Seraphim is a Bystander

Delivering the Souvenir – Part 5

 
After loading the souvenir from Grandpa and Grandma into the car, we left their home and headed toward the Ichijou family estate. I'm delivering the Kyoto textile I mentioned during my school trip message exchange, and apparently today is also the day when Master visits the Ichijou estate to train the young lady. Since it's a good opportunity, I’ll be handing over souvenirs to both the Ichijou family and Master—and maybe getting a little training in myself while I’m at it.
“Aoi-sama, we’ll arrive at the gate in about five minutes.”

“Got it. Thank you, Katagiri-san.”
Before I knew it, the car Katagiri-san was driving had entered the long road lined with high walls. Beyond them spread the familiar Ichijou family estate. As always, the guards at the front gate would check us, so I made sure my appearance was in order.
Speaking of dangerous items… the ring on my finger, crafted by Ichijou-sensei, is technically a weapon-forming tool powered by my ability, so it counts. But the young lady and Master had already cleared it with the estate, so I didn’t need to remove it. Master told me to always be ready to fight, so I’ve been wearing it constantly. Still, if I get better at controlling my “configuration power” with Seras-san’s help, maybe there’ll come a day when I won’t need it anymore.

‘Well, I’m happy to help as much as you want—in your dreams, at least.’
…Thank you, Seras-san.
While I was thinking about that, the car reached the gate. Thanks to Master and the young lady informing them in advance, the security check was quick. A few minutes later, the car rolled to a stop in front of the elegant mansion.

As we got out of the car, I greeted the staff who had come to welcome us.
“Thank you for receiving me. I’m Aoi Futaba; I contacted you earlier.”
“Yes, we’ve been expecting you. This way, please.”

Following the staff member inside, I took in the elegant ambiance—quite different from my grandparents’ home. After a short walk, we arrived at a large door.
“This is the room.”
“Thank you very much.”

I bowed lightly to the retreating staff member and knocked.
“It’s Aoi Futaba.”
“Oh! It’s already that time? Come on in!”

Hearing the cheerful voice from inside helped ease the tension I hadn’t even realized I was feeling. When I entered the room—something like a study—I saw Michiya-sama and Mayuko-sama looking pleased to see me.
“It’s been a while, Michiya-sama, Mayuko-sama. As mentioned, I’ve brought back a souvenir from Kyoto, where we recently went on a school trip.”
“Aoi-kun! You're not on a security detail today, so no need to be so formal. It’s great to see you again.”
“Really, Aoi-san, feel free to stop by more casually.”

They greeted me warmly, but… right next to Michiya-sama was a mountain of paperwork, and Mayuko-sama stood beside him as if watching over everything. On closer look… Mayuko-sama’s eyes weren’t exactly smiling, and Michiya-sama was sweating nervously.
Michiya-sama glanced at me with desperate eyes, clearly seeking rescue, but Mayuko-sama’s quiet yet firm pressure had him locked in place. …Yeah, sorry, there’s no saving you from that.
“A-Ah, thank you. Um, the souvenir is a type of tea snack, so please enjoy it with everyone if you’d like.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Aoi-kun! Hey Mayuko, what do you say? Why don’t we take a short break with Aoi-kun’s treats?”
“...Sigh. I suppose we can afford ten minutes. Aoi-kun, as you can see, we’re rather tied up, so why don’t you go visit our daughter and Mamori-san? I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you.”
Michiya-sama lit up at her words and sent me a deeply grateful look… but under Mayuko-sama’s renewed pressure, I couldn’t really respond.

“Yes, understood. Sorry for the intrusion. Um… please take care of yourselves.”
“Ah, thank you again for the souvenir! Come by anytime, alright?”
“Yes, thank you for the gift. Let’s chat again sometime when we both have more free time.”

“Of course. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
I left the room as they both saw me off. …Whatever happened after that between those two is none of my business. Now then, time to go see Yuna-san and Master.
While walking through the spacious mansion under a staff member’s guidance, I thought about how Michiya-sama reminded me of Ichijou-sensei. They're family, after all. It made me chuckle a bit.

That’s when I suddenly noticed something within my detection range—abilities clashing.
…Master, aren’t you going a bit overboard?
Judging by the movement patterns, it feels like they’re training at the level I was four years ago. And even I think that kind of training would break most people.

Worried, I quickened my pace toward what looked like a dojo. As expected, inside were a sweat-drenched Yuna-sama and a cold, merciless-looking Master.
Yuna-sama was visibly exhausted, struggling to stay upright, while Master closed the distance in a leap, swinging a training staff high over her head.
Wait—she’s not planning to stop?!

“Tch—!”
I instantly redirected some of my ability to boost my physical strength and launched myself between the two. I caught Master’s staff barehanded just before it struck.
…Judging by the impact, she really wasn’t going to stop. And—ugh, how tasteless can you get?

“…Master? Even as a joke, isn’t this going too far?”
“Hah? That’s your first line after not seeing your super-serious Master for so long?”
“…Huh? Aoi-san?!”

After confirming that Master had relaxed her stance, I turned to Yuna-sama, who I’d shielded behind me. Her exhausted expression turned stunned as she locked eyes with me.
“It’s been a while, Yuna-sama. I came to bring you a souvenir.”