*Thud*——
The hiking pole stuck into the damp soil.
Gotoh Hitori gazed at the winding stone steps ahead.
The death metal playing in her headphones mixed with the cicada calls, seeming to urge her forward.
Feeling tired, Gotoh Hitori couldn't help but stop, pull off her headphones, and sit down on a nearby bench.
Today was [Kessoku Band]'s team building day.
She thought they'd go somewhere for photos or sightseeing, but instead, everyone was told to bring their instruments and climb a mountain together.
Regarding this, the band's jazz drummer, Ijichi Nijika, gave the reason: "Making music also requires stamina! Let's bring our instruments and set off!!"
Faced with the leader's proposal, guitarist Gotoh Hitori refused immediately, but...
Bassist Yamada Ryo and vocalist/guitarist Kita Ikuyo both sided with Nijika right away.
The vote was three to one; Gotoh Hitori had no choice but to participate in this band team building activity.
'This is the tyranny of the majority!'
'Truth should be returned to the hands of the minority!'
But Gotoh Hitori knew well, her resistance was like a monster defeated by a hero in a manga plot, with only one outcome...
Therefore, not wasting energy resisting, Gotoh Hitori joined everyone's camp.
After all, they were friends, band members, precious companions...
'Have I become a hot-blooded protagonist?!'
Gotoh Hitori started fantasizing again.
Facing the monster about to destroy music, she would step forward!
Protect herself, her family, and friends!
However, the soreness in her legs pulled Gotoh Hitori back to reality.
She felt like gradually melting dough, her strength sucked away by this mountaintop and gravity!
An author once said that a happy life can defy Earth's gravity.
Gotoh Hitori was indeed happy going out with friends, but she experienced absolutely no feeling of escaping gravity's pull!
At this moment, Yamada Ryo suddenly poked her backpack from behind.
The bassist, showing no sign of fatigue, asked expressionlessly,
"Bocchi-chan's hiking gear... did you borrow your dad's military backpack?"
"Eh? Actually, this isn't dad's either. Because, because mom said hiking requires preparing three days' worth of provisions..."
Gotoh Hitori showed a helpless expression.
Thanks to this, besides carrying her guitar, she also had to carry the military backpack.
It felt like weight training...
"Mm, Bocchi-chan's family cares about you a lot, that's good."
"Is, is that so..."
Gotoh Hitori lowered her head, her ears under her bangs starting to feel hot.
Because she felt Yamada Ryo was too close to her.
At this time, Kita Ikuyo, who was walking backward in front, stopped.
The red ribbon that had been dancing among the tree shadows also calmed down.
"Is Bocchi-chan tired? That won't do, you know. Our destination is still at least fifteen minutes away."
Kita Ikuyo said with a smile,
"Let me tell you! Actually, the place Nijika-senpai chose is really nice! Because I heard the curry udon at the top of Hachioji Mountain is super——delicious!"
"Hmph hmph, this is the team building sanctuary I specially researched!"
Ijichi Nijika on the left shook her phone, the teru teru bozu charm on it jingling.
"When we reach the observation deck, let's take a band photo and upload it to our promotional SNS!"
It was clear every band member was looking forward to today's team building.
Seeing her companions' expectant expressions, Gotoh Hitori mustered her courage again!
Gotoh Hitori clenched her fist, then raised it high, abruptly opening it.
"Bocchi-chan?"
As Kita Ikuyo wondered, Bocchi responded,
"Five minutes, just give me five more minutes..."
"Bocchi-chan, let someone else carry your backpack. If each person carries it for three or four minutes, we'll be almost at the destination."
"Eh? Is that okay, Yamada-san?"
"No problem for me."
After Yamada Ryo spoke, Ijichi Nijika and Kita Ikuyo nearby also nodded.
'Woah!'
'Everyone is an angel!'
'Joining this band was such a good decision!'
"Why does it feel like Bocchi-chan is about to achieve enlightenment! Bring water! Bring water!"
Seeing Bocchi's expression of 'my life is complete', Kita Ikuyo hurriedly shook her shoulders.
Nijika, seeing this, laughed out loud and took out her phone to snap a picture.
Yamada Ryo on the side wasn't idle either, leaning close to Bocchi and making a V-sign for a group photo.
As [Kessoku Band] was busy, the originally clear sky changed.
Dark clouds gathered nearby, followed by muffled thunder.
'Woah!'
Gotoh Hitori recovered.
Then she saw Yamada Ryo take the hiking backpack from her.
"I'll carry it for the rest of the way, then we'll switch later. Let's leave here first and find a place to shelter from the rain."
"Th-thank you... Yamada-san!"
"I'm confident in my stamina. I once climbed Mount Fuji carrying a fifty-kilogram rock."
"Eh?!"
Gotoh Hitori was astonished.
"She must be lying! Ryo! Ikuyo-chan! Bocchi-chan! Let's hurry!"
"It counts if it was in a dream."
"It doesn't count!"
Nijika exposed Yamada Ryo's lie and led the group forward.
Midway, Nijika took out her phone and checked.
"It clearly said the weather would be nice today..."
"So it was just a forecast. Because nobody can predict the weather."
Kita Ikuyo finished speaking and also quickened her pace.
Gotoh Hitori, following behind everyone, felt her stamina gradually being drained.
At this moment, raindrops began to fall.
The sound of them hitting the leaves was like a distorted guitar effect pedal.
It felt somewhat jarring...
Thinking this, Gotoh Hitori soon heard a cruder striking sound.
Because they hadn't prepared rain gear, the four members of [Kessoku Band] could only search for a nearby shelter to wait out the storm.
However, unable to keep up with her companions, coupled with the rain obscuring her vision, Gotoh Hitori, who had slowed down, accidentally got separated from her companions.
More accurately, she believed she had taken a wrong path.
'What should I do!'
Gotoh Hitori, carrying her guitar, remembered her phone.
But feeling her back, she realized she had put her phone in the hiking backpack, and the backpack was currently on Yamada Ryo's back.
'Oh no!'
'Completely clueless, can't find the right way.'
Gotoh Hitori started to panic.
'Will I be lost here forever?'
'Will everyone remember me?'
'I hope they don't write [Lost and Missing] on my gravestone, at least tell everyone I was the Guitar Hero!'
The panicked Gotoh Hitori suddenly noticed a strange object ahead.
It was a door.
'In the deep mountains and old forests, how could there be a door?'
'Too strange!'
'Could it be someone's prank?'
Gotoh Hitori curiously approached in the rain, unconsciously reaching out her right hand and grasping the doorknob.
"Impossible..."
Gotoh Hitori muttered to herself, having read a manga with Anywhere Door.
Similar information flashed through her mind.
But she didn't believe those were real.
Just like that, Gotoh Hitori turned the doorknob.
Click.
The lock opened, and a bell chimed.
Gotoh Hitori discovered that behind the door wasn't a sea of trees swallowed by heavy rain, but a restaurant filled with warm-toned lighting.
Neatly arranged seats, fragrant dishes.
Such an abnormal scene made Gotoh Hitori's eyes widen, cautiously observing the surroundings.
There were two people in the kitchen, and three people sitting on the right side.
'Those three are dressed somewhat strangely...'
'They look like stage actors.'
'But anyway, a door in the forest connecting to another space is too abnormal!'
'Could it be...'
'I've actually ascended? Is this heaven?!'
Gotoh Hitori didn't say this out loud.
Like a child who wandered into the wrong house, she lowered her head and said,
"Ah! Sorry, excuse me."
Hitori stuttered, her voice so faint it was almost drowned out by the rain outside.
"I, I just got lost, I don't know where this is."
As her voice fell, Gotoh Hitori saw the restaurant staff and owner from the kitchen walk towards her one by one.
A girl with red hair came before her.
"Welcome."
The young owner following behind handed her a towel.
"It's alright, come in and sit down. Don't let the rain soak you through."
Gotoh Hitori cautiously took the towel.
While wiping her hair, she heard the owner's words.
"Welcome to Gensokyo. I'm the owner of this restaurant, Luke."
'Gensokyo?'
'Restaurant?'
'That door connects to a world called Gensokyo, and this is a restaurant in that world?'
Faced with such an abnormal situation, countless question marks and exclamation points popped up in Gotoh Hitori's mind.
But being extremely socially anxious, she didn't dare ask much.
"Anyway, sit down first."
"Th-that... thank you..."
Gotoh Hitori said softly, starting to wipe her soaked hair and guitar case with the towel.
Anyway, at least one thing was certain——
Being here was much better than being lost in the pouring rain in the mountains...
Looking at the shy and slightly awkward girl before him, Luke just smiled.
"Would you like a hot drink to warm up? It's raining where you are too, you must be cold."
Kobayashi Rindou suggested.
Hitori nodded and walked straight to the farthest corner of the shop to sit down.
"Do you want to change into different clothes?"
"Th-that! Absolutely not necessary... Only my jacket got wet."
"Is that so? Feels like your whole body is wet."
"No, no need! Really no need! Absolutely no need!"
Gotoh Hitori raised her voice.
"Ah ah, you don't have to force yourself either."
Kobayashi Rindou finished speaking, then leaned close to Luke.
"Did my suggestion just now perhaps trigger her? That customer looks like she's about to melt..."
"Perhaps the customer's personality is just like that. Socially anxious people don't appreciate excessive attention or concern."
"Is that so? Did Luke-san perhaps discern her personality at a glance?"
"Consider it a passive skill."
Luke answered with a smile.
Of course, this was a lie, as he already knew Gotoh Hitori's personality.
Anyway, Kobayashi Rindou returned to the kitchen to prepare a hot drink, while Luke took out the menu and placed it in front of Bocchi-chan.
Bocchi-chan, having placed the towel aside, cautiously watched Luke.
"May I ask the lady's name..."
"My name is... Gotoh, Gotoh Hitori... Please take care of me. I'm truly sorry for bothering you this time. If I'm inadequate, please forgive me..."
Bocchi-chan's voice grew smaller and smaller, leaning towards rambling...
Luke maintained his calm smile and pointed to a dish on the menu.
"How about some mixed stew? It's perfect for warming up."
"It looks delicious..."
"Naturally, it's the recommended dish for today."
"I see, then... please."
Luke took the order, and Kobayashi Rindou also brought hot tea to Gotoh Hitori.
However, she wasn't alone; Shameimaru Aya, who had been chatting with the Hakugyokurou master and servant, also ran to the corner seat, looking at Gotoh Hitori who was almost curled into a ball.
"Oh my, oh my, a customer who stumbled in here by chance? So young. Seems like a lot of people have been spirited away recently."
Normally, outsiders usually wouldn't enter Gensokyo.
However, when outsiders entered Gensokyo for certain reasons, these phenomena were called 'Spirited Away' (Kamikakushi).
Although it was difficult for them to survive and return to the outside world, if they could reach the Hakurei Shrine, they could smoothly return.
The main reason for being spirited away was Yakumo Yukari freely creating rifts in space with her abilities, pulling humans in.
Besides those caused by Yakumo Yukari, there were also cases where outsiders got lost in Gensokyo due to quantum phenomena.
And now, there was another way: the door of the restaurant Luke opened.
Faced with Shameimaru Aya suddenly leaning closer, Gotoh Hitori shifted her body, wanting to create distance, but the wall was right next to her, making further movement impossible...
"You said spirited away... Does that mean... I can't go back?!"
Gotoh Hitori's eyes suddenly widened, but she quickly deflated again.
Luke tapped Shameimaru Aya on the head for joining the commotion.
"Don't scare my customer. If the customer wants to go back, just go through that door again."
"Is, is that so? The forest outside the window looks completely different from the world I was in..."
"So that door is important."
Then Luke smiled at Gotoh Hitori and said,
"I'll go make the mixed stew, please wait a moment, customer."
"S-sorry for the trouble..."
As Luke left, Kobayashi Rindou quickly followed.
This gave Shameimaru Aya an opportunity.
She leaned closer again, introducing herself while asking questions.
"Hello, forgot to say earlier, I'm Gensokyo's most truthful, most rigorous, most genius reporter, Shameimaru Aya. Can you tell me about the world you're from?"
"Um..."
"Don't worry, I'm just recording."
"Me? That is... playing guitar..."
"An instrument? And then?"
"Eh... Actually... cough cough! I don't know... I'm an insect... Please leave me alone..."
"Huh?"
Shameimaru Aya watched the socially anxious Bocchi-chan lower her head, completely unable to find a breakthrough...
Helpless, the Tengu came to the counter.
"That customer seems impossible to communicate with."
"You social butterfly, stop bothering her."
"Can't be helped, guess I'll just have to continue interviewing Saigyouji-sama."
Shameimaru Aya spread her hands.
Looks like even Gensokyo's Tengu had no way to deal with social anxiety.
"So, delicious!!"
Luke brought the prepared mixed stew to Gotoh Hitori.
After tasting one bite, Bocchi-chan didn't stop.
Only after finishing everything did she satisfyingly give her evaluation.
Just a few words expressed the core idea.
Simple deliciousness, nothing more.
"The meat juices... are very fragrant. The vegetables here are more like melted pastries, soft and glutinous... Really delicious..."
"Mixed stew is simple to make. If the customer is interested, I can teach you."
"No, no need to trouble the owner. How much is it, I can... Ah!"
Bocchi-chan suddenly froze.
Her hands became busy, patting herself all over.
"Ah... Oh no! Oh no! My wallet... is also in that backpack!"
"Your wallet isn't on you?"
"Sorry... I, I have no money! But after I get my wallet, I'll definitely come back to pay!"
Bocchi-chan lowered her head, even bumping her forehead on the table.
Luke smiled and waved his hand, then pointed to the guitar beside the girl.
"Your instrument... can it still be played?"
"Guitar? Of course."
"In that case, how about playing a song? Not heavy metal, but that kind of gentle music."
"Play now?"
"That's right, consider it payment for this meal."
Hearing Luke's proposal, Bocchi-chan shook her head repeatedly.
Making her play in an unfamiliar place was worse than sending her to the guillotine.
Facing her answer, Luke didn't insist.
"Is that so? What a pity..."
Seeing Luke's slightly disappointed expression, Bocchi-chan suddenly stood up.
"Pl-play... Okay! But..."
She pointed towards the stairs nearby.
"Can I play the guitar on the second floor?!"
Bocchi-chan, having arrived in Gensokyo, decided to change herself.
To prove that after working hard with her bandmates, she had grown.
And now was the time to show the results!
---
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