Higashino Makoto has noticed that something's been off with him lately.
It's not a physical problem.
He's in excellent health; so good that he could stay up all night for a month straight without any problems.
It's a problem with your mindset.
He was too hasty.
In less than half a year since he transmigrated to the present, he has traveled to four countries, saved countless people, killed countless people, and meddled in a lot of other people's business.
Holy Kingdom, Slane Theocracy, Elf Kingdom, Dragon Kingdom, Re-Estize Kingdom, Baharuth Empire --
He seemed to be being chased by something, constantly walking, constantly doing, constantly changing.
Stop.
He said to himself.
You need to stop.
The morning sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on his face.
He didn't get up immediately, but lay in bed, staring at the ceiling and listening to the occasional birdsong coming from outside the window.
The mornings in Novas Etier were quiet, so quiet you could hear the dust settling on the ground.
This is his home, but he rarely stays here.
Every time I come back, it's always in a rush.
They changed personnel, took the items, and then left.
"Lord Amon."
Ako's voice came from outside the door, clear and calm.
Breakfast is ready.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, Ako walked in.
She was wearing her signature short trench coat, her long blue hair shimmering softly in the morning light, and her light blue eyes looking at him.
He was carrying a tray with white porridge, side dishes, a few golden-brown fried dough sticks, and a pot of steaming tea.
"Put it on the table."
"Yes."
Ako placed the tray on the table, then stepped back, clasped her hands in front of her lower abdomen, and straightened her back.
Higashino Makoto sat up, his long black hair slipping down his shoulders.
He rubbed his eyes, yawned, and then walked to the table and sat down.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"Sit."
Ako sat down opposite him, her hands on her knees, her back still ramrod straight.
Higashino Makoto picked up the bowl of porridge and took a sip.
"Ako, what do you think of me?"
Ako was silent for a moment.
"Your subordinate... dares not comment."
"It's not judgment, it's evaluation."
Ako looked at him, her light blue eyes flashing with a complex light.
"My lord... is very gentle."
"Anything else?"
"Very powerful."
"Anything else?"
"Very... lonely."
Higashino Makoto paused for a moment, then continued drinking his porridge.
Lonely? You think I'm lonely?
He couldn't understand why, given that he had so many protectors, people perceived him as lonely.
"Yes."
Ako's voice was calm, but carried a serious and meticulous quality.
"You have many people around you—guardians, secretaries, those you've helped—but none of them truly understand you."
Higashino Makoto put down his bowl and looked at her.
Do you think I need Human Order?
"This subordinate does not know."
Ako lowered her head.
"But I feel that it's better to Human Order than no one at all."
Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.
He looked at Ako, at the earnest, unadulterated look in those light blue eyes.
"Ako."
"Exist."
Do you understand me?
Ako was silent for a moment.
"Your subordinate... is working hard."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Then keep trying."
He picked up the bowl of porridge and continued drinking.
After breakfast, Higashino Makoto did not go out as usual.
He sat in an armchair by the window, holding a book in his hands, but his eyes were not on the words.
He was thinking that he wouldn't go anywhere for the next two months.
Just stay in Novas Etier, rest well, relax, and enjoy yourself.
Enjoy delicious food, fine wine, and the company of beautiful young women.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"Come over."
Ako walked up to him and stopped.
Higashino Makoto reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her to his side.
"Sit."
Ako sat down beside him, her back ramrod straight.
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.
His long blue hair slipped through his fingers like soft silk.
"Grown ups--"
"Relax."
Ako took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders slightly.
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand and picked up the book again.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"I plan not to go anywhere for the next two months."
Ako's eyes widened slightly.
"Grown ups--"
"Stay in Novas Etier."
Rest, relax, and enjoy.
He paused.
"With you."
Ako's face flushed slightly.
"Your subordinate... Your subordinate understands."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
You look really pretty when you blush.
"Grown ups--"
That's the truth.
Ako lowered her head, her long blue hair falling down and obscuring her face.
But Higashino Makoto could see a smile playing on her lips.
It was faint, very light, but it was definitely a smile.
Days passed by like this.
During the day, Higashino Makoto would sit in an armchair by the window, reading, drinking tea, or daydreaming.
Ako would stand behind him, occasionally refilling his tea or massaging his shoulders.
She would stand quietly beside him while he read, without saying a word or disturbing him, simply keeping him company.
"Ako."
"Exist."
How long have you been standing there?
"One hour."
Aren't you tired?
"Not tired."
Higashino Makoto put down his book, turned around, and looked at her.
"Sit down and talk to me."
Ako sat down opposite him, her hands on her knees, her back ramrod straight.
What do you usually like to do?
Ako thought for a moment.
"Your subordinate... enjoys organizing documents."
"Organize files?"
"Yes. I enjoy categorizing, sorting, and archiving messy documents. Seeing them transform from disorganized to orderly gives me a sense of satisfaction."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"You really are well-suited to be a secretary."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
"This isn't a compliment, it's the truth."
Ako's lips curled up slightly.
"Besides organizing files?"
"This subordinate... also enjoys drinking tea."
What kind of tea?
Black tea. No sugar, no milk.
"Why?"
"Because the original flavor of tea is best."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"You're a really serious person."
"Your subordinate merely—"
"Being serious is a good thing."
Higashino Makoto interrupted her.
But conscientious people get tired easily.
He paused.
"Therefore, you need to learn to relax."
"Your subordinate--"
For example, right now.
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Relax."
Ako's face turned red again.
"Grown ups--"
"Don't speak."
Ako closed her eyes, feeling the touch of that hand on her head.
It's very light and gentle, like a spring breeze blowing through your hair.
She took a deep breath and completely relaxed her shoulders.
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand.
"Very good, remember this feeling."
Ako opened her eyes, her light blue eyes looking at him.
"Your subordinate... remembers."
"From now on, you need to relax once a day."
"Yes, sir."
Higashino Makoto nodded and picked up the book again.
Ako sat opposite him, looking at him with a faint smile on her lips.
At night, Higashino Makoto would lie in bed, Ako would lie beside him.
I don't do that kind of thing every day, although I do it most of the time, because Ako Amau is just too sassy!
Sometimes we just lie there, chatting, or saying nothing at all, just listening to each other's breathing.