Today is Fujiwara no Mokou birthday, but in ancient times there was no custom of buying cakes and blowing out candles. Nevertheless, Fujiwara no Mokou was incredibly expectant because today is her 13th birthday; after today, she will no longer be a child but an adult.
However, to her disappointment, her father is not in the Fujiwara estate today, and besides him, no one would remember her birthday. Just like usual, she sat in her room flipping through a book she had already read countless times.
Yet she remained full of expectation, because that adult had promised her he would come to accompany her for her birthday today.
Sitting in her room like this, she would from time to time cast expectant glances toward the courtyard, because for some reason that adult always disliked entering through the main gate. But to her melancholy, she still had not seen that adult's arrival even after dinner had ended.
'Perhaps that adult, like Father, couldn't come because of important matters?'
Watching the maid leave with the meal tray, she comforted herself this way.
But just as the maid's figure disappeared around the corner and she was preparing to turn around——————
"Phew~ Finally gone~"
Accompanied by a voice she was extremely familiar with, Fujiwara no Mokou looked behind her in disbelief. The originally empty room seemed to be eerily torn in half like a painting. Lancer, dressed in a kimono, was currently stepping out from that strange crack. Standing within that crack was a woman with a full head of blonde hair and a proud figure, holding a folded fan in front of her mouth.
However, compared to her admirable appearance, the words coming out of her mouth were speechless.
"You called me here just to sneak into this child's room? With your habit as 'Lord Akagaki' , shouldn't you just pick up this child and run?"
Lord Akagaki?
"Lord Lancer, what is this beautiful older sister saying?"
Fujiwara no Mokou original disappointment completely vanished the moment she saw Lancer. For her, Lancer being able to come was already enough to make her happy, but she was equally curious about who the beautiful big sister standing behind Lancer was.
"It's nothing, just the wailing of a female who passed her expiration date long ago."
Yakumo Yukari, who was originally feeling quite pleasant due to Fujiwara no Mokou praise, immediately had her expression darken upon hearing Lancer words.
"I have said it before, as a Gap Yokai, I have no lifespan limits. I am forever..."
"A 17-year-old girl, right? Then please, Miss 17-Year-Old Girl who is conservatively estimated to be at least 2000 years old, help me out."
Lancer wasn't very clear on the specific details of "Touhou"; after all, he was a "cloud player" (someone who watches but doesn't play) and hadn't even played the bullet hell games. However, Lancer was very clear about the "Yakumo Yukari" memes, as they were simply too famous. Furthermore, what made him even more pleased was that because of the contract signed between the two parties, he could tease this "Sage of Yokai" at will.
Doing this kind of thing doesn't amount to much in itself, but once you start, it feels like you can't stop at all!
Watching this Yokai Sage with a stiff face, wanting to hit him but completely unable to move, was truly interesting.
On the other side, Yakumo Yukari was so angry she wished she could snap the fan in her hand, but in the end, she endured it. After all, this wasn't the first time Lancer had made such a retort.
Although she was incredibly fortunate that Lancer hadn't asked her to do anything strange, this kind of roasting was truly unpleasant—so unpleasant she couldn't help but want to give the other party a punch.
But casting a glance at the little girl looking at her with a face full of innocence, Yakumo Yukari still couldn't help but take a deep breath.
'Calm down. At least in that girl's eyes, I am still a beautiful older sister. That's right, I must maintain my grace.'
After taking several deep breaths, she finally smiled and extended her right hand toward Fujiwara no Mokou.
"Little sister, come along with big sister and this Un·cle."
As if to retaliate for what Lancer said earlier, Yakumo Yukari unconsciously stressed the word "Uncle." Unfortunately, Lancer didn't care at all. As a male, he didn't feel that being older was something shameful; after all, an increase in age often represents the growth of maturity and experience, which is something to be proud of.
Seeing Fujiwara no Mokou inquisitive eyes, Lancer also smiled and nodded.
Entering a gap is not simple. Originally, Lancer, who was more familiar with her, should have been the one to hold her. But considering his already meager reputation, he felt that since there was a woman present, it would be better to let the woman do it. Even being criticized for having no grace was better than being thought of as a demonic lolicon.
Unfortunately, Lancer didn't realize at all that running into a loli's room in the middle of the night to "abduct" her was already a sufficiently demonic act in itself.
Having received Lancer affirmative answer, Fujiwara no Mokou was picked up by the "beautiful sister" Yakumo Yukari, and then the three of them entered the gap together.
There was no doubt the gap was very eerie, especially those ubiquitous eyes. If she had seen these things alone at normal times, she might have been so scared she couldn't control her body. But seeing the confident face of Lancer beside her, she unconsciously lowered her racing heart.
But in reality, they hadn't walked many steps before Yakumo Yukari tore open the gap again.
The space that was eerily quiet was instantly replaced by a somewhat noisy space. Two people with wings and bird heads walked toward them.
Fujiwara no Mokou, who had never seen such a scene, naturally shrank back and hugged Yakumo Yukari tightly. In her view, since Yakumo Yukari appeared with Lancer, she was a trustworthy person—at least much more trustworthy than the two bird-heads in front of her. However, what she didn't know was that the two bird-heads in front of her were breaking out in a cold sweat from fear.
Although they weren't Great Yokai, they were high-ranking members of the Tengu Patrol. Because Lancer had reported in advance that he wanted to invite a human to attend a banquet, and plus the "Yokai Sage" was participating, they specifically appeared here both to show respect and to assert their sovereignty. But seeing that little girl actually daring to hug that "Yokai Sage," the two couldn't help but feel a sense of profound reverence for the girl.
Lancer didn't care about their reaction; instead, he leaned close to Fujiwara no Mokou side and explained in a small voice.
"Although we could go straight in with Yakumo's ability, out of respect for the master of this place, let's walk over directly."
Unfortunately, Fujiwara no Mokou didn't understand, but she still nodded. To this, Yakumo Yukari curled her lip.
Although in terms of combat power she couldn't beat the Tenma, because of the eerie power of the "Gap," she didn't fear the other party at all. It could even be said there weren't many people she regarded with fear. Usually, when entering and leaving Youkai Mountain, she came and went as she pleased. Now being made to walk in from the street made her a bit unaccustomed.
But since Lancer said so, she could only do so...