Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

He wasn't wrong; those two were indeed idle. No, it should be said that only Hakurei was idle, while Sanae still had the important task of missionary work.

As for why Sanae would participate in this so-called manzai competition, Akina Sawa could probably guess.

It's nothing more than winning first place at the competition to attract the audience's attention, and then using that opportunity to spread her message. I wonder if the manzai (stand-up comedy) organizing committee will ask her for advertising fees later.

But it's strange that Reimu Hakurei would participate.

Akina Sawa also knew that Reimu Hakurei was a typical Buddhist shrine maiden; she wouldn't bother with anything unless it offended her or the fire reached her house.

So, what is her reason for participating in the Manzai Competition, given her seemingly laid-back attitude?

Akina Sawa also wanted to know.

Gensokyo is indeed a peaceful and tranquil world.

But people always change. After living a comfortable life for too long, it's inevitable to crave some excitement.

Some might call it despicable, but that's human nature, and Akina Sawa is no exception.

He wanted to find out the truth behind it.

Let's go and find out what's hidden behind the strongest force in Gensokyo.

"By the way, let me see what the prize for manzai is first."

Akina Sawa also picked up a poster from the table. It was left by Kochiya Sanae.

If we were to discuss the differences between these two shrine maidens of Gensokyo, it would take three days and three nights to finish.

But the fact that I can't finish talking about everything doesn't stop me from saying a little bit now.

Look at Sanae Kouchi, she's a real know-it-all. By going from street to street preaching and doing quests, she's accumulated a lot of resources and experience.

Just now, Akina Sawa also asked Rei for a poster of the Manzai Competition to learn about the details.

Reimu touched herself from the left and right, then spread her hands and said she had forgotten it at home. When asked to use the skill she had just used, she made up an excuse that she didn't have enough spiritual power.

I just can't get it out.

Seeing that Reimu couldn't produce it, Sanae on the other side simply took out the poster that Akina Sawa also wanted from her pocket.

Reimu was unconvinced and asked, "Why didn't you take it out just now?"

Look at what Koufutani Sanae said.

She said, "I'm just afraid of stealing your thunder!"

The fact that she could think so much about something as simple as a poster shows that Sanae Kochiya is indeed very experienced.

Ahem... Enough of this small talk...

Coming to his senses, Akina Sawa then looked at the entire poster from top to bottom, left to right.

"Red Spider Lily and Fried Shrimp Rice Bowl???"

What kind of reward is this? Will eating it grant me passage to the other side?

This is the information that Akina Ze also saw in the last column of the poster.

The winner of the Manzai competition will be rewarded with a bowl of fried shrimp and spider lily rice, personally prepared by Lord Enma.

"This reward doesn't seem like what Rei Hakurei wanted."

Although the reward was somewhat attractive to Akina Zeya, a glutton, he was certain that it would have almost no appeal to Hakurei Reimu.

Because she wouldn't go to all that trouble just to get a meal, which doesn't fit Reimu Hakurei's laid-back personality at all.

Therefore, this possibility is ruled out.

"But... is it too late to participate in the Manzai Competition...?"

Whether it was made by Lord Enma or not is not important; what is important is that Akina Sawa has also become interested in this fried shrimp rice bowl with spider lilies.

It should taste really good, right? After all, it's the first prize in the competition...

Maybe this rice bowl will glow with golden light, and eating it will cause your clothes to explode...

Just thinking about that feeling brought tears to Akina Sawa's eyes.

When you feel that life is getting boring, try adding some excitement!

Akina Sawa also plans to sign up for the Manzai Competition.

Although he neither speaks nor has a partner, he still wants to go.

Even if we fail, it's not a big deal.

"What if it succeeds?"

Although the chances of success were extremely slim for Akina Sawaya, who had never been exposed to manzai before, he believed.

If you're shameless enough, you might even be able to get a consolation prize from Lord Enma.

That being said, without a partner, one might not even be able to register.

Akina Sawa also had some minor troubles.

Among the people he knew, he didn't know anyone who could do manzai (a type of Japanese stand-up comedy).

If you're starting from scratch, your partner's comprehension will definitely be very high.

Because he himself knew he didn't have it, if his partner wasn't strong enough, wouldn't the already slim chances be even lower?

Akina Ze pinched Nikua's cheek beside him and sighed.

Nikua is great in every way, and she's obedient, but when it comes to intelligence...

Sigh, not a good choice for a partner.

Cirno won't work either... for the same reason as Niqua...

After much thought, Akina Ze realized that those willing to help were mostly the fairies he was close to.

He was too embarrassed to approach Xiaoling, who was a bit nicer.

If I ask the shop owner for help, but our relationship isn't that close, wouldn't it be awkward to be rejected?

"Captain Fujiwara, Miss Aya, Second Miss..."

One by one, names were brought up, only to be denied by Akina Sawaya himself.

"Ah! This is too difficult. Is there anyone who hasn't thought of this yet..."

Akina Sawa also slumped onto the table in distress.

After a series of imaginings, he couldn't wait to taste the red spider lily rice bowl.

After all, what you can't have is always the best.

"I wish someone could steal the prize."

Akina Sawa, feeling that all hope was slim, muttered to himself.

Hmm! Steal?

Akina Ze was also startled, and his eyes lit up.

He thought of someone he should have thought of much earlier.

"Marisa Kirisame!"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Black

"Master Akina, would you like to invite me to participate in the Manzai Competition?"

Marisa Kirisame leaned against a table about half her height, tossing a miniature octagonal furnace up and down in her hand.

"Yes, I think with the two of us working together, getting first place is definitely not a problem!"

Akina Ze also spoke with great confidence.

To show his sincerity, he personally visited Marisa's cottage in the Forest of Magic.

The road to this place was not easy to travel. The mischievous fairies, the terrifying fallen leaves and withered branches, and the strange mushrooms in the dark corners that could be seen everywhere all gave Akina Sawa a bit of a fright.

But if Marisa agrees, then all of this will be worthwhile.

“Reimu is going to participate in the Manzai Competition, and now even you are going to participate... What is it that is so tempting…” Marisa muttered unhappily, the mini Bagua Furnace spinning incessantly in her palm.

"I think the shrine maiden Reimu must be after that bowl of fried shrimp and spider lily rice bowl made by Shiki-sama herself, right?"

Although Akina Sawa knew that Hakurei Reimu was unlikely to be after that job, it didn't stop him from bringing it up.

"Red spider lily and fried shrimp rice bowl? Reimu would want to eat this?" Marisa said in surprise.

"Perhaps," Akina Sawa replied ambiguously.

He wasn't sure if Rei wanted to eat it, but he certainly did, which is why he came to Marisa to invite her to participate in the manzai performance.

But judging from the current situation, the chances of Marisa agreeing are rather slim. I need to find some other breakthroughs, Akina Ze thought to himself.

Judging from her tone just now, she seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the Hakurei Shrine Maiden's participation in the manzai competition. Perhaps we could start there...

Touching his nose, Akina Ze also spoke up: "Miss Marisa, I just heard you say that Miss Reimu is also going to participate in the manzai competition..."

"It seems you already have someone in mind..." Akina Sawa shook his head regretfully.

"Reimu's participation in the Manzai Contest has nothing to do with me!"

"Hmm? Could it be that her partner isn't...?"

"It wasn't me, it was Sanae Kochiya, the wind priestess of Moriya Shrine."

Marisa Kirisame's expression was very calm, but Akina Sawa inexplicably felt an atmosphere that gave him goosebumps.

"Oh? That's such a pity..."

"What's there to regret? I also need to conduct my 5019th experiment on mushrooms, so I don't have time to go to DA☆ZE!"

As she spoke, Marisa produced a mushroom with a multicolored black cap from somewhere.

This mushroom is covered with many marks left by Marisa, so it seems to be an old experimental material.

Bypassing the eye-catching, multicolored black mushroom, Akina Ze focused his gaze on Marisa and said earnestly:

"Marisa, do you really not want to participate in the Manzai Competition?"

As a former expert gamer, Akina Sawa also has extensive experience in galgames, so he knows how to handle this situation.

Marisa is an open and honest girl; asking her directly might yield unexpected results.

"Eh..."

As expected, a conflicted expression appeared on Marisa's face.

At this point, all you need to do is give it another push.

"Don't you want to defeat Reimu yourself at the Manzai Contest and show her how powerful you are?"

"Hmm... I'd like to do that too, but..." Marisa was clearly tempted, but still a little hesitant.

Akina Ze's eyes sharpened, and he lightly tapped the table with two fingers, saying, "Marisa, when did you become so hesitant? The reason you're participating is entirely because I invited you, it has nothing to do with Reimu!"

"Haha!" Marisa Kirisame suddenly burst into laughter. "Master Akina, you're really funny. I'll accept your offer for this manzai competition!"

"Really?" Akina Ze's face immediately lit up with surprise.

"I, Marisa, never go back on my word!" Kirisame Marisa patted Akina Zeya's shoulder suddenly.

"So, have you prepared the script?"

"....ah?"

Akina Zeya's joy froze...

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The endless expanse of red spider lilies sways on the other shore.

A beautiful woman strolled among the red spider lilies, occasionally inhaling the fragrance of the red flowers.

The yellowish-brown stick she held in her hand, with its triangular, pointed head, spoke volumes about her status.

Enma of Hell, Shiki Eiki Yama Senado.

In the Hall of Right and Wrong, she is the meticulous Lord Enma who judges the dead in Gensokyo when she is on duty.