Chapter 12: A perfectly normal errand
We see a strange dark space, filled with menacing purple eyes. This is the home of that certain gap Yokai, who is responsible of transporting our heroine into Gensokyo. Yukari herself is seen laying on a floating bed, with her loyal familiar, Ran by her side.
"What are we taking a look at today, Yukari-sama? " Ran asks.
Lets see how our Rainbow Light wielding girl is doing." the gap Yokai responds, then motions with her hand. One of the eyes floats in front of her, and grows in size, showing Gensokyo. Then it closes onto Kourindou, where Nijiko is preparing to leave the shop to go on yet an another errand.
"Hmm, as I recall, we didnt take a look at her, ever since she began her training of Danmaku more seriously." the fox-like Shinigami says.
"This is true. Lets see what she is up to today." Yukari smiled.
...
The scene then switches to Kourindou, where out heroine is preparing to leave. She has a backpack on, and already has her bike ready. Rinnosuke and Cassida are at the door of the shop.
"You know everything what you have to do, right?" the half-Yokai shopkeeper asks.
"Yep! I have to deliver this book to Suzunaan, then buy some thyme and mint tea from Aokawa-san." Nijiko replies.
"Nijiko-san! Please, bring me with you to the Human Village! I will behave..." Cassida pleads.
"Sorry, but I doubt I can do that without Keine-san noticing. You know, it isnt allowed for Yokai in the village."
"Aww, shucks..." the Tortoise Beetle Yokai frowns.
"But dont worry, I am going to be back as soon as I can." Nijiko then turns to Rinnosuke. "Alright, I am now off! "
The heterochromatic girl gets onto her bike and heads to the village. During her way there, she takes a look at the Forest of Magic. It was the place, where Cassida resided before she moved in to Kourindou. And then that was the place of some lessons with Marisa. Nijiko shudders a bit, as she thinks back to her first visit in the forest. It was quite unpleasant of being lost, then almost eaten by a wolf Yokai. Luckily, everything turned out well, thanks to Cassida and Marisa. Still, Nijiko always gets nervous now and then, when visiting the forest for a lesson.
Soon, she reaches the Village. She passes Keine with saying her good morning:
"Morning, Keine-san!"
"Ah, Good morning for you too, Akimitsu-san." Keine responds, smiling at her. "The usual errand?"
"Yes." Nijiko nods. "I have a book to deliver to Suzunaan, then to buy some tea from Aokawa-san."
"Okay, good luck for your errand. And try to not to get into any trouble."
"I will keep that in mind..." the heterochromatic girl smiles awkwardly, still remembering to the incident with the Kitsune.
After bidding farewell to the history teacher, Nijiko heads to Suzunaan. As she enters the book-renter shop, Kosuzu is seen carrying a huge pile of books. The stack is tall, with the girl doing her best to keep it in balance and prevent them from falling.
"Good Morning, Motoori-san!" Nijiko greets her book-loving friend.
"Mo-morning... AAAAAAH!" Kosuzu is startled a bit, which causes her to lose focus and trip, dropping the pile of books. Luckily, nobody is injured.
"AH! I am so sorry!" the black-haired girl runs to check her friend. "I didnt mean to startle you. Are you OK?"
"Luckily, yes." Kosuzu stands up and dusts her apron. "Just next time, dont startle me like this. Anyways, what can I do for you today?"
"Well, Morichika-kun got a new book yesterday and sent me to deliver it to here. " Nijiko nods, and shows a thick book with a black cover.
"Wow, the first chapter of Harry Potter!" the orange-haired girl beams as she holds the book.
At the same time, Nijiko begins to pick the book up, which her friend dropped. This was a habit, which she picked up after spending much time in Kourindou with cleaning. Kosuzu temporarily puts the new book away and helps her. Soon, the girls manage to finish putting all the books to their place.
A bit later, they are shown having some tea, while Kosuzu examines the book and reads into it. She then turns to our heroine:
"Say Akimitsu-san, how are things going with you? I have heard you developed a lot regarding danmaku and your abilities in general."
"Let me guess, Mari-san told you about it."
"Well yes. Nowadays, she boasted with it for everyone in the village." Kosuzu sweatdrops while smiling awkwardly.
"Luckily everything is going well as far as I am concerned." Nijiko says before taking a sip from her tea. "Mari-san is a surprisingly helpful teacher, though still prone to go overboard sometimes."
As she is saying this a flashback is shown with Nijiko barely avoiding some explosions the witch is sending at her.
"I also have a sparring partner with me..." she then continues. "Her name is Cassida, the Tortoise Beetle Yokai."
"Wow, you made friends with a Yokai?! So awesome!" Kosuzu then exclaims with starry eyes as she hears about this. "Oh my, you have already came a long way..."
"Well, I am just doing my best to survive here... though I am indeed lucky I have such helpful friends." Nijiko blushes from the compliment, then glances down at her tea. "Wow, this tea is so delicious!"
"It is made by Aokawa-san. Her herbal tea is very popular in the village." the orange-haired girl mentions it. "Ever since she showed up here, the life here visibly improved."
"It seems not every Yokai is malicious... Oh speaking of her, Morichika-kun requested me to buy some herbal tea from her." the black-haired girl remembers and stands up from the table, then bows to her friend. "Thanks for the tea."
"You are always welcome." Kosuzu smiles.
She then escorts Nijiko to the entrance of the bookstore and watches as the other girl leaves. The bookstore assistant smiles as she does so: for her, Nijiko already looks like she is adapting very well in the life in Gensokyo, despite being relatively new here.
"Do your best, Akimitsu-san." she says in her mind as she turns around and returns back into the bookstore.
...
Pushing her bike next to herself, Nijiko now heads to where Wakumis pharmacy is located. She then stops by a house which does not seem to be different from the other houses in the village, other a large sign indicating that it is the pharmacy. Looking up, the heterochromatic girl sees the sign, which reads: "Aokawa Pharmacy and Herbal Tea Store" . Next to it a cross, a stylized flower and a cup of tea are can be seen as well.
"Hmm, this sign summarizes it well..." Nijiko thinks as she enters. Upon entering, she sees on the shelves several vials, small bags and other containments, containing different kinds of medicines and herbs. "Umm, excuse me!"
"Welcome!" Wakumi says with a smile as she sees the familiar girl entering. "Oh, its you, Akimitsu-san. Can I help you in anything?"
"Well, I would like to have some mint and thyme tea. At least, this is what Morichika-kun requested." the heterochromatic girl responds.
"Ok, right away." the pharmacist walks to the shelves and picks two bags, then bringing them to her customer.
"Thanks." Nijiko says while paying for them. She then recalls what Kosuzu said. "Oh, Motoori-san mentioned that ever since you showed up here, the life improved in the village."
"Thats nothing special, I am just doing my job as a pharmacist, though I am glad my work is respected here." the Honengame Yokai says with a smile and a slight blush. "Being able to help people is what the most important for me, since thats what I love to do."
"Oh, I see." the heterochromatic girl ponders briefly on what Wakumi said.
"Can I have a question?" Wakumi then asks her. "Do you like your current job in Kourindou?"
"We... well." the question caught Nijiko a bit off-guard. "I... I like it. Kourindou is a nice place, while Morichika-kun, despite being quite tense, is generally pleasant to be around. And then I also have Cassida-san there. The store is almost like a second home for me... "
Nijiko herself was unsure why she said those words. Within her heart, she still wants to go home, but Kourindou is where she is staying at the moment, indeed like a second home – providing her shelter and job.
"Thats good to hear." Wakumi smiles. She then decides not to pester with the question further upon noticing how Nijiko hesitated a bit to answer. "Well, I wish good health and good luck for you. I hope you eventually could get home. Do your best, Akimitsu-san!"
"Thanks a lot Aokawa-san, I will." Nijiko responds with a smile, the turns to leave. "Have a nice day. "
"Likewise. Thanks for visiting my pharmacy!" the Honengame pharmacist waves goodbye for the human girl as she leaves.
...
On her way outside of the village, Nijiko is thinking. She already has managed to get couple of friends, but what if she manages to get home. Will there be a chance to see them again? She then shakes her head:
"No, this is not the time to pester myself with such questions, the most important thing is now to do everything Morichika-kun needs, as well as to perfect all of those skills I need to be a capable danmaku fighter. Otherwise I wont take long here in Gensokyo! "
It is, when she suddenly spots an another girl, who wears similar clothing to Reimu, but her color scheme is mainly blue instead of red. she had long bright green hair reaching her waist, as well as similarly colored eyes. She also has a hairpin shaped like a frog head, as well as a snake ornament holding together some locks of her hair on one side of her face. Looking at her aura, Nijiko could tell that the girl possesses some large amount of Spiritual Power, just like Reimu. And judging from her clothing, she appears to be a shrine maiden.
"Wait a minute, I thought Hakurei-san is the only shrine maiden here... " Nijiko thinks.
Just then, the girl turns towards her, her gaze instantly got by Nijikos bicycle.
"Wow, is the a mountain bike?! I have never seen one for quite some time!" she says excitedly.
"Umm, excuse me..." Nijiko sweatdrops, visibly taken aback by the pure enthusiasm coming from the girl.
"Oh, and who are you? I have never met you before... Wait a minute.." the green-haired girl narrows her eyes as she is looking at Nijiko as if she was measuring her up. "Lets see... long black hair in a ponytail, heterochromatic eyes, a bicycle... Wow, you must be Nijiko Akimitsu, the girl Marisa was talking about! The one whom she has taken as her pupil! A pleasure to meet you! My name is Sanae Kochiya!"
"Uh... nice to meet you, Kochiya-san..." the heterochromatic girl responds with an awkward smile. Darn, Marisa sure likes to brag with her now having a pupil. "And mind if I ask... are you a friend of Mari-san?"
"Of course! As the Shrine Maiden of the Moriya Shrine, I occasionally help Marisa and Reimu-senpai in solving Yokai-related incidents." Sanae responds proudly. "You know, it was during such an incident we currently solved, that she told me about you before Reimu-senpai weirdly cut her off. Man, why was that big secret keeping?"
"Well, maybe because I am from what they refer to as the Outside World?" Nijiko says awkwardly.
"Wait, what?! You are from the Outside World?! I am from there, too!" Sanae responds with stars in her eyes. "And what do you think of Gensokyo?! Its awesome, isnt it?"
The black-haired girl hesitates with an answer, shocked by the fact that her new aquitance, Sanae is also from the Outside World, just like her. However, she doesnt seem to be bothered to be here at all.
"We... well, I thing its quite dangerous due to all the Yokai running around. This is why I am learning Magic and danmaku from Mari-san, to be able to protect myself."
"Oh, I see why was that secret keeping. But dont worry, danmaku battles are all fun in you get used to it. This is the best thing in Gensokyo. The other best thing of course, than you wouldnt know when will the adventure find you here. Surely more thrilling than the old boring Outside World."
What Sanae was saying catches Nijiko off-guard. Gensokyo can be fun? Well, recalling on how nonchalant some residents were, like Marisa, Cassida or the Fairies, seemingly having fun all the time, though she herself still have to yet to see this side of Gensokyo.
"We... well, I would like to converse with you more Kochiya-san, but Morichika-kun is waiting for me at Kourindou... " she says nervously.
"Hey, then why not we go together! My next destination is Kourindou, after all. I would like to see what Rinnosuke-kun has in store this time." Sanae offers.
"Oh, okay..." Nijiko responds. She hoped that she could shake Sanae off, but could not refuse her friendly offer. "Lets go."
The two then leaves the village through the main gate. Once outside, Nijiko hops on her bike, while Sanae floats up into the air, just like Reimu.
"Wow, I wish I could fly, too." the black-haired girl remarks as she sees the Moriya Shrine Maiden floating next to her.
"Well, anyone with enough Spiritual Power can do it. You just need practice." Sanae flies a circle around her new aquitance.
As they are taking on the road, Nijiko is thinking. Flying would be sure a handy ability, since it would make her errands easier. Not to mention that currently stuck onto the land, she has disadvantage against most of the residents who could float or fly, lika Cassida, Reimu, or Marisa on her broom. With just running on the ground, her movements are limited, while in the air others can move at any direction they choose.
"Hey Akimitsu-san, are you okay?" Sanae floats next to her as she sees Nijiko slowing down with her bike.
"I think I request Mari-san or Hakurei-san to teach me how to fly or float." the heterochromatic girl responds. "I feel I need that skill in order to keep up with everyone here."
"Wow, thats the spirit! I like your attitude." Sanae smirks and gives her a thumbs-up. This causes Nijiko to become a bit embarrassed, because she said her thoughts out loud. They then proceed to continue on the road without any hitches.
...
Soon, they get back to Kourindou. Rinnosuke is inside the shop, while Cassida is seemingly nowhere to be seen.
"Cassida-san! Morichika-kun! I am back!" Nijiko waves.
"BOO!" Suddenly, Cassida pops out behind the girls in order to scare them.
"KYAH!" Both girls let out a short yell, as they are caught off-guard by the prank.
"Darn Cassida-san, you got me again..." Nijiko gives an awkward grin.
"I couldnt help it Nijiko-san, I was bored." the Tortoise Beetle Yokai responds.
"Dont be afraid Akimitsu-san, I will handle this!" Sanae exclaims and takes out her purification rod, pointing it at Cassida. "Begone Yokai or you will be exterminated!"
"Hey, put that thing away from me!" Cassida gets scared and hides behind her friend.
"Please, calm down Kochiya-san. Cassida-san is a friend, she doesnt mean any harm." Nijiko says. "To be honest, I am kinda already used to her pranks."
"I am sorry, sometimes I am prone to be carried away..." the green-haired shrine maiden grins awkwardly while rubbing the back of her head.
"Hey, you guys are loud." Morichika says as he finally steps out of the shop, with the commotion having caught his attention. "Oh, so you are back Akimitsu-san." He then looks at Sanae. "And I see you have already made friends with Kochiya-san. Well, just like a certain witch, she can be quite a handful too."
"Come on Rinnosuke-kun, you are as stiff as always." Sanae pouts.
Nijiko cannot help, but giggle at the comical situation. She then glances at Sanae, while sporting a small smile. Today, which began as a usual errand, she met yet an another perky resident of Gensokyo. Despite Sanae was also from the Outside World, it felt as if she was a native resident of this world. And this felt quite a mystery for Nijiko...
...
Then the scene switches back to Yukaris pocket dimension, where she is observing the event regarding Nijiko unfold.
"Oh, so she met with Kochiya-san today. Our girl is slowly, but surely making her faithful encounters." the gap Yokai says while sporting a sly smile.
"You sure have big plans for her soon, havent you, Yukari-sama?" Ran asks.
"Yes, but a story for an another day. For now, lets just see how well she is continuing to do in Gensokyo. Yukari says as she scene goes black, leaving her sly smile for last.
To be continued...
Authors Note: Finally, after an another two months, I managed to get an another chapter down. I originally intended this to be a filler chapter focusing on one of Nijikos errands, but I ended up introducing her to the other shrine maiden in Gensokyo, Sanae. I hope I didnt mess up their encounter and interactions. Also: Happy New Year Everyone!