3.2

It was probably less than an hour after Emilia had left for the royal palace.

Subaru was spending his time studying the world's writing system under Rem's tutelage at the inn. He was mechanically copying characters, his thoughts consumed by just one thing.

—Namely, how he could be at Emilia's side as she competed in the royal selection.

Emilia was right to worry about how he would take her entreaties for him to wait. Subaru hadn't considered patiently waiting at the inn for her return in the slightest.

He felt a little guilty about disregarding his promise to her. Even so…

"There's definitely people here in the royal capital who have it out for Emilia…"

The last time she had been to the royal capital was the first day Subaru had met her.

Apparently she had snuck her way in to visit. In spite of this, enemies had targeted the emblem she carried, attempting to rob her of her qualification for the royal selection, and even her very life.

—Thinking back upon their fateful encounter, Subaru could not endure the burning in his chest.

Having been suddenly summoned into another world, he'd lived until that day without a single word from anyone. He still had no idea who had summoned him or why. He didn't have any leads. That was why Subaru was thinking about how to blow the current situation wide open.

If no one was going to grant him a purpose, he'd decide his purpose for himself.

"—I'm gonna…help Emilia."

Subaru had probably been summoned to that world for that very reason. And if not, he'd do it anyway.

That was the thought that animated Subaru Natsuki and gave him strength.

"And that's why…"

"—?"

Rem just happened to catch a glimpse of Subaru's eyes as he hardened his inner resolve. With a slight blush of her cheeks, the maid stood firmly in his way, forming an impassable barrier in front of the door.

He'd tried various methods to get her to leave her post already, but she'd even brought a chamber pot in with her.

"Stare…"

"What is it, Subaru? Those intense eyes are making this a little awkward…"

"Stare…"

"Y-you may not. Even if you look at me like an abandoned puppy, you may not."

"Stare…"

"I-I promised Sister that I would fulfill my duties. So you may not."

The power of Subaru's silent stare was backing Rem into a corner. She seemed increasingly agitated as she endured Subaru's gaze, glancing back at him with reproach.

"Are you…worried about Lady Emilia that much? The royal palace is filled with numerous privileged guests besides Lady Emilia, so I imagine security is very tight."

"It's not how good the security is… I hate being left behind when Emilia has something really important happening."

"Subaru…"

What Rem was saying made complete sense. He was acutely aware of his own deficiencies. The power Subaru possessed was meager and useless, and could only lead to pain and sorrow.

But he didn't care if he was useless.

"If something happens, then I probably won't be any use. And if it isn't likely to happen, it's great if it doesn't. I get that."

"—"

"But if something does happen, maybe it won't get resolved if I'm not there. I don't know when that something might come, so I want to be there with Emilia when it counts."

If some events could not be undone save through Return by Death, a tactic that only Subaru Natsuki could use, then that was a stage he ought to be fighting on.

—Subaru did not realize that his thought process, taking his own "death" into the calculation, was warped to begin with.

"…My goodness, Subaru, you really are incorrigible."

Rem's halting murmur sounded like surrender, making Subaru lift up his face in the hope that his wish had been granted.

"Then you'll…"

"No, you may not. Even so, I cannot permit you to pass, Subaru."

"Wait, what's with the way you were talking just now?! It totally sounded like…"

As Subaru chewed her out, Rem dodged his question and raised a finger.

"However… I will be working on a new abble dish that I suddenly thought of. As this requires great concentration, I will be extremely busy in the kitchen. It is highly probable that someone could slip out of this room without me realizing."

"…"

"But you must not do anything untoward. Please continue your studies until I return. When everything is settled…I will treat you to the finest abble cuisine anyone has ever made."

Subaru was cowed into silence as Rem gave him a motherly smile before standing. Just as she'd announced, she tied on an apron and left the room. Subaru listened to her light footsteps go down the stairs before he slumped back heavily in his chair.

"Ahh, Rem's so adorable… I'm the worst for taking advantage of her."

Closing his eyes, he thanked Rem for her clumsy idea and rose from his chair. Before leaving the room, Subaru reconsidered for a moment, took a pen, and tore out a page from the workbook.