Re:Zero - Reincarnated on a Co-op Route

Kaoru opened the door slowly and entered the room. The light filtering through the windows dimly illuminated the space, but the atmosphere was heavy. Subaru was lying on the bed, staring blankly, fixed on the ceiling. His expression seemed vacant, as if he was trapped in a whirlwind of thoughts that he couldn't get out of.

"Subaru..." said Kaoru, breaking the silence.

Subaru didn't turn to look at him, but his eyes flickered just barely at the sound of his voice.

"We need to talk... about everything," Kaoru continued as he closed the door behind him and walked over. "What happened, how to fix it... and how to move forward."

Subaru let out a long, almost lifeless sigh. "Leave it."

Kaoru paused, surprised. "W-what?"

Subaru turned his head slightly to look at him.

"Even if we solve this... we'll possibly die more and more. Perhaps in even more horrible and grotesque ways than we've already faced. I don't know if I'm ready for that thorny path I'm about to choose. I feel... undecided."

Kaoru couldn't answer right away. He stared at him, knowing Subaru wasn't exaggerating.

"How ironic, isn't it?" continued Subaru. "I was transported to this world, a place that should be exciting, full of adventure... and all I've managed to do is remain the usual loser. The one who fails, the one who has to do everything perfectly in order to move forward. It's as if someone had chosen for me the hellish difficulty."

Subaru let out a bitter laugh, but the pain in his voice was evident. "I didn't even get a chance to talk to my parents one last time before I showed up in this place..."

Kaoru felt a knot in his stomach. "I understand you. I understand you very well," he thought, but he didn't say it out loud. He didn't try to contradict Subaru or give him empty words of encouragement. He knew Subaru was right. Even if they managed to solve this loop, more deaths, more suffering, still awaited them.

They both shared a similar weight. Kaoru also felt the remorse of not having left things right with his parents before being dragged into this world.

"What will they be thinking now? Will they be looking for me? Will they think I disappeared on my own?"

"I wish I could see them even in a dream... Shit, I barely even remember their faces," Kaoru thought, feeling a strange pain as he realized this.

"I guess you're the one who's closest to understanding how I feel," Subaru said suddenly, snapping Kaoru out of his thoughts. "You and Emilia are the only reason I'm still sane." His laughter was weak.

Kaoru sat down on a chair next to the bed.

"Hey... don't give up. I'm sorry if I'm not the best at giving motivational speeches, but I'll do my best to make sure you don't suffer anymore."

Subaru looked directly at him for the first time since Kaoru entered. A small smile appeared on his face.

"Who told you I was going to give up?" asked Subaru, his tone calmer.

Kaoru looked at him, surprised. "You won't give up?"

"Nope," Subaru replied with a little more energy. He turned to Kaoru and continued, "After all, we made a promise. Even if you don't remember it... I do."

Kaoru frowned. "A promise?"

Subaru nodded. "Yes. 'You are not alone.' That's what you told me."

Kaoru blinked, confused.

"You said we would solve every problem that came our way. Because this is our route... our cooperative route," Subaru explained, with a small smile.

Kaoru was silent for a moment. "Did I say that?" he asked, and couldn't stop the tears from starting to well up in his eyes. He tried to wipe them away with the back of his hand, but he couldn't stop them.

Subaru watched him with a soft expression and continued. "To be honest with you, I cried a lot when you told me. But at that moment, for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel lost. I felt... supported."

Kaoru let out a light chuckle through her tears. "Shit... I was supposed to come to help you, and look at me. I'm the one crying like an idiot."

"Well, even saviors need help sometimes," Subaru said in a joking tone, though his words carried sincere weight.

Kaoru wiped away his tears and took a deep breath. Then Subaru looked him straight in the eye, his expression more serious.

"The real question here is..." Subaru paused. "Will you help me?"

Kaoru stared at him.

"If you do, maybe I'll find the strength to follow this path ahead of me," Subaru added.

Kaoru nodded slowly. "That's a promise, isn't it?"

"Yes," Subaru replied firmly.

Kaoru smiled, his determination renewed. "I promise that I will always help you, even if my actions indicate otherwise at some point. Please don't ever stop trusting me, Subaru."

"I promise," Subaru replied.

They both smiled, sharing a moment of relief in the midst of all the chaos.

---

After a brief silence, Kaoru spoke. "Mr. Roswaal is in the main dining room. Rem said we have to go."

Subaru rose from the bed, his energy renewed. "Let's do it. Let's go introduce ourselves to the clown."

"Let's give him our worst impression," Kaoru added, as he cracked his knuckles with a smile.

They both left the room, ready to face whatever it was.

This was their checkmate on the board.

--[Time Skip]-- 

"Emilia-sama told me that you saved her from a ruthless assassin. Surely, that is a feat that deserves to be rewarded." Roswaal interlaced his fingers, leaning forward slightly with a broad smile. "So, tell me, what is it you wish? You may ask for anything, and yours truly, Roswaal L. Mathers, will fulfill it."

"Then let me work here as a servant! But I want free hours to learn to write and read and a salary!" says Subaru with determination, his voice echoing with conviction in the main hall of the mansion.

"I want to be a servant too, I want everything Subaru asked for, plus I want special training weights, training swords and other equipment for us" adds Kaoru.

"Splendid~ I will fulfill all your requests to the letter." says Roswaal with a smile.

At that moment, a long, lazy yawn was heard from the end of the table. Everyone turned to look at Ram, who was simply watching them with a bored expression while covering her mouth.

"Rem, please take our guests to the closet to change into their uniforms~"