"Well, you know what? He didn't even make a single move throughout the entire night, and then, poof! He vanished into thin air...I am disappointed," Subaru grumbled, his disappointment evident in his voice. He stared at the majestic sunrise, feeling a mix of frustration and relief.
"It's such a shame, I really had this intense desire to spill someone's blood and crush skulls. However, upon reflection, I realized that even if that individual happened to be weaker than me, his strength could have posed a serious threat to ram and rem and their parents. So, in retrospect, I'm actually relieved that he didn't launch an attack because it could have resulted in some of them getting hurts. Nevertheless, I can't help but recall his distinct scent."
Subaru mused, absentmindedly scratching his nose as he pondered over the lingering fragrance of the mysterious person he sensed the night before.
Among the various scents that wafted from the unknown person, Subaru's senses were particularly drawn to a strong aroma of makeup. It was an overwhelming amount, almost suffocating in its intensity. The sheer quantity of cosmetics detected in their scent left Subaru repulsed.
"And to believe he smelled like a man! It's mind-boggling that drag queens even exist in this world," Subaru exclaimed, his face contorted with disgust.
However, after a moment of reflection, he let out a sigh of relief and added, "You know what? I think it's actually a good thing that he's gone. I don't want to stain my hands with a drag queen's blood. Who knows, maybe whatever they're going through could be contagious. I'd rather not take any chances."
Subaru then walked over to his bed and picked up the sleek black kimono he had recently acquired.
Slipping it on, he couldn't help but admire the way the fabric draped elegantly around him. Despite everything that had happened to him so far, Subaru couldn't deny that there were a few good things In his bad situation like metting rem temae Qaurk and finally Ram– and getting the chance to wear a kimono was definitely one of them.
The feeling of the soft material against his skin was comforting, and Subaru couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him as he adjusted the sash around his waist.
The intricate patterns and designs on the kimono reminded him of his origin although he was just a lab rat In Germany since he could remember, but even so subaru Is smart enough to realize that his bloodline is Japanese in origin, primary from his name of course.
As Subaru looked at himself in the human size mirror that was adjusted right next to the bed, he couldn't help but smile at how the kimono seemed to bring out a different side of him.
"I definitely look like a friendly person in this kimono...I think this is good...I think? Well anyhow it's not out of my comfort zone I love black although I don't mind some orange pattern chaped Chinese dragons added to it, It would look cooler, But to be honest I like it either way because it's got that relaxed fit that just screams approachable and easy-going. I can already imagine myself striking up conversations with strangers at the village or making new friends at a gathering of people. Maybe I'll even get a few compliments on my outfit, who knows? As long as I feel confident and happy in what I'm wearing, that's all that really matters. And honestly, I'm feeling pretty good about this look already."
"Oh, come on dude, just do me a favor and put me out of my misery because you're not looking too great with that goofy-ass grin and that dirty scrap of cloth...and you want to be approachable? Funny because with that rag the only company you'll have are flies because they're always attracted to FILTH!–HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Hk!"
"Are you shocked that you can't find your words~? Don't be surprised or rendered speechless. Remember when I mentioned yesterday that I would return, whether you want me to or not? I am always by your side, after all, I am a part of you, just an improved version of yourself–the upgrade‐Hahahahahaha!"
"...T-hen... then I..f you're me, w...hy are you opposing me? Why do you always doing this to me TORMENTING ME WHY!?"
Subaru was finally able to articulate his words. His face drained of color as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, but instead of seeing himself, he saw a twisted version of himself laughing and taunting him.
Subaru's brows furrowed in frustration, on the verge of tears, as he tried to make sense of the situation.
The reflection frowned angrily, which startled Subaru. Subaru always gets that fear when he sees the HIM who happened to be HIM but his not, even stormfront doesn't know about the HIM he always kept HIM a secret.
"Isn't it obvious ?, your ambitions have always been minuscule and pitiful. In contrast, my ambition is to dominate the world and establish my own set of laws that everyone must abide by. Unlike you, who has always been satisfied with just being controlled like a DOG! waiting for its owner, I REFUSE to settle for just following orders. And you know what? Simply obeying others will never be sufficient, no matter how hard you try".
At the reflection words Subaru's eyes blazed with anger instead of fear. "So, you're telling me that you're going to defy Stormfront's orders by going rogue!? It seems to me that you're willing to make Stormfront unhappy just to get what you desire."
However, to Subaru's confusion and bafflement the reflection only smiled, and gradually his smile reaching his ears, it's smile was maniac.
"Damn it lesser ME, you truly amaze me with your obliviousness. It's astonishing how you haven't picked up on anything during your entire stay with Stormfront. You're a complete and utter fool, lesser ME. I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Oh, my, oh, my, you truly are something else, lesser ME heh"
The reflection let out a mocking and furious chuckle, filled with a hint of disdain.
And Subaru felt a wave of confusion wash over him, prompting him to speak up with a voice that trembled with uncertainty, "What do you mean I missed something...what exactly am I supposed to understand?"
"Oh! You wanna know?" The reflection's laughter abruptly ceased as he fixed Subaru with a mocking gaze," nah I don't think I will tell –You know what? In fact I will tell you, although just a part of it. Stormfront despised how you constantly held back, never unleashing your full power."
"You're lying...!"
Subaru's response was immediate, his eyes betraying a complex blend of emotions - anger, confusion, and doubt all swirling together in a tumultuous storm. However, the reflection before him seemed to find the situation amusing, its laughter ringing out in a mocking tone that only served to further fuel Subaru's inner turmoil.
"They say that a person can never lie to themselves, which I believe could provide me some validation, don't you think?".
"N..no..." Subaru's voice wavered slightly as he spoke, "You're not me, and I'm not you. You exist only in my mind, just a figment of my imagination - nothing more, nothing less." Despite his shaky conviction, there was a sense of fragile calm in his tone, as if he was trying to reassure himself of the truth in his words.
"So, does an imagination have the power to do this?" The reflection in the mirror suddenly lunged towards Subaru, catching him off guard. In a swift motion, it tightly gripped Subaru's neck with both hands, causing him to let out a strangled cry. The surreal and unexpected turn of events left Subaru in a state of shock and disbelief, questioning the very nature of reality and imagination.
"Believe me, I am as real as you are, hahahahahah!" The reflection's laughter echoed through the room, but something seemed off.
"Hk-n-o..NO!!"
In an instant, its eyes widened, emitting an intense, fiery orange glow. As its mouth stretched wider and wider, a chilling terror filled the air. Instead of teeth, long fangs resembling sharp thorns emerged, sending shivers down Subaru's spine.
The reflection's body started to tremble, cracks forming across its surface, resembling molten fissures as if it were being consumed by fire. Strangely, the cracks bore an uncanny resemblance to the intricate patterns to the cracks you'll find at the surface of a raging volcano.
" behold! Behold what I have become, is but a mere reflection of your essence and truth-slef, regardless of your amiable facade. Deep within, your true self is marred by unsightliness, and I am here to guide you towards embracing this ugliness, not to deny it. Embrace me now, and let us merge into a singular entity, united as one, hahahahahahahahahahahaha."
"Please no" Subaru's heart raced as he desperately pleaded, "No, no, no, no, no! Stay away from me!" The fear in his eyes was palpable, his entire being trembling with terror. While the monster before him laughed the more subaru pleaded the more the monster laughed, its presence slowly engulfing him. And at this moment Subaru felt utterly powerless, unable to resist its pull. He couldn't bear to look at it, nor could he bring himself to accept its existence. But what tormented him even more was the realization that he couldn't fight back. Overwhelmed by a sense of weakness and misery, Subaru longed to release his emotions through tears, yet he remained unable to do so. He knew he had to fight, to push away, but it seemed impossible. In that moment, Subaru questioned what he was truly capable of.
'Nothing'
Subaru's eyelids slowly drooped, signaling the beginning of his descent into unconsciousness. Gradually, he felt his identity slipping away, piece by piece.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA"
As he spiraled into a seemingly endless void, a chilling laughter echoed in the darkness, sending shivers down his spine. The monster's grip on his neck tightened, its maniacal laughter growing louder with each passing moment.
Despite the terrifying situation, Subaru found himself strangely detached from reality. The overwhelming desire to escape from his own existence consumed his thoughts, making the prospect of vanishing into nothingness almost appealing.
"...Yeah screw it"
In that moment, the monster's presence became insignificant, as Subaru embraced the idea of surrendering to oblivion without resistance. Let the monster have its way, for Subaru no longer cared about anyt—
"Wake up!"
Out of nowhere, a voice that Subaru was all too familiar with echoed through the darkness, jolting him back from the sweetness of sinking and causing the oppressive darkness that surrounded him to slowly fade away.
"Subaru wake up you idiot!"
Instantly recognizing the sound, Subaru clung onto it tightly, refusing to let go. He knew he couldn't afford to let this chance slip away.
Gradually, bit by bit, Subaru started to regain his sense of self, pushing aside any thoughts of surrender or vanishing into oblivion. Instead, a newfound determination took hold of him, banishing the monster, fear, and despair, and with it, the suffocating darkness that had consumed him.
"Ram?".
Subaru's eyes fluttered open, only to be met with the sight of Ram sitting beside him, her hand raised above his face. Instantly, he sensed something was amiss. Frustration etched across Ram's face as she lowered her hand in response to his call, but Subaru could still detect a lingering worry in her eyes.
"Ah, I see you've finally regained consciousness. Just in the nick of time, as I was just about to commence a rather invigorating face-slapping session on your stupid face...unfortunately"
Ram let out a huff as she rose to her feet, her gaze questioning even though there was still a hint of concern in her eyes.
"it's disheartening to see that despite our efforts to ensure your comfort by securing a room with a spacious bed, you chose to sleep on the floor. it's disappointing to witness such ingratitude from you subaru "
At her words Subaru glance downwards only to realize that he indeed was seating in the hard floor. As he slowly scanned the room, his gaze was soon fixated on the mirror.
'Hk!'
However, before his eyes could meet his reflection, a sharp, intense pain pierced through his head. In an instant, a flood of memories that had been lost to him came rushing back, overwhelming his senses with a mix of fear and clarity.
'So it happened again'
Subaru's lips curled into a subtle frown as he shifted his focus back to Ram, who appeared perplexed by his sudden silence. It dawned on Subaru that his quiet demeanor had left her puzzled.
"It's alright, Ram. I'm wide awake at the moment. What brings you to my room? I don't have the authority to stop you since this is your family's house, but isn't it a bit early for a young girl like yourself to be up?"
"How could you forget? We still have to meet the village chief," Ram reminded, her eyes no longer filled with worry but annoyance. She gestured for him to stand up "besides its not early morning but just the right time now let's go, he despises being kept waiting," she added, a mischievous smile playing on Subaru's lips as he rose to his feet.
"We still upset aren't we ram?"
Confusion washed over her as she abruptly came to a stop, her eyes fixated on him. "Upset me? What could be so upset–
"Remember that moment at dinner yesterday when you held my hand and I teased you for it?" he interrupted her mid-sentence, Subaru couldn't help but notice the immediate flush that spread across her cheeks, but what caught his attention even more was the sudden shift in her expression.
Her face transformed from confusion to indignation.
"So what's now? Oh, I see, are you planning to mock me once more and derive pleasure from my expense? Is that you—
"Am sorry "
" _ "!
"I must admit, I am not accustomed to apologizing, nor do I particularly enjoy it. However, when it comes to you or rem, I am willing to make an exception," he confessed, his sincerity evident in every word he spoke. "If I have in any way upset you, I genuinely apologize." His genuine remorse shone through, leaving no doubt about the sincerity of his apology.
Subaru acknowledges that Ram possesses a remarkable intellect, a formidable personality, and an articulate manner of speaking. However, amidst all these qualities, Subaru unintentionally overlooked the fact that Ram is still a young girl, a minor, who has yet to experience and learn many things and he should've treated her as such.
Also eagerness and determination to assist him have left a positive impression on Subaru, prompting him to treat her with kindness and respect. Moving forward, he—
"Why the solemn look on your face all of sudden? Weren't you paying attention to what I just said?, the village chief can't stand waiting. We should get going now,...Subaru" Ram abruptly interjected, interrupting Subaru's train of thought.
Subaru glanced at her and noticed a faint smile on her face, her cheeks slightly flushed. She then turned her back and began walking, prompting Subaru to follow suit.
As they left the room, Subaru's guilt seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief and a newfound smile on his face.' good girl'
...
"Isn't it risky for Rem and Temae to go to the forest by themselves to pick berries, Ram? "
Ram and Subaru had already left the house and were making their way towards the village chief's residence, which was quite a distance away as Ram's house was located on the outskirts of the forest.
Ram was walking ahead, leading the way, while Subaru was lagging behind, taking his time. The morning sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the landscape, as birds chirped merrily in the trees around them.
Subaru was enjoying the peaceful walk, taking in the sights and sounds of nature as they made their way through the forest towards the village chief's house.
Ram pointed out various plants and animals along the way, sharing her knowledge with Subaru, who listened intently. The fresh air and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze created a serene atmosphere, making the walk a pleasant one.
As they strolled along, Subaru's curiosity got the best of him, prompting him to inquire about Rem and the others, as he had noticed their absence when they departed from the house. He couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of curiosity, so he asked.
"Rest assured, Subaru," Ram reassured with a casual tone " it's dangerous only if they ventured too far into the territory where the fearsome mabeasts reside. As long as they stay within safe boundaries, they will be perfectly fine."
Subaru acknowledged Ram's statement with a nod, then shifted his gaze to the left, focusing on one of the paths that led into the forest. Subaru could already pinpoint the exact locations of Rem and Ram by their distinct scents, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to confirm by asking.
As Subaru gazed into the dense forest, a wave of alertness washed over him it was so sudden that it left him shocked, his senses was alerting him to the presence of multiple entities. His keen senses picked up on the subtle movements of people still far away about few mailes at most, subaru freeze in his tracks. A look of intense concentration crossed his face, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
Ram, who had been walking alongside him, suddenly halted upon noticing Subaru's abrupt stop. She turned to him, a quizzical expression on her face.
"Is everything alright, Subaru? You seem troubled"
Subaru didn't say anything right away his gaze still lingered on the forest for another minute before he looks back at ram, his gaze was questioning.
"Hey ram?"
"Yes?"
"By any chance do you guys participate in seasonal wars?" ram grow perplexed at his words.
"Seasonal wars? What do you mean, exactly?"
Subaru chuckled nervously, realizing he may have phrased his question in a confusing manner. "I just meant, do you guys participate in any organized battles or competitions during certain times of the year?" he clarified.
"No, as far as I know we do not do that, also why even asking such an outlandish and wired question all of a sudden?"
Subaru sighed with relief at her answer, "good to know that one possibility down, now the second possibility, do you have any bad blood with the governor of this land?" Subaru's tone was calm, yet there was a hint of urgency in his voice and ram could sense it.
"Cut the nonsense already and tell me what the hell is going on!" Ram snapped at Subaru, frustration evident in her tone.
Subaru, exhaling heavily, gestured towards the dense forest before he opened his mouth and blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.
"I can't help but question why, right now, I'm witnessing One thousand six hundred individuals masked and armed and moving towards the village with steady steps and in a scattered formation from a distance of around three miles away from us"
A minute passed and Ram kept staring at him with contemplation until.
"Very well. Come along now. the village chief are waiting for us" Without hesitation, Ram spoke in a composed manner before pivoting away from him and commencing her stride.
'… What the hell was that mouth!? I thought we were on the same side here!' Subaru cursed himself for his inability to express a bad news to a little girl in a more eloquent and serious manner.
"I'm dead serious, Ram! I swear on everything that there are real people out there who are planning something...well definitely not good"
Subaru shouted for Ram's attention as she had already walked quite a distance away from him. Upon hearing his call, she halted in her tracks and turned around to face him, doubt and seriousness mixed in her eyes subaru can tell that this is a good sign, she is willing to listen.
"Okay, I'm not sure if you're jocking or being serious. In fact, I don't even understand how you could possibly know about the existence of people from such so far of a distance without actually seeing them first. But I guess I'll have to verify it myself to make sure"
Subaru was left perplexed by her final words, causing him to tilt his head in confusion. However, before he could inquire about the meaning, she abruptly shifted her attention towards the dense forest.
"Wow!"
To Subaru's utter astonishment, a tiny pink, glistening horn sprouted from her forehead, radiating with a mysterious energy. Though Subaru couldn't discern its purpose or what kind of energy, but he chose to remain silent, as he noticed her deep focus on whateve she is doing.
Ram's eyes slowly fluttered open after a few minutes of waiting, the horn on her forehead still gleaming as she approached him. Her gaze was filled with uncertainty, visible to Subaru, who could already anticipate the outcome.
Thankfully, he knew exactly what steps to take next.
"Unfortunately, my Clairvoyance didn't allow me to explore beyond a certain point as there seemed to be a peculiar absence of any animals in the vicinity. It was quite perplexing to realize that no matter how far I extended my abilities, there was simply no sign of any creatures beyond the point I ha—
"Ram! Say no more " Subaru interrupted Ram before she could she could finish, placing his hand gently on her head.
" _ "!?
Ram was taken aback and felt a bit embarrassed, unable to voice her thoughts as a radiant halo of orange energy enveloped her.
The energy flowed from Subaru's hand to Ram, creating a mesmerizing sight. After a few moments, Subaru withdrew his hand with a smile, leaving Ram in awe.
"Y-you what was th—
"Give it another shot, but this time, don't waste any time. Use your clairvoyance to zoom straight up for three miles without any interruptions, before the enhancement fades away".
Subaru declared Interrupting her in the middle of her sentence once more, as he abruptly gestured towards the dense forest.
".I..."
Ram attempted to speak up once more, but ultimately chose to comply with his request, shifting her gaze towards the direction he was indicating.
With a final nod, Ram closed her eyes, and in that moment, her horn emitted a brilliant, dazzling light that seemed to intensify with each passing second. The sheer radiance was so blinding that Ram couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise as she stumbled and fell onto her backside.
Subaru could sense her overwhelming astonishment at the immense power coursing through her, a sensation she had never experienced before. However, amidst her astonishment, Subaru couldn't help but admire Ram's unwavering determination as she maintained her focus without wavering.
"—"!
After a few moments, a subtle shift occurred on Ram's face, transforming her expression from one of intense concentration to a grim one.
"—It turns out you were correct, I I was able to perceive the world through their perspective, witnessing everything they seeing... and now, they are on their way here, ...they are heading towards the very place where Rem and Ram reside..."
Ram breathing had become slightly faster and her horn had already retreated inside her forehead. Although her words appeared calm, Subaru could sense that she was both confused and afraid.
And It was only natural for a child of her age to react this way, considering the circumst—.'damnit' Subaru realized that he needed to stop expecting too much from someone so young, regardless of how intelligent and strong-willed she was. After all, she was still just a child. However, Subaru couldn't help but empathize with her, as he himself had been mentally trapped in isolation for most of his life, living within the confines of a lab that he could have escaped from at any time,— but chose not to.
With his mind filled with troubling thoughts, Subaru decided to lock them away in the depths of his subconscious. As He gazed down at Ram, who sat motionless, her face reflecting deep contemplation."Ram"Subaru's expression turned serious as he called out her name, but she seemed oblivious to his presence."Ram!" Undeterred, he called out to her once more, hoping to catch her attention. However, when his second attempt went unnoticed as well, Subaru realized he needed to employ a different approach to capture Ram's focus.
"Alright it couldn't be helped"
...
"I think we've gathered sufficient amounts of baries for the time being, so let's head back to the village, shall we rem?"
"Yes mother "
Temae finished packing a big basket and slung it onto her back. She then called out to her daughter, Rem, who obediently transferred the baries from her small basket into the larger one before trailing behind her mother on the path back to the village.
"Wow, can you believe it? I actually came here with the intention of assisting you in gathering berries, all because I believed you might require some help. But girls, you work at lightning speed!".
Just as Rem and Temae were preparing to embark on their lengthy journey towards the village, they were taken aback by the unexpected sound of a speaking voice they recognized.
"Where is he ?" Rem asked.
"I don't know I can't see him anywhere" temae responded.
However, their confusion grew as they scanned their surroundings in search of the speaker, only to find no trace of him anywhere in sight.
"Hey girls, have you checked out the sky? because You should definitely take a look".
As they heard him once more, they followed his instructions and glanced upwards, only to be utterly astonished. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they witnessed Subaru floating effortlessly above the trees, seemingly detached from any support. It wouldn't be accurate to describe it as hovering, as Subaru appeared to be standing on thin air, repentant in the sky above, and apparently there's someone seating above his shoulders.
"Hey ladies, how's life treating you down there? I really hope it's much more amazing than what we have going on up here!"
"Mother! Look Subaru can actually fly!"
Rem exclaimed with a burst of enthusiasm, a departure from her typically reserved demeanor, but her mother understood her excitement completely. It was truly a sight to behold as they witnessed the guest they had recently welcomed effortlessly soaring through the air above them. The sheer astonishment of witnessing someone actually fly was beyond words for temae, leaving her in a state of awe and wonder, but more then that.
"—Ram doesn't seem to be doing well, what's up with her Subaru-kun ?"
"Nee-sama!?"
Temae's face twisted into a worried expression as she urgently pointed towards Ram. Rem, who was previously filled with excitement, quickly followed suit, her own expression now mirroring Temae's concern.
The focus of their distress was Ram, who was slumping on Subaru's shoulders looking unconscious.
' — '
Ram's eyes were rolling in a comical manner, giving off the impression of dizziness. To make matters worse, vomit was smeared down her face, creating a distressing scene. Even Subaru's black hair was not spared from the mess, adding to the chaotic situation.
The sudden shift from excitement to worry painted a stark contrast in the atmosphere, and subaru couldn't help but chuckle nervously realizing that it was all his fault.
"—I have to apologize because Ram's current state is entirely my responsibility. In a momentary missjudgment on my part, I was flying at an incredible speed, almost breaking the sound barrier, when I suddenly realized that I had Ram on my shoulder..."
The mother and daughter exchanged uncertain glances, their eyes meeting as they tried to decipher the meaning behind his mention of the "sound barrier".
"Well, you know what girls? She's going to be fine. Sure, she's experiencing just a mild dizziness," subaru ressured — Mild dizziness? my ass ram is a really a tough one, like hell From what I've seen, when someone breaks the sound barrier without any protection, they usually end up in a much much MUCH MUCH worse state than just mild dizziness.
"Anyway Ladies?, there's something of utmost importance that I feel we should talk about"
Subaru's expression grew solemn as he commenced his descent from the air Gradually, once his feet made contact with the ground, he approached Temae and Rem with a determined stride. While cradling the unconscious Ram in his arms, carrying her as if she were a princess.
Temae and rem in turn walked over to Subaru once they closed the distance to zero, temae began to examine Ram in his arms. Once she confirmed that she was okay, Temae and Rem both turned their attention towards Subaru.
"—Do tell Subaru-kun what's the matter" temae questioned mirroring his seriousness subaru nodded before he opens his mouth.
"Alright I do believe there is One thousand six hundred masked individuals armed and moving towards the village with steady steps and in a scattered formation from a distance of around three miles away from us...in short we are surrounded and I guess at their pace they will reach the village exactly at midnight"
Temae didn't respond right away her gaze still lingered on him myabe processing his words, then a second later she blinked subaru could see tears and fear on her eyes and it's not of the unackown, because the fear she was displaying right was of someone who knew what's coming, and subaru can tell as much from one glance.
'—Well Turns out, this world isn't as peaceful as I initially believed. Oh well, I suppose there's no other choice but to accept it. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, I'll have to reluctantly add a few hundred more lives to the list of casualties I've caused until now... I guess that's something to celebrate, right...yay?'
Subaru's face curled into a subtle smirk as he contemplated the situation, a hint of frustration evident in his expression. Meanwhile, deep within him, another version of himself was brimming with excitement, eagerly anticipating the upcoming chaos and violence and bloodshed that awaited.