Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

"I hope Nikua is home..."

Akina Sawa shook his head with a wry smile.

Although this would make him look like a complete idiot in Ayumaru's eyes.

But as long as Nikua is alright, that's all that matters.

"However, the smell here is quite pleasant. Is this what they call the smell of books and ink?"

Alone, Akina Sawa began to observe his surroundings.

This wasn't his first time here.

I remember the last time I came was in the spring, right?

Akina Sawa also stroked the surface of the wooden table.

It's a bit rough.

Is she working at this table?

Immediately, an image of Aya Shameimaru sitting in a chair, scratching her head and looking distressed at the manuscript paper on the table flashed into her mind.

Huh~

Akina Sawa smiled slightly, stopped moving, and sat silently in the chair, looking out the window at the sky, waiting for Aya Shameimaru to return.

The latest issue of the newspaper had just been placed on the printing press inside the newspaper office...

Chapter Sixty-Five: Physical Sleep

That's the truth, Nikua is indeed missing.

After hearing the reassuring tone in Aya Shameimaru's voice, which then revealed a message that made one's heart skip a beat.

Akina Zeya's muscles tensed up, and even the fragrant tea he was holding lost its allure.

"Nikua really is missing. I wasn't fooled..."

He gently placed the teacup on the table, rested his chin on his hands, and stared unfocusedly in the direction of the teacup.

A tea leaf swirled and fell to the bottom of the cup, just like his current mood, which sank to the bottom.

"I remember you said that someone told you Nikua came towards the direction of the Monster Mountain?"

Shameimaru Aya leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Akina Sawaya.

"Yes, although I've forgotten who told me."

Akina Sawa loosened his intertwined fingers and looked at Shameimaru Aya with a wry smile.

"It's impossible to convince you with such simple information."

I don't believe what you're saying.

Shameimaru Aya placed her hands on the wooden table, gave a slight push, and sat lightly on the table, her fair legs naturally raised.

But I will help you.

"Miss Wenwen..."

Akina Zeya's face clearly showed his surprise.

"Don't be so surprised. I've eaten your breakfast so many times, so it's not surprising that I'd like to help you find your missing fairy now."

Sitting on the table, Aya Shameimaru crossed her left leg over her right, leaning back slightly and maintaining her balance with only her two slender arms.

The soft yellow light shone on Ayamaru's snow-white skin, adding a touch of allure.

"Shall we go find it now?"

Akina Ze, who had been on edge the whole time, suddenly stood up from his chair. His mind was now completely occupied with the fact that Nikua was missing.

"Let's wait until tomorrow!"

Shamei Ayamaru jumped off the table, a smirk on his face, and glanced at Akina Sawaya.

"Even a tengu wouldn't dare to run rampant in the monster mountain at night. No matter how worried you are, you have to wait until dawn. If you don't listen, I won't help you."

"...All right"

Akina Ze also slumped back down, staring anxiously out the window.

What could be more disheartening than knowing that a loved one is in danger and being powerless to help?

As night fell, a crescent moon peeked out from behind the clouds.

Are you planning to go home tonight? I can take you home.

"I don't need you to take me home, I can go back myself."

Akina Ze also stubbornly shook his head and stood up, straightening his slightly sore thighs.

He had already troubled Aya Shameimaru enough, and didn't want to bother her again with this kind of thing.

"That won't do. The nights here aren't as peaceful as in the human world!"

Shameimaru Aya walked over, and under Akina Sawa's astonished gaze, her seemingly delicate hands gently pressed him back down.

"I won't let you go back alone."

"What should I do then..."

Akina Sawa also looked up, staring at Shameimaru Aya who was leaning down with a puzzled expression.

"You can stay here with me, since you're going to look for someone tomorrow anyway." After a pause, Aya Shameimaru continued, "Given that this is a very important studio, I'll stay and supervise you."

"Eh?!!!"

Akina Ze couldn't believe it and wanted to clean his ears to see if he had misheard.

The room was spacious and filled with the scent of ink, with a thick layer of wooden planks on the floor. To be fair, it was a very good sleeping environment, even without a bed and if you made a makeshift bed on the floor.

But that's not the problem!

Akina Sawa also quickly glanced at Shameimaru Aya.

As she turned to face the window, Aya Shameimaru exuded the aura of a beautiful young girl even from her back view alone.

Akina Zeya, who was very clear about his identity as a farmer, felt a sense of incongruity.

"Well, that won't be necessary. I won't break anything." Akina Sawa grinned awkwardly, scratching the back of his head vigorously.

Being in the same room with a beautiful girl is still too exciting for Akina Sawaya right now.

The last time he slept next to a shrine maiden, he was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.

Not to mention sharing a room with Aya Shameimaru, who looks almost identical to him but has a more prominent figure.

"Your opinion doesn't count; I have to see it for myself."

Aya Shameimaru's tone left no room for argument.

“But…” Akina Ze also wanted to try again.

"No buts! It's decided. I'm going to get my bedding now. You stay here and don't leave!"

Aya Shameimaru interrupted Sawaya Akina.

"...All right"

Since opposing it was useless, he could only lie down and accept it. Akina Ze also reached out and picked up the teacup on the table.

Although the tea inside had cooled down, it was still thirst-quenching.

Seeing that Akina Sawa was also sitting obediently, Shameimaru Aya nodded in satisfaction, pushed open the door, and left.

The newspaper office returned to calm, and Akina Ze sat quietly in his seat.

So much had happened today that he was still reeling from it all.

Gently pressing his temples, Akina Ze decided to start sorting out his thoughts from the beginning.

First of all, it is certain that Nikua disappeared around noon in the morning.

At that time, I was probably modifying a handcart, right?

In order to sell snacks at the market and complete the tasks given by the system at the same time, and to save trouble, I decided to modify a handcart into a food cart.

So how did they discover that Nikua was missing?

Akina Sawa also closed his eyes; the absence of light made it easier to recall events.

correct!

Nikua was the one who asked for water because she was thirsty.

Then I realized she was gone.

Finally, he went out to look for Nikua and met her...

Akina Sawa also frowned.

In the scene I remember, the person was shrouded in a mist, and I couldn't see their face or even the color of their clothes.

They won't even let you see the mosaic.

There's no other way, so we'll have to skip this part and continue with the initial intervention.

I learned about Nikua and... from the mysterious person.

he?!

Akina Sawa also suddenly snapped out of his reverie.

His eyes were fixed on the teacup, and his face turned pale at a visible speed.

Who exactly is that person?!

Why did he take Nikua away?!

What is he going to do?

Is Nikua in danger?!

Have you eaten yet?

Aya Shameimaru's mood, which had been slightly calmed down, became agitated again.

"I'm back~"

A gust of wind blew by, and Aya Shameimaru returned with the bedding.

The quilt is covered with embroidered patterns featuring celestial dogs.

"I'm going to find her right now!"

The string representing reason snapped, and Akina Ze jumped up from his chair and ran towards the door.

All he wanted to do now was rush into the vast monster mountain and find Nikua, who had been kidnapped.

Snapped!

Just as Akina Sawa also ran to the door.

Aya Shameimaru, who was standing to the side, gently reached out and patted the back of Sawaya Akina's neck.

Akina Sawa immediately fainted.

This is a professional technique; children should not imitate it.

Lifting the unconscious Akina Sawaya, Aya Shameimaru placed him on the makeshift mat she had laid out on the floor.

"..."

Looking at Akina Sawaya's face, who was fast asleep on the floor, Aya Shameimaru fell into a long silence.

"Why....."

"I'm just a reporter..."

Click~

The soft yellow light went out.

The room was plunged into darkness, and Aya Shameimaru tiptoed out quietly.