"Welcome! To the Human Village!" Marisa spread her arms wide, gesturing towards the wooden gate that marked the entrance. Shun took a moment to appreciate the quaint village before him, its cozy houses and bustling streets.
The Human Village is the safest place to live in Gensokyo, even though some youkai come here to shop. Marisa and Alice said that humans from the outside world who accidentally end up in Gensokyo and decide to stay frequently have no choice but to live here as they would be unable to handle the youkai outside the village.
"The village itself has a powerful protector named Keine Kamishirasawa" "She possesses the ability to 'hide' the history of the village's existence, ensuring its protection from outside threats."
"Hm? Marisa and Alice? Oh? Who is that beside you? A human?" inquired a girl with vibrant purple hair and mesmerizing purple eyes. "Greetings, Akyuu!" Marisa exclaimed with a mischievous grin. "Good afternoon, Akyuu," Alice added politely, offering a respectful bow. "Good afternoon. May I inquire about the identity of this individual?" Akyuu inquired, her face filled with curiosity as she glanced at Shun.
"Ah, him? His name is Shun! He serves as a butler at the Scarlet Devil Mansion," Marisa introduced him cheerfully. Akyuu's eyes widened in surprise. "A butler at THAT mansion?!" she exclaimed incredulously. "Haha, I had the same reaction when I first heard it from him," Alice remarked with a chuckle.
"Then, are you alright? And wait, are you truly a human?!" Akyuu expressed her concern with a worried tone. "I am perfectly fine! Everyone at the mansion has treated me with kindness and respect," Shun reassured her. "Is that so? If you say so," Akyuu replied, her expression still worried.
"What's happening here?" a girl asked as she approached the group. "Greetings, Sanae!" Marisa greeted her with a smile. "Hello, Marisa! Hm? Who is this?" Sanae asked, her eyes fixed on Shun. "This is Shun, a butler who serves at the Scarlet Devil Mansion," Marisa introduced him.
"Hello, my name is Shun," Shun introduced himself, bowing respectfully. "Ahahah, I didn't expect a youkai working at that mansion," Sanae commented, her voice filled with surprise. "Hm? But Shun is a human," Alice interjected, clarifying the situation. "Eh? Do you mean him? Eh?!" Sanae's gaze turned even more curious as she scrutinized Shun. "But why would a human serve a vampire?"
"Well..." Shun averted his gaze, his expression becoming slightly somber. "Hmm?" Sanae tilted her head, studying him intently. "Now, now~ He must have his reasons for wanting to work there," Alice interjected, offering a somewhat awkward smile. "Indeed," Akyuu chimed in, her voice filled with curiosity. "The Scarlet Devil Mansion must hold its own secrets and allure."
Marisa nodded in agreement, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yeah! But I have to say, Shun, you're quite tough! You know how menacing Lady Remilia can be!" she exclaimed.
"Oh? Why are you all gathered here?" a girl with short silver hair, carrying two blades at her waist, and accompanied by a large white phantom, inquired curiously. "Youmu? What brings you here?" Marisa asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, Lady Yuyuko has requested a salmon for her meal," Youmu explained, her tone serious. "Ah, that sounds like quite the task," Alice remarked sympathetically.
Suddenly, Shun's eyes widened as he recalled something important. "Ah, I almost forgot!" he exclaimed. Alice raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Ah, that's right... You have an errand to run, don't you?" she asked, anticipating his response. "Yes, indeed," Shun confirmed.
Marisa seized the opportunity with a mischievous grin. "Oh? Perfect timing! Youmu, could you accompany Shun to the fish store?" she requested, her excitement evident.
Youmu paused for a moment, considering the request. "Of course," she replied, her tone composed. "Thank you, Youmu. I appreciate your help," Shun expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow.
As they walked towards the fish store, Youmu set a gentle pace, and Shun followed closely. "Your name is Shun, isn't it?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, that's correct. I work as a butler at the Scarlet Devil Mansion," Shun confirmed with a nod.
Youmu glanced at him with a look of curiosity. "But you're human, right?" she asked, perplexed by the thought of a human serving a vampire.
Shun smiled wryly, understanding the confusion his position might create. "Yes, I am indeed human. It's not a common sight, is it?" he replied, trying to ease the tension.
Youmu nodded in agreement. "It's not every day we encounter a human working in Gensokyo, let alone in the Scarlet Devil Mansion," she noted with a hint of disbelief.
As they continued their conversation, they reached the fish store, and Youmu gestured toward the door. "After you," she said, politely allowing Shun to enter first.
Shun stepped into the bustling fish store, the scent of the ocean mingling with the chatter of customers. Youmu followed closely behind, her ethereal presence garnering curious glances from the shopkeepers and patrons. They approached the counter, where a friendly fishmonger greeted them.
"Welcome! How can I assist you today?" the fishmonger asked with a warm smile.
Youmu and Shun exchanged a brief, silent exchange before stepping up to the counter in unison. "We would like to purchase a salmon, please," they spoke in perfect synchronization, their voices harmonizing in the air. The fishmonger was taken aback by their precise coordination but quickly complied, selecting a fresh and delectable salmon for them.
A few minutes later, Youmu and Shun left the fish store, their hands holding the carefully wrapped salmon. "I think this is enough for Lady Flandre," Shun says to himself.
"Looks like this is where we part ways," Youmu said. "Yes, but hearing you talk about swordsmanship makes me want to learn swords too," Shun replied. "Really? Hmmm... If you don't mind, I can teach you. But, you have to show me your potential," Youmu smiled. "Actually, I can't shoot bullets," Shun said, looking down.
"Eh? So you're saying you haven't engaged in a danmaku battle even once?" Youmu asked a hint of surprise in her voice.
Shun shook his head, his expression somewhat dejected. "No, no! Everyone at the Scarlet Devil Mansion taught me about danmaku and spell cards... They even gave me my first experience," he explained, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his words.
"Then, Shun... You are always welcome at Hakugyokurou," Youmu said, her smile warm and inviting.
"Eh? I don't even know where that place is..." Shun scratched his cheek, a hint of confusion on his face.
"Ahh, that's right... In that case, you should ask Reimu or Marisa for directions," Youmu suggested, her tone thoughtful.
"Ahh, but it might be a bother... Besides, me and Reimu... we're not exactly on the best of terms," Shun replied, his gaze drifting downwards, memories of a past encounter resurfacing.
"Hmm? Well, then you can ask Sakuya for guidance," Youmu suggested, hoping to offer a viable solution.
"Ahh! I must find Miss Sakuya!" Shun exclaimed a newfound sense of urgency in his voice. Without hesitation, he hurriedly runs away.
Youmu watched him go, a wry smile playing on her lips. "I suppose being a butler is indeed a tough job," she mused to herself, empathizing with the challenges that Shun faced in his role.
As Shun dashed through the village, the world around him suddenly froze in place. Time stood still, leaving him in an eerie silence. A single footstep resonated behind him, signaling the presence of someone else. Shun turned around to find Sakuya, her expression calm and composed. With a flick of her fingers, time resumed its flow, and the bustling sounds of the village filled the air once more.
Sakuya swiftly grasped Shun by the collar, a mischievous smile adorning her face. "It seems you've been quite busy, meeting a lot of people," she remarked, her voice tinged with a playful tone.
"Miss Sakuya! Where have you been?" Shun inquired, a mix of relief and curiosity in his voice.
"Well, to tell you the truth, Lady Remilia actually ordered me to venture into the human village. However, as I was walking around, I happened to spot you in the company of Alice and Marisa, so I discreetly observed you from a distance," Sakuya explained, her tone tinged with amusement.
Shun smiled awkwardly, realizing the implications of Sakuya's actions. "That's... well, it's a bit like stalking, isn't it?" he remarked, a hint of jest in his voice.
Sakuya shrugged elegantly. "Call it what you will, but it was merely a precautionary measure to ensure your safety," she replied, her eyes gleaming with a playful glint.
With a graceful nod, Sakuya shifted the conversation to a different topic. "So, how was your experience in the human village? Peaceful, I presume?" she inquired, her curiosity evident.
Shun pondered for a moment, recalling his time in the village. "Yes, indeed. The human village is a tranquil place, filled with warmth and harmony. It's quite different from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, but in its own way, it holds a charm," he replied, a sense of serenity underlying his words.
Sakuya nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "That's good to hear. Gensokyo offers a diverse tapestry of experiences, each with its own unique allure.
Shun smiled softly, his gaze briefly turning introspective. "I should express my gratitude to Miss Yukari for extending an invitation to this extraordinary world... Unlike the outside world," he mused, his expression shifting as memories of his previous life resurfaced.
Sakuya noticed the change in Shun's demeanor and couldn't help but feel a tinge of concern. "Is something troubling you, Shun?" she inquired, her voice gentle and caring.
Shun's smile returned, albeit slightly forced. "Ahh, it's nothing to worry about, Let's go back shall we?" Sakuya regarded him with a lingering expression of concern, her gaze filled with understanding. She knew that there were deeper layers to Shun's past, but she respected his privacy. Offering a warm smile in return, she nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's return," she agreed.