Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back

Chapter 40: Will You Go With Me?

With those words spoken, Natsuki Subaru, without waiting for Beatrice's response, opened his phone and moved it beside Beatrice, taking a selfie with both of them.

Although it was an old flip phone without a front camera, Subaru successfully used his familiarity with the device to take the picture.

Lowering his raised hand, Subaru looked at the photo on the phone.

In it, he stood next to Beatrice with a smile on his face, while Beatrice sat on the chair expressionless, only her eyes looking toward him.

Though not very satisfied, it was good enough.

After all, Subaru knew Beatrice well enough to understand that she wouldn't smile when facing him, even if he didn't know much about her.

"This is my second most precious thing," Subaru said as he placed the phone in front of Beatrice.

Beatrice was stunned when she saw the image on the screen.

Beatrice's life was lonely.

She had locked herself in this library for a very long time for a contract.

The person she waited for in this long loneliness never came, and the books that once supported her no longer revealed new words.

So the time of the girl named Beatrice stopped.

She was trapped here too long by the contract.

The loneliness and solitude had made her wish many times for that person to arrive quickly.

But no matter how long she waited, that person never came, and thoughts of death gradually filled her mind.

But now, seeing the photo on the phone, a thought in her mind grew bigger and bigger. Maybe... maybe the person in front of her was the one she had been waiting for.

He carried a strong scent; he could easily find the location of the library.

When he came into this library, his gaze was always fixed on her, and he showed no interest in the knowledge stored inside.

He would come in at night, see her asleep, and carry her to bed.

Now he was about to leave and had come to say goodbye, even giving her an item.

Beatrice lifted her head and looked at Subaru, then reached out to take the phone, carefully examining the photo on its screen.

"How is it? Amazing, right? It can do more than just this~" Subaru's gentle and happy voice sounded in her ears.

There was no sign of negative emotions about leaving.

"With this, Beatrice, if you ever miss me, you can take it out and look."

"Hmph, why would Betty ever miss you? Don't flatter yourself!" Beatrice said reflexively, unsure why she said that, and now she wasn't even sure whether she should ask him "Who exactly are you?" or not.

Hearing Beatrice's words, Subaru didn't retort as usual but said somewhat embarrassed,

"Well, I just hope Beatrice doesn't forget me."

"That's disgusting, get out of Betty's room!" Beatrice snapped.

"That's so sad... well, I guess this will be the last time we meet. Come on, I'll teach you how to use it."

Beatrice remained silent, quietly listening as Subaru explained the phone's functions and features.

Though she had never used such a thing and couldn't read the text, she was still able to learn how to use it quickly.

However, the item consumed power and currently had no way to recharge.

Upon learning this, Beatrice's eyes grew a bit sad.

"Is there really no way to recharge this phone?"

"There is, but this world probably doesn't have one. So you'll have to conserve power. When you forget about me, just turn on the phone and take a look."

After handing the phone fully to Beatrice, Subaru stepped back, worried about her.

But he couldn't find any sense of security in this mansion.

And there was no reason for him to stay.

Although he worried about Beatrice, he knew he couldn't take her with him.

This place was her home. Despite their good relationship, he couldn't make her leave.

Raising his hand, Subaru waved.

"Well then, Beatrice, I'm leaving. Don't forget me."

Walking a few steps away, Subaru didn't notice Beatrice holding the phone watching his back, hesitating to speak.

She didn't know whether to say something, or what to say.

Seeing him approach the door, she realized that if she said anything now, she might never get the chance again.

"Wait, don't you want to take something from me?"

Hearing this, Subaru stopped, turned to look at Beatrice, and said,

"Take something? Beatrice, are you going to give me a gift?" His voice had a trace of happiness. Beatrice took a deep breath and said,

"The books here contain most of the world's knowledge. Don't you want them?"

"So what? Maybe there's something I want, but I can't read them anyway. I'd rather have you, Beatrice." Subaru joked without knowing how deeply those words cut her.

"Are you that person?"

"?"

"Are you the one who treats Betty as the most important? Who only looks at Betty, cares for Betty, and thinks of Betty as the whole world?"

The emotion in Beatrice's voice made Subaru step back involuntarily.

It was such a heavy loneliness.

He didn't dare to imagine it... It was the first time he saw Beatrice so sad, and the first time he saw tears in her eyes.

She was waiting for an answer.

Understanding this, Subaru stepped in front of her, crouched down, and looked straight into her eyes.

He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face.

"Geez, I've been trying so hard to make you smile, but you ended up crying. That worries me."

Gently brushing away her tears, Subaru spoke before she could continue.

"I don't know what you mean by 'Are you that person?' or what feelings those words — almost like a confession — carried. Just, can you stop crying?"

After saying this, Subaru's hand was suddenly pushed away by Beatrice, who quickly shoved him backward.

Subaru flew back but caught the door frame just in time as it opened.

"If you're not that person! Then don't give Betty false hope! If you're not that person! Then don't be so kind to me!"

Hearing Beatrice's cry, Subaru tightly grasped the door frame and looked at the girl sitting in the chair, holding a book in her arms, and clutching the phone he had given her with her right hand.

'Ah, I really failed... I made her cry again. I thought I said something cool.

If I had known, I would have lied a little... But I can't lie to her.

Geez, I'm about to leave, how can I just walk away like this?'

"Well then, Beatrice! Will you go with me?"