasn't used to children.
As Subaru continued holding Petra's hand, he remembered something that he had to bring up to Emilia. With nervousness present in his voice, Subaru tried speaking "Hey, Emilia-tan? There's something that… I have to tell you something really important."
"Hmm? What is it?" Emilia asked curiously as her attention returned to the boy.
Once he held Emilia's attention, Subaru couldn't help but break into a cold sweat from anxiety. That same day, Subaru fought a giant magical whale and the witch's cult, and yet those matters didn't seem nearly as stressful as what he had to confess to the half-elf.
"This is something that's incredibly difficult to say. It's like Dark Souls levels of difficulty, oh, but not that you'd know what that is." Subaru said sheepishly who tried calming himself down with a bad joke. It didn't work with the boy feeling even more anxious than before.
"We'll also have to tell her sister at some point too, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Subaru added who was obviously stalling for time at this point.
With her curiosity piqued, Emilia replied impatiently "I still have no idea what you're talking about, Subaru."
With the half-elf hurrying him, Subaru took a huge breath of air and got to the point "It's about Rem."
Subaru was about to confess his love for Rem. After witnessing the maid's overwhelming devotion for him, Subaru couldn't help falling in love with her. The problem is that he's also hopelessly in love with Emilia, who he confessed to less than an hour ago. There was no sugarcoating it, Subaru was deeply in love with two girls.
Just wanting to get it over with, Subaru blurted out the details "So, Rem kinda told me, no, I mean, she confessed that she… You get what I'm saying, right?" Looking to Emilia for understanding, the confused look on her face betrayed his expectations as he went on regardless "So, with that there, this is where I start to be a little selfish."
Clearly lost in the boy's explanation, Emilia raised her hand and said "Hold on. Even though I can tell you're trying really hard to tell me something, I'm really lost right now. You're a good boy, so just calm down and take it slowly."
"'You're a good boy' is depressing to hear when I'm trying to be a man! Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a dog!" Subaru exclaimed. Realizing his previous explanation left a lot to be desired, Subaru went on "Well, I guess I really wasn't being a man when I rushed through all the details. Well, here goes nothing… Rem told me she loves me, so once you love me too, it's like you'll both be mine, or something?!"
Subaru used his fingers to trace invisible lines in the air like a madman as if hoping that Emilia would connect them figuratively in her head. Having already imagined countless reactions from Emilia in his head, Subaru was surprised to see that she didn't react at all how he imagined.
"Subaru?" Emilia called out his name.
"Yes?" Subaru replied as he patiently awaited her response.
"- - - - - - -"
-Present day-
Just Beako
Beatrice was sitting in a chair studying Japanese as usual who had a firm understanding of the language at this point. To study the language, the spirit used the electronic dictionary on Subaru's phone. Since it was the same verbal language as her own, Beatrice simply needed to learn the written part of the Japanese language. The spirit was already at a point where she could understand most of the text in the video games she played which seemed to astound her contractor.
As her vocabulary expanded, Beatrice proudly declared with a smug smile "My capacity for knowledge exceeds even my own expectations. Even things like atom bombs and submarines are simply ornaments on my glorious path to Japanese understanding, I suppose. Will Subaru be happy with my progress, I wonder?"
Beatrice made it a habit to study Japanese at this specific time every day because Subaru would be finishing his duties as a butler any minute now. The spirit always wanted to impress the boy with what she's learned.
Hearing the door starting to open, Beatrice quickly hid the smile on her face as she waited for the boy to enter the room; however, Rem appeared at the door instead.
With a voice filled with urgency, Rem pleaded "Lady Beatrice, come quickly. Subaru is…"
Starting to panic, Beatrice jumped up from her seat. Without pausing for an explanation, Beatrice ordered "Take me to him, I suppose!"
Following Beatrice's orders, Rem guided the little girl outside.
"Help me! Oh my god!" Beatrice heard someone shout who recognized the language as English. Since there was only one other person who knew that language in this world, Beatrice knew the shouting belonged to Subaru. Looking in the direction of the yell, Beatrice found Subaru leaning against a tree who was using his laptop. While the boy seemed a little disturbed, Beatrice couldn't see any injuries which relieved her.
Still frightful of Subaru's screams, Rem explained the situation to the spirit "I think that Metia put some kind of curse on him. When I tried calling out to him earlier, all I heard was him screaming something in a strange language."
Starting to get a clear grasp on the situation, Beatrice sighed from relief "Let me correct your poor evaluations. Firstly, that thing Subaru is holding isn't a Metia. It's something he calls a laptop. Secondly, that language he's screaming in is called English. To think you had me worried over this buffoonery, I suppose."
Impressed by the spirit's knowledge, Rem replied "Wow, I'm surprised you can understand him. Is it some kind of ancient language?"
"It's more alien than ancient, I suppose." Beatrice replied. With a sigh, Beatrice asked "So, is that all that was troubling you, I wonder?"
"Well, yes. After all, Subaru was acting strange and-" Rem tried explaining.
Interrupting the maid, Beatrice scoffed "'Strange'? You can't describe Subaru without using that term, I'm afraid. For someone who calls herself a 'Subaru Enthusiast', you sure take the boy too seriously. Oh well, I guess I should be grateful for you telling me where he was, I suppose."
After she finished speaking to the maid, Beatrice walked over towards Subaru and shouted "Hey, Tsunbaru!"
Clearly hearing the spirit's voice, Subaru closed his laptop and replied anxiously "O-Oh, hey there, Beako? What brings you here?"
Crossing her arms, Beatrice complained "I was wondering where you were hiding. You seemed to be visiting me a little later these past days, and now I find you out here reacting strangely to that device. Let's get straight to the point, what are you doing, I wonder?"
Scratching his hair nervously, Subaru answered "Oh, you know, just enjoying the nice weather."
"Is the nice weather the reason for your screaming, I wonder? It's clear that you're hiding something on that laptop from me." Beatrice replied who wasn't buying Subaru's excuse. Taking initiative, Beatrice sat next to Subaru and started to open the laptop back up.
"Wait, Beako, don't-" Subaru pleaded in vain once the screen lit back up, revealing the game he was playing.
Looking at the three cute girls on the screen in bewilderment, Beatrice asked "Subaru, what is this, I wonder?"
Hoping that Beatrice couldn't make sense of the screen, Subaru answered in a way that would keep the game's true identity a secret "It's just a visual novel. It's a lot like reading a book."
"Visual novel? This better not be one of those dating simulation games that I've read about." Beatrice warned coldly; however, once she saw the shocked expression on Subaru's face, she exclaimed "It is?!"
"How do you even know what dating simulations are?!" Subaru exclaimed back.
Beatrice could only remember reading about that topic on his phone; however, that memory wasn't important at the moment. With blinding rage, Beatrice yelled "Why are you playing around with girls that don't exist when you have me?! Does this count as cheating, I wonder?!"
Before Subaru could state his defense, a voice that contained pure sadness uttered "Subaru…"
Looking up to see tears welling up in Rem's eyes, Subaru could tell that she heard everything.
Trying to stop the emotional breakdown of the two girls in his presence, Subaru pleaded "Time out. Time out! First of all, I have no romantic attachments to these fictional girls. Second of all, Beako, this doesn't count as cheating. This is a game that I'm playing for the story. I mean, come on, it's like you're accusing me of having a relationship with a character from a book!"
Even though her rage was demoted to brooding anger, Beatrice asked skeptically "Then why were you hiding it from me, I wonder?"
"That's because…" Subaru grew hesitant as he explained further "This is a very gruesome game. If I showed this to Emilia, she would probably cry."
"You're bluffing, I suppose!" Beatrice replied; however, the spirit became a little nervous from the serious look on Subaru's face.
Lost in the conversation, Rem spoke up "I'm still confused. I understand that Subaru is somehow spending time with other girls, but what is a visual novel? Also, I would like to learn about these things you call electronic."
Understanding the maid's bewilderment all too well, Beatrice recommended "The best way to learn about it is to experience it, I suppose."
With the two girls turning their focus on the boy, Subaru panicked "Hold on a second. I can't show this to you guys! You'll think I'm demented if you knew what I was playing!"
"I already think you're demented, so making sure that you're not a cheater as well is my priority for the moment, I suppose." Beatrice argued as she glared at the boy.
Sensing the spirit's obvious distrust, Subaru exclaimed "Do you hear yourself?! Now that I think about it, you're not my girlfriend, so why are you acting like a girlfriend from hell?!"
Although she grew timid by Subaru's statement, Beatrice stated honestly "Even if I'm not your girlfriend, I still take my role as your partner seriously, I suppose."
The adorable look on Beatrice's face would surely vanish if Subaru allowed her to experience the game with him; however, he still knew she wouldn't back down at this point. If Beatrice and Rem were going to watch, then he needed to ask "You two aren't easily disturbed, right?"
"I should be fine." Rem stated honestly, and Subaru had no reason to distrust her on that issue.
Taking Subaru's words as a warning for what was to come, Beatrice faltered slightly as she stated "D-Don't be absurd. These games are nothing when matched against my mental fortitude, I suppose."
Still seeing one way out of the situation, Subaru reminded the spirit "Yeah, well, even if you can read Japanese now, Rem can't so she'll totally be left out of the experience."
"How about you translate for the maid, I suppose." Beatrice suggested simply.
"How about you shut up, I suppose!" Subaru snapped back who just lost his only escape out of this situation.
After losing the argument, Subaru agreed to let the two girls watch him as he played with Rem on his right and Beatrice on his left. Before diving into the game, Subaru explained to the two girls that visual novels are comparable to picture books. Everything was going smoothly as Subaru translated the dialogue for Rem until…
"OH MY GOD!"
"KYAAAA!"
Subaru and Beatrice screamed together once the cute girl on the screen turned into something less cute and jump scared them.
"S-Subaru, what was that, I wonder?!" Beatrice exclaimed as she clutched the boy's arm.
With his body shivering from the fright, Subaru exclaimed back "Don't ask me! I didn't program this visual novel from hell!"
While the spirit and contractor had a similar reaction to the jump scare, Rem giggled at the scene "She made a funny face."
As Subaru looked with disbelief at the giggling maid, Subaru asked almost breathlessly "R-Rem? You're kind of scaring me here."
"I have similar complaints, I suppose. Maybe we should be checking to see if you're demented." Beatrice spoke to the maid.
Seeing the frightened looks on Subaru's and Beatrice's faces, Rem replied with renewed resolve "Does my reaction not satisfy you? I understand, leave it to me!"
"That's not the issue here!" Subaru exclaimed; however, he left it at that to continue the game. The game continued to progress until another cute girl appeared on the screen.
"Kyaaaaaa!" Rem screamed at the top of her lungs as she lunged towards Subaru, wrapping her arms tightly around the boy.
"Um, Rem, what are you doing?" Subaru asked, puzzled by the maid's reaction.
With her face just a few inches from Subaru's, Rem explained "Well, that girl just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Isn't something like that supposed to be scary?"
"Well, it could be scary if it was a jump scare, but that was just a normal character entrance." Subaru explained calmly to the maid.
"Yes, characters will pop up like that in these video games, I suppose." Beatrice added to Subaru's explanation; however, once she saw how close the maid was to Subaru, she exclaimed "Hey, what are you doing, I wonder?!"
Holding the boy tighter, Rem explained "I'm just being scared, like how you were earlier."
Beatrice's anger intensified as she pointed her finger at the maid and yelled "Hold on a second! I'm on to you, I suppose! You're just taking advantage of the situation to get close to Subaru!"
"Yeah, that is something Rem would do." Subaru mentally agreed with Beatrice.
"Yes, you are right. Does that create any problems?" Rem replied as she tilted her head.
"I can't believe she admitted it so easily." Subaru thought who suddenly felt like he was a sports commentator.
Clutching Subaru's arm, Beatrice exclaimed at the maid "I will be having none of that, I suppose! Subaru is mine, I suppose!"
"Usually I'd be happy to hear that from Beako, but right now she sounds like a brat for some reason." Subaru mentally commented.
Trying to be as polite as possible, Rem asked "Excuse me if I come off as rude, but how can you say Subaru belongs to you if you're not even his girlfriend?"
"From all the way downtown, and it's good!" Subaru mentally screamed who got off topic with his commenting. Realizing the severity of Rem's question, Subaru started to sweat as he thought "Oh, wait a second. That's actually-"
With a smug smile on her face, Beatrice answered confidently "Because I am the person Subaru chose, I suppose."
Not wanting things to escalate beyond the point of no return, Subaru stated with forced enthusiasm "Half-time is now over. Now, back to the game!"
When Subaru moved forward to the next set of dialogue, the girl on the screen became disfigured as Subaru read her dialogue "PLAY WITH ME!"
The following jump scare frightened even Rem this time. With the three becoming terrified of the game, they decided to stop for the day.
Getting to her feet first, Beatrice said to the two "Here's your phone back, Subaru. I'll be going back to the room, I suppose."
After returning the boy's cellphone to him, Beatrice made her way back to the mansion.
Watching the girl walk away, Rem pointed out "Lady Beatrice seems upset."
"I think we're all upset after what we just played." Subaru joked; however, he went on to say "That idiot probably feels bad about what she said to you earlier."
"I didn't think Lady Beatrice would worry about such things." Rem replied who was clearly shocked.
Scratching his cheek, Subaru explained "Beako is really gentle. When I first met her, I thought she was a cruel and twisted loli who thought she was above others, but she's actually a lonely person who gets hurt easily; although, most people wouldn't notice because of her dumb pride. Despite her sharp tongue, she doesn't like to hurt others."
"But doesn't Lady Beatrice harm you on a daily basis?" Rem asked as she tilted her head.
Shuddering from all the abuse Beatrice has put him through, Subaru changed his mind "Actually, forget everything I just said. Beako is sadistic after all."
Giggling from the boy's response, Rem smiled "You two must be really close if you can call her such names."
With the maid's smile putting him in a better mood, Subaru replied "Yeah, we're close enough that I can use her as a verbal punching bag; although, she prefers to use me as a physical punching bag. She makes me feel like a living crash test dummy. I guess to her credit, she doesn't really blast me with magic anymore, but it still hurt like hell when she did."
Finally getting up, Subaru offered the maid his hand who gladly accepted it. As the two walked towards the mansion, Rem asked "You're not going to bring your laptop with you?"
"Nah, it's low on power, so I have it hooked up to the solar powered battery to charge." Subaru explained to the maid.
Although Rem didn't understand the explanation, she decided not to question him on the matter.
Once they reached the front entrance to the mansion, Subaru spoke as he opened the door "Anyways, don't let what Beako said bother you too much. She didn't mean-"
Subaru stopped explaining once he saw Beatrice standing right in front of him. There was a colorful aura surrounding her raised hand, implying that she was using magic.
"Beako?! What the hell?!" Subaru exclaimed who didn't expect the spirit to be waiting for them at the door.
As she looked around with disbelief, Rem asked fearfully "Lady Beatrice, what is going on?"
With a cold expression on her face, Beatrice asked the maid "That's what I want to know, I suppose. Tell me, how are you-"
"Ahh! What the hell?!" Subaru exclaimed once he came to a startling realization. The room that they entered wasn't the room they were supposed to enter. In fact, Subaru didn't even recognize this room at all.
Seeing that the spirit seemed to be performing magic, Subaru smiled as he concluded "Ah, I see now. I honestly didn't think you had the capacity for pranks, but it seems I was wrong. You really are a clever girl. So clever!"
To Subaru's surprise, the spirit's expression remained cold. As Beatrice examined the two before her, Beatrice asked skeptically "Are you really Subaru, I wonder?"
Before Subaru could even think about that question, he heard the voices of two others coming closer.
Clearly bothered by the intrusion, Beatrice ordered in a whispered "Never mind that, just enter that room and stay quiet. Above all else, make sure nobody sees that girl with you. Do you understand, I wonder?"
With Subaru's dumbfounded expression angering her, Beatrice grabbed the boy and the maid by the hands and forced them to follow her. Pushing the two into the guestroom, Beatrice ordered once again "Remember, do not let anyone see that girl with you, I suppose."
Once Subaru and Rem were inside the room, Beatrice closed the door.
Clearly confused by the situation, Subaru looked at Rem and uttered "What the hell did you do?"
"R-Rem hasn't done anything, I think." Rem replied who was clearly nervous.
Once Subaru heard Beatrice speaking on the other side, the boy put his ear to the door to listen in on the conversation. Subaru could hear Beatrice and two others having a brief discussion.
"Hiya there, Beatrice."
"I have no time for pleasantries, I suppose. I'm going to fetch Subaru now. Let me warn you. Do not go into that room, or there will be consequences."
"O-Okay. What do you need Subaru for?"
"I have no time to answer your silly questions, I suppose. This is an urgent matter."
After a few seconds of silence, Subaru deduced that Beatrice left; however, he wondered about the other two in the room. All of a sudden, Subaru heard the sound of footsteps getting gradually louder.
"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you hear what Beatrice just said?"
"Yeah, I heard what she said. Dontcha remember what the boss said? That girl is what's known as a Soondere. The boss said it's when ya say the opposite of whatcha mean, so she actually wants us to enter the room. Do ya get it?"
"I think that's just one of his pranks though."
"Even if it's a prank by the boss, that's the excuse I'm goin with if she catches me."
"Oh, fine! I'll watch what happens. That way I have an alibi when you mess things up."
As Subaru helplessly heard the footsteps grow nearer, he remembered the spirit's warning and pointed at the table, hoping Rem would understand his signal.
Flinging the door open, the boy exclaimed "So, what's hidin' in here?"
"I surrender!" Subaru exclaimed back as he thrusts both of his arms into the air. Taking a second to look at the first person, Subaru noticed the scar on the blond boy's forehead.
"Subaru, what are you doing here? Wasn't Beatrice looking for you?" A gray-haired boy said.
Finally recognizing the boy, Subaru pointed his finger at him and exclaimed "O-Otto, what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean 'what am I doing here'? You're just teasing me again, aren't you?" Otto replied with a heavy sigh.
Before Subaru could reply, the other boy spoke up "Hey, boss, where's my greetin? Also, arentcha supposed to be at the course right now?"
"Um, who are you and why are you calling me 'boss'?" Subaru asked the blond boy.
Taking Subaru's question as a joke, the blond boy proclaimed "Don't you remember my amazin self? It's me, Garfiel, ya dumbass!"
Trying to steer the conversation in the right direction, Otto asked again "Back to the previous topic, what are you doing here? Are you playing that hiding game with Beatrice again? Remember what happened last time? Beatrice looked for you all over and it turns out you were just hiding in the men's restroom. Beatrice was so furious that she refused to speak to you for days."
Even though Subaru had no memory of it, Subaru played along "Come on, guys. This is Natsuki Subaru we're talking about here! I wouldn't stoop so low as to use such crude and unbeatable tactics just to beat Beatrice in a children's game, right?"
The stares he received from the two stabbed into Subaru like knives; however, Garfiel's expression changed after taking a whiff of the air. Becoming suspicious, Garfiel asked skeptically "Hey, boss, are you really the boss?"
Not having any clue what Garfiel was talking about, Subaru replied with a smug smile "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I cannot divulge that information. This classified information comes directly from Nevada and is for the President's eyes only. Area fifty-one, baby!"
Ignoring Subaru's protests, Garfiel explained "Ya smell similar, but ya don't have the boss's exact smell. Also, your build seems to be lackin compared to his. The boss has been workin out real hard these past few months, but you look too scrawny compared to him."
"I'm telling you, I'm not this so-called 'boss'! I have a perfectly usable name, and it's Subaru! Subaru, I tell you!" Subaru exclaimed as he pointed his finger at Garfiel.
With his hand to his chin, Garfiel came to a solution "Well, I'll just have ta ask you some questions that only the boss would know. Questions that only me and the boss have talked about."
Subaru accepted Garfiel's challenge, even though he knew he was probably doomed to fail.
After taking a huge breath of air, Garfiel exclaimed "This must be the work-"
Even though it should be impossible for people in this world to know this quote, Subaru answered "Of an enemy stand!"
Seeing the shocked expression on Garfiel's face, Subaru added "Wait, I was right?!"
Not answering Subaru's question, Garfiel continued the "interrogation" with Subaru answering flawlessly every time.
"Allied to good-"
"Nightmare to you!"
"In the darkest times-"
"Hope is something you give yourself!"
"I'm not an ally to justice-"
"I'm just an enemy of evil!"
"The right number of people establishes what is true and just."
"The majority can manufacture justice!"
"Star Platinum-"
"The world!"
It was at this point where Garfiel ended his questions. The person in front of him was unmistakably Subaru.
"If you two are done goofing around, I think it's time me and Garfiel take our leave. I'd rather not get on Beatrice's bad side." Otto intervened in the chuunibyou contest.
Forgetting about Beatrice, Garfiel asked Subaru "Hey, boss, can you do my amazin self a favor and not mention the fact that we were here to the little girl?"
Feeling a kinship with the blond boy, Subaru shot Garfiel a thumbs-up and smiled "Don't worry, my dear friend. Even if I'm tortured, I'll be sure to only throw Otto under the bus."
While Garfiel returned the thumbs-up, Otto protested "I don't know what a 'bus' is, but even I can tell you're planning on selling me out to Beatrice. Why only me?! I was the one against entering in the first place!"
Slinging an arm around Otto, Garfiel teased "Sometimes ya just gotta take one for the team, ya know?"
"Even though it seems like that job always falls to me!" Otto complained as he headed out the door with Garfiel.
Once the two left the room, Otto sighed "I'm surprised you actually did leave the room. Usually you would tag along with Subaru in these kinds of situations." When Otto noticed the serious look on Garfiel's face, he called out to him "Huh? Garfiel?"
"Didja… Didja notice anything in there?" Garfiel asked hesitantly. Once Otto shook his head, Garfiel went on "Well, my amazin self picked up a peculiar scent in that room. It's the kind of scent that I have no business bein a part of. I'm leavin it to the boss this time."
Back with Subaru, the boy almost cried manly tears as he smiled "It feels like I've been reunited with a long-lost brother."
"And Otto, I guess." Subaru added as an afterthought.
Remembering about the maid, Subaru walked over to the other side of the table. Even though Otto and Garfiel wouldn't have seen her on the other side, Subaru could clearly see Rem's feet protruding from the table cloth.
Initially, Subaru felt like scolding the maid; however, he decided to tease her instead as he stealthily walked over to the hidden maid-
And lightly touched her protruding foot.
"Kyaaa!" Rem squealed who jumped at the uncomfortable touch. After a loud thump sound, Subaru started to sweat as the table shook briefly.
Clutching her head as she crawled out from under the table, Rem lectured the boy "That really hurt. It really is improper to tease a girl like that, Subaru. Even I can't help but be a little angry with you."
"S-Sorry about that. It really was my fault." Subaru apologized genuinely who promised to make a conscious effort to stop taking his teasing too far.
After that awkward scene, the two decided to sit down and patiently waited with Subaru happily humming.
"You seem to be quite happy despite our perplexing situation." Rem pointed out to the boy.
With a fist to his chest, Subaru smiled "That's because I finally had a fateful reunion with my blood-brother."
"You really shouldn't say such confusing things. I can tell you two are related at all." Rem added who smiled at the boy's enthusiasm.
Shaking his head, Subaru's smile turned smug as he explained "The bonds of chuunibyou tie us strongly together. Ahh, to have met someone who could recite anime like that. Wait a second, how did he know about those anime quotes?!"
With a lightbulb going off in her head, Rem asked "Anime is a form of entertainment from your homeland, correct? Maybe you've finally met someone who shares the same birthplace as you?"
"Well, it might be possible, but I highly doubt that." Subaru added who has yet to reveal to the maid that he's from another world.
"Still, that one with the blond hair reminds me of someone." Rem added who thought of another maid.
Noticing something that the maid said, Subaru asked "Wait, were you looking at him?"
With a smug smile on her face, Rem explained "Yes, I was peeking at him while I was hiding underneath the table. Don't worry, I was really sneaky about it, so I wasn't caught."
"What are you, a kid?" Subaru teased the maid with a smile.
Pouting from Subaru's comment, Rem went on "Anyways, he reminds me of my mentor, Frederica."
Before Subaru could respond, he started hearing the sound of footsteps drawing closer. Mere moments later, the door opened partially, revealing Beatrice who peeked through the opening.
"Brace yourselves, I suppose." Beatrice warned with no ill intent in her voice.
Once she fully opened the door, Subaru couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was as if he was looking into a mirror.
Standing at the doorway, there was a boy who looked exactly like Subaru, and judging from the expression on his face, the boy was speechless as well.
"H-He's even wearing a tracksuit. He's wearing my tracksuit!" Subaru thought to himself in disbelief.
Pointing his finger at his doppelganger, and with his doppelganger pointing at him in return, the two yelled in unison "OH MY GOD!"
Author's Notes: This chapter was so difficult to write, and it's even shorter compared to the rest of the chapters. The biggest obstacle was not spoiling certain events in the fourth arc of the series. From the start, I wanted this to be a fanfiction a person who only watched the anime could read without being spoiled about future events. I might've gone a little too far when it comes to spoilers, but this was the best compromise I could come to between keeping spoilers to a minimum and still talking about the post anime content. I fear that I've achieved little of both though.
This chapter really was a no-win situation for me. I didn't want to spoil post anime content and yet I still had to write about post anime content. The best I could do was allude to certain plot details without actually coming out and stating them.
Putting those thoughts aside, I want this Arc to be wrapped up by New Years. It's supposed to be shorter than the Subaru returning home Arc, so we'll see how that goes. I usually don't meet deadlines, but I'm going to try really hard to meet this one. Expect there to be two more chapters covering this Arc that I shall dub "reality manipulation/breaker" for now.
Well, that's it for this time. I feel a little negative towards this chapter, probably because I couldn't keep the momentum going. Still, I hope to bring back my enthusiasm for the following chapters. Well, take care now. Bye bye!