Chapter Forty-Eight: The Eve of the Banquet

Daybreak arrived, but today was a gloomy, rainy day. Unlike the usual radiant sunshine and clear skies, the thick clouds blocked the sunlight, casting a dimness over the morning. The faint light was not as intense as usual, barely filtering through the transparent skylight atop the small wooden cabin. Yet, despite the gloom, it was still enough to reveal four figures lying beneath the skylight on the large bed.

At that moment, Qi suddenly opened his eyes, bright and clear with no trace of sleepiness. He glanced at the three small bodies around him and sighed. Last night, after pretending to sleep, it was the black cat who sneaked in. She crept into the room, hesitated for several minutes upon seeing Qi seemingly asleep, then tiptoed onto the bed, covering herself with a blanket while keeping a careful distance. Her gaze lingered on Qi’s handsome face illuminated by the moonlight.

Qi didn’t need to look to know the black cat’s cheeks must be flushed, perhaps even her ears red. After a short while, the black cat seemed to relax, her expression complex and uncertain, and eventually drifted off to sleep. Qi’s heart was equally tangled; once she was asleep, he watched her adorable sleeping face, tempted to steal a kiss, but afraid she’d suddenly wake. Since their relationship had become official, they’d hardly shared any intimate moments, let alone anything more. With a shy and timid girl like the black cat, such closeness was impossible during ordinary times.

Only in moments of crisis or before parting did she become brave, decisive, and gentle—the black cat who understood him so well.

Finally, Qi made up his mind and slowly leaned closer, but just then, with a sudden click, the door opened again. Like a startled cat, Qi quickly pulled back, feigning sleep once more.

It was Hinata and Juuki who entered, Hinata dragging a sleepy-eyed Juuki. Seeing the two on the bed, Hinata showed a knowing expression, then pulled Juuki to the other side, burrowing under the blanket.

Juuki contentedly nestled in Qi’s arms, while Hinata clung to Juuki, wrapping herself around Qi’s arm with a mischievous smile before falling into a deep sleep.

Qi silently watched as rain began to fall outside the skylight, soon turning into a downpour. He closed his eyes in resignation, quietly cultivating his energy until morning, only then opening his bright eyes after a sleepless night.

Normally, the black cat would already be awake, but whether due to the rain or some other reason, she showed no sign of stirring. Instead, Juuki gently shifted, opened her confused eyes, stared at Qi for a moment, then smiled and said, “Big brother, good morning.”

Perhaps awakened by the commotion, Hinata and the black cat also opened their eyes. Hinata stretched and greeted them, “Aniwe, Sister Liuli, Juuki, good morning.”

Only the black cat stared blankly at the harmonious scene before her, rubbing her eyes as if to make sure it wasn’t an illusion. Startled, before she could speak, Hinata teased her with a mischievous smile, “Last night, I wanted to bring Juuki to sleep with Sister Liuli, but Liuli wasn’t in her room. Then I found her asleep on Aniwe’s bed. I didn’t expect Sister Liuli to be just like us, lonely and scared, wanting to sleep together.”

“Want to sleep together?” Juuki echoed in her cute tone.

“No… that’s not it, I…” The black cat stammered awkwardly, struggling to explain but not knowing how.

“Not really? Then why did you end up sleeping in Aniwe’s bed? Tell us, come on, hurry up and tell us,” Hinata teased, squinting her eyes playfully at the bewildered black cat.

Finally, the black cat snapped—not with anger, but with laughter. She lowered her head, bangs shading her eyes, lips curling into an enigmatic smile, her shoulders trembling with a dark, magician-like laugh that sent chills down their spines. Standing up—certainly dressed properly, as the black cat would never dare wear less—she dragged Hinata into her own room under Hinata’s awkward smile. “I should start preparing breakfast. I heard that if you fry sunflowers upside down, the taste is extraordinary.”

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“I’m heading out.” The four siblings left for school together, a first for the Five Roots family. Amid laughter, Hinata led Juuki toward the elementary school, while the black cat parted ways with Qi, waving goodbye as she disappeared from his sight. Qi then strolled leisurely toward Cherry Academy.

“Good morning, Onii-san,” Ayase greeted him near the school gate.

“Oh, good morning. You’re full of energy today,” Qi replied lazily.

“Early to bed and early to rise is a good habit. Well, after what happened last night, it’s normal you didn’t sleep well and feel tired. You really worked hard.”

“When did you become so understanding and respectful, Ayase-chan? Are you an imposter?” Qi eyed the cheerful, smiling girl suspiciously.

“Who… who’s your Ayase? Just because you’re Japan’s great hero doesn’t mean I won’t report you. This is harassment! If you keep this up, I really will call the police!” Ayase’s cheerful smile vanished, replaced by embarrassment and anger.

“Uh, it’s really me. Sorry, I didn’t mean it, just joking.” Qi, influenced by yesterday’s events in this world, had let slip such words unintentionally.

“A joke? Is that why you often harass girls, just for fun? If you dare nod, I’ll call the police immediately. Pervert.”

“Wow, so energetic this early?” Kirino approached, yawning, clearly sleep-deprived.

“Good morning, Lord Qi,” Kanako greeted, respectful and fearful, approaching carefully.

“It’s not proper to discuss things at the school gate. After school, I’ll host a small party in my cabin. You all should come, and bring any other friends if you’d like. I’ve only been in this world for about a week and know fewer than ten people; the more, the merrier. I’ll answer your questions then, how about it?” Though Qi was exasperated by Kanako’s excessive reverence, it wasn’t the right place to discuss it.

Actually, the party was Reimu’s suggestion. In Gensokyo, whether for good or bad, happy or sad, any excuse was reason enough for a banquet, inviting everyone—familiar or not, youkai, humans, gods—to drink and talk together. Everyone would let go of their worries and chat happily, regardless of acquaintance. It was a tradition.

Qi and the others, being underage, couldn’t drink, but they longed for the atmosphere. So, at Reimu’s urging, he agreed to host a small party. Of course, not too many could be invited—his cabin wouldn’t hold them all.

“A party? That sounds amazing,” Kanako said, full of admiration.

...

At noon, Qi again ate lunch with the black cat, enjoying a fine cup of tea. He brewed another for Misaka Mitei and delivered it. When he returned, three little girls waited eagerly for him to feed them, but Qi didn’t mind the trouble.

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After school, the four gathered together. “My address is 2-47-15 Higashi Amanuma-cho, Chiba City. I’ll go ahead to prepare; you can come over later, or bring friends if you wish.” Qi smiled, bidding farewell. The truth was he wasn’t going to prepare, but to pick up the black cat. Having failed yesterday, he couldn’t break his promise again. Of course, he couldn’t let the girls know—otherwise, their expressions would be quite something.

Unaware of the truth, the three girls said goodbye and went home to get ready. They couldn’t visit his house in their school uniforms after all, and gifts would be necessary.

After school, the black cat emerged with her usual air of aloofness. Her expression softened, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. The reason was the handsome, sunny youth waiting by the wall at the gate—a scene reminiscent of manga, where the hero waits for the heroine to walk home together, making the black cat feel shy.

“Hey, beautiful lady, would you like to walk home with me?” the handsome youth invited, right there at the crowded school gate.

The gate fell silent. Especially the girls near the black cat, who weren’t sure if the handsome boy was speaking to them.

The black cat’s face was burning. Ignoring his invitation, she walked straight ahead, head down, her exposed ears bright red. Even though she could act dramatic and eccentric in public, that was only when she distanced herself from the world. When someone connected with her in real life, she’d be pulled back to reality and become shy in crowds.

“Are you playing the embarrassing role? Saying such shameless things in public—I curse you!” After leaving the gate, the black cat glared at Qi, her hair bristling with anger.

“No need to be so worked up! I’ve been increasing my otaku knowledge in class, and there was just such a scene in the manga. I couldn’t help myself… cough, yes, couldn’t help myself.” For certain reasons, Qi had taken an interest in otaku culture, or perhaps was forced to. From a casual understanding, he sought a deeper grasp.

He first investigated Frieza and the cockroaches, delving into manga and anime stories, and soon became hooked. After school, Qi couldn’t help but marvel at a world that could captivate even the gods.

Sadly, Naruto’s manga hadn’t ended, and he was a bit concerned about the adversaries he’d only encountered once, wondering if their fates would be tragic.

“Though I’m glad you’ve truly entered the otaku world, please mind your surroundings. In Japan, otaku interests are still looked down upon.” The black cat complained, still feeling the heat in her cheeks from earlier.

(Still no one came out. So sad.)

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