Reimu … are you there? I'm coming in.
Oh my ... how unusual.
I was sure you wouldn't be awakening until spring.
… I wonder if it's going to snow tomorrow.
This is not a weather forecast but instead a cliche statement that points out Yukari's behavior as unusual.
...hehe, just kidding.
I'm glad you came to see me after all this time, Yukari.
… It looks like you haven't changed a bit, Reimu.
Here's some tea.
Ah, thank you.
I'll be going then, grandma.
Yes, take care!
...that girl sure has grown up.
She turns fourteen-fifteen this year?
She turned fifteen just last month.
She'll soon be a full-fledged shrine maiden.
… Speaking of, I was about that age when I met you, wasn't I.
Oh, is that right?
That's right. How long has it been since that time?
I've become an old woman like this, but …
… Heh, you're still just as you were.
… True.
Ah, right … I had my 60th birthday recently, you know?
A lot of kids came to celebrate.
...I call them "kids", but they were all youkai as usual.
None of them are so busy they can't come visit every once in a while. I'm hardly ever bored.
… It was always a lot of work cleaning up after their disasters, but, … when I think about it now, I'm glad to have made more friends.
Why, I'm probably just about the only human with so many various acquaintances.
… Heh.
Hey, Yukari. Why are you making such a sad face?
…?
It's nothing …
… I don't think my face is any different than usual?
Oh, is that right?
I'm sorry. I just got that impression …
… 60 years, huh.
… I've met a lot of people and youkai,
and have lived a good life up to now.
So now, to get to see grandchildren and children living happily …
Heh … I never would have thought it as a child, but …
...Yes.
Compared to my predecessors, it's been luxury, and I've lived more than happily enough …
... And
I got to drink tea with an important friend of mine at the end.
… My.
… Heh. Making a face like that even though it's you.
It's a bit surprising, but it's sweet.
… It's like you're treating me as a child.
Oh, I'm sorry.
When you become an old woman, you start talking this way to everyone.
… Hey, Yukari.
About that girl … Can I ask you a favor?
That girl is just like I used to be,
jumping into things without thinking, so if it's all right with you … Please help her.
… I'll do that, when I feel like it.
Heh … Thanks, Yukari.
… Hey, Yukari.
Today's … nice weather, isn't it?
And the wind is gentle.
Spring will certainly come soon, and this place will become filled with cherry blossoms.
Then, how about having a flower viewing together with everyone?
… Mmm.
And we'll invite everyone we haven't seen in a while.
Youkai, naturally, vampires, ghosts, oni and celestials, we could even put a call out to Makai and Moriya...
Let's make merry together with everyone.
That would certainly … be a lot of fun.
She passed away with a good expression.
… Suika …?
It's not nice to peep.
... Well,
I let you have her deathbed, so don't say that.
...There's no problem with me being here too.
... I'm thankful that you let me have it.
... I see that even an oni can show compassion.
Of course, even I have enough compassion to warrant the phrase, "A tear even in the eye of an oni."
Besides...
...Besides?
Unless I'm mistaken, which I'm not, you're the one who created Gensokyo, at least as it exists today.
So, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to call you this world's mother, would it?
And Reimu there, she was called "The Shrine Maiden of Paradise".
I feel it important to highlight a point, here: rather than the more common kanji for miko, 巫女, Suika uses 御子. The characters read as "miko", and can refer to a shrine maiden, but taken individually mean "honored child", and are (or, at least, were) also used as a word to describe a child of the emperor.
Then, aren't you guys like a kind of mother and child?
I'm not so much of an ogre that I'd unconcernedly intrude on a mother grieving the death of her child.
Well, when it's been nearly an hour, I'll call the children.
Please finish your farewells by then.
… Yes.
... Hey, Suika, can I ask you something?
Hm?
… It's nice weather today, isn't it?
? ... Yes, it is.
... You're right.
Sorry, I just wanted to ask.
?
Later, then.
… Hey, Reimu.
I was embarrased and couldn't say it until now, but …
… I'm really grateful, you know?
I'm really glad for you being the shrine maiden of Hakurei.
… So thank you, Reimu.
… Sleep well …
User Comments:
Anonymous commented at 2012-01-18 17:53:35 » #980524
I actually got tears in my eyes reading this.
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