A Stay in Gensokyo

Chapter Ten - Tea with the Princess

There are those who consider having siblings a blessing and those who don't. I grew up with both an elder brother and sister, at times it seemed rather difficult, complicated. Our personalities never quite matched well, so there were lots of conflict.

Like Flandre, I grew up thinking I was hated by them, despised, not knowing if it's due to me specifically or something else. However, as I think back to those days, I was treated a bit more special compared to them. I guess it's what comes with being the youngest in the family.

If only we were mature enough to settle our differences like Remilia and Flandre. If only I wasn't so stubborn, maybe then.

...

As I feel my conscience returning, I wake up back in the same room earlier this morning. However, there's a numb sensation that's present throughout my entire body.

"Ah, you're awake, Yuuki!"

Even though I can't move to see her, I knew with just her voice that it's Marisa.

"Y-Yeah... I can't quite move, is this normal..?"

"Oh if you're feeling numb, that's normal. Well at least, that's what Sakuya told me. She should be here shortly."

"M-Mm..."

Silence fills the room as I expected someone to leap on to me and cry out. However, it only seems that we're the ones here at the moment.

"Where's Meiling and Remilia?"

"I believe Remilia's in the middle of her morning tea and Meiling's guarding the gate. She wanted to stay here but Remilia ordered her to do her job."

Her job hmm? That's the priority after all, though I can't say I'm happy about it. I wonder if she's still worried?

"And sorry, Yuuki, aha.~ For umm, leaving you behind. I was with Patchouli in her library and it sort of disconnects with the rest of the mansion."

Just hearing Marisa's apology doesn't quite sit well with me. It's not her fault at all that I ended up in two near death experience caused by the same person.

"It's okay, Marisa... aha, I didn't think Flandre was all that dangerous to be honest..."

I should have known from the first time, but I didn't want to believe it. I chose not to. And now I reaped the consequences, I denied my gut feeling which isn't something you should normally do. Whilst your mind may give you an intellectual understanding of the situation, your gut is your survival instinct. I pushed it away and now I've almost met my end yet again.

"Flan's volatile that's for sure, the first time I met her she forced me into playing Danmaku with her. But, she's not a bad girl, Yuuki. I don't want you to think of her in that regard if possible..."

"...I know she isn't, she has a playful side to her. She's not to blame for this."

"Not at all and by the way, you haven't ate yet, have you, Yuuki?"

"I sampled a bit of the fruit growing in Meling's garden, but that's about it."

Delicious or not, that doesn't account to a balanced breakfast. I mean, a whole banana would count, but it wasn't that at all. I don't even know the nutritional properties of the fruits Meiling's been growing. I rarely ever had the time to prepare a balanced breakfast, so I always just had anything that's quick before setting off for another day at University. Renko-senpai always gave me an earful that I should be taking better care of myself, but it's not like she has a healthy diet either. 

Better yet the truth just struck me, I've been freeloading the moment I stepped foot in Gensokyo.

"Then I'll call for Sakuya, I think she'd want to do a few check ups on you too."