Everyone eventually got their bearings and exited the tomb, since it felt too awkward to stand around inside now that it was alive. Now they were all outside, within the field surrounded by lilies, and being badgered by the checkpoint guard.
"And just how did this happen?!" At the moment, a heated Kutaka was particularly needling in on Kogasa. "You're in charge, aren't you? Judging by the way all those little ones are hanging off you!"
"H-Huh? No way!" Kogasa frantically shook her head, insisting otherwise despite the various little pots and mirrors that were nudging at her from the sides. "It's a long story, but I'm not the best person to tell it…"
"I'll get that god's side of the story later. Right now, you're going to tell me what's going on before I get the entire Ministry of Right and Wrong on this!"
"That sounds like such a pain!" Kogasa whined. Getting tangled with bureaucracies was the last thing she wanted to do.
Meanwhile, Raiko brought a hand to the now-living tomb's rocky outer surface, and offered the best comforting rub she could manage while speaking in a soothing voice. "Yeah, I bet it must've been scary to 'wake up' like that. But don't worry, I know a way that can help you get around easier, okay?"
There was a low hum emitting from the walls, carrying a voice that only Raiko heard.
"It'll be fine! I've done it before myself, and look at me now." Raiko laughed, before turning to the others standing off to one side. "As for you bunch, you still want to settle our score?"
"No, I don't see much point anymore." Keiki sighed and waved her hand dismissively. "Now that all the treasures, including what used to be the mound itself, have all come to life on their own, there's really no way for us to bring them back with us."
"I'm so sorry, Lady Keiki!" Mayumi offered an apologetic bow, and all the other haniwa, chipped and broken as they were, followed suit. "You trusted me to lead this task, and I've utterly failed you…!"
"Oh, lift your head, Mayumi. It's not been a total loss." Keiki shrugged. She was the type to always be looking to the future instead of lingering on the present. For that reason, she took a step towards Raiko and spoke to her. "My original plans have gone to the bin, but I've found a new inspiration today thanks to you."
"That right?" Raiko asked. "Are you thinking of picking up drumming now?"
"Hardly. I know where my passion lies. But as soon as I'm back in my workshop, I believe I'll get to work on sculpting drum sets , and introduce the concept of percussion to the Primate Spirit Garden! The human spirits are always looking for new things to do, so perhaps some of them have an inner musician waiting to emerge."
"Spreading the wonders of the drums to a whole other world? I love the sound of that!" Raiko cheerfully said. "But just to let you know, if you want to base any creations on my likeness, we might have to discuss a matter of licensing."
"A business-savvy one, are you? Not that I mind. I wished some people back in the Animal Realm would be more willing to discuss such things with me."
"Well, I've picked up a lot of know-how while working with all sorts of professional performers. If you finally understand us tools' worth, then I think you and I can have a lovely collaboration."
As the god and the tsukumogami stepped to one side to discuss potential business, Mayumi walked over to where Sakuya was. The maid had stooped down near the now-living tomb, staring at the little legs that had sprouted from one of the stones, and was captivated by their wiggling.
"You there. Miss… Human Maid?" Mayumi called out, while wearing a difficult expression. "You said before that you serve as a trusted tool of your mistress, right? Not unlike we haniwa."
"That's right." Sakuya stated matter-of-factly as she stood up. "I serve a great vampire, rather than a god. I'm also the greatest maid in all the worlds, you see."
"I have no choice but to concede that your skills in that regard are forbiddable, even if I think your personality is a bit strange… Or perhaps I'm just still unused to the culture of living humans?"
"Yes, you are. Everybody knows I'm the most normal human there is." Sakuya said, once again completely straight-faced.
"Living humans truly are fearsome… I think I understand a little bit now, why you'd reject the offer to become an idol, even if I do still think you'd become a better servant for it."
"Thank you. But to be honest, if we're comparing our abilities as servants," Sakuya looked Mayumi up and down with a scrutinising expression. "I'm sad to say that despite your 'flawless' and undying body, you have a lot of room for improvement."
"What?!" Mayumi was aghast, and couldn't help but get defensive. "B-But… I dedicate every fibre of my being to Lady Keiki! And I'm the head of the entire Haniwa Army Corp!"
"You're certainly loyal, and you have a lot of power, I'll give you that. But you have a long way to go to become a perfect and elegant servant like myself." Sakuya chuckled. "I could show you a few pointers sometime, if you'd like? From one 'tool' to another."
"You really mean that? Please do, then! I'll do anything if it means better serving my goddess!" Mayumi excitedly shook her fists, and Sakuya gave her an understanding pat on the shoulder.
Eventually, Kogasa finished explaining the situation to the best of her ability to Kutaka, who was holding her head in despair.
"Agh, the report I'll have to make will be huge!" Kutaka whined. "So much for the potatoes I was saving…"
"Um, so is that all, or…?" Kogasa tentatively asked.
"Yeah, that's all! Now I need to interrogate those two over there…" With that, Kutaka stomped over to where Keiki and Mayumi were. "Hey, you two! What made you think anybody would ever approve of you flying that huge thing over the checkpoint?!"
"Eh? It's not a big deal, is it?" Keiki said, completely carefree despite Kutaka's aggravation. "It was just our creative way of moving some souvenirs. I didn't think it would be a problem."
"Neither did I." Mayumi nodded and spoke frankly. "We even thought the checkpoint guard might just dismiss it as a large animal."
"Even if I'm a birdbrain, there's no way I would have done that?!"
Meanwhile, Kogasa walked over to Raiko and Sakuya, who were gathered with all the newly-born tsukumogami.
"Okay, I think things are alright." Kogasa said with a sigh of relief. "We probably won't get into any trouble with the yama or anybody else."
"Well, even if we did, I'm not worried." Sakuya said with confidence. "I'd just give them a taste of my new knives. They've already performed wonderfully for me today, by the way."
"I appreciate it but please don't say that, or mention me if you're going to pick fights!" Kogasa gave a nervous laugh, before turning to Raiko. "So then, Miss Raiko, I take it you'll be looking after these little ones, and uh… the big one? Guiding them to paradise and all that."
"I'll help them get on their feet so we can all make it back to Gensokyo. But after that, it's up to them to decide." Raiko casually shrugged her shoulders. "If any of them like the sound of joining my cause, that'd be great. But I want to focus more on giving them the power to set out on whichever path they want."
"Oh! That's wonderful! You really are a role-model, because that's exactly what I wish I could do for tools everywhere too!"
"Hey, you're the one who came to that conclusion first, didn't you?" Raiko smirked. "In fact, I have you to thank for everything today. You're a pretty outstanding role-model for tsukumogami too, you know? At least, I know I feel plenty inspired watching you try your best."
"You don't… really mean that, do you? Haha…" Kogasa tried to laugh it off at first, but when faced with Raiko beaming at her with what could only be admiration… Kogasa realised her face was heating up from such high praise, and she scrambled for something meaningful to say in return. "W-Well, I'll um… keep trying my best, if you're going to keep watching me?!"
"I'm sure you will. And I'd also love it if you kept watching me as well, such as whenever my next performance is!"
"If I can make the time, then sure!" Kogasa giggled, and hoped the next concert featuring Raiko wasn't too expensive or far away.
Kogasa then turned back to Sakuya, who was staring down at the little jars scurrying by their feet.
"...Oh, that's right! Miss Sakuya, the whole reason you followed us was because you were looking for new decorations to bring back, right? But I don't think there was a single tool left that didn't become a tsukumogami. Sorry…"
"You've no reason to apologise." Sakuya cooly said. "A maid knows how to be flexible, so I'll make some adjustments to my plan. But nevermind that, I wanted to tell you personally that you're quite the commendable tool yourself, against all odds."
"Oh, thank you! …Why 'against all odds'?"
"Well, before today, I would have assumed you were only as good at anything you set out to do, as you were at scaring people in the village."
"Urk!" Kogasa felt like a knife suddenly went through her heart. "Y-you were saying something about me being commendable. Could you go back to that, please…?"
"Right. I've seen with my own eyes you're actually quite the professional in more ways than one, certainly worthy of serving the needs of myself and our noble mansion. I might have to hire you again in the future, whether to fix up my knives, or perhaps even if the sky's looking overcast."
"Woah, you're not just saying that to make me happy, right?!" Kogasa scanned Sakuya's face as best she could on the off chance this was just some elaborate ploy… Not that Sakuya wasn't inscrutable anyway. "Getting my hopes up would be too mean…"
"I'm always completely serious." Sakuya stated in a completely deadpan voice, and ignored the sceptical look Raiko gave her.
"Then… Nothing would make me happier!" And just like that, the sharp pain in Kogasa's chest was replaced by the unique warmth that only came from being needed by others. "Having more regular customers would take so much stress off my shoulders. I'll try my best to be the 'professional' tool when you need it, if you're really going to count on me in the future!"
"I expect nothing less." Sakuya said with a firm nod. "You really surprised me today, so I hope you'll have more in store."
"...W-W-What did you just say?" Kogasa asked, trembling all of a sudden. "Can you repeat that…?"
Sakuya was puzzled for a brief moment, before she realised what the other meant. "...Ah, yes. You really, genuinely surprised me. I admit that I didn't think you could."
"Hey, not just her!" Raiko loudly chimed in from Kogasa's side, ducking underneath her umbrella with a big grin. "You surprised me too today. Absolutely shocked me, even!"
"W-What? Really? Ahaha, no way…" An awkward laugh escaped from Kogasa, who was starting to feel lightheaded from happiness.
Sakuya moved to Kogasa's other side, leaning in under the shade of the umbrella as well, wearing a pleased smile. "You swept my expectations neatly away. That doesn't happen often."
"You two don't really mean that! …Ehehe!" Kogasa couldn't stop giggling, and was having trouble even holding her umbrella upright. She felt so light on her feet, that she wondered if a light breeze might blow her away.
Which is in fact exactly what happened, when Kogasa, with a great big grin on her face, was whisked into the air. She swayed aimlessly through the air, oblivious to all her surroundings, and giggling all the while.
"What an odd umbrella." Sakuya vacantly watched Kogasa literally float away from them. "Or perhaps she's actually normal for a tsukumogami?"
"There's no 'normal' for us. Every tool is unique, you know?" Raiko breezily answered as she watched Kogasa as well. "...But yeah, I do think that one's pretty special!"