/jp/ - Otaku Culture

finally, the thread didn't get caught by my filters

>>45586298
glad for you, Anon!

>>45557644 (1/2)
—
Holding Patchy in my arms, I turn towards the voice—

—and gasp. We were still in the HSE, but… different. The ground was cracked everywhere, consuming Yuuka’s garden; powerful blue light exuding as if a star had bitten the earth; tiny animals such as butterflies and ants—spectral—flooding to those cracks, feeding from the light. The sky was of a thousand stars, a full moon of red akin to Remilia's wounding the veil of glinting black. However, when compared to the monumental Sakura tree—sprouting from the floor right where the pond of the Fake Shrine found itself, its multitude of leaves flickering with supernatural wind, what looked like faint images squirming inside—, it was nothing.

All cracks converged on the tree, roots made of starlight disappearing inside them.

Sat on the lustrous roots of blue and mere six feet away from the broken white sigil, was a little girl: Clothes of humble origins, skin fair, her eyes at us. Yet her face—that nose bridge; those big, sharp eyes and dimples on each rosy cheek…

It was like looking in a mirror and seeing a younger mineself. A blurred mirror, yet it nevertheless.

"… You are the person I felt." Patchy managed to whisper, grimacing, her whole body feeling tense despite the silky clothes.

"Yes, Mother…those books you wrote… Thanks for them! They clarified a lot of my doubts!" She gave Patchy a toothy smile, though the magician narrowed her eyes, leaving my arms without even looking at me.

"You read them…?"

"All of them~you should stop using too many '—'. It hurts the eyes!" She pouts, getting up.

"But it's been only an m-minute! Were you reading while I wrote them?! And why do you call me 'Mother'?" She stepped closer, trembling with a scholar's lust for knowledge. I followed behind, feeling out of my depth— "You look disturbingly like me…"

I froze. What…?

"I got them through that rite, and with my mum's power to control time, I read them—helps too I can separate into three," she shows three fingers, standing right in front of us. The similarities were even more noticeable, though when I tried to feel her Ki, I got nothing. It was if I was talking to a cadaver. "Other selves, thanks to mum Flandre."

"Time control…? Flandre?" Patchy was wide-eyed, her face twisting into pained thoughtful expressions.

"Sakuya, my mum that can control time. We're in about a year equals a second now… But we don't have much time." She looks hurt.

"I-I… That tree, the amount of concentrated magic… It's like staring at a… a—" I rapidly move, eyes wide, and catch Patchy as she suddenly passes out, the overwhelming amount of information exhausting her worn-out mind.

Alone for a few seconds, cautionary, I stare at the simple-looking girl, who, smiling sweetly, waves at me, my throat drying. "How can she be your mother…? What even are you? This place?" The girl hums, eyes on Patchy—she claps her hands, and the magician starts to wake up, confused at her surroundings, before locking on the girl again, mumbling, 'not a dream…'

"You are also my mother, Meiling. Everyone who steps in this place is my mother—but I only have one number 1 mother, sorry!" She joins her hands and bows respectfully for a moment. "This place is a cursed womb… And what am I? I'm that!" She points at the tree, looking at us, expecting approval—we just keep staring. Pouting, she points at the roots. "The faith and belief that I eat," she moves to the trunk of the tree. "My True Mother and father—"

"Anon…?" I whisper.

"—yep, him!" She giggles, then points at the lucent branches. "And those are my other mothers, like you two—all come together, resulting in me!" She laughs, a kid in heart.

"—a condensed world,” Patchy whispers, turning to me. “Meiling… When I passed out, I was looking at the tree's magical signature… Remilia's powers, Sakuya's, mine, yours, Flandre's… It’s all implanted in that tree." My spine chills, twisted understanding starting to settle.

This place, her…

She stops laughing, her back to us.

"… Isn't it most beautiful? My birth." Her voice has lost its childish comfort. It sounds sharp, and I cannot even fathom what face she's making. "Heavenly blue, warm, pretty…" She walks up to the tree and, gently, touches its bark. "Yet my parents cannot see it yet. The universe has robbed me of my birthright to be in their lives—to save their souls, heal them, and to be infinitely loved as I do love them."

She turns to us.

Rage. A thousand faces of rage.

"But I'll change that future." Her voice is meant for us. "This universe wrote me as to never have a family. To be an aftermath, not a blessing… I don't want that, Mother. I do not. I want to be with my family, to know my father, to play with my sisters, to be fondly hugged by my True Mother!" She opens her arms, relief beyond the pure rage, as if listened to for the first time. "So I'll overwrite this sickening story, help all of my family! I'll make them happy! Please, despite my birth… Love me, Mothers, I beg of you!"

>>45586295
Ah neat, thread lives
Hana soon, the jobbing will never be the same

>>45586580
you know that dream of last chapter? It's canon, but only for Sekai's womb, which won't be appearing a lot. Though a Sakura tree that blossoms in winter is kinda weird… but the aesthetics, man

>>45586580
Ah shit Hata-chan is going to forcefully write herself into the finale and take over the every single ending

>>45586599
I was too slow making the 'last time in the HSE'...

Adoption edition, normally I use green for adoption but since green is dedicated to rape I used teal here.

>>45586763
>chastity box
delete that NOW!

>>45586815
Remi will be a virgin, even when she becomes a hag she'll never have even touched a man's hand.
Sakuya will make sure of it one way or the other.

[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
>>45515189 | part 9

[last thread chapters here]:
>>45515231 | 21-22-Yukari
>>45515242 |
>>45515809 | 119-122-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45515820 |
>>45515836 |
>>45515841 |
>>45517324 | 17-Kasen
>>45518989 | 4-5-Fairy Wars
>>45518998 |
>>45519418 | 18-19-Kosuzu
>>45519426 |
>>45522709 | 5-Satori
>>45522979 | 123-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45525511 | 6-7-Satori
>>45525522 |
>>45525647 | 9-Yuuka
>>45527332 | 124-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45527537 | 9-Tewi
>>45531809 | 20-Kosuzu
>>45533286 | 3-5-Mokou
>>45533292 |
>>45533299 |
>>45534644 | 125-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45541648 | 1-2-Sanae… wow, poor Moriyan girls
>>45541661 |
>>45552903 | 6-7-Fairy Wars
>>45552914 |
>>45557636 | 7-8-Meiling
>>45557644 |
>>45559587 | 2-Eirin
>>45560353 | 126-128-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45560362 |
>>45560381 |
>>45565017 | 63-Aya
>>45566921 | 6-9-Mokou
>>45566927 |
>>45566932 |
>>45566937 |
>>45567542 | 1-4-Goro!Yukari, because a fanfiction in 2023(4) has a quota to fill for trans representation. Thanks for your sacrifice, Goro-san.
>>45567549 |
>>45567554 |
>>45567558 |
>>45572496 | Introspection about the Tragedy Children Trio of the HSE
>>45572537 | 47-Ran/Chen
>>45575085 | 64-65-Aya
>>45575122 |
>>45575371 | 129-131-Yamashiro/Seija
>>45575380 |
>>45575389 |
>>45575866 | 2-Hata no Sekai (Solstice Special)
>>45576441 | 26-Rikako/Lemontene
>>45576478 | 3=Hata no Sekai (Solstice Special)
>>45576492 | 27-Rikako/Lemontene
>>45576545 | 4-Hata no Sekai (Solstice Special)
(699 entries)
tell me if I got something wrong or did any mistake! Thanks!

[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
>>/jp/thread/45515120 | seventeenth 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

finale will continue to be postponed until the end of time due to general writefag incompetence, prease undastandu

flowchart, coming through!
https://files.catbox.moe/via62d.png
for writeanons to guide themselves and readeranons to wonder if that's lava or a gas deposit

>>45587669
wait, does that mean… HSE will continue FOREVER?! Good God, I asked you food, not a banquet
joking aside, hardly. It was stated in last chapters we're at the start of winter, where the Solstice happens; and preparations for the Solstice are being made, as seen in Ran's chapter.
Keep believing, boys!

>>45587742
anon has accidentally erased some of the text, making him tonight's biggest loser

>>45587946
Lets not talk about the spelling mistakes and missing words
Chart Anon is a true writefag!

>>45587946
you see, Anon, it's just a different way of handling the x, p and e in sequence. It's much more stylish AND understandable
>>45587986
I wanna cry!

>>45586763
thanks for your work!

From far away I saw him sitting on the sunlit grassy fields. It was spring and all around nature was thriving, resurgent after the long winter we'd endured.

I made my way to him, my sundress flapping in the wind. I had patted down the thing to preserve my modesty, but lost my hat in doing so. It wasn't missing long though, as a small, flat paper person caught it and deftly flew it back to me. As I took it, the doll bowed, flipped to it's other side, and flew off to some other task.

Those crude paper servants all gently circled the man, some silently awaiting a new cursed inscription, another instruction, others played among the bugs and small animals. As a frog caught one, the doll was a consumed in a small fire, leaving the green creature unharmed, but it was the end of the paper thing. They were like adorable little flies: small, quick, and playful, but died so quickly.

The man wasn't so concerned, as his tiny, short-lived servants worked, he was preoccupied with caring for two infants, one nestled in each arm. I couldn't make out their appearance or expression, only that one's eyes were a deep blue and the other's were a cardinal red. They were my daughters.

He smiled as I approached. "Enjoying the scenery?" he asked.

I was, but I wouldn't let him know it. Instead I reached a finger out to one of my children, and they both reach their little grabbers out to touch it. "Looks like they want their Mom." He said, gently hoisting the two children on to me.

I meant to protest as the two things swarmed me, but I couldn't find the words and their warmth was so nice.

"That's it, hold them gently." He whispered just past my ear, setting himself behind me.

"Have you thought about what you're going to name them?" He asked.

"Why don't YOU come up with some names if you're so impatient." I jeered, with only a little bit of bite.

"I wouldn't rob you of the happiness. You've worked so hard for it after all." He said, rubbing my shoulder.

Happiness, I thought, closing my eyes. Is that what this feelings is meant to be?

The blue child began to murmur gently, then softly began to cry. The red eyed one squirmed as well, putting a hand out to her sister. I fumbled a little, unsure of how to handle the ergonomics of the two kids who wanted to get closer.

"Goro how do I-" I began, turning behind me, but there was nothing there.

When I turned back there was a white void, save for the pyramid laid out in front of me. It was colossal, bigger then any mountain, it's peak higher then any star. Each layer was smaller then the last and was composed of Youkai, Humans, animals, Ghosts, and even a few gods. Everyone of their eyes were cast below them.

Without warning I was propelled upward, higher and higher until I was at the very top where the pyramid became a plateau on which a square table was set with three occupied chairs.

"Ah, this one broke! Time to try a new one I guess!" The Yellow Specter said as it tossed aside a broken doll, picking another from an organized looking variety box.

"That's what you get for not going for quality you know! See, mine broke recently as well, but I have a nice little replacement ready to go." The Purple Cloak happily said as it brushed aside one broken, ornate doll for one that looked similar, but was just a little smaller.

"What's more, it even got me my crown Jewel! oh look how pretty he is!"

The Pink Curtain said nothing.

>>45589958
"Ha! You say that, but you're want to experiment a little as well yes? Putting together a little family aren't you?" The Yellow Specter asked.

"Yes, yes, here take a look." The Purple Cloak said, dumping the contents of a box in front of her.

"See, this one you brought me, looks a little similar to me right? Blonde, youthful, giddy, powerful..." The Purple Cloak said, brushing it's ragged grey hair to the side.

"But still such a child. Maybe I was fated to lose this piece after all? Then there was this one who sized an opportunity her sisters wouldn't, she didn't last long after our little spat, this one who thought she could leverage me like her little playground rivals, had her cut down to size, that one who I dangled some goodies in front of, but that only made her more rotten until she spoiled completely, and this one who thought to use my own weapon against me!" The Purple Cloak tallied off, pointing to the ruined dolls one-by-one.

"And finally there's this one." She began, jabbing a doll through it's head with a long nail and brining it up." I thought it'd be your piece you know? You helped polish it after all, but it came to me on it's own! Maybe you should adjust those strict preferences of yours."

"Ha! What's life if you don't do things in the manner you please? And I know you're fibbing, that one comes in a set of two doesn't it?" The Yellow Specter jeered.

"Yes! In fact, I once had both pieces, but can you believe that the other doll betrayed it's partner for a second time? They could never hope to challenge me, but perhaps they could've escaped together? Now we'll never know. Still, they were fun to watch in the meanwhile." She laughed, shaking the broken doll all the while.

I clenched my teeth and felt a bottomless rage. A flame that made every rampage I've been on before seem like a candle in comparison. These alien things played at living, imitating happiness, and depriving others of everything. Ending them was my purpose, my existence as an Amanojaku was to sunder these things and enjoy every second, if only I could...

Within my arms their we're two massive bombs and the fuses had been lit. Perfect, all I had to do was fly to that table and all of it would be destroyed.

But as I did so, the broken doll reached out it's hand, trying to stop me and, looking to my arms, I saw my two children, about to explode.

---

"Arggggh!" I screamed, shooting upwards and sweating despite the cold night air.

I was not in some infinite white void, no, I was inside a small house, naked in bed.

"Seeing visions?" Goro asked me, after having waited for me to regain my senses.

"Buzz off, It's just something I ate, did you clean the kitchen properly?" I said, turning over in bed knowing full well that this place was suspiciously spotless.

"Having spoiled fish doesn't preclude premonitions, I'd say it actually might be the opposite." He said, putting his left hand around my waist and nestling up to me.

"You know, you might wake up covered in vomit like this." I grumbled.

"Filth for precognition? I might take you up on that offer." He joked.

I sighed. He wasn't going to relent. "I saw the Sages in the future, they win, everyone else loses, including us. I dupe you to get away, use the kids as ammo to get even."

For a moment he's quiet. "Well I guess it's good your an Amanojaku. The opposite of that future sounds pretty bright."

I try to squirm to punch him from behind, but he doesn't let go of me. I could probably break his arm, it probably wouldn't affect the kids, but being man handled wasn't exactly bad either.

"Do you think the Flower Woman will have any answers for us? About Sages that is. And what's to stop her from immolating us like that Phoenix-brained muscle head?" I ask.

"She's rumored to be as powerful as a sage, but unlike that spirit that got unsealed recently, she's lived peacefully in Gensokyo for years. Although they're all sorts of rumors, I don't believe Reimu would've left her alone if she was actually such a monster. If we meet her, I should be able to understand what Keine told me."

"Maybe she's just that terrifying. Or hiding her fangs for the long game, woman like their secrets you know." I chuckle at the thought.

"Well I have few ideas on how to approach things this time around. Don't worry, it'll involve more elbow grease then curses this time, I swear."

"Ah, boring. By the way, have you looked into paper dolls?" I ask.

"No, I haven't. Wasn't much for that sort of craft." he lied. "What do you mean?"

"Good night." I say, grabbing onto his arm refusing to let go.

"Seija? Come on, I won't remember in the morning if I don't make a note of this. Ah, at least tell me what you mean by that! Seija? Seija?"

I don't answer, instead I gently rub his hand and the cursed bracelet upon it.

>>45587742
>I don't like stickmen bro.
>crossdress and in his trans-denial rage beats a woman sporting a rainbow flag
Lol, I would include a bit here about him meeting Anon, since that's a sort of plot point.
We're gonna make it to hell boys, maybe even beyond that?
>>45586295
I just realized
>Seija and Goro beat the retard record by a landslide with their new idea
Is a bullet away from
>Rikako and her gang sneak around the party, but the clap of their humongous jobbcheeks keep alerting the
I find this cosmically funny.

>>45590019
>Lol, I would include a bit here about him meeting Anon, since that's a sort of plot point.
oh, sorry for missing it -- thanks for pointing it out, though! Added~

>>45587669
One step at a time we're getting there.

>>45587669
>finale will continue to be postponed until the end of time due to general writefag incompetence, prease undastandu
It is the year 2033.
The Seija and Goro Spin-off has gotten it's third 暁Records PV.
At the writing awards show, I hold up a black-and-white picture of rice farmers on their the way to the fields.
Meanwhile, the birthday arc has finally come to a close.

>>45590125
>At the writing awards show
>Patchyanon makes his grand, fabled return
>wins every award
>authors clap on their knees
I miss that motherfucker every day. He just had a way with words; it was almost inspirational…

>>45587669
>>45590125
If I'm being 100% honest writing fiction on a Korean basket weaving forum is easy. I can just sit down and turbo out a part no problem although this is not the first jp writefag show I've been apart of. Dealing with the professional environment, responsibilities, and the myriad of other hobbies I juggle, especially in the holiday seasons, is hard and I don't blame less fortunate writers for not having the same throughput.
>>45590154
We should put together a graduation-like photo with all the writers as our sole ego-jack off. I picture Rikanon with a bunch of made-up medals like a African dictator.

>>45587669
I'm working on a Christmas special instead of an update to my story, please understand.

>>45590195
>Rikanon with a bunch of made-up medals like a African dictator
>Ayaanon with something like that terraria summoner weapon that places birds on top of your head, also golden, because the amount of specials this guy writes is ludicrous
>Patchyanon, Reisenanon and Meilinganon, our fallen, in graves or those memorial photos
>Rananon sat on top of the ten thousand characters he writes
>Suzuanon literally the fucking sun
>Tewianon finally with a certificate that Tewi is, de facto, NOT a loli
>Hanaanon and OGAbuseanon getting a big hug because they kicked off this autismo
>Mimaanon with a big medal because, somehow, he made that woman be relevant
>Yamashiroanon upside down for no reason at all, also locked because of the war crimes of his childcare industrial complex
>Cirnoanon wearing a burguer king crown and a lot of theory books on the future like a goddamn sage
>fairyanon also locked but for sexual trafficking
making this a reality as a gif/WebM; if I forgot you, chime in with something funny!

>>45590298
>Tewianon finally with a certificate that Tewi is, de facto, NOT a loli
Tewianon fought long and hard for lolirights so they can enter the HSE without fear of persecution!

>>45590298
>Cirnoanon wearing a burguer king crown and a lot of theory books on the future like a goddamn sage
Needs to be holding the near complete family history of gensokyo in book form.

>>45590298
the anon who wrote sagume has gone on walkabouts too

>>45586580 (2/2—p1)
—
Me and Meiling could just… stare. How did we stumble onto this? A youkai of a building, like that of the actual Hakurei Shrine, gestating inside millions of different magical channels and layers of barriers, all masterpieces of the Gap Sage. And her almighty power of sewing others’ powers to herself? What are the possibilities? Every resident of the Scarlet Devil Mansion but Koa has come here, and our powers have been perfectly assimilated. But what about others? So many magic signatures—some I know personally and others a total, tempting mystery…

… And this girl's face, so akin to mine, like looking in a mirror and seeing a younger version of myself.

This whole situation is of complicated confusion and mysteries—she called this place a womb; is this where youkai are formed? Are all of them like this? Do all of them have consciousness before being born?—, begging to be unfolded…

It's luring, mystifying.

The nameless girl sighs, that tiny smile trying to fade away but remaining anyway. Her words started to sink, and my chest clenched. Yukari and Anon are incapable of seeing her; that much is easy to discern, but the rest… Words of sorrow and frustration, of a being without mouth but that so badly wanted to scream and did it the moment someone was there to listen.

I stare at Meiling, mulling if I should tell about my perceptions; she was always closer to the heart than the mind, my polar opposite.

She must’ve misunderstood my eyes because she went and took initiative. "T-That's a lot of responsibilities for a little girl, don't you think?" Her voice had a trembling to it, but she pushed past it; the girl silent as if analyzing variables beyond my wildest thoughts—considering the sheer amount of powers that course her being, her thought cabinet should be near boundless; is she reading our minds? Seeing future? All of it at the same time—

"What? 'Course not." She said it with a pout. The tree behind her pulsed with unlimited, unsoundable energy.

Meiling giggled. "I think it is—you called us your mothers, right?" She frowned, then nodded. Meiling got closer, her steps tense, before kneeling to look the ‘youkai’ in the eyes. "Then why don't you leave that for us?"

—What the…?! What's happening?

"Leave it to you?" Meiling nodded. "… Why?"

"We also want to leave this place, return to the people we love." As if testing waters, Meiling hovered her hands around the girl's shoulders. "So, if we somehow leave, we'll do everything in our power to make Anon and Yukari known of you, okay? While we do that, you should focus on getting… birthed?" She gave a weird smile, and I felt my hands sweating for some reason.

Meiling froze, feeling something in the air I couldn't pos— "You are afraid, mother." The girl said, no judgement to it. "That's why you want me to forsake my only dream."

"No! I—" The guardian swallows dry and, under pressure, finally holds the girl's shoulders. I see the cold shiver that goes through her body. "—Y-Yes… I'm afraid. We don't know anything of you, and your capacities are a mystery… But you're more than just that—destructive powers and mysteries—you're a lone little girl, and I know a thing or two about caring for those."

"… Mum Flandre likes you a lot." A smile pulled Meiling’s cheeks up, and the girl hummed. As nothing bad seems in immediate order, I step towards them, eyes on the tree and its magnificent composition. It's for all accounts an egg, yet it interacts with its environment—I caught a stray leaf and watched the moving image of Anon hugging copious amounts of tiny Inaba rabbits, smile big and truly happy—, shaping it based on laws beyond my understanding, as if the world itself were gestating it— "True Mother will think that when I'm born. It'll be my name: Hata no Sekai."

I looked to the side, the girl and Meiling there; though the latter’s eyes shone, I could tell she was on edge… And I felt why the moment the girl—Sekai—calmly took the leaf from my hand, our skins rubbing together briefly: It was like the touch of a thousand souls, all at once. It was highly disturbing. "What are these leaves?" I asked, Sekai playing with it for a little.

"… Possibilities. Past and future," her eyes narrowed, and she let the wind take the leaf away. "There's more, you know? Two sisters: one father can see, the other neither we can, only faintly feel her. Both cry and rage against the plundering of our birthright, though they're much weaker than me and can't take action. I'm unborn, too; I cannot leave this womb yet." Sekai turns to us, and the background of a massive Sakura of blue starlight gives that simple-looking girl an ominous, enchanting aura. The tree trembles, as does the Fake Shrine. "Free us from this nightmare, Mothers, please… Or, when the first winter star rises, I'll do it myself, and this world will regret its transgressions against my family."

Her words… What's happening?

—I remember her words about our time being short, eyes widening.

"Wai—"

>>45591177 (2/2—p2)
—













"—No, that's not—" My body jolts as my eyes open wide, breath tense. I urgently look around: Hata no Sekai is gone; the tree is gone; luminous cracks on the ground gone; only the illusion of a peaceful shrine; raindrops resuming to fall; a broken sigil carved on the ground and lots of spectral ash scattering with the wind. As always with Sakuya's power, not a second passed from the moment we left this plane to the womb where Sekai resides… Yet… I firmly hold my forehead, eyes narrowing. That whole ordeal by itself was electrifying, but by the end…

… Something is amiss… Like something was ripped away from my brain.

As understanding comes—Meiling to my side, which had fallen on her butt, was gazing at her trembling hands, likely reaching a similar conclusion—, I cannot help but shudder. "She adulterated our minds." I say it together with an exhalation, the words sounding tired and loaded. "… What do you remember still?"

Meiling slowly nods, retelling her experience, and, bitterly, it stops at the same point as mine: Sekai's threat of warring against the world for the sake of her shattered family and fate, a thousand eyes of sadness and loneliness; of boundless righteous anger, all grafted to a kind soul. Utter paranoid yet soft and sweet to a fault—the offspring of a benignant man and a Sage. "Why'd she do that? She asked for help, told us a lot… I wanted to help her." Surprisingly, Meiling bit her tongue. "But just getting close and touching her shoulders… Last time I felt like this, Reimu said there was a war on the moon—I need to meditate." The guardian wearily sighed, rubbing her face with her hands.

Did we make an assumption that turned out to be right? Had she told us too much? Something to keep us safe—to keep someone else safe?! My thirst was infernal, uncomfortable; I NEEDED to know what she erased from our minds. I need to know so many, many things about that mystique-filled hall of wonderment that Hata no Sekai called womb—the spectral animals, the cracks, the Sakura tree, Sekai herself. My eyes are wide, gleaming; my smile is of foolish appearance; and my spectral, disease-free body shivers with exhilaration.

Oh, I'm four again, reading a promiscuous passage about the fantastic yet blasphemous world of magic. A haven was found in Gensokyo for magicians, but the flavoring of profanity, of immorality magic had outside was what I could call my second home, the place in which I started, mainly due to the infuriating limitations of the old world's ways. The essence of magic is to determine the root of everything, and mingling in the mud, going all the way below the earth to reach the untainted truth always upsets the comfortable one.

I have to know more.

I run to the sigil, stumbling along the way, spectral dress freely swaying—Meiling eying me oddly—, gathering the few ghostly pages that weren't burned, thoroughly salvaging what survived of my weeks of research and unbothered by the need to start it whole again. I'd start over ten thousand times if I could reach that place even once more— "Oi, Patchy," Meiling approaches me, kneeling by my side to help with collecting the usable remains. "Are you alright?"

"I've never been better, Meiling! This cursed place has wielded crops of quality unfathomable until hours ago! It has sown seeds inside my primordial mind—seeds that'd take lesser men to the moon!" Her surprised eyes at my joy are expected.

"What are you planning to do?"

"Go back there, of course. I need to explore, study that place—it's not a masterpiece of conjoined barriers, Meiling; it's naturally formed; it draws from the world! It's fire to the first human, a knife to the first murderer!" I giggle, getting all I can and sprinting inside the shrine, collecting spectral versions of every piece of paper I can land my hands on—

"I don't think we should go back there…"

—I come to a full halt. My eyes on Meiling are of disbelief. "What?" She crosses her arms—she knows I understood her words—towering over me. It's nothing to my cold anger. "Why not? It's an unexplored wonderland, and I got there once blind; I can easily—"

"Sekai helped us get there; the rite failed—and besides, for her to erase our memory means she doesn't wanna talk anymore."

"So?" I raise an eyebrow.

"So getting back to that… place… should be impossible. It's a waste of our time, she said herself she'll make the world suffer if we can't get out by winter! We need to find a way back home."

My anger boils, but the life inside the Voile is nothing but quiet and measured. "This may be my only chance of getting there, Meiling. The potential is too raw to worry about meager threats made by a child. Be patient; we will return home, but this comes first."

She sighs. "Patchy… it's not worth it."

"It will be." I sit on the kotatsu, thirsting for knowledge and adamant on hunting this deer. "Now, stop pestering me. I need to concentrate."

Meiling stared, ruffled her hair, and left, sulking.

>>45525647 (45/?)

Yuuka is slightly intoxicated. While that may seem like a normal occurrence for most people, Yuuka is far beyond most people. Why the last time she was properly drunk was the great party on Youkai Mountain with the big four. When was that? She distinctly remembers the Hakurei God declaring war upon the Oni only to later declare peace and a pact of friendship between humanity and the Oni (which was broken on the same night), so it was quite some time.

A-Anyway, she’s showing off more than may be wise as a result. For a moment she considers stepping back and letting things wind down as she finishes her last song, but… no. No, there’s one more thing to do.

As the others take a moment to drink and collect themselves, Yuuka takes to the air and wills a field of flowers to form beneath her. Normally, she’d shy away from such a thing as it takes away the beauty of growth, but today is a special occasion. “Listen for I have a story to tell! A story that in many ways reminds me of a certain young lady that we have gathered here to celebrate.”

Hana blushes at words as the older, more established members of the crowd giggle at Yuuka’s declaration, but Yuuka pays them no mind. “Our tale begins in the West, in China. Many years ago, there was an empress by the name of Wu Zetain. She was beautiful, she was bright, but most of all she was cunning. Beginning as one of many concubines in the imperial harem, she schemed and plotted against her peers. In time her treachery would see the Empress Wang and Consort Xiao bent and broken. Her schemes and spies spared not even her own children, many of whom she murdered to further her aims.”

As she spoke, the flowers beneath her shifted and grew so that they interlocked to form a white canvas. With a bit more magic, the colors shift to make a silhouette of Wu Zetain (casting a figure not too dissimilar to a certain gap hag) before continuing to provide visuals to her words. “One day in the middle of winter, the Empress willed that all flowers in her garden bloom. Eager to please their vengeful lord, her soldiers marched into the garden and one by one forced the flowers open with their swords. No matter how willful were they, each and every flower eventually bent to the Empress and bloomed. Each and every flower with the exception of one, that is. One flower would not bloom no matter the soldiers’ promises, threats, violence, or lies. When the Empress saw this, she sent the flower into exile for daring to defy her.”

The flowers shift to give the impression of a vast mountain range. “The flower whose only crime was that she would not bend to the will of another, found herself in the desolate western reaches of the empire. Perhaps the Empress believed that the barren soil and isolation would break the flower, but come spring the flower bloomed of its own accord and was far more beautiful than it ever would have been had it bloomed in the Empress’ garden. Unwilling to a see beautiful thing that would not submit itself to her, the Empress personally saw the flower burned. Elated by her crime, she returned to her Empire, but after a year she wanted desperately to bask in the deed once more. Returning to the mountains, she threw a fit when she found that there was now a field of blooming flowers! Ah… the flower was a perennial you see.”

>>45591285 (46/?)

Returning to the ground, Yuuka gives the flowers the choice to pick any color they wished as she concludes her story. “My tale has had many interpretations over the years. Most agree that the flower, a royal peony, was righteous and followed its Tao which states that it is to bloom only in the spring. I mostly agree with this view, however, having spent many years flowers, I feel qualified to say that it was not the season that was the issue. Flowers are flexible things that only wish to grow and spread beauty, but they chafe when being ordered to do anything. One must ask, not demand a flower help them. As such, it is my belief that the peony would have bloomed in winter had the Empress not demanded it at the point of a sword. As proof…”

Yuuka carefully produces a covered potted plant of some kind. Pulling off the cloth reveals an unbloomed peony. The flower emits the saintly aura of anything from heaven, but even then there is particular power and faith held within the flower beyond what could be expected from something grown in heaven. As Yuuka begins to slowly walk towards Hana, the flower begins to twitch. “It is not the Tao of the flower to bloom at a certain season or under some set conditions. It is the Tao of the flower to be free and give its beauty at its own discretion.”

All the side chatter that Yuuka had been ignoring up till now ceases as the flower begins to unfurl. “And you see, beauty, love, life these things cannot be created by some imperial decree. It comes freely from the heart.”

As Yuuka stands before Hana, the flower fully unfurls revealing a stunning yellow peony in all of its glory. Yuuka hands Hana the flower, the girl seemingly deep in thought. “There can be no beauty in a chained peony. There is no value in a garden full of flowers forced to bloom. Bloom in the dead of winter if you wish, but only do so IF you wish.”

It’s quiet for a moment after that before Mima shouts, “Yeah!”

Words, they feel rough and blocky, but whatever. There’s a lot more symbolism in the flower than what Yuuka mentioned which I didn’t mention given the posts were already a rambly mess from Yuuka. The general associations of the peony are to royalty, love, and beauty, with a particularly strong tie to marriage. Still, the symbolism is apparently quite broad touching on most good things like prosperity, happiness, honor, and good luck. The yellow peony in particular symbolizes clean slates and new beginnings. The story I recounted is only slightly dramatized from sources I found online, though I should not that the flower gifted was made from a warped version of this story that took place in Heaven.

The flower is special because it takes in the faith and emotions directed to the peony making it a kinda minor pseudo-god thing (very minor because for as neat as peonies are, they’re just some pretty flowers).

>>45591289
>>45591285
ah, so refreshing~Yuuka's contrasts are always so nice to read about.
And damn, didn't think this was the flower's story, but very cool and many substantial connections to be drawn; should be a pleasant addition to the Yukari chapters. Should get them by tomorrow!
>Words, they feel rough and blocky, but whatever.
can understand; though it's great to review and rethink chapters, sometimes getting them the best we can do and not 'perfect' is better. Writer's blocks born out of that are the worst, man…
thanks for the chapters!

>>45586663
>slashed a chunk out of the patchy's chapter
Hata is cursing us and there's nothing we can do about it

>>45591188
Looks like Patchy is jobbing in the wisdom department, I wonder if her spirtual-ghost body is limited like her physical-spirtual one is.

>>45592106
she's drunk on the good ol' scholar's scotch, meaning she has developed retardation in pursuit of studying a brand-new thing.
Literally a kid in a candy store.
she just needs a nice smack to get back to her senses

>>45591177
>Every resident of the Scarlet Devil Mansion but Koa has come here
Koa was stated to frequent the HSE in the first patchy stories, succs are drawn to depravity after all.

>>45592526
>21 characters wasted
>could've used those to make three full words
always fact check, bois…
… 21 characters…
always fact check…

>>45591188
Good to see patchy so focused, a motivated patch is the best patch

>>45591289
>>45591285
I was forced to imagine Yuuka telling the story in that overly dramatic old school jap play style. It enhanced things

Merry day before Christmas, boys!

>>45594699
Merry christmas eve to you too, and all the other anons as well.
I look forward to my Burgerking crown.

>>45541661
—
It was thrilling to see Hana's flabbergasted at Yuuka's high note gift. Truth be told, I felt jealous of her presentation and the pure grandioseness behind her gift when compared to my more humble approach—my present was a prayer book I wrote myself and that should help Hana to develop a closer relationship with her god as a bearer of his blessing—, but it soon subsided as the most important thing was to make Hana happy, not quarrel about who gives the best present.

We flocked around her and Yuuka to analyze more closely the flower and compare its beauty to Hana's—Aya said those lovable words as she snapped pictures of the sweet shrine maiden holding the pot, blushing, and having this exhilarated expression. Adorable~—while others, namely a wide-eyed Suzu, eagerly asked Yuuka questions about the story and nuances of the gift. Mima applauded Yuuka and Marisa snickered with a pout, complaining about stealing the shine of others' presents; Sana and Sara appreciated the 'pretty bloom', their eyes shining as they leaned on Hana. The Flower Master, despite her reputation, shook and blush, trying her hardest to stay composed but clearly affected.

I approached Hana, and she immediately pushed the flower pot to my face. "Sanae, look~it's s-so pretty! I don't even know what to say!" I giggled at the movements, Hana showing me all sides of the flower, which seemed to shine brighter with the praise and smiles.

Yuuka glared with barely concealed jealousy, but a Suzu moved by scholar's curiosity kept her from moving. It was all immensely cute to see the otherwise intense Yuuka Kazami uncapable of escaping the clutches of the petite, harmless and rather intoxicated angel.

"A flower to a flower~" Aya said, lowering the camera, the play with words getting Hana to snicker as a small child. "Seems like it's high time for present unwrapping! Lucky you, Hanarin, if this is something to go by," she points at the flower. "Then your other presents will be just as juicy!"

"Oh, speaking of which—Aya, come with me," Alice intervened, catching the crow by surprise by grasping her hand. We watched as the technically fastest being in Gensokyo got dragged to an adjacent room out of view, Shanghai the doll following. Confused, Hana gawked at me for guidance… I shrug.

"Sometimes ladies need their alone time, you know?" Mamizou interfered, smug and admiring the flower, words causing Hana to blush and gaze at the door. Aunn came too, sniffing the cute flower.

“You can’t make cute babies like that.” Tewi approached too, an evil eye on the dog. I fear for the Komainu's future and the pranks reserved there.

"Don't fill her head with junk, tanuki!" Mima scoffed, 'walking' to us, Marisa joining Suzu to hype Yuuka, much to the Flower Master's chagrin—and deep red blush—; the tanuki giggling. "They're looking for a letter, if I'm not mistaken."

"Whatever you say, Goddess-sama~" Mamizou shrug.

"A letter?" Hana asked, patting Aunn's head, her wagging tail hitting the side of the young miko's leg. All the more silly were the five dolls sitting on top of her head and mirroring her curiosity.

"Nothing special." Hm… it wasn’t the whole truth, but the 'goddess' was hard to read, so my intuition might be failing me. "Still, we should sing 'Happy birthday to you' and slice the cake before opening the gifts—Yuuka is so precocious… She's drunk, after all," she huffed, eyeing our drinks. "Hmpf, poisoning your bodies willingly. I'll never get it."

"Well, yeah, you'll never get it—you're ghost." Sana points out, Sara nods.

"And no legs, so no way to get out after it gets in." Sara points out, Sana nods.

—A knock on the door: "Coming!" Marisa yelled, pouting. Another guest…? Saddens me Kanako and Suwako-sama couldn't come. They had such cute gifts for Hana.

Mamizou laughs on her palm, Hana is trying hard not to burst into a fit of laughter—drunkenness doesn't help at that—, Tewi looks proud of her… sisters? Daughters? Cousins? Aunn pats an intense-looking Mima's arm, as does the flock of therapy dolls.

I sport a small smile.

The door is opened, the sound overlapping conversation and laughter, everyone giving the smallest of glances—

Yukari Yakumo stands there, parasol over her shoulder, illuminated by faint moonlight, towering over Marisa—

—who slams the door shut, turning to us wide-eyed—

Behind her, a gap opens as if a wound, consuming the door with bloodshot eyes. Yakumo walks through casually, hands falling on Marisa's shoulders, and if before she looked menacing, her monolithic stature over the pregnant woman sent off widespread shivers, sobbering anyone not dense enough to understand what is happening here: "My~quite the rude host you are: slamming the door shut in the face of a guest? Is that because I have no gift in sight? Oh, silly me~" a gap opened by the gift table, the house quaking when a beautifully wrapped-up present, bigger than the table and the pile combined, fell out of it. “There~now we can start this party!”

>>45599793
won't be having time to review the next chapter today, so this is it for today -- everyone have a nice Christmas Eve! Luv you guys!

>>45599793
>“You can’t make cute babies like that.” Tewi
I can't believe miss not-a-loli herself isn't just an old woman, but a homophobic old woman who doesn't want Hana fucking hags and dogs.
Truly a vile influence on our dear daughterfu.

>>45599793
Damn i didn't get out the gift unwrapping before you, I was gonna embarrassed her with Tewi's gift and get her all emotional with the whole letter thing.
Also, I thought we were gonna go through the gifts before Yukari drops in

>>45600172
>Damn i didn't get out the gift unwrapping before you
gift unwrapping is still there, tho; so not only can the embarrassment still happen, the gap hag will be there to make everything worse!
>Also, I thought we were gonna go through the gifts before Yukari drops in
… I just might've mixed things when re-reading >>45581562, sorry for that. If it interferes too much with the plans for Hana's gift unwrapping, I'll pull the chapter back and rewrite it.

>>45600219
Aside from maybe Aya or Suzufag its me who was slacking off and not advancing our chapters anyways, it just changes the dynamic I'll have to write. At least I can leave the idea of Yukari's gift to her writer

>>45600318
I see. Okay, then. Good writing when you're available, and merry Christmas Eve!
I really should put together a list of guidance for writers, have been putting that thing off for some time now…

>>45600056
Its okay, tewi just doesn't see the virtue in lesbian sex. I'm sure a few incestuous orgies with Hana and Anon will change her mind

Made a small pastebin for writers!
https://pastebin.com/kJdZKBfY
It has information on what's happening at the current main storyline, the Hana party. Use it to avoid retard moments as the one I just had…
make sure to point new things to add; things you saw were wrong and so on to make it the more complete as possible!

Got a question? Is the OG Hana fic gonna continue after the HSE is finished?

>>45601122
Hanaanon said sometime ago he'll continue after finishing writing for the HSE

>>45600641
Remember Hana was fantasizing about her friends getting raped right before she got to the party.
I'm surprised Tewi didn't smell the arousal on her.

>>45601947
wasn't that after the Kasen fiasco which was some days of distance? Not that it'd change much, the brainfog has made Hana's mind 80% sex, 15 racism and the rest angst; all neatly wrapped in a shitton lf trauma...
... Poor girl
I'll check later

>>45601947
>>45602008
It was one day after, but by now Hana had other stuff on her mind.

>>45601152
it'll be really strange to go from this to a version of the story where hana's only problem is her overwhelming racism and lack of friends, where yukari isn't a serial rapist, where anon hasn't been raped by 90% of gensokyo, and where there isn't a trans dimensional entity claiming to be his daughter who is actually the youkai of a building trying to break through to him

>>45602104
Sekai will send her step-sister back in time and manipulate fate so Yukari never destroys Hana's life; finds love and recognizes that Chen and Ran truly love her; as well as making Reimu redeem herself, and though Sekai knows she'll never be born, she's happy knowing her mother and father will have good lives
a bittersweet ending, but with a shining light in the end
yeah, it'll be kinda weird, but that fades overtime; the slice of life will be welcome after so much trauma and pain

>>45602160
It's weird she's called Hata no Sekai as Okina's descendants are the only ones to not rape him.
Kokoro hasn't even been inside of the building.

>>45602326
It's more just to shorten it to 'HSE,' 'Hata no SEkai' rather than bloodline connection

>>45527537

Tewi knew this Yakumo Yukari, she knew her when she erected the barrier long ago and from a time when the bamboo forest of the lost was grown into such from a rather normal but rundown bamboo thicket. They were never friends and rarely interacted personally, Tewi herself never really knowing the women aside from what she found out through rumors during incidents or her recent visits to Eientei. Tewi did not fear her even if she was wary, fear was for the unenlightened that did not understand the nature of reality. Tewi knew that even if she were to torture her and inflict pain upon her that would make new hell balk it was merely what must come to pass and something that in the grand scheme of things will be swiftly forgotten, besides, it wouldn't wouldn't be the first time she was brutalized in her life and wouldn't be the last.

That was why despite the tense atmosphere, Sana and Sara following their instincts and freezing before ducking behind the nearest furniture, and Yukari's mere presence setting off the women here that Tewi approached. She ignored the large present that set itself on the ground along with the glares of the dangerous youkai like Yuuka and the now emerging Alice and Marisa. Hana's face wasn't unexpected, Tewi had read the summary and profile of Hana after all; A troubled teen girl going through her most delicate phase who had a massive Electra and even incest kink who was having trouble differentiating familial affection from sexual attention.

She was a mess, and while Tewi didn't approve of wanton romantic same sex relations due to how they didn't lend to creating new life, she couldn't fault the poor girl. Hana was a product of her environment after all, and she was family. Family was all a being of this life had in truth, and those that were lacking had to play catch up desperately. The women here were obviously trying to ingrain themselves as her family artificially aside from Aya and Marisa, so Tewi pitied them like she did the the travelers of the bamboo forest.

That was why that she approached first, before that Hana squirt could expose herself to those that she still considered platonic family, the arousal she felt at Mamizou's jabs notwithstanding. She approached the looming sage because having family was special, because these women shouldn't hear about Hana's desires from Yukari and should hear it from the girl herself. If one of them was strong enough to accept it like Tewi was then let it be applied gently in a way that wouldn't disturb their souls, Tewi would see to messing with them at her leisure after all.

With a hop and a smile Tewi moved before any of the other loudmouths could respond, and certainly before the magic gathering at the end of Yuuka's parasol or Mima's now visible staff could explode the situation and ruin the remainder of the day.

Tewi hopped forth with an easy going smile on her face she felt as much as she wore, "Oh, and to think little Hana-chan could attract the attention of a sage like her mother did. I hope you know that this is an exclusive party and the entrance fee is a kiss on the cheek, usa~!"

>>45603302

It never hurt to act a bit cute, and the silence that prevailed after Tewi hopped up to kiss Yukari on the cheek told volumes of the effectiveness of her actions; no one was shooting just yet after all. A giggle from the inaba of the earth cut the silence like a knife as Tewi didn't care to look back at her fellow party goers, nor the sound of the door of Alice's bedroom opening, nor Hana's own distress that she surely felt thanks to her own predisposition, or the low whine of that stupid mutt she kept at her side...

Yukari looked down at the little thing before she spoke with slightly narrowed eyes that scanned the room, namely to Yuuka's and Mima's positions, but didn't seem to go further than analysis. Yukari's voice resounded through the body of the humble home as she turned her gaze unto the little inaba and let them sweep over Hana in a brush that Tewi couldn't not see, "Of course of course~ to think that I forgot to pay the gatekeeper her toll! How clumsy of me!"

leaning down, Yukari planted a kiss at Tewi's cheek as well, the sage having to lean down to about her belly to kiss her cheek in return. To Tewi's credit not a single soul made a move, though she could hear Hana's hammering heart especially and had a good hunch as to why she was so nervous of the women beyond the obvious.

Tewi grabbed Yukari's hand, ignoring the way she flourished her fan and the how the other partygoers glared at her, "That's right" She lead the sage beyond the entrance and shocked the already wide eyed black and white witch, "Your present is blocking the way a bit but please do help yourself, we were about to unwrap the gifts and cut the cake! ah, and our golden rule is no fighting okay~?"

To this end Tewi glanced between all the guests and a very pale Hana who seemed to return some color to her face as Yukari glanced in her direction with a smile. At the very least the others here seemed to get Tewi's intention, 'don't ruin the day anymore for Hana'.

Tewi sighed inwardly as she knew her actions were only a bandage on a volatile situation, it was hard being guiding lost souls...

>>45603309
>>45603302
this rabbit (not a loli) SAVED us! Remember to say rabbit rabbit at new year's eve!
Thank you, Tewi~!

We should probably establish who is posting what regarding Yukari's appearance as from what I can tell >>45599793 was planning on handling the immediate aftermath of her appearance. As it stands, I plan on writing a short little thing where 'dolly' jumps to defend Hana and gets into a very brief staring constant with Yukari to get things rolling on her getting her name. As for Tewi's declaration, I don't think either Mima or Yuuka would really care. The most charitable interpretation of Yukari's arrival is that she's here to entertain herself by watching the party of the girl whose dad she has locked up in a brothel. They're going to want her gone even if it doesn't escalate into a fight.

>>45603929
I wasn't really, it's a community project after all and adapting to what others write is always fun. Like getting Aya away from the party for Yukari's arrival, since the Bunbunmaru is under Yukari's control; what Ayaanon does from that is exciting
plan was having Aya listen, feeling like things are going to escale up too drastically and going to fetch Reimu to stop things from getting worse, as Yuuka and Mima are too eager to fucking kill Yukari; but if not, already have a plan B
>spoiler
Oh, nice! I'll wait then for the next Yukari update; I'll write then her interacting with the cast and the ground for the 'Happy birthday song' and gift unwrapping, then Hanaanon takes over, as there's the contents of the letter. I'll take over then with Yukari's gift, which will start the major bickering between hags
Will be putting all that in the pastebin later!

>>45603929
My interpretation is that the guests that aren't terrified of her would know that fighting her would be a losing battle. They'd suffer too many casualties in the cross-fire and set off hostilities too early. They would also suspect Yukari would endanger Anon if they attacked her. So they go along with her gate crashing to not ruin things.

>>45603986
Hananon here, I was originally planning to take over with the gifts before Yukari came over to get in the last bit of Hanahealing before Yukari anon comes in and fucks things up. Then having Hana sperg out like she did with Kasen.

Now it'd be best to have the letter thing happen in front of Yukari as well as the gifts. With a nervous Hana either sidelined till after she leaves or with Yukariwriter implying her raped control over her and putting her on the spot.
I'll write around whatever Yukarifag had planned though, either way there will be Spaghetti spilled.

>>45604029
Fair, from my perspective, Yuuka and Mima are still in the mindset that this is all just another incident and if push comes to shove Yukari wouldn't fully break the peace as that'd likely end with the destruction of Gensokyo itself. As such, they'd be more than willing to tell Yukari to fuck off.

>>45604084
>Hanahealing
probably best [spoile]to put it in the afterparty then, when Yukari is gone and "everything" laid bare. Can be a major tear-jerker after such emotional turmoil that'll be Yukari and Reimu [/spoiler]
So it seems set
>Dolly piece protecting Hana
>I lay the ground from Yukari's POV
>Hanaanon cuts the cake and unwraps the gift, if you want to go all the way through and do Yukari's too, it's a golden boisterous statue of Yukari nurturing Hana, as well as her Yakumo uniform, which she'd gap onto Hana's body forcefully. Pumping hard the themes here
>I do the hag bicker
anything more to discuss, make sure to say~!
Rikakoanon is holding his inquisition; Suzuanon said he won't do anything major in the party and Ayaanon is a mystery

>>45604120
I will say that for Yuuka it is personal and she likely has a bit of a grudge for the whole 'incense making her go crazy thing', not to mention Yukari hurting the feelings of her chosen daughter. Though she doesn't know the extent of her sins, so until she finds out about the torment she visited upon Hana; Yuuka will consider things solvable by spellcards.

Mima seems content to work through others and keep it within spell card rules it seems. Again, if she were to learn the extent of Yukari endangering Gensokyo and Hana she might consider things differently.

>>45604149
I'm content to let you do, you handle Yukari well and I'm already writing for Tewi as well anyways. I orphaned Yukari long ago after the Seiga recruitment and Hana mindfuck to focus on Hana's stuff, so its fine.

I'll just have the healing done from her POV afterwards along with some sperging out. Ideally I'd leave things vague in regards to her allegiance, but once I start writing things take on a life of their own. Nothing about the Kasen interaction, Eirin therapy, or Yukari and Ran meeting went to plan anyways.

>>45604149
Seeing as the gift unwrapping will be handled by a different anon I would like to say that my idea of Kosuzu's gift is a book she custom printed from various things she heard Hana likes. A segment on spellcards written by Marisa, some recipes, a unpublished short story by Agatha Chris Q, an old BunBunmaru article written on Hana's birth. Stuff like that. Something innocent, but might help swing Hana towards the people that actually care for her.

>>45604282
>spoiler
muh heart...
will be updating that in the pastebin!

>>45604282
You're free to handle it yourself, the unwrapping from various POVs is fine. I was only going to handle it since things were slow

>>45604149
>Ayanon
Ah fuck, I was content to let everyone write their stuff and use Aya as they please. Here goes:
I like the plan of Aya alerting Reimu. It was mentioned way-back-when that having Reimu attend the birthday would add a lot of dramatic tension, especially with Yukari present. Since Aya still has the cover of 'HSE reporter' she doesn't want to risk losing that by confronting Yukari directly. She'd slip out a window and into a nearby backdoor somewhere in the Forest (created by Okina to spy on Alice changing) and think of the best way to help out. Okina wouldn't do shit, Toutetsu is a pretty nuclear option... but Reimu brought a gift! There's precedent to justify her being there! So Aya goes to the 'mu, explains that Yukari is acting very weird around Hana and possibly adds unfounded (to her) suggestions of Yukari being a predator to convince her to come. Then Aya continues to hide like a coward because eggnancy + maintaining her cover. Whether that completely works for her is up in the air.
I think it could fit in after things get really tense. It could work for just after Yukari appears, but I think Aya staking out the situation until it gets worse and then acting would allow some drama to build between the partygoers before drastic action is taken.
I'll check the schedule in the pastebin for whenever you guys think it would fit into the posting order. Shouldn't be too long anyways.

>>45606924
>>45604149
HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE

>>45608369
SECOND THOUGHT
that pic isn't well suited to the healing and cute have this.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
>>45608382
Very gud choice

>>45606924
>spoiler
that's a nice plan! Though, if'd you like a more safe approach as to if Aya is found out or not, maybe Aya stressed out of her mind speeding towards Eientei can get her water to pop and get her eggs out before the finale. That's just an idea, of course, so do what you think would be best
>I think it could fit in after things get really tense. It could work for just after Yukari appears, but I think Aya staking out the situation until it gets worse and then acting would allow some drama to build between the partygoers before drastic action is taken.
I put it just after the bickering starts to brew up if that's okay for you -- and feel free to also write a reactive chapter before things get bad and Aya has to go fetch the 'mu, if you want to
merry Christmas!

Gensokyo lay still under a blanket of frost. Even a world where gods roamed magic and magic seemed to pour from every crevice felt the coming winter and slowed down, becoming quiet as the residents prepared for the upcoming cold months. Soon, the winter solistace would arrive, but unknown to all but a few it would be a date that would change Gensokyo forever. But while they waited and planned, the Human Village fell into a quiet slumber, with the normal activity and sounds that filled the streets slowed to a crawl. In fact, most of the activity centered around a certain building.

Santa, her loyal reindeer, and an elf she brought along were in the process of trying to enter the service entrance of the HSE. A process made much more difficult with the tree they were trying to take with them. Seiga brushed a few pine needles out of her beard and peered through the branches to her two cohorts. “I felt it give a little. Just let me get a grip and I’ll tell you to push it again-Not now Yoshika” From somewhere behind all the branches, her zombie gave a grunt of understanding. Seiga got her best grip on some sturdy branches. “Now push” She commanded, pulling it towards her as the others tried to push the tree in.

But for all their effort, most of it not on Seiga’s part, it only moved slightly. “Mayhaps this endeavor is not to work” Futo offered up, her voice muffled from the other side of the tree. Seiga could hear her shift her elf hat out of the way as the bell jingled. “The entrance is too small and the girth of this tree is too much, it’ll never fit”

Seiga held back her laughter and took a moment to compose herself. Laughing at something like that would be bad for her image, and she took a lot of pride in it. “Just keep trying to push it in. Now that we have it partway in, the hard part is over since it doesn’t get thicker from here. This hall is deep enough so we can push it all the way to the base and get it inside” Seiga tried to hold herself together.

“Well, if the hall is deep, then all the way to the base we shall go! Hard and fast it is!” Futo redoubled her efforts to shove it in. A few seconds later, Yoshika decided this meant she should too. Seiga stopped herself from busting a gut, then walked over to the doors. She didn’t want to do this because it would annoy Yukari, but it had to be done. Using her ability and her own knowledge of the magics surrounding this place, she nudged it ever so slightly wider, making sure it was subtle enough not to raise alarm. That was all it took. Seiga jumped out of the way as Futo, over-enthusiastic as always shoved the tree in with the help of Yoshika who was just going along with things as always. It was now in, and so Seiga returned the doors to normal, hopefully avoiding a complaint from Yukari. Taking some time to readjust one of Yoshika’s reindeer horns, she took her place at the head of the tree and lifted it up.

“Almost there, we have a bit more to go” she commanded as they marched forwards through the halls. Thankfully the hall was wide enough for the tree, although not wide enough for the tree and passerbys. Seiga ignored the looks shot as way as the few workers that hadn’t taken off scrambled away to duck away in side rooms. This was an important delivery, and it had to arrive. As they neared the doors to the delivery point, they were spotted by two of Yukari’s other servants.

“Hey Kaku, where do you think you’re going to put a tree that big?” Seija mocked. As a bitch hated by everyone, Seiga felt a kinship with the amanojaku. But she had no class at all. Just like there was a difference between “Horrible Infanticide” and “Advancing the magical arts with organic byproducts”, there was a different between a brat and a wicked woman. So Seiga couldn’t take this laying down.

“Bend over and I’ll show you” she responded.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve talking to me like that, Kaku” Seija sneered back, an annoyed and bitchy expression coming to her face. In other words, the same as she always looked.

“I wasn’t talking to you” Seiga said as she nodded to the man next to her. Goro’s eyes widened a bit before he followed Seija as she stormed off. With all obstacles out of the way, it was easy to open the doors to the fake shrine and enter the grounds. With all the space now given to them, it was easy to make their way to the front of the shrine. With just a bit more effort and a tree stand from Seiga’s senkai, the tree was standing upright. All the noise brought someone out of the shrine.

“What’s going on?” Anon asked.

>>45611754

“Jolly Winterfeast to you!” Futo greeted, her bell jingling as she waved to him.

“No, it’s Merry Christmas, Futo” Seiga corrected.

“Merry Christmas!”

“Yes, like that, thank you Yoshika”

“Oh, a Christmas tree! It’s been a while since I’ve seen one. If I had known, I would have made some ornaments” Anon said as he walked closer to the tree examining it, feeling the branches as if to make sure it was real.

“No need, observe the fruits of my craftsmanship!” Futo dug into the backpack Yoshika was carrying, she pulled out a thin rope, talismans hanging from it. Taking to the air, she wrapped the rope around the tree as Seiga decided to be useful and help adjust it. When she was satisfied with her work, she landed back on the ground and clasped her hands together, whispering something under her breath. With that, the talismans started to glow, alternating between green and red.

“Ah, I think it just needs one more thing” Seiga said. With a wave of her hand, a crackling ball of electricity appeared and floated up to the top of the tree, where it came to rest just above the very tip. While this normally would be a fire hazard, she had enough control over it so it was harmless. Unless you touched it that is. Yoshika clapped.

“Oh, that is nice. It looks great. But is it really Christmas? I thought that was still days away” Anon questioned as he took in the sight.

“It’s Christmas enough” Seiga responded, settling things. “We should just enjoy ourselves. Now, what do people usually do for it?”
“Well, people usually get together, put up decorations, exchange gifts, eat food and listen to songs. I wasn’t expecting you, so I haven’t had time to prepare anything.”

“Just be a dear and make some refreshments. We’ll figure the rest out later” Seiga waved him off, most of her attention focused on her jiangshi wandering off into the trees in the distance, either distracted by a tasty squirrel or looking for solitude to ponder the meaning of existence when she been ripped from the cycle of reincarnation to serve as a slave to a wicked woman. All the same to Seiga.

“I offer my assistance to you in this, for we are imposing upon you” Futo offered as Anon started to head back into the shrine.

“Thanks for the assistance, it’s really not that big of a deal. I was going to make dinner anyways, I’ll just make more, that’s all.” Anon shrugged as he made his way to the kitchen. Futo slid up next to him, ready to help. “So, Futo was it? I’m not sure we ever met”

“Yes, I am Mononobe no Futo, tis a pity we did not properly acquaint ourselves before now” A soft jingle rang through the kitchen as she bowed her head.

“It’s fine. Did Seiga make you wear that?” Anon glanced over her outfit before he turned his attention to some vegetables on the cutting board.

“Tis was a requirement for arriving here. For I to join her in spreading merry, I was to dress as one of the most important figures of this holiday. I was interested in learning more of this Christmas, so I accepted to help even someone like her”

“Oh?” Anon’s attention was pulled away from the carrots he was chopping.

“She is an excellent teacher, and vastly skilled in the hermit arts, but not one an honest practitioner of the Tao should bring close to their heart. Indeed, many a time has she tried to tempt me with details of her dalliances here. Very detailed indeed ” Futo coughed and turned her head away.

“That does sound like her. So I’m guessing everything she told me about we’re enacting Taoist practices are lies then?”

“Oh no, that is not a lie. Indeed, the joining of two as one can be very important, although it is unbecoming to try to enact them with a man of your profession” It took a few seconds for Futo’s eyes to widen. “Ah, I did not mean to besmirch your name, all I meant was well-” Futo’s bells rang an alarm as her head bobbed up in down as she struggled to find her words.

Anon chuckled. “I think I get it, I’m not offended. Here, why don’t you debone the fish?”

Futo threw herself into her new task.

------------------------------------------

The rest will have to be posted later. I've got other plans, but Merry Christmas everyone!

>>45611763
>>45611754
heh, nice. Wasn't expecting Futo to make an appearance. I wonder what Sekai would make out of Feng shui; probably nothing, compared to heavy hitters as the gap, Flan's destruction and Yuyuko's manipulation of death. At least Futo would be a great mother
but so nice of Seiga to bring Christimas to the HSE! That's clearly not a mockery and a disrespect of the tradition! So attentive of you, Seiga~
>The rest will have to be posted later. I've got other plans, but Merry Christmas everyone!
may everything go right there, marry Christmas to you too!

>>45611754
>>45611763
A Very Taoist Christmas. May Christ have mercy on Anon's body and soul, because Seiga definitely won't.

wish could harness OGAbusedanon powers, man could write something nice shitfaced; just came from a family gathering, drunk, trying to write something nice and ended with a massive shitpost
also captcha got a new coat of paint, seems like black holes wasn't enough
happy holidays guys, love u

>>45613384
>ended with a massive shitpost
post it anyways

The HSE was closed for today, the motive found in flowing motions of a curved sword, edge sharp as a sliver of midnight and constitution just as beautiful—a gorgeous katana, ripped straight from an aurora veil and bathed by the moonlight—, barely scraping the sides of Yuuka's flowers circling her. It's breathtaking how precise her movements are, streaming through petals and yet slashing none. Her regular, pristine clothing were replaced by a yukata of purple and white, hugging her figure and letting movements come and go unburdened, as if water coursing between the rocks of a river, hitting hard yet gently slipping—hair a golden flail, free and religiously following each of her moves…

I couldn't take my eyes away, even if I tried.

Yuyuko-sama and Youmu-san had been here earlier; the former drank tea and ate half the shrine's reserves in her short visit, sat by my side to watch the latter spar with Yukari, instructing her in her newfound interest: the sword—the Sage went from student to master within an hour, ‘a natural’ said Youmu, though, to the swordswoman's utter confusion, Yukari looked conflicted at those words…

Still, she was now focused, centered, and very tense, which is unlike her—

—my deep gaze must've gotten to her because, with three flowing movements, she dexterously sheathed the sword onto her hip and composed her breathing, smile sharper than the katana. "My~is my technique so captivating, Anon?"

"’Course, dear," I bit my lip. Yukari likes submission and absolute loyalty—but with time, I've come to understand she has a speck of a maiden heart and likes honesty and concern for her feelings, especially distress. "You just look on edge," she rises an eyebrow. "… Pun not intended."

"Is that so?" She approaches, yet doesn't take a seat by my side on the veranda, her eyes bitterly narrowing, standing as if uncomfortable; now that's a sight to behold— "Father is coming to visit—somehow my ‘new’ interest came to his understanding, so he wanted to see it for himself."

… Wait…

"F-Father?!" Yukari gawks at me, amused. "You have a father?!"

"Don't we all, Anon?"

Ugh. "Y-Yes, but that's new! I never thought you had…"

"A breathing family member?” I softly nodded. “It's a complex matter, and for all purposes, mine wasn’t a natural birth," she hummed, touching the handle of the katana. "Father has a very powerful sword, you see—a handful would call it the 'personification of death'. It sparked multiple wars, and its very existence is a threat to the concept of life. That sword, Anon, can cut through anything … That was until a fated blue moon: Father struck down a dishonorable mad woman with the sword that could cut anything, though, to his shock, that woman was pregnant. It was too late; he was slashing her in two… Until it stopped cutting at her womb. For the first time, Father saw a limit he could not slash: a sword capable of cutting anything; manipulation—and thus negation—of boundaries. The reaction was… special. Father was fascinated by it despite his sorrow, so he adopted the motherless child." I listened, eyes wide and still, a sponge to her words, purple eyes gazing far with soft nostalgia, though tainted by an unexplained, terrible pain. "I've left his care a millennia ago, mere years compared to the time-flow of his universe—"

"12 years, 5 months, 8 days, to be more exact, my Maribel." A voice came from beyond, drawing mine and Yukari's eyes, her body tensing, struggling to lift a somewhat stable smile—

—because a wound all similar to the Gap opened in reality, shattering it as glass, heavenly blue in its composition. Slowly a man walked out, clad in black, one hand straightening sharp threads of white, blue eyes smug, free hand holding an innocuous-looking sword in a black scabbard—but if all my hairs standing were a clue, that was no ordinary sword.

"My Father," Yukari said—W-wait, Maribel…? "That name was forsaken, Father. Do not impose it on me."

He hums, smug an unmoving stone, eyes moving to me—it's almost enough to take me to my knees. I resist, barely. "Planning to start a family, I see. Commendable, Maribel. Our name will consume even this faraway place." His hand holding the sword tightened its grip; a pinch of guilt? Pride?

Yukari narrowed her eyes. "I've come this far to escape it… Gensokyo is not yours to conquer." Firmly, Yukari draws her blade, steel glimmering on the light reflected on snow. The man looks up, fills his lungs and, if I could tell, feels content, even if marginally—

—he's upon Yukari in half a second, striking her sword with his still sheathed.

Whatever happened before me took the other half of the second: The whole garden was frayed, thousands of flowers dead, deep cuts tearing the earth open and piling up as the two standing monoliths of silvery flashes and metal cacophony echoed and clung against each other—the v-very air around them gashed, creating illusions of shattered glass.

I couldn't move. Only watch.

Just how fast are they swinging?!—

Another half-second of the utter madness passed and, suddenly, the man was behind Yukari, his back to hers and kneeling, what the—

Gently, he began sheathing the slightest inch of his drawn sword, the polished metal an omen. Yukari had immense fear in her eyes, her posture feeling wrong, feet almost cracking the ground—our eyes met, a fragment of a moment… and all those weaknesses dispersed, and what took hold was an anxious yet ready and prepared, focused glare, grip on her sword gentle as the flowing water of a river, matching the man’s.

In the next moment, Yukari moved the fastest I've ever seen her move, even considering Gap movement, parrying and deflecting just about a million omnidirectional cuts at the same time, devastating whatever remained of the garden, bloodshot eyes and dark matter corrupting the perfect edge of her sword. I could taste the blows, blue energy saturating the air; it tasted of sin. Of pride. My eyes went to the man—he smirked.

The next half-second came, and it was over.

Two seconds.

Yukari was panting, eyes wide, posture slouched, but unhar—

—a slight cut opened on her cheek, a fine line of blood cascading down her pristine skin, no bigger than a paper cut. Yukari tsk'd. The man didn't attempt to hide satisfaction, which Yukari ignored, trembling hands barely capable of holding her sword—no, her entire body was trembling. "Only one. Interesting. Hm… Your uncle would be proud." What followed was a movement that hadn't left even an afterimage, a blue portal opening in front of the man. "Proceed with your plans, Maribel. I’ll be watching.”

I moved before I noticed, catching a collapsing Yukari, who was puking from the monumental effort, her body shaking all over.

Her father and I met gazes. "And you… Welcome to the family."

He was gone the next moment, as if he were never there to begin with.

———

a late special I wrote drunk as hell! As expected, not canon, otherwise the Evil_Woman_Apologists would go fucking crazy.
>>45614050
here it is, anon, though reviewed and more subtly instead of plastering his name in each paragraph~!

Hana was walking down the frozen dirt road of the village; the snow was falling in earnest freezing the compacted dirt underneath and leaving little slipping hazards for those foolish enough to brave it. Still, the village was wonderful this time of year with its snowcapped rooves and warmth of the even the most mundane tea house a beacon of activity and merriment. Hana never really appreciated winter in earnest till recently. She loved spring the most if she had to pick a season, yet now living away from the hardship of that isolated shrine and the insanity of her mother always within arm’s reach as they huddled in the living room, she could enjoy it in earnest.

Perhaps she could get something for Aunn, the sweets shop was selling seasonal goods from that outsider holiday that proved rather popular in the last few decades. Christmas it was called, though the meaning of the name and reason for the season eluded her. She did know it was an outsider religion or something, but Hana was never much of a scholar. Maybe she could ask Kosuzu about it, normally she’d ask her father… but that wasn’t an option for obvious reasons, the temptation to huddle close to him in that little replica shrine… Him putting a blanket around them to huddle for warmth, or maybe them huddling under the kotatsu while the heater did its best… And then… and then he’d put his arm over her shoulder and they’d look into each other’s eyes…

Hana shook her head to clear it, pretending to shake off the snow that was slowly dusting her hair. M-maybe she’d dream about it tonight, but not now! It’s way too indecent to be day dreaming on patrol, no way!

She reached the eastern edge of the village, where one of the large gates stood open as usual during the day and let in and out both busy humans and hidden youkai. She waved to the young guard who stood at the gate, long pole topped with a metallic half-moon nestled in his arm with woven armor across his chest bearing the mark of the lesser clans that had claim on the lumber of the forests. He waved back quickly before tucking his hands under his armpits eager to keep them warm and toasty.

It didn’t take long for her to take to the sky, flying over the heads of lumberjacks, hunters, and other tradesmen on their way out yet not catching more than a glance once they saw her red and white outfit. Today Hana had figured she’d snoop around the lumber camp at the request of the foreman, some of their lumber had been disappearing before reappearing the next day in the form of charcoal. Only to once again vanish to parts unknown with the only trace a sound of bells and small green cloaked creatures running off after leaving mon behind to cover the cost of things.

It was low priority given that they were cutting even and it didn’t seem to be dangerous and only occurred during the winter months, but it was spooking the workers even with the hired guards. It was costly enough to get men to come out for such extended periods of time after all, so after negotiating for a donation to her little branch shrine and some firewood to keep the place warm she agreed to get to the bottom of this reoccurring mystery.

Hana couldn’t help but feel it a little odd that her mother never solved this mystery, despite her misgivings there was no doubt to her mother’s intuition and ability to solve things like this. No matter, Hana didn’t like spending much time thinking of her mother and she had a cash prize in front of her eyes. More than enough to ensure that her and Aunn would make it through this winter comfortably enough despite the economic upset in the village as of late. M-maybe if she had enough to fix up some of the more run-down places in her home mama would visit for new years and do her first shine visit there… It was worth the job if she could…

With a light heart and the audacity to dream of the possibility of a heart as warm as her home would be during the new years Hana landed at the lumber camp as it was in full swing. The lumber was being hauled in, stacked, processed, and loaded onto carts to either be sold as is, or moved as long planks and floated over on barges for construction work. A quick meeting with the busy foreman, a heavyset man with thick facial hair, and she was directed to where a lump of well-made charcoal was sitting in a large pile.

The pile was about as tall as Hana’s waist but stretched out about the length of a modest house, no small amount as far as Hana was concerned. After a few words and learning that it was close to the time for everything to vanish Hana felt an urge to turn around. She had a feeling these youkai are the shy type, but small and green? That sounded like yamawaro, and there was no way those goblins that served that devil’s manor would do something this petty…

>>45614840

Suddenly she turned on instinct, there was a new presence among the workers and guards, some who looked at her curiously until she grabbed out her seals and needles straight out of the pouch that festooned her thigh without opening. The atmosphere instantly changed as she suddenly flew off in a fury, the charcoal was gone!

Just like they said, a jingle of small bells, like Kosuzu’s, rang out from the treeline not more than a few dozen feet from where the pile lay. Hana could see the backs of the little things, no taller than her waist run off in a mad dash. As she closed on them, she could hear it, the sound of giggles and laughs that sounded high pitched and merry. Fairies…? No, they weren’t flying and, in the flashes she got of them there were no wings!

They were fast, faster than any wolf tengu could hope to match in the forest. They were more like rabbits or a panicking cat in their speed, yet they knew exactly where to go along the frosty trails and frozen underbrush. Hana couldn’t even line up a shot on their speedy backs, even the fantasy seals she shot out were blocked by clever maneuvers around the trees and brush, what were they?!

Worst yet, they were getting away and Hana could swear she heard their giddy high-pitched laughter and one even jump into the air and clack its heels. That was when she felt it, then saw it: small little holes in the ground and at the base of trees, pale blue and swirling with flakes of snow!

Hana had enough of being sporting about it, she relaxed the world lines and traveled across a small gap in the brush faster than a flash. Then she followed up by contracting them and with movement that to the little creature seemed like it sprouted right out of the ground, it yelped as she grabbed a hold of its arm and slapped it with a seal.


The little creature, resembling an old man with a pointed red hat that seemed to never fall off without his say so, sat tied up and with a seal slapped on his forehead like a jiang-shi and a sour expression on his face. His coat and pants looked thick, woolen, and warm; his clogs, brown like the wood they were carved of, were little works of art with carved relief pictures of snowflakes and woodland creatures in intricate detail. Hana didn’t know what to do with it, it looked harmless enough and didn’t put up much of a fight and was kind of cute if you squinted at it in a dim light.

Aunn didn’t know what to do either it seemed, she sniffed at it and circled around it glancing between him and Hana like she couldn’t decide if she should offer him tea or bite him for good measure. It wasn’t until the little grumpy thing blew a raspberry at the Komainu that she backed up with a word of, “Hana-chan, it stuck its tongue at me~!”

Whining like a petulant child the creature spoke its high pitched voice that was all the more amusing by how irritate he sounded, “I’m gnot an ‘it’ I’m a gernome! Gnot a piece of furniture!”

So it talked after all… Hana had a hard time putting together the whole situation. It wasn’t like Hana knew everything about every single youkai in the land, but such a group of little old men wasn’t known to her in the slightest. Maybe she’d ask Kosuzu about it later, but for now the problem wasn’t going away.

With her business face on she pulled out her gohei and waved it in front of the thing’s breaded face for dramatic effect, “You, now what exactly is a ‘gernome’, is that an outsider term?”

The gnome returned her look, albeit as blank as a jiang-shi, before it spoke in a high pitched voice way too loud, “WHAAAT?! You don’t know about Gnomes?! Just what do they teach you here in this little backwater spit of land?! The big man was right…”

Hana only winced slightly at the sudden shout, but kept her gohei level and ready to strike at moment’s notice. Aunn on the other hand, clasped her hands over ears and let out a ‘bwuh?!’ as she stumbled back, Hana couldn’t help but notice a quick smirk on the little thing’s face before it jumped up and paced around on her table top.

Grimacing in displeasure at seeing the prank go right she continued as if she was addressing garbage, “No, never heard of youkai like you. How about answering what you are and where you came from?”

Tapping the Gohei on the table for emphasis the little thing opened its mouth, “Really gnow, ‘youkai’? Ain’t one of those in the leas- ah wait, yeah that’s what the big lady said you called us. Backwards if you ask me, no wonder you folk need Christmas spirit in your life! Oh yeah, names Lampy by the gway, introductions and all that, important you know!”

Hana refused to fall into this thing’s pace and she directed his attention elsewhere, “Tell me Lampy, why are you harassing the lumber workers and stealing from them for years. Is that what kind of youkai you are? Some kind of tree thief?”

>>45614846

Wearing that blank stare again Lampy looked at her before breaking out into a jolly high-pitched laugh, “Tree thief?! Gme?! I’m a gernome not a thief of trees! Gnomes don’t steal as much as humans breathe water! We believe in gifting each other just fine you know! Nope, not a thief among us and never have been!” It strutted back and forth as if modeling a new outfit, “We gnomes would never steal a tree, we’re spirits of the earth and could grow ‘em just fine without it”

Hana was to open her mouth but Lampy continued unabated by her practiced glare, “Gno, what we needed was ordered by the big man himself. We gave a gift those humans like, that money stuff, and in exchange we get all the charcoal we need for this year!”

Sighing, Hana realized that this little idiot of a youkai… fairy? Well, something similar anyways, was at least harmless, “Listen up, I don’t care if you and your lot freeze this winter alone or huddled up, you’ll stop raiding the villagers and causing a ruckus every year!”

The gnome tsked its tongue disapprovingly, “Gnow gnow, I see someone’s on the naughty list this year, I don’t know why the big man tries… Guess that’s a saint for ‘ya. Are all the children here spoiled like you?”

Hana was about to see if he can respawn like a fairy can when she barked out, “I don’t need your comments, now are you going to leave things alone or am I going to have to see how hard it is to bust your head!“

Just like a youkai, they always need a bit of fear put in them before the-, “No deal sweet cheeks, it ain’t up to me. The big man wants his charcoal and he’ll get it, no way you and your little alliance is gonna put a stop to that this year or any other year!”

At that moment she felt a disturbance and a gap opened in her living room, Aunn started barking and the Gnome rolled his eyes as he turned to the tear in reality with all the respect and fear of someone picking a bit of lint from his navel, “About time, lady. My arms are aching all gover!”

Yukari entered, her parasol complimenting her white dress and purple tabard, she’s on business? She doesn’t look happy either, her fan’s already out and flittered in front of her face, “You, little invader” a flash of her fan and the ropes were untied and the seal burning in spiritual fire, as if on queue the little thing clicked its heels and dropped into a portal of swirling snow.

Hana was shocked for more than one reason as she reconciled the events that transpired, why did mama…? Either way she quickly walked over to her dear sister who was caught between the instinct to protect Hana and the fear of the women ahead of her, something that hurt Hana’s heart. She scooped up her hand and held it tightly just in case Aunn decided to do something dumb.

Gathering her wits just as Yukari’s gaze swept to her, Hana spoke before her loving, if misunderstood mother spoke as the gap behind her closed, “Yukari-san what’s going on? Why did yo-?”

Yukari’s voice was as icy as the snow outside and it shut up the miko-in-training immediately, “Hana-chan” She seemed to ignore Aunn entirely, “It seems there’s no more use in keeping you in the dark, come. We don’t have much time.”

As she turned her back on the girls Aunn shouted out, “No way are you taking Hana like you took Anon! No way no way! I won’t let you!”

Despite her trembling knees, Aunn was defiant, “I’ll protect Hana from you no matter what, s-so leave her alone!”

Hana wasn’t surprised, but her heart was in the wrong place. Yukari stopped in her tracks and flicked her fan down with force and closed it in one smooth motion, but it was Hana that spoke first to her sister, “Aunn, its okay! Yukari-san would never hurt me, she… she just needs help and has an explanation for why she needs me, right?”

Yukari responded slowly, in a drawn-out way that ran a chill down Hana’s back despite knowing that she’d never do something like hurt her sister, “Komainu, every year do you know where Reimu-san vanishes to along with Byakuren-san and Kanako-san?”

With a whine as Aunn thought back she shook her head as if Yukari could see it, “N-no, but what does that have to do w-“

Her voice flowed like a deadly stream, “That is because every year we must band together to stop an unstoppable force that threatens to destroy this land, no matter what the cost. Every second you spend yapping is another you hamper our efforts, is that enough for you?”

Neither girl could detect a hint of a lie, the atmosphere was heavy in the little living room as Hana spoke up, “I’m telling you Aunn, it’ll be okay. Yukari-san won’t harm me and I’ll be back in time for supper, right Yukari-san?”

>>45614855

A simple ‘yes’ left the sage’s mouth as Aunn whimpered and let out one last, “If anything happens, I’ll come after you myself, be prepared!” Hana kissed her sister on the cheek and trotted up to Yukari, resisting the urge to hold onto her hand or hug her in front of Aunn Hana entered the gap together with Yukari, sparing one last look at Aunn who whined as she looked at Hana before the gap closed behind her. How she wished Aunn understood.


Hana was quite happy that she didn’t make a goof of herself before exiting the other end of the gap, that was because present company notwithstanding the atmosphere was nothing to trifle with. Hana didn’t know where they were at first, but as she looked around the long hallways lined with pillars before a statue of bronze it was clear. She was in the Moriyan temple’s inner sanctum.

Which made things even stranger when she spotted Kanako, Okina, Byakuren, Miko, Kasen, Mamizou, and even… her mother. They were all sitting on a few cushions forming a circle, there was a space open which Yukari quickly sat in. Hana awkwardly weathered the eyes of them all, trying to avoid looking at any one of them for too long and unable to find solace in even Kasen and Kanako’s; they were all business.

Her mother was a different story, she nearly bristled at seeing her again but she kept her mouth shut, something about her was different. Reimu simply nodded her head as a faint smile crested her lips before fading as she turned to the rest of the group. Hana felt out of place, why were they all here? Why did her mother seem so… put together? Why were these women, who as far as Hana knew were enemies, sit together as if conspiring?

Yukari flourished her fan as she spoke up, “Apologies for being late, as you all know our future Hakurei miko has made a mistake. It was sorted out quickly and there is no change to the agreement”

A bit of tension left the women gathered here, did… did Hana almost make a huge mistake? Was that little idiot of a youkai important? Hana’s confusion must have been evident because it was Okina who spoke up, “Hana-chan, how good of you to join us. I’m sure you’re wondering what is going on, no?”

Hana nodded as Kasen spoke up in turn, “It’s about time you were informed, this will be one of your many duties in the future and not something to slack off on” Hana couldn’t help but notice how Kasen glanced at her mother.

Reimu opened her mouth, as if forming a thought, shooting it down, and going with the second one, “It was something that you weren’t ready for… However, given what I’ve heard of your recent… escapades. There is no need to keep you in the dark, listen close Hana. You are to help ensure Gensokyo’s continued survival.”

A cold pit in her stomach was forming, what got everyone so worked up… her mother’s voice was grating, but there was no doubting her intuition nor was it wise to dismiss her words when it came to such things.

Mamizou took a drag from her pipe savoring the smoke before puffing it out into a shape that seemed like… a man riding a cart? Her voice was smooth as usual, “No need to confuse the poor girl further don’t you all think? I don’t exactly thing we have much time to waste, no? Kanako, you’re the most familiar with this, why don’t you explain?”

With a stern voice suiting of a god of the mountain she looked at Hana square in the eyes as she explained, “Hana-san. The matter is simple and what must be done has not changed for decades now, Santa clause must be stopped.”


The details were murky to Hana, she suspected she didn’t get the full story. Essentially some great divine spirit from the outside world was trying to push it’s way into Gensokyo, normally they’d be welcomed without a fuss. However, something about this one was dangerous for a reason Hana didn’t quite understand. What she did understand is that everyone here thought that if he entered and ran amok then he’d spread his ways and attention from something worse… If people knew what was going on, or if he was ever successful in his assault on the barrier then this strange man would somehow bring about the end.

He was supposedly powerful, despite that Hana had never heard of this being aside from the ruse Seiga does every year or a few old stories she heard her father talk of long ago. She wasn’t surprised he was real, but that he was evil for giving gifts to kids? She didn’t know the full story, but that his minions were allowed to complete their work unimpeded and that they didn’t interfere with the supposed ‘holiday cheer’ seemed to be a requirement if he was to obey spell card rules.

>>45614870

It was unnerving, thinking of a being that could put all these women on edge as much as they were, so as they took to the sky and entered into a gap together in the skies above the mountains Hana couldn’t help but let her mind wonder at the terrible visage she was about to see. Something that even her mother was weary of? Something that took the combined might of all the sages and more to put down? Something that required secrecy of the upmost level to merely contain lest it grow out of control?

Hana soon found her answer as they exited over a forest spanning the area beyond the mountains. Hana quickly realized that it wasn’t a forest she knew, there was little magic in the air and everything felt wrong. In the distance there was a town large and unlike the village in its entirety, speaking of the village she couldn’t see it between the mountains nor could she see the Moriyan shrine in the distance. The forest below felt devoid of the vital lifeforce of the fairies and despite the tranquility of feeling a distinct lack of youkai energy that she never even noticed suffuse the air it was wrong. This was not her world.

With a wave of her fan a barrier was erected in a wide area, Hana could see its purpose before it spread outwards in a sphere around her, obstruct the eyes of what goes on inside. This only compounded her anxiety, it made her nervous enough that she didn’t notice the red and white figure that floated to her side behind the group of women that hovered on their half of the sphere, waiting for… something terrible.

Reimu spoke, her voice soft like it always was when she tried collecting herself, despite her mother’s voice reaching her ears Hana was too preoccupied with the strangeness of the situation to bare her fangs. She instead listened to her mothers placid voice, “Hana… I have much I want to say, but listen closely for the next thing you are about to hear is important.”

Gulping her retort, Hana desperately wanted to take comfort in the familiar hatred she focused on the task at hand, “You’ll be faced with a wall of power that you can’t hope to win against. Not alone, not even with the blessings of our god. I don’t care for this, but it’s necessary and its something that must be done every year. I’ve kept this from you, because its not something you needed and… It doesn’t matter, this will be your world soon enough.”

A presence, large and terrible pressed itself against the sky as if a gale was upon them. However, what met the women was not a storm, but a man. Well at least it took the shape of a man. There was no way such a force was anything less than a god propped up by the faith of an untold amount of people, and such a being served another?!

It was a miracle alone that Hana didn’t let the tears in her eyes become a sob, Hana felt a warm hand on her shoulder that gripped her tight. A warm voice cut through the storm of fear, “Its fine, its just a danmaku duel like any other. Don’t let him scare you and… don’t… no, what he says is the truth, but don’t let him get into your head, I know you’re strong as they come Hana… just do what you know how to and exterminate this youkai, okay?”

Hana hated to admit it, but there was something comforting in her mother’s voice. Hana would like to say she took her place alongside the others and faced this being with grim determination, but she couldn’t do so easily. She was wracked with indecision as her mother took her place at the side of women she so openly disparaged in her own time, women that openly plotted against each other every other day of the year.

As she hovered somewhere behind their backs, looking at every which way to move she was fearful as the sounds of bells, fanciful little things like the ones Lampy wore, rang out into the sky calling for vengeance. Out of a vortex that had formed in the sky came down a crimson chariot who’s sledded feet burned with a lingering fire as it shot down from the clouds. It was pulled by several unassuming beasts, each one as powerful the animal yakuza boss yet shackled by nothing more than reigns of mundane looking canvas. Surrounding the sleigh were those vile little things, the gnomes, all had their hats replaced by leather hats and goggles like what the craftsman wore. They had no wings but from their clogged feet came a sparkle of magic as if they skated upon the air. Most terrible of all was what was in the sleigh, a being radiating pure power, a divine aura cloaked in a suit of red velvet and white trim.

Unlike the imitations that Seiga wore, or what she saw in the shops in the village this suit was simple, warming, and paradoxically filled her heart with joy just as much as his fluttering beard and red pointed hat did. That was when it greeted her ears, “Oh-ho-ho-ho, on Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Doner, and Blitzen!”

>>45614881

Hana never knew something could skid in the air, yet that was what happened as the sleigh seemed to shutter to a halt threatening the two gigantic sacks of in the back of the sled. Yukari spoke first, “St. Nicholas, I don’t suppose you’d care to end this farce? You have not prevailed even onc-“

One world stilled the air, ‘Silence’

Hana could barely believe the pressure that came off of a simple word, “Yakumo Yukari, your crimes are as many as I had ink to write with. This year you’ve been especially naughty, and you believe you have the right to do as you please! If I listed your sins here we’d never start our little side show! Yet know that I will never let you do as you please to the young and innocent.”

There was something she’d never seen in Yukari’s posture before, fear. However, the booming and once Jolly voice continued, “And you Kasen Ibaraki, as you call yourself now. Your crimes are not as numerous, but to betray a friend and lead such a tender girl astray? Have you no shame?!”

Kasen winced, despite the brevity of his word she winced, “Kanako Yasaka, you who are happy to profit off of the misfortune of this land while proclaiming herself a god among gods. Is your pride so valuable that you’d carry out the same turn of events that lead you to your first downfall?”

Kanako had little visible reaction, she only seemed to tense further, “Mamizou Futatsuiwa, you can live as you please yet you choose to lead others astray for vanity and false glory of a time long past. Why do you refuse to do good despite having the power?!”

A ‘tsk’ escaped her lips as she slipped the pipe away into her kimono, “Byakuren Hijri, you claim to bridge the gap of your pet monsters and the humans of your charge, yet you care little of their lots in truth. You sit ideally by keeping the worst of them in limbo for fear of change while clinging to life and lying to yourself about some grand mission!”

Hana noticed only that a hand went up to her chest and some sutras were chanted, “Reimu Hakurei, every year I’ve come with hope for you, every year I’m disappointed. Now you choose to face me with bright eyes hope, yet I can only pray you’ll stick the course this time.”

Reimu tightened her grip on her Gohei, “Okina Matara, how many would be broken in your hands? How many will you twist in your perversions, and all for what? To ease your boredom for a few moments? You could not protect your own following and you cannot protect the twisted land you‘ve helped create!”

Okina’s chair hovered there perfectly still, yet even then Hana could tell the frustration that drifted out of it, “Miko Toyosatomimi. You see the problem before you, yet you sequester yourself away thinking yourself all the more superior and for what? A few more years of your life before your own idleness steals away your edge? Why do you refuse to act for the betterment of those you claim to care for? You are no different than the monk that you claim as your rival.”

Miko’s body was as stoic as she’d heard, “finally you, sweet child who has been thrown into events beyond her control” His eyes, blazing eyes now showing nothing but pity and remorse to someone he has never met before, “It is not to late, turn back from your ways and become as you were, you have been naughty this year. And yet I cannot fault you, for it has been these devils that harmed you…”

He jumped, vaulting over the edge of his sleigh as it charged away from the man, despite his large belly and bushy beard his body itself was imposing in a way that even the oni would envy. It was if a fire had burned behind him the size of a mountain. The gnomes sat back with the sleigh, eyes watching the two sides as if there were nothing else left in the world. Santa raised his hand, mittened and looking soft to the touch yet above it swirled a danmaku pellet that spun in greens and reds.

Like that, without another word or signal it began.

Like a flash of lightning, it was seen first then felt, a flurry of pellets erupted form both sides. A variable tidal wave swept forth from the fighters, it was impossible to dodge as to dodge meant that there was a space clear in which to move into. It should’ve been over in the first volley and before a single spell card was used, yet with horror Hana saw how that man and the single pellet he held in his open palm appeared behind them as if he teleported.

That is not what happened however, it was only a flash and the human eye should not have made it out, yet she saw it nevertheless. Like taking a casual walk down the road, he simply moved past them all and despite the causality of it all there was no way even Hana could brave such a storm. However, it seemed that they were expecting this and they were already moving by the time the pellet in his hand exploded into a burst of reds, greens, whites, golds, and silvers. The sheer size and density of the shots made Hana dance around to merely avoid his attacks, and she wasn’t even the target.

>>45614888

Seals, daggers, lasers, petals, bullets, and danmaku of every size and shape poured forth from the sages in retaliation yet nothing could touch him as fire was traded between the two parties. Despite the numbers Santa was in no way outgunned, it was all Hana could do to squeeze the lines of the world and ride around the pellets if she wanted to witness it all.


Hana didn’t know how it happened even though she watched it from start to finish, Hijiri went down first, the Miko only a second after. Spell cards were launched from both sides with ferocity and bombs activated clearing the field only for a moment before refilling with a vengeance. Kanako was hit several times and while she tried remaining in the air she fell out of the air.

It wasn’t entirely one sided at least, they were winning, if only by time out. The sages and her mother were in their positions for a reason it seemed. However, despite the placidity of her mother and how she dodged every shot perfectly and without a sweat, how the sages avoided the spell cards and sent out their own to even the odds, it didn’t change the power between them.

With a shout a strange power swirled, “I tire of the games of you so called sages, this year I bring my greatest gift, [naughty or nice, I see it all!]”

From his hand a large sack emerged, presents scattered about and out of them shot danmaku, some lasers. Little pop up toys exploded with rings of dense pellets and from others came yet more presents, revolving lasers and pellets burst forth before from st. Nick’s aura came a pure white wave then one dark. It washed over the sky without stopping, not even Hana could avoid it from the distance she was at, nor could her mother despite her ability to alter reality…

Things went black then as the wave hit them, and by the time Hana opened her eyes again, the sages, gods, priests, leaders, and both of her mothers lay upon the ground. Their outfits torn up and charred in places, their skin itself bruised and battered. Santa set down onto the Earth with them, his own outfit immaculate and not a hair of his beard out of place.

As if by chance both Yukari and Reimu lay side by side despite falling at different times. A pang of worry coursed through Hana as she tried staggering to her feet, only to feel the burns and pain of a hard landing which grounded her again. Yukari looked up, and got up to her knees, only to stay there as she bowed, “It is all I can do left, punish me as you wish but the rest of this land is innocent and your charity will only destroy it, pleas-“

Once again, a single word reverberated through the air, “Silence”

With a deep timber Santa exclaimed, “Innocent you say!? A land where you keep those of innocence as livestock, feral animals, or treated as background just because they live free and pure lives in the forest? A land where you play with them as if they were toys to be disposed of if and when you see fit?”

He seemed to grow even louder, “That barrier should be torn down and your sin’s exposed to the father and all creation. Let your kind fade away for once and for all! Your cruel treatment of those that love and loved you is alone enough.”

This time it was Reimu that stirred from the dirt, “N-no! my family is trying their best, I won’t let you destroy all they have left for them!” Reimu stared up at him in defiance, yet her body was unable to keep up with her words.

Santa’s voice grew calmer, sorrowful even, “and yet, you were the one that tore down their future from a grand and loving thing into a life of horror and sorrow. You claim to defend them, and you’ve made great strides, but how long until you break under the weight of your own sins and sabotage yourself?”

Anger, then despair, then a forced placidity marred with doubt painted the face of Reimu. It was something Hana had always wanted said to her, yet it was just painful to watch. To see both mother and mama brought low, Yukari cowering in the dirt unbefitting of her pride despite it being good for her to learn to be a bit humbler. It was something Hana couldn’t stand seeing, it was something that she needed to do herself, and yet how could she oppose this… thing?!

It burned at her; she hated her mother. She hated the pain she caused, the fear she struck and the things she did to her father all for nothing more than whims and a lack of control. She loved Yukari, but she was not a fool to believe her a saint, she was doing things the wrong way perhaps, but she was not evil at heart. Still, both had hurt her in their own ways. Neither was free of the sins they steeped themselves in and they did deserve to have something come their way… but from this thing?

>>45614910

No, it should be like this, it shouldn’t end this way. It shouldn’t end with some other force passing their judgement, no matter how right they were! It didn’t sit right and made Hana feel a pain she had rarely felt. Hana forced herself through the pain to stand, she relaxed the lines of the world and splayed her arms out at her sides, “N-no, not like this. You can’t do this, I won’t let you!” Hana screamed in a trembling voice.

He merely looked down at her, his expression harder than stone and voice as firm, “You know what they’ve done to you, I know just as well. Both deserve to be punished and not even the depths of hell would absolve them of their sins. Especially for what they’ve done to you, how can you say that you’d defend them?”

Hana glanced back, Yukari’s face was as ever enigmatic and deep as the depths of the sky above on a cloudless night and as unsettling if you looked too deep, yet just as the night was as promising and full of wonder. Reimu’s face was battered, tired beyond her years, and bore a guilt that was just as deep as Yukari was mysterious, yet it was familiar and despite it all there was a love there that Hana had refused to see till now it was to be taken away.

Both the women she cared for most in this world, her father beyond the barrier that was awaiting her. She couldn’t let anything happen to them; she couldn’t let this spirit pass his judgement on them even if they were guilty of sins she didn’t know. Was it youthful folly? Or maybe something more? In the end it didn’t matter, her resolve steeled itself as she faced the hulking being that seemed as if rose above her as the mountains did.

She looked saint Nick in the eyes, they were hard as his face and made her shiver as much as the snow could, “I know… I know they did horrible things, I know what they did to me and I don’t know what they did to others… but I love them both, and I don’t want to see them hurt here! I don’t want you to hurt them and I don’t want them gone from my life! They’re precious to me and- and, I want to help them! I want to see them smile everyday and know that there’s good in them that is just waiting to come out!”

The red suited figure raised his arm, and brought it down. Hana covered her head, feeling the sheer power inside of it, it was a fist that could pulverize mountains in one swing and against Hana it wouldn’t even slow it down. She wanted to run, but if she avoided it with her powers then the shockwave alone would-!

Yet it never came down, there was no pain, she didn’t see the sanzu river, instead she saw white gloved arms catch it despite the crack that resounded and felt the familiar arms wrap around her waist pulling her back and into an embrace.

The field was silent, and not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

>>45614915

A smile cracked the stone mask of the red juggernaut and a laugh reverberated through his thick belly that was echoed off the high-pitched throats of the gnomes that hovered in the air above still. Confusion made its home on Hana’s and Reimu’s face, Yukari’s was one of pensive anxiety, the sages and gods littering the field could only watch in a mix of emotions.

A shout replaced the laughter from the red giant who retracted his arm, letting the youkai sage fall limp, “Behold all ye unfaithful, witness the power of a Christmas miracle!”

A light poured form him, suffusing the women that lay defeated and battered. Hana felt her wounds melt away and even saw her damaged clothes mend. It didn’t just end there, she even felt better, better than she had ever since she was a child running around the fields with Aunn. It was clear that the others felt the same, Reimu seemed more youthful in the vigor that reentered her eyes, Yukari’s broken arms mended and a stress that one couldn’t see exorcised itself from her. The others felt something change, it was obvious even in the deep-seated skepticism they displayed.

The light seemed to exude from his very being, yet it wasn’t hurtful to look upon and instead it was gentle, as if her father was speaking to her. He spoke again as a small box fell from his sleigh and onto his hand, “take this Hana, it is your present.”

Hana hesitated a moment but held out her hand, the box unfurled itself on her palm, on it was a single ring. The ring was deceptively simple, silver or rose gold with two stones in it, one purple as the last lights of the sun and the other red as the heart of a flame. The radiant being spoke, “It is your choice to wear this ring, It is merely symbolic, it is the promise of peace between you and those you love. Of understanding and the will to trust, many sins have been committed under the name of misunderstandings and discord. They cannot be undone, but you can look forward and turn the strife of the future into a peace everlasting. It is your choice and always has been.”

Hana looked up, the light was dissipating into the air, the gnomes were as well as they called out a final cheer, even the sleigh was glowing now. Hana put on the ring without thinking, and the gems on it grew, one blue, one pink, one green, one golden, one black, one green, one of many different colors that only appeared white yet seemed the heaviest. It weighed her finger down, yet paradoxically made the rest of her body lighter.

The golden chariot vanished into the vortex it came in on, leaving the ring and the women she loved as mothers behind her.

I have no idea what possessed me to write this, maybe I was frustrated I haven't been able to write Hana in awhile?
Either way I got started writing in the morning, then family kept me busy so I only finished now, then I got a little drunk, which lead to the weird shit at the end. There was no proof reading. I regret nothing, i'll do it again, you cannot stop me.
Merry Christmas you retards and to all a good night.
Holy fuck I need to sleep.

>>45614814
>>45614830
Now this is some good old fashion sword autism, I liked it even if it really was a shitpost

Hot damn both the Christmas posts and the shitposts were really good, writefags are on a roll.

A glass lay on its side, soaking in eggnog. This was the first thing Anon saw as he woke up in a groggy stupor. Memories came and went in a whirlwind. Aunn burst through the door and pounced on him, as usual. Then a whole menagerie of guests from tengu to oni to humans and gods all came by with booze and hot food. The fake shrine was stuffed with guests pulling Anon into and out of dances, conversations and drinking contests. More than once somebody brought a bushel of mistletoe to hang, demanding a kiss for every leaf he passed under. It was at that point that his memory started to get a little hazy.

As the man got up to survey the damages, he saw shreds of wrapping paper and torn cardboard strewn about the room. Thankfully the plates and bottles were all dry, licked clean by his greedy guests. It was just enough to coat the entire floor of his living room in a layer of glass and ceramic. A once-mighty evergreen tree stood in two pieces in one corner of the room: The lower half a splintery eye-sore, the upper half appearing as if it grew out of the floor. A hazy memory reared it’s ugly head: A very drunk Shizuha thought it was “looking at her funny” and demonstrated her punching technique. The one-sided match caused the room to erupt into cheers and splinters, which the human had to attend to during the festivities.

Well, first things first: Time to sop up that eggnog before it solidified. The dry messes could wait until morning. As Anon walked over to his kitchen, he stumbled on an open present and stubbed his toe on a forgotten iron weight (one of many left over from a few contests of strength). Alone, tired and angry, the human let out his frustrations. “FUCK! THANKS A LOT, SANTA!”

Just as he did, a cold wind blew through the veranda, rattling the empty sake bottles. Silhouetted against the night sky was a slightly plump figure, floating towards him. As his eyes adjusted to the moonlight, he recognized her blue dress and lavender hair. It was the spirit of winter itself, Letty Whiterock.

“Hello Anon, what are you doing up this late?”

“Oh, hello Letty. Nobody felt it was necessary clean up after themselves, so I’ve got to fix this place up before the bugs start moving in. It’ll be even worse now since the chill will drive them indoors.”

The yuki-onna continued to float over the mess on the floor, watching Anon as he tried to wipe eggnog out of tatami. His frustrations mounted with every jingle of glass against glass when he shifted his legs. If a single bottle broke, he would have to watch his every step. And that damn chill Letty brought in only made it harder to concentrate!

“Hey Letty, you mind lending a hand? Just grab a garbage bag from under the sink and—“

The spirit interrupted him with a yawn. “Sorry, I’m too tired. You should really go to bed, it’s too late to start now. Maybe you should have cleaned up before night fell?”

“Could you at least just close the veranda—“

“It’s too far away~”

Letty yawned again, and the wind grew louder. Anon’s annoyance grew as snow began entering his home, adding to the mess. “Letty. Please. If you’re not going to help out, could you just go home then?”
“Eh, I’ll sleep here tonight. You got a bed I can crash on? If not, I can just move these seats—” As she rocked one of the seats, a house of stacked sake bottled crashing down. It sounded like at least one of them shattered. “Hey Anon, you should really clear up these bottles…”

She came into his house, brought in the cold, made an even bigger mess, refused to help in the slightest, demanded shelter and now she had the gall to complain?! His anger dashed all thoughts of the cold from his body as he burned with rage. “THAT’S IT! LETTY, GO HOME! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!”

Not expecting the outburst, the girl began to sniffle as she floated towards the veranda. “But-but it’s Christmas! You’re throwing me out on Christmas?”

Anon didn’t care if it was Christmas or the Second Coming. “OUT! NOW!”

Composing an icy mask to hide her sadness, Letty gave Anon a dire warning. “F-Fine! But you better watch out! For being so mean on Christmas Eve, three ghosts will visit you to show you the error of your ways!” Without waiting for a reply, Letty flew away, leaving the veranda open.

Bah! Three ghosts? They’d have to get past the barrier first. Wait a minute, how did Letty get here? As if to answer his question, Yukari herself came to his front door, dressed lightly for the weather.

“Y-Yukari? What do you want? I’m a little busy.” He tried to hide the venom in his voice.

The woman walked up to Anon, the moonlight revealing a crazed and energetic look in her eyes. It was high-strung, wild—it wasn’t Yukari.

“Put the towel down, Hakurei! You and me are going on a trip down memory lane. And don’t call me ‘Yukari’ or ‘Sage’. I’m the Jailbreak King, and we’re blowing this joint!”

>>45615166
In Yukari’s body, the self-purported Jailbreak King roughly grabbed Anon before opening a gap and hopping through it with him. Anon could hear more bottles crashing as they left the HSE together.

“Who the hell is the ‘Jailbreak King’? I’ve lived here for more than a decade and this is the first I’m hearing of you!”

“What, that shitty Hakurei brat didn’t pass down the legend of the daring Miyadeguchi Mizuchi, Hero to Humanity, Feller of Youkai, Scourge of Detectives?”

The name Mizuchi was a little familiar… Something about possessing bodies? His head was still swimming, so he couldn’t quite remember how the story ended, just that a lot of people were humiliated.

“So… you’re a ghost? How are you going to show me the error of my ways?”

“Easy! With this yook’s body, I’ll travel into the past to your worst mistake! I don’t even need to think about it, her body just knows how to make these gaps on instinct. C’mon, I wanna see you do something dumb.” Touchinghis chest, Mizuchi closed her eyes to find his feelings of regret and remorse. Allowing Yukari’s body to do the rest, she opened a gap into the past, finding the moment Anon regretted most. “Here we go: Let’s see something funny.”

Traveling through the tear in space and time, Anon found himself floating next to a girl dressed in a stylish version of prison stripes. “All we can do is watch. It’s much easier to do. Now, where the hell are we?”

“This is my house… Back when I lived with Hana. But, I don’t remember doing anything wrong here.” Hearing footsteps, Anon looked around to see none other than his past self, putting up a kettle to boil. He was haggard and bruised. Anon was a shadow of a man. It was a wonder he could support his own body until he remembered how much pain it caused him to move. He was still lost as to why Mizuchi brought him here until he heard a noise coming from his bedroom. Out strode Yukari Yakumo, nails sharp and posture hunched.

In a flash, Yukari lunged for Anon, grappling his weak body and dragging him back into his bedroom. “Shhh. Quiet. I have something special prepared for you. You wouldn’t want to ruin that by attracting unwanted attention, would you?” Mustering every bit of his will, Anon grabbed at any piece of furniture he could use to anchor himself, even clawing at the wooden floor. Still, the lustful youkai was able to drag him back into her gap, sealing his fate.

“Wow. That’s what you regret most? Being kidnapped against your will? That doesn’t even make sense!”

Anon walked over to stove and tried turning a knob. His hand phased through. “When I saw Yukari, I could have screamed, ran, thrown something: Anything to make escape easier. Instead, I just turned off the stove. My first instinct was to make sure it didn’t boil over.” The human looked over the kettle mournfully.

“That’s really lame. Let’s see if there’s anything juicier.” Once more, the girl put a hand up to Anon’s chest. “Hmm. ‘Not having the rice ready for Reimu,’ ‘Letting the bath get cold before Reimu came home, ‘Yelling at Hana for breaking something’… Either you’re some kinda psychopath hiding hundreds of murders or you’re a real unexciting shmuck. Oh, but your chest is pretty well sculpted…”

Tearing his mind out of the past and pulling it back into the present, Anon found himself once more in his dirty living room with Yukari’s body in front of him. Once again, Yukari was pressing herself against him with wandering hands. Only it was now some girl possessing Yukari and forcing her to do this.

“You know, you may not have done anything all that bad in the past, but I know some really naughty stuff we can get up to right now~.” Fear shot up Anon’s spine as his body instinctively responded to Mizuchi’s words. They were no different from what Yukari would say, but her delivery promised a unique threat.

“Hold on, you’re supposed to be guiding spirit that steers me right! This is no way to act!”

Mizuchi simply shrugged off the sleeve of her dress, bringing her head close to Anon’s ear. “I’m no guiding spirit, baby. I’m a vengeful spirit. I’ll rock your world like a Hakurei miko never could.”

In the nick of time, a fist collided with Yukari’s temple, sending her flying into the same corner as the broken Christmas tree.

“Well, that didn’t go as expected. Are you okay?” Turning to the gentle, motherly voice, Anon saw Yuyuko floating in the air, an innocent expression on her face. It brought to mind kindness, patience… and endless plates of food that were left on the table.

“Yes, she didn’t do anything to me.Since you’re here, can you help me clean up a bit? There’s a stack of your plates in that corner—”

“No time, I must show you the error of your ways!” Taking his hand, Yuyuko flew Anon out of the HSE.

Thank you CDS, for introducing a character that makes Yukari job harder than an ex-NEET at 7/11, and dance around how to go about dealing with her.

>>45615303
Leaving the HSE for the first time in months was undercut by the bitter coldness seeping through Anon’s juban. Flying at a high altitude made the air even harsher. Despite being pressed against her plush body, Yuyuko gave him no body heat. She was a ghost, after all: The second ghost to show Anon how horrible his actions were.

“Anon, my duty is to show you just how horribly the people of Gensokyo are living compared to you right now. Since we’re here, why don’t we check around the village?”

Believing in the little trust he had for Yuyuko, Anon allowed the ghost to fly him around the Human Village. The plaza around the HSE was brightly lit, filled with busy market stalls and cheerful carolers. Geidontei was bustling with the mirth of drunken men, joined by the camaraderie of booze. The Motoori home was warmed by a log fire as the children slept cozily in their beds and Kosuzu snuggled next to her husband.

Anon wasn’t quite sure why Yuyuko was showing him this. “They all seem pretty happy. Enjoying the holiday with their friends and family, not a care in the world…”

Yuyuko was wracking her head for a way to fulfill her duty as a ghost chosen by the spirit of winter. “The economy has been doing a lot better since the HSE popped up, so there’s less poverty and conflict… How about we try the Magic Forest! And if that doesn’t work, we’ll try the mountain!”

Location after location, Anon and Yuyuko saw mirth and holiday cheer infesting Gensokyo. Hana and Aunn had joined Marisa and Alice in a ritual to guarantee they’d get more presents. The tengu were still enjoying their revelry with no signs of stopping. The White Wolves and Karasu took turns in cleaning duties, ensuring everyone had a chance to enjoy themselves while leaving maintaining their cleanliness. The oni underground did the same, each person making sure not to leave even a crumb behind. Everyone had a good, clean Christmas Eve.

“Awww, I was supposed to show you how bad everyone else has it today. Well, I guess we should head back now.” As the ghost turned back towards the HSE, Anon realized that her blow might have knocked Mizuchi out of Yukari, giving her enough time to set the barriers back up. He’d be right back in his cage if Yuyuko took him back.

“Wait, how about Reimu? She must be having a pretty crummy Christmas right now! Show me the Hakurei Shrine, then you can complete your job and go back home.” It was fool-proof. Anon could finally go back home and escape the hell that awaited him with Yukari. It even seemed to brighten up Yuyuko’s mood!

Floating through the shrine grounds, it felt surreal to be back home. There was a certain air to the hilltop that Yukari couldn’t replicate. Anon braced himself to see the disrepair the shrine had fallen into… Only to see that the shrine was still in a livable condition. Nodding to each other, Yuyuko and Anon floated through his home, finding signs of a healthy life and cleaning habits. His heart thumping in his chest, Anon finally came to his room: Reimu’s room.

Reimu was sleeping comfortably in their bed, covered by a knitted blanket. There were symbols of cats and spiders adorning it, along with yin-yang symbols and simpler patterns. It was a product of love and personal labor, keeping the miko warm through the night. There was a single bottle of spirits sitting on a nightstand nearby: It came from the tengu, courtesy of Aya. A Christmas present enjoyed early. As she stirred in her sleep, Anon saw conflict in his wife’s face. Conflict, and then resolution. She returned to the land of dreams, none the wiser to world around her.

Outside of the shrine, Yuyuko came back to meet Anon. “Sorry about this. You’re supposed to feel guilty about your actions, but I think I just made you feel bad about your situation. Do you want to go back now?”

Anon quickly stammered, trying to avoid his fate. “Nononono, you did fine! Great! I’m honestly just happy that everyone’s enjoying themselves tonight. It’s nice to know that everyone got a night to enjoy themselves and relax. Thank you for showing me how everyone’s doing. I appreciate it, really. I finally got a chance to leave the HSE.”

“Oh, you’re still in there. I just brought your soul outside to see everything. Besides, that would make it harder for M- the third spirit to find you. Now, back we go!”

Utterly defeated, Anon followed Yuyuko back into the megabrothel. Walking past the plain reception desk and cheap attractions, Anon returned to the ruined replica of the Hakurei Shrine, having a greater appreciation for the magnitude of its filth.

Back in his body, Anon felt a tap on his shoulder. “Alright, let’s get this over with. You don’t want to be here and neither do I.” Turning around, Anon was faced with billowing blue robes, green hair, and a conical hat. It was the spitting image of the spirit that Reimu was supposed to keep sealed away. MIMA.

>>45615434
Anon could empathize with Mima’s frustration. “If you don’t want to do this, why are you girl all going out of your ways to harass me like this. Just because I kicked Letty out?”

Mima sighed. “We lost a bet to her. If we won, she’d have to treat us all to sake at Geidontei.”

“Well, what did you bet on?”

“Ice fishing. That woman got lucky and caught something barely bigger than me-”

Anon could tell she’d take up the rest of his night if he let her. “Alright, alright, let’s get this over with. Mizuchi showed me the past using gaps, Yuyuko took my soul out of my body to show me everyone in Gensokyo… Are you going to show me visions of the future?”

Pointing a finger to the ground, Mima shot a laser that opened a portal to Hell. “No. You’re going to die of pneumonia if you don’t close your veranda, so I’m going to show you were you’ll end up right now.” Grabbing Anon by the waist, Mima flew into the portal, trying to not to let it show that she was enjoying this part of her duty.

Arriving in Higan, Mima strode past a confused Komachi. “You see, back in my day, Hell was far different. The punishments were harsher, the judgments were stricter, and the souls had to find their way into their Hells themselves. Nowadays, if you want to show a visitor their eventual fate, you need permission from a Yama and explicit guidance! It really takes the ‘self-inflicted’ part out of ‘self-inflicted torment.’”

Entering the judgment area, Anon and Mima were surprised to find it empty. The Yama of Paradise was nowhere to be seen. “Hmph. They’re giving holidays off to Yama now? What next, they’ll let the damned souls enjoy the New Year? Come on, let’s raid her office and find out what she has planned for your soul.”

Anon followed along as Mima took seemingly random turns and paths through the fields of flowers to a small building obscured by mists. It would take an eternity to find without directions. Mima’s quick navigation spoke to her intimacy with the layout of Hell.

Before knocking on the door, Mima paused for a minute. Just as Anon was about to do it for her, he picked up on what stopped her: A muffled voice was coming from inside the building. Slowly sneaking around the walls to find where they could hear it clearly, Mima motioned for Anon to come over: She found the spot. What they heard was truly miraculous.

“Ngh… Ahh… more… You’re in such a naughty place Anon… All white, yet you’re surrounded by nothing but black… Ahh~… You’re already suffering your own personal hell up there, so it’s only fair to – hngh!… show you pleasure afterwards! AH! Prove just how White your soul is! Show me just how much White you have inside you!”

Anon had heard enough.

Silently, Mima walked a little distance away with Anon and opened a portal back to the HSE. Once they were back in the brothel, Mima personally ensured all the windows were closed and the veranda was shut tight before lighting a few candles and laying out enough blankets to keep Anon warm for the night. Anon was tired, mentally and physically. He walked back to his bedroom, thankful someone decided to help out tonight, even if it was only a little. The vengeful spirit gave Anon one last look: She had a little smile on her face. Yet, her eyes were full of pity.

Anon climbed into bed and bundled up tight, feeling a chill come from underneath the mattress. It was no matter, since his heart was warmed by the sound of clinking coming from outside his window. Not nearly enough to pick up every bottle, but every bit counted.

In the morning, Anon dreaded the thought of cleaning his living room. Yet, it was inevitable. Preparing for a grisly sight, the human was surprised to see no trace of the raucous celebration the night before. The only indication a Christmas party occurred was a small evergreen sapling and a few boxes underneath. A letter was left on his kitchen counter.

“Dear Anon.

Thanks for letting me crash under your bed! I knew you wouldn’t be a jerk on Christmas! Your place was pretty dirty, so I decided to clean up. You should really take better care of your house from now on!

- Letty Whiterock”

Anon took this as a little miracle. Maybe next time he’d invite Letty over for the party before the place got trashed.

Little proofreading. 3 ghosts + Letty giving Anon the Christmas Carol treatment. Turns out it isn't as effective when the person didn't cause their own suffering! Only as canon as you want it to be, yadda yadda

Merry Christmas!

Aya Night 7 died for this

>>45615434
Anon could empathize with Mima’s frustration. “If you don’t want to do this, why are you girls all going out of your ways to harass me like this. Just because I kicked Letty out?”

Mima sighed. “We lost a bet to her. If we won, she’d have to treat us all to sake at Geidontei. Now we have to haunt whoever she tells us to.”

“Well, what did you bet on?”

“Ice fishing. That woman got lucky and caught something barely bigger than me-”

Anon could tell she’d take up the rest of his night if he let her. “Alright, alright, let’s get this over with. Mizuchi showed me the past using gaps, Yuyuko took my soul out of my body to show me everyone in Gensokyo… Are you going to show me visions of the future?”

Pointing a finger to the ground, Mima shot a laser that opened a portal to Hell. “No. You’re going to die of pneumonia if you don’t close your veranda, so I’m going to show you were you’ll end up right now.” Grabbing Anon by the waist, Mima flew into the portal, trying to not to let it show that she was enjoying this part of her duty.

Arriving in Higan, Mima strode past a confused Komachi. “You see, back in my day, Hell was far different. The punishments were harsher, the judgments were stricter, and the souls had to find their way into their Hells themselves. Nowadays, if you want to show a visitor their eventual fate, you need permission from a Yama and explicit guidance! It really takes the ‘self-inflicted’ part out of ‘self-inflicted torment.’”

Entering the judgment area, Anon and Mima were surprised to find it empty. The Yama of Paradise was nowhere to be seen. “Hmph. They’re giving holidays off to Yama now? What next, they’ll let the damned souls enjoy the New Year? Come on, let’s raid her office and find out what she has planned for your soul.”

Anon followed along as Mima took seemingly random turns and paths through the fields of flowers to a small building obscured by mists. It would take an eternity to find without directions. Mima’s quick navigation spoke to her intimacy with the layout of Hell.

Before knocking on the door, Mima paused for a minute. Just as Anon was about to do it for her, he picked up on what stopped her: A muffled voice was coming from inside the building. Slowly sneaking around the walls to find where they could hear it clearly, Mima motioned for Anon to come over: She found the spot. What they heard was truly miraculous.

“Ngh… Ahh… more… You’re in such a naughty place Anon… All white, yet you’re surrounded by nothing but black… Ahh~… You’re already suffering your own personal hell up there, so it’s only fair to – hngh!… show you pleasure afterwards! AH! Prove just how White your soul is! Show me just how much White you have inside you!”

Anon had heard enough.

Silently, Mima walked a little distance away with Anon and opened a portal back to the HSE. Once they were back in the brothel, Mima personally ensured all the windows were closed and the veranda was shut tight before lighting a few candles and laying out enough blankets to keep Anon warm for the night. Anon was tired, mentally and physically. He walked back to his bedroom, thankful someone decided to help out tonight, even if it was only a little. The vengeful spirit gave Anon one last look: She had a little smile on her face. Yet, her eyes were full of pity.

Anon climbed into bed and bundled up tight, feeling a chill come from underneath the mattress. It was no matter, since his heart was warmed by the sound of clinking coming from outside his window. Not nearly enough to pick up every bottle, but every bit counted.

In the morning, Anon dreaded the thought of cleaning his living room. Yet, it was inevitable. Preparing for a grisly sight, the human was surprised to see no trace of the raucous celebration the night before. The only indication a Christmas party occurred was a small evergreen sapling and a few boxes underneath. A letter was left on his kitchen counter.

“Dear Anon,

Thanks for letting me crash under your bed! I knew you wouldn’t be a jerk on Christmas! Your place was pretty dirty, so I decided to clean up. You should really take better care of your house from now on!

- Letty Whiterock”

Anon took this as a little miracle. Maybe next time he’d invite Letty over for the party before the place got trashed.

Little proofreading. 3 ghosts + Letty giving Anon the Christmas Carol treatment. Turns out it isn't as effective when the person didn't cause their own suffering! Only as canon as you want it to be, etc.

Merry Christmas!

Aya Night 7 died for this

>>45614929
Man, this was a crazy read! Very nice indeed~! 2hus vs Santa was unexpected as fuck, but somehow still hype -- though the highlight goes entirely to the character construction, tasteful and gripping; poor Hana, can't believe she'll forget all of this, though should we keep the ring? Like something that just appeared one day, unremarkable yet kept? One thing I'd change would be the order of characters during Santa's test to reinforce their flaws and, at the same time, strengths:
>Yukari pulling Hana out of the day and holding her tight would be the care that she still has, yet also her control
>Reimu getting her arms broken while protecting Hana would cement that her love never died, yet would also expose her self-destructive behavior
true, that's a minor nitpick and rather personal opinion in a Christmas special, so there's no much weight behind it
anyway, thanks for the wild ride, Anon!

>>45615106
man, we got Touhou Vergil. Today was a great day

>>45615617
>>45615434
>>45615303
>>45615166
Poor Anon, man, even in the specials like these the man has no rest...
The Yuyuko part was especially funny, though heart-wrenching in a cosmically hard way, the Mima one was just plain sad, but sad in a pitiful way; Eiki is doomed after jobbing like that. Shitzuki deserve that punch all the way through ~
>second spoiler
noooo :( oh well, at least we're still getting very very stressed Aya trying to protect her little kiddos!
Thanks for the chapters!!

>>45616681
Its just a Christmas special so don't worry about it, Enitrely non-canon. As for the ring? Maybe it'll make a cameo at some point though its best to just let sleeping dogs lie.
There was power behind the swing, it just wouldn't have harmed Hana.

>>45616701
Agreed, I kind of wish it's Canon now, because that is still less nonsensical then the 1000 year future arc.

a sneak peek into the tribute I'm making for the writers~
https://files.catbox.moe/0dplbu.webm
will be releasing the full version in the 29, for the third month of the project… damn!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

>>45618347
it'd be weird and out of place if it made part of canon, just as it would open the floodgates for other crossovers to turn canon; which could quickly get off control. Better both stay shitposts
tl;dr: too silly.

>>45618347
Anon the 1000 year future arc isn't canon either, it's repeatedly been called just a shitpost and literally nothing from it has shown up in the story, it's on the same level of canonicity as Suwako secretly working for Yukari, i.e less than the Cirno and Komeiji story, which in turn are less canon than the holiday specials, which is in turn less canon than the myouren side story.
And only then after passing that you reach proper canon.

>>45618980
Where does the Shanghai nightcrawling story rank?

>>45619564
first in my heart

The Myouren Temple was abuzz with holiday activity. Ornaments where being hung, delicacies cooked, ceremonies prepared, and a minuscule amount of alcohol was being smuggled, purely for weening purposes of course! One might consider this sort of festive activity sacrilegious in a Buddhist temple, but since this was Gensokyo, a little bending of the rules was permissible.

Speaking of, the old man wearing a bright red cap with a fluffy white ball at the top was the very image of contrast.

"Kazue-Sensei, have you seen little Goro?" I asked him.

"Hmm? Ichirin-tan, don't you know if you call a man 'little' he won't come around too often?" He jeered.

Unzan nodded in solidarity.

"Of course Kazure-sensei, I will try to be more considerate in the future, but It's very important that I find 'young' Goro. I'm worried about him." I struggled out.

"Aha! Very good 'young' Ichirin! Men do love to make woman worry about them after all, although they make themselves scarce depending on the worry. Say, I hear this holiday is treated as a couples event in other lands, are you perhaps..." He snickered.

"I am worried because this is the first Christmas he'll be having since his Father passed away." I said through clenched teeth.

"Hm. Then best to leave him on his own for a bit." He said, stroking his beard. "Losing an attachment by one's own decision is one thing, forcibly having it severed leaves one vulnerable to forming a ghoulish teether."

Clever old fart, So help me if he had said something like 'then I suppose you'll need to become his wife' I would've slugged him off the deck where he sat. Still...

"But he's just a child. If we leave him alone now, won't he mistake isolation for enlightenment?" I ask.

Kazue waved his hand. "Perhaps, but whether it's your comfort or isolation, the real problem is that he'll delude himself that the attachment is gone."

I thought for a moment and asked "Isn't a forgotten attachment just as good as letting go of one?"

Kazue shook his head. "Just because you've forgotten an attachment doesn't mean it no longer exists. Stated another way: you can forsake a friend, but that friend won't necessarily forsake you. Check behind the old storehouse if you haven't already and again if you have, you'll understand when you see it."

---

As I turned the corner of the old storehouse I saw Nue with little Goro sitting squarely in her lap. Her talon-like wings were drawn around and pointed to the boy. So, the creature had fallen to her nature and was praying on a child!? I made ready to charge her, but Unzan clutched my mouth closed and pulled me back around the corner.

"UMFH" I struggled to say. Unzan merely put a finger to his cloudy mouth and pointed back at the two.

"People will really collect these?" Goro asked, holding up a small wooden doll and a chisel.

"Yeah, they'll probably take them down at the end of the celebrations and then they'll lose em', so everyone will have to buy a new set next year." Nue said "Ah, but make sure each one's taller then the last, it looks more satisfying that way."

"I know, I know." Goro said, hanging the little doll on one of Nue's wings, where it joined a family of it's peers.

"Mmhm, also don't put anything weird on them. The human families in the village don't have many Youkai children after all." Nue hummed.

"But what about Youkai? Don't they also set up decorations? Shouldn't we sell to them as well?" Goro asked.

I struggled against Unzan's grip in an attempt to launch into a lecture before Nue put any weird ideas into Goro's head.

"What a great idea you little scamp! The uncertainty of such a misbegotten business venture has me salivating." She said, rubbing the little boy's head who giggled.

Too late.

"Hey, you know it's not like you need to earn your place or anything. Hijiri's fine with you freeloading so long as you do chores and all, well, maybe that's a hell of it's own but still..." Nue asked.

"No! Hijiri-Sensei, Ichirin-San, and everyone else will be uneasy if I do that! Since I won't see Father... or Mother for a long time I'll have to show them I'm... That I can..." Goro sniffled. "It's not good to bring down others when I'll see them one day right? It's alright... I'm not..." The dam broke and Nue took the weeping boy into her arms, the shining Christmas ornaments hanging from her wings made her look like a divine spirit who watches over orphan children.

---

Late Christmas special. Since the Taoists got representation, the Buddhists, by law, have to get some too.

>>45620574
wait, that's a Christmas special? I'm supposed to laugh, not feel emotional. I want my money back you snake!

>>45620841
Of course. The HSE has a 100% satisfaction guarantee! But you seem like you were satisfied and we don't refund liars.

>>45621252
I don't think patchouli and meiling are going to be too satisfied when they get out of there

>>45621282
Patchy probably thinks it's worth it if she gets to explore and gather knowledge of a 'place', apparently, no one went before

>>45620574
Cute

>>45572537 (2/3)
—
The snow was dense, yet we agreed on doing the deed on that same spot, though with a lack of fireflies now. Anon went to put Dolly to sleep as I approached the frozen pond, undressing the burdening tabard and dress slowly, face of past tears and abhorrent conclusions, tails bushy as my hand, unconsciously, reached for my exposed back. Scars of whipping remain, even though I can erase them with a simple Gap… Nails gently trailed them and deep inside, a familiar fire, displayed minutes ago to Anon, burned again.

I despise this place. Its existence; its control; its consequences. It destroyed the innocence of my Chen, putting her on a threading rope she doesn't know she's upon; it revealed the worst of Gensokyo and brought it forth with anticipation, letting the abominable orchid of sin bloom…

It destroyed an innocent man.

… And I was there to witness everything.

To fight against oppressing monsters and get results, you can’t rely on whimsical words or dreams—the deeper the abyss, the deeper you need to dig to cut the evil by its root…

Understanding came at a snail’s pace, neglected and deflected, but I cannot turn my face away anymore: I'm a slave and bent time and time again as to keep my knife of betrayal hidden. I watched; I guided; I remained quiet when hearing tortured screams, and I'm here now, choosing to follow the chains of what once I thought family instead of rebelling… That worm of long ago returned, and it was nauseating—

—soft hands landed on my shoulders from behind, tails halting before softening, naturally entangling with the man’s body. He was nude too. "My sins still haven't caught up to me…" That fated meeting of me and a lost Reimu came back to mind, so did the words I had said to Anon later that day. "… When will they, Anon?"

"There's no answer for that…" He repeats, strong body against mine, arms enveloping my neck to watch together the cold glory of the night—as expected, warmth spreads, swiftly dispelling the frigidness. I take a breath of relief, guilt of a thousand years coming to the forefront. Oh, how I wish to have whisked that little Reimu into my arms, nurtured her as my daughter and given her a future full of fondness and care. A true life for a child. So many problems, sins, and regrets could've met their demises with such a simple choice, one I doubt Yukari would argue against, finding it enjoyable to watch me juggle services and child care.

Being a slave guaranteed me and the world nothing more than suffering…

… Her order mingles inside my chest, instigating me to destroy this illusion of placidity and quench the thirst between my legs. One movement, and I'd have in between my hands the talisman, and in the next, her house of cards would come crashing down…

Yet, to do it now is to give Yukari time to think, plan, get away, and hunt with vengeance my Chen.

Without her surrounded by Gensokyo's most powerful, this backstab shall amount to nothing.

One of Anon's hands caught my chin, turning my face to his. His eyes were benevolent, probably having felt the strain of thought corroding the surface of my body—a clash of mind, desire, and outer control—though, in such eyes, the night silenced, and his words meant my world. "But an answer I can give you, Ran, is that to ponder sins and follow a path of regret, of striving to change and do good…" What shone in his eyes was two sides of the same coin: a past tainted with horror, of a woman he loved turned monster, a woman everyone thought lost… Then, hope, because though love has faded away, that woman is still standing and trying her hardest to do better. "It's the best anyone can do." His smile grows, eyes serene. "… I'm proud of you."

I-I… stared, wide-eyed.

… Because he had done it again. Heart pounding, I turned to face him directly, gently picking up one of his hands on mine as if sacred, planting a soft kiss on his palm: That slithering worm just withered and died, not having the chance to settle or create roots…

Utterly slain by compassion infinite and wisdom never found in any book.

Truly, his words of that day come rushing back to me, and a smile of warmth pierces my battered face: In moments like these… It's good to have a friend~

"… Thank you, Anon~"

He giggles, touching our foreheads, nudity ignored. "Helping a friend comes at no cost—despite what Takane-san may say, ignore her words on THAT financial advice~" We snicker together, the moment perfect no matter how odd; everyone needs a friend. "… The day is coming." I calmly nod, eyes narrowing, expecting, heart frantic—his' closes, a moment of silence… Then they open: pure iron. "I'm leaving this place forever."

It's not a desire, a prayer. It's a truth.

My smile grows, looking deep into his exquisite eyes, a new burning in there sending shivers down my spine, warmth rising tenfold; and—

—moments later, my back grates against the rock, our bodies searing and moving in natural harmony, bathed by moonlit.

Yukari's order forgotten.

>>45622217
>"make sure to gap whatever conception might happen."
>Yukari's order forgotten.
How will Chen take to the news of a little sister?

>>45620574
>So, the creature had fallen to her nature and was praying on a child!?
I can't believe Nue is a known shotacon... its a wonder Goro made it through that place without getting molested...

>>45622217
Ran's Stockholm syndrome adventures are always sweet. I hope his future litter of kits won't drive him too insane like his other x00 kids will... maybe x000 considering Yammy's sisters frequent him

>>45591285
>Consort Xiao
Haha, I mentioned Yang Guifei many chapters ago, so now they're two evil Chinese Consorts in the HSE canon.
>>45603309
Blessed Bunny.
>>45611754
>“Bend over and I’ll show you” she responded.
>“I wasn’t talking to you” Seiga said as she nodded to the man next to her. Goro’s eyes widened a bit before he followed Seija as she stormed off.
I'll remember this lol

>>45611763
The hot pot was finished and everything set out. But Anon was still at the stove making something. Futo, curious as ever leaned in to see he was warming up a pan of some brown liquid. “Hot Chocolate. You want some?”
“I have dedicated this day to explore new things. I would enjoy it”

Like a dog awaiting its master to offer up some food, Futo watched on as Anon prepared two regular sized mugs and one tiny mug of hot chocolate for them and Dolly. With cream of course. He handed the eager taoist her mug, and she took a sip.

“Delicious!” Any other words she had were left unsaid as she sucked her drink down, only for her to scald her lips.

“Hey, enjoy it slowly. It’s still hot” Anon took a sip of his own mug.

Futo slowed her pace down, enjoying the warming taste of her drink as she took in the sights. Dolly was floating by Anon, taking little sips from her little mug. As she gazed around the shrine, basked slightly in the glow of the tree outside, a strange feeling came onto her ace. She walked around the room, closely examining the furniture, touching the walls.

“This is a perfect recreation of the Hakurei shrine, is it not?” She questioned

“It’s almost perfect, yes. Is something the matter?” Anon stepped closer to Futo, puzzled by what came over her.

“The Qi of this place is odd. It does not match the feng shui. It’s almost as there are presences in these walls, changing the flow of Qi like a rock in a river”

“Is it someone to be worried about?” Anon looked around, as if to try to pick up on the same clues.

“Worry not. They improve the flow of Qi, and protect this place. Tis strange for a place like this to have energies so positive, but like the god Saint Santa Claus watches over the children of the world to pass judgment over them, you are watched over by presences that only wish you good health and fortune” Futo raises her mug to give a toast, but finds it empty.

Before she could ask for another mug, Seiga barged in, Yoshika in tow. “Is dinner ready?”

- - -
For hermits that supposedly could live off a few bites of rice a month, they could pack away the food. Yoshika’s appetite was less surprising, although her lack of table manners was. After the food and dishes were put away, and Seiga had finished cleaning up Yoshika, Seiga clapped her hands. “Now, onto gifts!”

“But I don’t have anything for you” Anon said, feeling a little guilty despite the circumstances

“Nonsense, you gave me plenty already. In fact, you can give me more tonight when we’re all alone” Seiga chuckled to herself and looked towards Futo expectantly, who only moved away.

“I don’t get it” Yoshika said, her head tilted to the side. Seiga gave her a reassuring pat on the head before tossing a envelope on the table in front of Anon.

He opened it up and took out the card inside. “It’s a one year membership to the Seiga Service of the month club”

“Anon, that’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year” Seiga radiated smugness more then usual.

“That it is Seiga, that it is” He put the card down on the table.

Futo pulled out a present from beneath the table. Futo had attempted to wrap her gift in suitably festive wrapping paper, although it seemed she was lacking experience in such things “I also bring gifts, but my knowledge of your tastes is very shallow, seeing as this is the first time we have properly introduced” Anon took the gift from her, and tore open the frayed and taped together paper to reveal the box underneath. Opening up the box, he found her gift.

Inside were a variety of bowls and plates and other dinnerware, all crafted from wood and carefully polished to a smooth sheen. “Oh woah, this is nice” Anon said as he took out a large serving tray and ran a finger over it, feeling how smooth it was.

“Ah, one of the things Seiga told me about was your abilities as a cook. I thought you could make use of this, is all”

“Oh, it’s great. I’ll put it to use. Thank you Futo" Anon took out of the rest of the set, examining them carefully.

Seiga huffed as she saw the scene before her. Wasn’t spending more time with her a better gift then rice bowls and plates? “Well, gifts are done but we still have plenty of time. We can have some drinks and call it a night. Maybe a fire would improve the mood. It is chilly out” A few drinks, some cuddling by the fire, and Seiga was sure to get what she wanted soon enough.

“I shall assist in making the fire!” Futo stood up and started to make her way outside.

“There’s a brazier inside the shed, I’ll go get that” Anon called out behind Futo.

“Yoshika, be a dear and get the wood for me” Seiga said as she didn’t move at all.

>>45624378
“As you see, it is a manner of knowing how to stack the wood to make the fire burn bright. If one allows to air to fan the flame, it will burn easily” Anon crouched down next to Futo as she showed him the art of making a fire. It had only taken a couple of minutes for the fire to be set up and be burning bright enough to offset the chill and darkness of the winter evening.

Seiga had already gathered the shrine’s supply of liquor and had poured herself a cup, honoring the time-honored Christmas tradition of drinking through your hosts stash of alcohol.

As the drinks kept being poured, Seiga noticed something strange. Anon seemed to be acting different from all the times she met up with him before. Maybe it was the warmth of the fire, or the glow of the lights on the tree, or the drinks he had. But Anon seemed at ease, listening in to Futo tell him how she valiantly vanquished the enemies of Taoism during the religious conflicts many years ago. Could it be that Anon preferred spending time with Futo rather then her? Seiga did have to admit that she had a bit of charm to her, like a puppy or a child that was a bit slow. But it didn’t compare to her mature feminine charm. Maybe Anon just had bad taste in women, he married that miko after all.

Yoshika, who had been listening into the conversation ass well, tapped Anon on the shoulder when Futo had ended her story. “I have a Christmas book, can you read it to me?” She held a small book in her other hand and waited for Anon to take it.

“Oh, it’s this book! I’m not much of a storyteller, but I’ll read it to you” A smile formed on Anon’s face, something that Seiga almost never saw. She pouted, but nobody seemed to notice.

Anon moved his seat closer to the fire, the light from it and the tree being enough to read by. “Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot-”



“And he, he himself the Grinch carved the roast-beast” Anon closed the book and put it on his lap.

“I did not understand all of it, but what a good story! To teach that material possessions can distract us from more important manners, an excellent lesson to teach children.” Futo said.

“I don’t get what the Grinch did wrong. They annoyed him all the time so he had a right to make them stop. Why didn’t he silence the witness as well? She could have seen through his lie and raised the alarm” Seiga shrugged as she added her honest option.

Three sets of eyes turned to look at her “I never thought of it that way” Anon added.

Futo stood up and stretched a bit “It is getting late. I shall make make my way back. I enjoyed indulging myself, but I think it is time for this night to end. Do you not agree Seiga?”

“But I want to stay. If you don’t want to watch then you don’t have to, you know” Seiga smirked and tried to move closer to Anon.

“Christmas is new to me, but I do not think that is in the spirit of the holiday. I am sure you can let him be, for this night, correct?” Futo rubbed her forehead a bit, hat jingling.

Seiga turned away. Why would she leave? Sure it was Christmas, and almost night, but it’s not like she had anything better to do-

“Yoshika, we are going. Anon be a dear and clean everything up. I’ll collect my present from you later” Yoshika hurriedly put on her coat and rushed away with Yoshika. By now, everyone would be going to bed, and if she started now she’d have plenty of time. If there’s one thing she learned from that story, it’s that the Grinch was no slacker and like hell she was going to let a green fictional thing show her up.
Anon and Futo watched the two hurry away, eager to ruin someone else’s night for a change. “I must be going. I have my duties in the morning. I thank you for being a most excellent host. Good night, and merry Christmas”

And with that, Anon was left alone in the shrine. But something about what Futo said about presences in the shrine still bugged him. He lifted up his drink. “Merry Christmas to you as well” He said to the empty shrine, hoping that if something was there, it heard him.

>>45622652
she'll probably try her hardest to name if after a fucking spider
>I hope his future litter of kits won't drive him too insane
if not, then be sure the ubergodchild photocopying half of Gensokyo's powers and sporting Yukari's paranoia will

>>45624391
>>45624378
Jealous and frustrated Seiga is the best Seiga! Though all that will motivate her in her next visit, so I fear for Anon's life...
Thanks for the chapters! Cute special!

>>45624391
>>45624378
Futo is always such a joy to read about, she even got Seiga to not rape Anon for a single night

>>45622652
oh no
didn't even think it could've been interpreted like that. Original meaning was that they did it besides Yukari's order, not because of it.
God fucking dammit, man…
>>45622952
if someone can take care of that side of the Pregnancy Crisis, that's Anon.

>>45627287
I am always looking for logic gaps that lead to fox babies. That being said it's your plotline. Though if you want to take it in that way, she could do some gap fucky wucky where she doesn't want to get rid of it and just pauses the gestation until a better time. Maybe it could also trick her body into ending her estrus since she conceived, but that seems like a cheap way to circumvent the horny fox hormone problem.

Writing the Yuuka/Seija chapter, trying to balance infinite, smug malice with cute, mature, yet lonley woman vibes is an interesting challenge. I think Yuuka actually might be my type. Setting it before the birthday party, although I don't think it'll matter too much. Things take a turn for the autistic is all I'll say for now.
>>45627771
Yeah, solving the estrus problem with gap hax seems like a bad cop out. Would rob us of fun Yukari shenanigan's wondering why her servant is suddenly glowing.

AO3 upload has reached 1,000 hits!!!
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>45628502
you could kill someone with so many hits!

>>45628502
You feel it don't you? The mana of writefags, tastes sweet doesn't it?

>>45628502
All me.

>>45628502
Doesn't this make the HSE reddit core now?
I suspect it'll soon be posted to twitter and reddit if it's reached 1k, at the very least it's going to start to be mentioned on public touhou discord servers now.

>>45628702
his magic is too powerful…

>>45628708
>I suspect it'll soon be posted to twitter and reddit if it's reached 1k, at the very least it's going to start to be mentioned on public touhou discord servers now.
This just means we've gotta work harder to conclude this thing before then.

>>45628708
I do not use reddit. Are they really interested in rape and mind break fanfiction?

>>45628708
doubtful
>700 chapters of what seem, in an outside look, like maddening rambling
>the rape tag
most people will give it ONE look, turn 360 degrees Celsius and walk away

>>45628724
I doubt normalfags even click into AO3. Only the lowest of the scum of on the internet are into fanfictions.

>>45628708
we're down on like page 37 and I couldn't even find us in the regular results, it's probably fine
you're severely overestimating what it takes for people to care about a fanfic

stop vexing it, you bunch of beautiful souls!

>>45628724
>>45628712
If youtubers are willing to talk about KKHTA, they'll talk about the HSE eventually, something like.
>Touhou's most problematic Fanfic and how it impacted ZUN's latest masterpiece
>But is it actually good?
Not to mention redditors and twitter fags are terminally offened and only engage in content they dislike or suck off completly, while the HSE is both something offensive, autistic, and can be seen as disrespecting touhou if you have the wrong type of autism.

>>45628782
that could be said of most fanfics on ao3
KKHTA had a reach far beyond anything the HSE could ever have
I really think this is just doomposting

>>45628791
amen
will be posting some endearing jobbing soon to quell the doom

>>45622217 (3/3—p1)
—
It's the next day; snow is everywhere, and the sky is cloudy. Despite those, everything feels more alive than ever to me~

… Though… I can't shake this sluggish, odd feeling, like I'm forgetting something important. I ponder, tails holding him dear and watching the snow fall above us, disappearing inside invisible Gaps.

I look around, at the innocuous shrine and the barrier, a shiver rises inside. The disorienting feeling rapidly subsides as a warm hand falls on my belly and my eyes meet his, a sparkle setting my heart aflame. "Is something the matter?"

"No… Just woke up with a perplexing feeling." He frowns, thinks, then develops a smug, and I playfully hit his arm. "Not 'that' perplexing feeling! Just… It's like something was stolen from me—yet, I can't tell if whatever is gone was good or bad to start with."

He hums, playing with one of my twitching ears. "Something stolen…? We could go to Kotohime-san for that—at the very least we can get her to say, 'there is nothing I can do'~"

"Oh? Speaking that behind the back of an officer? A dogged fellow, one I know would say." He snickers, eyes on me. "Any motive for such felicity?"

"I was thinking about mine and Chen’s plan to ease Flan into holding a spider, nothing more." He shrugs, fixing his position while a more thoughtful line comes to his expression—I hardly pay attention, the heat between my thighs rising with the movements of his marbled muscles, gentle markings of nails alongside scars and their stories of unparalleled endure. Cursed be nature and its impracticable ways of prompting coitus! "You feeling unwell?"

"No, I'm fine; doth't worry."

"Matters of the mind, you come to me and Chen, okay? 'Sad', as she likes to say—to Aya's chafe—, is a most terrible illness." I chuckled with genuineness, hugging him, ignoring nudity; he laughed too, holding me tightly.

We had woken together with the sun, so outside was still nighttime—a day-night cycle of 96 hours would be too much for Anon, Yukari theorized, so four days inside equal one outside—, which meant Yukari was still out…

… Yet, I still have work to do.

We shared words of affection and reassurance in the arms of each other and hurriedly had breakfast before he went to do his morning exercises, coinciding with the clean-up team’s routine. I left next, ascertained, going through the motions with a much lighter mood and a skip in my steps, yet inside the fire burned with a new-found vigor, those eyes of iron imprinted on my mind.

Preparations for the Solstice were, as expected, proceeding with no hitch thanks to an applied and rather tiny manager—shame bubbled inside, remembering the measures I took to get information about the Kappa Switch that'd trigger a full time-stop inside the barrier, freezing everything inside but Yukari, me, and Chen; it was short-lived—, so I should take care of special matters, starting by—

"Ran-sama, a moment." A White Wolf guard approached me, the insignia on the right side of her breast signaling the rank of captain: Momiji. She looked tense yet ready, a soldier made for war. Narrowing my eyes, I kept my march as she strode to my side, invisible gaps around us concealing sound. "All our defense preparations are in place. We're ahead of schedule." Her words were indicative of her readiness, presenting to me a scroll containing a map of the HSE that detailed 'our' enemies' likely front of attack as well as the positioning of our heavy-hitters and soldiers.

I can feel Yukari's magic coursing in the paper: tracking magic. My heart clenches a tad. Cunning with numbers doesn't translate to eidetic memory, so I can't reliably pass this invaluable information onto my allies…

… If only…

"Seems all in order—very good." I pass the scroll back to Momiji. "How are the guests?"

"Nothing bad to report, Ran-sama." I nodded, remembering the special rooms nestled inside stationary Gaps close to Yukari's office; in her words, 'just a little something to keep them entertained', but it's clear the real purpose is to have them close at all times. Be it to prevent backstabbing or a safety measure—maybe both—is beyond me.

The Gaps around us fade and, seeing it as her cue, Momiji bowed and left after I reciprocated, a Gap taking me to one of the special rooms: a recreation of a rich loft with vision to the Blood Pools—obviously fake—the room furnished to suit the two unsavory people inside.

On one of the king-sized beds and reading a book on 'Enamoration Arts'—enjoying it a lot—was Ms. Yachie Kichou, elongated tail firmly holding a glass of red as if a third hand; and in the personalized gym a bit away and doing upside-down pull-ups with her tail, Son Biten. Both pairs of eyes are on me immediately, and reactions vary:

Yachie closes the book so fast that it rips in two. "S-Shikigami?!"

"Sup, Ran~!" Biten yells, jumping off of the rebar with a pirouette and landing by a water bottle and her neatly folded colored apparel, since her bandaged chest was exposed.

The Chen thread is calling for us to get banned like the Reimu threads did...

>>45628868
—
I stare at the Kichou matriarch with a raised brow, a gap fixing the torn book. "Is this way of entering a lady's room?!" Her first words are nervous, putting the glass away, embarrassed by being caught reading that type of literature, I guess. At least it wasn't as bad—or, rather, sad—as it could've been. "Why deny the door its purpose, Vixen?" Yet she devolves into an enraged scowl in what she may think to be a rightful and elegant way of expressing anger, pointing at the room's front door; though it's proper, it also looks very childish with the inflammation of her complexion.

"I'm sorry for startling you, Kichou-sama; I've simply come to check on your wellbeing after Remilia-sama's party—and no need to fret; know that I don't judge people based on their tastes in literature." Blushing, Yachie sways her hand, muttering something about the topic being finished. Gracefully, she uses her tail to get out of bed and stand in front of me… Having to bend her neck sixty-six dot six, six, six, six and so on degrees to look me in the eyes. Pouting, she pressed her tail against the ground, arms crossed, and pushed herself up until we stared at eye level—it was hard to hide my smirk; she looked like she was standing on top of a stool~

Son Biten stood by her, arms crossed behind her nape, smile oozing carelessness, a water bamboo bottle in her hand and a towel in the other. "All you wanted was to check on us, right? We're fine, though this place's reception is just depressing. We ate finer food and had better accommodations in the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Yukari should feel ashamed of her services." She scoffs, gratified by being able to complain. "Take these words to your master, Vixen, and do leave us alone."

"I thank you for your words, Kichou-sama; they’ll reach Yukari." They won’t, but she seemed satisfied with the articulation. “In actuality, that wasn't all. I have one more question." I turn to Biten, who cuts me, mirthing and looking all giddy.

"Don't be modest; Ran~we slept with the same sweetheart; we're basically sisters!" She laughs and Yachie huffs, looking uncomfortable. "You wanna know if my papa is still coming, right?"

It takes a lot to not kick her face. "Exactly that, Biten-san."

She giggles. "A-ta boy, nailed it! He's okay, and will arrive by the Solstice Festival! He says he'll miss the west climate, but he's just a BIG softie~the moment I said I could get myself hurt, he jumped right in!" I nodded with a smile of fake courtesy. A despicable enjoyer of this rotten place… and another variable to consider. Ugh.

I turn to a still pouting Yachie. "Is everything okay, Kichou-sama? Are you certain you don't need anything?"

"No—" She looked like she wanted to say much, much more, but Biten butted in:

"That means 'yes'!" Yachie groans, yet doesn't correct her subordinate.

"I see… And would you be in need of, per chance, more reading material?" There's delight in seeing her eyes widening and suddenly have a coughing fit, trying so hard to hide her deep blush, but I don't expose it; my expression remains one of neutrality… Still, I think Anon's worse may be rubbing on me because, serenely, I continued speaking. "I could get in contact with our dearest supplier of books and see what piquant novels she has in stock… Or would you prefer the freelancers that sell rather depraved works at our doors—"

"N-NO!" The turtle-dragon ‘elegantly’ hissed, face crimson and teeth bared. I look at Son Biten, expecting another correction. She shrugs. "We've got everything we need! Just see yourself out at once, Vixen!"

My smile doesn't die—hopefully it doesn’t look smug; it’d be a hassle if Yachie complains to Yukari—sleeves together and, bowing with respect, I leave. "Tell Anon I said hello~!" Biten says, and whatever smile I had dies as I go through the Gap.

Next, I should check Flandre…

… Ugh.

>>45628872
The day we get banned is the day I'll give a shit about what random Anons on other threads think about us.

>>45628872
Anons have been calling for the ban of the 3D Ran guy for forever, too. And the vtuber threads. And recently the guy that spams the catalog talking about how he like 2hus.
fanfics in the /jp/ have existed before all of those.

>>45628872
Too be fair the characterization of Chen is too childish, her species ages in spans of ten years with them gaining an additional tail for each ten.
So Chen should be a 3 tailed Bakeneko moving into 4 tails right now, or a tween becoming a teen.
Not a lobotomized catoid like she was early on.

>>45628872
Clearly that entire thread needs rape correction.

>>45628894
Honestly? It doesn't matter, read any doujin work and it'll paint her in any way they like. Even if in canon she is much more mature it doesn't matter, we are not making a canon work here.

>>45628872
Calling to get banned is, as always, one guy. Everyone but him takes the reasonable approach of treating it like just another fanon view and never mentioning things they don't like

>>45628708
>>45628782
Many will say that dark times are ahead. I however think this is where the fun really starts to begin.
I look forward to what video essays think of my Konngara portrayal

>>45629060
It's unsurprising that the fairy poster is a redditor.

>>45627922
>trying to balance infinite, smug malice with cute, mature, yet lonley woman vibes is an interesting challenge
good luck, and do ya best! Yuuka is already very stressed, what she doesn't need is a jaku to ruin her day -- though if that'd to happen not even Keine would want to eat the gruesome results...
a word of advice from the second guy that wrote her: internalize 'temperance, yet utter passion'. Yuuka is normally very balanced, but when involving anything she cares, be people or concepts, he pumps things to 11. Reimu's jaw sends its regards.
At least that's how I've noticed people write her here.

>>45591289 (47/?)

Please don’t backhand the rabbits. That’s the only thing running through Dolly’s head as she and her sisters flock to the vengeful spirit. It all seems for naught as Mima tenses, but thankfully, they are all interrupted by a knock at the door.

The big people try to veil their interest in the new visitor, but Dolly has no such pretensions and turns to see Marisa open the door to… that woman.

Dolly very rarely saw her. Anon would always send her away whenever that woman entered his prison. Still, Dolly caught glances and overheard the murmurs of some of Anon’s closer friends. That woman is Yukari Yakumo, the captor of Anon. Why would she come here?-Hana!

Without another thought, Dolly flies over in front of Hana and draws her razor blade. Or rather, she would draw her razor blade if she at any point in her life had one, a quirk of doll instincts.

Thankfully it doesn’t seem to matter as Marisa had the good sense to slam the door while Dolly was moving into position and it’s not like Yukari can create a giant eyeball portal in place of the door and touch Marisa creepily… wait.

Yukari is saying something as her gaze slowly makes its way to Hana. She doesn’t have a weapon and Yukari clearly is strong… what can she do? Ah! Danmaku! She’d never conjured it before, but it comes easily. All she has to do is pour the magic into the mold and it shapes itself.

Yukari doesn’t seem to care though as stares right past her at Hana. The poor girl is uncomfortable if the sound of shifting behind Dolly is anything to go by.

How dare this woman! She puts Anon in the bad place and she then comes to ruin Hana’s birthday party?! Does she just like making people feel bad? You're not allowed to be all smiley and smug when you're a bad person! You're supposed to be miserable and secretly want to be friends with everyone and give up your evil plans!

Dolly’s glowering and bristling seem to catch Yukari’s attention for a moment, causing the doll to pause. Yukari’s eyes are cold and slightly curious, but not in a good way. It’s like the way Anon looks at Miss Aya when she does something funny but without the warmth and pity, though that’s not to say she’s upset.Rather, she’s not happy or sad or angry or pouting or scared or anything. She just looks detached with a mild interest that makes Dolly feel like something really, really bad is about to happen. Which… what would she even do if something bad happened? She’s not strong and she couldn’t protect Hana she’d-

‘Do not worry about such things. You need no great strength to stand for what you know is right. If you stand proud and give it your all, you are not truly defeated. It is only through fear or subversion that you may truly know defeat, but you are above such things.’

R-Right, it doesn’t matter if Yukari is strong. A good doll protects her friends and sisters no matter what. She won’t let Yukari beat her!

As Dolly’s courage rebounds, Yukari turns her attention away and smiles as the old rabbit begins to talk with her. Taking a false breath of relief, Dolly looks down at her little ball of Danmaku and idly notes that it depicts one of those black-white circle things that are in Mr. Anon’s cage. It’s weird since doll pellets are normally just white, but she still has no reason not to dismiss it.

Looking back up, Yukari is kissing the old rabbit. It’s kinda gross. The act is wrong for a few reasons, foremost of which is the fact that even while kissing Tewi (or was it pronounced Tewi?), Yukari still has those creepy eyes. How can you kiss someone with creepy eyes? People are always happy when kissing, it's why they kiss. There is clearly something wrong with this woman.

>>45629543
tatakae, Dolly! Tatakae! Don't let any vile grandma get close to the 'Ana! Those spiteful crones only want her for one thing and one thing only: control Gensokyo so they can use it as a playground for their egotistical whims instead of treating it as the living and breathing land that it is
>(or was it pronounced Tewi?)
kek, that one never gets old
will be posting the next Yukari chapter tomorrow and already updated the pastebin! Thanks for the chapter~

>>45628875
Lol so Biten invited her dad Rock-Sama wonder if he'll get along with Tewi, they do both fill the archetype of animalistic and silly magical beings, but Tewi's more of a scheming trickster compared to the force of nature that is a rock
Of course the Lunarians job to both, but in different departments
.

>>45629543
>You're supposed to be miserable and secretly want to be friends with everyone and give up your evil plans!
Dolly is a good girl, dare say the best girl

The flowers, while sleeping, had opened their eyes just a tad to inform me of an intruder.

'Visitor. South side. Brought something for you. Yakumo. He's almost alone.'

Their words had been sparse, but enough to warn me of the danger that lied in wait on the cold winter afternoon, and just as they had said, there was a singular man waiting on one of the paths where two benches had been placed. His sash bore Yakumo sigils and I could tell he'd noticed me before I'd seen him.

It would be a simple matter to destroy him from here and leave my fields unharmed, however three questions halted me: he knew I had noticed me, so why wasn't he running or engaging a plan? Where was his cohort, the Amanojaku? And if Yukari did mean to send me a message, why not send someone who could challenge me like Ran?

It could be several things with a mastermind like Yukari. She could be testing me with this half of a team that was effortlessly beaten by Reimu, assuming that newspaper wasn't exaggerating. He could be bait for a larger scheme, like a plot to paint me as a crazed murderer in the village and poise Hana against me. Or, perhaps he'd come here of his own accord? The flowers rarely have visitors, especially in the winter, so that might almost be welcome, but he could just as well be hatching his own schemes.

It didn't do to dawdle too long on 'if's, I'd thought about it for more then a few seconds, so I may as well see what he wants. I leisurely descended to the ground and walked to the south side of my fields.

"Huuuohhhhhh!" A hound bayed before waddling over to me.

The creature was a strange breed. It's drooping face giving him a look of perpetual sadness, but the way the pup pawed at the air in front of me implied a sort of excitement at the prospect of affection. I resisted, now wasn't the time for such pleasantries.

"My apologizes, I was heading to these fields and since he's never been I thought I'd bring him along as well. My name is Goro." The man said, bowing to me.

"Why have you come here?" I ask in a cordial manner.

"I wanted to give you a small gift in exchange for some information." He said, gliding his fingers along one of the benches.

"Benches?" I asked.

"Well, I was thinking on what to get you that wouldn't be frivolous and I supposed you might like a place to relax while flower gazing. As for their being two, well, it would be nice if you have visitors right?" He explained.

"And what is it that you want to know?" I asked, tapping a finger on the metal of one of the benches, punctuating my point with a metallic ring.

"Tenshi-tan says she helped smuggle you into Heaven recently. I'm curious as to why." he stated.

I looked Goro over. His demeanor was dissonant. I'd liken it to Yukari's smug self-assuredness, but he had a strange kindness in his speech that she lacked, although not like Anon's infinitely understanding posture, no, more of an empathetic courtesy. Underneath it was something vile, some restrained cursed shadow that a human shouldn't be able to cast. I see, it was that bracelet.

Had Yukari discovered her way into the Youkai Hunter Vault or did Okina, sensing the threat to Gensokyo's balance, loose one of the Youkai Hunting Tools? And if it was the later, why that abdominal thing and not the holy chains capable of restraining anything, the spear which gorged trauma, or the shovel that could plant all things as seeds? Why the sterile curse which can patiently target anything?

How much simpler this would have all been if she'd sent Ran instead.

"Call your other dog, then we'll talk." I ordered.

At the inflection of 'dog' his eye twitched for a moment. "There is another, private matter I should ask you alone."

"Then, if I merit it worth my time, you may send her away later. Call her." I ordered a second time.

He exhaled and closed his eyes for a moment. "She'll be here in a moment."

Wordlessly, I took a seat on the bench and crossed my legs. Eventually, Seija arrived, walking with her hands behind her head and also wearing a Yakumo uniform. It was a tad formal for her, but the pattern was tastefully interwoven into her arrow motif. She scowled at me and stopped slightly in front of Goro before taking a seat with him on the other bench. An Amanojaku acting as a guard? How queer.

There were many mysteries between these two, that much was certain. But those queries could be placed aside. What was important was what they knew about Yukari's plans, if they were a threat to Anon's freedom or Hana's safety, and how quickly I could bury them beneath one of these benches.

"I had the Celestial guide me to heaven in order to locate a suitable gift for an upcoming occasion. You'll forgive me if I don't detail what, it wouldn't be proper if you knew before the gift's recipient." I spoke first, stealing the initiative.

"You go to parties?" Seija asked, dumbfounded. Probably because the only events she gets to attend are the ones she crashes.

>>45630282
"Now, I've told you what you want to know, so, you'll have to tell me something in return. How did you get that bratty Celestial to tell you about our arrangement?"

"We beat it out of her." Seija boasted with a toothy grin.

That was no mean feat. Tenshi had strength to spare and the wits to use it. Such strength could be of use to Yukari in the upcoming battle, perhaps I should've brought a shovel with me...

"I wouldn't go that far. We picked the stage, had all the cards, and really, we sort of goaded her into telling us. Although I suppose there's something to be said about forward thinking." He smiled, looking at Seija who glared back at him.

A very Yakumo-like move. I really should keep at least a trowel by my side for meetings like this. Rinnosuke had that compact one that almost looked like a weapon, perhaps I should make a purchase.

"Our turn, you and a few others are obviously going to stand against our benefactor. Tell me, how will you ensure there's a Gensokyo left after you've won?" Goro asked.

"They're more ways to depose of someone then they're hues of flowers I've planted. Yukari doesn't need to die to know defeat." I stated with a glare.

"And then how about after? Yukari's duties as a sage go beyond her presence, she shown me much of it, who'll take over those duties?"

"Someone else's concern. Anon will walk free and be with his daughter, this is all that matters to me." I said. "Now, you've rudely asked two questions, so I will take three in exchange. What do you know of the Yakumo's preparations, name your allies, and tell me both of your capabilities." I said with what I thought was a casual smile, the kind I used for fighting annoying opponents.

"The building's a veritable gap minefield, a whole invincible and shifting house of horrors, and the area around it is well within our control by the Yamawaro clan's influence. Not that any of it will matter after first contact." Goro sighed. "As for allies, we have a Taoist witch, the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the Kiketsu family, a strange oni I've been trying to meet with, and plenty of Tengu from all the different castes. Kasen's loyalty is a bit of a wild card, but I'm including her in the ever growing error margin of strategy that will be this little kerfuffle." Goro answered, stirring a finger as if it were a ladle for some stew.

"As for our capabilities, we flip things, talk people's ear's off, take beatings for that gap bitch, and spy on people who get off on not being seen, like that sunflower who's been mouthing off about my split ends. Yeah, I hear you, you sleepy bitch. How about I flip your blooming season so you'll see how hard hair care is in the dry season huh? Bet you won't be talking shit when your petals are freezing off."

First it's a small snort, then a giggle, until finally I join the full on chorus of laughter with my fields.

"Ha! I casually ask for the information, which, heh, if volunteered by you would amount to treason to your master, and you just tell me without the slightest bit of haggling? What's more, ha, you just come out and say you can spy on even my flower's private little chats?" I laugh and laugh, before pointing my parasol toward the two.

Mayhaps I could brush them off as insignificant if it was just thrashing Tenshi, but genuine spies and eavesdroppers? Two omni-present sages were quite enough for that thank you. It's not as if Seija would be missed and I doubt Reimu would mind if I dealt with a human who strayed a little too far from the path.

"Well of course. You answered our invasive questions, so I answered yours. It was a fair trade." Goro said with a placid expression.

"And If you think we're going down to that casual, oversized, slow-moving danmaku of yours, know that we'll at least uproot half the garden of the sun before it's done." Seija threatened, not as a jeer, but with a look of fierce determination.

"Ha. Just a little joke." I said, setting the parasol down and relaxing in the bench seat. Yukari can use all the tricks and espionage she wants, I'd crush all of it in the end for Anon and Hana's sake. If I wanted to paint my garden red, I could just plant Spider Lilies another year after all.

"Ha, I'm glad." Goro said exhaling. "Something my Father told me made me suspect you were kind and civil woman."

"Instead of some slasher monster that uses corpses as fertilizer." Seija finished.

"Well of course not, composting humans can lead to nutrient rich soil, but it's hardly worth the vengeful spirit infestation." I answered, somewhat confused.

>>45630285
"I know right? Old Hell can't seem to catch on to that, ugh, you know, I was thinking about asking some of the religious services if they'd be willing to set up satellite locations at their reactor to sanctify the corpses they use to mediate the flames down there to see if that would prevent the problem. Although if we're on the subject of power generation, I've heard tell of generators in the outside world that use plant lifecycles. Takane-kun told me it wasn't feasible in Gensokyo, but since your an expert I'd like to know your opinion." He said excitedly.

"Oh no, you've got him going." Seija groaned wiping her face.

"My specialty is flowers so I don't know how much help I could be..." I said, caught off-guard by the sudden change in direciton.

"The ecology is what I'm worried about really. Like, Old Hell produces lethal by-products, I wouldn't want to ruin fields like this with some ill-begotten venture. However, Gensokyo's about to have a population explosion and inevitably that's going to require more power generation so best to get ahead of these things right? Oh, that's how I thought of the benches by the way, give parents a place to sit while their children play. People will appreciate energy production that doesn't sabotage nature's beauty if they have a place to see it after all. Makes cleaning all the rust off these things and polishing them up worth it." Goro babbled on, proudly showing the palms of his hands that were weathered with work.

"What are you actually trying to say?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You said it was 'Someone else's concern' as long as Anon is free and reunited with Hana. Do you think that your atonement ends there? After all, you're the reason they're suffering."

The words fell like awful chords played on a piano and I felt a smile creep across my face. For a moment, I had forgotten these two were Yakumo agents. I tapped my parasol to the earth. "You have a minute to make some pathetic attempt at an excuse before I call in a favor and have you two slowly digested by a rather intriguing plant."

"In Reimu's history, they're perhaps four or five individuals that could oppose her. Among those, two knew Anon and could intervene, Yukari and Yourself. So, why did you wait until now, when things are at their worst, to do something? Was the guilt not strong enough until you used him? What were you afraid of until now?"

I closed my eyes and exhaled. Of course he was right, I hadn't done anything and nobody would ask me to, so, all this time I had the privilege of averting my eyes in my little garden while Anon sat on another island, crying far away from me.

"Just because one has the power to do something, doesn't mean they have the right. Carelessly swinging about your weight and imposing your will on others only cultivates more suffering. I'm not some Oni that takes whatever she wants, perhaps I could've moved hastily and saved Anon before all this, but would that really rescue him and his daughter from the shadow creeping over them? I couldn't say, so I did nothing." I explained.

"Bah, typically big Youkai behavior. You all act so wise and introspective about staying your hands, is it really that fun being so full of regret?" Seija jeered.

"You would understand if you had anything to protect." I scolded.

For a moment a flash of anger comes over her face, then surprise, then calm. "Don't pretend you know anything while sitting atop your pretty little hill. Some of us have to crawl and bite for the things we care about."

"I'm not a Yama, I don't really care about blame or station." Goro said, rubbing the Amanojaku's head. "All I'm saying is that throwing ourselves on the altar of warfare isn't enough to make the people will care about happy in the long run and someone with strength, or the ability to acquire it, has a responsibility to use it or surrender it to someone who will."

"Is that why you joined Yukari? To acquire power to carve out some bold new future? There's no shortcuts you know, a field can only cultivate so much in a limited time." I said.

"I'm a broker. In my dealings, I seek to understand both parties to reach an agreement in everyone's best interest. Power is something that has to be cultivated over ages, but we don't need to grow something that's already there. Whoever wins, seats will be emptied at the table. All I want is that whoever inherits the positions, be it in a whole or a division of duties, creates a Gensokyo where children can still enjoy fields of beautiful flowers."

>>45630290
'It's a trick' my mind tells me. He was playing to my interests, trying to sway me to his side just like Yukari would. He was right though, I could see it, all kinds of children and their families visiting my fields and seeing the beauty and terrible magnificence of my garden, even the flowers themselves, the one's that perked up despite the cold, expressed delight at the prospect. Perhaps even Anon and Hana would come and sit on a blanket to gaze out upon the field, with a few green-haired children in tow...

But look at who I'm talking to. A juvenile Amanojaku, who, unlike me, earned the title of most hated creature in Gensokyo and a young human who was far to enthused by this situation. They were just kids. Just kids...

"If, after all this, you two are still standing, I'll listen to what you have to say." I told them.

Goro beamed at me, a truly thankful expression, Seija melerly shrugged.

"Now please take your leave Seija, I have something else to discuss with Goro in private." I told her.

Seija reeled herself back and launched herself upright. Tapping the dog's neck, the pup rose from it's rest and began to follow her as she left. "Just remember floral woman, when we clash, you may have your own reasons, but I've got two big ones that're both more important then your ancient meddling with 'harmony' or whatever." She stated, holding up two fingers for emphasis, taking one last look at Goro, and walking away.

"So what is this 'private matter' you wished to ask me?" I continued.

Goro storked his chin, as if he was unsure about what to say next. "How do you look so cool and beautiful?"

"P-pardon?" I asked, surprised at the sudden and seemingly vapid question.

"Well, it just seems like there's a hierarchy of cool in Gensokyo and your somewhere close to the top of it, if not the summit. I'm just worried, entering a fight with people on the level of sages, that I'm not looking the part. Seija's a born rebel, but I'm more used to fighting at the negotiation table is all."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. 'Ask that horrible woman you work for' would be my deflection, but so help me if I was going to let her hold this over on me. And what if Hana asked the same thing? I needed practice playing the role of a senior. What was that nonsense that Wiggle had once told me?

"When it comes to your identity in Danmaku and fighting, it all has to do with confidence in your self image." I said, crossing my legs to the other side.

"Self image?" he asked.

"Yes. A Pansy doesn't regard it's siblings or surroundings when choosing a color so why should I?"

"Ah, a floral metaphor, as expected of Yuuka-Sensei." He said, jotting the message down on a note pad.

If I saw this in a newspaper later, I was going to kill him and Aya in the order of whoever I found first.

"Well that should help me be a good role model for my future children, they're bound to be a bit strange after all." He said, as he started pulling some papers out of his robe and folding them.

"You're actually with that Youkai, romantically? And you have plans to... have kids?" I asked.

He looked up at me, somewhat surprised. "Well, yes. Sorry, wasn't it obvious?"

That raised so many awful inquires I couldn't even begin to fathom a response. "Please just make sure you don't raise a family in a broken home." I managed to say.

"Ha, I'm already pretty broken you know. Speaking of..." He wrote some sigils on the folded piece of paper and tossed it in the air. Crudely, it began to flutter, circling around above the flowers, until after much struggling, the little paper butterfly found itself in front of me.

Against my better judgement, I put out the back of my hand for it to land, upon which the cursed thing gingerly set itself upon and spread it's wings slowly out and in, before unfolding into a flyer.

It read: 'Yamawaro Child Care Services(working title). Love kids? Want to raise the future of Gensokyo and foster a new generation at a competitive salary? Set your own hours? Become a mother to all of Gensokyo today!'

Me? A child care worker? I looked up to Goro, who had made himself ready to leave.

"Contrary to my poignant questions, It's not my job to punish you or anyone else. It'll be our children's responsibility to measure whether or not we did our best." He said as he departed from my field.

>>45630293
After what seemed like an eternity, Goro exited from the garden seemingly no worse for wear and came beside me in the tree line. I immediately made to check every inch of him.

"She didn't plant any spores on you right? No seeds, vines, or blurs either?" I asked as I squeezed his mouth open and checked down his throat.

"Seija..." He said as I continued my inspection.

"Tell me if that woman did anything to you. Seriously, what was so important you had to speak to her alone? You know I hate leaving you on your lonesome with other evil women right?"

In that same moment I found myself in a warm hug, his robes completely enveloping me. Goro was shaking. "I'm happy. We were almost dead a few time there. She could've snapped her fingers and we'd be six feet under. That power of hers is bottomless."

"I know." I sighed, rubbing my horn into his chest. "It's why you can't let those people come between us, if we get torn apart when things heat up, it'll be over for us, all four of us. Also, you know those flowers are still watching right?"

"I don't care." He said, holding me tighter.

Neither did I.

---

Finally got this off my chest. My main thought when writing this was actually spurred on by the Mokou bit where I was thinking about how Yuuka would, in contrast handle a situation where her worst enemy popped up at her door. I imagine she'd be the type to let them, lock the door, drug the tea, and have a basement ready. Also apologizes to Yuukanon, I totally intended to do a callout bit to the Yukari backstory, but it slipped my mind.

>>45630293
>"P-pardon?" I asked, surprised at the sudden and seemingly vapid question.
Never forget, any proud and noble youkai is literally one sentence away from charisma breaking at all times!

>>45586295
So, couple quick questions for someone who was introduced to his whole absolute insanity by another unrelated thread.
Was the OG work also done as a collective effort by anons, or was it a single guy? Is it still ongoing or completely wrapped up? I take it this is a sort of bizzare far-future of that where Anon and Reimu had a child together, or is it merely inspired by and not directly related?

I wasn't expecting to find and read a husband-beater reimu story, nor find it as enthralling as I did. But it was a damn fine read, if a bit agonizing and heart rending at times. Feel bad for all involved. I'd want to make a doujin if I could fucking art or frame shit worth a damn.

>>45630475
Shrine Husband of Paradise is written by one guy, the secondary Shrine Daughter of Paradise story is also written by one guy and splits off of SHoP at the second chapter where instead of Anon getting hospitalized Reimu gets pregnant.
Our little corner of insanity starts from where SDoP ends at(to be continued).

>>45630293
>"How do you look so cool and beautiful?"
Goro-san, lying is bad! We all know you want tips to port yourself better when crossdressing as Yukari, but are embarrassed to ask her for those!
the allegations get worse by the day…

>>45628708
Just ignore them like you always have for the past decade. Why should a bunch of tertiaries making shitposts on Twitter and video essays on YouTube have any impact on us? Imperfect Metamorphosis shat out a million words of grimderpsokyou and I don't see people hollering about it.

>>45599793
—
Inaba's words were plain trickery, a way of holding these saddening pieces together. I smiled anyway, eyeing my dearest Hana and her utter shock, her expression contorting throughout a million thoughts as color began blossoming—my eyes were caught by an automaton in front of her, firm eyes on me, a harmless ball of danmaku in her hands…? Hm, merely a soulless robot, so I hold gaze for no longer than a bit—, solemnly smiling as I walk, the Inaba by my waist like a parasite. Hana watches me, and I can barely hear a muttered 'n-no…' she herself didn't notice—one that'll be turned into a 'yes'. "Hana-chan, congratulations on this special day~! I know it's not your anniversary, but a party is a party!"

"H-Heh, thanks, m—Yukari…" I forcefully insert myself in her personal circle, Kazami, Kochiya, and the Ghost watching me like hawks. Trembling like the ocean waves, Hana marches forward, catching me in a mechanical hug; we kiss each other's cheeks. "W-welcome to my party! Marisa-sensei and everyone worked very hard to prepare it…"

"Oh? Sensei?" I look at the witch massaging her shoulders. "I thought I was your sensei, Hana-chan~"

Hana freezes, and the variation of others’ faces is delightful, my arms holding the teenager and looking around. Kirisame looks juddered. "I c-can have two senseis… Can I?" Ow, my heart. She's such a cute little pup with her questions sometimes~

I let her go, giggling in my palm. "But of course, dear! Why would I stop you from meeting people you're fond of? That'd be bad, right, Margatroid-chan?" With the spotlight suddenly above her, the doll maker stutters, agitated. Hana titters with the quip—which she didn’t understand—, playing with her fingers before turning to the others, eyes shining with misplaced hope, her heart frantic.

"You already know everyone, s-so here, look at this! It's the gift Yuuka-san gave me! It's a flower from Heaven!" She doesn't question why the Tanuki holds the flower pot, a gentle smile as she passes it onto her hands—after all, in her shock and awe upon basking in my abrupt appearance, she had let it slip—such is the importance of the Flower Master in her life—, shoving it into my face. "There was a beautiful show; it almost made me tear up!" She hands me the flower pot.

"It was very pretty indeed." The Inaba nods.

The Komainu looks at me, growling—Hana pats her in the head firmly, and she whimpers.

"Put to shame in my own house…" Alice groans, forcing herself to smile as to keep Hana's own smile. Look at them, trying their hardest to act as if nothing is brewing in the background for the girl's sake; lovely~the two smaller Inaba, seeing everything wasn't aflame, left their 'hiding' spots and approached, eyes curiously on me. I wave to them, smile soft—

"These are Sana and Sara; I don't think you've ever met them! They work at Eientei and are just—" She picks the rabbits up and hugs them so tightly I lose my edge for a second, eyes wide, blinking twice; if I remember well the complaints of my staff after Hana's visit to my office—ah~—she had an atrocious case of youkai racism. Fitting for a miko, but Reimu's daughter…? Well, some things go around and come around. "—the cutest!" Tewi seems satisfied with the joyous faces the rabbits take, a fake levity settling.

The wide-eyed librarian gawked at my back as if seeing the second coming, talking about useless matters with Kirisame—I immediately stopped listening—; The tanuki narrowed her eyes and excused herself to join the pregnant and the mother of two…
Hmpf…

Dolls began playing everywhere, some courageous coming to me and pulling on my hair—the only reason they aren't fuming porcelain impossible to be recycled is my infinite mercy—, the two rabbits playing with the Komainu, their words inconsequential.

Yuuka, frown creased, watches everything; Mima whispers about 'keeping it low for Hana's sake', just hammering more the nail's head, seeing the Flower Master almost crushed her cup… Still, she nodded, and I deservingly developed a smug. Hana was still nervous but steadily softened to my presence, expecting everyone to do the same. "It's indeed a beautiful flower. You're in such gentle hands when not with me, Hana-chan~" I analyze the flower closely, almost tasting Yuuka's seething glance. "Well, what more did I miss?" I gapped the flower pot away, to shocked eyes. I grinned, innocently following: "Don't fret, friends—I put it by Hana's bedside with a view to the window. A perfect spot with lots of sunlight!"

"You go to Hana's house?" It was the first time the Flower Master spoke to me, and the biting tone hurt Hana, her ached eyes judgmental on the woman—the devouring guilt behind those red eyes was sweet.

"Of course I do, Yuuka-san; someone has to be there for this poor girl to not only survive but also thrive!" Sweet Hana frantically nods, blushing. "It's tradition of mine to help—her grandmas, Reimu, Anon—” I hug Hana; she hugs back with no hesitation. “—And now, Hana-chan~!”

>>45634588
—
Yukari wasn't expected, but she's here now. We adapt or we lose Hana. I shamefully sulk at the fact I froze in confusion, almost missing Yuuka and Mima charging their attacks… If not for Tewi, we’d have lost this battle before it even started.

Yukari, somehow, has poor Hana running on her palm—'somehow' tastes bitter. I'm a religious figure, I know despair when I see it in people's faces. Those wide eyes, that trembling grin, as if trying to convince herself of a lie so deep and so intrinsic it physically hurts, and hurts, hurts so badly the body adapts, bowing to the lie as to stop the pain…

Hana was suffering; I tried to help at the beginning but was always so busy. Last months, I barely stopped, secretly preparing my maidens for the upcoming battle, worrying about terrible rumors on Kanako-sama, doing my very best to spread the word against the HSE and solving minor incidents… But her suffering was so extensive it developed into parasitism, clinging to one of the people who have made her life a hell.

It's very hard to hide the fury I'm feeling watching Yukari hug Hana and talk so boisterously about her angelic deeds in helping the girl thrive. Manipulation is blatant and vomit-inducing.

… Still, a better spot to be than what may have entailed if the others attacked. I can't say for certain just by eyeballing, but by how quickly Hana eased into her presence and how she scowled at those who truly cared about her—it's bad. Very bad—if a battle had commenced without knowledge of this saddening reality, we'd have broken our bonds with Hana.

We have to thread carefully.

Yuuka looks hurt but nods, posture firm; Hana sighs with relief. Everyone with a brain seems to reach the same conclusion—I hope. "I see, Yukari-san. Hana is important to me, too—just thinking about something bad happening to her…" Hurt shapes into not crazy bloodlust or apathetic death like her legends whisper, but indeed a strong volition to kill—bare, direct, qualmless. It’s much more terrifying.

Yukari is unfazed. "Nothing bad will happen to Hana under powerful people like us~Reimu, mainly, but anyone, truly." She snorts, Hana leaving the hug. "She's in good hands."

"Same with Anon?" Yuuka lets slip, Yukari grinning, Hana paling—

—though, before anyone can say anything, Mima interjects. "Anon this, Anon that; I hear of the man so often, yet I know naught of him." The floating ghost sighs, Hana's eyes shining with opportunity— "Are you comfortable with so many women down bad for your dad, Hana? It can be oppressive." The shine gives way to a deep blush, similar to Yuuka, Alice, and Marisa, who ‘stealthily’ listened. I sigh inward; weird, but functional save…

"C'mon, it's not like that! Dad is, uh…"

"Ah, Anon will have so many options when his rehabilitation is finally done~" Yukari says with a grin, caressing Hana's chin in an absurdly wrong way. Yuuka stares knives at the Gap Sage. Aunn approaches upon hearing Anon's name, throwing one of those rabbits towards the other, a bunch of dolls climbing Yukari’s gift as if a mountain "Are you proud of Papa, Hana? The hearts he stole would be criminal in the wrong context~"

"Y-Yukari!! Don't say things like that!"

"R-ewab-bilituition?" Aunn tastes the word, foxed.

"Rehabilitation, Aunn-chan," Alice explains, though hardly believes the meaning of the trash Yukari spewed.

"I fail to see how's that rehabilitation," Yuuka poises through Hana's disappointed stare, keeping hers on Yukari's, having to drink to keep the facade—this is the moment.

"Probably to keep him away from Reimu so he can safely be reintroduced to people." I give my two cents, all pairs of eyes flying to me in disbelief, and hurts how hopeful Hana's are. I try my hardest to fake neutrality, begging my allies to understand: We have to play this field for now.

Mima understands first, fixing her purple hat. "Seems like it could work. It's home, yet without that monster nearby." Yukari seems thrown off by our words, but just momentarily. It's all facade; we know what's going down during the Solstice, no matter how much Hana's eyes are of hope. "But why not let him leave? Even with an entourage? If I'm correct, your shikigami and yourself have the powers of the Gap, so you could run anytime if Reimu would to approach—talking from experience: living in the same place for too long, no matter how beautiful and safe, will begin to feel—" Her sharp eyes stare directly into Yukari's. "—like a prison."

Hana freezes, frowning. She can't silently judge Mima, not with applied, calm logic on a topic, until a second ago, favorable.

It finally seems to click for Yuuka, who sighs. "I'd love to show Anon my Garden of the Sun and would happily do it with all of us and Ran-san present—that could be easily organized, right, Yukari-san? Anon do need a break from the HSE, don't you think?"

I calmly smile, hiding triumph. The way Hana stares at Yukari feels like a deep crack.

One in an iron-like cage, yes, but a crack anyway.

>>45634597
—
But Yukari is not in the position she is by being easily dissuaded or prone to implosion under pressure. Her smile remained smooth, slender hand brushing Hana's hair and looking at her eyes as if saying 'trust me'. It worked—the girl mechanically nodded, flushed—yet the seeds of doubt, of challenge against authority, are the hardiest in nature.

Yukari turns to us, composed and sharp: "When winters turn to spring; Reimu is a better person and Anon is apt to leave without clinging to me, wide-eyed, looking at every shadow—then, yes, Yuuka-san, we shall visit your garden." Wait… "I'm sure he'd like to see it after all of your visits—even the unsavory ones~" Yuuka's smile withered with her words; Hana frowned.

"What do you mean…?" The little miko asks, looking at Yukari for guidance; Yuuka is mortified. Alice tenses, and Anon's doll by Hana's side starts to pat her arm tenderly.

"Oh, hasn't she told you the full story?" Yukari hums, hiding her lower face with her fan.

"H-Hana, I—" Yuuka tries, but the red miko's gaze into her eyes is death, sapping her strength. The Flower Master moistens her lips, heart pounding, wordless.

Yukari smiled, small yet visceral, giving no one time to think of words: "Oh, sorry—didn't mean to bring out bad memories." She casually shrugs. Hana's confused glare jumps between everyone. Tewi watches between amusement and interest. "But, you see, Hana-chan, Yuuka there is—"

"—Anon's sweetheart, if I'm not mistaken. Heh, if only you'd know what other guests say about her." Mamizou interferes, looking tranquil, yet a good intuition reveals the small shake of terror behind her irises. Marisa was by her side, faking a pout, Suzu lying on the couch covered by dolls, a booklet in her hands, sleeping—if she's pretending or not is beyond me—Sana, Aunn and Sara nestling with her. "Something about hard kickoffs, but rapidly changing into Anon beaming after Yuuka's visits, especially those where they'd spend the entire time working the garden. And, oh, oh, the gossip about her blushing like a schoolgirl! HA! If one would become your new mama, I’m betting on that lovey-dovey dork there—you don't hear the same from others, eh, Yukari?"

"The garden is really appreciated, usa~! My girls love to sunbathe there when we visit. You just don't get THAT much sunlight inside a bamboo forest." Yuuka's eyes shine, her body straight as a line. Hana smiles, her frown turning into a hardly concealed giggle upon hearing the gossip, and Yukari…

It lasts a moment, but the utter rage she throws at the Tanuki could fill an entire mountain. Mamizou's fear threatens to show, but she quickly hides it.

Yuuka’s face is a blushing mess, a trembling smile taking over. "Exposing a lady like that? Don't you have a heart, Mamizou-san?"

"Gah, so goddamn unfair!" Marisa pouts, arms over her pregnant belly.

"Suck it up, my student—in the looks, height, and presence department, you're severely outclassed." Mima taps her uncovered golden hair.

"I wouldn't say that; Marisa-chan can be… endearing to look at." Alice offers.

"Stop! Marisa-sensei is very pretty! She and dad would make a beautiful, human couple!" Hana yells, pouting. Then the looks fall upon her, puzzled at the specification, which prompts Hana to cringe. "Uh… s-sorry—I, uh—"

Marisa sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just shut up; you're not helping-ze…"

My frantic heart slows down. The planning was of haste, so it’s unsurprising Yukari managed to fool us.

The nerves were still blossoming despite the lighthearted conversation. Hana probably thinks whatever Yukari had to say was to embarrass Yuuka as Mamizou did; Mima and Marisa, professionals in trickery—it was trickery, right…?—, carefully managed to turn away her attention in a natural way. It's a quiet battle of words, unlike any danmaku, yet it’s still the same song and dance: one mistake, and it means destruction.

Our goal? Get her away from Hana.

… And the best way of doing that is by ending the party.

"Marisa's lacking looks apart," I start, the pregnant woman groaning and Hana pouting at me. "Now that everyone is present, why don't we go gift-unwrapping and cut the cake? We were about to do that before you got here, Yukari-san." I explain, the other guests quick to agree and start making predictions about what gift everyone got. Marisa, a maddening grin on her face, went to the back for a moment and returned with a Viking horn—wait, what? By her side and mirroring the grinning face, yet somehow looking even more like a menace, was Tewi… which explained everything—to wake Suzu, the rabbits, and Aunn up. Hana sighed, watching but not interrupting.

The Gap Sage hummed, composed as ever; a battle lost doesn't mean the war is decided. We cannot lose sight of this; otherwise, she'll exploit the breaches and snatch Hana.

At this point, the girl is still savable, and I swear by the flesh clung to my bones that I will see to that.

Hana must be saved from the clutches of that viper.

>>45634609
>>45634597
>>45634588
and this is the ground laid! Onto you, Hanaanon!
Will be updating the pastebin~

>>45634597
>"Are you comfortable with so many women down bad for your dad, Hana?
>>45634609
>"Suck it up, my student—in the looks, height, and presence department, you're severely outclassed." Mima taps her uncovered golden hair.

Mima is just bulking on that clap-back karma isn't she?

>>45635217
she can tank it, trust the ghost grandma!

>>45634609
Looks like the Anon bowl is quickly becoming the Hana bowl.
She who controls the daughter rules the father.

>>45634609
>>45634597
>>45634588
Ah this was a treat in so many ways, Hana racism, creepy gappy molesting Hana, Maribullying, Yuuka being Yuuka, and me laughing out loud and squirming in excitement the entire time.
I like how everyone can see that Hana's been mindbroken entirely and gappy has been getting up to some very inappropriate things with Hana, it'll be all the more delicious for her sperg out.
Hana playing peace maker until it all blows up in her face is going to be a treat. Considering the 'mu is gonna show up I can't help but wonder if she'll walk in at the worst time like as Hana or Yukari admits to their very inappropriate relationship.

>>45634617
>Onto you, Hanaanon!
Excellent chapter, gonna be a fun follow up. It'll be a challenge to make things worse, but it will be done

Old Hell was just as lively as usual, like a never ending pub crawl, but since our visit the lake had become a sort of morbid place of worship. The Oni, typically irreverent and too boisterous for religious practice, were actually making pilgrimages to the things and kneeling at the solidified lakes edge, praising the sword that fermented beneath it.

I sat with Goro on an overlook, hidden from the crowds, his eyes were shut as he was reading the thing from afar. It was a practice he developed since talking to Hijiri, letting energies flow through him and measuring the change between his normal, resting state, and the outside influence he let in through the cursed bracelet's channel. It was all very Buddhists and, although I got excited when 'reflection' was mentioned, I quickly lost interest when he started to yammer on about the applications of it.

What worried me was that, while his abilities to analyze and feed me fulcrums had gotten much better, Goro was also growing unstable. The more he looked at legendary creatures and accursed constructions like the HSE, the more he'd lose it for a bit after the fact. Never during a fight, no, I bickered about how little opposition the Underground threw at us during this little incursion and he agreed with me, even joking that 'I wish Yuugi was around.'

It was exciting, seeing his battle lust slowly ferment and that we'd likely have to throw everything on the line at the solstice, but I felt a creeping doubt. What if we went too far?

'All these heavy thoughts weren't for me' I thought, wrapping Goro and myself under a blanket. We'd survive and our kids would be born safely.

"Vile, nearly incompressible, and yet so simple in purpose and wide in application. Definitely Sage magic." Goro said, opening his eyes.

"I could've told you that without sitting on our asses for half an hour." I said to him, drilling my horn into his shoulder.

"Oh, well I guess you wouldn't be interested in some of the findings I can use to improve our own attacks then. What a shame." He said with a wicked smile.

"Hells, I really hate it when you get like this." I said, before I felt a shimmer in the air.

One of the consequences of Goro's tour book of horrors was recognizing the less perceptual parts of some abilities. In this case, it was discovering that Yukari couldn't open gaps in space without messaging the geometry a little, which gave you about a half second more to react.

"Hello Yukari-Sama." Goro said, just as the gap opened.

Yukari showed a pang of surprise, then a look of satisfaction. "Seija and Goro, my two favorite little upstarts. Tell me, how has that task I set you two on faired."

"It fairs well. We found Tenshi, figured out she smuggled Yuuka into heaven, we met with Yuuka, and she said she was looking for a gift, which I surmised she found. Probably a flower given her disposition" Goro reported.

"My, My, you survived meeting Tenshi AND Yuuka? I had thought you would have taken a more indirect approach, color me impressed." Yukari said with the utmost flattery.

"The Bratty Celestial can't see beyond the bridge of her nose and the Flower Woman is more chatty then you are." I grumbled.

"Really Seija, I am proud of you!" She said, brushing my hair. "I would've thought with that attitude Yuuka would've made a doormat out of you! Maybe Goro's manners are starting to rub off on you?"

"And Goro, or should I say, little Yukari? You must had been rather tactful to survive such encounters hmm?" She continued, rubbing Goro's blonde hair.

'Little Yukari?' What was that about....

"Those matters of espionage aside, what do think of Kasan's and my little masterwork in the making?" She asked, pointing to the lake.

"Why a sword?" Goro asked.

Yukari blinked and then answered. "Not all accursed weaponry needs to be jewelry my dear little servants." She said, rubbing the bracelet. "Sometimes the more crude seeming forms of violence betray a lost subtly and symbolism. The channels and holes you create to your target, or the flippant manipulations you concoct Seija, these are not the creational forces I require to decisively win this fight. A sword however, creates an entire world by severing a whole into two parts, ending an era, or cutting aside the fog to give way to a prosperous new future." She babbled on.

"Oh, but look at me prattling when I'm the one who asked a question!" She said, shooting a half-hearted glare at Goro.

"It's to cut souls right? Modeled after an Oni-slaying weapon that makes all strength and evasions meaningless in it's arc. Or that's what you designed to be, I suppose." Goro remarked.

>>45635924
Yukari raised an eyebrow, ordering him to continue.

"The weapon's pooling faith as well. What happens if the first time it's used, the sword misses? That would cause it's image as a All-Slaying weapon to be falsified. It's identity isn't set. Take 'The Root' as an example." Goro said, lifting the bracelet. "It's a sterile grudge, a stable curse, neither growing nor shrinking. It's identity is fixed, immutable. You talked about severing two parts from a whole, but what of something atomic? That sword's characteristics are still nebulous until proven. It could still fracture."

Yukari nodded her head and tapped her fan to her lips, taking in the information. "How insightful. The way you talk about it, it's almost like you referring to a Tsukumogami." She commented.

Goro shook his head. "Not so. 'The Root' is surly not such a Youkai and that sword, if it becomes one, wouldn't be the ultimate weapon you desire. If it does become like that, you could say it's 'spoiled' as a tool. You know, before I used to wonder why magic items were so uncommon in trade, now I realize the issue is how hard it is to hold them apart from the legends that color them."

"Quite so, quite so..." Yukari said. "I'll take this into consideration, in the meanwhile I'll have you two visit some Tsukumogami to validate some of this, you know some don't you Seija?" She asked me.

It has been awhile since I payed those two-bit players a visit. Ha, it's gonna be a hoot seeing their reactions to all these strange children. Maybe we can fish out some information about Tsukumos births that'll help us with our own kids...

"Oh, but don't be afraid to take a break at the HSE, I've actually prepared a room for you two! I'll bet you'd enjoy spending some time with Yacchie, Biten, and the rest of our little cohort."

"I'm not staying under the same roof as those strange women." I said crossing my arms.

"Ah, sharing bunks with all manner of strange Youkai, just like the Mouyren Temple." Goro sighed nostalgically.

"Both of you will be welcomed at any time. Just ensure you man your stations at the solstice. Now, if you two excuse me, I have a birthday to attend." She said, before slipping back into the gap.

I turn to Goro. "I have a question, that pool of screaming skulls, was that made from the bracelets magic?"

Goro tilted his head left and right. "In part. This thing is very specifically human powered, which is why it didn't 'spoil' into a Tsukomo, that pool has Oni, Gap, and a few other magics mixed in as well. Short story: Yes."

"So that's what she used the stolen, I mean, 'displaced into an imaginary or whatever space' bead for?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Uggh, you know, I have to ask. If Yukari displacing that bead is the reason we're gonna have kids, does that mean were related to her now? Like, she's the kid's godmother or something?"

"Maybe. I feel like sometimes were in some sort of strange fairy tale with all these strange births and rituals. Don't drink from any rivers or you might get pregnant with a bird or something." He said, rubbing his head.

"Yeah, so, if I'm following, then if we're related to Yukari, by way of our kids, and if Yukari gave 'birth' to the HSE building, which is also Anon's child, then we're now related to half of gensokyo and if that sword 'spoils' into a Tsukomo-"

Goro held up a hand. "The Inaba have a saying 'Families family'. So, let's sort out our new family tree AFTER our children our born okay? And we probably shouldn't say 'spoil' in front of Tsukomos, now that I hear you say it, it sounds like a major faux pas."

Oh gods, we're gonna be related to the Inaba? I had cross-referenced their family registries for hours just to make sure I wasn't naming our children after one of those cheery scamps and I saw at least thirty different pronunciations of 'Tewi'. I'd rather die then remember all those names. Speaking of which...

"Let's call her Oiwa, the child in the HSE." I said.

"The vengeful ghost from Yotsuya Kaidan? How bold!" Goro laughed.

"Hey! It's a good name for a Youkai alright! Plus, It'll be a good reminder to her husband to treat her well!" I defended.

"Alright alright. He waved. Oiwa, it's a good name." He said.

It was nice hearing it from his mouth.

---

"i'll just write a little and then stop procrastinating on that on other thing"
More Sword-Lore-Tism, it tees up some Tsukumo content, which I always feel doesn't get a lot of appreciation because the Grassroots network, Seija, and Sukuna are so popular.
If you caught the Horus Aximand reference, your going to Hell.

>>45635952
>>45635924
Ah, yes. Sure. indeed. All that lore and conversation? Discarded. It's a crossbreed between the Yamato and the Excalibur, so it's too cool to be drool
and I didn't understand a word to properly utilize any of that during the finale...
Also,
>picrel >>45635952
you naming one of the kids after a pogging[/spoiler ] Youkai? Bold. I like it.

>>45636330
>First Spoiler
Should have been Muramasa instead.
yeah feel free to dump any and all of it. The idea I had is that Magic Items are rare since if they become unstable, they'll become Youkai and might behave erratically, like what happened in Double Dealing Character with all the protags weapons going full auto-Youkai-killing mode, which wasn't a problem for people like Reimu or Marisa, but could be in another circumstance...
I don't know, maybe the sword gets too high on oni worship being the 'most motivated weapon fit for the one true king of Gensokyo' and starts acting all picky or something. Jumping around to everyone fighting in the solstice until it settles on it's true destined wielder: Shanghai
>Second spoiler
Thanks, I was trying to play it to Seija's tastes and Yotsuya Kaidan also has spousal abuse so it was a natural fit.

>>45636476
>Muramasa
On one hand it's a cool name, on the other all I can think about is Sephiroth's wack ass 20 foot long katana. I know his is technically named Masamune, but same shit.

>>45636476
I played Elden Ring recently, did a Vergil cosplay; it was rigged from the start -- though, I don't remember giving a detailed description, so see it as you may like it. even Sepiroth's 20ft poleblade
>second spoiler… Third, maybe? I guess?
I'm a sucker for personal drama, soooooooo...
... yeah...

>'Most motivated weapon'
The perfect weapon for the daughter of the Azure Slasher…

>>45635603
>Hanabowl
always have been, Anon.
>>45635895
glad you enjoyed, man!
Can't answer that, it'd ruin the surprise~
>>45635910
only way to make a diamond out of this lump of coal is through sheer fucking pressure, so good luck pumping the tears to eleven! The contents of that letter have been bugging me for forever now...

>>45630313
>spoiler
It's fine, I'll just work it in later.
What I care far more about is the fact that I've added another name to my list. First Mimanon, then Aliceanon, and now Yuukanon

>>45635952
>I saw at least thirty different pronunciations of 'Tewi'.
I wonder how many Inaba are named Tewi?

who came up with this idea of the HSE itself becoming sentient, anyway?

>>45639247
Wasn't my idea for once, and I'm a schizo.

>>45639247
Idk but I like it.

>>45639247
It was a running joke from the start of the threads where we joked about Anon impregnating the building itself and it turning into a youkai, as for who wrote the first HSE chapter? idk but you can ask that rascally anon, he knows who wrote it

>>45639692
Pretty sure the HSE was started by Yukarianon.

>>45639733
So Yukari anon wrote the first HSE chapter? Guess the style matches

>>45498130

Hana felt a strong mix of emotions rage through her mind, it’d been that way ever since Yukari came in through the front door. In the typical fashion of Yukari, she went all in for what she cared about and it made Hana happy to see her mama go out of her way to bring a gift and her love. Even if the gift was a bit… way too large... Either way, it made Hana joyous as she could be, this entire party had been like a dream and while mama coming by had made things a bit tense Hana couldn’t hide the soft smile she felt.

At least that was one of the emotions she felt.

Fear was the second one, of what? Too much to count. Hana had been trying so hard to balance her love for mama with the rest of her life and friends, so why? Why did she come in now of all times and… as happy as it made her to have mama stroke her hair without having to hide anything, wasn’t she supposed to keep it secret? She loved everyone here, and Tewi she supposed, while it was great that they weren’t rejecting her or mama outright the tension in the air and the sparks flying could only be missed by the deaf and blind. It was a bit embarrassing to be seen clinging to Yukari’s side, but she was scared of what would happen if she wasn’t there to keep mama protected from the hostile glares.

Sorrow was the third, sorrow at a good few things out of her control. How everyone glared at mama, and for what? Hana knew why, it was hard to understand mama after all and it spoke of their bond that Hana could so easily see her heart. Still, she was sad that Yuuka, Marisa, Alice, and even Sanae all treated her so coldly… speaking of which where was Aya? Didn’t matter she supposed. All of them treated Hana so tenderly just earlier, she just wishes they could see mama like she did and give mama even a fraction of that love. Mama would love it, and while Hana would never say it but she suspected mama didn’t really have any friends… And so, Hana’s sorrow bit into her mood as she watched the misunderstandings pile up, she’d just have to be there after to comfort mama.

The fourth, and most perplexing, was a quiet anger at them. Hana told herself that they simply didn’t know mama like she did, that they were just misunderstanding things, that after mama got her way all this could be resolved and… Hana shoo’d away the more inappropriate thoughts. Still, this misunderstanding could be resolved so easily, yet they refuse to give mama a chance! To what end were they so bullheaded? A simmering heat found itself in her heart, why did Yuuka make such scathing accusations?! She didn’t miss some of the other sour gazes that were thrown at mama either, each one upset in her in a way that she’d never thought she’d feel directed at the women that treated her so kindly.

Hana kept a lid on it however, a simple thing that she nevertheless took pride in; it was something her mother could never do. There was one thing she couldn’t keep a lid on truth be told, her embarrassment.


It just so happened that Hana had a weakness: being the center of attention while everyone sang at her. It was why now that she was seated at Alice’s table with a large double decker cake, as wide as Mamizou’s tale, Hana’s face couldn’t help but be flushed red as the syrupy strawberries Alice must have had preserved and tucked away for just such occasions.

The table in front of Hana was stuffed with the cake in the center, cleaned off of other foods and plates stacked up ready to serve everyone. The candles on the cake burned brightly around the decorated words of ‘Happy birthday, Hana!’ written in a jelly like frosting Hana had never seen outside sweet shops before. Around the table was everyone standing around singing that silly tune, at the very least the smiles towards her were genuine. Though she could still feel the tension as besides her stood mama not more than a foot away, she could practically feel the eyes avert their gaze from mama to focus on her.

>>45640322

Even Kosuzu, Aunn, and the inaba had all woken up from their naps and joined in the singing, which only helped to make her face redder as she smiled stupidly, the emotions she felt earlier all but gone. This was the first time she’s ever had a party like this after all, birthdays had always been a small and often unpleasant affair for her. On the best ones father could whisk her and Aunn away and walk around the village together before getting mother drunk enough to pass out early on oni sake. On the rest…

Hana’s thoughts were cut off just as the painful memories threatened to resurface as she felt a hand on her shoulder, she glanced up and just as sure as she heard her silken voice she saw her dainty and gloved hand perch itself like a bird . As everyone reached the last line of ‘happy birthday to you, dear Hana. Happy birthday to you~!’ she couldn’t help but resist letting her teeth gleam in the light as her face lit up like the midday sun as those terrible memories were blown away. Even though this party was far from tranquil Hana was, for this moment, at peace.

As the song ended and Alice approached with the wide serving knife, Hana couldn’t help salivate at the sight of such a delicacy being carved just for her. Today was a first for many things that she learned growing up others took for granted. In that moment she felt resolute as she gave a ‘thank you’ to Alice, and everyone there with a smile unencumbered by the reality of the situation. That smile wasn’t returned in full; they still weren’t at ease around mama. As Alice gave her pick of the cake and served Hana a generous slice there was a small hope, a hope that today won’t turn out like so many of her birthdays in the past, that despite everything those she loved would play nice and that mama would in turn.

Just once she wanted a day where she could smile surrounded by people she loved, that would be a taste that made even the cake pale in sweetness.

Not to hold things up but i'm gonna finish up tomorrow.
Hana's trauma rondo has only just begun!

>>45640337
I'll npt forgive you for these blue balls, scatman

>>45638080
>spoiler
heh, you count these too? I do the same because it remembers me of that first puss in boots movie

>>45640327
>>45640322
this girl ain't right, the parasitism is in full force; at least the other hags are holding well for the sake of their retarded daughter...
Gap hag deserves all the bullying she gets!

>>45639790
yep
though, if you want to make it sound confusing, you could say momijianon wrote the first HSE chapter. Should quench the hearts of Anons that got sadge because Momiji didn't get pregnant after the marathon of forest sex

>>45639247
I know one of the recent mentions of it just before the first sekai chapter was the sagume anon having doremy and sagume discuss the possibility

>>45640327
yuuka has her job cut out for her, damn

THREE MONTHS OF THE PROJECT! NICE~!
here's my tribute for the writers to commemorate it! Thanks everyone, hope you enjoy!
https://files.catbox.moe/fh6n4e.webm
sorry if I forgot anyone, will remember to put them in the next…
… trust me~

>>45645247
Very cute, RIP patchy/meiling/reisen anon

>>45645247
Top-notch work! The cops will never catch me.

>>45645303
>spoiler
those kids WILL be avenged!

>>45645247
Good centering, multiple targets in frame, enough red to qualify for the color bonus...
Oh, but you missed the timing on Yukari's summon circle. 11200 points; not enough to clear the spell. Better try again!
Nice job as always. I never thought a shitpost would go so far but I thank you all for being part of this 3-month spiral into insanity.

>>45646514
that calls for the OGAbuseanon response: get shitfaced drunk
arigathanks! Same, just so fucking fun, you get to write unspeakable acts AND do it with cools anons!

>>45645247
>in loving memory of
>immediately block meiling's portrait behind everyone else
how could you do this to her?

>>45647377
>0.2 seconds of screentime
>immediately nuked by ran/sagume nuke into obscurity
it's her manga all over again... I blame Meilinganon for that

>>45640327

To everyone’s chagrin, and Hana’s barely concealed delight, she soon found herself sitting on Yukari’s lap after a quick word of ‘stand up for a minute Hana dear~’. It was surreal to say the least, being fed cake by mama in front of all her friends without a care in the world. If it wasn’t for the blush in her face heating her up she’d very much think she was dreaming… and if not for the pointed glares being cast at mama.

Most everyone was split up into little groups thankfully enough, Hana wasn’t sure she could handle another affection session like before, or being sang to again. Despite how happy it made her; Hana was acutely aware of how embarrassing it was being fed by hand. Hana took a sip of tea while Yukari treated her like a child going ‘say ahhh~’, the earnest, if not rather smug, gaze of her mother convinced her to play along. The cake itself was delicious and her mother’s gentle strokes along her back set her at ease to the point Hana could feel herself melting into her lap.

That blissful basking was short lived, it was way too embarrassing to be coddled like this in front of everyone, just too much! At the signs of Hana getting up Yukari purred, “Have I made you uncomfortable, Hana dear~?”

Yukari did not ask that question quietly despite that seductive undertone she loved taking with, Hana knew that the eyes of those most critical: Yuuka, Marisa, and Sanae would be watching with various levels of feigned disinterest. As if to illustrate the point the three, who were chatting at their little corner of the table, quieted down as the daggers stared could pass for that silver haired maid’s danmaku.

Under that pressure and in the moment Hana could only mutter while shaking her head, “N-no, I uhh… just have to go to the toilet is all!” is all Hana choked out with a nervous smile as she walked off into the hallway attached to the living room. She couldn’t bear to meet the gaze of the three women who undoubtably were looking down upon her like she was some piece of dirt for sucking up so harddespitehercommitmenttothemandtherewasnodoubtinhermindthat- The slurry of thoughts that pushed itself through her head as she tried her hardest to keep herself outwardly normal looking were cut off by Aunn calling out from between two of the inaba, “Ah, hurry back Hana-chan, I wanna see all the gifts you got~!”

With a smile and wave, she quickly escaped the eyes of everyone that must surely be staring her down, furious at her betrayal and cozying up to the women that even Hana herself considered an enemy just a few weeks ago. As she reached the relative quiet of the hallway, then the bathroom beyond after passing by Mima and Mamizou sharing tall tales to a suitably impressed Kosuzu and nibbling cake.

She walked up to the sink after quickly closing the door behind her, collecting herself as she leaned on the simple yet well maintained wooden basin. She looked up into the mirror, staring at her still reddened face. Unconsciously she started fixing her hair and patting down the stray hairs that stubbornly stuck out here and there. This calmed her somewhat and she regained some composure, there was no way they’d be doing something like making fun of her behind her back. Not the friends she’s worked so hard to make, e-even if she did betray their trust, she could explain everything and… she didn’t want to lose them so she’d have to pull herself together and face them!

Hana slapped her cheeks as she stared into the mirror, pulling her mind further out of the mud of self-doubt and anxiety. That’s right! She just needs to march out there again and explain everything there is about mama’s good intentions! Marisa and Yuuka are real smart so they’ll understand the genius of the plan, Sanae is a real good person and has the biggest heart so she’d understand that her intentions are true, Aunn and Alice would take a little persuading but if Hana earnestly explained it then they’d start getting along in no time! It may not have much of a plan, but Hana trusted them and she knew that if she just tried a little harder then everyone would be happy!

>>45647554

With a nod to the mirror and determination filling her eyes she turned around after running some water from the sink and freshened up a bit. That blush and anxiety were blown away by her resolve, she’d make them all understand, and while they might not become friends, she’d make them understand each other! She just… had to make sure not to mention the other side of their relationship… Even though Hana would love for them to accept her like that too, it was one step at a time!

The sights and sounds of the party resounded once again in her head as she stepped back into the living room proper, now looking her best and feeling it too. Much like she left it, the women were still in their separate groups, with a pang of guilt for leaving her side Hana saw how mama was so isolated despite flagging down Kosuzu and having what seemed like a little bit of catch up with the outwardly amicable girl.

As she approached the table a sudden thought formed, if she wanted to get everyone as friends and have a chance to get them in an open dialogue without the pointed banter all she had to do was show off to everyone how much mama earnestly loved her! That giant present was clearly the way forward, as there was no way that this could go wrong!

>>45647558
>>45647554
Hana…
if I didn't know of the utter obliteration of sanity this girl has gone through, I'd be feeling a lot of second-hand embarrassment right now. Poor girl…
bulking up that cathartic payoff, though!

>>45647558
>>45647554
surprising how Yuuka didn't just exploded with jealousy seeing Yukari spoon-feeding Hana

>>45628875 (3/3—p2)
—
Meeting Flandre was… terrible. Firstly, I fell on my butt, wholly thrown off by Gensokyo's most unstable nuclear device just popping at our doorstep. Then I had to make a Hakurei uniform from scratch without utilizing others as measurements because of the intrinsic lust magic inside—I doubt Yukari would want a Flandre feeling that—; it was stressful indeed…

But that was just the first contact.

Like the maid, I could barely resist pampering her when Yukari and Remilia-sama began talking, leaving her completely by the wayside. Who'd have thought a nuke could be so cute? I warmed to her rather quickly, even with our sparse interactions, and though dealing with her IS always a chore… not every chore needs to be dreaded. I go through the Gap and into her room, interestingly not a replica of her bedroom, rather a bedroom fitting for a princess: massive windows let fake sunlight bathe the room in warm gold, tender colors and toys of all kinds spread around—even a small indoor swimming pool with colored, animal-themed buoys floating on it~

There's a strange sense of peace and care put in the making of this room… Yukari…

"Ran!" Chen yells, running up to me from the bed, a big smile on her face—

—Same for the four Flandres that followed. "Hello!" "Hi~!" And others threw at me, taking but a moment for me to be surrounded by the five excited girls.

"Good afternoon, Chen, Flandre—how are you doing?" I crouch to look them in the eyes, my sleeves together.

"Great~! It's so fun to play with Flan-chan and Sakuya-san!" Speaking of the maid, her presence surged on my side, perfect and elegant as ev—she wore a pointy wizard's hat, akin to Marisa's, holding a wand with a shining star on its end and dressed in a starry blanket. Her eyes looked dead.

Frowning, I notice now Chen is dressed just as weirdly; she looked like a court jester, a colored mini-guitar on her back, smile like the fake sun outside.

The Flandres wore similar fashion: one clad in fake heavy armor, a toy Flamberge—hm…? oh! Heh—in her hands; another had 'antlers’, these being her wings pressed against her nape; one wore her Yakumo uniform inside-out, the whole thing white and a staff of ‘gold’ in her hands; the last was adorned in black towels, holding one of Sakuya's knives, visibly dulled.

I gawked at Sakuya, who, calm as to hide an immense horror for being seen like that, spoke, "Young Mistress wanted to play pretend with her new cat friend."

"It's not pretend!" The cleric Flandre intervened, pouting. "It's RPG—Rolling Pin Game!"

"I'm sorry, Young Mistress—we're playing a game of rolling pins."

"We saw it in one of those things Meiling-san likes to read and decided to try it out! We have an entire party~!" Chen clarified, even though she looked mad at the maid for just calling her 'a cat'.

"But we don't have a big baddie… Like, we have. But he's invisible. And there's no fun in beating an invisible enemy, you know?" The warrior Flan sighed, hitting her toy sword against her face; the druid Flan gave her little taps on the back—

— "Care to join us as a ‘big baddie’, Lady Ran?" Sakuya suddenly offered, my head whipping towards her, a small smile in that perfectly punchable face barely noticeable. I was quick to try explaining the one hundred motives I had to NOT do it, mainly that I'd come here to simply check, but then I met Chen's sparkling gaze, her expression beaming with excitement; all that reflected on the Flandres' faces. I couldn't say a word. Sakuya looked victorious. "… I take your silence as a yes?"

I sighed, desiring a lot to pinch the bridge of my nose—

"Yes, please, yes, yes…" Chen muttered lowly, hands together as if praying.

"O-Of course. I'd love to."

—

I'm the dragon.

I expected some evil kitsune of legends. But no, they chose a European dragon. My tails struggled, all clamped together as to simulate one gigantic tail; white, pristine clothes replaced by a leather trench-coat Sakuya got from the Yama knows where, hat gone and ears simulating horns, face painted to look menacing… I doubt rice powder and copious amounts of red lipstick can make one look imperiling, but oh well. Tired and still, I waited for Flandre's party to finish the dungeon—meaning they'd open the curtains of the bed—sat on top of a pile of gold that I gapped from an undisclosed human bank.

… Ugh, the powder itches.

—the curtains opened. Finally, only took half an hour… "There! The evil dragon!" Warrior Flan uttered, pointing her toy sword at me, her whole party following behind—Sakuya blinked for a second, a camera in her hands. In the next, it was gone.

Embarrassed, slowly I pulled out slightly from my sleeve a piece of paper containing my lines, cleared my throat, and said, "Rawr."

"Its mind is gone; for the gold, battle we must! Beast, bygone!" Chen sang, the rhyme heinous—yet all Flandres nodded and uttered a cute war cry.

Onto my second line… "Rawr!" With an exclamation mark, as it's supposed to be much more ferocious—

>>45653229 (3/3—p3)
—
Against an invisible enemy, they must've fought as you'd expect: with dices, turns, paper, and imagination. Through my limited experience—I saw their things spread out on the bed while my face was abused by cosmetics—I expected that…

… Then again, I'm not exactly invisible.

"I cast firebolt!" Sakuya yelled, a knife leaving her 'staff' and flying to me—exploding into flames of sudden friction. I had to dodge, eyes wide, gold pile hit, having no time to argue the barely explained rules as a massive toy sword descended upon me, another dodge as the very floor cracked open. Red 'lighting spears' poured from behind, a gap opening—

—Gaps consumed in red death, and the next dodge saved me from Flan's destruction—

Assassin Flan was expecting, coming out of the shadows with the dexterity and sneaking capacities of an elephant; meaning I caught her, spun her as if a saloon trick and threw the laughing mess of a 520-year-old vampire onto Warrior Flan already ramming at me again, the both of them flying into the pool and causing a big splash of water upwards. A tiger of red flames tried chomping my tails away, and it was destroyed by a pressured jet of ocean water from the depths of the Pacific. "Oi, dragons don't breathe water!" Druid Flan said with a loud laugh.

"Her mother must've been a sea serpent, young Mistress!" Sakuya pondered, an arch of spinning knives above her head gathering kinetic force as to generate those flames of before.

All the while, Chen was playing a cool music, eyes shining, hardly managing to conceal her laughter.

Huffing and puffing, watching the Warrior and Assassin Flan leave the pool, I noticed turns and paper wouldn't be used. A shame, really; from the looks of it, there were lots of arithmetic considered in the background…

… Still, if that's how we're doing things, I better be my best dragon. For Chen's enjoyment, that is. Of course.

I rise from the ground, wings made out of gaps sprawling at my back, gazing from above the 'heroes', scaly trench-coat swaying in the wind, a troubadour-like speech forming in my head as the make-up on my face went aflame, now unfeigned menace…

Then I recalled I was a dragon and condensed that speech into one single word: "Rawr!"

At the sound of Chen's out-of-tune guitar, the true battle began.

Knives rained, much more than the simple arch Sakuya had above her head, flames mortal; consumed by Gaps, the knives turned against their master, pouring down on Sakuya. A blink and she was gone—

—red lighting roared just as bats of red fire swarmed, geysers of scalding water—not aimed at the girls, of course—snuffed the scarlet flames as I dodged down onto the earth, closing distance with the heroes in a matter of moments. "YOU'LL BE SLAIN, BEAST!!" A cute cry and a sword aimed for the head, claws of blood-shot eyes holding the sword as its inertia coursed through me, my body feeling as if hit by a train, ankles sinking into the floor. Still, with the grip on the blade, I rose Warrior Flan above my head and launched her at Chen, keeping the toy sword as another batch of flames tried licking my skin, yet only managing one of my wings, now burning in red crimson. Red lighting pelted, but was redirected by currents of water streaming from Gaps on the sword's edge. I was in front of Cleric Flan and ready to—

—A glistening blue knife met my Flamberge, Sakuya there, staring at me with a challenging grin. "Only above my rotting corpse!" A close-quarters battle commenced with the mage.

Chen, recovering from the Warrior Flan missile, helped her back on her feet, watching. "Wasn't she a mage?"

"A battle mage~" Warrior Flan said, ripping one of the bed's pylons for her new weapon and rushing towards me, still engaged in combat with Sakuya and unable to leave, the woman's finesse with the pointy thing like that of a butcher's hook—then a smaller knife joined the fray, Assassin Flan, and a third, though a wooden pylon hardly classifies as a weapon.

Still, against three weapons and under constant scarlet fire and lighting, red animals of the most fantastical joining too, I knew I had to finish this before getting overwhelmed.

Chen's guitar grew into a crescendo, or an attempt at it. It didn't change her massive smile.

Finding a small breach, a gap took over the entirety of the sword's edge, Sakuya noticing, and, before she could think properly, a tsunami flooded the whole room in all directions; Sakuya having to stop time and get the girls to the only safe place: the chandeliers—according to plan!

Taking them by surprise, sword liquefied, I rushed the party of heroes in extenuating close-quarters, easily destroying defenses and incapacitating one by one—Warrior Flan with a pat on the head; Assassin Flan a rapid tickling attack; Druid and Cleric Flan with a massage on the shoulders, and was already on top of Sakuya, gaps between my fingers melting her knives, about to beat her with a good—

—a lute hit my head, and I halted, looking at Chen…

>>45653236 (3/3—p4)
—
A long second of silence echoed, the destructive seawater rushing beneath almost deafening. Everyone's eyes were upon me and Chen—Sakuya barely concealing her laughter, the Flans expecting, hopeful, as if this was a true adventure; totally enchanted—, and above it, Chen had the biggest eyes, her chest swelling in anticipation…

I held it for one more moment for dramatics.

… Then I fell limp, defeated by the party’s bard, wings of Gaps dematerializing into a million Gap butterflies. Chen sucked up air, huffed, and, a moment later, threw herself on top of me. "I DEFEATED THE DRAGON!" She yelled, maniacally laughing and cuddling frantically with my tails. Joyous exasperation spread like a virus:

"THE DRAGON MIGHT MOVE!!"

"DON'T LET HER!"

Four more heroic bodies suddenly stacked on top of mine, and I gasped loudly. The heroes piling on top of me could've been considered a pretty incredible power move—

—I looked at Sakuya, who held a camera and had the smuggest grin. "Will you keep doing that…?" I groaned, embarrassed.

"Will you keep being extremely cute with the young Mistress and her feline associate?" She asked, taking off her witch’s hat and the magical starry blanket with a sigh of relief. The girls—three Flandres gone, remaining only Warrior Flan—discussed how incredible the campaign was and that they should do it again. Though I was much more focused on the room under us and the mess it had become, another groan left me.

it'll take a lot of Gaps to fix—

We were suddenly on the bed, and the whole bedroom was pristine looking—thousands of gallons of seawater gone, even the pool was filled with new and crystal-clear water, toys not replaced but indeed repaired—just like it was when I got here.

Wide-eyed for a moment before realization came to the forefront, I looked at a standing Sakuya by the bed, a teatray with four fuming teacups and a bunch of cookies in her hands, her posture and constitution, as always, perfect and elegant.

I huffed, taking one of the cups, the same as Chen and Flan, though these two preferred to go down on the cookies. "How much time was that, Maid-san?"

"About two days of work, Shikigami-san. Not the worst." Oh. All by her lonesome? By the Dragon God, this woman…

Rapidly finishing their cookies and tea, Chen and Flan began discussing what to play next, so I quickly finished my cup and got up. "It seems you're fine enough, Flandre, Sakuya. Keep taking good care of my Chen, please—" The bakeneko pouted, blushing at my words. Cute~ "And if you need anything, be sure to ask. I must leave now to continue my duties."

"Thanks for playing with us!" Two missiles hit me, and I couldn't resist petting their heads. Sakuya had a warm smile on her face, not pulling up the camera this time… That I saw.

"Come play again anytime!" Flandre offered, and Chen nodded frantically, smile toothy.

"It was a pleasure, sweethearts~I'll be sure to do it." Not so soon, of course… Flandre, after all, hits like a goddamn truck.

Waving goodbye with a soft smile, I left the bedroom through a Gap, reminiscing about the last minutes with great fondness, understanding a bit better why Yukari seemed to favor Flandre much more than the others—and it was nice to get my mind off the worst aspects of this place, even if for a mere hour…

… But my next check-up swore to destroy that, leaving my throat sore and an inherent rage growing inside.

Konngara, the Oni, was next.

—
just a little silly thing as I finish the Keine mega finale and wait the present unwrapping~

>>45653246
>>45653236
>>45653229
A nice little side story, real cute and interesting how Ran actually did want to play a real game of DnD.
I wonder what Sakuya did will all gold and sea water?

>>45653512
she was very stressed! Some DnD can always help in that matter
>I wonder what Sakuya did will all gold and sea water?
the water she drank probably manipulated the space of it into being capable of fitting inside a glass or something and threw it away at Gensokyo's 'ocean', and the gold will look well in Remi's vault!

>>45653644
I can't believe waggy is gonna die from the sudden increase in salinity!

>>45629543 (48/?)

“It’s official, she’s lost her mind.”

Sariel levels Shinki a look, “You have only now realized that?”

Shinki gestures to the giant hell pool sword, “I always knew that woman had a few screws loose, but… I mean come on! I just don’t understand it. Does she honestly think that this will end well for her?”

Sariel doesn’t answer and instead stares off towards the pool of sin. Idly, Shinki ponders what would happen if she took a dip into the water. The pool is vast, but not infinite. Shinki could likely handle the power it contained and with it finish-

Ow! Something just hit Shinki on the back of her head, hard. “Sarieeeeeeeeeel that hurt why would you do that to me.”

The fallen angel looks unimpressed, “You were thinking something supremely stupid.”

Shinki gasps and clutches at her chest, “You wound me, I would never! That being said hear me out-”

Sariel cuts her off, “No.”

Ignoring the angel of death, Shinki continues. “If I took a little dip in there, I could probably absorb enough of the faith and sin to prevent the sword from properly forming. It’d be like… sucking out all the egg stuff so a chick starves. And with that eggy power, I could-”

Sariel again cuts Shinki off. “Alice gets it from you, though even she’d not be deranged enough to suggest something like that. Do you honestly think you could take on that faith tied to sin and not be warped by it? We worked hard to get to this point and you are willing to give that away?”

Shinki looks off into the vastness of Old Hell sheepishly, “Well… when you put it like that it’s… it was a joke! Haha, tricked you.”

Sariel ignores that comment, “I can’t imagine anyone will able to handle that thing when it’s formed. There’s no way Yukari wins here. If she attempts to wield it, surely it will be the master and her the slave and if it reforms Ibaraki-douji then that beast will turn on Yukari.”

Growing more serious Shinki replies, “Eccentricities aside, Yukari is a crafty woman. Even if she’s prone to tunnel vision, the danger posed by the sword should be apparent. I would not rule out her developing some sort of countermeasure to be able to control the blade.”

Sariel frowns, “Maybe, maybe, but that sword is not something a sane woman would even try to control. It is to a soul eater, I can that much already from how its magic taking shape and if she were to feed it the souls of any of the major powers of Gensokyo it would be entirely uncontainable.”

Shinki shrugs, “That still could mean that she only plans to use it as a threat or she may have some sort of plan to take the soul out of the sword before it becomes a problem. I wouldn’t put such a thing past the gap hag.”

Sariel looks unconvinced, “That thing will have a will of its own, it won’t be some tool that does whatever it’s supposed to without thought. Wrestling a soul from it would be like attempting to tear a juicy steak away from a wild dog.”

Shinki perks up at that and helpfully provides, “Or an infant away from a pitbull named princess.”

Sariel stares Shinki in the eyes as she says, “She. Gets. It. From. You.”

Shinki smirks, “Be that as it may, it seems like she’ll be the first to get a man.”

Sariel huffs, “I wouldn’t call an abuse victim turned prostitute a choice partner.”

Leaning over, Shinki pulls Sariel into an embrace, “You said the same thing about me and look where we are now. Love is love no matter what.”

Fighting back a blush Sariel replies, “‘Where we are’ is a cliff overlooking a massive demon sword created by an insane rapist pimp magician to devour the souls of major Youkai and Gods.”

Sariel suddenly frowns, “A magician with whom the powers that be have committed fornication. A magician who made drunk the commonfolk with her fornication. A woman arrayed in her traditional purple and the scarlet of the Hakurei she has so carefully shaped. A woman of great wealth and opulence who holds a building, one could symbolically call a cup of her filth and fornication… perhaps those lackeys of hers are the kings who do not yet hold kingdoms? The other symbolism fails me for now, but…”

Shinki replies, “Well I always wanted an excuse to call Yukari a whore. Do you think it’s intentional? She’s not one to do such a thing, but then again I would say the same about all of this.”

Sariel answers, “Does it matter? Symbolism and belief can shape a being if they will it or not. You of all people should know that well.”

Shinki nods before ruffling through her bag, “Right, we can discuss this later. For now, we should get this done in time to get to the party before it’s over. It would be a shame to give Makai’s gift late.”

Sariel doesn’t reply as the two of them get to work on the self-destructive magical circles. Truly it is a stroke of luck that there is a famous blade tied to dragons in the west. Without it, warping the development of Yukari’s abomination would be far harder.

>>45654240
No wonder all her daughters turned into autismos, her moms a lesbian and they were raised by them!

>>45654240
oh, so Shinki is coming to the party? That I didn't know. Will be adding it to the pastebin~
also
>all that talk about Yukari having countermeasures for the sword
>they know this is one of Yukari's most ambitious projects
>still fucks with it
is she… Is Shinki okay? That just seems like the making of a pun where the punchline is that the bomb explodes in the person's face
Also, what's the sword tied to dragons? It escapes this smooth brain of mine…
thanks for the chapter!

>>45654140
it's just an increase of 0.0001%, man! It's basically nothing! Massive ecosystem damage? Preposterous.

>>45653246
Very Flandre for them to make a pillow fort in a elegantly and expensively crafted room.
Are you planning on a room for Seija/Goro? I have some ideas for it after next post, but could just as well stash those and use them for an SDM chapter instead.Also prepare for some Yamawaro bickering about barracks construction.

>>45654657
>Now to the ascent of that steep savage hill
>Satan had journeyed on, pensive and slow;
>But further way found none, so thick entwined,
>As one continued brake, the undergrowth
>Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed
>All path of man or beast that passed that way.
>One gate there only was, and that looked east
>On the other side: which when the arch-felon saw,
>Due entrance he disdained;
I don't know why I remember analyzing this stanza for school, but I do. As such, I'm using it in my characterization of Shinki. Though to be fair, wanting to undermine the development of your enemy's soul-eating sword isn't a terrible idea.
Excalibur, but swords of selection in general. Something something, sword of the Dragon God destined for the one that shall restore his order. The idea being to either make the sword reject Yukari or far more likely shift the faith directed at the sword in two opposite directions to destabilize it.

>>45654799
>>45654799
>Are you planning on a room for Seija/Goro?
Ran mentioned that she had something for them in her chapter

>>45654809
of famous myth there was also was also the sword of St. George

>>45654835
Gram too, there's a fair number of myths that Shinki could patch together.

>>45654809
thanks!
>Though to be fair, wanting to undermine the development of your enemy's soul-eating sword isn't a terrible idea.
fair enough, and the bounce back should be fun~
>spoiler
I see, makes sense. Will play nicely on what I was planning! Thanks for the explanation!

>>45654799
like the main shrine, it's just pocket gaps of manipulated space; without a massive protection barrier and time-dilatation that is, though everything inside follows the philosophy of 'fake ambience only if you know of it'
>first spoiler
wasn't planning, since they go around so often and aren't part of Yukari's main circle; but seeing how she has softened to the retards in the sword chapters, then I could fit a Seija/Goro easily.
>second spoiler
Sakuya's compulsive perfectionism and desire to make everything perfect will straighten these lazy 130 centimeters tall underpaid and overworkd menaces!

>>45655077
>wasn't planning, since they go around so often and aren't part of Yukari's main circle
My perspective on how Yukari see's the duo goes from "disposable, potentially dangerous gift-wrapped upstarts to pump and dump" to "Another useful asset in my toolbelt." Although you can read between the lines on how much of that is her being pragmatically cold and her craving for validation and affection. The duo don't have layers of conspiracy and history like other people in her circle, so it could also be that she has subconscious desires to mentor students in a healthier way then what Hana is going through or that she wants to be praised by people who aren't so closely linked to the Anon Hyperbolic Love Triangle.
tl;dr: while Flan soothes Yukari's motherly instinct Seija/Goro satisfy her desire to be seen as a benevolent teacher as well as a nice distraction from people who aren't riding Anon, even if she consciously still thinks of them as tools.