Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back

Chapter 32: He and She Are Not Alike at All

Not far from the mansion, there was indeed a village.

Although the population was small, many people there were very kind.

Speaking of which, Natsuki Subaru suddenly realized that he seemed to be quite popular among the children.

As for why he was popular, even Subaru himself couldn't clearly explain it.

Putting aside his narcissistic feelings, objectively speaking, his eyes did look somewhat fierce. Normally, fierce eyes should make children a little scared.

But reality was the opposite—these village children not only didn't find him scary but rather gathered around him asking all sorts of questions.

However, Subaru didn't pay much attention to this. He actually liked these kids.

Because he was so popular and got swarmed, Rem, who had given him permission to move freely, told him that while he could act freely, he could only use that time to play with the children.

Therefore, Rem took care of all the food supplies.

After she finished everything, she came to the village center looking for Subaru and saw him doing some strange movements with the children.

Rem didn't call out to Subaru but quietly stood aside, watching him and the children perform those movements.

After a while, with Subaru and the children shouting loudly, they stopped their strange actions.

"All right, that's enough for today. I have things to do, so I won't play with you anymore," Subaru said.

"Eh~~ Don't go! Play a little longer, Subaru~~"

"Yeah, yeah."

Subaru looked at the children who had surrounded him again, looking troubled.

He showed a helpless expression and said,

"But I still have to work, and I'd feel bad keeping people waiting. How about this: I'll find time to come and play with you all in the future."

Seeing the kids cheer happily, Subaru's smile suddenly disappeared, and he put on a serious expression.

"But there's a condition!"

"Condition?"

"What condition?"

"Why is there a condition for playing?"

The children all talked at once, and Subaru put out his hand to calm them before speaking:

"Of course, there has to be a condition. I don't like to play with kids who don't listen. So if you listen carefully to your parents before I come next time, I'll teach you some new fun games."

"Really?"

"Yes, Petra, I won't lie to you. So before I come next time, be good kids, okay?"

After making this agreement with the children, Subaru stood up and walked toward Rem.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay."

"Then leave it to me to carry these things," Subaru said, looking at the large wooden barrel nearby.

He squatted down, picked up the barrel, and was about to head back to the mansion with Rem when a girl named Petra came over and tugged at Subaru's shirt.

"Subaru, we have something we want to show you."

"Can't it wait until next time?"

"Subaru played with us for so long today; we really want to show you this."

Subaru looked at Rem, a bit troubled.

Requests from children that weren't too much were hard for him to refuse.

More importantly, Petra's pitiful expression made it really difficult to say no.

Seeing Subaru and Petra's expressions, Rem was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"There's still some time. Subaru, you can go."

Rem watched the children pull Subaru away. After waiting a few minutes, Subaru returned alone—but it looked like he was bleeding from his hand.

"What happened, Subaru? Were you bitten because you tried to molest a little girl?"

"Not at all! I was just bitten by an unfriendly little dog. I thought children and animals liked me."

"Maybe it's because you're like a child yourself that the kids like you."

"Oh, so I'm popular because I'm a kid too—they think I'm their peer.

Makes perfect sense... nonsense! I'm definitely not a kid! Can't it just be because I'm so handsome that I'm popular?"

"Subaru, Rem thinks you should always carry a mirror so you won't misunderstand your appearance."

"...Rem and Ram really are sisters. But compared to Ram, your tongue isn't quite as sharp."

"Of course, Ram is definitely fiercer than me."

Hearing this, Subaru went to the wooden barrel, lifted it, and walked toward the mansion with Rem.

"But I think Rem is a bit stronger than Ram."

"No, sister is the strongest."

Subaru turned to look at Rem, a bit puzzled.

Her face was serious, clearly meaning what she said.

This made Subaru wonder if, as Rem said, Ram really was that powerful.

But recalling the recent work period, Subaru felt more and more that Rem was indeed stronger compared to Ram.

"Is that so? Maybe Ram is hiding her real abilities? That's possible, after all, Ram does like to slack off."

"As long as sister wants to do something, she can do it best—even slacking off."

"Well, hearing that, should I say Rem, you have too much confidence in Ram? Or should I say, no wonder Ram is the strongest at everything she does?"

"Both."

Subaru thought for a moment and said,

"Then I'll have to ask Ram for more guidance when I go back."

Rem looked at Subaru's thoughtful face and asked,

"Subaru, why do you work so hard?"

"Hm? Why work so hard? Well... if I have to say, it's because I want to catch up to someone."

Hearing this, Rem recalled something Ram said not long ago: "Rem, I feel that Barusu is very similar to you."

She wondered who that person Subaru wanted to catch up with was. Was it someone like Ram...?

"Want to catch up to someone?"

Subaru looked a little embarrassed and turned his head away.

"Actually, I used to be a pretty lazy person. But because I met him, I pulled myself together.

I want to follow in his footsteps.

Besides, I wasted a lot of time before, so I need to work harder and be more serious. Only then can I proudly say, 'I am his close friend.'"

"Doesn't that make you tired?"

"Tired? Why would I feel tired? Even though I want to proudly say I am his close friend, everything I do benefits me.

If I just change my mindset, studying and working won't feel so tiring."

"..."

Rem looked at Subaru's face, which didn't seem fake or forced.

She realized... they really aren't alike at all...