Japan (2)

"It's been some time, Rita." I greeted her with a smile.

Rita hesitated for a moment, her eyes holding a hint of surprise, before she replied, "It's been a while..."

...

...

Remilia interjected with a teasing tone, "So? Are you two just going to stand there?"

We both realized we'd been lost in the moment, and I stammered, "Oh! Uh, sorry, Milady."

Rita's gaze shifted between Remilia and me. "Milady? What do you mean?" She turned to Remilia. "This child?"

Remilia, with a playful grin, responded, "Who are you calling 'child,' lady?"

Rita returned with a skeptical look. "You, of course. Just because Milady is gone doesn't mean you can go around kidnapping children!"

"Eh? I didn't! This is truly my former mistress!"

Rita sighed. "Do you want me to call the police?"

"I'm serious!!" I insisted.

Rita cast another glance at Remilia. "Yeah, no... She's literally a child."

Suddenly, an aura emanated from Remilia, and her command compelled Rita to kneel. "Urgk! W-What the!?" Rita exclaimed.

I sighed, attempting to maintain composure. "Allow me to introduce myself." I posed gallantly. "My name is Shun, and I am the butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion."

"I am Remilia Scarlet," Remilia chimed in, her expression slightly mischievous. "The head of the Scarlet Mansion. The one you kept calling a 'child' is an elegant vampire like me."

Rita winced in pain, gritting her teeth. "A-Arrghh!"

"M-Milady, I don't think she can handle any more of your aura..."

"Oh? My apologies, I suppose a child like me should show some forgiveness to adults like her." Remilia chuckled as her aura dissipated.

Rita, still panting, tried to stand. "No! I'm fine... more importantly, you need an explanation. In detail."

I nodded, grateful for her willingness to listen. "Yes, I suppose I owe you a thorough explanation."

Rita agreed and glanced at Remilia, "Anyway, get inside... It's getting cold out here."

"Of course."

We entered the house as Rita closed the door behind us. The interior resembled a typical modern home.

The living room, however, featured a large table with a map at the center, adorned with knives as markers. Various pictures were scattered around the map, creating a visual timeline.

"Looks like you've been conducting quite an investigation."

 "Yes, for Milady's sake and to establish your innocence."

Rita gestured to the sofa, and Remilia and I took our seats. Her demeanor remained quite formal, a sign of her well-practiced manners even in retirement.

"Now then, Shun... Explain everything," she requested, her curiosity palpable.

I began explaining my origins in Gensokyo, describing it as the "Land of Illusions" or the "Land of Fantasy." I narrated how I had met Lady Remilia Scarlet, who resided in the mansion, and how she had offered me the role of her servant. 

I detailed the presence of youkai, fairies, vampires, various magics, and the abnormal physical abilities that existed in Gensokyo, providing Rita with an overview of this fantastical world.

Once I had finished, Rita looked baffled. "No, wait... Let me make this clear. Youkai, fairies, vampires, magic, abnormal physical abilities, and everything you've just said... Are you sure you haven't been taking drugs?"

This girl... is she even listening to me?

I sighed.

"Shun," Remilia interjected, "I believe it would be more effective to show her."

With a graceful gesture, Remilia conjured a small red flame in her palm, demonstrating her supernatural abilities. Meanwhile, I retrieved the crimson crystal and pricked my thumb with its tip. The crystal then transformed into a crimson sword.

Rita's eyes widened. "No way."

"Do you believe in it now?"

Rita pulled her hand back swiftly, her fingertip burnt by Remilia's magical flame, and a look of realization crossed her face. She said, "Yeah... I believe in you two now."

"Thank you," I replied.

Rita then shifted her attention, asking the crucial question. "So, Shun, does that mean you will kill the chief butler?"

I felt a weight on my shoulders at the thought. "I'll think about it... but first, we need evidence."

Rita gave a knowing nod. "Right... So tell me, what do you need from me?"

"Money."

"What?"

"What?"

Rita's face contorted in confusion. "Hold on, can you repeat that?"

 "I need money, approximately 60,000 yen."

Rita blinked at me, seemingly taken aback, and then sighed. "Go upstairs."

"Thank you, Rita."

"Just go."

"Wait, Rita."

She looked at me with an impatient expression. "What!?"

"I also need clothes for Lady Remilia."

"Huh? I don't have her size. You can use that money to buy some."

"Right, you're correct... Thank you." I turned to Remilia, who had been silent through this exchange. "Shall we go, Milady?"

She nodded in agreement, and the two of us ascended the stairs, eventually reaching a bedroom with numerous cases full of cash.

"That's a lot..." I mused as I picked up a single case, but then I was struck by an idea.

Remilia questioned my pause, "Shun? What are you doing? Let's go."

I turned to her with a plan in mind. "Wait, Milady... Now that we have money, can we go on a date today?"

Remilia's eyes widened at the unexpected request. "Eh?"