Chapter 90: Remilia — "Why Am I Facing a True Ancestor?!"
....
The moment the newspaper reached Reimu Hakurei, her vision went black with rage. She nearly fainted on the spot.
For the entire day, she hunted down Aya Shameimaru like a furious exorcist chasing a demon—relentless, merciless, and absolutely done with her nonsense reporting.
She even camped at the foot of Youkai Mountain, lying in wait like a predator. Clearly, she had no intention of stopping until she plucked every last feather off that tengu journalist.
"I'm pure, okay?! How could I possibly have a child?! Damn it… Not only did I fail to squeeze money out of Kihara, I even got slandered!"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Her gohei creaked in her grip like it was about to snap.
"This time, if I don't personally let her taste Fantasy Seal, I'll write my name backwards!"
Aya never expected Reimu to go as far as camping her spawn point.
She hid outside all day, convinced—naively—that if she avoided things long enough, it would blow over like usual.
But the moment she flew back to Youkai Mountain, covered in grass and dust…
"Fantasy Seal!"
Colorful orbs slammed straight into her face.
"AAAAAHHHH!! Reimu, that's dirty! Sneak attacking a beloved and respected journalist like me?!"
"Beloved?" Reimu smirked coldly.
In the next second, she pinned Aya down, twisting her arms behind her back into a rather questionable pose.
"I'd say it's more like universally hated. You've got guts now, huh? Making up stories about me?"
"I didn't make it up! You were arguing with Kihara in the hot springs!"
"Funny how you skipped the 'child' part."
"…Ah."
Aya froze.
Then she laughed awkwardly.
"Well, you know… news needs a bit of artistic enhancement to attract readers! Besides, nothing actually happened, right? People will laugh for a couple of days and forget."
"Then you can compensate me for emotional damages."
"What's that supposed to be?!"
"Doesn't matter. Just… pay up. Or else…"
Reimu tightened her grip.
"OW OW OW—OKAY! I'll pay, I'll pay!! This issue's sales—70/30 split!"
"Why only 70%?"
Reimu frowned.
Aya blinked. "Wait—YOU want my 70%?!"
Crack.
"My arm—my arm just dislocated!! Fine, 70%! No more! I still need printing money!!"
"Hmph."
Reimu popped her arm back into place like it was nothing, then extended her hand.
"70% of the earnings. Plus 500 yen for medical expenses."
"Tch… you really don't miss any chance to make money…"
Aya reluctantly handed over a bulging pouch of cash—then immediately vanished in a blur.
"Ohh! That's a lot of money. I can live comfortably for half a month!"
Reimu grinned, clutching her earnings.
"…Now then. Time to figure out how to squeeze some money out of Kihara."
Having suffered a rare defeat in her money-making endeavors, she swore on the honor of her offering box—she would recover her losses.
Meanwhile, Yukari Yakumo lay sprawled on a sofa, completely drained.
Her golden hair, once radiant, looked dull and lifeless. She resembled nothing more than a dried-up salted fish.
"…Now I understand what 'frustration at wasted potential' truly means. I should stop setting things up for Reimu… Even with my lifespan, I'll die early from stress at this rate."
Elsewhere—
Kihara was peacefully fishing by the seaside, enjoying the salty breeze…
When suddenly—
Time froze.
In an instant, he was abducted.
The ocean vanished. The breeze turned into the scent of incense. The open sky became the interior of a gothic castle.
Standing before him was Remilia Scarlet, seated regally on her throne—complete with a height-adjusting cushion.
Her crimson eyes stared coldly.
"Human… did you really think you could offend the Scarlet family's dignity and walk away unscathed?"
"Kakakaka… I'm more curious what you intend to do to my master."
A golden-haired girl stepped out from Kihara's shadow.
Shinobu Oshino.
She simply stood there—but the pressure she emitted made even Remilia stiffen.
"…That presence… Are you… a True Ancestor?"
"Indeed."
"…!"
Remilia let out a small, involuntary whimper.
Sakuya Izayoi instantly moved in front of her mistress, silver eyes sharp, knives ready.
"What do you intend to do to Lady Remilia?!"
"Sakuya. Stand down."
"But—"
"I said, stand down."
"…Yes, milady."
Once Sakuya stepped back, Remilia steadied herself and spoke:
"True Ancestor… are you here to stand up for that human?"
"Not exactly. I'm merely curious. Depending on your intentions… I may intervene."
Shinobu's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"…But you interest me more. You're a vampire—yet you can resist a True Ancestor's pressure…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"…Not purely a vampire. There's… something else. Demon traits?"
She murmured thoughtfully, then smiled.
"In that case… I'll offer you a deal."
"I'll eliminate your vampire weaknesses. In return—you and your household serve my master."
"…You're joking."
Instead of answering, Shinobu walked to the window and pulled the curtain open.
Sunlight poured in and fell directly onto her skin.
Nothing happened.
"Try the kitchen next," Remilia ordered.
Moments later, Sakuya returned.
"…Milady. She spoke the truth."
Silence filled the hall.
Remilia stared at Shinobu, deep in thought.
Once human herself, she remembered what it was like—to walk in sunlight… to touch running water without fear.
But such a cure—
surely came at a cost she might not be able to pay.
Before she could decide—
CRASH!!
The floor exploded open.
A manic laugh echoed through the hall.
"Hahahahaha!! I can smell him—big brother's scent! This time, no one will separate us!"
Flandre Scarlet burst in, eyes gleaming with madness.
Without hesitation, she raised her hand toward Shinobu—
Targeting her "eye."
"Wait, Flandre—don't—!!"
...
Thank you for reading.