/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45515035
>Same thing with literally everything written about all of the fairies as well.
Eeeeeeh I dunno. I feel they've been integrated well enough. Mind explaining why you feel like they don't fit?

>>45515035
>Same thing with literally everything written about all of the fairies as well.
Can't deny that, only reason I'm doing fairies this late in the game is because Hana is going to be preoccupied for the birthday stuff. Which I need to get on writing already now that I think about it, I just don't want to get on too far into things and snub Mimafags and the other primary writefag's toes

[All entries of the HSE here in chronological posting order!]
>>45324110 | part 1
>>45324120 | part 2
>>45324127 | part 3
>>45324134 | part 4
>>45324150 | part 5
>>45324163 | part 6
>>45407358 | part 7
>>45442424 | part 8

[last thread chapters here]:
>>45442487 | 2-4-Yachie
>>45442493 |
>>45442504 |
>>45442601 | 8-Reimu
>>45449713 | 59-Aya
>>45453248 | 9-11-Reimu
>>45453257 |
>>45453269 |
>>45458480 | 6-Tewi
>>45460521 | 23-Keine
>>45463219 | 3-Satori
>>45463470 | 107-108-Yamashrio/Seija
>>45463483 |
>>45465333 | 10-Mima
>>45474759 | 24-Keine
>>45475129 | 60-Aya
>>45479785 | 16-17-Kosuzu
>>45479793 |
>>45482573 | 109-111-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45482587 |
>>45482602 |
>>45485098 | 61-Aya
>>45485172 | 112-115-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45485187 |
>>45485194 |
>>45485206 |
>>45485622 | 25-26-Keine
>>45485632 |
>>45486405 | 7-8-Tewi
>>45486411 |
>>45487756 | 116-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45488815 | 62-Aya
>>45490895 | 1-Found Footage of the start of the Fairy Wars, circa 2043
>>45492036 | 6-Meiling
>>45492950 | 117-118-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45493155 |
>>45496687 | 4-Satori
>>45498130 | 113-Hana
>>45502103 | 2-3-Fairy Wars
>>45502112 |
>>45505284 | 12-13-Reimu
>>45505299 |
>>45508524 | 24-25-Rikako/Lemontene
>>45508551 |
(645 entries)
if I missed anything, please point it out!

[for phoneanons that can't access the dead threads, here's all of them]:
>>/jp/thread/44478667#p44783853 | starting point
>>/jp/thread/44802165 | first proper thread
>>/jp/thread/44846425 | second thread
>>/jp/thread/44889557 | third thread
>>/jp/thread/44930736 | fourth thread
>>/jp/thread/44991041 | fifth thread
>>/jp/thread/45037580 | sixth thread
>>/jp/thread/45076441 | seventh thread
>>/jp/thread/45122397 | eight thread
>>/jp/thread/45164037 | ninth thread
>>/jp/thread/45214506 | tenth thread
>>/jp/thread/45270851 | eleventh thread
>>/jp/thread/45324060 | twelfth thread
>>/jp/thread/45332185 | thirteenth thread
>>/jp/thread/45340894 | fourteenth thread
>>/jp/thread/45407283 | fifteenth thread
>>/jp/thread/45442364 | sixteenth thread

[Ao3 link to the HSE collection]:
https://archiveofourown.org/collections/The_Hakurei_Shrine_Experience

[If everything fails, here's the entirety of the HSE's part 1 (506 entries)]
https://files.catbox.moe/jo96iu.rtf | Part 1
https://files.catbox.moe/cxdwig.rtf | Part 2

>>45515150
I don't really think so, the fairies just kind of exist and to get accidentally gibbed in the finale, they are peak "just kind of there"
They're also almost totally uninvolved in literally anything, they could all die and no one would notice.
The above also includes Cirno.

"Sakuya~look, look at me!" Flandre hurried out of the Gap, approaching a puzzled maid—lasted a moment before a small smile took over—before spinning, her eyes closed in pure juvenile joy, the pristine white dress raising and the red tabard with an imprint of a white moon on it swaying gently. The always perfect and elegant Izayoi clapped.

"The uniform looks adorable on you, Young Mistress."

Flan delighted in the compliment before turning to me, a soft smile as I left the Gap; Ran three steps behind me—tense, trying to hide it, but it's impossible to truly hide the first signs of a yearly estrus—Chen on her side. "Kari, could Sakuya have a uniform too?"

"I fear she's already in a uniform, dear Flan." Ah, the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Quaint little place, but tasteful. Ran shows no expression, and Chen appears too afraid to go exploring, spine straight as bamboo—good—; Sakuya stares at me and bows, which I reciprocate. "Or maybe she'd indeed like a Yakumo uniform? Hm… no—at this rate, poor Remi will be jealous~" The maid is cunning enough not to take the bait. Sad, but oh well. "Is everything ready?"

"The Scarlet Devil Mansion doesn't break promises." And so she starts to guide us. Ran maintains herself close, though Flandre has whisked Chen away with her, intending to show her 'bedroom and all of her cool toys~'—Ran tenses, but hides it well.

But that's none the matter.

The day is coming.

Outside these claustrophobic red walls, the first breath of winter is being taken. Snow falls timidly, and the veil of aurora shall shine brighter than ever tonight. Against my predictions—with Ran's ways—Reimu survived the Fall and seems prepared to do the same for Winter, meaning that, before following Spring—and after I deal with my many problems—the Hakurei Shrine Experience will have concluded its purpose…

… Still…

Ran behind me hums, calling my attention. She noticed. Sakuya noticed too. Swallowing the deep thoughts and bringing forth an easy smile, I composedly say, "Don't fret, my dear Shikigami." I look forward, Sakuya placing both hands on a double door, my smile naturally growing. "Simply mulling over pesky problems."

The doors open, and a multitude of eyes are on me.

The room itself has no windows; the decor and interior design are just like the rest of the mansion: refined and pleasingly complex. Centering it is a rectangular table filled to the brim with cuisines and fancy cutlery, the sweet red sauce of life tingling my nose—as it does to many others'—bathing the warm delicacies.

Seiga stared in contentment, swinging her legs back and forth, that foul zombie standing behind her, eyes dead and still as a rock. Yachie had her eyes shut, playing with a crystal glass filled with red, balancing the frail thing on the tip of her tail—not a single drop fell—and behind her stood the amusing monkey, eying the food with barely concealed desire. Konngara had her arms crossed and eyes closed, deep in meditation, opening one to look at me. Kasen was in a similar position, yet refused to look at me, which made me giggle a little.

Sitting on one end of the table, Remilia stared at me, chin supported on top of her intertwined hands. I blinked, and Sakuya was behind her, a perfect backdrop to the Lady of the Night.

I waltzed in, analyzing each one of my main servants—gently caressing Kasen's chin as I passed by her, who tensed like a rod—before taking my place opposing Remilia. "My~such a beautiful haul; of people and of food~" The silence was easily shattered, Remi giggling and Yachie putting down the glass of red.

"My house provides only the best, and I see you do too," the child-look-alike said, spinning the liquid in her glass with trained movements. "However, seeing your enemies, only the best goes from a simple luxury to a necessity." I raise an eyebrow at the words. "Sakuya and Patchouli were kind enough to find out precisely who opposes you in this crusade—I wouldn't let my sister play in your war without information, would I?"

"You're such a sweetheart, Remi," Seiga butts in, giggling. "Even though your heart doesn't beat."

"… Huh?" Son Biten mutters, louder than she expected. Yachie groans.

"A vampire's heart doesn't beat, Monkey." Konngara explains, the closest to her. She laughs, embarrassed.

"That's but myth, but I digress." She puts her glass down, one word away from pouting. "Flandre playing is okay, but I, of course, have a couple of demands." As expected. I wonder if she questioned why I asked for her residence as a meeting place~ "Flandre is not to go alone. Me and the rest of my house will be there to aid in battle against the likes of Kanako and Yuuka Kazami, but also to pull back if things seem too dire." Ran behind me quietly whispers Chen's name. "And, my second—and last—demand: you're either going to kill Okina or making her ultimately promise to never, ever approach my little sister again."

I hide my evil grin. Well, Okina's loli complex did my job for me~ "All reasonable. I accept."

The meeting was a tactical one. My main allies should talk about themselves, maneuvers and limits understood and good food eaten…

… Though I should've expected a meeting between ladies to go… differently.

The lackeys have already sat down and are eating—etiquette varies and, somehow, the amusing monkey is a sloppier eater than the zombie—Ran periodically squirming in her seat, though an expert at hiding the signs… And Seiga recounts loudly and proudly how she dressed Anon in scandalous cat ears and made him meow. "It was adorable~you don't know what you're missing, Remi."

"Cat ears~? So out of fashion," she rises her glass of wine. Sakuya pops into existence by her side and, gracefully, fills the glass with blood masquerading as wine, reappearing the next moment back on her seat, elegant as ever. "I prefer to be daring. I'd transform him into a high vampire, feeding him my royal blood and marking him forever as mine. Then, we'd perform the acts of flesh under a scarlet moon. Now that would be a dignifying night for me." Seiga laughs, Kasen looks at Remi with concealed disgust and Konngara ponders.

"I'd ask him to dress like a monkey, but I think it'd be racist. Humans are nitpicky with that." The monkey shrugs.

"You're all so soft. The type of sex we like in the Netherworld is of the most violent, defiling, and raw type." Yachie speaks with her chin lifted, using her tail to sip some red as she cuts a steak. Biten frowns, as if cogitating, but Yachie cuts her before she can even start. "No, I wouldn't put a tortoise's carapace on his back. Sexing a cadaver is beyond me."

"Another one missing a lot~" Seiga says, and her zombie laughs. Or tries.

"Sex." Konngara tastes the word, eating as if replicating a kata. "Never had it." Simple words yet garnering attention from all over the table—minus Ran, focused on keeping it together and Kasen, adorably playing with her food, eyes half closed—Konngara frowns. "… What?"

"Don't give me a 'what?'! You're older than Youkai's Mountain’s namesake—" Konngara narrows her eyes, and Seiga's smile turns a tad more devilish. "—and you have never experienced a thick dick throbbing inside of you?"

"No."

Seiga sighs out loud. "Ah~I'm surrounded by prudes that hate the joys of life." Remi nods—meaning Sakuya also nodded. "After this mess is done and Okina is defeated, we all should go have fun with Anon—a vampire, a wicked hermit, two sages, a zombie, an oni, a monkey, Yachie-san—" The turtle-dragon frowned. "—a maid and a kitsune~now that's a night to never forget."

"Hm…" Remi scans the table, red eyes shining as she drinks from her glass. "Yes, it'd be a very suitable commemoration."

Kasen seems to want to say something, but my hidden hand beneath the table makes her body jolt and, groaning, stops herself, shifting to munch on caramelized meat. Her fifteenth.

"Do you all expect to survive an encounter with Okina Matara and Yuuka Kazami?" Konngara asks out of nowhere, to which responses are varied. Remi simply hums—the Lady of Night, also Mistress of Fate. I wouldn't expect her to accept me into her mansion if fate wasn't favorable to her. Seiga and Yachie smile, expectant. Kasen looks empty. Ran stares at me and, unaffected, I giggle.

"Okina doesn't have half the quality of the weaponry the HSE has, and Yuuka is a far cry from what her reputation may entail. None of you are facing Okina, too—we think the same and will naturally find our way to each other in a battle~" I explain, holding my chin with a hand. If Konngara is convinced or not, it’s not apparent as she turns back to eating.

"Careful now, Yukari. Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer." Remi says, and the tone is that of a child parroting their parents.

I hum lightly, not offended. "It's not overconfidence. Preparedness makes the woman, Remi—If anything goes awry, I know I have Kasen at my side~isn't that right, dear?" I state, pulling my hand from beneath the table—hiding the wet fingers—, following by picking up a strawberry from my plate and eating it whole, licking the juices out of my fingers. Kasen struggles to not look.

"… Yes." She says, squirming in place.

"I wonder if people will judge us for beating up a cripple."

All eyes go to Biten.

She slowly stops munching. Yachie groans, hiding her face with her tail. Seiga is snickering behind her palm and Remilia looks at Sakuya with a lifted brow.

The maid clears her throat. "Societal judgment aside—not beating said cripple just because she's crippled would be a far worse offense." Sakuya clarifies.

"Oh… yeah, that, uh, m-makes sense." She quickly goes back to munching, her tail contorted to make all of us aware of her embarrassment.

I wonder if Hana will feel the same way about what I have prepared for her tonight~though it'd be unlike of her to dislike her loveable mother's appearance at her birthday party.

Ah, the many memories we'll make! Meeting her friends, talking about our history.

I hum in delight~

Tonight shall be stellar.

>>45515231
>a perfect backdrop to the Lady of the Night.
This entire story was filled with little things and enough Yachie jobbing to fill my cup, but this unintended insult is the best.
For those that don't know a lady of the night is common slang for a prostitute

>>45515242
Remi joining Yukari's virgin quad is pretty cute. She's stupid, egotistical, and has enough reason to join the empire.
Also her pretending to be experinced alongside Yacchie is funny, this Chuuni princess can get away with anything!

One week to the IRL Solstice. It was just supposed to be a joke…

>>45515361
a lot of things in this community project were supposed to be jokes
I'm very glad most were not

>>45515242
>Ah, the many memories we'll make! Meeting her friends, talking about our history.
I wonder how bad things will go when she gets dogpiled by her moms... and Tewi... looking forward to how you handle it. I have an idea already since I used to write for Yukari but it'd be a bit awkward since I'm also writing Hana and Tewi

>>45515409
>I wonder how bad things will go
bad. Real bad.
>I have an idea already since I used to write for Yukari but it'd be a bit awkward since I'm also writing Hana and Tewi
damn, that's some workload there. Will be writing Yukari indeed, so no worries there, just awaiting the first Hana chapter so she can have some fun and enjoyment before Yukari ruining everything.

>>45515310
>slang for prostitute
oh… good it's not common knowledge, then!
>>45515348
>Also her pretending to be experinced alongside Yacchie is funny, this Chuuni princess can get away with anything!
she controls fate! No one can one-up her!

Warning: the following chapters are incredibly silly, so if you want the plot bits, just read the first one.
'Let's aim for Sagedom.' I had said. Something so impossible, so beyond us, it wouldn't even be worth dreaming about. Kasen, Okina, and Yukari, we've experienced all three of these powers and been toyed with every time. Yuugi, someone who's strength I couldn't even measure, fought Yukari, and the gap youkai barely seemed harmed.

But going to Hell and seeing all the powers that be, they weren't so alien as their strength would suggest. Onis can get embarrassed, a Yama wasn't infallible, terrifying gang matriarchs made faux pas, and even the Goddess of Hell had a cute side to her. Maybe we could make up the difference in strength through negotiation? No, not unless everyone stronger died in the battle. In the end we'd need our own strength to take the spot.

Looking up at the Myouren Temple, I could see the construction crews at work. Building new housing and infrastructure to foster the next generation. But it wouldn't be enough. There were only so much charity to go around and some children would be forsaken. Mad woman like Yukari wouldn't care.

Could Seija do it if I inverted? Stand in her place of powerand change the reputation of a sage from despicable manipulator to benevolent benefactor? I'd have to bet on that, what choice did I have if we wanted a future for our kids?

"Oh, Goro!" Kyouko called, waving us down.

"How are you! I haven't seen you in quite a while and er-" she started excitedly, only to wind down after spotting Seija on my arm.

"Kyouko-tan! I've missed you!" I said, gently scruffling the little Youkai's head. "You're showing already? How far along are you?"

"A few months. You'd know if you called more." Kyouko said with a huff.

"I'm deeply sorry. So much has happened and, well, I'm also-"

I felt a gentle, but firm grip on my shoulder. It belonged to the serene mask of Hijiri"Goro, we need to talk."

Would a Sage walk into a trap? I think so.

---

Hijiri sat peacefully in the meeting room. But this was façade, and I didn't need the bracelets help to feel the fury radiating off her.

Kyouko sat, perpendicular to both parties, shaking nervously.

"My apologizes for having not written Hijiri-sensei, I'm really glad you all showed up for me really, I've just been so busy since." I said plainly.

"We've been to Hell and back. Also Goro is-" Seija started.

"Goro I'm not mad, I'm simply..." Hijiri took a breath in "...worried that you may be making poor decisions under duress." between her squinting eyes I could tell she was glaring at Seija.

Sagume's fate-altering ability seemed to be in full swing. May as well talk about something else.

"I can assure you Hijiri-sensei that I'm in my right mind, I've just been seeing the world and meeting new people is all! The Mistress of the Earth Spirit Palace, a Yama, a genuine Jidiao, even the goddess of Hell itself!"

"And Yukari." Hijiri added, looking at the white runes on our outfits.

"Say, did you hear that Koishi is pregnant? I didn't even know she existed until I visited the ESP and-"

"Goro." Hijiri stated flatly. "I've invited some friends and family who have some things they'd like to say to you."

From behind her, the doors spread apart and silence, quite literally, filled the room. Various Youkai from the temple shuffled in as well as an eldery man, Kazue, the oldest human practicing Buddhism in Gensokyo. Some of them gave me a nod, others looked at me confused, but they all brought a cushion and sat in a circle formed with us on one side and Hijiri on the other.

"Everyone together? Good." A rat walked in, presumably Nazrins's replacement. She held a solid black rod in her hand.

"Goro," She started. I feel like I was gonna get sick of my name today. "My name is Chizou and I'll be running this little event-... gathering, yes, a gathering of people who care about you, have been hurt by your actions, and are worried that you're hurting yourself. Now this is a sacred treasure of Lord Bishamonten I've borrowed called something too long and hard for you to pronounce so we'll just call it the 'talking stick'. Only the person holding the talking stick is allowed to speak, understand?"

I tried to say something, but the room remained silent. Seija also appeared to have words and started mouthing what I can only assume was vulger insults toward the rat's extended family...

"Good, it works. Now we'll start on the left of you, everyone will get their turn to speak and then you'll get a chance to say your piece at the end. No violence, only talking alright?" She smiled, enjoying the privilege of exclusive speaking rights.

Seija tried to get up to leave, but I placed a hand on her shoulder to bring her back down and winked. This was going to be embarrassing, but hell, these people were important to me.

Chizou tossed the stick to the left of me, where Kogasa sat.

>>45515809
She pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. "Uhm, Goro, you know I've always appreciated you and your father's business and surprise advice and I was really happy when you gifted me those books on ghost stories last year, but I think you're making a big mistake being with that no-good, lying, cheating, nasty looking Amanojaku. I know that your relationship may seem exciting now, but I don't want to lose another business partner because of an abusive relationship."

Ah, this was gonna hurt, and not just because Seija was gripping my hand tighter.

Kogasa handed the talking stick to Ichirin, who, rather then pulling out a piece of paper began talking right away. "Goro, when I told you all those years back to find an assertive and strong woman, I did not mean someone who would put you into a hospital on your first meeting and 'take' you in bed against your will." She said, slightly gnashing her teeth at her hypocrisy.

"I know that you like to accept everyone, but Seija and now Yukari? Please come to your senses!" Beside her, the large pink cloud resembling an old man, Unzan spoke into her ear. "And Unzan would like you to know that if you need help, he will hit Seija for real this time."

Unzan, don't make that face at me please!

Next in line was Murasa who pulled out a piece of paper, tried to start reading, stopped, crumbled it, and threw it to the side. "Goro, ah, I think you could do better and honestly it unnerves me seeing you with a low-class Youkai." She said before passing the stick.

At this point, Seija had forgone just murdering my hand and instead, held my entire arm in a vice grip.

Hijiri was next. She pulled out her scroll and spun it until it displayed some set of glowing runes, which she read. "Goro, I know you're young and you think that because I have so much else to do that I don't have the time, but I miss you." She says, slightly choking.

"I watched over you as you grew up and seeing you hurt, cursed, and not knowing if you're alive because there were rumors you went to Hell, it's more then I can bear sometimes!" She cried.

To her side, Unzan dried her tears with a handkerchief.

"I know forgiveness is important, but you don't need to give your life over for that woman's sake. That's all." She said, passing the talking stick to Joon, who already had a memo ready.

"Goro, I haven't forgiven you from the day you called me 'Auntie Joon', but as someone who holds the title of 'One of Gensokyo's most hated residents' I can tell you now it's not something to aspire to and if you stay in bed with that Amanojaku and keep working with Yukari that's were you'll end up." She stated, before tossing the stick up in the air which is caught by a hanging Nue.

"Goro, I knew all along you'd end up with some strange woman, not because you think you can 'fix' her , but because you like what's broken. I believe whoever you end up with you'll be happy, however, and I know nobody else wants to talk about this, but we really don't want to choose between you and the father of our children. Unlike everyone else, I know that you're craftier then you let on and no doubt have something planned, but please don't take it too hard on them. Youkai hormones are a hell of a thing. Also, nice job on causing your first incident with the Sanzu, I'm proud of you." Nue read before tossing the stick to Shou, who dropped the pagoda to get it.

"Well Goro I should warn you as the avatar of Lord Bishamonten that evildoers are punished without prejudice, however, as the Idol of the Myouren temple I should also say we worry about you. Sorry, I know it's already been said but I thought it should be repeated and if Seija is willing to repent for the things she's done, I'm willing to accept your relationship. Not only as a sign that Youkai and humans can get along, but because to us you're family." She finished nobly, before handing the stick to Chizou.

"Nazrin provided me this note in her absence." She beings, pulling out a sheet. "Congratulations on nailing a position under a Sage Goro, you've really moved up in the world from petty logistics into the worst kind of bootlicking. I bet she's made you wear something ridiculous like a maid outfit."

I looked at the white Yakumo runes drawn on Seija's and my own outfit and silently sighed.

"I hope you take these comments in good humor, as I'm sure you're too soft-hearted to do anything really villainous even with an Amanojaku girlfriend. That said, please stop parading her around the village, people talk about such things and it's embarrassing to watch. Also, make sure you bring her to Hijiri properly so you can get permission, you know she has a soft spot for weird couples. I wish you all the best and if the pagoda is missing by this point then Chizhou OWES ME A WHEEL OF IMPORTED CHEESE YOU SORRY EXUSE FOR A MOUSE!" She yells, crumpling the note and turning to Shou, who shrugs apologetically.

>>45515820
With a huff, Chizou handed the stick to Kyouko.

"Goro, I'm sorry..." She said, pulling out a carved piece of wood. "... I'm the one who stole the stave you caved all those years ago. I was having fun swinging it around like a sword and broke it on accident. So please, could you tell us what we did to wrong you, to cause you to, well... END UP LIKE THIS!?" She shouted, damaging the hearing of everyone in the room.""

Kyouko handed the stick to old man Kazue, who accepted it graciously, removing some ear plugs as he did.

"I'm sure I could only echo what these women have already said, but I'd like to add that the men of the temple share their concern. That Yakumo woman has been nothing but trouble since I was a lad and you must be careful dealing with her. As for Seija well," He smiled, old wrinkles spreading across his face. "life for a man is filled with hardships, the greatest being woman."

The collective audience of the room stared down the man, who not for a second relented.

"Now, if you'll forgive this old man for prattling on, I have a message from the beyond." He stated, pulling out a scroll. "A missive from your father Goro, to be opened when you found yourself a better half or reached a certain age without one."

Oh no. My father was a quiet man, but that stoicism did not extend to writing.

"Congratulations Goro, I'm sure by this point I'm sitting pretty in the afterlife watching you walk around with a beautiful woman on your arm, jealous as hell. I hate to be a spoilsport, but you are your Mother's son and I notice things about you that could lead down a difficult path, so please carefully listen to what I have to say." old man Kazue coughed, and began.

"If Hijiri set you up, break the engagement immediately. She has no sense for healthy relationships." At this, the monk looked slightly hurt, but not entirely surprised.

"If you happen to be in love with either Shou-san or Kogasa-kun, please disregard everything else I've written here. Shou-san is the only good girl at the temple, despite being a little bit of a drunk and a clutz, which you'll learn to love in a woman. Kogasa-kun was this close to being your new mother, had I not missed your my wife more with each passing day, rare is a girl with low self-esteem and masterful skills like her."

Shou and Kagosa both went flush, the latter looking down in an attempt to remain dignified and the former waved her hands in front of her, trying to communicate a denial of some sort.

"Do not marry a Youkai. I know that having been raised with them since birth, but one day you'll slight one without realizing it and be the first human in some years to be eaten. Being too nice is not a good thing, you'll end up married to some horrible woman like that poor fool who got hitched to the Shrine Maiden. "

I winced. Right on the money.

"If you do have to marry a Youkai, go for broke. Small-time youkai are like dogs who fight over the tastiest scraps while the big shots can defend you from such attacks. I recommend the Flower Youkai because I find imagining you as her house husband hysterical, but be ready to die."

Some of the Youkai in the room rubbed their faces in frustration. Seija just stared, flabbergasted.

"Do not marry a god, they are eccentric obsessives who care about faith above all else. If you do marry a god, bed them every morning and every night, put in the cardio so they don't have time to think about how they could find a more loyal worshipper. Except if it's the pestilence god, just give up on that one son."

Joon slapped her face.

"Do not marry a hermit. They are psychopaths. Seriously, don't even think about it, not even that pink one who acts all nice around the village. Just trust me on this."

It's times like these I miss him the most.

"While I'm thinking about it, don't get hitched to the village teacher either. She's a good girl and all, just know she's been that way since I was a lad. Treat her kindly though, she is an angel."

I should really check-in on Keine, she probably knows some historical precedent for Sagehood as well ...

"Do not marry anyone for curves or any blondes. I speak from experience when I tell you that it'll lead you to ruin although I love your mother with all my heart. That, and we must get blonde hair out of our family line as soon as possible."

I rubbed Seija's black hair, appreciating it. I didn't go so far with her chest however.

"If you're still single at this point, I recommend marrying the Shrine Maiden's daughter so long as she inherited her Father's temperament and not her Mother's. She likely has a hard life ahead of her and could use the support. On that subject, stay away from scary woman who isolate you. You'll worry the temple women."

>>45515836
Old man Kazue took a deep breath and concluded "Finally, you're probably expecting me to end this with 'just marry whoever makes you happy', but as I've said before, you are your mother's son and there's no way you didn't end up with some strange woman. In which case, please fulfill her dream and have so many children that whatever devil is on your arm is too preoccupied to do anything evil. Everyone deserves a mulligan." Finally finishing, Old man Kazue handed the rod normally to a surprised Seija.

"So, even I get to speak at this little struggle session huh? Would've been great if I could have prepared a little monologue in advance as well. You all look at me like I'm some kind of anomaly? Well good, I like being left alone." She breathed.

"I like being alone... but... I like keeping this fool around more!" She yelled.

"You all are talking like this guy is some kind of misguided kid, but we get into fights, mess with people, cause incidents, and I make him happy okay! Yet somehow the thought of that doesn't make me sick! He completes me okay, I admit it, I fell for the same, stupid trap all of you whores did! I found a man who presses all the right buttons and I couldn't help myself!"

The room stared in awe, Kyouko's ears flopped upward in amazement.

"I don't want any forgiveness, but I'd take it back what I did to him if I could. That's all." Seija confessed, burying her face into my side and placing the rod on my chest and letting it go. I grabbed it and squeezed her hand back.

"Thanks everyone. You're precious to me and I hope you can see this girl's too helpless for me to leave alone. Unfortunately, I happen to love her and everyone gets a mulligan." I smiled.

Some in the room stare in disbelief, other's squint and rub their faces in frustration, but a small few nod in understanding, and Hijiri's serene smile returns.

"Hijiri, could I talk to you in private?" I ask.

>>45515836
>>45515841
All curves, blonde? I get the feeling Kirisame-san and Goro married women from the same family.
Also more hermit slander is always warrented, everybody in the celestial bureaucracy of touhou, from the lowest Bodhisattva or Hermit to the highest Buddhas are all perverts, especially the men with all those loli animal youkai they keep around.
Which is funny.

>>45515953
>Goro
Meant to say Goro's dad.

>>45515841
>>45515836
>>45515820
>>45515809
perhaps Goro do deserve the wife-husband allegations. He got everything from his mother if she's naturally blonde after all
heh, funny intervention. Very silly. Nice to have before the dramatic clusterfuck that'll be the birthday party

>>45515836
>>45515820
>>45515809
He'll probably never show up again but the old man is already my favorite secondary character.

>>45515820
>tossing the stick to Shou, who dropped the pagoda to get it
lel, I bet Nue knew this would happen.

>>45515231
>>45515242
Hell yeah I was wondering when this would drop
Not counting joke posts I think this is the first time someone else has written for one of my character so thank you for that

Thread's flowchart coming through!
https://files.catbox.moe/2wlkw9.png
for writeanons to guide themselves and readeranons to get confused about the logistics of stick-man architecture
>spends two hours making the flowchart
>forgets to post it
ugh…

>>45516433
Don't worry, I forgot to post the new edition of my chart as well.

>>45515212
>Cirno
I mean maybe if this was the first couple chapters of hers but after getting involved in the underground expedition & ascending to godhood I'd say she's important enough.
>Daiyousei
I mean I guess? She was barely even in the story I'm not sure if she counts
>Help Cirno with a disguise
>fuck off for 12 threads
>come back purely to cause drama and die
Feel free to go off I guess?
>Lemontene
Similar situation to Cirno. I'd say wait until after the Mima fight to declare anything.
>Three Mischievous Faries
They JUST got introduced like a day ago give them breathing room

(1/1)
—
The snow falls on my face as I make my way home after the meeting in a place I had many controversial feelings about in the past—now, numbness has seeped its way into my every thought, be it meditation or the mere act of eating. All thoughts are of sin, and every sin leads to another and another and the static is deafening…

I look at my feet, careful as I make my way around a narrow passage on the side of the mountain—too mentally strained to fly—Jizo statues sprinkling along the narrow way, as is short vegetation and the occasional falling rock, which I catch.

Above, the moon is red.

I stop.

Darkness surrounds me, and I can barely put my two feet on the passage's floor leading into a tight stairway with no handrails—a dark pit to one side, a monolith slab of mountain wall to the other.

I turn.

A figure stands there, holding two swords, gentle breeze swaying its hair and red moonlight glowing on a protuberant horn. One sword is thrown at me with enough force to rip a mountain apart. I catch it as if just another rock.

I move.

Swords clash immediately, and a thousand years ago, this would've been familiar: holding a sword. It's not anymore and in such closeness, unable to get a proper footing and squeezed against the rock wall, my movements can't follow the finesse of my enemy’s, steel clashing in the silence of the night at a velocity that shreds air as if paper. She stabs, and I deflect—it was a trap, and I have to move backwards, losing ground, climbing the stairs without paying attention, fully focused on the rapid movements, thirsting for skin and blood—

—but a thousand years ago can come back just as easily as they fade away and, with my bandaged grip and titanic strength, I send the enemy stumbling backwards, sweating, turning a weakness in the narrow stairs into an advantage, the sheer might of my swings shaking the very mountain beneath our feet.

Eyes wide, sweat pouring, feet balancing on a trembling mountain, enemy just as vicious, the rage pent-up from what I see now as sacrifices burning as a thousand sulfuric flames, the taste is that of blood and my bandaged arm is fuming—and—

Our swords clash one last time and, in a show of silver, explode, metallic shards glimmering against the red of the moon and the cold of the snow, raining down the mountain.

I'm panting, holding the remaining handle of the sword.

Konngara looks at the metal with placidity—just another facet of the snow—then at her own handle and simply throws it away. Her eyes are on me and, like a thousand years ago, I cannot decipher them. "You used to not be a slave. I wonder what happened." I narrowed my eyes, puzzled. What is s— "Did that little spar made you remember who you truly are, Douji?"

I freeze for a second—a mere second. She scoffs and, skillfully, I recover my breath. "Don't call me that."

"That's your name. The one mother gave you."

"It's the name of a monster that I've sealed—it's Kasen now!"

"Hm… So you aren't a slave to just Yukari." I'm about to cut, guts burning with rage that I gulp down: it tastes acidic and harms immensely. "But a slave's soul cannot be chained down. I'd know—the Underground has changed a lot." I scowl; she ignores it. "But that thing you created, the sword… I can feel it—wrath, unlike anything else. Yukari will lose to that, Okina too… I’ll kill Reimu, her daughter—she is unpredictable—, but her husband will serve as coin. And at the end, we, oni, shall come victorious."

"There's no 'we', Konngara—the Big Four are no more, and Douji is dead." My eyes narrow and, not thinking, I crush the sword handle into dust. Konngara watches. "And if you lay a finger on Reimu or her family, I'll—" Images pop in my head: of Anon thrusting inside of me, the taste of his blood; Hana's messy face between my thighs, and I want to cry—

"—kill me? Do me that favor, Douji. Do it now, if you may."

I stare at her as if she had grown another head, which prompts the oni to laugh.

"Why are you doing this? You're telling me you're planning to betray Yukari." If I tell her all this…

"Are you going to tell your master my plans to stab her heart, Douji?" She asks, tilting her head a little. I don't answer. "I saw it at the vampire's party: a caged beast. Begging to be let out so it can bring forward destruction—one you despise thoroughly yet can't let go of it." She looks at my arm. "You're a slave to 'Kasen', Yukari—and like every slave, you want your master dead. That's why that sword in the Underground exists: to kill them… Because of that, you're not telling her. You want her dead; have the means for it—yet, can't bring yourself to do it, and it was apparent in that little spar of ours. Kasen prefer someone else do it."

She laughs, my fists trembling, chest tight. Rage boiled deep inside.

"That inner fight will be your death, Douji."

She jumped off the mountain, disappearing into the darkness.

The rage was snuffed like a candle, and all that remained was the hollowness of sins and fears.

>>45517324
had this chapter in mind since the whole Hana sexo incident. Exploring a bit more of Kasen's mind before the finale. Used Konngara because it was a nice way to call back her past and enhance the conflict, sorry if it was too much, Konngaranon! Did my best to keep things vague if you don't want to address it.

>>45517324
I know I'll sound like a nerd, killjoy and lossr by saying this, but konngara isn't one of the four Oni of the mountain. She (he, in the myths) is the douji attendant of fudou myouou along with seitaka-douji

>>45517364
To be fair it fits better in a fanon sense since it's not a new made up OC to fill the fourth spot, and Konngara fits the bill as a forgotten older character who's (probably) a strong Oni and thus can be written in easier and give more PC98 fanservice. Still an OC in all but name and appearance since she has absolutely zero characterization in canon apart from what her name and art could reference.

>>45517364
canon compliance is a lie. And the fanart of Kasen, Yuugi, Suika and Konngara together is cool.

>>45517324
>>45517364
Shoot, well this is awkward.
Konngaranon here, just saw this after getting out of the shower. I wasn't anticipating anyone to try and dive into the backstory before I did, but uhhh might as well clear this up now for future proofing.
Both of these are wrong and correct at the same time. The Konngara I've been writing is sort of my own interpretation of the Oni based on a combination of these very two separate fanon interpretations.
I'm running a bit on borrowed time here since I cannot stay up too long due to having errands to do tomorrow, but I'll try quickly elaborating on what I mean here. Do note that everything here isn't 100% final and could potentially change before I put it to paper. also spoilers I guess

>Be Gensokyo in it's infant years, where weirdoes like YuugenMagan are actually mostly the norm instead of cute girls
>Unbeknown to almost everyone living today, The Big Four of the Mountain were actually once a group of Five. Suika, Yuugi, Kasen, #!?* and Konngara. The other memebrs don't really like bringing it up, as it's quite taboo
>Human and Oni aren't on the best of terms. Even someone so carefree like Yuugi didn't really like having to interact with them whenever necessary. Also didn't help that this would be long before Kasen's Arm was chopped
>However, this would all change when one Human with balls of steel waltzed into the Youkai Mountain's bar and somehow managed to beat everyone else in a drinking contest without hax. This would quickly plant the seeds of a new bond between the two factions. Human started showing up for fun events on the mountain and Oni showed up for dumb village shenanigans. Multiple of the big four often found themselves getting drunk as shit
>Things couldn't have been better.
>and someone had to ruin it.
>It's not known why Konnagara felt the need to do what she did that day. Maybe it was directions from Fudo Myoo, hatred for Human-Monster relationships or she just went insane over her lust for more power. But over 150+ innocent bystanders, both Human and Non-Human, were injured, with an estimated count of ~74 dead. If that wasn't enough already, she was quickly exiled from both The Big Four and the overworld of Gensokyo after it was discovered that the bitch wasn't even the same species of Oni as the other four (missing shackles and dripping blood from the horn for example). She might've been on similar wavelength in power, but that horn? Fake. It was basically Gensokyo's equivalent of a plastic surgery prosthetic to make yourself look hotter.
>It was all a lie.

After this the timeline basically drifts back into canon. Oni move from the mountain and into the Underworld, Ibuki starts helping Oni and Human mingle again yadda yadda. Only other major thing worth noting atm is that both the Hell and Makai route in HRtP happened. Sariel was the one who destroyed the shrine but Reimu (being a dumb 5 year old) attacked Hell first before quickly being redirected down the proper path. Unfortunately, this mistake would leave a lasting grudge on both Mima and Konngara.

Anyways with the textdump finally out of the way
>>45517324
> "You used to not be a slave. I wonder what happened."
>"Did that little spar made you remember who you truly are, Douji?"
FUCKING KINOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I love it :)

>>45502112

The fairies took to the air together with Sunny, as ever, energetically in the lead followed by her best friends, the two daiyousei, and a rather sleepy larva following behind everyone with a yawn leaking from her pink lips. The air outside the garden was much less mild and buffeted the fairies that moved as a group like the wind catching a flag.

The rest of the fairies from the meeting dispersed in every direction, flying along a low altitude to get home as quickly as possible. The word must be spread, that Okina was up to her old tricks, Cirno was being held prisoner by her, and she killed Dai-chan! Narumi was the key to find her since she's being a big dummy and not coming out to fight them like a fairy. Soon every tree, blade of grass, and flower would be searching for her, but the three fairies had an idea.


Back on the ground before they took off it was that smarty skirt Larva who turned to the muttering three, "Hey, Star-san. You can find anyone around you using the power of the stars right?"

This interrupted the three girls, particularly Sunny, who was telling the two about how cool she looks holding the sunflower like a sword while she made swishing motions and sound effects. With a curious expression the three turned to their friend with Star speaking up, "Yeah thats right" smiling a bit smugly she puffs out her chest, "I can find anyone around, no one can hide from my ability~"

Nodding Larva asked, "then can you find Narumi-nee from here?"

Star thought for a moment, then rather sheepishly scratched the back of her head, "we'll err... she's not around here!"

Sunny poked her in the side with what was definitely a smug grin, "Ehhh~, Star can't find someone with her absolute ability, the ability not bound by the cloudy weather?"

Star flustered but rallied herself, "It's that she's too far away! I don't know everything, I just have to get closer is all!"

Luna in the background just seemed to sigh watching her two best friends tease each other. Larva interrupted before they could get further off track, "I figured that was the case, Star-san would be scary if she could find anyone anywhere after all, but you draw your power from the stars right?"

Star nodded and gave a 'that right' prompting Larva to continue, "Then it just makes sense that if we want to find Narumi-nee then we need to get super close to the stars so you can see everything!"


With that the group of colorful fairies ascended into the sky, higher than the foot hills that the stinky shrine rested on, higher past the Moriyan shrine nested between the ridges of the mountain, then they went even higher past the peaks of the mountains. Finally, they went all the way up to where the sky was violent, past where even the eagles soar and the wind did its best to carry you off far from home and further beyond past the very clouds themselves!

Larva herself was chilled to the bone and particularly sluggish from the lack of warmth her outfit failed to provide, she desperately wished she went back to hibernate. The other fairies faired little better, but this high up past the clouds where the sun and moon danced among the stars the three fairies felt their powers grow and it kept them energetic. Well if Sunny and Luna's stupidly excited faces were anything to go by anyways. The Daiyousei shivered out an 'are we there yet' with a petulant tone as they clutched each other, like some of those kissy humans that thought they were alone under the moon.

>>45518989

Star turned to her compatriots, and they seemed to notice that Luna was using her ability to mute the roar of the air allowing her friend to speak in her normal silky voice, "I can feel everyone! It's amazing, I haven't felt this good even since Creepykina put doors on everyone's backs!"

The Daiyousei almost looked blue in the face as one of them muttered, "Then hurry it up, It's too cold out here and I can't feel my face!"

Nodding and a little flustered Star gave a 'right...' and closed her eyes. Despite the sluggishness of the rest of the fairies they all held their breathe as Star drew everyone's attention by the perceived importance of what she was to say. Silence reigned and the Daiyousei, Larva included, were practically in a ball together with their legs and arms all tangled up.

Finally, a smug look descended on Star's face as she let out sound of satisfaction. Everyone held their breathe, all eyes were on her and nobody could even imagine speaking up now. Even the ever boisterous Sunny was silent, and Luna was fidgeting with her cap that she held in her hands lest it fly off in the wind.

Star's eyes gleamed in satisfaction as she proudly declared, "Mystia is getting her cart ready earlier today, we should get some food, I'm hungry!"

After Larva and Daiyousei absorbed her into their fairy ball and tickled her for good measure they got the real answer: she was hanging out at the outskirts of the forest of magic along the main path.

With Luna asking the Daiyousei and Larva to go spread the word to the other fairies, and warm up given how rough they looked... The three fairies rushed down with Narumi in their sights and a path to Okina ready to open up!

>>45479793
(18)
A sudden gust of cold wind makes me shiver and hold me arms close to my body. Winter is making its arrival clear, enforcing itself upon the world. Even the Forest of Magic, dangerous and wild as it usually was, seemed to relent under the new order. A silence hung over the forest like a frost, nary a animal’s cry or footfall to be heard. Even the occasional sounds of fairies giggling and chattering were missing. It was like all of them had simply left the forest. Do fairies hibernate? I had no idea. The usual strange smells and lights from the latent magic of the had faded to be unnoticeable by me. Even the magical plantlife of the Forest of Magic could do nothing but bow before the reign of winter. It made the trek feel safer, although the coldness nicking at any skin it could get made sure it wasn’t comfortable. Most people-sane people- were back at the village, huddling in front any source of warmth they could find or making final preparations for the winter. The solstice was rapidly approaching, but for me that meant-No, I had to focus. I could take one day to push all my worries out of my mind and have a bit of fun.

The dolls around me remained vigilant, both an escort to protect me and a guide to avoid losing my way in the confusing forest. I knew a woman my age shouldn’t be into dolls, but they were so cute. The way they looked so serious holding their tiny weapons and scouting out for danger while still in their frilly dresses. Ah~ It was adorable. I held onto my gift for Hana, it shouldn’t be long now. It took a minute or two of an uneventful walk before the trees cleared and Alice’s house loomed into view. Eager for shelter from the cold and food, I quickened my pace to the house, having my doll guard split up their ranks to keep up with me. When I reached the door, they all veered off to parts unknown. I opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it quickly behind me. I must have been early, as it was just the residents of Alice’s home here, no other guests in sight. At least the preparations seemed to be done. The table was stacked with a buffet of food. A large cake dominated the table, but there were all sorts of other foods as well. Meats and sweets and teas and snacks among much more. It was something that took a lot of work, I should know. On another table were a few gifts, waiting to be unwrapped by the birthday girl. I made my way over to the table and placed my gift down.

“Everything’s set up, we’re just waiting form everyone to show up. Coat rack’s over there, have a seat” Marisa said as she pointed out a coat-rack in the corner. I took my coat off and placed it on the rack, it was a little toasty in here. Done, I flopped down on a chair and took some crackers from the table in front of me. “Thanks for coming, this is going to be good for her” Marisa continues.

I give a short hum in agreement. I’m good at keeping secrets but I had felt the urge to left others into the secret quite a few times. There were plenty of people that would have loved to come, but we had all agreed to keep this on a smaller scale. No inviting people she hardly knew, just a smaller party with people she knew so she would feel at ease. It also made planning and keeping this a secret much easier. I had just finished eating my crackers when Mima floated out of the kitchen. “There’s still food in the kitchen. Help Alice carry it out” Mima probably could easily throw me one handed across an entire clearing as easily as someone could throw a pebble, but she still asks me to carry the dishes. I guess that’s a perk of being a god.

I go into the kitchen, Alice is busy preparing the last of the dishes. She pointed out the ready dishes on the counter. I started my work to carry them out to the table, putting them on the table. With Mima’s direction, everything was soon placed right where it needed to be.

Then I was told to help Alice clean up the kitchen. Once that was over, I finally had another chance to rest. Just as soon as I sat down, the door opened again. Mamizou stepped through the door. “Hey everyone, has the party started?” She strode over to the gifts table and tossed her gift there. Ignoring the stares from everyone, she took over her coat and placed it on a coat rack before flopping down on one of the chairs. “Looks like I’m early, or this isn’t much of a party at all” She takes out her pipe and some tobacco, fumbling with it and letting some hit the ground.

“Ah, please don’t smoke in here. The smoke gets everywhere” Alice pleaded. Mamizou paused before letting out a sigh.

“I’ll just smoke outside in the cold. Those frail old bones of mine get so creaky in this cold, all of you youngsters will understand when you get older”

Mima scoffed “I doubt you’re older then me, and I don’t feel anything in my bones”

Mamizou looked like she was going to respond, but not to. She tucked away her pouch of tobacco as everyone waited for her to finish.

>>45519418
(19)
“I’m sorry for not sending news I was coming, but I just had to come here. She’s a girl going through a lot so I just wanted to check up on her. I’m sure Hana wouldn’t mind, we do know each other after all” I noticed Mima glaring this way. I turned towards Mamizou, flicking my head Mima’s way and hoped she’d get the message. She glanced over at me.

“Of course, nobody told me. But did you think a shindig this important would slip my notice? I’m just here for the party, whatever else you do is of no interest to me” She clarifies. I swear this women somehow knew about everything going on. Did she do nothing but lounge around all day, listening to gossip while smoking and drinking?

Feeling at ease that she wouldn’t move against us for now, everyone started to mill around to bring some life to the place. Alice and Marisa talked about potential clothing for the baby. They were deep in discussion on how many frills were too many frills. Mima and Mamizou had seemingly started to warm up to each other as they were also chattering along. My eyes glazed over as I tried to listen in, so it was either about high-level magic or some obscure topic, or they were just swapping rumors like elderly women usually do, which was worse in my mind. While everyone was distracted, I swiped a few cookies off the table to have. When a doll nearby gave me a disapproving look, I split one in half and gave it to her to buy her silence.

So things continued on, and I started to feel to ease. Like a tightly wound toy, I felt the twists and pits in my body slowly dissipate as the stress seemed to fade away. Who cared about the future? Well, I would but this was the now. I could have this day for myself, the future was always a day away.

I overhear Mamizou continuing her chat with Mima, and my ears perk up when I hear what she’s saying . I think I hear this story before. Pouring myself a cup of tea, I move over to them and wait for a chance to butt in, a smile on my face.

>>45519426
>>45519418
Cute Suz chapter, I figured Mamizou just let herself in like Tewi did. I'm going to enjoy Marisa being put on the spot after its learned she leaked the plans. Hell, she probably let it leak to Mamizou too

>>45519426
>>45519418
>Suzu rest
and thus, everything was worth it~
Cute chapters, thanks for them!

>>45518998
>>45518989
poor Narumi, will have to deal with the Retard Wave…

A door opened by Kokoro. She glanced at me, then in the direction of my palace and, wordlessly, left for it. I ignored it in favor of centering myself, cleaning up the remaining tears, and only then stepping through the door. The experience was… rather different from Yukari's Gap: instead of going from one point to another with the weird eye dimension in-between, it was like going through an actual door, the Land of Backdoors opening to me.

Two girls dressed in green and purple, holding pieces of trees, watched me from behind. That fairy—whose name I've forgotten—played with the Myouren rat, unaware of me until the Matarajin herself hummed, amusement behind her eyes. "Good afternoon, Princess of the Underground~" she said, gawking at my body up and down—I felt tense, acidic embarrassment turning my stomach. My squirming made her joyous, writing something on paper without even looking; her other hand motioned for me to come closer.

The fairy waved at me. I waved back, steps hard towards the chair of the sage. The rat caught her hand and guided her out of the room; the two clowns left on their own volition. In seconds, I was alone in the room with the Matarajin.

"My, you're so cute. That pink hair, that frail stature… budding breasts~"

… Oh no…

Blushing, I stutter. "Are all sages creeps?!" She simply giggles, rolling the paper and throwing it inside a backdoor, all without shifting her eyes from my chest, skillfully dodging my psychic powers—perhaps for my own good. Ugh… "You know why I'm here."

"You did a good deed helping my sister Kasen; that backfired on you, and now you either don't act and your hot little sister—" would it be a good idea to shoot a sage in her own realm? Probably not. It was appealing anyway. "—out of desperation by her reopening third eye makes a deal with a devil worse than Shinki; or you do something and Yukari will have to deal with even more fodder when things go down." I narrow my eyes, and Okina lifts a brow, extending her hand inside a backdoor—I jolt backwards, away from her caressing my chin.

"T-That's how you treat all of your allies? Calling them fodder?" I expected bad. But not this bad…

She began writing another letter. "Don't be saddened, sweetheart; against a sage, only the likes of me and Reimu will have any impact~" Another letter thrown inside a backdoor. "But even fodder has its purposes; a war is not fought with missiles alone. Information is essential." Her cunning smile died, giving way to something that drained my embarrassment and replaced it with pressure. "Yukari and Kasen have done something I do not thoroughly understand—but you do, right? You were there." The smile returns; the pressure doesn't fade. "Consider yourself lucky. If you hadn't info I need, the price to be under my wing would be paid on bed~or maybe you want it just to have some fun?"

I gulped down embarrassment. Are these really the people you call your sisters, Kasen?! Perverted old grandmas…

Feeling bitter, I gesture denial with my head. Okina shrugs, placid. "Oh, well, losses are equal," and throws another letter inside a door, releasing her weird ink pencil. Last one, it seems. "If you ever change your mind, make sure to say it."

"You're despicable."

"And your boss, now~" She giggles, rhythmically hitting her finger against her cheek, eyes closing in thought. "Oh, they're all done. So fast, too—what a way to break stereotypes." What…?

My confused frown just makes her laugh—the sound grates my ears—her throne starting to float just as a massive backdoor opens in front of us, leading to a… lookout high up in the sky, clouds very close and everything in the distance—from structures to forest and rivers—looking rather small—

Okina's hand was on my back, prompting me to go through the backdoor. I felt sick, but Satori Komeiji is not one to fear the unknown—that'd have been a hindrance when setting up the nuclear furnace.

The air hits us, mighty and extremely loud, but Okina, coming behind me, moves her hand, and it becomes as silent as my office in the palace.

"Why did we come here…?" I walk to the edge, focusing on the structures on the distance…

"Oh, you'll see."

Hm…

Yes, still Gensokyo: the Scarlet Devil Mansion is an unmistakable landmark, even with all this snow—

"Serious, Okina? I was preparing to go to dear Hana's party! Ugh…” Surprised by the familiar voice, I turn. Kanako stares at me with curiosity. "Ho, Satori Komeiji…? W-Wait, don't tell me you two are a thing—"

W-What?! "Why's that your first guess?!" I yell, blushing.

"Because she's been consuming spicy romance novels recently like a demon~!" Behind her and out of the backdoor comes Suwako, whose input makes Kanako red as blood. "Still, making us miss Hana's birthday party? This better be important, Okina."

"Indeed." Hijiri Byakuren comes from another door, scowling and emanating cold anger in the air.

W-What's happening here?! All these powerful people…

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I'LL BE MISSING MY FUCKING CAKE!"

>>45522709
just posting the first part because it's raining hard as hell and my net will die sooner than later.
gg boys, see you guys soon
and fuck you Kanako, it wasn't bullying!!

>>45515841
"Alright, I'm ready to be lectured." He said aloud, kneeling as I shut the door.

I re-compose myself, having lost my stature and wept, my reputation could afford becoming embarrassed by some poor phrasing now.

"You ran away from us, your family, and broke commitments. Not only this, but you lied to me about Seija, truly these were wrong actions, wrong speech, and you suffered on your own because of them." I say.

Goro flinches, but remains silent.

"I believe you joined Yukari for some end, perhaps the Right Resolve, but to rush to her for power was a fault of an attachment to your ego or letting yourself be lead by Seija. You should have returned to us first and not hid in shame."

He breathes, but does not reject my criticism.

"Lastly, your true error lies at the root of your misconception, your muddied view. You believed that life concluded at a peaceful death, now you've been denied that. So, you've redoubled your efforts to seek the thing that you always wanted, Maitrī, pure benevolence for all living things, in you best interest dealings. But you cannot become Avalokiteśvara when you haven't taken the first step toward enlightenment. Without insight, the Right View, all your efforts are for naught."

At this, Goro's body begins convulsing and he falls to his side. I rush to catch him and gently do so as he shakes.

Slowly his convulsions being to fade, oscillating until he backs to a normal breathing rhythm.

"That hurt me." He said, blinking in surprise. "Why did it hurt?"

I felt his chest and extended my awareness to confirm my suspicions.

"Youkai are weak to mental attacks." And rightful condemnation could apply.

His eye's widen.

"Don't worry, you're still human, but you've been channeling Seija's youkai energy through yourself and it's started to effect you. Ironically, It seems like the bracelet's curse is protecting you, forming a barrier between your human soul and the corruptive energies." I explained.

He sighed, relieved. "That's what I thought. The bracelet helps me see things like a spyglass, but when I try to turn it back on myself things get fuzzy. Is there anything else there?" Goro asked, sounding a little hopeful.

So he could tell. "Your body and soul are optimizing themselves to accommodate the bracelet's grudge. Even if the Youkai energy can't complete it's corruption, you still might become an existence equivalent to a living, wieldable curse."

There was also a small shimmer within him. But it seemed insignificant in light of everything else.

"I met someone like that in the underground who told me something similar. Hijiri..." He started, taking a deep breath. "What should I do?"

From the depths of my bosom I felt an outpour of maternal affection which took all of my will to suppress.

"You must pursue Samadhi. Turn your perception inward and understand what your nature has become and will be. At the same time, you must correct your view by observing others as much as possible and without judgement." I breathed. "Perhaps even Yukari."

"You know, I was able to get along with Seija, maybe Yukari isn't such a stretch." He chuckled. "I'll try it. So I can become someone who can help these kids grow up better then we did." Goro stated, patting my belly. He let me hold him for awhile.

"Say Yukari did send us here with a missive, although I don't think she intends for you to actually read it. It's benign as far as I can see." He said, handing me a letter.

I unfolded it and read. Some formally written harsh words about 'illegal gatherings' and 'Terms of Service Violations', but nothing truly enforceable. I conjured a small fire to designate the missive.

"It's getting late. You and Seija will stay here tonight won't you?" She asked.

"Actually I need to pick up my dog and-" He began.

I clutched his shoulder a little tighter.

"-and I'm sure that woman wouldn't mind keeping him for another day!"

The evening went by peacefully. Seija busied herself with scouring some of our scrolls and asking about various figures like Tara, King Ashoka, and Geasar of ling, wanting to know who among them was 'coolest'. Goro was kept preoccupied with brushing hair and distributing souvenirs from their trip to the Hells. He was assaulted with all manner of questions about figures he met, trouble he'd gotten into, and, more concerning, inquiries about what he thought a man like Anon would like, which I must confess to eavesdropping on, only to make sure dignified advice was being shared of course!

In the end we all ended up asleep, spread out throughout a large room. We hadn't talked about heavy subjects like the upcoming Solstice or relationship drama, but I felt the course of things had been righted, if only a little.

---

If I screwed up Buddhist philosophy, blame it on Hijiri being a bad Nun.

>>45522979
Finally concluding serialized drama, I will now proceed to dump as many one-shot funny Ideas I have stored up before the the 21st.

>>45522709
Looks like Okina is holding a milf convention, and included Satori as her pet.
I wonder what the Fodder squad will get up to?

>>45522979
Goro really knows how to break a mother's heart. But even if he does turn into some curse-humsn hybrid at least he won't be alone being a freak with his wife and children.

>>45522709
Well, at least satori won't feel lonely on Okina's bed since Hana will probably be there if Okina has any brains.
>>45522979
Goro's interactions with the Myouren gang are priceless

>>45523266
>Fodder Squad
oh no...

>>45523703
Satori, a jobber is on it, alongside Satono and Mai, who are also jobbers, not to mention Cirno being on the team.
When the only non-jobber on you team is Cirno, you're fodder. They are the Fodder Squad.

>>45523540
>Well, at least satori won't feel lonely on Okina's bed since Hana will probably be there
anons still thinking Okina would fuck a 17 years old hag...

>>45524151
Reminder cirno is stronger then normal here too considering she has boosted up god powers and tanned mode at will now. She at least I'd argue is relevant powerlevelwise now.

>>45524946
>She at least I'd argue is relevant powerlevelwise now
>goes to battle in the front
>immediately met by this little fella
the Fodder Squad is immense.

>>45524946
>God powers
>Tanning
Not canon.

A massive… kitchen utensil flew towards Okina, which didn't even twitched, a door opening in front of her, the cutlery disappearing inside of it—a 'kacching' behind me, and my throat felt cold as ice when I turned to see Toutetsu of the Blood Pools there, having caught the cutlery from the open backdoor above her head… And she looked pissed. "What's the big idea?! I told you I was going to a special party, you fucking bitch!" The goat woman yelled, menacingly approaching the rest of us—the other women having flocked around Okina, watching the situation with varied reactions: amusement in the case of the Earth Goddess, contempt from Hijiri, and a quiet groan from Kanako, who massaged the bridge of her nose.

"Hana truly is a popular girl~" Okina laughed behind her palm. "Sorry for ruining many good memories."

Toutetsu tsk'd, scanning her surroundings before holstering the spork over her shoulder. "Purple Loser, Tiny Loser, Rapist Nun… and Pinkie—sup." She waved as if she hadn't just offended everyone here, squatting on the ground. Byakuren narrowed her eyes, appeared thoughtful for a moment before repressing a groan with a negative nod of the head to herself, and I confusedly looked at her—rapist…?

Oh. Oh…

Should've expected that; Koishi got pregnant too, after all.

… That's a terrible name for a boy, Hijiri.

Kanako crossed her arms, slammed the ground with a foot, a wooden pylon rising from the crack as if it were always there, adopting a comfortable sitting pose on top of it. "You won once, Yuuma."

"You two only fought once~" Suwako said with a smirk, Kanako groaning, face growing red. "Sup." She waved back to Toutetsu.

… I wonder if 'Pinkie' referred to my hair or my height.

Oh. Both.

"It'd be preferable if this meeting occurred quickly. I've got duties to attend, and they don't involve going to parties." Hijiri stated, leaning on Kanako's pylon. She's really in a bad mood. I wonder if it's because of pregnancy cramps or the rebel boy…

… Both.

Okina rolled her eyes—though her smile exposed her enjoyment—before turning to me. "Satori here joined our mutual cause with similar objectives, though not end goals." Kanako hums in satisfaction, Hijiri centers herself with a slight smile. They side-glance at each other and a spark of tension fills the air before silently dying. That Anon… poor guy. Suwako yawns, and Toutetsu pulls something out of the ground and eats it. "And has first-hand information about what happened between the other two sages in the Underground—Satorin~?"

Attention is all on me. Five of the most powerful people in Gensokyo are staring at me.

It's very overwhelming, and a drop of sweat runs down my nape. "You see…" I begin explaining, heart pounding as I try to explain the events as detailed as possible. I wasn't expecting to debrief it to a sage, a mafioso that went toe-to-toe wtih Flandre Scarlet and the heads of Myouren and Moriya, their presence towering over me… Fuel to many embarrassing thoughts, but those I'll reserve for the privacy of my bedroom.

As I finished, though, the atmosphere was heavy as spent thorium—ugh… Reading Okuu's mind was a terrible mistake. "Wretched defilement of the Samsara." Hijiri spat, eyes disgusted, munching her lower lip as she unconsciously wrapped her arms around her belly, protecting it. "That thing must be recovered, its duhhka purified, and its existence purged immediately!"

"I doubt we'd be capable of meddling with Yukari's work. If so, the barriers of the HSE would've fallen long ago—I'd have seen to that." Suwako interjected, legs crossed on top of a mound of earth; hardly quenched Hijiri's cold wrath but made her cool down, biting on a nail… The goddess' eyes, though, went to Toutetsu. "Could you eat it, Tetsu?"

"Yes." It was said without hesitation, albeit with a rough face. "But I won't." Hijiri tried, but couldn't hide a thousand unsavory thoughts, to which Toutetsu scoffed. "Don't look at me like that, Rapist Nun—I turn to what I eat, and I'm not eating condensed suffering. Not again. Try me if you can't stomach that."

Hijiri tensed, staring at Tetsu, searching for something in her face… and simply nodded, letting go of the qualms. Or at least, I think so.

"That thing seems really problematic; not even Yukari's Gap can get to it. Powerful magic, indeed~" Despite everything, the Matarajin never lost her smile. "If either Kasen or Yukari get to it, try keeping your distance. We love our souls, don't we?"

"Sanae could try sealing it together with Reimu—I'll talk to her when she gets back from Hana's party." Kanako offered, receiving general agreement. "Dear Anon, I fear for him. When the scope of what his suffering entails is known, the man will be heartbroken…"

"He'll have a shoulder to cry on, enlightenment to seek in religion and love in his blessed children. We'll take good care of him and show him true peace." Hijiri expressed.

"Don't start this again." Suwako advised, her eyes iron and looking very tired. Kanako pouted.

Discussion about the sword continued as the afternoon turned to evening, and conclusions looped back to either sealing it or stopping Yukari or Kasen from getting to it. The topic of killing was brought to the surface, but as always, killing a Sage of Gensokyo would ultimately destroy the Hakurei Barrier, thus making all our efforts inconsequential. As the moon rose, it was uncomfortably accepted that we'd have to fight knowing about those risks. Kanako and Suwako seemed at peace with the odds; Hijiri stared at the moon, meditating, and Toutetsu huffed, her mind elsewhere. Things surely escalated, but goals hadn't changed—maybe reinforced, if Kanako's metronome mind was any indication: a second she pondered the grueling battle, the next a very sappy romance fantasy. Ugh…

Okina was the weirdest, though. The sin sword was made specifically to steal her soul, yet she appeared the least affected by its existence. She looked weirdly expectant…

It sent shivers down my spine when her eyes locked with mine, and she showed this indescribable smile.

I swallowed cold under her gaze. "After the battle is done, and we have the sword…" I blurted, tense. All eyes were on me. Mine were on Okina. "… What are we going to do with it?"

"Destroy it; purify the damned souls of its composition." Hijiri expressed it as an ultimate truth. Silence followed. Frowning, she looked around, slowly crossing her arms, inserting into the atmosphere a heavy dosage of pressure.

"Sealing it would be best." Suwako was the one to break the silence. "As with sealing Yukari, sealing the sword would keep it in stasis, so its powers could naturally fade over millennia rather than destroying it and possibly have said power drain back into the world with the subtlety of an atomic blast." Byakuren considers her words, Kanako agrees, and Toutetsu watches, eating a dead squirrel.

"That could be dangerous and absentminded. If someone stole it…"

"It won’t happen.” Okina suddenly states, and all eyes shift over her. “Because I'll throw the sword into the Abyss of Backdoors.” There's no smile on her face anymore. Perplexity spreads like a virus. Abyss…? "It'll fall through a trillion doors for millennia, making it impossible to be found by anyone—even myself." She looks at the moon, and I can see in those eyes a glimpse of true, complicated emotions. I don't know how to react. "Yukari has created a monster in pursuit of control. No one should have control of the fate of that thing."

Everyone looks at each other; words not said. A conclusion has been reached, then.

Yukari will be sealed by Sanae and Reimu, the sword thrown to the Abyss of Backdoors, where it'll be lost to time and memory.

Or at least, that's the plan…

… Plans always change when the first Danmaku is shot.

With that, the meeting had come to an end, and the women started to disperse. Kanako came to me and in such proximity, I noticed I barely reached her shoulders. I expected a conversation and thoughtful words—she patted my head, smiling. "Thanks for all the information, young Satori. Going to battle without knowledge of this could've ended terrible."

I was blushing. "D-Don't mention." Yuugi was familiar and annoying, albeit endearing… But someone else doing it—?! Another hand joined, and I gawked at Hijiri, who was patting the back of my head, a motherly smile on her face. I burned crimson.

"It's no time to be humble, dear girl. We're a team and despite differences," a glance to Kanako, who huffed. "We're all working to free a wronged man and defeat an evil woman—what you've shown us will define our battles."

"I-I… uh… Gah, stop!" I hit their hands away from me and instead of getting mad or exasperated—a much better outcome—Kanako laughed and Hijiri hummed.

"I forgot you could be feisty~you'd be a great mascot, now that I think about it. Popular with the children for the cuteness and mothers, who'd want to nurture you."

"W-What the hell are you talking about?! I'm not a mascot."

"The children at the temple would appreciate you—they love pink, thanks to Unzan~" Hijiri stares at me up and down, and I feel something really bad rising. Almost a light source greater than the moon itself, I leave the hell the two older women put me through, rushing to Okina; they started talking about Anon. Suwako, who was talking to Toutetsu, laughed on her palm, a small sound… Toutetsu laughed as if she wanted everyone in the world to hear.

I felt about to pass out.

"T-Take me back home, please." I begged.

Okina bit her lip, eyes amused, ignoring the snow accumulating on top of her head. "Why don't we go back to mine~?" I gave her a wide-eyed stare. She giggled, shrugging. "Worth the try."

—

I jumped on my bed and rolled myself in a fortress of blankets. Orin stared, confused, and murmured, "Bad mood, I guess…" before leaving and closing the doors. I could hear her and Yuugi talking before a loud, muffled oni laugh made me groan.

… I got up, beet-red, and, this time, locked the doors shut

>>45525522
>>45525511
hag galore, boys. Next is Yukari, just waiting the next Hana chapter~

>>45465333 (44/?)

Should Yuuka have broken Reimu’s jaw? No. Does she really regret her actions? No. Really it’s not even hypocritical. If Reimu broke… no, if Hana or Marisa broke her jaw for what she did, Yuuka wouldn’t protest. Still, she can think about those things later, Hana is here after all!

Seizing on the moment before Marisa or any of the others can, Yuuka waves her over to the seat beside her, “Hana! Come in, come in! It must be freezing out there, wait a moment I’ll make some tea to warm you up.”

As Hana shifts off her coat and comes over with her pet, Yuuka sees to pouring her a cup of the good stuff. As Yuuka waves down a few dolls for sugar and milk, Hana asks, “What’s… all this? N-Not that I don’t appreciate it, but….”

Yuuka concludes, “It’s a little overwhelming? I can imagine, I had planned for a smaller group but it seems word got out. I’ll see to that lat-”

Yuuka is cut off by Hana suddenly choking on her drink, “Bleh who’d- Sorry! Sorry! If you like-”

Yuuka chuckles at the face Hana’s making before she raises her hand to silence the girl, “You… No… You aren’t supposed to drink that as is. It’s a bitter tea you sweeten like so. Oh, and thank you dears.”

The dolls curtsie as Yuuka stirs in the sugar and then milk. “There, that’s a palatable drink. I suppose it’s my fault, you mostly drink less bitter teas then.”

Hana nods, “I don’t see the point of taking something bitter and making it sweet.”

Yuuka shrugs, “It gives it a richer profile. Besides, there’s something to be said about the ability to shape something just the way you like.”

Hana frowns for a moment before suddenly replying with a harsher tone, “I didn’t get to adjust my tea.”

Aunn interjects, “I didn’t even get any tea in the first place.”

Ignoring the dog, Yuuka tuts, “My apologies, I’m so used to the way Wriggle drinks it that I didn’t even think to ask. That’s why it’s sweet enough to kill a fairy if you were wondering.”

It’s quiet for a moment, prompting Yuuka to wonder what it was that she said. Maybe it’s just a teenage girl thing. It’s been a long time since she had to deal with them and their… particularities. Looking at Hana’s face seems to confirm this as it shifts faster than a sunflower chasing the… that’s not that fast. Faster than the fairies run when she gets the shovel.

Finally, Hana says, “It’s fine, I shouldn’t have… So I umm never got an answer. I appreciate it, but why now? It’s not actually my birthday.”

Yuuka humms as she takes a sip of tea, “Dates… they’re arbitrary things at times. Need it be the actual date of your birth to celebrate you? It feels foolish to just ignore it because you were indisposed on the actual day.”

Aunn concurs, “Yeah! You’re super awesome every day anyways so really we should be doing this every day.”

Yuuka begins to contemplate, “Every day… I wouldn’t be opposed, though I feel Alice might have words… Heaven too.”

That grabs Hana’s attention, “Heaven? Why would they care?”

Yuuka turns her attention to her tea, “I may have gotten in some hot water with heaven while procuring your present. Nothing you need to worry about though. The secret is that Heaven really just hides behind its name nowadays. All you have to do is ignore the fees they send you and burn the court summons and it’s like they don’t exist.”

Hana slowly nods, “Burn Heaven’s summons… right… simple.”

Yuuka sighs as she finishes her tea, “ Quite, though it seems I have kept you for about as long as my reputation allows. I reckon any longer and Youkai will begin trying to talk over me. Go out, have fun. When you’re ready for your presents tell me so I can fetch you it.”

Hana smiles, “I’ll be sure to, thanks for the tea… even if it’s…”

Yuuka tuts, “What? Too bitter for your unrefined palate?”

Hana shakes her head, “Too sweet. It's way too sweet. I like sweet but…”

Yuuka huffs, “Bring it up with Wriggle. She’s been sulking in that corner ever since Alice put her foot down about bringing other bugs into the house. I think she wanted to show you ‘all the really cool bugs of Gensokyo’ or something.”

Back from Seiga's rape dungeon. Things have moved away from my original plans, though I like this better than anyhow. My only issue is regarding Yukari. It was my original plan that Yukari shows up to take Hana to receive her special present (raping Anon, hence the Kasen stuff and adjusting the barriers of her lust/reason) and that she'd get into a tussle with the hags that'd spiral into Cascading violations of spell card rules that'd end with Mima channeling all of her grudge into her knife and stabbing Yukari to stop her from just snatching Hana There are a lot more characters in attendance now and I don't want to step on any toes by doing that out of the blue. Still, it's pretty important for Mima's development and it makes sense for a skirmish to happen. Am I good to have it conclude that way and potentially pull in some of Yukari's allies?

>>45524182
Heh, jokes aside its clear Okina would break off a piece of Hana seeing has how she's already bedded two other sages. Okina may be a lolicon but its clear she casts her net wide and Hana is still young and spry

>>45525522
Satorin!
All you need to do is make one lewd look at her and she jobs!
Satorin weak to milfs and momdoms alike!
Satorin jobber supreme!
Satori the size of an elementary schooler!

>>45525647
Anything Yukari should be held for last, no matter what it'll be dramatic and derail the party and thats fine. Though you should consider any major shakeups carefully. The birthday party is supposed to be more of an emotional moment than straight combat.

>>45525647
Yuuka jobbing motherhood…
so cute!
>spoiler
it's not really stepping on toes integrating other characters. Just don't do anything too major with variables the other authors wouldn't understand and you'll be okay
about the second part
in a vacuum, a nice idea. But in the whole fic that'd be a bad choice having a conflict here, mainly because it'd relieve the thread of tension, and that'd be terrible so close to the finale.
The finale will be mostly battling and emotional conclusions, the first of which has been hyped up since the beginning of the project -- exactly why I didn't make Kasen and Yukari battle in the pond. That'd massively relieve the tension of their supposed battle in the finale and would make it much less impactful than it'd have been initially.
I know it's important for Mima's development, and that's another motive to hold it for the finale. My best advice would focus entirely on their dialogue, make it as aggressive as you'd want a battle between them to be, yet without violence. That'll create drama and increase the tension of their interactions during the finale, and will feel much more rewarding. And make more sense, too. One motive Yukari is so hyped up is because, without spellcards rules, she's basically invincible. A knife would simply be gapped away, same as lasers and danmaku. It gives sense to the massive preparations everyone is doing to defeat her.
During the finale Mima will be able to team up with Ran that'll be closing the Gaps; Reimu that'll be floating over them; Toutetsu that can theoretically eat them and more; let your creativity run wild there. There, it'll make sense for her to actually stab Yukari.
sorry for the massive wall of text, but discussion is important for these important moments

>>45525795
stop this bullying at once!!

>>45525904
No reason to apologize. This is why I like these sorts of things, I can get honest feedback that an idea is bad. Thinking about it, I can just flip her intended arc and it more or less works the same way with her beginning her goddess stuff now and finally ascending to a divine spirit during the fight. Thanks, Anon.

>>45526027
glad could help, anon; looking out for the funny ghost lady to have her moment! And maybe jobbing, because that's always endearing

>>45517969
>spoiler
damn… you know, that's autistic and convoluted enough to make some touhou sense.
at least there were no market manipulation. That's a big deal.
I wonder what's #!?* personality. Seems like a cool guy.
>>45518000
my man pogged so hard he achieved trips, holy fuck

>>45517969
>weirdoes like YuugenMagan
Excuse me, YuugenMagan is and always has been a cute girl in a kimono. Anyone who thinks they remember otherwise needs to report to Shinki for immediate magical shock therapy.

>>45526248
That's right. One is a creepy eyeball monster, and the other is YuugenMagan.

>>45517314
>involved in the underground expedition
As I said, the Komeiji's and by extension the underground is needlessly contrived and absurd. Cirno being involved with them is a minus.
>ascending to godhood
Dumb, only slightly above Rumia-EX due to being supported by the source materiel.
>Other fairies
Fodder about to die in 3.. 2.. 1...

The childcare business operation had massively shifted in direction over the past month. Various factions such as the Myouren Temple, Old Hell, and even the Tengu were constructing their own facilities to raise the new generation, of course, I was grabbing up contracts left and right to help out, but they'd own and operate the buildings, which left me in a bit of a pickle.

So I pivoted. Let the locals run their own facilities however they please, while my ventures provide the caregivers! That way, infrastructure costs are kept local and I only have to manage people! Which I've gotten quite good at thank you very much.

What proved difficult was recruitment. Getting inroads into the Grassroot Network was a huge win, but there was a short-list of other Youkai who I knew, and more importantly trusted, to take care of children. And if somebody else snatched them up, I'd lose out big.

The current targets were the former village teacher Keine, the alleged mother of 100 or so kids Yamame, and the Umbrella Kogasa. Kiene had been disgraced recently over some village gossip, which I viewed as more of a plus since she'd need work and it's not like Youkai would care, she might take issue with raising half-youkai kids though, being the de-facto protector of the human village for some time now. Yamame was a little elusive and I couldn't seem to get a team willing to go searching in the underground for her, lots of paranoia and asks for loads of antibiotics. Kogasa should have been an easy grab, but one of my agents had mentioned 'H', 'S', and 'E' which turned her straight off.

I'd gotten better at managing people, yes, but making new contacts was still a sore spot. I needed someone sociable who could understand Youkai needs, act with some tact, do what they're told, and isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. Fat chance finding anyone with two of those qualities, let alone all of them. Thankfully, I knew a guy.

"Goro! Could you come with me for a moment, I wanted to ask you something." I said, waving my hand inwards like I'd seen some village woman doing.

Seija and him were waiting in the HSE breakroom in those strange outfits. Some of our co-workers scowled, thinking they'd been passed over for a promotion, others had gingerly approached the duo, curious about the only other man who set foot in the HSE and had Yukari's ear. I cared about neither as I pulled them aside.

"Takane-kun, I thought you'd forgotten about me?" Goro smiled as he began to walk with me.

"Yeah, are you here to stare daggers at us like your merry little mob? At least some of you Yamawaro have some taste though." Seija joked.

Was Seija being friendly? Whatever, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"You're probably already aware of my little venture in planning-" I began, but stopped as a few White Wolf Tengu passed.

"Ah, you mean your future child care ventures? I bet you're having lots of fun sourcing people for that." He said aloud without a hint of restraint.

I glared at him.

"Don't worry, we're flipping the sound coming off our conversation around a little to scramble it. It'll just sound like radom chatter to anyone else listening in. We're trying to do the same with light, but that gets a little weird."

"White Wolves have good ears." I mention.

Seija grinned "What's her name, Momiji? We played a little prank on her to test it out. Don't worry, we're clean"

I shudder to think what kind of Human Resources complaint I'd be filling in for, but trusted her conclusion.

"Stated plainly, I need your help with recruitment." I started, handing an envelope to Goro. "If Yukari gives you a free moment, please visit those people and hand them a pamphlet, I'll give you... this much per head." I say, making a few gestures with my hand.

"And how much is that?" Seija asked, raising an eyebrow.

Goro whispered in her ear and her eyes bulged. "We could build a mansion with that kind of money!"

And who would they contract to build it? Why, none other then their friendly little Yamawaro at a discounted rate of course! Thus the circle of commerce will be complete.

"What about Anon? People are going to be suspicious of us because of our Yakumo ties. I can talk past a lot, but some of these people you've listed are likely to raise a stink." Goro asked.

"I haven't told him yet. He should have a little time without such responsibility after he gets out of this place. Tell them this isn't a Yakumo venture and lean into your own record I guess? Well, I suppose the whole Sanzu incident has tarnished that a little, you'll work something out." I waved.

"And if he doesn't, that's were I'll come in." Seija said, clapping her fist into her hand.

I looked at her in horror, while Goro just looked pleased. "What? Sometimes you gotta agitate a stain to clean it. Stubborn people ain't so different you know!" Seija said.

Maybe I was better off with those sketchy Hobgoblin resourcing departments after all...

>>45486411

Tewi stood there, in front of that green haired vengeful spirit, deadly flower youkai, blond witch(the other was busy cooking), orange bookkeeper, blue and white shrine maiden, and black feathered crow. The tanuki sat there without a care, amused that the focus had shifted to Tewi and her shaking inaba cohorts. The trio were on the receiving ends of a series of quite impressive glares that triggered the fight or flight instincts of her girls like no other, it was a testament to their care for Hana that they stayed put like a caught prey animal instead of bolting. Ah, such good girls~, Tewi would have to spoil them later and act a proper mother.

Regardless of her thoughts on Sana and Sara's fortitude the situation didn't change, they hopped into Alice's home quite brazenly with a single present and a bundle of mochi between them. It was clear that no one expected them to arrive, Tewi didn't care at least, she knew this was intended to be a private gathering and no one here knew how deeply Anon was entrenched into their family. She didn't hold against them what they didn't know, it wasn't the right thing to do, so when Mima spoke in her grandiose voice about 'what would possess the inaba of the earth to try to ruin this happy occasion' all Tewi could do was hop up and give the ghost a kiss on the forehead like the squirt she was.

This shocked the ghost and got the others attention, that was for sure. That said nothing of how Sana and Sara gasped in surprise, but Tewi didn't let the flabbergasted ghost whose wand suddenly found itself in her hand stop the cheeky rabbit. Channeling her almost forgotten experience of motherhood from a time before even this vengeful spirit was born, "I never knew a ghost could be so cute, no wonder Hana-chan cares for you so much. She would talk on and on about how you taught her so much!"

Tewi lied out of her teeth, but it was needed and benefited her and her charges so there was no wrong. It even had the intended effect, it killed the hostile aura the ghost held aloft like her silly hat as if she was running into a cliff face. She cleared her throat and resumed the domineering attitude she started with, but the edge was clearly gone, "It doesn't matter how much you claim to be her friend, this party is private and not for the likes of interlopers like you prank loving inaba to infest!"

Nodding as seriously as her mental state befitted, Tewi looked up at the towering ghost and youkai present, only Marisa was around her eye level. Tewi opened her mouth, her trump card would have to be played as she looked up at the vengeful spirit who still held her wand. Tewi's face was bashful but held that stern attitude that only one of those elderly humans who's long accepted their death could display, "I get it I get it, I'd buzz off after passing along my present but..."

The entire living room, plus Alice whose left the tedious simmering and stirring of pots to her dolls, held their breathe with a mix of amusement or annoyance. None guessed at what Tewi would say next except the inaba of the earth and moon who knew very, very, very well as to the gravity of the situation, "It's important to get to know my daughter and grandchild as well as I can you know? Humans live such short lives and all!"

Tewi could see the confusion on their faces, though certain girls like Mamizou, Aya, and Marisa grinned or averted their gazes as they pleased. Uncaring of the attention she would draw she went all in with her genial gamble, "After all, with 52 of my girls pregnant by him and myself trying for a child Anon and Hana are literally family in every sense of the word. Its my job to support them as best as I can!"

If silence was a place the entirety of Alice's house would be transported to far off shores. Even Sana and Sara, the little goofballs, didn't know the extent of things nearly as well as Tewi did and froze with a glance between each other. Of course, this silence didn't still Tewi aside from a dramatic pause where you could hear the pot on the stove bubbling a hardy stew to combat the late autumn chill, "It's embarrassing and all, but you can't keep a rabbit from her fun!. Before I knew it Anon was as much of an Inaba as Sana and Sara were! That's why I'm here, as Hana's oba-chan I have to be there for her, I even made sure to get a Kappa made knick-knack that I knew she'd love! I can't wait to see my precious granddaughters face light up!"

At that revelation, there were no more objections to Tewi's intrusion. Though to Tewi's amusement, there was a look or two of absolute envy cast between the inaba seated nervously sipping tea and the expectant lovers of that hunk of outsider meat.

>>45527332
And now we're finally on the daycare arc of the Takane section, I wonder if she'll ever be able to make friends with Hana, well probably not

>>45527332
It seems one gohei bonk wasn't enough to get rid of Seija's retardness. Pitiful.
Nice to see everyone working together to deal with the Pregnancy Crisis! Mamy jobabies like Keine's will need help...
Though it's hard to forget Eirin's using the crisis to brew the Uberchild

>>45527537
muh fucking sides this chapter, Tewi just dropping that fucking bomb shall haunt some souls forever. And Hana's sin kink about to act up HARD. Doesn't help rabbits are as incestuous as a porn site
>only Marisa was around her eye level
the maribullying... Though, 4 fucking foot 9 is a curse she's passing down her children and generations to come
thanks for the chapter!

>>45527537
I'm honestly surprised Hana didn't literally explode from this whole thing, especially with Tewi unilaterally deciding she's Hana's grandma.

>>45529689
This was before Hana came in to be fair

>>45529689
That's gonna have to wait for the gift unwrapping.
Can you imagine what Tewi got Hana after reading Eren's notes on her?
The Hana incest might get out!

>>45527537
Tewi just walks in and just announces that she's now part of the Hakurei family without a care to the world. Classic Tewi.

>>45529774
>Can you imagine what Tewi got Hana after reading Eren's notes on her?
Eren about to lead Gensokyo to a new, prosperous age by manipulating everyone. He was behind everything all this time…

>>45529780
the rabbit shall win and start the Eientei Rabbit Experience

>>45529889
I can't believe Shinmy forgave Keine for killing Goro, well she does eat pie cutely.
Hopefully her and the rest of the Seven People will stop Eren Yakumo's plan to genocide humanity for the sake of youkai.

>>45529689
Hana never had a grandmother so it might as well be Tewi.

Sitting at Suzunaan's counter I can't help but think of all the confusing matters at hand. The HSE, Anon, Mima's drills, Marisa's pregnancy, Kiene's pregnancy, and Hana's birthday. What should I get her? I'm sor troubled, I can't even be bothered to stop my children from playing in the front of the store!
Ah, children, so carefree and innocent. Maybe I should ask my husband if we can have another?
The door opening stifles the thought, Seija and that man she's been with casually walk in. Had Yukari sent them? Did she know about the meeting at Alice's house and had sent agents to extract what I knew? No, calm down. I'm a mature woman after all! No way they'd start a ruckus in the middle of the day right smack dab in the village right? If anything, this was my opportunity to get some of my own intel! Time for Smooth Operator Kosuzu to take the stage!
"Get out Oni! In the name of Momotaro!" One of my children yelled, tossing beans at Seija, who was not amused.
Oh no.
"Eh? Who's Momotaro?" Seija asked, scratching the back of her head.
Both of my kids looked at her in disbelief. "You don't know about the legendary Oni slayer Momotaro? He's the coolest and took on a hundred oni with his dog, monkey, and bird! Come on! We'll show you!" The two children said, each pulling Seija's arm off to the shelves.
"It's alright, she doesn't bully children, she's got a soft spot for the unabashed. Goro by the way." The man said, bowing slightly.
"Welcome Goro, are you perhaps looking for a book or here on business?" I asked.
"A little of both. Takane-kun asked me to return these books to you along with new requests." he said, placing the books on the counter. "Personally, Seija's been interested in literature recently, so if you know any books about anti-heroes I'd appreciate it." He whispered.
"It seems she's already being helped." I said, looking over as one of my children eagerly showed Seija a picture book, taking special care to point out each detail of Momotaro's outfit, while the other stacked a pile of other books to review. She seemed a little enamored.
"Is there anything else you, or I suppose, your boss needs?" I ask.
I had to be subtle. Play the part of the knowledgeable business woman eager to please so he let his guard down, without letting him know I'm actually an enemy agent!
"A day off would probably help all of us." he joked.
I stifled a laugh. This wouldn't work, either he was too low on the totem poll to know anything useful or he was a good enough agent not to casually leak secrets. In that case, maybe I had to offer something to solicit information. But what did I have that Yukari would want...
"Perhaps your in need of, alternative literature?" I asked him.
"Oh, I've seen enough of those comics to last me a lifetime believe me." He said.
"No, no, no I mean, Youkai Books."
"Hmm? What an interesting proposition, but why would I want such a thing?" He pondered, his hand on his chin.
I couldn't help but think, that blond tuft on the top of his hair and that demeanor, it was very 'Yukari-like' or maybe a little like Mamizou? Looking into his eyes, they seemed normal at first, but the edges of his pupils were blurred slightly. Just what was I speaking to?
"They can do all sorts of things! Like summon long-lost Youkai, instantly transmit information, describe spells, even encode secret messages!" I explained, my natural excitement overriding caution.
"Are there any about curses? Specifically those contained within objects" He asked.
Was Yukari planning on using curses? Maybe she had some cursed weapon stockpile, but didn't know how to use it. That bracelet on the man's hand was giving off some strange aura after all. This could be my chance!
"It depends on the type of curse. Some objects are possessed, even books, other times it's more of a rule that gets applied, like a sword which cuts the wielder or a river that can't be crossed."
"What about a grudge?"
"Those are tricky. Someone usually needs to wrong you to be the target of such a thing, like stealing someone's work for yourself or slaying someone close to them. It would be a difficult to weaponize."
"Huh, what about a tool that has a grudge against whoever wields it?"
I think for a moment and something instantly comes to mind. Taking a few seals of a cabinet and doing some unlocking, I open a door to reveal my collection. Flipping through, I find a thin tome with a black exterior and a plaid red pattern.
"This books describes the a generalized theory of cursed items. It has some confusing language that goes above my head, but it sounds like you'll find it useful. " I say, handing him the book.
"Thank you Kosuzu-kun, I'm sure this will be of great help." Goro smiled, before placing some money on the counter and retrieving Seija from a lecture about pirates.
This was great! Now I knew Yukari had some interest in curses and was trying to weaponize them! I can't wait to shove this in Mima's face and tell her that I... gave them exactly what they needed.

>>45531809
>Keine's pregnancy, and Hana's birthday.
Anon…
… what fucking timeline are you on?

>>45531870
The best timeline obviously, Keine's pregnant with twins due to having threesome shape shifting sex with Anon and Mystia.
The twins still have wings for some reason.

>>45531870
Yeah, I should have said 'Keine's kids' or 'teaching Keine and Marisa about raising children.
Kosuzu is tired okay? She can't think straight!

>>45532039
poor Suzu, too much time with the Jobber Squad. She's never properly recovering…

>>45531870
she didn't get the message. Please give her some time

>>45531809
Oh no Kosuzu, the jobbing is running off on her.

Is it just me or has this project like slowed to a crawl the last week or so?

>>45485632 (24/-)
—
Snow should start to fall soon, the cold outside biting.

I look to my side at the handmade cradle illuminated by candlelight and softly smile. They sleep in there, wings up and hiding their faces, five blankets covering their tiny bodies. It's a struggle to fight the motherly desire to caress them, but I—hardly—persevere: Aki would be grumpy all day long tomorrow if I'd accidentally wake her up now. So I turn my eyes back to the pen and paper and resume writing. One letter is not enough, thus the many copies. Suzu's power would be handy for this, but she's already got a lot on her plate with that party.

Not like a teacher would get carpal tunnel anyway~

Still, as the menial work of copying the letter goes on, my mind wanders about the promises I've made. To change this village for the sake of my children and now for an entire new generation, which I'll teach when they can speak and walk… That's a lot of responsibility; doubtfully, it'll also come peacefully. But history has shown that the child abandoned by the village will burn it to the ground to feel its warmth—

A hissing projectile.

—I move, catching whatever passed through the cracks of my closed window with expertise, one hand shining with Danmaku… It was a plain piece of white paper, a tiny flame burning on one of its edges.

What the hell…?

I try to snuff it after licking two fingers, but it keeps on burning, not harmful to touch. I move it around, frowning—! The flame gets bigger when pointing in one direction and shrinks when pointing in the opposite direction.

Wait… This fire—

My heartbeat skyrocketed, its slivers of fire magic carrying a signature I knew very well, a trembling smile taking over just as acidic anxiety and fear rose from deep within my stomach, hands trembling and nape sweating. I've been mulling over and over how to approach her, how to apologize… It seems she's extended the olive branch first.

I look at my children—fast asleep; under a mountain of blankets; faces a healthy shade, wings brushed and cared for—then at myself—blue nightgown, barely going above thigh-line; blue socks—then at the paper…

… I run to the window, jumping through it and closing it, taking one last glance at my children before soaring to the skies, following the direction in which the flame burns brighter. The cold was merciless; memories of darkness and frigid water threatened to come to the surface and steal my breath away, but the flame dispelled the cold, and I grinned.

Mokou was never the patient type.

… Mokou…

I swallow dry, wrists quaking, eyes welling with tears before I clean them, entering the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, focusing on the flame—taking half the paper—to not get myself lost.

After some excruciating minutes of navigation, the dense thicket of bamboos gave way to a clearing illuminated by moonlight, a pond nearby glistering with the refraction of the snow and, nestled in the middle of it all, a table for two, a lit candlestick in its center and, sat, a very tense Fujiwara no Mokou, a foot rhythmically hitting the ground, hands together in a fist—almost a prayer—hiding her mouth. Her eyes opened wide—always of the intensest, most burning reds—and locked with mine. The breath she released as I slowly walked towards her carried enough relief to create a youkai out of thin air.

My eyes were of the same broadness, disbelief making my body itch. As I stopped behind the empty chair opposite hers, the card burned out, ashes spreading around. "I got your message." I simply said. She didn't seem to listen, looking me up and down, stunned—probably should've dressed myself better, but the rush to solve things, to have her back in my life and—

"O-Oh, um… yes. Sorry if it was non-intuitive; I was too afraid to talk to you and—" She gulps something, forehead glittering with tense sweat, rubbing her eyes with her thumbs. My heart races. "W-Would you like to sit? I made something for us…" Just now, I noticed a wooden box hidden behind her, covered in a white tarp.

I stare at Mokou. Her eyes are glimmering, expectant, and if I were closer, I bet I'd be able to hear a thunderous heartbeat just like mine.

I smile fondly. "Of course."

The moment I sit down and we stare at each other from across the table, she seems at her limit. "I'm sorry…" Tears roll down, the bravado she must've worked so hard on crumbles. If my heart beats any faster, I'll die. "F-For everything—I didn't know what was happening; I was so hurt by everything, blinded and didn't stop a second to consider there could've been more, Keine—I said terrible things—a-and—and—"

I grab her hand resting on the table, the intertwined words coming to a full stop when she stares at me and sees maybe the biggest smile I've ever given someone. The silence sings; our eyes on each other; the lake bathed by moonlight our backdrop.

She squeezes my hand back.

It's with a velvet-coated tone, unable to control my thin tears, that I lowly say, "… I've missed your food."

"I miss your food… but also the way you'd sit upside down on the couch; the way you'd hug me and get me off the ground—you're just so tall~" She laughs, and it's accompanied by a soft, pained gurgle. "I miss your excitement and the way you'd light up my mornings… Mokou, I never blamed you for anything." There's so much I want her to know, feel. How'll her eyes shine when she holds Aki, Kuramochi? When she learns about my plans, the things I went through? Excitement pumps my blood. "I miss you in my life." I whisper.

Somehow her eyes got even bigger, her hand on mine so tight it hurts—in a good way. "Y-You don't blame me for all that?! I said awful things! Was a terrible friend! I could've done more; could've listened, but I did not and—"

I laugh. It's sudden and hearty; the moon hears, the fish hear it, and Mokou looks so befuddled I don’t doubt her brain had shut down for a second. Laughter dies as tears roll, the smile on my face hurting, denying with a head sway. "All you did was react, Mokou…" My smile turns guilty. "All the lies I told, letting the charade build. It all hurt so much, and I could've stopped anytime… But the peer pressure of knowing your smile would fade… I gave in to that and let that bomb explode." Her face contorted into a bunch of difficult emotions, confused on what to express: rage, guilt, pity, empathy…? I squeezed her hand, and she showed understanding. "It was my fault; I was weak and paid the price—and, for everything, Mokou, I'm sorry… Do you forgive me?"

To say those words, to let it all out of my chest… It feels good—

—but Mokou stops that with one word. "IDIOT!" I’m taken aback by the yell, gawking at her; her face burned with frustration—literally: flames danced around her pristine hair, perfectly framing red eyes. "Acting as if you carry the world around! You're not alone, idiot! I did wrong too; I was a shit friend, Keine! Even Kaguya realized that! You deserve as much of an apology! It's not just because you can mess up with history that you should live yours alone; you're not Almus… no, wait, that's not the guy—uh—Atlc…"

Beyond the utter feeling of being flabbergasted, I laugh more.

"Atlas, who carried the skies."

She snapped her fingers, excitement shown in the twisting flames. "Yes, that's the guy! You're not him—you don't need to carry this weight alone, dork!"

… Oh, the tears have returned.

It's true, right? In that fear, surrounded by lies, I pushed people away. No wonder I crumbled under the pressure…

I look into her eyes, Mokou struggling to regain her breath, pulling her hand back as to clean her face… "I accept your apology, Keine… Do you accept mine?"

… Ah…

This feeling… It's like flying across the sky with my babies. It's freedom unlike anything else, an enchanting moment, and it sees me true. It's enough to fill this restless heart with a thousand feelings that bubble to the surface.

"Y-Yes. I do."

Mokou pauses; her chest swells… Then she giggles lowly, gets up, turns to the moon and— "HELL YEEEEAAAAAH!!" She shouts to the skies, probably awaking Heaven's residents and I can't; I simply can't: I'm laughing. Out loud. Very loudly. Mokou is also laughing, pumping her fist, flames as if wings behind her—just watching her… The undescribable feeling inside my heart gains a name, and it is 'freedom'. "Man, this feels so good~I feel like I could take on a mountain!" She jitters, rushes at me, and before I even know it, I’m lifted off my seat, Mokou spinning around and laughing, holding me as a bride. "I think I'll go cause the Tengu some problems! I'll start a forest fire! OH, THEY'LL GET SO MAD!!" She puts me down, and I hold her hand—her heartbeat is through the roof, smile shining—giving her a disapproving look. She scratched her nape. "Heh, sorry~"

I giggle, my head feeling light. "Ah~all these emotions… I'm starving now."

"I know, right?! Come!" Even though she says that, she picks me up again and carries me to the table, gently sitting me down. "You'll love it~I've been preparing it for days! Most was me trying to remember your tastes—you big picky eater—Japanese," she counts on her fingers, frowning. "—things with cultural background; mild and sweetened; but nothing greasy or spicy." My face is pure red, smile wide, heart full. So thoughtful of her~the look in my face gave in. "Nailed it, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did, Mokou."

She was laughing, bringing the food to the table. Blissful moments followed as we ate good food and talked, mostly about what we did and the terrible rumors that have arisen about me. She was fuming with Mr. Hieda's delusion, mumbled about punching some kids when I told her about the stoning—an idea I promptly dissipated—and was entranced as I described my last stand to protect two poor souls, not telling her they were babies or Mystia's actions; the first was a surprise and the latter would be discussed more thoughtfully later.

As we finished, I caught her hand, excited. “Mokou… I want to show you something wonderful."

The way back home is short, yet my heart keeps skipping beats. Having Mokou back in my life… Feels like a dream. I fear it might actually be—I glance at her flying by my side, thrown at how quickly she turns her eyes away from the lower half of my nightgown to meet mine. "A-Aren't you cold in that skimpy thing?" She utters, blushing, hands crossed behind her nape, flying as if floating on water.

I hum. "I was feeling cold when I left to meet you." My eyes soften, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. "Not anymore."

Her blush deepens, making a sulking noise. "At least it's dark so no one can see it…" I blink at her words—chest clenching—and can't resist snickering. She gets even redder.

Ah~It feels good. It really does. Like having a thousand tons lifted from your shoulders, the world more colorful and the moon shines a silver so pronounced you can lose yourself in it for hours—oh, that's not the moon, that's just Mokou's hair. Heh.

Our flight finally ends, landing on my bedroom's window. Mokou looks rather tense as I open the window—the room hardly illuminated by moonlight, so she has to squint to understand her surroundings, watching me walk towards the half-spent candle. "Be quiet, okay~? They're sleeping." She lifts a brow, looking at me as if I said something stupid.

"'They'?" She parrots, coming to my side.

I giggle and, with a flick of my fingers and a bit of magic, the candle is lit again…

… Mokou turns absolutely pale.

During our apology, when I laughed, I'd thought her brain had shut down… Here, I'm certain it did.

She gazes at Aki and Kuramochi, utterly mystified, moistens her lips, and unconsciously holds onto the cradle to keep her balance. I stare at her expressions with a guttural feeling of sheer happiness throbbing my entire body, drinking from the tiny movements of her muscles; the confusion; the sweet, stupefied smile as she turns to me and, in her speechlessness, have her wide eyes make the question: “Who?”

I titter, eyes glinting. "These are the two beautiful souls I saved in my last stand… My two children."

Gently, I reach inside the cradle and grab Kuramochi, handing him onto Mokou—and, oh, I think the likes of Aya would pay a mountain of gold to see the almighty Fujiwara no Mokou like this: a mess, fumbling hard and stuttering as she confusedly tries to hold the baby without letting him fall, looking at his little face as if worth thousands times more than the just mentioned mountain of gold. "K-Keine…" She looks at me, gulps something down, then looks back at Kuramochi, specifically his wings. "… W-What?"

In the meantime, I had picked up Aki, nestling her in my arms. "They're night sparrows, like Mystia… I adopted them, and they've chosen me as their mother. Things have been hard—really hard—," Mokou's eyes soften, the baby in her arms moving a bit, probably going to wake up soon. "But with them in my life, I've found strength to keep on going. A motive, changes of view—hope and responsibility…" I watched as her red eyes met the baby's blues for the first time, tired and a little numb from just waking up, yet stark under the tender candlelight. The immediate veneration in her eyes was enough to bring back the tears. "This little one here is Aki, as in Akyuu… And that one," he giggled, trying to reach for Mokou's head, likely to eat her hair. "Is Kuramochi." It comes out as a whisper.

Yet it shakes her entire world.

She stares at me, a trembling smile rising as if a phoenix, then at Kuramochi… "Kuramochi… That's your name, huh?" Gently, her index finger meets his stretched hand, and it takes his entire tiny palm to hold it. Her smile is blinding. "Be proud of it—i-it was the name… of a great man." She giggles through tears, swinging her held finger up and down to entertain him.

Aki moans, and I sigh, albeit not losing my smile. She'll be so grumpy tomorrow~

"K-Keine…" I look at Mokou, who, with trembling steps, approaches me, my heart flipping with expectation. "I… want to be part of t-this." Whatever expectation I had was blown out of the roof, my eyes bulging. "Of their lives—of yours. I want us… to be a family…" She carefully touches Aki's cheek, who mumbles. "… Can we?" Her hand goes up and rests on my own cheek. I lean onto it as if it were water in a desert.

I can't resist: am laughing again.

Aki isn't fond of the noise. Kuramochi munches on Mokou's finger.

"Why are you asking that, Mokou? And you really called me a dork? Don't you have any shame?!" I close the distance, placing my forehead on her plain chest, Aki’s and Kuramochi's wings brushing together. She looked down and I up, and our smiles were clear mirrors of the soul. "You're already part of this family, you big, flat idiot~" Mokou pauses, her chest swelling—the sweet sound of the heartbeat there my favorite melody. "Don't shout, please. The neighbors will be mad."

She nods with a snicker, leaning on me and using her free hand to bring all four of us into a tight hug, giggling on my scalp.…

… Perfect.

>>45533299
>>45533292
>>45533286
next installments will be the ending of the Keine side-story~

>>45533283
It's the week before Christmas in the states, don't expect writefags to be speeding up anytime soon.

>>45533283
>end of the year/christmas
>finale incoming
yup, we're slowing down and probably having comfy 7+ days threads for a time

>>45533286
Sweet chapters.
>One letter is not enough, thus the many copies.
AH haha, goddamn, beat me to it. Great minds think alike. You'll see.
>>45533292
>things with cultural background; mild and sweetened; but nothing greasy or spicy
That Mystia stall game is pretty good, if a little unpolished. Goddamned inconsistent pixel kernel sizes drive me nuts.

>>45533395
>first spoiler
t-totally intended, trust me.
>second spoiler
I'm totally the opposite; I love that shit design

>>45533309
Sweet chapters, looking forward to the wrapup!

I remember when I first referenced Keine in Rikako/Lemontene 1, I expected her to never be brought up again.
Great story, anon!

>>45533574
Spiders are cute!!!

>>45533688
Imagine Yams trundling about with several dozen of her kids clinging onto her. Fitted with a silk web hammock in between her spider legs to carry more.

>>45533755
a simple truth.
Also, beautiful spider and offspring
>>45533688
would look silly and cute, the perfect combination wtih motherhood~
also, just remembered I never finished the Parsee/Chen chapter in the Underground… oops.

>>45533299
>>45533292
>>45533286
Pretty cute chapters, Mokou was so adorable in these.

>>45533755
I know wolf spiders are pretty incredible but I don't think yams is fitting 192 half-human babies on her back

>>45534214
Baby tsuchigunos take the form of a small spider before they learn to shape shift into a human.

>>45534452
I suppose it makes it easier to think of how she could have possibly given birth to 192 children, but at the same time that would be a horrifying sight, and a nightmare to keep track of and corral them.

>>45534463
she knitted each one a sweater with their names on it, so probably made thinkgs easier

"What are you still doing up? Come to bed." I commanded, seeing Goro at his desk writing letters.

"Sorry, just need to finish writing a few of these, I'll be there to warm you up shortly." he replied.

"Get me some more blankets then, this place is freezing." I complained, squatting next to the dog's bed and squishing it's floppy face. "Or should I steal some from this guy? Dumb mutt's toastier then I am."

"Who're writing to anyway?" I ask, flipping through some of the letters on his desk. "Kiene, Satori, Yuugi, Eiki? Junko?! Pretty bold choice of pen pals."

"Well, I just thought it'd be interesting to stay in touch with the people we've met." Goro smiled.

"Seems more like a lonely cry for help with the quantity of recipients." I remarked, hopping unto his lap and snuggling up to his chest for warmth, making it difficult for him to write.

Reflecting on it, I hadn't gotten one over on this guy in a while and, having said all that embarrassing stuff at that Myouren Temple torture session, I figured some punishment was due. But how to go about it? Excessive violence was no good, had to keep him in top form. Bombing our Yakumo positions would just mean there's less fun to be had later. Maybe I should ghost him one morning like he did way back? Ha! That'd make him squirm! But I can't risk one of those desperate single mothers swooping him up to father her children.

The kids...

Our lives were about to get more troublesome with two strange children on the way.

"I really hate you, you know?" I muttered as Goro continued to write around me.

"Hmm, well that's too bad since I'm such a fan of yours." Goro said in a sing-song voice.

"Ugh, just what is taking so long anyway? Writing our apologizes to Eiki didn't take so much time and, hey, why do you have that book open?" I said, noticing Goro had the slim black and red tome open for reference. On it where several illustrations and sigils, accompanied by notes Goro had written.

"So you noticed? I'm not just writing letters here, I'm also doing some experiments with cursed text!" He said with a smile.

"What? Are you gonna give the Yama a migraine or cause Yuugi to see perverse visions?" I asked, skeptical at the prospect.

"Nothing so illicit! I'm really just using curses to copy an idea from Takane, encoded secret messages only the intended recipient can read." he said.

I looked over what he'd written and squinted, trying to make out anything strange, but found nothing.

"ha, nice trick. Only a fool couldn't see that there's a message they can't see and the King's new robes are truly magnificent! When did you get the talent for cast curses anyway?" I ask.

"Oh, it's not so different from operating the bracelet and this book has been very useful. Although it's a tad annoying, the author lays down the bare minimum in axioms and expects you to derive the rest naturally. I wonder if they were friends with Yukari, their teaching methods are similar." He explained, ignoring my purposefully botched reference, the spoilsport.

"The issue is delivery. We could ask Yukari or Kasen for some of their animal servants, but I don't think they'd be so eager to go to places like Hell." he pondered aloud.

"Eh? Aren't curses supposed to find their way to their targets on their own? Well I guess that's grudges specifically and vengeful spirits, the sore losers." I remark, reminiscing.

Goro stares at me in astonishment. "Seija, you're a genius!" He says.

"Well yeah, but what has that got to do-"

"The letters can send themselves!" He states excitedly, shifting some notes and flipping through some pages of the book.

"If I just put a few reference points with sigils and approximate the shape of the text, even if the letter is set on fire or torn apart, it should still find it's way to the recipient whole! A grudge-based mail service which guarantees both deliver and secrecy! This'll show Takane how a market really gets cornered!" Goro proclaims, while eagerly drawing shapes on some parchment.

I kiss him.

"Ah Seija, just a little bit please? I just have to try one thing and I'll-" I pull his face back to my lips.

"I didn't say you couldn't." I tell him.

"Then let me-" Putting my knees on his thighs, I raise myself above him, pull his chin up and kiss him again, deeply. With my tongue, I worm around in his mouth, lightly prodding his, until I pull out, leaving a trail of Silvia and his face reddened.

"Oh no, looks like a accursed little Amanojaku has ruined your precious moment of inspiration. Whatever shall you do?" I taunt.

Goro shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. Licking his fingers, he pinches the candle's light to extinguish it, stands up, and carries me to the bedroom.

"Kyaa!" I squeal, as he lays me on the futon.

"Great, now I'm totally distracted, you'll have to pay for that you know." Goro says, rubbing my palm with his thumb.

"Some lowly Human like you defeat a great Youkai like me? Dream on."

I was never so happy to lose.

>>45534644
>Seija
>Great Youkai
Dream on shit'Jaku you'll never be a great youkai.

>>45534684
>Dream on shit'Jaku you'll never be a great youkai.
This post reeks of old, seething, childless maid

>>45534644
So goro is passing secret curses to some of the powerful people he knows, and Keine. For a smart guy he's pretty dumb

>>45536169
the jaku reversed his cunning into stupidity. In Keine's case, if she gets to the letter first and feels the curse she can simply eat the history behind it and essentially erase the curse... though If Mokou gets to it first, the Myouren will be burning

>>45536169
>the author lays down the bare minimum in axioms and expects you to derive the rest naturally. I wonder if they were friends with Yukari, their teaching methods are similar.
Even worse it might've been a young Yukari aka a newly isekaied Maribel or Renko who wrote the book.
But things like this are really funny personally, I love when dumb ideas like this explode in the faces of characters.
It gives off the same vibe as using undead for free labor, or some other power gaming thing that'l explode in the users face, I do think Hecatia and Junko would honestly like it though, those two are weirdos.
While some of the other stronger 2hu's like Byakuren or Yukari might immediately notice it and dispose of the letter properly without reading it, where is he even going to find all of the correctly targeted resentment from?

>>45537145
>But things like this are really funny personally, I love when dumb ideas like this explode in the faces of characters.
same. So cathartic and helps to never make the characters feel safe so it's easier to get invested
will be using that principle in the birthday party

>>45515120
Just wanna say, by Tournament of Power Goku can fight evenly with Beerus and by the end he's more powerful with Ultra Instict.
I don't think it's unreasonable to scale Flan as equal to Beerus, so depending on how you scale Yukari in relation to Flan she'd either fight evenly with Goku or stop him.

>>45539364
your words scare me, wizard man...

>>45539726
I'm just saying people oversell pre-tournoment of power goku all the time, yeah he's strong but he's not upper-multiversal or anywhere near outerversal.
He's much more consistently low universal to low multiversal, and higher scaling requires using things like promotional statements which aren't reliable.

>>45536169
>For a smart guy he's pretty dumb
Yeah, Jaku lovin' and male pregnancy's do things to a man.
>>45536822
>>45537145
>>45538627
The idea is definitely meant to silly from the perspective of using something nefarious like curses to encrypt information or guarantee delivery, but from Goro's perspective, he's seen Takane do the latter with Youkai magic and done the former with the bracelet.
>where is he even going to find all of the correctly targeted resentment from?
Optimized with the usage of the bracelet, plus being observant of people is necessary for brokerage. Since it's not meant to harm the target it doesn't need to be a lot, just something like 'man, I really think Eiki could have been more polite' or 'Junko sure grabbed me roughly'.

Of course, none of this guarantees any of it works, like in an inventor's biography when they make a breakthrough, it doesn't mean everything magically falls into place. And 'cursed-based, secure, and guaranteed delivery service' is definitely incident fodder.
Goro's taking on more of Seija's 'go big or go home' mindset since he's thinking about their children's future, causing him to take risks he normally wouldn't.

All that being said, feel free to write your own version of Gensokyo's own Anthrax scare.

>>45540045
>All that being said, feel free to write your own version of Gensokyo's own Anthrax scare.
This reminds me, Grudges and Vengeful spirits emit toxins and heavy metals.
I wonder how many people Goro will accidentally end up giving youkai cancer?
Byakuren, Eirin, and every other youkai biologists and medical professional will be backlogged for weeks trying to work through and un-curse and un-youkai-cancer patients.

>>45540045
Honestly goro powered by the infinite despair/grudges that are the HSE just from anons suffering, not even including all the other shit, is probably strong enough to be massively relevant. That's a LOT of suffering anon and everyone else is going through there.

>>45540960
>cool grudges and curses, bro
>unfortunately

>>45540130
>This reminds me, Grudges and Vengeful spirits emit toxins and heavy metals.
Oh this actually gives me a good idea. Time to brew.
>>45540970
I have an idea for Yuuka, but I also love the whimsey of everyone having some epic plot/lore-centric battle, monologuing all the while, and all the sudden Yuuka meets Seija and Goro, having never seen them before, and they just immediately start slugging it out without restraint, having a hell of a time with no melodrama or reason needed.

The party started on the mild side.

Not everyone was familiar with each other, and the 'intrusion' of Tewi, her entourage, and Mamizou soured things. The mood was one of awkward tension… Then Hana arrived, and it was like the flip of a coin. She brought with her energy that filled everyone's soul; though she was cutely tense as a rod and sweating bullets at first, it endeared more than weirded out.

Energy spread out, volatile and warm, grew exponentially, and now a true party is unfolding before my eyes.

The army of dolls played with everyone, exhilarated with all the attention; the rabbits, Sana and Sara, the biggest contributors to their excitement, hopped around and chased the dolls around, loudly telling stories of their massive family and competing to see who could eat more—an amusing sight, considering the dolls' and rabbits' minuscule stomachs. It came down to manpower and with so many dolls, it wasn't surprising they'd won all matches~

Mamizou was content to stay in her corner, eating and indulging in gossip with whoever decided to approach. I stopped by when Marisa and Alice approached and, oh, what I got was gold: apparently, during one of Alice's visits to Anon, she was caught leaving the Fake Shrine running on all fours, her eyes wide like those of a wolf tengu in heat. Aya, always the opportunist, heard that and was furiously writing, much to the dismay of Alice, her face as red as Kanako-sama's dresses, stuttering and just about to melt from embarrassment.

Then Mamizou followed with how Aya got her wings petted by a mysterious person, turning into a bubbling pool of pleasure in seconds. Aya was even redder than Alice.

Serves her well for that preposterous 'gift' she gave me some time ago—it destroyed Kanako-sama…

Marisa was cackling the entire time.

Gossip continued between them—at one point, I caught a glimpse of Marisa just as red as the other girls and couldn't stomach the regret for not staying to listen more—and I moved, engaging with sweet Kosuzu about her humble bookstore; though she asked me if I was interested in any books recently, I smartly—and for my own decency—didn't tell her about my growing curiosity to consume, well… Spicy content.

… It seems it destroyed me too.

Our attention was caught by Hana laughing out loud, Yuuka seeming immensely exasperated. To their side was Tewi, smug gone as she arduously attempted to get Aunn off of her, the Komainu fond of her carrot necklace for some ungodly reason. "B-But vines are an essential part of the ecosystem! Harmless, mostly—how could you fear them?!" Yuuka asked, closed fists going up and down, Mima floating by a giggling Hana.

I and Suzu glanced at each other, and we knew that whatever was happening there, we must be a part of.

"S-Stop, usa, usa—Hana get your hound off me!"

"Ah, I miss him so muuuuuuuch~" Aunn cried, sniffing the necklace and appearing on the verge of tears… Wait, that drink in her hand and the redness of her face—I hear Marisa giggling nearby. "Anooooooon, come back! Leave the nasty place!! I want to be petted!!"

"… Marisa really gave Aunn alcohol?" I mutter, Suzu laughing, carefully drinking her own mix. We approach Hana and Yuuka, the first noticing me and quickly grasping me in a hug, radiant unlike anything I've ever seen, almost trembling with emotion. It made me fuzzy inside to see her so happy.

Yuuka pouted at the sight but was cut by Hana. "They look like snakes! A snake once tried to eat me, doing unfathomable damage to little me—and vines, ugh… They're all, uh—" As if pondering, Hana suddenly looked all thoughtful, eyes gleaming. "They're all like this~" Hana stretched, thinned, and was jiggling like jelly. I watched it all in horror before bursting into laughter. Oh, yeah, reality-bending. Yuuka didn't appear as surprised, nor did Suzu. The demonstration sparked gasps of surprise and murmurs throughout the entire cast of attendees, Hana soon returning to her normal form. "—And I hate things that are like this~" She showed again, Sana and Sara rushing to the front lines to see better, hopping in place with fear yet exhilaration. "—And this~" She repeated the pattern, but now horizontally. "They remind me of snakes."

"I hate snakes!" Sara yelled, hugging Sana. Sana nodded.

Hana had an evil smirk. "Yeah, me too; they're all like—" Mima's hand was fast on her shoulder, giving the teen a disapproving look—albeit amused nonetheless—about scaring the little rabbits. She quickly recovered, turning to me, her face red, eyes loaded with childish wonder. "Sanae, Sanae! What did you think?! I'm learning so much on how to control my powers~" She asked, and though I could've given her a nod and a simple compliment as I do with my students…

I decided to lovingly pat her head. "It was incredible, Hana! You did great!"

She was beaming.

Yuuka—still pouting with jealousy as green as her hair—applauded before pulling Hana into a close hug. "We're so proud of you, Hana!"

She was beaming, now even more.

Smiles, good food and drinks, pure chaos…

… I look at Mima and Yuuka pampering Hana, and it doesn't take a minute before a game of who can pamper more/better starts: Marisa saw that and immediately joined, yelling about, "SENSEI ALWAYS DO BEST!" and pumping her fist; Alice joined with tight and reserved determination and so did Sana and Sara, who were innocently petting Hana’s arms and yelling words of encouragement, compelling her to resist the onslaught; Aunn was still over Tewi—"USA! STOP! YOU DARN HOUND! I'D KILL YOU IF YOU WEREN'T PART OF THE FAMILY!!"—somewhere else. Aya was snapping so many pictures that I began fearing for her wrists. Mamizou talked with a blushing Suzu, pushing her towards the mountain of affection, going on how a "true mother would know how to do things~". The dolls, watching all unfold with wide eyes, knew it was their time to shine and, quick as ever to organize, launched a massive airstrike of hugs upon the poor young Shrine Maiden, literally covering every visible inch of her but the face, which seemed about to burst on just how crimson it was: a bunch of old women hugging her, petting her head and yelling words of happiness, cheering on her future and a great new year that’ll follow, telling her how proud they were, does that to someone.

I sigh, my smile hurting my face.

I wish Anon and Kanako were here—the amount of joy they'd have felt could’ve started a nuclear chain reaction by itself~

… Heheh. Thrilled, I rush towards the mountain of motherly love, decided to imprint my affection on Hana too.

The party proceeded, the mountain of affection dispersing just before the poor girl would pass out, yet the focus on Hana did not: using the opportunity to show off, she began moving in the most incredible, confusing, and marvelous ways possible, boasting about how she was basically untouchable in that state of transmigration between reality and fantasy.

Such words did not bode well with Yuuka, who lectured her on never believing such things—being invincible—, though it was all said with hugs and a very maternal tone, Marisa loudly snickering as she continuously tapped Hana’s back, a juicy and probably embarrassing story behind each word that would make the teenager a deep red within seconds.

Still, at one point, all that emotion gushing into the skies for having her powers marveled at, her efforts recognized, and her heart loved evolved into a blushing Hana dancing a sad attempt on a ceremonial dance… upside down on the ceiling, vines holding her skirt down—up?—so as not to show her panties to the whole world, Yuuka playing a violin made out of a condensed forest—a flowing river beneath the strings changed from raging to pacific with the intonation of the played notes; a waterfall on the far end and a million wood-types of the most pristine composing the body of the violin, the Flower Master playing with a bow made of a bright, fantastic rainbow… Her powers never cease to amaze me—beating her foot against the floor to guide the music, green hair swaying, her smile perfect, eyes shining upon Hana; the dolls circled Hana and did their own little, upside-down dance, constantly hitting each other and sending others flying to all edges of the room; Suzu weirdly trying to follow the rhythm; Mamizou applauding and constantly hyping her up to increase the velocity of the movements, much to the dismay of the mother of two. Alice sang an animated song, a perfect mix with Yuuka’s violin, her voice a dream on itself as she clapped with eyes just like Yuuka's; Sana and Sara on top of the Aunns' shoulders, each one holding a broom and playing fight, probably hearing the music as a battle epic instead of a pure embodiment of joy; Tewi slouched on the couch, looking like she had just crawled out of hell, with a big glass of carrot juice in her left hand. Mima yelled concise dancing instructions to Hana, serious as a coach… The irony was not lost, yet she didn’t seem to care.

Aya, of course, was recording and taking pictures of the festivities, a doll—Shanghai, I believe—playing with her tokin.

I watched, a drink in my hands, my heart about to explode with happiness.

Hana looked like she was having the best day of her life; all the difficulties and anxieties left with the snow outside.

Ah~now this is a birthday party!

>>45541661
Cute! Everybody is inebriated and there's no way this can go wrong, although I wonder why Aunn is dry humping Tewi and trying t eat her necklace?

>>45541935
she's drunk and it smells of Anon after the ludicrous ultra sex session they had, which I think was on the same day of the party; if not, oops!

>>45541661
What a nice party, can't wait for it to crash and burn.

>>45542001
Tewi going to Hana's part immediately after having the raunchiest incestuous orgy with Anon is completely in character.
Although I don't see why she'd be all over the necklace in particular...
Did she put it inside of Anon?

>>45542067
You see, the dress may come off, but the necklace doesn't

>>45542067
>Although I don't see why she'd be all over the necklace in particular...
sounded the funniest. The face would be mild, the legs too lewd. Chest, therefore the necklace, is the perfect balance between lewd and mild
>Did she put it inside of Anon?
… i'll leave that to tewianon. Thank you!

>>45541661
Aunn is getting less affection then a literal secondary.

>Yukari and Rikako fighting over who gets to be the bigger jackass at the birthday party

>>45542250
Let's count ourselves lucky that Cirno isn't there namefag.

>>45542286
People know I like note databases now.
It's over.
>>45542283
Rikanon has lowkey the most diabolic influence on this project. They're the reason the stalls exists around the HSE, which is responsible for many other shenanigans. I fear what else they have planned.

>>45542362
Without that, we wouldn't have gotten the comical chain of events leading to Kanako reading a doujin of herself with bigger tits amazon pressing Anon into submission. The silly is worth it.

>>45541661
>>45541648
I can't believe Yukari is going to crash the entire party and embarrass Hana in front of all her mothers. I can't wait till, 'violin music stops' and Yukari forces a blushing teary eyed Hana to confess that she's been playing the sage field and having her spy on them by groping her inappropriately for the world to see.

>>45525522
>Because I'll throw the sword into the Abyss of Backdoors.
I wonder if any anon would touch on the possible futures have a time traveling Gap wielding backdoor descendant could get that sword. Using the power of the HSE fertility god to be of course. Course I think that is an epilogue thing curious how that would (if possible) interact with the present.

>>45543180
Please do not make the 1000yr future arc real

>>45543199
There is no escape from the sins of the story anon, it must be seen to completion.

>>45543180
>It'll dissipate naturally
That sword isn't going away anytime soon and the second that thing is out of sight a crying reverse trap from the future will gap back in time with a destroyed version of it crying a fit due to how much trouble it caused her.
I can't believe everyone unanimously agreed to fuck over the generations 1,000 years into the future with a evil sword god.

>>45543470
Too be fair the logic is nobody expected anyone to legitimately be retarded enough to actually go get it, but turns out there is and clearly all of this shit is the gap hags fault.

>the sword...
>... I'll take care of it

>>45543559
Oh no youmu the dark demon sword fod of 1000 years in the future.

>>45543551
>all of this shit is the gap hags fault.
it's easier to point out what's not her fault. Bitch fucked the entire universe because she couldn't get pregnant normally and was traumatized of adopting because it'd be just like Ran or Chen. The autism is simply too massive...

>>45543551
this bitch fucked the entire universe because she couldn't get pregnant normally and was traumatized of adopting because it'd be just like Ran and Chen.
The autism is simply too massive...
Still cute and hot though, so all will be forgiven

>>45543621
It's gonna be worse when gappy finally breaks out of whatever the shit sealed her 1000 years later and everything is on fire forever as lingering results of her massive autistic breakdown.

>>45543180
Lmao Anon about to get killed by a stray danmaku bullet sees a random gap open up gets saved by that pic which has a green third eye, red & pink eye, blonde hair, Koishi hat, Reimu outfit. Winks at him stating "can't die now old man", Forgets the encounter because Koishi power.
I don't want to see the 1000 year arc made real unless in some one-off epilogue chapter at the end of an Writefags ending. That'd be fitting.

>>45543766
>I don't want to see the 1000 year arc made real unless in some one-off epilogue chapter at the end of an Writefags ending.
that's what we agreed. Finale we do together, then everyone can write whatever they want; sequels, shitposting, AUs and so on
The 1kHSE seems like will be a doozy...

>>45543766
As the guy who made the graph, I exclude the eyeball and the gap from the original image in order to give other Anons more room to work with her powers and description.
But my own idea is that some traits would dilute and merge, like she wouldn't have much of Kokoro in her like her mother would have, instead the Komeiji, Yakumo, and Oni traits are her most prominent, with the Hata and Matarajin traits mainly manifesting as being extremely skilled in the usage and production of magical items and Tsukumogami.
While her Komeiji and Oni traits would give her a devil tail tipped with a KKHTA styled heart-eye instead of a normal third eye, it would be as long as the Sanzu is wide, that is arbitrary and infinite, while not losing any durability or strength so she'd used it as a garrote wire, slashing, and piercing weapon as well as things like a harpoon or grappling hook.
Her Hakurei traits would also be lesser, just giving her the ability to use the Hakurei Orbs and allowing her to be the Hakurei Shrine Maiden, but she wouldn't really be into it and would actively hate the job but be even better at it than Reimu.
Which kinda fits as the best Hakurei we know in cannon, Reimu is less enchanted with her job than the semi-canon blonde and blue haired ones who seemed to have liked their job but not been good at it.
For her Yakumo heritage she can use gaps, but is less skilled than Yukari and mostly uses it at as a storage space or her arsenal of weapons.
She also tries to dress femininely, but no matter what she looks boyish and gives off the impression of being a trap.
Character wise I imagine she's pretty bratty and over emotive, but also lazy and a slacker.

>>45541661
>Ah~now this is a birthday party!
Eta to Yukari ruination of party SOON

D:

Aside from a Hana POV, we still need the Ayafag POV, and mima at least before we can throw in Yukari and maybe the 'mu herself.
I'm gonna love how spicy its going to be, though I wonder how hard Yukari should lay it on. Going full pervert and groping Hana while bragging about what they do in bed. Or more subtle while she declares herself a mom and merely implies her control over Hana by her not rejecting and maybe even her jumping to Yukari's defense verbally or physically.

>>45544541
>Aya
sadly Ayaanon has passed away from complications, aka 'got too silly'...
Let's pray for his soul

>>45541661
Well at least everyone gets to have fun before Yukari ruins it.

>>45545281
thus more 2hus end up under the twoish writers left...

>>45545281
A shame, another struck down after witnessing the whimsy of their own writing

>>45547161
This but unironically. I'm going to release the end of Aya's reservation all at once so I can furiously proof-read every part of it. I'm also thinking of doing another shogi chapter for the birthday party. May or May not.
When the fuck did captcha start including black holes?
[/spoiler]Also got not one, but two specials planned for the winter season. Might have to go for three depending on if we go into New Year's Day

>>45547774
always nice to see you alive and, mostly, sane! I'm also making some specials, though it's with Yukari being visited by three ghosts
>shogi for the birthday party
nice
before or after Yukari arriving? Just for curiosity's sake

>>45547774
> I'm going to release the end of Aya's reservation all at once so I can furiously proof-read every part of it
I feel like it's a better idea to have consistent releases instead. Let's you write more and adjust based on feedback(your own reflection as well as replies).
People won't bicker too much about errors or sour writing, but those that do will be a better lesson then hours of proof-reading, since you'll actually remember that time you missed a comma and someone pointed it out or when some characterization only exists in your head, but not in the story.
Blah, blah, blah Kindergarteners beat MBAs at team exercises because they start building stuff sooner, blah blah, consistent throughput is better then a larger, brittle delivery, business analogy, Cult of Done, blah.

>>45547884
Counterpoint: writing in blocks can help a lot for story pacing, like when you write a spicy, battle. or plot heavy chapter it helps the flow for the readers to block release

>>45547936
>Counterpoint: writing in blocks can help a lot for story pacing, like when you write a spicy, battle. or plot heavy chapter it helps the flow for the readers to block release
I definitely agree and try to partition things on natural stopping points, what I would add is that sometimes you get stuck on a 'plus 1' spiral of 'then this'll happen, oh, I have to go back and correct for that...'. With the Myouren Intervention segment, I definitely felt this way and had a different conclusion written, but I cut it, and I believe the two parts ended up better for it.

>>45547986
>Myouren Intervention segment
What do you mean by this, I can't remember any Myouren temple intervention?

>>45548051
The goro chapter where they bully Seija

>>45548051
Right here >>45515809 It's modeled after an alcoholic's intervention where people trick the addict in question to come to a place where a bunch of their friends and loved ones ambush them with feelings.
>>45548065
>The goro chapter where they bully Seija
This is most chapters, as it should be.

>>45547936
Counterpoint: not writing is the new writing, make a graph instead everybody is doing it now a days.

>>45548159
>Counterpoint: not writing is the new writing, make a graph instead everybody is doing it now a days.
Why not both?

>>45548159
don't forget the stickman story and chastity cage. Both are very important.

>>45548181
>far right side, a bit above the midway point
that's literally me

>>45548181
>Suwako screws up
Is this the her secretly joining Yukari plot point I've heard of before?

>>45548190
That's the non-canon gender bender segment
>>45548193
Different, non-hse writefagging.

>>45548206
>non-canon gender bender segment
Shame about it being entirely non-canon imo, it was rather comfy to have Goro and Anon interact and seeing his fatherly advice. It lends credence as to why Goro was trying so hard to help spring him if he actually interacts with the guy

>>45547846
>spoiler
Before. Ramp up the lighthearted fun with Mima backseating 'risa, Aunn helping Hana find openings she didn't notice, etc. Then Yukari ENTERs. Hana inviting Yukari to play could get the ball rolling on showing her indoctrination.
>>45547884
I like the post-by-post format, I just feel like I need to get all this stuff together, write it, review it, and make sure it's all satisfying enough. Writing horny Aya gave me a bit of remorse and now I need to carefully write it to be amusing but not cringey. There's also the emotional stuff that's supposed to happen. I think I've got it figured out, I just need to make sure everything is consistent and, ultimately, satisfying to read.
Also need to make sure I use the right pictures because I looked through the archive and I reused post images twice fuuuuuuck

>>45548486
>I need to carefully write it to be amusing but not cringey.
Wrong.

Cringe + spagetti spillage = cuteness

2*x(cuteness) = Endearment
Where x is second hand embarrassment
I hope this helps.

>>45548486
>Also need to make sure I use the right pictures because I looked through the archive and I reused post images twice fuuuuuuck
Wait...
... Is this fucking autism shared? Can't believe I'm not the only one that worries about that...

>>45548486
>>45548591
The only image autism I have is saving this Kawaybug piece for impactful moments.
It's the inspiration for the bracelet twist.

>Comments: 4
>Kudos: 21
>Bookmarks: 3
>Hits: 841
We're gonna make it /jp/ros

>>45549750
nice
will be uploading thread five tomorrow

>>45549750
>Kudos: 21
Updoots

>>45549750
All me.

>>45550251
Thanks for your patronage~

>fell for the "rewriting and scrapping chapters because they fell off and in doing ao end the day with nothing done"
>again
I think I'll stop for today, go play some Elden Ring. Ranni is just Yukari but hotter anyway...

Don't want to jump the gun by shooting ahead of the Aya and Mima POV but I figure the Hana POV should be over the gift unwrapping and the letter Anon wrote.

Wanted to get a feeler for what the letter should be over and the gifts of the moms, so I don't derail any plans. Fortunately, I already have a gift in mind for Tewi and don't have to worry about the beginning of the party nor the meat of the happiness thanks to Sanae and Yuuka POV so I figured the only portions left to flesh out would be the gifts and Yukari's appearance.

Feedback from the other writefags would be appreciated so I don't step on toes.

>>45551356
Seems nice, the gift and letter reading, though I'd refrain from having Reimu's gift opened until after Yukari crashes the party and Reimu crashes Hana emotional compass, it'll hurt more that way.
If you can't it's understandable, it might feel contrived every other present being unwrapped but Reimu's specifically
Hyped to see what you do, will warmly wait to do evil hag stuff~

>>45551495
What is the context behind Tewi, hollowed be her name, stabbing this man?
Is he ZUN?

>>45551495
Well, as you know I'm all for suffering, and it won't be hard to have Reimu's gift saved for after Yukari shows up.

>>45551526
that's me being punished by my wife for botching her kink-night where I cosplay as a smelly old fat ugly bastard and rape her (I refused to speak the twelve page essay on how she deserves that and subsequent lewd prose)

>>45551356
Kosuzu used her printing press to make a book for Hana. It could be about anything really, a collection of short stories or old articles and letters about her friends and family before she was born. Mamizou seems like the type to get some practical but a bit boring like a cutlery set.

For Anon's letter, he doesn't have much hope of ever getting out.This could be one of the last chances he has to communicate to his daughter in a healthy manner, so this is a good chance to clear the air about things like why he stuck with Reimu for so long and remind her not to hold grudges and try to be happy in any way she can.

>>45552098
>he doesn't have much hope of ever getting out
He knows about the plan and has talked to multiple people about it openly, but somehow Yukari is still only vaguely aware that people in general are plotting against her.

>>45552113
Ah, never mind then.

>>45552113
Hana talked about it but then jobbed
Marisa talked about it but then jobbed
Ran was sneaky enough and Yukari didn't catch on for story purposes
Byakuren fell into Yukari's trap of lust, she won't be rocking the boat like Yukari feared
The Moriyans openly defy her and Yukari knows it
Okina is a known threat
Nobody expects the mima
Shinki hasn't been mentioned yet, because I forgot to bring it up in her chapter but presume that she knows who makes up the job squad even if the details of the plots are unknown

>>45552182
>Nobody expects the mima
ENTER

>>45552182
Nobody expects Shinki to slam dunk Gensokyo into Makai either.

>>45552113
Too be fair for anon, yukari is sitting on 2 sages vs 1, also the sword shit, also the SDM. Legitimately the rescue team is kind of the underdogs here by a lot powerlevel wise, at best they have the jobber squad, the moriyas, Okina and goat girl, and whatever actually comes out to fight from former hell, which is questionable, also a 'mu who's old, 30 kinds of fucked up and may or may not be living on literal borrowed time, I'm really not seeing anything other then anon being an eternal rape toy for the rest of his days.

>>45552420
You forget HSE-tan who will rise up to broker piece between Gensokyo before ripping the barriers of reality and greeting her fathers

>>45552420
Considering all of the protagonists aside from Reimu are probably around the same power I think the sides are overall balanced, even with magic shit or metaphysical fuckery they are pretty even.
Yukari's side actually lacks in good casters compared to Okina, with the only notable ones being Goro and Patchy.
But the thing about Patchy is that we actually now a lot about her casting, and in particular her limits, being that her physical weakness means she's limited to about one-two high tier spells normally and three on a good day.
So she's quite the jobber compared to someone like Byakuren who casually shifts the surface of the sky and is both a better magic user and has a perfect body, although she's more of a youkai biology specialist. Not to mention Byakuren has an autocaster and access to effectively the same amount of prep time.
Yeah Yukari has Flan, Remilia, and Sakuya. But Sakuya's power also consumes her stamina and Flan is unlikely to go for the kill while also having multiple people who are her physical equal on the opposing side, Remi and Koishi are wild cards.
And honestly Kasen is a jobber, even in canon she's implied to be weaker then Yukari and Okina.

>>45552535
Yukari has the home field advantage with all the traps and barriers layered onto the HSE. Her opponents will have to stop them from going off to have a chance. But Yukari also lacks much in the way of loyalty from any of her troops other then Hana, who had to be manipulated into it. If things go south they might pull out while the rescue team is much more motivated to stay in the fight. Also keep in mind that a few of the heavy hitters from the rescue team are in various stages of pregnancy (Marisa, Aya, Byakuren) which will affect their performance.

>>45552535
I didn't even get into goro and seija specifically because their effectively is entirely situation dependant. Also while the rescue squad has several strong people there's a lot hampering them, such as with the underground squad I kind of put koishi and satori immediately out because of pregnancy concerns and satori being a bit of a wreck involving that. Same reason I counted Marisa and aya out, because honestly they are in no shape to fight yukari for similar reasons. I had myourens out since most of them are held off by pregnancies and keeping an eye out for Taoist nonsense, especially considering seiga is specifically team yukari, which does matter for that reason. Finally I will point out Orin is currently on plan kill anon and duck everything up forever.

But what if some of the characters finally give birth before the showdown?

>>45552677
Is Prin still up to that even after being threatened twice and being called a retard by Satori?
How dumb is that cat?

>>45552757
Aya's supposed to give birth sometime before the solstice (started in autumn) and her planned role is to snatch Anon without getting into direct combat. That could easily go awry. Thinking about it, she would still have a door during the finale, so figuring out her role could go multiple ways.
The Myouren Temple folk and Marisa should still have normal gestation periods so they're out. Unless you want Nue to give birth to snake eggs or something.
Rabbits give birth in the period of a month so could argue bnuuy army gave birth real fast a recuperated in time with Eirin's drugs.

>>45552800
Only Byakuren and Unzan's hotwife are former humans, I think the rest would have gestation period closed to their animal species but still not as short as an actual animal

>>45518989

The three fairies ran along fields and clearings that bordered the forest of magic following small trails made by the feet of the residents of this land. They were still all energetic and hopped up from their flight above the clouds, with Star leading the pack the trio giggled, laughed, broke into impromptu games, and make a ruckus with no concern for the silent serenity of the snow capped landscape. By the time they settled down enough to focus on a race to see who could reach Narumi first the sun had exerted enough of its influence to halt the gentle fall of snow leaving only the thin layers of white icy frost as a testament to the winter.

Up a bend and past the outcropping of trees stood Narumi, stoic as ever in her meditations as she stood on the side of the road giving blessings to the travelers who ventured into the forests and warding off any children brave enough to test the forest. Or at least, normally she would've been.

Surrounding her and throwing snow around her, building mini jizou statues and battling oni alike, or standing around and gossiping loudly with no sense of secrecy were a multitude of fairies. Natives of the forest apparently if the trio were any judge, they even recognized a few of the faces from their many adventures around the forest and bothering Marisa or Alice.

Narumi was trying to keep her quiet meditation as the three fairies approached with smiles on their face and the traces of energy still burning inside them, albeit more subdued. Sunny was quick on her feet and shouted, "Narumi-nee~!" before barreling into Narumi's belly as the other two ran up with smiles on their face, Luna only stumbling on a small snow jizo before catching up. Narumi rocked back before waving her arms to try catching her balance, but failing and having gravity catch her as Star and Luna barreled into her as well.

Laying there in the snow as the fairies frolicked around her, clearly forgetting any objective and more arriving by the minute, Narumi sat up as Sunny clung to her waist along with Luna who apologized bashfully and Star who was already up and offering her hand to help her stand. The sighing Jizo accepted the help as she brushed Sunny and Luna off along with the snow, "Long time no see girls, glad to see you're as energetic as ever Sunny... Err whats going on here?"

Looking around Narumi seemed to realize for the first time that her surroundings were choked with fairies of all shapes and sizes that danced and played without a care. The look of confusion on the gray dressed jizo looked genuine and Luna piped up, "Umm well, Narumi-nee, we came by cause we had to talk with you about something important to all fairies!"

Sunny nodded with a smile on her face as vibrant as ever, "That's right, something super bad is happening and we need your help to stop it or all of the forests will blow up!"

With her face between mild concern at the now swarm of fairies all playing their own games or chatting with their friends, and a placating motherly look Narumi spoke in a bit of a wavering voice, "Y-yes thats nice and all, but really now. Whats going on!"

>>45552903


Larva and the three fairies all walked a bit further along the path into some relative quiet while the Daiyousei herded the fairies and kept them engaged to prevent them from leaving and settling any fights that arose. During their talk, where primarily Larva and Star explained whats been going on: Cirno vanishing, Daiyousei's death and spreading corruption, and how Okina must be the one involved; Narumi's face lost the gentle smile she usually wore. Narumi huffed as she looked more cross than any of the fairies had ever seen her before, "I can't believe it, not only has Okina gone back to her old tricks of doing er... things to they little ones! but she's even got Dai-chan in the crosshairs and got her leaking out doyou?! That's just too far even for her usual careless disregard of others, even if by accident!"

The three fairies looked up hopefully to Narumi while a complex expression came across Larva, though no one seemed to pay her much mind, Luna spoke up, "Then you'll help us find her?! We couldn't find one of those stupid doors at all on our own!"

Narumi nodded, a self satisfied looked came across her face, "That's right, and luckily for you the Matara-jin and the Jizo share domains of influence as we are the embodiment of salvation through buddah!"

The fairies, sans Larva, looked up at her in amazement, though no one paid attention to Larva. The looks of admiration clearly got to Narumi's head as the fairies let out sounds of 'Amazing' 'Narumi-nee is so cool!' 'Really? You're just like a fairy! so cool!" Narumi ignored that last comment as she nodded her head, "It would be inappropriate for me to intervene in a matter like this normally, but I can't stand by while she does things like this! Now then..."

With that Narumi clapped her hands together and focused on something before a light shone from behind her causing the fairies to circle around before a shout from one of the many fairies playing around sounded through the air, "Its a door, a door appeared on Narumi-nee!"

The fairies flowed forth with the Daiyousei heading the pack before landing just behind Narumi who looked smugger than any have ever seen her before, "With that, you can enter into the land of the backdoor as you please, but be careful. Okina is not to b-"

Before Narumi could finish her thought Star hugged her around the waist, "Thank you so much Narumi-nee, now we can save Dai-chan and rescue Cirno!" the other two joined in with words of thanks, soon enough a resounding "Thank you~" sounded from the assembled fairies, who at this point saturated the sky like the thick clouds and the field like blades of grass.

Narumi was surrounded by the warmth of the fairies who started using the door at once, flooding into the mysterious land of the back door.


Narumi stood alone in the field of now trampled snow, the remnants of Jizou shaped snowmen, and flourishing nature who thanks to the presence of so many fairies saw fit to start budding again despite better sense saying otherwise. She smiled still, the warmth of their smiles, the kindness she bestowed, the blessings she gave so they'd find their way; it satisfied her and she was content at doing her duty and going even beyond.

That was until a thought crossed her mind, that was a lot of fairies wasn't it? More than she'd ever seen, right? Like a lot, a really large amount. Maybe even every surface fairy if not most of them, and she let them all into the backdoor to face someone down that had domain over their very essence of being... against someone that really liked their human forms in ways that weren't wholesome at all and was infamous for her perverse rituals nesting herself in Gensokyo... Oh no... She may have made a huge mistake...

A cold sweat started to form on the back of her neck as she stood there, she walked off to her old spot in the center of the now passed storm of fairies and clasped her hands. She needed to meditate...

>>45552800
>Rabbits give birth in the period of a month so could argue bnuuy army gave birth real fast a recuperated in time with Eirin's drugs.
I honestly forgot about the ridiculous rabbit gestation times, well lets just gloss over that for now and touch on it later in a Tewi chapter shall we?

>>45552676
>the rescue team are in various stages of pregnancy (Marisa, Aya, Byakuren) which will affect their performance.
Marisa would be starting her second trimester along with Byakuren and entire the Myouren gang since they happened almost back to back.
Aya would be giving birth very soon to her eggs.
Tewi's Bnuuy army should've already given birth or just about too, I forgot that the gestation time is a month so i'm just glossing over it and saying it's right around the solstice(3 months or so). There is around 52 pregnant from the multiple virility pill incidents and still not everyone is pregnant which could leave anywhere from around a dozen to 50 more effectives.
Koishi is about to enter her second as well, though satori pregnancy is a mystery so who knows how long it'll take and if she's able to help
Uberbaby, gap baby, bracelet baby, sword-chan, and HSE-tan could be birthed at any time honestly.
Nazarin is also pregnant, don't forget

I think that about covers it for the 'can't help cause baby' gang.

>>45552972
Uberbaby, gap baby, bracelet baby, sword-chan, and HSE-tan could be birthed at any time honestly.
Gap baby and Bracelet Baby can't be born until Goro inverts, at least according to the Lunarians.
>Nazarin is also pregnant, don't forget
One shudders to think what Okina does with that.

>>45552972
>Uberbaby, gap baby, bracelet baby, sword-chan, and HSE-tan could be birthed at any time honestly.
Gap baby and Bracelet Baby can't be born until Goro inverts, at least according to the Lunarians.
>Nazarin is also pregnant, don't forget
One shudders to think what Okina does with that.

>>45552914
RIP all of the fairies, they really did collectively make an extremely terrible decision didn't they? Worst part is I don't think cirno can save them from this one.

Ah, yes, midnight to 3am. Perfect time for discussion... At least it was a fun read

>>45554494
Do you fucking live in Hawaii or something?

>>45552914
>>45552903
Narumi would fare well in Hollywood. The amount of sex trafficking she just committed is a new record!

It's raining—probably the last rain of autumn.

Ran is sat by my side, head nestled on Anon's shoulders, tails everywhere around the two of them; asleep—same for Chen on his lap, all tucked like the cats Lady Remilia had around when the mansion was situated on the most Northern Hemisphere of the world, with excuses that they were 'nice warmers during winter'. If Anon's sweet smile as he knitted and placidly watched the torrential rain were to go by, it was working…

… Jealously is a harsh and illogical mistress. I can't feel cold with my Shochu Blood Flow Technique, yet I long to be drowning in arms and fluff in an attempt to dispel the cold from within, drinking warm juniper tea just because. All hard in spectral form.

I huff, changing my eyes from the man and his entourage to Patchy in the middle of the rain in front of Yuuka's garden, the pond a bit to the north. She was unbothered by the many droplets as she constructed some type of complex magical sigil that'd hopefully let us communicate with the extra phantasm that also lives here, just in another dimension. "Oi, Patchy—shouldn't you rest…? It's been half a day already."

"Only half a day." She mutters, words almost lost in the rain if not for my razor-sharp hearing.

Great…

"Are you even making any progress?" I ask, tired, approaching the magician—sparing a moment to gaze at the droplets coursing through my spectral body. Weird how I can't see my bones and organs, but can see and trace the raindrops—and look around: Dozens upon dozens of handwritten books and notebooks, weeks worth of arduous work chaotically laid on the damp grass yet neatly surrounding the main sigil—spiritually carved on the ground—, forming a fairy ring. The sigil itself was unlike anything I've ever seen—small white flames inside ghostly crevices, burning on top of spectral glass, all reflecting and refracting light and rain. I walked up to the middle—Patchy stopping to give me a side glance before resuming working on organizing the glass in the crevices—, and spun, eyes focused on the many shards of glass.

I saw millions of angles of myself. Ugh, my head…

Freaky.

"I wouldn't be working on it without progress in sight, would I?" Patchy says as I stop spinning, eyes on her. "Why are you bothering me, anyway?" She rubs her tired, spectral eyes.

I sulk at her tone, though also feel a bit guilty. There's not really much I can do, a layman when it comes to magical affairs… "I hate when this place is silent—it's eerie, and makes me think of… all the clients. Thought you'd feel the same." I kneel by her, taking a closer look at the spectral glass. Not only did it reflect the outside world, but also its own insides—a window to somewhere else and a mirror to this world at the same time.

Patchy glances at me, expressionless; pauses… Then looks at Anon and the two sleepy shikigami. "Restless much? I thought you were a Master of the Ki."

"I've been here for only a couple of weeks! For him, it's been what? Almost 2 years in slowed down time…?" I stop upon hearing my own words, heart bleeding and eyes narrowing. "It's a miracle how he didn't break."

"He almost did." My head whips to Patchy. Her eyes… soften. "Almost. The star of his heart had collapsed into a black hole of emotion and trauma, sucking itself and ever-expanding, leading to an unfathomably terrible ending where his soul just wouldn't be capable of bearing its own weight anymore, and it'd choose to vanish." Her words make my heart tremble, yet Patchy keeps working as if not talking about the almost-suicide of a deeply broken man. "Yet, it's impressive how little as lines to hold onto can take you—" The shikigamis, the crow, his daughter, the tiny one, Yuuka, Margatroid, the black-and-white thief come to mind… "—Lines were all he had, and he held them for dear life… He reminds me of Sakuya.”

I slowly nod, heart withering, the silence punctuated by rain… Every time her struggles pop into my head, I'd long to give her a hug. It can help a lot sometimes.

Words come to mind. “When you're constantly under pressure, you either break or turn into a diamond. Glad he managed the second." Words that saw me through my training so long ago.

Patchy simply nods.

My eyes don't leave Anon—he gently places the thing he was knitting in front of one of Chen's tails, takes measures, then smiles, resuming knitting. "A black hole…" I mutter. Patchy doesn't look at me, but I know she's listening. "… Is his heart still—"

"No." She pauses, and a small smile takes over her face. "Not anymore—tsc…" she looked at a broken glass, fractured at a spectral level. "Failure."

"… Hm." It's little, yet the smile that paints my face is one of pride. When you suddenly have so little in your life in terms of connections, others’ achievements—even personal victories—can fill your heart with joy.

When—if—we all someday are free of these shackles, I'd like to have some tea with him.

"M-Meiling…" Patchy's tone is tense. Very tense.

I look at her—

—then at the sigil, its flames growing as silver as the moon, wrathful as the oceans and apathetic as the cosmos itself, the spectral glass creaking all over and spiraling inside the crevices, a million angles exponentially growing and growing into trillions of angles, and I had to turn my eyes away because information was being delivered not in batches but in almighty discharges, near melting my brain into a horrifying puddle with the mere second in which I stared.

Stars, words, images, symbols—it was like recounting all history as it broke down the edge between here and whatever plane of existence 'it' lived on.

Patchouli gazed at the forms, reflections, and refractions of everything—the abyss—with wide eyes, slowly rising from her kneeling position, a strong gust of spectral wind busting from the center of the sigil, making her hair sway, revealing deep expressiveness: purple eyes gleaming, cheeks tensed by the immense smile of pure fear, anxiety, excitement, and utter thirst for knowledge possessing her face as we watched all those books she wrote, millions of words and amounted knowledge of thousands of years, evaporating in the raging silver fire. "I-It broke down! The sigil, the glass! What the—"

She uttered, the wind growing stronger and tearing everything around us, and I sprung into action, rooting my feet on the ground and holding Patchy as if my life depended on it.

Frowning, heart pounding, breath shallow, Patchouli whispers, "M-Meiling, this… shouldn't be working…"

I don't answer.

… I cannot answer—

“I made it work, Mother.”

—someone else answers instead.

>>45557636
>>45557644
some spooky duo as I wait the rest of the party~

>>45557636
>>45557644
I wonder what patchyanon and meilinganon think of the way the two were taken now?

>>45557967
one died of asthma and the other is still asleep. They're not thinking anymore, Anon…

>>45557644
Looks like Hata no Sekai is making her first proper apperance.
Good on her, she's been leaning on the third wall a bit too much lately.

>>45558533
>Good on her, she's been leaning on the third wall a bit too much lately.
she's beyond that, bitch broke the 4th wall and held me at gun point to name her.

>>45368864
—
It is done.

I look at the moon, a drop of white paint layered on a plane of shriveling darkness, cold night singing about the wake of winter. It doesn't matter, not to an immortal. It's just another season of many that went and that'll come…

But, oh, this one is special.

Inside my personal laboratory, under the most paranoid security measures I could muster, lie two metallic containers under magical vitrification. They weigh about 2 kilos each and have dimensions of 40x20x23 centimeters. The outer casing is made out of lunarian steel and glass, as are the smaller containers inside of them. Twelve thousand magical locks and spells layer on top of them and the safe in which they are stored.

They hold my most precious creations: three unfertilized eggs in one container and 20 spare eggs in the other.

Those three unfertilized eggs… Each one was meticulously made and concocted by me using thousands of years of experience, magic, and sheer willpower. Reviewed and manipulated down to atoms, organized to produce exactly what I want to produce: perfection. One will go to Yukari, which will be coming tomorrow for the artificial insemination—the child will have her golden hair and purple eyes, will be 5'10 at age 18. Sadly, male or female will be determined by Anon's sperm, but I will only allow that. I will make sure to destroy the rest of the sperm's genetic information during the insemination process to stop the tainting of the perfect child's genetics with any possible unwanted rubbish—, the other, to Reisen—female, purple-white hair, blue eyes, 4'11 at age 18, 12 inch long rabbit ears—as an observed and controlled long-term test, much more through than anything with Yukari. Then, the third… My child.

He'll have my white hair, white skin, and blue eyes, 6'11 at age 18. His name will be Zeus; maybe Uranus… Or Neptune.

All those three will have a tiny speckle beneath their right eyes…

… And they will all be perfect.

Reviewed a thousand times, not a single mistake was found in their genetic composition. Hundreds of hours spent on each individual one to make sure there's no chance of developing any kind of illness, hardy against in-womb crippling or the sort. Perfect children, powerful and smart from their first breath… Whatever they'll do with their blessing is beyond me at the moment, but I'll make sure to rectify that as they grow older: Will they decide to destroy this world? Build a better one through words and inventions? Violence? Travel through space and colonize other worlds?

… Still, this very anxiety the uncertainty brings is what led me to create a genetic brain switch. If they don't want to listen to their creator, I can turn off their brains and have direct access to their mental faculties upon making them hear a certain string of words. Of course, it's all for their own wellbeing: What if they choose a destructive lifestyle that may compromise their perfection? Develop too unsavory interests, for example? Try self-harm? Acquire mental illnesses? Dab in body- and mind-altering drugs, utterly defiling MY perfect creation?!

I cannot have that.

I need certainties that their lives will be well-lived! They’ll understand. It’s the will of their true mother, after all.

Closing my eyes, I delight in silent plenitude.

… Hundreds of hours spent, perfection arduously achieved…

And I still want more.

All those 20 eggs. I want to make each a perfect being…

Yet, I know that even after that, I'll still thirst for more. More combinations, more research, more genetic traits and aggregations. So, so much more…

But I'll wait.

Because there's only one regret I have with this whole ordeal: there is some genetic information simply out of my reach at the moment. I don't have a high vampire's genes, nor Sagume's, Miko's, and a list of others I'd like to have even a tiny speck of blood of. The information in their genetic encoding is simply too outlandish to pass on, and with the ability to remove drawbacks and enhance the already strong strengths of the gene…

It'd add nothing to an already perfect being, but it'd quench my thirst.

… Ah~

Those three will be only the first: three siblings, my creations that will shape everything as they see fit, and I'll be their only true mother.

I laugh, looking up…

I point at the waning moon, fading away on the horizon. "I conquered that…" I touch my belly, gently moving my finger to where the Sun is slowly rising, bathing the white world of snow in reds and golds, and whisper: "… You three will conquer that…" Then, with a thrilled smile, I open my arms, holding the entire sky. A cute, small, and simple laugh escapes me. "… And then we will aim higher. Much higher~" I hum in deep satisfaction.

>>45559587
another day, another crime against the sanctity of nature

>>45557644
>>45557636
Its quite easy to forget that its been 2 years for Anon. I wonder if Hata-chan will choose to mindfuck them about the true nature of their reality. Maybe a bit too meta? Or maybe we'll see some cool character vs the writer sort of conflict.

>>45559587
I can't believe Eren...
She got so much higher.

>>45559587
Can't wait for the chapter when Reisen will be forced to collect his sperm, poor bun was already forced to document him closely.
I wonder if this will tie into the tewi arc? It'd be good plot potential if Eirin decides to back Tewi in her plans.

>>45559587
Eirin really is going mad scientist for real, The future of Gensokyo is grim with what's to come in the next generations.

>>45559655
Eirin might bring him in to get some data on how he's been able to get so many women to fall for him, but she'd tinker a lot with his genes as he's just a normal human.

>>45559587
Jesus christ eirin you really are aiming to make Warhammer 40k a thing and you want to be in charge. There is noway this ends as any other way then extremely poorly.

we aren't finishing by the solstice, are we…

>>45559781
I'm not convinced that we're finishing ever

>>45559760
I was going to put the primarchs on the graph, but I didn't know where to put them or which member of Eienti would be their mom.
Going by WH40K, probably Tewi as she's the rabbit of the earth, a schemer, and not a fighter like Erda.
Although comparing Tewi to Erda is slandering Tewi, Erda is somehow a shitter mom and would probably be a worse matchmaker than Tewi is/was.

>>45559781
Nah, we have the party, whatever comes after that, and then we have to figure out how to do the finale itself.

>>45559781
sure we are

>>45559781
the Solstice of 2024 is still there, tho
joking aside, thought it's sad we can't start at the Irl Solstice, we should keep striving to make the best fic possible and take our time for that. After the party there's no time for anything more but the Solstice, too

>>45559655
>I wonder if this will tie into the tewi arc?
If you want to, you're free for it, but just after the Solstice, as there's no time for anything more

>>45559859
If we're jumping right to the Solstice I'll probably just see if I can prewrite some of my Suzu stuff so I can pump it out when the party ends since she won't take part in the finale. I've got it mostly planned out.

So many pregnant Youkai. Children in eggs, children in pouches, children who're born in parts, children who develop like larvae, fetuses that develop in hair, and a different medical regiment for EACH of them.

At the very least I was going to get this, my single, solitary break of the day.

"Hello Kiene-sensei." Goro, who was sitting in my other chair, greeted. Seija was sitting on the windowsill behind him.

"I'm busy Yukari, if Anon needs medical attention go grab Reisen, actually, grab one of the other nurses, Risen's bringing my tea." I say, taking my seat and crossing my legs.

"Yes Eirin, it is I, Yukari Yakumo and I'm here to bestow upon you wisdom." Goro joked, waving his hand in the air like a fan. "Why don't you invent a pill to solve your weariness?"

Erghh, I saw their outfits, Goro's blonde hair, and a few errant neurons fired.

"I tried that already. Trials were promising, but Risen kept complaining about 'shadow people running off with her taste buds'. Anyway, to what do I owe the displeasure?"

"Not glad to see two lab rats come back around Miss Doctor?" Seija said aloud.

"I'm at capacity. If Yukari has business then spit it out, otherwise go play somewhere else." I say, as Risen walks in with a disturbing lack of tea and a stack of papers.

"Apologizes master, the Inaba got into your preferred blend, would you like me to get another pouch from the storage shed? Also I have these documents from- oh do you have guests?" She observed.

From his robe Goro removes something and Seija snaps her fingers. In an instant, the stack of papers are in his hand and a tea tin as well as two red vials appear in Risen's, which she just barely manages to catch.

"Yukari hasn't asked me to see you, I'm here in the spirit of our old agreement. That tea is a goodwill gift from us as well as samples of our blood, I'm sure you have a use for them. Oh, do be certain not to mix the two Risen-kun! And feel free to brew a cup for yourself." He called to Risen, who, at my hand signal, left to prepare the beverages.

I stared at him with suspicion. "Did you swap the position of those two collections of objects? I thought Seija's ability was only to flip some things to their opposite state."

"Oh, here we go..." Seija complains, sighing.

"Well it's more like we swapped the distance between the objects to be negative and there's this peculiar 'buoyant' property to flipping stubborn things like 'distance' and 'wealth', as if the universe tries to right itself. We take advantage of that and consider the two collections of objects as points that average their location to determine where things will- ah, forgive me. I don't want to waste your time." He says, looking at the papers.

Damn straight I didn't want to be lectured by a 2-bit broker about simple, abstract geometric concepts and universal average correcting of fanstatic phenomena. Still, that was more then I'd seen Risen ever grok, the silly bunny, Yukari must be teaching him something.

What's more, how did they get in here without me noticing? Did Yukari send them? No, she wouldn't do such a thing if it wasn't on her time. Maybe they subverted our alert system with their ability somehow? Not possible, unless they used the loophole I added for pregnant woman.

"Congratulations, I can't wait to see a child expelled from a mouth." I said to Seija, who looked surprised.

"You dumb woman. I'm not pregnant it's-" She started, before Goro interrupted.

"Ah you got my letter!" He said, pulling out an envelope.

To my surprise, the parcel jumped from his hand unto the desk and, moving as if the two bottom corners were it's legs, waddled over to me, and jumped straight into my face. I peeled it off, at which point whatever animated it stopped.

"Cute. Perhaps you'd like to visit the doll maker in the woods instead of pestering me with such parlor tricks hmm?" I say, annoyed.

"Perhaps you should read it before you come to any conclusions." He says, proud of himself.

With a sigh and too tired to object, I peel open the letter and read it.

'Dearest Eirin, I want to thank you for your exemplary care and genius treatment. Seija and I will be coming soon with some flavorful tea as a gift for the lovely lotus of the moon.', well it's been awhile since I'd been praised for my beauty, but I don't see the point of this...

Slowly, the letters start to burn and new symbols start to appear, another message forms itself within my mind.

'There are things that are impossible to tell you now, only prepare you for the fallout of, do not read between the lines.'

>>45560353
"So, you can see it can't you?" Goro said with a smug expression.

"You reverse-engineered a grudge and another curse, illusionary perhaps? To create an encrypted message that transports itself." I say.

"That's the long and short of it." Goro says, slightly disappointed.

"Don't act so downtrodden, I've simply seen similar methods implemented on the Moon and the Outside World with technology that perform these capabilities instantaneously. Although I suppose interception is slightly easier... Nevertheless, did you think it was a good idea to send letters with inks that use heavy metals and inscribe something nefarious like curses?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's only a trace amount! Any borderer worth their salt knows how to limit exposure of such things you know? As for curses, I've just put out a small test run to people who can handle a little malfunction." He says.

"So, you sent cursed postage to powerful people who could easily take offense at being Guinea pigs?"

At this, Seija chuckled.

"Well, ah, I might have gotten a bit ahead of myself wanting to send secret little messages to new friends. But hearing Eirin-Sensei talk about Guinea pigs is a little..."

"Blatantly hypocritical?" Seija says, before bursting into laughter.

I sigh. "I'll perform some testing and send you the results. Truth be told, I'm interested if I could use this to deliver prescriptions and expedite care." Which was going to become very important as Gensokyo's population was about to more then double.

"It's not feasible to set up a network like on the Moon or in the outside world without a technological base. There was some Lunarian experiments with using divine blessings to send such messages, but it was rate-limited since gods don't have infinite divinity to shave off as postage stamps. Nobody ever considered uses curses due to impurity, so perhaps this will prove useful." I babble.

"Risen told me we had Yakumo guests, are they still here?" Princess Kaguya interjected at the door. "Oh, isn't that the couple who had a lover's spat those months back? How time flies, how much did you win in that betting pool Eirin?"

"I lost. The Inaba didn't consider their post-relationship grounds for retroactive spousal abuse. Those bunnies are only consistent about the rules when it comes to games of chance..." I complained.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Kaguya-Sama." Goro said, as Seija spun him around, tied a cloth over his eyes, and spun him back.

"Oh? Your lover is quite the cautious one." Kaguya said, taking a seat.

"It's a compliment, really. It's said your beauty is so great, it's seduces any man on sight." Goro explained.

"I'm not taking chances you lazy bitch." Seija growled.

"My my, it's been awhile since anyone refereed to me as such." She said, taking a seat. "So, what's the love life of a Human and an Amanojaku like."

"Interested in our romance? I suppose even princesses aren't immune to gossip." Goro said, trying to deflect.

"Perhaps a little, what I was really wondering was if there was any truth to these." Kaguya said, holding up some of the vulgar comics sold around the HSE.

"Firstly, are female Youkai really interested in human men? And is it possible for them to mate so happily?" She asked.

"All the male Youkai I know are self-interested, sticks-in-the-mud and I haven't been with any of them, so do the math. " Seija answered.

"I'm not experienced either." Goro shrugged.

"How pure! So is it really true a couple can do it..." she begins, flipping through one of her books, counting as she does. "seven or eight times in a single night?"

"Haha, that's small time." Seija grinned, patting Goro's head as she does.

"Is it considered doing it if both sides don't complete?" Goro pondered aloud, Seija stopped.

"Now that I think about it, Anon seems to be peaking much more then his partners in these issues. Wait, things are reversed for an Amanojaku so-" Kaguya surmised.

"Next question." Seija interjected, cutting her off.

"Does being taken against your will really feel so good?" Kaguya asked.

"No. It's painful." Goro stated flatly.

"Even for a man? It's not like a woman where something is forced inside." Kaguya inquired further.

"Have you ever had an awful leg cramp? It's like that, but worse, almost feels like being choked. There's nothing pleasurable about it." Goro explained.

Seija averted her gaze and hugged Goro around the neck, gently stroking his head all the while.

>>45560362
"CAW CAWW!" The sour mood was cut by a raven at the window. Seija took what looked like a tiny scroll from it's legs, fed it some crumbs from her pocket, and it flew off.

"Gap Hag's calling." She stated curtly.

"Ah, and I was looking forward to tea. Fair thee well you two and Kaguya-Sama, I wouldn't recommend certain fantasies." Goro stated before he and Seija turned perpendicular to the window and floated out of the room.

"Strange he would say such a thing considering who he works for." Kaguya commented.

"Sometimes it's best not to read between the lines." I told her.

"I'm back with the tea, this brew you two brought smells especially- oh, Kaguya-Sama, I only brewed four cups, ah, they already left." Risen observed.

"Come sit Risen-kun, I'd like some tea and company." Kaguya offered.

Gingerly, the rabbit took a seat and, after me and Kaguya both took a sip, lifted her own cup.

"Your not going to drink that are you? Tea from a Yakumo agent?" I said, Risen went wide-eyed.

"But master you...Princess...." She stuttered out.

"We're immortal Risen, so no worry, but I wouldn't risk it if I were you." Kaguya said, taking another sip. "But it is really such good tea."

>>45560353
>>45560362
>>45560381
Anon, you keep calling her Risen instead of Reisen. What did you mean by this?

>>45560404
>Risen
Eirin is tired.
Don't read between the lines

>>45560381
>>45560362
>>45560353
Interesting, so the heavy metals and toxins are felt in the letter. You okay if I write the Keine chapter and bully them a bit? Trust me, it will be mildly

>>45560381
>>45560362
>>45560353
There really isn't enough Kaguya in this, she's quite an amusing character to play with and I would love to see more of her.
Also, I find it funny that Kags was just casually walking into Eirin's office with a stack of porn mags for unknown reasons.

>>45559781
Birthday party is dragging a bit since multiple writers need to contribute their own stuff. It's expected though

>>45562541
One of the major downsides of a community project. Though, it's in contrast of the sheer amount of stories and characters we have already, literally 700 chapters in 3 months
It's nice to remember that strength in moments of hardship

>>45561503
>Also, I find it funny that Kags was just casually walking into Eirin's office with a stack of porn mags for unknown reasons.
Eirin is canonically locked inside her laboratory doing ungodly affronts against nature for hundreds of hours straight. Kags probably just want her to unwind a bit

>>45562794
Get her too unwind... with porn mags?
I see Hana's therapy sessions have had a huge effect on her, I really need to write a part 2 to that.

>>45562541
Apologies
Should've had something finished and uploaded yesterday night but procrastinating got the better of me

>>45562863
Better then telling her to visit Anon.

>>45560886
I was going to do that after the final Keine chapter, but go ahead!
Some points I was going to hit, besides the possible letter poisonings, feel free to use whatever: Seija and Goro visit her at Takane's behest for recruitment into her child-care business. Gag where Keine tuts tuts Goro about taking money for tutoring other students back in the day, which she thought was academically dishonest, but he thought taught them the value of money and helped him learn batter. Goro asking 'Hypothetically, is there historical precedent for replacing a sage?'. Dancing around the subject of the two m-preg babies pregnancies since Sagume's fate altering ability makes it impossible to communicate it, but coalescing on the idea that all the new children are going to need protection. Keine handing Aku to Goro as a sort of test, him shoving his hands armpits so neither his bony hand nor cursed bracelet touch the child.Seija and Mokou watching the other child crawl over the hound, who is just chilling.

>>45561503
I wanted to write more with her, but I was scratching my head on ideas and decided not to push it harder.

>>45563944
>I was going to do that after the final Keine chapter, but go ahead!
…
>spoiler
wait a moment, that's not a character-driven chapter! That's just an excuse to write a lot of fluff

>>45564114
>wait a moment, that's not a character-driven chapter! That's just an excuse to write a lot of fluff
A lot of my writing is making two characters meet and watching the results.
In this case, both Keine and Goro have the character flaw of not wanting to ask for help, but they're also different in that their current approaches are from opposite ends, even though they both want the same thing, hence the whole callback to childhood history of the tutoring racket which reflects the current situation.I guess you could call it 'fluff' in the sense both characters are sort of 'locked in' on their path, but it will have an effect post-solstice and maybe even during.
>>45560886
>mildly
No mild bullying. Heavy bullying only.

Alice’s house was stuffed with real, living people. This would be worthy of an article if Aya wasn’t sworn to keep Hana’s birthday secret. The participants weren’t numerous, but they were active: Mamizou sat quietly, engaging in gossip here and there and directing dolls if she noticed someone’s plate was less than full. Yuuka sipped tea while watching Hana interact with the active party-goers. Tewi and her bunnies never sat still, eating more than twice their weight and at least four time more food than they brought. Aunn kept watch over them. Meanwhile, Kosuzu and Sanae made sure all the guests were comfortable. Of course, Hana-chan was showing off her powers for everyone to see and having the time of her life. Not that she was the only one…

Marisa was everywhere. Not a single inch of Alice’s house was spared from Marisa’s party-going. The strange part wasn’t her energy, nor Alice following closely behind to pick up after her—that happened every time there was a get-together. As far as Aya could tell, the little drunkard was dry tonight. Maybe that mentor was to blame — the “Goddess of Magic.” Reimu wasn’t exactly a reliable source of information, but she never described the being sealed away as anything more than some stray soul Satori’s kitty never carted. Still, Aya this wasn’t the place for an interview. Maybe in the after-party.

While the room was cozy, it was clear the excitement was dying down. After Yuuka and Hana’s wonderful performance, the atmosphere was light and jovial. Still, how do you follow up something like that? Most girls began gossiping with each other in small groups, bumping into others while retrieving drinks. Even Tewi was defeated, the embodiment of tiredness as Aunn stole her entourage. With enough pictures to last a decade, Aya just needed to find something to swing the party back into overdrive. What could activity could people tired out from a big dance enjoy? That’s it!

Aya ran over to Marisa, dodging past the Moriyan miko and slipping past Alice. She grasped the short girl by her shoulders for balance. “MARISA! Did you you bring that ‘thing’ you borrowed?”

The magician’s face instantly soured. “Seriously? You’re going to accuse me of stealing something here and now? What’s wrong with you?!“

“The ‘collateral’ you took from me. Unless you’ve got a guilty conscience about something else?”

Marisa stared at Aya for a few seconds before she remembered their deal. “Oh. Ohhhh! Right, just give me one second, ze!” As the witch bolted off, Aya had Alice for company. Giving her a look once-over, she wondered what Okina saw. Sure, she had nice hair and creamy skin, but… shit, that alone was creepy. The sooner their partnership was over, the better. Alice began prying into what Aya sent her friend to retrieve. In return, she asked Alice why she left every so often to check on a sealed envelope hidden in her room. Neither girl answered directly. It seemed there would be a little more excitement later.

After far longer than it should have taken, Marisa set a dusty box on a table in the center of the room. It was just polished when Aya gave it to her. Pulling out silver and gold pieces, she set a small cube aside before it whirred and clicked, expanding itself into a 15x15 grid. As Kosuzu and a few others watched curiously, a green-haired ghost made her way over and scoffed. “Really? You could’ve brought cards, dice or any game of chance. But shogi, a solved game?”

Indignant, Aya stood up for her board. “Oh, did you study the game? You’ll find that Tengu daishogi opens up many avenues for opportunity. It’s not quite like the games you played back in the Heian period.”

Mima’s expression was serene, save for a single throbbing vein that contained her rage. “I’ve heard of this ‘drop rule’. It changes little. Anyone with half a brain can and will win every game they play, so long as they pick the correct opening.”

Sitting on one side of the board, Aya stuck her hands underneath and began fiddling. Ravine board? No, that’s for beginners... “Really? Then how about you show me firsthand? I’d love to see an ancient master at play.” The board flipped and shifted, gears biting each other and humming to simulate a flowing river as tiles rose to create a single bridge between two shores. “Here, it’s the Battle of Koromogawa. You should remember this!”

The spirit’s eyebrow twitched. Yet, she commanded Marisa to sit opposite to the tengu. “Wait, this isn’t really my thing. Nitori’s better at this and Aya plays with Momiji so—“

“You won’t be playing alone. Follow my instructions exactly and we’ll sink this impertinent birdbrain.”

As Aya and Marisa set up their pieces, some guests took notice of the quarrel and sat down to watch. This was perfect. Now that Hana was watching, all Aya had to do was make this goddess wish she never crawled out of her hokora.

>>45565017
oh no, A-Aya… this karmatic feeling carrying over your words…
… is she really about to job to the CEO of the Jobber Squad?
O H N O[´/spoiler]
I'll need some 'Bonetrousle' for this one, boys
but if Aya wins, at least she can put that in the Bunbunmaru, can't she? Winning against a Goddess of Magic should be some juicy publicity
thanks for the chapter!

>>45565017
Doesn't Aya know its wrong to bully her elders?
Also, I don't know if Aunn is watching over the buns or she's just drunkenly following them around given her earlier display.

>>45565017
I prefer scrabble of checkers honestly, chess is too deterministic and I've yet to play a wargame that I've liked.

>>45565290
I like UNO best. It's intuitive and easy to get.

>>45565290
I'm honestly just trying to write it like Yu-Gi-Oh before they had rules. I subconciously added Dungeon Dice Monsters aspects to some of the previous games.
Real daishogi hasn't evolved since the Heian period. Modern shogi is based on chu shogi (9x9) and has drop rules, which add quite a lot of flexibility. There are real tengu pieces in daidaishogi (17x17) and a realistic version of tengu daishogi that updates the original board to replace some of the weaker starting pieces. (Can't link or even replace dots, spam filter.)
I get what you mean. Mima's got a point about objective advantages from specific openings ruining fun, but she doesn't know about the suicide bombs.

They're all kings

Knocking on the door…? Keine wouldn't knock; it's he—our home, duh. Suzu? No, she has a spare key. So whom?

I carefully put Aki and Kuramochi on their shared cradle, sparing a moment to finish the fire theater of horses—Aki focused on the smaller, horned horse, while Kuramochi cheered for the boisterous Don Quixote and his ill, limp horse. The winner was the cat-horse~—, following to the door, sweet smile replaced by neutrality.

Such neutrality soured immediately as I opened the door, went outside, and closed it behind me, the couple there stepping back, necks bending to look me in the eye. The man was a head shorter, the woman two and some change… I know her. I don't like her.

The flame inside my heart was already burning with perceived danger from Seija alone. Then, I recognized the symbols in their ridiculous uniforms and felt the magic chained to the man's wrist… The rage of Sparta, of the almighty phoenix born on such hallow ground, grew implacable inside my chest. "What do you want?"

"We're looking for Keine-sensei—is this her address still?" The man said in serene manner, despite Seija suddenly looking tense as hell, holding tight onto the handle of the wooden basket covered by a neat tarp she's carrying.

"Yes, it is. She's out to do groceries. What do you want?" My patience was running short, my heart was tingling with a battle song.

"I see. We'll wait for her—"

"She's my bride. Say what you want, then leave our home." I utter the lie, stepping closer to them.

Many break upon having me tower over them. The man remains poised—the dog I hadn't noticed earlier went from lowly growling to whimpering—, sprung out of stupidity or bravery; I couldn't care less. At least he makes an educated guess and fishes a letter from somewhere, exchanging a glance with the Amanojaku. "I'm deeply sorry if we're disturbing your peace, but this is really important—"

I ignored everything, focusing on the folded letter. A simple truth is swiftly noticed: There's evil in this letter. It makes my body shiver, eyes widen. Twisted consciousness, infecting the air with ailments worse than those machines of black sludge humans crafted before the rise of the Hakurei Barrier. Just imagining this filth in the presence of Aki, Kuramochi… The family I miraculously managed to build, the regrets I destroyed before the exodus of the universe…

I see what's happening here.

… I slowly look at them. The man shuts up, feeling it in the air. Seija also feels it.

Nothing will take away my family from me.

The letter is engulfed in flames of heavenly blue, making even rays of sunlight cast shadows. Not even ashes remain; the curse and grudge purged from the Samsara.

The man looks dumbstruck; Seija rushes to take his hand, pull him away from my righteous fury—

—she's engulfed in flames too.

Seija looks at her arms lit in blue, desperately swinging them to dispel the flames of rebirth—using her power to switch their state, too—but it's all for naught: killing a phoenix will only make it return stronger and angrier. She falls to the ground, rolling in anguish, screams echoing loudly. It prompts the man to recover a semblance of consciousness, trying to get away, but I pick him up by the neck, lifting him to the sun as if a sacrifice. The dog bravely tried biting my ankle; it also burst into punishing flames. "Why are you trying to poison Keine?! What does Yukari want from my family?! ANSWER ME!"

"S-S… ei…"

"She's not dying until I want her to die! Talk already!" Maybe it was a bad idea to ask him to talk while suffocating him, palms exuding burning heat and searing his skin, the Olympian flames rapidly creeping towards the bracelet as a means to destroy it. I loosen my grip, and his gasps for air bring me back a thousand years, when I stripped a man’s life away from him in similar manner.

That time I regretted everything: lust for power, fear of death, seeking approval…

Here, face contorted in pure anger and desire to protect my babies from the schemes of monsters, I don’t regret anything.

"Not Yukari! We're not here on Yukari!" In the background, Seija's cries get louder and louder, agonizing—the heat should be melting and popping her eyes like balloons anytime soon. "We don't mean… Harm!"

"LIAR! I felt the evil in that letter! You want to poison us?!" What if she somehow has discovered the existence of Kuramochi and Aki and is targeting them?! My loosened grip tightens, flames raging. "Does Yukari want Keine's power?!"

“N-No—” Instead, he whispers, a narrowly open eye looking at the flames about to consume the bracelet. “NO! N-Not the brac—"

"MOKOU!"

And, suddenly, it faded.

Seija wasn't on fire anymore, not a burn on her skin, same for the hound and the man, the latter panting hard and holding his trembling wrist, eyes on the bracelet—Seija rushed to him, catching his arm and looking closely at the cursed thing. They shared a breath of relief, as if parents that almost lost their child.

I looked at Keine. She was mad.

Apparently it was all a… 'Misunderstanding'.

"But Keine, the letter was cursed! Cursed! What'd have happened if it got close to Aki or Mochi? And they wear Yukari's symbols!" I defend myself, restlessly rocking my leg up and down, holding Mochi mounted on my knee, wings following the moves. Keine's face was that of sheer disappointment, and it dug deep, the silence gnawing on my chest and littering my blood-flow with guilt. Gojo—or whatever was his name—gently patted a pissed Seija's hair on the opposite couch, coffee table between us sporting four cups of recently made tea and the uncovered basket of sweets and snacks. Keine's power erased the story and pain of them being closely burned alive, just as the memories of whoever watched… but I'd be pissed too if I were in their place.

"I understand, Mokou—and our guests will promptly explain that." Her authoritative voice straightens Gomo's back, Seija 'tsk'ing from the lack of hair brushing. Still, Keine makes a simple gesture of 'wait'. "But you shouldn't come to such hasty conclusions based on what surrounds someone. People are more than their jobs, words, and, most importantly, reputation."

… Ouch. Karmatic irony.

I look at Aki in her arms, my eyes narrowing, gulping down bitterness, hands holding tighter to Kuramochi—gently still—and sigh. Turning to Seija and Bozo, ignoring her smugness, I bow, Mochi trying to pick up my hair to eat it. "I'm sorry for burning you two—" the hound, lazily stretched on the carpet, whimpers. "—You three and coming to such conclusions. I was afraid you meant danger to my family." Keine hummed with my words, holding my hand; I felt immediately better. Seija snickered, ready to say something, but a hand grasping her shoulder stopped her—for her own good.

"It's okay, water under the bridge—I'd feel threatened too in your position… Also, beautiful children, Keine-sensei. I'm happy for you." The man says.

"Thanks~" She nestles Aki more, and I huff with just how happy she seems to have our children appreciated. "But, please, refrain from gossiping around. My situation is precarious already."

"But of course, sensei. I understand; we wouldn't want to make things any harder for you."

"Will we need an ultimate deal for this?" She jokingly asks. Huh?

“Nope, not this time, Sensei.” I raise an eyebrow as the man laughs. What the hell are they talking about?

Keine doesn't seem convinced. "Hm? I still remember you saying something similar to that 'paid education' endeavor—yet keeping it up anyway."

"Sensei, I still stand by that; paid education—even 10 yens per class—teaches the value money holds even in small quantities. It's saddening how many people disregard the little values."

"But what's better than a paid class? Free classes on personal economics that even the small child without 10 yen can properly understand and, thus, appreciate the next 10 yen they’d make." She giggles, the man scratching his nape with contained laughter. "Oh, still no argument against that? I'm grateful for our deal and the continuous victory of free didactics then~"

"Ah, to have the knowledge and debating power of the greatest minds in our history… That's cheating, Sensei."

Keine laughs. Aki giggles softly.

Seija yawns, drinking her tea and eating from the basket; I yawn too, hugging tighter Kuramochi, which seems mystified by the lazy dog, tiny wings softly going up and down… We glance at each other, and understanding—despite recent events—is shared: 'they'll be at that for hours, won't they?'

Better prevent that. "What was that letter, anyway?" Still rubs me the wrong way remembering what I felt in that thing. Yoro recomposes himself, the small joy fading as Keine also takes on a more analytical semblance, holding dear to Aki. Whatever he says flies above my head as, frowning, I stare at him. He sighs, mulling over how to say it in an easier way. The dumbed-down version still confuses me. Keine nudges my arm and, calmly, explains it to me. I understand this time… I guess. "That's a retarded idea."

Mochi giggles, Seija hides hers, munching on a cookie. Keine sighs. "Mokou, language," then turns to Zoro. "It's not a new idea, but it's still something that should be reserved for powerful people who know how to work with it, control it, and remedy the problems it'll create. If it falls into human hands and is comprehended, it would be implemented despite health concerns. I'll happily teach you the consequences of overusing lead in Outside Humanity's history for exemplification of consequences, Goro-kun. Just understand now that if this becomes popular, it WILL get out of your control eventually, and this much accumulated curses and grudges, even in small amounts, will build up considerably…" She softly kisses Aki's scalp, her wings flapping a bit with expressed love. "It could end catastrophically."

The man's expression is impossible for me to discern. Still, I make sure to bring that same rage from before to my eyes.

As a warning, of course.

Keine's power never ceases to amaze me.

One would expect the people you just almost burned to death to be hostile, yet here we are, gossiping in the living room after eating a hearty yakitori dinner I cooked; experience forgotten and only knowing it happened… Well, Gensokyan cultural mores post-violence are very soft, anyway.

A lot was discussed between Keine and Goro, especially something about childcare institutions. I didn't hear much; busy playing with Aki, Mochi and Seija—the latter who decided to try her hand at playing with a baby, full of bravado and tenacity… Then Kuramochi began crying, and she was panicking. It was very funny—, though Keine seemed interested, she postponed her involvement, hands full with recovering her job and cleaning her reputation, fiercingly stating she'd be there to help when all was figured out.

There was also the 'replacing a sage' thing. Keine looked weirdly at Goro, then said that if a sage needs to be replaced, it means they've died, meaning there isn’t a ‘Gensokyo’ remaining to govern.

He seemed thoughtful after that one.

Conversations turned more lighthearted as afternoon turned evening. "It's commendable, Sensei—to adopt. Knowing some will be growing already with loving parents is very nice." He fondly looks at Aki, who was curiously focusing on a random spot on the roof. By my crossed legs and laid on his belly on a blanket wide spread on the ground was Kuramochi, mischievous blue eyes on the lazy dog, wings still. "But I wonder: how's being a parent like, Sensei?"

Keine pauses at the question, smiling as she rests her chin on top of Aki's soft, pinkish hair. "Well… It's a responsibility above anything you can ever imagine. But also hope to guide you in your darkest moments. It’s wonderful." Goro hums, sinking a bit on the couch as if unsatisfied with the answer. Keine giggles a little. "Someday I may tell you how I first met these two. Then everything will make sense~" She pauses again, kissing Aki's scalp gently, sharp eyes on the cursed bracelet. "Until then, why not exercise it a bit?" She gets up and approaches Goro, the latter curious, then tense as bamboo as Keine kneels by him, bringing Aki to his arms.

"No, Sensei! I cannot; there could be side effects I still don't know and—" He shows the bracelet, desperate to not have the baby in his arms. Seija is looking at everything with an agape mouth, still as a monolith, hands joined together, and, if I'd guess, throat dry. I'm also tense, but it's Keine doing this; she must have a plan… She picks up one of the towels we'd put on our shoulders when nurturing the twins after feeding them and puts it over the bracelet arm. Oh. Goro looks shocked. "B-But, Sensei, it might not be enough—"

The baby was in his arms.

Goro struggles, jumping a bit to get the bracelet as far as possible from Aki, and I swear I could hear his frantic heartbeat.

What followed was silence thick as honey, Aki's legs gently supported on his belly, his arms all trembling, breathing held… Then he looked Aki in the eyes, breathing slowly released, arms steadying. "… I'm doing it, Sensei."

"Yes, you are. Aki seems very calm, doesn't she?" He wide-eyed nods, shifting to a more comfortable position. Seija watches as if her eyes were cameras. Keine smiles, hands beneath her chin. "Careful with her wings—they're on the sensitive side."

"Like this…?" He moves his forearms, not touching Aki's wings anymore. Keine hums. "Hey, Aki Kamishirasawa. Nice weather, huh…? N-Name's Goro. A pleasure."

Aki giggles. Goro laughs in disbelief.

My heart full, I reach for Kura—all my body tenses up, cold spreading as I don’t see him by my side, instead munching his closed fist… cuddling with the fucking dog! The hound seemed to not care. "Mochi!" I rush to him, trying to get him away from the darn thing, but he holds onto the dog’s thick-fat, giggling, wings swaying lovingly. "Geez, I take my eye a second away from you, and you cuddle with a mighty beast?!"

"That's a cool baby right there." Seija comments with faked placidity as she approaches, struggling to keep her eyes off Goro, who is still being instructed by Keine on how to handle a tiny and fragile baby. "Man, it's always like this; we go around, he just HAS to stop and talk and do weird things with whomever he sees… It's hard having a wife, heh." She jokes, though it falls flat, eyes big, seeming as if she had just had a great revelation.

I know exactly what she's feeling…

"… First time seeing the person you love holding a baby?" She glances at me, then at Goro and Keine, the latter teaching the first Aki's favorite funny faces. Aki was sweetly giggling.

She nods slowly.

… I went through the exact same recently, after all.

Mochi mumbles, climbing on top of the hound, wings flapping a bit. Seija huffed. "Okay! Not losing again—second round, little man!" With those passionate words, Seija began joyously playing with Mochi and the dog. He doesn't cry now.

The dog, though, seems even more tired.

The guests left some time ago.

Together, me and Keine put Aki and Kuramochi to sleep, both of them hugging as if trying to glue us together, deep in slumber, tired of the full day they had. The moon weakly shines through the room's window, and I, leaned on the door frame, watch with half-closed eyes as Keine looks at herself in the standing mirror, using that same skimpy blue nightgown—apparently it became her favorite… It's also mine—, plainly brushing her hair so it's not that bad when she wakes up.

It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

I approach from behind, hidden by shadows—but probably already spotted—and wrap my arms around her belly from behind. "Good night." I whisper, looking at us in the mirror. I'll never get tired of the way her body can be shielded entirely by mine. Makes my stomach tingle with a weird yet good feeling… Though her face throws me off a little—devilish smile, eyes glistening. "What's so funny?"

"Night. And it's nothing, nothing~just thinking about something Goro-kun told me before he and Seija left," she picks a lock of my white hair mingling with her platinum threads and brushes it with veneration. "… 'I hope your marriage with Mokou-kun will be a happy one, Sensei. I'll be cheering for you." My face immediately burns redder than my eyes, a little laugh escaping me, forehead sweating, and back tense. I thought they had forgotten that too… Why she chose not to eat that part of history from the misunderstanding is beyond me.

"Heh, sorry for that—it was just a lie in the heat of the moment to make him get to the point." Keine hums, looking at our reflection in the mirror, my arms holding her as if to never let go…

It feels just… so right.

I'm suddenly extremely tense, eyes growing and my heart skyrocketing.

… These words I want to say…

I remember the words of her last stand—I almost lost her—, my actions, the lie—I almost lost her…

I don’t want to lose them. My family.

"Would you…" the words bog inside my throat, arms trembling, wanting to undo the hug… Keine gently holds my wrist, fingers tender, and with my body against hers, I can feel a heartbeat just as strong. "… Would you like t-that? To be my bride?"

Keine closes her eyes, leaning her nape on my chest, slender fingers moving, and, before I even notice, our hands are interlocked. She's trembling, probably out of anxiety, though that quivering smile on her face says happiness. "… When we solve this mess, and whatever comes after—then, Mokou… I-I'd like to be your bride."

Oh. Oh…

I slowly nod. "C-Cool." I… I am shocked. I don't know what to say, how to react, how to feel a-and— "Why… why did you let Goro hold Aki earlier?" Keine gazes at me, then back at herself in the mirror. "I w-was afraid of what that bracelet would do to her…" I admit for whatever reason, feeling vulnerable.

"I was too. I don't like using my powers for situations of not emergency… But at that time, I was ready to do it. Even so, I knew nothing would happen to Aki. Goro-san wanted to hold my daughter a lot, so I let him do it. He didn't want to hurt her, so the bracelet responded. Aki wasn't harmed in the slightest. Seija and that pup didn't hurt Kuramochi either, did they? Ah… It's fascinating how people are always more than meets the eye~" Keine hums, satisfied with herself. I huff, sinking my face into her beautiful hair.

Hope and responsibility…

… Man, I asked her in marriage with no ring.

Ugh. I'm a disaster.

Keine raises an eyebrow with my reaction, amused, but doesn't say anything, putting the brush down and walking up to the cradle. We check the twins, resisting—hardly—the desire to play with their cute wings, hair, rose skin and… The temptation almost gets the best of me if not for Keine giggling. "Dammit… I better go to sleep." I turn to the door, intending to go to the living room and sleep on the couch as always, heart still pounding and mind processing—

—Keine doesn't let my hand go.

I stare at her in the eyes and, tense and red as if sun-burned, she puts out the candle. "Mokou…" She gets closer, and her voice makes my whole body shiver. "W-Would you like to sleep with… me tonight?"

I imagined many ways this could go down. Only one made my heart grow tenfold…

I swiftly pick her up and, with the biggest smile ever, jump into bed as if a pool, doing my best to contain my loud laughter but failing spectacularly. Keine likely stared at me wide-eyed in the darkness but couldn't contain her dumbfounded laughter either, slapping my shoulder. I slap her back, she slaps me back, giggling spreads as if wildfire and the little goof moment goes on until somehow we are under the blankets, tired and cuddling dearly, our bodies against each other as if puzzle pieces—a perfect fit~

Her heart is still pounding, and it's a great choice of music to go to sleep to. I wonder if she thinks the same of mine.

… Kogasa could make me a ring. One beautiful, of platinum with a red jewel on top of it.

Yeah…

That'd be very nice.

>>45566937
>>45566932
>>45566927
>>45566921
last segment of chapters? What the hell are you talking about? Of course I had this small crossover planned from the start!
also, I'm very sorri for the heavy bullying. I was listening to Rage of Sparta, you see. It clearly explains all of my violent tendencies.

>>45566953
Nah it's okay the shit'Jaku and her house husband needs regular bullying or they'll get even worse ideas.
Can't wait until Aya hears of their mail plot and uses it to deliver pipe bombs.

>>45566921
>>45566927
>>45566932
>>45566937
>I slowly nod. "C-Cool."
I can't believe Mokou jobbed, what a dork.
>>45566953
>spoiler
If it happens in one more crossover it'll become a tradition lol. Gotta stack those jobs for the racks later.

>Goro and Seija on their way to appear in literally everyone else's storyline

Man Seija and Goro really are chock full of terrible ideas aren't they?