Cherreads

Chapter 31 - 3 Years Later

Rem and Spica stood by the Geyser, an invisible rope of attachment clinging to both of them.

Echidna: [Remember. You have a month to get him back here. If you take longer than that, the rope will snap, and you'll be stranded there. In that case, it'll take 3 years for the geyser to burst out again. Until then we won't...]

Rem: [Rem perfectly understands already.]

Roswaal: [Dooo your best Reeem.]

Rem scoffed at the man... girl's? words.

Felt: [Bring back Big Bro and Big Sis quickly if you can, alright?]

Rem nodded.

Rem: [Of course, Filore-sama.]

Felt: [I told you not to call me that. I only use that name in official business. To people close to me like you, I'm just Felt.]

Wilhelm: (Subaru-dono, I hope you are doing well.)

Julius: (I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Natsuki Subaru.)

AN: Gay... Gay... Gay... Gay... Gay...

Meili: [Hurry up and bring back Oni-san. I've been so bored for these past three and a half years.]

Rem: [Rem will do her best to bring back Subaru-kun.]

Rem turned to Spica.

Rem: [Are you ready, Spica?]

Spica: [Spica is ready]

Spica had grown a bit, too. She was now a bit taller and seemed to be better fed.

Ram: [Rem. Please be careful.]

Rem: [Don't worry, Nee-sama. We'll be fine.]

Ram gripped her skirt tightly as she watched Rem and Spica jump forward and get caught in the geyser.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Rem and Spica appeared in a park as they looked around.

Rem: [So this... is Subaru-kun's world.]

Rem held Spica's hand as they began walking around.

Rem: (First Rem needs to find out how to find Subaru-kun.)

Rem then saw someone walking around. She walked over to them.

Rem: [Excuse me.]

Woman: [Oh?]

Rem: [Um...]

Rem: (Would she even know Subaru-Kun? There's no harm in asking, right?)

Rem: [Do you know someone named Natsuki Subaru. He has spiky...]

Woman: [Who doesn't know him?]

Rem looked surprised.

Woman: [Why are you asking such weird questions?]

Rem: [Oh um...]

Woman: [Your hair... did you dye it?]

Rem: [Dye?]

Woman: [Oh, that outfit. Plieades Fashion would definitely hire someone like you!]

Rem: [Uh... Rem is already employed. Rem isn't here for a job. Rem just wants to find Subaru-kun.]

Woman: [Why are you saying his name so casually? Do you know him? Could you get him to consider my application?]

The woman began overwhelming Rem with questions as Rem walked backwards. Rem eventually escaped that woman as she and Spica entered a store. That was when she saw all the clothes marked with the brand Plieades Fashion.

Rem: [Plieades. The same name as the watchtower in our world...]

Spica: [The watchtower...]

Spica lamented at the thought of what her other self must have done.

Rem: [Hey Spica. It's okay. Really.]

Spica: [But Spica did horrible things.]

Rem: [No, that wasn't you. It's not your fault.]

A man walked up to them.

Man: [Are you alright? What's going on?]

The man was wearing a uniform with that same Pleiades Fashion logo. When Rem looked up, the man looked like... 

Rem: [Subaru-Kun?!!]

Man: [Subaru? How do you...]

Rem: [Oh my. You've gotten so much older. Has it been thirty years for you, while only three for me? Don't worry. Your Rem still loves you.]

Kenichi: [Rem? Oh, you're Rem!]

Rem: [Yes... why are you talking like that, Subaru-kun?]

Kenichi: [I'm not Subaru. I'm his dad.]

Rem blushed in embarrassment at this. Spica, beside her, sweatdropped from second-hand embarrassment.

Rem: [I'm so sorry.]

Rem: (I should have realised. After all, he doesn't have the Witch's Scent.)

Kenichi: [Hey, no worries.]

Rem: [So do you work here?]

Kenichi: [Nah. I'm just here working cause I'd be bored being at home doing nothing all day.]

Rem: [Nothing all day?]

Kenichi: [I mean, ever since Subaru came back, he's become pretty famous.]

Rem: [Rem's hero is famous now?]

Spica: [Papa is famous?]

Kenichi froze for a second.

Kenichi: [Papa?]

Kenichi stared at the little girl for a second and then turned to Rem and back. Rem blushed at this clear assumption.

Rem: [Um... Spica is more of an adopted daughter to Subaru-kun and Rem.]

Kenichi: [I see. I see.]

Rem: [You said Subaru-kun is famous. Is he a hero in this world as well?]

Kenichi: [Um... no. He's a fashion designer. This store is filled with clothes he designed.]

Rem looked around.

Rem: (All of these... made by Subaru-kun?)

Kenichi: [Why don't you try something on?]

Rem: [Uh, no. I... don't have the money to buy anything.]

Kenichi: [It's fine. It's fine. Subaru won't mind.]

Rem relented as she got changed into some casual clothes and a frill skirt.

Rem: [Um... do you think Subaru-kun will like it?]

Kenichi gave her a thumbs-up.

Kenichi: [I wonder how we're going to deal with this, though? I'm not sure about how Emilia will feel about all this.]

Rem looked down.

Rem: (They must be... married.)

Kenichi: [But dressing girls up to be nice and cute is never something Subaru would be unhappy with. How about...]

Spica: [Spica is Spica.]

Kenichi: [Come try some stuff on Spica-chan.]

Spica also put on some casual clothes as Kenichi putsome of his money in the register.

Kenichi: (That should make it fine.)

They left the store.

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Rem, Kenichi and Spica arrived at the house. 

Kenichi: [They live here. My wife and I are right next door if you need us.]

Kenichi walked over to the house next door and entered, not wanting to interrupt their reunion.

Rem: (Subaru-Kun... is right there... in that house.)

Her heart began to beat faster in anticipation.

Rem: (I'm nervous but... I want to see Subaru-kun again.)

Rem walked over to see a toddler with black hair playing in the front yard.

Rem: (Amethyst eyes... her ears aren't very pointy but still noticeable... could she be...)

Toddler: [Who are you?]

Rem: [Rem is Rem. Have you seen your father?]

Then she smelt it. The Witch's scent. It was faint, but it was lingering on this toddler.

Toddler: [I'm scared. I want my daddy.]

Rem: [I want your daddy too.]

AN: Just joking. This didn't happen. Let's rewind to the "Rem: (I'm nervous but... I want to see Subaru-kun again.)" and go from there.

That's when Subaru and Emilia came out from the corner, likely returning home from a walk, walking arm in arm and pushing a stroller with Beatrice holding onto Subaru's free hand. Two toddlers in the stroller. Fortuna was sitting quietly like the sweet girl she is, while Lyra's attention was on a toy in her hands.

Rem: (They... had kids...)

Rem's heart sank a little at this.

Subaru: [Re...rem?]

Emilia looked to Rem and noticeably glared.

Rem: (I see. I'm not welcome here.)

Rem: [Subaru-kun I...]

Subaru smiled brightly. He was genuinely so happy to see her.

Subaru: [You managed to make it here, huh? I'm glad. It's good to see you. How is everyone?]

Rem: [I... everyone is doing well.]

Subaru: [You brought Spica? Come here!]

Spica hesitated for a second but walked over to Subaru, who lifted her up into a hug.

Subaru: [You haven't been causing trouble for Rem, right?]

Spica shook her head as Subaru patted her head.

Subaru: [Good girl.]

Emilia's glare also reached Spica.

Emilia: (These two... caused Subaru suffering. Just because they don't know that doesn't excuse them.)

Emilia calmed herself.

Emilia: (I already made my choice. I won't let them in easily. They'll have to work for it. If they make Subaru sad, I won't let them in at all.)

Emilia: [Rem... it's... good to see you again.]

Rem: (She doesn't seem happy to see me. I understand, though. There's a part of me that wants to monopolise Suabru-kun too.)

Beatrice had a stern look on her face as she eyed the oni girl and former sin-archbishop. She wasn't fond of them but would choose to simply observe them with suspicion.

Rem: [Um... Subaru-kun. Are these yours and Emilia-sama's daughters?]

Rem couldn't smell any witch's scent coming off of them, so that let her confirm that, for whatever reason, Subaru was likely the only one in his family with it.

Subaru: [Yep, my cute little girls, Fortuna and Lyra!]

He held them up as Rem looked at them.

Rem: [So cute! The same hair colour as Subaru-kun!]

Rem grabbed Fortuna's cheeks, pulling on them as Fortuna just stayed still, happy to get the attention. Then Rem looked to Lyra.

Rem: [She's as beautiful as you, Emilia-sama.]

Rem moved to poke the girls' cheeks.

Subaru: [Wait, don't...]

Lyra bit Rem's finger, and since she had teeth, Rem winced.

Rem: (How does she have that kind of power in her jaw?)

Emilia smiled slightly before hiding it as Subaru apologised.

Subaru: [I'm so sorry, Rem. She's very energetic and feisty.]

Rem shook her head.

Rem: [I was just a bit shocked. It's okay.]

Rem moved her hand away as Subaru finally noticed.

Subaru: [You're wearing...]

Rem: [Um yes... I hope you don't mind.]

Subaru: [Of course not. They looked great on you two.]

Rem blushed.

Subaru: [Um... how about we head inside?]

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

They walked inside as Subaru and Emilia took off Fortuna and Lyra's shoes. Rem noticed this and helped Spica take off hers. Beatrice took off her own without issue.

Subaru got Lyra out of the stroller as he took her to the playroom and set her down.

Emilia: [If you want to hug him, then just do it. Don't cause Subaru trouble. As long as you do that, I'll be willing to let you into our lives.]

Rem looked surprised.

Rem: (She seems so hostile to me, but... she's putting it aside.)

Then Subaru returned.

Subaru: [Alright Fortuna. Your turn...]

Emilia: [I'll handle it.]

Subaru nodded as Emilia took Fortuna to the playroom.

Subaru: [Rem... Uh...]

Rem hugged Subaru as tears fell from her eyes.

Rem: [Rem is so glad... IRem is so glad you're okay. Rem... Rem is sorry. Rem is so sorry for not making it to you in time.]

Subaru gently stroked Rem's hair, comforting her.

Subaru: [I'm glad you're okay, too. I'm really glad that I get to see you again.]

Rem moved back as she blushed.

Rem: [Subaru-kun... um...]

Subaru: [How is Nee-sama? If Roswaal is...]

Rem: [Roswaal's soul shifted to Anerose-sama.]

She said this with distaste in her mouth as Subaru looked genuinely horrified.

Subaru: [That fucking clown.]

Rem: [Thankfully, Otto-kun's memories are back.]

Subaru sighed.

Subaru: [That's great!]

Rem: [But he's refusing to get married without you there.]

Subaru: [Married?]

Rem: [With Frederica-san.]

Subaru smirked.

Subaru: [I knew it! Figures the guy who can talk to animals is into demihumans. He's such an Otto.]

AN: Read Chapter 11 again. Just the first paragraph. You'll understand why when you do.

Rem: [Frederica-san gave birth too.]

Subaru: [...]

Subaru looked at Rem in astonishment.

Subaru: [Him? A dad? What has that world come to?]

Otto: I'd say the same about you, you suicidal maniac!

AN: You okay, Otto?

Otto shook his head.

Otto: I miss my best friend.

I patted his head.

AN: There there.

I clicked my fingers as he went back into the story.

Rem giggled a little.

Rem: [Otto-kun misses you a lot, but probably not as much as your Rem.]

Subaru blushed before smiling.

Subaru: [I'm glad to hear it.]

Rem: [Subaru-kun. We need to discuss something important.]

Rem reached out behind her and grabbed something, tugging on it once, signalling that she had found Subaru to the people on the other side.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Roswaal noticed a tug on the rope.

Roswaal: [It looooks like Rem has found our dear Subaru-kuuun.]

Otto: [Ugh, don't say dear like that. It's weird.]

Clara: [Weird clown girl funny.]

Otto: [Yes, Clara. Weird clown girl funny indeed.]

Roswaal looked slightly annoyed.

Echidna: [Ah, yes, this is truly a fascinating circumstance.]

Echidna licked her lips from seeing her creation fulfillign it's purpose effectively.

Felt: [Don't get all wierd Witch. Focus on keeping the Geyser open.]

Echidna: [Of course. Of course.]

Roswwal: [Please don't speak so rudely to my Teacher.]

Felt: [Shut it Clown. No one cares how you feel. You're useless right now anyway.]

Felt then turned back to Echidna.

Echidna: [Why are you looking at me like that?]

Fetl: [Don't even think about going to Big Bro's world. I ain't letting you anywhere near the Geyser once this is over.]

A playful frown appeared on Echidna's face.

Echidna: [You're no fun.]

Felt's face morphed into one of disgust.

Ram: [Rem... Please stay safe over there and bring back Barasu.]

Meili looked irritated at this point.

Meili: (Everything is so boring without Oni-san.)

Meili: [Can't I just jump in and...]

Ram: [Don't be stupid. If Barasu decides to come back, then it would be pointless and stupid. Be patient. You'd waited three and a half years. You can wait one more month.]

Meili pouted.

Wilhelm: [I am glad to know that Subaru-dono is at least doing well.]

Julius: [Indeed.]

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To Be Continued

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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:

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