Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Natsuki Subaru was the name of a 7-year-old boy with a boundless imagination and energy that seemed to rival the sun itself. He had just arrived home after spending the entire afternoon playing tag, hide-and-seek, and other games with his group of friends from the neighborhood.

With shoes scuffed and hair tousled from the day's excitement, he pushed open the front door with the force only a child could muster.

Subaru: [I'm home!] he called out loudly, his voice echoing through the hallway with a cheerful tone, though a bit worn out from the day's adventures.

From the kitchen, the sound of running water continued for a moment before a voice responded. It belonged to a woman named Natsuki Naoko —his mother. She was a woman of quiet strength and sharp, observant eyes, eyes which Subaru had inherited. 

Currently, she stood at the sink, hands busy scrubbing the final dish from dinner prep.

She paused only to dry her hands on a nearby towel and turned her head slightly. 

Naoko: [Did you have fun today?] she asked with a soft, amused tone, already anticipating the answer from her dirt-smeared son.

Without a word, Subaru flopped dramatically onto the living room couch, his limbs sprawling as if he had just returned from battle. 

“Ahhh, that feels good,” he mumbled into a cushion, then added, with a voice full of sleepy satisfaction, 

Subaru: [Yeah, it was awesome.]

Naoko turned fully now, her eyes scanning the boy, noting the state of his clothes and the muddy footprints trailing from the entryway.

She approached silently, her steps almost too light to notice, and gently placed a hand on Subaru’s shoulder. The boy, sensing her presence, looked up. Their eyes met—his wide and innocent, hers calm but knowing.

She gave him a smile. It was sweet, almost unnervingly so. A mother’s smile, yet far too innocent to mean no trouble.

Subaru: [Hmm? What’s wrong, Mom?] he asked, his voice now edged with cautious curiosity as he sat up slightly.

Without saying a word, Naoko pointed first at his dirty pants, then to the very visible smudges of dirt he had left behind on the couch cushions.

Subaru blinked. Slowly, he followed her finger, eyes tracing the path of destruction he'd unknowingly brought into the house. His eyes widened. His mouth dropped open slightly as the full weight of his mistake dawned on him. The couch. The white couch.

From behind him, he could practically feel the intensity of his mother’s gaze boring into the back of his head like a laser. Desperate, he whipped around and blurted out, 

Subaru: [Wait! Mom, I can explain! It was a mistake!]

His voice, suddenly full of energy again, rose in pitch as he scrambled to fix the situation with words alone.

He looked up at her, his face a mixture of guilt and panic, hoping for some mercy.

But Naoko, arms crossed now and one eyebrow twitching ever so slightly, wasn’t moved by his sudden change in tone or pleading eyes.

Naoko: [Subaruuu, my little baby, what did I specifically tell you to do when you came home from playing?]

Subaru: [I'm sorry! I didn’t mean it! I promise I’ll do it next time! Really!]

Naoko sighed audibly, an exaggerated sound that spoke volumes. With deliberate slowness, she began rolling up both her sleeves, one at a time, eyes fixed squarely on her son. Her movements were theatrical, like a villain in a movie preparing for a showdown.

Naoko: [That's weird. Isn't that exactly what you said the last twenty times?] Her expression tightened, her mouth curling into a mock-pout before shifting into something more intimidating. Her brows lowered and her gaze darkened, radiating mock menace.

Subaru swallowed hard, visibly shrinking into the couch as if trying to disappear into the cushions. Desperate, he put on a shaky smile and shrugged. 

Subaru: [I don't remember, you must be imagining things, haha…]

The momentary deflection might have worked—if it wasn’t so poorly delivered. Instead of being thrown off, Naoko tilted her head and let out a small, unnerving giggle. The kind that made Subaru freeze.

Naoko: [My, are you suggesting that your dear mother is becoming delusional? Oh dear, what a bold accusation for someone in such a precarious position.]

Subaru flinched. He realized too late that he’d only fanned the flames. Her smile now was the kind that said, “You’re not getting out of this alive.” He tensed up, knowing the storm was inevitable.

Still, like a brave warrior facing his doom, he made one last attempt.

Subaru: [Please go easy on me…] he begged, eyes wide and pleading.

But it was too late. His fate was sealed. Those were Subaru’s last words before what he grimly referred to as an “unskippable cutscene”—a term he used from his beloved video games—unfolded before him.

And in that moment, he knew: no cheat code or save file would get him out of this one.

After that entire ordeal had taken place—one filled with pleading, exaggerated apologies, and the kind of theatrical punishment only a mother could deliver—Subaru had been dragged by the scruff of his shirt into the bathroom. There was no room for negotiation; Naoko had made it clear that a bath was non-negotiable, especially after he’d tracked dirt and mud all over her pristine floors and furniture. 

Now, sitting in an awkward position completely naked inside the bathtub, Subaru let the warm water flow gently from the showerhead, cascading down over his head like a miniature waterfall. 

It soaked his jet-black hair, sticking it to his forehead in clumps. The soft hiss of the water was the only sound in the steamy bathroom, save for his occasional grumbling.

Subaru: [Jeez… I asked for her to go easy on me. She definitely didn’t,] he muttered with a dramatic sigh. 

He turned slightly and caught a glimpse of his lower back, where faint red marks stood out against his pale skin. But it was his butt cheeks that bore the brunt of justice, stained a glowing crimson from the earlier "discipline."

With a grimace, he reached back hesitantly and pressed his hand to the sore area.

Subaru: [Oww—ow ow OW!] he screeched in a high-pitched tone that didn’t do his dignity any favors. The sound echoed off the tiled walls.

Subaru: [It hurts! It really hurts!]

He quickly jerked his hand away, cradling it as if his own skin had betrayed him.

Subaru: [She’s a monster… no, worse, she’s the final boss!] he muttered dramatically, slumping further into the tub.

Suddenly, Naoko's voice called out from just beyond the bathroom door, her tone casual but clearly amused. The way she elongated her words suggested she was well aware of her son's over-the-top reactions.

Naoko: [Subaruuu, did I just hear you say something in there?]

Subaru’s entire body jolted like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over him. He sat bolt upright, sending water sloshing over the edge of the tub in small waves. Panic flared in his eyes as though he’d been caught in the middle of some forbidden ritual.

Subaru: [N-No! Nonono! Definitely not! I wasn’t saying anything! Just—uh—washing my hair really loud!]

His voice cracked as he tried to keep it steady, but the high pitch betrayed his nerves. He clutched the showerhead like a lifeline, glancing toward the door as if it might suddenly swing open.

He quickly sank lower into the water, hoping it would somehow hide both his embarrassment and the sting still radiating from his rear. His heart thumped in his chest as he waited, dreading the sound of footsteps getting closer.

Thankfully, all he heard was a soft laugh from the other side of the door. A teasing, knowing sound.

Naoko: [Alright, if you say so~ Just don’t summon any dark lords in there. Dinner will be ready soon.]

Subaru: [I'm not taking a dump in the tub! I'm not a baby anymore!] Subaru said, clearly used to his mothers antics.

Running a hand on his face and taking a long breath, his shoulders slumped in relief. That was close. Too close.

The steam thickened, curling around his small frame as he continued to sulk and whimper—his imagination already turning this domestic bath into the aftermath of an epic battle.

Sitting at the dinner table, Subaru bounced his legs anxiously beneath the wooden surface as he awaited Naoko to finish preparing dinner. The aroma of miso soup, grilled fish, and something sweet he couldn't quite place teased his senses, but his attention was divided.

He tapped his fingers on the table in a rhythmic pattern, eyes darting occasionally toward the kitchen. His impatience was practically vibrating off of him, and it wasn't hunger that had him so riled up.

Subaru: [Mooom, how much longer? I'm starving!] he called out, only partially meaning it.

What he really wanted was to finish eating so he could jump straight into his new and favorite game—the one he’d been obsessing over since the moment he’d opened that box.

Naoko, still busy in the kitchen, didn’t miss a beat.

Naoko: [Why, are you in a hurry or something?] she replied, her tone suspiciously calm.

Subaru leaned forward dramatically, as though every second was a ticking clock of doom.

Subaru: [YES! Every second I sit here doing nothing, my friends are out there getting stronger and leveling up without me! I have to hop on or I'll fall behind and be weak forever!]

He clutched his chest as if the idea physically hurt him, and slumped onto the table, letting out a long groan.

Subaru: [Do you know how much EXP I’m missing out on right now?!] he whined, clearly more distressed about virtual stats than dinner.

Naoko: [You know, sweetie, it’s great that you’re having fun with your friends, but don’t forget the real world still exists. We’re not just NPCs you visit between quests.]

She chuckled softly and gave him a playful wink before turning her attention back to the stove.

Naoko: [Dinner time is for all of us to be together. It's not some side quest you rush through to get back to the main storyline, okay?] she added with a small smirk, clearly borrowing his own gamer language to make her point.

Subaru: [Man, why does the hero always have to arrive late...] Subaru muttered weakly, slumping further into his seat as his fingers drummed faster against the edge of the table. He stared longingly at the clock, hoping it would somehow fast-forward. But the hands ticked slowly, mercilessly.

Subaru: [It’s like he waits on purpose just to build suspense, like in those dramatic movies,] he added, rolling his eyes and sighing again, heavier this time.

Naoko: [Honestly, you're just like him,] she said, glancing over her shoulder with a knowing smile. Her voice held a fondness that softened the teasing in her words.

Subaru sat up a little straighter at that. Despite his impatience, those words hit differently. He puffed out his chest a bit and couldn’t suppress a small, proud grin.

He had always seen his dad as larger than life—a true hero in every sense. Brave, dependable, and just a little mysterious. Whenever anyone, especially his mom, said he reminded them of his dad, it sparked a warmth in his chest that he didn’t quite know how to explain, but deeply loved all the same.

Subaru: [Heh... well, I am the son of a hero, after all,] he murmured under his breath, grinning now with a little more energy.

And just like in one of those classic dramatic movie moments—right as Subaru was mid-sentence—the front door slowly creaked open. A faint gust of night air blew in with it, rustling the welcome mat and sending a tiny chill through the hallway. The sound of the door echoed slightly through the home, signaling a presence that Subaru instantly recognized.

There, silhouetted in the doorway with the last rays of sunlight at his back, stood Natsuki Kenichi—Subaru’s father, and Naoko’s husband. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a long coat that gave him the appearance of a wandering hero returning from some grand adventure.

Subaru’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him. There was something about Kenichi's arrival that always felt like a climactic moment, like everything would start moving again now that he was here.

Subaru: [Dad!] he shouted excitedly.

Naoko: [Welcome home dear.]

Kenichi gave his son a gentle smile as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. It was a movie moment come to life, and Subaru was the starstruck kid meeting his idol all over again.

Kenichi: [Hmm? Were you talking about me?] he asked, raising an eyebrow with a slight smirk as he shrugged off his coat and hung it neatly by the door.

Naoko: [You're right on point, as usual.] She stepped forward with a welcoming smile, then gestured toward the dining table.

Naoko: [Now come on, dinner’s ready, and we’ve all been waiting for you to grace us with your heroic presence.] She gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder.

Naoko: [Subaru was practically ready to launch a rescue mission to find you.]

Subaru: [M-Mom! I did not say that!] Subaru protested, his cheeks flushing bright red as he glanced nervously at his dad.

Naoko: [Really? I could have sworn I heard something like that,] she said with a mischievous glint in her eye, her voice laced with playful mockery.

She definitely hadn’t forgotten what Subaru had said earlier, and now she was having way too much fun watching him squirm.

Subaru: [Y-You can’t do this to me,] he said, frustration bubbling in his voice as he fidgeted in his seat, trying to avoid both of their gazes.

Naoko: [Oh, but I can. And you know why? Because I am your mother,] she replied matter-of-factly, her grin widening as she let out a warm, triumphant laugh.

Kenichi, who had just finished hanging his coat and washing up, strolled over and sat down at the dinner table where his wife and son were already seated. As he caught the tail end of their exchange, he chuckled heartily, unable to resist the contagious joy radiating from the two of them.

Subaru's frustration was reaching its boiling point, the feeling building inside him with each passing second. His cheeks were flushed a deep shade of crimson, almost as if the heat of his irritation was spilling over onto his face. He was on the edge, trying desperately to hold back the storm of emotions bubbling inside him.

Just as Subaru thought he couldn’t take any more, his mother’s voice called out to him, steady and calm, cutting through the tension like a gentle breeze.

Naoko: [Subaru.]

Subaru: [What is it?] he replied, his voice laced with annoyance and a deep, uncomfortable mixture of embarrassment that made his words come out harsher than he intended.

Naoko: [We love you very much.]

The words, simple as they were, hit Subaru like a ton of bricks. His heart skipped a beat, and despite the heat in his face, he felt a strange warmth spread through him. He knew his parents loved him, but hearing it spoken so directly always managed to strike him in ways he couldn’t explain.

Kenichi, who had been quietly eating up until that point, glanced up at Subaru. His gaze softened, and he gave a small, understanding nod in agreement, his silent support more meaningful than any words could have been. He returned to his meal, his quiet presence a comforting constant in the background.

Subaru's face, already a shade of red, turned an even deeper hue as he sat frozen for a moment. The combination of embarrassment and the overwhelming warmth of being loved made his chest tighten. He knew he should say something, return the sentiment, tell them he loved them too—but his pride wouldn’t let him.

His throat felt tight, and the words wouldn’t come. He wanted to say it, more than anything, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak aloud. So instead, he sat there, absorbing their kindness and silently accepting their words, feeling both the weight and the comfort of their love surround him.

He quickly inhaled his food with an urgency that surprised even his mother, barely chewing before he bolted away from the dinner table. His chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor as he pushed it back, the clatter echoing through the room. 

With a hurried wave and a half-mumbled "Thanks for dinner!", he sprinted down the hallway. His mother, standing in the kitchen doorway with a soft smile, called out.

Naoko: [Take care.]

But Subaru didn’t turn back, and didn't respond. He simply disappeared into the hallway and into the safe confines of his room.

He didn’t know it at the time, but that choice—to say nothing, to run away so quickly—would sit with him for longer than he ever expected. He would come to regret not turning around, not saying anything at all.

Inside his room, the space that served as both his sanctuary and his dreamscape, shelves brimmed with colorful anime figurines, lovingly arranged and dusted with care. Posters of action-packed shows and cosmic landscapes plastered nearly every inch of the wall. 

Piles of novels and manga were stacked beside his bed, and a game console blinked softly from its resting place beneath the TV. His desk, cluttered but clearly loved, was covered in books about the stars—his absolute favorite subject. The room shimmered with his personality, a reflection of a boy whose imagination stretched far beyond the sky.

But none of that mattered.

Right now Natsuki Subaru was only focused on one thing and one thing only—

His favourite game.

He had received it from an unknown sender. His parents had found it a few weeks ago on the front porch.

It was specifically sent to “Natsuki Subaru”. However the sender had its name scratched out making it impossible to know who had sent it. The only letters that were still visible where:

[__t __ la] a mere “t,l,a” wasn't enough to find the sender's name. However, recognizing the game, Subaru assumed it had been his friends who had sent it to him in secret and weren't planning on telling the truth.

He turned on his console ready to play.

It was a MMORPG game. An open world game where you choose your race and venture around the world. You could become an adventurer and earn money and exp from killing monsters. Or you could simply role play.

There were hundreds of different races, you could only choose one and that would be the one you had for the rest of your experience.

Majority of the players, like his friends, picked races related to the dragonkin. After all, the dragon is the most powerful creature in games. And their races would be so as well.

However Subaru was different, he had picked one of the least picked races in the entire game. The Oni Race.

Subaru: [So cool!] 

Subaru said as he saw his in-game character, the only thing that made it seem different from the human race was that he could bring out 2 deep black horns. They had what seemed like shadows surrounding the horns as a visual effect and they glowed with a tinge of orange black light.

He would have also chosen the Elf race if not for the fact that it was still in production and unavailable at the time.

And so Natsuki Subaru would spend the rest of his time grinding his game until sleep took him out.

The sounds of birds chirping filled the air, layered with the subtle rustling of tree leaves swaying in the breeze. Gentle beams of sunlight filtered through the canopy, warming his face. Natsuki Subaru was deeply asleep, his breathing calm and steady. He looked peaceful, undisturbed by the world around him.

As he began to stir, Natsuki Subaru groaned softly but stubbornly refused to open his eyes. He raised his sleeve and tugged it over his face to block out the brightness that poked at his eyelids. 

If his alarm hadn’t gone off yet, that meant he still had precious minutes to enjoy the comfort of slumber. Somewhere in his drowsy thoughts, he wondered where his blanket had gone—the same one he always used while gaming late into the night. He assumed he had kicked it off at some point and lazily extended his arm to retrieve it.

His hand brushed against something, and his fingers instinctively curled around it. But instead of the soft fabric he expected, the object was unyielding—rough and cold. As solid as a rock. Subaru’s brows furrowed in confusion. Still groggy, he cracked open his eyes, only to be assaulted by intense, natural light. Squinting, he tried again, blinking several times to adjust to the brightness.

Eventually, his vision cleared just enough for him to look at the object he had grabbed. And sure enough, sitting in his hand was an actual rock—jagged and grey, with small patches of moss clinging to its surface.

Subaru: [What...?]

Why would there be a rock inside his room? That thought echoed briefly in his mind before it was abruptly interrupted. He sat up, his gaze slowly lifting. The sight before him rendered him speechless.

Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their thick trunks wrapped in vines and their branches forming a vast green roof above. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the leaves, illuminating the underbrush with a golden hue. Ferns and bushes crowded the forest floor, and in the distance, he could hear the calls of unfamiliar birds. It was a dense, vibrant forest, teeming with life and utterly alien from his bedroom.

He wasn’t in his room anymore. And he didn’t know how he got here.

And in front of the scene present to him Subaru could only mutter the one sound used Universally when someone is presented something they don't understand:

Subaru: [H-huh?!]

Chapter Text

It had been a few hours since Subaru had woken up, disoriented and sore, in the middle of an unfamiliar and utterly foreign place. 

The sun now hung high in the cloudless sky, casting beams of light through the dense canopy, its heat slightly tempered by the occasional breeze rustling the leaves. 

Subaru was seated beneath the sprawling branches of a massive tree, its trunk thick and gnarled, bark rough against his back. The shade provided him a small sense of relief from the overwhelming brightness and the slow, creeping dread gnawing at the edges of his mind.

Subaru: [...]

He was waiting in the shade, not moving, as if afraid that a sudden motion might shatter whatever fragile grip on reality he still had. 

Waiting for what? One may ask—a question even Subaru wasn’t sure how to answer. Was he waiting for rescue? For this strange dream to end? For someone familiar to step out from the trees and tell him everything was okay? Maybe all of those. 

Subaru: [Dad... Mom... when are you going to get here...?] He said in between sad, uneven breaths, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might crack the fragile silence around him.

His eyes, red and puffy, had long since run dry, the tears having stopped not because the sorrow had faded, but because his body simply couldn’t produce any more. His shoulders trembled as he sat curled slightly forward, exhausted from crying, worn thin by fear and loneliness. 

There was an emptiness in his gaze now—a dull, hollow look that came not just from being lost in a strange place, but from the terrifying uncertainty of whether anyone would ever find him again.

He hadn't moved from the same spot where he'd first opened his eyes. The area beneath the massive tree had become his makeshift safe zone—not because it offered any real protection, but because it was the only place he felt even a sliver of control.

Subaru, having gone on several camping trips with his parents over the years, remembered the survival advice his dad had drilled into him again and again. 

“If you’re ever lost, don’t panic. Don’t run around blindly. Stay put and wait. That way, if someone is searching for you, they have a better chance of finding you. Wandering only makes it harder.”

Subaru: [Dad…]

His father repeated this rule so often, it was practically etched into Subaru’s brain like a mantra.

It wasn’t just advice—it was a lifeline now. The idea of moving, of straying into unknown terrain without direction, filled him with a quiet terror. 

He didn’t know what might be out there: animals, cliffs, traps, or worse. Staying in place might not be exciting, but it was safe—or at least safer. And so, he remained there, hours passing slowly as he followed his father’s advice to the letter, clinging to it like the last thread of reason in a situation that made no sense.

Subaru: [I promise I’ll be good... I’ll listen from now on... Just—please, please come find me. I don’t want to be alone anymore.]

And so, seven-year-old Subaru waited in silence, still wearing the wrinkled, cartoon-printed pajamas he had gone to sleep in the night before. 

The fabric clung to his skin, slightly damp from sweat and the cool moisture of the forest floor. His small arms were wrapped around his knees as he hugged them close to his chest, trying to feel smaller, maybe even invisible. 

Each minute that passed stretched endlessly, and though no one answered his whispers, he kept looking toward the trees, hopeful that someone—anyone—would appear from the thick foliage. 

The forest around him was alive with sounds, but not a single one came from another human being. Despite the sunlight above, Subaru shivered under the weight of the solitude, the unfamiliar sounds of nature both fascinating and terrifying to his young ears.

A full day had gone by. 

Subaru hadn’t dared to leave the spot where he had first awakened. The shadows had shifted around him as the sun made its slow crawl across the sky and disappeared beyond the treetops.

When night fell, the darkness brought with it an unfamiliar chorus of howling winds, distant animal cries, and the eerie rustling of leaves—each sound making his heart pound faster.

He couldn’t sleep.

He was too afraid that if he let his eyes close, he might miss the moment his father came to scoop him up and tell him everything was going to be okay. 

So he sat there, wide-eyed and shivering, his back pressed firmly against the tree, fighting against the urge to doze off.

By the time morning arrived, Subaru began to feel something he hadn’t noticed before amid all the panic and fear—an ache deep in his stomach and a dry, sticky feeling in his mouth.

Hunger and thirst crept in, dull at first, but growing steadily sharper with every passing hour. It dawned on him that his fear had kept these basic needs at bay, but now, with the adrenaline wearing thin, his body was catching up.

He slowly scanned his surroundings, hoping to spot something—anything—that looked edible. But there was nothing. The trees around him bore no fruit, and the forest floor was littered only with leaves, dirt, and moss.

He didn’t even know what kinds of things were safe to eat, even if he found something.

He was seven, and all he’d ever had to do was open a fridge or call for his mom.

Now, there was no fridge.

No mom.

Just silence, and the slow drain of his energy. His limbs felt heavier. His breathing, slower. He was getting exhausted—more so than he’d ever felt in his short life.

So instead, he chose to wait a little longer, clutching onto the hope that someone might still come.

A few more hours passed with agonizing slowness. 

The sun now blazed overhead, its light casting a white glare across the forest floor and making the air beneath the trees feel stuffy and thick. Subaru's stomach, once rumbling with hunger, had gone completely silent—a hollow void that ached faintly but persistently.

He had also stopped talking altogether. Not even the occasional whispered plea escaped his lips anymore. Speaking had become too much of a luxury, too much of a drain on the little strength he had left.

His lips were dry and cracked, and the simple act of swallowing was starting to sting. He huddled closer to the tree, shrinking into himself as if trying to conserve every last ounce of energy.

His small body was tired, so incredibly tired. His muscles ached from being in the same curled position for so long, but moving felt like too much of a risk—as if it might disturb the fragile hope still lingering in his chest.

He waited, and waited, and waited. Nothing came. Not a sound of footsteps, not a familiar voice calling his name. Just the wind, the chirping of birds, and the occasional rustle in the leaves that turned out to be nothing but squirrels or falling twigs.

Subaru was slowly and steadily losing hope for every second that passed.

Breaking the cycle of Subaru doing the same thing—

Suddenly, a few meters behind the tree he was leaning against, a patch of green foliage shifted. The movement was subtle, but unmistakable, followed by the sharp crack of a branch snapping under pressure—someone or something had stepped on it.

Subaru: [?]

His head jerked toward the direction of the sound, heart hammering in his chest, a surge of adrenaline flooding his veins. His body felt stiff from hours of sitting still, but he forced himself to stand, his legs shaky and unsteady from the long wait.

With deliberate caution, he took a slow step, then another, moving carefully around the tree, trying to investigate the source of the disturbance. Every rustling of leaves felt like it was amplifying in his ears, and his breath quickened as he wondered what—who—might be out there.

Subaru: [I-i..s an..yo..ne the..re?] His voice was barely audible, no longer carrying the strength it once had. His lips, cracked and dry, made it hard to speak, and each word felt like it took more energy than he had left.

There was no response. Only the faint rustle of something moving behind the tree next to the thick green foliage. It was subtle, but distinct enough to catch his attention.

He slowly walked closer, his steps tentative, towards the source of the sound, trying to peer through the dense underbrush. But just as he was about to step into full view of whatever might be lurking on the other side, a sudden, urgent thought struck him.

"What if this is a wild beast?" His mind raced with images of sharp claws and teeth, the terrifying possibility of something far more dangerous than he was ready to face. The thought froze him in place, his body tensing as his senses heightened in alarm.

With newfound fear of being torn apart by wild animals, Subaru turned around and ran.

His small legs moved as fast as they could, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps, his heart thundering in his chest.

He ran and ran, not stopping, not even allowing himself a moment to think. The sharp stones and jagged rocks dug into the bare soles of his feet, each step sending spikes of pain up his legs, while branches and twigs reached out to tear at his skin.

But he didn’t stop.

He couldn’t stop.

The terror coursing through him outweighed everything else, pushing him forward relentlessly.

For the first time since he had awoken in this strange, terrifying place, Subaru broke free from the small patch of ground where he had been huddled in a fragile sense of safety.

He didn’t care about the pain or the exhaustion building in his limbs. He only cared about staying alive. The forest blurred around him as he ran, his mind locked on one singular thought: escape.

And behind the tree Subaru had almost dared to check, a small figure was hiding—one that appeared to be roughly the same size as Subaru himself, if not just a little smaller. The figure crouched low, pressed tight against the base of the tree, as though trying to melt into the surrounding shadows and foliage.

Despite the attempt to stay concealed, there was no mistaking the shape—slim limbs, small hands, and a head of slightly messy hair that caught the dappled light. It was, without a doubt, the form of a child.

The figure had kept a hand firmly over her own mouth and nose, likely to muffle her breathing, but now, sensing a shift or perhaps recognizing that the young nasty eyed boy had left, she slowly removed it. Her lips parted slightly as she exhaled and then, with a quiet voice just above a whisper but filled with intensity, the figure finally spoke.

???: [I have to warn onee-chan...]  the child said as she turned and dashed up the mountainside, her small feet nimbly navigating the uneven terrain with urgency.

Hunger—Subaru was starving. 

An all-consuming emptiness gnawed at his insides, clawing deeper with every passing hour. 

He hadn’t stopped moving, not even for a second. 

Ever since two days ago, when a terrifying realization gripped him—that there could be a wild beast stalking him from the shadows—he had been running, walking, staggering, crawling. 

Anything but standing still. His feet, once soft and clean, were now bloodied and raw, torn by rocks and roots. His soles throbbed with each step, but he pressed on.

Day bled into night and night into day. 

He didn’t rest. 

He didn’t sleep.

The stars above—foreign, unrecognizable—offered no guidance, only a chilling reminder that he was completely, hopelessly lost. With no frame of reference, no familiar constellations, he had no sense of direction. Every tree looked the same, every shadow stretched long and unfamiliar. It felt like he had been walking in circles, cursed to repeat the same path endlessly.

He had long abandoned the hope of being found. The comforting fantasy of rescue had withered away, replaced by the stark, unyielding truth: he was alone.

He searched for food, clawing through bushes, lifting rocks, peering into hollow logs. Nothing. No berries, no mushrooms, not even insects. He searched for water with parched lips and a tongue that felt like sandpaper. Still nothing.

Subaru: [Fo..od... Wa..ter...]

His voice emerged hoarsely, a broken whisper that repeated the same words again and again like a desperate mantra. There was no thought behind the repetition, only a blind instinct, a flicker of hope clinging to the edge of his fading consciousness.

His vision was murky and distorted, like looking through dirty glass. Everything around him blurred into shapes and shadows, and the only thing that remained clear was the aching need inside him. 

A need to eat, to drink—to survive.

Pain no longer mattered. Exhaustion was irrelevant. Concepts like rest or comfort had become meaningless abstractions. His mind had discarded them like unnecessary baggage. With drool coating his chin and his limbs moving on autopilot, he searched and searched, driven by instinct alone.

He didn’t know how his body was still moving. 

His legs trembled. His muscles screamed. His joints cracked with every motion. But somehow, he remained upright, staggering forward, lost in his endless pursuit. And he didn’t care why.

A terrible heat radiated from his forehead, his skin burning from within. Yet when he touched his temple, it was icy cold. The contradiction didn’t register. He didn’t try to understand. Understanding took energy—energy he didn’t have.

He was alone now. Entirely, utterly alone.

His parents—his father, his mother—they weren’t coming. He had realized it sometime the day before... or maybe the day before that. He couldn’t remember. Time had stopped meaning anything. The sun rose, the sun fell, and Subaru drifted through it like a ghost.

His senses were shutting down one by one. First his hearing dulled, then his sense of smell faded into nothingness. Now, even his sense of touch was slipping. He could barely feel the dirt under his feet or the wind brushing against his skin.

He had stopped wondering how he ended up here. The questions—Why am I here? What happened to me?—had long since vanished from his thoughts. He no longer had the strength to ponder.

There was only one desire left, one overwhelming drive consuming everything else:

He just wanted to eat. 

To eat his mothers food,

To eat anything.

In those few days, Subaru had been reduced to little more than a wild animal, a creature driven entirely by base instinct. Rationality had basically left him, replaced by a haze of desperation and survival. 

His thoughts no longer followed coherent patterns—there were no plans, no strategies, no questions. Just hunger, thirst, and the gnawing need to keep going. Every heartbeat felt like a countdown, every breath a struggle against the overwhelming weight of fatigue and despair.

As he staggered forward, bare feet scraping against the uneven ground, he felt something beneath him—just a tremor, so faint and subtle that any other person might have overlooked it entirely. 

But somehow Subaru noticed. His body, honed now by fear and instinct, reacted before his mind could catch up. He froze mid-step, every muscle in his body going rigid as the tremor echoed faintly beneath the soles of his feet. It was like the earth itself had whispered a secret only he could hear, a vibration that threaded through his bones and tugged at his awareness.

It was deathly silent. Not the peaceful quiet of calm, but the oppressive silence of a world holding its breath. The wind had stopped. The leaves hung still on their branches. Even the insects had quieted. His filthy, tattered pajamas clung to his gaunt frame like rags, unrecognizable from what they once were. The fabric, once soft and colorful, was now stained, torn, and caked with mud and sweat, hanging off him like forgotten remnants of a previous life.

Then, the tremor returned—slight, but definite. A rhythmic pulsing deep beneath the earth, almost like a heartbeat. It came again.

And again.

And again.

Drool began to trickle from Subaru’s mouth, slipping past cracked lips and sliding down his chin. Some drops landed with soft splashes onto the dirt below, vanishing almost instantly into the dry ground. 

His eyes widened, glazed but alert, and he slowly licked his lips, the sensation grounding him for a brief moment. His throat ached, dry and raw, but he ignored it, lost in the sensory haze.

Why was he acting like this? Why was he reacting with such visceral anticipation?

Because, somehow, deep within the fragmented recesses of his mind, he knew. 

He didn’t know how or why, but he was certain—if he turned around, food would be there. Something vital. Something life-saving. It wasn’t logic guiding him now; it was something primal, something ancient buried inside him. A survival instinct sharper than any sword, urging him to act.

And so, slowly, with the tension of a spring wound too tightly, Subaru turned around. Each movement felt deliberate, echoing in the stillness like the tolling of a bell. His heart pounded in his ears, louder than the wind that refused to blow, louder than the silence that pressed in from all sides.

The monstrous creature stood in the shadows of the trees like a nightmare brought to life, its hulking frame radiating menace. 

It had the head of a lion, twisted and maddened, with a snarling maw lined with jagged, uneven fangs stained from countless kills. Its blood red eyes burned like molten metal, glowing with unnatural intelligence and a murderous gleam. Thick, charred fur formed a blackened mane around its neck, smoldering faintly as if embers still glowed deep within. Each breath it exhaled came with a low growl and a puff of dark smoke.

Its 4 legs were long and ape-like, dragging razor-sharp claws along the earth, leaving deep furrows in the dirt. The creature’s snake-like tail coiled and uncoiled with eerie anticipation, tipped with a venomous barb that glistened under the dim light.

It wasn’t just a beast—it was a predator—a king imbued with malevolence. The very air seemed to twist and recoil in its presence.

Both beings locked eyes, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to grind to a halt, the space between them brimming with tension so thick it felt almost tangible.

Subaru and the beast.

There was still a tiny flicker of rationality inside Subaru, an ember of logic smothered beneath layers of exhaustion and primal instinct. That ember whispered frantically at him to run, to flee, to turn and disappear into the forest like prey should in the face of a predator. The creature before him was danger incarnate, a monstrous force that could crush him without effort.

But his body refused to move.

Instead, every nerve in him pulsed with a warped sort of excitement. After so long wandering in hunger and desperation, after days on the brink of collapse, something vital—something alive—had finally appeared before him. Food. Nourishment. A chance at survival, no matter how twisted the form it took.

Subaru: [Ah~,]

Subaru smiled.

He smiled wide and delirious, filled with ecstasy and wild hunger. His cracked lips curled back in something that was neither relief nor joy but something darker—desperate, frenzied.

The massive creature reacted with fury. How dare an insignificant, gaunt little human—a prey—look upon it not with fear, but with amusement? With want? It was not prey that should smile. It was prey that should scream, tremble, run. And yet here it stood, its target grinning as though it had been offered a gift from the heavens.

Unforgivable.

Muscles tensed like coiled springs. It didn’t roar, didn’t warn. No sound but the sudden hush of motion.

With speed that defied its size, the Guiltylowe lunged, moving with silent malice, faster than a shadow cast by lightning. Its claws carved through the air, a blur of intent and destruction, aimed directly at the frail figure who dared to defy it with a smile.

Subaru stood unmoving as the creature approached, its presence suffocating, like a wave of dread pressing against his skin. Every instinct screamed at him to move, to run, to react in any way—but his feet were rooted to the ground, his limbs heavy as stone.

"Let it out." His body screamed louder and louder, a mantra of desperation and release echoing through every cell, reverberating in his bones in that split second that stretched like an eternity.

And Subaru?

He didn’t resist.

Without even realizing it, without thought or hesitation, something ancient stirred within him. A dark, surging pressure boiled beneath the surface, building behind his eyes, in his chest, in his skull. Then, it erupted.

Two adult-pinky sized deep black horns burst forth from his forehead, curving slightly upward like jagged crescents of obsidian. 

They shimmered with an eerie energy, shadows clinging to them like smoke, shifting and curling around their surface. They glowed faintly with a tinge of molten orange and black light, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. The air around him thickened, warped slightly by the sudden outpour of power, crackling with silent tension. It was as if the world held its breath again—this time not for the monster, but for him.

???: [An... Oni? Impossible...] 

A few trees away, observing the scene unfolding before him, a grey haired muscular old man with a heavy sword had his mouth speak what his thoughts were thinking. 

Alongside him were two other men observing the same scene as the old man; they both had their mouths hung open in disbelief.

These other two men had been following—for the last 2 days the human child who had trespassed into the Oni village’s territory. 

And all 3 of them watched the battle between a starving child and the Jet Black King of the Forest unfold before their very eyes…

Chapter Text

──There exists a race called “Oni”.

In this world, humans were called the weak race that was the most abundant.

In this world, Demi-humans were called the race that was powerful to make up for the lack of numbers they had in comparison to people.

Onis and Humans looked like two peas in a pod with their appearances, but they were unmistakably true Demi-humans. They had the best body and mental strength for Demi-humans, and they earned the title as the world’s strongest race.

Should an Oni clan’s warrior appear on the battlefield, they’d wipe out thousands of soldiers. They would display powerful, unrivaled, almighty movements, and everyone would have stories to tell about that unmatched strength, their excellent magic techniques, and above all, the fascinating, shining white horns on their forehead.

However, all the activities and glory and such of the Oni clan admired in the legends were all things of the past.

In the present, the Onis had the multitude of their passed down anecdotes completely forgotten, and the race was slowly coming close to extinction.

The Oni clan’s downfall──there were two causes that stood out noticeably above the rest for the impending historical demise.

First of all, there was the fact that the Oni clan was too strong.

For many people, the Oni clan’s power that overwhelmed other races became something to fear and drive out. To put it appropriately, for the people afraid of the return of the Witch of Envy, it seemed really close to how the Elves became persecuted. Similarly, it’s said that in ancient times there was also a similar type of rejection towards giants.

Ironically enough, the Oni clan’s unrivaled power people found out about became the cause of other races making them their enemy.

And then there was the second cause, the Oni clan’s reproduction ability. Onis were strong as individuals,but on the other hand, their ability to bear children was remarkably poor, and they couldn’t increase their numbers like other races could.

The Oni clan population decreased rapidly as a result of that and the rejection from other races. They disappeared from the center stage of history, and they had to live in villages in the mountains. And so, even after that, the Oni clan’s numbers continued to decrease slowly──the destruction of the Oni clan’s final village was also now in front of their eyes.

???: [──They’re twins.]

The midwife lifts the bloodstained baby, and she said that as her sweaty cheeks stiffened up.

The hoarse, tired speaking of the old woman makes everyone at that place open their eyes wide all at once. Meanwhile, what resounded throughout the gathering was the first cry of a baby that had just came out of her mother’s womb.

The twins born on this day were new life the Oni clan was looking forward to.

The one who raised her voice and cried very loudly was the younger sister. The older sister had already been picked up and lain on a white, clean cloth. She didn’t cry, but she opened her eyes.

She looks around the assembly hall with her light pink eyes, and lastly she stared at her little sister that was just born.

???: [Twins, they’re twins, meaning that…]

The old woman who continued to hold onto the born twins repeats herself in a hoarse voice to make sure this was the reality.

That voice did not have the color of joy; it had only shock and acute sadness.

And everyone in this place felt the same way as the old woman, no exceptions.

???: [To think that you’d get pregnant with twins on this opportunity... You’ve done something unbelievably foolish, Temae!!]

Temae: [Eep…]

Inside the room ruled by surprise and sorrow, the one person who shook in anger was a gray-haired old man. The old but muscular man shouts at the woman out of breath next to the midwife. The women that had just gave birth stiffens her pale face, and she shrieked at that angry voice.

Quark: [Setanta-sama! Temae... My wife has done nothing wrong! My wife…]

Setanta: [Be quiet, Quark! Do you even understand? Are you even aware of just how many expectations we had in you and Temae... If you are, then keep your mouth shut!]

Quark: [Gulp…]

Setanta: [Chika! Hand me the baby!]

The husband, whose wife got shouted at, stood up, but a grey elder silences them in anger. The grey elder goes towards the assembly hall room, and he stretched his arms towards the old woman who was holding onto the baby that was still crying.

Midwife: [Chief, these children are…]

Setanta: [There are no exceptions to the law. No matter what anyone says, that’s final.]

The grey elder’s firm attitude makes the old woman lose her breath, and after that, she looked down at the baby in her chest. She gazes at the light pink eyes of the baby who wouldn’t cry, and the old woman holds out that baby to the grey elder.

Temae: [Se─Senta-sama... Please have mercy…]

Setanta: [.....]

The twins’ mother begs for mercy from the grey elder while she sprawled on the futon wet with blood.

However, the grey elder ignored those words, and he placed the baby he was given next to the one that was born first.

The newborn twin sisters. The quiet older sister, and the crying younger sister. The grey elder looks towards the younger sister’s forehead, and he said───

Setanta: [One horn... They’re cursed children after all.]

What protruded from the crying baby’s forehead was a bump that was white and the size of an adult's pinky.

A horn: it was an organ unique to the Oni clan, and proof that she was an Oni. Of course, everyone in this place had a horn. However, everyone had two of them.

Setanta: [The horns were divided, and the twins were born lacking a horn. To think that I’d come across cursed children in my generation…]

Temae: [Chief! Can’t you... Can’t you have some mercy? To us, to this village, these are babies we’ve been waiting for!]

Setanta: [Quit it! There will be no mercy! There are no exceptions to the law, even if that means going into ruins as a result of protecting the law. Bending the law is unforgivable.]

The grey elder covered up the twins’ father’s shouting with a louder angry voice. The crying baby’s voice became even louder and stronger, perhaps because of the raise of emotion in their two voices.

The grey elder faces the wall to shake off the baby’s crying that filled the whole gathering, and he picked up the long sword that hung. It was a broken edged piece of iron, and it was used for rituals.

Setanta: [Cursed children shall not live. If they’re going to live disgraceful lives hornless, then the only way to show sympathy is cutting off that path right now when they’ve just been born.]

Temae: [M─My children…]

Seeing the white older facing the twins with a long sword makes their gasping mother let out a heartbreaking voice. That sound causes pain to run across the grey elder’s profile, and when the grey elder blocked her vision with his own back, he said.

Setanta: [Cover Temae’s eyes and ears. It’ll scar her.]

He was going to kill that child in front of the mother. The grey elder also knew just how cruel this act was.

The twins’ father holds down their exhausted, weak, resisting mother. Nobody went against the decision of the grey elder who was the chief. But nobody tried to look away from that act.

Setanta: [.....]

The grey elder feels the readiness of those around him, and he raises the gripped sword. The grey elder bites his molars, focusing strength into his eyes, and two white, long horns protruded from his forehead.

Since they were born in the Oni clan village, it would be a death they could be proud of as Onis.

Setanta: [.....]

The grey elder giving off his Oni spirit like a Rakshasa makes the baby raise her voice, and she cries as the intent to murder pierced her. This was the younger twin’s most powerful cry of all. The older twin looks at her with a side glance.

Setanta: [──Forgive me.]

The situation burns into the white man’s memory at the end, and he faced the twins as he swung the long sword downward. The blow of the sword that held onto two lives went towards the twins’ thin heads flawlessly. However──

Setanta: [Nu──!?]

Wind envelopes the gathering. The grey elder who swung his long sword gets overwhelmed by the impact, and he backed off.

The grey elder steps on his heels with such force that it could have removed the wooden floor, and in response to the incident that happened just before, he opens his eyes wide. The old white man clearly saw what happened.

Setanta: [Was that…]

There was a white light being produced throughout the gathering in front of the grey elder, whose voice trembled in amazement. The two twins lying down on the floor──no, the light pink eyed older twin gave off the light.

On that baby’s forehead, there was only one horn. It was only a single horn, something abominable to the Oni clan. It was proof of being damaged, a symbol of being incomplete, an absence that defiled pride, the lack of a horn──and yet.

???: [.....]

Nobody could speak. They were all fascinated by that older twin’s white horn.

That was the beautiful, powerful, robust, and prideful proof of an Oni.

The Oni clan valued their pride and strength more than anything. That made the Oni clan what it was today.

That’s exactly why everyone in the gathering hung their heads and kneeled.

The grey elder, old woman, and the twins’ father and mother were no exceptions. All the Onis at that place kneeled as they submitted to the newly born peak of pride and strength.

This was the day when the Oni clan, which had their slow destruction right before their eyes, witnessed the birth of the final Oni god.

The Oni clan felt like it was their last hope, and also the last path to glory.

However, that was──

???: [Ah…]

The younger twin stops her crying, and she reaches out gently towards the older twin beside her.

The older twin looks at her younger sister’s held out hand with squinted eyes. While surging enormous power from the sprouted horn on her forehead, the older twin intertwines her fingers with the fingers of her other half.

The Oni clan’s hope, the arrival of a new Oni god, all those circumstances of the surrounding adults were nothing but trivial things to these girls who were brought into this world as twins.

It was a sunny day, the kind where the gentle breeze stirred the treetops and birds chirped with lazy contentment, casting a tranquil spell over the Oni village.

Nothing appeared out of the ordinary—just the regular rhythms of village life unfolding with predictable ease. The Onis moved through their routines with practiced motions: tending to the fields, mending tools, gathering food, and speaking in soft voices filled with familiarity.

Everything was peaceful, the kind of peace that came from repetition, tradition, and safety.

But just beyond the well-trodden paths of the village, in a more secluded spot where the whisper of the river could be heard more clearly than any voices, a small blue-haired Oni girl with matching blue eyes sat quietly, far removed from the bustle.

Her delicate fingers carefully selected smooth stones from the riverbeach, inspecting each one before placing it onto a growing pile beside her. The stones came in different shapes and hues, and she arranged them with surprising focus and care, building towers and lines and patterns known only to her.

She came here often—every time she found herself alone. Her sister, always busy with the duties expected of her, was often gone, wrapped in the expectations that came with her strength and promise. And so, this little girl with the quiet eyes and gentle heart made her own world out of pebbles and solitude.

She would spend hours by the river like this, her soft hums blending with the sound of flowing water, lost in her own imagination. Sometimes she whispered stories to the stones or gave names to the smallest ones, treating them like friends.

And that girl's name was—Rem.

Rem: [Onee-chan has an important role so it can't be helped.]

Why would a girl so young be alone by herself and not playing with other kids? The answer is deceptively simple, and yet carries a weight that shaped her every day.

There were no other children in the entire village—none to laugh with, to run and play with, or to share silly secrets. Just silence where giggles might have possibly been.

Rem and her twin sister Ram were the only young Onis of their generation.

And among the two of them, Ram held a special place. She was revered not only as the second coming of the Oni God but also as the prodigy destined to be the next village chief. Her very presence was treated with awe and pride, a beacon of hope for the village’s continued legacy.

As the future of the Oni clan, she was constantly surrounded by elders, mentors, and warriors—people who saw greatness in her every move. She was always attending important discussions, undergoing training, or being consulted about things far beyond her years.

There was barely any time for childish games or wandering through the fields. Her days were packed with duties, responsibilities, and expectations, leaving no space for things—or people—deemed unimportant. And for many, that included a weak Oni like Rem.

But even then, Ram always took a lot of care of Rem. Despite her packed schedule and the many responsibilities weighing on her shoulders, she consistently made time for her younger twin.

She preferred staying by Rem’s side whenever possible, often sneaking away from her duties just for a few precious moments of play or conversation. She would go to great lengths—postponing her training, finding creative excuses to slip away from the elders, and even taking small scoldings—all so she could be with her sister— her other half. Their bond, despite the imbalance of expectations, remained strong and cherished.

And that made Rem feel very warm, as if her heart were gently wrapped in sunlight, so full of affection it could almost melt away.

So while Ram was groomed for her duties, often too busy, Rem found herself left behind—not out of cruelty, but out of necessity. And so, solitude became her normal. She wandered alone, sat alone, and played alone, making companions out of stones all the while waiting for her sister. 

Rem: [Another day spending my time properly...]

Still, she remained, adjusting her tiny stone formations with care, as though hoping they might earn a nod of approval from someone—anyone... 

Rem: [...]

It was a day like any other—or so it seemed, until something strange stirred the air.

Rem: [This smell… What is this?]

Rem froze in place, her hands hovering above the smooth stones she had been arranging with such care. 

Her nose twitched slightly as a foreign scent flooded her senses—sharp and overwhelming, completely foreign to anything she had ever encountered in her young life.

It was intense, like a pungent mixture of iron and earth, laced with something far more sinister beneath the surface. The scent was so powerful it drowned out the familiar smells of moss and water and stone, leaving only this alien aroma in its place.

Rem turned toward the village, eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of what she saw. 

The Onis moved about their daily tasks with the same practiced ease as always, laughing quietly, trading goods, and tending to their homes and fields as though the air around them hadn’t changed at all. It was as if nothing was happening—like the strange, invasive smell didn’t even exist for them. 

No one paused, no one looked around with concern or lifted their nose to the wind like she had. To them, the world remained the same peaceful rhythm it had always been, and that unsettled Rem more than the smell itself. 

Rem: [They don't notice it?]

Using her nose, she tried to pinpoint the exact location from where the scent was originating. She sniffed the air carefully, slowly turning her head this way and that, her brows furrowed in concentration. It didn't take her long to determine that the scent was coming from the forest—deep below the mountain slope, far away from the protective circle of the village. The forest, normally a serene and quiet part of the landscape, now exuded a disturbing presence that sent a chill down her spine.

Rem: [I have to tell onee-chan about this. She'll know what to do.]

She looked up at the sky where the sun hung directly overhead, marking the peak of midday. Its warmth contrasted the unease curling in her chest. Taking a steadying breath, Rem closed her eyes tightly and focused. 

A light shimmer pulsed over her forehead, and with effort, a small, pinky-sized white horn emerged—a clear signal that she was summoning her power. It glowed faintly in the daylight, a testament to her determination and growing sense of urgency.

And she tried her best to focus. With her eyes tightly shut, Rem reached out with her senses, slipping into the consciousness of nearby insects one by one. Her mind jumped from a fluttering butterfly perched on a leaf to an ant crawling along a root, then to a dragonfly zipping through the air, all in a desperate attempt to locate her sister. 

She scanned their visions, seeking even the faintest glimpse of Ram’s distinctive pink hair or familiar figure. But no matter how many sets of compound eyes she borrowed, Ram was nowhere to be seen.

Her concentration began to waver under the strain. The weight of so many perspectives crashing through her head at once made her temples throb. After one more frantic attempt, she finally stopped, retracting her horn with a shimmer of light.

Rem stumbled backward slightly, her breath ragged. She began panting frailly, her shoulders rising and falling rapidly as her body trembled from exhaustion. A burning wave of heat surged through her limbs, leaving her feeling dizzy and drained. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady herself, her vision swimming.

Rem: [O-Onee-chan isn't in the village.]

Her eyes scanned the village once more, but there was no sign of Ram. Rem hadn’t found her anywhere. A heavy silence settled around her as the weight of her isolation deepened.

Despite her failure, a flicker of resolve lingered in her tired eyes, refusing to fade. She couldn’t afford to give up now.

She glanced over at the Onis in the village. She wanted to tell them about the strange scent that lingered in the air, but something stopped her. Perhaps it was the oddness of the situation, or the doubt creeping into her mind. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to speak up.

Rem: [I... I have to check.]

The young girl made that decision herself. No one would notice if she were missing for a while. She wasn’t important enough for anyone to search for her. And she wanted to prove that she could be as useful as her sister. Her heart ached with a mixture of determination and the quiet ache of loneliness, but she pressed forward.

Shaking the dirt and sand from her white clothes, she steeled herself. With a deep breath, she began her descent down the mountain, her steps filled with purpose. Her mind was focused on one thing: finding the source of the strange smell.

Rem had finally reached the furthest point she had ever dared to venture from the village. It was only about ten minutes away, yet it felt like an entirely different world. She had only ever come this far with Ram at her side, and the absence of her sister now made the solitude feel unsettling, even a little frightening. Each step farther from home echoed with hesitation, her nerves stretched taut by the creeping unease.

Rem: [It's coming from the forest...]

Looking ahead, Rem stared into the uncharted stretch of forest before her. Unlike the gentle greenery near the village, the trees here grew taller and thicker, their limbs intertwined in a dense canopy that swallowed the light. 

The foliage was dark and tangled, casting deep shadows across the pathless floor. The underbrush rustled with unseen movement, and the air carried a damp, earthy smell that clung to her skin. Traveling through this terrain would be difficult, slow, and treacherous.

She swallowed hard, her small hands curling into fists at her sides.

Rem: [Onee-chan wouldn’t hesitate. She would already be moving forward.]

The thought made her chest tighten. But she steeled herself and took a cautious step into the thick undergrowth, determined to follow the trail no matter how uncertain it was.

She took out her horn once again, letting it shimmer faintly as she prepared to scan for any possible dangers lurking in the thick forest ahead.

The horn started to absorb the mana hanging in the air, strengthening Rem's body in the process. Slowly and deliberately, she began to push forward, her breathing shallow, each step carefully calculated. 

She would only rarely switch points of view, hopping from the eyes of one insect to another. She couldn't use it as far away as Ram but it was more than enough. Overuse of this technique could prove dangerous—Rem knew all too well that if she pushed herself too hard, the strain could cause her to collapse entirely. The risk was real, and it haunted the edge of every movement she made.

After what felt like a long and grueling 20 minutes of weaving through the dense green scenery, ducking under hanging branches and stepping over moss-covered roots.

With each passing moment, frustration began to build in her chest. Eventually, Rem reached a point where the toll of constant vigilance and magical exertion caught up with her—her energy was nearly depleted, and the throbbing ache behind her eyes warned that she could no longer safely use her technique. 

She paused, breathless and trembling, her horn retracting exhaustion finally forced her to stop.

Rem: [I can never match my sister in demon power.]

She said, She knew way too well that no matter what she did she couldnt be like her other half. She constantly failed everyone's expectations.

But even then taking a deep breath, Rem pushed away those thoughts and focused on the current object.

Rem: [It's close, I can feel it. I am almost there...]

Rem could now feel the scent growing stronger—oppressively so, like it was wrapping itself around her senses, tightening its grip with each passing second. She walked cautiously forward, every footstep measured and deliberate, until the dense forest began to open up. Just ahead lay a clearing, an unusually quiet open field where the trees thinned, revealing patches of pale sunlight filtering through the high canopy.

She crouched behind some nearby green foliage at the edge of the clearing, heart pounding in her chest. The scent was no longer just present—it was overwhelming, pressing down on her from the direction of a massive tree only a few meters ahead of her. 

The tree's wide trunk was partially covered in moss and shadow, concealing whatever might be behind it. Her instincts screamed that this was the source.

She caught the glimpse of a small figure resting its back against the tree.

She took one step to the side. Getting a slightly better angle of the figure.

Rem: [... A… boy?]

Rem caught the glimpse of what was without a doubt a small boy, about her size. 

Since he was facing the other way Rem could not get a good look at his features. The only thing she could make out was that he had black hair. He wore strange slightly dirtied colorful clothes she had never seen before.

He was completely alone. As far as she could tell, there was no other person nearby apart from him.

Rem: [He.. is the source?]

Whispering to herself once again Rem realised that the young black haired was the source of the smell she was searching for.

The boy turned his head sideways looking towards the forest as if waiting for something. And in that moment Rem got a slightly better view of the boy’s face. Not the full face but just a small glimpse of it. 

Rem: [Was he crying?]

He had sharp black eyes. Which were puffy and Red. The boy’s face was covered in dried tears and snot. His face was melancholic. 

Rem: [...]

Apart from the scent that Rem was tracking down, the boy didn't smell like an Oni, she deduced he must be from a different demi-human race.

However, before making any decision she needed to be completely sure. She didn't want to end up making a mistake.

She leaned slightly to get a better look, shifting her weight onto one foot. 

In that moment of movement, her foot struck a thick, dry branch beneath the brush. It cracked loudly underfoot, echoing far louder than she expected in the silence of the clearing.

Panic flared in her chest as the sound rang out. Without hesitation, she scrambled backward and ducked behind a nearby tree, her movements swift and desperate, doing her best to stay silent despite the racing of her heart.

She held her breath.

She was careless—and she knew it.

Rem: [...]

Rem heard small footsteps crunching over twigs and fallen leaves, growing steadily louder, closer and more deliberate. Each sound struck her ears like a drumbeat, sending her heart pounding faster.

Tears started to form in the corners of Rem's eyes, brimming with fear, confusion, and the overwhelming sensation that she had made a mistake.

The dense silence of the forest was then pierced by a voice—hoarse, dry, and trembling. It sounded small, young, and incredibly broken, as if it hadn't been used in a very long time. 

???: [I-I...s-some...one... th-there...?]

The words were barely audible, fractured and weak, as if they were being pushed out with great difficulty. The boy sounded like he was on the edge of collapse.

Rem put a hand over her mouth and nose to mask her breathing, desperately trying to steady herself and suppress any sound that might give away her position. The footsteps were getting closer and closer, crunching through leaves and twigs, their cadence quick and unsteady, filled with an eerie uncertainty, until—

Rem: [?]

They stopped. Just two meters away from the tree she was hiding behind. So close she could almost feel the presence of the unknown figure, the silence hanging heavy in the air like a held breath. Her entire body remained still, her muscles tight with fear and anticipation.

Then, as suddenly as they had stopped, the footsteps started up again—but this time, their rhythm changed. The pacing was slower, more hesitant, and most importantly, they were moving away from her, going further down the mountains into the forest. 

With each step, the pressure on her chest lessened, though the fear still lingered in her gut like a coiled serpent.

Her lips parted slightly as she exhaled and then, with a quiet voice just above a whisper but filled with intensity, the figure finally spoke.

Rem: [I have to warn onee-chan...]

Standing back up, Rem pushed her aching, trembling body into motion, forcing herself into a run despite the burning in her legs and the dizziness clouding her vision.

She raced toward the Oni village nestled high in the mountains, each step fueled by sheer willpower and the desperate hope of reaching her sister.

Rem: [I finally made it...] Rem gasped, breathless, as she stumbled into the village.

The climb had taken far longer than she had anticipated. What was a thirty-minute descent earlier had become a grueling, three-hour ascent. Her body was pushed beyond its limits—weak, trembling, and drenched in sweat.

She had drained herself searching for the source of the scent in the forest, forcing her to tap into her Oni power. With her horn activated, the effort had left her overheated and completely exhausted. Her weak connection to her horn made it difficult to control, and now her body ached from the strain.

During the climb, Rem had lost the path more than once, veering off the trail and having to backtrack. She’d been forced to rest multiple times just to catch her breath and keep her balance.

It was almost evening, and the sky was tinged with deep orange and violet hues as Rem stood at the edge of the village, looking down upon the familiar rooftops.

A light breeze rustled her hair, carrying with it the scent of pine and smoke from cooking fires beginning to burn in preparation for the evening meal. The peaceful scene before her was a sharp contrast to the turmoil she had just endured.

No one had noticed she was gone for several hours, and the village carried on in its usual rhythm.

No one but—

???: [—Rem!]

Rem froze, her breath catching as the familiar voice pierced the quiet. Her entire body quivered—not from fear this time, but from a powerful wave of relief and recognition. That voice… it could only belong to one person.

A pink-haired girl suddenly threw her arms around Rem, pulling her into a fierce, heartfelt hug.

She wore the same hairstyle and clothes as Rem, and her soft, light pink eyes shimmered with emotion. Even now, she radiated a calm dignity and effortless confidence.

She was Rem’s other half—the most admired and cherished person in the entire village. Her older twin sister: Ram.

Ram: [Where were you, Rem? I was worried..]

Ram's voice trembled with concern as she gently cupped Rem's face, brushing away the dirt and small leaves clinging to her cheeks. Her touch was tender, filled with quiet affection, as if reassuring herself that her sister was truly there and unharmed.

Rem: [Onee-chan...]

Rem’s chest swelled with warmth so intense it made her feel like she could melt into Ram's gentle embrace. The comfort of her sister's presence washed over her, soothing her frayed nerves.

Rem: [I-I...]

She tried to respond to Ram’s question, but the words caught in her throat. Her voice faltered, unable to find a starting point.

Seeing her struggle, Ram leaned in and gently pressed her forehead against Rem’s, her eyes soft with affection. She spoke in a voice that was both calming and loving.

Ram: [Take your time, Rem.]

With so much affection being directed at her, Rem blushed slightly, the warmth in her cheeks deepening. She took a steadying breath and pointed toward the forest down below—the very one she had just emerged from, still looming dark and quiet.

Rem: [I... was chasing after the source of the strange smell into the forest.]

Ram listened intently, her expression shifting to one of focus and concern with every word that left her younger sister's lips.

Ram: [...Strange smell?]

Rem nodded earnestly.

Rem: [Mmh! Though it’s lighter than before, it’s still lingering in the air.]

Ram: [I don’t smell anything, though...] she said, frowning in confusion.

Rem: [E-Eh? Onee-chan can’t smell it?]

Rem’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Earlier that day, she had noticed the other Oni behaving indifferently, even when the scent had overwhelmed her senses. Back then, she had simply assumed they couldn’t smell it because they were still far away.

But now, hearing that even her sister-the most perfect Oni in this generation couldn't detect the lingering odor in the air, a chilling realization dawned on her.

Ram: [Okay, so what happened next?] she asked, her tone shifting to a more serious one as her expression hardened slightly with concern.

Rem: [Ah, right... I followed the smell deeper into the forest and... um... I eventually found the source.]

Rem trailed off for a moment, her brows knitting together as she recalled the moment.

Ram's eyes locked onto her, silently encouraging her to continue with a calm but firm look.

Rem: [A-and the source... it was a boy. A boy about our age.]

Ram: [A boy...? In this place?]

Ram: [Rem, where exactly did you find him?]

Rem glanced into the dense forest, her brow furrowed in thought. The details were blurry—she couldn't quite recall the precise location where she'd encountered the boy.

But then, like a spark in the dark, she remembered the scent. Trusting her instincts, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, sniffing the air with practiced care. As soon as the familiar, faint trace hit her senses, she turned and pointed confidently.

Rem: [Somewhere over there.]

Ram: [Alright. Hold on a bit, Rem.]

As she said this, Ram effortlessly summoned her white horn, letting it emerge from her forehead with a soft glow. She closed her eyes in concentration for just a moment. Almost immediately, her voice returned, calm but firm.

Ram: [This is...]

While it had taken Rem nearly thirty minutes of careful searching to track down the boy, it took Ram only a few seconds to pinpoint his presence.

Rem looked at her sister with wide eyes, her expression filled with admiration.

"As expected of Onee-chan."

Ram’s expression grew serious, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She gently retracted her horn and reached out to affectionately pat her sister's head.

Rem: [...Onee-chan?]

Ram: [Rem, did you speak with the boy?]

Rem: [No, I didn’t reveal myself to him. Is something wrong?]

Ram: [I hope not. Rem, did the boy smell like an Oni?]

Rem: [Um... no, he didn’t.]

Ram sighed.

Ram: [Rem, let's go to the chief’s residence. We need to warn them about the boy.]

Rem: [O-Okay...]

With that quiet exchange, the two sisters set off toward the heart of the village, their footsteps soft against the worn path. The chief’s residence stood at the furthest end of the village, nestled among tall trees and partly hidden by the curve of the land.

Though it bore the title of "chief’s residence," it looked remarkably similar to the other houses—a modest wooden structure with little to distinguish it, save for the ceremonial lanterns hanging at its entrance.

Setanta: [Where did you see this boy?]

Sitting inside his home with a couple of other adults, the hidden village's chief addressed Rem with a calm but serious tone.

Rem: [I-It was down the mountains in the forest.]

Rem addressed the chief nervously, fidgeting slightly with the hem of her sleeve.

Setanta was not only the Oni clan's chief but also served as the village's wise and experienced mediator. His grey hair was cropped short, and his towering frame exuded an aura of quiet authority. He had a naturally intimidating presence that made speaking to him difficult for Rem. In truth, the only people she felt truly comfortable around were Ram and their parents.

Setanta narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, processing what he’d just heard.

???: [A human around this area? Especially a kid? That sounds fishy.]

One of the other adults present furrowed his brow as he voiced his opinion.

The others nodded in agreement, murmuring quietly among themselves.

Setanta: [...]

The chief scratched his chin in contemplation, his eyes drifting to the floor.

Setanta: [You did well, Rem. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.]

???: [To be able to smell someone from so far away is... very impressive indeed.]

Another of the elders smiled as he offered his praise, clearly impressed by the great feat Rem had just done.

Ram: [Of course! Rem is the best.]

Ram stated it matter-of-factly, her tone brimming with unwavering confidence.

Her voice carried a note of pride that made it clear she believed every word. Her eyes gleamed with sisterly affection, radiating admiration as she looked at her younger twin.

Rem, overwhelmed by the praise, felt a rosy flush bloom across her cheeks. The warmth spread quickly through her, leaving her body tingling—not just from embarrassment, but from the rush of pride and happiness that came from being recognized by the person she admired most.

Adult: [Setanta-sama, what do we do?]

the man asked, his voice tense with unease. It wasn't just him—others in the room shared the same look of concern, their gazes shifting toward the chief, awaiting his decision.

The Oni village was nestled deep within the rugged mountains, hidden well within the borders of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica and perilously close to the edge of Kararagi. This ancient place had been isolated for generations, its secrecy protected by its remote location and harsh terrain.

Far removed from any human settlement, the village had no roads leading in or out. To reach it required either exceptional skill or dangerous luck. Dense forests filled with aggressive ma-beasts acted as natural guardians, discouraging intruders and eliminating most who dared venture too close.

Given this level of isolation, a human being this near to their sanctuary was more than unusual—it was alarming. It defied logic. It couldn’t be brushed off as some kind of coincidence.

It was probably a trap—there was no other explanation that made sense. A lone human, especially a boy, venturing this deep into the wild, treacherous terrain near their village without guidance or protection? It was too suspicious to ignore.

Setanta: [Send a few scouts. I want eyes on the boy at all times—but keep your distance. We need to know what he’s doing and if anyone else is with him.]

Setanta turned his gaze to the two young girls standing quietly in the room. His eyes lingered on them for a moment before he gave them a subtle nod.

Setanta: [You two may go now.]

Ram began to leave without a word. Rem hesitated only briefly before following close behind, her steps light and uncertain.

As they walked towards the vilage's plaza, Rem glanced sideways at her sister, worry etched on her face.

Rem: [Onee-chan... what are they going to do to the boy?]

Ram kept her gaze forward, her expression unreadable. She exhaled softly.

Ram: [Don’t think about it, Rem. Just let the adults handle it.]

Her voice was gentle but firm, and Rem could sense that pressing further wouldn’t change anything. Still, unease twisted in her chest as the question lingered unanswered in her mind.

She remembered the frightened boy—the sorrow in his eyes.

It was a look that stirred something deep in her heart.

She thought about the way he had looked at the trees, as if searching for something, or someone, who would never come. There had been such quiet sadness about him, such a fragile vulnerability that lingered in her mind even now.

But in the end, despite the emotions twisting inside her, she chose to follow her sister’s advice, holding her questions and compassion tightly within her heart.

Days passed, and Ram and Rem continued with their familiar routines.

Ram attended to her responsibilities alongside the adults, while Rem waited patiently, just as she always did.

However, everything felt a little different after Rem had accomplished that remarkable feat. It seemed as though the villagers had begun to regard her with newfound respect.

Some of them even started engaging her in conversation more frequently, offering her kind words and friendly gestures.

Even their parents, upon hearing the news, had openly praised Rem, their voices warm with pride.

Rem felt a rush of happiness bloom within her.

At that moment, she sat diligently, quietly waiting for her sister to complete her duties, her thoughts still lingering on the recent changes.

It was another hot, sunny day, with the golden light casting long shadows across the village.

Whenever Rem found herself alone, her thoughts often drifted to that strange boy. She still remembered the moment she learned he was human—it had taken her completely by surprise.

Each day and night, two men from the village would venture into the forest to keep watch over him. Although there had been a great deal of concern and suspicion at first, that initial tension had gradually faded away, replaced by a cautious but growing sense of calm.

While lost in thought, Rem caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of her eye. At the village entrance, the chief stood tall, his heavy sword resting against his shoulder. He was surrounded by several other adults, including one of the scouts.

Rem: [Onee-chan...?]

Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed her sister among the gathered group. Though she couldn't make out their conversation, it was clear from their serious expressions and focused demeanor that the chief was preparing to go somewhere with the scout.

The village chief appeared to be in a serious conversation with Ram, his brows furrowed as he gestured toward the edge of the forest. Ram listened intently, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

After a tense exchange that lasted several moments, Ram shook her head firmly. Her mouth moved in what appeared to be a curt refusal, and without waiting for further discussion, she turned sharply on her heel. Her posture was rigid, her pace brisk as she walked away from the group.

Seeing her sister alone, Rem rushed over to her.

Rem: [Onee-chan!] she called out, her voice filled with affection.

Ram looked up, the tension in her eyes softening as she caught sight of Rem. Whatever had troubled her seemed to lift, if only slightly.

The two sisters embraced tightly, holding each other with a warmth that spoke more than words ever could.

Ram gently cupped Rem’s cheeks, her touch light and soothing.

Rem: [Is Onee-chan finished with her duties?] she asked, her tone hopeful and tender.

Ram: [That's right Rem, we will be able to play a lot today.] Ram said as her face brightened up.

Rem: [Really? I'm so happy!] she replied, bubbling with excitement.

Rem: [Are we going to the tato fields today?] Rem asked curiously.

Ram: [Well of course. I will get tons of yams so that we will be able to eat tons of Rem's steamed tatoes.]

She smiled—a rare, joyful smile that made her look far younger than usual. Rem smiled in return, touched by the unusual expression of childish glee on her sister’s face.

The steamed tatoes Ram talked about was a simple dish Rem made by borrowing the kitchen from her mother, and it would only be made whenever they’d harvest yams.

It wasn’t complex enough to be called a dish, but Ram was happy with Rem’s steamed tato more than she was with anything else.

The village would put their best efforts into making various things for Ram if she wished for it, and yet what Ram wanted was Rem’s steamed tatoes.

Ram: [Your seasoning is perfect. Rem is the only one who can make steamed tatoes that would make me happy.]

Rem: [Ehehe... Then I’ll try my best again onee-chan.]

Ram smiled and patted her sister's head. Her eyes trailed towards the entrance of the village.

The village chief and the scout were already gone, and the small crowd that had gathered earlier had now quietly dispersed.

Ram: [Tch...] she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible, tinged with frustration.

Rem noticed her sister’s troubled expression, the way her brows furrowed ever so slightly.

Rem: [Is... something wrong, Onee-chan?] she asked gently, her concern evident in her tone.

Ram glanced at her and quickly composed herself, offering a faint smile.

Ram: [It's nothing you need to worry about, Rem. Now, let’s go before it gets too late.]

With that, the two sisters turned and made their way toward the familiar path leading to the tatoes fields in the mountains.

Setanta: [An... Oni? Impossible...]

The village chief muttered in disbelief as he stared at the scene before him.

Beside him stood two men, their jaws slack with shock.

For the past two days, the two of them had been observing the human child who had trespassed into Oni territory. Now, they bore silent witness to the impossible—a battle between a starving boy and the Jet Black King of the Forest unfolding right before their eyes.

The men had reported to the chief, that the boy wandered in circles through the forest for days. He had never stopped moving, not even to rest. The fear etched on his face had never faded. He even had soiled his clothes, clearly overwhelmed.

Despite his incredible stamina, the boy would eventually succumb to hunger.

Setanta had come for one reason:

To end the human boy’s suffering—by ending his life.

He had wanted Ram to accompany him, to expose her to the harsh and necessary reality of taking a life—an experience she would inevitably face someday.

But Ram, with her characteristic stubbornness and moral clarity, had firmly refused. No amount of reasoning or persuasion could sway her from her decision.

With a weary sigh and a resolute heart, Setanta accepted her absence. The burden of the act would fall on him alone. He would carry it out swiftly and cleanly. In his mind, the least he could offer the abandoned boy was dignity—a painless death, delivered with honor, at the hands of a member of the strongest demi-human race.

But against all odds, the boy—who unmistakably smelled like a human—was an Oni himself. This was made undeniably clear by the two horns protruding from his forehead.

???: [His horns... they're black...] one of the scouts muttered in disbelief, voicing what they all were thinking.

Traditionally, every Oni was born with pristine white horns. It had been a constant, an unchanging trait of their kind. But this boy, with his messy black hair and somber aura, bore horns that were jet black—something that had never been witnessed in all of Oni history.

The three men stood frozen, their words lost as the surreal sight before them continued to unfold. The silence between them was heavy, filled with a mixture of awe, dread, and uncertainty.

Subaru stood unmoving from his position as the Guiltylowe lunged at him with a speed that defied its immense size, the earth quaking slightly beneath its charge.

Subaru's arms spread wide open, as though he were embracing the chaos unfolding before him. A crazed, maniacal smile twisted across his face, his eyes wild with something that resembled joy—or madness.

Closer and closer, the Guiltylowe advanced, its instincts sharpening with every step. It realized the boy had made no attempt to dodge or defend himself. He stood defiantly still, a living statue, as if daring the beast to strike him down.

The creature’s fury swelled. This insolent human—this strange, horned anomaly—was mocking it. Enraged beyond reason, the Guiltylowe's mind burned with the desire to inflict suffering.

Instead of tearing into him with its savage fangs or rending claws, it altered its path with brutal intent. It would not grant him the quick release of death. No, it would crush him—grind his bones and punish his arrogance.

Guiltylowe: [AROOOOOO!]

With a guttural roar and a terrifying burst of momentum, the Guiltylowe rammed into him with earth-shattering force, the impact echoing through the forest like a thunderclap.

Subaru: [Ah~—!]

Subaru was sent ragdolling backward from the impact, his body flung like a lifeless doll through the air. He collided with a thick tree trunk, the sickening snap of bone marking the instant his leg broke from the force.

Before pain could even register, his body ricocheted violently toward the ground, skipping and tumbling like a stone on water. Each bounce would clearly send fresh waves of agony through him, his limbs flailing helplessly until his momentum was brutally halted.

With a thunderous thud, he slammed into a massive boulder, the final impact jarring enough to shake nearby branches.

The sheer velocity of the crash left him crumpled slightly into the large rock.

A thick cloud of dust rose, engulfing Subaru's form and obscuring him from view.

The boy was now nothing more than a mangled heap of bruised flesh and shattered bone—there was no question about it.

If the Guiltylowe could smile, it surely would have. A sense of twisted satisfaction filled the creature, a deep, cruel pleasure in watching its victim’s broken state.

As the dust cloud slowly began to dissipate, the Guiltylowe and the nearby Oni's peered through the haze, their eyes fixed on the boy’s condition.

From within the thickening mist, faint sounds emerged—subtle, almost imperceptible

The sound echoed through the air— crunch, crunch —like something gnawing. A sharp click followed.

The noise lingered in the heavy air, unsettling and mysterious, leaving everyone around on edge, unsure of what they were hearing.

As the cloud finally dissipated, it revealed the source.

Subaru lay there, one leg broken and bent at an odd angle. His body was a mass of broken bones, cuts, and blood, with crimson streaks running down his forehead. He was completely soaked in red.

Subaru, partially lodged in the crater of the rock, remained indifferent. His jaw moved with disturbing greed, tearing into something with sickening sounds of flesh being ripped apart.

In his arms, he gripped two massive horns, each larger than his own limbs. At the base of these horns, red flesh clung tightly which he consumed without care, his face one of  pure bliss.

The boy, who should either be dead or writhing in agony, was instead eating as if nothing were amiss.

But that was far from what was running through the minds of the onlookers witnessing the scene.

Setanta: [Where did he get those horns..?]

Before he could ponder further, a loud, guttural scream tore through the stillness of the forest, ripping Setanta and the other onlookers from their thoughts.

Snapping his head toward the source, the village chief's expression turned to one of stunned disbelief.

Setanta: [?]

The Guiltylowe was thrashing violently, its colossal frame twisting and writhing in agony. Screams of pain erupted from its maw as blood gushed from twin, gaping holes in its skull. It staggered, unsteady, its rage replaced by terror as it howled in torment and confusion.

At the exact moment Subaru made contact with the beast, he had effortlessly wrenched both of its horns free with a force and precision that defied belief. 

It happened so swiftly, so incomprehensibly fast, that the Guiltylowe didn’t even register the agony of losing both its horns. The pain simply didn’t exist at that moment.

It wasn’t until the creature caught sight of its own horns—gripped tightly in the boy’s bloodstained hands—that reality finally struck. Only then did the sensation of unimaginable pain crash into its awareness like a delayed, merciless wave.

Subaru ate and ate, devouring every last shred of flesh that clung stubbornly to the blood-soaked horns. He ate with unrelenting savagery, tearing through sinew and tissue with a hunger that seemed almost primal. 

His teeth—once human and unremarkable—had transformed, now sharp and unnaturally strong, changed by the emergence of his horns. The crunch of bone echoed faintly as he chewed through even the gristle.

The Guiltylowe ceased its thrashing, its wild spasms giving way to a shuddering stillness. Its massive frame trembled, legs barely holding under the strain of pain and fury. Forcing itself upright with trembling limbs, it stared at Subaru with burning hatred. A twisted, murderous gleam had overtaken its eyes—it no longer sought to toy with the boy or make him suffer. No, that intention was gone.

Now, it would simply kill him—swiftly, brutally, and without mercy. No hesitation. No games. Just death.

Subaru, with nothing left to consume from the severed horns, remained unsatisfied. The scraps of meat that clung to the base were pitiful—far from enough to sate the ravenous void gnawing at his insides.

And so, he would begin his search for more. Again.

Completely drenched in crimson and gore, Subaru slowly raised his head. His attention locked forward with unnerving precision. His eyes locked directly onto the Guiltylowe's.

And in that very moment, the Guiltylowe froze in place.

Subaru's eyes were utterly black—void of white, devoid of light. There was no soul behind them, only depthless darkness. And somehow, the Guiltylowe could feel that empty gaze reaching into its very core, dissecting its essence.

Then, the Guiltylowe realized something. Something it had stupidly, fatally overlooked until now.

While it had tried to kill the boy, to cause him pain, to toy with him like a predator savoring its prey—the boy had never once acknowledged its existence. Not as a threat. Not even as a creature.

To the Guiltylowe, the boy had been prey. But to the boy... it had only ever been meat.

And now, the Guiltylowe was no longer looking at a child.

It was staring into the abyss.

It was staring into death itself.

The overwhelming, all-consuming instinct to destroy the boy vanished in an instant, swept away by a deep and primal terror. All the murderous desire that once burned within the creature was now hollowed out, leaving behind only a raw, choking dread that gripped it tighter with every heartbeat.

And that feeling—that terrible, soul-piercing sensation—was something it had never experienced before, not even in the deepest corners of instinct or memory.

Something that was never meant to exist within a being like itself stirred from deep within—an emotion so foreign, so unnatural, it should have been impossible. And yet, it was undeniably there, coiling and rising with paralyzing intensity.

True, unshakable fear.

A fear only a true Oni could deliver.

And so the Guiltylowe ran.

It didn’t look back.

It couldn’t look back.

Its limbs, trembling and slick with blood, carried it deeper and deeper into the shadows of the forest.

Branches whipped past as it fled blindly, driven not by instinct, but by a primal terror it couldn’t comprehend.

It vanished between the trees, its massive form swallowed by darkness, never to be seen again—leaving behind only a faint, broken trail of blood and the echo of its fear.

Subaru watched, as the food—the creature—staggered away into the distance. His hunger screamed at him to chase it down, to tear it apart and finish what he had started. His eyes, wide with wild instinct, locked onto the fading shape. But before he could make a single move, his body betrayed him. With a shuddering breath, Subaru collapsed onto the blood-soaked earth.

His mind screamed, pushing him forward, desperate to move. But his broken form refused.

Nearly all of his ribs were shattered, each breath sending lances of agony through his chest. Countless fractures riddled his limbs. His flesh was ripped in several places, oozing fresh streams of crimson. His right leg was barely attached, the bone jutting out through torn muscle, dangling like a severed limb held together by shreds of skin.

Darkness pulled at the edge of his vision. He let go, body crumpling into a motionless heap. The forest grew quiet around him, and Subaru slipped into the depths of a deep, suffocating unconsciousness.

The Village chief and both scouts immediately rushed toward the fallen boy, their expressions turning grim the moment they saw the battered state he was in.

Seeing the boy’s critical condition, Setanta wasted no time. With a firm grip, he seized one of the scouts by the shoulder, his fingers digging into the fabric with urgency.

He shouted, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, filled with both command and desperation.

Setanta: [Go up to the village and get the healers ready! Hurry! We can not let him die like this!]

The scout, eyes wide and face drenched in sweat, gave a sharp nod. Without hesitation, he summoned the power of both his horns, which pulsed faintly as they drew in the surrounding mana.

It coursed through him like fire in his veins, filling him with new strength. Fueled by this surge of energy and the urgency of the moment, he dashed up the mountainside with blinding speed, his silhouette quickly vanishing into the distance.

Setanta: [Help me stabilize him! We’re moving as fast as we can—just keep him steady!]

Man: [Y-Yes, Setanta-sama! I’m doing my best!]

With great care and urgency, the two Oni gently lifted the battered boy into their arms, mindful of his shattered body. Every movement was deliberate, calculated to avoid further injury as they began their hurried march back to the village.

The forest floor crunched beneath their feet as they moved swiftly, their expressions tense with focus and worry. Time felt unbearably slow, each second stretching longer under the weight of the boy’s fragile condition.

And just like that, without fanfare or ceremony, the last Oni village unknowingly welcomed its newest and most mysterious resident.

Chapter Text

Rem and Ram were in the process of returning to their village, their entire bodies splattered with mud from a quick short session of foraging.

In their arms, they each carried large baskets brimming with freshly unearthed yams.

Their once-white kimonos were now stained nearly black with dirt, the fabric clinging to them from the weight of their haul and the grime of the fieldwork.

The yams were still caked in soil, some connected by tangled vines, and there were as many as their arms could possibly carry.

Ram, who had been in a sour mood earlier that day, now wore a subtle, satisfied smile. The successful harvest—more than ten large yams—had clearly lifted her spirits.

Rem: [Onee-chan, you look much happier than before.]

Ram: [Of course I am, Rem. Nothing like outdoing expectations to fix a bad mood, this will be enough for dinner as well.]

Ram offered a satisfied, proud smile as she responded to Rem's question, clearly pleased with the harvest.

Rem: [Ehehe.. I’ll try my best, Onee-chan.]

As the village still lay some distance ahead, Rem turned to her sister with a curious expression, she wanted to ask something she didn't previously.

Rem: [Onee-chan, how... were your duties today?]

Ram’s earlier smile slowly faded, her expression hardening into a flat, emotionless line.

Ram: [It was as boring as always... The reincarnation of an Oni God, the restoration of the race, and all that nonsense... It’s so stupid.]

Rem: [Is that so...?]

Ram: [I get that the adults are desperate. I know they have high expectations for me. And yes, I know how capable I am. But no matter how much they wish otherwise, we can’t turn back time. They don’t seem to realize that.]

Rem: [...?]

Rem, still so young, couldn’t fully grasp the weight of her sister’s words. Despite being the same age, Ram often spoke with a clarity and gravity that surpassed even the elders. It left Rem feeling small and unsure in comparison, as though her sister stood in a world just out of reach.

Everyone in the village adored and respected Ram. But on the other hand, Ram didn’t open up to anyone in the village, and she thought that expectations and respect and such were troublesome.

The younger twin–her lovable other half, Rem, was the only one Ram truly loved from the bottom of her heart. 

Ram's neutral expression shifted subtly, tightening into a faint scowl as a shadow of irritation passed through her eyes. Her tone dipped into an even quieter murmur as she spoke under her breath, the words so faint they dissolved into the air before Rem could catch them.

Ram: [Tch... always clinging to those wretched laws... disgusting...]

As Ram finished her quiet mutterings, she came to a halt, sensing that something was off. Her eyes flicked to the side—and sure enough, her twin had also stopped walking.

Ram: [Rem?] she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Rem stood still, eyes closed, her face tilted upward as she sniffed the air with focused intensity.

Rem: [That... it's back?]

Her brow furrowed slightly as she continued inhaling the faint traces on the wind, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ram gently lowered her basket to the ground and quickly hurried to Rem's side. She cupped both of Rem's cheeks with her hands, drawing her sister's face close to her own. Rem slowly brought her head down and opened her eyes, finding herself locked in the intense, unwavering gaze of her sister's fierce pink eyes.

Ram: [What is it, Rem?]

Rem's cheeks flushed at the unexpected show of affection, warmth blooming across her face and turning it a deep, rosy hue.

Rem: [A-ah, Onee-chan... It's that boy's scent—it's back, and...]

She paused for a moment, inhaling slowly and deliberately once more.

Rem: [It's... getting closer?]

The tato fields lay in the opposite direction of where the boy had been seen—in the dense forest nestled below the mountains. Between those two locations, was the secluded Oni village.

Ram: [That human's scent? But he should be—]

Ram abruptly cut herself off, not just to prevent Rem from hearing the rest of what she was about to say, but because something else had caught her attention.

A presence.

An intruder.

Though they were still a fair distance from the village, Ram's senses sharpened.

She detected the faint, unmistakable aura of someone foreign—someone who didn’t belong—stepping into their sacred home.

Rem: [Onee-chan?]

Rem let out a soft, uneasy noise as Ram suddenly fell silent, Ram’s sharp gaze locked on the narrow path ahead. A subtle tension filled the air, enough to make the hair on Rem's arms stand. 

Ram: [Someone’s entered the village. I’m going to check it out.]

Her tone was calm, but resolute. Without another word, she shifted her stance, lowering her body into a sprinter's position, muscles taut and ready to burst into motion.

Rem: [Huh? Onee-chan, wait—!]

Ram: [I won’t be gone for long. Rem, you stay behind and–]

But Rem didn't let her finish.

Rem: [I want to go! I’m going too! Let me go with you, Onee-chan...!]

Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the loneliness that had long taken root in her heart. She was tired of being left behind. Her need to stay close to her sister was stronger than any fear of what might lie ahead.

Ram glanced down at her younger twin who clung tightly to her sleeve. She hesitated—only for a second—before exhaling softly through her nose.

Ram: [Stay by my side. Okay?]

Her words weren’t just a warning—they were a promise, firm and unshakable. As long as they were together, she'd keep Rem safe, no matter what waited for them. That bond, stronger than blood or fate, propelled them forward.

A surge of wind swirled around the twins, responding to Ram’s silent command. Their baskets, heavy with yams, were gently lifted by the air and floated behind them. The girls launched into a sprint toward the village. The wind, now their invisible ally, pushed at their backs like a guiding hand, urging them onward.

Ram could have easily pulled ahead, her strength far outpacing Rem's. But she adjusted her pace, matching her sister stride for stride. 

Together, they ran, the village drawing nearer.

As they drew closer, Ram could feel the foreign presence moving swiftly—too swiftly—toward the chief's house. Without hesitation, she changed course, veering away from the village's main entrance and heading directly toward their new target: the chief's residence.

Despite the urgency, the return journey took nearly five minutes. Most of that time was spent adjusting for Rem, who struggled to keep pace. Her breathing was ragged, each step labored, forcing Ram to slow her otherwise faster stride.

When the twins finally entered the village plaza, Rem stumbled to a stop, panting heavily. She looked around, confusion overtaking her exhaustion. The wide, open plaza—normally bustling with life and laughter—was eerily empty.

Rem: [There... is... no one here...]

She said it with widened eyes, disbelief evident in her voice. Her words hung in the still air like a question no one could answer.

Ram: [We're heading to the chief's house. Just a bit more, Rem.]

Her voice was steady, but her brows were drawn tight with unease. The silence of the village was unnatural, and whatever had invaded their sacred space was already disrupting more than just the air.

As they made their way toward the chief's residence, they took in the scene unfolding before them.

Nearly all of the villagers had gathered around the house, their faces painted with worry and confusion. Some whispered among themselves, while others stood rigidly, eyes fixed on the entrance as if waiting for news.

For a brief moment, Ram’s unease dissipated. The atmosphere, while tense, didn't carry the heavy weight of impending disaster. It seemed—at least on the surface—that nothing catastrophic had occurred.

???: [Ram-sama, Rem-chan.]

A woman's voice called out, causing Ram and Rem to stop in their tracks. Turning to the side, they saw a woman in the prime of her life—a familiar face they instantly recognized. She was their next-door neighbor, someone who often greeted them with kind words and a warm smile.

Her voice, though gentle, carried enough weight to draw the attention of the surrounding villagers. Murmurs rippled through the small crowd, and as their eyes fell upon Ram, they instinctively lowered their heads in reverence and respect.

However, Ram paid no attention to them.

???: [Senta-sama has called for Ram-sama. He is inside his residence and said it was urgent.]

Ram absorbed the message with an indifferent expression and slowly turned to face Rem—who she would now have to leave behind.

Rem met Ram's gaze and, in that moment, understood.

Without uttering a word, she silently released her hold on her sister's sleeve, her fingers lingering for just a heartbeat longer before falling away.

With a calm, deliberate motion, Ram lowered the baskets to the ground, letting them settle gently into the dirt.

The villagers respectfully stepped aside, creating a clear path for Ram to enter the chief’s house. But just as she was about to take her first step forward, the woman’s voice called out once again, cutting through the hushed murmurs of the crowd.

???: [The chief has called for Rem-chan as well.]

At those words, Rem’s eyes shot wide open, her expression frozen in disbelief.

Rem: [M-me? The chief... has called for me?]

???: [That’s right, Rem-chan. Now hurry, both of you. I’ll look after your baskets in the meantime.]

A thousand questions whirled through Rem’s mind, each louder than the last.

Why was the chief calling for her? She wasn’t anyone special. She wasn’t like Ram, strong and confident and whatever it was she surely wouldn't be any help.

But as she cast a glance toward the chief’s house, she caught a faint whiff of something in the air—an odor she became familiar with a couple days ago.

Ram, already feeling more at ease knowing she wouldn’t have to part ways with her sister, took Rem’s hand into her own. The gesture was gentle and firm.

Ram: [Let’s go, Rem.]

Rem gave a hesitant nod, her nerves still fluttering, but her resolve strengthening. Whatever was waiting for them, she felt braver with Ram by her side.

Rem: [O-okay, Onee-chan.]

Approaching the chief's residence, Rem could make out faint, muffled voices coming from within.

They were the voices of fellow villagers, but Rem couldn’t see what was happening as the front door was closed.

She trailed slightly behind her sister, watching as Ram moved forward without hesitation.

Ram slid the door open without so much as a knock, clearly unconcerned with formality or politeness.

Inside, they were greeted by the imposing back of a tall, broad-shouldered man—the village chief.

Setanta: [Hmm?]

He turned to face them, his expression hardening the moment his gaze landed on the twins.

There were no pleasantries, no small talk. The stern look on his face spoke volumes.

Setanta: [Perfect. Ram, Rem—come in, quickly.]

The lack of casual exchange between Ram and Setanta was telling—something was very wrong.

Without a word, Ram stepped over the threshold and entered the old house, her footsteps echoing faintly on the wooden floor.

Rem followed close behind, her hands tightening slightly in anxiety.

As they moved down the corridor toward the living room, dark, wet stains came into view.

Blood—fresh and unmistakable.

Rem felt a chill crawl up her spine. She glanced up at her sister, searching her face for guidance.

Ram, however, remained calm, her expression unreadable. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t slow down.

Her composure was unshaken, as if the scene before them was merely an inconvenience, not a cause for alarm.

Ram: [So, are you going to tell us why you called us here?]

Ram spoke with a hint of arrogance, puffing out her chest as she crossed her arms defiantly. The tension between her and the chief was palpable, laced into every word and movement. It was clear from the way she addressed him that there was history there—something unresolved. 

Rem could sense the strain, though she couldn’t quite grasp the reason behind it.

Setanta: [I understand you're angry with me, but this isn't about me. There's a life in danger that needs saving—we can talk afterward.]

The chief let out a weary sigh, his voice tinged with genuine remorse. The sincerity in his tone was so unexpected that even Ram, ever composed and unflinching, blinked in surprise.

The chief slid open the door to the living room and stepped inside, allowing Ram and Rem a clear view of what lay beyond.

A suffocating stench of blood hung thick in the air, instantly assaulting their senses.

Aside from the three who had just entered, five others were in the room—four grim-faced adults and a black-haired child, whose presence stood out starkly amid the chaos.

The black-haired child lay almost motionless if not for the small involuntary spasms and twitches, on a small wooden table, his entire body drenched in crimson blood. The table beneath him was slick with red, and droplets continued to fall steadily onto the floor below, forming a grim puddle.

???: [Apply pressure there!]

???: [There's... blood flowing out this way!]

Three of the adults hovered over him, their hands glowing as they channeled healing magic into his broken body. Beside them, the village chief’s wife moved with brisk efficiency—offering water and gently dabbing away the sweat from their brows to keep them focused and undistracted.

Ram: [Just what is the meaning of this?]

Of the two sisters, it was Ram who spoke first, her sharp voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. Her tone was accusatory, demanding answers with the force of someone who had seen too much to be surprised—but not too much to be outraged.

Rem, meanwhile, was frozen in place. It was her first time witnessing a body so thoroughly mangled. The boy's leg was twisted unnaturally, the bone jutting cruelly through torn flesh, angled in a way that defied anatomy and reason.

Her breath caught. The room spun.

Without warning, she dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by a wave of nausea. Ram didn’t hesitate—she immediately rushed to her side.

Rem clutched her stomach, struggling to suppress the bile rising in her throat. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, her eyes wide with horror and disbelief. It was a sight she knew would haunt her for a long time.

Ram locked eyes with the village chief, her glare sharp and unforgiving—an expression that radiated pure hostility, as though her very gaze could cut through him.

Setanta: [Don't give me that look. I wouldn't have called Rem unless her presence was absolutely necessary.]

Setanta, for his part, remained composed, his expression unreadable as he looked between the two sisters.

Rem: [W-why....]

Setanta: [There's no time. That boy needs every ounce of help. Ram, Rem—both of you.]

Ram narrowed her eyes, lips pressed in a tight line, before turning toward her sister. Her voice, uncharacteristically gentle, softened for a moment.

Ram: [Rem, you don’t have to do this if you're not up for it. No one would blame you.]

Rem stood there, pale and shaking, her hands still trembling slightly from the shock. But then her eyes drifted back to the boy—the one she had found in the forest, the quiet, sad boy with haunted eyes. Seeing him like this—crushed, broken, so close to death—it pulled something fierce and resolute from within her.

Rem: [No... I want to help. I have to help.]

Swallowing her nausea, she forced herself to move forward, joining her sister at the table. The two of them knelt beside the others, taking in the full extent of the boy’s injuries.

As they leaned in, Ram’s eyes caught something strange. There, partially hidden beneath blood-matted hair, were faint black horns protruding from the boy’s forehead—no bigger than a grown adult's pinky. They had a slight orange glow to them.

Ram: [Are those...?]

Rem blinked in surprise, her gaze locking onto the same sight. She could almost hear them hum—an unsettling, quiet pulse of dormant magic.

Rem: [Horns...? But—]

The revelation struck them both speechless.

Ram: [Answers can come later. For now—]

Ram summoned a controlled surge of wind that swirled around the boy's broken form like a silken cocoon. The child lay completely exposed, his body battered and bloodied, and with fine-tuned precision, Ram manipulated the currents to apply concentrated pressure to each bleeding wound. 

Ram, summoning her horn out, then harnessed the brunt force of the wind swirling around her, directing it with exacting precision to push the exposed bone, slick with blood and jutting harshly from the boy's torn flesh, back into its rightful place with a sharp, nauseating snap.

Subaru: [U-uhh...] 

The boy let out a strained, pained murmur as his dislocated bones slid back into place with a sickening finality. His voice trembled, caught between agony and semi-consciousness, the sound barely more than a whisper.

It was an extraordinary feat of magic—requiring a level of finesse and multi-point focus that only someone of Ram’s skill and elemental affinity could hope to maintain. The air shimmered faintly with the strain of it, but Ram’s focus never wavered.

Chika: [Here, Rem-chan.]

With calm but brisk hands, Chika—the village chief’s wife—approached Rem with a damp cloth. She gently wiped the dirt and grime from Rem’s hands and forearms, cleansing them of the muddy residue still clinging to her skin from the earlier harvest.

Rem placed her trembling hands gently over the boy's battered chest, her fingertips sinking slightly into the slick layer of warm, crimson blood. The feel of it made her stomach lurch, but she forced herself to remain steady.

She was one of the few in the Oni village blessed with the ability to wield water magic—a rare and vital talent in moments like this. This was the reason she had been summoned, the very reason she couldn't turn away. Only she could do what needed to be done.

Closing her eyes to block out the chaos around her, she took a deep breath, gathering her resolve and focusing inward. The air around her began to cool, a subtle condensation forming on her skin as she pulled mana from within.

Rem: [Mana of water, heal this damaged body.]

As Rem uttered those words, a luminous sphere of light, soft and blue as moonlight on water, slowly expanded around her hands. The gentle glow pulsed with rhythmic intensity as the healing magic coursed from her fingertips into the boy’s wounded body, weaving its way through shattered bones and torn flesh.

And so, shoulder to shoulder with her other half and the other Onis, Rem joined the desperate struggle to preserve the flickering flame of life within the black-haired boy. 

Each breath was fragile, each beat of his heart a small miracle. They worked tirelessly, defying panic and fatigue, fueled by determination and a single, shared goal—to bring him back from the brink.

It was now the middle of the night, and the room was dimly lit by a flickering oil lamp. Rem lay tucked into bed, her cheeks flushed with heat, her breath uneven and shallow. Her dirty clothes had been carefully removed by Ram and their parents, replaced by a fresh nightgown, though she barely registered the change.

A fever had taken hold of her—unsurprising after the toll today's events had taken on her fragile body.

Sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, Ram tended to her with a gentle, focused care that only a sister could provide.

She wasn't the slightest bit exhausted, living up to her name as the Reincarnation of an Oni God.

Rem: [I'm sorry onee-chan... I couldn't make... the steamed tatoes...]

She murmured the words weakly, her voice strained and barely above a whisper, eyes wet with tears and tinged with regret.

Ram said nothing at first. Instead, she dipped a cloth into a basin of cool water, then wrung it out and gently dabbed it across her sister’s fevered forehead, wiping away the sweat that clung to her skin.

Ram: [I'm the one who should apologize, Rem. You never should’ve had to witness something so horrifying. Those bastards deserve to die a hundred times over in the most painful ways for hurting my precious, sweet Rem.]

Slowly, she cupped Rem’s cheeks in her hands—her touch steady, warm, and grounding. It anchored Rem to the present like a quiet spell, brushing away the shadows of fear with nothing more than a sister’s wordless love.

Rem: [Hehe... you're amazing... onee-chan.]

Ram: [Hmph! Naturally—I am Rem's older sister, after all.]

Ram noticed the quiet sorrow in Rem's eyes and understood instantly—her sister was grieving the weight of unfulfilled expectations, the silent judgment of their kin.

Rem always tried so hard, only to let everyone down. Ram's heart would tighten at that fact.

Ram: [You don’t need to rush, Rem. Take your time. I'm Rem's big sister, and I’ll always wait for you, no matter how long it takes.]

Rem: [Y... yes.]

Rem leaned into the warmth of the hand gently caressing her cheek, a small but steady comfort anchoring her to the moment. The sensation radiated through her like a soft glow, a protective embrace so tender it made her heart ache. In that touch, she felt safety, unwavering love, and the quiet promise that she wasn't alone.

Rem: [Onee-chan... will... the boy be... okay?]

Ram gently wiped her damp hands clean using a swirl of air magic, the breeze rustling faintly in the quiet room.

Ram: [He better be. After all, Rem gave it her all. Tch—what a miserable brat, making my precious Rem worry herself sick over him.]

She crossed her arms with a dramatic huff, her voice laced with indignation, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her soft spot for her sister.

Ram: [But don’t worry, Rem. I’ll personally make sure he gets what’s coming to him once he wakes up. That idiot needs a solid beating—for daring to make you cry.]

Her words, though harsh, were oddly comforting, a sister’s fierce brand of love wrapped in thorns. 

Ram began changing into her nightgown, the soft rustling of fabric filling the quiet room.

Rem: [The boy... is he... an Oni?]

Rem asked the question with her eyes still closed, her voice barely more than a whisper. She was utterly spent, her energy depleted from the ordeal. After she had been carried home and laid to rest, Ram had stayed behind to speak with the village chief—seeking answers.

Ram: [It appears so, Rem. The chief and the elders ran several tests. Despite the scent of human lingering on him... he's a full-blooded Oni.]

Rem: [I see... does that... mean... he is like us?]

What Rem meant was simple but profound: the boy’s black horns—so similar yet different—brought painful memories to the surface. 

Born with only a single horn each, both Rem and Ram had been condemned to death by their own kin because of their laws. Only Ram’s exceptional abilities had spared their lives. To see another Oni child, one marked so clearly by difference, stirred something deep in her.

Ram understood immediately. No more words were needed between them. With a soft sigh, she slipped under the covers beside her sister in the bed they had shared since infancy. 

They reached out, their fingers intertwining, and pulled each other close in a tight, familiar embrace. Their cheeks pressed together, warm and damp with emotion, as they clung to the only person who had ever truly understood them.

Ram: [Probably... but we can't be sure.]

Rem: [Oh... okay...]

Ram: [Good night, Rem.]

Rem: [Good night... onee-chan.]

Exhaustion swept over Rem like a crashing wave, pulling her into sleep almost instantly. Her body, drained from the emotional and physical toll of the day, welcomed the release. Her breathing slowed into a gentle rhythm, and the tension that had gripped her finally eased.

Ram watched her sister for a moment longer, a soft smile playing on her lips. She reached out and tenderly caressed Rem's hair, her fingers smoothing back the strands with infinite care. 

The warmth of their shared presence filled the room, wrapping them in a cocoon of quiet love.

Ram laid down beside her, drawing the blanket up to her shoulders, and let her eyes drift closed. Sleep came to her more slowly, but it came nonetheless, pulling her into dreams with Rem safe by her side.

Morning had arrived, ushering in the gentle light of a new day. Rem slowly began to stir awake, roused by the soft symphony of chirping birds and the distant hum of insects. Sunlight filtered into the room through the window, casting a warm, golden hue across the space where she lay.

With sluggish hands, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, blinking a few times to clear her vision. The fatigue clung to her body like a heavy blanket.

The first thing she noticed was the absence of warmth beside her—Ram had already risen. A quiet pang of loneliness touched her heart, though she wasn’t surprised. Ram had a lot of stuff to do.

Her headache with exhaustion, the events of the previous day having drained her completely.

Rem: [I'm going to be useless today as well...]

She murmured the thought aloud, her voice barely a whisper.

Just then, the door creaked open, and a familiar presence stepped into the room—it was Ram, her expression composed as always.

Ram: [Good morning, Rem.]

She had sensed her sister waking through their shared Synesthesia—a unique ability that allowed them to feel each other’s emotions.

Rem: [Morning, onee-chan...]

Rem yawned mid-sentence, the words coming out in a sleepy mumble, but her face softened at the sight of her sister.

Ram: [Don't look so glum, Rem. I've got some good news for you.]

With gentle hands, Ram helped her sister rise from bed, supporting her weight as Rem's legs trembled slightly beneath her.

Rem: [Really, onee-chan? What is it?]

Ram: [Mmh-hmm. The boy managed to pull through the night. All that's left is to give him a solid smack—for making Rem worry so much. Truly unfortunate that Ram couldn't lay her delicate hands on the boy while he remained asleep—otherwise, it would surely count as an assault. Honestly, what a troublesome boy hmph!]

Rem giggled at the way Ram spoke, she was also worried for the boy and Ram had assured her he was fine.

Rem: [Hehehe, onee-chan went to check on him? Onee-chan must have been worried.]

Ram: [Nonsense. He would need to die a hundred times for me to even consider worrying about him. Hmph.]

She tossed her hair over her shoulder with mock indignation, the corners of her lips twitching upward ever so slightly.

Ram: [Now come on, Rem. Enough chatter. Let’s go eat—Mom and Dad are waiting.]

Rem: [Okay, onee-chan.]

With a shared glance and an unspoken bond, the sisters turned to leave the room, entering towards their house's living room, where Quark and Tamae were seated, engaged in quiet conversation over morning tea.

Rem: [Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom.]

Rem greeted her parents with her usual respect, offering a gentle bow as she stepped into the room. Despite the lingering weariness in her limbs, she tried to smile for them, her voice soft but steady. 

Tamae: [Good morning, Rem. Come eat breakfast while it's still warm.]

Rem did just that, moving quietly to take her seat at the family’s small wooden table set for four. She sat beside her sister, Ram on her right, with Tamae seated across from Rem and Quark facing Ram. The table was modestly laid out, but the warmth of family made it feel abundant.

Breakfast consisted of golden scrambled eggs and freshly toasted bread—simple fare, yet comforting and hearty enough to start the day with strength.

Quark: [Ram made breakfast once again today, as always it is amazing!]

Their father beamed with unmistakable pride as he showered Ram with praise, his voice filled with enthusiasm and affection, clearly delighted by his daughter’s growing culinary skill.

Ram, however, remained indifferent to the praise their father was showering upon her. She stayed quiet. Having already eaten earlier, she simply sipped from a small cup of tea, uninterested in the conversation.

As their father continued to speak fondly of Ram, his voice filled with admiration, Rem’s thoughts began to drift—pulled away from the present moment by a tide of memories that surfaced without invitation. She remembered what happened almost every single day—

Voices. She would hear the voices.

The usual voices. Whenever she walked through the village, whenever they’d see her, everyone would say it.

Tamae: [Rem. You learn from Ram, too. Work harder.]

Quark: [Rem, don’t look so sad. Both Ram and Rem are my cute daughters. I won’t play favorites... It’s just that Ram is a little special.]

Her father smiled with a stern look on his face, and her mother smiled while she lowered her eyebrows in a troubled way as they said that.

???: [Rem-chan, is Ram-sama doing well today? See, that girl needs to grow up healthily. Because she is the future of the Oni clan, after all.]

Setanta: [Don’t you forget about it, Rem. A cursed child like you lived this long because Ram was blessed with the Oni God’s blood that should’ve been gone. Never, ever forget to be aware of that, and don’t forget to understand it, either.]

Her race that lived in the same village as her and the chief who governed them said those things to Rem.

???: [Compared to Ram-sama, Rem is still just a no-horn...but that girl is Ram-sama’s sister. The ‘Second Oni God’ might not be just a dream after all.]

???: [They do look like two peas in a pod. I’m sure these two jewels will make the future bright!]

Even though Rem was the very essence of mediocrity, she was compared to Ram, who excelled ever since she was a baby, and everyone had expectations of her.

It was because she was Ram’s sister. It was because she was the Oni God’s twin. It was because she was born along with the Oni clan’s hope.

Ram, sensing something was amiss in Rem's expression though not knowing the exact thoughts occupying her mind, felt a sudden urge to speak up.

Ram: [Rem has been working incredibly hard lately. She didn’t just find that boy—she played a key role in helping to save him.]

Tamae: [That's absolutely right, Rem. Everyone in the village has been talking about your bravery and effort. You should be proud of yourself.] 

Quark: [That is true indeed. Both my cute daughters are amazing!]

Rem snapped out of her trance and blushed deeply at the unexpected praise. Her cheeks turned a vivid shade of red, caught off guard by the kind words directed at her.

Beneath the table, Ram gently reached for Rem's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Ram didn’t know everything that happened in Rem’s daily life—not because she was indifferent, but because she simply couldn’t. She wasn't there to witness the way others treated her sister when she was alone. And Rem never mentioned it to Ram.

Rem ate the rest of her breakfast while beet red, her cheeks still warm from the unexpected praise. She tried to focus on the food in front of her, chewing slowly and savoring each bite, but her thoughts remained a little hazy, flustered by the attention.

Once she finished, she set her utensils down and noticed a marked improvement in her condition. Her body felt much closer to normal—lighter, steadier, as though the exhaustion was finally lifting.

Rem: [Um, Mom... Do you think I could make lunch today? I want to use the yams from yesterday.]

Tamae blinked in surprise at first, but then smiled warmly.

Tamae: [Of course, Rem. That sounds wonderful. I'm glad you're feeling better.]

She reached out and gently patted Rem's small head with a proud look in her eyes.

Tamae: [I'll be right here if you need help, but I know you'll do great.]

Rem nodded, her expression determined yet shy, and for the first time in a while, she felt a quiet excitement swell in her chest.

Once breakfast was done, the twins were by themselves once again as their parents had work to do alongside the other villagers.

Ram: [Let's go play until lunch, Rem. I don't have any duties today as the elders are busy. We can enjoy ourselves.]

Rem: [Okay, onee-chan!]

With cheerful steps and the playful light in their eyes, both twins headed outside into the sunshine.

The day was clear and bright, with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees and the distant hum of village life adding to the calm morning atmosphere. 

And together they played until lunch.

Chapter Text

Subaru stirred fitfully, his limbs twitching under the weight of some unseen nightmare. 

Subaru: [N-no... p-please... ] Soft mutterings escaped his lips.

His brow was slick with sweat, and his entire frame trembled as though caught in a chill that the thickest blankets couldn't ward off. Occasionally, he whimpered, curling slightly into himself, the sound barely louder than a breath.

Subaru: [Nhgh... gghk...]—a rough, strangled sound broke from his throat, half-groan, half-sob.

Then a faint thud as his arm twitched and hit the side of something.

Subaru: [D-don't... leave... me...] he murmured again, voice no louder than a whisper on the wind.

Then, with a sudden, sharp gasp, Subaru’s eyes shot open as a wave of nausea surged through him, forcing him to lurch forward and retch. 

Subaru: [Khh! cough... nghh...]

A foul, disgusting metallic taste clung to his tongue, and though nothing but bile escaped, the sensation left him weak.

Subaru: [Cough !]

Laying on his side. He hunched forward, a sharp jolt running through him. His hands instinctively clutched at his belly, arms wrapping around his midsection as if to keep himself from falling apart. 

Subaru: [Ha…]

The coughs eventually subsided, but they left him gasping—wheezing as if each breath was a gift. He sucked in a shaky lungful of air, then another, his eyes fluttering open as the oxygen finally began to circulate.

Subaru: [Ughh...]

His breath hitched again, sharp and ragged, as he blinked through the haze clouding his vision. 

Subaru: [Wh-where am I...?]

He shifted slowly, lifting his head a fraction, only to wince as pain rippled down his back. The ceiling above him was dimly lit, casting warped shadows around his blurry gaze.

The lingering nausea still clung to his gut, but his panic slowly ebbed. 

He reached out a trembling hand, brushing against something soft and coarse. It was then, with a hesitant breath and a slow turn of his head, that his surroundings began to come into focus.

He realized he was lying in a dusty, unfamiliar bed—the mattress beneath him lumpy and uneven, and the sheets coarse and scratchy against his skin. A heavy, white blanket covered his body, offering some comfort.

Subaru’s eyes widened, a flicker of desperate hope crossing his face.

Subaru: [Mom? Dad...?] he whispered hoarsely, his voice cracking with emotion.

He turned his head, scanning the room eagerly, every part of him aching for something familiar—anything. For a moment, his heart surged with the reckless hope that he had returned home. That maybe, just maybe, this was all a bad dream.

But reality settled like cold water over his skin.

The small room that surrounded him was anything but familiar. Rough wooden walls framed the narrow space, a single boarded-up window doing little to allow in light.

The air smelled of dust and damp timber, dry and stale as if it had been locked away for years. Narrow beams of light slipped through the cracks in the planks, casting fractured shadows that wavered like ghosts with each breath he took.

It was no bigger than his old bedroom back home. But where his room had once been filled with warmth and the comforting chaos of familiarity—posters on the wall, his cluttered desk, the soft hum of his electronics—this space felt sterile and foreign. Empty. Silent.

His hopeful expression began to crack, the shine fading from his eyes.

Subaru: [... Right... they aren't...]

The crushing disappointment seeped into his bones.

Even without proof, Subaru understood with painful clarity—if his parents had been the ones to bring him here, they would never have left his side. 

They would have been right there, holding his hand, whispering gently that everything was okay. His mother would’ve brushed his hair back, and his father would’ve smiled that quiet, reassuring smile.

But there was no one. Just silence and the sound of his own shallow breathing.

His throat tightened, but no tears came. Subaru clenched his jaw, forcing back the emotion swelling inside him. His lips quivered, but he swallowed the sob before it could form.

He was Alone.

Subaru: [...]

Subaru went quiet, his limbs suddenly feeling heavy and drained of energy. A dull ache coursed through his arms and legs, and his body seemed to sink deeper into the bed, as if gravity itself had doubled. The exhaustion wrapped around him like a second blanket.

Amidst the silence, muffled and barely perceptible, came the sound of voices.

???: [_e__a  __bla_k]

Subaru: [...?]

Subaru’s ears twitched at the noise—faint murmurs from behind the wooden door. He couldn’t make out the words, nor even distinguish how many people were speaking. Just the soft rhythm of conversation beyond his reach.

Curiosity stirred within him. He wanted—needed—to know who was out there. 

He turned his head toward the door and tried to shift his legs under the blanket.

The left moved sluggishly.

The right... didn’t respond.

A sharp pang of alarm flared in his chest. 

Subaru pushed back the blanket with a trembling hand, revealing his bare chest—no shirt, just bandages covering his entire chest.

He pulled the blanket further, down past his hips, and then his breath caught.

His right leg was completely wrapped in thick, slightly red-stained bandages. The fabric looked hastily tied and discolored where old blood had seeped through. 

Subaru: [Wh-what happened to me...? Wh-why?]

His breathing quickened, coming in shallow, uneven gasps. A wave of panic surged through him as he stared at his injured leg, heart thudding violently in his chest. His small hands fumbled at the blanket, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Subaru: [W-what's going on!? I-I don't remember this! I don't remember any of this!]

His voice cracked, rising in pitch. He tried to forcefully move his leg using his arms but stopped immediately with a sharp cry of pain. He then grabbed at the mattress, his mind whirling.

Subaru: [Why can't I move my leg? H-how did I get here? ]

Questions he didn't have an answer to, overwhelmed his ability to reason.

Tears welled up in his eyes but still refused to fall, his young mind desperately trying to piece together the missing fragments.

Subaru: [I... I was... I was in the forest, then—then something... s-something hit me...]

He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the effort would bring back the rest of the memory—but all he got was darkness. 

Subaru: [I wanna go home... I just want to go home… p-please..]

His voice broke at the end, filled with the helplessness only a terrified child could feel.

In the corner of his eye, Subaru noticed a glint of light—something reflective catching the sunbeams that filtered through the boarded-up window. It came from a small table next to the bed.

Subaru: [H-huh?]

Subaru turned his head slightly, his curiosity momentarily overriding his panic. There, sitting atop the table, was a massive object—its surface uneven and glistening faintly. 

As his gaze focused, Subaru realized what it was.

A horn.

A massive, curved horn.

Even the stress and panic that had held him tightly in its grip seemed to hesitate.

Something about the horn tugged at his thoughts, an itch at the back of his brain. He had seen something like this before.

His eyes drifted toward the base of the horn.

His tongue instinctively probed between the back of his teeth. There was something stuck there. 

The moment his tongue touched it, a wave of revulsion surged through him. A taste flooded his mouth—sharp, iron-rich, unmistakable, with a disgusting tang and a fleshy texture that made his stomach churn. It felt like biting into something that was never meant to be tasted, the sensation clinging to his tongue like grease and bile.

And then, like a key sliding into a lock, the pieces began to turn. Something snapped into place.

A flicker of the forest. A shape lunging from the dark. His body flying, pain blooming.

The floodgates burst.

The forest. The crash. The pain. The monster.

Subaru’s eyes widened. His breath hitched. And then—

Subaru: [AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!]

A raw, piercing scream ripped from his throat, echoing through the small room. 

He didn’t even notice the door bursting open, nor the footsteps pounding toward him. He was trapped in the horror of the memory, every piece of it slamming into his mind all at once.

The pain of having most of his bones broken. The blood. The hunger. The meat. His black horns.

All of it.

Subaru had an empty gaze as he looked at nowhere in particular, lying on his side while two villagers worked on treating his injured leg.

Despite the discomfort, he didn’t move or speak, his mind distant and disconnected from the scene around him. Their hands moved quickly and efficiently, unwrapping old bandages and replacing them with clean ones soaked in herbal paste.

They also fashioned a support mechanism using the other massive horn. It had been meticulously cleaned, polished and then shaped into a long, sturdy rod.

This rod was securely fastened alongside Subaru's broken leg to serve as a splint, ensuring that the limb stayed properly aligned as it began the slow process of healing. The contrast between the crude origin of the material and its carefully repurposed function was stark, yet oddly fitting.

All the while, Subaru remained still, as if the pain and noise belonged to someone else. It was as though something inside him had fractured, leaving only a hollow shell behind.

Subaru: [...]

Setanta: [That's all I needed to know. As long as you can pull your weight, you may stay here.]

The chief's gruff voice held finality.

With those words, the agreement was sealed. Subaru was permitted to remain in the village—at least for now. Though he was still very much an outsider, the chance to stay in a place with other people was thousands of times better than going back to that cycle.

Setanta: [If you need something, just go down the path that leads to the village—it's only about a minute's walk from here.]

Subaru: [Okay...]

Setanta stood up from the stool by the bedside, his heavy footsteps echoing slightly against the wooden floorboards as he made his way toward the door. Just before stepping out, one of the people tending to Subaru’s leg turned and addressed the chief.

Man: [Chief-sama, should we keep a watch on the boy?]

Setanta paused, casting one last glance back at Subaru’s frail form. The boy hadn’t moved, barely seemed alive beyond the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Setanta: [No need. In that state, there’s nowhere he can go.]

And with that, the chief and the man exited the room, leaving behind a single woman with light green hair that framed her gentle face. She appeared to be in her early thirties, her expression soft.

Woman: [All done. Make sure to take care of yourself, Subaru-chan. I'll stop by later to check on your leg, alright?]

Subaru gave a faint nod, his eyes still distant, unfocused, and his expression unchanged.

She gave him one last look—half worry, half reassurance—before turning away. The door shut quietly behind her with a soft thud, sealing the room in a blanket of stillness.

Once again, only silence and Subaru remained.

Rem was currently making lunch for her family, the kitchen was filled with the savory aroma of sizzling meat and toasted nuts.

Rem: [Onee-chan really is amazing.]

From the small window above the cooking space, standing on top of a small stoll, Rem had a clear view of the village fields. Outside, Ram moved effortlessly, her wind magic guiding streams of water across the rows of crops with graceful precision.

Rem: [I know I can never match onee-chan in demon power.]

She tightened her grip on the wooden spoon, her heart sinking.

Rem: [But I can try doing something else... Just watch me.] 

Rem spoke to no one but herself, her voice soft and full of quiet determination.

Just then, Ram turned around from where she was working in the fields and waved at Rem through the window.

Rem smiled and waved back. Even when Ram was doing other more important things she was always thinking of Ram. And Rem knew it.

She returned to her cooking with renewed energy, cheeks tinged pink and a sense of purpose blooming in her chest.

Her hands moved, driven by the quiet hope of doing at least one thing right.

She set herself the task of preparing a special lunch—a stir-fry made from Barbaro rabbit meat, which she had carefully chopped into neat, bite-sized pieces, and forest nuts they’d collected earlier, their shells cracked open with practiced ease.

She worked diligently, stirring the meat and nuts together in a heated pan, letting their flavors meld. The rabbit cooked until perfectly tender, the juices blending seamlessly with the toasted nut oils to create a thick, glossy sauce that coated each piece with a rich, savory sheen. 

The scent alone was enough to make mouths water, seeping through the small home.

Rem: [Now the steamed tatoes onee-chan likes.]

Rem had already prepared a generous helping of the savory stir-fry, but she didn’t stop there. She pulled a woven basket from beneath the counter, filled with tatoes still dusted with earth.

These were the tatoes both sisters had gathered yesterday. Although Rem had wanted to prepare them then, using too much water magic left her too weak to do anything.

Now feeling more energetic and determined, she gently rinsed them clean and set them into a bamboo steamer, placing it over the crackling fire.

As steam began to rise and the earthy aroma filled the air, she smiled to herself. The tatoes were soft and fluffy when done, a perfect complement to the rich stir-fry.

She knew Ram loved them this way—warm, tender, and comforting.

Rem: [It's done.]

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Rem cleaned her hands on a nearby cloth and carefully gathered the finished dishes. She carried the fragrant stir-fry and steamed tatoes to the large wooden table in their cozy living room, where she had already set out the plates and utensils.

During the time Rem took cooking. Her family had already came home and seated around the table. 

Rem sat down in her spot next to Ram, she closed her eyes nervously as her family began to serve themselves.

Her index fingers tapped together under the table, awaiting for whatever came next.

This was the first time she had ever tried preparing a full dish beyond her usual steamed tatoes, and she was desperate for it to be well-received.

Once the clatter of serving spoons quieted and the rustle of settling plates faded into a calm hum, Rem slowly opened her blue eyes, bracing herself for her family’s reaction.

Both Quark and Tamae cautiously served themselves a small portion to try.

Meanwhile, Ram—who had heaped her plate high—frowned dramatically.

Ram: [Tch. The plate is too small.] she huffed, clearly annoyed that her plate couldn't hold more of her sister's delicious food.

Rem: [Nee-chan?] Rem asked surprised as she saw Ram's plate filled with food.

Ram: [Don’t worry, Rem. Ram’s just upset because her plate isn’t doing its job properly—holding enough of your delicious food!]

Rem's desperation eased a bit as she saw Ram's plate piled high. But now came the most important part—the taste.

Rem clutched the ends of her white kimono tightly, her small hands trembling slightly as both of their parents took a bite. Her tiny heart pounded in her chest, and her eyes anxiously flicked between their faces, searching for any hint of a reaction.

Tamae: [Mmm, this is really good, Rem. You've done a fantastic job with the seasoning. The rabbit is tender, and the nuts give it a nice crunch.]

Quark: [I agree! The flavor is well balanced. ]

Rem’s cheeks flushed pink at the praise, her lips curling into a shy smile.

Tamae: [You know, the first time I ever tried cooking, I completely burned everything. The whole house smelled like char for hours.]

Quark chuckled, a fond smirk playing on his lips.

Quark: [I remember that! I lived next door to your family back then. I could smell the disaster all the way from my house!]

Rem, overwhelmed by the praise, finally took a bite of the meal she had worked so hard to prepare. Her face flushed an even deeper shade of red, pride bubbling up inside her. She could barely contain the soft, happy hum that escaped her lips.

Ram glanced sideways at her twin sister. Seeing the look of satisfaction on Rem's face, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

They ate quietly for a few more moments, the clinking of dishes and occasional satisfied sighs filling the cozy home.

Like usually Quark and Tamae asked Ram questions about the progress of her demon powers, their curiosity evident and their tone always warm and supportive.

Eventually, lunchtime came to an end. Tamae rose from her seat making her way to the kitchen and began washing the dishes.

With Ram occupied in the other room talking with their father, Rem stepped up beside her mother.

Rem: [Mom, Rem can help.]

Tamae looked down at her daughter with a warm smile.

Tamae: [Thank you, sweetie. Rem can handle the plates—I’ll take care of the rest.]

Rem nodded and got to work, gently gathering the plates with her small hands, careful not to damage them.

Once the dishes were cleared, Tamae dried her hands and gave a satisfied nod.

Tamae: [That was quick.]

Before stepping out of the kitchen, Tamae knelt down to Rem’s level.

Tamae: [Rem, take care of Ram, alright? She's got important things she needs to focus on.]

Rem: [Yes, mom. Rem understands.] 

Rem smiled.

Tamae gave her a fond pat on the head before stepping out to gather her things.

Meanwhile, Ram was still speaking with Quark in the other room, both seated on the table deep in conversation.

Rem looked at Ram from the kitchen into the living room. A smile bloomed across her cheeks as she made her way towards them.

Quark: [Alright girls, we have to get back to work in the village.]

Quark stood up, stretching his arms before giving both girls a gentle look.

The parents gathered their belongings and made their way to the door.

Tamae: [See you at dinner. Take care.]

With that, the door closed gently behind Tamae and Quark, leaving Ram and Rem alone in their cozy home.

As their parents' footsteps faded into the distance, Ram turned toward her sister.

Ram: [Alright, let's go, Rem.]

Rem blinked in surprise.

Rem: [Onee-chan?]

Ram: [Rem wanted to go check on the boy, didn’t you?]

Rem’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes widening slightly before she gave a small, earnest nod.

While preparing lunch earlier, Rem had secretly set aside a modest portion of the stir-fry along with a generous scoop of freshly steamed tatoes. She carefully packed them into a small square wooden container, gently layering the food with care. Once she was done, she wrapped the container in a clean cloth, tucking it away beneath the kitchen counter where no one would notice.

She had done it quickly and quietly, driven by the thought of the injured boy.

Her heart had ached thinking of him—hurt, scared, and possibly hungry. Though small, this was something she could do. A way to ease his pain, if only a little.

Ram had noticed, of course. 

Rem: [But we would have to go to the chief’s house...]

Her voice wavered slightly, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

Ram: [If it’s the chief Rem is worried about, don’t be. They moved him from there.]

Rem: [Is... that so?]

She looked down, lips pursed in thought.

Rem: [But... we might get in trouble.]

Ram placed a reassuring hand on Rem's shoulder, while the other cupped Rem’s cheeks, her voice gentle.

Ram: [Ram will handle it if anything happens. Rem doesn't have to worry about it.]

Rem looked up at her sister. Her lips quivered slightly before she broke into a smile, cheeks blooming with color.

Rem: [Okay, let's go onee-chan!]

A small smile tugged at Rem’s lips, and she hurried to grab the wrapped food from its hiding spot.

Together, the twins stepped out onto the sunlit path, the trees whispering softly in the warm mid-day breeze. Ram walked ahead, her pace brisk, while Rem followed close behind, clutching the container with both hands.

They soon arrived at the edge of the village and continued up a narrow, winding path for about a minute until a small, weathered house came into view, nestled among the trees.

Rem: [He's over here?]

Ram: [Yes Rem. They moved him last night.]

Rem: [But this house...]

The building had once belonged to an elderly man who passed away over two decades ago. Since then, it had slowly withered under time’s touch. Moss crept along the base, dust clung to the boarded windows—but the structure still stood firm.

Just a few meters from the house, Rem suddenly stopped in her tracks. She reached out and gently tugged on the edge of Ram's white kimono.

Ram turned around, puzzled.

Ram: [What is it, Rem?]

Rem looked down at her feet, her voice barely a whisper.

Rem: [What if... what if he doesn’t like the food?]

Ram blinked, then smiled warmly. She stepped closer and rested a hand atop her sister’s head.

Ram: [Don’t worry. He’ll like it. And if he doesn’t, I’ll make him eat it anyway.]

Rem giggled softly, her tension easing.

Rem: [Hehe, okay onee-chan let’s go.]

Rem stepped up to the old wooden door and knocked gently.

Rem: [Hello...?]

There was no answer.

She knocked again, this time a little louder. Yet there was still no answer.

Rem: [Maybe... he’s still asleep?]

She turned to Ram, uncertainty flickering in her expression.

Ram appeared to be in a thoughtful pose, tapping her chin as she glanced at the quiet house. Seeing there was nothing else to do, Rem sadly turned around ready to go back when a sudden loud bang echoed behind her.

BANG!

Rem: [Ah!]

Startled, she spun around to see the wooden door swinging open, creaking on its old hinges.

Ram stood at the doorway, her foot still lifted from the powerful kick she had just delivered.

Rem: [Onee-chan!?]

Ram: [Oh, how fortunate Rem, the door—it just opened on its own. Must be our lucky day.]

Ram entered the small house first, her silhouette framed by the sunlight streaming in behind her. Dust swirled in the air, stirred by the sudden burst of motion from the kicked-open door.

Rem followed closely behind, clutching the food container tightly against her chest. Her wide blue eyes scanned the single-room dwelling.

The room was dim, lit only by the sunlight filtering through the open doorway, the cracks in the boarded-up windows and the small hole in the ceiling.

There were not many things inside the room—only a low wooden table, a chair missing one leg, and a worn-out bed with a small bedside table, both tucked into the far corner. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and disuse.

The dust particles danced in the light, lending the space an eerie calm. Rem's gaze lingered on the bed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the boy they had come to see.

Subaru sat up in the bed, both his hands shielding his eyes. The sudden burst of light from the door caused a sharp sting in his vision, and he gave out a small whimper.

Subaru: [Ugh...]

His body flinched, shoulders rising as he tried to shield himself. He felt the dust settle onto his skin, and the dryness of the air made his throat itch. Blinking rapidly behind his hands, he tried to make sense of what was happening.

As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, Subaru squinted through his fingers. 

Standing just inside the doorway were two girls who looked almost identical, save for their hair colors—one with soft pink hair and the other with light blue. Both had bob-cut hairstyles and wore white kimonos.

Subaru: [...]

He didn’t speak. His eyes remained fixed on the two girls.

His expression was lifeless, as though the spark had been drained from him. The stillness of his body, and the way he seemed to be staring through them rather than at them—it was clear something inside him had cracked.

Rem looked at Ram for guidance, her hands tightening slightly around the wrapped food container.

Ram stepped forward with her hands on her hips, her tone composed like always.

Ram: [What is your name?]

There was a long pause. Subaru's lips parted slightly, his voice a mere whisper.

Subaru: [... Subaru...]

Ram placed a finger on her chin, repeating Subaru’s name thoughtfully under her breath. Though she committed it to memory, she decided she wouldn’t use it—not yet, anyway. A fitting nickname would come to her eventually, something that suited the boy before her. That decision, she reserved for her future self.

Ram put her right hand on her chest and proudly announced her and Rem's name.

Ram: [I am Ram. And this is my cute little sister Rem—make sure to remember that.]

Rem shifted her weight nervously, clutching the food container closer.

Rem: [W-We brought y-you some food...] she stammered, her voice small but sincere.

Subaru: [...]

Subaru’s eyes flickered to the small wooden container in Rem’s hands. Other than that, he did not move or do anything else , just merely gazing at the box.

Taking a quiet breath, Rem approached the bed slowly. She gently unwrapped the cloth and opened the box, revealing the warm food inside. A small bundle of stir-fried meat and nuts, nestled next to a few steamed tatoes.

With a blush blooming on her cheeks, she picked up a single tato and extended it toward him using both her hands.

Rem: [P-please... accept it.]

Subaru slowly raised both his hands. His fingers trembled as they reached forward, brushing against hers as he took the warm potato into his hands.

Ram, who had been watching quietly, narrowed her eyes as she noticed the state of his fingers—his nails were chewed and red, painfully raw at the tips. Her expression didn’t change, but her voice rose with dramatic flair.

Ram: [You should be grateful. You're about to taste the best steamed tatoes in existence—made by none other than my lovable little Rem.]

Rem’s face turned a deeper shade of pink as she shot her sister a flustered glance.

Rem: [O-onee-chan...!]

Subaru watched in silence as the two twin sisters exchanged words. Their dynamic, filled with warmth and gentle teasing, stirred something buried deep within him.

Subaru: [...]

A flicker of memory—his mother's comforting smile, her playful scolding—began to resurface, faint and elusive. The weight of it pressed against his chest, and without realizing it, his hands began to tremble softly.

He slowly averted his gaze from them and redirected it to the potato resting in his hands. Just as he raised it closer to his mouth, Ram’s voice sliced through whatever thoughts were clouding his head.

Ram: [You know, there's no use in despairing. Sulking won't change anything.]

Her tone was harsh, but also firm—like a steady hand pulling someone out of a fog. Subaru flinched slightly, surprised by her bluntness.

Ram: [You're still alive, aren't you? Then eat. Breathe. Move. If that's all you can manage right now, then do it. This village does not accept failures or burdens.]

Rem's eyes widened slightly at her sister's sharp words. Her gaze dropped to the floor and her hands tightened around the cloth of her kimono. She squeezed them together, small fingers curling.

Rem had always been seen as a burden in the village. If not for Ram’s fierce intervention ever since the day they were born, Rem would not have survived.

Subaru—the Oni village's newest and most unusual addition—stood apart too. Like Ram and Rem, he was different from the other Oni, his black horns were a proof of that.

But unlike Rem, Subaru's stay would be much harder. While Rem had Ram—her unwavering protector—Subaru had no one.

If he couldn’t prove his worth, he wouldn’t last. That was one of the many Laws of the unchanging Oni village. Mercy was not extended to the weak. Here, only the strong endured, and the rest were left behind to vanish like smoke in the wind.

Strength is respected and weakness despised.

Subaru: [...]

Subaru looked at Ram wide eyed, stunned, the words echoing in his head. Then, slowly, he returned his gaze to the potato, its warmth a small comfort in his trembling fingers.

He then took a small bite, and his expression shifted—just slightly, but enough to show a glimmer of life returning to his features. Then another bite followed, and another, until the entire steamed potato had vanished into his empty stomach.

And then Subaru began to cry.

Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks, followed by a trail of snot. He brought one hand to his face, trying to hide behind it, his shoulders trembling with each quiet sob.

Rem stood frozen, wide-eyed. Her concern flared immediately, and she leaned forward.

Rem: [Are you hurt? Is something wrong?]

She was worried her food had done something bad

Subaru shook his head between sniffles.

Subaru: [N-no... it's just... it's really delicious.]

Rem: [Eh…?]

Ram crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised. A teasing lilt laced her words.

Ram: [Rem's potatoes naturally have the ability to warm even the most pitiful soul. Consider yourself lucky.]

She cast a sidelong glance at Rem, who blushed deeply, unsure whether to feel proud or embarrassed.

To Subaru, the potato was delicious—so delicious, in fact, that it reminded him of home. It tasted just like the ones his mother used to make for him after school, warm and comforting.

That simple, familiar flavor tugged at his heart, unraveling a knot of emotions he had held tightly within. He cried not just from the taste, but from the unbearable ache of finding himself alone in a foreign world, torn away from his parents and everything he knew.

Ram then sat down on the edge of the bed, her legs swinging gently back and forth without care. With a graceful hand, she retrieved a single steamed tato for herself, eating it slowly and enjoying every second of it.

Subaru wiped the tears and snot from his face using the edge of the blanket, his voice still quivering slightly as he asked,

Subaru: [W-Was this... not meant for me?]

Ram paused mid-bite, her eyes sliding over to glance at him.

Ram: [Tch. Don’t be stupid. Of course it is.]

Her words, though harsh, lacked any true venom. There was something softer in her tone.

She finished her bite and reached into the container to grab another one.

Ram: [Besides, if you didn’t eat it, it would’ve just gone to waste. And that would be a real tragedy—especially with how hard Rem worked on it.]

She glanced briefly at Rem, who was watching Subaru with quiet concern. Ram then took another bite, chewing thoughtfully.

Ram: [So eat up, crybaby.]

Subaru: [But you're still eating it...]

Ram: [Hmph!]

Subaru sighed and began eating quickly before Ram could devour the rest of the food.

When he finally finished, Ram stood up. She stretched casually, her tone light but carrying a subtle weight.

Ram: [Ah, right. Welcome to the never-changing hidden Oni village. This is your new reality now. Better get used to it.]

Subaru: [Oni village...] he muttered softly under his breath.

The memory of his black horns flickered through his mind. Slowly, he raised one arm and rubbed the spot where they had once protruded. They were gone now, but the phantom sensation lingered.

"Why do I have those...?" He had no answer. All he remembered was playing late at night—and then, waking up alone in an unfamiliar place. Those horns were almost a copy of the in game character Subaru used. Though those thoughts could come later, right now there was a bigger matter.

His parents.

His chest tightened. A sudden, aching emptiness bloomed inside him.

Subaru: [I'm sorry... Dad, Mom...]

His voice cracked. The faces of his parents—warm, smiling, flashed in his mind. Would he ever see them again? He didn’t know. And the not knowing hurt more than anything else. 

Woman: [Oh... Ram-sama, Rem-chan, you've come here?]

A woman with light green hair stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the scene before her. Upon seeing Ram, she gave a respectful bow.

Woman: [Setanta-sama gave orders that no one was to enter...]

Rem: [U-um…]

Ram: [It's my duty to scout for any potential dangers to the village. I'm merely fulfilling that role. Naturally, my adorable Rem accompanies me.]

Woman: [If Ram-sama says so.]

She offered no further protest. Turning her gaze to the boy in the bed, her expression softened. She walked closer and gently knelt by Subaru's side.

Woman: [Subaru-chan, are you in pain? Does anything hurt?]

Subaru looked at her, his expression still dazed.

Subaru: [I... I can't move my leg properly.]

Woman: [That’s natural. You’ll need to rest for a while. It should be fully healed in a few days.]

With that, she reached into the small satchel at her side and brought out a folded bundle of clothes.

Woman: [Here. These were adjusted to fit you. They may be a bit snug, but they should be more comfortable than those bandages and old sheets.]

She set the clothes gently at the edge of the bed.

Woman: [There will be someone coming soon with a crutch, so I can show you the village.]

Ram: [That's not necessary. Rem and I will handle it.]

Woman: [As you wish, Ram-sama.]

And with that, the woman left the premises, leaving the three children alone inside the small house.

Subaru: [Thank you for the food, Rem. It was amazing.] Subaru gave Rem a wide smile.

Rem blushed at the praise, her fingers fidgeting shyly.

Rem: [I-It’s fine. You don’t have to thank me.]

Subaru: [No, I must. It was really good.]

Rem: [O-Okay...]

Subaru: [Thank you as well, Ram.]

Ram only turned away, arms crossed.

Ram: [Hmph. At least you know proper manners.]

Subaru tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling, willing his tears to stay buried. He clenched his jaw, his chest tightening with emotion. He couldn’t allow himself to fall apart. If he broke down, it would be like letting his parents down. And that, he couldn’t bear.

"I will make you proud. I swear it."

Chapter Text

Ram: [What does Rem think of him?]

Ram and Rem sat side by side on the small wooden porch of the house. Their legs dangled over the edge, swaying back and forth.

The midday sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of trees around them, while they waited patiently for Subaru to finish changing inside.

Rem: [Of Subaru? Um... he seems kind. Rem is happy he's gotten better. He looked so lost and lonely when Rem first saw him.]

She smiled warmly at Ram.

Rem: [Onee-chan's words gave him strength, Rem thinks.]

Ram crossed her arms with a huff, looking away in denial.

Ram: [Nonsense. It was clearly Rem's delicious steamed tatoes that performed the miracle.]

A soft blush appeared on Rem's cheeks as a playful giggle escaped her lips.

Rem: [Hehehe... I thought Onee-chan was going to give Subaru a “beating”.]

Startled by the sudden memory, Ram stiffened slightly, doing her best to maintain her composure and hide the flicker of emotion that crossed her face.

Ram: [Ram absolutely will. For making you cry, he's already earned it. Ram is merely delaying the inevitable—he should enjoy this temporary peace while it lasts.]

Rem: [Onee-chan is a bad liar.]

Ram's cheeks flushed deeper as she was caught in the act of blatantly lying, her gaze stubbornly fixed forward, refusing to meet Rem's teasing smile.

Rem then put a finger over her lips, as she remembered something important.

Rem: [But... there is also that scent. Something strange clinging to him. Rem doesn't know what it is, but it hasn't gone away.]

Even though Ram couldn't detect the scent Rem spoke of—nor could any of the other Oni in the village—she believed her sister without hesitation. Unlike some of the others who dismissed Rem's words, Ram never doubted her for a second.

Ram: [Once his injuries heal, Ram will drag him to the river herself and make him scrub himself clean. So don't worry about it, Rem.]

Rem: [Okay... but be gentle, Onee-chan, Subaru needs to rest.]

Ram: [Hmph. No promises.]

Just as Ram finished speaking, the door of the house creaked open. 

Subaru stepped out slowly, leaning heavily on a wooden crutch as he limped forward.

The leg he had nearly lost was now supported by a crude but sturdy mechanism, fashioned from a massive horn and bound tightly with reinforced leather. Each step was careful by shifting slightly to maintain balance.

His face bore a mix of determination and exhaustion—the kind of weariness that came not just from injury, but from everything he had endured.

The sunlight caught the edge of his tunic as he moved, casting a faint glow that contrasted the shadows beneath his tired eyes. Yet despite the ache and strain, he pressed forward, his jaw clenched with quiet resolve.

Subaru: [I-I’m r-ready!]

Subaru said shakily, one hand clutching the edge of his neatly adjusted grey tunic. His fingers trembled slightly, betraying his nerves as he glanced toward the twin girls.

Ram and Rem both stood up from the porch in unison, their expressions shifting from relaxed to attentive as they turned their full focus on Subaru. 

Ram: [Let's go then, Barusu.]

Subaru: [Okay... huh? My name is Subaru though.]

Ram: [Barusu.]

Subaru blinked at her, a confused look crossing his face.

Subaru: [That's still not—]

Ram raised an eyebrow, her tone sharpening just slightly.

Ram: [—Barusu.]

Subaru: [But—]

Ram's eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint, her expression hardening as she stood her ground.

Ram: [—Ba-ru-su.]

Subaru let out a small, resigned sigh, lowering his shoulders.

Subaru: [...Fine. Have it your way. You're relentless.]

Ram puffed her chest with pride as she tilted her chin slightly upward, a smug smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, clearly enjoying her victory.

Standing slightly behind Ram. Rem clasped her hands nervously in front of her, her concern evident. 

Rem: [D-Does S-Subaru need h-help walking?]

Though as usual, Rem struggled to speak with anyone besides Ram and their parents. So she stuttered while trying to strike a conversation.

Subaru: [Ah... I-I'm g-good. My body feels a lot better. Some people used healing magic on me earlier this morning.]

He said, flexing his fingers and shifting his weight carefully to test the strength in his limbs. Each one checked by the dull ache still lingering beneath the surface.

He had dressed himself slowly, awkwardly pulling his clothes over the bandages that wrapped snugly around his torso and legs. His tunic was a bit loose so that it wouldn't apply too much strain to his body.

Subaru: [T-Thank you though, Rem. You're very kind.]

He gave her a soft smile, his voice carrying genuine warmth and gratitude, though his eyes shimmered faintly—still shadowed by the remnants of fear and confusion.

Rem's face turned a bright shade of red, and she quickly ducked her head behind Ram, hiding her flustered expression as she fumbled to find her words.

Ram noticed her sister's nervous state and stepped in without hesitation, folding her arms with a deadpan expression.

Ram: [Trying to prey on my adorable Rem right in front of her older sister? Shameless. Let's go, Rem.]

Subaru: [Prey? What does that even—Hey! Wait up! I’m still injured, you know!]

Limping as fast as he could, Subaru did his best to keep up with the twin Onis, his wooden crutch thudding against the earth with each uneven step.

They first went to all the important places: the village entrance with its old wooden gate, the chief’s home where he was first brought to the village so that they could treat his injuries, nestled at the deepest part of the village.

The plaza where people gathered, located at the center of the village. And the open fields where villagers toiled in the soil under the sun.

Subaru: [Woah...!]

Subaru was amazed, to say the least. If he hadn’t been sure before, he was now. He was undeniably in another world—a place that looked like it had been plucked straight out of a medieval fantasy.

Subaru: [So this is the Oni village…]

Everything around him reinforced that idea: the rustic wooden homes with thatched rooftops, villagers dressed in homespun tunics and robes.

Even more striking was the incredible range of hair and eye colors. Pink, blue, violet, green, orange—shades Subaru had only seen in video games or anime were now everyday sights. 

Subaru: [I'm the only one...]

He looked around and realized with a sudden pang that he was the only person he’d seen so far with black hair and matching eyes.

As they made their way through the winding paths of the village, Subaru also began to pick up on something else—something subtle but distinct.

When Ram walked by, every villager paused what they were doing, straightened their backs, and offered a bow of respect.

Villager 1: [Ram-sama.]

Villager 2: [It's good to see you, Ram-sama.]

There was reverence in their tones and admiration in their eyes. Subaru even noticed a couple of older Oni subtly stepping aside to clear the path for her. Her presence was commanding, dignified, and almost, if not regal.

Ram, for her part, barely acknowledged the attention.

Subaru glanced at her and couldn’t help but wonder;

"Is she someone really important?"

Meanwhile, Rem walked silently just a step behind her sister. Only some of the villagers greeted her. And others didnt even bother to look at her.

Villager: [Hello there, Rem-chan.]

Rem always gave them a shy smile in return. Her demeanor was humble and sweet, and there was shyness about her that showed in the way she kept her gaze lowered or nervously adjusted the hem of her kimono.

She never spoke unless spoken to and often stood slightly behind Ram. 

The contrast between the two sisters in the eyes of the villagers was stark.

Subaru: [Ram gets 'Ram-sama' and Rem gets 'Rem-chan'...]

He frowned slightly, watching the disparity unfold.

It was clear who the village placed on a pedestal and who stood in the shadow.

Subaru: [What’s this all about…? Why are Ram and Rem treated differently?]

He looked from one twin to the other. The village saw Ram as a figure authority, while Rem seemed to fade into the background.

Despite being a kid and one who clearly could never read the room when it mattered. It was hard not to notice, and it stirred something in him—an urge to understand more about them both.

The thought lingered with him as they continued the tour, deepening his curiosity about their story.

As they walked through the village, people's eyes lingered a moment too long on Subaru, their curiosity barely veiled behind hushed whispers.

He could feel their stares, subtle but unrelenting, like the brush of invisible fingers on the back of his neck. A few villagers even slowed their steps to sneak longer glances, their murmurs fading just as he turned to look.

It was like they were staring at a creature from a forgotten myth, an unknown specimen.

Subaru: [Why are they looking at me like that? Did I... do something wrong?]

Subaru shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, trying not to let his unease show. His shoulders stiffened, and he averted his eyes, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The air felt heavy around him, as if each passing glance weighed just a little more than the last.

Ram: [We have arrived.]

They eventually stopped in front of Rem and Ram's house.

Subaru: [So this is your house?]

Subaru said as he looked at the house. 

It was slightly bigger than most of the other houses. Other than that there was no difference from the rest. Same texture and material.

Subaru had thought that since Ram was held in high regard, it would mean that she was important and thus their family would have a bigger house.

"Turns out that's not the case"

Ram: [That’s right, make sure not to forget, Barusu.]

Subaru: [... Still not used to that nickname, but alright. I’ll try not to forget it, Ram.]

Being called Barusu was still strange to Subaru. It wasn’t that he disliked nicknames—it was just that this one in particular felt more like a hex than a term of endearment.

Rem: [Onee-chan, S-Subaru... I-I’m going inside to w-wash and store the container.]

The container she referred to was the one Subaru had eaten Rem’s prepared meal from. She had carried it with her the entire time they were showing him around the villages.

Ram: [Very well, Rem. Ram and Barusu will wait right here.]

Subaru: [Hey, if you want me to help... I mean, I can—]

Rem: [N-No! I-It’s fine. R-Rem can h-handle it...]

Her words came out fast, flustered. She clutched the container tightly and looked down, her cheeks flushed a light pink. She barely met Subaru’s gaze.

Subaru scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.

Subaru: [You sure? I don’t want to be a bo—]

Ram: [—Barusu.]

Ram’s voice cut in, sharp and assertive. She crossed her arms and stared him down with an expression that brooked no argument.

Ram: [Rem said she can handle it. You are still recovering. Limping through a village tour was more than enough for one day. In the meantime, Ram shall grace you with her company.]

Subaru: [R-Right... Yeah, okay. Thanks, Rem. You’re the best.]

Rem turned slightly, a bashful smile flickering on her lips before she opened the door, entered it and closed it.

Subaru watched the door for a moment longer. As much as he wanted to help, Ram was right—his body ached in places he didn’t even know could ache. He really was in no state to argue.

Subaru: [Guess I’ll take you up on that, Ram.]

Ram: [Of course you will. Now, what do you wish to ask? Don’t waste Ram’s time with something dull.]

Subaru: [Right, right.]

Subaru took a moment to lower himself against the wall of the house, easing into a seated position with a quiet wince. He was able to succeed easily despite having one leg always straight due to the mechanism.

The stone bricks were rough against his back, but it was better than standing. He let out a soft sigh, stretching his legs forward.

Subaru: [Hey, Ram, are your parents home?]

Ram: [Why? Planning to barge in because there are just two defenseless little girls and you think you can get away with it? Let me assure you—it would be futile.]

Subaru blinked.

Subaru: [How the heck do you even jump to that conclusion?! I was just curious, that’s all…]

Ram: [Hmph. Mother is tending to the livestock, and Father went hunting with the others down the mountain.]

Subaru: [Ah, I see.]

An awkward silence followed. Subaru's gaze drifted to the ground where a group of ants marched in a determined line, working together to carry a leaf several times their size.

He tilted his head, watching them.

Ram, meanwhile, leaned against the outer wall of their house, arms crossed as she observed the village with a detached air. Her gaze swept lazily over the buildings and villagers.

Ram: [What does Barusu think of the village?]

Subaru, still sitting and idly watching the trail of ants at his feet, didn’t notice Ram observing him from the corner of her eye. She was waiting—quietly, patiently—for his answer.

When he finally turned his head to look at her, he caught a glimpse of something unexpected in her expression. Beneath her usual sharpness, there was a subtle softness—an unspoken curiosity. It was clear she genuinely wanted to hear what he had to say.

Subaru: [The village? Well… I've never been in one before, so this is all new to me! I gotta say… it's very peac—Wait, why are you giving me that look of pity!?]

Ram had raised an eyebrow, her arms still folded. While she looked down to Subaru.

Ram: [Ram didn't know Barusu was a caveman... Ram sincerely pities you...]

Subaru: [I’m not a caveman! It’s just that I was born in a city.]

Ram gave a short, amused hum.

Ram: [...So Barusu is a spoiled brat from a rich family? Ram pities you even more.]

Subaru: [That’s not it either! Me and my parents are just a… a… everyday… normal f-family…] 

Suddenly, the words caught in his throat, making it hard to go on.

Subaru: [Ah, d-damn it, the wind blew something into my eye...]

Subaru quickly rubbed at his eyes, trying to mask the sudden sting that welled up behind them. But his voice cracked slightly, and to his frustration, a couple of tears escaped anyway.

Ram: [It’s okay if Barusu wants to cry. Ram won’t tell anyone... today.]

Subaru: [That’s not helping! And I’m not crying! It’s just... that something got... into my eyes...]

He tilted his chin upward, blinking rapidly as he stared into the wide, endless blue of the sky. His throat tightened, but he kept it in, swallowing down the lump that formed.

Ram’s voice softened, ever so slightly.

Ram: [...Does Barusu miss them?]

Subaru hesitated, then gave a shaky nod.

Subaru: [Yeah... I miss them v-very, very much. Knowing D-Dad and M-Mum, they’re probably searching for me right now... without resting...]

His voice cracked again. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

Subaru: [D-Damn it...]

Subaru: [But it’s fine! E-Even if they can’t find me… I’ll find my way back to them first! I swear it!]

Ram didn’t speak immediately. Though her gaze lingered on him.

Ram: [If Barusu wants Ram to help search for them, he can ask. Ram is quite confident in her searching skills. Locating someone is a simple task for Ram.]

Subaru: [No, it’s okay... I’m very far from home... too far.]

Ram let out a small sigh, brushing a strand of pink hair from her face.

Ram: [Barusu is such a troublesome child. Ram is sure Barusu’s parents will scold him terribly when he returns.]

Subaru chuckled faintly, the tension easing just a bit.

Subaru: [I hope so... I really do...]

Using his sleeve to clean his watery eyes, Subaru switched the subject of the conversation.

Subaru: [A-Anyway! About the village… I noticed that everyone addresses you as “-sama,” but with Rem, they call her “-chan.” Why is that?]

At the mention of the disparity, Ram’s expression tightened. A sharp click of her tongue cut through the air.

Ram: [Tch—]

Subaru flinched slightly. Ram wasn’t making any effort to hide her irritation, and the shift in her demeanor was immediate and noticeable.

Worried he’d stepped on a landmine, Subaru hesitated before speaking again.

Subaru: [Did I… say something wrong?]

Ram turned her head, eyes narrowing as she slowly stepped closer to him. Her tone was cool and poised, but the edge of annoyance remained.

Ram: [No, Barusu didn’t do anything wrong. It seems Ram “forgot” to properly introduce herself.]

Subaru: [?]

Ram placed a hand over her chest, her posture straightening with the poise of someone reciting something of great importance.

Ram: [Ram is the second coming of the Oni God. A prodigy among prodigies. And the one destined to become the next chief of this village.]

As she spoke, her crimson eyes locked onto Subaru’s dark ones.

Subaru: [Woah... That sounds like a lot for someone to shoulder.]

Ram: [Huh…?]

Subaru: [Ah, sorry! I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just… putting that many expectations on a child feels like way too much.]

He didn’t fully understand what it meant to be the “second coming of the Oni God,” but it clearly carried weight. Still, no matter how important it sounded, expecting so much from someone so young felt wrong to him.

Ram: [...It’s fine. Ram can handle it easily.]

Subaru: [Even so, you're still a kid. My mom always said, “Every child deserves a peaceful and happy childhood.”]

He paused, his expression softening as his gaze drifted away in thought.

Subaru: [But… What about Rem?]

Ram’s eyes softened slightly.

Ram: [... Rem is Ram’s precious little sister. She's also the best person in this entire village. Everyone else just fails to realize it.]

Subaru: [Oh… I see. So that’s why.]

The word “outcast” crossed Subaru’s mind. He was familiar with the idea. Back in school, there was always someone who got left out, someone ignored or treated differently by the other kids. But Subaru had always gone out of his way to befriend everyone, regardless of what others thought.

Subaru: [Then everyone here must be blind. They can’t even see how amazing Rem is—super kind and hardworking! Shame on them.]

Ram blinked, caught off guard by the sudden passion in his voice.

Subaru: [I mean, it wasn’t hard to notice. Rem made me delicious food when she didn’t have to. She offered to help me walk, and showed me around the village. And right now as we speak she is cleaning the dishes I ate from. I’ve only been here a short while, and I’ve already seen how kind she is.]

He shook his head, frowning slightly.

Subaru: [I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but honestly? It seems like everyone in this village needs a new pair of glasses.]

There was a pause. Ram looked at him, her expression unreadable, a faint flicker of something warm in her gaze.

Ram: [If only everyone were like Barusu...]

Subaru: [Hm? Did you say something?]

Ram: [No. It was probably the wind.]

Rem: [I-I’m done, Onee-chan.]

The door creaked open as Rem stepped outside. Her voice was quiet, but it carried clearly enough to interrupt the conversation between Subaru and Ram.

Ram turned to face her sister and, without a word, gently pulled Rem into a soft embrace. Her arms wrapped protectively around her, and she brushed a hand tenderly across Rem’s cheek.

Ram: [Alright. Barusu, Ram has something she must do, so she’ll take her leave now.]

She paused for a beat, her gaze flicking between Subaru and Rem with calculated seriousness.

Ram: [Rem, if Barusu tries anything questionable, you have Ram’s full permission to use violence.]

Rem: [O-Okay, onee-chan!]

Subaru: [H-Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!? I’m not some kind of villain!]

But Ram didn’t dignify his protest with a response. She simply turned on her heel and walked off, her long strides carrying her swiftly down the path away from the house.

Subaru watched her go, blinking in confusion.

Subaru: [She didn’t even look back…]

He turned his head slightly, expecting Rem to say something, but she remained quiet. Her eyes, however, were fixed on Ram’s retreating figure, following her until she disappeared into the trees lining the edge of the village.

Subaru: [Wait... she’s heading into the forest!? Isn’t that dangerous?]

Rem: [N-No. Onee-chan is v-very strong… There’s no danger for her.]

Subaru: [Huh. I guess that makes sense. Oni are supposed to be super powerful, right?]

Rem nodded slowly, her hands folded in front of her, and her gaze now lowered to the ground.

Subaru: [So… what do we do now, Rem?]

Rem: [U-Um… I-I usually wait for onee-chan by the river beach.]

Subaru: [Wait? So she won’t be long then, right?]

Rem hesitated.

Rem: [A-Actually… Onee-chan won’t be back for a few hours…]

Subaru: [What!? A few hours!? What in the world is she doing in the forest for that long?]

Rem didn’t answer his question, she just turned and started walking slowly. Subaru followed, his curiosity piqued and his complaints fading as he noticed the serene shift in Rem’s demeanor.

They arrived at a secluded spot by the river, its gentle current glimmering under the soft sunlight. Smooth stones lined the shore, and the quiet sound of water flowing over rocks filled the air with a soothing rhythm.

Rem knelt down near the water’s edge and began picking up stones—ones that were perfectly round and flat. She handled each one carefully, inspecting them with a practiced eye.

Subaru: [What are you doing?]

Rem: [Rem l-likes to b-build small towers… with the stones. I-It helps pass the time.]

She placed the first stone down and began stacking another on top with meticulous care. Her fingers moved delicately, as if the stones were fragile treasures.

Subaru watched her for a moment, struck by the calm patience in her movements. 

Subaru: [Wait a minute. Aren't there other kids in this village?]

Rem: [N-No Rem a-and Onee-chan are the o-only kids in the village.]

Subaru: [Only you two!? No wonder you play by yourself…]

Subaru then went into deep thought as his mind searched for possible fun games he could play with Rem.

And that's when it clicked for him. 

Subaru: [Hey Rem, want me to teach you a fun game to play using the rocks? I promise you will like it.]

Rem looked up at him, surprised. Her eyes widened just a little before she gave him a small nod.

Rem: [O-Okay…]

Rem then gave Subaru a single rock from her tower.

Subaru received it with a “thank you”.

Subaru: [Alright, Rem. Watch closely, okay? It’s all about the flick of the wrist.]

He pulled his arm back and then smoothly snapped it forward, releasing the stone low and close to the surface.

Plip! Plip! Plip! Plip... plunk.

The stone skipped across the water four times before finally sinking beneath the surface.

Rem: [A-Amazing! It jumped... like a little frog!]

Subaru grinned and dusted off his hands.

Subaru: [Told you, you would like it! It’s called skipping stones. Super popular back where I come from. Simple, fun and oddly satisfying.]

Rem’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she picked up a nearby stone and mimicked his stance. She pulled her arm back, stuck her tongue out a little in concentration, and—

SPLASH.

The rock plopped straight into the water with no bounce, sinking immediately.

Rem frowned as she was once again unable to do something properly. Her blue eyes were getting slightly watery.

Rem: [I-It didn’t j-jump at all...]

Subaru chuckled, limping beside her.

Subaru: [Not bad for a first try. But it’s not about throwing hard. You don’t need brute strength.]

He gently adjusted the position of her hand.

Subaru: [See? It’s more about the angle and how you flick it. Like... this.]

He gently guided her wrist in a throwing motion.

Subaru: [Try to keep the stone low, almost hugging the surface of the water. And flick your wrist at the end—not too hard, just enough to give it that spin.]

Rem nodded earnestly, cheeks lightly flushed as she focused. She picked another stone, took a deep breath, and followed his instructions.

Rem: [L-Like this...?]

She released it—and the stone made a weak bounce before sinking.

Plip... plunk.

Rem gasped.

Rem: [Rem did it… I-It bounced once! It bounced, S-Subaru!]

Subaru laughed and clapped his hands.

Subaru: [You did it! See? You’re already better than some of my classmates back home.]

Rem giggled softly, crouching down to grab more stones, her confidence growing with each attempt.

Rem: [Rem wants t-to make it jump f-four times... just like S-Subaru did.]

Subaru: [Heh, that’s the spirit! Just don’t forget—calm wrist, smooth release, and... don't get discouraged if it flops.]

She nodded again and tried once more.

Plip. Plip... plunk.

Rem: [T-Two jumps t-this time!]

Subaru: [Nice! At this rate, you’ll be a skipping master by sunset.]

They spent the next little while like that—laughing, skipping stones, and cheering at every little improvement. The river caught the stones and their shared joy alike, carrying both gently downstream.

The forest was quiet—too quiet.

A dense mist clung to the undergrowth, swirling between gnarled roots and thick tree trunks like a living thing. Birds had long since fled, and even the wind seemed hesitant to move.

Then came the sound of something shifting. Heavy, bestial breathing.

From between the foliage, red eyes blinked open—dozens of them. Low growls rippled through the forest as a pack of ma-beasts slinked out into a small clearing. Hulking wolf-like creatures with bone-like spines jutting from their backs, their snarling maws dripping with anticipation.

Wolgarms: [Grrrr!]

Ram stood at the center of the small clearing, utterly still. Her white horn out, glowing with a tinge of pink. 

Her pink hair fluttered gently as a breeze began to swirl around her. She had what could be called a threatening expression.

Ram: [Tch. You all reek. Disgusting.]

One of the ma-beasts lunged forward with a guttural roar.

Ram didn’t move.

The air shifted.

SHHHHKKKK!

A sudden blast of wind erupted from her palm, invisible blades slicing forward like a scythe. The beast never reached her—its body was shredded mid-leap, torn into ribbons of blood and bone. The remains hit the ground with a wet splatter.

Ram: [Pathetic.]

She lifted one hand lazily. The wind gathered again, swirling with terrifying force.

With a sharp flick of her wrist, the wind howled.

FWOOOOOSH!

A spiraling column of cutting air erupted from the clearing—a vortex of invisible blades that tore through the trees and everything within them. The wind screamed like a banshee as it surged outward, ripping leaves from branches and flesh from bone.

Ma-beasts howled in agony, their monstrous bodies flayed mid-charge—limbs severed, claws and fangs scattered like shards across the blood-soaked earth. Some were sliced cleanly in half, others reduced to pulp and mist before they could even register what hit them.

In the center of the devastation stood Ram, utterly still, her pink hair fluttering gently despite the carnage that had just unfolded around her. Not a drop of blood marked her pale skin or kimono.

Ram: [It’s not enough!]

She hissed, her voice trembling with rage and restraint.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as she raised a trembling hand to her mouth, gnawing at the sharp nails that had grown long and jagged from her transformation into her Oni form.

Ram: [It’s getting harder... harder to hold it back.]

Why was Ram alone and soaked in the stench of blood and death so far from home?

There were two reasons for it. The least important was so that Ram could test how capable she was.  

But the most important was because something inside her demanded it.

An ancient, primal urge that gnawed at her day and night. A burning itch beneath her skin that whispered of blood, battle, and ruin.

She had resisted those whispers since birth, buried them beneath pride, discipline, and silence. 

Only Rem knew the truth. Only her little sister knew about what Ram did out very deep in the forest.

That urge to kill and destroy everything only grew stronger the older and more powerful she got.

Ram: [I have to be strong... for Rem. I can’t lose control.]

Her nails cracked under her teeth. One snapped off, drawing a bead of blood. But it didn’t matter—the horn protruding from her forehead pulsed faintly, and the injury mended in seconds.

Ram exhaled harshly, the forest around her quiet once more—only the sickening viscera around her gave testament to what had transpired.

And then—she caught a scent.

It was faint, distant... but unmistakable.

A bigger ma-beast was lurking somewhere deeper in the forest, perhaps drawn by the massacre she had wrought.

During her times going into the forest Ram had encountered large ma-beasts before. Like everything else they never stood a chance against her.

However it would be enough to satiate the urge for a while.

Ram: [Good.]

Without another word, she dashed forward, vanishing into the trees like a gust of wind.

The forest was quiet again.

All that remained of the ma-beast was a mangled carcass, its massive body cleaved and torn in so many places that it was barely recognizable. The surrounding trees were splattered with dark blood, and the earth had been churned into a battlefield of deep gouges and scattered limbs.

Ram stood in the center of it all once again, her breathing was normal. It didn't even look like she had just annihilated the ma-beast in front of her.

Her horn—once glowing with fierce light—had receded.

It was over.

The urge—the gnawing madness that clawed at her mind, demanding violence, destruction, death—had been silenced. For now.

But the silence left behind was deafening.

Ram stared down at her hands. They were stained red. 

Not just today, but every time she had to sneak away to the forest, chasing bloodshed to hold herself together. She would end up with blood on her hands. Blood she would have to clean so that she wouldn't have to worry Rem.

Ram: [...How long do I have?]

“A decade maybe?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, swallowed by the rustling leaves. She hated how soft it sounded. How unsure.

She walked forward and slumped against a large tree, sliding to the ground. Her head tilted back, resting against the rough bark as her eyes searched the darkening sky.

Dusk had settled in. She’d been gone for hours.

The longer she waited, the harder it would be to explain. But that wasn’t what worried her.

It was the thought that one day, this might not be enough.

One day, her horn wouldn’t retract. One day, she’d keep killing, not just monsters in the woods, but—no.

She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.

No. She couldn’t allow that. Not ever.

Ram: [If I ever lose control… Rem will be the first to die.]

The thought hit her like a blade through the chest.

Not because she doubted it—but because she knew it to be true. If that day ever came, there would be no holding back. No distinction between beast or sister. Her instincts would tear through everything in sight.

Her jaw tightened. She would rather die.

If it ever came to that—if her control slipped, even for a second—then death would be better. Preferable. 

Her breath came shallow as she closed her eyes.

And then—a different face appeared in her mind. Unexpectedly.

Subaru.

That foolish loud boy with a kind heart. The newest, temporary addition to the village. He made her roll her eyes. He annoyed her every time he opened his mouth. And yet...

He’d looked her in the eye. He’d said Rem was amazing. In a very little time. He’d noticed what no one else did.

He didn’t put her on a pedestal when she told him her true identity. Perhaps he didn't know what it meant but still—

He treated them both like normal people. As equals.

Ram scoffed quietly to herself.

Ram: [Temporary… Once his wounds heal, he’ll have to undergo the Trial.]

The word left a bitter taste in her mouth.

The Trial. 

A test he would have to undergo if he wanted to remain in the Oni village. A challenge designed to measure the spirit, strength, and soul of an Oni. If he didn't pass he would be sent away from the village and he would eventually die alone in the forest.

This was why Ram was trying to be as harsh as possible with Subaru. Because if he were to remain in that broken state he previously was, he wouldn't make it.  That was the only thing she could do for him. The rest would all depend on how powerful he was.

Ram: [Please be strong.]

She pushed herself up from the tree and turned back toward the village.

.

.

.

As she made her way back, about halfway to the village, something suddenly happened.

For a brief, jarring moment, Ram felt her soul tear from her body—like being yanked into a void. It lasted only a fraction of a second.

There was only one thing this could mean.

Synesthesia.

A rare, innate ability that Ram and Rem shared since birth. It allowed them to feel each other’s emotions across any distance—telepathy not in words, but in sensation, emotion, and instinct. It was a bond deeper than blood, a thread that connected their souls.

This was how Ram knew how Rem felt everyday. Even when she wasn't near her. When people criticized her. And Rem felt terrible. Ram knew and she hated everyone for it. For making her sister feel bad about herself.

The chief, the elders, the villagers and even their very parents.

However, even while knowing what everyone did, there was little Ram could do about it. This made Ram view herself as a pathetic older sister.

And now, Ram was on the receiving end of a feeling so intense it froze her where she stood.

Panic.

Her eyes widened.

Ram: [Rem!]

Something was wrong. Something was happening to Rem.

Ram didn’t think. Her limbs surged with new strength, her body moving before her mind could catch up. She bolted through the forest, pushing aside branches, leaping over roots and rocks, guided only by instinct.

She had to get back. She had to get to Rem.

Subaru lay sprawled on the soft riverbank sand, one arm tucked behind his eyes were fixed on her.

Rem, standing at the edge of the water, her sleeves neatly rolled up, a determined spark in her eyes. She carefully selected another smooth, flat stone, turned slightly sideways, and with a graceful flick of her wrist—

Plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip-plip—plip.

Fifteen perfect skips.

Subaru’s mouth hung open.

Subaru: [Are you kidding me…?]

His voice came out in a whisper, half in awe and half in disbelief. He’d played this game hundreds of times back in his world—on school trips, with his dad, even alone on lazy summer days—and the best he had ever managed was eight.

Eight!

Rem had nearly doubled it. In just a couple of hours of trying.

She turned around, her cheeks flushed from the excitement and a hint of pride in her usually gentle smile.

Rem: [D-Did Subaru see that? I-It skipped so many times!]

Subaru pushed himself up slightly on one elbow, grinning wide despite the dull ache in his still-recovering body.

Subaru: [Rem… that was amazing. I’ve never seen anyone do that before! That’s not just talent, that’s a freakin’ superpower.]

Rem’s face turned red, and she ducked her head shyly, gently pressing her hands to her cheeks.

Rem: [R-Really? I-I just did what Subaru told me… s-soft wrist, low angle, smooth stone…]

Subaru: [Yeah, yeah—but you actually did it. I mean, I told you how to throw it, but you made it look easy. Meanwhile, I’m over here with my record of eight and a sore arm to show for it.]

He flopped back onto the sand with a theatrical groan, raising both hands toward the dusk sky.

Subaru: [I’ve been dethroned. The pebble queen has arrived.]

Rem let out a soft giggle, stepping back from the river's edge.

Rem: [I-I was just having fun… I-I didn’t mean to beat Subaru…]

Subaru: [Nah, don’t be modest. You totally crushed it. And you looked like you were having the time of your life out there.]

He turned his head to look at her again, the soft smile on his lips matching the warmth in his eyes.

Subaru: [You really should smile more, Rem. It suits you.]

Rem’s breath caught for a second, the warmth in her cheeks deepening.

Rem: [S-Subaru… t-thank you…]

Subaru glanced around, his fingers idly tracing patterns in the sand. It was already late and there was still no sign of Ram. Seeing how Rem wasn't talking about it, it implied it was a common occurrence. 

Subaru: [She’s taking her time, huh…]

He looked over at Rem, who was carefully lining up another stone in her hand, her focus intense.

There were many thoughts running through Subaru’s mind.

Though he had managed to push them aside for a while, he knew that eventually, he’d have to confront them. Ever since arriving in this world, his body had undergone several strange changes.

One of the most obvious was the way his injuries were healing—far too quickly. There was no logical reason someone who had nearly lost a leg and suffered multiple broken bones should even be out of bed, let alone walking. Even if the villagers had healed him using magic it simply wouldn't be possible. 

If he were a human that is. 

Right now Subaru was certain his body and his in-game character had somehow merged. After all there was no other explanation his young mind could think of.

But despite everything, Subaru’s attention was fixed on just one of those changes right now.

Subaru: [Hey, Rem… Can I ask you something?]

Rem blinked, lowering the stone and turning to him.

Rem: [O-of course. W-What is it, S-Subaru?]

He hesitated, then scratched the back of his head.

Subaru: [How do Onis summon their horns?]

Rem’s expression shifted slightly. Not shocked—more… puzzled?

Rem: [Y-You don’t k-know?]

Subaru: [Not really. I mean, the only time it happened to me… I was barely conscious. I don’t remember how I did it. It just… happened?]

Rem gave a small, thoughtful nod.

Rem: [I-I see… Well, usually, y-you just need to focus. Just… feel the e-energy inside y-your body, and draw it upward to y-your forehead.]

Subaru: [Huh… that doesn't sound too hard.]

Rem: [Y-Yes. And if that doesn’t work… y-you can try gritting your teeth. That sometimes helps.]

Subaru: [Grit my teeth…? What is this, a shounen manga? Alright, let’s give it a shot.]

He sat up, closed his eyes, took a breath—and clenched his teeth with dramatic focus.

Silence.

Rem tilted her head as Subaru furrowed his brow in concentration. A beat passed.

Still Nothing.

Subaru opened one eye.

Subaru: [Anything? Did it work?]

Rem shook her head gently.

Rem: [N-No…]

Subaru sighed, flopping back into the sand like a defeated warrior.

Subaru: [Figures. Guess It's not as easy as pressing a button.]

He turned his head slightly, glancing at Rem.

Subaru: [Hey… could I see yours? Your horns, I mean.]

Rem froze. Just for a second. Her hands tightened around the hem of her skirt, and her gaze fell to the ground.

Rem: [...Y-you want to see it?]

Subaru: [I mean, if that’s okay with you. I don’t want to pressure you or anything. If it makes you uncomfortable, forget I—]

Rem: [Rem w-will show y-you.]

Subaru stopped mid-sentence as she cut him off with quiet determination. She moved closer, sitting beside him. Her hand trembled slightly as she brought it to her temple.

There was a faint shimmer of light, like heat haze in the air—and then, slowly, it emerged.

A single horn—white with a faint pinkesh sheen—pushed out from her forehead.

Rem didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Her eyes stayed fixed on the sand, waiting. Waiting for rejection she always received. Disgust. Pity. Is what someone like her deserved after all. The eyesore of the Oni clan. Someone others would rather was never born in the first place.

But what she heard instead was a breathless whisper.

Subaru: [Whoa…]

She blinked, her blue eyes glancing at him.

Subaru was staring, wide-eyed, completely mesmerized.

Subaru: [ You have 1 horn? That’s… cool! It looks like something out of a fantasy book. Wait. I am in a fantasy world, so it makes sense, but still—wow...]

Rem felt her heart flutter unexpectedly.

And just then—

His hand reached out. Fascinated, instinctively, he brushed his fingers along the base of her horn. A terrible mistake on his part.

Her entire body jolted. Her breath hitched sharply.

Rem: [A-Ah—!]

Subaru: [Man… it looks even cooler up close…]

His fingers gently pressed against the horn running along the sides to test its hardness.

Subaru: [It’s solid… I knew it. And the tip—]

He tapped it softly, then more firmly.

Subaru: [—hmm it isn’t as sharp as it appears to be, interesting…]

He muttered to himself like a curious scientist, thoroughly fascinated.

Rem, meanwhile, had stopped functioning entirely.

Her face was no longer pink—it was deep red. Practically glowing. Her eyes were wide and unblinking. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Her whole body had frozen in place, hands clutched to her skirt.

Her legs wouldn’t move. Her mouth refused to speak. The overwhelming embarrassment had short-circuited her completely. 

She wasn’t sure, but her lips moved. Her hands and legs didn’t move, and her brain wasn’t working.

However, even if her body and mind weren’t working, Rem knew who she should rely on no matter the situation.

Rem: [Onee-chan.]

──The moment she said that out loud, a wind blew violently.

Subaru: [Wha—?]

Before he could even turn his head, a massive burst of pressure slammed into him from behind, sending him flying through the air with a surprised yelp.

Subaru: [GAH—!]

SPLASH!

He landed unceremoniously in the shallow edge of the river, arms flailing, water spraying everywhere.

Rem flinched at the suddenness, instinctively closing her eyes against the wind.

When she opened them again—

Ram stood there, in front of her. Disheveled, eyes wide, slightly panting from the rush. The light of her Oni blood still faintly glowing in her iris. Her voice trembled with concern.

Ram: [Rem! Are you okay!?]

Rem blinked rapidly, her voice trembling as the heat in her face slowly cooled with relief.

Rem: [...O-Onee-chan…?]

Ram scanned her sister from head to toe, making sure there were no injuries. Only when she saw the horn still extended—and the stunned look on Rem’s face—did she understand.

She turned her head toward Subaru, who was now dragging himself off the shallow river, coughing and soaked.

Subaru: [W-What the heck just happened!?]

He rubbed his eyes to remove the water that had gotten into them and once he did he was met with Red eyes and a disgusted face.

Ram: [Pervert.]

And then a massive slap hit him across the face. Almost making Subaru lose consciousness. 

And once again he fell back in the cold water.

Chapter Text

Subaru: [Ah dammit, why am I such an idiot…]

It was currently well past midnight, and Subaru laid still in bed, with a rough white blanket covering his body. The thin pillow beneath his head offered little comfort—flat, lumpy, and utterly useless in easing the whirlwind of thoughts tearing through his mind.

He was back in his so-called "home", a small wooden cabin on the outskirts of the Oni village, nestled slightly higher in the mountains. In which he has been residing.

The night air breeze drifted in through gaps in the poorly sealed walls, carrying with it the scent of damp wood and forest moss. 

Subaru: [We were having so much fun, and of course I had to ruin it...]

He then rolled onto his back, making him stare up. The ceiling above was barely visible, but through a narrow hole in the roof, moonlight seeped in, slightly illuminating the interior in a silver like light.

His body and clothes were still slightly wet from the earlier fall into the river making him feel a little cold. His injuries,which had been soaked in the cold water, felt like they were burning. But none of that compared to the crushing, simmering pain in his chest.

Apparently, the horns of an Oni was not just a symbol of strength. It was also an extremely sensitive, deeply personal part of their body. 

And Subaru had not only touched it, but studied it like a scientist.

He hadn’t meant any harm. He hadn’t known. But still…

Subaru: [Also, why didn’t the game mention something this important!? This one clearly very important detail? Not a single thing about it was mentioned. I’m such an idiot. Poor Rem…]

He slowly raised his hand to his cheek, his fingers grazing the fading red imprint Ram had left. The sting was still fresh enough to make him wince.

Subaru: [Ugh! That stings... Ram really didn’t hold back. Never knew girls could be that strong. It must be because she is an oni...]

A weak, self-deprecating chuckle escaped him, but it died just as quickly as it came. The silence that followed was heavier than before.

Subaru: [Still… I totally deserved it, didn’t I?]

He let his hand rest there, absorbing the pain and the weight of his mistake. It was a sharp lesson, but a necessary one.

Subaru: [I’ll fix this. I have to. I’ll apologize again in the morning. I’ll do better. I mean… come on, Subaru. You can’t lose your only two friends in this world…]

He sighed deeply. He wanted to fix everything, make it right, but the fear of messing up again was just as strong. But still, he couldn’t let that stop him no matter what.

Subaru: [They’re important to me… Ram and Rem… Everyone else is... well, weird.]

His gaze drifted back to the wall, watching the shifting light patterns as he lay in silence, thoughts spiraling—awaiting for sleep to take over him.

Minutes passed. Maybe an hour.

Subaru: [I can’t sleep.]

With a grunt, he sat upright again. The bed creaked beneath him as he did so. And then he glanced around the dim room, his eyes already adjusted to the shadows. Then, like a light bulb turning on, an idea sparked in his mind.

He pushed himself to his feet, grabbing the wooden frame of the bed for balance. And wincing slightly, he began to drag the bed slowly toward the center of the room. He repositioned it so that the head was directly beneath the small hole in the roof.

Subaru: [There… now I can at least look at something I'm familiar with—the stars. Though now that I look at them, they don't seem to be the same as back home… Well whatever.]

He lay back down, letting the moonlight spill across his face. And watched as above him, the stars glittered in their bright shining lights.

And after a long fight trying to get some sleep, for the first time that night, his breathing began to slow. And Subaru fell asleep.

???: [I'm going to take your bandages off Subaru-chan. Keep your arms straight in the air.] 

This womanly voice belonged to the light green-haired woman who had checked on Subaru a few times before. She had brought him food, fresh clothes, and monitored the healing progress of his injuries. 

After Ram and Rem, she was the person Subaru spoke with the most—though her visits were purely routine, carried out under the instructions of the village chief, an old man Subaru had only spoken to once, and briefly at that.

Still, to Subaru, it was reassuring to see a familiar face.

Subaru: [Okay, Dema-san.]

Sitting upright at the edge of the bed, Subaru followed the instructions given by the woman named Dema. He lifted his arms in the air making them as straight as he could manage.

Dema knelt next to the bed and began removing the bandages around his midsection. As the cool air hit the freshly exposed skin, Subaru twitched involuntarily at the unfamiliar sensation. 

Dema: [Don't move, Subaru-chan. It will be harder to remove them if you keep squirming.]

Subaru: [S-Sorry…]

Through the check up, Subaru kept his head lowered, doing his best to angle his face away from Dema’s line of sight.

He didn’t want her to notice the red mark on his cheek—a fading but still visible reminder of Ram’s slap. 

Dema: [Hmm… No scarring at all. That’s very good. Looks like you won’t need any more bandages here.]

Tossing aside the used bandages, Dema inspected Subaru’s body in case there was something that still needed healing. And she ended up finding out that luckily, Subaru did not sustain any scarring from the process.

Dema: [Okay, now it's time for your legs. Extend them, please.]

Once the bandages on Subaru’s torso were successfully removed, Dema moved on to his legs, taking her time to be as careful as possible.

She started with the less-injured leg first, which went smoothly and caused Subaru no pain or discomfort.

Then she turned her attention to the other leg.

Dema: [This will hurt.]

She first had to temporarily remove the brace in order to reach the bandages. While putting it on had been relatively simple, removing it—

Subaru: [AHHH!!!]

—was a completely different story.

Subaru shouted at the top of his lungs as the brace came off. Gritting his teeth, he fell back onto the bed, gripping the sheets tightly in both hands as he struggled not to jolt or flail and make the pain worse.

With the brace out of the way, Dema quickly moved on to the bandages. They were slightly wet and stained with old blood. She removed them as fast as possible, because the longer she took—the higher the risk of an infection.

His leg was a mess—almost entirely discolored with deep purple bruising. There were clear signs of internal bleeding, especially around the hip. As the final layer of bandages peeled away, a strip of dead skin came with it, revealing a patch of raw, exposed muscle underneath.

Dema: [Now it’s time for the medicine. This part will hurt even more. Stay strong, Subaru-chan.]

Subaru: [W-wai—]

Dema reached into her pouch and pulled out a small container filled with a green, semi-liquid substance. It was a medicine made from various herbs in order to prevent infection and support the body’s natural healing process. Since healing magic couldn’t be used continuously, this remedy was crucial for Subaru’s complete recovery.

She let a small amount of the medicine drip onto her hand, then quickly began applying it to the heavily injured leg.

Subaru: [GAHH!]

Subaru twitched violently at the cold, stinging sensation. The only thing keeping his leg from flinching away was Dema’s firm grip on it.

She then took clean new bandages and placed everything back into place.

Dema: [Alright, all done. At this pace it should be fully healed in a week or two.]

She stood up, wiped her hands clean, and began packing away the supplies used during the small procedure. 

Meanwhile, Subaru remained sprawled on the bed, breathless and panting heavily. The pain had finally started to fade as the medicine took effect.

Subaru: [Ha… ha…]

As she was nearly finished packing, Dema glanced back at Subaru. Now that he wasn’t hiding his face, she immediately noticed the large red mark on his cheek.

Dema: [Hmm? What happened to your face?]

She leaned in, inspecting the mark.

Subaru: [M-My face? U-Um… I-I fell y-yesterday… on my way back h-home.]

Subaru stammered, trying his best to come up with a believable excuse to get out of the situation as quickly as possible.

Dema: [Really?]

Subaru: [Y-Yes.]

Dema let out a quiet sigh and stepped back, her expression unreadable as she appeared lost in thought. And then, Dema muttered something low under her breath;

Dema: [That’s not good. You need to be in top condition for the trial. Otherwise, the blame will fall on me for not ensuring that.]

Subaru, who had now regained his breath and was trying to push himself upright, caught the faint sound of a few ineligible words coming out of her mouth. 

Subaru: [Huh? Did you say something?] 

Dema: [Nothing Subaru-chan needs to worry about. Just be more careful—and make sure to eat what I brought you for lunch. I’ll come back later with your dinner as well.]

As if caught in the act of saying something she shouldn't have. Dema, quickly switched subject.

Subaru: [Okay…]

Dema simply nodded before gathering her things and heading outside, leaving Subaru alone in the quiet cabin.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Subaru let out a deep sigh.

Subaru: [That was weird… I feel like I just missed out on some important information.]

He pulled his gaze away from the door and glanced down at his body. Though still sore, it was noticeably better than the day before.

Subaru: [Maybe I can try doing my warm-ups now. Arm stretches first.]

Slowly standing up from bed, Subaru began his usual morning stretches—the ones he used to do frequently back home when he woke up.

He raised his arms above his head and tried stretching them as far as he could. However, before he could fully extend them—

Subaru: [—Ouch!]

He froze, his joints and muscles sending sharp waves of protest, forcing him to pull his arms back to his chest.

Subaru: [Maybe… in a couple more days.]

With a sigh, he sat back down on the bed.

Subaru: [Ram and Rem didn’t come see me this morning… They must be mad at me.]

It was Subaru’s second day in the Oni village. On the first day—early in the morning—he had gotten acquainted with the twins. Because of that, Subaru had expected them to show up again today. Though so far they have not shown up.

Subaru: [Is there anything I can do to make it up to them?]

He glanced beside the bed and picked up the basket Dema had left for him. Inside was an assortment of freshly harvested vegetables. As well as a few containers of water.

Subaru: [Maybe this could help?]

After a brief moment of thought, his eyes lit up as an idea came to him.

Subaru: [Soup! I can make one of those tasty soups Mom always makes! How hard could it be? Just chop, boil, stir... easy. I’ll make some for Ram and Rem. Maybe it might get them to forgive me.]

The small cabin already had a cooking nook—an old stone oven built into the corner, with a pot, some utensils, and even a few basic seasonings stored in little jars that were covered in dust. The only thing he was missing was fire.

Subaru: [I know what I can do!]

He hobbled to the doorway and peered outside. Just a few steps from the cabin stood a torch post, with its flame still burning. Subaru grabbed a stick from the ground, lit the end carefully using the torch, and walked back with exaggerated caution, holding the flame like it was a sacred relic.

Subaru: [Please don’t burn down this house…]

Once inside, he carefully fed the flame into the oven's dry kindling. Which had probably been there for a very, very long time as it was covered in spider webs and dust. After a few seconds, the fire caught, flickering to life. Subaru let out a breath of relief.

Subaru: [Yes! It worked!]

With that out of the way, he got to work.

He dumped the vegetables onto the small wooden counter and picked up a small knife—a rather dull one—and started chopping with the confidence of someone who thinks they know what they're doing.

Subaru: [Okay, carrot slices first. Then the roots. Then… the green leafy things whose name I don't know.]

His cuts were jagged, uneven, and at times downright brutal. Chunks flew in odd directions, and the chopping board looked more like it had survived a battlefield than food prep.

Subaru: [Alright, not exactly like Mom’s, but it’s rustic! That’s a thing, right?]

He tossed the chopped vegetables into the pot, then some water and placed it over the growing flame. A small, proud smile tugged at his lips.

Subaru: [I’m doing it... I'm actually doing it! Cooking isn't so difficult after all!]

He reached for the small shelf of seasonings and grabbed whatever looked remotely familiar—some salt, maybe, or what could’ve been powdered herbs… or powdered disappointment. He wasn’t entirely sure.

Subaru: [Time for the taste.]

With great optimism, Subaru dipped a wooden spoon in and brought it to his lips. Ready to taste his state of the art work. And the result was—

Subaru: [—Blegh! This tastes like betrayal… and something else I can't name.]

His face took a disgusting look as he tasted the absolute abomination he had casually created in mere minutes.

Subaru: [Maybe I have to wait…? Yeah, that’s probably it!]

With a not so confident smile, which he initially had—Subaru decided to wait for the vegetables to soften.

Subaru: [This is going to take a long time… Alright, time to try and summon my Oni horns again.] 

Subaru reached for a small dust covered mirror resting on a nearby crate. It was cracked slightly in one corner, but still good enough to reflect his face.

He placed it on the table next to the stove, angling it to face him.

Subaru had yet to summon his Oni horns, yesterday he found out it was not as easy as it seemed. The only clues he had were the ones Rem had given him.

Subaru: [Okay… focus. Focus Natsuki Subaru. Channel your inner energy.]

He inhaled deeply, then bent his knees—awkwardly adjusting for his stiff, braced leg—and tried to mimic the iconic Dragon Ball Z power-up stance. 

Brow furrowed, teeth gritted, he strained to will some kind of energy up through his body toward his forehead. Just like Rem had told him.

Focus. Channel. Visualize.

He shut out every distraction—sight, sound, even the faint scent of vegetables being cooked. All that existed in his mind was one goal: summon the horns.

Subaru: [Huuuuuuuuu!]

With his teeth gritted, Subaru focused every ounce of willpower into trying to release the energy he believed was lying dormant inside him.

Subaru: [HUUUUAAAAA—!]

Ram: [—Rem, look. The pervert has constipation. We better leave now before we get contaminated.]

.

.

.

Was it because he’d been caught in the middle of something no one in their right mind would want to be seen doing? Or maybe it was the jarring sound of Ram's sarcastic voice that startled him. Perhaps it was both.

Either way—

—Subaru choked on absolutely nothing. He wheezed, coughing violently as his arms flailed in sheer panic. Caught completely off guard, he spun around a full 180 degrees—only to find himself face-to-face with Ram, who stood by the opened door with her arms folded, and Rem, who peeked shyly over her sister’s shoulder, her large blue eyes filled with innocent curiosity.

Subaru: [Wh—What the—!]

Panicked, Subaru turned too quickly and lost his balance, elbow colliding hard with the side of the cooking pot. The sad excuse for vegetable soup launched off the stove and hit the ground with a soggy, dramatic SPLAT, splashing broth across the floor.

Subaru: [No no no—!]

He had dove forward in a desperate attempt to catch the pot—completely forgetting the brace strapped to his leg. The moment his weight shifted onto the wrong leg, his body crumpled.

Subaru: [Wait, wait, wait—!]

THUMP.

He landed face-first on the wooden floorboards with a thud that echoed through the tiny cabin. For a very long moment, he didn’t move. He simply covered his face using his hands.

Subaru: [Ouch…]

Groaning, Subaru slowly pushed himself up, his arms trembling beneath him as he dragged himself to the nearest wall for support. Once there, he slumped back, breathing heavily, trying to gather the last scraps of his dignity.

Ram stood unmoved by the door, arms folded neatly across her chest, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips—clear satisfaction glinting in her eyes.

Behind her, Rem cautiously peeked from around her sister’s shoulder. Her lips quivered as she fought back the urge to laugh.

She failed spectacularly.

Rem: [Pfft… hehehe…!]

Her hand covered her mouth, but the sound still came through, a soft cascade of laughter that filled the small cabin.

Subaru, meanwhile, was now a crumpled mess against the wall..

His face and ears turned a violent shade of red, so red that it looked like someone had used red paint across every inch of his skin. He buried his face in his hands, lips twitching as if unsure whether to laugh, cry, or just crawl into a hole and never return.

Subaru: [Ugh… I was caught doing the dumbest thing… my life is over…]

He shook his head in sheer disbelief, dragging his hands down his face as if hoping to wipe away the entire memory.

Subaru: [Why did I try that stupid pose…!? It’s not even a real technique! Just something I thought would look cool. I looked like such an idiot…!]

Ram: [Pervert, if you’re going to humiliate yourself, at least close the door next time. You’re polluting the air with your existence.]

Rem, still giggling behind her hand, gave a soft shake of her head, clearly trying to be polite but failing.

Rem: [R-Rem is sorry, S-Subaru… but… it was really f-funny…]

Subaru peeked at Rem through his fingers, his red face only deepening in color. Not only was he burning from secondhand embarrassment, but seeing Rem so genuinely happy—especially after what happened the day before—stirred a strange mixture of relief and fluster.

Subaru: [Y-Yeah, yeah… laugh it up. Just… pretend you never saw this. Please.]

Ram: [Ram absolutely won't. ]

She said with a large smug grin on her face, clearly savoring every second of his downfall.

Subaru slumped further against the wall, utterly defeated.

Subaru: [W-Whatever. I-I thought you guys weren’t coming today... Since you didn’t show up this morning... I figured you were mad at me for what I did.]

He had genuinely been prepared to go down into the village on his own to find them so he could try and fix things. So he didn't expect them to show up. And for some reason, seeing them both here, in front of him, eased a tight knot that had formed in his chest.

Subaru: [D-Does that mean y-you forgive me?]

Ram: [Pervert. Absolutely not.]

Ram glared at Subaru, her crimson red eyes narrowing with a sharpness that could cut through steel. Even though Subaru couldn’t meet her gaze directly, he could feel it boring into him like a laser, burning through any last fragments of confidence he had left.

Subaru: [Oh... Right...]

His voice came out as a whimper.

Rem: [But Onee-chan...]

Rem looked at Ram with her wide blue eyes, shimmering with a hint of pleading. Gently, she reached out to tug at Ram’s sleeve.

Ram sighed, clearly irritated, but gave in to her sister’s silent request. She pulled Rem gently toward her shoulder in a protective gesture.

Ram: [Hmph! Even if my adorable Rem forgives you, Ram won’t. Not until Ram personally drills the manners you so clearly lack into that hollow, empty skull of yours.]

Subaru: [G-Geez… that’s harsh.]

Subaru said as he slowly pushed himself up onto his feet. He kept his eyes glued to the ground, still unable to make eye contact with either Ram or Rem. The embarrassment of earlier, mixed with the guilt from yesterday, made him unable to.

With a shaky inhale, Subaru stepped forward and gave a small bow. His head dipped low and his dark bangs falling over his eyes to shield him from their gazes.

Subaru: [Rem... I'm sorry for what I did.]

Rem: [I-It’s okay, S-Subaru. R-Rem knows y-you didn’t mean it. Y-you didn’t k-know about it...]

A light shade of pink blossomed across her cheeks gradually deepening as the memory of what happened crossed her mind.

Almost immediately, she gently shuffled closer to Ram. Her hands nervously clenched the edge of her sister’s sleeve as she partially hid behind her. 

Ram: [Tch! Barusu, what's this disgusting thing on the floor?]

Ram, visibly annoyed at Subaru, switched the conversation as fast as possible in order not to make Rem any more uncomfortable.

Subaru: [Oh, well... I tried making some soup for both of you as an apology.]

He said while scratching the back of his ear, his eyes glancing off to the side with a slight frown.

Ram & Rem: [...]

Subaru: [It's fine though, it went terribly anyway. Lesson learned: turns out cooking is a hardcore difficulty mode. I’ll just stick to knowing how to properly make mayonnaise.]

Subaru: [Though now that I think about it, I kinda sacrificed my lunch in the process. So… no food for me today—And I'm really hungry right now.]

Rem: [Umm, R-Rem b-brought some s-sandwiches she made this morning... Does S-subaru want to t-try?]

Subaru turned his head in surprise, noticing for the first time the small basket tucked under Rem's arm.

Subaru: [Rem… you're the best.]

Subaru: [Wow, I already knew it was going to be amazing but this surpassed my expectations. If I could eat some of your food every day, I could rest easy. Rem, you're seriously talented.]

Subaru had just finished devouring a generous number of sandwiches that Rem had prepared.

The three of them—Subaru, Ram, and Rem—were currently sitting outside on the cabin's porch, which offered a peaceful and wide view of the village in the distance, surrounded by lush greenery and soft mountain mist.

Subaru had settled on the far left. Ram sat in the center with a dignified posture, her expression unreadable as always, while Rem was on her right, seated close to her sister, clutching her sandwich with both hands.

Rem: [E-Eh…]

Hearing Subaru’s praise, Rem felt a warm flutter in her chest, a soft and unfamiliar glow of happiness that made her cheeks color. She looked down at her sandwich to hide her expression, lips curving into a small smile.

Ram: [Rem, don't fall for this pervert’s sugary nonsense. Rem's divine cooking is meant solely for her sister. No one else.]

Subaru: [Ah, come on, Ram! Don’t be greedy. We can share... right?]

He clasped his hands together and leaned slightly forward with a dramatic expression of pleading, trying his best to appear innocent and harmless.

Ram: [Absolutely not, pervert.]

She turned her head away with a scoff, the slightest upward twitch of her lips betraying her amusement. Even though she acted cold, it was clear to Rem that Ram was secretly enjoying the light-hearted moment.

Subaru: [That's not fair...]

Subaru slumped in defeat, his shoulders drooping as he let out an exaggerated sigh.

In front of him, three little birds had landed nearby, pecking at a few crumbs scattered on the ground. They chirped and hopped around each other, occasionally nudging and sharing the crumbs. 

Subaru: [These birds are really cute.] he couldn’t help but crack a smile at the peaceful sight.

Meanwhile, Ram kept a close eye on Subaru from the corner of her vision. Her expression remained neutral, but her thoughts were elsewhere. There was something she needed to know. Something that Rem had told her last night before they went to bed.

So she asked—

Ram: [—Barusu, can you bring out your horns? Ram wants to check something.]

For the first time during their encounter Ram addressed Subaru by the nickname she had given him.

Subaru blinked as he took a glance at Ram, caught off guard by the sudden request. He sat up straighter and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Subaru: [Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t know how to do that. I was actually trying to get it out right before you guys arrived... and, yeah, nothing happened.] he admitted truthfully.

Rem: [S-So that w-wasn’t S-Subaru having a c-constipation...?] she tilted her head in innocent confusion, her brows raised slightly.

After all that was the reason why Rem had laughed back then. She had no idea he was trying to bring out his horns.

Subaru: [E-Eh… you really thought that’s what was happening?]

His face flushed with embarrassment as Ram audibly exhaled, her hand moving to her temple like she was holding back a headache.

Ram: [So you are unable to bring your horns out?] she asked.

Subaru: [Yeah, that's right, I can't.] he nodded.

Ram sighed and took a deep breath.

Ram: [That's impossible. An Oni's horns come out when they truly will it to. If you can't bring it out, it means you don't want it to come out.] she explained calmly.

Subaru: [But I really, really do want them to come out! I’ve tried multiple times already! But it doesn't matter what I do, I can't get them to come out...]

Ram turned sharply toward Subaru, her crimson eyes narrowing as they locked onto his. Her stare was intense and unyielding, like she was analyzing more than just what he was saying. She was searching for the truth behind his words.

Ram: [Then prove it. Try it again. Right now infront of Ram.]

Subaru: [O-Okay...?] he said, a little confused.

He took a slow, shaky breath, trying to clear his mind. He closed his eyes and started focusing, imagining what it would feel like, trying to will the horns to appear.

But before he could reach any sort of meditative state, two soft firm hands suddenly grabbed his cheeks and tilted his head upward, forcing his eyes open.

Almost instantly, his vision was filled with Ram's intense gaze.

Ram: [Ah. So that’s what it was…]

Subaru: [...]

Subaru went silent, unable to look away. His eyes locked not on hers but on her lips. He didn’t know why, but every part of him tensed. He needed—no, craved—to know what she was about to say.

Ram: [Barusu. That look—your eyes have, clearly tells me—]

Ram stared deep into those pitch-black irises of his. Rem leaned slightly closer as well, drawn into the moment, curious to see what Ram was seeing.

Rem: [Oh…] 

The moment she saw exactly what Ram was seeing, Rem also made the realization. And her blue eyes widened slightly.

Ram: [—You are very afraid, aren't you?]

.

.

Subaru: [What…? I am afraid? That isn't true, I simply don't know ho—]

Ram suddenly let go of Subaru’s face, making him stop talking mid sentence and stood up, brushing off the front of her white kimono and straightening it with a swift, graceful motion.

Ram: [Even if you don't know how to bring them out. Denying what you are feeling surely won't help.] she said while looking at the village in the distance.

Subaru: [...] 

Subaru went silent, unable to reply to Ram.

Ram: [Anyway—Ram and my cute Rem have things to attend to in the village. So we will take our leave for today. Starting tomorrow, Ram will be busy with her duties, so she won’t be able to visit in the mornings alongside Rem.]

She paused, glancing back at Subaru with a sharp, satisfied smirk.

Ram: [But don’t think you’re off the hook pervert. Starting tomorrow, Ram will drill those shamefully lacking manners of yours into you. So you better be ready cause Ram doesn't show any mercy.]

Rem also stood up, straightening her white kimono ready to follow Ram back to the village. But before that, she turned towards Subaru.

Rem: [S-see y-you t-tomorrow m-morning S-Subaru, Rem h-hopes y-you get better.]

Subaru: [Yeah… see you tomorrow, Rem.]

And just like that, the two sisters turned and began walking away, their figures gradually growing smaller as they headed down the path toward the village.

Subaru remained seated on the wooden step just outside his cabin for a while longer, watching heavy clouds begin to gather in the sky. The once soft blue was now being swallowed by shades of gray.

Subaru: [I'll go back inside, I guess.]

He pushed himself up with a quiet grunt and made his way back into the dimly lit cabin. Once inside, he closed the door behind him and without a second thought, threw himself face-first onto the bed.

Subaru: [...]

He remained like that for a while, letting his body sink into the mattress as the weight of Ram’s words slowly sank in.

Eventually, he turned onto his back, staring up at the hole in the ceiling directly above him. He then slowly lifted his hand and held it above his face, fingers slightly spread and stared at it.

Subaru: [Am I really afraid? That can't be right, right...?]

He focused harder, trying to silence the doubt creeping into his mind. But as he watched, his hand began to tremble. It was subtle at first—just a small twitch—but it grew more noticeable the longer he stared.

Subaru: [D-Damn it, Ram was right I really a-am afraid.] his voice cracked. He clenched his jaw, his body shaking as he tried to keep it together.

This fear came from during that fight with that wolf-like creature when his horns had emerged for the first time. Along with that intense raw pain and hunger that still haunted him even right now. There was something else that he had been feeling since that very moment.

Something dark and evil.

He couldn’t explain it. It wasn’t physical like his injuries, but it was real. An unpleasant pressure was what Subaru could describe it as, like something had brushed up against the back of his mind and whispered something horrible he couldn’t remember or understand. And that made his skin crawl.

Subaru had tried to push this feeling away, thinking that with time it would end up disappearing just like how his injuries were healing quickly. 

Subaru: [W-why won't it j-just go away.] 

However, so far that wasn't the case. That feeling persisted and neither grew in strength nor weakened.

Desperate to make it go away, he brought his hand to his mouth and started chewing on his nails. His mind was spiraling, and this was the only thing that helped ground him.

But suddenly, he felt something loose inside his mouth.

Subaru jolted upright quickly.

He spit out whatever it was in his mouth into his hand quickly, confused and alarmed. As he looked down, his breath hitched.

Subaru: [W-what in the world...?]

Lying in his trembling palm, slightly stained with blood, were not one but two of his molars. These were his baby teeth, which were not loose in the slightest and should not have fallen at any time soon. 

So for them to fall both at the same time without any warning whatsoever, could only mean something very, very wrong was happening with Subaru.

Subaru: [W-What the hell is happening to m-me?]