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Chapter Text

It's near inevitable that even the divine falls victim to fading away from the memory of their followers; no gods in any realm are immune to suffering from tragedy regardless of their blessings. Humans and youkai alike conceptualized them into existence through worship, giving abstractions true substance as deified protectors. As those worshippers slowly become obsolete, the belief of any greater purpose behind mere concepts also becomes obsolete. Thus, every deity faces the same ultimate fate of dying as their lives are deemed meaningless among mortals.

The day that the great marketplace god, Tenkyuu Chimata, would become lost in recorded history was a day that haunted the market god in her sleep as nightmares. They were machinations of the mind that were an eerie reflection of one's life, warping one's own perceptions of reality to form a demented depiction of their fears. She could only be forced to bare witness to the destruction of marketplaces, the end of all commerce itself, and ultimately the end of her own life as she faded to nothing. The only thing she could do was stall her demise by maintaining faith through the exchanges at her markets.

Chimata woke up abruptly, still unsure if she was still kept captive by her dreams or if she had finally woken up from a sleeping hell. She mumbled nonsensically to herself in a state of panic, fearing that the worst had occurred.

Tightly gripping onto a bed sheet, she let her senses attempt to take in every feeling possible. She completely immersed herself into her surroundings mentally, trying to regain an idea of what reality was supposed to be. Chimata let out a sigh of relief that her existence remained tangible. She was still able to feel and walk among mortals, a reassuring testament to her livelihood.

Chimata forced herself to get up from her futon, a yawn slowly escaping from her mouth. Even in private, a great god should maintain her pride. They should remain unshaken by burdensome thoughts. She promptly rolled up her futon, ready to formally begin her day in spite of the inadequate rest.

The god rubbed her eyes, wishing that she could have received just another hour of precious beauty sleep. Simply another hour was what she deserved for dealing with the aftermath of the incident.

A soft noise surrounded her, a light drizzle that could easily go unnoticed as the warm spring atmosphere provided a simple greeting. It would have coaxed her back into sleep if she was still lying down.

The gentle pitter patter of the rain oddly evoked some resemblance of hope for the god. Not only was it simply outright soothing, rain also rejuvenated life. It sustained flora and fauna as it poured down from the skies onto the earth. It also formed brilliant rainbows afterwards.

If the conditions remained this way, there would be no doubt that another lunar rainbow would commence a new market this evening. Thus, Chimata would be able to obtain faith from each and every participant as they bartered amongst each other. She'd have nothing to worry about.

Stepping outside, the god held out her hand as the thin drizzle descended down upon her. It felt like a quick amicable gesture from nature, acting as an old long friend that could be casually be seen drunk at a gathering.

Chimata looked upwards, noticing the sky littered with grand patches of rain clouds mixed in with clear areas. Hints of orange dyed the bottom of clouds as the sun slowly climbed its way up. The morning hadn't gone on for long, yet it felt like it was always present. The view was enough to make up for the amount of lost dreams she had, offering a serene landscape that resembled the whimsical nature of what dreams should be.

Another market, soon to commence when the moon arrives. The mere thought of presenting the market again was enough to bring a soft grin to the god's face.

Before Chimata knew it, the full moon was shining brightly under the starry sky. The centerpiece of the evening was the lunar rainbow circling around the moon, a prismatic glory that invited all to participate in the coinciding market underneath. As Chimata expected, the lunar rainbow had paved the way for the market with the aid of the morning drizzle.

The air remained humid, but felt refreshing as Chimata browsed through the marketplace. A rhythm began to rise in the distance, drawing in a crowd towards it as they skimmed through stands. Curiously heading towards the crowd, Chimata found herself stepping along to the beat. If the source of the sound was someone trying to cause a ruckus, Chimata was sure to put a stop to it.

Eyeing a sharply dressed figure, Chimata felt an odd sense of familiarity from her. She stepped a bit closer, trying to get a better view.

She quickly recognized the driving force behind the musical sensation was Horikawa Raiko, the drum tsukumogami that gained fame even among humans. Each strike to the drums was filled with unfiltered passion, brimming with raw energy. In spite of how wild her music was, the tsukumogami was amicable with her audience with a down-to-earth nature that many appreciated. Chimata recalled making an ability card based on her abilities.

Though noisy, the god continued listening to the drum's beat as it filled up the marketplace's atmosphere and drifted off into the rhythm every now and then. There really was no need to cease the activity, it was just harmless fun after all. It wasn't anything to the likes of robbers that dared ruin the rituals of marketplaces. Even Chimata herself found herself enjoying the music as she stood from afar.

The tsukumogami sent off a playful wink towards Chimata after ending a frenzy of drumming, causing her heart to skip a beat. Unsure if the wink was meant for her specifically or for one of Raiko's adoring fans, Chimata tried not to think much of it.

"That's all for now! Maybe there'll be another session later if you're lucky," Raiko chuckled, watching the crowd disperse from the scene.

She joined her fellow peers browsing the market as she eyed the selection of goods offered by each marketeer carefully, picking up objects and taking note of each detail. Her meticulous handling of each object was a stark difference from the primal drumming from earlier. Each individual object was treated with immense attention, even if she wasn't even the one selling them. It was a given, considering the fact that she was a tool in the first place. Regardless, it upheld her image of a respectable visitor in Chimata's eyes.

She approached the tsukumogami with a confident demeanor, deciding to offer up a warm welcome to her, "Welcome to the marketplace Raiko, I hope you're enjoying yourself here!"

"Of course I am, it's a place where tools get treated with the utmost care," Raiko had a bright smile on her face as she glanced towards the array of goods available, "Now, you must be a vendor here? Perhaps a fan as well."

"I'm actually none other than the market's presenter, Tenkyuu Chimata. The very reason why you get to appreciate the wonders here in the first place."

The tsukumogami smirked, a single laugh coming out of her, "My, my, is that really the case? I have heard plenty about you from the recent events. I thought you were going to scold me for playing until I saw how invested you were in the performance."

With a sudden silence, Chimata felt like she had been exposed. Recalling the wink from earlier, she realized that it was a mere playful acknowledgement of her presence. The wink was indeed for her even if Raiko wasn't fully aware of her role as the key factor behind the market.

"What? Did you really think that I wouldn't notice you watching me?" She playfully nudged the god's elbow lightly.

"I'll tell you this, it wasn't my first intention to have attention drawn onto me really..." Chimata let out a soft chuckle, "Though, the fact that I've caught your attention simply proves the inherent importance behind my role here as a market god!"

She struck a pose resembling a dollar symbol, confidently flaunting off her divine status. Raiko stifled a giggle with her hand over her mouth, seeming amused by the gesture. She lowered her hand, revealing a soft smile accompanied by an overall cheerful disposition.

"A tool and a marketplace god go hand in hand no?" the tsukumogami mused, "I can't pinpoint it exactly but the aura from this place exudes a distinct wonderful energy."

"I suppose so," Chimata looked at the vendors all around her with a sense of pride, "A marketplace is a special place where the exchange of two equivalent goods or services occurs; it's a place where tools can find themselves a fine user as well! It's a reverie where ordinary tools are revered and framed in a festive setting."

"Ah! Now I've got it. The marketplace is dream-like, that's the best way I can describe the energy I get."

It had been a long while since Chimata had any actual dreams aside from nightmares or empty mindscapes, but she couldn't help but be compelled to agree with Raiko. There was a deep nostalgic feeling behind the marketplace that it invited each individual to a long ago tradition contained in a dreamy setting. It was an escape from a monotonous life to host a celebration.

"Speaking of the market... If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to hear an encore from you for the marketeers to enjoy."

Raiko nodded before rushing off to where she was earlier, "I'll see what I can do for you!"

Chimata followed after her, watching from a much closer perspective this time. With a snap of her fingers, the tsukumogami had already set up a magical drumset ready to be played. She held up her arm, as if commanding the other visitors of the market to watch her perform. She kept up a bold appearance, easily garnering the attention of everyone around her.

"Here's an encore of my previous performance requested by the marketplace god herself!" The tsukumogami spun her drumsticks in hand, showing off before going into a flurry of rhythm.

It drew out the core emotions of the crowd, arousing joyous cheers with each beat. Even a passerby that had relatively kept to themselves throughout the market had a sudden upbeat aura upon hearing the performance.

Like the rumbling of thunder, each strike had left a strong impression in the minds of the crowd. Much like the drummer herself, each beat had a sense of carefreeness behind it. There wasn't much shame or anything of the sorts, simply pristine emotions at the heart of it all.

Seeing someone that acted as if they lived without a care in the world before her eyes, the god couldn't help but wonder how anybody could have a life like that. How could anybody live without the inherent dread behind existing? It was admirable in a way though, even if she couldn't fully understand it. She found herself taking bits of that carefree attitude, even if it was something she was unacquainted with. Nodding her head off to the beat, Chimata felt like she was completely aligned with the performance.

Before she knew it, the sounds of percussion faded off to mere footsteps and clapping. Applauding along with the others, Chimata found herself feeling the most invigorated she had been all month.

Raiko took a bow before thanking her audience for taking the time to watch her play. She glanced at Chimata after everyone else moved on with their night, giving out another wink.

The god gently pulled Raiko aside from the crowd, heading to a more secluded portion of the marketplace, "Thank you for performing under the lunar rainbow tonight, you managed to bring in an even livelier atmosphere to my markets."

"There's no need to thank me really. Performing is a natural part of my blood, I'm always more than happy to play for others. Especially when there's a spotlight put on drumming."

Chimata had a soft smile, "I hope to see you at the next market I present, you're always welcome as a visitor or a vendor to commence another fantastic performance. The marketeers are rather enamored by your drumming as well."

"I can't make any promises, but there's a good chance I'll be there," Raiko stared at the moon, the rainbow circling around it still as vibrant as ever, "Music always follows wherever people go after all."

Gazing towards the lunar rainbow as well, Chimata found herself already anticipating the next market. The charm of the marketplace was the varied selection of goods each time, different marketeers bringing in whatever they needed to barter with. Though, she hoped that there'd be the one constant that the same tsukumogami would be there next time under the rainbow.

Chapter Text

Another lunar rainbow formed like before, scratching itself around the full moon in brilliant hues. Chimata walked amongst the crowd, curiously looking through the plethora of goods available. Spring was on the brink of ending, thus people were rushing to purchase any remaining seasonal goods at the marketplace as marketeers presented them. Bouquets of flowers filled the stalls with distinctly fresh aroma, the atmosphere of the bustling market feeling more akin to a wide field. Preparations for summer were already happening with various light clothes being sold by tailors ideal for the hotter temperatures. Despite that, the feeling of spring seeped its way into every nook and cranny.

A distant rhythm arose, bringing Chimata to a stop in her browsing.

She came.

Raiko came.

Though Chimata had expected Raiko to return to the marketplace, it still caught her off guard to hear a bold strike to the drums. Waiting for the performance to end, the god listened intently to every single beat. Following the rhythm, she could feel herself tapping her foot along.

A round of applause soon swept across the crowd surrounding Raiko. Chimata walked over to her whilst clapping with the others, watching as the tsukumogami took notice of her presence.

"Raiko, it's a pleasure to see you again," Chimata found herself with a soft smile playing on her face.

The tsukumogami waved hello with a bright smile, "It's nice to see you too!"

"I see that you've been enjoying yourself here," The god kept up with her lively aura, "If there's any needed assistance I can offer, feel free to ask."

Raiko moved to a thinking stance, "Well, I don't have much to say. Just that I'm having a bit of trouble finding some clothing accessories that suit my style. There's an upcoming performance and I'd like to have something new as a part of my outfit for it."

"Oh? Well, I saw plenty of stands that should have exactly what you need!" Chimata motioned towards the aisles of stalls of the market.

The two began to browse through an array of stands, observing each choice offered. Knowing the market inwards and outwards, Chimata presented each section of the market with full confidence even if she had only seen an individual marketeer's face once. Raiko's attention was quickly captured as her eyes scanned through the wide selection of the market. She picked up a thin black hair ribbon from a small stall, soon purchasing it off the vendor and set it aside in a small pouch.

"Good choice, that ribbon would look lovely on you!" Chimata boldly grinned, "Now, you may ask me for further assistance if there's anything else you need to find!"

She suddenly noticed marketeers packing up their belongings, prompting her to look upwards at the moon. The clouds had began to obscure the moon's light, slowly removing it from view. With the clouds rolling in, the rainbow slowly began to fade out.

The marketplace had soon closed alongside the rainbow stretched above it. There was enough faith gathered tonight that it wouldn't be too bothersome for the god, but it still felt unsatisfying that the market had to end earlier than expected.

"Seems like it's a bit too late now, the marketplace is now closed," Chimata continued to stare at the moon's light.

"...Shame that the market had to end before we could finish," Raiko let out a sigh before gaining a playful demeanor, "Now, I have an offer if you want to take it! I think that it'd be nice if we could stay at my place for a while, it's actually not too far from here."

Chimata parsed through the offer. She had nothing else of importance to do, it wouldn't be much of a weight on her schedule if she had a simple meeting with Raiko. She remained hesitiant however, unsure if the tsukumogami had an underlying motive or not. It just seemed like innocent fun for the sake of having a casual rest of the evening.

"It'd be a pleasure to come with you, I'll take your offer!" Chimata chuckles, ready to head off to Raiko's residence.

Miniscule rain droplets began to fall from the sky as they began to walk out of the area, the droplets progressing into a full-on downpour. The rain wasn't too much of an issue to travel in, though it rendered them thoroughly soaked. Using her cloak as a shield against the rain, Chimata held it over her head. She remained close to Raiko, trying to follow her even with the rainfall present.

Beneath the veil of fog, there was a silhouette of a house that could have been none other than their destination.

Raiko presented her home standing in the distance, being rather quaint but perfectly suitable for someone like her. It was surrounded by stalks of bamboo, providing some sort of sound absorption which was perfect for practicing without causing too much of a ruckus. Furthermore, the mitsudomoe symbol had been displayed proudly on a tall banner close to the entrance.

Entering the house, Chimata and Raiko quickly made themselves comfortable.

"Shame that I couldn't get an umbrella for you before the market closed," Raiko held out her hand out of the entrance and felt it become soaked.

"If a god is hindered by mere rain then they shouldn't be considered a god in the first place," Chimata twirled her dress around, the vibrant colors spinning around her body in spite of the drenched fabric, "Besides, rain is a natural part of my livelihood when you consider how rainbows are created after all!"

"Still though, it would have been nice," The tsukumogami began drying herself off with a towel.

"I'd be more concerned about you handling this weather," The god took a peek outside through a small window, "The last time I checked, weather like this could ruin instruments..."

Raiko wagged her finger with a playful glint in her eyes, "Well well well, rain's a part of my element too! Thunder and lightning are a part of my domain, why have those without rain? Besides, I'm used to playing in any weather actually."

"Is that so? My apologies for the assumption then."

"Your concern just means you treat your tools well," The tsukumogami gently grabbed a spare towel and handed it to Chimata, "It shows that you take responsibility as you use them!"

Chimata began drying herself with the towel and promptly gave Raiko her thanks. Afterwards, she found herself at a loss for words on how to continue any form of chit-chat.

Marketplaces were where she was most acquainted with, not casual visits to another person's house. She could discuss with marketeers gossip of all sorts and easily form business relations, yet she couldn't lower herself to the likes of mortals in a normal setting just for a moment. She could at least handle conversational endeavors that did include business partners but anybody completely outside of commerce felt foreign. When it came to the tsukumogami, the foreign feeling made her feel even more distant than usual. It was almost as if something else had forced some sort of awkward distance between them.

She wouldn't mind the idea of a collaboration with Raiko business wise, though she wasn't sure if the same could be said for the tsukumogami. She couldn't simply spontaneously strike a business deal or form negotiations to have a musical group promote her market right now. The only way the two knew each other was as simple friends getting to know each other, not as two partners standing on business grounds.

Still trying to keep her prideful demeanor, Chimata kept up with her straight posture and smiled towards the tsukumogami.

A lighthearted smirk on Raiko's face caught the god's eye.

"Say, do you know how to dance? I've been indulging myself in learning waltz music along with actual waltz itself. The only problem is, there's not enough room here so we'd have to go outside."

"I just got myself dry and you suggest going outside when it's still raining? Doesn't that seem highly inconvenient?" Chimata had a blank exasperated stare towards Raiko. At least she now had something to talk about.

"Didn't you say yourself that a god shouldn't be hindered by rain? Besides, you won't get fresh spring rain like this for almost a whole year. Let's enjoy it while it lasts!"

"Raiko. I took on the effort of getting myself dry, wouldn't it go to waste if I simply ran back out?"

"When life presents you with an opportunity, shouldn't it be your first instinct to go after it? Besides, the rain isn't too bad at the moment."

Chimata stared out the window, finding that the rain had calmed down to a light descent.

"I suppose that may be the case. but blindly placing your trust into such opportunities will only grant you nothing but trouble. Wouldn't you thoroughly assess the situation as well?"

"Right, but the fact that you're assessing it in the first place means that you've taken it into consideration! So, what will it be?"

Chimata pondered, dancing would feel much better than forcing herself to converse with a friend with little clue what to say next. Though she barely had any experience with dancing, she knew enough that she could handle it. She herself was a god that kept individuals alive through her presence alone. What's a simple dance going to do? As inconvenient as it would be to get herself dry again, it'd help close the distance between her and Raiko at least.

"Only because we have nothing better to do, I'll dance with you. Do note that this is far from my realm of expertise so I'd like you to lead," Chimata set the towel aside and held her hand out to the other.

Raiko pulled Chimata by her hand, dragging her out into the rain. She started off slow and steady, making each leap and step nimbly. The rain swirled around the two, following each footstep they took.

Slowly speeding up the waltz, the distance between each step grew shorter. Chimata began to find difficulty with the waltz, struggling to keep up.

A misstep here and there from the god, later turning into Chimata nearly tripping and scrambling to catch herself every now and then. She loathed the feeling of being so clumsy, everything felt like a sudden departure from the grace she had at her marketplaces. Yet, she couldn't help but remain compelled to dance with Raiko by the almost whimsical atmosphere.

"Don't worry if you start out bad, you'll get the hang of it," Raiko twirled the god around, "The raindrops have a bit of a rhythm to them right? Use that as a guide for each step you take."

The tsukumogami seemed to be completely in tune with the nature around her, each step syncing with the rain. Chimata grew more aware of how each drop fell to the ground, starting to be able to more carefully make each singular step she took. Soon enough, she managed to dance fluidly with Raiko. Though there were some missteps, she at least caught up with the waltz.

It felt exhilarating to dance now; the awkward klutzy feeling had turned into joyful confidence. It was the pride she normally had for herself whenever rainbows filled the skies. The rain was an old friend by her side that kept her company throughout newfound situations. That was especially the case now the more the dance went on.

Raiko slowly eased Chimata out of the dance, making more deliberate movements as time went on. Heading towards a standstill, the steps soon completely ceased. Chimata let go of the other, now letting the glory of the rain fall onto her without a care.

Raiko crouched down onto the ground, her eyes left transfixed.

"While we're here, I'd like to show you the rurikarakusa!" The tsukumogami pointed to a cluster of light blue flowers poking out from the grass, "It's a fleeting spring beauty, so you have to enjoy it while it lasts."

"Ah, it's quite beautiful," Chimata plucked one of the flowers carefully, making sure not to damage it.

She stared at the flower with a soft smile, gently cradling it in her hands. She placed it behind her ear, feeling like the flower belonged there snuggly.

"Hm? The flower looks good on you," the tsukumogami notes.

A light blush appears on the god’s face, a simple “thank you” escapes from her mouth. It was a simple compliment that continued to linger on in her mind afterwards.

The sounds of thunder rumbled in the distance, ending the moment abruptly. Raiko quickly rushed back into her home with Chimata trailing right behind her.

Chimata made a sigh of relief, glad she was able to get inside before the storm had worsened to uncontrollable proportions. She watched the downpour rage from the window at the comfort of being indoors.

She grabbed the towel from earlier, drying herself off again. She didn't mind redoing the effort at all, finding that any perceived inconvenience from earlier didn't exist. She couldn't believe that she'd ever find herself enjoying a waltz in the rain in her long lifespan.

Chimata continued watching the rain from the window as she dried herself. Lost in thought, she

Spring was ending soon, that was okay.

It was a Spring that she fully enjoyed. That was what mattered in the end.

Chapter Text

The rain kept raging on, the immense downpour taking over the rest of the night. Chimata decided to stay at Raiko's place until the rain shifted into a calmer state, checking in with the status of the weather every now and then by peeking out the window. It was getting more comfortable to stay there as time went on, soon feeling like a second home almost.

Throughout the evening, Raiko practiced various songs, started plenty of playful banter in-between, and ultimately made sure that Chimata was enjoying her visit. Everytime the tsukumogami played the beat to a song, Chimata did her best to follow through with it. Considering the fact that she was in private now, she felt less restrained in how she could sync herself with the rhythm. She clapped along with the beat at times, easily weaving herself into a song.

The tsukumogami finished up the song, now having a demeanor with a hint of mischievousness.

Raiko smirked, "I trust that you don't leak any details about this to anyone else. The Prismrivers probably wouldn't forgive me if I ended up messing up the next concert we have by accident."

Chimata had a blank stare on her face, "Are you informing me that you're going to practice a song I'm not even supposed to know about in the first place?"

"Hey, can't I just have some fun? Besides, they're fine with it as long as I don't share with too many people. You have to strike a nice balance of sharing just enough to invoke excitement and not too much to keep the mystery going."

"If you say that it's fine... I'd like to hear you play it then," The god's curiosity was piqued.

A quick nod followed up by the song's opening, Raiko started to play the song jubilantly.

Nonsensically mumbling noises that vaguely resembled the other instruments to the song, she played her performance with pure cheer. Chimata couldn't make out any specific lyrics or identify if there were even lyrics in the first place. At the very least, she was able to make out the main melody. She wasn't well versed in the other instruments as far as Chimata knew, but Raiko managed to harmonize the melody well enough that the god could easily visualize what the actual song was. The entire scene was filled with Raiko's innate upbeat nature, yet Chimata could pick out pieces of where it was clearly meant to be played by a specific Prismriver sister.

It was silly to listen to Raiko mumble the song as a replacement for the Prismrivers' involvement, as if she couldn't find the words for a certain lyric and resorted to whatever came to her mind. Not only that, the way Raiko acted completely unprofessional reinforced the lighthearted mood. She was having fun to the truest extent, nothing being able to impede on her joy at the moment.

The carefree feeling started to rub off on Chimata, bringing a smile to her face effortlessly. Her heartbeat slowly began to sync with the rhythm, shifting from a steady pace to an erratic beating that grew stronger until it couldn't anymore.

Soon enough, the song had ended with a triumphant strike to the cymbals.

Regardless of the song closing, Chimata's heart couldn't calm down. It conversely worsened with the sudden silence afterwards. The only thing she could hear were muffled noises and the downpour outside.

One glance at Raiko’s chipper demeanor had sent her feeling like she was about to be in a state of frozen shock.

Chimata realized the burden on her heart were feelings for her. Feelings that were on the verge of bursting out and about to implode in on themselves.

She typically wouldn't even think about anything to do with romance in the first place if not for how every thought in her mind nagged at her to get a bit closer with her.

Her mind immediately turned to attempting to justify the reason why her heart would suddenly turn to anything undeniably romantic.

As a marketplace god, Chimata had a natural affinity towards tools. Thus, she could view tsukumogami in a more comprehensive manner than the average person. A tsukumogami always kept one piece of their past owners one way or another after gaining sentience. After all, they were once mere tools that belonged to someone and their behavior would be reflected on how well they were treated. The ownership of an object couldn't be removed completely outside of the marketplaces, always having some sort of attachment to the first person to ever use it.

Raiko had a blend of both traditional wisdom and modern style. Even though she had traded her taiko drums for a modern set, the tsukumogami had a natural intuition and self-awareness befitting that of someone that existed for over a century. Albeit, she also had the carefreeness of a young aspiring musician that was mirrored in her. She's more than a beauty that plays for a wave of concert goers, she's a person that lived each day with a pure love for indulging in the pleasures around her.

"Chimata?" Raiko quietly called out, "Zoning out there?"

"Ah... My apologies, just a bit lost in thought," Chimata tried to shift away from her daze, trying to regain her footing in the real world, "Maybe a bit tired as well."

"I see," the tsukumogami let out a sigh of relief, "I simply got a bit concerned. You're always free to speak your mind about anything if you're fine with that."

The god’s body almost ached, still unable to fully process the budding feelings she had developed. She even started to grow a bit wary of the tsukumogami's concern, unsure if it was just a youkai ploy or genuine care. Raiko didn't have an ulterior motive that Chimata could detect, though she couldn't bring herself to fully put her full trust into her.

"Thank you for that offer," Chimata looked away from Raiko, "I believe that it's time for me to part. It is getting awfully late after all."

She glanced at the window, realizing that the tumultuous storm had calmed down for the most part. It was simply a light drizzle that wouldn't be much of a hindrance to travel through.

"Good night then. If you ever want to come over again, feel free!"

"Noted..." Chimata nodded, ready to head off as quickly as possible.

She wanted to stay by her side just a bit longer and truly savor the moment. Maybe even stay the entire night if Raiko was generous enough to allow Chimata to do so. Yet, she felt like she'd completely grow weak the longer she remained here.

"Farewell Raiko, I wish you the best of luck on your concert. Thank you for inviting me here," The god said everything feeling like she was speaking off a script.

Walking out the door, she had to refrain from turning her head back for one last glance at the tsukumogami. She kept her posture straight and dignified, trying to pretend that she didn't end up developing a newfound affection for a mere youkai.

Another nightmare.

Not of the kind about long gone gods but the kind about unsatisfied fantasies.

Legends throughout the ages told stories of tragedy when it came to romance, hopelessness written as poetry so beautiful to the point that mortals found desperation a horrific sort of intriguing. She'd be framed as a legendary figure of course, she'd be walking among the rankings of the greatest gods out there. There'd be no way that she'd be forgotten.

She'd never have to worry about fading away ever again with a life like that.

Yet, she couldn't help but think about the dissatisfaction behind having a long lasting life that was unfulfilling.

It was an outlandish thought that appeared in her dreamscape but lingered on in her mind for far too long.

The feeling in her heart had caused her to rethink her own desire to remain remembered by the public. Her own desperation to stay alive during the incident she caused was now completely questioned by a nonsense dream out of all things.

Chimata hoped that a walk would help clear her mind from the recent revelation, now wandering around Gensokyo and taking note of the sights she saw. Coming across a restaurant, she decided to have a quick meal there before continuing to wander again.

In the corner of her eye, she could see hints of vibrant colors with bold text. Turning her head, she managed to get a better view. She made it out to be a poster plastered on a wall, starring Raiko and the Prismriver Ensemble front and center for an upcoming performance in a few weeks. Reading through it carefully, it seemed like tickets were also affordable for her as well.

She pondered over it, rereading the poster until it was completely ingrained in her mind. If she couldn't be able to sort out her feelings by then, heading over to the concert would at least give her an opportunity to talk to Raiko personally. With one final look over the poster, Chimata smiled to herself.

With the date of the concert in her mind, she felt a bit more at ease.

Chapter Text

At the Concert Stage of the Sun, the sunflowers surrounding the venue provided a comforting familiar presence. The night sky above the flowers left a dazzling view that was akin to a visual representation of the boundary between night and day. Youkai of all sorts rushed to the concert, growing antsy as they awaited for the beloved Prismriver Ensemble to perform alongside Raiko. The flowers swayed inwards towards the venue as youkai flew above them.

Dressed in relaxed and casual clothes, Chimata intended on blending into the crowd as a simple low-level youkai. Though she much preferred the vibrant flashiness of her usual attire and much preferred to retain a high position, it didn't seem appropriate to attend while flaunting her divinity. She chose a far more limited palette with a dress in muted colors, complementing the local flora's earth tones. With a concert ticket stored safely in her pouch, Chimata waited in the queue as she joined her peers' pre-concert anticipation.

The venue was far from her typical domain but the crowds coming in resembled that of bustling marketplaces Chimata frequented at. The sight of cheery youkai having side conversations managed to help Chimata feel comfortable, already getting acquainted with the overall setting.

Presenting the ticket at the entrance, Chimata entered the venue and quickly found herself immersed in the thrill of it all. She shuffled towards a spot where she could view the concert with a clear view of the stage, moving past those that had already selected their spots. Though the entire stage was dim, she could make out the vague silhouettes of the ensemble in the dark.

The lights of the stage soon illuminated the entire stage, revealing the entire magical ensemble. With a band that comprised three musically talented sisters and Raiko herself, they already had made a bold impression. Seeing the thin black ribbon tied on the back of Raiko's head, she recalled that the god had accompanied her in finding concert accessories. It was a minor detail that left Chimata's heart racing, a subtle reminder of how she managed to weave her way into the tsukumogami's life.

A melody opened up the concert, bringing in the entire crowd’s attention. She immediately recognized the song as the one the tsukumogami revealed a sneak peak of the moment it began. To witness the song fully illustrated in complete harmonic glory, it was far greater than what Chimata could have even imagined in the first place.

With each of the members together, every distinct sound they created all merged into a beautiful song. Everything had fallen into a wondrous scene, each member contributing to their fullest potential.

Watching with starstruck eyes, Chimata let herself get swept away by the moment’s splendor.

The concert had ended with applause and cheering that could be heard throughout the entire field. Taking a bow on stage, the ensemble officially finished off the show as the crowd slowly calmed down. With another fantastic concert under their name, the ensemble took a moment to appreciate the audience's widespread praise.

Watching the attendees of the concert leave from afar, the tsukumogami waited for the crowd to thin itself out. Raiko typically waited for everyone to depart from concerts before leaving alongside the Prismrivers. It was always more relaxed when the audience was gone, allowing the ensemble to fly to a post-concert outing without having to combat the rush of fans.

Someone caught the tsukumogami's attention in the distance. Raiko squinted, her eyes being drawn to a single person in the midst of a crowd. With distinct purple hair that appeared to reflect clouds, Raiko believed that the figure could have been Chimata in a bout of wishful thinking. Though unsure, Raiko couldn't think of anybody else that could match descriptions.

The middle child of the Prismrivers, Merlin, floated up to Raiko with her infectious cheerful aura. She tugged on the tsukumogami's arm, bringing her backstage to join her and the rest of the ensemble.

She kept a particularly excitable look, "So, did that one girl you keep on bringing up come? By the looks of your smile and daze, seems like she did come after all!"

Raiko only just now noticed the smile resting on her own face, "If you're talking about Chimata, I could have sworn I saw her in the crowd."

The poltergeist nodded with a bright smile, "I knew that she'd be attracted by the performance, the liveliness of it all does seem ideal for her type of character."

Considering that Chimata seemed to be used to places filled with people, it was almost perfect for her. Raiko glanced towards the near empty concert venue once more; few youkai had remained to simply converse with their friends about the performance. Though, the figure she saw before seemed to have departed.

"Should we start heading off now?" Raiko asked, her eyes fixed on the remaining people, "Mostly everyone is gone now."

"Come on, it's obvious that you want to talk to Chimata instead. Everytime I practice with you in an one-on-one session and you talk about her, you always start going on a gushy ramble."

Raiko turned a bit red, recalling some embarrassing moments that she'd rather forget, "Isn't emotion amplification a natural part of your trumpet's dizzying properties?"

"You were always much of the passionate fun-loving type in the first place," Merlin nudged the tsukumogami's elbow with a smirk, "It's the fact that pre-existing emotions in regards to her were amplified that says it all."

"Still though... I can't help but be influenced by your trumpet's effects," She stammered.

"Enough about that," The poltergeist held up her hand, as if she were pushing the anecdote away, "You don't have to come with us this time, go ahead and have fun with Chimata if you want. With an innate cheerful attitude like yours, there's no doubt that her heart would find itself to you!"

Raiko deliberated for a moment. She wasn't sure if Chimata even came in the first place, yet there wasn't anything else to disprove the possibility that she arrived. The chance was there waiting for her, it wouldn't hurt if she'd take it. Even if the god had never come to the concert after all, there would be practically nothing lost.

"I'll be heading off now then," Raiko chuckled, "Tell the rest of your sisters that I had a blast playing with them for me alright?"

Merlin giggled before turning towards her other sisters, "I'll be sure to tell them, now go have fun!"

With a wave goodbye to the poltergeist, Raiko exchanged a final warm smile with her. She started to wander off into the sunflower field, hoping that Chimata would be at least nearby.

Raiko walked underneath a cover of flowers, spying another person in the distance. The audience member from before stood in the midst of sunflowers that towered over her, hints of her purple hair peeking out from the flora. Though she played the role of a weak youkai, the figure was undeniably none other than Tenkyuu Chimata.

She had an allure that Raiko could only connect to the likes of the marketplace god. It was greater than mere attribution to her divine role of a god, rather being how distinctive she appeared compared to the average person. The way she presented herself differentiated her from even other deities; she held a unique flair that belonged to the rainbow itself.

Raiko quietly stood next to a patch of flowers, hiding away in plain sight. She decided to keep her arrival a pleasant surprise to the god, keeping a fair amount of space from her. Looking at the moon above, the tsukumogami's eyes were drawn to how moonlight shined a spotlight upon the god.

When it came to Chimata, she was best seen under the illustrious gleam of the moon where its light could outline her in an otherworldly manner. The wispyness of her hair had given her an ethereal image, as if the skies themselves had blessed her personally. The moon shined upon her just well enough to accent the dress she wore, subtly revealing a prismatic shimmering quality.

Chimata turned her head, noticing the tsukumogami's presence behind the flowers. The two stared at each other in prolonged silence, unable to figure out what to say to each other.

"It's a surprise seeing you here," Raiko broke the silence as she walked out of the flowers, getting closer to Chimata, "Not like that's a bad thing, just thought that you'd be at a marketplace right now."

Chimata looked upwards towards the sky, watching bits of the moon peek out from a blanket of clouds, "It's far too cloudy for a lunar rainbow anyway, I figured that I might as well pay a visit to the concert venue."

"Nice to see that you've come here then," The tsukumogami slightly tilted her head to get a new angle, "I adore the way these clothes look on you, it's different but also has a nice vibe."

"Thank you... I'm glad to have been able to attend, you performed spectacularly with the rest of the ensemble," Chimata chuckled with a light blush, "I noticed the ribbon in your hair, it really does suit you well."

Raiko slowly went into a flustered state from the compliments, "...Well, it's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the show!"

"Though, I didn't spend all this time preparing this disguise only to overhear people gossiping about Tenkyuu Chimata herself attending. That kind of ruckus isn't too good for my image."

"I have a simple solution then," Raiko spontaneously pulled off her signature white coat and put it on Chimata, "This should help keep people from recognizing you. It's a nice look on you as well!"

The god adjusted the coat, letting it wrap around her body like a warm embrace. The bright white coat complementing the dress as if it had always belonged there. Though a bit oversized on her, Chimata could care less.

"I don't have the words to express my gratitude for all that you do," The god smiled softly. The god's typical confident nature faltered for a brief moment, lost in thought. She straightened herself up soon after, looking at Raiko with a bold expression.

"If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to make a proposal," Chimata held up a finger with a cheeky smile, "I feel like it's my turn to take you on an outing, think of it as a follow-up from last time. I know a lovely restaurant and we can split the bill equally if you'd like."

"Aw, you didn't have to do all of that for me," Raiko scratched the back of her head and laughed a bit.

"I insist, it only seems fair," Chimata giggled softly, "It'd be nice to go with you someplace."

The tsukumogami was amused by the entire gesture, unable to say no to the god's charms, "I’ll take your offer up, we do have the entire evening after all. It’d be shameful if we were to let it go to waste."

“Very well then, simply follow me!” Chimata flew upwards, beckoning towards herself.

Raiko caught up to her, flying across the field as it became a blur of vibrant colors to her eyes. Before she knew it, she had descended down right in front of a small albeit well decorated building.

Entering the establishment, the two made themselves comfortable in the warm serene setting. There weren't many people aside from random guests that wanted a quick drink and a duo that wanted to share a toast. Pulling up a seat for both herself and Chimata at a bar table, Raiko was already drawn by the allure of the drinks available.

Chimata looked at the wooden bar table as she took her seat, trying to collect her thoughts before being able to at the tsukumogami. She pondered over each line of thought until she found it comfortable to articulate each one. Slowly turning her head towards Raiko, the god straightened her back up to the chair.

She had been waiting for this moment for weeks, anticipating for when she could get Raiko in a relaxed setting like this. She had finally had a resemblance of a grasp on the messy feelings she had. Not complete acceptance but it was a step forward regardless.

Yet, Chimata found herself feeling hesitant the second she had the opportunity to finally talk to the tsukumogami about her feelings.

"There's something I'd like to also share with you," She started to speak in a more restrained manner, "I'd appreciate it if I could have your full attention for a moment."

Raiko tilted her head a bit, curious but also confused by the sudden shift in tone, "Go ahead, I'm listening 100%."

She leaned in forward, making sure that Chimata knew that every single word would be heard.

Chapter Text

"Raiko, I adore you," Chimata blurts, "I really do adore you."

She remained firm and direct, "I'd like to have you around in my life, especially for the rest of it."

Raiko couldn't set her mind to think straight, jumping to the first conclusion that she could come up with, "If you just wanted an autograph or something else from me, you don't have to word it in vague ways."

Chimata slightly tilted her head, "I beg your pardon?"

Realizing that she had mistaken Chimata's words for a simple autograph request, the tsukumogami began to quickly correct herself. She cleared up her throat, readying an explanation.

"That's similar to what I hear from my fans before they ask for an autograph. So, I just assumed you wanted one since it was the first thing to come to mind," Raiko admitted with a lighthearted laugh.

"This feeling of mine extends from being a mere fan. Horikawa Raiko, I adore you as a person and I believe that you're one of the few people worthy of having such a right to my heart. I can't help but admire your passion for your craft and your down-to-earth nature. I want to indulge in life's pleasures with you, perhaps even completely experiencing living in a new light."

Raiko grew completely flustered, unable to respond aside from soft squeaks. She was caught off balance, her typical rhythm had been completely broken. To hear something so heartfelt and genuine, it was a feeling she had nearly forgotten entirely. Now, she found herself struggling to even process an eloquent confession. Of course, she was well used to cheers and crowds of adoring fans and she relished in it. Yet, a single person had managed to single-handedly throw her off-beat with mere prose.

With everything else, Raiko had a firm footing and she'd be able to easily get herself speaking fluidly. Though with the prospects of actual romance for the sake of the long sought-out goal of true love, that wasn't anything she had in her mind for much long.

Tugging on the ends of her sleeves, the tsukumogami tried to act as if life was passing on by as usual with nothing too monumental. She finally managed to speak, trying to return to the flow of the conversation, "You really know how to treat a tool well huh?"

"Did the idea of a god herself admiring you never cross your mind?" Chimata giggled, amused by Raiko's flustered state, "I thought you were a womanizer on stage, I expected more from you."

"To be fair, that's just a part of the stage persona... I mean, I can actually woo anybody over if I wanted to, it's all a part of the natural charisma of being someone at the front of the stage! Though, I'd much rather just play my heart out instead of giving it to someone else."

"...Oh? I see then," The god spoke in a low voice, seeming dejected. She didn't spend so long for this only to be simply to feel rejected, though it was a cruel yet common fate for gods like her.

The tsukumogami placed a hand on Chimata's shoulder, offering a bit of solace. Chimata soon perked up at a hopeful addendum.

Raiko's gaze slowly moved onto the bar table, "That doesn't mean that I think that the idea of being with you is bad or anything so don't worry... It's far more complicated when it's about you specifically, though I haven't found much of the time to completely figure my feelings out with all these concert preparations."

A thin smile rested on the tsukumogami's face, Chimata soon taking on the same smile. With a bout of shared laughter, a lighthearted spirit came in between them.

"Now… I'm sure you must be wondering what exactly to have here," Chimata quickly changed the subject of the conversation, growing too flustered upon the idea of her feelings being possibly reciprocated, "I'll recommend the red wine. It's splendid, suitable for any occasion."

"Really? I'll have some wine with you then," Raiko trusted the god's judgment fully with the drinks.

Ordering two glasses of wine, Chimata watched the bartender pour out their drinks. With a bright smile exchanged between each other, the god had solidified a good connection with the staff. Gently lifting up her glass, the god was already absorbed in the pleasant aroma.

Raiko poked the god's shoulder, attempting to get her attention.

"Hey Chimata? This could be just an outing without any specific word on whatever's between us," Raiko suggested, "I just need a bit of time before officializing anything."

"Though, I don't mind it if you decide to flirt here and there or anything else romantic," The tsukumogami added with a wink.

Chimata took note of the fact, keeping it in mind for now.

"Sounds like a splendid idea... Should we have a toast then?" The god swirled a bit of the drink in her hand, the wine gently sloshing in the glass.

Raiko nodded, gently grabbing her drink. Her fingers were wrapped around the glass, feeling comfortable with it in her hand.

"Here is to us, to another wondrous night under the moon," Chimata held up her glass in the air with a bold smile.

Raiko held up her glass as well, the buzzing bar lights shining right through it, "To another wondrous night!"

A gentle clink with Chimata's glass, an aura of deep comradery grew between them. She lowered the glass after a sip of wine, gently setting it on the table. Chimata began to take a gulp after the clink, savoring the taste as much as she could. The flavors rested in her mouth, bringing in a harmonious taste that blended individual flavors into a unified delight.

"Now, I'm a bit concerned about the fact that it seems like you've grown far too accustomed to superficial comments from your fans," The god teased, "I hope that you don't mind it if I were to help you with getting yourself reacquainted on that front."

"My my, already here with the romantic comments? I don't mind at all," The tsukumogami chuckled.

"In a marketplace, bartering is revolved around a balance between two parties as they exchange goods of equal value. This philosophy of equivalent value could extend far past simple commerce, if you were to demonstrate an act of good character then it'd only be appropriate that you get some well deserved gratitude."

"I suppose I could agree with you, though I'm more than happy with what I have," Raiko took another sip of wine with a smile.

"Still though, you deserve something special for once. I'd like to thank you for remaining such a fantastic tsukumogami and for treating me so kindly. It’s always a pleasure spending time with you knowing that I’ll be in good hands."

Chimata had another sip of wine, getting more uncontrollably talkative, "It's always a wonderful sight to see you too... How can someone be so beautiful to the eye and in character?"

Raiko felt a rush of warmth heading towards her face, unsure if it was the alcohol or the onslaught of comments, "I said here and there with the flirting... Not to have me completely flustered. It's nice to hear all of this though."

"My apologies. I believe that I've had my fair share of fun now," Chimata looked at her wine glass, now completely empty.

"Hey, that doesn't mean that it's over on my end," Raiko smirked, playfully wagging her finger.

The tsukumogami shifted her body towards Chimata, "I'm not sure if it's the wine kicking in but I'd like to show you everything about life's simple pleasures. I'm sure you're used to grandiose gestures but it's always nice to take a moment to enjoy bits of your day-to-day life more thoroughly."

Chimata couldn't stop herself from rambling, the wine’s effects invoking even more impulsive chatter, "That's why I adore you... I feel as if I grow a bit more appreciative of the finer details in life I've overlooked. Every object that comes to my marketplace is already revered under the rainbow's watch. Yet, I've taken further note on how each vendor has a piece of themselves in everything they sell."

"Just the way you talk about your marketplaces shows how much you care about tools. It feels like I can trust you with anything relating to us," Raiko sipped the last of her wine, "I just feel so in sync with you, y'know?"

Seeing that she had run out of wine, the tsukumogami set her glass down.

"Waiter! Another glass of wine please!" Raiko called out, the bartender heading over to pour the tsukumogami more alcohol. She already began downing the drink, feeling more tipsy by the second.

Chimata giggled, joining along with Raiko, "I'd like another glass too please!"

The god had her glass filled again once more, ready for another round of alcohol.

Raiko scooted her seat closer to Chimata's and leaned up against the god's shoulder. With a gulp of wine, Raiko shamelessly inched a bit closer. She wrapped an arm behind the god's back, making herself comfortable.

Chimata let the tsukumogami rest on her shoulder, softly smiling at her, "Eh? I'm not complaining but are you normally this touchy?"

"I'm a drum tsukumogami, it's only natural for me to enjoy moments like this."

"Sometimes, I wonder how you can be so utterly carefree," the god muses, "I wish I could be like that at times, even if I don't completely understand that sort of lifestyle."

Raiko moved a bit closer in curiosity, "Really? It’s kinda just how I am."

Chimata put her arm around Raiko, a new gesture she was trying out now that she was aware the tsukumogami enjoyed physical affection.

"Hah... Not to bring the mood down but it feels like I can confide with you about this," The god gently ruffled Raiko's hair, a hiccup escaping her mouth. She finished up her glass to the last drop, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin.

Raiko stared at Chimata, trying her best to listen despite her drunken state. She tilted her head towards her, attempting to keep track of every word.

"I'm sure you're well aware of how every god needs faith. With the cards in circulation, I'm fine now but I still can't help but worry about it. I want to be with you even if my life turns out to be more fleeting than I thought..."

"It's okay Chima- Chi," Raiko remembered the fact that Chimata was supposed to be appearing discreetly halfway through her words, "Yeah, I gotta tell you this, Chi."

"Chi? I'll have you know that I'm the one and only mystical presenter of markets, Ten-" Chimata's announcement stopped by Raiko shushing her with a finger to her lips.

"That's just a nickname! Now now Chi, cheer up!" The tsukumogami placed her hands on the god's cheeks, "We're here right now, you're here in my memory. It's easy to worry about that but I'm here to work things through with you, we all have to look out for each other after all."

The god wasn’t sure what to make of the gesture but couldn’t help but smile. As much as she enjoyed grand titles that could only fit a god like her, casual nicknames felt just right when it came with Raiko.

Chimata gently pulled Raiko's hands away from herself, laughing a little, "Chi's a rather silly nickname, isn’t it? It’s unlike anything I’ve heard before when people refer to me. Though, feel free with it if it truly makes you happy."

"Expect to hear it often then!"

The god gently pushed the wine glass away from her with a hand, finding herself unable to look at it anymore. Despite the high quality of the wine, she couldn’t bring herself to ask for another glass. A headache pulsed through her as she got herself out of her seat.

"Let's call it a night... I believe we've had enough to drink," Chimata rubbed the side of her head, letting out a quiet yawn afterwards.

“Gotta agree with you there, it was nice having some with you though…” Raiko’s hands fumbled while pulling out some money from her pocket, paying for her half of the tab. She hopped out of her seat with a stumble.

Grabbing some coins in her pouch, Chimata also paid for her half. With a farewell to the barkeeper, she was ready to depart with Raiko. Walking out of the establishment, the god looked up at the moon shining brightly among the stars. If not for the headache, she would have been mesmerized by it. Perhaps even consider an impromptu stargazing session with Raiko.

“Wait, I almost forgot!” Chimata took a bright white coat off, returning it to its rightful owner.

“Huh? Thanks! It looked so good on you that I forgot it ever belonged to me,” The tsukumogami laughed before putting her coat on.

Raiko quickly wrapped an arm around Chimata's shoulder, providing a quick side hug, "Can you get yourself home? I can take you with me if you want."

“Thank you, I can head home fine so there’s no need to take me with you,” Chimata nodded, though she had a tired look in her eyes, "I'm wondering if you can head home yourself too."

"Maybe I had a bit too much wine but it's nothing too bad," Raiko began to float above the ground, getting ready to depart.

The god softly smiled, bidding adieu, "Come and see me at the next market alright?"

"I'll try my best to attend, I wouldn't dare miss out on seeing you again," the tsukumogami waved before she flew off into the night sky.

With enough knowledge of Gensokyo’s landscape, she managed to find home fairly easily despite navigating through fuzzy vague resemblances of landmarks.

Returning home, Raiko entered her house with a slight wobble. The tsukumogami nearly bumped into various portions of her house but somehow managed to avoid making too big of a mess. Taking off her coat, she felt the soft fabric drape on her arms.

Holding her coat tightly in her hands, Raiko didn't want to let go of it. She found herself strangely attached to it, an everyday item now inseparable to her.

Still somewhat intoxicated, she plopped herself onto a sofa to get some rest. She eyed a notebook filled with scribbled down words and makeshift sheet music resting peacefully on a short wooden table. She wanted to write a song for the god based on an impulse decision.

With the sudden moment of inspiration stuck in her mind, she grabbed the notebook. Few of the loose pages fell out, now scattered nearby. The tsukumogami decided that cleaning up would be a problem for the future, having full focus on filling up the pages.

Writing the first words that came to her mind, Raiko tried to at least mark down anything that signified the vague emotions she was attempting to convey. Each word was written in a wobbly manner, the lines to each single character nearly indistinguishable from scribbles. She couldn't bring her mind to craft fully rendered sentences, finding everything too fuzzy to refine her thoughts.

All that there was on the pages were her pure emotions that could only be portrayed by a drunken mess of scribbles.

A yawn soon came out of Raiko's mouth, her focus drifting away from the notebook.

Rubbing her eyes, Raiko slowly went into a sleepy daze. Everything around her started to become blurry, trying to lull her into slumber. Setting the notebook aside, Raiko hoped that her thoughts would be at least coherent in the morning. Cozying herself up on the sofa, she couldn't bring herself to head over to a proper bed.

She used her coat as an alternative to a blanket and found herself perfectly comfortable there, unable to have a single regret in the world.

Chapter Text

The lunar rainbow, Chimata had witnessed it countless times in her long life. However, she couldn't help but gaze into its glory every time it occurred. The accompanying market wouldn't feel complete without the array of vibrant colors above.

Oddly enough though, the marketplace was emptier than usual. As opposed to the hustle and bustle of a usual market, the atmosphere felt far more tranquil. She could pick out individual voices nearby with a clarity that was filtered out during busier days. The god assumed that there must have been another event that coincided with the lunar rainbow that she was unaware about. As much as she would prefer it if people had attended the market instead of whatever other event was happening, Chimata didn't mind the quieter ambience. It was soothing to the mind as she strolled throughout the area.

A voice called out to the god from afar. It grew progressively louder until Chimata could properly render what was happening.

"Chi? Hey, Chi!"

The god turned around, finding Raiko making her way through the other attendees of the market. She nearly had forgotten that such a cutesy nickname had been bestowed onto her.

"Sorry for showing up a bit late, the Prismrivers booked a gig last minute tonight... Glad I managed to make it here though," The tsukumogami loosened up her coat and stretched. Though retained her usual liveliness, Raiko had a hint of a tired look behind her eyes.

"It's okay, I'm just glad you were able to attend," Chimata said, understanding why there was a sudden absence of marketeers now.

A warm smile found its way on the god's face, pleased by the tsukumogami's arrival.

"Now, is there anything you'd like to do while you're here?" Chimata asked.

Forming a thinking pose by placing a hand below her chin, Raiko thought for a moment. She then gently grabbed the god's wrist.

"I'd like to go somewhere away from everybody else, just for a tad bit of course," Raiko winked, beginning to walk off with Chimata by her side, "I have plenty of confidential information reserved for you."

"I see, that's fine by me," The god followed after her, a bit puzzled but she followed along regardless.

Taking Chimata to a more private area right outside of the market's outskirts, Raiko had a particular carefree aura that seemed to hide a deeper scheme beneath. Chimata remained curious on what Raiko had planned, keeping up with her footsteps.

Standing directly beneath the moon's light, the tsukumogami's concert clothes seemed all the more stunning with the full moon behind her. Raiko had a playful smirk, "I would like to present something to you for the market. It's really the best way I can showcase my feelings to you!"

"Ah, so you've figured yourself out? Now now, I assume this must be a serenade of sorts!" Chimata teased the other with a playful joke, giggling a bit.

"Contrary to popular belief," Raiko let out a laugh before continuing on, "Musicians don't even know how to write love songs half the time. It'd be a bit difficult, even for someone at my caliber, to even do anything like that with drums too."

"I see, I see. My apologies for perpetuating the scenario of personally written love songs."

"Gah, you didn't let me finish!" The tsukumogami held up a finger, "I actually did write you a song! I'm not much of a vocalist but I do hope that you'll enjoy it."

"Oh goodness, I was simply joking earlier... You somehow manage to impress me every time I see you," Chimata's heart skipped a beat.

Preparing a set of fantastical drums, the tsukumogami had established an electrifying presence. Raiko sat on top of a bass drum, the other pieces of the drumset circling around her in a vibrant crimson orbit. A gentle red glow surrounded her in a mystical glory.

"Music is a thing that can be understood on a universal level, it's a way you can unleash your pure emotions in an art form. So, allow me to dedicate this song to you, O great god!" Raiko twirled her drumsticks in one hand with an energetic smile.

Her bold assertive demeanor shifted to a more mellow attitude with a soft strike to a cymbal. It was a surprisingly gentle song, far different from her usual fast paced pieces. Raiko sang in a soft voice as well, harmonizing with an almost quiet airy tone.

It was clear that the tsukumogami had dedicated much of her time crafting her work. There were some moments where the lyrics felt oddly written with inconsistent verse structures, yet it provided a unique character that could only be linked to Raiko. She somehow managed to enforce a defined sense of rhythm throughout it all.

Despite the seemingly plain nature of the song with merely a set of drums and the tsukumogami's voice, the very surrounding atmosphere had joined in the harmonies. What was once mere ambience turned into a complete chorus. The rustling of the nearby flora accompanied each word as it traveled through sound.

Chimata could only come to the conclusion that Raiko had used some sort of magical influence to morph the sounds around her to her liking. With an ability that could make anything fall into rhythm, there were no musical boundaries for Raiko.

As the song reached its conclusion, the nature around them slowly returned to its usual state. The tsukumogami stopped playing, ending off with a hearty laugh.

"Bravo, bravo!" Chimata started clapping joyfully, enamored with the grand gesture. She would have swooned right then if not for her remaining marketplace obligations for the evening.

"I'm aware this may seem like your standard love song, but it's a pure reflection of my world and how you tie into it," Raiko hopped off the bass drum, walking towards Chimata, "In other words, it's a declaration of how much you mean to me. How could I not write a song for someone that treats tools so well?"

The god grew completely flustered, covering her face with her hands.

"Pftt, are you okay there Chi?" Raiko nudged the god with a cheeky smile, "Seems like you're a bit red. More than a bit actually."

"Raiko... Thank you for your concern but I'm perfectly fine," The god lowered her hands away from her face, sheepishly laughing. In an attempt to spare herself from any further teasing from the hands of the tsukumogami, Chimata decided to switch the subject.

She straightened her posture, assuming her usual character of the grand presenter of marketplaces.

"While you're here, why not partake in any exchanges before the rainbow ends? I'm sure that you can find something suitable," The god turned back to the marketplace, tuning into the busy sounds from afar. Though minute, she could hear the vague chatter going on there.

Raiko started walking along beside Chimata, "I'd be more than happy to, got any recommendations on what to get? You really know your stuff when it comes to marketeers."

"I'll show you around, there's a few familiar faces tonight!" Chimata exclaimed, briskly heading back to the market with Raiko.

Rejoining the marketplace, the god tried to recall all of the goods people were offering for the evening. She wanted to give the tsukumogami the finest goods available, searching throughout the market

"There's jewels and treasures of all sorts here," Chimata pointed towards a collection of shiny objects, a subtle glimmer reflected in her eyes. If there was something anybody could appreciate, it’d be the allure behind beautiful treasures.

"Seems a bit outside of my budget," Raiko chuckled, eying the selection, "Though, I do appreciate the fact that you want to get me something nice. Pretty sweet of you, Chi."

Chimata’s heart was being tugged by the mention of the nickname, “It’s really a small portion of my duties as the market god here… Now, I feel like you’d enjoy the neighboring stall.”

"Let me take a closer look at what's over there then," Raiko headed towards a person selling various pieces of handmade clothing. Her face lit up, pleased with her findings, "Ah! Just what I needed!"

The tsukumogami picked up a scarf from a stall, the bright black and red fabric draping down from her hands. She ran her hands down the lightweight material, noting the brilliant vibrant patterns on it. Promptly purchasing it from the vendor, Raiko had a bright smile on her face. Chimata watched the transaction happen, her abilities facilitating the exchange itself. The scarf now belonged to Raiko officially, becoming the sole owner of it.

Raiko let the scarf rest on her shoulders, wrapping it around her neck. It suited her tastes well, a bold accent for her snazzy concert clothes.

"It's pretty soft, perfect for the upcoming fall. Plus, it’d be nice to wear for performances!" Raiko idly toyed with the ends of the scarf, content with the exchange.

Chimata delicately tucked a loose strand of crimson hair behind Raiko's ear, "You look quite handsome in it too."

A rushed simple thank you came out of Raiko's mouth, as if she couldn’t find any other words to say.

The lunar rainbow above them slowly lost its hue, becoming dimmer by the moment. Marketeers were starting to pack up and leave as well.

Chimata caught notice of the tsukumogami growing a bit antsy upon seeing the weakening rainbow, "Raiko, is there one last thing you'd like? We still have some time."

The tsukumogami tugged on the god's arm, dragging her to an empty corner of the market.

"I just want to exchange one last thing with you personally before the rainbow ends," Raiko chuckled, stretching for a moment, "How about a kiss between us? I know it's a bit too soon to ask but it'd be nice."

Chimata stared at Raiko, contemplating the idea. It didn't feel right to decline such an bold offer, there wasn't much reason to go against it aside from merely being hesitant. She didn't have the same shameless nature as the tsukumogami; it was unfathomable to even dare think about making the same offer herself so suddenly. Since Raiko was the one to propose the offer, all Chimata had to do was say a simple yes or no.

There was nothing to lose with a mere kiss. It was with someone she felt safe to rely on, someone that truly cared about her even outside of business relations.

She let out a giggle stifled by a hand over her mouth, a lighthearted smile hiding behind her fingers.

"I would be more than happy to oblige," Chimata gently pulled on Raiko's tie, bringing the tsukumogami closer to her.

Wrapping her arms around the god's shoulders, Raiko slowly closed any remaining distance with Chimata. She let Chimata take the lead to ease her in, going along with the flow of the moment. Chimata tugged on Raiko's tie further until they met with a soft kiss on the lips.

It was nothing inherently glamorous, it was a simple kiss shared between two people that adored each other. The world around them had continued on as usual.

Yet, it felt special to the god regardless.

Everything under the chromatic lunar mandala was already celebrated through a festive lens. Rainbows were a boundary between the heavens above and earths below, introducing a divine connection whenever it came to view. The remains of the rainbows above them turned simplicity into revelery. It was no wonder why an ordinary kiss had felt like it had transcended all bounds.

She wasn't sure if the same could be said for the tsukumogami, though she swore she could have felt her heart beat go into perfect sync with Raiko's own heart.

Pulling herself away from Raiko, the god felt her heart beat still rushing.

"Pleasure doing business with you under the rainbow," Chimata softly smiled, doing everything she could to retain her dignified demeanor in the moment.

"...Pleasure doing business with you too," The tsukumogami straightened herself up, still attempting to process the gesture.

The god's eyes darted to the moon, now gleaming free of the lunar rainbow.

"I suppose that marks the end of tonight's Lunar Rainbow Market," Chimata let the tsukumogami's tie fall out of her hand, trying to give Raiko some breathing room.

“...Already? I wish it lasted a bit longer so I could be with you a bit longer,” The tsukumogami stared up at the starry sky.

Chimata wished that she had some more time as well. All of a sudden, an idea had hit her. A simple invitation to her place. She wasn't much of the type to go through with every idea that spontaneously appeared in her head, though it simply felt appropriate to ask.

The god turned to Raiko, "I would like to invite you to my place then. Don’t worry too much about the rainbow closing, we can spend the rest of this night together regardless."

"Who would dare pass up the chance to be with you? I'd be more than happy to stay there," The tsukumogami said.

"Now now, we can't keep on standing here," Chimata raised herself up from the ground, floating above it, "Shall we head off?”

Raiko floated upwards with Chimata and nodded, a silent affirmative.

They both departed from where the market took place, the moon's light casting long shadows below them as they flew across Gensokyo.

Chapter Text

The journey home went smoothly, the presence of the moon still looming over the night sky. Going through the entrance to her house, Chimata took a moment to stretch herself out. She began to grow more relaxed, not having to deal with the grandiose formalities of hosting a market anymore. She watched as Raiko quickly made herself comfortable, the tsukumogami placing her coat on a wooden coat hanger by the door.

"Looks like you had another successful market under your watch," Raiko smiled happily, proud of the god's business endeavors for the evening.

"It would have been even more successful if not for someone's group hosting a performance on the same evening," Chimata teased with a lighthearted chuckle, "Though, I would have attended your concert if it was on a different night."

"Y'know, the Prismrivers have been wanting to meet you personally for a while. It'd be nice if all of us could get together to collaborate!"

Chimata slowly found herself drifting off into a sleepy daze throughout the conversation. Typically, she would be more energized after hosting a market but was overtaken by lethargy.

With a delayed realization, the god blankly stared at Raiko, "...That means you've been talking about me to them, right?"

The tsukumogami started stammering, "Well… It's not like I can help it. Besides, you know who Merlin is right…? The middle sister? The mood amplifier of the group? I can't help but go on a passionate ramble about how cute you are whenever we practice. It's not like I've ever mentioned anything bad about you, don't worry!"

Raiko let out a light laugh, scratching the back of her head.

"Goodness… As much as I'd like to maintain a professional image to them, I do appreciate the praise," Chimata grew a bit red from the mental image.

The god's tiredness was gradually becoming stronger with each moment. Her eyes became heavier, causing her to lose her focus as the world had started to blur. Finally, a long yawn left her mouth.

"Getting sleepy?" Raiko asked, her words breaking through the tired haze.

With a silent nod, Chimata couldn't help but yawn once again.

"Get yourself some rest… It looks like you haven't slept in ages," Raiko gently fluffed up a pillow resting on a sofa. She spoke softly, a genuine concern coming from her voice.

The god rubbed her eyes, tilting her head slightly, "Do I really look that sleep deprived…? I'm not taking any offense but do I really?"

"I'm sorry, but to be completely honest. You do," The tsukumogami continued to arrange the sofa to make it as comfortable as possible.

"I appreciate you being upfront with me but I don't need to be reminded that I've been losing sleep for the past few months..."

Raiko stared at the god, her face filled with worry, "Damn... I didn't know it was that bad for you."

Chimata let out another yawn, realizing that her confident divine persona was dwindling away by the moment. If not for her tired state, the god would have straightened herself up and simply told the tsukumogami that she had been spending her nights busy preparing for markets. It'd be far better to have a productive evening instead of dwelling over meaningless nightmares.

The tsukumogami gently put her hand on the god's shoulder, providing a hint of stability, "You can talk to me about it alright? We all do our best to make it through in this world, I won't judge."

Chimata was unsure what to make of the gesture, though she appreciated Raiko's efforts regardless. She wanted to tell Raiko an excuse as a way to attribute her restlessness to nothing of concern. However, there was nothing she could think of that could go wrong from confessing a hidden hassle.

The god glanced away from Raiko, sighing a little, "I don't like to tell people this often but I do have nightmares from time to time. They're quite bothersome to deal with…"

"Hey, I'll keep you company if you want. A circadian rhythm is still a rhythm, no? I'm more than willing to help you fall into a proper one," Raiko patted the top of a pillow and motioned Chimata to take a seat on it.

"...What about you? I'd recommend that you get rest too, considering the recent performance," The god tensed up a little, "I don't believe that I should burden you when you're simply here as a guest."

"I'll fall asleep soon after you do," Raiko gave out a reassuring smile, "I want to be with you anyways so it's really no problem."

Chimata flopped onto the sofa, feeling like she was melting onto it. Her joints felt like they became gelatinous the moment she began to lay down. The tsukumogami soon followed after her, taking up a snug spot beside Chimata. She leaned up against Raiko and wrapped her cloak around her, providing a quick make-do blanket.

The god closed her eyes, the weight of her eyelids had grown too heavy for her to open them again.

Raiko gently kissed the top of Chimata's head, "Sweet dreams, mkay?"

The god gently grabbed Raiko, believing she was one of the nearby pillows.

Chimata mumbled, sleepily holding onto the tsukumogami, "Are you still there?"

"I'll be here for you til the moment we're both up, don't worry," Raiko gently ruffled the god's hair, watching as Chimata gradually entered her slumber.

It was silent aside from the chirping of crickets and cicadas. Most nights, it was either a conflict between dreading the abyssal silence or growing irritated by the insects outside. Though, she didn't have to deal with any of those battles tonight with a mental truce.

The chirping of insects subdued for a moment, giving room for another sound to take their place. The tsukumogami took the liberty of whispering a simple, "I love you" under the guise that the god had already fallen asleep.

Chimata nearly flinched from those three words but managed to keep herself stable. She laid there as still as possible, feigning that she entered a deep slumber. She was a bit curious if Raiko had subtle behavioral changes under the belief that no one else was watching. Though, she grew too tired for her curiosity to even last remotely long. Reciprocating the "I love you" in a quiet manner, Chimata inched a bit closer towards Raiko and pretended that she was simply tossing and turning.

Though uncertain if Raiko's presence could ward off any threats in her dreamscapes, Chimata felt safe around her enough to let herself relax. With Raiko by her side, Chimata could head off to slumber regardless of any risk posed to her.

Soon enough, the god had fallen asleep peacefully with a tsukumogami dozing off beside her.

The moonlight peeking from the window bid good night to them, softly shining.

May every night be just like this, may every fleeting pleasure feel as if they could last for an eternity, may every simple indulgence feel as if they were worshiped.

That was all Chimata's mindscape could blissfully fantasize about.