4
They finished their dinner, cleaned themselves using the spring water (mostly just wiping down their bodies), and then split up for the day. It was time for bed.
Now that I think about it, a chaotic all-night meeting to figure out how to clear this tower might have been the right way to approach things, but it’s also hard to imagine coming up with an answer that way right now.
Future me will just have to find a solution to those problems, even if that’s a bit too easygoing.
“It’s not like it’s a problem where a solution is gonna just randomly present itself. We’ll need to take our time with this test.”
It is what it is. Worst case, there is the option of just challenging it again tomorrow without any extra planning. Just trial and error rather than trying to approach it from every angle—what happens in the event of a fatal error is concerning, but at the very least that asshole doesn’t seem to be intent on killing us.
And we might even find a clue while talking to him, like how Emilia managed to get concessions by just asking.
“Even so, we still need to be able to analyze what comes, so that means eating and sleeping enough to be able to function at peak performance.”
Rubbing his cheeks with both hands, Subaru tried to shake off all the various issues that were troubling him.
So we’re done for the night. Everyone is going back to the carriage to sleep in preparation for tomorrow, but…
“Subaru, Betty will be with Emilia and the others in the carriage.”
“Mm? Ah, right. Sorry, Beako. Don’t stay up all night or it will keep you from growing. If you stayed small forever… Well, you’d still be cute. All right, make sure you stay up all night.”
“You needn’t worry. Betty won’t grow any larger than this. She’ll be cute forever, so going to bed early isn’t a problem.”
Beatrice yawned and waved casually as she left. She was holding Emilia’s hand as she walked away.
“Take care of her for me, Emilia. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Mm-hmm, see you tomorrow. You shouldn’t stay up too late, either.”
With that, and without blaming him for staying up late in the first place, Emilia headed down the great stairs to the lower floor. Seeing them off, Subaru stretched a bit and walked through the hall on the fourth floor.
His goal was easy to find. The vine-covered door to the green room.
There…
“Subaru?”
“…Oh, it’s you.”
In front of the room, he ran into Julius, whose eyes widened seeing him.
Julius had just been heading into the green room himself, and his eyes narrowed for a moment seeing Subaru, but he quickly nodded in understanding.
“I see. It appears we both came here with the same intentions.”
“Though for different people… Should I leave it to you for tonight?”
“No, I should yield to you. You were unconscious for two days. You were able to confirm her safety, but I’m sure she was looking forward to the night as well.”
“…Well, if you’re going to say that, I won’t argue.”
Scratching his head awkwardly at that elegant circumlocution, Subaru glanced over at Julius.
It doesn’t look like he’s forcing himself, but I was never the best at reading people’s faces. If he’s hiding it, I wouldn’t be able to tell.
“Are you okay with that? You must want to stay by her side.”
Subaru heaved a sigh and just straight up asked what he was wondering.
Julius smiled faintly.
“Yes, if possible, I would like to be by Lady Anastasia’s side until she wakes up. But when she does awaken, I hardly know what I should say to her first. I am also unsure of that.”
“The first words should just be something like ‘I’m glad you woke up. I was worried about you.’ Right? The real problem is what you say after that. As for those words… Well, that’s up to you.”
“Heh.”
“Why are you laughing? That was a pretty serious answer.”
It had been a carefully considered answer, but it didn’t seem to satisfy Julius. Turning on his heel, Julius faced away from Subaru, who looked hurt by the laugh.
“What an unrestrained idea. I’m jealous.”
“It’s annoying that it sounds like you’re calling me an idiot. Hey, where are you going?”
“I yielded the room to you. I am returning to the carriage to rest. I am a little tired today.”
Julius raised his hand while walking away.
He’s recovered enough to say “a little tired” after what happened with the examination? Or is that just a front, too? I really can’t tell.
I can’t tell, but…
“Julius, it’s better for you to wait for Anastasia to wake up. I’ll wake you up when I’m done. You should wait for her.”
“ ”
“Just so you know, I definitely have a lot more regrets than you do. This is just my advice to you based on them, so take it for what it is.”
That was the last thing Subaru said as Julius’s back disappeared down the hall.
He didn’t respond, but it won’t turn into a problem.
At the very least, Subaru had that much faith in him.
“…Excuse me…”
“Shaking his head, he set aside his concern for Julius and pushed open the door, stepping into the green room. It was lit by a faint light, subsumed by a massive amount of green like always, and there were two girls sleeping on beds of grass inside.
The closest bed was Anastasia’s, and farther in was Rem.
“And the farthest back is you.”
Looking up, Subaru saw Patlash looking entirely natural, as if that state of things was expected. Not only that, but Subaru’s trusty steed had left half the bed open, making space for Subaru to sit on the side next to the bed where Rem was sleeping.
“You are a land dragon who is wasted on a guy like me.”
Laughing a bit, Subaru scratched his cheek and availed himself of Patlash’s consideration, sitting on the bed and smiling softly at Rem, who was resting peacefully on her bed.
“Julius said she was waiting for night to fall…”
He’s wrong, though.
That isn’t it at all. Rem isn’t the one waiting for a time when I can talk to her without any interruptions. It’s me.
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