Re:Zero - Reincarnated on a Co-op Route

"Hey, Ram, Rem mentioned something about her horn...do you know what she meant?" asked Subaru as he tried to keep up with the young oni.

Ram, who was running ahead of him with impeccable posture, didn't turn around as she answered. "We are oni, but unlike Rem, I don't have a horn. That's why I'm not as strong as she is. But in return, I know how to use wind magic."

Subaru nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what that meant. "I see... So Rem has a horn, and that makes her more powerful?"

Ram didn't answer right away, but her tone became more serious. "Yes, but using the horn comes at a price, Barusu. It's not something she should do lightly."

Subaru wanted to ask more, but the sound of grunting and the echo of paws hitting the ground interrupted his thoughts. They both stopped in their tracks, tensing their bodies.

"Wait a moment, Barusu. I'll use my clairvoyance," Ram said, closing her eyes as her hands crossed in front of her chest.

Subaru watched as Ram concentrated deeply. The blessing of clairvoyance synchronized her vision with the birds and small animals in the area. Through them, she was able to observe the forest surroundings as if she were navigating a living map. It was then that her expression hardened.

"Look out!" shouted Ram.

A Wolgarm emerged from the bushes and leapt straight at Subaru, its fangs gleaming in the dim moonlight.

"Aaaah!" shouted Subaru, instinctively backing away. He didn't have time to unsheathe his sword; his body froze at the sight of the beast about to rip his face off.

SHWWOOOSH!

A slash of wind tore through the air, impacting the Wolgarm and splitting it in two with surgical precision. The creature fell to the ground, its two halves covering Subaru with splatters of blood.

"More are coming!" warned Ram, her tone cold but alert.

From high in the trees, two Wolgarms launched themselves in a synchronized attack. Ram reacted quickly, raising her hand and unleashing another slashing wind attack.

SWISH!

SLASH!

Both Wolgarms were split in two before they hit the ground. Blood and organs rained down on the ground, scattering around them.

Subaru was still standing, paralyzed with fear and shock. His legs were shaking, and his breathing was ragged. "I'm not made for this... " he thought, feeling small and vulnerable.

Ram, who had already started to move forward, turned his head with an impatient look. "What are you doing, Barusu? Are you just going to stand there, or are you planning to move?"

"Hey, don't leave me behind!" Shouted Subaru, running to catch up with her.

Ram gave him a sidelong glance, her tone laden with sarcasm. "I don't understand why you're getting so scared. You seemed pretty determined to come here."

"Hey, it's not that easy! You have skills; I don't!" replied Subaru in frustration.

Ram sighed, as if he were dealing with a child. "Then make up for your lack of skill with determination and stop being a pussy."

Subaru gritted his teeth, feeling Ram's words sink deep into him. He took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "I guess I'll do that. I don't want to make a fool of myself anymore...or be a liability."

Ram didn't respond. She simply continued moving forward, crossing a small river that cut through the forest. Subaru followed, more focused, though the drops of blood in the water reminded him of the constant danger.

---

Soon after, they came to an area that appeared to have been razed to the ground. Subaru stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening as he looked at the shattered terrain. There were fallen trees, exposed roots, and huge sections of displaced earth as if an avalanche had swept through the area.

"What the hell happened here?" exclaimed Subaru, approaching the edge of the cliff. He looked down and felt a knot in his stomach. The scene was grotesque: dozens of dead Wolgarms, their bodies mangled in gruesome ways. Some were impaled on sharp rocks, others crushed by the impact, and several were little more than ground meat strewn across the ground.

"I don't think they're dumb enough to fall on their own," Ram commented, one eyebrow raised as she surveyed the area.

"Kaoru said he'd take care of splitting up the Wolgarms so we could bring Meili back to the village," Subaru replied, his voice laden with concern.

"Do you think Kaoru did this?" asked Ram, taking a closer look at the mess.

"It's possible." Subaru swallowed saliva, trying to calm himself. "Kaoru is pretty smart. That's been clear to me all along." Then, something caught his attention. His eyes widened. "Ram, look at this!" he exclaimed, pointing to a fallen tree.

On one of the broken branches, pieces of Kaoru's servant suit hung, specifically from the top. Subaru reached over and ran his fingers through the torn fabric. 

"He was here. Not more than twenty minutes ago."

"So, considering the situation, it looks like Kaoru managed to set a trap for the Wolgarms," Subaru analyzed, his mind working quickly. "It's possible that the cliff was unstable and he took advantage of that."

Ram nodded, but her expression remained serious. "However, that doesn't explain all the destruction. Something else happened here."

"He must have been attacked after taking care of the Wolgarms" Subaru said, looking back toward the cliff. "And the attacker... caused all this."

Ram crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Do you think he's dead?"

Subaru felt a shiver as he heard the question. He knew that, unlike him, Kaoru didn't have the luxury of a new start if he died.

"I don't know... But we have to keep looking for him to be sure."

Before he could say anything else, a rumbling rumbled from the forest below the cliff. The sound was deep and resonant, as if something big was moving.

"It must be him," Subaru said, with a glint of hope in his eyes.

Ram looked in the direction of the noise and started walking. "Come on, Barusu."

Subaru nodded, gritting his teeth as he adjusted his inherited sword on his hip. "Kaoru, please hold on. "

The two of them walked back into the forest, not knowing what they would find, but determined to save their companion.

---

'Ptuh!' Kaoru spat a thick clot of blood onto the ground, trying to catch his breath as he staggered backward. His body was shaking uncontrollably, on the verge of collapse.

His left arm hung limp, completely broken. With his right, he viciously clutched a bloody dagger, as if it was the only thing keeping him alive. His legs wobbled under his weight, threatening to fail him at any moment. Blood dripped from a deep wound on his head, running down his face and staining his eyes red, mingling with the nervous twitching that shook his right eyelid due to extreme stress. His body was covered in cuts and open wounds that continued to bleed, weakening him more with every second.

"I spent too much mana healing myself while running away," he thought, panting heavily. "I don't have more than enough left for one spell. And that's if I don't miss. Damn, I was lucky I didn't die when that damned boss Wolgarm threw me around like I was a rag doll with that earth magic. "

The Wolgarm boss, an imposing creature covered in an oppressive yellow aura, stared at him. Its eyes glittered hungrily, and its snout wore a malicious grin. It was much larger than the other Wolgarms, with a horn protruding from its snout that seemed capable of piercing through anything. Without warning, it raised one of its massive paws and hurled it towards Kaoru with the intention of crushing him.

The paw struck the ground with devastating force, shattering rocks and sinking the earth into a deep crater. Kaoru, in a state of pure adrenaline and desperation, managed to dive to the side just in time, rolling on the ground. The roar echoed in his ears, but he didn't have time to stop. He got up awkwardly and began to run, his breathing heavy and his legs barely responding.

The lead Wolgarm gave him no respite. With a deafening roar, it lunged after him, smashing through the trees Kaoru was trying to use as cover. The trunks fell like branches, reduced to splinters by the creature's claws.

Suddenly, a smaller Wolgarm appeared from Kaoru's right side, snarling angrily as it charged at him. The beast leapt with its jaws open, reaching for his throat. Kaoru reacted at the last second, throwing himself to the ground and rolling to the side. The Wolgarm landed where he had been a second before.

Kaoru, propelling himself with his legs, immediately got up and, with a cry of exertion, thrust his dagger into the creature's throat.

SHUNK!

The blade pierced flesh and muscle, but the Wolgarm, in a last act of fury, closed its jaws over Kaoru's exposed shoulder. The pain was excruciating as the fangs buried themselves deep into his flesh.

Kaoru let out a bitter laugh, his lips bleeding as he smiled crookedly.

"Mangy bitch... that's all you got?" He snarled, and with a desperate move, he swung the dagger, slicing the Wolgarm's throat open even further.

SPLURT!

Blood shot out in all directions, and the creature finally slackened its jaws before collapsing, unmoving.

Kaoru barely had time to take a breath before The Wolgarm boss roared again. Its massive figure moved like an avalanche, its footsteps rumbling on the ground. With a brutal lunge, he used his horn to obliterate everything in his path, taking with him several trees that were pinned to his forehead like trophies.

"You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me, don't you?" said Kaoru, interrupted as the creature slammed headlong into another group of trees, reducing them to rubble.

Kaoru, still driven by pure survival instinct, managed to leap to the side to avoid the onslaught, rolling to then propel himself and stab the Wolgarm in the side and quickly swinging the dagger to open the wound further. However, The Wolgarm boss was not finished. Using his earth magic, he summoned a spell. "Dona".

Suddenly, a wall of earth emerged under Kaoru's feet, hitting him hard and throwing him into the air. The impact sent him flying like a rag, crashing violently into the trunk of a thick tree.

 The sound of the impact echoed as Kaoru fell to the ground, his body sliding to the base of the tree.

The pain was excruciating. He felt like his chest had collapsed; his breathing was shallow, and every attempt to move his body was torment. With a trembling hand, he began to use what little mana he had left to heal his chest, barely managing to stabilize himself. Blood covered his face, and his vision was blurred, tinged with red.

"I guess this is the end, huh?" he thought as he watched the huge silhouette of the lead Wolgarm slowly approach. His footsteps were heavy, and each one made the ground vibrate. The air felt colder, and Kaoru knew he didn't have much time left. He had been running non-stop, but death was finally catching up with him.

"Don't... Don't think I'm going to die in such a pathetic way..." he muttered, his voice shaky and barely audible. Blood dripped from his lips with every word, staining his neck and chest. "Come to me, you fucking bastard..."

Kaoru clenched the dagger tightly in his hand, though he could barely keep it raised. His eyes tried to focus on the approaching figure, but all he could see was a blurry, red mass.

"If I'm going to die, at least I'll take a piece of you with me."

The Wolgarm boss roared, a sound that echoed throughout the forest as it advanced towards its prey. Kaoru, barely conscious, let out a growl of defiance, knowing there was no escape.

"Fura!" 

A slash of wind shot out of her hand, impacting hard into The Wolgarm's boss side. The creature's flesh split open, leaving a deep wound. The monster roared in pain, turning its head furiously to search for the cause. Its demonic eyes, filled with hatred, rested on Ram.

"The cavalry has arrived!" exclaimed Subaru as he unsheathed his sword in a clumsy motion, trying to regain his confidence. An insecure smile crept across his face as he fixed his eyes on the massive Wolgarm.

Kaoru, lying on the ground and barely conscious, let out a bitter laugh before spitting out blood.

"I didn't think you'd come back..."

"I don't hate you enough to let you die," Ram replied, her sarcastic tone softened by a slight relief that Kaoru was still alive.

Kaoru cracked a crooked smile, even in his critical state. "This is how love begins~" he murmured, humming faintly.

"If you have energy to talk nonsense, then you have enough to run away or fight," Ram retorted, though deep down she was relieved that Kaoru still had some life in him.

"My thorax has been shit, and I've lost enough blood to stain this whole forest. Have some consideration, will you...?" Replied Kaoru, his voice cracked and almost inaudible.

The Wolgarm boss roared loudly, an explosion of sound that shook the air and kicked up dust around him. Waves of wind rippled through the area as dozens of Wolgarms began to emerge from the shadows, their snarls forming a terrifying chorus.

"Ram, take Kaoru!" shouted Subaru, not taking his eyes off the main monster.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Ram, turning her head towards him with slight hesitation.

"Just do it!" replied Subaru firmly, his voice charged with unusual determination.

Ram nodded without further question and bent down to carry the badly injured Kaoru on his back. "You look like you want to show off. Just don't die, Subaru," Kaoru muttered, his sarcastic tone fading as he lost consciousness from blood loss.

"I'm just returning the favor for helping us separate the Wolgarms," Subaru replied with a smile that seemed a mixture of nervousness and confidence. But Kaoru could no longer hear him. Ram began to run, hurrying away with him to take him back to the village to save his life.

"Just you and me now, damn puppy," Subaru muttered, tightening his grip on the sword as he glared at the huge Wolgarm boss. "Let's settle our unfinished business right here and now."

The boss Wolgarm roared again, this time with a graver, more brutal tone. His eyes flashed with fierce hatred as he raised his massive claw, preparing to split Subaru into pieces.

"Shamak!" shouted Subaru at the top of his lungs.

A thick cloud of black smoke shot out from his body, enveloping everything around him. The darkness blinded the Wolgarm and made it recoil slightly, confused. Seizing the opportunity, Subaru gritted his teeth and ran forward with all the speed his body could muster. He used his right leg to propel himself, leaping high as he threw his arm back.

SHUNK!

The longsword plunged deep into the Wolgarm's throat. The creature roared in pain, jerking violently as Subaru withdrew the sword swiftly, using his foot resting on the beast's neck to propel himself backwards and gain distance.

"Let's go again!" muttered Subaru, running again with all his might. This time, he leapt towards the side of the creature's neck and plunged the sword deep into its flesh. Without wasting any time, he dropped the sword and rolled backwards to avoid a counterattack.

The Wolgarm, blinded by rage, shook its body with such force that it dispelled the cloud of Shamak, exposing its huge, bloodied figure. Its giant paw lunged towards Subaru, trapping him against the ground with a blow that knocked him off his feet. 

"Damn it...!" gasped Subaru, feeling the crushing pressure on his chest. The creature lowered its massive maw, closing in to devour him in one final bite.

In a desperate move, Subaru managed to reach for the sword that was still stuck in the Wolgarm's neck. With a cry of sheer determination, he wrenched it away and raised it just as the beast's jaws were about to close on him.

"Die at once!" shouted Subaru, and with all his might, he drove the sword deep inside the creature's snout.

SHLUNK!

The boss Wolgarm roared in rage, recoiling sharply as it released Subaru. Blood splattered the ground as the monster staggered.

Subaru, panting and his body aching, slowly rose to his feet. His hand trembled as he raised the sword in a defiant gesture.

"What's wrong? Come on, Bossgarm, is that all you've got?"

The Wolgarm, now more enraged than ever, stopped playing. With brutal speed, it raised its claw and hurled it towards Subaru, who closed his eyes, knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge it in time.

"Ulgoa!"

A shout echoed through the air, and suddenly, a huge fireball impacted against the boss Wolgarm. The surrounding area was filled with flames, and the beast's roar turned into a howl of pain as its body began to burn.

Dozens of additional fireballs descended from the sky, incinerating not only the Wolgarm boss but also the others who had gathered in the area. Nearby trees began to burn, filling the forest with the sound of crackling fire and shrieking creatures.

Subaru fell to his knees, his face covered in sweat and soot as he watched the scene in disbelief. "What the hell...?" he muttered, barely processing what had just happened.

"My, you look like you saw a ghost," said a familiar voice. Subaru looked up and saw Roswaal slowly descending from the sky, adjusting his hat gracefully.

"Roswaal... What the hell was that!!! You almost killed me!" exclaimed Subaru, still panting.

Roswaal smiled, his tone playful as always. "Ohhh, Subaru-kun, looks like I got here just in time to save you~. Though I must say, you were putting on quite an entertaining show."

Subaru couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh as he fell backwards, completely exhausted.

"You're too late, Ros," Subaru said, barely conscious, his body on the verge of collapse. His breathing was heavy, and his tone was barely a whisper.

Roswaal, with his usual theatrical smile, stopped in front of him, watching him curiously. "Hmm, though I must say I'm surprised you knew where I was," Subaru continued with a faint smile.

"That's because Miss Emilia almost assaulted me in town," Roswaal replied, tilting his head as he held up a finger to emphasize his point.

Subaru raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Emilia... assaulted you?" he asked, with a mixture of disbelief and weariness.

Roswaal, true to his exaggerated style, began to imitate Emilia's voice, gesturing dramatically, "Even if he's reckless, if he's trapped, he'll use magic. Please don't let him out of your sight!' And stuff like that," he explained, letting out a small laugh as he finished his performance.

"Ah, I see..." muttered Subaru, letting out a weak laugh. "Ha... ha... ha... ha..." His laughter quickly faded, and his body began to give in to exhaustion.

Roswaal watched him closely, noticing how Subaru's eyes were slowly closing. "Oh, it looks like you overexerted yourself, my dear Subaru. I guess I'll have to take you back to the mansion to rest," Roswaal said, taking the young man in his arms with surprising ease. "We wouldn't want the hero to fall apart completely, would we?"

---

[In Arlam Village]

Rem was lying on a stretcher, still weak from blood loss, but her expression showed more concern than weariness. Emilia, kneeling beside her, was pulling a blanket over her body.

"Rem, you must rest. I've healed your wounds, but you lost a lot of blood," Emilia said gently, trying to coax her.

"I can't... I need to know if they're okay," Rem replied, her tone filled with genuine concern. Despite her condition, she tried to get up, but Emilia stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulder.

"They'll be fine," Emilia assured her, looking at her calmly. "Roswaal went to help. I trust them."

Rem pursed her lips but didn't have the strength to argue. He leaned back again, though his eyes were still filled with unease.

Near them, Beatrice was sitting in a chair, seemingly calm as she watched the sleeping children on their stretchers. However, her mind was in complete chaos. That kiss... that damn kiss, she thought, feeling the memory burning her from the inside. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the scene replayed over and over again: Kaoru's lips brushing against hers.

"That bastard... that cheeky one! Lolicon!" She screamed mentally, her face turning redder and redder until she couldn't stand it. She covered her face with both hands, trying to hide the blush that seemed impossible to control.

From the gurney, Rem watched Beatrice curiously.

"Hey, Emilia...is something wrong with Beatrice? She's very red and looks embarrassed," she said, noticing the little librarian's strange behavior.

Emilia cocked her head to one side, thoughtfully.

"Hmm... she was like that while we were healing the children," she commented, not realizing what was really going on.

"I think Petra mentioned something while Beatrice was removing the curse from her, and she's been like that ever since," Emilia added innocently.

[Flashback - Beatrice and Petra]

Beatrice was concentrating, using her magic to remove the curses that affected the children. Luckily, most had only one or two curses, so the process didn't take too long.

When Petra's turn came, the girl was semi-conscious. She was mumbling things between her teeth, her words barely audible. Beatrice continued with her work until she heard something that made her stop completely.

"Kaoru..." murmured Petra with a small smile on her face and flushed cheeks. Her voice was weak, but it was full of affection.

Beatrice blinked, surprised. "¿W-what did you say?" she asked, though her tone was more of a whisper.

"Kaoru..." the girl repeated, still smiling as she remained in her semi-conscious state. Her voice was soft, almost dreamy, as if she was remembering something beautiful.

"¿What is that supposed to mean? Kashira?" thought Beatrice, feeling her heart begin to beat faster. Her face flushed red as she tried to concentrate on the curse. ¡¿What did that idiot do now? ¡¿What the hell did he say to this girl?!

As she tried to calm down, Petra's words cut through her concentration even more.

"He said... he would save... me... and Meili..." Muttered Petra, her voice barely a whisper, before she fell silent again.

Beatrice felt her mind spinning. "¿Save her? ¿Save her? Tch, that perv... he thinks he can go around saying sweet things and making girls fall in love with him just like that?! Kashira?!" she mumbled through her teeth, her indignation growing.

Despite her frustration, Beatrice finished removing Petra's curse carefully. The girl calmed down, breathing softly in her sleep. Beatrice sighed, but the blush on her face did not disappear.

"That cheeky... pervert... lolicon!" she thought as she snorted in indignation. Despite her complaints, she couldn't stop her heart from beating a little faster every time she thought of Kaoru.

---

[End of Flashback]

Beatrice snapped back to reality, though her face was still burning. She tried to keep her composure, but her mind was still caught up in the memory of the kiss and Petra's words.

"Beatrice, are you sure you're all right?" asked Emilia, looking at her with concern. "You seem to have a fever..."

"It's nothing! I'm perfectly fine, not at all, nothing to see, no fever or anything like that, not at all, understand?" replied Beatrice quickly, waving her hands in front of her face to divert attention.

Emilia and Rem exchanged glances, confused, but decided not to insist.

From her chair, Beatrice crossed her arms and averted her gaze, muttering to herself. "Kaoru, you damned idiot...always causing trouble, baka!"

[The return to the village]

Ram was running at full speed through the forest, her steps steady but tense as she carried Kaoru in critical condition. The weight of his limp body wasn't the problem; what really weighed was the severity of his injuries. Kaoru was mumbling nonsense, his voice barely audible due to dizziness and extreme stress. His words were a jumble of incoherent sentences, as if his mind was caught between consciousness and delirium.

"Stop talking nonsense, Kaoru," Ram muttered between his teeth, though his tone was laden with concern. "If you're going to die, at least do it quietly so you don't distract me."

After a time that seemed like forever, Ram finally crossed the fence marking the entrance to the village. Her eyes quickly searched for Emilia and Beatrice, who were close to Rem and the children. Seeing them, Ram ran towards them without hesitation, her face showing a mixture of urgency and exhaustion.

"He needs help!" exclaimed Ram in an unusually exalted tone as he approached the group. "This idiot lost a lot of blood. He has a broken arm, his chest bones are fractured, there are bite marks on his shoulder and torso, and there are cuts all over his body, including his head and limbs."

Emilia put her hands to her mouth, horrified to see the state Kaoru was in. Her eyes instantly filled with tears, unable to process how someone had endured so much damage and was still alive. Beatrice, for her part, was petrified, a mixture of shock and concern crossing her face. It was unusual to see her so bewildered, but the image of Kaoru, so battered and vulnerable, left her speechless.

Ram, wasting no time, placed Kaoru carefully on a makeshift stretcher. His upper body was bare, revealing a slender, chiseled physique, with a marked abdomen and narrow waist. However, his wounds dominated the scene: deep cuts, dark bruises, and bite marks that were still bleeding. His skin was pale, and his breathing was ragged. He could barely keep his eyes open, and his unfocused gaze seemed lost somewhere.

"Oh God, Kaoru!" exclaimed Emilia, dropping to her knees beside the stretcher. Without hesitation, she began to channel her healing magic, concentrating on the most serious wounds. Her hands trembled slightly, but her determination was unwavering.

Beatrice remained motionless, hands covering her mouth as she watched Kaoru's mangled body. It wasn't until the sound of his gasping breathing and moans of pain brought her out of her trance that she reacted.

"Tch! I can't stand here like a statue at all, kashira," Beatrice muttered, kneeling down next to Emilia. She held out her hands and began to use her own healing magic to help. Her brow was furrowed, and though she tried to maintain her composure, anyone could notice the concern in her eyes.

The process was slow. Kaoru's bones began to knit together under the effect of the magic, damaged tissue slowly regenerated, and open wounds slowly closed. However, the damage was so extensive that even with the help of both of them, it was difficult to move forward.

Kaoru, still semi-conscious, let out a low moan of pain, his face twisting as his body tried to process the healing. "Nngh..." was all he could manage to utter, his voice barely a whisper.

"Kaoru, hang in there! Please don't die..."

Emilia murmured, her voice trembling as she continued to channel her magic. Her eyes were watery, and tears were beginning to slide down her cheeks. The thought of losing him was too painful to bear.

"This fool won't die at all, kashira," Beatrice asserted, though her voice held a hint of harshness that clearly masked her concern. "He's like a bad weed. No matter how hard you step on it, it never quite dies."

Another groan escaped Kaoru's lips, though this time he sounded a little less desperate. Beatrice gave Emilia a sidelong glance and added in a softer tone, "We'll have it good, Emilia. No need to cry like a lost child, not at all."

Emilia, though still worried, nodded weakly, trying to calm herself. "Thank you, Beatrice. But... seeing him like this... it's too much..."

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Kaoru's wounds began to close completely. Although his body was still weak, the healing magic had stabilized his condition. His breathing became more regular, and the tremors in his body gradually subsided. Kaoru let out one last heavy sigh before falling into a deep sleep.

"He's asleep," Beatrice reported, withdrawing her hands and letting out a sigh of relief. "The healing magic will soothe him. But he'll need time to recover fully, kashira."

Emilia dropped back, sitting back on her heels as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Beatrice... I really... I don't know what we would do without you."

Beatrice looked at Emilia, and her stern expression softened slightly. "It wasn't just my magic, little Emilia. You helped too, not at all. Don't be so hard on yourself."

They both looked at Kaoru, now resting in a much calmer state. His chest was slowly rising and falling, and though he was still covered in marks and scars, he no longer appeared to be on the verge of death.

"It's amazing he endured so much," Emilia murmured, her voice still trembling. "Kaoru always... always acts like nothing matters, but... he risked his life to help the kids."

Beatrice crossed her arms, looking at the young man resting in front of them. "He's a jerk, not at all. But even jerks have some courage, Kashira."

Emilia let out a soft laugh, though her eyes still showed concern. "I just hope that, when he wakes up, he'll make some snide remark. That will mean he's fine."

Beatrice smiled thinly. "If he doesn't, then yes, we will have to worry, Kashira."

They both remained silent for a moment, watching Kaoru as he rested. Though they had managed to stabilize him, they knew there were still challenges ahead. However, at that moment, the only thing that mattered was that he was alive.

[30 minutes later]

Kaoru mumbled something, barely audible. His voice was a faint whisper, as if speaking from a distant dream.

"Ramm..." he let out, almost slurring the words.

Emilia, who was still there alone guarding him while the others prepared to return to the mansion, raised her head, intrigued. "Ram?" she repeated to herself, blinking curiously. She moved a little closer, leaning toward him. Kaoru was still unconscious, but his face showed a slight expression of confusion, as if he was trapped in some kind of hallucination.

"Raam..." he murmured again, his voice cracking and his breathing heavy.

Emilia frowned softly, worried. "Is he dreaming about Ram? Why Ram?" she thought, though it didn't take long for her to think that Ram must have been the last person Kaoru saw before he lost consciousness.

"Kaoru..." Emilia said softly, trying to calm him down. She sat down on her legs and gently placed Kaoru's head on her lap. Her fingers began to stroke his tousled hair, trying to convey some reassurance to him. "It's okay now... Don't worry," she murmured in a soft, comforting voice.

Kaoru, however, was still stuck in his confused state. His open eyes were unfocused, moving erratically as the hallucination continued. "Why are you talking so sweetly, Ram? Are you an imposter?" he suddenly muttered, his voice laden with suspicion.

Emilia blinked, surprised, but when she understood what he was saying, she couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "I'm not Ram, silly," she replied with a tender smile. "You're still dizzy." Her fingers continued to stroke his forehead, seeking to soothe him.

Kaoru murmured something else, his breathing heavy, before saying something that brought Emilia to a complete stop.

"Come closer..." he whispered in a low, almost pleading tone.

"Come closer?" repeated Emilia, puzzled. Her gaze softened as she tilted her face towards him curiously, trying to understand what was going on. "It's okay..." she murmured to herself. Carefully, she brought her face closer to Kaoru's, leaning in for a closer look. His eyes were still unfocused, but something in his expression seemed to ask for calm and closeness.

That's when it happened. Before Emilia could react, Kaoru lifted his head slightly and, in an unexpected movement, caught her lips with his.

"¡Eh?!"

Emilia was completely paralyzed, her eyes widening. She didn't understand what was happening. Kaoru's lips were firm, and before she could stop him, she felt his tongue invade her mouth, exploring it with an intensity that left her completely stunned.

The kiss was deep, slow, and lascivious, and Emilia didn't know how to respond. Her body was trembling, and her mind went into an absolute short circuit. Kaoru was still kissing her, completely oblivious to the real situation, lost in his hallucination. To him, it was still Ram beside him.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kaoru finally broke away, leaving several strands of saliva connecting their tongues and lips. Emilia gasped, unable to process what had just happened. Her face was completely red, brighter than a ripe tomato, as a long, trembling moan escaped her lips. "Aah..." was all she could say as her hands instinctively went up to cover her face.

Kaoru, for his part, lay back down on his lap, completely oblivious to what he had just done. His breathing calmed, and within seconds, he was sound asleep again.

"¿What... what just happened!?" thought Emilia, her mind flooded with questions that kept spinning in circles. Did he just kiss me? Does that mean I'm... pregnant?" She swallowed hard, completely terrified by the idea. ¿¡What am I going to do!? have his child? ¿get married?, ¿¡How do I explain this to the others?!"

Emilia's hands were trembling as she tried to process everything. Her innocent mind was completely overwhelmed, unable to distinguish between what Puck had told her about kissing and reality.

"This is a disaster! A complete disaster!"

Just then, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Emilia, are you okay?" It was Ram, who had returned after helping with preparations for the return to the mansion. Her gaze was fixed on Emilia, who was still red in the face, her hands over her face and her body completely rigid.

"Y-Yes! Everything's fine!" replied Emilia quickly, almost shouting, as she tried to compose herself. Her voice was too high-pitched to sound convincing.

Ram raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "Why are you so red? Are you feeling sick?"

"I'm not red! It's just... it's hot! Yes, that's it! It's really hot in here, don't you think?" Emilia waved her hands, trying to deflect attention, though her nervousness was all too obvious.

Ram sighed, crossing her arms as she looked at Kaoru, who was still asleep. "I guess it doesn't matter. This fool is still a problem even when he's unconscious," she murmured, though there was a hint of concern in her voice. Her gaze softened for a moment before returning her focus to Emilia. "If anything else happens, let me know. I don't want you to pass out too."

"Yes, yes, of course!" replied Emilia, still too nervous to look at Ram directly.

As Ram walked away, Emilia let out a long sigh, trying to calm her racing heart. She looked down at Kaoru, who was still resting in her lap, completely oblivious to all the chaos he had caused.

"What am I going to do with you...?" Emilia thought, though she couldn't stop a small smile from forming on her lips.