Chapter 17: Feelings in the Form of Money

Reimu left her home right right away. Along the way, she informed Aya and together, they left in Aya's car.

In the car, a lot of feelings enveloped within the shrine maiden as she recalled back the latest visions that she had just witnessed.

Was all the reason why she was tasked to go through all this with the vampire? It was because of some stupid replacement request that her own former self didn't ask for?

These questions kept repeating in her mind.

Recalling herself being in the car of a certain tengu, Reimu realised a problem.

Turning her head slightly to glance at Aya who was currently driving them towards their destination, the shrine maiden wondered...

So Aya… what about you?

-xxx-

It isn't that she couldn't answer. It is the fact that Reimu heard this many times from many different people already. Different variations but they had the same intentions. So for her friend to say that…

-xxx-

That has to mean that Remilia wasn't the only one who asked off this. Aya probably did the same too.

The shrine maiden shook her head. No, Aya wasn't the type to have bad intentions. She could tell that at least… Aya truly was a gentle soul deep down like how she was now, albeit a different attitude and personality from her original. The old Aya she was more laidback and liked to tease Reimu a lot.

In her own conclusions, the tengu didn't have a reason as ridiculous and terrible as the Scarlet Devil.

"Is there anything wrong?"

Realising that she was being caught, Reimu quickly looked ahead. "No… nothing."

Aya nodded and continued fully concentrating on driving on the road. They were now not that far from reaching their destination.

Meanwhile, the shrine maiden continued with her internal struggles.

Other things were also raised in her mind.

How do I provide a proper closure with them? Do I simply have to break off each and every single one of them?

If it's true, that meant she had to repeatedly experience sad and heartbroken romantic relationships and that she must not care about all those anymore. What mattered the most was that Gensokyo she knew would return.

Reimu could feel her heart getting a bit heavier and tighter.

Clenching her fingers on her chest, she could only helplessly try to bury all her feelings deep in regards to this situation.

The pair entered a dark room.

The windows were blocked off due to the curtains being pulled out.

There were no other visitors present. They had expected Satori to be here but she probably left for a while to do something else.

Reimu gasped once she saw the person on the bed.

Remilia was currently sleeping soundly. However, there were various injuries all over her. There were still traces of dried blood all over her body, and numerous bruises filled up her face.

It must have been quite a deadly attack meant to kill her.

"Remi… how could you let this happen to you…"

The shrine maiden broke down in slight agony that her girlfriend would go this far just to look for the money needed for their mother's surgery.

Aya, who seemingly was able to maintain her composure, wanted to pat her friends back for reassurance. Yet she found her hand hanging near the shoulders in midair.

Suddenly, the door to the patient's room swung open.

It was Satori.

However, her face was in a pretty bad shape. Her eyes were misty and red, while her mouth was quivering with anxiousness and worry. This wasn't the rather level-headed Satori they always know.

"Satori…"

Reimu wanted to know what exactly happened.

Satori took out a tissue paper and wiped out as much tears she could from her eyes.

"S-she was found by some strangers on the grass." Satori explained in between her sobs. "Remi was attacked by a bunch of gangs syndicated as she actually went to gamble at the underground area. B-because she was owed money… Remi… was then hunted by them."

Reimu could only quietly nod after hearing all that.

She understood how powerful all these criminal syndicates were if anyone were to get involved with them. And Remilia… she...

Even if she knew her girlfriend was now healthy and would likely recover fully, she felt the strong emotion by simply seeing Remilia in this horrible state.

A subtle weird feeling welled up in her stomach.

Is this the right time? I can end here if I want to.

Reimu shook her head weakly, putting those thoughts away before the satori could get a read on her.

Satori approached the shrine maiden. The latter jumped a bit. Did she… realise my thoughts?

Suddenly, the shrine maiden felt a huge weight put across her body.

"I-t's ok Reimu. R-remi… she would be fine. She's strong."

Slightly startled, she let her body relax on her companion.

It seemed that the satori had interpreted her reactions wrongly.

Reimu realised she wasn't feeling sad for that person anymore. Previously, she might have some lingering emotions that she could reciprocate towards Remilia but now…

Somehow she felt rather empty. This empty void in her heart… that needs filling...

It was because Reimu knew it.

"It's not your fault… It's not your fault…" Satori continued to whisper softly, seemingly trying to reassure both of them.

Releasing herself, Satori took another tissue from her pocket and wiped herself off the waterfall again.

"And how is it isn't her fault?"

A loud voice of anger blared into the room.

Reimu followed the voice to the entrance of the room and looked over.

She saw a middle-age woman, which she immediately recalled of her girlfriend's face. The woman dragged herself in with a limp and a stick.

There were 2 bodyguards beside her, for which they waited outside at the entrance to the patient's room.

Even though she had never seen the woman before, the shrine maiden guessed that this person was likely the auntie and head of the Scarlet family, Lady Vlad the Impaler.

Keeping the same attitude, Reimu asked, "You are… Auntie Vlad?"

The woman didn't reply and instead looked up and down at Reimu.

Despite being in her mid forties, Vlad had an air of authority around her and seemingly in good healthy condition despite the wooden stick that she was using to support herself. People would definitely be afraid to look at her directly with such an imposing aura.

"So… this girl is the one that makes Remilia refuse to marry our dear Satori and also force her to start gambling?

Her voice was even chillier than Remilia. Her clear disapproving tone was prominent in them.

Satori said, her composure back to her usual, "Auntie Vlad… now's not the time for…"

"It doesn't matter when I say it," Vlad snorted. "If I don't say it now, then when is my dear niece going to open her eyes for the truth? That you are the best girl for her more than anyone else."

The more she talked, the angrier she became.

"Just for you my dear," she pointed her stick at Reimu, within centimetres of her eyes. "She is willing to go through this far for you. But now you know the consequences of meddling with her."

Reimu could only look down shamefully and guiltily. Of course, inside, she didn't feel anything. It simply vanished… just a few minutes ago without her realising it.

Vlad turned to the bodyguards outside, "Bring that thing in."

"Yes, Lady Vlad!"

One of the bodyguards left to follow her orders. Meanwhile, the middle aged woman spared no chances. "I'll be giving you some help in your situation with your mother. In return, don't ever see my niece ever again."

Reimu stared briefly, before meekly nodded.

When the bodyguard came back, Vlad asked them to open the small bag of luggage. Anyone in the room could see that it was completely filled with tons of money.

"Here it is," Vlad announced. "Money for your mother's surgery and some additional more for any extra afterwards. You can use it for anything else if you want to."

Reimu's body stiffened, "But madam… I made a promise… to be together with Remi…"

"This amount isn't enough?!"

The shrine maiden could feel the true rage emerging within the old woman.

The truth was... it was enough. This would ease Reimu's burden for everything, be it for her mothers or her school. She could even continue to pursue what she always wanted to do and live peacefully in this life happily. All she ever wanted, money in her case, was truly a ticket to her happiness and peace.

Somehow, a short memory recall reminded her that the old Reimu would have fainted in delight seeing this amount. A strong shiver went down her shoulders.

The ending that I always wanted… is right in front of me now. All in this luggage.

Was it really this easy to simply let everything end here?

"But… this isn't the question of money madam. I… I can't leave her alone."

"What can you bring to her?" Vlad retorted. "All you have cause for her was trouble, if you stayed with her. You are just going to burden her with many things. This time, she went away unscathed but next time, who knows… what if it will be her life instead?"

Reimu's pupils enlarged but her body remained stoic.

"All the hospitalization fees, school costs and rehabilitation. Can you stay with her together with this predicament on your own? Do you really think your "love" for my niece can overcome all these issues and my family too?"

Reimu could only quietly look down, not daring to face the old woman.

It was the moment to decide.

Reimu knew that Vlad was actually being quite generous in her offer. She really did care for Remilia, even though it's a bit too strict and blunt in her approach. Which was why she offered this money to her to leave.

But about her?

It eventually all boils down to Reimu's feelings on the matter and her own sole decision in the end. As always, it was just her no matter the situation.

In the end, I'm always alone. These girls… even if I go with them… they cannot help me.

She really wanted to laugh there because it took so long for her to realise it. She thought that when she decided to be with Remilia that night, she had already changed. The fact was, she was only being hesitant about the entire thing.

With that in mind, her thoughts returned to the current matter.

So what is the proper way to settle this… I don't think I can straight up take the money. Wait… what if… yeah, that could work.

After some time, reaching a decision, Reimu looked up, finding her throat rather dry.

"If I take the money, will Remi be alright?"

"Don't worry about that. She will recover and arrangement with the Komeiji family will go on as usual. Naturally, she will be the next head of the family."

Reimu turned her head towards the patient lying on the bed.

"Take care of her Satori. Someday, I hope Remi can love and see you as a woman properly."

Satori was stunned at first, then opened a smile. "You too Reimu, to whoever you meet in the future."

Reimu could only return the smile and slowly walked away. If this made me see as if a vain woman who only wants money by that person, so be it. All it matters that Remi remains safe and happy.

Nonetheless, she took the bag of money that Vlad had given her.

However, Vlad noticing all these interactions, sigh deeply in her heart, This girl is really sincere in her feelings for my niece. If only she belongs to a family like Satori... I wouldn't have any problem letting them together.

"Thank you madam," Reimu monotonously said.

Easing up her own face, the middle-age woman said faintly, only heard by one person in the room, "Reimu… I apologise about this."

The shrine maiden had a surprise look briefly before smiling gently, "No… it's my fault this happened. Good luck, madam."

Without wanting to stay there any longer, Reimu left the room without turning back once to see anyone else or even Remilia anymore.

While all these happened, Aya was on the sidelines. She didn't want to interfere with what was happening between them. However, in some moments, she really felt a wide range of emotions surging through her body.

She could easily pull her away and help Reimu immediately with the money she had.

However, her selfishness within her overcame all the strong desires.

That was because there was a lingering thought in her mind about something else.

Isn't this my chance now to get what I always wanted?