Thanks to those four people who left the review on Cirno's chapter! And so, who Ikuto is staying with... shall be revealed! It may be what you have expected, but this author has a trick up his sleeve!
"Welcome back, Ikuto." Kamishirasawa Keine stood in front of me. She wore a smile of amusement. "I didn't know you two had this kind of relationship." She turns her head to say over her shoulder.
"We don't!" Fujiwara no Mokou denies vehemently. "I'm not your 'Darling', Ikuto!" Despite the irritation in her voice, she makes no move to get up from where she's seated cross-legged in front of the fire pit.
"She's not very honest with herself," I whisper conspiratorially to Keine, making her giggle.
Mokou glares at me. "What? What did you say?"
"Nope, nothing. Sorry I'm late, I'll get started on dinner right away." Shedding my shoes before I enter, I look at Keine. "Kamishirasawa-san, would you like to eat with us too?"
"If it's not too much trouble for you. And please, Keine is fine. I know my surname is quite a mouthful." Keine touches my clothes. "Why are you damp? It wasn't raining today."
"Ah, the reason for that is the same reason I'm late." I start preparing some meat and heat up a pan. "Ran into this ice fairy on my way back from Reimu's place."
"Ah, her." Mokou frowns at me. "What did you do to get her attention?"
Keine goes over to sit next to her. "Cirno's normally not the type to bother normal humans."
I nod. "Yeah, but you know the incident I had with a youkai a few weeks back?"
Keine looks baffled, but Mokou nods. "I saw that gardener go by with your bleeding body then. What does that have to do with that fairy?"
"You mean that's the one that the article mentioned?" Keine asks sharply.
"What?" I look from one to the other while whisking the eggs.
"I heard about that from Mokou, but I didn't realize that was you. Are you okay?"
"Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine already." I add the meat to the pan and start mixing them around. "Eirin's medicines are effective, after all."
"So?" Mokou demands, "Why'd that fairy go after you?"
"She heard about how I fought off the youkai barehanded, so she took that to mean that I was strong."
"You didn't get frozen, did you?" Keine asks me worriedly.
"Don't bother so much about him. You're just like some overprotective parent." Mokou tells her irritably. "Look, he's right in front of us, isn't he?"
"Really, I'm fine, Keine." I smile at her reassuringly. "Thanks for asking."
"Mokou..." Keine looks at her friend reproachfully.
"Hmph."
"Actually, it wasn't that hard to fight her off." I add the eggs. "In fact, I kind of got her to take me as a rival."
"Rival?" Both of them asked together.
"Yeah," I answer while stirring the food around in the pan. "She'd make a good training partner."
"Are you crazy!" Mokou snaps at me. "You'll get frostbitten, you idiot!"
"Mokou's right. That's too risky."
"I'll be fine, really." I divide up the food up onto the plates. "Here, I made scrambled eggs since it's fast and easy. Eat up."
Mokou glowers at me, but accepts the plate. Keine takes hers, but her expression still tells me she's worried for me.
Kamishirasawa Keine, the were-hakutaku (1) that lives in the village and teaches the children there. With silver-blue hair and her typical pagoda-like hat, she's easy to spot in a crowd of humans, not to mention that she's already beautiful to boot. She's always been very kind and concerned about me, almost like an elder sister, even though I've only ran into her three times since coming here. She seemed quite pleased to find out that I was staying with Mokou though, and told me I should do my best to watch out for that immortal. Though, sometimes I just wonder if there's any point to that...
"Ikuto? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Ah... just a thought, but why do you wear such low-cut clothes?" I say the first thing that comes to my mind, and regret it almost immediately. "Uh... well, you know..."
"Lecher." Mokou snipes.
Keine sets down her plate. "Stand up, Ikuto."
I do as she says, wary. She walks over to me and stops when we're nearly chest-to-chest. At this range, her head is just around my chin. At first, it doesn't seem like she's doing anything, but then I realize she's inhaling. Inhaling would mean that the air is filling her lungs, so...
Oh. Better dodge. I step back to avoid the sudden head butt, and quickly catch Keine when she goes off balance from missing her target. "I get it. Do you use that often?"
"Thank you for catching me. You're the first one who didn't get caught by that." She steadies herself, and goes back to eating. "Seems like any men who receives it don't dare to try again."
"A smart animal won't go for something they know is trapped." I nod. "But do you get those kind of advances often?"
"If any men dares to lay a hand on her, I'll make sure they regret it." Mokou says matter-of-factly.
"Sounds like Keine will stay a spinster forever with you around." I snipe back for her earlier comment.
"What's that you say!"
Keine waves her hand at the both of us. "Calm down, you two. Ikuto, do you really think that?"
"Actually, no. I'm sure you'll get a good guy eventually." I look at her questioningly. "Isn't there anybody who tried asking you out?"
She blushes a little. "Not really."
As we continue to eat, my eyes drift over to the other girl. Fujiwara no Mokou, a silver-haired, red-eyed albino that became immortal thanks to Eirin's Hourai Elixir. Certainly, her long life's been hard, with her extremely prickly personality and youkai exterminating skills as testament to it. Most of the females I saw in the village care a little about their appearances; Mokou doesn't. She wears a shirt with scorch marks and overalls covered with paper charms all the time, clearly for the purpose of function only. It's been hard getting her to open up to me, but with just the two of us, I can manage somewhat.
"What?" She notices and asks me irritably.
"How many today?" I ask pointedly.
"..." She looks away defiantly. "Two."
"So, did they thank you?"
"One did." Mokou finishes the rest of her food. "I'm going out. You," She narrows her eyes at me. "Don't go anywhere till I get back."
Keine follows Mokou with her eyes, but doesn't stop her. "You really managed to get her to talk. How did you do it?"
"I just ask her questions she doesn't mind answering. Maybe it'll get better in the future."
"Really, thank you. I worry about that girl, but I can't leave the village whenever I want."
I shake my head. "Don't worry so much. I'm grateful to her for letting me stay, so I'll do my best to watch out for her. Anyway," I change the subject, "How are your classes?"
"The children are being as troublesome as ever. It's hard to get them interested or even do their homework." Keine smiles regretfully. "I really wish I could do something about that."
"How about you let me take a look at your syllabus? I'll try to help if I can."
Keine raises her hands in protest. "But I don't wish to bother you with my troubles."
"Oh come on, you already helped me so much, surely there's something I can do for you in return, right?" Really, don't be so reserved.
"But..."
You show so much concern for others, but you're not used to receiving concern in return? "It's okay to ask your friends for help."
"You're right..." Keine bows her head to me slightly. "Then I'll accept your offer of help, Ikuto."
"Ah," I remember something important, "But I think it'll have to wait one week. Today's the last day, after all."
"Oh yes..." She realizes what I mean. "Then, I'll come by here when you're free again?"
"Sure, that's fine with me." I finish the last of my food and stand up. "But really, Keine, I'm surprised to find out that you don't have any suitors."
"Is that really so shocking?"
I nod, taking her empty plate. "You have a lot of good qualities that most guys in my world would jump at right away. Can't think of a reason why no one's asked you out."
She blushes again. "Can we talk about something else?"
"Haha, sure, sure. What would you like to talk about then?"
"You and that half-ghost."
I continue washing the dishes casually. "What about me and Youmu?"
"You're in a relationship with her, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I do love her. But our relationship's not the usual type." I tell her without hesitating.
"What do you mean?"
"She's fine with me seeing other people."
That shocked Keine. "What? But, I don't, how, why?"
"All Youmu wants is for me to keep on loving her as I've always done." I finish drying the plates. "I can do that, no problem."
"And... are you... seeing anyone else?" Keine asks me slowly, as if dreading the answer.
"No." I dry my hands on the cloth and turn to look at her. "Besides, Mokou is more likely to set me on fire than kiss me, don't you think?" I ask dryly.
"Eh? M-M-Mokou?" She's taken aback by the other girl's name. "I didn't mean..."
"I'm joking. Really, Keine, Mokou was right when she said you were like an overprotective parent." I grin at her. "Ease up a little."
"Ikuto!" Keine shakes her head and heads for the door. "Really, you're just like some of those mischievous kids!"
"Anyway, see you next week?" I try to confirm with her.
She looks up from where she's putting on her shoes. "Yes, thanks again for your help. Tell Mokou I said goodbye."
"Of course." I send her off with a wave, before leaning against the door with a sigh.
Good thing I managed to distract her by bringing up Mokou's name. I don't want to tell her about my emotional status just yet. I perk up when I hear the sound of footsteps approaching. Who's... ah yeah, that's Mokou's usual trudge. Huh? Sounds a bit off...
"Mokou, Keine just-" I blink. "Woah, what the hell happened to you?"
"Nothing. Shut up and move."
Mokou's clothes had tears and holes in them, and the way she grimaced while clutching her arm told me something bad had happened to it, even though it looked fine now that she had healed. Still, her glare at me hadn't lost any of its fieriness.
I step aside for her. "So... what exactly did you go to do?"
"Tomorrow, you don't get to leave until you learn some heat control." Her tone brooked no objections. "That disease-ridden whore knows already."
Ah... of course. So she went all the way to Eientei... to ask for time from Kaguya? And obviously, they fought. Smiling slightly, I follow her in and close the door. "How does that work?"
"Tomorrow, I said." Mokou sits against the wall with one leg bent while the other lay flat. "I'm going to- What's wrong with you?"
I had winced for a moment when I twisted my body to close the door. She's pretty sharp to notice, must be due to her battle experience. "Just a bit of ache from fighting Cirno. I already got balm from Eirin to deal with that." With all the training I do, that thing is a lifesaver.
"Take off your shirt." She says abruptly. "I'll put it on for you."
Oh? "Okay." I strip it off and take the jar containing the balm from the shelf where I left it. "Here it is."
"Where are you hurt?"
She applies the balm on my body, though with a bit too much force. Still, considering that this is another step of progress made, I can take a bit of pain. And besides, Eirin's medicine takes effect almost immediately, so the pain doesn't last too long.
"Thanks."
"Hmph." Mokou pushes the jar back at me and goes back to sitting against the wall. "I'll be sleeping now."
"Good night, Mokou. I'll be reading for a bit first."
She responds with a grunt, and I go around putting out all the candles except one. That one I put in front of me so that I block the light from falling on her, and open up the scroll from Akyuu to start reading. After finishing the part on Suika, I roll it up and put it away for another time, and take out a book I bought from the village.
It's kind of weird, actually. Gensokyo, a mystical place filled with the fantastic and paranormal, has an odd mix of culture. Scrolls exist alongside with books, a lack of electricity but a well-placed water system, and outer clothing that looks olden Japanese concealing underwear that's more modern; speaking of the last one, I actually came across a lingerie shop tucked away in a back street. Think I'll ask Keine about it sometime to confirm my theory that the people in Gensokyo find bra and panties pretty innovative, so they incorporated it. Hope she doesn't head butt me for it.
Anyway, in this book, I record down stuff I know about my Keyblades. I started off with a comparison list, like writing down what Sora's Keyblade could do, and then conducting experiments to check how much of a similarity there is. So far, I've got general stuff like 'Tapping locked items with my Keyblade does not open them', 'I cannot lock stuff from a distance by pointing my Keyblade at them', plus some more specific ones like 'Phantom Blossom can simply pass through things if I don't want it to cut'.
Still, somehow this is looking more like a book of skills from some RPG. I flip to the back, where I wrote down the names of some of the techniques I came up to use with Phantom Blossom. Four-Petal Bloom, Scattered Cherryblossoms, Sakura Falling, that's three already, while Life Eater still has none. If it really has Yuyuko's ability... I don't want to take that sort of risk.
Closing the book, I put it away and blow out the candle. Mokou's breathing lightly as she sleeps, but even so, I approach as quietly as possible before putting a blanket over her. So far, she hasn't made any objections to me doing that, and I'm taking that as a good sign. Quietly, I set out my own futon next to her and go to sleep as well.
"Ah, you're back again." The redhead looks up at me from where she's squatting while tossing rocks idly into the river. "This makes the third time."
The times I'm coming here after sleeping with Yuyuko is getting further apart, but the rate of increment is slowing down as well. Like Komachi said, it's the third time for this current three-day cycle. I have a strong feeling that these visits won't ever end, but the question is how far apart will the spacing get.
"Were you lonely?" I pick up a rock and try to skip it; no luck, the Sanzu River doesn't allow such things.
"Kinda." Komachi takes out a coin and starts twirling it in her fingers, something we practiced together for fun. "I've gotten pretty good at this, don't you think?"
"Yeah." Picking up a few good-sized stones, I try to juggle, managing to do so for three seconds before I miss one. "How are you doing?"
"The usual, ferry a few souls over, take naps, practice these things you show me." Komachi tucks the coin away. "So, what shall we talk about now? Anything new happen to you?"
"Yeah, listen to this..." I tell her about my time with Cirno.
"HAHAHAHA! That sounds awesome! Hey, hey, show me those poses you did!" Komachi grins widely, gesturing for me to stand up.
"Okay, ready? One, two, and..."
Each time I perform a new pose, enlisting Komachi's help to do the ones that needed support, she bursts out into a fresh wave of laughter. The mood is infectious enough to make me grin as well. She asks me to do it again, and I comply. Just as I'm finishing my third time, a soft voice comes out of the mist to interrupt.
"Oh? A shinigami, and a ghost... and a surprisingly cheery atmosphere for so dreary a place."
"And who might you be?" I copy the speaking style of the newcomer in reflex.
"Swimming through the clouds, observing the inhabitants below, warning of disasters when they are impending..." A shadow appears in the mist. "But I did not come to do so today."
"You're... why would an oarfish be here?" Komachi asks curiously.
The hat-wearing woman with blue hair gently settles down onto the ground, but the red shawl wrapped around the arms and body of her red-clothed torso still continued to float in defiance of gravity. Even I'm surprised by the appearance of Iku Nagae here; she's not the type to leave the clouds unless something really bad is about to happen.
"The Eldest Daughter has gotten into one of her moods. I do not wish to have her cause trouble, and have gone in search of the human that has occupied her thoughts."
Komachi glances at me. "And you just came down here?"
"The whispers of the tengu say that he is in the Netherworld, where Celestials cannot tread."
"But isn't there the other entrance?" I ask.
"I will go there next, if the human is nowhere to be found here." Iku looks at me. "Oh? You're not an earthbound spirit, nor a ghost with lingering attachments, but one that's not truly a ghost. What are you?"
Good thing she doesn't read the Bunbunmaru. "I am a friend to this shinigami."
"Indeed, the atmosphere you have built between the two of you is like that of close friends. Quite unlike the one that the Eldest Daughter forms with others."
"Does that stuck-up Celestial need another beating?"
"It seems that she would benefit from one. But please, it's a secret that I said that."
Time to play the ignorant person as usual. "By the way, you've said so much, but I've yet to hear your name. Or the name of this Eldest Daughter of yours."
"I am Iku, of the Nagae, and a messenger from the Dragon Palace. The Eldest Daughter of the clan of Hinanawi is a spoilt child by the name of Tenshi."
"I am Ikuto." I introduce myself. "Would you care to talk a little?"
"Ikuto!" Komachi hisses. "What are you thinking?"
"I would prefer not to be the one to shatter the mood." The oarfish youkai turns to leave, but stops. "Or perhaps I should, if only to find out the reason for this secrecy."
Yeah, she'd notice that. And don't you get taken in, Komachi! I put my hand on the scythe and shake my head to stop her. "But isn't harmony important?"
"It is. But like earthquakes, a hidden secret may grow in strength until it manifests into an irreversible disaster." Iku steps closer. "What sort of secret lies concealed beneath the earlier atmosphere of joy?"
"I can demonstrate what we were doing before you came, if you like."
Komachi stifles a giggle.
"If you would."
Feeling a little embarrassed about doing this in front of Iku, I repeat the poses once more, and when I do the culminating pose, she actually smiles. Huh, I actually made Iku smile? That's kind of amazing, isn't it?
"I do not quite understand the reason behind these poses you take, but they certainly do have an uplifting effect." She glances at Komachi, who's grinning in spite of herself. "Indeed, you have crafted an atmosphere that surprises me. Yet the secret still remains."
"Perhaps it's because you're not aware of the joke yet." I suggest, "Secrets aren't exactly called secrets for nothing; it's not easy for those that... remain apart to know them."
"Ah, now the mood has shifted." Iku murmurs. "You would welcome one such as me?"
"I would." I look at Komachi. "I used to just hang back and observe, but being a part of things isn't bad either."
Komachi nods her acceptance. "It's not like you're a Celestial."
"Then I shall accept. However, I am afraid to say that I have yet to locate the human, and so I must take my leave for now." Iku looks at us. "Why are you amused to hear that? Is a departure something to be pleased about?"
She can read the atmosphere, but she can't always understand the reason for it? "No no, it's just that you'll be coming back, right? Then that's not a permanent departure." I point out, giving another excuse to hide the fact that both Komachi and I know who she's looking for. We're pretty alike in our fun-loving characters.
"Truly, you are not like most humans. I confess that even my curiosity is aroused by you." She comments.
"He'll be back in three days, so come around then." Komachi adds before Iku leaves.
She nods in response. "Then I shall return three days hence."
We manage to hold in our laughter until Iku has left. "HAHAHA! I never thought I'd get to see such a thing!"
"Think she'll take offence at the fact that we hid it from her?"
"Eh, no, I'm sure it'll be fine. You have to be like that spoilt Celestial brat to even get her angry."
"Wonder what Tenshi's up to? You don't think she'll cause another earthquake, do you?"
"If she does, there's no shortage of people that will make her regret it." Komachi spins her scythe lazily. "I really wish I was a reaper sometimes."
"But then we wouldn't have met, right?"
"Yeah. Then there's-"
"Picking your own job hours." We grin at each other, then I feel the pull. "Okay, Komachi. Time for me to go."
"See you in three days, Ikuto!"
I wake up to find that Mokou has already risen. The blanket I put over her is there where she was sleeping, but unlike the previous times, it's been neatly folded. Smiling at this progress, I clean up the place and start cooking breakfast.
"Good morning, Mokou." I greet when she enters. "Here, have some food."
"I don't need to eat."
"Keine told me to make sure you do." Better not rely on the Keine card too much.
"Busybody." She grumbles, but eats nonetheless.
"By the way, how long will it take me to learn to control heat?"
"Eat first, talk later."
Tsundere. I think to myself amusedly. "Yes yes."
After the dishes are done, Mokou leads me to a clearing near her house. There, she goes into a long spiel that leaves me even more puzzled than I was when we started. I'm more the type that learns through practical application... maybe that's why my grades in university suck, when nearly all the information I get is theory.
"So... I just need to awaken some kind of magic?"
"Just do it!"
"Uhh... okay. Let's try..."
I focus as much as I can, but all I do is shake from the strain of tensing my muscles too much. Mokou keeps correcting me over and over, and by the time I manage to increase my body heat a little, we're both covered in sweat. Though I wonder if it's because the sun is starting to heat the place up a little; being sweaty counts as one of the things that irritate me the most.
"Really! You're just useless at this!" She grumbles.
But you're actually caring enough to teach me this. "Sorry. I'll try harder."
"Forget it, let's get some food into you first."
"No." I stop her. "I can do this. Don't worry about me."
"...fine." Mokou shrugs. "Have it your way."
I hate it when people say that when the choice was originally mine to begin with. Closing my eyes, I turn my attention inwards. Magic's actually pretty hard for me, since I don't really have much power as someone from a world where youkai are just folklore. I kind of understand why Byakuren wants to save them at first, if not having youkai around means the loss of magic.
This time, I finally manage to find the small ball of energy that Mokou kept telling me to look for. It's probably a whole load tinier compared to what she thinks it should be. Reimu and the others make use of this to fly? That means I probably can't even float. But still, flying isn't the objective here. It's the conversion of A to B, and actually, it's almost like trying to fix a...
Damn! I lost grip of it. Where is the thing again... okay, now it's gone lower down. And it's started regressing. Stay still! I pour more focus into controlling the ball. So, next I have to configure it... like this? Woah, the air suddenly feels hot!
"Looks like you managed to control it. But you're lowering your body temperature instead."
So... I just have to... "Okay, now I'm feeling a little cold."
"Take it further."
"Won't I destroy my clothes or something?"
"Just do it!"
So tsun. (2)"Okay." Here goes.
I gradually increase the heat, before opening my eyes to check. My skin is red, but I'm getting the hang of controlling it while reducing the amount of focus required to do so. Out of curiosity, I crouch down and pick up a leaf, before attempting to focus the heat in my palm instead of my body. From this range, it feels like I'm standing close to an electric heater on low power.
"Forget it, you don't have enough power to make fire." Mokou covers my hand with hers. "But you're really fast at control."
I practice switching forms with my Keyblade every day in the midst of swinging. Control's the only way left without power. "How hot can I manage?"
"Barely enough to boil water. That's enough to block some of the fairy's smaller attacks."
"Guess my training menu has just increased, then."
"Make sure you practice it properly. You should improve a little if you keep at it." Mokou releases my hands and starts walking back. "We're done. Go over to Eientei."
"Mokou." I call out to her, making the white-haired girl turn. "Thank you. Really."
"...you're welcome." She continues onward.
Still not dere yet. (3) But getting there.
The decision I came to when Yukari first dropped me off at Eientei was to divide my time between Mokou and Kaguya. Honestly, I believed that Mokou's hatred of Kaguya was a bit hard to swallow; I mean, a thousand years for something that didn't even happen to you? Either Mokou was someone who had a father complex, or there was something else involved. With the intention to uncover what that was, I suggested my idea to Yukari and Kaguya.
Kaguya doesn't hate Mokou at all; it's more of that 'Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' (4) thing in my opinion. In fact, it seems like she's quite pleased to have Mokou as an eternal 'enemy'. Somehow, I can imagine the circumstances that led to that way of thinking; never dying while everything else dies around you... you'd want at least something to remain constant. Even if that means you get killed on a regular basis. Okayyyy... that last one was a bit screwed up. But it actually makes me wonder if they will ever end up loving each other the way some fan works present.
"Why not? I'd like to see Mokou's expression when she finds out." Kaguya said, smiling with a hint of sadistic pleasure.
"Then let's go see what she thinks of it." Yukari doesn't open a gap, so we ended up walking to Mokou's place.
They killed each other a few times before Mokou finally calmed down enough to hear us out. As expected, she refused at first, but Kaguya simply blew a hole in her chest, smiling all the while. But it looked to me like Kaguya was happy to talk to Mokou, who didn't share the same sentiment. Still, when Kaguya asked again, she finally gave in. It wasn't easy getting her to talk at first, but the arrival of Keine later helped quite a bit.
It might be impossible for me to affect something that's lasted over a thousand years, but I want to, and like Komachi said, that's all that matters. I think to myself as I head in the direction of Eientei. Though I'm hardly a Gary Stu; there's no way I can just snap my fingers and make them do as I say... Perish the thought!
Snickering at the impossibility of that idea, I finally come into view of Eientei's architecture. A few youkai rabbits in their human forms spot me and wave, before dashing away randomly.
"Ah, Ikuto. You're earlier than I expected." Eirin greets me when I encounter her in the corridor. "Had your lunch?"
"Not yet. I was too busy training."
"Good timing then. We haven't had it either, so feel free to join us."
"You sure I shouldn't wash up first?"
"No point, you'll get sweaty again soon enough."
Kaguya, Reisen and Tewi are already there, and they are surprised to see me, though a bit of explanation clears things up right away. Kaguya seems particularly pleased though; I bet she's looking forward to tonight as usual, she always enjoys our time together very much, and so do I. Also, Reisen and Tewi are actually fun people to talk to, though it's hard to actually meet the latter outside of gatherings.
Reisen glances away when I look at her. "You're trying to look at my eyes again, Ikuto."
"No I'm not." I stare at her. "You're just beautiful as always."
"The princess isn't enough for you, Ikuto?" Eirin asks, "You even have to go for Udonge?"
"I'd thought I'd take a leaf from your book." I clear my throat in silent apology to Kaguya. "Rabbits are the lively kind, after all."
"You sure Tewi's not the one for you?"
Ooh, pedo accusation. How should I counter... "Hmm..." I buy time by pretending to blow on the rice to cool it down. Damn, this one's tough. Wait, isn't Tewi like super old? No, I can't think of one that uses that... Ah! "Is that a recommendation you're making as a doctor that sees both humans and youkai?"
Eirin actually glares at me. "Not at all... it's just that I thought you might go for the type that's good at distracting you from the fact that that head of yours will eventually grow bald."
Woah, she took some time to think that one up, but it's pretty good how she used something that means 'old' to imply 'young'. "Ah," I nod my head, "I think I get your point. But certainly, wouldn't it be better to just take things as they are? One should loose-n up a bit, right? A bowstring would sag if you keep it too taut."
This time, she twitches violently. "Hmph... you have a point, but there are some things that you can't be so laid-back about. Like the laundry, for example, if you aren't careful, you'll end up with it becoming small and wrinkly."
She really doesn't like to lose. But we seem to be devolving to age barbs every time now. "I'm sure a genius like you can whip up something to make them big again if you put your back into it and suck up the pain." I return cheerfully.
"Well, yes I can. But no matter I believe that some things are meant to stay tiny."
"Really? I do too. It's a law of nature, like how humans develop flab if they don't exercise enough. Speaking of which," I tilt my head, "Mokou said she hasn't been leading many young people to Eientei lately." And a finisher! "But I'm sure there's still a lot of youkai patients to keep you busy."
"..." Eirin seems to be struggling with herself. "You better finish your food quickly, we have a lot of work to do today."
Ohmigod, did I actually do it? I finally managed to beat Eirin? "Of course. Deliveries as usual?"
"A bit of ingredient gathering as well." Eirin adds, nodding. "And it will be hard, since the thing you asked for is ready."
"Oh, it is? Looking forward to see how it's like."
Next to me, Reisen breathes a sigh of relief as the verbal battle comes to an end. So far, it's kind of an unspoken agreement between me and Eirin to go through this at mealtimes, only when I start and end my stay at Eientei, so this is the third time, not counting the one we had when I first came. The basic rules as I understand them are: Eirin always starts (she's the host after all), all insults must be indirect, and no rematches once one of us surrenders. Still... I better go and 'apologize' to her afterwards.
"I'm always looking forward to these discussions." Kaguya confides to Tewi.
"Me too -usa."
"So, how does this thing work again?" I touch the silver medallion on the belt around my waist and immediately feel the effect.
"Just tap that stud whenever you want it on or off." Eirin explains. "Really, I'm surprised you knew that we have a gravity-reducing belt among our items from the moon."
"I just guessed. Thanks for modifying it for me."
"Tell me when you want to increase the degree and I'll take care of it for you." Eirin reassures. "Just be careful," She continues, "It will also increase the weight of anything you carry."
I stagger under the weight of the medicine box on my back. "Yeah... just... found that... out."
"Be quick, alright? But don't overdo it and hurt yourself."
"Sure..." I force my feet to move me to the door. "Eirin... thanks for letting me win that one."
"Mm. Now shoo." She turns back to her notes.
Reisen is already waiting for me outside. "Let's go, come on."
One of the ways I'm paying for the medicines Eirin gave me is to do these kind of jobs for Eientei. Reisen accompanies me most of the time, but I'm getting the hang of going around the houses to refill the medicines that are on consignment. Reisen doesn't say it, but she likes having me along because I know some of the people we visit, and also know enough to dumb down all the complicated information for the people in the village. Good thing I actually had that class in university as part of my training.
"Are you okay with the weight?" She asks me after our fourth street.
"Yeah... I'm fine..."
She reaches out and catches me when I stumble. "Wh- You're freezing!"
I was using Mokou's heat control skill to cool my body, and while it kept me from breaking out in a heavy sweat, it was mentally draining. Reisen quickly leads me over to a bench and sits me down on it, and I release the technique, letting my body return to its normal temperature.
"Are you sick?" She asks worriedly, and starts looking through the medicine box. "I think one of these medicines will help raise your body temperature."
"Reisen. I'm fine."
"No, you aren't! That kind of temperature isn't normal!"
I reach out and touch the closest part I can manage, which happens to be her ears. I've never touched them before, and they actually feel pretty soft and firm. It makes her jerk away in surprise; they must be very sensitive too.
"See? Normal temperature, right?"
Reisen rubs the part where I was touching. "But... how?"
"Mokou told me to train in controlling my body temperature a little." I take my own pulse; it's still going pretty fast, maybe I should tone it down a little. "But training two of them at the same time is a bit much, I guess."
"You're too reckless, Ikuto."
"Sorry." She's right, a bit of a break might be good once in a while. I don't want to push myself too much and fall sick. "How many more do we have left to go today?"
"Just..." She consults her notebook. "Kawakami-san, Nanahama-san and Miyama-san."
"Then let's go quickly... oof." I grunt as I take up the load of the medicine case again.
The youngest daughter of the first house, Kazuko, is an energetic girl that is always happy to see me when we meet in the village, and I share with her some sweets that I bought along the way. Funny, I wouldn't have done something like that in my own world at all. Also, I notice that Reisen smiles more when she sees the people she visits react happily. I ask her about it on our way back to Eientei.
"Say, you came from the moon, right?"
"Yes."
"So... what did you think of humans then?"
"We heard that they were a rough, barbaric people. But after coming here, " She turns to look at the village in the distance, "I realize that they are quite nice and friendly."
"That's good then, that you came to Gensokyo."
"Why?"
"Not all humans are as friendly as you think. Especially in the world outside."
"Really? What are they like?" Reisen asks curiously.
I face forward. "Whoops! Yukari-information ban! Can't talk about it!" I increase my pace.
"Come on, tell me!" Reisen follows in pursuit. "Hey!"
I rather you don't know about that, Reisen. Actually, I think that Gensokyo and the Outside World are best separate. When the time comes for me to leave... I'm not sure if I'll want to.
"No good -usa. You're just not good enough to catch me yet -usa." Tewi passes her judgment on me with her arms crossed.
"Haa... Haa... Haa... yeah, I... figured... that out..." I lean back against the tree, panting hard.
"But you have guts -usa. In fact, I'm sure you can outrun most of the humans in the village by now -usa."
"That's... an improvement... I guess."
"Alright, Ikuto, go through the course again!"
I force myself to my feet. "Aye aye, leader."
My physical training is under Tewi, who wasted no time in getting her fellow rabbits to construct an obstacle course for me to use. They find it quite fun to see me run through it over and over, dodging their traps and jumping over obstacles. It's beyond tiring, but I'm actually starting to develop parkour skills by doing it, though I still can't get myself to do a proper flip.
"Mmm..." Tewi stares at me as I hurdle the last obstacle and stop before her. "I think I know what you need -usa. You need an actual threat."
"You want one of the rabbits to chase me?"
"No -usa." She shakes her head. "That won't be enough for you. You need to get a really serious threat -usa, such as..."
"This isn't a joke, is it?" I ask on hearing what she suggests.
"Of course not -usa." Tewi grins at me. "So, are you up for it?"
I look at the sky to estimate the time. At least two hours before sunset... might be enough. "Okay, let's do this."
I enter Eientei and start searching. The first person I meet is Kaguya, and I apologize in advance in case I'm unable to make it for our session tonight. The next person I meet is Eirin, whom directs me over to the one I'm seeking with a bit of amusement when she hears what I'm about to do, saying that she will help administer the medicine afterwards.
"Reisen, I need your help to train."
"Dodging danmaku?"
I shake my head. "Kind of. I need someone to chase me through Tewi's obstacle course."
"Why do you need me?"
"I'll explain outside, if you're okay?" Seeing her nod, I lead the way to the start of the course.
"Okay, so I'm supposed to chase you through this thing because Tewi thinks a good threat will get you to improve faster?" Reisen asks in disbelief after she hears my explanation.
"It's actually logical if you think about it. Fighters can get months' worth of training in a few minutes of actual fighting, right?"
"I've never heard of that before."
Argh, forgot she doesn't read manga or watch anime. "Anyway, by doing this, I'll be able to improve faster than if I just run through it normally."
"If you say so. So, are we starting now?"
Okay, time for the last step. "Just one moment. I need to look in your eyes again."
She immediately refuses. "No. Why would you need that?"
Because I won't be able to do the actual deed if I don't. "Please? Just trust me on this. It will be very quick."
"...fine." We make eye contact for a few seconds, before she looks away. "So? What exactly is the reason for that?"
Hmm, yeah, I can do it now. "Okay, just turn around. I'm going to give a signal, then you can come and chase me." I look to the side to see Tewi give me a thumb up before hiding behind a bush. If this fails, I'm going to get you for this, Tewi.
"What kind of signal?" Reisen asks suspiciously as she turns around.
"It's... very... simple..." I crouch down slowly and raise my hands.
"Wait, what are you- IKUTO!" Reisen shrieks.
The reason for her scream was because I just yanked her panties down to her knees and took off like hell itself was chasing after me. Tewi was right, this was one hell of a threat to get to come after me, though the idea to enrage her was my own. As I jump and dodge my way through the obstacle course, I can hear Reisen screaming in rage as she slowly closes in...
Woah! She's already shooting danmaku! I take a peek behind and see her taking aim. Gah! Her shots are coming pretty close! This is one hell of an adrenaline rush!
"IIIIIIIIKUUUUUUUTOOOOOO!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Hope I survive to see this training bear fruit.
(1) Blah blah 'Touhou fans should already know this' blah.
(2) First part of 'tsundere', It means the girl is being hostile and unfriendly.
(3) Second part of 'tsundere', it means when the girl is friendly and loving, etc.
(4) From the Code of Hammurabi.
I'm sure some of you know my tricks already and predicted that the person I was greeting was Mokou, but I bet no one expected a weekly rotational cycle of staying with each of them, or Iku to turn up at the Sanzu River!
So, which of the following did you think was the best?
A) Keine using her cleavage to prep unwary perverts for a head butt.
B) Ikuto managing to win Eirin in their verbal battle.
C) Ikuto's idea to get Reisen to chase after him.
The pacing should be speeding up soon, Ikuto has a lot to do if he wants to mend the relationship between Mokou and Kaguya before his time with them is up! And what sort of night sessions is he having with Kaguya?
