Chapter Text
Here’s a few things about this alternate universe (ik it’s not a super creative AU, but wtev):
- Subaru does not fall for Emilia romantically, rather she comes to really care for Emilia (kind of like a sisterly-type relationship).
- Subaru’s name is still Natsuki Subaru, not Natsumi Shwartz since ‘Natsuki Subaru’ is gender-fluid.
- Almost everything is the same as the main story (except for obviously a few things, especially concerning Subaru, such as relationships, dynamics, personality, etc.)
- Satella still loves Subaru (ultimately, Satella is the beautiful heroine, and Subaru, who grew up consuming stories where the summoned was typically the heroine, would find the situation ironic. Even so, Subaru still vows to ‘save her’, later accepting to take on the role as the ‘hero’ after a series of events).
- I gave Subaru her own speech tick (like how Emilia would elongate ‘really’ or when Beatrice says ‘I suppose’). You’ll notice when you read the summaries that Subaru tends to say ‘totally’ more often than not.
SUBARU’S BACKSTORY:
As a young kid, Subaru pretty much excelled at many things, from getting good grades to being the fastest runner in her class to, you name it. That said, it was inevitable many people, like her classmates, teachers, and even neighbors, would praise her for being able to do so much at such a young age. She was also pretty cute as a kid, so many would even dote on her. Subaru truly was the golden child—that was what she had come to believe and intended to keep.
However, as she grew older, she stopped excelling at the many things she used to be the best at, and as she tried harder and harder to rekindle her dying glory, the more she despaired.
Everyone expected so much from her, so she couldn’t just give up when beat down once. After all, she was Natsuki Naoko’s daughter.
But, even so, no matter what she did, she could never live up to the expectations of being Natsuki Naoko’s daughter. Therefore, she resolved to do one big thing after the other, always making she to out-best her last. But perhaps it was a bit much, since, in the end, she was left alone. After all her desperate attempts to appease to others, to meet expectations that weighed so heavily on her heart, her efforts were futile.
Subaru could never hope to be the prettiest. To be the funniest. To be the most popular. Or even the loudest, no matter how many times she would scream or shout for even a peck of attention.
Her final straw was her failure of a highschool debut, when she had cross-dressed as a guy in hopes of blending in, and probably to escape the pressure of living up to those expectations (she’s always been pretty good with cosmetics, and had a flatter chest than most girls + had an androgynous appearance).
At first, things went really well—she was starting to make a few friends and acquaintances, and even got along with her teachers pretty quick. Then, one day, while she was reading a textbook out loud, her voice briefly pitched. She had let an accidental squeak slip, leading many to question her. Eventually, they found out she wasn’t really a guy, and stopped talking to her. While no one had particularly bullied her, it still hurt when her chances of finally blending in were burnt to ashes.
She eventually stopped attending to school after a few weeks into her freshman year, leading to her shutting herself in her room. She did all the hikkimori shenanigans that the main Subaru did during his time in his room.
HOW THEY MEET:
While on her way out of the convenience store, Subaru was suddenly whisked away to a parallel world. It all happened so fast. A white light flashed, and, if she wasn’t mistaken, she could’ve sworn she saw a shadowy hand attempting to get a hold of her.
Subaru blinked, then rubbed her eyes, believing her eyes were probably deceiving her, but no—she really was here.
This is totally real.
”No way… Have I been summoned, to a parallel world!?—“
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“Judging by what’s happening right now…”
Subaru has always been a bit tomboyish, so she always liked to indulge in hobbies and interests such as gaming, watching anime, etc. Back home, as a shut-in, she had read a few if the isekai genre whenever she ran out of romance shows or mangas to binge on. So, of course, she’d know how these type of things worked.
“—this means that I’m the protagonist, right? Wouldn’t that also mean, that I’d be the heroine then? From the way it works, usually, there should be some handsome guy coming to get me… though, I don’t see anyone coming. This is mandatory, c’mon!”
Subaru frowns as she heads towards an alleyway to assess her current situation (of course, after she had explored a bit of her surroundings). She was wearing a tracksuit, something she quickly threw on to go out for a swift grab-n-go snack run.
”At the least, they could’ve summoned me here when I was dressed better… I totally look like a mess right now! This isn’t how it should go!”
While Subaru was grumbling this under her breath, three silhouettes approached her from the entrance of the alleyway. In no way, shape or form was Subaru prepared for what was to come.
“What are you babbling about over there? Hey, why don’t you cough up whatever you’ve got, and we’ll let ya go?”
”Huhhh!? Me!? Hate to break it to you three, but I don’t got anything of value, so you’re better off mugging someone else. Anyway, you guys must’ve reached a new low if you’re trying to shake off a girl now, especially one at a time of distress!”, Subaru retorted.
”Who cares!? Look, just hand us over whatever you got, nice and calm, and there won’t be any trouble.”, the bigger of the three thugs demanded.
”No matter what world you’re in, girl or not, especially as a girl, there still are some pretty big jerks out there… Fine then, I give up!”, Subaru grumbled.
And, through a series of events, one thing had led to another, which had resulted in Subaru’s fist meeting the side of one of the thug’s faces. Unfortunately, she was quickly backed to a corner until—
“Hold it right there!”
A silver-bell like voice chimed out. Subaru turned around to see who that was and before her stood a girl with some other-worldly beauty.
Silky silver locks, amethyst jewels for eyes, porcelain-looking skin, a face sculpted with absolute care and diligence by the Gods. A pang of envy hit Subaru.
Though, don’t get me wrong here. I totally don’t swing that way, but I’d be lying if I said she wasn’t pretty—no. Totally divine… Damn.
”If you guys know where my insignia was taken, then please spill it out! I reallyyy have no time to spare.”
”W-we don’t got whatever you’re talkin’ about!”
”O-oh, really? Thank you, then.”
All three thugs let out sighs of relief. If they had to judge based off of appearance, the girl seemed to be quite skilled in the arts of magic. And, with her appearance nearly identical that of the witch…
”But still, I can’t ignore what is happening right in front of me!”
”—hk!”
”Mugging someone, especially a girl, is a reallyyy bad thing to do, you know? That’s why, I cant let this slide.”
The silver-haired girl, having declared this, extended her left palm towards the group of thugs. A barrage of ice crystals were formed, and spun beautifully in the air.
Magic…?
Subaru then noticed a small, grey cat, whom had come out as the magic ice attack was conjured. It seemed to be… floating!? That’s totally freaky, Subaru warily thought to herself.
”I agree, Lia. Normally, I’d let these things go, but because I just so happen to be in a good mood today, and because Lia had boldly said so, I’ll also be putting a stop to this! It’s not nice to be treating a girl like this anyways.”
“A Spirits arts user!? D-damn it all, we won’t let you get away again!”
The tall thug let go of Subaru’s collar before stumbling backwards. Prior to fleeing, the tall one had grabbed the short one as the bigger one sped off.
”U-um… for saving me back there, thanks. I would’ve been totally screwed if it weren’t for you.”
”I couldn’t just ignore what was transpiring before me! Anyways, it was only a matter of getting compensation. Do you know who stole my insignia?”
”Insignia? You mean, those small badges that exhibit your social status?”
“A rather crude description, but yes. It has a small, red gem in the middle. Have you seen it?”
Subaru shook her head in response.
”I see… Well, you answered and that means I’ve been compensated for helping you. I wasn’t doing it out of the kindness of my heart or anything! Just, next time, don’t be so reckless by going into the alleyways! If it happens to you again, saving you won’t be of any benefit to me, so don’t expect any help! Bye!”
She then brisked off, away from the alleyway. Meanwhile, Subaru stood dumbfounded, not by what had just transpired, but the silver-haired girl.
Even though she was clearly in a rush to find something that was stolen from her, she still helped me… And she says it’s compensation for information that totally wasn’t of any help, a lame ass excuse so that I wouldn’t feel as if I owed her.
That girl… Anyone living like that… is just gonna end up wasting their whole life!
AFTERMATH:
- Subaru was never hurt when the three thugs came, so Emilia and Subaru’s interaction was relatively shorter than the original.
- After a few loops of helping Emilia get back her insignia, Subaru was brought to the mansion for healing (still got gutted by Elsa).
- Subaru decides to stay and work as a maid (due to her broad shoulders, flat chest, and short arms, it took Rem a while to stitch her maid dress to suit Subaru’s exact measurements. Subaru doesn’t like how short the maid dresses were the first time, so on the second day, she switched to the longer maid dresses. Like the one Frederica wears).
- During that week, Subaru would pester Emilia to go with her on dates.
Dialogue
Subaru: Mili, let’s have a girl’s date!
Emilia: Girls… da-te?
Subaru: You know, just two girls hanging out. Come on, it’ll be fun!
Emilia: Oh, really? Then, when I’m done with my studies and you’re done with your maid duties, we can go on the girls da-te you’re talking about!
- Subaru still gets killed by Rem and Ram under the suspicion of being a spy or witch cultist, leading to the lap pillow scene.
Dialogue
Emilia: Subaru is so bad, for sleeping on the job like this. I’ll have to scold her for this later…
Her eyes glaze over Subaru’s face, which was marred with tear marks. With one hand, Emilia gently strokes her hand through Subaru’s hair while softly smiling.
Rem: When Rem sees her sleeping defenselessly, like an infant, she almost feels bad scolding her.
Emilia: Mm. Subaru is a good girl, Rem.