One year… That's how long it's been since Subaru's last visit here. Back then, he escaped the mansion after Rem died from the curse. It was all thanks to Beatrice that he even made it out alive that day.

…

…

…

Not that it mattered. He could've returned by death back then but he didn't. All he cared for back then was to get away from those people who were only going to stab him in the back.

Despite that, here he was back here. It was probably a very stupid idea to come here alone but what did he have to lose? He lost hope a long time ago.

However, he was here for a reason. There Subaru was, standing in front of a cliff with a ton of jagged rocks at the bottom. He was looking down without a care in the world.

It wasn't long before he heard an all too familiar voice. "You must really have a death wish, I suppose."

Subaru tiredly looked over to the source of the noise. Whatever lifeless look Subaru had briefly vanished as he looked in shock at what was before him. Beatrice was standing a few feet away from him.

But that wasn't what shocked him, it was the fact that she was colorful. He could see her blonde hair and her red dress as well as her cute pink ribbons. However, that look faded as fast as it arrived, returning back to his original lifeless look.

"Yeah, I probably do." Subaru bluntly answered.

Beatrice stared at the defeated boy for a little bit before continuing. "You don't look that surprised. Perhaps you were expecting to see me, I suppose?"

"I just assumed that Puck told you already."

Beatrice nodded, confirming Subaru's assumption. "You are correct. Bubby had indeed informed me that you'd be coming. However, Betty is curious to know why you wanted to only see me."

Well, this was it, Subaru thought. He sat himself on the edge of the cliff and returned his gaze back down the cliff.

Before he could even start with his question, Beatrice added, "You're quite the careless one to sit over the edge like that. Especially how hard Betty worked to keep you alive that day. You really are a rude one, I suppose."

Subaru couldn't help but chuckle at how accurate that was. "Yeah, you have pretty bad taste to help such a pathetic person."

Beatrice crossed her arms and pouted. "Don't insult Betty's judgement!"

"…" Subaru didn't respond to that, he just continued to silently look down the cliff.

Seeing the tensity of the situation, Beatrice continued. "So, what was it you came all the way here for?"

Subaru stood up and turned to Beatrice. Upon closer inspection, he looked a lot scarier than she remembered. "Why are you giving me that look, in fact?"

Subaru didn't answer. At this point, this was just how he looked. He doesn't remember when it happened but it happened. It probably started around the same time he lost the ability to see colors.

"You, your mood has changed too, I suppose."

"Back then…" Subaru started, "I was certain I would die. But, because you didn't give up on me, I was able to survive. Thank you for protecting me that day. But… Why didn't you kill me?"

Now, Beatrice was trembling in fear. She had no answer for this. Why would he ask something so depressing? Not that she didn't have an answer but the words were just too heavy to come out. It was as if they refused to escape her lips.

After more silence, Subaru had a better look at Beatrice and he went on, "You know, Beatrice, I figured something out. You and I… We are the same."

There was still silence. As Subaru continued to talk, Beatrice only looked more scared and panicked. Despite that, Subaru went on. "We both have a disease called despair deep within us…"

Subaru took a few steps forward, inching closer to the frightened Beatrice. "But why…? Why didn't you kill me?"

Now in tears, Beatrice finally managed to say something. "Are you 'that person'?"

Subaru stopped dead in his tracks. His dead gaze not faltering in the least. He wanted to give her a comforting answer but he had to know first. He knelt down, getting on his knees to be at eye level with Beatrice. "Is that person someone who's given up on life?"

"I don't-"

"Is that person someone who got stabbed in the back more times than they can count?"

"There's no way-"

"Is that person responsible for the death of countless people?"

That last question stunned the poor spirit. Fear was stained on the poor girl's face as she stared at Subaru in disbelief.

"Knowing that, is that person someone you'd even side with?"

"Yes…"

This time, Subaru widened his eyes at that answer.

"As long as you're Betty's 'that person'… It doesn't matter, I suppose."

Subaru was now the speechless one. Not only did Beatrice look beyond frightened, but there was something else. Desperation. She was desperate.

It finally made sense. She never killed him because she was desperate for some kind of companionship. This really must be a screwed up world if such a role ended up in his hands.

But…

Beatrice was the only person Subaru could say he trusts. When the whole world tried to snuff him out, she was the only one there for him. Despite how much Subaru knew he didn't deserve anyone by his side, he just wanted someone to turn to.

After some time, Subaru finally spoke up. "If it doesn't matter…" Subaru smiled. "Then I am that person."

--

Some time before…

--

To say things at Roswaal's manor had been tense since that fateful day would be an understatement. Rem was dead, Ram had gone missing, and Emilia had fallen into a state of depression. Emilia dropped out of the royal selection that day and never bothered to show up to the capital which only confirmed her disqualification. Even Roswaal was down in the dumps. He had to rehire one of his maids after the passing of the twins and despite that, it felt as if he was always missing something.

The one person who seemed to be affected the least from all of this would have to be Beatrice. However, even that would be considered to be an understatement. She isolated herself in the library all the time like she always had been, sitting in front of the library door as if waiting for someone.

Perhaps the only change would be the times she spent with Puck. Due to the fact Puck was linked with Emilia, Puck always felt Emilia's depression and that in turn made the great cat spirit depressed. Beatrice tried to comfort him at first but such an attempt proved useless. After all, Puck stayed beside Emilia a lot more frequently not only to comfort her but to make sure she was safe. After that day, it was apparent that this place wasn't safe for her.

Things have gone this way for little over a year until one day, Beatrice was graced with a rare opportunity to spend time with Puck. Normally, she would be overjoyed over such an event but considering how the last visits had gone this past year, she braced herself for perhaps another gloomy get together.

"Hey, Betty." Puck started. He did sound cheerful and even this caught Beatrice by surprise, even if it was only a little bit.

Beatrice couldn't help but give a delighted smile. Perhaps Puck and Emilia finally got over it. "Bubby! Oh how I missed you!"

Puck chuckled as he willingly flew into the needy girl's embrace. At first, Beatrice was happily snuggling into Puck but it died down rather quickly as she could tell the great cat spirit didn't seem energetic.

Beatrice's smile faded. It was foolish of me to get so excited, she thought. "Betty takes it that the brat isn't over it yet?"

Puck shook his head. "Nope. Lia's still recovering."

"So…" The disappointed Beatrice started, "Betty appreciates your visit, Bubby."

She was disheartened that there was nothing she could do to make Puck feel any better. At least she could be there if he needed it. Well… It's not like she had anywhere to be that is.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

Beatrice's eyes brightened at this. He was finally reaching out for help. "Of course, Bubby! Betty is more than happy to grant you any favor you want."

Puck chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Careful, Betty. You might change your mind after hearing it."

This time, Beatrice looked a bit confused before he continued, "You remember Subaru, right?"

The mention of that boy's name made Beatrice tense up as she nodded carefully. "Yes, Betty remembers that selfish child, I suppose."

"Well, he plans to stop by and pay you a visit."

Beatrice's eyes widened. "What?! Does that idiot want to die?!"

Puck shrugged. "Can't say for sure. He was pretty vague on what he said. Subaru asked me to tell you to meet him at the spot he saw you last."

"How were you able to see him? Betty doesn't remember you leaving here since then, if fact."

"Sorry, Betty, but I already promised that I wouldn't tell anyone. I'm already kinda pushing it as it is." Puck then floated in the air. "So, are you going to see him?"

Seeing him would mean leaving the library. After all, the last time she saw Subaru was by a cliff. However, the spirit was curious why he would risk everything she did for him to come back.

"If it's a request from Bubby, then I'll humor that rude boy's silly wish, I suppose."

--

"Then I am that person."

Beatrice stood perfectly still as she finally heard those words she had yearned to hear for so long. It was finally over. Her four hundred year wait has finally concluded. She smiled at Subaru as if a weight had finally been removed from her.

Subaru finally closed the distance with Beatrice and carefully wrapped his arms around her. The physical contact finally got to the spirit and began crying uncontrollably in the boy's chest as she was fast to return the embrace. Her grip was way tighter than Subaru's, it was as if her life depended on this hug. This only made Subaru feel ashamed of himself. Now he's making a little girl cry like this. It's as if day after day he keeps finding new lows for himself.

Regardless, he knew Beatrice didn't deserve this. He knew that she could've done way better than him. "You know…" Subaru started. "I didn't think you were the type to cry like this." By no means was Subaru trying to be rude. He just wanted to at least lighten the mood a little bit.

Unfortunately, Beatrice hadn't changed her behavior one bit. Subaru just figured that it would be better to just allow the girl to let it all out. The two were like this for several minutes before Beatrice finally started to calm down a little. She was making loud sniffling noises to which Subaru leaned her head back to carefully wipe away the tears.

"Better now?" Subaru asked. Despite the emotional moment, Subaru still looked and sounded as dead as can be.

Beatrice in response slowly nodded. "Yes, I suppose…" Despite her words, she was still clinging onto Subaru as tight as she had been these past few minutes.

Subaru didn't bother pointing out this fact. Right now, Subaru was just mesmerized by all the pretty colors on Beatrice. "You look very beautiful with all those pretty colors on you, you know."

"Is that your attempt at a confession, I wonder?" Beatrice's voice was barely audible but at least her mood seems to be improving now.

"Like you even deserve one from the likes of me."

"Please don't speak about yourself like that, Subaru." Beatrice pleaded.

Subaru was about to burst in anger. Why shouldn't he? He was scum of the earth. If she knew all the things he had done, she would definitely regret hugging him the way she did. But, hearing his name from the short girl was enough to throw him off from making a scene.

"Huh…? What did you say?"

"I said please don't speak-"

"No, not that. Did you just say my name?"

Beatrice looked at Subaru strangely. "Is something wrong in doing so, Subaru?"

Subaru shook his head. "No, it just took me by surprise. Well, I think I got the answer I was looking for. I'll be leaving now."

Just then, Beatrice tightened her grip as hard as she could. "No!!!" Beatrice shouted. "Don't leave Betty behind!"

Subaru looked down at Beatrice. He wasn't expecting that this whole ordeal would turn into this. "I can't stay here. Regardless if you like it or not, I'm leaving."

"Then Betty will go with you!"

Subaru looked to Beatrice with mild interest at her bold declaration. Well, as long as he himself wasn't staying here, then he guessed it should be fine. After all, Beatrice was one of the only things that had color in this world so the likelihood of her betraying him was low. Or rather, he still had a slither of hope that there was at least someone he could rely on.

"If you want to come, then I won't stop you."

Beatrice held Subaru's hand tightly. It was about as tight as the hug he received a mere moment ago.

"Alright, let's get back to Pandemonium."