(Rem x Reader) Re:Reader - Starting YOUR New Life in Another World

Chapter 27: Through The Looking-Glass

Subaru laid in the cottage's bed, fresh bandages on his arms, legs, and torso. Each bandage slightly red from the fresh bite marks they covered. His entire body ached in pain now that the adrenaline was well and gone. Unable to comfortably move, Subaru stared at the rafters of the ceiling above him.

His mind raced as to what Rem or YN's whereabouts were. Subaru had pleaded to the village herbalist who had dressed his wounds upon recovery to search for any information regarding his two companions. But nothing was known.

Powerless at the moment, Subaru was forced to lay and wait.

But he needn't wait long.

Subaru heard a loud *THUD* from the front of the cottage, a door slamming open. Not even having a moment longer to speculate on its origin, the door to the room Subaru laid in was also kicked open.

Not wasting anytime in the doorway, was Rem. And draped across her arms, was someone Subaru was very familiar with, although his resemblance was much closer to a miner rescued from a collapsed shaft. With her bangs hiding her expression, and not making eye contact with, nor acknowledging Subaru, Rem walked and placed YN on the bed across the room from him.

Placing him ever so gently, Rem dropped to her knees at YN's bedside.

In a weak voice, Subaru called to Rem.

Subaru: R-Rem? W-wha—, what happened to you two?

Either not hearing him, or choosing not to hear him, Rem carried on.

Hearing her chant an incantation, Subaru saw a brief illumination of blue light emanate from Rem's extended palms near YN's chest, his most seriously injured area.

Rem let out a large sigh, and chanted her incantation once more, repeating her action. This time her light was much more like a flickering light bulb burning out.

Not wasting any time on this attempt, Rem shortened her incantation and tried once more, this time however, no light emerged.

Saying her incantation yet again, Subaru could hear the anger and sadness in her voice, demanding her spell be cast to heal YN.

With nothing continuing to happen, Rem stood up, roaring her incantation with great rage, holding back tears, projecting her trembling arms and hands towards YN.

Still nothing.

Rem was silent as her arms continued to tremble more and more, the only sound that could be heard was YN labored, shallow breathing, a distinct wheeze could be heard on every inhale.

Subaru: R-Rem—?

As Subaru called out once more, he looked just past her to the bed where YN laid, as he saw several tears fall onto the bed.

Rem collapsed again to her knees on the floor, inhaling a breath, Rem began to sob as she buried her face in the bed in front of her.

Weakly, Subaru could hear Rem softly lament between her sobs.

Rem: YN-kun... *Sob* Rem is so sorry. *Sob* Rem is so, so, very sorry.... *Sob* If Rem had been more cautious with her ma—*Sob* —with her mana, Rem could save you like you saved Rem. *Sob*

Not wishing to burden her with his presence and to help Rem feel more comfortable, Subaru mustered all the strength he could afford without grunting or wincing in pain. Turning, facing away from Rem in his bed, he pulled the covers over his head.

Subaru listened for an unknown amount of time, his consciousness on the verge of falling asleep. He finally heard the door to the cottage open once more, followed by the sound of footsteps coming towards and into the room, which still had its own door swung wide open by Rem.