Short black hair, a long body with short legs, and piercing tri-colored eyes that look like they could kill a person.

No matter which way you looked at it, I was looking down at Natsuki Subaru, who was sitting on the white ground, and that face was so annoyingly familiar.

“——-”

I stared dumbly at the face in front of me.

From any angle, it was a face I knew—though it seemed just a bit different. That was likely because this wasn’t the version of the face I was truly used to.

The face I was used to seeing was overwhelmingly reflected in mirrors or the surface of water. Human faces are not perfectly symmetrical, so subtle differences arise.

So—

“Ah, I see. Since it’s not a mirror image, there’s a bit of discomfort, huh? In that sense, this feels more like facing a photo or a recording.”

“—!”

“—? Oh, could it be that you were thinking the same thing?”

I tensed at the voice that seemed to read my inner thoughts. The other person accurately grasped my intent.

That realization sent a shiver down my spine, but retorting wouldn’t change anything. Ultimately, what was important to Subaru wasn’t the recent exchanges at all.

There was a bigger problem—one that would shake everything to its core—

“Then, let me say it again… How’s it going, brother?”

“——-”

“Actually, calling you brother might be misleading. To be precise… Hello, another me.”

The figure greeting me with a casual hand wave—no, this wasn’t a stranger. It was a familiar presence, a relationship far beyond mere acquaintanceship.

Because standing before me was unmistakably Natsuki Subaru, someone with the same face, known simply as ‘Natsuki Subaru.’

“—‘Natsuki Subaru'”

“…Isn’t that a bit of a weird accent? Also, calling myself by my full name is… But then again, I have no idea what else is correct to call myself. This kind of situation happens quite a bit in manga, but in reality, it’s pretty confusing.”

“‘Natsuki Subaru’…!”

Anger welled up at the carefree remarks of ‘Subaru,’ and I stood up. As I reached for his collar, my foot stumbled unexpectedly.

My knees gave out, my posture crumbling—

“Woah, that was close!”

“—! Don’t touch me!”

As I teetered forward, ‘Subaru’ caught me before I could fall. The moment our arms touched, a wave of unbearable disgust surged through me, and I shook his arm off.

I took a few steps back from ‘Subaru,’ glaring at him.

“Why are you here… and where even is this place?!”

Still locking eyes with ‘Subaru,’ I gestured broadly at the surrounding white world.

A white space with nothing around—this place looked just like Odo Laguna’s cradle, where I had confronted that Archbishop of Gluttony and Lui Arnebe.

“Damn it…!”

My head was a swirling mess.

It wasn’t long prior when I had run into Lui—just a few hours ago in real-time inside the tower.

However, for Subaru, having undergone numerous trials against five obstacles, it felt like a distant event from ages ago.

On top of that, I had experienced the life and death of ‘Natsuki Subaru’ over twenty times through the Book of the Dead. The tales of the Book of the Dead ranged from intense encounters lasting less than five minutes to peaceful stretches lasting over a year.

I had savored them all, one after another, almost like a glutton. Naturally, my perception had gone a bit wacky.

Time felt ambiguous, and unexpectedly confronting someone like ‘Subaru’ lay ahead.

With wide eyes, I swung my arms wildly and shouted,

“Why am I in a place like this!!”

“—That’s proof you caught up to me.”

“——-”

“You read the Book of the Dead and caught up to me. You should have witnessed everything you didn’t know, reliving my otherworldly life.”

“Huh?”

As I huffed and dinned my yell, ‘Subaru’ replied in a calm tone. Seeing him act so unfazed made me grit my teeth.

That placid face and knowing attitude were infuriating in every regard.

— First of all, what did this guy just say, wearing that annoying face?

“I caught up to you?”

“That’s right. There’s nothing about me you aren’t aware of anymore. So…”

“—Are you kidding me?!”

“——-”

“You mean I’ve caught up to you? Don’t lie! Not yet! Not a single important thing has been understood yet!”

I shouted with eyes wide open, this time finally grabbing ‘Subaru’ by the collar.

In this surge, ‘Subaru’ didn’t resist. He let me yank him close, glaring into his black eyes with only a breath’s distance separating us.

“——-”

Reflected in those black eyes were the same face as mine, and at that moment, a wave of self-loathing sprung up inside me.

I couldn’t tell if that self-loathing was directed at myself or at the ‘self’ standing right in front of me, but I didn’t feel inclined to ponder it.

I merely glared at him from such a close proximity, baring my teeth.

“Tell me! If you’re here, perfect! Tell me! There has to be a reason you’ve become who you are! I haven’t seen it. I couldn’t find it. That thing…”

“Reason for me to be me?”

“Exactly! There had to be a trigger for you to turn into who you are. You, you…”

“—You should have seen it during your experiences, right?”

Held by my collar, ‘Subaru’ gazed at me without resistance.

He didn’t even attempt to free my grip. It felt as if I were not considered at all.

It was like being looked down upon from a position of superiority—

“Stop looking at me like that!”

“—Gah!”

My fist slammed into the side of his goody-two-shoes face.

The hard impact on my fist was like what it felt like to punch a wall and ‘Subaru’ was sent flying backward. The pain was not echoed back to me; it was his wound.

A different type of pain, one that Natsuki Subaru had not experienced.

“You act like you know everything while you treat me like an idiot… I get it now.”

Having been punched, ‘Subaru’ kneeled. Watching him rub his cheek, I felt assured of my own thoughts.

This ‘Subaru’—the one who spoke with a demeanor as if he knew everything—was undoubtedly someone to be wary of.

If this was Odo Laguna’s cradle—the Memory Corridor—this could be an opponent I should treat with the utmost caution.

“Are you Lui? The Archbishop of Gluttony! You are behind this again, aren’t you?!”

“…Me?”

“Stop pretending!”

The last time I encountered Lui in this corridor of memory, she had tried every trick in the book to separate me from ‘Natsuki Subaru,’ seeking to devour that existence whole.

That time, I narrowly escaped those fangs, but if she decides to give in, that’s precisely what makes her the Archbishop of Sin.

I had seen every bit of Filth that these Archbishops possessed; they were the most vile, irredeemable beings imaginable.

Petelgeuse, Regulus, Sirius, Capella, and even the likes of Rai, Roy, and Lui knew no bounds of moral collapse.

If Lui was hiding in the Book of the Dead related to ‘Natsuki Subaru,’ it would explain just why she was waiting here for me.

“That’s the truth, the Archbishop of Gluttony! Lui Arnebe! With your ability to change form, you would have no trouble confusing me like this!”

Relying on the ‘memories’ and ‘names’ she seized from others, her power enables her to appropriate not just skills but the very forms of her prey.

Her wickedness was effectively displayed within the tower. No sense of abnormality appeared simply because the place for her to unleash it had shifted to the Memory Corridor.

“Are you trying to gnaw at me again to seize me once more? After being shrugged off once, why are you still hanging on? Just how badly do you want to ‘return by death’?!”

I unabashedly brought up the phrase “return by death.”

By saying it, I was retracing the memories of the countless moments of suffering I’d endured. The penalties felt like my heart being crushed in torment. Yet still, I was grateful that the pain was solely my own. —Compared to how it affected Emilia or everyone else around me.

But as I raised my voice with a hint of apprehension, the penalty didn’t trigger.

The ‘Subaru’ in front of me showed no signs of being crushed either. For an instant, perhaps he had shared the same concern? I could see ‘Subaru’ breathed a sigh of relief at the lack of any magical hand appearing. That was infuriating.

Seeing a person with the same face as mine harboring similar sentiments—it felt as if the claim was being made that we were somehow the same.

“—! Enough already! Is this how impressive this power is? A power worth longing for?! All it does is let me die and relive my life. That’s it! If I’m shit using it, then the outcome’s shit too! So…”

“——-”

“So, nobody could be saved. Everyone dies. Everyone suffers because I’m weak. Even now, it’s as if nobody can be saved…!”

— Returning by death is nothing but junk.

It is genuinely a damn inferior power.

I’d be much better off without it. There was a witch in this world who proclaimed this power to be extraordinary. I could never agree with that.

Even if you hand a cannon to an ant, it won’t know how to use it. Ultimately, it was beyond my capabilities.

I was weak, small, alone, crying out childishly.

What the witches had said at that dream tea party was right. It can’t be helped. I’m weak. I can’t reach out. I’m not used. Both the Archbishop of Gluttony and the Witch of Greed are garbage.

How many times must I be deceived, how many times must I watch hope trampled upon, how many times must my very spirit be crushed to learn?

Why is it that even after all that, I still wish to continue on?

‘Return by death’ only shows me the world’s more unpleasant side.

It reveals inequities, absurdities, and fates that make me want to turn away.

Yet, somehow—

“—Everyone, I love.”

At some point, I found myself bowed down to the ground, kneeling and shouting as if cursed.

The response to my pitiful plea was ‘Subaru’ shaking his head from side to side. He then firmly reiterated,

“—I love everyone. Therefore, I can’t stop.”

“——-”

Wiping the redness of my bruised cheek with his fingers, ‘Subaru’ stood tall for me.

Dressed the same, with the same appearance and bearing the same name as me, the distinctly different ‘Natsuki Subaru’ looked at me as he continued,

“I honestly can’t imagine the hardships you face in your position. You’ve returned to everything pristine, but you’re starting from stage six. I get all of your complaints; I’ve felt those same wounds many times.”

That face, marked by the weight of inadequacy and ignorance, was mine as well. —No, many lived through it countless times.

‘Subaru’ had tasted defeat, pain, and the lament of ‘death.’ All those experiences he endured—I knew every bit of it. I’d felt every last element course through my body.

Because I fully understood that it wasn’t a lie or deceit, because I knew it was the entirety of ‘Natsuki Subaru,’ I couldn’t accept those words. I didn’t want to.

“If only I were stronger, if only I were wiser, if only I had more… how frustrating.”

“How could you say you understand? What do you know of me?”

“I understand. You know I understand you too, and there’s no way this conversation is bringing anything fresh to either of us.”

“—!”

The rebuttal lacked strength. Of course.

A rebuttal demands the intent to reject the other’s opinions, the will to refute even against the reconsideration of the dialogue, and the pressing stance that claims, ‘You’re wrong’.

But directing that at ‘Subaru’ right now was something the Subaru of now could not manage to do.

Because, I know.

That’s not a lie or a misconception; it’s the entirety of ‘Natsuki Subaru.’

“I shouldn’t have peeked into your memories…”

“Peeking into someone’s diary without permission isn’t cool, you know?”

“I shouldn’t have peeked into your memories!”

With that rebellious complaint from ‘Subaru’, I clenched my fist tightly.

I wanted to punch him and shout insults, yet even still, he maintained his posture to engage in dialogue in which he seemed more composed and mature than I was. Perhaps it made sense given that he was a year older than me.

After all, ‘Subaru’ had been gaining a wealth of experience in this other world, going through many ‘deaths’ while weaving plenty of new ties to earn his current position.

Still—

“I shouldn’t have glimpsed your memories…!”

Again and again, I repeated those words.

Taking those words back once more, ‘Subaru’ remained silent. I wasn’t looking for a reply; I continued in a mutter.

“I wanted to see hope in you. You being amazing, and if I could discover what ‘something’ supports your awesomeness, I thought maybe I could do the same. But still…”

Despite that, I discovered the unwanted truth.

I’d seen everything.

The ‘Natsuki Subaru’ standing here was altogether no different—a weak and fragile man.

In the span of time unknown to me, he met people I didn’t know, ran through a story I’d yet to witness, and saw a world completely beyond my grasp.

“—I wanted to disprove you. I wanted to utter something profound.”

But; I couldn’t do it.

“Because I understand your feelings. —You are me.”

I witnessed the world that ‘Natsuki Subaru’ experienced and tasted.

I witnessed every wound suffered to keep loving this world—him, and Emilia as well—the wounds taken to ensure he loved this place.

I had been mistaken. Misunderstanding.

Since it was about myself, it may be more appropriate to say I was overconfident.

The illusion that ‘Natsuki Subaru’ was some kind of hyper-hero had shattered and been abandoned.

“Ah, I get it! I got it! The reason you keep pushing on through repeated trials, refusing to give up, is simply because you can’t—!”

‘Subaru’ faced a wall too; a wall he couldn’t breach.

Each time he slammed against it, dying over and over, accumulating ‘death,’ he changed the situation, altered how they met, how he connected—’Subaru’ managed to persevere.

That was all there was to it.

“How could someone not get up when Lem told them that!!? After getting knocked down by Otto, I finally acknowledged my arrogance! I’ve always known how Mother and Father feel about me! They are my parents!”

The moments when ‘Natsuki Subaru’ raced ahead, everything he needed to cross over was a mere fragment, turning those humble wishes into truth.

“I love Emilia. I want to protect her. I want to be together. She thought about me enough to want to make me her knight. That brought me joy. I want to boast about how that scared little girl is free to roam, loved by everyone! I finally got Beatrice out. I want her to be as happy as the amount of time she was in pain. She deserves the right to happiness!”

And so—

“—The reason you can’t give up is simply that you love everyone so damn much! You bastard! Why are you not some kind of superhuman!? Why do you stay just a foolish child!?”

“——-”

“Be strong like Reinhardt! Be someone who can do anything like Julius! If you can’t do that, then at least be of use like Felix! How about mastering one thing like Wilhelm!? If you can manage even one of those…!”

After every hurdle met with effort and hardship, in the end, all I learned was that ‘Natsuki Subaru’ was just like me—lacking plenty and having no cards to play.

And even that…

“Just one would be enough—!”

I muttered weakly with the breath of someone without strength.

Grasping onto utterly empty hands, wishing for what’s just out of reach…

“… You… aren’t Lui, are you?”

That dry voice delivered a question that seemed detached from everything before.

Upon hearing it, the long-silent ‘Subaru’ nodded softly,

“No. I’m not Lui. I won’t say ‘unfortunately.’ I’d hate to have her poke fun at me. No explanation is needed for her awful personality, right?”

“Ah… yeah, that’s true.”

I answered weakly and softly, covering my face with my arm.

The roaring shouts I had issued moments ago faded; instead, a dull ache in the fist I used to hit ‘Subaru’ now cried for attention.

Here, in the Memory Corridor, even if my material form was supposed to be intangible, the presence of pain seemed unfair.

— Yes, pain, like ‘death,’ is always unreasonable, unbearable.

That’s exactly why Archbishop of Gluttony, Lui Arnebe, is misguided.

To desire such a thing ought to be thought of without doubt.

“… Why did you disappear?”

“Huh?”

“Why did you go away? You vanished, and just how much effort did that cost me…?”

The never-ending misunderstanding and the trigger for everything.

The moment ‘Natsuki Subaru’ disappeared, the reason that ‘Natsuki Subaru’ came to be.

What exactly happened to the ‘Natsuki Subaru’ who went along with those memories?

“You disappearing was…”

“…A dumb mistake of mine. I meant to explore Raid’s tactics and entered ‘Taygeta.’ I managed to find the book on Raid, and up until that moment, things were looking good….”

“…At that moment, the book on Raid was empty.”

“Then I bumped into ‘Gluttony.’ You know what happened after that without me having to spell it out.”

Scratching his head, ‘Subaru’ reflected on his own embarrassment.

Encountering Lui Arnebe in the Memory Corridor led to ‘Natsuki Subaru’ losing those memories. Everything about life in this other world got erased, resulting in the birth of ‘Natsuki Subaru’—someone who couldn’t wrap around the feelings of others or understand them at all.

“Stop putting yourself down like that… But I suppose it’s hard for you. Since you are, after all, me.”

“… ‘Natsuki Subaru’ is weak, small, and an utterly pitiful fool.”

“Can’t dispute that.”

“But…”

“—?”

As ‘Subaru’ murmured quietly, about to agree with a bitter smile, I spoke up once more.

“—You are amazing, ‘Natsuki Subaru.'”

— That was the unfiltered truth after having witnessed over twenty occasions of ‘returning by death.’

“——-”

I slowly scrutinized the man who stood before me, narrowing my eyes.

Though it was a face I was tired of seeing, one I found ugly, it was me. It was me, yet at the same time not me—a paradox of being, a contradiction of existence.

The expression on his face held a reaction I hadn’t seen before; it was unexpected yet refreshing.

“… The closest stranger, huh?”

Few humans can genuinely love themselves from deep within their hearts.

Especially someone like me, who’d disliked myself. Perhaps ‘Natsuki Subaru’ shared that same enemy within. —Because I loathed ‘Subaru.’

Nevertheless, when ‘Natsuki Subaru’ regarded ‘Natsuki Subaru’ as the closest person to him, it was oddly flattering, almost strangely attractive.

“Weak, helpless, ineffective, yet still struggling, and yet loving everybody? I respect you for that. So—”

“——-”

“—The reason I read your ‘Book of the Dead’ has resided in that.”

I wasn’t merely flipping through the pages out of despair or pain; I wasn’t browsing through for the chance to lash out at the self that shares my visage.

It wasn’t for some delusion of tracing back to uncover the origins of the superhuman ‘Natsuki Subaru’ to fulfill an obsessive dream.

It was to recognize the fact that ‘Natsuki Subaru’ was merely human and acknowledge him.

“… You’re a little embarrassing, you know.”

‘Subaru,’ who had been frozen by my words, suddenly stirred again.

He squinted his eyes at me, unpleased—no, somewhat ill at ease as he pointed at himself.

“I mean, it’s kind of crazy. Looking back at what I’ve done, how can I say that? If anything, this is like ‘Natsuki Subaru’s Zero to Starting Another World Life.'”

“Yeah, it feels odd to hear the protagonist’s name be my own.”

“Heck, it’s better than the heroine sharing the name with my mom. —Wait, no, not that…”

We exchanged playful jibes, and ‘Subaru’ made eye contact with me.

His posture seemed somewhat set aback as if we just dodged a thrust.

“Earlier, I said so, but are you seriously okay with that? I mean, the possibility that I’m merely a fake version of Lui hasn’t completely vanished, has it?”

“It has. I mean, even in a fight, he didn’t revert.”

“That’s just for those who have Liu’s copy abilities. —Hey!”

Just like ‘Subaru’ mentioned, I couldn’t state it as a hard fact.

Yet at this moment, I had completely expressed and offloaded my doubts regarding ‘Subaru.’

It was likely due to that prior instant of ‘Subaru’s’ response.

Suppose Lui Arnebe was capable of devouring the entirety of another’s life from start to finish; the face, the voice, all of it, I believed she could never mimic.

Because she lacked the capacity to comprehend happiness, goodwill, or joy.

That’s why—

“A person like her who can’t love wouldn’t know the feelings of wanting to ‘return by death’ because she cherishes someone.”

“——-”

The ‘Subaru’ standing before me fell silent. I exhaled a long and painful breath.

I’d said those words, but they rang bland, almost banal, merely pretty words that sounded good on the ears. Nonetheless, I found no other suitable answer.

Thus, the ‘Subaru’ standing before me was indeed ‘Natsuki Subaru.’

“Why are you here? Were you waiting for me?”

I recognized the ‘Subaru’ who stood before me as a being of similar roots to myself.

On top of that, it raised the question of how it resulted in our two Subaru faces just now crossing paths.

With a firm foot, ‘Subaru’ stepped onto the white floor.

“The reason you and I stand here is that it’s the single point of intersection between us.”

“Our single point of intersection…”

“Inside the tower, a ‘Subaru’ with memories intersecting with an ‘inexperienced’ one can only do so within this round’s ‘Book of the Dead.’ From this point onward, or even before here, neither of us could meet.”

“—. I’m changing back to my original question. Why are you here?”

Seeing that ‘Subaru’s’ explanation didn’t make sense, I asked my earlier question once more.

By strict definition, the two of us meeting at that spot seemed implausible. If a ‘Subaru’ with memories coexists with one without, it defies all logic.

— The rules regarding the creation of the ‘Book of the Dead’ remain ambiguous.

If you were to consider, the fact that the book concerning ‘Natsuki Subaru’ had accumulated based on the deaths I personally experienced felt bizarre. In truth, it presupposes that the world had recorded my ‘death’ from the outside.

Was it Odo Laguna who had acted as the observer?

“But if that were true, then it makes no sense for Lui to be so excited about observing ‘returning by death’ in the Memory Corridor. If it could be recognized from outside…”

“She just loiters in the Memory Corridor; she’s not the one in power there. The one in charge there would—well, I suspect they must be even more sinister. Given the circumstances, it’s likely.”

“It’s abundantly clear that it’s a lowlife. The most likely candidate would be—”

We both fell silent for a moment, then together stated:

“—‘The Wise Man’ Flugel.”

That name could undoubtedly be considered the most sinister individual.

Involved in the construction of this Pleiades Watchtower, designing tests that hold Raid; he even burdened Shaula with an endless four-hundred-year trial.

Honestly, I pity Shaula. If possible, I’d love to snatch her from him.

“Then, the reason for my existing memory discrepancy is…”

“—A type of question with no definitive answer. The moment I’m here while you’re here…”

“That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

A hint of confusion flared up, but receiving ‘Subaru’s’ explanation, I lowered my chin.

Indeed, it was a type of question that lacks a clear answer. Even if somehow I reached some reasoning, I ultimately wouldn’t procure any actual response.

If digging into this question meant finding an answer…

“Wouldn’t be an issue, provided you’re really not Lui Arnebe.”

“You kept that up, huh? You’re really convinced, huh?”

“I’m convinced. If I could deliver another punch, I’d believe it even more.”

“Right. So, it’s a steal on my part but that doesn’t sound like a plus.”

In a relaxed tone, we exchanged small jokes, and when his words prompted a shrug from ‘Subaru,’ I was keenly aware of the strategy he employed to shift the focus of our exchange.

But watching me in this completely obvious state, I purposely lobbed the same question at him for a third time.

“Hey, the other me. —What’s your purpose behind being here?”

“——-”

“Not even going to ask if you get it, huh?”

In response to ‘Subaru’ choosing silence, I narrowed my black eyes and murmured in a manner that showed deep suspicion. Even at that moment, he didn’t return some joking repartee.

Instead, underlining ‘Subaru’s’ expression was a glow of something that had always been there.

Surely, it was what one would label guilt—and—

“—So, what do you think will happen when the memories converge?”

That led to ‘Subaru’ in a cheerfully bright tone asking a question.

—

“The patterns of conversations like this, is there an ultimate answer to which is which?”

“I don’t know. It feels like there’s no clear, absolute answer.”

“In real terms, you seem to have a clearer understanding of this place than I do, but do you know any advantageous rules better than I do?”

“You’ve read through my study notes, right? It’s fifty-fifty.”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“What if, inadvertently, we bump into one another and annihilate each other?”

“Don’t say that. Whatever makes you anxious is generally something I share anxiety over too…”

“That’s a given. So, winning on either side means no grudges, right?”

“Oh sure, I’d resent you like mad for real. When I resent you, you’ll resent me, too, so…”

“Well, I suppose so. It makes sense. Ugh, the situation really is tight.”

“What was that?”

“Things are tight…. Wait, was that something weird?”

“I… No, I’m pretty sure it was a mishearing.”

“——-”

“——-”

“Oh, right. Since there’s a chance something might happen, I’ve got a few things I want to mention. Mind if I share?”

“At this point, go ahead and say what you want to say.”

“Generally, when it comes to this world, you have more basic knowledge than I do. That advantage has almost disappeared since you’ve read the Book of the Dead, but has anything altered?”

“Something has altered?”

“Once I’d lost those ‘memories,’ I conversed with everyone and got to know them… a story about starting ‘Natsuki Subaru’ from square one in this other world.”

“——-”

“First, about Meily. She’s dealing with various bombs but she’s a solid person if you talk with her. Right now, I’ve got a growing fondness for Senior Meily.”

“Ah, got it.”

“Also, there’s a huge scorpion wandering around inside the tower, which is actually Shaula. She’s got a pretty dangerous vibe going on… but it’s not something she desires. Give her a helping hand.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, speaking of which, I almost forgot, but when I met Lui, I had my back kicked by Rem. Back then, I didn’t remember her, so it wasn’t until after reading the book that I remembered what kind of girl she is… It was quite impressive. She was indeed my Rem.”

“No, she’s my Rem.”

“No, mine.”

“Mine.”

“——-”

“——-”

“Ram was saying, once the snow melts, the things that have vanished should come back into view to show their faces again… as expected.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“About Julius… Well, there’s really no need to bother talking about it. He’s not lacking in ways that require you or me to say anything.”

“Agreed.”

“Thanks for apologizing to Mom and Dad.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Thanks for saving Otto and Garfiel.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks for helping Petra, Frederica, and everyone from Araham Village.”

“Got it.”

“Thanks for bringing Beatrice out and holding her hand.”

“——-”

“And for Emilia…”

“——-”

“Thank you for loving Emilia. I love her too. I really love her.”

“… Yeah, I know.”

“—Natsuki Subaru. I truly understand you’re someone amazing, and it’ll be alright for you.”

“Yeah.”

“———”

“Uh-huh. …Yeah.”

“———”

“Ah. — We’ll be fine.”

—

“Will be fine, huh?”

“That’s right. We’ll be fine.”

“I know for sure that you’re amazing.”

“… Yeah, but, um, this has to be said.”

“——-”

“—My summer vacation’s come to an end, hasn’t it?”

—

That was the final exchange of cliché handclasping.

“——-”

Inhaling and exhaling.

It’s likely the integration occurred in an irregular manner—No, typically, the integration process wouldn’t be anticipated in a place like this.

The existence of Subaru itself—the event that transpired—everything was irregular.

So—

“——-”

Subaru stood there, tears flowing down his cheeks that fell from his chin, as realization of it finally hit.

I couldn’t help but feel compelled to wipe them away, for I thought those tears surely weren’t my own.

Within Subaru, someone was slowly merging with him, crying those tears.

Taking deep breaths repeatedly, I focused my thoughts back upon myself. Imprinted in my memory was—

“—!”

Suddenly, flashes of Natsuki Subaru’s subconscious experiences of ‘death’ replayed in my mind.

Each and every one experienced in the tower, the deaths endured through seeking to fight back had become memories, bridging the uncertainty that loomed.

These bridges had been made.

“Even you have crossed enough perilous bridges, haven’t you…?”

Amidst the praises cluttered at each glance towards myself came efforts of the battling individual who prayed for strength while struggling to believe in the companions at his side.

And so, I comprehended.

Indeed, as was said by the Subaru back then—no, truly reflecting on you, I admire and respect you through our mutual aspect.

Taking a deep breath to subdue the rapid thumping of my heart, I nodded.

Then, raising my face, I gazed forward.

The scene remained unchanged—an infinite white space.

A blank spot within a Memory Corridor created by yet another irregular event.

Moments ago, in that spot, ‘Subaru’ had clasped hands with me—and there, I spotted a little silhouette crouching down. Narrowing my eyes at the figure, I stepped closer.

Then—

“How was it? Were you able to see what you sought? —Lui Arnebe?”

Having progressed through the Book of the Dead, arriving here and passing, I quietly asked the vanished Natsuki Subaru—no, Lui Arnebe.

“`

 

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