Chapter Text
The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, its prominent crimson colour looking straight out of an antique painting.
Subaru walked down the once stone-paved path toward the bustling market of the city of Priestella.
His eyes wandered along destroyed houses, seeing parents looking for their kids and merchants crying over the shops they had taken years to build.
Each moment felt like a soul lost. Counting the tragedies, his body felt weak. He looked up as the sun slowly rose to its full glory, its light drawing everyone’s attention.
It was saving the people of Priestella from the long, cold night they had endured.
Witnessing such a magnificent sight, tears rolled down their faces. An unwavering confidence surged within their hearts. Together they worked, helping each other. One by one, they once again rose back up.
Natsuki Subaru ran; the warmth of such a miracle drew him in.
As he reached the edge.
The bright light blinded him. Covering his eyes, he looked at the figure standing right at the edge—someone who embraced the fierceness of the sun.
As if they tamed it.
He initially felt like he was dreaming, though a dream so vivid left him wondering.
This sight was something he could even die a thousand times for.
His vision found the person. His pupils adjusted slowly, yet the figure took shape—the amber-colored hair swayed in the wind like flames in their complete glory.
Eyes that may even look down upon the gods of this world.
A woman….
In a voice of low tone and admiration, he whispered.
In his eyes, she could be called the perfect representation of the goddess Amaterasu. Her elegance suited the red dress that she wore.
Thud!
A small hit on his head with a fan in her hand snapped him out of the daydream.
“Ouch!”
“Don't let the Queen of Stars blind a stray commoner like you,” the lady replied to his intrigued look.
“Ah... Priscilla?” Subaru was enthralled by her, his eyes falling onto her glowing face.
Oh, how the sun blessed those confident eyes like jewels.
“Everyone is taking part to help the city stand on its own again.”
“Wouldn't you also like to play a part?” Subaru asked, his eyes searching hers.
“....” Silence followed.
“No.”
“I wouldn't prefer dirtying my hands and taking part in labour.”
“It is the citizens' responsibility to stand up once again,” she said.
“But still—”
“Look around,” she said, this time with a serious look.
She forced his eyes to see beyond what met the surface.
The people who felt helpless were no longer afraid. They were together, united as one.
“The sun reigns supreme over others,” she whispered.
Basking in the sunlight, fixing a strand of hair beside her ear, she looked into the distance.
“I got it.” Subaru, clenching his fist, walked close to her.
Face to face.
“Priscilla…”
She was ready to receive the fight she usually does.
“You are actually…”
“A really kind person,” the words left Subaru’s mouth in a low tone.
Priscilla felt her hands drop to her sides.
Her smile faded.
“What… makes you think so?” she asked.
“A sun reigns supreme not due to its fierceness… but due to its power that helps others.”
“The moon doesn't glow on its own, yet it steals all the glory.”
“Somehow we may be blinded, but that doesn't take away the fact that the sun is as glorious as the moon.”
Subaru realised immediately and held his mouth shut.
Priscilla’s expression was dumbfounded.
“Hahahahah!” she laughed.
Wiping a stray tear from the edge of her eye.
Those pale cheeks had a bit of a crimson tint as she leaned in, putting her finger on her plump lips. “Sssh!”
“Dead men tell no tales,” she spoke.
“Eh, what do you mean…” Those were the final words before.
Thud!
“Ark!” Subaru felt his head go dizzy. Unable to keep his consciousness intact, he fell, reaching up toward Priscilla.
“You fool,” she whispered.
Subaru’s vision went completely blank.
“Haaah!”
As soon as he woke up, he noticed the world outside was noisy. It was past evening, and the whole city awaited their hero to begin the celebrations.
“Urg..”
“Subaru!”
“Are you feeling okay?” Emilia asked.
“What happened..” Subaru asked, completely dazed.
“I’m unsure, but this morning Aldebaran-san dropped by, asking us to take care of you,” Emilia replied.
“Hmm.” Subaru was left in deep, profound thought… that expression still living vividly in his mind.
“Ah.. you know what, I’ll go back to sleep,” he complained, stuffing his face back into the pillow.
“As I would let you, I suppose!” Beatrice pulled, and Emilia joined in pulling his legs, trying to force him out of his bed.