Distorting And Restarting Life From Zero In Another World.

13 - The Weight Of Secrets, The Strength Of Trust.

Any art that appears in this story isn't and will never be mine!

Writing style:

Y/N = {Your name}

L/N = {Surname or middle name}

E/C = {Eye color}

H/C = {Hair color}

Format:

"[Y/N]: No way!" For dialogues.

"As the gently breeze of the wind pass..." For general occurrences.

"Even after that..." For inner thoughts.

"Al SHAMAK!" For special moments.

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As the days slipped by at the Karsten mansion, the peaceful routines and interactions masked the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface. Despite the serene landscape and the camaraderie he had found here, Y/N couldn't shake an uneasiness that gnawed at him more with each passing day. He knew the feeling too well; it was a silent alarm, reminding him that his and Subaru's lives hung on the fragile, invisible thread of Return by Death. But without knowing when or where it had activated, Y/N could only wait in quiet dread, observing Subaru's subtle shifts in behavior for any sign.

Subaru himself seemed distracted, distant, as though a dark cloud shadowed his every thought. He'd gone out of his way to avoid Y/N's company, even in shared spaces like the dining hall or training grounds. Y/N couldn't miss the way Subaru would tense or look away whenever he approached. The once-vibrant boy's gaze now seemed perpetually downcast, and the warmth that had lingered in his eyes after surviving their last ordeal was replaced with something colder, almost haunted. Subaru's unspoken retreat hurt Y/N more deeply than he would have liked to admit, stirring guilt and concern he couldn't ignore.

One evening, as the sunset cast warm tones across the mansion's sprawling gardens, Y/N leaned on the stone railing, lost in thought. His mind turned over the memories of recent days-of his growing bond with Rem, of his newfound friendship with Felix and Crusch, of sparring sessions with Wilhelm. He'd learned so much from the old man, whose respect and encouragement had kindled a fire within him to keep honing his skills. But beneath the satisfaction of these moments lingered a deep unease that he couldn't ignore, an instinct whispering to him that something was amiss.

In those sparring sessions with Wilhelm, Y/N felt himself pushed to his limits, facing off against a man who moved with elegance and deadly precision. Each parry and lunge was like a conversation without words, one where Wilhelm's respect for him grew as he noted Y/N's adaptability, his strength, his unwavering resolve. The praise from Wilhelm was as steady as it was honest, a respect that needed no embellishment. Yet, even in those intense moments, Y/N found his thoughts drifting back to Subaru's strange behavior and the questions that lingered like shadows at the back of his mind.

Later, in the quiet of the kitchen, he felt at ease preparing meals with the mansion's staff. Cooking had always been a calming ritual for Y/N, and here, among the familiar sounds of chopping vegetables and simmering broth, he felt some semblance of peace. The other servants welcomed his help, praising his skill, and Felix's teasing laughter as he tried his food brought a lightness to the room that Y/N welcomed. Crusch, too, had taken a liking to him, often lingering to share a meal or a quiet conversation. Her insight and sharp mind reminded him that beneath her stoic exterior lay a powerful and thoughtful leader. She was someone he could call a friend.

But even these moments, as warm and fulfilling as they were, couldn't fully ease the tension he felt whenever he thought of Subaru. More than once, Y/N caught himself glancing around, as though he might find some sign of what Subaru had experienced. The boy's erratic behavior seemed more than just a shift in mood; it was as if Subaru bore the weight of a secret so dark he feared sharing it even with Y/N.