More often than not, she acted as if she wanted to protect him, from the image of herself--herself in the past. She liked to keep only the bright side of herself turned towards him. She liked to shine.
The protagonist frequently engages in a protective facade, concealing her past from her companion. She carefully curates her personality, presenting only her most positive traits to maintain an image of brightness and strength. This careful curation suggests a deep-seated desire to shield him from the darker aspects of her history.
Her inclination to "shine" reflects not only her self-image but also her wish for their relationship to be untouched by her earlier experiences. This behavior reveals the complexity of her character, illustrating the struggles between vulnerability and the need to project an idealized version of oneself to loved ones.
