I was bitter.

Reimu was bitter.

Why? Well, let's just say one little "incident" with a hot pot sukiyaki left us…moody.

- Argh! No offerings today either!

I stand corrected. It only left Reimu moody.

I heard a slam below me. Figures. Reimu is discharging her anger against her box. Thankfully not against Marisa.

Huh…

They say women are dangerous when angry. Guess that statement was true since Reimu looked ready to kill anything in sight. I get shivers just by looking directly at her face.

- Hey, if you stay in the roof, you'll catch a cold.

- And face her? No way, Kraid. – I muttered. – I won't risk myself like an idiot.

Let's see… I think we're in late November. Meaning it'll get colder by the start of December. I really should've asked Alice to make a winter version of Neku's outfit…

- Well… What's done is done.

- *sigh*

- Worried about something, kid?

- …You could say something like that.


His eyes are on you now.


- Goddammit Louis. At least you could tell me something more about what YHVH could do.

- Who?

- Oh shit!

I turned around quickly, creating a perfect excuse if the situation called for it.

- Hm? Did I say something, Suika?

- Well, you are the one acting weird.

- Nah, it must be you. If you keep drinking from that gourd, sooner or later, you'll get an ulcer in your liver.

- Ha! We onis don't suffer from the same diseases as humans! – she pounded her chest proudly.

So far, she forgot about me mentioning Louis. That's a good sign.

- Also… what's wrong with Reimu? – Suika asked, her breath with the scent of alcohol.

- Let's just say that a hot pot of sukiyaki, added with some "unwanted" visits and a hag caused us a lot of trouble yesterday.

- …Oh. – Wow, I haven't said anything important yet and Suika figured it out everything. I misjudged her. – Well, Reimu isn't one to get angry for one day. Give her some time alone. She'll be fine.

CRACK!

The sound of a broken broom filled my ears.

- RAIM!

…Great. Just my luck. – I said while jumping down to see what she wanted. – Yes? What is it?

And would you mind calming down?

- Look, can you buy a new broom at the village? - she said while handing me the remains of the broken broom. - I really need to remove this snow for donors to come.

Reimu...One, it's the middle of winter. Two, you don't use a broom to move snow out, you use a shovel and three...wait, there's no three.

POKE!

- Hey! That hurts!

- Don't space out on me! - Reimu huffed. - Besides, I think today we may have luck.

- Sorry to break it to you, but with this weather, I doubt even a youkai would come to donate.

- Oh stop being so negative all the time.

- I'm not negative. I'm just realist. That's how I am. Is there a problem with that?

Besides, I'm a little cynical...Well, maybe a lot cynical.

- Well, you can never know.

- I agree with that, but use logic for once. It's really cold right now. Even with this scarf I can still feel cold.

Also, I can't believe those are your winter clothes. Don't you feel cold with your armpits exposed?

- Also... - I said climbing back to the roof of the shrine. - Do it yourself. I feel very lazy now.

- Wha-?

This could get me into trouble, but hey, I'm only her friend. Not her goddamn butler.

- About time you said that.

- Hey, you sure you wanted to say that? - Suika asked me as I managed to climb back.

- No. - I was being honest. - Besides, people must learn to do stuff by itself, don't you think?

- ...Hmm.

GRAB!

Ohgodhergripisstrong!

- ...I'll ask again. - Reimu said with a dissonant smile while grabbing my head. - Would you kindly buy me another broom?

...

...

...Crap.


Episode 29: Preparations are made


Goddammit Reimu. I really don't want to do this.

"Would you kind me buy another broom?" my ass! ...Even though I'm buying it right now. Damn, these are cheaper than I thought...

...And it is more easier to bring stuff with Sekai Rei too...

- Things maybe are really stable here.

- You know what I lacks? Wars. And maybe dread-naughts. I like dread-naughts.

...I'm still surprised with the things you say, you bastard.

To add something, I started practicing with this...Sekai Rei thing Louis gave me. It's not too impressive, but it's really useful. Whenever I need to use Sekai Rei, I need to touch the object, think only about it disappearing, and voila! The object shatters and enter my soul as little glass fragments.

Actually, I'm not holding Kraid anymore. He's inside Sekai Rei. Inside my soul. Yes...I freaked out when he exploded into shards, but when he talked back, I was relieved. To make appear the object, I just need to think that the object exist in my hand. Said object reforms in whenever hand I'm thinking of in that same instant.

It's like this Sekai Rei is the bastard child of the Bag of Holding and Mental World...

- Hello there, Raim.

I turned around to see Alice, who was also buying some stuff at the village. Are those threads?

Must be a project of hers...

- Hey Alice. - I waved back. - What exactly are you doing here?

- Restocking.

- Direct to the point. I like that. - I said.

- What are you doing here then?

- Well...

She looked at the new broom I was holding.

- ...Reimu broke her broom and ordered you to buy a new one? - Alice analyzed the situation. - ...And grabbed your head to force you?

We have a winner, ladies and gentleman!

- Awesome! - I clapped. - You guessed everything right!

- T-Thanks? - it seems Alice isn't used to receiving compliments. - So...is she still mad about the sukiyaki?

- Let's just say that after that, it feels I'm living with a dog with rabies...

- Oh...

Oh shit, I almost forgot!

- Hey Alice. - I said. - Could you make me a set of winter clothes? I'm really freezing with this get up.

- I have told you before. - Alice sighed. - I don't do clothes for humans. Just for dolls.

- ...Please?

- *sigh* But you bring me the design.

- No problem.

...Wait. There's problem. I don't know what design to use.

- Eh... How hard could it be?

- ...You really don't want to know. - I muttered to Kraid. - Well, I have the design after New Year's.

- EHH? ! But that's three months from today?

- What are you talking about? New Year's comes at the end of this month...right?

Alice sighed, apparently figuring something out.

- I see...since you originally come from the outside world, you probably don't know that we celebrate New Year's on the first of the Deutzia month.

- ! You're using the traditional names of the Japanese months, are you?

Let me explain. The names of our months were significantly different from what they're now. In outside Japan, these were discarded in favor of simple numbered months (ichigatsu, nigatsu, etc.) with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, but are still commonplace in poetry and historical television.

I shouldn't be surprised that a place such as Gensokyo still uses these names.

- So, according to this, you celebrate New Year's... on April Fool's? !

- April Fools? - Alice asked. - I haven't heard a holiday like that.

- Well, it is a recent holiday. In it, people tend to play pranks to others. Some play normal and acceptable pranks, but jerks and other type of people take it too far. Take my word from it.

- Are you kidding? ! In that holiday, you can even kill people...and some people take it as an April Fools! ...Man, I love that day!

Good god-that-it's-not-YHVH... Stop it already!

- It's like a holiday perfect for fairies. - Alice added.

If that idiot finds out about this holiday, I'm sure chaos will ensue.

- So this means you don't celebrate Christmas... - I said to myself.

- Excuse me?

- Oh man... It's just a popular holidays in the outside world. It's supposed to have a meaning, but with humans turning into the manipulative and greedy jerks I know and hate, this holiday is becoming more commercial the more years pass.

- Are all humans from the outside that bad? - Alice asked as both of us started walking out of the shopping district.

- ...In the past, I used to believe all of us were irredeemable assholes, but...

- But what?

- ...She came along. And she changed my way of looking the world. Now I think part of us are assholes.

- That's doesn't seem like a major change.

- Oh! You should have seen me when I was younger! I was practically the biggest jerk you'd ever met.

- Oh really? - an energetic voice came from above.

Aya landed in the soft snow barely feet away from us. She wore her normal outfit, but with a scarf around her neck. Is the scarf the only thing she needs to protect herself from the cold? Sometimes I forget she's a crow tengu, so I think that's acceptable.

- Great. More meatbags.

- Shut up.

- You don't seem to behave that way... well, except for the lady at the SDM. - Aya said.

- Because I don't like her. - I said the truth. - And don't start writting.

- Ehehehe... - Aya poorly hid her notebook. - Sorry.

*sigh* Well, I can't stop her from being her.

- Anyways... - Aya changed the subject. - What was this thing you called "Christmas"?


While I was walking through the Human Village, I told both Alice and Aya what I understand for Christmas. That is, the day where you and your relatives enjoy as family.

Of course, the only "family" I had were the yakuza and her, but I think it counts as well. Besides, I never celebrated it until she talked some reason into me.

Also, the belief of an old and fat man with a red and white outfit flying around the world, giving presents to everyone, even while having no motive at all didn't get into my head.

There's no human like that. If I take a wild guess, I think it is Santa Christ.

...Poor guy does this every year...

- Wow... but believing that a human can fly around the world even faster than me is just too much for me.

- I know! I think the same too. - I added.

- ...So that's why I see some humans decorating trees like that. - Alice apparently saw some humans prepping up a Christmas tree.

- Really? I never noticed. - Aya started thinking. - Darn! And I could've made a scoop about that...

It seems that Christmas isn't that known in Gensokyo.

...Waaaitaminute...


Argh! No offerings today either!


- Say everyone... I have an idea... - I had a grin on my face. A normal one, not the psychotic one I use to confuse people.


- Don't you think you're being too rough on him, Reimu? - Suika, now sitting on the porch of the shrine, asked Reimu.

- ...Well, it's his fault the sukiyaki got ruined.

- Look, what's in the past stays in the past *hiccup*. Just let it go...

- *sigh* It's easy for you to say that. Almost all your lifestyle revolves on freeloading.

- That's not true! ...No wait, I think it is.

Reimu sighed once again. Suika wasn't helping her at all.

She started looking outside, the snow covering her sight. She lamented the fact that he had to move the snow yet again and also because no one was visiting the shrine. Scratch that, no human, apart from Marisa and Raim. Sakuya visited on occasions, but that's all. No other human got near the shrine.

- *grumble*

And now, her stomach was growling. Good grief.

- *sigh* Uu... I'm too lazy to do anything...

- Hey Reimu.

- Huh?

- What are you going to do with that guy? The one in his head? - Suika gestured while poking her own head as an example.

- ...Well, up to now, he only has given threats and seldom, he possess Raim. I think I shouldn't worry about it too much.

Our shrine maiden, ladies and gentleman!

- ...Wow. She sure doesn't want to do anything today. Well, that means I can serve myself with the sake of here.

- Suika. - Reimu spoke as she saw her heading towards the toolshed, where she kept the sake. - Don't even think about it.

- Ehehehe...sorry. Couldn't resist.

- He's late. - Reimu muttered. - I just asked him to buy one broom, for crying out loud! What's he doing?


Raim's PoV

- I hope this plan works...

- Me too, kid. Seeing her constantly checking her donation box, one can't help but to feel sorry for her.

- Or laugh. I prefer laughing.

- Shut up.

If you want to know, the three of us started walking around, trying to convince people to celebrate Christmas because December was coming. Some people were reluctant, but some others happily obliged, since they were also from the outside. According to Louis, these were "spirited away".

Pfft, yeah. I know better. Hm? Is that...?

- Hey Udongein! - I greeted Reisen by her nickname. What? It's catchy.

- ...I would like you stop calling me by that name. - she sighed. - Besides, what are all of you doing here?

- Eh...announcing Christmas. - I was bored. - Hell, I just started this because I wanted to do something else... And you?

- Hm? Ah! Well...

She started searching something in her pockets. Also, I noticed something different in her eyes.

- Are those contact lenses?

- Eh? - that stopped her. - Well, my master said I should use this while here. Guess she doesn't want her potential clients to go down in madness.

- But of course... Use logic, for the love of the god that's not YHVH. That's explains it.

- But hell, it would be better if people go crazy around here. I wonder if a human can rip other humans head with their bare hands? Hey kid, let's do an experiment on that guy.

- Hell no. - I countered.

- Here it is! - Udon... I mean Reisen, gave me...a pamphlet?

Alright, let's see what the fuzz is all about.

- ...A dream medicine? Is that even logical?

- Kid, this place isn't logical.

- Neither you are. - I concluded. - So...have you found any customers for this thing? - I said, waving the pamphlet.

- It's not a thing! - Reisen apparently was a little offended. - ...And sadly, not yet.

Sucks to be you.

- Hey Raim! - Alice tapped my shoulder. - I have told everybody from this area. Should we...what's that?

She snatched the pamphlet from my hands. I could say that was rude, but hey, I'm kinda rude myself.

- Is this true? - Alice asked, a strange glint on her eyes as she skimmed through the pamphlet. - Does this actually work?

- Err...yeah. - Reisen was a little nervous by Alice's eagerness. - If you want, I could take you to Eientei for you to see for yourself.

- That would be nice. - Alice said. - So Raim, I'll be seeing you when you finish the design.

- Yeah yeah... - I said. - Good luck with whatever you're planning.

I saw Alice and Reisen walking away towards one of the exits of the Human Village, apparently talking about something. Not that I care, but I'm kinda of a curious guy.

- ...I don't understand this shit.

- Understand what?

- Why the hell are you people celebrating something as stupid as this? - Glid asked. - It's such trading a goddamn present wrapped in goddamn paper and sent with goddamn fake intentions. That just makes me sick.

- Get used to it.

- Over my dead body...which means over your dead body. Hehehe.

- Gee, that's a relaxing thought.

- Shut up.

And our roles just reversed. Bah...

- Oh Raim...

- Hm?

- We've already finished telling everyone of this area. - Aya said while landing next to me. - Where next?

- You seem awfully coorperative today.

- I'm just trying to create a story.

- You should only write about stories, not make them. That's not how a reporter should work.

- There's no book telling that.

- Well I...

Hold on...she's right.

- Goddammit. - I sighed. Aya seemed to have a triumphant face. - Just... Just do something else, dammit.

- You know... I noticed something.

- What?

- When you're fighting, you are good and even surprise me...but with normal conversations, you're even worse than shit! Get a grip, kid!

- I told you before, I'm not good with conversations. - I said. - Now, I'm outta of here. Reimu must be pissed since I was stuck here doing something else...

- Don't sweat it. - Aya reassured. - She doesn't get too angry.

Obviously, you haven't lived with her. She's far worse than you can imagine.

I waved good-bye to Aya as I walked towards the shrine. I wonder what track I could use to ease the trip...


Brain wave, main wave
Psycho got a high kick
Collect and select
Show me your best set

Crystals, blisters
It's all over now
Psycho cane
You're so keen
I need more candy canes

Cold cake, cold break
Freak got a high kick
Mr. Twister
Moist with roistering

Stick it up
Take it up
Step aside and see the world
Effect has defects
Take a bow to the moon (Bow-wow to the moon)

Morning rays, Hairspray Queens
Get on their way to their nests, the west
Honest, they once had a dream
Belles of society, in the shells of their unity
Cornet'n spinet
The sound flows, follows till they're home
Dragged by the power of dreams
That power is yet unknown

Aah... That was nice.

Hm? I have arrived already? Damn, the power of music is awesome.

- What took you so long? ! - the angry voice of Reimu filled my ears.

And now I return to reality. *sigh*

- No time to explain... Here, catch. - I lazily threw the broom at her, which I made appear using Sekai Rei.

- H-Hey! - Reimu almost failed to catch it. - What's wrong with you?

- Let's say I have a plan.

- Oh good. That would really end well. - Reimu said with delicious snarkiness.

- Just listen, okay?

My plan was simple. According to what I saw and Louis' info, there are several humans here that come from the outside world and haven't visited the shrine yet, to the dismay of Reimu here.

Ask yourself. What if a big Christmas party happened right in middle of the Hakurei Shrine? Not only it would bring humans with prior knowledge about Christmas, but since curiosity runs into our human veins, I'm sure the Gensokyo locals would try to peek...meaning extra donations for this girl in order for her to stop whining.

I think I'm using the mask of the celebrations just because Reimu won't shut up about donations every...freaking...day. *sigh* If you think I'm using those people for a selfish reason, let me say this.

Reimu basically turned me into her personal anger control toy. My actions are justified.

Needless to say, I told Reimu all of the above, except the part when I say she's a prick.

- I see... - Reimu mumbled.

- Understand now? - I said. - Now move, I need to build a stand here. - I moved towards the shrine, leaving Reimu with her broom. - Suika, won't you mind helping me? - I talked to a still drinking Suika.

- Why?

- Doing something all day long will eventually bore you out, don't you think? - I said.

- ...Okay, I'm in.

Perfect.


- Kid... are you sure this will end well?

- Sorry, not paying attention right now.

You could probably criticize me for using Kraid's blunt side as a hammer for nails. But mundane utility has never harmed anyone before, so I think everything's cool by now.

- Hm... Looks good. - I muttered, looking at the half-made stand. - Hey Suika, have you brought the wood I asked you to...bring?

Even if I know that Suika is an oni, seeing her carrying two massives trees with those thin arms of hers is still jarring.

SLAM!

- There! - Suika said with relief as she released both trees very dangerously next to me. - I'm finished.

Oh good. Next time, try not to kill me, alright?

- Anything else?

- Well, for now, nothing. Go drink something somewhere else.

- Hehe! Now that's more like it!

Suika left and headed...towards the toolshed where Reimu stores the sake. This won't end well.

But then, it's not my problem...right?

...

...Ah, screw it.

- Hey, are you sure this is going to work?

- I'm certain. - I reassured her. - We humans tend to flock around like cattle when other people show curiosity over something. It's kinda feels like it runs in our blood.

- ? That's an odd way of thinking.

- Yeah, I got that a lot.

Humans nowadays are much more materialistic than before. In a boy's example: You got a game that you love so much, but then a sequel or better game comes. What you do? Throw or sell that game in order to purchase said game.

A girl's example: Some real female ditzes just can't get out of the trap that it's called fashion. I could accept the fact that someone may like a new trend one day or another, but to do it consecutevily... Yep, that the problem right there.

Of course, if it wasn't for that trait, businessman wouldn't be able to sell anything. Even shit.

- That's why it is better to kill them... Right, kid?

- I told you before, I won't kill anybody... Unless he, she or it deserves it. - I shut him up, focusing back to my work.

- Wow... You can be really boring sometimes, you know that?

- Nah, I think he's just unfunny. - a cheerful voice said.

- ...What do you want, Marisa? - I said, still building the stand. It's now half finished.

- Eh, just came to visit Reimu here. - she declared. - What exactly are you doing?

- Preparing a stand for Christmas?

- ...Excuse me?


Basically, I told her the same speech I told Alice and Aya back in the Human Village.

- So you say a human in a red and white outfit goes flying around the world, giving presents to children on his way?

- That's pretty much the gist of it. And no, that human isn't Reimu. - I said, stopping Marisa's imagination.

- Aw... And I had almost an idea how she could've pulled it off.

- Then, please, don't tell me. - I reassured her. - I don't want my mind to produce strange images, thank you.

- Hmm... I decided! I'll make a stand here too! - she declared.

- Oh goodie. May I ask why?

- Because I want to!

I give up.

- Fine fine. Just...put your stand over there.

- Okay! - Marisa now was thinking. - Do you know where's Suika?


Two hours later...

I have already finished the stand. Not too flashy nor too simple. Now I need to think what am I going to do with the stand.

- Wait... you haven't thought of that yet?

- Well, I was hoping I could think of something while building it, but I was always drawing a blank.

- Please don't tell me you're taking a level in dumbass...

- Hell no! I...just didn't think things through...

Frankly, I entered the equivalent of writer's block. I have the stand...but I don't know what to do.

- An assassination agency?

- No.

- A food stand?

- I'm horrible at cooking.

- A suicide agency?

- Not funny.

- A shooting gallery?

- I kinda prefer swords instead of guns.

- A...

- Please shut up.

I was stuck in that loop for twenty more minutes until...

- Why not a "do everything" stand? - Marisa suggested while putting stars on the decor of her stand.

- Do everything? Like a Yorozuya? I'm sorry, I don't think I want to be the Gintoki of Gensokyo, thank you.

- Hold on, kid. The black and white bitch maybe is not speaking shit this time.

- But being a "Do everything" type of guy doesn't seem to be the kind of thing I could do.

- I don't think so, kid. Besides, you'll never know if you don't try.

...

...I guess.

- Alright Marisa. Guess I think I could do that. - I said, now looking for paper and cardboard.

- Hehe! Glad I was to help! - she said while returning to her stand. - Now...where did I put the mushrooms?

I don't want to know what she'll do in that stand. My brain tells me not to think much about it.


- Remind me why the hell are we going to the doc's place?

- I need materials. - I kept things short. - Besides, my inner human curiosity is nagging me what was that medicine about.

- You mean that dream medicine?

- Must be some sort of hippie drug.

- Oh, I don't think the doctor would stoop so low like that.

...

...Right?

After some walking (and cutting bamboo down to make way), I arrived to Eientei.

- Hello? - I slid the door to enter. - Is somebody home?

- Hey! Big badass here! Where's my goddamn introduction? !

- Keep it down, you. - I growled.

Odd... It's quiet. Too qu-

- DON'T. Make. References.

...Goddammit.

I walked forward through the hallway. As usual, there are doors all along the hallway.

...This is going to take a while.

- Oh hell no! Not on my watch!

- Do you have something in mind?

- Kid, go outside first.

Raising an eyebrow, I obliged. As I went outside, Glid told me to jump to the roof of Eientei.

Why? Look, I'm just doing this because I don't want to walk for a long time.

- Alright, kid! Blow the roof!

- WHAT? ! - I was surprised. - W-We can't do that!

- Dude, what the hell are you talking about? Of course we can! Just...

- I didn't meant in that sense, goddammit! - I shouted. - If we do that, we'll get in one hell of a problem.

- Then what do you suggest, partner?


CRASH!

- W-What the? - Eirin was surprised as I jumped through the window of the room.

Let me add something else. This is my fifth try. God bless trial and error.

- Hi Eirin. - I tried to be as polite as I could. - You need to fix this later.

- Damn, kid. I never knew you could use your head.

- *groan* Just ignore the bastard. - I told Eirin, apparently recovering from the shock.

- Alright... What exactly do you want? - she asked, a feeling of awkwardness over the room.

- Do you have these materials? - I asked her while giving her a list I wrote on the way here. Don't ask how.

Eirin read the list with haste. It's just basic materials of decoration I lack right now. Since I think Eientei is a household of wealth, I don't doubt she doesn't have these items.

It's logic. Don't understimate it.

- Yes. I do have everything here. - Eirin answered. - But why do you need them?

...Do I have to tell everybody about this? *sigh*


- I see... - Eirin was deep in thought. - Humans from the outside world have these kind of celebrating, don't they?

- Kind of silly, isn't it? - I said without thinking. I'm starting to really sound like an asshole.

- ...Not quite.

- Meaning?

- By just watching you, I can sense a lot of repulsion to this celebration coming from you, but yet, you do whatever possible to prepare yourself for it. Why? It is a really big contradiction in your behavior. The only thing I can grasp from this is that this celebration is really special for humans. Silly or not, it has some sort of alluring effect.

- ...

Yeah, I act very weird, don't I? I say that this celebration is a farce, but yet, I can't stop myself from celebrating it, even if it is the half-assed way.


Christmas brings the best of one self and shares it with everybody else. That's a true miracle, isn't it?


Yeah... Yeah, you were right from the start.

- Hm?

- Sorry. Got lost in my memories. - I said. - Also...where's Alice? I remember she and Udongein came here last I saw them.

- The puppeteer? Oh, she left with some Kochoumugan. - she said.

- A butterfly dream pill? - I raised an eyebrow. - Exactly what do it do?

- Exactly what it says on the pill.

It takes its name from the experience in a dream where one becomes a butterfly and enjoys oneself.

- A butterfly? Why not Godzilla?

- Beg your pardon?

- Please, just ignore him already! - I snapped. - Also, why does Alice needs this?

- I'm as clueless as you.

Liar... But I'll let it slide this time.

- But really, it is kind of interesting to see a pill that manipulates dreams.

- Your conception of the effects of the Kochoumugan are very wrong, Raim. - Eirin added. - It does not manipulate the dream itself, it just helps the psyche of the user to have a pleasant dream. But one must be careful. If the dream is too enjoyable, there's a chance that the real world and the dream world may switch places, so one must be careful of doses.

How the hell does that happen? Nevermind. I won't get involved too much on this.

- Pfft. Why the hell did you do that? Helping youkai and humans in their mental trauma won't make them strong. I'll assure you, they'll become dependant of this crap.

- Oh? You may change your point of view by looking at the price. - Eirin said, pulling out a small receipt.

Let's see how pricey can this HOLY SHIT!

- ...My good god.

- That's...a fairly good price, you thief doctor.

And that's an understatement.

- And that's not all. - she added, searching for something in the shelves. - I also have the "Kouchoumugan Nightmare Type".

She was holding several black pills in her hand.

- Better to call it "Nightmare Fuel pill". It sounds more badass.

- So...consuming these causes nightmares.

- Yes. - Eirin nodded. - These are just for the ones who want to experience the thrill of fear.

- I'm in. Kid, take them.

- *sigh* You're not going to shut up, are you?

- You know me too well.

- Fine. Eirin, how much does these cost? - I asked.

- Well... these are not the most sought product. I think 256 ryo will be fine.

- Alright. - I said opening my hand, materializing 256 ryo with the use of Sekai Rei.

- !

Huh? Does this surprised her too much? Whatever.

- Here. - I put the exact amount in Eirin's hand and took the pills, ignoring her shock.

Then, I used Sekai Rei to "deposit" the pills in my soul.

- A-Again? ! T-This is...

- Well... I'll be leaving now. - I said. - Say hi to Kaguya from me. Oh, and... I think you'll need to buy new windows.

I jumped out of the window, leaving the room.


- That...that was definitely a demonic art. No human can stand the pressure of a casting like that. Is he insane? ! But then again, this could be a side effect of this Glid person and the Alpha... Or did someone taught him?

Eirin snapped back to reality.

- No... Even if it was a demonic art, if Raim managed to use it this easily means that he's used to that type of energy... Not surprising due to his... "friend".

She sighed.

- ...I'll ask Udongein to fix this.


*yawn*

Man...I'm really sleepy.

- I wonder why Alice wanted the pills.

- I think we'll never know. - I said, walking through the crowd at the market place. - Besides, everybody needs their privacy sometimes.

I looked at the snow, slowly falling over the Human Village. Soon, Christmas will come and this place will become noisier than ever.

*sigh* Well...that's a party for you. Man, I'm hungry! I wonder what Reimu cooked this time...