Master of illusions - Natsuki Subaru

Subaru was met with darkness.

Not the kind of darkness that came when one shut their eyes, but a suffocating void that seemed to stretch forever, swallowing him whole. He floated in it, weightless, breathless, unsure if he was even alive. For a moment, terror wrapped its fingers around his mind.

Did I… die? Again?

Then, the world shifted.

Water.

All he could see—was water.

An endless ocean stretched in every direction, perfectly still, its surface smooth as glass. It mirrored the sky so flawlessly he couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. White clouds hung above, unmoving, like a painting brushed onto the heavens.

"Mili?" Subaru tried to call out, but no sound came. His lips didn't move. His throat didn't exist. Panic flared when he realized—his body was gone.

He couldn't feel the wind, or the cold, or even the rise and fall of his own chest. He looked down and saw… nothing. No arms. No legs. He wasn't standing so much as existing, suspended above the ocean's surface. He tried to step, but the act was only in his mind. He didn't sink, didn't ripple the water. He was just—there.

No way… did I really…?

His panic only grew sharper. No. Emilia. I was just with Emilia. His thoughts tumbled over each other, desperate and frantic. If I'm here, then where is she?

"Gotta find a way out of this place," he thought, his own inner voice echoing in the silence. "If I don't… there's no telling what could happen to her."

The sound of his thoughts was the only anchor keeping him sane. But the longer he lingered, the more unbearable the silence became. A person wasn't meant to exist without senses. Without something to hold onto, he could already feel the edges of madness creeping closer.

So he moved—or at least, tried to. He willed himself to walk across the endless sea, one step after another. But after what felt like hours—though it could've been seconds—he realized the horrifying truth.

Every step brought him right back to where he had started.

"Damn it!" Subaru's voice cracked in his mind. "I'm stuck here… while Mili could be in danger!"

Anger welled up, hot and frantic. He slammed an imaginary fist down at the water—and for a split second, he felt it. A faint resistance beneath his will.

His pulse, if he had one, spiked.

"There's… something there!"

He pressed harder. The surface warped like stretched rubber, trembling under the force of his determination. He poured every ounce of desperation into it, every thought of Emilia, every refusal to give up.

"Come on… damn it… COME ON!"

With a final push, the surface ripped.

The ocean shattered, collapsing around him, and suddenly he was falling into another space.

White.

Pure, endless white.

Subaru staggered forward, his form more tangible now, as though the void had given him back a piece of himself. Ahead, sitting alone in the vast blankness, was a small box. Perfectly square, its smooth sides gleamed faintly in the whiteness. One wall bore the tiniest of holes, no larger than the tip of a pencil.

He stared, drawn to it. And then—blue particles, tiny motes of light, drifted from the unseen beyond, gathering around the hole. They pulsed faintly, sliding into the gap to seal it.

The moment they touched, warmth surged through him—so sharp it bordered on pain. He gasped, though no air filled his lungs.

"Is that... mana?" Subaru realized, awe cutting through the panic. "Wait… don't tell me I'm… inside my body?!"

A grin spread across his invisible face despite the ache. "Ow! but that's seriously cool."

He turned, scanning the white expanse, but his gaze snagged upward—and froze.

Floating high above, suspended in the void like a second sun, was a massive orb of pure orange light. It pulsed gently, glowing with a beauty so fierce it nearly brought him to tears.

"I guess that's my soul?"

The word left him as a whisper of thought, reverent and unsure.

He focused, and to his shock, his body—if it could be called that—rose upward. The sensation was intoxicating.

"Heh. Hell yeah! I can fly!"

For a moment, a childlike joy filled him. He soared closer, circling the radiant sphere. But as he drew near, his heart—if he still had one—tightened.

The orb wasn't alone.

Three things clung to it.

The first was a black, writhing mass, its oily tendrils wrapped around the sphere's surface. From it stretched a single, shadowy thread that vanished into the infinite distance. The second was a thick white rope, coiled tightly around the orb, anchored to a strange, multicolored cluster that pulsed faintly in rhythm. The third was different. Two strings, thin yet strong—one red, one orange that faded into purple—twined together as if they'd been braided.

The sight of those strings made his chest ache. He didn't need to guess. "Wherever that goes is probably towards Mili." A small, shaky laugh left him. Relief, bittersweet and fragile.

Then, curiosity pulled him closer. His gaze fell on a faint blemish within the orange orb itself—a tiny black spot drifting near the edge. Before he could stop himself, he reached out.

The instant his intent touched it, agony ripped through him.

The feeling of being inadequate.

The despair was so raw, so crushing, it nearly broke him. He jerked his hand back, and the sensation vanished. His whole being trembled.

"…So this really is my soul." The words were weak, uncertain.

His eyes turned toward the purple thread. Familiar. Comforting. He hesitated, then brushed against it.

A white space bloomed before him, softer, gentler than the one he had just left. At its center glowed a golden orb, warm and steady, like sunlight on a winter morning. Its surface shimmered with purity, though small black specks danced faintly inside. But unlike his own, those blemishes were pressed down, suppressed by a bubble-like barrier.

The warmth spread through him like a hug. He lingered… until his head throbbed, pain lancing behind his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he let go, gasping silently as the white faded.

"Of course hers would be this pure..." he whispered.

His gaze drifted back to the other ties. The white rope. The black mass. The multicolored cluster. All three called to him, promising answers, danger, or worse. He swallowed, forcing resolve into his voice.

"Alright… I choose this one."

He reached for the multicolored mass—

And in that instant, shadowy tendrils burst forth.

They coiled around him, cold and suffocating, dragging him toward the black mass tethered to his soul.

"Agh—w-wait! What's—what's happening?!"

He struggled, clawed, but the harder he fought, the tighter they bound him. The distance between him and that writhing darkness closed rapidly. His chest filled with terror.

When he touched it—everything went black.

This time, however, he could feel.

His eyes blinked open into a world of shadows. His form—no longer white—was cloaked in a veil of shifting darkness.

Then he heard it.

A voice.

"I love you."

Clear. Beautiful. Like silver bells ringing in the void.

Subaru's heart stuttered. He turned, expecting Emilia.

But it wasn't her.

It was a woman draped in a long, flowing black dress that clung to her delicate form. A dark veil shrouded her face, hiding her features from him. Yet something about her made chills cascade down his spine. She moved toward him slowly, every step elegant, deliberate.

"I love you."

Again.

"I love you."

Again.

The words repeated, over and over, like a broken record.

She stopped just before him, keeping her distance. But from her back stretched dozens of shadowy hands, swaying unnaturally, before creeping forward.

Subaru couldn't move. Couldn't resist. It wasn't that he was restrained. It was that… he didn't want to.

The hands wrapped around him, pulling him into a suffocating embrace. One brushed against his cheek, gentle—warm, even. The love in her touch was so heavy, so consuming, it made his chest ache. Against his will, an urge began to bloom inside him.

An urge… to love her back.

"I love you."

He reached for her, desperate, trembling—

But before he could touch her, something yanked him away. An invisible force dragged him back, tearing him from her arms.

She remained where she stood, watching silently through her veil.

Then, at last, her voice shifted. No longer mechanical. No longer rehearsed.

"…Be careful."

Her words rang sincere.

And then—light.

Subaru's eyes blinked open.

At first, everything was hazy. The warmth around him was soft and heavy, pressing down with the comfort of thick blankets. A faint, crackling sound reached his ears, accompanied by the gentle simmer of a pot somewhere close by. The scent of herbs and cooked vegetables hung in the air—pleasant, though tinged with a faint bitterness.

As his vision steadied, he realized he was lying on a bed piled with far too many pillows, wrapped in two layers of blankets—one blue and thin, the other a large pink quilt that smelled faintly of lavender. He was dressed in his old tracksuit for reasons beyond him.

He turned his head slowly, taking in the familiar surroundings. Wooden cabinets built directly into the wall like small doors. A modest shelf lined with a few worn trinkets. The fire in the hearth casting golden light that danced across the walls. It was Emilia's home.

But something caught his attention—something new. A coat stand near the door that hadn't been there before, as if someone had gone out of their way to make the place just a little more homely while he slept.

Subaru pushed the blankets aside, legs sliding over the edge of the bed. His body still felt heavy, like he was dragging around sandbags, but at least he could move. He sat there for a moment, breathing in the warmth of the fire and the quiet that surrounded him.

His memories swirled. The forest. The bandits. His scream. The dragon. Emilia's voice. And then—darkness. The ocean. The orb.

"…So that looping ocean really was my mana pool," he muttered under his breath, piecing it together. The thought left a sour pit in his stomach. "And it was so… small. Seeing it really doesn't help!"

He grimaced, remembering the tiny hole he'd forced open. If it hadn't been patched up…

"Wait—that means I could've broken it completely," he realized, panic spiking. If the pool cracked, Puck said it'd be… He shuddered. "Excruciating. Dying slowly in constant agony."

The thought alone made him pale. He'd died a quick death before, but that… that wasn't something he wanted to add to his already cursed résumé.

His mind drifted back to the soulscape. To the orange orb. The red and purple threads. And—her. The woman in the black dress. Her voice echoing endlessly. I love you. I love you. A chill ran down his spine. He couldn't remember much else—

"…I can't believe someone's literally living inside me," Subaru whispered, clutching his head.

The door creaked open.

He froze, looking up—

And his breath caught.

Emilia stepped inside.

She wore her usual tan sweater with the soft hood draped down her back, her porcelain skin kissed by the faint sunlight spilling through the doorway. Her silver hair was styled into a thick braid that fell over one shoulder, framing her delicate half-elf ears. Her bangs cast a faint shadow across her pale forehead, and her amethyst eyes, though lowered, glimmered faintly in the firelight.

When she looked up and saw him awake, her expression shifted in an instant. The strain melted away, replaced by sheer relief.

"Subaru!"

Before he could react, she rushed forward, the door closing behind her with a soft thud. She nearly tackled him back onto the bed, wrapping her slender arms around him and pressing her face into his chest. The warmth of her body and the faint floral scent of her hair washed over him as her fingers curled against his back.

"I was so worried," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Mili—wait, hey, are you alright?" Subaru stammered, staring down at the crown of her silver braid. His hands hovered uncertainly before resting gently against her back. "What happened after I selfishly took a nap? Are you safe? Did they—"

He tried to ease her away so he could see her face, but she held on tighter, refusing to let go. Finally, she lifted her head, meeting his gaze. Her amethyst eyes were brighter up close, shimmering with unshed tears.

"I should be asking you that!" she burst out, her voice louder than she probably intended.

He blinked, startled. "H-Huh?"

Her brows furrowed, lips trembling as she scolded him with more emotion than he was used to. "Subaru, you… you weren't just asleep for a little while. You were unconscious for four days!"

The words slammed into him like a hammer. His mouth opened, then shut. "F-four… days?" he echoed weakly.

"Yup!" a familiar, mischievous voice piped up.

Subaru turned his head just in time to see Puck floating above, his tiny form hovering over the bed. The spirit's eyes twinkled, a sly smile pulling at his mouth.

"You had us worried for a while there," Puck said, tail swaying lazily. "By the second day, Lia was starting to panic. But I told her you'd pull through."

"Puck!" Emilia's face heated as she shot him a glare. "You said he wasn't awake yet!"

"I never said that," the cat replied smoothly. "Besides, doesn't this make for a much more heartwarming moment?" He winked down at Subaru.

Subaru blinked—then shot upright, clasping his hands together in a mock prayer. "Thank you, Father, for this glorious blessing!"

Puck chuckled, his grin growing smug. "This one's free, son-in-law. But next time it'll cost you an arm and a leg."

If this had been their first meeting, Subaru might've believed the threat. But now, with the way Puck's tone wove between humor and malice, Subaru could tell—mostly a joke. Mostly.

Still, it was great progress.

"W-what are you two even talking about?" Emilia asked, her pout returning as she crossed her arms, still sitting close enough that her shoulder brushed his.

"Just…" Subaru flashed her a grin, though his heart was still racing, "how Puck set the stage perfectly for an angel to visit her bedridden patient, only to find him awake and smiling."

She tilted her head, confusion breaking through her fluster. "I… don't really understand."

"My daughter won't be corrupted so easily by the likes of you," Puck declared dramatically, earning a groan from Subaru.

The boy sighed, letting the banter fade as he finally asked the question weighing on him. "So… why did I pass out for four days?"

At that, Emilia's expression shifted. The playful pout melted away. Her amethyst eyes softened, clouded with concern—and something that looked like guilt. Subaru tensed as she leaned closer, her voice low and steady.

"Do you not… remember what happened?" she asked quietly, almost afraid of his answer.

Subaru hesitated, then shook his head, forcing a grin he didn't feel. "Nah. I don't remember much after seeing those guys. I figured you saved me, so… thanks for that."

Her breath hitched. For a moment, disappointment flickered across her face—not for him, but for herself. Her hands curled in her lap as her gaze dropped.

She hadn't done enough. She knew it. He'd collapsed, nearly lost, because she hadn't acted quickly enough. Because she'd let her fear paralyze her. Because of her… Subaru had suffered for four long days.

"Subaru…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

He blinked at her, confusion dawning as he realized the weight of her expression.

"I didn't get much of it, but you summoned a huge dragon and scared them off!"

Subaru blinked at the words, staring at the speaker like he'd just been told he'd turned into a superhero overnight.

"A… dragon?!" he echoed in disbelief.

Both Puck and Emilia nodded solemnly, confirming what sounded absolutely impossible. Subaru's heart leapt in his chest. A dragon summoner… me? His imagination immediately betrayed him with an image of himself soaring above the clouds on a jet‑black dragon, wind whipping through his hair like he was the star of that old American movie about a boy and his dragon.

But before he could get carried away, Emilia's voice cut through the haze of daydreams, firm and tinged with worry.

"But you shouldn't try that again," she warned, her amethyst eyes narrowing with concern. "You drained all of your mana, Subaru. Puck couldn't read a single emotion from you… you were breathing, but it was almost like you'd died…" Her words trailed off, and he noticed the way her voice faltered, the way her gaze dipped as if recalling a memory she wished she could forget. A dream… or a nightmare?

Puck floated closer, his usual cheerful tone returning. "If you want, I can help you learn to control your mana while you use… whatever that was." His tail flicked with a mischievous little swish. "After all, you've earned another favor for keeping Lia safe—though you made my job a lot harder."

"Really?!" Subaru's eyes practically sparkled. He didn't know what he had done, or even how—but if he could control it without collapsing afterward, then maybe… just maybe… he could be formidable.

"Puck." Emilia's voice sharpened. She was staring at the spirit hard, her brows drawn together.

"Lia, wouldn't it be better not to repeat his little outburst?" Puck said, crossing his tiny arms, though his tone remained playfully teasing.

"But—" she started, only for Subaru to cut her off.

"Mili…" He leaned forward, his voice earnest. "Wouldn't it be better if I learned to control it so I could help more people?"

Her lips parted. "Yes, but—"

"Then there's no harm in using it again, is there?" he said with that familiar grin—the one that made it impossible to know if he was serious or just being reckless again.

Emilia's breath caught. It wasn't necessarily the power itself she was against. It was what it did to him. The way he had looked in that moment… it hadn't felt like the Subaru she knew. Like something else had slipped into his skin and worn his name like a mask. And he had already been hurt—twice—trying to protect her. She still didn't understand why he kept throwing himself into danger for her. It didn't make sense. Why would someone risk so much for her? And yet, here he was, ignoring her pleas again, that stubborn smile plastered on his face.

Finally, she let out a long sigh. "…Fine. But just—just make small bits and bobs instead of a dragon this time. Please?"

Subaru grinned. "Who even says 'bits and bobs' these days? But okay, I will."

"I'll get my revenge one day…" Emilia muttered, her tiny fists curling with determination.

"Lia, I'd sooner see Subaru become a royal knight than you getting one over on him," Puck chimed in smugly.

Her cheeks puffed in a pout, and she turned away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a retort.

"What are we waiting for? Come on!" Subaru laughed, bolting for the door with Puck flying after him.

"Jeez… you're so childish." Emilia shook her head, though a soft smile tugged at her lips before she followed them into the biting cold. She barely felt the chill thanks to her aptitude with fire magic, but Subaru… he was still in nothing but a tracksuit.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked, glancing at him.

Subaru looked down, startled to realize he was wearing that familiar tracksuit—the one that had been his staple outfit back home. The memory struck oddly now, like a relic from another life. Wait… I'm not dressed for this weather at all.

He almost turned back, but then froze. "…I can't… feel the cold." His words came slowly, as the revelation sank in.

"Hold on. Let me inspect you." Puck floated up to eye level, tail twitching.

"Go ahead, Father," Subaru said with mock gravity, stretching his arms out like he expected a full body search.

Puck pressed the tip of his tail gently to Subaru's forehead, closing his eyes as a faint glow shimmered. "Meowmeowmeowmeow… huh. That's odd." His eyes snapped open, studying Subaru intently.

"What?!" Subaru panicked. "Did something happen to my gate? Am I—am I done for as a mage?!"

Puck shook his head. "No… but you've got a tiny bit of Lia's magic inside you."

"Huh?!" Emilia and Subaru said in unison.

"Your body's trying to reject it, but it keeps cycling back through your gate into your own mana pool. This… is a first."

Subaru's mind flashed back—to that moment when he'd been inside his own soul. To the sight of Emilia's light, her essence, and how he'd pulled back before it overwhelmed him.

"Maybe… it was because of that," he muttered under his breath.

"Do you know something, Subaru?" Emilia tilted her head, curious.

"Nah." He forced a smile. "Just thinking… we're connected in more ways than one."

She blinked, clearly puzzled. Subaru considered telling them then and there, but hesitation tugged at him. Should I keep it a secret? No… it's them. If I can't trust them, I can't trust anyone.

"I have something to tell you guys," he said at last, taking a deep breath.

They stayed quiet, waiting expectantly. His hands clenched, then released.

"When I was passed out, I… saw my own soul. And I saw a few things." He described the endless sea of water that was his mana pool, the orange orb pulsing deep within him, and finally… the strange purple string. "I think it connected my soul with Mili's."

"Our… souls are connected?" Emilia whispered, eyes wide.

As if answering her words, a luminous string suddenly shimmered into existence before them, red and purple intertwined, linking their hearts. It swayed gently at first, then began to thrash violently.

"ARGH!" Subaru cried out, collapsing to the snow.

"AAAHH!" Emilia screamed as the same agony tore through her chest.

It felt as if their very existences were being ripped apart. The world narrowed to white-hot pain, their cries echoing through the silent forest. Instinctively, they crawled toward each other, clutching one another with desperate strength. The pain dulled only slightly, tears streaming from their eyes as they held on.

Puck's fur bristled in panic. "Subaru, what are you doing to Lia?!"

But Subaru couldn't answer—his screams were the only response.

Inside him, the great white rope binding his being began to unravel.

Puck's eyes hardened. If this continues… Lia will… With a heavy heart, he made his decision. A massive icicle formed above Subaru, sharp enough to end it instantly.

"Die for Lia, Subaru!"

The icicle plummeted—

—and the world froze.

Shadowy hands erupted, crushing Subaru's body and heart into a cube of flesh. A familiar voice whispered in the dark.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me… it's the only way."

Then, as suddenly as it began, Subaru found himself kneeling, clutching his head, Emilia and Puck staring at him with expectation.

"So, what did you wanna say, Subaru?" Puck asked lightly.

Subaru dropped to his knees, clutching his head as if he could hold the thoughts in by force. His whole body shook, breaths ragged, uneven, tearing at his throat.

I died. I died again. And I took her with me. Just like before. Why? Why does it keep happening?

The memory of Emilia's scream still echoed in his ears, sharper than the bite of the snow beneath his knees. His chest tightened, suffocating him though he knew he was breathing.

Everything was fine… it was going fine until I opened my stupid mouth. Those strings—why did I talk about them? Something doesn't want me to. Something tore me apart for even trying.

His nails dug into his scalp. Black dots swam in his vision.

She killed me. No—she saved me. No—she ended me. Why? Why say "I'm sorry" if it was necessary? What would've happened if she hadn't?

Would Emilia have died? Would the whole world have unraveled? Or was it only me…?

The questions clawed at him, multiplying faster than he could chase them down. Every answer led to two more, each darker than the last, dragging him deeper, further—

How many more times will this happen? How many more second chances before there aren't any left? How many more times will I watch her die because of me?

His chest heaved, panic threatening to swallow him whole.

And then—warmth.

"Subaru, it's okay. You don't have to say anything."

"M-Mili…?" Her warmth steadied him, if only barely. Another chance… but how many more will I get?

"Puck," Emilia said softly, not letting go, "I think we should stop for the day."

"N-no, wait! I swear it isn't related!" Subaru protested weakly.

"You're lying." Puck's tone had lost all its usual playfulness.

Emilia pulled back just enough to meet Subaru's eyes, her voice trembling with hurt. "Why would you lie to me?"

"I—I'm not!" His shoulders slumped, shame creeping in. "…I'm sorry. I just… I don't want to worry you. There's something stopping me from talking about it, or… or bad things will happen."

Emilia turned to Puck, searching his expression.

"He's telling the truth," the spirit admitted.

Her gaze softened. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she whispered, "Please don't tell lies, Subaru. The Subaru I know… is a good boy. I'm always here for you."

He lowered his head, guilt burning his chest. "…I'm sorry."

But she only smiled faintly. "One 'thank you' is better than a thousand 'I'm sorry's.'"

"…Thank you," he murmured, almost too quietly to hear.

"There!" Her smile brightened. 

Subaru's eyes lit with determination. "Let me just try one thing first."

Subaru closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath. He concentrated on the memory of that strange purple string—how it had felt, not in his mind but in his heart. Odd, wasn't it? That the connection hadn't linked to his head where his soul was, but his heart.

The faintest throb pulsed in his skull as he pictured it manifesting again. Slowly, a faint shimmer formed before them—then condensed into a small glowing ball.

Emilia gasped softly. "Subaru… is that—?"

"Yeah." He cracked a grin despite the faint ache behind his eyes. "I think this is my power… kinda cool, huh?"

He reached for the orb, but his fingers passed straight through it. He frowned, then imagined it moving—and it drifted slightly to the left.

Puck's ears flicked. "That's… strange. I can't sense a drop of mana being used. How are you doing that?"

Subaru gave a helpless shrug. "I… don't know." He focused again, this time imagining it growing larger. The orb swelled to the size of a medicine ball—before a sharp lance of pain seared through his head. He winced, quickly shrinking it back down, the pain receding into a dull throb.

"Okay, that's enough for today, mister." Emilia's voice was firm, her eyes narrowing as she studied his pale face. "You don't look so good."

"Just one more!" Subaru insisted. Without waiting for approval, he shut his eyes again.

This time, the light swirled, reshaping into the figure of a tiny humanoid no taller than a figurine. The details were startlingly lifelike—like a doll that breathed. Subaru barely had a moment to admire it before his vision blurred, and the world tilted. When he blinked again, his head was resting on something warm and soft.

Based on the angle, the warmth, and the faint sound of her heartbeat—

"Based on the angle I'm looking at and the position I'm in—"

"You don't have to analyze it, dummy," Emilia interrupted softly, cheeks pink. "You're on my lap." Her tone rose sharply an instant later. "And didn't I tell you not to work too hard?!"

Subaru groaned. "…How long was I out?"

"Only a few minutes," she said quickly, though the worry in her eyes made it feel like it had been longer. "But still!"

He turned his head slightly to glance at Puck, who was floating nearby with his arms crossed, looking none too pleased. Subaru smirked faintly. "Good to know you honored our deal, Puck."

Puck blinked innocently. "Deal? I don't know what he's talking about. Must still be feeling unwell."

"Oh no! Is he sick?" Emilia fretted, her hand instinctively brushing his forehead. "We need medicine from the village—"

"The village, huh?" Subaru thought to himself. An idea sparked. If he could make illusions this real…

He shot upright suddenly, pumping a fist into his palm. "All right! I've decided what I'm going to do the next few days!"

"What's that, Subaru?" Puck asked, tilting his head.

Subaru's grin widened. "I'm going to hone this amazing new power… and do something special."

And that's exactly what he did.

For the next week and a half, Subaru practiced whenever Emilia would allow him. She insisted he finish their chores first—cleaning with the elves, mapping the forest—but afterward, he dedicated every spare moment to testing the limits of his illusions.

He practiced moving objects, then controlling how far away he could summon them. The farther the distance, the more it strained him. By the tenth day, the headaches had become manageable—and his control sharper than ever.

That afternoon, his patience finally paid off.

"I did it!" Subaru yelled triumphantly, startling Emilia so badly she nearly dropped the basket she was carrying.

"What—what did you do?!" she asked, clutching the basket to her chest.

He grinned like a child about to reveal a magic trick. "Better if I show you."

A peculiar tickle brushed the tips of Emilia's ears, making her shiver and press a hand to her stomach, it was a new feeling she wasn't ready for yet. The sensation faded quickly. Confused, she glanced around. Nothing seemed different.

"…Did something happen?"

Just then, Puck floated back into view, humming contentedly from his "milk run." He stopped midair, eyes widening. His cheerful demeanor cracked into barely restrained fury.

"What did you do to her ears?!"

Subaru puffed out his chest proudly. "I cast an illusion on them. Her ears look human now!"

Emilia reached up and touched them—still pointed, still the same. And yet, she realized, Puck wasn't reacting to them the way he usually did.

"But… they're the same," she said softly.

"I don't have a mirror," Subaru admitted with a sheepish grin, "but trust me, they look different. You always said your ears caused trouble in the village, right? Well, now you can walk in without that hood. No whispers. No stares." His grin softened. "You'll be able to be… normal."

Her breath caught. "…Normal?" she whispered, eyes shimmering.

"Between you and me, I prefer the real Mili." Subaru winked. "But if this makes her happy, I'll deal with the 'human girl with the beautiful silver hair and purple eyes.'"

Her throat tightened. She didn't know what to say. Wasn't this a lie? Was it really okay to hide herself just to be accepted? Yet… to not feel the weight of their fear and hatred… to walk openly, without a hood, without shame…

Subaru noticed the shadow in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. "Mili, it's only temporary. People just have the wrong impression of you. Once they get to know the kind, beautiful girl I know… we'll undo it."

Puck, unusually quiet, floated closer. "…Lia, do you want to go to the village and see for yourself?" His voice was hesitant. Normally, he hated the idea of her going there—but maybe Subaru had rubbed off on him more than he'd realized.

Emilia nodded, nerves fluttering in her chest. Puck nestled into her hair as they set off.

At the edge of the village, she hesitated. It felt so… exposing, to leave her cloak behind. But Subaru's steady gaze and warm smile steadied her.

"Wait here," he said gently. "Don't worry—the range has gotten better. I'm barely using anything to maintain it. It won't dispel."

Her chest warmed at how he answered her fears before she could even voice them. She nodded, and he slipped into the village alone.

Minutes later, he reappeared, beaming. "Let's go, Mili!" He held out his hand.

Her heart fluttered. That smile—so open, so fearless—banished her doubts. She took his hand without hesitation, letting him lead her through the village.

The square was bustling, more crowded than the last time they'd come to distribute tatoes. Instinctively, she shrank behind Subaru's back, her fingers tightening around his sleeve. He turned his head, flashing her that warm grin again, before addressing the villagers.

"Hey, everyone! Thanks for coming! I want to introduce you to my best friend. You probably already know her." He stepped aside, revealing her fully.

Her breath caught, waiting for the usual gasps of horror, the accusations, the stones. But instead—

"Emilia, the hooded ice princess!" someone cheered. "Don't get any ideas—she's already taken!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Instead of glares, there were smiles. Instead of weapons, there were outstretched hands and friendly questions. Compliments—honest, untainted—rang in her ears.

Then, at the back, a familiar man stepped forward. He bowed deeply. "I'm sorry," he said solemnly.

"…Huh?" Emilia blinked in shock. Ludwig hadn't talked to her much and yet here he was apologizing to her?

"I saw yer silver hair and thought ya might be the Witch. We never even saw your face. We just… assumed. I'm sorry for doubting you."

"No no It's fine!" she hurriedly let out, frantically waving her hands "I resemble her so it's nothing to apologize over!"

Another voice chimed in. "It doesn't excuse how we treated you."

"We never even got to know you."

"We didn't even know your name."

One by one, the villagers echoed apologies. The square swelled with voices—not curses, but contrition.

Emilia's throat closed. Her chest ached with something overwhelming, unfamiliar. Was this… was this truly what it felt like to be—accepted?

A familiar voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Well, what do you think?"

She turned toward Subaru. She tried saying something, but words failed her. Instead, her body moved on its own. She tackled him, sending them both tumbling into the snow, her arms wrapping around him in a desperate hug.

Tears poured freely, soaking his shirt as she sobbed into his chest. He stiffened for a heartbeat, startled, then slowly relaxed, one hand stroking her silver hair with a gentleness that nearly undid her completely.

"I'm happy you like it," he whispered.

The warmth that always kindled in her chest around Subaru flared hotter, spreading through her as she clung to him. Her tears wouldn't stop, her broken whispers of "thank you" spilling between sobs.

So this is what it feels like… to be normal.