Chapter 4

As Emilia and Subaru stared at each other, Itsuki couldn't help but feel just as confused as Subaru. If it angered Emilia that much to be called Satella, why did she choose that name, over any other name, to give Subaru?

However, that wasn't Itsuki's main focus. What was truly on his mind was just how much did Subaru remember from the previous times?

"I'll ask one more time: why did you call me by the name of the Witch of Envy?" Emilia asked.

"Well, because you said I should." Subaru replied.

"I don't know who told you that, but they have a terrible sense of humor!" Emilia growled. "The Witch of Envy is the very definition of taboo. And you call me by her name, which most dare not even say?!"

"Yeah, she's right kid."

"You crossed the line there, buddy."

The townsfolk began to speak, which made Itsuki just now realize the attention the trio had drawn.

"If you don't have anything to say, then I'm leaving. I have things to do." Emilia turned around and began walking off, stopping only to look at Itsuki. "You coming?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Itsuki replied by simply following after Emilia, leaving Subaru alone.

"But-" Subaru reached out to the two.

Suddenly, a series of quick footsteps approached Emilia and Itsuki as Felt dashed by, swiping Emilia's insignia once again.

Reaching into her pocket for the insignia, Emilia let out a gasp before turning to Subaru.

"Wait! Were you a distraction?! Are you working with her?!"

"What? No!" Subaru replied.

Turning around, Emilia gave chase. Looking between Subaru and Emilia, Itsuki was faced with a choice. He could either: A) follow Emilia and help regain what was stolen, cementing her trust into him. Or B) get answers from Subaru, who seemed to also be part of this looping predicament.

Shaking his head, Itsuki chased after Emilia and Felt. Right now, answers can wait. He needed Emilia to trust him. This was now much more than simply ensuring a job.

If Itsuki could ensure a bond of trust between himself and Emilia, maybe through her could he get Subaru to trust him enough to tell him just what the fuck is going on.

Passing through the alley he had always shortcut through, Itsuki easily caught up with, and ran passed, Emilia.

Seeing Felt running in the distance, Itsuki forced his legs to move faster. He was now quickly closing the distance between him and the thief.

Gaining on her, Itsuki came into arms reach. However, just as his fingers grazed the scarf around Felt's neck, he was once again transported back in front of Emilia, minutes prior.

Confused as to why this reset was a lot earlier than before, Ituski placed a hand against his forehead. He couldn't figure it out.

"Something wrong Itsuki?" Emilia asked. "You look as though you just remembered something."

"More like I can't figure something out." Itsuki replied. "Don't worry about it. It's sort of a personal problem."

"Oh. Okay." Emilia gave a smile. "If there's anything I could do to help, just let me-" Emilia was cut off as Felt ran by once again. However, this time, Itsuki was much more prepared for it.

Time felt as though it slowed down as Itsuki reached out and grabbed Felt's wrist, keeping her from running off. Stuck in an iron grasp, the small girl slowly reached behind her as Emilia checked her pockets, only to feel her insignia was missing.

Glaring into the small girl's eyes, Ituski wouldn't let her run off again.

"Give back what you stole and I won't tell the guards." Emilia told Felt.

In a single quick motion, Felt slashed a rather large blade at Itsuki's hand, forcing him to let her go as she cut a deep gash into the side of his lefy hand.

"Hey!" Emilia shouted as Felt ran off. Using magic, Emilia launched large icicles at the small girl who dodged them with ease. Using a carriage to propel herself onto the roofs, Emilia was about to give chase when she stopped, hearing Itsuki growl in pain.

"Damnit!" he had his left fist clenched as blood seeped down his hand. Holding his wrist with his right hand, Itsuki glared off in the direction Felt ran. "Didn't realize the little shit had a blade on 'er! Fuckin' A!"

With a shaking hand, Itsuki slowly opened his clenched fist to assess the damage. Seeing the blood filled wound, Itsuki used his shirt to absorb the dark liquid.

Wincing as he did so, Emilia reached out and stopped him.

"Don't!" Emilia said. "Let me help."

Looking at his hand, Itsuki managed to see just how deep the wound actually went. With his injured left hand shaking, Itsuki saw the pure white that was his bone.

"God...damn..." Itsuki grit his teeth.

"Please, let me heal your wound." Emilia said.

Looking at her with his gaze shaky, Itsuki managed a smile, only to wince as he clenched his fist once more.

Without hearing his reply, Emilia gently opened Itsuki's hand with hers. Seeing the wound, Emilia formed a glowing orb, hovering it over the wound.

Watching the cut slowly close, Itsuki pulled away once it fully healed. The healing wasn't flawless, leaving behind a rather large scar on the side of his hand that ran to the center of his palm.

Opening and closing his hand a few times, Itsuki was still amazed by how it no longer hurt.

"Looks like I'm in your debt." Itsuki told Emilia.

Hearing this, Emilia looked away with a red hue on her cheeks.

"That...wasn't my intention."

"Well, thank you, nonetheless." Itsuki said.

Emilia smiled before turning around.

"Now! To find that thief!"

Following Emilia as she walked off, Itsuki decided to keep quiet about the Lute house this time.

As they walked and asked around, Emilia and Itsuki once again came across the lost girl. Just as before, they helped her, with Itsuki carrying her on his shoulders. Hours later, the two decided to head back to where the insignia was originally stolen.

Speaking with the same stall owner, the girl and her mother walked up to Emilia and Itsuki. Again, just as before, the girl offered a flower pin to Itsuki, who accepted it with a smile.

However, unlike before, the duo was suddenly approached by a knight.

"Excuse me, miss." the man said as he stopped before Emilia. "My name is Reinhard van Astrea.

"Do...I know you?" Emilia asked.

"Afraid not. However, I came with a message from a boy named Subaru Natsuki." the knight said.

Emilia took a few seconds to think.

"I've never heard of him before." she told the knight.

"Strange." the knight placed a hand against his chin in thought. "Well, he wanted me to relay a message if I so happened to see you."

"What message?" Emilia asked.

"He said: do not come to the Lute house. Stay away." the knight then shrugged. "I don't know the meaning behind it, but I suspect you might. Take care." with that, Reinhard went about his day.

As Emilia whispered to herself, she looked to Itsuki.

"Any ideas?" she asked.

Itsuki shrugged. "Nope. But I bet your curiosity has you wanting to-"

"Lute house." Emilia said to herself. "I know of one in the slums. Let's go."

As Emilia walked off, Itsuki sighed. "-head to the Lute house." he finished his sentence before following.

An hour later

Finding themselves outside of the Lute house for a third time, Itsuki let out a sigh before approaching the door. Knocking on the wood, a familiar voice shouted from inside.

"Don't!" Subaru's voice came from behind the wood. "If you open it... We'll be killed..."

Ignoring the boy, the door opened as Felt stood before Itsuki.

"What're you talking about?" Emilia asked as she joined Itsuki's side. "We're not going to kill you."

End of chapter 4