Chapter 62. Rediscovery
When everyone had forgotten Reinhild, Subaru felt an unprecedented fear. When Subaru saw the two bodies draped in white cloth in the camp, he was so desperate that for a while he couldn't move at all.
So when Subaru climbed the long stairs and saw the red-haired girl gazing at the camp through the window with a worried expression, he felt both joy and fright at the same time.
The girl seemed like she could disappear from his sight forever if he wasn't careful.
This was supposed to be the effect of her blessing, but Subaru felt like this was reality.
He instinctively ran over, and by the time he realized it, he was tightly holding Reinhild and crying uncontrollably.
After calming down, Subaru listened to Reinhild's story, watching her point to some clothes not far away — dark red, tattered clothes.
Just thinking that Reinhild had been seriously injured not long ago, and if Gluttony hadn't turned her into a Nameless, but into an eternal sleeper instead, Subaru's heart was filled with unbearable fear.
"Um, Reinhild, what do you plan to do next?"
He couldn't help but ask.
Unexpectedly, Reinhild showed confusion and even asked, "What should I do?" — a weak question.
But Subaru noticed the confusion was quickly fading; her gaze was becoming resolute visibly to the naked eye.
— No, this won't do.
Subaru felt deep inside that if Reinhild was allowed to think any longer, the girl would once again start living as the Sword Saint.
"Aren't you going to reunite with everyone at the camp?"
The only reasonable suggestion that came to mind in that instant was this, and the moment he said it, Subaru even wanted to slap himself.
Reinhild, deeply distracted by this question, did not notice his odd reaction.
She just quietly looked out at the camp, but her gaze was so dim that it made Subaru's heart ache.
"If you don't want to go, then it's fine."
He spoke almost instinctively.
Subaru was stunned for a moment before realizing he had given a perfect answer.
But his joy didn't last long.
Seeing Reinhild's desolate expression and hearing her words full of self-blame, he felt an inexplicable sadness.
When he came back to his senses, he realized he had already made a promise to help Reinhild.
"Subaru, you're really gentle."
Hearing Reinhild's whispered words, Subaru paused for a moment.
"This isn't gentleness."
— Don't be afraid. Haven't you made up your mind already?
Subaru shouted to himself inside.
"I just want to help Reinhild..."
As he said this, realization dawned on him.
It wasn't that he didn't want Reinhild to get into danger again, but when he saw her troubled by something, he just couldn't bring himself to not help.
— His long-suppressed love, unleashed by this incident, shattered his reason.
Looking at the girl before him, Subaru finally said the words he had long been afraid to say out loud:
"...Because I like you."
They both thought the words would be met with silence, but Subaru, who was already prepared, steadied himself first.
"Sorry, I know it's a bit inappropriate to confess at a time like this."
Subaru looked at Reinhild, who was still dazed, and continued.
"I understand your confusion, but I still want to say, actually, I've liked you since the very moment you first saved me."
"But—"
Reinhild showed a puzzled expression, which was understandable.
For her, Subaru calling the guards and her, as a guard, stepping up to help didn't seem like anything that would make him like her.
After all, Reinhild didn't know about the half-day Subaru spent falling in love with her.
"It may be hard for you to understand, but for someone like me, all alone in an unfamiliar environment, your unhesitating help changed my dark life. It was like a light in the darkness."
Subaru gave this explanation, and Reinhild's expression turned to one of understanding because she had just experienced exactly what Subaru described.
"Then there was the matter at the Astrea estate. At that time, I was in an extreme state. Facing me like that, you were the only one who chose to trust me, to help me..."
As if to prove his sincerity, Subaru slowly spoke of how his love had gradually grown over the two months since coming to this other world, every time Reinhild helped him.
"B… uh..."
Reinhild hesitated unusually.
The boy's love was so sincere, and because of that, Reinhild realized she had quite a strong affection for Subaru as well.
Although at first, it was reasonable to help because of her position, listening to Subaru's words, Reinhild found herself changing unconsciously.
Despite everything that happened in her territory, why did she spend so much time guiding Subaru? Despite her grandfather's serious injuries at the time, why did she agree to let him and Subaru act recklessly together?
— Are my feelings for Subaru love?
Reinhild could not give a definite answer.
"Sorry for rambling so much.
I'm just really scared of missing this chance and not having the opportunity to confess to you. Honestly, the moment I saw you just now, I had this illusion that you might disappear from my sight at any time."
"In any case, Reinhild, you don't have to come to a conclusion so quickly."
"Thank you. Sorry, I'm really a bit confused right now."
They both looked out at the camp. After a while, Subaru finally summoned courage.
"So, Reinhild, will you come back to the camp with me? I'll explain everything properly."
"Hmm, Subaru, I want to know what you really want me to do?"
— Of course, I hope you can cut ties with this country, leave the whirlpool that is the Kingdom of the Divine Dragon, and stop living as a hero for others, but instead start living your own life.
The words almost left his mouth, but Subaru hesitated.
He knew his thoughts were selfish, abandoning others important to him just to protect the most important person.
He also understood that imposing his own wishes on Reinhild was arrogant.
He knew this was a fear-driven idea.
— Anyway, it's your true feelings, and Reinhild won't blindly follow you. Just say it.
— Don't run away. Think carefully about what's truly right.
"Reinhild, if you don't mind, how about trying to see things from an outsider's perspective?"
"???"
"Yes, not returning as the Sword Saint who has lost her past proof of existence, but living temporarily as just Reinhild, witnessing what the kingdom is like without you, and then making the choice you feel you want the most."
"Subaru, you really are..."
Reinhild gave a faint smile and then walked to the stairs, reaching out her hand.
"Well then, let's do that. Let me reintroduce myself: I am Reinhild. Just Reinhild."
"Yeah, I'm Subaru Natsuki, the boy who likes you."