Chapter Text
Patching together, patching together, continuing to form its shape.
Patching together, patching together, until he recognizes his face.
Patching together, patching together, blind to his own mistakes.
Patching together, patching together, patching together, until the picture is complete.
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He was a fake, that’s all he was, a phony that nobody needed. But even a worthless man such as himself could serve a purpose. That purpose was to bring back the hero who could fix everything his pathetic self couldn't. He needed to bring back 『Natsuki Subaru』. This was the only purpose a worthless man such as himself could serve.
The boy had blank white hair and an eye that seemed clouded over, he wore clothes that seemed much more suited for desert travel rather than the woods he currently occupied. Right by his side was a woman of pristine skin and brunette hair with a very voluptuous chest and extremely revealing clothing that came adorned with a black and orange cape that the woman seemed extremely proud of.
The worthless man seemed to be lost in himself, almost as if he was on autopilot, as he continued to move forward, seemingly detached from the world around him. The woman was eager to be seen by the white-haired boy as she attempted to bring him back to this reality.
“Master!”
The brunette girl jumped on top of the worthless man, her chest pressing against the back of his head. The sudden change in his center of gravity almost caused the worthless man to fall, as it took everything he had to retain his balance. He regained a firm grip on the ground and looked up at the brunette-haired girl who had found a nice seat for herself on his shoulders.
“What is it, Shaula?”
The woman, whose name had been revealed to be Shaula, had the biggest grin on her face, ecstatic just to be near him.
“Nothing! I just wanted to get your attention, Master!”
The white-haired boy sighed. It had been a year since he started his journey of “self-discovery.” Shaula had stayed by his side through it all; he had grown quite fond of her company as he felt she was the only one his worthless self could confide in.
As he came closer and closer to completing the puzzle that was 『Natsuki Subaru』, there was a weight on his very being that increased with every piece he added to the puzzle. The weight is what led his mind to wander like he was getting lost in himself. Shaula, being ever faithful to her master, would often snap him out of these episodes. Be it jumping on him or splashing water on him, the details weren’t important to her as long as she fulfilled her duty. What mattered was she was helping the master.
“For another job well done, I think it’s only fair you repay me by carrying me. Wouldn’t you agree, Master?” Shaula looked down on the white-haired boy with a bright, genuine smile. In his current situation, the boy couldn't help but sigh as he turned his head back to the ground.
“You know, I’m tempted to throw you off my shoulder right now.”
“Awww… Master is so mean to me.” Shaula puffed out her cheeks in a childlike fashion as she laid her face on top of the white-haired boy's head.
In response to Shaula’s almost childlike demeanor, he let out a soft chuckle. “Fine, I’ll let you stay up there for a few more minutes. But that’s it! Understood?” Shaula nodded affirmatively, burying her face further into the boy's shoulder.
Her master, also known as Natsuki Subaru, was on a journey of “self-discovery,” as he put it. She didn’t understand what he was discovering exactly. I mean, Master is already so amazing—what is there to discover? But she supported her master in anything he did. As long as she could be of use to her master, she was happy.
“So, Master, where are we going next?”
The false image of Natsuki Subaru thought to himself for a bit before giving the brunette-haired girl his response. “We’re doing what we’ve always done. We’re collecting all the necessary pieces to bring back 『Natsuki Subaru』.”
Shaula responded with a drawn-out, almost childlike tone. “But Maaaster, I never know what you mean by that!!”
Subaru needed time… enough time to reclaim 『Natsuki Subaru』. With Shaula by his side, most obstacles were easily broken down… except for one, that is. The 『Sword Saint』 Reinhard van Astrea.
Back in Priscilla, Subaru had made the bold claim that he would kill Reinhard, but… it was challenging, to say the least. No, challenging would be an understatement; killing Reinhard was close to impossible! But regardless, he could not falter. Eventually, he would find a way to break the invincible wall that was Reinhard. However, that required time—enough time for Subaru to formulate a plan capable of killing even the Invincible Sword Saint.
He knew full well that his goal wasn't easy, but it was a goal he had to accomplish regardless of the damage to himself. He looked up at Shaula once more before reassuring the brunette-haired girl. “Don’t worry about it too much. I promise you everything will be fine. In the end, someone much better than me will come and save you… he’ll save everyone!”
As Subaru was organizing his scattered thoughts, he felt Shaula press up against him, burying her head in his hair, her chest pressing up against the back of his head. “Silly, nobody is better than Master! That’s a Shaula guarantee!”
Subaru's mission had taken both him and Shaula across the continent, acquiring every piece of the puzzle. Though the method of collection was… barbaric, to put it lightly, it would all be worth it when he finally completed his mission. But sadly, nobody else understood the importance of Subaru's mission, so he and Shaula were inconveniently branded as criminals.
The more Subaru continued his mission, the higher priority they became to the point where they took as much priority as the dreaded Witch Cult. The Imperial Knights were persistent in their attempts to capture him. This also meant that it was only a matter of time before Reinhard caught up to them. As he was right now, surviving a conflict with Reinhard was impossible, even with someone like Shaula.
He didn’t care for his own life much; he was worthless, after all. His mission would not be hindered by simply killing him. But someone like Shaula, however… her life has a purpose; she has worth. Seeing her die for someone who lacked any semblance of worth like himself—the thought of that made Subaru want to gag. Even if he had the power to undo it all by sacrificing his worthless life, seeing someone like Shaula die would be… too much.
Shaula dying to anyone but him was not an option; it was a future that he didn't want to see. Which is why creating as much distance between him and Reinhard was so important. Natsuki Subaru’s plan to keep the Knights' Order off his tail had been effective so far. The plan was incredibly simple, yet it fulfilled every one of his goals. That plan being… chaos.
By killing everyone who knew of 『Natsuki Subaru』, he could effectively gather more pieces to complete the puzzle. And the survivors? They would distract the Imperial Knights long enough to keep them off Subaru's back, including the ever-troublesome Reinhard. Giving Natsuki Subaru the time he so desperately needed to bring his plan to fruition.
With this, he wouldn’t have to see Shaula die. With this, he could bring 『Natsuki Subaru』back. With this, everything would be right again… Yes, everything will be much better with 『Natsuki Subaru』around instead of a worthless man like himself.
“Hey, Master.”
“What is it, Shaula?”
“I love you!!” Shaula often made remarks like this, and hearing it always reassured Subaru. It made him happy, even. It made him feel like his worthless self had something to live for… but he could never accept her feelings, after all.『Natsuki Subaru』already loved another.
“I can’t say I love you back, but... I'll always appreciate you being here.”
Shaula looked at peace as she tightened her grip slightly around her master, a feeling of warmth surrounding both of them. “Thank you, Master...”
Subaru had forgotten about letting Shaula stay on his shoulders for only a few minutes… No, it was more like he chose to forget about his previous command. He continued to march forward with Shaula still on top of him, not minding her presence in the slightest.
The two continued down this twisted path they made for themselves, continuing to march to the next piece of the puzzle.
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Patching together, patching together, a future he wanted to see.
Patching together, patching together, the pieces he needs.
Patching together, patching together, until his stitches are complete.
Patching together, patching together, patching together, something he didn’t want to see.