[ "Looking at your outfits, are you eloping or something else, woof?"
A small dog-person on a swaying dragon carriage… no, a carriage pulled by a lion-tiger beast, said to Rem.
Rem's shoulder was being leaned on by a deeply sleeping young man.
That young man, Natsuki Subaru, was muttering things like "Sorry, I apologize," and "I'm too weak" in his sleep.
Not long ago, the girl chose to grasp the young man's outstretched hand. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"This is?"
Emilia was puzzled.
"Rem-san… agreed to Natsuki-san's request… and left Lugnica."
Otto guessed.
Then Otto seemed to remember something and looked at Natsuki Rem:
"Eh?! Isn't that the world where that Natsuki-san is?!"
"…Yes."
Natsuki Rem nodded.
What was shown on the screen was the same as her memory.
Facing this moment again, the guilt was still heavy.
That Rem, that me, indulged in my own desires and held Subaru-kun's hand.
Yet, the Rem at first liked the hero who never gave up.
Rem didn't choose to encourage him at that time, but rather accepted him.
Abandoning Nee-sama and everyone else.
"Rem, there's nothing shameful about pursuing a better world. Ram thinks so, you know."
Ram said this to alleviate Natsuki Rem's guilt.
Meanwhile, the other Rem stared intently at the screen. Before, she had heard that self talking about her story with Subaru-kun, but it was just listening. Now she could truly see it.
Even if I can't have it, please at least let Rem see it.
—
[ The scene then shifted to a house, where Subaru said to Rem:
"Sorry, Rem, things didn't work out. I tried my best, but I'm really useless."
"That tone doesn't sound like you, Subaru-kun."
The Subaru on screen seemed to be imitating a Kararagi accent, which made Mimi outside the screen laugh.
However, this accent was called "Kansai dialect" by Al. It seemed there was a place called Kansai in that other world that spoke the Kararagi accent?
"I mean, I didn't say it authentically, but as the saying goes, when in Rome. But having said that, messing things up and accent issues are two different things. The former is just my sheer incompetence…"
"Things messed up? Can you elaborate?"
"Guh…, well."
"Just say whatever it is quickly. It's okay, Rem knows very well how useless Subaru-kun is, so even if Subaru-kun is so useless that he can't do any physical work at all, Rem will absolutely not get angry."
"I am that useless! Alright, alright, it was that, on the way back from moving goods, I accidentally knocked the goods over… All the money I earned today was confiscated." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Somehow…"
The Rem outside the screen said.
She swallowed the word "disgusting."
An indescribable, abstract feeling of disgust came over her.
If she had to put it into words, it was that self who, when faced with a frustrated Subaru-kun, didn't encourage him to bounce back, but instead acknowledged Subaru-kun's incompetence and completely accepted it.
That self had told Rem that after coming to Kararagi, Subaru-kun and Rem began looking for work to make a living.
It seemed this was the place that the self had spoken of.
"…"
Seeing Rem's expression, Natsuki Rem clearly understood what she was thinking.
Her guilt came not only from Nee-sama but also from herself.
She believed she had betrayed that self.
—
[ "Things aren't going too smoothly, Subaru-kun."
The scene continued.
"Ah, yeah. By the way, what's up with Rem today? Still at home at this time, what about work?"
"The school is off today, a kind of cold seems to have spread among the children. Rem told you this morning before you left, didn't I… You shouldn't ignore what others say, Subaru-kun."
"Damn it, I've caused you trouble again, Rem."
"Didn't we agree not to apologize, Subaru-kun? It's okay, don't stress too much. People around you will eventually discover Subaru-kun's excellent qualities. It's just that we haven't found a job suitable for a generous person like Subaru-kun yet. So keep looking, I'll earn the money!"
"Then wouldn't I be a kept man?!"
"Damn it—just you wait, Rem! I will definitely find a job! I have to support you!"
Subaru said indignantly, stood up, and opened the door.
"Mhm. Remember to be back before dinner." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"It seems like Lil'Bro's current state is that of a kept man, isn't it?"
Al said.
"Big Sis is really tolerant of Big Bro."
Garfiel said.
"Yes. Because Rem wants to do so."
Natsuki Rem replied as a matter of course.
"But looking at Subaru like this…"
Emilia recalled Subaru after the mabeast incident at the mansion.
Subaru had returned to his lively state.
Emilia couldn't help but smile.
This Subaru was truly wonderful.
—
[ "It completely feels like the Edo period, or more recently, the Meiji and Taishō eras."
On screen, Subaru walked onto the street, saying things no one understood.
"Time flies once it's afternoon. Anyway, I'll try my luck at the employment agency first…"
"Oh, it's Subaru. Why are you walking down the street with such an unhappy face? Your expression is scary!"
"It's rude to talk to someone serious like that… Ah, this dog face, isn't it Ah-He? Don't scare me!"
"Don't call me a dog face. I'm a wolf-person of the Dog-Human tribe." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
And this wolf-person was someone everyone had seen in the previous world, in the world of the "Purge King."
"It's Lord Halibel."
Natsuki Rem spoke his name.
Halibel, the "Praiser" of Baran Musou.
In this world, Halibel was Subaru's friend and also Subaru and Rem's landlord.
—
[ "Riften Magoji's attendant, young males only. But there are quite a few female workers there. A one-month short-term job, just helping out. Subaru, not bad, right? Go see Liften the day after tomorrow morning and tell him I introduced you."
Crane said to Subaru.
On screen, Subaru and Halibel went to the agency together.
And Crane Donahue was the owner of the agency.
"I understand, I'm always troubling you."
"Only that last sentence of yours makes sense! Really, don't mess it up this time!"
....
"Sorry about that. The next job is also short-term."
Subaru returned home and said to Rem.
"Even a short-term job is a gain. The future is when Subaru-kun will truly shine. Rem can see it, a scene where Subaru-kun will be revered by people and have a bronze statue built for him. Ah, this is a job under Lord Liften."
Then, Rem scanned the letter of introduction written by Klein, showing a troubled expression.
"Rem? You seem to have something on your mind. What happened?"
"Well, I heard that most of the people working under Lord Liften are women… If the handsome Subaru-kun works in such an environment… Ouch!"
"You're thinking too much!"
Subaru tapped Rem.
"There's nothing to worry about. I only need you. Even in a workplace full of women, it will be like this, understood?"
Subaru gently stroked Rem's head, and she blushed.
"Ugh…, I understand. Subaru-kun…"
Then…
"Wow!"
Both of them exclaimed.
The sound of a pot lid falling, it seemed they had overcooked.
"Pfft."
"Hahaha."
The two looked at each other and laughed.
In any case, Subaru's job-hunting journey seemed to be quite difficult. ]
....