Chapter 46 – Reimu: "I Have an Announcement!"
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"What do you think you're doing to my guest!?"
With a sharp shout, Reimu Hakurei stepped in, placing herself between Kihara and Yuyuko Saigyouji. She held a tray in one hand, her body shielding him completely, cold sweat forming across her pale forehead.
She had only gone to make tea and in that short moment, this clueless walking gold mine had nearly wandered straight into the jaws of two ancient monsters and lost his life.
If something had happened to him, her dreams of a luxurious future would've vanished on the spot.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
"Youmu, keep Yuyuko under control!" she snapped. "If she causes trouble at this banquet, don't blame me when my Fantasy Seal doesn't play nice!"
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Kihara and dragged him back to where Rikka and Akane were.
"This is tea brewed with mountain spring water from the shrine, paired with tea leaves I personally roasted. Please, enjoy."
Of course, the "personally roasted" part was a complete lie.
Reimu didn't know the first thing about roasting tea. The only thing special was the spring water, the tea leaves themselves were the cheapest kind from the Human Village.
But as a perpetually broke shrine maiden, this was the best she could do.
After all, being served tea by the Hakurei Shrine maiden herself was already considered top-tier hospitality.
Kihara took a sip.
Something felt off.
The refined, elegant Reimu in front of him was nothing like the shameless, money-grubbing shrine maiden he knew.
There was definitely something wrong.
After thinking it through, his gaze slowly shifted toward Yukari Yakumo, who was watching everything unfold with an amused smile.
It has to be that old hag Yukari… She definitely told Reimu something.
There's no way she'd suddenly act like this otherwise.
Kihara narrowed his eyes.
I can't keep being played like a puppet. Time to flip the board.
"Ahem… Miss Hakurei—"
"Just call me Reimu."
"Alright… Reimu. Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss with you at this banquet."
"If a valued guest has a request, I'll do everything in my power to help," she replied with a gentle smile. "If it involves youkai-related trouble within Gensokyo, I can handle it. Of course… the reward will depend on the situation."
Kihara let out a relieved breath and set down his teacup.
"It does involve a youkai. Ever since she started pestering me, I haven't been able to sleep properly."
"Oh? Such a troublesome youkai?" Reimu's eyes lit up instantly. Money delivery at my doorstep?! "Do you know her name?"
"She's called Yukari Yakumo. I don't know where she lives, but she keeps spying on me through gaps, stealing food from my fridge… and recently she even threatened that if I don't become your fiancé, she'll personally throw me onto your bed."
Silence.
Reimu's confident smile froze.
Around them, the youkai who had been eavesdropping struggled to hold back their laughter, sipping their drinks as the atmosphere turned strangely lively.
All eyes were on her now.
"W-Well… this problem isn't that difficult,"
Reimu began stiffly. "But we should approach it dialectically… If we understand the root of the issue, then we can analyze the problem… and once we analyze it, we can discuss the nature of the problem itself…"
"Oi, Reimu! Are you taking the job or not?!" someone shouted.
"Yeah, if you're not, let me take it! Though I probably can't solve it!" another chimed in.
The crowd burst into teasing laughter.
Meanwhile, several youkai quietly shifted their gaze toward Kihara after hearing the words "fiancé."
Clearly… they were plotting something.
"…Did you just say something outrageous?" Reimu asked slowly. "Fiancé?"
Kihara nodded, feigning surprise.
"…You didn't know?"
"I didn't! That old— I mean, Yukari, just told me you were a rich—"
"Rich?"
"A very kind-hearted person!" she quickly corrected, barely saving herself.
"I see…" Kihara nodded thoughtfully.
"Reimu, don't you think engagement is a bit too sudden? We don't even have any emotional foundation. How could we just get engaged like that?"
"Exactly!"
Reimu agreed instantly.
Yukari had only told her that Kihara was insanely rich and liked gentle, elegant shrine maidens. If she just acted the part for a while, she could hook him completely.
Who knew Yukari had gone ahead and arranged an engagement behind her back?!
If she had any chance of beating Yukari, she would've already gone to pick a fight.
But then—
A thought struck her.
Engagement = fiancé and fiancée
His money = my money
My money = still my money
That means I'll be super rich. Her expression changed, Drool almost slipped out.
Kihara instantly sensed danger.
Something's wrong.
He grabbed Rikka and Akane, ready to run.
But before he could move.
A delicate hand suddenly emerged from thin air, pinning him in place. The very air itself seemed to bind him, completely cutting off his escape.
Reimu suddenly stood up and raised both hands.
"Everyone! Look here, look here! I have an announcement!"
This is bad.
All the youkai turned toward her.
Her cheeks flushed slightly—rare traces of girlish shyness surfacing for a brief moment.
But the thought of never worrying about money again crushed that hesitation instantly.
She took a deep breath.
"I am now Kihara's fiancée!!!"
"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!"
The entire shrine erupted.
No one had expected such explosive news at a banquet.
"Worth it! Totally worth coming tonight!"
Meanwhile, the tengu reporter Aya Shameimaru rushed forward with pen and paper, eyes sparkling.
"Mr. Kihara! How do you feel right now?!"
"…I feel like my wallet is experiencing an unprecedented crisis."
"Got it!" Aya scribbled rapidly. "Newcomer Kihara expresses lack of confidence in his marriage—post-marriage crisis imminent!"
"…?"
"Next question! When's the wedding? How many kids? What kind of ceremony are you planning?"
"It's too early to talk about that," Kihara replied calmly. "If I get married, it'll be with Reimu, Rikka, and Akane together."
"Ohhh, I see!" Aya nodded vigorously.
"Kihara declares he needs ninety-nine wives before holding a wedding, current numbers insufficient!"
Kihara slowly clenched his fist.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
"…You're really good at twisting words, Miss Reporter."
"Oh my~ you flatter me!"
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Thank you for reading.