Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Aya Shameimaru glared back and said, "Reshoot!"

"Okay, okay, let's reshoot."

Although she thought the photo was beautiful enough and had all the necessary elements, Aya Shameimaru didn't think so.

There's no other way but to reshoot.

But this time, Aya Shameimaru seems to have changed some details of the wind. The wind blowing towards Daiyousei and Cirno has become a gentle breeze, a breeze so gentle that it can't even lift the hem of their clothes.

This left Akina Sawa somewhat disappointed.

But this time, the scene is different.

A gentle breeze caressed Cirno and the Great Fairy's hair, and behind them lay a misty road leading straight to the other side.

Ignoring Cirno's actions, the Great Fairy smiled brightly and held Cirno's right hand.

Although she didn't know what they were supposed to do, being able to do it with Cirno was the best thing.

Putting aside his dissatisfaction, Akina Ze pressed the shutter button.

This moment has been preserved.

"Give"

Akina Sawa also returned the camera to Shameimaru Aya.

"Yes, Not Bad"

Aya Shameimaru glanced at the photos she had taken.

Overall, it was passable but commendable, considering it was only taught for one morning. The results were already quite good.

"Let us see it too!"

Cirno and the Great Fairy also came over, wanting to see what was inside the iron box. They had known for a long time that Aya Shameimaru had an extremely precious iron box, but they had never had the chance to see it. This was a good opportunity for them to take a look.

"Haha! Da Jiang, your laugh is so weird."

Cirno pointed at the great fairy's face in the picture frame and laughed heartily.

"What? Cirno-chan, your peace sign is so clumsy!"

The great fairy blushed and, not to be outdone, immediately retorted.

You're the weirder one!

"It's your scissor-hand technique that's stupid!"

As they watched, the two fairies started arguing, completely obscuring the harmonious scene from just moments before.

However, this is quite normal, after all, they are fairies, and fairies are just as capricious as children.

Akina Sawa sat silently on a rock, gazing at the rippling blue water, while Shameimaru Aya began the routine maintenance of her camera.

"Hmph! I'm never talking to you again! You idiot, Cirno!"

The great demon, unable to win the argument, turned her head and said in a huff.

"Humph! Me too!"

Cirno also turned her head away and ignored the great fairy.

That's how fairies are; they can argue until they're red in the face over the smallest things.

However, my Nikua didn't get to see this side of her.

Nikua was always quiet, completely different from other fairies.

Lost in thought, Akina Sawa looked up at the sky.

Hmm, it's almost time for dinner.

Wait, what? I don't think I prepared lunch?

Akina Sawa suddenly remembered that he had left in a hurry that morning and forgot to make his own lunch.

"Forget it, let's go fishing today. It's been so long since I've gone fishing."

Having decided to have fish for lunch, Akina stretched and took out a fishing rod from his system inventory, then leisurely began fishing.

Meanwhile, Aya Shameimaru picked up a camera and seemed to be doing something else entirely.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: A Brief Chat During the Meal

Aya Shameimaru held a camera and looked through the pictures inside. She had just taken some photos of Sawaya Akina fishing.

For some reason, seeing that scene, Aya Shameimaru had an urge to film it.

Beneath the azure sky, the figure reflected in the lake—a mere ordinary fisherman—gave Aya Shameimaru an inexplicable urge to capture it on camera.

"Why would I film this when it has no news value whatsoever..." Aya Shameimaru muttered to herself.

As a journalist, Aya Shameimaru has a keen sense for spotting news. This time, her journalistic instincts didn't give her any hints, but she still pressed the shutter to record the moment.

"Come and eat, I've prepared it for you."

Akina Sawa also stood by the grill, holding a thick branch with a grilled fish stuck in it, and spoke to Shameimaru Aya.

"Okay, coming right away."

Upon hearing Akina Sawaya's urging, Shameimaru Aya hurriedly turned off the camera, walked towards the grill, and took the grilled fish skewers from Akina Sawaya's hand. Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided to stop thinking about it.

Beside the grill, Cirno was taking big bites of the golden-brown fish meat roasting on a stick.

A fish several times larger than Cirno's face shrank visibly under her bites.

The great fairy was also sitting to the side, happily eating grilled fish.

That's how fairies are; they easily forget sad things. They were arguing just a moment ago, but the moment they smelled the aroma of fish, they immediately forgot their quarrel and made up as if nothing had happened.

However, the fish in this Misty Lake are as stupid as ever. As soon as the hook is cast, fish will bite the bait, and the fish caught are bigger and bigger.

Although the fish were getting bigger and bigger, Akina Ze was still somewhat dissatisfied because it took away the fun of fishing for him. It was like being a worker on an assembly line, dropping the hook, getting the fish to bite the bait, and then pulling it up.

So he stopped after he had caught enough fish.

"so good"

Watching the fairies devour the fish he had prepared, Akina Ze couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Looking at the grilled fish in his hand, which was already glistening with oil, he carefully sprinkled some cumin on it, and immediately a unique barbecue aroma wafted out.

Although he is not even an amateur chef, Akina Ze always carries seasonings with him, since he might as well use the system's backpack.

"I also want!"

Cirno, who was standing nearby, smelled the aroma of grilled fish with cumin and immediately came over with her eyes lit up, wanting Akina to get her some too.

"All right"

Faced with the little girl's request, Akina Ze naturally agreed, although it hurt a bit, since the spices in the Human Village were very expensive, and the money from selling many vegetables might only be enough to buy a bottle of spices.

He spent most of the money in his wallet on this.

But no matter how much it hurt, it was no use. Akina Ze took the bag of cumin powder and carefully added some seasoning to the grilled fish that Cirno brought over.

Let's go, let's go.

After sprinkling the cumin powder, Akina Sawa also started to urge Cirno to leave.

Although Cirno is a 9, she still knows that fairies shouldn't be too greedy. Although she has forgotten who told her this, she understands the principle behind it very well.

So Cirno swaggered back with the seasoned grilled fish.

Shameimaru Aya and Daiyousei, standing to the side, looked at the authentic grilled fish in their hands and suddenly felt that it didn't smell good anymore, at least not as good as Cirno's.

They all looked at Akina Zeya without prior arrangement.

"this..."

Under the resentful gazes of the two, Akina Ze couldn't take it anymore.

Out of necessity, Akina Sawa added seasoning to both of them as well. Moreover, Shameimaru Aya complained that it wasn't enough, so she took the bag and added some more to her own grilled fish. Now the bag of cumin powder was much emptier, which made him feel the pinch again.

But seeing how happily they were eating, Akina swallowed the words of complaint he wanted to say, and silently put away the cumin powder, promising not to take it out again next time.

I wonder how Nikua is doing now, and whether she's been staying home and eating properly?

Seeing the three people in front of him enjoying their grilled fish so happily reminded Akina Ze of Nikua, who was alone at home.

Oh right, I mentioned last time that I wanted to ask her about Niqua. Cirno is right here, so I'll ask her and see if she knows anything.

"Hey, Cirno"

Having made up her mind, Akina Sawa also asked Cirno, "Do you know a fairy named Niqua?"

"Yes, I know her. Are you looking for her too?"

Hmm? Also?

It seems I've noticed a detail.

Having noticed the clue, Akina Sawa continued, "Cirno, why are you looking for her?"

"Of course I'll ask her to hang out with me, you idiot!"

Eager to eat her fish, Cirno turned her head away impatiently, seemingly unwilling to continue talking to Akina Sawa.

"If it's Nikua-chan, I know a little bit about her."

At this moment, the great fairy beside him spoke weakly.

"What do you know? Tell me about it?"

Akina Ze, who had been wanting to learn more about Nikua, also asked with a question in mind.

“Nikua is different from other fairies. She likes to be alone. I once talked to her and she said that she used to live in a hole in a big tree, but for some reason she forgot where the tree was.”

"So? Nikua is a fairy without a home?"

The great fairy nodded and continued, "So, she came here, to the Lake of Mist."

"But there are many fairies in the Lake of Mist, and everyone wants to meet this new companion. However, Niqua always hides away, and over time no fairy goes to play with her anymore."

“But Cirno is different.” The Great Fairy turned to look at Cirno, who was still eating grilled fish. “The more Niqua hides, the more Cirno will search for her.”

"I asked her why she kept looking for Niqua, and she said that fairies are all partners and that no one can be abandoned. I don't know where Cirno heard these words." The Great Fairy burst out laughing as she spoke, and some of the laughter sprayed onto Akina Zeya.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" the great fairy quickly apologized.

"It's alright, you can continue," Akina Ze waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind.

“Hmm,” the Great Fairy nodded and continued, “So, one day, Cirno and I finally found Niqua hiding in the corner again, but Niqua turned around and ran away. Cirno didn’t want to give up this opportunity, so… she froze her…” The Great Fairy lowered her head in embarrassment.

"..."

"As expected of a fairy, her ideas are truly unique," Akina Sawa silently remarked to himself.

"Then, Niqua disappeared. Cirno and I have been looking for her in the neighborhood. Do you know where she is?"

"..."

Should I tell the truth? That I told Niqua was with me, and that I took Cirno and the others with me?

But...would Nikua agree?

Akina Ze was also conflicted. He didn't know whether he should tell the truth. He felt that he should inform Nikua first, but he didn't want to lie.

After thinking for a long time, Akina Ze came up with a compromise.

“I know where she is, but I can’t tell you where she is right now. What I can tell you is that Nikua is very happy right now.”

Akina Sawa also said seriously to Daiyousei, "I hope you won't tell Cirno yet."

"Yes," the great fairy nodded heavily.

At that moment, Nikua, who was watering her plants at home, shed tears of joy.

Chapter Seventy: The Master is Not Home

"Okay, he's gone too. Now I'm all alone at home."

Standing by the kitchen window, Nikua silently clenched her fists and watched as Aya Shameimaru and Sawa Akina walked away.