ALL NOVEL Chapter 9: Saying goodbyes.
Weeks after medical treatment, investigations and such stuff, Claire was now ready to go to the capital.
Their whole family was outside gathered in front of the grand manor. Subaru stood alongside Cid. Their expressions were a mixture of relief and anxiety, only relief for the latter.
The carriage was waiting for her outside the manor.
"Cid! Make sure to train hard without me!" Claire hugged Cid tightly, before letting him go.
"And Subaru." She turned her attention to Subaru. "Make sure that Cid doesn't slack off, I trust you."
"Yes sis." Both of them answered in unison.
As she walked towards the waiting carriage, Claire cast one last look over her shoulder. Looking once more at her family.
"Just don't forget to send us a message once you settle in! We'll miss you so much!" Their mother chimed in.
She gave one last glance to her brothers, Cid and Subaru, before climbing into the carriage and after a few moments, they were off.
Subaru and Cid watched as the carriage went down the dusty road, before disappearing from their view.
Both of them walked off simultaneously, hands stuffed in their pockets as they made their way back into the manor.
"Cid, I need to talk with you, it's something serious…" Subaru broke the silence, anxiety and concern landed in his tone.
Cid visibly tensed, his eyes slightly widening. 'Shit, he knows…' Cid mind raced, as he contemplated what to say.
"What's up, Subaru?" he asked, forcing a casualness into his voice that didn't quite match the tightening in his chest.
Subaru hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if ensuring they were alone. "You know Cid, I recently discovered something terrible…"
Cid was now sweating bullets, his hand slightly shaking, as he struggled to maintain eye contact. "What kind of terrible thing?" Cid asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He knew exactly where this conversation was headed.
"It's all about our missions, Shadow Garden and the Cult—"
"I am sorry for lying to you." Cid interrupted. Subaru blinked, the sudden confession taking him off guard. Cid's expression was one of guilt.
"I didn't want you to find out this way." Cid continued, his voice low and strained. "I thought… I thought I could keep this from you for a little longer."
"Huh? But why? Why did you lie to me?" Subaru asked, confusion written on his face.
"I had a good reason, It was for greater good." Cid replied. "It's complicated…"
'Greater good? Complicated? What does he mean?' Subaru's mind raced as he struggled to process Cid's words. The air around them felt heavy with the tension of the moment.
But in that moment, something clicked in his mind. 'Wait, was he doing that to strengthen my resolve? So I would get used to the harsh realities of our missions? So I wouldn't abandon the responsibility and run away in fear? Had he been… protecting me the whole time?'
A small smile formed on Subaru's lips. "I see how it is… You thought if I believed it was simpler, I could handle it better." His voice, once shaky with uncertainty, now held a touch of understanding.
Cid exhaled slowly, relief washing over him at Subaru's unexpected reaction. "Yeah, exactly. I didn't want you to get overwhelmed. You're still learning the ropes in this world of shadows and stuff. It's not as black and white as it seems."
Subaru nodded. "But you should've told me, Cid. We are in this together in this."
"And about the Cult—" Subaru said, his brow slightly furrowed as he tilted his head in confusion.
"Cult?" Cid interrupted, misunderstanding Subaru's direction entirely. "What does that have to do with anything? Look, Subaru, I know I was greedy with the loot from our missions. I thought sharing a bit more with you would motivate you. I know how to handle the funds and you don't, so you wouldn't get overwhelmed by keeping such big numbers in your head. After all, I need the funds for my Eminence in Shadow operations as well."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Eh?/What?" Both of them said in unison.
"..."
"No, no, no! I meant the Cult! The Cult of Diablos is real, Cid!" Subaru exclaimed, his voice rising in both urgency and confusion.
Cid was in deep thoughts processing his words. "So, you are saying that the Cult of Diablos is real?"
"Exactly! I interrogated one of its agents, and they told me everything about it. The seats, hierarchy and their deep connections to the kingdom!"
Cid's eyes widened in horror and realization. His very form started shaking. "You are not j-joking, right?"
Cid's face turned pale, his voice barely above a whisper. "T-the Cult of Diablos... It can't be. They're just a myth, a legend."
"I-i was so ignorant all this time… What do I do now.."
Cid fell on his knees, his hands clutching his head as he was in a deep state of shock and horror. It could be seen that he was hyperventilating, after learning the truth. His short breaths were breaking the silence among them.
But as quickly he fell on his knees, he suddenly stood up with his casual smile. "Honestly, you almost got me there, Subaru. I didn't take you for someone who would roleplay willingly. I had to use my true acting skill to match yours."
"R-roleplay?" Subaru murmured in disbelief in his voice. "You think this is a joke?! All of this is real, Cid!"
"Yeah, yeah. I don't blame you if you want to play along with the girls and all of that cult stuff. Just don't get too invested into it." Cid said with a wave of his hand, a nonchalant grin plastered on his face as he walked away, leaving Subaru stunned, standing alone in the hall.
Subaru remained frozen in place, his mind racing to make sense of Cid's nonchalant demeanor. He rubbed his forehead in frustration, his thoughts a mix of confusion and disbelief. "He can't be serious…" he murmured to himself.
"What a guy…"
It seems your brother is giving in to his delusions, what an interesting outcome.' Rigel's voice echoed in Subaru's head.
Subaru shook his head, his frustration mounting as he attempted to process Cid's reaction. 'Did he really think this was some sort of game?'
He recalled the details of the interrogation, the chilling revelations about the Cult of Diablos—their power, their influence within the kingdom, their ambitions. This was not a simple RPG adventure; lives could hang in the balance.
'Should you really convince him that the Cult is real?' Rigel spoke again, a hint of curiosity dripping from his words. 'After all, Cid seems rather set in his ways.'
Subaru heavily sighed. "Of course I do. I need to let him know that it's not his fantasy anymore, it's all real.'
'I believe your brother is better this way, there may be wisdom in allowing him his delusions, Subaru," Rigel insisted. "Your brother is driven by his ambitions, has he ever failed to achieve your and Shadow Garden's goals simply because he was too deep in his fantasies?'
Subaru's brow furrowed as he considered Rigel's words. 'But what if he doesn't take this seriously? What if he dismisses a real threat?'
Rigel remained silent for a moment, giving Subaru time to ponder the implications. Finally, he responded, 'Perhaps Cid needs to remain in his delusions for his own sake, to keep the fire of ambition burning inside him. But remember, if you suspect a real threat, it's your duty to protect those you care for.'
'I… I see… I think maybe you are right…' Subaru took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the burden resting heavily on his shoulders.
"Maybe I should let this go for now." he murmured, still caught up in his thoughts.
'For a fact, I knew the existence of the Cult since it was created.'
'Wait, what? Why didn't you tell me about it?'
'You never asked'
Subaru shook his head. 'That doesn't make it okay! Whatever. That's actually fair…'
"Subaru-kun! Welcome back!" a white-haired fox greeted Subaru with a bright smile as he stepped through the front door of the Japanese decorated house, where they had spent countless evenings together
"Hey, Yukime!" Subaru replied, a grin spreading across his face.
"I made tea for us!" she exclaimed excitedly. "And I've been working on some delicious snacks!"
Subaru's stomach growled at the mention of snacks, and he quickly stepped inside, his heart warming at the sight of Yukime bustling around the small kitchen area. The scent of freshly made tea mixed with the sweet scent of something baking.
"What did you cook up this time? It smells amazing!" he said, moving closer to the kitchen, where a hint of steam flew in the air.
Yukime turned, her eyes sparkling. "I tried making dorayaki! The one you've been telling me about!"
As Subaru sat down, Yukime placed a steaming cup of tea in front of him and then a plate of dorayaki, each pancake perfectly golden and filled with sweet red paste. Subaru's eyes sparkled as he picked one up.
"This looks amazing!" he said, taking a big bite.
Yukime was nervously fidgeting her fingers, watching him trying out her dorayaki.
The mixture of flavors was delightful—sweet and soft. "Wow, you hit it out of the park!"
Yukime clapped her hands together gleefully, the sight of him enjoying her creation making her tails flick with excitement. "Really?"
"Absolutely! This is definitely going into my top five favorite foods" Subaru said after swallowing the rest of the dorayaki. "Not really close to mayonnaise, but close enough!"
Her cheeks flushed, and she giggled playfully. "Then I have to keep practicing! And maybe I can cook for you more often."
However, in the next moment her demeanor suddenly changed. Once playful expression turned into concern and worry.
"Hey, is everything alright?" Subaru asked, noticing the shift in Yukime's energy
Yukime looked at him nervously, trying to pick up the right words. "Subaru-kun… I've been thinking about moving on from here for a while, and I planned it to be today…"
Subaru's heart sank, and he felt a knot form in his stomach. "Moving on? You mean… leaving?"
Yukime's ears drooped slightly, and she hesitated, her gaze dropping to the table. "I mean… I've been feeling like I need to find my own path, to create something with my own hands and become independent. And I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me. You've been my rock, Subaru-kun. I can't express how much I appreciate you."
"I see…" Subaru said with a hint of understanding in his tone. "Wait here for a moment." He said, as he got off the table and went to the other room.
Yukime watched him in curiosity and waited until he came back with a bag, which seemed to be filled with coins.
"I saved those zenis from my parents allowance. They should be enough for you to rent a house and keep you warm and fed for 1-3 months. Don't question why I kept them here, my brother is really greedy when it comes to money."
Yukime's eyes widened as she stared at the bag in Subaru's hands, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. "Subaru-kun, you didn't have to do this!" she exclaimed, her voice slightly shaky. "I can't accept this…"
"Pfft! Look, this is a totally normal thing to do!" Subaru leaned in, putting his arms on the table. "If we were in a blockbuster anime—this would be the part where I dramatically tell you that someone who's important to me should never be in need. It's like my personal duty!"
"Sometimes I don't even understand what you are talking about…" Yukime laughed softly, wiping her eyes.
"Well, that makes two of us! I often don't understand myself either." Subaru replied with a grin, scratching the back of his head. "But what I'm saying is simple: you deserve to kick butt on your own, and I want to make sure you can kick all the butts you want! That's a friend's job, right?"
"But what about you?" Yukime's voice trembled slightly, a mixture of gratitude and concern clouding her sapphire blue eyes. "You've saved so much. Isn't this… too much for you?"
"Hey, it's not a sacrifice if it's for someone important, right?" he said, crossing his arms and leaning back as if trying to appear more confident than he felt. "I mean, you're like… family to me, Yukime! And I'm not going to just sit back and watch you go without helping out. That's just not my style."
"You're Yukime, the white-haired fox with the potential to revolutionize the world! I mean, you practically have the makings of a genius! And, uh, also adorable." He quickly added under his breath, feeling his cheeks heat up.
A soft blush crept onto Yukime's cheeks, her ears perked up with surprise and delight at his words. "I…"
Subaru leaned forward, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Say you'll take it! Or I'll have to sulk like a kicked puppy. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
She couldn't help but laugh at his antics, a warm smile forming on her face. "Fine, but promise that we will meet again?"
"Absolutely! I'll come barging into your life until you have no choice but to keep me around!" Subaru declared with exaggerated seriousness, leaning back in his chair dramatically. "I'll even travel to the ends of the kingdom if I have to!"
Yukime giggled, the heaviness in her heart lightning a little. "You better! I'll hold you to that promise, Subaru-kun."
"Now let's get back to dorayakis, before they get cold."
Both of them were standing outside the house, Subaru stood with Yukime, who finally packed her things and was ready to go. Subaru glanced at Yukime. "You know, it feels like just yesterday when we first met. You were so shy back then, running off every time I tried to talk to you."
Yukime softly laughed, remembering such times. "And you wouldn't stop pestering me! But I'm glad you did. I've learned so much because of you."
"Right? I mean, who knew all I had to do to get you to warm up was a little bit of persistence, right?" Subaru grinned, nudging her playfully.
Yukime smiled warmly, her tails swishing behind her in a playful manner. "And a lot of weirdness. But that's what makes you… you."
"Hey! My weirdness is an art form!" Subaru defended with mock indignation, although he couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
Yukime's expression softened for a moment, her eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and hope. "You've been such an important part of my life, Subaru-kun. I won't ever forget our time together… And I'll always cherish the memories we made."
Subaru nodded, his heart warming at her words, though a slight sadness began to creep in. "I'll miss you, you know. It won't be the same around here without you."
"I'll miss you too." Yukime said, her voice a little shaky. "But this isn't goodbye forever, right?"
He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I guess It isn't. But you better not get too famous without me, or I'll come knocking at your door, demanding compensation!"
Yukime giggled. "I promise I'll leave space on my wall for your fan sign!"
With one last giggle, she stepped closer and gave him a tight hug, her fluffy tails enveloping him in warmth. Subaru returned the hug, embracing her.
"Take care of yourself out there, Yukime. You're going to do amazing things," he whispered, pulling back to meet her gaze, his expression earnest.
"I will. And you take care too, Subaru-kun. Don't forget to eat proper meals and—"
"Yada yada, I know! I'll make a habit of it, I promise!" he interrupted, crossing his arms with a mock serious expression. "Now stop being motherly and just go conquer the world, will ya?"
She laughed again, a musical sound that made his heart swell. "Alright, I guess I should get going then."
"Yea, get going before I get too emotional, you don't want to see that, right?"
Yukime giggled and set off, not before waving her doll, which Subaru made, at him for the last time. As she walked away, Subaru watched her retreating figure with mixed feelings.
'Yukime is a nine-tailed fox, you know that, right?' Rigel asked Subaru in his head.
'Well, yeah. I noticed that, what's up with it?'
'She belongs to a unique tribute. Their numbers of tails represent the power they harbor.'
Subaru furrowed his brow, absorbing Rigel's words as he continued to watch Yukime fade into the distance. 'So, what? She's more powerful than I thought?'
'Much more. A nine-tailed fox like her possesses immense power and potential. She may have only begun to scratch the surface while still living here,' Rigel replied.
'Wow…'
'So, you rescued her and didn't know about her potential and power?'
'Of course I didn't! She was hurt and in danger, how could I leave her be?'
'I should have expected such an answer from you.'
" 'Okay' is one of the Subarism, Lord Pleiades actively uses in everyday conversations. This Subarism signifies a state of acceptance and affirmation, it also can signal a readiness to engage, a willingness to cooperate, or even a form of encouragement."
"O-okay…"
"Now, let's practice—"
"Beta! Epsilon! What are you up to?" Subaru's voice interrupted their discussion and both of them jolted up in shock and surprise.
"M-My Lord Pleiades!" Beta exclaimed, her eyes wide with a mix of admiration and uncertainty. "We were just… um, expanding our knowledge of Subarisms!"
Epsilon cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "W-We've been discussing the various expressions of Subarisms and how they can adapt to different contexts, my Lord!"
"Subarisms? Is that… the terms I use?" Subaru puzzingly asked.
Beta blinked, fidgeting nervously. "Y-Yes, My Lord. But, um... could you clarify how 'okay' can be applied in different scenarios?"
Epsilon nodded fervently, her curiosity piqued. "Yes! We want to ensure we capture the essence of this Subarism correctly! How do you, Lord Pleiades, embody it in your day-to-day interactions?"
Subaru raised a finger, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Ah, good question! Let's see… 'Okay' is versatile! For instance, when someone asks if I'm ready for an adventure, I might say 'Okay' to show I'm all in! It's a simple word, but it carries a weight—like saying, 'Let's do this together!'"
Beta's eyes brightened, as if the pieces were starting to fall into place. "So, it's more than just agreement! It's about shared intent and enthusiasm!"
"Exactly!" Subaru grinned. "But it can also be used in more relaxed contexts. Like, if someone asks if I want pizza for dinner, I might just say 'Okay' in a laid-back way. It lets them know I'm on board, but there isn't any pressure."
Epsilon looked excited, her hands clasped together. "So, it can be casual or serious! I understand! 'Okay' is adaptable!"
"Right! And let's not forget, it can also be used when you want to encourage someone. Like if I see you struggling with something, I could say, 'Don't worry, it's going to be okay,'" Subaru added, his expression now sincere. "It's a way to reassure others."
Epsilon nodded as Beta was now furiously scratching in her notes.
"Beta, can I see your notes?" Subaru asked with his curiosity piqued.
Beta's face flushed a hint of crimson as she hesitated, the notes almost slipping from her grasp as she held them close to her chest. "W-Well, my Lord, it's still a work in progress! I... I just want to make sure I'm capturing your brilliance accurately!"
Subaru chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "You can't learn if you're too afraid to share! I won't bite, I promise."
"Uh… 'O-okay'..." Beta nervously handed the notes to Subaru.
"Let's see… List of Subarisms? Okay, anime, manga, OP, characters, thunder, waifus…" Subaru furrowed his brow as he scanned through Beta's notes. "And what is this? 'Subarism Educational Practices'? I'm intrigued!" Subaru remarked, his eyes scanning the page with a playful grin.
"Y-Yes! I've been trying to compile how each Subarism can be taught or practiced," Beta explained, her voice gaining a bit of confidence seeing Subaru's interest. "Like, with 'okay', I noted different contexts and examples, just like we discussed!"
Subaru headpatted her. "That's cool and sweet!"
Little did Subaru know, but he just unlocked the ancient form of magic—art, which many considered as forbidden and many sought to try to obtain such arts. However, only a few were considered worthy. With such arts, you could conquer the hearts of many and forge bonds that transcended mere words and bridge the unbridgeable. The arts were so feared amongst people, that ancient beings had forbidden the use of it, fearing it might cause the disbalance of the whole universe.
The master arts of headpats.
Beta melted under his touch as she felt his fingers brushing her hair affectionately, she instinctively leaned into his touch. "Mmm…"
Meanwhile Epsilon was staring at such a display with her jaw hanging. She could feel her jealousy building up as she was eying beta with piercing eyes. "Uhm… My Lord…"
Subaru blinked, looking at her with a hint of confusion. "What is it, Epsilon?"
Epsilon cleared her throat again, her cheeks tinting slightly as she mustered the courage to speak. "It's just… I was kind of thinking… um, if you could maybe… do that for me too?"
Subaru raised an eyebrow, a flicker of mirth crossing his face. "You want a headpat as well?"
Epsilon nodded, her confidence wavering as she bit her lip. "Y-Yeah! I've been trying really hard to learn all of this, and it would mean a lot... if you could..."
Subaru chuckled, seeing the earnest look in her eyes. "Alright, alright. Come here." He motioned for Epsilon to move closer.
As Epsilon leaned in, the warmth of Subaru's hand met her hair, and she felt a wave of comfort wash over her. She closed her eyes momentarily, savoring the simple gesture. "Th-Thank you, my Lord," she murmured, a smile creeping onto her face.
"Beta, Epsilon. Everything is prepared, we are ready to set off—" Alpha stepped through the front door and saw something that would engrave in her mind for a long time.
Beta and Epsilon were resting on each of Subaru's lap with smiles lighting up their faces, basking in his attention with affection as Subaru kept headpatting them.
"Uh… my Lord?" Alpha's voice came out in a half-stutter, barely masking her bewilderment. "What is happening here?"
Subaru looked up, the corners of his mouth lifting in a welcoming grin. "Oh, hey, Alpha! We were just having a little pause while discussing Subarisms and their uses. I think I might have even unlocked a new arts—headpats!"
Alpha's cheeks flushed an unexpected shade of crimson, glancing between Beta and Epsilon, both of whom seemed blissfully caught up in the cozy moment. "A-Ah. I see."
Alpha regained her composure. "Beta! Epsilon!" A stern voice boomed in the room, as both of them jolted awake.
"Ah! Alpha-sama! We are sorry!" Both of them with flushed cheeks exclaimed. "We'll better go!" They spirited away through the front door, as Subaru watched them leave in confusion.
Alpha approached Subaru with an unreadable expression, her eyes piercing his as she remained silent.
"Uh, Alpha? What's up?" Subaru asked nervously under the intensity of her gaze.
She remained silent.
'Huh? Is she pouting?' Substi thought to himself as he noticed her expression.
Subaru scratched the back of his head, uncertainty creeping in as he felt the weight of Alpha's gaze. "Did I... do something wrong?"
Alpha finally broke her silence, crossing her arms and shifting her weight to one side. "I didn't know I would come in and find my Lord being so… cozy with Beta and Epsilon." she remarked, a hint of jealousy lacing her tone.
Subaru blinked in surprise, realization dawning upon him. "Oh! You wanted one too?"
Alpha's cheeks turned bright pink. "I- I just think it would be nice! Sometimes I feel a bit… unseen."
Subaru's expression softened, and he chuckled. "I'm really bad at noticing these things sometimes, huh? Come here, Alpha."
He gently placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair affectionately. For a brief moment, the world around them faded away, and all she felt was the simple joy of the gesture.
Slowly, he retracted his arm from her head. "So, how was it—"
"Keep going." Alpha interrupted, a resolute determination evident in her voice. "I mean, if it's not too much trouble, my Lord."
Subaru blinked, surprised by her assertiveness. "Uh, okay then!" He chuckled softly, returning his hand to her head, resuming the comforting gesture.
"Lord Pleiades… Lord Shadow… It's time for us to leave you."
Seven Shades requested an emergency meeting. Cid, Subaru and Seven Shades gathered on a late evening. The words spoken shocked Subaru.
"Leave us? What do you mean, Alpha?" Subaru asked anxiously.
"There are many people who suffer from the possession, we need to split up to effectively cure them and recruit them. The cult is a massive organization, it is rooted deep into the kingdom. We need to expand our organization in order to fight against it." Alpha explained, a note of sadness laced In her tone.
Subaru was about to protest, but processed her implications. "So I guess this is it… Huh…"
"Lord Pleiades… This is not a goodbye, by the time we gather enough recruitments we will contact you… I will regularly send reports to you."
A part of him wanted to resist—he didn't want to part ways with his friends But the gravity of Alpha's words sank in. "I understand. You all have to do what's necessary."
Alpha's expression softened at his acknowledgment. "Thank you, Lord Pleiades. I know this isn't easy for any of us."
"I believe in all of you. You're more than capable of handling this mission. Just remember, don't hesitate to rely on each other—and on me too!" He smiled, trying to bolster their spirits.
"Thank you, Lord Pleiades!"
As Seven Shades, Cid and Subaru shared their last hugs and goodbyes, shades set off the way, their figures slowly disappearing from the view.
"So I guess the girls grew up and for bored playing along." Cid replied as he watched them go.
Subaru remained silent with a heavy heart and mixed thoughts in his head.
'Fear not, Subaru! You still have your awesome Rigel, who is always happy to talk with you!'
'Hell no! You just ruined the mood!'