In the afternoon, sunlight poured gently over the Kaoru household grounds, painting the garden in warm gold.

  Kaoru stood among the neatly arranged flowerbeds, carefully watering the newly sprouted plants. Small droplets clung to green leaves, sparkling as they caught the light. Her sleeves were rolled up slightly, and her expression—focused yet peaceful—was softer than usual.

  A few feet away, Akitsu Shouga stood quietly, watching her.

  For once, she wasn’t arguing.

  She wasn’t yelling.

  She wasn’t dragging him somewhere against his will.

  She looked… serene.

  “I didn’t know that you liked gardening,” Akitsu said casually.

  Kaoru didn’t even look at him.

  “Gardening helps me relax, so don’t bother me when I’m gardening!”

  Akitsu smiled faintly.

  “Alright. I won’t bother you.”

  He turned away, leaving the garden behind, and walked toward the massive oak tree that stood proudly in the backyard of the mansion. Its thick roots spread across the ground like veins, its branches wide enough to shelter several people beneath its shade.

  Akitsu sat down on the grass, leaning his back against the trunk.

  A breeze rustled the leaves overhead.

  He looked around slowly, then closed his eyes.

  Kaoru is a wonderful young girl, he thought.

  But she’s too innocent.

  His fingers dug slightly into the grass.

  Sometimes I wonder… Kaoru is like my little sister.

  She’s smart, playful, cheerful—and immature in the way she’s supposed to be.

  His chest tightened.

  She cannot die.

  I will not let her die.

  His eyes hardened.

  She’s like a sister to me.

  Then—

  A voice answered him.

  “Do you wish to protect the one you love?”

  Akitsu’s eyes snapped open.

  He turned around sharply.

  “…Who’s there?”

  There was no one.

  The oak tree stood silently behind him.

  The garden lay peaceful in the distance.

  The voice spoke again, gentle yet unmistakable.

  “Do you wish to protect the one you love?”

  Akitsu stood up, heart pounding.

  “Reveal yourself!” he shouted.

  “This isn’t funny!”

  Once more, unwavering:

  “Do you wish to protect the one you love?”

  Akitsu clenched his fists.

  “Yes!”

  “I do want to protect the one I love! But who are you?!”

  The voice finally answered.

  “I am a spirit wandering the world endlessly, in search of those who wish to protect their loved ones.”

  Akitsu scoffed.

  “You’re a spirit? I find that hard to believe!”

  “You may call me Orion,” the voice replied.

  “Seraphine Orion.”

  A faint pressure filled the air.

  “And I am the guardian angel of those who seek protection.”

  Akitsu’s brow furrowed.

  “…What? Seraphine Orion?”

  “Yes,” the voice confirmed calmly.

  “I am known as the guardian angel for humans.”

  Akitsu swallowed.

  “So… you’re going to protect Kaoru?”

  “Indeed,” Seraphine Orion said.

  “But it will come at a cost.”

  Akitsu stiffened.

  “What is it?”

  “Half of your soul will be exchanged for full control over me,” she said evenly.

  “There are many benefits to this. It will also grant me a physical body.”

  Akitsu stepped back.

  “Half of my soul? That’s absurd!”

  “Yes, it is,” she replied without hesitation.

  “And if you agree, I will honor your wish until the day it is fulfilled to its fullest extent.”

  Akitsu hesitated.

  “Do I have to make the decision right now?”

  “No,” Seraphine Orion said.

  “You may take the time you need.”

  Akitsu looked down at the grass.

  This sounds sketchy, he thought.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  But… the voice feels real.

  Will she actually protect Kaoru… or will she backstab me?

  “You’re thinking about the possibility of me betraying you, aren’t you?” the voice said.

  Akitsu’s eyes widened.

  “How do you know?”

  “I am a spirit,” Seraphine Orion replied.

  “I can hear the inner thoughts of any human.”

  Akitsu frowned.

  Yeah right. That has to be a lie.

  No one can read minds.

  “This has to be some kids hiding nearby, playing tricks on me!”

  “As I said,” the voice replied, sounding mildly irritated,

  “I am a real spirit. Not a child playing games.”

  Akitsu exhaled sharply.

  “Then let me ask you this…

  Do you or do you not have supernatural powers?”

  “Indeed,” Seraphine Orion said.

  “My powers are tied to Mother Nature.”

  “Oh? You do?” Akitsu muttered.

  “…Then can you tell what kind of powers I have?”

  “I cannot,” she replied.

  “That is not how my abilities work.”

  Her tone sharpened.

  “Are you going to keep wasting my time, or are you going to accept my conditions and allow me to fulfill your wish?!”

  Akitsu sighed.

  “You’re impatient for a spirit.”

  He looked toward the garden.

  Kaoru was humming softly as she worked.

  “…Oh well,” he said quietly.

  “I guess I’ll accept it.”

  “Finally!” Seraphine Orion exclaimed.

  The wind howled.

  Mana condensed violently around Akitsu, swirling into a brilliant white light. Leaves lifted from the ground, spinning as the air trembled.

  Then—

  A small figure emerged.

  Floating before him was a tiny white kitsune fox, its form glowing faintly, with red-tipped tails swaying gently behind it.

  “Your wish has been fulfilled.”

  Akitsu stared.

  “…I didn’t expect you to become a tiny white fox.”

  “I am not tiny!” Seraphine Orion snapped.

  “I deliberately made myself small so I wouldn’t be detected.”

  “So what did you do?” Akitsu asked.

  “I placed a heavenly blessing upon Kaoru,” she explained.

  “If she ever falls into danger, I can instantly teleport to her side and protect her.”

  Akitsu’s shoulders relaxed.

  “…Thank you.”

  He smiled.

  Seraphine Orion froze.

  “I-It’s alright!” she said flustered.

  “There’s no need to thank me!”

  “So,” Akitsu asked,

  “What are you going to do now?”

  “I must protect you as well,” she replied.

  “You are the one who made the wish.”

  “Is that so?”

  Before he could say more—

  “Shouga-kun!”

  Kaoru ran toward him, smiling brightly.

  “Want to play?”

  “Oh?” Akitsu said.

  “You’re done gardening already?”

  “Yeah!” she said eagerly.

  “Let’s climb the tree!”

  Akitsu glanced at Seraphine Orion.

  “Don’t look at me,” she muttered.

  “She cannot see or hear me.”

  Akitsu turned back.

  “…Alright. Let’s climb the tree.”

  “Oh?” Kaoru blinked.

  “I didn’t think you’d agree so fast.”

  If I fall, Akitsu thought,

  you better save me, Orion.

  “Yes! Yes!” Seraphine Orion snapped.

  “I’ll protect you! Why do you have so little faith in me?! Can’t you see I’m a real spirit?!”

  Akitsu ignored her.

  They walked toward the oak tree together.

  Kaoru climbed first, nimble and confident.

  “You better catch up, Shouga-kun!” she called down.

  “You’re a good climber,” Seraphine Orion commented.

  “And you’re afraid of this tree?”

  “I’m afraid of heights!” Akitsu hissed.

  “You should listen to what your maiden says,” the fox teased.

  Akitsu gritted his teeth and kept climbing.

  Above him, Kaoru smiled—completely unaware that something ancient and unseen had just sworn itself to her fate.