I walked down a trail in the dead of night with no destination in mind, the sound of the breeze filling the empty air. Nearby I begin to hear a bird chirping and I move towards where it's coming from. I head off the trail and through some bushes, the sounds of the chirping becoming louder, which are then accompanied by what sounded like someone humming a tune. I recognize who it was immediately and make haste. I eventually emerge from the seemingly endless underbrush onto a riverside, the moon illuminating the waters with its brilliance. I turned to my right and lay my eyes on a sight that was picturesque, a figure dressed in brown and white was sitting on the grass with a sparrow perched on their hand; they were gazing at the moon with a serene expression.
I recognize it as her. She notices my approach and turns my way with a welcoming smile and beckons me over wordlessly, I take a seat on the grass next to her and she goes back to looking at the moon. I gaze along with her, and after a few moments she begins singing, it was a tune I heard her humming often while I was closing up the stall with her, although this time it sounded somber. I closed my eyes and lost myself to the sound of her voice, I felt strangely safe here. She finishes her tune and I begin to feel tired, I let out a yawn and feel a sudden weight and warmth on my side, I open my eyes to turn to see what it was. She was resting her head on my shoulder, and was asleep. I give in to my fatigue and rest my head atop hers, closing my eyes and allowing myself to fall into sleep as well.
A cold breeze greets me as I enter the waking world, something chilly lands on my cheek and feels damp. I groan and sit up, rubbing my eyes as I gain the will to open them, when I do I see a cloudy sky and snow falling. It was the first snowfall I've witnessed ever since I decided to live in Gensokyo a little while back, and served as a reminder of how much time has passed after making that choice. It was also a reminder of how ill prepared I was for this kind of weather, only bringing a scarf as protection against the cold. I got up off of the sheet I laid on the cold hard ground to act as a bed and stretched my body, which aches like hell. This is gonna come to bite me again in the future when I develop back problems.
"Ah you're finally awake, and just in time for the first snowfall of winter as well." A rough feminine voice speaks up from behind me.
"What a shame, I wished to wake up at the dawn of the new year." I turn to my conversation partner and look at her with a hint of mischief. "Perhaps I should resume sleeping until then" she rolls her eyes at me.
"And here I was thinking you were a professional! What is your junior going to think when she sees her senior lazing about like this?"
"She will come to the rational conclusion that even professionals need proper rest as well." My companion lets out a laugh in response.
"It's a miracle you manage to get any work done like this Okane, can't imagine how things would go were I not here to whip you into shape" She smirks at me, I scoff at her.
"Whip me into shape? My dear Atsuko, I'm afraid you're a few seasons late for that, you can thank my teacher" I strike a prideful pose as I say this.
"Somehow I doubt that."
"Can you two not quarrel this early in the morning?" An irritated voice speaks up from behind Atsuko, a figure with a hand on their forehead emerges from the cart in front of mine.
"Ah good you're finally up, I can take my nap now" Atsuko says with a relieved tone, then lets out a yawn. The person ahead of us sighed and scratched the back of their head.
"They don't pay us youkai exterminators enough for this" they grumble.
"Oh don't act so glum Higashi, this job will be over before you know it."
"Easy for you to say, at least you get to spend time with your lover during your shift." Higashi retorts, Atsuko's eyebrow twitches and I crinkle my nose.
"W-we're not like that" she refutes.
"The way you two have acted towards each other since yesterday have convinced me otherwise, but sure." Higashi leaves the two of us and starts getting ready for his shift, Atsuko turns back to me.
"Well Okane, I'll go wake up Tamaki" she lets out another yawn "see you in a few hours."
"Have a good rest Atsuko, see you soon" we give each other a small wave and Atsuko gets in the cart ahead of mine, Tamaki comes out moments later rubbing her eyes and approaches me.
"Do we really have to be up so early for this? I was having a nice dream…" she looked a little out of it, still in the process of fully waking up.
"Now now my apprentice, this line of business does not forgive tardiness so easily. If you can't handle this you won't make it that far out there" I lecture her.
"You say that yet you chose to sleep for most of yesterday."
"That's because I'm not the one who needs this lesson" I reply with a matter-of-fact attitude "now enough chit-chat and get ready for today's trek." Tamaki groans and does as I tell her, I do the same.
…
Our journey went rather smoothly, the snowfall stopped around midday and we had stopped to eat lunch. Higashi is currently on guard duty while Tamaki is starting a fire; I sit myself down on a nearby rock and rest my legs. I look at the sky and close my eyes, my mind drifts to past events and I begin to reminisce about someone I haven't seen in a while.
It was past closing time and the three of us were seated at one of the tables in front of the stall, we were sharing a drink together and had downed a few cups. In our conversations with each other I ended up talking about some stories from my childhood.
"-and they couldn't find me for like 3 days, my mother was absolutely livid when she heard I was missing. I guess I got a little bit too adventurous that time. They found me hiding in an old fox den from the rain." I let out a chuckle.
"Sounds like you were a handful to look after back then" Mystia smiled and took a sip of her drink.
"I bet I was, I'm grateful my mother was patient enough to put up with my antics. Well what about you two? How are your families doing?" They both tensed up at the question, it appears I have stepped on a landmine. "A-ah uh, is that a sensitive topic?" Mystia closed her eyes and sighed, Kyouko fidgeted in her seat.
"Well, in my case I don't exactly have a family." Mystia continues "I don't remember the specifics but… I kinda just woke up one day similar to how I am now. I was confused for the first few years of my life, and didn't even know how to speak a lick of japanese. Over time I learned how to speak by observing and eavesdropping on humans, and even began dressing and acting like them. Eventually when human belief in youkai dwindled I fled here in fear of disappearing."
"I see…" I regret bringing up this topic.
"I didn't have a family either in the outside world, but I was friends with a few other yamabiko like me" Kyouko says. "But when belief in youkai started dying out they all vanished, I might have been the only one left. I moved here so I could keep on living."
"Oh…I'm sorry for asking then" I dip my head a little in apology.
"It's alright, I'm well over it now" Kyouko recovers her usual cheery demeanor.
"I never really minded it too much anyway. Besides, I have you two now don't I?" Mystia smiles at the both of us, making me smile as well.
"I suppose you're right about that" I replied.
"Alright enough of this gloomy talk it's ruining the good mood we had going on here." Mystia refills our cups with sake and we all take them in hand "cheers!" We all clink our cups together and down them. Then a sudden question entered my mind.
"Say Kyouko, aren't you training to be a priestess? Should you really be out drinking with us like this?" I ask her.
"Hm? Well um, the head priestess won't find out if I don't drink much…probably" she nervously lets out. Mystia and I shared a laugh, the rest of the night melted away as we chatted.
I feel a soft sensation between my fingers, I look down and see my hand touching the feathers on my necklace. I must have unconsciously reached for it while reminiscing.
"Daydreaming again Okane?" The sudden sound of a voice made me jump and fall off the rock I sat on, I looked up at who it belonged to, my eyes met Atsuko seated on the same rock I was just on.
"Atsuko…How long have you been here?" I ask, scratching my cheek in embarrassment.
"Not too long I think. You were mumbling to yourself while rubbing those feathers, did some spirit possess you while I wasn't looking?" Atsuko looks at me half jokingly and half concerned.
"I was just recalling something, that's all."
"Uh huh."
"Really, I was."
"If you say so." She then focuses on the feathers in my hand "where did you get that thing anyway? I don't remember ever seeing you wear it till now."
"It's a parting gift a friend gave me when I stopped living with them." I get up off the ground and dust myself off, then sit back down on the rock beside Atsuko.
"Interesting, what were they like?"
"Hmm, she was scary at first, but we got along later down the line."
"She?" Atsuko's expression is marked with an emotion I can't decipher. She seemed a bit… angry?
"It was a woman, yes, why the sudden fixation on that?" I tilt my head at her.
"How long were you two living together?" She ignores my question, a sudden conviction filling her eyes.
"Huh? Well-uh, around 2 months. Why do you care so much?"
"I…" The expression on her face shifts to more of a neutral one "never mind, sorry for prying." I can't get a good read on her, she's never pressed me for details on matters as insignificant as this. She turns her head away from me and gazes at nothing in particular with a detached look. Part of me wants to press her for answers but I don't think I'd get anywhere with it, not when she's like this.
"Okay?" I decide to drop the subject and leave it at that, hiding the necklace back under my clothes. We sat together in an awkward silence for a few minutes, until Tamaki called us over to eat, the silence continued over lunch as well.
…
"Just how much longer till we meet that Myouren representative or whatever? I think the blisters on my feet are starting to get blisters…" Tamaki grumbled.
"Shouldn't be much longer, I recognize where we are now" I reply.
"Yeah? These trees don't look any different from the ones from a few minutes ago, how are you sure?"
"Gut feeling." Moments later I see a figure standing a distance away from us "oh look there they-"
"GOOD AFTERNOON!" A voice I wouldn't mistake for anyone else's interrupts me. My body seems to move on its own as I drop the handles to my cart and begin sprinting towards the source. The others are bewildered at my sudden action and call after me, their words falling on deaf ears. I quickly ran out of breath and slowed down to a stop to catch my breath, the figure that called out to us was standing a few dozen steps away from me. I tilted my head up so I could see them and mustered the energy to speak.
"Huff huff…Kyouko..!" I managed to get out, she looked at me for a moment and a surprised look crept its way onto her face.
"...Oka..ne?" Her mouth widens into a smile "Okane!" She begins running towards me, arms stretched out for a hug. I try to straighten my body upright and she practically tackles me, I nearly fall over and take a few steps back, then wrap my arms around her.
"Good to see you again Kyouko." We embrace for a few seconds, then she backs away and looks up at me, pouting.
"I thought you left Gensokyo! Where have you been all this time? Why did you never come visit?!" she fumes at me, I raise my hands up in defense and back away slightly.
"Err I was uh…busy, yeah."
"Even so, a quick little visit wouldn't take up too much time wouldn't it?"
"Ah well, I was so swamped with work and adjusting to village life I kinda forgot…" Kyouko's pout deepens, she's pretty upset huh.
"Do you have any idea how lonely you-know-who has been ever since you left? You better make it up to the both of us!"
"I know I know, I'll-"
"Okane!" Atsuko's voice comes from my left, I turn and see her standing there with her hand raised holding a few talismans. She sees Kyouko and tenses up "is that-"
"Yeah, it's the Myouren representative" I gesture to Kyouko "this is Kyouko Kasodani, a priestess in training, and an old friend of mine."
"Friend, huh?" Atsuko looks at me, then at Kyouko, then back at me "...you've got some weird tastes."
"I'm friends with you aren't I?"
"Oh shut up." She lets out an exasperated sigh "don't run off on us suddenly like that, I really did think you were possessed by some evil spirit or under the spell of a youkai." I laugh nervously in response
"Some habits never die I suppose." I shrug and Atsuko shakes her head, Kyouko darts her eyes between us confused, then looks back at me.
"What are you doing here anyway Okane?" She asks me.
"Right back at you, I never expected they'd send you for this job of all things."
"Well, the head priestess was thinking lately that Mystia was being a bad influence on me and started to push more work my way…"
"Haha! Is that so?"
"I'm glad you two are catching up with each other or whatever, but can we please save it for after we get back to the others?" Atsuko interrupts our conversation and is tapping her foot on the ground impatiently.
"Right. Come on Kyouko, I'll tell you what I've been up to as we head back."
"Alright, but you've got a lot of explaining to do."
"I'd imagine."
…
"Why a merchant of all things?" Kyouko asked me as we continued trekking down the forest's road.
"I overheard that some merchants were given the freedom to travel outside the village a while back, so I jumped at the opportunity. I've wondered what the rest of Gensokyo is like, and felt that taking this job would sate that curiosity of mine." I explained to her.
"And you did so knowing all the dangers that lurk out here?"
"Well, a little thrill in my life wouldn't hurt I think."
"I'm surprised Mystia managed to keep you cooped up at home when you're like this."
"In my defense I was scared out of my mind back then to try anything like running away."
"She'd probably catch you immediately."
"Indeed." The both of us share a laugh. "Speaking of which, how has our resident night sparrow been as of late? Besides, well, moping."
"She's been doing just fine, at least for the past few weeks, she was a total wreck when you left though."
"Don't have to tell me twice."
"I think I do in fact, why couldn't you have just stayed? The two of you looked happy living together, I was happy with you around as well…" Kyouko's already droopy ears appeared to droop even further as she said this.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make Kyouko, and it was Mystia herself that asked me to go despite everything. Who am I to deny her that?"
"But-"
"Kyouko" I cut her off with a stern tone "I understand what you're getting at, but it won't work out like you think it will. Me and Mystia both enjoyed each other's company for sure, but at the end of the day I am a human and she is a man-eating youkai; prey shouldn't mingle with who hunts them, nor should they live with them."
"But you're under the village's protection now aren't you? If she tried to eat you, the hakurei shrine maiden would come to exterminate her."
"Even so, I have reservations lodging with someone who could very well have killed me in our first meeting but didn't on a whim. And even if she can't attack me now without consequence, she still preys on humans doesn't she?"
"She's not like that!" Kyouko suddenly yells at me "not anymore…" her voice drops down to a whisper. It appears our argument had caught the attention of the others, as Astuko came over to check on us while Higashi and Tamaki peeked around the cart up ahead.
"Is everything-" Atsuko began but was soon cut off by me.
"It is, just a little dispute." I dismissed her, she gave us a glance of concern and then left. "Kyouko I-"
"It's alright Okane, I understood what you were trying to say and got too heated. I'm sorry" Kyouko says to me with an apologetic look, I return hers with one of my own.
"I'm sorry for speaking about Mystia like that, it's just…" the words get caught up in my throat, I can't bring myself to say them, not when Kyouko is looking like that. "Nevermind, let's just pretend this conversation didn't happen."
"Okay" she nods and we continue down the trail, chatting all along the way.
…
The clientele we had met up with were residents of the underworld, which is somehow not very surprising to me. I suppose I acclimated to Gensokyo in these past few months more than I realized. Our trading partners were an odd pair for sure, at least to me, they were both earth spider youkai looking to experiment with 'surface world architecture' or so they claim. We came with the requested materials of course, and a few textiles to the request of their elder sibling. I guess the earth spiders down there have long grown tired of spinning their own silk. They paid us in precious metals and other assorted minerals.
"Pleasure doing business with you mister" the older of the two extended her hand towards me for a handshake, I took her hand in mine and returned the gesture.
"The feeling is mutual, good luck with your new construction project" I reply.
"Will do" she nods and begins to leave with her partner, newly acquired materials in tow. She turns to wave at us "safe travels!"
"You too!" We all wave them farewell and begin our return trip back to the human village.
"They were awfully friendly for folk hailing from the underworld" Tamaki comments.
"You can't be so quick to judge others Tamaki, especially in this field of work. You'll be losing clients in no time with such conduct" I lecture her. "Some youkai can be quite pleasant to be around, you know."
"Sounds like you speak from experience."
"Heh, maybe I do."
"Sigh please don't make my job any more difficult by hanging around suspect figures Okane" Atsuko says with an exasperated sigh.
"Come on now, I would do no such thing, my mother raised me well" I refute with feigned offense. Atsuko rolls her eyes at me and Kyouko chuckles.
…
"Well, it was nice spending time with you again, but I better start heading back" I tell Kyouko.
"You're leaving already?" she asked me with a sad look.
"Don't look so down, It's not like I'm leaving forever you know" I gave her a reassuring look.
"Liar, you're probably gonna forget to visit again!" she points an accusatory finger at me.
"I promise I won't, especially after seeing how worked up about it you are."
"Why you-" a slight flush forms on her cheeks, then she shakes her head and extends a closed hand my way with the pinky sticking out. "Pinky promise?" An image of a trembling Mystia from months ago flashes into my mind.
"I promise." We lock pinkies for a moment and separate them, she then gives me a quick hug and begins leaving.
"Goodbye Okane!" She waves at me as she walks down the path to Myouren temple.
"Be seeing you!" I wave back and turn away, beginning to make my way back to the human village. The sun had begun to set, I only realized now how quickly time had passed while chatting with her, it's like the time we had spent away together didn't exist and we simply picked back up where we left off. I wonder if the case would be the same with Mystia…
"Oh my, fraternizing with other girls Okane? You're gonna make her cry you know~" a sudden familiar and annoying voice came from behind me, along with something landing on the pathway. I turn and see the figure of that insufferable reporter from times past.
"Sigh…Don't you think you've caused me enough grief Aya?" I pinch the bridge of my nose as I look at her.
"You're still mad about that? Gosh, you humans have a tendency to hold onto grudges for far too long."
"And you have the tendency to stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
"Oh come on, my newspaper wouldn't be as nearly as interesting were I not so proactive in finding such juicy stories!"
"You could do so without being such a nuisance."
"Now where's the fun in that? Bothering people in Gensokyo produces the best tales to tell! Including meddling in your love life." She smirks at me and my frown deepens.
"Love life? Look here miss reporter, you've got it all wrong. There's nothing more between me and Kyouko, nor Mystia for that matter" I cross my arms at her.
"Really now? I can get behind you and that perky pup not being an item, but the night sparrow? You humans are quite skilled at denying your true emotions. Tell me honestly mister Okane, just what is that little bird to you?"
"Listen miss crow, Mystia to me is…" She's…what is she to me?
"Can't answer that? Looks like I'm right~" her teasing grin grows and I furrow my brow.
"Don't just go jumping to conclusions like that."
"Then answer the question, if there really is nothing more between the two of you stating as much shouldn't be so difficult no?"
"Me and Mystia are…friends. Nothing more." I state with a shaky conviction.
"Mhm~ Have it your way then" she waves me off and flies away leaving me alone on the road. As I continued my way down to the village I couldn't help but keep thinking back to that conversation with that pesky tengu. It made me realize that I didn't exactly know where exactly my relationship with Mystia starts and ends. I enjoy spending time with her, that's for sure, but there's this other feeling in me I can't quite describe. Like the faintest hope that there might be something more to it after all. Yet at the same time, this could also be said about me and Atsuko, especially since I've known her longer. My mind is a mess, I can't come to a proper conclusion at this rate, I'll confront these emotions when the opportunity presents itself. With that final thought, my walk to the village was done with a mostly clear mind.
…
I strolled down the streets of the village, heading in the direction of the schoolhouse. Some passersby were still giving strange glances and whispering to themselves about me as always, but I've long learned to ignore them. When I neared the building a bunch of children out front noticed my approach, one of them pointed at me and yelled.
"Run! It's Okane the man-eater!" that one ran away from the area and the rest followed. Moments afterwards I heard footsteps approaching the front door along with the murmurs of someone.
"...-just what is going on out-" The door slides open revealing a woman in a blue dress with silver hair, her eyes meet with mine and she smiles "ah, it's just you Okane. With all the ruckus the children made I really thought some monster was out here."
"Just the kids freaking out about seeing me as always, some things never change…" I sigh in resignation.
"Kids will be kids~" she giggles.
"Anyways Keine, I've come to report that the trade with the earth spiders has gone successfully."
"Oh that's wonderful news!" She claps her hands together "so how were they?"
"A lot more approachable than I thought them to be, chattier as well. But pleasant nonetheless. The exchange went exactly as planned and they left satisfied."
"Good, good, I'll pass this on to Akyuu. I had doubts about this whole project from the get go but hearing this quells some of them. Perhaps Byakuren's ideal world isn't as far-fetched as everyone thinks it is."
"You might be right about that" I look up at the sky and see that the sun has nearly set completely "well, that is all I wanted to talk about so I'll be taking my leave now. A pleasure talking with you Keine, and goodnight."
"A pleasure speaking with you as well Okane, goodnight." She waves me off as I leave back to my home. As I walked down the streets of the village, it started snowing and I realized I was starving, two things I would not like to experience together. I began my search for the nearest establishment that served food, and my eye was caught by a nearby sign depicting a whale on it with text that read "Geidontei". I've passed by this building many times on my nightly excursions but have never stopped to look or step inside, all I know is it's a bar according to people I've overheard a few times. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take a peek inside and see for myself what it really is. As I head towards its doors I'm stopped by hearing a voice from behind me.
"Huh? Is that you Okane?" I turn around and see that it's Atsuko.
"Oh, good evening Atsuko" I greeted her.
"Likewise" she smiles and then points towards the doors to Geidontei "were you about to go in as well?"
"I was in fact, it will be my first time there as well. Mind showing me around?"
"Only if we split the bill."
"Deal." The two of us head inside and share a meal together along with some drinks, 2 hours later I decide I better leave since I had work in the morning. The two of us come out of the front doors a bit intoxicated.
"Wellll it was nice hanging with ya Atsuko. I'll be seeing youu" I say to her with a bit of slurring in my speech.
"Ahh, Okane waait" Atsuko stops me by grabbing my arm as I try to leave.
"Eh?"
"Well…" the flush on her face slightly deepens as she gazes directly into my eyes "tha new years festival is in a few weeks, an' I was wondering…" She looks away and fidgets a little "are you free that evenin'?" I'm a little taken back, it's unlike Atsuko to openly invite to an event like this, it looks like the alcohol loosened her up a tad. I take a moment to think about it, and then try to give her my answer. But as I open my mouth to speak, a memory of something someone said to me surfaces and stops me.
Will I see you again?
I take back what I was about to say to Atsuko's offer and give her an apologetic look. "Sorry, I already made plans."
"Ah…" She slowly lets go of my arm and lowers her head, looking disheartened "okay…see you then." She quickly turns around and heads away from me.
"See you tomorrow" I began going my own way as well. As I hobbled my way home, a single thought dominated my mind.
'I will see her again.'
The new years festival is about a week away, I've finished my last order and it's around midday. I made my way down to the main gate of the human village facing the youkai trail.
"Excuse me, may I be granted passage?" I asked the gatekeeper.
"Aren't you aware that the youkai trail lies beyond this gate? What business could you have out there?" They questioned me. I take out a slip of paper out of my pocket and hand it to them, and adopt a stern look as they read it. "Oh I see, you're one of those merchants."
"That would be the case."
"Then what is it you hope to achieve by going out there?"
"I have a valuable client I must speak to regarding a possible partnership and I may have to spend an extended amount of time outside the village. May I be allowed through?" They stare at me for a few moments before finally conceding.
"Fine, just remember you're fully responsible for whatever happens out there."
"I will." They knock on the gate and it's slowly opened up by the 2 guards stationed outside.
"Safe travels mister Okane." I nod at them and walk through the doors, going off on the familiar trail from all those months ago.
A wave of nostalgia hits me as I reach the spot where I departed with her, and pull out the necklace concealed under my clothing, hoping the youkai that lurk around here still follow the directive Mystia set. The sight of the trail being covered in a thin blanket of snow was new to me, and unveiled a hidden beauty I hadn't seen when I walked this road with her. I should have done this sooner. My peace and quiet is disturbed as I hear something scurry along the trees to my right, I stop in place and turn to look, but see nothing out of the ordinary. Considering the nature of this place it's more likely a youkai than some wild animal, I better stay alert in case one does come chasing after me. I act as if I had noticed nothing, and continue on my way, hoping this would lure whatever may be stalking me would come out of hiding. This however had the opposite effect and I remained being trailed by some unknown being, my anxiety rose as the sounds of movement remained at a constant speed and distance from me, prompting me to begin walking faster.
If whatever was pursuing me had the intention of putting me in a state of hysteria they have accomplished their goal with flying colors, as I have broken into a sprint attempting to escape their grasp. Doing so was also pointless, as whoever they were, they were managing to keep up with me just fine. In a final act of self preservation I skid to a halt and turned to the source of my unwelcome company.
"LEAVE ME BE WHOEVER THE HELL YOU ARE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs in an attempt to either intimidate or scare whatever was chasing me away. Silence fills the tense air for a few seconds and I hear a faint giggle of what I think was a feminine voice, to which a reply soon follows.
"How harsh, is that how one should treat their escort?" the unknown individual asks me in a teasing tone. They emerge from behind a tree and reveal themself, they appear to be a woman with light brown hair wearing glasses, with what appears to be tanuki ears on her head and a large striped tail sprouting out behind them. A sly expression dons her face as she takes a few steps onto the trail towards me. "I suppose it's about time I've finally met you face to face, mister Yasushi Okane."
"Why are you stalking me?"
"Straight to the point I see. I guess I owe you an answer, I went a little far with my tomfoolery this time after all." She takes out a smoking pipe and takes a quick whiff of it "I went by many names in the past, but at this present, I am known as Mamizou. I apologize for frightening you earlier, but I couldn't help myself" she laughs to herself, I continue to stare at her with a stern expression. "You really are a fool trying to take a stroll down the youkai trail, you know? Were it not for my interference you would have been dined upon in mere moments after entering."
"My being here is none of your concern."
"Oh, but it is. You're more important than you realize." I heave a sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose.
"Look miss Mamizou, I have no intention to humor you and wish to be on my way already. I've wasted enough time chatting with you as it is."
"And just what would a human be doing on the youkai trail in the middle of the afternoon?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"No reason really, just a bit curious."
"...Just visiting an old friend of mine."
"A human visiting a friend on the youkai trail? Now that's strange, even for Gensokyo standards."
"Would you just leave already? I'd rather not have my mood soured by the time I reach them."
"No can do, for your sake and for mine."
"...Fine, just stay behind me and don't say anything."
"Quite cold of you, did entering this trail turn you into a grumpy old man or-oi wait up you-!"
…
A painstakingly long trip with that noisy woman later, I had reached my destination and she left me alone. Mystia's humble abode looked about the same as when I left, making it seem as if it was not too long ago we went our separate ways. Every step I took towards the front door was filled with anticipation, has she changed since I departed? Would she be happy to see me again? Will this meeting go as well as I want it to? My confidence began to waver and my heartbeat quickened.
'No use in getting cold feet when I've already committed so much to this.' I silenced my building doubts with that, and softly knocked on the door. At first, there was nothing but silence on the other side, but that was quickly replaced by sounds of footsteps approaching along with something faint being mumbled that I couldn't decipher.
The door opens, I see her standing there with a blanket draped over her shoulders and is missing her usual hat. She freezes in place as she looks at me, her eyes widening in surprise and covering her now open mouth with her free hand. We hold our stares at each other for what seems like ages, until Mystia breaks the ice.
"...Okane?" Tears threatened to flow down her cheeks.
"Hey Mystia…I'm back" I smiled at her.
"You…I was certain you left Gensokyo."
"I had some time to think it over, and I figured sticking around sounded more fun."
"I-…you!" She furrowed her eyebrows as tears began flowing out her eyes, her voice began rising in volume "Why? Why didn't ever say anything?! I was thinking this whole time you were gone and… and! YOU CAN'T JUST STAY OUT OF MY LIFE LIKE THAT AND COME BACK SUDDENLY EXPECTING EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE!" She breaks into a sob and tries to wipe away her tears with her hands to little effect, I can feel my heart tearing itself apart as I watch her crumble in front of me. My right hand stretches out on its own and reaches over to place itself on Mystia's shoulder to comfort her, she tenses up in response. Her crying ceases for a moment, she lowers her hands and looks at me through teary eyes.
"I'm sorry" I apologize in a low voice "I promise I'll explain everything and make it up to you." I remove my hand from her. "Now may I please come in? It's quite cold outside this time of year, you know."
"You cheeky bastard, still making jokes at a time like this…" She wipes the rest of her tears away with her arm and stares at me with a newfound resolution. "Fine, but don't expect me to be easily swayed by your words." She grabs my right hand with both of hers and pulls me inside, closing the door behind us and leads me to the usual table in the dining room. We take our usual seats across from each other and she frowns at me with a serious expression "Well?"
"Where do I begin…"
"If you dare leave anything important out I'll rip out your tongue."
"Yikes, isn't that a little extreme?"
"...Get on with it already."
"Right, right. Remember that annoying reporter from before?"
"That crow tengu? What about her?"
"Well-"
"You can't be serious."
"Unfortunately I am mister Okane, cases such as yours are exceedingly rare, and even if that article is nothing but hogwash, your presence around the village is very clearly causing many people distress."
"But, I've already proven myself quite harmless have I not?"
"Even so, it's a common belief that one who hangs around youkai so carelessly is either a dangerous individual, or a youkai themselves. It's a whole other matter entirely should someone be intimate with a youkai, such as the situation described in the article."
"But-"
"I'm sorry, but as the village's guardian it is my responsibility to prioritize the welfare and security of the people living here, and at a glance you pose a threat to both of those."
"Surely there's some other way miss Keine? To expect me to live out most of my days here under constant surveillance is quite the tall order."
"I'm afraid the most you can do now is keep a low profile until the rumors subside. Please bear with it, I've spoken with the other village heads and they won't budge on this decision." She gives me an apologetic smile, I heave a sigh in resignation.
"Fine, better than aimlessly wandering outside the walls waiting to be picked off."
"Good, your willingness to cooperate makes this easier. Come to the schoolhouse at dusk tomorrow, I'll have your residency situation formalized by then."
"Okay then, thanks again for everything miss Keine."
"You're welcome mister Okane, take care."
"They kept you trapped in there like that?" Mystia gave me a curious look.
"Yeah, it was pretty awful to be honest, at least for the first week. I couldn't go around without an armed guard keeping an eye on me, topped with everyone else either looking at me in fear or contempt and saying things behind my back as I passed by." I frown as I recall my early life in the human village.
"And you just put up with it?"
"What else was I gonna do then? Act up and then have them lock me away somewhere for a while?"
"You could have just…come running back to me?" She looks away from me and squirms in her seat, I take a moment to process what she had just suggested.
"I-What? You…would have been fine with that? After all the effort we made to depart from one another?"
"I would have been, probably" she mumbled that last part. This makes my heart start racing and I look away from her, I wonder what kind of expression I was making at that moment.
Why? What did she mean 'she would have been fine with it?' Does this mean that she-
'Prey shouldn't mingle with who hunts them.'
…Calm yourself Okane, it's trains of thoughts like these that are why you were alone before.
"L-Look I-ahem! Even if I considered that prospect, had I attempted that they most likely would have considered it acting out of line and placing more restrictions on me. I was powerless and I couldn't do anything back then, let's just leave it at that and move on, please?"
"R-Right." She straightens in her seat and goes back to looking at me "so what happened after that?"
"When the buzz about me began to die down about 2 weeks in, the prospect of finding a job and making a living for myself started to become a reality, so I started seeking employment."
"And how'd that go?"
"Everyone said no."
"Pft!" She cracked up and began laughing at my past misfortune "I bet you looked quite funny running around getting rejected by everyone". Normally I'd be cross with her in this situation, but at the same time I'm just happy to see her smiling again. I tell her every other important event that happened to me up till now and by the time I finished the sun had set.
"-and that about sums it up."
"Seems like you've had a bit of an exciting life since then, Kyouko would be thrilled to hear about this."
"Oh yeah, about that."
"Hm?"
"Kyouko already knows all of this, I met her a few weeks back and we talked."
"You…went to her first?" Mystia sounded upset, but why? Was this really something to be upset over?
"Hm? Well, it was a mere coincidence we ended up meeting at that time, it was part of my job you see." Explaining things only seemed to make her mood worsen.
"She didn't say a word of this to me…"
"Please don't be mad at Kyouko, Mystia. I told her not to say anything about our meeting to you."
"But why?"
"Because I wanted to surprise you."
"...Bit of a terrible surprise if you were to ask me" she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
"Well, that's not the only reason."
"Huh?"
"Look I…it's hard for me to put it into words but, for the longest time I was afraid of having this meeting." She leaned forward in her chair and intently looked at me "it's hard to put into words but-" I froze up for a moment. The next few words I say could very well change the kind of relationship me and Mystia share drastically, it terrifies me. Though, that faint hope of us having something more resurfaces and pushes me to continue. "Mystia" I look at her with a newfound intensity and she straightens up in her seat.
"Yes?"
"I…" but even with this new resolve of mine, I still choke up on my words. I take a deep gulp, and say "you're…special to me" I felt my face heat up as I averted my gaze to her downwards.
I couldn't say it to her straight, I'm such a coward.
Mystia's eyes widen and a faint flush forms on her cheeks, her state of surprise is quickly replaced by her mouth widening into a smile and a laugh coming out of her.
"Pfft-Hahaha!" She seems to be enjoying herself at my expense.
"...I try to be sincere with you for once and what I get in return is ridicule, perhaps I shouldn't have visited after all" I remark with a bitter tone. Mystia wipes away her tears as her laughing settles down.
"Sorry, you were just so stiff and looking all bothered saying that, I couldn't help myself." My frown deepens at her and she clears her throat "although, I understand what you're getting at."
"You do?"
"Yeah, because…" her cheeks become adorned with a shade of scarlet once more "I feel the same way, more or less." She smiles warmly at me and I smile back, filled with a pure sense of joy.
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
"Mhm." We share this moment together in silence until I remember how much time has passed while we spoke.
"Ah right, it's a bit late now isn't it? I should really get going, my friends back at the village might be worrying I went up and vanished." I begin to get up out of my seat.
"Um-!" I hear Mystia utter and turn to her to see that she reached out to me with one of her hands, she looked a little disappointed.
"What is it?"
"Well I-you see-um…" she stumbles over her own words as her eyes darted around, she lowers her stretched arm and looks at me with a glum expression. "Can't you… stay a bit longer?" The way she says this tugs at my heartstrings a little, but my conviction to get home wins out.
"I can't Mystia, I need to leave before it gets too late and cold in the night."
"I know but, it's just been so long since we've been together and…I don't want you to go…" She gives me that same look from a while back which deals a heavy blow to my sense of reason.
"This won't be the last you'll be seeing of me you know? I'll come visit again soon, I promise."
"Last time you promised to see me again I was left in the dark for eight months." Darn, she's got me on that one "at the very least, can we share a drink together like we have before?" Damn it stop looking at me like that! Any more of this and I might-
"...Oh fine but, I can't stay the night okay?" It's over Okane, you've fallen for her charms too hard. She wipes her watery eyes with her finger and beams at me.
"Thank you."
…
Mystia had served dinner for the both of us and went to get alcohol, I was left alone at the table in my usual seat. When she returned she surprised me by taking the seat next to me rather than the one across from me like before, I felt myself tense up as she smiled my way. Thankfully she didn't seem to notice my change in demeanor and carried on with pouring us both a drink.
"So, Mystia."
"Hm?" She put the bottle down and looked at me.
"Now that you're caught up with what I was up to, how about you tell me what's been going on with you?"
"Well alright then, just don't expect anything as interesting as your story."
"Can't be that boring can it?"
"Unfortunately yes, I can't tell you much other than: I lived through my days as usual, just with you not there. That and being sad you were gone, but that's already a given isn't it?" She looked at me with a tinge of spite. Yes yes Mystia, I know.
"That's all?"
"I told you it was going to be boring" she sighed and took a sip. "Oh yeah that's right!" she put down her cup and looked at me "it turns out you were quite favored by some of the regulars at the stall."
"Wait really?"
"They kept pestering me about where you went and how some missed you. Some of the elderly women especially had taken a shine to you and kept accusing me of keeping you all to myself, it was annoying to deal with."
"Didn't realize I was so loved" I remarked in a sarcastic tone. She muttered something under her breath in reply which I couldn't hear, but before I could ask she spoke up again.
"Anyways, enough about the past, let's just enjoy ourselves tonight okay?"
"Sure."
…
We continued making small talk as the night went on, appreciating each other's company. I had stopped drinking when I started feeling tipsy while Mystia continued, as a result she was swaying in her seat and babbling nonsense. She is also now resting her head on my shoulder and refuses to get off me, I continue to indulge her out of fear she'll fall and hit her head on the floor if I get up.
"Mystia please, it's about time I've left for the night now" I say to her in slight irritation.
"Nooooo~ don't leave~" she proceeds to wrap her arms around my waist. Great, now we're both going down if I try to escape. I try to work my way out of her grip but she tightens her hold on me "I'm not letting you go~".
"This is starting to get on my nerves Mystia, please unhand me."
"Nope!" This girl is a handful. Once more I exert myself in an attempt to free myself from her vice grip, as I squirm around she shifts most of her weight onto my side and we both tumble out of our seats on the floor. I try to sit up but is pushed back down, I look up and see Mystia looming over me, sitting on my waist, a predatory glint in her eyes and her breathing ragged.
"Mysti-"
"Please don't go. Not again." Tears threatened to flow from her eyes, and I froze up, both in anticipation of what she would do next and in embarrassment of this sudden bout of intimacy.
"I-" she places a hand on my shoulder and begins to lower her face closer to mine, I reflexively shut my eyes. Is she gonna-
"Hiroshi…" I hear her whisper. Wait what? Who the hell is-
Pain.
Sudden pain.
Something sharp is digging into my flesh.
Why?
What's happening?
I thought-
No-
This can't be-
I-
"AGH!" My eyes shoot open and I cry out in agony and turn my head left to see Mystia biting deeply into my left shoulder, blood flowing out onto the floor and around her mouth. I try to flail around but she holds me down with some monstrous level of strength I didn't know she had. She rips out a chunk of my flesh with her teeth and sits back up, I ignore the intense pain I'm feeling and push her off me with all my strength, sending her backwards towards one of the knocked over chairs. I struggle to stand up and clumsily fall backwards, my back hitting a wall behind me and leaning up against it. I lock eyes with Mystia and see that the previous predatory look on her eyes has been replaced with one of absolute shock and remorse. The piece of flesh in her mouth falls out and onto the floor and she slowly reaches out to me with one of her hands.
"Okane I-"
"STAY BACK!" I yell at her in horror and begin sprinting out into the hallway and towards the front door. Mystia tries to call after me but I shut her cries out as my mind is taken over by my survival instincts.
Run.
You will die if you stay here.
I slam the door open and stagger outside into the cold night, running down the trail with all the energy I could muster. My vision blurs as tears cascade out of my eyes and my mind begins to race.
I don't understand.
Why is this happening?
I thought she would never hurt me like this.
I thought she was different.
I thought she wasn't a monster.
The strength in my legs fade and I fall face first into the snow, my blood staining it a deep shade of scarlet. My eyelids begin to feel heavy and start closing themselves, the adrenaline in my body running out. I lie there and silently accept my supposed end, out in the frigid and uncaring wilderness of the youkai trail as my eyes close completely.
I'm such a fool.
I feel my back laying on something soft and the muffled sound of people speaking nearby.
I'm still alive? Was it all just a nightmare?
I force my eyes open with some effort and find myself inside an unfamiliar room lying in a clean white bed. The air smells faintly of disinfectant, and what appears to be various medical apparatus is scattered about the room. Ah, I must be in that clinic in the bamboo forest, so I lived after all. I hear the muffled approach of two footsteps and look at the door, it opens and 2 figures enter the room shortly after.
"-there's no guarantee he'll be awake by now, he was in pretty rough shape after all-" the figure with purple hair locks eyes with mine "oh, nevermind." They look at the other clad in red "don't be so rough with him okay Reimu? He was just on death's door last night after all."
"Relax Reisen, it's not like I'll be sending him to Sanzu river anytime soon." Reisen leaves the room and closes the door behind her, leaving me alone with Reimu. "So, 'mister Okane' is it?" She pulls up a chair next to the side of the bed and sits down "mind telling me what happened?"
"It's…already clear isn't it?" I mumbled to her.
"On the surface level, yes. But I suspect there's more to this than just you being attacked on the youkai trail suddenly. I've researched your background and found out you're in cahoots with the head priestess of Myouren temple, and that you're trying to forge relations between youkai and humans through trade networks." Her gaze turns into that of an accusatory one "I've overlooked what you lot have been doing these past few months but this incident has convinced me to step in and intervene." She leans in closer to me and I unconsciously back away from her "be honest with me Okane, this may very well end up affecting more than you realize."
"...As you wish, miss Hakurei."
Days had passed since my talk with Reimu, during which I was forced to stay at Eientei to recover from my injury properly. It all seemed to blur together, I mindlessly stared at the ceiling and spaced out often during the checkups with the doctor, it worried them to the point where they were concerned about my mental state. Eventually I was released on new years day. Atsuko had worried endlessly while I was recovering and pestered me into spending time with her at the festival. I didn't have the energy to argue with her so I relented quite easily.
The sun had set a few hours ago and I stood around outside in the cold waiting for Atsuko to meet up with me. People that passed by me looked at me the same way they did back when I first began living in the village, and seemed to make an active effort to avoid me, thinking I was an ill omen or something. I felt utterly alone and helpless like the night I met her. I clenched my fist and clicked my tongue, earning me some looks of contempt from passersby, I lowered my head to look at the ground and my shoulders drooped as well. Considering what the doctor had told me before, I must look quite pitiful now don't I?
What a terrible day it's been.
"Okane!" I felt a hand on my arm and was shaken by someone, I turned to see who it was and I'm met with Atsuko's concerned face. She smiles in relief "about time you finally noticed me here" but quickly frowns afterwards "you look quite troubled, what's wrong?"
"Ah, sorry Atsuko, I was just spacing out" I try to reassure her but she doesn't seem to buy it.
"You look worse than just 'spacing out' Okane, in fact your face is pale as well" she reaches out and cups my cheek with her hand, forcing me to look directly at her. "Please Okane, it pains me to see you like this."
"...Give me some time, okay?" I gently grabbed her wrist with my hand and pulled it down to remove her hand from my face. "I can't bring myself to tell you, not yet." She looks upset for a moment and then smiles slightly at me.
"Take all the time you need, I'll be here for you."
"Thank you Atsuko."
"Now come on, the night is still young, let's enjoy ourselves tonight, alright?" I pause for a moment, remembering that she had said something similar that night. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and smile faintly back at Atsuko.
"Okay."
…
What was meant to be a fun outing for the both of us amounted more to Atsuko pulling me along the whole night, she seemed to be having fun at least. It was now nearly time for the fireworks display to begin and we had found a spot in the plaza to get a clear view of them. I made notice of how everyone else had maintained a certain distance away from us and sighed.
"What's on your mind now?" Atsuko spoke up and nudged me in the side, it was only now I noticed she still had her arm wrapped around mine.
"Just more trivial things" I replied in a deadpan manner.
"It wouldn't hurt to be a little more honest you know? 'Specially since we're about to enter the new year."
"...Sorry."
"There you go being all apologetic again, you've really been out of it the entire night, it's becoming harder to ignore."
"I know, I know…" The two of us stood in silence for a minute, then the fireworks display began.
*Boom*
"Ah, it's finally started."
*Crackle*
The display was mesmerizing and I lost myself in it, shutting out everything else around me. But as I was left alone in my mind, memories of her trickled in.
*Pop*
Her smile.
*Boom*
The way she happily worked away at the stall almost every night.
*Bang*
Our nights drinking together.
*Crackle*
'Goodbye…Okane'
The tears welled up in my eyes, then quickly flowed out. My body trembled and I mourned what I had lost. My senses came back to me and I felt Atsuko place a hand on my back.
"Okane?" She had a worried expression and turned my body to face her "what's wrong?"
"I-I…" I choked up on my tears and was unable to answer her. Wordlessly she placed one of her hands behind my head and pulled me into her shoulder, embracing me. I sobbed loudly as I stood there being held by her, and the rest of the evening melted away with her warmth.
And so, my new year in Gensokyo had begun. One without the night sparrow.