A/N: Well, here it is. This is the apex of the entire fanfic. Its been a very, very long time coming, but we've all finally arrived. There will still be chapters, yes, but this what I would consider the absolute apogee of the story. I really don't know what else to say here, other than I'm surprised I got the story this far, I've never set about writing anything before in my life before starting this story. At the end of the day, I hope I can just say I'm glad so many people have enjoyed this story. It's been a joy to write and I've met some very nice people thanks to it. As it stands, this is one of the largest Re:Zero fanfics out there, which I never believed this would get to be.
The chapter features previously unreleased art by @Relpama-kun on twitter that I commissioned for this fic. AO3 and WP readers will be able to see it, however, FFnet users won't, as per usual.
Anyway, I really hope you all enjoy this chapter. I put a lot of time, thought, and emotion into it. Thank you all for the continued support.
***
Chapter 107 —If Love is The Answer, You're Home
As his soul gently floated in the black and inky void, YN eventually felt his body once more take shape.
Am I really getting back so soon?
Feeling himself lying down, he groggily picked up his head up to the bright surroundings reflecting great amounts of light back at him. Squinting his eyes, he took note of where he was.
YN: Oh, we're back here, huh?
The White Room.
More like the waiting room...
Sat up, YN looked about at the infinite expanse around him.
It's been awhile since I was last here...
YN stood up and continued to look around.
Normally it's around this time in here when I get really tired and fall back over.
Surprisingly free of the sensation, he still felt similarly to how he did when floating through the black void whenever Subaru and him died in quick succession. He wasn't tired, yet he wasn't awake either. It was a lack of the sensation all together.
I can still feel things with my hands, and my sight and hearing are all there. There's nothing to smell here so I can't tell if I still have that...
Comparing the White Room to the void of black, YN came to an impasse.
I guess it's kinda foolish to try and understand being dead, especially since it won't last.
Putting his hands on his hips, YN figured he was just now waiting for Subaru to die.
Sitting back down, he recalled his final memories.
That must have been really difficult for Rem...
With the image of her pained face lingering in his mind as the last thing he had seen, YN wanted nothing more than to see her again.
When I get back... I'm going to tell her.
Tightening his fist, YN was determined to let Rem know how much she meant to him.
It's not fair that she's done so much for me, and I haven't had the right words to tell her.
But after finding those words, he knew it would at the very least be a start to showing her how much he appreciated her, and just how important she was to him.
YN: Rem, I love you so much...
Unsure if he was just practicing, or just being sure if it was the right thing to say, a warmth built in him saying those words aloud.
It feels right at least.
Knowing for sure it was going to be much more intense seeing her reaction to it, another feeling accompanied the warm sensation.
Oh hey—
Feeling his body become weightless, the White Room began to fade in his vision.
I guess this means we're Returning.
As the white turned to black, just as it had for Rem in ending the loop, YN readied himself for the challenges ahead.
This time... I won't choke on the tea!
Preparing, the next Loop began.
***
Still sitting, as he expected, immediately things seemed different.
He felt a tame breeze blow across his face. The temperature was vastly different then how it had been inside the Karsten Manor. Even the light hit his closed eyes differently.
But most different was—
YN: Huh?
In his hand, was a foot.
The Reset point changed!
Suddenly panicking, YN's eyes followed the leg up from the foot he held.
What's going on?! Where am I?! Who's—?
Stopping at her thigh, his racing thoughts came to a standstill as he gazed upon them.
Only one person had skin this smooth and soft. It was skin he at one point had felt as well, he knew exactly who's they were by this alone.
Forcing his eyes to look up further, there she was.
Still exhausted and tired from the battle against the White Whale, and having been awake for so long, she was enjoying having the feeling of her feather light weight lifted off her small feet.
Unbelievably, the Return Point had moved.
This is after stopping the theft with Emilia! This is after I denied her offer! This is after Algol and I forged our contract! This is after the White Whale and everything Subaru had to do!
Suddenly feeling overjoyed, his optimism was quickly traded for concern.
Rem: YN-kun...
Turning his gaze to the one who held his heart as she spoke, her tired eyes were filled with a trifling worry.
Knowing she was aware of the Return by the renewal of the Witch's Scent, YN tried his best to comfort her as best as he could. Going about rubbing her fatigued and sore feet like he had last time, he figured he owed it to her.
YN: I'm back.
Calmly saying this to her, Rem fought the urge to immediately sit up and embrace him.
I can't worry her, not yet at least.
Looking past the carriage they were hidden behind, the circle of warriors Subaru sat in was still there. In the middle of it, it seemed his wayward traveling companion was already hard at work gathering information for this next go around of dealing with the Witch Cult and their planned raid.
I bet he's coping with the Return now too, huh? I'm sure he's got it under control though. He thrives when under pressure like that.
Looking back to Rem who still was worriedly awaiting an explanation, YN had remembered her tear filled face requesting him to ask her something important.
'Say the thing she couldn't say...' What does that mean?
Unable to discern what that could be, he also recalled the condition this request had.
I have to ask her before she learns of how I died... She'll want to know that first and foremost though. So I have to act calm and relaxed so she doesn't immediately demand to know.
But try as he might, Rem could tell by the way his hands were shaking while they remained on her feet, it had been a rather unpleasant death.
But wasn't all death supposed to be unpleasant?
As small tears began to form in her tired eyes, Rem silently pleaded for an answer.
At a complete impasse, YN sighed and decided the blunt and upfront path was the best to take, given how he and Rem normally communicated and trusted each other.
YN: I promise I'll tell you everything you want to know. But I have to fulfill a request first.
Rem: Is there something urgent? May Rem assist her YN-kun in it?
Wanting nothing other than to hear what she felt she needed to know, YN remembered his other promise.
YN: You know I wouldn't hide anything from you, after all, I did promise to you I'd never leave you behind in knowing what had occurred, or what I was going through, right?
Rem: Yes... And since YN-kun isn't immediately speaking about it like he usually does, it is only making Rem's heart ache for how terrible it must have been.
Taking her foot off his lap and moving to sit next to him, Rem hugged his arm for comfort.
YN: Well, this request I have... It's from you actually.
Snapping her attention to make eye contact from her nuzzling, Rem was surprised to hear her former self had relayed a request for him.
A request from [Rem]...
Nodding for him to do what he must, Rem expected him to stand or do something else, but as he cleared his throat, she listened in with great attention.
YN: I was asked, to ask you, to say 'what you thought you couldn't.'
Word for word, YN recited the request of the one who held his heart from a bygone Loop.
Delayed in response though, Rem's eyes opened wide at hearing this. Her heart began to race, a cold sweat broke out over her brow, her hands trembled as if freezing.
All of Rem was shook to the core.
It seems whatever she thinks she can't say is pretty serious...
Worried it was something bad, YN began to wonder if it was related to her self-doubt or self-guilt.
In truth however, he wasn't completely wrong with his theory.
Rem: — — —
Tightly squeezing his arm, Rem hid her face behind her bangs, turning her head down and away.
YN: I was told to ask you that before I told you how I died. —Your direct orders.
Assuming it was simply because of urgency, YN hadn't realized the implications behind it were rooted in Rem's complicated maiden heart.
Slightly lifting her head in reply as he announced the stipulation [Rem] had told him, Rem knew exactly what the purpose was.
It is because [Rem] believes this may be her— Rem's final chance to say those words, isn't it?
There was no other logic Rem could follow as to why this was a condition that had been delivered. Essentially, it was an ultimatum being given by [Rem.]
"Say it now. Or say it never."
Feeling immensely pressured, Rem felt her heart yearn and burn more than it had ever before. Putting a hand to her chest to brace herself, she sat back up so that YN could see her face. With an expression of intrepidation, YN wanted to comfort her.
YN: Rem...
Pulling the oni close, YN hugged her tightly.
Yet as he looked over her shoulder, he saw the circle Subaru was the center of slowly disband. If he wasn't careful with his time, this moment would be shelved.
Rem: YN-kun.
Getting his attention, he moved back enough to see her precious face emerge from being held closely to his chest.
Rem: Rem understands why [Rem] asked this of her YN-kun... And why she requested it be before Rem learns of the nature of his death.
Surprising YN with her intuition on herself of all people, Rem nonetheless requested the opposite of what her predecessor requested.
Rem: Before Rem can say these words... she must know how it was that YN-kun perished...
Looking away, YN was caught in between what the Rem in front of him wanted, and what the [Rem] he was indebted to had requested.
Which... which Rem do I listen to?
Not wishing to upset Rem, and not wishing to betray [Rem,] YN's mind was torn.
Rem: If Rem may—
Quelling the tormenting sea in YN's consciousness, Rem's confident and caring words offered him safe harbor.
Rem: Was this request simply to ask Rem to say 'what she could not' before informing her of your death? Was a condition never levied for if Rem denied, or refused to say? Was YN-kun told what to do then?
Admittedly, Rem had a point. He had no further instructions.
YN: Well...
Before he could answer, the two were interrupted by a guest. One of the merchants.
Merchant: Please pardon the intrusion. But these carriages will be leaving soon to ferry the wounded and exhausted back to the Capitol. If either of you are headed there, please board.
As they both nodded to the merchant, they were left alone again. But as he left, his words had spawned an idea in YN as the two went to sit together once more, Rem curling her own arms around the closest of his.
I could use that as leverage...
Returning her stern gaze to YN, Rem argued her point to YN.
Rem: YN-kun must know that Rem can understand what [Rem]'s intentions were based on the nature of the request alone. Her goal, ultimately, is only for Rem to say the words she thinks she cannot to YN-kun. Whether it happens before or after he shares the details of his previous death is irrelevant. This was simply a condition added to make Rem comply with [Rem]'s request.
Tightening the grip on his arm, Rem finished her rebuttal.
Rem: It is important to Rem, —this Rem, to know the details before she can say those words. Rem will honor [Rem]'s request, but only after she is privy to his death's details.
Closing her eyes, Rem levied her terms. Knowing this was going against what [Rem] had asked however, YN copied Rem's strategy of picking apart the goal, while discarding the means.
Knowing Rem, she is a very understanding person, especially when it comes to me—
Taking a deep breath, YN formed an idea.
Rem knows and gets why I might sometimes do something that might seem like it's a bad thing to do. But it always needs to have a greater reason. Living through so many Loops with me has conditioned her to understand that. She knows it's unavoidable, but knows I always do that in good faith towards her.
Utilizing his former leverage as leverage now, YN voiced his own ultimatum.
YN: I will agree, but you need to agree to something else as well. You aren't going to like it as much as I don't like having to agree to what you're asking.
Swallowing a gulp of anxiety as she heard his words, Rem reluctantly nodded her head at first, but then did so with more confidence.
Rem must trust her YN-kun in times like this.
Managing to get Rem to believe him by not just exploiting her blind trust in him, but building it up even more, he spoke of his condition.
YN: I will tell you the details of my death before you are required to tell me what it is you cannot say, but only on the condition that—
Awaiting what it was, Rem's eyes were wide with determination. A goal was set, and she was set to meet it.
YN: —you need to leave with the wounded, and return to the Capitol.
Seeing the emotion in her eyes change, YN followed his condition up with his reasoning.
YN: Once you hear of the details, you will understand.
Rem turned her head down in silent reply.
It pained her greatly to not be by her beloved's side and be of use to him whenever she could be, —whenever she always had been. If not for [Rem] so many times, they would not be here together discussing this. It especially pained her given she could not be by his side when it seemed such grave danger and tall challenges were facing him.
But—
Rem must trust her YN-kun. She is certain she will see why it is he is requesting this of his Rem.
With a deep breath to cool her own heated emotions, Rem nodded.
Rem: Although it hurts to be away from her YN-kun in his time of need, Rem finds these terms acceptable.
YN: Thank you, Rem.
Smiling warmly at YN, she leaned her head on his shoulder, and placing her hand on YN's knees, palm up, she offered to hold his hand.
Rem: If it becomes difficult to say anything, your Rem will be right here, okay?
Prompting him to begin his explanation, but still keeping her kind and caring aura he adored about her, YN upheld his end of the agreement to Rem, being sure to honor what [Rem] wanted as well.
YN: *Sigh* The Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse. You remember me speaking of him, correct?
Nodding, Rem was familiar with the name.
Rem: He is the one responsible for greatly tormenting YN-kun's mind with [Rem's] death.
YN: Yes...
Rem always put YN's condition above her own. Even now, she viewed his trauma from her death as a greater evil the Archbishop had committed. Holding Rem's hand, he garnered strength from her warm presence amid the memories of carrying her lifeless body.
YN: It turns out that just killing him doesn't kill him. He has these henchmen, —individuals in the Witch Cult that have high spirit arts affinity, and they don't have a contracted spirit. Petelgeuse's soul, —his true nature being a spirit himself, can have their bodies taken over by him in the event the host he's occupying is physically killed.
Opening her eyes wide to that revelation, Rem was amazed at the idea of there being such a concept of near immortality. But she was even more so surprised by another revelation.
Rem: Rem cannot believe a spirit could come to serve the Witch's Cult... That would explain his disregard for his own body...
Rem recalled how YN had spoken of the madman's self-inflicted wounds and odd nature. To Rem, the explanation fit what she understood as an astute abnormality to how a spirit would behave, even with being familiar with Puck's true nature and other examples like Beatrice.
Rem: Was the strategy in dealing with this ability to eliminate his henchman and then ambush the Archbishop?
YN: I think that's what Subaru plans to have everyone do this time around. Last loop is when we found out about it. He has ten bodies he refers to as 'Fingers.' Which makes sense, hence his power is called the 'Unseen Hand...' —And that reminds me by the way, for some reason I can see the shadowy hands like Subaru does now.
As Rem processed that information, she came to the next logical conclusion given she was somewhat privy to this "Unseen Hand" power, as YN had described it to her when he had Returned alongside Subaru in the last Loop.
Rem: The most efficient way of going about this is to defeat the Fingers before dealing with the Archbishop. It is better to fight one Archbishop and ten Fingers than eleven Archbishops back to back.
YN: Well, there might be a bit of a problem with that too...
Scratching the back of his head, YN delivered doubt to the most acceptable and logical course of action.
YN: Ferris confirmed that the Fingers have an enchantment that seems to let Petelgeuse's spirit-self occupy the body as soon as the last one perishes. Even if all ten are defeated, that still doesn't mean he just dies...
Hearing the somber tone that was growing on YN's voice, Rem heard his words become soft and sad in his explanation. Knowing he was nearing the point or cause of his death, Rem instinctively held his hand tighter.
YN: When his body is killed, if someone eligible to be a Spirit Arts user is close enough and does not have a spirit of their own contracted to them, he will forcefully occupy that body.
Rem: —!
Stunned that such a thing could be possible, Rem covered her agape mouth.
Recalling the dark details of his death just after learning that, YN was quiet as Rem remained surprised. Speaking from the moment of silence though, Rem inquired on how he had come to learn this.
Rem: But YN-kun was protected. It was like he said, only potential Spirit Arts users without a contracted spirit would be potential targets. Algol's presence would prevent YN-kun from being subject to that.
Nodding shallowly, YN affirmed that as Rem's words had become slightly worried sounding towards the end.
YN: That's true... but I only know that because I broke my contract.
Flatly saying that, Rem was in even deeper surprise.
Did YN-kun just imply he willingly became host to the Archbishop?
With there having to be more to it than just that, Rem awaited more information in the silence between them.
Obviously having a hard time with the flood of painful memories that in reality, had only happened to him perhaps an hour ago, they hadn't even been given much time to settle in his mind.
That was all very recent to him still, isn't it?
Wanting more information, but not wishing to pressure him, Rem patiently gave him all the time he needed.
YN: We, —You, Me, and Ram were leading some villagers to safety. Nee-sama was up ahead, and her group was attacked... I remember you felt the connection with her sever before we finally reached her...
Squeezing his hand, Rem's mind was pained learning what had occurred. With the mention of the severance in connection, just like YN had described in the first loop in the Capitol, Rem already knew what that meant.
Rem: Nee-sama perished, didn't she?
Somberly saying that, Rem could imagine what came next, however, she was certainly not expecting to hear what would come later.
YN: The very last Finger, the one that Petelgeuse was currently in control of overpowered her. By the time we both found her... we were too late.
Looking to the oni holding his hand, YN and Rem shared a gaze toward each other.
YN: In truth... I don't think I've ever seen you more scary...
Somewhat hurt to hear him say that, Rem could have guessed that would have been the case. Never in any of the Loops had she seen her own sister's death.
Knowing herself, Rem could guess she had lost control.
Rem: With as fatigued as Rem's body and mind is from everything so far, it is not far-fetched to hear that she let her rage take over her mind.
With her weakened state, Rem knew she was more susceptible to her oni heritage.
YN: Even with you giving in to your rage and losing all your mental prowess, we still managed to bring the Archbishop down.
Taking into account everything he had said up to that point, Rem guessed what had occurred next.
Rem: It was then that YN-kun found out about the Archbishop's ability to take over bodies other than his Fingers, Rem suspects?
Silent and unmoving for a moment, YN nodded.
YN: He first entered my mind...
Gently caressing his face, Rem comforted the one who held her heart as he recited the most painful memories now.
YN: He confessed he couldn't occupy me thanks to Algol... But then he set his sights on you.
While not worried about that truthfully, Rem figured it was a futile effort.
Rem: Rem cannot use spirit arts... She does not have the aptitude.
Shaking his head, YN denied her knowledge of herself she believed as fact.
YN: I don't know if it was the desperation of his own life, or something different behind his ability, but according to him, you met the bare minimum to be occupied.
Eyes open wide again, Rem dropped her hand as she was repulsed by the idea of her body becoming a host to the Witch Cult. Somehow growing to be even more disgusted than she already was with them, Rem was unsure if she could hear the tale of her body being possessed. But recanting how YN had said he had broken his contract, Rem's mind diverted all attention back to that.
YN-kun didn't do what Rem thinks he did, did he? She can't so easily form contracts with spirits, so Rem is certain she would be immune to being occupied...
Listening to him continue, Rem's heart pounded with extreme worry.
YN: It felt like time froze completely for a brief second. Petelgeuse had just jumped out of my body and was headed for you... I couldn't stand the idea of seeing you not be yourself, so—
Rem: —YN-kun broke the contract he had with Algol to make himself the target.
Shaking his head, Rem hadn't quite garnered what YN had done.
YN: I didn't just break it. I asked Algol to form one with you for protection.
Rem let out a small gasp as she felt her entire body shiver at the idea.
YN-kun went as far as to—!?
YN: I know for certain Rem, you can form contracts with spirits, but to what end or how strong it is, I can't say. My existing one seems pretty sturdy, but compared to Emilia and Puck for example, I have no clue. I can't really describe how it feels.
Wrapping her arms around him, Rem hugged her beloved tightly, needing him to be her rock at this time.
From as much as Emilia-sama has said how important contracts are to a spirit arts user and their spirit, YN-kun sacrificed that for his Rem...
Her heart felt as if it were on fire. Never before had she felt so inadequately important.
Maybe... if YN-kun really does view Rem as his foremost person in his heart, perhaps it is not so foolish of an idea to believe he may one day love her...
Going on to explain more, YN steeled himself for the most difficult bits.
YN: When Petelgeuse tried to occupy you, Algol repulsed him, and the shock seemed to knock your horn hard enough for you to end your rampage.
Rem: But that means...
Nodding to her correct assumption, he went into detail.
YN: That's when Petelgeuse went back to me, and I began a losing fight for who owned my body.
Rem held a closed fist to her chest, imagining how difficult that must have been.
YN: There came times I became so close to watching those shadowy hands manifest from my own body, hellbent on trying to strangle you... There were instances where his words came out of my own mouth, screaming and ranting over the Witch or Love or whatever mad thing he went on about. That was when...
Weakly looking at Rem, he grabbed both of her hands and held hers within his. Seemingly at the most difficult part, Rem knelt her head towards his chin, hoping to inspire courage in him to say it. Although it pained her to hear it, Rem needed to know. If she wasn't privy to these things, it felt like she was being left behind in the wake of the progress of each of Return.
Rem must always strive to stand next to her YN-kun. If she falters even once, it may create a future where she is forced to stand behind him.
Determined to hear it, Rem awaited the painful truth.
YN: That was when... Rem—
His voice choking up, he uttered the words.
YN: —I had to ask you to kill me.
It was at that moment, Rem felt her heart break into a thousand tiny pieces.
Rem: — — —
With the gravity of emotion behind his words, Rem didn't need another word to know that was how he died.
Once again—
—Rem is responsible for YN-kun's death.
Feeling utterly defeated, Rem could now fully understand why it was [Rem] had instructed YN to ask her to say the words she could not before learning of his death.
Profoundly in her lowest ever state, Rem's grip on YN lessened.
How could YN-kun ever hope to love someone who has killed him so many times?
Mentally tapped, Rem could only hope it had been an impersonal death. That would be her only salvation in this.
Rem: How was it that Rem delivered that fate unto YN-kun?
Still, she needed to know.
YN looked away, he himself felt guilty for even telling her this.
Rem: Please, tell Rem.
Giving in, he couldn't deny her.
YN: Your morningstar and magic weren't an option anymore... so the most effective pain-free way was to...
Unable to even say it, YN simply put the hands he held up of hers up to his neck.
As a flashback of seeing her above him, tears falling down her beautiful face entered his mind and layered over what he currently saw, Rem gasped before yanking her hands away, not out of disgust, but rather fear of herself.
Rem... Rem did that?!
Her hands shook as they were looked down upon by both her and YN.
Just as YN had memories flood in, so did Rem.
The images of her own memory surfaced. Of how she had placed her hand over his throat upon his first arrival at the Mansion, fresh from the Capitol and unconscious in the guest quarters.
And in turn after that, the images of YN's memories from her observations of fargone Loops; when she had actually gone ahead with strangling the life from him for no other reason than her initial dislike of him.
In both of these instances, never did Rem imagine this person would become the one she cherished above all else. Somehow the entity she had detested for no other reason than her own biases now left her worried he'd hate her.
As the two both seemed to be moved to tears, they caught each other's eye. Their first instinct each of them had, was to comfort.
As Rem worried with her complex maiden heart, YN also fretted greatly in his own mind.
Rem still continues to do so much for me. Here she is, absolutely heartbroken because of what I had to make her do. I have to let her know how much it is she means to me! —How much I appreciate everything she's done for me!
With a fire beginning to grow in YN despite the emotional pain he still felt, Rem finally rationalized his reasoning for his request in this Loop, and the last one.
In the end, Rem cannot allow YN-kun to be put into a situation where these roles are reversed. She cannot allow herself to let her mind become compromised and have him witness that. And she cannot condone the evil that it is to kill the one they feel the most for. She refuses to ever allow that situation to even become a possibility for YN-kun.
Each building themselves up as they sat together, the two returned to an embrace. Holding each other tightly, YN had met his condition, and to honor [Rem]'s request, it was now Rem's turn to say what it was she could say.
Coming apart, Rem looked at YN in an uneasy way, a way she had never once looked at him before. He couldn't describe it, but he at least knew it wasn't a bad way.
Rem: Rem supposes it is her turn to say it finally, isn't it?
With a great amount of emotion in her voice, stemming from her current sorrow, her worries, and now the nervousness she felt now, YN still couldn't gauge the nature of what it was she had to say. But what he did know was—
YN: Rem. Before you say what you have to say... I have something I thought I couldn't say either!
Halting Rem, YN forced himself to interrupt her.
YN: I have to say it now. It may be better if I say it before you say what you need to say! In fact... I... I have to say it before you do anything else for me!
Rem: YN-kun...
Separating from their embrace, YN bowed his head to the blue haired maid as he continued.
YN: I can't stand not being able to rightfully thank you for everything you've done for me! In this life and others! Everything you've done has been instrumental to us even being able to be here together! That's why...—!
Digging deep within himself YN pulled out the word he knew he must say. He couldn't wait a moment longer.
YN: That's why—!
Hushing him with a single finger to his lips, Rem paused him.
YN: —!
Cut off, she gently shook her head and softly smiled at his efforts.
Rem: While she is certain what YN-kun is about to say will greatly warm her heart, if Rem does not say what it is she must right now, she's afraid she'll never be able to.
Deeply reflecting inside herself, Rem finally cast away all her self-doubt and self-guilt for one final gamble.
Rem must be strong for herself. It's truly now or never. There is no more pushing it away.
As the two stared deeply into each other's eyes, their surroundings quickly began to change.
The carriages they were behind had begun to move. Their time was rapidly drawing to an end.
Acting quickly though, YN stood, and taking the maid by the waist, he lifted her effortlessly onto one of the passing carriages as he kept up with its slow, but ever increasing pace.
As YN walked next to it, Rem stood on its side, using one hand to hang on, as the other was extended out to YN.
Taking it, he followed along as the carriage picked up more speed, determined to extend their time together as long as possible.
Rem was yet to say what she needed to though, the words were right on her lips. Such a great emotion was building up in her, so much so she had begun to have tears form in her eyes. As some were picked up by the ever-growing wind, they flew and brilliantly caught the morning sun still rising behind her, twinkling like diamonds as they scattered.
With little time remaining, Rem summoned all of her strength and courage as YN hung onto her hand.
She was going to say what at one point, she was certain she would never be able to. Awaiting those words with baited breath, YN nodded to her, giving her the last drop of needed encouragement.
Picking up greater speed alongside the carriage, YN was nearly running now as Rem finally spoke.
Rem: More than anything else in the world—
As the carriage's pace now exceeded his own running speed, their fingertips began to slide apart, and as they finally did, Rem finished saying what it was she had bottled in for so long.
Rem: —Rem loves her YN-kun!
With the early sun behind her greatly illuminating her figure, the pink and white clouds on the horizon formed what were akin to a halo and wings. Fitting for the angelic words she had finished with.
As their fingers parted, Rem could see the emotion in YN's eyes. Such a profound feeling halted his legs, and nearly made him trip and fall. He found his mouth was dry and he was unable to say anything in return, let alone what he had been wanting to say, which would have been the same thing Rem had just spoken.
As the words echoed in his mind and the following carriage's passed by him with great speed and gusts, the sensation he felt he truly lacked in his old world finally was completed.
The two words which he seemed to only recently match together now truly were meshed in meaning. "Rem." And "Love."
Rem, the person who occupied the most important spot in his heart, had said she loved him.
YN, the person who occupied the most important spot in her heart, telling so from just his reaction alone, hadn't rejected the feeling, but had accepted her love.
With the two silently staring at each other as the distance grew, they each knew what had just occurred.
Their future of being more-than-more, had started now.
What was "more" was their first step.
And "more..." was love.
And in love, the two were now beginning the next journey of their lives not from that first step, but like they had decided when they first confessed to each other—
—from Zero.