A Rewrite of the Story because it was way too lame, and rather than uploading it into a separate publish seems like a waste. Here you go.

Letting out a fog, his breath that contained warmth dissipating onto the air. The nightly glow still covered the sky, the lamps lighting the streets that whistled. It was clear that it was way too early for an individual to be out, besides the everyday commuters, this was an exception to a single person that hanged closely to the doorway, about to depart.

"I'll head out now, see you later evening—hm!" It was this said person that wore a neat student outfit, its bag that laid behind in his back. He was then suddenly tugged on his sleeve, a hand that's usually known to be gentle was pulling a bit with force.

"You forgot your lunch!" A woman that had an apron lathed across her entire torso; looking behind, what he met was eyes that contradicts its shape: fierce yet kind, sharp albeit retaining the gentleness as it gazed through him.

In his mistake while departing, seemingly forgetting about a meal from their own mother was an unforgivable sin!

"Eh," He awkwardly took hold of the paper-bag that was in her hands, scratching the back of his head, hoping to forgive him from such a mistake.

"You know that you're still growing man, you need to get every nutrient you can." Pouted heavily, crossing her arms in the midst of it. Though morphing into concern instead.

"It's quite early out there, it's alright to stay here for a moment."

Although she said that, it was tempting to say the least. The harsh breeze that brushed his skin was very unencouraging from the moment he opened the door. But it was decided then, even before he woke up that day, that he'll try and try again just for her.

"Well, I just felt like taking my time going to school today, so I'll be leaving early." Putting the lunch into his handheld-bag, clumsily made space inside for it to fit.

"Then I'm off." Flailing his hands, as he walked onto the pathway, towards the main road, while his mother just waved back.

His footsteps that vaguely reminiscent of a skip, merrily walking towards his destination. Contrary to what he had said earlier, there was another reason as to why he left outside so early in the morning.

Pulling out his phone, tapping its way onto messaging someone. Not wanting to annoy that said person, by his abrupt visit of this early, he deemed its best to give them a heads-up. But just then, he was hit by a dilemma; should he send a quirky emoticon or just let the message be.

It was something strange to be fussed up on, but his inner-self had told him that it's crucial. Being a youthful individual, he has to look very outgoing or someone else might find him boring, which is fate worse than death.

His brows that furrowed, just by thinking up multiple simulations on what will be her reaction, of course, it was just him overthinking too much about it.

In the end, decisively to settling in the most-safe option. Cowardly as he was, it was embarrassing to send a heart emote to whoever, not just him.

"I guess I'll just still with a smiley face; I don't even think I have the heart to send that in my wildest dreams." He didn't want to be too obvious about his affections, besides himself. In the first place, it was for the best. Considering their status of just being friends. He was scared to attempt go beyond that status quo, otherwise ruining something he cherished with her.

It's not like it's the end of the world if I don't show it, she's wayyyy out of my league anyways.

Monologuing to himself what he'll do when get there, he had met several neighbors that recognized him, returning back the gesture of familiarity, he waved back at them.

People around here were really are early-birds

Rarely was he able to observe this situation, for a person that always wake up just as the sun went up, it's becoming that this was just the only time he got to observe the neighborhood in its tranquil state.

Not saying that it was never quiet, but there was that certain rowdiness when he commutes in a daily basis.

Feeling numb at his fingertips, he shook off his gloves, exposing them onto open air, as he starts rubbing them together while holding the said gloves in his mouth. While having his mind on auto-pilot for the most of it, he had a word that lingered in his mind.

`Warmth`

He giggled so slightly, flashing back a memory he had joy reminiscing. Feeling warmth from the hope, that one day he'll see her smile again. Subsequently reminding him what was her conditions were as of late.

It was a situation that was felt closely to home for him, he saw the eyes that resembled himself a year ago.

That girl he cherished—had turned into a shut-in.

"Hah," Exasperated for moment, letting a defeated sigh. Frankly, at an early age, he was already idolizing her. It just felt so right in doing so, he believed. Quickly shrugging off the negatives, and focused on the memories he held great regards, though now that he thought about it, some of which were quite embarrassing.

I've always relied on her all these times, and I would be a bad friend if I don't return the favor.

Granted, the girl in question were just doing what a kind Samaritan would do, and that intrigued Subaru further. At a young age, he remembered about a time that he once bawled his eyes in front of his parents the whole afternoon, in protest for him to be in the same school as her.

Needless to say, they never lived that moment down. Grimaced, as he cringed. It was a realization that he had a fun childhood. It wouldn't be one, if weren't because of her, that's what he's sure of.

Walking the barren streets, though besides the sparse passerby, it was quite chilly. Breathing out a fog, deciding it was best to put his hands into the pockets of his jacket, the season of winter could be so cruel.

Nearing an intersection, a distant footstep echoing concrete, revealed two figures that was walking with their hands together.

You could've scoffed 'Oh, how nice.' While they brazenly walked beside to bitter onlookers seeing this youthful sight, or just plain ignorance. But then again, it was neither of those, it was two people; a tall one and the other, short.

"Owoouh!" It was the last thing that the man heard before being mercilessly chomped down—clung over his leg as if it was some strange koala. Looking down to get a better view of this vicious beast, what he saw was a reflection of its bright aurous hair, spanning just by her shoulder.

"Geh!" He was startled to say the least, the right emotion in this situation could be said of plain confusion.

Rubbing her head as if were a cat, strangely joyous in doing so.

"Subaru, tsu~!" Her voiced reverberated his surroundings, shouting his name this early in the morning. Although, he wasn't that spooked in seeing a random child just suddenly was hugging his leg the moment she saw him as if it was alike of a homing missile, but in this case, he was familiar with this child.

"Sorry about that, Subaru-kun." He was greeted by a meek voice, a contrast from the earlier shout. Apologizing for the sudden goofiness of her companion. Raising his leg to inspect the petite child, she was surprisingly light than what he initially thought.

Putting his hand below his chin to observe this enigma,

"Mue, mue~" Now turning into a cat as he held her in the air with his leg, she was cutely purring, her grasp on his leg becoming tighter to avoid falling.

"Is she a cat?!" It was now his turn to cry out his confusion, it was a bit comedic, but the woman that was looking at them two, chuckled at the eccentricity.

Shooting a glance at the petite girl's guardian, wearing the same uniform as him yet she was wearing a ribbon colored specific at her chest to go on top of it, which meant that she was the same year as him. Usually abash for most of the time, in themed alongside her hair that regards oceanic-blue, compared to the girl that was on his leg, her hair only reached slightly her neck.

"Eh, Good Morning, Rem-san." Choosing to ignore the eccentricity on his leg, he greeted the young woman.

Looking at him strangely, before realizing her cue to speak,

"Oh, uhm. Good morning to you too, N-Natsuki-kun." Replying back to his greetings, her face formed back into its usual stoic-state.

"You're up early today, I know it's not my place to ask, but are you going somewhere?" She had hit bullseye with her assumption, Subaru had woken up in order to visit someone and still make it in time for class.

Putting down his foot to the ground, thinking up words to say.

"Hm, well. To be honest, I really had nothing else to do since I accidentally woke up this much early that the sun hasn't even shown its face. So, I figured I'll try my luck in convincing her today, I guess."

He tip-toed around the name of whoever it was, whilst at the same time trying to pull the child away from his leg in difficulty. Not noticing the woman's narrowing look, she already had a hunch to who it was, even as it may that Subaru wasn't intending to keep it under wraps, it just felt embarrassing to say it in front of another girl after all.

"It's about her, is it not?" Stating her words with emphasis, it seemed strange that her already neutral-looks could radiate such a downcast. If ever, she felt nervous. Grabbing a hold to the child's wrist on his leg, the said child surrendered and plopped to the ground.

"We should get going, I still need get Louis-chan to school." Patting down the child's comfy gold-hair, her face that seemed sad worried Subaru.

"I wish you luck in convincing her…"

"I'll be seeing you later then, Subaru-kun. Don't be late, alright?" Waiting for his response, he quickly nodded to affirm her question. Her mouth forming a smile back once he did so. Turning around to go the opposite way he's going, he stayed still for a moment to watch their figures before disappearing from his sight later on.

"That was certainly strange," His words were not what it meant, but specifically about how the mood changed the moment he told her about the reason, justifying it in the end that he could've just been imagining it.

No way that her usual deadpan look would be depressed.

Pondering would lead him to nowhere, no point as the person-in-question just crossed paths with him the moment ago.

The houses that rowed his vision, he observed their rather bland repeating look. Irony was found as it was the same as his house but there was something that he feels about wanting to at least get fresh air or any bright colors. It had been some time after he and his family since they had taken a camping trip, but it wouldn't hurt to try asking. Maybe they could plan it together for the coming spring.

Humored himself of wonder, what it could've been like, if he was transported into another world like in stories he had read. A world that held fresh greeneries as if you're in the countryside, and the chance that, just maybe, he gets to try out that world's magic. It'll be thrilling in seeing such, but then he thought:

Ah but I wouldn't be able to meet Emilia-tan anymore.

Deflating as he discarded that thought of being in a fantasy world. It just feels boring if it didn't have her in it. Before hitting himself in the head with his palm, realizing that he didn't even think about what will happen with his parents.

They would very sad if I were just to vanish out of thin air.

All in all, it was a fantasy. It wasn't meant to be shackled down by reality, as in most stories, they always manage to gloss over it. It's existence just meant about a hypothetical, something you can immersed in.

"Not like I have any major issues for this world as of yet." For now, he vowed that he'll try his best, a life that he would not regret anything at all, making this 'fantasy' unnecessary for someone like him.

"Anddd, that would start by being successful in bringing her out today, mhm~."

Putting his hands to his pockets, bringing out his phone to check the time.

"Well, I seem to still have time, but I would rather make it there ASAP." Complaining about the same cold air he experienced the moment he set out, it was becoming uncomfortable as time goes on.

"Though, she seemed to had just put me on read."

Seeing his message with a flag saying that she indeed saw it. But for it still have no response, it always leads someone alike of youth to overthink it fully.

"It could've been just her not knowing what to say yet, right?" A question directed to no-one but himself, becoming a bit nervous acknowledging that minutes had passed since he sent that message. Even with that attempt to convince himself, his mind still ran through absurd thoughts.

"I'm sure that she doesn't hate me—right?"

He became defeatedly nervous.

Until–—"Ah," Gasped at the sudden ding that came from his phone. Ending his inner-turmoil in an instant, the said response was, so to speak:

"A dog?" More specifically, it was a sticker of a cute dog that was holding a thumbs-up. It was greatly anti-climactic, albeit it was his fault that led him to this sigh of relief.

"Whew, at least she answered." Deeming it enough that she still gave some sort of response, easing his worries.

Passing a few blocks more, and there he arrived. At present, he stood in front of a familiar average household, same as him though this time, it held the goddess he cherished. And it's up to him that to take her out there, and let things be to how it was before.

Hyping himself up, although it wasn't his first time coming over to her house, it still was very intimidating for him, as an individual of the opposite sex. He became self-conscious about these ever since start of high school, as it may that he had already visited this same house countless times, it was still daunting.

Even as to so far that his and her parents had already met each other, you can say that she was a dear childhood friend of his.

Raising his hands to reach for the doorbell.

"Alright, let's go." Knocking at once, perseveringly waited outside the still cold climate.

"And we shall wait." Crossing his arms, as he shivered. Hoping that she'll open the door to at least told me off, but it would be even more nice if she graces me of her presence sooner. His thoughts became wicked, though innocent.

"Just for her, I'll wait. But I still have to be reasonable, mhm."

Affirming his resolve, tapping his foot in impatience. Until he heard a loud crashing noise behind the door.

He panicked, and hastily grasped the door handle, praying that she'll forgive him for barging in. He hoped that it wasn't a burglar that became clumsy in its act.

But instead, what he saw was–—

The humming buzz whilst it blows out freezing temperature of air, the person's air-conditioner was working hard to make the room a fridge in the middle of winter. An oddity where you would expect it to be churning out heat instead, showing the eccentricity inside the room of a certain half-elf.

It's glistering silver-hair fluttered, so to speak, majestically. The said hair that wavered back and forth, its cause was the person behind the erratic movement it kept doing whilst in hands were a controller for playing an average videogame whilst it stared most of its hours in front of a monitor.

Wearing only the most comfortable she can think off, disregarding anything that relates to fashion, was a signature tracksuit that hanged in her shoulders whilst its main top was just an oversized white shirt that has none anything that resembles of an undergarment to shield away the world from its sizeable bust and below.

Tapping away the controllers sporadically, for a bystander that might say that each press was uncoordinated, there's some truth to this, as they were just presses that became a way to take out her anger, and second, she was trying her best.

"Why won't you die!" Unbefitting for a girl to say such thing, gritting her teeth as she seethed through the entirety of it, causing a blunder in the process, which was even more infuriating for her as it was all her fault to begin with.

Printed across the television, bolded text that reflects largely on her eyes

–—GAME OVER.

"Gahh!"

Screamed out loud, throwing her controller, albeit still had some sense to chuck it in the bed behind her to avoid it breaking.

"Oh, come on!" Stomped her feet as if it were a child having a tantrum.

"I just had it almost." It was a lie.

Stretching her back, afterwards she looked behind her to look for a pillow in its bed to lay on her lap vertically. Before shoving it in her face, shouting it's curses even more, whilst the pillow muffled its outcry.

Then all of a sudden, a ding was heard, emanating behind from where she sat. Hurriedly turned its back again, to reach for her phone that lied just in the middle of the bed. Opening her phone revealed a new light source besides the glow of the television of the dark room.

"Oh, it's Subaru."

Fumbled around as she made herself comfortable to soft cushions of the bed. Laying down, her feet swayed in the air of cheer, seeing that the message came from no other than his trusted, best friend after all.

Hey, umm. I'm coming by your house today, if you don't mind. Be there in a minute.

Message that ended with just a smile emoticon.

"How sweet of him." Sharing the same sentiments as the emoticon, she smiled fully, staring at the message for a minute or two.

"But …" Nearing into a realization, she raised her arm and smelled the results of her neglected hygiene for the past day.

"Ah," She quickly stood up in a panic, then bolted towards the bathroom for a shower. She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of someone else, even more so, her best friend.

—▼△▼△▼△▼—

Soaked wet from top to bottom, patted herself with a towel and neatly wrapped it around her. Hastily looked for any clothes to wear inside her closet, only to end up in horror that she forgot to do her laundry she was supposed to do yesterday.

Erratically spun her eyes around the room, looking for any salvation that can solve her predicament. Until she laid her eyes on the white shirt and tracksuit. Seemingly have no choice, she took the route of shame as she sprayed the said outfit with some perfume.

Thanking the heavens that she at least has a spare lower undergarment, pulling it up with her left hand, as the other was combing through her hair, all simultaneously.

Then dawned on her when she heard the doorbell of the house.

"He's already here?!" Sprinting towards the stairs, while putting on her shirt and the tracksuit, safely making her way down the stairs, which ended up in naught.

She tripped over the wooden floor, subsequently her head was about to hit the rough, cold floor.

A very loud bang was heard, echoing throughout the hallways, and maybe could've even been heard outside, which she hoped not.

Which added to her misfortunes of today, he did hear the loud noise.

"Emilia-tan?!" Shouting out loud her name, before hearing a click of the door opening.

"Eh?" His confusion reaching her ears, as they reddened in shame. Groaning internally profusely.

"E-Emilia-tan!" Ran across the wooden floor towards the vulnerable half-elf that was just plastered over, which he was pretty sure that he heard her groaning in self-loathe.

"Are you alright?" It was an ironic question for him, she clearly hurt herself by tripping over.

"I, I'm alright." Her arms pushing up to sit upright, Subaru just saw her face sniffling in shame.

"I'm shorry Shubaru…" Now tearing up into sobs in his arms, staining the sleeve of his jacket with her snot and tears, yet in that sense, Subaru didn't really mind it.

The two stayed in this position for a moment, before Subaru was suddenly hit a harsh cold draft behind him. Sending a shiver down his spine. Wanting to close the door, he patted down Emilia before standing up then closing the cause of the said wind.

After doing that, he looked behind him to see that the half-elf was in the midst of composing herself, albeit still sniffling. Subaru seeing that she's just fine herself, he took off her jacket and led it towards the rack, alongside removing his footwear.

Subaru noticed her frown, seemingly staring at his uniform.

"I suppose that I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"It's not that, it's just …" Fiddled with her fingers as she became unable to stare at his crescent eyes. Subaru racked up his mind, his confusion turned into an understanding. It was his uniform that unintentionally reminded her own faults.

She might hate him for more than once, trying to remind her about that, he knew he'll do the same if his position was the same as hers. Considering for the fact that he once became like her, and only managed to break out of the horrible cycle loathing each day, because of her.

He wants to repay the favor, no matter if she hated him for being an annoyance. His resolve was already made a long while ago, and he would stick by that.

"Emilia-tan, it's about time, don't you think?" Subaru meaning for her to come back, for almost two months now, the longer she sinks to this cycle, the worst it gets and much tougher to get out from.

"I'll be honest. I'm worried." Her eyes averted further away from him as he said these words.

"I—I don't want to see you be held back. I …" Selfish as it may be for him to say his wishes forced upon her. It was for the greater good she realizes that she's making a mistake.

Subaru can't help but be emotional about such words, tearing up at the edges of sharped-eyes.

She broke her stagnant stance, raising her head towards him. Emilia saw his sorrow of worry just for her, panging guilt onto her heart.

Her feet started stepping forward, until both were in reach. Subaru felt the two of her hands grasping onto his shoulders, meek as it was weak. There was no pressure that laid on her hands to him, her own eyes instead offered its own tears.

"I, I can't. You know?"

Subaru became baffled, he wanted to question her why, yet before he could ask, he had gotten a shake of her head in shame. Removing her hands from him, she stepped back for some distance.

"It's still early, want to come upstairs?" Looking at the clock situated right next to the door, the sun had barely still shown its face; as the outside has its shadowed sky.

Changing the subject was only she can do, lest it becomes awkward for the two of them.

Be it the door was closed, but the freezing surroundings was still present. To the point of shivering, Subaru rubbed his own shoulders. It was tempting to accept the offer, but her parents might question him being here in a weekday, morning even.

Though that said, he quickly justified that he could just run towards school and still make it in time before the bell rings. But before that, he still needs to ask her something.

"Hmm, are you the only one here?" The sheer quietness of the entire house was unnerving, due to the fact that other times he visited, it has always have been particularly hospitable.

'But as of right now, she stood in front of me with a hallway this dark. Could be the reason why she tripped—no wait!'

"Oh, that's not what I mea—" Reoccurring to him that what he might've said was insensitive, he quickly appeased that mistake.

"It's alright you know?" Meekly stated as she waved off his anxiety, keeping a tough front as she lied beneath her breath, it was shameful in doing so blatantly to the only cherished friend she has.

He was speechless whilst the other was barely keeping her composure.

"T, Though, Mom left the house an hour ago after being called by her workplace, so it's just me right now." Sensing the awkward mood that she put themselves in, she trekked forward. Motioning a wave with glassy clouded eyes.

They unanimously agreed in shrugging the daunting tense atmosphere, and headed up the stairs. Subaru now was caught in a dilemma, besides the cold that shivered down his spine, this was something else; being in front of a girl's room was terrifying in it of itself.

His self-consciousness catching up to him, sweat streamed down his forehead.

'I've been here before, it's not something to be troubled about.' Trying to convince himself, being his body was refusing to move.

"Come in, come in." Noticing his turmoil idleness, she called out as she opened up the heater of the room. Knocking him out of his trance, he ventured off once again to the familiar room.

'Familiar Room' was overselling it really. He quickly took note of the disheveled, messy room it was. Thrown away unwashed laundry, the bedsheet that was unkempt and the disordered cabinet. In summary, it was very messy.

'Did a tornado run through here?' Whilst although he was intruding so sudden, back when he was still a shut-in, it never became this bad state of a room. He doesn't know whether to be proud or not but he's indeed bummed out.

"Ah," Seeing his frown, made her realize what became of her room was.

"Don't mind the slight mess, I'll clean it up later." Not even heeding embarrassment, the half-elf just tip-toed through the lying clothes beneath her feet then sat right in front of the television.

'Slight?!' Putting his hand over the bridge of his nose, sighed out in turn instead after. Because of this, he did the same and tip-toed to right beside her.

He took his time for another observation. It had now reeked of an otaku. Bunch of anime posters were plastered in the walls, and some figurines could be seen in the cabinet beside her closet, which the former was surprisingly neater than the latter. Seemingly the collection of hers had increased since the last time he was here.

Breathed out a sigh, he thought about helping her later on in the afternoon, that's for sure. Finally sitting down, cross-legged.

"You want to watch some anime?" She inquired whilst flicking over multiple shows, finding anything that both might have some interests in.

"I'm honestly fine with anything." Subaru looked at his phone for a moment and deemed that he has enough time, but letting her pick instead was a better choice than waste the said time mulling over on what to watch.

"Alrighty then," Hastily picked over the right one out of the amassed catalogue, Subaru was honestly intrigued considering her indecisiveness nature. Emilia sat up to get the pillows right behind them, while Subaru became flustered as he looked away in shame. The corner of his eyes saw what of Emilia's blunder of not wearing alike of a pants, but of just her in panty's.

It was blasphemy to disrespect someone alike of a goddess with his mere mortal eyes.

"Here," Her hands chucked the pillow into Subaru's lap, accepting the gesture but more or less had sunk into it to hide his crimson cheeks, then afterwards realizing that her scent wafted from the pillow, he quickly pulled away.

Glancing back at Emilia whether she noticed, but in his luck, she didn't. Covering herself in a blanket, and offered a space to Subaru. In which, he surely agreed.

Atop of the earlier realization, another was enlightened.

'Wait, isn't this a home date?!' Internally screaming, his troubled mind was slowly drowned out by the sounds of chips being crunched.

Subaru looked at her to see that she had already immersed herself to the show she picked while he was troubling himself with unnecessary thoughts.

The show itself wasn't particularly special than the ones they both always watch. It was after all their favorite genre, shounen. That said, it was his favorite but he can't get himself to be in the same state as her, time to time checking for the time, anxious that time could just pass by and missing his chance for school.

The screen showed flashes and distinct clangs of metal, it was a fight scene that Emilia had engrossed herself to. Subaru accepting his fate on a chance that he might miss class, he decided to join her and laid himself back.

He can't disrespect their once ritual of watching these type of shows back when they had to watch it together when they were kids. Although his self-consciousness had him still in check, waiting for the moment she finished taking the chips inside its package so he can take hers, saddened that he wouldn't be able at least have some sort of contact with her soft hands but it was a necessary sacrifice to not make the mood awkward.

Then out of the blue, Emilia still faced at the television.

"Hey, Subaru."

Subaru pivoted his focus towards her.

"Hm?"

The girl spoke of indifference, with no underlying tone much further he deemed as she kept staring at the screen. Causing much tension as Subaru tilted his head.

"Why do you try so hard, just for me?" Questioning his motives, hinting no accusation, yet genuine curiosity. She wasn't acting out of arrogancy but of thoughts from what may had been his reason why he was doing all this for her.

She knew that he was risking missing class by staying beside her, and that's why she feared that he might hate her for the predicament she caused subsequently stopping in meeting up with her. Leaving her all alone.

Subaru knew what needed to be said, and it was his own selfishness. Aside from the romance he was hoping for with her, all he wanted was for her to be happy. And that couldn't be found by loathing around in this dark room that had its windows shut-off as they were curtained tight.

Of which, the first step was convincing her to step out of her room and integrate back into society.

"I, uhm. It's just because I'm very w-worried about you, and it's nice hanging out with you like this." Leaving out the part of his affection towards her, after all, he can't just treat her state as if it was an opportunity to be right her side, that would be scummy.

"Is that so …?" Trailing her words as it ended, Emilia eyed him down, seeing his fluster was enough of an answer, she understood that the others were really concerned about her, yet when it came to it, besides her parents, it was him that always checked up on him.

Telling her stories of what occurred that day in class, sometimes tagging along and hanged out like this, doing nothing in particular. Her heart was filled of guilt, all this just for her.

Returning back her gaze towards the television, the two had resumed watching the show.

After some time, the show's episode had ended, Emilia pausing it to watch later before yawning loudly. Regretting about staying up very late and missing out on the times she could've spent with him, she reluctantly stood up but realizing that it wasn't a good idea. With her legs numb from sitting cross-legged, it wobbled before collapsing to the bed, whilst Subaru still concentrated his eyes away from the undergarments.

When suddenly, a memory popped-up. Panicked as he raised his hand to check his phone of the time, it was a mere thirty minutes until the bell rings. He stood up in haste if he still wanted to make it in time, it's best to head out right now.

"Ahh, I have to really get going now," Stumbling for a moment until he reached the door.

"If it's alright with you, Emilia-tan?" Silly as it may to ask for permission, it was still rude to abruptly leave in the presence of a host. Being a gentleman, he thought himself as of, waited for an answer. Though the other tilted its head in befuddlement on the reason why he still asked.

His effort of hastiness all became naught as she hummed, making up her mind on what to say next.

"If I said no, would you agree?" Her words that suggested something more yet the face that said it were reticent, courage to the point that it found no crimson on its cheek. Subaru was then struck of a confused feeling, he didn't expect the sudden boldness shrouded in what she said, but what caught his attention was her distant look.

His face became alike of an open-book, his hesitation was all to see and she acted upon it.

"Alright then, come closer, I need to tell you something."

He was still unsure on what she's up to, yet still decided to indulge her musing.

Without any warning, Subaru suddenly found himself laying atop of the bed, to be specific, right on-top of her chest. Her sizeable bust became a suffocating obstacle, his hands laid beside her sides awkwardly while she was comfortably hugging him tight. The two's distance was instantly closed at the girl's whims.

The situation succumbing into something so lewd yet wholesome. His face was buried on her supple bosom, the shock overcoming after the second of realization that she didn't have anything for her top as an undergarment. Being that the only separation was the of the thin white shirt, he immersed right there and then his inner-peace, outing his mind of the gutter.

"E, Emilia-tan. W-What are yo—" Stammered in perplexment as it was interrupted while his face was in an even worse state of crimson. His heart that was about burst out any moment soon, beating loudly for both to clearly hear.

"Please stay here with me… Please." Patted down his head, hushing his voice of tone that begged. Which it worked as he began to calm down, as her hands combed through her hair, feeling slight breathing atop his head. As the panic steadily declined, his breathing steadied. Now only hearing the beating heart of hers that was peculiarly soothing.

Shifting Subaru's position to the side to comfortable rest, her arm underneath his, both were still in close contact. Her breathing slowly brushed upon his nape, as the two's warmth combined with their soundly embrace.

The turmoil of his earlier vanished into thin air, his last thoughts being that he was sure that he would regret missing his classes, but in that case, he felt satisfied if that was the sacrifice to be made in falling into the palms of the unusually assertive crush of his. It felt somewhat rewarding, even if it was undeserving that he failed in today's attempt of his goal.

It had seemed that his fatigue from the past few days decided to show itself in this moment. He was way too late to refuse comfort from a goddess, that enough of a reason, he futilely melted away into her gentleness.

Soon after, was the resumed tranquil of the room took place. Their breathing harmonized into soft tunes as they indulged each other's' affection.

"Mufu."

"I'm very selfish, don't you think so Subaru?" Muttering her predicament, as it was heard by none-other.

"Troubling people for the sake of my own grief. I'm pathetic aren't I, Dad?"

Bitterly chuckled until she soon followed him into unconsciousness.

The world is unforgiving, keeping tabs to whether to kick one down, as it mocks those unfortunate individuals whilst it turns roundabout, leaving you behind if you don't catch on. That couldn't be said the same for other people that cares to kneel and stand by your side, as long as it takes. Made upon each other's selfishness, the world goes on.

"Eh, is that so?" Anxious the mother of a certain raven-haired son, when the Natsuki household suddenly received a call from of his homeroom teacher that their son was in fact not present.

Of course, that led to some speculations, though having trust in her son that he wouldn't just become a delinquent out of the blue to skip school just so he can hang out somewhere, it inevitably led to thinking an even worse predicament.

"What do I say?" Whispered to the man that stood beside her.

As a father, he became restless where his son could've been. More-so after the incident that led the said son shutting itself from the world, inside the comfort of its room. Hoping that he didn't do something drastic that concerned his health, the two were brimmed of anxiety.

They knew something was up when he left the house that quite early, but they let him do so after seeing him that pumped up for something. Not knowing why that is, yet all they can do was to trust him wholly.

Coincidentally, a buzzing noise was heard in the man's pocket. Promptly taking out in a hurry, a hope that it could've been their son that just messaged of his whereabouts.

Their hope didn't go for naught, as it was like they thought.

"Ah," Read the message in only a matter of time, before turning his head towards to the woman that stood in worry.

"Tell them that he's not feeling well." Beaming a smile right after he whispered his words.

Although dumbfounded with the said words, she trusted his intentions.

"Ahm, sorry for not saying it sooner. Subaru is currently feeling under the weather, if there's something he needs to do today, we'll let him know after he gets better."

The woman and the one behind the phone conversed for a minute or two until the call has reached its end.

"So, what might that be is?" She took a step closer to the man just to see the said message in curiosity.

Lifting the hand that held his phone, the man did.

"Look."

Getting a better look at the phone, read the message in hurry but with great understanding. Reaching the very end of the words found that was sent, she squealed in delight.

Will you guys forgive me if I said that I accidentally fell asleep at Emilia's place?

Just letting you guys know.

Both grinned at their mischievous son, they knew what they were going to tease him with once he comes back home in the evening.

"I'll give him my piece of mind later once he comes back home, but for now, I'll let the kids have their time."

He was proud as a father seeing his son's attempts, aside from his son skipping school, he could let this slide once.

Guessing both of that, their worries were misplaced after all.