Disclaimer: This is a non-profit fanfiction. Re:Zero is owned by Tappei Nagatsuki; familiar characters, places, and events are credited to him. Please support the official release.
Re:Zero ~ Uchikatsu IF
Act 1: A Wrathful First Day
Scene 1: Crimson Beginnings
[Damn it...]
Natsuki Subaru browsed through some manga in a 24/7 convenience store. Only the sound of his fingers rifling through paper and the breeze being provided by the air conditioner can be heard inside.
"So this is where they suck you in... It's way faster than I thought."
Trying to avoid spoiling himself further, he quickly stopped reading and gingerly placed the issue on top of some well-placed instant ramen cups.
[Why did you come back?!]
The boy kicked his feet against the ground. Letting physics do its work, his skates glided along the tiled floor, allowing him to reach the opposite end of the store in seconds. The clerk glared at him from the counter. Subaru skidded to a stop and bowed at a perfect 90 degree angle as a wordless reply.
"Noodles–check. Chips–check. Chocolate–check. Soda's the only thing left to buy..."
He quickly made his way towards the display fridges and grabbed two big bottles of carbonated drink: one as clear as water, and the other as dark as his hair.
[This is all because I'm weak!]
"That'll be 1,763 Yen." The store clerk scrubbed her reddish eyes after looking at the cashier for a second time.
"Here you go. I have an eco-bag, I'll just put all of that here."
"Thank you for your patronage. Careful on your way home, kid."
Subaru smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "I'm doing this on a monthly basis, so you don't have to worry too much, miss."
[Not this time...]
He pushed the store's glass doors open and let them close by themselves, ringing the chimes loudly enough to startle the clerk.
The cold outdoor breeze made Subaru shiver. His hand instinctively tightened the black scarf wrapped around his neck.
He looked up at the night sky, illuminated by countless stars and the full moon. "Looks like this is going to be a good night."
A smug grin appeared on his face as he immediately spotted the constellation he was most familiar with, along with the group of stars located at its northwest.
[Just wait and see...]
"Eh?"
A flash of bright light blinded his left eye. Deafening blares of a horn shook his soul to the core.
Confusion washed over Subaru.
He followed the rules of the street. He even went out of his way to stay inside the pedestrian lanes though there were no vehicles in sight. He waited for the lights to turn green before crossing the road.
So how in the world would a car that came out of nowhere swerve away from the road and into where he precisely stood?
[I promise.]
His body immediately bent sideways, the impact of the crash destroying more than half of his ribs and splitting his left femur in half. He flew for five meters before crashing face-first into the asphalt, almost snapping his neck.
His mouth started to cough up his lifeblood, enough to form a small pool of crimson that reached his nostrils. He could feel his body go colder and colder.
And then there was pain. Excruciating and unbearable pain that his mind can't register. Pain that made him numb. Pain that made him weak. Pain that made him want to leave this nightmare he can't wake up from.
Pain that made him want to die.
Pain that made him want to live.
"Help... me.."
Subaru could feel his consciousness fading away along with the pain. This was it. He was going to die here.
With the last of his strength, he moved his hands towards his face. His fingers brushed his chin. Cold, but warm. Scary, but comforting. A final action filled with melancholy.
A fitting end for someone like him.
"Sor..."
[I will definitely save you, Felt!]
Such was the end of Natsuki Subaru in this world.
At that moment, Subaru lost his life.
A/N:
I am so sorry for not posting this on April 1. This is my first official work, so please take care of me and tell me what you think. Feel free to ask questions or say anything, especially criticisms. Thanks, and see you in the next chapter!