Because she would cry if even he ever thought she was embarrassing.
Rindo wanted to protect the Autumn who had been neglected by the adults.
It was then that he changed the way he treated her.
If I had become her Guard sooner.
“…Nadeshiko, let’s do something together. Something fun.”
But no one ever said her circumstances were this bad.
“…This is how children are supposed to grow up. Believe me. Everything they did before was wrong.”
His behavior became more and more separate from his thoughts.
Otherwise, this poor little creature would realize that he was not a good adult, either.
I have to pretend. For her sake.
To love her without even trying.
To act differently around her than he did with everyone else. This was where it began—his attitude that was sweeter than sugar on sugar, according to the King of Winter.
“You’ll play with me today?”
“Yes, if you’ll allow me. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“Will you watch me draw, then?”
“That sounds lovely. Please show me.”
Nadeshiko was always careful around adults. A child who had been raised with threats could never afford to let down her guard.
“…You will? How many drawings should I do?”
“However many you like. You don’t want to show me all of them?”
“…”
“Nadeshiko, what are you hiding behind your back?”
“…”
“…You drew me…?”
“I was going to throw it away.”
Such children become afraid of being loved and never ask for anything.
Discipline was meant to mold one into an ideal. Was the goddess Rindo met ideal?
“This is me, and this is you, right? We’re standing together like friends.”
“No. I’m going to throw it away. You saw it, so I’m throwing it away. It’s okay.”
“Why? You won’t give it to me?”
“It’s embarrassing. No. I’m ripping it up.”
“It’s not embarrassing. You’re my lady. Won’t you give it to me as a reward for being your retainer?”
Wasn’t she only ideal to those who wanted to control her?
“Don’t rip it up. Give it to me.”
To an outsider, she was worthy of pity.
“…Are you going to throw it away later?”
“Don’t say something so mean… You think I would do that?”
“I don’t want to see it in the trash.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll display it in my room. You can come see it later. Or do you not want me to have it?”
Rindo wanted Nadeshiko to change.
“…I do.”
He wanted her to learn to trust adults.
“…I actually wanted to give it to you.”
He wanted her to trust him.
“Because you protect me.”
Don’t be so doubtful.
“Because you’re my Guard.”
Don’t be afraid of being protected.
“Because you’re kind to me.”
Get used to being loved.
“I wanted to give it to you because you say I’m not embarrassing.”
Ironically, Nadeshiko was saved by becoming a goddess.
This was rare for a god incarnate. Most of them found only misfortune.
Autumn’s relationship advanced positively, and through the incident in spring, their bond only became stronger.
Thus, Nadeshiko Iwaizuki gained a proper upbringing and became more like a child, though only a little.
“…”
A sigh escaped Rindo’s lips as he surfaced from his memories.
Sanekazura was still in front of him, and she was still upset.
I feel dizzy.
Slightly nauseated, too. It wasn’t because of the fatigue. His chest hurt because of the mistakes he might’ve made.
Get it together. What’s a little fatigue?
Rindo could never allow Nadeshiko’s peace to be disturbed, much less when the source of her anxieties was himself.
He wanted to make this girl happy, happier than anyone in the world. When he had opened that suitcase with her inside, that desire became his greatest conviction.
I can’t become like them.
Rindo’s body felt weak, but his mind was stronger.
The more he cared for Nadeshiko, the stronger his hatred for her parents became.
Sanekazura wasn’t the only one who was upset. Rindo had been furious the whole time.
Why didn’t they come see her?
They acted nice in front of the bigwigs and reveled in the honor they got for producing the Agent of Autumn.
They got all the benefits when they’d done nothing but put on a facade.
Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?
Yet they kept avoiding any contact. They didn’t want to hear any complaints.
They handed their child over and pushed forward with their own lives and careers.
Their work accomplishments were their source of happiness; they didn’t need a child. They’d tried doing what the other couples did, but they’d lost all motivation for it just a few years in.
It was impossible. Their very relationship was threatened by the arguments a child induced.
There was no reward for being a parent.
Some might say seeing the child grow up happy and healthy was its own reward, but that only mattered if a person had any attachment to the child to begin with.
Perhaps the child was a little liability for the terribly busy couple.
As evidence, even though they were close to divorcing, rumor had it that Nadeshiko’s ascension had mended their relationship.
Rindo was a good babysitter for them.
They were lucky that their unwanted child had become a god. Now they didn’t have to raise her.
Cowards.
As unfortunate as it was, Rindo had accepted this heavy truth.
Nadeshiko Iwaizuki was like his treasured daughter, but she was a burden for her parents.
So much happened throughout last year, through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and they didn’t even come to see her off at the airport. It was beyond infuriating; the only thing left to do was to give up.
Meanwhile, Nadeshiko didn’t seem surprised that her parents hadn’t come. She had become such a kind child, despite her upbringing.
It would’ve been no surprise if she had turned out to be an unmanageable problem.
Crying and yelling and clinging every day.
Drawing attention by causing problems.
Playing pranks to try to get people’s concern and love.
Loudly throwing tantrums when her requests went unfulfilled.
Doing anything it might take to get noticed.
Dad, Mom, I want you to look at me.
Please look my way.