NOVEL WEB Chapter 36: A Japanese Goblin.
Reimu and Kusa were situated at the shrine, organizing and storing an array of wines and alcoholic beverages beneath its roof.
"It's quite surprising how popular these wines are among both yokai and humans," Reimu mused, her gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged assortment with an appreciative smile.
Kusa leaned against a shelf, a sigh escaping her lips as she reflected on the significance of alcohol in the lives of various beings. Memories of her past life emerged, scenes of people seeking solace in intoxication amidst the harshness of reality. "Alcohol seems to hold a universal appeal for those seeking a bit of excitement in their lives," she remarked, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy.
Reimu's response was marked with gratitude as she surveyed the bottles before her. "Thanks to your assistance, my earnings are steadily increasing," she acknowledged, acknowledging the role Kusa played in expanding her business.
Kusa's thoughts seemed to wander as she momentarily drifted into introspection. Reimu's words pulled her back to the present, and she realized the impact of her help. "Even without me, you possess a wealth of abilities," she assured Reimu with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting her sincerity.
Reimu's doubt lingered, her practicality overriding her self-confidence. "You think so?" she questioned, her gaze fixed on Kusa as she grappled with her self-assessment.
Kusa's response was brimming with assurance as she met Reimu's eyes with unwavering sincerity. "Absolutely. Your culinary skills, sharp intellect, and dependable nature make you a remarkable individual," she praised her words a testament to her genuine belief in Reimu's capabilities.
A mixture of emotions crossed Reimu's expression, eventually settling into a proud smile as she absorbed Kusa's words
With the crates beneath them emptied, Reimu expressed her satisfaction. "I'm done on my end," she announced, her gaze focused on the now vacant space that had held the alcohol.
"Perfect, let's head back up," Kusa responded, her ethereal light imbuing the collection with a radiant glow as she used her unique ability to enhance the quality of the alcohol. The cellar seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly brilliance.
Leaving the depths of the cellar behind, the two ascended and sealed the door securely. Reimu affixed protective amulets to the entrance, ensuring the precious contents remained undisturbed by any unwanted guests with a penchant for spirits.
Moving to the kitchen, Kusa took on the role of an instructor, guiding Reimu through the process of making chocolate using simple ingredients. Reimu observed Kusa's graceful movements and attentively followed her lead, her eyes tracing every step as Kusa worked with finesse.
"I think we've added enough sugar to the chocolates," Kusa commented, her knowledge of ingredients guiding the process. She skillfully used her plant-based magic to restore a burnt wooden surface to its original state, extinguishing the fire without much fuss.
Reimu's response was enthusiastic as she gently poured the mixture into wooden molds, ensuring precision and carefulness to prevent any spillage or overflows.
Kusa then demonstrated a unique technique to expel air from the chocolate, which involved a controlled slam of the mold onto the table. Reimu observed the process with a mixture of fascination and admiration, appreciating Kusa's finesse.
As the chocolates needed time to solidify, the two decided to pass the time by engaging in conversation on various topics. Sharing anecdotes, thoughts, and laughter, they continued to bond in the warm atmosphere of the kitchen.
When the chocolates had finally set, Kusa gauged their readiness and decided it was time to unveil the finished product. Gently removing the wooden mold, Kusa's unique abilities absorbed the mold back into her form, leaving behind perfectly shaped chocolate rectangles on the cutting board.
Kusa couldn't resist trying a piece herself, savoring the taste of the chocolate as it melted on her tongue.
"It's sweet enough... it gets my approval," Kusa affirmed, genuinely impressed by Reimu's intuitive sense for ingredient proportions.
Kusa playfully held a piece of chocolate near Reimu's lips, inviting her to taste their creation. "Want to give it a try?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Of course," Reimu replied with an intriguing expression, her gaze hinting at a playful scheme. She took a bite of the chocolate, and as Kusa prepared to provide her thoughts on potential improvements, Reimu surprised her.
Lifting her chin, Reimu leaned in and gently kissed Kusa. The unexpected gesture momentarily caught Kusa off guard, causing her to release the chocolate she held. Luckily, a leafy plant sprouted from the table, rescuing the fallen treat and placing it back onto the cutting board.
With a smile that radiated satisfaction, Reimu spoke with a teasing tone. "But this is even sweeter."
Kusa's heart raced, her mind taken aback by the unexpected but welcomed advance. She chuckled, appreciating Reimu's audacious move, and she leaned in to return the kiss.
--
Kusa and Suika sat in the rocky field, an air of boredom hanging around them. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't seem to find a shared activity that satisfied both of them. Suika reclined on a giant boulder, savoring her sake, while Kusa fiddled with the stones, attempting to create a stone garden.
Amidst the quiet ambiance, Suika suddenly broke the silence. "Hey, Kusa," she called with a mischievous grin, her eyes fixed on Kusa's stone arrangement, which seemed to be struggling to take shape.
Kusa looked up, a curious expression on her face. "What's up?"
A playful glint in her eye, Suika suggested, "How about I sing a song?"
Kusa's doubt was clear as day, evident in her surprised expression. "You can sing?"
Suika's grin widened, clearly eager to prove herself. "Yep! Just listen."
With a sip of her rice wine and a clearing of her throat, Suika prepared to sing, determined to showcase her singing abilities to Kusa. The vast rocky field provided a perfect stage for her impromptu performance.
The rocky field was bathed in the soft hues of the setting sun as Suika took a deep breath and began to sing. Her sake jug rested by her side, forgotten for the moment as she focused on her impromptu performance.
The song began with an energetic and catchy tune, Suika's voice resonating through the rocky field:
"We are the Japanese goblin!
Do you have the knight Jumping high at Oni Slayer
I am... Japanese goblin. Red, Blue, Yellow oni and more"
As the song continued, Suika's voice carried a playful rhythm:
"HIGH VIVID CHARTREUSE-GREEN Oni
Sexy medium violet oni
Purple blooming Rhododendron Oni. Lalala I wonder can we cause a pandaemonium TONIGHT?
HIGH TENSION JAPANESE GOBLIN. DRUNK, HAPPY, slowly getting tipsy. I am..."
Kusa's expression gradually changed, her irritation palpable as she listened to the lyrics. Her eyebrows furrowed and her grip on a handful of beans tightened. As Suika's singing reached its peak, Kusa's frustration reached its limit. Without hesitation, she flung the beans towards Suika, her actions speaking louder than words.
Suika's singing abruptly stopped as she was pelted with the beans. She looked at Kusa, slightly startled but with a playful smile on her face. "Oh, come on, Kusa! Don't be so uptight!"
Kusa's glare didn't waver, but a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Suika, that song is... interesting, to say the least."
Suika laughed heartily, unaffected by the beans. "I thought it would lighten the mood!"
Kusa sighed, unable to stay too annoyed with Suika for long. "Well, you certainly achieved that."
--
Kusa continued on her way to the human village, her pace steady and purposeful, when suddenly a familiar blue fairy appeared before her, her excitement palpable.
"Kusa!" Cirno's voice chimed as she flew towards Kusa, her eagerness evident in her tone.
"Cirno, what's going on?" Kusa asked, her concern showing as she noticed Cirno's unusually chirpy mood.
"Listen up! I spotted a gigantic yokai! It's the daidarabotchi!" Cirno exclaimed, using her arms to emphasize the massive size of the creature she claimed to have seen.
Kusa raised an eyebrow skeptically. She possessed the ability to sense the presence of youkai and knew that if a giant yokai were indeed nearby, she would have sensed it. Nevertheless, she decided to play along for the moment.
"Really?" Kusa's voice carried a note of doubt, suspecting that Cirno might be fabricating the story to seek attention or a challenge.
"Yes! And I'm going to take it down!!!" Cirno declared with determination, her tone exuberant as she envisioned herself in a heroic battle.
Kusa nodded, her expression neutral as she continued walking. "Good luck then," she said, giving Cirno a supportive thumbs-up.
"But I need you as my witness!" Cirno's panicked plea stopped Kusa in her tracks. She turned to Cirno, raising an eyebrow in surprise at the unexpected request.
"Why?" Kusa inquired, genuinely curious as to why Cirno would need her as a witness, especially when Cirno was known for her solo battles.
Cirno's response caught Kusa off guard. "You're one of the most trusted individuals in Gensokyo. If you say I defeated the giant, everyone will believe it!" Cirno explained, a mix of desperation and conviction in her eyes.
"I don't have much to lose, so I guess it's okay..." Kusa conceded, a wry smile touching her lips. Cirno's enthusiasm was infectious, and if going along with her antics could provide some entertainment, then Kusa was willing to play along. As Cirno flew around her, leaving a trail of crystallized mist, Kusa followed with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Alright, but you'll have to shrink down to your tiny form," Cirno instructed with a mischievous grin. Kusa arched an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the request.
"Why?" Kusa inquired, genuinely wanting to understand the reasoning behind Cirno's request.
"So my attacks won't accidentally hit you," Cirno explained straightforwardly. The logic was sound, and Kusa couldn't argue against it. With a sigh, she complied and transformed into her smaller form, fitting comfortably in Cirno's cupped palms. Cirno's delighted expression was hard to ignore.
"Do you have any idea where this giant might be?" Cirno asked Kusa, her eagerness palpable as she looked to her for guidance.
Kusa hesitated for a moment, not wanting to dampen Cirno's spirits, before responding. "According to the plant, it's in the direction of Alice's house."
"Perfect! Let's go!" Cirno declared, her excitement reached a new level as she envisioned the encounter with the Daidarabotchi as an epic battle for the ages.
With that, the fairy took flight, leaving a trail of vibrant blue mist in her wake as they soared through the magical forest. Eventually, they arrived at Alice's house, only to find her behaving rather peculiarly in front of her home. Alice seemed to be lost in thought, her gaze fixed on something beyond their sight.
