Re:Zero - Starting from Zero (Natsuki Subaru)

Natsuki Subaru shook his head, choosing not to think about it too much.

At that moment, Natsuki Subaru suddenly noticed that the three people who had previously seemed like angels were now acting strangely when they heard that there was a third Glutton.

It's changed, completely changed.

Emilia, Beatrice, and Rem had terrifyingly cold expressions.

Natsuki Subaru's heart skipped a beat.

However, when Natsuki Subaru realized that this wasn't directed at him, but at his enemy, he breathed a sigh of relief.

but……

In this situation, Subaru Natsuki has no choice but to start thinking about a problem.

Is everyone starting to revolve around him?

Although it was probably like this before, this is different.

There's a blatant sense of protectiveness among people these days.

If anyone opposes them and tries to harm them, they will instantly transform from angels into killing gods.

Just like today.

Thinking back carefully to when everyone was beating up Binge...

They beat the glutton to the point of near death, then cured him; they beat him to the point of near death again, then cured him again...

From that time until now, Natsuki Subaru has never felt a shred of fear regarding the ruthlessness of the others.

There was only a strange, intense sense of security.

Thinking about it that way, it doesn't seem so bad.

Wait a minute!

Wouldn't I be protected by a large group of girls?

What is that? Wow! So lame!!

Natsuki Subaru unconsciously smiled happily, but the next second, thinking that she was like a princess being protected by a large group of knights, she covered her face with some shame.

……

The number of people in the room increased, and Natsuki Subaru, Emilia, Beatrice, Rem, and Shaula chatted somewhat crowdedly in the room.

Everyone was chatting and laughing.

Natsuki Subaru hadn't relaxed like this in a long time.

Natsuki Subaru looked up at the ceiling.

Since arriving in this other world, it seems like things have been really tough. I've been working incredibly hard, racking my brains to find solutions to every crisis.

There was almost no time for Subaru Natsuki to think about anything else.

Looking back now, what Natsuki Subaru wanted was not to become an omniscient and omnipotent strongman through countless deaths.

I don't want to become a powerful, rich, or influential person in this world.

Natsuki Subaru didn't want to get involved in so many things, and he didn't want to be the "hero" who had to hold up the sky when it fell.

All Natsuki Subaru wanted was this peaceful life.

It's just like this: being together with everyone, laughing and chatting, living happily together, seeing tomorrow's sun rise together, and venting about some unhappy things together...

Talking about the future with smiles...

If possible... I'd like to see Mom and Dad again, to put their minds at ease...

That's enough.

"Knock knock knock".

There was knocking on the door again.

"Huh? No way? Who is it this time?"

Natsuki Subaru was completely shocked. Don't people sleep at night? Why are they all coming to find him?

"Barus, are you asleep? Ram made you some tea."

Ram pushed open the door and froze instantly.

Are there so many people hiding in the room? And Rem too?

"Is Barus planning to have a tea party with all the girls since he's up so late?"

"I didn't expect Rem to be here too."

"It seems Ram didn't prepare enough tea."

Ram strongly suppressed the urge to complain, left the room, and decided to make some more tea.

"Looks like nobody's very sleepy tonight..."

Subaru Natsuki said somewhat awkwardly.

After a while, the knocking sounded again.

Natsuki Subaru thought it was Ram who had gone to make tea, but to his surprise, it was Otto who opened the door.

"Good evening, Mr. Natsuki... Eh?"

"It seems I've arrived at a bad time. Sorry."

After Otto finished speaking, he prepared to leave.

"Are you misunderstanding something?"

……

Otto, having taken off his hat, stood in the room and smiled somewhat helplessly.

"It seems quite a coincidence that everyone is still up so late, instead of going to sleep, they've come to see Mr. Natsuki."

"So Otto, what brings you here so late?"

"Emilia and the others are worried about me and want to come and keep me company."

"Shaula wanted to take this opportunity to have some alone time with me."

"Lamu simply wanted to have some tea and chat together."

"And what about you?"

Natsuki Subaru looked at Otto, the only other man present besides himself.

"Me? I'm just a little worried about Mr. Natsuki."

"After all, what Natsuki-san saw today was something the Natsuki-san of the Royal Selection era couldn't have endured... right?"

Otto said this, and then glanced at Subaru Natsuki's expression.

Subaru Natsuki's lips twitched slightly, as if Otto had seen right through him.

Otto smiled knowingly.

"Just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the door again and again and again.

Natsuki Subaru looked towards the door. Surely it was Ram who had finished making tea this time?

"Subaru, it is I, Julius."

Natsuki Subaru froze on the spot.

Julius pushed open the door and saw that so many people had gathered in the room; a flash of shock crossed his eyes.

"It seems I'm not the only one worried about Subaru."

"That's good, Subaru-kun. You have many people around you who genuinely care about you."

Julius smiled slightly, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

Subaru Natsuki was no longer able to be shocked.

Tonight, he wouldn't be surprised if Meryl suddenly woke up and came to his room to find him.

……

There wasn't enough room for so many people, so everyone simply returned to the restaurant once again.

I bumped into Ram at the restaurant, where she was making tea. Ram was making even more tea than usual.

tonight.

For once, everyone was free from having to think about other issues.

For example, how do I conquer the Sage's Tower? How do I deal with gluttony? When will Subaru Natsuki regain all his memories?

After overcoming binge eating, I was rewarded with a rare period of peace and relaxation.

……

until late at night.

Natsuki Subaru's eyelids were drooping when everyone dispersed, and Natsuki Subaru returned to his room.

Before everyone left, Otto asked Ram to cook a simple meal.

Ram was puzzled. Hadn't they already eaten dinner? Was Otto hungry again?

Otto smiled without saying a word, but made this request.

However, this time, neither Emilia, nor Beatrice, nor Rem, nor Shaula came.

The four people seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding.

Subaru Natsuki was so sleepy he was almost dizzy and didn't have time to think about those things; he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

"Mom and Dad..."

Subaru Natsuki mumbled incoherently.

……

Four figures appeared in the room that should have been occupied only by Natsuki Subaru.

"I told you, Subaru is like a child when he's asleep, and he's completely defenseless."

Rem poked Subaru's cheek.

A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Rem's face.

……

"Alright, Rem, I promised I wouldn't bother Subaru anymore."

"There are still about five hours until dawn. Let's go back and rest."

"Master's sleeping face is the best."

The four of them left Natsuki Subaru's room with some reluctance.

……

Green Room.

Meryl remained lying on the stone slab, her eyes closed, as if she were still asleep.

Otto came in carrying a dish and a glass of water and placed the food next to Meryl.

Then Otto sat down gently.

"Now that you're awake, there's no need to pretend anymore."