Subaru Natsuki had been a ticking time bomb for weeks. The invitations to Emilia and Julius's wedding were the final insult in a long line of betrayals. It wasn't just the idea of Emilia, the girl he had died for countless times, choosing someone else—it was that she chose him, Julius Juukulius, the man who had belittled and insulted Subaru at every opportunity. And despite everything Subaru had sacrificed, every wound he bore for Emilia's sake, she had stood by Julius. Subaru had swallowed his pride, his anguish, his humiliation for as long as he could. But today, standing outside the grand reception hall where the wedding had just taken place, the fragile mask of sanity he had so carefully maintained shattered.
The doors to the hall were still ajar, and Subaru could hear the faint hum of cheerful music mingling with the laughter of the guests. He clenched his fists, the nails biting into his palms until they drew blood. Every laugh was a knife to his heart, every cheer a reminder that the world had moved on without him. His mind was a whirlwind of memories—Emilia smiling at him, promising to rely on him, leaning on his shoulder after each battle. And now, she was his. Julius's.
With a deep breath, Subaru strode into the hall. His appearance caught everyone's attention. His unkempt hair and disheveled outfit were in stark contrast to the well-dressed attendees. The hall fell silent, the lively chatter replaced by hushed murmurs. Emilia and Julius were at the center of the room, surrounded by friends and family, basking in the glow of their union. When Subaru approached, Emilia's face lit up in recognition, though it was tinged with confusion.
"Subaru?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her silver hair catching the light. "What are you doing here?"
Julius, ever composed, narrowed his eyes. "Natsuki, this is neither the time nor the place."
Subaru ignored him, his eyes locked on Emilia. His voice carried an unsettling calmness. "Congratulations, Emilia. Congratulations, Julius. A perfect match, don't you think?"
The tension in the room grew thicker as Emilia frowned. "Subaru, are you okay? You look—"
"Of course I'm okay," Subaru interrupted with a wide smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Why wouldn't I be? My dear Emilia has finally found happiness. Isn't that what I've always wanted?"
Julius stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of Emilia. "If you've come here to cause a scene, I suggest you leave now."
Subaru raised his hands in mock surrender, the grin never leaving his face. "Relax, Juukulius. I'm not here to ruin your big day. In fact, I've got a little gift—a joke, if you will."
"Subaru, please don't—" Emilia began, but he silenced her with a look.
"Just one joke, and then I'll be out of your lives forever. Promise." He took a deep breath, the room deathly silent, all eyes on him. "What do you get when you betray a mentally unstable loner and leave him to rot in a society that treats him like garbage?"
Emilia's eyes widened in alarm. "Subaru, what are you—"
"What do you get?" Subaru repeated, his voice louder now, his tone unhinged. His hand reached into his pocket, and the tension in the room snapped like a rubber band stretched too tight.
"Subaru, stop this at once!" Julius barked, his hand instinctively going to his rapier.
Subaru's hand emerged, clutching a small, sleek pistol—an object foreign to everyone but him. Gasps filled the air, and several guests screamed, scrambling to get away. Emilia's face went pale as she instinctively stepped back, her hands trembling.
"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU GET!" Subaru roared, his voice echoing through the hall. "YOU GET WHAT YOU FUCKING DESERVE!"
Before anyone could react, Subaru raised the gun and fired. The deafening crack of the shot rang out, and Julius fell first, a crimson stain blossoming on his forehead as his body crumpled to the ground. Emilia screamed, her voice piercing, but it was cut short by the second shot. The bullet struck her squarely, her silver hair cascading over her lifeless body as she collapsed beside Julius.
The room descended into chaos. Guests screamed and ran, overturning tables and chairs in their frantic attempts to escape. Subaru stood amidst the carnage, his expression eerily calm as he surveyed the scene. The gun in his hand felt heavy, but there was no regret in his heart. He turned his gaze to the air beside him, addressing someone only he could see.
"Beatrice," he said softly, his voice devoid of the manic energy it had carried moments before. "Take me away. Far away."
A portal of shimmering light opened beside him, and he stepped through without a backward glance. The hall was left in ruins, the laughter and joy replaced by wails of despair.
Subaru's heart was a void as he vanished into the distance, leaving behind a world that had turned its back on him.