It was a low, soft sob.
Tears rolled uncontrollably from Subaru's eyes, streaming down her cheeks.
Someone loved her, even in this strange Another World, even though she was so unworthy, so much of a failure, there was still someone willing to embrace all her weaknesses and shortcomings.
"Ugh..."
She really didn't want to give up.
But deep down, she was still afraid: starting from scratch? Could she really do it?
Since coming to this world, she had failed again and again, watching important people disappear before her eyes again and again.
Did she, like this, truly deserve the future he promised her?
But
This warmth was so real, making her cling to it, unwilling to let go.
This warmth was too beautiful, so beautiful that she was willing to gamble one last time... "Carlisle..."
"Yes."
She mustered all her courage.
"I like you."
Carlisle's gaze softened, his Fingers gently wiping away the tear stains on her face.
"I know."
Subaru suddenly looked up, her golden pupils slightly widened in shock.
"Eh?! Wh-when..."
"The first night we met."
Carlisle replied without hesitation, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Haha... I see..."
Subaru burst into laughter through her tears, but the tears flowed even harder.
It turned out he understood her even more than she had imagined, seeing through all her bravado and vulnerability from the very beginning.
At this moment, Rem gently took a step forward, her clear blue eyes softly watching the two embracing, a faint smile on her lips.
"It seems... Subaru has finally calmed down."
Her voice was as soft as a spring breeze.
"Although Subaru's sudden act of running off made Rem a little angry... but..."
Her fingers gently twisted the edge of her apron, "Rem's greatest wish is to see all the important people happy."
Sunlight filtered through Rem's blue hair, casting fragmented shadows on her face.
She slowly stepped forward and gently hugged her.
"Thank you... for accepting Rem as I am."
Her voice was so soft it was almost a whisper to herself, "So, Rem also hopes Subaru can rely on Rem more... whether it's now, or the difficulties to be faced in the future..."
"Oh, come on... don't be so gentle..."
She still didn't dare to look into Rem's eyes, the guilt in her heart surging like a tide.
If Rem knew she had once... the thought made her tremble all over.
Subaru slowly broke free from Rem's embrace, raising her tear-filled face, Carlisle's smiling face reflected in her golden eyes.
"I... I really don't know how I can repay you..."
Carlisle's warm hand gently stroked the back of Subaru's head, his voice coming from above her: "Repay? What foolishness are you talking about?"
Subaru slowly raised her head, meeting those blue eyes as clear as the sky.
"I never protected you to get anything in return."
His thumb gently wiped away the tears on her face, "I just... simply wanted to do it."
"Even if... even if you lose your life for me?"
Subaru's voice trembled.
Carlisle's gaze was heartbreakingly firm: "If that's the outcome, it wouldn't be bad."
At this moment, Subaru suddenly realized her foolishness.
She had been immersed in the obsession that she was a "sinner," but had overlooked the most important fact: even if Carlisle had truly died for her in those loops, he had never said a harsh word to her.
Would he resent her?
No, the answer was obvious.
Tears burst forth again, and Subaru suddenly threw herself into Carlisle's arms, as if to cry out all her regret and pain.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"
Her cries were heart-wrenching, "I'll believe you! So... so you absolutely must not die... I already... already can't leave you... I... I... I will definitely do it!"
Carlisle held her steadily, letting her tears soak his clothes.
"Yes, leave everything to me."
His voice was gentle and firm, "Whether it's your willfulness, or anything else... just confidently hand it over to me."
Rem quietly watched this scene, her eyes filled with gentle light.
She gently stepped forward, opening her arms to embrace both of them.
The three figures overlapped in the sunlight, forming a complete circle.
Subaru's sobs gradually grew softer, finally turning into steady breathing.
In this warm embrace, she finally found the courage to move forward.
Carlisle's chin gently rested on the top of her head, while Rem's hand soothingly patted her back.
The sunlight quietly fell, and all the pain, fear, and unease slowly melted away in this embrace.
There might still be countless difficulties and obstacles in the future, but at this moment, they had each other, and that was enough.
— — — — — —
"So... do you accept my confession?"
Subaru's voice still had the stuffiness of crying, her fingers unconsciously twisting Carlisle's collar.
"Yes, I accept it."
Carlisle's voice was deeper than usual, his Adam's apple bobbing unnaturally.
"So, we're lovers starting today?"
Subaru finally lifted her wet golden eyes, but didn't notice the Knight's flushed ear tips exposed in the sunlight.
"...Yes."
This syllable was almost squeezed out from between his teeth.
"Then prove it to me."
Subaru suddenly closed her eyes, her eyelashes still trembling with tears.
She could feel Carlisle's breath instantly stiffen, and the sound of Rem suddenly clenching the fabric of her skirt.
After a few long seconds of silence,
A feather-light touch, with a hint of moist warmth, came to her forehead.
Subaru suddenly opened her eyes, seeing Carlisle, whose neck was even flushed red.
This Knight, who never retreated on the battlefield, was now as flustered as a boy caught secretly kissing his beloved.
"Pfft... Hahaha!"
Subaru suddenly burst out laughing, but tears welled up again, "Is this... Knight's first kiss?"
She reached out and poked his burning cheek, "So brave on the battlefield, but you only know how to kiss a forehead?"
"Fool... fool!"
Carlisle stammered for once, "This... this kind of thing needs to be gradual..."
— — — — — —
Subaru gently wiped away the tear stains from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, tiny teardrops still clinging to her eyelashes.
She noticed Carlisle's expression suddenly turn serious, a certain emotion she couldn't read shimmering in his clear blue eyes.
"Then..."
Carlisle's voice was soft but with a subtle hint of nervousness, "Subaru, do you finally believe me?"
Subaru nodded without hesitation: "Yes, I believe you."
Carlisle took a deep breath, as if making a decision: "Since Subaru said so... then I also want to say something."
"Something?"
Subaru tilted her head, her dark hair sliding from her shoulder.
She noticed Carlisle's Adam's apple bob unnaturally.
Carlisle nodded gently.
"Subaru just said I don't understand you... but... does Subaru really understand me?"
Sunlight danced on his eyelashes.
"I have a question..."
His voice suddenly became very soft, "This question might only be answered by Subaru in this world."
Subaru blinked, suddenly feeling her heart race, "Such an important question... would I know it?"
"Yes..."
Carlisle's gaze was deep and gentle.
"If anyone knows..."
He leaned slightly forward, "it must be you."
A gentle breeze blew by, bringing the fragrance of flowers.
Subaru looked at the Knight she had spent every day with, suddenly feeling a strange sensation.
He slowly began to speak.
"Before Subaru came to this world, what was the latest season of [Kamen Rider]?"
T/N- Hell yeah , finally they are together.
...
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guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
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