"I don't recognize this ceiling."
Subaru regained consciousness after an indeterminate amount of time, only to find himself in a room that appeared to be crafted in a classic Japanese fashion. The wooden ceiling and walls surrounded him, emitting a distinct scent of decay that filled the air.
Puzzled by his surroundings, he couldn't help but wonder about the exact location of his current whereabouts, and what exactly happened so he ended up here.
" Regardless of the situation, I must get up no—Hk!!" Subaru exclaimed before attempting to rise from his bed.
However, as he made the effort to stand, a sharp and unbearable pain surged from within him, causing him to collapse to the floor beside the bed. He clutched his body tightly, trying to endure the intense agony that seemed to be consuming him.
"Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch!." The pain was so severe that it felt like his very being was being ripped apart, even though there were no visible injuries.
Subaru was certain that there was something deeply wrong inside him, causing this excruciating torment that left him writhing in agony on the floor.
Subaru clenched his jaw in frustration, muttering under his breath, 'That despicable scoundrel is the cause of all this.'The pain and anger coursing through him only fueled his determination. 'Just you wait until I'm back on my feet. I'll definitely seek you out and ensure you pay dearly for the harm you've caused me.'
...
A few minutes later subaru let out a sigh of relief as he gingerly rose to his feet, his body still tingling from the excruciating pain that had coursed through him just moments before. With each move, he could feel the remnants of discomfort slowly dissipating, replaced by a newfound sense of ease.
Finally, he reached the edge of the bed and carefully lowered himself onto it.
'Damn her'
Subaru couldn't believe how he, the one responsible for the deaths of one hundred and forty-five individuals with superpowers, and not to mention the countless ordinary people who also perished because of him, just to end up in such a pitiful state of vulnerability all because of her.
He cursed her under his breath, his expression twisted in a frown, as he clenched his hand tightly before finally releasing it and letting out a deep sigh.
"Anyhow, I need to put all of this behind me and focus on finding a solution to connect with Stormfront".
One of Subaru's remarkable abilities is his extraordinary sense of smell. Relying on this ability, he quickly realized that he was in an unfamiliar location. However, what truly unsettles him is the fact that he cannot detect Stormfront's scent at all.
This is particularly distressing for Subaru since his sense of smell is so acute that it can detect odors from a staggering distance of one hundred miles.
"Mister are you alright?"
"Hm!"
Out of nowhere, the room's door swung open, catching Subaru off guard. A voice, belonging to a young girl, echoed through the room, instantly striking a chord of familiarity within him.
Curiosity piqued, Subaru swiftly turned around to catch a glimpse of the source.
"Ah, it's you! The wired looking girl I encountered in the depths of the forest," he exclaimed, a mix of surprise and recognition coloring his words.
The little girl appeared bashful as she gave a hesitant nod in his direction, "Y-yes, although I'm a bit surprised that you remembered me, especially since the last time you seemed lik—
"At death's door?"he cut her off.
"Y-yes "
Subaru's face lit up with a wide grin as he reassured her "No need to fret, wired looking girl! I'm Natsuki Subaru, and let me tell you, death is not something that comes easily to me. I may not look it, but I've got some serious strength up my sleeve. Plus, I'm feeling pretty good right now. And hey, thanks for checking in on me!" With that, he hopped off the bed and stretched his limbs, completely oblivious to the fact that he was stark naked, save for a pair of shorts that managed to preserve his modesty.
"Hey you, could you please refrain from stretching in front of rem while you're naked? This could potentially cause her a traumatic brain injury,"
All of a sudden, a new voice chimed in, catching Subaru's attention. He paused what he was doing and turned to face the newcomer, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, you're actually twin of wired looking girls! Although your hair color may differ, there's definitely a resemblance "Subaru remarked, slightly amazed by the twins' distinctiveness amd resemblance at the same time.
However, the pink-haired young girl didn't seem to share his excitement, as she kept a watchful eye on him and gestured towards her younger sister, Subaru tilted his head curiously and directed his attention towards rem.
As he observed her, he noticed a deep blush creeping up her cheeks, then Subaru's focus shifted to himself.
"Oh!" and to his surprise, he realized that he was standing with his perfectly lean and suculputed body completely naked, except for a pair of shorts that discreetly concealed his private areas.
"I apologize, wired looking little girl's I'm truly sorry for this, but I can assure you that I was indeed wearing pants, and I wonder where it is now ?" Subaru said, feeling embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head.
As he spoke, both girls exchanged a quick glance before redirecting their attention back to Subaru.
"Our mother took it off you for some unknown reason and neglected to return it for some unknown reason" Both girls uttered simultaneously, causing Subaru to feel mortified upon realizing that the mother of those two had potentially witnessed him in his underwear only.
"This is so embarrassing...wait, we were talking about pants being taken off," Subaru muttered to himself, glancing down at his underpants, which he didn't even recognize, before nervously smiling at the two girls.
"Did your mother take off my underwear too?"he asked.
The two girls nodded in perfect unison, which only intensified Subaru's embarrassment. "So," he thought to himself, "not only did she catch a glimpse of me in my underaware she also sow me on birthday suit! Great Just great." The realization sank in, leaving Subaru feeling even more self-conscious and wishing he could disappear into thin air.
The room suddenly became filled with an uncomfortable silence as all three individuals exchanged glances, unsure of what to say next.
Finally, breaking the tension, the pink-haired girl spoke up, her tone shifting from nonchalant to grave. "Well, enough of this silence. Why don't you enlighten us about your activities in the forest and your true intentions for being there... and please, be completely honest with me."
"nee-sama," called rem, looking worried.
"No, Rem. I need to get some answers from this man, it's my duty after all. Now move behind me," the girl with vibrant pink hair responded firmly to her little sister. Understanding the seriousness in her sister's voice, the younger sibling obediently moved aside and positioned herself behind her sister, though she still look worried.
'This is amazing'. At the same time, Subaru displayed an exceptional level of attentiveness. Actually, calling it attentiveness would be an understatement, as he was completely engrossed in observing each of the sisters with an intense curiosity.
However, his gaze was far from ordinary; he is using his super sight that allowed him to perceive a peculiar and Really unknown energy for him and this energy was swirling around the two siblings. Particularly, he noticed a distinct concentration of this energy in their foreheads. Yet, it was the sister with the pink hair who captivated him even more, as she seemed to hold an even greater allure power purity and a complete control more so than rem
'So, it turns out they're actually a sups And not just any sups, but truly one-of-a-kind individuals,'Subaru exclaimed in his mind. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he realized that despite their current weaknesses, there was still immense potential for growth, especially for the one with pink hair.
"Hey, cut it out with those creepy, judgmental stares. You're coming off as a total weirdo...and, most importantly, you're freaking out Rem," the girl with pink hair exclaimed, gesturing towards her sister, Rem, who was cowering behind her, visibly shaking.
"Is... is he still l..ooking at...us?"
"I deeply apologize, truly sorry for my behavior. I didn't mean to." Realizing the gravity of his error, he shook his head in disappointment. With a serious tone, he continued, "Regarding your earlier inquiry, I want to clarify that I had no intention of venturing into that forest. It was an unfortunate turn of events, something terrible occurred, and it was that very incident that led me to find myself in such a wretched state."
Subaru finished with a gentle smile, meeting the gaze of the pink-haired girl who was staring at him with narrowed eyes. Despite her intense expression, Subaru remained unfazed and unbothered by her scrutiny.
"nee-sama!"
Rem gently grasped her sister's hand, exchanging a knowing glance that seemed to validate Subaru's words. The sister with vibrant pink hair locked eyes with Rem, their gaze lingering for a few moments.
After a brief pause, she let out a sigh and admitted, "Alright, I believe him. He doesn't seem like a liar, but"
The pink-haired girl's gaze fell upon Subaru once more, her expression now filled with a sense of seriousness.
Subaru couldn't help but wonder how someone so young could possess such a serious demeanor.
"Pay close attention," she began, her voice carrying a mix of pride and seriousness. "You should understand that if it weren't for my adorable little sister..." The girl paused briefly before continuing, her tone still serious and proud. "If it wasn't for her intervention and insistence to save your life, you would have met your demise in the forest, without a head. So, you should show your gratitude towards her."
Subaru was taken aback and angry when he asked, "Wait, are you saying someone attempted to murder me?" He couldn't believe that someone would try to harm him in such a cowardly way.
"Yeah...no, I mean yeah." The shy sister finally spoke up, explaining, "It's not personal, you know?. Our village has strict rules against allowing strangers in. If anyone is spotted within our boundaries, they are seen as a potential danger to everyone's well-being. That's why our chief takes care of it." She added, "He ensures they are removed from our village."
Subaru nodded in understanding and repeated, "Ah, got it. So, to sum it up, you managed to convince the chief of the village to spare me, well. I suppose I owe you my thanks then rem."
Rem blushed and waved her hands, admitting, " it's nothing besides I wouldn't be able to convince the chief...Nee-sama is the one who convinced him," as she pointed towards her sister.
"Come on rem, don't downplay yourself! We all know it was you who kicked things off. Without your boldness, that clueless guy would have been in serious trouble," the girl with the vibrant pink hair remarked, brushing off her sister's words.
"But nee-sama you–
"Rem, you've done more than enough, just acknowledge that you've excelled!," the sister with pink hair remarked, cutting off her sibling's speech with a firm tone that still carried a hint of warmth.
Subaru's anger had faded from his mind some time ago as he observed the two younger sisters engaged in conversation.
Although Subaru isn't adept at judging people's personalities, he strongly suspects that both sisters have significant problems. "Anyhow," Subaru spoke up, capturing the sisters' focus, "I'm really grateful to both of you for assisting me and offering me a place to stay... However, I would like us to introduce ourselves who will start?"
The two sisters exchanged a quick glance before redirecting their gaze towards Subaru. "I go by the name Ram," the girl with pink hair introduced herself, her voice filled with confidence, The girl with blue hair followed suit, offering a polite bow as she spoke, "I'm Rem. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Her introduction were accompanied by warm smile, creating an atmosphere of friendliness and openness.
Subaru was genuinely fond of Rem's gentle nature and her endearing shyness. It was something that touched his heart deeply, but he also couldn't help but admire Ram's fiery and assertive personality it was cute in a way.
But despite their contrasting traits, Subaru recognized that the twins had a unique dynamic where they perfectly balanced each other out.
"Alright, now it's my turn," Subaru exclaimed, pausing for a moment before making his way towards a wardrobe adjacent to his bed. With a swift motion, he swung open the doors and scanned through the clothes inside. "Ah, perfect!" he exclaimed, retrieving a sleek black kimono that was neatly hung. Turning towards Ram, he inquired, "Do you reckon your father would have any objections if I wore this?"
Ram shrugged her shoulders, admitting, "I'm not sure, but one thing's for certain: he would definitely have a problem with you parading around the house in the nude in front of his wife and two daughters." A mischievous smirk played on Ram's lips while Rem couldn't help but stifle a chuckle. Subaru joined in, flashing them a smile.
"Ram, you do actually have a valid point". Subaru quickly put on the kimono, taking no time at all. Once he was done, he eagerly turned to face the twins.
"Alright, allow me to present myself." Subaru assumed a confident pose reminiscent of iconic superheroes such as Superman. With his fists firmly planted on either side of his waist, he expanded his chest and stood tall. "I am Natsuki Subaru, the champion of heroes and the arbiter of villains. It is truly a privilege to make your acquaintance, Ram and Rem."
Upon hearing his Introduction, the twins had contrasting reactions: Rem was slightly confused, whereas Ram was utterly unimpressed. Subaru, on the other hand, felt a pang of hurt at the lackluster response to his meticulously crafted introduction, which he had tirelessly practiced for three hours in front of a mirror to until perfection.
"Anyway, mister champion of heros! once you're done from making yourself a laughing stock, I suggest you join us in the dining room. Breakfast is all set and waiting for us. Come on, Rem, time to go!"
"Yes nee-sama"
As the two girls exited the room, Subaru found himself left alone with his thoughts. Reflecting on the past, he chuckled to himself, thinking about the time he introduced himself to someone and the poor guy was so terrified that he had an embarrassing accident. Subaru mused, "They probably won't appreciate how awesome it was until they're older."
Subaru's reputation preceded him, and just the mention of his name was enough to send shivers down people's spines. The mere thought of encountering him was enough to make even the bravest souls tremble in fear. His introduction was not just a simple greeting, but a memorable event that left a lasting trauma on those who crossed his path.
"You know what? Just forget it, Perhaps I should just take Ram's advice and make my way to the dining room," Subaru let out a sigh, As he began to walk, but then he found himself pausing abruptly right before reaching the door.
His gaze shifted upwards, fixating on the ceiling with a sense of deep concentration.
"Strange, normally I always felt radio waves everywhere but now...why i don't feel nothing?"
Subaru couldn't help but feel perplexed. Usually, he could sense radio waves all around him, but now there was an eerie absence. He heightened his senses to the maximum, desperately trying to catch even a faint signal, but to no avail. It seemed as if every device and satellite had vanished into thin air.
But radio waves wasn't the only thing missing.
"The air is unbelievably clean... I mean, seriously clean. It's like I've never breathed anything purer in my entire life!...why?"
Subaru's clever mind was clouded with uncertainty as he grappled with the strange thoughts creeping into his head.
It was a notion that seemed too outlandish, something straight out of a fairy tale, that he couldn't help but dismiss it at first.
However, as the doubts continued to gnaw at him, he found himself entertaining the possibility, albeit reluctantly.
"No, no, no," Subaru muttered to himself, trying to push away the unsettling idea that threatened to take root in his mind. He desperately searched for a more rational explanation, clinging to the hope that there was a logical reason behind the bizarre events unfolding around him.
As he struggled to make sense of his surroundings, a nagging voice in the back of his mind whispered, "...or else." The ominous phrase sent a shiver down his spine, prompting him to consider the implications of what might happen if he couldn't find a satisfactory answer to his growing doubts.
'If so ... It only means that I won't be able to see storm–'
"Subaru are you coming or what!?"
Out of nowhere, Ram's rude voice echoed through from outside the room, causing Subaru's train of thought to come to an abrupt halt. Despite the sudden interruption, Subaru couldn't help but feel grateful for it. "Yeah, there must be a clearer explanation for all of this," Subaru muttered to himself, letting out a sigh of relief.
And then subaru hurriedly made his way out of the room towards the dining room, exclaiming, "I'm on my way ram, I'm on my way!"
...
As Subaru stepped into the dining room, he couldn't help but notice that it was conveniently located right next to his bedroom.
However, he quickly realized that the dining room itself was not particularly spacious. It was a simple space, consisting only of a rectangular table and a couple of cushions placed on the sides. It seemed like the perfect spot for sitting and enjoying a meal.
The room exuded a traditional Japanese ambiance, which left Subaru feeling truly Impressed.
"Are you planning on continuing to gaze aimlessly around the room, or will you finally join us for a meal? We're famished, you know?"
"Ah! Sorry ram"
Ram's voice cut through the air expressing her displeasure at Subaru's behavior, who readily apologized before walking over to the table to take his place at the top of it.
"Where are your parents anyway ram and rem?" Subaru inquired, gesturing towards the two unoccupied chairs on the left side of the table.
Ram nonchalantly responded, "I'm not sure, our parents usually aren't around the house at this hour of the day," as she casually popped a hot piece of steamed potato into her mouth.
Subaru's expression turned slightly puzzled at her words.
"Aren't you worried about them?" He asked.
"Why should I?" Ram retorted, while munching on her meal Rem, on the other hand, stared at him with a peculiar expression.
Observing the strange looks they were both giving him, Subaru couldn't help but release a sigh of exasperation.
Subaru glanced at the twins with a serious expression before speaking, "You know, kids your age usually don't like being away from their parents for too long, at least that's what I've heard." His tone was thoughtful, as if he was trying to understand their perspective on the matter.
"Oh, I get it now! So, you're saying that because our parents aren't home, both Nee-sama and I should be crying, right Subaru?" Rem looked at Subaru with an inncent expression, seeking confirmation. Subaru nodded in agreement, while Ram appeared visibly displeased with the idea.
"Pfft, you're spouting nonsense, human! How clueless can you be? We're oni, not some ordinary beings. And don't you dare equate Ram and Rem with human children, because we oni are in a league of our own," Ram declared with an air of arrogance.
"Hey nee-sama, maybe you could phrase it differently? It might come off as rude," Ram gently nudged her sister, her voice filled with shyness and reproach. Ram flashed a smile at her sibling.
"Don't fret, I promise not to repeat that. However, there are moments when I feel compelled to put certain idiot's in their rightful spot." Rem could only let out a helpless sigh in response to Ram's words.
Ram then shifted her attention to Subaru, then she frowned.
"Why the unexpected silence and that ugly thoughtful expression? Are you plotting something against us, two defenseless girls, now that we're alone?" She exclaimed, pretending to be shocked. Rem, catching on to the act, decided to play along with a mischievous grin.
"Oh nee-sama, you need to escape while you still can. I'll take care of this creep, just make sure to stay safe and keep your innocence intact," Rem declared bravely, standing up with determination.
She wrapped her arms around herself, pretending to be sorrowful, while Ram also rose to her feet and joined in the dramatic display of sisterly love by hugging Rem tightly.
"Ohh~, Rem, my sweet adorable little sister, I'm amazed by your courage to consider me before yourself in this situation, but there's no need to fret." Ram's gaze intensified as she locked eyes with Subaru, her mock anger evident. "As twins, if we work together, I'm confident that we can overcome that lunatic who's attempting to rob us of our innocence!."
"Oh~ nee-sama, I don't mind either way, but if that's what you truly desire, I will give my all to stand by your side against the evil man" Rem expressed with a heartfelt and eloquent tone, pretending to be overjoyed as she intertwined her arms with her sister Ram, the two of them gazing at Subaru with unwavering determination and challenge.
"Bring it on, villain! We won't back down or give in as long as we stand together!!." The twins declared in perfect unison.
While all along subaru's attention was fixated on the intense and captivating and overly cute scene unfolding before his eyes.
Although, before all this drama, Subaru was contemplating something the words ram said about their origin and race that she uttered earlier. These words had been weighing heavily on Subaru's mind, causing him to worry even more about his situation and where he is, yet...
" whahahahahahahahha.."Subaru's laughter echoed through the room as he taunted, "Oh, you think you can challenge me? Well think again!, and get ready to face the consequences! Your resistance is futile against me, and you'll soon realize the extent of your regret!" With a menacing grin, Subaru stood tall, his arms raised high above his head. The twins, trembling with fear, instinctively took a step back, intimidated by his powerful presence.
"Oh no, nee-sama! What should we do? The evil man appears to be even more threatening than I initially anticipated," Rem exclaimed, turning to her sister for guidance.
Ram met her gaze and nodded solemnly, fully understanding the gravity of the situation.
"In moments like these, my dear little sister, there is only one course of action we can take."
"And what is it nee-sama!?"
"Run!" exclaimed Rem, taking off in a sprint. Her sister, unable to contain her laughter, joined in, their hands tightly clasped together as they ran.
Subaru adamantly declared, "You won't get away that easily! You may try to run, but you can't hide from me. I'm coming for both of you, wahahahaha!"
As Subaru spoke, he made a conscious effort to refrain from inadvertently using his superpowers. Despite this, he began chasing after the twins as they darted around the house.
Subaru had a blast for some time, playfully chasing the twins all over the house. The twins were delighted, enjoying every moment of the game or at least that's the case for rem. Meanwhile, Ram took the game seriously, fully immersed in the playtime.
And of course Eventually, Subaru successfully caught up with the twins, leading to a playful pillow fight. This joyful experience reminded Subaru of why he adores children so much.
...
Once they had exhausted themselves with their playtime, Ram and Rem suddenly became aware that they hadn't completed their meal. Without wasting any time, they gathered Subaru and made their way back to their respective seats at the table. However, this time, they were all much more at ease and relaxed, ready to savor the remaining food.
"By the way Subaru, tomorrow morning we have to go see the village chief. I have a feeling he's going to question both of us, especially me since I personally asked him to spare your life, back than" Ram mentioned abruptly, Once they finished their meal.
Rem inexplicably froze in place while gathering the dishes, her face filled with fear. Ram didn't seem to notice, but Subaru did, although he chose not to mention it.
"Well, if that's what needs to be done, then count me in," Subaru declared as he rose from his seat, taking charge of gathering the dishes from Rem. Although she initially hesitated, Ram granted him permission, prompting rem to relent and return to her seat.
After Subaru had finished collecting the dishes, he hesitantly spoke up, "You know, I think the Oni people are the ones who live in this village, right?" The twins exchanged puzzled glances, their heads slightly tilted, before shifting their attention towards Subaru at the same time.
"Yes ??" Both said unsure.
Subaru nervously scratched his cheek as he posed a question to Ram and Rem, "What if I admitted that I had no idea about your race until you brought it up...would you both trust me?" The confusion on the twins' faces only seemed to deepen as they processed Subaru's words.
"Well It's completely understandable. Many people are can't identify an oni as an oni until they horns, since generaly we look quite similar to humans. Ram said, and Rem beside her nodded in agreement.
"yes it's what nee-sama said"
'A horn?!' Oh boy, yet another thing to add to his already extensive list of inquiries.
Subaru hesitated as he admitted, "I'm still not entirely sure who or what you are... because honestly, I've never even heard of your kind before now."
If there truly existed a race beyond the known black and white, it opens up the possibility of countless other undiscovered beings or civilizations that may be hidden away in some remote corner of the planet, waiting to be found, this notion makes Subaru exited for some reason.
Ram and Rem's eyes grew wide in surprise, but Ram couldn't help but let out a sarcastic remark, "Oh, so you're not just a complete idiot, but you've also been living under a rock all this time...how typical of you subaru," she said, feigning disappointment.
Rem simply nodded in agreement, knowing that Ram's sharp tongue was just part of her personality.
"Seriously, can you cut it out with the teasing and actually give me some useful information already?" Subaru huffed, clearly irritated by the situation.
He looked at both girls in front of him, waiting for a proper explanation to the things he needed to know urgently.
"Ugh, Alright Alright just Tell me where you want me to begin, and will tell you " Ram grumbled, clearly frustrated.
Subaru couldn't help but smirk in response.
"From the beginning, tell me the history of the oni".
And so he requested while not understanding the consequences, unaware that his request would lead to the revelation of his isekai situation, ultimately wiping the smile off his face.