Seraphim is a Bystander

The Banquet and the Disturbance

*From this chapter on, the perspective shifts to Aoi.*
 
 

Suddenly, my consciousness snapped back to reality. I was still dazed from the pitiful shout I’d just let out and the sting of my master’s hand smacking my head, when I saw him peering at me with an exasperated look.
“Hey. It’s work time. Come back to the real world already.”
“Uh—wait, is it time for the banquet already?”

Despite my sluggish brain fumbling for words, my master sighed and replied:
“Yeah, that’s right. If you want to go on a soul-searching journey, do it after the job’s done.”
“Yes, Master…”

I replied weakly—even I thought it sounded pathetic. Still, my master seemed satisfied enough and began walking toward the room where our clients were staying. I followed behind him, though my head still felt a little foggy.
Seriously though… I can't believe my family's the second most prestigious in Akatsuki. How did I never notice?
…No, no, this isn't the time. I need to focus.
I slapped my cheeks to switch gears, and the sting of pain reminded me I was alive. My face burned slightly.

“Alright, let’s do this!”
“…”
My master gave me a weird look like I was some strange creature. Whatever. By the time we reached the Ichijou family’s room, the redness in my cheeks had faded. I guess I should thank my parents for giving me a body that heals quickly, at least.

As I was thinking about that, my master stood before the door and knocked.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the banquet.”
Ugh, my master’s stiff and formal tone is still so weird. Maybe he could tell what I was thinking, because he turned and gave me a big, cheerful smile.
“N-nothing!”
I quickly shook my head, but his smile didn’t fade—in fact, I could see a vein pop out on his forehead. That was when salvation arrived.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll be counting on you during the banquet as well.”
“Of course. Shall we go, then?”
The door opened, and out stepped the Ichijou family patriarch, Michiya-sama, his ever-refreshing smile intact.
…Come to think of it, did he figure it out already? My surname, and his reaction when meeting my grandfather at the venue...
Well, even if he did, it probably doesn’t change anything.

“Apologies for the delay. We’ll be relying on you again during the banquet.”
“We’re honored to assist.”
Following Michiya-sama were his wife, Mayuko-sama, and their daughter, Yuna-sama. All three had changed into elegant and luxurious outfits, far more glamorous than what they wore during the memorial.
According to the materials I read earlier, the banquet was more of a social gathering, so I guess they didn’t need to stay dressed in somber attire anymore.

As I thought that, the young lady quietly approached me.
“Um… Aoi-san, is there anything strange about how I look?”
She asked in a whisper, showing off her new outfit.
…Strange? I mean, I don’t know much about clothes, but she looked really cute and it suited her well.

“I don’t see anything strange. In fact… it looks really good on you.”
“R-really? Then… that’s good!”
When I answered honestly, her face flushed red and she quickly scurried back to her mother.
…Did I say something wrong?

“Aoi… you better watch your back someday.”
“…Huh? Master, why are you quoting some cheesy romance novel line?”
“Nah, just thinking how random knowledge sometimes becomes useful.”

“...Right.”
While quietly chatting with my master outside the Ichijou family’s field of view, I kept alert.
Well, honestly, who would try something stupid in a place with all this cutting-edge tech?
As I was thinking that, we arrived at the banquet hall.
In novels, I always imagined guards or servants opening doors for people, but nowadays, the doors just opened automatically.

So novels really are fiction, huh…
Still lost in thought, I followed the Ichijou family and my master into the venue. There were already a fair number of people inside—all of them former VIPs from the memorial earlier.
Including my grandfather.
“Please help yourselves~”

The Ichijou ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) family accepted drinks from a serving robot and began making their way toward the center of the room.
The moment people noticed them, they started flooding in with greetings as if it had all been pre-arranged.
“Mr. So-and-so, long time no see…”
“Ichijou-sama, thank you again for your help the other day…”

There was no line, but somehow the greetings flowed smoothly, one after another without pause.
Wow… does Michiya-sama actually remember every face and name here?
I’d memorized the faces of those who had been near the family during the ceremony, or who kept looking at them… but this? This is on a whole other level.
As I kept an eye on the surroundings and tried to memorize those greeting him, the young lady whispered to me again.

“Um… Aoi-san.”
“Yes? What is it?”
Michiya-sama was doing most of the talking. His wife and daughter only occasionally responded when spoken to, so I guess she was bored?

“Um… that is…”
She hesitated, fidgeting like she didn’t know how to say it.
…Could it be that?
“(Master.)”

“(Hm? What is it?)”
“(It’s the young lady…)”
He seemed to get the gist from my short comment and her behavior. After checking that Michiya-sama was still caught up in conversation, he leaned in and whispered to me.

“(Exit through the door we came in, turn right. You go with her.)”
“(Got it. Thanks.)”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should really leave my master’s side, but… it’s just for a bit. Should be fine.

Guiding the young lady, I led her out of the hall. Just like Master said, turning right at the exit led us to a door marked with the usual male/female silhouettes.
“Young lady, I’ll check some documents here while I wait.”
“T-thank you very much…”

Looking away, I gave her space, and she quickly darted into the room.
…Phew. I was right. Would’ve been a disaster if I’d gotten it wrong.
“Alright, guess I’ll review some materials—huh?”
Just as I was about to pull up some documents, something strange caught my eye.

A clearly armed group was moving in formation toward the very door we’d just exited. They didn’t seem to have noticed me, so I quickly ducked behind cover and called my master.
“”
Before he could finish, the doors burst open with a bang, and overlapping voices rang out—both through the call and from just beyond the hallway.

““””
…So this kind of thing does actually happen, huh?
I couldn't help but think, absurdly detached, even as the chaos unfolded.