Chapter 15: A Peasant's Rebellion
Haruto's eyes lit up, growing brighter with every passing second.
He had only intended to figure out the properties of the Cursed Doll, but he never expected such a pleasant surprise. Alice had somehow managed to fix the doll's curses in place, transforming their random nature into something entirely controllable.
"It had to be you, Alice," Haruto said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I can't believe you could pull something like this off. Thank you so much."
"N-no, it's nothing," Alice stammered, waving her hands in a flustered gesture. "I just happen to be familiar with this sort of thing... and this little project was really no trouble at all."
"When I first arrived in Gensokyo, I was a stranger in a strange land. I wouldn't have managed without your help back then."
"Amazing is amazing," Haruto insisted with a grin. "Why are we being so polite with each other?"
"Mm..." Alice responded softly, a faint warmth creeping into her cheeks. "If there's anything else I can help with later, please be sure to let me know. You're also welcome to visit my home anytime. Shanghai and Hourai are always asking when they can play with you again."
"Once I'm done with my business, I'll definitely come by and bother you," Haruto promised. As he spoke, he reached into a gap and retrieved two fist-sized, colorful plastic tubs. They contained his homemade rainbow bubble solution; not only were the colors random, but the wand could also easily blow bubbles of all different shapes.
"It really has been a while since I've seen Shanghai and Hourai. Take this to them."
"You spoil them too much," Alice said, a little embarrassed. "Bringing them gifts every time will spoil them rotten."
Haruto just shrugged, unconcerned. Every time he visited Alice's little Western-style house, Shanghai and Hourai would circle him excitedly, waiting for him to pat their heads and give them a hug. Even though they were just dolls, they miraculously possessed life, and their touch was no different from a real person's. They were simply too cute. As for the bubble solution, he could whip up as much of it as he wanted.
After lingering for a few more cups of tea, Haruto took his leave from the Forest of Magic. He didn't head directly for Eientei, however. Instead, he first returned to the Yakumo residence and asked Yakumo Ran to open a gap leading to Hakugyokurou.
Hakugyokurou, the Tower of White Jade, was situated at the border of the Netherworld. It was the grand residence of the Netherworld's ghost princess, Saigyouji Yuyuko.
Walking through the endless cherry blossom forest, surrounded by all manner of drifting phantoms, Haruto couldn't help but shrink his neck and quicken his pace toward the living quarters.
Just as he stepped into the house, he heard Yakumo Yukari's dismissive snort from her spot on the tatami mat.
"Even if you and Ran come to beg me together, I'm not going back."
Haruto ignored her completely, his eyes scanning the room before he turned to leave. Before he could even slide the door shut, a pair of fair, delicate hands suddenly wrapped around his neck, followed by the sensation of a soft weight pressing against his back.
Yuyuko was hanging entirely off him, as light as a balloon.
"Where's the food? Where's my yummy food?"
Her hands fumbled all over him like an octopus's tentacles.
"Found it!"
"Stop right there!"
Haruto's reflexes were faster. He snatched the Vengeful Spirit Fruit right back from Yuyuko's mouth, earning him a pout and puffed-out cheeks.
"This isn't for you," he chided. "I have a use for this fruit."
As he spoke, he pulled out the food he had prepared from a gap—mostly small cakes and various fruits—and piled them on the floor. In the blink of an eye, they formed a small mountain.
"You can eat these."
"Heehee, I knew Little Haru still loves me~"
Yuyuko scooped up the treats from the floor and happily returned to the tatami mat. With a small cake in one hand and a piece of fruit in the other, she mumbled blissfully, "I love you the most, Little Haru."
Beside them, Yakumo Yukari's face instantly darkened.
Haruto helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Could you not say things that are so easily misunderstood?"
"Misunderstood?" Yuyuko tilted her head, her words muffled by a mouthful of cake.
Haruto didn't bother responding. One should never be fooled by Yuyuko's usual dazed and cute appearance; if you cut open the heart of a pink-haired girl, it was bound to be pure black. Otherwise, how could she possibly be best friends with Yakumo Yukari?
"Where's Youmu? I don't see her."
"She went out to sell some handmade accessories," Yuyuko replied. "She left a long time ago, so she should be back soon."
"Tsk, tsk. You've only been apart for a short while and you're already missing your little sweetheart? It seems my introduction was a good match after all~" Yakumo Yukari drawled from the side, her tone deliberately teasing.
Haruto coughed twice and shot her a glare. "What sweetheart? Don't talk nonsense. I'm just here to see if Youmu is being bullied."
Yukari simply rolled her eyes at him.
At that moment, Yuyuko paused her chewing and chimed in, her voice still indistinct. "But Little Haru, you can't beat Youmu in a fight, can you?"
Yakumo Yukari burst out laughing, looking at Haruto as if he were a freshly fluffed ball of wool.
"If you're going to eat, then just eat! Why do you have to be so hurtful!" Haruto said indignantly.
Yuyuko tilted her head, a blank look on her face. "But I'm telling the truth. You originally..."
Before she could finish, she stopped abruptly. Haruto had pulled out a super-sized lollipop, one even bigger than her head. Yuyuko's eyes lit up instantly.
"I want to eat it! Give it to me, quick!"
"Nope!"
Haruto made a show of putting the lollipop away. Growing anxious, Yuyuko lunged forward, pinning him to the floor in a surprisingly strong tackle.
"What I said just now was wrong! Actually, Little Haru, you're the strongest in the world! Way stronger than Youmu! Even Yukari can't compare to you!"
After a torrent of compliments, Haruto finally relented in satisfaction and handed the massive lollipop to Yuyuko.
Yakumo Yukari watched from the side, gritting her teeth. "Have you no shame? Using a lollipop to deceive an innocent young girl!"
Haruto was stunned. He pointed at Yuyuko, then at himself, his expression screaming, 'Are you sure you're speaking a human language?'
Setting aside whether Yuyuko could even be considered "innocent"...
Just in terms of age, ten of him added together wouldn't even be half as old as Yuyuko.
And... Haruto leveled a gaze full of disdain at his sister.
"If you said anything else, I might accept it. But shamelessness? Sorry, but you're the grandmaster in that department."
Yukari's face twisted in anger. Haruto strategically took two steps back, staring at her warily.
"Look, we can talk, but let's not get physical! Don't take it so seriously. Getting angry will make you old, and you'll get more wrinkles!"
Yukari might have held back, but the second half of that sentence made her snap. She tore open a gap, forcibly grabbed Haruto, and advanced on him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Hey, hey, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Hiss—don't hit me! Careful, or I'll report you for domestic violence! Ow, ow, ow..."
"Old Hag Yukari... Mother Yukari... hiss... Yukari-nee! My fair-skinned, beautiful, long-legged, seventeen-year-old Elder Sister, please don't hit my face! Please let me go!"
After a thorough round of 'education with love,' Haruto finally caved. He forced a smile and obediently began giving Yukari a back rub and leg massage.
A wise man submits to circumstances?
Wrong.
This was merely endurance. He was biding his time.
'Just you wait,'he fumed internally.'When I have enough strength, I will rise up like an oppressed peasant and sing the song of revolution! I'll pin that old hag down and... and...'
Snap!
A sharp flick landed squarely on Haruto's forehead. Yakumo Yukari narrowed her eyes, her tone dangerously low.
"What are you spacing out for? You wouldn't happen to be saying bad things about me in your head, would you?"
"How could I!" Haruto immediately straightened his back and patted his chest righteously. "Heaven and earth are my witness! My loyalty to Yukari-nee is as clear as the sun and moon! Even Sister Ran's loyalty can't compare!"
Yukari rolled her eyes, naturally not believing a word of his nonsense. She lay lazily on the tatami mat and continued to enjoy his massage service.
While kneading her shoulders, Haruto glared resentfully at Yuyuko. She was happily licking his lollipop without offering a single word of help.
No integrity at all!
Just as he was racking his brain for an escape plan, a clear and pleasant voice drifted in from the courtyard.
"Lady Yuyuko, I have returned!"
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