Chapter 29: Rem Best Girl

Chapter 29: Rem Best Girl

~Mash B. POV~

Standing on the balcony of the Kingdom of Lugnica I asked Rem to be taking a stroll as Emilia and Roswaal returned to the manor. This is the second day after the Royal Selection leaving me with tomorrow till my plans with Crusch.

I considered the idea of dealing with the Witch Cult using the Emilia Camp. But I knew I had to follow the plot for Emilia to gain support from her others to change people's views.

But I was at a loss for what to do. And the sensation of giving up is getting more apparent and appealing.

The stress of handling things is building up. I wonder to myself if I can do it and not make a mistake.

Doubts clouding my confidence and mind. I question to myself can I handle this situation and if so, can I handle the beyond the multiverse?

With those apparent thoughts in my head, I asked Rem for a stroll pondering a question in my head apologizing to her for bringing her here in a defeated tone, "My bad, I was in a hurry. Since there was a lot of stuff that I needed to think about…"

Rem bows her head lightly as I gaze beyond the Kingdom city from my spot she replies in a kind tone, "I understand that you have a lot to think about. I don't hate how you're forceful either."

Sighing I thanked the kind demon girl genuinely bringing her my troubles, "I'm sorry for making you worry. It's just I'm struggling with something…"

Listening to my worries she tilted her head at me confused repeating my words, "Something struggling with you?"

Nodding my head I tried to explain myself in a tired tone leaning on the edges of the balcony and looking at the sky, "I don't know if I caused problems for everyone after my stunt in the Royal Selection. I thought of a solution after I eased the problems, I did but I don't know if it's the right one. But I'm a man who doesn't know when to quit."

Rem smiled at me the last part of my will wavering as she replied with a light blush, "I think that's one of your good traits."

Lowering my head I asked Rem about her thoughts on this idea wanting her input on the idea in a curious tone, "Based on everything I've realized and the choices that I've had in the beginning I wanted to ask you, Rem. Is it okay for me to give up and run away together from my problems…"

Rem blinked at me confused at my question seeing my serious expression she moved her hand up to her chin in shock, "Even if you say that…"

Seeing that Rem was serious I explained what I meant hypothetically a what-if scenario wanting her input, "It's something that has been on my mind for a while now Rem. It's been bothering me for a while now. To simply run away avoiding responsibility and return to searching for my home… or help to assist my friends with the upcoming stress."

Explaining my worries Rem saw my vulnerability having these thoughts in my head. It's been something that has been growing for a while now staying in this world.

Not from the dangers no. From the growing attachment with these people and fear of losing them, I wish I hadn't made lasting bonds with them.

The reason is that it is a cowardly one. I don't want to be hurt again.

I've already been ripped away from my home. I don't want to experience such emotional pain again. I already miss my folks and my lil sis.

Knowing the tragedy ahead for them. Knowing how impossible it would be to save everyone in my current state a part of me wishes I didn't come here now.

That part of me was thankful for their kindness and goodwill. Yet here I am struggling to finish because of the potential fear of failing only to experience that pain of loss again…

But soon my thoughts were interrupted as Rem gave me her answer touching my face in a kind tone, "Mash-kun I can't run away with you. We have to talk about the future while laughing after all."

Feeling my saliva gulp at her words I tried to persuade her out of my fear of being hurt again sweating a bit, "I know we might not be able to laugh right now, but I'm sure that we'd be able to laugh if we go through with it, and, uh…"

I felt my words dried up. I didn't know if my choice was the right one. Not everyone with power is full of courage or confidence they can be fragile like any ordinary people.

Rem cut my thoughts as she replied to her answer at my nervous face full of confidence explaining if we went along with my plan, "I've thought about it too. Once we arrive in Kararagi, we'll stay at an Inn. I'm sure we'll be able to do something if we get a house and a job."

She smiled raising one hand and waving her finger lecturing me about the possibilities of proceeding with my plan in a calm tone lightly blushing, "Fortunately, Roswaal-sama has had me receive an education, so it should be easy for me to find a job or two in Kararagi. You could either do manual labor, become a Knight, or take care of me instead."

Clasping her hands together Rem continued to explain as I pictured her plans in my head she blushed more as she spoke, "Once we have a decent amount of money saved up, we could probably buy a house. We could even try starting a store since Kararagi is known for its trade, I'm sure your extraordinary ideas will prove to be effective there. Also, once things start going to plan it might not be bad to have a child."

Listening to having a child I stopped my daydreaming listening to what Rem wishes if we choose to run away together abandoning our problems with a kind smile, "Since it would be of a mixed race between a human and an Oni. I'm sure that he or she will be mischievous. Even if it's a boy, a girl, twins, or triplets it would still be a cute child. Of course, I know that things won't always be great. And that things won't always go our way. We might only have girls and you might be ashamed of yourself because of that at home. Regardless even if our children grow older and enter their rebellious phase, I'd still support you no matter what! We might even be known as lovebirds of the neighborhood spending time and aging together."

She pauses briefly as she apologizes to me how she wishes to end our life together with a light blush under her bangs clasping her hands together, "I'm sorry about this but I'd prefer to die before you. I'd like to die with you holding my hand while being surrounded by our children… I'll quietly say 'I was very happy' and be sent off by everyone… I would be able to finish my life happily."

In disbelief at how far Rem would go this far if we ran away together, I couldn't help but ask in a stunned tone tears running down my face, "If you… if you can think that far ahead… why…"

Our gazes met as she resolutely responded moving one hand to her chest and explaining to me in a proud tone, "If you desired that future while laughing, I would've gladly died that way to live with you… I'm happy that you wanted to run away and be with me. However, that's not right. If we ran away now, I'd feel like I'm leaving behind the Mash-kun that I love the most."

I was left stunned wiping away the tears as Rem calmly said to me holding my hand as our gazes met filling me with a sense, I wasn't aware of as she spoke, "Mash-kun…. It's easy to give up, however, it doesn't suit you."

Her words left me stunned as she held my hand reaffirming what she knew about me locking her eyes with mine as she spoke in confidence, "I don't know how much you have suffered or what you went through. Nevertheless, there's still something that I understand you're not someone who gives up on stuff partway through. I know that you're someone who laughs when you talk about the future. I know that you're someone that can't give up on the future."

Feeling my words get caught in my throat I try to say to her I'm not that kind of person in a defeated tone, "No I'm not that kind of person, I…"

Holding my hand, she surprised me by giving me a head pat reassuring my worries in a gentle tone making me pause at her words of scenery, "You are that kind of person. You haven't given up on Emilia-sama, Nee-sama, Roswaal-sama, Beatrice-sama, nor the others. You haven't given up on any of them. I know that you're a courageous person who holds this hand. Out to people even if the future is uncertain. I love having my head stroked by you. It feels like we're understanding each other through your hand and my hair. I love your voice my heart feels warmer. Every time I hear you say something… It's because you're my hero."

Listening to her words made me freeze as she hugged me in my vulnerable state as she continued listening to her kind words my body froze. I heard her story about how I saved her giving my life meaning, "You saved me in the dark forest when I lost myself and could only think of raging around. You continued to fight caring for another life than your own. You hold out long enough risking your life trusting me to return by your side risking your arm to see me out of harm's way. You said the words that I wanted to hear at the right time from the mouth that I wanted to hear from. You sweetly melted my frozen heart and gently moved my stopped time. I believe in you. I'll always believe in you. The Mash-kun who saved me is a real hero. I love you."

… She gently moved her face closer to my own and I felt my tears dry up listening to her kind words of encouragement. The sense of unease in my actions and fear suddenly felt nothing.

Nothing. No doubt. No worries… and no fears. I patted Rem's head surprising her as I thanked her genuinely from the bottom of my heart with a kind grin, "Thanks, Rem… you helped your Hero more than you can imagine. I have a clear conscience of what to do now thanks to you. Thanks for giving me hope."

Hope. Hope in an unfavorable world of tragedy in this world. But at the same time, I came to cherish the people who gave me this feeling I lost.

The sensation of a new tomorrow and gratitude Rem made me realize. She believed in me so why can't I do the same?

Regardless now though I'm determined. Determined to see this through with no doubts in my mind and will help my friends out.

Do you know why?

Because never giving up doesn't like me!

I'll face every challenge head never giving up! Like the girl who believed in me I'll believe in myself determined to see this through to the end… thank you, Rem. Thank you for giving me hope.

Rem is the best girl. Someone to rely and trust on. Thank you, Rem, for saving me from my doubts.