Chapter 119: Tears In Heaven

Floating, as if he were a castaway at sea, YN traversed the inky black nothingness of death. Absent of all feeling, he was neither relieved, nor pained anymore from his fatal injury.

Subaru must still be alive... At least maybe he'll die, and Rem will be saved...

While he loathed wishing death upon his friend, right now, it would be the right thing to have happen.

Provided the respawn point hasn't drastically changed, I think we'll be fine.

YN was anxious any time he awaited to live again. Who's to say Return By Death couldn't malfunction and cause them to be essentially "soft-locked" into a near instant death. Or at worst, leave him behind while Subaru went on.

Every second Subaru lived past YN, was a moment their point of Return might change.

But, feeling his consciousness begin to move, YN felt his soul pour back into his body.

Here we go...

Beginning to wake at the gentle tickle of light against his closed eyes, gone was the dank, dirty, and moist feeling he expected to feel of the Witch's Tomb's floor.

But around him, his orientation was different as well.

Rather, he felt more comfortable.

Wiggling his toes, they felt a fine cloth around them. —Bed sheets, most likely.

With a large, wake-up breath, he inhaled through his nose as he instinctively stretched his arms.

Smelling the aroma of clean, washed sheets, and freshly cut flowers, the curiosity caused by these acute differences finally intrigued the groggy YN to open his eyes.

— — —

White.

Nothing but white above him.

Given the sensations, something told his mind this was halfway correct. White was the correct color he should be seeing at this moment, however, what it lacked was a texture.

This was no white ornate ceiling with gold trim.

No, this was just white.

And while the bed felt familiar, and upon feeling it's frame, YN came to one obvious conclusion—

YN: —this isn't my room.

Garnering the strength to sit up, YN looked about at his surroundings.

Or rather, lack thereof.

White...

Nothing surrounded him except for an infinite expanse of white.

YN had found himself in this "waiting room" once more; the great White Room.

Except this time, rather than just laying on the floor, YN found himself in a bed. —His bed.

This is... new.

Pulling the covers off of himself, he quickly realized his clothes had changed as well.

Why am I in my original clothes?

Pulling his shirt up, he also confirmed his previous injury was gone as well.

Sliding himself to rotate, he placed his feet off the bed, and onto the "floor."

YN: First a bed, and now we've got heated floors? Is this place under new management or something?

Curious if his "home away from home" had been altered for any reason, he realized his bed was not the only new furnishing in this space.

YN: Huh?

There, across the way, just as it would be in his own room, was a desk, the one in which Rem would tutor him.

YN: Hmm...

Getting up, he walked over, and ran his hand across the smooth, wood finish of its hard countertop.

YN: — — —

Old memories came flooding back to him. Pulling out the chair to the desk, YN sat down and tried to let cheerful recollections of a simpler time heal his pained mind.

This is where Rem and I spent a lot of our evenings together...

It felt like a fever dream almost. Rem and YN's time together was always precious, and it did feel special, but comparing it to now, and how it used to be, it was unreal.

If only I knew then how brief that time would end up being... It all seems like so long ago...

A new wave of depression lingered over YN's soul as he rested his head upon his hands on the desk.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled his sadness as he knew that potentially, he'd be waiting here for a long while.

Thinking of nothing but the times he and Rem sat and talked in this very seat for hours, he audibly mumbled to himself.

YN: I wish I could see you again, Rem.

*Clink*

As if on direct command, the distinct sound of a plate and tea cup being set down before him on his desk alarmed his psyche.

Lifting his face up, but keeping his chin on his hands as he rested his head, YN stared in disbelief at the cup set before him.

It was tea. A simple, freshly poured cup.

YN could only blink at the oddity. Before him, the cup of warm tea simply radiated out its heat, the white steam barely being visible with the infinite white backdrop behind it.

Does this place do catering now?

Still mentally unlimber from his sad thoughts, the very second YN went to lift his head, the presence of another was immediately felt.

YN: —?!

Feeling somewhat completely secure in the White Room, YN's senses were jarred from the unexpected feeling.

Going to look at this other, unknown entity just to his flank, YN's emotions were slapped upside down and inside out yet again.

YN: — — —

For a moment, he was certain he was just dreaming.

His breathing halted, his eyes and mouth went dry.

YN: — — —

Gazing upon this person, his lip began to quiver.

The details, the form, the beauty... It was all far too real to be a dream or an apparition.

A lump was stuck in his throat. He dared not to move, nor breath should any minute change render this sensation, —this moment, gone.

YN: R-R...

While moisture finally returned to his face in the form of tears, his heart was slow to react to the cognitive storm going on in his mind. Skipping pumps, and racing to catch up again, YN could feel the irregular heart beat echo in his own head as he looked upon the figure to his side, —to the maid next to him.

YN: R-R-R-e-e...

Choking up, his throat refused to form words. In utter disbelief, his diaphragm convulsed in anticipation and the need for air.

Standing before him, was the one he loved.

Tears running down his face, he stood up, knocking the chair over behind him, rattling the table in front of him, and making the tea slosh just enough to dribble over the rim and be caught by the saucer under it.

Forcing himself, he spoke her name.

YN: Rem!

His hands and arms were shaking as he moved them toward her. Seemingly having been the one to serve him that tea, Rem looked on in a rather deadpan manner, as if trying to stare at the empty, infinite expanse behind YN.

Placing his hands on her exposed shoulders, —her warm, smooth shoulders, YN leaned into her, giving her a gentle shake.

YN: Rem! Rem!

In such an emotional state, YN's frenzied mind was delayed in its realization there was a distinct lack of life in Rem's eyes.

Her body was rigid and stiff, like a large doll. Had YN not felt her fair skin, he'd have believed she was made of plastic.

But try as he might, shaking her, yelling, it made no difference...

YN: Rem. Rem...

She remained standing, unmoving. She did breath, and she did blink, but she did not react to YN.

Is this really any different to when she's asleep?

With his emotional state having gone down, then up, and now down again, YN felt an extreme emotional fatigue.

Dropping his hands from her, YN hung his head.

I'm an idiot for getting my hopes up just now.

Looking down to the table where the still warm tea awaited, out of nothing else he could do, he flipped the chair he had knocked over back upright, and sat down, holding his head in his hands.

With a heavy sigh, he wiped his eyes free of the tears that had wet them, and turned to back towards the desk.

It seemed he'd be here awhile like this, more or less on his own. Without much else to dwell on, his attention turned back to the cup of tea Rem had certainly placed here. For what reason, YN hadn't a clue why, but he did know that it wasn't good to just let it go cold. Picking up the cup, he brought it to his mouth rather disinterestedly, until—

YN: —!

Nearly dropping the porcelain container, YN felt something he hadn't in a very long time.

It's—!

There was no doubt about it.

For the first time in long time, YN enjoyed the taste of something. Taking another, big sip, he savored the tea.

With that though, YN turned his attention back to Rem, who still looked right through him.

This tea... It's proof. It's proof that Rem made this. She set it here. There's no other explanation.

Setting the half empty cup down, YN turned back to the blue-haired girl. Resting a hand on her shoulder, and tilting his head up to her, he spoke kindly to her as he brought her close in his embrace, hugging her waist from where he sat.

YN: I don't know if you can hear me, Rem, but I know that deep down in you, you're still there.

Rem: — — —

YN: But you set that tea down in front of me, so I know you're at least partially aware I'm here. That's why I'm not going to delay it any longer... I'm going to tell you what I wanted to say before you left!

Gently placing his hands on her adorably round face and standing, YN easily summoned the resolve he had when she first told him of what she thought she could not.

As tears and sobs bubbled up as he gazed into her eyes, he spoke the words he never had the chance to before.

YN: More than anything in the world, Rem—

With color returning to his vision, all the beautiful hues and tones of the world returned to YN.

YN: —I love you!

Rem: — — —

With nothing but a blink being her response, YN went on. But with that blink, came a change to her eyes.

YN: I love you, Rem. I love you so much.

Rem: — — —

Each blink, a little more life returned to her eyes.

YN: I know you're in there Rem... And I'm sorry I never got to say it to you before everything happened. But I want to say it as many times as I can... —A million times. I love you.

Another blink acknowledged his words but this time, her eyes now had what appeared to be a twinkle of light to them. And surprising YN more was—

Rem: — — —

Slowly, her pursed lips separated.

Rem: ...Y—

A sound. A word. Voice had traveled over her lips as they parted.

YN: Rem? Rem, can you hear me? Rem?

Rem: ...Y—... Y.

Her voice stuttering more, YN tried to coax the oni into speaking more.

YN: Hey, hey! It's okay! Rem, take your time... Just listen to my voice!

Slowly but surely, the Sleeping Beauty was beginning to speak as YN so desperately encouraged her to continue.

Rem: —Y... Y...N...

YN: T-That's right! Rem, it's me! I'm right here!

As tears continued to flow down his face, YN did his best to suppress the emotion clattering to his voice.

Rem: —YN...-kun.

With a hint of emotion coating the honorific of his name as she spoke, her eyes finally moved on their own.

Rem: YN-kun...?

Without needing to keep a hold of her precious face, Rem began to look up on her own to YN.

YN: Rem. I'm here. Everything is okay, okay?

Rem: YN-kun... YN-kun...

Now joining the life in her eyes was a welling up of tears. Her emotionless face began to fill and move. Just like YN, her lips began to quiver.

Rem: YN-kun... Rem is... Rem is—!

YN: It's okay Rem... Everything is okay here. There's no need to be sad. I'm right here. I don't know if you know where you are, but—

Rem: —Rem is so very happy!

Burying her face into YN's chest, Rem's hands reached up to clench the fabric of his shirt in near desperation to be as close to him as she could.

Sobbing nearly uncontrollably into him, her actions seemed very contradictory to what she had just said.

YN: I—! Uhh...

The sound of muffled wailing echoed into infinity across the barren white expanse. Seeing she was clearly overwhelmed, all YN could do was gently stroke the back of her head, and do his best to enjoy the moment as well.

After several moments of rubbing her head against his chest, sobbing all the while, the blue haired girl finally looked up to him.

Rem: YN-kun truly means it, does he not? Rem is not imagining his words?

YN: No, Rem. I'm right here. I'm holding you, aren't I?

Shaking her head, she replied.

Rem: Rem does not doubt that YN-kun is right before her... What she asks about is rather... did YN-kun say what she thinks he said?

As if needing absolute confirmation, it was the one time Rem would ever question YN. And understanding what she meant with her question, he dutifully answered the one that he loved.

YN: I mean it. Rem, I love you.

Her face twisting with an immense emotion, more tears fell down her face.

Rem: Rem had never believed she would ever hear her YN-kun say those words to her... Rem was so afraid, for so long, that if she were to ever confess her love to him, it would drive her YN-kun away!

Shaking her head, Rem spoke words that admittedly, greatly damaged YN's guilt for not having said it to her sooner.

Rem: Rem was certain that... even if she did confess her love... That's because of everything she's done to YN-kun... all the pain she has caused him... that he would never love her.

Rem...

Still clearly and greatly struggling with her guilt for actions YN had hoped she would have long forgiven herself for by now, his heart sank. Already knowing how much she struggled to confess her love, YN had no idea she had been so worried about if it would be reciprocated or not.

Rem: That is why hearing him say those words... It makes Rem's heart flutter and ache all at the same time.

Tears in her eyes, she looked up at him with such an intense emotion it seemed to be contagious.

Rem: She was afraid for so long... And now that she can hear those words and know he means them just as much as Rem does when she says them... Rem can scarcely believe it as well.

Seeing her smile for the first time, in a long time, Rem spoke her truest feelings yet again for YN to hear.

Rem: Rem loves her YN-kun too. —So much!

Tightly bound together, the two who were in love wept tears of unfound happiness and joy at seeing one another again.

While a great joy blossomed in their hearts as they held each other, it was almost simultaneously that the reality of the situation hit them.

This was not a reunion.

This was not the light at the end of the tunnel.

This was not "Happily Ever After."

They did not know how it was that they were able to meet this way, but what they did know; was that the problems that had gotten them separated to begin with had yet to be solved.

While still keeping a hold of each other, the bitter sweet realization was apparent. Neither were people who made hiding from the truth a habit.

And as such, the truth needed questioning.

Rem: Rem must sincerely wonder... Does YN-kun believe this to be true? That what he is seeing before him is the real Rem?

Looking away in pain, YN had a hard time coming to grips with that.

YN: Would a creation of my own mind really ask that sort of question? Would it ever consider doubting its own existence?

Even if the Rem before YN was a simple fabrication of his own mind in this white realm, if it actually contemplated its own existence, did that not make it its own entity on that merit alone?

Rem: 'Rem thinks, therefore, she is.'

YN: Huh?

Slightly shaking her head, Rem perceived she had misspoken.

Rem: Subaru-kun mentioned such a saying to Beatrice-sama once. Rem perhaps thought such a topic was related. Her intention was not to inspire doubt of her own realness to YN-kun with a familiar saying.

A bit of panic on her voice as she concluded, YN figured she knew the term came from his world.

YN: I... —that wouldn't make me doubt you. If I were to really draw a proper opinion on it, I'd rather believe what you have to say about it...

Rem: Would it not be natural for an apparition of your own creation to profess its own realness?

Even as they first met in what felt like forever to YN, after a brief embrace, the two were already back to speaking to one another like nothing had ever happened. Rem and YN each treasured their conversations like this together, and it was clear both were keen on returning to having such times together as quickly as they could.

Thinking on Rem's question though still, YN still failed to find an answer for it.

YN: ... I would just hate to think that this, —your words, your decisions, your concerns... that it's just all a figment of my imagination...

Seeing the one she loved so troubled, Rem stiffened her back and cleared her mind, having come to the best solution she could offer.

Rem: Rem believes she has a way to test this. Will YN-kun trust his Rem?

YN: You don't have to ask that Rem... I'll always trust you—mph!

While he had begun to weakly answer her, Rem had been given her answer at first after all. Having pulled down on his shirt collar, his head was made level with hers, and using her own lips to silence his, Rem embraced YN in a passionate kiss.

Instantly, all the built up anxiety, doubt, and fear in YN melted away.

Rem: —Phwa!

Coming apart for the sake of air, the twinkle of life was apparent in each of their eyes they gazed into.

This feeling... that kiss.

Each taking short, small breaths as their faces remained only a nose length away at most, they could feel each other's exhales against their face.

—It's too good to be fake.

Smiling to signal his conclusion of the test, the two swept each other into another tight embrace.

YN: Rem!

Rem: YN-kun!

Looking down at the maid in his arms, she in turn looked back up to him.

Rem: — — —

YN: — — —

Turning her head over to the bed YN had stepped out of, Rem spoke.

Rem: YN-kun remembers his promise to Rem, correct?

Giving her a weak smile considering she looked over to his bed of all places as she said what, YN was honest in his confusion.

YN: Uhh, well... You know I've made a few to you, can you enlighten me on which one you're referring to?

Nodding to him, Rem stepped back to secure YN's hand in her own. Leading him to the bedside, she climbed onto the covers and sat on her knees. Gently patting the apron of her maid uniform, she invited him to rest his head there.

YN did as the oni instructed, and a soft smile of relief on her face formed as he laid his head upon her thighs. Gently playing with his hair, Rem elaborated on her question.

Rem: Rem wants to know everything that has happened.

Speaking like an angel, Rem's words were filled with kindness.

Yet, admittedly, when it came to the question itself, YN needed to ask some of his own to know where to begin.

YN: Well... what's the very last thing you remember?

Halting her play of his hair, Rem seemed to stare right through him again.

Rem: — — —

Silent in response, YN reached up to the maid's cute, round face, gently caressing it.

YN: Rem?

Rem: —?!

Getting the girl to flinch at his touch, he recoiled his hand. Clearly startled, Rem snapped back to.

Rem: Ahh... Rem must apologize. These memories are quite painful for her...

YN: That's okay... We can move on to—

Rem: —N-No! Rem must inform YN-kun.

Not about to let valuable information be lost, Rem shook her head in defiance. With a deep breath, Rem forced herself to recall her last moments of freedom before becoming a victim to the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony's Authority.

Rem: The last thing Rem recalls... is the absence of YN-kun in her mind, of Nee-sama from her mind. Of Roswaal-sama, of Subaru-kun... everyone. And then...

YN: —'and then?'

Rem: ...Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. —Until Rem arrived here.

YN: — — —

Silent in initial thought, YN contemplated what this meant.

YN: So, you've been here since the carriage attack?

Rem: Rem believes so... Upon arrival, Rem regained her memories, so she was not without them for long. But as of now, all it feels like Rem is, is her memories. —She does not feel her presence here is ordinary.

More or less, a sense of natural unbelonging filled her idea of this place.

Rem: At first, Rem recognized the description of this plane from YN-kun's account of it when we were both summoned to the White Fox's nest by Ezzo-san. But now that YN-kun has suddenly shown up here, Rem's theory of where she is seems to be correct.

Solemnly nodding, YN confirmed it to Rem once and for all.

YN: Yeah... This is it. The 'White Room' I go to when I die, but Subaru lives...

Closing her eyes at the idea, Rem returned to running her fingers through his hair.

Rem: Then it seems YN-kun has perished... May she inquire how? Or is the memory too fresh still?

Being considerate of the one she love's feelings, Rem made sure he was comfortable first and foremost.

YN: A bit... But it's going to sound insane.

Rem: Rem will always believe her Hero.

Breathing in deeply, YN relayed the hard truth to Rem.

YN: Do you remember the Bowel Huntress that Subaru and I faced in the Capitol before we met?

Rem: Yes. Of course. She saw her in YN-kun's memories.

Recalling that fact, YN bluntly went on.

YN: Well... she's back.

Her eyes opening wide, Rem was surprised.

Rem: Is Rem correct to assume YN-kun returned to the Capitol after the first Convoy was attacked?

YN: That's right, but... Where Elsa is showing up isn't the Capitol again... But rather, the Mansion.

Gasping at the prospect of such a horrendously vile person entering into the Mansion, Rem's gravity of the situation multiplied tenfold.

Rem: Rem did not expect such a... revelation... Certainly Roswaal-sama was able to deal with her...?

Just by the look on YN's face alone, Rem could certainly tell it wasn't going to be as easy as that.

YN: — — —

Rem: ...Was she able to strike Roswaal-sama when he wasn't expecting it?

Thinking there had to be some explanation as to how the Bowel Huntress could just so easily kill them all, Rem searched for answers to find none.

But, sighing heavily, YN lamented the worst of it to Rem.

YN: Roswaal took half the villagers and Nee-sama to Sanctuary. When Elsa attacks the Mansion, it's just me, Subaru, Petra— who works for us now, but that's not important, —anyway, and— oh. And Frederica is there too—

Rem: '—Frederica?!' '—Sanctuary?!'

Nearly throwing his head from her lap, Rem's eyes had been wide just from first hearing the mention of "Sanctuary," let alone her old mentor of her maidly discipline.

Thinking on it, in the time YN now had spent in these two loops alone, things certainly had become... odd. He couldn't fault Rem being surprised at it all, especially given in this context, she was a fresh observer to it.

YN: A lot has happened. I'm sure it sounds like crazy talk...

Understanding how hard this could be on him having to actually experience it, Rem regained her composure.

Rem: The way YN-kun speaks of this 'attack,' this is not his first time dealing with it, is it?

YN: No... It isn't. I've died for the second time since going to the Sanctuary.

Rem: ... So YN-kun has seen it then, —the Sanctuary? Has he met—?

YN: Yeah. I have met him.

Rem: — — —

Knowing it could only possibly mean trouble, Rem retreated her hand to her chest to comfort her heart.

Rem: Garf can be very... stubborn.

YN: 'Stubborn?' He's an asshole.

Rem: Garf might be strong willed, but so long as Nee-sama is—

YN: —He's already tried to kill me once, Rem.

Rem: — — —

Silent in immediate response to what YN had said, Rem's own rationalization of Garfiel had immediately been turned upon itself. Clearly, there were bigger developments at play here. Larger than Rem might have realized.

YN: Hell, when we first met, me and him got into a huge fight. He hasn't liked me since then... Especially since he thinks Subaru and I are trying to sabotage the Sanctuary's liberation... or not help it be liberated. —He changes what he wants to accuse us of it seems any chance he gets. But what's making it worse is the Witch's Scent. Every Return gets him more suspicious of us, except this time there's no gaining his trust like it was with you.

While Rem was struck by guilt, knowing she was now the first in a growing line of people who had harmed YN for something as unincriminating as the Witch's Scent, one detail he mentioned here prevented her from thinking of anything else.

Rem: Rem is curious about what YN-kun means by the Sanctuary's 'liberation...' but there is one crucial thing he must understand.

YN: —?

Alarmed by how seriously Rem spoke, she held a single finger up to note its importance.

Rem: Garf should not be capable of smelling Witch's Miasma. It is impossible for him to do so.

Running into such a contradiction he and Subaru had to assume was a fact, it only fueled the growing need to restart this conversation.

YN tightly shut his eyes and shook his head.

YN: Ahhh, there's just too much information at once. We're going off on tangent after tangent.

Sighing, he looked up to Rem and smiled weakly, hoping his words did not upset her.

YN: I'm sorry. I hate to so brashly disrupt the way we're talking... But we need to start from the beginning of our... separation and go from there. I'm afraid we'll figure nothing out if we're so reactive and spontaneous in our accounts...

Shaking her head, Rem did her best to quell any worries YN had.

Rem: Rem very much understands. After all, YN-kun's time in here is limited by how much longer Subaru-kun lives for, correct?

YN: That's right, but you've gotta remember that's if he dies too.

Rem: Rem is confident YN will Return to the world of the living. There would be no other purpose for you to remain here if you weren't.

Assuming the Witch, the one who had tied YN's life to Subaru's and had summoned him to this world alongside him, put YN in this White Space, to Rem, it only made sense the Witch would do this only for a good reason.

YN: I think it might be dangerous to assume the Witch wouldn't let me get left behind and let Subaru move on to a new Respawn Point. But... speaking of that. Rem, how are you here? You said you forgot everyone, and then your memories came back to you once you got here?

Rem: Yes... Rem has been here since the attack on her and Crusch-sama'a carriage.

YN: I also remember you being pretty adamant on explaining stuff involving that but we got carried away on another tangent. Why don't we start from there since it's close to the start of everything?

Nodding, Rem moved her memories back to zero, and hoped to inform YN of important information.

Rem: It all started with the Sin Archbishops of Greed of Gluttony attacking the convoy. Crusch-sama halted the carriage, but before we realized it...

YN: The entire convoy was wiped out. Every single person was either a victim like you, or a victim like Crusch. But there were a few who fit a third category too.

Unsure if Rem knew what her own condition had ended up being outside of this place, YN worded it in a way to garner that information.

Rem: Could YN-kun please better explain what he means? A 'victim' like herself, or Crusch-sama? Rem is certain she is not dead like YN-kun is now...

Completely unaware of her own condition, YN sighed as he described the affliction.

YN: Due to the effect of the Authority of Gluttony, many in the attack escaped death by either having their memories erased, like with Crusch, or their existence, —their names, erased from everyone else's memories. Now, I get that sounds like the Whale's power, but rather than disappearing, they retain their own memories, but still have no trace of their existence left anywhere. It was either one of those two things that afflicted the victims, or—

Rem: —both. Which is what happened to Rem, isn't it?

YN: Yeah...

Correctly guessing her fate, Rem looked out to the infinite horizon beyond them.

Rem: What happens to a person with no memories and no name, Rem wonders...

Turning her gaze back down to YN, Rem inquired indirectly to her own exact condition.

YN: ...Ferris said it looked like something called Sleeping Beauty condition. Reinhard's own mother had been afflicted by it too, a long time ago. You're basically asleep, but your body requires no attention. —No food, no waste, nothing. Just an occasional breath is the cost of maintaining your same appearance too, meaning you aren't aging either.

Rem: In other words, their body is removed from the passage of time.

YN: You could say that, yeah... Your hair or nails haven't grown at all since you fell asleep. But it's not the same as being a Sleeping Beauty, since anyone with that diagnosis is still remembered by others; their legacy and history in this world aren't seemingly undone or changed to be explained in other ways as yours were.

Rem: Still, it is something worth noting.

YN: Sure. But back to the attack?

Rem: Yes.

Taking a deep breath of her own, Rem continued on.

Rem: Rem found herself alone against the two foes, as Crusch-sama lost her arm to the Archbishop of Greed.

YN: 'Greed...' Was he the taller of the two?

Rem: Yes... White hair... Wait. Did YN-kun see them?!

Appalled and horrified YN might have gone to face these two horrid creatures, Rem's words carried a deep worry to them. Since facing off directly with them, she knew how dangerous they were.

YN: In a fit of desperation, I chased after them in my car. I tried ramming them and running them over but—

Rem: YN-kun got himself killed doing that, didn't he?

YN: Yeah... The second I impacted them, the car was turned into a mangled mess of steel with me and Subaru inside. I don't think we did a thing to them.

The idea of YN perishing in that way painted an image of carnage in Rem's mind.

Rem: 'Regulus Corneas,' and 'Rai Batenkaitos.'

Speaking their names as if she hated to hear them, Rem looked down to YN.

Rem: —the Sin Archbishop of Greed and Gluttony. They informed us they were seeking who it was that had slain the Whale, as they were interested in them.

YN: So they've got a bone to pick with Subaru...

Rem: It was then that Rem engaged in combat with them... Crusch-sama had used her wind magic and her sword to greatly wound the White Whale during the fight, but it did absolutely nothing to Greed when used on him.

Identifying who it was now that had caused YN's car to scrap itself, he had been told how ferocious the aforementioned attack of Crusch's had been by Subaru.

YN: Me and Subaru... We never stood a chance, did we? Not even if Wilhelm and Julius, and Ferris followed us...

Rem: The Witch Cult's leadership is more formidable than Rem could have ever imagined before. It is no wonder the oni were slaughtered as they were... But—

Doing her best to inspire strength in YN, Rem continued to run her fingers through his hair.

Rem: —It is obvious Subaru-kun and YN-kun thwarted Sloth. Rem is certain YN-kun will help Subaru-kun best these two as well.

YN: Yeah... The trick was to actually get him inside of Subaru with no other viable hosts around. Remember when Subaru tried confessing about Return by Death to Emilia-sama and it killed her? He used the same tactic on Petelgeuse.

Smiling in a bittersweet manner, Rem nodded.

Rem: That is quite resourceful of him, isn't it? To turn tragedy into strategy.

YN: Well... To tell the truth.. That didn't even fully kill him still. His body came back as a black pile of angry sludge, but Subaru told me some fire magic solved that.

Realizing another tangent was forming, YN prompted Rem to go on once more.

Rem: There is not much after that for Rem's side of things... Her story ends moments after the fighting began... All of sudden she felt as if she had lost everything... But upon coming here, it is all clear again to Rem.

Knowing Rem ultimately wouldn't have much to say past joining the evacuation convoy, YN knew it was his turn to recount his struggles.

YN: After Sloth was dealt with... We had to deal with a few loose ends... One being a bomb in Emilia-sama's carriage in the form of smuggled fire magic crystals the Witch Cult planted. But of course, Subaru was the hero of the day with that as well. The best thing to happen after that was him finally getting his moment with Emilia he had been hoping for.

Rem: Rem is happy for him. He does his best for Emilia-sama just as YN-kun does for his Rem.

YN: Yeah... They were just like we are now, lap pillow and all, out in the big grassy plains along the highway.

Genuinely happy for Subaru as well, a small smile adorned YN's face as he recalled his dear friend's fortunate reward. Yet, the expression was quickly dashed from his face.

YN: I don't know when in relation to the time it happened... but around then, was when you were erased from the memories of everyone, spare me and Subaru.

Small tears forming in his eyes, YN wiped them away with this sleeve as he carried on.

YN: It wasn't until I found out that it was already too late... And at the exact same moment I found out... The Return Point moved up as well. Your fate was sealed, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it...

Clenching his fist as he said that, Rem shushed away his pain as she wiped the last of his tears away with her own sleeve.

Rem: Was this when YN-kun said he tried going after going after the Archbishops?

YN: No... That was the next Loop. In that first one... I... I killed Subaru in a panic.

Rem: ...To prompt a Return?

YN: Yeah...

Solemnly realizing the weight such a sin put on YN's shoulders, Rem continued to run her fingers through his hair, trying to make him feel at ease the best that she could.

Rem: If Rem may be so bold as to assume, YN-kun did not take hearing of his Rem being gone very well, did he?

YN: Of course not. You're everything to me. I felt like I've lost the most valuable thing in the world.

Rem: It touches Rem's heart deeply to hear her YN-kun say that, so Rem can imagine she would be just as distraught. There is no telling what she would do.

Prompting him to elaborate more, YN felt like he was at a confessional now.

YN: It took Subaru getting Wilhelm and Julius to hold me down while Ferris used his magic to knock me out.

Rem: Rem would expect herself to need sedation as well, should things have turned out the opposite for us. Was it from there that Emilia-sama returned from the Mansion to the Capitol once more?

YN: Pretty much... I woke up in Crusch's manner. Subaru handled the diplomatic stuff... Ferris tried breaking off the alliance as well because of what happened to Crusch, but Subaru managed to keep it together.

Rem: It would be a pity if things were broken off after so much effort was put into forging the alliance.

Smiling up at the oni, YN realized he never properly thanked her for helping to solve that side of their issues involving those sets of Loops.

YN: Ultimately, it was all thanks to him we got passed it all. Subaru deserves his praise for forging that alliance, but it was you who started the fire in the forge and kept it burning until he was done.

As he looked out into the infinite horizon of white for himself again, YN sighed.

YN: Subaru made the right call I think. It was obvious things had moved past the point of saving you, and I was on the brink of falling into insanity...

Rem: Rem will owe a token of her appreciation to Subaru-kun for that. She knows her YN-kun tried earnestly to right the wrong, but some things are impossible. Rem would not wish such an endless descent into madness on her YN-kun. While it proves he does indeed love her so, he had already proven that by just saying those words to Rem. —To love the person who has hurt him the most... There is no more convincible way Rem could think of.

Hand to her chest, Rem said these words to YN with a great emotional weight behind them.

YN: I felt so guilty after that, especially since I couldn't tell you how I felt back. In fact, I felt guilty for it having happened at all... What if I had gone with you? Or maybe realized the safest place for you really was by my side? What if I had just had the hindsight? It's something I'm still torn on Rem... I refused to let you out of my sight until we got to the Mansion. I even initially took you to the Sanctuary with me out of that same fear. But after seeing what kind of a place the Sanctuary was... I couldn't let you, being so vulnerable, stay there. I got special permission to go back to the Mansion and let you stay there under Frederica's care... Yet look what happened? Elsa of all people shows up there after I leave to butcher everyone...

Feeling his frustration mount, YN cursed himself.

YN: —No matter what... I just keep making the worst choices. I can't make a good one to save my life... —or yours... I hardly deserve to be called a Hero.

Rem: But YN-kun did make a choice in choosing Rem, did he not?

YN: —!

Catching him off guard by saying that so flatly, YN did not wish to make Rem feel bad or inadequate for his poor use of words.

YN: Wha-woah-hey! Rem—!

Rem: —did YN-kun also feel he made a bad choice in accepting Nee-sama's request to be the one Rem should lean to?

YN: O-Of course not! I'm incredibly happy she asked me...

Smiling down at him as his head still laid in her lap, Rem spoke to the point she was getting at.

Rem: Then surely YN-kun understands why Rem does not think the words he says about himself hold any truth.

Reaching her head down, Rem tenderly kissed his forehead from above. Gently whispering into his ear, the maid caused goosebumps to flourish all over YN's body.

Rem (whisper): Rem's heart is more than satisfied just knowing her YN-kun has only done things with her in mind. That is more than Rem could ever ask for. She knows it's that thinking that will enable her YN-kun to overcome these challenges and properly reunite with his Rem. It's this hope he inspires in Rem that makes him her Hero.

Her words, charged with emotion, quelled the last of YN's guilt.

If YN-kun thinks Rem should no longer hold guilt for things he says are outside of Rem's capacity to deal with... Rem thinks the same should be true for her YN-kun.

Turning his head and nuzzling the fabric apron that covered Rem's thighs, YN breathed in deep through his nose.

Flowers...

With the calming aroma combining with Rem's honeyed words, YN found himself with less plaguing his soul. With a clear mind, he turned his face back upward to the one still so gently playing with his hair.

Rem: Is Rem correct to assume YN-kun returned to the Mansion with Emilia-sama, Subaru-kun, and Rem?

YN: Yeah... Like I said though, only Frederica and Petra were there though.

Rem: Frederica suddenly returning to the Mansion is very odd timing... However she is a good ally to have if things are unsafe.

Hearing an actual, acute commendation for Frederica, this affirmed YN's understanding he had from Rem.

YN: Everyone was mildly suspicious of her suddenly returning, especially considering the situation in the Sanctuary... But I knew from what you've told me about her, that she couldn't be someone who'd betray us.

Rem: Rem very much hopes everyone was not too hard on her...

YN: Ram has been pretty critical of her. Subaru inadvertently said she was scary... But I think I struck a good impression with her when I called her teeth 'cute' by accident...

Nervously scratching his cheek as he told Rem that, she looked down at him with an amused expression, but one that also appeared pouty. Stopping her play with his hair, Rem lightly touched a finger tip to his nose in a teasing manner.

Rem: Sharing YN-kun with anyone other than Nee-sama is out of the question, even if it is Frederica.

She's still on about that?!

Smiling at him though, Rem showed she wasn't upset with him.

Rem: It is surprising to hear that. Most people are fearful or weary of Frederica the first time they meet her... Her height and teeth are both features she is most self conscious of... Rem can imagine how surprised she must have been being complimented at first impression.

YN: In my defense, your loss was still really fresh, and Frederica had apologized for smiling of all things, and I felt bad since she was being so helpful trying to assist me in keeping you comfortable... But admittedly, Rem...

YN had begun to blush slightly as he broke eye contact with Rem. He was clearly nervous about what he had to say next.

YN: —It was mostly because they reminded me of the little fangs you have too. I've always thought they were really cute, but to just ever say that to you outright I thought would have been a bit weird...

Rem: A—?!

Moving both hands to cover her mouth, not unlike how Frederica might have, Rem's own blush outshined YN's greatly now.

YN: Don't hide em'! They're a major component to how adorable your smile is.

As if worried someone was spying in them, Rem nervously looked left and right before dropping her hands and giving YN a large, full smile.

Cute!

Still rosy cheeked, Rem sighed out the building heat in her chest and face.

Rem: Rem will try and do her best to smile at her YN-kun more like that in the future if he really does enjoy it...

YN: You make it sound like you thought I'd dislike them.

Giving him a weak smile, Rem explained her drawn conclusion.

Rem: They are just one of the features of Rem's that become exaggerated if she is to summon her horn. The same can be said for her fingernails...

Looking down at her own hands as she said that, Rem still maintained her weak expression.

YN: Rem, you don't frighten me at all when you do that. What scares me is that I'm afraid you're going to overexert yourself and end up injured. Besides, you do have a unique beauty to yourself when you look that way...

Rem put the hand she had been looking at over her chest upon hearing those words.

Rem: ...Perhaps Rem should learn not to be so critical of herself now that each of our feelings for one another are on full display.

Casting her gaze away from YN, Rem's face turned red once more.

Rem: If YN-kun is a fan of how Rem appears when her horn is summoned... should he want to one night... —but after our first time! Rem could try being that way while we—

YN: Uhhh, Rem, I uhhhhh—

Fanning her hot cheeks with her hands, Rem shook her head.

Rem: —YN-kun is correct, Rem is getting off topic again.

Calming herself down as she fanned the heat of excited arousal off herself, Rem brought her discipline front and center, and returned the matter at hand.

Rem: So, YN-kun has met Frederica then? And everyone was suspicious of her simply for returning so suddenly?

YN: Yeah... Well, not just showing up suddenly... Not entirely, at least.

Rem: Hmm, it is hard for Rem to imagine Frederica acting is a way that seems untrustworthy. There must be another cause?

YN: By the time we had gotten to Sanctuary, Subaru had reason enough to suspect her, and when we told Ram and Roswaal about it too, they were also rather concerned she may have turned traitor as well.

With a deep breath, YN went on.

YN: But the reason for that was, when we went to depart from the Mansion for Sanctuary, since Roswaal, Ram, and the other villagers hadn't returned yet from the Witch Cult evacuation, Frederica did something that ended up making her somewhat suspicious... She gave Emilia a pyroxene crystal, saying it was necessary for her to cross the barrier.

Tilting her head in question at that statement, Rem furrowed her brows.

Rem: A special crystal for crossing the Sanctuary's barrier? No... That's not something that is needed... Unless the Barrier's properties have changed...

YN: It still isn't. But none of us knew that or had any clue at all.

Rem: Rem can only imagine this was a magical crystal of some sort.

YN: 'Magical' is a nice way of saying it... To be fair, I didn't witness it though. I followed Subaru, Otto, and Emilia-sama in their carriage while I drove behind them with you in the car, still asleep.

Rem: YN-kun truly did not wish to leave his Rem's side... She is truly fortunate to have her YN-kun be so protective of her.

YN: Yeah... No one else really approved of the idea of bringing you along. Maybe they were right, maybe not. There's just no longer a safe place for you to be left... and I was still really upset about the Archbishop attack...

YN pushed back his feelings though for the time being again.

YN: Anyway, so in the carriage, I guess that the crystal Frederica had given Emilia-sama began to glow, and she passed out just afterwards. Now in hindsight we know it was her entering the barrier that had caused her to lose consciousness, but Subaru assumed it had been the work of the crystal, which I can't fault him for since we had no clue about the barrier's power.

Rem: It is very unfortunate the four of you did not have better guidance into the territory... But did Frederica not inform you all that would occur?

YN: No. All Subaru and Emilia-sama were told was that it was necessary for her to have. Seeing her passed out though, Subaru grabbed the crystal from her as it began to glow more, and eventually it teleported him of all things.

Rem: 'Teleported?!' That is a very rare and powerful kind of magic in just a mere pyroxene crystal...

YN: You're telling me.

Shaking his head gently in her lap, the surrealness realness of such a thing actually being reality in this world still struck YN.

YN: Rem, we only had that as a concept in some high fantasy or Sci-fi stories of fiction in my old world...

As much as YN would have liked to go off on this tangent with Rem, talking about the idea of teleportation, and comparing and contrasting how it was in this world versus the various places he was aware of it in story or media he enjoyed, he forced himself to get back to the topic at hand.

YN: We were all shocked to hear about it happening, but given how Subaru had just disappeared, it was the only thing that had made sense. Otto had pulled over saying he couldn't get a response out of Emilia-sama or Subaru, so when I got the nerve to open their carriage door, all I found inside was Emilia-sama passed out...

Understanding how hectic that must have been, Rem could only continue to sympathetically run her fingers across YN's hair.

Rem: So the suspicion was drawn from Frederica handing Emilia-sama a crystal meant to underhandedly separate her from the rest of her entourage. That seems... very much unlike her. Where did Subaru-kun end up being taken to?

YN: Just outside Echidna's Tomb...

Rem: —The Witch of Greed's Tomb?!

Her eyes going wide as she said, alarm bells went off in Rem's mind.

Rem: How badly was Subaru-kun harmed from going inside?! Rem knows only half-demi-humans are safe to proceed inside, so it is clear that this was meant for Emilia-sama... —But please, YN-kun! Promise Rem he will not set foot inside! The Tomb rejects those who are not like Emilia-sama.

Worried for good reason, considering what Rem knew about the Tomb, which Roswaal's condition was evidence of to YN, she pleaded to the one she loved.

Rem: If Emilia-sama or Subaru-kun go inside, Rem begs her YN-kun to not follow them.

YN: Well... about that...

Rem: —?!

Nervously scratching his cheek, YN didn't want to trample on Rem's genuine worry for him by acting like he was disregarding it, but rather he knew he had to be blunt about it.

YN: It's... a little late for that. I went inside after Emilia-sama and Subaru both... In fact, the Loop we're in has its Return Point as soon as we're both waking up inside of it.

Rem: —?!

Eyes even wider now, it seemed Rem was going to explode into ever more questions once she got over this speechlessness she currently had.

YN: D-Don't worry though! Subaru and I are both safe. In fact, we have the Qualification. —Meaning we can enter and actually participate in the Trials.

Rem: —?!

Rem was stunned beyond belief. How had such a thing occurred?

YN: Subaru was pretty sure it had to do with him being the one teleported to the Tomb, and not Emilia-sama. He wandered inside and said he passed out, but ultimately wasn't harmed.

A hand to her chin, Rem's surprise died down into contemplation.

Rem: Perhaps the crystal given to Subaru-kun had an unperceived effect upon him, granting the Qualification.

Shrugging on Rem's lap still, YN couldn't come up with a better idea.

YN: It's an idea, but it doesn't explain how I have it too.

Yet to Rem, the logic was simple.

Rem: YN-kun and Subaru-kun both share the connection of your Ability to defy death... Would that work as a bridge for you both to gain that Qualification?

YN: Maybe...? I can't say though.

With a brief pause forming between the two as Rem returned to using her fingers in his hair, she sought to find out more.

Rem: As YN-kun was saying, he had found Emilia-sama unconscious?

YN: Yeah, and Subaru was nowhere to be seen. Seeing Emilia passed out I panicked and carried her out of the carriage, and I'm glad that I did. As soon as I got out, our favorite little shit-head decided to show up and attack us.

Rem: Garf.

YN: Yep.

Given he had endangered Rem in a preeminent time space, YN held a less than ideal temperament when it came to the golden-haired youth. Had the action been whisked away by a Reset, he found it easy to forgive someone for sins they had not technically committed in the current timeline of things, yet, the act of harming or endangering Rem seemed like it wouldn't be given the same consideration, even if such a happening was whisked away in a new Loop.

YN: He kicked the whole carriage over. Patrasche got mad at him and tried charging, but he just picked her up, and flipped her over like it was child's play.

Rem: Garf has always been one for hot headedness... Matched with his strength and unreasonable attitude... Rem is fearful for both YN-kun and Nee-sama... Rem always tried to keep the two separated in our more youthful days.

YN: Yeah... Garf really doesn't like the fact that Nee-sama is so friendly with me. He gets jealous. But if it weren't for Ram stepping in suddenly, the fight between me and Garf probably would have turned ugly.

Fully confident in the one she loved, Rem could not doubt YN had held his own against the shark-toothed boy. Even despite all her logic telling her Garfiel was superior in combat alone, Rem's faith YN was stronger.

Rem: Rem guesses since Garf recognized no one in attendance, given the group involved, he was outwardly hostile. It would definitely have taken Nee-sama showing up to stop any altercations, that alone only worked due to his familiarity and infatuation with her.

YN: Well, even though you were still asleep, you were visible from outside the car. He was about to flip my 'carriage' too but he saw you and stopped. I'm guessing he realized you looked a lot like Nee-sama and it got him distracted long enough for me to clobber him.

Rem: So it was Garf potentially harming Rem that caused YN-kun to resort to violence immediately? Normally YN-kun is not so hasty, but Rem can see his desire to protect her and it does make her heart ache knowing the danger her beloved put himself in for her sake.

YN: It wasn't a fight I could have won. I don't know where I found the strength, but I pushed him back a second time after we both gave it our-all. I was ready to disintegrate him with Yang magic, and he was ready to knock my head off with a flying kick, but—

Rem: —Nee-sama intervened.

Rem admittedly was stunned that YN had gone toe-to-toe with Garfiel. Even in their youth, Rem knew he was strong, and could imagine he could be quite an adversary if he wished to be. What more-so surprised her was the way YN and Garfiel had met. Considering these were both people she knew in very different chapters of her life, it was hard to visualize the two even being in the same room.

Perhaps this is the feeling YN-kun described when he explained what a 'crossover-episode' was to Rem...

YN: Exactly. After that, she managed to get things calmed down. Subaru and Emilia both were back and awake for the scuffle, so thankfully for that, Ram was able to more easily mediate the confrontation. But, from there we just went to Roswaal, saw he was all messed up from trying to go into the Tomb for less then sincere reasons, met Ryuzu, and later that night, Emilia-sama was instructed to attempt the Trial herself.

Rem: So the error was bringing Emilia-sama along to the Sanctuary... After all, one of its effects of keeping itself secret to the outside world is that it keeps its half-demi-human population from leaving...

YN: Oh it wasn't a simple 'error.' All this was calculated.

Rem: —?

Head tilted in response to that, YN levied the strategy employed by Roswaal.

YN: From what he told me and Subaru directly, Roswaal was forced into being a hostage for the Sanctuary, on the condition he would liberate it.

Rem: Do they expect Roswaal-sama to be able to disarm the barrier? If he could, they certainly know he would have done so long ago... If only for those who had wished to leave. The barrier still protects them from the outside world, something Rem is sure many would not wish to give up. It's hard to think the residents of the Sanctuary would turn against Roswaal-sama, especially with how well Ryuzu-sama is at mediating any frustrations...

YN: That's where this gets interesting. Roswaal said he tried in 'good faith' to show he was powerless to liberate the Sanctuary by going into the Tomb and getting covered in wounds... To show he was unable to take the Trials that need to be passed to lift the barrier. But later he told Subaru and I this was all part of his plan.

Rem: Rem sees... The conditions to even be eligible to open the barrier are narrow... And what of this plan?

YN: That part didn't add up to us either at first. But somehow or another, Roswaal knew going to Sanctuary would end up this way, with him, Ram, and half the villagers from Arlem becoming hostages. Logic would only dictate Subaru would go in search of them all, and he'd bring Emilia-sama along for that.

Rem: Their intention was to get Emilia-sama inside the barrier from the beginning... Because she would be eligible for the Trials thanks to her heritage, and as Candidate, needs to leave the Sanctuary to participate in the Selection.

YN: They knew Emilia-sama was their 'Get out of jail' card.

Rem: —?

Tilting her head in the opposite direction at the odd term, YN shook his head and smiled.

YN: Just another saying from my old world.

Smiling in return, Rem replied.

Rem: Rem believes she will need to wait to hear more about that.

Despite the brief departure from the serious nature of their conversation, the two's hearts ached from the tiny moment in the midst of it all.

I really miss Rem's curiosity...

Rem certainly has missed listening to her YN-kun...

Even now, the each realized just how much they treasured every moment together.

Sighing though, YN got back at it.

YN: But yeah, Emilia-sama is their main hostage now, especially since like you said, she herself can't leave now. It was only after talking to Roswaal with Subaru, we learned why he never even bothered to warn anyone in any fashion that it would trap Emilia-sama there.

Rem: Rem doesn't follow that last part... That seems rather reckless of Roswaal-sama... There must be a reason?

YN: Oh there is. Roswaal wants Emilia-sama to be viewed as a Hero; —the one who liberated the Sanctuary.

Rem: — — —

To them each, the method used by Roswaal did hold water. They both wished for Emilia to ascend the throne, and doing so would require her to become a stronger person, in more ways then one. Overcoming an obstacle like this would prove to be beneficial for her.

YN: At the end of the day, I understand Roswaal wanting Emilia-sama to be able to attribute this all to herself. It's like he said himself too; while the White Whale's subjugation and Sloth's defeat were attributed to her camp, those were things ultimately done by Subaru. This issue with it this time though, is just that now is a terrible time for this to happen. Elsa is stalking the Mansion, ready to kill everyone inside, and we're all stuck in the Sanctuary for the most part...

Rem: Not to mention as well, YN-kun and Subaru-kun both are unable to explain to Roswaal-sama of the other pressing issues.

YN: Pretty much... We also used up our single bit of lee-way we had as well. After bringing you along to the Sanctuary and explaining who you were and what had happened, Ryuzu and Garf both made an exception and let me take you back to the Mansion on Nee-sama's request to them. —Provided I was back before Emilia-sama finished her Trial. If I got back and she was already done, well, I told Garf he really could smash my car.

Rem: YN-kun should not have offered that! If something had happened along the way, Rem would feel awful—!

YN: —It doesn't matter. I wanted you safe and out of the Sanctuary. —Away from Garf or whatever other foul person there would harm you. It just frustrates me to no end though... I ended up taking you somewhere even more dangerous.

With YN getting emotional once again, Rem sought to change the topic.

Rem: Rem understands why her YN-kun feels badly about it... But please, for now, take refuge from those pains in Rem's lap. There can and will be a time to correct those misfortunes.

Placing one on either side of his face, Rem's delicate hands put the smallest amount of force into his cheeks as she said that. Running her fingers up his face and back into his hair, Rem went on.

Rem: Now, how did Emilia-sama fair in her Trial?

Routing the guilt in YN's chest, Rem got him to take a deep breath and continue on.

YN: I got there just after she started it. The outside walls of that old, overgrown, crumbling Tomb were all lit up and glowing, which meant a Trial was underway. But after a little while the lights went out, but Emilia-sama was still inside. It didn't take Subaru long to run in after her, even after seeing what it did to Roswaal.

Rem: That does sound exactly like something Subaru-kun would do... Even despite the threat it could pose to someone without the proper credentials.

YN: Ram and I watched Subaru run up the steps...She even tried stopping him, but he got away. But... when he got inside the Tomb, it lit up again too.

Rem: Subaru-kun in some way had been given the same Qualification as Emilia-sama then...

Correctly guessing that Subaru had begun a Trial of his own as well, Rem awaited every word YN said, as her fixation on those who shouldn't be eligible, all of sudden being so, perplexed her greatly.

YN: Well, to be fair, we hadn't realized that was the case... And... after the Tomb went dark with him inside, I followed.

Rem: YN-kun saw Roswaal-sama, yes? He should know the danger as well...

There was a clear amount of disappointment in her voice at YN acting so recklessly.

YN: I was afraid he was going to soft-lock us.

Rem: 'Soft-lock?'

YN: Er, so... Imagine this. Subaru runs inside and is getting harmed. What if the Reset point updated to beyond the point if he turned around in the Tomb before it kills him, but it's still not enough time to get back out. He's so far in, he won't have time to run back out. He'd be beyond the point of no return.

Not even wishing to fathom if such a thing were a possibility, Rem shook her head at such a tragic fate.

Rem: Subaru-kun would be in an endless cycle of death...

YN: Can you understand even a little bit now why I rushed in after him?

Nodding her head, the oni showed humility.

Rem: Yes... 'What became of YN-kun?' though, Rem wonders.

YN: Once I got inside, I got light headed, and passed out... I thought the Tomb had injured me, but I just collapsed. I woke up somewhere I hadn't been in a very, very long time.

Rem: The Trial made YN-kun believe he was elsewhere?

YN: No... Not quite. But—

Trying to think back on it, YN only found the thought to be somewhat painful. Bringing a hand to his head, he tried to reason as to why he had an answer to this question, for which he felt he shouldn't.

YN: I feel like... I wasn't supposed to know? But I did. I found out but wasn't supposed to. Why do I know that though?

While YN was oblivious to it, both Subaru and him had these same pains recalling their first visits into the Tomb that involved meeting Echidna. They had answers to questions they never recalled asking.

Rem: Was this Trial far too traumatizing for him?

YN: No. No, at all. It was scary at first, but something else happened that made me realize everything was okay...

Rem: Hmm...

YN could not for the life of him properly explain the memory hole in his mind. But as he dwelled on this with his thinking mind at work in Rem's heavenly lap, she inquired about the Trials further, hoping to spark YN's memory. The maid wished for nothing else then to help him.

Rem: Were Emilia-sama and Subaru-kun's Trials similar in that respect? Rem can only theorize the Tomb's magic may be damaged by time...

YN: Theirs were functioning properly. I know that. The Trial —the first Trial is facing one's past. Subaru told me about his. Emilia-sama... she seems to be very uncomfortable with hers... Every time she awoke back in the Tomb, Subaru needed to comfort her. —She'd be nearly hysteric.

Rem: ...Rem does know that Emilia-sama came from living in the Eilor Forest with the Great-Spirit-sama on their own before coming to the Mansion...

YN: She... lived in the forest? Like a hobo?

Truthfully, it has was hard for YN to picture, but coming from Rem, he had to believe it.

Rem: All Rem knows is that Emilia-sama resided there, and prevented those from entering towards where the forest is frozen. It is very likely Emilia-sama had a very difficult past...

YN: Which is only going to make it more difficult to lower the barrier...

Going silent, they each mulled over how the problem seemed to get more and more difficult to thwart until—

Rem: YN-kun mentioned that Emilia-sama, himself, and Subaru-kun were all experiencing the Trial. From what YN-kun has told Rem, Emilia-sama failed. What of himself and Subaru-kun?

YN: Subaru passed. I failed.

Rem: What if the task to liberate the Sanctuary fell to Subaru-kun? Rem understands this is what Emilia-sama needs to face... —one unable to face their past cannot face the Kingdom as its Ruler, but given the circumstances...

YN: I don't think it's a real option... Subaru already thought about doing that, and in our first Loop, Garfiel saw how much Emilia-sama was trying and failing to pass her first Trial, and actually asked Subaru to be the one to lift the barrier.

Rem: Something tells Rem though it is not such a simple task...

Noting he kept saying "first" Loop, Rem assumed these next Trials must have been formidable for them to overcome, and as such—

YN: —It's never that simple. In the very next Loop, Subaru brought that up as a solution, and guess who was against it?

Rem: Garf himself? Or was Emilia-sama the one to voice opposition?

YN: Both.

Rem: — — —

Figuring it either had to be a change between the Loops, or Emilia herself, Rem felt second hand the weight of stress upon YN and Subaru's shoulders from these conditions.

Rem: Rem cannot say she sees a solution at all then... But, did either ever say anything about YN-kun being the one to take all the Trials? Even if he does so in secret...

While she hated to suggest it, Rem offered the only other visible route: near betrayal.

YN: I considered it. But I couldn't do that, not to Emilia-sama.

YN knew Emilia had a chip on her shoulders to overcome these Trials on her own. He couldn't just take that away from her.

But for Rem's sake... For everyone's sake!

Seeing the tension begin to rebuild in her beloved's eyes, Rem once more moved the topic.

Rem: Perhaps YN-kun and Subaru-kun can offer Emilia-sama assistance in overcoming her Trials? If they also take them, perhaps they can relay any strategies to overcome them.

YN: That's an idea... It's just that mine was so much different, —supposedly, and that the first Trial seems to differ not in theme, but concept between participants. Even taking away that concept, what Subaru and I experienced were vastly different things. I got psyched out, but the major difference is that Emilia-sama's seems rather traumatic, while Subaru's wasn't.

Rem: While we can only guess as to what Emilia-sama's Trial entailed... What of Subaru-kun's? And YN-kun's?

YN: Subaru did tell me about his own a day or so after he took it. It was pretty sad, but I actually think that taking that Trial really helped him. It involved his parents of all things.

Rem: YN-kun is perhaps going to say that Subaru-kun was able to face some of his guilt he had about leaving them behind?

While it only had been minimal, YN had told Rem of how Subaru and himself differed in their new spot in this world. YN had not a single doubt he belonged here in this world now, yet Subaru carried the mental baggage that he left behind his parents, and they naturally had to be worried sick. Given YN and Subaru had to have been removed from their old world, and placed in this new one, and that time still went on without them, it was only natural to think his parents were searching in vain for their precious son.

YN: Yeah... I think it finally gave him some self-closure. He said that even though he couldn't tell his parents he was alright, he said he realized they would know he was okay. At least, that's what I gathered he meant.

Rem: Since YN-kun is from another world as well, did he receive a similar Trial?

YN: No, not at all. The biggest difference was that until the end, Subaru hadn't realized he was even in a Trial. He well and truly believed he was in the past, and back at home until it ended. With mine, I was instantly aware. It freaked me out...

Looking up at the infinite white space above him, YN told Rem of how surreal it had been.

YN: I thought I had been sent back... or that this— all of this; you, Ram, Subaru, Lugunica? That I had either dreamt it all, or it was my imagination... What made it worse was that I was right back to where I was right before suddenly coming to this world...

Rem: Was this the place with the large glowing sign?

YN: The fuel station... Yeah. That's right, you saw about that far back in my memories, right?

Rem: Yes... YN-kun must have been greatly frightened.

YN: I was, until I wasn't. I knew it all had to be real. One thing proved that to me.

Rem: And this was?

YN: —You. My stupid head couldn't have come up with anyone as wonderful as you.

Smiling weakly to Rem as he said that, the maid leaned over and kissed him on his forehead.

Rem: YN-kun always knows just the things to say to his Rem to make her heart feel weak…

Enjoyed by seeing the maid's cheeks smile in their blushed hue, YN moved on, not wishing to dwell on what be felt was too cliche' of an admittance.

YN: But yeah... For some reason after that... Everything gets kinda blurry... For some reason though, I do know I failed. At that point though too, I'm certain the challenge in the Trial for me changed. It was no longer facing your past, but rather seeing if I was going to give up trying to find a way back to this world... I kept driving, waiting for the Witch to show up—

Putting a pang of pain in his head, YN masked his reaction by wiping his eyes like he was simply struggling to remember again.

'Witch...' 'Witch...'

For some reason or another, this word brought pain. Like a mimic, YN had located the missing memories in his mind, but had opened a false chest containing them, and thus the booby trap had been laid.

Why does that make it sound so familiar?

Still though, he was incapable of recalling anything towards the end of the Trial in any useful capacity.

Rem: Hmmm, if Rem gathers what she believes is at all possible...

Not oblivious to his pain, Rem wished for YN to be at rest right now above all else, and as such, sought to push pass the topic.

There is clearly interference with YN-kun's memories, but Rem or him are both powerless to rectify anything about that here...

Rem: What occurred next? Everyone left the Trial, correct?

YN: Pretty much... In that first Loop, things went pretty slowly. There was a meeting right after with Subaru, me, Garf, Ryuzu, and Emilia-sama. In the next few days, Subaru told me what I just told you, and he managed to convince the Garf and Ryuzu to release the villagers as hostages. He explained they already had Emilia-sama, why hold more mouths to feed?

Rem: A wise solution from Subaru-kun.

YN: I'll say. He actually went back with them to Arlem. He wanted to use that opportunity too, so he could talk to Frederica... This was when he was still suspicious of her. Garf unfortunately prohibited me from going along.

Rem: It would have been advantageous for YN-kun to attend, if only to check Subaru-kun on his suspicions of Frederica.

YN: It wouldn't have mattered, unfortunately. The Mansion... everyone inside had already been slaughtered by Elsa after those three days since the first set of Trials. Elsa was only waiting around for Subaru... He signaled me a few times using Confessions, but when I tried to go after him to see what was wrong, Garfiel stopped me. He made me crash my car into a tree and nearly killed me...

Rem: — — —

With Rem silent in response, YN could tell she was fighting a frightening mental battle in her head.

Rem: —Rem is... —uncertain of what to think.

Surely, she viewed Garfiel as a childhood companion, especially since every other child she must have known had been killed when the Witch Cult attacked her village. But at this revelation...

YN: After I crashed, I could tell I was pretty messed up... Even Ram was mad at him from what I could hear still. But he pulled me out, and knocked me out again... While I was passed out, that's when I woke back in the Tomb.

Rem: Subaru-kun must have perished whilst YN-kun was unconscious...

YN: That's what my only guess was too. That began the second Loop. Provided nothing changes from this time, that's where I'll wake right back up at. With my face planted right in the dust of the floor, fresh from my failed Trial.

Giving him as much sympathy as she could, Rem ran her fingers through his hair still.

Rem: This next Loop was the one YN-kun had just come from?

YN: Yeah. Things played out pretty similarly to how they did in the last go-around, but this time, Subaru announced to everyone he had taken and passed the first Trial. Ryuzu and Garf both didn't seem thrilled about that, but just like last time, Ram tried stopping him from saying that, but this time she failed to...

Rem: Rem can imagine Nee-sama being cautious of such a revelation being known. Was the reception to this not positive as she predicted?

YN: It wasn't so much as it being a known fact, but rather what Subaru said next that really made things worse... He told Emilia-sama he wanted to take the Trials in her place. One thing led to another in that exchange and she became slightly hysteric like she had been in the Tomb upon waking up. Ram had to use a smelling-solt of some kind to get her to calm down and pass out...

Rem: Emilia-sama...

YN: The real kicker though, was that in the last Loop, Garf voiced approval of Subaru taking the Trials in her place. This Loop however, both him and Ryuzu were massively against it...

Rem: Was there a reason for this?

YN: Garfiel had said that after agreeing to let the villagers go free, and it was a few days later... Emilia-sama was trying and failing spectacularly every night since then at her Trial... I woulda' chalked it up to just a passage of time, but Ryuzu herself said it was 'Roswaal's will' to see Emilia-sama free the Sanctuary. She naturally didn't want to go against her liege lord. If the Sanctuary was opened up, they'd only have Roswaal to protect them from the world now.

Rem: A calculated decision, if not one simply steeped in what the most logical conclusion would be.

YN: That first night was pretty rough for Subaru... But after he spoke with Roswaal some more, he managed to convince him to propose letting the Arlem villagers go earlier.

Rem: This time, Subaru-kun was able to go back to the Mansion immediately.

YN: Last time he got there, everyone was already dead... This time, it was earlier. But an added condition was that Nee-sama had to come along too, per Roswaal's instruction.

Rem: YN-kun went along too though, correct?

YN: Only because Ram made it a condition as well. She didn't want to leave me behind with Garf at the Sanctuary... That and I think she just wanted to ride there in my car...

Scratching his cheek as he said that, the later reason really seemed more like it was the main motive behind YN going along.

Rem: It warms Rem's heart to hear Nee-sama and YN-kun still continue to get along so well. Rem wishes she could have accompanied them both in the car for a journey...

Hearing the pain in Rem's voice, YN reached for one of her hands and held it tightly.

YN: Don't worry, Rem. Once we get you all better, we'll have all sorts of fun and memories together, okay? I promise.

Lifting their held hands to her soft cheek, Rem nodded.

Rem: Rem is so very fortunate to have her YN-kun...

With a moment of sincerity between them, YN pushed ahead with his retelling of the second Loop to Rem.

YN: Thankfully, everyone in the Mansion was still fine by the time we got there. Petra met us outside and brought us in. Ram and I immediately wanted to go see you, and Subaru wanted to speak to Frederica, so the group broke up. Petra led us to where you were...

Rem: Something appears to be on YN-kun's mind with that...

YN: It's just sorta poetic is all. Out of all the rooms in the Mansion Frederica could have chosen to put you in, she chose the room that was originally yours. But by then, it was just an empty staff room...

Rem: And Rem was still asleep inside?

YN: Yeah... Nee-sama and I spoke for a while in your room, but I could tell she wanted some alone time with you, so I let her have some space. I went looking for Subaru, kind of just shuffling around the halls until I heard shouting. Him and Frederica were getting into it in the tea room. But it wasn't long after I showed up, Nee-sama did too.

Rem: What was the cause of things becoming so heated?

YN: Subaru was still suspicious of Frederica being an enemy. She was under oath to not disclose anything, like why she gave Emilia-sama that crystal necklace, which didn't help her position, but Ram could tell that. Their words sort of bounced off each other until Nee-sama began to realize Frederica couldn't 'willfully' state the intentions of her actions, so she had to be 'restrained' until we could take her back to the Sanctuary with us.

Making air quotes as he spoke, YN changed his tone as he went on.

YN: It seemed like we were making a lot of progress for it being only the second Loop, but almost as soon as it was decided Frederica would come back with us, in came Elsa...

The moment was still burned into his mind. The Bowel Huntress standing in the door-frame with a blade to Petra's throat.

YN: She had taken Petra hostage... And that's about when all the fighting started...

Rem: This woman and Reinhard clashed before, yes? It does not sound as if she would be an easy foe to deal with.

Definitely nervous herself at the prospect of YN facing Elsa, Rem could tell just from the way he remembered the event, that it hadn't ended well.

YN: It all sorta seems like a blurry picture in my head now. Frederica grabbed me and Subaru under her arms after getting a hold of Petra again, and we all jumped from the window to try and escape. After that, we remembered both you and Beatrice were still inside, and I wasn't about to abandon you, so I went back in.

Rem: Rem wishes her YN-kun would not endanger himself so for her sake...

Knowing it was futile to argue against it, Rem worried as to what terrible fate would reveal itself to her that her beloved had faced.

YN: All I remember is being in a state of panic, but I had to come back to my senses when I got attacked... It wasn't Elsa, but rather a mabeast... in the Mansion.

YN was aware he was adding an entirely additional, unexpected element to the story, to which he could already guess Rem's surprised reaction.

Rem: A mabeast?! Did the Bowel Huntress also disable the barrier...? One should not be able to cross and enter so far past it... Or is—?!

Seemingly coming to some conclusion in response, Rem blue eyes went wide.

Rem: ...the Shaman... From when the village children were taken away. Is the Assassin by chance working alongside the Shaman!? The head mabeast did not have a horn after all...

Bringing up a theory YN and Subaru both hadn't contemplated, he gave the idea some serious thought too.

YN: The mabeast I did face was horned however... Nee-sama called it a Guiltylowe.

A hand to her chin now, a puzzled expression adorned Rem's face.

Rem: That is a species that are very uncommon to the area... Especially since so many packs of Ulgrims dominate the area... Guiltylowe are seen only much deeper into the Eilor Forest... Where the Mansion is, that is much too far for one to have wandered nearby...

YN: If Elsa and this Shaman really are in league with each other... That's a whole other aspect to this mess we've gotta deal with.

Rem: Rem is very sorry to have complicated things further for her YN-kun...

YN: No no, not at all, Rem. I hadn't even considered that could have been a thing. Your input is invaluable.

Unsure what to think, it was Rem who brought his thoughts back to center.

Rem: What became of the Guiltilaw? Was it acting strange at all?

YN: I can't recall well enough... It attacked me, I reacted, I killed it. The only clear memory I have after that is Petra, Ram, and Subaru finding me as I was about to pass out from mana exhaustion. They were worried about me, but Subaru I guess was already injured by Elsa during the jump down out of the Mansion. Petra and Ram were tending to him while I got myself back and up and went looking for you...

Taking a moment to regain his thoughts, Rem in the meantime remained silent as she began to see YN try and sort through his more painful and recent memories.

YN: What bothered me the most was that Elsa was clearly going through the Mansion, opening each and every door. She had been doing that before she brought Petra to us, and was still doing that mid-fight with Frederica. You too, recall what that means, right?

Rem: — — —

A new look had come across Rem's face upon hearing that.

Rem: ...Surely that is—

YN: —Rem, Elsa herself told me she was hired to kill everyone inside. Including Beatrice.

Rem: But how—?!

YN: —Who told us how to do that, Rem? —How to find Beatrice. Think for a second. I know you don't want to think of it as a possibility, but—

Rem: —Roswaal-sama would not! He wouldn't...

The Margrave that had so charitably taken both Rem and Ram in, tutored them, clothed them, and fed them was one of the last people Rem wished to think ill of.

Rem: YN-kun does not think —?

Praying that a rift was not beginning to form between people Rem considered family, YN reassured the maid.

YN: There's no proof it was him so far. I don't want to think he'd be that sort of person. Elsa could have found that information out from any number of sources. Unless Roswaal himself told us either way, there'd be no real way for us to truly know. But—

Swallowing a lump in his throat, YN posed the hypothetical to Rem.

YN: —let's say it was Roswaal, what then?

Rem: ... Is YN-kun asking Rem to choose?

YN: No, I'm asking for guidance.

Rem was aware YN knew what sort of respect she commanded for Roswaal. He wasn't about to ask her to toss that all aside. She knew YN only wished for her to know the truth, even if it hurt her, and from there he trusted her to make the decision right for her.

Rem: Rem is... Rem is uncertain.

Unable to even begin to formulate a response, Rem could not find the words of an acceptable answer that did not betray her loyalty to her employer, or her promise to always believe YN.

YN: —Let me ask it another way. What would you do if the tables were flipped between us? If I was asleep as you are, and my identity was wiped from everyone's mind, and you were left in my position. If things had begun to look like Roswaal might be behind the challenges you face going forward... What would you do?

Going wide eyed, Rem did not hesitate in her answer.

Rem: —Rem would follow her YN-kun's lead! But she would also know that maybe... Roswaal-sama would be doing all this for a reason... Rem feels like she would trust that.

Hearing her answer, Rem realized she had in part, answered what she knew was true in her heart at the first question of YN's. Looking away and downward, a pang of guilt struck the oni as she shook her own head.

Rem: While Rem and YN-kun were split from each other— before the White Whale attack, Rem was approached by, and spoke with Anastasia-sama... In our exchange, Anastasia-sama had indeed asked Rem where her truest loyalties resided; with Roswaal-sama, or YN-kun... Does YN-kun know what Rem said?

YN: — — —

Almost afraid to hear the answer, YN couldn't guess, as his mind was frozen in anticipation.

However, asking who Rem bore more loyalty to was a much less harmful question than an ultimatum being asked of her.

Kissing his forehead, Rem put YN's weary soul at ease.

Rem: YN-kun taught Rem not only to love him, but also to love herself. Rem cannot love herself without her YN-kun by her side. So, even if we must descend into depths we would prefer not to trek, Rem will do so with her YN-kun's hands in her own, and she would choose to entrust that to no one else.

More or less stating that Rem treasured YN above all else, he nonetheless felt uncomfortable being such an influential figure on Rem.

YN: If the unthinkable really is true... I'll prioritize you as well. I promise.

Rem: Rem is so very lucky to have her YN-kun.

Hugging him in a great embrace, YN returned the gesture from her lap still.

Set to continue though, YN navigated back to the topic he was at before.

YN: Regardless of any doors that were still open, I did run across two that weren't while I was alone... The last of which was actually your room again. I guess I was too tunnel visioned to realize it, but with that being the last closed door I could find, I should have realized my chances of running into Beatrice were pretty high.

Rem: When YN-kun tried entering into Rem's room, he instead wound up in the Forbidden Library?

YN: Yeah... Beatrice and I argued for a time. I wanted to get her out of the Library, and she wasn't having it. We bickered until Subaru of all people barged in... And he showed up with worse news than how he looked...

Hearing him become rather melancholy whilst saying that, Rem let him continue.

YN: Subaru was all bloody... He said Ram and Petra were both dead... Frederica too... He was on the brink of death but for some reason, Beatrice healed him. That... really didn't set well with him, so he smashed Beatrice's chair and tried to stab himself with a big wooden stake.

Rem: ...How crude. However... Rem can understand why he would not wish to live further... with so many killed... including Nee-sama, such a Loop should not go on... But Rem can tell by the way her YN-kun says this, it was far from being the end of that hell.

YN: Beatrice stopped him, but a lot of stuff got knocked over in the process, which is when we saw it...

Tilting her head in question to what he meant by that, Rem was perplexed as to what was masking the impact of everyone's deaths to YN.

It is not that YN-kun has become numb to them... No. Something else of greater gravity is overshadowing it...

Worried now, Rem hung on with baited breath.

Seeing the silent questioning in Rem's blue eyes, YN sighed heavily.

YN: Beatrice is in possession of a Gospel. The same kind of book Sloth had.

Rem: — — —

At first, the statement did not make sense to Rem. The words seemed so odd, they could not hold logic.

Rem: Beatrice-sama... and a... Gospel?

She couldn't bring herself to process the logic.

Owning a Gospel meant one was a member of the Witch Cult. That meant, Beatrice was a Witch Cult member.

Beatrice. The little butterfly-eyed girl who never left the Mansion and was scarcely ever even seen.

Unless...

Could Beatrice-sama truly be one? A Witch Cultist?

It wasn't impossible. Beatrice had the ability of Door Crossing. She very well may be attending meetings or rituals or whatever a Witch Cult convening was called, all in secret.

Rem wished to be enraged. Someone who was a Witch Cultist? Living beside her? Cleaning up after her? As a maid, being on her beck and call?

Had Rem really served a Witch Cultist?

As harsh emotions swirled in Rem's heart, a light of reason was also present.

No. Rem mustn't jump to such crass conclusions... That is not something the [Rem] YN-kun trusts and relies on would do.

YN could see his love thinking away as hard as she could muster, such a great moral battle in her heart would require such effort.

Rem must think of the other possibilities, just as YN-kun did with Roswaal-sama, before assuming the worst...

Following YN and Subaru's seemingly random process of figuring and eliminating, Rem did her best to mimic them.

Never once has Rem smelled the Witch's Scent on Beatrice-sama... And YN-kun as well had said she was capable of smelling the Miasma too, and was off-put by it as Rem once was as well...

On the other hand though...

Beatrice-sama was suspiciously absent for all the times the Witch Cult attacked the Mansion, except for when she teleported Subaru-kun and Emilia-sama's corpse away to the Witch Cult...

With evidence on each side, Rem found it hard to reach a conclusion. But she had yet to hear the rest of what YN had to say as well. Resisting the desire to go into her usual tunnel vision, Rem mirrored the two wayward traveler's method of getting all the information she could, and exhausting all avenues before coming to a break neck conclusion.

Rem: Rem must assume this was brought up to Beatrice-sama...

YN: Oh yeah it was. I jumped right to calling her a Witch Cultist myself, and Subaru just about did too. But I think I only jumped to that conclusion in anger... Beatrice vehemently denied it, and got mad at even suggesting it.

Rem: Realistically... what else would be the cause for her to process such a book?

YN: She only went on to say that it was her 'mother's' teachings. She actually got pretty defensive over this 'mother' too. Do you have any clue who that may be?

Rem: Rem only knows that Beatrice-sama is a very old spirit, and has been contracted with the Mathers family to guard the Forbidden Library for generations. Perhaps it is someone who was important to her from before that contract was forged.

Thinking about it, YN couldn't shake he had a vague idea of who this 'mother' was, but it was so opaque, it felt futile to voice it, rather he thought the feeling to be hollow optimism.

YN: Well... Whoever it was, Beatrice was pretty determined to not let me get away with bad mouthing them... she actually raised some of her magic against me, but that's when Subaru took the opportunity to grab her, and we busted out of the Forbidden Library by force. A force ejected us from the room and when we looked back, it was gone...

Rem: Beatrice-sama must have been greatly displeased...

YN: She was, but that was right when Elsa showed up...

Rem: ...Surely with the assistance of a Great Spirit, this Bowel Huntress could be beat...

YN: Beatrice and I managed to actually outwit her, two-to-one.

Rem: Then all that is needed is for YN-kun and Beatrice-sama to work together to defeat her?

With a single shake of his head, YN lamented the unfortunate answer to Rem's hopeful question.

YN: It turns out, she can practically come back from the dead... Beatrice impaled her all over with crystals of Yin magic, normally fatal to the touch. Elsa was hung up on the wall at the end of the hallway like laundry set out to dry... With her at least... temporarily incapacitated, she showed back up as soon as we managed to get back to where you were... The door to your room had been damaged enough where Beatrice's Door Crossing obviously no longer worked on it, but it was still 'closed...' That should have been my first sign everything was wrong...

His mind back on the traumatic scene, in reality, it had been only maybe half of an hour of his conscious time awake that he'd let such rage flow through him. It was only by the sweet embrace of Death in this realm where sensations aren't entirely lucid that his muscles did not scream in pain from the strength they had been forced to produce.

Seeing him become teary-eyed, Rem wiped them as she let YN continue.

The most difficult part has come for him, it seems.

YN: That awful woman... She called it a 'work of art...' That it was 'better' than any of the other deaths she'd caused so far... But to me, it was the one thing I never, ever wanted to see...

Feeling him begin to shake, Rem coo'd at him to calm him back down, reassuring him that the pain was gone, and he need not dwell too intently upon it.

YN: Just like everyone else she kills... She got you that way. And I was powerless to stop her... I let your poor, defenseless self get hurt again. No matter where I take you, I can't protect you. —Your hero, can't protect you.

Tightly shutting his eyes, the emotions in him outpaced Rem's own efforts to calm him.

YN: Rem I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry, Rem!

Rem knew it was futile that she could hold back this round of tears from the one she loved. Moving him higher upon her lap, Rem nearly cradled him in her arms as his hands reached to shelter his face in self-shame.

Rem: It is not YN-kun's fault such entities pray upon us.

YN: It's only thanks to Return By Death I'm even able to try again though! What if we didn't have that?! I'd have failed to protect you so many times now! Petelgeuse, The Whale, Gluttony, Elsa! It's all my fault! If—!

Rem: —If the ability to Return had never existed, YN-kun would have simply met his end long ago by Rem's own hands!

Shouting up above and over his cries, Rem halted his words.

Rem: ...Rem understands what YN-kun feels... Truly, she does. But she would also like to remind him—

Soft tears in her own eyes, Rem shook her head.

Rem: —that Rem too, has failed to protect her YN-kun. Rem's own inability to protect him has caused his death many times. There were even times when Rem herself was the cause of his death.

YN knew, full and well, that Rem carried a much heavier sin upon her shoulders.

I might fail to protect Rem a thousand times... But if I had done what she's done by now... No matter the circumstances... I don't think I could live with myself...

Still, to YN, a greater sin waged against himself did not absolve the guilt he felt still— it did not excuse his sin. With drying tears on his cheeks, he shook his head and looked away.

YN: ...Regardless, Rem, you call me your Hero, which is something I don't feel like I'm worthy of at all. Failing to protect you even once invalidates that! So why... Why do you keep calling me that? What have I done to maintain that title?! Why Rem... Why?

Rem: — — —

Pain in his voice, and despair in his heart, YN fault his soul begin to sink in his chest at the silence Rem offered in reply.

YN: —!

*Clap.*

Yet as he was about to drown in the river of guilt, two kind, caring hands clasped his cheeks, and tilted his head towards the surface, —towards her face. Her beautiful, beautiful face.

Rem: These notions YN-kun holds. They are not the reason Rem calls him her Hero.

Her voice full of fierce determination, Rem's words struck a chord in YN.

Rem's eyebrows were tilted into a frown, not at him, but at the situation that was being allowed to brew. A stern look adorned her eyes as her bangs fell to show both of her eyes behind her strands of azure hair. Her cheeks, rosy and stiff framed the emotion Rem personified now; conviction.

Rem: YN-kun is a Hero exactly when he needs to be. One that might not get it right the first time, or the second time, or even the third or fourth or so on. But he is Rem's Hero, who in the end, will get it right. So long as Rem has faith in her YN-kun, Rem's Hero will have the strength he needs to do what he must.

Powerful, raw emotions were woven into every word Rem had said. They were the small, smoldering embers that were needed to stoke the fire in YN, to keep his soul from freezing over.

Rem: Rem is not dead. None of what occurred is here YN-kun's fault. And most importantly, Rem knows that no matter how long it should take, —no matter how dark and dreary things shall become, her Hero will come save her.

Pouring her heart and soul into her words, Rem gently moved her hands across YN's face. Slowly caressing it with her thumbs, her expression turned soft again.

Rem: Now then—

Returning YN's head back to lay on her thighs, the maid delicately returned him to his original position.

Rem: —please, continue to tell Rem what occurred.

The aftermath of such things still needed to be told. Rem knew that although they were still painful memories, they were ones that needed to be shared.

YN: ...Not much happened after that. I just remember collapsing and feeling like I was going to vomit... Do you remember me telling you what happened in the Loop with the cave?

Forced to bring up another, equally painful memory, YN felt the double whammy against his heart.

Rem: Yes... How YN-kun became enraged with strength he'd never felt before, did the same phenomenon occur again?

YN: It did. But even more intense. This time though, it felt like Algol was helping to make it so I could control it better. The reason I bring it up though, is that I felt something odd while I had so much mana flowing through me.

Rem: And that would be?

YN: I felt hyper aware of everything. —Like my senses were way more attuned to sight, sound, and feeling mana... Especially mana. In fact, I felt a huge amount of mana converging upon the direction of the Sanctuary before I fought Elsa.

Rem: Mana converging towards the Sanctuary... That is rather suspect... But YN-kun did not get a chance to investigate this, did he?

YN: No... I knew Elsa wasn't going to let us out of there unless she was occupied... I volunteered to be bait.

Rem: Like that night in the forest with the mabeasts... YN-kun is only once again proving himself to be Rem's Hero...

Trying to continue to encourage him, Rem began to run her fingers through YN's hair once more as he went on.

YN: I didn't really feel like a Hero. I was pushing my body so hard against Elsa, I think I destroyed my muscles trying to overpower her, but in the end, she got me. She deflected my magic back at me using her blade... And then killed Beatrice before Subaru could escape...

Rem: ...Was YN-kun at least spared the torment of such a painful death by that woman?

Rem had a change in tone as she said those words. It felt the precursor to an extreme anger, like the anger YN had felt in the moment he was describing—

YN: My magic fatally wounded me, that's for sure, but she said something before I passed out... That ever since I saw you dead, I had 'lost my will to live' and she didn't want to disembowel me anymore because of that...

Rem: Sick individuals such as herself are usually picky about their victims. YN-kun shouldn't dwell on the ramblings of a madwoman.

—yet, as he explained what had occurred, he felt the hostile aura Rem was giving off fade away. It was akin to watching a slough of fiery embers, flickering off from a nearby fire fail to set off a tower of dry wood and kindling, ripe for combustion.

But as he did dwell on the ramblings of a madwoman, one key detail came into realization for YN.

YN: W-Wait. No actually. I should dwell on her words. I-I asked her if she was going to go after Subaru now, and she mentioned something important!

Rem: What was it?! Did YN-kun realize something?!

Hyping Rem up to with this revelation, YN explained.

YN: The mabeasts thing! Elsa said she had an 'associate' that was going to turn Subaru into 'mabeasts chow' and that she didn't need to go after him! Rem! You were right! The shaman and Elsa are connected! They gotta be! It all ties back in...

Eyes opened wide at such a detail, Rem was just as stunned as YN was.

Rem: Rem did not believe her small inkling could hold such a great importance... Is YN-kun sure of this?

YN: Completely. Jeez... This really does shed light on a lot of this...

Looking away from Rem, YN felt a warmth in his chest.

Rem: Is something wrong? Did YN-kun think of something else now too?

YN: No... That's not it. It's just that... ever since you fell into your slumber, it's been the little things you've said, or have told me have ended up being so important. From the mention of Sanctuary, to telling me about Frederica, and now this with connecting Elsa and the Shaman... Rem, even though you're gone, you're still finding ways to help me. I've never been more thankful for anyone in my life before. I know that if you were still with me, Subaru and I wouldn't be so lost as we are now in this mess...

Touched by such profound words, Rem smiled brightly as she took YN's hand and had it caress her own face.

Rem: Rem could not have imagined her simple memory could prove so useful to her YN-kun... She is beyond happy to hear such a thing from her beloved.

Holding him tightly on her lap, it was all Rem could do not to so tightly embrace YN to the point it may hurt him.

YN: This really does add another element to this though... Given what happened with the mabeasts in Arlem, and now this Guiltylowe showing up, Elsa's own comment really seals this. This might have been planned for longer than we realize...

Rem: It is unfortunate things ended for YN-kun there... We are already capable of figuring so out much with what little we know now...

YN: Well, it didn't end there for me right away... I thought I was going to bleed out, but I didn't. —Not right away, at least.

Rem: Something else occurred after this?

YN: I woke up in a haze... I don't remember much, but I remember crawling around and feeling really cold... It was snowing, and the snow was blowing in from outside... Even in my delirious stupor, I ended up finding you, and I crawled up next to your body... And that's where I died, wishing you were there with me...

The pain of longing still ate at YN, a pain Rem felt as well, but she had heard something she could not easily dismiss.

Rem: Snow... It was snowing when YN-kun woke up?

YN: I'm pretty sure it was... It must have started just after I had passed out, since the ice and coldness slowed the bleeding from my wound.

Rem: YN-kun... Surely you recall it... What is the one entity that could have caused such a sudden blizzard?

It only took YN a moment to surmise who could be responsible.

YN: Puck...

Rem was only privy to Puck's capability from YN's account when he would Return to Crusch's manor from any number of horrid deaths. And Rem definitely brought up a good point about it...

YN: I hadn't thought of that myself... But something has been going on with him since the Return point moved... He's been completely absent. Emilia has been pretty upset about it...

Rem: That is rather odd... Especially given his role as a substitute parent for Emilia-sama... For him to be gone during a time she is struggling immensely... Rem does not believe that is a coincidence.

With no more context to derive evidence or theory from, Rem figured the account of YN's time without his Rem had concluded.

Rem: So thus brings YN-kun to where he is in the current challenges he faces?

YN: Yeah... That's everything.

Thinking, it felt odd to him as he stared out into the white nothingness.

YN: I know what I said makes it sound so brief, but honestly Rem, it feels like an eternity since I last had you at my side. And truth be told, it's like this is the 'inevitable fate' Subaru so often mentions taking pity on me, or just my despair is so great it had to put you here next to me in some way or another.

Rem: It would be fitting that our bond is so strong even Od Luguna cannot thwart our need to be together.

YN: I'm lonely Rem... I really am. I haven't felt I belong alongside everyone else without you there.

Rem: Rem can imagine what that must be like for YN-kun... Surely Nee-sama can be someone you could confide in? Or has Rem's absence damaged that as well?

Pondering back on it, YN recounted the oddities Ram had displayed towards him since Rem's erasure.

Come to think of it... Nee-sama has been acting strange towards me... Is it just Rem's absence causing holes in her memory though?

—Or were there other variables at work here?

YN: Even Nee-sama has been acting differently around me... Not in the same was as say, everyone else, but like there's still the old bond there, but there isn't.

Rem: Firstly, may Rem inquire what YN-kun means by 'everyone else?'

YN: I feel like most people now just see me as an accessory to Subaru. I'm just his side-kick or yes-man. At least with you, I was 'that guy who was flirting too much with the maid.'

While his long-winded self-title was amusing to Rem, she did venture more into what YN was trying to describe.

Rem: What makes this differ with Nee-sama?

YN: I can't really put it into words... But she's definitely acting different. Before all this, I know she was a confidant of Roswaal's, just like you are, yet she's definitely become more devoted to him with her twin sister no longer in her memories...

Rem: Is that so...

Giving YN a weak expression, Rem was hesitant to elaborate.

Rem: There are some things regarding Roswaal-sama and Nee-sama that YN-kun is not privy of. Specifically, her precise feelings for him. While they aren't reciprocated by Roswaal-sama, Rem can liken Nee-sama's feelings for him as Rem does for YN-kun...

With a delayed effect in its gravity to YN, he opened his eyes wide at the prospect.

YN: Is—?! That—?! Wow.

Slightly flushed in the face, YN did feel criticism regarding the idea.

YN: That's uhhh, a little unprofessional isn't it?

Rem: Regardless of how it is, that is what Nee-sama's feelings are. Above that, Rem only wishes for her Nee-sama to be happy, and if Roswaal-sama makes her happy, Rem can only support it.

YN really had no place trying to thwart Rem wishing to support her sister, so he could really only inquire further about it, if nothing else.

YN: ...And Roswaal knows about Ram's feelings for him?

Rem: Yes. Although as Rem said, he does not reciprocate any back towards Nee-sama at all.

YN: I see...

Well, I guess that explains why Ram is always so quick to defend Roswaal... And why she's the one to make his tea, and is the one to wake him up in the morning, and—

His mind swirling at the revelation, YN shook his head to calm his thoughts.

YN: I gotta ask then, how did this come about?

Rem: Well...

Adjusting her hair with her hand, Rem wasn't sure where to begin.

Rem: YN-kun is aware Nee-sama does not possess her horn, and as such, has a difficulty regulating her mana, correct?

YN: Yeah...

Unsure where this was going, YN let the maid continue.

Rem: And YN-kun recalls how... excited Rem became when he was handsy with her own horn, yes?

With each blushing as they remembered that evening, YN nodded.

Rem: For Nee-sama, without her horn, she cannot actually take in any mana...

YN: A body needs mana though, doesn't it?

Rem: Of course. That is one of the main reasons Nee-sama is as quick to fatigue as she is, and why she cannot linger in times where using excessive amounts of mana is required.

YN: I think she told me once how she uses a special tea to help circulate her mana... Does that have anything to do with it?

Rem: Close... The issue she solves with that is that the mana she has is not her own. It is Roswaal-sama's.

YN: So she's reliant on Roswaal giving her mana...

Getting a bad taste in his mouth upon hearing that, Rem's next words only worsened that perception.

Rem: Precisely. And the only way that is possible in any sort of reasonable time frame, is if Roswaal-sama directs the mana to go through the scar Nee-sama has from her lost horn. So as YN-kun can imagine, when Nee-sama must go to replenish her mana...

Getting red faced just thinking about it, Rem's expression told YN all he needed to know.

L-Lewd...

YN: I uhhh... I think I got the picture. But uhhh...

While the information in truth was invaluable in helping YN understand why it was Ram acted the way she did towards her employer, it only left YN with more questions. Specifically, with how Rem viewed the ethicacy of it.

YN: How do you view this? I get I'm only an outsider here, but I feel like there may be some manipulation going on here... And maybe some conflict of interest.

Taking a deep, heavy sigh, Rem looked out upon the vast whiteness surrounding them still as she pondered her own feelings she had come to conclude.

Rem: Rem is always worried for her Nee-sama... She cannot wish for her happiness and at the same time decry what makes her happy... and after now that Rem has had her heart spurred by YN-kun, she is in no real position to critique her Nee-sama.

While speaking of it solely in the way she felt, YN's perception had taken it another way.

YN: Are you saying you're still happy for her, but you wish it was someone else?

Rem: Rem cannot say for certain. She admires both her Nee-sama and Roswaal-sama immensely, so it is difficult to form an opinion on them at the same time. But if it is only their positions and that aspect being taken into consideration, Rem may feel a certain way or another about it...

Clearly conflicted in more ways than one, Rem's answers seemed somewhat wishy-washy.

YN: A master and maid... Hey, wait. Before you knew about everything with me and Subaru, I seem to recall you worried how we'd be perceived just being coworkers. Is their situation not worse?!

Rem: —ep!

Stiff lipped and slowly turning red, the oni turned her face away from YN, allowing him to only see the long side of her bangs, concealing her scarlet face. He had clearly caught in her a double standard of sorts in her opinion before, and her lack of one now.

Rem: Rem did not wish to make the Mansion appear so scandalous in case it would become a dire issue!

Answering somewhat curtly, it seemed YN had found a topic that Rem was somewhat previously unspoken about. Narrowing his eyes at her, he forced the issue in a more light hearted way.

YN: Rem, are you into the idea of taboo relationships?

Rem: —!

Being forced to look back at YN, the maid's wide eyes and pursed lips, paired with her crimson face that contrasted greatly against her azure hair struggled to give a response.

Rem: R-Rem cannot answer! It may not be specific to Nee-sama's situation... but Rem will need to ask YN-kun to wait on what her answer would be... Ideally during a time when we are completely alone and cannot be disturbed...

Looking to his left and right, YN shrugged his shoulders on her lap still.

YN: Since we're in this place, no better time for that than now, yeah?

Caught in her own words from YN's tease, Rem backpedaled more.

Rem: We are too exposed here though... Nnnnn...

While Rem felt she owed him an answer, not wishing to hide anything from her beloved, she offered a compromise.

Rem: Rem is sorry, but she must confide such passions inside herself until conditions are met. If she were to speak of them now, Rem is unsure if she could contain herself~.

Realizing this was obviously a topic of great intrigue for her, YN tried now to dial back his request.

YN: R-Rem, if you wanna wait that's fine, we can just—

Rem: —for that though, Rem shall try and better answer her YN-kun's previous question; namely if she wished Nee-sama had her same feelings, but they were for another.

Gathering her composure, Rem elaborated.

Rem: It would be wrong of Rem to be unapproving of her Nee-sama's choice when she has been so supportive of Rem's... That being said though, it is not as if she hasn't asked Nee-sama to consider sharing YN-kun... If perhaps only to satisfy Rem's inner wants for Nee-sama that she cannot deny, and because of Rem's selfish desire to share her favorite things with Nee-sama as well.

Going red in the face himself, YN could only manage to scratch the side of his head as he mumbled a response.

YN: —I-I uhhh— Something tells me Nee-sama wouldn't be on board with that...

Rem: Not entirely, no.

Surprised not only by Rem having been so bold as to outright ask Ram this, he was more so shocked it wasn't an out-and-out denial to Rem.

Either Ram was being nice to her younger twin sister and let her down gently, or it's like Rem said, she wasn't 'entirely' for, or against it...

Really though, this shed light onto some things YN had previously seen and experienced in regards to the peach-haired maid.

YN: Hearing that... It only makes me curious about Ram's behavior as of late towards me. That adds another layer of depth to it I hadn't considered... —Provided too, that feeling she has towards me has either gone away, or been augmented into something different or more extreme. —All of that of course is thanks to the Authority of Gluttony's erasure of you affecting it.

Rem: That is a possibility... However, we should also explore other possibilities as well.

YN: I guess that's only rational... Did you have any in mind?

Letting Rem speculate for a moment, she quickly went back over any abnormalities in what YN had told her.

Rem: Perhaps in Roswaal-sama's injured state, he is unable to provide Nee-sama with sufficient mana... She may be acting differently due to mana exhaustion...

YN: She seems normal otherwise though... It's only a few times where she's acted differently towards me... But it's definitely been massively out of character for her...

Rem: In truth, Nee-sama very well could be hiding her fatigue, she is rather good at doing that when times have required it.

YN: Is there really no other way to replenish her mana? Is it some kind of advanced magical skill Roswaal has developed?

Deep in thought for a moment, Rem almost seemed to hesitate as she answered YN, almost as if he might not like it.

Rem: It is unlikely that Nee-sama would agree to do so unless entirely necessary, but other than Emilia-sama, he may be the only one who can replicate the technique... What Nee-sama needs is colorless mana, something that is only possible to give if one controls all colors of mana like Roswaal-sama, or can be provided by a spirit arts user.

While the option was open, YN did somewhat fear what doing that with Ram might yield in terms of consequences.

YN: Given how she's been acting... and what giving her mana might entail in terms of how she receives it... that might just really complicate things.

The last thing he thought he needed was another dynamic to consider in this Loop.

Rem: Can YN-kun give Rem any examples of how Nee-sama is acting strange?

YN: Well, I first noticed it when she broke up the fight between Garf and me, she was rather protective of me right after that... —Unnaturally so. And later when we first went and saw Roswaal, Ram seemed pretty distraught by Roswaal's praise of the Witch of Greed. I ended up moving to the back of the room since I didn't feel very involved in the conversation between Emilia-sama, Subaru, and Roswaal that was going on... But Nee-sama surprised me by suddenly appearing right by my side...

Rem: Nee-sama was not standing at Roswaal-sama's side? She left it?

YN: Yeah... Like I said, she didn't seem too keen on what Roswaal had to say about Echidna, —the Witch of Greed.

Rem: That alone is strange for Nee-sama...

YN: That's not even the most dramatic example.

Shaking his head, YN retold the story.

YN: Eventually the conversation became heated. Subaru was shouting, —mad that Roswaal wasn't anywhere to be found during the White Whale attack, leaving Emilia-sama vulnerable to the thieves, and for not doing anything to prepare a defense against the Witch Cult attack. Subaru laid blame on Roswaal for failing all those things, and of course Ram defended him but...

Rem: But?

YN: I could see there was a doubt in her eyes. Something had actually managed to make her see fault in Roswaal. It was at that moment, Ram wasn't just blindly doing whatever it was Roswaal asked of her. I don't know if it was you, or me, or anything else, but something caused a momentary lapse in behavior that made me realize all the previous stuff.

Rem: That is indeed a profound revelation... To hear of Nee-sama's loyalty wavering... Yes. Something most definitely has changed.

Sure of it now. Rem inquired more on it herself.

Rem: This may all be related to Rem's disappearance, but also considering she is only acting differently towards YN-kun or Roswaal-sama, has she done anything else that would be exclusive to YN-kun?

YN: A few things, actually. One major occurrence was her suddenly showing up after that first meeting with Roswaal with my old jacket, the one you gifted her. Garf asked her about it, and Ram seemed really attached to it, and not just for its ability to keep her warm... Another time was just as recent as the last Loop like I just told you. Ram originally was going to ride with Subaru to the Mansion in the ground dragon carriage, yet almost as if intentional, the situation changed and she said she wouldn't come along at all unless she got to ride in my car.

Rem: That was when YN-kun must have obliged her.

YN: I had no real choice in the end... The last, and most recent example of her oddities was when we visited you just after getting back to the Mansion. That was the first real alone time Ram had gotten with you since finding out you existed. She asked Subaru and I to leave, but at the last second she asked if I could actually stay. We talked for a bit, but she definitely seemed out of her comfort zone. She was showing me a particular vulnerable side to herself. And on top of that, she was particularly curious about the relationship between you and I.

Rem: In what sort of way did Nee-sama seem upset?

YN: I can't say for certain, although she did seem rather blindsided by how deep I said our relationship was. Like she wasn't expecting that. Maybe she had a perception of it built up from when I first showed you to her?

Putting a hand to get chin, Rem shook her head.

Rem: That continues to be strange behavior on her end. But Rem believes YN-kun got to see the side of Nee-sama only Rem gets to see in private. Nee-sama letting her guard down as described makes Rem almost certain of it.

YN: Well, if she only does that around you, maybe it's because you're gone she lets it show to me now?

Rem: That is a good possibility. Rem however thinks it may be more complicated than that, or simpler. —Whichever YN-kun would like to perceive what Rem thinks it may be.

With the second half of her reply coming in with a combination of a weak smile, and a melancholy tone, YN perked up, prompting Rem to continue.

Rem: Perhaps the world knows YN-kun needs someone to care for him, so in Rem's absence, Nee-sama has been tasked to take the responsibility.

Akin to Rem basically saying she felt the world was replacing her in her own absence, YN wished to object. It didn't matter who it was, Ram or anyone else, YN refused to let Rem be simply replaced. Seeing he was about to speak up though, Rem gently lifted YN to sit up on his own.

Rem: —But...

Now both sitting upright on the bed facing each other, Rem reached for, and held his hands.

Rem: —it seems we won't be able to discuss such things much longer.

With a tear growing in her eye, she lifted their held hands up together to be the focus of their vision.

Rem's delicate hands, smaller then YN's own, held his. It was quickly apparent though, why she had said what she had just said, and why the tear from before now gently glided down her cheek.

In Rem's hands, were YN's, except for that his were noticeably translucent.

YN: —?

Questioning this for a moment in his mind, Rem drew a conclusion for him.

Rem: YN-kun likens this place to just a waiting room of sorts, doesn't he? Meaning his time in here is limited, and now seems to be coming to an end.

Leaving this space meant going back to life. Meaning the birth of new Loop. Subaru had died without progressing YN past a point where he was deceased.

But leaving this space meant—

YN: No...

—he'd be leaving Rem.

YN: No... No. No—! Rem—! I-don't-wanna—! Rem—!

His face contorted with immense emotional pain. Just as quickly as he was reunited with his beloved, she was being yanked away.

Rem: There, there~~.

Leaning in to embrace him, Rem held him tightly in her arms.

Rem: Rem knows YN-kun is sad and scared. Those are things that are okay to be. But YN-kun knows as much as his Rem knows, he needs to be strong to face the challenges outside of our reunion here. So please, do not leave her sad and upset, but please leave here happy, as Rem will remain happy too. She is still sad that we will be apart, but to know her YN-kun loves her... Rem will keep that in her heart forever. YN-kun needs to do the same. Only through that will we reach each other again.

Quelling a torrent of despair with but a few words, they were potent in kindness and compassion.

Why must everything be so brief..?

While his heart was propped up, YN still felt guilty for how quick things seemed to go by.

For every second of joy, there was always an hour of pain.

Rem and I fell in love in only a few months... And now our one chance to see each other is only as long as this has been?

The way time moved seemed especially cruel to the two lovers.

Why is it always so brief?

Returning the oni's embrace, YN confessed what plagued his mind now.

YN: Rem... I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner in life.

Surprised by the sudden exposition, Rem leaned out of the embrace just enough to look YN directly in the eye. At that though, YN's head fell to her chest. Burying his tearful face in her, her previous heartbeat echoed in his head for a moment before he better elaborated.

YN: I know that we're perfect for each other... There's no other explanation as to why we get along and love each other as much as we do! I'm just sorry it's all been so brief... Even though we're both not old by any measure... our time together really only has been the blink of an eye in the whole of them. And I'm sorry that this moment we're having now is even more brief.

Rem: YN-kun...

YN: That's not to say I don't value it though! The time I've spent with you... have been the best moments of my life.

Knowing he was just emotional given he'd be departing again soon, Rem gently wound her fingers through his hair.

Rem: It touches Rem's heart immensely to hear her beloved say such profound things to her, but Rem believes we share this bond thanks mostly to how we met, and that we already were the people that we are, when we met. However, Rem also thinks what YN-kun is trying to say is innocently adorable, and is one of the many reasons she loves him so.

Lifting his face up to see her own, the maid fondly looked down as she awaited a response from the fading YN.

YN: I think regardless... We were made for each other.

Feeling her heart melt, Rem gently kissed his forehead, deciding to humor his idea.

Rem: Then... if that is the case, Rem will imagine memories of a childhood we shared, or rather, perhaps ones that YN-kun would have in his world. Regardless, our younger counterparts would be happy, side by side.

As they each tried to pine for cherishable last moments together in this space, Rem concluded such notions of fantasy after entertaining them.

Rem: Childhood seems so far away now, does it not? Especially after having to force ourselves to become so acquainted with death... Even had we been together since we could first walk or talk, Rem still believes we'd think of all that time as too brief.

But, alas, this time together was over.

Now akin to a ghost, —a phantom of the white space he awaited to be reborn again, his maid so lovingly caressed a face she could no longer feel.

Rem: Farewell... Rem loves her YN-kun more than anything.

They each conceded into not letting this be a painful goodbye. Neither knew what the other truly faced upon departing one another from this space, so they each made the choice internally to not let anything they said sound as if it implied unspoken words.

Tears of sadness and joy together streamed down their faces. There was pain that they knew their time together was being ripped away, but also immense joy they had been given the chance to say what they wanted— no, needed to say to one another.

YN: Rem... I love you too. So much...

With nothing but their sincerest feelings being the final words chosen to leave each other with, YN faded from the white space completely, on his way to try his hand again at life, which had notably come from Subaru's death.

Staring out into the white nothingness surrounding her, a coldness swept into Rem.

Rem: Rem already misses her YN-kun...