Chapter 5: A Special Lesson
At the same time that all of this chaos was going on in the library, Cirno and Daiyousei were entering the temple school for the special class. As they entered they saw they weren't the only special guests as the crow tengu reporter Aya Shameimaru was waiting there for them. Keine-Sensei met them all outside the classroom and began to speak. "Wonderful you are all here. Let me explain. I believe Gensokyo was made to be a haven for fairies, humans, Yokai, and all kinds of beings, and I want it to stay that way. While it's okay for the humans to have a healthy respect for the abilities and powers of the magical and divine, the hatred and terror many of the humans hold is completely unacceptable. The days when Yokai tore humans to shreds or stole children are long over, and now I believe the prejudices of the past need to be done away with also. So I've invited you three here. Miss Shameimaru, I've invited you to be the representative for the Yokai and also I'd like you to cover today's class for The Bunbunmaru. Miss Cirno and Miss Daiyousei, I've invited you all here as our fairy representatives. So what will happen is I'll introduce a bit about Gensokyo, then you will each introduce yourselves, and then we'll take questions from the kids."
After she finished Keine-Sensei led the trio into the class which was full of kids chatting noisily. "Alright quiet down everyone. We have a very special class today". After everyone quieted down she continued. "Today I want to tell all of you about the land we all call home. We all live in the land of Gensokyo, which is home to fairies, gods, goddesses, humans, and Yokai of all kinds. Gensokyo was made so that all of these different beings would have a place they can live safely without risking being forgotten or abandoned. In the beginning, Gensokyo was very dangerous and humans suffered greatly but then Reimu Hakurei, the shrine maiden introduced the spell card system. Now there are rules that prevent humans from being killed and that even protect Yokai and other beings from each other." After a long lecture on Gensokyo's history and background, one of the students raised her hand. "Yes Rin", Keine-Sensei asked. The little dark haired girl named Rin answered, "Keine-Sensei you are doing it again. You told us to stop you if you ever got lost in one of your lectures."
Keine-Sensei took in what Rin said and nodded. "Sorry kids you are right. We'll have plenty of other classes to talk about Gensokyo. But I think our special guests have waited long enough. First off each of our guests will introduce themselves and then once they are all done you all may take turns asking them questions. Doesn't that sound like fun kids?" The kids who had been tuning out most of the long lecture began to perk up with curiosity. They began to chatter excitedly before being calmed by Keine-Sensei. "Miss Shameimaru would you go first please?"
Aya Shameimaru stepped forward centered in front of the class taking Keine-Sensei's place at the podium. "Ayayayaya I'm Aya Shameimaru the fastest crow tengu and I am Gensokyo's best reporter. I run Gensokyo's most reliable newspaper The Bunbunmaru. Say are any of you kids blessed by gods or cursed, or half-Yokai, or angels., or…" Keine-Sensei cut Aya off and said, "Thank you Miss Shameimaru. Let's move on to Cirno please". Cirno took Aya's place at the podium as she was dragged away by Keine-Sensei. Cirno all the eyes staring at her lost a bit of her usual bluster but she put her hands on her hips and began. "I'm Cirno the ice fairy and I am the strongest fairy around. I live over by the Misty Lake and can take on anyone." With that Cirno stepped back and Keine-Sensei waved Daiyousei to the podium. Daiyousei stepped up to the podium and began, "I'm Daiyousei the greater fairy who lives by the Misty Lake like Cirno does." After all three of them had given their introductions, Keine-Sensei returned to the podium and spoke up. "Thank you Miss Shameimaru, Miss Cirno, and Miss Daiyousei. Now class anyone who would like to ask one of our guests a question please raise your hand."
A little boy wearing a straw sun hat raised his hand and asked, "Miss Tengu how fast are you really". A rush of air could be heard and by the time the boy had lowered his hand Aya Shameimaru could be seen back at the front of the classroom wearing the boy's hat. "So kid does that answer your question?" Aya then rushed back putting the hat on the boy's desk and then again making her way back to the front of the class. At that the kids began clapping and chattering excitedly before Keine-Sensei calmed them down. With that a bunch more hands went up with kids yelling out for Aya to do more tricks. Keine-Sensei calmed them again and asked "Miss Shameimaru I know we've asked you already to cover today's class in your newspaper but would you also mind too much doing some more flying for the kids some other time?" After Aya nodded, Keine-Sensei asked the kids, "does anyone have any questions for Miss Shameimaru that don't involve her flying? Maybe about her life on Youkai Mountain or about her newspaper?" After no one seemed to speak up Keine-Sensei decided to ask on their behalf. "Miss Shameimaru would you please explain to us a little about the tengu of Youkai Mountain and Yokai in general?"
After a brief discussion of the tengu of Youkai Mountain and Yokai in general Aya stepped away from the podium to gentle applause from the class. "Now class does anyone have any questions for our fairy guests?" After a hand went up and Keine-Sensei called on them one little boy asked, "Miss Ice Fairy are you really the strongest?" Cirno who by now had recovered her usual composure spoke up. "Of course I am the strongest fairy. I've battled both shrine maidens, the witch, and even Aya over there." Aya thought for a bit and then remembered when she was taking photos and defeated Cirno, but she decided to keep quiet. It didn't bother her too much to let Cirno have her moment and seeing the kids oohing and ah-hing really seemed to perk the little fairy up.
The next question was for Daiyousei. "Miss greater fairy where do fairies come from?" Daiyousei thought for a bit how to explain it, and answered. "Fairies come from nature and we live as long as the kind of nature we come from is around. Like Cirno is an ice fairy so as long as there is ice around she'll be here. And I am a greater fairy so I am tied to the trees and forests." A different little girl spoke up after she finished with a follow up question. "So does that mean fairies don't have mommies or daddies?" Taking in what the girl said Cirno began to fantasize about her and Yukari being parents and she started blushing and emitting a mist of cold sweat as her ice powers ran wild. Seeing Cirno's discomfort Keine-Sensei decided to cut the class short. "It seems our guests are tired. So we are going to cut today's class short. Please give our guests a round of applause for taking the time to talk to you all today." After some initial moaning and groaning the kids all clapped for the trio who smiled and waved at them.
After the students had all left Keine-Sensei approached Cirno to see if she was alright. "Miss Cirno are you okay? Would you like me to summon Eirin or find you somewhere in the village you can rest?" Seeing Cirno not knowing how to respond Daiyousei couldn't hold herself back anymore and she burst. "Someone confessed to Cirno earlier and that's why she's so out of it today!" After that she put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from saying anymore. Aya perked up and began grilling Cirno and Daiyousei. "Who were they? What did they say? Tell me all the juicy details." After that Keine-Sensei broke in. "Miss Shameimaru cease this questioning at once. If Cirno doesn't wish to tell you then that's the end of it. Please search for gossip somewhere else." At that Aya clicked her tongue and left. "Thank you Keine-Sensei", said Daiyousei. "It's no issue but be careful. Aya is a tricky one and it probably won't be long before all of Gensokyo knows what you told me today. Whether she tells the truth about it or not."
At that Keine-Sensei escorted the pair out of the school and thanked them again before returning inside to clean things up. Cirno finally recovered and noticed the dimming light and began to panic. "Dai-chan we need to hurry! Please you've got to help me get ready for Yukari." Daiyousei nodded and the two rushed off home for Daiyousei to dress and prepare Cirno. It was almost time for the two to meet again and both were still rushing to prepare and make themselves perfect for the other. And as the sun finally set two groups entered the clearing where Mystia's cart was and the night began.
Hello everyone! Sorry this took me so long to put together I've been really busy the past week or so. I finally got this done though. It was tricky to know what to keep or leave out and how to get this chapter to really flow in a way I liked. I think it came out pretty well though and I hope you like it also. Next is finally the group date between Cirno and Yukari and we also may have meddling from both groups of friends and even Aya now. Well anyways I hope you enjoy and see you in the next one!