Producing a Guard was a source of honor for the Azamis. Rindo knew this. His family was good, and he was happy for them.
But he had always disliked the confines of the Town, and he would’ve preferred not to take a job that would tie him down there.
It’s for my family’s honor. It’s for my family’s honor.
It was hard being the eldest son.
Eventually, the time came to meet his young charge inside the honden, with much chagrin.
He was sweating bullets, as he had to wear a suit despite the hot weather.
Let’s just do the job for a little bit, and then I can quit.
Rindo had always had this plan in mind, and so he lacked any serious sense of responsibility as a result.
“Guard of Autumn Rindo Azami, come forward.”
He was still a child, unaware of what would come next.
In the middle of the scorching heat, Rindo greeted the Goddess of Autumn.
“Before you is the new Agent of Autumn, Lady Nadeshiko Iwaizuki.”
Thus the guide introduced Rindo to a child who looked like she was hanging from a thread from the ceiling—a young goddess before whom the crowds of adults must kneel.
She appeared to belong to another world.
She’s so put together.
So this is what a person looks like when they become a god, he thought. Rindo was overwhelmed by the new Agent’s divine aura. He valiantly spoke to her, but he no longer remembered what he’d said. He had a vague recollection of answering what his job was and of explaining that he was there to protect her.
The moment he said that, her dark eyes lit up.
After that, he’d greeted Nadeshiko’s parents, but he hadn’t even had a full hour to talk to them, since they were busy with work and needed to leave the Town in a hurry.
Nadeshiko Iwaizuki lived with her parents, who worked in the Four Seasons Agency in Teishu, before coming under supervision of the Town and being transferred to Tsukushi.
Her parents received preferential treatment in their living and work places due to giving birth to the goddess incarnate, but they decided to live separately from their daughter. Nadeshiko had lived in the honden ever since.
As the selection of her Guard was delayed, she had lived with different attendants every day for a few months.
She’s been living like this all this time?
Upon learning her situation, Rindo felt bad for Nadeshiko—although he was still reluctant to take the job.
She was just a five-year-old child.
A child who had been told to become a goddess and then torn from her parents.
She was being taken care of by multiple different adults she didn’t know, and she had no opportunity to form close bonds with anyone.
It was too much for a child in such a sensitive period of her life. No one so young should have to go through this.
I probably would’ve run away.
Rindo could never have imagined such loneliness in the environment he grew up in. He felt pity for the young goddess who’d been born in such different circumstances from his own.
Despite his retainer’s thoughts, Nadeshiko did not show any of the signs of sadness a five-year-old separated from their parents would. She never even grumbled.
She was always quiet—like a doll. She would sometimes look enlightened, even.
Maybe this is just what gods are like.
The boy, who had only just become an adult charged with the care of a child, did not understand.
It was as though a big child was taking care of a small one.
Rindo and Nadeshiko were far apart at first; it all began with an awkward conversation.
“What should I call you?”
“Nadeshiko is fine.”
“You can call me Rindo, then.”
The unbridgeable gap between them was vexing.
The rookie Guard worked hard; he wanted to provide her with a good environment.
“I’m thinking of taking us to the Autumn villa. What do you think?”
“It’s up to you. I don’t mind either way.”
“There are too many annoying adults here. No one will get upset with you if you act childish at the villa. I won’t hire anyone who will treat you badly. I’ll choose carefully.”
“It’s not up to me.”
Nadeshiko acted strangely mature. The adults faltered at her responses, which were unbefitting of a five-year-old.
The young man began to fear he might not be able to forge a relationship of trust with his lady.
“Nadeshiko, dinner is ready. Shall we?”
“You’ll eat with me?”
“Yes. And whenever I can’t, someone else will. I was shocked to hear they left you alone this whole time. I’ll tell the people at the honden to not let this happen again.”
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“Why am I not eating alone?”
Much to his surprise, Nadeshiko asked why again and again.
She asked when he grabbed her hand while walking. She asked when he carried her around.
She asked when he asked what food she liked.
Each time, it stung. He felt his heart breaking every time she responded to his efforts to get closer with that question.
Does she hate me that much?
She asked why he did every little thing. Rindo, who didn’t know what was going on, assumed the little goddess was trying to mess with the main adult in her life. Her Guard had finally appeared, and she wanted someone to vent her frustrations on.
But his mistrust was cleared up soon.
“I’m going to bed. Good night.”
One night, Rindo brought a picture book and told her:
“Allow me to show you to bed. I’ll read you a story.”
He brought a book he had loved as a kid.
He wanted to do something about her unyielding composure.
He wanted free time for himself, too, but he was worried after hearing that she had insomnia.
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Yes, that’s why I’m reading you a book.”
“Why? You’re not supposed to read when it’s bedtime…”
But the rookie Guard’s endeavor failed. He was cleanly shot down.
“…Is that so.”
The conversation continued, but Rindo was hurt again. Again, she had attacked him with that why. Once or twice would have been nothing, but he felt ridiculous when it was the reaction for every single thing he tried to do.
He’d made the offer out of kindness, no deeper reason. Couldn’t she say yes for once?
Nadeshiko noticed Rindo’s feelings and rushed to apologize.
“Umm, I’m sorry…”
“…No, I just did something unnecessary again. I’m sorry.”
“No. It’s just… It’s nighttime, so I should go to sleep, right…?”
Rindo furrowed his brow.
“Reading a book before bed should be fine, even if you don’t like it…”
“It’s not that I don’t like it. I’d like to read the book you got me…”
“Then…”
“But then I’d be getting spoiled…”
Finally, Rindo felt something was wrong.
“Spoiled…? Did your parents tell you that?”
“Yes. They said I have to stay still in bed and not wake up until morning.”
Huh?
“That’s strange. What about when you can’t sleep? When you have a nightmare? Don’t you go to your Mom and Dad’s room?”
Was I wrong?
“I can’t do that. It’s embarrassing. And even if I don’t sleep, morning comes. The Goddess of Morning gives it to us.”
Rindo did not want to believe the idea that popped into his head. He just smiled at her awkwardly.
That can’t be.
He couldn’t jump to conclusions. Instead, Rindo just tucked her into bed without expressing his suspicion. When he read aloud to her, she looked like she was having fun for once. They were finally getting along.
“So, Nadeshiko? Are you getting sleepy now?”
Nadeshiko shook her head, her eyes wide open.
“Oh, what should I do…?”
Everything was new and stimulating to Nadeshiko; of course she was unable to sleep.
“…Nadeshiko, what should I do to get you to sleep?”
“I don’t know.”
Rindo shrugged. He wouldn’t have any time for himself until this ended.