Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World Co-op Route

"Hey, what do you think?"

I leaned forward slightly, watching Beatrice with a satisfied expression as she took a sip of the strawberry milkshake.

Her eyes widened almost instantly, a flicker of surprise breaking through her usual deadpan demeanor.

"It's delicious, isn't it?" I grinned, leaning back with a sense of accomplishment. "I don't even like sweets that much, but I'm glad you do. And if you think that's good, just wait until I get the ice cream recipe right. That's going to blow your mind."

Beatrice remained silent, taking another slow sip, as if savoring every drop.

Then, almost absentmindedly, I murmured—

"I really like this… it's been a while since I did things like this with Mio."

Beatrice's gaze flickered toward me. "Are you talking about your little sister? By the way, like what the other human has said, are you really from a noble family?"1

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Heh, I told you he was exaggerating. We're comfortable, but we're no nobility."

She gave me a scrutinizing look before speaking. "It would have made more sense, I suppose. Given your talent with magic… Humans who display such ability usually have noble blood running through their veins."

My eyebrows shot up with genuine curiosity. "Really? I didn't know that..."

Beatrice suddenly pursed her lips, her expression shifting into something more reserved—almost displeased.

However, I noticed immediately.

"What's wrong?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Nothing, I suppose..." she muttered, turning her face away.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh, come on! You can speak your mind freely with me."

Beatrice hesitated, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass. Then, after a moment of reluctance, she finally said it.

"You merely think of Betty as a temporary replacement for your sister."

For a second, her words didn't fully register. Then—

I burst out laughing.

Beatrice's face immediately darkened, her small hands gripping the milkshake glass tightly. "What's so funny?" she snapped, clearly irritated.

Still trying to contain my laughter, I reached over and patted her head, ruffling her twin drills just enough to mess them up slightly.

"Hehe… Nothing. I just thought that was really cute, Betty."

Beatrice flinched slightly at my touch, cheeks puffing out in frustration.

Before she could push my hand away, I continued—

"I'm sorry, but I don't play favorites." My voice softened, the amusement fading into something more genuine. "My sister is very important to me. And so is my mother. So is my father. So is Aina..."

Beatrice blinked, caught off guard. "Who's Aina, I suppose?"

"A very important friend of mine."

I exhaled, leaning back with a content smile. "Anyway, like I said—I don't play favorites. The people I care about? I don't rank them, I don't compare them. And you're one of them too, Beatrice."

Her eyes widened slightly, lips parting as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Then, before the moment could linger too long, I added—

"Everyone in the mansion, except Roswaal. He can take care of himself."

Beatrice let out an annoyed huff, crossing her arms. "What if you find yourself in a situation where you can only save one person out of all those people?"

That question made me pause. It was a cruel hypothetical, one that forced me to consider an impossible choice. For a moment, I simply stared at her, contemplating. Then, with a soft chuckle, I smiled.

"I won't choose." My voice was steady, unwavering. "No matter what, no matter how long it takes—I'll make sure to protect everyone I decide is dear to me."

Beatrice had been prepared to argue, her lips already parting to counter my response. But then, she met my gaze.

She saw no hesitation. No doubt.

I meant every word.

Her fingers twitched slightly, gripping her dress. "You say that now, but... it's hard to believe."

I knew where she was coming from. Life wasn't so kind as to let someone have everything without loss. It was cruel, unfair. But in my case, things were… different.

Return by Death had taken away my ability to afford losses.

Not that I was ungrateful—it had allowed me to save countless lives, to protect the people I cared about. But still... if possible, I'd rather never have to use it again.

Letting out a sigh, I gave her a small, knowing smile. "I mean, in my perspective, it's crazier to believe that you've spent 400 years here, waiting..."

What me and Subaru did, for us to survive that forest incident without looping again was nothing short of a miracle—However, the thought of this small girl spending four centuries alone in this endless library, well from an earthling perspective, was far more absurd.

Silence settled between us.

Then—

The sharp sound of glass shattering against the floor cut through the stillness.

My eyes snapped to the ground, where the remains of Beatrice's glass lay in jagged shards, the last of the strawberry milkshake pooling across the floor.

"Ahh, you can be too clumsy sometimes." I sighed dramatically, forcing a smirk. "I'm your assistant, but you shouldn't overwork me too much, or I'll cry."

Bending down, I began gathering the broken pieces, careful not to cut myself. As the sticky liquid spread across the floor, I muttered, "Tch, I think I'll need a mop for this—"

"...."

The silence that followed was different.

Heavier.

I felt it before I saw it.

Slowly, I lifted my head.

Beatrice was staring at me, her wide blue eyes trembling, her small hands shaking at her sides.

Her lips parted as if she was about to say something, but no sound came out. Then, finally, in a breathless whisper—

"It's you..."

Her voice was barely audible, but the weight behind it sent a shiver down my spine.

"Betty knew it... You are finally here."

Confusion twisted in my chest. "What are you talking about?"

Beatrice took a step forward, her entire body trembling.

"You are that person that Mother told Betty to wait for, of course."

A cold chill ran through me.

"What the—? What do you mean...?"

Her gaze locked onto mine with an intensity I had never seen before.

"Or else, how would you know Betty was here for 400 years? How would you know... that I was waiting?"

A lump formed in my throat.

I didn't have an answer.

And then—realization crashed down on me like a collapsing ceiling.

I had made a stupid mistake.

Besides Puck and Roswaal, no one was supposed to know that Beatrice had been given the task of waiting for someone in the forbidden library. It was a secret—one that only those two, and Echidna, were privy to.

Yet, like an idiot, I had let it slip.

And now, Beatrice was looking at me as if I were that person.

The one she had spent four centuries waiting for.

I had planned to talk to her about this—eventually. After what I had seen in my visions, I knew there were things we needed to discuss. But I hadn't figured out how to bring it up yet.

And now, thanks to a careless slip of the tongue, I had unintentionally walked straight into the conversation I had been avoiding.

"Damn it…" I muttered under my breath.

Dragging a hand down my face, I let out a heavy sigh, gathering my thoughts. Then, inhaling deeply, I steadied myself and met her gaze.

"Okay, Beatrice. Calm down a bit—"

"Why aren't you admitting it already?!" she cut me off, stepping forward. Her voice wavered between disbelief and desperate hope. "I don't know how that person could still be human after 400 years, but… Mother didn't specify what they'd be like. You could be—!"

"Okay, slowly, Beatrice. Just tell me… what exactly did Echidna say to you?"

She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing me, her breathing uneven.

"Aha. And you even know who Betty's creator is as well." Her voice turned accusing. "No regular person should be able to know that."

I winced.

"Damn it, I'm such a blabbermouth…" I muttered, rubbing my temples.

This was a mess. A serious one. And I had no idea how to untangle it without making things worse.

I took a slow breath, forcing myself to think. My next words had to be chosen carefully.

The logical action was to deny it, to dismiss her presumption, 'I'm not that person'. However, as I saw the expression she was making, I choked on those words. The thought of me crashing her hope just like that weighed heavy on my heart. 

"Okay… Okay…" I said, steadying my voice. "Beatrice, what exactly did your mother tell you? Did she say what to do when you found this person? Did she describe what they'd look like?"

Beatrice clutched the hem of her dress, her fingers tightening around the fabric.

"Mother told me to wait here and guard the library... until that person, who is worthy of her knowledge comes…"

She trailed off, her voice almost a whisper.

That was it?

My stomach twisted. Too vague. Way too vague. There was nothing I could decipher from such minuscule details—it was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. Damn it, what do I do?

After a moment, I made my decision.

"For now, let's put this subject aside." My tone was firm but gentle. "There's someone I need to talk to first."

Beatrice blinked, taken aback. "What?"

I hesitated. The spirit I had met—the one who spoke to me after those visions—she had hinted that we would meet again. And if anyone had the answers I needed, it was her.

Beatrice's voice wavered. "But… you came. Betty has waited for so long…"

Her hands trembled at her sides. There was something raw in her expression, a fragile, desperate hope that made my chest tighten.

I took a step forward.

"You don't understand, Beatrice. I can't be careless with this. I was planning to tell you after I spoke to her, but she hasn't shown up yet. Just a bit longer—until I meet her again."

Her breath hitched.

"I don't want to disappoint you, Beatrice. That's the last thing I want." I met her gaze, my voice quieter now. "So until I figure things out… please, just wait a little more."

Beatrice's hands trembled at her sides, her lips pressing into a thin line. Then, in a sudden burst, her voice cracked through the air—

"Liar…"

I flinched.

"Liar! Liar! Liar!"

Her small fists clenched, her entire body shaking with anger and something far more fragile beneath it.

"You're just going to leave—just like everyone else! Betty has waited for so long, and yet…!"

Her breath hitched, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"I know it's hard," I said softly. "I know you've been lonely for such a long time."

Her gaze snapped to mine, fierce and furious.

"What would you know!?" Her voice wavered, but the frustration in it was raw and unfiltered. "You're just a mere human! What do you know about what Betty has been through!? For 400 years… 400 years, I have been all by myself!"

Her words struck me harder than I expected, leaving a hollow ache in my chest.

Beatrice stopped, her breath unsteady, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes met.

She had every reason to believe that I couldn't understand—that no human could possibly grasp the weight of centuries spent alone. And yet… something in the way I looked at her made her pause. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face, as if, against all logic, she sensed that I truly did understand.

"You're right," I murmured, my voice quieter now. "I was out of line. I'm sorry."

I turned toward the exit, my footsteps slow and heavy.

When my hand reached the doorknob, I hesitated for just a breath before speaking again.

"I'll give you some space… We'll talk about this another time."

I didn't look back.

I couldn't.

Because if I saw her face—if I saw the expression I had caused—I wasn't sure I'd be able to walk away.

And so, I left.

*********************************************************************************************************

A gentle shake on my shoulder pulled me from the haze of sleep. My eyelids fluttered open as the rhythmic sway of the carriage slowed to a stop.

"Tanaka. Wake up… We've arrived."

Emilia's soft voice met my ears, and I blinked, my vision still hazy with sleep. With a slow breath, I pulled my earphones out, the remnants of music fading as reality set in.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Subaru shooting me an exaggerated glare, arms crossed over his chest.

"Tch. Woken up by Emilia-tan… what kind of rom-com divine luck is this?" he grumbled dramatically.

I ignored his whining and turned to look at him properly—only to find his hair windswept in every possible direction, his clothes slightly disheveled, as if he'd just walked through a storm.

"What happened to you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"While you were napping and listening to music like some edgy teenager," he huffed, trying to smooth his hair down, "I was locked in an intense battle against the air resistance!"

I stared at him blankly. What the hell is he even talking about?

Shaking my head, I let my gaze drift past him, taking in my surroundings. The carriage creaked as it finally came to a full stop, and as I stepped down, the familiar sight before me unfolded in all its brilliance.

Click.

On instinct, I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture.

Even though it wasn't my first time seeing this place, the circumstances this time were… different. Better. And that made all the difference.

The main street stretched before us, bustling with life. Stalls lined both sides, merchants calling out to passersby, eager to sell their wares. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, grilled meats, and exotic spices.

People of all kinds wove through the streets, moving in a vibrant tide. Tall beast men with fur-covered ears walked alongside lizard men with scaly features, and humans of various appearances.

In my original world, my black hair might have blended into an unremarkable crowd, but here, it was considered rare.

The most common hair color was gold, followed by white and blue. More uncommon shades, like green and pink, were present in much smaller numbers.

As far as I could see, there wasn't a single person with black hair —silver was also nowhere to be seen.

Except for me… and—

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

A deep, rhythmic pounding echoed in my ears, steady and forceful, like an engine roaring to life. For a moment, I thought it was coming from me, but no—this heartbeat wasn't mine.

It was Subaru's.

His heartbeat had now reached a dangerously high level.

The rapid pulsation almost tricked him into feeling pain, and the volume of his heartbeat was beyond his control.

A pair with rare black and silver hair, stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of the crowd.

Subaru forced a smile at the girl beside him, cold sweat running down his face as he made the suggestion.

"Uh, hey, Emilia-tan… This is kind of complicated, but can we, like, stop this?"

They were walking through the crowded street hand in hand. To an outsider, they would look like a close, affectionate couple. Normally, Subaru would puff up his chest and relish the moment, but…

"No way! Knowing you, Subaru, you'd definitely do something weird the moment I take my eyes off you. While we're in the capital, I absolutely won't allow you to go off on your own. Got it?"

"I already said I was sorry about the whole dragon carriage thing! I seriously regret it! Deeper than the ocean, more intense than the mountains! But if this keeps up, my stress is gonna go through the roof!"

His desperate plea was instantly shot down by her skeptical gaze. Subaru shook their joined hands up and down in protest.

___

____

_____

Right after the 'Subaru Almost Gets Off the Carriage Incident,' Subaru had regained consciousness, his head resting on something soft.

As soon as he realized it was Roswaal's lap, he spat in disgust. Then, after grasping the situation, he learned what had happened.

Rem had saved him mid-fall with her morning star, a precise feat of skill considering she caught him from a speeding dragon carriage, which he praised her for profusely. Roswaal had taken care of him afterward, while Emilia's mood plummeted.

When he finally woke up, Emilia had made him sit in a formal seiza position before launching into an incredibly long lecture.

But most importantly…

_____

____

___

"Once you fall out of a blessing's protection, you don't get included in it again. One and a half hours of that ride at that speed and shaking… I puked everything I had in me."

The results of his secret mayo-squeeze session in the kitchen before departure were completely wasted.

"Wait a second!" I suddenly spoke up, turning toward Emilia. "How did I stay asleep the entire trip, then?"

Emilia blinked at me with a troubled expression before answering, "The spirits were watching over you. They kept you comfortable the whole way."

My brow furrowed. "The same spirits from the mansion? They followed me all the way here?"

"Some spirits choose to accompany me too, but they aren't usually this attentive." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "That's how much they like you."

From beside us, Subaru twitched. His eye twitched. His soul twitched.

"How is that even fair?!" he cried out. "They're spoiling you too much!"

"Are you seriously complaining because they didn't interrupt my sleep too?" I shot back, unimpressed.

And just like that, the dragon carriage members had decided on a new rule.

One that had led directly to Subaru's current predicament.

"Okay! I totally get that I was reckless, and I accept the whole 'guardian supervision' thing… but could you at least let go of my hand?"

"Hmmm. That's funny, considering how eager you were to hold hands when you asked me out for a date in the village."

As Subaru bowed his head in submission, Emilia's tone turned teasing, as if she were enjoying his reactions.

Hearing her bring up that past moment, Subaru groaned,

"That was different! Back then, my manly spirit was on fire! But now my energy gauge is empty—I'm weak! I can't handle this!"

He covered his face with his free hand, frustrated at himself for not being able to just accept the situation for what it was.

At the very least, he had to reflect on his own lack of resolve.

His thoughts were a complete mess—there was no salvaging his dignity at this point.

Roswaal had split off from us earlier, disappearing into the heart of the capital for political affairs. That left just me, Rem, Emilia, and Subaru to navigate the lively streets on our own.

"But anyway…"

Ignoring Subaru's internal turmoil, Emilia scanned the busy street. She adjusted the hood over her head, making sure to stay as inconspicuous as possible.

Her cautious gesture might have seemed a bit excessive, but it wasn't without reason. After all, she had once been targeted for her insignia in this very place. It was only natural for her wariness to increase.

"Do you remember where the shop you mentioned is?"

"We should be close. I think it's to the right."

Honestly, this market street had so many similar-looking stalls that it was hard to be certain. But he had walked this path 'four times' before, and certain landmarks were starting to feel familiar.

As they neared a shop he recognized, his uncertain recollection became clearer.

The shop itself was simple in design, lacking any flashy decorations that would make it stand out. It looked like it would easily blend into the bustling market.

However, a recently repainted sign, in a rather unusual color, made the store pop out from its surroundings.

The letters on that sign—something that had once seemed like scribbles to Subaru—were now readable to him.

It said 'Kadomon.'

It was probably a person's name, or at least the name borrowed for the shop.

Either way—

"We've arrived."

"Here?"

"Yeah. Man, this feels even more sentimental than I thought."

Arriving in front of the shop, Subaru nodded in response to Emilia, who whispered beside him.

As the two of them stood at the storefront, the shopkeeper, who had been working inside, noticed them. He turned around and looked in their direction. The moment Emilia saw his face, Subaru could feel her grip on his hand tighten slightly.

Seeing her obvious reaction, Subaru let out a wry smile. It was understandable—this man's appearance made quite an impact at first glance. It was only natural for her to be on guard.

After all, the middle-aged man standing before them had a deep scar running down the left side of his face from forehead to chin. His large, muscular frame made it clear that he didn't have an ordinary profession.

"Well, even so, I know this type—one of those tsundere scarface characters who grumble a lot but can't help taking care of others in the end."

He had met this man four times before—each time he returned, he saw him again. While the shopkeeper had treated him coldly at times, Subaru knew from experience that, despite his rough exterior, the man was actually a good person.

Looking back, Subaru realized that this man might very well be his starting point in this world. He was the first person Subaru had ever interacted with in this new place. Was it wrong for him to feel a deep emotional connection at the thought of meeting him again?

"Welcome!"

The shopkeeper greeted them with a rough smile, seemingly recognizing them as customers.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, the world seemed to fall silent. Subaru could feel the passage of time slow down, as if he and the shopkeeper were the only two people left in existence.

And then—

"Do you… remember me?"

The words left Subaru's trembling lips, filled with both anxiety and anticipation.

The shopkeeper blinked in surprise, narrowing his eyes as if searching his memory. His deep, dark brown eyes locked onto Subaru's, making him feel as if he were being pulled in. Subaru held his breath, waiting for the man's response.

Beside him, Emilia also tensed, feeling the weight of the moment. She gripped his hand tighter, holding her breath as she watched.

And then, the shopkeeper slowly opened his lips and—

"Nah. Who the hell are you?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

I let out a short breath, breaking the awkward silence.

"Well… that was depressing."

Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel. "Anyway, I'm heading to some nearby pubs to gather information."

Behind me, Subaru immediately snapped out of his sulking and whined. "Oi! That's it?! You're just gonna brush over my pain like that? Where's the sympathy?"

"You'll live."

As I started walking away, I suddenly felt a gentle tug on my sleeve.

Blinking, I glanced back—only to see Rem standing there, her soft blue eyes looking up at me with quiet determination.

"I'm coming with you, Tanaka-Kun."

For a moment, I was taken aback, my expression betraying my surprise.

"Are you sure?" I asked, lowering my voice slightly. "Wouldn't you rather stay here and comfort him?"

Rem shook her head, her answer firm. "Tanaka has never been to the capital before. It would be better if Rem accompanies you. Besides, you don't know where we'll be staying later."

I hesitated.

"She's got a point."

"I guess you're right, but… we're mainly going to pubs." I narrowed my eyes. "You're 17.... Ah yeah, the legal drinking age in this country is 14 but still…" I trailed off, feeling like I was running out of arguments.

Rem simply stood there, patiently waiting for my inevitable defeat.

With a sigh, I raised my hands in surrender. "Fine. But no drinking. Ram will kill me if I let you get drunk in a bar full of men."

A bright smile spread across Rem's face.

"Yes!"

I found myself smiling back. But deep down, a single thought echoed in my mind—

"What do I do now?"