Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: A Path That Leads To Brand New Stars

“Hey, Subaru, I know you promised Betty to give me enough memories to keep me going for many years to come, I suppose, but—” Beatrice sat next to Subaru, folding a piece of paper into what seemed to be a crane origami—or at least, it looked like one.

“What’s up, Beako? Having trouble making a paper crane?” Subaru responded, holding up a perfectly folded origami crane. “Well, I guess that looks like a crane.”

“NO! BETTY IS NOT HAVING TROUBLE MAKING THIS BIRD, IN FACT, AND THAT’S NOT WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, I SUPPOSE!” Beatrice yelled, pouting indignantly.

“My bad, Beako, I’m sorry for being mean to you. I like your origami crane,” Subaru said, gently patting her head. “So, what is it you wanted to ask me about?”

“W-well, Betty was wondering if you could give Betty some k–, I suppose,” Beatrice mumbled the last part so softly that Subaru couldn’t hear it.

“What was that last part?” Subaru leaned closer, trying to clarify.

“GIVE BETTY SOME KIDS SO I CAN STILL HAVE A PIECE OF YOU TO REMEMBER, I SUPPOSE!” Beatrice shouted, her face glowing red.

“HUHHHHHHH!?” Subaru reeled back in shock.

Subaru, a man of many accomplishments: the knight of the half-elf candidate Emilia, the slayer of two of the three great Mabeasts, the conqueror of the Pleiades Watchtower, the savior of Vollachia, and the man who contracted a Great Spirit. Yet, despite all these feats, Natsuki Subaru was not yet a man who had lost his “manhood.” He might have three daughters but he had never actually slept with a maiden.

“So, Subaru, would you grant Betty’s wish and leave offspring for her to keep her company, I suppose? I don’t mind if it’s the half-elf or that blue-haired maid, in fact,” Beatrice added with pleading eyes, making her look ten times cuter than usual.

Subaru blushed furiously, grabbed Beatrice off his lap, and sprinted away, desperate to escape the conversation. It had been a relatively normal day at the newly rebuilt Roswaal Manor after returning from Vollachia with Rem and his new daughter, [Spica]. But now, Beatrice was asking him to have more kids—even though he already had Meili and [Spica].

“Beako, why did you have to say that!? Now I’m all types of embarrassed!” Subaru groaned as he finally stopped running and found himself in the woods near Arlam Village.

As Subaru stood there, catching his breath, his mind wandered to Beatrice’s request and the deeper meaning behind it. His thoughts soon shifted to his love life. His bond with Emilia was still as steady as ever, while Rem was gradually opening up, becoming more like the Rem he remembered from before. Yet, he still longed for the complete return of his Rem. His relationships with other women crossed his mind briefly, only to be dismissed entirely.

“I mean, maybe Emilia after she becomes queen, or when Rem remembers everything we went through, we might—” Subaru muttered aloud before his thoughts were interrupted.

Someone had collided with him. Stumbling backward, Subaru quickly looked up to see who it was.

A small girl with silver hair lay on the ground, looking dazed. What caught Subaru’s attention most, however, were her pointed ears. They reminded him of both the half-elf he loved and the Witch who expressed her love for him. Realizing the child had crashed into him at full speed, Subaru rushed over.

“Are you alright?” Subaru asked, extending a hand toward her.

The girl looked up, and Subaru noticed her sharp brown eyes—eyes so familiar he was about to comment on them when she suddenly exclaimed, “Daddy! I knew you’d find me!”

“D-Daddy?” Subaru stammered, confused. “O-oh, you mean I look like your daddy?”

“No, you are my daddy,” the little girl insisted, jumping into his arms to hug him tightly. “Daddy, are you ok-ay?”

‘Did she just use one of my catchphrases?’ Subaru thought, now staring at her with mounting confusion. “If you don’t mind, could you tell me your name? And your dad’s name, too.”

“Okay, Daddy, but you’re acting reaaaaally weird right now,” she replied, tilting her head in a way that reminded him of Emilia. “My name is Chocorina Natsuki, and my daddy’s name is Subaru Natsuki!” She pointed upward in a pose identical to one Subaru often used.

Watching her mimic his iconic pose and hearing her last name, Subaru’s jaw dropped. There was no denying it—this little girl was his child.

“This has to mean... she’s from the future,” Subaru muttered to himself before asking hesitantly, “Wait, by any chance... is your mom Emilia?”

“Ahhhh! Mommy is here too?” Chocorina asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling.

‘I ACTUALLY GOT TOGETHER WITH EMILIA IN THE FUTURE,’ Subaru thought, overwhelmed. Regaining his composure, he felt Chocorina tugging at his hair as she climbed onto his shoulders.

“Come on, Daddy, let’s go find Mommy!” Chocorina cheered, pointing forward. “But Daddy, why aren’t we in our castle? Where are we?”

Her question confirmed his suspicion—she had somehow traveled from the future.

“So, Chocorina, how much I told you about the past?” Subaru asked carefully.

“Hmm... OH! You said you used to stay in a manor in the woods with Mommy!” she exclaimed, recalling one of Subaru’s stories.

‘Okay, so future me told her most of it. That’s good—except for RBD,’ Subaru thought. “Chocorina, somehow you’ve traveled back in time, and I’m your daddy from the past.”

“Like Doraemon ?” Chocorina asked, catching Subaru off guard.

“You know Doraemon ?”

“Of course! You used to tell me that story at bedtime,” Chocorina said with a smile.

‘Well, other me, at least you made this easier... and congrats on getting with Emilia,’ Subaru thought, grinning before shaking his head.

“That’s right, Chocorina. You’re like Doraemon—you’ve traveled back in time,” Subaru said as they headed toward the manor.

“That’s awesome!” Chocorina’s eyes sparkled even brighter.

“But wait, Chocorina, do you remember how you got here?” Subaru asked.

“Hmm... Nope, I don’t!” she admitted cheerfully. “All I remember is playing with Beako, then going to sleep, and then waking up here about ten minutes ago.”

“Then I found you, right?” Subaru confirmed.

“Yup! I was about to cry because I was lost, but then you appeared!” Chocorina hugged his head tightly.

Subaru felt a swell of pride and joy, grateful to have saved his daughter. Soon, they arrived at the Roswaal Manor. Spotting Frederica tending to the bushes, Subaru set Chocorina down and approached her.

“Hey, Frederica! Good to see you,” Subaru called out.

“Oh, Subaru-sama! Good to see you as well. Is there something you need?” Frederica asked before noticing the small girl behind him.

“Yes, actually. Can you gather everyone in the dining room? I need to introduce someone,” Subaru said, gesturing to Chocorina, who gave a small wave.

“Understood, Subaru-sama,” Frederica replied before heading inside.

Turning to his daughter, Subaru knelt down. “Alright, Chocorina, are you ready to meet everyone—just a little younger than you remember?”

“Yeah! But will I see Meili Onee-san and Rui Onee-san?” Chocorina asked, catching Subaru’s attention.

“Wait... when you say ‘Rui,’ do you mean [Spica]?” Subaru asked, trying to confirm.

“Hmmm? No, Onee-san’s name has always been Rui, ever since you found her where she was stuck,” Chocorina replied.

‘So it seems that not only is she from the future but it seems that she might be from a different timeline as well’. Subaru manages to find out that she is not from his direct future but one of them. Despite this, he resolved to work hard to reach this version of the future, where he could see her smile again.

“But to go back and answer your question, Chocorina, everyone is here, including Meili and Rui,” Subaru said, frowning slightly after using [Spica]'s old name, though he quickly noticed Chocorina’s happiness.

“Let’s go inside already and meet them, alright?” Subaru said as Chocorina nodded happily, holding her dad’s hand.

Subaru entered the dining room and immediately noticed that everyone was already there, waiting for him. As he scanned the room, a certain pink-haired maid broke the silence.

“Stupid Barusu, late as always, even though you were the one who called us here,” Ram said, clicking her tongue in annoyance.

“Oh, sister, Rem thinks there must be a good reason for Subaru-kun's delay,” Rem said gently as she fed snacks to [Spica].

“That’s right, Subaru must have a reeeally good reason if he called all of us here,” Emilia said cheerfully, clearly happy to see everyone together.

“So, Natsuki-san, what is it you wanted to discuss with all of us?” Otto chimed in, sensing the situation was serious.

“Is it a battle? A cultist? A war?” Garfiel asked, clearly excited at the prospect of some action.

“Who knows what Onii-chan is up to? Maybe he invented something new, like that paper bird,” Meili said as she nibbled on some snacks alongside [Spica].

“Thaaaat’s right, what is it you’ve summoned us for, Suuuuubaru-kun? Could it be that an eeeenemy is coming to the manor?” Roswaal asked in his usual eccentric tone, with a subtle look that hinted he might suspect Subaru of looping back.

“Roswaal-sama, I don’t believe that’s the case,” Frederica interjected. “I think Subaru-sama is going to introduce the guest standing beside him.”

“The guest beside him?” Petra, who was standing near Frederica, finally noticed the little girl hiding behind Subaru.

Beatrice, observing from her seat, studied the child. She quickly noticed that the girl not only bore a striking resemblance to Subaru but also shared a faint magical connection with herself. A small smile crept across her face, as if she had pieced together the truth before anyone else.

Subaru took a deep breath, then picked up Chocorina and held her at chest height. “Guys, I don’t want to alarm you, but—” he paused dramatically, “this is my and Emilia’s child from the future!”

The room went completely silent. A few fleeting moments passed before—

“WHAT?!”

“HAHAHAHA!”

“My goodness!”

The reactions ranged from disbelief to shock to outright laughter.

The most surprised of all was Emilia. “W-What? I’m a mother?! But… Subaru, I thought you said kissing doesn’t lead to babies?” she said, completely flustered.

“Emilia-sama, please don’t buy into the ridiculous delusions Barusu is feeding us. This man has truly lost his mind,” Ram said, casting a deadpan look at Subaru.

Meanwhile, Garfiel, Otto, and Meili were still laughing, convinced Subaru must have roped the girl into helping him with some bizarre prank. However, as the laughter subsided, Subaru raised his voice to regain their attention.

“HEY! I’m serious! Just look at her—she has my eyes, my eye color, and Emilia’s hair and ear shape,” Subaru said, gesturing to Chocorina’s features.

Everyone took a closer look. The resemblance was undeniable, yet some still struggled to accept the possibility, especially Emilia, who knew how rare it was for elves to exist in this region since the incident in Elior Forest. The room remained tense until Beatrice finally spoke up.

“Betty’s contractor is correct, in fact,” Beatrice said as she stood up and walked over to Subaru. “I can feel a slight connection between me and the child, I suppose.”

This statement caused a ripple of murmurs among the group as they turned their focus to Beatrice.

“B-But Beatrice, how can we be extra sure?” Emilia asked, still wanting to believe but needing more proof.

“You there, child,” Beatrice said as she addressed Chocorina, “what is your name, and can you prove to your so-called mother that what Betty and Subaru are saying is correct, I suppose?”

“Okay, Beako, I can do that!” Chocorina said with a grin, surprising Beatrice with her use of the nickname Subaru often used. It made sense—she was his daughter.

“My name is Chocorina Natsuki,” the little girl announced confidently, striking Subaru’s iconic pose as she sat in his arms. “And to prove it, I’ll summon Grandpa Puck!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock as Chocorina pulled out a crystal hanging from her neck and began to channel magic through it. The crystal glowed brightly until a familiar cat-shaped figure appeared.

“HUH? Emilia, what am I doing here?” Puck said groggily as he emerged. He turned toward Chocorina and froze. “Wait, who…? Oh! I see!” He smiled warmly at her.

“Grandpa Puck, you answered! Please confirm to everyone that what I’m saying is true,” Chocorina pleaded.

Puck, still a bit confused, turned to the group, who were all staring at him intently. After a moment, he nodded. “Alright then, little one. I’ll help you out.”

Frederica was the first to speak. “Chocorina-sama, are you truly Subaru-sama and Emilia-sama’s child from the future?”

“Yes, I am, Frederica Onee-san,” Chocorina replied cheerfully.

Puck confirmed her words. “She’s telling the truth.”

Ram, skeptical, crossed her arms and asked, “What is something you know about us that only we would know?”

Chocorina immediately countered, “You told me that you’re grateful to Daddy for saving your sister and helping the man you love, even though he doesn’t feel the same.”

Ram’s face turned bright red. “That must be false! I wouldn’t say such a thing to Barusu ! That’s ridiculous!”

But Puck, floating beside her, casually said, “The pink maid is lying”

“Whose side are you on?!” Ram snapped at Puck, glaring daggers at him while the others stifled their laughter.

Otto spoke up next. “Uhm, Chocorina-san, if you’re truly from the future, how old are you, and what is it like?”

“I’m six years old, Uncle Otto,” she said sweetly, making Otto blush with pride at being called “uncle.” “And I’m the third princess of Lugunica, set to take after Mommy’s rule.”

This caused everyone to look at her with sparkling eyes. The idea of Emilia ruling the kingdom and them having a princess was a dream come true. But Subaru decided it was time to explain something he had concluded earlier.

“Chocorina, sweetie, could you tell them who the first and second princesses are?” Subaru asked.

Chocorina pointed at Meili and [Spica]. “The first princess is Meili Onee-san, and the second princess is Rui Onee-san!”

“C-Chocorina-sama, why did you call [Spica] Rui?” Rem asked, concern rising in her voice as she looked at the child she thought of as her daughter.

“T-that I can explain,” Subaru said, finally stepping in to address the question.

“Earlier, I asked the same question to Chocorina, and I came to the conclusion that Chocorina comes from the future—but not directly our future,” Subaru explained, attempting to clarify his thoughts.

“W-what do you mean, S-Subaru?” Rem asked, confused by his reasoning.

“Well, where I’m from, we have something called the Multiverse Theory,” Subaru began, pausing before continuing.

“It’s a theory that suggests there are different worlds similar to ours, but a single action can create a split, changing what that reality becomes.” Subaru glanced at [Spica], who looked back at him with curious eyes, letting out a soft, “Uaaua?”

“Chocorina, could you explain how R-Rui is in your world?” Subaru asked, hoping his daughter could help make his point.

“Weeeell, Rui Onee-san is really smart and ends her words with a tsu at the end of her sentences,” Chocorina explained, causing the group to exchange surprised looks. They couldn’t help but recall a certain trio they knew who had a habit of adding tsu to the ends of their words.

“Did I ever tell you how I adopted her?” Subaru asked, trying to pinpoint where their timelines diverged.

“Ah, you never told me, Daddy, but umm...” Chocorina trailed off, looking down at her feet.

“What is it, Chocorin? Can you tell me?” Subaru asked, crouching to comfort her. “You promise you won’t get mad?”

“I promise I won’t,” Subaru said reassuringly.

“I want a pinky promise because Mommy said you always break your promises,” Chocorina said with a pout.

Subaru froze for a moment, glancing at Emilia and the rest of the group, who were giggling, clearly recalling all the times he’d broken his promises. Subaru muttered under his breath, blaming the other version of himself for continuing to disappoint in that future.

“I pinky promise I won’t,” Subaru said, holding out his pinky, which Chocorina hesitantly hooked with her own. “Alright, I’ll tell you,” she said after a moment’s pause.

“Rui Onee-san told me herself,” Chocorina began. “She said she joined our family after you convinced her to leave her evil old family behind. And she told me to keep it a secret because you’d be mad.”

Chocorina closed her eyes, bracing herself for what she thought would be an angry Subaru. Instead, Subaru gently patted her head, a warm smile spreading across his face.

“I’m not mad, Chocorina, but I am glad you’re close with your older sister,” Subaru said, causing Chocorina to smile and hug him tightly.

“So, Subaru, does this mean she’s truly our daughter?” Emilia hesitantly asked, moving closer to him.

“Yes, I believe so. But if you’re still unsure, why don’t you ask her a question? Puck is still here to confirm,” Subaru said, reassuring her.

“Okay,” Emilia said softly, standing before Chocorina with Puck at her side. “Chocorina, I’ll ask you something only a few people should know.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “Do you know why I froze Ellior Forest?”

Chocorina looked down, mirroring her mother’s posture, before answering in a cold and somber tone, “Yes, Mommy, I know why you did it.”

Emilia’s breath hitched at her daughter’s answer. Before Puck could confirm anything, Chocorina continued, “It was because of that evil witch, Pan—” She caught herself, remembering her promise not to say the witch’s name aloud in front of her father. “The evil witch with platinum hair killed Grandma Fortuna by making Grandpa Geusu think he was killing the witch.”

Emilia’s eyes widened in shock, hearing her daughter recount the events of that fateful day. Snapping back to reality, she noticed tears streaming down Chocorina’s face as small shards of ice began forming around her. Emilia knew what was going to happen so she rushed forward and embraced her tightly.

“Why d-do you seem so mad while telling that story?” Emilia asked, holding her daughter close.

“Because she hurt you, Mommy,” Chocorina sobbed. “I don’t like it when you cry.”

“Mommy, I love you very much, and Daddy told me you had it rough growing up,” Chocorina said through her tears, burying her face in her mother’s arms.

“Oh, Chocorina, thank Od for bringing you to me,” Emilia said, her own tears falling as she hugged her daughter tightly, finally accepting the truth.

Subaru, watching the emotional moment, thought to himself, I’m glad she’s here. She’s helped Emilia face her past in a way I never could.

Puck, moved by the scene, grew larger and embraced the two elves. He was glad Emilia now had someone to call her own and felt a sense of pride knowing his granddaughter had made a contract with him in the future.

After some time, everything calmed down. Chocorina, now sitting on her mother’s lap, happily ate food prepared by the maids. The atmosphere in the room grew lighthearted as everyone enjoyed Chocorina’s presence. She spent time playing with her sisters and Petra in the main hall of the manor.

Subaru, watching the children bond, smiled warmly. But his thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tug on his sleeve. He looked down to see Beatrice.

“What’s up, Beako? Do you need something?” Subaru asked.

“Nothing much. I just want to say... I’m glad you granted Betty’s wish of leaving more children behind, I suppose,” Beatrice said with a rare smile, causing Subaru to blush.

“Well—uhm—that was a strange wish to ask of me. And besides, Chocorina is from a different future,” Subaru stammered, trying to brush it off.

“I know that,” Beatrice replied. “But just because it’s a different future doesn’t mean it won’t happen, I suppose.” She glanced at Chocorina with a knowing expression, as if acknowledging that her future self was happy as well.

Subaru, seeing Beatrice’s expression, thought to himself that perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.

However, while everyone was enjoying the moment, a certain blue-haired maid, Rem, felt an unusual emptiness for the first time. Watching Subaru, she felt a strange longing, as though she too wanted to share something similar with him but couldn’t quite place why. Ram, sensing her sister’s unease through their synesthesia, glared at Subaru. While she was grateful to him for bringing Rem back, she was angry that he’d caused her sister this new sadness.

Before Ram could act on her feelings and scold Subaru, a loud knock echoed from the door.

“Sister, I’ve got it. Don’t worry,” Rem said, using this as an excuse to quickly leave the room.

“Rem...” Ram muttered, watching her sister’s sudden departure. She hesitated, wondering if she should intervene. This internal debate lasted for ten minutes before she finally decided to confront Subaru.

“Barusu, let it be known that your perverted nature has caused both me and Rem discomfort,” Ram said sharply, scolding Subaru.

“Nee-sama, what did I do this time? And what do you mean?” Subaru asked, confused by her accusation.

“It’s because of you that Rem feels sad about all of this,” Ram replied bluntly, revealing the truth.

“Huh? Rem is feeling sad?” Subaru asked, his expression shifting to concern.

“Yes, she is. I can feel it through our synesthesia,” Ram confirmed, crossing her arms as she looked at him.

“Sorry, Ram, but I need to find her right now,” Subaru said, quickly turning to leave.

“Wait! Come back here, Barusu! I’m not done talking to you yet!” Ram shouted, shocked that Subaru had dashed off without another word.

Maybe, just maybe, that version of Rem is alive and trying to come back, Subaru thought to himself as he made his way to the manor’s entrance. There, he found Rem speaking to some unfamiliar people.

“REM!!! I have a question!” Subaru called out, raising his voice just enough to catch her attention.

“S-Subaru!” Rem exclaimed, immediately running toward him and throwing herself into his arms. “Subaru, your Rem finally remembers everything—from when you saved me to the promise you made when we fought the White Whale.”

Subaru froze, stunned by her words. “Wait... Rem, d-did you just get your missing memories back?” he asked, his voice shaking with disbelief.

“Yes, Rem just got them back after I met and talked to them, ” she said, pointing toward the two figures standing by the door. They looked like children, but something about them left Subaru completely shocked.

The first child was a little girl who didn’t look older than five. She had black hair and blue eyes that strongly resemble Rem’s. But what truly stunned Subaru was the boy standing beside her. The boy had sharp eyes and blue hair styled almost exactly like Subaru’s own. He appeared to be around fourteen years old, and his height and demeanor gave him a confident presence. Both children wore clothing that resembled traditional Japanese attire, often seen during festivals.

Before Subaru could say anything, the boy stepped forward and began to speak. “H-hey, old man... I know this sounds strange, but my name is Rigel, and this is my sister, Spica,” the boy said, his voice steady but laced with nervousness. His expression carried a mix of pity and hesitation.

“What I’m trying to say is... I guess we’re your kids from the future,” Rigel said, managing a crooked smile as he finished.

“Hey, Dad! You look so young—just like Mom!” Spica chimed in, waving enthusiastically at Subaru.

Subaru, still being hugged tightly by Rem, could barely process what was happening. Slowly, he stood up, his mind racing, and screamed, “WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW?!”

The loud outburst echoed through the manor, quickly drawing the attention of everyone inside. The oni children and their mother exchanged glances, their expressions filled with pity as they looked at Subaru, who stood frozen in a mix of shock and disbelief.

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.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: To Be Greedy like a White Fox

The streets of Kararagi bustled with life, merchants hawking their wares and scents of sizzling skewers and sweet treats filling the air. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting warm light on the winding alleys lined with wooden stalls. Among the crowd, a girl clad in armor with a fluffy jacket looked around with wide, curious eyes, while beside her, a boy in a fluffy apron and hat had been meticulously examining stalls and merchandise for the past three hours.

With a groan, the girl finally lost her patience. “Oi, Niko, we been at this for three whole hours, y’know? Ain’tcha figured out where we are yet?” she said, arms crossed, her foot tapping against the cobblestone street.

The boy, Nikolai, paused for a long moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Then, with exaggerated slowness, he muttered, “...Hmmm… Perhaps, Maia.”

“Huuh?” Maia shot him a bewildered look, tilting her head. “What’s that supposed to mean, ‘perhaps’? We’re in Kararagi, duh. Just an older part of it, that’s all.”

Nikolai’s gaze flicked around the streets, eyes narrowing. “And that’s the problem,” he said, his voice suddenly serious.

Maia blinked at him in confusion. “Whaddaya mean? These old-style buildings still exist, yeah? Ain’t nothin’ strange ‘bout that.”

Nikolai let out a sigh, shaking his head. “They exist, yeah, but they ain’t supposed to be in use. At least not like this—like they’re still livin’ in the past. They should be memorial sites by now.”

At those words, Maia’s expression shifted as she caught onto his line of thinking. “Wait… You mean ‘cause of Ma and Pa?” she asked, voice dropping slightly. “They made sure things were more modern, right? Pushed for better trade, better city plans, all that business stuff.”

“Exactly.” Nikolai nodded. “Kararagi’s all about efficiency, ‘specially in the marketplace. There shouldn’t be places like this still runnin’ full swing.”

The realization clicked in Maia’s head at the same time it did in Nikolai’s. “Unless…”

“Unless,” Nikolai echoed, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.

Maia huffed, placing her hands on her hips. “Aw c’mon now, spit it out already! I hate it when ya do this thing where ya leave thoughts half-finished.”

Nikolai, ever unfazed, pulled out a small pouch of coins and sauntered over to an old lady tending a street stall, her stand filled with glistening, caramel-coated appas. “Obaa-san,” he greeted smoothly, flashing a polite smile. “Two candied appas for me an’ my sis, if ya don’t mind.”

The elderly woman looked up, her face lighting up with a warm, toothy grin. “Oh-ho, a polite young lad, ain’tcha? Fresh candied appas comin’ right up.”

As she set to work, slicing the appas and melting sugar in a small pot, Nikolai leaned casually against the stall. “A fine day for a stroll, don’tcha think?” he remarked, eyes glinting with something unreadable.

“Sure is,” the old woman agreed. “Even better with Anastasia-sama visitin’ every now an’ then from Lugnica.”

Maia, who had been frowning moments ago, stiffened slightly at those words. She took a slow step forward, ears perking up at the mention of their mother.

Nikolai, however, remained perfectly composed. “Ahh, Anastasia-sama, huh? Must be real busy then, what with her candidacy an’ all.”

Maia felt her stomach twist. He said it so naturally. Their mother’s name—like it meant nothin’ to him.

The old lady chuckled, shaking her head as she worked. “Busy indeed. Girl’s got a lot on her plate, tryin’ to be queen of Lugnica.”

Maia’s eyes widened, her gaze snapping toward her brother, who was now wearing a certain smirk—the exact same one their mother always had when somethin’ went exactly her way.

“Wait—Niko, don’t tell me—” she started in a hushed whisper.

Nikolai turned slightly, his smirk widening. “Oh, it’s exactly what ya think,” he murmured back. “We ain’t just in Kararagi, sis. We’re in Kararagi of the past—back when Ma was still runnin’ for queen.”

A chill ran down Maia’s spine, her hands unconsciously clenching at her sides. Time travel. Just like that, huh? No big sparkly magic, no ominous voice tellin’ ‘em what’s up, just—bam! Here they were.

Before she could ask more, the old woman placed two hefty cups of candied appas in front of them. “Here ya go, sweethearts. Big portions, just how young’uns like ‘em.”

Maia stared at the generous serving, then at the old lady. “Wait, all this—just for two silver coins?” she asked, incredulous.

“Surely this oughta cost more,” Nikolai added, raising a brow.

The old woman chuckled again, waving a hand dismissively. “Bah, should be more, sure, but look at ya two. So skinny, all legs and no meat! Gotta fatten up young’uns when I get the chance.”

Nikolai and Maia exchanged looks, both suddenly self-conscious. It was true—they had Ma’s slim frame and Pa’s tall build, makin’ ‘em look even skinnier than they actually were.

Maia, feeling a strange warmth in her chest, fumbled in her pouch and pulled out extra coins. “Then take six silver coins instead,” she said, trying to push the money forward. “Ain’t right gettin’ more than we paid for.”

But the old woman shook her head firmly. “Nah, keep it. I seen plenty o’ kids growin’ up hungry. If I can make even one of ya a bit more plump, well, that’s reason enough for this ol’ lady to be happy.”

Maia bit her lip, glancing down. When was the last time someone treated them like kids? Not heirs, not Anastasia and Subaru’s children—just regular kids?

Nikolai recovered first, giving the old lady a deep bow. “We’re mighty grateful, Obaa-san,” he said sincerely, handing over the proper two silver coins. “Ain’t gonna forget this kindness.”

As they walked away, candied appas in hand, they both fell silent, lost in thought.

For a moment, it was just the sweet taste of caramel and fruit on their tongues, the chatter of a city that didn’t know them, and the distant echo of a realization that had yet to settle in.

Then, finally, Maia exhaled sharply. “Alright, genius. Now what?”

Nikolai grinned, licking a bit of caramel from his thumb. “Ain’t it obvious?” He tapped his temple. “We gotta figure out how the hell we got here.”

And just like that, the game was on.

Nikolai standing outside, the warm cup of appas in his hands, its sweet aroma filling the street. He took a slow bites, savoring the taste, before throwing the cup in trash with a soft toss. "Alrighty then, first step's figurin' out what in the world our situation is, ya know?" he drawled, his Kararagi accent thick as he wiped the crumbs from his apron.

Maia, standing beside him, twirled her empty cup between her hands, her brow furrowed. "Well, ain't it obvious? We got whisked away, just like that, and dumped here—back in the past, no less," she said, her voice carrying a playful lilt despite the gravity of the situation.

Nikolai chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Heh, that much we got thanks to that kind Obaa-san. But, Maia, ya remember them stories Pops used to spin for us?"

Maia tilted her head, a bright smile creeping onto her face. "Which one ya talkin' about? Pops had a whole library of 'em."

"The one 'bout how he ended up here, in this world, and all that multiverse theory mumbo-jumbo," Nikolai said, brushing the remaining crumbs from the table.

Maia's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Oooh, I remember now! Those wild tales 'bout other worlds and all. Wait, ya think we're livin' one of those stories now?"

Nikolai smirked, tapping his fingers on the table. "If I were a bettin' man—and ya know I am—I’d say that’s exactly what’s happenin’."

Maia leaned in closer, excitement bubbling up. "Alright, alright! So, what’s the plan? We ain’t got a magic door to waltz back through, right?"

"Yeah, no easy outs here," Nikolai sighed, but his grin didn’t falter. "But Pops, he’s always had a knack for solv’n problems—whether it was Ma’s tantrums or our little mess-ups. Betcha he’d know what to do."

Maia's excitement faded into concern as she chewed on her lower lip. "But Niko… how’re we supposed to find Pops? He could be anywhere."

Nikolai’s eyes gleamed with mischief. "C’mon now, Maia, ya really forgettin'? If there’s anyone who can lead us to Pops, it’s Ma."

"Oh! Right, right!" Maia clapped her hands, her grin returning full force. "We just gotta get Ma’s help, and then we can track Pops down and skedaddle home."

Maia was about to jump up when Nikolai grabbed her shoulder, his grip gentle but firm. "Hold yer horses, sis. Remember, this is the past. Ma ain't exactly the most… generous soul, especially when it comes to strangers."

Maia pouted, puffing out her chest. "But why wouldn’t she help? I mean, look at us—we’re spittin' images of her!"

Nikolai sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "And that’s the problem. We look too much like her. If we go barging in, claimin' we’re her kids from the future, she’ll think we’re off our rockers."

Maia’s shoulders slumped, but she nodded. "So, what’re we s’posed to do then? Just sit around and twiddle our thumbs?"

Nikolai chuckled, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "Don’t be dumb. We just gotta be smart about it. We approach her with somethin’ she can’t refuse—make it seem like a deal of a lifetime."

Maia’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "So, we’re trickin’ Ma into helpin’ us? Sounds risky. Ya remember last time ya tried that? Pops had to bail ya out."

Nikolai grinned, tipping his hat. "Yeah, but this is a younger Ma. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll pull off a win this time."

Maia snickered, adjusting her skirt and jacket. "Or maybe it’ll be worse, and Pops won’t be there to save our hides. But hey, sometimes ya gotta roll the dice."

Nikolai laughed, slapping his knee. "Ain’t that the truth? Pops and Ma wouldn’t have raised us any other way."

The twins, now in high spirits, began plotting their approach. They decided to use their knowledge of Japanese—taught by their father—to translate Hoshin’s book, presenting it as a valuable asset. To ensure their mother would take notice, they used her maiden name, becoming Nikolai and Maia Hoshin.

After some time, they arrived at Anastasia’s Kararagi base of operations. The building's grand design stirred memories from old pictures their mother had once shown them.

As they entered, their eyes caught a familiar figure—Julius—walking down the corridor towards what must’ve been Anastasia’s office.

"Excuse us! Julius-san!" Nikolai called out, waving.

Julius stopped, turning to face them with a polite smile, though confusion flickered in his eyes. "Ah, can I help you two?"

Maia stepped forward, grinning wide. "We’re lookin’ to have a word with Anastasia-sama, ya see. Got somethin’ real special she might be interested in."

Julius hesitated, eyeing them carefully. "And who might you two be?"

Nikolai tipped his hat. "Name’s Nikolai Hoshin, and this here’s my sister, Maia. We ain’t lookin’ for trouble—just a good ol’ business opportunity."

Maia nodded eagerly. "Yep! Somethin’ that might be too good to pass up!"

Julius studied them for a moment longer before sighing, a soft smile returning to his face. "Very well. Follow me. But I warn you, Lady Anastasia’s a sharp one—she won’t be easily swayed."

Nikolai and Maia exchanged grins. "Heh, neither are we."

The trio walked the halls, the soft clatter of their footsteps echoing against the grand walls. Maia and Nikolai trailed just behind Julius, their conversation hushed but urgent as they tried to make sense of their thoughts.

“Heya, Maia, don’tcha think Uncle Julius’s actin’ a mite stranger than usual?” Nikolai murmured, his eyes narrowing as he studied Julius’s back with a sharp, calculating gaze.

Maia tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Huh? How so, Niko? I mean, we’re in the past, right? Maybe Uncle Juli just used to act like this back then.”

Nikolai clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes. “Tch, call it merchant’s intuition. Somethin’ just feels off. Look at his walk.”

Maia squinted at Julius but didn’t catch what Nikolai meant. “What about it? Looks normal ta me.”

Nikolai sighed, placing a hand on his hip. “Nah, see, Uncle Juli usually moves all refined-like, real proper. Like he’s always got a stick up his—well, ya get it. But now? He’s got this drive in his steps, like he’s chasin’ somethin’. His posture’s looser too, relaxed but still sharp.”

Before Maia could reply, Julius glanced over his shoulder, his expression calm and composed. “You two seem rather young. Tell me, why do you both want to be merchants?”

Nikolai immediately donned a practiced smile, the kind Anastasia had mastered. “Why, Julius-san, it’s ‘cause we’re lookin’ to make a name for ourselves. Plus, the info we brought along might help us do just that.”

Julius’s eyes flickered for a moment, the familiar smile reminding him of his master. “I see. You both share the same last name as my lady, and I can’t help but notice... you resemble her quite a bit.”

“As expected of the Kingdom’s finest knight to catch that so quickly,” Nikolai replied smoothly, his grin widening. Julius’s stoic façade faltered for the briefest second. “We didn’t have a last name, so we figured, why not take after the greatest merchant in Kararagi’s history?”

Julius narrowed his eyes, thoughtful but careful not to show too much. “That’s quite the bold move. You’re aware you’ll be meeting the one who bears that name soon enough?”

Maia chuckled nervously, almost letting her tongue slip. “It’s, uh... quite the fateful encounter, ain’t it, Julius-san?”

Julius caught her stumble but didn’t comment. Instead, he stopped at a grand door. “Wait here. I’ll inform my lady.”

As Julius entered Anastasia’s office, he found her hunched over a stack of paperwork. Without wasting time, he spoke. “Anastasia-sama, there are two individuals here to see you. They claim to have valuable information... but there’s something odd.”

Anastasia didn’t look up from her work, but her brow furrowed. “Odd, how so?”

“They carry your last name, claim it’s by choice, but their resemblance to you is uncanny. More than mere coincidence. And they mentioned things about me... as if they remember me at my best.”

Anastasia leaned back in her chair, deep in thought. “Hoo-boy, that’s somethin’. Well, curiosity’s got the better of me now. Bring ‘em in. Let’s see what they’re really after.”

Julius nodded, his usual composure returning. “As you wish.”

Meanwhile, outside, Nikolai adjusted his hat, flashing Maia a confident grin. “Ya ready, Maia? Time to charm the socks off Mother.”

Maia smirked back, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “Born ready, Niko. Let’s make this count.”

As the two walked in, they spotted their mother with that familiar smile — the one she wore whenever she was sizing up a client. Both siblings swallowed silently, exchanging quick glances as they prepared to convince their mother to help them find Subaru. Before they stepped forward, Julius quietly approached and held out his hand.

"Your weapons," Julius said firmly.

Nikolai sighed and produced two identical daggers, each engraved with a fox and star on the handle. Julius accepted them without a word. Maia, however, subtly shifted the knuckle dusters tucked into her back pocket. Just in case.

"Hello there," Anastasia greeted, her fingers idly playing with the end of her scarf. "My knight tells me ya got some information I'm mighty interested in."

"That’s right," Nikolai replied, his voice steady but guarded. "And we’d like to strike a deal for it."

"Good to know." Anastasia’s smile widened a fraction. "But before we talk business, how ‘bout we introduce ourselves properly? Ya already know me, so what’s yer story? I heard you two happen to share my family name."

"Ah, that’s right!" Nikolai spread his arms in a theatrical gesture. "Name's Nikolai Hoshin, and this here’s my sister and bodyguard, Maia Hoshin."

"Pleased to make yer acquaintance, Anastasia-sama," Maia said, bowing politely with perfect form.

"Pleasure's all mine," Anastasia said sweetly. "Now then, let’s get down to brass tacks. What’s this information that’s got me so curious?"

Nikolai’s smile shifted, carefully measured. "Well... with the information we gathered, we’ve deciphered a special language. A language said to be used by Kararagi’s great founder, Hoshin himself."

Both Julius and Anastasia perked up at that. Julius’s fingers subtly shifted closer to his sword, while Anastasia steepled her fingers in front of her face, calculating the possible implications.

"Well now... ya certainly got my attention," Anastasia drawled, her smile sharpening. "But information like that’s only valuable if it means somethin’ to me. So what’s in it fer me? And what is it yer wantin’ fer sharin’ it?"

Nikolai’s eyes narrowed slightly. "That language’s tied to a certain book, one said to contain all kinds of... innovative ideas. Unseen inventions. Designs that could make a merchant filthy rich."

Anastasia’s fingers twitched at her scarf — a tell she couldn’t hide. Nikolai caught the movement and smiled inwardly. She was interested.

"But that sounds like a tall tale," Anastasia said lazily, her expression slipping into feigned disinterest. "How can I know yer not just tryin’ to pull a fast one on me?"

"We know fer a fact that Miss Hoshin herself possesses that very book," Nikolai countered, his smile thin. "Me an’ my sister wanna help ya decipher it. Simple as that."

Anastasia’s expression faltered just a touch. For a brief second, her smile tightened. Who leaked that information? How did these two even find out?

"Interestin’," she said slowly. She tapped her fingers against her scarf, just once. Julius, noticing the signal, quietly shifted closer to the door. The room’s air seemed to grow heavier.

"And just how’d ya come across that kinda information?" Anastasia asked, her voice still pleasant but her gaze sharper than ever. "An’ how do I know ya ain’t just spoutin’ lies?"

"Let’s just say our network’s real efficient ‘bout keepin’ its ears open," Nikolai said, though his smile wavered as he sensed the shift in mood. He shot a quick glance at Maia, silently warning her to stay sharp.

Maia, catching his signal, turned to face Julius — who now stood with his hand resting firmly on his sword’s grip. Slowly, her fingers moved behind her back, curling around the cool metal of her knuckle dusters.

"Alright," Anastasia said at last, closing her eyes for a moment as she whispered something into her scarf. "So what is it yer wantin’ fer this oh-so-valuable help of yers?"

"Two simple things," Nikolai began. "A place to stay... an’ a meetin’ with Natsuki Subaru—"

The air changed.

Anastasia opened her eyes again — colder, sharper, like frost had swept through the room. Julius shifted, his fingers tightening on his sword’s hilt. Maia clenched her knuckle dusters behind her back, ready for the worst.

"A meetin’ with Natsuki-kun, ya say?" Anastasia’s voice was light, but the tension in the room had become unbearable. "Now why would ya want somethin’ like that?"

Nikolai swallowed hard, suddenly regretting his choice of words. "We just wanna meet the man who stood alongside Julius when he fought the Archbishop of Sloth—"

Steel sang.

Julius's blade flashed, and Maia lunged forward in the same breath. The strike met Maia’s reinforced knuckle duster, sparks flying as metal crashed against metal.

"Hold on now!" Nikolai shouted, stepping between them with both hands raised. "Ain’t no need fer bloodshed!"

"That," Julius said coldly, "depends on your intentions."

"Best ya start talkin’," Anastasia added, her voice calm yet firm. "An’ this time... be real clear ‘bout what ya want."

Maia gritted her teeth as she pushed against Julius’s blade, the force of his strike sending tremors down her arm. Julius, in contrast, remained completely composed, his sword unwavering despite the impact. His yellow eyes were unreadable, but the intent behind his strike was clear—this was a warning.

Nikolai clicked his tongue and took a step forward, waving his hands. “Now, now, let’s not be so hasty, yeah? We came here ta talk, not ta get cut down.” He shot a quick glance at Maia. “Stand down, sis.”

Maia hesitated, her knuckles white as she gripped her weapons. But after a long, tense moment, she exhaled sharply through her nose and took a step back, lowering her stance. Julius, seeing this, smoothly withdrew his blade, though his posture remained guarded.

“Much obliged.” Nikolai flashed a disarming smile, though there was a sheen of sweat on his brow. “Ain’t no need fer hostility, Miss Anastasia. We just wanna talk business. That’s all.”

Anastasia didn’t respond immediately. She simply folded her arms, her scarf still coiled around her fingers. The calculating gleam in her eyes never wavered.

“Well, now,” she finally drawled, her tone light, but laced with something colder. “Ain’t often someone barges in makin’ bold claims ‘bout Hoshin’s book and askin’ ta meet one of another knight in the same breath. Mighty suspicious, don’t ya think?”

“That ain't our intention,” Nikolai said quickly. “We ain’t here fer trouble. Just an opportunity.”

“An’ opportunity fer who, exactly?” Anastasia tilted her head slightly. “Ya said ya wanted ta meet Natsuki-kun, but ya never really said why . So, I’ll ask again—what do ya want with ‘im?”

The weight of the room seemed to press down on them. Nikolai’s easygoing smile wavered for just a second before he schooled his expression.

“It ain’t anythin’ bad, I swear,” he said. “Just... curiosity. See, me an’ my sis, we got a real keen interest in the kinda people who shake the world up. An’ yer knight here? Julius? Fought side by side with Subaru against an Archbishop of the Witch Cult. That’s the kinda thing that makes a man real interesting.”

Julius’s expression didn’t change, but the air around him grew heavier. “If you only sought a simple meeting, there would be no need to leverage information about Hoshin’s book.”

“That’s just how business is, ain’t it?” Nikolai grinned, but his fingers twitched at his side. “Ya always gotta have a chip on the table.”

Anastasia chuckled, shaking her head. “Ain’t that the truth.” Then, her voice turned silkier, smoother—dangerous. “But see, what ya don’t seem ta understand is that I don’t much like it when someone plays with my chips without askin’ first.”

A drop of sweat rolled down Nikolai’s temple. He could feel it now—Anastasia wasn’t just amused. She was testing them. Weighing them. Deciding whether they were worth keeping alive.

“Now, normally,” Anastasia continued, “I’d just toss out someone who tried ta pull a stunt like this. But, lucky you, ya did catch my interest.” She leaned forward slightly, her smile growing sharper. “So tell me, what’s really drivin’ ya two? ‘Cause I got a feelin’ it ain’t just curiosity.”

Maia clenched her fists, her knuckles turning pale. But it was Nikolai who finally dropped the mask — if only slightly. His grin faltered, and something more serious settled on his face.

“Fine,” he muttered, voice low. “Guess there’s no point beatin’ ‘round the bush no more.” He drew in a deep breath, then locked eyes with Anastasia. “We ain’t just lookin’ for a meetin’. We need ta find Natsuki Subaru.”

The air shifted.

Julius stiffened beside Anastasia, his hand hovering near the hilt of his sword. Anastasia’s fingers twitched against her scarf, her gaze sharpening like a blade. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet.

“That’s a mighty interestin’ thing ta say,” Anastasia drawled, her voice deceptively light. “Now why would ya need ta find him, huh?”

Nikolai hesitated. This was it — the turning point. One wrong word, and everything would fall apart.

“Because…” Nikolai exhaled slowly. “Because he’s our father.”

The silence that followed was deafening. A heartbeat passed. Then another.

Anastasia laughed.

A light, airy chuckle that twisted in Nikolai’s stomach like a knife.

“Oh, honey,” Anastasia cooed, wiping a nonexistent tear from the corner of her eye. “Now that’s a real fascinatin’ claim ya just made. But see… last I checked, Natsuki-kun didn’t have no other kids. And ya both look way too old ta be any of his. So either ya know somethin’ I don’t… or ya just made a real big mistake.”

Julius shifted, the faint glint of his sword catching the dim light. Maia adjusted her stance just as subtly, bracing herself.

“We ain’t lyin’,” Nikolai said firmly. “Subaru’s our father. We don’t know where he is, but we know somethin’s wrong.”

Anastasia’s smile didn’t waver, but the sharpness in her gaze cut deeper.

“Well, now,” she murmured. “Ain’t this a predicament?” She glanced at Julius. “What do ya think, Julius? They spinnin’ a yarn or what?”

Julius didn’t answer immediately. His sharp eyes stayed locked onto Nikolai and Maia, his hand never straying from his sword.

“I don't know much about Subaru’s personal life,” Julius admitted at last. “But that doesn’t mean these two are his.”

“Course we are!” Nikolai cut in quickly. “An’ we can prove it too. Just look at us! We got his eyes an’ hair an’—”

“Alright,” Anastasia interrupted, voice low. “Say I ain’t gonna deny ya look like him. But who’s your mother then?”

Silence stretched thin and cold between them. Nikolai and Maia exchanged a look, then turned in unison to point directly at Anastasia.

“Pardon now?” Anastasia blinked. Then her expression darkened. “Ohhh, I get it. Ya must be either insane or workin’ with Russel. Only way ya could know…”

She trailed off, rubbing her temple in irritation. Then her eyes hardened.

“Julius, guide these two out. I ain’t got the patience for this nonsense.”

Julius moved instantly, stepping forward to usher the twins away. But—

“We know about Echidna!” Maia blurted out.

Julius froze mid-step. Anastasia’s hand shot back to her scarf as her expression twisted with alarm.

“How do ya know that name?” she demanded, voice cold and sharp. “You lot… you’re with the Witch Cult, ain’tcha?”

“Wait, wait!” Nikolai yelped, his voice rising in panic as magic began to crackle faintly around Anastasia and Julius. “We ain’t with no Cult! We know ‘bout Echidna ‘cause she’s our future mother, an’ we can prove it!”

His desperate words only seemed to worsen things — both Julius and Anastasia’s mana flared stronger.

“Echidna,” Nikolai gasped, turning to the scarf. “Please — please vouch for us! We ain’t lyin’!”

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, the scarf shimmered and shifted, twisting and unfolding into the shape of a small white fox. Echidna’s crimson eyes flicked lazily between the twins, her gaze unreadable.

“How could I?” Echidna drawled. “You might be tryin’ to hurt my contractor.”

“Maia,” Nikolai muttered, swallowing hard. “Drop the knuckle dusters an’ sit down.”

Maia shot him a look, but she obeyed, sliding her weapons off her fingers before dropping to her knees. Nikolai did the same, the two of them clutching each other’s hands tightly.

“Echidna,” Nikolai said again, voice shaking. “Please… just feel our gates. Ya can tell if we’re lyin’ or not.”

The fox spirit’s ears twitched. Slowly, she hopped down from Anastasia’s shoulder, padding over to the twins. Placing one paw on Nikolai’s hand and another on Maia’s, Echidna closed her eyes.

The moment stretched on. Nikolai felt his heartbeat hammering in his ears.

Then Echidna’s eyes opened — wide with shock.

“They’re tellin’ the truth,” Echidna murmured. “Their gates… they’re faint, but they’re like yours, Anastasia. An’ like Subaru’s too.”

Anastasia’s face paled. Julius’s hand finally drifted away from his sword.

Anastasia’s breath hitched. The weight of everything crashed down on her at once, and before she realized it, her legs gave out beneath her. She stumbled, her body swaying as confusion clouded her mind.

The twins reacted instantly.

“Ma—!” Nikolai started, moving to catch her.

“Stop. Don’t come closer.”

Anastasia’s voice was firm, steady despite the tremble in her fingers. The twins flinched, freezing in place. She swallowed hard before speaking again.

“Prove it.”

Maia blinked. “Huh?”

“Prove to me y’all really my kids from the future. I ain’t gonna pretend this ain’t a whole mess, but I ain’t just takin’ yer word for it.”

Julius was already at her side, offering a hand to help her up. She took it, gripping his wrist as she steadied herself. Meanwhile, Echidna—still in her fox form—hopped lazily back onto the table, curling her tail around her paws.

Nikolai and Maia exchanged a glance. No words were needed between them. They nodded once, silently agreeing on what needed to be done.

Nikolai took a deep breath and spoke first.

“We know the real reason ya joined the royal selection,” he said, voice steady. “It weren’t for power, nor prestige. Ya did it ‘cause ya wanted to fix yer gate. An’ we know Echidna’s been slowin’ down the gate poisonin’ ever since ya signed that contract with her.”

Anastasia’s fingers twitched. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Maia stepped in. “We also know ya built this company ‘cause ya were alone. Ya ain’t had no family growin’ up, so ya made one yerself. Ya struggled, ya clawed yer way up from nothin’—an’ that’s why ya never let nobody look down on ya.”

A sharp inhale. Anastasia’s throat tightened.

Nikolai smiled softly. “Ya like eatin’ Aunty Mimi’s burnt, crispy hamburgers even when they ain’t edible.” His eyes gleamed with nostalgia. “Every year, she makes ‘em for yer birthday. An’ every year, ya smile an’ tell her they taste great—no matter how bad they actually are.”

Maia wiped at her eyes. “Ya always sleep facin’ the wall,” she murmured. “Me an’ Niko… we used to hug ya in yer sleep. When we got older, we started noticin’… ya always got pale at night, like somethin’ was hurtin’ ya. But even when we weren’t there, Father or Aunty Mimi would be.”

Her voice wavered.

The twins watched as Anastasia trembled.

Then—slowly, hesitantly—she stepped forward.

Without another word, she pulled them into a tight embrace.

The twins stiffened, blinking in surprise.

“Why’re ya cryin’?” Anastasia muttered, her voice low. She refused to meet their eyes, holding them close as if afraid they’d disappear.

“Because…” Maia sniffled. “Because…”

Her voice faltered, cracking.

Nikolai finished for her.

“‘Cause in the future… Mother’s real sick. An’ Father’s sufferin’ tryin’ to find a way to save ya.” His voice broke. “He—he’s strugglin’, but he ain’t givin’ up. Neither are the others.”

Anastasia inhaled sharply.

“…Natsuki—” Her voice caught. She swallowed and tried again. “Subaru’s sufferin’ fer me…?”

Nikolai and Maia both nodded.

“Yeah,” Maia whispered. “Father never stops. He an’ Uncle Julius search everywhere, tryin’ to find somethin’—anythin’—to help.”

Julius tensed beside them.

“Uncle…?” he echoed under his breath.

He glanced down at the twins, and in their eyes, he saw something unsettling—recognition, familiarity. A future where he and Subaru…

His chest felt tight.

If what they were sayin’ was true, then even in the future… Anastasia wasn’t okay.

“Mother… please.” Maia clutched at Anastasia’s sleeve, her voice pleading. “Even if it’s just for now… let us stay by yer side.”

Anastasia’s breath shuddered.

For a moment, she didn’t say a word.

Then, she turned.

Her gaze landed on Julius, firm and unwavering.

“Julius,” she said. “Round up everyone. We need ta welcome these two as temporary—no, as happy-to-have family members.”

Julius straightened, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“Understood, Anastasia-sama. I will inform the others immediately.”

The twins blinked up at her, stunned.

Nikolai hesitated before asking, “So does that mean… Mother…?”

Anastasia cut him off before he could finish.

“Yup,” Anastasia said, ruffling Nikolai’s hair with a small, reluctant smile. “I’ll help ya two. An’ in return—ya better tell me all ‘bout this future of yers.”

The twins’ faces lit up with relief—pure, unfiltered relief. Their mother’s warmth, her presence, her voice—so full of life, so unlike the fragile woman they knew in their time. For a moment, they simply basked in it, taking in every little detail, etching it into their minds.

Then, without hesitation, they each grabbed one of her arms and guided her over to the couch.

“Ma, ya oughta sit down, yeah?” Nikolai said, carefully easing her down onto the cushions. “Ain’t no good gettin’ all wobbly on yer feet like that.”

“Ain’t wobbly,” Anastasia muttered, though she didn’t resist. “Just… processin’, is all.”

Maia sat beside her, still holding onto the edge of her sleeve like a child afraid to let go. “T-Then… whaddya wanna know, Ma?”

Anastasia exhaled, running a hand through her hair.

“So what’s the future like? Me an’ Subaru, huh?” she asked, her voice even, but her fingers twitched slightly against her lap. “Ain’t like I ever pictured somethin’ like that happenin’.”

The twins exchanged a glance.

“Well… ain’t like we remember every lil’ thing,” Nikolai started, rubbing the back of his head. “But Ma, ya an’ Pa—”

“—are real close,” Maia finished, a soft smile creeping onto her lips. “Even if ya don’t say it much, we can tell.”

Anastasia narrowed her eyes slightly. “That so?”

“Yeah!” Nikolai grinned. “Father—uh, I mean, Subaru—he’s always fussin’ over ya. Always makin’ sure ya ain’t strainin’ yerself too much.”

Maia giggled. “Ya should see him when ya try an’ sneak outta bed when yer sick. He gets all panicked an’ starts naggin’ like a lil’ old lady.”

Anastasia snorted. “Hah. Can picture it already.”

Julius, standing nearby, gave a polite cough. “That does sound rather characteristic of him.”

The twins nodded eagerly.

“An’ he takes real good care of us too,” Nikolai added. “Even though he’s always busy, he never forgets any lil’ promise he makes.”

Maia’s voice softened. “He always looks at ya like ya hung the moon, Ma. Even when things got bad… he never once looked away.”

Anastasia blinked. Something in her chest twisted.

“That idiot…” she murmured.

The room fell into a brief silence.

Then, she sighed, shaking her head. “Guess I oughta hear more, huh? Tell me—what else happens?”

Maia and Nikolai shared a look, their hands unconsciously tightening around each other.

“Well…” Maia hesitated, glancing at Julius and Echidna before looking back at Anastasia. “The future ain’t exactly all sunshine, Ma.”

Anastasia arched a brow. “Figured as much. Ain’t no way life lets ya off that easy.” She leaned back, resting an arm over the couch. “So? Out with it. What kinda mess do me an’ that fool get tangled up in?”

Nikolai exhaled slowly. “At first… things were real good, Ma. Ya an’ Pa—uh, Subaru—ran the company together. ‘Cept, ya always had to take it slow ‘cause of yer condition.”

Anastasia frowned slightly. “Condition, huh? Talkin’ ‘bout my gate?”

Maia nodded, biting her lip. “It got worse, Ma. Real bad. Even with Auntie Echidna helpin’ ya, even with Pa runnin’ ‘round the world searchin’ for a cure… ya just kept gettin’ weaker.”

The air in the room turned heavy. Julius’s expression darkened ever so slightly, his hands clenching at his sides. Even Echidna—who had remained silent, observing the twins—lowered her gaze, ears twitching atop her fox-like head.

Anastasia, however, simply sighed, rubbing her temple. “Figures. Ain’t nothin’ ever easy.”

She wasn’t the type to get sentimental. Wasn’t the type to wallow in things she couldn’t control. But still… the thought of Subaru, running himself ragged for her sake—

It left a strange feeling in her chest.

“Pa never stopped tryin’, though,” Nikolai continued. “Even when ya told ‘im to stop worryin’ so much, he wouldn’t listen.”

“Yeah,” Maia agreed. “An’ Uncle Julius—ya stuck by ‘im the whole time, too.”

Anastasia blinked. “he… did?”

The twins nodded in unison.

“Pa relied on him a lot,” Maia said softly. “Said he kept Pa steady when he started losin’ hope.”

Julius’s lips parted slightly, but whatever he meant to say never came out. Instead, his expression turned unreadable, his hand pressing lightly against the hilt of his sword as if grounding himself.

Anastasia, meanwhile, let out a short, breathy laugh. “Subaru, losin’ hope? That’s a new one.”

Maia flinched. “Ma… it weren’t like that.”

Anastasia tilted her head. “Oh?”

Nikolai’s hands curled into fists. “It wasn’t just him sufferin’,” he muttered. “We all were. Watchin’ ya get worse, watchin’ Pa pretend like he could fix it all, pretendin’ like everythin’ was fine when we knew it wasn’t…”

Maia swallowed hard. “Ma, ya were dyin’.”

Silence.

A tense, suffocating silence.

For the first time since they’d arrived, Anastasia’s face betrayed something unreadable. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t gasp. Didn’t cry. But her hands—her hands twitched slightly against her lap.

“…Huh.”

That was all she said. Just a single sound, like an exhale of breath.

Then, she tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling.

“Ain’t that somethin’?” she murmured.

Nikolai’s voice wavered. “Ma—”

“How about you two?” Anastasia interrupted, her voice eerily calm. “What happened ta you guys?”

The twins stiffened.

“Ma…” Maia whispered.

Anastasia finally looked at them again. “you guys made it, didn’t you?”

Neither twin spoke.

Anastasia’s stomach twisted.

“…Didn’t you?”

“…We managed to take over both you and Pa's role in the company,” Nikolai finally muttered. ‘We wanted Pa to focus on you. As he is still tryin’ ta save ya. Even when it felt hopeless. Even when…”

He trailed off.

Anastasia narrowed her eyes. “Even when?”

Maia shook her head. “He never gave up. But, Ma… it was tearin’ ‘im apart.”

Anastasia tapped her fingers against her arm, mulling over their words. Slowly, she exhaled.

“Well… can’t say I’m surprised,” she murmured. “That fool always did have a bad habit of carryin’ the world on his shoulders.”

She closed her eyes for a brief moment. Then, she pushed herself up from the couch, straightening her posture.

“Alright,” she said, clapping her hands together. “If that’s the case, then guess I ain’t got much of a choice.”

The twins blinked. “Huh?”

Anastasia smirked.

“I ain’t dyin’. Not in this timeline, not in any timeline,” she said matter-of-factly. “So, kiddos—ya came all this way, right? Well, ya best believe we’re gonna do somethin’ about it.”

Nikolai and Maia’s eyes widened.

Julius stepped back into the room, his ever-composed expression carrying a hint of curiosity. Behind him, Ricardo strode in with his usual confident swagger, while the triplets—Mimi, Hetaro, and Tivey—bounded in right after, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Anastasia-sama,” Julius announced, stepping aside as he gestured to the group behind him. “I’ve brought them as requested.”

Anastasia turned to face them, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. “Good. Y’all listen up now—these two brats here? They’re mine and Subaru’s kids from the future.” She gestured towards Maia and Nikolai, who both shifted a little under everyone’s sudden scrutiny. “So go on, say hey to ‘em.”

A moment of stunned silence passed before—

“EH?!” Mimi shrieked, bouncing forward with stars in her eyes. “So this means Mimi’s an aunty now?! That’s so super-duper crazy—Mimi’s gonna be the best aunty ever, yup yup!”

Hetaro tilted his head, squinting as he peered at the twins. “Huh… so that means me an’ Tivey are uncles too, yeah?” His lips twitched into a playful grin. “Man, never thought I’d be an uncle so soon. Feels kinda nice.”

Tivey, adjusting his monocle, examined the twins with an inquisitive gaze. “Truly fascinating… If they really are from the future, then this phenomenon is quite the mystery. I’d love to conduct a study on how such a thing is even possible.”

Ricardo, standing with his arms crossed, let out a hearty laugh. “Well, ain’t this a surprise, Ana-bo! Who’d’ve thought ya’d end up a mom, huh?” He bared his sharp teeth in a grin. “Guess that makes me some kinda uncle too, don’t it?”

Anastasia let out a short chuckle, waving a hand. “Looks like it. Never figured I’d be hearin’ ‘bout family titles like this, but here we are.”

Maia and Nikolai, who had been silent up until now, shared a hesitant glance before speaking up.

“Uh… hi, everyone,” Nikolai said, shifting slightly under their gazes.

“H-Hey,” Maia echoed, still processing just how quickly they were being welcomed.

Mimi immediately lunged forward and wrapped them both in a tight embrace. “Mimi’s gonna spoil ya lots, okay? That’s what aunties do!”

“Hey—” Nikolai gasped, struggling slightly against her surprisingly strong grip. “C-Can’t breathe—”

“Ack—Mimi, ya can’t just squeeze ‘em like that!” Hetaro scolded, prying her off the two with some effort.

Ricardo snickered, ruffling Maia’s hair. “Well, ya sure got Ana-bo’s face, kid. But I’m guessin’ ya got that stubborn streak from yer old man, huh?”

Maia blinked up at him before offering a small smile. “Pa’s always been real stubborn. But Ma’s just as bad.”

Anastasia scoffed, crossing her arms. “Watch it, kiddo. Yer only provin’ that yer my brat by sayin’ that.”

Tivey let out a thoughtful hum. “Well, I suppose if you are indeed the children of Anastasia-sama and Subaru-dono, then we must properly welcome you into the family.”

Hetaro nodded, clapping Nikolai on the shoulder. “Yeah! Yer one of us now. We take care of our own.”

Julius, watching the entire exchange, let out a small breath and smiled. “It seems they’ll fit in just fine.”

Maia and Nikolai stared at them all, overwhelmed but… oddly warm inside.

They had worried about how they’d be received. Worried that their mother wouldn’t believe them, that her people wouldn’t accept them.

But here they were.

Welcomed without hesitation.

Anastasia, watching her children’s faces soften as the realization sank in, smirked. “Well, Julius, get the mirror ready, let's make a call to the Roswaal manor about this, why don’t we?”

“Understood Anastasia-sama right away.” Julius leaves once more to prepare the link to them and the newly built Roswaal manor.

“I wonder how Subaru would feel knowing we got some kids in the future.” Anastasia said.

Chapter Text

The air in the newly built manor was filled with a peculiar stillness as Subaru wandered through its grand, yet empty halls. He had just returned from a long journey and had heard that Roswaal had finished his new home. However, his mind wasn’t focused on the opulence or the manor's renovations—it was on the little ones.

Spica, Rui, Rigel, and Chocorina. His children. They had been staying here for a while now, under Roswaal's protection, and Subaru couldn't shake the worry gnawing at his mind. He had been so caught up in other matters that he hadn’t had the chance to visit them recently.

The creaking of the old wooden floors beneath his boots echoed in the silence as Subaru wandered deeper into the manor. The vastness of the place only made him feel more isolated, like he was searching for something that might not even be there.

"Spica? Rui? Rigel? Chocorina?" he called softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. The silence answered him, but it was an unsettling silence—one that seemed to stretch endlessly.

As Subaru reached the grand staircase at the center of the manor, he paused. A faint giggle reached his ears, followed by a quiet shuffling sound. His heart skipped a beat. Could it be…?

"Daddy!" came a familiar, cheerful voice.

He turned, his eyes widening in surprise as he spotted a small figure darting out from behind a corner. It was Spica, her silver hair bouncing with each step as she ran toward him.

"Daddy!" she squealed, throwing her arms around his waist.

"Spica, you scared me!" Subaru exclaimed, bending down to scoop her up. He hugged her tightly, but his eyes scanned the hallway.

One by one, Rui, Rigel, and Chocorina appeared from different corners of the manor, all wearing big, mischievous grins. Subaru’s confusion only deepened as they gathered around him, their eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Happy birthday, Papa!" Rui shouted, his bright blue eyes shining with excitement.

Subaru blinked, his heart thudding in his chest. "Wait... it’s today? I... I didn’t even remember."

Chocorina, the smallest of the bunch, giggled as she clung to his leg. "We’ve been planning this for weeks! You’ve been so busy, Papa. We wanted to surprise you!"

Subaru couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in his shoulders loosening as he looked at each of their faces. Rigel, who had grown so much in the past year, was holding a small, handmade card, which he shyly handed over. "We all made this together," Rigel explained.

Subaru took the card, his eyes softening as he read the words written in crayon—“To Papa, the best dad in the world. From Spica, Rui, Rigel, and Chocorina.”

"Thank you," Subaru whispered, his voice cracking slightly. He looked up at the children, his heart swelling with pride. "You all really did this for me?"

"Of course!" Spica said, her smile wide. "You’ve always done so much for us, Papa. Now, it’s our turn to do something for you."

Rui nodded vigorously. "Yeah! We’ve got presents too!" He tugged on Subaru’s sleeve and led him to a nearby table, where several colorful gift boxes were stacked. Subaru’s eyes widened in surprise.

"I... I don’t know what to say," Subaru muttered, overwhelmed by the unexpected love and care they were showing him.

"Don’t say anything!" Chocorina piped up, a bright sparkle in her eyes. "We just wanted you to be happy, Papa!"

Subaru looked at the children—his children—and felt his heart settle. In that moment, the weight of everything that had happened in his life, all the struggles and trials, seemed to fade. Here, surrounded by the people he loved, the world felt just a little bit lighter.

He sat down with them at the table, and they spent the rest of the evening celebrating in a way that was simple but filled with so much warmth. The manor, once quiet and empty, now echoed with laughter, joy, and the sounds of a family, together at last.

"Best birthday ever," Subaru whispered to himself, as Spica and the others clung to him, each of them offering their own little piece of love. And for the first time in a long while, Subaru felt truly at home

As the evening light filtered through the grand windows, Subaru settled into the warmth of the moment, surrounded by his children, their laughter filling the manor like the sweetest melody. But just as he was about to take a deep breath, a sudden sound broke the calm—a knock at the door, followed by two voices he recognized all too well.

"Subaru-kun!" Rem’s voice rang out, filled with her usual cheer. "We’ve been looking everywhere for you."

Before Subaru could even turn toward the door, the two stepped in, their smiles matching the brightness of the room. Rem, as always, was graceful and composed, but her eyes held a spark of mischief. Emilia, on the other hand, had a smile that barely concealed the playful glint in her purple eyes.

"Rem, Emilia, what’s going on?" Subaru asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Oh, nothing much," Emilia said with a wink, her long white hair gleaming in the dim light. "Except that we’re dragging you away now."

Before Subaru could protest, Rem moved with a surprising swiftness, slipping her hand around his arm. "Come on, Subaru-kun, it’s time for the real celebration."

"Real celebration?" Subaru echoed, glancing at the children with a mixture of curiosity and mild concern. "But we’re already—"

"Shh!" Rem hushed him with a playful smile. "You’ve had your surprise with the kids, but now it’s time for everyone else to give you theirs. Don’t make it awkward, okay?"

Emilia nodded in agreement, a teasing smile curling on her lips. "We’re not letting you off the hook that easily. You deserve to hear it from everyone, including us."

Subaru opened his mouth to argue, but Emilia’s light-hearted tone and Rem’s unspoken determination made it clear that resistance was futile. He sighed dramatically but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, alright. You win."

With no more room for protest, Subaru allowed himself to be gently but firmly ushered through the manor’s corridors, the sound of their footsteps blending with the distant echo of voices. As they moved through the hallways, Subaru couldn’t help but notice the way the manor had been subtly decorated. Garlands of flowers and colorful ribbons lined the walls, and candles flickered in sconces, casting a soft glow.

It wasn’t just a party—it was a celebration, one made with care and attention. And, though Subaru could feel the warmth of the moment settling into his chest, he couldn’t help but wonder what else lay in store.

As they entered the dining hall, the first thing that hit Subaru was the chorus of voices, all greeting him with loud, exuberant shouts.

"Happy birthday, Subaru!"

The Emilia camp was gathered there, all of them standing to greet him with beaming smiles. Crusch, Anastasia, Felt, and the others from the camp—Reinhard, Julius, Felix, and even Wilhelm—were all present, their voices rising in an overwhelming cheer. A large table was set in the middle, laden with a feast of food Subaru couldn’t even begin to process.

"You all… did all this for me?" Subaru stammered, his eyes wide with surprise.

Emilia, standing at the head of the table, took a few steps forward, her smile warm and inviting. "Of course! You mean so much to all of us, Subaru-kun. We wanted to make sure this day was special."

"You’re always taking care of everyone else, Subaru," Felt added, crossing her arms but giving him a genuine smile. "It’s about time someone did something for you."

Crusch, her usual stoic expression softened by the occasion, spoke up next. "You’ve always fought for us, Subaru. We’re happy to give you something in return."

Subaru’s gaze swept over the gathered faces of the Emilia camp, each one of them offering their own version of kindness and gratitude. Reinhard, ever the gentleman, stepped forward and gave Subaru a small, sincere nod. "It’s a privilege to be here for your special day, Subaru. I’m sure none of us could imagine a better way to celebrate."

"Indeed," Wilhelm added, his voice deep and steady, yet there was warmth there. "You’ve been a steady pillar, not just for us, but for this entire world."

Subaru’s throat tightened as he glanced at each of them. His heart swelled, overwhelmed by the genuine affection and gratitude in their words. But it was the sight of Emilia, standing with her hands clasped together and her gaze full of tenderness, that truly melted him.

"I don’t know what to say…" Subaru muttered, his voice thick with emotion.

Emilia chuckled softly. "You don’t have to say anything, Subaru-kun. Just enjoy the day. You’ve earned it."

The table was a feast of colors—plates piled high with meats, breads, fruits, and even cakes decorated with delicate frosting. But what truly made Subaru’s heart flutter was how each of them had a little something prepared for him: Reinhard had arranged a set of fine wines, Julius had a beautiful handcrafted necklace for him, and Felix… well, Felix was holding a small bouquet of flowers, his expression just slightly too smug for Subaru’s liking.

"Well, don’t just stand there, Subaru-kun!" Felix chimed in, handing the bouquet over with a wink. "You’re the star of the show! No escaping now."

Subaru’s face flushed as he took the flowers, trying his best to stifle the smile that threatened to break free. "Thanks, Felix…" he muttered, slightly embarrassed but grateful.

As everyone gathered around the table, Subaru sat down, surrounded by laughter and warmth. The conversations flowed easily, punctuated by jokes and heartfelt toasts, and Subaru found himself laughing louder than he had in a long time.

The kids had sneaked in at some point, too, sitting on his lap or beside him, contributing their own excitement to the celebration. Spica, with her boundless energy, kept chattering, while Rui leaned in and whispered little secrets to him. Chocorina, ever the shy one, smiled quietly from his side, and Rigel held his hand with an expression of quiet pride.

"Subaru-kun," Emilia said, her voice cutting through the noise of the gathering, "thank you for everything you do. Today is about you."

Subaru looked around the room, feeling the warmth of the people gathered there, and for the first time in a long while, he let go of the weight that had followed him for so long.

"Thank you, all of you," he said, his voice soft but steady. "I… I don’t know what I did to deserve all this, but I’m so glad to have you all in my life."

A chorus of voices echoed back to him—"We’re glad to have you too, Subaru-kun."

The evening wore on, filled with laughter, music, and shared moments that Subaru could hardly believe were his reality. But as the night grew later, the festivities slowly began to wind down. The other guests had made their way to their quarters, and the candles in the dining hall flickered low, leaving only the soft murmurs of those who lingered.

Subaru, feeling both full and content, stood up from his seat, stretching his arms out with a deep breath. Emilia smiled at him from across the room, her eyes filled with affection. But there was something else in the air—a subtle tension that he couldn’t quite place. Before he could ask, a voice broke through the moment, one that was far too smooth and confident to ignore.

"Subaru-kun," came Anastasia’s voice from behind him.

He turned, half-expecting the teasing smirk that was always present on her face, but tonight, her expression was different. It wasn’t her usual playful demeanor, nor was it the mask of cool confidence she typically wore. There was something… deeper in her eyes. She motioned for him to follow her, and Subaru, curious but a little hesitant, complied.

"Where are we going?" Subaru asked, his voice low. The manor had grown quieter with each passing moment, the sounds of the celebration a distant echo.

Anastasia didn’t answer right away. She merely led him through the grand hall, her pace steady and purposeful, until they reached a secluded room on the far end of the manor—a study, by the looks of it, lined with bookshelves and a large fireplace crackling softly in the corner. The warmth of the fire seemed to beckon, but Subaru noticed the room was set up for more than just a casual conversation. A table had been placed near the center, a few papers scattered on it, but it was the quiet presence of two other people standing near the window that drew his attention.

"Anastasia…?" Subaru began, his curiosity piqued, but she just gave him a soft, almost melancholic smile and motioned to the two figures standing by the window.

The first person he recognized immediately—Nikolai, the calm and composed individual who had always struck Subaru as someone with an unshakable presence. But it was the second figure that made Subaru pause.

The girl was standing next to Nikolai, her silver hair shining faintly in the firelight. She looked to be about the same age as Spica, perhaps a little younger, but her eyes—those were unmistakable. They were a mirror image of Subaru's, both in color and shape.

"Who is this…?" Subaru’s voice faltered slightly as the realization slowly dawned on him. His eyes shifted between the two unfamiliar faces, confusion and recognition mingling in equal measure.

Anastasia closed the door behind them, her steps measured as she approached Subaru with a soft sigh. "Subaru-kun… this is Maia," she began, her voice gentle, "and this is Nikolai. They… well, they’re not quite from here."

The recognition was too much to process all at once, but Subaru’s mind was sharp, and his instincts, honed over countless trials, had kicked in long before Anastasia had said a word. From the future.

He swallowed, trying to steady himself. "So… you’re really from the future?" Subaru asked, his voice low, though it was laced with something that was a strange mix of disbelief and acceptance.

Maia nodded, stepping forward with a cautious yet determined expression. "Yes. We are. We're here because the future we've lived in... it’s not what it should be."

Nikolai, the quieter of the two, spoke next. "We’ve come to you for a reason. We need your help, Subaru. The future can be saved, but only if you understand the choices you'll face."

Subaru processed their words, his mind racing but his body unnervingly calm. He’d felt a strange, intangible bond with these children the moment he saw them, despite the impossible situation. Maia’s eyes—so similar to his own—held the same warmth and the same fierce resolve that he knew he would see in his own children. They were a reflection of everything he had fought for.

"You’re really… my kids," Subaru whispered, almost to himself. It didn’t sound real, but at the same time, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. "From the future. What’s happened? What went wrong?"

Maia gave him a solemn nod, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable weight. "In our time, things fell apart. There were events we couldn’t stop, choices we couldn’t make in time. We need you to see the future differently, to make the right choices before everything shatters completely."

Subaru closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing the weight of their words. The right choices. It felt as though every moment he’d lived had been leading to something like this, to this exact crossroads. He didn’t know the future they came from, but if they were here now, it meant something had gone terribly wrong.

"What do I need to do?" Subaru asked, his voice steady despite the maelstrom of thoughts crashing through his mind.

Maia stepped closer, her eyes filled with quiet hope. "You’ll know when the time comes. But for now, just know that you matter. Your choices… they will make all the difference."

Nikolai nodded in agreement. "We trust you, Subaru-kun. We know you can do this."

Subaru’s chest tightened at their words. He wasn’t used to being trusted so implicitly, especially by his own children from the future. But the fire in their eyes was undeniable. They had seen something, experienced something that Subaru couldn’t yet comprehend. Yet, there was one thing he knew for certain: whatever lay ahead, he couldn’t back down. Not now.

"Alright," Subaru finally said, a quiet determination settling over him. "I’ll do whatever it takes."

Just then, the door to the study burst open, and the sound of laughter and voices filled the room. Subaru’s head snapped toward the entrance, and before he could even process what was happening, he was greeted by a whirlwind of movement as Rem and Emilia rushed in, the twins trailing behind them.

"Subaru-kun!" Rem’s voice rang out with excitement, her eyes sparkling with affection. "We’ve been looking for you everywhere!"

Emilia, just behind her, was grinning widely, her purple eyes full of warmth. "You’re hiding in here, Subaru? You’ve been gone for so long!" She winked at him, clearly aware of the earlier conversation, but not willing to let him off the hook just yet.

Before Subaru could respond, the kids—Spica, Rui, Rigel, and Chocorina—burst into the room, their faces glowing with energy. Spica was the first to reach him, leaping into his arms with a giggle, and the others followed closely behind. In the blink of an eye, Subaru was surrounded.

"You’re not going anywhere without us, Papa!" Spica giggled, wrapping her arms around him tightly, her tiny form warm against his chest.

The others climbed onto him as well, filling his lap and leaning against him. Subaru’s heart swelled with affection, the overwhelming love from the small family filling him more than words could express.

"Subaru-kun, you're not escaping this cuddle!" Emilia said, laughing as she plopped herself next to him, wrapping an arm around him as well.

"You've been so serious all day, Subaru-kun," Rem added, her tone teasing but full of warmth. "Let us help you relax."

Nikolai and Maia watched the scene unfold before them, and Subaru could feel the shift in the atmosphere. There was something grounding in the sight of his family—his real family, the one that had supported him through thick and thin. It was a moment of peace in a world that had too often been chaos.

Anastasia, leaning against the doorway with a knowing smile, couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. "I suppose there’s no getting away from them, huh, Subaru?"

Subaru, caught in the middle of his children from the future and the warmth of the present, couldn’t help but laugh. "No kidding," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "But I wouldn’t trade this for anything."

As the group settled in around him, all tangled together in an impromptu cuddle, Subaru felt a deep sense of contentment. For all the battles, for all the uncertainty, this—this moment—was his. The future, whatever it held, would have to wait.

And for now, he would hold onto this. The love, the family, the connection. This was what mattered most.

"Alright, alright," Subaru sighed, his heart full. "I guess I’m not going anywhere anytime soon."