Chapter Text
Naoya Zen'in stepped through the wide doors of the hall with the confident stride of someone who had never been denied anything in his life. His posture remained straight, chin slightly raised, expression calm and cold. Anyone watching would immediately understand that he believed the entire place existed beneath him.
The hall itself was enormous.
Rows upon rows of seats stretched across the polished floor. Hundreds of them. Each seat had a small metal plate attached to its backrest. Names were engraved on the plates in neat lettering.
Naoya slowed his pace slightly.
His eyes drifted across the rows as he walked toward the stage.
"ShaulaBaru."
He frowned faintly.
A few steps later he spotted another.
"NormalBaru."
His brow twitched.
Another.
"MaidBaru."
He stopped walking for a second and rolled his eyes.
"What kind of ridiculous naming convention is this?"
Every single one ended with the same word.
Baru.
His lips curled in mild disgust.
"Are these idiots related or something?"
He continued forward, scanning more names as he passed.
KnightBaru.
KingBaru.
DetectiveBaru.
ChefBaru.
The irritation grew slowly inside him.
"What is this, some sort of circus?"
He pushed open the gate leading to the stage stairs and climbed up without waiting for permission. The stage was wide enough to host a large conference. Several chairs had already been arranged behind a long table.
More name plates.
He glanced at them.
NaoyaBaru.
KingBaru.
Saberu.
Naoya scoffed.
"At least one of them sounds like someone with actual authority."
Still, something about this entire situation bothered him. A place like this did not appear for no reason. And the names were far too similar.
Baru.
Baru.
Baru.
He tapped his fingers against the table.
"Could they actually be…?"
His thoughts returned to what had happened two weeks earlier.
Two weeks ago.
Naoya had been inside his private room within the Zen'in clan compound. The atmosphere in the house had been tense for days. Servants walked quietly. Clan members whispered in corners.
His father lay dying.
The injuries he suffered during the chaos in Shibuya had finally caught up to him. The old man had been burned badly. Doctors said he would not last long.
Naoya sat alone that evening, leaning back in his chair with a cup of tea in his hand.
"So the old man is finally going to die."
He spoke the words without emotion.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"About time."
Once his father died, the position of clan head would inevitably pass to him. It was the natural order of things.
At least, that was how it should have been.
Then the air in his room shimmered.
Naoya's eyes sharpened immediately.
A girl appeared out of thin air.
One second the room had been empty.
The next second she stood near the window.
Naoya vanished from his chair.
A sharp movement blurred through the air as he appeared behind her, hand already moving toward her neck.
His fingers stopped less than an inch away.
He could not move.
His body froze completely.
"What?"
His eyes widened.
He tried to force his arm forward but his muscles refused to respond.
The girl sighed softly.
"Seriously? Every single one of you does this."
Naoya's voice came out sharp and furious.
"Who are you?"
His eyes glared at the back of her head.
"And how dare you enter my room?"
His expression twisted with disgust.
"No filthy woman is allowed in my room. Just standing here makes me feel sick."
He struggled against the invisible force.
"Unfreeze me right now, you shameless harlot."
The girl slowly turned around.
Her expression remained completely blank.
"No."
Naoya's face darkened.
"You dare speak to me like that?"
She raised a hand lazily.
"Relax. I am not here to argue."
Naoya spat the words.
"Then leave."
She shook her head.
"I cannot."
His eyes narrowed.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
The girl rubbed her temple as if she were tired.
"I had no intention of inviting you."
Naoya stared.
Inviting?
"What are you babbling about?"
She continued speaking calmly.
"But the majority voted for you."
She paused.
"And since I am a very kind author, I decided to grant their request."
Naoya blinked.
"What author?"
His voice grew colder.
"What request?"
The girl gave him a slightly amused look.
"You really do not know anything."
Naoya sneered.
"I am Naoya Zen'in."
His voice dripped with arrogance.
"And no woman alive will ever try to order me around."
She opened her mouth.
One word left her lips.
"Subaru."
Naoya froze.
Not because of the invisible force holding him.
This time it was shock.
His eyes widened.
The girl smiled smugly.
"There will be a convention."
Naoya slowly regained his voice.
"What did you just call me?"
She ignored the question.
"I want you to be the host."
He immediately snapped.
"I am not hosting anything for you."
She continued as if she had not heard him.
"Do not worry. You will receive a manual."
Naoya tried to move again.
Nothing happened.
His anger grew.
"Release me right now."
The girl lifted one finger.
"When the time comes, clap your hands twice."
She demonstrated with two slow claps.
"And say the words."
Her eyes sparkled slightly.
"Unlimited Baru Works."
Naoya stared at her like she had lost her mind.
"What kind of childish nonsense is that?"
She continued speaking calmly.
"You will be transported to the convention hall."
Naoya's patience snapped.
"I am Naoya Zen'in."
His voice rose.
"No woman orders me to do anything."
She tilted her head.
"Failure to comply will result in Maki becoming the clan head."
The room fell silent.
Naoya's expression darkened instantly.
"What?"
Her smile widened slightly.
"You heard me."
Naoya's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"You filthy..."
The girl suddenly stepped forward and pressed a finger against his lips.
"Careful."
Her voice was quiet.
"That arrogance will not work where you are going."
Naoya glared at her.
She removed her finger.
"You should also avoid shouting like that."
He spat the next words.
"And why would I listen to you?"
She looked at him with a calm expression.
"Because there are people there who could crush you easily."
Naoya laughed coldly.
"Impossible."
She shook her head.
"They are stronger."
He scoffed.
"No one is stronger than me."
She folded her arms.
"They are all variants of you."
Silence filled the room again.
Naoya frowned.
"What?"
Her voice remained calm.
"Subarus from different realities."
He stared at her.
"That makes no sense."
She shrugged.
"One of them is a Gojo."
Naoya blinked.
"...What?"
She continued.
"You will meet them soon."
Naoya clenched his teeth.
"How do you know my name?"
His eyes narrowed sharply.
"How did you know Subaru?"
She began fading slowly.
Her body turned translucent.
Before disappearing completely she sighed.
"Worst Baru yet."
Then she vanished.
Two weeks later.
Naoya sat on the stage inside the massive hall.
He exhaled slowly.
"What a ridiculous place."
The seats remained empty.
The strange name plates were still everywhere.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"That woman better explain herself."
His fingers tapped the table impatiently.
"Multiversal versions of me."
He scoffed.
"Absurd."
His gaze drifted toward one of the nearby name plates again.
KingBaru.
He nodded slowly.
"At least that one sounds decent."
Then he glanced at another.
Saberu.
His nose wrinkled.
"What kind of name is that?"
Naoya leaned back and crossed his arms.
"I hate this day already."
A voice suddenly spoke behind him.
"For real, man."
Naoya's eyes narrowed instantly.
Someone was here.
He turned around quickly.
No one stood behind him.
His gaze scanned the entire stage.
Nothing.
"What?"
Then a faint glow caught his attention.
Near the corner of the stage stood an orange and black vending machine.
The screen flickered.
The voice spoke again.
"Over here, bro."
Naoya stared.
"...What?"
The vending machine screen lit up brighter.
"It is me."
Naoya slowly stood up.
"You have got to be kidding me."
The machine continued cheerfully.
"I am Subaru."
Naoya looked around again.
No hidden speakers.
No tricks.
His eyes returned to the machine.
"...You are joking."
The machine beeped.
"Nope."
Naoya pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I refuse to believe this."
The machine spoke again.
"I am like you."
Naoya looked at it with visible disbelief.
"Except I did not wake up as a man."
There was a short pause.
"Or anything like that."
The machine hummed softly.
"I woke up as a vending machine."
Naoya stared blankly.
Several seconds passed.
His brain refused to process the sentence.
"You..."
He pointed at the machine.
"You are telling me..."
The machine replied happily.
"Yep."
Another mechanical whir sounded.
"Same Subaru."
Naoya remained completely still.
"...This day just got worse."
The machine chuckled.
"You have the same expression everyone else had."
A slot near the middle opened.
A soda can shot out and landed on the table in front of Naoya with a metallic clink.
"Here."
The machine spoke proudly.
"Have a soda.”
───✧───
King walked slowly down the long hallway, his steps careful, almost hesitant.
The corridor stretched far ahead, lit by soft lights embedded in the ceiling. The floor shone with polished stone, reflecting faint outlines of the walls. It looked less like a building and more like some strange palace that had been built without a clear purpose.
According to the instructions he received, the hallway would eventually lead to the hall where the gathering was being held.
If the instructions were telling the truth.
King wiped a bead of sweat from his temple.
"Why did I even come here?"
His voice came out in a quiet mutter.
He had thought about ignoring the invitation. Several times. In fact, he had almost convinced himself to stay home.
But what if it was real?
That single thought had ruined his peace.
If the message was not a prank, then refusing it might bring consequences. The mysterious girl who delivered it had looked far too confident to be bluffing.
King sighed heavily.
"I should have stayed in my apartment."
Still, his legs continued moving.
Step after step echoed softly through the corridor.
The hallway felt strangely empty. Not a single person had appeared since he entered. No guards. No reception desk. Not even a sign.
Just a long path stretching forward like it had no end.
King swallowed.
"If this is some kind of trap, I am definitely dead."
He kept walking.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe longer. Time felt strange in a place like this.
Eventually, he spotted someone ahead.
King stiffened.
A small figure stood near the side of the hallway.
The moment he noticed the figure clearly, he froze.
It was a girl.
She looked short. Very short.
She wore a large witch hat that drooped slightly at the tip. One of her eyes was covered by an eyepatch, and a crimson dress flowed down to her knees.
In one hand she carried an oversized staff that looked far heavier than something a girl her size should be able to lift.
King's heart began pounding immediately.
The girl noticed him.
Her uncovered eye gleamed with sudden excitement.
King flinched instinctively.
She took a small step forward and tilted her head.
"Are you a Subaru too?"
King's throat went dry.
So it was true.
This place really was a gathering of Subarus.
He forced himself to nod.
"Yes."
The girl suddenly clasped both hands together in front of her chest.
Her face lit up with excitement.
"I cannot believe it!"
She giggled loudly.
"Hehehehe!"
King blinked.
The girl struck a dramatic pose and lifted her staff proudly.
"I am Megumin!"
She pointed the staff toward the ceiling as if declaring victory over the world.
"The Crimson Demon of Explosion!"
King stared at her.
"I see."
Megumin lowered her staff and leaned closer with curiosity.
"And you are?"
King hesitated for a moment.
Then he answered quietly.
"King."
Megumin blinked.
"Just King."
She stared at him for a few seconds.
Then she giggled again.
"Hehehe."
King felt a nervous chill crawl up his back.
Megumin pointed at him with a playful grin.
"So you are using a fake name too."
King sweatdropped.
"I am not using a fake name."
Megumin waved her hand dismissively.
"Sure you are."
King did not bother correcting her.
He changed the subject instead.
"What are you doing here?"
Megumin tilted her head slightly.
"Oh?"
She leaned on her staff.
"I got lost."
King blinked.
"You got lost?"
Megumin nodded proudly as if that were an impressive achievement.
"Yes."
She pointed behind herself.
"I was wandering around trying to find the hall."
King looked down the hallway.
There was only one path.
At least that was what it looked like from here.
Megumin continued speaking happily.
"So I decided to wait for someone who looked capable."
She suddenly grabbed King's sleeve.
"And then you appeared."
King stiffened.
Megumin smiled brightly.
"What luck!"
She pointed forward dramatically.
"Now lead the way!"
King blinked.
"Lead the way?"
Megumin nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes."
King slowly looked down the hallway again.
It was a straight corridor.
How hard could it be to reach the hall?
He walked forward.
Megumin followed closely behind him.
King felt slightly relieved.
Maybe this would be simple after all.
Then they reached the end of the corridor.
King stopped walking.
His brain stopped working.
The hallway split into multiple paths.
Not two.
Not three.
King counted them quickly.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
He squinted.
"...Eleven?"
Megumin leaned forward beside him.
"Wow."
King stared at the maze of corridors stretching in different directions.
"What...?"
Megumin turned to him with admiration.
"You look very calm."
King did not feel calm.
Inside, his soul was screaming.
Megumin continued speaking cheerfully.
"You must be a very capable variant."
King swallowed.
His heartbeat started speeding up.
"So lead the way."
King stared at the paths again.
Right.
Left.
Left again.
Another left.
Two rights.
A diagonal corridor that should not logically exist.
"Why are there so many?"
Megumin waited patiently behind him.
King forced himself to step forward.
He chose a path.
Completely at random.
Megumin followed without hesitation.
Their footsteps echoed softly as they walked.
After a few minutes of silence, Megumin began talking again.
"So before coming here, I was fighting witches."
King almost tripped.
"Witches?"
Megumin nodded casually.
"Yes."
She spun her staff slightly as if remembering the fight.
"They were very annoying."
King's heartbeat grew louder.
He had heard that word before.
Witches.
If the legends were true, they were terrifying beings with power far beyond normal humans.
King himself could barely lift twenty pounds.
He forced himself to keep walking.
Megumin continued chatting happily.
"Then suddenly a strange girl appeared."
King stiffened slightly.
"A girl?"
Megumin nodded.
"Yes."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"She invited me here."
King swallowed.
"So she invited you too."
Megumin nodded again.
"She was very nice."
King almost sighed with relief.
Megumin added another sentence.
"She also said I was cute."
King blinked.
Megumin frowned slightly.
"I did not like that compliment."
King nodded awkwardly.
"I see."
Megumin sighed dramatically.
"Man."
She stared down at her small hands.
"I really wanted to be a man again."
King stopped walking for a moment.
Megumin continued speaking casually.
"But the witches destroyed my real body."
King's brain stopped again.
Destroyed.
Real body.
Man again.
He slowly turned his head.
"You..."
Megumin looked back at him.
"Yes?"
King's mind tried to connect the pieces.
"So you used to be..."
Megumin nodded.
"Yep."
King stared.
His thoughts spiraled into confusion.
So this short girl used to be a man.
Now she looked like a tiny mage with an eyepatch.
What?
King decided not to question it.
"I see."
In truth, he did not see anything at all.
They continued walking.
The corridor twisted slightly.
After another turn, King spotted someone ahead.
A person was walking down the path toward them.
Megumin noticed too.
She raised her voice.
"Oi!"
The figure stopped.
Megumin waved her staff.
"Stop!"
The person slowly turned around.
King felt his heart skip a beat.
The man looked completely ordinary.
Black hair.
Tracksuit.
Average height.
He looked exactly like a normal Subaru.
The kind of Subaru someone might have seen before strange things happened.
But something felt wrong.
His face looked pale.
Very pale.
His eyes were wide and frightened.
The moment he saw King and Megumin, panic filled his expression.
"S-stay away!"
His voice trembled.
"Stay away!"
Before either of them could react, he turned and ran.
He ran down the corridor as fast as he could.
Within seconds he disappeared around a corner.
Megumin blinked.
"...What just happened?"
King remained silent for a moment.
His heart was pounding loudly in his chest.
Something about that Subaru had felt very wrong.
But he forced himself to stay calm.
"...Let's go."
He continued walking forward, trying very hard to keep his composure.