Re:Zero - Starting from Zero (Natsuki Subaru)

Meanwhile, in the modern world.

Since learning that her son was still alive and living well in another world.

Kenichi Natsuki and Nahoko Natsuki are in much better spirits.

After Subaru Natsuki went missing, Kenichi Natsuki and Nahoko Natsuki's mental state deteriorated further.

Natsuki Nahoko even fell into depression at one point.

Although Kenichi Natsuki is also grieving and in pain over his son's disappearance, he still frequently checks on Nahoko Natsuki's situation.

After all, Naoko's condition at that time was really frightening. If she wasn't kept a close eye on things, and things continued like this, she would probably start seeing Subaru's hallucinations.

Thankfully, the sky appeared before things deteriorated beyond repair and told them that their son was still alive.

Since learning that her son was doing quite well in the other world, Natsuki Nahoko has often been able to smile.

For the first time in nearly two years since Natsuki Subaru disappeared, Kenichi Natsuki finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Everything came at just the right time.

At this moment, the modern world is in the darkness.

Instead of going to sleep early, Natsuki Nahoko hummed a cheerful tune as she dressed up in front of the mirror.

Kenichi Natsuki leaned against the wall next to him, chuckled softly, and seemed a little confused.

"Naoko, even though we're going to see Subaru tomorrow, is it really necessary to start getting dressed up tonight?"

Natsuki Naoko shook her head.

"No, we should have packed up sooner."

Natsuki Nahoko pointed to her still-recovering, somewhat haggard face, her dark circles, and the weariness under her eyes.

"We can't go see Subaru like this, or he'll worry."

"This is a rare opportunity, so of course I want to be in the best possible condition to see Subaru and his companions who have always helped him."

"Speaking of Subaru's companions, I'm very grateful to them. If it weren't for them, Subaru would probably have had a very difficult time alone in this other world..."

"Oh right, Subaru has been in another world for so long, he must miss the taste of home. If possible, let's bring him more food."

"Subaru, I guess he still likes mayonnaise the most! Before I go there tomorrow, I'll cook some more food to take with me..."

"Oh right, we should also bring some gifts for Subaru's companions who have been helping him all along."

"In another world, many items probably wouldn't be usable. Some entertainment items are nice, but they probably wouldn't be usable in another world."

"Looking at it this way, it's definitely more appropriate to bring some food from my hometown."

"Oh right, Subaru has always liked things like tailoring, embroidery, calligraphy, and portrait painting. I wonder if these things are popular in the other world... Anyway, if Subaru likes these things, let's bring some related items over..."

"I also need to bring some gifts for Subaru's companions... Speaking of which, Subaru really has a lot of cute girls around him... Hmm... Let me think about what gifts to bring..."

"No, Subaru does have male friends, so we need to think carefully about the gift..."

Natsuki Nahoko muttered to herself, her tone filled with barely concealed joy and excitement.

I'm about to see my son, who has been missing for so long.

It was impossible for Natsuki Nahoko not to be excited.

However, the excitement surprised Kenichi Natsuki.

Kenichi Natsuki leaned against the wall, watching Naoko Natsuki talk to herself, occasionally coming up with new ideas.

"Ha ha……"

Natsuki Kenichi's lips trembled. He desperately told himself that this was something to be happy about, that he was about to see his son, that this was a good thing, and that he couldn't cry.

But tears welled up uncontrollably. Natsuki Kenichi took off his glasses with one hand and rubbed his eyes with the other.

"Subaru... thank you for everything."

"It must be really tough for someone to try to live in another world all by themselves."

Kenichi Natsuki thought to himself that he wasn't much better than Nahoko Natsuki.

……

On the other side...

Inside Subaru Natsuki's room in the Tower of Sages.

Natsuki Subaru sat up in bed and met Beatrice's eyes, who was standing at the door looking shocked.

"That one... Beatrice..."

There were clearly other people outside the door. Seeing Beatrice standing there blankly blocking the doorway, the person outside exclaimed "Eh!" in surprise.

"Huh? What happened, Beatrice..."

Emilia slowly peeked out and looked at the two people in the room.

Emilia was also stunned.

Silence, a long silence.

Just as Subaru Natsuki was desperately trying to figure out how to explain and salvage a potentially chaotic situation,

Rem also sat up in bed.

The imagined chaotic scene did not seem to unfold.

"Lady Beatrice, Lady Emilia."

Rem said.

Emilia's expression was somewhat complicated.

"Rem..."

Subaru...you...

Natsuki Subaru was somewhat flustered.

Unexpectedly, Emilia suddenly laughed.

Emilia entered the room and gently tugged at Subaru Natsuki's ear.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

"Subaru is such a bad boy. He refused to spend time with me and Beatrice, but he secretly stayed with Rem."

"I'm so sorry... I didn't expect that either..."

Seeing Subaru's flustered and helpless expression, Emilia decided not to tease him any further.

"Okay, Subaru, don't be nervous, and you don't need to explain."

"I believe in Subaru. Everything Subaru does must have a reason and a consideration."

"Although I am somewhat concerned..."

"But it's okay, Subaru. As long as you can be happy and don't force yourself, that's fine."

Emilia said gently.

Subaru Natsuki was stunned.

Angel.

Emilia will always be an angel!!

Emilia had barely finished speaking when she suddenly pouted, somewhat displeased.

"But I still don't quite understand why Rem can stay by your side, while Beatrice and I can't?"

"Although you haven't recovered many memories yet, and you may have some disagreements with us in your memory... But I still have Beatrice, and everyone else, who can always be people you can trust."

"I told you, no explanation is needed."

Natsuki Subaru opened his mouth as if to say something, but Emilia extended a finger and placed it on Natsuki Subaru's lips, making a shushing gesture.

"I only want Subaru to answer one question for me."

"Do you, now, still trust me and Beatrice?"

"Um, I didn't mean to question or blame you... it's just... if you trust us, you can rely on us more."

"If you trust us..."

At this point, Emilia blushed slightly, and her expression became somewhat awkward.

Beatrice spoke up for Emilia, saying what followed.

"If Subaru trusts us, let us stay with you, even if there's no danger right now..."

"We don't feel comfortable leaving Subaru alone."