Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, private bedroom.
Higashino Makoto lay on the bed, his hands behind his head, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on his face and making his dark eyes appear exceptionally bright.
He had been lying like that for the entire morning.
It's not that I don't want to get up, it's just that there's no need to get up.
Breakfast was brought to my bedside by Ako.
The black tea was brewed by Ako, the bread was baked by Ako, and even the jam was spread by Ako and handed to him.
All he had to do was open his mouth, chew, swallow, and then continue lying down.
"Lord Amon."
Ako stood by the bed, her light blue eyes looking at him, holding her third cup of black tea of the day.
"You've been lying here for four hours."
"Um."
"Do you need me to help you up?"
"Unnecessary."
"Would you like me to read to you?"
"Not needed at the moment."
"That requires subordinates—"
"Ako."
Higashino Makoto interrupted her, turning his head to look at her serious, meticulous face.
"Right now, I just want to be a useless person in peace and quiet."
Ako was silent for a moment.
If someone else had said that, she would most likely have started lecturing.
But when it comes to Master Higashino, she'll only try to make him more comfortable.
"Your subordinate... obeys."
She placed the teacup on the bedside table, took a step back, clasped her hands in front of her lower abdomen, and straightened her back.
Then she just stood there, her light blue eyes looking at him, the Unassailable.
Higashino Makoto felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze.
"... What are you doing?"
"Your subordinate is waiting for you."
"I don't need it."
"Then I will continue to wait."
Higashino Makoto sighed, sat up, and his long black hair slipped down his shoulders.
He rubbed his temples, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of black tea.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"Do you know that your personality can sometimes put a lot of pressure on your owner?"
Ako's brows furrowed slightly.
"Did I... put pressure on you, sir?"
"A little."
Higashino Makoto gestured a very small distance between his thumb and forefinger.
"Your subordinate... I'm very sorry."
"I'm not asking you to apologize, I'm just asking you to relax."
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and looked at her.
"You've been with me for almost a month now. In this month, you've appeared at my door promptly every morning and lay beside me promptly every night. The tea you brew is getting better and better, the breakfasts you make are getting tastier and tastier, and your massage techniques are becoming more and more skillful. I'm very happy and I enjoy it very much. However, there's one more thing you need to learn."
"What's up?"
Learn to be a normal person in front of me.
Ako lowered her head, her long blue hair falling down and obscuring her face.
"Your subordinate... is working hard."
"I know."
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked over to her, and reached out to pat her head.
So, I'm not in a hurry, and neither are you.
Ako's face flushed slightly.
"Grown ups--"
That's the truth.
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand, walked to the window, and opened it.
Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.
In the distance, Novas Etier's floating islands appeared and disappeared in the clouds, their white buildings shimmering with golden light in the sunlight.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"Your term ends today, right?"
Ako's fingers tightened slightly.
"Your subordinate... understands."
"Go back and get some rest. I'll look forward to seeing you again, and how much you've grown."
"Your subordinate... obeys."
Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at her.
Ako stood there, her light blue eyes looking at him, his face reflected in her pupils.
Her expression was calm, but Higashino Makoto noticed that her fingers were trembling slightly at her sides.
"Ako."
"Exist."
"You cried?"
"No."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Okay, let's just pretend you didn't."
Ako's lips curled up slightly.
The smile was faint and gentle, but more genuine than ever before.
"Grown ups."
"Um."
"May I... hug you?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Come over."
Ako walked up to him, reached out her hand, and gently and carefully hugged him.
It's like holding something fragile and precious.
Higashino Makoto reached out and patted her on the back.
"Get some rest when you get back."
"Um."
"Your turn next time will be in about two years."
"Your subordinate understands."
"I hope to see you learn to relax by then."
"Your subordinate... will do his best."
Higashino Makoto released his grip and took a step back.
Let's go.
Ako stared at him for a long time.
Then she turned around and walked towards the door.
After taking a few steps, she stopped without looking back.
"Grown ups."
"Um."
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
Thank you for waiting for your subordinate.
She stepped out of the room.
The door closed behind her.
Higashino Makoto stood by the window, gazing at the closed door, and remained silent for a long time.
Then he turned around and looked out the window again.
Two years...
He said in a low voice.
Will she have changed in two years? What will she be like?
No one answered.
Only the wind outside the window rustled the curtains, making a soft whisper.
However, whether things have changed or not is up to us.
Higashino Makoto likes them all.
After all, all the guardians were designed according to their own preferences; there wasn't one they disliked.
Higashino Makoto stood by the window for a long time, long enough for the sunlight to have moved from the east to the south, long enough for the black tea in his cup to have completely cooled down.
He turned around, walked to the edge of the bed, sat down, placed his hands on the edge of the bed, and stared at the ceiling with his dark eyes.
It's time to replace him.
Twenty-four guardians, rotating monthly.
Ako is the sixth.
Before him, five other people had accompanied him.
After him, there were eighteen more people waiting.
He should be used to it by now.
But every time the players are replaced, he still feels a little out of place.
It wasn't sadness, nor reluctance, but a more subtle feeling, like suddenly losing a temperature you've become accustomed to.
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Take it slow and steady, three strokes, with even intervals.
Higashino Makoto did not get up.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open.
It wasn't a sudden push, but a slow, unhurried push.
The door hinges creaked softly, and sunlight streamed in through the cracks, casting a golden ribbon across the floor.
Then, a soft, crisp clinking sound of silver ornaments reached my ears.
Higashino Makoto looked up.
A figure stood in the doorway.
Her long, dark green hair was tied up high and then fell down, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
Her hair was adorned with delicate gold hair ornaments, shaped like cloud patterns or feathers, which trembled gently with her breath.
A pair of fluffy fox ears stood upright on its head, with a touch of pale gold at the tips, sometimes turning alertly, sometimes twitching slightly.
A hint of cunning and amusement flickered in his Kohaku eyes, while a composed yet slightly mysterious smile played on his lips.