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“Anon!”

“Anon wake up!”

 

Groggily I open my eyes. Youmu's sitting on top of me in what I can only describe as something akin to a Japanese sith lord getup. She looks ecstatic. Scattered around the room seem to be various ritual implements. This taken alongside her being on top of me—especially the spot she's in only has one logical conclusion.

 

“Huh... Oh,, looks like I'm in a dream.”

“You aren't. I summoned you.”

 

It was then one of those odd moments where you simply know you aren't dreaming.

 

“You're 2D now too, I hope you don't mind. It should help you feel more like you fit in here. I'm going to go fix breakfast, we'll talk specifics after that.”

 

She got up, turned around and headed out of the room. Yuyuko entered shortly after I had a few moments to collect myself from the shock of being whisked away to a faraway land.

 

“Come, I'll show you to your room”

 

I got up but not before making sure I had my pajamas on. Hyakugyoukurou was even prettier than I imagined it to be. I was never very sure on the size or layout given that it's never fully shown in any material. It holds a sort of elegant simplicity. You almost expect that homely “old woman home” smell to it but it's much more of flowers, perhaps because it's near the end of the summer and there's so much greenery around. It's really nice.

 

“Here you are, I layed out a few pairs of clothes Youki left behind, they should fit you. Youmu started making you a few sets but she wasn't sure of your measurements so she held off.”

“Youmu's room is right across the hall and mines to the left of hers. The bathroom is on the end to the right. I'm sure she'll give you a full tour later but for now go wash up.”

 

The room I'm staying in is full of books, maybe she collected them for me or maybe it's simply a library. I'd find it hard to believe this whole manor is occupied. Then again she might want me closeby. Who knows. Regardless I got changed. Youki's clothing is a bit baggy but maybe this is how it's supposed to be. I know some Japanese clothing seems like that. I'll get used to it.

 

“Oh one other thing... You two should take care not to upset the balance of Gensokyo. Eirin has some... solutions if you need them, don't be too embarassed to ask.”

 

Yuyuko's smug winking face assures me we'll get a fair amount of teasing from her though well intentioned. I could see it getting on my nerves a bit after a while but I'm sure Yuyuko will stop if she notices it really annoys us unlike... others in the outside world.

 

With that out of the way I finished getting dressed, washed myself and made my way into the dining room.

 

“Yoooooumuuuu when is breakfast ready?”

 

A cheery “In a moment, Yuyuko.” rang from the kitchen as a pleasant aroma wafted our way. It wasn't long before it was ready, though you wouldn't guess it the way Yuyuko stared in the kitchens direction. Youmu came back with several plates resting on her ghost half. She had stepped it into something resembling an eloquent food cart.

 

“It's ready, I'll have to take the time to ease you into some of the food we eat here. I remember when Sakuya first arrived at first she didn't care much for it but now she likes quite a bit of it.”

“It isn't people is it?”

“No!”

 

Yuyuko chuckled along and Youmu herself smiled. It's going to be nice here. Together we set the table and started making our plates. She made eggs, rice, and salmon. Quite a bit different from my usual breakfast of oats and a welcome change. In the mornings I rarely feel like anything more complicated. Maybe here solid breakfasts will be more commonplace.

 

I only got a bit of the salmon. I'm picky about seafood and fish in general., I haven't been around it much. It was a bit odd, not the first thing I'd want but I could see myself adjusting to it with some time. The rice and eggs on the other hand were amazing. I'd never had rice this good. If you go to most asian restaurants they don't make it authentic since it's not very popular. At home I attempted to make authentic rice a few times but given my inexperience with asian dishes it was usually good, but not amazing. This was. The eggs were about the same, probably a mixture of them being very simple to cook and that I get my eggs from local farmers. Store bought eggs have something done to them that often makes me sick.

 

“This is really good, I'm not that into the fish but I could see myself getting used to it.”

“I thought you had that kind of fish quite often in your part of the world?”

“Some people do but we never did. My parents don't like seafood. I like some of it but I've never been able to explore it, they'd throw a fit.”

“We'll have to work on fixing that then!”

“Any day now I'll be eating octopus.”

“We think that's weird too.”

 

Yuyuko's face at our conversation lit up. She's plotting what she can get out of my arrival.

 

“You should go catch another one of those really big ones next time we throw a party. The last time you got one you were afraid you saw Cthulhu down there.”

 

The room fell silent as Youmu's face soured in embarrassment. I don't blame her, I've seen some of the stuff that lives in the deep sea. It looks pretty scary. Regardless it was a good time to change subject.

 

“Am I a copy or was I brought here directly? My friends and family won't take kindly to a sudden disapperance.”

Directly. Yukari promised me she'd help take care of that as long as I managed to bring you here. I don't know why she didn't bring you herself...”

 

Yuyuko seemed to take the cue to move on from talking about giant octopi.

 

“That's because she wanted to make sure you want to go through with it.”

“I don't know how she wouldn’t just be able to tell.. She seems to know everything.”

“It can seem that way sometimes Youmu but there's usually a method to her madness. Usually. Other times she just wants to have fun.

“Well now I'm much better at magic so I guess there's an upside... I'm not sure why she'd want that.”

“Occasionally you help resolve incidents. Maybe she feels one brewing where you'll need it.”

“I hope not, they're a pain.”

“Nothing you can do about it.”

“Anon come help me clean up, we can talk more.”

 

With that concluded we stood up and went into the kitchen to clean up. Being next to her she holds a sort of beauty no picture or text ever described. In the middle of my daze she stood on her toes, embraced me, and gave me a peck on the cheek. She spoke to me two words that ring so very dear to me.

 

“Welcome home.”