Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"With a tremor in his voice, Hachiman Hikigaya's throat bobbed."

He pointed to the pattern on his clothes, the blue-haired girl. Ram glanced at it, scoffed, and gave a disdainful laugh: "Rem? Who is that? Don't know her. Did you choose such a name to attract Ram's attention? Tell her to give up. Ram has absolutely no interest in this so-called Rem. Ram's eyes are only on Lord Roswaal, understand, foolish guest?"

"A scathing tongue and merciless insults directed at his own sister."

"As soon as Ram finished speaking, Hachiman Hikigaya gasped for breath."

"What are you doing, looking at Ram like that?"

"Rem is your sister—your twin sister."

"Enough with the jokes. How could Ram not remember if she had a sister? And frankly, it's questionable whether Rem is even a figment of your imagination."

"A barrage of mockery, endless sarcasm. That's what Ram wanted to do... But looking at Hachiman Hikigaya, she gradually, involuntarily, stopped her venomous tongue."

"The swaying, pale-faced Hachiman Hikigaya, this man's face showed no sign of joking. Every time he heard Ram deny his kinship with Rem, deny Rem's existence, his heart was torn apart, as if hundreds and thousands of arrows were shooting wounds all over his body, leaving him riddled with holes."

"——"

"Blood...flowed out. It flowed from Hachiman Hikigaya's mouth. Crimson blood, a storm woven from guilt and anger, swept over Hachiman Hikigaya's shattered body and mind."

He stared intently at Ram, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Rem is your sister—your twin sister! Rem and Ram are sisters who rival me and Komachi, the best sisters in the world, and you are Rem's older sister! Rem is your sister! You are the sister in the world who loves Rem the most! Rem is the sister in the world who loves you the most! Rem, she—"

"Heartbreaking, my voice is hoarse."

"Rem is... your sister!!!"

112. Emilia's Dependence

"—"

In the courtyard of Roswaal's mansion.

Ram stared wide-eyed, her mouth agape. Her ears rang for a moment, then she could hear nothing at all. She was stunned, her head buzzing as if she had been punched hard, and she swayed unsteadily.

Her body instantly lost all warmth; the sun was shining brightly, yet it felt as if she were in a frozen wasteland, and her spine felt cold.

"I want--"

She knew nothing more, her mind filled with only one thought: she had... forgotten Rem.

She could still be cheerful before because she believed that she loved Rem to the extreme, and even if everyone forgot about her sister, at the very least she would remember Rem firmly because of her sisterly bond.

Irony, so ironic—

Hachiman Hikigaya, whom she repeatedly felt was unworthy of her younger sister, was wholeheartedly devoted to Rem, feeling guilty, angry, and making vows for her sake—and for this, he was met with ridicule and misunderstanding from his older sister?!

No, that's not right—Ram has no right to call herself Rem's sister—

"elder sister!"

He fell down.

Ram's upper body was knocked down on the grass, and the most familiar voice calling her roused her from her reverie.

"Pfft...cough cough cough!"

"Are you alright, sister? Wait a minute, I'll go get you some water right away! Please don't do anything so foolish again!"

"what……"

Ram collapsed, her eyes glazed over, clutching her own neck with both hands, letting out a weak, bitter laugh. "You piece of trash who doesn't remember Rem, you might as well die!"

Rem frantically pulled her sister's hands away and hugged her, who was deeply traumatized. "If you're gone, Rem will never forgive you, sister! Rem needs you! Cheer up! You're the future sister, aren't you? Nothing has happened yet!"

"But that's the truth!"

Ram gritted her teeth stubbornly, her heart nearly stopping and her blood running cold when she saw herself utter those mocking words to Rem.

If she could travel to the future, she wouldn't do anything else but break free from her shackles and kill her future self—a useless person who can't even remember Rem doesn't deserve to be Rem's sister! Doesn't deserve to live! Not even 'herself'!!

Nothing in the world is more important than Rem, nothing is more important than my own sister.

If she hadn't held such a belief, she wouldn't have been so critical of Hachiman Hikigaya.

But as it turns out... Ram is no match for Hachiman Hikigaya, even in his love for Rem—

“Rem…”

Her sister, her Rem.

"If my sister can't forgive herself, how can Rem possibly be happy?"

“Rem…”

Rem, who was clinging to her, was earnestly trying to comfort her. Ram sighed softly; only then did she truly understand the difficulties and feelings that Hachiman Hikigaya had endured.

The two sisters hugged each other, and for a moment, there was silence.

"Rem..." Ram was silent for a long time, then she said firmly in a low voice, "I absolutely... absolutely will not interfere with his relationship with you!"

"No matter what happens, no matter what, I will make him marry you!!"

"I will never be at peace until Hachiman Hikigaya falls in love with Rem and marries her!!!"

She figured it out.

Even if it costs Emilia her life, it doesn't matter. This isn't something that can be resolved by simply disfiguring Emilia; this is war! War can only have one winner!

Although she didn't know why her sister had suddenly turned to this, Rem, who had been frightened earlier, felt somewhat relieved after seeing that her sister was no longer so emotional and had no self-harm tendencies.

"Hysterical, with a hoarse voice."

"Hachiman Hikigaya's voice wasn't loud; he didn't take the opportunity to vent his anger by yelling and shouting. However, Garfield and Ram could both hear the seriousness in his voice."

He stared at Ram, who had stopped mocking Rem, and began to describe everything about Rem, her life, feelings, past, and Rem's current situation after encountering the Archbishop of Sin.

"..."

"Lum is incredulous. She has no memory of a twin sister at all. But the kind of life that Hachiman Hikigaya described is also hard to call a figment of her imagination, because it's too real."

"I see. So, you lost Ram's...sister, huh?" Despite realizing this, Ram didn't get angry, as she had no memory or feelings for her sister named Rem.

"But her simple, unintentional remark was like a knife plunged into Hachiman Hikigaya's heart, twisting it violently."

"His eyelids drooped, his lips moved slightly, but he didn't say anything."

"I will retrieve Rem's soul, Rem's existence, Rem's name—everything, without exception. This is a vow to myself, a vow to Rem, a one-sided vow. I must fulfill it, I will definitely fulfill it… But until it is fulfilled, I will not mention it to anyone else."

"This is outrageous!"

Anastasia curled her lip. "He's the kind of man who could easily defeat us and bring shame upon us. This guy always likes to habitually blame himself and torment himself. Sigh... Why does he always take all the blame upon himself? He's too kind and too gentle."

She paused for a moment, then added, "But it's not bad either."

Anastasia rested her chin on her hand, thinking how happy she must be to have such a devoted lover.

If there were someone who loved me like that... well... if Hachiman Hikigaya loved me...

"It seems... really not bad?"

"Lady Anastasia?"

"Waaah—"

Anastasia was startled, while Julius was startled by Anastasia's muttering to herself and then her sudden fright.

"When Emilia finished her speech and came out to meet him, Hachiman Hikigaya had already tried his best to hide the thorn that Ram had provoked."

"Garfield, there are conservatives in the Sanctuary who don't want to leave, right? If Emilia participates in the trial, won't any of these conservatives try to harm her?"

"Huh? Are you looking down on me? If someone actually tried to do something that stupid, I'd teach them a lesson! No, there simply isn't such a person!"

"After confirming it several times, led by Jiafeier, with a few others following behind, we headed to the trial site."

Hachiman Hikigaya whispered to Emilia, "Can't Puck get out?"

"Hmm... I don't know why, but..."

"If the trial becomes dangerous, evacuate immediately, understand?"

"The suggestion that he deserted for his own safety, and Hachiman Hikigaya's concern for himself, warmed Emilia's heart, who was feeling a little down. She nodded excitedly."

"Yes! I'll listen to everything Hachiman says!"

113. First, you must face your past.

"The trial is taking place in another stone building, which doesn't look very big. According to Jiafeier, there are no dangerous monsters or anything like that inside, so there's really no need to worry about your safety. As for the specifics of the trial, he remained silent, as if it involved something from his past. If you pressed him for details, he might even revert to his initial irritability."

"Well then, I'm off!"

"Emilia said this, her feet remaining motionless, her gaze fixed on Hachiman Hikigaya, the implication quite clear. Looking at her knight, Emilia extended her slender, white hand. 'Then, I shall depart.'"

"Hachiman Hikigaya realized what was happening and immediately gave him careful instructions, like a doting parent caring for a nagging child about to leave: 'If you can manage, then go ahead; if you can't, then come back. Your safety is the priority. I'll be waiting outside for you. Be careful.'"

"...Huh?"

"Although I didn't think about romance, what I really wanted was psychological encouragement, not something as practical as that—but anything Hachiman says is fine!"

"I'll do my best! I'll finish it as soon as possible so Hachiman won't suffer outside!"

"Hachiman Hikigaya nodded, feeling that he had done a good job. ...After all, he was a man who saw through the realities of society. Even when writing a high school assignment, he approached it from a practical perspective. How could he possibly encourage Emilia from a romantic point of view when her future was uncertain?"

"Amelia took a step, and the exterior of the building flashed with blue light, a recognition of her qualification for the trial."

"Watching the girl's back disappear into the building, Hachiman Hikigaya was so nervous that his palms were sweating. He was afraid that he would see Emilia flying out covered in wounds in the next second."

"However, the next second, an unexpected event occurred—the blue light on the building suddenly dissipated, and Jiafeier exclaimed in surprise, 'What happened? This has never happened before, with the trial still in progress and the certificate representing the trial qualification disappearing!'"

"Roswaal... Hachiman Hikigaya immediately thought it was a setup by him. His active mind was thinking about what Roswaal wanted to do, while his subconscious was completely occupied by his concern for Emilia. Before he could come to his senses, his body had already unconsciously rushed towards the trial grounds."

"Just as he realized his recklessness and was about to stop, the building emitted a blue light, and Hachiman Hikigaya's body passed through the light without any hindrance."

"...Am I also qualified for the trial?"

"There's no time for oddities. In that case, rushing in to protect Emilia—that's the most important thing!"

"Garfield said that there are no physical dangers like magical beasts in the trial, so even though he is weak, he should be able to help Emilia."

"Walking down the building's corridor, in the last room, I saw Emilia lying unconscious on the floor."

"Emilia!"