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.

32. Take Her Hand

It hurts….Bad….ow….my legs….chest…my fucking right arm…..aagh…!

Moving a little bit only made it worse, and I can't even make a grunt because I broke my fucking throat screaming and roaring for god knows how long last night.

And what is this smell? Smells…..organic….is this ointment?

No, I should be finding out where I am. For one thing, whatever I'm lying on is too solid, like a bamboo bed with only a spread of cloth atop. No cushioning whatsoever. Fucking uncomfortable is what it is. It's amazing I even slept on it.

From what I can see from here as soon as my eyes have adjusted to the light, I'm in some kind of little home made entirely out of bamboo. The bed I'm lying on is against the corner, and there's an open window just next to the place above my head, letting in limited sunlight and the sounds of a summer morning. A chair with a bamboo cup filled with water placed atop just next to my bedside. In the center of the building there's a small table, also made of bamboo with a little flower on a bamboo vase atop. In the other side of this house, right across me is a kitchen, and there's a woman with silky long black hair with fancy red highlights and wearing a moonlight dress with her back towards me, stirring a ladle on a pot hanging over a fire.

The wolf ears atop her head told me that I'm not in the presence of somebody human. And I think I know who it is. Reimu fought her once and I've been taking a particular interest in her ever since I found out she's a werewol—sorry, wifwolf. That means female werewolf, and I never heard of any popular media using that term.

And my views on werewolves is still with me: they are AWESOME.

[….….]

Oh, forgot. Can't speak. Trying to call her attention only made me exhale.

"Oh." Never mind, her wolfy ears twitched and she turned around, pretty face expressing surprise upon seeing me awake. "Well, it seems you're already up. Good morning, dear. What you've done last night was quite the gossip amongst the others compared to that tengu's newspaper if you want your charming hostess Kagerou's opinion."

…..

…..…..

Oh shit, she's waiting for a reply from me. Here—ow! The hell? Just turning to lie on my right side to face her only gave me a powerful spike! Ah-ha-how!

"Oh, careful there. You've overexerted that arm. It'd be best that you give it a rest for now."

Whoa, my entire right arm is wrapped-up heavily with bandages from shoulder all the way to the hand. Okay. I got a history of injuries and I never had anything like this before. Sensation is strange, and light movements hurt. I can move my fingers but that's it. Anything else and I'll get a spike. Ow. Flailing overexerted limbs nonstop while the state of mind is out of control cannot be good for the muscles. You'd melt them…hopefully, that's not what happened to me.

At least my left arm is okay. Aching but usable. I gesture a cut gesture close to my neck and tried to make a voice, only for it to come out in wheezes. Means I can't speak, girl.

"Ah, I see." She caught on quickly. "Looks like chitchat will be one-sided for me then. At least it doesn't beat the company of a handsome human like yourself, no?"

….….….….

….….….….….I would have blushed if I haven't died of poisoning prior to hearing that.

Her tone is sweet and caring, somewhat like a mother, but the compliment she gave is patronizing, even if she didn't mean to. She views me as something close to a critter that she won't kill, like a human to a rabbit. My NDE gave me a close look of how Youkai view humans.

Noting my silence, seeing the atmosphere turning awkward, she turned around and returned to her pot stirring, "Just wait right there, honey. Soup's almost on. I left some water right beside you in case you're thirsty."

Yes, thank you.

Sitting myself up as carefully as possible without spiking a large one on my ridiculously aching body, I finally got myself leaning back against the bamboo wall and resting my bare feet against the cold floors.

Ow. Everything still hurts.

But as long as I finally did my job, it's all worth it.

The objective last night was essentially end their animosity of me and make a point that I must be treated like an equal under the Spell Card System, either through dialogue or through violence. Though, considering I was drunk on anger that night just to protect myself from fear, dialogue was not possible at all. Made my words sound antagonistic and clouded my judgment.

Still, it's done. What would've happened to Jin will still be the same on both outcomes. I never intended to kill him (still don't have Yukari's permission). I wanted to fix him up and end their animosity in that fashion. Then afterwards I'll expose his crimes of not telling them the truth to the alpha. That'll either get him executed or exiled, both works for me. If it's the latter and he tries to get revenge on me for it, I'll seal him and offer his soul to the Holy Spirit at the Place of Worship.

I wanna know what She'll do to him.

I hope the act of violence I did that night made the message clear to every Youkai that were watching or heard about me in the rumors that'll form from it: leave me alone and respect me as an Outsider under the Spell Card Rules.

I just want to live like a human; making dango in every weekday, play with my animals every time I come home, brainstorm new Spell Cards every night, have fun with my friends every weekend and pray every Sunday. That's all I want.

I still doubt that it'll be enough to dissuade every lesser Youkai in Gensokyo but it's a start. Let the rumors handle everything else for me.

I'll have that cup of water Kagerou placed on the stool, thank you. Feels weird I'm using my left hand for this.

*gulp*

Hm. It's warm, tasted like it was heated maybe an hour or so ago. Considering that I don't see any faucet around small bamboo house, my assumption is clear. It's river water.

Now that's a way to be mindful of my being. I'm human so I will get sick if you give me river water. Boil the river water and you'll kill the bacteria, making it cleaner and safer for humans to drink.

Wolf girl here deserves a thank you for going that far for me.

*sniff* There's a bowl of something murky and green resting on the floor. So that's where organic smell's coming from. I thought it was the ointment already applied on my arm. I guess not. Was it already prepared beforehand or did she make it while I was sleeping?

"Soup's on, Sugar."

Gotta admit, her nicknames are rather nice to hear, especially with the pleasant tone of hers.

I give her a grateful nod, watching as she elegantly took a seat on the stool in front of me, pulling it back just slightly with one hand and the other holding a bowl of delicious-looking broth of vegetables and a bit of meat. Smells nice too.

"Safe to assume your dominant hand isn't good for use, no?" She asked.

Nah. No good. Even if I were to use my left hand, the aches on it will make me do a terrible job at holding the spoon.

"Then you wouldn't mind darling Kagerou to feed you then, yes?" She said in a chipper tone, grinning and showing a rather sharp set of teeth. Somehow, I find it rather appealing with her big red eyes. I returned her smile with my own, just a little one with no teeth showing. "Be careful not to burn your tongue. Hate to be the cause of a disappointment, you see."

I watched delicate fingers sporting exquisite red talons hold a wooden spoon, scooping up a generous amount before holding it out to me. "Open wide, hon."

I blew into it a few times before I carefully sipped it.

Hm. It's good, almost something I'd make when I'm serving guests at home. In fact, I think I cooked something like this before, maybe when Remilia came over (broke in) to my house once.

Once the bowl was emptied, she carried it and my cup to the kitchen before coming back and picking up the ointment bowl on the ground saying, "Now, let's get you treated up, shall we? It isn't as fancy as the Lady Apothecary in that mansion but an injury like that doesn't need anything sophisticated. My ointment will fix your arm in just a few days. You don't mind, do you?"

No, but I question why you didn't just carry me to Eirin's house.

"You're probably thinking: 'oh dear Kagerou, why have you not brought me to Doctor Eirin's care and spared yourself the trouble of taking care of me?' Well, dearie…" She placed a hand to her cheek, pondering, "…..let's just say that I have personal 'motivation' to do so. Besides, I have a few questions regarding what you've done last night, if you don't mind my asking?"

"it's okay." I replied, shaking my head. I may have lost a voice but I can still speak in breaths. Since she's a wolf Youkai, she should be able to hear even my mumbles.

"Wonderful." She beamed, "Now, let's get that shirt off you."

I gripped the collar of my black shirt, pointing a finger at my bandaged and limp right arm. "help." My movements are limited, girl. If I even try to do it on my own, I need to prepare for a lot of crying cuz it will hurt.

"Oh, sorry." She set the bowl on the floor and moved close, holding my right wrist gently with one hand while the other pulled my shirt up from the back. With a bit of careful maneuvering, my head and left arm was fully retract inside and the shirt slowly pulled off from the right arm. Bending forward kinda hurts but at least I don't have to move my fucked-up limb.

Now I'll just remove the bandages on my own, starting with the knot on my palm here….c'mon…..untie already, you fuckin'….dammit! It's a simple knot, how the fuck is this so difficult to untie with one hand!?

Long red-colored talons connected to delicate fingers reached out and held both hands each, stopping them.

"Let me handle it, honey."

I grabbed her right hand with my left, feeling amazingly soft and smooth skin as I stopped her from doing anything.

"What's wrong?" She asked, giving me a concerned look.

I moved my grip upwards to her fingers, feeling even more of her beautiful flesh as I held them, then I gave emphasis to her long and undoubtedly sharp talons.

"Ah." Understanding crosses her face before she gave me a warm and reassuring smile, sharp teeth and all, "Don't you worry, honey. I've lived with my nails like this for decades and I haven't had problems with anything I touched, including friends and strangers. I'm as gentle as a lover." She made the point by interlocking our fingers, giving it a squeeze. The points of her claws are touching the back of my hand but I only felt pokes, no sting or anything. "See?"

Hm.

I gave her hand one more squeeze to feel more of her softness before I let go and let her untie the bandages.

I already knew that she's careful with them but I'm doing this on purpose. I need to act like I know nothing about her. This will keep suspicion from coming my way and sometimes, I don't appreciate that I know too much about a person already. It destroys the dynamic of making a meaningful relationship with another person, especially when their past is already known to me. Past actions don't always define the present. Just look at me. I was worse 2 years ago compared to now.

If I could just forget about what I don't want to know, that would be great. I'm not letting the first impression I've had of people in their worst days dictate my behavior around them. This wolf girl here has matured from savage ways. She could even control herself during the full moon. I want to look at that person compared to the one from centuries ago.

I let out a long exhale as the last of the bandages was finally removed, giving it the feeling of cold air and refreshing release.

"My, look at all the red." She mentioned, looking over my red arm. Compared to when heat's flowing under it, this sort of red looks….unhealthy. Some looked darker in shade. "Be thankful you didn't melt the innards of it, especially when you played with fire last night." She picked up the bowl and set it on her lap, scooping up a portion into her palm before rubbing it on my should—

[…!] OW! [TCH!] I hissed sharply upon her contact. That actually HURT!

"That was Kagerou's gentlest touch, honey." She told dryly, giving me a wry smile. "Is the escapade yesterday just for show? Show some power by bearing with it. You're a man, aren't you?"

Yeah, whatever. Just ignore the sounds I'm making. This is me being human, suffering just like everybody else. Just be gentle, Kagerou. There's only so much I can take.

Spreading the ointment over my shoulder and down to my bicep without applying any pressure, she put both hands on again and said to me, "Here goes…"

Oowwww….! [..fff…..!] Should'a given me something to bite on, at least! Would've made this thing more bearable. I might break this bed of yours in half the more I keep gripping it like this!

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"There. That wasn't so bad, was it?" She said with a smile, wiping her hands and under her talons with a towel.

Yeah, shut up. My eyes were tearing from all that pain and oooow….! I could still feel your gentle touches throbbing on my entire body, you stupid nut! Be grateful your bed's still intact! Agh, my jaw. Gritted my teeth too hard. Not just the arm but my entire back too along with the other arm. The pain isn't intense in that area but it still hurts when your gentle touch is involved!

"And while you lie there, I'm gonna start with the questioning." She dragged the chair closer, crossing her legs and interlocking her fingers atop her lap. "I promise to keep everything confidential so nothing you say leaves this house, okay, hon?"

Lying down my front on the bed, wearing my shirt and the bandages again, I gave a little nod.

"First thing's first." She held out her interlocked fingers towards me and opened them up, showing a little rock with a tiny orb of multiple colors rotating above it. "This little one you've sealed, what will you do with him?"

If I remember right, the youngest pup of the wolf tribe was Shin. The boy actually gave away his life for a piece of shit relative. The youngest beast Youkai have the most animalistic instincts no different than before they became Youkai, so they are the most susceptible to emotional impulse, fear most prominently. Behind all that rage from last night, I was initially impressed of his courage and will. Normal fledgelings would have ran away the sooner they get the chance.

Being sealed is considered a nightmare fate for some Youkai, but Shin had the privilege to be taken in by the Holy Spirit instead. You will be imprisoned, but you won't be alone in the confinement. A parent, sibling, lover or God will keep you company all the way until you're free.

Holy Spirit, please speak in my stead.

And She does, floating out of my back in the form of a colorful golf ball.

My Hellfires is not all that my NDE showed what it can and cannot do. And in the case of the Holy Spirit….well….it should not be surprising for me but…..

…..She can do anything. LITERALLY. ANYTHING. Speaking on my behalf? That's one of the first.

The problem: my imagination. It's not like I was explicitly shown what the Holy Spirit could do, I was only 'told' that She can do anything. I just have to figure out what they are.

"I Will Unseal Him In My Household And Imprison Him There Until The Wolf Clan Settled Their Matters With Each Other." Listening to her gives me goose bumps. I don't know why, it's just…..the sound of it….uncanny…

"Imprison him, huh…." She looked down on the pebble, stroking a thumb across its rocky surface, as if it were alive. "Under your care, what will happen to him?"

I give him the Filipino hospitality. It's a policy I'll uphold for people I am responsible for. "He Will Be Welcome Like A Son And Treated Like A Guest. He Will Be Under My And My Guardians' Protection, Fed And Cared For. Aside From That, His Youkai Practices Will Be Discouraged And I Will Show Him A Different Way Of Life If I Can Manage It."

"Honey, your human way of life cannot be compatible to a Youkai. Not only is it wrong, it is dangerous to our wellbeing."

If my pre-NDE self heard that, I would have been stubborn and claim that I'll work my way around it.

But I know better now, and reforming a Youkai is easier said than done. Another better solution is a way of life accommodating both races in an acceptable fashion, one that could protect and benefit oneself. Older and smarter Youkai would know so much about this, Yukari being the most extreme example that even other Youkai can't figure out how she acts or thinks.

"I Said Nothing About It Being My Way Of Life, Kagerou." Is it me or did the aches on my back and hand suddenly feel dull or numb? "His Relative Made A Mistake, And I Intend To Make Sure He Doesn't Do The Same And Doom His Future Pack The Same Way It Had The Night Before."

"And you would know so much about how?" She asked, giving me a pointed stare.

"Of Course. I Have A Level Of Savvy Prior To My Arrival In Gensokyo, And It Has Improved Immensely Since My Stay." And I will never tell you how broad it is or how I got it under a single day in a matter of 3 hours. "Trust Me. I Can Handle It."

She sighed lightly, looking down and leaning back against the wall on her stool. "Alright, I submit. I'll leave him to you. You did heal somebody to complete health. Youkai wounds heal back overtime and it looked like that man's been that way for a long time until your little rainbow clouds touched him."

And thanks to our boy Shin, he wasn't the one sealed to the Holy Spirit and, very likely at this very moment, receiving a lot of shit for all the destruction his actions had brought on their tribe. If he dies, sucks to be him. At least he'll set an example from carelessly rejecting the Spell Card Rules ever again.

"Next question: just what exactly happened between you and that wolf tribe? Whatever it was, the people of the Bamboo Forest have been speculating it nonstop. I'd like to hear the context of it all….if you do not mind telling me?"

Well, thank you for being tactful.

Steeling myself, I rolled around until I was now face up—no pain. Just what kind of ointment was that you applied on me, girl? My right arm still aches but my back feels so…fine.

Anyway, I answered her question, telling her from start to finish. How it happened, why I attacked, why they hated me, what happened behind it, and why I had to heal back my killer as well as seal their youngest pup. Kagerou hung on to every word, and slowly her features contorted to sympathy and a bit of irony.

"Aren't you the merciful type? You healed everybody you've harmed and never intended to kill anybody in the first place." She let out a ladylike chuckle, "Tell me, honey, what would happen to Jin if he was sealed instead of this little one?"

"I Will Claim Him As My Slave And Have Him Used As An Experiment To See If Youkai Can Survive From Something Else Entirely Different Than Fear. He Will Not Be Missed, But At Least He Will Not Die. His Lies Led To The Fall Of The Tribe And Even The Patriarch Should Understand That. The Fate I Had In Store For Him Is The Most Merciful."

"Hm, will you be a lenient and merciful master or will you be cruel and demanding?" She asked neutrally.

"That Depends Entirely On His Attitude And His Performance, But I Will Not Be Cruel Without Justifications. Good Conduct Will Be Rewarded."

If I were to own a slave, I would not be harsh or be dismissive of their existence, only treating them like a tool that would be cast out once useless. I would respect them like the living being they are and dignify their existence as a thinking being. I'll make sure they're properly fed and given reasonable tasks that they could handle.

In another perspective, Jin'd be no different than a regular person living in my house earning his keep by doing chores.

Plus, I got practical reasons to have him around. One among them is carrying me home and nursing me after collapsing from a berserker fit or insanity lapse like last night. Second is to be some sort of advisor, one that understands the mindset of a Youkai better than I do.

"Okay, that answers that then. I'm certain that with the scene you've caused and that little howl you made in the end, you would have less impolite people bothering you now." Your terminology is cute, girl. And yep, that is also why I wasn't subtle with my approach. It will drive a point home to every Youkai watching. I'll be respected as a player from now on, hopefully.

"What About Yourself? What Made You Hold Back From Attacking Me And Empowering Yourself With The Flesh Of The Hermit?" I know Kagerou has standards but I just wanna know.

She chuckled good-naturedly, "Honey, I'm not part of the impolite sort of folk that would grab you from the shadows and have their way with you when they have the chance. Actions have consequences and I am very careful with whom I'll bare my claws to. I don't want to start a cycle of revenge, you see. Besides, power has responsibilities and I'm not so inclined to carry so heavy a burden like climbing the power hierarchy. I'm satisfied on my level." She reached forward and ruffled my head, tugging a few of my silky strands, "Also, your dear Kagerou is better than who she was before. Innocent things like yourself are best preserved for as long as possible."

Her words lit my heart on fire, bringing a smile to my face. My NDE showed that she is a good Youkai, the rarest of them all (especially when it's not in the nature of her Youkai species to be so), and hearing her say words that basically confirmed it just makes me very happy.

"I'm Not Innocent, Kagerou." You should have seen me 2 years ago and what I really am in my dreams. "You're Wasting Your Efforts. What I Have Done The Night Before And The Certain Days Prior Will Render That Label Null."

"Oh no, dear." She playfully shook my head as she grabbed a handful of my locks, "Anyone with the heart to help their enemies despite hurting them deserves a place in my compliments. That sort of 'innocence' is making me more than a bit fond of you."

Now that made the heat rise up to my cheeks, making me look away. That one was genuine and it was very effective. A beautiful and elegant girl, Imaizumi Kagerou, who is one of the mythical creatures that I LOVED SO VERY MUCH, is fond of me? There's no way I wouldn't like that.

I reached up with my good hand to the one ruffling my head, held it gently and gave a chaste kiss on the back of it, "Thank You For Everything, Kagerou. For Feeding Me And Nursing Me; It Means So Much, Especially From A Youkai Like Yourself Who Doesn't Even Know My Name From The Start Or Is Even Aware Of My Status As A Half-Hermit. Thank You. If You Ever Need My Help, Assistance Or Even Protection, Come Find Me And I Will Do My Best To Return The Favor."

She was still, with her hand in mine, her other holding Shin sealed inside a pebble with the Holy Spirit keeping him company, there was a smirk rising on the corner of her lips. She stood up and turned around, heading to the table where my vest, weapons and the eagle glove sat by, all cleaned up and prepped whenever I need to go, and she swung her hips sexily all the way.

…...This isn't what I think it is, is it?

Steadily, she stuffed Shin the pebble in one of the vest pockets. As she straightened her posture, she did a shrug and her dress gently slid down midway to her bicep, leaving smooth and pale shoulders and maybe a little bit of her back bare to the air behind that silky waterfall of black hair with red highlights.

….gulp….keep it down, man. You won't know until she said it.

Clasping her fingers behind her back, she turned around once again and approached me, very slowly, staring deeply into my eyes all the way with a controlled look of hunger in her red eyes. It took much of me to not look down and look at her exposed collarbone or her cleavage, "How is your back?"

I swallowed my saliva. "Numb."

This time, the sweet quality of her toothy smile is now overpowered by a sultry one. "Good, that means the ointment is doing its magic. Aside from fixing your muscles together, it will put your nerves to sleep and keep you from feeling the painful process."

She took a hem of her skirt with both hands, slowly raised it high, showing deliciously smooth legs, and she laid a knee atop the bedside, swinging her other leg above my own till she straddled my groin and hovered her face above mine, supporting herself with her hands on either side of my head.

I made sure not to look anywhere lower than the level of her eyes, because I swear she wasn't wearing anything down there in my peripherals.

"Remember that bright flash of light you made last night?" Her voice was nothing but a whisper, and her warm breath brushing my face made my good hand reach up and hold her side. "It matured plants or made new ones grow from the ground in an instant, and whatever green you destroyed in the forest, even more replaced it. It gave me the inkling of a thought that the light made everything around you….fertile."

Then she pressed her lips to mine, giving me the full sensation of a soft and overwhelmingly addicting kiss with a springy quality to it.

And my mind exploded then and there.

At this very moment, the pain in my right arm somehow disappeared or didn't matter anymore.

I moved my head the slightest bit forward, deepening our kiss and both my hands steadily wrapped themselves around her waist, and she gently lied her body atop me, bringing a soft sensation on my chest. She held my cheeks, careful in where her talons are pointed, and she made the kiss even more intimate, her tongue invading my mouth and exploring it very thoroughly.

It's so….gooood.

I could hear my heartbeat beating loudly in my chest, and I could feel hers. The friction she's making on both our groins is not doing any good for my self-control. She's grinding me. If it weren't for that ointment, I would be feeling the pain in my back because of her weight and making this intimacy dull. And I can't deny the fact that I'm starting to want more.

She parted the kiss with a pop, a string of saliva connected from our mouths hanging until she licked my lips. I stared at her, breathing heavily as she spoke again, "It may not have affected you or any human for that matter but you likely made every Youkai that ever saw it in heat, including me." She reached up to the collar of her dress and pulled it down even further, showing more….more. "I don't like to boast but I do wonderfully in terms of self-control, whether under the night of the full moon or when I am in need of a mate. However, considering that a robust young man is in my closest vicinity, there's only sooo much I could do before I give in….and frankly speaking, honey, I don't want to hold on anymore so…."

Her breaths are starting to become heavier and her face turning to a darker shade of red as she leaned back, letting her dress fall down to her lap, exposing her amazing body that was so white I could nearly see through her and while she's a bit curvy, her slim build is inhumanly sexy, and her breasts are no joke either. They are perky enough to fit my hands if I dared grab them.

My right hand held her thigh and slowly went up under her dress, towards the joint in her waist where I confirmed that she is not wearing anything underneath and began rubbing it slowly but sensually. My other hand that was still on her waist slowly slid upwards, my thumb brushing the side of her breast, which she shivered from, to her collarbone, up to her slim neck, and finally to her cheek.

Lustfully, she held on to my hand and began peppering my palm with kisses, eventually sucking on my thumb, sending a strange but not unwelcome sensation jolting across my arm and towards my nether regions, now making me erect. It fucking hurts.

I want to take these pants off!

Taking her mouth off my thumb, leaving it glistening in saliva, she said to me in a breathy voice, grinding my waist with desire, "I'll take you up on your offer, hon. You want to return the favor, now's your chance."

I quickly sat up and took her lips to myself, provoking a surprised yelp from her but she quickly melted into the kiss, wrapping her hands around my head and deepening our intimacy, tracing her fingers across my locks, throwing careful out the window as her talons are now grazing the back of my head.

My left hand is placed in-between her shoulder blades, the other tightly around her waist, keep her nether region pressed against mine. So smooth….so soft…so hot. For about a couple dozen seconds, we remained like this….building up the tension, increasing our desire and fire, and when I could not take it anymore…..

I tapped a finger to the back of her head.

†To a blissful sleep, Holy Spirit.†

Kagerou suddenly fell limp, arms falling slack, her lips parting from mine and her head landing on my shoulder. I held her close so she doesn't fall precariously. With a series of enforced anger and gritted teeth, I eventually killed my lust.

And now, I feel…..empty.

I hugged her tight, a vain attempt of comforting myself through this pain.

I don't know if it's love at first sight or something else entirely but I was drawn to Kagerou. She's a Youkai with standards, someone with very respectable principles, not to mention that she's very beautiful. She's also mature and practical, knowing better than to do things carelessly without thinking of the consequences. I do love her for being a wifwolf but the most redeeming quality she had that made me fall for her in the first place: she's a good Youkai. The last time she harmed a human, it was a century and a few decades ago. The times she helped humans, never a year without one. What she's done for me speaks for itself.

There's no way she could have made that ointment under one hour. She had to have searched for herbs beforehand. How long that'll take, I don't know but I know it'll take longer than that. She cooked for me, she even lent her only bed to me, sacrificing much of her comfort for my sakes. All for somebody she didn't even know.

I'm more than willing to take her as a girlfriend. I would have allowed her to take my purity in this very moment, and when it is done, I will make my way to court her and become a couple. I hate one-night stands, including those who participate in it. Why would you have sex with somebody and not have anything to do with each other afterwards? The way I see it, it's nothing but disrespect to your own body and to the other person. Sex for sex's sake? Bullshit is what it is. There's a thing called Masturbating, do that instead!

I was ready. So fucking ready to no longer be a virgin, in exchange for a responsibility that's above normal and I would be willing to take it. I would have lived in Gensokyo with somebody I can go to in a good day, somebody I can spend private moments with, somebody that I would do or say things with that I normally don't share to friends, someone I would protect and fight alongside with, somebody that I could make deep memories with…..

….but I already made my choice.

I sniffled, wiping the tears off my face before I mashed my eyes to Kagerou's shoulder.

I chose Reimu, and I have made a vow during my NDE that I will save her. Damn the world and everything else in Gensokyo if she falls. I will never let it happen. I am going to make her happy, and I'm gonna make sure she stays that way once she accepts me into her life.

But still….this still fucking hurts…..

…...….

…...…...…...

…...…...…...…...

…...…...…...…...…...…Gently, I put her clothes back on her, never taking advantage of her sleeping state to cop any feels on her half-naked body. I slot her arms through her sleeves, then I pulled her dress upwards until they cover her modestly and brought back the dignified and elegant aura she usually carries once she wakes up.

With care, I placed her to the bed beside me, lying on her side, her back against the wall and giving her the pillow while I use my good left arm as my own pillow. Positioning her arms before her chest, one hand lying atop the other, I brushed aside some locks covering her face before I caressed her cheeks just for a moment.

Holding both her hands with my wrapped up own, I closed my eyes and awaited sleep.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

As I entered the Dream World and had Kagerou right next to me, carried over to my personal realm due to me holding her hand at the time, she never had any objections as we finally got close to each other, in more ways than one.

It's safe to say that this is the first time that it's ever consensual with my victim.

Admittedly, it's not so bad. Maybe next time, I'll be gentle with the monsters.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

During our escapade in our very vivid sleep that lasted for nearly 2 hours or more (unrealistic stamina within it but not complaining), I had the Holy Spirit to be the one to get rid of her sexual drive, vanishing all of her 'in-heat' state entirely and fixing her back to her usual self the sooner she wakes up.

Was she graceful upon her self-awareness? Nope.

She actually freaked out, destroying my image of her as a girl with very good poise, finding it too much of a horror as she realized what she just did to me, an injured human. She was down on the ground, face mashed to the floor and begging for forgiveness. This is one of the many reasons why I fell for her, she knows how to apologize. Other Youkai would sometimes be too proud to do so.

I told her it was okay. I blame myself too, considering I was not even stopping her until it was near the point where I would have lost it (even though it would have been no use otherwise). Besides, I helped her vent it out in our dreams. It was no coincidence that she saw me in her dreams. That was actually on purpose, according to her wishes that I pay her back with her satisfaction. I told her this.

Still, she kept saying sorry. Taking advantage of an injured human; that is beneath her.

I gave her the forgiveness and asked if she needs a change of clothes or a bath. Even with her face downwards, I could see the further darkening of her blush, giving me the clincher that it actually happened to her too.

With great shame, I admit that I got wet downstairs at some point during our dream climax.

I simply asked her that she give me a large bucket of water. I'll just pour it down inside my pants and wash it all off. Drenching my pants ain't the worst thing to happen. I thanked her as she gave me a full pail and Kagerou practically disappeared as soon as it rested on my lap. She's prolly gone to get washed up.

In her front porch, I sat lotus-style, pulled the band on my waist and poured it down. It was hard to do since I'm trying to avoid drenching my bandages but I managed it, with only minimal wetness. I easily dried myself up with some hellfire heating from my legs (steamy) and went back to bed, waiting for Kagerou to come back.

I somehow found it amazing that I fell asleep again on a solid-hard bamboo bed. I had the Holy Spirit to help out the first time but this, I just closed my eyes and suddenly blacked out without intending to.

When I woke up, Kagerou is back, wearing a matching but likely fresh new dress, seated next to me on the stool, giving me a sensation of déjà vu. She turned to me, face blank, a small shade of red on her cheeks and said, "Let's never speak of this, okay, honey?"

I nodded. A holy ball of speech came out of me and said in my behalf, "I Am Preserving My Purity For Someone I Care For."

"Once again, I'm sorry." She gave me an apologetic bow, "By the way, how is your arm?"

I patted my bandaged arm, "It's Dulling. Thank You For Your Efforts." I moved to sit up, using my good left arm as leverage. Kagerou assisted me by giving me a push in the back. Thanks, "Is It Okay For Me To Go Home Now? I Believe I Don't Need Anymore Care. I Can Handle The Rest On My Own."

"Do you live far? Your scent tells me that you don't live in the Human Village." She mentioned.

I pursed my lips. "Quite Far, Actually."

"I can escort you, if you don't mind…." There's still a guilty quality in her voice. "You aren't in a state to be defending yourself anytime so…"

I smiled, holding out both my hands out in front of me. She smiled herself, seeing my physical expression of forgiveness and trust as she gently pulled me up from my lying position and up to my feet.

Putting my gear and shoes back on took assistance from her, especially with my belt and knife holster. Needed her help, and it's kinda embarrassing to let it happen. I know that it'll be difficult on my own but still….At least I can put on my good vest on my own just fine. I also wore my eagle glove as well, just to hide my bad arm from those who are having ideas of taking me on while I'm injured and vulnerable.

As we left her house, she hugged my arm all the way as she led us out of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. Once out into the open where the summer sun shined, I put on the hoody while she put on a sort of jet black cloak to hide her Youkai ears and slightly bare shoulders before continuing the walk. And she's still hugging my arm. I didn't mind. In fact, I clasped fingers with her and have a chat along. We might not see each other again for a while so I gotta make it count.

Past the Barrier of my home that actually gave exceptions to Youkai and let them pass so long as they don't have any ill-intent, I eventually reached my little bungalow.

"Hm." Kagerou began sniffing the air, "It seems you have some critters to keep you company in your lonesome."

"They Are Currently Absent For The Moment." I informed, "If You Wish To Meet Them, You Can Find Them In Eintei."

"I'll try, hon." She assured, then released my arm, clasping her hands in front of her waist and giving me a warm toothy smile, "I guess this is where we part ways. It was fun with you around, hon, excluding the….incident, of course…."

I nodded, then I went over to give her a kiss on the cheek and then a big hug, pats on the back included. I wish I could lift her up while so but I'd hurt myself instead so I just went for a simple squeeze. She returned the affections, rubbing my back and getting her last touches on my silky hair.

As we parted, I said, "Thank You For Everything, Kagerou. Remember: If You Ever Need My Help, You Know Where To Find Me." I opened a palm and I watched 10 little orbs of colorful light the size of marbles float above it. "If What You Said Earlier Is True, Then You Might Need This. In Case You Find Friends That Were Suffering Your Condition Earlier, Have Them Eat One Of These And It Will Fix Them Back."

"Oh!" Realization flashed across her features, red eyes widening and one hand reaching for her mouth. A bit of a blush is rising on her cheeks too. "I think I should check up on them too. Thank you for warning me. I'll-I'll have these, then."

She reached for the little marbles, and the 10 pieces flew over to her right wrist, giving her a fancy little beaded bracelet glowing a whole rainbow each. She flourished her hand, twisting it side to side to revel at her new little accessory, "Aw, a parting gift for me? That's sweet." She reached for my face, cupping both my cheeks, "Here's mine for you."

Then the same addicting sensation met my lips once again, giving me one last taste of it. I reveled every millisecond of what she gave as I returned her passionate kiss, gradually deepening it and using our tongues.

It was a long kiss, so good that I don't want it to ever stop. Only once I was nearing out of breath did we part and she flashed me the most beautiful smile she could ever muster. "I'll see you again, Eman."

I nodded, smiling a little. That was the only time I ever heard you say my name.

Pinching my cheeks for a moment, she slowly ran her hands down to my shoulders, down my arms as she walked backwards, and I held them out towards her, keeping her touch in my person for as long as it could until, eventually, I no longer can, parting from my fingertips.

Turning around with a magnificent swish of her dress, she walked towards the edge of the clearing. Gradually, as she reached a certain distance and her form getting smaller by the seconds, she finally disappeared into the forest and was now out of sight.

Deep breath….

…..Sigh.

I turned around to face my door and the tears went flowing from my eyes endlessly. It still hurts. Dammit. It really does. A woman that perfect, I chose to let go for the sake of somebody who truly needs it….sigh…..it's just really…..fuck….

But I made my choice, so I'm going to stick by it.

So for now, just for today, I'm just going to brood until this pain is no longer in my mind.

Carelessly unraveling all of my clothing except for my boxers and my bandages as soon as I got in and closed the front door, leaving a trail of discarded wardrobe all the way to my bedroom, I lied down on the deliciously soft mattress that I missed and tried to fall asleep, crying the whole time.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Thursday. It was just yesterday when I was cooped up in my room for the whole afternoon, brooding and crying, not eating or anything. If someone out there could take my place in being there for Reimu, I'd readily hand it over.

Then again, that wouldn't be possible. The amount of damns I give for Reimu's situation will outmatch anyone else, aside from Marisa. But the latter only has so much to give, so I will fill in the gaps for the things she cannot give to her friend.

Besides, I have been growing fond of Reimu for the last few weeks we've been together.

With a couple more days ahead of me, I have lots of time to fix my broken heart and move on.

It's been a while since my NDE, now I don't feel very much bothered in the prospect of meeting the Priestess again. I told Yukari that I'll be giving Reimu a date, and I plan to, starting this Saturday. Even got something special in mind.

It's still Thursday, long way from there, and Kagerou's medicine made some progress on my back and arm. Still can't do quick movements but I might be able to continue working if I'm careful. Not sure about the dough kneading though.

Whatever, gotta go back to work. Going to see Boss again. It's been a fucking while.

And the fact that Hina's his wife is still stuck to my head. Lucky bastard. Quite the beauty, she is.

As of now, I'm walking along the same path towards the Village in the same usual hour of 7 to head out. I shelfed my Eagle Glove for now, considering I have no intention of using it today, but I did bring with me my machete aside from the knife. Usually, it's just the knife.

I now have a higher bar of caution in my mindset now. Without my animals keeping me company and guarded, keeping anyone from getting any ideas, I have the Holy Spirit watching over me in the form of a teeny-tiny orb revolving all over me.

Once I reach the village, I'm up for a surprise as a result of what I've done back in the Bamboo Forest.

….if the forest around me and around my home is not indicative enough.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

The giant flash of Holy Light that erupted from my punch pretty much fertilized and grew every piece of plant life existent in Gensokyo. Such was the case when I looked into the Bamboo Forest alongside Kagerou yesterday, those stalks have grown a lot taller than I would remember them from the day before. Every tree I've seen on my way to the Village has grown fatter and taller as well.

For Youkai cases, I made them all horny. If that's the reason why I'm not being attacked right now, it's a bit disconcerting, considering the whole excursion was supposed to make them fear me.

I'm a little worried for the Youkai friends I have, especially from the Scarlet Devil Mansion. But with Patchouli around, who's not susceptible to being in heat due to her species, she can deal with the vampires and their urges.

Anyway, the Human Village's crops have pretty much boomed magnificently. Corn, rice, fruits, vegetables—it's still summertime, dude. And now, all these bounties pretty much came out of nowhere like a blessing from their gods. Lots of farmers were going ham on their fields today, gathering as much as they can.

It's been two days already too, and they're still going at it. Must have been a lot of yield.

It's a bit saddening that the Holy Spirit won't get credit for this, and other harvest gods (ahem, fucking Moriya Shrine) will end up getting the praise instead, but I'm a little happy myself. If God's power lets these people eat well for the whole year and everyone else in Gensokyo, especially if the animals, benefit from it as well, it's all worth it.

I'll pray hard on Sunday to thank the Holy Spirit on everyone's behalf, I guess.

Lots of smiling faces today, especially from Sir Tanaka and Sir Terizawa. Bypassing the strange notion of the Holy Spirit speaking on my behalf, the Spearman noted that my eyes seemed a lot clearer, though. The Swordsman commented on my bandaged-up arm with concern, but I brushed it off, saying that it'll pass.

After saying that it was nice seeing them again too, I walked past the gate and promised to get them something good on their next order for lunch. Looking around me, more than most people are rather jolly today. The bountiful harvest must've lifted their moods by a lot.

It makes me smile.

Waving back at the people who greeted me and was glad to see me back after disappearing for so many days, I couldn't bother to respond since I couldn't talk yet. Voice is still fucked. Tomorrow or maybe after that, I'll get it back.

"Pssst. Hey!"

What the fuck….

…..!? What the fuck!? I know that presence anywhere, especially when I had just been up close to it 2 fucking days ago!

I shot a fiery glare at the person who called me from the side, and it was fucking Bunta, the same old fucking pig who tried to kill me.

He's wearing some sort of glamour, hiding all of his Youkai attributes underneath a human mask. He looks like an average guy with a pot belly and short hair. He blends in well in a crowd.

The look of desperation in his eyes gave me pause though.

Nonetheless, I fast-walked to his direction and grabbed the collar of his tunic with my good arm before dragging him violently to the alleys. He may be wide, but I'm taller, and he kept stumbling.

The sooner we were outside the earshot of the villagers, taken ourselves to the outer edges of the villages where there's practically no people here, I slammed him to an abandoned house's wall using Holy Tendrils and nearly shattered the decrepit woodwork.

"Why Are You Here?" The Holy Spirit's soothing monotone voice heavily contradicted the look on my face and the quality of my emotions. I'm ready to torture this guy right here right now if he doesn't give me a good reason for being here. "I Have Sent You To Deliver A Message To Your Fellow Youkai. Why Did You Come Back?"

He held up his hands, gritting his teeth painfully and keeping his composure as much as he can while the Holy Spirit is pretty much crushing his torso. "They….they won't listen….! They won't see reason….! They think I'm siding with you…! They think I'm defending you and no matter what I say, they WON'T LISTEN!"

The Holy Spirit released him, dropping him to the ground and on his hands and knees. I fast-walked over to his form and stomped a foot close to his face, scaring him upright and staring back at me.

A tiny replica of Elmo's left hand is growing out of my left shoulder, looming over him threateningly, and I asked, "Explain Yourself Clearly."

"It is what I said!" He paused, coughing and grunting as he held his shattered chest. "They think I'm getting soft! They think I'm starting to get attached to your kind! They see it like it's a felony! Now they want me dead for it! I was just makin' sure they don't do the same fucking thing I did and now they want me DEAD!"

Fucking Youkai and their Social Darwinist structure.

"Not only that, they smell that I'm not a Youkai anymore! They think I'm not one of 'em anymore! I don't know what the fuck they meant! I smell the same!"

…..what?

"But fuck whatever that means! My life's at stake here!"

HEY!

He suddenly shifted towards me, and I backpedaled reflexively, ready to have Elmo's left hand rip his head off, but I was able to acknowledge the next thing he did before anything violent happened:

He was groveling.

"Please, sir! I'll do anything! ANYTHING!" He's practically burying his face to the soil as every plea out of his mouth made his head push even further to the ground. "My pride! My LIFE! You can have it all! Make me a slave! Have me fight the gods! Make me live like a human! I'll even no longer hurt humans again anymore! I'll do fucking anything! Just don't let them kill me! Please! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Just save me!"

….….….

….….….….….

….….….….….….….….

The heat that was growing out of me disappeared, Elmo's arm vanishing in a whoosh of ash and flame, and the tension on my body practically vanished.

The sight of this bastard, the same bastard that tried to kill me and would bring me no end of satisfaction if he died, throwing away everything that defines himself as a thinking being just to save his own life just blows my fucking mind.

It's disgusting.

Youkai hold pride over almost everything else, their own life included, because it's essentially what makes a Youkai a Youkai. Assert your identity as a Youkai from speech and demeanor, you essentially live.

It's horrifying for them to be possessed by an Evil Spirit, because they will lose their identity, basically killing them and having their body stolen by somebody else.

The way Bunta begged…..

….is he really that eager to throw away his identity as a Youkai to save his own life?

In my NDE, no one has ever done such a thing. Granted, there were others…..but the frequency of their existence? Practically none.

Looking at it differently, he's acting like a human.

If I had the permission to kill, I'd end him this very instant. Splatter his flesh all over the fucking place if I want to. My paranoia keeps telling me that he's just pretending his desperation to get under my guard.

With a stomp of my right foot, tendrils shot out of my body and held him up from the ground before me, arms and legs spread out. Then he's steadily lowered to stand on his feet, as gently as the Holy Spirit would give.

She even bothered to wipe the tears and snot off his face too…..

[Tch.]

The Holy Spirit and I can never match.

With my hanging bandaged-up arm, I formed it into a fist and told him, "Hold Out Your Hand."

Succinctly and without question, he did with his right arm.

Then I carefully moved my bad arm to place the tiny colorful ball of Holy Energy to his palm as if it's some kind of precious stone.

"Follow, And You Will Be Granted Sanctuary."

I don't know who's the one saying that anymore.

And I didn't stay long enough to find out, walking away the sooner he had the Holy Orb in hand to lead him to the Place of Worship.

Sigh….

Once again…..

…..I FUCKING HATE MYSELF.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

I got quite the welcome back when I finally reached my workplace. Boss ran around the counter and gave me a rather crushing bear hug! Oof! Damn, his size betrays his strength.

Boy, was he glad to see me again, especially the regular patrons who were present and knew me since day one, expressing lots of concern for me, especially with the way my right arm is. I did as much as I could to reassure them, with a provided piece of paper and pencil when they realized I couldn't speak.

I expressly told that I was attacked by Youkai, drawing lots of shock and surprise, but I also told them that I have the protection of many prominent figures, Kasen and Reimu included. The villagers know the former's reputation well so it was enough. Not to Boss, though. He still thinks I'm not safe enough till I live in the Village.

I'm not unthankful for his concern for me, but still, I won't change my mind.

Once again, I asserted that I'm fine where I'm at. The attacks I suffered were circumstantial, they didn't come out of nowhere. That means I had control over what happened to me.

Excluding the time I died, of course. I still don't know who the fuck poisoned me, and that was in the fucking Village too.

Once everything calmed down, I was finally back to my regular routine. Boss gave me a break by leaving it up to him to be kneading the dough just for the meantime since I can't. I still handle the cutting and boiling and the other procedures that don't demand a lot of muscle-work so it's fair.

While working, I gathered some info regarding the sudden growth of the village harvest. Boss said that the market's getting real cheap with all the literal piles of the stocks available, and they were all high quality too (Holy Spirit's handiwork). With all these yield, even the poor families are getting fed and healthy, some kind people even giving them food for free since it's literally no loss.

I'm happy to hear such a thing.

Still don't like that other gods are getting the credit for it. What I don't like the most is that the Moriya Shrine Gods and Sanae began hoarding all of the glory like a bunch'a vultures, told to me by Boss who was quite skeptical to their claims.

Probable scenario: they sent the Crow Tengu on a hunt to figure out who caused all this abundant growth. Probable End: negotiate with who's responsible in a deal that will most likely lean to their benefit and not on both sides.

Oh dear.

What makes me uneasy is that they will find out it's me sooner or later.

Aya, she's fucking dangerous.

On the plus side, I deliberately look normal and unassuming. On a power-perspective, I'm basically average (assuming I'm not using the Holy Spirit). Would anyone believe the witnesses in the Bamboo Forest if they say an Outsider like me would have enough power to fertilize the entire fucking whole of Gensokyo?

I bet everybody was too busy dealing with horniness to focus on what happened in hindsight during yesterday and during the time it happened.

Besides, I can just tell it straight to the people who'll end up asking that in face it was absolutely not me who did it.

Because it seriously wasn't me. I'm not kidding at all. It's true. You got the wrong guy, officer! I'm innocent! You have to believe me! Please!

Who could possibly be responsible for all this, I wonder~~~?

Work turned out fine, lunch too. Usual chats with Sir Terizawa and Sir Tanaka over sandwiches and goodies was as normal as ever, with a few added topics regarding my absence. I skirted around as much as I can from the circumstances while making sure they're aware that I don't want to talk about it.

I asked them about the bright flash of light two days ago and they say that just a little bit of people who're still up on that time of the evening noticed it but didn't care much since it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Nothing out of the ordinary as Gensokyo's standards would allow, that is.

Took Sir Terizawa a while to realize that the Light was actually the cause of all these massive amounts of harvest growth.

Noted, I'm very aware of Sir Terizawa's eagle-like analysis abilities as well as his gift of Perceiving the Unusual and the Definite. In this very moment, I'm gonna go ahead and say he figured out I was responsible for that or at least involved in it just from my dialogue and my demeanor.

He didn't give any hint of it, however. I don't know if he's hiding it or he actually didn't notice, but I got my way of weaseling out of it.

Besides, I'm not the one responsible for all this bountiful harvest. My intent behind that punch was to Seal the wolfuckhead. The Holy Spirit just wanted to add a bit of light in my violent excursion.

Besides that, nothing else happened. We just enjoyed lunch, and I got the good news that the apples for sale are tasty~!

YES!

Now I just gotta find somebody who knows how to make a fruit drink around here, see if they could make something out of those good harvests.

…...

….….….….

….….….….….….Though….

…..…..I wanna know if Keine ended up being….uh, 'horny' (hehe) two days ago as well, considering she does have Beast Youkai structure in her system as well. That'd be funny to think about, considering her 'tendencies' in her WereHakutaku form.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Ah, so good, this fruit drink in the drinking pouch. I could even taste the added honey on it.

I'm glad the Village has a girl with an affinity for drinks. With all the bountiful harvest everywhere yielding high-quality fruits, this Four Seasons sweet juice was the greatest thing I've ever tasted in my life since Outside. Super nutritious too.

All of it's not for me though.

With the sun setting and work's now done for the day, Boss offered me temporary free lodgings in his house, just so he could give me some security and maybe fix back my presumably-rattled mental state.

His consideration made me happy, and I would have taken his offer instantly, considering I don't have my animals around for the moment, but unfortunately, I have business tonight and I have people to meet.

Nonhuman people.

It took a while before he conceded to my choice but he wasn't going to stop from there. He instantly called Keine to have me escorted to my home outside the Village.

I have to allow it. It's actually practical. Nobody in the village actually knows where I live, and if in case something suspicious happens, they would know where to find me in case they wanna check up on me. As much as I like my privacy, I am not completely independent, even if the Holy Spirit is beside me.

I'm human. I'm as weak as everybody else. It's not a bad thing to depend on others once in a while.

This only makes keeping my powers discrete a lot more complicated. I'm not above using my powers to help or save people, especially for the Human Village, but being a hero for the Village? Not for me. Give that to somebody else. I wanna be normal. Kotohime's the good fit for it.

Being a hero is boring and difficult. Goes with being a celebrity as well. People expect a lot of things from you. If I'm ever going to enjoy my freedom as a human being, it's by staying out of the Village's spotlight.

Walking home with the Teacher was a bit interesting. Aside from telling her all about how my house got set up and all, especially with Yukari involved, we got quite the long conversation regarding my relationship to certain animals, especially a Tiger. Something Gensokyo wouldn't know anything about aside from the books.

We entertained each other with individual knowledge of animals. I share to Keine lots of trivia regarding animals that Gensokyo has never seen before, like the supremely murderous hippo or the wonderful elephant. Lions too. I shared her my story of the time I got attacked by the Nemean Lion and its mate as well, just to get some fun out of her reactions, making sure the panic is real.

Interestingly, she tells me lots of parables related to animals, like treating certain beasts with respect and bearing caution to some predators in order to avoid suffering consequences from them. It's actually sensible for me to acknowledge them, considering how Gensokyo is with belief. They're useful in case I meet certain types of Beast Youkai. If she taught this to children, I better damn well pay attention.

Children are extremely powerful sources of Fear and Belief due to their innocence and impressionable demeanors. Whatever they believe in, it will end up existing.

Fun fact: the creator of the first Youkai was a 3 month old boy.

Reaching my home, Keine marveled at how very close to nature and green my yard is, especially with all the overgrown vegetation due to the Holy Flash. Before I went to work in the morning, I had to use Elmo to clear out my now-missing path (Holy Spirit contained the flames from going out of control). The grass on the clearing has grown to knee height as well. Gonna clear it out soon. Don't like them. Pretty sure Little Precious is running around them somewhere.

Hate the fact that the trees around my home have grown far taller than the roof when it already had before. It's going to block the sun's shine on my yard. Makita and Lakit needs sunlight for their survival.

Come Sunday, I'm going to be very busy with trimming them. Gonna be a long day, it will be. Hopefully my arm's gonna be okay by then.

After heeding final words of caution from her and exchanging goodbyes, Keine finally left my house and flew away.

Afterwards, I changed clothes, picked up Little Precious who was waiting on the doorstep for me, put her in the pocket of my vest and immediately walked straight to the direction of the Place of Worship.

This is so stupid. I just got the caution from Keine to 'be careful' and I'm already heading out in the middle of the fucking night where Youkai are now prowling about.

I honestly wouldn't blame anyone if they think I'm stupid. But what can you do? I'm developing workaholism since my NDE, and my heart's still hurting from yesterday. Need a distraction.

I shifted my demeanor to protect myself and ward any motherfuckers off, from simple human to hidden monster. Hateful scowl. Purposed fast-walk. Clenched fists. I drew out my machete as well, making it glow red. It's like I'm about to do another Youkai hunt like I did two days ago.

I refrained from releasing heat out of my body, of course. I don't wanna hurt my sweet bunny and I still got the juice pouch hanging from my belt. The recipient won't like it hot.

After going through the very long walk that lasted for more than 30 minutes—was fucking difficult too due to the overgrown vegetation that made the usual path I took look rather unfamiliar, I finally reached the Place of Worship, seeing Bunta in his Youkai Boar form who sat lotus-style….

….and Wriggle Nightbug, afloat in the air with blurring insect wings under her carapace-like cape.

I honestly didn't think she would actually heed my suggestion of seeing me in this place two days from now.

"There you are!" She exclaimed heatedly, looking more annoyed than I expected as she flew up from the ground she sat on and glared at me. I expected her to be afraid, considering our first meetings. "I've gone out of my way to await two days after painstakingly searching for this place just as you suggested, but you dare make me wait the whole sunlight when the deadline's to—KYA!"

Shut up and drink the juice bag I threw to your face.

It wasn't a nice thing to do, but seriously, why should I care? She's still one of the people who wanted to kill me, and there will be no exceptions in regards to the pain you'll get from doing so outside the Spell Card Rules.

I turned my stare to Bunta and he straightened his posture, stiff under my scowl. I didn't spare him two seconds before I forgot about his existence and turned my attention to the now-beautified Cross that's now wreathed with flowers and vines, escalating in design every time I come back.

Stepping close to it, I held the base with one hand and kissed the place where Jesus' feet would be before laying my forehead against it, muttering my greetings and gratitude.

After a few minutes, I turn around and face my present company.

I make sure they're fully aware that I'm not here to be friendly with them just by looking at my face. Pre-NDE, I wouldn't act like this in the Place of Worship. I would be very courteous and hospitable, even indulge them to the fruits that kept growing from the surrounding trees of the clearing.

But now, I'm not going to be generous with any sort of courtesy when it has no useful application in the situation, especially when I don't feel like it.

As I pull Little Precious out of my vest pocket, sat on my butt while leaning back against the Cross, and let her sit on my lap while I pet her head, keeping the machete on my other hand, a Holy Orb floats out of me and speaks on my behalf, "You Both Are Wondering Why I Put The Two Of You In The Same Place, Yes?"

Bunta nodded, keeping his mouth shut.

"Obviously!" Wriggle answered, still rubbing her red nose while taking minute sips from the pouch of juice I threw at her. "If it weren't for this sweet delicacy, I would have thrown my fury at—"

I turned a seething glare at her, sneering.

"If You Want A Fight, I Can Give It To You. If I Win, You Will Keep Your Mouth Shut From Now On."

That instantly shut her up, floating a few inches away from me while taking a nervous sip from the pouch again, blinking rather rapidly.

Keep your fucking mouth to yourself, Wriggle. Be thankful I even bothered to buy that drink for you.

I'm in no mood for nonsense right now. What I'm here for is business, and I had my reasons to put these two here.

"I Will Get Straight To The Point And Not Waste Each Other's Time." I morphed my face to be neutral and professional, looking at them individually, first to Bunta and then to Wriggle. "I Intend To Employ The Both Of You For Labor. Each Of Your Individual Abilities Will Be Put To Good Use."

"Labor?" Wriggle echoed, the bag in her hand looking to be more than half-finished.

"There Will Be Two Agendas, Both Of Which Are Completely Manageable. One Will Be Done Tomorrow And The Other Will Be Done On Sunday." I pointed out, pulling one leg close and forming a number 4 with my leg.

Bunta raised his leathery hand, politely and carefully.

"Yes?"

"What will those agendas be?" He asked, his voice a low rumble as his tusks moved up and down while he talked.

"First Will Be To Shear Out The Overgrown Vegetation On My Property. And Secondly, Bodyguard Work."

"Bodyguard work?"
"Bodyguard work?" They both said in unison and in question.

"We're Going To Youkai Mountain On Sunday. I Am Sending A Package To A Certain Goddess."

"If it's just a delivery, why don't you use the wired-box transport that the Human Village has?" Wriggle suggested the obvious, like I expected. "It's much faster that way, and safer."

"I Don't Refer To The Moriya Goddesses." My face crinkled at the thought of them. From my NDE, I do not have the nicest impression of them so far. I can accept Sanae but Kanako and Suwako? No. It won't be that easy. "However, I Will Consider Your Suggestion Of Taking The Cable Car. Thank You, Wriggle"

"Eh?" Wriggle was quite surprised that I actually heeded her out, considering the way I'm acting. But she's quick to switch gears and say, "Y-you're welcome, human. It's the least I could do for this drink you gave me."

I won't act hostile than I need to. Being a complete dick for no reason is beneath me.

"Who shall be this goddess you will deliver to?" Bunta asked.

"That Will Be Left Classified." I don't want any of them complaining or expressing worry over the fact that I'm going to Hina's hut, "Your Duty Will Be To Guard My Well-Being Until Then."

"Okay, allow me to summarize." But first, Wriggle took a swig before she continued, raising up one finger. "First, we shall head to your domain and sweep away the overgrown vegetation that was caused from that bright light two days ago, yes?"

Exactly. Can you figure out why I trust you on the job, Wriggle?

"Well, it sounds like a job for the insects!" She gleefully announced, raising both hands and the juice bag in victory. "Don't worry, Mister. I know just the kind of bugs who will pretty up your property as if you have just newly built it! I know beetles who can cut down shrubs like they're twigs in my hands or even locusts that could clear out even the weeds—I'm practically set for the job!"

It's fucking disgusting how she could act so chipper and amicable when she won't bat any eye if she has the chance to kill a human and eat them.

Then again, she is a Youkai. There's no helping how she acts.

It doesn't mean I have to like it, however.

"I Assume The Drink Is Payment Enough." I remarked, giving an appreciative nod as well, hiding my distaste.

"Mm hm!" She leaned back and aimed the opening of the pouch down her open mouth, squeezing out the last drops of the juice before she floated over and gave it back to me, giving me a rather charming smile. "If you give me more, I can finish the job before you even realized I was already done!"

Typical fair-folk behavior. Give them something they like, they get instantly receptive. I thought ahead of time before I left the Village since someone like Wriggle would definitely like sweet things.

I could apply the same tactic to Ran if I wanted to. I just buy some fried tofu, give them to her, then I get to cuddle her fluffy tails all I want.

Sigh….I wish I could take her to bed and cuddle her for a whole night. It would be the most amazing sleep I'll ever get in my life.

"What Is The Other Agenda?" I quizzed the Insect girl, taking the pouch from her hand.

She leaned back, laying her feet on the ground and holding up two fingers this time, speaking in a matter-of-factly tone, "Watch over you while you do your business in Youkai Mountain. Simple!"

Pfft.

'Simple', she says.

You're asking to be demolished by the time we're there, Wriggle, especially with Sanae there. That human goddess is strong, and quite energetic in hunting Youkai. She sees you, you're dead. Someone like you would be literally like stepping on a bug to her.

I turned to Bunta, noting his still silence, and said, "I Will Deal With The Youkai Hunting You As My Compensation And Pass The Message You Are Supposed To Send To Them Myself." While petting the sleeping Little Precious on my lap, I moved the machete I'm holding close to my neck and motioned slitting the throat with it. "With The Same Amount Of Prejudice I Gave To You, They Will Suffer The Consequences Of Not Listening To You."

"And when the job is done?" He asked, his rumbling voice rather emotionless.

I turned to face Wriggle, staring at her teal eyes before returning to him, "You Both Can Return To Your Lives While I Return To Mine. Simple As That."

"That's it?"

I just shrugged; pretty much.

"Okay! That means we're done here, yes?" She asked in a chipper tone, clapping her hands in front of her. "Great! Now that is over with, shall we go over the details? I need to keep my bugs well-informed before the day."

I stab my machete to the soil before me before I waved Bunta to come over with my right hand. "Come Close As Well, Bunta. I Will Need Your Strength For Tomorrow As Well."

Obediently, he stood up and stepped closer before going back to the lotus-style seat, crossing his arms passively while maintaining a nonhostile demeanor around me.

"My Name Is Eman, Just So You May Know." I turned to Wriggle, "Kindly Grab A Few Fruits, Please? I Don't Care Which, Simply Pick As Much As You Can Eat And Give One To Bunta. This Will Last For More Than An Hour."

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Friday passed by peacefully. During the morning, Wriggle and Bunta were there in my yard as scheduled, waiting for the prompt to begin.

Wriggle and her insects shall be the one to handle the vegetation and the tall grass. And she brought a lot of friends, so many that I actually woke up from the buzzing of wings. Felt like my house was vibrating from it all. Locusts, ants, beetles—all manner of bugs fit for nipping the green. Her instructions are simple: she's to thin the overgrown plants to a decent level of growth, back to the state it used to before the Holy Flash.

While she's also to handle the giant patch of moss on my house's walls, her bugs and herself are not to come inside. I asked her only to get rid of unnecessary insects from my house like cockroaches and termites while keeping the spiders and the house centipedes.

I promised her that birds will not come over and eat up her subjects. The Holy Spirit will make sure of that.

For Bunta, he will shorten the trees. Cut the branches and shred out the leaves, making sure that my house and the yard gets to feel the sunshine as well but not too much. I also want some shade as well. I asked to keep the east and west sides of the tree lines intact just for that. His strength and natural power as a Youkai will make things easy so he doesn't need a cutting tool.

Their range of duties is not limited to where Reimu's barriers are placed. No, that's too narrow. I asked them to handle the entire section of the forest where my home is located. It's for the benefit of myself and for my animals. This is their playground and I don't want it to be heavily obstructed that they can't move around it properly. I need to be able to see where I'm going, and I also want other people who end up lost in there to find their way easily, either to my house or back to the road.

Wriggle accepted on the condition that I give her more juice, which I will. Bunta, he didn't complain. He just nodded silently and went to work. He's still as docile and passive since the day I saw him in the Place of Worship.

By the time I deal with his former friends that are trying to kill him, he and I need to talk.

When I went off to work, everything else was quite normal. Nothing exciting happening. Just makin' dango on a stick like normal and serving them to the people with Boss. Had a sandwich lunch too, super tasty.

As work was done and I went home as early as possible, not liking the idea of walking through the forest path while insects are literally everywhere and I can't see them in the evening, I quickly gave another pouch of juice to Wriggle the sooner I see her.

While she drank, I was practically mesmerized by the amount of work done under 8 hours. My yard is back to normal, well-shaved yard grounds where green and brown dirt meld together quite nicely. The moss on my house's walls practically disappeared, leaving behind the weathered cement. Not only that, the trees have decently shortened exactly to what I wanted. Bunta's doing well.

I am gonna miss the sight of leaves on the tree branches as well as the sounds they make when wind blows through them but I'm patient enough to watch them grow back. Bunta piled the branches he punched off on an open section of my yard, pyramid style. I'll figure out what to do with the extra wood later.

Work's still not done, of course. Everywhere inside Reimu's circular barrier and a bit outside of it is finished, time for them to proceed onwards, expecting to finish maybe until tomorrow afternoon or less.

Passing through the forest path, I was amazed by the thousands upon thousands of insects that were eating up the leaves or moving them out. Every creepy-crawly I knew or did not knew, I walked as slowly as possible to watch them perform their natural magic on the overgrown green. I was creeped out at first, considering I didn't want any of them crawling all over me, but the sooner I realized they were actually moving away from me, making sure they don't get in my way, I had every luxury to enjoy watching them before the sun went out.

I made sure to give my employed Youkai the praise they deserved. Wriggle was quite proud and happy, enthusiastic in emphasizing the wonders and magnificence of insects to me, Bunta was the same as always, saying a simple 'thank you' and nothing else.

As the sun finally sunk into the horizon and sent Gensokyo to the darkening evening, I called for a break and have them hold off the job till tomorrow. They were a little hesitant, considering that they were quite committed to the task and want to keep going until its over, especially Wriggle, but I insisted that they stop.

It wouldn't sit right with me to not give them some snacks for their efforts.

For that purpose, I invited them to dinner. While Wriggle was quite eager for the bite, Bunta was hesitant, playing the Japanese etiquette of humility, not wanting to be a bother.

My response? I punched him in the gut.

I didn't infuse anything in that punch. Just a simple human punch, so he didn't budge from it. But he was shocked enough by the hit itself.

The point I was making is that I will not accept some stupid etiquette deny you from deserving a fucking rest and a meal to build up your energy right after working for a whole fucking 12 hours. I don't know if his Youkai body would allow him to withstand hunger but I am not allowing it.

He's invited to the table and he's going to sit there with Wriggle. Even the latter agrees with me, chewing out the idiot for denying something he deserved after working for so long without stop.

I readied up a meat and vegetable soup for them, with a little helping of fried fish. Bunta gets 3 fried fishes and a large serving meat-and-veggie soup while Wriggle and I gets 1 fish and a small serving. Boar Man's a big eater, anyway.

Conversations were quite festive, to my surprise. For the first time since my death, I'm actually enjoying the company of Youkai outside the Scarlet Devil Family. Even Bunta's handing out his replies and quips without being held down by his self-imposed vow of submission towards me.

Lasting for maybe 2 hours talking after finishing out plates and cleaning them, sharing individual stories to each other, it was time to send them off. I shook each of their hands and patted them on the shoulder, telling them to rest up and regain their energy for tomorrow.

I received rather heartfelt thanks before Wriggle flew away and Bunta walked off.

Really warms my heart that I've fed them well and received thanks for it, but it's still a bit bothersome. At least I didn't end up hating myself for it.

Sleep was as peaceful as it could ever get without my animals around.

Then came Saturday.

The day when my big date with Reimu begins.

I dressed up for the occasion, of course. My favorite vest on, Little Precious fed and seated comfortably in the breast pocket, my clean red shirt and denim jogging pants put on as well as running shoes.

I also brought my weapons as well; knife and machete as well as the Eagle-Glove. This ain't no ordinary date, yo.

As I reached the last step of the stairs, I finally reached the torii gate and passed through it.

And holy shit, the Hakurei Shrine's fucking covered with vegetation. Even the stone path's got roots growing out of them.

The moss and small vines growing on the Shrine are present too, but the tall grass just makes everything look like a nightmare. I can see that Reimu's been working on clearing them out but the progress isn't any faster than what Wriggle and Bunta managed. With only one human person around to work, the progress is expectedly slow.

I walked through the leafy stone path and walked around the Shrine, going to the backyard.

And here she is, looking out into space, holding a cup of tea while a scythe rests beside her on the veranda, not doing any sort of work at all. Even her overgrown backyard's not scythed yet.

Classic Reimu.

It's been five days already. That means my ability to speak has now returned. No need for Holy Spirit to fill in for me now. [Reimu~]

A slight jolt from her still form, she turned to face me and let out a small smile. "Good morning, Eman. You're quite early today. You miss me that much?"

I shrugged, "Hmm, pretty much. I wasn't able to see you last week so your company was dearly missed."

Instead of flirting back or blushing, her eyes took an analytic look for a second as she stared at me before she said, "Your eyes look different today."

That's the same thing Sir Terizawa said.

"Oh?" I tilted my head, "How so?"

She raised up a hand, making a strange pointing gesture, "I don't know, it's like they got a lot more….clear, as if they know what they are supposed to do now compared to before."

It's gotta be the NDE. I hope her godlike intuition doesn't end up leading to her finding out about my death. I'll tell her about it myself but not now, so she better not.

"Well, whatever." She set her cup down and moved to get up, "Wait here, I forgot your cup. Been busy clearing out all these damn grass since yesterday so I'm a little tired and woozy."

I quickly urged, holding up a finger. "Wait for a moment, Reimu."

"Hm?" She leaned her head back outside the doorframe while the rest of her is inside the Shrine.

"Are you free for today?"

"Today?" She looked at the grass on the yard and then the plant life growing on her walls. "Sort of, I wanna clear out all these leaves and grass and all before anyone gets turned off by them when they come to give prayers and donations. Why'd you ask?"

Okay, here we go.

"There's an eatery in the village I wish to try out. I hear there is some delicious meat dishes there so I'm interested. Today is a special occasion so I want to have someone to join me just to make it a little more….festive, I might say. Some company to liven things up. If you do not mind, would you like to—"

YAH! HOLY SHIT!

"I'll go with you."

Okay, that almost gave me a fucking heart attack!

At one point, she was over there at the door with her head out, listening to me. Then at the next, she was suddenly at my face and holding my vest very tightly before I even realized she was in front of me.

It even blew my hair back as well, holy shit!

I ended up chuckling from the shock, patting her shoulders. "Okay, okay, I understand." As I got her to let go of my precious vest, calming down a freaked-out Little Precious while I do, I say, "Do you need time for a bath and a change of clothes first? I can wait."

She froze up, sniffing herself of the scent of grass from yesterday's scything work for a few seconds and quickly running back inside the Shrine, her footsteps rapidly disappearing to the bath.

Then it came running back, her head poking out and looking at the bunny in my vest pocket, "That's a very cute bunny, by the way."

Then she's gone.

And I smile afterwards, successful in getting her roped in by the prospect of delectable and juicy meat. I sit down on the veranda and pull out Little Precious, holding her out in front of me as we stare back at each other. [Did you hear that? She thinks you're precious too….!]

Then we spend a few minutes cuddling and exchanging kisses while waiting for the person I liked to finish scrubbing herself into a shining and ready girl on her very first date.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"Where's Visente? I thought he's usually with you." She asked, fast-walking beside me as we head to the Human Village on the same path I usually took towards her Shrine.

Fun fact: animals tend to like Reimu on the first meetings. My Visente easily warmed up to her the sooner she held out a hand to him, which he began licking.

My boy and Reimu got along quite well, and she's got a soft spot for him, like sparing him a few crackers or meat whenever she has snacks out.

"He's in Eintei to be checked up." I replied, maintaining a pace that she could keep up with. I got long legs, and her 2 steps forward are 1 to me. "What do you say? After we eat, let's head there. There's a surprise waiting for you and me both."

"Surprise? For us?" She asked, bewildered from the thought of the moon people having such a thing ready. "What'd they do? Are they starting an incident?"

I patted her shoulder as I replied. "It isn't that foreboding, I swear." I get your caution, considering the shit they're involved with that actually jeopardized the entire fucking Earth without you even knowing about it but calm down, woman. "Let's say that Visente's earned some new friends, and he'd like you to meet them. Hint: they aren't wolves."

"Are they Youkai?"

[Geez.] Facepalm. Seriously, she expects the worst. Not that I blame her but come on! This is a date, not a hunt. Can she at least put aside her Youkai Exterminator Persona for now? "No, Reimu. If that had been the case, I would have problems and told you about it. It's better that you see for yourself. It will be worth it."

Whoa. A shadow flew over the both of us.

Who's up there?

Red feather coating. Caramel-colored feet. Grey underwing—oh look, it's Adarna! Haven't seen you for a couple of days, girl.

"Someone you know?" Reimu asked, looking up to her as well. "Or is it thinking Precious is an easy meal?"

Aw, Reimu's already developing mother instincts for my cutie bunny in her hands?

I smiled, whistling the big bird over and holding out my leather-covered forearm, "That's one of the surprises waiting for us in Eintei, Reimu."

Adarna swoops downwards in front of us, then curves back upwards from the ground before flapping her wings rapidly to slow down and land gracefully on the Eagle-Glove.

Done while Reimu and I are still walking onwards. If that's not cool, what is?

"Her name is Adarna." I stroked my thumb across her feet resting on the side of my hand while my other one strokes her fluffy and smooth side. "By the power of the Holy Spirit, she has been blessed with speeds greater than any flying animal. She chose me as her human not too long ago."

While walking, Reimu leaned a bit forward to take a good look at the lady bird, then reaching out with a free hand to scratch Adarna's chest with a finger.

Big bird seems to not mind, lightly and harmlessly nipping at her finger. Once again, Reimu gets instant-like privileges from animals.

After a few seconds, she leaned back with an interesting hum, "I get it. The surprise in Eintei are other animals who started liking you, aren't they? I assume this cute thing's one of them too, yeah?" She gestured to the lop bunny she was cradling in her arms since taking her off my hands and leaving her place.

"Wonderful deduction, Reimu." Powerful intuition figures it out from the getgo once again.

"Are they cute?"

"Absolutely." Wait till you see Makita, Reimu. You will gush endlessly, girl. I'm sure of it. "It's without question my animals are lovable and adorable, even the most vicious ones."

"Huh, well I'm excited." I could hear the genuine intrigue in her voice, especially when she's walking a little faster than it already had, "But first, meat."

[Yeah.] Hell fucking yeah, I crave for some well-fried or grilled meat right now. "Breakfast. Must never miss breakfast."

"Missing the important meal of the day is sinful."

"Denying breakfast means denying health."

"No matter the meal, one must eat."

"Today, we will eat big, full and satisfied."

"Greasy olive oil-covered steak and rice balls filled with pork chops. Maybe with a cup of sake to accompany it….."

"I'm actually drooling right now. Come on, let's hurry!" Adarna, off you go! I'm gonna start setting off the bombs beneath my feet!

And immediately, a past conversation comes back to me.

Reimu and I discussed flying before, maybe a couple weeks back. The thing is: I can't do it, no matter how much I try. My only substitute is either explosive sprinting or powerjumping via explosive blastoff.

Someday, I'd end up having to catch up to somebody who can fly in case there was something important happening and I have to be there as well.

What would Reimu say if she was that somebody who can fly?

With a cheeky smile, cradling Little Precious as safely as she could before taking off to the air, she said to me, "Catch up!"

Yyyyyyyyyyep.

It's a good thing too. Don't want Little Precious to suffer ear damage from the explosions as well.

[Oh, it's fucking on, woman!] EXPLOSIVE SPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINT!‼!‼!‼

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!‼!‼!‼!‼!]

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

BOOST UP THE EXPLOSION BOOTS, BABY!

[WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!‼!‼!]

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"Hear that?" Mirino asked, his ears catching the telltale sounds of explosions while barely moving from his seat on the stairs of the gate.

"I felt it before I heard it." Akira replied calmly, patting the ground next to him as the rhythmic vibrations of the earth are getting stronger and closer. From his calculations, he can tell that it's Eman. He seems to be excited, to be running with explosions at his feet.

"What do you think? Shall we investigate?" Mirino moved to a stand, his hand already gripping the hilt of his katana.

Akira didn't follow the notion, which threw the Swordsman off considering the Footman's lust for battle. "It's heading straight towards us, so investigation is unneeded." His stare went a little upwards, "If Hakurei-sama isn't concerned, then neither should we."

"What?" The samurai looked to where his friend is looking and suddenly went deadpan, "Oh."

There was a humanoid figure in the sky that was flying over at a decent pace. The sooner the color red was seen, Mirino immediately recognized that the Hakurei Shrine Maiden is flying over, and she seemed to be cradling something very tenderly to her chest.

In unison, the two guardsmen stood at attention as she floated to a stop between the two of them. They bowed to her at the same time, speaking as one, "Good morning, Hakurei-sama."
"Good morning, Hakurei-sama."

"Hey, g'morning and all." None too subtly, she barely acknowledged their effort of greeting her with the same amount of courtesy, instead focused on where the explosions are coming from.

The thing she's holding is actually a rabbit with its ears hanging down instead of standing erect. "Hmm." Mirino didn't think the Shrine Maiden is much of a pet person.

"Hey, when you see an Outsider running over, tell him I'll be at the square." Without waiting for a reply, she quickly entered through the gate and jogged to her destination. He could hear her cooing over the critter in her hands.

Mirino couldn't help but sigh, "Typical."

Akira rubbed his chin, humming in interest, "She seems to be in a good mood today. She rarely comes over unless there's something serious, and she's not so chipper on that occasion either."

"You're point, Akira?"

"Hold on, Eman-chan's coming over."

5 seconds after saying it, the form of Eman's mad-sprinting form arrives from a turn of the path ahead, explosion after explosion rising up behind his every step, accelerating him by broad distances each time.

The ground escalated in quaking, the heat intensifying, the Outsider nearing, and danger instincts rolled in on Mirino's consciousness—

A massive explosion erupted, sending him flying diagonally upwards, almost 9 meters up in the air, his stiff-straight form spinning rapidly and flipping twice before landing feet first rather roughly, stumbling a bit towards the guards' directions before he righted himself.

[Whoa!] The boy suddenly cheered, waving off the smoke of the fire on his shoes that's rising to his face. The fiery footwear doesn't seem to bother him nor do they seem to suffer any sort of damage, [That was fun.] "Good morning, you two. Have you seen a Shrine Maiden with a rabbit pass by here?"

The boy seems to be a lot more cheerful than days prior, and his face is much more emotive as well instead of the strange stasis that's been on him since his sickness.

Considering that he's with the Shrine Maiden today, Mirino's catching a few hints. The corner of his lips curled up, "If you're looking for Hakurei-sama, she said she's waiting for you at the square."

"Pray tell, Eman-chan, what gave you the heart to grace us with your presence in the weekend?" Akira definitely caught on to it as well, wearing a rather warm expression as he asked the boy, "Usually, you're on your escapades in the Scarlet Devil's domain."

"I usually eat breakfast alone." Eman pointed out, patting off the dust smudging his weapon holster, "So I'm a little excited over the fact that I'm having one with a girl."

Mirino chuckled, "Then what are you making her wait for? Get going!"

"Thank you." The Outsider didn't waste a second and went off jogging.

The two watched him go until his form disappeared from the crowd. Then they turned to each other, smirking. "What do you think? A potential suitor?" The Swordsman grinned.

"His fancy to her is clear to me, my friend." Akira's grin is a lot wider compared to him, "And it seems Hakurei-sama has an interesting level of familiarity to him as well."

"Let's hope for the best, shall we?" Mirino went back to his seat, his day livened up for a bit over this piece of news. "I bet they'll look great together."

"If Hakurei-sama welcomes him, of course."

Then Akira exposes the mild blockage that'll be the only thing stopping the Outsider from succeeding in his courtship.

Hakurei Reimu's a stubborn woman, and her attitude around everyone else will always be the same, whether friend or enemy, human or not. One could only wonder for the kind of attitude she'll make before the man that clearly fancies her.

The duties of a Hakurei tend to be complicated when they are taken seriously, and the current Shrine Maiden treats her job like an identity. Will that get in the way, however?

Then again, no one in the Human Village has ever bothered to court to the Shrine Maiden, considering her work ethic of letting Youkai close to her Shrine. A love life would be something she would definitely falter against, as she never had one before.

Eman's a good person, he and Akira knew that much thanks to the latter's gift. If it actually works and Hakurei starts giving a shit about a dowry, the Outsider would just brush it off and accept her as she is.

Mirino smirked. Knowing the appetite of that girl, the Outsider better prepare his wallet.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"I am highly aware that 'eat big' was one of the things I've said—"

"And that's why I ordered just this much!"

Let's see here: pork and egg dumplings, a large bowl of celery tempura, teriyaki chicken, piles of pancakes glazed with good honey, deep-fried octopus (where the hell do you get octopi!?), a large tub of rice, an even larger bowl of pork and potato stew, and finally, bread rolls and lotsa natto.

Yeah, sure. 'Just' this much.

I swear she was trying to bleed my poor wallet dry. All this shit cost me more than 5600 yen.

Thank goodness my savings have stocked up to more 51000 yen since my employment, building up the allowance I got from Yukari when I got my house. Bringing with me 10000 yen was definitely a good idea.

"I didn't think you'd take me seriously….." I softly continued. Fucking shit, how am I gonna eat all this?

I'ma big eater here and this is too much, even for me.

"Don't sweat the small stuff, Eman." She insisted, practically flooding her side of the table with her saliva, hungry eyes looking over every dish we ordered. Her hands are getting really grabby right now, "How 'bout you shut up and say 'itadakimasu', already!?"

Sigh.

[Fine.] My Eagle-Glove put down beside me, I put my hands together, then prayed, [Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gift which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.]

"Itadakimasu!" Reimu routinely follows after, and she practically stabbed the chicken out of the plate with her chopsticks and into her mouth, assumed intentions of proper table manners now nonexistent unlike she promised me.

I tucked in as graciously as I usually do, making sure I don't choke from the big mouthfuls I eat and controlling the intake of my served juice in a mug. Gotta need space for the solids, after all.

And the pork-potato soup's pretty good. It's spicy but not too much that I end up hating it straightaway. I actually went for more than one serving of it. I gotta see if I could remake this dish for a future occasion.

Chewing on the tempura dipped on sauce, I watched the Shrine Maiden of Paradise gorge on the food before her. Much less eating and more like inhaling it, and I can't blame her, considering that she rarely gets to eat out like this, even if my donation money constantly comes to her box every time I visit her.

I look to the left side of the table, and I watch with a smile as Little Precious munches on a large piece of lettuce, glazed on what seems to be a substitute for mayonnaise made of other crushed and creamified vegetables (carrots).

She's having fun in the meal like Reimu.

And I cannot get enough of her droopy ears. They're just so fucking cute. I'm glad I adopted her.

Now let's comment something about the girl I like, "I look at you eat like that, Reimu, and I fail to see the same girl that's been saving Gensokyo far too many times, as said by many sources." One among them being the Holy Spirit, for one.

She expectedly shot me a weird look, wondering why I said something like that, "What are you talking about? Youkai extermination and daily living aren't the same. Of course, I'd act differently according to the occasion."

"Forget the demeanor. I mean, look at your body, for example."

She blinked, a piece of tempura hanging from her mouth. She looked down on herself, her arms, and then back to me. Slurping the food inside, she asked, "Whagh you meagn?"

Fucking hell, this girl.

[Ahem.] Lemme just drink some juice for a bit. Okay, "First, can you move your sleeve back?"

She raised an eyebrow, but complied anyway. She raised up an arm and the sleeve falls down, revealing a nicely slim arm. No visible signs of battle-hardened muscle or damage at all. While tanned, it's still quite pristine. No scar too.

You wouldn't think she fought lots and lots of Youkai and handled many incidents from her appearance alone.

I didn't think so from the first meetings.

[You see?] While holding a tempura stabbed by a toothpick, I point at her with a pinky and say, "You do not have visible muscle-mass that belies physical power or years of service to Gensokyo. You're just another girl to me. A girl that I ended up liking, I might add."

"PPPPFFFT!"

[Hehihihihihihi!] GOTCHA! [HAHAHAHAAHHAAAA!] FUCKING HELL, THAT WAS ACTUALLY FUNNY!

*Cough! Cough!* "Geez!" She rasped, blushing red and eyes tearing from nearly choking up. "The hell are you saying, Eman!?"

Here, I filled your cup for ya. [Don't get your bloomers in a wad, you.] Come on, drink up. I'm holding it out in my hand already.

She swiped it out of my hand and chugged it down, audibly gulping.

While you do, I'm gonna give Precious here some more vegetables. How does some dough from the dumplings sound, honey?

I'm just gonna give Reimu a handkerchief here. I bought it just yesterday, in fact. I even had it embroidered to say Guardian in Kanji, "Here. Wipe yourself clean."

She takes it and wipes her nose and mouth thoroughly, then blew on it. Once she's through, she says, "Don't do that again, Eman. I could've choked there."

That really sounded venomous, but I fail to catch on to the vibe of it, considering she's blushing real hard right now and her eyes aren't matching the fierceness on her face.

"I beg your pardon." I genuinely apologized, taking a spoonful of soup-glazed rice added with a piece of teriyaki chicken. Oh, you're returning the handkerchief back?

I waved her off, [Keep it.] "I have my own." I patted my pocket. My thing has a different kanji of anything synonymous to protector or watcher. Just to match that I also am obligated to watch over Gensokyo in my own way.

She gave me a weird look, mixing with surprise, "Don't tell me you bought this just in case I fell for it."

"I did bought it just in case you fell for it." You can see that it was on purpose by the greatest shit-eating grin I could ever make on my face, girl. Then I softened up my smile, saying, "On the other hand, it would be wrong to see you wipe your mouth with your sleeves. The stain would be an eyesore. Not to worry, I made sure the embroidery matches your motif."

Her eyebrow raised a little before she unfolded the white handkerchief, and she sees the character of Guardian on it, done in red stitching. Matches the coloring of her clothes too. Her eyes soften, and the decreasing blush on her cheeks halts, leaving just a small bit of red there.

She looked up to me, saying, "Thank you, Eman."

I nodded, "You're welcome." I reached over and stabbed another piece of teriyaki chicken with a fork, dipping it to gravy and saying, "While there's still food, why not give me a tale of your deeds since the day of the Spell Card System? Something to pass the time?"

Her eyes widened, surprised. Yeah, you aren't asked that much often, are ya? Not in the Human Village's public, especially. "Y-you wanna know?"

Though I have already seen everything from my NDE, I'm interested in what her viewpoint from all those incidents are. "Of course. I am not sure if you're aware but you and Marisa are my idols. I often hear about you two and your heroics from most people. It brings no end to the admiration I bear. However, I actually want to hear it straight from the person herself."

"What about Marisa? Why didn't you ask her?"

Pffft! "I have the feeling that she's portraying the tale in a rather self-aggrandizing format whenever she tells me about them." And I believe even less than half of the shit she said.

"Ah, forget I asked." Yeah. She's your best bud so it can't be that surprising to you. "So like her, that one."

"Mm." Chewing a bit, munching on a mouthful of rice and a bit of soup before swallowing and taking a swig of juice, I asked again, "Once again. Is it okay?"

She shrugged, then she began to smirk. Is her bragging-self coming to the surface? "Okay then, considering you're the one telling stories most of the time so I think it's fair. Since you're close to them, first I'll tell you all about the Scarlet Mist Incident and the Vampires."

[Fire away.] I held up a cup and nodded before putting it down, taking my spoon and fork before scooping up some more rice. "I'll keep an attentive ear open."

Looking around me, there's quite a lot of people. While I'm genuinely interested in her perspective of the Incidents, I'm doing it to make sure any nearby villagers get to hear it as well.

The problem with Reimu's deeds: they aren't publicly known, and she doesn't advertise them to the Village either. If anyone asked about them, she fails to give proper context, leaving them confused and lose good publicity opportunities. It's not like she has a lot of charisma for her to do it effectively in the first place. Her work ethic as a Shrine Maiden is basic at best, and she can't do anything about the fact that villagers are not trusting with the 'Youkai-infested shrine' thing.

Youkai she beat up won't leave her alone, I understand that fully. Not to mention that she has the obligation to be neutral between Youkai and Humans. Something the Villagers don't know about, assuming she's supposed to be on their side in the first place.

In this fashion, I'll make sure she gets the praise and respect she deserved. In case there were some things that would be confusing to the average villager, I'll make sure to ask proper questions in order for her to elaborate, and paraphrase it as well just to add more clarity to whoever is listening.

If I knew anything about the girl I like from my NDE, she gets fired up when she has a captivated audience, and she makes sure she gets it rolling with her storytelling (with some Hakurei Shrine advertisement mixed in, of course). Once the people around us gets interested, things will escalate to the way it should.

Once she finishes all of her glory tales, I'm gonna make sure she hears out what I'm about to do in the near future.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"I was right there, floating in Okina's dimension, and she was now standing up from her chair, throwing out all of her power. Oh, she's was destined to lose that day!"

Yep. Because you were utilizing energy from the boundary between Seasons instead of the Seasonal Energy that was sucked out of you by her.

Throughout all of her stories, her input's a lot more realistic and relatable. And I made sure they were believable by referencing the abilities she has and/or asking what kind did she use at the time. She wonders how I knew about them, it's because of Marisa. My go-to excuse. Not lying either.

Had to admit, she was very heated when she told me about her Shrine falling apart because of the earthquake made from that brat, Tenshi. The folks around me sympathize her very well on that. Had to serve her some juice just to get her to cool down.

By the way, the number of people listening in this eatery have grown immensely. And the Master of the place's pleased as well. More customers, more money.

With all of these captivated audiences, Reimu got her fire goin' when she has their attention. I made sure she didn't stray to exaggeration by pointing out bullshit but made sure I didn't break her thunder either. I simply infer something that's not too extreme but believable enough so it fits her power and reputation, and she'd agree with me on the fly.

By the way, I finally got these folks to understand that Youkai won't leave her alone, no matter what she does. Their mindsets switch from her 'tolerating Youkai' to her being a 'victim of her victory'. I inferred as much as I could to make sure it goes that way, and it seems to work.

I also got her to verbally express that she would never—she actually emphasized this with a very strong voice—ever let them touch even a single thread of cloth on any human that comes to give donations or prayers.

Besides, she is a Shrine Maiden of Gensokyo, and her job is to exterminate Youkai without mercy.

That pretty much made the Villagers' faith on her go a little more upwards. Even if there's only a little amount of people that do, that's actually enough. If they sing more about her praises, it'll spread out sooner or later.

After a few more minutes of her final Incident to date, where she finally got to the part where she finally beaten Okina for good (exaggerating. Marisa, Aya, and fucking Cirno had a hand in it as well in varying, unrelated, and separate ways) and sent the Seasons back to normal (more bullshit. Everything would'a fixed itself, anyway).

I asked her if there's any more, she says there's not.

So, I put my hands up to the air and began clapping. Everybody else followed suit. I added some gusto by hooting and whooping.

Reimu was loving it, bowing and thanking the people. She'd rarely get this sort of praise (especially from adults), and she's sure as hell gonna milk it for all its worth. "Thank you! Thank you! You are all so kind to me! If you want to show some appreciation or praise, come and donate to the Hakurei Shrine!"

And of course, flavored shrine advertisement.

Never change, Reimu. That's why I love you.

By the way, Precious is just seated beside me on the bench, trying to sleep. After going outside to poop and coming back in afterwards, she's just waiting for daddy and Reimu to finish eating and get out.

After everybody calmed down and returned to their seats, I take another swig of the refilled fruit juice and say, "You're amazing, Reimu. Despite all that, you still manage to come out young and beautiful. One would not see a battle-hardened Shrine Maiden by appearance alone."

Reimu ends up blushing, her head lowered while her mouth is covered by her cup. I don't know why but that was actually the first time she ever looked so cute, like legitimately. Being shy is something entirely different. "Yo-you're exaggerating. I was just doing my duty to Gensokyo."

And more bullshit comes out of her mouth. Reimu here would rather not do her job, but she'd get bored otherwise. She's resigned to her duties, slave to PR too. Shower her with praise and she might get a lot more willing to do it. Not that it ever happens a lot. She treats her duties like it's her identity, conflicting with what she actually wants.

One of the many issues she has.

"But it does not have to matter." I followed, still resting my cheek on my fist as the elbow rested on the table, my other hand scratching Precious' side beside me. "I will be sure to leave a mark on your monotony."

She was still holding her cup for a couple seconds, then she realized the implication of my words. Slowly, forebodingly, she raises her stare that was looking into space and straight to my own.

The pressure of her glare was out of this world. It was powerful enough that everyone else around me could feel it and now turning their attention to the two of us in a mix of fascination or dread, wondering how it's gonna end.

"What are you talking about, Eman?"

You know damn well what the fuck it is, my girl.

"Someday, Reimu. Someday." I move my cheek away from my fist and I leaned forward, my chin hovering over the middle of the table. "I will humble you. Not today nor tomorrow, but soon, you and I will battle; heart against heart, mettle against mettle. One protector to another. You….are going to lose to me."

She leaned forward as well, a half-closed hand hovering close to her cheek in a form of swagger and confidence, our faces nearing enough for our noses to touch, and we bumped foreheads. Our glares never wavered despite the proximity.

Not only that, we were exposing each of our individual power to each other. My body was exhuming heat, enough to send this eatery to the desert. She released an overwhelming presence in turn, enough to crush everyone in the room flat, all of her experience and unlimited power betrayed.

"What makes you think you're gonna win against me, hm?" She asked in a low voice. "You're only here for a month or so. I've been here all my life. What does that say about your chances against me?"

I hovered an open right hand under both our chins, waiting for her to take it. "I made a vow, Reimu. And you once said to me, you must be defeated in order for me to be free of you. I am going to make sure your fall is going to be glorious."

That vow was just a formality. It doesn't mean anything, no matter how she justifies it. I'm just looking for an excuse to fight her, and that vow is the only thing I got. Girl knows this as well, but I got the feeling that Reimu here won't care either way.

Her hand that hovered close to her cheek moved to grasp my own, as tightly as her smaller hand compared to my own could. And through this, she returned the courtesy, "Challenge Accepted."

Now I was smiling happily, shutting off the heat blowing out of my body and returning the natural cool of the interior.

Lastly….

"The last tempura's mine." Yoink!

"Wha—HEY! That was on my plate!" Nuh-uh, girl! First come first serve!

"You let your guard down, Reimu! Pay the consequences with your dissatisfaction!"

"Give me back my tempura NOW!"

Don't mind me, everyone. I'm just holding back a smaller girl with a single hand at arm's reach while my other hand is holding the last piece of forked tempura.

Fucking hell, is this actually the Shrine Maiden of Paradise? She can't even get past a tall guy pushing her by the forehead.

Okay, down the hatch you go, Mr. Tempura—[WAGH!]

*CRASH!*

OW! What the hell!? The fuck just happened!? How'd I fall over!? It felt like Reimu just disappeared from my hand!

The fuck? How's she standing over where I last stood, holding the fork I was formerly holding and eating the tempura on it? Even everybody's rather shocked by how she did it as well that they couldn't explain it with their own eyes.

Wait….….

….….oh….I know why….

I remember. She did tell me about the ability to 'fly' past the fabric of Reality, where her physical body enters the Spiritual Realm and becomes literally untouchable by anything that belongs to the Physical Realm.

So basically, she used it just to get the last tempura. She phased through my body and materialized right after while swiping the fork out of my hand at the same time.

You absolute—

[Cheat.]

Thank God for the Spell Card System, she would break the fucking game with that ability.

"No one steals my food." She growled dangerously while glowering over me, managing to look terrifying while chewing on tempura and holding a fork. "Not even you, Eman."

Heh!

Somehow, that made me laugh and I don't know why.

A cute ball of brown and white fur hops up to my side, placing tiny paws on my waist. Hey, Precious. You wanna go outside, baby?

"With breakfast over with, shall we go to Eintei?" I suggested, scratching my bunny's twitchy nose. "Visente must be eager to see us again."

"Yeah, sure." And there goes her mood swings, gone from threatening to compliant in a half-second.

I held out my hand to her, asking for a pick-me-up.

She steps close, reaching out with both hands…

…and picks up Precious before leaving out the door.

Typical.

I slap my outstretched hand back down to the wooden floor, disappointed.

That got a laugh from the people around me, alongside a couple teasing comments.

Grrr. "Why not the lot of you eat instead of spectating someone's losses?"

I stand up and walked over to the counter, placing a pouch bag on the counter as well as 300 yen. "Refill this one with juice, and have it cooled, if you please."

"Right away, Sir." The Master coolly accepts, taking coin and pouch and leaving to the kitchen before coming back not more than 15 seconds later. "Here you go."

[Bless you.] Nodding gratefully, taking the dripping pouch and putting it atop my head. Ah, so good.

As I leave the eatery, catching up to Reimu who's already walking to the Bamboo Forest, somebody behind me yelled out "Good luck to yer courtin', Boy!"

[SHUT UP!]

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"Thank you, Mokou." I thanked our guide once again as she led us to Eintei.

"Hm." She flippantly waved us off behind her back as she went on her way, hands in her pockets.

"Friends with her?" Reimu asked, having listened to my story of me and the animals fighting off against a buncha beast Youkai that wanted to eat me in this Bamboo Forest before Immortal Girl stepped in and saved their butts from me pulling a Gandalf.

"Just enough for her to talk to me." I replied, pulling the hood of my vest down. Whoa, letting my hair go sure feels nice after wearing that for too long. "It wasn't a fresh greetings, considering she was killed by my animals because they didn't know she was friendly."

"Huh." Reimu's quite blasé about the news, like it's something that happens everyday. I mean it is, considering who Mokou is, but seriously, thinking about it still leaves me uneasy. "Are they alright? The animals, I mean."

"They managed quite well, surprisingly." Not what I expected from animals that haven't met battle. Except for Visente, he's a fuckin' veteran now. Deserves a hundred medals, I'd say. Or a hundred slabs of prime meat. "Dirty but uninjured. They might earn a reputation to fear among Youkai-kind. I must strive to match, earn such a reputation myself if I want to remain safe by my own lonesome when they aren't there to protect me."

"And did you start?"

I patted my machete and my covered-up right arm. "I've been busy." Hard to believe that I actually did them not too long ago, and I got myself hurt in a variety of ways in the process too. "I will spread my influence as carefully as possible. I would not want the entire whole of Gensokyo's Youkai to be my enemy."

It's simple. Go for the ones around the Human Village, Hakurei Shrine, and the Scarlet Devil Mansion and make a reputation to be left alone. Everywhere else can continue living under the illusion that I'm easy prey and suffer the consequences for it. It's not like I have any sort of reason to go near Youkai Mountain routinely, do I?

"That's smart." Another Reimu approval: yay! "Don't get too power-hungry or cocky, thinking you can take on everyone. It'll bite you in the ass faster than you can see 'Fantasy Nature'."

"Living in a house, making dango for money, and seeing my friends every weekend is enough for me." Don't forget beating them up every time I see them. That's fun too besides giving each other hugs and cookies.

"You're really simple, Eman."

"I can live with that. Just do not call me normal, yes?" That's been established long before my NDE so please remember it, 'kay?

And now we're in the yard.

For some reason, no rabbits are to be seen. Strange.

Except for Adarna over there, seated on the edge of the roof: girl! The hell are you doing there ahead of me!?

Reimu noticed her, "Oh look, she got here before us."

I know! She barely stays around so I'm a little surprised that she waited there at all. Are you the reason why there aren't any rabbits anywhere? Because they're avoiding you?

Whatever. Time for my—no, our welcoming party. Visente likes Reimu too. Now it's Makita and Lakit's turn to be acquainted to her, "Prepared to meet them, Reimu?"

"Do it." She looks excited, hugging Precious with one hand to her chest while the other hand is placed beneath her furry butt.

Two fingers to the mouth and *whistle!* goes the toot.

The next thing that happened: A lot of hugging and a lot of pain.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

"Oh, you're so frickin' adorable and squishy! Ooogh…!" Reimu then gave Makita a smooch on the nose, "I wanna keep you and love you forever…..! Does Makita want some cuddles and kisses from Reimu, hmm….!?"

Yyyyyyyep! I was very correct. She's actually gushing over my kitty, made even better by Makita not minding the attention. Normal tigers wouldn't like it at all. Then again, a normal tiger would have let Reimu have it, anyway.

[I missed you too, big boy.] I said to Visente, resting his giant head on my lap as I sit on the edge of Eintei's veranda. I scratch him behind the ears with my one and only good arm, his big tail wagging while Reisen readjusts my—

*SNAP!*

[OW!] —other one….! Fucking hell, that was so loud! [Thanks…..! Geez….ow…]

"Next time, do not let Visente and Lakit crowd you." Reisen advised, massaging the joints on my shoulder with her surprisingly strong fingers. "Makita's much more of a sweetie to learn not to hurt you anymore while doing so."

[Like I ever felt that.] Even though kitty's the first one to show up, Visente still beat her to the punch and reached me before she could. I thought tigers are faster than wolves in short bursts. [Visente here was gentle but Lakit made it worse.]

Snakey's still unapologetic, curling around a big ball of Holiness sent off as a distraction just so she doesn't try and crush me again. "It would be unpleasant had you not calmed her down." Reisen commented.

You get a nod. She was growing while she was crushing me too. Any further and I would have died by her snapping my neck. [By the way, what was going on before I called?]

"We were about to give Makita and Visente a bath. Tewi even prepared a pool and all."

[Hehehee.] Explains why you're wearing a velvet swimsuit. Really shows off your sexy figure. Doesn't show that you're a trained fighter from appearance alone. [Since you're dry, you haven't started yet?] You're hair tied in a bun's quite dry, for one.

"We were about to."

"But then Makita rails through my girls the sooner she heard you!" Tewi yelled out, arriving from the door, wearing a simple one-piece swimsuit. "Some of 'em even got thrown into the water before even the wolf got in!"

"My apologies!" I raised my good hand up in apology. "I was just excited to see them again."

"And you brought the Hakurei with you! How 'bout that?" Tewi turns her red eyes to me and a devious smirk arises, "Whatcha doin', Outsider? Going on a date?"

"We had breakfast together and then I brought her over to see the animals." I thumbed to Reimu, who was lost in her own world as she continues gushing and babytalking my kitty-cutie. "Seems to work very well."

Two gentle pats on both my shoulders before Reisen said, "Well, Eman, how is it? Feeling any better?"

Oh, you're done? Okay, hold on. Lemme test my upper body range and motion. Both hands forward-good. Upwards-good. How 'bout backwards?

[Pull my arms, please?]

Wordlessly, she did. And carefully, she made my fists meet behind my back. No pain! You get plus points!

Roll the shoulders; twist the body—I actually feel great now! [Wow. And all that just by massaging?]

"Just something I learned from Master, actually." Reisen clarified, standing up and stepping down to the grass. "Now, as much as you miss him, would you let Visente get his bath? He needs one right now. Makita too."

Getting very close to my animals that their hygiene is now your concern as well, girl?

I smell progress.

[Sure.] I patted my boy's head, waking him up. [C'mon, up! Up! Time for a wash.]

He lets out a whine but complied either way, albeit reluctantly. As I slide off the veranda, he hops down and follows after Reisen as she led him to where that pool she was talking about is.

"Don't forget Makita too, God boy."

"Do not call me that, please." I told Tewi, walking over to Reimu. "It's inaccurate. I am not a god."

"Close enough, though! It's because of you your animals are the way they are now."

"Indirectly because of me." Remember that, kid. "The Holy Spirit's power isn't mine in the first place."

I patted Reimu's shoulder, wearing a sage smile, "Reimu, give the tiger some space. She does need her bath, you see. It's still summer time, and the weather's ridiculously hot today."

"Oh, right, sorry. With all that fur, I guess she does need one, right?" Then she quickly returned to going gaga for Makita, squishing her cheeks, "I'll see you again later, baby~!"

Then kitty reciprocates by licking her nose. Not the whole face, just her nose. And that's the gentlest thing I've ever seen Makita do to anybody up to date.

I walked over, patting Makita's fluffy side and led her forward to follow Tewi's backwards walking stride. Reimu walked along with me, flanking the tiger's other side and continuously scratching her neck.

….

….….….

…..….….….….….

Ignoring Tewi's teasing leer pointed at the both of us as she lead us forward, can I just mention how funny and heartwarming it is to see Adarna and Little Precious seated together on the edge of the veranda? Bunny isn't even scared of her natural predator standing right beside her nor does the lady bird even think of considering the snack beside her as something to eat. They looked quite calm in each other's spaces, and I can tell.

Precious' eyes are closed. And Adarna's actively covering the little thing with her wing, like a side-hug.

I cup one hand around my mouth like a megaphone and say to them. {Cute kaayo mo!}

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

[Coming in!] SPLASH!

The first question I had when I saw it, even though it was pointless to ask, was: where the hell did Tewi get a 7 feet tall 10x10 meter wide pool?

Secondly, why the hell does she have one, anyway?

I didn't blatantly ask those questions, of course. Tewi hides or stashes shit that she doesn't need but ends up being used for the perfect occasion sooner or later. That's the power of Luck.

You have a tiger who loves water and swimming while having a pool-making kit in your shed? Go for it!

What I did ask to Tewi is…

…..can I join in?

It's fucking summer, dude! What else could you do!?

Besides, who cares if I didn't bring with me my trunks? I'm a Pinoy, for fuck's sake! I wear my pants and my shirt to a pool!

…..except, I wouldn't go so far as to wear pants every time I go for a swim. Those things are heavy. Basketball shorts are the way to go.

At least I didn't bring my weapons, Eagle-Glove, socks, shoes, and hooded vest into it. I just wanna enjoy my swim, and meaningfully.

Spending almost like a full minute down underwater, I kick my legs and breach my head up to the surface with a gasp, wiping my bangs upwards. [Whoo! That was so damn good!]

"You're enjoying yourself quite well, but how the hell are you still breathing after being under for too long?"

"Running exists, my dear Reimu. You should try it instead of flying all the time."

Many people who know Reimu would not think they'd see her being in a pool swimming for the sake of fun.

Well, they should continue thinking like so. Not like it's her choice, anyway.

Makita pushed her in. Gently too. She did it with her nose instead of her paws, which was good because that would have caused serious injuries. Tigers are strong.

I, of course, laughed my ass off when it happened. It's meant to be sweet because Makita's inviting her to swim with her, since Reimu's mind devolves whenever their together. Kitty's paying back the love in her own tiger way. But seriously, it's just too funny.

So nice to see the most broken girl in Gensokyo get winged like a normal human.

While Reimu whined and cursed, not because she was angry but because she can't swim in her clothes, Tewi (of course) comes in and presents her a swimsuit that suspiciously matches her size and is colored red and white. Top looks like a sash and the bottom is pretty much a short skirt. Sensible.

If anything, I'm thankful for this millennium year old bunny, because she's making things go the way I wanted it.

I wanted to join in as well but Reisen stopped me. First rule of pool swimming: take a shower first, use soap and shampoo while you're at it.

Since there's no portable shower stalls, the Youkai rabbits simply blasted me with a fucking fire hose, sending me tumbling across the grass. I don't know where the hell they got such thing nor do I know where's all that water and pressure coming from but a fucking warning would be nice!

Turns out: showering was actually the fun part of it all. Because we get to wash Makita and Visente while we're at it, make them clean and shiny before we go for the swim (with the added spice of the Youkai rabbits singing simple but rather catchy songs), and also because I get to see Reimu in a swimsuit up close while we wash up our white kitty together. And boy does she draw my eye. Believe it or not, her assets are lot bigger than what her shrine robes suggested. She doesn't have a sexy figure or anything but she's actually slim.

And I have absolutely no complaints.

I made sure I was subtle about it, like prioritizing Visente as my washing charge instead of handling Makita together with her and asking a few Youkai rabbits to help Reimu out. If anybody caught me staring, I just say I'm enjoying the sight of the local Hakurei Shrine Maiden washing a tiger. Not something everybody would see everyday, which all agreed with, to their surprise.

We took a lot longer washing our animals than ourselves, I'm not sure if it's because of Reimu's meticulousness on the job or because I keep dragging it out by saying 'we forgot the tail' or 'what about the chin?' just so I could keep staring at her.

When it's now the humans' and Youkai's turn to shower, it was quick.

For me, at least. The rest of the women were reasonably long as expected of any girl, but Lunarian shampoo and soap was supreme that Reimu ended up doing so much shampooing and soaping that she became a blob of bubble and created a mountain at the same time. For a woman of poverty, I guess it's justified. She prioritizes food over other things when it comes to her money.

I'm glad everybody gave me the honor of pouring a bucketful of water on our bubble-blob Shrine Maiden of Paradise when the latter called for help.

It was like unwrapping a prize when all the bubbles are washed off her. She looked kinda beautiful, all wet with her black hair hanging over her face and looking up to me with a rather unreadable gaze.

And then I was suddenly pushed from behind by Visente and Reimu by Makita into each other.

I swear to God these two were trying to make us kiss. Unfortunately(?), they didn't consider the height difference between us, so Reimu's face simply smacked my chest. She didn't catch the same conclusion as I and assumed that the animals were getting impatient for the swim.

Yeah, the swim.

Ahem, moving on.

Passing by other rabbit Youkai playing in the water with Visente like any pool fun, I swam over to Makita and braced myself as she placed her paws on my shoulders, nearly sinking me down as she began licking my face. Again, that tongue could seriously peel skin off instantly.

She turned to face Reimu, I followed her gaze, and I suddenly went deadpan.

"What?" Reimu actually questions why the stare from the two of us.

"What are you doing, clinging on the edge?" Are you swimming or is that practice for mountain-climbing? That's not how it works, girl! "Get off there and come over here. Makita's expecting your company!"

"Do I look like I can swim to you, Eman!?"

….….….

…..….….….….

….….….….….….….….….

You're kidding me. You've got to be fucking kidding me. "How old are you?"

She flinched backwards from the question, but before she could go on about that cliché 'don't ask a girl her age' thing, I wasn't done talking.

"I know very well that you're over 20, considering you drink on the same level as Marisa, but seriously." I patted Makita's shoulder and gesture to Reimu with the other hand. Can you believe this girl, kitty? "Honestly, look at yourself, you look young enough to be my high school sweetheart."

This time, the flinch was a lot stronger. First her eyes went wide, then she lost her grip on the edge and sunk into the water before I could get to see her turn as red as her ribbon.

I saw all that coming so I quickly dived under and grabbed her arms before pulling her up to the surface. As both our heads breached out, I shook my head to whip my bangs off my face as well as the water before Reimu suddenly latched on to me!

Now I'm getting red-faced!

"Geez, Eman!" Red-faced and mixing in both shock and anger, she began railing it into me while our chests are pressed against each other! Her grip on my shoulders hurts but fucking hell, I could feel her! "Could you stop saying things like that!? It really freaks me out!"

You fell for it again, and I'm gonna enjoy it every time. "At least you aren't clinging to the damn edge anymore." Thank goodness for my superpower of talking without any loss of a beat despite the contradicting color of my face. "You were defeating the purpose of being here."

I look to my left and I see Makita coming over with a groan to bump heads with Reimu, giving her cheek a small lick and began pushing the two of us forward with her head against our shoulders using her own propulsion-powered kitty paddle.

"Since our dear tiger here insists, I'll might as well teach you how to swim if you are to play with her properly." I told, switching my grip on her arms to her hand and I began kicking my feet to match my kitty's swimming pace. "And I will explicitly say, do not even think of using flight."

"Aw…"

Damn it.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Everybody knows the common occurrence. An hour spent in a pool feels like 4. I've been playing with the rabbit Youkai; volleyball and tag as well as Catch the Coin. I did some diving tricks while I'm at it, see if Reisen could match them. Watching Makita or Lakit do a swim race was the most glorious thing that ever happened. The two were really determined, barking and roaring like it's a battle to the fucking death! Everybody's even betting their fucking dinner on their selected champion as well!

And all that was just under one hour.

Fuckin' hell. At this point, you'd be taking a break and having bags of chips and bottles of coke by now.

I'm a little pooped, leaning against the rim of the pool, resting my head on my crossed-arms, trying to fall asleep but failing to due to the noise of the still-energetic rabbits still playing and swimming alongside an equally energetic Visente.

Beside me's Makita, a little pooped from all the fun, resting her paws on the rims and staring into space, contemplating life.

Or maybe she's maintaining watch over her sister, Lakit, making sure the asocial reptile doesn't end up swallowing Adarna or Precious that were spectating all the fun from the veranda. The bunny is in the middle of Snakey's coils, after all. Once again, the former is not afraid of one of her natural predators literally right under her, sleeping.

I hear a bit of sloshing liquid and a bit of a vibration on the rims I'm resting on and I already figure out who's at my free side without opening my eyes, saying, "Quite talented you are. You have it figured out pretty quickly."

"It was too easy. Just kick your legs, control the boost you're making, and pick a direction to go. That's it."

Tips from the Shrine Maiden of Paradise, Ladies and Gentleman. Take notes.

"It's been long time I've been this tired outside of Incidents." She commented, hints of exhaustion evident by her low voice.

"Compared to Incidents, it's fun and innocent." I open one eye and ask for her confirmation, "Don't you think?"

She raised an eyebrow at me, then placed an elbow on the rim to rest a cheek on her palm. "….you're not wrong. That was actually fun. Now I know how Marisa feels, especially when she went to the Kappas and went 'canyonning' or something."

That day she threw herself to a rapid-flowing river in Genbu Ravine by the coercion of the Kappas, you mean?

"Revel in it as much as you can, Reimu." I advised with a smile, "You can barely have this much excitement as a Hakurei Shrine Maiden, yes?"

She chuckled, turning a pointed stare at me "Did you plan all this just for me?"

I shook my head. If I was the type of person to think this far, you'd be my girl by now.

"I simply brought you here to meet and play with the new animals, cuddle with them and get to know them a little better." I moved my arm to give Makita beside me a little scratch under the chin. She gives my fingers a lick in return, "We simply arrived at a rather exciting time."

"Exciting enough that you ended up needing treatment because of surprise hugs?"

I shrugged at her friendly snark, [Pretty much.] I splash some water on my sun-baked neck, then on my head, followed up by sweeping my wet bangs upwards before I turned to her, asking a little something, "So, how was this little outing? Was it too much or just enough?"

"Hm." Her close-lip smile had a look of melancholy on it. "To be honest with you, Eman. The breakfast would have been good enough. You know that I don't get to eat like that much, right? Then you just made it all overboard by getting me involved with this pool thing."

Um, girl? "It's not like I was the one to urge you nor did I see any of this coming."

"But you were hoping for it, weren't you?"

I had no response, and that was all she needs to figure out the answer.

"I never had a weekend like this, Eman. Away from my responsibilities or my concerns as Gensokyo's guardian or whatever. You treated me to a feast and now you got me into something I never thought I'd end up doing in my life unless Marisa was involved. Even introduced me to some of the cutest things I've ever seen…."

She paused. I adjusted my position and rest an elbow on the rim, placing my cheek on my fist, waiting for her to continue.

It took more than a dozen seconds but she finally got herself to proceed, "Those things all at once can't be possible. And frankly, I don't hate it. This was actually fun. This was actually the greatest weekend I ever had. Most days, all I ever do is just sleep or sweep or talk to Marisa if she's around. I got nothing to say except 'thank you'."

Now that's a beautiful smile right there. So pretty it made me smile back too.

"Hey."

Yeah?

"If…if you don't mind, can we do this again? This….outing thing?"

It's been a while since I've seen you act shy, and right now, I'm internally gushing at just how cute you're looking right now. Insecure, blushing, and twiddling her fingers that rested at the pool rims.

"I may not be able to find better outing ideas in a later date to make it interesting but I shall do my best." I promised. Just gotta do a lot of thinking if I'm gonna do it again.

"With you, I think there will be something happening along the way like always. Been that way for a while, don't you think?" She asked, holding out a hand to me.

Yeah, I think you're right. When we first met, it was after catching Yukari and my back was fucked. Days after that, it escalated.

Next time, it's going to be lighthearted just like this one.

Also, she's holding out the vow-handshake without my prompt anymore. She's grown well since the last few weeks.

I took her hand and we shook on it, myself adding a bow just for the heck of it.

That made a few wet fringes of black hair fall over my face from the gravity and swing.

"Here." She cupped some water in her hands and poured it on my head, making all of my hair sag again and she adjusted my bangs, sweeping them to the side and a little bit behind the ears. She also wiped the water off my eyes as well, as if they were tears. "You should try braiding. I think it'll look good on you."

If only you realize how much you're making my heart beat, Reimu.

"If you do it for me, I would definitely appreciate it."

And I could already feel you approaching, Tewi. No way I'm gonna let you call out 'Hey, lovebirds!'.

I turn my eyes to Tewi that was approaching from the grass, having changed to her regular clothes. "What is it?"

Still wearing that smirk, she informed, "Just here to tell you two lovebirds that it's lunchtime now."

I turned to Reimu. She turned to me. "Lovebirds?" I asked.

"Lunch?" She asked.

"Or I could just give you two some privacy—"

Before she could finish her sentence, I quickly turned to look behind me and realized that this pool is empty save for me, Reimu and Makita. Holy shit, how did I not notice the silence that's been going on!?

"Lunch!" I yelled out, quickly lifting myself up on the rims and quickly slipping off to the ground, falling to my hands and knees, dripping like a sponge thanks to my shirt and pants. Damn. Every time. Get out of the water and your body suddenly weighs like a ton.

After gaining enough willpower to stand up to my feet, watching Reimu float out of the pool with Makita following after her and shaking off the excess liquid on her fur, I take off my wet shirt and stretch my arms up, wringing it above me and letting the squeezed out water fall on my head at the same time.

Oh yeah….doing this never felt so good in a while. It was getting cold in that pool now, and the sun shining down on my bare upper body sure feels good—weirdest thing I ever thought.

I hate the sun. It can go die right now.

"Here's some towels, Reimu, Mr. Eman." Reisen, back in her usual white shirt and maroon skirt combo, arrived with a pair of folded towels in each hand. "Thank you for participating in the cleansing effort for the animals."

"Don't mention it." Reimu replied, then turned to Makita with a goofy smile, "We had fun, didn't we, baby~?"

Makita does a nod. Yeah. I miss watching her doing that.

[Hold on to that towel for bit.] I fast-walked over to an open section of the yard and then, [HUP!]

Then I just set my legs and back on fire. Instant drying, baby. In this fashion, I can dry my pants instantly as well as the shirt I had spread out on my back.

After 5 seconds, my shirt and pants are now neatly dry. Not ironed so it's all wrinkly but dry enough. I can wash 'em myself when I get home.

And I also don't wanna wear the yukata and hakama they were offering me. I hate those things.

[I'll have that now, thank you.] I then take the towel Reisen was about to give me, rubbing it on my head and upper torso. Still wet, you know.

"Mr. Eman, you know you didn't have to do that." She dryly told, "We could have dried it for you while you borrow some of our robes for the time being."

[Too late.] After a few more wipes, I then put my shirt back on.

Then a pair of wet arms encircled my waist, followed by a wet upper body leaning on my back as well as a head. [Whoa, what the?] Who's doing this?

Wait, Reimu!? Excuse me!?

"You're so warm, Eman." She sounded delirious, "You'd make a better drying towel than a real one."

I think she's tired. Yep. She's definitely tired. [Reisen, could you help our dear Shrine Maiden, please? I think she cannot dry herself by her own strength anymore.]

"Of course." Okay, Reisen's wearing that teasing look as well, but she complied with my request anyway, scooping Reimu off me and thoroughly dried her up alongside the other rabbits. Makita's getting a similar treatment. I think Visente's already done.

Hookay! That really made my heart jerk, and not in an unpleasant way.

And she made my shirt and pants wet again. For fuck's sake. Well, I guess that gives me the excuse to wear those robes.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

Lunch was okay, except….very Japanese. I struggled to maintain a seiza position for too long before I just gave up and said 'fuck it', sitting with one knee pointing up while the other is facing the side. I'm built to stand and run, you know? Using chopsticks too. I completely forgot how to hold one. I was good when I was 12 and went to Hong Kong, it's been too long.

And Princess Houraisan Kaguya was there.

Needless to say…..she actually took my breath away. She was incredibly beautiful. All the few seconds she spent greeting me and mentioning praise to how wonderful and beautiful company my animals were to her, I completely didn't hear a single bit of it.

I just couldn't stop staring.

Silky and shiny black hair that moved as if it was actively trying to draw attention to it. Pristine ceramic skin that just looked so fucking fragile you'd break it apart by touching it. She had attractive big eyes, enough to show the clear dark brown in them, and every time they look at me, I feel like I should not let even a single fucking second of me not looking back happen.

It took a couple knocks on the back and on the head but I was able to get over the fact that Kaguya here is so FUCKING beautiful compared to the one I saw in my NDE.

It's completely different when you have a brain that can still explode despite seeing it all.

It was a struggle, I would hasty every time I try to reply to the Moon Princess whenever she talks to me, but I made sure to eat my food and get full doing so. Fucking chopsticks….I hate those fucking things.

With Eirin there as well, we had a bit of a talk regarding my animals and she shared me some new developments from them during their stay. For one thing, Lakit's constantly evolving at a light-speed rate. As I suspected, she had grown a cobra's hood. I didn't notice because it wasn't furled out the entire time. Makita has learned to control her strength, that I noticed (considering she didn't break the pool). Visente? He's the same good boy as always. Love him so much.

After lunch, we were offered rooms to sleep in, and we were glad to, considering how tired we are from the swim and all.

And not to my surprise, I see Reimu in her own room laying her head atop Makita's side, her back flanked by a curled-up Visente and Lakit's laying a part of herself across her neck. That was supposed to be my idea. I wanted to sleep in a pile with my animals, just to show I miss them.

Love the air-conditioning of the room, by the way. We're all warm from the post-swim and I'd appreciate not sweating during siestas.

Since they're my animals, it's my privilege to do this. I took the pillow Reimu didn't use and placed it in a vertical angle in-between Makita's arms and lied my head there, hoping to pass out. Kitty licked my hair the sooner I was positioned and went to sleep as well.

By the time I woke up, I didn't realize that Precious and Adarna have joined in. The former's sleeping close to my hand while the latter's lying down like a chicken next to the furball, awake or asleep with one eye open (I can't tell). I'm not sure if it's possible but can a hawk fold her legs like that and lie her underbelly on the ground?

It looks like only 4 hours have passed, maybe 4:19 in the afternoon. My body still feels sore, and my mouth's a lot dryer than normal.

There's still time for the grand part of this date. The pool was outside of my plans so it doesn't count as grand.

So I had Reimu breath in some Holy Vapors while she's still sleeping, fueled with the prayer to energize her body using the food she ate as well as get rid of the sores in her body.

I won't do the same thing on me though. I made a promise. I must stay human.

Afterwards, she woke up like a rocket. Not like she boosted up or anything but she said she felt rather energetic after that cuddly sleep with the animals. Not only that, she said that we ought to do some more outing before daylight is over, just so she doesn't stay up late later.

I agree. You sleep in the afternoon, you won't be able to sleep at night easily.

I tell her I got plans ready and she accepts, pulling me up to my feet before I even held out my hand and telling me to change already.

To be honest, sharing the same space with a rather energetic Reimu is quite foreign compared to the usual Reimu. Not that I complain. I kinda like it, fun too.

And so, I changed out of these stupid robes and back to my usuals as well as my weapons and Eagle-Glove. With some goodbye hugs to my sweet animals and handshakes to the Eintei folk (it was impossible with Kaguya without assuming a gentlemanly persona), we left the place and headed to the next destination.

The Misty Lake. We sent Precious back to my home beforehand. It's going to be a little freaky for a cute thing like her.

"So, how come we're here?"

"We…." Lemme just skip this rock here—egh! Yeah, 8 skips! "….are going to split the Lake in half."

"…..what?"

I'm not surprised that you didn't exclaim that in surprise but it still surprises me that you're quite blasé with the claim. "Well, not the both of us, to be honestly speaking. But I have been wanting to try this for a long time."

"Why are you splitting the Lake in half?" She asked in exasperation.

I turned from the Lake (Holy Spirit cleared out the Mist for the moment) to face her with an ironic grin, "Not that I want to, of course. I simply wish to try it, to scratch the surface, you might say. Besides, there's no full guarantee that I can do it."

However, I am ultimately confident that it will happen, considering Whose power I'm using for this.

"What's this gotta do with the outing?"

Well…..

[Before I answer that….] I hold up a finger, now taking slow and careful steps forward to the shore of the Lake.

Okay, my toes are practically touching the Lake's edge. One step forward, only one thing could happen. Either it sinks through and hits the ground underneath the water or….

….I end up walking on the surface of the water instead.

I place my hand to the place my Rosary was hanging under my shirt and began reminding myself of my Faith for him.

I close off my mind from the world, and I enter the imaginary Realm that I visualize the humanoid form of the Holy Spirit would reside in. I see Her in front of me, holding out both her arms towards me, as if she wants me to grab them and hold on tight.

I walked towards Her, reaching for her hands…..

…..and my physical body ended up doing the same actions, now putting the right foot into the water. I was aware of myself doing it, but, there was no feeling of myself hitting liquid. Still, I did not break my focus.

I took the left step forward, and my physical body does the same. Holy Spirit's arms are only 2 more steps away, and she's gently beckoning me.

Another step forward, and my body follows. At this distance, my foot should have been ankle-deep by now. However, there's no cold or wet feeling.

The last step forward, and I finally had a hold of Her hands. I don't know why….but I actually felt the contact through the physical world as well. They were the smoothest textures.

The feel of them was shocking enough to blow my eyes open and see what the hell am I touching.

Nothing.

And yep, I was actually standing on water.

My first reaction: panic. But it was quick to subside and quickly escalate into excitement. I was beginning to laugh too. After that, I was now stomping my feet. They didn't sink.

They did not fucking sink. I was making big splashes on the water, wetting my pants, but they did not breach through the surface of the water. It felt like I was stepping on flat ground.

My next reaction was immediate and well-deserved: I hooted and screamed an almighty THANK YOU to God. I was cartwheeling and tumbling all over too, whipping water in all directions and disturbing the perfect equilibrium of the Lake.

"Walking on water…." Reimu remarked with her arms crossed, floating beside me as she scrutinized my feet walking on the surface of the water while heading to the center of the Lake. "…I admit, I've never seen that before. I mean, in actual. People just use Flight and pretend they're doing it but you, you're actually doing it. I heard Sanae brag about it but I never actually seen her do the same."

Hehe! "It's an honor to be the first one you've seen." I do a super-gentlemanly bow as I say that, then I proceed to the next Miracle I'll do. "Now, then, let us see if I can actually perform the Miracle of Splitting the Sea."

"Splitting the Sea…..wait a minute, Sanae has a Spell Card like that."

I must admit: I was actually pissed off that she ripped that off from the Christianverse and put it on her Spell Card deck. It should have been mine!

For now, let's pretend like I don't know anything about her like I did pre-NDE, "Well, whoever this Sanae is, I've yet to see her match the might of the Holy Spirit."

And she'll never will.

I put my hands together and I prayed, hoping the Holy Spirit can spoil me this once.

~~~~~ « ҉ » ~~~~~

…..….….

….….….….….

…..….….….….….….….….

….….….ahem, well…..….….….

Should it be surprising that the Holy Spirit actually allowed me to perform the Miracle?

For me, it blew my mind like a damn nuke. The sooner I saw a section of the water fissuring and began widening from there, I lost my composure as well as my grip of the Miracle and broke out mock-wheezing on the gro—um, water surface on my hands and knees like I was losing my breath.

But I was quick to get over it and do it again. This time with a hardened composure.

And yep, I did it. It's only 10 feet long and the gaps only 3 feet apart but I was happy. It's now confirmed. I can wield the Miracles of God, and possibly more. Next, I'll make a pool just for Makita (it's for her species' sake).

With all of my expectations met and graciously blessed by God, I now proceeded with the plan of this outing.

It all began with a simple question, "Hey, Reimu, has anyone ever told you what an underwater aquarium is?"

First, I threw pellets of Holy Energy into the water like they were fish feed, then I threw larger orbs and had them float all over to pelt the entire Lake. That way, it'll attract some fish to come close to the surface.

Second, I have the Holy Spirit create a water tunnel. With a single Orb revolving around me and Reimu, an entrance presented itself before my feet.

My most favorite part about this thing: I'm holding Reimu's hand. She was a bit apprehensive about entering, so I suggested we hold hands and let the Holy Spirit's guidance and protection include her as well, promising that She will never let anything happen to the both of us.

As we enter the tunnel, me taking the lead and walking in while she follows after me by floating, the path lead to a random direction the Holy Spirit thought of. With the Sun still out, the light's cleanly breaching through and giving us a lot of light.

And then, Reimu saw the magic.

From the left, right, and down, all manner of fish that existed in the Misty Lake were swimming all over, congregating to the surface to nip at some of the Holy Pellets I and the Orbs have been dropping everywhere before we got in.

Not just her, I was awestruck as well.

I never went to any Underwater Aquarium in the Outside World, ever, and I'm glad I never did. Because in this one, where all manner of sea creatures that either existed in real life or in stories could exist in one place, whether from fresh waters or salt waters, I could see them all.

Her grip on my hand tightened, I unconsciously returned the courtesy. She was having fun in poking one of the fishies through the wall of water if one was close enough, making them swim away frantically.

And I could not believe my eyes at the variety of sizes that existed amongst the fish. From the smallest fish that could compare itself to a toothpick….to the size of a great white shark. An actual one was among them too.

In a mixture of fear and awe, I watched them all pass by me and Reimu. The amazing thing is that none of the clearly predatory ones are eating the smaller prey around them, and it's obvious the Holy Spirit is enforcing that behavior for our amusement.

Fun fact, octopi do exist in Gensokyo.

Reimu was a lot more vocal in this situation, shaking our shared grasp to grab my attention and pointing to a creature she has never seen before, asking me sorts of questions, like what are they called or are they eatable?

Funnily enough, the most consistent question is the latter.

Thank God for those Holy Pellets, because they are bright enough to illuminate like a lamp. That allowed us good visibility on all manner of fishies when we went a little more downwards in the Lake.

Let's see here: salmon, guppies, tuna, swordfishes (excuse me?), koi, crocodiles (WHAT!?), sharks, sea serpents, gators (okay, now...)—aside from all the basic fishes we can find Outside, there are also other manner of fishes I have no knowledge of.

There's even a fucking thing that looked like a cross between a crocodile and a goldfish. Fuckin' abomination if I've seen one.

Reimu, however, found it cute. Weird me out, why don't you?

Still, I'm very glad that Reimu's enjoying herself. It makes me so happy to see her like this. I dare to ask anyone in Gensokyo: have they ever seen Reimu bring out her inner child the same way she is doing right now?

Just look at her, she's smiling, laughing, and dare I fucking say it, I could even see those eyes releasing single tears of joy as well.

I open the gaps between my fingers as we held hands, and she took the initiative herself to interlock her own with mine.

Compared to before where my heart would change rhythm in situations like this, now I'm just feeling nothing but fuzzies. Warmth. Oh, how I wish I could hug her right now, tell her that she can stop being resigned or overwhelmed and accept that everything doesn't have to fall on her. Not everything about her has to be about being the Hakurei Shrine Maiden. She is Hakurei Reimu too. Even she deserves to be happy. She has people that can help her up whenever they can. If she goes through something, something that no one in this world could ever lend their hand with, even if it cost them their lives, I will be there to fill the spot.

"We can stay around for as long as you like. If you wish to leave, simply say so."

I didn't face her as she turned to look at me, keeping my eyes on the crocodile that's been staring at me. If she was about to cry, I made sure she didn't have to show it by seemingly not noticing it or her sniffles, and she turned back to face the many marine life that are going about, swimming and doing their business under the Holy Spirit's influence. Her grip on my hand tightened, and she floated close to my side until our shoulders touched.

And she said, in the softest voice I ever heard her use since meeting her, "Let's stay until evening."

I nodded, squeezing her hand and letting the Holy Spirit send all of Her personal affections for the girl I love just by this, smothering her fingers with beautiful and colorful light. It made all the marine and reptilian life jubilant by swimming in a loop all around us. The most hypnotizing display they have ever made.

And I reply to her, praying and promising it to hold true till the end of my days, "I will be with you all the way, Reimu."

---

Interesting reaction he had toward Kagerou's advances, didn't he? Normally, he'd rage and explode right then and there instead of letting her, right?

Cute Kaayo mo - You're both cute

Merry Christmas to all. I just wanna put this out before the Year ends, hopefully with all of this suffering as well. Times are hard, but I'm hanging on. I pray you're doing well too. Let's hope this ends soon. No more suffering, no more pain, no more COVID.