Re:zero and the boy who commands

Part 6.5 Thank you

"Why..."

In the dimly lit trial room, Subaru stared at his hands in horror. He made sure everything was still there, every fiber of his being twitched in shock as what he expired.

"Why? Why? Why?" Each 'Why' he exclaimed he'd bash his head to the floor.

"Why? Why!?" Blood squirted out as each bash became harder.

Why would Roswaal do this?! Why did Garf let Y/N leave but not me?! Why are there carnivore bunny's?! WHY!?

'You have once again earned the qualification.' A feminine voice spoke to him. 'I invite you...' Subaru's consciousness faded. 'to a witch's tea party.'

The environment changed. Gone was the all stone room, replaced with a blue sky and grass hills as far as the eye could see.

"I don't often invite the same guest to my tea parties twice." Echidna spoke, sitting at her table with two cups of tea. "Feel free to be proud." Echidna had an uncanny smile to her.

"I feel so calm, it's kind of creepy." Subaru put a hand to his chest. "What's going on?"

"It's because of the tea you drank last time. It directly affected your Sloth Witch Factor, encouraging stability. If not for that, your soul itself would have crumbled to pieces." The Witch of Greed cupped a hand near her ear. "Now, I'm ready to accept your gratitude."

"Can I assume this will keep working even after I'm back outside?"

"Well, we are talking about your mental state. So long as you remember what happened here, you should be fine." Echidna closed her eyes with a satisfied look. "So... where's that gratitude?"

...

"Echidna... Is there a way to overwrite the vow?" Echidna hummed to Subaru's question. "You know, the one that makes me forget you once I stop outside. So long as it stands, my soul's still likely to fall apart."

"Well, that's true, but..." Subaru cut Echidna off, walking to the table.

"Besides, my soul isn't the only problem here. I want to be able to remember you regardless."

"Huh?" Subaru leaned closer to Echidna.

"If it comes at a price, I'll pay whatever you want." Echidna was taken aback by his assertiveness. "In return, don't hide yourself in my memories."

"A-All right..." Subaru paused for a moment.

"Huh?" He paused for a moment, not thinking it would be that easy. "Really?! Thanks a lot!" Subaru took both of Echidna's hands, raising them above her head. "And no changing your mind, all right?!"

"I wouldn't do something so shameless." Echidna scratchiest her cheek. "I wouldn't, but I think you're being a bit unfair." Without thinking, Subaru sat down and drank some of the tea. "And then you gulp down my bodily fluids like that..." Subaru immediately spat it out, making choking sounds and he fell to the ground.

"I forgot about that!"

"So? Where's that gratitude? I don't believe I've heard it yet." Subaru jumped back up once he heard her.

"Yeah, thanks for making me this nasty tea, you witch!"

"That kind of gratitude wounds my maidenly heart." Subaru knew from her tone it really didn't. She had been... Strangely relaxed given this was his second time... Within a few seconds...

Wait...

"What? You have something else to say?" Echidna could see it on Subaru's face.

"Quit playing around. Just how much do you know about me?" Subaru's mood was more serious.