Chapter Text
Natsuki Subaru was the name of a 7-year-old boy with a boundless imagination and energy that seemed to rival the sun itself. He had just arrived home after spending the entire afternoon playing tag, hide-and-seek, and other games with his group of friends from the neighborhood.
With shoes scuffed and hair tousled from the day's excitement, he pushed open the front door with the force only a child could muster.
Subaru: [I'm home!] he called out loudly, his voice echoing through the hallway with a cheerful tone, though a bit worn out from the day's adventures.
From the kitchen, the sound of running water continued for a moment before a voice responded. It belonged to a woman named Natsuki Naoko —his mother. She was a woman of quiet strength and sharp, observant eyes, eyes which Subaru had inherited.
Currently, she stood at the sink, hands busy scrubbing the final dish from dinner prep.
She paused only to dry her hands on a nearby towel and turned her head slightly.
Naoko: [Did you have fun today?] she asked with a soft, amused tone, already anticipating the answer from her dirt-smeared son.
Without a word, Subaru flopped dramatically onto the living room couch, his limbs sprawling as if he had just returned from battle.
“Ahhh, that feels good,” he mumbled into a cushion, then added, with a voice full of sleepy satisfaction,
Subaru: [Yeah, it was awesome.]
Naoko turned fully now, her eyes scanning the boy, noting the state of his clothes and the muddy footprints trailing from the entryway.
She approached silently, her steps almost too light to notice, and gently placed a hand on Subaru’s shoulder. The boy, sensing her presence, looked up. Their eyes met—his wide and innocent, hers calm but knowing.
She gave him a smile. It was sweet, almost unnervingly so. A mother’s smile, yet far too innocent to mean no trouble.
Subaru: [Hmm? What’s wrong, Mom?] he asked, his voice now edged with cautious curiosity as he sat up slightly.
Without saying a word, Naoko pointed first at his dirty pants, then to the very visible smudges of dirt he had left behind on the couch cushions.
Subaru blinked. Slowly, he followed her finger, eyes tracing the path of destruction he'd unknowingly brought into the house. His eyes widened. His mouth dropped open slightly as the full weight of his mistake dawned on him. The couch. The white couch.
From behind him, he could practically feel the intensity of his mother’s gaze boring into the back of his head like a laser. Desperate, he whipped around and blurted out,
Subaru: [Wait! Mom, I can explain! It was a mistake!]
His voice, suddenly full of energy again, rose in pitch as he scrambled to fix the situation with words alone.
He looked up at her, his face a mixture of guilt and panic, hoping for some mercy.
But Naoko, arms crossed now and one eyebrow twitching ever so slightly, wasn’t moved by his sudden change in tone or pleading eyes.
Naoko: [Subaruuu, my little baby, what did I specifically tell you to do when you came home from playing?]
Subaru: [I'm sorry! I didn’t mean it! I promise I’ll do it next time! Really!]
Naoko sighed audibly, an exaggerated sound that spoke volumes. With deliberate slowness, she began rolling up both her sleeves, one at a time, eyes fixed squarely on her son. Her movements were theatrical, like a villain in a movie preparing for a showdown.
Naoko: [That's weird. Isn't that exactly what you said the last twenty times?] Her expression tightened, her mouth curling into a mock-pout before shifting into something more intimidating. Her brows lowered and her gaze darkened, radiating mock menace.
Subaru swallowed hard, visibly shrinking into the couch as if trying to disappear into the cushions. Desperate, he put on a shaky smile and shrugged.
Subaru: [I don't remember, you must be imagining things, haha…]
The momentary deflection might have worked—if it wasn’t so poorly delivered. Instead of being thrown off, Naoko tilted her head and let out a small, unnerving giggle. The kind that made Subaru freeze.
Naoko: [My, are you suggesting that your dear mother is becoming delusional? Oh dear, what a bold accusation for someone in such a precarious position.]
Subaru flinched. He realized too late that he’d only fanned the flames. Her smile now was the kind that said, “You’re not getting out of this alive.” He tensed up, knowing the storm was inevitable.
Still, like a brave warrior facing his doom, he made one last attempt.
Subaru: [Please go easy on me…] he begged, eyes wide and pleading.
But it was too late. His fate was sealed. Those were Subaru’s last words before what he grimly referred to as an “unskippable cutscene”—a term he used from his beloved video games—unfolded before him.
And in that moment, he knew: no cheat code or save file would get him out of this one.
After that entire ordeal had taken place—one filled with pleading, exaggerated apologies, and the kind of theatrical punishment only a mother could deliver—Subaru had been dragged by the scruff of his shirt into the bathroom. There was no room for negotiation; Naoko had made it clear that a bath was non-negotiable, especially after he’d tracked dirt and mud all over her pristine floors and furniture.
Now, sitting in an awkward position completely naked inside the bathtub, Subaru let the warm water flow gently from the showerhead, cascading down over his head like a miniature waterfall.
It soaked his jet-black hair, sticking it to his forehead in clumps. The soft hiss of the water was the only sound in the steamy bathroom, save for his occasional grumbling.
Subaru: [Jeez… I asked for her to go easy on me. She definitely didn’t,] he muttered with a dramatic sigh.
He turned slightly and caught a glimpse of his lower back, where faint red marks stood out against his pale skin. But it was his butt cheeks that bore the brunt of justice, stained a glowing crimson from the earlier "discipline."
With a grimace, he reached back hesitantly and pressed his hand to the sore area.
Subaru: [Oww—ow ow OW!] he screeched in a high-pitched tone that didn’t do his dignity any favors. The sound echoed off the tiled walls.
Subaru: [It hurts! It really hurts!]
He quickly jerked his hand away, cradling it as if his own skin had betrayed him.
Subaru: [She’s a monster… no, worse, she’s the final boss!] he muttered dramatically, slumping further into the tub.
Suddenly, Naoko's voice called out from just beyond the bathroom door, her tone casual but clearly amused. The way she elongated her words suggested she was well aware of her son's over-the-top reactions.
Naoko: [Subaruuu, did I just hear you say something in there?]
Subaru’s entire body jolted like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over him. He sat bolt upright, sending water sloshing over the edge of the tub in small waves. Panic flared in his eyes as though he’d been caught in the middle of some forbidden ritual.
Subaru: [N-No! Nonono! Definitely not! I wasn’t saying anything! Just—uh—washing my hair really loud!]
His voice cracked as he tried to keep it steady, but the high pitch betrayed his nerves. He clutched the showerhead like a lifeline, glancing toward the door as if it might suddenly swing open.
He quickly sank lower into the water, hoping it would somehow hide both his embarrassment and the sting still radiating from his rear. His heart thumped in his chest as he waited, dreading the sound of footsteps getting closer.
Thankfully, all he heard was a soft laugh from the other side of the door. A teasing, knowing sound.
Naoko: [Alright, if you say so~ Just don’t summon any dark lords in there. Dinner will be ready soon.]
Subaru: [I'm not taking a dump in the tub! I'm not a baby anymore!] Subaru said, clearly used to his mothers antics.
Running a hand on his face and taking a long breath, his shoulders slumped in relief. That was close. Too close.
The steam thickened, curling around his small frame as he continued to sulk and whimper—his imagination already turning this domestic bath into the aftermath of an epic battle.
Sitting at the dinner table, Subaru bounced his legs anxiously beneath the wooden surface as he awaited Naoko to finish preparing dinner. The aroma of miso soup, grilled fish, and something sweet he couldn't quite place teased his senses, but his attention was divided.
He tapped his fingers on the table in a rhythmic pattern, eyes darting occasionally toward the kitchen. His impatience was practically vibrating off of him, and it wasn't hunger that had him so riled up.
Subaru: [Mooom, how much longer? I'm starving!] he called out, only partially meaning it.
What he really wanted was to finish eating so he could jump straight into his new and favorite game—the one he’d been obsessing over since the moment he’d opened that box.
Naoko, still busy in the kitchen, didn’t miss a beat.
Naoko: [Why, are you in a hurry or something?] she replied, her tone suspiciously calm.
Subaru leaned forward dramatically, as though every second was a ticking clock of doom.
Subaru: [YES! Every second I sit here doing nothing, my friends are out there getting stronger and leveling up without me! I have to hop on or I'll fall behind and be weak forever!]
He clutched his chest as if the idea physically hurt him, and slumped onto the table, letting out a long groan.
Subaru: [Do you know how much EXP I’m missing out on right now?!] he whined, clearly more distressed about virtual stats than dinner.
Naoko: [You know, sweetie, it’s great that you’re having fun with your friends, but don’t forget the real world still exists. We’re not just NPCs you visit between quests.]
She chuckled softly and gave him a playful wink before turning her attention back to the stove.
Naoko: [Dinner time is for all of us to be together. It's not some side quest you rush through to get back to the main storyline, okay?] she added with a small smirk, clearly borrowing his own gamer language to make her point.
Subaru: [Man, why does the hero always have to arrive late...] Subaru muttered weakly, slumping further into his seat as his fingers drummed faster against the edge of the table. He stared longingly at the clock, hoping it would somehow fast-forward. But the hands ticked slowly, mercilessly.
Subaru: [It’s like he waits on purpose just to build suspense, like in those dramatic movies,] he added, rolling his eyes and sighing again, heavier this time.
Naoko: [Honestly, you're just like him,] she said, glancing over her shoulder with a knowing smile. Her voice held a fondness that softened the teasing in her words.
Subaru sat up a little straighter at that. Despite his impatience, those words hit differently. He puffed out his chest a bit and couldn’t suppress a small, proud grin.
He had always seen his dad as larger than life—a true hero in every sense. Brave, dependable, and just a little mysterious. Whenever anyone, especially his mom, said he reminded them of his dad, it sparked a warmth in his chest that he didn’t quite know how to explain, but deeply loved all the same.
Subaru: [Heh... well, I am the son of a hero, after all,] he murmured under his breath, grinning now with a little more energy.
And just like in one of those classic dramatic movie moments—right as Subaru was mid-sentence—the front door slowly creaked open. A faint gust of night air blew in with it, rustling the welcome mat and sending a tiny chill through the hallway. The sound of the door echoed slightly through the home, signaling a presence that Subaru instantly recognized.
There, silhouetted in the doorway with the last rays of sunlight at his back, stood Natsuki Kenichi—Subaru’s father, and Naoko’s husband. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a long coat that gave him the appearance of a wandering hero returning from some grand adventure.
Subaru’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him. There was something about Kenichi's arrival that always felt like a climactic moment, like everything would start moving again now that he was here.
Subaru: [Dad!] he shouted excitedly.
Naoko: [Welcome home dear.]
Kenichi gave his son a gentle smile as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. It was a movie moment come to life, and Subaru was the starstruck kid meeting his idol all over again.
Kenichi: [Hmm? Were you talking about me?] he asked, raising an eyebrow with a slight smirk as he shrugged off his coat and hung it neatly by the door.
Naoko: [You're right on point, as usual.] She stepped forward with a welcoming smile, then gestured toward the dining table.
Naoko: [Now come on, dinner’s ready, and we’ve all been waiting for you to grace us with your heroic presence.] She gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder.
Naoko: [Subaru was practically ready to launch a rescue mission to find you.]
Subaru: [M-Mom! I did not say that!] Subaru protested, his cheeks flushing bright red as he glanced nervously at his dad.
Naoko: [Really? I could have sworn I heard something like that,] she said with a mischievous glint in her eye, her voice laced with playful mockery.
She definitely hadn’t forgotten what Subaru had said earlier, and now she was having way too much fun watching him squirm.
Subaru: [Y-You can’t do this to me,] he said, frustration bubbling in his voice as he fidgeted in his seat, trying to avoid both of their gazes.
Naoko: [Oh, but I can. And you know why? Because I am your mother,] she replied matter-of-factly, her grin widening as she let out a warm, triumphant laugh.
Kenichi, who had just finished hanging his coat and washing up, strolled over and sat down at the dinner table where his wife and son were already seated. As he caught the tail end of their exchange, he chuckled heartily, unable to resist the contagious joy radiating from the two of them.
Subaru's frustration was reaching its boiling point, the feeling building inside him with each passing second. His cheeks were flushed a deep shade of crimson, almost as if the heat of his irritation was spilling over onto his face. He was on the edge, trying desperately to hold back the storm of emotions bubbling inside him.
Just as Subaru thought he couldn’t take any more, his mother’s voice called out to him, steady and calm, cutting through the tension like a gentle breeze.
Naoko: [Subaru.]
Subaru: [What is it?] he replied, his voice laced with annoyance and a deep, uncomfortable mixture of embarrassment that made his words come out harsher than he intended.
Naoko: [We love you very much.]
The words, simple as they were, hit Subaru like a ton of bricks. His heart skipped a beat, and despite the heat in his face, he felt a strange warmth spread through him. He knew his parents loved him, but hearing it spoken so directly always managed to strike him in ways he couldn’t explain.
Kenichi, who had been quietly eating up until that point, glanced up at Subaru. His gaze softened, and he gave a small, understanding nod in agreement, his silent support more meaningful than any words could have been. He returned to his meal, his quiet presence a comforting constant in the background.
Subaru's face, already a shade of red, turned an even deeper hue as he sat frozen for a moment. The combination of embarrassment and the overwhelming warmth of being loved made his chest tighten. He knew he should say something, return the sentiment, tell them he loved them too—but his pride wouldn’t let him.
His throat felt tight, and the words wouldn’t come. He wanted to say it, more than anything, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak aloud. So instead, he sat there, absorbing their kindness and silently accepting their words, feeling both the weight and the comfort of their love surround him.
He quickly inhaled his food with an urgency that surprised even his mother, barely chewing before he bolted away from the dinner table. His chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor as he pushed it back, the clatter echoing through the room.
With a hurried wave and a half-mumbled "Thanks for dinner!", he sprinted down the hallway. His mother, standing in the kitchen doorway with a soft smile, called out.
Naoko: [Take care.]
But Subaru didn’t turn back, and didn't respond. He simply disappeared into the hallway and into the safe confines of his room.
He didn’t know it at the time, but that choice—to say nothing, to run away so quickly—would sit with him for longer than he ever expected. He would come to regret not turning around, not saying anything at all.
Inside his room, the space that served as both his sanctuary and his dreamscape, shelves brimmed with colorful anime figurines, lovingly arranged and dusted with care. Posters of action-packed shows and cosmic landscapes plastered nearly every inch of the wall.
Piles of novels and manga were stacked beside his bed, and a game console blinked softly from its resting place beneath the TV. His desk, cluttered but clearly loved, was covered in books about the stars—his absolute favorite subject. The room shimmered with his personality, a reflection of a boy whose imagination stretched far beyond the sky.
But none of that mattered.
Right now Natsuki Subaru was only focused on one thing and one thing only—
His favourite game.
He had received it from an unknown sender. His parents had found it a few weeks ago on the front porch.
It was specifically sent to “Natsuki Subaru”. However the sender had its name scratched out making it impossible to know who had sent it. The only letters that were still visible where:
[__t __ la] a mere “t,l,a” wasn't enough to find the sender's name. However, recognizing the game, Subaru assumed it had been his friends who had sent it to him in secret and weren't planning on telling the truth.
He turned on his console ready to play.
It was a MMORPG game. An open world game where you choose your race and venture around the world. You could become an adventurer and earn money and exp from killing monsters. Or you could simply role play.
There were hundreds of different races, you could only choose one and that would be the one you had for the rest of your experience.
Majority of the players, like his friends, picked races related to the dragonkin. After all, the dragon is the most powerful creature in games. And their races would be so as well.
However Subaru was different, he had picked one of the least picked races in the entire game. The Oni Race.
Subaru: [So cool!]
Subaru said as he saw his in-game character, the only thing that made it seem different from the human race was that he could bring out 2 deep black horns. They had what seemed like shadows surrounding the horns as a visual effect and they glowed with a tinge of orange black light.
He would have also chosen the Elf race if not for the fact that it was still in production and unavailable at the time.
And so Natsuki Subaru would spend the rest of his time grinding his game until sleep took him out.
The sounds of birds chirping filled the air, layered with the subtle rustling of tree leaves swaying in the breeze. Gentle beams of sunlight filtered through the canopy, warming his face. Natsuki Subaru was deeply asleep, his breathing calm and steady. He looked peaceful, undisturbed by the world around him.
As he began to stir, Natsuki Subaru groaned softly but stubbornly refused to open his eyes. He raised his sleeve and tugged it over his face to block out the brightness that poked at his eyelids.
If his alarm hadn’t gone off yet, that meant he still had precious minutes to enjoy the comfort of slumber. Somewhere in his drowsy thoughts, he wondered where his blanket had gone—the same one he always used while gaming late into the night. He assumed he had kicked it off at some point and lazily extended his arm to retrieve it.
His hand brushed against something, and his fingers instinctively curled around it. But instead of the soft fabric he expected, the object was unyielding—rough and cold. As solid as a rock. Subaru’s brows furrowed in confusion. Still groggy, he cracked open his eyes, only to be assaulted by intense, natural light. Squinting, he tried again, blinking several times to adjust to the brightness.
Eventually, his vision cleared just enough for him to look at the object he had grabbed. And sure enough, sitting in his hand was an actual rock—jagged and grey, with small patches of moss clinging to its surface.
Subaru: [What...?]
Why would there be a rock inside his room? That thought echoed briefly in his mind before it was abruptly interrupted. He sat up, his gaze slowly lifting. The sight before him rendered him speechless.
Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their thick trunks wrapped in vines and their branches forming a vast green roof above. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the leaves, illuminating the underbrush with a golden hue. Ferns and bushes crowded the forest floor, and in the distance, he could hear the calls of unfamiliar birds. It was a dense, vibrant forest, teeming with life and utterly alien from his bedroom.
He wasn’t in his room anymore. And he didn’t know how he got here.
And in front of the scene present to him Subaru could only mutter the one sound used Universally when someone is presented something they don't understand:
Subaru: [H-huh?!]