[-]Why are we even talking about this? We both agree Satori's our best bet for getting home, so we should concentrate on cracking the urban legend puzzle. If that doesn't pan out, then consider other options, but we shouldn't split our focus.

You're still a little off balance, from your injuries to dealing with Koishi and Satori to everything else going on in Gensokyo, but you do get where Sumi's coming from. It's a serious situation, one where she can't blast her way out through pure magical firepower, and she feels responsible for it. And she has a point in that what's best for the two of you would be to get home, regardless of how that's accomplished. You don't blame her for that, but at the same time, you can't agree. Satori needs your help, and you're her best if not only chance of fixing Koishi. What good is magical power if you can't make a difference with it?

But you won't make any headway with that argument against Sumi. She'd roll her eyes, call you an idealist, and point out that you've known Satori for less than twenty-four hours total. Which would all be true without doing anything to change your mind, and leave both of you arguing past each other. Fortunately, you don't need to have this fight now, because the right thing is also the strategic thing.

Sumi, keeping options open is one thing, but let's not risk plan A because you have to have a plan B.

Well, of course not. I'm not doing anything like that.

Really? Because as you may have noticed, Satori's a mind-reader.

Which is exactly why I went to these lengths to have this conversation in private.

Let me finish! She almost certainly knows you don't trust her, and while I don't think that actually bothers her, if you start making plans on how to escape Gensokyo while ignoring her sister, she would absolutely notice, and probably take it as a betrayal. And honestly, you think such a reaction would be justified, but let&#

Previous >>201720

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The image of the merchant’s fat face was one that seemed to be burned into Kenji’s mind. For a moment, it was all that the beast could think about. Why? Well, jumping a little back in the story, Gotoh—if the name is to be recalled—had entered a fruitful partnership with the self-exiled gangster. Both had profited immensely, with Kenji skimming off the top of lucrative new ventures fomented by a mixture of beastly cunning and ingenuity. Indeed, he had been one of the main beneficiaries of the festival and would profit from a multi-layered scheme of brokerage fees and commission. Even if sales were abysmal, as they might be after the youkai-initiated brawl, the venture had already generated sizeable earnings.

In other words, Gotoh would win no matter what.

As would Yachie. Kenji knew that for sure. That was the brilliance of the Kiketsu stratagem. Appreciating its intricacies was not really at the fore of the beast’s tired mind, however. He was tired, bloodied and a very sharp claw had just penetrated deep into his chest.

It had not been a deliberate lowering of his guard that allowed this grievous injury. Not in the sort of sense that martyrs are lionized for welcoming. In cold, rational terms, he could not resist effectively anymore. His movements were slow. His counters predictable. His zeal lacking. Many facts could be pointed at and used as an explanation. Cold rationality and explanations could not, however, reveal the truth of the matter.

Perhaps the White Lotus’ teachings had had more of an impact on his way of thinking than the beast would care to admit. That revelation would gladden the priestess, no doubt. Certainly the awesome display she had produced when facing Saki had created unexpressed relief in the beast’s mind. He was appreciated and belonged where he chose to be. In summary: Kenji Yajuu had accepted a truth within him that could be described in scripture but only understood by a readied mind.

All of that was why the smirk did not leave his lips even as Yoko delivered a would-be deathblow. That there was no he

Another short outside of /shorts/. One part a day for a week 'til it’s all posted.

Daily updates until we're done. Part of nanowrimo 2020. Be wild when voting~

[x] Forge ahead anyway. There's nothing in particular going on right now, Sumi's occupied with her helicopter flight; this is a chance to understand Satori better.

You give a mental shrug. If you don't ask now, you probably never will. "Does reading minds bother you?"

"If you haven't noticed, reading minds is essentially what defines me, and it's an incredible advantage. You can tell by how I haven't tried to close my third eye."

"Something can be useful, helpful, and overall a good thing, and still be incredibly frustrating at times." Like Sumireko, not that you were stupid enough to say that out loud.

"How many ways can I possibly signal that I don't want to have this conversation? I know you aren't this dense, Greg."

"For crying out loud. You're acting more off than Sumi is, and I'm worried about you."

"By pushing on a sensitive subject? That's a fascinating way of showing your concern."

"It's not that simple, just..." you stop, frustrated. It's that people tend to be more honest when they're off balance. The Satori you know is polite, dry, and witty, with the occasional burst of verbal savagery, and all that's well and good, but you're pretty sure she's burying her own feelings. She doesn't talk about herself, and if you press on it, she either goes clinical, in the same way a medical doctor would talk about a corpse, or she deflects, like she has now. You know she's deflecting, and because she's a mindreader, she knows you know she's deflecting, and she's still deflecting!

So yes, you're pushing. You're pushing bluntly to try and get her to open up, because what else is there to even do? You could try something subtle, but Satori would just read your mind for your motives and call you out on it.

"If you're going to carry on like that, could you go think somewhere else?"

"Sorry, is reading my thoughts bothering you?"

Satori is halfway to answering yes before she stops, apparently remembering your or

Prologue:

His mother was dead.

He didn't know to feel relief or a pity. Ever since he was born in this prison-like body, she had loved him. Shielding him from the worse of his father's excesses, even when he came home drunk and reaching for the belt. Giving him love, smiles, and warmth, in a world of cruel children and neglectful adults. And she was dead.

His father would come home soon. More beatings. More jeers from the other children. And no one would care.

What did he have in this life? Nothing. No friends. Not family. And not even a healthy body. He was going to die. Either starving to death on the street, murdered when his body failed him again, or maybe being beaten to death. Or worse. Sold. No, he would go out his own way. That way, he would have his own choice.

He picked up his crutches and backpack. He didnt have much in this life, but he wouldn't die alone. At least, he would have something with him when he passed into the afterlife. Just a few books, a few precious keepsakes, and a few more mementos.

~

"Well, this is new." he thought. The forest he had walked into now seemed distinctly more dangerous. Old wives tales of ghosts and demons, horror stories children shared with one another, and tales of myth and exploration he had read in the long hours in the library hidden from his tormentors

The winding trail had long since disappeared, and the air had twisted and twitched somehow. It was no longer the humid, warm summer air. No, the air was colder now, biting, drier. It was almost like winter. But how? His sweat dried and stuck to his skin, the cool air now making him shiver. He looked behind him. The path was gone. He was still leaving footprints on the ground, now slightly soggy with dew. But... He leaned down at the point where his footprints began, slowly prodding the ground with his crutch. The ground was soft and would form an imprint. And yet, looking at the marks on the ground, its as if he had dropped from the sky into the middle of the path and then started walking.

The wind blew again, rustling the trees and leaves around him, and he shivered. Something had happened. Something had br

A friendly land where the days are bright, the nights are beautiful, and sounds of fear and joy resound around as we all live as if safety was not a lie.

Welcome to Gensokyo.

Hello Dreamers!

There is a strange scarlet mist today, blocking and choking out the sun. No need to worry though, as the sun is a deadly laser and this mist is helping shield us from it today. Today’s activities can all be done without sunscreen and I’m sure the local vampires appreciate it very much.

If you’re a filthy sun lover though, Hakurei Reimu, you know, the Miko? Is currently en route to investigate the disturbance which seems to be located around a mysterious mansion.

More as the story develops…

Today’s Yokai Watch, watch out for Rumia!

A yokai of darkness that calls herself a “Human Eating Yokai”, she seems to have lost her appetite for human flesh along with most of her height and maturity. Long gone is the appearance of the blonde yankee and this yokai now spends her days wandering along the edges of the Misty Lake in a bubble of darkness.

Every so often, when the moon is brightest and the air is soft with regretful melancholy, she visits a grave with a broken kitsune mask and sits. Always quiet, she always seems confused as to why tears slip down her cheeks. As if mourning a friend forgotten and life half remembered.

This is the worst time to speak with her. Do not do this, but if you do, know that we will laugh very hard at you..

We suggest carrying raw meat to throw when you run away from her. While you may not be able to see in her darkness, neither can she.

If you want to meet her, we suggest during the day with an offering of raw meat. She prefers human meat, but says that pork or beef is fine though. In exchange,

My strongest fairy intern, Cirno attempted to stop and interview Reimu, you know, the miko? On her investigation of the Scarlet Mist. Unfortunately, during the customary Danmaku, Cirno sadly got a literal brain freeze and is now an ice sculpture. Daiyousei has picked her up and is bringing her back to defrost.

Daiyousei, my most sensible fairy, informs me that there is a mansion on

"Seriously, I want Hawaii. And I'm a physicist, I'm done being shot at. You understand that, right?"

"It's time to choose."

"You're threatening me, you took my weapons, and you're a fucking time lord. This is bullshit."

Everything's green again, big surprise. And now it's all black. Wonderful.

"Wisely done, Mr. Freeman. I will see you up ahead. Although... I may have to... call in a favor, in the meantime."

The hell is this guy talking about? I agreed to his stupid job offer, right? Why is everything still black? Did I die and this is my own personal hell? Because that would suck.

"Oh, this is unexpected. To what do I owe the honor?"

Wait, that's a woman talking. Not anyone I recognize, I don't think.

"Mrs. Yakumo, I wasss hoping to... cash in a favor, if you didn't mind."

Yakumo? Don't know anyone by that name... sounds Japanese, maybe.

"Really? Does it have anything to do with your... 'client' here?"

Client? Are they talking about me? I can speak for myself, assholes!

"You see, thissss... individual, was chosen by my, employers. However, he has proven to be most... unorthodox. I hoped that you would be, willing to... 'watch over' him until he is needed, again."

Great, they can't hear me... Wait, "watch over"? What am I, a fucking child?

"Hmm, I'm not sure, he'd probably cause all sorts of trouble in Gensokyo..."

Gensokyo? Sounds Japanese again. Oh, Christ, I'm not gonna have to learn Japanese, am I? I already know like four languages, and after the day I've had, I don't think I can bother with learning another one.

"But that means he would, fit in perfectly, yesss?"

Oh right, my future is being decided while I literally can't say anything about it. This is just the worst part of being a kid again.

"Oh, alright, you've convinced me. But only because I owe you, okay?"

"Thank y

"You can't be serious!"

Sumireko responded with a noise that she would firmly deny bore any relation to a squee. "I told you this is for real! The bake-danuki gave me Gensokyo's own Occult Ball!"


Despite your misgivings, you hid a grin. For all she loves acting above it all and making noise about her psychic powers, Sumireko looked every inch a high school girl just now. Well, apart from the animated cape and her levitating from sheer excitement. You shook your head and got back to the matter at hand. "There's no way a youkai just gives someone anything, right? We've both read up on those legends; there's always a trap or a trick, or something."

"Oh, she didn't just give it to me. I won it off of her in a duel, right above downtown!"

Even with all the notice-me-not charms Sumireko's got going on, you're still shocked that didn't make the news. "And that's another point. Every single youkai you've summoned has fought you. Why would this one be willing to give you a treasure like that? A duel isn't exactly a friendly thing."

Sumireko considered that for just a moment. "I'm pretty sure in Gensokyo it's just the long version of saying hello. But to get to the actual question, they all thought they would win, not realizing their tricks were helpless against the wisdom of humanity. Besides, the Occult Ball is clearly legitimate! I know you can feel the power coming off of it."

While you were skeptical of the rest of her argument, she isn't wrong about that last point. While Sumireko herself is radiating more power, the Gensokyo Occult Ball isn't exactly outclassed. That thing's capable of some serious sorcery. Heck, to be emitting that much magic passively and still be a long-term enchantment, it would have to be continuously drawing power from Gensokyo, which is even more evidence of her claim.

All the same, something feels a little off about the whole thing.

"I don't know, Sumi-"

"Come on, this is our chance! We can finally visit Gensokyo as we please, find more real

I awake to the thumping of my head against the train window. I don't even remember falling asleep. Not surprised I dozed off. Work has been been draining the life from me these past few months. Mandatory overtime, garbage wage, and ridiculous quotas are driving me insane. It's a miracle I can even get out of bed in the morning.

"College degree doesn't mean shit." I sigh heavily.

Outside the window, the landscape rolls by and the sun slowly sets. On normal days I'd be arriving home at four in evening but today I won't be home until at least nine. I miss when I had free time. It's hard to even get in a workout when your entire existence is consumed by work. It's a sad state when exercise is the only enjoyable hobby you have.

"Is there anyone sitting here?" I lazily turn my head to the voice. A beautiful, blonde woman, dressed in a purple dress, and holding a parasol stands smiling. I perk up. Women usually don't approach men on trains and women rarely approach me. Her outfit is a little odd though, could be some kind of cosplayer.

"Nah, here let me give you some room."

"Domo arigatou." I'm convinced she's a cosplayer. You don't often hear Japanese where I live. "Hello, my name is Yukari Yakumo. What's yours?"

"Victor Dziedzic, nice to meet you Yukari." We lock eyes momentarily. There's an unsettling amount of intelligence in her eyes. A feeling of unease settles over me.

"Don't look so uncomfortable Victor! I have a question for you. Do you yearn for a better life? Isn't so unfulfilling working a deadend job?" I scoot further away from Yukari in my seat. How could she possibly know I'm unhappy with my job? I scan the car for a way out. I can hear her chuckling. "I have a job proposition for you. Well, not me but a confidant."

"And why should I trust someone I've never met before?" Every part of my being is telling me to run. I have a death grip on my backpack.

"You can go back to living in your rundown apartmen