Steward Of Paradise At Work

by Tall-Gothic-Guy

I didn't come here to meet shrine maidens or monsters. I didn't come here to erect a cross. No one even told me about magic being a thing here. Actually, I didn't expect myself to be here at all. I was simply chasing a woman who created eye portals. But it beats being a runaway thief. I just wish I knew sooner, that this place will never give me a break, not even God...Bring it on.

20. Tiny Cute and Big Beautiful

….…..

…..…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..….How long I've been out?

It's too dark. Can't see well, not even Flandre's dimmed gem lights. Must be the grogginess blinding my vision, but even so, can't see shit. And wow, I feel really beat. Even though it feels like a couple hours have passed, I still feel lethargic. You don't feel this kind of fatigue unless you played a basketball tournament the whole night before.

As much as I'd like to sleep a little longer, I need to leave. Get out of this mansion and go to the Place of Worship I created. Sunday or not, I need to be there. Got an obligation to follow, must do so without question and relentlessly. Sorry, kiddo. Even if you feel comfy lyin' on top of me, prolly drooling on my shirt, Eman's gotta leave.

Bear with me, kiddo—

[Hrgh!] Ow, my fucking neck! Simply moving it spiked an ache to erupt….the hell?

I touched the area where it hurt: there's something crusted that my fingertips brushed at, and pressing it hurts….oh.

Now I remember…that made my face heat up.

Gulp, ahehe…..this kid's a real bloodsucker. In the midst of making out, she actually bit my neck and took minimal sips….just so she could get energized and be in the dominant position, being a bit more rough in kissing my lips, my neck, my collarbone…and when she discovered that tongues are involved….damn….she nearly suffocated me too.

…..was it simply the mood or did her bite had some kind of aphrodisiac effect on me? Right after biting me, I suddenly had some kind of…..ahem 'love boost' going on inside me and made me even more driven to make hotter love with her. I even went far as fighting over who gets to be dominant, and when I got the chance to be one….I kinda…ravaged her neck, being the one 'biting' her and such. I even went as far as her collarbone, nearly touching the area where a grown woman's bumps would be on her chest.

My lovemaking with Ana was never that….wild. It was sensual and careful, thinking of the partner's wellbeing before making an initiative. This sort of lovemaking is just going on the notion of exploring as many as possible from your partner's many secrets. This one had more lust than love driving it….not that I complain.

She and I nearly went too far. We only limited our intimacy from standard kissing to fondling of delicate parts, but we didn't actually set any limits at the first minute, we just went right into the kissing….then French…then the bites….my hands on her chest…and the rear…I'll say nothing about the part where my nether regions are starting to want something. I could even tell that even she's feeling it too. The means of stimulating each other with them were almost destructive to my self-control….

But when she had her hand slipping inside my pants, all of my lust suddenly died. The old memory of the attempted rape and trauma I've suffered behind it just came crashing into my face. I suddenly felt like I was back in that room, locked and suddenly feeling helpless, surrounded by my four friends….every hurt, fear, betrayal, and anger I felt that day rushed into me.

I actually reverted back into the same monster that Ana, Jackie, Layla and Maria never knew existed within me, and Flandre nearly suffered the same fate they did, much worse because the emotion-trigger made me erupt into a tiny volcano. Black smoke and fires were flying all over.

I exploded (not literally yet) from the sofa….sending Flandre flying off me…..and I have her pinned on the ground not even before a second had passed, a sharp blade pointed at her neck, and there was nothing sensual about it.

It was by stupid chance did I ever stop myself from stabbing her outright with my knife. Looking at Flandre's face, I realized that there was only two people in this room, me and her. No one else is here. She wasn't Jackie, Layla or any of the girls before, and our intimacy wasn't forced. First of all, she looked surprised and slightly frightened.

I was surprised at first when I regained my humanity back…..then horror came into me, for what I have done…and the couch was caught on fire.

When I shot up to my feet to douse the flames in whatever way I could, another one of my subconscious memory relapse bullshit happened again, triggered by the struggle and the need to put out the fires. It's kind of like doing something you didn't intend to do automatically due to muscle memory. Its 'nervous memory' in this case; my mind automatically doing the 'feel-not-think' sensations needed to activate it.

From what the bastard read from the book in the library, there was actually a way to siphon flames, which can drain the fire energy into my being. For an entity who caused chaos last night, I sure got a lot of magical benefits due to my possession.

It all goes with putting my 'self' (or 'being', rather) mentally in those flames I created, and since they came from me in the first place it was easy to do. Like pulling my arm back (but mentally), I willed the flames to go back into my hands.

My subconscious relapse did not mention anything about the fact that sucking up flames could burn your arms from the fucking inside if you do not vent them out. It felt like all of my blood was literally boiling that it was building up pressure and will blow my arm up into pieces unless I hiss it out. It was similar to being bit by fire ants, being crawled over by itchyworms, and getting dusted with chili powder all at fucking once.

It was hell. Literally fucking HELL!

The only consolation present in the entire torture is that it was only concentrated on my hands. I would have committed suicide just to escape being boiled in a cauldron of boiling metal. The knife is within reach, easy access for a way out.

Easy way out I took, my solutions heading towards the self-destructive choices due to my lack of thinking it through…..

I cut my wrists….and the blood flowed out like a faucet instead of dripping like normal. I was right about my blood literally boiling inside my skin, and they smoked as they touched the cold floor, creating sizzling sounds. I even scalded a part my skin when just a single drop of boiling hot blood fell on my hand.

I was horrified at the fact that I could have boiled to death (from the fucking INSIDE, at that), but the sensations of release was more than enough to divert my thoughts away from my brush against a very slow and painful death. My arms began to cool, the itchiness dying out, and eventually the heat in my hands are all but dripped out. The healing flames quickly replaced my wounds into scars.

I could have vented out the flames into the room, spared myself from the emergency wrist-slit that was driving me close to anemia, but doing that after having just recently jumped Flandre with the intent to kill…..it'll just be a dick move.

I made myself go through that torture for her sakes. My attack was unwarranted, and everything was going into the direction it was going. Lastly, she didn't even know about what happened to me before.

Yep, my attack was completely unwarranted. I deserved that blood-boil.

When I looked back at the kid, she was rattled as fuck. Confused, frightened, and alarmed molded into one. If there was ever a time that I loathed my temper and generally pugnacious attitude on certain situations, I do now.

Could I get anymore humbled because of my fucking self? Just when we started making up, I just fucked it up all over again!

The guilt and self-loathing that followed is enough to bring me down to my knees and weigh my head close to the ground, but not touching it. Like some fucking beggar—or the beggar I never was before in my street-life, I held out open hands towards her without facing away from the ground. I was begging at this point. Begging for her forgiveness. I came here to destroy every strain that existed since coming here, I don't want to walk out of this place knowing that I just made another one!

She didn't actually take my hands, she took both my cheeks and raised my gaze up to meet hers. Whatever rattled expression there was before, all that existed now was the expression of worry, the fear for me.

"Are you okay?"

She thought I was possessed again. She thought something else had made me violent.

The implications from her question couldn't be any more damaging to my conscience: She truly puts all of her trust into me. She truly believes that I will never harm her. She couldn't actually bring herself to think that I was violent on my own. She hung on to the fact that I do love her and will never attack her without a reason.

I'll be honest, I am violent by nature. I grew that trait since living the life of a thug, but since my reformation as a human being, I would know when to be civilized and polite. I'm not an idiot. I'm well aware that there is a time to be angry, the time for a fight, the time to become a monster, and as well as the time to be a human person, the time to meet people and make friends. The bible even emphasizes that. There's always a time for everything.

To think that Flandre lays so much trust into me was…..sigh. I just don't deserve it.

[….Heh.] It's kinda funny when I think about it.

We switched roles. I was now the attacker, who eventually fell to his knees and apologized endlessly. Flandre became the victim, and she had the heart to forgive me.

I understood sex for pleasure, I really do, but I had my reasons why I will not indulge in such a thing, besides it being a religious obligation. My trauma was one thing to make me think that sex was atrocious, but I had relations with cousins who had unintentionally impregnated women and eventually ruined both their own lives, not to mention the number of stories I kept hearing from my summer home in the Philippines about people my fucking age (16) suddenly having unprotected sex.

I became cynical upon hearing their actions. Teens like me having unprotected sex….what a bunch of fucktards who don't have the slightest sense of fucking self-control…..

Yep, sex is a very serious issue for me. Making out is okay, but that's it. Nothing goes far beyond that, not until I truly love the woman I held and vowed to lend all of my devotion, loyalty, and life for her while she in turn reciprocates all of my sincerity.

I said nothing to Flandre about my trauma, but I did tell her why I exploded: I just didn't want us to make a mistake. The way I see it: senseless sex is technically one of the main causes of overpopulation and the main cause of a family member being disowned (in my country, that is). She reasoned with hesitance that it was part of what she offered me besides her first kiss, but I told her that her purity belongs to the person who truly loves her, not the one she deemed deserving. Even if it's me, I don't deserve her purity, because it will be wasted on me. How could I when I couldn't even bring himself to love her back the same way?

The American had their own views of virginity and the absurd want to lose it, almost akin to circumcision, but we of the Letitia family had a different perspective: our purity is sacred, the one thing that defines all of our being, our identity. If we were to surrender our being to a man or woman, that Other must deserve it, because we will never surrender a part of ourselves to people like a fucking whore. That Other must vow that he/she will take care of us, will care for us, will love us, and eternally be with us as we intend to do the same to them until our dying breath.

I apologized for attacking, she apologized for being too forward (she took my words to heart), and we settled to simple kisses and gentle caresses. No more rough plays or fighting for dominance now, only a slow and passionate time of lovemaking. There was no lust, no carnal urge driving our will, this is simply…..an act of a harmless and consensual indulgence.

We moved to the bed, placing her coffin on the floor to make space, and did it there. I couldn't tell how much time has passed, nor did I seem to care. We continued to snuggle, kiss, and caress for hours on end.

Then Flandre was eventually swooned to sleep, her gem lights dying out, and the most peaceful face I found on her little countenance as I created a little candlelight on my finger was enough to make me sleepy as well. Considering how much blood I lost when she drained me mid-lovemaking and when I slit my wrists….quite a lot, no wonder I have the urge to pass out. With her sleeping on her side, her wings splayed out behind her on the big and fluffy bed, I took the free side in front of her, threw the cover over us, and drifted off to sleep, my hand clutched in-between hers.

[Haaaah…] That's a sigh from me, a rather contented one at that.

I can officially list this day as one of my best moments up to date. Even though I was fucked to shit by Remilia, it's still the best.

I guess it's time for me to go.

Slowly unraveling myself from her grasp without waking her up, I slid the covers off me and—

*Grab*

Cold….it seems I've gotten used to it now, considering I didn't jolt from it.

[Yes?] I whispered as I turned to the droopy-eyed Flandre, looking like she'll easily fall back to sleep again at any moment as she held my hand.

"You're going now?"

I pursed on my lips and nodded. [Yeah. I overstayed. It's time for me to go back to my home.] My temporary home.

"Oh….I see." Her eyes went downcast for a while, then she shifted closer, her other hand extended out towards me, as if to embrace. "One more."

I nodded. I lowered my upper body down, and kissed her. She made it passionate, deep, and very intimate. She probably wants to make her last one something to remember. I complied with that silent wish and made sure to give this vampire a kiss she'll never forget.

Even though we're already been through this kind of kiss (with tongues and all), it still managed to light back the fire in my chest. It felt like 10 minutes had passed, and she didn't give me a chance to breathe, but once that passed, she finally parted the kiss, leaving such a delicious lasting sensation on my entire being that I never experienced with anybody before: I felt satiated, and complete.

A very, very wonderful feeling.

With her hands still on my cheeks, she says this, probably for the last time. "I love you, Emmanuallo."

…..oh, girl. I'm falling in love with you for real all over again. I bet that every time you say that, it's so full of your feelings that mere words project your emotions entirely without any actions.

[I love you too, Flandre.] I kissed her forehead, covered her eyes with one hand, and drew back. [Now go back to sleep.]

I remained that way for a while: sat on the bed, my hand over her eyes, and my other clutched by both her own on her chest. She had no idea that this gesture was a sign of me praying for her health, her future, and for her family. Emmanuella had been the receiving end of this before, now I am free to do the same to other little ones like her, requesting to God that He will keep watch over them in my place, just like the way He did me.

†Hear me, O Lord. I ask You to watch over the child before me. She may be no human like me, but I know that Your infinite love will even reach Flandre, for I know well that she is no devil. I pray that her parents found peace in death, rewarded for their sacrifice to their children, and rest in Your mighty kingdom.

I pray that she will be in good health, I pray that her mind will be restored. I ask that You will create a possibility that she can gain the strength to control her thirst. Grant her every opportunity to earn friends, to be happy, and to be finally free from the things that destroy her well-being.

Let her family have the strength to help her, grant them the power to make her life better, and see to it that they succeed. And lastly when I see her again, I hope to see a completely different Flandre.

I place all my hopes in Your infinite power that You can grant these prayers, whether directly or in ways I am blind to see.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.†

I trace a cross on her forehead, and I leave one last forehead kiss.

Sweet dreams, kiddo, back to dreamland you go. I hope Jesus pays a visit.

Gently, I slid off the bed and finally placed my feet back to the ground. The floor's kinda cold, but I could cheat and place some heat in my soles, helping me from feeling the chilling tiles at full force. With ninja steps, I sauntered over to the couch, right where I left my socks and shoes. Thank goodness for their augmented magic resistance, I would'a walked out of here barefooted because of me burning my footwear due to trauma-induced fires.

After having them on (so light), I turned on my heels and away for the door. Looking at that burnt sofa is gonna nag at me for the rest of my life if I keep staring at it.

…..

…..…..…..…..

….…..…..…..…..…..…..

….okay, here we go.

I place my hand on one side of the door's handles and—

*SKKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—*

OOOH, FUCK YOU, YOU NEGLIGENT ASS OF AN ARCHITECT THAT DESIGNED THIS FUCKING DOOR!

*—EEECH!*

No need to open the door fully, just enough for me to slip through.

Hmm…

Okay, I don't know how Flandre's not awake from all that, but thank goodness she didn't move from her last position.

…..is she so used to it that she could sleep through it without the slightest stir?

Hmm…I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

For me, I get shot awake just by listening to crumbles of cracker chips falling on the floor. Some survival tactic you earn as a street thug, make sure nobody gets the drop on you in the most vulnerable state. That's why I don't like being in company while being dead-tired. Looking mean and scary is one thing to ward off motherfuckers who wanna mess with you, but ya can't project an image of intimidation looking weak, especially if you're sleeping and out of guard.

You sacrifice months (maybe years) of easy sleep for that kind of skill. Was it all worth it? Well, that's up to anybody. Me? I can sleep any time I like. I just gotta know where to sleep, and I know places people don't go to.

But if I look back at Flandre here…..her privileges overmatch mine. She'll live a child, she'll sleep like a child, she'll kill every motherfucker that wants to hurt her or anybody she cares about…and still be a child.

Sigh…

Humans…..we're frail. All of us. In the land of monsters and imagination, we're nothing but food….and victim.

†…...Thank you, Lord.†

Hmph, most of us are not easy prey, motherfuckers. Mess with Marisa, you'll be burned. Mess with me…..I'll send ya to hell.

*SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH—BANG!*

I patted the closed door and muttered, [Good night, Kid.]

Light up my shoulders, please.

*whoosh!*

There, now I can see my surroundings. I remember the passage back to the first floor, so I don't need to call for Meiling.

So I walk, unhurried and casual. Take comfort in the silence, take comfort in the isolation, and process everything that has happened up to this point to let everything sink in before I go to the Place of Worship.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

[…..]

"…"

Meiling stood like a barrier, impeding my progress from ever reaching the first floor. Disregard her shapely figure that stood in the middle of the basement hallway I was going to, her presence was suddenly big enough to create an entire wall of Meiling that I had to take her down before I could go any further.

For one thing….she doesn't look happy. The illumination of my fires aren't covering her fully, but her aquamarine eyes reflected the light…..they were slit…and hostile, like a predator squaring against a competitor.

And I…am stiff, instincts foreboding of an incoming scuffle, and the flames are slowly getting redder. I could feel the air around me getting hotter in each passing second, and the anger that brought it was slowly coming to the surface.

"Did you enjoy yourself with Ms. Flan, Eman?" She asked tonelessly.

….so it's about that, huh? Can't be surprised, she had those ears. [Immensely.] I said slowly.

"I see….good for you." She uncrossed her arms, and the rainbow flames now lit up around her, creating another source of light in this dark hallway as she held her fists up, the qi (was it?) empowering her knuckles.

[…..hhrrrrrrrgghhhhh…..!] I invoked the anger that boiled inside me to come out, let itself be known. The emotion brought even more fires, coloring them into a malicious red, and the black smoke was coming out. My upper body was limping forward, legs slightly bent and stiff, arms sagged but the hands were slightly close to my face, half-open to intercept any blows coming my way and counter back.

The environment is too closed, tight, restrictive. I'm not a stranger to fighting in this kind of field, but I never fought an experienced fighter with it….ever. And my opponent's a Youkai, trained with hand-to-hand combat….

….I'm fucked, basically.

She struck first—

I propelled myself to the right, dodging the straight punch infused with rainbows and left behind a floating cloud of boiling fire. And she jumped right into it.

Fire boiling in my hands, I spun in place, careful not to hit the wall behind me with my leg, transferred the heat of my hands to my right foot, I executed the tornado kick into the fire cloud—

*Catch* A hand caught my ankle from the fires.

What the fuck!?

Before I knew it, I was suddenly slammed against the wall, the air completely knocked out of me so hard that I almost forgot how to breathe, and my head bonked against it. The aches in my bitten neck didn't help either. That nearly made me pass out, but the rage was still boiling, not enough to make me go wild but enough to put my head back into the game.

[HHRRGGHH!‼] Fires coating my entire limbs, I grabbed the wrist that held me against the wall by the collar, reached out to grab her throat—

*KBSH!*

….…..

…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..why did you miss? You could've decked my skull straight into the wall, but you hit the wall beside my head instead, burying it into the brick. I know your mark, Meiling. You can't miss a punch this close, I didn't even move my head away, but you missed.

[Why didn't you hit me?] I asked, dismissing the flames and my artificial anger easily forgotten, my surprise far more prominent and genuine than it. With one source of light gone, Meiling's rainbow lights are the ones keeping everything lit.

Her head was hung low, her form limping forward as she got me against the wall, and her breathing was….shallow.

Her grip on my shirt collar tightened, creating a loud stretching noise that told me that she could've crushed bone if it was my arm, "It's not fair."

Wh-wha…?

"It is unbecoming of a warrior to fall under her emotions like this….." The tone in her voice was starting to become clear….she sounded bitter. "…but still, it is not fair."

What isn't?

"I have been Ms. Flan's caretaker and playmate since the day I was employed….far longer than you could ever hope for as a human. I have been doing my utmost best to keep her company, keep her well-loved and cared for….for decades I have done my very best, sacrificing all of my time and effort for her…yet why is it…." She raised her head up, and a jealous ire colored Meiling's countenance. "….why is it that merely speaking to you and playing with you, despite having only met less than 24 hours ago, has improved her mind and memory while I have been doing the same thing for centuries and yet yielded nothing!?"

…..at this point, I was lost.

…how could I answer such a thing? I don't know the proper response….was it the circumstances? Was it the right time?

Before I could even move my gaping mouth, she gently released my collar and pulled her fist out of the wall, letting a few fragments of stone fall out, dust puffing up and powdering the floors. Stood just one step back from me, she bowed her head apologetically and interlocked her fingers in front of her waist.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was quite soft. "I envy you, Comrade. Despite my efforts for the last hundreds of years, I have never drawn such….laughter and joy from her. Despite my distance from the two of you, my ears cannot miss such a wonderful sound." She sighed heavily, looking at the ground below. "….who would have thought that a mere dance could have done the trick?"

I clenched my fists and scowled heavily, staring at the ground with her. If she feels guilty for attacking, I likewise feel the same way. It felt like I just made her feel inferior, made her centuries' worth of effort look pointless, it even feels like I just took away her worth in Flandre's life.

I couldn't think up the words to say, my mind's too addled with all these hurtful emotions. So I did the thing I knew best: C'mere, girl; I approached her, wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and pulled her into an embrace, patting and rubbing her back and letting her rest her head on my shoulder.

She didn't cry, but the tightness of her returned embrace around my midsection exposed what she felt beneath. When I had the impulse to leave just the slightest sense of comfort to her, I thought up one possibility that came to my mind. [Whatever reason Jacob had for asking you to watch over the girls…] I felt her freeze up, probably because of the name. That means she knows who I was talking about, and probably wondering how I knew. I'm not letting her ask the questions. […he knew that you could contribute something he could never give himself.]

She was silent, but after a few seconds, she spoke, "What is it? What is it that I gave when I took over his work?"

Fucking….! [I...I don't know.] I feel like such a bitch! I could even feel her dishearten from the contact. [But I know….I know that you contributed something, and it played a role in both Remilia's and Flandre's life. All that you could…all for her sakes….it's not wasted. So don't you dare compare what I've done to yours and point out who did the least, okay?]

Don't ever forget that you're her family too, Meiling, and you fulfilled that role perfectly ever since you were employed. That's something you can brag to my face any time.

"How would you know?" She drew back from the embrace but didn't let go of my waist and slid her grip upwards to my shoulders as she stared straight into my eyes. "How can you tell that my efforts aren't merely for naught?"

[….] …..fuck.

Should I answer honestly…or should I answer with bullshit?

…..fuck it! […..Instinct, I guess?]

…..okay, that look you're giving me is the most demeaning I ever looked back at in my life. You look so fucking unimpressed that I couldn't stop myself from looking away and rubbing my arm.

She suddenly bumped our foreheads, the collision making a slightly loud thud. "That's good enough."

[Sorry…] I chuckled bashfully, grabbing on to both her elbows gently. [...I'm just not good with using words to comfort girls.]

She laughed in a huff, "You did your best."

We stayed like this for a bit. I admit, it kinda feels nice staying like this. At first, the sensation was sort of numb, but after dozens of seconds (and maybe after minutes) I could feel the warmth settling on our contact. It almost feels like she's getting over her envy of me and accepting it, wishing to continue seeing me as a friend.

We finally parted when she drew back first, I smiled warmly to her as I slid my grip on her elbows down to her hands. [You good now?]

"Very." She squeezed my hands. Ow. "Thanks again, Comrade."

[You're welcome.] I separated our hands and gestured her forward to lead the way to the upper floor, even though it's just right over there, a couple feet away before I reach the stairs. [How's Marisa by the way?]

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

….well….Marisa looked fucked. Her clothes are tattered, ruined, and, once again I'll emphasize, fucked. The last time I saw her before I went inside the door, it was prim, proper, and clean. She got the iconic image of a witch very spot-on with it, now it looks like she just went through a warzone and made it out before a nuke could kill her. Even her hair is wild.

Meiling, any idea how this happened?

…oh, you shrugged an 'I don't know'? You didn't even bother to ask? Or maybe she was that tired after that battle in the throne room that you didn't wanna disturb her resting just to ask one question?

Well, whatever. We're at the lobby, and the door's not even far. We're leaving.

*Nudge. Nudge.* I shook her shoulder.

[Wake up, sis. Feet off the table and let's go, we're leaving now.]

She didn't stir.

…..should I go for the uncommon method then?

Hihihi~

Knife, do your magic and provoke her survival instinct: I neared the blade to her arm, teasing her skin with either the sharp side, the flat side, or even the point. As I did that, I'll add this too, […hrrgggghhhh…..!]

There's a fucking Youkai about to kill ya in yer sleep, Marisa, wake the fuck up before you get chomped!

…..

…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..

Nothing. She didn't react. The fuck? How!? There's no way that could happen! Any human who goes through or has been through violence should have been able to wake up from that, even if groggily. Catapulting out of the sleep is one thing, but ya got to at least gotta feel that, right!? How the fuck is Marisa, number fucking 2 of Gensokyo's humans, not exploding out of her sleep and blasting the hell outta me by the feeling of a knife poking her skin?

"Maybe you should be more aggressive, Comrade."

Well, yeah, but should I? I'd do so without you asking but what if the battle she went through is really that long, and she's really that tired? That'll just be a dick move.

I'll be a dick when you have a hangover, but I understand that people need to rest and sleep after a hard day's work. Should I really—

…..ooooooh, you sneaky little BITCH! Your neck's stiff! I should'a known that people who sleep in that position end up having light sleep! Look at you: chair slightly leaning backwards as you rest against it, feet extended with shoes resting on the table—you were already awake when I came through the door! I've been there, Marisa: the slightest sound sets you off! I bet yer eyes are open underneath that hat, aren't they!?

Well, I'll see to that!

[Good idea, Meiling.]

*KICK!* WHAM! KICK THE FUCKING CHAIR!

"HUWAAA!"

*THUD!* BAM! FACE-FIRST INTO THE FLOOR!

[FUCKIN' KNEW IT!]

"What the shit, Eman!?" Oh, you mad, Marisa? "What'd you mean '[fuckin' knew it!?]', I was sleepin' here!"

Oh my fuck, yer English, Marisa! [Don't ya con me, bitch! You were already awake the moment I got here!]

"DICK!" Oh shit, she shot up to her feet and was already at my face….well, technically. She's too short. "I've got my ass worked up doin' some exercise and ya just gunna take away mah beauty sleep!?"

[Do you expect me to believe yer bullshit, Marisa? How the hell's that even a beauty sleep!?] Who the fuck even does so with their feet on the fucking table!? [I bet ya just went around nabbing more books while I wasn't around, weren't'cha!? The looks of it, ya failed and got mopped on the fuckin' floor!]

A broom came flying to her hand. She planted the blunt end of the broom to the floor. And she executed the bicycle kick for my face, supporting herself with her broom.

Don't think I didn't see that coming, sis. Your attack was out of the ordinary, yes, but I got my reflexes to thank for that.

I blocked the first foot by the ankle with my forearm, and I leaned away from her other foot, the soles of her shoe brushing against my cheek before I recoiled slightly. I touched the cheek: no dirt, good. And ow, my forearm really felt that.

Landing her feet back to the ground with a loud thump, she glared at me under the brim of her hat.

"Ya wanna go, dude!? Ya wanna know how everythin' went while ya were gone!?" Oh, she is piiiiissed! She already got the hakkero out and her broom was starting to glow blue from the whisk end! "Fuckin' bring it on-ze!"

Flames, bring out the big guns, please…..

*VHOOOOSH!*

Huwa…..!

Check it out, Marisa, my entire upper body is coated with flames! Any moment from now, it'll get bulky and shape me back into that fire golem! [Fine then….!] Oh, the adrenaline's rolling over me! Agh! The rush is flowing all over! It's making the flames more erratic! [I'll show you what I've been recollecting while I've been making up with Flandre!] It's time I put the Flame Siphon to good use!

"Hah! I bet ya canoodled like fuckin' cats with Flan, didn'tcha!? Judgin' by them bites and hickeys on yer neck, it must've been kinky and wild-da ze!"

Tch! Ya had to see it, even when I got the coat of flames around me! [Just for that, Marisa, you'll burn…..horribly.]

She smirked evilly, pointing the hakkero forward and spinning the broom behind her at such speeds that it became a blur. Not to mention the fact that it was slowly turning into a blue staff, leaving trails of blue light. "Not if I burn ya first, brah."

I returned her evil smirk, and the flames around me had went on long enough for the room to start feeling hot, everything in my field of vision is starting to wave and ripple from the heat, and the golem was starting to show itself in small intervals. The coating around my form was already bulking. I made it push a little further until the horns were showing.

Her hakkero was beginning to glow, my golem armor beginning to rear its hand back in unison with me as it held an explosive fireball, I knew very well that we're just going to create another hell of a mess in this part of the mansion.

We're a pair of walking and living hazards to people's home now. Watch out for us, everybody, you'll never know when shit like this happens again and ruin several pieces of china in the process.

[«MASTER—»]
{«PASA—»}

*BGSH!*

"Enough."

[WHUAH!? WHAT THE!?]
"KYAAH! REMS, WHAT'RE YOU DOIN' HERE!?"

Before I could even finish saying 'Pasabog' or for Marisa to say 'Spark', fucking Draculina out of left field suddenly slams her fucking feet in the middle, nearly becoming the receiving end of a Megaton Laser and a Big Ball of Boom!

The suddenness of her arrival was so unexpected that the golem literally disappeared out of shock, leaving me unarmored with a smoking right hand that once held a magical grenade.

Her big ass wings was spread out, looking like a wide banner of leather and flesh that obscured my view from Marisa, and the way she looked at me…..

….the way she looked at me gave me no will to start questioning why the fuck she's here lest I get fucked over once again like she did before. Her gaze was full of authority and demanding my cooperation. It was enough to remind me that I was still inside her home and she will not tolerate another incident of me making a mess out of it again.

When she thought I got her message, she turned that look to Marisa, and the latter blanched at it, wide-eyed and flabbergasted at the sight before her.

"Need I remind the two of you that the evening is quite young?" Her tone of voice had altered to the mature intonation, the immature brat I loathed before no longer existent as she regarded both me and Marisa in a chastising flair, all with the grace and dignity of a noblewoman. "In such an hour, the two of you should refrain from making such a ruckus, especially in someone else's home. It would be nothing short of being impolite and disrespectful to the owner of the abode."

The force and impact of her words was beyond imagination, powerful enough to leave me (especially fucking Marisa) agape and unable to say something back, making us obediently comply; something I've never thought she could possibly pull off, even on me, especially after what happened between us hours ago.

I thought that I was never gonna get cowed by her ever again, never again after all the bullshit she pulled. I even sworn that I will be nothing short of infuriating and sullen whenever in her presence. I was supposed to loathe her fucking existence…

Yet why is that not happening? Why am I getting cowed into submission?

"Lastlyyyyyy…" She dragged the word, narrowing her eyes at the both of us. Not gonna lie, I felt myself shrinking under her red-eyed gaze. "….one of our residents is sleeping, I would greatly appreciate it if you do not disturb her beauty sleep."

Her beauty sleep. 'Her' beauty sleep. Her beauty sleep.

She said the night is young, therefore making it still early in the evening.

Flandre sleeps at night, and she tells us not to disturb.

…..is this what I think it is?

The implications weren't lost on Marisa, I could tell from her face that she realizes it too, but she made no move to mention it. If she's not going to, I'll do the same.

"I see that we are of one mind, I'm glad." Her massive wings made one graceful beat, making a gust of wind blow across me and Marisa as she floated to the top of the stairway that led to the second floor. "Now if you two do not have any further business in my mansion, it is highly recommended that you both leave….or I will grow the will to hand out punishment specifically for guests who overstay their welcome more than I could possibly tolerate, especially you, Marisa."

Fucking bolt! Marisa, fucking bolt with me! Let's get the fuck out of this fucking place before this Draculina decides to blast us to hell!

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Meiling was highly amused at how the two high-tailed out of the mistress's presence like terrified deer, but she placed her focus on the outsider more than Marisa. He did act like the proper prey of a Youkai, indeed, but his strides were quite impressive, each step covering a few feet in distance thanks to his long and muscled legs hidden underneath the orange augmented pants. She wagered that if Eman was ever chased by a Youkai, he could possibly outpace the aggressor if the predator wasn't built for speed.

"I can foresee in the coming days that those two are going to be a complete handful, not just to me but to everyone they meet whenever they are together." The mistress remarked, sighing heavily as she stared at the direction the two humans bolted off to with a dispassionate gaze.

"It is a mighty feat for you to frighten even Marisa like that, especially after that spat between you two earlier." Meiling complimented, showing a lighthearted smile.

The mistress turned to her with a raised eyebrow, "What are you talking about? I simply did what needs to be done. I cannot have another mess in my mansion, and Flan really needs to rest. That spat you are talking about had nothing to do with anything."

The fluent nonchalance in the mistress's voice nearly made her sound so convincing, especially at the vampire's last sentence, but Meiling knew better, especially when she was once a maid for dozens of years to the mansion before Sakuya came. The latter is not the only one who knew the Scarlet Family intimately.

Meiling chuckled, "Whichever the case is, it is good to see you finally making the effort to change, Ojou-sama."

Remilia simply spun on her heel, much curtly than it should for a lady like her, and quickly said, "Go back to your post, Gatekeeper."

The Gatekeeper could not hold back from smiling brightly, knowing that things are starting to show some changes inside the Mansion interior, all thanks to some collective disasters that happened in succession under 24 hours.

"As you say, Milady."

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Placing his hands on the top of the gate's edge, his momentum easily carried his feet over the obstacle and he was on the other side of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's gate. Landing with a roll to kill the momentum, he looked back at the house of the devil to revel in the courtyard's current state since the passing of the super typhoon last night.

Whatever beauty there was in Meiling's gardens, the storm destroyed whatever welcoming vibe and scent that existed within them and left a horrible mess. Bush pots and flowers pushed down to the ground, leaves and rogue pieces of wood that originated outside the gate happened to wander into the Scarlet Devil Mansion grounds, and the neatly trimmed hedges are either uprooted or simply pushed to the ground, their stem forcefully separated from the soil. One tree happened to succumbed to the force of the wind, its bark cracked and broken as its bushy top fell, crushing a large section of flowers.

[Meiling's is gonna get her work cut out for her later.] Eman remarked, letting flames ignite in his palm before rubbing it across his back, satisfied that he felt no dirt or mud stuck to it.

"Yeah," Marisa agreed, walking up beside him and looking over the damages casually, as if she had seen the same sight before. "But gettin' it all back together ain't gonna be the first time for 'em, so…."

He nodded, [Yeah, I getcha. They got Sakuya and the goblins, I bet it'll be fixed up before morning.] He turned on his heel and took several steps forward away from the gate, gazing up to the glowing white moon that signified that he had been making out with Flandre for far too long inside. He frowned, [I gotta ask, how in the fuck did she do that?]

"Hell if I know-ze." Marisa replied, knowing what he was talking about. "That was literally the first time I saw Rems act like that. Not even I knew she had that in her, y'know?"

[Yeah, surprised the hell outta me too.] He scratched the back of his head, feeling uneasy. [She's quite civil…even after what just happened 'tween me and her in the throne room. I thought we were gonna end up having an antagonistic relationship for the long run, considering the things I said.]

Not that I regret them. He mentally added as an afterthought.

"She's prolly maintainin' her dignity, brah." Marisa guessed, drawing Eman's interested gaze. "Considerin' whatever ya did or said to her before, she might've took'm hard and is keepin' what's left of her pride up."

Eman considered that and found that it made sense. [Or….] But he had another theory.

Marisa nodded, sharing his thoughts but not saying what it was. Seeing that the witch does not wish to say it, he followed the gesture and kept silent.

She learned. They thought in unison.

Their silence on the matter was more out of respect than anything. They mutually acknowledged the fact that even vampires can feel guilt for their own actions, no matter how Remilia acts afterwards.

[I'm actually kinda surprised that even you bolted outta there, Marisa.] Eman commented, [I thought you were Gensokyo's 2nd best.]

Marisa sighed, feeling uncomfortable as she looked at a tree with a branch barely hanging on to the main base with the strings of flesh keeping it connected. "I got standards, brah." She answered, "I think outsiders like you and a lotta people needs to keep this with ya as well, especially if ya'd friends, whether they'd super powers or no: Ya gotta know when ta acknowledge the threat." She looked pointedly at Eman, "And ya gotta know when yer goin' too far."

And breaking into a mansion, destroying property, stealing books, and assaulting the residents with spell cards isn't going too far? He didn't have the gall to say that out loud, but she had a point. He was already aware of mock threats being thrown around each individual to the next, considering how fighting is more or less a play time for people in Gensokyo, but even there are times when you have to take the threat seriously.

[I assume ya didn't wanna break anymore property?]

"Nah, Flandre was sleepin' so I didn't wanna disturb her. Vamp's got ears-da ze."

Eman didn't believe her, but he didn't quip about her being considerate to the lady of the mansion, merely letting out a smile to show his internal thoughts.

"Regardless of which presumption is correct," Eman and Marisa jumped at the cheery feminine voice that began behind them, belonging to Meiling, who managed to be outside the gate along the two humans without any of them noticing. "It is right that the both of you leave, the Scarlet Devil Mansion must earn its respite without any of you two disturbing us."

[Geez, Meiling.] Eman sighed in relief, sheathing the knife he subconsciously whipped out. [Don't sneak up on us like that.]

"Yeah, could'a blasted ya." Marisa relaxed her stiff posture, lowering the hakkero down. "How'd ya sneak up on us, eh?"

"You weren't paying attention." Meiling answered simply, showing a jovial smile. "Now are you two going to leave? It is night after all. It is a hazardous time for the both of you humans~"

The two humans looked at Meiling pointedly for the condescension of her words, which the latter either ignored or did not notice, but the two did not argue and settled on the broom Marisa put at the ready. This time, Eman was now placed behind the witch instead of in front of her.

"Before you leave…" A new voice interjected. This time, the two humans kept their composure. Eman had his surprise suppressed, Marisa was too used to Sakuya appearing out of nowhere like a ghost. "….do not forget this, Mr. Eman."

The outsider's eyes widened upon recognition and even more surprise over what was held out to him. It was his black wooly jacket, primly folded and clearly ironed. From what he could remember, he never actually got this back the first time he exited the mansion, and never did he ever ask for it returned when he came back. [I forgot that I even left it here.] He commented, taking it from Sakuya's outstretched hands and donning it on. The warmth that settled on him gave a breadth of comfort, especially when the evening is quite cold tonight.

"Be mindful of where you leave or who you lend your belongings to next time, Mr. Eman." Sakuya advised, "You will never know if someone might not be polite enough to return it to you unblemished."

[Yes, ma'am.] Eman drolly replied, putting aside his wariness for the woman in exchange for the return of his jacket. [Is this enchanted or something?]

"I am not sure. I found it in Jergo's hands and asked me to return it to you."

Hmm. Eman wondered if the goblin boss actually did. Letting his index finger glow yellow like a hot poker, he brushed his finger lightly on the cuffs. Then slid it down to the forearm while increasing the temperature, igniting the fires, and eventually reached his bicep. The flammable fabric never so much as lit a spark. He didn't even feel the heat on his arm.

[Huh, he did.] He said in admiration, snapping out the fires on his finger.

"Quite generous, isn't he?" Meiling asked.

"Congrats, brah." Marisa praised with a playful smile, "Ya gotta full body armor to take over the world-da ze!"

He found Marisa's liveliness contagious and subsequently laughed, [Yep.] He turned to Sakuya, [Tell him I said thanks, if you could.]

Sakuya bowed, "I will do that."

[Thanks a bunch.] He held on to Marisa as the broom began to rise up from the ground, bringing him along with the driver to the air. Pulling up his hood over his head, he waved the two goodbye, [I bid ya a Good night, Meiling and Sakuya!]

The broom propelled forward, and the figures of both humans quickly became small at the absurd speeds Marisa was known to have, leaving behind Meiling who waved energetically as opposed to the polite wave Sakuya gave.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

[Thanks for the ride.] I slipped off the broom and fell to the 5 ft. drop, landing with a bend of my knees on the grass. No need for a roll. The action is over, it's time for my respite as well.

"Again, why'd you want me to drop ya off here?" Marisa asked from above as she sprawled forward on her broom, her chin resting on her hand. "I don't wanna be waitin' on ya, y'know?"

[You don't have to.] Look how close that place is from here, girl. [Look, the shrine's not that far.] I can just run from here to there when I'm done, and I'll whip up a makeshift torch for the darkness if that's what yer worried about.

She smiled ruefully to me, "It ain't runnin' face-first into a tree ya gotta worry about-da ze."

Sigh…..I know. That kind of reality in Gensokyo's already sunk in since last night. It ain't just gonna be animals that's wondering around in the darkness looking for an easy snack I should watch out for.

[I know what ya mean.] But I have Him to watch over me. [Don't worry, I got somebody protectin' me afterwards.] I tapped the rosary I had in hand for emphasis.

"Ah…" She acknowledged, I could feel the slightest intonation of condescension in that voice of hers. "Yer gonna have a god to bless ya a safe trip home?"

Mm hm. [That's right. He's been around since my birth, never gonna walk out on me now.]

"Right." There was no way I could miss that condescending flare in her eyes. Even for a person who lives in a land where gods exist and breathe, she still thinks it's off to rely on a higher being. "Let's hope this god of yers doesn't disappoint. Can't have ya dyin' after just escaped dyin'-ze."

He never disappoints, it's just that we never realize how He does it, even me.

"Oh yeah," Oh, you got something interesting to tell me? Fire away. "There's some kinda blessin' that if you offer somethin' to a big ass frog, you'll be followed by ordinary frogs, making ya have a safe trip home too and have good luck too."

How's this for condescension, Marisa? I'm snickering at the human folk's notion of worshipping a fucking frog. I guess I'm no different from you. You condescend when I rely on God, I condescend people worshiping something that has a long tongue.

[Yeah, I prefer my God's blessing over an oversized amphibian.] And instead of frogs following me home, I get angels escortin' me back! Much better since demons, spiritual or physical ones, exist around here. They'll ward 'em off effectively. If prayers don't work in the Outside World, I've no doubt that it'll work here in Wonderland.

You gotta let common sense take the backseat if ya wanna get by in Gensokyo, y'know?

"Yeah, whatever." She rose up from her sprawled position and straddled her broom properly, "I'm goin' home, don'tcha die, okay?"

[I won't. If any Youkai had any ideas, I'll barbecue 'em for the party tomorrow.] I'll just have to find some barbecue sauce and ketchup to complete the dish. Did ketchup and BBQ sauce exist in 1800s Japan before?

"No, dude, don't do it." Wait, what? "You'll just end up turnin' every human in the party into a Youkai, and most of the other Youkai comin' over ain't that big on cannibalism."

….uuuuuuh, okay….I wasn't being serious but...okay, [Duly noted….]

"Good." Marisa gave an approving nod, then she gave me a big smile. "Ya should dance at the party, brah. Y'know, give us a show for the night with them moves-ze. I bet we're all gonna love it!"

Hehehe. [I'll think about it.] If that's ever gonna happen, I'm gonna have to sacrifice eating with everybody to make sure I don't vomit in the middle of it. [I'll dance if I could.]

"….drunk."

SNAP!

[You fucking bitch!] BUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRN‼!‼!‼!‼!‼!

I dismissed the concentrated beam of heat and fire (courtesy of the St. Elmo's Pillar) from anymore blasting out of my hands, and I found out that I missed my shot when I aimed it at Marisa's last known position in the air. I could vaguely hear loud cackling slowly disappearing into the distance, signifying that an evil witch just happened to have escaped her execution to the burning stake (or the burning pillar, if anybody preferred).

…..oh my…

The fires should be black whenever I'm pissed as fuck, but the St, Elmo's Pillar was yellow, my emotions weren't even close to being pissy.

Is there some sort of suppressed happy in me or something?

…..of course, there is. This day has been glorious. Yesterday had been a nightmare, yes, but the day afterwards managed to fix the damages.

Where do I even wanna begin? Let's see here:

I was brought back to life, when yesterday I was clearly killed and was never guaranteed to come back as the same person (according to Marisa).

My current best friend in Gensokyo, fucking Marisa, is alive. How she managed to survive having that hole in her side long enough for it to be sealed by some magic (how else could it have closed under such a short time?), I am forever thankful to whoever done it.

Let's not leave out the fact that I am keeping the power over fire. My religion has an issue with magic, I know that, but there's no stopping me from ever being addicted to it. That also doesn't stop me, however, from humbling myself to God. I contribute these powers to Him and I know where I stand amongst the powerful people of Gensokyo.

Flandre….I reconciled with Flandre. Giving her the time of her life and unwittingly triggering her human memories is quite the achievement for me. The warmth in my heart that settled for the direct and indirect kindness I have given her couldn't be any more rewarding. It's at times like that I will appreciate being a good person, even though these moments are very rare.

I will not hold myself from earning all that gratification in winning against Remilia in that verbal conflict (physical conflict excluded, I did nothing in that department). She tried to kill me for some of the pettiest reasons I've ever heard in existence, that self-righteous cunt. I did absolutely nothing (besides burning her wrists, which did nothing) when she attacked me. I just took it all with a smile, all while pointing out every hypocritical point that I found in her excuse for even killing me. I even managed to crack open her self-righteous shell by pointing out her greatest mistakes, and eventually broke her into tears.

I lived through every piece of bullshit Gensokyo threw at me in my first six days before a single week passes. Got fucked upon arrival, I get healed two days later. Got chased by an ogre on the 3rd day, I ended up passing her test and made her my tiny munchkin buddy. Got lost on the 4th day, I ended up on the Scarlet Devil Mansion and survived an impromptu knife attack from a maid. Got forced into a spell card battle on the 6th day, I got by using nothing but my physical ability and agility, with a pinch of rage. I even survived Sakuya. At night on the same day, I was attacked, possessed, beaten to shit by my friend, and ended up turning into a monster, before eventually dying—I survived it all. By some miracle I survived it all on the next day. On the 7th day—today—I survived Remilia's attack, no matter how much every part of my body hurts that time.

Because of me….All because of ME being possessed by a demon, attacking Flandre close to death, and ended up surviving the next day…..Remilia was able to realize her mistake and her misguided view on Christians….and maybe—just maybe—learned from it that her disposition has drastically changed when she came in-between me and Marisa earlier.

And lastly, by night on the same day, I still have lots of ample time to contribute all these good things to God before the day ends.

It's official now that this day has been the greatest day of my life.

The thought of Marisa telling me to dance drunk is.….hehe….wow.

I have some issues with drinking, especially when it involves me. I don't take kindly to being pressured to drink (as some people before regret doing), and there was more harm done than good when people don't know how to control their intake. But this time, I was too happy to care about what she said. I'm just gonna laugh that off.

Victory backflip! HUP!

Land. [Yeah…]

Now that I shall start being on the spiritual mindset so long as I'm in this part of Gensokyo, I gotta adhere to the basic of the basics: Remove the shoes, for I walk on Holy Ground.

Because right before me, right near the middle of this forest clearing, was the same cross that I built and raised up with sweat and blood. I could tell that something completely unnatural has happened since the day I finished it while I wasn't around: for one thing, there are some leaves growing on some areas, they're tiny in size but there's no fucking way I could've missed them, especially if I was the one who held those beams up close.

First of all, who planted those flowers near the foot of the cross? I don't see any signs of excavation on the dirt. Even the grass is intact.

On another hand, who the hell shortened the grass around here? When I say 'shortened', I don't mean 'trimmed'. It really looked like they shrunk. The grass still had pointy ends, and they were not this short the first time I got here (they weren't short as 2 inches tall from the ground before). It almost looks like they were deliberately shortened just to make anybody's footing easy. They're not even sharp and prickly on my bare feet, they're soft.

Why the fuck is the ground even warm? It's night.

The cold air is gone too, only a lukewarm temperature lingering. I don't hear any wind, none of it passing through this clearing too. The trees are really still. I don't even hear any insects, or night animals. Everything was stagnant.

It's too quiet.

….but it doesn't unsettle me. Not at all….I feel…..secure.

Unlike the silence that just makes you feel like you're in danger, made you feel like something was there waiting on you to drop your guard, this kind of silence was the same type you'd feel when you want to get away from your problems, when you want to get some peace and quiet from all the stress in your life.

The usual moment of silence I'd have just for some alone time usually has some kinds of noises going on. Some bird songs and rustling trees along with the whistle of the wind would be going on, that's usually nice to hear for a moment of peace.

It's odd, this kind of complete and utter silence was supposed to be unsettling and put me on my guard. It's actually doing the opposite.

Is it because of the warm and comforting ground?

Or….is it because He's here?

I look at the monument I made and it just washes over me with a wave of security and safety. It brought me a memory to relapse to my head.

There was once a blackout when I was young (maybe 5-7 years old?), and I listened to my nanny say things on the phone like 'killer', 'rapist', and 'robber'. She even looks angry, and concerned. Due to me being young, all three things said in the same sentence simply frightened me, since each of them embodied everything I hated and feared, easily driving me to a paranoid state.

My nanny noticed my state very easily, and what she did to calm me down? She removed the bracelet that had the cross in it from her wrist and gave it to me.

And just like that, I was suddenly feeling safe and secure, every lick of fear that ran all over me before was washed out by this bracelet in my tiny hands. She influenced me very well when she raised me as a Christian. She was successful in making me see Jesus as a guardian, an all-powerful watcher and protector. My childish mind before was quite attached to Jesus like a kid adoring a rich and untouchable but loving father.

Today, I see him more as a guardian who I frequently disappoint every day with my sinful actions. I'm just taking advantage of his unending forgiveness, doing what isn't part of his standards frequently right after asking for forgiveness.

But now….that'll change. Doc changed me, so I'm gonna make do with the chance he has given me.

{Kumusta, Bro.} I bowed to Him, stepping close and kneeling just a few feet away. As I looked straight up to where Jesus's head would be in His crucifixion, I suddenly felt the priest's hand on my head. I wasn't able to keep looking up for long and instead lowered my head. {Mabuting makita tayo ulit. Maraming nangyayari ganina kasi e.}

I put my hands together atop my lap, not yet praying.

{Grabi talaga. Pinatay ako, meron na akong pangyarihan sa kalayo, nakipag-usap ng mga bampira…..grabi talaga.} I then interlocked fingers together. {Mag-usapan tayo sa unang nangyayari hangang ngayon. Mahaba ang aking kwento para sayo.}

With the sign of the cross, I began to pray. It was more of a one-sided conversation at first than a typical prayer. I disregarded the Omniscient God trait and simply retold the story of my life from day one till now. I've been doing this for a long time, not gonna stop now.

But when I reached the last part of the story, all without moving a single inch from my position of kneeling with eyes closed, I finally proceeded with it.

I prayed in thanks for all the things that happened to me, good and bad, and for assisting me in living through it all.

I prayed for protection.

I prayed for humility and a drive for goodwill.

I prayed forgiveness for any misconduct I had done prior to now.

And lastly, I prayed blessings for Reimu, for Marisa, for Flandre…everybody in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, I prayed that God bless them and forgive them for what they have done, especially Remilia.

I am still a Christian, and there are certain aspects of its principles that I firmly keep. I do pray for my enemies, and not just because it's obligatory. My sincerity is real on that regard. If I were to be honest, I really don't want any long-term enemies, I wanted everything in the relationship between me and the person I hate to remain neutral, if not friends.

When I was through with what was needed to be done, I followed through with the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be.

Even when I muttered the 'Amen', I still haven't opened my eyes.

Something…strange has happened in the midst of my prayer. I felt….peace in this clearing. It was beautiful. It feels like I was in the presence of good friends praying with me, as if I was truly in the presence of Jesus as he guarded me against the demons of the night while I prayed. The feeling was intoxicating, greater than any possible drug a moron could cook up. I was high with peace, and I was having the irresistible urge to hug somebody. I didn't even wanna walk out of this place. I wanted to stay like this, happy and content in the presence of God forever.

I nearly thought I was already asleep and having a lucid dream. Rubbing my knuckles with an index finger very lightly was enough to tell me that I was still awake, kneeling, and still haven't opened my eyes.

If only I had the guts to open my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to do so in fear of the downer reveal that I was simply drunk in my own delusion and there was actually nobody here….or I could end up looking directly into the face of God, which is an act of suicide. Exodus 33 made a point.

I never brushed that caution off in the Outside World before, I now have every reason continue following that up in here!

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

The boy had his presumptions off the mark, Yukari noted.

It was not the figure of light that knelt before him and kept him company since he began praying that he should fear, it was the two Ministers that stood at attention behind him, standing tall like the terrors they were as every eye in their being stared unblinkingly at Eman.

King and Queen looked in awe at the sight of the glowing figure, mystified at its beautiful light. Dispatcher, however, had her focus planted on the two terrifying entities behind the human and couldn't bear staring any longer of what the Monster's actual being is in the flesh and looked away, satisfied with merely standing like a piece of scenery if it means she can get her mind out of recalling the monster's form in her head.

Ran had her hand covering her mouth, quite dumbstruck at what she was seeing. The depictions in the Christian bible were off the mark but not really far from the truth either. She had once speculated their appearances some time ago, even went out of her way as to have Chen assist in the effort (which brought fun and a few laughs), but even she or Chen wasn't close to the mark as well.

"No wonder their common quote in the bible is 'Be not afraid'." She muttered.

Yukari didn't miss the Kitsune's comment. "Indeed." She dismissed the gap and stood up, heading for the door. "You can be thankful that Chen isn't here to see them."

"Yes." Ran nodded, mildly amused at the prospect that her shikigami could have been traumatized or ended up having nightmares forever if she ever caught a glimpse of them, even for a second.

"But they are loving beings." Queen pointed out, walking ahead from her master and opened the door for her, "If we tell the sweetheart that, maybe she can face them, even if a little."

"Only the innocents who know no fear can face terror without flinching." Yukari remarked, "And Chen is no infant."

"Were you talking about me, Yukari-sama?" Suddenly, the subject of their conversation poked her little head from the side of the door before Yukari could reach it.

"Yes, indeed." Yukari smiled innocently, patting the nekomata's head tenderly. "I was just saying that you and Ran are going to accompany me for shopping~!"

Chen's eyes sparkled, "Yay! We're finally gonna get tuna!"

"Pardon, Yukari-sama?" Ran questioned with a dry grin, already used to her master pulling a whim (which isn't actually a whim in a later date) completely out of nowhere but still couldn't help herself from asking.

"Are you forgetting?" Yukari asked rhetorically, holding up a finger almost in a teacher-like way. "Reimu's party is tomorrow, it is best that we bring delicacies of our own as well."

Ran internally sighed and automatically bowed, "I see. I shall accompany you in this matter."

"Then hurry on," Yukari urged, opening a gap to a supermarket that's still open somewhere around the world. "We don't want the tofu going out of stock, do we?"

"No, we do not." Ran immediately replied, trotting up to the gap with Chen following behind.

Before the sage could join in, she turned to the transcendent beings behind her. "Would any of you three like anything in particular for me to bring home?"

Queen shook her head, "We need nothing of this world, my Sweet Master." And there was the Lion's Pride in her voice, especially when she spoke in her husband's stead. "Walking the earth once again is nothing short of everything we could have wanted."

Because you could have easily gotten everything you wanted if you had my permission. Yukari mentally quipped. Being stuck in that void was all that impeded their freedom to do as they are told or wished in the physical world.

She turned to the rather inconspicuous young woman in the background, invisible to any careless eye as her lithe form impossibly blended with the walls. "How about you, Dispatcher? Anything you like?"

She merely moved her eyes to look back at Yukari, not the tiniest inch of movement found on any other part of her body except her eyes and her mouth as she spoke. "Meat."

"Okay then." Yukari turned and stepped through the opening, "Enjoy yourselves while we're gone, turn on the TV or whatever."

The gap closed.

As both rulers had no idea whatsoever what is a Tee-Vee, including the supreme hunter herself, the trio settled to simply stepping outside and enjoy the evening. King carefully sat himself against a tree as it contorted slightly backwards to allow him a relaxed position, Queen wasted no time in settling on his lap to cuddle. Dispatcher merely ran to the outskirts of Gensokyo, hoping to find some unclean spirit to decimate with her claws.

Yukari-sama say enjoy self, This One shall do what she pleases.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"I HAVE YOU NOW, MY BEAUTY!‼!"

Rinnosuke-boy slowly opened his squinted eyes as his fingers remained plugged to his ears. "….do you really have to yell, Mr. Eman?"

Dropping the melodramatic pose of raising the sword-out-of-the-stone into the air, I simply chuckled, "Hehe….indeed." I adjusted my grip and strummed a G-chord. So nice to the ears, especially when I wanted to hold this thing for a long time. "My day yesterday has been nothing short of painful, rewarding, and fullfilling merged into one."

Not to mention that I had a nice moment in the Place of Worship and got safely home to my tent in the good ol' shrine, physically feeling protected and blessed, even though I didn't see any angels following me home.

"I can see that." He adjusted his glasses, "You came here looking like you were blessed by the great god of luck, and you were even waiting outside before I opened the shop. How early did you come here again?"

Just look at this smile on my face and find out just how jolly I am that I have to wake up so early in the morning and walked out into the dangerous Youkai-infested woods just to get my guitar. "You have no idea how stressful it was to find the human village as a landmark to know where your shop is."

From all that I can remember from my wild ride with Marisa, the animal path leading from shrine to village is quite long from a view above. Along the way, I ended up doing a little bit of thinking over how to move fast. And that's when the fire legs came in.

Because when you have fire legs, you gotta go fast, right!?

Anyway, with some practice and applied logic, I was able to create tiny little fire grenades at my soles. With each step, a little 'boom' erupts from my foot and I was propelled several feet forward before I proceed with the second foot, making myself do some skip-jumping with rhythmic explosions along the way.

I had to think over the amount of splosion I gotta apply. I might end up creating a forest fire if I'm not careful. There's even the recoil on my feet. To make sure my legs don't suddenly shoot up and suddenly nail myself in the jaw with my knee while unintentionally doing a backflip, I had to tense them up each time to keep them straight or bent. While not difficult, it doesn't last when the muscle aches come in. I applied some warm healing fires to relax the stiffness when I switched to simply walking.

I could pull a Tony Stark and make my feet have boosters in 'em but that'll just burn everything around me! The more propulsion ya need, the higher the heats gonna be when they're out. I'm gonna have to work out how to move fast with these fires without any collateral damage. I can't fly (not yet, anyway) so I gotta be ingenious with what I got.

When I got to Kourindou, I briefly wondered how many people who lived in the forest ever wondered why the hell were there explosions going on in the middle of the early morning. Hehehe.

"Well, whatever." Rinnosuke-boy picked up his book, "Now that you have your guitar, is there anything else you need?"

Oh right, I gotta ask this just in case. "Ah yes, would it be possible that you have steel guitar strings for sale as well?" While nylon strings are easy to play and all, the real beauty always comes from the real strings.

"Yes, indeed. I have gathered quite the collection over the years." Yay! Where you hiding 'em? "I'll be right back."

After a few short seconds of him rummaging around the mess he got around here, he came back with neatly bundles of steel strings in hand. "Would these be the ones?"

"Indeed." Lemme hold this one. Hmm, is this a 6E-string or the 5A-string? I can't tell. I never memorized the thickness of those two strings. "Can you identify which string is this with that strange ability of yours?"

"Allow me." I gave it to his open hand and he closed his eyes as he held it, then opening them after just one second. "Ah, this is the A-string."

"Nice." I patted my pockets—oh…..shit. "It seems I forgot my pay. Would it be okay if I have all these strings reserved to my name?"

"Well, that's okay, considering there's never been anybody that wanted to buy them all these years." Awesome! "You can only have them if you pay for them."

"Obviously." Alright, my beauty, let's introduce you to my good friend, the shrine maiden, when we get to the shrine! "I'll be heading off now. I will see you then, Rinnosuke-boy!"

"Do not call me that again! I'm far older than you are!"

Too late, I already shut the door and already bolting to the human village!

[Dun~! Dun~! Dadadun~! Dun~! Dun~! Dadadun~! Dun~! Dun~! Dadadun~!] I didn't stop running as I placed the side of the guitar's base on my shoulder, I didn't try to do the splosion run either. I didn't practice it the first time without falling flat on my ass, mind you. I wanna bring this guitar safely home without me burning accidently.

I preserved my energy by eventually switching to jogging upon running quite a distance from Kourindou, just in case I get ambushed. I know that all my magic comes from emotion, but my stamina still plays a role with it.

I eventually reached one side of the village's wall enclosure after 6 or maybe 7 minutes of jogging. I changed directions to the left upon reaching touching distance of the wall and eventually reached one of the gates, stationed by two guards in hakama robes and holstering katanas on their hips. They looked at me weirdly as I passed them by with a wave and headed to the opposite direction of the path that led to the village.

I can tell what they're thinking as they watched me: there was a pale-as-fuck outsider holding a strange object on his shoulder, jabbering some otherworldly language as he jogged with wide steps, spreading a curse in his step as he gave a friendly wave in greetings to them before running down the path from the human village.

I wish I could hear them say 'the hell was that about', would've lost my shit.

[Hehehehehehehehehehehehehahahahahaha!‼] And there goes me in my jolly mood, laughing like an insane maniac as I ran through the animal path, passing through a wide field and eventually going through a forest path, no longer able to utilize the environment thanks to this piece of equipment on my shoulder.

It would be ideal to slow down, especially if I just got this thing and would be able to keep myself from landing on it upon tripping, but I don't do slow in a rush, and there's danger about in these woods. Not gonna give any Youkai bitch the chance!

Ah! There's the exit out of the woods and into the beaten path to the Hakurei shrine. Just 20 minutes of walking, shortened by 11 minutes of jogging, I'll eventually reach the stone steps of my good friend's residence!

Out we go!

[Hup!] Out of the forest! [Oof!] And into the land of fresh air!

*INHALE!*

[Haaaaaaaah. Sweet air.]

"Surely is, but it's gonna be sweeter once yer blood starts mixing with it!"

…..

…..…..Where'd this Japanese robe-wearin' motherfucker come from? I didn't see him when I looked forward the first time. "Hello there, good sir! Good day to be talking to strangers, isn't it?"

"Hmph!" The motherfucker just dismissed my greetings! How rude! Isn't it a Japanese courtesy to return the greetings, especially when we bow!? I just bowed for fuck's sake! "It is quite rare to see an outsider so polite, even to strangers."

I'll chuckle to that! "It has been a good day, sir. I couldn't resist a good jog around the woods and wilderness just to express these bountiful emotions!"

And the motherfucker grinned….his lip corners are already stretching past what could be possible for us humans. "You shouldn't wander off from the village too far, young man." His voice dropped to a low and slightly breathy diction. "There are Youkai wandering about, you may never know if you might get attacked."

"That is sound advice, sir." I will have to thank you later for that, "But I still haven't taken residence in the village yet, which means I do not belong there, and I can handle myself against any Youkai."

His grin suddenly dropped to a slightly surprised expression. "Really?"

….Am I the first outsider he found that said something like that?

Well, I'll play along. Either way, this motherfucker's gonna burn. "Indeed. If you wanted a light snack, you should have been there last Tuesday when I was wondering around the forest close to the lake. I was completely alone, defenseless, lost, and genuinely fair game."

Not surprised when his grin returned, this time a sadistic one, with a touch of a hungry look in his eyes. I returned his smile, a polite one, one you'd use when you meet somebody you don't like. "It seems I don't have to hide it anymore, do I?"

His wide sleeves that he kept conjoined in front of his waist since the entire conversation is now separated, and he was sporting…fucking long arms. He has 4 fucking arms! And oh my shit, his feet are extending too! What the fuck!? His neck! His neck is stretching! And he has snake teeth jutting out as he hissed at me hungrily!

HE'S A FOUR-ARMED SLENDERMAN WHO LIVED IN JAPAN BUT WITH ONLY FOUR ARMS, HAVING NORMAL SKIN TONE, AND HE HAS A FUCKING FACE!

WITH AN EXTENDABLE NECK!

"Are you scared, human….!?" He asked in that hissy and raspy voice. I loved the way his red eyes looked like they enlarged on his face, creating a rather creepy-as-fuck sight when he sported that literally face-splitting grin loaded with so many sharp teeth as his snake-like neck lowered down to leer at me.

Yeah, that face's gonna haunt me in my nightmares tonight.

"Hm, a little, since yer the first Youkai I've ever seen do that before." Oh, I think he takes offense to that! Sorry for wounding your creepy tall guy pride~!

"If so, then why do you not fear!?" He growled, his fuckish long-arms spreading outwards dramatically as his spiky mouth opened in a massive 75 degrees in every syllable. It's amazing for how fast it moved in his words. "I am Midoro! Nomori of the forest, devourer of outsiders! How could you not fear and beg for mercy in the likes of me!?"

So he did nab other outsiders like I thought…

"Because….sir….." Just lemme put my newly-acquired guitar down before we do any murdering, please? Thank you, it'll stay right here behind a tree. "….I've faced something even more horrifying than your underrated face two nights ago." I'll show you the grin I wore when I did what happened next. "And I gouged her eyes out….!"

"Hah!" He snapped his jaws with an audible SNAP! That's some fine teeth ya got there. "You'll be in my belly before you get the chance! How could a human like you ever win against ME!?"

It's funny to think that me, his food, is trying to bruise his pride. Not something you'd expect to happen in a breakfast run, eh!?

[I WILL ROAST YOU TO HELL!‼!] St. Elmo's Pillar! BURN THE SKY! [AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!‼!]

DO YOU SEE WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH, MOTHERFUCKER!? I'M'A MOTHERFUCKER WHO GONNA COOK A MOTHERFUCKER WITH SOME MOTHERFUCKIN' FLAMES!

OH, YOU LOOK SHOCKED, BITCH! BETCHA DIDN'T EXPECT ME TO BE HAVIN' SOME POWERS, HUH!? WELL, SURPRISE! I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME SNAKE JERKY!

CUT THE FLAMES! POINT THE UPWARD-POINTED HANDS FORWARD, SAY THE WORDS, [BURN, MOTHERFUCKER—!]

*KBBBSSHHHH!*

[WUUAAAAAAAGGHH!‼]

…..

…..…..…..

….…..…..…..…..

Okay, before I could even blast the dude with the St. Elmo's Pillar Horizontal, something black and white kinda train-crashed him so hard a powerful gust of wind and an equally powerful burst of dust exploded from his last position.

And I am on my back, blown backwards from the wind.

[Wha-wha-what the fuck?] The hell just happened? Can't see what happened to the guy? The dust cloud's obscuring my view.

"Ayayayaya! Is that a foreign language I hear!?" Wagh! What the fuck!? Was that a camera flash!? Wait, how'd you get a modern camera!? How'd you get out of the dust cloud so fast you made it swirl and then was suddenly into my face!? "Hello there, good sir. May I have an interview with you!?"

[Whoa! Wait a second, the hell's going on!?]

"Ah!" What!? What I do!? What happened!? "It's you! You're the same outsider I failed to interview last Sunday!" She shot a hand towards me so fast I thought it just suddenly appeared there from nonexistence. "Please to meet you, I am the Pure and Honest Shameimaru Aya of the Bunbunmaru Newspaper!"

…..

…..…..

….…..…..…..

….…..…..…..…..…..

She tilted her head, "Sir?"

Talk to the hand! "Could you give me a few seconds before I do anything, ma'am?" Because I really need to process just WHAT THE FUCK just happened in literal seconds.

"Oh sure, take your time." She retracts her hand, takes several steps back, and….the hell kinda shoes are those? "Sorry about that. I was dying to interview you since then."

I nodded numbly, still processing how this woman's standing with them 10-inch stilts on her shoes. "Uh huh." I shook my head; no, the shoes aren't important right now. "Just…hold on." I stood up, patting the dust off my elbows and back….hmm….

Where'd the motherfucker go?

"Where was that Youkai I was about to incinerate moments ago?" Did this girl just decimated him for me?

"Oh, he is over there." She gestured to—dude, you okay over there? "I feel bad for pushing him but I prioritize my reports before anything else!"

"Push….right." You got a really strong 'push', woman. The people in construction oughtta hire you. That tall guy sprawled on the ground over there doesn't look like he's gonna be waking up in one piece. "You are not actually human, are you?" Besides those red eyes ya got there, I think I remember you having black wings last Sunday.

"Not indeed." Oh, now you do. You sprouted them wings straight outta yer back. They look like they belong to crows. "As you could see, I'm a tengu." She informed, making her wings spread out magnificently.

Tengu? Oh, I remember. It's the people with wings on their back when I asked Marisa about it near the mountain. So this is what they look like. Disregard the wings and the eyes, she could'a passed as a human woman wearing stilt shoes.

….oh, I didn't notice your pointy ears there, girl.

"What was your name again?"

She suddenly posed, "Shameimaru Aya, of the Bunbunmaru—"

"Newspaper. Yes, I know that. I merely asked for your name." You sure like to boast about your newspaper title. Is it well-known 'round Gensokyo?

"Will you tell me your name then?" She requested, "Since I gave you mine, you should give me yours, yes?"

Well, good to know that this Youkai has basic courtesy. I'll humor her, at least. "Letitia Eman." Then I bow. "Pleased to meet you." And about you stealing my kill, girl: "I could have handle him on my own, you see. I would not wander around the outskirts if I cannot defend myself." I sighed. Guess I'll proceed this morning with no early beatdowns on people. "But still, thank you. I could have started a fire on the forest."

"Don't mention it, Mr. Eman." She drew a notepad and pen, "If you want to return the favor, maybe you can do so by answering a few questions for me in an interview?"

…..hmm…

"Yes, you may." Hold on, lemme get my guitar. Oh dear, you got toppled over, my beauty. That must've been some strong wind! C'mere you, back to my shoulder you rest. There you go, I'll play you when we're not in a hostile environment. "But while we do, we'll walk. I would not appreciate standing around when I have somewhere to be."

"Of course. Where are you heading, if I may ask?"

"Hakurei Shrine." Come on, let's go.

"…..Um, Mr. Eman?"

I stopped walking, then I turned around with a confused frown. "Yes?"

"The Hakurei Shrine's that way." She pointed to the—what?

"What?" Hold on, wait a sec. I thought—I thought…what? "How did I wander off? I was sure I got the directions right."

"Ah, I see." Wait, you look like you know what's going on. "You were misled by fairies."

…..huh? "Fairies, you say?"

"Fairies are notorious at misleading you when you are not paying attention to where you are going." She explained with a frown. "It's one of their pranks, frankly."

Huh…."How'd they do that?"

"Who knows?" She shrugged with her hands, "It's probably one of their kind with abilities that is utilized for mischief."

Hm, fucking hell. So I was going the wrong way the whole time? If it wasn't for Aya here, I would'a wandered into a werewolf's nest, if there's even one. "How do I prevent this from happening again?"

"Simply pay attention to where you are going and the fairies won't be able to take advantage of your inattentiveness."

…hm, simple enough. At what moment did I let my mind wander off in my jog?

….bah, whatever. I'll think about that later. I gotta get home, and my fingers are itchin' for a play. "Since you're here, will you lead me there?"

"Oh sure, anything for an interview!"

This girl's one helluva interviewer, she's enthusiastic. "Lead the way."

"Follow me." She turned in her step—ahem, stilt and walked back into the forest.

Fucking hell, how lost was I that I ended up entering the wrong forest!? Fucking fairies.

Jogging up to her side, I spared one more glance to the motherfucker: Still unconscious.

I'll see you again and finish what we started. You still haven't tasted the flames of redemption for what you've done to those outsiders.

"Anyway, let's begin. I already got your name so I'll leave that out. Okay, how old are you?"

My age too? "Why do you need to know that?"

"Um…formality, I guess…"

You sure you're not a secret interviewer for a job application? "Hm, 19."

"Okay," She writes that down. "So then, Mr. Eman. Since you are an outsider, when did you arrive to Gensokyo?"

Hm, I see no harm telling her. "Not too long ago, just last Saturday."

"I see, so you arrived just the day before I found you on that clearing with Ms. Marisa and Ms. Yakumo herself."

"That's correct." Tread carefully, Eman, tread carefully. But damn, I really wonder how she's walking fine with those things on her feet. "I wondered why Lady Yukari teleported you out."

"Yes, she gapped me on the office of my higher-ups." You look like you didn't enjoy the experience, did ya? "I had quite the earful before I was able to explain the situation."

Hmph. Yukari, you troll. Also, she used the term 'gapped', not 'teleported'? Is that what's really happening whenever I walk through those eye portals?

"What were you doing in that clearing with one of the prominent humans in Gensokyo and one of the famous Youkai?"

….now hold on there, "Why do you wish to know? Is that even part of the interview?"

"We-well, partially…but it looked like a worthy scoop to report about. And it's a journalist's code to always keep an eye out on noteworthy events!"

…..…..…..…..

"Ask Lady Yukari."

"Wha-what? Why won't you answer it yourself?"

"My reasons are rather irrelevant, but I am certain that Lady Yukari has reasons far different compared mine. Plus, she was the one to initiate the situation so I am pretty sure she has the most information you need."

"Ayayaya, too bad. It would have been a great scoop." She moaned, nonetheless writing something on the notepad.

There's one thing you learn as a thug. You can't expose too much of yourself, otherwise you will inevitably draw some of the most unwanted attention to yourself, especially the POLICE. When you live on the streets, you make sure nobody gets dirt on you, especially when you are known by a certain number of people to be violent and dangerous.

I got my way out many times before. Half-truths and dodged questions, and a stubborn refusal to answer.

Doc is the only one privileged to know who I really am.

Whether this interview is harmless or not, I'm not that open like a book to a stranger. My thuggish views have altered since coming here, but I'm still selective with whom to trust. This girl? Can't give away too much to her, and she's a reporter to boot. That paper of hers is gonna have my information revealed to the public.

I just gotta tread carefully, just so I can proceed onwards with my life as just another outsider who survived in Gensokyo on the first day.

Aya's downcast expression flipped upside down, looking ready to ask a new question, "Now then, on to the next question: as you are heading to the shrine, is it safe to assume that you are currently living there with the Hakurei Shrine Maiden?"

Tread carefully now. "Temporarily. She hired me to be the assistant worker for the party later."

Look at what I did: I answered the question almost affirmatively, however not exposing anything about the fact that I've been living there for the past few days. Plus, I immediately made it sound like I don't even live there in the first place.

It sounded like the job she hired me for required me to stay in her shrine for a while.

Ambiguity saves my friend's reputation. If Aya here was possibly going to assume that I'm dating the shrine maiden if I had said yes, I'm not giving her the ammunition to take the shot.

"O-oh…" Oh so you were gonna assume it, you bloody bitch! "But what did you mean by 'temporarily'?"

She's not gonna ask about why an outsider is helping a Gensokyan prepare for a party, especially if I just recently arrived to this place a few days ago?

She's really looking for some dirt, isn't she?

Looks like honesty's gonna take the rein. I hope I could clear out any assumptions she has, "She allowed me to stay in her shrine for the first few days but I have been recently told and recommended to seek a better residence in the human village by her suggestions, which I will do tomorrow, after today's party."

"I-I see…" I can see the frustration on yer face, woman. Forget it, you're not gonna get anything direct from me! After writing on the notepad, she turned to me again. "Next question: how did you arrive to Gensokyo, by the way? Were you brought here by Ms. Yukari, by any chance?"

So Yukari bringing people from Outside to Gensokyo is common knowledge?

Although, I really wonder how Aya's walking fine with them stilts, especially when she's not even looking at where she's going. We're not even out of the forest yet. And I thought she said you should pay attention to where you're going to outdo the fairies.

Anyway, for her question: "Unintentionally."

"U-Unintentionally?" I could feel an eager air coming out of her. "Details, please?!"

"Again: ask Lady Yukari. I have no willingness to discuss it."

Then cue a full-body deflation, her exasperation showing, as well as a really miffed look. Get the clue already, girl. Though, does she really have to pout? That's kinda cute.

"Fine." She flipped a page. Did she give up? Hopefully she did, "I'll ask about your powers, will that be okay?"

"Oh, sure." Now this one's a little crucial. I wonder how much information I should expose without going too far.

"Thank you. I witnessed a pillar of fire erupt to the sky earlier, was that you?"

"Indeed." I did a thumbs-up and, there you go, a thumbfull of fire for you, milady.

"Hm." She gave the fire thumb an interested gaze before she turned to her notepad again, writing something I wasn't sure to guess correctly. Her writing speed is….damn, that's fast. She could write an entire novel under an hour with that kind of speed. "This sounds like good material…!" After finishing, like, a million words in the notepad, she turned to me again, "It's interesting that an outsider like you would have powers, Mr. Eman, especially a mundane magical element like fire. Would you care to elaborate on how you earned such prowess?"

…..oh dear.

I'm going through a fucking minefield at this point!

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

We were eventually out of the forest, but the questions still hasn't stopped! Even though she's been nothing but polite, she still manages to be pushy!

I gave away as little info as possible, never even mentioning about all the incidents in the Scarlet Devil Mansion. And when a question presented itself that I could not weasel my way out of, I just tell her to ask Marisa. I can hope that the witch won't tell a damn thing, because everything in that situation was personal to her. Knowing her, I bet she'll lie…which is good.

And when Aya was getting annoyed with the same response, I just told her that I'd like my privacy. I wasn't that keen on letting random people know about my life, mind you.

I was slowly getting the implication that I won't be able to have a normal conversation with this girl. I might end up giving away personal info just by having a random topic and she'd put it on the paper.

And then this question came.

"Now for the last question: what do you think of Gensokyo over the past week?"

And the answer came easily to my lips, "Wild. Gensokyo is a wild place."

"Oh." She looked at me with an intrigued look, "May I have an elaboration on that, please?"

"Okay." This time, she gets a full direct answer. This is something I'd be willing to let other people know. It is personal, but non-bias and completely neutral in a general sense. "Imagine an environment, complete with plants and animals, and it is completely free from human tampering and interference. There are the Good things: the birth and death of animals, the continued growth of plant life and eatable fruits. And then there are the Bad things: storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Even though the Bad exists solely to destroy what was of the Good, the environment will continue to thrive because the Good build from what was made by the Bad. It is as if the environment sustains from both the good and bad. It would be akin to the decaying body of a deceased animal killed by a storm nourishing the soil for more plants to grow, and the prey animals would eat the plants, then the predator would hunt the prey, and then that predator will soon meet its end, whether by violence, disease, or time, and the cycle begins."

The Circle of Life, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Now for the reason why Gensokyo is like that wild environment, "From what I have been through in Gensokyo, I have seen so many ups and downs. From everything that would be considered wrong and indecent in the eyes of the Outside World, the ways of Gensokyo turns that wrong thing into something that benefited both parties. From whatever disaster Gensokyo puts me through, Gensokyo provides a way to tell me that my sufferings has created positive outcomes to people….and me. Humans, Youkai, gods, and other beings are the animals and plants in the Good of that environment, and every negativity in Gensokyo is the Bad that destroys us, but even then, Gensokyo will thrive through both. So long as both the Good and the Bad contributes in equal count of their worth, Gensokyo will be forever."

When Aya suddenly slowed down to a stop, eyes lost in thought as she processed the words, I just realized the things I've said….and found myself…amazed.

I thought I lost touch in that capability of eloquence in my speech that I could actually portray my actual thoughts almost to the fullest extent by an elaborate use of words, analogy, general knowledge, and a little bit of vocabulary.

Yay me, I guess. Maybe I can utilize words to express my emotions. This could be useful in the future when action isn't merely enough.

"I honestly admit, that was the most insightful input I've ever heard to come from an outsider." Even Aya is agreeing with me here. She turns her eyes to me and then says, "Now I really want to interview you about your entire experiences in these last few days that made you come into that conclusion."

Hmph, "No matter what you'll do, Ma'am, my response will stay the same: Ask somebody else."

Because if there's ever a chance, that 'somebody else' will respect my privacy, saying things like 'It's not my place to say', which keeps everything classified. Win-win! Nobody will ever hear them, not even Aya here.

But if they weren't that polite to keep things about me classified, then there goes the neighborhood, I guess. I'll never be labeled as 'just another outsider' in Gensokyo's midst.

"You'll submit someday." She narrowed her red eyes at me, "I'll just have to keep on a lookout, and then I'll have my straightforward and no-beating-around-the-bush interview from you."

"Do you honestly have all the energy in your system to waste such precious time on me when there are other headline-worthy events occurring somewhere around Gensokyo right this very minute?"

"Consider it a side project for the Bunbunmaru Newspaper." She gave me a challenging grin. "Among all the people I've interviewed, you've been the most confidential person, second to some others whose names I would not disclose."

Pfft. "Seriously, don't even make the attempt. It's a waste. You will never have it from me, and I will go through lengths just to deny you."

She snapped her notepad close and flashed me a wide grin, "No can do. A scoop for the Bunbunmaru deserves to be known and be sent for the public!" She sprouted her wings out of her back and took to the air, just a few meters above the ground. "I'll be heading out now, Mr. Eman. Just continue walking on ahead. You'll reach the stairs to the Hakurei Shrine afterwards." She gestured to the animal path before me.

"Okay, I'll be mindful as to keep my eyes on the direction of my path this time." Don't wanna end up going back to square one the second time. I turned to Aya, "Bless you for the effort of escorting me."

"Oh, it was nothing." She humbly waved the gratitude off, "I finally had my interview anyway."

Right. I pointedly stared at her, "That better not be on the headlines."

"Oh, it won't. You're not worth the headlines, anyway."

…..Huh. Would other people with a bit of pride be miffed when they hear that response? I'm not. I'm glad that I'm not on the headlines.

"But your input on Gensokyo will." She smirked as she said that.

"Fine with me." I waved her off and began to start jogging, my guitar pressed against my shoulder to make it stop bouncing. "Until then, Aya."

"See you then!" A camera click erupts behind me, then follows a booming gust of wind. I guess she went home to type it all in on the paper.

No looking away from the road this time. Think as if you're on your first driving test. Keep your eyes on the fucking road, 10 and 2, and run over the nearest fairy if you could.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

I've passed the driving test, and I have arrived at my destination! The Hakurei Shrine Stone Steps.

Should'a known that a mountain that overlooked a big chunk of Gensokyo would be that high. If one of my friends from high school were to see this, they'd die at the number of steps they have to go through before they get to say hello to Reimu.

I could take it….if I wasn't so pooped from all that joggin'. Oh well, I did take my time and preserved some energy supply by not running. I bet I could reach the top simply by walking.

I just gotta hope nobody's gonna get the drop on me while I do. The ultimate danger here won't be the Youkai or me causing forest fires on the fight, it's falling down the stairs and breaking my fucking neck. I was never trained to fight on slanting terrain, especially edged terrain.

{Dito sa amin kung san nang galing~
~Mga makatang ulam at kanin~
~Lamang ang bayad pero pumapayag~
~Upang masubukan at mapatunayan~}

I guess I'll enjoy myself by singing 'Hammer' by Gloc-9 while I do. Too bad I can't play the guitar while I do.

*Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.*

Nothin' to see here, just takin' my time on walking up this long-ass stairs.

*Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.*

An acquired habit before I was a thug, taking 2 or even 3 steps at a time. Helps you reach the top quickly. Only tall people could actually pull this kind of thing off (sorry girls!).

*Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.*

Fuck the sun, because I'm sweating right now!

*Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.*

Almost there~

*Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.*

C'mon! Speed up, you're nearly there! 10 more steps!

*Step-step-step-step-step-step-step-step-step-step!*

[IIIIYYEESS!] Hop on to the top! [I DID IT!]

And now, beholds my eyes the good ol' Hakurei Shrine. Still as shabby but welcoming as always. Looks like everything took a beating since the storm two nights ago, but I can see the signs of recent repair. I bet Suika came down here again to help Reimu with the fixer upper.

Speaking of the Shrine Maiden, she's right over there! Glorious in her usual priestess attire with wide detached sleeves and big hair bow, and it looks like she was in the middle of sweeping when she noticed her temporary roomie coming up the stairs and started yellin' like a muderhuber.

I gave her a friendly smile. "Good morning, Master."

"Hmph." She returned a tiny smile, placing a hand on her hip as she held the broom with the other, "I was wondering where've you been these last two days."

"Ahehe…." And to think all that bullshit happened in the span of one night and half a day afterwards, damn. "Can you recall the vows I have said to you before?"

She looked away to recall, then turned back to me, "Sort of."

Hehe, "Well….I went through some exciting happenings in the recent days, and I have come back to tell you all about it." I'll have to say thanks to the Lord tomorrow for even letting me live again.

She approached me, walking with unhurried steps. Once she was within my distance, she extended the broom to me.

What? "Pardon?"

She smirked at me, "Your vow includes sweeping my shrine."

Wh-what? Did I? "Are you sure that isn't fabricated?"

She gave me a raised eyebrow, "Are you saying you forgot the pledge you made yourself?"

I only wore a wimpy smile, completely embarrassed with myself. "You simply wish to push the work on me, don't you?" Even if I asked, I still took the broom.

"No, I'm simply putting your vow to good use." She took the guitar out of my free hand, taking it by the neck and cradling it. "I'll put this in your tent, now get to work. I wanna see a nice and clean yard for our party later." She turned and went for the shrine.

Damn, this girl.

"Yes, boss." Looks like she didn't get to sweep out the rogue leaves and branches that was blown over here by the storm. Oh, and I see pieces of sawed-off wood scattered in certain places. Prolly from the repairs. Good thing Reimu swept a good half of everything before I came. I can get this done in no time.

Sweepity-sweepity….

"And while you work…" I turned my attention to Reimu as she sat on the veranda of the shrine, having a plate of oranges and rice cakes at her side along with two cups of tea. "…you can start with the story."

Oh, work and a storytelling time! Looks like this won't be boring after all.

"It all began when Marisa forced herself through the library as me and Meiling were hot in pursuit….

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"You better keep those emotion fires of yours in control whenever you use them. It'd be a problem if there's a forest fire and I will have to beat you to a pulp afterwards."

…..okay, did she just say that? Did she somehow managed to make a threat sound like a fact statement?

"I…." Snap out of it and respond, Eman! "…I already had that in mind before you told me." Now lemme focus on deep-frying the tempura and working the fish fillet. Mm, it's starting to smell good.

"Nicely done on creating your first spell card though." Oh thank you. "And in a possessed state too, that's quite rare."

"Is it now?" Looks like this batch of tempura is already done and well-cooked. Let's put you on the plate and join the rest of the finished ones, then we drop the next batch in. There, boil for me. "Well, I would plan to create another spell card in a non-possessed state but I'll leave that for next time."

"Remember, it is beauty over power. That's how you create a proper spell card."

"I know, I know." I know that already, just focus on salting that fish and get to the grilling. "I only need to be creative, especially on danmaku pattern and density."

"Make sure it's not too dense, and you must always leave an opening, even if slightly, otherwise you're not making things fair."

Huh, "Should it always be fair?" Is Gensokyo conflict truly built around honor and clean fights?

"Of course it is." Wow, her tone. She's quite adamant about that, "One of the purposes of the Spell Card System is to make things fair, otherwise how would a normal human fair against a Youkai?"

"…..touché." I'll just shut up and cook here.

I was never that fair before I went to Gensokyo. No self-respecting thug would, especially when every delinquent you meet wouldn't do the same. In the back, on the nuts, and even on the eyes, I fight pragmatically and dishonorably. I even used a fucking shoelace to garrote somebody.

If you want a show of honor from me, go to a formal fight between me and one of my fightin' buddies in the tricking club. Outside that formality, the bites and the scratching and the dirty blows will commence.

Sigh.

We'll see about 'honor' at a later date. Not like I'm looking for a fight any time. I'm supposed to find a proper place in the human village first, and maybe a decent-paying job. I'll go through some mundane living for my sakes. It's okay to call me a simple man, but normal? Nah, I'm way beyond normal. I'm lost forever, never to be found.

….…..…..

….…..…..…..…..

….…..…..…..…..…..…..

After dozens of minutes of work, I think this is the end of it. We got all the food arranged in all these bento boxes. "Is this all?"

"Looks like it. We can just leave the rice here, it'll finish probably by midafternoon."

That long? Cooking rice with pot and bonfire sure has a different time of finish compared to an electric one. "So, shall we spread out the sheets out in the yard?"

"Nah, too soon." She walked for the door out of the cooking cabin. "Let's wait for the others to come before we do anything."

Okay…the thought of guests, new faces to come over is slightly making me nervous. It's a crowd I can't stand, not a single person. But a group of unfamiliar people…I don't know. I guess the thuggish instincts are still stuck into me. Being active in knowing new people wasn't my best suit before, much less those two years ago if you don't want to draw attention to yourself. I guess I'll just let them take initiative in wanting to know me, I can control what happens next in that regard, no problem.

"So….there is nothing else to do next?" I asked as I followed out the door, closing it behind me.

"Yep. Do some flips if you don't like getting bored." She suggested, "I'll just….lie down." She yawned. "I couldn't sleep well last night. It was still dark when I woke up yesterday."

Not to be judgmental here but do you do anything else besides lying down and sweeping the yard? "Will do." Your problem if that's going to bite you in the ass in your monster-huntin' agenda.

But I have something to do besides flipping and sitting on trees. Excuse me while I go get her.

While she takes the back entrance of the shrine, I took the front. Upon the porch, I took off my shoes and socks before entering, going for the room where my tent was. Ah, there you are, resting innocently inside the tent while the fretboard rests atop my pile of shirts. Glad Reimu didn't just chuck you in there and instead placed you in a neat position where it is easy to grab you.

C'mere, my beauty.

Strum an A.

|A~|

Oh~, you have a beautiful singing voice. Let's take you outside then.

Out my room and sliding the door close behind me, I see that Reimu now has submitted to the notion of sleeping on the veranda at the back of the shrine. She won't be waitin' for the guests like this. Of all times, it had to be near midday.

Oh well, I'll greet them for her then. I'll just post myself on the front porch, with some good tunes to welcome them when they come.

Okay, I'll just post myself in front of the donation box here, there we go. Rest the middle of the 8-shaped classical guitar on the thigh, ready the Am chord on the fretboard, and then strum.

|Am~Em~F~G~E~~~|

Hmm~~

{~Ika'y(Am) na nag-aalis(Em), ng (F)mga kasa(G)lanan ng mundo(E)~
~Panginoon(Am), Maawa Ka(Em), sa (F) aaaaa(G)aaa(Am)min (E)~}

Is it wrong to sing this kind of song while I'm around a Shintoist Shrine? I did miss being the guitarist of the choir in my country. The rock and rolls and jammings we did while practicing…aah~ good times.

[~(C#)Lately, I've been, (E)I've been losing sleep~
~(Bb)Dreaming about the things that (A)we could be~
~But (C#)baby, I've been, (E)I've been praying hard~
~(Bb)Said no more counting dollars. (A)We'll be, we'll be counting stars~
~(C#)Oh, we'll be countin' stars~|

Then cues the intro riff. Try not to sing too loudly, let sleeping Reimu sleep. If possible, make the lyrics sound a little soothy. Don't voice-crack me, or I will seriously kill me!

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

{~Lapit(D#) mga kaibigan at (A#)makinig kayo~
~(D#)Ako'y may dala-dalang balita ga(A#)ling sa bayan ko~
~Nais (Bb)kong ipamahagi…(C#)ang mga kwento at mga pangya(Am)yaring nagaganap~
~Sa lupang(Em)…pinangako(Am)~}

I wish I had a capo for this song, I wouldn't be having a stressing time keeping up all these power chords. But at least it ain't steel strings, otherwise I wouldn't be able to make it to the last of the chorus.

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Hm? That's quite a loud laugh. Is that one of the guests? Or a really loud worshipper coming to pray?

"Could you imagine!? That bozo's head was literally mushed under my ass when he tried to bench-press me! Just think about it, I shoud'a said to the guys 'we're havin' mashed ass-tatoes'! Everybody's just laughin' their freakin' asses off nonstop!"

Wait a minute, is that voice who I think it is!?

Hold on, I gotta get closer to find out. Stay here, my beauty.

Screw the shoes and socks! I'm going barefooted! Childhood time! I'll stop here at the middle of the stone path, eyes pointed at the red gateway where heads will rise up when reaching the top of the stairs.

"BWAHAHA!" DAMN, that laugh's loud! "MY GODS, Suika, how'n the hell did ya even find that bozo!? Did he even know who you were!?"

Sounds like there's a second person but I don't care about that! It's actually Suika! That tiny drunk-ass Ogre I know and adored is HERE! Oh how I missed that little Munchkin of mine! It felt like fucking ages since I've seen her!

GIMME MY HAND MEGAPHONE! [SUUUUIIIIIKKAAAAAA!‼]

"….huh, who was that? Sounds like a guy."

"It's Eman! This the guy! It's the guy I told ya about! The one who didn't get mushed under one minute!"

"SUUUUUUUIIIKKAAAA! GET YOUR CUTE LITTLE BUTT HERE THIS INSTANT!" DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE AND ROLL YOU DOWN THE STAIRS WITH ME, LITTLE LADY!

"C'mon, Yuugi! C'mon! Ya gotta meet'm!"

"O-ho-ho-kay, just leave the box to me and go ahead. I think this Eman guy's really excited to see ya again!"

"Okay!" Sound of something wooden and large being handed over—sounds like a crate of bottles. "Emaaaaaaan!"

And boing she goes, jumping into view from the stairs and into ground level with me with a light thump!

Oh, the horns, the white sleeveless blouse, the violet skirt, the orange hair, and the chains! It's really you, Suika!

"Hey there, Munchkin! Where have you been!?" C'mere and lemme hug ya!

"Hey! You look whiter than usual!" Not a decent 'hello again' thing to say but whatever. C'mere!

Hands underneath her armpit and lift—holy shit, you're heavy! The hell!? "My goodness, Suika! What have you eaten, a bloody statue!?"

"Nothin' but good ol' booze 'n' some big fat boar meat!" Seriously!? Where'd all that meat go then!? "What? Can't lift a tiny li'l ogre?"

Oh no, you did not! "Watch me!" Keep yer hands spread to the side, if you could! Don't want you accidently crushing my shoulders just by you holding them!

Okay, hold her under the armpits, bend my elbows, stiffen the legs, and DON'T LIFT WITH THE FUCKING BACK! [One two threeeee…!] You weigh like two of those fucking guitar amplifiers the size of a fucking box-tv! [Jeez!] "How many did you even eat!?" Where do they even go in that tiny body of yers!?

"Hihihihihihi~"

Oh, screw you and yer cute giggle!

I can see yer friend coming up the stairs but I'm not paying attention! I gotta at least lift you up the fucking ground!

Adjusting position, this time very close to her as I squatted in front of her tiny ass form, arms fully bent as the hands are firmly placed at her armpits, and I liiiiiiiiifffft…..! Yes….! Yes, I'm lifting her…! But she's so fucking heavy! I got a dozen inches off the ground but that's it! C'mon, Eman, push! Lift up the legs, do not push her up to the air with the hands. Only straighten the legs. That's how you lift like a pro!

…Yes, yes, yes, she's at my chest's level!

"Work them muscles of yours, Jimmy! Show me what a human man could do!" Supported the new girl that I'm not paying attention to. "Look at you go! You're nearly reaching full height! Go! Go! Almost there!"

Thank you, loud-laugh! I'll make sure to greet you very affably once I'm done!

"If you get this, I'll treat ya to my Hoshiguma Dish!" Sounds like food, not sure if it's tasty or bad but I'll still make the effort of lifting this fucking short-stack!

"Wah! I'm so tall~!" You're gonna be sent flying right after you become 7'1" tall, my cutie!

Come on, Eman, come on! She's at the height of my neck! Straightened the legs, stiffen the arms, and stretch them out! [GGrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgghhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!‼!‼!‼!] CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE A 7'1" TALL MIDGET! [YAAAAAAAAS‼ I DID IT‼]

"Yay~! I feel like I can reach the sky from here!"

"Now down you go!" Ha! Lob you off to the dirt beside the stone path!

*THUD* "Oof! Hey!"

….that was a very thick thud when she butt-slammed the earth. I even felt the ground quake just slightly. How heavy was she, exactly? And ow, my arms. Carrying her was not that easy.

"YEAH!" Ow! Lower the volume down, loud-laugh! "Nicely done, Jimmy! I'd give ya a victory hug but I got me hands full so I'll just congratulate you from here! Whoo! One for the human!"

Can't respond with words right now, too tired, can't even look over my shoulder to find out what you look like behind me, girl, so I'll just slouch forward, rest my elbows on my knees, and give you a thumbs up. Here you go.

Now for the munchkin, "How is that…for being unable to hoist an endearing little ogre?"

"Ehihihihihi!" Suika instead giggles, pulling her gourd close and taking a long swig. Didn't realize I have missed watching her do that. After a pop of her mouth, she turned to me with a drunk smile, "That was good, Emon!" Oh, fuck's sake! "Ya actually lifted me up while I had my weight's density packed! Not a lotta outsiders could'a done that! Those clothes sure hide that juicy body of yers!"

….Wow, I can't believe I actually heard that come from a little girl's voice.

"Now get ready…!" She rises up to her feet, body leant forward as if she was about to—oh no, "…for a Featherweight Ogre! YAH!"

Whoa! Catch her! [Huwa!]

*Glomp!*

….oh my goodness, she's as light as paper. I feel like I could just lift her up with my finger. She just changed her weight in mid-air. I thought I was gonna be crushed!

"You cheeky ogre, you!" I mashed my forehead straight to hers and shook my head side to side, making her giggle as she reciprocated the intention of giving each other a rough face makeover. Even our noses bumped. After that, I lifted her up into the air, much effortlessly than before thanks her weight hack of 1 kg, and I spun her around in fast circles on the dirt.

Her squeals of thrill and delight are a music to hear in of itself! Oh I love this millennium year old munchkin!

After doing so many spins, I slowed down while I resisted my own dizziness, pulled her close, making the end of her chains hit me on the back from the momentum (ow), and gave a long cheek kiss with an audible 'mwah', then crushed her to my chest. The amount of diabetes this cute little ogre have is so much I wanna turn her into a cute mush completely before I eat her whole! "Mmmmm…..! I miss you so much, you little cute bugger! Mrrm! Where on earth have you been while you were gone, hm!?"

She giggled some more, her face mashed to my collarbone and head bumping my chin as her horns can't let her face the side. She had her arms around my chest and legs encircling my waist. She's got an iron grip, wow! "I was goin' to look for some booze for the party today! I went to Old Hell to get more but got distracted by the party goin' on that I couldn't help but join in!"

…Really? You partied on the fucking job? And you actually went to Hell? The Fire and Brimstone Hell? Does that mean that if I were to say 'Go to Hell' to somebody, it's not gonna be a 'go away' anymore and instead be 'go over there to hell'?

"Specifically:" I released her from the hug but not letting go, adjusting her position by bouncing her up in my arms to make her face level with mine just so I could look her in the eye. With both arms below her bottom to keep her up and close to me, I finished my sentence, "You will be celebrating two parties under a single week, is that what you mean?"

"Yep! And I got the booze too!" She raised her gourd to the air, "Win-win!"

Why'd she look for booze when she got something that doesn't even seem to run out? I've saw her drink barrels worth from that thing, I don't think that's an ordinary gourd at all.

Maybe her gourd's sake got too overrated from past parties that everybody wants a different brand of booze.

I'd laugh if she owned a beer company with her gourd as the main production factor, "Hm, you done your job so all is well." I said, reaching for her head and kneading it from the top, close to her forehead. She seems to like it, as she's leaning upwards to my hand. "Now then," I retracted my hand and let it go back to clasp my other below her bum. "Now that heartfelt reunions are over with, care to introduce me to your friend behind me?"

"Oh sure!" Hm, she's quite excited to do so. "Go walk to her now!" She ordered, pointing past my shoulder. I'm starting to look like a daddy being told by my daughter to meet her favorite teacher. "Emin," Fucking grrr…! "Meet mah fellow deva, Hoshiguma Yuugiii!"

I still haven't turned my eyes to this deva yet, because I wanna make it a nice reveal. From what I've gathered just by listening to her speak, she sounds fun, loud, and quite boisterous! The amount of enthusiasm in her voice was so contagious that I couldn't help but feel energized when she said words of support to me. She even got impressions of rough and tough demeanors from her voice alone, the fun and playful kind. Her intonation sounded slightly masculine but I found large hints of feminine identity in it. It was quite clear that even idiots could tell she was a woman.

I feel like I will get along with this fun girl very well.

Now I shall turn my eyes to this girl and behold her beauty….now. "Good morning, Ms. Hoshiiiiguuuma…."

….…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..

…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..…..Oh…my…GAWD, SHE'S MASSIVE!

This girl could've looked slender from afar…but up close she was motherfucking Goliath! She's a female Goliath! And the Goliath in the bible was nearly 7 feet!

…and she has the biggest assets I have ever seen on a woman! They're much bigger than my head!

[….]

Her P.E. shirt and fancy not-so-see-through skirt was disarming, but the fact that she was carrying boxes almost twice the size of a TV box on each hand (with another box atop each one too!) and not even slipping them off their hand just exposes how much power she was hiding if she was lifting them up like that without visibly straining. Even her arms look like tree trunks!

"What's wrong, Jimmy? Never seen a taller ogre?"

Her hair was an amazing gold...and that one red horn on her forehead…it has a star on it.

All in all….she was a gloriously massive big beautiful ogre woman…..

"Helloooo, Jimmy? Are you still there upstairs?"

*SLAP!*

…that tiny hand of yers hurt more than it should on my shoulder blade, Munchkin. "Sorry…" I apologized softly, lowering Suika to the ground without even looking away. "Suika, could you please stand in front of me, please?"

"Okay…?" I see her move to my front below my peripherals. "What're you gonna do?"

I looked away from the new girl and looked down, placing my hand on one of Suika's horns.

Then my foot. "Don't move now, Munchkin."

Then I placed my other foot on the other horn, [Whooaa….] Wobbled there a little but thanks to Suika holding still like I asked, I was able to get my bearings and….there. Perfectly still. Never a rope walker before but I can hold on to my posture while standing on a horizontal pole as much as the next well-rounded free-runner, and Suika's horns are decently thick that I don't have to balance myself every 2 seconds. The fact that I'm barefooted helps.

I'm now level in height with this girl…well, slightly. She's still topping me. She's wearing an impressed and amused look in her eyes as I did this stunt.

Ahem, "…Your name again is Hoshiguma Yuugi, yes?"

She flashed me a big smile so bright it could've been possible to blind me if she tried, "Right you are!" She affirmed before lowering the crates to the ground on either side of her, much gracefully than I could think possible for a big girl like her. She didn't even make a sound as she placed them to the ground, not even a little thud, except the clanking sound of bottles in it.

How good was this girl in controlling her strength that she developed impeccable grace in the process?

"I'm also called Yuugi the Strong! Now what's yer name, Jimmy!?" She extended a hand for me to shake, "I already got yer name from Suika but I wanna hear it straight outta the guy who could lift her and throw her to the dirt without even thinking of the consequences!"

Her hand was big enough wrap my head in whole. I didn't even realize how powerful the impression each of her limbs was underneath all that slender structure.

I look at my own hand, and I suddenly feel like an infant. This is as worse as being compared to The Great Khali in terms of general body size!

Even so, I slapped my hand straight to hers, and she closed hers around it.

It was crushingly tight!

Though terrifying, I could not stop myself from smiling widely at the power this big beautiful girl has. I looked up to her, deflated the big fat smile into a friendly one, and said a hello, "Once again, it is astounding to meet you, Madam Hoshiguma Yuugi. For the sake of informality, you may call me by my first name of Eman." I inclined my head, "It wasn't part of my expectations for one of Suika's associates and friends to be as beautiful as she is massive." I swear to God I am not making that up. She is beautiful. If she wasn't this THICK, I could'a fallen in love instantly!

"BAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ooogh…! Once again, she's a loud load of fun. "Oh, this one's a flatterer, Suika! And he's not even fakin' it! Where'd ya find'm!?"

"Like I said! Yukari did!" Yelled the tiny below me as she took a swig without tilting her head up. Thank you for not doing so 'cuz I will seriously slip off.

"Oh," You sounded as if that one name explains everything about my situation. "Well, I wanna know where'd she finds this guy!" She turned to me, placing both giant hands on both my shoulders, no longer letting me balance myself. "Hey, how'd Yukari get ya, huh? Out of the blue? She visit ya or somethin'?"

I was a little shaken from the prospect that she could easily mush my torso apart, because my shoulders are almost nonexistent inside her hands! "Ahem, if you wish to know: Due to certain circumstances, I was pursuing her in a great chase. She had me go through many obstacles just to slow me down, but I took the mindset of a persistent predator and eventually caught her in a free-fall. To be honest, I thought I was about to die, but I merely landed on a clearing out there." I gestured to the Place of Worship. "Toughest chase I ever ventured. Gensokyo was my reward."

Her blazing red eyes narrowed, as if to see clearly and to analyze carefully. After a few seconds, her big-fun smile comes back, "Well, that's amazing!" Then she—

*GLOMP!*

CAN'T BREATHE! TOO TIGHT! TOO TIGHT! YOU'RE TOO STRONG, YUUGI!

"You must be a really fast Jimmy, ain'tcha!? How 'bout we have a race sometime, eh!? Just you an' me, from here to the top o' Youkai mountain, how 'bout that!?"

"Lemme go! Lemme go! You will break my backbone! Please!"

"HAHA! I like you, Jimmy! You an' I should drink later!"

GUWAH! HAH! HAH! HAH!

Thanks for letting go before I became one of the people from Avatar….though I'd like an increase in height if anything. No more than 6'5" please.

Okay…I got my oxygen back. Damn, never gonna be in the center of an ogre group hug in the future...ever.

Stand up now from the ground that Suika vacated before I could land on her head, and look up to the big girl looking down on me, "You believe the story, Ma'am? Even though I have naught for evidence?"

"'Course I do! And don't call me a 'ma'am', that's too formal! Just call me Yuugi like everybody!" AGH! A friendly pat-pat on my shoulder just shook my entire skeleton! "Suika told me all about it before, and you didn't look like ya were lyin' at all so I couldn't help but believe it!"

Does that relate to the 'Ogre don't lie' stereotype? "You can see through deceit in words, ma'am?"

"Again!" AGH! AGAIN ON THE SHOULDER! "Call me Yuugi! C'mon, Jimmy, say the words! C'mon! It's easy as saying 'bread'!"

...Kinda funny, considering that one of the Filipino words for bread is 'Pan' as well. I bet it came by when the Japanese invaded the country.

[Ehehe.] Excuse me while I roll my shoulder and massage it before you actually dislocate it on the next friendly gesture! "You can see through deceit in words, Yuugi?"

"There ya go!" Not this time!

Duck under the incoming hand, quickly swerve around her back and eject upwards from the ground to her shoulders. Holding myself up with one hand gripping her shoulder, I readied my fist and—

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING!?

[Holy shit! I'm so sorry!] Combat reflex! Combat reflex! FUCK YOU, SURVIVAL INSTINCTS! "I'm sorry! I'm very sorry!" Go back in front of her, you bitch! You can't apologize while you're behind her! "I'm terribly sorry! I didn't mean it! I didn't want you to hit me the third time, but my mind immediately started thinking I was in danger so I automatically did that! Please forgive me, I didn't mean to hurt you! I wasn't really—"

"BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!‼!"
"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!‼!"

Even though I got my ears clamped, why's Suika laughing as well!? DAMN IT! YOU'RE FUCKING LOUD, YUUGI! EVEN THE BIRDS ARE FLYING AWAY! I WILL NEVER LET YOU IN MY COMEDY ROUTINE EVER!

"HAHAAA!" After finishing the last of her mirth, she lowers her blown-back head down to look at me again, this time with lots of admiration in her red eyes. "Ah, I'm starting to like ya even more, Jimmy boy! Not only a fast one but a fighter too!" She raised a hand—

AH! Don't hammer me to the ground with a head pat!

*Pat. Pat.*

...what the? It's….soft…?

"Simmer down, Jimmy! I ain't mad, I was just surprised! I just didn't expect somebody skinny like you to actually move behind me and instantly up to my back under nearly 1 second!"

She's still patting and ruffling my head, "So….I'm not in trouble?" I asked meekly, inconspicuously trying to lean up to her soothing touch.

"No, you got yerself a drinkin' partner for later!" She was now rubbing a few strands of my bangs with her massive fingers. "Gods, yer hairs' smooth as a goddess's silk! How'd ya bathe, Jimmy?"

"Really!?" WAH! Something tiny and soft just piggybacked me! What the? There's a pair of tiny hands feeling my hair! "Wow! So fluffy! I wanna sleep innit!"

What!? [No, don't you dare!] Don't you fucking belly-flop my fucking nonexistent hairdo!

"What you say, Jimmy!?" Ow! Your hand's getting rougher, Yuugi! Stop it! "Was that a foreign tongue or something!? Should'a known ya weren't Japanese! Ya got a different face, yer tall for a human, yer flesh's white as snow, and yer name's different too!"

"Brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbr!" Stop rubbing your face on my hair, Suika!

[Egh! Get offa me! I don't want yer beer-breath stinking all over!] Fuckin', can't get ya off because of yer fucking ogre privileges! How could you actually break the earth when you're this small!?

"Wait! I got an idea! Suika, get offa 'im!" Thank you, now please get her off!

With one hand, she grabs Suika by the head, lifts her up from me—oh thank you.

"Now you sit there." Why'd you make her sit on my shoulders instead!? "Now you come here!"

WHUAH! Why're you holding my waist with one massive hand!? "Whoawhoa! What're you doin', Yuugi!?"

"This!" She posted me to sit on her shoulders this time. "There ya go! Now this is what I call an Oni-Sandwich, Suika!"

A jolly laugh erupts above me. "It's better than Mashed Ass-tatoes!"

"AHAHAHAHAHA!" AGH, MY EARS!

WHOA! I nearly fell off because of her tipping her head back. I had to put my feet behind her chest and grabbed on to her horn with a free hand just to stay in place. Suika was doing the same with her feet behind my chest, clinging on with a tight grip, but she thankfully didn't grab my head to stay balanced. Her tiny legs did all the work; they're really strong stuff.

"Whee! I'm as tall as the Shrine!"

"What're you talkin' about, Suika!? Ya could just enlarge yerself into that height!"

"Girls! Girls! Girls! Can we please quiet down for a minute!?"

"….."

"….."

"Thank you for your cooperation. Now Yuugi, my dear," I leaned forward to look down on Yuugi's face, Suika's not even falling off my shoulders as I did. How's she doin' that? "Could you please turn us around and face outwards to Gensokyo?"

"Oh sure." And she does, turning in a graceful sway. "That good?"

"Perfect." I sighed, smiling at the extra amount of height in my new vantage point and the view I was getting. "Aw, this view is magnificent! At this height, I feel like I could take over Gensokyo all on my own!"

"YAY! World domination!" Thank you for agreeing with me, Suika! Yeah, toast us with that gourd!

"We are UNSTOPPABLE!" Whoa! Yuugi even pumped her hips forward as punctuation, flexing her fucking beefy arms while she did!

Lemme add something too! [WHOO!] AUGH! FLAMES ON MY BICEPS AND FLAMETHROWERS EVERYWHERE AS I WAVE THEM ABOUT!

"Well, well, Jimmy!" Sounds like Yuugi likes the pyrotechnics!

"March us, Yuugi!" Suika ordered.

"Will do!"

She turned around, opting to march the Ogre Sandwich around the shrine and—

"GUHA!"
[ACK!]
"Mm."

*Thud!*
*Thud!*

…..…..

….Something wooden just slammed into my forehead, throwing me off of Yuugi's shoulder and landing on my back! Ow! Aaahh…..my head. That blow really hurt…!

Suika landed on her head, that's rough. Thank goodness you're an ogre. You wouldn't have survived that otherwise, not in one piece, I mean.

And Yuugi? She's just rubbing the point of her horn as if there's a smudge on it.

What happened?

Ignore the headache. Sit up, me—ow! Fuck, that landing hurt! Where'd that thing that hit my forehead come from—

….Reimu's over there by the entrance of the shrine looking irate as fuck!

"Could you three….just SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY!? I CAN'T SLEEP WITH ALL YA YELLING AND LAUGHING LIKE FUCKING IDIOTS FOR THE PAST 10 FUCKING MINUTES!"

Wuuaaaa…..she just cursed. DAMN!

"Hi, Rei!" Yuugi greets her with a smile, "How's life been since we meet, eh!?"

"Been better till you came disturbing my precious nap!"

"Oowiiee…!"

I'll ignore Yuugi and Reimu for now, gotta attend to the munchkin here. Crawling over to her, I asked, still holding my head, "Are you okay?"

"Oooww." Suika rubbed her forehead. Whoa, there's a red mark in there. "Reimu hit me with a ying-yang orb…."

Ying-yang orb? Hold on….

Wait, you mean this little thing?

I picked it up and examined it: A marble-like ball two times the size of a tennis ball and designed with a red-white ying-yang look. This thing feels solid, and a quite heavy. If I was hit by this, I'd probably be knocked out. And there's a second one over there by Yuugi's feet. She must've took it by the horn, but she sure tanked the blow really well.

If both ogres got hit by this thing, then what hit me? It certainly feels like something thin…..

…..oh, Reimu's stick….thanks for the special treatment, at least. Not that it hurts less. My head actually got blown backwards from that, man.

"Gimme that!" The ying-yang ball got swiped out of my hand and a small fist bonks my head. Owie.

Must you really, Reimu?

She gave me the dirty look before dismissing me and picking up her gohei. "How're you two drunks the first to arrive out of all people? I thought you and Suika usually arrive last." She remarked, picking up her last orb on the ground and slotting them in her sleeves…..what the hell? "...and late."

"I wanna see Emen again…"

Sigh. As sweet as the intention sounds, you still fucked up my name and I can't feel your sincerity anymore.

"And she wanted me to meet'm as well. Turns out he's quite somethin'!" Yuugi gave me a sideways glance with a smile.

"He's just an outsider with fire powers and acrobats. It's not like he's the first one you've met." Hey now—Wait, there're more like me? "Now c'mon! Bring the boxes in! You've been letting them soak in the sun for too long, and I don't want any hot sake on my party."

Geez, she's gone bossy again.

"Okay. C'mon, Suika. Haul up." And Yuugi procedurally picks up a stack of 2 boxes and hefts it up like it's a box shaped Styrofoam. The clanking sound inside reminded me that it's still a crate full of booze and not spray-painted to look like a crate full of booze.

"Up you go." I held both Suika's tiny hands and pulled her up to her feet then patted her back. I watched as her tiny self hefted up the second stack above her head and walked forward without the slightest effort.

Damn, these ogres are DOPE.

Good thing they didn't step on my beauty here. C'mon, let's get you in.

"So Eman," Reimu began, sitting down before the kotatsu as the two other girls finally placed the boxes at the back porch of the shrine before joining her. "How'd you get on Yuugi's good side?"

Wait, she's suddenly talky now? I thought she was mad for her disrupted nap time?

"Let her be the one to answer that." Yuugi, take the reins, please?

"Okay! He sounds like somebody who can fight!" As she sat before the kotatsu, she still managed to be tall. If I were to stand beside her, I'll become her equal in height. "I heard 'bout 'im being chased around by Suika before and I got really interested. Just earlier he just slinked under my hand and suddenly ended up behind me, about to clobber me head!"

You being jolly as you narrated that kinda threw me off.

"Just from that, you already like him?" Yeah, what Reimu said. You liked it when I was about to hit you?

"Nah," Yuugi waved the assumption off with a smile, "He has guts. And that's what I consider strong from ya humans. He didn't flinch and just smiled when I was holding his hand quite tightly. And even though I hit'm on the shoulder 2 times already, he didn't even blink or wince! And he even treats Suika like his sweet baby girl even though she's an oni and could'a snapped his neck anytime. How is that not strong!?"

…..…..I'm horribly flattered.

"…..So I struck your fancy in virtue of my interesting feats?" Since you're strong, you like strong people in turn?

"Yes, ya did!" She drew a large red drinking dish from…somewhere and held it out to Suika across the table, who poured some booze in from her gourd. "And there's even you chasin' the gap Youkai before comin' here in Gensokyo! How'd that went, really? I wanna hear the whole story again from you, since you were the one who went through it all." She then take a long sip.

So you're interested. Is it okay if I tell her about the thing that happened between me and the creator of Gensokyo, Reimu?

She simply waved me off, pouring herself a cup of tea. Geez, how much do you drink that stuff, girl?

Since I got permission, time for another storytelling. With some background music, "Well, it all began with a—WAAAAH!"

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

The dimensional rift with red ribbons keeping it from spreading any further vanished as soon as Eman's white feet was swallowed whole along with his entire being, only to open up again to spit out his classical guitar before closing for the last time. The instrument clattered harmlessly on the floor, a cacophony of blind notes braying before fading into silent repose.

Yuugi turned to Reimu with an amused smile, "It all began with a wah?"

While Suika found it funny and guffawed, the shrine maiden groaned loudly in her hands, her patience already lost as she knew that whenever Yukari gets involved with outsiders, there's always a piece of work coming to her face in the next few days. "Don't even ask." Her voice seemed more like a growl in her hands.

The giant deva of the mountain chuckled, holding her dish out to Suika for a refill then extended it to Reimu's reach. "Here ya go, Rei. Have some of this to take the stress away."

"Hey, that rhymed!" Suika quipped.

Reimu swiped the dish out of Yuugi's massive hand, somehow not spilling the contents and letting the enhanced taste of Suika's iconic sake flow down her throat. The call for seconds came quickly when she drank it whole.