Chapter 41: The Pointy-Headed Kihara & Manly Mokou.
...
When Eirin Yagokoro examined Kihara's body, she was genuinely startled.
His condition was… chaotic.
It was like someone had taken a human body and stuffed it full of completely different powers.
The most obvious traces came from Yukari Yakumo and Kaguya Houraisan.
Then there was that near-infinite residual energy…
And beneath it all, a faint but incredibly high-level force governing everything.
Interesting…
So this was the human Yukari had mentioned, the one capable of saving Gensokyo.
And apparently… the "online friend" Kaguya always talked about was actually real.
In that case… it might be worth steering him toward Eientei.
After a full round of treatment and surgery, Eirin successfully fused the remaining life force of Alexis and Kaguya's "momentary power" into Kihara's body.
The result?
Something very close to the effect of the Hourai Elixir.
In simple terms, Kihara had gained an immortal body, but without any increase in raw physical strength.
"Kaguya, how is he?"
"He'll be fine," Eirin replied calmly.
"And you, didn't I tell you not to use that power so casually? Especially not on a human. The fact he survived at all is a miracle. Yukari must've been protecting him."
Kaguya laughed awkwardly, like a student caught misbehaving.
"Ahaha… well, he's my online friend! If he's going out to save the world, I had to give him something good, right? Otherwise I'd look like a stingy Lunar Princess!"
Eirin sighed.
"When he wakes up, give him this letter."
"What's in it?"
"Nothing much. Just a reminder to report to Eientei regularly. His body is now completely stabilized, if he wants to grow stronger, he'll need the medicine I prepare."
Eirin wasn't someone who overlooked value.
She could clearly see Kihara's importance to all of Gensokyo.
And judging by Kaguya's attitude. It was obvious she cared about him.
Investing early was only logical.
"Wait—his body is stabilized? That won't affect his growth, right?"
"You can think of it as a pseudo-Hourai Elixir. His training won't be hindered."
"Good!"
Kaguya smiled brightly.
"Then I'll drag him back to my room. When he wakes up, he can play games with me!"
"…Fine."
Kaguya hummed happily as she carried Kihara into her room.
The moment the door closed.
Her expression changed.
A mischievous grin spread across her face as she wiped a bit of drool.
"Hehe… this guy's actually pretty well-built…"
Her hand slowly reached toward his stomach.
"Let's see how well-developed you are~"
Meanwhile—
At the Hakurei Shrine.
Reimu Hakurei let out a bored sigh.
After lazily sweeping a spotless courtyard, she tossed the broom aside, made herself a cup of tea, and sat down on the veranda.
"So boring… why isn't anyone coming to donate money?"
"Since you're so broke, how about I introduce you to a rich person?"
Reimu immediately clutched her teacup like a defensive squirrel and glared at the intruder.
"If you want tea, it's 100,000 yen!"
Yukari pressed her forehead.
What happened to that girl who once dreamed of becoming the strongest shrine maiden…?
No wonder Kihara didn't want to get engaged to her.
Even she wouldn't want to deal with someone like this.
But still—
If Kihara only focused on gathering companions from other worlds and ignored Gensokyo…
That would be a problem.
As more "chosen individuals" gathered around him, the Great Hakurei Barrier would favor him more and more.
If conflicts arose between Pelican Town residents and Gensokyo's youkai…
And he chose sides?
That could split Gensokyo itself.
So Yukari had done her research.
After checking Kihara's phone…and confirming a certain "preference"
She made her move.
A symbolic engagement was enough.
As for whether romance would bloom…
That was up to fate.
Yukari whispered something into Reimu's ear.
Instantly—
Reimu's bow perked up.
Her eyes turned into gold coins.
Drool poured out like a waterfall.
"Ahem… I understand what you're saying."
"I'm not someone who'd bow for money…"
"…but if it's a lot of money… I might consider it."
"I'll be looking forward to your performance at the banquet."
After Yukari left, Reimu muttered to herself while heading inside.
"…Maybe I should ask Marisa Kirisame for advice."
"…I'll give her 10% of the money… no, 5%!"
Meanwhile—
Kihara woke up again, feeling like he'd been knocked unconscious one too many times lately.
He had just left Eientei.
And Kaguya had casually informed him.
That he had become some kind of "pointy-headed tech warrior".
If he wanted to improve his body.
He'd need to rely on Eirin's medicine.
But there was an upside.
At least now, he was basically like someone else he hadn't met yet.
Someone who couldn't die no matter how reckless they were.
As if summoned by that thought.
She appeared.
Fujiwara no Mokou.
Her sharp red eyes scanned him.
Then she grinned like a delinquent.
"Hey. What's your relationship with Kaguya? Why do you smell like her?"
"Mokou, I'm just a passing Kamen Rider. If you want revenge, can you not drag me into it?"
"Oh? So you know about us…"
She sniffed the air again.
Then her grin widened.
"…And that familiar scent…"
"You drank the Hourai Elixir too, didn't you?"
"Perfect."
"Let's fight."
"…Do we have to?"
"Nope!"
Flames erupted instantly.
The surrounding bamboo turned to charcoal.
Mokou charged.
After all these years.
She had finally found a new "immortal."
As the senior.
She had to properly "educate" him.
Kihara sighed and pulled out the newly recreated Faiz Gear.
"Guess we're doing this."
"Standing By!"
"Henshin!"
The Bamboo Forest of the Lost once again echoed with explosions and fire.
The rabbits nearby calmly evacuated.
Clearly—
This wasn't their first time seeing this.
By nightfall—
The battle finally ended.
At the center of a scorched battlefiel.
Mokou sat by a campfire, arm slung around Kihara's shoulder.
A pot of rabbit hotpot simmered over the flames.
She grinned.
"Didn't expect you to fight like that."
"You look refined, but you're wild in battle."
"I like that."
"After this meal—"
"We're brothers."
....
Thank you for reading.