Cyansi

Hello! This time it takes about a week to finish! Internet sure is fascinating, isn't it? A single click can take a few hours away from you. Is internet a creation of the God of Darkness and Destruction? How fearsome.

Their quest for the Water of Life was definitely a success.

To be honest, it felt more like a short trip to a department store. Not counting the sentimental bit of the conversation she had with Sakuya-hime, it only took half an hour at most to get the Water of Life. Since Yotsuba-sensei's private jet touched down in the morning and the spa opened twenty four-seven, their business was done before the day was over. Technically, it was over even before lunch, but...

Ugh, it was embarrassing, falling asleep in Sakuya-hime's lap like that. Although waking up in the same bed as the older girl was a treat in and of itself. She had no idea when she was carried to bed, but waking up to Sakuya-hime sure was an experience. It was a memory she would certainly revisit in the future.

She had panicked a little when she noticed the time, but Sakuya-hime calmed her down saying that Yotsuba-sensei and Hijiri-san were enjoying a full body massage. 

At that point, her worry had evaporated and turned into a mild indignation.

She did get a promise of a lap pillow and ear cleaning from Sakuya-hime, but a full body massage sounded really nice at the moment. She would come back here in a few years after she was old enough to use the Sunset Liner on her own. She still needed enough money to buy the ticket, but that rule only applied to humans...

Like many open world titles, Moonlit Paradigm has a fast travel mechanic.

It comes in the form of a railway through the gap between two worlds. Since the train system was set up by the denizens of the Reverse Side, humans who want to use its service need to buy tickets. The Conductor was actually strong enough to qualify as an end-game boss, so cheating on the ticket was technically a death sentence. Not that it stopped the players from starting a fight deliberately, though.

Because if you win, you can use the Sunset Liner for free. While the other rewards were enticing, that free pass alone was already enough for people to try their luck.

Kobeni chewed on the inside of her cheek. She had no idea when she would be able to return, that's why she didn't want to leave Sakuya-hime's side. The older girl had just lost Shion-mama, being alone was the last thing that should happen.

Sakuya-hime would have Noa by her side, at least.

Speaking of Noa, Kobeni peered at the disguised fox who's eating a spicy-looking papaya salad with a straight face. Sitting next to Noa was Hijiri-san who's taking the heat like a champ. On the other hand, Yotsuba-sensei who's sitting next to her was in constant agony, unable to take the spiciness and unable to stop eating.

Well, he was stubborn enough to perform a forbidden ritual...

Kobeni bit back a smile and dipped a ball of sticky rice into the salad. She sent it into her mouth after it's all soaked up. Since she was only six and not confident in her own digestive system, she had to hold back on the brined crabs and fermented fishes. Instead, she settled on a mild papaya salad with crispy pork rind instead.

Back then - before she was Kobeni - she really wasn't the outdoor type, only leaving her place for food and business. So it wasn't wrong to say that it had almost been a lifetime since she had anything that tasted like home. She kinda missed this— 

"Auntie, one papaya salad with salted egg to go, please. I'll also take one spicy pork liver salad and grilled intestines, as well as two sticky rice to go with everything."

Ah. Now THAT's a taste of home...

"For Hime-sama?"

A wry smile was all the answer she needed.

Kobeni shrugged and continued eating. It filled her with mixed feelings to eat at a small place like this. Not that she didn't like it. It's just that because of their good looks, they're gaining the attention and curious looks from the passerby.

'Ahh, if being cute is a sin, I'd be the worst of them all...'

She chewed on the inside of her cheek and looked around the table. Even though he was suffering from the spiciness, Yotsuba-sensei was still smiling. The sight was like an early reward for her. It was also a reminder that she would be able to change everything. Because if she can save his wife, then Tsubaki-mama and Yurike-nee...

"Ojou-sama, is something wrong?"

Kobeni shook her head and smiled at the worried fox.

Ojou-sama, huh.

It's not that Noa's behavior did a one-eighty. It felt more like the disguised fox let more of her true self out through the crack in the mask. Maybe it was her nature as a menreiki, but she knew a mask when she saw one. It didn't matter if it was a real mask or a figurative one. She knew Noa was a big softie on the inside.

Sakuya-hime must have told Noa about Shion-mama when she was having her afternoon nap. Kobeni recalled the way Noa's faint smile contained sadness. Her red-rimmed eyes also gave away the fact she had recently been crying. Now that Noa knew who she was, the almighty nine-tailed fox treated her like a princess.

Like, you know, a literal princess. She was quite puzzled when Noa talked to her with polite speech. The amount of respect shown toward a six year old little girl was a bit discomforting, especially when the other party was millennia old.

Noa didn't even pretend to listen when she told her to stop. Not only that, she would sometimes steal a glance her way when she thought she wasn't looking as well. She was weirded out at first, but now it's just amusing to see.

There. Just like that...

Kobeni beamed back, causing Noa to look away. It was at that moment that she knew why Sakuya-hime teased Noa so much in the game. The tip of Noa's ear that peeked through her black tress was bright red. Knowing how the other party acted normally, she had to struggle not to squeal. The gap was just too much.

She grinned at Noa who sneakily glanced back at her again.

Their little exchange went on uninterrupted until the dinner ended. Noa, who was tasked with guiding them by Sakuya-hime, led them back to the hotel. Since the trip back wouldn't matter much to the disguised fox, Hijiri-san's offer to drive Noa back to the spa was gracefully declined. Poor Hijiri-san, he just got turned down.

"Ojou-sama, may I have a moment of your time?"

Hearing that polite tone once again, Kobeni could only pout.

"Sensei?"

"I'll wait for you by the elevator then."

After getting an okay from her guardian, she turned around to Noa who's standing awkwardly in the hotel's lobby. She decided to sit next to Noa once they made their way to the lobby's waiting area. Kobeni scooted closer with a hand on her own cheek, thrilled by the fact that Noa was currently blushing up a storm.

She smirked and leaned against Noa's side, unrepentant.

"What's wrong?"

Prompted by the question, Noa presented her with an object from her jacket's inner pocket. Hanging from a thin leather cord was a polished wooden magatama.

"Can I ask you to please wear this at all times?"

Kobeni didn't answer right away. Her eyes were focused on the wooden pendant that gave off a familiar feeling. She could sense the warmth that reminded her of the mask in her backpack, as well as a subtle hint of cherry blossom in the air.

It didn't take her long to realize why it felt so familiar.

"Where did you get this?"

She had seen it on Shion-mama's neck...

"It would be better if you don't ask, Ojou-sama. Its history is something I would rather not burden a young mind such as yours with. However, if you wear it at all times, I'm sure Aruji-sama would be happy knowing that you'll be protected."

No need to beat around the bush, she's not going to reject it.

Kobeni eyed the wooden pendant carefully.

"That's fine, but wearing two necklaces is troublesome..."

She tugged at the prayer beads around her neck.

Noa hummed and examined them.

"Hm, cleansing, protection, and danger perception. I see. The enchantments are indeed complex, but transferring them to another necklace wouldn't be a problem. As for the monitoring part, I'll leave that to Yotsuba-dono's expertise."

Kobeni only blinked. No matter how hard she stared, she only saw normal prayer beads. It seems her future as the Last Boss is still a distant dream, after all...

She handed the prayer beads over to Noa and watched her work. Noa opened up a bottle of water she had on her and poured it into her hand. It was then that she yeet laws of physics and gravity out the window. The water floated into a ball hovering atop her palm, and after a snap of her finger, it turned into a five-pointed star.

Kobeni discreetly looked around them.

For the people in this world, magic was a norm. However, like gun laws she was familiar with, you still needed to have a permit to use magic in public places. It's not a crime in terms of legal technicality, but Noa might still get in trouble for it.

"Fret not, Ojou-sama. Kitsune, like me, is an expert in illusion."

Kobeni glanced around and released her breath.

If she focused, she could sense the change in the atmosphere.

"Is this a barrier?"

It's a little different from the barrier that made up the Vault of Tears. Her question was answered when Noa nodded and chased away her worry. Kobeni rubbed her cheek slightly in thought and slowly guided her magic to her eyes. It was a trick mentioned in the game to help players see hints when faced with puzzles.

Unbeknownst to Kobeni, her red eyes glittered like finely cut gems.

It didn't take her long to see the fog surrounding them. Kobeni stared at the myriad of colors beyond the fog in awe. It was when she turned to look at Noa that her breath hitched. The majestic white fox sitting next to her was the size of a truck. Its nine tails swung lazily as its pale gold eyes focused on the magic circle.

However, what drew her attention wasn't the size, but— 

She'll have to take back that comment about quality over quantity.

"So fluffy..."

Kobeni muttered under her breath.

Unfortunately, the other party was a youko.

"Ojou-sama?"

She blinked and smiled back brightly. When she opened her eyes again, her eyes were back to solid red and no longer glittering like faceted gemstones. Noa stared at her and shrugged slightly, turning back to focus on the magic circle.

"I'm curious. Why did Noa start calling me ojou-sama?"

"Do you not like it?"

She paused at Noa's question.

"It's not that I don't like it. It's— It's just inappropriate? I'm only a six year old little girl with no money or power, so it's kinda weird. At first it sounded to me like you're being polite, but now it feels more like a title? Ah, did Noa like Mama too?"

Hey, what's with that Goldfish impression?

Kobeni couldn't help but giggled.

"Ojou-sama! P-Please don't say that! Oh my poor heart..."

Noa, who seemed to be on the verge of crying, pressed one hand over her chest and heaved a sigh. If she gets this kind of reaction every time, she understands why Sakuya-hime teases Noa so much now. Her flushed face is indeed very cute.

"Hehe, since Noa's cute, I wanna tease you!"

Noa sighed dejectedly, causing her to burst out laughing.

"As for the reason why I start calling you like that, well... When you say that you have neither power nor money, it couldn't be further from the truth. Ojou-sama, you already have the Yotsuba in your corner. The Water of Life you came here for, is it not to win over Yotsuba-dono? Intentional or not, you cannot deny the outcome."

The water that made up the magic circle rippled and glowed when Noa lowered the prayer beads inside. It hung suspended in the air for a bit before Noa swapped it with the other necklace. When the glowing stopped, the water evaporated. There was no cosmetic change on either necklaces, but she knew Noa had succeeded.

"Other than the Yotsuba and the Hiiragi, Ojou-sama still has Aruji-sama. It has been a few decades since Aruji-sama has stepped foot on Japan soil, but her name still holds weight. Many from the Night Parade still fear the Eternal Princess, after all."

The necklace was heavier than it should be.

"So if Ojou-sama ever wants anything, no one would dare say no."

Has the power she always wants been this easy to obtain?

"Um, th-that's—"

Kobeni choked on her words and looked away reflexively.

She hung her head, letting Noa take her hands.

"Ojou-sama..."

Red eyes peered up with unease.

"I know what you're thinking. Easy comes, easy goes. You're more like your mother than you think, Ojou-sama. Her trust is hard to get, and so very easy to lose."

Kobeni was nearly forty on the inside, but Noa was still at least a millennia older than her. The difference in the amount of life experience was incomparable. It was almost as if Noa had read her like a book. She does indeed have trust issues.

Well, too much of the Internet does that to everyone.

She grabbed her dress and wrung it in distress. It was like her worry was picked out and put into words. Kobeni looked back up and gasped quietly at the gentle smile that spreaded across Noa's face. Small hint of fear that bubbled up in her chest vanished like it was never there, and all it took was a single smile...

"Smiling like that is unfair, Noa."

Noa just laughed.

"I knew your mother pretty well, so it's not hard to guess what you're thinking. The two of you are more similar than just your appearance. So I kind of understand why you would be afraid to recieve help, especially when it's given out of goodwill."

Of course, nothing in this world is free. Even alms are given for good karma.

"Shion-sama's trust issues seemed to have worsened after losing her shikigami to those conniving onmyouji. Even if she could break the contract, it would still be hard for her to get her shikigami back. They have ties with big families after all..." 

Seeing such a distressed look on Noa's face, she moved in closer and hugged the disguised fox tightly. It's not only her that had faced loss. Shion-mama's not only just her birth mother, but also someone Tsubaki-mama loved very much. She's also Yotsuba-sensei's close friend and an irreplaceable family to Sakuya-hime.

Noa too. Her foxy onee-chan's hurting like everyone. Beneath this cracked mask of indifference, she had no doubt that Noa was crying like everyone else as well.

"I-I apologize, for letting you see this unsightly side of mine."

She frowned at that remark.

"Noa, did you know? Hime told me not to hide my feelings away."

Noa was smiling, but her eyes told a different story.

"What a difficult master that I have..."

Kobeni wiped those tears away with her fingers. She couldn't do anything to help  except for staying close like this. She knew full well what Noa's going through right now. It wasn't her first time experiencing loss, at least not in this life.

"It's fine to be selfish sometimes, Ojou-sama."

"Noa?"

"With Shion-sama's trust issues, I understand that your life may have been difficult at times. However, you have me and Aruji-sama now. Even without the power of the Yotsuba and the Hiiragi, Ojou-sama is already like a princess from a small country."

Kobeni could only laugh awkwardly at the comparison.

"That's why it's fine to be selfish, huh?"

Noa hugged her back instead of answering her question. She let the other party do as she pleased. Noa's embrace felt a little different from Sakuya-hime's possessive one. However, since they're both warm, she couldn't help but relax a bit.

"Noa, can you teach me magic? Onmyou arts?"

"If it's onmyou arts—"

Kobeni raised her brow at the pause.

"Noa?"

"I believe Hiiragi-dono would be better suited for this."

"Ah, that's right. I'm going back to Japan."

The hug tightened a little.

"If one of Aruji-sama conspiracy theories comes true, I want Ojou-sama to be able to protect yourself from danger. So instead of a rushed lesson from me, it would be better for you to learn from Hiiragi-dono. She's the head of the Exorcism Bureau, so she would be able to protect you. Yotsuba-dono already promised me the same..."

Those pale gold eyes watered up once again. Seeing that, Kobeni plucked the handkerchief from Noa's hand and wiped those tears away with a few dabs.

"What kind of promise did you two make?"

"For me, your safety is of utmost importance, Ojou-sama."

Even though it's not what she asked, she still smiled.

"More than Hime's?"

"Aruji-sama can protect herself."

If she heard the 'it's not like she even goes out' after that, she chose not to comment on it. Besides, the way Noa said that with a sniffle was just too much...

Kobeni let Noa hug her without complaints. She had no need to find the one who was behind the whole incident. Her silence was the beginning of her revenge. She knew the identity of the culprit. Because after Tsubaki-mama was incarcerated, the Hiiragi who was supposedly without a leader was able to recover in record time.

Everything was a tad bit too fast, like it was all planned...

Originally, the current head of Hiiragi wasn't supposed to be Tsubaki-mama, but her late older brother. After hearing Tsubaki-mama complaining about the elders, she was pretty sure those old people weren't exactly happy with the current leadership. It seemed like they wanted a puppet, not an actual leader like her adoptive mother.

If those elders wanted to deal with Tsubaki-mama, their first target would be her father. He was the husband of the current head after all. She doubted it would be a hard decision to make after her father's 'affair' with Shion-mama was discovered.

She and Shion-mama were nothing but collateral to them.

Kobeni debated against telling Noa that. Because if she did, the future—

"Noa, can you look into the Hiiragi for me?"

That's right. This is all for a better future, isn't it?

"Please~?"

"If that's what you want, then I'll gladly do it."

She relaxed slightly at that promise.

Kobeni got up from the couch. She glanced at the elevator lobby a little before facing Noa who was also getting up. Those pale gold eyes still observed her closely as if afraid that she would disappear at a moment's notice. She felt a little flattered.

"I shouldn't make Yotsuba-sensei wait any longer. Good night, Noa."

She swooped in and stole a kiss on the cheek swiftly.

"O-Ojou-sama!?"

Noa's muffled yelp only made her giggle.

Ah, the sight of Noa touching her flushed cheek...

How cute!

Kobeni examined the two necklaces in her hands as she walked away. She pocketed the prayer beads and placed the magatama necklace around her neck. Her small hand fiddled with it a little as warmth permeated her chest. This familiar sensation from the pendant reminded her of a hug from an old friend.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. Her gaze locked onto the red faint red light coiling around her hands like a particularly needy puppy. It was the color of her magic.

'Magic sure is interesting, isn't it?'

Her hand toyed with the magatama slightly as she relished in its warmth. Her past self shouldn't know anything about this necklace. However, the same couldn't be said about her other self who spent several lifetimes finding this necklace.

'It won't be long until everything makes sense, huh?'

She could vividly recall what other self had said when they first met. Her lips twisted into a wry smile as she compared this colorful world to that dull and boring one. 

The future is always changing. Her existence as Hiiragi Kobeni has already thrown the wrench in fate's plan. However, did she really have enough power to change it? Would she be able to accomplish something an actual demon lord couldn't carry out? If that child who had nine hundred ninety-nine chances still failed…

"It's been a while now, hasn't it? Let's get along, hm?"

Kobeni fingered the polished surface of the magatama lovingly.

"Ouka-chan—"

Cyansi

Is the ending confusing? I hope it's not confusing for you. If you think back, it shouldn't be confusing. The hints are already there in this chapter and maybe the last chapter? Anyway, Ouka's name consists of 'cherry blossom' and 'peace' so it's pretty much on the nose. If it's confusing, please comment, okay?

Also, I change the way Noa call Kobeni and Sakuya-hime. I used Milady for Sakuya-hime and Young Miss for Kobeni before, but I changed it to Aruji-sama (Master) and Ojou-sama (Young Miss) instead. Since the characters are technically talking in Japanese, I'll do it like this. I usually just stop with honorifics, but I hope this is alright.