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...Phew, the water's really nice.
You're right, it is. Well, that's enough for me.
Aya gets out.
You're getting out already? Is this some crow thing?
What a waste! A bath this good practically demands some soaking!
The winter is as hateful as ever, but I can't stay quiet when it comes to hot springs.
And hey, we haven't even had our second round of drinks yet. You just haven't lived until you've floated cold sake around in a bath and drank till you just can't drink anymore...
Oh~, that sound great. It feels like paradise here. It's even melting off my day-to-day fatigue.
You said it. Hot springs really help out with stiff shoulders.
...
...
Hm? What is it?
Nothing! I was just wondering if your shoulders really get that stif-
What do you have to eat to get like that?! Is it milk?!
...? Well, I do drink milk, but...?
As a growing child, you can't be picky about what you eat. Just clear your plate.
...I see, so it's about food, huh?
Reisen and some others are watching off to the side.
...Sheesh, how long do those people plan to take their time in here? Though I have to admit that hot springs loosen up the body and help you relax...
You sound like you're complaining, but you look like you're really enjoying yourself.
You get a bit cocky whenever Eirin and the others aren't around, don't you?
I never knew that you were the strongest in the House of Eternity, and all that other stuff!
Wait, what...?! I can't remember, but did I get THAT drunk?!
Chatting is fine and all, but make sure you keep warm after coming out of the bath.
I doubt Cirno has to worry about it, but won't you catch a cold if you don't warm up, Lily?
...Right, I'm sorry...
Actually, since you're a fairy of spring, are you gonna be all right in this weather? I mean I see you out with Cirno or Mystia every so often but...
You're right, but it's almost time for Letty to return. I wanted to see her face at least once...
Letty?
Yeah! Letty is a winter youkai and our friend!
We resolved the snow incident with her, but after spring came we got separated... When we parted, we gave her a frozen frog as a sign of friendship.
Oh? A spring fairy and a winter youkai, huh?
Speaking of friends, have you met with Nue since then, Murasa? You ended up having this big argument right when we were leaving for the moon.
...Nope. I searched for her, but didn't turn up anything. Since it's HER we're talking about though, she might just be hiding somewhere again.
When Nue hides her true form, it can be nearly impossible to find her.
If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. If you get a chance to talk to her, I'm sure you'll both-
Yuuka enters.
As naive as always, I see.
...! Yuuka?!
There was some fuss at the shrine, so I came to take a look. And what do I stumble upon but this hopelessly naive conversation. If a youkai hates associating with people, forcing that upon them would only make them feel pressured.
That's a very Yuuka-esque opinion, but we've thought about it on our end too.
So what are you here for? If you're looking for the hot spring, the dressing room is that way.
A hot spring? The shrine has a hot spring?
Yes. Talk to Reimu and she should let you borrow a towe-
Speak of the shrine maiden, and she shall come.
Sorry, but I lent the last one to Marisa.
...Wow, it's really like a party here. Is everyone just crazy for hot springs or what?
You must be tired, Reimu. Sorry for making you do all the work.
Don't worry about it. I mean, you're cleaning up the bath afterward, right?
Oh hey, Yuuka's here too? Perfect timing.
Actually, I have something I wanted to talk to all of you about.
What is it?
Ah, it's about this little guy.
...
Oh, is that Shiro? The pet you've been keeping since earli-
Yeah. Whenever this guy's around, some weird person show up in our dreams and talks to us. But lately, they've been acting funny.
What do you mean by funny?
...They used to give out pretty normal advice, but ever since about the time we headed for the moon the help's gotten weird. Like, they're saying that Lunar culture is bad for us, and that we need to watch out for the Moriya shrine's ideas.
U-Us?!
Yeah. Seems like they really hate new things and ways of thinking. Last time, they said something about how we should get rid of all suspicious people.
That's a bit extreme.
That's what I thought too, which is why I wanted to get your opinions. Yuuka, didn't you know something about this dream person?
...I see, so that's what she thinks. If she said all that, then it should be fine if I tell you a little.
That said, all I really know is about that furball and her power.
...
"Her"?
The one who's been showing Marisa those dreams. You could also say she's the one behind Shiro.
She has the power to manipulate the dreams of sleeping people. If I had to put it in words, Shiro is something like her familiar.
I see, so that's how it worked.
You're saying she used Shiro to show me all those dreams...?
But why would she do something like that? If she has some kind of objective, wouldn't it be easier to do it herself instead of asking Marisa?
I couldn't begin to care, but isn't there some meaning in making it so that a human is the one to do it?
I wonder if that's why she's losing her patience with Marisa ignoring her.
...
...If all of this is true, then I'm worried about what we should do with Shiro. Should we really be keeping it close when we don't know what the one behind it is thinkin-
A sudden scream cuts Alice off.
!
What was that? Did that scream come from over there...?!
H-Heeeelp! Something just touched my back!
It's a pervert! What a scoundrel~!
A pervert...?! In MY shrine?!
And just when we finally got a chance to talk. Your shrine sure is busy!
------
...Oh huh, you stopped the game.
I wouldn't really mind if you never came back. It's pretty peaceful over here when you're not playing.... though I guess I'd better hope you play again, because otherwise I'm in trouble.
Eh, do whatever you want I guess.