Chapter 9

Sanae crouched beside the dried-up pond, her brows furrowed as her fingertips gently traced the stones at the bottom.

The pond, which should have been filled with crystal-clear water, was a vital symbol of the Moriya Shrine and central to the faith surrounding Kanako and Suwako. Now, all that remained was a cracked, parched basin, and her eyes were clouded with fatigue and concern.

"Kanako-sama, Suwako-sama, will this situation affect the faith of our believers?" Sanae looked up toward the two deities standing nearby.

Suwako pouted, placing her hands on her hips with a hint of displeasure. "Sanae, you've always been good at managing the pond. How did it come to this?"

Kanako crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "It might be a problem with the underground water veins. But even I would need some time to redirect the flow."

"But… if we keep delaying…" Sanae began, her voice tinged with urgency, when a familiar voice, warm and tinged with a gentle awkwardness, called out from behind her.

"Sanae-san, what are you doing?" Tamami had quietly entered the courtyard, gazing at the dry pond with his usual soft smile.

Sanae raised her head, her sigh escaping involuntarily at the sight of his familiar face. "The pond has dried up. It's an essential water source for the shrine, and without it, I feel like I'm letting Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama down."

Tamami scratched the back of his head, his tone slightly flustered. "That's not good! Why don't I take a look? Maybe… we could try praying?"

Suwako blinked, crossing her arms as she observed him with interest. "Oh? You can pray? Now I've got to see this!"

Kanako shook her head gently, saying nothing, but her eyes reflected a subtle skepticism. After all, this seemingly absent-minded tsukumogami hardly inspired confidence when it came to resolving such issues.

Tamami knelt by the pond and carefully inspected its condition. Closing his eyes, he brought his hands together in prayer, murmuring softly, "Dear heavens, please send some rain and help restore the pond!"

Kanako raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly toward Suwako to whisper, "Do you think this will actually work?"

Suwako, watching with amusement, whispered back, "No idea, but let's wait and see."

At that moment, a clear spring of water suddenly bubbled up from the bottom of the dry pond as if new life had been breathed into it.

The water quickly gathered and filled the entire pond, its crystal clarity shimmering in the sunlight, more radiant than ever before.

Sanae's eyes widened in astonishment. She quickly scooped up a handful of water, examining it closely, and exclaimed, "It's back! The pond is restored, and it's even clearer than before! This is incredible!"

Suwako bounded forward, pointing enthusiastically at the water. "Wow! This is even better than my spells! Tamami, where did you learn to pray like that?"

Kanako, though surprised, quickly masked her expression, nodding with composure. "Such results… it seems the faith of the Moriya Shrine has truly shown its strength."

Tamami scratched his head, his smile as sheepish as ever. "Oh, no, no. It's probably because the heavens heard Sanae-san's heartfelt wish."

Sanae pressed her lips together into a small smile, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. She glanced shyly at the kind-hearted tsukumogami before her.

Despite his usual clumsiness, he always managed to bring comfort and reassurance when it mattered most.

"Thank you, Tamami-san," Sanae said softly.

Tamami waved his hands dismissively, looking slightly embarrassed. "No, no, it's all thanks to the gods. I just… helped a little bit."

Kanako and Suwako had recently started noticing how Sanae's face would light up whenever she mentioned Tamami in casual conversation. Sometimes, her delicate features even took on a faint blush.

"Sanae, why do you look like a blooming flower every time you talk about Tamami?" Suwako teased, her tone playful and her eyes glinting mischievously.

"N-no, I don't!" Sanae waved her hands in denial, though the slight flush on her cheeks betrayed her true feelings. "It's just that he… he's so kind and talented. He's helped me a lot."

Kanako gave her an all-knowing look, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Oh? Talented, you say? Could it be that you've taken a liking to him?"

Sanae's face turned scarlet, and she huffed in protest. "Kanako-sama, how can you say such things! He's just a very good friend who's kind to everyone!"

Suwako's grin widened as she leaned in closer. "Kind to everyone? Then why do you always bring him up?"

Sanae stammered, unable to form a proper response, and lowered her head, fiddling nervously with the hem of her skirt. Even she couldn't quite explain the feelings stirring within her heart, but the thought of Tamami brought a sweet, nagging warmth she couldn't ignore.

Patchouli sat at the center of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's library, a slightly damp ancient tome spread open on the table before her.

She carefully wiped the pages with a soft cloth, letting out a quiet sigh. The air in the library was thick with humidity, and it seemed even the pages of the books had absorbed the dampness.

Nearby, Koakuma couldn't hold back a low complaint. "Patchouli-sama, this won't do! If it stays this humid, the books will all be ruined!"

Patchouli set the book down, her eyes tinged with fatigue. "I know, but the humidity problem has been persistent. I've tried using magic to adjust it, but it only works for a short time. It feels like I'm missing some fundamental solution."

At that moment, soft footsteps echoed through the library, followed by a familiar, cheerful voice. "Patchouli -san, what are you working on?"

Patchouli looked up to see Tamami standing at the library entrance, his signature warm smile on his face. His gaze fell on the books on the table, and his brow furrowed slightly. "These books… are they damp? They look kind of wet."

Koakuma eagerly nodded, as if she had found a lifeline. "Yes! The library is too humid! What should we do, Tamami-san? Do you have any ideas?"

Patchouli, however, let out a faint scoff. "Him? A natural airhead of a tsukumogami? What could he possibly do? This isn't a simple issue."

Tamami chuckled at her remark, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, you never know. Maybe… I could try praying? Maybe the heavens could send some nice dry air?"

Patchouli raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair with a sigh of exasperation. "Praying? The library won't suddenly dry out just because you pray."

"It can't hurt to try," Tamami replied with a sincere smile. He walked to the center of the library, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands together in prayer, looking both earnest and slightly comical.

Patchouli crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair, watching him coldly. "If this actually works, it'd be nothing short of a miracle."

What happened next left her speechless. After Tamami's "prayer," the air in the library quickly became dry and comfortable. The previously damp pages of the books smoothed out, and even the long-standing moisture in the corners seemed to dissipate with a gentle, warm breeze.

"This… how is this possible?" Patchouli, stunned, walked to the shelves and examined several volumes. She found not only were they no longer damp, but even the lingering water stains on the pages had vanished completely.

Koakuma stared at Tamami with an expression of pure admiration. "Tamami-san, you're amazing! This problem has troubled Patchouli-sama for so long, and you solved it so easily!"

Tamami chuckled sheepishly, waving his hands dismissively. "Oh no, no. It must be because the heavens felt sorry for these books. I just prayed a little; the real credit goes to the heavens."

Patchouli gave him a skeptical look before letting out a faint scoff. "Tamami, your bumbling act is surprisingly effective. But… I still have to thank you, even if I don't believe prayer alone could cause this."

Tamami quickly waved his hands, a shy smile on his face. "Ahaha, no need to thank me. Maybe the library just decided to behave on its own!"

Patchouli's lips curved into a slight smirk as she gave him a sidelong glance. "Is that so? Well, if the library has another problem, don't tell me your 'prayers' won't work."

Koakuma leaned closer to Patchouli, whispering, "Patchouli-sama, don't you think Tamami-san is really reliable? Even though he seems a bit silly, he always manages to solve the problem."

Patchouli didn't respond, her gaze lingering on the now-dry books. Her eyes flickered with a complicated emotion as she muttered softly, "Reliable… perhaps."

The Scarlet Devil Mansion's garden was as beautiful as ever, sunlight bathing the lush green lawn while the surrounding flowers swayed gently in the breeze.

At the center of the garden, however, Flandre stood with puffed cheeks, hands on her hips, glaring at a dry fountain with visible frustration.

Tamami happened to pass by and noticed her expression. With a chuckle, he approached her. " Flan-san, what's got you so upset? What's wrong with the fountain?"

Flandre turned to look at him, her lips pouting. "Tamami-niisan, the fountain's broken! It's not spraying water anymore! I just wanted to see it looking beautiful like it used to, but no matter how long I wait, nothing happens!"

Tamami scratched the back of his head, teasing gently. "You didn't break it by pushing it too hard, did you?"

Flandre stomped her foot indignantly. "Of course not! I just touched it a little, and it broke on its own!"

Nearby, Meiling had been trimming the flowers. Hearing the conversation, she approached with a tired sigh, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Lady Flan isn't exaggerating. The fountain has been broken for a while. I've tried inspecting it, but nothing seems to work. It's been a real headache."

Tamami raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to the fountain, carefully inspecting it. After a moment, he scratched his head and said with a laugh, "Maybe the fountain's just tired? How about I help it perk up a bit?"

Flandre tilted her head in confusion. "Perk it up? How?"

Without answering directly, Tamami crouched down and placed his hand gently on the fountain's base, pretending to focus intently. In truth, he was subtly manipulating the surrounding water elements, redirecting the underground water veins to flow into the fountain's internal pipes.

At the same time, he carefully adjusted the direction and pressure of the water to ensure the jets would spray smoothly.

A few minutes later, the fountain let out a gurgling sound, and a clear stream of water suddenly burst forth from the spout. The water arched gracefully into the air, scattering like sparkling pearls in the sunlight.

"Wow!" Flandre's eyes lit up as she clapped her hands in delight, flitting around the fountain in excitement. "It's alive again! Tamami-niisan, you're amazing!"

Tamami quickly stood, waving his hands in embarrassment. "No, no, it must've just woken up on its own. It wasn't me."

Meiling stood dumbfounded, staring at the now-functioning fountain. "Tamami-san, you're incredible! I've tried fixing this fountain for so long, and you just… touched it, and it's good as new? That's amazing!"

Flandre darted to Tamami's side, tugging on his arm as she exclaimed, "No matter what, Tamami-niisan, you really helped me! Next time, make something even more fun for me, okay?"

Tamami scratched the back of his head with a shy laugh. "Ahaha, sure, just let me know if you need anything."

Watching this scene, Meiling couldn't help but quietly marvel. Flandre, who always kept her distance from others, especially men, was now so openly close to this seemingly ordinary tsukumogami, even showing such pure, joyful smiles.

"Maybe… Tamami-san really is something special," Meiling muttered softly, a small smile playing on her lips.

As Flandre continued to cheer and circle the fountain, Tamami stood to the side, watching her joyful expression with a warm feeling spreading through his chest. He gently patted his chest and murmured under his breath, "This is enough… as long as everyone can smile like this."

In the Scarlet Devil Mansion's study, Patchouli had recently been pouring over magical tomes related to water elements with more focus than usual, much to Koakuma's surprise.

Every time Flandre mentioned the fountain that Tamami had repaired, Patchouli would pause her reading, a faint smile appearing on her face, her satisfaction and pride barely concealed.

"Tamami… he's indeed quite remarkable," Patchouli murmured softly, her usually indifferent tone hiding a rare note of admiration.

Remilia, seated by the tea table, regarded Patchouli with a skeptical look. "You don't look like someone who's merely admiring. What's this? Have you taken a liking to him?"

Patchouli immediately cleared her throat, casting a cool glance at Remilia. "Don't be ridiculous. He's just a polite and interesting friend."

Flandre, on the other hand, didn't bother hiding her affection and chimed in enthusiastically, "Tamami-niisan is amazing! He fixed the fountain and even gives me sweets to eat!" Her face lit up with pure joy.

Sakuya quietly observed from the sidelines. Recently, she had also noticed Patchouli's and Flandre's reactions whenever Tamami's name came up—especially Patchouli's unintentional smiles, which led Sakuya to form some silent suspicions. "It seems it's not just Lady Flandre; even Patchouli has started paying special attention to this tsukumogami."

The bamboo forest surrounding Eientei had always been lush and vibrant, but now, large swaths of bamboo leaves had turned yellow, and the soft bamboo branches drooped to the ground. The entire forest seemed to have lost its vitality.

Kaguya stood at the edge of the forest, her brows knitted in worry. She gently stroked a withered bamboo leaf, muttering under her breath, "How could this happen…? If this bamboo forest dies, can Eientei still be called Eientei?"

Tamami appeared nearby, his footsteps light and his face wearing his trademark warm smile. Upon seeing the scene, his voice carried genuine concern. "Kaguya-san, what's wrong? Are these bamboo trees feeling sad?"

Hearing his voice, Kaguya turned around, momentarily startled. She had long grown accustomed to Tamami's straightforward demeanor, yet his casual question somehow eased her frustration slightly.

"The water source for the bamboo forest has dried up for some reason," she sighed, her tone tinged with rare helplessness. "Without water, the bamboo can't survive, and they've started to wither. If this continues, my bamboo forest will be ruined."

Tamami scratched his head, his expression a mix of concern and his usual guileless demeanor. "That won't do! Such a beautiful bamboo forest must be saved. How about… you let me give it a try?"

Kaguya looked at him in surprise, unable to hide her skepticism. "You? Tamami, what could you possibly do?"

Tamami didn't answer directly, instead stepping into the bamboo forest with a smile. He crouched down and carefully examined the cracked soil, placing his hand gently on the ground as if listening to something.

After a moment, he turned back to Kaguya with a smile. "I think… a little prayer might do the trick."

Kaguya couldn't help but laugh, a trace of amusement flickering in her eyes. "A prayer? Tamami, you really are amusing."

However, as Tamami closed his eyes and pressed his hand against the ground, he quietly manipulated the water veins deep within the earth.

His power, gentle as the tide, redirected the underground water source back toward the bamboo forest, gradually allowing the withered roots to reconnect with vibrant streams of water.

At the same time, he subtly adjusted the terrain to ensure even water distribution, securing the forest's long-term nourishment.

Standing up, Tamami flashed a relaxed smile. "Alright, that should do it. Give it a few days, and let's see."

Kaguya watched him, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something mysterious about Tamami's actions, but she chose to shake her head and trust in his "prayer."

A few days later, as Kaguya wandered through the bamboo forest, she was astonished to find that the once-yellowed leaves had regained their lush green hue.

The bamboo stood tall and vibrant, the entire forest pulsing with newfound life. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground, and the gentle rustling of the bamboo in the breeze seemed to whisper its gratitude.

"This… how is this possible…" Kaguya murmured to herself, unable to contain her astonishment. She quickly turned and ran back to Eientei, where she found Tamami sipping tea in the courtyard.

"Tamami! The bamboo forest has recovered!" Her voice brimmed with excitement and disbelief.

Tamami looked up with his characteristic sheepish grin. "Really? That's great! It seems the heavens truly heard Kaguya-san's wish!"

Kaguya stared at his guileless expression, her lips curving into a small smile. She wanted to say something but ultimately only laughed softly. "You really are a strange one."

At that moment, Eirin approached, holding an ancient record of the bamboo forest's water sources.

Her brows furrowed as she studied the pages, her gaze tinged with confusion. "Kaguya, the bamboo forest's recovery rate is far too unusual. Even with restored water sources, it shouldn't have revived so quickly. Tamami-san, did you really only 'pray'?"

Tamami froze for a moment, then waved his hands frantically. "No, no, no! I didn't do anything! It must have been the bamboo trees themselves working hard—and maybe the heavens lent a hand too, really!"

Reisen, standing nearby, interjected with an expression of awe. "Tamami-san, we've been struggling with the bamboo forest's problems for so long. Even Eirin-sama's methods didn't work… Your prayer is way too effective!"

Tamami, flustered by their scrutiny, scratched his head and tried to appear innocent. "I just gave it a try, and it actually worked… Haha, it must've been Kaguya-san's sincerity that moved the heavens."

Eirin silently observed Tamami, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. This seemingly airheaded tsukumogami's actions and demeanor were far too modest, yet there was an inexplicable power behind his every move. She didn't press the matter but made a mental note to pay closer attention to him.

As for Kaguya, standing beside Tamami and watching his kind smile, a warm feeling blossomed in her chest. She had initially thought Tamami to be clumsy and simple, yet his actions had brought so much warmth and reassurance.

"This guy always solves my problems in such an awkward yet miraculous way…" Kaguya chuckled silently to herself, then spoke gently, "Thank you, Tamami."

"Haha, no need to thank me at all!" Tamami replied, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

Kaguya gazed at his profile, her eyes lingering a moment longer than usual, a faint smile curling her lips without her realizing it.

At Eientei, Kaguya occasionally brought up Tamami, especially after the bamboo forest's revival. Each time she mentioned him, a hint of warmth would flicker in her eyes, something Reisen couldn't help but notice.

"Princess, have you taken a special liking to Tamami-san recently?" Reisen cautiously asked.

Kaguya froze for a moment before her lips curved into a subtle smile. "I just find him interesting. For someone who claims to be ordinary, he sure does a lot of extraordinary things."

Eirin, observing from the side, saw through it all. This smile was one she was all too familiar with. "Kaguya, it seems your feelings for him aren't just admiration, are they?"

Kaguya's face turned slightly red as she hastily waved her hands. "Don't be ridiculous! He's just a friend, nothing more!"

Reisen blinked curiously at Eirin. "But, Princess, your face does turn a little red when you talk about him."

Kaguya fell silent, quickly picking up her fan to hide her face and mask the emotions stirring within. Even she didn't want to admit that these feelings had already gone beyond mere friendship.

The courtyard of Hakugyokurou was always elegant and serene, especially the lotus pond. In past years, its leaves spread like jade, and the blossoms dotted the water like pearls.

When a gentle breeze brushed through, it brought a sense of peace and joy.

However, the lotus pond had recently lost its vitality. The water had turned murky, withered lotus leaves floated lifelessly on the surface, and the scene resembled abandoned remnants.

Yuyuko stood by the pond, holding a fan in her hand as she let out a soft sigh. Her typically lazy posture carried an uncharacteristic tinge of melancholy.

Just then, Tamami arrived for a visit. As he stepped into the courtyard, his eyes immediately noticed the pond's unusual state. Seeing Yuyuko's expression, he instinctively moved closer.

"Yuyuko-san, what's wrong?" Tamami asked gently, his tone full of concern, accompanied by his signature warm, goofy smile. "Are the lotuses… unhappy?"

Yuyuko turned to look at him. At the sight of his innocent demeanor, the corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly, but she quickly returned to a neutral expression. "Yes, this lotus pond's water has turned murky recently, and the flowers have begun to wither. I've tried adjusting the nutrients for the surrounding plants, but it hasn't helped. It's truly heartbreaking."

Tamami paused for a moment before nodding earnestly. "The water is tired… That won't do. Let me give it a try." He crouched by the water's edge, carefully studying the surface, then lightly touched the water as if conversing with it.

"Maybe the water just needs a little rest," he said, closing his eyes and pretending to "pray." In reality, he subtly activated his power, causing the sediment in the pond to settle and awakening the deeper water currents to replenish the pool.

He delicately adjusted the water's nutrients and flow, ensuring the lotus roots were nourished like they were being showered with gentle rain.

Moments later, the water began to clear, and the emerald-green lotus leaves stood upright once more. The buds swelled and started to bloom, releasing a faint, enchanting fragrance.

The small stream at the edge of the pond bubbled with a cheerful sound, and the entire courtyard seemed to return to its peak of vitality.

Yuyuko watched this transformation with a look of astonishment before a faint smile crossed her lips. She softly said, "Tamami-san, you truly are a miraculous person."

Tamami, a bit embarrassed, scratched the back of his head and waved his hand. "No, no, no! It's all thanks to the heavens. Maybe they just wanted Yuyuko-san to be happy!"

Yuyuko chuckled, her eyes filled with a gentle glow. This tsukumogami's natural clumsiness and sincerity always brought a warmth to her heart, and his modest demeanor at this moment only made him seem even more endearing.

When Yuyuko returned indoors, her mood was noticeably brighter, and the smile on her face was more radiant than usual. As Youmu served her a carefully prepared meal, she couldn't help but notice her mistress's expression.

"Yuyuko-sama, you seem particularly cheerful today," Youmu commented, unable to resist asking.

Yuyuko replied with a beaming smile, "Oh? Do I? It's just that the lotus pond has regained its beauty, so of course, I'm in a better mood."

Youmu frowned slightly, recalling the scene in the courtyard earlier. She distinctly remembered seeing Tamami discreetly tend to the pond's issues, and when Yuyuko mentioned him, the unintentional softness in her smile seemed warmer than usual.

"Tamami-san certainly helped a great deal," Youmu remarked tentatively, carefully observing Yuyuko's reaction.

Yuyuko paused momentarily, then covered her mouth and let out a light laugh. "Indeed, he's a very thoughtful friend who always seems to appear when needed."

However, Youmu keenly noticed that as Yuyuko spoke those words, her purple eyes held a fleeting hint of tenderness and fondness—something entirely different from her usual carefree demeanor.

Youmu thought to herself, Yuyuko-sama's attitude toward Tamami-san… seems a little different from that of an ordinary friend.

Tamami's presence had become a unique sight in Gensokyo. With his genuine, goofy smile and slightly oblivious demeanor, he was nearly impossible to distrust.

To Sanae, Patchouli, Flandre, Kaguya, and Yuyuko, this tsukumogami was not only a savior for solving their everyday troubles but also an unparalleled master of culinary art.

His meals and desserts always carried an indescribable warmth, healing the hidden corners of their hearts. However, when they realized they weren't the only ones to receive Tamami's gentle care, a subtle, indescribable emotion quietly surfaced.

Sanae was the first to notice. That day, after Tamami left the Moriya Shrine, she sat on the veranda, hugging her knees, reminiscing about the miso soup and grilled fish he had just prepared before leaving.

The taste was unlike the shrine's usual offerings—it carried a sense of human simplicity and warmth.

"What an extraordinary person…" she murmured softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

However, later she heard that Tamami had visited the Scarlet Devil Mansion and prepared an elegant afternoon tea for Patchouli in the library.

Sanae froze for a moment, an unexplainable feeling welling up in her heart. She had thought Tamami's warmth at the Moriya Shrine was special, but now she realized his kindness was far-reaching.

"Well, it's just a few meals; it's nothing special, right?" Sanae tried to convince herself, but her fingers absentmindedly traced circles on her knees. She didn't notice the faint trace of sourness in her voice.

At the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Patchouli felt a similar pang. After Tamami solved the lingering humidity issue that had troubled her for so long, he even prepared a table of French-style afternoon tea for her and Koakuma.

The buttery cookies and creamy puddings left Patchouli deeply impressed with his culinary skills.

However, when Koakuma casually mentioned that Tamami often prepared meals for Sanae at the Moriya Shrine, Patchouli's hands paused. Lowering her gaze, she turned back to her book, but her lips subtly tightened.

"It's just cooking… nothing more," she muttered under her breath, trying to suppress the faint discomfort within her. Yet for the rest of the day, she struggled to focus on reading, her mind replaying images of Tamami busily cooking at the shrine.

Flandre's reaction was more straightforward. After Tamami left the Scarlet Devil Mansion, she cheerfully lounged in the garden, munching on a savory pie filled with delicious toppings he had prepared for her.

It was a taste she had never experienced before, bringing her immense joy.

However, one day, she heard Meiling mention that Tamami had gone to Eientei, repaired Kaguya's bamboo forest, and even prepared Japanese dangos and red bean soup for the residents there. Flandre's smile froze.

"Did Tamami-niisan also make desserts for Kaguya-neesan?" She tilted her head, squinting as she lightly poked at her pie with her finger. Despite its exceptional taste, she suddenly lost her appetite.

"No matter! Next time he comes, I'll make him cook more, just for me!" Flandre clenched her fists, mumbling to herself with a tone of slight dissatisfaction.

Kaguya's response was subtler. After Tamami completed the bamboo forest restoration and stayed for dinner, her usual high-and-mighty demeanor unconsciously softened.

The bamboo shoot risotto he made was so exquisite that she indulged without hesitation, setting aside her usual reserve.

"What an extraordinary person," Kaguya murmured as she watched Tamami's busy figure, a slight flutter stirring in her heart.

However, when Reisen casually mentioned that Tamami had prepared an entire table of luxurious Japanese sweets for Yuyuko at Hakugyokurou, Kaguya's smile faded slightly.

"He really does care for everyone, doesn't he?" Her tone was calm, but there was a trace of unacknowledged disappointment.

She tightened her grip on her fan, tapping it lightly against the table, as if trying to dispel the inexplicable emotion within.

Yuyuko was the last to notice. She had always appreciated Tamami's cooking and warmth. His desserts not only satisfied her taste buds but also filled a deep void in her soul.

However, when she heard from Youmu that Tamami frequently showcased his culinary skills at Moriya Shrine, the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and Eientei, she found herself uncharacteristically lost in thought.

"So that's how it is. He's kind to everyone…" Yuyuko said softly, her lips still curved in a smile, but it carried a faint trace of something undefinable. She turned to look at the lotus pond in the courtyard, as if it held the answers she sought.

Five girls, five personalities, yet at this moment, they shared a similar sentiment—admiration for Tamami's warmth and talent, mixed with an unspoken struggle to reconcile the fact that they weren't the only ones to receive his care.

And Tamami, ever the same with his genuine, goofy smile and heartfelt warmth, seemed completely unaware that his kindness had quietly stirred waves in their hearts.