Chapter 51: The Glue Enthusiast – Kochiya Sanae.
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"Huh? You didn't know about these?"
Kihara shook his head. "It's my first time seeing one."
"Hahahaha, don't sweat the small details!"
Ibuki Suika laughed heartily and gave Kihara a light slap on the lower back. She had wanted to pat his shoulder, but her height made it impossible. Using her ability to grow taller on the spot would make it look like she cared too much about the difference, so she kept her usual size.
"These IOUs just fly out from Yukari's gaps. They say that once the offering is completed, the slip will destroy itself even if you don't tear it. But I thought it would feel better to rip it up in front of you, so that's what I did."
"Alright, now that the delivery is done, I should probably…"
"No need to rush, Kihara-kun."
Suika cut him off and pulled him up the mountain path with a bit of forceful enthusiasm. "You always seem so busy every day. Don't you ever take a proper break?"
"Of course I do. Spending time with my girlfriends is my way of resting."
"What a strange way to relax. As thanks for the divine sake, let me take you to the shrine for some fun!"
Her words sounded like a suggestion, but her grip on his wrist was as firm as a handcuff. With no choice, Kihara could only nod in agreement.
"I can only stay for the morning though. I have things to do at the Scarlet Devil Mansion in the afternoon."
"Got it, got it."
Ibuki Suika was one of the easiest youkai in Gensokyo to get along with. Since she had personally called him her friend before, he knew she wouldn't harm him.
Although this was Youkai Mountain, there was no eerie atmosphere of youkai energy or a hundred demons marching at night. If anything, it simply felt like a massive, deep mountain where you were more likely to run into youkai.
The shrine Suika mentioned was obviously not the Hakurei Shrine, but the Moriya Shrine located on Youkai Mountain.
When the muddy path underfoot turned into neatly winding stone steps, Kihara realized they were close. Suika skipped along cheerfully while pulling him forward. She looked far more like an excited child on a spring outing with her parent than one of the Four Devas of the Mountain.
Of course, he didn't dare say that out loud. Even someone as good-tempered as Suika would probably smack him into the ground if he did.
Compared to the faded, weathered torii gate at the Hakurei Shrine — neglected due to Reimu's laziness — the torii at Moriya Shrine stood bright and vivid, strikingly visible on the mountainside.
The paths on both sides were tidy, with no overhanging branches or bushes spilling onto the walkway — clear proof of the diligent shrine maiden's management.
A gentle breeze carried the fresh, forest-scented air as the human and youkai climbed the stone steps toward the shrine.
"Welcome to Moriya Shrine. May I ask what brings you two here today?"
A green-haired shrine maiden wearing a frog hair accessory greeted them with a gentle smile from beneath the torii gate.
"Yaho~ Sanae! I brought Kihara-kun over to play!"
Suika greeted the shrine maiden familiarly.
Upon hearing the name "Kihara," Kochiya Sanae clapped her hands together in realization. "So you're the Mr. Kihara who sent those fish that Lady Suwako brought back last time, right?"
"That's right! He gave me some excellent sake, so I brought him here to drink at your nice place!"
"Hello, I'm Kochiya Sanae, the shrine maiden of Moriya Shrine."
After introducing herself to Kihara, Sanae frowned slightly in concern. "This is a shrine though… it's not really a place for drinking."
Suika winked mischievously. "But we often hold banquets at the Hakurei Shrine, right? Since Reimu allows youkai to drink there, it'd be unfair if you didn't allow it here too, wouldn't it?"
As a rival shrine, Sanae couldn't let that comment slide. She immediately declared, "Fine! Drinking is allowed!"
"Hahaha, I knew you'd agree! Come on, Kihara-kun, let's find a spot to drink!"
"Wait, Suika. There's something I want to show Miss Kochiya first. Could you let go for a moment?"
"Sure."
Suika released his wrist and stood beside Sanae. Both watched Kihara with curious eyes.
He reached into empty air and pulled out the Faiz belt and transformation device. After entering the command, he raised the device high and shouted, "Henshin!"
Bright photon blood formed the basic skeletal frame of the armor, then completely enveloped Kihara, transforming him into the sleek black-suited Kamen Rider.
Sanae's eyes sparkled with such intense enthusiasm that even Suika was startled.
"Th-This is an otherworld Kamen Rider, right!? I've never seen this particular series, but I've read about them in tokusatsu magazines! I can't believe Mr. Kihara is actually a Kamen Rider! Oh my goodness… May I touch your rider armor?"
"Go ahead."
"Uwoah~ This material looks metallic but has this nice springy elasticity…"
Sanae seemed completely fascinated by the transformed Kihara. She pressed almost her entire body against him — including her impressive chest that easily rivaled Reimu's in size — without realizing it. She simply ran her hands all over the armor, indulging her curiosity.
Before coming to Gensokyo, she had been deeply interested in Gundam, robots, and mecha. After being isolated in this sealed world, she had lost all chances to enjoy such things. Now, a real sci-fi Kamen Rider was standing right in front of her. How could she not be excited?
"Haa~"
After fully satisfying her swollen curiosity, Sanae let out a long breath and returned to her usual gentle demeanor. She placed her hands elegantly over her abdomen and bowed gracefully.
"Thank you, Mr. Kihara, for showing me something so wonderful. If you have the chance, please visit Moriya Shrine by yourself next time. I'm sure the two of us will have plenty of topics to talk about!"
"Sure, I'll make time to visit my new friend."
"Friend!!"
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing at all…"
Sanae quickly steadied her slightly warped, overly excited smile. Her original plan for a casual hobby discussion was instantly scrapped. She decided that next time she would treat Kihara with the highest level of hospitality.
She knew how rare it was to find a human in Gensokyo who could be both a friend and a fellow enthusiast. And since Kihara could transform into a Kamen Rider, if their relationship grew closer, she might even be able to ask him to bring back Gundam model kits from another world!
Just imagining the day she could personally nip sprues, panel-line, and paint them made Sanae eager to become extremely close friends with Kihara. Then she could ask him to buy dozens of Gunpla boxes so they could spend hours together in the shrine room, happily building models.
Kihara wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, so he sat on the shrine corridor with Suika, casually chatting while drinking Joja Cola. Sanae brought them some salted snacks to go with the drinks, then pretended to sweep the front courtyard while secretly stealing glances at Kihara.
Every single one of her actions was carefully observed by the two gods enshrined at Moriya Shrine.
Yasaka Kanako scratched her head and turned to the frog-hatted Suwako beside her.
"Since Sanae seems so interested in Kihara, why don't we steal him away from Reimu?"
Suwako's innocent-looking face broke into a sly, scheming grin. "Did you know? If you give Reimu 100,000 yen, you can officially pick a fight with Kihara. Why don't we take advantage of this great opportunity?"
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Thank you for reading.