Chapter 13: The Tale of Zero Day (Medium)

"It's a mistake. But think about it. The streets should be deserted after the holidays. ”

Still sleeping in the world. Youning talked to herself a little helplessly, and Reimu walked quietly behind. There was silence, and there was no one to be seen in the dull blue-gray streets. Although this atmosphere is a little calm, there is a reimu enough to let go of your hands and feet with peace of mind. Soon, Youning's vision was discovered.

"Ah, saved~ Isn't this Aqiu? …… What's wrong, disheveled. Is it also like Reimu with a hangover? ”

To Youning's surprise, it was Ah Qiu who showed an expression like seeing a savior.

"It's Reimu! That's great! There's a serious accident here......"

He crossed Yuning and trotted all the way to Reimu's side. Youning read the tension of the situation from Ah Qiu's face, and directly took the incident in place of Reimu.

"Don't rush, speak slowly. Reimu and I will figure it out. ”

"Ah...... Is it from Youningtang, Mr. Youning......" Ah Qiu gasped slightly—judging from his hurried footsteps before, he was probably anxious. Then, he spit out the news that surprised both Reimu and Yuning.

- "Gensokyo originated, gone!" ”

……

……

The origin of Gensokyo is not just a book, something that can be summarized in such a simple way.

As the accumulation of the reincarnation of the [Memories of Gensokyo], the barnyard field Aqiu IX has its own significance-although it is a book compiled by mortals, it also has a certain connection with Gensokyo.

If anything, it is a meaning that is in line with the essence of youkai - "believing" and "fantasizing". Because it is a record of the Imperial Rite, it is true and credible, and it has such a meaning.

"It will be...... Did the youkai do it? ”

There was undisguised worry on Ah Qiu's face.

"It's also troublesome for Teacher Huiyin to come...... I'm really sorry. Obviously, it was originally Teacher Huiyin who needed to use the origin of Fantasy Township......"

"It doesn't matter, Aqiu. I'm just taking advantage of the holidays to sort out the lesson plans for the kids. It's better that if something like this happens, I have to investigate. ”

――In the barnyard family's restaurant, Reimu was eating breakfast quietly, but Youning was distracted by the dining table. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive. Huiyin had already checked the library before this, and found no traces of theft or anything like that. Of course, Aqiu would think of youkai. Don't worry if Gensokyo Origin has already been released, but there are still a considerable number of manuscripts that are still in the state of manuscripts. That is, Ah Qiu has accumulated all of this life.

“…… Youning, have you eaten it? You don't look very good. ”

"Ah...... Reactive power is not punished. Youning looked up as if she was waking up. I thought about something else a little bit. I don't think there's anything to worry about. It's easier to do if it's a monster. Just find it and beat it. …… Ah, speaking of which, the cherry blossom season is coming to an end. ”

Yunei plucks a crumpled cherry blossom from the bow on the back of Reimu's head. Reimu turned her head and glanced at Youning gently, who shrugged her shoulders senselessly.

"What I'm worried about is...... Although there is no precedent, this possibility cannot be ruled out. Huiyin frowned and spoke.

"It's also related to cherry blossoms."

- "I've never heard of this kind of legend......

"Don't interrupt." Huiyin stopped Yuning's gossip, "For a long time, there has been a legend of burying corpses under cherry blossom trees. In fact, not only corpses, but also cherry blossom trees are often used as carriers to seal youkai. However, it's not the spiritual power of the cherry blossoms themselves. The root of the existence of yokai is memory, so the memory of being linked to the cherry tree becomes one and two, and when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is naturally hidden by the charm, through this principle. When the flowering season is over, the seal tends to be weak......"

Hah――

Youning, Reimu, and Ah Qiu, the three of them yawned neatly. Huiyin's forehead burst into a cross and slapped on the table.

"I mean, do you know what such a monster would want to do if it woke up?"

"I don't understand it very well, though...... Probably to say, as a tangible memory, Gensokyo origin will be valued, right? Ah Qiu replied cautiously tentatively.

Huiyin folded her arms and snorted as if out of breath.

"That's right, just disappear into invisible memories, that's what happened. And you're not safe, you know. If it is an event of this magnitude, even if I can devour the history of [Gensokyo Origin Disappearance], it can only be used as a helpless last resort. Ah Qiu, until the matter is clarified, you will stay with me. ”

"Huh...... Yes, Ms. Huiyin. ”

Ah Qiu answered weakly.

"Then again, Aqiu, have you recorded any new youkai lately? Maybe it has something to do with this. ”

"......" Ah Qiu didn't speak, but his eyes turned to Youning.

"What's the matter with your weak-hearted posture? It has nothing to do with you. ”

"Sorry...... The look at the 'teacher' attribute is a little bitter......"

When a few people were entangled, Reimu's voice interjected faintly.

"-Ah, I'm full. Thank you for the hospitality. ”

"How can you still be so laid-back, Reimu. I'll leave the task of going out to investigate to the two of you. ”

Under Huiyin's aura, Reimu just slowly put the empty bowl on the table.

"I've noticed it in the library, but I didn't find any demonic energy."

“…… The stronger the youkai, the more obvious the traces will be. If you can really hide it from Reimu...... That's not a trivial matter. ”

"Ah, is that so?"

Reimu said unhurriedly, getting up unhurriedly.

"Let's go. Youning. ”

――――――――――――==――――――――――――

"Oh, there's no one at home. Well, you're welcome. ”

In a room decorated with dolls like a dark fairy tale, a slender hand sticking out of the gap gently lifted a bottle of wine at the head of the bed.

"It's too~ I didn't come back all night~ I forgot to return~~"

Yakumo Zi's voice revealed a smile, and then he turned back consciously.

"Ahh......h The two magicians passing by over there, some of them have wine, right? I'm here to fetch that......"

――――――――――――==――――――――――――

"Knock, knock"

Yuning's knuckles knock on the door of Suzuna-an. Tiny footsteps were heard, and then the door creaked open.

"Huh! This is...... Ah, Miss Reimu. Rare Guest~~"

Although it's already three days old, Motoju-chan, who is still in good spirits after yesterday's festival, may have rested early because of his bad intentions.

"Well, this is ......"

"It doesn't matter what my name is...... I wanted to borrow a book. ”

While talking, several people were already walking between the bookshelves of Suzuna-an.

"Hmm...... Is there any information that Ah Qiu has recently put together? There are some that I don't need anymore in my house. I thought I was going to pile up and eat ashes for a long time...... Ah, right behind the shelf of weird books that I couldn't read. ”

Youning walked at the back, looking at the corners of the room along the way, and let go of the original slightly frowning brow. Then, I saw the little bell at the end of the aisle, standing in surprise and strolling.

“…… Less?! Actually...... How could it be ......"

PS: Revised the introduction...... Since it's scum, there should be a low-key posture that conforms to scum, well, that's it.