Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Otherwise, relying solely on his fixed monthly salary, he would never be able to pay off his debts, not even in the long run.

“I have a big project.”

Akina Ze spoke confidently, his knuckles tapping the table with a crisp sound.

"W-What big project!"

Disappointed, Kawashiro Nitori, who was getting up to leave, immediately sat back down and asked anxiously.

However, Akina Ze did not say anything, but silently pointed to the position of his shoulder.

He still remembered the kappa ink incident. Although it wasn't made by the same kappa, since Kawashiro Nitori was wearing a maid outfit, it was reasonable to ask her for some perks.

"Okay, Master~"

Kawashiro Nitori's eyes twitched, but she didn't get angry. Instead, she gave a sweet, cute maid's smile and walked behind Akina Sawaya, gently massaging his shoulders.

"Master~ Is this force appropriate?"

"Hmm~ Not bad, not bad."

Kawashiro Nitori's massage was very effective, and Akina Sawa comfortably closed his eyes, feeling that the muscle soreness accumulated from the farm work in the past few days was about to be completely cured.

"Then, Master, can you tell me what that big project is?" Kawashiro Natori asked in a sweet voice, trying to ingratiate herself.

Do you know about the ruins of the Scorching Hell?

"I know, it's in the old hell."

As a kappa from Youkai Mountain, Kawashiro Nitori has some knowledge of the geography of Gensokyo.

"What does your big project have to do with that place?"

"I want to build a hot spring hotel there."

Akina Sawa, who only wanted to tease Kawashiro Nitori, didn't keep anyone in suspense and directly revealed his project.

"Hot spring hotel!"

Kawashiro Nitori's eyes immediately burned with desire. Before Akina Sawa could even give the order, she took initiative, squatted down, and began massaging his thighs. "Master~ You can leave this project to me~"

If she gets the project, paying off the workers' debts will be a piece of cake, and she might even have some left over, with her pockets full again being a real possibility.

"Stop!"

Seeing Kawashiro Nitori's sudden burst of enthusiasm, Akina Sawa was also a little overwhelmed, pulling her clothes tighter and pushing her out, saying, "There's a problem with my project, and that is, I don't have the money."

"Tsk, you should have said so earlier!"

Kawashiro Nitori immediately looked at him with disdain... "You've taken so much of my hard work for free, my arms are almost sore from swinging!"

“But I have received full authorization from the master of the Earth Spirit Palace. If you kappa want to do any development on that place, such as building a thermal power plant, I can agree,” Akina Ze said calmly.

"Master~ Were you satisfied with Kawashima's performance just now? Let me give you a shoulder massage~"

Kawashiro Nitori, who had just looked impatient, suddenly smiled and became cute again.

"..."

Seeing this, Akina Sawa also remained silent.

......

Chapter 123 Do Not Do It Yourself

We look forward to your next visit!

Just like when Akina Sawa arrived, Kawashiro Nitori stood at the door, bowing respectfully to bid farewell.

Such a good actor... He must know the actor's handbook by heart, right?

Recalling what had just happened, Akina nodded, not intending to hinder people from going to work, and walked out of the office.

Gazing at the street scene, Akina Sawa pondered for a moment. The initial goal had been achieved; all that remained was for Kawashiro Nitori to gather her friends to complete the design plans, and then let Koishi choose the best option.

Professional matters should be left to professionals, and Akina Ze has always acted with this idea in mind. He is not good at designing architectural plans.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Akina?"

The sound of gentle breeze and light rain broke Akina Zeya's reverie. He looked up and noticed the person in front of him.

"Miss Koufeng Valley?"

"Just call me Sanae~"

Sanae Kochiya put her hands behind her back, leaned forward, and said with a grin.

"Um, Miss Sanae." With her fair and pretty face so close, Akina Ze couldn't help but take a few steps back.

This overly friendly personality is really hard to deal with... Even Akina Sawa, a farmer who considers himself introverted, is finding it a bit overwhelming.

Akina Sawa also thought that Reimu Hakurei, who preferred to daydream and drink tea, was easier to deal with.

"Mr. Akina, do you have time to visit Moriya Shrine today?"

Sanae Kochiya stepped forward, closing the distance that had just been created, her eyes full of eagerness, "The gods will protect you~"

The number of worshippers at Moriya Shrine has been low lately, probably due to the cold winter weather. Everyone is huddled in their kotatsu (heated floor mats) to keep warm, so not many people would choose to go hiking.

In order to save a shrine that is about to close down, a young girl named Sanae Kochiya decides to step forward and become a shrine maiden who begs for alms.

They're too close!

Looking at Kouchi Sanae's cute little face tilted upwards at a 45-degree angle, and the mysterious space under her snow-white neck... Akina Sawa then noticed that although it was winter, the girl in front of him was still wearing the same thin blue and white shrine maiden outfit that exposed her armpits in summer.

At this temperature, even the poor shrine maidens at Hakurei Shrine have long since changed into their winter clothes...

"Miss Kouchi, aren't you cold?" Akina Sawa asked instinctively.

"Huh?" Taken aback by the unexpected question, Sanae Kochiya chuckled, "Of course it was cold at first~ But thanks to the blessings of Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama, I don't feel cold at all now, I'm even a little warm~"

As she spoke, Sanae Kochiya tugged at her collar, revealing her snow-white, spherical breasts that swayed noticeably beneath...

Akina Sawa also admitted that this was a level that Reimu Hakurei could never reach.

"Come to the shrine to pray, and I can ask the two gods to bless you too~" Sanae Kochiya, having paid the price, continues her efforts.

"Something came up at home. I'll definitely do it next time! Next time, definitely!"

Seeing that Sanae Kochiya seemed to be trying to stop him from leaving, Akina Sawa quickly made an excuse and left.

Watching Akina Sawa's departing figure, Kochiya Sanae murmured to herself, "The Hakurei Shrine doesn't have any gods... Why won't Mr. Akina sponsor my Moriya Shrine... Even though those two gods are so adorable..."

Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya, who were lounging around at the shrine, sneezed at the same time.

......

After hurriedly leaving the People's Square, Akina Sawa returned to his house.

"You're back?"

Seeing Akina Sawaya walk into the room with a chill in his air, Aya Shameimaru naturally greeted him, made way for him, and patted him on the shoulder, "Are you a little cold? Come sit down next to me."

"Hmm." Akina Ze nodded, shook the dust off his trouser legs, and walked to the reserved spot next to the warm kotatsu to sit down.

The soft cushion still carried a hint of warmth, and looking at the profile of Aya Shameimaru drinking hot tea beside him, Akina Sawa couldn't help but smile.

Is there something strange on my face?

Noticing Akina Sawaya's gaze, Shameimaru Aya put down her cup and touched her cheek in confusion.

"No." Akina Ze shook his head and chuckled, "I just think you're cute."

"..."

A blush ran down her snow-white neck, until her earlobes were also a deep, lustrous red. Shameimaru Aya then turned her head away, pouting slightly, "You're only just realizing this?"

"Miss Wenwen..."

This adorable appearance caused Akina Zeya, who had been holding a grudge against Kochiya Sanae at the Human Square, to lower his voice. His hand, which was hanging naturally on his right side, tentatively reached out his little finger to touch Shameimaru Aya's left hand.

"stop!"

But just as Akina Sawa's little finger touched hers, Shameimaru Aya pushed him away and stopped him, asking, "When are you planning to say that to me?"

Even a clay figure has some fire in it, and she had been watching Akina Ze's actions these past few days, though she had been letting them go unchecked.

But she absolutely had to get the first place!

“I…” Akina Sawa also opened his mouth in astonishment, looking at Shameimaru Aya with a serious expression in front of him.

Recalling the memories in his mind, Akina Sawa realized... I don't think I really said that?

Now that things have come to this, a decisive action must be taken.

Akina Sawaya opened his mouth to confess, but his lips were blocked by Shameimaru Aya's index finger.

"I want it to be in a romantic setting..."

Aya Shameimaru looked shy and hesitant, but the next second she blurted out, "Wasn't the night sky beautiful last night?"

Immediately, Akina Ze broke out in a cold sweat, his pupils contracted slightly. Did Miss Wenwen know that I was with Marisa yesterday?

Before Akina Sawa could react, Shameimaru Aya continued, "I think it's beautiful too~ The stars are clustered around the moon, making the dark night sky look beautiful."

As he spoke, Aya Shameimaru tapped Sawaya Akina's forehead. "But the moon's light actually comes from the sun. If there were less of it, it wouldn't be so bright, right?"

"Ah! It seems so." Akina Ze nodded stiffly as well.

"By the way, what were you doing at the kappa's place today?"

After taking another sip of tea, Aya Shameimaru suddenly asked a question.

Seeing that he was back in familiar territory, Akina Ze wiped away his cold sweat and said, "Do you still remember Cat Mushroom?"

"I know, what's wrong?"

"I made a promise to Komeiji in order to get this cat mushroom." To avoid misunderstanding, Akina Sawa also explained, "I did it because I wanted to get rid of the stench as soon as possible."

“Oh~” Aya Shameimaru nodded meaningfully, “Go on.”

......

Chapter 124 The Striving Kawashiro Nagatori

Time flies, and several more days have passed.

Akina Sawa has already explained the matter of the kappa and the construction of a hot spring inn in the ruins of the Scorching Hell to Aya Shameimaru, and has gained her support.

Akina Sawa has been living a peaceful life these past few days, spending his days digging, tilling the land, fishing, rising with the rooster's crow and sleeping with the moon rising.

However, Kawashiro Nitori, who lives in a remote corner of the Kappa Central Laboratory, is not having a good time.

The Kappa Central Laboratory is a large experimental site located in the heart of the mountain. It is fully equipped with experimental equipment and is a public experimental base. Most Kappa who do not yet have their own private laboratories choose to conduct their experiments here.

Kawashiro Nitori, whose entire property (cucumbers) has been confiscated, is also here. Her luxurious private laboratory has been sealed off, and if she fails to repay her debts by the deadline, it will be used to pay off her debts.

Although the Kappa Central Laboratory is open to all Kappa, rent is required to use the equipment and access information. After all, if public equipment is not maintained, it will eventually break down and become unusable.

Using her daily wage, Kawashiro Nitori rented a very basic spot here. She didn't need high-end equipment to draw design drafts; her main purpose was to preserve the geographical information of the Scorched Hell Ruins in the laboratory's database.

The Kappa Central Laboratory has this advantage: by renting the space, you can read most of the preserved materials for free, including the geographical information of the Scorched Hell Ruins.

However, Kawashiro Nitori's daily wage was only enough to rent this corner temporarily, and she had to complete the design draft of the hot spring hotel in the shortest possible time... Looking at the stacks of documents in front of her, Kawashiro Nitori began her struggle.

I don’t know how much time passed.

Kawashiro Narito heard a sentence vaguely in his ear.

Would you like a cup of coffee?

A passing kappa saw Kawashiro Nitori sitting drowsily in a chair, his head swaying like a pendulum, and he was still tightly gripping a pencil in his hand, so he kindly reminded him.

"Well!"

Startled from his daze, Kawashiro Nitori turned to look at the concerned kappa, his lips, hoarse from not having drunk water for a long time, replying, "No need... thank you."

She didn't have any spare money to buy coffee now; success or failure hinged on this moment... Kawashiro Nagori slapped her cheeks hard to force herself to stay awake, and continued to draw on the white paper, stroke by stroke, sketching down the plan she had designed based on the information in her mind.

"Alright." Seeing the rejected passerby Kappa leave dejectedly, she also had her own things to do.

If she hadn't felt a pang of sympathy seeing Kawashiro Nitori working day and night these past few days, she wouldn't have asked that question.

......