Ever since he reunited with his children, this other [Natsuki Subaru] had not said a word to him. He seemed content with simply ignoring them while cradling onto his baby daughter along with his son.
Subaru could understand the sentiment. That little bundle of joy that he — that [Natsuki Subaru] had named Spica was certainly reason enough to lose oneself in pampering her. Subaru had barely had any chances to see her thus far, yet he could tell as much.
Honestly, he was quite jealous. Not just of being able to hold a cute baby himself, but because he lacked any way of distracting himself from this bothersome situation.
Both Emilia and Beatrice had been needed to help mend the wounds of the trio of maids along with Garfiel. A part of him thought that it was somewhat overkill to send so many healers, but at the same time, another part of him demanded it.
Rem was there. He had seen her. He had heard her voice again. Even if just for a moment, and even though they weren't directed at him, he managed to hear her faint words. Only the promise he had made a few minutes earlier had managed to stop him from breaking down in tears.
Emilia must have noticed and understood what he was feeling at that moment even through her own confusion and had volunteered to help. And after he brought [Natsuki Subaru] back to where his children were, Beatrice had been quick to also offer her help.
And while that lifted one of the many worries in his heart, it left him painfully alone in this moment.
Still, he much preferred that they weren't here right now. While they were making their way through the mansion, the other [Subaru] constantly kept his eyes glued to the floor, or rather, to Rem, whom he was carrying.
And if he ever ventured to see anyone else, he was met with a bunch of frowning faces that held concerned, confused, and likely a myriad more of emotions.
When he looked at [Natsuki Subaru], it didn't seem like he didn't want to say anything. Rather, that he too had much to say, and couldn't bring himself to say any of it.
Or maybe that's how I feel. I just don't know anymore.
They all had been dying with questions to ask and things to say but had the tact to not say anything to the nervous man yet.
He was glad that Garfiel had not seen the other 'him' yet; he was sure that he would not be able to keep calm under such a situation.
It was when he reached his kids that he spoke again, basically screaming in joy at seeing them. Beatrice had apparently taken them out of the room sensing them coming back, and both father and son quickly ran towards each other.
The way that Rigel had instantly gone pale upon seeing the state of his mom made his heart hurt with pain.
"Please… Please help Rem…"
[Natsuki Subaru] was still kneeling when he said that. And it was clear to whom it was directed.
"Betty will gladly help, I suppose."
Subaru could not see the expression his other self had at that moment, but from the way that Beatrice had looked when she answered him…
Well, if it means that Beako won't have to make that sad face anymore, I'm glad she isn't here…
Still, that left him very alone in this situation he very much did not like. Now if only-
"Ah, Petra!"
"Subaru-sama looked worried, so I decided to come over and help."
Petra moved closer to him and took his hand. She had been in the room next to him for some time now. She had dutifully done her job as a maid and served tea to everyone, even their new 'guests', and while Rigel seemed somewhat interested in talking to the girl that was about his age, he didn't move from the side of his dad, who gave a sad expression and soft 'thanks' to her.
"I know it's usually Beatrice-chan who takes your hand but… "
"Ah, Petra, you're also nervous and want to hold onto Natuski-san's hand, right?"
The ever-perceptive Otto said, also sitting at his side. Since he also lacked any sort of healing abilities, he had joined them in waiting. Out of everyone there, he seemed the most relaxed, even managing some small talk between the two. Of course, even Otto could not seem to muster enough willpower to talk to the other [Natsuki Subaru].
Petra let out a humph and hugged Subaru's arm. "As if you aren't nervous too, Otto-!"
"Your name was Otto, right?"
Petra's words instantly died in her mouth. They all turned to look at the speaker, the other [Natsuki Subaru] who had passed his daughter onto his son and was now staring intensely at the merchant.
"Wha- Erm, yes. That's my name. Otto. Otto Suwen."
"…"
The other [Subaru] kept his gaze on Otto. He wore that same depressing face he always did when he looked at any of them.
"That blonde maid. What is her name? I… I couldn't ask her."
"T-that would be Frederica-neesama. She's really- Um…"
Petra tripped over her own words. Despite trying her best to respond, the remorseful look that he got when he heard her voice made her lose her will to keep talking.
When she had first seen him, she thought he looked like he had seen a ghost. Now she realized how right she was.
"Um… If it's alright with you, could we talk properly, Natsuki-san?" Otto broke the silence again, clearly referring to the other [Subaru].
For a moment, [Natsuki Subaru] closed his eyes and turned his head to the ceiling. He took a deep breath, and then slapped his head with both hands.
"Yosh! Man, that was embarrassing. Sorry, sorry. I showed a pretty bad side for my first meeting, and I haven't even introduced myself."
While still holding onto Spica, he stood up, dragging Rigel with him.
"Alright, Rigel. Time to introduce ourselves to these strangers using the special Natsuki household salute!"
"What the- First I'm hearing about that!"
"Oh well, if my son wants to abandon his dad in the moment when he is at his lowest, when his heart is in turmoil, when he already feels lost and alone, when he-"
"Argh! Fine, fine! I'll do this stupid salute!"
The other members of the room watched with silent surprise and expectation as the father and son performed. As such, [Natsuki Subaru] turned to his audience and, while still holding his daughter in one arm, struck a pose very familiar to most of them.
"My name is [Natsuki Subaru]! Patriarch and breadwinner of the Natsuki household, with all the love my family, friends, and neighbors give me, I must be the richest man in Banan!"
"Erm… I already told you guys, but I'm Natsuki Rigel… Hi."
They saw the man who was possibly older than all of them do a childish greeting, while the kid gave a reserved wave of his hand.
"Where's your energy, my son? Did this situation zap it away too? I can understand that, but you have to try to put yourself out there! Talk about yourself, like how your serial-killer eyes can make kids cry, about how each year the townspeople throw beans at you, about how-"
"Those are all your fault!" Rigel cried out anxiously, while his father finished his list with a face-splitting grin. "-you're so easy to tease."
The son glared at the father with such intensity that it was clear he wanted to launch a parade of insults at him but held back because of the other members present in the room.
"Oh, but we can't forget the most important part of our house, can we, Rigel? Come on, we have to introduce her!"
Rigel looked confused for a second, before he suddenly seemed to understand what his father said, and then quickly nodded.
[Subaru] picked up the girl still nestled in his arms and raised her up as high as he could.
"The shining light of our household!" said the father. "The cutest in all town!" said the son, this time, without missing a beat.
"Our precious angel!" "The little miracle in our lives!" "Our little bundle of joy!" "The appa in our eye!"
""And her name is SPICA!"" They both cried in unison.
And the child in question opened her eyes, scanned the audience she was being presented to, and let out a giggle.
For a moment, Subaru thought his heart would melt, and he would die.
Otto and Petra must have thought so too because they gazed silently at the little spectacle they had just seen.
A few seconds passed in silence before…
"Thank you. We technically already knew your names, except for little Petra here, so…. Well, we can't just see this and not introduce ourselves in kind!" Subaru said to the two beside him as he jumped to his feet and also struck his pose.
"Believe it or not, I am also called Natsuki Subaru! Honorable member of the Emilia Camp, as well as her Knight!"
Subaru wanted to see the expression that the other him made at saying those words. Rather, he needed to know how he reacted. He needed to know… Well, he needed to know a lot of things now.
Regretfully, the still-raised Spica blocked his view. He saw her giggle again at his pose.
Cute! Oh well, there'll be time for questions soon… Cute!
Otto also stood up, straightened his clothes, and made to speak.
But Subaru cut him off. "Oh, and this shady guy here is Otto! He is good at paperwork, decent at being a merchant, and excellent at being teased!"
"Hey! That's- Natsuki-san!"
Otto glared at him, but Subaru just casually laughed it off. Otto just sighed and continued talking.
"… Yeah, once again, my name is Otto Suwen. I'm the 'Internal Affairs Minister' of this Camp here." He looked like he wanted to say more but resigned himself and just sat down again while he muttered 'Just decent at being a merchant?'.
Subaru just ignored him and turned to Petra. "And this little cute and elegant maid is Petra!"
Petra made a cutesy bow. "That's right, I'm Petra Leyte. Maid of the Mathers family."
After Petra finished her greeting, [Natsuki Subaru] lowered Spica, and his expression visibly darkened, even though his smile remained; it was now somewhat strained. Subaru saw the way the other him looked. The look he always had when he looked at his friends. The look of a man who-
"Yo, Rigel. I need you to do your dad a favor."
Subaru was shaken from his thoughts by the other him.
"You're probably — no, you're definitely going to enjoy this. If you see me making a big sad or sour face, I want you to pinch me or stomp my foot."
Rigel looked at the rare sight of a serious expression and voice on his father's face. He likewise gave a serious nod at his question, Then, as he saw his dad relax a little, he moved up to him and…
"Ouch! I didn't say anything about punching!"
"My bad," Rigel dryly apologized. "But at the very least, you're no longer making that sad expression, right?"
"You… if I weren't holding onto Spica, you would be feeling hell right now."
[Subaru] just sighed and finally sat down again. He took the cup of tea that Petra had served much earlier and proceeded to gulp it down. After he finished, he looked at the other three.
"Well, we 'introduced' ourselves, so… I'm sure you're dying to talk. I've got plenty of questions myself."
Otto and Subaru exchanged nervous glances. It was time.
"Yeah. It would be ideal if we could talk with everyone at the same time, but we should get things out of the way as best we can," Otto began speaking.
"Right. So…" He looked around and then sighed. "… Any idea of what is happening?"
The most obvious question. What was even going on. No one in the room could even begin to comprehend the bizarreness of the situation. Well, that's not exactly right. Two of them had a pretty good idea. A pretty terrifying idea.
"We don't know for sure either. All we know is that Beatrice-sama thinks powerful magic was at work here," Otto averted his eyes. "And that she believes that the culprit could've been-"
"The Witch of Envy."
Subaru watched the other him freeze up as he finished Otto's part. It was normal for people to freeze at the mention of the witch being involved in anything, as evident by Petra and Rigel similarly tensing up.
But he knew. He knew that the other him had already guessed a name in his mind. That he had guessed correctly and was despairing that he did. That he knew. He knew. He knew about it. He knew because he also-
"Ouch!"
"You were making a bad face again."
Rigel had stepped on [Subaru's] foot, even if the kid himself was also not showing his best one. [Subaru] frowned a little at him, but he continued with his talk.
"Right. This is just what one would expect of an alternative world plot."
Subaru considered just what he said. By all means, the [Natsuki Subaru] in front of him had basically been summoned from another world 'again'. The only difference being that they were from the 'same' world while also being from another reality. Another version of themselves. One who did or didn't do something differently.
At least that's what one would expect of an alternative world plot.
Speaking of. "Well, following in line with those kinds of stories, the best course of action would be to establish the differences between our worlds, right?"
"They sure had a lot of interesting stories in Natsuki-san… Both of your hometowns huh? Oh, that's a good place to start. Are you both from the same hometown?"
Subaru and [Subaru] looked at each other. Even now, every time their eyes met, they were faced with a mirror of themselves. A mirror that desperately wanted to understand the other one. But nevertheless, they both responded basically at the same time.
""A small island nation to the east.""
The others looked somewhat surprised at the way both answered so similarly, but they were the same person, so it was to be expected.
"Well, there certainly are very obvious differences between the two of you," Otto said, and Petra nodded.
"Yeah, now that I look at you next to one another, it would be impossible for me to mistake you again!"
"Alright, I get it! I'm old, no need to dance around it."
Both Otto and Petra put up their hands to dismiss that thought.
"Nonono, you're still plenty young! In fact, if you tried you could possibly pass for the other one."
"Yeah, if we change the hair and clothes, either of you could pass for a convincing… other Subaru."
Ignoring the other two, Subaru stared directly at the other him. They were right in that assessment of them passing for the other one if they tried.
"Alright, but to get things back on track, I'm 18 years old."
Instead of the father, it was Rigel who spoke up first. "Dad here is thirty years old. Oh, and I'm twelve by the way."
"Yup, I'm a bona fide adult now. Enjoy that youth that you have because- Well, actually, I've aged pretty gracefully, wouldn't you say? Oh, and cute Spica here is only two years old!"
Thirty? That means he's like twelve years older than me… Wait.
"Hold it! Rigel is only twelve… Then- then that means that you had him… at around my age?!"
For a moment [Subaru] abandons his confident pose and scratches his cheek, although his grin becomes larger. "Hehe, yeah… I already had a wife and was on my way to getting married at your age. Jealous?"
"Of course I am!" Subaru shamelessly admits. "But that isn't the point! I know you were technically an 'adult' by then, but that's way too young for me- for you- for someone to have a kid! Especially someone who probably had no job and no family to back him up!"
[Subaru] fakes pain in his chest. "Ah, how do you know that I was clueless and broke just at that time!"
"Argh! What's with this guy! What happened to all of the teachings of not being rash in one's life! Our dutiful teachers will be mad we wasted their advice!"
[Subaru] just gave a boisterous laugh, while Subaru looked irritated as he pointed at him.
"A child at the same age as Natsuki-san… Then that's probably where the change happens."
"Wow, Otto, you caught on fast to the tropes of alternate realities." Subaru turned to look at Otto.
"Well, as I grasp it, Beatrice told us that they are similar but not the same, so it stood to reason that there would be something that led to that change. And if so, we only have to find what it is."
"Hmm, well, there's still much of our childhood that could be different, but if we follow tropes, it started when I-"
"Arrived in Lugunica."
Subaru turns to [Subaru] as the latter interrupted him. That just confirmed it. This guy probably had the same childhood and upbringing as him.
That means he also was a hopeless NEET when he came here…
"After that, I helped Emilia-tan get her insignia," Subaru continued, "And then-"
"I got hired to work at Roswaal's mansion," [Subaru] finished for him again.
Subaru stopped talking, gesturing to the other him to continue.
"Dammit… I'm sorry, Rigel… Me and your mother wanted to let you know this when you were older but- Ouch."
"That face again…"
Subaru didn't react as harshly as he should to the pinch, probably because Rigel had not done it with much force, since he was focused on listening to the story of his parents' past, who didn't talk much about it.
"Right, of course. I… I met Rem there, and after some time... I went to the capital again… and made a fool of myself in front of a lot of people…"
Otto nodded; he knew of the fact that his friend had fumbled his relationship with Emilia in the Royal Selection. But if this other [Subaru] had his kid at eighteen, then there had to have been a change within that time, which meant it had to have happened close to last year. Or rather when…
When the White Whale and Sloth were at large…
"And after that Emilia cut ties with me… I understood that I was not wanted… And left with Rem to Kararagi."
Otto's face fell a little. He understood the implications of what he said. Without Subaru, the whale and Sloth wouldn't have been subjugated. And while he can understand that it would be expected for Subaru to leave after the fiasco at the capital, the fact remains that with his inaction, they would still be at large. And that means that I…
"You… You… You left?" Petra could not hold her gaze on the other [Subaru]. She too understood the implication of what Subaru abandoning them meant.
But her pondering meant that she let her attention slip from the Subaru next to him, which caused dire problems.
"You… bastard!"
Subaru leaped from his seat and made his way to [Natsuki Subaru]. Petra and Otto were too late to stop him. They were stunned that Subaru would've acted like this, especially since it felt as if the Subarus were on the same wavelength. At the very least, it seemed they mistook Subaru's nervousness for anger.
Because they didn't know. They didn't know what Subaru knew. He too had made a fool of himself at the capital. He too was left behind by Emilia. And while he technically didn't know if the other [Subaru] had done the same, he at the very least had fought and struggled against them.
"You—You left them!"
And he knew about Kararagi; that was a country in the west he'd heard of. And it was there where he wanted to go with Rem… Where he wanted to go when he gave up.
"You abandoned them!"
When he was at the end of his rope, and when he thought there was nothing else to do, that was where he wanted to run away to. But Rem had stopped him. She gave him, her hero, the strength to push forward.
"YOU LEFT THEM TO DIE!"
Subaru stopped from his goal after someone blocked his path. It was little Rigel, who he found out wasn't that young to begin with, only one year younger than Petra. Yet he stood in his way with a determined look on his face.
"E-even if you helped me, I won't let you—"
"Hey Rigel, take Spica for me, will you?"
Rigel instantly took over his little sister, despite being very nervous and worried himself. He couldn't even see and check if his dad was making an ugly face or not.
[Subaru] moved closer to Subaru of his own volition. He looked down at him with a strange look on his face. It hid many feelings, but above all, it was resignation, or perhaps acceptance.
"Don't you mess with me!"
Subaru instantly closed in; his hands curled into fists.
"You! Have you any idea what that means?! Everyone—the village, Petra, Ram, and Emilia—do you know what would've happened to them?!"
"Natsuki-san, wait! We can't be sure that he knew of—"
"I knew."
Even though Subaru's fists were dangerously close to his face, [Natsuki Subaru] didn't flinch.
"I knew what abandoning them would mean. The village and everyone… that bastard would raze and destroy it all."
His own hands were fists now, although it looked like he would rather punch himself than Subaru.
"T-then—then why! Why did you—"
"I COULDN'T DO IT!"
Subaru flinched back as [Natsuki Subaru] also screamed.
"I'm sure you never even thought about running away, but what I saw… what happened there…" He cut himself, as if wanting to say more but choosing against it. Subaru was sure he'd done the same many times… while thinking of the same topic.
"I… I wouldn't have been able to do anything. Even if I tried, I would've failed and only made things worse… That's what I thought."
"But you were—"
"But I was wrong."
Subaru finally turned to look at his namesake. He saw it then; he was crying. But he still talked with unexpected calmness.
"You… you were able to save them all. Even though it must've hurt, even though it must've been painful… you managed to save them all."
For a moment, he saw himself in that time he had felt weak. Where he too had wished to give up and run. In that time where it had been Rem who saved him and told him...
"Wait a moment! What about Rem! You just ignored what she wanted and forced her to run away with you?!"
"Don't bring her into this."
Even through the tears, he could see that those eyes had some kind of determination hidden within. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"You're right about everything. But leave her out of it. I was the one who failed everyone. She isn't at fault; I was."
"Wha—?"
Subaru didn't understand what he meant; he never thought to ascertain that Rem was at fault, rather that he had ignored Rem's wish. The wish of becoming her hero.
Unless maybe he didn't—
"I am the one that left everyone. I'm not like you. I'm sure you had the strength to defeat the whale and sloth, but I did not. You're Natsuki Subaru, but you're different from me…"
"Don't you talk like that! Rem—You—saying those things—"
"But it's true, isn't it!" [Subaru] talked between clenched teeth. "I didn't save Emilia, the village… No, I only ran away. You are the one who saved everyone, didn't you say so yourself? You're Emilia's knight."
Only now did Subaru realize the effects that his careless declarations had made on the other him.
"You—Who do you think I am?" Subaru grabbed [Subaru] by the collar of his kimono. "If you and I are the same, then that means that the only difference between us is that you gave up. I don't have any skill that you didn't have at the time. I just decided to keep going, no matter the cost."
The eyes of [Natsuki Subaru] held many different feelings, and once more, Subaru could not truly decipher what those were. Despite the fact that this man was supposed to be him, were they so different from one another that he could not truly connect with him?
Of course not. After all, he too had been in the exact same situation before. In fact, it was also him who chose to give up and run, but Rem had stopped him. In that, and in an infinitude of similar ways, they were the same.
It was why he could just make out some of the feeling in his eyes. And while he understood that there was sadness and shame in him, there was also… acceptance.
"Listen, I know that we are similar, and what you say may be true… But still, I chose to leave while you didn't…" [Subaru] looked down at him again, his face just slightly calmer after their mutual outburst. "… And while I will always carry the guilt and the shame… I will never regret leaving and making a family with Rem."
For a moment, Subaru allowed himself to imagine what that had been like, living more than a decade of peace with Rem, a wife who loved and cherished him, and two children for him to spoil and cuddle.
He definitely felt a bit jealous of the other [Natsuki Subaru] and his family life. So, he decided then that he would keep fighting hard to get his own happy ending like that. Even if he had more hurdles to pass than this other Subaru, he would cross them.
"I don't ask that you understand me or forgive me but-"
That's when he understood. Those eyes weren't just showing acceptance, but they were seeking forgiveness at the same time.
"Oi, I think you're misunderstanding something, [Natsuki Subaru]."
While he was still glaring, Subaru let go of his collar with a sigh.
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. I'm just the guy who's going to kick your ass if you fail to do so."
[Subaru] glanced over at Otto and Petra, who had so far stayed out of their fight, with darkened expressions on their faces. It was only natural, considering that, while not technically the same person as their friend, [Natsuki Subaru] had abandoned them.
And to his son Rigel, whose face was twisted into a scowl not unlike the one that he had asked to be kept out of his own face. He needed to earn his forgiveness too… and then he needed to punish him for that cheeky punch he had thrown earlier.
"Yeah, that's…"
"Ah, Subaru!" "Subaru-kun!"
Just then, the door opened. Both Subarus turned to the newly opened door, where the rest of the mansion members were quickly entering the room.
Subaru was relieved to see everyone once more. He certainly needed the company of Emilia and Beatrice; they all needed to hear what the other [Subaru] had to say, and he needed to see his wife, Rem, once more.
She looked worryingly at both of them. Her skin was now completely free of wounds, as expected of the work of so many healers working together, plus her own oni's blood healing her. Her hair, however, was not so lucky. Still, her hair was made into a braid and hung over her shoulder; no doubt it would soon grow back to its complete silky glory.
As for her clothes, those had been completely unsalvageable, at least for now, and were replaced with a bluish onesie instead. They were the same clothes that his Rem was wearing, as her wheelchair was pushed into the room by Frederica.
Oh.
He had been the one who had asked for his Rem to be brought to the meeting. He knew it was an important thing that the other him and the other Rem deserved to know about.
So, he should've expected the punch that rocked him right in the face.
"Ah! Subaru-sama!" "Natsuki-san!"
Petra and Otto moved forward to check on him, while the newcomers were shocked to see the sudden turn of events.
"You, you! All that talk—about being a hero to her and a knight… Yet you sacrificed her!"
Having recovered from the shock of the punch, Subaru tried to stand up, but he was lifted by the collar of his tracksuit well before that happened.
"You said it… 'No matter the cost'… and that cost was Rem! What happened to the strength you said you had, about what made you stand apart from me?"
"In the first place, it was you who said all that stuff… about being different."
Being met with the fiery gaze that he himself likely gave the other [Subaru] earlier, he nevertheless gave a strong response. It looked like [Subaru] was stunned at the truth in his words, and he faltered a little. Enough time for the others to finally reach them.
"Oi!" Subaru was let go immediately after another person put himself between them. "I don't care if yer supposed t' be another world's Cap'n or whatever, ya ain't hurtin' my Cap'n!"
[Subaru] saw a young and boisterous boy quickly come to Subaru's rescue, someone he had not seen before, though he was probably related to the blonde maid, Frederica.
And in the same manner, his wife, Rem, made her way to him.
"Subaru-kun, your Rem is fine… and they told me about… this other me." She looked a bit nervous about it. "She has something called the 'Sleeping Beauty' disease."
[Subaru] ran his hand over Rem's hair, her newly made braid, caressing it gently.
"I know I don't have the first right to say anything like this to you, but… why? Why did you not save Rem?"
He was still angry, it seemed, both at Subaru and at… himself. Or maybe it was shame, because just as he said, the man who had abandoned so many would probably have no right to speak about this matter.
"I—I did—" Subaru began to talk, but he cut himself short.
"I—I think it's about time you and me…" Subaru passed Garfiel and once more was face to face with [Subaru].
"… have a talk man to man…"
There was knowledge that only the two of them were privy to. Even if they couldn't discuss it properly with each other, at the very least, they could try to understand what few things they could share.
"… Natsuki Subaru to [Natsuki Subaru]."
…
"Ouch!"
The tense silence was broken by [Subaru] letting out a sudden voice in surprise,
"Rigel! What are you doing to your father—"
"Your face… you were making that ugly face again…"
Rigel was trembling, and he looked close to tears. He didn't truly grasp what the two Subarus had been talking about, but from what little he could decipher… well, it was better for him not to dwell on it, at least not until his parents actually told him the full story. That's what he felt, at least.
Of course, he was still affected by the whole discussion, and he was still holding onto Spica, now seeking protection behind his mother, who had almost scolded him.
"Right, you're right, my son!"
[Subaru] quickly put up a smile, even though it didn't actually reach his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Rem, you've just been hurt and were probably looking forward to talking with me about this whole situation, but I need you to look after Rigel and Spica again while I have a talk with… with this mean-eyed looking guy."
Rem gave a light chuckle. "You're so mindful of your wife, Subaru-kun," she said as she hugged him. "Don't worry. Your Rem will wait here for as long as you need."
"I'm sorry, Beako—"
"Betty already knows what you're going to ask for, in fact." Subaru had turned to ask Beatrice a similar question, only to be surprised by her already being beside him. "What a troublesome contractor Betty has, I suppose."
Subaru turned to look at the others; Otto and Petra still seemed to be reeling from the implications of what they had just heard, while Garfiel had quickly jumped to his aid, though he appeared sad too. Just then, he noticed that Ram was in a wheelchair similar to her sister's, but she was obviously still awake, glaring at the two of them.
"Ram… What happened? Why did you—"
"I already expected that Barusu would not understand, but of course, this state was Ram's own doing." She then fixed a glance at the other Rem, who was hugging [Subaru]. From the corner of his eye, he could see them flinch slightly at both Ram's voice and her gaze.
"Ram had her perception slightly… altered for a moment. It would've been shameful if I caused any trouble at that moment, so I decided to exhaust my powers to be in a calmer state. Barusu could learn something from Ram's foresight and… self-control."
"You did that by destroying a corridor! And hurting— Never mind."
"I'm glad one Barusu at least still knows his place. Now go, two Barusu's are starting to become an eyesore."
[Subaru] shot a small glare at Ram, although just like Subaru, he likely understood that her actions and now her banter came from a place of caring, even if it ended up hurting his wife. He couldn't maintain that for long as he quickly broke line of sight with her and made for the door.
Before Subaru turned to do the same, there was one last person to speak.
"Um… I still reaaally don't understand what you two talked about that made you do this, but… You shouldn't be having a fight with yourse—your own blood!"
"Emilia-tan… They probably haven't told you yet, but me and this guy, we aren't actually related."
"I know that! But if you two are the same, then you must have the same blood, right?"
"What flawless logic, Emilia-tan!"
Emilia let out a small chuckle. "Exactly, so don't go punching each other, okay?"
"First off, he started it!" Subaru angrily pointed at the other [Subaru]. "And… sorry, but I don't know if I can promise that…"
"Damn right."
Finally, the other [Natsuki Subaru] chose his opportunity to speak once more.
"I'm sorry, Emilia-san, but what me and this guy will talk about, it'll definitely need some punches in the process."
Emilia opened her mouth but didn't object. Maybe it was the way he referred to her, or maybe she just didn't have the right words, but…
"Besides, that's the way it has been done in the Natsuki household, right?"
Emilia let out a sigh. "Very well… [Subaru-san] … But please, don't be too hard on Subaru; he's a reaaaally good boy."
"So I've heard."
Satisfied, Emilia turned to her Subaru. "And you, Subaru, don't give too many problems to your older… you."
This time Subaru only responded with a thumbs up. Then he turned to [Subaru], and they both gave a small nod. And so, without much more flair, the two left the room for a place where they could talk in private.
Beatrice watched them leave with some worry in her heart. She knew that there were things that her contractor could not confide even to her, be it from his own will… or the will of someone else.
But maybe, if her contractor and that man were truly one and the same… then maybe he could talk about it with [Natsuki Subaru].
"Hah… Betty hopes that you find some calm out of this, Subaru."
She then turned to everyone else present, from worried mothers and children to a disoriented camp.
"Now, we should all calm down, I suppose."
They all had much to discuss, after all.
They traversed the corridors for a while. They walked and walked and kept walking. Until finally, Subaru opened an empty room and shoved the two of them inside.
They stood silent for a moment, both full of questions, not truly sure which ones to ask first, or whether to ask at all.
Still, if they were here and alone, then the only topic they could talk about was...
"Hey. Did... did Rem... say the 'thing' to you too?"
[Subaru] didn't expect that question. He expected many questions, but this at least wasn't one of them.
"The 'thing'? If you mean 'I love you,' then you'd have a better time asking me how many slices of bread I've eaten- "
"No, not that! And she has said that to me plenty of times too, by the way!"
If he truly didn't know...
"I meant... the moment that you gave up, you talked about running away with Rem, right?"
[Subaru] looked at him with a confused face, but that soon began to be filled with understanding.
"...N-no way…"
"While there... you told her your plan to flee to that country, Kararagi, and start a new life there."
"But... but you didn't…"
"And then she said something important to you- to us… What did she say?"
[Subaru] failed to meet the gaze of the other him.
"Tell me… did Rem ever tell you that you were... her hero?"
At that, [Subaru] stiffened, but while he still averted his eyes, somehow his resolve seemed to get stronger.
"I… I already told you. I'm no hero. I'm… I'm a father of two beautiful children… A husband… a good one, according to my wife… I'm the leader of the 'Banan Culture Promotion Society'… I've even gained some popularity for it in Kararagi."
[Natsuki Subaru] finally looked back at Natsuki Subaru, pain clear in his eyes.
"… But I'm no hero."
[Subaru] took a moment searching for his next words.
"But… you are. You stayed here. And… you never even doubted, right?"
Despite that being what he said, it sounded as if [Subaru] was not actually confident in his claim. By the way he had explained the place where he had tried to run away, it made it clear that both of them had shared that moment of weakness.
So, he already knows...
"I did. Just as I told you… I also wanted to run away… All that stuff you said, none of it is true." It was Subaru's turn to avert his gaze. "In fact, if it weren't for Rem… I would've fled, just like you."
"But you didn't."
The two Subarus looked at each other again, and for the first time in a while, they had an understanding of each other.
"No, because of Rem. Because I'm Rem's hero."
Rem's hero. That was what kept him going. He had many things to fight for: Emilia's love, Beako's smile, Ram, Petra, Otto, Garfiel, Frederica, all of his friends' happiness, and their futures. But out of everything, being Rem's hero had been, and still was, his biggest reason for pushing forward.
"But… but you left her. Why… why didn't you try to save her?"
"I didn't! I tried to- I really- I…"
Even though [Natsuki Subaru] should also know this, the cold hand of the witch still could appear and try to shut him up if he talked about [Return by Death]. He had managed to talk about looping with Roswaal before, as he had obtained that information by himself. But the clown did not know the true extent of his ability.
"I tried to… go back and save her. But… I couldn't."
But this other [Natsuki Subaru] knew. As far as he could tell, he had the same ability as him… and the same curse.
But… what if he was wrong? What if this [Natsuki Subaru] had not been tainted by the witch?
Well, considering everything he knew, that was unlikely. And if so, maybe… He could talk about…
But… once he had talked about [Return by Death] unopposed to someone who also knew of its power, and the witch had instead punished him by appearing upon the world.
They looked at each other again. Once more, it seemed they had reached a deeper understanding.
"You couldn't save her? Or… you were not allowed to save her?"
Bullseye.
There was now no doubt on his knowledge. And if so, then telling the truth was a worthy option.
And upon seeing his reaction, it seemed [Natsuki Subaru] had the same idea.
"Hah… I- We should just go and say it."
Despite saying that, it didn't look like [Subaru] was in any hurry to speak about the curse that it seemed he also carried.
"I haven't felt it in a long while… for more than a decade now… but- "
"Then I'll say it."
Subaru already had experience speaking of his curse, even if he had only done so fully once. As such, he gathered his courage, took a deep breath, and spoke about his curse—
"I can Return by Death."
—completely unopposed.
The two of them looked at each other, and at their surroundings with bated breath, either expecting something to happen or the other to say something else.
So, Subaru obliged.
"I have been Returning by death!" He said louder, although not loud enough for anyone outside the room to hear. "For a while now, I've been dying and… seeing those around me suffer and…"
Had he not already told someone else this already, he would surely be on the ground crying at the freedom of being able to speak about this without anyone stopping or hurting those he loved.
Still, a certain girl with a discerning personality had already talked with him, and his situation was even worse at that time.
"Hrg! Wait ho-hold up!"
Despite letting him speak up, [Subaru] anxiously stopped Subaru from saying more.
"I- I remember, last time I said anything about this… the witch—she attacked… oh no—Rem!"
[Subaru] began to run towards where he believed his loved ones were in peril but was stopped by Subaru.
"I know what you mean…" As he likely experienced the same thing himself. "B-but I didn't feel anything this time. Even at that time, the witch—she still appeared in some way."
Trying to calm the other him while also being extremely nervous himself,
"A-are you sure? My kids… your friends…"
"They'll be fine, rather, they probably would be the ones to come here and help us if anything happens."
That seemed to calm [Subaru] down enough.
"So… you can… Return by Death." [Subaru] said and waited a second, hoping for anything to happen. When nothing did, he continued. "Guess you should know but… I can also… Return by Death."
Again, he waited to see if anything changed, and again, nothing happened.
"I- I can Return by Death. I can Return by Death. I can- "
Tears started to flow from [Subaru's] eyes. For a moment, Subaru felt fear that the curse had affected him, but those fears were dispelled the next moment.
"You're right… Nothing is happening."
Subaru honestly expected him to also break down crying like he had done, but the other him was taking it better than he thought.
"Hah… It's been so long… I really don't want to feel that… thing after so many times free of it. Sorry for making you… have to say it first."
Subaru absentmindedly nodded at the apology, thinking of what this meant. If the two of them could talk about Return by Death without the witch coming and shutting them up, then that meant that he had a confidant to whom he could reveal all the secrets of the lives he had lived and the deaths he'd had to endure.
A greedy witch had offered him a quite twisted deal for the chance to do such, and here he was, with that same opportunity at basically no cost.
Although of course, there existed the chance that maybe he no longer…
"Maybe I don't have it anymore."
Subaru flinched at the declaration of the older him.
"I mean, it's been more than a decade since I've ever… died, since I ever said anything about Return by Death too. And since she always said that stuff about love, so maybe after I married and had kids with Rem, you think she finally got the hint and left?"
For [Subaru], the prospect of no longer being beholden to the Witch of Envy obviously seemed like something he'd want.
"I… I was actually thinking that maybe, she'd left me too…"
But for Subaru, that wasn't such an appealing prospect. Of course, being free of the curse was great, but Return by Death had become a useful tool. And while he had already decided to value each of his chances and his lives, he still had to admit it was something a small and manic part of him could be glad to have at his disposal.
So, to know it may be gone…
"I- I suppose when we get back, we'll have to test if it's still here." Subaru said. Seeing his counterpart tense a little at those words, he continued, "And don't worry, I'll be the one to test it."
"Yeah, thanks." [Subaru] said without much enthusiasm. "I'm really beginning to owe you a lot of things, huh?"
[Subaru] turned to look at him with another sad expression.
"I think I know the answer already, but I want to hear it from your own mouth." [Subaru] still had a small fragment of his anger from earlier, but it was waning. "Why did you not save Rem?"
Despite how the question was asked, Subaru could tell it no longer was an accusatory one. "I tried. When I saw she was like that I tried… I tried killing myself to get her back." He involuntarily reached for his neck. "But by that point, the reset had advanced to where I couldn't help her."
"I see…"
Silence befell the two of them again. It was a hard truth.
"Just know, if I had been allowed to, I would've saved her. It doesn't matter how many times I had to try again; I would've saved her."
Back then, he didn't value his lives as much as he does right now, but that would've rung true now just as much as it did then.
"Good. That's good." [Subaru's] anger seemed all but gone from him, rather a small smile had formed on his lips. "And tell me, this 'Sleeping Beauty Disease' what is it supposed to be?"
"Did you ever see the White Whale?" [Subaru] nodded. "Well then did it ever do an attack that seemed to… wipe someone from existence?"
[Subaru] recalled one of those hellish loops. Was it the one that made him want to give up? He remembered how Rem's existence seemed to be removed from everyone else's memories and from the whole world too.
"Y-yes. So… the whale got her?"
"No, it was after we killed the whale," [Subaru's] face changed slightly at the mention of him killing the whale. "We still had to face Sloth… But Rem, she was tired, so she and Crush headed back to rest, and it was then when… when they got them."
[Subaru] nodded, but then stopped and asked back, "Wait, you got Crush to help you?"
"Yeah… I already told you, didn't I? I'm not some kind of superhuman… I just managed to get the people required to do the job." [Subaru] let out a small chuckle at the thought that Subaru had never wavered like him. "Crush she… lost her memories while Rem got both her Name and her memories stolen. And that causes to be like that, in a coma, never aging."
Both Subarus' faces turned grim at that declaration. [Subaru] looked like he wanted to say many things but held himself back.
"B-but if you killed the whale, then how did Rem…"
"There is another guy like that Betelgeuse nutjob out there. Part of the witch cult. Another archbishop… this time for Gluttony it seems."
"A-another of those lunatics…"
Subaru nodded in agreement. "Actually, it seemed there were two of them," he told, recalling what they had discussed once they found out. "So now we are looking for ways of restoring Rem and everyone's memories… and to defeat the witch cult."
"No- no way… Two more of them…" [Subaru] let out a scared whimper at that declaration. Subaru almost feels bad about it, but it's not like he isn't scared of the moment he will have to meet those monsters himself.
"Man, you keep on making this more difficult for me, but you know…" [Subaru} says suddenly. "Kararagi is quite a way from here, right?" Subaru watched as the other him closed the space between them. "And considering I'm ten years back in the past, there's no way I can go back to my home now. It's probably not even mine anymore."
[Subaru] pulled from his pocket a small purse, it already looked painfully empty. "This here is all I have now. There's a guy over in Banan that might help me, and my future neighbors are good people, but I can't impose on them now, can I?"
"You… what are you…"
"So, I'm broke and hopeless once again, remind me of when I was your age kid," [Subaru] slowly gained a cheeky grin. "And just like when I was your age, I need to get a job, now if only there were someone who would hire an old-timer like me…"
Subaru was surprised at the sudden declarations of his other self, but as he made to answer he was cut once again.
"I'm not actually any good at fighting, but my wife, Rem, is. Still, the thought of her having to fight and getting hurt again is enough to make me blanch." [Subaru] shakes his head, as if dispelling the disturbing image. "So, you'll have to make do with only her healing magic." [Subaru] shrugged. "As for me… well, I don't have the years and knowledge of the other members of the 'Banan Culture Promotion Society,' but I'm still able to give the wisdom of a proper adult, and of a father."
[Subaru] moved forward and put a hand on Subaru's shoulder.
"And of course… someone you can confide in about the greatest curse that we—that you have. Whether it's still in place or not."
"You… saying all that…"
As if taking his words as doubt, [Subaru] continued his sales pitch.
"Ah, I understand your doubts! Hiring me and Rem means taking those two kids of ours as well. And while one is an angel, the other is quite the 'oni.'" [Subaru] chuckled at the 'demonic' image of Rigel. "And… and I know that you probably have doubts about me since I… abandoned everyone in the past." [Subaru] let go of his shoulder and looked away. "And you would be right to think poorly of me because of it… But… I promise you; I want to make things right." He looked at Subaru again, determination once more blazing in his eyes. "I may not be able to do so in my world, but at the very least, I want to help in this one. Help you get back your Rem, fighting those archbishops… It'll definitely be hard, but this time, I want to be there to help."
"Besides… I want my wife and my kids to be able to speak to Ram." [Subaru] scratched the back of his head. "This one is quite pretentious of me… But I'm sure that my family can make things here livelier… And Rem… she can help make everyone remember what your Rem was like, so that when she wakes up, they won't have to… to start from zero."
Subaru flinched at those words. It was likely that [Subaru] had not used them on purpose, and it was actually likely that he didn't know of their importance.
"You… you…!"
Seeing Subaru clench his fist in what he thought was anger, Subaru hurriedly waved his hands in apology.
"Sorry, sorry! Erm… I spoke out of line!" [Subaru] started panicking and speaking faster. "I can also, uh… I know of the future! Ten years' worth of knowledge! Lugunica is a rough spot and… ugh what else? I can clean the mansion, or even the toilets, so please-!"
"You… There's no need to be saying all that!"
"Huh?"
[Subaru] stood aghast at the other him's response to his little speech.
"I was going to ask you to stay regardless, you know? Do you think I'm heartless?" Subaru said while pointing a finger. "Remember what Emilia said? You and I share the same blood, and by consequence, those two kids of yours do too. What kind of person would I be if I let my own blood on the streets?"
[Subaru] blinked in confusion, then he closed his eyes and… "Ahahaha! Of course, of course! I should've expected nothing less from Natsuki Subaru!"
He gave a hearty laugh and put his hand on Subaru's shoulder again.
"Very well! Although, being hired because of my bloodline, that sure is a very big case of nepotism, huh?"
"Stop saying those things? Do you want the job or not?"
"Of course! Then I'll give you the perspective of a father to any situation that may come. I don't know how useful it'll be to that of a hero, but I'm certain it'll be worth it." Subaru pushed his hand forward. "So, do we have a deal, Natsuki Subaru?"
Subaru also put his own hand and accepted the handshake. "Yes, we do, [Natsuki Subaru]."
They pulled their hands back, but [Subaru] actually pushed his hands out, as if making for a hug. Subaru would've obliged but…
"Well, before anything else, I believe I owe you a punch—no, a few punches, don't you think?"
Subaru was surprised, but only for a moment. "Yeah, you're right." Before he gathered his hands into fists and punched [Natsuki Subaru] right in the stomach.
"That one's for Emilia and the mansion!" He punched his gut again. "That was for the village!" And one more time. "And that one's for making Rem push herself so much for your sake!" He technically didn't know if Rem had done so, but he 'knew' she had.
Finally, Subaru pulled back his fists, and [Subaru] grunted. "Hrg… 'Certainly didn't hold yourself back huh, brat'… Or that's what I want to say, but you're still missing a punch." He pointed to his head. "Right here, I'm surprised you didn't hit me once there, for the one I gave to you earlier."
Subaru caressed the part of his head where he had been punched. "Yeah, but I think I actually deserved that punch… for failing Rem." Subaru's face darkened, but only for a moment. "Besides, if I ruin that face of yours even more than what it is now, I'm sure a lady that's back in that room would be very sad. She's somewhat related to a girl I like, so I can't be making a bad impression."
"You sure have guts saying that while having hit my own gut three times."
Both Subarus chuckled a bit. It seemed like most of the heavy talk was over.
"Oh, and by the way, I will take your offer; I want to see and hear Rem's happy voice around the mansion."
"Of cour- Hey hold on… That isn't right, that's my wife you're talking about, buster! Normally, I would easily claim she would never ever consider it… but you're also me… Is my wife going to cheat in me… with me?"
"Again, just what kind of guy do you think I am?"
[Subaru] put his hands up in mock despair.
"Oh no! He has those delinquent looks, with those killer eyes, rough hair, shabby attire, and sleazy looks! He's definitely one of those dangerous people described in the tales of my homeland-!
"SHUT UP!"
This time, [Subaru] broke down into a boisterous laugh. While the other Subaru pulled his hair in frustration.
"Ahaha… Haaah…" [Subaru] wiped a tear. "Yeah, there's no way my wife will fall for a snot-nosed brat like you."
"And still with that…! I'm not ever going to try to do something with your wife, I'm not crazy! And on that note, you better not try anything funny with Emilia, or my Rem, or Beako, or Petra, or anyone in the mansion!"
"Oi, I feel you just painted a very bad picture of me in your head!"
"Right back at you!"
Now face to face, both Subaru's had angry faces, but with big grins betraying them.
"Of course, I have no interest over some kids, and my heart is fully devoted to my Rem!" [Subaru] assured. "Wait… all those girls… you're already claiming so many girls as 'yours'?! And so young too… Is it not Rem who is in danger of this Casanova, but my cute little Spica…?!"
"SHUT UP, SHUTUP!"
While Subaru huffed and puffed, [Subaru] just gave another good laugh at his expense.
"Man, you're as easy to tease as my Rigel!"
"I'm not happy about that one bit!" Subaru let out a 'harumph' and calmed down. "Well, I suppose that's everything we have to talk for now. We can discuss about the future, the curse and whatnot later, I'm sure they're getting worried for us back there."
[Subaru] also stopped laughing and nodded, but just as they were reaching for the door.
"No, wait. There is one more thing I got to say."
"Hmm?"
Subaru turned to see his other him again. What else was there to discuss?
"Yeah… You know, I already told you that I… don't regret what I did. But even so, looking at you, Natsuki Subaru the 'Hero,' well I can't help but feel I need to say this…"
[Subaru] looked a bit embarrassed saying the following words, but that still did not diminish the effect they had on Subaru.
"… You are, an amazing guy, Natsuki Subaru."
That was, his honest opinion lacking all exaggeration, having witnessed the fruits of managing to accomplish what he had not. To save what he had not.
"I know I was lying to myself about you being some superhuman, because if you're like me, like [Natsuki Subaru], then you're probably someone who still is weak, hopeless, unable to do anything, and yet, continues to struggle, and managed to save them. That's why…"
[Subaru] straightened up, and then bowed.
"Thank you, for saving Ram, and Beatrice. Thank you, for saving Petra, and everyone from Arlarm village. And thank you, for saving Emilia."
"…"
"… Natsuki Subaru. You are an amazing guy, I know that, even if we have to go through hell to get those archbishop bastards, get Rem's memories, and whatever else that may come, if it's with you then it'll certainly be alright."
Subaru stood with an open jaw at the grand declaration of the other him. For one who didn't think highly of himself, having… himself say that was a strange yet fulfilling experience.
"…You sure are a guy who says embarrassing stuff suddenly, huh. My heart is aching now. You're going to make me blush."
"Sorry about that. Even though I take off my shoes when I enter a house, barging into someone's heart with dirty feet is a family tradition of the Natsuki household."
Subaru chuckled. "I guess you and me really are the same, huh… Well, in that case…"
He watched [Subaru] raise himself, likely to make another quip and lighten the mood again, so when Subaru himself bowed, he was also caught by surprise.
"… I guess I should say this too. Thanks for saving Rem and taking care of her for all those years. For giving her a happy family, and for bringing into this world those two beautiful kids."
Subaru also raised himself and looked into the bemused eyes of his namesake.
"And you probably won't believe me, but I also think you're amazing. It doesn't matter if you're a hero or whatever, you managed to become a father with a loving family… That's something I admire… and even envy a little. So… I also think you're amazing, [Natsuki Subaru]."
"But- but- "
[Subaru] stammered as he failed to give a proper response.
"I know, I know what you're thinking. Well, at the very least I think I do. And after you gave such an embarrassing speech, repaying you back is the least I could do."
"But I didn't- "
"I know you didn't save them. And that you think I'm awesome because I did. But I think you're awesome because you saved Rem. So why don't we just say that we're both awesome and leave it at that?"
[Subaru] looked deeply ashamed, showing how much he disliked that outcome.
"Listen, I've outgrown the phase where I'd ask you to hate me for what I did, and I get we already exchanged punches, but you have to be crazy to forgive someone like me."
"Well, for one, I have forgiven people way worse than you." Subaru mused as the image of a certain clown that was not present at the moment came to him. "And as you said, we already exchanged punches, right? All that's left is for you to repay your debt to them by being with us. That was the deal, right?"
[Subaru] just let out a sigh and let a small smile return to him.
"Hm… I guess so. I guess I can live with that."
Subaru nodded in approval. "Good. I'm certain that now that there is two of us, we will be able to accomplish great things." A vision suddenly flashed before Subaru. "Because… in the end, aren't we both Natsuki Kenichi's sons?"
[Subaru] looked at him with surprise, but then he gained a small smile.
Dad, Mom… would you be proud me right now…?
At the very least, you'd love Rigel and Spica… Sorry you can't see them…
Struggling to hold back tears again, [Subaru] just swallowed the pain he still felt, and admitted what he really thought.
"…Yeah. If it's us, then it'll certainly be alright."
The two Subaru's stood silent again, this time waiting to see if the other one had more to say. Seeing as that was not the case, [Subaru] spoke up.
"Well in that case we can iron out the details later. I'm sure there many things you want to ask me… and to tell me, about the curse, about everything…" He gave a tried sigh. "But that can wait. I seriously need to recharge my Rem batteries for those talks, so we should be heading back now."
"Yeah, I understand completely. If I don't hug Beako soon, I might drop dead from stress."
The two finally left the room and made their way back. They had gone far from where the others were staying, so they still had time to banter.
"Oh, and another thing. I know that we are both part of the Natsuki household, but calling ourselves brothers would be…"
"Huh, after baring our hearts to each other, you're still embarrassed to call me a brother!?"
Subaru sheepishly looked away. "No, nothing like that. It's just that, I really want to get along Rigel and Spica, but I don't know if being 'uncle' with him is quite right… I think that being a brother to them would fit better but considering we're 'us' it'll still be weird…"
"Hmm…" [Subaru] turned pensive. "I guess I can understand that… Then how about being like a cousin to them?"
"Oh, that great! I'll be the awesome and amazing cousin, the one where they always want to visit my house and play with me and go on crazy adventures…!" Subaru was practically spinning in joy at the thought.
"Just don't go to crazy now. I already confirmed you're as weak to teasing as Rigel, so even he may turn the tables on you."
"Hey! Didn't you say before that I was amazing!? If even an old fart like you can tell, then surely a fellow youngster will recognize it!"
"Yeah… You're so amazing I'm not sure how to even compete." [Subaru] scratched his cheek. "All I have going for me is a beautiful wife, cute kids- "
Suddenly, [Subaru] stopped his playful way of showing of, and his grin got larger, more dangerous. Subaru felt a tremor coming down his spine.
"Yeah… I have two kids, with my wife. A wife I love very much." Subaru could feel sweat running down his spine by the way the other him was acting.
"And well, by your age, Rigel was already on the way you know?"
"Y-yeah? G-good for you dude" Subaru could feel where this conversation was heading, and he didn't like it.
"Oh? You don't get it? The thing that puts me on par with you?" [Subaru] said predatorily, while Subaru just frantically shook his head. "Then say, how far have you gone with your love life?"
"Erm w-well," Subaru turned in shame at that evil face that was staring at him. "M-me and Emilia-tan are taking it slow you know. Finding what love means and all that jazz. And since Rem is stuck like that well…"
"Is that so? And what about your other girls eh?"
"You-! Again with that! I already told that they're-" Subaru turned with anger to face the one mocking him. Big mistake. That cruel face disarmed any attack he may have mounted with his words. "I- I mean… Uh, I don't really get what you're talking about… yeah…"
[Subaru's] grin widened one more time for the final strike.
"Really? Oh well. Don't worry, it's just that when I was your age, I was no longer a V-I-R-G- "
"SHUT UP, SHUTUP, SHADDUP!"
From three years to two weeks, I certainly think that's an improvement. Technically, I could've released this sooner, as I was planning on leaving the two Subaru's talking to a separate chapter, but again, I found it better to talk sooner, so this chapter ended up being bigger. Honestly, I plan to have most chapters at like half the length of this one, but they always seem to stretch out bigger than what I intended, after all, the two baru's were supposed to return and talk with everyone after this. Well, that's going to be for the next chapter.
Anyway, the two talk of the two Subaru's! As some will tell, I took plenty of ideas from arc 6, and while the two may have gotten over their anger and questions a bit fast, I think it turned out fine. The most difficult part was figuring out if Rem gave Slothbaru the hero speech or not, but I figured that Subaru would've never given up if he got the speech, so I decided to make it so she did not give it to him.
In any case, that's enough about the chapter. I want to say that I appreciate the warm welcome back and the reviews you gave me, it makes me happy to see people think about my work. And so, I hope to see you guys in the next chapter, as we see what everyone else has to say about this situation.