Seraphim is a Bystander

vol. 4 chapter 43 - The Final Promise



The Final Promise

 
『Aoi, wake up.』
Rocked gently by the comforting vibration of the train, my consciousness was pulled from sleep by a familiar, reassuring voice.

Thank you, Seras.
『No problem. I got to relax a bit on my own for once, too.』
Seras responded with a tone that almost made me feel like the tension just melted away.
Wait, "relax on your own"?
Does that mean you couldn’t relax before while you were inside me?

As I pondered that, our homeroom teacher’s voice rang out from the front of the train car.
"Everyone~! We’re arriving at the station soon, so please wake up anyone who’s still asleep!"
“““Okaaay…”””

It sounded like everyone in the other groups was pretty tired too—there were scattered, groggy replies coming from various seats.
Looking around at my group, Ken and Tsubaki-san were the only ones still asleep; the rest were rubbing their eyes and starting to wake up.
Directly in front of me, Runa-chan stared at me in a daze.
I wondered if something was on my face, but… I mean, when you’ve just woken up and accidentally lock eyes with someone, it’s always a little awkward, right?
"Runa-chan, can I ask you to wake Tsubaki-san?"

"...Huh? Oh—yeah, sure."
Runa-chan seemed to snap out of it the moment I spoke, and she started shaking Tsubaki-san awake, who was on the verge of drooling.
"Ken, wake up?"

I gently shook Ken awake as well.
Both he and Tsubaki-san opened their eyes looking very drowsy, just as the linear train began to slow down.
"Alright, let’s gather our things and get ready to get off."
While everyone was cleaning up their snack wrappers and such, I checked my area to pack up my stuff—only to find that the trash and my belongings had already been neatly put away.

"Huh…? Did I clean up already?"
『Ah, I did it while putting away the book you were reading.』
Oh, I see. Thanks.
That means I can just grab my bag and get going.
Alright, I’ll help get everyone’s luggage down, too.
"Let’s see… this one’s Rei-kun’s, and this…"

"Um, Aoi-kun…"
Just as I was helping with everyone’s luggage, Runa-chan spoke to me.
She’d been looking at me since she woke up—so I guess it wasn’t just spacing out. Maybe she wanted to say something?
"What is it, Runa-chan? Oh, this is yours, right?"

"Ah… thank you. Sorry, never mind."
"?"
She took her bag from me and returned to her seat almost like she was running away.

…What was that about?
『If she doesn’t want to talk about it, you’re probably better off not worrying too much.』
Seras’s voice echoed in my head, chiding me as I watched Runa-chan return to her seat.
…You’re right. If it were something truly important, I’m sure Runa-chan would tell me.
Worrying too much would just be rude.

Despite that little mystery, the linear train soon arrived at our hometown.
Compared to when we left school a few days ago, there was a strange floating sensation in my chest as we passed through the school gate and were greeted by our waiting teachers and parents.
“““Welcome back~!”””
Some people gave me strange looks, probably wondering why I was carrying a cat, unlike when we departed—but they welcomed me warmly nonetheless.

It felt like something inside us had changed in a big way during this school trip.
But now, seeing the school I always went to, and the familiar people I always saw—it reminded me that there were still parts of my world that hadn’t changed at all.
『…』
…? Just now, I think I felt some emotion from Seras. Did something happen?

『Not really… it’s just… a little dazzling, is all.』
…Well, the weather is nice today.
『Don’t worry about it. The principal’s probably wrapping up his speech soon.』

Brought back to reality by Seras’s words, I looked up to see the principal was just reaching the end of his usual closing remarks.
This speech was the last item on today’s agenda, so once it was over, we’d be dismissed.
"Well then… Remember, the school trip isn’t over until you arrive safely at home. Please make /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ sure you all get back safely."
The principal closed with the same line I’d heard countless times before at school events.
And with that, we were officially dismissed.

After that, some people hung out and chatted with friends, while others met up with family members who had come to pick them up—and each began making their way home.
…Alright, I guess I’ll head home too.
At this time, Ritsuki should already be back at the house, right?


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