Author note: I had to make an update on this chapter.
The Yakumo household was quiet as the three occupants were in the living room near a balcony that showed the sky turning dark, signally the start of the evening.
And while the purple-dressed blonde was sitting near a coffee table drinking hot chocolate using a ceramic cup with a reserved look on her face, that didn't last long as someone broke the silence.
"Yukari . . . I don't want to say this, but aren't you worried about Kenzaki wanting to leave Gensokyo at a time like this?" Ran Yakumo asked concernfully as she glances towards her mistress. "If he does return to the Outside World, Reimu could go on a rampage, destroying anything if not everything in her sight. And this may not just be Gensokyo, but the Outside World as well could suffer from her wrath."
"I'm well aware of it, Ran," The gap Youkai replied nonchalantly. "And I suggest to not get involved directly until he makes a right choice."
The Kitsune wasn't having her master's rhetoric one bit through her frown. "I know you want to make Reimu happy ever since Marisa went into intensive care from the Stained Torture Incident, but why play matchmaker on someone who wants nothing more than to return back to his normal life; do you want Reimu to become a ticking time bomb if this backfire?"
"I'm also aware of that fact as well," Yukari reassure the blonde-haired Kitsune. "And at the same time, I'm not going to make Reimu a time bomb over this. Though I'm going to be disappointed if Keine and/or Kotohime decides to help Akemi's group to let Kenzaki leave Gensokyo."
"Should we stop them, Yukari?" Chen asked as she plays with a ball of yarn like a cat on the floor. "I know it won't go well if Reimu loses Kenzaki."
Yukari sits at the couch uninterested with the report as she sips a cup of hot chocolate. "Leave them be, Ran. Especially you, Chen."
"Aww," the Nekomata groaned as she lies onto the floor, the yarn lying on top of her body.
The Kitsune however wasn't convinced one bit. "Yukari, with Akemi's crew finally exposing Reimu's true colors after the Stained Torture Incident alongside how Kenzaki got here in the first place, they had now deemed you to be responsible for the young man's predicament. Not only that, with Keine now involved alongside Kotohime, I doubt things will go smoothly just like your previous stunts, including the destruction of the Lunar Capitol as of recent. And I'd feared Eirin may decide to get involve if she finds out what you did to those Lunarians by bringing in these 'monsters' from some twisted reality to exterminate her people."
"I know Ran, I know," the Gap Youkai noted as she places the cup onto the coffee table. By now, both the Kitsune and Nekomata look at what Yukari said next. "Will it make a difference after what Reimu had actually gone through before? I think not, and for Mr. Hayashi, not everything is completely black and white; he will understand that every choice has a downside, especially if he tries to escape . . . Whether he likes it or not."
"And if he proves hostile?"
The Gap Youkai quietly thought to herself before she makes a response.
"I will make some 'adjustments' to his behavior just in case." Yukari stated in a casual tone, drawing more concern towards the Kitsune.
"Are you sure about this, Yukari?" Ran asked.
"If necessary, yes . . .. But however," the Gap Youkai's expression starts to darken, making both Ran and Chen nervous enough that the latter had to cling onto the former for support, something the Kitsune did in return. "If he brings them involve to ruin things up, I will show how much I really felt about going against Reimu and my wishes . . . Besides- "
Several gaps open around the living room, even the floor itself, cold distant eyes staring around as they move around the interiors of the building as several of Yukari's 'arms' start emerging out the gaps themselves, making both Ran and Chen to keep themselves from screaming in fear and panic by this display of horror their mistress had just did, or in this case, Ran trying to keep Chen from breaking down into tears as the young nekomata tries to prevent herself from doing that.
Yukari on the other hand doesn't seem to care one bit about what she actually is doing, her expression very emotionless yet her purple eyes painted a very different picture.
Something that reads 'absolutely furious'.
"-It will a terrible shame if something bad happens to them once I released my fury full-force. Or perhaps I won't do anything else to them at all . . . PROVIDED IF THEY BEG FOR THEIR VERY LIVES." The Gap Youkai added ominously before the gaps close up without any problems (much to the Kitsune and Nekomata's relief).
"Well, let's see what's going to happen until then tomorrow," Yukari's normal mood returns like it wasn't that big of a deal. "Now then, I'm going to bed after finishing my cup of chocolate. And you two will have the day off as well, don't you think?"
Ran and Chen nod nervously before sighing in relief by the day off after that. . . though they must remember what the Gap Youkai is really capable of when actually provoked.
After finishing a late-night dinner, Reimu and Kenzaki got themselves ready for the night, their bodies exhausted from doing their evening routine as they head towards the kotatsu to get some sleep.
But when the young man is about to lie underneath the kotatsu, the shrine maiden decided to sleep next to him to feel his warmth using her body as usual as she lies her head onto his lean chest.
Though Kenzaki previously had to put up with the typical routine like before, but in light of what Akemi's group alongside Kotohime and Keine had told him about the Stained Torture Incident and the aftermath made him reconsider his previous attitude towards the shrine maiden, if only just to keep her emotionally sane for the time being.
Not only that, as the blonde lies awake to stare at the ceiling in front of him, he must decide by tomorrow, whether he likes it or not.
But what the Outsider did not know just yet is regarding Reimu finding out what is going on thanks to one of Yukari's spies and choose to act decent towards him to avoid unwanted attention.
Even so, the information both got from their respective parties had still troubled them deeply regardless.
"Hey, Reimu," the young man said nervously, keeping his mind distracted from his thoughts.
"Yes, Kenzaki?"
"I was curious, but . . . how much do you about this Marisa Kirisame?" the Outsider asked. "Because my buddies told me that she was something of a friend you're always with, right?"
Reimu felt silent before turning her head towards his face. "Let's just say, Marisa was pretty much annoying yet a likable person of course."
Feeling surprised, the Outsider decide to go deeper into it, "So, who's Marisa like?"
The shrine maiden was silent before giving her response. "Marisa is always . . . boastful, have something like an ego, always likes to brag all the time, likes to 'borrow' things that pique her interest . . ."
"Does she ever return the items or keep them?"
Reimu had to suppress a laugh. "Marisa claims that she will return them 'whenever possible' but I doubt she wants to do that."
"Of course."
"But she's always a good friend and always helps me out with resolving lots of Incidents that pop up in Gensokyo from time to time." The shrine maiden added. "And she does often visit my shrine a lot of times just to see me."
"Okay," the Outsider nodded. "What abilities does she do?"
"Marisa uses her skills with Danmaku with her mini-hakkero that Rinnosuke or what she calls 'Kourin' gave her alongside using light and heat-based Danmaku despite being an ordinary human like us," Reimu explained. "Oftentimes, she proved very helpful with resolving Incidents and her presences does help lighten up the mood from time to time, though I had to be the voice of reason to her antics."
"I could imagine having this Marisa making jokes about using living together until I get my own place to stay then," Kenzaki shook his head while having a small smile. "She'll probably think we're dating if she sees us being together of sorts."
That caused the young woman to have a hearty laugh at the possibility of her friend making comments about her relationship with the blonde young man.
"By the way, how many friends did you made in the Outside World before coming here?" Reimu asked.
"I made a couple in my lifetime, yes."
"Anyone in particular?"
That caused Kenzaki to look at her in surprised as he tries to find someone that he can tell Reimu without causing her to go on a manhunt if he decides to escape from Gensokyo.
"One of my friends is named Melanie Tofter," the young man answered.
The shrine maiden gazes her red eyes towards the Outsider's blue curiously. "Who is she like?"
The young man rubs his head. "Melanie, for the lack of better terms, is sarcastic yet tolerable person."
"Anything she does?"
"Apparently, she's a fan of Japanese animation and likes to talk about it whenever we do interact," Kenzaki recalled the times he had to hear Melanie talk about anime at times. "And while she does like to annoy me, she does support my decision on learning multiple skills, thinking it makes me look cool learning new things outside of school."
"At least that's good that she respects you regardless of your skillsets," Reimu nods sweetly.
"Yeah, tell me about that," the young man replied, though if he told Melanie and Wade about the shrine maiden being possessive towards him despite being affectionate and have special abilities that wouldn't be out of place of an anime, they would probably be understandably be worried about it.
Most especially since Melanie understands the concept of a Yandere but knows it won't be as fun as the stuff she looks at, including the fact things don't go well with them in real life with Yanderes.
"Anyway, we should get some sleep now," Kenzaki suggested.
He did not get to say it twice as Reimu snuggles towards him underneath the kotatsu, her face feeling content. A response that led the Outsider to gently push the shrine maiden close to his chest.
"Goodnight Kenzaki"
"You too, Reimu."
Though both had finally gone to sleep, both did not tell the other about what tomorrow will bring them.
And the potential fallout once that happens.
The first thing Kenzaki can see as he opens his eyes is a purplish black landscape full of reddish eyes staring everywhere around him, the young man floating aimless as if gravity somehow ceased to exist.
Before he could comprehend what is going on, the Outsider sees a blonde woman with a purplish dress, purple eyes, and was carrying an umbrella behind her back coming into this strange landscape through a gap unannounced.
Both the young man and the woman begin to stare at each other, the Outsider doing his best to keep a straight face as the latter tilts her head slightly in amusement.
"So, how's your time being with Reimu going around?" the woman asked in a surprisingly casual tone.
Memories of what Akemi's group along Keine describe someone with a particular ability made Kenzaki's expression into a bitter frown. "You must be the Gap Youkai yourself, Yukari Yakumo, aren't you?
"Ufufufufufufufufufufufuuuu," the blonde youkai woman giggled as if that was a joke. "You are right by the way."
"So, how did I get here anyway?" the young man asked, trying to keep his cool despite being in someplace that could cause someone unaware of Yukari's border-related ability to panic at best.
"Well, nothing much by the way," the Gap Youkai replied before her face turns into a frown. "Are you planning to leave Gensokyo anytime soon?"
Kenzaki refrained from being in shocked by that question, but Yukari picked it up quickly, her expression feeling like a parent being disappointed to a child.
"I had a feeling you may consider returning back to the Outside World, but there's something you need to take into account before you attempt to do this." Yukari stated sternly.
"Let me guess, it includes Reimu going on a mad hunt, in it?"
"Of course," the Gap Youkai nodded.
"But why tell me about this anyway?" the Outsider questioned bitterly.
"If you leave Gensokyo, Reimu will go on a rampage, destroying anything and everything in her path until she finds you, dead or alive," Yukari explained sternly. "And if you attempt to end your life, well . . . I doubt this will go well for Reimu's psyche long term. Especially when regarding how likely she won't hold back in her frenzied assault."
When Kenzaki does not seem to budge, the blonde Youkai had to sigh in disappointment.
"Do you mind seeing a version of what will happen if you abandon Reimu?" Yukari asked. "Or what her rampage will be like?"
"I rather think not," Kenzaki replied, fearing the implications of what the Hakurei shrine maiden is capable of.
"That's good," the Gap Youkai nodded. "Because I doubt you want to know what Reimu could do to you or your loved ones once she finds out. But for now, I will suggest not leaving Gensokyo for the time being as long as Reimu is finally happy."
"Why for?"
Yukari's expression became grim. "You don't know what Reimu had gone through before becoming a Hakurei shrine maiden, and I will tell you, the Stained Torture Incident had pretty much brought up too many painful memories that she desperately wants to forget. Memories that, should anyone find out about this, would start questioning on who Reimu really is and why for that matter.
"So, for the safety of Gensokyo and the Outside World, do not abandon Reimu. You got it?" Yukari demanded.
Kenzaki nods carefully as to prevent further backlash from someone like a Gap Youkai like herself.
"Good," Yukari's expression return to normal. "I'll you get back to what you are doing before."
"How?"
"Just this," The Gap Youkai snaps her fingers, causing the young man's eyes to go blank.
88
Getting out of the kotatsu in shock, Kenzaki starts gasping for breath when he notices it was morning when the sun starts shining outside the shrine room.
Though as he rubs his eyes from exhaustion, the Outsider can't help but feel surprised and honestly frightened from the encounter with Yukari, as well as her demands to not abandon Reimu at the cost of not returning back home ever again.
What bothers him the most is that the Gap Youkai mentioning something regarding to the young woman's past prior to becoming a shrine maiden, in particular memories that both her and the blonde youkai are not keen on explaining why for that matter.
Even if he does try to find out Reimu's past by gaining her complete trust, that does not mean the young man deserves to be trapped inside Gensokyo for the rest of his life.
And even if Kenzaki does return home, there is no telling on how the shrine maiden could find him, but it's likely she'll threaten to harm or kill the young man's friends and family if he does not return back to Gensokyo with her, whether he likes it or not.
But if she does leave Gensokyo, how can a shrine maiden who beaten enemies who may be stronger than her survive the Outside World, especially with modern technologies that can end her rampage, illnesses that is too foreign for her body to handle, or how to find his location when information can be spread across the globe with the internet.
Yet even with the Outside World having the advantages the Outsider can use, something else came to his mind that he must take into consideration.
What if Yukari decides to aid Reimu in her quest to take him back?
Or more importantly . . .
How can Yukari aid the shrine maiden in the latter quest to reclaim her own lover?
And even so, how knowledgeable is the Gap Youkai when it comes to the Outside World?
Though given that she's old enough to aid in the creation of the Hakurei Barrier and possibly using the true extent of her boundary-related powers aside from the gaps she makes, it's pretty likely that Yukari knows extremely well about the Outside World, causing the young man to frown in response.
Kenzaki had to rub his head as he knows that Yukari, despite not knowing about her other than the meeting during his sleep, may not hold back on releasing the true aspects of her boundary-related powers to aid in Reimu's mad hunt to take him back at all cost.
Plus it doesn't help that the Gap Youkai may had played a major role in the Lunar Capitol's complete destruction despite this being in retaliation for kickstarting the Stained Torture Incident, especially when the Lunarians decide to give out their tools to inflict maximum harm to a group of horrible people that want to do things for their sick enjoyment.
The young man groans, knowing that the outcome for the Outside World against Yukari would likely go in the latter's favor, especially when she can do lots of things to make their lives extremely difficult with or without the young woman to aid her.
Even if Akemi's group alongside Keine and/or Kotohime does agree to help out, there's no telling how likely they would survive against a shrine maiden who resolved countless Incidents and a Gap Youkai with boundary-related powers who could make their lives really difficult to handle.
And with today going on with the meeting for his decision, he may not have enough time to debate about it much further than before.
As Kenzaki debates what to do with his options and the possible outcomes, the Outsider sees Reimu getting up from the kotatsu to yawn before turning towards him.
"Kenzaki, what is it that you're thinking about?" the shrine maiden groaned lightly as she rubs her tired eyes.
"I had a dream where this woman named Yukari Yakumo told me that I have to stay here because of your mental well-being," Kenzaki sighed before explaining the dream once he gets his head back to reality.
"Really, why?" the shrine maiden asked in wonder.
"Yukari states that she doesn't want you to suffer like this and wanted me to be with you until you fully recover," the Outsider stated, not including the Gap Youkai's demands to not leave Gensokyo.
"That's sweet of her," Reimu giggled lightly, gazing her beautiful yet frightening red eyes towards him.
"Yeah, of course," the young man replied when he gets an idea to get to the meeting. "Hey, how about we go to the Human Village today for a walk? How does that sound?"
"That seems good," the shrine maiden nodded, which the young man felt happy for her willing to go there with him, while also giving the Outsider the excuse to see Akemi's group.
However, a part of him felt something did not feel right with Reimu simply agreeing to do this without question, especially with the meeting Kenzaki had the day before while the shrine maiden is doing her investigation.
With the typical morning routine between the Outsider and the Hakurei shrine maiden finally over, both start heading outside the shrine when they start to see grayish clouds covering the sky.
"I had a feeling snow might be coming real soon," Kenzaki noted as he places his hat on his head.
"Yeah, I guess so," Reimu nodded before changing topics. "Do you need a flight to the Human Village?"
"Sure," the Outsider quickly replied as he hangs onto the shrine maiden's body somewhat nervously before the latter uses her ability to fly into the sky.
"Do you actually do this pretty often when using this ability?" the Outsider asked as the two head out into the skies, distracting himself from the tense situation before reaching to the Human Village.
"Yeah, I have to," Reimu nodded. "With several people within Gensokyo using the power of flight thanks to their abilities, it is necessary, especially when it comes to Danmaku. Plus, it makes it easier to find out any strange activities if you are in the skies."
Kenzaki looked surprised by that response. "I guess that's pretty simplistic ability, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is. Though I have to be pretty creative when it comes to using it."
"Like what?"
"Carrying things or people around without weight getting in the way."
"Wait . . . is that really possible?"
"Once you understand how it works, then yes, of course." The young woman smiled when explaining it.
"Okay, thanks for the info," the blonde nodded, making the shrine maiden feel grateful for it as they start reaching to the Human Village.
"What do you plan to do during that time?" Reimu asked.
"Just exploring more about the whole place close up," Kenzaki replied.
"Do you mind doing that with me around?" the shrine maiden offered. "I can use my ability to make it convenient."
"It's fine," the Outsider replied. "I can explore around through walking on my own."
"Okay then, but just don't get lost, alright?" Reimu replied.
"Yes, Reimu," the young man nodded as they start to reach into the Human Village and start landing at a particular spot: Suzunaan.
Kenzaki glance towards the bookstore once the two had got onto the ground and the young man letting go of the shrine maiden. "Uh . . . why here, Reimu?
"I want to see Kosuzu, that's it," the young woman replied.
The Outsider looks at the shrine maiden before he gives a sigh. "Okay then. I'll get going then."
"Okay, see you later," Reimu waved her hand as Kenzaki heads out to explore the Human Village.
But as the young man begins to walk further away from her, the shrine maiden's smile slowly turns into a blank expression.
Yet unlike her typical mood previously, it felt more akin to the aftermath of the Stained Torture Incident.
88
Kosuzu Motoori was tending to her bookshop when she hears the door open. Yet as she turns around expecting a customer reveals to be instead Reimu Hakurei.
But more importantly, instead of the snarky yet dutiful shrine maiden is instead a mentally scarred young woman who seen something no person had witnessed.
"Reimu . . . what do you want?" the store owner asked nervously, dread filling her after hearing what the shrine maiden did sometime after the Stained Torture Incident.
The shrine maiden's faded red eyes started to bore into the bookstore owner's frightful red as if the former could snap without warning if the latter did anything remotely funny.
Instead . . .
"I just want to talk to you," Reimu answered.
"About what?"
"How Kenzaki Hayashi got into Gensokyo, the time we had together, and what he's actually doing," Reimu replied. "Not only that, the truth about who I was before becoming a shrine maiden in the first place."
"Wait, why in particular?" Kosuzu wondered nervously. "And why about your life before becoming a shrine maiden?"
"I was a former rogue Youkai Hunter," Reimu answered. "One of the most mysterious yet infamous as well. And I refuse to lose whatever happiness I had left after Yukari freed me from this horrible path of pain and suffering I had to endure."