Chapter 106: How Are You Going to Make It Up to Me
"It's... still not over..."
Wilhelm looked at Subaru Natsuki, who was kneeling on one knee and using a wooden sword to support himself, and furrowed his brow.
Ever since Wilhelm noticed a change in Subaru's strength, attitude, and aura, the usual two-to-three-hour training session had been extended this time.
Throughout the entire afternoon of sparring, Wilhelm came to sense Subaru's growing urgency and a mental strength that far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
Subaru had spent the whole afternoon caught in a cycle of being knocked down and then getting up again, only to be knocked down once more.
Wilhelm understood that this kind of overexertion wasn't actually productive—in fact, it could lead to severe physical and mental fatigue.
Despite understanding this during their sparring, Wilhelm chose not to stop Subaru from this almost self-destructive form of training.
His original idea was simple: as long as he kept knocking Subaru down, Subaru's body and mind would eventually reach their limit.
At that point, Subaru would be forced to rest.
But Subaru's physical and mental endurance had exceeded Wilhelm's expectations.
"Subaru-sama, today's training is over," Wilhelm said.
"No, I can still keep fighting."
Wilhelm sighed helplessly at Subaru's stubborn response.
"Subaru-sama, I am already old. I can't keep up with you young ones anymore. So training is done for today. And no matter what reason you may have for pushing yourself this hard, at least take a moment to look at the one who's watching you."
Saying this, Wilhelm shifted his gaze to the blue-haired maid not far behind Subaru.
Hearing those words, Subaru turned around and looked at Rem. When he saw the worry and pain in her eyes and on her face, he paused.
After a moment, Subaru turned his gaze back to Wilhelm and nodded slightly.
"In that case, please go clean up and get ready for dinner. Afterwards, have Felix take care of your injuries. I'll take my leave now."
As Wilhelm turned and walked away, Subaru tried to stand—but at that moment, his body gave out.
As he fell backwards, Rem, who had been watching all afternoon, hurried over and caught him.
Rem gently laid Subaru down and adjusted her position so that his head rested on her lap.
"Um... Rem... It's time for dinner, you know..." Subaru looked up at her, wanting to move away from her lap, but his body had completely given out. He couldn't even lift a finger.
Only the hand gripping his wooden sword still held tight.
Rem took it all in and gently shook her head.
"Rem doesn't mind, Subaru-kun. Just rest like this for a while."
"..."
"Rem knows Subaru-kun has many things weighing on his heart. But this is all Rem can do for you. So at least, please rest properly for now."
"Then... I'll be lazy just for a little bit..."
With those words, Subaru slowly closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming calm and deep. He had fallen asleep.
Once she confirmed he was asleep, Rem softly ran her fingers through his hair.
She gently traced the wounds on his face with her fingers, slowly brushing away the dirt on his cheeks, eventually trailing her finger across his lips.
Rem sat quietly on the grass, watching Subaru's sleeping face. Every now and then, she playfully poked his face with her finger.
Time passed little by little like this. By the time the sun had completely set and the moon and stars filled the sky, Felix came out of the mansion.
He walked over to Rem. The two exchanged a glance, sharing an unspoken understanding, and then focused their eyes on Subaru's face.
Felix knelt beside Rem and looked at Subaru's sleeping face.
"Geez... His body hasn't even fully recovered, and after just one afternoon, he ends up like this."
Felix spoke in a soft, slightly complaining tone as he placed his hand on Subaru's chest and began the healing process.
"Rem, is Subaru always like this?"
"In what way?"
"In all ways, I guess. Whether it's how hard he works, how desperately he tries, or the way his face looks like a little kid's when he sleeps... When he's awake, his eyes are honestly kind of intense."
Rem stared at Felix for a moment, making him uncomfortable before she slowly replied:
"Subaru-kun is always serious and hardworking. No matter what he does, he always puts in his full effort.
When it comes to solving problems, he's the most dependable, the most reckless, and the most desperate person I know.
Subaru-kun keeps many things hidden in his heart. But all Rem can do... is stay by his side like this. That's the only thing I can do."
Felix paused, then looked over at Rem.
He had long known about Rem's feelings toward Subaru, but now, seeing the expression on her face and the look in her eyes, Felix finally understood clearly what Subaru meant to her.
To Rem, Subaru Natsuki was as important as Crusch was to Felix.
Felix withdrew his gaze and said nothing more, instead focusing intently on healing Subaru.
About thirty minutes passed.
Both Rem and Felix noticed that Subaru's expression began to twist with pain. His muscles tensed, and the hand still gripping the wooden sword clenched even tighter.
They knew he was having a nightmare. They didn't know what exactly he was dreaming of, but they were certain it wasn't just a normal bad dream.
At that moment, Rem reached out and gently stroked Subaru's cheek, as if trying to comfort him in his sleep.
As she did so, Subaru's expression slowly began to calm. His eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Rem's face, wearing a gentle, warm smile.
When he sat up, he noticed Felix sitting nearby.
"Felix? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing. I just noticed a certain patient was missing from his room, so I came out to look, and found you and Rem out here. So I ended up treating you here.
Honestly, I have to say—you're really something.
A patient like you just can't stay put and rest. Thanks to the injuries you got today, you've added quite a bit of trouble for me. So—how are you going to make it up to me?"