Chapter Text
Chapter 2: A Forgotten Star is still a Star
“Hmmm? I wonder what it would be like to have my own little child?” a certain half-elf witch mused to herself, sitting in a dark space all alone, watching Subaru enjoying his time with Beatrice.
Satella gazed at Subaru with envy as he finally returned to Roswaal’s newly rebuilt manor after his tumultuous time in Vollachia. She felt relief that, after everything he’d endured, Subaru was able to find a moment of peace. Yet, her earlier question lingered in her mind, and she began imagining what her child might look like with her beloved. That thought, however, was interrupted when the scene shifted to another figure: a small quarter-elf child asleep in a forest.
“Huh? What is an elf doing there?” Satella wondered aloud, confused as to why a young elf was in a place where none should be.
“Wait a moment... Why this child? ... WHAT!?” Satella’s shock grew as she observed the child more closely. “She has my ears and hair color... but those are Subaru’s eyes!”
Satella stared in disbelief, feeling as though she was gazing at a child she had dreamed of having. Confused and eager to confirm her suspicions, she used her magic to summon a shadow hand from the girl’s shadow to sense her gate. What she discovered left her stunned. The child had a faint connection to Satella, similar to the bond she shared with Subaru, and an enormous mana pool. Yet, Satella could tell this girl was more proficient in ice magic. Before she could delve further, the girl began to stir, and Satella quickly released her from the shadow hand.
‘She definitely has Subaru’s eyes, and I can feel a faint connection to her, but she isn’t mine,’ Satella thought, growing more puzzled. She then spoke to the other presence within her. “Is this what you're doing, Envy?” But Envy denied any involvement.
“Strange... Who is this child?” Satella mused, continuing to watch.
Satella observed as the girl woke up, wandering around before nearly breaking into tears—until she collided head first with Subaru. The collision worried Satella, but what happened next stunned her: the girl ran to Subaru, calling him “Daddy.”
“D-Daddy?! Did she just call him that?” Satella gasped. “But S-Subaru doesn’t have any children... other than the three he already has.”
Intrigued, Satella listened closely as Subaru asked the girl her name. She introduced herself as Chocorina Natsuki.
“What a lovely name... Could she really be...?” Satella and Envy both dared to hope that she might be their child—until Subaru muttered to himself, “This has to mean... she’s from the future.”
“Wait, by any chance... is your mom Emilia?” Subaru asked hesitantly.
“Ahhh! Mommy’s here too?” Chocorina exclaimed excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
Absolute shock overtook Satella and Envy at the revelation. Satella felt anger welling up, but she managed to calm herself, determined to see where this encounter would lead.
“That’s right, Chocorina. You’re like Doraemon—you’ve traveled back in time,” Subaru said with a grin as they headed toward the manor.
Satella’s anger melted away as she watched Subaru smile with the girl perched on his shoulders. Even though Chocorina wasn’t her child, Satella felt a strange warmth seeing Subaru so happy. Still, the situation grew even more puzzling when Subaru realized that Chocorina wasn’t from his direct future but rather an alternate timeline.
“So, Chocorina isn’t the destined future child of Subaru but just one possibility,” Satella thought deeply. She felt a pang of sadness knowing that Subaru’s happy ending belonged to another version of him. Yet, she was also glad that at least one version of Subaru had found joy.
As she continued watching, Satella noticed that the camp welcomed Chocorina warmly, though a certain blue-haired maid, Rem, appeared melancholic. Satella sighed. “Poor Rem... Even after what you did to Subaru, I understand how you feel. I, too, wish for a child with him.”
When Rem left the room to answer a knock at the manor door, Satella witnessed something shocking for the third time that day. She saw Rem hugging Subaru, exclaiming that she remembered everything. But what truly caught her attention was the sight of a younger Subaru with blue hair and a girl resembling a miniature Rem, albeit with black hair and brown eyes.
“T-There are more of them?! What is going on here?” Satella began to panic, wondering if some great danger was approaching Subaru.
“I-I have to go there, even if it means leaving this seal... You’re with me, right, Envy?” Satella asked her other self, who silently agreed—until a voice interrupted them.
“Please wait, nice Mommy and Envy Mommy,” said a small girl with pointy ears, sharp purple eyes, and long silver hair with black tips, dressed in a dark gown.
“H-Huh?” Satella turned to see the child standing there. “Who just said that?”
The girl looked strikingly similar to Chocorina, though her features were distinct. Slowly approaching, Satella recalled the girl’s words.
“Did you call me Mommy?” Satella asked, her mind racing. ‘Wait, she said “nice Mommy and Envy Mommy,” so she knows about Envy as well?’
“Yup! You’re the nice Mommy, and the other one is Envy Mommy,” the little girl said with a bright smile, running up to hug Satella.
“S-So Envy is still a part of me... But wait, what’s your name?” Satella gently caressed the girl, trying to confirm her identity. She could sense the girl’s strong proficiency in yin magic and an undeniable connection to herself.
The child stepped back, striking a pose reminiscent of Subaru’s iconic stance. “My name is Adhara Natsuki, the daughter of the Witch of Envy and her champion, Subaru Natsuki!”
Satella covered her mouth in shock. “S-So you’re both mine and Subaru’s child? That’s—” She couldn’t finish her sentence before pulling Adhara into a tight embrace. “That’s wonderful. I’ve done it. I finally have a child of my own with my beloved.” Satella said, pulling Adhara closer into a hug.
However, a sudden realization struck her, and she paused. “Wait... How did you get here?” Satella looked down at her daughter, who had just managed to squirm free from the hug to catch her breath.
“Well, when I was playing earlier, I got bored because both mommies were on a honeymoon with Daddy and left me with Aunty Beako,” Adhara said nervously, avoiding Satella’s gaze as guilt began to surface on her face.
“I-I may have wandered away from Aunty Beako’s sight. Wanting to have some fun, I found a book in Daddy’s library and used my magic to summon some new friends to play with,” Adhara explained, her voice growing softer.
Satella, now listening intently, leaned in. “Go on. What happened next?”
“I think somewhere went wrong with the spell as it didn’t have the last page I needed to finish the ritual. Instead of summoning new people to me, I may have accidentally sent myself—and others with similar origins to me—to our younger parents instead,” Adhara admitted, her eyes closing tightly as if bracing for anger. To her surprise, she felt her mother’s gentle arms around her again.
“Oh, Adhara,” Satella said softly, pulling her daughter into another hug. “I know you feel guilty about this, but I’m not mad. I’m just glad you made it safely to me. And, thanks to your spell, I get to meet you.” Satella smiled warmly, causing Adhara’s nervousness to melt away.
Adhara returned the hug, her eyes glistening with tears of relief. “I love you, Mommy—both of you.”
Adhara’s heartfelt confession stirred something deep within Satella and Envy. Both felt their hearts swell with an emotion they hadn’t experienced in what felt like an eternity. “And I—we—love you too, my sweet Adhara,” Satella whispered, holding her daughter close.
They remained embraced until Satella suddenly recalled something Adhara had mentioned. Pulling back slightly, she asked, “Wait, you said people with similar origins to you were sent to their younger parents, right?”
“Yes, nice Mommy. Why do you ask?” Adhara tilted her head curiously.
“How many people were sent to Subaru?” Satella’s concern grew as she pieced together what might be happening.
Adhara tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think only those who have a special, unique bond with Daddy.”
Satella exhaled a breath of relief, reassured that the number would be limited. “And? What else?”
“Oh! The spell also said something about ‘opening your heart.’ So, in Daddy’s case, it might have included anyone he opened his heart to—or thought about opening his heart to,” Adhara added, her tone cheerful but oblivious to the deeper implications of her words.
Satella froze, her initial relief now evaporating. She stared at her daughter, processing what she had just said. “Wait... Subaru has a lot of people he’s opened his heart to.”
Adhara, blissfully unaware of the impending chaos, tugged on Satella’s sleeve. “Can we spend more time together now, nice Mommy?”
Though her worry lingered, Satella decided to focus on the moment. “Of course, my sweet Adhara. Let’s spend some time together.” Adhara, excited, pulled her mother away from watching Subaru. Satella followed her daughter, but in the back of her mind, she couldn’t shake the thought of what Adhara’s spell might have unleashed.
Meanwhile, back at the manor, Subaru stood in the main hall, completely confused by the situation unfolding around him. Everyone in the house except Roswaal had heard him screaming earlier. Rem, still hugging him tightly, seemed overwhelmed with emotions after regaining her memories. But Subaru’s attention was fixed on the two new arrivals: a younger version of himself with blue hair and a girl who resembled a smaller version of Rem, with black hair and brown eyes.
“S-So, you two are from the future... and you’re Rem’s and my kids?” Subaru asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
The boy, Rigel, scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Well, that’s about right, I guess. But, uh, old man, are you an old man or would you be called a young man at this point?”
“What are you talking about, Nii-chan? Of course, you have to call him Dad!” the girl, Spica, interjected, looking at her brother in confusion.
Rigel sighed. “I mean, yeah, but I usually call him ‘Old Man.’”
“But he’s not old—he’s young, like Mom!” Spica argued, crossing her arms.
“You’re not wrong... I guess I’ll call him Pops for now,” Rigel relented, realizing he wouldn’t win the argument.
Subaru, still trying to wrap his head around the situation, knelt down to look Spica in the eye. “So, you two really are our kids...” He paused, glancing back at Rigel. “And judging by your clothes, you’re definitely not from around here.”
Rigel nodded. “Yeah, Pops. We’re from the future, but this doesn’t seem like our timeline.”
Subaru groaned and rubbed the back of his neck. “Welp, if it weren’t for someone else already showing up from the future, I’d still be in complete shock right now.”
Rigel’s ears perked up at this. “Wait, someone else came from the future?”
“Yup,” Subaru replied. He turned and called out, “Chocorina! Could you come here real quick?”
Chocorina, who had been hiding behind Emilia’s legs, peeked out cautiously. Gathering her courage, she walked toward Subaru.
“Rigel, Spica, meet your half-sister, Chocorina,” Subaru said, gesturing to the timid girl.
The two siblings exchanged surprised looks before giving Chocorina a friendly wave. Chocorina hesitated but eventually waved back, a small smile forming on her face.
As the three children eyed each other, an unspoken connection seemed to click. Chocorina pulled a small piece of candy from her dress pocket. Spica, noticing this, did the same, revealing a similar treat wrapped in paper with a star on it.
“You have Daddy’s candy too!” Chocorina exclaimed, beaming as she traded her piece of candy with Spica.
“Yeah! Daddy makes the best candy, right?” Spica giggled, handing Chocorina one of her own.
Watching this interaction, Subaru smiled, his heart swelling with pride as his children bonded. Rem, standing nearby, looked on with tears in her eyes, her hand resting on her chest. She was overjoyed to see the family she would one day have with Subaru.
Rigel crossed his arms, watching the girls bond over candy. “Well, that’s nice and all, but what do we do now, Pops? We’re kind of stuck here, and I don’t think just hanging out is going to fix this.”
Subaru sighed, standing up and brushing his hands on his pants. “Yeah, you’re right. We need to figure out what kind of magic brought you here and how to get you back to where you belong.” He glanced at Emilia, who had been silently observing with a curious expression. “Emilia-tan, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about time magic, would you?”
Emilia shook her head, her silver hair swaying. “Time magic? No, that’s not reeeeally something I’ve ever studied. It’s extremely rare and unstable. But maybe someone like Roswaal would know more?”
At the mention of Roswaal, everyone turned to look down the hallway, where the flamboyant mage was approaching, his distinct outfit swishing dramatically as he walked.
“My, my, what’s this I heeeeeeear about time magic?” Roswaal asked, his voice lilting as he glanced over the group. His heterochromatic eyes landed on Rigel and Spica, and he raised an eyebrow. “And whoooooo might these two be? New additions to your ever-growing household, Suuuuuubaru?”
“They’re, uh...” Subaru scratched his head, trying to find the right words. “They’re also my kids. From the future.”
Roswaal’s expression didn’t falter, though a flicker of interest sparkled in his eyes. “Oh, is that so? How fascinating. And here I thought you were already in quite a handful of situations with lady Chocorina. Now, it seems you’ve multiplied.”
Rigel rolled his eyes. “Great, another clown. Just what we needed.”
Spica tugged on Rigel’s sleeve. “Be nice, Nii-chan. He looks like he could help.”
Roswaal chuckled softly, crouching slightly to meet the children at eye level. “Ah, hooooow charming. You must be Rigel and Spica, yeeeeees? The names suit you.”
Rigel blinked. “How do you know our names?”
Roswaal straightened up and grinned. “Oh, let’s just say I have my waaaaays. Now then, if time magic is involved, I’d wager the cause isn’t entirely random. Soooooomeone, soooooomewhere, must have initiated this little... ripple in the timeline.”
Subaru groaned. “Yeah, about that. I’ve already got one culprit in mind.”
Roswaal tilted his head. “Oh? Dooooo tell.”
Before Subaru could answer, another voice interrupted from behind. “Don’t you dare blame this on me, Subaru in fact!” Beatrice stomped into the room, her small frame exuding indignation. Her usual pouting expression was accompanied by a rare hint of genuine concern.
“B-Beako?” Subaru blinked, surprised by her sudden entrance.
Beatrice huffed, crossing her arms. “Honestly, I turn my back for one moment to spend time with Chocorina.” Beako finally caught up with the rest of the group to see the two kids making her smile as there were more people to keep her company. “and all of this happens. If these children truly are from the future, then this is no ordinary magic. Even I would struggle with such a spell, I suppose.”
“Wait, you’re saying it’s not you?” Subaru asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course it’s not me!” Beatrice snapped. “I may be powerful, but I don’t meddle with time, in fact.”
Chocorina, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. “It’s... my fault daddy, I didn’t fully tell the whole story” Her small voice caused everyone to turn toward her.
Subaru knelt down. “Chocorina, what do you mean?”
She fidgeted with the hem of her dress. “Before ending up here I was playing in my room, and I found a glowing page with the words shining. I just wanted to read what it said but it disappeared. Then Beako entered the room to play with me and I think reading it brought us here but I lost the paper somewhere.”
Subaru’s expression softened. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not mad. But next time, maybe show us what you found before reading it out loud, alright?”
Chocorina nodded, sniffling. Spica stepped forward and offered her a candy. “It’s okay. We all make mistakes. Here, this will make you feel better.”
Chocorina took the candy with a small smile. Rigel, however, remained skeptical. “Okay, so she caused this mess, but how do we fix it?”
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Roswaal said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “If the spell originated from one of the books in the forbidden library, then it is impossible. Perhaps the answer lies within finding that lost page.”
Subaru nodded, standing up. “Alright. Beako, mind helping us find this page?”
Beatrice sighed dramatically but nodded. “Fine. But don’t think this means I’ll be cleaning up after you, in fact.”
As the group began to move toward the library, Emilia walked alongside Subaru, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. “Subaru, your kids... they’re so different. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve inherited from you.”
Subaru chuckled nervously. “Yeah, well, I’m still wrapping my head around it. I just hope we can send them back safely. I don’t want to mess up their future.”
Emilia smiled gently. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
Subaru glanced at her, his heart warming at her encouragement. “Thanks, Emilia-tan. I’ll do my best.”
Subaru, looking at the scene, felt happy seeing the kids getting along. Rem stood up and smiled, joined by Emilia and the others, all watching how the children interacted with each other now wondering how they would interact with Meili, Rui, and Petra. However, Subaru noticed something peculiar and decided he needed to speak with Rigel alone. He had observed that Rigel and Spica seemed unfamiliar with anyone besides Rem and himself, based on their reactions to Roswaal.
Subaru got up and moved closer to Rigel. “Chocorina, why don’t you show Spica around and introduce her to your other sisters?” Subaru smiled warmly as both girls returned the smile and eagerly obeyed, heading off to meet their respective mothers.
Turning his attention to Rigel, Subaru addressed the group. “Hey, everyone, could you keep an eye on those two? I want to have a one-on-one chat with Rigel—trying to spend some quality time with my son, you know.”
Rigel, noticing the serious tone in his father’s voice, nodded in agreement. Everyone else also consented, understanding Subaru’s intentions.
Now away from the group, Subaru began talking to his son. “Rigel, I noticed you didn’t seem to know anyone there except for me and Rem. Is there something you’d like to tell me?”
“Well, Pops... I guess so. I don’t know who they are, but I have this feeling that I might actually know them,” Rigel said nervously, glancing at his father. He had never seen Subaru look this serious before.
“So, before Spica and I were brought here, we were playing in our small home in Kararagi,” Rigel continued.
Subaru’s eyes widened in surprise. “Kararagi? You came from Kararagi?”
Rigel nodded. “Yeah, but... you told me a story two years ago. You said I was ready to learn the truth.”
He looked at his father with a mixture of fear and apprehension as Subaru stared deeply into his eyes.
“You told me we used to live in a manor, with Mom working for a woman named Emilia. Then the Witch’s Cult attacked. You also said that a white whale destroyed a group led by a woman named Crusch, and after that, you and Mom ran away.”
Rigel’s words struck Subaru like a bolt of lightning. He covered his mouth in shock.
“It... it can’t be,” Subaru thought to himself, his mind racing. Rigel and Spica came from the timeline where I tried to run away with Rem... but it seems that version of me really did run away. Subaru felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He realized he had failed to defeat both Petelgeuse and the White Whale in that reality.
Catching himself before he completely lost composure, Subaru took a deep breath and steadied his voice. “Anything else I told you about?”
“Um, yeah,” Rigel replied. “You said Spica and I have an aunt named Ram, but she perished... along with Emilia and the others.”
Rigel hesitated, then glanced at the group they’d left behind. “Wait, that woman with the pink hair... is she our Aunt Ram?”
Subaru smiled faintly, relieved to see his son piecing things together. “Yes, Rigel. That girl is Ram. She’s your and Spica’s aunt.”
Rigel’s face lit up with recognition. “Really? That’s so cool! But... is there anything else you want to ask me?”
Subaru’s expression softened as he placed a hand on Rigel’s shoulder. “Not really, but are you sure I can believe you? How do I know you’re not tricking me?”
Rigel blinked, startled by the question. “Huh? You think I’d lie to you?”
Subaru chuckled softly. “No, Rigel. That’s what makes me worry so much. But listen... I don’t need any proof to believe you. You’re my flesh and blood.”
“H-Huh?” Rigel stammered, taken aback by his father’s sincerity.
“Yeah,” Subaru continued. “I could say we have the same face, but there’s something else. The only person in this world who’d name their kid after a star... is me. I wanted to make you special, just like your sister. That’s why I named you Rigel.”
Tears welled up in Rigel’s eyes as he suddenly hugged Subaru tightly. “Thanks, Pops... for believing in us. Even in another reality, you’re still amazing.”
Subaru patted his son’s back and smiled. “Thanks, Rigel. Though it seems I’ll have to get used to being called ‘Pops,’ huh?”
The two shared a laugh before Subaru grew serious again, placing both hands on Rigel’s shoulders. “But listen, I need you to promise me something.”
“W-What is it?” Rigel asked, confused.
“Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else about what you just told me—not even Rem,” Subaru said firmly.
“O-Okay, but... why?” Rigel asked, agreeing nonetheless.
“You see, the story you told me is something that happened a long time ago. In this world, I defeated the Witch’s Cult and killed the White Whale,” Subaru explained.
“That’s so cool, Pops!” Rigel exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration.
Subaru chuckled. “Thanks, I appreciate that. But the reason I’m asking you not to tell them is... I don’t want them to feel sad, knowing they died in your world.”
Rigel nodded solemnly. “Alright, Pops. I promise I won’t tell anybody.”
“Especially Rem,” Subaru reiterated.
“Especially Mom,” Rigel mimicked, earning a laugh from Subaru.
“Alright then, now that we’ve cleared this up, let’s head back to everyone else,” Subaru said, ruffling Rigel’s hair as they walked back together.
When they returned, they saw the group divided into two. Roswaal, Frederica, Otto, and Beatrice were discussing ways to send Rigel and Spica back, while Ram, Rem, Emilia, and Garfiel were watching over the kids. Petra, Meili, and Rui were interacting with Rigel and Spica, who seemed to be getting along with them.
Ram, however, noticed Subaru and Rigel entering the manor again.
“Seems like you’ve finally returned, Barusu. It’s your fault this happened, as usual,” Ram said with her usual sharp tone, though her eyes lingered on Rigel.
“Mean as always, Nee-san. But Rigel, say hello to your Aunt Ram,” Subaru said, nudging his son forward.
“H-Hello, Aunt Ram,” Rigel stammered, nervous under her intense gaze.
Ram eyed him critically before sighing. “Even though you have such a terrible appearance—undoubtedly due to Barusu’s faulty genetics—I can see that you’ve inherited some of my sister’s grace. Be proud of that, Rigel.”
Rigel smiled shyly, unsure whether to feel praised or insulted, while Subaru let out an exasperated sigh.
“Pops, is she a—” Rigel gave his father a side-eye.
“Yes, Rigel, she’s a tsundere,” Subaru replied, giving a side-eye of his own.
Ram noticed this exchange and frowned. “Please, Rigel, don’t be like your failure of a father. And Barusu, don’t call me such words,” Ram said, looking disgusted.
“Right, right, let’s go that way, Rigel,” Subaru said, grabbing his son's arm and leading him to meet Meili, Petra, and Rui.
Subaru noticed Spica talking to Rui. “So, your name is also Spica? That’s nice,” Spica said, looking at Rui curiously.
“Uaaaeeu,” Rui responded. “But I’m also Spica! What should we do Mommy?” Spica asked, turning to Rem for guidance.
“Uhm, give me a second,” Rem said, placing a hand on Rui’s shoulder and whispering in her ear. “Spica, can we call you Rui for now, until they leave?” Rem asked her first daughter gently, feeling a bit guilty about asking her to use her old name.
“Uaaeuua,” Rui agreed, seemingly unbothered by the request.
“Great! So, Spica, this is your sister, Rui,” Rem said, reintroducing her.
“Hmmmm, okay! Hey, Rui-neechan, here, have this,” Spica said, handing Rui one of her candies. Rui accepted it eagerly.
“UAAEUAUA!” Rui exclaimed happily as she tasted the candy, hugging her new sister tightly.
Subaru smiled, relieved that Rui and Spica were getting along. As he moved closer to the girls, Meili noticed and approached with Rigel by her side, Ram following behind them. Meili seized the moment to break away from the other kids and walked up to Rigel.
“So, you’re my new older brother, huh?” Meili said, looking him over.
“I guess so. And you are?” Rigel asked politely.
“I’m Meili, and you look a lot like Onii-chan, I guess. But... can you do anything cool?” Meili asked, sizing him up.
“Cool? Well, I can do this,” Rigel said, surprising everyone as he increased his mana, revealing pinkish twin horns on his head.
Rem, Ram, and Subaru looked on in amazement, but Meili wasn’t as impressed. “Is that all, or—” Before she could finish, Rigel vanished, and Meili suddenly began to float in the air.
“HUHHHH? ONII-CHAN, HELP ME!” Meili screamed, panicking as she flailed in midair.
“Rigel, put your sister down nicely,” Subaru commanded in a firm tone, recognizing the technique.
Rigel reappeared and gently lowered Meili to the ground. The moment her feet touched the ground, Meili kicked him in the leg. In retaliation, Rigel started tickling her, which quickly escalated into a massive tickle fight as the other kids joined in.
The adults couldn’t help but laugh at the scene, and Subaru thought to himself how glad he was that there weren’t more kids to take care of.
Meanwhile, in a distant green-haired woman’s manor, a boy with green hair and sharp eyes woke up in a garden. He wore a lion crest on his shoulder and appeared to be about sixteen years old.
“W-What’s going on here? Why am I at my mother’s old home?” the boy asked, confused.
At another location, a pair of twins—a boy and a girl with purple hair—stood in the bustling streets of Kararagi. The girl, wearing armor with a fluffy jacket, looked around curiously, while the boy, dressed in a fluffy apron and hat, examined the stalls and merchandise.
“Hey, bro, don’t you think this area feels... different?” the girl asked.
“I believe so, sis. This place seems much more dated than what we’re used to,” the boy replied.
In a cold region of Gusteko, a white-haired boy with sharp eyes and a butterfly necklace woke up holding a book. He wore a puffer jacket with a large letter “N” stitched on the back.
“Interesting... It seems I’m far away from Father. Does Mother plan to do something to him, I wonder?” the boy mused, flipping through his book.
Elsewhere, in a faraway forest, two girls were waking up. One had long black hair braided into a single piece and wore a simple white dress embroidered with purple lilacs. She had brown eyes and a necklace with a star being pierced by a knife. The other girl, with black hair tied into a bun and red eyes, wore a red and black frilly dress and carried a fan etched with a star.
“What’s going on? Where is Mother?” the red-eyed girl muttered to herself.
“Huh? Mama, is that you?” the braided-haired girl asked, looking at her.
Both girls turned to each other and yelled simultaneously, “WHO ARE YOU?!”
Back in the Sanctuary, a sharp-toothed girl with blonde hair and black roots woke up wearing a black maid uniform decorated with yellow stars. Lost and unsure of her surroundings, she used her demi-human ears to navigate, eventually encountering a pink-haired elf.
“Excuse me, I seem to be lost. Could you help me?” the sharp-toothed girl asked.
“Oh? Is someone asking for help from me?” Ryuzu Bilma replied, looking at the girl with familiarity.
“Huh? Great-Granny Bilma, is that you?” the sharp-toothed girl asked in surprise.
Back at the manor, Subaru joined the kids in their tickle fight, with Garfiel following closely behind. Rem and Emilia smiled at Subaru’s childish behavior, laughing at how he blended in with the children.
Ram, on the other hand, looked at Subaru and Garfiel with disdain. “Of course you two man-children would find enjoyment in playing with little kids,” she remarked, rolling her eyes.