"So you finally show your true colors. Threatening to kill me if I expose this conflict of ou-"

"I'm telling you to calm down and forget tonight for both your sake and Ram's."

As Akira was still behind Rem, the blue haired maid was trying her hardest to come up a way to bypass Akira's defense. When she jumped away from the boy, she simply saw him looking at her as if she was a child. While scratching his own head in annoyance, Akira tried to explain himself.

"Killing me isn't gonna do you any favors. Hell, if anything, it'll only bring you more trouble."

"Why should I believe the words of someone from the Witch Cu-"

"Would the Witch Cult be allowing you this much time to speak and throw a tantrum? If I was really apart of the Witch Cult or a spy for someone else who wants the throne, why on earth would I let Emilia live and come here with arguably one of the best mages when I could've killed her in the slums? There's far less security and manpower there, and given how nobles view the slums, it would be easy to pin the murder on someone else."

"You.... don't you dare try to play the hero here!"

"I'm not playing hero. I'm simply stating my truth. Whether you believe it or not isn't my concern. I'm just saying to watch my actions and see if they match the Witch Cult's actions in that clouded up mess you call a head. If for some reason you still think I should be killed, go ahead and try. Just remember what I said earlier. You better make sure i'm dead if it comes to that. Throwing your life away without even considering how it would effect your sister that you worship so much. Guess your bloodlust far exceeds your love for Ram. You really are just like the Blue Ogre. So caught up in your own desire, you miss the bigger picture."

Having said his piece, Akira noticed the maid rushing back inside of the manor. With a sigh escaping from his lips, Akira simply scratched his head in annoyance again. When he looked towards the distance, a frown was forming upon his face.

"You know it's rude to eavesdrop on someone's conversation. If you got something to say, then say it to my face."

"Oh myyyyyyyyyy. It would seem i've been caught. But I must thank you for refraining from harming my staaaaaaaaaaaaff."

As he was seen floating downwards from the sky, Roswaal greeted Akira with a smile on his face. However, Akira wasn't pleased in the slightest to see the lord of the manor.

"But that power of yours is soooooooomething. The way it blocked Rem's attack reminded me of someone in the paaaaaaaaaast. What an unsettling feeling."

"Cut the shit already, Roswaal. After all, you're the one who's most suspicious about Subaru and I. I wouldn't even be surprised if you told those maids to keep such a close eye on us."

"Is that how it seeeeeeeems? As interesting as this conversation is, don't you think it is raaaaaather late? Let's continue this another time."

Both Roswaal and Akira stared at each other for a few seconds, the two of them trying to find out the other's motive. However, Akira turned around as he went inside of the manor as he had his reflection still active. With a smile on his face, Roswaal thought to himself as he returned inside.

"Truly, your intellect is almost frightening."

~Third Day at the Manor~
"It's awfully quiet. That DEFINITELY means that Subaru isn't here."

As he was walking through the manor in the early morning, Akira noticed how there was less noise than usual. While strolling through the halls, the young man saw Emilia walking around the halls with a soft smile upon her face. The moment she noticed the white-haired boy was in front of her, the half-elf smiled brightly as she walked up to him.

"Akira, good morning."

"Morning, Emilia, where did Subaru and the maids go?"

"If I remember correctly, Subaru mentioned that he was going to a village called Arlam alongside Rem and Ram for supplies."

Nodding his head, Akira simply sat down near the staircase. Truth be told, he had nothing else to do at the moment. While trying to decipher that book he got from Roswaal was important to him, he knew he couldn't do that with the limited knowledge he has now. Not only that, he was also waiting to see what Subaru had planned since the boy seemed very determined after he managed to calm down. Seeing the boy's expression, Emilia sat down next to Akira as she looked at him with a smile.

"Akira, I want to thank you. I don't know what you did, but thanks to you, Subaru seemed a little bit more like himself by the time I tried to help him."

"I didn't do anything. I simply told him what I wanted to say. If you wanna thank anyone for keeping him from breaking down, thank yourself."

"You know, Akira, you're far more kind than you give yourself credit for. It may sound harsh, but in reality, you only say things like that because you care and want others to learn. Frankly, I think you should be more open about yourself too."

As Emilia said this, she looked to see the expression on Akira's face. However, even she couldn't help but be shocked by what she saw. Instead of the usual deadpan expression or scowl that the red-eyed boy would wear, all Emilia saw was a smile. However, this smile didn't show any signs of joy. No, this smile held nothing but sadness and regret behind it.

"You know I use to be open about how I felt. I did try to connect and understand others. I wanted to give people a chance and hope that the negativity I felt was just something caused by myself. But it was that very wish that made realize that I was wrong and made me want nothing more than to end it all when I realized just how twisted the ones I wanted to connected with most truly were."

"Akira........"

"I'm gonna go head to this village you mentioned. Just sitting around and doing nothing is starting to get on my nerves."

As Akira said this, he stood up as he was exiting the manor. Emilia tried to walk up to him and talk to him some more, but the boy was already out of the manor. The silver-haired girl couldn't help but be a bit concerned about Akira. It was far much harder to get closer to him than it was with Subaru.

"Despite both of them helping me, they can't be anymore different. Subaru may be a bit weird, but he's a kind boy and isn't afraid to make connections. Meanwhile, Akira is far more powerful and smarter, yet he refuses to acknowledge any good he does and will let his guard down for no one. Yet.....why?"

Emilia couldn't quite describe it. The sad smile that was plastered on Akira's face. She didn't know why, but she felt as though she understood the feeling the boy was having. The feeling of being completely alone, wanting someone who could truly love you even in the darkest moments. There was one key difference between herself and Akira though. While Emilia had Puck with her, Akira had no one he could lean even trust enough to lean on.

"I wonder what kind of life he had to turn out like this?"

~At Arlam Village~
"And now for the final exercise! Take your arms out wide then cross them in front of you as you take deep, slow breaths. Now say it with me. VICTORY!"

"VICTORY!!!!!"

As Rem and Ram came back to the center of the village, they saw Subaru doing his so-called radio calisthenics along with the villagers. While Subaru smiled to himself, he chuckled knowing his plan worked since everyone in the village touched him. From what he learned from Beatrice, the curse that was placed on him can only happen through physical contact. He knows no one in the manor did it, so if he comes back to Beatrice cursed, that narrows down where he should look.

"Seriously, you're even teaching a village about radio calisthenics?"

Subaru and the maids turned to the new source of the voice they heard as they saw Akira standing before them. While the boy looked around, he noticed how some of the villagers looked a bit tense when their gaze fell on him. He could understand why since he doesn't really smile much unless he's genuinely happy. So seeing someone with his appearance constantly frowning would put anyone on edge.

"Pretty....."

The moment he heard this, Akira looked down as he saw a young girl standing in front of him as she was staring into his eyes. The girl wore a pair of brown shoes, green leggings with horizontal stripes that were shorn just above the ankles, a white long-sleeved shirt, an open short-sleeved cream-colored cardigan with red outlining, and a red ribbon fastened to her collar. She has medium length reddish brown hair that extends to her shoulders along with cyan eyes.

"Huh?"

"I-i'm sorry. It's just, red is my favorite color so......your eyes are really pretty, Kira-Kira!"

Subaru smiled as he noticed how Petra used the nickname he told the village about when addressing Akira. He did the same thing with Rem and Ram, so he didn't want Akira to feel left out. When Subaru and the maids looked at Akira to see his expression, they were expecting him to give his usual nonchalant attitude. But even they were shocked by what happened next.

"I.....I see. Thank you.....um?"

"Petra. My name is Petra!"

"Thanks Petra. My name is actually Akira, nice to meet you."

Truth be told, even Akira wasn't prepared for something like this. Especially since this was the first time someone actually didn't call him scary or assumed he was angry just because he didn't usually smile. As Akira took a knee and looked at Petra, he stopped his reflection as he pats the girl's head.

"So Petra, do you have any plans for the future?"

"Yes! I'd really love to be a tailor one day. I'm really good sewing."

"Is that so? Well, I have some advice for you. Keep holding onto that dream and don't let anyone else decide what you do in the future. Promise me that and i'll be your first customer."

"Seriously?! It's a promise! Don't you forget, Akira."

As Petra ran towards the group of kids in the village, Akira saw Subaru and the maids staring at him as if he grew a second head. Despite how he looks, Akira seemed to be very good with children. Before Subaru could tease Akira about it, he felt someone pulling his sleeve. When he looked down, he saw a girl with blue hair looking up at him.

Soon Subaru found himself being dragged off to meet the dog he met during the other loops. While this happened, Rem and Ram simply looked at Akira. Truth be told, they were still in shock with how the boy behaved with Petra.

"Are you good with kids, Akira-san?"

"Sorry Ram, but no. Honestly, this was the first time someone like that walked up to me without being scared."

"But you seemed to have given that girl valid advice from the sounds of it. Did you perhaps say that to someone in your homeland?"

"No, Rem. I simply told Petra what I wished someone had told me. No one should take dreams away from the youth. They should be allowed to dream and behave like kids should. Being a grown up is hard and painful, so much so, I wish no one would have to grow up."

Just as Akira said this, both himself and the maids heard the sound of Subaru screaming. When they rushed over to where they heard him screaming, they saw a puppy with a bald spot biting the boy's hand. As the dog let its fangs escape Subaru's hand, it simply ran off as the boy looked towards the maids and Akira. Seeing them, Subaru smiled as he looked at the group of kids.

"Sorry guys, looks like it's time for us to head out. You be safe, okay?"

"Bye bye!!!!"

As the group of four grabbed everything needed for the manor and was taking the road back to their home, Akira suddenly stopped when he heard footsteps behind him. As the vector manipulator turned around, he saw Petra looking at him with a smile on her face.

"Don't forget about our promise, okay!"

".....heh. Don't worry, I won't forget it. No matter what."

~Evening~
Subaru placed the last barrel down as the group finally made it back to the manor. While they were heading towards the entrance, they saw Roswaal about to leave the manor as he was in a more formal attire than usual. Seeing this, Akira was the first to speak up.

"You actually got somewhere important to be?"

"Well spotted, i'm heading to meet someone who's a haaaaaassle to deal with in normal attire. I received a message that was a taaaaaaaaaad troublesome, so I am off to make rounds on the outside. I might not be home tonight, so take care of things, Rem and Ram."

As Roswaal said this, Subaru was thinking to himself. Roswaal leaving was a new event that didn't occur in the previous loops. Just as the lord of the manor walked by the two boys, he spoke low enough for only Akira and Subaru to hear.

"I'm counting on you both as well. Take good care of Lady Emilia."

"You don't have to worry about that with me!"

"I'll see what I can do, you clown."

Having heard their responses, Roswaal floated high in the air before flying off at incredible speed. While the maids were taking the items they brought from the village inside, Akira walked towards Subaru as he placed a hand on the boy's left shoulder.

"So, did you accomplish what you need?"

"Yeah, sorry I asked you for assistance when you just consoled me yesterday. But this is something I can't do alone. If i'm right about this, and the village may end up in danger, will you help me?"

"My future tailor is in that village. Having her die and go back on her promise doesn't sit well with me."

"I see. Well Akira, let's go visit the library. It's time for me to settle things with this damn shaman."