Sloth Chapter 3: Coming together
Rigel led Subaru and Ram out of the hospital and started to lead them deeper into the city, wanting to check something out first.
'Damn it Halibel-sensai...I wished that you would accompany me with these two. Now it's going to be weird...'
Rigel thought of this before they went deeper into the city, heading towards the fastest path towards his home.
During their walk, Subaru looked at his surroundings to see that Banan looked rather peaceful compared to the stories he heard.
("Hoshin was Banan's sunset.")
("'Hoshin was Banan's sunset' is a saying based on the tale of how the legendary trader, Hoshin, brought the small nation of Banan to ruin.")
He remembered that phrase told to him by Garfiel Tinsel and the tale behind that phrase from Otto Suwen both in the same failed loop back in the Sanctuary.
'If what was told to me was true, considering the saying meaning to either surrender or prepare for an all-out attack, then why is the place that originated the saying be...well different.'
With this in his mind, he was still caught off guard that the city of Banan he presumed that the place would be a death trap for any newcomers like Ram and himself would be extremely peaceful.
As this was on his mind for a bit, he did look to see that a lot of the people around him were wearing much nicer clothing than him specifically. Even Rigel with the coat and hood he's wearing was still rather decent compared to him.
'Hm...I probably should change out of these clothes...'
Subaru turned towards Rigel's direction to ask him:
"Is it okay for me to get some clothes? I completely feel out of place."
"That's a first." Ram said which annoyed Subaru to a small degree.
Rigel turned towards Subaru's direction for the briefest of moments before looking forwards, annoyed at the situation he found himself in.
"Anyway, think you can help with that?"
"Why should I?" Rigel responded like a rebellious teenager.
"Okay, I shouldn't have to remind you that Halibel basically said that—"
"I know what he said! I don't need to be reminded da—umbass."
"Language!" Subaru said with his arms crossed, a bit annoyed at the way the kid was speaking to him. This just reminded him of when Garfiel hated him, though it wasn't to this degree where he was just throwing childish insults.
Ram looked with a blank facial expression though he was slowly getting annoyed by the way Rigel was acting.
Had this childish and misguided anger be directed towards her...the boy would not be getting away with any mercy.
The moment turned into a slightly tense silence with Subaru still annoyed by the way he looked compared to everyone else around him.
"Okay, is there any other solutions we can use for my attire problem?"
"You can wait until we get to my place. There should be something there that'll fit you." Rigel responded with a slightly aggressive tone.
Subaru would want to correct this but seeing that this boy has some kind of temper, he doesn't want to push his luck. He remained silent as he decided to just pay close attention to the structure of the city.
"Hey Ram." Subaru whispered. "If I recall, the city of Banan went downhill because of Hoshin, didn't it?"
"Hm?" Ram looked at him with a curious look. Subaru noticed this which caused him to continue to speak:
"The phrase, 'Hoshin was Banan's sunset'. Didn't it refer to how a legendary trader, Hoshin, brought this place to ruin? It looks too well run and successful to me."
Ram paused for a moment, a bit surprised that her ally had acquired such knowledge. She crossed her arms while taking a moment to think before responding to Subaru's valid questions with:
"I'm surprised. Lazy Barusu actually has some decent knowledge of something like that."
"..." Subaru just looked at Ram, annoyed. She continued:
"Well, you aren't wrong. The trader known as Hoshin brought ruin to what was once considered a small nation but from the look of things, the people here have managed to fix themselves up."
"Yeah but some of these looks are a bit too...familiar..."
"Familiar? In what way?" Ram asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Do you mean the look of Japanese?" Rigel said as he decided to enter Ram and Subaru's conversation.
Subaru was taken aback from this since he wasn't expecting the boy to know of such things.
Before he could even ask the question, Rigel figured what Subaru was thinking, prompting him to say:
"If you want to know, one of my parents knows about this stuff."
"Makes sense but which one?" Subaru asked with some suspicion, having a sneaky feeling that it is his counterpart.
"...wouldn't you like to know..."
Rigel's response did annoy Subaru since this isn't helping him in the slightest.
"I should also let you know about that phrase. People here don't like it so refrain from referring to it."
Subaru took note of what Rigel said, prompting him to nod while keeping himself from looking annoyed.
He hasn't been able to figure anything of importance except for the fact that Rigel is an oni and that his counterpart could have something to do with the world.
This prompted him to say,
'Hey, jackass, are you listening to me?' Subaru thought, wanting the attention of the watcher. He waited a minute or two before he got a response:
"Yes? What do you want?"
'You are aware of what's going on, so where the hell is my counterpart?' Subaru said this in his mind with an annoyed tone. There was another moment of silence before the watcher responded.
"You'll interact with him. Just be patient."
'You really are no help, are you?'
"If I guided you around like a child, you would learn nothing."
Subaru got annoyed by what the watcher had said. He stood silent as he just started to puzzle everything together.
'Okay, let's start with what I know. I see that Halibel isn't someone I'll have to worry about and he did give me important information, that being the fact that Rigel is an oni. Another thing is that one of the boy's parents knows Japanese ascetics considering how people are dressed here...unless that's just Kararagi? Nevermind that, if one of Rigel's parents knows about the word Japanese, then they have to be someone who was isekai'd. Given the fact that he is, from what Halibel said, part Oni and has a parent who is isekaid, then that means—'
"Barusu! Stop sleepwalking, idiot." Ram slapped Subaru in the head, causing him to snap out of his thinking mode.
"Huh?" Subaru rubbed his head as it was hurting.
"Focus on the situation at hand, idiot Barasu."
"What's going...?" Subaru paused on his question as he noticed that the lady from before was standing in front of them.
'Crap. As if we need another fight breaking out...'
Subaru was on his guard with Ram preparing her wand should she need to defend herself and her useless ally.
Rigel just stood still as he looked at the woman in front of him with a blank facial expression. The air was tense for a brief moment with everything dead silent until eventually the woman spoke out:
"Rigel, what are you doing with them? Are they still causing you trouble? Shall I…kill them?" The woman's eyes were slowly turning into one of bloodlust, causing Subaru to step back with Ram slowly moving her wand out.
"Last I checked, I was winning the fight. Not only are you still a pathetic excuse of a woman but a poor fighter."
"We could fix that."
The woman spoke with an annoyed facial expression, her eyes having those of death itself.
Subaru wasn't sure on how to handle this specific situation except for preparing his body to reuse Cor Leonis, knowing that this could possibly kill him this time.
Before a fight almost broke out between the two, Rigel closed his arms and spoke in a serious tone of voice:
"Zarestia! Please stop. These two...are not a threat...(plus I don't want to get in trouble with Halibel-sama again)."
Zarestia looked at Rigel for a moment, noticing that something had changed within the last few hours. She closed her eyes to hold the urge to kill just so she can understand why Rigel wants to protect the two that they were fighting. Once she was calm, she looked at him and began to question him.
"What's the change now? Don't you want me to kill them?"
"We talked about this...or well mom talked about this with you, you can't just kill people who cause me trouble. I can fight my own battles."
"Hmph. You barely were a challenge." Ram said which caused Rigel to turn towards her with a glare. Ram noticed this and glared back, the two locking in an intense glare for a moment before the boy turned back towards Zarestia, somewhat afraid of the pink haired oni now.
'Why the hell does she remind me of mom when she's mad...?'
Rigel thought this to himself while he looked at Zarestia. At first he had a serious face but after a few seconds, he turned it into a tired one. He sighed for a moment before saying to Zarestia:
"Halibel-sensai."
"Halibel? What does that wolf creature have..." She paused for a moment as she figured out what Rigel was trying to tell her. "Man, he can be a real pain. Why don't we kill them and pretend that they left the city?"
"Zarestia. Think about what mother would say."
Zarestia took a moment to think on what Rigel said, being a bit annoyed since she knew what the boy's mother would say.
"*Sigh*, she would say that it is wrong."
"And?"
"And that I should keep my urges to kill in check."
"Yeah, she would scold you."
Zarestia managed to keep her urge to kill at bay thanks to what Rigel had said. Ram and Subaru both noticed this with Subaru being relieved that things hadn't gotten violent while Ram looked with disappointment at the woman in the white kimono.
"That's so sad. The fact that mere words from someone who isn't here are able to make you stand down. That's just pathetic."
"Hmph." Zarestia pouted as she was annoyed that she can't do anything, especially to the pink haired oni who was being mean to her. Rigel and Subaru both also couldn't help but also feel like that was a bit out of line.
The four remained silent for a bit before Zarestia signaled Rigel towards him, wanting to speak alone with Subaru and Ram listening in. Rigel took note of this and quickly turned towards Subaru and Ram to say:
"Stay here real quick. Please try not to look suspicious. I will kick your asses if you try something stupid."
"Ha! That's funny coming from you." Ram said, knowing that she can beat Rigel without Subaru's assistance.
Rigel was tempted to say something back but he was too annoyed at this point. He turned towards Subaru, his look shifting into one of seriousness rather than annoyance before saying:
"Just keep her in check."
"..." Subaru just stood silent, knowing that anything he said could result in Ram's full wrath towards him. Rigel took note of this and just turned around to go speak with Zarestia alone. As he was going with Zarestia a few feet away from Subaru and Ram, the two proceed to speak.
"Ram, was it really necessary to be this...insulting?"
Ram just looked at Subaru for the briefest of moments before responding to him while having her arms crossed and her eyes closed.
"If they can't handle such words, then they are worthless like you, Barusu."
"Are you serious?" Subaru asked in annoyance, disliking the fact that she calls him useless when he was helping in making sure that she can go all out without any repercussions to her. Ram noticed the question and gave her a unique response.
"Considering that I did more than you, of course I'm being serious. A simple mind like yours can't understand anything, Barusu. So stop thinking and shut up."
"..."
While Subaru was left annoyed by this conversation, Rigel and Zarestia both turned to look at Subaru and Ram, waiting to see if they are going to do something stupid.
After a moment of looking, the two could start their conversation.
"What is the reason for this, Zarestia?"
"Well Rigel, those two look a bit familiar, don't you think?"
"..." Rigel stood silent, having suspected this ever since he encountered the two in the forest. At first he wasn't sure since there could be people that happen to look alike but upon closer examination and having spoken with the two, he knows who Subaru is.
As for Ram, he has some suspicions but he isn't too sure. Zarestia looked at the two for a moment before noticing something.
"That boy, he definitely looks a lot like—"
"I know! I don't need you to tell me that."
"Okay. No need to get mad. Remember, I'm still much stronger than you." She says this in both a teasing but threatening manner. Rigel just shrugged this off.
"Anyway, it's the boy's companion that has my attention."
"She sure is quite the annoying bug." Zarestia quickly said as she disliked how insulting Ram was.
"Yeah...I don't know her deal but I know she is an oni, like me."
"Another oni? That's surprising. There are only two I know of, one of them is dead."
"Yes, my parents told me about it. Heck, you accused my mom about—"
"A-Anyway..." Zarestia interrupted Rigel in a bashful tone, not wanting to remember a mistake she had made. "...this oni, she reminds me of your mother. Do you think that they are related?"
"Well...I mean I don't know. Maybe? I mean not every demi human looks the same."
"Yeah but she looks a lot like her, especially during the first few days I interacted with her and your annoying father."
"Hm..." Rigel went into deep thinking, trying to puzzle things together. Zarestia looked back at the duo they left on their own, seeing that Subaru was getting annoyed by something.
She figured it was probably something from Ram before turning her attention back to Rigel.
"Why don't we ask them if they know your parents? Maybe—"
"No. I mean yeah, that will make things easy if we want to know who they are and what connection they have to my parents but then again, I don't trust them. Especially that boy."
The two looked at Subaru and Ram one last time, noticing that they were having some conversation at this point.
"Would you like me to join you?" Zarestia asked, figuring that if these two prove to be a threat, she can kill them on the spot.
"Yes. Please."
"Okay. I'll join you. Plus, it gives me a chance to talk with your mom."
"About what?" Rigel asked in a curious tone of voice. Zarestia just had a smile on her face, thinking about how long it has been since she had spoken with her closest friend.
Rigel just looked at Zarestia, annoyed since he didn't get a response, but he didn't press on the matter either, considering that there was something else he had in mind.
He along with Zarestia approached the two for a moment, hearing the end of the conversation.
"You are still as stupid as ever, Barusu."
"You keep saying that but it doesn't answer my question."
"Hmph. That can be discuss at another time, stupid Barusu."
Subaru was going to say something but he noticed that Zarestia and Rigel were approaching the two. He took a deep breath to calm himself with Ram just giving everyone a blank facial expression.
"Alright you two, just continue to follow me and Zarestia. Do anything stupid and we will take you out."
Subaru nodded while Ram just gave Rigel a death look, causing the boy to just look forward, continuing to lead the two towards his home.
After an hour-long walk, the four arrived at Rigel's house with both Subaru and Ram on guard.
Subaru has a feeling that he will eventually encounter his counterpart while Ram was just on guard since she didn't trust Rigel or Zarestia.
As the four approach the door, Zarestia begins to speak with joy.
"It's been so long since I've seen your parents, Rigel. I wonder how your mother has been?"
"She's been fine. I've told you this a million times."
"Oh stop being mean, or you'll become like that hag."
"Hmph. You keep advising him like that, and he'll be an even more incompetent idiot than Barusu."
"Wait..." Subaru paused himself as he processed what Ram had said. "...is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Shut it, stupid Barusu."
Subaru returned to making an annoyed facial expression before turning towards Rigel to watch him open the door.
Just as he was about to, he paused himself for a moment. He turned towards Subaru with a glare, causing Subaru to wonder what Rigel is mad at now. The boy under the hood pointed at Subaru to tell him:
"You have a hood, correct?"
"Um...yeah?" Subaru responded with a bit of confusion. Rigel immediately told him:
"Put it on."
"Wait, why?"
"As for pinky, I'll have to figure something out. I don't want to deal with...what happens next."
"What a stupid nickname. You are even worse than Barusu."
"Hey! I pick great nicknames."
"Ha! Name one."
"B—" Before Subaru could even say anything in response to what Ram had said, he was rudely interrupted by Rigel, having had enough of this.
"Enough! I don't want you two arguing if my parents are here...(Please don't be here)."
Both Subaru and Ram looked at each other for a moment before shrugging this off, with Subaru listening to Rigel's request.
He saw this as an opportunity to investigate more without being instantly recognized but he also found it problematic with the fact that Ram could be recognized.
'I suppose improvising is the only way forward at this point.'
With that in mind, Subaru prepared himself mentally for whatever is to come.
The boy under the hood goes to open the door only to be surprised when seeing that it was open, making him think that his parents were home considering that the door wouldn't be left open otherwise.
"Mom? Old man? Spica? Where are you all? We got some guests."
'Spica?'
Subaru was caught off guard with that name, knowing it as another star name like Rigel, making him more suspicious of who could be Rigel's father. There was no response for a minute, causing everyone to be alarmed for a moment.
Rigel assumed that possibly some threat was trying to harm his family while Subaru and Ram were on guard, both not liking this feeling at all.
Zarestia on the other hand felt no danger and was just being oblivious to the tension. Before anyone could act, a young girl comes out of nowhere as she runs towards Rigel's position.
"Onii-san!"
She jumps at Rigel to give him a hug, to which the boy also returns the hug.
"Good to see you, Spica. Where is mom?"
"She's with dad. They are cooking somethin' big!"
"Something big? Wait, what day is it?" Rigel said with slight fear in his voice. She looked puzzled at Rigel for a moment before responding with a smile on her face.
"It's mom and dad's anniversary."
"...shit!"
"Language." Ram said as he hit Rigel in the head, disliking how one would curse in front of a young child. Spica looked at Ram with a puzzled look, feeling like she looks familiar yet unsure.
"Who are you?...Rigel, who are they?"
"R-Right...I should probably tell you that these are—"
"Little Spica!" Zarestia shouted with glee, happy to see the little one of the household.
Spica was caught off guard by the hug from the woman in the white kimono, causing her to be still for a moment.
"My, you have grown so much since I've seen you!"
"O-Onii-san...who is she?"
"Huh?" Zarestia paused for a moment as she heard what Spica had said. She sets her down with Rigel sighing for a moment before being able to respond to his sister's question.
"Think of her like an aunt. She came by a long while back to visit our parents."
"Aunt? You mean Aunt Tia?"
"Yes! That's me!"
"Th-The one who tried to kill mom."
"...why did they tell you that story?" Zarestia said as she looked down with shame.
"Oh, onii-san told me." Spica said with a cute smile. Zarestia had a moment where she twitched before turning towards Rigel with anger.
"Wait a minute Zarestia—"
"—Why? Why the hell would you tell such a story like that?"
"Hold on, Zarestia, I—"
"Not to mention that I gave you that bracelet as a gift so we can spend more time together and you haven't once called me."
Rigel was slowly stepping back as the bloodlust was returning into Zarestia's eyes. The boy turns towards Subaru and Ram to request their aid.
"Guys, come on. A little help would be nice."
"Nah, I think it's your problem. Don't you think, Ram?" Subaru said this in a smug like tone, getting a little payback for the way Rigel had been treating him earlier.
Ram smiled as she followed with:
"For once you are right, Barusu. This isn't our problem."
"You sons of—"
Before he could finish the sentence, he noticed Zarestia swing her fist directly at his face, prompting him to dodge.
'Shit!'
"Hey! No dodging attacks!"
"S-Spica, get mom! Quick!"
"You got it, Onii-san!"
Spica says this proudly before starting to run towards the kitchen area of the new house her family had gotten.
Zarestia noticed this, distracting her long enough for Rigel to start making a run for it towards the kitchen as well. Both Subaru and Ram couldn't help but find this all amusing.
"That was something."
"Hm. Well then, Barusu. What is the plan now?"
"Well—"
Subaru in that very moment, had a couple of memories of this world's Subaru to hit him hard. He collapsed to the ground as he was overwhelmed by the amount of things he was learning.
("Run away with me.")
("...I'm sorry...I'm sorry. I'm...so weak...so...everything's my...")
("With that dog face, you must be Hal-san. Don't startle me.")
("As expected of the rumored Magoji palace…it's so huge.")
("We have a child…a baby. And that…makes me…")
("I'm not talking about Tia. I'm going to believe in the eyes of my wife, the one who persuaded Tia.")
("…There's no running away anymore.")
("Y─Yeah, I got one. I have one. If it's a girl, Spica. If it's a boy...")
'...Rigel...'
Subaru got up once all the overwhelming memories finally stopped.
"Barusu! What happened?" Ram said in a stern voice, trying to avoid any signs of worry. Subaru looked at her for a moment before looking forward as he noticed a shadow slowly appearing.
"D-Don't worry about me. Someone's coming."
Ram noticed this and quickly grabbed Subaru by the collar to assist him in getting back at his feet.
As she did this, the two look to see someone with long blue hair and in a different kimono than Zarestia's, despite sharing some of the same color patterns.
"Who did you bring with you, Rigel?" The woman asks before looking at the door, her eyes at first at a pause as she tries to process what she is seeing.
Ram and Subaru were also thrown off by this since they immediately realized who this was.
"N-No way..."
"..."
"..."
The room was filled with silence for a brief moment before another voice was heard coming from the right side of the woman with blue hair.
"The food is almost ready, I just need your help...hey, what's wrong?"
The man with slightly longer hair than Subaru and wearing a darker kimono appeared to check on his wife, noticing that something was up.
He turned to see what was making his wife have tears in her eyes.
As he looked to see who it was, he also was surprised. Subaru took off his hood to reveal himself, catching the woman and the man completely off guard. Nothing could be said here other than just pure silence.
Author's note:
Got to thank Cloud Link Zero once again for this chapter, go check out his Rigel if story.
So, I do want to say that for the next chapter, I'm putting my all into it because I want to give it Episode 18 (From Zero) vibes.