Chapter 12
The descent of Amaterasu had already left the girls in utter shock, but as the scene progressed and they heard her gently, yet helplessly, call them "my brothers," their hearts were completely overturned.
Reimu unconsciously clenched her fists, her entire body stiffening in place. "W-wait a minute… She called them… brothers? So Amaterasu is their sister? What the… Who… who are these people?"
Yukari slowly lowered her fan, her eyes flickering with an unprecedented mix of confusion and astonishment. "Amaterasu… the supreme deity of Takamagahara… and they are her brothers?"
Remilia's hand trembled slightly before she scoffed disdainfully. "Hah? Amaterasu's brothers? These guys… they've been playing the part to perfection. Seems they're even better at pretending to be ordinary than I am."
Mokou let out a bitter laugh, muttering through gritted teeth, "So, 'ordinary tsukumogami,' huh? Looks like we've all been played for fools."
Aya hastily opened her notebook, but her hands were trembling so much that her writing came out jagged and uneven. "Amaterasu's brothers… This is beyond a scoop… No, this is…" Her voice trailed off, growing quieter with each word.
Sanae was frozen, her mind completely blank. "Amaterasu… is their sister? Then… who is Tamami?"
Yuyuko, for once, shed her usual smile, murmuring softly, "I see… So that's why… That unfathomable aura around them—it all makes sense now."
Patchouli raised her head, a flicker of disbelief in her gaze. "Amaterasu… This means… they aren't just ordinary tsukumogami… they might even be…" She stopped mid-sentence, falling into silence.
Flandre stared wide-eyed, clutching her hat tightly, her face filled with shock. "Amaterasu is their sister? Does that mean Tamami-niisan is a god?"
Kaguya's expression grew serious as she spoke in a low voice. "Amaterasu's brothers… What kind of burden are these three carrying?"
Marisa gripped the brim of her hat tightly, grinding her teeth. "Hah… So all that 'just know a bit,' 'ordinary,' was just an act? These guys… they're something else."
Suika exhaled lightly, her gaze filled with unusual contemplation. "No wonder Kengo always says 'just happened to,' turns out… they really can bear the weight of the heavens and earth."
Sakuya gently placed her hand over her pocket watch, her expression conflicted. "Kengo… Just who… are you three?"
Youmu lowered her head in deep thought, murmuring softly, "They… Why would they hide all this?"
Komachi leaned back in her chair with a long sigh, a wry smile on her lips. "These 'ordinary tsukumogami' sure kept their secret well… didn't they?"
In the scene, Amaterasu faced her three brothers, her expression filled with their unwavering determination.
She sighed softly, cupping a strand of golden light in her hands before casting it into the void. The air split open, the ground trembled, and a path seemed to tear itself into existence between heaven and earth.
From within the deep darkness, the chilling aura of the entrance to Yomotsu Hirasaka seeped out.
Amaterasu turned her back to the pathway, looking at them with overwhelming sorrow and a deep sense of hope. "My brothers… It seems that no matter what I say, I cannot dissuade you. But you must understand, Yomi-no-Kuni has long become a land of death, steeped in Mother's hatred. There is no place for the living there."
She paused, her gaze softening with an indescribable warmth. "But I believe in you… For the sake of these girls, you will be able to ease Mother's resentment toward the living…"
Taking a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage, Amaterasu raised her hand toward the passage. "Go now, cross Yomotsu Hirasaka, and save those you hold dearest… But remember, no matter how perilous the road ahead, my gaze will always follow you."
Reimu's lips trembled lightly, her voice barely a whisper. "They're really… willing to go this far?"
Yukari pressed her lips together, her gaze complicated. "Crossing into Yomi… Even for us, that would be…"
Remilia gritted her teeth, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the scene. "They… for our sake… would challenge something like this…"
Mokou growled softly, her hands clenched into fists. "These idiots! Who asked them to go this far for us!"
Aya's notebook slipped from her hands, her voice trembling. "This isn't just blind stubbornness… What kind of people are they?"
Sanae's tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she choked out, "Tamami… Why… Why would you do this?"
Yuyuko gently closed her eyes, her voice laced with sorrow. "Their hearts… are so deeply devoted…"
Patchouli lifted her head slightly, her voice trembling with shock. "Tamami… Why do you always… make it impossible to ignore you?"
Flandre sobbed uncontrollably, clutching her hat tightly, her body shaking.
Kaguya gripped her bamboo flute, her gaze filled with conflicting emotions. "This isn't ordinary sentiment… They've already… given their lives to love us, haven't they?"
Marisa lowered her head, her voice hoarse. "Kengo… You idiot… We're not worth it, are we?"
Suika shook her head, her tone bitter. "These fools… they've never cared about themselves…"
Sakuya whispered softly, her gaze betraying her hidden pain. "Kengo… Why must you…"
Youmu gritted her teeth, her hand tightly gripping her blade. "This isn't ordinary affection… This is…"
Komachi looked up, a bitter smile on her face. "Those three… just how much more are they hiding from us?"
The decaying, decrepit Yomi-no-Kuni unfolded before the girls' eyes. It was a land where the air reeked of rotting corpses, vengeful spirits roamed freely, and death lingered heavily.
Even Yuyuko, as a spirit of the dead, Komachi, a guide for departed souls, and Youmu, someone familiar with death, felt suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere.
Reimu unconsciously covered her mouth, struggling to breathe. "This… This place is utterly uninhabitable! They actually came here—and crossed it twice?"
Yuyuko's lips paled, her fan trembling as it fell from her hand. Her voice trembled as she murmured, "This place… It's even more terrifying than I imagined… and… I remember now…" Memories of utter helplessness and terror surged back into her mind like a tide, stripping her of her usual graceful demeanor.
Komachi struggled to steady her breathing, but her body trembled uncontrollably. "Yomi-no-Kuni… So this is it… That feeling, as if even your soul is decaying—how could anyone withstand it?" She couldn't fathom how the tsukumogami had fought here, enduring such a place and still pushing forward.
Youmu gripped her swords tightly, her voice trembling. "I remember… Back then, we… we were trapped here… completely unable to escape…"
She closed her eyes, cold sweat pouring down her forehead as she recalled the darkness of Yomi, which felt as if it were tearing her soul apart.
Sanae shook uncontrollably, sobbing quietly. "A place like this… and they walked this path? Not just once, but twice… It's impossible! How did they manage to endure this?" Her heart was filled with pain and disbelief.
As the girls' memories slowly returned, they began to vividly recall the despair they had experienced while trapped in Yomi.
When they saw the tsukumogami combining their powers with the Three Sacred Treasures to face countless Yomotsu-shikomes and the destructive Hachiraishin, forcing Izanami herself to appear, their hearts were overwhelmed with an indescribable shock.
In the memory, Kyouya wielded the Yata-no-Kagami, its surface reflecting a blinding light akin to the sun. Standing at the forefront, his figure was like an impenetrable shield, protecting Kengo and Tamami behind him.
The Hachiraishin's cataclysmic lightning bolts descended like roaring dragons, but he raised the Yata-no-Kagami without fear, completely reflecting the lightning back, annihilating a massive formation of Yomotsu-shikomes.
Kengo swung the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the sword's energy storming across the battlefield. Each strike ripped through the air, shredding waves of Yomotsu-shikomes into pieces. His determined gaze never wavered, even as blood continuously seeped from the wounds on his shoulders. Amid the flurry of blades, he carved a path of blood.
Tamami held the Yasakani-no-Magatama in his hands, the jewel emanating a verdant glow. As he chanted, a massive tidal wave rose from the depths of the deathly abyss, transforming into a destructive tsunami that engulfed hordes of Yomi spirits. The oceanic force momentarily brought life to the dead lands.
The scenes depicted in the memory held the girls' gaze, leaving them unable to look away.
It was the very scenario buried deep within their memories—not long ago, they had been swallowed by Yomi-no-Kuni, trapped in endless despair. At the time, they thought it was their end, never imagining that the three tsukumogami would step into Yomi without hesitation, fighting countless spirits to save them.
Reimu's eyes widened, her fingers trembling as she pointed at the Yata-no-Kagami, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, and Yasakani-no-Magatama shown in the memory.
Her voice quivered with shock. "Wait! Aren't those… the Three Sacred Treasures?! The Yata-no-Kagami, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Yasakani-no-Magatama… How can they have these?!" She struggled to compose herself, but the disbelief in her heart was uncontrollable. "They… they couldn't be…"
Reimu's words were left unfinished when Yukari coldly interjected.
She snapped her folding fan shut with a sharp sound, her gaze sharper than usual. "As I suspected, they aren't as simple as they seem. The Three Sacred Treasures—those are part of their very bodies."
Her voice carried a hint of barely concealed shock as she tapped her fan lightly. "These are nothing like the replicas held by the Watatsuki sisters. What they possess are the true Three Sacred Treasures, imbued with the power of creation itself, embodying the primordial forces of the heavens and earth. In other words—they don't merely own the Sacred Treasures; they are their very incarnations."
Leaning against the edge of a gap, her tone gained a shade of incredulity: "Their identities… are they connected to Izanagi and Izanami?"
Remilia sat in her seat, her hands folded on her lap. She bit her lip, her tone tinged with a hint of bitterness. "To think we never noticed their true identities… They sure hid it well."
Mokou clenched her fists, her eyes locked onto the mirror's surface. "The Yomotsu-shikomes… They actually tore through them like that?" Her tone was low, filled with barely concealed anger and guilt. "How much have they kept from us? And… to think they went this far for our sake!"
Aya flapped her wings nervously, pointing at the scene as she spoke with agitation. "The Yata-no-Kagami, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Yasakani-no-Magatama… Who exactly are these three?! How could they possibly be connected to the Three Sacred Treasures?!" Her voice trembled as she tried to piece together the clues in her mind, only to feel more lost with each attempt.
Beside her, Yuyuko gently covered her mouth, speaking softly. "The Three Sacred Treasures… the creations of Izanagi and Izanami…" She recalled the image of the three tsukumogami fighting desperately to protect them, her gaze filled with complicated emotions. "So that's the source of their power…?"
Sanae curled up in her chair, hugging her knees, her voice trembling. "They… fought their way into Yomi to save us, using such power…" She covered her face with her hands, her tone filled with guilt and self-reproach. "How could I have never realized… they were carrying such burdens?"
Suika slammed her fist onto the table, her teeth clenched tightly. "Idiots! Those three idiots… They hid so much from us! They pushed themselves this far for our sake!" Her eyes burned with anger, yet she couldn't hide the deep emotions beneath.
Kaguya sat upright in her chair, the bamboo flute in her hand trembling lightly, nearly slipping from her grasp. "The creations of Izanagi and Izanami… The Three Sacred Treasures… And these three…?" She tried to maintain her composure, but the shock and gratitude in her eyes were impossible to conceal.
These memories pierced the girls' hearts deeply. They watched helplessly as the three tsukumogami shielded them from deadly attacks, wielding overwhelming power to challenge Yomi's ruler—all for the sake of returning them to Gensokyo.
"They never told us… and yet they've been protecting us all along." Reimu's voice trembled as her gaze lingered on Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami in the mirror.
The girls fell silent, their downcast eyes reflecting a storm of emotions—shock, guilt, and a subtle yet overwhelming sense of pain and gratitude.
In the Scarlet Devil Mansion library, the memory mirror hovered before them, reflecting the confrontation in Yomi-no-Kuni. Izanami stood in the pitch-black realm of death, her expression cold and imposing. Her demand struck the girls like a thunderclap, shaking them to their core.
"To save them, there is only one condition." Izanami's voice was calm, yet brimming with an irresistible authority. "Bring Izanagi to me, and have him willingly return to my side."
Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami stood before her, the abyss of despair and Yomi's fiery inferno behind them, teeming with vengeful spirits.
Their gazes showed no hesitation, yet they were filled with a suppressed sorrow.
Inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls' expressions were varied, but all of them were struck speechless by the condition presented. The air was heavy with silence until Reimu suddenly slammed the table and broke the stillness.
Reimu's voice was filled with shock and disbelief. "Izanami wants them to bring Izanagi here?!" Her eyes were fixed on the scene in the mirror, and her tone grew increasingly frantic. "That's impossible! Izanagi swore long ago that he would never set foot in Yomi again! Such a condition… How could anyone fulfill it?!"
Yukari coldly watched the memory play out, her folded fan tapping against her palm. Her tone was low and dissatisfied. "Hmph, Izanami truly is ruthless. She knows this demand is utterly impossible to meet, yet she made it anyway." She shook her head gently, her gaze briefly sweeping over the resolute figures of the three tsukumogami.
A faint, icy smile crept across her lips. "She wants to see them trapped in an impossible dilemma, doesn't she?"
Remilia's face darkened as she clasped her hands on her lap, letting out a derisive snort. "Izanagi? So, he's Izanami's husband…." Her voice carried a trace of disdain and sarcasm.
"Too bad, this deal is destined to fail. That creator god has already rejected her outright—how could he possibly step into this hellscape again?"
Mokou stood up angrily and slammed her fist onto the table with a deafening thud. "This is blatant sabotage! Izanagi swore never to return to Yomi—this is clearly a dead end!" Her fists trembled from the force, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration. "That woman just wants to make sure they can't save anyone!"
Aya flew over to the table, her wings flapping anxiously as she spoke with a frantic and uneven tone. "Wait a second—wasn't Izanagi's vow one of the most infamous ones in mythology? That wasn't just casual talk; it was a vow made with his divine essence!"
Her voice sped up, her emotions spiraling out of control. "There's no way that vow can be broken. Izanami is just making things impossible on purpose!"
Yuyuko let out a soft sigh, her gaze filled with pity as she looked at the figures of the three tsukumogami in the mirror. She spoke quietly, "As expected, the ruler of Yomi won't let anyone go so easily. This kind of condition isn't a negotiation—it's a demand meant to make them give up…." Her eyelids lowered slightly as she added softly, "After all, this is an utterly unachievable condition."
Sanae curled up, hugging her knees, her voice weak and trembling. "This… This is too much…. Izanagi-Sama made a vow like that—there's no way it could be fulfilled!" Her voice grew choked as tears dripped onto her skirt. "And yet… they're willing to challenge something so impossible, all for us…."
Suika bit her lip, anger nearly causing her to smash the table apart. "That woman is outright mocking them! She knows better than anyone how binding Izanagi's vow is, yet she still demands they try to break it!"
She let out a harsh growl, her eyes fixed on the mirror. "Those three idiots… They're not really going to try, are they?!"
Kaguya's normally calm expression stiffened slightly, and a trace of deep thought flickered in her eyes. She shook her head gently, her tone heavy. "Izanami's condition is less a deal and more a punishment. They don't really have a choice."
Her fingers lightly brushed against her bamboo flute as her gaze lingered on the three tsukumogami. "What… will they do?"
In the scene displayed in the mirror, the three tsukumogami exchanged glances. Their expressions did not waver; it seemed they had already made up their minds.
Kyouya slowly raised his head, his gaze steady as he looked directly at Izanami. His tone was calm yet resolute. "If this is the condition, we'll give it a try."
Kengo gently gripped the hilt of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, his eyes showing no trace of hesitation. "Our father's vow is his to decide, but saving them is our responsibility."
Tamami smiled faintly, holding the Yasakani-no-Magatama in his hands, his gaze warm yet unyielding. "Even if the path is impossible, we'll walk it, because they're worth it."
Hearing their words, the girls inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion felt as if a blade had pierced their hearts.
Complex emotions surged within them—shock, pain, gratitude, and a deep sense of helplessness all intertwined.
Reimu gripped the edge of the table tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Her voice trembled as she spoke softly, "Those three idiots… It's impossible, yet they're still going to try…."
Yukari hid her eyes behind her fan, but the tears shining behind it betrayed her emotions. She whispered softly, "Truly, they're foolish beyond belief."
The memory in the library shifted again, transitioning from the desolate Yomi to a serene forest clearing. In the scene, an ancient and majestic shrine appeared. Those familiar with the location immediately recognized it.
"Taga Taisha?" Sanae's eyes widened as she covered her mouth in surprise.
Reimu, however, frowned in confusion before narrowing her eyes. "Why are they at Taga Taisha?"
As the scene continued to unfold, they quickly found their answer.
In the scene, Kyouya, Kengo, and Tamami stood before the main hall of Taga Taisha, gazing up at the shrine dedicated to Izanagi. They clearly knew what they needed to do, but their expressions carried a hint of hesitation and reluctance.
Kyouya was the first to speak, his voice loud enough to sound like he was shouting, "Hey! Old man! Come out already! Stop pretending to be asleep!"
Kengo placed one hand on his hip and gave the shrine's main pillar a few solid pats, his tone full of exasperation. "Old man, stop hiding. Mom sent us to find you. If you don't show yourself, we'll have a hard time reporting back!"
Tamami gently knocked on the sliding doors, his voice soft and polite. "Father, please reveal yourself. Mother really wants to see you."
However, the shrine remained silent. Only the mountain breeze rustled, causing the paper charms on the stone lanterns to flutter faintly.
Kyouya crossed his arms and let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, since the old man's so stubborn…" His gaze swept across the shrine, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's get practical, then!"
Kengo clenched his fists and spoke in a deep voice. "Looks like he won't listen until he sees some damage."
Tamami hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, muttering quietly, "We'll fix it… probably."
The next moment, without any hesitation, the three began dismantling the shrine!
Reimu and Sanae, watching this unfold, simultaneously cried out in shock.
"What are they doing?! Demolishing the shrine?!"
Reimu jumped to her feet, pointing at the memory mirror and shouting, "No way! That's Taga Taisha! It's dedicated to Izanagi no Okami! How can they tear it down?!"
Sanae covered her face, her expression full of disbelief, her voice trembling. "How dare they… Demolishing a shrine… I wouldn't even dream of doing something like that!"
Meanwhile, the three tsukumogami clearly felt no guilt, even seeming to enjoy the destruction.
Kyouya summoned a gale of wind and slammed it down with his palm, instantly blowing apart a side hall. Tiles and wooden beams scattered everywhere.
Dusting off his hands, he grinned and said, "Not bad. These pillars are pretty sturdy."
Kengo raised the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and swung it, slicing the front gate in half. His tone carried a tinge of regret. "Such fine architecture… What a pity. But if the old man won't come out, we don't have a choice."
Tamami waved the Yasakani-no-Magatama, conjuring a small wave that swept away an entire courtyard of stone lanterns and offering tables. Bowing slightly, he murmured, "We're truly sorry. We'll definitely fix it later."
In just a few minutes, Taga Taisha was reduced to rubble. Standing amidst the wreckage, the three wiped the sweat from their brows, looking rather pleased with themselves.
At that moment, the sky suddenly darkened, and the ground began to tremble. A voice, majestic and filled with rage, roared from the heart of the destruction.
"You three little brats! I was asleep, not dead! Did your mother send you here as a demolition crew?! How dare you destroy my shrine with such glee?!"
With a thunderous roar, Izanagi's form slowly materialized from the ruins. With a sweep of his hand, divine light enveloped the area. In an instant, Taga Taisha was fully restored, every broken tile and beam looking pristine and new.
The three immediately turned meek, standing in a straight line and bowing apologetically.
"Sorry, old man! We didn't mean to!" Kyouya said with an awkward grin.
"Yeah, we just wanted to get you to come out. We really didn't mean to wreck your shrine," Kengo added, his tone dripping with guilt.
"The shrine looks amazing now. Your restoration skills are truly impressive," Tamami said, not forgetting to offer a compliment.
Inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls stared at the scene in stunned silence. Their eyes were wide, their mouths slightly agape, yet no words came out.
Finally, Reimu was the first to explode.
Inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Reimu's voice exploded in a mixture of anger and urgency, her forehead veins visibly throbbing.
"These idiots! They actually went through with it—tearing down a shrine! And it's Izanagi no Okami's shrine, no less!" she shouted, slamming her hands on the table.
"Do they even understand that this is blasphemy?!"
Sanae clutched her head in despair, her expression one of complete breakdown."This is too much… As a shrine maiden, I even sweep the shrine carefully, and they just… tore it apart?! I can't face anyone after this!"
Yukari propped her chin on her hand, letting out a long, exasperated sigh.
"Those three… Were they sent here specifically to cause chaos?" she muttered, a faint trace of wry amusement in her tone.
"But… I'll give them this—forcing Izanagi no Okami to show up is no small feat."
Remilia crossed her legs with a scoff, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
"Such audacity. But you can't deny—it worked, didn't it?"
Aya flitted around anxiously, her wings fluttering in agitation.
"How could they do this?! This is Taga Taisha! If the outside world finds out, it'll cause a massive uproar!"
Yuyuko, on the other hand, chuckled softly, her tone gentle.
"Well… at least the outcome wasn't all bad. The shrine was restored, and Izanagi showed up."
Meanwhile, the memory mirror showed Izanagi waving his hand with an angry roar."Why are you here tearing down my house?! What does your mother want this time?!"
The three tsukumogami immediately straightened up, standing in a row, and answered in unison:"Mom said she misses you!"
Back in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls were utterly speechless, their mouths slightly agape. After a long pause, they collectively let out a deep, exasperated sigh.
"…What are these three thinking?!"
The sacred light over Taga Taisha faded, and the shrine returned to its tranquil state.
Izanagi stood on the steps of the fully restored shrine, his expression a mix of complexity and unease as he looked at the three tsukumogami lined up before him. After hearing their explanation, his expression shifted from surprise to growing alarm.
"What did you say? You want me to go back to Yomi-no-Kuni?!" Izanagi staggered back, as though he had just heard the most preposterous thing imaginable.
He raised a hand, pointing at the three, his tone filled with absolute refusal.
"Are you kidding me?! Do you think Yomi is some kind of public toilet?! Somewhere you can just go and leave whenever you feel like it?! I barely escaped that place alive, and I swore I'd never set foot there again! And now you want me to go back? What kind of joke is this?!"
The three stood their ground, their gazes unwavering as they stared back at him."Listen, there are plenty of women in the world," Izanagi said, waving his hand dismissively, his tone growing impatient.
"Why are you so fixated on them? There are countless other girls out there. You've only been in Gensokyo for a few years. Why not give up on them and start fresh? Take my advice, don't do something so foolish."
This statement was like a lit fuse, instantly igniting the tsukumogami's fury.
"Give up?!" Kyouya grabbed Izanagi by the collar, glaring at him as he roared.
"Old man, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? You're telling us to give up on the most important people in our lives?!"
Kengo stepped forward, grabbing the other side of Izanagi's collar, his tone low and oppressive.
"We'd give our lives for them. And you're telling us to let them go? Do you even believe what you're saying?"
Tamami's expression remained calm, but his eyes burned with unprecedented anger. In a low, steady voice, he said:
"Father, do you even understand how much they mean to us? They are our bonds… the reason we continue to live."
The three of them shouted in unison:
"You coward afraid of your wife! We don't need your help—we'll go to Yomi ourselves and bring them back!"
Izanagi froze in place, stunned by their outburst. He stared at their unwavering determination, his voice tinged with suspicion and curiosity.
"Why? Why are you willing to go this far? They're just ordinary humans and youkai. What makes them worth risking your lives like this?"
At this, the three fell silent for a moment, exchanging a glance before releasing their hold on him. They stepped back, their gazes resolute despite the swirling emotions in their eyes.
Kyouya spoke first, his tone unshakable.
"Because they are our bonds… the most important people in our lives.
More important than ourselves, Gensokyo, or even this entire world."
Kengo followed, his deep voice filled with raw emotion.
"They've sacrificed so much to protect Gensokyo—some even gave their lives. We've seen their pain and despair with our own eyes… Why should they have to endure any more?"
Finally, Tamami added, his gentle tone carrying an undeniable firmness.
"If we can't protect them, then what's the point of our existence? Father, this is our belief… and our choice."
Izanagi listened quietly, his gaze growing deeper. He didn't respond immediately, lowering his head in thought.
After a long silence, he looked up at them, his tone no longer mocking but tinged with a helpless sort of admiration.
"You three… you're as stubborn as they come. To think you'd go this far for them…"
Back in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls sat in silence, watching the memory mirror. The sheer depth of emotion and determination in the tsukumogami's words struck them like a hammer, resonating in their hearts.
Their thoughts churned with a maelstrom of emotions—shock, guilt, awe, and an unshakable sense of gratitude—all tangled together, leaving their throats tight and their voices unable to form words.
As the memory lingered on their declarations of love and devotion, the room's atmosphere grew heavy, each girl processing the weight of what they had just witnessed in her own way.
Reimu's hands clutched tightly at the hem of her shrine maiden outfit, trembling slightly. Her gaze was fixed on the image within the memory mirror, and Kyouya's words echoed endlessly in her mind:
"They are the most important people in our lives, more important than Gensokyo, more important than this entire world!"
"Idiot…" Reimu murmured softly, her voice tinged with both frustration and emotion. Her eyes welled with tears, which she struggled to conceal, though the deep impact of his words was impossible to hide.
"You, with your chūnibyō nonsense… saying something like this…"
Yukari leaned against the edge of her gap, lightly covering the corner of her mouth with her fan. She was silent for a few seconds before letting out a quiet laugh, her voice tinged with exasperation and a trace of unguarded emotion.
"Really… just like a fool of a man."
Her gaze grew distant, her tone softening as her thoughts drifted.
"More important than Gensokyo, more important than this world… is that so?" she murmured, an indescribable feeling welling up in her heart. "How unsettling."
Remilia lowered her head, the red of her eyes betraying a tumultuous storm of emotions she couldn't suppress.
"Spouting such grandiose words…" she muttered in a low voice, her tone almost icy. Yet the tumult in her chest wouldn't settle.
She looked up at Kyouya's image, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Damn it… Why does it have to be you?"
Mokou clenched her fists tightly, her head lowered as she bit her lip in silence. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her heart roiled like a raging sea.
"The most important people?" she muttered, her tone stiff and awkward. "Those kinds of words… coming out of an idiot like you…"
But her fingers slowly loosened, and the defenses she had carefully built in her heart crumbled completely under the weight of his declaration.
Aya flapped her wings anxiously, her face flushed as she stared at the memory mirror in a daze.
"More important than the world? Does he really think that?"
She lowered her head and covered her mouth, her voice a mix of uncertainty and joy.
"This… this is major news… But how could I ever write this down?"
Marisa froze for a moment before awkwardly scratching the brim of her hat, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips.
"Hey, hey… Kengo, that's not your style at all."
Her gaze, however, darted away uneasily, and the tips of her ears turned red. Gripping her witch's hat tightly, she mumbled under her breath,
"But… it doesn't sound too bad."
Suika leaned back in her chair, almost dropping her gourd from her mouth. Her eyes widened as she stared at Kengo in the memory mirror, equal parts shocked and annoyed.
"That guy! He actually… actually said something like that!"
She stomped her foot heavily, puffing out her cheeks in frustration. But the blush spreading across her ears betrayed her flustered emotions.
Sakuya's eyes wavered slightly, her pocket watch clicking softly as she snapped it shut. Her expression remained composed, but the words had clearly unsettled her.
"A confession like that… it's almost too straightforward." she murmured, though her voice carried a hint of warmth.
"But… it's not entirely unpleasant."
Youmu gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, her head bowed as her ears burned crimson. Her voice was shaky as she stammered,"W-why… why would he say something so blunt…"
She struggled to calm herself, but the more she thought, the more her mind spiraled. Finally, she lowered her gaze and whispered softly,
"Honestly… you idiot."
Komachi scratched her head, her expression casual but her tone slightly tinged with bitterness."Hey, Kengo, those words don't sound like you."
Still, her hand brushed lightly over her chest as she quietly added,
"But… it's nice to hear."
Sanae's eyes widened as she clasped her hands tightly over her mouth, her face flushed a deep red."Tamami… actually said that!"
Her emotions churned within her, tears slowly welling up in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she spoke,
"I… I never thought… that I could be so important to him…"
Yuyuko froze briefly, then let out a soft laugh, her gaze softening with an uncharacteristic warmth.
"Tamami… would actually say something like that."
She rested a hand lightly on her chest, her gaze distant, her tone filled with quiet admiration."What an impossible little one to dislike."
Kaguya's bamboo flute slipped from her grasp as she stared blankly at the memory mirror. Her usual composure gave way to rare confusion, and her voice wavered with a hint of panic."That guy… actually said something like that?"
Clutching her skirt tightly, she murmured,"What an idiot… Damn it."
Patchouli closed her book gently, her tone as calm as ever."Simple and direct words, aren't they?"
But her fingers trembled slightly as she softly added,"Still… they're rather moving."
Flandre's eyes widened, her hands clutching her chest as her cheeks turned an unprecedented shade of red."Tamami-niisan… actually said that!"
She rushed to the memory mirror, pointing at Tamami's image with excitement."I love Tamami-niisan the most!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with pure joy and emotion.
Back in the Scarlet Devil Mansion library, the memory mirror once again shifted. This time, the tense atmosphere gave way to something utterly absurd and comical.
Inside Taga Taisha, Izanagi let out a deep sigh, pressing a hand to his forehead as he regarded the three tsukumogami with exasperation.
"You three really are the most stubborn creatures alive. Fine, I'll help you—but before we set off, I need to refuel. The offerings at the shrine recently have been flavorless, and there's no way I'm heading into Yomi-no-Kuni on an empty stomach."
The trio frowned simultaneously."Dad, are you seriously nitpicking the offerings again?" Kyouya asked incredulously.
Izanagi nodded with the utmost seriousness."Of course! We're talking about going to Yomi. How could I do that without the best desserts in the world? You three—go find me something truly delicious."
In the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls couldn't help but think of the tsukumogami's culinary skills, which had long left them in awe—truly at a "god-tier" level.
Reimu's eyes sparkled with a trace of anticipation."They wouldn't… they wouldn't happen to whip up something absolutely legendary on the spot, would they?"
Sanae clenched her fists in excitement, her voice filled with admiration.
"Their cooking… it's bound to produce something mythical!"
Patchouli's calm tone carried a hint of expectancy.
"A challenge like this shouldn't be much trouble for them, I imagine."
However, the three in the Memory Mirror shattered their expectations with their actions.
"Alright, Dad, just you wait!" Kyouya said, clapping his hands before turning and dashing out of the shrine.
"Desserts, huh? Leave it to us!" Kengo added confidently, then followed suit without looking back.
"Be right back!" Tamami said as his parting words, and in the next moment, the three figures disappeared without a trace.
The scene shifted to their respective homes in Gensokyo. They moved swiftly, rummaging through drawers, closets, and even storage rooms. Moments later, each emerged carrying five boxes of chocolates.
Kyouya carefully cradled his five boxes in his arms, his face full of pride.
"These are the Giri chocolates Reimu and the others gave me! They've got to be the best desserts in the world!"
Kengo held five beautifully wrapped boxes, his face brimming with confidence.
"These are from Suika and the others. Every single box is filled with heart and soul! How could Dad possibly complain?"
Tamami carried his five boxes gently, his expression warm but tinged with pride.
"These were handmade by Sanae and the others. I'm certain they are the sweetest taste in the entire world."
Reimu's eyebrows twitched violently as she glared at the image of Kyouya in the Memory Mirror.
"He… he actually used the chocolates I gave him for an offering?! Does he even know what that represents?!"
Reimu slapped the table and stood up, her face flushed red.
"For an offering to the gods?! That was something I made with my own hands! How could that possibly be appropriate?!"
Deep down, however, a faint sweetness crept into her heart:
"Does he really think… it's the best?"
Yukari narrowed her eyes slightly, lightly tapping her fan against her palm, her tone carrying a hint of amusement:
"The chocolates I gave him were used for an offering… to his dad?"
She let out a soft sigh, but the corners of her lips curled into a subtle smile.
"Well, it's true he wouldn't just offer up something ordinary. I suppose this proves… my chocolates really are special."
Remilia's face darkened as she crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a small scoff.
"The best desserts in the world? Hah, he's really full of himself…"
She turned her head aside, her voice filled with discontent and barely concealed bashfulness:
"Hmph, if it weren't for the special meaning behind that box of chocolates, I wouldn't care at all whether he offered it or not."
Mokou grit her teeth, her expression conflicted, her gaze darting between the Memory Mirror and the table.
"That was my chocolate! He… he actually used it as an offering to his dad…"
She lowered her head, her ears tinged red, but her tone remained defiant:
"Fine, let him do what he wants… it was just Giri chocolate, anyway. Yeah, Giri chocolate!"
But the faint sweetness in her heart betrayed her pretense.
Aya fluttered around anxiously, her voice rising with agitation.
"Wait, wait, wait! He used my chocolate as an offering to Izanagi-no-Okami?! What… what even is that supposed to mean?!"
Her expression shifted from anger to embarrassment, and finally to resignation as she covered her face and muttered:
"Well, at least he really thought my chocolate was the best…"
Marisa scratched her hat awkwardly, her tone tinged with discomfort.
"Wait a sec, that's the chocolate I worked so hard on… and he used it as an offering to his dad? What the heck?!"
She complained, but an involuntary smile crept onto her face.
"Fine, at least he thinks it's the best-tasting. That's not too bad, I guess."
Suika bit the mouth of her gourd, her face full of exasperation.
"What kind of brain does this guy have? He used the chocolates I gave him as an offering to his dad?"
She stomped her foot heavily, huffing indignantly:
"Idiot! But… well, maybe not a complete idiot."
Sakuya sighed softly, her expression still calm and elegant, though a hint of both resignation and shyness flickered in her eyes.
"He used my chocolates as an offering to Izanagi-no-Okami… does he even understand how disrespectful that could be?"
She lowered her head slightly, her voice soft:"But… does he really treasure them that much?"
Youmu's eyes widened, her hands clutching the hilt of her sword, her cheeks quickly turning crimson.
"He… he used my chocolate for an offering?!"
She muttered under her breath, her voice laced with embarrassment.
"Even though it was Giri… but, but… geez, he's such an idiot!"
Komachi covered her face, sighing heavily.
"Does this guy not get it, or is he pretending not to? That was the chocolate I gave him, and he used it as an offering…"
But her lips twitched upward as she quietly added:"Well, at least he really likes it."
Sanae's eyes widened, her cheeks flushed bright red."He… he actually used the chocolates I made as an offering to Izanagi-no-Okami?! Those… those took so much effort!"
She muttered softly, her voice trembling."Even if they're just Giri… are they really that good?"
Yuyuko laughed gently, her tone warm and soothing."Tamami used my chocolates as an offering to Izanagi-no-Okami… what a sweet and innocent boy."
She blinked, her gaze softening with a hint of playful teasing."Still, I can't say I dislike it."
Kaguya's expression stiffened slightly as she murmured:"He… actually used my chocolates as an offering?"
She bit her lip, her tone a mix of barely concealed shyness and dissatisfaction:"What an idiot… but somehow, this kind of idiot isn't so bad."
Patchouli's tone remained calm.
"An offering to Izanagi-no-Okami? Certainly, an interesting choice."
But she lowered her head slightly, her fingers lightly brushing the pages of her book, her voice tinged with softness:"At least he thought my chocolate was worthy."
Flandre's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands excitedly.
"Wow! My chocolate is really that good? He even used it for an offering to the gods!"
She spun in circles, her voice full of pride.
"That's amazing! Tamami niisan really likes the chocolate I gave him!"
The Memory Mirror shifted to a scene of warmth and gratitude as the three laid out fifteen boxes of chocolate at the shrine like treasures before Izanagi.
Kyouya was the first to speak, his voice brimming with pride.
"Dad, these are the best desserts in the world!"
Kengo chimed in with confidence.
"Each box was made with care and love, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds!"
Tamami smiled softly, his voice tender.
"Though they're Giri chocolates, they represent the most important feelings to us."
Izanagi hesitated for a moment before picking up a box and carefully opening it. Inside were ten neatly wrapped chocolates, lovingly prepared. He broke off a small piece, placed it in his mouth, and chewed thoughtfully. His eyebrows twitched slightly before he nodded.
"Not bad," he said simply.
One by one, he tasted chocolates from Kyouya's five boxes, then Kengo's, and finally Tamami's. All fifteen chocolates were savored meticulously.
As the three men finally felt a sense of relief, thinking that Izanagi would be satisfied, he suddenly set down the chocolate in his hand, gently closed his eyes, and a single tear slid down his cheek.
"Dad?" Kyoya froze, stepping forward awkwardly.
"What's wrong?" Kengo frowned, his gaze filled with concern.
"Father... don't you like these?" Tamami's voice carried a trace of unease.
Izanagi remained silent for a while before finally opening his eyes. His gaze softened, becoming warm. In a low voice, he began to speak: "No... These chocolates remind me of the beautiful times I shared with her when we created the world."
That one sentence left the three men stunned, and even the girls in the Scarlet Devil Mansion widened their eyes, momentarily speechless.
Izanagi's gaze fell upon the chocolates on the table as he continued: "Within these flavors, I can feel love, warmth, and a deep longing... Back when she and I worked together to create the world, those were the happiest days of my life. Although much misfortune followed, these flavors took me back to those moments in an instant."
He wiped the tear from the corner of his eye, letting out a gentle sigh, his tone carrying a hint of wistfulness.
The three tsukumogami felt the shift in the atmosphere. They exchanged glances before Kyoya softly asked, "So, Dad... What are you saying?"
Izanagi looked up at the three of them, his gaze filled with paternal pride. "It seems you have truly found the ones you must protect for the rest of your lives."
Within the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls heard these words, and it felt as though something had hit them hard in the chest.
Reimu froze for a moment, then quickly flushed red, waving her hands to cover her slightly flustered expression. "Nonsense! It's just giri chocolate! There's no way it has that much meaning!"
Yukari gently waved her folding fan, a subtly meaningful smile appearing on her lips. "Oh? Giri, is it? It seems their father sees through things more clearly than they do."
Remilia turned her head away, crossing her arms, a slight upward curve forming on her lips. "Hmph, idiot... but I have to admit, he has a good eye."
Mokou scratched her head, her tone carrying a hint of unease. "Hey, hey, it's giri chocolate! Isn't that old man being a little dramatic?"
Aya fluttered her wings nervously as she fumbled with her camera. "This... this can't be..."
Sanae lowered her head, covering her face as she whispered, "But... but somehow, what he said feels kind of right..."
Youmu let out a soft laugh, her tone full of tenderness. "It seems Tamami really knows how to cherish things."
Kaguya gently held her bamboo flute, murmuring softly, "Idiot... Saying something so direct."
Patchouli's tone was calm. "Perhaps... this dessert is more valuable than we realized."
Flandre clapped her hands, laughing happily. "Tamami-niisan is the best! He really loves my chocolate!"
Suika let out a hiccup, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Those three guys..."
Komachi leaned back in her chair, letting out a light sigh. "Honestly, Kengo really is such a straightforward guy."
In the image, Izanagi rose from his seat, his gaze turning serious. "Alright, I've received your heartfelt offerings. In that case, I can no longer refuse. For the ones most important to you, I'll lend you a hand this time."
Back in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the girls were still immersed in the emotions stirred by his words.
Their feelings were complex and difficult to describe, but none of them could ignore the subtle changes happening within their hearts.
Author's Note:
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