She believed she shouldn’t ask for anything.
Once again, the dried leaves in her chest told her not to trouble the adults.
I can’t be too demanding.
The results of her behavior were circling back to her. She didn’t think it was wrong to help the Archer of Dawn last year. But then her parents didn’t want to see her, and today, she was taking a flight out of the country without saying good-bye to them. They should have been notified about the trip to Kyokoku; if they weren’t here, it meant that they were not worried about their eight-year-old daughter’s first trip overseas.
“…”
Their interest in her dropped alongside her reputation.
If the adults in the Town abandon me…
How would she live? Nadeshiko was anxious. Realistically speaking, she wouldn’t be abandoned under any circumstances, but the child couldn’t help fearing the possibility of her guardians leaving her.
But they all came, even though I didn’t ask.
The adults couldn’t understand what a relief it was for a child hiding her loneliness.
“Isn’t this great, Lady Nadeshiko? It’s so encouraging to have everyone here.”
Sanekazura found a good moment to talk to Nadeshiko, as she had been keeping quiet in front of the VIPs.
“Ms. Sanekazura…”
“Don’t look so sad. There will be plenty of fun over there, I’m sure. It’s not every day you get to travel to another country.”
“…Yes.”
“It’s actually my first time going overseas, too.”
“It is?”
“Yes. Shirahagi, too, right?”
He nodded.
“I’ve been having so many new experiences since I became your maid,” said Sanekazura. “Thank you, Lady Nadeshiko.”
“I’m going to buy a nice souvenir for my mother.”
They didn’t seem the least bit afraid. However, Nadeshiko felt she shouldn’t take their words at face value.
They’re lying for my sake.
They couldn’t deny the possibility of an insurgent attack. They were accompanying her on a dangerous journey; they couldn’t truly see this as a nice vacation.
“I worry I won’t be able to talk with any store staff in Centrish.”
“I was thinking the same… And I don’t know what to buy my mother…”
“How old is she, by the way? I could help you think of something. Lady Nadeshiko, you should help us choose souvenirs, too.”
Nadeshiko knew they were saying that so she wouldn’t be scared.
“…Yes…” The well of gloom in her heart didn’t disappear.
Then Nadeshiko looked at everyone gathered again.
“…I want to thank you all.”
She expressed her gratitude to them before hugging Rindo’s neck tight.
“Nadeshiko?” Rindo said as she pressed her face against his neck.
Nadeshiko whispered into his ear. “Rindo. I’m so glad I’m not alone…”
He shivered.
“I was really scared.”
“…I know.”
“But everything would’ve been solved if I did.”
“…”
“I could’ve gone on my own, but I’m glad that everyone is coming. Isn’t that selfish of me?”
Her worries concerning the trip filled every word.
“…No, it’s not.”
Rindo hugged his dearest Autumn tight and whispered back.
From his point of view, he had failed to handle this on his own, and he felt powerless. He hadn’t asked Itecho for help because he felt it was his responsibility.
But Rindo had learned last spring how important it was to protect his loved one, even at the expense of his pride.
“Thank you all for your help. We’re counting on you.”
Rindo spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.
And so began Autumn’s journey.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Enishi, Spring stood in the middle of the snow.
The large island of Enishi at the northernmost point of Yamato was a frigid place in winter.
No snow was falling, but there was not a tinge of spring to be seen.
Their breath turned white in the frozen air of the silver, silent land.
It was still Yamato, yet the environment changed dramatically with the season.
And the ones controlling it were far more normal than most would think. They longed for an ordinary life, even though they were forced into an exceptional one.
Yamato’s Agent of Spring, Hinagiku Kayo, looked up at the dim winter sky.
She was the very picture of a spring fairy in the middle of winter—enchanting to behold. And there was a reason she was looking up at the cold, overcast sky.
“…”
Rosei had told her that he would be flying to Kyokoku.
The rest of the seasons had rushed to help Autumn, but Spring could not. She could only pray for the safety of the travelers.
As she prayed, her voluminous hair fluttered with the chilly wind, and Hinagiku shivered.
The team going to Kyokoku was already dressed for spring, but a coat and scarf were still necessary in Enishi.
“Are you cold, Lady Hinagiku? It’s almost time, but you can still warm yourself up for a while.”
The Guard of Spring, Sakura Himedaka, quickly stepped in to address the lady’s health.
She took off her stole and placed it on her lady’s shoulders.
“Your body is precious. You have to take good care of it…”
Spring’s Blade was as elegant and beautiful as ever.
“It’s…okay.”
“Is your neck all right? You’ve been looking up for a while.”
“Yes… I just…wished…that the…plane could…fly by…”
Her voice was sweet as sugar, but behind it was a trace of loneliness. They were in Enishi, but the others were heading to Kyokoku from Teishu. The plane wouldn’t be visible from here.
Sakura smiled wanly. “I understand you’re worried, but you should worry about yourself first. And also…we’re almost done manifesting spring. Let’s bring the season to Enishi so we can hear all about the trip later. Rosei promised to meet you on your birthday, remember?”
“Yes… Right.”
Hinagiku pulled her gaze back down to Sakura before looking at her surroundings.
“Work…comes…first. Enishi’s…the last one. Time to…say good…bye…to the…snow. Let’s…bring a…nice…spring…”
“Yes, that is what the people of Yamato are waiting for… That said, Lady Hinagiku, don’t you take pride in bringing your own season?”
Of course Hinagiku cared about spring, but she seemed to cherish winter more. Even though spring was one of the most beloved seasons.
“Mmm… But…Hinagiku…loves…winter.”
Her simple answer left Sakura even more torn.
Do you love winter, or do you love the man who brings it?
Why was her retainer so suspicious?
“…Lady Hinagiku.”
Because she was jealous of her lady’s love.
“You love winter that much…?”
Sakura wanted to pout. Her lady had spent this whole time enraptured by winter, barely sparing a glance for her retainer. Hinagiku must’ve been thinking of Rosei when she was staring at the sky.
Sakura didn’t want to hear the answer to her question, so she kept speaking.
“But after spring comes summer, after summer comes autumn, and then comes winter again anyway. There’s no need to feel sad… You don’t need to give so much of your heart to winter.”
Sakura loved one of the Winter men as well, and she considered Rosei her friend. She even tacitly approved of her lady’s budding romance. She didn’t want somebody else to take her beloved friend. Her maiden heart was conflicted.
Hinagiku tilted her head, unaware of Sakura’s feelings.
“Sakura…you get…sad when…spring…ends. It’s…the same.”
Sakura did not appreciate her lady’s gentle remark. “Yes, but that’s different.”
“Huh?”
“It’s just different,” she declared with unbelievable confidence.
“Why…?”
“Because I say so.”
“Th-that’s not…fair.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s…not. It’s not…fair.”
“It’s very fair. I’m your Guard; it’s in my nature to cherish your season. Nobody can put a stop to my love—not even you, Lady Hinagiku.”
“Huh…?”