Subaru lounges on the couch, a newspaper on his hands as he swings his legs back and forth.
Around him, there are people moving supplies in and out of the building.
Otto sits to the side in front of a table, hands busy writing something down with a quill.
This is a company which has close ties with the Hoshin company, and it is owned by Subaru and Otto.
Meeting with Anastasia Hoshin had been easy, all they had to do was hit one of her employees with a can of mayo right on the face. Otto had said they needed to make a strong first impression which is why they went with something ridiculous like that.
Anastasia had even complimented them for doing such a thing, seeing it as a display of their determination, Subaru now knows that is a lie though.
After meeting with her various times, Subaru has been made aware that the woman is definitely a sly snake, and if it wasn't for Otto, they would have definitely been duped.
But now that they are allies, he doesn't have a problem with her… he doesn't have much problems with her.
Looking at the newspaper he holds, a smile crosses his face, an article about Emilia rests on the front page about her defeating the White Whale.
'GREAT MABEAST, WHITE WHALE SLAIN. BIRTH OF A HERO?'
the headline reads.
Between Otto teaching him various things and Ezzo helping him to study, Subaru has learnt a lot about this world, so he had been made aware of the three great Mabeasts and the Witch, who supposedly looks like Emilia.
To Subaru though, Emilia is the furthest thing from a Witch.
Anastasia had asked him about her, having found out he worked for Ros-chi for a while, she had thought Emilia defeating the whale was fugazi but Subaru had convinced her that between Emilia, Puck and probably Fate, it was something they could have likely pulled off.
Of course Subaru said all that to make her realize that Emilia was better as an ally than an enemy.
Although Anastasia herself was aware that even though it had been bogus, it doesn't make the publicity any less real, so she had decided to take advantage of it, like the opportunist that she is.
Although talking about Fate had gotten her interested in him.
Subaru didn't tell her about how Fate might have come from the same place as he did.
He doesn't think that is something he should share casually.
Then, there is Julius, Subaru doesn't like him much even with his knightly demeanor. And although he likes Reinhard who is just as knightly if not more, he can't just like Julius as much.
For the past month, he has been busy with various things, like learning how to read and write, making recipes and other things he could from his previous world to learning magic and he had even formed contracts with spirits! Although he is not that great yet, his teacher had said he was still better than most.
But the most important thing he had been doing is trying to make peace with himself, he wants to change, to be a better person, if he fails then he can say he did but he wants to try at the very least.
It also helps that his friends do not let him wallow in self-pity, Subaru will admit that he appreciates the consideration, and the selfless kindness shown to him.
It also makes his heart ache.
There are two people who he feels like he has betrayed the most.
His parents.
He could have done better.
They had always been there, watching him, letting him sort out things at his own pace, they had given him time, they had been very understanding.
And yet he had betrayed their trust into a thousand pieces and yet, and yet, they still looked at him with gentle eyes.
Take care. Those were the last words he heard from his mother.
If only he could meet them again, he would apologize for being such a terrible son. He would promise to do better. And he would tell them thanks for being wonderful parents.
He sighs.
He tries not to think about that world too much. He hopes that they are doing well, after all that is the only thing he can do now. Hope.
"Natsuki-san, I can't do this on my own you know." Otto whines brings him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, man up Otto! You're almost done already aren't you?" He chastises him who sighs in response.
"Natsuki-san, how have you been living till now if you have not been able to read at all? Somehow I'm really worried about you."
"It's not my fault you know, going by the cliche, the normal template should be that the language spoken and written should be Japanese or maybe I'm just asking for too much. I mean, I can already speak and understand the language perfectly can't I? Anymore would seem like cheating, well, I guess I wouldn't mind a little cheat though."
"Earth to Natsuki-san! There you go again, saying things I don't understand." Otto puts a stop to his sermon. He has come to realize that Subaru is someone who talks to himself in order to catalog things and he says things that does not make sense sometimes.
"Subaru-bo!" A loud voice calls out. "Everything has been placed properly!"
Looking to the side he sees Ricardo, the leader of the Iron fang, a mercenary group under Anastasia.
"Oh, Ricardo, thank you as always. Anastasia is not here then?" He asks standing up from the couch.
"No, the boss lady is busy with some things… Anyways coopin' up inside every time, yer' a man aren'tcha?!" He says with a loud voice.
"Eh? What does that have to do with anything?" Subaru responds.
"Come on, let's go get some women and drink sake, you have to live life and not let life live you." He laughs out wrapping his arm around Subaru's necks even as he tries to protest, Otto suffers the same fate as well.
"W-wait Ricardo, I'm not interested in any of those! Should you even be drinking by this time?"
"Wait a minute, I'm not done with my notes."
Ricardo ignores their cries as he drags them out laughing all the way.
◇◇◇
Waking up the next day with a terrible headache, Subaru hauls himself up from bed.
He thinks about the previous day events which had escalated till the evening, as he walks out of his room heading to the sink to wash his face.
He spots Otto in the hallway who looks groggy as well.
"Ugh, Nastsuki-san, I'm never going to do that again." He says holding his head.
"You and I both Otto, you and I both… I have no idea how Ricardo managed to drink all that." Even after 5 bottles, Ricardo had still been drinking more without looking worse for wear.
This was the first time he has had alcohol and he can't see the appeal to it. It's understandable if it was a special occasion but daily intake just seems like a bad idea.
At least they were able to talk Ricardo out of taking them to a brothel. Subaru doesn't think his heart is ready for that yet.
He has not drank sake before but he noted that the tokkuri bottle bore a similar resemblance from the ones back from Earth. It seems like someone from Earth must have been in this world in the past.
So much for isekai not being common.
They both reach the sink, Subaru washing his face first and drying up, as Otto follows.
"By the way Natsuki-san, a letter arrived for you yesterday, I left it on the desk." He says to him having forgotten before.
"Hmm, I'll check it out. Thanks Otto."
"Don't mention it."
***
As he enters the room, he walks to the window and spreads the drape, the morning sun casting its glow inside.
He takes in a deep breath and releases it. Turning around, he spots the letter Otto had mentioned, on the table, picking it up along with a paper knife, he goes to sit on the couch.
He studies the letter a bit, there is an emblem on the front, he doesn't recognize it but he feels like he has seen it before.
Tearing it open and unfolding the letter, the name at the top surprises him.
"Felt…?"