(A/N: Fill this chap with your love and comments!)
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{3rd Pov}
Time continued to move forward, flowing steadily without pause.
Subaru remained dedicated to his job and constantly pushed himself to come up with new and creative ideas, many of which were based on concepts he had carried over from his previous world.
His efforts didn't go unnoticed, and little by little, his influence on the city grew even stronger.
During those years, he also heard troubling news from the kingdom of Lugunica.
Rumors spread about the Witch Cult running rampant across the nation, striking fear into countless villages and cities.
The chaos became so severe that the Sword Saint himself had to intervene.
The reports claimed that in one decisive battle, the Sword Saint destroyed an entire city in order to eliminate the Sin Archbishops who had gathered there.
It was said to have been an impossible choice, a grim decision that carried an unimaginable price. More than hundreds of thousands of innocent people reportedly lost their lives in the process.
Yet, with the fall of many of the Witch Cult's most dangerous leaders, Lugunica gained a fragile and uneasy peace.
For most, it was a tragedy, but for the survivors, it also meant hope that such terror would not rise again so easily.
Before Subaru truly realized it, seventeen long years had passed since the day he and Rem fled to Kararagi and made their new home in the city of Banan.
Their quiet life in this new land felt almost unreal compared to the struggles of their past, and yet, it was real.
Seventeen years of building a family, of watching their children grow.
Those years also meant that Rigel, their beloved son, had finally reached the age of fifteen.
And in this world, fifteen marked a significant milestone—the age at which one was recognized as an adult.
Naturally, Subaru never missed a chance to tease his son about it.
For the past two to three years, he had been making all sorts of jokes, questioning whether Rigel would finally find a girlfriend, or if he would remain hopelessly attached to his sister.
Spica, his younger sister, happily joined in on the teasing.
Teaming up with her parents, she never missed an opportunity to bully Rigel in good fun.
At one point, Spica even started calling him a "Siscon," a strange word that Subaru himself had introduced into this world.
And so, history recorded Rigel as the very first person in this world to bear such a ridiculous label.
When Rigel discovered the meaning behind the word, his face turned bright red.
Still, he tried to cover his embarrassment with pride, boldly declaring that it only proved how much he loved his sister.
That might have been tolerable—until the day someone jokingly branded him a "Lolicon."
The moment Rigel learned the meaning of that word, his mind couldn't handle it, and he fainted on the spot.
"Haha! Poor Rigel!" Subaru laughed every time the story was retold.
In truth, Rigel's status in the family hierarchy had become something of a running joke—he was always the lowest ranked, and everyone seemed to enjoy keeping it that way.
But jokes aside, today was no ordinary day.
It was Rigel's official Age-Coming Ceremony, a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.
Unlike what he had originally planned, Subaru decided to keep the event small and private.
He had only invited Halibel and Zarestia to attend, wanting the moment to be shared with close family and trusted friends.
Originally, Subaru considered inviting his boss, Riften, but Riften explained that he was far too busy with important matters to attend.
In truth, almost everyone they knew seemed occupied with their own affairs.
Because of that, Subaru chose not to force the matter, instead arranging a small, intimate celebration at home with his family.
Of course, Subaru couldn't resist poking fun at Rigel even on this special day.
With a wide grin, he announced that when Spica's own Age-Coming Ceremony arrived in the future, he would invite not just a handful of guests, but thousands of people from all over to attend.
As expected, this statement left Rigel grumbling in frustration, much to everyone's amusement.
As the celebration went on, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, teasing, and the warmth of family.
At one point, Subaru, being the kind of father who couldn't resist poking fun at his son even on an important day like this, leaned over and jokingly asked Rigel if there was any girl he liked.
He expected the usual response—embarrassed denial, stammering, or perhaps Rigel getting flustered and changing the subject.
But to Subaru's surprise, Rigel didn't shy away this time. Instead, he nodded with a strangely determined look on his face.
Everyone's attention shifted to him instantly.
The boy slowly turned his gaze toward Zarestia, his face glowing red like a ripe tomato, and then, as if summoning every ounce of courage within his body, he pulled out a carefully prepared bouquet of flowers.
"Tia… I love you! Please go out with me!" Rigel declared in one breath, bowing deeply as he held out the flowers.
For a few seconds, the room fell into stunned silence.
Every single person froze in place, their eyes wide and jaws hanging.
Subaru's mouth twitched, Rem's eyes blinked rapidly in disbelief, Spica looked like she had just witnessed the collapse of the world order, Halibel seemed frozen in mid-laugh, and even Zarestia herself, the one being confessed to, looked genuinely taken aback.
And then, as if the tension had reached its breaking point, everyone burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Hahahaha! Nice one, Rigel! To think you would actually make a joke like this!" Subaru bent over, slapping his knee as he laughed.
Spica joined in instantly, pointing at her brother.
"Big brother, you're way too funny! First you're a 'Siscon,' then a 'Lolicon,' and now you're telling me you're in love with Auntie Tia? There's no way anyone would believe that!"
Rem, though trying to be the responsible parent, couldn't hold back a small smile either. Still, she tried to reprimand him. "Rigel, that's not an appropriate joke. You shouldn't tease people about something like this."
Halibel outright roared with laughter, clutching his stomach. "Hahaha! Declaring your love to Tia in front of everyone? You've got guts, kid! But really, what kind of joke is this?"
But Rigel's expression didn't change.
His face was red, his hands trembled slightly, but his eyes were burning with sincerity.
He clenched his fists tightly, his voice rising as he shouted back—
"I'm not joking! I'm serious!"
The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted.
Laughter died down, smiles froze, and the cheerful energy was replaced by complete silence.
Everyone turned to look at Rigel again, this time noticing that there wasn't even a hint of jest in his tone or face.
Subaru, still half-bent from laughing, slowly straightened up and blinked. "...Wait. What? You're… serious?"
Even Rem, who had thought it was all just harmless fun, looked utterly shocked.
Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
Meanwhile, Spica's mind was in chaos.
Her expression twisted as if her entire worldview had just been shattered into pieces.
Who was this boy standing in front of her?
Where was her brother?
What kind of alternate dimension nonsense was this?
How could her Siscon-Lolicon brother suddenly fall for the "ara-ara" oneesan type?!
Her thoughts spun in circles until she reached one inevitable conclusion: this wasn't her brother. It couldn't be.
This had to be some imposter pretending to be him.
Without hesitation, Spica lunged forward like a wild animal.
She jumped on Rigel, knocking him flat on his back, and began furiously pinching his cheeks and arms.
"Stop! Stop! What are you doing?!" Rigel cried out, trying to pry her off.
"You're not my Nii-san! You're an imposter! Some monster wearing his skin! Tell me, where is my real Nii?!" Spica shouted, her tiny hands merciless as she glared down at him with suspicion.
"I am your Nii-san, idiot!" Rigel retorted angrily, flailing under her grip.
Then, in a desperate move to prove himself, he blurted out, "I even know that time you wet the bed when you—"
Before he could finish, Spica's face turned ghostly pale.
She instantly slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes darting nervously toward their parents.
Both Subaru and Rem had raised their eyebrows in curiosity, clearly wanting to hear the rest of that sentence.
Spica let out a nervous chuckle, her face redder than Rigel's had been during his confession.
Then she glared daggers at her brother, whispering furiously, "You swore you'd never tell anyone about that…"
Rigel smirked smugly, his words muffled under her hand but still clear enough. "That proves I'm your Nii-san, right?"
Spica froze, realization dawning on her.
Reluctantly, she admitted defeat.
With a pout, she removed her hand and climbed off of him.
Rigel got back on his feet, straightened his clothes, brushed the dust off his bouquet, and then once again turned toward Zarestia.
His face was serious, his voice firm, though still trembling with nerves.
He extended the flowers to her again and asked, "Tia… will you go out with me?"
Zarestia accepted the flowers gracefully, bringing them up to her face to smell their fragrance.
She closed her eyes for a moment, a playful yet gentle smile forming on her lips.
Then she opened her eyes, looked directly at Rigel, and spoke clearly for everyone to hear.
"Indeed, Rigel… I will go out with you."
Rigel stood frozen in place for a second, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
Then, as Zarestia's words sank in, his face lit up with joy.
His lips curled into the widest smile imaginable and his eyes shone like stars.
Overcome with excitement, he started hopping up and down like an energetic child who had just been given his favorite toy.
"Yes! Yes! Yesssss!! She said yes!!" Rigel shouted repeatedly, his voice practically echoing through the room as he waved the bouquet of flowers like a flag of victory.
It looked as if his world had been blessed by the gods themselves.
But just as he reached peak euphoria, Zarestia's next words came crashing down like a meteor.
"After all," she said with her usual gentle smile, "I love going out with others… I go out with Halibel often."
Rigel froze mid-celebration, his arm still in the air, his smile instantly crumbling.
His eyes darted toward Halibel, then back at Zarestia, then back to Halibel again.
He had long shed the naivety of childhood; after all, he was fifteen now and very well-educated on the harsh truths of the adult world.
Thanks to overhearing his father's less-than-innocent jokes and picking up a dangerous amount of worldly knowledge, he was fully aware of what "going out" could imply.
And in his mind, it implied one thing—the baby-making ritual.
The mere thought hit him like a hammer.
His imagination instantly betrayed him, conjuring images he desperately wished he could erase.
He pictured Zarestia and Halibel in… those kinds of situations.
His face went pale, his body stiffened, and his soul felt like it was leaving his body.
The crippling sensation that ran down his spine made him want to curl up into a ball and cry.
But before his entire mental stability collapsed, Zarestia's next cheerful remark gave him a sliver of hope.
"Not to mention!" she added with enthusiasm, "I love going out with Su-san and Rem the most! I love them the most!"
Rigel's jaw dropped so hard it might have broken through the floorboards.
…What?
WHAT?!
Not only Halibel… but even his parents weren't spared?! His mind exploded in chaos.
'What kind of playgirl is Aunt Tia?!' he screamed inwardly. 'Even Father and Mother are part of her list?! What the hell is happening?!'
Rigel's face twisted as he grabbed his head, spiraling into pure panic.
But then, deep in the back of his mind, a small rational thought surfaced.
Wait… calm down.
Think about this logically.
This is Tia.
Aunt Tia.
She must mean something else! She must!
Swallowing hard, Rigel immediately raised his voice, desperately trying to correct the misunderstanding before it could ruin his life completely. "Aunt Tia! What exactly do you mean by going out?"
Zarestia blinked in confusion at his serious tone.
She tilted her head slightly, her silver hair falling elegantly over her shoulder, and replied innocently, "Isn't it obvious? Going out means spending time with your family—sharing meals, taking strolls, chatting, enjoying the day together… just having fun and making memories."
Rigel's shoulders slumped in relief, but Subaru, who had been listening from the sidelines, rubbed his forehead and groaned in frustration.
"Well, yeah, that's one meaning… but not exactly the one Rigel was talking about," he muttered, realizing far too late what a massive misunderstanding had just taken place.
Rem, noticing the mess unfolding, quickly stepped closer to Zarestia.
She leaned in and began whispering quietly into the older woman's ear, explaining the other meaning of "going out" in painstaking detail.
Rigel watched anxiously as Zarestia's expression changed little by little during the explanation—her eyes widening, her mouth opening in shock, her cheeks reddening with realization.
Two full minutes passed as Rem explained everything.
Then, when she finally stepped back, Zarestia's eyes went wide as saucers.
"EH?!" she cried out so loudly it startled everyone in the room.
She stumbled backward a step, her face completely flushed in disbelief.
Her eyes darted toward Rigel, trembling slightly as she raised a finger to point at him.
"He… He meant that by going out?!"
The room fell into silence once again as everyone turned their attention to Rigel, who now stood stiff as a board, wishing with all his heart that the floor would just open up and swallow him whole.
Rigel clenched his fists, determination shining in his eyes, and then with all the courage he could muster, he turned toward Zarestia.
He took a deep breath, his heart pounding so loudly that he thought everyone in the room could hear it, and then he declared in the most passionate voice he had ever used:
"Yes! Tia, I love you! Not as a sister, not as an aunt, not as some distant family figure! I love you as a woman! I am proposing to you, right here, right now! I love you and I want to marry you! I want to spend the rest of my life together with you!"
His tone was unwavering, serious, and full of sincerity.
He wasn't joking, and he wanted everyone to know it.
For a moment, Zarestia froze.
Her expression turned troubled, her usual calm demeanor faltering as she fidgeted with her fingers and looked away.
Her face was slightly red, her lips trembling as she tried to find the right words.
"B-But! But! How can we even be together?" she stammered. "You're still just a young man… and I—I am…!"
Before she could finish, Rigel immediately interrupted with a loud voice, his determination refusing to let her reject him so easily.
"Yes! I know there's a huge age gap between us! You're probably in your thirties, maybe even older, but I don't care! I don't mind it at all!" he declared passionately, his hands shaking but his eyes filled with resolve.
"I love you just like how my dad loves my mom! They also have an age gap, but that never stopped them from being happy together! As long as you give me the chance to pursue you, I swear I'll prove it to you! My love won't fade away with time, just like my parents' love never faded!"
Zarestia's face grew even more conflicted, her body trembling as she tried to respond. "Bu-But! I am—"
"Yes!" Rigel cut her off again, stepping forward, pointing at himself with confidence. "You are a woman, and I may just be a boy—officially becoming a man only today with this ceremony—but that doesn't matter! As Sir Riften always says, women's beauty and charm only grow with age! And that only makes you more amazing in my eyes!"
Subaru, sitting nearby, slapped his own forehead so hard the sound echoed.
He buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly.
His son had completely, utterly missed the point.
"But! Rigel! I am—" Zarestia tried again, her voice rising in desperation.
"Yes! Even if you are an—" Rigel started to shout with confidence once more, but this time Halibel jumped forward and instantly grabbed him by the mouth, muffling his words.
Rigel's voice came out as muffled noises as he struggled against the older man's grip.
Halibel then gave him a sharp glare and pointed subtly toward Zarestia. Rigel blinked in confusion before finally stopping his struggles, only for the bombshell to finally be dropped.
"I AM A SPIRIT!" Zarestia shouted suddenly, her voice filled with nervousness, embarrassment, and desperation to end this misunderstanding.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"…"
"…Huh?" Rigel finally muttered in a dumbfounded tone after Halibel let go of his mouth. He blinked several times in confusion, staring at her as if his brain had stopped working.
Then his voice erupted, louder than ever.
"HUH?!"
He nearly jumped out of his place, pointing at her with both hands, his entire body trembling in disbelief. "A-A SPIRIT?! You're telling me you're actually a spirit?!"
"Indeed," Subaru stepped in, his tone calm but firm, deciding it was finally time to tell his son the truth.
"Tia's real name is Zarestia. She isn't just any spirit, Rigel—she is one of the Four Great Spirits. She's been in this world since ancient times, long before the Witch of Envy, long before the founding of Kararagi, long before Lugunica even existed, even before the Divine Dragon became the protector of the land. She is a being of immense, unimaginable power."
Rigel's face twisted in shock as he whipped around to glare at his father. "Are you kidding me?! Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?! Zarestia is supposed to be a legend, one of the most terrifying Great Spirits! She's said to dwell in her own hidden nest and kill anything that comes too close! How in the world can this beautiful, kind, and gentle woman sitting here be that Zarestia?!"
Subaru sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Her nickname, Tia, comes directly from Zarestia. And haven't you ever noticed how she sometimes randomly says things like she wants to kill us or destroy everything? That's her true nature bleeding through. She's also the reason your birth was so difficult, Rigel. Back then, she nearly killed us all because she thought your mother had stolen her powers. It was… a very complicated situation."
Rigel's mouth opened slightly, his mind reeling.
Subaru continued, explaining further in one long breath, "Later on, we found out the real thief had stolen Tia's powers. That thief eventually went mad, consumed by Tia's natural bloodlust, and went on a rampage. In the end, that same person defeated Tia herself, and things spiraled completely out of control. But somehow, me, Halibel, and even Tia herself—despite being absorbed into the chaos—managed to fight back together and destroy the thief. That's why we always joke about nearly dying that day, and why we say Banan was almost erased from the map entirely."
The room fell into heavy silence once again, and the weight of Subaru's words sank in.
Rigel's face was frozen in disbelief, his mind trying and failing to connect the terrifying legend of the Great Spirit Zarestia with the playful, warm-hearted, and occasionally bloodthirsty "Aunt Tia" who had been part of their family's life for years.
Even Spica, who had been smugly enjoying her brother's humiliation until now, stared wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open.
Clearly, she had never once considered that their occasional guest was someone so ancient, so powerful, and so dangerous.
The revelation left her completely shaken.
Rigel took a deep, shaky breath before pointing his trembling finger straight at Zarestia. His voice cracked as he spoke, but his tone carried clear anger and pain.
"Then explain this, Aunt Tia! Why do you always try to seduce me?!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the room.
"You would always say you love me! You would barge into our family baths completely naked without any shame! You would tease me endlessly, whispering things just to fluster me! You—you even said you wouldn't mind if I kissed you or… or saw you naked! What the hell was I supposed to think all this time?!"
The words spilled out of him like a dam breaking, all the confusion and frustration he had held in for years finally bursting out at once.
His face was red, his body trembling with a mix of fury and heartbreak.
Zarestia, however, stood still.
Her expression softened, her golden eyes carrying neither malice nor amusement.
She spoke in a calm, almost motherly tone that only made her words sting more.
"It is because I love you, Rigel," she said quietly. "But a spirit's love… it is different from a human's."
She glanced briefly at Subaru, as if she was making sure of something, before turning her attention fully back to Rigel.
"I do love you, Rigel. Even when I say I want to kill you, that feeling is mixed with love as well. But I do not love you as a woman loves a man. If my teasing, my words, or my careless actions have led you to believe otherwise, then I am at fault. I am ready to apologize… and to make amends."
Her voice was sincere, steady, but it was like a knife to Rigel's heart.
Rigel froze in place, his mind struggling to process the rejection.
Slowly, the meaning of her words sank in, and his whole body began to shake.
His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He glared at Zarestia, his eyes filling with tears, and then the first drop slid down his cheek.
The pain hit him like nothing he had ever felt before.
The rejection was brutal, unbearable, hollowing him out from the inside.
He had built up all his courage, steeled his heart, pushed aside his embarrassment as a tsundere and the shame of being called a siscon—just to confess his real feelings.
He had dared to dream, dared to hope, dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, she would accept him.
But the answer he received crushed him completely.
The air in the room grew heavy.
Subaru instinctively reached out, trying to place a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.
But Rigel slapped it away.
The sound of the impact rang sharply. Subaru winced, not from the pain of the slap but from the rejection of his own son, a rejection that cut deeper than any wound.
And then, without saying another word, Rigel turned and bolted.
"Rigel! Where are you going?!" Rem cried, her voice desperate, her eyes wide with worry.
"Nii…" Spica whispered, her small voice trembling.
She watched helplessly as her brother opened the gate with unsteady hands and ran out into the night.
Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest, unable to move, only staring at his disappearing back.
Silence filled the room. It was a suffocating silence, heavy and guilt-ridden.
Finally, Zarestia's expression twisted with regret.
She clutched her chest, lowering her head as her voice broke slightly. "I am such a fool…! I should never have teased him so much! I should have known better! And now, because of me, he is in pain… so much pain…"
Subaru bit his lip, visibly conflicted.
Then, after a long pause, he spoke carefully, his voice filled with hesitation. "Tia… tell me honestly. Can you really not love Rigel in that way? I mean… I'm not forcing you. But… is it truly, absolutely impossible between you and him?"
Halibel, who had been silently watching, let out a heavy sigh before answering for her. "Su-San, you need to understand. It is impossible. Zarestia is a spirit. Spirits do not see love the same way humans do. Their sense of relationships, of bonds, of affection… it's already twisted compared to ours. And Zarestia isn't just any spirit—she is one of the Four Great Spirits. For her, to become a couple with a human is… inconceivable."
Zarestia nodded in agreement, though guilt still weighed heavily on her face.
Rem stepped forward, wringing her hands together. Her soft voice was filled with motherly worry.
"Then what should we do? Rigel is clearly heartbroken. He's hurting so much… if this continues, I'm afraid of what he might do."
Subaru clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His expression hardened. "I will go. I'll talk to him. I'll make him understand somehow."
Zarestia frowned and gave him a doubtful look. "Are you sure, Su? He might lash out at you even more than he did just now. To him, you and Rem… your relationship is too perfect, too flawless. He might believe you can't possibly understand what he's going through."
Subaru let out a hollow laugh, his face twisting into a self-deprecating smile. "Indeed, our relationship is good. Very good, in fact. After all…" He turned to glance at Rem, his voice softening. "I love Rem the most."
Rem blushed slightly, but the situation was too heavy for her to respond.
Subaru's smile faded, his eyes clouding as he looked away.
"But… but there was a time before this. A time when my heart beat for someone else. Someone I truly loved, long before Rem came into my life."
Subaru's words left them momentarily stunned.
Rem's mind immediately drifted back to the past, to the countless times she had witnessed her husband, bold and fearless as ever, declaring his love for Emilia with absolute sincerity.
Back then, his feelings had been unwavering, his proclamations of affection never timid or hesitant.
"He will understand… After all, forcing someone to love is far worse than having no love at all," Subaru said softly, looking at the three of them with steady eyes.
There was a calm determination in his voice, a confidence born of years of experience with matters of the heart.
Rem nodded, her hand finding his, and she gave a gentle squeeze. "Please… guide our son," she whispered, her voice filled with both hope and trust.
Subaru returned her look with a small, reassuring smile. "I will… After all, what kind of father would I be if I didn't?" His words carried weight, determination, and a hint of humility all at once.
With that, he slipped on his sandals and began his search for Rigel, stepping out with quiet resolve.
Meanwhile, Zarestia, Halibel, and Spica were left behind, grappling with a revelation that was both surprising and difficult to process.
Subaru had loved another woman before Rem.
To say it was shocking would be an understatement; it was almost unthinkable.
After all, Subaru and Rem's love was exceptional, almost legendary in its consistency.
Their bond was intimate, intense, and unwavering.
Even now, they would often steal moments for themselves, sneaking off for private encounters, while Rem never entertained the thought of spending time with anyone else.
Her loyalty and affection were unwavering, divided only between Subaru, Zarestia, or her children.
Subaru, for his part, had never once sought the company or intimacy of any woman outside of Rem.
Their love was deep, rare, and profoundly exclusive.
Yet, despite the undeniable strength of their bond, Zarestia and Halibel had to accept that this was a chapter of Subaru's life that belonged to the past—a chapter that neither Subaru nor Rem wished to dwell upon.
So, they remained silent, processing the unexpected truth.
Except for Spica.
Curiosity got the better of her.
With a timid voice, she asked, "Is it true, Mommy? Did Dad… did he love someone other than you?"
She bit her lip nervously, unsure of what kind of answer she might receive.
Rem smiled gently, a mixture of nostalgia and patience softening her features.
"Yes… it's true, Spica. Your father met another woman before he met me. Before he ever confessed his love for me, he boldly and openly declared his love for her. He would ask her out on dates, go to great lengths to serve and please her—even when he could have asked for wealth, comfort, or favors instead. He did everything he could to win her heart… but…"
Her expression shifted suddenly, growing cold and distant, a shadow of disappointment flickering across her eyes.
"She never returned his affections. Even when your father made mistakes or missteps, when he went above and beyond for her, she distanced herself. She never valued his efforts or his heart. In the end… your father realized her heart would never be his. He chose me instead, and he let go of her completely."
Halibel's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smirk forming as she commented, "Damn… she sounds like a terrible person. I'm glad your father chose Rem instead."
Zarestia nodded in agreement, her voice firm. "Yes. Even if she had accepted him, there's no way she could ever compare to Rem."
Rem sighed softly, her gaze drifting toward the open doorway where Subaru had gone.
In that quiet moment, she reflected on her husband's character, his resolve, and the choices he had made.
'I hope Rigel will make a choice with the same courage and wisdom that my husband showed that day,' she thought silently, a small, wistful smile forming on her lips.
Subaru had always been a unique, unpredictable person—but one with a heart that never wavered, a heart capable of making the right choice when it mattered most.
He spoke in strange ways, using terms that were uncommon, unfamiliar, or even completely unknown to anyone around him.
His behavior often seemed as if he belonged to an entirely different world, one with rules and knowledge that no one else could comprehend.
And yet, somehow, he always seemed to sense danger before it arrived, reacting to threats before others even realized they existed.
That particular day was no exception.
He already knew the Witch Cult would attack them.
Rem, observing him closely, couldn't understand why he didn't choose to confront them directly.
But when he quietly suggested that she flee… that she should run away from everything, from Ram, from danger, from all that she knew… Rem had made her decision.
That day, she chose to abandon her sister for the sake of survival, placing trust in Subaru's judgment and protection.
And Subaru, for his part, chose to abandon his first love, leaving behind feelings that had never truly faded.
Only because of those decisions—painful, difficult, and full of sacrifice—could they live now, able to experience happiness without being constantly overshadowed by what could have been.
Even though regrets lingered in the corners of their minds, even though memories remained that could never fully be erased, Rem was quietly satisfied.
She was grateful that she had chosen to run away with Subaru, because if she hadn't, perhaps neither of them would have survived.
…
"Rigel! Where are you?!" Subaru shouted, his voice cutting through the thick forest as he ran, moving with frantic determination, searching wildly for his son.
Why the forest, and not the city streets, or even the bars where one might expect a troubled young man to hide?
Because Rigel had always fled to the forest whenever something emotionally devastating happened.
The city, with its distractions, its lights, its people, had never been a place he sought comfort in—and Rigel hated alcohol anyway.
The forest, with its quiet and shadows, had always been his refuge, a place where he could process pain without interference.
As Subaru continued his search, he stumbled over roots and rocks, his foot catching on uneven ground, sending him sprawling to the forest floor.
But he didn't stay down. Gritting his teeth, brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes, he stood up again and pressed onward, his eyes and ears straining for any sign of his son.
And then he heard it—soft, heart-wrenching sobs carried on the wind.
Following the sounds carefully, he finally spotted Rigel, hunched over, shoulders shaking with grief. Subaru let out a frustrated laugh despite the worry gnawing at him.
"Damn you, Rigel! I almost broke my leg getting here, trying to find you," he said, his tone light but firm, as he observed his son from behind.
He could hear each sob, each painful gasp of air.
Seeing his child in such distress, he set his jaw with determination, moving closer.
Gently, he reached out and placed a firm hand on Rigel's shoulder, tugging him lightly to get his attention. "Rigel?"
"Go away! I don't want to see you! Or anyone!" Rigel cried, his voice cracking, raw with emotion.
But Subaru didn't pull back, didn't lash out or scold.
Instead, he crouched slightly to meet Rigel's level, speaking softly, steadily, and with unwavering sincerity. "Rigel… I'm here for you. I won't leave you. Not now, not ever."
"Yes! To make fun of me! Just like you do! Like you always do, no matter what!" Rigel shouted, his voice cracking with a mix of anger and frustration, his fists trembling at his sides.
"I… I was the stupid one who misunderstood her behavior!" he continued, his words tumbling out in a rush.
"I mistook her kindness for love! It's all my fault! Every single bit of this is because of me!"
Subaru looked at him with a gentle, understanding smile, though a trace of sorrow lingered in his eyes.
"Rigel… you've already grown up far beyond your years. You can already see now that it wasn't truly love… that it was a misunderstanding," he said softly, trying to ease the tension in his son's heart.
"So what?! So what if it's a misunderstanding?!" Rigel shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "It's only because of both of you! Both of you are responsible for everything! That I had to grow up like this!"
"It's because of both of you that I am like this!" he repeated, his chest heaving, eyes blazing with emotion, a mix of pain, anger, and helplessness all swirling together.
Subaru's expression hardened slightly, but there was a calmness beneath it, a steadfastness that came from experience. "Perhaps… perhaps I've tried to be the best father I could be," he said slowly, carefully choosing each word, "even if I've made mistakes, I accept them. And… Rigel, I need you to understand something—this is just part of life. Everyone goes through pain and confusion… even me."
Rigel spun around, his anger flaring, A single Oni horn erupting from his forehead as raw mana radiated from him in jagged bursts, swirling chaotically in the air around him.
His glare was sharp, full of accusation, of the unspoken anguish he had carried for so long. "Don't lie to me! As if you've ever had to face something like this!" he shouted, his voice thick with emotion.
"You… you have mother!" Rigel said firmly, "She loves you! She loves you more than you can ever understand! So… don't dare pretend, don't lie to me as if you've ever been truly rejected!"
Even though he knew his son might lash out, that he could be injured in the process, Subaru didn't falter.
Slowly, deliberately, he closed the gap and wrapped Rigel in a tight, protective hug, holding him firmly as if he were anchoring him against the storm raging in his heart.
"I know," Subaru whispered, his voice trembling, his tears finally spilling freely down his cheeks, startling Rigel as he felt the sincerity and weight of his father's words.
"I know how it feels to love someone and be rejected," Subaru continued, pulling back just enough for Rigel to see his face, glistening with tears.
"I know how it feels to be given up on… to be abandoned. I know how it feels to disappoint others… and to disappoint everyone around you… because my entire life, Rigel… that's all I've been doing."
Rigel froze, stunned into silence, staring at his father with wide eyes.
He couldn't believe it… Subaru—his father, his strong, dependable father—was crying. Real tears, unrestrained, and raw with emotion.
The weight of the revelation pressed down on him like a physical force, leaving him speechless, heart pounding, and overwhelmed by the realization that even the strongest among them carried their own pain.
Even if he got injured, even if circumstances turned dire, even if everyone around him mocked him endlessly, Subaru had never cried.
Not once.
Even when his bones ached or broke, even when pain tore through him, he never let a single tear fall.
His stoicism was legendary, a pillar of strength that seemed unshakable.
"There was someone… someone I loved," Subaru began, his voice trembling with raw emotion as tears streaked down his cheeks.
"I loved her… long before I met Rem… long before I met your mother. She was my light… my reason for everything. I would have died for her… over and over again… again and again… if it meant keeping her safe, if it meant protecting her."
Rigel watched him in stunned silence, frozen in place, his own tears having long since ceased.
His mind struggled to comprehend the sight of his father, the indomitable Subaru, finally breaking down, finally letting his grief and longing show in such a raw and human way.
"But… in the end," Subaru continued, his voice now soft and filled with regret, "it was all a misunderstanding. I mistook her kindness for love. I forced my feelings, I chased her relentlessly, hoping… praying… that she would feel the same. But we… we simply weren't meant for each other."
A heavy silence fell over the two of them.
Subaru wiped his tears, his face still glistening, and then looked at Rigel with a gentle, unwavering smile.
"Rigel," he said, his tone suddenly firm but comforting, "even if it feels like life has betrayed you, even if everything around you seems bleak, even if it feels like the world has ended… there is always hope. There is always hope, no matter what."
He reached out and took Rigel's hand in his own, holding it tightly between his palms. "Life… it doesn't always go the way you want it to. There will be moments of happiness, and there will be moments of unbearable sadness. There will be times when you feel like giving up… times when the weight of everything feels too much to bear. But even in those moments, even when you feel alone… you have to keep living. Always. Not just for yourself, but for the people who love you and who depend on you."
Subaru's eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and warmth, and he chuckled softly. "Compared to all of that… getting rejected by Zarestia? Really? Don't tell me you actually thought she would accept your confession."
Rigel's lips curled into a frustrated grimace, and he spat out, "Bastard!" But to his surprise, the crushing sadness that had weighed on him moments ago had already begun to lift, replaced by a strange sense of relief.
The heartbreak that had seemed so permanent now felt like a distant shadow, something he could finally move past.
"Don't forget," Subaru said, letting go of Rigel's hand and standing upright, "she is still part of your family. Our family. And she will love you… always. In her own way, in the ways that only a family can."
He glanced down at Rigel, now standing beside him, and smiled.
"Oh man… you're already getting nearly as tall as me! Pretty soon, you'll surpass your old man entirely. I'm warning you now—don't grow too fast, or I'll get left behind!"
Then he took a few steps back, looking at Rigel with a twinkle in his eyes. "So… do you really not want to celebrate your Coming-of-Age ceremony? The night is still young, and it's your special day."
Rigel hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping to his hands, then slowly nodded and took his father's hand.
"Sure… Dad."
And just like that, in that small, quiet moment in the forest, Rigel Natsuki finally overcame the heartbreak of his first love.
The pain that had once seemed insurmountable now melted away, replaced by a new resolve, a renewed bond with his father, and the comforting knowledge that life still held many possibilities for him.
To be continued...
(A/N: Seeing them like this... It makes me sad for what I am about to... It makes me want to almost give up... Yes... Almost XD
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