[Volume 1 - Chapter 6]

[Mine And Craft]

Subaru was in the basement of his house all alone. The basement was a small one, cluttered with various household equipments and other things which would have taken up too much space in the other rooms. All in all, a perfect place to hide his newest project.

He moved towards the right end of the basement. After moving a few things out of the way, he touched the ground. "[Mine]!" He shouted.

The hard floor broke with a slight tremor as he felt something enter his body. "What was that?." He asked, looking at the now 1 cubic meter hole in the ground which had appeared in an instant.

He peeked into the hole as he touched the inner walls of the hole. "The edges seems sharp and the sides are extremely smooth despite it being made up of hard rock. The dimensions also seem to be 1-by-1-by-1 cubic meter." He was perplexed. "The question still remains... What happened to the removed material?" As he pondered this, a different screen opened up infront of him.

The screen had 4 rows with 9 coulumns each. "About 36 slots. Still why is the last row a little seperated from the rest." He questioned the strange design of the system. "Looks like some sort of hotbar."

As he moved his eyes to the the first slot, he found the item he had broken. A meter cube of [Foundation Material] "An inventory? That's oddly convenient."

Subaru chuckled to himself as he examined the inventory system. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. After all, all of this is a game. Only i can see the truth of this world."

"Now back to the digging." He jumped into the hole and placed his hand in the middle. "2 meter should be deep enough. At least for now. I should also create a small room on that level." He thought.

Subaru sat in a small room of 3 meters in all directions. Resting with his back on the wall.

"Huff... Huff..." Subaru breathed heavily, tired by the heavy work he had been doing. "I did not expect this to be this stressful. I have no energy left." He fell to the floor due to sheer exhaustion.

"Subaru honey we are home! Where are you?" Much to his worry, his parents were back from wherever they had gone to.

"Shouldn't they have taken a little more time?" He climbed out of the hole and moved out of the basement. He closed the door with care in an attempt to not draw any attention to him.

"What were you doing there?" But just as always, his didn't really mattered.

"Eek!!!" He turned around and saw both Naoko and Kenichi looking at him with intrigue. "What should i tell them? Will they believe me?" Subaru's mind ran hundreds of scenarios in his mind.

"Now Now Kenichi. What did i tell you about scaring Subaru?" Naoko slightly tightened her grip around her husband's arm.

"Owie! Honey i was just messing with him. It's just that i never saw him so flustered before." Kenichi turned apologetic towards his wife.

"Still honey, what were you doing in there?" Naoko asked with worry.

Seeing her mother worry for him was not something Subaru deserved. "How worthless of me. To make them worry about my irredeemable self. But i can't allow them to worry about me any longer." He thought as he turned towards his mother with a smile.

"I was trying to find some... tools." He said with a little hesitation of a child who was caught doing something wrong.

"But why?" Instead of telling Subaru to not do such things again, both Naoko and Kenichi urged him to tell them more about the reasons.

"I saw things in a book. I want to try them." He said with a childish passion.

"Is it about the mechanical engineering book?" Kenichi asked with a sigh. "I wanted to talk about this when you and your mother would have been ready."

He paused, looking deeply into the eyes of his son. "Well at least you look ready to hear it." He ruffled Subaru's hair gently. "Come both of you. The dust here makes breathing too hard."

They all went to the living room. Kenichi and Naoko sat at one side and Subaru sat opposite to them. "So... what did you want to talk about?" He asked unsure of what his father was going to say.

"Did you meet the principal? He had called me about your first day in school." Said Kenichi.

"This... could turn out to be bad for me. But why did the principal call him?" He thought.

"Hum!" He nodded. "He also called a professor to test me but i answered all of his questions." Subaru said knowing full well that his parents would dismiss his words.

"No way! A child cannot do such things." Kenichi shook his head.

"Hopefully, he will not question me any further." Subaru was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Or at least that was what i told the principal and myself." This was enough to send Subaru into panic.

"Honey, What are you saying?" Naoko asked, ignorant of what Kencihi was saying. "Did my Subaru do something bad?" She asked hesitantly.

"No. No. Infact the opposite. I had gotten a call from the principal about how he our Subaru is a genius." Kenichi stopped to choose his next words carefully. "It's just that i didn't believe what the principal said." He said, feeling guilt at his negligence.

"Was i not supposed to answer him?" Subaru acted meekly.

"Truly I am a monster. A facade. To lie and control one's very own parents is a grave sin." He controlled his urges of self-harm. Otherwise, the floor would have been covered with ripped out hairs and nails.

"Subaru, it's okay. You did nothing wrong." Naoko reassured him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "In fact, we're proud of you. You have a gift and we want to help you nurture it."

Kenichi nodded in agreement. "We just need to figure out how to support you in the best way possible. Maybe we can talk to the principal and see if there are any special programs or opportunities for gifted students."

Subaru looked up at his parents, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude wash over him. "Thank you," he whispered, tears forming in his eyes.

Kenichi and Naoko smiled at their son, happy to see him feeling more at ease. "We love you, Subaru," Naoko said, pulling him into a hug.

"We'll always be here for you," Kenichi added, joining the embrace.

Subaru hugged his parents tightly, feeling grateful for their understanding and support. For a moment, he forgot about his worries and fears. He felt safe and loved.

After a while, they released each other from the embrace, and Kenichi cleared his throat. "So, about your education, Subaru. We want to make sure that you get the best possible education that suits your needs."

Subaru looked at his parents, wondering what they had in mind. "What do you mean?"

"We're thinking of hiring a tutor for you. Someone who can teach you at your own pace and level, and help you reach your full potential," Naoko explained.

Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. "A tutor? That sounds expensive."

"We can afford it, Subaru. Regardless your education is more important to us" Kenichi said, reassuringly.

Upon hearing his parents' proposal about hiring a tutor for him, Subaru hesitated for a moment. He knew that his parents only had his best interest in mind, but he couldn't help but feel uncertain about it.

"Mom, Dad, I appreciate your concern, but I don't think I need a tutor. I'm doing fine in school, and I'm managing to keep up with the lessons," he said, trying to sound confident.

Kenichi and Naoko exchanged a glance, not entirely convinced. "But Subaru, you're not like other kids. You have a special gift, and we want to make sure that you're reaching your full potential," Kenichi said.

"I know, Dad, but I don't want to be treated differently. I want to be like other kids, to learn and grow at my own pace," Subaru said, looking down.

Naoko put a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him. "We understand, Subaru, but we also want to make sure that you're not held back by the system. Sometimes, the education system is not equipped to handle students like you, and we don't want you to miss out on opportunities because of that."

Subaru looked at his mother, feeling torn. He knew that she was right, but he also didn't want to feel like he was different or isolated from his peers.

"Can we think about it for a while?" he asked, hoping to find a compromise.

Kenichi and Naoko nodded, understanding their son's concerns. "Of course, Subaru. We're not going to force you into anything. We just want to help you in any way we can," Kenichi said.

Subaru felt relieved, knowing that his parents respected his opinions and choices. He knew that they only had his best interest in mind.

After thinking for a while, Subaru decided to express his idea to his parents. "Actually, there's something that I've been thinking about. What if I had access to the internet at home, so that I could learn and study online?"

Kenichi and Naoko looked at each other, surprised by the suggestion. "What do you mean, Subaru?" Naoko asked with curiosity.

"I mean, there's so much information online. I could find tutorials, courses, and resources that could help me learn and improve my skills," Subaru explained.

Kenichi and Naoko nodded, impressed by their son's idea. "That's a good point, Subaru. The internet can be a powerful tool for learning," Kenichi said.

"But we also need to be careful about what you access online, Subaru. We don't want you to be exposed to inappropriate content or become addicted to the internet," Naoko added, not fully convinced.

Subaru nodded, understanding his parents' concerns. "I know, Mom. But I promise to use it responsibly. And I can show you what I'm learning, and we can discuss it together," he said, hoping to convince them.

Kenichi and Naoko looked at each other again, considering the proposal. After a moment of silence, Kenichi spoke up. "Okay, Subaru. We'll think about it. But if we allow you to have access to the internet, there will be rules and limits that you need to follow."

Subaru felt relieved and grateful for his parents' consideration. "Thank you, Dad. I understand, and I promise to be responsible," he lied through his teeth.

Kenichi and Naoko smiled at their son, feeling proud of his maturity and responsibility. They knew that they had a bright and talented son, and they wanted to do everything they could to support him.

Kenichi and Naoko looked at the clock and realized it was getting late. "Okay, Subaru. It's getting late, and you need to rest. We'll talk more about this tomorrow," Naoko said.

Subaru nodded, feeling tired but also excited about the possibilities. "Okay, Mom. Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Mom," he said, getting up from the couch.

"Goodnight, Subaru. Sleep well," Kenichi said, giving his son a pat on the back.

Naoko hugged him, feeling proud of his courage and determination. "Sweet dreams, Subaru. We love you," she said, kissing his forehead.

Subaru smiled, feeling warm and safe in his parents' embrace. "I love you too, Mom. I love you too, Dad," he said, before heading to his room.

As he lay in bed, Subaru thought about the conversation he had with his parents. He knew that there were still challenges and obstacles ahead, but he also felt optimistic and hopeful. He knew that he had his parents' love and support, and that soon all the knowledge and resources of the world would be at his fingertips. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, feeling grateful for the opportunities that lay ahead.

The next day, the sun rose. Warm and golden light scattered across the room. Subaru woke up feeling refreshed and energized, eager to start a new day.

"May this day bring me closer to the truth." He wished to whatever higher power out there.

He got out of bed, stretched his limbs, and walked to the window to look outside. The view was breathtaking. A clear blue sky, a gentle breeze, and the sound of birds chirping in the distance.

Subaru smiled, feeling grateful for the simple joys of life. He went to the bathroom, washed his face, brushed his teeth. He was ready for whatever the day would bring.

As he walked to the kitchen, he smelled the aroma of fresh coffee and toast. He opened the door and saw his parents, sitting at the table, with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of them.

"Good morning, Subaru. Did you sleep well?" Naoko asked, smiling at her son.

"Yes, Mom. I had a good night's sleep. Thanks," Subaru replied, feeling energized and excited.

Kenichi poured him a glass of orange juice and sat down at the table with him. "So, Subaru. About your idea of learning online. We've been discussing it, and we think it's a good idea. But we also want to make sure that you have the proper tools and resources to make the most of it."

Subaru's eyes widened with excitement. "Really, Dad? That's great! What do you mean by tools and resources?" He asked.

Kenichi smiled, feeling proud of his son's enthusiasm. "Well, we're going to get you a new laptop, with all the necessary software and applications. And we're also going to subscribe you to an online learning platform, where you can access a wide range of courses and tutorials."

Subaru couldn't believe his ears. He had never owned a laptop before, and the thought of having access to an online learning platform was overwhelming. How could his undeserving being ever repay such a blessing. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. This means so much to me," he said, feeling grateful and emotional.

"SO!SO!SO! UNWORTHY!!!" Subaru felt his mad urges surfacing once again. "Control yourself Subaru. This is a happy day for you. Don't ruin it for them!" He thought. Thankfully he got his senses back more quickly. He found it strange but did not thought

Naoko hugged him, feeling happy and proud of her son. "You deserve it, Subaru. You have a passion for learning, and we want to support you in every way we can." She said gently.

Subaru hugged his mother back, feeling loved and supported. He felt blessed and grateful, and he knew that making the most of this second chance would now be a lot easier.

"...Mom? Please let me go. I have school today, remember?" Subaru tried to escape his mother's tight embrace but for some reason could not budge her grip even with his newly achieved strength.

"Oh. Sorry Subaru. Are you hurt?" Naoko asked with worry.

"Hurt? No" Seeing the relief on his mother's face, he thought of teasing her.

"But late? Absolutely."

Without waiting for her comeback, Subaru ate the breakfast with haste and got dressed in his school uniform, neatly ironed and pressed by his mother the night before.

As he and Kenichi walked down the stairs, Naoko put their lunches in their respective bags.

Kenichi patted him on the back. "Study hard, son. You have a bright future ahead of you. Just like your dad?" He said, feeling proud of his son's determination.

Subaru felt a surge of love and gratitude for his parents. He knew that they supported him in every way, and he wanted to make them proud. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. I'll do my best," he said, feeling motivated and energized.

As he left the house and walked to school, he couldn't help but think of how lucky he was to have such supportive parents.

"Both of them love and support me so much, they're like the ultimate cheat code for life!" he chuckled to himself, feeling grateful for the love and support his parents gave him.

He knew that days like these were limited for him. "Still i won't give up." He shouted, his fist raised towards the sky.

As he arrived at school, he greeted his friends and classmates, hiding behind a happy go lucky facade.

He sat on his seat with his head on the desk. "I need to start a bullying incident... The only issue is that most children at 6 years old aren't that toxic. I will have to think of something else-"

Before he could complete his sentence, a slightly fat boy approached him. Two lanky kids hid behind the fat kid. "Hey You!" One of the lanky kid rudely called him.

"Hum!" Subaru straightened his back. His body language changing from apathetic to scared in an instant.

"Just one hit and I can go to the teacher crying." He calculated without showing any attention to them.

"You should answer us if you know what's good for you!" Spoke the lanky kid number 2.

"Just one punch and i get transferred to a better school. That is all i am asking of you imbeciles." Subaru was getting tired of the gibberish these kids called speech.

As they continued to taunt him, Subaru remained silent, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of a response. However, his bullies lacked the spine to do any physical harm.

Suddenly, a teacher entered the classroom and the bullies quickly dispersed, leaving Subaru alone. He let out a sigh of frustration as he turned his focus towards his studies.

After school, Subaru walked out of the school building and much to his surprise, he was greeted by his parents. Naoko gave him a warm smile and said, "How was school today, Subaru?"

Subaru smiled back at her and replied, "It was okay, Mom. Nothing out of the ordinary happened."

Kenichi put his arm around Subaru's shoulder and said, "Well, that's good to hear. How about we go get some ice cream? We can celebrate your first week of school."

Subaru's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, please! I would love that," he said, feeling grateful for his parents' love and support.

As they walked to the ice cream shop, Subaru talked about his day, telling his parents about the lessons he had learned and the absence of the only friend he had made.Naoko and Kenichi listened attentively, proud of their son's intelligence and curiosity.

Though for some reason, hearing about his new friend caused an unnoticeable change in their speech. Or at least it would have been if the observer was anyone other than their son Subaru.

At the ice cream shop, Subaru ordered his favorite flavor, strawberry, and savored every bite. He felt happy and content, surrounded by the love of his parents and the sweetness of the ice cream.

As they walked back home, Naoko said, "Subaru, we're so proud of you. You're such a smart and kind boy, and we know that you'll do great things in life."

Subaru blushed, feeling shy but happy. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. I love you both," he said, feeling grateful for his loving family.

"And we love you too Subaru." Both of them said in unison.

Kenichi lifted him up on his shoulders. All three of them felt happy and blessed to have such a wonderful family. They walked back home, holding hands and feeling grateful for the simple yet precious moments of life.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

You can join my discord with this link. Just remove the space.

https/ discord. gg/ 4wyxB4tHhK

In about 6 chapters, the story will do a timeskip to the re zero world. I will put that story in a different volume.

Also should this fic be multiversal?

Also I changed the [Break] to [Mine]. This is because [Mine And Craft] sounds better than [Break And Craft].