In the afternoon, sunlight poured gently over the Kaoru household grounds, draping the garden in a soft, golden glow. The air was warm but carried a faint, refreshing breeze that rustled through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of soil and blooming flowers.

  Kaoru moved among the neatly arranged flowerbeds with quiet precision, her hands steady as she watered the newly sprouted plants. Tiny droplets clung to the tender green leaves, catching the sunlight and sparkling like scattered gems. Her sleeves were rolled up slightly, revealing slender forearms, and her expression—focused yet serene—seemed almost ethereal, softer than Akitsu had ever seen.

  A few feet away, Akitsu Shouga stood quietly, observing her. For once, she wasn’t arguing, wasn’t yelling, wasn’t dragging him somewhere against his will. She simply existed in her element, calm and content.

  “I didn’t know that you liked gardening,” Akitsu said casually, his voice low enough not to disturb the quiet hum of the garden.

  Kaoru didn’t even glance 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 stepped back, leaving the garden behind, and walked toward the massive oak tree that dominated the backyard of the mansion. Its thick, gnarled roots spread across the ground like veins, curling into the earth, while its towering branches stretched skyward, offering a canopy that could shelter several people beneath its shade. He sank onto the grass and leaned back against the sturdy trunk.

  A breeze rustled the leaves overhead, scattering dappled shadows across his face. He looked around slowly, taking in the serenity of the scene, then closed his eyes.

  Kaoru is a wonderful girl, he thought. But she’s too innocent.

  His fingers dug slightly into the grass as his mind wrestled with the thought. Sometimes he felt she was like a little sister—smart, playful, cheerful—and yet immaculately na?ve in the ways of the world. His chest tightened. She cannot die. I will not let her die.

  His eyes hardened. She’s like family to me.

  Then—a voice, clear and resonant, broke through his reverie.

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

  Akitsu’s eyes snapped open. He spun around sharply. “…Who’s there?”

  There was no one. The oak tree stood silently behind him, the garden serene in the distance, and yet the voice spoke again, gentle yet commanding.

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

  Akitsu rose to his feet, heart pounding. “Reveal yourself! This isn’t funny!”

  Once more, unwavering: “Do you wish to protect the one you love?”

  Akitsu clenched his fists, jaw tight. “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, calm and steady. “Seraphine Orion.”

  A faint pressure seemed to fill the air, brushing against his skin, tugging subtly at his thoughts.

  “I am the guardian angel of those who seek protection,” the voice continued.

  Akitsu furrowed his brow. “…What? Seraphine Orion?”

  “Yes,” the voice confirmed. “I am known as the guardian angel for humans.”

  Akitsu swallowed hard, disbelief warring with a strange sense of reality. “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, incredulous. “Half of my soul? That’s absurd!”

  “Yes,” she replied without hesitation. “And if you agree, I will honor your wish until the day it is fulfilled to its fullest extent.”

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  Akitsu hesitated, glancing at the grass beneath his feet. This sounds sketchy… he thought. But the voice… it feels real. Will she actually protect Kaoru… or will she betray me?

  “You’re thinking about the possibility of me betraying you, aren’t you?” the voice asked, sharp yet calm.

  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, skeptical. 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 said, a hint of irritation creeping in, “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,” she added, her voice brushing against the air like wind over water.

  “Oh? You do?” Akitsu muttered, curiosity mingling with caution. “…Then can you tell what kind of powers I have?”

  “I cannot,” she replied, firm. “That is not how my abilities work.”

  Her tone sharpened, exuding authority. “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, casting a glance toward the garden where Kaoru hummed softly as she worked. “…Oh well. I guess I’ll accept it.”

  “Finally!” Seraphine Orion exclaimed. The wind surged violently, leaves lifting from the ground in a chaotic whirl as mana condensed around Akitsu, coalescing into a brilliant, white light.

  From the glow, a small figure emerged, hovering in the air. It was a tiny white kitsune fox, its fur faintly luminescent, and its red-tipped tails swaying gently behind it.

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

  “I am not tiny!” Seraphine Orion snapped, the words tinged with indignation. “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 slightly. “…Thank you.” He offered a faint smile.

  Seraphine Orion froze. “I-It’s alright! There’s no need to thank me!”

  “So,” Akitsu asked, curiosity still brimming, “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?” Akitsu murmured.

  Before he could respond further—“Shouga-kun!” Kaoru called, running toward him with a bright smile. “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 to Kaoru. “…Alright. Let’s climb the tree.”

  “Oh?” Kaoru blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d agree so fast.”

  If I fall, Akitsu thought, you better save me, Orion.

  “Yes! Yes!” Seraphine Orion snapped, voice sharp and insistent. “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, focusing instead on the solid bark beneath his hands. Together, he and Kaoru approached the massive oak. She climbed first, nimble and confident, looking back to tease him.

  “You better catch up, Shouga-kun!” she called down, laughter in her voice.

  “You’re a good climber,” the tiny fox remarked from her unseen vantage.

  “And you’re afraid of this tree?” Akitsu hissed, gripping the branches tightly.

  “I’m afraid of heights!” he admitted.

  “You should listen to what your maiden says,” Seraphine teased, unseen and exasperated.

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