On the outside, Kenzaki Hayashi was walking normally within the Human Village, located around the mysterious land of Gensokyo.
But by the time he walks within the confines of the Human Village, gray clouds began to overtake the sky, appearing that another snowstorm might be coming very soon. But that did not bother the Outsider one bit as he treks towards one location in mind: the Sasaki House.
The young man knows he needs to make a decision to a group of Youkai Hunters, alongside a school teacher that is actually a 'werehakutaku'(Why didn't he even asked that question to Keine in the first place, though Kenzaki admits that's he was way too focused to know how to get back home.) and a police officer named Kotohime(surname unknown, for now) on whether he can return back home or stay in Gensokyo, all of which has their pros and cons.
If he stays in Gensokyo, Kenzaki could at least keep Reimu from suffering an emotional breakdown over the events of the Stained Torture Incident and the horrible fate regarding her friend named Marisa Kirisame, but the blonde may not even see his friends and family from the Outside world ever gain, especially since it was days during his disappearance.
But should Kenzaki return home to his normal life, the Hakurei Shrine Maiden might take it way too poorly and, aside from endangering Gensokyo itself, could endanger the Outside world as well (including his friends and family), something that might haunt Kenzaki long term.
Regardless, the young man must make an appointment at the Sasaki house, and fast.
"Hey Kenzaki," a familiar female voice shouted.
Though it might be a lot faster than expected once the young man sees a familiar young woman with brown hair among the crowd.
"Hey Akemi, how's it going?" The Outsider replied.
"Going fine so far," said woman nodded calmly. "Want to look around for a bit?"
"Sure, of course." The blonde nodded, not wanting anyone to know where they are really heading to avert unwanted attention.
Especially the kind that involves a certain Gap Youkai.
88
"Here we are," Akemi said as, with Kenzaki in tow, observe at the Sasaki house among the houses within the Human Village, or at least, the closest to an actual two-story house with a somewhat modest look. Despite that, the Outsider looked impressed.
As the young woman pulls out a key within the pockets of her hakama, she unlocks the door and heads inside along with the blonde before closing the door.
Within the interiors of the house, Kenzaki noted to be a bit modest for someone like the Sasaki family to own.
But in front of the living room was Daisuke, Hiroko, Naoki Keine, Kotohime, and the Sasaki brothers, all of whom were waiting for his arrival as they sat around a large chabudai table.
"Glad to see you guys again," Kenzaki sighed in relief over seeing them again. "It felt like years not being able to meet up after being with Reimu for the past couple of days."
"None taken, Kenzaki," Naoki nodded as he sat near Hiroko and Kotohime. "We have those thoughts as well for the past several days."
"Plus, it's relieving to not be with a crazy yet broken young woman who won't tolerate not being with you every day, barring work around Timber Designs," Daisuke added.
"That too," the blonde slumped to the futon mats, not caring if he sat on the ground near Naoki as Akemi took her spot near Daisuke and Hiroko.
The mood was silent between everyone in the room as they did not even bother speaking to each other until one broke the silence.
"Aren't we forgetting on whether or not Kenzaki can go back to the Outside World or not," Akihiro stated. "I mean, he already knew what was going on yesterday and wanted to make his final decision."
That alerted everyone on why they were here in the first place, especially the Outsider himself.
"My bad; kinda forgot." Kenzaki shrugged his blonde hair in embarrassment.
"It's fine, Kenzaki," Keine reassured him. "Don't beat yourself up over something you forgot."
The schoolteacher, despite being a werehakutaku, made Kenzaki feel very easy around her despite their differences in their species.
"So Kenzaki," Akemi looked at the Outsider with concern in her gentle face. "What are you planning to do then? Stay within Gensokyo; have us get you out of Gensokyo or let Keine take you back at the exact moment where Yukari gapped you to Gensokyo."
"You must decide now, because we found out earlier that the Zashiki Warashi that was with Timber Designs might have tipped Yukari over the whole incident yesterday," Kotohime stated.
"How did you know?"
It was Haruto's turn to reply. "Kotohime, feeling concerned over the possibly of being watched, have us investigate the area around the Hakurei shrine sometime after our discussion with you earlier, and found some footprints despite being light."
"Plus, the foot size might be a little child, but after locating the footsteps and revealing to be Kansatsu's," Hiroko added. "As of now, she's under Eientei's watch until you make your final decision."
"And what would happen to her?"
"While she would be let go since Kansatsu is under Yukari's orders, but she agrees to leave Timber Designs until further notice."
"That sounded pretty lame for you guys to investigate this and finding the culprit this quickly, but given you guys to be Youkai Hunters, that's pretty understandable," the Outsider replied. 'Though it would be a little more interesting if they have additional help to find the culprit or did their investigation a little more sooner than before.'
"Now with Yukari, and by extension, Reimu finding out what's going on, we need to act fast and see if you're willing to make a decision or not," Kotohime stated. "Because I fear that if we don't, Yukari won't let you leave Gensokyo ever again."
With additional information coming in mind, Kenzaki started to debate on whether he can stay or not, but each option has its own pros and cons, all of them with serious consequences if handled poorly.
And even if Akemi and the others make refinements with the plans for each option, there is no telling what Yukari has up in her sleeve, especially given that she's a Gap Youkai who is far dangerous than what she appears, something the blonde doesn't want to find out.
But given that Kenzaki had been missing from his hometown for the past couple of days makes him worry, especially since this could negatively impact the well-being of his friends and family, even if his disappearance is due to Yukari's interference.
And that's not getting into detail on how he could explain all of this to his loved ones without being seen as crazy or outright delusional, as who could believe someone who got out of a mystical land full of Youkai and other human-like beings out there.
The last option, in his mind, felt crazy as he could try to reason Reimu and asked if she can tell Yukari to let him return home, though that could be under deaf ears, at best.
And even if he could make a compromise of sort, the Outsider is unsure if Reimu, and by extension, Yukari, could really agree to it.
After some time to himself and weighing his options, Kenzaki made up his mind.
Choice A: Stay with Reimu and make a compromise.
Choice B: Ask Akemi's group to get him out of Gensokyo but remain in Japan in the process.
Choice C: Have Keine use her werehakutaku form get him back home but wait until a full moon appears.