ReZero: The Mastermind and the Simp

Chapter 9: Gambling One's Life

This seems to start to feel like a routine now. I woke up as I looked at my surroundings. I was in my room once again. It was the beginning of the loop again. I heard Subaru screaming yet again, however, this was much more traumatic then merely dieing in one's sleep. He was killed this time by a killer only I know the identity of right now. However, there's no rush to eliminate her now. What I am more interested in are the motives. It also looked like she was targeting me as well. Although I was protecting Subaru, those eyes weren't normal.

They were eyes of pure anger towards something. However, I don't believe it was towards Subaru himself. If that was the case, he would have died on their very first interaction.

No, rather than hating and trying to kill Subaru, she rather wanted to eliminate something she saw as a threat to the people around her.

Whatever Subaru has, it's something that warrants his immediate end in her eyes. Interesting. I must find out the extent of such a quality. My only guess, at the moment, would be its correlation to Subaru's return by death. Aside from it's usual qualities, maybe it leaves something each time it's used?

Hearing Subaru's constant screams shook me out of my thinking bubble. It seems I'll have to calm down my tool and sharpen it for the obstacles ahead of us.

I changed clothes and opened the door, revealing Emilia.

Emilia: Oh, Ayanokouji. Good morning. How are you feeling?

Me: I'm fine, but as you may have heard, Subaru is currently not doing well. I'll need to have a talk with him regarding this behavior.

Emilia: Don't worry about it. He must be frazzled from the endeavor he recently underwent.

Me: I guess you're half right.

Emilia: So I'll leave him to you. After you calm him down, Breakfast is ready.

Me: Thank you, Emilia.

Emilia: It's my pleasure.

I turned around and walked towards Subaru's room and entered, once again seeing the two sisters hugging each other and standing in the corner of the room, not being able to understand exactly what Subaru was going through.

Me: My deepest apologies for my friend's behavior. He tends to ponder too much on the past. I hope you can forgive him.

Ram: It's alright. He did give me and my sister a fright, right sis?

Rem: Yes, yes. Let's go sis.

Ram: Ok.

Both of them left the room as I close and locked it.

Subaru: Why is this happening?! Why can't I just die! I don't want to keep reliving my death!

Me: But you must.

Subaru got up and grabbed my shirt.

Subaru: Why should I?! Why can't it be you?! I'VE NEVER EVEN SEE YOU CRY OR SCREAM SINCE I'VE MET YOU! YOU TREAT OUR SITUATION LIKE IF IT WAS A SIMILATION OR IF IT WASN'T EVEN REAL! CUT THE CRA-

I punched Subaru in the face, sending him into the coffee table, shattering it on the ground. Blood from Subaru mouth was oozing off my hand. I believe I even knocked out a tooth.

I sighed, wiping the blood from my hand using a napkin and putting it to the side.

Subaru looked at me, somewhat terrified.

Me: Subaru. I told you. We are partners, and partners look after one another. Although you might be older than me, I seem to be the one with the more level head. I didn't mean to hit you, but if that's what it takes for you to calm down and better yourself, then I'm all for it.