Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I step outside of my home, a cool breeze sweeping across my face. Looking around watching the peaceful calm of the village in the moring as the sun gradually climbs up across the horizon. The gentle morning is interrupted by a bright beam of light shooting across the sky, with an equally loud clap. I turn away from the blinding light and sigh. That's probably Marisa, always shooting off her master spark like that whenever something upsets her.

I look back at the village and pick up the newspaper that seems to have materialized on my porch. ‘Bunbunmaru News,’ Aya Shameimaru’s less-than-truthful newspaper, I read the headlines and laugh. ‘Local Shrine Maiden Found Having an Affair with Moryia Shrine Maiden.’ ‘Human Villager caught making out with youkai.’ ‘Residents of old hell reported getting sick, Spider to blame?’ I sit down on my porch and start reading through the paper. I have to admit, I do enjoy reading the paper because of how absurd it is. Finishing the article about the spider youkai in old hell, I step back inside and start making breakfast. 

A few minutes later I hear a loud knock on the door. I ignore the knocking. Turning back to my food I hear another knock. “Umm excuse me, I know your home sir. I just saw you outside.” I yawn and walk over to the door. I am met with a girl with black shoulder length hair. She is wearing a red tokin hat, a white blazer and black tie, a short black skirt and bright red geta. Around her right arm is a stack of newspapers. In her left hand, a camera. “Hey there, I couldn’t  help but notice you were reading my paper a moment ago. What do ya think?” Looking at the girl who I assume is Aya, I slowly nod my head. I didn’t think it was half bad, the article about that spider youkai was interesting.

 Almost instantly, the girl’s face lights up, her deep red eyes look at me for a moment. “You're not kidding?” I shrug “I’m surprised you're actually reading it, usually people just throw it out.” I try to suppress a laugh, Once again,  I said I enjoy reading it  “Oh.. okay… Really? uh, Oh I know! Here.” She, rather forcefully, hands me a newspaper. “This is my weekly extra. It's got all the hot stories around Gensokyo this week! Tell me what you think, okay?” I glance at the paper, and thank her for it. A large grin comes across her face. Large black bird wings emerge from her back and within a moment she is gone. Letting out a deep sigh, I step back inside and finish breakfast.

As I walk down a dirt path through the village, my mind begins to wander. I start thinking about growing up, about my family, about my childhood. Sometimes, I wonder what life is like outside Gensokyo, I mean I did technically grow up in the outside world, but I have no memory of it. We moved, or rather found ourselves here when I was around 10. So I don’t remember much from the outside world. I sigh and pass a food stall, It’s operated by the moon rabbit Seiran. I’ve talked with her a few times before, and every time she almost shriveled up into a ball. I’m assuming she just doesn’t like conversation. Alas I walk over and ask for a dango. She is looking up at the sky, her gaze fixated on the barely visible moon. I audibly clear my throat and ask again. “Oh sorry, er, y, you just caught me in the middle of a… a thought!” I hand her four coins and within a moment my dango is ready. “Enjoy, Mr Taio!” She nervously waves and bids me farewell. I turn the corner and bite into my dango. I suddenly recall the interaction with Aya yesterday. That was pretty weird. 

In a weird twist of irony Shameimaru herself suddenly appears in front of me. I jump back and curse, dropping my dango. “Hey Mr! What do you think of my extra~?” I take a moment to compose myself. She’s standing in front of me, her large black wings at their full wingspan. Truthfully I haven't actually read it yet. “Ayaya~ That won’t do! Here’s today's paper by the way.” She hands me the paper and I glance over the cover. On the front I see a photo of me, with the caption ‘Real feedback and reviews from bunbunmaru readers.’ I stare at it for a moment. What the hell is this? “Ohhh that… I figured I would publish your review in my paper. Might help sales!” I look at her, dryly stating I’m not too fond of the idea. “That’s fine Mr, It's only one issue~” I shrug and thank her for the paper. “Anytime Mr…” Taio “Ah yes Mr Taio, Thanks for your feedback. I would looovveee if I could interview you about why you like bunbunmaru sometime!” Her red eyes are piercing me like daggers. I feel a sweat bead form and roll down my face. I swallow and nod. “Alrighty Mr Taio! I’ll be off now, Gotta fulfill orders.” I, once again, thank her for the paper, A sudden red comes across her face. I blink and it's gone, Maybe it was my imagination. Her massive wings unfurling as she takes off in the air, the wind pushing me off balance. I don’t like how she said my name…

A few days have passed. Aya has stopped me wherever I am to personally deliver me a paper. She even gave me this pen with ‘bunbunmaru supporter’ written on the side. She seems to seek me out specifically. I’m getting kind of worried she is stalking me, though I could just be overreacting. Aya seems very passionate, if a little obsessive, about her newspaper. I can’t fault someone for that. I shake my head, snapping out of the unpleasant thought. I walk to the Suzunann book store and step inside. Kozuzu greets me at the door. “Hey there Mr Taio, how have you been?” I tell her I’ve been doing well, My job started paying me more. “Wonderful to hear, is there anything specific you're looking for today?” Nope, I reply. Just returning some. “Great to hear, I am the best book seller around you know.” I nod in agreement. Pulling the books from my bag I place them on the table. I’ll be off now, I state. Waving as I step out. “Take care Mr Taio, and feel free to browse my wares wherever.” 

And there she is, Aya Shameimaru, leaning up against a building across the street. Her face lights up when she sees me and within a second she is next to me. “Going for a stroll?” Just returning books I say. Somewhat worried, I ask her why she is here. “Well that's the thing, I can’t seem to find any good news for tomorrow's paper, So I figured I would interview you Instead.” I raise my eyebrow, Why me exactly? “Ayaya, so many questions. Here, just… Come with me.” She grabs me by the waste and before I can complain and she hoists me into the air. What the hell is she doing? “I’m taking you somewhere so I can interview you.” I don't think abducting a villager would go well with the Shrine Maiden, I state coldly. “Ahh yes, I would love it if you didn’t mention this to her.” I am starting to panic now as I find myself flying far out of the village. Aya is still firmly holding onto me. We start climbing a mountain and I find myself losing consciousness.

I wake up with a light headache in some bed. I look around for a moment, determining I have no idea where the hell I am. I sit up and climb out of the bed. Looking around the room there is paper everywhere, A small desk sits in the corner of the room overflowing with paper. On the nightstand next to me sits a camera. This, I assume, must be Aya's home. Opening the door and walking into the other room I see Aya, she has a black, white and orange apron on. As well as her usual outfit. As for the apron itself,  the orange sections are golden red and orange maple leaves. She is tending to some kind of soup on the stove. I slowly ask her where the hell I am. She turns. “Ah you're finally awake, I suppose the oxygen got too low for you on top of the mountain.” What? “Oh yeah I should have told you, You're in the tengu village on youkai mountain” I go pale, youkai mountain? A human on youkai mountain? That sounds like a horrible idea. “Ayaya~, such a drama queen, I wouldn't have brought you up here if you were gonna die, besides I’m only here for an interview.” A non consensual interview, I add. “Yes well, you did agree to it back in the village. And besides, think of this as more of a reward for supporting my newspaper.” 

Reward, what is she talking about? I shrug and decide to sit down in one of the chairs. She finishes making the mystery soup and sits down in the chair across from me. “Here’s my tomato soup, I think I did a decent job?” I’d never had tomato soup, I commented. Taking the bowl and trying it out, it wasn't actually half bad. We chatted for a bit over the meal. Finishing my meal before long I thanked her for the food. I walk over to the countertop and place the bowl among the pile of other dishes.  I turn around and Aya is right next to me, With her apron in one hand. I look at her for a moment, her shirt is dangerously unbuttoned, revealing the outline of her breasts, Her skirt is barely on and her face is bright red. 

I try to ask her what she is doing but before I can finish my sentence she has grabbed my cheek. She pulls me toward her. 

She Kisses me. 

Her soft, warm lips pressed against mine. I sit there for a moment taking in what just happened. She slowly releases me from the sloppy warm kiss and before I can say anything she has dragged me back to her room. She sprawls out on the bed, looking me deep in the eyes. “So uhhh, about that interview… I uhh, er. It can wait a little while right?” I look at her, her eyes are wild and she is breathing heavily. Her face bright red, she begins unbuttoning her shirt further. Finally I manage to ask her why. “Oh, This? I’ve just been a little worked up these past few days, Mr Taio.” 

Before I can say anything there is a loud pounding on the door. Aya shoots up “ shit! ” I look at her as she frantically tries to button her shirt. The knocking starts again, this time more forcefully. “Aya, I swear to fucking god. You better get out here right now or I am going to personally level your whole fucking house! ” Aya looks at me and she slowly yells back. “Yes I’m coming, give me a moment. I was a little busy!” The other voice roars again. “Bullshit aya, I know you have that poor villager in there, Kosuzu told me!” Aya curses under her breath “Fucking shrine maiden.” Aya walks over and opens the door. There stands the shrine maiden, Reimu Hakurei. Reimu grabs Aya's shoulder forcing her aside. She walks past Aya and grabs my hand. 

She brings me outside and grabs my shoulder. “Are you okay sir?” I nod and say that I was. “Fucking tengu, always stirring up problems. She didn’t… try anything did she?” I think for a moment. Out of pure embarrassment, I lie. I shake my head, Just for an interview I say. I look back at Aya, who looks like a little child who just got yelled at. “I, um, can I explain?” she gingerly asks. Reimu turns to her with piercing eyes. “Aya, I am so sick of your bullshit. You clearly were up to no good, I mean just look at you.” Looking at Aya, Reimu was right. Aya was sweating and her shirt, In spite of her best attempts, was still mostly unbuttoned. She hadn't even bothered with the skirt, Which still draped across her waist pathetically, One gust of wind would be able to detach it from her body. It was apparent to anybody with the intelligence of a fairy that she was trying to have sex with me. I look at her for a moment, She’s on the verge of tears now. For some reason, I think, I kinda feel bad. “Fucking tengu” The shrine maiden growls as she grabs me around the waist.

 Aya steps out of her home “Wait, Mr Taio. Can I still deliver you papers?” I shrug and agree. Not to the amusement of the shrine maiden who makes some off hand comment. Slowly I feel myself lifted off the ground by Reimu. She takes a different route down the mountain which lets me stay conscious, even if breathing is hard. “Where is your house?” I point. “That blue one?” I audibly confirm as she slowly takes me down and drops me off. “Do you have a minute? We need to chat.” I nod, swallowing. I lead her inside and sit her down across from me. “What the hell were you thinking? I know this might be hard to believe but the tengu are not your friend. She was trying to…” She trails off for a moment. “She was trying to fucking rape you. Do you understand?” I nod, sweat now running down my face. “I, look, I’m not mad at you, but you have understood how the tengu work. You have to be harsh with them, rude to them. I don’t know what you did, but it seems Aya has taken a liking to you. That's a problem.” I nod again.

After a long and very stern talk from the shrine maiden, she stepped out of my house. I turn and ask her what exactly is going to happen to Aya. “Well, I’m gonna start by breaking every bone in her body. Maybe knock her around a bit for fun, then we will go from there.” Will she be okay? I sheepishly ask. The Shrine Maiden shoots me a look. Before properly answering my question. “She is a youkai. She has been alive for more than 1000 years. She will be fine, I’ve kicked her ass many times. I know how to leave youkai half dead.” That didn’t sound very good to me. Finally I nod and bow deeply, thanking her for saving me from aya. “Yeah sure, Look. I’m gonna keep any eye on you for a few days to make sure she’s not gonna try it again, so don’t be alarmed.” I nod, thank her again and within a moment she is off in the air.

 It's mid afternoon now. The sun is baking down on the village. I stand at my front door for a moment, thinking about what just happened. I just got abducted by Aya, the Crow Tengu. And the worst part is I didn’t even mind it that much. Aside from her trying to, uh, do stuff to me. She gave me a meal and we had a nice chat over the food. I certainly don’t hate Aya, In fact her presence every morning is something to look forward to. She chats with me about whatever random topic had crossed our conversation that day. That's why I’m so torn. On one hand she did abduct me, and try to… well… rape me. But she is very pleasant to be around. She takes time out of her day to visit me, and she stops by every morning without fail.

I hope I can see her again.

Chapter Text

It’s been a few days since my ‘visit’ with Aya, somehow a few of the villagers found out. Kosuzu came by yesterday to ask me what happened. Telling me she saw Aya pick me up and fly off. I thanked her for helping me but assured her I wasn’t in any danger, aside from what danger a horny Tengu was to a human. I kept that part to myself though. Keine Kamishirasawa, the sort of protector of the village, also stopped by earlier today to ask me exactly what happened. Explaining further that she would be watching for any tengu entering the village. Walking over and sitting on the bench at work thinking about all this till my thoughts were distracted by a familiar voice. “Hey there Toko, I heard about your run in with the Tengu.” There stood ‘Lad’ as all of us around work dubbed him. An older gentleman with a strong, yet tired figure. He wore a black pair of overalls and a beet red wool shirt as well as this brown hat called a ‘beret.’ Something he got from the outside world, somehow. He was seen as the sort of manager of the establishment, though he never really managed anybody.

He sat down next to me on the bench. Shrugging and asked him how he knew. “Yeah, wehl that's the thing, yer little run in with Tengu is big news in a village where the most interesting thing is some lazer spark shooting across the sky. Stuff like that? spread around quick kid.” I shook my head in understanding. “So rumor has it you two had sex. That true?” I almost spit out my tea and shook my head vigorously. “Don’t gotta deny it that hard Toko..” Taio… “Yeah anyways, I figured it sounded a bit ridiculous.” I explained that Shameimaru had only abducted me to conduct an interview for her newspaper. “Ah that makes sense. She felt the need to take you all the way up youkai mountain to do that?” I pause for a moment. If I tell him the reason is that she wanted to have sex with me, My reputation will be destroyed. Finally I shrug and say I don’t know. Comfort maybe? “Alright well, good chat. When you're done here, mind coming out and helping me refinish some of the mansion wood? Fairies got into it, messed it up real good.” I agreed and finished up my lunch.

Later that day I found a newspaper on my doorstep. Wrapped around the band was a note. Taking both inside and undoing the band around the paper, I begin to read the note. “Dear Mr Taio, I am terribly sorry for the pain and suffering I have caused you, I am a stupid tengu and I will not do it again.” Signed, Aya Shameimaru. I almost laugh while reading it. I have a feeling the shrine maiden might have been involved with the creation. Just the thought of Aya being forced to write this pathetic letter makes me almost fall out of my chair. I take the letter and put it on the table. Flipping through the newspaper, and reading a few articles. After a few minutes I hear a knock on the door.

Opening it, there stands a girl. Golden hair, put into a sloppy braid on one side. On her head sits some kind of pointy ornate hat. Her dress is a similar black and white color scheme, Her dress has 6 yellow buttons across the chest. In her hand is a very old looking broom. After a moment I realize who she is. Marisa Kirisame, She is an ordinary magician, though she helps solve incidents with the Shrine Maiden. Setting her broom against the house, she crosses her arms. “Hey there, are you Mr Taio?” I confirm. “Great, I’ve been told to check up on you, something about the tengu harassing you." I nod and ask her if Reimu sent her. “Yes that's right, I’m Marisa Kirisame, I’m basically Reimu's work partner.” I make an audible agreement before asking her if she wants to come inside. “Nope, Just need to make sure the tengu haven’t been visiting you.” She hasn't, I reply. “Well good, did you get that letter? Reimu said it was a treat making her write that.” I laugh and glance back at the table the letter is sitting on. I did receive it, I reply. “Alright well you seem fine, I’ll be off then.” She grabs hold of her broom, hopping onto it and shooting up into the air.

I decide what I need right now is a walk. Grabbing my bag and sun hat, I begin for the farms on the outskirts of the village, walking past the houses gradually getting more spaced apart. I round a corner and see some kind of purple umbrella sitting on the ground, Reaching for it, it suddenly springs up with a cutesy voice making some kind of bwah!! nose. In truth it wasn’t that scary. The position the umbrella was In forces me to take a step back however, catching my sandal on a rock and falling backward. WIth a loud thud I slam into the ground.

I lay there for a moment. “Oh gosh!” A voice calls from right above me. Above me stands a girl, She has bright blue-green shoulder length hair. She’s wearing a green-blue vest with white sleeves. The strangest part is her eyes. Her right eye is a deep ruby red. Her left eye, the same color blue as her hair. I lay there a moment before asking what happened. “I scared the soul out of you , that's what!” She says in some kind of squeaky excited voice. I mumble something about not being scared before lifting myself up. Looking at her better now it's apparent she is a youkai. She has some large umbrella around her shoulder with a large red tongue and deep red eye. Slowly I ask for her name. “Kogasa Tatara! I’m the scariest youkai you will ever meet!” I cross my arms for a moment. She is supposed to be scary? “Uhhmm… Yes! I bet you're horrified right now!” Shaking my head saying I only fell because I tripped, the happy expression on her face suddenly disappeared. “Aw man, I thought I really got you there.” I shrug again. She looks at me again before suddenly jumping up, sticking her tongue out with a loud “BUWAHH!!!” I look at her for a moment and start chuckling, it was incredibly cute. Though I don’t think that was the intention. Kogasa, seeing I am not scared by this in the slightest, throws her hands up in the air “Man! All you humans laugh at me, one day I’m gonna scare you so bad you won’t be able to sleep!” With that she turns and storms off toward the village.

Finally making it to the outskirts of the village, I stop to sit on a rock for a bit before looking up at the fields. The sun had just started to set and the whole village was baithed in a golden light. I sit there before letting my mind wander, thinking about my parents. My father passed away when I was 7, or so I’m told. I don’t really remember anything before we came to Gensokyo. My mother also passed away, though it was somewhat recently. I inherited the house and now live by myself. I work part time for a human logging company in the summer months. Recently we've been requested to fix some mansion that had a hole blown in the side of it.

“Long time no chat, huh?” The voice suddenly breaks me out of thought. Sitting next to me is Aya Shameimaru. I blink for a moment and look at her again. This time she’s wearing a light brown hat, very similar to Lad’s. She’s wearing a brown coat over her usual blazer, now matched with a golden yellow tie. Her black skirt is replaced by brown shorts that go halfway down her legs. On her feet are similar black geta, laced up with light grey laces. A small brown bag stuffed full with newspapers is over her shoulder. I nervously ask her how she got here considering she is now banned from the human village. “I can break the rules to visit my favorite human. Can’t I?” I look at her for a moment and asked what she meant by favorite. “Ayaya, so many questions. I’m usually the one asking, you know.” I shrug. “Look, I… I wanna apologize for the other day.” Looking at her, she was looking intensely into my eyes. A sort of ashamed look on her face. She sits next to me in silence for what feels like eternity. Looking at me, then finally managing to choke out a few words “I… What I did wasn’t right, I should have taken proper journalistic practices. I want you to trust me.” She turned her head, facing away from me now. “Umm… What I’m trying to say is that shouldn’t have happened. I feel really shitty for trying to take advantage of you. Every year there’s this writing competition among Tengu… and I usually come in last.” Looking at me once more, she tries to speak again before closing her mouth with an audible click.

I think for a moment. Aya is clearly as upset about this as I am. I look at her once again, her usual confident demeanor replaced by shy nervousness. She looks like she is about to burst into tears now. I realize my heart is beating out of my chest. If she is sorry, then, maybe that’s all I need. A sudden warm feeling fills my whole body. She starts fiddling with her tie.“I don’t expect you to forgive me, or even like me. But-” Before she could finish I grab her hand. She looks at me, eyes wide. I like talking to her, as well as reading her, somewhat absurd, newspaper. I didn’t want to stop talking to her, or seeing her, or reading her newspaper. I Genuinely like her. I finally manage to say. She stares at me even more intensely, her mouth slightly open. “I… um… I guess I can do that.” I stand up, she does as well. Before I even realized it, I wrap her into a full hug and squeeze her as tight as I can. “Oh, um, that's rather nice.”

I look at her once more, her face, bright red. I hadn’t really taken in how attractive she really is. Looking at her as the golden sunset spread across her face. She is beautiful. That same warm feeling came back. She looks away from me for a moment. “I… Um… I’ll try to get everything cleared up with the shrine maiden, Fortunately she didn’t really hurt me that bad. She insisted I write that stupid letter instead.” I laugh, I figured that was her doing, I remark “Yeah, not funny. Mr Taio.” Just call me Taio. “Okay, Taio.” Replies Aya, a big grin on her face. I sit back down on the rock and just watch the sun. It had moved down further and now produced an almost blinding orange light. Aya seemed to recover from her confession a little bit and joined me on the rock. She turns to me, Raising her notebook. “I would like to get that interview, properly.” I grin and say I can work with her on it. “Hey, Taio. Can we do this again tomorrow?”. I nod and say we can do this anytime. She finally gets up and wipes off her jacket. Within a moment I watch her large wings unfurl from seemingly nowhere. She turns back to me and smiles, then takes off into the air. On the rock, sat a pen. Glancing at the lettering on the side. ‘Thank you, Taio’

And so begins my relationship with Shameimaru Aya.

Chapter Text

“You did what?” Momiji asked Aya as she slowly took a sip from her tea. “Momiji, I already told you. I made a mistake and I’ve already apologized for it.” Aya said, setting her tea down on the table, as did the white wolf tengu. “Aya, It still doesn’t change the fact you almost got killed by Reimu, The only reason you can say sorry to him is because of me.” Aya thought for a moment, Momiji had calmed down the shrine maiden enough to reason with her. Still, Aya hadn’t exactly been truthful as to why the pissed of shine maiden was there to begin with. “Momiji, I already told you, it was an honest mistake. I got carried away. You know the writing festivals stress me out.” Momiji stared at Aya, bewildered. “Aya… You tried to have sex with that Human. I don’t care how much ‘stress’ you have. You know better than that.” Aya shrugged again.

“Look, I apologized to him, and he seemed to take it very well. He even asked me to keep hanging out with him. He's really nice to me too.” Momiji looked at the tengu, once again bewildered. “What do you mean he wants to hang out with you? Aya, have you lost your fucking mind?” “That's pretty harsh.” Aya scoffed. It was a little odd now that she thought about it. “And what will Megumu think when she hears this, hm?” Momiji had a point. Megumu Lizunamaru was the leader of the crow tengu on youkai mountain. She was strict on Aya even if she did nothing, if she found out about this… Aya swallowed hard. “I’ll just… not tell her.” “Aya” Momiji’s voice was stern now. “Oh gosh, fine. I’ll go talk to her tomorrow morning about it.” Momiji sat for a moment, before finally nodding in confirmation.

Chapter Text

A few days have passed. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. My mind begins to wander. I cannot believe I asked Aya to keep visiting me. Not only is the Hakurei Shrine Maiden gonna kill me. But I’m sure the leader of the Tengu is going to give me a piece of her mind as well. I should probably talk to the Shrine Maiden. I groan and shift my weight in the small bed. Getting up from bed, throwing on some clothes and grabbing my bag, I head for the shrine. After a long walk ,a lot of stairs and a few kilograms lost, I step into the courtyard of the shrine, directly under the large red Torii gate. I set my bag down and catch my breath. Within a moment a short girl is standing in front of me assuming a defensive pose. I look down at the girl. She has faded green hair trailing all the way down her back, put into a ponytail towards the bottom, a large stone horn sticking from her head and two curly stone ears on either side of her head. She’s in a short sleeve shirt with white and red swirl patterns on it. Her shorts, also containing the same color scheme, though inverted.

“Miss Reimu! There’s an intruder!” I watch Hakurei Reimu step out of the shrine with an eyebrow raised. The shrine maiden makes eye contact with me and scowls “Oh, It’s him. Don’t worry about him, Aunn. let him through please.” The girl, apparently named Aunn, relaxed her posture slightly. Her eyes are still glaring through me, she opens her mouth “Follow me Sir!” She runs ahead of me and sits down next to Reimu. I lift my bag and walk over to the two of them. “Hello Mr… Taio. How can I help you?” I need to talk to her about Aya. The shrine maiden lets out a deep, fully body sigh. “What did she do now? Do you need me to actually break her legs?” I quickly deny it. In truth, Aya and I had talked a few days ago and she apologized completely, I explain. “Mhmm” The shrine maiden grumbles as she makes a disapproving face, leaning in closer, seemingly not believing what I am saying. And I would like her to not have a grudge on Aya anymore, I continue.

She stares at me for a moment “Are you alright? You do understand what you're asking me?” I’m fully aware. “Okay, so just to get this straight. You want me to not worry about the crow tengu that abducted you?” Yes, I reply softly. The shrine maiden gives me a very concerned look. She looks at the ground and shakes her head “I don’t think I can do that, sorry Mr Taio. If Aya already tried it once, there’s a very large chance she will do it again.” That was very true, I thought. But Aya was almost in tears with how upset she was. She seemed pretty upset about it, I reply. “Tengu are strange, I find them very hard to read, There’s a high chance she is trying to guilt you into liking her again.” I found that very hard to believe for some reason. Finally I ask her if she could let Aya back into the human village. “Well, that’s not really up to me, You’d have to talk to Keine. She works at the temple school, I’m sure you’re familiar with her.” I open my mouth, closing it again a moment later. “Mr Taio. The other day, was she actually just giving you an interview?” I blushed slightly recalling what had happened. Not really, I finally say. “Yeah, I thought so. Please be careful with her. I am somewhat concerned, in all honesty.” Thanking her for her concern as I start back for the village.

Heading right for Keine’s Temple school. I lightly knock on the door and am greeted by Keine Kamishirasawa. She gives me a curious look, then beckons me inside. “What brings you here, Mr Taio?” Her eyes narrow, as if she is trying to see directly through me. I started to explain the conversation I had with Aya before I abruptly get cut off, Keine holding her finger in front of my face. “Look, with all due respect Mr Taio, Aya is currently banned from the village for that exact reason. I’m assuming you want me to make sure she cannot enter the village, This has already been taken care of.” I slowly shake my head and continue. I finish my story and finally asked Keine if she can forgive Aya for the mishap. Keine looks at me for a moment. “And you said you discussed this with the shrine maiden already?” I nodded. She puts her hand to her chin and thinks for a moment. “You do know why she was banned, correct? She abducted you right from the village in broad daylight and took you to youkai mountain. I don’t think you understand how big a deal that is for me. My job, Mr Taio, among all else is to protect the village.”
I stumble over my words, somewhat defeated. I can't just argue against the very thing Keine has devoted her life to. “I understand you might be upset by this, but keeping her out keeps the village safe. That is my top priority. I am willing to reconsider this at a later date, perhaps when you no longer have a tengu shaped target on your back, hm?” I slowly nod and stand up. And just like that our interaction is over. Keine has always been very stern, from what I remember going to the school, that is. I haven’t talked to her in a few years. Thanking her for her time as I leave the temple school. It seems like Aya has been public enemy number one ever since the whole abduction thing. I figure I’ll just have to go to the edge of the village to see her.

As I walk towards the rock, It suddenly occurs to me how strange these past few days have been. I haven't exactly been popular around the village, and now everybody knows who I am. I’m known as the ‘tengu toy’ at my job now, as if It couldn’t get any worse for me. I never even knew what the shrine maiden sounded like until a few days ago and I’ve only been outside the village a few times and certainly not anywhere near youkai mountain. On top of all this, now I have to worry about a potentially romantic tengu. Sitting down on the rock and letting out a deep sigh. I sit for a few minutes. The warm sun covering my skin, the calm wind blowing through the trees, the chirping of sparrows somewhere nearby.

Fighting every urge to fall asleep I open my eyes. To my surprise I am met with two red eyes. Aya is floating before me upside down. Somewhat startled, I ask her where she’s been. She rotates 180 degrees in the air and lands on one of her geta. She’s wearing a light orange dress with maple leaf designs on the cuffs and around the waste. On her head sits a faded red sun hat, also sporting some kind of fall theme. On her shoulder is the same brown bag from the other day. Notably, no longer bursting from the seams with newspapers. “I was chasing a story in Eientei, something about the immortals trying to find a cure for their elixir.” I didn’t know what any of that meant, but it seemed like Aya was happy about it. She walks over and sits on the rock next to me. “Hey check this out, Taio.” I turn and look at her, she is holding a small photograph in her hand.

Taking it from her hand and examining it closer, It’s a photo of me being threatened by Aunn at the shrine. I raise my eyebrow and ask her how she even got this. “Tengu are always watching! That’s how we get news after all.” I let out a deep sigh, Any reason to think she wasn’t stalking me before was out the window now. Still, I think, I don’t mind it that much. “Hey Taio, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. You're the first human who has really talked to me. I… Well, I mean you actually talk to me, usually humans ignore me, insult me or are too frightened to say anything.” I think for a moment, her words bouncing through my head, I didn’t think It was anything special, really. “Why?” She asks, a somewhat serious look on her face. My mother would always tell me ‘Kindness is the currency of the world.’ I guess, I just tried to be nice to everyone, Youkai or Human. My obsession with being nice would always get me in trouble back when I was little.

I look back at Aya, She’s facing away from me now, looking out at the grain fields in front of us. Her silky black hair swaying in the wind. I look down at the rock, taking note of her hand resting on the rough surface. Again that warm feeling comes back. I reach for her hand and take hold of it, She looks back to me, blushing, as I squeeze her hand. “Taio… I… umm… Thank you.” She finally manages to say. “I’ve really enjoyed your company, You’re the first human who has respected me.” I look at her for a moment, staring deep into her vibrant red eyes. I get even warmer, looking at her face. “Can I show you something?” I nod. she stands up, walks behind me and grabs me around the waste. “I’m going to lift you into the air, try not to freak out okay?” Panicking slightly, I close my eyes.

I feel my feet lift off the ground, followed by the powerful flaps of her wings as we climb higher. After a moment, we stop ascending. “Hey, Taio. Open your eyes!” I do so as instructed. I am blinded by golden orange light, letting my eyes adjust for a moment. We are floating lazily above the clouds. I look down at the fluffy white clouds silently moving below us. Taking in every detail and texture of them. I lift my hand up and try to touch one, feeling nothing. Looking around at the never ending expanse of clouds, floating along like little islands in the sky. It's amazing, I’d never seen anything so mesmerizing. I look up at the golden orange sun in front of me, its golden rays dashing through the cloud islands. “So… what do you think?” I try to turn and look at her, before the awkward position I’m in forces me to turn back around. It’s incredible. I finally say. I never knew the world could be so beautiful if you just experience it differently. For some reason I feel so calm up here, even though being held a few hundred meters in the air by a youkai should have me shaking in fear. It just feels so, right.