Kashu’s Agent of Autumn was like a grumpy cat.
The man understood the boy’s childish feelings, so he didn’t snap back. He only stared at Liam.
“One day, you’ll realize how much I care about you,” he said with sadness in his voice.
Oh yeah? When will that be?
If it was ever going to happen, why not give him a show of his earnestness here and now?
The man placed his hand on Liam’s forehead.
“You feeling sick?”
“Not anymore.”
“…You still don’t look too good… Can you go outside?”
“I can walk. Outside where?”
“The store we went to before. The clothes we got for your meeting are ready. The tailor is waiting to do the final adjustments.”
Liam dived back under the blankets.
“Come on.”
The man peeled the blankets off, and Liam didn’t resist any further. He knew he couldn’t overpower his Guard.
“…That outfit is too fancy for me.”
That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to complain.
“They’re good clothes.”
“I don’t need good clothes. I don’t like fancy stuff. I’d rather— Hey, stop it!”
The man patted Liam’s head as if he were a cat.
“I like this modest side of you.”
“You’re just making fun of me for growing up poor.”
“I’m not. It’s a wonderful thing that you know how normal people live and understand that too much luxury isn’t a good thing… A lot of people could stand to learn from you.”
Liam snorted. “I know ’cause I used to help my parents at their restaurant. People who want to show off their luxury brands treat others like garbage. I hate customers like that. They think they’re hot stuff, but everyone hates them. And I don’t want to be like them.”
The boy’s comment sounded spiteful, but he had observed a wide variety of people for his age, thanks to his work.
The man laughed out loud. Liam was confused; what did he say that was so funny?
“What? Are you making fun of me?”
“Ha-ha… No. It’s just that you really don’t mince words.”
The man circled around to Liam’s side and pulled him up from the bed. The boy felt weightless for a moment.
“Hey, stop!”
“Liam, my liege! Aren’t you a smart one!”
The Guard raised him up to the ceiling, and Liam struggled.
“I’m not a baby!”
He wanted attention, but not like this. This man did not understand the boy’s sensitivities.
“You might as well be, from my point of view.”
“You are such a jerk! Damn it, let go, stupid!” Liam kicked the man’s head.
“Ow!”
The man immediately set the boy down on the floor.
“Please, let’s not get violent,” he said with respect. “Well now, you’re out of bed. Let’s get you ready, my Autumn.”
“Screw you, Jude!”
It was cute to hear his lord curse, and the young Guard laughed again.
Liam knew there was no point in fighting this anymore, so he reluctantly changed clothes to leave.
Once he was all dressed, Jude smiled.
“You’re very handsome, Liam.”
“I can’t trust you after you just called me a baby.”
Jude chuckled again.
The young god and his retainer continued their banter on their way out.
“Are we taking the car?” the boy asked.
“…Yes.” Jude’s hearty smile vanished the moment he stepped out of the residence.
He switched modes.
Liam understood and said nothing else.
Jude glanced around them and hurried Liam into the car.
“Where are we going, Mr. Jude?”
After Jude told the driver the address, silence descended over the car. The driver would have been shocked had he seen them just a couple minutes prior. They were two silent youngsters now; an adult-averse boy and a taciturn Guard without much concern for his Agent.
“…”
Liam didn’t understand Jude’s mask.
His Guard smiled a lot when he was alone with Liam, but he went silent the moment anyone was around. Liam didn’t know which side was his real one, but he actively assumed this was his fake side. It was frightening to think the other was all an act. Maybe Jude had to play the part of the smart Guard of Autumn he said he was.
If he only shows that side to me…that’s good.
It gave him a small—no, a major sense of superiority.
The tailor wasn’t too far away, and they arrived quickly.
“Hey… So, we’re going back home as soon as we’re done, right?”
Now that no one else was around, Liam spoke to Jude normally. The Guard went back to normal as well and nodded.
“Well, I have to go back to the Church…”
“Church, church, church. That’s all you ever talk about.”
“I’m sorry, Liam… But I grew up there… Please understand.”
Liam pouted. The Church was the reason his Guard wasn’t with him much.
Jude was in an awkward position. Despite being the Guard of Autumn, he served a larger organization and had to put them first.
To Liam, the Church was the thief who took Jude away from him.
Jude, too, was suffocated between the expectations of his role as a Guard and his responsibilities to the Church.
He wanted to stay with his young lord and dote on him, but he couldn’t. He was a busy man, but still did all he could to protect the lonely god.
“Is there anything you want me to do, Liam? I’d be glad to,” Jude said, hoping to cheer him up.
“…No, nothing. I was just saying that… Are you that busy?”
“It’s good busy this time. It’s not the chores they usually give me. Yamato’s Goddess of Autumn is coming, and there’s a lot to do to get ready for her visit.”
Liam reacted to the word Yamato. But not with joy or expectation—he was fearful.
“…What should I do when Yamato’s goddess gets here?” He sounded almost dejected. “…Do I really have to do what they said?”
“…We can talk about that later. Let’s go into the shop.”
“No! Tell me now!” Liam complained, refusing to move.
Jude held in a sigh, but his internal conflict showed in his face. He nodded. “Yes, but it’s for your own safety. You have to do it.”
“…I don’t want to!”
“I know, but it’s worse to oppose the Church…”
Jude’s voice suddenly lowered in pitch all of a sudden, and the sentence almost sounded like a threat.
“…”
“I know it doesn’t feel good, but we have to tell the Tower and the Church that we’re cooperating. Bear with it. They’ll just be empty shells in the end…”
“…And what if they won’t?”
“Liam…”
“Don’t tell me it’s for my own safety when I don’t even have a choice. I’d rather you just say it’s an order. Liar.”
Jude paused before reaching his hand toward Liam.
The boy flinched, but the violence he feared didn’t come. Instead, he felt the embrace of a parent.
“I don’t want to order you around. I’m asking you because I want to protect you.”
This man always became so sweet when he wanted Liam to obey.
Liam knew that was all this was, and he hated how happy it made him feel anyway.
“Also, Liam, you’re the one in the position to give orders. Don’t forget that. You’re my Autumn.”
Liam felt sickened by his own delight.
“…You’re a horrible person for making me obey this way.”
The Autumn of Kashu, Kyokoku, muttered each word with spite.
That day, the fates of too many people were thrown into a whirlwind.