Chapter 14

The girls walked into the dining room still carrying the shock of what they had seen in the Mirror of Memories and the tangled emotions that came with it.

Yet, as they took their seats, the lavish feast spread out before them swiftly caught their attention, pushing aside their anxiety, worries, and unease—at least for the moment. Their gazes were instantly drawn to the meticulously prepared dishes.

On the long table were all sorts of mouthwatering cuisines—Chinese, Japanese, Western, you name it—each dish looking as though it had just come out of a top-tier restaurant's kitchen.

The desserts and drinks were equally stunning, crafted with such exquisite beauty that one couldn't help but wonder whether these three tsukumogami had other hidden culinary talents they had yet to reveal.

Kyouya was the first to greet them, sporting his trademark chuunibyou grin. With a flourish, he boomed,
"Honorable Shrine Maiden! Esteemed Youkai Sage! And all you distinguished ladies—here is the lunch we've painstakingly prepared. Please, enjoy to your hearts' content!"

His tone brimmed with confidence and his usual playful flair.

Kengo, on the other hand, added in a steady, warm voice,
"All the vegetables are from my own fields, guaranteed fresh and natural. I've also added some small, subtle touches with the seasonings, so I hope they suit everyone's tastes."

Tamami gave a hearty laugh and chimed in,
"Eat as much as you'd like—there will be desserts and afternoon tea afterward, too! We have plenty more in store!"

He smiled with such simple, genuine delight, like a gracious host welcoming his most important guests.

Though the girls' hearts were still in a swirl of conflicting feelings, they couldn't resist the delicious aromas.

Reimu was the first to pick up her chopsticks, lifting a piece of crispy tempura to her mouth. The expression on her face instantly shifted into one of mild amazement.
"…What is this? How can it taste so good?"

Although her tone sounded reluctant to praise, her chopsticks never stopped moving, and her expression revealed pure enjoyment.

Remilia elegantly used her silver fork to cut into a small portion of filet mignon, dipping it into a rich red-wine sauce. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, then showed a satisfied smile.
"This doneness… this aroma… curses, it's basically flawless."

In front of Patchouli was a bowl of light tofu soup. She took a slow spoonful and drank it, giving a faint nod.
"The seasoning's perfectly balanced—no excess burden at all. How on earth did they manage to pinpoint my taste so precisely?"

Suika grabbed a roasted chicken wing, glistening with oil, and bit off a huge chunk. Instantly, her frown disappeared.
"This is delicious! The flavor's so good it's making me float! Gimme another one!"

Yuyuko, meanwhile, went straight for dessert, picking up a small slice of strawberry cream cake. After a single bite, her eyes lit up.
"This cake… how can it be this fluffy, like a cloud…? I could eat another… no, ten more!"

With each bite, the girls' expressions grew more nuanced.
Although Sakuya maintained an air of poise while eating, her knife and fork never paused for a second.
"This is just too much… They've somehow managed to match everyone's palate so perfectly… It's downright infuriating."

Komachi was hugging a bowl of seafood risotto, looking utterly stunned.
"This seasoning… it's not too heavy, but the flavors are so rich I just can't stop eating… How do they do it?"

Aya bit into a piece of fried pork cutlet, tender and juicy, feeling as though she might melt into her seat.
"Oh my gosh, this kind of cooking deserves front-page coverage in the Bunbunmaru News! …This is unreal—it's so good it's practically addictive!"

Kaguya sipped on a bowl of warm bamboo shoot soup, quietly smiling as she drank.
"They said it's just right—but this 'just right' is far more enticing than anything else."

Even the usually calm and collected Youmu couldn't help but marvel at a beautifully plated sashimi dish.
"The knife work is so refined… this goes beyond typical culinary skill. Are they really just ordinary tsukumogami?"

The dining table was silent save for the sounds of eating as the girls focused on savoring what felt like a divine feast. Beyond just the taste, every dish offered a kind of comfort they had never experienced before.

Putting down her spoon, Patchouli spoke in a soft voice,
"…Even magic might not be able to replicate this kind of flavor."

Reimu unconsciously patted her waist, mumbling,
"I've eaten so much, yet it doesn't make me gain any weight… It's not scientific, but I'll take it."

Mokou leaned back in her chair, looking like a starved spirit who'd been allowed to feast.
"Ugh… I meant to keep my cool, but I just can't stop!"

"Who cares about keeping cool?!" Suika let out a hearty laugh, shoving more roasted meat into her mouth.
"It's so delicious, and it doesn't make you fat—this is practically criminal!"

"…It's beyond unfair." Yukari gently rubbed her forehead, feeling as though she was on the brink of surrendering to the culinary bliss. "How could anyone possibly leave them after this?"

"Leave?" Sanae yelped in disbelief, "No way! They've gotta keep cooking for us! …There's no way I'm going back to eating normal stuff."

"Is this really what tsukumogami are supposed to be doing?" Sakuya muttered, looking at her empty plate with conflicted eyes. "This is practically transcendental art… and a dangerous temptation."

When the final dessert—a crème caramel with the perfect ratio of caramel to custard—arrived at the table, the same thought entered the minds of all fifteen girls:

These dishes are simply impossible to refuse… One could spend a lifetime addicted to them.

Damn it… how can their cooking taste so good it makes you want to tear your clothes off?!

The girls had just enjoyed this extraordinary lunch, their moods slowly recovering from the blow dealt by the Mirror of Memories.

Though they still struggled somewhat with the trio's profound devotion—so vividly revealed earlier—this meal undeniably gave them a chance to unwind and relax.

However, just as they were leaning back in their chairs, idly digesting their meals, Kyouya suddenly put on a deadly serious expression.

He fixed his gaze on Reimu, Yukari, and the others, and spoke slowly, one deliberate word at a time:

Kyouya: "You there—Shrine Maiden, Youkai Sage… and all of you as well…"

His voice was calm, and his face so solemn it seemed he was about to announce something of monumental importance.

Kengo immediately picked up the thread, his tone composed but tinged with mystery:"Indeed, your…"

Tamami, wearing his usual good-natured grin, chimed in,"All of yours…"

The girls exchanged anxious looks. Tension filled the room in a flash.

Reimu frowned, the uneasiness clear in her voice:"That? What do you mean by 'that'?"

Yukari closed her folding fan, her gaze sharpening:"Whatever it is, spit it out."

Remilia let out an impatient huff:"Stop beating around the bush. Just say it plainly."

Sanae murmured in a small voice,"Could it be… something went wrong while we were eating?"

Patchouli's calm tone couldn't hide her curiosity:"Speak directly. Which 'that' are you talking about?"

Kyouya suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, pointed at his own nose, and shouted loudly,"Your nose hairs are showing!"

For an instant, the entire room fell deathly silent. All the girls seemed frozen, mouths half-open, eyes blank, as though their thoughts had been wiped clean by that one statement.

Reimu shot up from her seat, clamping a hand over her nose, her face turning bright red, like a ripe tomato."W-What?! They're showing?!"

Frantically searching for a mirror, she shouted,"That's impossible! You're not messing with me, are you?!"

Yukari snapped open her folding fan, hiding her face behind it. Her tone carried a faint chill."Kyouya, that kind of joke… isn't very funny."

Yet with her other hand, she discreetly touched her nose in a tiny, barely noticeable movement.

Remilia froze for a moment, then slammed the table in outrage.
"Nose hairs?! Who gave you permission to insult me like that? I am an elegant vampire!"
Still, her fingertips drifted toward her nose, as if she were silently checking.

Aya practically burst out of her seat, her wings fluttering in agitation. Her speech came out at double her usual speed."That's impossible! This is me we're talking about—Aya, who's always so mindful of her image! There's no way that could happen!"

Despite her protests, she used one hand to cover her nose, doubts already creeping into her mind.

Mokou reacted the most violently of all. She slammed her hands onto the table and shot to her feet, eyes blazing."What did you say?! Nose hairs?! Kyouya, are you tired of living?!"

She immediately pressed a hand against her nose, glaring daggers at Kyouya, her voice fraught with mortification."You bastard! How dare you say something like that!"

Marisa nearly spat out her tea, hurriedly covering her nose with one hand.
"No way! Nose hairs? I check them every day!"

Her gaze darted around, her tone shaky as she tried to stay calm.
"There's no way… absolutely no way! This has to be a joke, right?!"
But her hand remained glued to her nose, uncertainty written all over her face.

Suika blinked, then burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! Nose hairs? Come on, I don't care about stuff like that!"

Her laughter abruptly stopped, though, and she surreptitiously turned her back, using her gourd as an impromptu mirror to inspect her nose. Her expression went complicated."…There's really nothing there, right?"

Sakuya's cheeks turned a faint pink, but she tried to remain composed, casually brushing her hair aside."Kyouya-san, such a silly joke… please refrain from telling it again."

She might have looked calm on the surface, but her fingertips furtively glided down her nose, and there was a hint of unease in her voice."Honestly… That can't be true, can it…"

Youmu's eyes went wide, and she leaped to her feet, her face burning bright red, like a boiled crab."Nose hairs?! What?! Why would I have nose hairs?!"

She hurriedly drew a short blade and used its surface like a mirror to examine her nose, her voice rising in panic."No way… No way… This can't be happening…"

Komachi froze briefly before letting out a carefree laugh, leaning back in her chair."Nose hairs? Come on, what's there to worry about?"

Yet the next moment, her hand slid over her nose, her tone taking on a slight note of tension."But… if they really were showing, that'd be pretty embarrassing."

Sanae's face flushed crimson in an instant, and she stammered,
"N-Nose hairs? Impossible! I'm sure I checked!"

She quickly covered her nose with her hand, nearly shrinking under the table as she muttered in a small, frantic voice,"What am I gonna do… If I really do have them… Everyone will laugh at me!"

Yuyuko gave a gentle smile, speaking with perfect elegance,
"Nose hairs? Oh, I'm not worried about something so trivial."

Yet she lifted her fan to conceal her face, and there was a trace of uncertainty in her voice."…Still, perhaps I should make sure."

Kaguya's eyes went round, and she clamped a hand over her nose, indignation lacing her words."Nose hairs? As the Princess of the Moon, there's no way that would ever happen to me!"

Nonetheless, her frantic gesture betrayed her sense of alarm. She quietly leaned toward Patchouli and whispered,"Please check for me… Do I really have any?"

Patchouli lifted her gaze, narrowed her eyes at Kyouya, and spoke calmly,
"Nose hairs? That sounds preposterous."

But her hand landed lightly on the tip of her nose, a small furrow appearing between her brows."…Surely I don't have any."

Flandre paused, then gave a startled cry,
"Nose hairs?! Tamami-niisan, why didn't you tell me sooner!"

While desperately touching her nose with her tiny hands, she cried out,
"What am I gonna do?! Am I still cute like this?!"

Seeing everyone's reactions, Kyouya immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"It was just a joke! Just a joke! I was only trying to liven things up—don't take it seriously, okay? Really, really, your nose hairs are perfect… I mean, none of them are showing at all!"

"Shut it!" Reimu yelled, nearly whipping out her yin-yang orb to pummel him.

Yukari, on the other hand, gave a subtle, knowing smile."Kyouya, it seems we'll need to have a little talk about your sense of humor."

Though most of the girls were outwardly fuming, they soon found themselves laughing at the absurdity of it all. Indeed, these three tsukumogami always managed to pull off some bizarre antics, yet it was hard to stay mad at them for long.

Their lunch ended on a light, warm note amid the ruckus and laughter.

In the dimly lit basement of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, fifteen girls gathered around a round table, the atmosphere unusually quiet.

After lunch, Kyouya's joke had momentarily relieved some of their tension, yet the deeper questions in their hearts remained unresolved.

Reimu drummed her fingers on the table, her face stern.
"We almost got completely sidetracked by those three idiots. We need them to explain what happened in the Underworld of Yomi, no excuses."

Yukari curved her lips into a slight smile, hiding her face behind her fan as her airy voice drifted out,
"Oh my, Kyouya certainly has a knack for humor. But what I'm more curious about is when you plan to confront them."

Remilia toyed with the teacup in her hand, letting out a faint snort.
"No rush, we need the right moment. They're pros at dodging questions—especially Kyouya. He can derail a conversation in just a few sentences."

Off to the side, Mokou slammed a hand on the table and barked, her temper flaring,"Then let's just track him down and demand some answers! Ask them exactly how many things they've been hiding from us!"

Patchouli sighed softly, her tone even.
"Acting in haste is pointless. Clearly, they aren't planning to talk right now. We can wait until they slip up."

Aya sat at the table, twirling a quill pen, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter when—we'll be ready. I'll be sure to record every detail of Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami's 'big secrets'!"

"But…" Yuyuko interjected softly, swirling the tea in her cup, "they seem to be doing all of this for our sake, don't they?"

Closing her book, Patchouli responded calmly,"Even if it is for our sake, we still need clarity on what gave them the right to erase our memories. Their powers, their identities, their past… we have the right to know."

Sanae lowered her head slightly, hesitation creeping into her voice.
"But… they've done so much for us, even risking their lives going to the Underworld. Do we really have to interrogate them? Isn't that too cruel?"

"Hmph," Sakuya cut in coolly, her expression tinged with complexity, "what's cruel is that they've hidden everything from us, all while pretending to be 'ordinary' tsukumogami. Do they think we're fools?"

"This is deceit, pure and simple," Remilia muttered through clenched teeth, her gaze shifting uneasily. "But… for what reason? Are they really doing this just for our good?"

"They do act suspicious," Suika chimed in, leaning casually on the table. "They keep saying stuff like it's a 'coincidence,' but in two whole years, there hasn't been anything truly 'coincidental' about them. And that so-called 'flimsy knowledge' Kengo shows off—where does he even get it from?"

"I agree," Mokou said, folding her arms across her chest. Her voice held both doubt and anger. "But they took down the Yamata no Orochi and invaded Yomi—how insane is that? Doesn't it go beyond our imagination?"

"And one more thing…" Komachi added, her voice quieter, her eyes brimming with unease, "are they really willing to sacrifice so much for us? Even their very existence… what does that even mean?"

"But—" Flandre raised her hand with a bright smile, "they're still my onii-chans! No matter what happens, I think they're good people!"

"That's way too naive…" Kaguya sighed, lightly tracing her fingertips on the table, a hint of unease coloring her voice. "But… back then, in the Underworld, weren't we all relying on them too much? If they weren't that powerful…"

As everyone shared their perspectives, Marisa suddenly noticed a faintly glowing magical device on the table. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to examine it, her excitement growing with each passing second.

"Hey, look at this—there are more memories here!"
All eyes turned to the glowing crystal screen in Marisa's hands.

"What memories?" Reimu asked, arching an eyebrow, her tone piqued with interest.

"It looks like… even earlier memories," Marisa replied, her voice betraying her excitement. She turned to the others, lifting the device slightly.
"Wanna watch? Because I'm about to press play."

Silence fell. Mokou was the first to speak up.
"Of course we're watching! The more we learn about those three, the better."

Reimu hesitated but eventually nodded."They're memories. We might as well see them rather than letting ourselves stay in the dark."

Patchouli let out a quiet sigh."If it's important, maybe it'll clear up some of our questions."

Yuyuko beamed happily."Mhm, I'm always up for some quality entertainment!"

Aya lifted her notebook with a grin."Whatever it is, I'm going to document it all!"

All fifteen crowded around the device, their gazes full of anticipation, nervousness, and a trace of unease.

"Go ahead, Marisa," Reimu said quietly, though her eyes gleamed with a razor edge. "Let's see how many secrets those three are hiding."

Marisa gave a broad grin and pressed her finger onto the device. With a soft click, the memory began to play.

From the Mirror of Memories projected in midair, a scene emerged. The fifteen girls held their breath, eyes locked on the image.

The memory depicted a boundless cosmos. Galaxies and stars flowed through the silent void, serene yet majestic.

And in the center of the image stood three familiar figures—Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami—floating quietly in the vacuum of space. Their faces were solemn, their eyes set with a razor-sharp glimmer.

"This place…" Reimu murmured, her hands instinctively clenching.

The memory went on. In their hands, the three each held one of the Three Sacred Treasures—Yata-no-Kagami, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, and Yasakani-no-Magatama.

Tamami made the first move. He lifted the Yasakani no Magatama, gathering energy until brilliant radiance, like a miniature sun, converged in his palm. In the next instant, a blinding energy beam shot forward like a meteor.

A gigantic planet in the distance exploded upon impact, its fragments scattering across the cosmos like fireworks.

Kengo raised the Kusanagi Sword and slashed at a meteor roughly the size of the moon. With a flash of sword energy, that colossal meteor was instantly chopped into countless tiny shards, vanishing into the boundless darkness.

Kyouya held the Yata-no-Kagami, angling it to reflect a portion of sunlight. The beam that rebounded from it crashed into yet another planet. The surface immediately turned into a sea of lava, leaving the entire planet a scorched, charcoal husk.

In the scene, the three stood center stage in the depths of space, their sacred treasures emitting an unsettling glow. At that moment, the memory froze.

Reimu's eyes widened, her mouth twitching slightly.
"This… What is this? Destroying planets? Splitting meteors? Is that really possible?!"

She forced herself to remain calm, yet deep inside, her heart turned cold.
"This can't be… How could such power belong to 'ordinary tsukumogami'?"

Yukari folded up her fan, frowning a little and murmuring quietly,
"Power like this… shouldn't exist in Gensokyo at all. Is this really a memory, or just an illusion?"

She tapped her fingers against the armrest, torn by conflicting thoughts.
"I thought I had them figured out… But this…"

Remilia stared at the spot where the image had faded, her eyes brimming with unease."Such power… Even I can't begin to understand it. Can they… really do something like that?"

Her hands trembled slightly, though she tried to act calm.
"Perhaps… this is nothing more than some absurd dream of theirs."

Mokou crossed her arms, glaring at the place where the image had vanished, her tone rife with astonishment.
"This is ridiculous! They can blow up planets? You guys actually believe that?"

Her words sped up, as though she were reassuring herself.
"No way… this has to be their dream! Yes, definitely a dream."

Aya's notebook slipped out of her hand and clattered to the floor without her even noticing. She muttered,
"Such power… even gods couldn't pull that off, right? Is that… really them?"

She shook her head vigorously.
"No, that's impossible! It must be a dream—something they dreamed up that went way too far!"

Marisa's eyes were so wide that the star decoration on her hat fell right off.
"Ha ha ha! This… it's fake, right? Meteors and planets… That's basically sci-fi!"

She forced a shaky laugh, repeating to herself,"This has to be a dream… right? Right?!"

Suika scratched her head, her expression strangely solemn."They're joking, aren't they? That video's like a drunken hallucination—there's no way that can be real."

Yet the anxiety in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil."Damn it… what if it's real?"

Sakuya maintained her composure, though her fingertips tapped unconsciously on the pocket watch at her wrist."There's no way such a thing could happen… Still, those images looked far too convincing."

She added quietly,"Maybe… it's some sort of illusion."

Youmu's twin swords almost slipped from her hips, her eyes brimming with shock."W-What is this? Something like that can't possibly be real!"

She forced herself to calm down, gripping her hilts firmly."It has to be fake… it has to be fake!"

Komachi hesitated for a few seconds, then burst out laughing and smacked the table."Those three sure dream big! Blowing up planets, slicing meteors—do they think they're gods?"

She wore a playful grin, but deep in her gaze lay a hint of unease.
"But… if it really was true, could we still call them 'friends'?"

Patchouli's book slipped out of her hand onto the table, her eyes betraying an uncharacteristic astonishment."That level of power… even in fiction, this is too much."

She murmured softly,"Wait… how could images like that appear in a mere dream? Unless… it really is a memory?"

Flandre clapped her hands in excitement, her face brimming with delight.
"Wow! They're so amazing! Do you think my brothers can really blow up a planet? Does that mean they're even stronger than vampires?"

Her innocent tone left everyone momentarily speechless, yet the admiration in her eyes was very real.

Yuyuko's teacup had slipped to the floor at some point, shattering with a crisp sound. She spoke in an unusually subdued voice.
"Could they… really do something like that?"

Her voice was tinged with an uncharacteristic heaviness.
"Or… is it just some dream we saw?"

Sanae covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"This… that's the power of gods, isn't it? But they claim to be just ordinary tsukumogami…"

Her voice trembled."No, that can't be! This has to be their dream!"

Kaguya frowned deeply, her tone holding a trace of doubt."Is this… really their memory? Or just some prank?"

She gritted her teeth."If so… that's beyond absurd!"

They all looked at one another, trying to steady themselves.
Each one of them thought, "It's definitely just a dream… Yes, it has to be a dream."

And yet, the shocking scene from the memory refused to fade away. That apocalyptic power left an indelible imprint in their minds, making it impossible to stay calm.

The image shifted from the depths of space back into Earth's atmosphere. Clouds churned in the wind, while sunlight beamed down upon the three tsukumogami.

They hovered high in the sky with casual expressions, as though they had just finished an enjoyable "workout." But the intimidating pressure emanating from the Three Sacred Treasures in their hands could not be ignored.

Kyouya fiddled with the Yata-no-Kagami, casually reflecting a ray of sunlight that cut a brilliant fissure across the distant cloudbank. Stretching his limbs, he spoke in a relaxed tone,

"Ah, it's been so long since I stretched my muscles like that—feels great! The stratosphere really is a perfect place for 'winding down.'"

Kengo shook his head in mild exasperation. The Kusanagi Sword in his hand glimmered with a cold light, carving out a deep slash in the clouds with just a casual flick. He spoke calmly,

"Winding down? Kyouya, you literally just turned a planet to ashes, and you dare lecture me?"

Though he was teasing, his expression was somewhat serious.
"But you're not wrong. If Reimu and the others found out we had this kind of power, they'd probably see us as monsters and kick us out of Gensokyo, right?"

Kyouya shrugged and spread his hands."Hey, don't single me out—you two aren't any weaker! Kengo, you took out an asteroid the size of the moon in one swing. Tamami obliterated an entire planet into water vapor! I don't know whether to call the three of us geniuses… or lunatics."

Tamami's face turned nervous. He clutched the Yasakani no Magatama tightly, speaking so earnestly his voice came out rushed.
"Hey, guys, there's no way we can let them find out about all this! They're the bonds we've fought so hard to make. We can't let them push us away because of these powers, right?"

He paused, his eyes full of resolve, then added quietly,"No matter what, we have to protect them…"

Kyouya's grin faded slightly, his tone unusually grave,
"Agreed. We only use this power on the threats that deserve it. As for Reimu and the rest… I'd hate to see the look of fear in their eyes."

Kengo nodded, speaking in a steady voice,"Our powers exist to protect them. Staying under the radar is necessary, or we'd never be able to face them again."

Kyouya let out a soft sigh, sounding both resigned and resolute,
"Exactly. Reimu… the others… they're our only home now. We can't afford to lose anything more."

Kengo inclined his head slightly, his tone carrying a firm resolve.
"Then it's settled. From now on, we never reveal our power. Even if they question us, we can't let them find out."

The three exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a shared sense of purpose and determination.

Once again, silence descended on the basement library of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The fifteen girls stood speechless, their minds reeling from the conversation they had just witnessed.

Reimu lowered her gaze to the gohei in her hands, her voice weighed down by guilt,
"They've been this cautious the whole time… worried we'd misunderstand… But what about us? We keep teasing them and making fun of them, never realizing how hard they were working to protect us…"

Yukari gently fanned herself, a faint smile on her lips but a whirl of emotion in her eyes,
"All along, I believed that great power would make a person indifferent… Yet they haven't used their power for themselves at all. They've taken every precaution to shield us. Such fools… I honestly don't even know what to say."

Marisa bit her lip, gripping her broom tightly,
"Those three are so strong, yet they never flaunt it—always afraid we'd misread them… telling each other to 'keep a low profile.' We used to call them idiots, but honestly, the real idiots are us, aren't we?"

Patchouli sighed softly, her voice tinged with self-reproach,
"That kind of power, if used destructively, could annihilate everything. But they chose to protect. That's truly worthy of respect. We really did underestimate them."

Yuyuko lightly covered her mouth with one hand, a note of emotion seeping through her voice,
"Even someone like me, a departed spirit, can feel their warmth. They don't use their power to show off or dominate—only to protect us… That kind of devotion is something to envy, indeed."

Youmu clutched her swords, murmuring,
"They're the ones who are truly strong—using their abilities to protect their bonds, not to intimidate or harm. I've never seen strength like that before."

Remilia let out a soft snort, but her expression overflowed with conflicted feelings,
"These idiots… they're unbelievably powerful, yet they worry about us being scared, about being kicked out. Their strength is so gentle… who would've thought?"

Flandre clung tightly to Remilia's arm, tears shining in her eyes,
"Sis… They're really important, aren't they? I promise I won't bully them anymore! I'm going to tell them thank you!"

Suika downed a heavy swig of alcohol and let out a hearty laugh,
"Ha ha! Those guys are so dumb that you can't hate them! Their power's terrifying, but they're still sneaking around, all scared we'll freak out… But somehow that clumsy earnestness just makes 'em all the more likable!"

Sanae clasped her hands together, tears pooling in her eyes,
"These three understand true guardianship more than any god I've ever met. Their love for us is more genuine than any divine blessing could be…"

After a moment of silence, the fifteen girls looked at one another. Finally, Reimu spoke up, resolve shining through in her tone,
"We can't wait any longer. This time, we need them to tell us the truth themselves!"

They all nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with determination and a touch of sadness.
They knew there was no way to postpone this conversation any further.

The air in the Scarlet Devil Mansion's underground library seemed to have grown dense. The light from the Mirror of Memories continued to flicker, projecting scene after scene of recollections before the fifteen girls.

Holding their breath, they watched the images in silence, a vague sense of unease taking root in their hearts as the scenes grew clearer.

At the beginning of the footage was a solemn, sacred Takamagahara. Bathed in golden light, with swirling clouds everywhere, grand shrines stood above a vast sea of clouds, surrounded by myriad deities.

Three figures stood out from the crowd—Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami. Gone were their usual smiles, replaced by a frigid detachment and indifference.

"Another mission to exterminate youkai?" Kyouya's voice rang out with a hint of resignation, as though such tasks had long become routine.

Reimu heard his words and paused, frowning slightly. Exterminating youkai? She recalled the skirmishes that made up everyday life in Gensokyo.

But the images before her quickly showed that this "extermination" was nothing like what she had imagined.

The three left the shrine in Takamagahara and arrived on a desolate battlefield. The sky was ominous, the ground scored with cracks, and the air thick with the stench of blood.

Ahead of them towered a massive creature—an Orochi, the eight-headed serpent. Each head spewed scorching flames and toxic miasma.

Its colossal body sprawled across the land like a mountain ridge, and even a slight shift in its coils shook the earth with a thunderous roar.

Kyouya stared at the monster, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. His tone carried a note of provocation:"What, it's come back to life again? A beast our brother could easily handle alone, and all three of us have to show up? Seriously?"

Despite the playful undertone in his voice, he moved with lightning speed. The Yata-no-Kagami in his hand glowed brilliantly; fierce winds, sharp as blades, tore out and instantly severed all eight of the Orochi's heads. Toxic venom splattered onto the ground, raising thick clouds of greenish smoke.

Kengo followed, swinging the Kusanagi Sword; its sword light streaked through the sky like a silver bolt of lightning. His face was expressionless, showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Take it out and be done with it—don't waste my time."

His icy tone was utterly unlike his usual gentle voice. With a single slash, he hacked the Orochi's giant body to pieces. The serpent toppled with a deafening crash, torn apart completely.

Tamami stood behind them, his expression gentle and voice soft, as though consoling an old acquaintance:"If it's our task, then let's finish it~~"

Raising the Yasakani no Magatama, he summoned a towering wall of water that devoured the Orochi's mangled remains. The raging torrent howled like a beast, grinding the serpent into pulp, leaving only a crimson patch upon the ground.

As the scene changed again, the three reappeared in another battlefield. This time their foe was Shuten-dōji, the overlord of the oni race. Its blood-red eyes glowed with unbridled ferocity, and an endless horde of demons poured from its maw, rushing the trio in a frenzy.

Kyouya brandished the Yata-no-Kagami, an evil smirk curving his lips.
"Time for a warm-up with these small fry!"

Fierce winds, sharp as blades, cut through, slicing countless demons into shreds in an instant. Kyouya's face was splattered with blood, and he ran his tongue over a crimson streak at his lip, an excited gleam flickering in his eyes.

Kengo swung the Kusanagi Sword again, his cold voice echoing:
"Calling them small fry is giving them too much credit."

His sword light swept through Shuten-dōji's body, chopping it into several pieces. Fresh blood rained down, yet his face remained unmoved, devoid of any excess emotion.

Tamami, still at the rear, casually raised his hand to summon a torrential surge of water that completely obliterated Shuten-dōji's remains. His tone was calm and gentle:"'Bye-bye~"

As they tread the blood-soaked ground and returned to Takamagahara, something unexpected happened—they began to vomit right at the gates of the grand shrine.

It seemed as though they were trying to purge not only the nausea but also the deep-seated disgust and memories of slaughter that had been etched into their very bones.

Especially Tamami, the gentlest among them, who couldn't stop retching. His face turned deathly pale, as if he might faint at any moment.

"Tamami, you have to remember—we're just cleaning up the filth that threatens this world,"

Kyouya patted Tamami's back, his tone cold but tinged with a hint of self-deluding conviction. "If we don't deal with them, they'll destroy the world. We have no other choice."

Kengo leaned against the shrine gate, speaking in a low voice to Tamami:
"The first time you kill, it's terrifying. The second time, it's even worse. By the third, you stop feeling anything... It's like catching measles—it numbs you over time."

His voice carried a heavy shadow, as if he were reminding both Tamami and himself of a painful truth.

The scene shifted again: Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami, one after another, took down legendary demons of myth—Ibaraki-dōji, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tsuchigumo, and Amanozako. With each cataclysmic clash, gales tore through the air, blades shredded everything in their path, and surging walls of water crushed their foes.

They annihilated their enemies with swift and ruthless efficiency. Each battle was more brutal than the last, far beyond the scale of any incident ever seen in Gensokyo, and far surpassing what the girls could have imagined.

As the battles dragged on, the trio's eyes grew increasingly hollow, their movements more decisive. What once caused them to retch uncontrollably after each fight—the nausea and resistance—was gradually swallowed up by the act of killing itself.

Time and time again, they used the most merciless methods to utterly obliterate their foes, showing neither pity nor compassion.

When the trio returned to Takamagahara once more, what was once routine vomiting after a battle had all but ceased in the later stages—replaced instead by a deeper emptiness and a pale, lifeless gaze.

Their actions became sharper, their expressions more emotionless. The sheer carnage of their slaughter played out over and over, shattering the perceptions of the fifteen girls watching.

Kyouya's wicked grin, Kengo's cold detachment, Tamami's gentle demeanor—all stood in stark contrast to their ruthlessly violent methods. Their clothes were long since soaked in blood, splatters from their foes staining their faces, yet their expressions seemed devoid of reaction.

Fierce winds tearing flesh, sword light slicing enemies apart, tidal waves crushing all—time and again, they ended their foes in the cruelest ways, without a drop of mercy, leaving the girls' hearts aching at every scene.

Finally, the memory halted, and the library fell silent once more. Yet the girls' minds could find no peace. Clenching her fists, Reimu spoke in a low voice,
"So… that's their past? Are these really the same three we know?"
Her words quivered with disbelief and shock.

Yukari slowly closed her fan, her voice subdued:
"So that's their true past… the reason they never wanted to talk about it."

Her gaze held conflicting emotions—astonishment mixed with a faint, pained sympathy.

"They've been through so much without ever letting us know…"

Remilia murmured, guilt flickering in her eyes. She looked around at the others, her voice trembling slightly, almost imperceptibly:
"We… knew far too little about them."

Mokou slammed a fist on the table, teeth clenched.
"Those idiots! They went through all that, but never said a word!"

Anger warred with concern in her voice, while her eyes shone with a newfound resolve.

Aya lowered her head, hands clenched tight, her voice quivering:
"So… that's how heavy their smiles really are."
She tried to swallow her turmoil, but tears slipped free, falling unchecked.

Marisa frowned, staring at the floor, her grip tightening around her magic staff. Her voice was heavy and trembling:
"Kengo… You've always been so calm and collected. It's because you've carried all this… yet you still act like nothing's wrong. You've never shown us any of it…"

Her lip trembled, her voice laced with concern:"Just what do you take us for?"

Suika sat on the floor, took a swig from her gourd, but the usual hearty smile was nowhere to be seen. She mumbled,
"Kengo… you always say how oni are so forthright, but it turns out you had all that weight on you…"

Her voice grew fainter:"You never told us anything, making us guess it all… you big idiot…"

Komachi leaned against the wall, her expression clouded with bitterness.
"Kengo, how did you manage all this? Whenever we'd talk about life, you were always so composed. I see now you never really wanted us to know…"

She sighed softly:"What a fool. Did you really think we wouldn't care?"

Youmu's hands trembled slightly. Her tone carried both conflict and worry:
"Kengo-san… have you truly been suffering this whole time? Seeing you wield your sword so coldly… so mercilessly…"

She swallowed hard, her voice catching:"Why did you never tell me?"

Sakuya's gaze had softened, though a deep complexity lingered in her eyes.

She spoke in low tones:"Kengo-san… no wonder you've always been so cautious—so harsh on yourself. You've been used to living like this for a long time, haven't you?"

She sighed softly:"With a past like that… how did you endure it?"

Sanae's eyes shone with conflict and hurt. Her voice quavered:
"Tamami… you're always smiling, yet you've shouldered so much… All those smiles, were they just so we wouldn't worry?"

Her tone grew quieter:"Did you really think… we wouldn't notice?"

Gone was the grin from Yuyuko's face, replaced instead by deep sympathy and sorrow.
"Tamami… is your kindness born from all this suffering?"

She sighed, her gaze overshadowed by emotion:"You could have told us… why keep it all to yourself?"

Kaguya lightly bit her lip, her voice turning low."Tamami… I always thought you were just a clueless fool, but now I see… you've been hiding so much. For what reason?"

She inhaled, her eyes gradually steadying."No matter what, I won't let you go through that again."

Patchouli whispered:"So behind that gentle smile was this kind of story…"

Her tone carried a note of guilt."Tamami, why didn't you ever tell me… How did you survive this?"

Flandre spoke with unease and concern in her voice:"Tamami-niisan, have you really… gone through so many terrible things? Why not tell me?"

She bit her lip, a trace of resolve in her gaze:
"Either way, from now on, I'll always be there if anything happens."

The fifteen girls looked at one another, their eyes reflecting shock, turmoil—and, above all, a shared resolve.

Reimu spoke first, a fierce determination sharpening her tone:"Whatever happens, we need to hear it from them. We need to know why."

The others all nodded. By then, they could no longer contain the flood of emotions in their hearts.

The images still flickered, and the memory hadn't ended. Another scene unfolded, showing the three familiar figures, injured from head to toe.

Their torn, bloodstained clothes hung off them, and they trudged weakly across the brilliantly lit land of Takamagahara. They leaned on one another, as though they had just emerged from a hellish trial.

Yet each step seemed to pierce them like needles. The very air around them carried an invisible pressure. Gazes from all directions weighed on them—some reverent, some fearful, some hostile. The whispered voices grew louder, stabbing into their ears:

"That's… the Toushin (闘神)! They're back!"

"Unbelievable. They survived and came back… how horrifying."
"Killing machines… They're not gods, they're monsters!"
"Why are such monsters still allowed in Takamagahara? They should just die!"

(Note: Toushin (闘神): A divine warrior born from Japan's sacred relics, embodying both celestial power and the responsibility to protect the cosmos through destructive battles.

Hearing those words felt like needles piercing the girls' hearts. Their eyes stayed on the image of the three, seeing how they paid the words no heed—even as their faces remained utterly unmoved, as if they had grown used to such treatment.

Kyouya still wore his usual cocky grin, though his tone had a faint hint of self-mockery:"Look at that—a nice warm welcome."

He gave a slight shake of his head, as though trying to dispel the curses echoing around him. Yet the girls could see the weariness and loneliness hidden in his eyes.

Kengo silently propped Kyouya up, his cold demeanor masking all emotion. He spoke quietly,"Don't mind them. We did our job—let's just go back."

His voice was deep and calm, but his steps grew heavier, as though he were burdened by an invisible chain.

Tamami hooked an arm around each of them, still wearing his gentle smile. He spoke softly,
"Let's get some real rest once we're back. Maybe the Ukemochi will cook us something tasty."

He sounded casual, as if he were talking about an ordinary day. But the girls could sense the resignation and suffocating tension behind that smile.

In the image, the three continued trudging forward with difficulty, until a single golden silhouette broke through the crowd and rushed toward them with immeasurable warmth. It was Amaterasu.

She pulled the three into a tight embrace, her voice filled with compassion and gentleness:"Thank you for all your hard work, my little brothers… Let's go home."

Her embrace was like the warmest safe haven, allowing their exhausted bodies to relax just a little.

Soon afterward, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo arrived, silently standing by with worried, pained expressions. Susanoo gently patted Kyouya on the shoulder, speaking in a low voice:

"Well done. Once you're back home, get some proper rest—ignore all that nonsense."

Tsukuyomi, meanwhile, calmly tidied their rumpled clothes, his tone showing deep concern:

"When we return, I'll have people prepare your favorite dishes. Don't push yourselves any further."

Watching this scene made the girls' hearts ache. They could hardly imagine that these three—ruthless and unfeeling "Toushin(War God)" on the outside—found only the faintest warmth back in Takamagahara by relying on the care of the Three Noble Children.

The scene shifted to another setting: this time, the three sat in a tranquil courtyard, accompanied by a dignified, gentle goddess—Kushinada-hime.

She softly poured them tea, speaking in a gentle, flowing voice:

"You must be tired from the mission this time. Here, drink more tea and take a moment to unwind."

Her voice was like a murmuring stream, carrying a comforting power that soothed the heart.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law," Kyouya said, finally showing a trace of a relaxed smile as he lifted his teacup for a sip.

Not far away, Konohana Sakuya-hime stood on the other side of the courtyard, waving to the three of them.

"If you have time, come see the cherry blossoms! They're really beautiful this year."

Once again, the scene changed. Now the three were seated at a low table with Ame-no-Tajikarao and Takemikazuchi, the tabletop lined with an assortment of fine sake.

Ame-no-Tajikarao laughed heartily, raising a sake bowl toward Kengo:

"Come on! One more bowl—show me how well you can hold your drink!"

Meanwhile, Takemikazuchi drank as he discussed combat techniques with Tamami, and the atmosphere was unexpectedly friendly.

Elsewhere, Ame-no-Uzume was guiding the three in a dance lesson. She grinned and said:

"If you use these movements in battle, you'll be quicker on your feet. Here, I'll show you once more!"

The three mimicked her dance steps awkwardly, prompting her to cover her mouth in a fit of laughter.

The final image lingered on a sumptuous dining table, where Ukemochi no Kami was serving them an array of refined dishes. With kindly eyes, she said:

"You've worked hard. Eat something hot to build up your strength. There will be many more missions to come."

However, that warmth lasted only a fleeting moment. As the footage continued, the girls saw Amaterasu in the main hall, locked in a dispute with the eight million gods.

The haughty deities condemned the three tsukumogami in one voice:

"They're not fit to be considered gods! They're nothing but tools for killing in Takamagahara and the human realm! Since they're tools, they ought to perform their duties quietly!"

Countless gods sat high above, their gazes cold and their words dripping with condescension:"Their existence is solely for waging war, for the peace of both the divine and human realms. That's their responsibility."

"Worship? They don't deserve it at all! Such ominous beings should be sealed away forever."

"Are they gods? They're nothing more than Takamagahara's weapons!"

Amaterasu remained silent for a moment and ultimately made no rebuttal. Her silence was unmistakably a tacit compromise. Seeing this, the girls felt a piercing pain in their chests, as though something had seized their hearts and squeezed tight.

The scene returned to the three on their own. They sat in a remote corner of Takamagahara, each remaining quiet.

Finally, Kyouya could bear it no longer and burst out laughing toward the sky, though his laughter overflowed with self-mockery:

"Hah… Aren't we gods, too? Are we only gods in name? Or… are we really nothing but the tools they say we are?"

His voice gradually tapered off and ended in a weary murmur:"Why on earth are we even fighting?"

Kengo lowered his head, his tone cold and repressed:"For peace. Isn't that the reason for our existence?"

He paused, then raised his head, resentment and anger flickering in his eyes:

"But we don't even get the respect we deserve as gods. They only see us as tools, as weapons. Is that really our value?"

Tamami said nothing, merely burying his hands against his knees. His gentle smile had vanished entirely, and he spoke in a hushed voice:

"What are we really fighting for? Is it for Takamagahara and the human realm, or… only for these cowardly fools who want to keep us around?"

His words carried bottomless confusion and sorrow.

At this, the footage stopped, and a suffocating heaviness filled the library.

Reimu's fingertips trembled slightly as she glanced around at everyone, her voice laced with shock and pain:

"Why… why must they go through all of this? They haven't done anything wrong!"

Her voice rose almost to a shout, as if questioning the entire world.

Yukari's folding fan slipped from her hand, left ignored on the floor as she stared at the screen, remorse flooding her tone:

"How much have they kept from us… and we never even noticed."

"Idiots, all three of them!" Remilia clenched her teeth, a hint of anguish in her eyes. "Even if they're going through all that, do they really refuse to tell us anything at all?"

Mokou slammed her fist on the table again, her voice quavering with both anger and sorrow:

"How the hell did they endure any of this?! No wonder they always said we're their bonds… That explains it…"

Aya gripped her fan tightly, her voice catching in a sob:

"So their smiles… were weighed down by all this. How in the world did they bear it?"

"These guys… how did they even survive?" Marisa bit down on her lip, her voice betraying inescapable guilt and anxiety.

Suika tilted her head back, eyes tinged with redness, as though restraining her emotions:

"They could take on anything, so why… why won't they share these pasts with us?"

"Those three fools…" Komachi spoke softly as tears unwittingly spilled down her cheeks. "They always worry about us, but they never want us to know their pain…"

Youmu murmured faintly:"They're not killing machines… They're doing it all to protect this world… and even us."

Sakuya lowered her head, her voice heavy with pent-up emotion:"They won't even speak of their own suffering, yet they'll give everything to keep us safe…"

Tears streamed down Sanae's face:"Tamami… they're living, breathing people, too…"

Yuyuko's voice was so soft it was barely audible:"They don't even know why they're fighting, but still choose to risk their lives for everything…"

Kaguya spoke in a quiet tone:"Tamami… you all… why must you keep doing this? Why won't you let us share the burden?"

Patchouli's voice rang with overwhelming complexity:"After going through all that… how on earth did they endure it?"

Flandre whispered:"Tamami-niisan, you know full well we could help, so why hide it?"

Each of the fifteen girls fell into silence, their hearts weighed down by pain and self-reproach. At this moment, there was no awe in their eyes—only profound sorrow and unwavering resolve.