A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 15

"What are you talking about?"

"Ahem."

I cleared my throat, considering it was my turn to speak.

"Why did you follow me?"

"I had a feeling you might need my help. You see, if I hadn't shown up, you might have done something you'd regret later."

"Not entirely, because I don't plan on staying in this loop for long. I suppose you're right."

I thought a little about my next words to avoid unnecessary details that might cause annoying questions.

"I recently gave Nadir a job. It's something very important, and what happened is... it got lost."

"Too bad... Well, then I'll help you look for it."

"No, no, it's something I have to do alone. No way am I taking her to a brothel. Even if she doesn't understand what goes on there, she'll ask me a million questions about it, and Puck will freeze my balls off if I open my mouth."

"You're very clever, Leandro! I didn't even have to warn you."

A voice spoke in my head, responding to my thoughts. I frowned.

"What do you think you're doing?! Get out of my head, you nosy cat!"

"Okay, you don't have to be so rude. By the way, what is porn-?"

"I said out! And stop looking at my thoughts!"

Emilia grabbed my hand, bringing me back to reality.

"No way. The way you are now, I can't leave you alone."

"He's fine, Lia."

Puck quickly came out to help me persuade her.

"Puck? Why are you taking his side?"

"Trust me, Leandro can do it on his own." The cat turned in my direction. "Right?"

I nodded fervently, giving both thumbs up to reinforce my statement.

However, Emilia's expression darkened.

"...Do you two think I'm dumb?"

"Lia?" Puck was genuinely surprised by the half-elf's response.

"I'm not a child anymore! I'm perfectly capable of understanding and helping."

The fact that she said it while being so cute didn't help anyone take her seriously.

"It's not that, Emi..." I replied in a low voice.

"So what is it? Am I a nuisance to you?" Her eyes were filled with tears. I cursed Puck and I cursed the hour I had the stupid idea of creating a revolver in this world.

"Tell her."

Puck's voice in my mind wasn't as outrageous as the suggestion he made to me.

"That?"

"Tell her she's a nuisance. She'll leave you alone if you do."

"Do you think I'm going to lie to her and hurt her just because you feel like it? Fuck off, I'd rather you freeze me again than break Emilia's heart with bullshit."

"See? That's the difference between us. I'm willing to do anything to protect Lia. That's why I hate all-"

"Manipulating her in every way possible to never expose her to danger and let her grow up with an innocent mindset isn't protecting her. You're just making her fragile and dependent. And what's the point of all that, if at the end of the day you're not there for her when she needs you most? You let her di-"

Time stopped around me. A dark hand appeared out of nowhere and entered my chest, pressing against my heart in a painful manner. I had gotten carried away and ended up receiving a penalty for talking too much, even though it was through telepathy.

The feeling of imminent danger made me panic for a moment, but Satella wouldn't hurt me, I told myself as I tried to talk to Emilia without betraying my inner turmoil.

"You're so much more than a nuisance to me. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how much I care about you."

"You're right... I don't believe you, because you don't prove it to me. If you care so much about me, you won't push me away."

Here we go again. I looked at Puck and shrugged as if to say, 'I did what I could.'

He didn't give up.

"Please, Lia. You have to understand..."

"Puck." She interrupted him, gently holding him in her hands, her expression gentle but unyielding, implying that she wasn't about to back down. "Thank you for caring from the bottom of your heart. I promise I'll be fine: I'm very strong and I won't lose easily to anyone. Besides, you'll be supporting me, right? If so, there's nothing to fear."

"That's not what worries me... Ahh, gosh, I guess there's no help for it."

And with that, it was confirmed that a beautiful half-elf and her magic cat would be accompanying me to a brothel to investigate a murder case. Despite all this, it wasn't the weirdest Thursday of my life.