Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Chapter 181 Potted Plants and the Corner

By the time Motoori Kosuzu recovered from her emotional outburst, quite some time had passed.

She sniffled, her eyes red-rimmed, and curled up in the warm embrace, refusing to get down.

Needless to say, it was Akina Zeya who saved her.

"Miss Motoori, what are you doing here? This isn't a place for ordinary humans."

Because Xiaoling refused to leave, Qiu Mingze had no choice but to hold her and ask.

He was on his way to find Reimu Hakurei when he happened to pass by and saw Kosuka Motoori lying on the ground.

"Just call me Xiaoling." Motoori Xiaoling turned her face to the side and snuggled closer to his chest, unwilling to answer the question.

Because he wanted to eat Mao Yu's flesh, he brought a stick to kill Mao Yu. If Mao Yu found out about this, it would definitely ruin his image, right?

And why did I suddenly crave Mao Yu meat?

Honori Kosuzu now feels that she doesn't actually have much of a desire for Mao Yu.

"Alright then, Xiaoling."

Akina Sawa could tell that Motoori Kosuzu didn't want to answer him, but he had already guessed most of it.

The broken wooden stick, the net bag lying on the snow, and the hairy bird that he had knocked unconscious with a single punch.

It's obvious without even guessing that Miss Suzu is hunting for hairy tama. After all, Akina Sawa has read that book about hairy tama many times, and he knows its contents very well.

But why did Miss Xiaoling suddenly want to eat Maoyu?

Akina Sawa couldn't figure this out either. He looked at Motoori Korin in his arms, whose face was gradually turning rosy, but didn't ask.

He himself had come out because of some troubles, and it wouldn't be good if he caused trouble for others as well.

As the clouds drifted past the shade of the trees, and seeing that the time was right, Akina Ze, who didn't want to be mistaken for a pervert by passersby, also spoke up: "Miss Xiaoling, it's safe around here now, you can get down."

"It's Xiaoling... Could I stay a little longer?"

Taking a deep breath, she smelled a safe and secure scent emanating from Akina Zeya. Clutching her shirt, Motoori Kosuzu shook her head, unwilling to get down.

"OK then."

Akina Sawa assumed that Motoori Kozue was still in a state of shock, so he casually agreed and found a rock nearby to sit down as a temporary resting place.

The situation must have been very dangerous before he arrived. Miss Xiaoling was overly frightened, so it's understandable that she's acting this way now.

Sitting on the rock, there was no noise from insects in the winter, and the surroundings were quiet.

When people calm down, they tend to overthink, and Akina Ze couldn't help but recall the reason why he had come to the shrine maiden to relax.

Everything was going smoothly that day...

After leaving Dr. Yagokoro's room, Akina Sawa glanced at Kaguya Houraisan, who was now unharmed, and decided to take his leave. Whatever happened next was none of his concern.

Having made up his mind, Akina Sawa also said to Reisen:

"I've done what you asked me to do, so I'm going home now."

After saying this, Qiu Mingze waved his hand and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Kaguya Houraisan called out to him, her voice carrying a hint of provocation.

"Do you want to do me another favor? You were really hitting me hard just now, weren't you?"

"It's just playing a game, why are you making it sound so strange..."

"Hmm? I have a feeling that you weren't just playing games, but also had the intention of messing with me. Otherwise, why did you pretend to be a newbie at the beginning and wait for me to embarrass myself?"

As soon as Kaguya-hime said these words, Akina Sawa's face froze, because she was right; he did indeed have such a wicked idea in mind.

After a moment's thought, Akina Ze also spoke up to explain:

“One thing at a time, I just wanted to use this method to get you out of your gaming addiction.”

"The events are true, but the hurt you caused me is real!"

Kaguya Houraisan raised her delicate chin, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zeya Akina, looking determined not to budge until she got an explanation.

This guy... Akina Ze also showed a helpless expression on his face.

How could he not know what Princess Kaguya really wanted? He used this indirect approach with masterful skill.

Akina Sawa also sighed and said:

"Fine, all you want is for me to go with you to investigate the dark energy, so you've got me stuck with this."

"Hehe, other people would love to have this opportunity!"

Kaguya Houraisan smiled mischievously. As expected, that was exactly what she was planning. Using the excuse of being hurt herself, she forced Akina Sawa to accompany her.

"Should I say thank you?" Akina Ze raised an eyebrow and replied without any politeness.

"No need~ But if you want to say it, I don't mind~"

As she spoke, Kaguya Houraisan walked to the door of her room, turned back and smiled, "Let me change my clothes and then we'll set off."

"Hmm." Akina Ze responded indifferently. Another unexpected thing had happened, delaying his return home for dinner, which really made him unhappy.

Akina Zeya, who was waiting in front of Princess Kaguya's door, had a very calm expression, but Reisen's eyes were wide open, and she looked like she had seen a ghost.

She witnessed the entire conversation between the two, which could almost be described as flirting.

Is this really the same aloof and elegant Moon Princess who always sits in the pavilion admiring the moon and gazing at the bamboo forest?

When did their relationship become so good? Can playing games really strengthen a bond? Then why haven't the Eientei rabbits changed much after playing with Princess Kaguya so many times?

Surprised, Reisen's face showed deep confusion.

Feeling the intense gaze, Akina Ze's keen senses picked up on it, and he suddenly turned his head to look in the direction the gaze was coming from.

There was only one potted plant there, and nothing else.

He looked away, and Reisen, who was crouching behind the potted plant, breathed a sigh of relief and gently patted her chest. Usagi had almost been discovered.

Reisen's incident was just a minor episode; Princess Kaguya changed her clothes and came out of the room.

Seeing her outfit, Akina Ze's pupils contracted slightly.

Having shed her ornate kimono, Kaguya Houraisan donned a smart short outfit, and her wooden clogs were replaced with comfortable dark brown leather boots.

Seeing the person in front of her standing there in a daze, Princess Kaguya's lips curled up slightly. Whether dressed in gorgeous or simple clothes, she was confident that she could fully display her beauty.

Akina Sawa was just a farmer, perhaps with some special qualities, but how could he possibly be immune to his own beauty?

"You're all changed, let's go."

Unexpectedly, Akina Sawa was only stunned for a short while before quickly regaining his senses.

After saying that, he didn't wait for Kaguya to follow, and walked ahead.

Kaguya Houraisan's cheeks puffed out slightly behind her.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Reisen quietly left the potted plant and walked to a corner before feeling relieved.

Eavesdropping on other people's private affairs, especially on Princess Kaguya, is something she, as the rabbit of Eientei, absolutely cannot do.

"Huh? Why is there a feather on the ground?"

As soon as she stood in the corner, Reisen spotted a black feather on the ground. She picked it up, her face full of confusion.

......

Chapter 182 Robbery? Who's robbing?

Today is the weekly market day in the village.

Kaguya Houraisan was like a primary school student who hadn't been out for a long time, looking left and right, occasionally pointing at something and asking Sawaya Akina what it was.

“That’s a flower basket woven from grass roots,” Akina Ze casually replied, a hint of helplessness on his face.

After walking from Eientei to the Human Village, he realized that Kaguya wasn't there to look for clues; she seemed to be simply out shopping.

If that's the case, why insist on dragging him along... Shopping is the most boring thing; it's better to stay home, lie in a rocking chair, and relax.

But Akina Sawa also couldn't do anything about Kaguya-hime, who was clinging to his arm.

"Kacha~Kacha~"

Suddenly, several sounds that sounded exactly like camera shutters came from nearby. Akina Ze's expression tightened and he turned his head to look, but apart from the bustling crowd, he did not find any trace of the person.

And then I thought about it again, Ms. Wenwen's camera is the kind that doesn't make any sound, so those sounds definitely couldn't be the sound of the camera shutter being pressed.

Thinking this, Akina Ze secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling even more that accompanying Miss Kaguya to find clues about the unknown dark energy was a mistake, making him tremble with fear even while walking on the street, although she was indeed very beautiful.

Akina Ze also glanced at her discreetly. Even though she was wearing a hat, glasses, and simple clothes, her charm was undeniable, and people kept looking in their direction.

No, this can't go on, or it'll really look like we're on a date.

Having made up his mind, Akina Ze also spoke up:

"Miss Kaguya, it seems we haven't found the clues we're looking for at the market today. Should we try a different approach, or perhaps we could discuss it another day?"

"Huh? No?... Okay, I understand."

Unexpectedly, Kaguya Houraisan did not maintain her tough stance. Instead, she nodded in agreement, though she seemed somewhat unsatisfied.

This made Akina Ze feel a little guilty.

He glanced at the nearby vendors; there were many kinds of snacks, such as takoyaki, grilled rice cakes, and candied hawthorn skewers. He said, "What would you like to eat? How about I treat you to a skewer before we go back?"

Upon hearing this, Kaguya Houraisan's expression brightened, and she smiled sweetly, "Then may I eat candied hawthorn?"

"of course can."

As he spoke, Akina Ze walked up to the stall selling candied hawthorns and bought one.

Kaguya Houraisan didn't mind the dust and dirt on the street; she took the candied hawthorn and gently licked it with her pink tongue.

"ah!"

But the next second, Kaguya's brows furrowed noticeably, and she said in a low voice, "Why does this candied hawthorn taste a little sour!"

"Really?" Akina Ze also looked puzzled. He bought candied hawthorns from the same vendor when he bought them for Reimu and Satoru last time. Why didn't they say they were too sour last time? And he also bought a few for Aya later, and she didn't say anything either.

"You don't believe me...?" Princess Kaguya's eyes darted around, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Why don't you try and see?"

"Do not..."

Before he could finish speaking, a candied hawthorn was shoved into Akina Zeya's mouth with lightning speed.

Caught off guard, he instinctively took a bite, and the sweet taste of the candied hawthorn filled his entire mouth. Then Kaguya pulled the candied hawthorn out of the skewer, but one of the hawthorns on the stick had already disappeared.

"Why are you doing this?"

Akina Ze also covered his mouth, but he couldn't spit it out in the street, so he could only swallow the crumbs in his mouth, looking completely puzzled.

Before the words could be explained, Akina Ze felt an extremely oppressive aura suddenly rise up, as if it were directed at him.

"Looks like someone couldn't stand it anymore." Kaguya Houraisan said casually, licking the candied hawthorn in her hand.

"Who?"

"Of course it is me!"

A familiar voice boomed in my ears.

Akina Ze also shuddered inexplicably and turned his head to look.

There stood Aya Shameimaru, her black bow trembling violently, the camera lens in her hand, now uncovered, gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

"Wenwen, what are you doing here?" Qiu Mingze asked in surprise, as he thought Miss Wenwen had been at home all along.

"Didn't you notice? She's been following you the whole time, even back in Eientei."

The response was given by Kaguya Houraisan.

"Why are you following me?" Qiu Mingze scratched the back of his head, somewhat puzzled.

If you're looking for news, there's nothing to report by following him.

and many more?

Akina Sawa suddenly paused. Could it be that Miss Wenwen overheard his conversation with Reisen, which is why she followed behind?