Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"At the very least, I hope you, Eirin, will stay by my side. You are the one person I can't bear to part with, and I don't want to say goodbye to you just yet."

...

Yagokoro Eirin could not refuse the princess.

She agreed to help Kaguya flee the Lunar Capital. She agreed to live with Kaguya on Earth. And she even agreed to create the elixir of immortality that Kaguya requested.

In other words, she didn't refuse a single thing.

After all, the princess had pleaded with those sorrowful eyes and said, "You're the one I cannot leave behind."

On the surface, Eirin remained calm, but she truly couldn't say no.

However, now wasn't the right time.

Kaguya Houraisan wanted an elixir more potent than the one from her memory. One that would grant immortality without limiting her strength.

Her power couldn't be constrained—she still intended to one day launch a counterattack on the Lunar Capital to capture Tsukuyomi.

And that was no joke.

She was determined to capture Tsukuyomi and make sure he faced proper consequences!

"Mother... I eagerly await that day."

Just thinking about his cold face, the way he had become assimilated into the moon, losing his sense of self, turning into the aloof Moon God...

Kaguya could hardly wait to launch the assault tomorrow if she could.

But, of course, that was just a thought.

For now, creating a stronger elixir of immortality was a difficult task, and Eirin needed some time to prepare.

Besides, Kaguya wasn't planning to flee the Lunar Capital immediately.

There was also the matter of taking the Watatsuki sisters with her.

They had plenty of time, whether it was a few years, decades, or even centuries.

Kaguya Houraisan: Since we've all gotten familiar with each other, I think it's time I talked about something openly.

Alicia: What's on your mind?

Eucliwood: Curious.

Yuzuru Kuonji: ...

It had already been a year since the chat room appeared.

For those with long lifespans, a year was nothing more than a blink of an eye.

Still, over that year, everyone had grown close.

Even the somewhat reclusive Yuzuru Kuonji was now chiming in to show she was listening.

Kaguya Houraisan: Do you think that the stories depicted in your world's works—like manga and novels—are real?

Alicia: Wow, that's quite the question…

Alicia: So, are you saying that novels and manga are actually real? That sounds fascinating.

Eucliwood: I think they could be real o(*^▽^*)┛

Yuzuru Kuonji: Not sure...

Kaguya Houraisan: From my perspective, I think they're real. For example, I've seen works related to all of you.

Kaguya was about to employ a classic chat-room move:

—Spoilers!

She hadn't done it before since they weren't that close yet, and she didn't want to spoil things for impostors who might use the information to their advantage. But now things had changed.

Kaguya Houraisan: I wouldn't say all of them are true, but at least some of the stories should be real.

Alicia: Wow, really? That's incredible! Tell me, what's my story like?

Eucliwood: Σ(゜゜) Is it true?!

Yuzuru Kuonji: Shocked!

Kaguya Houraisan: Well, for instance, even though Eu is a necromancer, she's actually a very sweet and kind silver-haired beauty who just makes you want to hold her in your arms forever.

Alicia: You don't need a story to know that! It's obvious! Come here, Eu, let me hug you! @Eucliwood

Yuzuru Kuonji: To be honest, that's true. @Eucliwood

Eucliwood: Stop it! /(/ /o/ω/o/ /)/

Kaguya Houraisan: And Alicia, you're quite the manipulative woman.

Alicia: How rude! I'm not like that at all! ○?｀Д?? ○

Kaguya Houraisan: Just kidding (lol). It's just that your social skills are so sharp, it gives that impression.

Alicia: Call it being approachable!

Kaguya Houraisan: As for Yuzuru, well, calling her a "fairy tale witch" sums it up perfectly. With her fairy-tale magic, she looks like she stepped right out of a storybook.

Yuzuru Kuonji: ...Thank you.

Kaguya Houraisan: Well, some things aren't convenient to say directly, so I'll send you all some private messages.

Kaguya organized her memories and sent individual messages to each person in the chat.

Everyone received information about themselves. After about half an hour, the chat room fell silent once again.

Alicia: ...

Yuzuru Kuonji: ...

Eucliwood: ...

But when they finally spoke, they were all being mysterious.

Kaguya Houraisan: I hope this information is useful to you. It might not be completely accurate, and the future is bound to change, but it could serve as a reference.

Alicia: Yes... Thank you, Kaguya, you've been a great help.

Yuzuru Kuonji: Thank you.

Eucliwood: Thanks (?? ? ?? )

Kaguya Houraisan: Now, I have a request for all of you. Could you search for any information about my future?

Kaguya Houraisan: The keywords are Kaguya Houraisan, Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, and Gensokyo. Search with those, and you should find something.

Alicia: Don't worry, if I find anything, I'll tell you right away.

Eucliwood: Me too ヽ(゜▽゜ )

Yuzuru Kuonji: ...Already looking.

Eucliwood: So fast!

Alicia: Action MAX!

Yuzuru Kuonji: Just happened to be in the study.

Alicia: Alright, but Kaguya, are you in trouble?

Kaguya Houraisan: More or less. In a little while, I'll become the fugitive princess of the moon.

Eucliwood: What happened?

Kaguya Houraisan: In short, this place is doomed. I need to escape soon.

Alicia: You've got it rough...

Eucliwood: Will you be okay?

Yuzuru Kuonji: Can we help with anything?

Kaguya Houraisan: It's fine. I already have a detailed plan, and the Lunar Capital won't collapse anytime soon (and by "soon," I mean within the next 3,000 years).

Everyone: ...

Kaguya Houraisan: I just want to make sure there aren't any flaws in my plan.

Kaguya Houraisan: If we're talking urgency, though, I think Alicia's situation needs more attention.

Kaguya Houraisan: Care to share?

Alicia: Of course. Actually, I wanted to ask for Kaguya's opinion too.

Eucliwood: What, what? (o゜▽゜)o

Alicia: Let me upload the information, and we can all talk it through.

Alicia uploaded shared memories.

Kaguya took a quick look.

Aside from some personal details, Alicia had uploaded nearly everything she'd received from Kaguya, along with additional information she'd gathered herself.

The chat room fell silent once more.

Kaguya didn't check in, nor did she say anything further.

She stretched, twisting her slim waist, and temporarily closed the chat.

She'd let them discuss for now.

As for her next move...

"Hmm... Maybe I'll go check on the Watatsuki sisters."

It wasn't possible to take them both with her right away.

The elder sister might be persuaded, given enough reasons, to leave for Earth. But the younger sister, with her strict and serious nature, would never betray the Lunar Capital so easily.

So, a little extra persuasion would be necessary.

...

The Watatsuki sisters were Yagokoro Eirin's prized pupils.

They often received lessons from Eirin, even now.

These lessons were the happiest and most cherished moments for the two sisters.

However, today's lesson had an unexpected guest:

—Kaguya Houraisan.

While Kaguya's relationship with Eirin was complicated, the bond between the two ran deep.

Eirin had been Kaguya's mentor long before she taught the Watatsuki sisters.

Yet, because of how long ago it was, and due to their changing relationship, those lessons had become rare.

Of course, Kaguya's habit of skipping lessons didn't help.

The three of them had never attended one of Eirin's lessons together.

But it wouldn't have been a problem if they had.

The sisters were merely curious.

Yet, when they finally saw Kaguya, their curiosity was quickly overshadowed by awe as they gazed

 at her jade-like complexion.