Seraphim is a Bystander

Shopping
(Still Seras’s point of view.)
 

…I can really feel people staring.
“Feels like we’re getting more looks than usual when I’m with you, Seras-chan.”
Mom, walking beside me, says that nonchalantly, but it’s obvious that all the eyes around us were on us—or more accurately, on me.

“It’s not just a feeling. People are staring.”
“Oh really? Maybe I’ve gotten out of practice since leaving fieldwork.”
…Come to think of it, she was one of the top-level operatives in the Anti-Virtual Unit, wasn’t she? Ever since Aoi was born, she’s been at home all the time, so I kind of forgot.

Well… on the rare occasions when she’s mad, her intensity is something else. I remember Dad once said, “I felt like my life was in danger again for the first time in years…” and Aoi laughed hysterically inside because of that.
“But still, it must be because Seras-chan is so pretty—people just can’t help but look.”
“……”

Yeah… that’s probably it.
It’s not even being self-conscious or anything—my appearance was literally crafted by God’s own hand. Of course I’d stand out in a normal world, and it’s not weird at all that people are bumping into each other while staring.
But the problem is…

“See? Wearing the clothes we bought was the right call, wasn’t it?”
“Right…”
…That I’m wearing women’s clothes.

I mean—sure, I’ve had this body for 5 billion years, so I’m used to it. But there weren’t any beings in the heavens that reacted like this to my looks… and this is my first time walking around wearing proper girls’ clothes.
Having every single human I see react like “whoa, what a beautiful woman!” is seriously uncomfortable.
And naturally, when someone stands out this much, you get people who want to approach.

“Um… excuse me, miss, would you hap—huh?!”
“Oh my~? I wonder what happened to that young man?”
All of them ran off before they could even finish a line.
“Bathroom, maybe?”

That wasn’t a lie. For each of them, I gave their bladder a little push, just enough to make the urge unbearable. They’re probably all desperately rushing to the restroom now.
…I mean, I was a guy, so I kind of get the feeling. But seriously, it’s gross. Doesn’t matter how good someone looks—when guys (from my perspective) come at me with their dirty little thoughts, it’s unbearable.
“Anyway, what are we getting next?”

“Let’s see… what should we do? You don’t need anything for meals or baths, right?”
“Yeah. Aoi handles that stuff.”
“I’m jealous—your hair and skin look perfect without any care…”

Well, I’m a seraph, after all. I’m growing in sync with Aoi, but things like aging or physical degradation just don’t exist for me. That’s generally true for angels—we don’t need anything outside ourselves to exist, unlike humans or most lifeforms.
“Is there anything else you want besides clothes? Oh! What about make—”
“No.”

“…I see?”
“No. I don’t need it.”
“Well, I mean… you’re so pretty it’d be a waste to cover it up with makeup, I guess…”

Mom looked clearly disappointed, but I’m not backing down on this one. What? You got a problem with the face God designed? Really?
Once Mom saw I was dead set against it, she finally gave up.
“Well then, what should we do now…?”

I didn’t expect that I’d need so little. Since Mom had been looking forward to shopping with her “first daughter,” it felt a bit sad to just stop at buying clothes.
“…Can we check out some books?”
“…! Of course! Let’s go, then?”

“Yeah, lead the way.”
Even on the way to the bookstore, we stopped at a cute little shop and a sweets store—one thing # Nоvеlight # after another—until we were both satisfied. By the time the sun started to set, our hands were full with bags again.
“Welcome ba—whoa…!”
“Bark…”

Dad and Sou were the ones to greet us when we got home. It looked like they were both shocked at how much we were carrying.
“You bought a lot, huh…”
“Yes, I ended up buying more than I expected while out with Seras-chan.”

Mom said that a bit sheepishly while setting down today’s haul in the entryway.
…Sou? You look a little disappointed in me. What, I’m not allowed to enjoy shopping?
“Whine…”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Sou? Sleepy?”
“In that case, want to sleep in my room tonight? …Right, Sou? You’d like that too?”
“…Woof.”

In response, Sou quietly sat in front of the hallway that led to my room.
Ahh, Sou really is such a good, sweet boy. Yuzu-chan’s sass is cute in her own way, but this kind of pure loyalty is just as wonderful!
“Well, Seras-chan, you must be tired. Why don’t you turn in early tonight?”

“That’s right. I’ll carry the rest of the bags.”
“Eh? Oh… thanks?”
It was a bit disorienting, hearing my parents say things like, “You must be tired.” Were they really… encouraging me to rest? When’s the last time anyone said something like that to me…?

Not knowing how to respond, I stood there confused, while both my parents gave me warm, gentle smiles.
“Good night, then.”
“Sleep well.”
“…Yeah. Good night.”

Maybe because I’d been swapped out with Aoi for so long, but the moment they said that, I felt drowsy for the first time in billions of years.
I crawled into the bed Aoi usually slept in, with Sou beside me, and let the feeling of sinking into the mattress wash over me as I barely managed to whisper one last thing:
“…Good night, Sou.”

“Woof.”
…So fluffy.