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Music: The Ayakashi Sheds Spring
Reimu Hakurei
It's been a while, Reimu. Have you been well?
...
Oh my, isn't it cold of you to just ignore me?
Not really. I was just saving it for the danmaku battle.
You want to talk, right? Then get started already.
*chuckle* I suppose if I want to know, then that will do nicely.
Since it's you, I don't mind showing you what's beyond the multi-layered barrier, the abyss of truth and danmaku...
Marisa Kirisame
Allow me to thank you once again for resolving the incident, Miss Ordinary Magician. I'm glad it was a normal human like you who stood side by side with Reimu.
Stop calling me "ordinary" and "normal" over and over again! Are you making fun of me?
I'm ASSESSING you. Danmaku reveals one's true self. You're the very embodiment of that.
So, can you only talk in riddles or something? For a youkai who's lived so long, you sure seem pretty human to me.
It's because I've accumulated so much. I'm bad at throwing things away.
Keine Kamishirasawa
Summer, autumn, and now winter... You've been accompanying Reimu since the beginning. Your efforts are not unappreciated.
So, what do you think? Could either Reimu or Marisa form the bridge for new human-youkai relations?
...As one of their traveling companions, I'm not qualified to judge them. But, even over this short time, I've noticed more and more of their inner strengths.
So you chose to speak subjectively. What I'd been hoping for was more of a historian's perspective.
Whenever I'm with this group, I'm always especially careful about that.
Knowledge is to be lent when needed, and history is to be framed impartially. Those are my duties.
Alice Margatroid
This is the first time we've talked like this, Miss Makai-born former human.
...! You know about me...?
I could hardly fail to notice a half-baked youkai like you. You've made your decision, yet you still carry all sort of things....
...And whatever could that mean?
Just as it sounds. Your heart is unable to discard Makai, and your body is unable to discard your humanity. If you're going to live as a youkai, then the only thing you'll carry is risk.
...
Well, perhaps it's harsh of me to say all that to a novice youkai. But, for your own sake, remember these words.
Nitori Kawashiro
You were Nitori Kawashiro, I believe. I know all about you.
Bwuh?! How do you know my name?
You come and go so freely from that insular mountain society. That's more than enough to stand out. Even among the kappa, you're considered quite the eccentric.
I'm just your average kappa. I've always been interested in humans, but in the end I only had friends on the mountain.
Well, then why are you with the humans now?
It just turned out that way. Ever since I ran into Marisa, I've gotten closer to everyone.
But BECAUSE it was a coincidence, I won't let you take them from me! These are my cherished bonds of friendship!
Rumia
That's a pretty tree~.
...You're certainly out of place here. However could a youkai like you have come to cooperate with Reimu?
Cooperate? I just do what I feel like.
She naturally makes allies, even with a mere youkai like you, who follows the path of least resistance... That Reimu is quite something.
You sound like you're making fun of me, but aren't you a youkai too?
...So I am. Sometimes I forget.
Daiyousei
...So this tree really drew all those people to their deaths?
My. You're only a fairy, yet you can comprehend the death of a human or a youkai?
Fairies are the very incarnation of nature. Both their creation and their extinguishment are quite unlike other living beings.
I don't really get all that complicated stuff you just said, but... But I think it'd be really sad if someone went away and you could never see them again.
How curious. But isn't that essentially the same as when a flower blooms only to wither?
It's not the same! I just... I'd just be really sad if someone went away...!
Cirno
So what are you up to, anyway? I'm in a hurry here, y'know. I gotta go home and play with Dai and Letty.
Letty would be the winter youkai, correct? Surely that would be impossible then?
Why not? We're friends, and friends always play together.
So you're saying a fairy, an incarnation of nature, is oblivious to the motions of the seasons? Perhaps you've become too powerful, too independent, and have lost touch with the voice of nature?
What are you talking about? I don't get a word you're saying!
Or perhaps you're simply particularly dull.
Sakuya Izayoi
I'm glad we had the chance to talk. I've been interested in you, too.
Why?
Stranded in an unfamiliar land, and picked up by a devil of all things. What a pitiable human...
What feelings motivate you to work? I've been wanting to ask you for a while now.
Meeting the mistress was my fate. I plan to continue on my path like this.
Even if it's a narrow, winding path?
Even if I must balance by a thread, I will not lose my way.
Meiling Hong
You. You're the gatekeeper for that boistrous devil. What has happened since last summer's incident?
Huh? Why are you asking me?
A gate marks the boundary between inside and outside... As someone who stands on that border, you should have the most objective view of the mansion.
There are a lot of good people, and everyone in the mansion always looks like they're having fun.
The mistress and her sister do nothing but quarrel, but really, I'm surprised they can even talk to each other...
This is meant to be a paradise for youkai, so what's of the utmost importance is your satisfaction. If possible, though, do try to keep any future rampages to a minimum.
Well, that's up to the mistress.
Patchouli Knowledge
So after being roped into resolving the incident, I have to deal with this strange old folk tale...
I'm not too interested in oral tradition. Could you write it down in a book for me?
I prefer not to leave behind anything concrete. As long as it's in your mind, it should be sufficient.
If it's only in your mind, then that's not knowledge, that's just memories. The true nature of knowledge is to be reliably transmitted.
Koakuma
I see that even a devil like you is taking part in these danmaku battles.
Could you have been forced into service by your master?
No, I serve Lady Patchouli by my own will! I may not be all that good at it though...
But my battle takes place on the back lines, helping everyone out!
Elly and Kurumi
I think I've seen you somewhere before... Oh, you're Yuuka Kazami's servant youkai.
...You know Yuuka?
She's been in Gensokyo since ancient times. I suppose you could call her an acquaintance. She's quite a youkai-like youkai, in the opposite sense from me.
You mean, like, strong and scary?
Simple and lonely through and through, with a purpose in life as pure as anything.
Lonely?! Yuuka's not alone!
Yeah, she's got us and everyone in the Mansion of Fantasy!
Mokou Fujiwara
...A story about humans and youkai, huh? Those never have happy endings.
You say that as though you speak from experience. Would that be due to that body of yours?
Yeah, live forever and you end up seeing a lot. Even if the bonds you make end up leaving nothing behind...
Why not simply give up on associating with humanity entirely, then? Surely that's one way to live.
...That does kind of make sense.
But I'd like to live my life as a human. For now, anyways.
Komachi Onozuka
Yeesh, just when we think the job's done, you keep us here for unpaid overtime.
If you ask me, I just can't understand why anyone would go against the cycle of reincarnation in the first place. I've ferried countless souls in my time, but I've never thought anyone's death was a tragedy.
That would be because the people you meet are already dead. The humans of Higan wouldn't know the sorrow of those left behind.
Well, by that logic you shouldn't talk about it until you've died yourself.
Try it out, it might be better than you expect.
Three Fairies of Light
Sunny, we're up against that bigshot youkai they call a sage! We can't beat her! We need to run awa-
Oh my, even if you weren't so frightened, I wouldn't have antagonized you.
There's no need to. After all, you're weak. Extremely weak.
...
However, I AM a bit interested in your mysteries. Perhaps you could show me, briefly.
What do we do, Sunny? She's saying that, but...
Hmph. If we kept quiet after all that, we'd be a disgrace to the name of the Three Fairies of Light.
Luna, Star, let's go! We'll show her our hidden potential!
Minoriko Aki
Now that winter's over, we can finally prepare for autumn.
Winter has only just now passed, and your mind immediately turns to autumn? A bit single-minded, aren't we?
Well, my identity as a god of autumn IS pretty important to me... But that's just my official stance. I gotta get ready for all the incoming prayers for a good harvest.
The humans will want a good crop for the coming autumn... I better get pumped for another year.
Shizuha Aki
The scattering cherry blossom petals... I'm quite familiar with the profundity of scenes like this.
As one who governs demise, I imagine you feel the same way about the leaves falling in autumn.
A decline and then a stillness. This is something that will happen to all living things. That's why we don't always need to mourn. The same goes for you too.
...So you take the philosophical view of things. I suppose that's befitting for the long-lived.
Hina Kagiyama
...Once this investigation is over, I need to return to where I belong.
It must be difficult, being both a misfortune god and an ally of humanity. I'm sure your life is a lonely one.
It's just natural for me to gather misfortune. I've never once regretted what I am.
I'm satisfied with being needed... Even if it's just this once.
Do you really think these people here would be bothered by something as trivial as misfortune?
...That's what has me so worried.
Sanae Kochiya
You're the newcomer to Youkai Mountain. This is the first I've laid eyes on you.
You know about us...?
Naturally. Just how big of a fuss do you think you caused?
So how are you finding life over here? In the paradise you were prepared to die to reach?
...To be honest, I've often thought it was tough living here. Even though I thought I'd hardened my resolve...
If you regret it that much, I don't mind sending you back.
No, the people of the mountain, and Reimu, and the others... They've all accepted us.
I can state this clearly now: I live here, in Gensokyo. As the wind priestess of the Moriya Shrine...
And along with Lady Yasaka and Lady Moriya!
Aya Shameimaru
Good afternoon, Miss Yukari Yakumo.
So what are you doing here today? Could it have anything to do with Miss Saigyoji?
...You're one of the oldest youkai present, so could you perhaps consider acting like it?
To associate with humans and even bear their burdens... Surely this tarnishes the proud name of the tengu?
We don't need a stuffy old pride like that. Always being one step ahead of the times is where the real fun is at. Makes for the best pictures too.
If you go on your raids with such frivolous emotions, you're liable to get yourself hurt someday.
And that's exactly why I can be proud of coming home and writing my articles, unscathed once again.
Momiji Inubashiri
The great youkai, Yukari Yakumo. Can I fight her while covering Lady Kochiya..?
A mountain youkai, and a tengu at that, is worrying about a human? How unusual.
Lady Kochiya is a resident of the mountain, and we residents of the mountain help each other out.
So that's the answer the mountain youkai have come to, in response to the shrine. I can't imagine that relationship will last much longer though...
That's for the higher-ups to decide; I wouldn't know. As an underling... All I can do is protect what's right in front of me.
Letty Whiterock
...Once this cherry tree loses its petals, the stalled seasons will start to move again.
As a winter youkai, I'm sure this was an uncomfortable incident for you.
I've certainly been feeling under the weather, but resolving it was the natural thing to do. Defying the cycle of the four seasons was unforgiveable.
Indeed, I thought I understood that, but... Now that it's right in front of me, my feelings have gotten the better of me.
Lily White
The stolen spring is returning to the land below, little by little...
And the incident ends along with the Saigyo Ayakashi.
If you'd just wait patiently, you wouldn't have to fight too, you know.
I don't have the patience for that. I was always, always looking for spring. I'd dig through the snow every day...
That's why, right now, I'm so happy that I'm chomping at the bit.
Nazrin
A bond between humans and youkai, huh?
I used to hear about that all the time, back in the day. There's a bit of a qualitative difference between your touching story and the ideals she strived for though...
...I see, so you've had an eccentric acquaintance.
That's for sure. Once you've lost your ideals though, there's nothing left but smoldering ashes.
You say that as though you've never shared her ideals?
I'm different from the rest of the gang. I'm just here to watch, it's my job.
Now that she's lost her ideals though, what is there left for you to watch?
...Good question. Maybe I just want to have faith in these ashes.
Shou Toramaru
Time hasn't been kind to your sense of fashion, but you're quite the sharply dressed youkai. Which makes the fact that I've never noticed you before now almost strange enough to be called mysterious.
...That would be because I've been in hiding. I've done nothing but run all my life.
Is that so?
Yes. Running from what I've done, and running from the gaze of the person I did it to...
But now, I might be able to face them.
I believe we already know the limits of a youkai who has given up on life once before.
Maybe so, but I can't run anymore...!
Youmu Konpaku
Why are you here, Youmu?
Lady Yukari...!
If you think you're protecting the White Jade Belvedere, I'm afraid it extends much further than just the garden. And it seems you've raised your blade against Yuyuko, too.
...I had to. I thought that if I didn't stop the Saigyo Ayakashi, Lady Yuyuko would've been in danger. There weren't any other options at the time...
The excuses of a child. In the off-chance that you'd wounded her, what would you have done then? As guardian of the White Jade Belvedere, surely you can't say that was the right thing to do.
I don't know if it was right or wrong...
I simply believed in myself and swung my sword. I cut through to the truth!