Chapter 49: The Method to Hypnotize Reimu.
...
A strange, indescribable warmth flowed from the spot where Remilia had bitten into his forearm, spreading downward toward his abdomen.
Kihara had no choice but to demonstrate a rather… unique technique to preserve his dignity.
Under Remilia's puzzled gaze, he calmly dragged over a stool, sat down, and assumed the classic "Thinker" pose.
…Yes. Crisis averted.
Even he didn't understand why, despite this being his first time getting his blood sucked—he handled such an awkward situation with such practiced ease.
Vampires were, by nature, living corpses.
Cold bodies. No heartbeat. No warmth.
But Kihara's blood clearly had some mysterious effect—even he didn't fully understand it.
As Remilia drank, she felt as if she had truly come back to life.
Her heart began to beat again.
Warmth returned to her body.
It was as if every inch of her being was filled with his blood.
"…You're special."
After finishing her "meal," Remilia gave her evaluation.
"Phew… thank you for the compliment, milady."
Kihara's face was pale, his head slightly spinning—clearly suffering from mild anemia after being drained.
Remilia elegantly wiped her lips with a handkerchief, then decisively extended an invitation:
"How about joining the Scarlet Devil Mansion? Compared to that poor shrine maiden, my Sakuya would make a far more suitable fiancée for you. If you agree, I can arrange your engagement immediately."
Even while fighting Sakuya, Reimu had been keeping an eye on the situation.
The moment she heard someone trying to steal her "cash cow," she exploded:
"Remilia! If you dare steal my man, I'll tear down that illegal mansion of yours today!"
"Oh? How interesting."
Remilia tilted her head slightly.
"It's rare to see Reimu care this much about a human man. Just what did Yukari Yakumo feed her?"
"Not exactly 'feed'…" Kihara said calmly. "If anything, I think Yukari probably hypnotized her."
"Hypnotized? That works on someone like Reimu?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh? Then do you know how she did it?"
Kihara casually pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"Like this. She showed her my bank balance and that was enough to hypnotize her."
Remilia didn't quite understand the term "bank balance," but she grasped the general meaning.
Money.
She let out a soft, bell-like laugh.
"You really are interesting. You've already seen through that greedy shrine maiden's true nature."
"In that case… why not abandon her and come to my mansion instead?"
This is it!
My instincts as a galgame expert are screaming, this is Reimu's flag moment!
Kihara instantly switched to a righteous expression and declared loudly:
"Sorry, milady. No matter what kind of person she is, she publicly announced our relationship in front of everyone yesterday."
"I can't just abandon my fiancée so casually."
"…Is that your honest answer?"
"It is."
Seeing his unwavering resolve, Remilia didn't press further.
Moments ago, she had secretly used her ability to manipulate fate and what she saw was clear.
Kihara would inevitably become connected to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
If that was the case, there was no need to force things now and risk drawing Reimu's full hostility.
Better to let fate take its course.
"Sakuya, we're leaving."
She turned, then glanced back.
"Kihara, I'll come visit again next week. Make sure you take care of your body."
With the troublesome maid and her mistress finally gone, Reimu hurried over to Kihara's side, her voice unexpectedly gentle:
"Kihara, are you okay? You're not going to turn into a vampire, right?"
"I'm fine. Just a bit anemic."
"Let me check you. Here—lie down."
Even after being exposed, Reimu still gently guided his head onto her lap.
A lap pillow.
Kihara was caught completely off guard.
Was it because of what he said earlier?
Feeling encouraged, he gently took her soft hand in his.
"Ah—! W-What are you doing?!"
A faint blush appeared on Reimu's delicate face. She bit her lip slightly, like a startled deer.
"Reimu… I like the real you more than this 'pretending to be gentle' version."
"…What do you mean? Are you saying I can't be a gentle shrine maiden?"
She glared at him, slightly annoyed, then pulled her hand back.
With a light wave of her gohei, a soft white glow entered his body.
"How is it? Feeling better?"
"Yeah… at least my head isn't spinning as much. So you really can heal?"
Reimu rolled her eyes.
"I am a shrine maiden, you know. Exorcising evil, giving blessings, curing minor ailments—basic skills."
Kihara chuckled awkwardly and sat up.
He was just about to continue the conversation—maybe deepen their relationship a bit.
But Reimu suddenly stood up, dusted off her skirt, and turned away.
"The shrine still has things to take care of. Bye."
"Ah… alright. See you."
After watching her leave, Kihara sat back down and resumed fishing.
But when he looked into his bucket.
It was empty.
Every single fish he had caught that morning was gone.
He paused.
Then slowly pressed a hand to his forehead.
"…That shameless red-and-white. So that's why she was acting so nice."
…
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
A wild, unrestrained laugh suddenly shattered the quiet of the forest path, startling flocks of birds into flight.
Reimu ran at full speed, clutching several incredibly fresh, delicious-looking fish.
Her grin hadn't faded for a second since leaving Pelican Town.
Even when Kihara had confessed his feelings right to her face.
Her heart hadn't wavered in the slightest.
All she could think about was getting money and free food from him.
Fiancé?
What's that? Can you eat it?
If it weren't for these mouthwatering fish, she wouldn't have given him a lap pillow—or let him hold her hand like that.
"…Though his hands were pretty big and warm…"
She muttered softly.
But the moment her gaze returned to the fish.
Her appetite crushed any lingering thoughts of romance.
She almost wished she had extra legs just to run faster back to the shrine and devour them before he came looking for her.
Watching everything from the shadows.
Yukari Yakumo was fuming.
Absolutely livid.
She nearly stepped out of her gap right then and there to drag Reimu to the ground.
Such a perfect "hero saves the beauty" opportunity—and you just wasted it?!
No wonder your cash cow is being targeted!
If it were her—
She could have had Kihara completely enchanted on the spot, obediently falling for her charm.
After all…
There were plenty of "interesting materials" in his phone.
Titles like:
"The Secret Training of a Little Shrine Maiden"
"The Innocent Adventures of a Young Shrine Maiden"
"A Sweet Life with a Little Shrine Maiden"
…Wait.
Something felt off.
Yukari froze.
Then slowly narrowed her eyes.
Those titles… don't match Reimu's appearance at all.
At last—
She realized the critical detail she had overlooked.
And in that instant.
A brand-new plan began to take shape in her mind.
"ACHOO!!" ×2
Kihara and Reimu both sneezed at the exact same time.
Each convinced the other was plotting to take their money.
—or their fish.
....
Thank you for reading.