Seraphim is a Bystander

School Trip – Day 2: Schedule Change
 
The sudden news of a schedule change stirred murmurs among the students as they looked around at each other and began talking.

“A change? Aoi, did they say anything about this at the class leader meeting yesterday?”
“No, this is the first I’ve heard of it too…”
“Everyone quiet down~!”

The teacher’s voice brought silence over the students, us included.
After confirming the quiet, the teacher sent out a group message.
Displayed in front of me was a notice titled “Schedule Change” in bold.
“As you can see in the message I just sent you all, there’s a slight change to our original plan to visit the Divine History Museum today!”
Checking the notice, I saw that part of the time allocated to the museum visit had been trimmed down and replaced with something else.

“A visit… from Tsuchimikado-sama?”
“As written in the notice, Tsuchimikado-sama will be visiting during our time at the Divine History Museum!
Tsuchimikado-sama is one of the few humans officially allowed to interact directly with the gods!
He’s very kind, but make sure you’re all on your best behavior~!”
“Yees~~!”

…Everyone responded, but ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) judging from their confused expressions, it was clear that most didn’t really know who Tsuchimikado-sama was.
Honestly, if I hadn’t done research during our free time yesterday to trace the gods’ footsteps, I wouldn’t know either.
From what I’d found, Tsuchimikado-sama was allowed to stay close to the gods and had served them since childhood.
He apparently acts as a representative who conveys divine will to humans or takes on roles as their proxy.
After that, the teacher went over the same announcements I’d heard at the class leader meeting last night, and the schedule resumed.
We’d still head to the Divine History Museum first as planned.

“Alrighty, we’ll be taking the bus now to the Divine History Museum!”
We each boarded the buses and set off toward the destination.
As we rode, gently rocked by the movement, I explained who Tsuchimikado-sama was to Ken, shared snacks, and chatted about yesterday’s free time.
Before long, the bus slowly came to a halt.

“Oh? Are we there already?”
“Nope, just a break.”
We’d stopped at a roadside rest area for a 30-minute break.
Everyone split up—some heading to the restroom, others browsing the souvenir shops.
…Come to think of it, how does Yuzu handle going to the bathroom?

“I’m going to the restroom—Yuzu, are you good?”
“Nya?”
“…Well, let’s just go anyway?”

I figured taking a cat into a bathroom wasn’t exactly ideal, but Yuzu wasn’t budging from my side, so I went with him anyway.
Once we reached the bathroom, Yuzu still showed no sign of letting me go.
I stood there, unsure of what to do—until a familiar voice called from behind me.
“Excuse me, young man.”

“?”
I turned toward the voice and saw the elderly gentleman I’d met yesterday near the gods’ residence—the one who told me about the bookmarks.
“Ah! You’re the one from yesterday—thank you again for all the helpful information!”

“Not at all, I didn’t do much.
Now then, you seem to be in a bit of a dilemma—may I ask what’s wrong?”
“Ah, well… this is Yuzu. He just won’t leave my side, and, um…”
It was awkward to admit to someone I’d only met yesterday that I couldn’t go to the bathroom because of my cat.
I hesitated, glancing toward the restroom, but the gentleman seemed to catch on quickly.

“I see. In that case, would you like me to look after him for a short while?”
“Really!? Oh, but… Yuzu? Would you mind staying with this man for a bit?”
The offer was incredibly kind, but I’d never seen Yuzu let anyone other than me or Rei touch him.
Would he really be okay with a man he’d only met once before?

If Yuzu rejected him, it would feel rude after such a kind offer…
But contrary to my worries, Yuzu casually climbed down from my shoulder.
“Yuzu, was it? I’ll keep him company for a little while.”
“…Nya.”

“Wow… He usually won’t go near anyone else. He seems okay, though.”
“Yes, it seems I’ve gained his favor—by chance, perhaps.”
“Well, thank you so much! Please take care of him for a bit!”

“Of course, leave it to me. …Oh! Wait, not that way—!”
I barely caught his words as I hurried into the restroom.
…To be honest, I’d been holding it in since this morning.
The old man seemed to say something just before I went in, but I didn’t catch it.
—Meanwhile—

“Not that way! …Ah, off he goes.”
“Nya.”
“…Wait—male? Oh dear… I must’ve been mistaken.”

“Nya-nya.”
“Hahaha… How embarrassing.
…So then, what will you do from here?”
“Nya.”

“…You must have your reasons, so I won’t pry.
But if possible, I’d appreciate it if you could return soon.”
“…Nya.”
“I’ve already spoken to Yuzuriha-sama, so things are manageable for now…
But there are still matters that require you specifically.”

“Nyaa~”
“…Please don’t pretend to be a cat now of all times.”