Sorry for the long wait. AN has info on that. Also sorry for the low quality chapter.
Important announcement in AN.
It was a calm winter day. The clouds overwhelmed the sky, blocking any hope for sun to pour through. Small specks of snow floated passively to the ground, undisturbed even as a bystander passed by. Snow littered the ground, puddles of ice that pedestrians and cars alike avoided.
It was a calm and, comparable to the day before, wonderful day. For the lives that dwelt inside Nishinomiya this was a fantastic day.
All except one.
Hours had passed since Subaru's last death. No one had noticed nor cared to notice how the normally quiet kid in the back of the class festered in anger. To them, everything was right with the world, and nothing could interrupt that.
The Gyaru's still gossips and ignored the teacher, who preached this or that. A couple that Subaru cared not to learn the names of still sent letters to each other from across the room. A few of the students still paid the teacher adamant attention, even if their lives were already heading to a janitor job.
It was like none of what happened last night happened.
That he didn't have a power that was a borderline curse shoved upon him. That he didn't argue with a Witch who knew every little thing about him. That he didn't have to steal his Dads gun to defend his family. That he didn't have to fight a burglar and smash them through a window. That he didn't have to reason with his mother's capture. None of this happened.
That His mother didn't die.
Yet all of that did happen. He had a curse that he was unsure how he got. He fought with a Witch, and two burglars. He watched as his Moms eyes became lifeless. Her once living body becoming a carcass for rats to feast on.
They were going to die.
"Subaru." A voice broke him out of his brooding. Looking up, he saw Echidna looking at him with… worry? "Are you ok?"
"Of course I'm ok. Why wouldn't I be?" Subaru said as he put on a fake smile. He still felt bad for what happened yesterday. He needed to apologize, even if she was the reason his mo- no, stop thinking like that. "I just haven't eaten anything all day and I'm just extremely famished! Do you still have that bento you made?"
"Aya, I see you have taken a liking to my cooking! Well, I won't brag or anything but I may as well be the best cook you have ever had the pleasure of eating from." Echidna said with no hint of shame. If anything, she was practically brimming with Pride. She placed the Bento on the desk and passed it to him. Subaru took it started digging in.
Echidna smiled at this. No matter what loop she was in, she enjoyed the fact that he always took pleasure in her culinary craft.
"It could do with some mayonnaise, though." Subaru spoke honestly. For him and the rest of the Natsuki's, Mayonnaise was king. It was like how they all shared the 'Evil eyes.'
"Duly noted." Echidna said, her expression unchanging. This concerned Subaru a little, for he didn't wish to speak of it. If she spoke true though, she knew how to pry it out of him. "Is there anything else you would wish for, oh darling King."
"More mayonnaise?" Subaru asked. He could have played along, but again, he wasn't in the mood. Echidna just sighed, visibly dissatisfied that he didn't play along.
"Well, if you insist on Mayonnaise, I can't argue with that. Although, I warn you, it'll be a lot more than you expect." Echidna spoke, her smile twitching as she spoke. That mischievous smile she gave him made him shudder. Almost made him regret his request. "Back to the topic at hand though, What is bothering you?"
"Nothing! Why do you think something is bothering me?" Subaru spoke, loudly and proud. Some of the students took notice of this, but didn't give him that much attention. Looking at her, he tried to dodge the question again. "Anyways, what do you put in this bento! I was to busy to pay attention to what I shoved in my mouth, but from what I can tell it's really-"
"Subaru." Echidna spoke softly, a mere whisper, but loud enough for him to understand what she said. His name was spoken, but with an underlying message. 'I am not toying around.' "What happened in the last loop?"
Subaru stopped his devouring of the Bento's contents. "I don't know what you mean? As you can tell I failed, so I just need to start from scratch, right? I'm sure I'll get it right this time!" Subaru then continued to devour his food, trying to hide himself of Echidna's disapproving look. "Besides, shouldn't you know with that all seeing Book of yours?"
"Indeed the book may hold the answers, but that was not the answer to my question, Subaru." She leaned her head on her hands. She was getting annoyed by his persistence of keeping her out of the loop. "'I failed' is not an acceptable answer. I wish to know of the circumstances in which how you died."
"I was shot in the throat, is that enough for you?" Subaru said, his voice hollow. This startled Echidna, but she was quick to hide it. Subaru tried laughing it off, but even he could tell that it was hollow, as was his voice. Subaru started stuffing his face even more to cover this up. "Man, are these squids? They're really good. What did you put in them?"
"Normally, no. And this loop is no different." Echidna said, ignoring Subaru's inquiry. Subaru stopped his crusade on the bento. Echidna smiled at this; it was amusing to see the different expressions Subaru had, even in his current state. "Now, will you talk to me or shall I force it out?"
"Ata, you're not going to let this go, are you?" Subaru asked as he leaned back. He really didn't feel like talking about prior events. "Also, you shouldn't threaten people casually like that. It ruins your image."
"Nope, and I expect you to learn this about me; I seek to record every different scenario you encounter." Echidna leaned into her hands again. "To put it in other words, I wish to become your personal adviser. To record every possible scenario that there is."
"Then why don't you advise me on what to do?" Subaru asked, almost pleadingly. This didn't faze Echidna however, as she had seen this many times over. "Advise me on what to do! With your knowledge we can find a way to kill- no to avoid this situation!"
Echidna sighed. She already knew where this Subaru was heading, and she wouldn't run the risk again. The signs were there, and it was painting a big red 'Bad End' sign. Countless times she saw this, and each time ended worse than the last, so With a heavy heart, she looked him in the eyes and gave her a answer.
"No."
It was simple, and she saw no reason to justify herself. Yet as she watched Subaru's eyes, something seemed to snap. Gone was the hope that shimmered through him, reaching out for her to help him. Replacing that seemed to be a brimming anger. A wrath she no doubt that could rival Minerva if she were to put the two together. Minerva would win no doubt, but that's only if she didn't constantly heal him.
"What." Subaru asked, disdain lacing his tongue. He looked her in the eyes, and she looked back, not budging one bit. "You wish to be my adviser don't you? Then start with helping me kill these scum!" He stood up, his anger flaring a bit too much. "You want to end these loops, don't you!? Then we need to kill these burglars!"
"While that sounds appealing, I refuse, Subaru." Echidna said. She could feel the other students staring at them, but she paid them no heed. The opinions of his classmates mattered little to her. "Again, I do hope you succeed in your goal, but I won't help you murder some mongrels that are just a dot in my history."
"I am not murdering anyone!" Subaru yelled. The more Echidna spoke, the angrier he got. Why wouldn't she help? Wasn't she in the same boat as him? Didn't she want out? "I want to eradicate a pest that has been festering in my home! An intruder that has no right living is threatening to kill me and my family! I should have every right to kill them!"
"Ara, it appears that you have fallen farther than I originally thought. This is very concerning." Echidna said as she leaned her head on her right hand. Her smile ever present, which created Subaru to no end. "I suppose you are a lost cause. I will just run the risks and wait for the next iteration of you, Subaru."
Finally, Subaru lost it. Reaching out, he grabbed Echidna by collar of her uniform and pulled her to him. Echidna made no move to resist, for there was no need to. Whatever Subaru planned to do wouldn't affect her, no matter how much he tried. He wasn't strong enough for that yet.
Leveling a glare directly into her eyes, Subaru couldn't help but see she felt some form of amusement from this. That just made his blood boil even more.
"You would allow people a family to be slaughtered for your own amusement? So you can see if I've fallen far enough for you?" To her silence, Subaru shook. Her smile was grating on his nerves. "You're more detestable than a Witch. I have never seen anyone as vile as you in my life, and there would be nothing I would rather see than you de-"
"Natsuki! Stop it!"
A abrupt force restricted him from continuing his rant. Falling to the ground, he could feel himself forced on his back and his arm pulled away from his body. Two large masses forced his left arm on the ground whilst his right was forced behind his back.
What was going on?
A sudden coughing fit caught his attention. Craning his neck up, he could see Echidna coughing, red marks framing her neck in a resemblance of hands marred her neck. No doubt they would leave bruises. It was concerning but that wasn't what worried Subaru. It was the fact that everyone was looking at him with a mixture of fear and disdain.
"W-what happened?" Subaru asked, a cold feeling in his chest. He was worried with the looks they were giving him. Was It connected to Echidna's coughing? Why was he on the ground? "A-anybody! What happened! Why am I on the ground! Let me go!"
"That's all you care about, you prick? All you care about is why you're on the ground?" A voice, male, spoke behind him. Was it the one pinning him? "You freaking choked her you psycho! She almost died because of you!"
"W-what?" Subaru asked, unbelieving. There was no way he choked her! He was angry at her, but that was about it! The thought of killing her made him nauseous. "I-I didn't choke her! There is no way I can choke her! She's stronger than that!"
"Are you even listening to yourself!? She's a girl! She's weaker than you!" The boy said as he twisted Subaru's arm even more. It was starting to hurt awfully bad. "Are you seriously going to act innocent after what you did! You're gonn-"
"Let him go."
The command was simple. The voice was strong. Striking fear in those weaker than her was easy, if not effortless for her. Getting what she want was easy, and this male was no different. The only one who could possibly deny her wish was Subaru, but that was just how he was.
How can you change someone's personality?
Echidna stood, caring for her now bruised neck and cursing herself. She knew Subaru didn't mean too, and was willing to forgive him for that slip up. He had a kind soul, if not damaged, and was willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. Besides, from her tome with him, he almost always cared for others above himself.
He could have easily let his parents die.
"W-what!?" The nameless boy pinning Subaru spoke in disbelief. He most likely couldn't comprehend the idea of letting her assailant go, Echidna supposed. Reasonable. But he wasn't letting go. "H-He just choked you! An-"
"I'm aware he assaulted me, but I see no reason for him to be the villain here." She spoke, her voice not hiding a tinge of her belief. She didn't see Subaru as the bad guy here. "He had every right to be angry with me. I had pushed him too far, and my hubris got the better of me." She looked at Subaru, who had unshed tears in his eyes, before she sighed. She didn't like this pitiful sight. "I repeat, let him go."
The boy looked conflicted. Rightfully so, Echidna admitted, yet he wasn't letting go. For him, it was let go of this awkward kid, who no doubt had a few screws loose, and let him get away with what he'd done or continue twisting his arms and give him his just deserts. One would get him a ton of praise; the other would please one person and the rest would undoubtedly scorn him.
Having weighed the options, he twisted Subaru's arm even more. This made Subaru squirm as he released a silent gasp.
"No." The answer was spoken to Echidna, who's face briefly contorted into anger before settling into its blank façade. The boy looked at her, before to Subaru before back to Echidna. "This guy choked you, and it wouldn't be right to let him go!" A few cheers from some of the other students bolstered his ego. Pulling Subaru slightly more caused him to start kicking in pain. "Besides, what if he attacks one of us!? You'd be held responsible too! He needs to b-"
"I care little for what happens to you or your excuses."
In a flash, the boy who had been twisting Subaru's arm was Now on the receiving end of that. Echidna had, while everyone else was looking away, grabbed the boy and pinned him to the wall.
"W-wha-!? When did you get over there!?" A random girl yelled. Echidna ignored her in favor of hurting the boy who dared ignore her order.
"As I recall, youre this schools lead baseball plsyer, am I correct?" Echidna didn't need a response, she alteady knew. Giving a pull made the Player gasp in pain. "This will be a warning boy. If I ever see you lay a finger on Subaru again, I will break this arm of yours into fragments." She whispered into his ear for only him to hear. "Do you understand?"
"Y-yes! I-I won't touch N-Natsuki again!" She released him. She would need to wash her hands of this filth later. Right now, she had more pressing matters to deal with.
"Now, Subaru. I want you to kn- What?"
When she turned around, instead of the always diligent Subaru, was a empty space and a few petrified students. The pathway to the door and the door itself open.
Subaru had ran away.
"Damn it."
He didn't do it. He hadn't done it. He can't do it. He couldn't have done it. It was all a sack of lies, told by Echidna and everyone against him. A illusion created by the Witch to fool everyone! To turn them against him! He was innocent!
'So why did you run?'
"Because I'm innocent! If I had stayed there any longer, they would have attacked me!"
'Really? You claim innocence, but innocents don't run. That honor is reserved for the guilty.'
"I'm not guilty! It was the Witches illusion!"
'There is a fine line between illusion and reality.'
"They were going to betray me!"
'How could they betray you if they were never with you to begin with?'
"They were! The Witch corrupted their minds! Turning them against me!"
'All you do is blame the Witch, but what has she done that was so wrong?'
"She denied helping me! She left me and my family to die! She's the definition of Evil!"
'Hmm? From what I can recall, she is the opposite of what you would consider evil.'
"She is e-"
'Shut up. Echidna has been nothing but kind to you since you remembered your endless looping. She has offered you an idea on stopping this loop, and what did she get in return? You comparing her to her friends murderer!'
"No! I-I-"
'Then instead of apologizing for that, what do you do? You choke her, after she made you a Bento, again! All because she denied helping you slaughter some pigs!'
"But she is willingly allowing this to continue! To let my Mother die! To let my dad die!"
'And did you not question her as to why? Why she wouldn't help you? Why would she risk continuing this pain and suffering?'
"I tried-"
'No you didn't! You cared not for as to why she wouldn't help you! All you cared for was that she wasn't at your beck and call!'
"How else am I supposed to feel!? She left me to die for over a million loops! She left me alone to fend for myself countless times! She let my MOM to die! What do you expect me to do!?"
'Save them.'
Subaru paused. What did he say? Save them? Save them? Save them!?
"That's what I've been trying to do!"
'From what I hear, all you want to do is kill them. That sounds much more villainous than a couple of burglars.'
"Shut Up!"
"Whoa! I just came to check up on you and this is the kind of reaction I get? I think I should have just listened to Kaz, save me the trouble!"
Subaru froze.
Where was he?
Warily looking around, Subaru recalled himself running in one of the many hallways of the school. Now though, he was on top of a staircase. A swinging door sat behind him, a pair of chains tightly wrapped around the handles making it difficult to go through. Unless you had superpowers that is. How he got there, Subaru didn't know. It scared him a little. Was he so frightened that he let his legs carry him wherever they wanted?
"Now you're spacing out on me? God, you're worse than Rio! At least she has the decency to appear like an airhead! You constantly look like you're listening, but really aren't! Rude, if I say so myself."
Looking up, Subaru finally took in the sight of the one who brought him out of his melancholy, if but briefly. Standing in front of him, a can in each hand, was a girl. Long flowing dark hair reached her back, with raven colored eyes. The happiest grin that could be displayed worn proudly across her face. A pair of gloves that covered her hands and arms reached into her uniform, the ends to never be seen.
Subaru recognized her.
She was a girl in Subaru's class. Top notch grades, passionate about everything, and a happy-go-lucky personality to boot. Everything she did she excelled at and everything she touched seemed to radiate life. Well, not that she touched anything directly.
No matter what anybody did, she never took off her gloves. Not when some asked (creepy request indeed), nor when getting wet or extremely hot. Nothing would get those gloves off, and that was a catalyst for rumors to erupt. The most popular one was that she was abused at home, and she wore the gloves to cover up the bruises and scars. One of the more notable rumors was that she wore them because whatever she touched blew up. It wasn't very popular, more of a joke than anything, but still an interesting one.
She was Shiina Tamai, school queen, the garden clubs resident caretaker, or as Subaru preferred to call her-
"Class Rep." Subaru mumbled. As he was about to let his head roll to the ground, he had the briefest of moments to catch the black can that was thrown at his head. A surprised look crossed his features as he looked at the smug Rep in front of him.
"How many times do I have to tell you to not call me by that stupid title! We've been together for how long and you still can't grow the balls to call me by my own name?" She said as she fell roughly next to him. She cracked open her can. "Seriously, if you can't do that, how are you ever gonna get a girlfriend!?"
"I don't want to hear that from the girl who can't help but talk about my genitals." Subaru couldn't help but chuckle when she spit out her drink, a deep red blush across her face. Subaru set down the drink, saving it for later.
"You know! That's exactly the attitude that would turn girls off from you! Besides your mopey dopey attitude, and your scary face… and your love for mayonnaise." She bit the thumb on her nail. "Oh, I seriously think your too far gone."
Subaru flinched at that, her words resembling something that a white haired girl had told him. Shaking it off, he covered it up by acting hurt.
"Gah! My heart! Why have you wounded me so!" She smiled at that, but even he could tell he wasn't fooling anyone. God, and here Subaru thought he was good at acting. Sighing, he looked down. "So, what're you here for? To get me in trouble or drag me back to class and make be apologize to Echidna?"
He wasn't sure if he wanted to.
"Echidna's her name, huh? Sounds nice. Anyways, I didn't come here for that. I know you well enough by now to know that you wouldn't apologize to anyone. Well, not meaningfully at least." Shiina said as she took another sip of her tea before setting it down. Looking Subaru in the eyes, he couldn't help but flinch when he looked into that sea of darkness. Something felt off about it. "You choked a girl, a girl who just transferred here a week ago, a girl who seemed to take a liking to you if the bento she made for you is any indication. And you choked her. Why?"
"That's none of your business!" Subaru barked a little too loudly. The suddenness of this cause both Shiina and Subaru to flinch. Neither had expected it, but the look Shiina gave him told him All he needed to know; she wasn't going to let up. Leaning on the side of the railing, Subaru sighed again- his eyes feeling heavy. "I… I don't know myself. One moment we were joking around and the next I was on the ground, and Echidna was coughing like she swallowed something disgusting. I-I don't know what's going on with me…"
Shiina leaned back when she heard this. She could have said a number of things, like "I understand," or "It's fine, everything will be alright" or something along the lines of that, but she wasn't a liar. She wasn't going to lie about understanding how he felt, when he himself probably didn't even know. She wasn't going to tell him that everything was going to be fine, when in all-likely-hood the White Beauty was going to press charges. Then at best he would be expelled. At worst, jail.
She hated sugarcoating things.
"Well, I can probably help you find out what's wrong with you, but I'm guessing that you'll just brush me off even in this state, huh?"
Subaru couldn't help but agree with her.
They sat like this in silence. Subaru, a pained look on his face, leaned against the railing in sorrow. Shiina, appearing indifferent, quietly sipped her beverage. Both pondering- What now?
"H-hey." Subaru spoke weakly, his face away from her. She nodded, even if he couldn't see her. "Why are you talking to me anyways? I-I mean I know you came to ask a question, but why? Wouldn't it be easier just to get a teacher involved?"
"Dumbass, why would I do that?" That response startled him. "Why would I drag a friend into the ringer, even if their time is limited? I would rather have them talk to me face to face than from behind bars."
"I'm not sure if that is reassuring or not." Subaru responded lazily. He knew Echidna wouldn't press charges. She didn't do anything to him after he choked her, so he was sure that she wouldn't do anything now. Especially after this loop, his mistake will be washed away. Speaking of- "Hey, Tamai-"
"Shiina." She interrupted. Subaru looked at her curiously. "Call me Shiina. We've known each other long enough to be close enough for that. Also, no honorifics, too formal for me."
"O-ok." Subaru stuttered. That took him aback. He was sure that he hasn't known her for long. Shrugging it off, he continued with the original topic. "Tam- I mean Shiina" that felt weird coming out. "If, hypothetically speaking, a pair of burglars broke into your house, with the intent to kill your family, would you kill them?"
They stared at each other for a while. Subaru, nervously waiting for Shiina answer. Shiina, looking deep into Subaru's hazel eyes, slowly narrowing. Fidgeting, Subaru couldn't help but feel nervous under her gaze. It was like he was being judged, which he probably was.
"Save them." She answered. Subaru flinched, again, at her answer. What did she mean by save them? Save the burglars when his family fought back? What? Seeing the confusion on his face, Shiina clarified. "I would save my family. If the burglars are after my family, I would save them."
"What?" Subaru grinded his teeth. That wasn't the answer he wanted. "You wouldn't kill the burglars? You would save your family? Wouldn't killing them solve everything?"
"It wouldn't." Shiina said, to the shock of Subaru. "The burglars are after your family, so wouldn't it be more prudent if you focused on saving your family first, then the burglars?"
"What?" Subaru stupidly responded. Shiina smiled at this, finding it amusing.
"Ok, let me put it like this- if the burglars are after your parents, wouldn't it be safe to assume that all they're after is your parents?" Subaru nodded. This made sense after all, why go for a obstacle when the goal was right in front of you? Subaru's eyes widened in realization. Shiina smiled even more. "I see you're coming around. If you remove their goal, that removes your obstacle. Meaning-"
"I'd be able to focus on the burglars." Subaru smiled. A grin wide across his face. "I think I get it now. I'm sorry to have bothered you with this."
"It's no biggie. But seriously, you need to work on your priorities. It's like saying you would rather kill the abusive father than save the abused daughter." She swallowed at that, before hastily drinking her drink. "Anyways, why did you ask that? Not planning to kill any intruders anytime soon, are ya?"
"Not right now." Subaru coughed. It wasn't a lie. It wasn't like he didn't want to kill the guy, but he was going to focus on his family first. Grabbing his drink, he popped it open, and took a swig. It was bitter; Black Tea. It was weird how all the girls he knew got him Black Tea. "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, how did you know I liked Black Tea."
"Ugh, you ask me this every time. We've been together since we were kids! You'd think I'd pick up on what you liked or don't like by now."
For the umpteenth time that day, Subaru froze. A chill ran down his spine as he slowly set down his drink. Slowly, with wide eyes, Subaru turned his head to Shiina, who smiled at him.
They've been together since Childhood?
She was lying. She had to be.
Standing up, she started walking down the steps, a sway to her hips that he may have found arousing if not for the shock he was still in.
"Anyways, I'm late for class. I'd suggest going home early. Gossip is already swarming the school!"
With that, she was gone. The feeling she left Subaru though was not. Fear encroached itself into him, as he pondered her words. They were friends since Childhood? That had to be a lie. A sick joke.
But why, in his heart, did he believe her?
Shaking his head, he shoved the thought to the back of his mind. This mystery was for another day.
Right now, he needed to plan.
Subaru had spent hours on that stairway. During that time, he had been given time to think. Thinking about the past, present and future. Thinking about what to do with the intruders. Thinking about what to do with Echidna.
He had come to many conclusions, and a few solutions. One of the many conclusions he had come to was that he didn't know what to do with the burglars.
Sure, he had changed the objective from killing them to saving his family first (he wasn't sure what would happen to the intruders afterwards), but that didn't change the fact that the events of the last loop changed. Only one of them had come to the top floor, while the other entered the bottom. The first loop had both of them coming from the top floor. Who could say that, that wouldn't change?
So Subaru came to the conclusion that he couldn't predict exactly what would happen during the loops, but he could still predict something similar would happen. The solution… was something he didn't really want to go through with, but if it was to save his mother, he would do anything.
So as he walked down the silent hallway leading to the school lockers, he couldn't help but bite his lip. Subaru really didn't want to do this, but if she was on his side, he was sure that everything would work out. No matter how much he hated her, and her insistence to keeping out of his affair, she was in this as much as he was. She was going to help whether she wanted to or not.
With this in mind, Subaru couldn't say he was surprised when he turned the corner to the row where his locker was, and a white haired Witch leaned on said locker. Her smile content, arms crossed and the bruises on her neck gone. Even with the recent events, he couldn't help but feeling that she could have cared less. In fact-
Echidna seemed to be brimming with joy.
Subaru didn't even need to say anything to gain her attention. When he stopped in front of the row, she removed herself from the locker, a triumphant look upon her face, her arms still crossed. It irked him, but he would swallow his pride, just for the one time. For his mother.
"Echidna." Subaru started. He said it in the nicest way possible, but it still came out forced. If Echidna noticed this, she didn't let it show. Her smile set in stone upon her face, it seemed.
"Yes, Subaru?" She responded, her voice cheery. It probably didn't even betray her true emotions.
"Echidna, I want to-" Subaru stopped, an unsure expression setting itself upon his face. Was this the right decision? Was it right to put his trust in this Witch, who let him die countless times? Who let his family die countless times? Biting his lip in anger, he looked her in the eyes. Subaru had to, not to kill the intruders, but to save his family. To make sure his mother didn't suffer again for his mistake, no matter how little. He took a deep breath, preparing himself.
"Echidna, I want to make a deal." Subaru started. For once, Echidna didn't seem to be listening just for the sake of listening. Her face was set in stone, like she was judging him and each word that slipped between his teeth. "I will not apologize for what I have done, but I hope you will hear me out. I want you to help me in this loop, and in exchange I'll let you do whatever you would want with me."
It might have sounded arrogant for Subaru to think that offering himself would hold any bargaining power; conceited even, but it wasn't. From what Subaru had experienced thus far, Echidna had a fascination with him. She had claimed to long to record every possible scenario in each loop.
Echidna, in response, merely raised an eyebrow.
"Alright. So, explain to me- why would you possibly think that I would want anything to do with you? Especially after you choked me?" Echidna asked, geniuinly curious as to how he came up with that resolution.
"Because no matter what I've done, you have stuck by my side. I have choked you, accused you of using me and compared you to your friends murderer, yet you still stay by my side." Subaru explained. He lifted his finger into the air and made a swirling motion. "No matter how many loops, you have stayed by my side, and if I had to guess, you will continue to do so after I've failed. There has to be a reason behind that."
"Oh? And what could that possibly be?" Echidna smirked. He couldn't tell if this was the right move or not with her. She could find this amusing or could be impressed by his intellect. Subaru didn't know.
"Your curiosity has no bounds. I'm not very smart, but through these three loops you have constantly placed flags down that makes it clear that you see me as something of a plaything. You listed off numerous loops where I succumbed to insanity. You have told me you wish to become my personal record keeper, and most importantly, you've left me all alone. To fend for my family and myself."
"Ara, that is true, but what makes you think I'm going to help off of you listing off facts? A child could accomplish those mundane tasks." Echidna spoke, her smirk increasing in size. It was borderline maniac by now. "What makes you think that I would incline myself to help with your cause?"
"Because you yourself have gotten bored of it." Subaru responded, Echidna smirk still on her face. "You stated in the last loop you wished for it to end. You say that this was fun, but that is a lie. I've no doubt ran through every possible scenario in each of these loops, and this one is no different. You've probably even had this same conversation, but it doesn't change the fact that you're bored. You want it to end so I can get in even more dangerous situations, which you will no doubt document." Subaru sighed, before holding out his hand, palm out to her. "So I offer you a deal; I will go through whatever you want, but I want you to help me end this endless loop!"
It was silent after that. Echidna staring at Subaru, and vice versa. That was before Echidna gave out a ragged sigh. Shaking her head, she looked at Subaru. Her actions contradicted her emotions though- she acted upset, yet was brimming with excitement. Even the most dense child would be able to tell her current emotion.
"I will agree, on one last condition." Echidna spoke, to which Subaru almost declined before biting his lip. He was so close. "What is your goal?"
"To ki-" Subaru stopped. He almost responded that he wished to kill them. While that was true, he did wish to see them dead, he had learned something important from Shiina. Saving people should take priority. "To save my family. My mother, my father. To keep my household free of intruders. Then afterwards live my life in peace."
Once again, silence was his answer. Subaru was a little scared he screwed up, before Echidna, practically brimming with excitement, turned around. Her back to him, he could her an audible giggle.
"I guess I have no choice then! If you really want to save your family, I feel inclined to help out!" Her laughter was slowly getting out of control. "Come on, beggar! We don't have time to waste!"
"H-Hey! Why are you laughing! H-hey! Wait up! I need to put on my shoes! And why are you laughing even more!"
To Subaru, even through the anger and pain, embarrassment and confusion, he couldn't help but smile as he heard her laugh. It was contagious.
For Echidna, she couldn't help but laugh at this whole situation. She had done this for years, and it was finally coming to a close. She couldn't help but laugh in relief. Subaru had answered correctly.
Also, a Subaru who was serious just looked too funny.
"Ah! Home sweet home!" Subaru stretched as he walked through the door leading to his room. Echidna soon followed suit, her expression having settled for a small smile. The walk up the slope had been silent, and for one reason or another, easier than previous loops. He suspected the Witch had something to do with it, which he was silently grateful for. His hate for her hadn't vanished, but he could put it aside until they were done. He wasn't that sure if his opinion of her would change after this, seeing as she was the cause for his problems… sort of.
As Subaru fell back on his bed, complaining about how stressful the day had been, Echidna took this time to look around the room. Never, in her eternity of Subaru's suffering, had Subaru invited her to his home. It filled her with untamed curiosity by the thousandth loop what it looked like, and to see it now sated that. It was a simple male room, and as she had guessed, came to be what she envisioned.
As soon as you entered the room, to the right would be a desk with a standard computer with some books stacked next to it. Next to that would be a dresser, with a TV atop it facing the Kotatsu and bed. Next to that, on the next side of the room was a sliding glass door, with a ledge outside. Opposite of the door was the bed, which if Echidna had a say, looked worse than her domains bedding (unfairly judged for her domain was literally a dream). To the left of the door was a closet that was closed.
All in all, the room was tidy yet small. Sadly, it felt dead in personality by the lack of decorations.
"I have to admit, I'm surprised." Echidna spoke walking into the room and closing the door. Subaru's head perked up at this, curious as to what surprised her. "Knowing how you are, I would expect you to have shelves full of Manga and Figurines." She picked up one of the books on his desk, looking it over. "Instead I find books full of literature, theories and historical events. Who knew the NEET Subaru Natsuki was a studious child?"
"Ha~? What're you talking about, Echidna?" Subaru said after he took off his school coat. Getting up, he walked over to his closet, and opened the sliding door. Inside, from what Echidna could describe, was a convergence of anime content. Light Novels, Manga, and Anime situated themselves on shelves proudly showing their titles. Atop the shelve was figurines of different series. FATE, Evangelion, Jojo and others proudly standing in their own Poses. Subaru smirked at Echidna, who had her mouth hanging a little. "Lesson number one Echidna! Never underestimate Subaru Natsuki and his NEET ways!"
"I'm not entirely confident that you should be prideful in a collection of Anime Figurines, Subaru." Subaru visible deflated to this, which Echidna continued to smile at. "I do have to admit though, it is a incredible collection. Maybe you would like to talk about them later?"
"You know how to strike where it hurts and stroke a man's ego Echidna! I think you're too powerful for the world of man!" Subaru said as she took off her coat and laid it next to his on the bed. Almost like a robot, she sat at the Kotastu, her legs hiding itself under the blanket before smiling at him.
"I wouldn't be a Witch if I was weak, now would I?" She said as she leaned her head on her hands. Subaru moved to join her at the table. Subaru leaned on his right hand, similar to her. "I have to say, whatever I was expecting of your family had been blown out of the water today. Your mother is a fascinating woman."
Subaru couldn't help but shudder at the memory. When Subaru and Echidna had entered, Naoko was on Echidna in a flash. Talking about how pretty she was (which she was), how lucky Subaru was to have her (was getting into the no zone), before apologizing to Echidna that Subaru was reckless enough to get her pregnant (which Subaru chucked a plastic cup at her which she caught and threw back and hit him dead in the forehead). Echidna for her part didn't seem to mind, which Subaru came to expect. He didn't know much about her, but from the briefest of time he had been with her, nothing fazed her. Well, almost nothing.
Afterwards, they seemed to hit it off pretty well. Subaru could almost say Echidna fit right in this wacky family of his. Maybe if she hadn't done what she had done, Subaru might have fell for her. Deep inside he wished they were both normal. That none of this crap had happened. But it did, and there was no changing that. Even with his power. That is reality.
"Please, let's not talk about that!" Subaru squeaked in shame. It wasn't normal for him to get flushed so easily, but with what happened with his mom, he could spare himself this once. "I suppose that this wasn't the first time you met her though, right?"
"Actually, the opposite of that is true." Echidna said, surprising Subaru. "Through all these loops, the privilege of entering your home and mingling with your parents had been lost to me. I can finally say that I have met your parents, or mom at least, without lying."
"Dang. I'm honestly surprised by this. So you haven't seen my Mother or Father once yet?" Subaru asked, to which Echidna shook her head.
"I have see your family before, just never met them." To Subaru's suspicious look, Echidna elaborated. "There was a loop in which you had to be picked up from school, and your father had come to pick you up. I must say, he is quite handsome. Makes me wonder how his son will end up."
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or a jab at my appearance!" Subaru groaned, before leaning his head on the table. "Anyways, I think we need to think of a game plan before dinner. Everything happened after then, so it's safe to assume that we don't need to fear until then."
"Agreed." Echidna said, before stopping. Subaru almost questioned her on this before she spoke up. "Subaru, before we begin, what will you call this ability?"
"Huh?" Subaru responded dumbly. He crossed his arms, his legs under the table and squinted his eyes in focus. "Well, I didn't really think of it with all that's going on. Why do you ask?"
"Just answer it." Echidna commanded. Her face was the embodiment of seriousness. This startled Subaru, but didn't let it show. He scrunched up his face in concentration.
"Well, I guess I could call it 'Rewind' since I'm technically going back in time-" Echidna looked surprised. This would have shocked Subaru if he knew her well enough. "but that sounds dumb… maybe I should call it 'Return by Deat-'"
He stopped. As soon as he was about to finish his sentence, he stopped. Why did he stop? He wasn't sure. But what he did know was that he wasn't safe.
Subaru didn't breath, not of his own free will, but from the simple fact that he couldn't. It wasn't like he was being choked, but at the same time he wasn't breathing willingly. He couldn't move. Not from someone forcefully holding him down, but rather having the ability ripped from his very being.
Echidna looked at him, her expression unmoving. Her chest wasn't moving either, signaling him that she wasn't breathing. The slow movements of her chest moving that was absent worried him greatly. Her eyes looked surprised, and her hair floated in the air in the most peculiar way.
'What is this?'
As soon as he thought that, a dark cloud formed in front if him. It started out small, like a pebble. Slowly though, it grew. So much so that by the time it was done, he couldn't see Echidna anymore. If the black mass hadn't scared him by then, what happened next would.
A hand- no, a claw slowly reached out of the black gas. It reached for him, its pace slow and haunting. Subaru tried to move, scream, run… but it was for naught. The hand touch him, and instead if him being pushed, he felt it move inside of him. Snaking it way from his stomach, to his lung, to his heart. It felt cold; and angry. He could feel as it perverted his body, doing with it as it pleased. Stroking his heart with what could be assumed a loving touch.
Then he felt it.
Around his still heart, he felt the claws clench. Pain enveloped him, as time flowed once again. Spasm of pain forced him to keel over, laying hid head on the table. Whatever that was, was gone, but he knew deep down that it had forever left its mark.
Echidna didn't make a sound when this happened. It was almost like she expected this. She slowly got up, approaching the downed Subaru before she placed a hand on his back.
Subaru felt a hand rub his back. It felt comforting, but he couldn't appear weak, not now. Not in front of her. Even as he thought that, he couldn't help but a cold feeling expand in his stomach.
"What was that!?" Subaru asked, his voice cracking a little. He cursed his voice, but if she noticed or not she didn't let him know. He felt a slight comfirt in that, even if he couldn't tell.
"That was Envy." Echidna answered. Subaru shot her a surprised look. Wasn't Envy the one who killed her friends? Almost like she read his mind, she nodded her head. "Yes, the same Envy who betrayed us all and killed all my friends. She seems to still be around after all." Echidna whispered that last part so Subaru couldn't hear.
"What do you mean that was Envy!?" Subaru asked. Echidna could tell he was frantic, worried even. "What does she want!? Is she trying to kill me!?"
"Nonsense, Subaru." Echidna responded calmly, still stroking Subaru's back. He didn't really mind it, seeing as it was calming him. "If the Witch was willing to kill you, wouldn't you be dead by now?"
Subaru couldn't deny that seeing as he could still feel the claws clenched around his heart, even though it wasn't there.
"Then what was that!? Why did she squish my heart? Is that a threat?" Subaru questioned. Echidna sighed as she got up and went back to her side of the Kotastu.
"I guess you could say it's a threat, but in reality it's more like a warning." Echidna explained, leaning her head in her hands.
"A warning to what? What did I do?"
"You tried telling me what your ability was." Subaru looked shocked. What does his ability have to do with anything?
"Wait! Why would she care about that!? Better yet, how did she even reach me!? Is that her power?"
"Well, how do you think you attained this ability, Subaru?" She gave him a smug look. It wasn't meant to insult, more as a way to tell him that she enjoyed that he was relying on him for answers… again.
"I-" Subaru stopped, her words registering in his head. What did she say? Where did he het this ability? "Are you implying that this ability isn't mine?"
"That's correct. Your deduction skills are better than I had anticipated, not that it surprises me." Of course, she knew everything about him. "Even if it was an elementary deduction."
"Then why did the Witch give me this power!? I'm basically immortal! What could cause someone to give me a… gift(?) like that!?" Subaru questioned a little to loudly. Echidna smiled, amused that he was confused, and for the answer she was about to give.
"It's simple, Subaru." She paused for dramatic affect. Subaru leaned in, buying the bait she had set. She smiled at how he was playing along. "Because she loves you."
An awkward silence filled the room. Slowly, Subaru's face turned red from a mixture of flattery, surprise, and anger.
"W-w-what!?" Subaru asked, confused. He looked her in the eye, almost like he was challenging her to tell him she didn't know. "Why would she be in love with me!? I don't remember running into any Witch besides you!"
"Well, you don't remember a lot of stuff, now do you Subaru?" He flinched at that. Subaru knew it was in jest, but it still hurt. "But to answer your question, I'm not completely sure myself. My Book of Wisdom holds the answers to the world, yet her affection to you is a mystery more than that of the beginning of time itself."
Subaru stared her in the eye. After a minute of her being stared at accusingly, he decided she was telling the truth. Besides, so far she hadn't lied to him… from what he could tell. Sighing he slouched back.
"Alright, then why did she suddenly appear all of a sudden? Was that her way of greeting me? If you want a guy to fall in love with you, you start with a hello, not literally grabbing his heart."
"That, I can answer. For some reason or another she wishes to keep the power she has gifted to you a secret. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say she wishes to keep this a secret between you two, as she would be jealous."
"What?" Subaru asked questioningly. "I don't understand."
"Hmm, let me put it like this." Echidna said, preparing herself for what she was about to explain. "If, say, you and a lover were intimate enough to conduct intercourse-" Subaru blushed at this. "- You and your lover, if both were respectable companions, would keep the act a secret instead of bragging of what had occurred prior. Both would like to keep it a secret. Same applies here; she wants to keep this a secret and would trample on anyone who wants to know." Echidna tapped a finger on the table. "If the flip side happened, she would get increasingly jealous of those who knew the secret , seeing as you would be willing to share secrets with them, but not her."
"I think I understand, but I still don't like the fact that some girl fell in love with me or touched my heart without my consent." Subaru sighed, before a realization fell over him. "Hey, if she's so jealous of me talking to other people about this, why hasn't she appeared earlier? I mean, we talked about the past… future earlier, so wouldn't it make since to stop me then?"
"I do have a few theories on that, but I will save you the trouble of worrying over those little things." Subaru looked at her quizzically, but ignored it. Seemed to be his motto lately *If it caused too much trouble, ignore it.* "The main component is that I already know. She doesn't mind if I talk to you… never mind that, she possibly wants to rip me limb from limb for this, but is refraining. Most likely it's because she knows I just wish to help."
"You took your time getting to that conclusion, huh?"
"I had my reasons, and no I won't tell you them." Subaru looked angry at this, but kept it in. Echidna smiled briefly. "I must admit, I expected you to be more exaggerated than this. You seem to be taking this in stride."
"Well, how else am I supposed to take it? Besides, if I blew up it wouldn't solve anything. Right now I need to focus on the present, not the past or the future."
"Says the guy who could time travel."
"Speaking of time travel, how do you remember everything anyways? I didn't really think of this before, but everyone else seems to forget besides you. Are you an exception?"
"You could say that. It's more like I forced myself to remember." She pointed to the hairpin next to her ear. It was in the shape of a black butterfly. "This, is a Magical Item I made myself. It took a long time, but I was able to find a formula that would allow me to remember future versions of myself, but breaks once I use it. So if I were to use it now, it would break. That's why I only use it when you die."
"I guess that makes sense. I'll probably freak out about it later."
"I'd expect no less from you." Echidna said with a smile. "I believe it's time to change topic. We should discuss the intruders and their intentions. I'm expecting something new happened last loop?"
"Yeah. I gained some Intel on what they want." Echidna looked happy at this bit of news. "and my mom…"
Echidna sighed before sending him an apologetic look. She could make all the excuses she wanted, but she still let his mother die. The worst part was, was that this was the loop where he would succeed. No doubt he will forever remember her death.
"I apologize for that, Subaru. I do hope you forgive me." She sighed again. "Anyways, what is it that the burglars wanted? Money? You? Valuables?"
"Valuables, sort of." Subaru scratched his cheek. "The guy holding my…" He clenched his fist. "Mom hostage mentioned something about a 'Catalyst.' It sounds something like a magical item, so you might know right?"
"You're right, I might know." Echidna cupped her chin. "Where I come from, many people are able to wield magic. Those that can't though, or properly at least, use a thing called a 'Catalyst.'"
"So they would end up using Staffs and Wands to output their magic, right?" Subaru finished. Echidna nodded with a smile. "Huh? Who knew Light Novels could teach me so much!"
"I'm going to disregard that last statement. Anyways, Catalysts are not that hard to come by- from where I come from at least. I have noticed a lack of magic in this place, which worries me a little."
"You've been speaking about this place that you've come from. Where is it? Is it Hogwarts!?"
"No, and I won't tell you. That's a secret that you'll have to find out on your own." Echidna responded, much to the frustration of Subaru. "Now, do you know if anyone in your house is magically aware?"
"Ha! If they were magically aware, I'm sure Mom would be using levitation to clean the house and Dad would constantly use water magic to hit me across the room." Subaru smiled at this, remembering the innocent days of the past when he used to be a Momma's boy. "Subtly isn't their forte."
"I can see that." Subaru looked at her weirdly before he heard a pair of footsteps run down the stairs. Subaru stared at the door before at Echidna.
"Was Mom listening in this whole time!?"
"No, just when you started speaking about the Catalyst. I must say, I need to try out that cup trick myself one day."
"Ugh! I knew something like this would happen!" Subaru groaned. He pulled at the bags under his eyes. "So, is there any other ideas besides the Catalyst being a Magical Item?"
"No. Other than that, it could be a name of a Musical Group, but that is Highly Unlikely." Echidna chuckled. "Is there any other information I should know of?"
"Yeah. Unlike the first loop, only one entered my room. The other went through somewhere on the bottom floor. Probably the back door?"
Echidna's eyes narrowed.
"Well, that's troublesome. If they had a set pattern, I would take care of them myself… actually no. I would have you help out, to build your experience." Subaru raised an eyebrow at this, but nodded nonetheless. "So, off the top of my head, I would like you to camp somewhere downstairs, preferably hidden. I'll camp out in your room."
"Wait! Why don't I hide in my room and you in the living room!? This is my personal domicile and I won't have you disturbing it! Also, how would we tell each other if they're here if both are on the same floor?"
"First, I want to be in your room because I like it here." Subaru shuddered. "And I believe the ruckus would be loud enough to call upon the other. I have full faith you'll make it through this."
"Then what about my parents!? I mean, how are we going to keep them safe?" Subaru asked worriedly. Having his eyes opened made him realize his family always came first. He wouldn't continue with this task unless they were out of the equation. Echidna seemed to catch on to this, to which she smiled proudly at.
"Don't worry about that Subaru. Leave this to me, and they'll come out without a scratch." Echidna smiled mischieviously at this. Subaru squinted his eyes.
"Somehow that makes me even more worried."
A silence overcame them after this. Echidna stared at Subaru, and Subaru stared at Echidna. Well, his gaze was a little lower than her eyes.
It wasn't out of perversion, but out of being in a daze. Thoughts flooded him with what was to come and what had passed. His mom and dad. Their deaths. The burglars.
It had been a trying two days.
"Now Subaru, I don't mind you staring at my breasts, but I have to warn you I'm not as well developed. To be completely honest, I'm a little disappointed with the development of my body. Maybe if I had the chests of Minerva or Sekhmet I would experience the condition known as back cramps."
"Heh! Sorry Echidna! I was lost in thought." Subaru scratched the back of his head before getting up. "Anyways, we have a long while before it begins." He went over to his TV, and pulled out a console in the drawer. "Wanna play some games while we wait?"
Echidna stared at him for a second, before smiling. This Subaru was just like the very first one, the one she grew to care for. 'I miss those days.'
"Sure." She said before sitting down on his bed as he handed her a controller.
This was going to be the last loop.
If not for him, for her.
Ok, so it's official. This is gonna be a Zero x Marvel (Earth-1610) x Young Justice. I think it would be fun and would give me more freedom to mess around. For those who worry about crossover contradictions like the Nova Corps and Green Lantern Corps, or Mutants vs. Meta-Humans, I have that planned out. I will be making a series of shorts tying the world together if you're interested. I'm also willing to listen to ideas for this and the shorts fic. It can be anything.
For those who are disinterested by this development, please forgive me. I hope you stick around though.
Now, for those wondering what the hell took so long. I read two Manga for inspiration and to take notes on story telling whilst writing this. The first one was Magi. I remember awhile back when Magi was on its very first chapter I hated it for being Childish. Years later, having matured plenty, I went back. Got to say, I took a lot of politics from this, in a weird way.
Now the second one… I suggest you never read. Not because it's bad, but so good that the ending made me depressed for hours. I'm still slightly hit by it, and thinking back on it, I tear up a little.
It goes by the name Narutaru.
For those who don't care for reason it- the ending consisted of a child going through the most horrifying thing you could think of as a 13 year old. Being the cause of the world dying by being unable to stop someone, losing the father who did everything for you. Finally coming to terms with your mother who left you for years, just to be shot gunned by some strangers who accused you of their lives being ruined, and going to your lover just to see him die because of some muggers.- definitely read it if you wanna question your existence. Or a good read. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Took away some good ideas from this.
So that's that. I should apologize for the poor quality of this chapter. I was mostly writing off the top of my head. I'll try to do better. And if anyone is wonder why Subaru was talking to himself- I know a few people, including myself who do that when stressed out. And Subaru has been seen to do that too when he found out his ability, but his it under the guise of speaking aloud.
That's all.
Reviews-
ireallyloveanime46- Well you got your wish mate. Now it's a three way. Thanks for the help in my decision!