Days had passed since Subaru had first convinced Rem to run away with him. They were on a bumpy carriage ride, heading west towards Kararagi. Subaru held Rem's hand tightly, trying to reassure himself more than her. He had succeeded in getting her this far, but the looming threat of the past still haunted him. He needed to ensure she would stay with him no matter what.
"Subaru," Rem's soft voice broke the silence. "I've been thinking... maybe we should go back. I can't shake the feeling that Sister is in danger."
Subaru's heart sank. He had hoped this moment wouldn't come, but deep down, he knew it was inevitable. He had to convince her to stay away from the mansion, no matter what it took.
"Rem, we've already come so far," Subaru said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Going back now would just put both of us in danger. Ram is strong; she can take care of herself."
"But I can't abandon her," Rem insisted, her voice trembling. "She's my sister. I have to be there for her."
Subaru's mind raced. He needed to find a way to make her stay. "Rem, I know you're worried about Ram, but if you go back now, you'll just end up in more danger. We need to be smart about this."
"But what if something happens to her while we're gone?" Rem's eyes were filled with anxiety.
"Rem, please trust me. Ram is capable. She'll manage," Subaru pleaded.
Rem's resolve wavered, but her determination to protect her sister was strong. "I'm sorry, Subaru, but I have to go back."
Before Subaru could stop her, Rem jumped out of the carriage. Panic surged through him as he realized the gravity of the situation. He couldn't lose her again. He had to make sure she stayed safe, even if it meant using the one thing he hated most.
With a heavy heart, Subaru stood up and took a deep breath. "I have to do this," he whispered to himself. "For Rem."
Subaru found a secluded place and steeled himself for what he was about to do. He clenched his fists, trying to muster the courage. Then, with a determined gaze, he took his own life.
Subaru woke up with a gasp, the familiar sensation of death and rebirth coursing through him. He was back in the carriage, Rem by his side, the same anxious look on her face.
"Subaru," she began, "I've been thinking—"
Subaru cut her off, already knowing what she was about to say. "Rem, please listen to me," he said, desperation in his voice. "I know you're worried about Ram, but going back now is too dangerous."
"But Subaru, she's my sister. I can't leave her in danger," Rem replied, her voice filled with emotion.
"Rem, I promise we'll find a way to help her. But we need to be smart and careful," Subaru tried to reason with her.
Rem looked at him, searching his eyes for reassurance. "I don't know, Subaru..."
"Please, Rem. Trust me. We'll figure this out together," Subaru said, hoping his sincerity would be enough.
Rem's resolve wavered again, but she still seemed torn. "I'm sorry, Subaru, but I have to go back."
Subaru woke up again, the same scenario replaying in his mind. Each time, he tried a different approach, but each time, Rem's determination to save her sister won out.
"Subaru, I can't abandon her," Rem insisted again.
"Rem, I know you're scared for Ram, but if we go back now, we might not make it out alive," Subaru said, trying a different tactic. "Ram wouldn't want you to risk your life for her like this."
"But I can't just leave her," Rem argued, her voice trembling with emotion.
Subaru took a deep breath. He had to find a way to reach her heart. "Rem, what about us? Don't we deserve a chance to be happy together?"
Rem's eyes softened, but the fear for her sister still lingered. "I want that too, Subaru, but..."
"Rem, please," Subaru said, his voice breaking. "I care about you. I don't want to lose you. Let's find a way to help Ram without risking everything."
Rem's tears flowed freely now, the emotional turmoil evident on her face. Subaru knew he was getting closer, but it still wasn't enough.
Subaru woke up again, determined to try once more. This time, he would do anything to succeed.
"Subaru," she began, "I've been thinking—"
Subaru cut her off, already knowing what she was about to say. "Rem, please listen to me," he said, desperation in his voice. "Do you really think Ram cares about you as much as you care about her?"
Rem looked at him, confusion and hurt flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it," Subaru continued, pressing his advantage. "Ram has always been so focused on herself, on her own goals. She never truly appreciates everything you do for her. You're always the one sacrificing, the one putting yourself in danger, and for what? So she can continue to look down on you?"
Tears welled up in Rem's eyes as Subaru's words cut deep. "No, that's not true... Sister loves me."
"Does she?" Subaru pressed, stepping closer. "Or does she just use you because she knows you'll always be there for her, no matter what? You're more than just her shadow, Rem. You deserve to be cared for, to be appreciated."
Rem's resolve wavered again. The doubts that had always lingered in the back of her mind now surged forward. Subaru saw his chance and continued.
"I care about you, Rem," he said softly. "I've seen your strength, your kindness. I know how much you do for everyone, and it breaks my heart to see you so undervalued. Please, stay here. Let me be the one who supports you, who stands by your side."
Rem looked into Subaru's eyes, searching for any hint of deceit. But all she saw was sincerity, concern, and... love? Her heart ached, torn between her duty to her sister and the desire to be truly valued.
"Subaru..." she whispered, her voice shaky.
Subaru realized he had to try something different. He had to break her attachment completely.
"Rem, Ram doesn't need you. She never did. You were just convenient for her," he said, the words bitter in his mouth. "But I need you. I value you. Please, don't leave me."
Rem's tears flowed freely now, the emotional turmoil evident on her face. Subaru knew it was cruel, but it was necessary.
"Stay with me, Rem. I promise, we'll build a life together, where you're appreciated and loved for who you are."
Subaru saw the pain in her eyes and knew he had to push further. "Rem, have you ever considered that maybe you're more of a burden to Ram than a help? That maybe everyone at the mansion would be better off without you constantly worrying about them?"
Rem's breath hitched, and Subaru could see the doubt creeping into her mind. "No, Subaru, I... I've always tried to help..."
"And you have," Subaru said, his voice softer now, more coaxing. "But they don't see it that way. They see you as someone who holds them back, someone who makes things more complicated."
Rem's tears flowed freely now, the emotional turmoil evident on her face. Subaru knew it was cruel, but it was necessary.
"Stay with me, Rem. I promise, we'll build a life together, where you're appreciated and loved for who you are."
After what felt like an eternity, Rem nodded, the fight draining out of her. "Alright, Subaru. I'll stay."
Subaru pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering words of gratitude and relief. He had succeeded, but the guilt gnawed at him. He vowed to himself that he would find a way to make it right, to truly earn her trust and love.
As the night grew darker, Subaru held Rem close, knowing that the path he had chosen was fraught with peril and deceit. But for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered.