Subaru Natsuki and Al sat side by side on a bench in the royal capital courtyard, their attention drifting away from the gathering of noble figures discussing matters of state and the royal selection. The contrast between their casual demeanor and the formality around them was striking. While the others were wrapped up in grand speeches and political posturing, Subaru and Al found themselves reminiscing about simpler times.
"Man, who would've thought we'd end up in a place like this, huh?" Subaru said with a chuckle, leaning back and stretching his arms above his head.
Al, sitting next to him, adjusted the mask that always covered his face. "No kidding. From our everyday lives back in Japan to a world with magic, knights, and royalty. It's wild."
"Speaking of back home," Subaru continued, "what did you do for fun in Japan? I bet we probably liked some of the same stuff."
Al scratched the back of his head with his one remaining arm, thinking back. "You know, normal stuff for a guy my age, I guess. Used to mess around with video games, read some manga. Not too different from you, I'd imagine."
Subaru's eyes lit up. "Same here! I had a pretty sweet setup in my room. Stayed up way too late playing games. Guess that's one thing I really miss from Japan—no gaming systems in this world. You'd think with all the magic, someone would've invented one by now, right?"
Al laughed. "For real. Some of the people here could learn a thing or two about entertainment from back home. Like, imagine explaining a first person shooter to them."
Subaru smirked. "Oh, man, that would blow their minds! And don't get me started on anime. Trying to explain isekai to anyone here would just make their heads spin. Like, 'Oh, yeah, it's totally normal for people to get thrown into another world.' They'd be like, 'How do you know about that?!'"
Al gave a low chuckle, leaning forward. "I forget that, that is the genre title from your time. Ironic, isn't it? We're living out one of those plots right now."
Subaru sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yup. At least I got my save points, though." He lowered his voice, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "Not that I'd want to explain that to anyone."
Al raised his hand slightly, signaling he understood without pressing. "You and me both got our secrets. That's how it is in a world like this. But you know, if I had to pick one thing to bring over from Japan, it'd be a vending machine. Can you imagine that here? Just popping in a coin, and bam, a cold drink in seconds."
Subaru grinned wide. "Dude, yes! They'd think it was some kind of magic artifact. They're already impressed with my little tricks, but I can only imagine their faces seeing something like that." He glanced at the assembled camps in the distance, then back to Al. "Would sure beat standing around waiting for all this political junk to be over."
Al nodded. "Yeah, talking about random stuff from back home is way more my speed."
The two continued chatting, their voices drifting over the buzz of royal selection discussions. In a world of magic and mysteries, their easygoing conversation about vending machines, anime, and video games brought a little bit of Japan's comfort into the foreign land they now called home.
As the afternoon wore on, Al pulled a flask from his belt, unscrewing the cap with a familiar twist of his wrist. The smell of alcohol wafted through the air as he took a swig. Subaru noticed, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey, man, it's still pretty early for that, don't you think?" Subaru joked, though his curiosity was piqued.
Al shrugged casually. "What can I say? Helps take the edge off. You'd be surprised how tense this whole royal selection thing makes a guy. Want some?" He held out the flask toward Subaru, the liquid sloshing inside.
Subaru's hand instinctively raised as if to take it, but he quickly hesitated, pulling back at the last second. "Uh... I think I'll pass, actually."
Al tilted his head. "What, you afraid of a little drink? You strike me as the kind of guy who could handle his liquor."
Subaru chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "It's not that. It's just... you know, I've got a bad track record with saying things I shouldn't when I get tipsy. Like, real bad. I don't want to end up spilling my guts—or, worse, secrets I'd really rather keep to myself." He lied, Subaru had never drank anything in his life. It was the best excuse he had right now though.
Al studied Subaru for a moment, his one eye narrowing slightly behind his mask. "Heh, fair enough. Everyone's got things they'd rather not say out loud, especially in this world." He took another drink from the flask and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I get it. A loose tongue can get you in trouble."
Subaru let out a breath of relief, glad Al didn't push any further. There was no way he could afford to let his guard down, not with the weight of Return by Death constantly hanging over him. A few drinks, and who knew what he might let slip? One wrong word could unravel everything he'd been fighting for, and he couldn't risk it.
"Yeah, exactly," Subaru replied, trying to keep things light. "Plus, I don't think I could handle the hangover. I've got enough headaches dealing with all this royal selection stuff as it is."
Al smirked, giving Subaru a pat on the shoulder with his good arm. "Smart thinking. This place doesn't exactly cut you a break, does it?"
"Nope," Subaru agreed, shaking his head. "Not at all."
With that, Al took another drink, not pressing the issue further, and Subaru was left quietly thankful. He turned his attention back to the gathering in the distance, his thoughts racing as usual. Maybe one day he'd be able to relax, but for now, the last thing he needed was alcohol loosening his tongue and revealing the one thing he absolutely couldn't afford anyone to know.
Subaru watched as Al took another casual sip, the flask glinting in the afternoon light. The faint smell of alcohol lingered in the air, and despite his earlier hesitation, Subaru's thoughts began to shift.
'It couldn't be that bad to have just one drink, right?' He thought to himself. 'I mean, I've been through worse. Maybe I'm overthinking it… one drink won't hurt. Al seems fine, and he's been here way longer than I have. It's not like I'd immediately start blabbing about Return by Death just from a little sip.'
The idea gnawed at him. Al was someone Subaru could relate to—another guy from Japan who understood the strangeness of this world. They were both stuck here, fighting their own battles in silence. Maybe a drink would help him loosen up, just enough to enjoy the moment. After all, when was the last time he'd had any kind of normal conversation, let alone a normal conversation with someone from the same world as him?
Subaru's hand hovered over his knee, inching toward the flask still extended in Al's hand. 'I deserve to relax a bit, don't I? One drink wouldn't break me. Plus, Al's cool. He's not gonna ask questions I can't answer.'
But then a wave of unease hit him. Memories of past mistakes, of letting his guard down even for a moment, flooded his mind. One wrong move had always spiraled into something bigger—something catastrophic. In this world, the tiniest slip could cause a chain reaction. He didn't have the luxury of taking chances anymore, not with everything on the line.
'Yeah, but what if it leads to more?' His inner voice reminded him. 'What if you get careless, say too much, and Al starts asking the wrong questions? He may be laid-back, but he's sharp. You can't risk that.'
Subaru let out a small sigh, his fingers retreating from the flask. The desire to let go, to be normal for just a little while, was tempting. But deep down, he knew it wasn't worth it. Not here. Not now.
"No," he resolved. "I can't let my guard down. Not even for a second."
He forced a smile, glancing back at Al. "On second thought, I think I'll stick with water. But hey, I'll take a rain check for when all this royal selection stuff blows over."
Al raised the flask in a mock salute. "Suit yourself, bro. I'll be here when you're ready."
As Al took another sip, Subaru sat back and focused on keeping his secrets locked away, the weight of his decisions always looming over him, even in the most casual of moments.
Subaru sat in silence for a moment, watching Al as he casually took another sip. The internal battle waged on in his mind, but eventually, the tension in his shoulders softened, and he let out a long sigh.
"You know what? Maybe I'm overthinking this," he told himself. 'It's just one drink. I'm wound up tighter than a spring these days... and maybe this is exactly what I need. Al's not a bad guy. He wouldn't push me for anything I don't want to say.'
With a resigned smile, Subaru turned toward Al and extended his hand, his resolve crumbling as the urge to relax just a little overtook him.
"Alright, you win," Subaru said with a sheepish grin. "I'll take you up on that offer. One drink won't kill me, right?"
Al raised an eyebrow behind his mask, clearly a little surprised. "Changed your mind, huh? Good choice, my man. Sometimes you just need to take the edge off."
He handed over the flask, and Subaru hesitated for only a moment before gripping it firmly in his hand. He unscrewed the cap, the scent of alcohol strong but not unpleasant. As he brought the flask to his lips, he mentally braced himself.
'Just one sip. That's all,' He reminded himself.
He took a small, cautious swig, feeling the burn of the alcohol as it went down. Subaru coughed a little—he wasn't used to the taste of something like this, but he quickly cleared his throat, beating his chest a little bit and handed the flask back to Al, who chuckled.
"First time, huh? You'll get used to it," Al said, taking another swig for himself.
Subaru wiped the corner of his mouth, still feeling the warmth of the drink spread through his body. "Not bad, actually," he admitted. "Stronger than I thought, though."
"Yeah, it's the good stuff," Al replied, tucking the flask back into his belt. "Doesn't take much to get you feeling loose."
Subaru leaned back against the bench, the initial warmth spreading into a faint, calming buzz. His mind felt a little lighter, the constant storm of thoughts that usually swirled inside him slowing down just a bit. For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight of his responsibilities—of Return by Death—seemed to lift, if only for a moment.
"You know," Subaru began, staring up at the sky, "it's kinda nice to just sit and chill for once. No life-or-death situations, no insane monsters or witch cultists... just a peaceful day."
Al nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. Sometimes you just gotta take those moments when you can. This world's not exactly known for giving them to you."
Subaru laughed, a genuine sound that felt rare even to him. "You've got that right."
As they sat there in companionable silence, Subaru realized that maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let go for a little while. He didn't need to be on edge every second. He'd taken the drink, but he still held onto his secrets—there was no harm done.
For now, he could enjoy the simple act of hanging out, chatting with someone who might understand his situation better than most. The royal selection camp meetings could wait a little longer.
Subaru and Al sat slumped at a table, surrounded by a small collection of empty glasses that had once been filled with alcohol. The buzz from earlier had evolved into full-blown tipsiness, both of them teetering on the edge of being drunk. Their laughter had grown louder, and their conversation had shifted to the most important debate any two guys could have in their current state—who would win in a fight: Goku or Superman?
"I'm telling you, man!" Subaru exclaimed, his voice louder than usual as he waved his hand for emphasis. "Goku easily takes this one. I mean, come on, he's a Saiyan! He literally gets stronger every time he fights! And don't even get me started on Ultra Instinct!"
Al, who was lounging back in his chair with his helmet pushed slightly askew, laughed and shook his head. "You're seriously underestimating Superman, bro. This guy can bench press planets and has literally no limits. He doesn't even need to get stronger—he's already at his peak!"
Subaru slammed his hand on the table, the clinking of glasses bouncing around them. "But Goku can destroy entire universes! Plus, he's trained with gods! I mean, sure, Superman's strong, but Goku's a better fighter, hands down."
Al leaned forward, his finger pointing at Subaru, though his balance was clearly off, making the motion slightly wobbly. "Oh yeah? Well, Superman can take hits from gods, too. He doesn't need fancy training to be on Goku's level. And he's faster—like, way faster. I'm talking 'speed of light' faster."
Subaru groaned dramatically, holding his head in his hands. "Dude, come on! Goku fought a guy whose speed literally broke the laws of time! What's Superman gonna do against that?"
"Superman can time travel!" Al shot back, waving his hand wildly. "He can fly around the sun and turn back time if things go wrong! Goku can't compete with that!"
Subaru leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as if deep in thought—though the alcohol made that more difficult than usual. "Okay, okay, but you're forgetting one thing: Goku has no limits. He literally trains to surpass gods. Superman might be strong, but Goku's strength evolves, man. He just keeps getting better!"
Al grinned under his helmet, clearly enjoying the debate. "Superman's got no limits either. You give him a yellow sun, and he's practically invincible. Plus, the guy's got heart. He wouldn't just lose to someone who's obsessed with getting stronger. Superman would outsmart Goku. Game over."
Subaru scoffed. "Outsmart Goku? Bro, Goku's not dumb when it comes to fighting. You ever see him fight? He adapts! There's no way Superman could keep up with Goku's evolving techniques. He'd be left in the dust."
They both stared at each other, intense and tipsy, before bursting into laughter at the sheer absurdity of their conversation. The world around them—royal selection politics, looming threats, and the mysteries of this strange world—felt far away in that moment. They were just two guys from Japan, arguing over who would win in a battle of fictional giants.
Subaru, still chuckling, took a final swing. "Goku would definitely win. Ka-me-ha-me-ha!" he said, miming the famous energy blast with exaggerated hand motions.
Al, laughing so hard he nearly tipped over, raised his hand in mock surrender. "Fine, fine! But Superman's got a shot, I'm telling you. Truth, Justice, and the Saiyan way or something."
Subaru wiped away a tear from laughing so hard. "You know what? Maybe we should settle this next time we're not about to fall off our chairs. Still... I'm sticking with Goku."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, man," Al said, leaning back again with a grin.
The argument may not have been settled, but neither of them cared. For now, they were content to sit there, tipsy and happy, arguing about a fight that would never happen but somehow felt all too important in the moment.
Beatrice was strolling through the courtyard, her usual stoic expression in place as she scanned the area. It wasn't often she wandered away from her contactor unless something piqued her interest, she left him earlier to follow Emilia around to see how she was handling herself talking to other candidates. Beatrice hasn't seen Subaru in a bit and decided to track him down. Using their contract she managed to locate him.
There, at a table surrounded by empty glasses, sat her contractor—her Subaru—and his friend Al. Both were clearly drunk, Subaru more so, leaning back in his chair with a goofy smile plastered on his face. She froze in her tracks, completely caught off guard.
"Impossible, in fact." she muttered to herself, eyebrows raised, "He's been turning down drinks left and right, refusing even a sip, and now this? What in the world happened while Betty was gone, I wonder?"
Before she could even form a proper thought, Subaru's bleary eyes spotted her. His face lit up like a child on a holiday, and before she could react, he stumbled out of his seat, arms stretched out wide as if he'd just seen the best thing in the world.
"Beakoooooo!" Subaru slurred with pure delight, wobbling slightly as he closed the distance between them. "Beako, Beako, Beako! You're here! You're the best!"
Beatrice's mouth dropped open, completely flabbergasted. "What—! Subaru, you're—what are you doing, I suppose?!"
In the blink of an eye, Subaru swooped her up from the ground, her small form fitting perfectly in his arms like a child's doll. He spun her around in an awkward, unbalanced circle, a huge grin on his face. "Look at you! You found me! You're the best spirit ever, Beako! I love you sooo much!"
Beatrice's face flushed a bright red, her eyes wide with both shock and embarrassment. "S-Subaru! Put me down this instant, I suppose!" Her usual confidence had been replaced with flustered stammering as she tried to regain some control of the situation. She still wasn't used to this kind of attention—certainly not in public like this!
Subaru, still spinning her, laughed heartily. "I can't help it! You're amazing! You're always there for me, and I just—ugh, I love you so much! Best. Spirit. Ever."
Beatrice squirmed in his grasp, but his hold was too strong, especially in his drunken state. She was far too embarrassed to even consider using her magic to free herself. Instead, she kept demanding in a high-pitched voice, "Put me down! I said, put me down, I suppose!"
Finally, after what felt like an eternity for Beatrice, Subaru stopped twirling and gently set her back on the ground. Her small figure wobbled for a second, trying to regain her composure. As soon as she was free, Subaru reached down and, much to her dismay, began patting her head, ruffling her perfectly styled curls.
"I'm sorry, Beako," Subaru said with a wide, goofy smile, still laughing. "I just—I'm in such a good mood! Couldn't help it. You're just so cute and awesome!"
Beatrice's face was still flushed, and she crossed her arms with a huff, trying desperately to regain her usual cool demeanor. "Fool… completely reckless, I suppose." she muttered, though her voice lacked any real malice. Her heart was still racing from the unexpected display of affection, but she couldn't deny that seeing Subaru this happy—this carefree—was a rare sight.
Subaru, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, kept grinning, even as he swayed a little on his feet. "You know what, Beako? You really do make everything better. I mean it."
Beatrice, still flustered, turned her face away with a small pout. "You're a complete fool, Subaru, But I—" She hesitated for a moment, her voice softening. "I'm glad you're happy."
The moment lingered for a second, and even though Beatrice was still embarrassed, a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Despite his ridiculous antics, she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest at Subaru's genuine affection for her.
Subaru, still tipsy, beamed down at her, clearly overjoyed by her presence. "You're the best, Beako," he said again, his voice soft this time, more sincere. "I mean it."
Beatrice shook her head slightly, her face still red.
Beatrice, still flustered and trying to regain her composure, adjusted her dress and looked up at Subaru, who was grinning like a fool. With an exasperated sigh, she turned her gaze toward Al, figuring he might have some sense of reason left.
"What exactly happened, I suppose? Subaru has been avoiding alcohol like the plague, and now Betty finds him completely drunk. Care to explain?" Beatrice asked, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms in that disapproving way only she could manage.
Al, sitting lazily at the table and looking just as tipsy as Subaru, let out a loud laugh. "Oh, that's on me." He waved his hand dismissively, clearly not too concerned with the situation. "I offered your boy here a drink, and at first, he was all like, 'Nah, I can't handle it!' You know, typical Subaru stuff. But then, he just caved after some chatting about home and took a sip."
Beatrice frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing. "A sip turned into this, I suppose?"
Al scratched the back of his head, chuckling as if it were no big deal. "Well, one drink turned into two… which turned into three... and, well, you know how it goes. Next thing you know, we're arguing about whether Goku or Superman would win in a fight."
Subaru, hearing the mention of their earlier debate, stumbled forward, laughing loudly. "Beako! Who do you think would win? Goku's got it, right?"
Beatrice sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, I don't care about your ridiculous debates, or what your talking about, I suppose! What I do care about is the fact that you've turned into a drunken mess! Are you going to turn in to that merchant, I wonder?"
Al smirked and gave a casual shrug. "Hey, he seemed like he could use a break. Life's been rough, and sometimes you just gotta unwind, you know? And Subaru—he's not usually the type to take it easy."
Beatrice glared at Al, still unimpressed, but deep down, she knew Al wasn't entirely wrong. Subaru had been carrying the weight of so much on his shoulders—things even she didn't fully understand—and if anyone deserved to unwind, it was him. But still… this?
"Unwinding is not supposed to mean becoming a fool, I suppose," Beatrice muttered under her breath. Then she looked over at Subaru, who was still trying to catch his balance and giving her a lopsided grin. Despite her frustration, there was a part of her that was glad to see him in such high spirits, even if it was through intoxication.
Beatrice sighed once more, softer this time, and said, "Well, fine, I suppose. As long as he doesn't make this a habit, I'll let it slide… this time."
Al grinned wider, giving Beatrice a mock salute. "You got it. I'll make sure he doesn't go overboard next time."
Subaru, still laughing and wobbling slightly, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah, no worries, Beako! Just having some fun!"
Beatrice huffed again, but the smallest of smiles tugged at her lips. "Foolish contractor... don't do anything stupid."
Subaru, still buzzing with excitement and tipsy from the drinks, leaned over the table, his mind caught up in a whirlwind of nostalgia. "You know what, Al? I really wish there was a karaoke machine somewhere around here, like back home. That'd be perfect right now!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with enthusiasm.
Beatrice, standing nearby with her usual unimpressed expression, raised an eyebrow. "Karaoke machine? What is this ridiculous thing you're talking about now, Subaru? I've never heard of such nonsense, in fact."
Subaru, grinning widely, looked at her as though she'd just admitted to not knowing what oxygen was. "Oh, Beako, you're missing out! It's this amazing thing you use to sing with!"
Beatrice blinked in confusion. "Sing... with a machine? You mean like some kind of magical device, I suppose? What's the point of that when you can simply sing on your own?"
Subaru laughed and shook his head. "No, no, no, it's way more fun than just singing by yourself! With karaoke, you pick songs, and the machine plays the music without the words. You get a microphone, and then you get to sing your heart out! The lyrics show up on a screen, so you can follow along. It's like... a singing party!" He waved his hands in the air, mimicking holding a microphone and pretending to sing dramatically. "And people can sing together, or they can cheer you on. It's awesome!"
Beatrice crossed her arms, looking skeptical. "Why would anyone need a machine to sing when they can do it without such contraptions, I suppose? It sounds utterly pointless."
Al chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "You've got to try it to understand, karaoke isn't just about singing—it's about having fun, letting loose, and just being ridiculous with friends. Subaru's got a point. It's pretty popular back home. I used to go to karaoke bars all the time."
Subaru nodded eagerly. "Exactly! It's not just about being good at singing. Half the fun is singing badly, laughing with your friends, and just enjoying the moment. There's no way to explain it—karaoke is a mood."
Beatrice still looked unconvinced but slightly intrigued. "And people enjoy this? Just singing poorly in front of others, I suppose?"
"Exactly!" Subaru laughed, throwing his arms up. "That's the best part. It doesn't matter if you're good or bad—it's just about having fun. You've got to experience it to really get it. I bet if we had one here, I could even get you to sing, Beako!"
Beatrice immediately turned red, glaring at Subaru. "I-I would never sing in front of others, I suppose! Especially not with some machine! That sounds ridiculous."
Subaru grinned mischievously. "Oh, I think you would, Beako. Once you saw everyone having fun, you wouldn't be able to resist."
Beatrice puffed out her cheeks, clearly flustered. "Nonsense! I would never, in fact!" She turned her face away, but there was a tiny flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Al, watching the exchange, smirked and raised his glass again. "Well, we might not have a karaoke machine, but we've got some good company and drinks. Close enough, right?"
Subaru laughed and leaned back in his chair, imagining a world where they could all gather around a karaoke machine, singing their hearts out—even Beatrice. "Yeah, close enough," he agreed, but the wistful tone in his voice revealed that he was still longing for those simpler times back home.
Subaru, still feeling a bit tipsy and lost in his thoughts, began humming a familiar tune, the melody slipping out without him even realizing it. His eyes glazed over slightly as he absentmindedly swayed to the rhythm, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It wasn't long before the tune started to take shape into something recognizable, though it seemed completely out of place in the royal capital of Lugunica.
Al, who had been quietly sipping from his glass, suddenly perked up, his one visible eye narrowing in suspicion. After a moment, he leaned forward, pointing at Subaru with an incredulous look.
"Wait a minute… Are you humming Sweet Home Alabama?"
Subaru blinked, his humming coming to an abrupt halt as he stared at Al, surprised. "Huh? How do you—"
"Sweet Home Alabama," Al repeated, laughing in disbelief. "That's American music, man! Where'd you pick that up? I didn't expect to hear that tune here of all places."
Subaru rubbed the back of his head, a little embarrassed, and chuckled. "Yeah… you got me. That's exactly what I was humming. My dad was a huge fan of that kind of music when he was younger. He loved American rock bands from the '70s. He'd play it all the time around the house, so I kinda grew up listening to it."
Al grinned, clearly amused. "Your dad's got good taste, man. I didn't take you for a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, though."
Subaru laughed, shaking his head. "I'm more of an anime opening and video game themes guy, you know that! But I've heard Sweet Home Alabama enough times to know it by heart. My dad used to play it when he was feeling nostalgic about his youth, or when he just wanted to relax. It kinda stuck with me."
Al leaned back in his chair, nodding with approval. "That's awesome. There's something about that kind of music, y'know? Brings people together. I grew up hearing a lot of old-school stuff too. Music like that just has a way of sticking with you."
Subaru smiled, feeling a warm sense of connection as they talked about something familiar from back home. "Yeah, exactly. It's weird, but sometimes I catch myself humming it without thinking, and it makes me miss those days. My dad would always sing along, totally off-key, but he didn't care. He was just having fun."
Beatrice, who had been quietly listening to their exchange, tilted her head in confusion. "What is this 'Sweet Home Alabama' you speak of, and why would anyone sing about a home in a place called Alabama?"
Subaru laughed heartily at her question, shaking his head. "It's a classic song from my homeland, Beako. It's about a place called Alabama, but it's more than that—it's like a nostalgic anthem for people who miss home, you know? Even if you're not from there, it makes you feel that connection."
Al nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's one of those songs that feels like home, no matter where you're from."
Beatrice, still perplexed, simply huffed. "Humans are strange, I suppose. Singing about homes in places they've never been. It makes no sense to me."
Subaru smiled softly, patting her on the head again. "Well, maybe one day, I'll explain it better, Beako. It's one of those things you just feel. Like I said before, it's a mood."
Beatrice rolled her eyes but allowed the head pat this time, sensing the warmth in Subaru's voice. "Foolish as always, I suppose," she muttered, though her tone lacked any real bite.
As Subaru leaned back in his chair and hummed the familiar tune again, Al joined in, humming along with him. For a brief moment, it felt like they weren't in a magical world full of political intrigue and danger—they were just two guys from Japan, remembering home through the power of music.
Subaru and Al, now fully into the moment, started singing Sweet Home Alabama aloud, though their drunken state made them stumble over the words. Their voices, though off-key, were filled with enthusiasm as they swayed together, trying to recall the lyrics.
"Sweet home Ala... uh, bama!" Subaru belted out, trying to match the melody. "Where the skies are... uh... so blue!"
Al joined in, his voice slightly slurred but equally committed. "Sweet hoooome Ala-bama! Lord, I'm coming home to you!" He leaned back dramatically, almost falling off his chair.
The two were laughing uncontrollably between verses, clearly having the time of their lives despite the fact that they barely knew half the lyrics. They clapped along to the rhythm, pounding the table in time with their singing. Their carefree and chaotic performance was infectious, and soon, it began drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
The members of the other royal selection camps, who had been busy with their own serious discussions, started turning their heads toward the duo, eyebrows raised. At first, they seemed confused, unsure of what exactly Subaru and Al were doing, but as the singing continued, more and more people began watching with amused curiosity.
Emilia, standing around Crusch, Anastasia, and Priscilla, blinked in surprise, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she watched Subaru's antics. "What is he doing...?" she muttered under her breath, though she couldn't help but find it endearing.
Crusch, always the composed one, raised an eyebrow but allowed herself a small chuckle. "It seems they're enjoying themselves," she commented to Ferris, who was giggling at the scene.
"Nyahahaha, Subaru-kyun's gone completely off the deep end, hasn't he?" Ferris said with a smirk. "Ferri-chan has never seen him like this. Maybe he needed the break."
Meanwhile, Anastasia and her camp watched with bemusement, Anastasia herself grinning mischievously. "Now that's what I call some good entertainment. They're going to wake up with some serious regrets tomorrow, though," she teased, nudging Julius who rolled his eyes at his friends antics.
Even Reinhard, ever the calm and composed knight, couldn't help but glance over with a faint smile, though he remained more focused on keeping his distance.
Beatrice, still standing next to Subaru, sighed heavily, her face flushed with embarrassment as her contractor continued to make a fool of himself. "Foolish human, I suppose..." she muttered under her breath, though there was no real anger in her voice. She could tell Subaru was just happy, even if it meant acting completely ridiculous.
As Subaru and Al hit the chorus again, their singing grew even louder: "Sweet home Alabaaaaama! Lord, I'm coming home to youuuu!"
Their energy was infectious, and soon, a few of the onlookers couldn't help but clap or laugh along with them, the mood in the courtyard lightening as the seriousness of the royal selection took a brief backseat to the spectacle.
Even as they stumbled over the words and slurred their way through the song, Subaru and Al were clearly having the time of their lives, caught up in the moment. They were completely unaware of the crowd they had gathered or how their antics had drawn the attention of nearly everyone in the royal capital's courtyard.
For that one moment, the tension of their world—filled with politics, danger, and magic—seemed to melt away, replaced by laughter, music, and the shared camaraderie of two guys just trying to feel a little closer to home.
Before long, the entire courtyard had gathered around Subaru and Al's table, all eyes on the two drunken fools as they clapped their hands and stomped their feet to the rhythm of Sweet Home Alabama. Despite their slurred singing and stumbling lyrics, their enthusiasm was infectious. The courtyard, which had been filled with the heavy atmosphere of politics and royal discussions, had completely transformed into a scene of laughter and light-hearted amusement.
Subaru and Al, completely lost in their performance, kept the beat going, slapping the table and clapping their hands in unison, the clattering of glasses adding to the impromptu musical session. "Sweet home Ala-bamaaa!" Subaru shouted, leaning into the chorus with a wide, goofy grin. Al chimed in right after, his voice just as loud and unsteady, "Where the skies are so blue!"
Nobody in the crowd had any idea what they were singing about, but that didn't seem to matter. The sheer energy and joy radiating from the two of them was enough to pull everyone in. The rhythm of their clapping and stomping caught on, and soon enough, a few of the onlookers began clapping along, their faces lit up with smiles and laughter.
Emilia stood at the edge of the crowd, her silver hair catching the light as she watched Subaru with a wide, delighted smile. She tried her best to keep up with the clapping, giggling as she watched Subaru completely lose himself in the music. It was rare to see him this carefree, and seeing him like this warmed her heart. "He's really having fun," she said softly, unable to stop herself from clapping along.
Across the way, Priscilla sat with her usual regal posture, her hand fan covering the lower half of her face. She feigned disinterest, casting a glance at the two with her usual haughty expression. But if anyone looked closely, they would see the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Despite herself, she found her foot tapping ever so slightly to the rhythm of the song, though she'd never admit it. "Foolish antics," she muttered under her breath, though the amusement in her eyes betrayed her words.
Ferris was nearly in tears from laughter, clutching his sides as he watched Subaru and Al perform. "Subaru-kyun's gonna regret this tomorrow, nyahaha!" he said, poking Crusch, who smiled gracefully, finding the scene far more enjoyable than she would've expected.
Even Reinhard, who rarely let himself be distracted, watched with an amused smile from the back, while Felt grinned mischievously, enjoying the spectacle as if it were the best entertainment she'd had in weeks. "Keep going, big bro!" She yelled at him, putting both her hands around her mouth to make herself louder.
As the song reached the chorus for the umpteenth time, the crowd's clapping grew louder, and a few of the nobles and knights who were hesitant at first had begun to tap their feet or sway along with the tune. Subaru and Al, completely absorbed in their own performance, were in sync now—if not vocally, at least in spirit. They stomped their feet harder, clapped louder, and belted out the final verse with all the passion of two guys who had forgotten their worries for the night.
"Sweet home Alabama! Lord, I'm comin' home to yoooou!" Subaru sang, throwing his arms wide, while Al echoed him with a triumphant stomp on the floor.
The crowd burst into spontaneous applause, laughing and cheering for the ridiculous performance. Subaru and Al stood there, panting and grinning, clearly proud of themselves despite their drunken state. The courtyard, now filled with energy and laughter, had turned into a rare moment of unity, where the worries of royal politics and responsibility had been replaced by something far simpler—joy.
Subaru, red-faced from the alcohol and laughter, stumbled a little but caught himself on the table. "That... was awesome!" he shouted, looking at Al with a grin.
Al, just as flushed, gave him a lazy thumbs-up. "Best performance of our lives, man!"
Beatrice, still watching from the sidelines, shook her head with a long, exaggerated sigh. "Are you two done, I wonder? You two have drawn quite a crowd." she asked, though even she couldn't hide the tiny smile on her face.
As the clapping and cheering began to die down, the crowd slowly started dispersing, though the lingering buzz of laughter and amusement remained. Emilia, still smiling brightly, made her way over to Subaru. "That was amazing, Subaru! I've never seen you like that."
Subaru rubbed the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "Yeah... I might regret this in the morning, but hey, at least it was fun!"
Emilia giggled. "You looked really happy, and I think everyone enjoyed it."
Subaru grinned, nodding. Sweet Home Alabama may have been from back home, but for a moment, it brought a little bit of that world into this one, and that was enough for Subaru.
As the applause and laughter from the crowd began to settle down, Subaru, still feeling the rush of the impromptu performance and the alcohol coursing through his veins, suddenly stood up from his chair with a wild grin on his face. He wobbled slightly but raised his hand dramatically, as if making the grandest declaration of his life.
"Everyone...!" Subaru slurred, his voice loud and filled with determination. "I swear... I'm gonna learn to play the guitar! And next time, I'll perform Sweet Home Alabama properly, with the real thing!" He pointed to the sky, as if this was his life's mission now.
The crowd, still amused from his antics, cheered him on, laughing and clapping at the bold declaration.
But just as quickly as he made his grand statement, Subaru's legs gave out beneath him. His balance, already shaky from the alcohol, finally gave way, and he stumbled forward in a spectacular, slow-motion fall.
"Whoa—!" Subaru yelped as he tumbled, crashing down in an ungraceful heap onto the ground.
The crowd erupted into laughter, though not without some concern for him. Emilia gasped and rushed over, kneeling beside him. "Subaru! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice a mix of worry and amusement.
Beatrice, her arms crossed and her face a mixture of frustration and sympathy, floated over as well. "It seems Betty's Subaru can't handle his alcohol intake, I suppose. " she stated, shaking her head. Despite her words, she gave Subaru a small, protective glance.
Subaru, flat on his back, stared up at the sky, completely dazed. A goofy smile spread across his face as he let out a weak, slurred chuckle. "I'm... fine... just... need a nap... guitar lessons... tomorrow..."
With that, his eyes fluttered shut, and Subaru passed out, his earlier declaration hanging in the air as the crowd watched in amusement.
Al, still seated and equally tipsy, chuckled and raised his glass. "To the future rockstar, Subaru!" he declared, taking one last sip before slumping over the table himself.
Emilia sighed but smiled, brushing Subaru's hair out of his face. "Looks like we'll be carrying him back," she said, shaking her head with fondness.
Beatrice, standing nearby, watched over her contractor with a mixture of exasperation and affection. "What a fool," she muttered softly, though her tone was much gentler now. "But at least he's happy, I suppose."
The courtyard gradually returned to its usual atmosphere, but Subaru's wild performance and bold declaration of guitar mastery would be something everyone remembered—for better or worse.