Touhou: I Became a Butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion

The Magician Who Borrows

"Thank you, Lady Patchouli!" I bowed to her with gratitude.

"No worries, Shun," Patchouli replied with a soft smile.

Today, I had the opportunity to learn from Lady Patchouli, who taught me how to read the complex and profound words found in the ancient tomes of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's library.

"Ah, I'll clean up the library. How about I escort you to your room?"

Patchouli nodded in agreement, and together we made our way to her room.

"Lady Patchouli, you're truly brilliant."

"Heehee... Well, I do enjoy studying and researching," she responded modestly.

"As expected!"

Patchouli is known as a highly capable, experienced, and studious magician. She spends much of her time researching the countless tomes within the mansion's library. However, her great abilities are offset by her frail health, which is a result of her long-time reclusive lifestyle and asthma.

Once we arrived at her room, I gently opened the door for her. As she entered, I noticed some books scattered on her bed. I immediately moved to tidy up, gathering the books and placing them neatly on her desk.

"Thank you, as always, Shun."

"It's my pleasure, Lady Patchouli. It's my duty to assist you."

She nodded, and I quietly closed the door as I left her to rest.

Heading back to the library, I realized there was another familiar figure wandering around with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Ahh! You're not supposed to be here!"

Marisa turned to me with a cheerful expression. "Hello, Shun! Is Patchouli sleeping?"

"Y-Yes... Wait, how did you know!?"

"Heh, skipping the details. How about you accompany me for a bit?"

"No way, and you're intruding without permission again."

"Eh? What do you mean? I always have permission!"

"That's just how you see it, Marisa," I sighed.

"Anyway! Do you mind accompanying me for a bit?" Marisa asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I mean... Sure," I replied hesitantly.

"Heh! I knew I could count on you!"

"Well... In exchange, you will have to help me clean up the library."

"Eh!?"

"Well? Aren't you a kind-hearted soul! You already have a broom with you!" I pointed at the broom she was holding.

"This broom is not for cleaning!"

"Well, it is now... or you'll have to wait for me to finish up."

"Ughh... You're starting to sound like Reimu now," Marisa grumbled, but she picked up some books from the ground nonetheless.

"Come on now, help me out here," I urged her.

"Fine, fine..." Marisa sighed as she started picking up the scattered books. However, her attention was quickly diverted. "Oh? This is a good-looking book!"

"Just to let you know, don't you dare steal one."

"Hehe! I'm not stealing! I'm just borrowing!"

I sighed, knowing full well that "borrowing" often meant books never finding their way back to the library.

As we continued cleaning together, Marisa kept finding interesting books and couldn't help but get distracted by their contents.

"Marisa! You can read later! Let's tidy things up first!"

"But I'm resting though," Marisa replied lazily, plopping down on a chair.

"But you only carried a stack of books..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Shun Shun... Girls shouldn't carry such a heavy object."

I stayed silent for a moment, then couldn't help but speak my mind. "Sorry... I can't see you as a girl."

Marisa's eyes widened. "EH!? How rude!"

"I mean, you're more like... a tomboy. A cute tomboy."

"...So this is how Shun sees me... No wonder," she sighed and then unexpectedly walked toward me. She pinned me to the shelf with a playful grin. "So? How do I look now?"

"...Eh? What do you mean..." I stammered, feeling a bit flustered by her sudden closeness.

"Do I look like a girl to you now!?" she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I gulped and took a moment to look at her from head to toe. She was cute, especially up close like this.

I quickly looked away. "Y-Yeah, can you please give me some space now?"

"Nah! I want you to look at me when saying that," Marisa said, not giving an inch.

I reluctantly met her gaze. "You're cute."

Marisa burst into laughter, releasing me from her playful hold. "Haha! I knew it! You're such a charmer, Shun!"

I blushed slightly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. "Come on, let's finish tidying up before it gets too late."

we finally finished tidying up the library, and evening approached.

"Gah... we're done!" she exclaimed, stretching her arms.

"Good work, Marisa. I bet Lady Patchouli would be proud to see her library in such a clean state."

"Yeah, Yeah... I'm seriously tired."

"I'll let Lady Patchouli know about today. Thank you again," I said, bowing slightly.

"Stop with the formalities, that's what friends do!"

"Yeah, thank you."

"Then... You don't mind me... "borrowing" 3 or 4 books... right?" she asked with a mischievous grin.

I chuckled. "Fine... But make sure to return them!"

"Yeah, I will." (A lie)

"You may go then," I said, gesturing toward the open window.

"Sweet!" Marisa hopped on her broom and slowly ascended. "See ya, Shun!" she called out as she flew away.

I sighed. "Well then... Back to the kitchen."

Meanwhile, from Marisa's point of view.

She was currently flying in the air with her magic broom, her thoughts filled with what had happened in the library. Her cheeks slightly flushed as she wore a grin. "Oh boy... I can't believe this is happening!"

She couldn't help but replay the moment she pinned Shun to the shelf in her mind. The proximity and the look on his face made her heart race. She had always considered Shun a close friend, but now, she was feeling something more.

"I'm not falling for him, right...?" she wondered aloud, blushing even more.