The Head Lord and the Rat Thief {Kamisato Ayato FanFiction}

Chapter 31 ~ The Nobel and the Common

Chapter 31 ~ The Nobel and the Common

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       Caiome helped Himawari with her sword dance lessons the next day, and the next day, and the next day, and although she made progress, the girl never climbed the logs if she was alone, nor did she talk to Kouta, Daisuke, or Mizuki, who were rather forced by Caiome to climb those logs too.

       Himawari was the same girl with rosy cheeks whom Caiome took every morning while Ayato was in meetings or private meetings with various clan heads. She didn't speak much, as usual, and when someone other than Caiome or Mrs. Nakamura approached her, she found a place to hide... usually behind Caiome, holding onto her as if she could be kidnapped. And no matter how much Caiome told her there was no need to hide, Himawari persisted. And Caiome didn't have the patience to say the same thing a thousand times without any change. It was easier to coordinate her dance lessons, which still amounted to maintaining balance in various positions.

       Even more so when on the third day Ayato himself came to watch them, and Himawari barely wanted to pick up her sword, embarrassed and intimidated by Lord Kamisato's presence. And after the lesson ended, Himawari quickly took her leave from the garden.

       "I cannot be that scary, can I?" Ayato said.

       "You have to admit," Caiome shrugged, "you're quite intimidating for someone her age."

       "It seems to be the case for you too," Ayato told her. "At first, I thought I should get more involved in her affairs," he said thoughtfully, "but even though she always stays close to the employees, she seems scared of them too. Especially since yesterday she had her first meeting with Ayaka, and Himawari didnot know how to get away from her as fast as possible. Ayaka was quite subtle, strolling both of them around the mansion, telling stories, but Himawari seemed to only half-listen to what my sister told her."

       "Don't look at me," Caiome said. "I haven't spent much time around children in my life."

       Ayato sighed. "So what solutions do we have?"

       "Um, my lord," Mizuki said, approaching the two to take the wooden sword from Caiome. "If I may intervene, I believe there is something that might help you. I don't mean to imply anything," he quickly added, seeming slightly agitated, "but I think I could help, considering I have a younger sister the same age as Miss Himawari."

       Ayato looked at Caiome, and Caiome nodded slightly towards Mizuki, but still looking at Ayato. Ayato smiled at the guard.

       "Please, speak freely."

       "Well, it's normal for you not to realize this, considering you don't spend enough time around children," Mizuki began. "And you are terrible when it comes to little things like these," he said to Caiome, who frowned.

       "Hey!"

       "What I'm trying to say is," Mizuki continued quickly, "Miss Himawari is still a child, and around the estate, there are only adults, people who, in one way or another, are stronger than her, physically and socially. And if we consider the fact that she is also aware of the entire situation with the Yamamoto family, everyone is equally knowledgeable about her and her family, so she probably doesn't feel comfortable around the others for fear of being judged. I haven't spent much time around her either, I've only just met her, but not only is she a withdrawn child, but she's also afraid to say or do the wrong thing."

       Caiome and Ayato looked at each other, then sighed simultaneously, knowing full well that Mizuki was right, neither of them could know what a child was thinking, especially since they don't spend much time around them.