Chapter Text
"Aw man...it's raining again."
The young Saniwa sage stood at the edge of the citadel's porch, listening to the rain patter down the rooftop. The gardens would be soaked, but perhaps she could salvage them with a little hard work.
"Do you dislike the rain, Aruji?"
"Eh-" She tilted her head to one side, her straight hair falling over her eyes a bit. "Not particularly?"
"I see." The tall man at her side smiled softly, and she glanced up at him with slight amusement.
"Do...you, Hasebe-san?"
He shrugged his shoulders- a decidedly human action for a sword spirit- and met her gaze.
"I do not particularly like or dislike the rain. But if Aruji favors it, then I suppose I could come around."
"If you don't like the rain, you don't like it." She huffed. "I can't decide for you."
"That may be, but I have no use for things that are of no use to you. I am Aruji's sword after all. What is good for you is my duty to obtain."
Her amused look twisted into a wry smile.
"You can't stop the rain, though."
He exhaled a chuckle.
"No, I suppose I cannot. But I can protect you from it."
He gently pulled the hood of the jacket she wore over her sage kimono over her head, settling it securely with his usual diligence. She turned her gaze away then, cheeks flushing slightly as he left a warm hand on her head to rest.
"I wouldn't want Aruji to fall ill, after all."
"R-right..."
She glanced up at him without raising her head.
"So does that mean you'll help me save the garden tomorrow, too?"
He nodded, though she didn't miss his exasperation.
"If it's an order from you, then it shall be done."
"Thanks, Hasebe-san."
"No need."