Hey y'all, hey y'all: Fanta here! Hate the fact that this is uploaded later than I wanted, but, I suppose not saving every other minute and losing a crap-ton of progress due to a surprise blackout is on me. 'Sides that, you know the drill, a new chapter for you all! Welcome to this story for all the new readers, and welcome back for all of my old readers! Remember to check out Fantasina Threater at the end for a special announcement~
-Contra Spem Spero-
Chapter 4. Virgo IF (Anastasia Rank C+ - The Pseudo-Therapy Session)
Or, in which Subaru Natsuki is visited and interrogated over some decisions he has made in the past that revealed things that he expected wouldn't be revealed for a long time. However, it helps him become a better version of himself after Anastasia helps out by giving some advice.
/-/
Story Start - Subaru's Side
Today, unlike yesterday's meeting with Anastasia, is a rather typical day at the marketplace for Subaru Natsuki. On most days, he would be standing behind a counter with his wares behind them. Some were decently priced goods like his beloved mayonnaise, and others were highly priced like peanut butter in glass jars and soy sauce, due to them requiring ingredients from territories outside of the Kingdom of Lugnica, which came from imports from Kararagi.
"This is absolutely delectable!" A nobleman cried out in praise at his meal that consisted of deep-fried potatoes cut into paper-thin slices before he dug into his meal with both hands. He was here due to him deciding to bite the bullet and try out commoner food, and he didn't regret a thing.
"Hmh! Hmh!" A commoner would say in response to their partner asking if their meal was fine, with their mouth too stuffed from the sausage sandwiched in a unique sandwich bun to be intelligible.
"Can you pass the mayo, bro," A man would ask their male partner, who obliged them, as they dined on rice and a hamburger patty served with vegetables on the side. "Thank you very much, bro!"
A majority of today's sales wouldn't be stemming from those products, however, even though a lot of the people in this world love them - especially mayonnaise - as he does, as today is a special day designated by Subaru to share the foodstuffs of his world to this world. For cultural enlightenment, for allowing people to taste new things, and to profit from his food knowledge, of course.
'That is the idea, I suppose, but...' The man in question thought as he dunked the potatoes he'd helped cut into french fries, or Natsuki Fries, as they are called in this world, into a pot that was atop of a magic stone-powered stove and filled with cooking oil so that they may be fried in order to help, before he headed back to the front counter to act as a cashier. 'Why do I still feel slightly bad when I use my knowledge to make a profile here even when I know it is needed to make a living around these parts?'
Even in his makeshift food court, with tables and chairs that were handcrafted by folks from the slum, thanks to Felt and Rom's efforts after he requested and paid them handsomely; Subaru couldn't escape his tendency to self-deprecate... He feels it is somewhat deserved, though, after all, he's shamelessly ripping off items and passing them off as his own ideas - when it was with mayo, he didn't have an ounce of guilt, mainly because he wasn't willing to live in a mayo-less world, but now...
"C'mon, c'mon, don't think these thoughts, me." Subaru muttered under his breath as he shook his head furiously to rid those bad thoughts from his brain. "Look around you, you made so many people have smiles on their faces and think of you as a great person."
'Even if I don't have a shred of originality in my bones, thus, it isn't truly deserved, isn't this what I wanted?' were the thoughts ringing in his head, forcing himself to acknowledge a single fact that had been present ever since he began inventing stuff that existed back in his own world and started working with Anastasia.
In this world, in Lugnica; he is this world's Kenichi Natsuki - someone respected by others, someone trusted by others, someone well-known by others, someone loved by others.
Yet... Why does this prestige feel unearned to him?
Subaru was so completely engrossed in his mind, that, well, he didn't even pick up on the existence of who came in front and center of where he was, the front counter, and opted to get his attention.
"Ya' look trouble, Natsuki-kun."
Blinking dumbly, Subaru Natsuki was brought out of his usual episode of self-deprecation and back into reality by the sight of a certain greedy girl waving a hand in front of his face, and who seemed to be carrying around a bag of sort that seemed like it had important things inside of it.
"Haah... Anastasia, what are you doing here?!" It was a surprise for him to see Anastasia here, to say the least. Especially since they don't typically meet like this... Strangely, he felt something was "off" about the greedy girl in front of him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Err... Do you need something?"
She opened her mouth, but before the merchant could answer, another voice came first.
"Hmm..." Subaru followed the voice, finally noticing that Anastasia wasn't alone by glancing downward and noting a certain loli cat-girl - and her siblings - who he didn't notice until now, due to thoughts. "Mimi is starving over here, could she get a burger in this place...?"
Of course, Anastasia herself didn't mind. "Natsuki-kun?" Giving him a look that told him everything that he needed to know - or he figured that was the case.
"Uuuh... Sure, why not, and you know what, it is on the house." On the instant that he said food was for free, a part of Subaru instinctively knew that he disappeared Anastasia - was it for offering something for free, for just feeling a bit pressured in having his boss appear out of nowhere and wanted to get in her good graces, or was it something else?
He didn't want to ask. Honestly, the worst part was that he felt he would have disappointed Anastasia one day, so it is better to disappoint her during this seemingly pointless visit over it happening when something important was happening and got everybody killed as a result... A part of him was also abuzz in line of thought that wondered he still had that ability that allowed him to save Satella, or, since he hadn't "used" it in so long, he had lost that ability and/or used up his chances for its activation since he accomplished his goal.
"..."
The sudden quietness from him had caused Anastasia to look at him strangely. Subaru took a moment to berate himself for being too invested in his own issues, when he has somebody who has far more important things going on than his own issues.
"Ton, I need you to make a burger, ASAP!" Subaru raised his voice to make his order loud and clear. "ASAP means make it fast, Ton!"
...
If he was outside and his employees were off-duty, Subaru is 100% certain that he would have a fist land atop of his head. Thankfully, there were still on-duty hours, so only an irritated voice came from a large man with purple hair and eyes. "It is Gaston. GAS-TON. Not Ton, you dumbass... And yes, coming up."
Gah... The only response he could make was plastering a smile on his face, and pretending everything was a-okay.
He had only Ton, and Chin and Kan as well, in his services was due to the efforts of Felt... Who apparently was great at leading and gathering follows for reasons that are unknown to him, yet was fully expected from Old Man Rom - maybe she's a princess raised in the slums for protection, or something outlandish as that, heh... Either way, however, a fourteen-year-old is better with dealing with people than him; an eighteen-year-old filled with knowledge that won't grace this world for a long time.
'Is it weird that I find this fact both funny beyond reason and yet another reason to believe that I am not the person who people think I am?' A stray thought graced his brain, but he couldn't think upon it much as he noticed that Anastasia and her companion were still here; and his mouth immediately scrambled to spit out what his brain came up with on the fly, "Just go to that empty table over there, and I'll personally bring the order once it is finished," Subaru pointedly directed her to the aforementioned table, far from everybody, but allows the seater to enjoy a decent sitting arrangement.
"Ain't seems like a bad idea, Natsuki-kun." She chimed beautifully in a way that would make a person's cheeks go warm; hell, even with his own knowledge that tells that there is a 70% chance she's acting like this in order to get his guard down, Subaru couldn't help but enjoy it nonetheless... Was still extremely cautious, however, of what bought her unannounced here. The thought of hoping for the best, and expecting the worst, passed through his head and elicited a sigh from him.
"What's the worst that could happen?" He mumbled.
/-/
A Bit Later - Anastasia Side
While it wasn't the reason she came here for, it hadn't been a surprise for her to discover that Natsuki-kun had a food side-business.
A lot of his ideas involved food in some way, shape, or form, after all; and the addiction to mayonnaise that afflicts the poorest of commoners to the wealthiest of nobility was proof that his food ideas would always attract people - and have an impact in the world that would defy common sense.
Thankfully, despite the wealth of ideas in his head, Natsuki-kun doesn't have a handle on running a food business. The cheapness of the food, despite its quality, judging by the pleased reactions of the customers, was a dead giveaway; she supposes it is fine, a benefit to her, and a sign that Natsuki-kun's profitable mind won't escape her grasp for a long time to come.
Which is important, since if hers and Julius' findings were correct, the value of Natsuki-kun's mind would skyrocket to greater height-
"Mimi can't help but think that Natsuki guy looks weak beyond belief, not gonna lie," Mimi suddenly stated, interrupting her line of thinking before it could reach its conclusion. "But that's okay, even if he is too weak, Mimi believes Natsuki-kun would be fine in the kitchen, and would be great at it."
"While, I suppose it ain't wrong to say that Natsuki-kun belongs in a kitchen," she added amusingly, glancing at the person in-question, who was approaching them with Mimi's burger in tow, as expected, "But, I require a service from Natsuki-kun that wouldn't work if he is cooped up in a kitchen all of the time, y'know, Mimi."
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero. Just in time. Or so Anastasia supposes.
"Yo, Anastasia, I got your friend's order."
At his arrival, Mimi obtained what she wanted, and began to dig in with satisfaction. He nodded in delight at seeing a pleased customer, and was prepared to make his leave, but, "Natsuki-kun, sit down, I need to talk with ya," she prevented it, halting him in a voice that offered no chance of refusal.
He stilled, in a way that many people do when they fear that they would lose their job or hear bad news, based on her own experience in seeing people act that way.
"Hold your ground dragon, Natsuki-kun, ya don't have to worry about getting fired." She asserted, with her visibly seeing Subaru relax to the point that he let out a sigh of relief.
It was rather cute, was the thought that popped into her brain as Subaru pulled out a chair and sat in front of her and Mimi; sure, he wasn't as cute as Mimi or anything close to her level of cuteness, but... A panicked person who is trying to get their wits together even as they are slowly losing their shits is cute, in a weird way.
"So..." Scratching his head in deep thought, she could see Natsuki-kun mustering up brain-power in hopes of figuring out what to say before deciding to say fuck it, and just go with his gut. "Do you need anything, Anastasia? Like if you need Audrey for something, I am sorry to say that she isn't here, and won't be back for awhile."
Wordlessly, she shook her head, telling him that he was wrong. "No, no, I came to ask ya' a simple question, Natsuki-kun, which is; when you hear the name Hoshin, what comes to mind for ya?" She asked casually. Trying to see what reaction she would get out of him from this simple, but very sudden question.
His brows knitted, confusion clearly on his face at her question, no doubt wondering what she meant. "... Isn't that your last name, and name of your company...?" If she had as good as grasp of Natsuki-kun's character as she knows she has, his reaction is 100% genuine, hell, her cyan eyes that scrutinized Natsuki-kun's features until he became uncomfortable with her gaze were sure of it as well.
... And now she wonders if she should be frustrated with this new information, or be delighted that Natsuki-kun is even more mysterious than ever.
She might have sighed, if she wasn't in a situation that could skyrocket Subaru Natsuki's profit potential to the moon and back. 'One thing at a time, one thing at a time, I suppose," she thought as her head reached out and rubbed the head of a quiet Mimi.
"Did I get something wrong or...?" He asked, obviously not knowing where this topic was heading or what she was trying to do.
'Was honestly hoping that when Audrey-san said that the ignorance Natsuki-kun had was astonishingly huge, it was just a joke in poor taste - but it seems like it was an absolute truth, after all...' And now, while Anastasia outwardly presents a teasingly smile while she inwardly fights the urge to just rub her forehead in exasperation, she hopes that this obliviousness of Natsuki-kun could be exorcised out of him with time devoted to studies.
However, his ignorance pipes up her curiosities even more. And it seemed Natsuki-kun had picked up on this, judging by the fact that he is starting to sweat a little bit now.
"It doesn't amount to a hill of beans for you to worry about your ignorance regarding Hoshin of the Wastes-" Without a warning, she pulled out a folded paper from a pocket of hers and unfolded it and placed it on the table for Natsuki-kun to read. "-However, thanks to a certain someone I hired, noticed one of your activities that you do on the side and allowing me to see it, and see how it translates books of Hoshin that were indecipherable until now... Well, I reckon you know what I want to know."
The paper itself was harmless, nor was it important. Anastasia merely wrote down what she had read earlier, which was;
(Dear Diary,
Today, I was advised by Flugel to start writing down my daily occurrences and whatnot in order to better master this weird and alien-like language that Flugel is teaching me; I will admit that this is troublesome but Echidna has already mastered this language, and Reid has been bribed to beat the snot out of me at the end of month if I don't try...)
There was more written down, but it was just a bunch of meaningless rambling. However, however... Nobody could translate what Hoshin had written down - after all, the language he used didn't exist for the rest of the world.
Until Subaru Natsuki came out of nowhere and introduced it. Judging by the slack-jawed face he had, this piece of knowledge came to him as well. Or perhaps...
"What the... Is this English...?"
... He realized the exact language that was being used, and knew of the sheer impossibility of it coming to this world. Since to his knowledge, he should be the only one in the world that knows the language and how it is written.
"Did he... world or did... from another person?" His voice was quiet, so low that normal people wouldn't be able to hear it all that well unless they were really close. Fortunately, Mimi's ears could pick them up; sure, her brows drew together in confusion on the terms that she heard, but she was ready to relay the info to Anastasia once she got the chance.
Speaking of the greedy royal candidate, she simply covered her mouth with her hand, hiding the predatory grin that was stretched across her face.
"Heh, Natsuki-kun, don't keep a lady waiting; after all, I'm fixing' to hear what you have to say."
Unbeknownst to herself... At this moment, her eyes shone brightly with greed, as if layers upon layers of greed were folding into each other... to create a greed that wished to take anything and everything Subaru Natsuki had to offer.
"Talk, why won't ya?"
/-/
Virgo IF Starts - Subaru's Side
"Uhh..." He mumbled dumbly, his lower lip between his teeth, as he studied the 'wonderful' features of a wooden table, while he did his best to avoid eye contact with either Anastasia or the paper that she set down on the table in the hopes of avoiding Anastasia's question.
"Mimi wants to ask what you mean when you said 'another world', just a bit ago!"
Thankfully, not noticing the mood, or perhaps, noticing the mood. Mimi broke the ice by asking him what he meant, which honestly drew a look of surprise from him since he didn't think anybody would hear his random ramblings.
"Mimi, what in tarnation are you...?" As for Anastasia, she shot Mimi a look of confusion at what she meant, and what he said. "Ya know, what... answer Mimi's question, Natsuki-kun."
He didn't know what to feel, and he couldn't decide if it mattered or made things worse. But honestly... he didn't expect English of things to be already present, and even had a famous person to use it, in this world. He figured that the person Anastasia hired - which is likely to be an unimportant underling of some kind - acquired one of the 'makeshift' guidebooks for writing in english that he wrote and made with a printing press that Old Man Rom acquired... somewhere, with his unknown connections. He has been selling and passing them around the slums with the help of Felt for about a few weeks, mostly to see if people in this world could learn it out of curiosity more than anything, in his case, and a desire to see slum dwellers to have a bit more literacy and spite, in Felt's case.
... It is fortunate for him that this is a relatively harmless thing for him.
"We are waiting, Natsuki-kun."
"Er, well... would you believe that I came from another world - or a place beyond the Great Waterfall?" Knowing that he couldn't show any hesitation or weakness now, he lifted his head and pushed his chest out as he spoke with faux-confidence. "Before I met you, Mimi-chan, before I met Anastasia, before I met Audrey, I didn't exist or live here; I lived in a place who existed beyond the Great Waterfull, and whose only sentient inhabitants were humans like me and Ana, but had created a lot of great and big things that you wouldn't think existed - like things that aren't powered by magic, for example; and for which I am giving to you guys!"
He had no idea in how to truly explain the concept of another world to either of them. After all, this world is a landbound flat world from what he had learned from Julius and Audrey, and that isn't even explaining the mess that is called the Great Waterfall. 'This isn't even considering the last time I told somebody - Felt- I came from another world; she laughed at my face and called me a dumbass for talking bullshit, in her words.' He recalled briefly, he would have "felt" the urge to chuckle in normal circumstances and acted upon it, but knew that might seem like he was lying to Anastasia's face if he did it now.
"Really?" Letting her take the lead, since she asked the question, Mimi looked at him with wonder in her eyes. It seems Mimi believes in the genuineness in his words, or she just isn't a skeptical person. Thankfully for him.
"Yes, really, the world I come from is called Earth, and the thing that is written down on the piece of paper that Anastasia had is a language called English, and it comes from-" Knowing that this would be easier to believe and swallow for the both of them - plus, it has 'eng-' in it - Subaru figured that this would be fine, even if it was oversimplified. "-a place called the Kingdom of England, and it came up with the language. But I don't live there, I live in a place called Japan, if you want to know.
His words caught Mimi's attention, and he was doing a great job of keeping it.
"*Snap* Goodness gracious, Natsuki-kun, are ya' really saying the truth?"
With a small snap of fingers that sounded like a gunshot to his ears, Anastasia made her way back into the conversation.
Shocked at her sudden questioning, Subaru flinched back a bit in his chair instinctively, with the quizzical look on Anatasina's face making it difficult for him to understand if she is being genuine or simply mocking him for saying an "obvious" lie.
"Yes, I am." Subaru would quickly affirm his claim. It is the truth, and he knew if he can't make Anastasia believe in him now, then, he'll never be able to make anybody believe him. "I promise you, Anastasia, that what I have been saying is nothing but the truth!"
To Subaru's worry, an expression graced Anastasia's cute face. One that he couldn't tell no matter how long and/or hard he thought, before it was quickly replaced with her usual teasing expression. "Well, I can see that you are hankerin' for me to believe in your words, Natsuki-kun; so I'll go-along with it for now and until you answer my question regarding Hoshin of the Wastes, at least." She also added under her breath, so low that Subaru couldn't hear it, "You claims of not being apart of this world until recently, does make a large amount of missing information about you make a lot more sense as well..."
For what Subaru heard and what he knows that he has to do, he admits that is... a difficult thing for Subaru to answer, considering his lack of information about a shit ton of things.
"I... can't. Look, I didn't even know that English, even as a concept, existed until now. So I can't explain why Hoshin knows it well enough to write in it." He clarified as he fidgeted in his chair. "We can, at the very least, rule out that he is like me; judging by the fact that he was mystified about the English language and was writing things done to master the language, but then... that leave us with the three people that were mentioned..."
Flugel.
Echidna.
Reid.
The Great Sage, an unknown person, and The First Sword Saint. However, at the back of their heads, they knew the one that most certainly taught Hoshin was, well...
""The Great Sage, Flugel.""
...
"That just leaves a can of worms that I feel like should never be opened."
"Agreed, Natsuki-kun.
"Mimi wants to say that she thinks that Subaru can't be the Great Sage; he looks way too different from the guy on the coin."
Who kinda looked like Julius, or at least had a physical appearance that was similar to that knightly pretty boy, but that Flugel guy had unique-slash-different physical features.
...
Still, he couldn't help but wonder if that Flugel guy was like him. 'Was that person isekai-ed to this world, like me? If so... Is there a system in place that transports people from his world to this world, sheer chance, or something else entirely?' Question filled his mind, and by the distracted expression that was no doubt on his face, Anastasia could quickly pick up that she was losing him, and needed to act quickly.
"Well, I suppose, I have to ask. Natsuki-kun, what do you mean earlier when you said that you were giving things to us?" Obviously by "us", she meant the world that she was in, and not just the three of them.
And with that, fear seized Subaru's heart, knowing that his secret, which isn't necessarily an important secret, is about to be let out due to his big mouth. He can only pray that he won't disappoint her, and thankful that Audrey is gone thanks to her having to help Old Man Rom with a cat problem.
"Well, this was bound to come to light eventually since I'm just some asshat who can't come up with anything original by himself, I suppose..." Subaru tiredly spoke, feeling frustrated by his big mouth and feeling weak by the idea that Anastasia would start to think less of him thanks to the fact that none of his ideas are his own... Although, inwardly, he felt that this was deserved as he isn't exactly a person who deserves praise.
"Hmm..." The purple-haired merchant simply let out a humming sound from her throat in response to his self-deprecating comments, and it unnerved him; it seemed to him that Anastasia wasn't regarding his words with much thought and was just content in taking a good and long look at his face, judging him or something.
"Natsuki-kun, I said something along these lines before, but really - you gotta respect yourself more."
And to his absolute surprise, the merchant, instead of pursing a line of question to satisfy her greed, chose to... Get up, walk around the table to stand near him, place her head atop his head, and ruffle his hair as if it was her attempt on trying to calm him down.
"Huh...?" Words dumbly came out of his mouth as Subaru's mouth dropped out of sheer stupification.
"For your sake, I won't pursue your claims of coming from beyond the Great Waterfall for now... Besides, I know your character good enough, your prejudice against yourself, and the fact that you aren't the type to give grandiose lies - at least, without a good reason. I figure. "
"Mimi also wants to say that she doesn't think you are a person that lies," Like before, Mimi found an opening to come back into the conversation and took it; the loli cat-girl saying something with the innocence of a child that made his heart feel a bit lighter. "Plus, Mimi and her siblings really enjoys mayonnaise, and even came here to get a jar of it, so she thinks that a cool person who invented mayonnaise is a good person!"
"Speaking of your inventions... It ain't worth a pile of beans to worry about originality, y'know, Natsuki-kun. Even though they may or may not come from your land from beyond the Great Waterfall; you are still the person who introduced revolutionary products to the people and sold them, so chin up." Anastasia also wasn't done yet, she still continued the act of ruffling the top of his head in a bid to calm him.
He had to admit, with Mimi coming out as a person of culture and Anastasia's soothing voice, it was starting to work to a degree... but he couldn't shake off his doubts. "But even so, I..."
"If ya can't find anything to be proud with your inventions and the like. Then, at the very least, be proud that you managed to say the truth, Natsuki-kun. For a relationship to truly blossom into something meaningful, both parties have to be truthful with the other, after all." She said, before she followed it up with, "In fact, I want to hear one yes or no from you - were you telling the truth earlier, Natsuki-kun?"
"..." Subaru couldn't find himself disagreeing with Anastasia's words; even someone like him knew that, unless one of the parties were truly head over heel with the other, a relationship could never work. "Yes... I was."
"Perfect. Than come directly work with my camp, and translate more of Hoshin's writings, Natsuki-kun."
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero. The pin dropped. Or something along those lines that helped his brain realize Anastasia's words, Subaru supposes.
"What?!"
"If even a lick of what ya' said was true, Natsuki-kun, do you really think I'll let you escape now?" She continued over his outcry of shock and confusion. "You are important, you are profitable, and most importantly of all... If you work with me, you will come to understand the importance of yourself and the fact that you are a someone who has created happiness in the hearts and minds of others."
"I-is that possible for me?" Subaru stammered, her words starting to get to him and making a hope burn in his chest. "Am... am I really that someone that special to others?
"That's obvious, Natsuki-kun." Anastasia finally managed to successfully turn about Subaru's mood, for now at least. "You don't have to abandon your friends either; I know of their talents and skills, and know that they will be really helpful to me - so consider joining my side, you won't regret it."
Strangely, instead of standing still, Anastasia signaled to Mimi that they were leaving this place; prompting the young girl to get up, walk up to her lady's side, and wave good-bye. Anastasia mimicked the motion, but it was more teasing than Mimi's, wordlessly telling Subaru that the rest is up to him and what follows is his choice.
...
She turned her back towards him, and started to walk away with Mimi in tow, if he said nothing, did nothing, well... Nothing would change, and Anastasia would probably try to have him translate Hoshin's writing at a later point of time - but this offer to join her camp would never happen again; this is a once-in-a-life-time offer, after all.
...
...
"Wait!"
He called out and reached towards her with his arm. She halted, but she didn't say a word or turn around, but Subaru knew that there was a small smile on her face. He walked right into where she wanted him. He knew that, since it was plainly obvious. Even so, he...
"Okay, I will take your offer, Anastasia! But first, I..."
"Have to inform your other business partners and talk to them about everything that has happened? Sure, that's fine, Natsuki-kun - but remember, an important thing for all relationship is to be truthful to one another, so no hiding things from them."
"... Thank you for the advice, Anastasia."
"I'll have Julius come get you tomorrow, Natsuki-kun.
With that, she and her companion bid the mean-eyed boy from another world a goodbye and left Subaru's premises; leaving the boy under the curious gazes of the TonChinKan trio as they wondered what the hell happened between the person that gives them money in exchange for labor and the person that they totally would've robbed if they met her a few months ago.
[C+ Rank - The Pseudo-Therapy Session Complete]
[Item Get: Piece of Paper]
[Item Description: Proof that Subaru achieved C+ Rank Support with Anastasia. It is the piece of paper that Anastasia used that holds an excerpt from the translated parts of Hoshin's writings after Anastasia had acquired what was essentially a childern's book of how to write the English alphabet and how it correlates to the alphabet in this world. It was extremely surprisingly for Subaru to see English in a world that has an entirely different writing system and language. Meaning, either, a fellow otherworlder had come in the past and taught Hoshin the language that came from Earth, English, or Hoshin himself came from Earth. It is also one of the primary reasons for Anastasia to have a bit more interest in him. Whether or not this is good for him has yet to be seen.
/-/
Her Perspective - Anastasia's Side [Extra]
"I suppose you are wondering what happened, Mimi," Anastasia starts knowingly. Mimi is an extremely simple person when it comes to her, especially when compared to the arrogant nobility, and the scheming and manipulating folk she had met and overcame with her words and wits. While there is a certain thing that she will keep hidden even from the others, and until she enters her grave, she doesn't want to hide what she's planning with Natsuki to Mimi. "... Then, again, I doubt it."
"You know Mimi well, Anastasia... Mimi doesn't have any questions or reservations whatsoever!" Mimi gave a happy smile, taking the opportunity to reach out and take ahold of her lady's hand, which she gladly gave to her. "No matter what, Mimi trusts you."
"Ah, shucks... Gosh, you'll make me blush if you say more things like that, Mimi." She gushed, happy with the strength of the bonds that she shared with Mimi and her siblings, and the trust that they had in her. It was a great feeling to have somebody like this in your life.
Which was why she acted the way she did with Natsuki-kun.
It wasn't out of malice, though. Subaru Natsuki just needed some advice to guide him. Natsuki-kun, back there, had a horrible look to him; she could see the self-loathing in his eyes, the acceptance in his body language at the idea of being belittled for his unoriginality, and she figured that less-than-kind thoughts were plaguing his mind which he would've yelled out at her if he wasn't being too mindful of the other people around him. So, with that, she made an offer that would benefit both of them in the long term.
Natsuki-kun uses his knowledge and talents for her benefit, and she acts as his faux-therapist and advisor to strengthen his self-confidence and belief in himself.
Sure, a lot of Natsuki-kun's words sound like delusions to her ears. but his claims of coming from the Great Waterfall and him introducing things that had never been seen or thought up before did explain a lot of things; if nothing else, she knows that it pays to be kind, and that helping Natsuki-kun out (and keeping her within her reach) until he found peace with himself...
Would make him useful, suffice to say.
...
"Say, Mimi, what do you think of Natsuki-kun?"
"Hmm..."
"C'mon, it can be anything."
"Mimi thinks that Subaru-san looks very weak, but is very kind; Mimi thinks the only way Subaru-san will backstab you is if he is as stupid as he is weak or if the world is revealed to be round instead of the flat world that it is, Mimi supposes."
...
With the words that Mimi had spoken. Anastasia supposes that everything will turn out to be alright, and, with that knowledge in her head, the pair proceeded to make their way back home at a leisurely pace, hand-in-hand. Although, Anastasia couldn't help but be frustrated with one unsolved mystery, one that revolved around the name "Echidna" being in Hoshin's writing.
'It can't be a coincidence. It just can't be...' Her free hand lightly grasping her scarf, Anastasia continued to ponder on why that name was there, and is also one of the other reasons on why she came to Natsuki-kun's place. 'Natsuki-kun didn't react to that name, so I can scratch off the idea that he has some semblance of knowledge regarding her, in fact... Echidna might refer to her creator, so... if I have Natsuki-kun read more of Hoshin's writing, then, I might be able to uncover more profitable mysteries...'
Alas, answers for that are only in the future. All she can do is wait and plan, she supposes.
/-/
The Aftermath - Subaru's Side [Extra]
After the whole encounter with Anastasia and closing up shop at closing time, Subaru decided that he should speak with the others. Tell the truth. Honesty makes a relationship, or so said Anastasia. He expected to only see Audrey at their shared home since Felt and Rom had their own place. He also figured, well, he might have to track down Felt and Rom in the early hours of the morning. Then again, Subaru only knew the bare amount of details about what problem Old Man Rom needed Audrey to deal with. Hell, she could not even be back home yet, he supposes.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, the world decided to overturn Subaru's expectations once he opened the door to his home; which revealed Audrey, Rom, and Felt in his living room, each with a cat in their hands and a bunch of other cats surrounding them.
...
"The heck is the look on your face, Boss?" questioned a certain red-eyed, golden-haired girl as she scrutinized the oddly contemplative look on his face before shrugging it off; Felt just thinking that he was just being quiet because he was about to perform another bout of weirdness.
On Rom's end, he could tell that Subaru was going through something and wouldn't pry until he was ready to speak about it. Instead, he waved him a hello. "Hey, kid. There was a bunch of cats in my place. Didn't want to get rid of them, and knew a few folks wanted to take care of them; so I took your lady friend and have her convince all of the cats to come with us so we could find them good owners."
And last, but not least...
"Oh, Natsuki-san! Welcome home!" The Unlucky Merchant greeted warmly from across her spot in the living room. It seemed she wasn't paying him much mind, and was simply paying attention to the cat in her hand, but it was obvious that she was waiting for his response.
'Home, huh?' He repeated the last word that Audrey said in his mind, finding himself feeling joy from it. After all of the negative thoughts that he had circulating in his head, hearing a welcome home from Audrey was like drinking a refreshing glass of cold water after being dehydrated for so long. His face was lit by the light pink on his cheeks as his mouth formed a smile. 'I wonder... if I came to this world to not be a hero that saved everybody they could, but rather... be a man who has a place to return to and people who were looking forward to me coming back.'
Honestly, all of the worries he had in his head earlier... was just seeming dumb to him now. He'd like to keep it this way, truth be told.
...
"Natsuki-san, are you suprised about the cats?" Sheepishly, Audrey freed one of her hands and rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry about this, really. We just didn't know anywhere else to house them, but I promise that these cats will be out of our home in a few days, tops!"
She was waiting. And he knew he shouldn't keep her waiting.
"Yeah. I'm home." He answered, him giving Audrey a playful wink as well. He knew from this moment onwards, this was his new lease on new life, or more accurately... him truly starting this new life. While he could never be the Subaru Natsuki that he wishes he could be, he has people that Subaru Natsuki can't let down.
Him starting life in another world from zero, starts now.
"Kid, do you have something to say?"
"Jeez, boss..." Felt had a feeling that her boss was going to say something unbelievable... Again. She also felt she might have a hand over her forehead for a majority of it. "Is it going to be another one of your bizarre ideas? I already got people passing out those weird books of yours and have found the people who were willing to work under you. If you want to work me harder, you have to raise my pay, got it?"
"Natsuki-san, just say something." so said Audrey Suwan, aka, his platonic female roommate-slash-best-friend.
The pressure is on. Taking a moment to collect himself under everyone's gazes, he felt the resolve in his heart strengthening. So much to say, so much to do. But he can't give up. Thus, he struck the iconic pose that he loved so much, and pointed a finger strongly at everyone to get their attention.
"Listen, everyone, this Natsuki-san has something important to say!" He announced with as much confidence that he could give them. His words, as odd as they may seem, caused them to visibly relax as it looked like whatever funk he was in was gone. It won't ever truly be gone, but this is the start. He really had to thank Anastasia once tomorrow comes. "Even if it sounds outrageous, or even just plain stupid to your ears, I want you to be quiet until this Natsuki Subaru finishes, got it?"
Silence. Confusion. Before three people nodded their heads in acceptance.
'Yes, step one is complete.' He can only hope that they will accept his words. He definitely won't give up on saying his piece until they believe him. He had to, for the sake of their relationship and for him to become a brand new Subaru Natsuki.
'... Probably shouldn't talk about my deaths yet, though. If I tell them about that now, they'll just think I am bullshitting them. Besides, nothing bad has happened in a long while, so I doubt I ever will die from unnatural causes again.'
Nothing bad will occur from this choice whatsoever.
[The End]
[Anastasia Support: C (Done)| C+ (Done) | B | B + | A | A + [Platonic End] | S [Romantic End]
[Next Support: Adelheid C Support]
Congrats on reaching the bottom, and entering what I have dubbed the Fantasina Zone! Thank you guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, for reaching the end of this story, on the day I uploaded this story, or in the future, for whom ever decided that the best way to spend their time was browsing old fanfic stories and thought this story was good enough for a read!
[-_-]
To give you folks the news, I have decided, upon intense consideration, to hold off on continuing the Anastasia and Shaula Support IFs for a bit... to create two separate stories for the both of them - one detailing the daily life of Subaru and Shaula until they have an encounter with one of the Gluttonies, the another detailing the misadventures of Subaru's squad and the Anastasia Camp until they have an encounter with the Witch Cults. I plan for them to be 5-12 chapter stories, but they may possibly be shorter. So no Anastasia and Shaula chapters until they are done.
However.. In return... You folks will get support stories that revolve around Adelheid, Ram, and... Priscilla, in that order. Unrelated Re:Zero one-shots, and stories outside of Re:Zero will come as well.
And, that's all. As usual, sorry for the lateness of this chapter and the possible OOC of characters, but I hope you like this chapter, nonetheless. Thank you for reading this chapter. Thank you for giving Fragments reviews. Thank you for spending your time in this fanfic! And I look forward to seeing you next time around.
Next Chapter: 8th to 15th of July
[New Story Upload: 15th of July]
Until we meet again, I bid you all adieu!