Lunch was something Ryūsei had never eaten before.

According to the gods, it was called curry.

It was very, very delicious!

It was more delicious than any bread he had ever eaten!

And yesterday, Mr. Rabbit was so cute, warm, soft, and fragrant!

But the gods didn't want curry as an offering. They gave him a cup of sweet juice, which seemed to be called … orange juice.

… The gods were so gentle. They gave him delicious food, delicious orange juice, and let him sleep on a soft bed … Were all gods so good to their followers?

But … how long would the gods' gentleness last?

Would … would they soon get tired of him, hate him, and think that he was a 'bad child'?

After all … even gods had likes and dislikes.

After lunch, Ryūsei sat at the table in a daze and watched everyone clean up the dishes. He didn't know what to do.

He wanted to find more valuable things to offer to the gods, but his' grandfather 'said that there was no need. He just wanted him to sit in the dining room.

Ryūsei sat there obediently. Before he could think of anything, Tsuru Maru sneakily leaned over and said, "My lord, let's chat!

I'll ask and you'll answer! "

Ryūsei repeated blankly, "Chat?"

Cut Long Grain. was the first to object. "My lord has been running around this morning and is very tired!

He needs an afternoon nap! "

Tsuru Maru sat opposite Ryūsei and smiled. "It's not good for your health to sleep after eating!"

Cut Long Grain. frowned. "I'll take my lord for a walk to aid digestion —"

"You're not the valet today!" Tsuru Maru was not convinced. "Candlestick Cutting will be in charge when he comes back after cleaning up the kitchen!"

After that, he immediately turned to Ryūsei. "One!

What's my lord's favorite game? "

"Playing hide-and-seek with the cat and mother!" Ryūsei sat on the cushion cautiously, not daring to neglect the god's question.

"Oh, that's great." Shiro Tatō pouted. "I also want to play hide-and-seek with my lord. Let's play together next time!

Milord! "

Ryūsei hesitated, not daring to nod.

It was an honor to talk to a god, but playing games together was a little … scary.

This was because … the gods looked exactly the same as humans.

"Two!

What does the Lord usually do? "

What do you usually do … Ryūsei opened his mouth, but he realized that he had nothing to say about every day in his memory.

It was too plain.

The only days that left a deep impression on him were the days when the mother cat came to visit him. The rest of the time, he only remembered hunger, coldness, and pain.

He whispered, "The bread … is delicious."

He was always very happy when he ate bread once a day.

This answer didn't match Tsuru Maru's question at all, but the Fu Mourning God tacitly didn't ask further.

Gokusen Kanazane cleared his throat and smiled. "My lord, you like bread?

How about bread for dinner?

Although I'm better at Japanese food, I occasionally want to try Western food! "

Ryūsei pursed his lips, somewhat expectant, and nodded slightly. He loved bread the most!

"Three!

Is there anything my lord likes?

Other than food and animals! "

This time, Ryūsei was silent for a long time. When the Fu Mourning God thought that he wouldn't get an answer, Ryūsei suddenly whispered, "Flowers, sunsets, stars … rain, wind, my lord … I like all of them!"

Yiqi Yizhen lowered his eyes. "… Almost, it's all about the scenery." Without a specific item or hobby, one could imagine how boring and difficult life would be.

Although he had seen words like imprisonment and abuse in the information, even the Government of the Hour couldn't explain the specific situation. If he wanted to know, he could only ask the interrogators.

"What's wrong with the scenery? I also like the starry sky!

By the way, the last one is also deeply in my heart! "

Tsuru Maru threw a wink at Ryūsei, causing Ryūsei to shrink his neck in fear. Tsuru Maru then chuckled. "Is there anything my lord hates?"

Ryūsei was still silent for a long time before he answered, "… Bathtub, broom, eyes." As he spoke, he lowered his head uneasily. "Snow, fire … people … scary."

Some of the answers were strange, and the ending of the sentences wasn't "hate," but "scary."

Tsuru Maru, who was easily overthinking, couldn't help but frown and ponder.

"I don't like bathtubs either!"

Bodo excitedly interrupted. "Too small, I can't take a bath with my brothers. It's so boring!

So, I like the hot spring of This Pill the most!

Hey, my lord!

Let's go to the hot spring together tonight! "As he spoke, he had already straightened his body and was about to lean on Ryūsei.

Ryūsei was so scared that he plunged his head into Fox's Assistance's back. He trembled and didn't dare to speak.

Pharmaceutical Research patted Bodo's head gently. "No matter what the situation is, you have to control your actions and words in front of my lord. You know that, right?"

"But I —!

… Yes. "

Bodo sat back in his seat resentfully and sincerely apologized to Ryūsei. "My lord, I'm sorry. I just … a little … a little looking forward to …" Building a good relationship with my lord.

Ryūsei rubbed his face against Fox's Assistance's back twice with lingering fear. He resisted the discomfort and fear and raised his head slightly. Then, he saw Bodo's disappointed expression.

… I let the gods … down?

Ryūsei suddenly felt an unprecedented panic. It was as if he would be abandoned by the gods who were disappointed in him if he didn't do something.

His breathing became rapid and he subconsciously tightened his arms. His back began to sweat. There was a roar in his ears and his vision blurred.

Although I'm afraid of being in close contact with others … but … if it's the gods …

I'll work hard.

No matter what, I'll do, I'll learn, and I'll adapt!

Every day, I'll worship and treat the gods seriously!

No matter how painful it is, I won't cry or make a fuss!

I won't go out of the house and I won't say that I want friends anymore!

I'll be a 'good boy'!

So … So!

— Don't hate me!

Don't abandon me!

Don't be disappointed in me!

A person who is hated and abandoned by the gods … Definitely!

Definitely can't be free even in death!

Definitely … I'll be a monster even in death.

What should I do?

What should I do?

I — I should —

"My lord!"

Ryūsei's cold fingers felt a soft warmth. His eyes finally focused. He subconsciously wanted to dodge, but his hand was held even tighter.

"My name is the Five Tigers Retreat!"

Although the Five Tigers Retreat's voice was trembling, it was full of gentleness and joy. It was conveyed to Ryūsei, "Yesterday … Yesterday, you treated me!

Thank you very much! "

Ryūsei's eyes widened.

This was the first time he had received words of gratitude.

Although he had treated many people before, those people would only say thank you to their mothers after the treatment … No one had ever said thank you to him.

They only came and went in a hurry, as if they couldn't see him convulsing on the floor.

He stared blankly at the face of the Five Tigers Retreat. The panic and anxiety just now was like a tide, washing over Ryūsei's body and slowly subsiding.

So warm.

This god's hand … is so warm.

… It doesn't feel like a human's hand … A human's hand is always cold.

"I … I'm not very cheerful. I hesitate easily and feel uneasy easily. That's why I didn't thank you in time yesterday. I'm sorry!"

The Five Tigers Retreat knelt on one knee in front of Ryūsei and said sincerely, "But as a protective sword, I will definitely be by your side at all times to protect you and never let you be hurt … So … So … Please don't be afraid of us!"

Ryūsei was stunned for a long time. Suddenly, he asked in a low voice, "You … need me?"

"Yes." The Five Tigers Retreat took the child's hand and gently pressed it to his cheek. He rubbed it affectionately, "A sword cannot be without a master … You are our everything."

Ryūsei suddenly felt the world spinning.

He was obviously in a room, but he seemed to be able to hear and see everything he liked.

The setting sun, the starry sky, and the rustling of flowers and plants in the breeze. And his most important god was right in front of him — I see.

I … am not dispensable.

Although mother and the other adults don't need me, the god needs me.