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Good grief. So just who was she anyway?
We mentioned it already, but she's a friend from when we were in the Underworld.
She wasn't around back when you all dug out the Palanquin ship. I've been worried about what she might've done after that, but...
It appears she somehow got to the surface on her own.
...
That stupid Nue, what does she think she's doing...? Did I make her mad?
Don't worry~. If she was really angry at you, she'd be doing something much worse.
Eh, this is the just the beginning. Just talk it out properly when the time comes.
...You're right. We'll have to do that.
...
You seem down, master.
Yes... because I can't deny what Nue said to me back there. For the entire thousand years while Murasa and the others were sealed, I did nothing.
Don't beat yourself up over it. You're still the one who saved them in the end.
Right. They needed you two to run away from danger so you could come back for them when it was safe.
No, you're wrong. That's not how it-
Master, are you sure you want to talk about this?
Yes, I'm sure. Now is a good opportunity, so please let me tell them.
In truth, it would be no exaggeration to say that I sealed Hijiri and Murasa myself.
What?!
But weren't you their friend, Shou...?
I was. However, back then I had a duty. I was an agent of Bishamonten. I conducted myself as Bishamonten would, and earned the people's trust.
To be frank, she was too good at it. She more than met Hijiri's expectations, and the crowds loved her.
So, then, when Byakuren was revealed as a youkai...
Not a single person doubted Shou. The opposite, in fact. The masses gathered together and begged her to exterminate the devil for them.
In other words, they asked you to kill your friends with your own hands...!
I doubt the humans knew that when they asked. That's exactly why they had no one else but my master to turn to, after Hijiri disappointed them so dramatically.
Hijiri was aware of all this too, so she didn't put up any resistance.
But that's...
I can understand the logic, but I'd never be able to do that...!
In any case, it doesn't change the fact that I left you all to your fate. That's why all I can do now is...
...
Unzan says you're too serious, Shou.
Yeah, we already decided to let bygones be bygones.
But my own feelings are still-
You don't have to say it, people answer to their friends' feelings.
Facing your past is not an easy thing to do. I admire the fact that you did it at all, and I'm sure everyone else does too.
...Thank you so much.
...All right! We're all a bit tired after all that, so how about a break? We've got a long road ahead of us, so maybe we should take breaks in shifts or something.
Good idea. There are plenty of rooms too.
If something happens, we'll announce it over the broadcasting system, so feel free to do whatever you like in the meantime.
Understood. In that case, I'll do some training.
I'd better get started on my article while it's still fresh in my head.
You're right, I got a pretty shocking picture back there!
Do you want to lie down for a bit, Sanae? Unlike Reimu, you got up pretty early today.
Was that really necessary?
Is that all right with you? I'd feel bad about leaving you alone...
Fine with me. But if something happens, I'm slapping you awake.
I'd prefer it if you woke me up normally...