Spica watched as there was a stark difference between her new sisters. Fortuna was sitting in the corner, reading a picture book. There were no words. Just pictures. She looked happy as she flipped throughthe pages.
Spica: [She's already interested in books?]
Natsumi: [Bako-chan tried to get both of them to read books. She was able to do it for Fortuna, but Lyra wouldn't sit still long enough, and if she was forced, she would just fall asleep on the spot.]
Meanwhile, Lyra was playing with a toy instrument, being energetic as always.
Spica: [Spica doens't understand how they can be so different.]
Natsumi shrugged.
Natsumi: [I don't understand either.]
Spica sat down as she took a book from the shelf. It had words, so it was obviously a bedtime story Emilia or Subaru would read to the kids. Fortuna noticeably crawled closer with an expectant look on her face. Spica looked at the toddler in surprise as she began to read the story out loud.
Natsumi: [If you do that, she'll always expect you to read a story to her.]
Spica: [Spica doesn't mind.]
Spica continued the story as Fortuna looked overjoyed. After a while, Subaru and Emilia entered the room.
Subaru: [Time for bed.]
Spica: [Not for Spica, right? Spica is a big girl!]
Rem: [for you as well, Spica.]
Rem said this standing behind Subaru and Emilia. Spica sagged at this. While their attention was drawn away, Lyra was attempting to escape by hiding behind the toy cupboard. That's when Emilia scooped her up, and she struggled against her mother as if she were evil incarnate. Subaru chuckled at the scene.
Lyra: [Waaaa!]
Emilia: [Now you're going to go to sleep!]
Emilia made a stern expression as Rem felt a chill go up her spine for a second.
Rem: [Why does Emilia-sama look so terrifying now, Subaru-kun?]
Subaru: [What do you expect? She's a wife and mother now.]
Rem: [I see... wait, how does that make sense?]
Subaru: [Just don't question it.]
Rem: [I see.]
Natsumi then walked to Subaru and gave him a hug.
Natsumi: [Goodbye, Onii-chan! I'll see you tomorrow!]
Subaru pinched her cheeks.
Subaru: [See you tommorrow Natsumi.]
Subaru grinned as Natsumi left with his parents. He returned to pick up Fortuna. She kissed his cheek as Subaru smiled brightly.
Subaru: [My daughter is just too cute!!!]
Spica puffed out her cheeks in jealousy as Rem would have laughed normally, but right now, she couldn't. She couldn't imagine hurting Subaru, but... the way Emilia had said it...
Rem: (Come to think of it... Subaru-kun linched a few times when ame and Nee-sama were... how... how could I be so foolish?)
Rem had a dark look on her face as if she wanted to die.
Subaru: [You okay, Rem?]
Rem jumped a little in fright.
Rem: [Uh... I'm fine, Subaru-kun. I'm fine.]
Subaru: [Well... you can have the guest room. Mili and I are going to sleep.]
Rem: (Oh... right. They sleep together.)
Subaru guided Spica to the kid's room as he pulled out a spare mattress for her.
Subaru: [Sorry if Lyra cries. She's a bit too energetic sometimes.]
Spica: [Spica will be fine. Spica is only worried about Mama.]
Subaru: [About Rem? I think I get it. Things are a bit tense and... our situation... is completely different to before.]
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: (Honestly, the Snow Festival was the time when I felt like everything was going well. After that... things happened with either Emilia or Rem. Is it too selfish to ask for things to go well from now on?)
Subaru then went to Rem.
Subaru: [Are you really alright?]
Rem nodded.
Rem: [I'm fine.]
Rem: (I can't let him worry about me.)
Subaru looked sceptical.
Subaru: [Rem. I'm someone who's good at hiding my own pain. I can tell when others are doing the same. Just talk to me.]
Rem: [I'm fine.]
Subaru: [If you can't talk about it right now, then it's fine but when you're ready I'll listen.
He led Rem to her room.
Rem: [Tha... thank you Suaru-kun.]
Rem lay in the bed as Subaru went to his room.
Rem: (I did horrible things to Subaru-Kun... What am I supposed to do now?)
Then she heard voices.
Emilia: [Subaru...]
Subaru: [Not tonight, Emilia. Rem is in the next room.]
Rem: [...]
Rem: (Maybe I deserve this.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The next day, everyone had seemed to calm down now that the important talks were over.
Subaru: [Well, for now, let's just focus on spending time together.]
Rem nodded slowly. She was still reeling from the realisation that she had done horrible things to the one she loved.
Rem: [You're right Subaru-kun.]
Rem: (How can he... look at me with such love?)
Rem got up.
Rem: [Rem will help with the food.]
Rem moved towards the kitchen, but she looked to see all the various metal contraptions and found herself confused. Emilia stepped in and began cooking.
Rem: (Even in cooking she's beating me out...)
Rem internally despaired at this thought as she watched Emilia cook.
Rem: (But then again... do I even deserve the right to...)
Emilia gave her an icy look, recognising the self-deprecation.
Emilia: (Don't cause Subaru to be worried. He notices things like that easily.)
Emilia started begrudgingly helping Rem as they cooked together. Subaru looked at them with a smile.
Subaru: (Emilia and Rem cooking together. Things are starting to become perfect. As long as Mili is able to let go of how she feels about Rem, then... I'll know I finally managed to do things right.)
There was a knock at the door. Subaru opened it, and Naoko was standing there.
Subaru: [Mom?]
Naoko: [I'm here to scope out the scene a little. See how things are going.]
Subaru: [Huh? Well... alright.]
Naoko sat down as she watched Subaru and Rem.
Rem: [Maybe we should make some Mayonaise today?]
Subaru: [Now you're speaking my language. Rem.]
Subaru laughed a little as he smiled. Rem slowly smiled as well. Her guilt wasn't erased, but... There was no way that she couldn't enjoy time with Subaru. Still, that made the sting of guilt feel worse.
Emilia: (Subaru looked happy. Then I'm happy.)
For the first time, Emilia smiled at Rem, who looked surprised but accepted it.
Naoko: [How about I help out? It'll be ready sooner if I do.]
Subaru grinned widely.
Subaru: [Yeah! Come join in, Mom!]
The four began making mayonnaise together. A while later, the kids sat at the table and began gorging on Mayonaise.
Rem: (They really are Subaru-kun's kids.)
Rem felt like laughing slightly at the thought, feeling they were adorable. After the meal was finished, Naoko stood up
Naoko: [Subaru, Emilia. Why don't you take the kids out for a walk? Maybe Beatrice can go with you all. I think Rem and I should get to know each other.]
Rem sweated at this.
Rem: (Subaru-kun's mother...)
Subaru: [Alright. Let's go, kids!]
Subaru and Emilia put the kids in the stroller as Beatrice and Spica walked with them out the door.
Rem: (It's just Subaru-kun's mother and me...)
Rem sweated more, feeling nervous.
Naoko: [I'll make some tea. Sit down and relax, okay?]
Rem: [I'll help.]
Naoko smiled.
Naoko: [No need. Just sit.]
Rem sat down waiting as Naoko prepared the tea. After a few minutes, Naoko set the tea down in front of Rem as she sat down across from her.
Naoko: [So. How exactly did you fall in love with my son?]
Rem blushed deeply in shock.
Rem: [Well... he was the reason I was able to see myself as more than just my sister's replacement. He worked so hard, too. It's hard to explain, and it's really embarrassing.]
Rem said this as she blushed, hiding behind her teacup as she took a drink.
Naoko: [I see.]
That's when Rem felt something was wrong. She tried to stand, but she fell to the floor.
Rem: [What?]
Naoko: [Ah, it seems to have taken effect.]
Naoko walked to the kitchen and grabbed a knife.
Rem: [What? What are you doing?]
Naoko: [Subaru told me so much about you, so I knew I'd have to add something strong to make this work. I added so much, yet you're still conscious? You really are a demon.]
Rem: [Why... why are you doing this?]
Naoko: [I heard you two. You and Emilia.]
Rem's eyes widened as she looked at Naoko in horror.
Naoko: [I tried to hold myself together. I really tried. Subaru kept telling me that you were an amazing person, but... I can't accept it anymore! When I saw you frolicking with my son as if you were husband and wife, I thought I was going to go mad with anger.]
Rem: [I...]
Naoko took a deep breath as she glared down at Rem.
Naoko: [You tortured my son! I can't hold it in any longer. My son is too kind. I know he'd forgive even people like you if you were just nice to him once. How... how dare you! How dare you come to this place where my family belongs! How dare you come here and try to take my son away to another world! A world that caused him so much suffering when he's finally found peace. When the nightmares had finally ended? How dare you claim to love him after torturing him!]
Rem felt tears flow from her eyes.
Rem: [You're right. I... I knew that I was too arrogant.]
Rem thought of everything she had gone through.
Rem: [I don't compare myself to my sister anymore. I depend on others when my strength isn't enough now.]
Naoko: [What are you talking about now?]
Rem: [That's what Subaru-kun gave me, but... I already understand that I took too much.]
Naoko moved forward. The knife was trembling in her hands. That's when Emilia walked over and held Naoko's hands.
Naoko: [Emilia? When did you?]
Emilia: [I thought something was wrong, so I came back.]
Naoko: [She... she hurt Subaru.]
Emili: [She saved him as well.]
Naoko: [That doesn't mean anything! She hurt him!]
Emilia: [But Subaru loves her. If you do this, then... think about what will happen to Subaru.]
Tears were falling from Naoko's eyes as Emilia slowly took the knife from her and set it down on the counter. Emilia crouched down and started applying healing magic to Rem as Naoko fell back onto a seat, her face was a mix of hatred, confusion and anger.
Emilia: [You'll be okay. Just take it easy for today and tomorrow.]
Rem: [...]
Naoko: [...]
Emilia: [Mother. Let's go. I'll walk you home. Father should be able to take care of you.]
Naoko simply nodded as Emilia led her out of the house.
Rem: [Why am I the one who ruins everything?]
AN: FanZio on AO3 recommended this scene to replace the one I wrote, and I liked it, so I added it in. It's edited, but 95% of the scene is by him.
Rem just sat there in silence, tears came streaming down from her face, for how long this continued, only Od Laguna knows, until Subaru came rushing into the room she's in.
Subaru: [Rem!]
Subaru felt his heart pounding, his concern evident in his voice.
Rem: (Subaru-kun...)
Rem didn't have the courage to look him in the eyes or to be even in the same place as him. How could she? How could she ever look him in the eyes? How could she ever imagine a future with Subaru, "Living in a place where it's quiet and only them, them spending all of their time together supporting each other, having Children"...How could she ever think about it after what she did?
Subaru: (I know that look.)
Seeing the state that Rem is in, Subaru let out a deep sigh and came closer to her. Remembering all the times he himself needed support when he was having self-loathing like this.
He tried to hug her, but the blue-haired oni wasn't in a state to accept his kindness.
Rem: [Stay away!]
She swatted his hand away. In this state, being unable to control her strength, her action left a red mark on Subaru's skin. Realising what she did, the tears that started to slow suddenly got stronger. She got up and tried to flee the room, but Subaru caught her, hugging her closely.
There was Silence. Both of them were silent. Only their breathing could be heard. Until Rem... heard the voice that once opened her to the world The voice that unfroze her time. It was the same as always, filled with kindness, love and devotion...
Subaru: [Rem...]
AN: This is the end of the scene by FanZio on AO3. Thank you for Peak.
Rem couldn't accept it. She didn't deserve its kindness, love or devotion. She felt that way from the bottom of her heart.
Rem: [I... don't deserve any comfort from you. Please just stop. Just leave me alone.]
Subaru: [What are you talking about? Mili said you needed me and that it was urgent so...]
Rem: [I... I hurt you!]
Subaru: [Hurt me? You mean in Vollachia? It's alright. I know that...]
Rem: [In a previous loop!]
Suabru felt a chill go up his spine.
Subaru: [Oh... you know. You... you did.]
Rem: [Then why. Why do you care about...]
Subaru: [Because I know you're not a bad person.]
Rem: [You're wrong. I hurt you. I know you were innocent. I... did something horrible.]
Subaru: [That's not wrong, but good people can do horrible things, too. I've seen it so many times. When you have an ability like my Authority, you learn to see things with a clear lens. You can't let how you feel get in the way, or innocent people die.]
Subaru knew that Meili likely killed everyone in the village in the loop where he hid himself away. He knew that Rem died to Petelguese because he let his feelings get in the way of thinking properly.
Subaru: [Even if you did something horrible, I know you're a good person.]
Rem: [How can you say that?!!]
Subaru: [I've seen it time and time again. The way you're always there for everyone. You put your heart into it every time.]
Rem: [That doesn't erase what I...]
Subaru: [No, it doesn't, but even if you hurt me in some loops, you saved me in others. You hurt me twice, but you also died for me twice.]
Rem: [Subaru-kun... I...]
Subaru: [You were suspicious of me in one loop, but later you believed in me and told me so many wonderful things about myself that I couldn't see.]
Rem: [I don't understand why you can forgive me...]
Subaru: [Isn't it obvious? It's because you're my hero.]
Rem looked at Subaru in utter shock.
Rem: [I... did horrible things.]
Subaru: [You did wonderful things, too.]
Rem: [I don't deserve forgiveness.]
Subaru: [That's not up to you to decide.]
Rem: [You shouldn't care about me.]
Subaru: [I love you all the same. Even if things are a bit awkward right now.]
Rem: [Subaru-kun...]
Subaru: [Don't worry. I don't hold anything against you.]
Rem: [But you should!]
Subaru: [Then you should hold things against me for failing as many times as I did. Is that fair?]
Rem: [N...no. Absolutely not. But you... You were trying to make things better. I...]
Subaru held her, and they touched their foreheads together.
Subaru: [I was being an arrogant, pathetic idiot. It's because of you that I was able to change that part of myself.]
Rem: [Subaru-kun...]
Subaru: [It's going to be okay, Rem.]
AN: He has no idea what his mother just tried to do.
Subaru: [I've been really happy with Mili and everyone here, but... I've always felt like a part of me was missing. You were that missing part. You and the others.]
Rem: [Subaru-kun... is it really okay for me to... be with you?]
Subaru: [Yeah. I wouldn't have it any other way. It wouldn't be very demonically inspired otherwise.]
Subaru smiled brightly and held her close to his chest.
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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