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It was a quiet and breezy spring day in Gensokyo. Reisen was sitting on the porch of Eientei, taking in the lovely spring air. She was happy that spring had finally sprung. She felt like this year's winter just dragged on seemingly forever. Spring meant the cherry blossoms were now in full bloom. Which meant Youmu would probably be busy.
Youmu was a swordmaster and gardener that lived in Hakaguroku, a place in the Netherworld. She took care of her mistress, Yuyuko, as they lived together in harmony. They seemed very close…it made Reisen a little jealous. She couldn’t imagine them in a loving relationship, but it just made her feel a little defeated when she saw Yuyuko toy around with Youmu in a teasing way.
If it wasn’t present already, Reisen had a big crush on the swordmaster. After the Imperishable Night Incident, the two had gotten close. Reisen would visit Youmu on a regular basis, even if it wasn’t spring. She really liked Youmu…but she wasn’t sure if she shared the same feeling back. If she did, Reisen was completely oblivious.
And on this day, Reisen decided to take the long trek up to the netherworld. Even flying there took a long time, and it was tiring. By the time she had gotten there, the sun was starting to set. She might have to spend the night there. She struggled a little to stand as she walked up to the door. This only recently started to happen. Her heart beat fast as who but Youmu opened the door.
“Ah! Good evening Reisen!” Youmu smiled. “Come on in!” She led the moon rabbit into the building, which was a typical japanese style building. There was a smell of food. Not surprising, as Yuyuko ate like a Hippopotamus most days. She was constantly hungry. In fact, she was having a snack as Reisen came into the room.
“Hello Hello!~” Yuyuko smiled at the moon rabbit. “Welcome once again.”
“Thank you for your hospitality once again.” Reisen bowed.
“No need for formality!” The ghost girl giggled. “You’re welcome here any time you’d like, y’know.”
Reisen turned to Youmu. “Something has been on my mind recently.”
“Oh?” Youmu looked at her. “Tell me.”
“I’ve been thinking about your sword skills, and how good you are with all of it…The moves, poses, all of that…”
“Go on…”
“I really want to be taught the ways of the sword…i-if that’s ok with you…” Reisen’s anxiety kicked in, as she looked down and tapped her foot.
Youmu was a little shocked. Reisen was so good at artillery and bullet dammaku…what did she need a sword for? Well, Reisen WAS her longtime friend so…
“Ok. I can do that.” Youmu smiled. “I may not be the best teacher, but I’ll do my best.”
“Oh my…~” Yuyuko grinned. “This could be very interesting…~”
And that’s how they were in front of Hakaguroku that evening. Reisen was holding one of Youmu’s swords. She was very anxious, so she was shaking a little bit.
“That’s not how you hold a sword, silly!” Youmu giggled and took one of Reisen’s hands. This made her stiffen a little bit. The gardener guided her hand to a more comfortable position. “There…That’s better!”
Reisen struggled to keep her composure. Youmu was really touching her like this…Youmu’s hands were a little cold, but that made sense. She was half phantom after all. But still…
“Also, your posture is lacking a little bit…” Youmu noted. “Let me fix that.” Youmu’s hand went to Reisen’s back, straightening it. Reisen let out a small “eep!” Youmu’s hands were cold but soft against her back. She was in a little bit of ecstasy. Since Youmu was about her height as well, she could feel her breath on her skin, which made Reisen’s skin tingle a little bit as well. She couldn’t ignore the cold hands on her back, the warm breath on her neck, her heart beating a million miles an hour, and the wet spot in her pa-
“Are you ok Reisen?” Youmu looked at her friend in concern.
“Gah!” Reisen shook her head, snapping out of her daze. “Y-yes! I-I’m fine, I’m completely fine!”
“Hmm…” Youmu’s eyes squinted. “Something tells me that isn’t true…”
“Wh-What makes you say that?” The moon rabbit stammered.
“Since you came today, you seem more anxious and fidgety than usual. This isn’t the normal calmer Reisen that I know. Which begs the question…what’s REALLY on your mind?” Youmu stepped a little closer to the front of her.
Reisen blushed hard at the swordmaster. She gulped. Now what did she do? She either could delay the inevitable, or just spit it out right then and there.
“I’m…I’m jealous, ok!?” Reisen yelled out, causing Youmu to step back in surprise. “I see you and the mistress getting along really well…and the way that she hugs you and teases you makes me jealous…”
Youmu smiled and tried not to laugh. “Are you thinking that the mistress and I are in a relationship?”
Reisen nodded slowly.
Youmu lost it. She was on the floor laughing in front of the embarrassed Reisen. “Of course we’re not in a relationship like that! Everyone thinks that, but it’s not true!”
Reisen sighed in relief. One of the thoughts that plagued her turned out to be false. But what about the other one?
“If you should know…” Youmu went up to Reisen’s ear and whispered: “The mistress likes Mistress Yukari…~”
Reisen giggled. “I could absolutely see them together! That’s so cute…~”
“I know, right?” Youmu backed off a little bit.
“What about you?” Reisen asked the fateful question. “Do you like anyone?”
This made Youmu pause and blush a little. Now it was her turn to become awkward. Yes, there WAS someone she liked…but she was too nervous to say it…but, like many things, she had to belly up to the bar and confess.
“Y…yes…I do like someone.” Youmu struggled to maintain eye contact. “I have a feeling you know who I like…” The half-phantom looked up at her crush.
It took a moment for Reisen to process this information. “Wait…you like…m-me!?” She turned as red as a tomato and shyly looked away.
“Mhm…” Youmu blushed, as well as her phantom half. “I do…I have for a while now…ever since the Imperishable Night incident…”
“You know…” Reisen looked back. “Me too.”
Reisen looked into Youmu’s eyes, and Youmu looked into one of her’s, because her other eye could lead her to becoming insane. Youmu wrapped her arms around Reisen’s neck and softly kissed her.
Reisen was once again shocked. She stiffened a little bit, but she relaxed and kissed the swordmaster back, one hand caressing her cheek. Finally, the second thought that had been plaguing her had been laid to rest. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She liked Youmu, and Youmu liked her back. This would be a day that the moon rabbit and the half-phantom would remember for a lifetime.
From afar…
“AWW!~” Yuyuko was watching the two embrace and kiss from inside. “Isn’t this just lovely~”
Yukari appeared from a gap next to her and smiled. “It is indeed. I predicted this would happen from a mile away…~”
“Young love…~” The ghost swooned. "This will surely blossom like Hakugyokurou in the Spring~"