Aochi
“This is the last one, right? God’s traps, I mean.”
Honestly, I felt a bit relieved as I ran to the dining hall to get some of God’s water.
“Here, drink this. I don’t know what that shield thing from your hand was, but you’ve got to be tired.”
I handed him the dull silver cup the Harvester had used.
“Thoughtful, Aochi. I could be your dad. Or your mom.”
“Really? Then I’ll start calling you—Dad…”
Rhone’s eyes twitched with murderous intent.Oh crap. If I keep joking around, he’s gonna slice me up before morning with that triangle-cutting sword of his.
“Kidding, kidding. You want some too? Isn’t this God’s blood or whatever—your energy drink?”
“I can’t drink it. Unlike him, I’m not one of God’s favorites. I don’t get blood. Got any sparkling water? I want that.”
Pouting, Rhone got a bottle tossed at him from the fridge.
Even among the Harvesters, there were ranks.I really hate God.
Even if you admired your own Harvester, broke your heart trying, worked so hard to be like him—neither he nor God would ever understand.You couldn’t even drink the same water.
It hit too close to home. My life’s been just like that.I almost started crying.
“You looked cool, by the way.”
That’s all I could say before I turned away.
The dining hall clock, now with everyone back, was ticking toward 2 a.m.
I didn’t have much time left.Oze and Oomi would be fine.If God didn’t give up on this whole “selection” thing, I’d give them the next world. That’s what I’d decided.
But I couldn’t let that show, not even a little.
Oomi’s feelings would waver. Until the very end, I had to keep saying it—we’d all go to the new world together.
“Thanks. You’re the kindest of the three. And… you asked if this would be the last of God’s traps, right?”
Rhone had downed half the bottle like it was nothing, despite it being just sparkling water.
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“God’s familiar will be here soon. Said they’d arrive at two. Should be here in five minutes.”
“Unlike God, they’re pretty punctual. Almost time, huh. I’m getting nervous… Hold on a sec.”
Everyone else was lounging in their chairs, relaxed now that the tension had passed.Their curious eyes followed me as I slipped out of the dining hall.
I ducked into the nearest restroom. I needed a mirror.
My Tufted puffin was coming.Would it be that cool bird form, or the woman in the red dress?Either way, this time I’d see them up close.
I wanted them to think I’d grown up since those days, sliding down snowy hills like a fool.
I quickly checked my face for anything weird.Then I wet my hands and fixed my hair. Took off my jacket, brushed off the dust, and tucked in my shirt.
…Seriously, this suit. No matter how many times it gets wet, it dries in minutes. Not a wrinkle in sight—like some ultimate memory-fabric tech.
Everyone else’s clothes were the same. Even Ululu’s T-shirt art hadn’t smudged.
Silent-chan’s bloodstained clothes had been the only exception.
Blood, it seems, doesn’t come out no matter how hard you try.
♢♢
I was back in two minutes. Good— Tufted puffin hadn’t shown up yet.
“Aochi-san, Mamoru-kun says, ‘Big brother looks cool.’”
Oomi reported it like a news update. Probably being considerate of Oze.
“Thanks. I hope my Tufted puffin thinks so too.”
I smiled in the general direction where Mamoru-kun probably was.
“Aochi… your shoulder.”
Oze’s voice had gone stiff.So he was annoyed Mamoru-kun complimented me, huh?He must’ve spotted something on my shoulder—nitpicking again, trying to ruin the moment.
Man, what a guy. I gave Oze a “sheesh” kind of look and reached for my shoulder—
…Huh?Something squishy.
There was… something on my shoulder.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked at my own shoulder with this much fear.
“Wha…”
Words failed me.There it was. My Tufted puffin.
No, no, wait—She wan’t shoulder-sized last time, right!?
Tufted puffin’s red-ringed eyes met mine.Those pitch-black pupils locked with me.
I couldn’t move until morning—That’s what I thought, until Rhone broke the tension in one absurd breath.
“What a cute lil’ birdie.”
Dude… that’s Mamoru-kun’s line, not yours.
“Thank you for coming.”
Ignoring Rhone completely, the Harvester stood up.
The bird hopped soundlessly from my shoulder to his.
It was a bit bigger now.
Maybe it adjusts its size depending on where it sits.
It gave a small hop, tilted toward the Harvester’s ear, and gently shifted its beak like it was whispering.
The Harvester moved his lips in reply, just close enough to touch the bird’s head.
…What the hell is that? Gross.
I bet everyone else was feeling weird about it too.
I looked around, and the moment I caught sight of Rhone, I panicked.He was staring at the cute bird like it was a skewer away from becoming dinner. Terrifying.
“Shall I stay in this form?”
The voice was clear as glass, yet unmistakably strong.It didn’t sound like any age or gender.It was the first time I’d heard my Tufted puffin’s voice—and it brought light even into the darkest spaces.
Facing me, they spoke again.
“You’ve grown into someone admirable.”
That made me happy.The one person I wanted to hear that from, finally said it.
“Thank you.”
And I said what I’d been holding onto for nearly twenty years.To them—still in bird form, but still them.
I wanted to ask why they saved me back then.But for some reason, I couldn’t get the words out.
“Why did you save Aochi-san?”
Oomi asked without hesitation. Not a trace of stuttering.
“…Do you truly want to know?”
To my surprise,Tufted puffin hesitated.
“Of course.”
Oomi’s eyes and voice were perfectly steady.Great. Now I’m the one getting left out.
“Would it be alright if I talked about myself a bit first?That might clear up some of your questions.”
The Harvester sat down again, the bird still perched on his shoulder.We followed suit.
“Let me start with what my role is—”