"It happened like this~"
At Luke's restaurant, the master of Hakugyokurou, Saigyouji Yuyuko, began recounting her previous experience.
"Mm-hmm, please tell me, please tell me. You don't mind if I record it, right?"
"No problem, I don't mind..."
Yuyuko chuckled softly, intending to continue her story.
However, before she could restart, Luke interrupted the conversation.
"Yuyuko-san, there's no problem with you telling me about your previous experience, but... could you let go of my arm first?"
"I refuse..."
"Wait, I still need to cook."
"I don't want to..."
Saigyouji Yuyuko hugged Luke's right arm while being interviewed by Shameimaru Aya, having absolutely no intention of letting go.
Konpaku Youmu had also reminded her master to mind her status and maintain her dignity, but it had no effect.
After refusing others' persuasion, the stubborn Yuyuko continued speaking to Shameimaru Aya,
"For some reason, that crystal had an inexplicable attraction. After observing it for a while, I suddenly had the thought of wanting more; since the mixed memories in the crystal came from the outside world and didn't belong to the Netherworld, I arrived in the Gensokyo area while my consciousness was gradually blurring, and started searching for the place where the crystal's fragrance was strongest."
"I see... It seems the crystal Yuyuko-san mentioned has a great attraction to the dead. Is the main reason those memories?"
Shameimaru Aya recorded while guessing.
In Gensokyo, departed souls, ghosts, and vengeful spirits were actually distinct.
Departed souls (Bourei) are ghosts who cannot achieve Buddhahood, retaining their appearance from before death.
Unlike Phantoms/Ghosts (Yuurei), they have body temperature like normal people, can converse and be touched, but cannot pass through objects themselves.
Generally, departed souls are sent to the Netherworld or Hell, unable to reincarnate.
Prolonged contact with departed souls can potentially lead to death.
Phantoms/Ghosts (Yuurei) are the souls of living beings after death, resembling Japanese yurei.
They cannot speak and can be seen everywhere in Gensokyo.
Ghosts have very low body temperature; accidentally passing through one might cause frostbite.
Additionally, if a ghost's corpse is dragged away by a youkai before being taken by a Shinigami, it becomes a vengeful spirit (Onryou), possessing humans and animals, controlling their minds.
Normally, vengeful spirits are sealed underground and cannot be seen on the surface.
"So pursuing memories is a kind of instinct for the various spirits in Gensokyo?"
Aya reached a conclusion and tentatively wrote it down in her notebook.
At this moment, Yakumo Yukari, who hadn't left yet, analyzed from her perspective,
"That crystal, in my view, is more like an anomalous product born from the gap between the Netherworld and the living world~ It ultimately affected things around Hakugyokurou, like the cherry blossoms and ghosts, causing them to mutate and facilitating the crystal's formation."
Yakumo Yukari looked at Yuyuko and Konpaku Youmu.
"Not every spirit can possess a past, you know."
That was more like a privilege of the living.
And the appearance of the crystal broke such a privilege.
After speaking, Yakumo Yukari stood up.
"I still need to finish the cleanup work."
Her gaze finally rested on Luke.
"I'll leave things here to you~"
Having no intention of staying longer, Yakumo Yukari smiled slightly, opened a gap, and subsequently vanished into the spatial rift.
"Incident... Sakura... Balance of life and death."
Aya muttered the words Yukari had just said, marking them in her notebook.
The topic temporarily ended here.
Because Yuyuko's explanation was actually simple and easy to understand.
The crystal filled with memories emitted a certain captivating fragrance, causing her to uncontrollably pursue it.
Ultimately, she was drawn out by the dish Luke made.
The process wasn't complex, just full of uncertainty.
If any step went wrong, perhaps Gensokyo really would have turned into a situation with ghosts and vengeful spirits flying everywhere.
After all, without Yuyuko's management, the pressure on the Netherworld would become immense.
And it was certain that the Yama kings of the Netherworld didn't want their workload increased either.
Precisely because of this, Shiki Eiki often lectured everywhere in Gensokyo.
"Yuyuko-sama, we should be leaving. You should go back and rest."
"I don't want to. If Luke is here, I'm not leaving~"
"What are you saying?"
Konpaku Youmu looked helpless.
It was clear she couldn't persuade her master.
"Clingy people become increasingly annoying, you know."
Kagarino Kirie activated her indirect criticism mode at this moment.
"Excessive emotions become a burden to others, don't you even understand this basic principle?"
However, this level of venomous tongue had no effect on Yuyuko.
Saigyouji Yuyuko, a cheerful departed soul.
She acted frivolously, and her actions were erratic, making it hard to discern her thoughts.
Occasionally, she would act in ways that caused people trouble.
Now was the most typical proof...
Yuyuko at this moment seemed to have become a guardian spirit; wherever Luke went, she would follow.
"Not just that, miss... if you keep sticking to Luke-san, Luke-san won't be able to work."
Kobayashi Rindou also stepped forward.
She had thought that after being hired by Luke, she could get closer, but a ghost incident cropped up midway.
Hearing this, Yuyuko smiled slightly.
"Is that so? I can do it in a way that doesn't disturb him."
Whoosh, Yuyuko flew behind Luke.
"Woah... she really became a guardian spirit..."
Seeing what happened, Nakiri Erina couldn't help but comment.
Luke tried to stand up at this moment and walk towards the kitchen.
Yuyuko in the air also floated along.
The moment she entered the kitchen.
Thump.
"Ouch... Mmph!"
Yuyuko didn't notice the beam at the top of the kitchen and bumped her head directly against it.
As mentioned before, departed souls are different from ghosts; they have body temperature like normal people, can converse and be touched, thus cannot pass through objects like ghosts.
"Ah! Yuyuko-sama! Are you alright!"
"I'm fine, Youmu."
Luke watched the interaction between master and servant, then ordered Yuyuko,
"You should go sit at the counter. I'll make you something delicious."
"Yay~"
Hearing this, Yuyuko finally floated out.
Thus, Yuyuko, Kagarino Kirie, Kobayashi Rindou, and Nakiri Erina sat together.
"I'm going to Youkai Mountain to check the situation, I'll be back later!"
Suika decided to go investigate at this time.
Before leaving, she even took a bottle of wine from the restaurant...
Since she had helped earlier, Luke tacitly allowed it, and could even give her a few more bottles.
Returning to the present, Luke first completed Kirie's order, preparing croissants and tea for her.
"So what is the Netherworld like?"
Kirie suddenly asked Yuyuko at this moment.
However, the question went unanswered, interrupted by the ringing of the restaurant bell.
Reimu and Marisa, who had gone out earlier, returned.
They looked a bit disheveled...
More accurately, they had a lot of dust on them.
"Ah, wait a moment!"
Reimu realized the dust on her shrine maiden outfit and dragged Marisa outside the shop.
"Guh!"
Marisa was once again roughly grabbed by the collar by Reimu, letting out a frog-like croak as she was dragged out.
A few seconds later, Marisa, tidying her clothes, appeared first.
"Honestly, Reimu is too violent!"
"I don't want to dirty Luke-san's restaurant. If it gets dirty, you clean it later."
"It wouldn't get dirty, it's just a little dust."
"This is a restaurant."
Reimu finished speaking, then ran near the counter.
She looked at the reappeared Yuyuko.
"So what happened?"
"It's like this..."
Yuyuko repeated herself once more.
After hearing the explanation, Reimu put a hand to her forehead.
"I hope Netherworld matters don't spill over to the surface again. I don't want to clean up your mess."
"We apologize for the trouble. I'll have Youmu send a gift of gratitude to the Hakurei Shrine later; rest assured, it won't be things only departed souls use, but a generous monetary offering."
"I don't do these things for the shrine's offerings, but if you insist on sending it, I can't help it... I'll accept it."
Reimu accepted the future gift while smiling.
At this time, Nakiri Erina stared at the duo.
"You were covered in dust just now, did you run into trouble?"
"About that..."
Marisa explained, "A vengeful spirit possessed a youkai and destroyed part of a mountain, causing a landslide. Since there was a group of people cooling off below, Reimu and I immediately rushed over to help. Luckily, there were no casualties."
"That sounds tough."
Nakiri Erina admired the people who resolved incidents in Gensokyo.
If she were asked to do these things, she probably couldn't at all.
"Anyway, thanks for your hard work. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"Hot pot!"
Marisa raised her right hand high.
Honestly, this was the first time he received such an order.
"Are you sure?"
"Just kidding, please give me a slice of fresh orange cake."
"That's no problem."
Luke then looked at Reimu.
The finished red-white shrine maiden stared at the menu, finally deciding what she wanted to eat.
"Just a serving of pancakes is fine. Also... Yuyuko, can we go talk at the booth? Preferably with Youmu too."
"Eh, but I want to stay here with him."
"You have plenty of time anyway, otherwise, we'll have to postpone it until next time."
"Alright."
Yuyuko winked at Luke, then left her seat.
Youmu, standing to the side, bowed and followed.
Watching the master and servant leave, Kagarino Kirie sighed softly.
"What noisy people. I thought I could enjoy some peace and quiet here."
"Your croissant, Kirie-san."
"Finally here. This is probably the only pleasure left."
Kirie saw the snack placed before her and revealed a smile.
At this moment, Nakiri Erina took out her phone, checked the time, then compared it with the clock hanging in the restaurant; there was some difference.
She put away her phone and stood up.
"Actually, I have to see Grandpa this afternoon, I can't stay here forever. But Luke-san, please don't forget our promise."
"No problem, when I go look for ingredients from youkai, I'll definitely notify you."
"That's good."
Nakiri Erina bid farewell to the people around her, also greeted Reimu and the others in the booth area, and then left the restaurant.
Kobayashi Rindou, who remained, said with a smile,
"How about... I start my internship now?"
"Are you sure? If you order as a customer, you can still relax for a while."
"No need, I'd rather watch Luke-san cook up close, and most importantly... the detailed control of the heat."
"In that case, follow the corridor on the left, there's a changing room at the end. There are staff uniforms and aprons there, you can change into them."
"So you had them prepared all along?"
"Yes, just hadn't found the right person."
"Looks like I'm Luke-san's first."
Kobayashi Rindou smiled, then stood up and walked towards the changing room.
Kirie, remaining, gently rubbed the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, saying somewhat plaintively,
"Quite popular, aren't you."
Kirie then took a bite of the crescent-shaped croissant, looking satisfied.
"Tastes good. Considering you did a lot today, you must be somewhat tired, so I'll leave after eating. But for the next few nights... you have to wait for me."
"No problem, I'll prepare some late-night snacks."
"Then I'll come again at night. During the day... although soaking up some sun isn't bad, there's not much fun to be had."
With that, Kirie quietly enjoyed the food before her.
Before long, Kobayashi Rindou finished changing.
The staff uniform wasn't designed for specific genders, as it was for working in the kitchen assisting Luke, prioritizing ease of movement.
"Does it suit me? Luke-san."
"It suits you very well, you look like a trustworthy helper."
"Hmph hmph, ordinary people can't find a Tohtsuki Elite Ten member as a helper, you know."
Kobayashi Rindou finished speaking, then walked into the kitchen to start helping.
Thus, the restaurant sort of returned to normal.
In the booth area, Reimu and Marisa were talking with Yuyuko and Youmu, with Aya recording.
At the counter, Kirie finished her snack and prepared to leave.
This scene was Luke's familiar daily routine.
Thump!
Suddenly a loud noise broke the calm.
The sound came from behind the restaurant, attracting everyone's attention.
"What's going on?"
Kobayashi Rindou looked curious.
"Occasionally, undisciplined fairies cause trouble in the restaurant's backyard. I plan to develop that area into a small vegetable patch. I'll go check now, you take over the cooking here."
"Okay."
Kobayashi Rindou nodded and acted efficiently.
Luke also walked towards the backyard, intending to see who was causing trouble.
Arriving at the destination, Luke saw a figure sprawled on the ground...
Her clothes were tattered, covered in old contract notes, her purple hair spread out.
"You are..."
Luke knew her name——Yorigami Shion.
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