Seraphim is a Bystander

Nighttime Encounter

 
While Aoi and the others chatted cheerfully about what happened during their free time over dinner, I had separated from Aoi and was now in the quiet bamboo grove behind the hotel. The only sources of light were the glow coming from the hotel and the moonlight filtering through the bamboo. As I waited there, a single cat strolled up from the direction of the hotel.
“…Nya.”

“Don’t look so grumpy. That cute face of yours is going to waste.”
“Hissss!”
“Yes yes, I’ll change you back now.”

The cat glaring and hissing at me was the same one Aoi had named Yuzu.
With a wave of my hand to the incredibly grumpy-looking Yuzu, I returned her to her original form.
After a brief flash of light, the figure that appeared was that of a god—the one who’d been bothering Aoi earlier… though still sitting in the same cat-like pose.
“Tch…! Honestly, how restricting. Was it really necessary for me to take on a beast’s form?”
“…For now, how about you stand up?”

“…? Wha—?!”
Blushing deeply at my comment, Yuzu hurriedly stood up and brushed off the dirt clinging to her.
Once she was done, she returned to her usual haughty demeanor, exuding the aura of a divine being.
“…So? What did you call me out here for?”

“Oh, right… actually, do you even have a real name, Yuzu-chan?”
“Someone like you doesn't deserve to know the name of one such as I! …Haaah. It’s Akatsuki.”
“Because you’re the god of Akatsuki, huh? That’s kind of on the nose. Or wait… is it the other way around?”

“…Indeed. The nation was named Akatsuki after me. You hold power great enough to toy with me, yet you don’t even know that much?”
“It’s easier to just ask you directly than bother looking it up.”
If I really wanted to, it’d take me less than a second to find out, but I wasn’t that interested.
Yuzu is a cuter name anyway, so I’ll stick with that.

“Anyway, back to why I called you out here—”
“Then why did you ask for my name!?”
“Don’t get caught up in the small stuff. You’re slowing the conversation down.”
“Tch…!”

I silenced the sulking Yuzu and continued.
“There’s something I wanted to ask. Today, someone noticed that your cat form wasn’t just a cat, right?”
“You mean my familiar? That one can read minds. It’s only natural.”

Yuzu pouted as she replied.
That mind-reading familiar must’ve taken care of the follow-up for us, which meant Yuzu had dutifully obeyed my instructions.
Not that I was going to say that—she’d just get angry.
“That’s not who I meant. I was talking about the old man at the souvenir shop who spoke with Aoi.”
“Ah… him.”

The elderly gentleman who had explained what a bookmark was to Aoi and Rei.
Despite being an ordinary human, he’d recognized Yuzu’s true identity and even tried to act behind the scenes just like the familiar.
“He had some kind of unusual ability. Is he someone you know?”
He definitely had a faint aura of a unique power about him, but there was no hostility or suspicion—just calm understanding.
He seemed to grasp that Yuzu wanted to stay with Aoi simply from what he heard.

“You could say that. He’s like a caretaker of sorts for me.”
“A caretaker? You keep a human that’s not even a familiar close to you?”
“Indeed. He is a Saint.”

“Ooh…”
Ah, right. I remember now—those rare individuals with special gifts.
The Saint that Spirits-sama was trying to approach must’ve been that man.
I thought he felt familiar somehow… that explains it.
“He’s a bit of a nag, but having someone like him nearby is convenient. He’s been with me since he was just a brat.”

“I see. Well, if that’s the case, it’s nothing I need to worry about.”
“…You called me out here just to ask that?”
“Yup.”

“…Fine then.”
Since I arrived in this world, I’d made a rule not to look into the future I had altered by coming here.
That’s why I couldn’t predict what would happen—but I could still confirm little things like this.
Yuzu knew who I really was, so she was especially useful to keep around.
So far, only Ao and Ichijo-sensei had been aware of my identity.

“Anyway, I’ll be counting on you again going forward.”
“Wait! I answered your question, so now you must answer mine!”
“…I don’t owe you anything, but sure, go ahead.”

Ah right. Unlike the angels of the heavens, gods in this {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} world want a fair exchange.
I've been stuck in a toxic workplace for fifty billion years, so my thinking's gotten a little too dark. I should reflect on that.
Yuzu fell quiet, pondering her question.
“…Just one question?”

“That is your question?”
“No it isn’t!”
Ahh, she’s fun to tease.
All the angels around me in heaven were way too serious—it’s nice to interact with someone like this for once.
…Wait, could that damned Creator God have thought the same thing? Ugh, that thought alone makes me feel sick—even though I don’t have a body right now.

“So? Have you decided on your question yet?”
“…Yes. But this one, I want a serious answer to.”
“Sure. I’m feeling extra benevolent today, so ask me anything.”

Even though I added a playful tone, Yuzu stared at me with an unusually serious expression.
“In all the futures I’ve seen, your existence never appeared. Where did you come from, and what are you here to do?”
“…That feels like two questions, but fine. I’m kind, after all.”

Yes, I’m kind. I’m not like that damn god.
Facing Yuzu’s unwavering gaze, I answered:
“As for where I came from—simply put, from outside this world.”
“Outside the world…?”

“Yep, outside. Of course I wouldn’t show up in your future predictions. You’re just a god of this world, after all. There's no way your power would work on me.”
“Why do I feel insulted…?”
“Just your imagination.”

Even if she didn’t get it, I was leagues above her.
Of course she couldn't foresee me.
“Fine… then what are you here to do?”
“You don’t need to glare at me like I murdered your family. I’m not here to destroy the world or anything.”

“…”
Yuzu kept glaring at me suspiciously, but I continued without pause.
“There was a little crack in this world, caused by someone from another department—not even my fault. I was just ordered by my boss to come and fix it. I’m just a poor worker following orders.”

And that was the absolute truth.
“Department…?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Just think of it as a metaphor.”

Yuzu fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.
Well, if she’s been ruling this tiny sandbox of a world as its god, I guess talk of the outside would confuse her.
“…It’s an unbelievable story, but the fact remains that my power doesn’t work on you. Even if it’s nonsense, I’ll accept it—for now.”
“I didn’t lie though.”

“But now I have another question. This crack in the world—”
Just as Yuzu was about to ask something else, we both fell silent, glancing toward the same direction.
The reason was simple.
“Yuzu~? Where did you go~?”

Aoi had finished dinner and was now coming to look for Yuzu.
“…I don’t know why you don’t want that child to find out about you, but I won’t ask.”
“Thanks. Not that it matters—soon I won’t be able to tell him even if I want to.”

“Tch…! You’ll regret this!”
“Sure, sure. See you later.”
With a wave, I said goodbye to Yuzu.
After a gentler flash of light, she returned to her cat form, glaring at me in irritation.
Aoi’s footsteps were growing clearer, so I made myself unnoticeable.

“…Ah! Yuzu! So this is where you were!”
“…Nya.”
Aoi ran over happily when he found Yuzu, kneeling to stroke her fur with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong? Did you want to go home?”
“Nya.”
“Whoa—careful. You’re staying with me, right? Then let’s go back together.”

With Yuzu perched on his shoulder, Aoi walked back toward the hotel with a bright smile.
I quietly returned to Aoi’s body.
“…? Yuzu, did you just touch my back?”
“Nya?”

“…Was it just your tail brushing against me?”
…I wonder when I should finally tell Aoi about myself.