Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back

Chapter 41: Original Plan Cancelled

Natsuki Subaru clearly understood that he couldn't treat Beatrice as his number one priority; his gaze couldn't be focused solely on her.

Maybe in the future, maybe someday he would deeply like Beatrice, but Subaru still couldn't keep his eyes only on her forever.

He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his close friend, so it was impossible to fixate on just one person.

Even though he understood that he was himself and his friend was the friend—neither could become the other—Subaru's friend had a huge influence on him.

Therefore, he wanted to try to get closer to his friend's way and believed that helping others was something to be happy about.

Doing so wouldn't be wrong.

And now, in his eyes, there was someone who needed help.

He didn't understand what she had been through in the past, but Subaru could tell that she was lonely, very lonely.

She had been confined to this place.

She didn't look good when she cried; the sadness and pain she showed were heartbreaking. So he couldn't just sit by and do nothing! Therefore, Subaru spoke up.

"So, Beatrice! Are you willing to go with me?"

Subaru's voice made Beatrice freeze for a moment.

She looked up at Subaru at the doorway.

Although the mana release hadn't stopped yet, a faint sparkle appeared in her eyes.

She asked once again,

"Are you that person?"

Beatrice understood that he wasn't that person, because if he was, the book that had accompanied her for so long would have given some kind of sign.

Although that book had also caused her great torment, she still hoped Subaru would say he was that person.

Then she could deceive herself into believing he was the one and escape from the oath that was no different from a curse.

Otherwise, if she were a little serious, Subaru would definitely be blown out of the library.

She was waiting for Subaru's answer, hoping he would say he was that person. Unfortunately... her hope was doomed to be dashed.

"What exactly do you mean by that person? Beatrice, can't you explain properly? You keep saying things I don't understand and suddenly cry with such a sad expression. It's really frustrating!

I also wish I was that mysterious person, but I don't think I am. So Beatrice, even if I'm not that person, will you go with me?"

As he finished speaking, Subaru felt the force that had been pushing him suddenly vanish.

The abrupt loss of force caused him to fall to the ground before he could react.

As he got up and wanted to say something, he heard Beatrice's voice.

"So in the end, Beatrice still has to keep waiting... You should leave."

Hearing this, Subaru immediately looked up at Beatrice.

When he saw the lifeless expression in her eyes, it felt as if an invisible hand had tightly gripped his heart.

This pain wasn't like the suffering during a save/load—this was a kind of indescribable ache.

"Why! Is whether or not I am that person really that important?"

"Ah! It's very important! Because only that person can save Beatrice from this place!"

Beatrice's words made Subaru clench his fist. Suppressing his emotions, he asked,

"Then when will the person who can save you from this place appear?"

"I don't know."

"What... Then how long have you been waiting here for that person?"

"I can't remember the exact time... but it's been over four hundred years..."

"Are you kidding? You mean you're just going to keep waiting? Keep waiting for that person who may or may not ever appear?"

"What else can Beatrice do? This is the contract!"

Subaru could no longer suppress his anger.

"What kind of stupid contract is that! What's the point of obeying such a contract?

A contract that makes you show such longing, such eyes that want something — does it need to be followed?"

"That's enough! What do you know about Beatrice? If you're not that person and can't put Beatrice first, then just get lost and don't say ignorant things here!"

Subaru was stunned.

He stared blankly at Beatrice's expression, took a deep breath, and then stomped heavily on the ground as he stepped closer to her.

"Ah! I'm not the person you're waiting for. I can't put you first now, but that's not why I'm leaving!

I will leave, but only if I take you with me.

No matter how important that contract that made you this way is to you, no matter if I'm not the person you're waiting for—I absolutely, absolutely won't let you stay here any longer and show such a sad expression where no one knows about it.

Since I've seen it, I will absolutely, absolutely take you out of this place!"

Yes, he had to take her away.

He didn't want to see that painful expression.

He didn't want her to keep waiting for that possibly non-existent person.

Even if he had to use force, he would definitely take Beatrice out of this place.

With that thought, Subaru reached out and grabbed Beatrice's hand.

What he saw was the look in her eyes as if she wished for death.

"Then, can you end Beatrice's suffering?"

Before Subaru could open his mouth to reject, Beatrice had already read the answer in his eyes.

This time, her mana burst out without hesitation.

When Subaru came to again, he found himself in the corridor.

Realizing he had been kicked out, Subaru quickly stood up and tried opening one door after another to find the library.

Usually, his intuition worked well, but at this moment it failed him.

He could no longer find the library's location.

Unwilling to give up, Subaru planned to search the entire mansion until he found Beatrice. Until then, he wouldn't give up.

Before he could check many rooms, Ram appeared in his sight.

"Guest, Lord Roswaal is waiting for you."

Looking at Ram's cold, distant expression, Subaru's already unpleasant face twisted into an even uglier smile.

He let out a slight laugh, as if mocking himself.

"Oh, I understand."

The smile vanished from his face, replaced by an expression of utter coldness.

His eyes showed no emotion as he looked at Ram.

Without waiting for Ram to lead him, Subaru walked toward the living room on his own.

As he passed Ram, a faint voice reached Ram's ears.

"I thought we were friends."

Without looking at Ram's reaction, Subaru had already lost trust in most people in this mansion.

Originally planning to leave today, Subaru canceled his plan.

He would wait until he had taken Beatrice away before leaving this place.