Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Although the supposedly dignified Remilia is the true owner of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Akina Sawa also feels that the silver-haired Sakuya in front of him is the real leader behind the scenes.

As the two approached, Kawashiro Nitori unexpectedly stepped out and said to Miss Renren, "You see? It's not that we don't want to work, it's that this person comes to bother us every day."

"Hey, what should we do? Can't we finish it quickly?" Komeiji asked blankly.

“I want to too, but look at her, she comes every day, and she wastes all our time.”

With an angry expression, Kawashiro Nitori pointed at Izayoi Sakuya, who was listening quietly with a smile on her face, and rebuked her.

"Hmm~ then why don't you just let her go?"

"But she wouldn't listen!"

"Huh? Can't we just let her hear it?" Koishi Ren maintained her smile, as if she would respond to anything Kawashiro Nitori said in this way.

"..."

After several rounds of conversation, Kawashiro Nitori gave up the desire to continue communicating with Komeiji Ren, and turned to Akina Sawaya, spreading his hands helplessly, "You see, this is the current situation."

Actually, this wasn't the first time. Several times before, Kawashiro Nitori had tried to get Renren, who was playing at the construction site, to drive away Sakuya, who refused to pay the final payment. But every time, it was the same. It seemed like the two of them were talking, but Kawashiro Nitori always felt like she was talking to thin air.

Sensing that trouble was about to befall him, Akina Sawa turned to leave, but found himself surrounded by onlookers, while Izayoi Sakuya watched him with a smile.

It seems there's no way out... Akina Ze sighed, but since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it and find out what was going on. Maybe it was just some trivial matter.

With this thought in mind, and under the expectant gaze of Kawashiro Nitori, Akina Sawa also looked at Sakuya and said, "Miss Izayoi, it's been a long time. May I ask what your purpose is in coming to find these kappa?"

But to his surprise, Sakuya Izayoi didn't respond to that. Instead, she glanced at Nitori Kawashiro, who was vaguely standing behind him, then scanned the surrounding kappa and slowly asked, "Mr. Akina, it seems this construction site has quite a connection to you..."

"Of course! This is a hot spring inn that Akina-nii and I built together!"

Before Akina Sawa could respond, Komeiji Ren, who had been out of it, stepped forward to reply, her face beaming with joy.

"Huh? This has nothing to do with me, right? I was just helping you out." Upon hearing this, Akina Ze was also surprised and waved his hands repeatedly to decline.

He only agreed to her request because he had done Ms. Koishi a favor by helping Aya Shameimaru solve her printing press problem. Akina Sawa had no intention of becoming a hot spring innkeeper; besides, dry land suited him better than the sticky, humid air.

"No, isn't a hot spring nice? Everyone can take a bath together~" Lianlian retorted, tugging at Akina Zeya's sleeve.

Seeing that Miss Renren was being silly, Akina Sawa, who knew he couldn't possibly agree, simply ignored her and turned his attention to Izayoi Sakuya, waiting for her response.

Under his gaze, Sakuya Izayoi did not remain silent. She chuckled and explained, "I'm here to ask Ms. Nitori Kawashiro to continue her unfinished Scarlet Devil Mansion project."

"This is impossible!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Kawashiro Nitori roared furiously, "You Scarlet Devil Mansion won't even pay the final payment! Do you know how much I've suffered? Now you're coming to me? It's too late!"

"Is that so?" Akina Sawa recalled for a moment, and he quickly remembered seeing Kawashiro Nitori dressed as a maid and serving customers at the Human Inn. Well, it must have been really miserable for her.

So Akina Sawa turned his gaze back to Sakuya, wanting to see what else she would say.

Sakuya Izayoi shook her head, her expression unwavering. Her blue eyes narrowed slightly as she asked, "Wasn't the insurance policy we signed back then supposed to cover all the reconstruction costs for you kappa?"

Upon hearing this, Kawashiro Nitori immediately became furious. "The budget for a building like yours, which you often accidentally blow up, leaving us kappa to rebuild, has already been exceeded. Moreover, the guy who signed the insurance with you has been arrested and removed from office, and you're not even willing to pay the final payment for the interior decoration. What else can we say?"

"As for the final payment for the interior decoration, we've already paid with a full-body self-portrait of the young lady." Izayoi Sakuya paused, then added, "It's very valuable."

"What's the use of a painting that can't be sold?!" He Chenghe gritted his teeth in anger.

Hearing this, Akina Sawa chimed in, "Self-portrait? Does your Scarlet Devil Mansion even have painters?"

“No.” Sakuya Izayoi shook her head and replied, “It was drawn by a famous artist before I came to Gensokyo.”

"I don't care, it's worthless now anyway!" Kawashiro Nagori shouted.

After saying that, Kawashiro Nitori led a group of kappa away, seemingly unwilling to talk to Sakuya any further.

Seeing that the negotiations seemed to have broken down, Akina Sawa shrugged and prepared to leave. After all, upon closer examination, this matter had nothing to do with him. It was a private feud between Ms. Kawashiro Nitori and Ms. Izayoi, and it would be inappropriate for him to get involved.

"Mr. Akina, please wait a moment."

Akina Sawa hadn't taken more than a few steps when he heard Izayoi Sakuya's voice behind him.

"Is there anything else, Miss Izayoi?" Akina Sawa asked, puzzled.

"...How can you help Ms. Kawashiro Nitori continue the Scarlet Devil Mansion project?"

Under his gaze, Izayoi Sakuya crossed her arms and asked.

Upon hearing this, Akina Ze also looked troubled, "Why don't you just pay the balance?"

Sakuya Izayoi sighed and replied softly, "Miss Kawashiro Nitori is no longer accepting the final payment."

Taken aback, Akina Sawa thought to himself, "Miss Nitori, that money-loving girl, actually doesn't want money that's offered to her. She must be really angry."

He rubbed his temples and replied, "I can't help you. Besides, why did you use the painting to pay the final payment in the first place? That's clearly unreasonable."

"I'm very sorry, it was a last resort..." Izayoi Sakuya gritted her teeth. She would never reveal that the huge Scarlet Devil Mansion was out of money, in order to maintain the image of Lady Remilia.

"In that case, I can't help you either." The words of refusal came from Akina Zeya's mouth.

Upon hearing this, Sakuya Izayoi could no longer maintain her composure. She said urgently, "If you can get the kappa to finish the last part of the Scarlet Devil Mansion clock tower, I'll do anything!"

"Can do everything?" Akina Ze turned back to look at Izayoi Sakuya in surprise. He really didn't expect that the dashing and capable head maid would say such a thing, but... what use would he have for her?

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sakuya, I don't need this," Akina Ze replied directly and decisively.

Then, under Izayoi Sakuya's complicated gaze, he casually walked to Koishi Komeiji, who had been waiting for a long time, and they left together.

"I will not give up... The young lady is still waiting for me..."

Standing there, recalling Remilia still waiting for good news at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Sakuya Izayoi clenched her fists. She was already prepared to pay the price.

......

Chapter 159 Following

The sound of running water came from the kitchen, followed by the soft sound of a towel being wrung out.

"Why bother..."

Akina Ze also showed a hint of helplessness on his face. The brown dining table in front of him was wiped smooth and shiny, and even some of the stains hidden in the small grooves were cleaned off.

The commotion in the kitchen ceased, and a figure emerged, carrying a steaming tray of tea, and walked directly to Akina Zeya.

The black leather boots she wore made no sound at all on the not-so-sturdy floor of the Akina house until the teacup was placed in front of Akina Zeya. Her entire movement was meticulous, exuding elegance.

"Please enjoy."

The silver-haired head maid respectfully served tea, then stood straight behind Akina Zeya, just as she had served Remilia, ready to serve at any time.

A faint scent of roses wafted from behind her. Akina Ze's eyebrows twitched slightly. Ignoring the teacup in front of him, he turned to look at her and said:

"This matter is not up to me, Miss Izayoi. Please go back."

Sakuya Izayoi remained silent and stood straight, just as she hadn't heard the questioning voices behind her when Akina Sawa opened the courtyard gate in the early morning.

Akina Sawa knew what Izayoi Sakuya wanted, but he couldn't agree to it because, from an outsider's perspective, the Scarlet Devil Mansion was in the wrong for using the painting as collateral for the final payment, which caused Ms. Kawashiro Nitori to be in a difficult situation for a while.

Although Izayoi Sakuya cleaned the courtyard inside and out as soon as she entered, and even prepared breakfast and lunch herself, it was still no good. She couldn't expect him to change his mind over such a small favor.

That must not be possible.

Not to mention that at lunchtime, he had to explain to the reporter why Izayoi Sakuya was there and the specific reasons. Fortunately, the reporter reluctantly expressed her understanding, but gave him a warning look.

Now that it's afternoon, only Akina Sawaya and Izayoi Sakuya are left at home. Shameimaru Aya has to go out to gather information due to a shortage of newspaper materials; otherwise, she probably wouldn't have left.

Seeing that Miss Izayoi remained silent and unmoved by either soft or hard approaches, Akina Ze helplessly picked up his teacup, took a couple of sips, and then stood up. It was really unpleasant to have someone watching him all the time, so he decided to go fishing to pass the time.

Picking up the fishing rod from the corner, Akina Sawa walked to the stream, skillfully baited the hook, and cast a line, completely ignoring Izayoi Sakuya following behind.

"Huh?" Akina Ze raised an eyebrow.

Less than a second after the hook hit the water, a force traveled up the rod, and a fish took the bait.

Am I really that lucky today?

With a surprised exclamation, Akina Sawa unhooked the fish without suspicion, but soon realized that he seemed to have forgotten something: the fish bucket was missing.

Just as Akina Zeya's face showed a hint of embarrassment, a bucket suddenly appeared in front of him. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but the bucket just sat there, as if it had always been there.

Could it have been Sakuya-san who did it?

Akina Ze also turned to look at the silent Izayoi Sakuya; it seemed that it was only her at the moment.

Did she really go to such lengths to get me to help her persuade Kawashiro Nitori?

"..." Akina Ze also threw the fish back into the water and said, "Sakuya-san, give up, I won't help you."

Sakuya Izayoi remained silent and unmoved.

"Sigh." Akina Ze sighed as well, and didn't say anything more. However, fishing was probably not an option now. He bent down, picked up the bucket, and walked towards home.

Since fishing isn't an option, let's cultivate some land. The plot of land we planned to use for a cucumber patch hasn't been prepared yet.

Akina Sawa stood in the greenhouse, holding a hoe, while Izayoi Sakuya stood behind him, her blue and white maid outfit spotless.

Akina ignored her, picked up the hoe and swung it down with focus, kicking up a clump of black soil. He deliberately used a little more force, so that the soil would fly higher and might land on Sakuya's clean maid outfit.

If this would make her back down, Akina Ze wouldn't mind being the bad guy.

To his surprise, Miss Izayoi didn't try to dodge; the black clods of dirt stuck to her white apron were particularly noticeable.

Akina Sawa was also taken aback for a moment, but he continued to swing the hoe towards the next patch of land, though this time he didn't put in any extra force.

Hoeing the land without regard for time, with each second ticking by, Akina Ze straightened up, looking at the land behind him that he had already cleared a third of the land. Sweat dripped down his forehead, making him feel a little greasy.

Akina Ze also rubbed it between his fingers and glanced at it, intending to get a towel to wipe it, but before he could even turn his leg, he felt a soft touch on his forehead.

He looked closely and saw that it was Izayoi Sakuya holding a towel that had been dampened with warm water, carefully wiping her forehead.

"Enough, Miss Sakuya." Akina Ze also slapped away Izayoi Sakuya's hand, grabbed the towel, and said helplessly, "As far as I know, your Scarlet Devil Mansion only has one clock tower that hasn't been completed, right? Is it really necessary to go to such lengths? Besides, I'm not speaking up for the kappa; it's already generous of you to pay the final payment."

This time, Sakuya Izayoi finally broke her silence. She pursed her lips and said, "Are you aware of the recent incident in the human village where a yokai has fallen into a coma?"

The Monster's Coma Incident?

Upon hearing this, Akina Sawa was also taken aback. Of course he remembered that the culprit was still at his house, although it was currently in a dormant state.

Could it be something related to Miss Ruiling?

Suddenly realizing that the matter seemed to involve someone close to him, Akina Ze felt inexplicably guilty and responded:

"Ah, I do know about that."

Sakuya Izayoi said heavily, "Actually, it's not just in the Human Village; in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the young lady was also..."

"You mean Miss Remilia is also unconscious?"

“Yes.” A hint of sadness appeared in Sakuya Izayoi’s eyes. “But now that she’s woken up, she’s been hiding in her room and won’t come out.”

"So I think, if it's because the young lady is afraid of being attacked again, then rebuilding the early warning barrier might be a good idea."

Sakuya Izayoi looked intently at Akina Sawaya with her blue eyes and said, "And I need the Kappa to complete the construction of the clock tower, which is the core point of the early warning barrier."

"So that's it..."

After listening, Akina Ze also muttered to himself.

He was quite surprised to hear that Miss Remilia had also been attacked, but he didn't expect her to hide in her room and not come out, which was not good news.

......

Chapter 160 A World That Is Not Lonely

After hearing the news that Miss Remilia had been hiding in her house and refusing to come out since being attacked by Miyaguchi Ruiling,

Akina Zeya was honestly a little shaken. Although Miyaguchi Ruiling was no longer the vengeful spirit she used to be but a tsukumogami, it was still the trouble she had caused.

And since he had accepted her, and that brown opium pipe was in his own house, it was only natural that he had some connection to the Scarlet Devil Mansion incident, even though no one else knew about it. Whether he helped or not was entirely up to him.

However, during the spring and summer, when Scarlet Devil Mansion was still in the early stages of its impoverished business, it harvested a lot of crops from its own land and provided considerable assistance. But Kawashiro Nitori was indeed a difficult situation...

After a moment's thought, Akina Ze also looked somewhat troubled. He was completely caught in the middle, pulled from both sides. A slight misstep and he'd be covered in mud, extremely troublesome, and with little benefit whatsoever.

The steam rising from the teacups on the table gradually dissipated, and the floating green leaves on the surface sank to the bottom of the cups. Akina Ze glanced at the tobacco pipe placed by the window, suddenly had an idea, and nodded thoughtfully.

He looked at the silver-haired maid who was standing quietly serving him, "Miss Sakuya, could you please take me to the Scarlet Devil Mansion to meet Miss Remilia?"

Sakuya Izayoi frowned slightly, but quickly calmed down. "The young lady is locked in her own bedroom and won't come out. Even when I use my own... she doesn't respond."

Sakuya omitted the information in the middle and didn't say it, and Akina Sawa didn't ask about it. He just calmly said, "I might be able to help Miss Remilia restore her to her original state. Of course, I don't mean that the kappa will finish the clock tower."

"You...can you?" Sakuya Izayoi's face showed deep doubt, because even she couldn't get Lady Remilia out of the bedroom, and this man who had been in Gensokyo for less than a year and had seen Lady Remilia less than ten times actually said he could get her out of the bedroom.