NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Recovery Day
I wake up with the realization that morning has already passed. The sun is high up in the sky, shining on my face. My head is still throbbing and the pain in my legs is merciless whenever I try to move. The physical agony isn't even the worst, I hadn't had a good chance to talk to Patchouli about the disturbing eye-thing or about my magic training.
As I pondered these pressing matters, the creaking of the door drew my attention, revealing Kanako who's surrounded by her usual authoritative aura. Without saying a word she surveyed me, her eyes darting up and down on me. "Deeply unfortunate. That's the result of snooping around isn't it?" Her tone is almost sympathetic, but veiled behind is a strong audible curiosity about the circumstances leading up to my temporary crippled state.
"Why didn't your blessing of luck work?" I blurted out, frustration seeping into my voice, clouding my mind. Receiving a boon of luck, only to end up in this sorry state is almost ironic.
Kanako approached the bed I was laying in, her relatively tall frame heightens her commanding presence as she looms over me. "I am a little disappointed in you, I thought you were more intelligent than the average peasant." she remarks. Her words cut through my self-pity. Her explanation follows, enlightening me on how her blessings work. "It isn't a constant companion that will always hand you the best outcome, there will be times when you'll feel it's effects, and others when you'll question if I ever gave you a blessing to begin with. Do no be reckless and needlessly gamble, thinking you are in possession of godly powers."
"I should've known that, sorry." I admit, feeling dim-witted for lashing out at her. "Do you know where Sanae is? I can't remember that she told me where she was headed for today."
Ignoring my remorse, Kanako is quick to teach me about Sanae's whereabouts. "She's at the Hakurei Shrine. Don't expect her back until sunfall." With that, Kanako seems ready to depart. Her mannerisms suggests that she has a tight schedule.
"Will you provide me with food and water? I can't really do it myself." I ask, while Kanako is already standing in the doorframe.
"I will return in about an hour, perhaps a bit more. I have matters to attend to until then." Kanako replies, leaving without even giving me a chance to even talk to her for a little more. Her perpetual sense of urgency surrounds her with a shroud of mystery which is intriguing. One day I will find out, why she is always in such a hurry.
Hours drifted by uneventfully, marked only by the routine acts of eating and drinking. Kanako, as expected, wasn't going to have another conversation with me either. At least the food was nice, though it doesn't help scarring away the isolation.
My mind begins to wander to Patchouli, thinking about her gives me a blissful feeling. Like something is tingling in my brain. It is curious how fast my thoughts on her took on a romantic hue, though I am still unsure of weather I like it or not. Perhaps it is unconventional to be drawn to a sage like her, someone who spends her life consuming vast amounts of knowledge, detached from almost any social interactions others experience daily. Despite her rudeness towards me, I seem to like her, the more we interact with each other.
There is a certain allure in her vast intellect. Usually when I think of a wizard as smart as her, I think of the white-bearded old man in a tower, like in artworks from Dungeons and Dragons. Not a cute woman who lives in a weird mansion.
But not only does her smartness attract me, her appearance does too. I can't forget her soft looking fair and flawless skin. It makes me wonder if she or others have access to skincare products.
I feel my cock starting to twitch as my thoughts wander to Patchoulis' body. The moment in the mansion where I could sneak to stare at her large butt which is well hidden by her wide nightgown. Same goes for her chest which one could easily miss because of her enticing purple eyes. I have not masturbated since I came to Gensokyo. To be fair I didn't get the chance to since my privacy is rather restricted. Now is the perfect time to do so. Imagining Patchoulis naked form, standing in front of me makes me very concupiscent. My right hand wraps around my cock and slowly strokes it, imagining she is the one doing so. Slowly I caress my erection faster and faster until I stop right before I drive myself over the edge.
I got nothing to wipe the aftermath off if I were to cum. Looking around the room though I see a used towel, presumably left there by Sanae. Carefully I retrieve it from the ground by dragging myself from one side of the bed, to the other. The injuries I sustained are the only thing that is making this simple task hard as my legs still hurt greatly. I finally orgasm, shooting the copious amounts sperm I saved up the past days onto the towel. Laying it back down in about the same position as I put it, as an attempt to make it seem like I didn't use it.
When pulling my trousers back up, a sigh escapes me as the dull monotony settles back in. Back on Earth, there was always something to occupy my time, be it the my phone, PC, or just college. Now that I think about it, it is as boring as it is relaxing, the constant ticking of clocks, all these tight schedules, they are things that are non existent here. This place makes me feel at home in a nostalgic way, even though I have never lived in a similar environment.
I recline on my bed, looking up to the ceiling. God I wish I had a book to read right now, this is where technology would've come in handy. Next time I am in the library, I should definitely borrow a good novel. Skimming through my magic book is not much fun either, as I have already read most of the pages that pique my interest.
The deafening silence comes to an end as, to my surprise, the door opens revealing someone that makes me smile. It's Aya, but she looks more gloomy than usual.
Aya approaches the bed and takes a seat, settling down at its edge. She deeply breathes in before stoically asking me the following question. "So, I have got some bad news for us. And from what I have heard you also got some bad news for me. Tell me, who goes first?" She looked at me with a gaze that held a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, her demeanor poised as she patiently awaited my response.
I take a contemplative pause, allowing me to think properly before I respond. "Alright, you go first. I am already in a bad spot so it cannot be that bad!" I exclaim, my gaze trying to decipher the gravity of the situation by watching her expression. It indeed changes to a rather melancholic one.
Aya shifts her position, now sitting upright. Her hands rest on her thighs, and nervousness marks her facial features. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have invited yo to Youkai Mountain." She tells me, her voice begins to shake a little. As she continues, her red eyes welled up. "We Tengu have a strict rule, no humans are allowed on the mountain unless it is absolutely necessary. I just carelessly broke it, thinking it won't be a big deal. I'll just visit you whenever I can from now on."
I am taken aback by the sincerity in her voice. "This shouldn't be a big deal. Did they punish you severely? Are you alright?" Concern floods my brain. Tengu society must be hell if they are this strict. From what I can gather the people there weren't even being dismissive of me being there. Sure, their judgemental stares are still fresh in my memory but too out of the ordinary.
Aya wipes off her tears and composes herself. "No, I didn't get punished severely, others in the village just treat me different now as a punishment. Stares, hushed conversations and other things. But it's fine, in a week they'll be back to normal." She assures, her voice wavers though as she begins her next sentence. "Momiji must have seen you, she screamed at me for a while, you probably don't know who she is so don't worry. Let's talk about something enjoyable, please." Aya looks fine again, though one can still see that she was crying mere seconds ago.
Silence settles between us, giving me time to think properly. I should read about Tengu society once I have the possibility to. My eyes drift off to the wall, trying to think of a light-hearted topic to talk about. "Have you heard about the odd frog in the human village?" I ask, breaking the silence after recalling a conversation Sanae and Suwako had.
She definitely likes the change of topics as her eyes light up, not even a full second after I finish my sentence. "Heard? I have seen it and have interviewed the Kappas who oversee it's maintenance, I published the article in my newest paper and it sold well on top of that!" She exclaims eagerly, pausing for a small moment to collect her thoughts. "They told me that that frog made them a handsome sum of profit already, that went into various projects they kept secret from me for now. The best thing about it is, that so many people try to ride on it to get the price. I love seeing the brave once come so close, and cheering them on while they try."
Hearing Aya passionately talk about her findings fills me with joy. "That sounds so fun! I want to visit it with Sanae once I am better. Would you like to join us?" Aya undoubtedly knows that place better than Sanae, plus I'd really like to do something with her besides drinking.
Aya first looks flattered, but then her expression falters slightly as she declines my invitation. "I am sorry, but it's unlikely I can join you two because of my tight schedules." She says, clearly desiring to accompany us despite her duties.
"Oh, no worries, maybe we'll get to do it another time." I reply, suppressing my disappointment. I suspect her duties as a reporter aren't the real reason she can't join us; it's probably because of that Momiji woman.
Changing the subject, Aya presses me to share my recent incident. I recount my encounter at the mansion in the woods, detailing the events as best as I can recall. Aya listens intently, nodding in understanding as I speak. "It seems they're hiding something of great importance." she remarks.
She smirks. "One could say you are quite charismatic for having so many contacts in such a short time. Patchouli really had your back on that one."
I smile, grateful of the compliment. "Thank you. I am glad I met so many nice people, all thanks to Sanae." Sincerity lace my words as I truly love spending time with my new friends.
"You are sweet for saying this." We just stare at each other for a few seconds, our gazes not of love but of pure friendship.
Aya gets up from the bed, looking upbeat. "I should be going now. I will visit the shrine as soon as I can though." She says, seemingly reluctant to leave.
With a brief farewell, Aya leaves, and I'm left to think about our conversation and the bond that seems to grow at a fast pace with each interaction.
About an hour passes with me overthinking the conversation with Aya. I should have asked more about her job and current goals, I don't want to seem disinterested in her.
My silent pondering is abruptly stopped by Sanae's entrance. She flings herself onto her side of the bed, reveling in it's plush comfort. "Ah, I love this bed so much. Isn't it just heavenly?" She exclaims loudly, her gaze shifting onto me.
"For you more than for me, after all I am stuck here all day," I respond, a hint of playful banter infusing the air between us.
Sanae sits up and props herself against the bed's headboard. "I suppose. How have you been?" She inquires.
"Spoke with Kanako and Aya." I begin, recalling earlier conversations. "Kanako told me that you were at another shrine. Care to tell me what you've been up to?" I ask, genuine curiosity coloring my voice.
"Yeah, I visited two friends of mine, one of whom being a shrine maiden just like me. Poor girl doesn't get nearly as many donations or visitors though." Sanae boasts. A snarky smile playing on her face. "It was sweet of Aya to visit you. Seems like you two get along well. Almost a little too well if you'd ask me." Her expression softens again.
While sounding ecstatic to converse with me, there is still a hint of envy in her voice and her droopy eyes. I decide to focus on the moment of bonding between us. "Yes, I am glad to already have such caring friends so quickly. Thank you so much for taking care of me. I hope to repay you one day." I reply gratefully, a genuine smile brightening my face. "I can't wait to go to the human village with you again!" Lying back more comfortably and yawning.
Sanae makes herself comfortable next to me in the bed. "I have heard of a guy who sells outside world stuff in the village. "e should visit him." She suggests, slowly struggling more and more to keep her eyes open.
"We totally should." I agree, noting her fatigue as she struggles to stay awake. "For now though, let's rest."
Sanae nods drowsily, her voice softening as she bids me goodnight. "Rest well," she murmurs before settling into a peaceful slumber.
I lie there for a few moments, listening to the sound of her breathing as she drifts off. The room feels warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts that had occupied my mind earlier. With a sense of contentment, I close my eyes and let the tranquility of the moment wash over me.