Forbidden Knowledge Vol.1 (Marisa Kirisame X Male Reader)

Chapter 16 - To the Victors Come a Goodnight Sleep

The air was still, the aftermath of the battle leaving the Scarlet Devil Mansion in shambles. Rubble lay scattered across the once grand grounds, a testament to the intense struggle we had just fought. I stood there, looking at the three tomes in my hand, their power humming faintly as if calling to me. The whispers began again, soft but persistent like fingers tracing the edges of my mind.

Embrace us... accept us... you need us... dream forever...

I could feel the tug, the temptation to let those thoughts in. For a moment, I hesitated. The promise of endless dreams, of power, was intoxicating. But no. Not like this.

With a sharp motion, I slammed the book shut. The voices silenced immediately, leaving me with nothing but the heavy sigh that escaped my lips. I wasn't going to let those whispers control me, no matter how much they pushed.

As I collected myself, Marisa floated down, sprawled lazily across her broom. She had an exhausted look on her face, her eyes half-closed. "I'm popped... I'm gonna sleep for like a week after this," she muttered, sounding wholly drained.

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "It's another time under my belt, but there's still much work to be done." The words came out naturally, almost instinctively. There was always more work.

Marisa cracked one eye open and groaned, "Oh, can't you ever lighten up, Y/N? We resolved the incident, saved Sakuya, and got your stupid book back. At least crack a smile."

I lowered my head, trying to suppress it, but I couldn't help it. A slight grin formed on my face as I rubbed the back of my head and shrugged. "Guess we do make a good team."

"You bet we do!" Marisa grinned back, her energy returning for just a moment. "You're giving Reimu a run for her money in team-up potential."

As the moment between us settled, I looked over to see Remilia standing amongst the ruins of her mansion. She let out a long, winded sigh, muttering to herself, "Not again." Beside her stood Flandre, Patchouli, and Meiling, all with varying expressions of exhaustion and relief. Sakuya was there too, kneeling on the ground, her head hung low, the weight of everything she had done—or almost done—crushing her spirit.

"I... I'm so sorry, Mistress..." Sakuya's voice was weak, trembling with guilt. "I beg you, please forgive me. If you wish to punish me, banish me, I will understand. I don't deserve to stay after what I've done."

Remilia, with her usual regal demeanour, walked over to Sakuya. Gently, she lifted Sakuya's chin with a finger, her crimson eyes soft but mischievous. "There's no need for that," Remilia said, a coy smile tugging at her lips. "Your punishment is to fix the mansion up pronto."

Sakuya blinked in surprise. "M-Mistress?"

"Then," Remilia continued, her voice softer now, "we can sit down, have a cup of tea, and talk. We haven't done that properly in a while. I'm prepared to listen to any of your worries." She let out a small sigh. "You're my headmaid, Sakuya. Regardless of the circumstances, I care for you."

Sakuya's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly wiped them away, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Mistress. I won't let you down again!" she shouted, her voice full of renewed resolve.

As the tension eased, Remilia turned her gaze to Marisa and me, making her way over with her usual grace. "I must thank you both," she said, offering a slight nod of acknowledgement. "While this isn't the first time we've clashed, and I hardly expect it to be the last, I wish you both the best."

Marisa waved it off, yawning loudly. "Don't expect us to be buddy-buddy now," she muttered, sitting up on her broom with a tired but amused look. "I still don't trust anything you do, Remilia. But maybe, if you overlook some books I borrow here and there, I can let you off."