At Hakurei Shrine the next afternoon, Reimu was fiddling with bottles and cans in front of the small stove in the kitchen. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Stirring the viscous syrup, his head half-tilted in distraction.

It's not about making new dim sum for fun, and it's true that I've been working on it for a long time.

On a whim, I added the medicine sent by Penglai Mountain Kaguya, and the very delicate water steamed bun made was stolen by the goblin, but it gave Reimu a lot of inspiration - adding some ingredients, you can make the snacks you eat on weekdays more delicate and delicious, which is a new idea worth trying.

Just as Reimu was in a daze at the various ingredients and confectionery ingredients in front of him, he heard a voice in front of the shrine.

"Anyone?"

It is the voice of the girl with a calm tone.

……

……

In the afternoon, the two people who are still sitting and drinking tea in front of the entrance of Hakurei Shrine seem to be the same as in the past.

Reimu's casual personality,The goblins and ghosts that I made friends with when I was running to solve the mutation on weekdays also liked it.。 There are many people who come to the shrine to sit and drink a cup of tea, rub some snacks and eat sweets.

But right now, this one is indeed a somewhat unexpected visitor.

Penglai Mountain glows in the night.

"The teacher is not here. These were the first words Reimu had spoken as she walked out of the room after seeing her.

"It's okay, do you mind entertaining someone else?"

With that, he handed Reimu a bottle of sake wrapped in delicate ribbons and silk cloth.

This is a more formal visit.

Usually at the beginning of the year and the end of the year, there will be a small number of village elders who bring some wine to the shrine to pay New Year's greetings, and Reimu usually exchange courtesies as shrine maidens, and Yakumo Zi and Mo Ming have said a lot in terms of etiquette, and they are always to be entertained.

At the beginning of autumn, it is not an important season, but seeing the other party's polite and smiling attitude, it is difficult for Reimu to drive people away.

But knowing that this friend is not a teacher at the moment, he can only deal with it.

Talking to himself, the air outside was better, and he sat down directly at the entrance, so Reimu brought the tea here and sat side by side.

Although Reimu grew up in Gensokyo, he was not familiar with the Kaguya who suddenly appeared in front of him recently. I heard some information from my own teacher, if it weren't for the fact that Mo Ming was involved in the festival incident led by the Eternal Pavilion, I am afraid that Lingmeng would not have paid attention to it so far.

But after all, I haven't heard any positive comments.

Well, although it seems that the teacher has praised the words "The princess in the Eternal Pavilion is very beautiful and has an excellent temperament", but in Reimu's ears, I am afraid that she can't honestly say that she has a positive evaluation.

Probably because of that sentence, there seems to be an atmosphere in the air that is not harmonious and friendly.

Of course, it will not have any impact on the Kaguya of Penglai Mountain.

"I haven't officially introduced myself yet?......

"Penglai Mountain Kaguya. Reimu interrupted.

Kaguya smiled and nodded.

"Hakurei Reimu, shrine maiden," Reimu briefly introduced herself, and then added, "The teacher went to visit Alice in the Enchanted Forest. ”

The two hadn't crossed paths, and Reimu couldn't understand why the other had to stay here.

Probably looking for something to find the teacher, so he told Mo Ming's whereabouts.

A moment of silence ensued.

Kaguya Ji picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down, and said with a smile: "Why, didn't you have refreshments today......?" Water steamed buns or something. ”

Reimu glanced at her vigilantly: "Water steamed buns?"

Kaguya smiled and looked at Reimu, "Did you use up the medicine that I sent you smuggling last time?"

"Ah, that ......," Reimu turned her head, "it didn't feel useful, so I threw it away." ”

"Oh, yes," Kaguya laughed, "I thought you'd give it to someone." ”

Reimu was stunned for a moment, and then shook his head with a smile: "No need. ”

"Huh?"

"I don't have to do that. ”

There was a moment of wavering, but in the end I didn't use it. This sentence is the conclusion that Reimu finally came to come.

Penglai Shan Kazuya straightened his long hair and said with a smile: "Reimeng-san looks quite confident." ”

"Well," Reimu also responded with a smile, "The matter between me and the teacher will not be understood by others. ”

said it directly, but it is indeed the style of this witch lady.

Penglai Mountain Kaguya nodded.

Turning his head, he seemed to be looking at the torii not far away.

Reimu got up, went back to the kitchen and opened the storage cupboard, took out a plate of pickled dates from the jar, and brought it out.

Sitting back in the hallway, Reimu asked, "Are you going to wait here for the teacher to come back?"

"Private didn't come to him. ”

"That's ......"

"In my spare time, I went out for a walk.,By the way, visit the cute shrine lady in the shrine.。 ”

Reimu tilted her head.

"Well, if you bring a gift every time you come, the shrine won't refuse. "Probably inherited the teacher's pragmatic personality.

"Reimu-san, don't tell him he's been here privately. ”

"Huh?" Reimu frowned, "Why?"

"Well, many, many reasons. ”

Reimu shrugged.

Penglai Shan Kaguya turned his head and looked at Reimu's cheeks.

“…… What's wrong?"

"It's a very cute child. ”

Reimu shifted a little uncomfortably: "What?"

"No," Kaguya shook her head, "I wonder if I can teach a Hakurei shrine maiden with such a temperament, and I can't believe that it came from that person......"

Reimu tilted her head: "Are you slandering the teacher?"

"I'm just telling the truth. ”

"You don't get it. Reimu smiled.

But he knows a lot, including what he did for you in another world. ”

Reimu was silent.

"I just want to say that with his pragmatic personality, it is really incomprehensible to teach such a beautiful and refined witch in front of him. ”

"I was complimented, but even I couldn't gauge the teacher's personality. What is your position on commenting on it?

Kaguya smiled, "Looks like you respect him a lot." ”

Reimu looked sideways. It's not nonsense.

The two were speechless for the time being.

Each of them drank tea and looked out over the torii.

After a while, Kaguya-hime, who seemed to have remembered something, suddenly appeared with a narrow smile, looked at Reimu and said, "Your teacher has gone to find Alice now." ”

"yes, what?"

"Alice the Witch Margot Royd...... But even in the world, a beautiful girl who is very popular. ”

"What do you want to explain?" Reimu frowned.

Penglai Mountain Kaguya smiled silently.

Reimu gently picked up a jujube with small chopsticks and put it in his mouth. Chew, swallow, take a sip of tea, and exhale.

"No matter where the teacher is doing all day, he always comes back to the shrine and then, with me. ”

So, there's nothing to worry about.

"Oh," Kaguya said with a smile, "What do you mean by being close to the water?"

"I told you......" Reimu rubbed her forehead, "It's not that superficial, besides, it's ......"

Besides, it's not your turn to worry about this kind of thing.

Reimu swallowed this sentence back into her stomach, but Kaguyahime understood.

"So, has Reimu-san considered this possibility, if one day, Alice, the witch of the Enchanted Forest, or ...... Concubine, if you take a shot at your teacher......"

"So you still don't understand. Reimu held the teacup.

At this moment, the red and white shrine maiden named Hakuri Reimu seemed to exude an unprecedented surplus posture.

"If the teacher likes other girls, I will be very sad. Reimu said.

Penglai Mountain glows out at night.

"However, the teacher doesn't make me sad. ”

"So, the teacher won't like other girls. ”

This is Hakurei Reimu's simple, easy-to-understand shrine maiden logic.

On the side, Her Royal Highness the Princess, who has always been calm, was unable to give a decent reaction.

He should have responded with a smile on his face, but at this moment, Kaguya felt that his face was a little stiff.

Rubbing his forehead with a bit of a headache, Kaguya Hime casually found a topic: "Well, the shrine...... It seems that there are visitors again. ”

Reimu tilted her head sideways, as if expressing an expression of "?" on her head.

Then, the two of them saw the bright blonde hair and red hairpin that slowly appeared as they slowly climbed the stairs under the torii.

The identity of the visitor is already known.

……

……

In front of the entrance of the shrine, Alice, who was holding the magic book that was inseparable from her, was still in the same posture as before.

He raised his eyebrows the first time he noticed the Kazuya of Penglai Mountain, but he didn't say anything, nodded at Reimu and smiled, "Good afternoon." ”

Reimu returned: "Good afternoon, haven't you seen the teacher?"

Alice frowned slightly: "Mo Ming, I didn't see it, he ......"

"The teacher went to the Enchanted Forest to look for you. ”

"I didn't see him," Alice shook her head, "I went to the world in the morning to investigate the monsters. ”

"Is there a result?" Reimu asked, a little embarrassed.

In a sense, this should be more within the scope of Reimu's work.

Alice shook her head: "It's still impossible to deduce whether the attacks of these youkai were spontaneous or instigated. ”

What makes Alice even more concerned is whether this group of monsters that attacked humans is the same group that attacked her and Tsuki-Tsuki Lin in the Enchanted Forest before.

The sight is still in sight, and Alice still cares about it.

Ordinary youkai can't rush to a strong person like herself with that kind of attitude of going forward and not sparing their lives, and Alice has always believed that there must be a problem.

However, several investigations were fruitless, and something happened to her beloved Penglai puppet, which once caused Alice's mood to fall to the bottom.

For a few days, he even refused to visit, including Marisa and Mo Ming.

But it became clear to her that nothing could solve the problem of being lost all day in her room.

Yesterday, I heard the information that the youkai were attacking humans from Reimu, who was on his way to the Forest of Magic to investigate the mutation, and I had already made up my mind - there must be a result.

Regaining her spirits, Alice first went to the Human World for a preliminary investigation. But I only got ambiguous information that "the youkai that attacked humans disappeared in the direction of the Enchanted Forest".

Alice, who is also facing the problem of insufficient intelligence, can't help but think of a figure in the shrine when she walks out of the world in a daze.

If it's that person, you should be paying attention.

Thinking like this, the witch flew to the Hakurei Shrine without stopping.

I didn't expect it to be missed.

"How long has Mo Ming been gone?"

"The teacher had just left before she came, and it wasn't for long. He pointed to the Penglai Mountain Kabaya, who was sitting on the side drinking tea.

Hearing this, Kaguya looked up at Alice and smiled slightly.

Alice nodded, "That's probably what I missed when I came from the human world." ”

"Speaking of which," said Reimu, "Alice, you flew here, but you walked up the stairs." ”

Alice smiled and replied, "What's the point of the shrine's steps if no one walks them." ”

"It's obsessive in unexpected places. ”

Reimu smiled and got up, took out a pair of teacups from the shrine, and added tea.

"Sit down for a while. ”

"No, thank you, I'm still ......"

"Give. The teacup was handed over.

"Thank you, thank you......"

After drinking the tea, let's leave, and the witch who thought so sat down.

……

……

In fact, since the summer fireworks festival, Alice's relationship with Reimu has been a little delicate.

But the two don't actually have a few opportunities to be alone, and they don't even think about it on weekdays.

But for now......

At the entrance, Mt. Penglai Kabaya sat on the far left, Reimu sat cross-legged in the middle, her shoes still under the entrance, and Alice sat a little farther to the right, and her sitting posture was more upright.

Presumably, Kaguya didn't mean to warm up, and Alice seemed a little restrained, and Reimu didn't have much experience to liven up the atmosphere...... It was a bit cold for a while.

"Huh...... Why did the teacher turn back again?" Reimu suddenly muttered to herself.

Alice looked at Reimu strangely, and the Penglai Mountain Kazuya on the side also cast her gaze.

"Well, that...... For a number of reasons...... "Reimu was careful with the wording.

"Bo Li's Yin Yang Jade?" Penglai Mountain Hui Ye obviously understood.

Lingmeng nodded, and then said strangely: "The teacher knocked on the door just now and didn't get a response, and he has already turned around and left, why did he suddenly turn back......"

closed his eyes and frowned: "Hey, teacher, this is ......"

On the side, Penglai Mountain Kaguya suddenly took out a tattered-looking bowl from his wide sleeve and handed it to Reimu: "Use this stone bowl." ”

"Is this?" Reimu took and tilted his head, "Huh......"

"Try to connect the yin and yang jade with spiritual power. ”

"Strange uses......"

Reimu muttered, and with a flick of his hand, the stone bowl gurgled and rolled to the ground, spun around in place twice, and stopped with its mouth pointing upwards.

The mist floated out of the mouth of the bowl, floating in the air, projecting into the void.

Under the blue sky and white sun, the scene and the figure appeared out of thin air, which was exactly the scene that appeared in Reimu's mind before.

If Mo Ming were here, it would probably feel like a holographic projection in a science fiction movie.

But the current situation, like the technology he knew, was reflected in the sky.

Scene in the picture...... I saw Mo Ming sneakily come to the door of Alice's bungalow, clear her throat, and then bow down.

Alice...... I've been attacked by a youkai from the forest......" in a weakened tone, knocking on the door with the force of a dying struggle.

On this side, the stone bowl not only conveyed the influence, but also conveyed the voice of Mo Ming that appeared in Reimeng's mind.

If you just hear it, you may have the idea that this person is on the verge of death.

But now that the three of them have a panoramic view, they will naturally not be deceived to the slightest.

The perspective is switched by Reimu, as if sensing something, Reimu removes the perspective, and a sneaky little figure appears on the roof of the second floor of Alice's house in the picture.

As if he felt something, Mo Ming also looked up at the same time.

The Shanghai puppet retracts its head with a 'whoosh'.

"Shanghai, is it Shanghai?"

After a while, a cowering head stretched out from the rooftop again.

"Ah, it's really Shanghai, I'm looking for Alice, can you let her open the door?"

"Shang~Hai~"

The little puppet flew down from the second floor and came to Mo Ming's eyes, as if looking at his intentions.

Today, a few days after the Penglai puppet incident, Mo Ming didn't know that the puppet in front of him was also born with self-consciousness, and even that it could communicate with humans in human language.

Although the puppet in front of him had spoken to him in person just a few days ago, this was also regarded by Mo Ming as a magic spell written by Alice.

In his eyes, the presence of Shanghai means that Alice is nearby, because the puppet must be controlled by a witch.

So, Mo Ming grabbed the little puppet flying in front of him in his hand, and his posture was roughly similar to the kind of high-altitude game that adults often play with children.

But Shanghai, who could already fly, was obviously not happy to be lifted high, and his two little legs kept smashing back and forth, as if he was trying his best to break free from Mo Ming's claws.

"Shang~Hai~" The little puppet hurriedly opened its teeth and claws.

But Mo Ming is obviously unmoved, because he believes that Alice will not manipulate the puppet to his detriment.

Holding the Shanghai doll, he took a few steps and sat down on the steps in front of Alice's door.

"Now, Alice, I don't know much about your magic, but I can hear it. ”

The puppet stopped struggling slightly.

"I have something to say. Mo Ming said to the Shanghai puppet.

He didn't know that at this moment, at the Hakurei Shrine, a few kilometers away, there were three people sitting in the hallway, maintaining their respective postures and watching silently.

Holding Shanghai in his hand, Mo Ming, sitting on the steps, pondered the wording.

"Alice, how long are you going to stay at home? ”

"I've heard that you refused even Marisa's visit......"

"Do you think there's any point in such self-enclosure?"

"Of course, you and I are both over 100 years old, so I won't talk about the simple truth. ”

"The incident needs to be investigated further, but it is too dangerous for me as a human being. ”

"Because of the position, I don't want Reimu to interfere. ”

But Alice Margotroyd, a witch who lives alone and doesn't befriend any of the powers, has no problem. ”

"So, I need your help. ”

"Anyway, we're the best partners at the festival. ”

"I heard about Penglai from Marisa. ”

"Sorry, I don't know much about this, but I think ......"

"Since it happened, it is enough to justify its existence. ”

"If you think it's a pity, how about starting over?"

"Uh, sorry, maybe I'm talking to myself. ”

"Marisa said you've been working on autonomic dolls, I'm afraid it's ...... It won't be overnight. ”

"It's that I'm saying it too simply. ”

"But I still hope you can cheer up. ”

"Although sometimes it seems a bit self-defeating when getting along with people......"

"But she's actually a very good girl. ”

"Good character, beautiful looks......"

"Oops, when you think about it, isn't this the type of partner a man dreams of?"

"Haha, just kidding. ”

"I said so much unilaterally, I don't know if there is some meaning to say something profound......"

"But it doesn't matter, I'm thick-skinned. ”

“……”

"Open the door, open the door, and exchange the latest information about the ...... we want to investigate."

"By the way, there's one more thing I want you to ask about. ”

Waited for a moment.

"Yes. ”

"Well, it's better to adjust your mindset quickly. ”

"I will come again. ”

Mo Ming got up and let go of his grip on Shanghai's hands.

The little puppet floated in the air, stared at Mo Ming for a while, and then flew away.

Mo Ming also paced away from Alice's bungalow.

……

……

Reimu severed the connection with the Yin-Yang Jade.

From the moment ago, Alice changed her sitting position.

After putting your shoes down the hallway, you put one foot on the hallway, leaned forward slightly with your hands on your knees, and leaned your face against your knees.

This action made Penglai Mountain Kaguya, who was looking at Reimu, only see her blonde hair and hairpin.

Even Reimu in the near distance couldn't see her expression.

Kaguya smiled, "It seems that that lady Alice really cares a lot." ”

"......" Alice remained motionless.

Reimu had a subtle complexion.

"Okay, I'll take back the preface," Reimu sighed, "Actually, I'm not as calm as I said. ”

Penglai Mountain Huiye also took off his shoes, and his legs were also crossed under the long skirt.

With one hand on the side of his face, he looked at Reimu with a smile.

"It's a bit tricky. ”

"Teacher, he ...... It's always accurate to look at people...... I guess I can always see the nature of human beings...... I seem to care about Alice's appearance. ”

Kaguya looked at Alice to the side.

The other party did not waver because of this, and still maintained the posture just now.

"Are you going to do something?"

"No," Reimu, who had been frowning a moment ago, suddenly laughed, "because the teacher is actually very timid. ”

“…… I don't understand. ”

"Why~" Reimu grinned and tilted her head, and it was about time to show her superiority again, "Let's give an example...... It's been quite a long time since the teacher came to Gensokyo, but there are only a handful of places he's actually visited, why?"

"Because...... Cautious?"

Reimu nodded: "The teacher is very cautious in the areas he doesn't know and is not good at, and I understand ......"

"Relationship problems are exactly what he's not good at?"

"I'm not good at it," Ling Meng smiled, "Teacher, he'...... In this regard, act only on the basis of knowledge gained from books. ”

"I can't see it. ”

"yes, because the teacher is very smart. ”

"Where did you know that?"

"The teacher told me. ”

Penglai Mountain Kaguya: "......"

Finally, Alice, who had been sitting on the sidelines and had not moved since just now, finally straightened up.

Turning his head, he looked at the two people next to him.

"Huh...... How, what's wrong?" Seeing the gaze of the two, Alice looked at her hair and hairpin in a little panic.

"No, you just ......"

"Ah, that'...... I accidentally wandered my mind just now......"

Distracted...... Reimu and Kaguya can't complain.

"Reimu, do you often observe his actions through the Yin-Yang Jade like this?" After all, it was Alice, an upright witch, who immediately felt guilty for peeking at other people's actions.

Reimu blushed slightly and shook his head, "No, there are no more recently...... Well, that...... Hardly. ”

"It's okay to take a look, the person concerned won't be able to detect it anyway. Penglai Shan Kaguya smiled.

"No, the teacher takes this very seriously," Reimu shook her head.

Others don't know, but Reimu knows. What was Mo Ming doing before she came to Gensokyo...... It was to escape from the work institutions that deprived him of his freedom.

Mo Ming, who yearns for freedom, Lingmeng doesn't want him to have a sense of restraint like "being watched".

But as for why it is said "almost nothing"...... This is probably known only to Reimu herself.

Alice muttered, "Huh...... That one...... Is Mo Ming still at my doorstep?"

Where did you start wandering...... Reimu forehead.

"The teacher has just left, and now it should be soon...... Huh?"

Reimu rubbed her forehead.

"What's wrong?" Kaguya was keenly aware of something.

"Teacher, he ...... I don't know what I'm doing. ”

The scene was once again reflected in the stone bowl.

Mo Ming leaned against a big tree and closed her eyes to recuperate.

"Teacher...... It seems to be still in the Enchanted Forest. ”

Alice: "Looks like you're resting?"

"No, I don't think he's waiting for something. ”

"What are you waiting for?" said Alice.

"Marisa?"

The only human being seen in the Enchanted Forest is Marisa, but ......

Alice shook her head: "She doesn't seem to be in the Fog and Rain Magic Shop today." ”

In the morning, before heading to the human world, Alice had visited Marisa, and had already gone out.

“……”

"I guess I'm thinking about something. ”

"I guess maybe I met someone. ”

Penglai Shan Huiye shook his head: "No, Mo Ming went to visit on the premise that Alice was at home, so the action of meeting others is not established on that basis." ”

"Could it really be a break?" Alice suggested.

Reimu fell silent.

"Teacher, he ...... Are you trying to force something......

Penglai Mountain Huiye was probably the most voiceless person present, and sighed: "Sa, who knows?"

Alice: "That guy ......"

Reimu lowered her head and muttered something in a voice that the two of them couldn't hear.

In the picture, Mo Ming seemed to raise her head because of something.

Reimu maximized the perspective of Yin Yang Jade and saw two goblins walking behind the tree.

The green-haired elve, and the blue-haired ice elf.

The two of them laughed and walked through the woods, rustling the leaves on the ground.

Suddenly, while passing a large tree, a figure suddenly popped out from behind.

"Wow!!!!!!" Mo Ming pounced.

"Ahh————h

"Whew-"

The two goblins were frightened for a while.

"Hahahaha, scared silly—"

Then, Mo Ming, who suddenly popped out from behind the tree, took advantage of the moment when they did not come back to their senses, with a gloating expression...... Turn around and run.

Then, Reimu severed the connection with the Yin-Yang Jade.

Although the three girls sitting in the hallway were still in different postures before, they were unexpectedly unanimous at this moment—the three of them collectively supported their foreheads.

"Does he do all this boring stuff all day?" Kaguya asked Reimu.

“……”

Reimu probably wanted to apologize, but she didn't know why she was apologizing.

If I had to describe it, it might be...... I'm sorry, I don't know what kind of expression to use...... Such a state of mind.

"Well...... With his personality and experience, it is not unusual for him to do anything. Kaguya sighed.

"Probably from the beginning, I guessed the teacher's behavior from a serious direction......"

Alice nodded: "It's already wrong." ”

The three girls couldn't help but fall into deep thought.