Seraphim is a Bystander

Heroic Tale: Prologue
 
My consciousness was sinking.
The outline of my body became vague, dissolving.
It felt like I might just disappear altogether—but instead, my form began to reshape itself into something new.

A vague, immature form that could just barely be called “human.”
I felt wrapped in something warm, like a comforting membrane.
“Well then… let’s begin again. It’s been a while.”
…A voice.
Even though my vision was hazy and my ears didn’t seem to work yet, I felt a gentle woman’s voice.
She was cradling me, swaying me gently in a soothing rhythm.

I heard the sound of a book opening—like the first time opening a brand-new one in your room.
Excitement wrapped around me.
With a gentle voice that naturally entered my mind, the woman began a story.
“This is the tale of how a certain hero began.”
As I listened, something clicked.
I recognized this voice.
It had always been there—inside my head.
The voice that always narrated the stories I lost myself in.

“Once upon a time, there was a happy couple.
They had recently been blessed with a lovely baby boy, and they lived peacefully, raising him with love.”
As the woman’s voice continued, a scene played out in my mind.
A father who looked a bit scary at first glance but was kind, and a mother who was always smiling warmly.
In the mother’s arms, a cheerful baby boy squirmed happily.
“One day, the family went out to celebrate the boy’s birthday—together with his grandparents.”

The scene expanded.
The happy family, now joined by a kind-looking elderly couple, strolled through a city surrounded by tall buildings.
“They spent the day talking to the boy, who still couldn’t quite speak, all while enjoying a joyful time together.”
The father and grandfather, awkward but full of love.
The mother and grandmother smiling gently at the two.
The baby laughed and wriggled with delight.

Then suddenly, their happiness was pierced by a shrill scream.
“Just then, the people around them began to scream.
The crowd started running, as if fleeing from something.”
Everyone ran.
The happy family was left behind—blackness spread.

“The thing they ran from soon revealed itself.
It was a massive wolf, wreathed in black flames—a terrifying beast.”
The wolf erupted in black fire from every joint.
It charged through the city, destroying everything in its path.
It appeared before the family.
“But the boy’s family did not run.
They stood their ground—for the people of the city, and most of all, for the boy, who could not yet run away on his own.”
The father and grandfather stepped forward to shield the boy and his mother.
The grandmother stood beside the mother, helping shield the boy.

“But the monster was far too strong.
In an instant, it slipped past the father and grandfather and rushed toward the boy.”
The beast opened its fanged mouth, ready to strike.
The family desperately tried to protect the child.
“And yet, only the boy reached out his hand to the monster.”

With a smile on his face, the boy stretched out his hand toward the massive, flame-wreathed wolf—mere moments from attacking.
And then… a bluish-white light erupted from that hand.
“From the boy’s hand, blue fire flew.
It enveloped the monster’s body.”

The blue light pushed back the black flames that had consumed their joy.
“The fire that once burned with hatred turned blue.
The monster stopped its rampage.”
Its eyes regained clarity.
The wolf licked the hand the boy had held out—almost as if to say thank you.

“The boy had known.
The wolf wasn’t truly evil—it had been possessed by something foul.
Deep down, it never wanted to hurt anyone.”
The blue flames bathed the area in a warm glow.
The wolf gave thanks.
The boy rejoiced.
“And with that, the family regained their happiness.
And now, the wolf became part of that family too.”

The boy’s fire, and the wolf’s now-blue flames, lit up their lives again.
“The boy continued to use his flame—the power to drive out evil—to help others.
And one day, he would come to be known… as a hero.”
The boy’s silhouette grew, fading into the image of a young man.
Around him stood not only his family, but many others—faces unfamiliar yet filled with admiration.

Thump.
A book closed.
The vivid vision vanished.
Only the gentle sensation of being rocked in someone’s arms remained.

“This is the beginning of your heroic tale.
You’ve already lived through so many chapters of it.”
As I dozed in warmth and comfort, the woman’s kind voice washed over me again.
“I’d love to read on, too…
But for now, our little storytelling session ends here.
There’s something you need to do—back in your story, right?”

…Something I need to do.
I have to save Sasaki-kun.
Save my classmate—no, my friend.
My drowsy mind snapped awake.
My body expanded, filling the form that now faced the entity using Sasaki-kun.

As I rose with firm resolve, a soft voice called out from behind.
“…Do your best, Aoi.”