7 The Scarlet Mist part 4​

Editor: Acerman

-POV: Me-​

Heyo, Arah here. That one guy who tortured a child by making her waiting in front of her house and in the end she fell unconscious because of exhaustion….FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-.

The guilt is still in there dude, even after I slept the guilt still lingers. Even though I stopped calling Akyuu a loli and started calling her a child, I know it's the same thing but the guilt man.

And of course I can't even bare to leave the mansion with this guilt. Ugh, that means I'm gonna hafta shift the schedule for putting my new home in the Forest of Magic.

But more importantly, I need to scold Akyuu, I have to make sure this doesn't happen again, but of course I will do it after she woke up.

Speaking of waking up, a notification appeared when I did so.

[5* The Red Mist Incident - Complete]

[Reward: 20.000 AP & 20.000 IP, random ability, random magic item.]

Thank you for the points and random thing.

When they said random, they really meant random.

[Obtaining "Dancing Master"]

[Make the user dance masterfully]

[Obtaining "Mimicry String"]

[Force the Target to mimic User's Movement]

Seriously, what do I do with Dancing Master?! Do I do Gangnam Style when the dance festival comes?! Do I tap dance on the middle of the stage or something?!...now when I think about it, it's not that bad of a skill. I gotta try dancing sometime.

And for Mimicry String, that's actually a cool item, perfect for trolling when in combat, or I can add it into my spell card, PERFECT! I'AM A GENIUS!

But right now, I'm eating my breakfast in the main room, the a room where Akyuu usually does her main activity, reading. There're few thing you can do if your health is bad, and fewer thing you can do if there's no internet either. I wonder if her books are coming from Suzunaan. Kosuzu is younger than Akyuu when Forbidden Scrollery happens, so I guess Kosuzu is younger than seven, which is Akyuu's age right now. That also means the ones manning the store are her parents or her gramps.

…stuff to think when you are eating.

I looked at my breakfast.

A bowl of rice, a veggie soup, a river fish, an egg, tofu, a pickle and a pair of chopsticks for eating. All of those have been put on top of so called dish table. The height of the table is about as tall as your ankle, I guess? I don't know, I'm just estimating.

And also I'm eating in the corner of the room.

…I miss eating junk food.

*sigh*

Just eat the food, eat the food, eat it, eat it, don't complain….

I was eating, I heard multiple footsteps from the corridor.

I looked in the direction of the corridor.

It was Akyuu and her servant. She's wearing her everyday clothes.

Akyuu eyes and my eyes made contact but she immediately averted her eyes from mine.

It was an awkward but lovely atmosphere; happens all the time in my life.

She continued walking into the room and sat in the middle of it.

A new Servant came into the room to bring her her breakfast.

And then she started eating.

…it's silent. The only sound in the room was our eating.

*clink* *clink* *clack*

Well, I finished eating mine first. While I want to talk to Akyuu, she's still eating so I'm gonna wait first, just like any sensible being.

*clink* *clink*

…Still waiting.

*clink* *clink*

…Any minute now.

*clink* *clink* *clack*

She finally finished eating. The servant took the small table and full of plates away, leaving the only people in to be us.

I guess it's time.

I stood up and moved towards Akyuu.

She looked anxious and worried.

Steel your heart man, you have to do this.

After I sat down in front of Akyuu, I asked her a question.

"Akyuu-chan, why did you do it yesterday?"

"…I was just worried."

"So worried that you make yourself wait for me from the afternoon?"

"…"

"Akyuu-chan, did you really have no trust in me?"

"!" She looked shocked, "I…I have no excuse." And now she looks down.

…what's going on, why was she so worried about me? From Akyuu perceptive, I should be just another Outsider teenager that got lost in Gensokyo. Even if this is because I'm a guest in here, it doesn't explained why she'd wait for me from the afternoon. If she's doing it for the knowledge about the Outside world, she already know majority of it from the outside magazines that occasionally arrive in Suzunaan. If she's doing it hoping for some Outside technology, I already stated from the first week that I don't have any in me. Does she think I'm lying? That's unlikely because she has to know that I wouldn't gain anything from lying.

…don't tell me is it because of personal feelings? What kind of personal feelings? Siblingness? …or maybe love? Okay, take it back, that's waaaay to far; if I really think that's the reason then I'm just a narcissist fuck. Let's just ask her.

"Akyuu-chan, why did you care for me?"

"…because you are a guest. I can't just let them go dying when they are still a guest of my household." She answered, still looking down.

…it's a reasonable enough excuse but I think there's more to it…and she's still doesn't fully trust me enough to tell me.

*sigh* this is troublesome. One of the perk of being pessimistic is that you're already prepared for the worst, I guess.

Guess I need to fix this mood first.

"You know, I have a few feelings about what happened yesterday."

I saw Akyuu body stiffen.

"The first one is that I'm mad, mad at your action, pushing yourself too hard and ended up falling unconscious at the end of it, to be honest, I hate it."

Akyuu shoulder trembled.

"The second one is that I'm happy," Akyuu shoulder stop trembling "happy that someone actually care about me, aside from my family of course. The point is thank you for worrying about me."

I closed my eyes.

"The third and the last one, I'm sorry. My inability to prove that I could stand up for myself caused you, a child, to be worried about me, I'm really sorry."

I bowed my head.

I guess inferiority comes with the package of pessimistic personality.

"W-no, please raise your head Arah-san! That was not your fault! That was mine! I should be the one saying sorry!" She said hurriedly.

I raised my head and opened my eyes.

I'm face to face with Akyuu.

"No, I, as a man, hurt a girl, even if it's directly or indirectly because in the end I still hurt you."

I moved my hand.

"That's why right now," I pat her head. "I want to make it up to you, let's go out together right now." I smiled.

"Eh?" she was dumbfound with what I said.

"Just go with the usual attire you use when you go out. The place we are going isn't that far but use the pills, just in case." Still patting her.

"E-eh?" still dumbfounded.

"I will wait in front of the mansion. No need to be hurry, just take your time."

As I said that, I get up and proceeded to walk to the outside.

-In front of the Hieda Mansion-​

…she's really taking her time.

Is this supposed to be her revenge for making her worried?

Ugh, I better check everything I have before I regret it.

Money Bag, check.

My waist pouch, check.

My yukata is straightened.

Good, everything is in order.

…What? That's how every guy prepares himself whenever he's going to go out right? Or I'm the only one who lazy about it? Probably the latter.

"Sorry for the wait, Arah-san."

I turned around.

Oh, there she is, there she is, in her usual clothes along with a bag.

"You ready to go?" I asked.

"Yes, but if I may ask, where are we going?"

"We are going to Hakurei Shrine."

"Hakurei Shrine? Reimu-san?"

"Yeah, we gotta celebrate when the incident's been resolved and where better a place to celebrate if not in the Incident Resolver's home." I grabbed Akyuu's hand "and also you can ask her about the incident yourself."

"…Yes!" she finally smiled.

I lead her out of the Mansion.

-Morning, Village Market-​

"But of course, we need to buy the food first to start celebrating."

"…I guess trading food for information is fair enough." Akyuu nodded understandingly.

I don't know if Poor Reimu is canon or not, but I don't really have attachment with money here, so I'm okay with spending my money. As for the reason why I started the gathering service, it's just for passing time.

"Then Akyuu-chan, do you know where a good shop is?"

"Yes, I heard from some of the servants that there's good sweet shop around."

"Great, let's go."

Then we bought meat buns, dango, daifuku, manju, taiyaki, etc, etc, I'm hungry, I'm hungry, oh my god, I can't wait to eat all of this.

I have 8 bags of sweets in my hands; the bags are like paper bag but with rope for holding the bag, and 4 bags each in my hand.

"Arah-san, I can use Hieda household money to buy all the sweets, you know."

"Yes, I know, but I can't let a girl pay for me, it's all about the silly pride of a man."

"…a silly pride of a man?"

"Yes, just a silly pride of a man."

"…even though you're just a boy."

"And you're also just a girl, Akyuu-chan."

And she's pouting. I want to pat her too, but my hands are kinda full right now. Oh well…

-Morning, Hakurei Shrine Stairway-​

It's long, the stairway to Reimu place is really long, I'm okay because I have Body enchantment but…

I looked at the child beside me.

Akyuu eyes look dead, she's in despair. I think stairs are probably on her arch-nemesis list. But fear not! I will help this poor child from her ordeal!

I crouched down and faced my back to her.

"Hop on. I'm gonna take you to the top."

"…Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She hopped on my back; I could feel her weight.

"Pretty good, I didn't notice your weight at all."

"!" She's hitting my back, but of course I didn't feel anything from her attack.

"Hahaha, let's go." I just laughed at her action while climbing up the stairs.

-Hakurei Shrine-​

We arrived at the top.

"…can I get off please?"

"Of course."

I crouched again to let Akyuu down.

"…Stupid Arah."

"Yes, yes, I'm stupid."

I looked up ahead and I saw Reimu sweeping the path. She already noticed us and was observing us from the distance…wait…no…those eyes…she's observing me. I guess once when you've been branded a pervert, you will always be branded a pervert.

"YO! REIMU! WE COME TO PLAY!" I shouted at her direction.

"SHRINE IS NOT A PLACE TO PLAY!" she shouted back.

"WE GOT SWEETS!" I raised my 8 bags of sweets.

She suddenly appeared in front of me and snatched all the bags.

"I will prepare the tea." She ran off with the sweets.

I blinked and looked at Akyuu.

She's a bit dumbfounded by what just happen.

"You can go ahead first, I'm gonna go pray at the shrine for a minute."

"…Okay."

Akyuu and I parted; she went to Reimu's house and I went to the Shrine.

Let's see if I still remember how to do this.

Take the ladle with my right hand from this water container thingy.

Pour the water into my left hand.

Switch the ladle to my left hand and pour water into my right hand.

Rinse mouth with the water, but the ladle mustn't make contact with the mouth.

Tip the ladle to rinse it off.

Now, go to the offering box.

I threw some coins into it.

Ring the shrine bell.

Bow twice.

Clap your hand twice,

Keep your hand together and pray.

'Thank you for keeping me safe inside Gensokyo, may I stay healthy forever, may all of my acquaintance and friend stay healthy forever as well.'

And finally bow for a final time and finish.

I turned away from the shrine and immediately noticed 2 people looking at me from the distance, Akyuu and Reimu. Reimu was peeking from her house while Akyuu was still on her way to Reimu's house.

I waved at both of them. Akyuu waved back at me but Reimu just dipped back inside. Lovely.

Akyuu continuing walking to Reimu's house and I followed suit.

I arrived inside the House.

The first thing I was inside the house was that a table that had been filled with many bags with Akyuu sitting next to it. This is probably the guest room.

"Where's Reimu?"

"Making the tea"

I sat down next to the table, on the side so I'm facing the door. If my guess was right, Akyuu will occasionally come to the Shrine from now on.

"Arah-san, are you a Shinto believer?" Akyuu asked me.

"Nope."

"Then why did you pray in the shrine?"

"Why not? An act of praying is to pay gratitude toward the god and in my case, gratitude for keeping me safe in Gensokyo. I'm sure any god isn't gonna turn away a prayer from anyone."

"I see."

"Then I'm asking next, why both of you look at me just now?"

"It's to make sure you are doing it properly." said the voice from another room.

Reimu arrived holding a tray of tea.

"Even if you are a pervert, at least you have knowledge about how to pray properly."

"I-I see."

"…pervert?" Akyuu glared at me.

Ugh, I don't think this will end well for me.

"So, what's the reason for this visit? " said Reimu, looking between me and Akyuu.

"It's a celebration Reimu; an incident has been resolved, of course we need to celebrate that."

"The real reason?" she asked while opening one of the paper bags.

I'm tempted to joke to say 'It's your body' but I don't think I will come back alive if I said that.

"Two reason." I brought two of my fingers up, "First, this is really a celebration for solving an incident, and the second one." I signaled with my chin toward Akyuu.

Reimu nodded. "I see. Just ask anything, I will answer all question as long as I deem it ok." She said while opening the paper bag.

"Thank you Reimu-san, about the suspect behind the red mist." Akyuu immediately asked.

Akyuu asked questions and Reimu answered all of them. While they were doing their Q&A sessions, I decided to make myself useful and help Reimu open and bring out all the sweets from the bags.

They filled up the table. I'm amazed at the amount I bought; even they decide to take a break from their Q&A sessions and eat the sweets first.

Some of them are crunchy but a lot more of them just straight up soft. I think I already give up after I tasted all of the sweet variety but they keep going. Girls and their sweets.

"This Daifuku also tastes great-ze."

And also Marisa suddenly came in while we were eating the sweets and decided to join us with the candy and Q&A session.

Apparently this is the sequence of what happen inside the SDM, according to each of their point of view.

Marisa -Sakuya - Patchouli - Distracted with books.

Reimu - Meiling - Sakuya[Exhausted] - Remilia.

For further detail, Marisa went in while Reimu engaged with Meiling, she ran around and then encountered Sakuya. After she defeated her, she discovered a great library. That's where she fought Patchouli. After she won, she kinda got distracted by all the books in the library and read them, forgetting all about the incident and her little competition.

And guess what, she leveled up from that.

[Lv.37 Ordinary Magician, Kirisame Marisa]

I think you guys know how she leveled up from that. That's right, copying technique from Patchouli and also reading a new magic book material; that's what made her level go up.

As for Reimu, after she defeated Meiling, she encountered Sakuya but she noticed Sakuya looked battered and exhausted, meaning after Sakuya was defeated by Marisa, she decided to catch up to her but she met with Reimu instead. According to Reimu, Sakuya keep fighting until her last breath, she's not dead of course, just unconscious. After that Reimu finally encounter Remilia. They chit-chatted at first, about why did you do this and stuff, and finally they fought. Reimu won and as a winner of Danmaku battles she told Remilia to stop making the red mist and to make it disappear by tomorrow morning.

"A vampire mansion by the Misty Lake. I guess I must record this too in my chronicle."

Of course, as a Gensokyo Chronicler she must take notes after anything involving Gensokyo, including this new appearance of the devil mansion.

"Speaking of the vampire mansion, I hope that maid is okay-ze." Marisa said worriedly.

"Yeah, fighting until you turn unconscious is not a healthy thing after all." Followed by Reimu.

All of us nodded.

Even though she is an enemy, she got all of the girls' sympathy from her devotion toward Remilia.

"Even though you are feels sorry for our maid, there's no need to worry." There's a girl voice from the door.

We whipped our head toward it.

There were two girl standing in the doorway, one with the height of a child with the other one much taller than her. It's Remilia Scarlet and Izayoi Sakuya. Remilia in her pink poofy dress and Sakuya in her maid dress.

"Our maid is fully recovered." continued Remilia.

[Lv.39 Perfect Maid, Izayoi Sakuya]

[Lv.61 Scarlet Devil, Remilia Scarlet]

Remilia let into the room and sat beside the table, making some of us move from our original seats. Marisa sat with Reimu, Akyuu with me. Now, we were creating the Triangle Faction, I think. We're probably gonna make the Pentagon Faction in the near future.

"Remilia, what are you doing here?" asked Reimu.

"Reimu, Reimu, there's no need to be wary; I'm just coming here just to have a nice chat with you." The Loli Vampire scanned the room while she said that and finally landed upon the sweets on the table. "I see you celebrated your victory against me. You must be happy about it if you eating these many sweets." She said it with a 'smile'.

…I've got a bad feeling about this.

"For you information, I didn't buy the sweet, he did." Reimu pointed at me, resulting in everyone looking at me.

FUCK, I KNEW IT!

"Hello, nice to meet you." I just waved at her.

"Hum~ this boy that bought them, huh?" still 'smiling' at me.

As for Sakuya, I didn't know but she also smiling. I got a feeling it wasn't a happy smile either.

"Hump, no matter, if you are celebrating this much then that must mean I'm worth that much effort." She said in an upbeat tone.

Oh wow, what a big ego you got right there Remilia, at least I'm not in their shitlist.

"Excuse me, Young Mistress." Sakuya suddenly called to Remilia.

"What is it Sakuya?" Remilia lent her her ear.

Sakuya whispered something to Remilia.

…I got another bad feeling.

"A boy with Black Yukata with Black Cloud motif on it." Remilia said that a bit louder so we could hear; we, yes we, including Reimu, Marisa, and Akyuu.

I didn't know what to expect; of course Remilia will know about me from Meiling.

"Boy, what is your name?" Remilia asked.

"It's Arah, Remilia-sama."

"I see, so you're that our Gatekeeper's been talking about."

"""Gatekeeper?""" the three girls said the same thing at the same time.

"So Meiling-san reported our meeting after all."

"Of course, Meiling is my subordinate. It'd be strange if I didn't notice anything different with her."

"Different? Did something happen with Meiling-san?"

"Sakuya, explain it to them." ordered Remilia.

"Yes Mistress Remilia. When we went out just this morning, Meiling was properly guarding the gate; very unusual behavior coming from her."

Meiling please, even you being diligent is considered weird by your superior.

"When I asked her what made her suddenly so diligent, I was surprised. I thought it was because of what happened yesterday, but apparently it was because she had a conversation with a boy at that time."

I can feel it, all of the eyes are targeting toward me, especially from Akyuu. I can guess what she's thinking right now.

Marisa suddenly raised her hand.

"Just a question, what did this Meiling person look like."

"To put it simply, she is a women with long red hair, great height, and great assets."

UWOOOOH, Reimu and Akyuu stare suddenly turned into a glare, Marisa just laughed at me, Remilia looked like someone who had found a new toy, and Sakuya was still looking neutral about this.

"Arah-san, you said you would be careful when you went out yesterday, then why did you have a conversation with this Meiling?" Akyuu 'asked' me.

"I-I have a justification for my action."

"Then that means you have a reasonable reason besides the fact she is a beautiful women right?" Reimu 'asked' me.

"O-Of course, I have reasonable reason why I'm confidence to approach her."

"Then let's hear it, what is this reasonable reason you speak of?" Freaking Loli Vampire!

"Yes, that's easy, it's because she used danmaku to fight Reimu." Take that!

"I see, when an individual uses Danmaku Rules that means they want to use non-lethal force to fight, so you were counting on that theory to hold a conversation with our gatekeeper."

"As expected from Remilia-sama, you understand quickly."

"But, what if that someone only uses Danmaku Rule when the Miko watching because, from what I hear, you are an Outsider. Something may try to kill you when the Miko isn't looking."

"Haha, that's also easy, beside Reimu and Big Sister Yukari, I am sure no one can hurt me, including your Gungnir Spear, Remilia-sama." YOLO BITCH!

"Hooh~, are you sure about that boy?" Remilia looks amused while Sakuya start glaring toward me. "Yes, especially when Reimu is beside us now, I'm sure the three of us will get hit with her Gohei." I said it with a smile.

"Wha-?! *Smack*"

"Mistre-!*Smack*"

"Pleasegoeasyon-*SMACK*"

"Don't fight in the shrine!" yell Reimu. "And you!" she point her Gohei at me. "Don't start fights here!"

…Fuck, it hurts, why do I have a feeling that she hit me harder than both of them? Even the smacking sound louder for me than them!

"T-they were the ones who started it." I held my head.

*SMACK*

Hurt! Why me?!

"Don't talk back at me!" she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am." I compelled.

I looked at my surrounding.

Marisa was still laughing at me, Akyuu look worriedly at me, Reimu was glaring between me and Remilia, Remilia was holding her head with her signature blocking move, and Sakuya was holding her head with one hand and comforting Remilia with the other.

…I can't believe this is happening to me right now. I'm actually conversing with the Touhou big cast. And actively provoking one. This is so much fun.

"He's smiling right now, don't tell me he actually a masochist too-ze."

And that one girl just ruined everything.

"*cough* More importantly, Remilia-sama." I called Remilia.

She finally recovered from her blocking posture and stopped glaring at me.

"…What is it boy?" she grumbled at me.

"As you probably know, we didn't know the existent of your mansion before Remilia-sama started the incident."

"…and?" she showed a little interest.

"As you can see right here," I presented Akyuu with my hand "She is the Gensokyo Chronicler right now, so she will want to know who are you, what kind mansion you have and how strong you are compared to other Youkai."

"I, I, Yes! I am the first Child of Miaree that has been born inside Gensokyo and we have the duty to record all the Youkai inside Gensokyo." Akyuu hurriedly introduced herself.

"…What's your name child?" Remilia inquired.

"My name is Hieda no Akyuu."

"Then Akyuu, hear it well, about who you will record in your so called Chronicle!"

"Y-yes!"

…sigh, finally. I looked at the other two girls.

Reimu just nodded and Marisa put her thumbs up while smiling.

I looked back at Remilia and Sakuya.

Remilia was rambling, probably about herself and Sakuya was preparing tea for Remilia. She was able to prepare her own tea because she brought her own tea set.

And Akyuu listened intently to Remilia's rambling.

I sighed internally, we're gonna be here for a while.

-Evening, Reimu House-​

It was already at evening with the sun just starting to set over the horizon.

The girls were still talking about something, I don't know, I'm just absent mindedly sitting on the porch house, Reimu's guest room have a porch part that face toward her yard and have a full view of all Gensokyo, and that's where I evacuate from the talks. I don't remember when I move here but It was probably somewhere in the middle Remilia rambling.

I look back inside the room.

Remilia still talking but the target of the conversation changed to Reimu, but Reimu, the target of the conversation, just nodded and sometimes gave input to a statement from Remilia. Marisa also did the same, just giving input whenever she liked. Sakuya only spoke when Remilia ordered her to. As for Akyuu, she looked sleepy, probably because from the intense first meeting and listening to Remilia ramble.

It's time to go back, I guess.

I stood up.

"Hey, Reimu, it's time for us to go home." I informed Reimu.

"I see. Then bring back Akyuu safely to her home or else."

"Of course, of course, there's no need for you to tell me. Come on Akyuu." I nudged Akyuu.

"…Ah, yes. Sorry for the trouble." She stood up and went to the door and I followed.

"Arah boy, wait."

"Yes, Remilia-sama?" at this point I'm just tired.

"I personally invite you to our mansion, so when you have time, you can go to our mansion whenever you like."

"Thank you Remilia-sama, I will definitely go to your mansion when I have time for it." I bowed to her.

"Good, you can leave then." She shooed me.

"Yes, until next time." I don't care if Sakuya glaring at me, I want to sleep dammit!

I turned around and went for the exit.

Now, I'm outside with Akyuu.

I really want to go to my futon right now.

I grabbed Akyuu and picked her up into my arms.

"Hyaaaaa!" she screamed.

"We will gonna go with the fast way, hold on to me." I warned her.

I put Air resistance barrier around me, stopping wind from slapping me and Akyuu when I jump down the stairs.

I jumped from the top of the stairs.

"-?!" Akyuu lost her voice because I muted everything around me. Didn't want to go deaf.

I slow my descent and make a soft landing when I reach the ground.

After I landed, I asked Akyuu, "You okay?"

She just glared at me with her teary eyes. Is that supposed to be yes or no; please talk to me.

She didn't answer; I just walked toward the village while still carrying her in my arms.

…what a day.

Author note:

Heyo, Author here. I think I'm getting the hang of this writing stuff, and I probably have my own style at writing now, I think.

Thank you Acerman for volunteering himself/herself to edit my earlier chapter. The earlier chapter will become better eventually with his/her help, thank you very much.

About the random reward, it's a random thing that the first thing that popped up in my mind when I said random thing, and of course I have build a chapter around those random things so they become useful later on. I don't want people to say, "It's not actually random because you already thinking about how to use them." IT'S CALLED BUILDING A CHAPTER AROUND USING THOSE RANDOM THING YOU FUCKS.

Acerman, I just remembered, "his wish to become a youkai", you meant when he was talking about wanting to become a magician so that he doesn't need to shit anymore, right? I don't really have any plan to make him non-human right now, or sometimes, or anything, I don't know, let's just see what happens in the future.

I think the reason Reimu killed the fortune teller in Forbidden Scrollery is because he wants to use his power for a malicious reason...FUCK IT, I DON'T KNOW! ZUN, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE MAKE A BOOK ABOUT THOSE DAMN RULE, FOR FUCK SAKE.

About the ERO thingy, yeaaaah I think I'm gonna tone it down a bit, I'm still high that time with the author power you know, controlling what I write in the story.

About the rushing thing, you mean the way I just skip the day? Or the way I just skimped over the incident? I have a few reason as to why I did that, first one I hate day-to-day chapters, second one I only write interesting moments that happen at certain time. Upgrading, buying, or testing skills is boring in my opinion, third one I know my character's limits because Arah is me in the fictional world. I am not a hero, that's all I have to say for this.