Seraphim is a Bystander

Life after death
…Yep, she’s definitely dangerous.

That comment almost slipped out of my mouth, but with what little social skills I retained even after death, I managed to hold it back.
A stunningly beautiful woman radiating “cult follower” energy in the afterlife? That’s a jackpot of red flags if I’ve ever seen one…
While I was thinking that, the jackpot beauty kept smiling—but slightly furrowed her brows like she was a bit troubled.

Crap. This whole situation is so incomprehensible that my thoughts are spinning off in all directions…
“Um… hello…? My name is Minato Kushiki,” I finally managed to say, dragging the words out of my confused brain.
The jackpot beauty’s expression returned to the gentle smile she wore earlier, and she responded:

“Hello, Mr. Kushiki. I’ve been entrusted by my master to deliver a message to you. My name is Ramiel.”
Apparently, the jackpot beauty is named Ramiel-san. That sounds suspiciously like the name of an angel or apostle from somewhere… Considering we’re in the afterlife, I guess it makes sense. She’s probably something like a real angel.
But still—if Ramiel-san is just a messenger, why go to the trouble of preparing this vast, dreamlike space and sending out an apostle-looking figure to meet me? What kind of message requires that?

“You have a message… for ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) me?” I asked.
If it’s something like judgment in hell, I was expecting to be sorted efficiently by some demon king who’d hand me molten copper to drink and send me off to hell in a bureaucratic assembly line.
“Yes, I’ve received a decree from my master and will now deliver it to you,” Ramiel-san said. Then, from who-knows-where, she pulled out something like a parchment scroll, opened it, and began reading:

 
“Minato Kushiki. We have reviewed your good deeds and sins committed during your lifetime, in consultation with even Enma himself.
Originally, your soul was to be sent to hell to repay your sins through suffering. However, the good you have done cannot be ignored.

Therefore, instead of hell, you shall serve a term of hard labor in Heaven, where your soul’s impurities may be cleansed.
To that end, you will be using a body I have prepared for you.
…That is all.”

 
…Huh???
 
“Now then, let’s proceed with the body transfer,” she said.

 
“…HUH???”
 

Completely overwhelmed, I accidentally let my inner voice slip out—but Ramiel-san didn’t seem to notice. She simply clapped her hands once.
With that single clap, my viewpoint suddenly dropped lower. I now had to look up slightly to meet Ramiel’s-san eyes.
“…No way.”

Muttering that, I looked down at my reflection. Just a moment ago, the water had reflected the same frail, patient-gown-clad body I had in life—along with my plain, forgettable face.
But now…
“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

 
Reflected in the water was a girl with flowing black hair, a delicate white veil, and a face that struck a perfect balance between beauty and cuteness.