The moment Okayu opened her eyes she was adored by the townsfolk, her soft peachy cheeks and beautifully orange floral eyes were said to bring great fortune. She was placed on a pedestal and travelers around the world would come to bring her many gifts.
She was incredibly spoiled growing up, she believed she deserved nothing but perfection and cuteness, including herself. If she didn't feel cute, she would break down in hysterics and seek validation from those around her.
A plush that wasn't cute? burn it! any comments that make her question her appearance? burn them! She didn't have any special powers, she only had her appearance to carry her throughout her life. Being shallow was all she ever knew.
Because she was idolized, Okayu never made any real relationships with others, not even her own parents treated or loved her as their child, just an object of worship.
One day when Okayu found an opportunity to explore the garden by her lonesome, she found an older man around his 60s, dressed in a ragged dark orange yukata. He introduced himself as the caretaker of her family's garden. He prunes and waters the orange osmanthus', preparing them for the family and guests to adore.
This had been the first time Okayu had been so captivated by anyone other than herself, this one elder was the one who kept their garden so prim and proper; yet he adorned nothing but rags. Normally this would've deterred Okayu from even approaching, but something about this man drew her in. Was it his kind smile? his content wrinkled face? or his eyes that held no greed or envy? whatever it was, Okayu thought it was beautiful.
Okayu talked to the old man for a while as he did his work, she found out his wife had passed away and in the midst of his sorrow, he took up the work as a gardener at her home. He found peace in the work and he imagined his wife beside him, wanting to create a beautiful landscape not just for the home, but for his wife as well. Saying all of this with a sad smile on his face
Okayu came back a few times to hear more stories from the man, often times bringing out fruits or snacks for him, to his denial. But one day her mother found out where she had been sneaking off to, and greatly reprimanded her for it. Not only that she also fired the old man, thinking he had been filling her head with perverse and unwarranted information.
Okayu's days were filled with bitterness and anger from then on, the one thing that brought her something genuine and kind was ripped away from her. She refused to do her duties and holed herself in her chambers, shutting away the world that denied her happiness.
