Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

"Konpaku Youmu explained."

“You did the right thing. These seeds are also life. If we keep them in the warehouse, they will never have a chance to grow. It would be better to give them to Mr. Akina.”

Saigyouji Yuyuko nodded in agreement.

"You want hop seeds to make beer, right?"

Yukari Yakumo, who had been observing from the sidelines, suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, I plan to grow it in my own backyard to make wine."

Akina Sawa nodded as well.

"Alright, after you've brewed it, send some to the Hakurei Shrine, um... I'll pay for it."

"Hey! Why did you send it to me?!"

Reimu Hakurei glared at Yukari Yakumo with displeasure, and it seemed that if she wasn't given a reason, she would refuse on the spot.

"Alright, alright, you can drink it then!"

Yukari Yakumo shook her head helplessly.

"Hmph, that's more like it."

----------

"Okay, I understand. I'll deliver the beer to the Hakurei Shrine then."

Akina Sawa also took the bag from Youmu's hand.

Once we have the seeds, we can make as much beer as we need, and maybe even sell it.

"Hey, let me go with you."

"You want to come with me?"

Looking at Reimu Hakurei beside him, Akina Sawa was also full of question marks.

“Yes, I can even take you flying!” Reimu Hakurei said confidently.

"Let's skip that..."

Akina Sawa also wanted to refuse. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and who knows what this scumbag shrine maiden is thinking.

"Rejection invalid"

But the words from the priestess shattered that illusion instantly.

"OK then......"

Akina Sawa shook his head helplessly.

Immediately, Reimu Hakurei grabbed Zeya Akina's arm and flew into the sky in a flash...

in situ

"Um, Youmu-chan..."

Saigyouji Yuyuko waved her hand, signaling Youmu to come over.

Youmu walked over, puzzled.

Looking around and finding no one paying attention, Saigyouji Yuyuko whispered in Youmu's ear.

Do you know how to make that special Mapo Tofu?

"..."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Kappa's Omnipotent Office

Stepping through the gates of the underworld, the dark and desolate landscape vanished, replaced by warm sunlight and lush green plants.

The sun, which used to feel scorching hot during the day, now feels quite comfortable on my skin.

Akina Ze could also feel the chilling aura from the underworld emanating from every corner of his body being driven away by this warm power.

"Miss Shrine Maiden, I'll head back now."

Looking at the sun, which was already halfway up the mountain, Akina Ze said with some concern.

I didn't know I'd be out for a long time when I went out today, so I didn't prepare lunch for Niqua. After being out for so long, Akina Sawa is a little worried about Niqua at home.

"Okay, remember to deliver what you asked for to the shrine as soon as possible~"

Reimu Hakurei nodded in satisfaction. Although she had been busy all day resolving the incident and had even been tricked into eating super spicy Mapo Tofu, she was still happy.

However, now that she can get an incredibly sweet watermelon that she could never afford on ordinary days, as well as 200 copper coins, Reimu feels that although she is very tired today, it is still worth it.

"Don't worry about that, I won't go back on my word about something this small."

Akina Sawa also spoke directly.

"..."

Reimu Hakurei silently watched Akina Sawa's departing figure, a complex feeling welling up in her heart.

This guy has only been in Gensokyo for a short time...

Why is there such a huge difference between people?

......

"Whoo~"

After a frantic run, Akina Ze finally made it home before the sun completely set.

"Nikua, I'm back!"

As soon as the courtyard gate opened, Akina Ze called out to those inside.

But there was no response. The house was quiet, the lights were off, and shadows enveloped the area.

Oh no! Could something have happened?

Seeing the motionless wooden house, Akina Ze's heart skipped a beat. He sprinted to the front door and pushed it open.

The scene before him made him gasp, his mind reeling, and he froze in shock.

Inside the cabin, Niqua was lying face down on the ground, and Marisa was lying next to her.

It was a classic locked-room murder scene.

The shock of the scene was so great that Akina Ze's legs went weak and he took a few steps back, only managing to grab the door frame to avoid falling to the ground.

Just then, he noticed that Marisa's lips were moving slightly, as if she was saying something.

Marisa is alive!

Akina Ze also forcibly suppressed his inner turmoil, lunged forward with all his might, knelt on the ground, reached out to lift Marisa's back, and leaned down to whisper in Marisa's ear to her mouth.

Based on Akina Zeya's years of experience reading detective novels, if the victim is still alive at this point, they will usually reveal one or two clues.

He doesn't have medical skills and can't save Marisa, but he can catch the murderer and avenge her.

With a heavy heart, Akina listened attentively to Marisa's last words.

As Marisa's lips moved, a broken voice entered Akina Sawaya's ears.

"There's...poison...on...the...table..."

After saying that, Marisa completely fainted.

Akina Ze slowly lowered Marisa's body, stood up, and looked at the table.

There was a plate on the large table.

This must be poison.

Akina Sawa also went over and found some dishes on the plate that looked strangely colored.

He fell silent. Just from this cursory glance, Akina Ze noticed that there were several ingredients with conflicting properties.

The kitchen door was open, and Akina Sawa walked over, silently looking at the food on the cutting board.

"..."

Based on his extensive experience over the years, he already understood what had happened.

Akina Sawa also picked up the old-fashioned telephone he bought from the kappa, and dialed the number the kappa had given him by pressing the dial.

Zzz~ Zzz~

After a short wait, the call was answered.

"Hello? Is this Kappa? Do you have any equipment for stomach lavage?"

......

"Thank you for your hard work, please take care."

Akina Ze stood by the courtyard gate with a forced smile, seeing off a group of kappa from the kappa office.

After making that phone call, a group of kappa arrived quickly, excitedly bringing with them makeshift stomach-washing equipment to Akina Zeya's cabin.

A steampunk-style machine was carried into the house by the kappa.

A rubber tube extends from the machine.

Because the kappa said that Akina Sawa was also in the way, he stood outside the door watching the kappa operate.

The kappa were all wearing goggles and masks, and also a hazmat suit.

They carefully secured Marisa and Niqua to the chairs they had brought.

Click~

The searchlights were turned on.

Under the light, the kappa pried open Marisa's mouth.

Although Marisa offered some weak resistance, it was to no avail.

With the combined efforts of the kappa, a thick piece of rubber was put into Marisa's mouth.

Seeing this, Akina Ze couldn't bear to look at it either and turned to look at the sky outside.

The stars in the sky twinkled and blinked, and the little blonde girl was so pitiful...

After delivering the promised cucumbers, the kappa left satisfied.

Akina Sawa also returned to the house.

Marisa and Niqua were lying on the bed, their faces pale.

Although he looked unwell, he was no longer in mortal danger.

Akina Sawa also walked over and gently touched Nikua's forehead.

Feeling the pressure on her forehead, Nikua opened her eyes with difficulty and said weakly.

"Akina-nii, you're back!"

Akina Ze paused for a few seconds before replying, "Yeah, I'm back."

Nikua said weakly, "I'm sorry, I didn't take good care of Marisa."

"This has nothing to do with you. It's because I've been out for too long and haven't even prepared lunch for you."

"No, this is mine..."

"Stop talking, you should rest."

Akina Sawa also interrupted the conversation.

Then he arrived next to Marisa.

Although Marisa is a magician, she is still a human and has not yet awakened.

Akina Ze also looked apologetically at Marisa's pale face.

He had already disposed of the dish on the table.

If I had come back earlier today, this wouldn't have happened.

Akina Sawa also sighed, but there was nothing he could do.