Chapter Text
—Natsuki-kun?
—Yes, Ana-chan?
—Did something happen?
—If I have to say yes or no… I will say no. Why the sudden interest?
In one of the Hoshin Company headquarters, Subaru Natsuki and Anastasia Hoshin were having a business meeting. The half elf knight and the merchant queen established this business relationship around a year ago. A bond built upon a desire to bring the boy unique ideas to fruition, between that and the previous collaborations of the camps, a friendship was born.
—You’re really bad at lying Natsuki-kun. Your creepy eyes betray you.
—I was born with these eyes! You know that?!
—Is that sad face because of Emilia-san and Rem-san?
Subaru frowned, Anastasia read him like a book. The truth is that his relationship with Emilia-tan and Rem was stagnant. It wasn't their fault, Emilia was still pretty immature emotionally and Rem was dealing with her amnesia. What gave him hope was a detail that partly made him feel guilty.
Cor Leonis
His authority of greed let him share and feel the burdens of his allies. Having shared several battlefields with the two girls, he was sure that both loved him back. The feeling was there, immature and covered by a layer of their own issues but he believed in them. Sadly, his stress levels, resulting from the dangers that hunted him daily and his more active role as the inventor of the Emilia camp, only continued to rise. Frustration and even depression were building up, was he being selfish?
—Hey Natsuki-kun, snap out of it!
Anastasia snapped her fingers in front of the boy's face.
—Sorry Ana-chan, I got lost in my thoughts.
—By Od, Natsuki-kun, it's even worse than I expected.
Subaru grimaced, he didn't want Anastasia to get a bad image of Emilia or Rem.
—It’s not like that… it's just difficult, I don't want to pressure any of them.
Anastasia sighed.
—I think there is a difference between not pushing their boundaries and not doing anything. But I’m worried about you Natsuki-kun. I don't want you to get hurt and break beyond repair.
—Ana-chan…
—It would be really bad for business if I lost one of my best assets
—¡Ana-chan!
—I’m just being honest. What do you want me to say?
—First of all, I'm not a freaking asset. We are business partners!
Subaru retorted, Anastasia just smiled smugly
—It’s the same. I put the money and resources and you put the ideas and magic tools knowledge you have access to by your relation with the margrave.
—It’s pretty different! We are in a relationship of equals, I’m not your employee.
—Oh? The pervert knight thinks we are on equal ground?
—Who are you calling a pervert! You… you… Sly Fox!
—¿Really? Now you're copying Priscilla
The false disappointment in Anastasia’s voice annoyed Subaru more than it should have.
—But I suppose if you're so desperate… We can reach an agreement. This gal knows your value more than anyone…
—Ah?
Subaru’s face turned bright red. Anastasia laughed.
—You really are an open book. Natsuki-kun
She still was laughing, making it worse for the knight.
—Just… return to work please. We have to finish signing these documents before the sun sets. Diadora-san needs them for building permits in Picoutatte.
—Ok ok Natsuki-kun, I will give you your well earned silence.
—Thanks
The meeting proceeded calmly, involving the routine and boring process of reviewing and signing documents. Subaru truly wondered how it was possible for so much paperwork to be required for just some building permits. Anastasia, more accustomed to the process, let her thoughts wander. She was silently annoyed, Subaru is an incredibly useful tool, yet her rival for the throne was incapable of giving him the recognition he deserved. It was not about pretty words and kindness, that idiot knight was head over heels in love with Emilia and kept waiting for an answer that probably will never come. The merchant was no expert in elven biology, but she had an inkling that such an extensive lifespan was the reason for this dead end in the two idiots' relationship.
—It’s the perfect setting for a tragic outcome.
Those were her thoughts. Anastasia wasn't stupid and she knew Emilia was also in love with Subaru. Unfortunately, if her theories were correct, she wouldn't realize her feelings until it was too late. The maid was another problem but she held little blame here. Rem was rebuilding her life from zero after being forgotten by the world, she was also obviously in love with Subaru but at the same time was in constant denial. A conflict between her feelings and the desire to not depend on her past self.
—Such a waste…
She said in a whisper
—Did you say something, Ana-chan?
—Nothing, Natsuki-kun. I was just thinking about the details of this document.
—The safety restrictions for ornaments on the ledges?
—Right… You know, it has to be good looking but also needs to be safe. We don't want any accidents to happen because someone decided to lean against a corner.
—I think... We have more important priorities for the Polaris Railway's Picoutatte station, right?
—Yes, I suppose you're right.
Anastasia looked away, embarrassed.
—But you know Natsuki-kun… I'm serious about it
—About the ledges?
—Just forget about that for now.
Anastasia was a greedy gal.
—I’m talking about you…
—I don't like where this is going…
And if those girls didn't want to take the huge asset that was Natsuki Subaru.
—... and me. You can take me if you want.
She will take it. With all the benefits that come from this hero devotion.
—I don't like these kinds of jokes, Ana-chan.
—I’m not joking, Subaru.
—Then stop. You know who I love.
Subaru was getting angry, but Anastasia kept pushing, blinded by her own greed.
—And where has that led you? To silent suffering, waiting for an answer that will never come.
—What do you know about my relationship with Emilia-tan and Rem-rin?!
—Just enough to realize that someone as special as you is being treated unfairly.
—Anastasia, are you…
—I want you Natsuki-kun, you are a valuable tool. What do you want? Money? Power? I know those things don't matter to you, but I can give you more… my body, my mind. I can learn to love you… I can give you my all, if you offer your all in return. A relationship of maximum mutual benefit.
There was a long silence; Anastasia, grinning from ear to ear, gazed directly into the eyes of a dumbfounded Subaru, but what she did not expect was the look of utter disgust that formed on the knight's face.
—Disgusting…
It was that moment that Anastasia knew she fucked up.
—...What?
—You spoke exactly like that witch.
The words struck harder than any slap. The grin vanished from Anastasia's face instantly.
—Sorry… I…
—Is that all I am to you, a tool?
Subaru was truly hurt. Anastasia was his friend, they were also business partners, but he truly believed they had developed a beautiful friendship. Now he heard this, something about the way she said it bothered him beyond reason.
Those words, that way of acting was something... Something he saw before.
—Ana-chan...
His voice had become unusually quiet.
—What am I to you?
The smile on Anastasia's face faltered.
—Eh?
—What am I to you?
—Natsuki-kun?
—Answer me.
The atmosphere in the room changed completely.
—You're my friend.
—¿And?
—My business partner.
—¿And?
Anastasia hesitated.
—Someone important.
Subaru lowered his head.
—Then why does it sound like you're negotiating a contract?
Anastasia froze.
—That's not—
—A valuable asset. Maximum mutual benefit. A tool.
Each word sounded heavier than the last.
—Do you even hear yourself right now?
—Subaru, I—
—You know what's funny?
His laugh contained no humor.
—For a second there, I thought we'd moved past that.
Anastasia blinked.
—Past what?
Subaru looked away.
A memory that should not exist surfaced in his mind. A marketplace, a desperate young man and a smiling merchant extracting information while pretending to be friendly. A version of Anastasia that only he remembered.
—Nothing.
His hand clenched into a fist.
—Forget it.
—Natsuki-kun, I don't understand.
—Yeah. I know.
The merchant felt her chest tighten.
—I am worried about you.
—Then why does every reason you give sound like you're evaluating merchandise?
—That's not what I meant!
Anastasia opened her mouth but nothing came out. Her greed had blinded her.
When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
—I truly cherish you.
—...
—I do.
Subaru remained silent.
—I'm sorry.
No answer.
—Natsuki-kun...
Her shoulders trembled.
—I'm sorry.
Small tears rolled down her cheeks. Subaru's eyes widened.
—Ana-chan...
—I didn't want to sound like that.
Her voice cracked.
—But I can't bear to see your talents go unrewarded... It gets me angry.
This changed the knight's mood; a feeling of guilt overwhelmed him.
—No… Ana-chan stop. I'm also sorry I didn't want to be so aggressive. But you really messed this up...
An honest laugh escaped her.
—I know.
—Seriously, that might be the worst confession in Lugunica's history.
—Now you're just being mean.
—You compared dating to a business merger.
"Dating" a word Anastasia didn't know; from the context she could deduce its meaning, but a theory had been forming in her mind for some time regarding the boy's origins.
—That wasn't my best move.
Subaru rubbed the back of his neck.
—Can we pretend this conversation never happened?
—Not really.
—Ana-chan.
—I meant what I said. If you need someone for emotional support. I can be that one, that is my greed…
After a few seconds of silence, Subaru finally spoke.
—Ana-chan, you flatter me. Just... Value yourself a little more. Find someone worthy of you and that you love. And if it's Julius, please don't invite me to the wedding, I don't want to see that prick's self satisfied smile.
Anastasia burst in a huge laughter
—You really refuse to admit he is your friend, right?
Subaru clicked his tongue
—Also, you don't need to worry. I don't need a girlfriend to be happy. I have my Beako and my two beautiful daughters.
Girlfriend, another word she didn't know. She was almost sure, this boy was probably from beyond the great waterfall. Anastasia smiled weakly.
—Well I won't force the issue, though. But if you ever change your mind I can be your girlfriend Natsuki-kun or whatever strange words you use.
—Ana-chan. Really stop, you’re really entering Diadora-san territory and that's not a good thing.
—How lecherous Natsuki-kun, comparing this gal with another woman.
The banter continued for some extra time till they returned to work. But Anastasia was sure of something, she was greedy and her ambition was the form of her love. So she will follow her greed.