3.3

 Rem returned to the empty room, touching the table as she murmured

offhandedly, "…I am slightly disappointed that he did not say, 'Come with me.'"

 He'd left behind a note on the table with "Sorry, and thanks" written in crude

I-script.

 "Subaru, you truly are incorrigible…"

 As Rem gazed at the note, her expression betrayed the true meaning of her

words.

 Rem picked up the note, pressing it against her chest and closing her eyes as

 she treated it as a precious gift from Subaru.

 "—But I wonder what Master Roswaal is thinking?"

 She inclined her head slightly as she voiced her doubts about the instructions

her master had left that morning.

 "He said, 'Do not stand in Subaru's way no matter what Lady Emilia may say

to you.'"

 It was as if he'd anticipated Subaru's actions and had instructed her

accordingly. She also wondered why he was valuing Subaru's opinion above

Emilia's. But at any rate…

 "—Please come back to me safely, Subaru."

 She did not think he had run off without any plan, but she knew he was a boy

who would do such a thing for the sake of another, putting the safety of others

before his own. All Rem could do was fulfill his request and pray he would be

unharmed.

 For a time, Rem closed her eyes, picturing Subaru in her mind as she offered

up a prayer. She then finished the tidying up of the half-completed study

materials Subaru had abandoned before she retreated to the kitchen.

 And so, Subaru Natsuki was let loose in the capital a second time, perhaps

dancing in the palm of someone's hand—though none could tell.