The Waiting Game

Sitting on the edge of the fountain I sip a nice cup of cold appa juice. Countless people walk through the market square of the Royal Capital, engaging in trade and pleasant conversation. I lean back slightly as the sun gets in my eye and bask in its light after recoiling slightly.

Persona, I ring the word of power through my head and focus on the imaginary screen that appears in front of me.

[Social Stats]

[Confidants]

It's been five months since I've arrived in the world of Re:Zero, and it's been four and half since I figured out the ability I gained. Honestly figuring it out was sheer luck, it's clear inspiration from Persona throwing me off.

Perhaps I'd expected the standard Gamer experience, or nothing at all. But certainly not this. Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to review how the damn thing works.

[Social Stats]

Knowledge: Learned

Guts: Bold

Proficiency: Skilled

Kindness: Considerate

Charm: Suave

First of all, have a list of social stats. Each one can be grown through training it as you would any normal skill. Repeated practice. Unlike normal skills however I haven't noticed any rusting or needing to actively call upon them for them to activate.

I'd gotten a job at the 'Boar's Bounty', a well-off restaurant where I'd acted as a waiter for our guests. Honestly I'd lucked out getting picked up by Ms. Wairiver. The nice old woman taking my homeless self in on the first day of my arrival. Her two adorable kids and husband warming up to me quite quickly.

Wish the brats wouldn't climb on me to get a better view. Speaking of my height, I turn down the fountain's water. My face and body reflecting in the pale water, cold black hair and deep blue eyes. My uniform slightly disheveled from my rough seating. My 5,11 form still relaxed on the stone.

[SPOILER="The Fool"][/SPOILER]

I'd been working since seven in the morning, and just got off for the day around three. I instinctively turn down to my wrist in order to glance at my missing watch. It's absence is a reminder of my situation. How well and truly fucked I'd have been if they hadn't taken me in.

Learned to read by using the restaurant menus, but writing is still a little bit of a challenge. The pay wasn't great but room and board was free. Everything had been relatively peaceful, I hadn't even realized I was in an anime until that person arrived in our restaurant.

Adelheid Van Astrea, the motherfucking sword saint. Loved by the world but could never get the love of those around her. Doomed to be alone by virtue of overwhelming power. Truly a good gal.

[SPOILER="Adelheid Van Astrea"][/SPOILER]

Now you're probably wondering why Reinhard Van Astrea is a girl, and I don't really have a good answer for that. I figure I'm in some shitty fanfiction or alternate universe. Honestly it's a coin flip considering how weird that first encounter was.

. . .

"Welcome to the Boar's Bounty, seat for how many Ms. Knight?" I'd given the fantasy knight a winning smile and a casual wave. The woman was a massive 6 feet tall, just slightly larger than myself but she'd clearly had more meat on her bones and would need a meal matching as such.

"Just one today." Nodding at her words her eyes scanned the restaurant, a curious expression on her face. I'd begun walking down the aisle, taking her to a table with chairs for two. Pulling one of the chairs away and sliding it to a nearby table to allow her to sit by herself.

"First time here? I can give you some menu recommendations if you'd like."

"I would appreciate your insight."

"For a knight such as yourself I recommend the house special, a full meal for someone who serves the kingdom. Of course the meal will be free as you are a knight." A suggestion I'd given which the Boar's Bounty had taken in stride. When a knight had come along they'd usually cut the price down quite a bit, but not only making it free and instead advertising free meals to knights had increased our popularity and knight presence. Crime and accident rates nearby and in the restaurant having fallen dramatically after the implementation.

But that wasn't the only thing I'd suggested.

"I can get you a side salad, and pork chops. I'll be grabbing the ice cream as well from the back after a while. Does that work for you Miss?" She gives a smile that makes my heart flutter.

"I would love that, thank you." Ice cream is surprisingly easy to make. Butter, milk, sugar, and salt really being all you need. As for specific flavoring we'd used appa's, a locally sourced fruit. Thus the world's first appa ice cream was born!

"Ms. Wairiver, we've got a knight looking for the special. I'll snag the ice cream." She gives a nod as she lightly sweats, the woman slicing meat as she works.

"Caleb, be a dear and help Mr. Bell with the ice cream."

"Yes mom!" The tyke runs to the back as I lift a plate of food and deliver it to another guest who I'd helped earlier. The red haired knight looking at the rapidly devoured plates of other guests until our eyes met, somehow she sensed my gaze but I had no issue with the matter. I send her a smile which she returns as I lift the cleaned off plates from the leaving customers.

"Just a moment Ms. Knight, apologies for the delay."

"It's no trouble at all, please take your time." Honestly the knights of this world aren't that bad. I'd initially expected them to be corrupt assholes as is standard in a fantasy world but a purple haired fellow had rapidly changed my opinion of that. I'd never gotten the man's name but after realizing what world I was in I'd been able to put the pieces together. However I'd realize that fact after this interaction.

Making my way back into the kitchen Ms. Wairiver gives me a smile and my service smile becomes genuine at her words.

"James, you're free to take a break after this. The rush is settling down quite nicely."

"Glad to be of service and gladder to rest my legs." Her smile becomes slightly coy as she continues with her work.

"Yes, yes young man, it's surely you who needs a seat and not this old woman." Snorting lightly at the woman barely over thirty I lift the wooden tray now stocked with a light salad. Crumbled cheese, dried croutons, small berries, and a light sauce similar to balsamic in my previous life and of course a combination of leafy greens. The thick pieces of meat are cut carefully to allow an easy eating experience and the bowl of ice cream rests on the side. Ready for consumption, and read to go.

I make my way back into the lobby and blink as I realize it's just me and her.

I set the meal in front of her and smiled.

"Got the restaurant all to yourself!" I give a wide smile and a bit of a laugh.

"You're here as well." She softly presses me with her words, a gentle smirk on her face.

"That's an invitation?" I'd be happy to spend my break with a cute girl. Though at my words she nearly freezes in her seat before nodding with a bright smile.

"It can be if you would be comfortable with that." Maybe she's a top night or something? Is this the classic peasant girl x heroic knight story? Is that why I ended up in this fantasy world? Though the genders seemed to be swapped this time around.

I pull up the chair I'd moved off to the side back to the table and take a seat in front of her.

"I'm James, I can't keep calling you Ms. Knight though. So may I have your name?" She gives a nod, the invisible mask over her face as her response is measured.

"Adelheid, just a knight." She's definitely hiding something, maybe she's secretly the hero who's going to kill the demon king.

"Well then Adelheid, feel free to dig in. Don't let me stop you." She starts eating and the grace at which she does so is honestly quite impressive. Definitely a knight through and through.

"So what brings you to Boar's Bounty? You hear good things?" She nods and swallows as her eyes pan to the bowl of light brown ice cream.

"I heard of a new dish, I believed it best to try it myself."

"That'd be the ice cream. I made this recipe myself, but I don't claim credit for the food as a whole. That belongs to someone far, far, away." Also dead but I don't need to say that.

She digs her spoon into the bowl and takes a small bite, her eyes lighting up as she eats it. I simply relax as I watch her eat, my aching legs have their pain melt away as I stare.

She's quite adorable. Then her wooden spoon hits the base of the bowl with a thunk as her eyes widen.

"I can get you some more if you'd like." She lets out a slight 'Ahem' as she looks to the side.

"I am alright at the moment . . ." She trails off and I decide to pick up the slack.

"So, Adelhied 'just a knight', anything you do outside of work?" Boom! Asking a girl about her hobbies is an easy way to make her mood flip upwards.

"Ah, unfortunately I find myself quite busy." Unless she has no hobbies! I give the girl a raised eyebrow and I decide it's time for the peasant boy x knight girl story to begin! In all seriousness I just don't want this horribly overworked girl to drive herself crazy, but I won't lie and say she doesn't make my heart skip a beat.

"Then it's decided, we are going for a walk through the square." She blinks in confusion, but I hold out my hand for her to take nonetheless. She grabs it firmly, yet nowhere near enough to hurt. The glove around her hand was unable to hide the miraculously soft skin underneath. Somehow not the hint of a callous. Either she's knew to the whole 'being a knight' thing or she's magic. Eh, honestly could go either way.

Gently pulling her with me I take her outside the building and into the square before disconnecting my hand. Taking her out to the fountain and sitting on the stone, I softly pat the seat next to me and she rests beside me.

"So what now?" I let out a peaceful sigh as I gaze upon the countless people walking around.

"Now we people watch, I'll go first." I look at an older woman, carrying a child upon her back with a radiant smile. The little girl holding a large purple fruit in hand as she nearly knocks her poor mother over by swaying on her shoulders.

"That little girl and her mom are just beginning their shopping, the fruit being bought in order to satisfy the kid for a while. But the little girl is clearly close to her mom, so I have a feeling that she'll stop focusing on the fruit once her mom is carrying too many groceries."

People watching, guessing what people are doing. It's a dumb hobby but I can't help but find joy in trying to figure out people's lives from a tiny window. The red haired woman nods as her eyes narrow and glaze over for a second as she mutters something under breath. Her gaze turned to an old man walking with a cane.

"That man is suffering from a crippled leg, an injury he'd gained during his days as a farmer. His hands calloused and muscle groups developed in such a way to show their lack of use, but former prosperity. This development is recent and now his children handle the farm while spending the rest of his years in the peace of the Royal Capital."

I blink dumbly.

"Did you just read his wiki page or something?"

"What?"

"Sorry, you're just so creative!"

"Thank you . . ." She smiles as she looks down at the ground. We continue for another ten minutes before she stands up. Her hand outstretched to mine as she pulls me from the stone.

"I should go back to my tasks, but thank you for this . . . truly."

"No problem, my boss will need me soon enough anyways. I come out here nearly every day at the same time, so drop by whenever you're around and I'll be glad to welcome you with open arms." Her smile falls a bit, but picks up as she turns around.

"I'll hold you to that."

Then the world turned frozen and grey. The voice of a young girl entered my mind at that very moment..

I am Thou, Thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of Hope that breaketh thy chains of Fate.

With the birth of the Strength Arcana, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power . . .

Adelheid Van Astrea

Rank 1: Eyes of Od Lagna - You may see the Divine Protection of anyone you look at.

Kindness has increased to Considerate. 

Thus bringing us back to the current me, sitting upon that same fountain as I think about this system I've been bestowed. It doesn't open with status or menu. No, it requires you to think of the word Persona with intent behind it. No wonder I thought I had no system! This one came with no tutorial and works super weird!

Nonetheless after reading the woman's full name and hearing about Divine Protection I'd started to understand my situation a lot better. I was in Re:Zero, and in some kind of alternate universe. Perhaps I was drawn to this fountain because it was where the anime began, or perhaps it was to simply engage in my strange habit. Maybe I really was in a fanfiction . . .

Let's not get existential, I'd rather think about the system at least. Social stat gains give me no actual fighting power but my Rank 2 with Adelheid gave me something quite interesting.

Rank 2: Knightly Physique - Your body has gone through military conditioning. These benefits will not fade through lack of training.

It took a couple of days for the changes to fully set it, but my toned abs and denser arms were clear signs of it working.

I have this form to thank for Adelheid taking me up on my offer and deciding to join me on some days near the fountain and people watching. Today was one such day.

The woman approached with a smile, a cup of water in hand as she sat down next to me.

"It's nice to see you again James, shall we begin?" I blush faintly at her words. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm the social link and she's the persona protagonist. Though my lack of Personas definitely isn't helping my case.

She's fun to hang out with, actually seeming to enjoy my hobby with me. Even if she had a confidant I wouldn't spend time with her if I didn't like her.

"I suppose we shall, I'll go first if you'd let me, Adel." Her faint blush is adorable as always. Ah I suppose I didn't mention it did I?

She's at Rank 8.

Rank 3: Sense of Od Lagna - You can sense nearby holders of Divine Protection.

Rank 4: Knightly Training - You have an instinctual understanding of all weapons used by soldiers, you are no master but you know how to properly wield them. These benefits will not fade through lack of training.

Rank 5: Gift of Od Lagna - Gain a Divine Protection that would aid you in a mundane problem. (Divine Protection of Instruction - In response to training new workers for the Boar's Bounty as your departure is inevitable.)

Rank 6: Knight Watch. Your perception and reaction speed is greatly increased.

Rank 7: Gentleness of Od Lagna - When Divine Protections are used to harm you or your allies their negative effects are reduced. Additionally Divine protections used to aid you or your allies have their positive effects increased. This does not apply if Adelheid Van Astrea wishes to oppose you.

Rank 8: Honorable Sword Saint - Your skill with a blade is equal to that of Sword Saint, however you do not gain the benefits of any Divine Protection from this effect. These benefits will not fade through lack of training.

I'd already resolved myself to get involved with the plot if Rank 5 was anything to go by. Honestly Subaru wasn't the greatest person, but no random kid deserves to go through that nightmare. I just wanted to ease his burden a little bit, poor bastard.

His anime had helped me out when I was younger, but I'd never say that to his face. Not giving up, and acknowledging your faults so that you could grow . . . It's something everyone should acknowledge. But as a stupid kid I hadn't until I'd seen what you'd turn into. What you'd become.

Shame my memory of the anime was so foggy, otherwise I'd be able to deal with a lot more problems. Sorry Subaru, I'll help you the best I can but RBD is probably going to be necessary. I can't help but grit my teeth at the thought, forcefully pushing my mind in another direction.

Adelheid and I had become very close over the past months. I'd even call us friends. I wish the woman had more, but she spends all her time off meandering around me. We both know the Royal Selection is soon, so she'll inevitably be forced to get involved somehow. The girl was nineteen, I was eighteen. The amount of friends she held was the difference between our ages.

I let out a soft sigh as I told her my thoughts on some random youngsters going by.

"James, I unfortunately have to go. Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow." I let out a dull nod as my thoughts swim.

"See ya later Adel, you're always welcome with me." I catch her smile as she leaves, off to save the kingdom or something probably. It's always something ridiculous with that woman.

I sit idly on the stone for a few minutes before snapping out of my trance. Gazing over the crowd I spot a strange girl in stranger attire.

[SPOILER="NEET"][/SPOILER]

"She looks like she just came out of the convenience store if those bags are anything to-" Wait. I'm not on Earth anymore. Fuck is this just the gender swap alternate universe? I instantly stand up, hopefully I get to her before she uses RBD. But I think I might be too late.

The girl is stock still, a horrified expression on her face. After about a minute of walking I finally make it to her.

"You need to sit down for a moment?"

"James . . . ?"

"That's me." Silently I plug the words Persona into my mind in order to check something.

[Social Stats]

-> [Confidants]

 -  Death XIII : Subaru Natsuki - RANK 3

 -  Strength VIII : Adelheid Van Astrea - RANK 8

I'd had a feeling it might work like that . . . I'll check the benefits later for now. I just need to let the poor girl rest. After all, she may have just seen a ghost.

Fuck, hope the other versions of me don't die as horribly as this girl surely will.

Sorry Subaru, I'll try my best to carry some of your burden.

AN: Welcome to Cucking Satella 101 where our protagonist has no memory of seducing Fem Subaru. He will become her Emilia effectively, though he isn't going to realize for quite some time. For those wondering about Adelheid, the old saying goes that sometimes it takes a real man to be best girl. In the case of the real protagonist of Re:Zero that holds very true. 

Decided to give this one its own thread after writing a new chapter (which you'll see in a moment)

Hope you fellows enjoyed reading!

As always please leave nice comments, and grammatical corrections are welcome too!