Seraphim is a Bystander

School Trip Day 2: Accompanied by Lord Tsuchimikado

 
We walked through the Divine History Museum in the same group as yesterday’s ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) free exploration team. Displayed along our path were items—almost like sacred relics—preserved from the divine path that the gods had walked… and we were seeing them with Lord Tsuchimikado himself.
“Fufufu… I’ve grown quite used to this museum, but simply having company changes how everything looks, doesn’t it?”

“Um… Lord Tsuchimikado?”
“Yes? Oh, and you don’t need to add ‘Lord,’ you know?”
When I called his name to try and figure out where to even start, he replied with the same kind, gentle smile he had at the souvenir shop and the roadside station. He looked nothing like someone with divine authority—just a pleasant old gentleman.

“Um… you’re the same person I met yesterday at the souvenir shop and again this morning at the station, right?”
“Why yes, of course. Thank you for the tea earlier.”
“No, I should be thanking you! You’ve helped me so much since yesterday.”

“Fufu, let’s not worry about that. It’s your school trip, after all. This museum might be a bit dull, but let’s enjoy it together.”
“Y-Yes…”
Now that I had confirmation that the kindly old man I’d seen multiple times since yesterday really was Lord Tsuchimikado, my group members started whispering to me.

“(Aoi-kun, you knew Lord Tsuchimikado?)”
“(No, I’d just happened to run into him a couple of times… I had no idea he was that Lord Tsuchimikado.)”
“(What are the odds…?)”

We tried to keep our voices down, since he was right next to us, and quickly returned to touring the museum.
Unlike the other groups who had just visited popular tourist spots during free time, our group had specifically chosen to visit places connected to the gods. That made the exhibits here much more relevant—we could actually connect them to the things we’d studied yesterday.
“…Ah, Lord Tsuchimikado, may I ask something?”

“Of course. But again, please, drop the ‘Lord’.”
“I really don’t think I can do that… Anyway…”
For anything we didn’t fully understand from our own research or what we’d seen yesterday, we asked Lord Tsuchimikado directly. In the end, we actually had a lot of fun touring the museum. He explained everything clearly and kindly, even stopping to help other groups and guide them too. It felt like he was genuinely here to help us learn.
“…Thank you so much! Oh, and… would it be okay if I asked about you, Lord Tsuchimikado?”

“I’d like to say ‘of course,’ but for now, let’s focus on the museum. There will be a chance later, so let’s talk then.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll actually be joining you all for lunch. When we sit down, I’d like to hear your—ah, excuse me—what was your name again?”

That’s when I realized: we’d spoken this much, and we still hadn’t exchanged full names. We both chuckled at the realization and formally introduced ourselves.
“Now that I think of it, I never introduced myself properly. My name is Aoi Futaba.”
“Aoi-san, then. I go by Tsuchimikado. Due to my duties, I don’t have a personal name.”

Hearing that explained why I couldn’t find his name when I looked him up online. It wasn’t that it was hidden—he simply didn’t have one.
While I was thinking about that, Tsuchimikado-san leaned close to whisper in my ear.
“…(Aoi-san, might you be from the Futaba family?)”

“(Yes, that’s right. I’m still in training, but I’ll be inheriting the family someday.)”
“(Should I avoid mentioning that in front of the other students?)”
“(Yes, I haven’t told anyone else yet.)”

Upon hearing that, he simply pulled away from my ear with the same warm, gentle smile. Even though he just seemed like a kindly old man, I could feel the truth—he really was the divine representative. The fact that he could deduce I was from the Futaba family with so little to go on… was honestly impressive.
“Well then, Aoi-san, I’ll see you again at lunch. I’ll go check in with the other students.”
“Yes. Thank you again, Lord Tsuchimikado.”

With that, Lord Tsuchimikado left us. Even though he had borne countless burdens serving the gods since childhood, the gentle smile he wore didn’t show a trace of it. In fact, it almost felt out of place—too warm, too kind—to belong to someone so important.