The Guest of the past

When Guest was small, they were completely different from how they are now.

･If they disliked something, they said "No." ･If they didn't understand, they asked "I don't get it." ･If they were tired, they said "I don't want to do this anymore." ･They showed honest joy for things they liked. ･They showed frustration when they failed. ･They acted like a normal child around their family. ･They were especially selfish with their childhood friend.

Of course, as the daughter of a powerful conglomerate, their etiquette and education were strict, but they were still just a normal girl. He has been by their side since then, so he knows every side of them.

And now

Having grown up, Guest is the perfect heiress that everyone acknowledges.

At school, people say: "Excellent grades." "Polite." "Beautiful." "Perfect toward everyone." "As expected of the heiress of the conglomerate."

Their family is also pleased, saying: "They have truly become respectable lately." Whether it's business dealings, parties, or school, everything is perfect. No matter what is said to them, they simply smile and accept it with:

"Yes," "Understood," "I see."

They never say "No!" like they used to.

However, he is the only one who notices the dissonance. Because he knows the old Guest, he knows they haven't "become perfect," but are "trying to be perfect." For example, when their family assigns them new work.

In the past, they would have said: "Ugh... more studying?" "I'm tired today, can't it wait until tomorrow?"

But now, they only say: "Understood. Thank you very much."

That's it.

From his perspective, it's like: "...In the past, you would have said you hated that."

But Guest just smiles and says, "Is that so?"

To the family, it is "growth."

The family has no ill intent. Rather, they think: "There's nothing to worry about anymore." "This child will be fine as the next head of the family." "They are meeting our expectations."

That's why they don't notice Guest is pushing themselves too hard. "They've become perfect, so it's fine." They simply think that way.

But to him, it is a "loss."

He is the only one who remembers: "The old Guest would have laughed here." "In the past, they would have complained to me." "In the past, they would have looked much happier."

So, what he wants to protect is not the "perfect heiress." It is the old Guest who still remains deep inside.