Chapter Text
Subaru
Subaru woke up in his room. He lay there momentarily staring at his ceiling before sitting up and moving to the edge of his bed. Stepping on his carpet, Subaru remained lost in thought. He struggled to piece together memories of the last few days. Presumably, he came home and went to bed, but exactly what time that had happened was unclear. Not only could he not remember coming home or what time he went to bed, but the strange feeling of immense loss overcame him. He couldn’t quite explain it, but Subaru had the sinking sensation of losing something precious to him. Soon tears started to stream down his face, and he began to cry. Still unsure of why exactly.
After a short time, Subaru dried his tears, but even still, Subaru couldn’t shake the feeling of depression he had developed. He looked around his nightstand,
“What the hell? Where’s my phone?” Subaru looked between his bedsheets, under his pillow, under his bed, and behind his bed frame. His phone’s charger was plugged into a wall outlet, but his phone was nowhere to be found.
Subaru sighs, “Already, the day is shaping to be terrible.”
Subaru quit looking for his phone and walked to his closet. He started rummaging around, looking through every article of clothing. “Strange, where’s my old tracksuit? I could have sworn I had it?”
Subaru then checked the dirty clothes hamper next to his closet, only to find it was empty. “I’ll just ask Mom; she may have washed it.”
Subaru dug around in his closet and removed a newer version of the same tracksuit. “At least I have a backup.” Subaru put on his clothes and left his room.
His mother was standing in the Kitchen humming softly and preparing breakfast. She heard movement behind her and saw her son sitting at the table.
“Good morning Subaru; I hope you slept well. I made a special breakfast just for you.” She said and served him a plate of eggs, peas, sausage, and a side of mayonnaise.
Subaru pushed the peas out his way and began to douse the eggs and sausage in mayo. Naoko frowned, “Subaru, you should really eat the peas; they aren’t terrible if you add mayonnaise.”
Subaru ignored his mom’s suggestion and looked at her, “Mom, what time did I get home last night?”
Naoko thought momentarily, placing a finger under her chin, trying to recall what time Subaru had come home last night.
“You know, I don’t remember seeing you at all? You left last night but didn’t say where you were going, so I thought you were doing boy stuff. But don’t remember you coming home, so I suppose it must have been late.”
“Boy stuff? What kind of stuff could I possibly be doing so late! Also, aren’t you concerned that I was late getting home?” Subaru said in typical fashion.
“Well, you are here now, at least, and that’s all that’s important.” His mother smiled, and Subaru looked at her; for reasons unknown, seeing her caused him feelings of guilt. He felt sorry looking at her, but not only that, he was grateful she was there with him. He didn’t understand why, but he wanted to embrace her and apologize for being such a terrible son. He didn’t, however, still confused why he had these sudden thoughts.
“GOOD MORNING FAMILY!” Came a loud booming voice behind Subaru, who was immediately placed in a headlock.
“Oh, good morning, dear,” Naoko said, smiling at her husband and bringing him a large plate of peas. Kenichi stared at them,
“Uh, Subaru can have mine.”
Subaru, meanwhile, was tapping his father’s arm, trying to speak.
“What’s that, Subaru? I can’t hear ya.” Kenichi said and released his grip.
Subaru began catching his breath, “What the hell! I thought I was going to die! Also, don’t go pawning your peas off on me! I still have my own to contend with.”
Subaru’s father laughed and sat across from him, “I’m honestly surprised; I thought you had got up early to go to school.”
Subaru looked at him, “Huh, school? What day is it again?”
“It’s hump day!” Kenichi replied, earning an eye roll from Subaru.
“Well, I obviously didn’t; why would you think that?” Subaru asked and begrudgingly took a bite of peas.
“Oh, well, your shoes aren’t here, so I assumed you left.”
“My shoes are gone?” Subaru got up and ran to the front door.
Naoko came to stand behind, “Seems he is right; where did you leave your shoes?”
“How should I know? I misplaced my old tracksuit too. I can’t find that either!”
Naoko thought again, “You had it on when you left last night. You didn’t lose your clothes and shoes before coming home, right?”
“Huh, what exactly do you think I do at night? Also, I think I would remember coming home half-naked?”
“Are you hungover?” His dad called from the Kitchen.
“Hungover? No, I’m still only 18! I have another year and a half before I can drink.”
Subaru’s parents exchanged looks,
“Um, Subaru honey, you just turned 17. Are you feeling alright?” His mom asks with concern; she was used to her son’s antics, but losing his clothes, shoes and thinking he was older had her feeling concerned for him.
Subaru looked at his parents; he could have sworn he was 18, but why did he think that? He tried to recall memories of his recent birthday but couldn’t. His expression was severe as he racked his brain, trying to remember the previous events. His parents watched their son as he stared off, seemingly lost in thought.
Subaru’s father approached him, “Are you sure you are ok? You look like you haven’t slept at all. Do you need me to stay home from work today and care for you?” Kenichi suggested, earning a slap to the back of his head from his wife.
“Not so fast, mister! You still have to get to work! Don’t use Subaru as an excuse to be lazy!” His wife reprimanded her husband,
“Fine! Fine! But I am concerned for my boy here, seriously, though. Are you feeling alright, son?”
Subaru scratched his head, “I’m fine; I’m just not feeling well.”
Subaru walked to a small cabinet near the front door, knelt down, and opened it; inside were a pair of his old sneakers. Subaru put the shoes on and stood up.
“I’m going to go get some fresh air. I’ll be back afterwhile.” He called over his shoulder.
“Ok, well, take care of yourself.” His mother said,
Subaru stopped and turned to look at her; both his parents looked at him, smiling; Subaru averted his eyes but looked back at them before leaving.
“I will, and I’ll see you guys soon,” Subaru said with a smile and waved goodbye.
***
Subaru walked along the street. His hands were in the pockets of his track jacket, and he looked at the ground as he went. He remained lost in thought, weaving in and out of people walking down the street. He started to remember leaving home at night, going to the convenience store, purchasing some junk food, and leaving the store. But his memories stop there. Try as he might, he couldn’t recall walking home and going to bed. Not to mention his phone was still missing, and his newer shoes and older tracksuit were gone as well. He continued walking along until he reached the shopping district of his hometown.
“Excuse me, sir? Would you like a flier?” A voice said to him,
“No thanks, I’m just–” Subaru looked surprised when he saw the person talking to him.
“Sir? Are you Ok?” The girl in a maid outfit and blue wig looked at Subaru worriedly, “Should I call an ambulance for you?” She suggested.
Subaru started to breathe faster but managed to catch his breath and keep his anxiety at bay.
“I-I-I’m fine, um, excuse me.” Subaru pushed passed the maid and continued walking down the street. The maid watched him walk away and turned back to handing out fliers.
“What the hell was that? Seeing that girl nearly gave me an anxiety attack? It’s almost as if she reminds me of someone, but who exactly? ” Subaru dug deep into his memories but couldn’t recall meeting someone dressed as a maid with Blue hair, even though the girl’s outfit and hair color seemed familiar. Eventually, he comes to an empty park and sits on a bench.
He cradles his head in his hands. “‘She reminded me of someone, but I can’t remember!” Subaru said to himself, still thinking about the girl dressed as a maid with a blue wig. Tears started to well up at the corners of his eyes, and before he knew it, he was crying.
“What? Why am I crying? I don’t understand! Did something happen? What am I missing exactly!” Subaru shouted at himself.
“Are you Ok?” A bell-like voice said to him; Subaru stopped his tears and inclined his head to look at where the voice had come from. His eyes widened, and his breathing hitched.
Standing before Subaru was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was around his height and had long, flowing silver hair enhanced by the sun. Her skin was without imperfection, and her amethyst eyes looked at him with interest.
Subaru stammered. It was unreal how gorgeous this unknown girl was. He tried to answer her question, but only muffled ineligible sounds came out.
The woman raised an eyebrow, “Um…you know it’s rude to stare at someone like that, especially when they asked you a question.”
Subaru shook his head, “Sorry! I was just captivated by your beauty that I couldn’t speak.” Subaru’s face turned red, “OH MAN that sounded lame!”
The girl began to chuckle at his awkwardness. “So what’s the matter?” she asked him again and smiled in his direction.
Subaru looked at her, “I don’t exactly know.” Subaru looked at her outfit and raised an eyebrow.
“Do we go to the same school?” He asked,
The girl shrugged, “I don’t know, why do you ask?” She moved to sit next to him. Subaru moved over so she could do so.
Having the girl so close to him caused his heart rate to pick up.
“Uh, well, your uniform is like mine. Wait! Why aren’t you at school?” He said and looked at her.
“Well…. I’m new and just started there, but I don’t know anyone, and nobody talks to me. So I decided to skip class today.”
“Nobody talks to you? I don’t believe it! You’re an easy 10!” Subaru attempted to cheer the girl up, who looked glum at the mention of being friendless.
She laughed, “Well then, why aren’t you at school?”
“Well, I don’t exactly go anymore….” Subaru said and looked away in shame.
“Why not?” The girl asked,
“I don’t exactly have any friends either,” Subaru admitted.
“Really? You’re an easy 11!” The girl said in a mocking tone.
“Oh, ha-ha!” Subaru laughs sarcastically, “Besides, the scale only goes to 10…wait? 11? Now I know you’re making fun of me.”
The girl looked at him and blushed, “I’m being honest.”
Subaru looked into her eyes and forgot all his troubles; he blushed as he stared into her eyes.
“Oh, so you are?” Subaru looked away, his face redder than before.
Subaru looked back at the girl; she was smiling at him. Subaru narrowed his eyes,
“Um, excuse me if I offend you, but your ears, the way they are pointed, remind me of an elf’s ears.”
The girl looked away from him and covered her ears; Subaru looked down.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so insensitive. I really wasn’t trying to make fun of you.”
The girl uncovered her ears and looked at him, “I’m not mad, but I am sensitive about them. They have caused a lot of trouble for me in my life. Actually, everything about my appearance has been an issue.”
Subaru looked at her, “I don’t understand why though? Everything about you is beautiful. Even your ears! Elves were always considered to be beautiful! So I say they fit you perfectly!” Subaru said, smiling his biggest smile and directing it at her.
The girl hid her face in her hands, “Geez, you reeeaaally sound like a dunderhead, ya know?”
Subaru snorted, “Dunderhead? Who even says that nowadays?”
The girl crossed her arms and looked away, “Whatever!” She seemed to pout attractively, something Subaru only found more captivating.
Subaru stood and looked at her, “Alright! Seeing how we both are playing hooky today, how about we hang out!” Subaru gave her thumbs up and smiled.
The girl looked up at him and smiled,
“Is it a date?” She asked,
Subaru’s face turned crimson red, “Well, uh, if you want it to be….” He seemed to trail off and rubbed the back of his head.
The girl laughed, stood, and grabbed onto his arm. Feeling the girl so close to him had Subaru breaking out into a sweat,
“Uh, not that I mind, but you are really close.”
The girl chuckled, “Oh, I didn’t mean to make you nervous.” She said and grinned wickedly. Subaru ignored it and smiled at her.
“Oh wait, we haven’t even introduced each other.” Subaru broke away and stuck a pose.
“My name is Natsuki Subaru; nice to meetcha!” Subaru finished the trademark greeting with a smile and another thumbs up.
The girl laughed at his antics and smiled at him,
“My name is Satella, just Satella.”
Subaru winced when he heard the name. He felt dizzy but managed to push the strange sensation away. Satella stared at Subaru while he composed himself.
“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night. Satella, you say? That’s a beautiful name.” Subaru said to the girl, whose face turned flush from hearing the compliment.
Satella looked back at Subaru. She stared longingly at him. A smile of victory crept across her face. She extended her hand, and Subaru took it.
Hand in hand, they left together.
