After many bloody battles, great losses, horrific deaths, and unimaginable suffering, Vincent Vollachia finally regained his rightful place on the throne with the efforts of the Shudrak tribe, the Priscilla camp, and course, Subaru, Rem, and Louis. But of course, there's always a heavy price to pay for such a hefty endeavor...
"So, how is he?" the verdant-haired duchess inquired while gazing at the scene with remorse. As much as most of her memories are static and blurred while carrying her own painful body from the cursed dragon's blood, she insisted on visiting the Miload mansion.
"Same as always, in fact. Unresponsive, I suppose." the Great Spirit replied as she looked at the royal candidate with bloodshot eyes. It's been a month since the day she stayed by his side, never once leaving him from his sight.
There he was, motionless and unconscious on the king-sized bed, the soft sound of his breathing and heartbeat the only things audible to him. The rise and fall of his chest indicating a sign of him being alive. Fittingly, he wore the infamous tracksuit and was groomed and maintained daily by each of the residents of the mansion. Some changes can be observed compared to what they last saw him. His hair grew long and his bangs fell to his forehead, his "wounds" finally healed up leaving scars at each of his arms, but the most observable change was...
"His eye bags have finally disappeared. He finally had time to rest." the old butler muttered while clenching his fists with guilt. The boy's eyes were the ones that have seen death, pain, and suffering and lived to tell the tale. As much he wanted to see the boy again after what they have experienced together at Pristella, Wilhelm didn't expect that THIS was how he'll meet the boy he cherish the most again.
"They are no signs of any deterioration on his health, as well as signs of responsiveness. But I suggested that you should maintain giving his body the proper nourishment and grooming to prevent any unwanted diseases. From time to time, move his body to prevent any body cramps." Felix diagnose while giving a tired sigh. Most of them appreciated the healer for not using his usual accent as they are not in the mood for any annoying cat-puns and the situation calls for them to be dead serious.
"So, how's Emilia-sama coping with this?" Crusch pondered as she was concerned with her fellow ally and opponent to the royal throne. As much it was distasteful to admit, the standings of the royal candidates were shaken due to the rise of accomplishments achieved by the Emilia camp. But at what cost?
The one that most of the camps either cherished, befriended, and admired laid comatose and unaware of the sorrow and pain it bring to most of them.
"Not well, Crusch-sama. Frederica-san carried her to her quarters as she was exhausted from crying all night, clinging at Natsuki-san's body and begging him to wake up." Otto responded as the previous memory gave a pang of remorse to his heart. It was devastating to see your liege neglecting her responsibilities and pour her heart out into this unfair situation. It has been two years since Emilia, Beatrice, Ram, Anastasia, and Julius returned from the watchtower to deliver devastating news: Subaru and Rem were transported to Vollachia.
After helping the internal civil war at Vollachia, Subaru together with Rem and Louis was finally able to leave the land of the wolves. Unfortunately, on the day of their departure, Subaru never woke up from his sleep. They initially assumed it was due to the extreme fatigue he experienced but as time passed, anxiety and worry started to build up that in a surprising turn of events, Priscilla and her camp transported his body with his allies with the Emperor personally presented it to his camp.
When the Emilia camp received the news of Subaru, words cannot express the remorse and regret they have experienced through the week. Emilia was so dazed that she neglected her studies for the Royal Selection and painfully waited for the day the Priscilla camp arrived at the mansion. Beatrice and Petra cried so much that at times they slept together with fresh tears on their cheeks. Roswaal shuts himself at his quarters, his hollow eyes staring at the random part of the ceiling as his mind was broken. Frederica, Ram, and Otto, to a lesser degree, tried desperately to keep the camp afloat and console Garfiel as he constantly trains non-stop to the point of harming himself while carrying their sorrow and pain.
As Vincent finally arrived and presented the sleeping black-haired knight, cries of agony and despair once again echoed throughout the camp as the Emilia camp together with Rem— who despite not having her old memories have bonded with the nasty-eyed boy during their tenure at Vollachia.
Vincent and Priscilla gave the camp Subaru's medal of valor for his efforts and contribution at the land of wolves and after giving their respects, went to their own ways: the Emperor's entourage returned to Vollachia while the Priscilla camp has other businesses to attend to, especially the Barielle estate which was left unsupervised during the events occurred.
News of the Emperor's reason of entering Lugunican borders spread like wildfire to everyone in the kingdom. Nobles and commoners were at a loss to the reports of the courage and bravery of the black-haired knight, earning admiration and praise to the "Newest Hero" for his efforts not only at Pristella but to another country as well. As the citizens were busy singing praises and glory to Subaru, some comparing him to either as the second coming of the Great Sage or some legendary hero sent by the Great Dragon, the news of Subaru's comatose affected all the other camps, in some form or another.
The Priscilla camp finally gave their admiration and praise to the sleeping knight for his hard work and efforts that they were willing to help break the stigma of Emilia's heritage and appearance to the other nobles to help gain support and trade to the half-elf's camp.
The Crusch camp was so shocked that the duchess initially forgot her suffering from the dragon's blood. Excruciatingly, she forced herself to get out of her bed and commanded Felix and Wilhelm to travel to the Miload mansion in haste, not a second wasted. The healer and butler reluctantly obliged while carefully aiding their lady from the bumpy and rough carriage travel. They owe so many due to Subaru's kindness that it dishearten them not to repay or somewhat compensate for all the wonderful things he gave to them, both individually and as a champ as a whole.
Anastasia and Julius were both in dismay at the reports received at the merchant network. The merchant queen immediately sent every connection she had at Kararagi and Lugunica to find any information of medicine or elixir to lift the "sleeping beauty" sickness. As much as she wanted to initiate and carry the plan to come back to the Pleiades watchtower to obtain the Great Dragon's blood, only Emilia has access to the dragon's nail to prevent them from being obliterated by Volcanica.
As frustrating the situation as it is, she decided to find alternative ways to help her newfound friendship with the Emilia camp. Meanwhile, Julius deployed knights to safeguard and protect the residents of the Miload mansion. It fills him with regret not giving a proper thank you to Subaru for everything he did to him — remembering him during when his name was erased, encouraging him during the tenure of the trials at the watchtower, and his friendship from their shared battles together.
He regrets not vocalizing how grateful he was and apologize for that fateful encounter at the Royal Arena. It eats him up inside for not atoning that mistake to the black-haired knight and it seems that he'll not have that chance again.
Lastly, the Felt camp was devastated to receive the news. So much so that Reinhard ordered an expedition to hunt down the remaining members of the witch-cult, arresting and interrogating them to find information on how to solve their current predicament. Reinhard changed so much that his eyes were hollow and empty, subsequently indulging to drowning his sorrows with alcohol. Distraught by this, the others as well— as an unlikely help from Wilhelm and Heinekel— tried to stop his excessive drinking, both to prevent handling an overly powerful drunkard and embarrassing himself to the public.
The silence was broken when a knock of the wooden door interrupted them from their trance.
"I apologize for the intrusion, Crush-sama, Felix-sama, Wilhelm-sama, and Otto-san, but the other guests have arrived." Frederica and Ram curtly bows to them as they announced this. Again, one of the great changes of their current situation was Ram losing her "normal" attitude and reverted to something so formal yet distant. The other residents both emphasize her sadness to both her master and friend and were weirded out to not hear her sharp retorts at them as the days passes by.
"Thank you Ram-san. Please lead them to the assembly room and deliver them refreshments with Rem and Petra. Frederica-san, please escort Crush-sama and her camp there as well." Otto instructed them, feeling strange that he had to manage all of this despite being the camp's Internal Affairs Minister."Beatrice-sama, can you please wake up and escort Emilia-sama to the room as well? She is the main speaker to this meeting, so the head of the camp must be present."
"I'll try, I suppose. The half-elf is a heavy sleeper. So much so now that she's mentally and emotionally exhausted. But I'll see through it, in fact." Beatrice reluctantly agreed, now wanting to leave the sleeping knight's side. As much she hates it, they must do their responsibilities as well, as to not waste her precious contractor's sacrifices.
As the group was about to disperse in their direction, they glanced at the black-haired knight for the last time, seeing him sleeping peacefully and not affected by any of this melancholic atmosphere. They longed to see his bright smile again, looking at them with kind and caring eyes and speaking their name akin to sweet noises to their ears.
"I hope to see you awake once again, Natsuki Subaru."
The meeting was uneventful as most of the candidates —saving for Priscilla —were present to gather up and inform their tasks to Emilia and the other members of her camp. The merchant queen was disappointed and frustrated that her merchant network still haven't found any clue to find any cure to wake up the comatose boy. Julius tries to ease his lady's frustrations by shifting the blame to himself for not being more vigilant and tried harder to look for any information as well.
Felt disclose that they weren't any lead for any witch-cult activities and her connections from the slums had nothing as well. She also lamented that she and Rom had to keep a close eye on Reinhard, as from time to time he would fake his emotions and tries to slip a drink or two. Luckily and gratefully, Heinekel —which she initially despised and loathed— would help informed and talked the Sword Saint out of it when the urges of his vices kick in.
Despite hating himself for both contributing to his grandson's current state and not being there for his son and Reinhard, Wilhelm was eternally grateful for Heinikel in turning a new leaf —a working progress— and was becoming a father as he should be.
The old butler was later informed by Rem that it was Subaru and Al who managed to sit down and discuss his problems and sadness, in which the black-haired boy gave him some encouragement and comfort— stating that he can relate and sympathize with him. He told the former captain of the royal guard to never gave up and strive further and eventually, his wife will wake up one day and gaze at him with loving eyes — just like how he did to the blue-haired oni.
Priscilla was surprised and amused to see one of her camp members grieving but in a heartwarming sense, watching and earning her respect to Subaru further in high regard.
"Not only you helped me in my revenge and closure for my wife's demise, aided my lady in taking her burden, gave Reinhard a chance to be himself, you also mended and healed my son's broken and confused heart and slowly fixed the Astrea household. How much do I have to do to repay every wonderful thing you did for me, Subaru-dono?" Wilhelm muttered as some tears formed on the corner of his eyes.
Truly, he was so grateful, indebted, and thankful for the said nasty-eyed knight that when the news broke out that he was a sleeping shell, it was as if his heart was ripped out of him again—the same feeling he experienced when Theresia died. As much as he wanted to hide and mourn, he, as well as Crusch cried and loathed themselves for not being there for the one their cherished the most.
Crusch looked at the Sword Demon with sad eyes and then notified as well that her condition is going well and offered that whatever assistance they needed, she'll gladly accept and give it to them. While she hated that she was handled like glass, she appreciated the concerns her rivals turned into acquaintances gave her. She also stated that the Sage Council delayed Subaru's ceremonial awarding and celebration until the said person is awake. She hope this news would somehow lift the mundane and sorrowful mood the meeting was having.
All eyes looked towards the head of the meeting, waiting for her response, and hoped that they can either lift her spirits or help carry her burdens. Genuinely, all of the camps are grateful for her knight— helping, saving, and aiding them in one way or another— which leave a massive impact on them. Now, it was their time to return the favor and help his liege navigate this cruel and unfair situation.
The silver-haired royal candidate looked at them with a small yet tired smile. Her bloodshot eyes staining her flawless appeal, and her hair unkempt. She was grateful for all of them for sharing their time and concern with all of them, despite being rivals to the throne. As much she wanted to have Priscilla with them, she understood that she have other prior commitments on her own and knows that she's also finding any method/way to release Subaru from endless slumber.
As she gazes at each one of them, she can't help being blessed and thankful for the wonderful people that are there for them. Then, as if on instinct, her thoughts wandered to the one that caused all of this: Subaru.
If you told her that her life will be changed for the best when she meets the strange and peculiar boy, she would have just laughed and brushed it off. But how wonderful was it how one person made her bland and lifeless life into a colorful and amazing mess.
Saving her time and time again, helping her stand up and grow to be a better person, loving her with all his heart and soul and protecting her and everyone, giving her a rare privilege of having her own knight and taking her hand and showing her the world.
Emilia's heart began to fill with unknown emotions as time passed. The way her knight looked at her with kind and concern eyes, his smile that brightens up even the darkest thoughts of anyone, his voice, and laughter being the perfect music she yearns to hear once again. His touch, the way he holds her hand, making her feel secured and warm. His lips—even though they only kissed once— make her melt and her knees wobble. Those things filled her with something incomprehensible to her...
As Subaru was whisked away from her and separated from Lugunica, she began to understand what those emotions are: regret, loneliness, and of course, love. She berated herself for taking too long to notice and understand the incompleteness she felt as time passes by with her knight. She made up her mind to finally answer him and reciprocate his love to her.
But it was never the case. Emilia's world stopped as her heart shattered into a million pieces when she received Priscilla's letter. She was too late. Subaru was a sleeping "beauty" akin to Rem a few months back. She further loathed herself for being so incompetent and naive to not notice her feeling earlier.
As she cries almost every day, she slowly neglected her responsibilities, which made her hate herself even further. As much she wanted her members to be mad at her, they were so understanding and caring that she gave her time to grieve. When Subaru's sleeping visage was finally delivered by the Vollachian royalties, Emilia amplified her sorrow as she hugged his body tightly and desperately begged him to wake up. She promised that she'll take care of him and gave him his answer if he'll let her give him a chance to look at her with those warm and caring eyes again.
This repeated and continued for five days with times Beatrice or sometimes, most of them would gather and cried their hearts out; wishing nothing but to see the day where they'll meet him again, alive and moving.
This wish is shared with all of the people who know the heroic acts of the renowned strange black-haired knight, who appeared out of nowhere and defeated the forces of darkness and saved millions of lives across Lugunica, Kararagi, and Vollachia.
As the meeting was moving to a close, Emilia delivered her closing remarks, thanking everyone for coming and helping in achieving their shared goal. Each gave their reply stating that the pleasure was theirs and will continue to strive and try harder to make their dream a reality. With that, they depart to their separate ways and desperately thinking to find anything to break off the curse. A shared thought on each of their minds:
"I'm going to save you."
...
...
...
Somewhere...
"So, finally feeling well-rested and healed?"
"Yeah, thank you so much for your help. Even though you helped me time and time again, this is probably the first time I'm thankful you for it."
"No worries, my beloved. Anything for you, I love you."
"Ack! Stop it. You're making me blush, even that's impossible in here."
"It's my Shadow Garden. I can make stuff do anything I want to."
"Anything?"
"Ack, that's not what I mean! Stop being so adorable! It makes me want to monopolize you even further."
"Hahaha. But really though, thank you for being there for me, Satella."
"No problem, my love."
"... as disgusted and embarrassing as this sounds, can I wake up and join them?"
"Of course. As much I wanted to have you only as my own, I know your heart is too big. Just wait a bit further, and you can finally join your loved ones as well."
"No catch?"
"Hey! I won't lie to my beloved! Envy was the one that placed that sick heart-clenching side effect to you."
"Man, you're so cute when your pouting. SMT"
"Suuuubbaaarrruuuu..."
Echoes of laughter and squealing filled the black endless void. The boy heartily laughing while the girl continuously but softly punching his right shoulder. As the joyful interaction settled down, both of them sit on the floor looking in front of them as they viewed and observed the outside world. A soft sobbing was heard between the two of the occupants. The girl placed the boy's head to her chest and consoles him while ruffling his black hair.
"Please don't feel sorry and be depressed again. I know you missed them so much that you want to jump and hug them so close. If you didn't ask for my help that day, your fragile mind, heart, and soul couldn't take the upcoming trials ahead of you and your friends. It would be a matter of time when you'll finally break."
"I know that you said that I should love myself more. That I should care more about my life and it has meaning and value to it. But..."
"But?"
"But it aches my heart seeing them so sad and heartbroken about me. I feel so disgusted to myself knowing that I caused this! I am so..."
As the knight was about to continue to his rant, the silver-haired woman gently lifted his head and met his lips with hers. Initially shocked, the knight slowly began to relax and close his eyes, savoring the moment. After which, Satella pulled him and looked at his glassy eyes.
"I love you. I love you so much that it hurts me seeing you beating yourself again. That's why I came and helped you on that day to comfort and ease your rampant nightmares and shoulder the suffering and pain with you. It wasn't your fault. If anything, it was..."
The black-haired immediately kissed the silver-haired woman, this time shocking her. After the sweet tender moment, Subaru looked at her and reassured her.
"I know you gave me this gift to save me from death. It was my fault in relying on and abusing it too much, thus resulting in being killed so many times. Please don't hate yourself for it. You saved me. And this time, you helped me and eased my pain away. So Satella, thank you."
He sincerely smiled at her, causing Satella to have her heart skip a beat and blush furiously. Subaru notices this and gently laughs, earning a pout from the half-elf.
After the exchange, Subaru lays himself on Satella's lap while the latter pats and rubs his hair, playing his bangs.
"For now, please rest and continue to heal, my beloved. I assure you, you will return to them, I promise."
...
...
...
"Okay... Please wait for me guys."
Three weeks have passed since Subaru was found in an endless slumber.
The residents still kept maintaining the sleeping visage; changing his clothes, cleaning and wiping his body, and delivering him food—despite not being eaten. After such time, things started to calm down and go back to "normal".
The remorse and pain of the possibility of him never waking up ever again will always be there, but they realized that their friend/captain/brother would be sad and devastated if he sees them still sulking. So with a heavy heart, they slowly try to adjust their lives and do their respective roles in the Emilia faction.
The said leader slowly began to return to her role by studying and attending meetings with the allied nobles. Her backer, still at the loss of his "way" being gone, also started to show up and join the half-elf travel to different parts of his domain together with Garfiel, who was assigned as the temporary knight of Emilia. Otto resumes his duties filing, signing, and rewriting deals and transaction papers, and other documents as the Internal Affairs Minister. Frederica—together with Ram, Rem, Petra, and the new addition of Meili—started the tedious task of cleaning, repairing, and revamping the disarrayed Miload estate, despite Clind doing all the household work.
Sadly, only one of the residents was not ready to move forward. Beatrice isolated herself at the mansion's library, reading but wanted to be alone to carry her grief—she felt she went back to the Forbidden Library, alone, forgotten, and most of all, unloved.
This is false in fact, as all of them— even Roswaal— cared and sympathized with the Great Spirit but deep down they all know who she wanted to be with and hold her tight with a smile on his face, a sentiment shared by all of them.
The days passed by but with their hearts remaining heavy and downtrodden.
"Please, wake up soon, Subaru."
...
...
...
At the shadow garden:
"Again, I can't thank you enough for helping me and healing me up, Satella."
"The pleasure is all mine, my beloved. As much as I REALLY want to make you stay here and monopolize you, I'm true to my promise. You'll wake up in a few moments now."
The half-elf managed to mumbled out as she's fighting the urge to run towards the black-haired knight and keep him from leaving. Sensing that Satella was sad about his departure, Subaru decided to close their distance and hugged the Witch of Envy, who was surprised but returned the warm embrace.
"Don't worry, Tella-tan, you're always with me. Hey, you manage to grab my heart and steal my breath away." he jested, trying to lighten the mood while comforting her.
"Mean~ie." Satella pouted while lightly smacking his chest. Despite being a tasteless joke, she knows her beloved was trying to make her smile, which he succeed.
Subaru lightly chuckled and looked at the half-elf with kind eyes and a bright smile. Despite Satella saving and helping him from his inner demons, he managed to have some sort of closure with the one that transported him from his world. As time passes by, he somehow manages to understand and learn all about her, who was severely misjudged by everyone in their world.
He hoped that one day, he can clear up Satella's name from the witch cult and help the world understand her side of the story. It might be hard and required strenuous efforts, but he knows that he'll never give up and try harder to save the ones he cherishes the most, including Satella.
The world suddenly turned bright white and cracks started to form, signaling their time together was up.
"Thank you for saving me, Satella. I promise, no matter what, I will save you. So greet me with a smile till then, okay?"
The half-elf, despite not mentally prepared for their separation once again, return his warm disposition with her own, giving a genuine smile that was unseen for 400 years.
"Till then, my beloved. If you need to be saved, I'll be there for you no matter what. I love you."
"I know. I'm sorry I can't say it back, but please know, that you're special to me as well and have a place in my heart."
With that, both the weakest knight and the strongest "evil" parted ways with smiles on their faces.
Subaru fluttered his eyes, trying to adjust from the lighting of his surroundings. He can already feel his muscles cramping from not moving over three weeks. Normally, he would jolt from his bed from the endless nightmares of the failed loops and started crying his heart out.
But today, it was different. Unusual, but nice.
"I remember this ceiling." he beams with a smile on his face. It might be from the last moment he had with Satella. It might be that, finally, he had returned with the ones he loved.
It didn't matter. For the first time in a long while, he feels refreshed and well-rested.
He can't wait to see and join his friends and loved ones again.
With that in mind, a plan suddenly pops up in his mind, making him smile even further. Before he prepares himself up—in haste to surprise them— he gazed at his locked door intently.
"Hope to see you soon, guys. But first..." he paused while taking a deep breath.
"Cor Leonis: First Shift"
Meanwhile...
The royal candidates gathered once again to disseminate and share information on their respective camps. Surprisingly, all members were present: the Karsten camp with the Duchess, Blue, and the Sword Demon. The Merchant Queen, the Greatest Knight, and members of the Iron Fang. The Baroness with her one-armed knight. The Ex-Theif with the Sword Saint—who was slowly recovering from his vices. And finally, the Half-Elf, with her Internal Affairs Minister and the Shield of the Sanctuary.
The head of the meeting was the Margrave with the oni-twins at his side. As per voted to all of the camps, an agreement was formed, which was affectionally called the "Natsuki Treaty" wherein the conditions were: no smear campaign or black propaganda will be initiated to all rival camps, each will have aid to each other when the rise of emergency is called for, and each will run and fairly proceed with the Royal Selection.
As the different camps discuss issues and ideas for the development and prosperity of the Kingdom, as well as security and peace treaties to the different countries, the attention gradually shifted to the elephant in the room: information for waking the sleeping knight.
Immediately, the room quieted down as most of them began to sulk and wander to their thoughts.
Priscilla fanned herself as she reminisce her time with the half-wi... half-elf's knight, together with Al, Rem, Heinekel, and the Shudrak tribe, they managed to help regain Vincent's throne and overthrow the conspirators of the chaotic plot and her assassination. Initially weak and prone to death, the black-haired boy managed to achieve and succeed in what seemed to be feats with improbable chances of winning, thus sparking her interest and respect for the boy. That and the resolution of Heinekel's troubled mindset, the Sun Goddess now knows why many people respected and regarded Subaru Natsuki with an amazing mystic.
As much as the Emperor wanted him to stay and be part of the Nine Divine Generals, an honor with the highest degree, the boy instead wishes to return to Lugunica, to where he swore his loyalty and allegiance, elevating her respect even further.
"Such loyalty complemented with his strategic mind and determination. Mineself would also be interested to add him to my camp. Another addition to entertaining me further." the princess thought as she observed the others slowly contemplating and beginning showing signs of remorse.
Crusch and her knights remembered the subjugation of the White Whale where the nasty-eyed boy gathered hers and Anastasia's camp for a three-way alliance and bravely fought the Great Calamity by her side. It always never fails to amaze her when she remembered Subaru forcing the whale to fall from the heavens and to follow him, coming up with a plan to trap it using Flugel's tree—ending with Wilhelm delivering the final blow.
Felix vividly remembered that time at Pristella wherein his liege was bedridden with the curse of the dragon blood. Despite being the greatest healer of the whole kingdom, his efforts were futile to relieve Crusch's suffering. The shock, disgust, and self-loathing he felt seeing Subaru, the self-proclaimed knight with a broken gate, manages to help comfort his lady by absorbing the curse to his own body, thus stabilizing the Valkyrie's condition.
Now, the said hero that saved his lady is a sleeping couch potato, in stillness and on suspended animation. Despite Gluttony being defeated and all of the memories of those affected returned, including Rem and Crusch, Subaru remained sleeping and unaware of his surroundings. The healer clenched his fists and bit his lip as he was so frustrated and angry at himself for not repaying the one that save Crusch for him.
Crusch placed her hand on Felix's shoulder and gently squeezed it, affirming her sympathy for him. As if telepathically, she knows what thoughts run through her knight's mind.
"I hope to see you alive again, Subaru Natsuki."
The Anastasia camp daydreamed the time when Subaru led the remaining forces of the subjugation to the campaign to defeat Sloth. Ricardo, Mimi, and Tivey marvel at how detailed and precise his plan was, resulting to success with no casualties. Julius remembers the times he had with Subaru, joining forces to take down the Sin Archbishop, and Anastasia thought the times when the black-haired knight comforted her knight during his fight with Reid Astrea and their time at the watchtower.
Truly, their friendship blossomed during the watchtower, despite both of the knights don't want to admit it to one another. The Greatest Knight wished to have another chance to fight alongside him, working together and synchronizing in defeating evil.
"I hope to have that chance again, Subaru."
Felt remembered the time wherein the remaining Sin Archbishops captured and conquered Pristella. Despite not being there personally, she heard through the speakers her Big Bro's speech that lifted the hearts of everyone, catalyzing their counterattack. She marveled at his honesty and sincerity to the masses that if she was to give her opinion, her Big Bro would be a great leader for their Kingdom. There, he was declared, intentionally or not, the newest hero for the Kingdom of Lugunica. She hoped that he will once again walk with the living, inspiring, aiding, and lifting the people with his signature smile.
"Big Bro..., please..., we need you."
Surprisingly, Reinhard was sober at the moment as he too let his thought wander his fine moments with Subaru: their cooperative attack against Greed. Despite being the muscle that fought Regulus Corneas, it was Subaru who figured out the weakness of the Sin Archbishop's Authority, thus ending his reign of terror. Like Julius and his grandfather, he felt honored to share the battlefield with the black-haired knight, which for him should be the hero being lauded not him, and wished to continue to be by his side no matter what. The one that sees him not as the Sword Saint, but as Reinhard Van Astrea: the human that craves a real friendship.
"Only you, Subaru. ..Only you can make me feel this way."
Last but not the least, the Emilia camp. Of course, everyone was aware that of all of them that missed the said strange but wonderful personality such as Subaru Natsuki, his own camp was hit the most with depression and sadness, even Roswaal. All of them remembered their first time meeting him, their interactions, moments, and friendship. Slowly but discreetly, Rem and Ram wiped their tears as they reminisce the times they worked together doing the household chores, how he saved Rem and captured her heart, how he ran hell and back to wake her up and get her memories back and protect and tolerate her during her hostility at Vollachia.
Ram remembered how the "man with good timing" took her burdens, pain, and stress when fighting against Gluttony. How, despite her giving him the harsh treatment, she's happy that the boy knows it's her way to show affection and care. The pink-haired oni slowly averts her gaze to Garfiel and Otto to see both of the "idiots" are tearing up again.
"Tch, hopeless idiots without their idiot leader." she sarcastically thought but laced with a tinge of affection.
Garfiel bows his head, not letting everyone see his "manly tears" with Otto let his hat cover his eyes as both of them remember their shenanigans with Subaru. How he saved and released the golden-haired demi-human from his prison. How the ashen-haired merchant snapped him from his despaired and gave him his hand. How they enjoyed making fun of each other, laughing their hearts out. How they wish to turn back time and rekindle those moments. But now, as if those days are over. As much they hate admitting it.
"Captain/Natsuki-san, please wake up."
The half-elf let her thoughts drown her, the times she spent with her knight. The conversations they had— missing dearly his voice and smile— and how she hated herself for taking those for granted.
"Tell me your name."
"I'll catch you when the time comes when you'll be head over heels for me."
"If love wasn't the reason, them who would put up with a gigantic pain in the ass of a woman like you!?"
"I love you, Emilia. Completely."
"I swore to protect you no matter what, as I pledge my fealty to you, my princess."
"I am Subaru Natsuki. I am yours, and only yours, Emilia."
She wallowed in regret for not giving her an answer and return the affection and care he gave to her, prompting her to grow and stand up for herself and be the person she is today. Her heart was already broken into tiny fragments as it kept breaking up from her remorse, regret, and self-hate.
She'll never hear her Subaru's voice ever again...
...
...
...
...
...
"..C'mon guys, why the long faces? You'll get wrinkles from all that frowning."
That voice snapped them out of their respective trance and brought them back to reality. That voice...no way. As their eyes dart towards the source of that noise, their minds cannot comprehend what they are seeing. It was as if it's too good to be true. Can it be...?
"Hi, guys! Sorry for being late. I have to prepare myself, seeing that you guys have a meeting with each other. And oh, I brought Beako too, if you don't mind..."
The figure replied while slightly scratching the back of his head with his left hand — his hair down due to the hurried washing off his face and wearing a black suit —while the other holding the hand of the Great Spirit who had bloodshot eyes yet a bright smile etched on her face.
"You are hopeless, I suppose. You barged in out of nowhere and then make up excuses for being late. Betty wants her hugs and head pats, with interest, in fact."
The boy slightly laugh at his contracted spirit—"You are too cute Beako." he muttered —and then faced the shocked and startled faces of his friends. Gazing them with warm and kind eyes and smiling brightly at them, Subaru asked:
"So, how are you guys? It's been a while, hasn't it?"
...and was then mobbed with hugs, kisses, cuddles, and tears of joy.
Author's note: Hello again! This is a new project that I've been working on. Still not sure to make it a one-shot or a series. Please leave a comment and I hope you like it.
SEE YOU ON THE NEXT ONE :)