This harem management stuff is getting out of hand, and we still have like 7 women to go!

[Subaru] "Oh you gotta be kidding me…"

[Ram] "Ha, it seems Barusu's own words were his downfall. Crusch-sama does not seem to be happy from all of this."

[Subaru] "...yeah i know, i'll talk with her soon."

Standing at the top of the stairs were Ram and Subaru, they had just finished talking about their relationship and finally when things seemed to be getting solved, another issue came through the door. Anastasia Hoshin, the final remaining candidate in their business trip…

There she stood near the main entrance and next to her were a depressed looking Crusch and a somewhat displead Emilia. It was a look that he hated to see on them…

At this point he couldn't tell what to expect, at every turn there was a new problem and a new girl. He wanted to say that this won't end up in another entanglement but history tends to repeat itself.

Anastasia wasn't an unattractive girl by any means, she had an extremely cute face with a petite build but that made her seem like less of a mate and more of a little sister. Still, at the moment he just came back from a life threatening situation and the fatigue of going through two loops was catching up to him. Before he went to go save Emilia he was trying to sleep and didn't get much of it.

Subaru let out a yawn as he began his descent, although there were still problems left, he already solved a majority of them. Elsa was somewhat dealt with, He was able to help Ram, Save Emilia and now he needs to try and get to Crusch before she suffers anymore…

[Anastasia] "Why'd ya look so tired? And your shirt is filthy."

[Subaru] "Oh this? It's just some blood."

[Anastasia] "Blood?!"

He hadn't realized it but he looked like a mess since Elsa had been all over him...There is too much going on for him to worry about Anastasia, It might be a bit rude but he needed to try and get her to leave…

[Crusch] "Yes, Subaru just came back from a dangerous quest and he should be resting now."

[Emilia] "Yup, it's true, Subaru isn't in the condition to meet with you today."

[Anastasia] "Are ya sure? He looks just fine to me?"

[Ram] "It is true Anastasia-sama, would you kindly let us reschedule?"

Subaru was left speechless as one by one the three women placed themselves in front of him while making excuses...It was cute and most importantly he wasn't the one to ask for a raincheck.

[Anastasia] "hmm, it ain't nice to reschedule, time is money and I wasted my time coming here so who is going to pay for that?"

Everyone was surprised by her response, her face looked serious or as serious as her unreasonably cute face could be. The black haired boy wanted to say he wouldn't expect this but out of his two experiences with her, there was one that showed how nasty she could be.

[Anastasia] "Pfft haha, i'm jus' messin with ya, while it is a shame that you can't meet today-"

[Emilia] "Um, If you would like I can meet with you instead, it is my camp afterall."

Ana's sense of humor didn't exactly click with the crowd but they were just relieved that there wasn't any trouble... until Emilia slightly cut her off.

[Anastasia] "No offense but I wanted to meet with Natsuki-kun in particular."

[Emilia] "And why is that?"

[Anastasia] "I feel as if you know, or I reckon you all should know."

Slightly shocked expressions came across the members of Subaru's harem as they realized the meaning of her words. The man in question especially didn't want to believe it, things were complicated enough as it is.

[Crusch] "I'm sorry but if you mean what I believe you are implying then I'm afraid I cannot let Subaru meet with you."

[Anastasia] "Aw really? But I don't think that is your choice to make."

[Emilia] "It's mine and I don't want to send Subaru to you."

[Anastasia] "That's a shame...I guess there will be no problem if i release this information, a scandal this big should be enough to knock all of y'all out the race."

[Subaru] "What?"

Subaru, who had been quiet, stepped forward at the purple haired girls threat.

[Anastasia] "Oh, my bad, I probably shouldn't be so rude, let's just say this, I'll give you two days to come by for our meeting, if you don't come by then I'll have no choice but to let everyone know."

Even though her threat was severe, her face remained the same. It left a bad taste in his mouth to say the least.

[Subaru] "Tch, don't you think that is a little extreme? And this isn't the best impression you know, how am I supposed to respect you after this?"

[Anastasia] "It ain't about the respect silly, think of it as a casual meet up."

As she said that, the sound of footsteps running up stairs could be heard from behind. Turning to the source, Subaru saw Crusch quickly walking up the stairs while facing away and having her hands clenched.

[Subaru] "Crusch?"

[Crusch] "...I...have work to do…."

Her voice was shaky, like someone on the verge of crying...it hurt to hear, it was his fault she was like this...maybe it would have been easier on her if he had rejected her from the beginning, maybe then she wouldn't feel such pain now...they both shared these thoughts.

[Anastasia] "Ooh, that didn't sound good. Anyways, it's your choice on if you do it or not, I'll be waiting."

With a wink, the merchant queen turned around with her long hair flipping as she did. As she began walking out she turned back to see if Subaru was watching but his eyes were focused on the staircase where the tearful Crusch once was.

'Hmph, He better not forget.'

Sticking her small chest in the air, Ana continued to walk out, dignified and seemingly satisfied.

Subaru and the gang didn't really pay much attention to the small lady as she left but were instead too worried about the disappearance of the duchess.

[Emilia] "Crusch-san seemed really sad and upset."

[Ram] "Yes she was, Barusu can't help but cause heartbreak anywhere he goes."

[Subaru] "I don't cause heartbreak...or I want to say that but it seems I did, Ugh, how does she know about this whole mess!?"

[Ram] "It wasn't as if Barusu tried to hide his affairs."

[Emilia] "It doesn't matter now, you should go try and comfort Crusch-san, we can discuss it later."

[Subaru] "Right, of course my Emilia-tan would think about the feelings of others first! But wait why aren't you guys upset too?"

[Ram] "At this point, women asking to bed Barusu has become the norm, Ram has simply become accustomed to it."

[Emilia] "Oh um, Well it does hurt my heart a little but i know Subaru loves me so i'm fine with it…"

Emilia tried to hide the increasing blush on her face but the black haired boy saw enough to be satisfied.

[Subaru] "hehe...Well i guess i gotta take responsibility…"

Steeling himself for what is to come, Subaru stared up the stairs with determination to make Crusch feel better...in whatever way he can.

[Emilia] "Oh and Subaru when you finish please come back, I want to thank you for saving me."

[Subaru] "Eh, While im blessed that Emilia-tan would want to do that again, i'm really tired and-"

[Emilia] "Idiot what are you talking about!? I just wanted to talk!"

The now fully red faced Emilia waved her hands in defense at Subaru. It wasn't that she didn't think of it but after everything even she wasn't in the mood.

[Subaru] "oh, my bad, i'll come back when I can!"

Shining a reassuring smile, the black haired boy began his way up the stairs and towards Crusch's office….This was the second time he had to go and try to console her, it really did hurt him to know he hurt her.

Each step he took filled him with dread, what would he even say? First he needed to see exactly how she felt and then go from there, even then he had a pretty good idea of how she felt. Subaru wasn't dense enough to not notice her feelings, yet he wasn't smart or experienced enough to fix them.

Turning the corner, Subaru saw a familiar sight, standing in front of the door was Felix. After everything that went on between them they were on neither good nor bad terms, but it was definitely leaning more to the bad side he thought. If he was standing there then that means Crusch specifically asked him to do it.

Enough things already happened today, the last thing he needed was another broken chest...Bracing himself for the worst, he began walking towards the deceivingly dressed cat boy until he locked eyes with him.

It was odd, Subaru didn't know what to expect when he confronted Felix but he saw wasn't something he would think of. The cat boy's eyes were full of sadness, and when they met with the youth's they flickered with both hope and anger.

[Felix] "Oh it's you Subaru-kyun…"

[Subaru] "That's kind of mean…"

[Felix] "...Is your new guest alright?"

[Subaru] "New guest?...oh yeah she is fine i think...I don't know it's a been a while since she entered the bath so who knows, besides that can I see-"

[Felix] "Why…."

The eyes that were once shining with sadness, closed and faced towards the floor, their hands were balled up so tight that if they squeezed any tighter they would probably bleed.

[Felix] "Why...did she choose you…"

[Subaru] "Huh?..."

[Felix] "Why would Crusch-sama choose someone as weak and unfaithful as you…"

[Subaru] "..."

Subaru couldn't argue, the tearful words of the cat boy hit deep. Had he just been satisfied with the women he already had then Crusch wouldn't be sad right now…

[Felix] "It doesn't make sense...Why! It's because of you that Crusch-sama is so sad right nyow!"

Subaru could only lower his head at the fiery response, what could he say to this heartbroken person? He knew he was in the wrong, but he loved her...and so did Felix...it would break Subaru if someone just came into the mansion and stole away Emilia in the matter of a few days…

[Subaru] "...i'm sorry…"

Those words only seemed to enrage the cat boy as he grabbed the youth's collar with one hand and cocked back his other. What surprised him was that the person about to get punched didn't flinch or move in the slightest.

[Subaru] "Go ahead…"

Gritting his teeth, Felix let go of the youth and fell to his knees. Tears finally flowed free from his eyes and onto his hands that were balled up on his knees. He knew punching Subaru wouldn't fix anything...he couldn't fix anything…

[Felix] "Ugh...Nyo...that would only make Crusch-sama even more sad…"

If the femboy had gone through with hitting him, the youth would have welcomed it, he wanted to be punished for the pain he caused...No, this wasn't about him at the moment, now he needed to see Crusch and help her.

Looking back up towards the door, Subaru tried walking around the crying cat boy only for something to grab onto his pant leg.

[Subaru] "I don't mean to sound insensitive but today's already been exhausting and it's still morning, I don't have time to worry about you-"

[Felix] "Please…"

[Subaru] "Please?"

[Felix] "Please make Crusch-sama happy again...I've nyever seen her so happy until you came...so please…"

The black haired boy could feel and hear his desperation...it was just so overwhelming but he needed to fix this.

[Felix] "Just make Crusch-sama better…"

[Subaru] "Alright, i'll try."

With those words, the grip that was holding his leg went loose and Subaru walked through the doors leading into Crusch's office. Maybe this wouldn't be as dramatic as it seems, maybe she really just needed to do work...He wanted it to be that simple but as he entered the room and saw her puffy red eyes dart to him, he knew it would be anything but simple.

[Crusch] "Subaru…"

There she was sitting at her desk, it seemed just before he got there she had been crying with her head down since there was still water on the desk. When she noticed he saw that she immediately wiped it away while trying to clean her face up.

[Subaru] "hi…"

[Crusch] "How are you here? I asked Felix to make sure you would not be able to enter…"

[Subaru] "You don't want to see me that badly?"

Her eyes still glistened from the previous tears along with the stains on her cheeks. Right now her expression showed nothing but confliction and sadness.

[Crusch] "..."

[Subaru] "I get it, I wouldn't want to see myself either, just thinking about how you must feel makes me want to punch myself in the face…"

[Crusch] "I don't want that...I am unsure of what I want, I am unsure on how to feel…"

Her arms wrapped around herself as she shuddered at her own uncertainty. This was wrong and she knew it from the beginning, but yet when she is with him she can't see anything wrong about it.

[Subaru] "...I'm sorry for making you suffer like this…"

[Crusch] "It isn't your….As you should."

'huh?...Why did I say that? I wanted to say it isn't your fault but-'

[Crusch] "Had you just let your desires pass me that day then my feelings of fondness for you would have passed!"

'No! I don't mean that, the choice was mine!'

Subaru stood there looking down towards the ground as her words hit him like a truck. It was true, he already had Rem and Emilia, even Ram to a degree but yet he got too greedy and wanted Crusch too…

[Crusch] "These feelings aren't necessary in order to run the kingdom."

He wouldn't be able to see but as she spoke, Crusch had tears flowing out. Her voice was shaky yet stern, like her usual military personality but inside was a battle between what she really felt and what needed to be done.

'Wait! No please I don't want this, I can learn to adapt to these relationships!'

'No, Natsuki Subaru is a distraction...no matter how much we….love...him he is not the man for us.'

Two halves of the same person argued inside her mind, they both wanted to remain with the youth but his luck with the ladies was too much.

[Crusch] "This relationship has had it's high points but unfortunately your inability to stay faithful has ruined it...you could never be satisfied…"

Her nails dug into her hands from how hard they clenched. She wanted nothing more than to scream she didn't mean it and run to hug the sad looking boy.

[Subaru] "ruined it…"

[Crusch] "Since you don't have trouble finding more women, me leaving won't be a problem."

[Subaru] "Huh? Leaving?! You can't mean-"

Looking up in distress Subaru noticed that Crusch had turned away from him. She was still at her desk but had stood up and faced the walls behind her. Her arms that were wrapped around herself and her body seemed to shiver with each second.

[Subaru] "...Is this really what you want?...I know it's selfish of me to even try to make you reconsider but….I love you...I mean it…"

Her body shook even more and he could hear what sounded like a muffled cry...she was hurting and it was his fault, he pushed his feelings onto her and now she was suffering because he couldn't stop sleeping with women…

[Crusch] "I-...Please, do not make this any harder than it is….I-"

'I don't want this to end…'

[Crusch] "I don't...wish to….."

It hurt, for both of them it hurt too much, Crusch was lost in the way of love while Subaru hated himself for letting her become like this.

[Subaru] "Crusch I-"

[Crusch] "Stop!...Please don't come any closer...if I see your face right now….Please just leave…"

Her voice became more shaky with each word. He couldn't see it but her face was a mess of tears and redness. Taking a deep breath in, Crusch readied herself for what she needed to say.

[Crusch] "I no longer wish to be involved with you!"

Full of heartbreak and pain, Crusch shouted that while still facing the wall. Subaru could feel something inside him shatter when he heard those words, his knees felt weak and his whole body went cold.

[Subaru] "oh…."

The room grew silent, all that could be heard were the muffled hiccups of the green haired duchess.

[Crusch] "May...may I ask you one more thing?..."

[Subaru] "...of course…"

He could hear her voice was on the verge of sobs.

[Crusch] "What do you plan to do about Anastasia-san?..."

[Subaru] "...Well if it's to protect you, I guess I have no choice but to do as she asks…"

Once again there was silence but the muffled hiccups turned to muffled sobs. Each one he heard broke him even further to the point where tears began to form in his own eyes.

[Crusch] "I see, I wish you luck...you may conduct your business here as promised but when you finish...I would like you….to return…"

Her once confident words crumpled as she full on sobbed at what she had done…

'It is for the best'

Her inner self told herself that but even that voice sounded unsure. Subaru stood there listening to her cries, he wanted nothing more than to just give her a hug but...he couldn't...biting his lip, he turned facing towards the door and began to walk...except his legs refused to move.

[Subaru] "Do you really want this to end?..."

[Crusch] "No...but i'm afraid my heart cannot take this lifestyle you chose...I would ask that you please avoid me in these next few days…"

[Subaru] "I don't know how long I can go without seeing your smile…"

Her muffled sobs came to a brief stop and he could hear what sounded like a small chuckle. His eyes that were focused on her trembling figure widened. Suddenly she stopped shaking and her head that was faced away and towards the ground, turned to meet Subaru's eyes.

She made no effort to clean the mess of tears that was on her face, her cheeks were red and hot from the stress, her eyes sparkled from how wet they had become. When their eyes met, nothing but doubt entered both of their minds, they both just wanted to hug and forget this but once again they both knew it was wrong.

[Crusch] "Thank you…"

Forcing her brightest smile, Crusch tried her best to give him what he wanted. Seeing it made Subaru's heart fill with both grief and warmth, he could see the pain this was causing her…

[Subaru] "...heh, that's the pick up I needed…"

Shining his own smile back, they both ignored the tears that flowed out of each other's eyes. The tension in the room was high, just as high as the pain. They both stood there simply smiling at each other for a minute.

[Crusch] "Pl-please take care...Natsuki Subaru."

Turning back towards the wall, Crusch gestured towards the door, finally breaking the tension. She knew if she looked at him any longer she would crack and go back on everything she said.

[Subaru] "...oh...yeah…"

Even though doubt was written across her face, Subaru tried his best to respect her wishes. With his head down and reluctant steps, the youth made his way out of her office while drying his face of a few tears.

As he came out, Subaru could feel something immediately grab onto his leg with desperation, it was the same cat boy with seemingly even more tears in his eyes from before.

[Felix] "I heard Crusch-sama scream…"

[Subaru] "...I'm sorry, I couldn't make her happy…"

Both of their expressions seemed dead on the inside, Felix became frozen upon hearing his words, if Subaru couldn't fix her then what chance does he have...The hand that was once gripped tightly onto his leg fell to the ground in despair…

The black haired boy wanted to try and console the cat boy but it seemed fruitless at this point, not to mention that he himself was in need of some consoling himself. With his head still down, the youth continued onward, each step filled him with sadness, knowing that he was the one who caused the poor duchess to suffer.

He moved slowly and reluctantly, he really felt like an awful man for not only dragging Crusch into this situation but even now he wants her to be a part of it. Turning the corner once more, Subaru was met with Emilia and Ram. The maid simply stood there with her crossed arms and turned head so only her bangs could be seen, the half-elf on the other hand, had a hand on her chest and her face looked full of concern.

[Emilia] "Subaru, are you okay?"

[Subaru] "...Yeah of course, why wouldn't i be-"

[Ram] "Putting on a tough front now is pointless, Ram and Emilia-sama heard your argument with Crusch-sama."

[Subaru] "oh…."

Subaru who had quickly put on a fake smile and puffed out his chest, deflated as soon as he heard Ram's words.

[Ram] "Hmph, While it is unfortunate that you have damaged our reputation with Crusch-sama, this only means that there is less competition."

[Subaru] "Competition?! The hell are you talking about?!"

His emotions were already on high, hearing her heartless words only enraged him. His eyes filled with annoyance as he tried to stomp off but was then stopped by a pair of soft hands grabbing onto his own.

[Emilia] "Wait! Ram was actually really worried before you came out."

It was Emilia who had grabbed him, just that was enough to calm down his frustration. Turning his head towards Ram, she quickly turned around to hide her increasing blush.

[Ram] "It is only natural for Ram to be concerned for Barusu, after all his confession was heartfelt."

[Subaru] "It was more your confession than mine."

[Ram] "Shut up."

[Emilia] "um, so what would you like to do Subaru? You look really tired."

She said this as she used one of her hands to gently clean his face of the tear stains. He did look like a mess with the red face and the slightly bloody clothes, not only that but his eyes were slightly sunken in.

[Ram] "It's clear Barusu needs a lap pillow."

[Emilia] "Okay!"

Eagerly Emilia agreed while trying to lead Subaru away but was stopped since he refused to move.

[Subaru] "heh, you guys are cute but….I just want some sleep….I'm just a bit overwhelmed…"

Both the women looked at him with pity, Emilia more so than Ram, she kept her emotions inside rather than show them. She still felt bad for him nonetheless, Crusch mattered to him more than most so for it to end in such an abrupt and heartbreaking way must hurt.

[Emilia] "Oh...would you like me to join you?"

[Ram] "If Emilia-sama gets to join then it would be unfair if Ram didn't."

[Subaru] "...heh, no thanks, I think i need to be by myself for a bit, just to sort things out, plus if i had two pretty girls with me then I wouldn't be able to focus on sleep."

Trying his best, Subaru tried to smile and reassure the ladies but it only made them worry more. His eyes were dead and his face lacked any other emotion beside despair...it made them both think if he would become this way if something similar happened with them…

[Ram] "Disgusting, Ram takes back her sympathy, lets go Emilia-sam before Barusu unleashes his pent up feelings."

[Emilia] "Eh?"

Grabbing Emilia's hand, Ram quickly began walking down the stairs, dragging a reluctant half-elf with her. Subaru could only giggle at the scene, he knew this was Ram's way of respecting his wish.

Yawning and rubbing his eyes, the sleepy boy began towards his room. Ever since he was sent on this trip there has been a lot happening to him, both bad and good. The time on the trip was running out and soon he would return back to the mansion, and especially, back to Rem.

His room was now in sight, the closer he got, the more tired he felt, the heaviness of his limbs became more apparent with each step. He had planned on showering first but at this point all he wanted to do was sleep this whole thing off…

Finally reaching the door, Subaru's mind was both rampant and calm, he thought about everything he had gone through at this point.

'I was summoned to an alternate world…'

Sluggishly, Subaru flopped onto his bed face first.

'Then I was killed...again and again…'

His limbs were spread throughout the bed, the softness of the fabric brought his fatigue to a whole new level.

'I saved Emilia...then I got to the mansion...and died…'

Slowly the darkness of sleep pulled him deeper and deeper. His arms and legs that were extended and stretched, came close to his body into a fetal position.

'Died and died, why do I keep dying?...but...I was able to save the village…'

Deep and dark, his subconscious fell further and further.

'Then...then I messed things up in the capital...and died, and died, just suffering….why…'

So familiar yet so foreign, the coldness of the dark felt both warm and like nothing at the same time.

'I wanted to give up...who wouldn't?...anybody would have given up a long time ago…'

His body, he couldn't tell if he had one or not, the air felt so plain that he couldn't distinguish where it ended and his skin began.

'After all the death….after Rem saved me….I was able to save everyone...with this cursed power...why do I have it….'

Warmth...he could feel a warmth get closer to him...yet he couldn't see anything or anyone...eyes, he just needed to open his eyes, it sounded simple yet he wasn't able to, as if there was some restriction holding him back.

'Why...why do I have to die?...I don't want to die….why….am I thinking like this….'

Death, he didn't want to die, what happened with Crusch sucked but he wouldn't want to die over something like that...then why?...Slowly that warmth that he felt continuously got closer to him and with it, he could feel his body form.

This warmth was something he has felt many times before but something told him never to go towards that warmth, no matter how tempting it was, yet that warmth kept coming and he could do nothing...his body that seemed to slowly be forming was only up to his waist.

Get away from it, that was all he thought, Subaru tried using his newly formed legs but as he tried stepping he found nothing to stand on, he was floating endlessly, even when he tried kicking his legs as if swimming he could feel no progress being made.

[?] "Are you…"

A voice so soft, so delicate, a voice you would want to protect, it was right in front of him...he wasn't scared, he wasn't even worried, the feeling that told him to runaway earlier ceased and only left him with a feeling of….love.

[Subaru] "..."

[?] "My love?..."

[Subaru] "...me?..."

The warmth was so close now yet it didn't feel hot at all, just a calming warmth that made him comfortable in all this darkness. His body only formed more quickly now, using his hands Subaru tried looking for his hand but realized that only his mouth had been made.

[?] "how...are you here?..."

So soft and delicate, if he had eyes they would surely be tearing up from how fragile the voice was. He tried reaching out to touch this mysterious warmth but he couldn't reach anything.

[Subaru] "I...Where am I?..."

[?] "You shouldn't be here...not yet…"

[Subaru] "Who are you?..."

Subaru could feel his face finally being constructed, with his nose he couldn't smell anything yet the air felt thick, as if he was inhaling the darkness itself.

[?] "My love…"

[Subaru] "love…."

Love, love, love, love, love, the pieces were putting themselves together. The darkness, the warmth, the voice, he recognized it all now. As his eyes began to form he just needed one more thing to confirm it all.

[?] "ah...please, calm down…"

Opening his eyelids, Subaru was in shock at the place he was in, it was dark for miles, yet it was like a fog of the abyss. But that wasn't the worst of it, in front of his face were two things that somehow stood out from the darkness itself, two shapes, two hands, black yet perfectly visible….

[Subaru] "uh….AHH AHH"

As he began to scream, the hands recoiled and moved back enough for him to see the source of the warmth. Since they were directly in front of his face they blocked what was behind them, the one in control of them was a figure made of just as much darkness as the hands.

[?] "No...please...don't be scared…"

The intense fear he felt a moment ago was replaced with a feeling of guilt and sorrow, the soft voice sounded as if it was on the verge of tears. Looking at the figure once more, he noticed that the shadows that once made it up dispersed slightly…

[Subaru] "Who….are….why am I here!?"

[?] "I...don't know…"

[Subaru] "Did I...die?..."

[?] "No...You are fine...i'm sorry…"

[Subaru] "Sorry?..."

The more he spoke to this warmth, the more the shadows that covered the figure were removed.

[?] "I...think I know why you are here….My love...I wanted to be with you…."

With those words the remaining layer of shadow was gone revealing the figure of a woman with dark clothes and beautiful white skin...however her face remained with what looked like a veil.

[Subaru] "Wanted to be with me?..."

[?] "You looked very sad….I wanted to…"

Struggling to get the last part of the sentence out, the figure moved her hands in front of her and fidgeted with her fingers like a shy girl.

[Subaru] "Wanted to?"

[?] "Comfort you…."

Even though the veil covered most of her face, Subaru was able to see her cheeks become red as she spoke those last words. It was an...extremely cute response, yet he knew this wasn't the time to feel those kinds of those things; it was as if most inner, sweetest feelings kept forcing themselves into his heart.

[Subaru] "Comfort me?...I...i'm not dead, but this is the place I come to sometimes...so that means you…"

[?] "Please don't be mad….I know I have not done much for you...I want you to live yet I put you in the same hopeless situations...Please understand I love you…."

[Subaru] "Satella…."

He remembers now, back at Priscilla's place when she had used her pseudo fire on him, he met Satella. At the time there were many things to consider but he remembers the intense love he felt at the time and to some degree he feels it now.

[Satella] "My love…"

[Subaru] "This is way too much…So you're saying you brought me here, how?"

[Satella] "Um...You looked very sad and tired….so as you fell asleep I brought your subconscious here…"

[Subaru] "You say that as if it's a normal thing…"

[Satella] "Please don't be mad…"

[Subaru] "Mad? For some reason that seems impossible right now, it's like there is an overwhelming amount of…"

[Satella] "Love!?..."

Her sudden exclamation took both of them by surprise, Up to this point she had been nothing but shy and small. As she got excited she quickly closed the space between them, since she had moved so fast her veil was kicked up by the wind and Subaru was able to see her face...It looked just like Emilia.

This would have been more shocking if he had not seen her before but it still was something to behold.

[Satella] "i-i'm sorry…"

Bashfully she backed down while lowering her head.

[Subaru] "...love….I guess that's it...it's really...a lot, it's overwhelming all my senses, I feel if I'm not careful it will consume me…"

[Satella] "I'm sorry...you being here makes me feel reaaaally happy...it's been sooo long since I have been so close to my love…"

Subaru began to feel a bit of unease, that in itself was odd since for a bit now he hasn't been able to feel anything negative. As she spoke, Satella was holding her head and some of her words seemed strained as if she was struggling with something…

[Subaru] "Oh….um, is there a way I could walk around like you, Being suspended in air with no motion is really weird."

[Satella] "Uh….you really want to walk around...with me?...you really aren't mad?..."

[Subaru] "...No i'm not...Normally I probably would be but I really just can't become mad…"

A large smile made its way across Satella's half covered face. Suddenly, whatever held Subaru up let go and he quickly fell. The sudden rush of falling filled his body but just as he braced himself to hit the floor he was stopped by something. Looking up he saw a pair of unseen hands stretched out from behind the witch.

[Satella] "I'm sorry…"

The unseen hand that prevented his fall gently lifted him up till he was leveled on the ground. It was a weird sensation, it was so dark that it looked as if he was standing on the black smoke itself not only that but the surface felt soft, like as if you were walking on a mattress.

[Subaru] "thanks…What is happening on the outside?"

[Satella] "oh...you should be asleep...would you like to go back so soon?

[Subaru] "Can I?"

[Satella] "NO!"

Her shout made the already thick air become thicker along with a pain in his heart...not exactly his heart but it felt just the same, the feelings of love were suddenly over taken by something...evil, something strong...

[Satella] "Eh, i-i'm sorry...if you wish to leave you can but...It was a lot of trouble to bring you here and…."

When she screamed no, Satella had closed the distance between them but once again she shyly backed away.

[Satella] "I want to...comfort you…"

[Subaru] "hmm, Before you brought me here I was feeling overwhelmed, But since i've been here I can hardly remember that feeling...it's really strange...just like last time…"

[Satella] "I helped you?...but I have only caused you nothing but grief and pain!"

Once again the shy Satella quickly closed the distance between them while also revealing her face. Except there was no sharp change in atmosphere, she was still a shy girl…

[Subaru] "You have….yeah you have...I have so many questions and a lot of pent up frustration but I can't think or feel any of it right now, it's almost frustrating in it's own sense…"

[Satella] "I apologize, the miasma in this area is affected by my feelings...my sense of love for you is just that strong…."

[Subaru] "Miasma huh? That explains it...I even feel rested, in a sense I have to thank you…"

As those words left his mouth, the atmosphere around him shifted. Looking back towards the witch, he was a bit shocked to see her take the veil that had been covering her face off.

[Satella] "Thank me? Thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me…"

[Subaru] "Uh…"

A new feeling began making its way in Subaru's chest, his sixth sense, his ability of being able to tell when there is danger and right now it was going off...The feeling of love that was so thick a second ago disappeared and a new feeling took its place, fear.

Fear was the only thing that Subaru could think of. Satella who he was able to see clearly a second ago was then swallowed by shadows, her unseen hands extended from behind her grabbing hold of each of Subaru's arms and legs. He tried struggling but it was no use he was trapped in place.

[Satella] "Thank,thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me, thank me."

[Subaru] "huh….Thank you…"

Her grip on his appendages only tightened, it was as if she got more excited, he could feel it in the air.

[Satella] "Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Love me, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, Say it, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!"

Each and every word bounced around and reverberted in his skull, it was enough to drive anyone insane. The echoes of love wouldn't stop, she wouldn't stop, he would scream but his body was too scared to move and his brain was too overwhelmed to function.

[Subaru] "I…..Lo-"

[Satella] "I love you, I love you, I love you, I-AHHHA, I-i'm sorry!...You must go now while I can still fight back!"

The black shadowy hands that held him up started becoming loose yet his body refused to move. Any emotion he had felt so far has been amplified a hundred times and the same worked for the fear he felt, even when there was an overwhelming amount of love he had to fight it or else he would have gone insane.

[Satella] "I'm sorry, my love…"

Even though her entire body was once again covered in shadows, her face was still visible. Her expression was one of sorrow and she had tears forming at the corner of her eyes...The hands on his limbs finally let go and Subaru began to fall endlessly, no soft floor, no stopping, he simply fell. The darkness became more abundant and the warmth that once felt so comforting faded until it was gone entirely.

It was cold, so cold, the feeling of this weightless was enough to make anyone want to die but yet Subaru couldn't think of that. Instead all he wanted to do was be warm again…

"Shh shh, it's okay"

[Subaru] "wha-"

"Shh, it's fine.."

What was this? A voice, it calmed him, not only that but he felt something, like someone's hand was gently caressing his head...His eyelids began to feel heavy once again as this gentle voice and feeling enveloped him.

One thing after the next, one gentle thing to the other, it was all just so overwhelming. With his consciousness in this place reaching its limit, his eyes shut and the feeling of falling ceased, in fact the feeling of being in that place was no longer there...there is now warmth.

It was dark but that isn't because he was in a dark place, his eyelids were just closed. His body was still there and the air felt normal...yet he couldn't move, not because he was restricted but because his body had no energy to do so. He was asleep and in a deep one, it was odd since his consciousness was just returning…

"You're fine, shh"

There it was again, the feeling of someone combing through his hair while delivering soft sweet words into his ear. It was...nice, he felt safe in a sense but he was shivering for some reason, the coldness of the dark couldn't leave him as easily as he hoped and all he could do was shiver.

"Shh shh shh"

It was soothing almost like a mother calming down a child. As he thought that he could feel an incredibly soft sensation press itself against his back along with a hand wrapping around his torso...His shivering that was violent when he first came back was now no more.

[?] "Fufu~ shh, shh, It's okay, I'm here."

[Subaru] "...huh?..."

As he slowly began to wake up, the voice that was once so soothing to him became recognizable.

[?] "Shh, it's okay, my beloved."

[Subaru] "..."

Beloved...it gave it away, there was only one person who gave him such a pet name, Elsa...Just the thought of her was enough to make Subaru sick but at the moment...he didn't mind that she was the one to comfort him…

Whether it was the witches miasma leaking through or the fact that she was the warmth that he needed, Subaru didn't care, he just wanted to be held and to sleep.

Elsa could feel that he had woken up or at least he was conscious. She had fully expected an extreme reaction from him freaking out but instead his body became relaxed, it both shocked and excited her.

'Ara ara, maybe he finally accepted me?'

Her heartbeat increased and she hugged him a bit tighter which he seemed to allow. When she found him he was shivering and mumbling uncontrollably, instantly her maternal instincts kicked in, there was only one person she would ever do this for but it seems that they won't remember after this.

There Subaru remained in her arms as time passed, it was peaceful in a way, at least compared to everything else he went through.

[Subaru] "...what...time is it?..."

[?] "ugh, come back to bed…"

Sitting up, the youth tried to examine his surroundings but was quickly dragged back down by an arm. His mind was waking up once again, his conversation with Satella was only a blur at this point...Turning his head to see whose arm had been holding on to him, Subaru let out a surprised gasp when he saw the sleeping face of Elsa.

[Subaru] "What the…."

With his mind fully waking up he was able to recall what happened when he returned from the dark...

'No...tch, what is wrong with me?...'

For a moment, the thought of how cute she looked as she slept crossed his mind but immediately after he reminded himself of who she really was…

'She did help me…'

The miasma from the witch still felt heavy on his skin, he attributed these weird feelings to that, otherwise he thought there was no way he wouldn't hate Elsa.

[Subaru] "Oi, How long have I been asleep?"

[Elsa] "...uh...Ara, you can't let your lovely lover get any sleep? It has been an exhausting day for me as well."

Rubbing her eyes while sitting up, the black haired woman gained her usual dead smile as she looked at Subaru except...when she sat up he quickly turned the other direction while gaining a small blush on his face.

[Subaru] "Why are you naked!?"

[Elsa] "Ara? those were my only clothes and they were not salvageable after the fight."

[Subaru] "You didn't do anything to me while I slept right?! You would be the type to do that!"

[Elsa] "Hmm, I may have touched your lips a few times, otherwise than that I only held you so you could calm down, it seemed very effective, have you finally fallen for me?"

[Subaru] "Stop asking me that...Normally I would thank you but it's you so I can't find it in me to do so!"

Elsa only giggled at his comment while falling backwards onto the bed.

[Elsa] "Those other two came by to check on you, they were not too pleased to see you with me but they understood once I explained the situation. This is refreshing for a change."

[Subaru] "tch, anything other than cutting people open for a living is refreshing…"

The light peeking through the curtains showed that it was basically sun down which meant he slept through most of the day.

[Subaru] "I guess I really was tired, Emilia and Ram must be worried."

[Elsa] "Fufu~ leaving so soon?"

Getting out of the bed Subaru made his way towards the door.

[Subaru] "Yup, being in this room with you any longer would make me sick."

[Elsa] "Sick? Or is it that you can no longer resist me so you must leave?"

[Subaru] "...heh, you have a vivid imagination."

With his hand on the handle, the black haired boy was ready to exit the room. Overwhelmed, that was all he could feel before he had this nap, there was no way of knowing but inside him he felt that he wouldn't be nearly as rested if it wasn't for the voluptuous holding him throughout it all...His problems were still there but now he felt ready to take them.

[Subaru] "...thank you…"

Elsa who was getting ready to fall back asleep sat up when she heard his words. Her heart began to race and her cheeks gained a small hue.

'Maybe he really has accepted me?'

[Elsa] "Ara ara, you must still be waking up for you to thank me."

[Subaru] "Whatever…"

There we go, happy new years you all! Let me start off by thanking you all for the support and reviews, each one makes me feel really good and i enjoy reading them all. Secondly, going forward I am going to be making pretty long chapters mainly because we are so high up, this should be chapter 30 on the site but technically it is chapter 29 if you don't count the echidna one shot. Like I said we are already so high up in numbers and we are still on candidates! So going forward each chapter will be packed full of content.

Lemon chapter incoming!