NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 41: Beat them and then become friends again.
Suika gently remarked, "It seems she has fallen asleep."
Aya nodded, saying, "I guess that's better."
Yuugi, still curious, asked, "My question is... why are you two here?"
Aya replied, "I'm here to take pictures of the bullet patterns of people I'm interested in."
Yuugi inquired further, "You are here for me?"
Aya confirmed, "Yes!"
Yuugi grinned and said, "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
Aya, realizing she needed to leave Kusa in capable hands, requested, "Please take care of Kusa."
Suika responded with determination, "You don't need to tell me that. I will take care of her without questions."
--
Doremy, observing Kusa's prolonged sadness, felt compelled to cheer her up.
"Doremy: Kusa, how about we play a game?" she suggested.
Kusa, somewhat surprised, inquired, "A game?"
Doremy nodded and clarified, "Yes!"
Kusa then questioned, "Is the game you've mentioned a bullet battle?"
Doremy confirmed, "Yes. Do you know the rules of Gensokyo?"
Kusa replied, "To some extent... yes."
Doremy elaborated, "If you win in the battle, the one who loses must fulfill their end of the agreement, usually."
Kusa pondered for a moment and asked, "A formal duel?"
Doremy nodded enthusiastically, saying, "Yes! How about we do a formal duel?"
Kusa found Doremy's proposition intriguing and agreed, saying, "That is interesting... I agree."
Doremy then proposed her terms, stating, "If I win, you will be back to your happy self."
Kusa was somewhat taken aback by Doremy's request but accepted it. "Then... if I win, I will touch your tail for as long as I want."
Doremy readily agreed to Kusa's terms, replying with a simple, "Sure."
Kusa was fully aware that winning against Doremy in her domain would be a significant challenge. However, she saw this duel as an opportunity to release the pent-up worries and concerns that had been plaguing her mind.
--
In the end, Doremy emerged as the victor of their battle, though Kusa sported a wide, genuine smile despite having been soundly defeated.
Doremy, curious about Kusa's changed demeanor, asked, "So, did you find your solution now?"
Kusa, still smiling brightly, replied enthusiastically, "Yes! It's to beat her into submission and make her listen to me!"
Doremy pondered this for a moment before responding, "I guess that's one way to do it."
Kusa, overflowing with gratitude, hugged Doremy tightly. Doremy, though somewhat overwhelmed, could only helplessly pat Kusa on the head, understanding the profound change that had taken place within her friend.
--
As Kusa started to regain consciousness, she let out a soft hum of acknowledgment.
Yuugi, noticing her awakening, asked with a grin, "Did you have a nice sleep?"
Kusa, now fully awake and in high spirits, replied with enthusiasm, "Yup! I'm more energetic than ever!"
Yuugi couldn't help but laugh at Kusa's sudden burst of energy, and she offered her some sake to celebrate.
Taking a sip, Kusa coughed and exclaimed, "Pwah! That hits the spot!"
Aya, still concerned about Kusa, inquired, "Kusa, are you fine now?"
Kusa reassured her, saying, "Of course!"
Suika chimed in with a suggestion, "Then how about we go to the hotspring and drink?"
Kusa readily agreed, excited by the idea, saying, "I agree!"
Aya protested, "I didn't agree!"
Yuugi, trying to persuade her, said, "Oh come on, it's just a tradition."
Suika nodded in agreement with Yuugi's statement.
Kusa, feeling confident, chimed in, "We can continue after this. Don't tell me you can't handle alcohol?"
Aya, not wanting to back down, confidently asserted, "I totally can!"
Kusa, satisfied with Aya's response, exclaimed, "Then let's go!"
With their minds set on the hotspring adventure, the three friends made their way to the relaxing waters, albeit with some reluctance from Aya.
After their time at the hotspring, Kusa was seen carrying a somewhat drunk Aya as they bid farewell to the two Oni. Of course, Kusa didn't forget to leave them a basket of fruits as a token of appreciation.
Kusa then made some orange juice for the inebriated Aya and continued on her way. Along her path, she unexpectedly encountered Rin.
With a friendly demeanor, Kusa greeted Rin, saying, "Hello, Rin!"
Rin greeted Kusa enthusiastically, exclaiming, "Kusa!"
She jokingly asked, "Don't tell me you're going to dispose of the corpse you're carrying?"
Kusa chuckled, responding, "Silly, this is Aya. She drank too much, so I'm carrying her."
Rin nodded in understanding, then inquired further, "I see... why are you here with her?"
Kusa explained, "Because it's for her project."
Curious, Rin asked, "What kind of project?"
Kusa replied, "Capturing bullet formations."
Excited at the prospect, Rin asked, "Can I join?"
Kusa happily agreed, and to accommodate Aya, she created a hammock suspended between two sturdy pillars that she conjured.
As they were busy with the photoshoot, Aya was awakened by the sounds of battle. She opened her eyes and noticed a cup of orange juice placed nearby.
After they had finished the photoshoot, they spotted Aya awake and waving at them. She seemed to be feeling better.
The trio continued to walk at a leisurely pace, allowing Aya to fully awaken. Along the way, they encountered Utsuho.
Utsuho addressed them, "Rin, Kusa, and..."
Aya chimed in, "Aya!"
Utsuho appeared curious and asked, "Aya, what are you guys doing here?"
Aya began explaining their purpose to Utsuho.
--
Despite not being in her best shape, Aya managed to skillfully dodge Utsuho's bullets while Kusa and Rin leisurely enjoyed their popcorn and lemonade.
Kusa expressed a wish, "I wish Cirno were with us to cool the drinks."
Rin nodded in agreement.
After they finished the photoshoot, Utsuho decided to join them. The four of them walked together towards the palace of earth spirits, eventually taking flight since Aya had fully recovered.
Upon entering the spacious office, they found Satori and Koishi engrossed in a game of Go. Kusa stepped forward and explained her intentions through her thoughts, which Satori easily picked up.
Satori responded, "I agree."
Koishi enthusiastically joined in, saying, "Me too!"
Satori and Aya began their game while the rest of the group relaxed on the side.
Koishi turned to Kusa with a suggestion, "Kusa, how about we have a battle first?"
Kusa hesitated, replying, "Ehh... I don't know, I can't fight right now."
This response surprised Utsuho and Rin.
Koishi asked, "Why?"
Kusa explained, "My body hasn't fully accustomed itself to my soul yet, so I think I'll wait for a few more days."
Koishi, somewhat disappointed, replied, "I see..."
But then Kusa made a different proposal, "How about you become my first opponent?"
Koishi was taken aback, exclaiming, "Ehh! Really?!"
Kusa confirmed, "Yup!"
With Aya finishing her photoshoot with Satori, the Komeiji sisters took their turn.
Satori moved closer to Kusa, and Kusa pampered her, leaving Satori content.
Utsuho and Rin, having grown accustomed to the scene, watched the photoshoot unfold.
Koishi playfully warned, "Next time, I'll make sure to hit you!"
Aya responded confidently, "You wish! I'll be much stronger the next time we meet!"
Koishi retorted with determination, "Oh yeah? I'll be much stronger than you. I'll make sure you see it!"
Satori suggested, "How about we have a relaxing tea time?"
Kusa agreed, and Aya chimed in, "At the very least, it's free."
Utsuho and Komeiji cheered with enthusiasm, and the group decided to engage in casual conversation, discussing idle topics and the latest gossip circulating in Gensokyo. Aya, as usual, provided them with intriguing information.
Afterward, Aya and Kusa returned to the surface, with Kusa gifting some baskets of fruits to her friends. As they approached the bridge, they encountered Parsee.
Kusa confidently declared, "Parsee, prepare yourself because I will explain myself to you!"
Kusa unleashed miniature suns and several solar beams, subjecting Parsee to a barrage of attacks. When Parsee was severely beaten, Kusa surprised her by offering a hug.
Kusa explained, "You know... You remind me of myself."
Parsee was puzzled and asked, "Eh?"
Kusa continued, "Didn't I tell you before that I'm just a blade of grass that gained consciousness?"
Kusa opened up to Parsee, revealing her inner turmoil. She confessed, "You know, I'm jealous of living creatures because they have humanoid looks and have a group of friends."
Kusa's startling admission left Aya surprised and intrigued. Kusa continued, "I desperately want to be like them, so I kill and kill many creatures just to be one of them."
With a sense of guilt weighing on her, Kusa confessed further, "I'm not a good creature, to be honest. I've killed a lot of Yokai and even humans."
As she delved deeper into her story, Kusa questioned her existence, saying, "Why am I here in this position... You could say that I've met my light."
Kusa explained how she yearned for something more, saying, "Like grass, I need water and light to survive. That light gave me a different understanding of life, and she gave me hope when I treated myself as a lost cause."
Finally, Kusa revealed her true intentions, expressing her desire to be Parsee's guiding light. She said, "That's why when I see you... Despite you're not as dangerous as I am, I wish to be your light. I want you to be more outgoing and have a different outlook towards how you live, instead of being jealous of everyone."
Kusa earnestly implored, "That's why... Please let me become your light and let me show you how wonderful the full picture is, instead of focusing on the person in the picture."
Parsee's agreement brought a warm smile to Kusa's face, and she gently ruffled Parsee's head as a sign of their newfound understanding.
Unbeknownst to them, Aya was discreetly capturing the moment with her camera, preserving this heartfelt connection between Kusa and Parsee.
The bridge that once separated their emotions now seemed to symbolize a bridge of friendship and understanding.