It was a bustling morning in the Human Village, with its people all rushing around the marketplace. Sakuya made regular trips to the village, usually for grocery runs, and often fell into the same rhythm as any other resident, such as waiting in line for sales, or haggling when she could get away with it. She even sometimes exchanged product ideas with some of the storekeepers.
On this particular day, however, Sakuya did not come to the village to do any shopping. It was more appropriate to say that she was on a reconnaissance mission.
There was a popular trend going on all over Gensokyo, a boom of merchandise known as Ability Cards. These colourful cards were the subject of a recent incident across the land that Sakuya herself got personally involved in… But that incident was in the past and the actual 'threat' had passed. Since then, the cards have simply served as a popular form of entertainment among humans and youkai alike.
The village was no exception, and Sakuya was making her way to the biggest congregation of Ability Card enthusiasts among humans, the recently opened game center.
Not that the building was always known as such, having spent most of its lifetime as a regular bar before closing down. However, a few particularly passionate card fans pooled together their resources to convert the building into the purpose it served now, as a gathering place for villagers with a similar interest in cards.
Not only that, but the villagers had even innovated a new way to enjoy the cards, constructing a type of competitive game to be played using them, with constantly changing and updated rules. This game is the reason why the building is referred to as a 'game center' now, since most people go there specifically to play it.
Sakuya saw the building just up ahead, its bright, red and blue sign at the front was very eye-catching, and she could see there was a consistent stream of people from all age groups heading inside as well.
As the maid moved closer to the game center however, she spotted a familiar person at the other end of the road, similarly approaching the building. Sakuya was spotted at the same time, and when both their eyes locked, their shared surprise stopped them both in place.
"Oh!" The other person was the first to speak. "Sakuya! Good morning!"
"Miss Sanae." Sakuya changed her course towards the green-haired shrine maiden of the Moriya Shrine, Kochiya Sanae. Since they had already seen each other, it was only proper to offer a polite greeting and bow. "Good morning to you as well."
"There's no need to be so formal, you know. We're friends, aren't we?" Sanae said, with a hopeful smile. "So what brings you to the village this early? Some of the shops aren't even open yet."
"I assume the same reason you're here. We were both headed in there, weren't we?" Sakuya tilted her head towards the game center next to them.
"Ah, I suppose that was obvious. It is the biggest talk of the village, after all." Sanae proceeded to then proudly explain her intentions, her hands on her hips and chest puffed out. "That's right, I'm here on a mission on behalf of the Moriya Shrine! I have come to learn more about the ability cards circulating in the village. After all, I'd hate for this to be the cause of another incident."
"What a coincidence. That's exactly what I'm here to do as well." Sakuya replied with a professional demeanour "I too am doing my due diligence as a citizen of Gensokyo."
"...Really? Are you sure you're not actually here to scope out the competition?" Sanae's tone then kicked several notches up towards smugness as she continued speaking, eager for the opportunity to use the information she possessed. "Because I heard the Scarlet Devil Mansion is going to be opening an exclusive, limited-time marketplace to promote cards as well."
Sakuya didn't show any reaction at first, simply responding in the same tone of voice. "I don't know what kind of rumour mill you frequent, but there's no such plan for the mansion."
"No such plan? Not even on the twenty-eighth this month?" Sanae said, her smugness hitting maximum with the knowing smirk she wore.
"...Where did you get that date?" Sakuya narrowed her eyes at Sanae. That information was strictly meant to remain confidential and kept within mansion walls until further notice.
"Living gods have their sources." Sanae shrugged while wearing a cheeky smile, though her 'source' this time just happened to be a certain fox named Tsukasa deciding on a whim to share that information. "Don't worry though, I can keep it a secret for you. Buuut, I might need a favour. Maybe you can start by helping me investigate this game center! You know, for the sake of peace!"
Sanae wasted no time trying to barter for Sakuya's assistance, but the maid just gave a cold, unimpressed stare as she spoke. "Funny that you talk about this being for the 'sake of peace', because I heard that the Moriya Shrine has its own plans to open an exclusive event for ability cards, and will be holding a special festival just for the occasion."
Sanae was completely unaffected by the claim, simply laughing and shaking her head. "Oh, Sakuya, I know you're probably angry that we found your people out, but that doesn't mean you should make up baseless-"
"The fifth of next month." Sakuya stoically stated, but she didn't stop there. "You already contracted for the Tsukumo sisters to perform. You're unveiling a new brand of colour-changing cards for sale. You're also-"
"Stop, stop, stop !" A panicked Sanae slapped her palm over Sakuya's mouth, though the shrine maiden's distressed wailing was currently drawing far more attention from passersby than anything the maid had said. "How do you know all that?! Who told you?!"
"Mm." Sakuya could only give a muted hum in response. Even if she could say more though, she wasn't keen to mention how a certain fox named Tsukasa had slipped the information to her. Even so, she pointed at Sanae's hand resting over her mouth, who hesitantly lowered it, only for Sakuya to give a cold response. "Does that detail matter at this point?"
"Uuuugh…" A pained whine escaped from Sanae, before bringing both her hands together for a pleading gesture. "Please don't tell anyone!"
"How about we agree to keep each other's secrets, secret?" Sakuya mercifully suggested. Frankly, she felt just a little bad for Sanae at this point, but she also didn't want anymore people staring at the commotion they were making in the middle of the road.
"Deal." Sanae let out a heavy sigh of relief. "So then… Now it's out in the open that we're both here to scope out the competition, huh?"
"Indeed." Sakuya nodded. A few more seconds passed as the two stood in silence.
"...You want to check it out together anyway?" Sanae suddenly asked, a hopeful smile returning to her face.
"...Sure thing." Sakuya responded with a friendly smile of her own. "It'll be a lot more pleasant than if you were blackmailing me."
"That's not what I was doing before!" Sanae protested as they walked towards the entrance together. "It was a business negotiation."
"Uh huh." Sakuya made sure her tone carried how unconvinced she was, as the two headed through the doors of the game center.
The interior of the building had even more work put into it, with brightly-coloured wallpaper lining every square surface, and a few eye-catching posters to break up the monotony. Multiple counters with staff were set up to buy and sell cards, and filling up the space were tables set up for customers to play against each other in matches of the village's innovative card game. All in all, the place was bustling with people gathering, both adults mingling and children playing.
So far, Sakuya was moderately impressed by the success of the establishment. "It's like a miniature festival here that's all centered on cards, and I'm led to believe this kind of turnout is quite common for this place. That said, my mistress' event will be similar to this, but of course on a much larger scale."
Sakuya expected her current company to follow up immediately with a boast about how her gods will hold an even larger and better event, but she turned to see Sanae simply taking in the scenery with something akin to amazement.
"Miss Sanae?" Sakuya's first call didn't get a response, and so she tried waving her hand in front of the other's face."Hello?"
"...Ah!" Sanae flinched upon realising that she was spacing out. An embarrassed laugh spilled out of her. "S-Sorry, haha. I was just… entranced."
"Is it that impressive?" Sakuya asked.
"That's not it. I was just reminded of places I liked visiting when I was a kid." A nostalgic smile formed on Sanae's face, as she couldn't help but reminisce about the arcades she used to excitedly count the days until her next visit. "...Of course, our shrine's event is going to be something far bigger and grand than what you see here!"
"I figured." Sakuya smiled back, but then it was time to put on her serious face. "For now, let's evaluate exactly what we're dealing with."
"Right!" Sanae clenched her fists in determined agreement, and the two began their 'work'.
To anyone observing them from outside, the maid and the shrine maiden didn't appear to be doing anything other than enjoying the services, purchasing cards, exchanging pleasantries with a few people, and acting like any other customer. And that was because that's exactly what they were doing.
"Oh my gosh. Sakuya, look at this. Look at this…!" Sanae practically shoved the hand of recently obtained cards in Sakuya's face. "This 'Vampire Fang' is a rare, gold variant!"
"That's the card I wanted!" Sakuya said with a jealous pout as she looked at her own hand of cards. "All I got were these throwaways…"
"What did you get- No waaaay !?" Sanae practically shrieked, overwhelmed by a jolt of awe and jealousy. Just about every customer turned their head towards her for a few seconds, but Sanae didn't pay it any mind though, only focused on Sakuya. "You have two 'Bursting Red Frog' cards! And one of them is a rainbow variant!? That has to be a miracle!"
"Not much of a miracle though. I don't have any use for either of these."
"Trade! Trade them for my card!" Sanae nudged Sakuya's shoulder repeatedly as she repeated the word. "Trade!"
"Hmm…" Sakuya looked between her cards and then at Sanae's pleading face for a few moments. "I think not."
"Why?!" The shift from hopeful to utter disappointment on Sanae's face was impressively fast to Sakuya.
"Well, that feels against the spirit of things. They are still uniquely mine, so I should treat them as if they're precious."
"You're just saying that because I want them so bad!" Sanae indignantly accused.
"That might play a part." Sakuya replied with a remorseless smile before putting away her cards. "We've each amassed quite the collection though. Do you think perhaps we're ready for…?"
"Oh, yes! You're talking about the tournament, right?" Sanae got over her anger quickly and responded in earnest excitement. The both of them then didn't waste any time heading to the counter to sign up for it.
During their time in the game center so far, they had learned that there were occasionally tournaments held within the establishment. A free-to-enter competition where customers engage in matches until only one winner comes out on top. Apparently, back when the building was still a bar, the owners regularly held high-stake mahjong matches. For the current tournament, however, the only 'stake' was having a chance to have your name written on a sign and hung up somewhere, something to brag about to your fellow collectors and players. And as luck would have it, the organisers were going to hold such a tournament on that very day.
After finishing signing up together, Sanae was already thrilled for a shot at this very niche glory. "I'm totally ready! Not to brag, but I happen to have a lot of experience."
"Didn't you only read the rules for the first time today, same as myself?" Sakuya asked, skeptical.
"Yeah, but I've played all sorts of competitive games from the outside world." If anything, Sanae thought she played far too many games as a child, but at least for today, it was paying off. "Compared to those, the rules of this game are really simple. I'm pretty sure I have a huge advantage over anyone else here."
"Interesting. As it happens, I have quite the advantage myself. In the mansion, we regularly play games with cards. Not only that, but many have been reduced to crying in defeat, after losing everything they hold dear to me."
"You mean like poker and stuff? And you gamble when you play?" Sanae's eyes twinkled as she asked, already envisioning dark, high-stake games being held within the devil's mansion.
"Naturally. The fairies that staff our mansion usually only bet one of two things. Their dessert for dinner, or their break times from work. Tears fall every time they try to challenge me for more of either, and they simply end up with less than they have every time."
"That's… harsh." Sanae felt immediate sympathy for those poor fairy maids. "Do you think you could let them win sometime too?"
"What are you saying? Among the staff and residents, I am known to be quite the card devil, so I have a reputation to uphold."
"Don't you mean a card shark ?" Sanae asked.
"No, a card devil , because my skill with cards is only matched by a true devil, the mistress. She is the only one to ever best me in our games." After saying that though, Sakuya furtively glanced left and right, before gesturing with one hand for Sanae to come closer. The curious shrine maiden did so, and Sakuya whispered into her ear. "But only because I let her win."
A dramatic gasp escaped Sanae as she moved back. "Wow! Well, it sounds like I have a worthy opponent in front of me. I'll be disappointed if you wipe out before facing me!"
"Likewise, I want to see all that 'experience' you mentioned at play."
Just then, a bell rang, and everyone present turned their head towards the main counter, where the brackets for the tournament had been announced. The brackets were displayed as names arranged as a list on a board.
"Oh, look at that." Sakuya pointed to the board in amusement, which showed that both her and Sanae would be facing each other immediately in the first rounds. "I'll get to see that experience right away."
"Eeeh? I guess that's fine, but I was hoping our match would be a little more 'climatic'." Sanae was mildly disappointed. "I can't imagine anything afterwards being as fun."
"Hmm…" Hearing that, Sakuya hit upon an idea. "In that case, why don't we try making things more interesting, just between us? How do you feel about a bet, depending on the winner of our match?"
"Ooh, adding even more stakes and prizes to the mix?" Sanae was instantly receptive to the idea. "Did you have something in mind?"
"All I've thought of so far was parting with my shiny, new, rainbow 'Bursting Red Frog' card if you were skilled enough to best me. Perhaps you have a better idea?"
"That would definitely be nice, but…" Sanae cracked a grin, indeed having already thought of something better. "Since you somehow learned of the Moriya Shrine's upcoming event, I need to do something about this disadvantage."
Sakuya wasn't too surprised that Sanae had shifted the topic to business, but she gave a defiant look at what she believed was being implied. "Don't tell me that if you win, then the mansion has to cancel its own event?"
"Nothing like that! I doubt your boss would ever go along with that. What I was actually thinking…" Sanae's expression only grew more audacious as she spoke. "If you lose to me, Sakuya, you have to come help out at the Moriya Shrine on the day of our event. An extra pair of hands on deck never hurts, especially if they belong to someone 'perfect and elegant' like yourself."
Sakuya was taken aback at first by such a brazen suggestion, but she soon returned a similar grin as she spoke. "I'll agree, only if you accept my condition as well. If you lose to me, Miss Sanae, then you will come work for the mansion on the day of our event."
"I figured as much. It's a deal!" Sanae nodded and offered to seal the agreement with a handshake, which Sakuya accepted. "Now that you've agreed, I should let you know that you wouldn't just be helping with labour in the background or something. I'm recruiting you as a part-time shrine maiden."
"Part-time… shrine maiden?" Sakuya didn't stop shaking Sanae's hand, but she had some suspicions upon hearing that. "I am an atheist, you know? So I don't think I'm very suitable for that role."
"It's fine! I'll help you through anything you need! We'll greet visitors with a double smile, you'd back me up while I chant miracles, stuff like that. Oh, and I just know you'd look wonderful in the outfit." Sanae was already giddily beaming to herself, thanks to the image her mind conjured of Sakuya wearing matching clothes with her, and of her voice speaking for the good of the shrine.
"I… honestly have a hard time picturing it." Sakuya didn't want to admit it, but the scenario sounded somewhat… interesting, if nothing else.
She didn't ponder that scenario for very long though, because she was much more eager to picture the result of herself winning the bet instead. As such, Sakuya directed a fascinated gaze towards Sanae as she spoke her thoughts.
"But I should let you know, the mansion has no shortage of fairies for staff, so I'll make sure you perform as an exceptionally elegant maid."
"Me, a maid? Um, I dunno..." Sanae couldn't help the small bit of apprehension to show on her face. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Why of course." Sakuya in comparison, was positively thrilled at her own idea, vividly picturing it all as she looked at Sanae. "You'll be representing us as well to our guests. I'll prepare the perfect uniform fitted specifically for you, and polish your every movement and word to exude elegance."
"T-That's definitely… I mean, I doubt it will ever come to that, haha." Sanae gave a nervous smile as she worked up a confident rebuttal. "But before that, one of us has to win this tournament first, and I'm feeling very good about my chances."
"As am I. Let's get going, then?" Sakuya asked, and Sanae gave an affirmative nod as they went to get ready.
The tournament had been underway for some time now, and the game center was the most packed it had been all day. All kinds of people were enjoying themselves at the tables, and not just because of the ability cards. Teenage girls exchanging opinions on the cards' cute drawings, working adults talking about how they were happy to spend their days off there, and small children who were just excited to be running around there.
Sticking out among the crowd though were Sakuya and Sanae, seated at a corner table across from one another. They stood out and drew glances every now and then, not necessarily because of their outfits or from being recognised, but because they were consistently being the noisiest pair in the building. Not to mention, they had yet to finish their match even though every other first round competitors had already done so.
"Take that!" Sanae boisterously declared, something she had gotten into a habit of doing, as she showed her selected card. "Everything's coming together for me! Very soon, you'll be begging me to stop my ferocious onslaught, so you might want to start begging right now!"
"Foolish. ...How very foolish!" Sakuya said with unflappable confidence as she stylishly shuffled the cards in her hand, a completely pointless gesture in this game, but one Sanae eventually came to think it looked cool after the fourth or so time Sakuya did it. She showed her own card next before speaking. "You don't even realise I'm luring you into a dark abyss of my own making. I won't even be able to savour the taste of this victory, because you're so eager to be devoured."
"Whatever abyss lies ahead, I'll destroy it and forge my own path! And I'll use… thiiiis!" Sanae let the word trail for the duration it took for her to dramatically slam her chosen card on the table. "My 'Offerings to a Sacred Mountain' brings all current points to me! You're left with nothing, and so victory is as good as mine, as it was decided by the gods!"
"Only fate will decide who wins, and fate is always on my side." Sakuya smirked at Sanae, never breaking eye contact as she bounced her cards from one hand to her other in a flashy display. She picked one card out, holding it between her fingers before swiftly throwing it to the table. "My 'Spell Before The Fall' ensures I still have enough to keep me going."
"What a devious play!" Sanae sharply gasped, and started planning her next dramatic line even before her next move. ...However, that line of thought halted as she stared at the table of cards with a perplexed look on her face, and spoke again in a more normal voice. "Uh, wait, Sakuya? Is that really a legal move? Don't you need at least two points of power?"
"Huh? Really?" Sakuya promptly stopped juggling her cards and directed her now uncertain gaze towards the table as well. "That's possible, but I don't fully recall… Actually wait, the card you played two turns ago, shouldn't that have removed a life from your stock?"
"Should it have?" Sanae's eyes darted all around the table, trying to recall both her actions in the game thus far and the intricacies of the rules, but the only thing she could remember for certain was how proud of herself she was for her 'forge my own path' line. "...I have no idea. Do you think we should start over again?"
"I don't mind, but… we've been going at this for a while now, haven't we?" One of the organisers even passed by earlier to politely ask them if they were going to be done soon. "It feels like we keep hitting walls, somehow."
"It must be because we're so evenly matched in skills! …By the way, do you remember if exchanging a card is worth one or two lives?"
"You can exchange them?" Sakuya tilted her head at the cards in her hand.
"Wait, can you not? I didn't just make up that rule, did I?" Sanae scratched her head, before sighing in frustration. "Yeah, we're at another stalemate."
"If you're tired of not making progress, you could always concede now." Sakuya suggested with a casual smile. "Then as soon as I wrap up the rest of my opponents here, I'll take you back with me to the mansion right away."
"Huh?!" Sanae's cards dropped right out of her hands. "W-w-why would you-"
"To get you measured for your uniform, of course." Sakuya calmly explained. "It'd be wise to have that prepared as soon as possible."
"Oh. Oh, right! Of course, haha…" Sanae shook off her embarrassment as she picked up her cards, and her confidence came bubbling back in full force. "Well, that's not happening, because I'm going to be the winner who takes all."
If Sanae felt any discouragement about the game, she simply had to remind herself of what she stood to win, which was easy to do as she watched Sakuya. When she did so, her mind drifted to visions of showing her the intricacies around the mountain, dressing her in complementary blue-and-white, and inviting her into the shrine itself.
Sanae cleared her throat, and her mind of distractions. "And you know, it won't hurt to have everyone in the village praising me as the greatest game player! That's got to be worth some faith, right?"
"I don't know about 'faith' exactly, but…" Sakuya glanced towards the empty board on the far wall, where they planned to write the name of the tournament's winner. "I would think it would reflect well on the mansion and my mistress if my name was on display in this… competing market…"
Sakuya's words slowly tapered off as she contemplated for the first time what exactly it would mean for either her or Sanae to be declared the winner in this establishment. She glanced towards Sanae, whose face showed that she had come upon the same realisation as Sakuya.
"My mistress and your gods are both going to enter the marketplace for ability cards on their own terms. This establishment in the Human Village will be in direct competition." Sakuya said in a grave tone.
"And if the Moriya shrine maiden, or the devil's maid were to make waves in this village, it would look like we're promoting this game center over the others." Sanae followed up as she sadly dropped her cards on the table again. "It wouldn't be a good look for my shrine at all."
"And it would just hurt, or even embarrass the standing of my mistress, or your gods." Sakuya rested her cheek on her palm and let out a small sigh. "...We walked right into an abyss of our own making."
"And our path has been destroyed from beneath our feet." Sanae pitifully exclaimed as she slumped back in her chair.
After their game ended with both conceding, Sakuya and Sanae exited the game center together. There was still a minor air of disappointment regarding the tournament, but both found themselves looking back on the morning so far with great fondness.
"All in all, I think this was a successful scouting mission." Sanae happily stated once she and Sakuya were outside.
"I agree." Sakuya replied, just as lively. "Though are you sure you didn't just spend most of your time having fun?"
"We both had fun, and we both did good work for our causes." Sanae had said with such confidence that Sakuya couldn't dare doubt her words.
"Let's both do our best at our respective markets, then. Of course I plan to put in my best for my mistress."
"Speaking of, there is still another matter between us." Sanae grinned as she remembered something important. "Have you forgotten the bet we made?"
"The bet?" Sakuya blinked, confused. "I do remember, but neither of us won, right?"
"Yes, neither of us won." Sanae happily nodded as she explained. "So that means we both lost the bet, yes?"
"...Ah." Slowly but surely, Sakuya's eyes lit up in realisation, and she let out a giggle, feeling impressed and charmed by Sanae's bartering ability. "I understand. In that case, I should be seeing you on the twenty-eighth, for your shift as maid-in-training?"
"And I'll see you on the fifth afterwards, for your duties as a part-time shrine maiden." Sanae was giggling softly as well.
"It's a deal." Sakuya gave an affirmative nod as the two beamed at each other. "You know, Miss Sanae, you've been very accommodating to me all morning."
"I have? I was actually thinking it was the other way around." Genuine surprise coloured Sanae's face. "I was actually worried a few times if I might have been bothering you."
"Not at all. That's why I wish to leave you with something…" Sakuya said as she reached into her pocket.
"Could it be you're trading your rare 'Bursting Red Frog' with me after all?!"
"No, sorry. You probably will find this underwhelming in comparison." Sakuya then pulled out a white envelope, with a heart-shaped stamp on it, and held it out to Sanae. "It was explained to me recently that passing this item serves as a symbol of appreciation, or something to that effect."
Sakuya expected Sanae to have questions about being handed a strange envelope out of nowhere. To Sakuya's surprise though, Sanae was staring at the object with wide, stunned eyes, and then gingerly took it with both hands. "Oh my gosh…"
"What is it…?" Sakuya wondered for a moment if Sanae was perhaps upset for some reason, but that worry disappeared when Sanae's face appeared to explode with joy.
"I never thought I'd receive a love letter in Gensokyo!" Sanae held up the envelope, beholding it like it was made of gold. "Sakuya! Have you been holding onto this, just for me?!"
"Not… exactly?" Sakuya didn't understand why Sanae was so overjoyed, but she was glad for it. "I didn't make it myself, and I admit that everything about how it works is somewhat abstract to me"
"You're being so cryptic about it… but that just makes me more excited to read it!" Sanae said as she turned it over in her hand. "Only open when alone, huh? I guess that's to spare you the embarrassment!"
"I think it might be too late for that." A lost Sakuya just offered a happy, if somewhat puzzled smile as Sanae celebrated the item to herself.
"Thank you. Today has just been full of unexpected nostalgia." Sanae held the letter close to her chest as she gave a lighthearted laugh. She began to turn on her heel, but still watched Sakuya over her shoulder. "Let's do something like this again, even after the ability card fad dies down."
"I would hope that went without saying." Sakuya nodded, as she turned to depart towards the opposite direction, but not before giving one last farewell. "Have a good day, Miss Sanae."
"I already have!" Sanae said before taking off. She had spent far more time in the village than she really intended to, but knew she didn't regret a single second of it.
Even after exiting the village, Sanae was humming contently as she made her way through the peaceful and quiet hillside path.
"...Argh, I can't wait any longer!" Bursting with curiosity, Sanae quickly checked her surroundings to ensure she was truly by herself, before opening up the envelope, and pulling out the pink piece of paper within.
She scanned through the contents at a quick pace. ...At a similarly quick pace, her elation gave way to perplexity. Sanae even gave the paper a second and third lookover just to make sure she didn't miss something, but she was no less confused by the end of it.
"...Did she just hand me her spam mail?"