We are here for you

Ehhh?! Shin-chan is my bodyguard?!

* Your P.O.V. *

I managed to back before curfew, and escaped father's lecturing session. As I was returning to my room, I was glomped by something, or someone, and fell onto the floor.
" Onee-sama[1]! Welcome back! " The voice looked up to me, to reveal the face of my twelve-year-old sister, Natsuka.
" Hello there, Natsuka. I'm back, " I ruffled her hair.
" Kyaaa! Even though you are my own elder sister, when you dress like a boy, you're so handsome! " Her eyes sparkled as she hugged me tightly.
" Thanks for the compliment. " I giggled.

This, is my younger sister, Natsuka. She's five years younger than I am, and I think she has an extreme sister complex on me. But despite that, she's an energetic, lady-like princess who has dignity, not to mention a beautiful face as well. Even though she isn't allowed to go out of the mansion, and doesn't have any magical powers like I do, she has a kind heart, and only shows her childishness to me.
" So, how was the city? " She excitedly asked me as she kept tugging on my sleeve.
" First, let me take a quick bath at the onsen and I'll tell you all about today in my room. " I got up and released my her grip on me.
" Hehe, I'll look forward to it, (f/n)-nee-sama! " She ran towards my room with a smile.

I let out a sigh as I entered the onsen.
" What a day full of surprise... " I mumbled while looking towards the sky.
" Really? Would you mind telling me all about it, (f/n)-chan? " Kazu-san's face was right above my head.
" Kyaaaaa!! " I screamed with all my might.
" It's just me, (f/n)-chan. There's no need to overeact~ " I splashed his face with water, but as he is a spirit, the hot water passes through him.
" GO AWAY YOU PERVERTED OLD GEEZER! EVEN BEING FRIENDS HAS IT LIMITS! " I hissed as I covered my body, which is covered by a towel.
" Sorry, sorry~ But would you care to tell me what you have encountered today- " He was cut by the loud slam of the screen door to the onsen opening.
" (f/n)-sama!! We heard you screaming, is something the matter?! " One of the servants asked me.
" No, no, it is nothing important, actually. I just saw something moving, and it turns out to be a cat. It just surprised me. You all can go now, " I lied to cover up the mess Kazu-san had caused me.
" Excuse us. " The servants bow and left.
" You are in big trouble, Takao-san.. You've ticked me off. Now get out of the onsen! " I half-shouted.
" Alright, alright! Geez, you can be so scary at times, (f/n)-chan, " He said in an amused tone and left the place.

I finally calmed down, and got out of the bath. I quickly dressed myself in a simple kimono and head towards my room. When I opened the screen door, I saw Natsuka rolling all over my futon, tired of waiting for me, and fell asleep.
" Sorry, Natsuka, I'll tell you about it next time. " I whispered as I lied down on the futon beside her and covered the both of us with the cover.

The next day.
" So, from today onwards, Midorima-dono[2] will be your bodyguard. He is one of the best onmyouji[3] there is, he will ensure your safety. " Father turned to me and pointed his fan towards the green-haired man beside him.
" And I expect you to protect my daughter at all costs, Midorima-dono. I'm not paying the onmyouji household at a high price for nothing. Understood? " My father fanned himself while looking at the man beside him.
" Yes, prime minister. I swear I will protect (f/n)-dono at all costs. " He bows until his head touches the floor.
" Now that business is over, both of you may leave. " Father dismissed us.
After we left the room, I nudged the prodigy onmyouji by the shoulder.
" You look so stiff there, Shin-chan, " I snickered.
" You look like a still doll there, (f/n). It's like your father has his strings on you. And it's Shintaro. Stop calling me by that nickname, nanodayo. " He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose.

This man beside me, is Midorima Shintaro, an onmyouji, also a childhood friend of mine. He is going to be seventeen years old this year, like I will. He has a habit of using his catchphrase "nanodayo" at the end of his sentences. When we were younger, we used to train onmyou jutsu together, that's why I can use sealing spells and exorcism spells (though I prefer not to use it) and self-defense sword techniques. We also used to hang out together at the city, playing together with Takao-san, who babysits us most of the time. But after we reached 10 years old, we weren't allowed to meet , and haven't seen each other ever since. And now, he is employed as my bodyguard, to protect me from harm at any costs.

" Well, what can I say? I should be acting a little more obedient, shouldn't I? Now that I'm already sixteen. And as for the nickname, sorry, I can't help it. I already got used to it, Shin-chan~ " I snorted.
" It's Midorima Shintaro, nanodayo, Ichijo (f/n), " He glared at me.
" ...You really haven't changed, huh, Shin-chan. Still the same tsundere as you used to be when we were kids. Even though we never met each alother after becoming 10 years old, you still haven't changed at all. " I smiled, reminiscing the past.
" I can say that you haven't really changed in personality, but.... " He averted his gaze.
" But? " I repeated.
" You- " He was cut by Takao-san's yelling.
" Ooh! If it isn't Shin-chan the tsundere! Long time no see! You've grown a lot huh! " Takao-san glomped his shoulder and jerked through the green-haired onmyoji.
" Takao, you're too loud, nanodayo. And it's Midorima Shintaro. Stop calling me "Shin-chan" all the time, nanodayo. " Shin-chan complained.
" Hey, hey, put "-san" after my name would ya'? Have some respect towards your elders! " Takao-san pouted.
" Hey, (f/n)-chan, help me deal with him will ya'? " He turnes to see me discussing with Shin-chan.
" Say, Shin-chan, what should we do to make him shut up? " I muttered, folding my arms.
" For once, (f/n), I couldn't agree more with you, nanodayo. Maybe either seal or exorcise him? " He took out a few paper charms from his kimono sleeve.
" Hey, hey, you don't really intend to do that to your poor bestfriend, would you? " He scooted backwards.
" We might reconsider if you shut up, nanodayo. " Shin-chan pushed his glasses up, indicating that he's serious.
" Alright, alright, I will! But say, what brings you here all of a sudden? It's been almost seven years since you last visited this place. " Takao-san's expression changes.
" I'm assigned to be this troublesome girl's bodyguard. " Shin-chan lets out an exasperated sigh.
" Oh come on, it's not that bad being my bodyguard. " I rolled my eyes.
" Being the curious-natured person you are, I can say that I am going to have a hard time guarding you, nanodayo. I need to have my lucky item by my side to take care of that. And today's lucky item is a short blade, nanodayo. " He showed me and Takao-san a blade covered a wooden seathe.
" You still believe in those kind of things, Shin-chan? I mean, you're seventeen this year! Don't you think it's time to grow up from those astrological and fortune-telling stuff? " Takao-san burst into a fit of laughter.
" They are true, nanodayo. Don't ever underestimate Oha Asa's bureau of Divination, " He continued.
' Well, that's what you get from someone who believes too much in fate. ' I shook my head looking at the two arguing.

Then, I remembered that I had to do an errand.

" Hey, Shin-chan, Takao-san, I need to go. I have just remembered that I promised Natsuka to tell her about my "city adventures". Well then, see you later, " I waved at them as I ran towards my family's mansion.

* Takao P.O.V. *
Shin-chan's eyes were lingering on (f/n)-chan's back. Aaah... Youngsters nowadays.. I really wish that Shin-chan could just immediately confess to (f/n)-chan.. But with that tsundere personality of his, it wouldn't be possible in any way, right?

" Hey, hey, Shin-chan~ You should tell the girl you like her, you know? Or else her heart might be taken away by someone else... " I snickered as I slapped his back, and passed through his body.
" It hurt, nanodayo. But even if I have feelings for her, she will never realize it. " He had a solemn look on his face.
" From my point of view, it's pretty visible to see through your tsundere personality, " I slung my arm on his shoulder, but instead, it went through him.
" ... Didn't you know that (f/n) is engaged to Akashi Seijuro-dono, the imperial prince? " He muttered.
" (f/n)-chan got engaged to who now?! " I yelled out of surprise.
" Lower your volume, Takao. At this rate, my ears are going to go deaf, nanodayo. " He growled.
" Sorry, sorry... Go on, " I urged him to continue.
" As I was saying, she is engaged to Akashi-dono. I know well about the imperial prince's personality, once he sets his eyes onto something, he won't let it go until he gets it, nanodayo. " Shin-chan's expression remained calm, but I could tell, that he is hurting inside.

As I have known him and (f/n)-chan since they were little, and seeing them grow up to fulfil their destinies and walk in different paths hurts me a lot.

" Well then, Shin-chan, there's only one phrase that I can say, and that is.... good luck, " I whispered before entering the Ichijo mansion.
" Thank you, Takao-san. " I didn't hear what Shin-chan said after that.

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[1] Onee-sama is a formal way to adress one's elder sister
[2] the suffix "-dono" is a formal way to adress someone of a higher rank. It ia even more formal than "-san"
[3] Onmyouji is an exorcist, they exorcise demons and evil spirits, and usually work for high ranking people, such as nobles.