I just finished three end of year projects.

Shower me with praise :3

Anyway, I'm getting into foggy territory, but I swear, I haven't abandoned the fic! I'm just REALLY busy these days…especially since college is so close ;w;

Here's best girl Rem getting flabbergasted:

She was reading too fast. She knew it. Of course, this was to be expected. The more she read, the more her thirst for the picture books grew, and most of all, the faster she read to satisfy herself. Soon enough, the suggestions grew repetitive, to the point that the screen referred her to books that she's already read before.

It was fine at first; she was not one to deny revisiting something she liked, but after a few days of nothing, even after Betty had refilled the mana supply, this metia still didn't have anything new? She held back a sad whine as she slumped over the table.

With a heavy sigh, she clicked the circle on the bottom, bringing her back to the screen with many boxes. Perhaps another one will take her to more stories.

"...this one is Nee-sama's talking pictures…this one is Puck's…vibrations. And this one is…"

…a box with what looked like a parchment of paper with unintelligible writing on it had met her gaze. She could only assume it was something about writing. Meaning…books!

Hopefully the kind she could understand.

Instead of what she had hoped, she tilted her head when all she was met with was the screen with the strange alphabet. Ah. This one. The one where she's supposed to press some buttons…

"...the lock?" Was it some sort of forbidden knowledge that lied inside this box here? What sort of solution does this one need? She started pressing random characters, sighing as they did nothing to help her confusion. Maybe she could look for the meaning of these symbols by how they looked?

…

…

…yeah, never mind. They all looked like things drawn from a three-year old's hand, made straight.

Well…there was always Beatrice-sama! She knew enough about the metia in order to refresh it, then most likely she would know how to break the lock? But at the same time…she didn't know if she would condone that if this is private…

…wait, what was she doing? This was SUBARU-KUN'S privacy! It was already bad enough that her and the others used this to read and play music and games…for the past…two weeks…

But this was going too far! She needed to put it down before-

"Emilia!"

In an un-maidlike fashion, she threw the metia on the soft cushions of the chair, and turned to Subaru with her hands by her waist, as if nothing ever happened. Said half elf, who had poked her head from a corridor at the mention of her name, looked at Rem incredulously. She could not look back, as the raven-haired boy walked in.

"S-Subaru-kun! Welcome back!" She straightened herself up, before she looked up with a little smile on her fa-

"Hi Rem! EMT!" He walked past her, and Rem's expression was frozen in a smile.

…something just cracked. The metia wasn't in her hands, so she could only assume that it was her pride.

"Eh?" Emilia cleared her throat and nodded. "Yes, Subaru?"

He bowed deeply and clasped his hands together, much to her confusion. "I heard from the old man outside that you're going to do something in the city! Please, let me come along!"

"Old…man?" She was still processing his last words. Ah…so he heard? But the old man is…

…oh. She gave a little smile and sighed. "Hah…just so you know, we aren't going for fun. I received a very important summons-"

"If it's important, all the more reason!" he cut her off, a determined expression plastered on his face. The blue haired maid couldn't help but look on in amusement, her jealousy pushed back within the confines of her mind.

"It's related to the Royal Selection, right? I want to be there for you!" He bowed deeply, closing his eyes. "Please!"

…and the jealousy came back full force. She kept smiling, but her eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Why can't Subaru-kun say that about HER?

Emilia was taken aback by his dedication, and her expression softened. With how she was put into stunned silence, Rem had given a sigh.

After all, what kind of girlfr-FRIEND would she be, if she didn't support him? Clearing her throat, she stated, "It seems that there are people in the capital who helped Subaru-kun. This may be a good opportunity for him to thank them."

A wide smile beamed on his face, making her heart skip a beat. It made her all the less prepared when Subaru placed a warm hand on her blue head. "Nice assist, Rem!"

She didn't say a word, but with how her cheeks flushed red with a soft smile, as well as a warm, buttery feeling welling up in her chest, it was clear that she was VERY happy with that.

"That's right! Some people in the capital helped me! I need to make sure they know I'm okay!" He turned back to Emilia, who relented with her own little smile.

And as they started to talk, Rem had shifted slowly to the chairs. Slowly and silently, she picked up the metia and pocketed it for later use. Maybe she could find the key to the lock later.

For now, she had to support her not-yet-boyfriend.

…

…no one had told her that she would be doing this much support. Rem was staring into blank space, as she stroked her Subaru-kun's hair, as he laid in her lap. He was calmer now…thank the gods for that, because she was honestly concerned at how adamant he was that he was one of the most worthless people in the world.

She can't lie by saying she didn't expect it. Poor boy really took his loss against the knight hard…and took it even harder when Emilia all but left.

For one, she felt a little pissed at that.

On the other hand…more Subaru-kun for her.

Still, when he finally broke down, he mentioned almost nothing about Emilia. More of what he was. It felt like he was blaming no one but himself…but she could barely see it. After all, all he ever showed was the ever dependable persona of a hero. At least…HER hero.

How was that possible? After everything he had done for them, after bringing such joy to the village…how did he think so low of himself? Surely his initial struggle as a butler couldn't have weighed so heavily on his mind…?

No. She knew it wasn't going to be found there. Something else was going on…whether it be behind the scenes or in the past.

And she knew for a fact that the locked box in his metia was the answer. It was the only place he could sufficiently hide something…not when any written record would be illegible for her, seeing his language.

But if she reads the pictures…if she understands it enough…maybe she can help the boy on her lap.

Her train of thought was broken when her hero shifted in his lap, and a serene smile made its way to her face as she brushed a stray lock of hair away from his nose.

"Rest well, Subaru-kun…you will need it."

…it can wait for now. After all, he needs her more than ever. About time that happened…

She was doing well on her promise. At least, the first part of it.

Subaru and Rem had stood side by side, or at least, her standing beside Subaru, as he met gazes with the Matriarch of the Karsten House.

She would be lying if she said she didn't feel a little intimidated. The people beside Crusch weren't exactly the common guards. They were Wilhelm Von Astrea and Felix, one of the most renowned healers of Lugnica.

Still, she kept her posture, determined to see it through with Subaru-kun. This was a negotiation anyway…as long as he doesn't say something that could make them-

"I have information on the White Whale."

…gods damn it, Subaru-kun.

And immediately, a heavy aura filled the air, filling Rem and Subaru's minds with dread, rigid with expectance. They looked at the old man, who seemed to have a glinting, righteous fury within his eyes…

"...the…White Whale?"

…

…

…before it slowly died down. Wilhelm gave a light sigh, and he bowed in apology, sincerity in his voice.

"...please forgive my indiscretions. I have…much to learn."

…that voice held pain, and Rem felt sympathy for the man. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, as Subaru gave a little nod.

"...it is rather sudden that you would bring up the White Whale." Crusch seamlessly returned to the conversation at hand, and Subaru shook his head with a little grin.

"Not at all…when we first began this conversation, I mentioned the magic stones in Roswaal's domain, in Elior Forest." He cleared his throat, and leaned forward. "...if sharing the mining rights is insufficient, then I will need to offer something on top of that."

"Crusch-san." Rem felt herself tick at that honorific, but she was still more invested in what he was saying. She had never known Subaru-kun to be this…fluent in negotiating. "I'm certain that my information will aid in your goal to subjugate the White Whale."

"...let me ask you a question, Natsuki Subaru." One almost missed how Crusch's eyes narrowed. "What gave you that idea? That is not something one might pass off as a baseless accusation."

Rem was the only one who caught the sweat on Subaru's head, but she held firm. "For these past few days, some things have bothered me…first, the increase in traffic to and from your mansion. It was a little excessive…"

…now that she thought about it, yes, there was an increase…she didn't know Subaru-kun paid attention to that.

"Also in the capital, I heard you've been purchasing weapons and armor."

…well…she's the leader of an army, right? That would be needed anyway…

"Plus…I overheard that conversation." Subaru's eyes met Wilhelm's, who regarded him in curiosity.

"She isn't the only one who wants this to happen."

…it clicked for the blue haired maid. Adding on those minute details he talked about…the fact that Wilhelm had that outburst earlier, meant that there was shared interest between the two.

Was Subaru-kun…really that observant? Then…how has he not found out yet?

"Of course…I can't prove it. Maybe I only made the connection…because I know that the White Whale would attack soon."

Rem had immediately stiffened out of her wonder, and so had everyone else. Information was one thing. A warning was another. And seeing that it was a being such as this one…

"...on what grounds?" Crusch's voice didn't waver, but one could catch how it got her attention immediately. "On what grounds, do you know that the White Whale would appear?"

Rem had looked expectantly at him. She too, didn't exactly know. She only got more confused when he pulled out a particular object, and placed it on the table.

'...the…metia?'

"This."

…

Crusch and her company looked at the object in confusion. "...what…in the world is this?"

"It's what you may call…a metia."

What you may call? With how much she knew about it, it was PLENTY more than that. It was a godsend, and she had yet to prove it. But of course…Rem couldn't say that out loud.

"It tells me when and where the White Whale will appear."

…

…what?

Rem's expression had frozen. Was…was he talking about the time? The weird clock with the strange numbers on the first screen? But…she's seen every number at LEAST once a day! How could THAT tell where it appears?!

"I find this hard to believe…"

Well you should! There was no chance that it was anything but a straight up-

"But I can see that you are not lying."

"WHAT?!"

She covered her mouth, when everyone's heads shot towards her, eyes wide in alarm. She had to make something up. Quick. She flustered a bit, and coughed lightly.

"...m-my apologies…I have heard of the beast. T-The fact that such a mechanism exists…is outlandish to me."

…it wasn't a lie. And that was the key, as slowly, Crusch nodded, and turned back.

"...how…do you know I'm not lying?" Subaru, now on guard, sent a worried glance to Rem, who would have melted at that if she wasn't sighing in relief.

And it slowly devolved to utter confusion. No. This…couldn't be right. The same screens that showed her those blessed picture books…the same one that gives soothing tunes? The same one that vibrates for Puck! How…can this be?

"Lies will get you nyowhere with Crusch-sama!" She couldn't help but notice that verbal tic. "She has the divine protection of wind reading!"

…

"...uh, say what?" Subaru said, completely oblivious to what that is.

'Yes. Say what,' Rem thought, completely knowledgeable to what that meant. This meant…

"When a person lies, a telling wind blows around them. I can see that wind…and it was nowhere around you."

…that there was so much more to the metia than she thought.

They were here. Dusk was almost upon them, and the Flugel Tree was near. More importantly…she had the metia again.

Subaru-kun was walking around…no one was watching her…and she was on another side of the tree entirely. She effortlessly unlocked the phone, swiped up to lower the brightness, found the locked box…and…it…wasn't locked? In fact, it seemed to be used…very recently.

…did…Subaru-kun go here after the negotiations?

That…was even more reason to go.

She swiped up, looking for an entry that she could understand even a little, and-

"Carrying it all was impossible from the start!"

…she stopped again, a heart wrenching cry from her memories catching her attention. "My hands are so small, that it slipped through my fingers, leaving nothing!"

…that voice that she heard before…it held more than what she knew.

"This is the kind of man I am! I have no strength, but I want it all. I have no knowledge, but all I do is dream! There's nothing I can do, but I struggle in vain!"

…she looked back at the entries, her finger shaking as she tried to press one…

"I…I..! I HATE MYSELF!"

…she couldn't.

She sighed silently, as she pressed the button on the side and let the metia sleep once more. She wanted to know…she wanted to know so badly…

…but was such knowledge worth the vulnerability of her dear Subaru-kun?

…

…no.

It…it wasn't. This wasn't right.

"Rem!" She pocketed the metia, careful to hide it from…

…what was she doing?

They were going to fight for their lives soon…and such, Subaru NEEDED it right now. She couldn't just…

"Subaru-kun!" She took out the metia, and went to him, placing it in his hands gently. "I remember that this tells you where the White Whale is supposed to appear…"

"Ah! Thank you!" He seemed panicked as he took it back. He laughed softly, as he opened it once more, reading the time she herself couldn't. "I set it to ring when it's time…honestly, without it-"

'Then I would be useless', rang in her head in his voice, and she immediately spoke. "That's a lie."

Subaru had flinched from it, and he looked back at Rem, only to waver at Rem's own, sparkling, determined gaze. He shied away, immediately on the defensive. "W-Why are ya saying that all of a sudden?!"

He flailed his arms and started to try to make an explanation, only for Rem to close her eyes and chuckle softly. "I-If it's a lie, how'd ya think I was gonna-"

"You're speaking in Kararagi dialect, Subaru-kun…" She giggled softly, and looked back up at him with a knowing smile. "It doesn't fit you, don't you think?"

He flushed further, and shook his head. "No no no! I mean, there's NO WAY that I could be lying!"

She smiled softly, and looked away, her eyes closed as a serene expression came across her face. She remembered what he had done for her in the forest. What he had done to support Emilia, even when she had left him. What he had done to fight back against a creature, who by all means, should have crushed him.

"I can always tell when you're lying…" Because he lies about himself. Telling himself that he's worth so little, when he can't see everything he's done for everyone. And most of all, for her.

And yet…

It was hidden behind the box of secrets.

"I also know…that you cannot tell me why you do so."

…and somehow…she was okay with that.

"So there is no need to convince me, or to wrap everything in lies, or try to take the blame on yourself like that." No need to hide secrets with her, the one who trusts him with every cell in her body.

"Because…"

She gave a smile, full of trust, directed at the dumbfounded boy in front of her.

"I have complete faith in you, Subaru-kun!"

…it wasn't the three special words. It wasn't some grand confession that she had been holding in for a while, it wasn't some moment that would have changed everything…

…but when she saw her Subaru-kun clearly struggle to hold back tears, she knew for a fact that it was the right thing to do.

…and cry, he almost did. He inhaled shakily, and looked away, hiding the hints of tears as he looked at the massive tree they were next to. "MAN!" He cried out, hiding his shaky voice. "LOOKING AT THIS HUGE TREE SURE FIRES YOU UP, HUH?!"

She giggled knowingly, nodding as she closed her eyes. "Yes…it does."

"I'M GOING TO HAVE TO STARE AT IT FOR A LONG TIME, OR ELSE I'LL NEVER RELAX!" Rem, in response, said nothing, shook her head, and approached Subaru. "I WON'T BE ABLE TO LOOK DOWN FOR A WHILE!"

"Yes…you're right." She made her place right beside him, standing at his shoulder, and looking up at him.

…

…

"...I should say 'thank you', instead of 'I'm sorry', should I."

She had the warmest of smiles as she saw his own, filled with tears, but with every sign of satisfaction and comfort. She had…done something good.

"...you're welcome…"

She sighed softly, leaning her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, taking comfort in his presence.

"...Subaru-kun."

Alright, hear me out.

End of year sucks.

I forgot an assessment, but the teacher forgot to grade it, and I'm going to ride on that for the rest of my life.

But still. I FINISHED THE LATEST CHAPTER AFTER SO LONG LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO-

And yeah, there's the thing that this is a glorified reimagining of episode 19, but come on! My first character development with my Rem! That's a big step!

Anyway, the plot continues, and I'm just gonna…

ignorethefactthathesellsthemetialateronecoughcoughneeditforthestorycoughcough

Hope you enjoyed~

"..." He held the phone in his hands. He wasn't worried about the number of apps open on his own phone, or the fact that it was warm.

No, the one thing he was more cautious with, was the fact that the wi-fi was back on. Now how the HELL was that possible?

"...and how is the battery still alive? I haven't used it in weeks now…" He swiped, and looked at the diary entries. He typed in the password…

…and there it was. He was using it for a period of time, to write down certain events. When you've gone through enough loops, keeping certainties really helped him be sane.

…as well as make sure he didn't say the wrong thing around the others. Last thing he needed was more suspicion. He wrote his entry, a rather short one, and sighed.

"There…let's hope I don't have to rewrite that."

"Subaru-kun?"

He yelped, and pocketed his phone for later use. "Coming, Rem!"

For him and everyone, he hoped that the entry was there to stay this time.