Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Wait a minute? What tone should I use?

Aya Shameimaru stroked her chin with a troubled expression.

Should I use a playful tone, a steady tone, or simply give him a fright?

Well... it's scary enough, but what if you accidentally hurt someone while holding a kitchen knife?

Aya Shameimaru didn't want to send Akina Sawa to Eientei for treatment either, there were just too many lewd rabbits there.

After much deliberation, Aya Shameimaru gave up on thinking and decided to use her most effective method.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

A series of flashes, Aya Shameimaru raised her camera and held it to her face, quickly snapping a video of the bewildered Sawa Akina.

"Um!?"

Caught off guard, Akina Sawa felt as if his eyes were about to be blinded by the light.

"Miss Wenwen, why are you taking pictures of me? I've always been law-abiding and haven't done anything wrong!" Qiu Mingze also subconsciously raised his hand to cover his face.

"It's nothing, I just came to visit someone who's being used as a sham by the Hakurei Shrine Maiden." Aya Shameimaru's smiling face appeared from behind the camera.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Akina Ze glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "I'm currently staying at the Hakurei Shrine, don't make me get kicked out!"

"You, you're just too kind-hearted." Aya Shameimaru propped herself up and sat half-on on the table, her long legs swinging casually in the air. "I saw you used to send a lot of food to the shrine, so isn't it normal for you to stay there for a few days or even a few months?"

“One thing at a time. The things I gave you before were settled back then, and I would never do something like taking advantage of someone’s kindness.” Akina Ze continued, “Besides, this isn’t exactly illegal work for me. Reimu provided me with accommodation, so isn’t it normal for me to provide her with three meals a day?”

"..."

...I'm so envious! Aya Shameimaru would love to eat the dishes provided by Sawa Akina every day.

Feeling that continuing the conversation would only hurt her, Aya Shameimaru changed the subject, asking, "So, are you comfortable staying here? My house is really big, you know~"

"It's alright, the accommodation is quite comfortable," Akina Ze said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "And the blanket Reimu gave me has a faint fragrance, like the scent of gardenias."

"It even has a faint, pleasant fragrance?"

With his keen journalistic instincts, Aya Shameimaru astutely detected the blind spot.

She knew the financial situation of the Hakurei Shrine. Reimu Hakurei definitely didn't have enough money to buy laundry detergent and perfume, or rather, even if she had some money, Reimu would never spend it on those things.

So here's the question: Where is this smell coming from?

Only with long periods of rest can certain flavors be properly infused.

So it can't be...

!!!

"You can't stay here any longer!" Upon receiving the result, Aya Shameimaru jumped off the table, grabbed Sawaya Akina's arm, and dragged him outside.

"Huh? Why?" Akina Ze also wanted an explanation.

Although Reimu Hakurei is usually aloof and quiet, Akina Sawa feels quite comfortable here. He definitely wouldn't leave for no reason.

"Never mind that, just listen to me."

There's really no reason to explain it, but Aya Shameimaru is just feeling annoyed right now.

Damn it, Reimu didn't even wash the blankets she gave to other people to sleep on!

But Akina Sawa is not one to listen to reason. Without a sufficient reason to persuade him, he certainly won't leave. Besides, in his opinion, where else could he go if he left the shrine now?

"Miss Wenwen, stop fooling around. I still have to cook. Besides, even if you take me away, where else can I stay?" Based on practical considerations, Qiu Mingze stood still with a helpless expression.

Come to my house!

Aya Shameimaru wanted to say that, but her shame prevented her from saying it.

Be proactive, but also reserved.

Being overly proactive all at once will seem strange to anyone, and for a meticulous person, it might even arouse suspicion. If it turns out to be misunderstood and backfires, then you'll truly be left with nothing but tears.

"See, you can't even say it yourself now." Akina Sawa smiled and gently squeezed the hand that Shameimaru Aya was holding on his arm. "I don't know what you want to do, but I still have work to do, so don't bother me for now."

Despite the brief contact, Aya Shameimaru's temples turned rosy without exception.

The draft I had prepared in my mind was instantly shattered.

Therefore, people can become foolish in certain situations, and the celestial dog is no exception.

However, such heartwarming moments are always fleeting.

A short while later, the shrine's owner, Reimu Hakurei, walked into the kitchen.

Chapter Forty-Eight I'm Thinking

Reimu Hakurei came in clutching her stomach.

It's not that there's anything wrong with my body, I'm just hungry.

While white radishes may look large and juicy, they are actually not very filling.

At noon, I stewed a whole pot of white radish soup, and Reimu Hakurei ate more than half of it by herself, her stomach was completely full.

Even with so many radishes stuffed in my stomach, they were all used up in just a few hours, not even lasting until dinner time. So using radishes as a staple food is absolutely not feasible.

The previous priestess taught Reimu to eat three meals a day at regular times and in fixed quantities, because that is good for her health.

Marisa's irregular eating habits caused problems with her judgment points, which earned her a nickname.

There are no afternoon desserts at Hakurei Shrine, but afternoon tea is served as a simple affair, consisting of just water and a few tea leaves.

Even after the pot of tea was empty, Reimu Hakurei still felt hungry.

Reimu is normally very resistant to hunger, after all, the shrine maidens of the Hakurei Shrine have always been like that.

The problem is that she ate too much at lunch.

There's a saying that goes, "I can bear the darkness because I have never seen the light."

Having just experienced the feeling of being full, is it really necessary to experience hunger? Isn't that asking too much of a person?

Therefore, even Reimu Hakurei could not do it.

Being hungry is no small matter.

Without any internal struggle, Reimu Hakurei instinctively clutched her stomach and walked out of the kitchen.

Reimu doesn't have the habit of hiding snacks. The situation where cookies and sweets are everywhere in a certain white mansion is completely nonexistent at the Hakurei Shrine, since there's no such place.

The only place to find food, or perhaps snacks, is in the kitchen.

After all, this is a place that even Nazrin is unwilling to settle down in.

However, Reimu Hakurei actually harbors a small expectation in her heart, because of the changes that will occur due to the arrival of someone, before she enters the kitchen.

Pushing open the kitchen door, Reimu Hakurei excitedly stepped inside.

But the next second, a pungent smell assaulted her nose, coming from the air.

Caught off guard, Reimu choked, her eyes reddening, and a few tears streamed down her cheeks.

What are they doing in the kitchen? Why does it smell so strong?

Covering her mouth and nose, Reimu Hakurei erected a spiritual energy shield to block out most of the smell.

After she recovered, Reimu Hakurei realized that the strong smell was coming from the stove.

And then an unexpected person appeared there.

Shooting pills?

What's this guy doing here?

If they come here to gather material and make things up, she wouldn't mind teaching that tengu a lesson and letting her know who's in charge in Gensokyo.

With a flick of her sleeve, Reimu Hakurei stepped forward. She intended to grab Aya Shameimaru and ask her what her purpose was in coming here, but before she could ask any questions, Reimu noticed something was amiss.

Why is that celestial dog staring over there?

Shameimaru Aya was seen leaning against the stove, staring intently in one direction without moving.

Could it be that she actually discovered something?

Aside from my jar of white sugar, there's nothing else in the kitchen that's worth paying attention to, right?

Could white sugar really make headlines?

With a sense of doubt, Reimu Hakurei followed Aya Shameimaru's gaze and looked over.

The bright red flames at the bottom of the stove came into view.

Above that, Akina Ze also held the iron wok with one hand, constantly turning the sliced ​​onions and the golden-brown eggs that had been fried earlier.

As the shovel stirred the food, a rich, spicy aroma would waft out from time to time.

Is this what we're having for tonight? I've never seen anything like it before, but it looks very appetizing.

Reimu Hakurei wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, but she quickly realized something was wrong.

Since it's not big news, why is Aya Shameimaru's tengu staying here and not leaving?

Isn't she always known for her decisive and efficient work style?

There must be something wrong here!

Suddenly, an idea flashed.

Reimu Hakurei drew a conclusion from her empty stomach.

Oh no! Could this guy be planning to wait until Akina Sawa finishes cooking so he can steal the dish and release the first-hand news because he's never seen this kind of dish before?!

And look at her eyes, she's staring so intently, she's practically drooling!

She definitely wasn't just thinking about reporting it; she probably wanted to keep it all to herself!

That must be it! Damn it!

Touching her flat stomach, Reimu Hakurei thought to herself.

In that case, we absolutely cannot give Aya Shameimaru any chance to steal the dish. I'm determined to eat this dish!

With this in mind, and for the sake of her stomach, Reimu Hakurei decided she couldn't wait any longer, since the food was almost ready.

Once the cooking is finished, Aya Shameimaru might make a move at any time, and at that point, she doesn't have absolute confidence in stopping her.

We must take preventative measures!

Reimu Hakurei shouted, "Aya Shameimaru, don't even think about it!"

Like a stone thrown into a still pond, Reimu's cries echoed throughout the small kitchen.

Shameimaru Aya, who was leaning against the stove, instinctively stood at attention when called by name, and looked over with a blank expression.

But Reimu, who already harbored suspicions in her heart, seems to have something to hide by doing this!

This sly dog ​​is definitely up to no good! She probably wants to take the pot and chopsticks with her!

So, in order to protect the food and for her stomach, Reimu Hakurei quickly stepped forward and cut between Aya Shameimaru and Sawaya Akina, or in other words, between the stove and the iron pot and Aya Shameimaru.

The possessive Reimu Hakurei put on a sour face and said, "Even Marisa couldn't do it, so don't even think about doing it. I'm telling you, don't even think about taking it! It's mine!"

......What!?

Reimu Hakurei's series of words startled Aya Shameimaru, leaving her completely at a loss. She had never imagined encountering such a situation.

How is this possible! Is this still Gensokyo!?

Aya Shameimaru blushed, too embarrassed to believe it, "...Reimu! Do you know what you're saying!?"

Reimu Hakurei was also a little confused by this reply. You came here to steal food and then asked me what I was talking about?

This is really unreasonable!

Reimu Hakurei said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "I can let it go when you steal small things on ordinary days. Anyway, since it's not in the shrine, I can't see it, so I just pretend I don't know. But I never expected that you would actually try to take advantage of me now."

Do you know how long my exorcism wand is?

"Hey, hey, hey! How did I steal it!?" Aya Shameimaru retorted, her face flushed.

How can this be called stealing?! This is perfectly legitimate, done through the proper channels!

"Uh..." This question cleared Reimu Hakurei's head considerably, and she realized that she had indeed spoken too quickly.