Seraphim is a Bystander

Notice About the School Trip
 

 
The measurements and pattern selection for Aoi’s formal attire ended up taking quite a long time, and by the time it was all done, the day had already faded into evening. He returned home after that, exhausted.
The next day, still a little mentally drained from everything that happened, Aoi left the house as usual, seeing off his mother.

"Mom, I'm heading out."
"Take care, Aoi."
He walked the familiar route he’d been using for the past five years. As usual, he met up with Runa-chan along the way and entered the classroom together. And as usual, Ken arrived just barely on time before the morning assembly began.

“Okay everyone, let’s do roll call!”
The children responded cheerfully. Normally, this would be followed by a short talk and then dismissal, but today was a little different.
“Everyone, the school trip is coming up soon! So today, instead of regular lessons, we’ll spend class time deciding groups and doing a bit of research. Think about who you want to be with and where you’d like to go!”

At those words, the classroom burst into excited chatter. The teacher left, and the students immediately began forming groups with their close friends.
"Aoi! Where do you wanna go?!"
"Ah, so you’re assuming we’re in the same group already? Well, I guess that’s fine."

Ken came right up to Aoi and began talking about destinations. While they chatted, several classmates watched them from a distance. Aoi and Ken were both good-looking and kind, albeit in different ways, making them seem a bit “off-limits” to many of the other students.
"How many per group, anyway?"
"Now that you mention it, the teacher didn’t say… probably five or six?"

"Sounds about right. So, who else do we get?"
"Good question…"
As they looked around, the kids who had been watching them quickly averted their eyes. Most students had already clustered together with their usual friends. Since Aoi and Ken usually only interacted with each other, it wasn’t clear who else they should invite.

"Don’t you have any girls you’re close to?"
"You mean Runa-chan? Not sure… she might’ve already joined another group."
"Why not go ask her?"
Well, Runa was actually listening in on their conversation right nearby. She was eagerly waiting for Aoi to approach her, so he walked over and called out.

"Runa-chan, did you already form a group?"
"Nope! Not yet!"
"Wow, you’re really full of energy today… So, Ken and I are planning to group up. Would you like to join us?"

“…! Yes! Is that okay?!"
"Of course. If you know anyone else you’d like to be with, feel free to invite them too."
"Okay!"

Somewhat bewildered by how happy Runa looked, Aoi returned to Ken.
"Runa-chan’s in. She seemed really excited—maybe something good happened?"
"…Poor Runa."

"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Never mind… sigh Lucky you, being so popular."
"…You’re one to talk. If anyone’s popular, it’s you."

"What? Me? No way."
"‘…Let’s stop.’" (both)
They realized their conversation was going nowhere and fell silent. Just then, the teacher returned and instructed the students to take their seats. Group formation officially began, and the teacher announced each group would be six students. The room erupted again as students scrambled to finalize their members.

"Six, huh… If Runa brings two girls, we’ll still need one more guy."
"Right… But most people have already paired off."
"Hmm… Oh! Hang on a sec!"

"Eh? Okay…"
Ken scanned the room and suddenly made a beeline for a corner of the classroom. Aoi waited, puzzled, until Ken returned—this time bringing along a timid-looking boy with long bangs covering his eyes.
"Aoi! Found one! He looked like he was free, so I brought him!"

"Ken… you didn’t drag him here, did you? Sasaki-kun, are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah… You remembered my name, Futaba-kun…"
"Of course. We were in the same class in first grade, right?"

"Y-Yeah… That’s amazing…"
Sasaki stared at Aoi in awe, eyes barely visible behind his bangs. Just as he said, the two had been classmates back in first grade. But since they hadn’t interacted much and ended up in separate classes after that, they hadn’t spoken in years.
Aoi shook his head, brushing off the compliment.

"It’s nothing, really. So, Sasaki-kun, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) would you like to join our group?"
"U-Umm… If you’re okay with me…"
"Great! Then welcome aboard, Sasaki-kun!"

Aoi held out his hand to Sasaki. At first, Sasaki seemed unsure of what Aoi was doing, but he quickly realized and shook hands with him.
The moment their hands met, a jolt like electricity surged through both of them.
“!!”

It wasn’t just Aoi who felt it—Sasaki did too. He pulled his hand back in surprise.
"That was… startling. Are you okay, Sasaki-kun?"
"Y-Yeah. Sorry…"

That was the end of the incident on the surface. But through Aoi’s senses—and mine, watching through him—I clearly felt something in that moment.
…Sasaki-kun, it seems, isn’t quite like other people.