His plan was built on the assumption that the rest of the seasons would refuse as well.
However, as the situation kept unfolding, Autumn felt the burden of responsibility and chose to deal with it themselves; Winter had to hurry to offer help.
The mutual consideration that had been fostered through their alliance ended up working against them.
“What I’m talking about is the lack of coordination. I’m going to be on the move anyway, so you should have told me from the beginning. You’re keeping too many secrets from me. Like with Zansetsu’s…”
Rosei knew it wasn’t negligence on Itecho’s part, but he was not content. He still held a grudge against his Guard for not telling him about the way Zansetsu Kayo had showed up out of nowhere last summer or about his actions.
“I already apologized for the Kayos’ son. I was trying to find the right time then, too. Of course I’m going to keep some secrets to assess the situation so I can protect you. I’m your Guard. That’s just how it works. Accept it already.”
“What a haughty Guard.”
“Like lord, like retainer.”
Rosei made a chopping motion, and Itecho swiftly dodged. But the kick to Itecho’s calf did not miss. The Guard reached out and pulled Rosei’s ear, and he yelled in pain.
Rindo broke the two of them apart before their argument became even more physical.
“Lord Kantsubaki. Lord Kangetsu is right; it’s the love of a retainer! Any Guard would refuse immediately!”
“Lord Rosei, don’t fight!” Nadeshiko said.
Rosei became embarrassed about his immature behavior and reluctantly stepped away from Itecho.
“…But I have a reputation to uphold…”
Rindo returned to Nadeshiko’s side before shaking his head.
“The request came to Autumn originally. It should have been dealt with by Foreign Affairs and me. I could not do it, so this is Autumn’s failing. I lacked the coordination skills.”
Itecho straightened his suit. “No, Azami. I would say you took on too much by yourself, even. I wish you would’ve asked for help.”
“Everyone, I— Wah!”
Nadeshiko tripped as she was walking backward. Rindo immediately caught her and stood her back up.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes…”
She was safer being carried than she was walking around surrounded by adults.
Shirahagi quickly took Rindo’s bag from him.
Nadeshiko met Rindo’s gaze and thanked him before turning her attention to Itecho.
“I couldn’t do anything, either… Even though I’m the Agent. I’m sorry, Lord Itecho.”
Itecho replied warmly before the panicking Rindo could say anything.
“No, Lady Nadeshiko. It’s not Autumn’s fault.”
His tone was soft, but his words were firm.
“But I am Yamato’s Autumn…”
“You are. But it’s just coincidence that Autumn got the call first; this is an issue that involves all of the Four Seasons. So as Rosei said, Winter should have taken care of this. There is nothing at all that you should feel bad about. As the Guard of Winter, I apologize for this blunder. And also, you’ve behaved perfectly for your position, Lady Nadeshiko. You trust in your retainer and show him gratitude. You’re doing what you ought to do. You should be proud of a job well done.”
“…No, I’m still immature.”
The King of Winter—the short-fused, narrow-minded, ungrateful King of Winter—pouted and looked away as he listened to their conversation.
Itecho chuckled.
Ruri delivered the last move for checkmate.
“Look, maybe we are being a little pushy, but having more people here is definitely for the best. Hanakiri’s good at his job, but this is a discussion between humans. Right, Raicho?”
Ruri turned to her husband for help cheering up the courageous Autumn.
They truly were a lovely couple whose marriage was filled with a truckload of love.
What did Raicho think about this dangerous trip? Everyone’s eyes turned to him, but he didn’t seem to have been listening much. His attention was on the man who had scolded him severely during last summer: Rindo Azami. Raicho seemed so anxious around the Guard of Autumn that some might wonder if he had a crush.
Ruri rolled her eyes and walked up to him and pulled his sleeve. “Hey, are you listening? We’re fine, right?! Everyone’s fine with this, right?”
Raicho was pulled back to his senses.
“Oh, yes. This is the will of all of Summer. Ayame and Renri also agreed to sending us here; it’s fine.”
While speaking to Nadeshiko, Raicho glanced at Rindo.
Rindo only returned a look of suspicion.
“But you are Lady Ruri’s Guard and husband. Aren’t you scared…?”
“Mmm… I can’t deny that. I did tell them only my team and I could come, but my wife wouldn’t listen.”
So he did refuse at first. That was a normal answer for both a Guard and a husband.
“Then… You can still…”
Ruri cut her off before she could suggest they go back.
“No, no, no! I mean, if it was just for security, I’d let Raicho and his people do it… But this is about talking with another god, and I can’t let you and Lord Rindo do it by yourselves. And as Lord Itecho said, this is an issue for all of us that just came to you first. If Kyokoku’s gonna be forceful, then we will be, too! If push comes to shove, I don’t care about honor or reputation. I’ll fling myself onto the floor and throw the biggest tantrum you’ve ever seen.”
“Tantrum…?”
Nadeshiko pictured Ruri having a hissy fit. Ruri was a woman of her word; when she freaked out, it would be worse than any of them imagined.
Raicho chuckled and said, “I thought the same, honestly. If harm is eventually going to come our way anyhow, better to take care of it before it does. That’s why the pushy ones came here, while Ayame and Renri stayed home. It’s all part of the plan. And in addition to preparing for Summer, it’s better to have someone here who can help Spring if needed. Ayame should stay in the country.”
“We talked things out, y’know? Nobody’s being forced, okay?”
“Okay…”
Nadeshiko felt her heart warm up a bit. The adults had made their case as clearly as they could. Like Ruri said, Summer had thought things through, too.
With Ayame joining Ruri as an Agent of Summer, they had double the resources. Ruri had the second most experience as a god incarnate behind Winter. Ayame, while new to life as an Agent, was experienced as a Guard.
Like Raicho said, moving within the country was Ayame’s forte. If anything happened to Spring, she would cooperate with the Agency and National Security to deal with it smoothly.
Her husband, Renri, would also be helpful, as he had officially become a member of the Agency’s staff, although he was focused on office work. He should be working hard now on preparing for the trip after Rikka.
And so Ruri and Raicho could take over here.
One concern was splitting security up, but Ayame was stronger than the average person.
The girl had been battling insurgents since she was young, and now that she was the goddess of Summer, she had incredible power. In a way, she could be seen as the strongest goddess of them all.
The only problem was that Ruri would miss her sister, even though she acted cheery for Nadeshiko’s sake.
“…”
A sigh escaped from Nadeshiko’s small lips.
Everyone is helping.
She had imagined how reassuring it would be to get the other gods incarnate to accompany her.
But she’d never said a word.
They’re still helping me.