“That’s because Maverick Rabbit Horn’s stance of protecting the Agents has become stronger. They know that reinstating the mutual aid system now would be the wrong political move for the Yamatoan Four Seasons society. Although there are some that say we should consider it anyway…”
Nadeshiko was reminded of what happened in summer.
Maverick Rabbit Horn was the progressive group within the Four Seasons’ descendants. Its conservative opposition was Doyen Turtle.
Doyen Turtle had held political power in the Towns and Agency up to now.
After many members of Doyen Turtle were arrested last spring, the regime had changed in summer.
Maverick Rabbit Horn wasn’t fully in power yet, but the tide had turned in their favor.
Doyen Turtle tended to neglect the Agents, while many in Maverick Rabbit Horn wished to protect them.
“It’s unbelievable that people would agree to it in times like this… It’s the inherent contradiction of Maverick Rabbit Horn. As they look for better reforms and work for new change, they end up split between those in favor of protecting the Agents and those promoting international relationships. Those in agreement must be thinking that they can make work what the conservatives have shut out until now. Did you know that Lady Kayo received congratulations from the Agents overseas when she returned after a decade? The Foreign Affairs Division was moved by it and began claiming that we must stop this national isolation.”
Nadeshiko was a bit bewildered by the volume of information, but she tried to make sense of it.
“…So some want to do it, and some don’t.”
“Exactly. I’m one of the ones who doesn’t want to do it, and I think the people pushing for it should eat shit.”
“…R-Rindo, mind your manners.”
“Sorry. I do appreciate positive reform, but I can’t stand it when people who only debate this in theory then give orders while they sit back and wax philosophical about international relationships. Fortunately, the ones pushing for it are in the minority. And I have no intention of collaborating with them.”
He was not changing his mind.
Sanekazura and Shirahagi were on his side, too. “We can’t go along with that request when we’re considering your safety, Lady Nadeshiko.”
“I’m also opposed, as a member of Autumn’s escorts.”
“I…see.”
They would have to escort her into a country with terrorist attacks more violent than any in Yamato if the request went through. Nadeshiko’s safety was their number one concern, of course, but nobody would want to do that anyhow.
“What do you think after hearing all that, Nadeshiko?”
“…Mutual aid is scary.”
“Yes…”
“But I’m curious about Kyokoku’s Lord Autumn… If only we could meet in a better way…”
Still, on the other side of her anxiety was the excitement from the knowledge that a boy her age was manifesting the same season as her somewhere in the world.
She wanted to be friends—it was a simple wish from a young child.
Rindo frowned again, and Nadeshiko quickly added, “I just mean that it would be nice to be friends… That’s all.”
“…Yes. There is a high turnover rate of Agents in Kyokoku… I don’t think they tend to have strong relationships among themselves. Kashu’s Agent would also like to get to know more people. But this whole situation—it’s like we’re in the palm of their hand…”
Nadeshiko wasn’t sure what that expression meant, but before she could say anything, Rindo continued.
“No… I understand. You’re against the mutual aid system, but not against meeting foreign Agents.”
“Yes. I’d like to have…friends…”
Nadeshiko didn’t mean to sound sad, but she couldn’t help how her voice came out.
“…It’s my fault that you can’t share experiences with children your age.” Rindo sounded sad as well.
“That’s not true! Ah, um…” Nadeshiko tried to move the conversation over before Rindo blamed himself. “I’m just curious…if we did accept, how would it go?”
“…We’d go over there, have dinner together, and talk, and I think that’s all. Honestly, I don’t see the reason why we have to put ourselves at risk to meet face-to-face when technology has advanced so much…”
Suddenly, Nadeshiko realized there were other methods as well.
They could use phones or computers to talk; there was no need to travel far away.
“I could have conceded if they asked to have a video call…”
“…”
“Asking us to travel there is ridiculous.”
“…”
“Stupid, really.”
“…”
“If they want to meet us so badly, just give us a call. Why put my Nadeshiko at risk like that?”
Rindo kept insulting them, while Nadeshiko thought. He really hated the idea.
“…Th-that’s true. We can’t just have a call?” Nadeshiko asked in solidarity with him. “We called Lady Kaya back then and solved everything that way.”
Around last year’s Rittou, Nadeshiko and Rindo had traveled to Shiranui to save the Archer of Dawn’s Custodian, Yuzuru Fugeki. They held a video call with the Archer of Twilight, Kaguya Fugeki, and his Custodian, Eken Fugeki, to talk about how to save Yuzuru’s life.
That had been the first time Nadeshiko had met Kaya, but the phone had allowed a perfectly fine introduction. If anything, many things had only been possible because they’d had that meeting so quickly.
Modern kids like Rindo and Nadeshiko couldn’t help but think that was enough.
Sanekazura interjected with a wry smile:
“…The higher-ups and those pushing for it find it strange not to have the representatives meet. They think that it would be rude to both sides in the context of international exchange.”
“I don’t find it rude at all. Video calls are easy,” said Nadeshiko.
Sanekazura lowered her eyebrows. “Unfortunately…no matter how kindly you say that, those pushing for this meeting won’t listen.”
“But why?”
“Many of them are expecting to get something to put on their résumé… And there is also the possibility that the Agency would like to have a meeting with them for other reasons. They must want a face-to-face meeting more than anything.”
“…?”
A question mark popped up over Nadeshiko’s head.
“Ms. Sanekazura, that’s enough… You’re only speculating. And even if you’re right, this is adult nonsense.”
“Sorry, you’re right, there was no need to explain that much… Lady Nadeshiko, the point is, we’re talking about very stubborn people. They won’t listen no matter how hard we refuse. But Lord Azami is working hard so that you don’t have to go overseas. Let’s spend our time today like we always do, free of worry. That is also why Lord Azami and Shirahagi brought me here, right?”
“…Yes. I want you to continue with your normal life, Nadeshiko. Ms. Sanekazura, too. Please enjoy Lady Kayo’s season.”
Rindo put an end to the conversation, but Nadeshiko didn’t feel like it was over.
“But you mentioned your family, didn’t you?” she asked. “If you say no, wouldn’t that be a problem for the Azamis? And won’t the higher-ups get mad with the Autumn escorts for refusing?”
This wasn’t something an eight-year-old should worry about, but because of her position, she had no choice in the matter.
Nadeshiko Iwaizuki was Yamato’s Autumn, a goddess incarnate. She was destined to protect the humans around her.
“I don’t mind.”
Nadeshiko was duty-bound to be considerate of her retainer. But most importantly, she wanted to be there for him, too.
“I don’t want to put myself in danger, but if they’ll receive me over there, I can go alone. I would rather you make a good decision for yourselves…”
There would be less pressure that way.
“Nadeshiko…”
Nobody had expected her to propose that she go by herself.
They had been worried that she would be scared, but this reaction wasn’t that of a young child.
Nadeshiko grew more mature by the day. It was laudable, but was it good to accept danger by putting others first?
“You are my top priority,” Rindo said.
“…”
“Your safety comes first. You don’t really want to get yourself in a scary situation, do you?”
“…That is true.”
Rindo’s words warmed Nadeshiko’s heart, but they left her anxious at the same time.
It would damage Rindo’s status as well as his family’s.
And as Nadeshiko said, if he continued to refuse, it would threaten the whole image of Autumn’s security.
One could not act freely as part of an organization. A certain level of cooperation was imperative.
If continuing to refuse affected the adults who protected Nadeshiko—if it crushed future possibilities—just thinking about those futures made her throat dry.
“But…”
Nadeshiko was worried. She was making everyone protect her, chipping away at their mental fortitude, and who knew what would happen next.
I don’t want the adults to think I’m a bother.
Nadeshiko knew.
Rindo ignored her feelings and cheerily said, “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m sorry… Maybe I shouldn’t have talked about it.”
“No, don’t say that.”
I know how hard you’re trying to protect me, she thought, hoping Rindo could see it in her eyes. I can’t ever thank you enough.
“I want you to talk to me about it. About everything.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I don’t want you to keep everything to yourself and worry all on your own. I also want to talk to you when I am worried… I want to help you…”
Rindo blinked a couple of times.
“Sometimes, just being heard is enough to calm you down. It’s happened to me…”
Her intelligence was incredible at times.
“Yes… You’re right. I do feel better after talking with you. Thank you…”
“Then…”
“But let’s not talk about it anymore. I ruined our party with all that, so let’s go back to enjoying the flowers. We can take some pictures.”
Rindo put an end to the conversation, and Nadeshiko couldn’t say anything more. Sanekazura and Shirahagi also told her not to worry about it, but she couldn’t just let the matter go.
Her chest was heavy. Something was building up inside her.
“…”
It was like a bundle of soft, dry leaves. Each one was too light to register on a scale, but as they accumulated, they reached her throat and suffocated her.
The feeling was something happening inside her, so she couldn’t ask others for help. Talking about it to adults would only trouble them.
“…Yeah.”
Nadeshiko decided to act the way she always did.
“I’ll do as you say.”
Most things went well if she was a good girl. She had to be one.
I have to be a good girl.
Bad girls can’t go on living. Life in the human world was difficult for the gods.
So ended the cherry blossom viewing.