Rezero:Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

part 15

Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

Part 15: Trial of the Heart

The tension in the cabin simmered as Pandora’s proposal hung in the air. Subaru looked around at the girls—Beatrice’s wary glare, Petra’s conflicted expression, Meili’s quiet determination, Ryuzu’s calm smile, and Pandora’s serene confidence.

His mind screamed at him to protest, to put an end to this madness, but the sheer exhaustion from the past few days dulled his resistance. Instead, he sighed heavily and muttered, “Fine. If this will stop the arguing, I’ll go along with it.”

The room erupted in a mix of reactions.

“Subaru, I suppose this is the only way,” Beatrice said, crossing her arms, though her voice betrayed a hint of concern.

Petra clenched her fists. “I’m not sure I like this, but if it helps you figure things out, I’ll do it.”

Meili gave a small nod, her eyes bright with hope.

Pandora beamed. “Wonderful. Then it’s settled.”

Ryuzu tilted her head, her expression serene. “We’ll each have our turn, I suppose. No interruptions, no pressure.”

Subaru rubbed his temples. “This feels like a disaster waiting to happen…”

The First Encounter: Beatrice

Later that evening, Beatrice pulled Subaru aside, leading him to the mansion’s library. The familiar scent of parchment and old books filled the air as she guided him to a cozy corner.

“I wanted to speak with you in private, I suppose,” Beatrice said, settling into a chair and gesturing for Subaru to sit across from her.

Subaru obliged, his nerves still frayed. “So… what’s on your mind?”

Beatrice hesitated, her hands clutching the edge of her dress. “You’re important to me, Subaru. More than anyone else, I suppose. You’ve always been there for me, even when I pushed you away.”

Subaru felt a lump form in his throat. “Beako, I…”

She held up a hand, cutting him off. “Let me finish, I suppose. I’ve never cared for anyone the way I care for you. But seeing you with the others… it’s hard, Subaru. I don’t want to lose you.”

Her voice wavered, and Subaru’s heart ached at the vulnerability in her tone. Without thinking, he reached across the table and took her hand.

“You won’t lose me, Beako,” he said softly. “I’ll always be here for you.”

A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she looked away. “Don’t say such embarrassing things, I suppose.”

Subaru chuckled, the tension between them easing slightly.

The Second Encounter: Petra

The next day, Petra approached Subaru while he was tending to the mansion’s garden. She watched him silently for a moment before speaking.

“Subaru, can we talk?”

He turned to face her, noting the determination in her eyes. “Of course. What’s up?”

Petra took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “I’ve always admired you, Subaru. You’re brave, kind, and you always put others first. But… I want to be someone you can rely on too.”

Subaru felt his heart tighten at her words. “Petra, you’ve already done so much for me. I don’t think I’d survive without your help.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “I want to be more than just your helper, Subaru. I want to be someone special to you.”

Subaru stared at her, his mind racing. He wanted to reassure her, to ease her worries, but the weight of her confession left him speechless.

Petra stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove myself to you, Subaru.”

The Third Encounter: Meili

That evening, Subaru found himself sitting by the fireplace with Meili. The young assassin had been unusually quiet all day, and now she seemed lost in thought as she stared into the flames.

“Something on your mind, Meili?” Subaru asked gently.

She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “I’ve done a lot of bad things, big brother. Things I’m not proud of. But you… you make me feel like I can be better.”

Subaru frowned, his heart aching at the pain in her voice. “Meili, you’ve come so far. You’re not the same person you were before.”

She smiled faintly. “That’s because of you. You gave me a chance when no one else would. And now… I want to give something back.”

Before Subaru could respond, she leaned her head against his shoulder, her small hand gripping his sleeve.

“Just… stay with me for a little while, big brother,” she murmured.

Subaru nodded, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions.

The Final Encounter: Pandora and Ryuzu

The following day, Pandora and Ryuzu called Subaru to the garden, where a blanket had been spread out beneath a large tree. The two sat side by side, their expressions calm and inviting.

“Join us, Subaru,” Pandora said, patting the space between them.

Subaru hesitated but eventually sat down, his nerves on edge.

“We’ve been thinking about what you said,” Ryuzu began, her tone gentle. “About how this situation is overwhelming for you, I suppose.”

Pandora nodded. “We want to make things easier for you, Subaru. No pressure, no expectations.”

Subaru looked at them, his eyes searching for any hidden motives. “Why are you being so understanding?”

Ryuzu smiled softly. “Because we care about you, Subaru. And we want you to be happy, I suppose.”

Pandora leaned closer, her gaze warm and sincere. “Whatever you decide, we’ll support you. But for now, let’s enjoy this moment together.”

Subaru sighed, allowing himself to relax for the first time in days. The weight of their words and actions lingered in his mind as he struggled to make sense of his own feelings.

To be continued…

In Part 16, Subaru’s internal conflict reaches a boiling point as he begins to unravel the depths of his feelings for each girl. But as new challenges arise, will he find the clarity he needs to make a choice? Or will the bonds between them be tested further? Stay tuned!