Chapter 5: I'll Follow You

Rem began to stir in her sleep. Sounds were coming from all around her. People talking. Someone's voice got louder, only to be shushed by the other. She was able to pick one voice as Subaru's voice. The other was familiar but not clear. After a little while longer, the familiar voice left. That voice was only to be replaced by another voice she knew quite well. The voice of her sister. She heard Ram speaking to Subaru about waking her up and everything. Eventually, they went quiet.

Rem's eyes fluttered open, then they shot wide. Ram was kissing the man she loved right in front of her.

"W-W-What do you think you're doing big sister!?" Rem stuttered as she tried to make sense of it all.

Ram turned and tried to back away from her. "R-Rem. I-I can explain this."

"No need. I-I get the idea." She stood up and left the room without saying another word. Not even changing out of her nightgown before running out. Leaving Subaru and Ram with concern and regret on their faces.

"How do we fix this?" Ram put her head in her hands and did something that Subaru had only seen her do once before. Ram cried. She cried her eyes out. Gripping his shirt, Ram pulled herself to him. "H-How can I make this better, Barusu? She trusted me and I went behind her back and kissed you."

Subaru wrapped her in his arms and rubbed her back. "Leave it all to me Ram. I can fix this. Just give me time."

"I'm counting on you Barusu." On the inside, Ram would normally detest any attempts by Subaru to console her, but she didn't care.

Outside

Rem didn't know where to go. She just ran. Through the entire house, people stared and watched her as she ran. No one tried to help her. No one seemed to care. So, she just kept going.

The sun caught her eyes as she ran through the doors. The tears made her bright blue irises sparkle in sadness. A shame really, to see such a beautiful face be contorted and faltered by pain and betrayal.

The demon ran through the streets of the market. All sorts of people saw her; only one person called out.

"Hey, Rem!"

Rem stopped once she heard the voice. "Huh?"

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Don't concern yourself with me, Mr. Risch."

"Did you and Subaru get into a fight?" The kind appa salesman handed her and appa.

"No. I just have a lot on my mind right now."

"Alright. Don't be afraid to come back, ya' hear?"

Rem nodded and continued her now walk. The streets were loud and busy. She made her way to the only spot that could bring her comfort. The spot where she told Subaru that she loved him. The large and broken ruins and garden that stood high up and overlooked the city as a whole.

Sitting near the ledge, Rem ate the appa and thought about her situation. 'He never told me he loved me. He lied to me.' Of course, these were irrational thoughts and completely false, but she couldn't help but hear truth in them. 'He will never love me. It'll always be Emilia over me. Now it's sister over me too. I will never be good enough.' She thought that she was fine being in second place, that she could be his second wife later on or just be near him. But recently, her feelings had only grown stronger for him.

Back at Crusch's manor

Subaru ran through the halls with his head spinning. Rem had just found him and Ram kissing. Although it was part of a deal, it was still wrong. 'Where did she go!?' He yelled mentally as ran out the door. Otto happened to be outside and catch his gaze.

"Hey, Subaru. Everything okay?" The grey haired merchant was sitting on a bench after messing with his carriage.

"Did you see Rem?"

"Come to think of it, I did catch a glimpse of blue hair run out the gate." Strange how Otto was always around to see the girls when they were leaving. Convenient placement, I guess.

"Which way?"

"To the market."

Subaru thought for a moment. 'Where could she be going? What could possibly be…'

"Otto, thank you so much." He took off back at full sprint. Even though it was safe to say that his fitness wasn't good for running, he willed himself to push on. The streets were full, and the market was bustling. Subaru had run into people before he realized it. Eventually he found a familiar part of the market.

"About time you showed up." A voice called from off to his left.

"Hey, Mr. Risch. Have you seen…"

"Yea, she came through here not five minutes ago. I handed her and appa and she ran off. What did you do to her?"

"It's a long story. One I don't wanna explain right now. Which way did she go?"

"Towards the old ruins up near the castle. You better make things right with that girl. I can see she cares about you."

"Thank you. Yea, I love her for that too." Once again, Subaru was off. People blocked his path as he ran. 'Rem. I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry.'

The ruins came into sight, but there was a problem. People were hoarded up near the bottom of the wall. He pushed and shoved his way through until he saw the steps to the top. Once he climbed the steps, he found Rem sitting there with her feet dangling off the edge.

"Rem!" He called as she sprinted to the edge. "Rem!"

Rem heard her name being called and turned. "Why are you here? Wouldn't you rather be with Lady Emilia or Ram." She faced forward again. "You threw away my heart."

"How could I do that Rem? I have your heart locked in a box where mine used to be. You have mine, and I have yours. Rem, please, come back." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. They sat there as she cried. "I love you Rem. I don't care how many times I have to tell you. I love you."

"Then what was that with big sister, huh?" She cried out as she stood up. "You clearly put Rem last now. I-I don't wanna lose." She took three or so steps away and turned back to see him rise behind her.

"You aren't losing Rem. I can promise you that." Subaru went to hug her again, but her anger pushed him back. She pushed him too far back.

Looking up, she found that Subaru had been sent over the side. "SUBARU!" She cried as she reached her hand out to grab nothing but air. He was falling and she couldn't stop it. She had done this. She had just killed him.

'It's okay Rem. I'm gonna fix this. I love you so very much.' Subaru thought as he welcomed the cold embrace of death as he hit the stone walkway. 'Oh well. Time to start from zero.' He felt calm as the hands of Satella wrapped around his silent heart.