Wandering unsteadily through the corridor just outside the grand hall, Tanaka moved like a man half-awake. His steps echoed against the cold stone floor, uneven and aimless. The high ceiling above felt suffocating, the air heavy, pressing down like invisible chains.
His mind was a blur. He couldn't remember exactly how he had looked back there—what expressions he had worn, or what kind of presence he gave off. But he remembered Emilia's face. The pain in her eyes. The way her usual smile had faltered.
He had known this would happen.
And still… he did it anyway.
Because it was time.
All he had done since arriving in this world was burden others. Constantly leaning on them, dragging them into messes he couldn't handle alone.
At first, he justified it: "It can't be helped. If I want to survive, I have to rely on others."
It grated at him. Tanaka was prideful by nature—always had been. But survival took precedence. Going home had always been the goal. And if that meant swallowing his pride, so be it.
But now?
Now… none of it seemed to matter.
He felt hollow. Like a shell still going through the motions.
As he stepped out of the castle gates, the cool breeze brushed against his face. And standing there waiting for him—was Rem.
Her expression was filled with concern the moment she saw him.
"Tanaka-Kun, are you okay? What happened in there?"
Tanaka lifted his head, eyes meeting hers. For a moment, there was silence between them—just the wind rustling through the trees and the fading murmurs from inside the castle.
"I'm okay, Rem," he said quietly. "You don't have to worry."
Rem's frown deepened. "Like I'd believe that..."
"Rem, listen to me," he interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind.
She hesitated, then gave a small nod. "..."
"As you can imagine, Emilia and Roswaal weren't happy about us being there. Subaru's still inside—could you wait for him to come out?"
She nodded again, slower this time. "What are you going to do now?"
"I'm going back to the mansion," he said, glancing out toward the long, winding path that would take him home. "I need some time alone... to sort out my thoughts. My feelings."
Rem opened her mouth as if to protest, but then… closed it. She understood. Maybe not everything, but enough.
"One more thing, Rem," Tanaka added, his tone shifting slightly.
"Yes?"
"I need you to promise me something. About earlier... what I said about my home. Don't tell anyone."
Her eyes widened a little. "But Tanaka-Kun, if Emilia-Sama and Roswaal-Sama knew... they'd understand you more. Maybe they wouldn't—"
"Rem, please."
"But..."
"I don't want their pity. I don't want them to feel sorry for me. Please, Rem…"
His voice cracked at the end—just slightly—but it was enough.
Rem looked at him, saw the weight behind his request, and slowly nodded. "...Alright. I promise."
Tanaka exhaled in relief, a hint of gratitude softening his otherwise stern features.
"Thank you," he said, taking a step back. "Okay… see you later."
He offered Rem one last glance—a faint smile, almost convincing—before turning on his heel.
The moment he was out of her line of sight, his composure cracked. His walk turned brisk. His shoulders tensed.
Then—he ran.
Down the wide stone steps. Past the royal guards. Through the gate. The capital's streets opened before him like a maze, but he wasn't thinking. He just needed to move. To get away.
Murmurs followed him—curious glances, whispers from bystanders who caught a glimpse of the disheveled young man darting past. But Tanaka didn't hear the words. Only the sounds: faint, distorted, like water flooding his ears.
His breathing became erratic. Ragged. Sharp.Hah... hah... hah...
Every inhalation felt like fire clawing its way through his lungs.
He ran and ran, weaving through alleyways and stone-paved streets. The world around him blurred, and only one thought pulsed through his head—
Get away. Just get away.
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By the time he reached the mansion, his legs were screaming in protest, but he didn't stop.
He bolted up the steps, skipping two at a time, nearly slipping on the last. He reached his room, flung the door open, and slammed it shut behind him with a loud, echoing thud.
Then—he dropped.
Knees hitting the floor, he leaned back against the door, heart pounding against his ribcage like it was trying to escape.
Hah… hah… hah…
His breaths came out in desperate gasps, throat dry, chest tight. His hands hovered in front of him, trembling violently. He stared at them, almost detached, as if they didn't belong to him.
He couldn't stop them from shaking.
He didn't even try.
It went on like that for a while—just him and the silence. Until, slowly… the tremors began to fade. His breathing, while still unsteady, began to calm.
Hah…
One final exhale escaped his lips.
And then, as if the weight of it all finally caught up to him, his back slid down the door. The wood was cool against him, grounding. He sank to the floor, motionless, staring blankly ahead.
He stared forward, unmoving. But inside, it hurt.
Not a sharp pain. Not something he could name. It was the ache of hollowness—of being so empty that it became its own kind of torment. A gnawing void at the center of his chest.
His mind was blank.
Then—buzz.
He flinched. A vibration against his leg broke the silence. His phone.
Slowly, as if underwater, he reached for it and turned the screen over. A soft blue glow lit up his face.
Today is your birthday. Happy 20th, Tanaka!
"…Ah."
The sound escaped him barely above a whisper. His eyes didn't move at first. He just stared at the screen, letting the words sink in.
Today… is my birthday.
He had forgotten.
Of course he had. It had been four years since he last celebrated it. Four years since he heard someone say it to his face.
Swiping the screen, his phone unlocked, and there it was—his wallpaper.
A photo.
A younger version of him, grinning awkwardly. His mother beside him, her smile radiant. His father's hand on his shoulder, proud. And his little sister in front, bundled in layers, beaming. The four of them posed in front of a snow-covered slope, ski poles raised, frozen in a moment of joy from a winter holiday long past.
Tanaka felt his throat tighten.
"…Hah…"
A heavy sigh escaped, but it wasn't enough to carry the weight behind it.
It was over.
That moment, that life—was gone.
Irretrievable.
He would never see them again.
A fragile sound broke from his throat.
Then another. Shakier.
And before he knew it—he shattered.
His shoulders began to shake. His face contorted. The hollowness gave way to something worse.
Grief.
Raw, unfiltered, and overwhelming.
He curled in on himself, hands clutching at his head as sobs wracked his chest. The kind of crying that came not from sadness alone—but from loss too immense to articulate. The kind of crying that had no sound for a while, just tremors, until it broke into gasps and hiccups and choked-out whimpers.
Tanaka cried.
Alone, on the floor of a foreign world, far from home—he cried.
*********************************************************************************************************
A knock never came.
Instead, the sound of footsteps approached from the hallway, muffled yet unmistakable. The door handle turned—but before anyone could open it, Tanaka was already standing, hand on the knob. He opened the door slowly, almost cautiously.
On the other side stood Emilia, Rem, and Roswaal. Rem was supporting Subaru, whose bruised and battered form rested limply against her.
As soon as Tanaka stepped into view, silence fell.
They had never seen him like this.
No—none of them had ever imagined he could look like this.
Then, with his usual singsong voice, Roswaal broke the stillness.
"Oyaaa, Tanaka-kun. I'm soooo glad to see you alive and well. It's quiiiiiite the miracle that you're still breathing after thaaaat little spectacle in the caaastle."
Tanaka didn't respond. He didn't even blink. He just stared at Roswaal with dull eyes. His silence was louder than any retort.
Even Emilia and Rem glanced at Roswaal, visibly taken aback by his nerve.
Finally, Tanaka spoke. His voice was low, but steady.
"You guys are back."
Emilia nodded slightly. "Uhm..."
Tanaka's gaze shifted—and that's when he noticed Subaru.
Bruises marred his face and arms. Even though magic had done its part, it was clear: he'd been beaten badly. Too badly.
"…What happened to him?"
____
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In summary...
Subaru got into another argument with the knights. He ended up challenging Julius to a duel. He didn't back down. And ended up getting hurt.
"I'm so sorry, I should have stayed in the castle."
Emilia shook her head.
"No. It's not your fault."
Tanaka clenched his jaw. "I know what he did was stupid… but please… don't hate him. He didn't mean anything bad by it."
"Huh?" Emilia blinked. "Ah—no, I know that."
Her voice softened. She was listening, but her eyes kept drifting. Not to the bruises on Subaru or the tension in Rem's stance—but to Tanaka's face.
She always thought that he had gentle eyes.
Even when he was frustrated or angry, there was always a kindness behind them—a warmth.
But now… she couldn't find it.
Back in the castle, his eyes had gone cold. The way he looked at her—at all of them—it wasn't like him.
And now… the coldness was gone. But it had been replaced by something worse.
Something that scared her.
Something that felt… empty.
"Tanaka, were you…?"
She stopped herself, lips pressing together. Her heart pounded.
Then she straightened, took a breath, and spoke again.
"Tanaka… I want to talk to you."
He looked at her.
And for a moment—just a brief, flickering second—something softened in his expression. A faint, tired smile touched his lips.
"I need to talk to you too."
*********************************************************************************************************
They stepped inside the room, the door clicking shut behind them. The air inside was still, heavy with the remnants of grief. Tanaka moved first, sitting at the edge of the bed. Emilia followed, settling beside him, careful to leave a respectful gap. The silence that followed wasn't peaceful—it was awkward, strained, like both were holding their breath.
Emilia opened her mouth to speak, but Tanaka beat her to it.
"…I'll start first."
His voice was low, quiet.
"I'm sorry, Emilia."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"I broke my promise," he said, keeping his eyes on the floor. "You told me to wait here at the mansion, but I didn't listen."
His hands clenched over his knees.
"I didn't mean to end up in the castle. It just… happened. And I acted recklessly once I got there. I know I put you in a difficult spot. I just—"
"Tanaka, wait." Emilia's voice cut through his apology. Her tone wasn't angry, but firm.
He turned to her, surprised.
"That's not what I wanted to hear."
She paused, her lavender eyes fixed on his face. He was taken aback—but before he could say anything, she continued.
Why were you in the castle? How did you and Subaru even get there? Where did you learn to speak like that? Why did Julius's spirits respond to you like that?
All those questions burned on the tip of her tongue. But one overpowered them all.
"…Are you okay?"
Tanaka's expression faltered.
"…Huh?"
"I mean it," Emilia said softly. "Something happened. I can tell. You're… not okay, are you?"
Her voice was gentle, but it carried weight. Concern. Sincerity.
"You don't have to pretend with me. If something's wrong, you can talk to me, Tanaka. I might be able to help."
He looked at her. For a moment, it seemed like he might say nothing at all.
Then he sighed, his shoulders slumping just slightly.
"…Yeah," he said. "Something did happen."
Emilia leaned in, eyes wide. "Then—"
"But…"
He offered her a tired, hollow smile.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Emilia's brows furrowed. "You're always stubborn, Tanaka… Please, just let me try."
He looked away, his gaze sinking to the floor. "I know what you're trying to do. Subaru felt better after finally opening up to you… letting it off his chest, having someone there to listen."
There was a pause. A breath.
"I'm grateful you're trying. I really am. But I don't think talking about it will help. Not for me."
"You don't know that," Emilia whispered, almost pleading.
Tanaka's voice dropped. "Just like how you didn't want to talk about how hurtful it is… when people say awful things about you. When they compare you to the Witch."
She stiffened, her lips parting—no words came out.
"I'm sorry," he added quickly, the regret thick in his throat. "It was arrogant of me… to compare my pathetic problems to everything you've gone through."
She shook her head, but he wasn't done.
"There's no way it's trivial," she said gently, "not when you're making that face."
He let out a dry chuckle—bitter and short.
"I don't even know what kind of face I'm making, but yeah... maybe talking about it would help. Or maybe it wouldn't. It's just... I'm not ready yet."
The silence between them settled like dust.
Then Tanaka's voice returned, quieter this time.
"There's something else I need to tell you."
He stood up slowly, his movements heavy, reluctant—like standing meant dragging something heavy behind him.
"I think… it's time for us to go our separate ways."
Emilia's breath caught in her throat. She rose to her feet in an instant, voice sharp with disbelief. "What?"
"Wait, Tanaka—what are you saying? Why now?"
"It's not all of a sudden."
"You have a problem, right?" Emilia said quickly. "You're hurting, and you don't want to burden us. But it's okay. You can rely on us. On me. Puck and I will help however we can—and Rem, even Roswaal too if it comes to that."
Her voice cracked slightly, and her hands were clenched tightly at her sides.
"I found some clues… about going back home."
"Ah…" The word barely escaped Emilia's lips. A breath. A thought. A sudden ache.
"This was the plan from the start, wasn't it?" he whispered.
Her voice was soft—barely more than a whisper—but it trembled under the weight of realization. She had grown used to him being there. So used to it that his presence felt… permanent. But it never was. His stay at Roswaal's mansion had always been a temporary arrangement.
Tanaka stepped forward. The movement was slow, uncertain, like he was stepping off a ledge.
Then, to her surprise, he gently wrapped his arms around her.
It was strange. He wasn't someone who initiated touch—he often flinched from it—but now, his embrace was warm, trembling, and sincere.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "No… Thank you, Emilia. For everything."
She froze for a second, breath caught in her throat.
"Being around you… around Beatrice, Rem, Ram—it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for being friends with me."
Back on Earth, if he were to count how many real friends he had… the number would've been zero.
He was never the type who blended in. Never the guy who got invited to hangouts or sat comfortably among classmates. More often than not, he walked the halls of his old school like a ghost. The one bond he had before dropping out... he'd cut himself. Intentionally.
And yet—ironically, cruelly—the first friends he ever made were from another world.
He and Emilia had a connection—both drawn to by spirits. He loved their little talks, the way her face lit up when he explained one of his inventions, how proud she looked when she praised him.
Ram, with her arrogance and sharp tongue, somehow remained confidently useless in the most hilarious ways. And yet… there was comfort in her consistency.
Rem—well, she was rough at first. But she grew on him. She always tried her best. Her awkward affection for Subaru was obvious and oddly endearing.
And then there was Beatrice…
Every single day he spent with her had been a gift. Cooking strange foods just to see her pout or get excited—it had become a routine that made him feel like he belonged.
But in the end, he hurt her too.
And now, like always, he was doing what he did best—cutting ties. Pulling away. Running.
Because deep down, he couldn't deny the feeling that his presence here… wasn't necessary. That no matter how many smiles he shared or meals he cooked, he was just a guest. A leech. Someone lingering in a story that didn't need him.
The kind of existence he despised most.
Across from him, Emilia stood frozen. Her eyes were wide, the corners of her lips trembling slightly as if caught between words she couldn't bring herself to speak. Her hands clutched the hem of her dress tightly, knuckles pale with tension. The sadness on her face wasn't loud—it was quiet, aching, and sincere.
He noticed.
So, he tried to smile, tried to nudge the weight of the moment with something light.
"Who knows?" he said, forcing a playful tone, though his voice cracked near the end. "Maybe we'll meet again someday. By then, I might have to call you Your Majesty… ha…"
But the humor didn't land.
Emilia looked up at him, her brows furrowed slightly, eyes glimmering not from light but from held-back emotion.
"Do you really think that, Tanaka?" she asked softly.
Her voice was fragile, like glass under strain.
"You saw what happened back in the castle," she continued. "I was completely helpless. I couldn't do anything."
He hesitated. Her vulnerability made it hard to respond with anything but truth.
"You're right…" he said. "Right now, you don't have what it takes to lead a country."
The words hung heavy in the air.
He had thought it before, and in many ways, he still believed it. She lacked the confidence, the force of presence the other candidates carried. Her public image was tarnished, her resolve still untested. Even that girl, Felt—who didn't want the throne at all—exuded more conviction.
Emilia wasn't fit to be queen.
"…But people change," he said at last, his tone steady now.
"If you don't have what it takes, then grow until you do. If you're missing something, go and find it."
His eyes softened as he added, "But in the process, don't lose what you have. That kindness of yours, don't lose it."
There were many qualities a ruler was supposed to have: wisdom, strength, fairness, resolve. Kindness rarely made the list.
But it was still a virtue.
"Things are going to get harder from here on out," he said. "People will talk. They'll doubt you. Tear you down, even when you're trying your best."
She lowered her head slightly, and he knew that deep down, she already understood that truth.
"But no matter what happens," he continued, stepping closer, "you have to keep moving forward."
He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. Her breath hitched at the touch. Their eyes met—hers shimmering, uncertain, but listening.
"I believe in you, Emilia," he said firmly. "I really do."
For a moment, nothing moved. Then, with a soft exhale, Emilia stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face against his shoulder.
"Thank you…" she whispered, voice muffled but full of feeling. "I'm going to miss you."
Tanaka let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and returned the embrace, resting his chin lightly against her head.
"I'm going to miss you too," he murmured.
They stood like that for a moment, holding onto each other as if to make up for all the goodbyes they'd never said before.
Then, Emilia pulled back slightly, just enough to look him in the eyes.
"But at least promise me one thing," she said, her tone soft but firm. "You and Subaru… you'll go get treatment. You'll take care of yourselves."
Tanaka hesitated.
"..."His silence was answer enough.
Her expression fell—and then, without warning, she hugged him tighter, squeezing as if to force the promise out of him through sheer will alone.
"That was the plan, wasn't it?" she pressed, her voice tinged with playfulness.
"Ow! Ow! Okay, okay!" Tanaka winced, half-laughing, half-surrendering as he tapped her back.
Only then did she release him, arms slowly loosening. Her gaze lingered on him with a mixture of fondness and worry.
"You're really making this harder for yourself," Tanaka said with a weak smile, "asking favors from someone who's considered your rival."
"That's okay," Emilia replied quietly. "Let me worry about that."
A silence fell between them—not uncomfortable, just heavy with everything they wanted to say but couldn't find the words for.
Then Emilia broke it.
"I think Subaru should go with you," she said, her voice low.
Tanaka's brows drew together in surprise at first. "I understand. He's my friend… and I know what we both did was stupid."
"It's not that," Emilia interrupted, shaking her head. "If Subaru stays… he'll just keep pushing himself. He'll try to protect me again and again until it breaks him. I can't watch that happen anymore."
Tanaka looked at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. He understood more than she realized.
"If you want," he offered, "you don't have to be here when he wakes up."
But she shook her head, firm this time. "No. I'll talk to him."
She lifted her eyes to meet his. They were still damp, but steadier now.
"You told me I had to change, right? Then I'll start here. Even if it's hard."
A small smile pulled at Tanaka's lips. "Good."
Then, after a moment, his expression turned serious again. He looked out toward the green crystal wrapped around her neck.
"By the way," he said, raising his voice slightly, "I know you've been listening this whole time. You can come out now. I want to have a few words with you."
There was a pause.
"I can feel your presence," Tanaka added, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And there's still some time before the sun sets."
A sudden glimmer sparked in the air—and with a playful swirl of mist, a small figure materialized before them.
"Teehee! I've been found out," Puck said with a mischievous grin, hovering midair.