Scene:

After crossing the border of Lugunica from Piqtat to Guaral, The Emilia Camp has come to learn of the rising fame of Natsumi Schwartz from the citizens of the city of Guaral. They venture to city hall to find more information on Natsumi's whereabouts. Upon arriving at the entrance to city hall, they find two unfamiliar faces standing guard.

With her open palm thrusted out towards the unknown group, Kuna raises her voice

Kuna: Halt! What business do you have by coming here?

Holly: You don't have to be so scary Kuna, noo?!

Kuna: Be quiet, Holly, I'll ask the questions!

Holly: Alright sister, I'll stand here.

Kuna: Stop calling me sister!

After their banter, Emilia finds the opportunity to open dialogue with Kuna.

Emilia: Greetings Kuna-san, my name is Emilia and we are looking for Natsumi Schwartz, she is an important person that we lost contact with and we want to take her back with us home.

Upon hearing this unknown girl's request, Kuna pauses to think and knows that there are people with bad intentions towards Subaru since his deeds, or Natsumi's, have been gaining notoriety ever since the fall of Guaral. As a result, with a deep breath, Kuna looks at the group's leader before her and calmly answers back.

Kuna: Emilia, is it? Hmm, suppose there is this Natsumi Schwartz here in this city hall. How do we know you are not lying to infiltrate this place and harm this person?

Tell you what, I'll give you a pass through if you can answer this question. If Natsumi Schwartz was a man, what would his name be?

Some of the group's members immediately respond in unison.

Garfiel: Captain!

Ram: That fool's name is Barasu hah!

With their responses, Kuna scowls and retorts.

Kuna: Hmmm, it seems I was correct. I will not let you pass through then.

Emilia, shocked and beginning to despair at the unfolding situation, hurriedly tries to speak up to clear up the situation.

Emilia: Wait! Our people are saying their own names for him, please do not misunderstand! Beatrice please tell her as well!

Beatrice: Keep your mouth shut, peach-haired maid and beast boy. Betty's contractor's name is Subaru, Natsuki Subaru, I suppose. We know he cross-dresses as Natsumi Schwartz, in fact. So hurry up and let Betty get her Subaruline dose, in fact!

Kuna deeply sighs and rubs her forehead, knowing the troublesome group is now telling the truth.

Kuna: Hmm, you are correct. Also, you all are rash and quick to speak without regard to the consequences. You truly are his friends. Unfortunately, Subaru is gone at the moment.

A visibly distressed Emilia blurts out her next words quickly, while Beatrice and Ram attempt to lighten her worries.

Emilia: Where is he?! Is he in danger?! We must save him! Please, let us know!

Beatrice: Emilia, you must calm down, I suppose. Worrying this much will lead to hasty decisions, in fact. My connection with Subaru is alive and well. Maid, can you confirm your connection as well?

Ram: Beatrice-sama is right, Emilia-sama. Rem and Barusu are still alive, so you must persevere a while longer. We will see them soon.

Emilia: Yes, you are right Beatrice and Ram. I know I am anxious, but you must forgive me for worrying about Subaru the most.

Beatrice: That is untrue, in fact. Betty worries about her contractor the most, in fact.

Kuna: Enough of your exaggerated concerns. Subaru is currently traveling with our chieftain Taritta and others to Chaos Flame and will come back soon after their business there. If you wish to see him, please wait here inside City Hall... Ah, which reminds me, his friend is here. Shall I fetch her for you?

Otto, having let Emilia and the others handle the dialogue to this point, is the first to recognize Kuna's question pertains to Rem. He speaks up for the first time.

Otto: Natsuki-san's friend? Wait, is her name Rem-san?!

Kuna: Yes, that is correct. She should be done attending to Priscilla at 2 Solartime.

Otto: Priscilla-sama's here too?! What?! Never mind that. If she is attending Priscilla-sama, then that means… Rem-san is awake?!

Ram: It appears that Barusu did something right in his life after all, hah! I finally am able to meet you sister. Wait for me.

Kuna: Yes, why wouldn't she be? Hold on, did you say sister? Hmmm, now that you mention it, you do share a strong resemblance to her. Holly, do you mind locating Rem?

Holly: Alright sis.

Kuna: Stop calling me that, we aren't sisters! How many times do I have to tell you?!

Holly: Whatever you say, haha!

Scene: Shotabaru comes back with his Vicious Sister Louis and their friends… Oh and Abel too from ChaosFlame to the city hall in Guaral only to find a surprise waiting for them inside.

Kuna: Welcome back chief. Did everything go well?

Taritta: All things considered, we came back safely. A lot has happened, but the most important development is with Subaru.

Al: Bro is always causing trouble, man.

Kuna: Subaru? Now that you mention it, where is he?

Taritta: Ah, the answer to that question is…

Shotabaru: I'm right here Kuna! You can't miss these scary eyes of mine! Haha!

Kuna: Subaru?! What happened to you?

Abel: This fool has refused to revert back to his usual form, so we move on with our war. Nothing more. *heads inside*

Shotabaru and Louis make a *thbppppt* noise

Shotabaru: It's okay Kuna, I'm still capable. Let's head inside Louis! Medium, carry us!

Louis: Uu! Uau!

Medium: Alright kids, hop on my back!

Shotabaru and Louis happily climb on Medium's back as they follow Abel's lead back inside

Kuna: Wait, Subaru! Your friends are… Damnit, why am I in this mess?

Holly: Don't worry about it sister. It's more fun this way, nooo?

Kuna: Whatever, it's not my problem anymore. Hey! Stop calling me sister!

Holly ignores her and laughs as she heads inside. Kuna then follows her.

Medium: Alright kids, time to get down!

Shotabaru & Louis hop down excitedly and Shotabaru asks Kuna a question as she comes inside and closes the door

Shotabaru: It's good to be back. I need to find Rem now to explain the situation about Louis. Kuna, do you know where she is?

Kuna: Yes I do. Rem is in the dining room along with your friends.

Shotabaru: Ah, I see. Thank you, I'll head there now… Wait, did you say friends?!

Kuna: If you would have been patient you would have heard me mention that outside! Yes, your friends are here. A bunch of them actually. The leader of them is Emilia. I'm sure you know who they are now, right?

Shotabaru: Emilia-tan?! Yes, she's here! But, I don't want to see them in this form… Ah, I can't do anything about it. I just have to live with it.

Scene: Emilia and Subaru meet in Subaru's room in the capital of Vollachia late at night after the war has concluded and Vincent has reclaimed the throne.

Emilia, with her hands to her chest, continues to stand by the now closed door as Subaru sits down. Seeing this, Subaru calls out to her and says:

Subaru: Would you like to sit on the bed Emilia-tan? I don't want you to be standing while I'm sitting down.

Emilia: Thank you Subaru, I will happily oblige.

Subaru: Who says oblige in this day and age?

Emilia: Mou, Subaru stop teasing me.

Subaru: Sorry I can't help it, you're just too cute.

Emilia: I'm not cute, stop lying.

Subaru: But you are cute Emilia, honestly. Don't you remember? No, I wouldn't blame you if you forgot. It has been a while after all. I … I think you're the most beautiful in the world… I love you… Ah, forget I said that.

Subaru puts his left hand behind his head and rubs his hair as his face contorts in pain for a moment but quickly changes his expression into a reassuring smile. Emilia's heart, seeing his reaction, aches terribly and she quickly speaks up in response to his negative reaction.

Emilia: Wait! Actually I came here because I wanted to talk about that.

Subaru: What do you mean, Emilia-tan? could it be that you have fallen for me all over again? *smug grin ensues but quickly dissipates* Sorry, I didn't mean to make a joke there. It's a bad habit.

Emilia: I understand. Look Subaru , I know it's been sooo soooo long for me to give you an answer and I'm sorry, but I think I finally know what it means for me to love a man as a woman, and I… I….

Seeing Emilia struggling to finish her words, Subaru recognizes that she will probably say the answer he has heard countless times before. He decides to relieve her of the burden of hurting himself once more by telling her in the softest voice he could muster and with tender eyes.

Subaru: It's ok Emilia. You don't have to say any more. I missed you so much, and I hoped that you did too. I'm happy you took the time to meet me tonight. That's enough for me. I already know your answer, so you don't have to worry.

Emilia perks up and exclaims in a higher pitch:

Emilia: You do?! So what does that mean for us?!

Subaru: What do you mean, Emilia? You are my liege and I am your sworn knight, nothing has to change. Things can go back to normal and we'll all be happy, yep. Haha…

Emilia: Reaaallly? Why? I thought things would change.

Exactly like Emilia's habit of placing her hands to her chest for comfort, Subaru performs the same action as he deals with the surging negative emotions coursing through his body. He takes a deep breath and responds:

Subaru: Why would they? Just because you don't love me and never will, it doesn't take away the fact that I have pledged to you. I will still help you accomplish your goals. You can count on it because that's just what I want to do. Remember what I told you when we first met? My heart wants what it wants and I follow it wherever it leads me. So no need to worry about me.

As Subaru says those words to her, Emilia's heart is throbbing in pain and she frowns as she realizes Subaru thinks that she doesn't love him as he loves her and will continue to believe that until she does something about it. With determination and resolve building up, she tells Subaru:

Emilia: Subaru, I think you misunderstood. I'm not saying I don't love you. It's the contrary, I understand what it means to love a man as a woman now, and I… love you Subaru. I'm sorry it took so long. I'm reaaallly a dunderhead, aren't I? But I'm ready to make it up to you. I have sooo sooo many plans for us so…

Subaru, listening to Emilia speak, is on the verge of tears because he remembers the previous time Emilia has proclaimed his love for him and those negative memories lead him to believe that there is something wrong with Emilia. He recalls his conversation with Garfiel in one of his failed loops in Sanctuary and remembers that he said to him that Emilia will never love him. With that in mind, Subaru fights back the tears welling up in his eyes and swallows down the pain. He shifts his mind and recognizes that the priority now is to relieve Emilia of any suffering due to his behavior.

Subaru: Emilia, it's ok. You don't have to lie for my sake you know? I can take it. I know we've been apart for a long time and you're just lying to me out of pity and longing. You want things to be back to normal and you think that saying you love me will make me happy. You are so kind and thoughtful, so I know that you think that you must feel like you need to be concerned about me, but please understand that you don't have to do anything special for me or treat me differently. Just keep studying hard for the Royal Selection and maturing as a person, because I'll be by your side supporting you every step of the way. That's… enough for me. I… don't need anymore than that…

Upon listening to Subaru's sad words and hating his crumbling figure, Emilia passionately declares:

Emilia: But Subaru I'm not lying! I really am in love with you, sooo sooo much. Why don't you believe me?! You know I trust you with my life so I am asking that you do the same for me in this moment by listening to me!

After hearing Emilia's passionate pleas, Subaru finally understands that she is not lying to him. However, Vollachia has made him regress back to his self-deprecating ways. Who wouldn't be broken after learning that the shinobis of the shinobi village are indeed stronger than the citizens of Chaosflame? As a result, Subaru responds weakly:

Subaru: I see… I'm… happy to hear that. I've waited for your answer for so long, and I thought I would be in tears about it, but my feelings now are bittersweet. Emilia-tan, thank you for loving me, but you should love someone else. Forget about me.

Now it's Emilia who is on the verge of tears as only one word manages to eek out of her:

Emilia: Why?

Subaru thinks about her question and remembers his time in this world, specifically the harsh time he has had in Vollachia. Time and time again, he begrudgingly accepts that in this world, he is at the bottom of the totem pole, evident by the people he has met and the undeniable fact that he cannot measure up to them in intellect, strength and more. Finally, he recalls all his faults that have caused undue and unjust pain to his love and lays it out for her to see that she deserves someone else:

Subaru: I'm not worthy of your love Emilia. I'm not as strong and dependable as Reinhard, not as elegant and graceful as Julius, and not as capable and versed in magic as Felix. Vollachia wasn't kind to me, and it's forced me to open my eyes and see who I really am. I'm foolish, weak, and rude. All I have to my name is that I struggle in vain and even that is not enough. I can't do anything on my own, and I've made decisions that have cost lives. I'm nothing without being carried to the finish line by others. I've also caused trouble for you ever since I met you and have embarrassed you many times since then. All the while, although you aren't perfect, you have worked on your flaws and grown into an admirable leader who looks out for everyone in spite of the unjust hate thrown her way. You deserve someone better than me. I'm nothing, and I'll always be.

Emilia lets some tears fall as she listens to Subaru's heart-wrenching monologue and now finally understands how Subaru sees himself. She realizes that there are similarities between how she views herself and how he views himself. While she cannot see the qualities Subaru loves about her, she has seen throughout her time together with Subaru aspects of his character that she adores. The most important one is that he's always there when she needs him the most. Although Subaru has said otherwise, he has saved Emilia in more ways than one and more than she could ever repay. She comes to a decision, that right here, right now, she will repay… No, this isn't about repayment. This is about saving Subaru from himself by making him see how she sees him: her friend, her knight… Her first and hopefully only love. Her love is hurting, and it's up to her to show him that he's her star, like how he considers her his moon. Consequently, Emilia takes Subaru by the shoulders and looks at him with soft eyes as she calmly begins to speak from the depths of her heart:

Emilia: When I first met you, I had just lost my insignia and you retrieved it for me with only my name as your reward. When the Arlam village was in danger of mabeasts with me unaware, you saved them from death at the risk of yours. When we fought and went our separate ways in the capital, while I was busy wallowing in my room in misery, you defeated the White Whale and a Sin Archbishop as the leader in both events. When I had to save the villagers and take the trials in the Sanctuary, you stood by my side, supported me, believed in me and took care of everything else. When I was kidnapped in Pristella, you rescued me. When we were facing many impossible challenges in the Pleiades Watchtower, you solved them and believed in me being the key piece in completing the final puzzle. All of these events are your accomplishments, ones that you built with your own blood, sweat and tears. Slowly, but surely, through your actions, you made me have feelings towards you I've never had with any other person before. At first, I was confused by them, but I didn't dislike them. I knew if I took the time you gave me, I would understand them eventually and finally give you an answer to your confession. But, when you were lost, taken to a faraway place, I became anxious, depressed and scared. It was just like the time I left for Roswaal's mansion without you after our fight. I didn't know if I would ever see you again. This time around, I was also concerned for your safety. The idea of you being gone… It made me feel hollow. I felt as if the whole world lost its vivid colors. Even though I was surrounded by friends and allies alike when you were gone in Vollachia, it didn't assuage my heart, which felt like my life couldn't go on without my biggest supporter, my knight, the one who said he loved me. When I saw you again in Guaral, my heart was relieved and overflowing with happiness, even if you were a kid. That's when I realized what all these thoughts and feelings about you were. They led me to this one thing, this one idea. I love you, Natsuki Subaru. Even though you say you don't deserve me, that I should love somebody else, I won't. It's not about what I deserve. It's about what I want, and I want you. I want you because you were the first to not hate and denounce me for my heritage. You were the first to be honest with me about my faults while treating me with care and compassion. You were the first to help support and believe in me while I matured as a leader and worked towards my dream. You were the first to see me not as a silver-haired half-elf, but as Emilia, just Emilia. You were my first for everything. That's why I want you. If you don't believe me, I'll make you believe.

With her left-arm Emilia places it around Subaru's neck and with her right-hand she gently holds his chin upright as she looks at him lovingly and with anticipation. Suffering from a mental block, Subaru manages to say:

Subaru: Emilia-tan, what are you?!

Emilia: Just like you said last time Subaru, if you don't want this then dodge!

Fortunately, Subaru does not dodge. The kiss lasts for 10 seconds, but in those 10 seconds, both participants close their eyes and let their bodies relax. With Emilia's arms around his neck and Subaru's around her back, their connection has never been stronger, physically and emotionally. If one had to describe their kiss and this moment in general, it would be "warmth". Unlike the kiss of death and like the first kiss they shared, this kiss was filled with warmth. Just warmth… After their lips part ways, they both take the next few moments to catch their breath as they open their eyes and look at each other in silence. Nothing needs to be said at this moment because their loving eyes and smiles towards one another paints a thousand words. In both their minds, they know that this is the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. The person they love. Breaking the silence, Emilia speaks up first.

Emilia: Subaru, do you believe me now?

Subaru: Yes I do Emilia-tan. I believe you. I'm sor- Thank you for loving me. I love you.

Emilia: That's right, Subaru. I love you, and I know you won't love yourself all of a sudden just because I do. But, that's fine right now. We will work on that together in the future because now we will be together. Not as friends, nor liege and knight, but as lovers. Right?

Subaru: Right, Emilia-tan. Please, take care of me.

Emilia: Mou, Subaru, I should be saying that. I'll be in your care as well… May I sleep with you tonight?

Subaru: You want to sleep with me? My Emilia-tan has gotten bold, huh?

Emilia: That's not what I mean Subaru, and you know it! Stop teasing me. Anyway, I don't think it's right for us to be apart if we don't have to. Just like you, I've also missed you and after sooo long, I reeaally need my knight, no my love to calm me down. So come on, let's sleep together!

Subaru: Wording Emilia-tan, wording! But, yes, I agree with you. I also want to be by your side as much as I can, now and in the future. Let's go to sleep now.

Emilia: Oookay, Subaru. Let's!

As Emilia begins to lay down, Subaru can't help but think about her cuteness in this moment and proclaim his love once more. Unsurprisingly, he's not the only one to feel this way.

Subaru: A Subaruism?! Gosh, you're so cute. I love you Emilia-tan.

Emilia: I love you too Subaru. Forever and always.

Subaru: Forever and always.

The End. That's All Folks!

P.S. Comments (constructive) are appreciated!