Subaru: …]
His consciousness that was formed by the light was slowly guided to his awakening. Sunshine pierced into his eyes when he opened his closed eyelids. What he saw in front of him as he blinked his eyes was a beautiful grassy plain with the wind blowing through it.
It was a vast green plain which spread out as far as the eyes could see. The sea of grass stretched on and on further than his eyes could see. Short blades of grass gently swayed in the breeze. Up overheard, the sky was clear with not even a wisp of cloud present. The sunshine glistened like a gemstone. The blue of the sky and the green of the earth went on forevermore, up until they hazily intersected in the distant horizon. It was appropriate of a dreamworld that lacked any semblance of reality; there was a certain stillness there that seemed eternal.
Splendid, perfectly clear, empty space. ――There was just one part that was different to that in this world.
[Subaru: …..]
Right at the heart of the plain, when Subaru stood there and looked back, there was a gently sloping hill immediately behind which continued to form the shape of a slightly elevated hillock. Up on the hillock, there was a modest garden full of flowers. Right next to those beautiful flowers that were basking in the sun, was a parasol and a white table.
Without speaking even a word, Subaru climbed up the hill, and squeezed himself under the parasol. Steaming cups had been placed on the white table, their ceramic interiors filled with a warm, amber liquid. Two cups had been set upon the table, and a white chair had been left set next to the table.
Since she had prepared it for him, Subaru sat down on the chair without confirming it. Though the tea had just recently finished brewing, he held the cup to his mouth, wetting his throat with its amber goodness.
――As always, it was an unusual tea which tasted neither delicious nor unappetising.
Nevertheless, without fail, he always drank this tea from the moment he sat down. It had been an agreement he'd made with the mistress of this place, the tea was a substitute for introductions in their strange relationship. Even so,
Subaru: [Ah, I drank it, I drank it, thanks for the drink. Alright, let's quickly move onto the main subject.]
???: [Of course, I did say that the first sip worked as a greeting. However, I don't think that means that you shouldn't ever give me a simple hello, mhm?]
Finishing his tea, Subaru placed his cup back on the table with these few words. And to what he had said, the one who sat opposite to him at the table gave him a weak smile, whilst voicing out her complaint. Receiving her complaint, Subaru scratched the tip of his nose whilst saying:
[Subaru: …There's no real reason to greet you, is there? After all, since you're prying inside my head day and night, there's no meaning in saying hello or goodbye to you.]
[???: This and that are different matters, you know? First of all, day and night, I'd like for you not to speak of it in such a scandalous manner. Even if it is true, even I am still a shy, young maiden girl, as delicate as a flower. Wouldn't my reputation become all the more worse if it became known that I am always staring into a boy's mind?]
[Subaru: A shy, young maiden girl as delicate as a flower… Did the meaning of those words change without me noticing?]
[???: How scathing of you. Well, maybe it is unreasonable at my age to insist on calling myself that.]
Saying that, the girl relaxed her mouth into a smile; quite in contrast to the contents of her complaints. Completely used to these sorts of exchanges, the girl was quite tolerant towards Subaru's impolite behaviour―― Or rather, it seemed as if she was enjoying herself exchanging these sorts of conversations with him.
Subaru's heart cannot help but feel the distorted feelings of guilt in his heart intensify when seeing that smile. In any case, he doesn't know which way of acting is the right one. Only with the person right in front of his eyes, can he find the optimal solution.
[Subaru: As I thought, you're such an unpleasant woman.]
[???: That makes me glad. For you, who is kind and greedy. Rather than being kind towards everyone, rather than being someone so apathetic who doesn't find any value in having others help him, I always take great delight in becoming someone who cruelly wounds your heart, or the unpleasant someone who lodges an immovable thorn in your heart.]
Neither sarcasm or irony worked against her. Before she had answered him, Subaru made quite an unpleasant face, but that only resulted in making her more pleased.
[???: Now then, any more of this and my heart will get pained for being hated and buying into your antipathy. Let's try and achieve what we set out to do for this morning's meeting now.]
[Subaru: You weren't hoping to be hated?]
[???: It was a girl's cute bluff, you know? This is what I want you to see and accept.]
[Subaru: Cute…?]
Subaru doubted this from the bottom of his heart. He leaned his head in doubt. As for his companion she merely gave a ironic smile. And then…,
[???: You're truly a man who never cowers down to anyone or anything. As the 『Witch of Greed』, I like that about you. ――Natsuki Subaru]
Suited to be a contractor, the『Witch of Greed』, Echidna narrowed her eyes with a sweet smile, a smile that rose from the depths of her heart.