"Death" I thought it was just a monster

Following the flow of people, the crowd dispersed after exiting the platform and rushed to their respective destinations.Instead, I don't know how to go.

He looked at the ticket in his hand again: Karakakucho-Yahara.Then look at the platform.hesitate.

This is indeed Yahara.But it's not Yahara in memory.There are familiar shadows, but more are strange.

I walked forward according to the road in my memory, but after walking for a while, looking at the surrounding scenery, I was a little uncertain, so I had to go to the platform to take the bus first.

After shaking for about 10 minutes, we arrived at our destination.But still did not find familiar people.I had to randomly find a place to sit and rest.

This is where children usually play.Sand, swings, slides, and an open space.

Ahh... I feel like Yahara in another world.I sat on the swing with my hands on the backpack I carried in front of me.sigh.

If you can't find it, you have to take the evening subway back later.Otherwise, I won't be able to catch up with the normal class tomorrow.

The laughter of children came from far to near, and then a few elementary school students came chasing and running in.One of the kids rushed towards the swing set next to me.

"Katsuta Katsuta, don't play on the swing, let's play the game of stepping on the shadow."

"Yes, yes, come and play with us."

The other children greeted.The little boy looked at the swing reluctantly, but let go and ran over to join everyone.

"Then I'll be the first to play on the swing later."

"Okay, okay, wait for you to play first. You should be a ghost first."

"Okay, then I'm coming~"

The children laughing and scattered, their shadows are stretched very long in the setting sun.In order not to be stepped on their own shadow by the child who is a ghost, everyone resorted to all means.

I watched one of the cute little fat guys scrambling up the slide next to him because he couldn't escape, thinking it was safe, he made faces at the kid who was acting like a ghost.

"Haha, Katsuta, so you can't catch me, right?" the urn said angrily, and made a grimace by the way.

The child named Shengta was a little speechless, and even the children running around stopped and smiled at the little fat man.

"Idiot, your shadow is still on the ground!" Katsuta pointed to the ground.On the shadow of the slide on the ground, there is a small round shadow.

"Hey! I stepped on it~"

"Ah..." the little fat man yelled.

I couldn't help laughing along with them, and accidentally saw a small shadow hiding at the entrance.

The orange sunset fell on top of his head, turning his already light hair into a warm brown. His round eyes looked at the running children without blinking, and his lips were pursed.

"Ah! It's the liar Natsume!" said a child, pointing to the entrance.I saw him lower his eyes slightly, without saying a word.

"Ah! Go, go! Liars will be infected!" Shouting to each other, making funny faces and running away in twos and threes. For a while, the place was quiet again, only me and the little boy still standing at the entrance with his head bowed.

The setting sun shone on my face, warm but not glaring. I looked down at the ground and smiled suddenly.He tilted his head and smiled at the little boy at the entrance.

"Why don't you play with them?"

The boy raised his head, blinked his round eyes, and after confirming that I was talking to him, he pursed his lips and remained silent.But he didn't leave, he still stood there.

"Your name is Natsume?" I smiled. "It's the same last name as a friend I know. Would you like to... come and chat with me?"

-------------

The setting sun was about to disappear completely, but the child sitting beside me still didn't seem to leave.

"...Don't go back, aren't you afraid that people at home will worry?" I smiled and looked at the drooping little head next to me.

He shook his head. "It does not matter."

"Well...but there will be monsters when you go back too late at night~" I frightened him.Seeing him raise his head in horror, he breathed a sigh of relief after looking around, and gave me a coquettish look. "Sister, don't scare me."

"Hey hey hey."

"By the way, does the person you are looking for really live nearby?" Yuanyuan looked at me. "But it seems that my name is Natsume is the only one around."

"Well... I haven't seen him for a long time, maybe he moved away." I touched my chin.

"Is that so." Some lowered their heads in disappointment.

"Thank you."

"what?"

I touched his head and saw him squint his eyes slightly from being uncomfortable at the beginning.That kind of expectant look makes one can't help but want to be a little more gentle to him, a little more gentle.

"You want to help, right?" I looked at him and nodded hesitantly, and continued. "But it's okay, actually... Originally, I just wanted to see if he was doing well."

"Then sister, aren't you disappointed that you haven't seen it yet?"

"Well, I can actually see the future." I held up a finger. "I came back this time just to prove it. However, I didn't find him, which means that he is indeed living happily now."

"……real……"

"Ok?"

"Can you really see the future? Sister..." Eyes full of expectation, "Then, sister, you can see my..."

"Natsume?" An unfamiliar voice came from the entrance, it was a woman with a shopping basket.

"It's so late, why are you sitting here alone? Go home quickly."

After exhorting, he left, leaving a piece of silence.

"That..." I tried to speak, but from just now the little boy beside me kept his head down and couldn't see his expression clearly.Just a few round water stains fell on the spot.

"Go away!" cried the small voice. "Go away!" He squatted on the ground, curling himself into a small ball, making people want to hug him and give him warmth.

"Why...you always pester me! Go away!"

I pursed my lips, and still put my hand lightly on top of his head, keeping my voice the softest.

"Sorry, Natsume."

The boy was sobbing and shaking slightly, so I couldn't help but hug him.The setting sun was behind me, and I saw only a thin, small shadow squatting on the ground, stretched infinitely, looking lonely.

"I'm not lying. I really, can see the future."

The little boy in his arms didn't tremble any more and remained motionless.

"You, in the future, you will meet a group of gentle people, and monsters who will make you laugh and cry but you can't let go."

He shivered and I hugged him a little harder.

"You will grow into a gentle person with a winter smile. Make everyone around you feel warm and comfortable."

"I didn't lie to you." I smiled.

"Because. I came to you just to tell you this."

The little boy raised his head with wet tears on his face.

"I came here specially to find you."

"Natsume Shiki."

You will be the one who makes people smile when they see you, so please bear with the depression and hardship right now.

Because in the future, you will meet your beauty.

Hey, Natsume.Good to see you again.

Also, bye.

...my friend from another world.

-----------

【Natsume?Natsume! 】

The young man opened his eyes, and what he saw was his cat teacher, and warm liquid slipped from the corner of his eyes.

【Hey Hey hey!What are you dreaming about?Keep you awake for a long time?Could it be the Dream Demon from last time? 】The fat cat in the shape of a beckoning cat jumps left and right, looks around, and shows with actions that as soon as a monster appears, he will crush it to death!

"Teacher..." Natsume put the back of his hand over his eyes.Speak softly.

【Well? 】

"I dreamed of Xingying."

【what? ! 】

"...I finally remembered that when I was very young, I saw her in the future once."

"... Now, I can finally answer her."

ah.Me too.

Goodbye, my friend in another world now.

---------------

Waking up to loud noises.There are passengers getting off one after another.I lazily turned my head and looked out the window. The stop sign said: Yayuan.

"Miss." The flight attendant smiled at me. "Aren't you going to get out of the car?"

"Ah." I smiled. "No."

"?"

"I don't have to get out of the car anymore."

"That's it..." The flight attendant smiled and snapped his fingers. "Then, since you have extra time, how about Miss Xingying follow me to another place?"

"Huh?!" I was surprised, and only now began to carefully look at the man in front of me.

Said to be a flight attendant, but wearing round retro sunglasses, and a short white cloak over the military uniform.With a contemptuous smile, he stretched out his hand, and handed over the general cap to the man who had been waiting for a long time.

"Okay." He put on his military cap and bowed slightly, "Miss Xingying, by order of His Majesty, I am here to welcome you back."

He straightened up, smiling.

"I am the hunting captain of the Invisible Empire, Kirujie Oppi."

"first meet."

"……your Highness."