"A museum?" the youkai inquired, "What's that?"
Her companion shrugged her arms. "It's something that Sanae brought up while we were talking, from that one party we attended. We can store some relics and stuff in it for display and people can come see."
The questioning Tengu, in response, looked towards the windows showing the outdoors in thought. "…and why would we need something like that?"
The Hakutaku took a sip from her tea. Initially, she didn't pay much of a thought at the idea herself. Then she thought, considering the short lives humans had, and the long lives youkai did, what better way of maintaining your presence past your lifetime with a legacy?
"I figured I wanted to immortalize the memories of the various people and moments in Gensokyo." the blue-haired woman spoke, "And that it will live on for everyone to see into the future long after we're gone."
"You mean, when humans like you pass away." the crow youkai added, "I'm pretty sure people like Mokou-san and even myself will be here for a while longer. Can beings like us not also preserve the memories of people like you Keine?"
"Not necessarily just personal memories." she answered, "preserving history is important so that mistakes made in the past won't repeat. Or at the very least, not repeat so often. Although…" The Hakutaku stared into her cup, "I suppose there's a bit of vanity in it as well. Humans often do great and memorable things to establish legacies, so that their influence lasts long after their deaths. It's intertwined with our very mortality, you see. Also, don't some youkai die eventually? I thought only some people like Yukari-san can be around essentially forever."
"That's true, but…Mortality?" the Tengu took a sip of her tea cup, "If humans like you feared having your existence being erased, couldn't you just take the Hourai elixir?"
"Aya-san!" Keine cried in disdain "That's not what I want! I was just trying to give a personal reason about why I would want something like a museum."
"Alright, alright, my bad." she pleaded in apology. "Why something as public as that though? I don't know if the other humans will be as ecstatic or even know of what it is."
"Well…" Keine started as she put down her cup. "I would also want something that will also impact the human village in a cultural and educational way too. Two birds with one stone, you know? Additionally, the children who've learned better to read and write under my teaching will be able to better appreciate it."
"You want to be remembered and praised for everything you've done forever." the Tengu grinned.
The teacher lost all emotion in her face. "Yeah, very funny Aya-san."
"How is it going to impact the village in a cultural sense anyway?" Aya inquired.
"I mean that other villagers will get to add in other things to the museum, so they can preserve the memories they want to keep too." Keine responded.
"I see." Aya took another sip from her cup. "How come you're telling me all this though? Do I have a part to play in it?"
"Definitely!" Keine confirmed. "I figured that if we're going to be recording important stuff in Gensokyo, some photographs would be useful, as well as being nice to look at."
Aya raised an eyebrow. "I guess they add some more flavor that text alone can't achieve. How do you plan to use that though?"
"Well, let's say we have a relic in the museum." Keine began. "Aside from some texts that can describe the object, like the history and description, I guess we can have some pictures about people using the object? Or if it's something like a diorama…you get the idea."
"Perhaps I can request Hatate-san to help you with that part of the museum too, if you want." the Tengu added.
"If she's willing to help, then that would be much appreciated." Keine noted. "The more the merrier, I suppose. I'm also thinking of having Hieda-san and Kozusu-san help with it… Maybe Marisa-san too?"
Aya chuckled, she added: "Are you sure she won't just steal what's inside there instead?"
"I mean…" Keine paused in thought. "Perhaps she could donate some stuff she won't be using for the museum? Although, I guess if it's not really relevant to the history of Gensokyo, we don't have to put it in there."
"Marisa-san barely uses any of the stuff she hoards to begin with anyway. I think she just keeps them in order to sell off later." Aya said. "Except for those magic books that she steals from the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Imagine if we put one of those in there, haha."
"Patchouli-san definitely wouldn't like that." Keine grinned.
"Actually, now that I think about it…" the Hakutaku pondered. "Suppose you could also interview some people about events? Like Yukari or Hieda maybe, regarding the founding of Gensokyo. We could have something like displays with large pictures or drawings about historical moments, and then some plaques describing what happened. I think Sanae called it 'diorama'?"
"That's a good idea as well. Not sure if Yukari will be easy to get info out of though." Aya shrugged.
"It's worth a try, I guess. It doesn't have to be Yukari-san." Keine sighed. She took another sip from her cup when she noticed that as she laid it back down, a ray of orange hue from the window painted over her arms and drink.
"Oh dear, it's getting quite late already." she exclaimed. "Let's continue this some other day, yeah?"
"I don't mind." Aya stood up from her chair. "I didn't think we'd lose track of time that much, haha."
The Tengu picked up the camera she placed on the desk, carefully distant from the teapot. "Thanks for inviting me over for tea, Keine-san. We should do this more often."
"Agreed." Keine nodded. "I'm also thinking of having some of the others join in this little project. I still don't know how we're going to set it up though, a whole new building in the village."
"I'm sure you can come up with something." Aya reassured. The two walked out of the tea house and stopped after a few paces. "Then, I'll be taking my leave."
"Take care." Keine spoke as she watched the Youkai slowly drift into the dimming sky, until the latter became nothing but a mere black streak within the colorful canvas.
As the teacher walked home, she thought about how she was going to pull this one off. Maybe she can ask Sanae for more advice? Perhaps the Kappas could help with the construction too? Her mind was swimming in ideas until her legs brought her to Mokou's house. A faint, sumptuous aroma of a stew wafted in the air. She did insist on volunteering to cook tonight. Keine shook her head, and upon opening the door, a lively young white-haired lady greeted her wearing an apron.
"What took you so long? I made your favorite."
"Bamboo shoots are not my favorite, you just can't stop making them." Keine smiled.
"Well they will be your favorite eventually." Mokou cheekily smiled back. "Come on in, I'm starving."
The two went inside and partook in supper, with Keine talking with Mokou about what happened that day and about her ideas throughout the night, as the moon loomed over the bamboo forest.
After finishing her teaching for the day, Keine walked her way to Moriya Shrine to talk with Sanae about her plans. Upon arriving, she knocked on the door to see if anyone was home. The door clicked, and revealed a tall brunette in a red dress with a mirror on her chest for some reason. She was one of Sanae's companions that lived with her.
"Hello, you must be Kanako-san." Keine bowed her head a bit. "Is Sanae-san at home?"
"Oh, Sanae-san has told you about me? She is at home." Kanako replied. "You can come inside if you want."
"Yes, she has. Thank you." the teacher said as she removed her shoes while entering. As she placed her footwear in an appropriate place, she scanned the room she was in. It wasn't too different from Hakurei Shrine, considering the nature of both buildings, but it was definitely more spacious. There were some unfamiliar things as well, most likely Sanae's possessions, she could probably identify one of them as being the latter's "backpack" from previous conversations with each other.
"Say, you must be Keine-san." Kanako piped up. "Sanae-san has told me and Suwako-san quite a bit about you and your friend, Mokou."
"Is that so?" Keine inquired. "I hope she hasn't said too many embarassing things about us."
"She's not that type of girl." Kanako smiled. "I'll take you to her room."
The two walked past the living room into a hallway. Keine could spot a short lady wearing a strange hat lounging around in the tatami, reading a book. "That must be Suwako-san." she thought. "She really is quite short, despite being a god."
After passing by a few more rooms, the two women eventually stop in front of a screen door. Kanako knocked on it lightly while calling out: "Sanae, Keine-san came by to meet you!"
The two ladies heard a squeal, with some ruffling noises until eventually a green haired girl materialized in front of them.
"Keine-san! I'm surprised you've come all this way. What brings you here?" Sanae spoke.
The Hakutaku cleared her voice. "I wanted to discuss something with you." Keine replied. "I'm planning on setting up one of those museums that you've talked about."
"Wait, really?" Sanae spat out incredulously. "I didn't think you'd be interested in having one of those. How come?"
"It's… a bit of a long story." Keine drawled with hesitation. "I think it's something we should sit down and discuss about."
"Alright, then. We can talk about it in the living room. Come with me." Sanae said as she began walking away.
"I'm sort of interested in this 'museum' idea of Keine-san's as well, do you mind if I participate?" Kanako asked.
"You're most welcome to Kanako-sama." Sanae replied. "I'll get some green tea first, you just sit with Keine at the table."
As the priestess went away, Kanako led Keine to a table and waited for Sanae to return with drinks.
"I saw a woman with yellow hair sitting by the porch earlier." Keine spoke up. "Would that be Suwako-san?"
"That's right." Kanako nodded.
"It's my first time seeing her, I didn't expect her to be that small. She has such a strange hat."
The older lady shook her head. "Indeed she does. Best you don't ask about it, though."
"Huh? How come-"
"I've brought drinks!" Sanae said as she arrived with refreshments. She brought a tray with cups and a teapot filled with green tea. After pouring out their drinks, the three sipped the warm liquid from their cups.
"So, can you tell me what you wanted to talk about a museum?" Sanae asked.
"Yes." Keine began, "Anyways, I was thinking that…"
The two other girls listened to Keine, as the latter recounted some of what she had to say to Aya the other day. Kanako was fascinated by the idea of such a building that could hold artifacts in display for the general public. Sanae already knew all of this, however, since she originally brought up the concept in the past. Although, she was curious as to how she was going to go about this.
"How are you going to convince the other villagers to make something like that for you though?" the shrine maiden asked.
"I'll propose the idea to the some of the construction workers and convince them to make it."
"You think they'll listen to your suggestion?"
"I think they'll consider it as returning the favor for helping to teach the children, so they probably will."
Kanako cleared her voice to chime in and said: "Don't you think we can set up ways to profit from this?"
"Kanako-san" Keine spoke up with disdain in her voice. "I don't think museums should have that sort of-"
"That's actually a thing though, Keine-san. They're called entrance fees." Sanae cut her off. "People pay a small amount of money in order to enter and view the stuff that's inside the building."
Keine looked at Sanae for a moment then pondered in thought. "That's certainly an option I suppose."
"Oh, but the funds are mainly just used for maintenance and to improve the building." Sanae added.
"Mainly?" Kanako raised a brow.
"…Yes." the young girl sighed in agreement.
"Then, I propose that Moriya shrine be in charge of the funding and maintenance of the museum in the human village." the goddess announced with a smug grin.
"What?" Keine said in bafflement. "I mean, I suppose that's possible but…"
"Don't worry Keine-san, we'll be responsible. We can even have the Kappas help if worst comes to worst; you can ask the builders to help make us the museum itself."
The Hakutaku sheepishly conceded. "I guess that could work. What do you think Sanae-san?"
"I think it's alright, it helps us both of us, don't you think?" Sanae smiled. "You can keep some of the share as well."
"That's right." the older lady spoke up. "I think you'll find that with this arrangement, all parties benefit."
"It's just that, people of the village don't have that much money to begin with. And it's not really a necessity like a market." Keine voiced with concern.
"That is true…" Sanae cupped her chin in scrutiny. "In my world, government museums were built and maintained by the government through taxpayer money. The human village doesn't have taxes, nor a government…" The shrine maiden smiled at the teacher. "…yet."
"I specialize in children, not in those fields." Keine laughed nervously.
Sanae looked at Kanako, who was sipping her drink. "I think it's best if we have the funding be from donations I'm afraid."
Kanako furrowed her brows in frustration. "It's a darn shame."
The two other girls chuckled at the reaction, and the goddess herself giggled in amusement.
After finishing the rest of their tea, the teacher left Moriya shrine after saying her goodbyes to Sanae and Kanako. The sun spilled its crimson radiance once again on the darkening sky on her walk back home, where she was greeted by the same pale-haired girl. Tomorrow she'll try to convince the villagers to make her museum, but for now she'll rest and plan the day ahead. She insisted to Mokou that it was her turn to cook tonight.
"You want us to build something like that in the village?" one of the men asked her incredulously. After bringing up the idea to Kosuzu-san and Hieda-san, as well as volunteering to support the founding of it, Keine went to the builders of the village for help with the construction.
"I suppose we could, it's the least we could do after everything you've done for us. But are you sure that people will go to it?"
The Hakutaku smiled. "Even if the people of today's village don't go to it, I'll try to convince the children to check it out. Maybe the parents will get curious and follow them too."
"We'll also need some idea of how we're going to make it. Can you ask your friend for help with that?"
Keine nodded. "I'll be sure to ask her. What about the supplies to make the building?"
The construction workers looked at each other in affirmation. "Just leave that to us Keine-san. Where do you want it to be though?"
"Somewhere a bit close to the school if possible. At the very least, not too far off from the center of the village. It's supposed to be a cultural site for all of us after all."
The leader of the group of builders nodded in agreement. "Then, we'll wait to hear from you again so we can start working."
The teacher waved goodbye to them as they parted ways. Keine just had one more place in mind to go.
Her feet reached the towering steps of the Hakurei Shrine, and she steadily made her way up to reach the shrine gates until she could see at a distance, Reimu sitting by the porch drinking a cup of tea. Marisa was laying down close to her with her arms behind her head in relaxation. The two seemed to be lazily lounging around trying to keep cool from the beating heat of the sun.
"Reimu-san! Marisa-san!" Keine called out towards the two. The girls looked towards the source of a voice and saw a familiar woman climbing up the steps, who was sweating from trying to ascend the steps in the middle of the day.
"Keine-san!" Marisa called out in greeting, as she waved. Reimu sipped her drink as she waved with in unison with her other hand. The older lady trudged her way, approaching closer to the precious shade of the shrine porch until she sat right next to Reimu in exhaustion.
"Why does Hakurei shrine have to be so far up?" Keine spat out in-between breaths.
"Why did you climb up all the way? I just flew here with my broom." Marisa asked curiously.
"Flying everywhere isn't good for you Marisa-san. You need to keep up your fitness you know."
The black magician shrugged. She resumed to her previous position of relaxation. The shrine maiden finished her cup of tea and set it aside.
"It's not often I see you here Keine-san, what's up?" Reimu asked. Having calmed down and feeling more rested, Keine explained to both of the girls about her plans with the construction of the museum. Marisa's ears picked up the familiar sounding term, knowing she's had a conversation regarding it before. "Wasn't that what Sanae and I talked about that one time?" the magician asked. The teacher nodded her head.
"I guess it was sort of eavesdropping but the both of you talked loud enough that I could pick up what you were saying."
"I think I was a lil' drunk that time, I can't remember too much to be honest." Marisa grinned sheepishly. "So what's that got to do with us?"
"Well… I was curious of maybe you could donate some stuff you don't really have use for that we can use for display. At least, that's what I was hoping for."
Marisa looked into the sky while she thought about it. "Maybe there are some stuff I'm willing to give away. Are you sure I can't get some cash out of it?" At the mention of money, the shrine maiden turned her head towards the teacher in inquiry.
"You'll have to ask Sanae about that sort of thing, but I was hoping you'd give it away for free…"
"Sanae-san? So she's in charge of the whole museum operation?" Reimu questioned the older woman.
"We… or rather Kanako-san suggested that Moriya shrine will be in charge of the maintenance and development of the building. So they'll be getting the donations in order to do that…"
"They'll be making money off of it!" Reimu straightened up in realization to what Keine just said.
"Ehhh, I trust Sanae-san won't be irresponsible with the money!" Keine said as she waved her arms to try and pacify the riled up shrine maiden.
Reimu thought about it, and relaxed her form. She's definitely going to talk about this with Sanae later, however. Marisa just laughed at the fact that her friend got irritated that another shrine will be getting funds while hers wasn't.
"Maybe I can set up some stalls to sell snacks or merchandise near it, probably hire someone to do it…" the shrine maiden thought. "Although, while I understand why you would talk to Marisa, how come you're asking me Keine? I don't think I can afford to give any of the relics here away for other humans to steal." Reimu asked.
"Honestly Reimu-san…" Keine began. "I wanted to dedicate a section of the museum for the Hakurei shrine maidens."
"Huh?" Now both of the younger girls were curious.
"I mean, usually Hakurei shrine maidens don't last as long you do, Reimu. I wanted to make a dedication for those forgotten women who died in their service, and yourself, who help protect the village and Gensokyo in general."
Keine looked to the cloudless sky. "Also, I think your efforts, especially the spell card system leading to more peaceful resolutions nowadays for humans and youkai, shouldn't be forgotten, you know?"
The shrine maiden was silent for a moment. Then, she poured out another drink for herself and sipped on it before responding. "Well, I guess I can understand a section for the Hakurei shrine maidens. Although, I don't think it's fair that I alone should receive the credit for helping Gensokyo. People like Marisa and Sanae should be in there too if we're basing it on that. Some of the youkai like Yukari and Kasen as well I think."
"That's going to be quite a lot of people to memorialize." Marisa added. "People will start giving us more credit though, I think I can get behind that."
"Think about it Reimu-san." Keine spoke up. "When people hear about the legacy of Hakurei shrine and about your exploits, they may be more inclined to donate to your shrine as a sign of gratitude."
"Alright, I'm in. You have my full endorsement and support, Kamishirasawa Keine." Reimu said in a determined voice.
"There she goes." Marisa sighed. "You have mine as well, I'll see if I can spare some relics for the museum."
"I'm glad to hear it." Keine smiled.
The three all of a sudden spotted a black spot in the sky, slowly appearing bigger and bigger, approaching Hakurei Shrine. In a few moments, the spot arrived in their area, and revealed itself to be Aya, holding a camera and folder seemingly filled with notes.
"Aya-san!" Reimu spoke in surprise.
"Eheh, sorry to show up all of a sudden. I was looking for Keine-san all over the place since I couldn't find her in the school." Aya spoke in a mild exhaustion. "Turns out she was here all along. I brought you some interview notes, I was able to talk with Yukari-san after all."
"That's great!" Keine said. "Can we take a look at it?"
"Yeah! Here, I think the rest of you should also look at it, it's pretty interesting." Aya said as she took her seat in the porch. "Did you get permission from the village to make the museum, by the way?"
"I did, I just need to talk to Sanae on how it's going to look like tomorrow."
"That's great Keine-san."
"I think I should join you going there tomorrow, Keine-san. I'm going to have a word with Kanako-san." Reimu pitched in.
"I'm tagging along too." Marisa grinned.
"Anyway guys, check this out." Aya called out to the other three. "Obviously, Yukari-san left some details out, but apparently Gensokyo…
The three other girls looked and listened in fascination to what the Tengu found out, and Keine thought to herself that maybe this might work. Maybe with this, Gensokyo's vast history won't be confined to some library, but it will be celebrated and remembered by everyone. That the struggles and memories of her and her friends won't be in vain, and will live on for decades to come.