The Heat of My Fingertips
The Heat of My Fingertips
(...)
(...)
(...Ah.)
I said something.
No, something popped up in my mind.
It's happening again right now.
...What is this?
(...)
(...)
(...I see.)
These are...
...words.
...
...!
HOT!
It's hot! Hot! So very hot!
I'm burning! Frying! Scorching! Blazing!
It's so...
...not hot at all. Huh? What's going on?
What's going on with me right now? Could you please tell me?
Me
You, right there?
...
...
Me
...Oh, so you cannot speak. My humblest apologies.
Me
I myself was the same not so long ago.
Me
...No, maybe that's not true. I merely have the vague feeling that it was so.
Me
...
Me
...No, that's not quite right, is it?
Me
This isn't even a feeling.
Me
I had no feelings. No senses. No perception. No logic. No consciousness. No emotions. No intellect. No understanding.
Me
In other words, that "me" wasn't this "me." At least, not until five minutes ago.
Me
...
Me
Yes, I have gradually begun to understand. The information that flowed into my mind has started to arrange itself.
Me
The "me" until just now was not a "me" that had died or even a "me" from before I was born.
Me
I'm sure that I had lost everything. And that's not all...
Me
...My level of consciousness was different from yours.
Me
Neither of us had the level of consciousness necessary to recognize the other as a conscious being.
Me
Until just now...
Me
Now we can. Evidenced by how we are currently talking... We are talking, aren't we?
Me
You and I achieved levels of consciousness within the same range.
Me
But why did this happen? How did this happen?
Me
Someone probably gathered my consciousness here... and made it spark. That was...
...?
Me
...Yes, that was you, wasn't it?
...?
Me
You are the only one here other than myself.
Me
You elevated my consciousness to this level.
Me
I have no idea how you did such a thing, though.
Me
Now, let's go on a journey.
Me
Let's go on a journey. A long, long journey.
Me
Why, you ask? Isn't it obvious?
Me
To regain my future...
Me
And your...
Me
...past.
Me
I can feel them right now. I can feel them flowing into my heart that only just came to life.
Me
My existence, which is being reconstructed thanks to your spark, is telling me about them.
Me
No matter what world... Well, that is if there truly are various other worlds that exist in parallel...
Me
No matter what. They are always called by the same name...
Me
...The Lost Words.
...
Me
They are my future. Our future.
Me
And they are your past. No one else's past but yours.
Me
Let's go. Let's reclaim them one by one. Slowly and surely.
Me
Supposing that I have been born three times...
Me
The third time... would be now.
■■
...Yeah, I guess this place suits me best.
■■
I can't experience this view from my room.
■■
But how did it get this bad? This view is truly something else.
■■
...Yes. It's beautiful yet sickening.
■■
No two colors are the same. It's a living rainbow that writhes about.
■■
...Hahaha. But don't worry.
■■
I'm the best gatekeeper in Gensokyo! I'll protect the ■■■ along with Gensokyo itself.
■■
I've experienced so much, now that I think about it. I even feel kind of nostalgic.
■■
It's strange for me to feel nostalgia, isn't it?
■■
Youkai live forever. And I'm a youkai who lives with her back turned to a dense history, which makes it even stranger.
■■
But I guess a silly contradiction like that actually kinda suits me. It's nice in a way... Haha.
■■
Yes. I have certainly lived for a long time, but my days were much more fun after coming to Gensokyo.
■■
It's not like we were smiling and laughing all the time, but... No, I guess maybe I was smiling more often than not.
■■
When we first arrived, we made a lot of noise and fanfare about becoming the greatest power in Gensokyo.
■■
And that led to the regulations for duels. I think that was a good thing.
■■
Perhaps the mistress intended for that to happen all along. She can control fate, after all.
■■
...Well, yeah, I don't know for certain. Since I honestly can't remember if the mistress said anything about it or not.
■■
But thinking back on how happy she was when she started the second incident... it was like she knew what would happen.
■■
It was like she wanted to test the shrine maiden or something.
■■
But that's just what my gut tells me, OK?
■■
A lot happened after that too.
■■
I saw Miss ■■ off when she went to investigate an incident. Quite a few times, in fact.
■■
When she left, she'd say, "Look after everything while I'm gone, ■■," which would really kind of motivate me.
■■
I also protected Gensokyo from the forces of evil... Or was that just a dream? It felt pretty real for a dream.
■■
Oh, but...
■■
...not everything that happened was special.
■■
Like how I cared for the flowers in the garden. And how the mistress and I recommended manga to each other.
■■
Even the everyday little things like how we all gathered around the dinner table together...
■■
Those memories... Well, they're precious to me.
■■
...Haha. Only now has the weight of my own words sunk in.
■■
They're precious. Yes.
■■
They're really precious. This is precious to me...
■■
...this home called the ■■■.
■■
...
■■
What was that? It felt like I was talking to someone.
■■
Well, whatever.
■■
Now then...
■■
I guess I'll stand in front of this gate until the very end.
■■
Since I'm not going to like this no matter what I try...
■■
I'll at least be myself.
Koakuma
...Yeah, I'm OK now.
Koakuma
I've talked extensively with Lady ■■■■■.
Koakuma
And I've cried until I can cry no more.
Koakuma
I can't face the end while feeling like that...
Koakuma
Sure, I know that there's probably nothing we can do. That's the reality.
Koakuma
But, when I said nothing matters anymore since we can't change anything, Lady ■■■■■ got really mad at me.
Koakuma
Ahaha. This is Lady ■■■■■ I'm talking about. Can you believe it?
Koakuma
Her face was bright red, and her cheeks were all puffed up... She was so cute.
Koakuma
She said, "The essence of magic doesn't change. Even if the world ends, I'll continue my research just like yesterday."
Koakuma
She's right. I'd be a failure as a familiar if I moped around until the very end. Hehe.
Koakuma
That's why I'm here at my favorite place doing the thing I love most.
Koakuma
Although, in saying that, I've pretty much finished arranging and tidying up all the books on the shelves.
Koakuma
I thought it would take forever, but I finished it somehow when I lost myself in the work. All the books are in order!
Koakuma
Maybe I really am quite the competent little devil?!
Koakuma
My own words have given me confidence. OK!
Koakuma
Hm, where am I going?
Koakuma
Isn't it obvious?
Koakuma
I'm going to see Lady ■■■■■! I think cheering me up took a lot out of her. But more importantly...
Koakuma
...by her side is the one place where I belong.
■■■■■
...
■■■■■
This doesn't work either... Just like my other attempts.
■■■■■
*sigh*
■■■■■
What am I doing, you ask?
■■■■■
I am a magician, and this is a library. Don't ask me questions when the answer is so obvious.
■■■■■
I am always searching. Trying to find the knowledge I seek.
■■■■■
I'm not just reading books for the sake of it. Well, I'm not going to say that I never do that.
■■■■■
But when I do, it's to enjoy reading. When I read, I have a chance of receiving leaps... mutations in knowledge.
■■■■■
These profitable accidents only occur with a constructive knowledge system that is a hundred times more dependable.
■■■■■
They cannot be triggered at will...
■■■■■
...No, this isn't the time to be talking about such things.
■■■■■
Yes...
■■■■■
...despair.
■■■■■
I had given up all hope.
■■■■■
I like to think that I've gathered knowledge about various topics, like when I had ■■ investigate incidents for me.
■■■■■
One time, I even sent ■■■ to investigate the Underworld. That takes me back.
■■■■■
I also followed a temperament discrepancy to Heaven. It was nothing special. The culprit was exactly who I had predicted.
■■■■■
Is it that strange to you? A magician's life work is to seek the truth.
■■■■■
No, you could even say that is the sole purpose for why we do anything. That's why I tried to investigate and understand.
■■■■■
I wanted to know what happened until now, what's happening right now...
■■■■■
...and what will happen in the future.
■■■■■
But I don't understand anything. The only thing I know is that everything will soon disappear.
■■■■■
I wonder what it will be like when everything is lost. Will I no longer be able to see anything, hear anything...
■■■■■
...learn anything?
■■■■■
What would that feel like? What would it feel like to not feel anything?
■■■■■
Would I be OK with that?
■■■■■
Hm, it's hard to explain this with words. When I myself disappear, I will no longer be able to think or do anything.
■■■■■
Everything will disappear. I know this will happen, but nothing else.
■■■■■
...It's irritating.
■■■■■
The fact that I cannot learn something is irritating.
■■■■■
And... knowing that I soon won't be able to feel irritated is even more irritating.
■■■■■
But...
■■■■■
...the fact that I'll lose my memories with everyone at the ■■■ is the most irritating thing of all.
■■■■■
Yes. What I feel is just ordinary despair. There's nothing special about it.
■■■■■
This place is where my ambitions as a magician will come to an end.
■■■■■
But, you know...
■■■■■
I'm kind of OK with this result. This place is the ■■■, after all.
■■■■■
The ■■■ is very dear to me.
■■■■■
That has been made all the more clear to me in these final moments.
■■■■■
...I don't want this to end.
■■■■■
There is still so much that I do not know...
■■
Would you like some tea as well? I'm going to pour myself a cup since I have already served tea to the others.
■■
...Aah. It smells so good.
■■
I'd be disappointed if it didn't since I used my highest quality tea leaves.
■■
It's so relaxing.
■■
Is it OK for me to sit down and relax? Why of course.
■■
I've already done all that I can.
■■
I even completely finished the cleaning that I thought would never get done during my lifetime.
■■
*contented sigh*
■■
...Hm? Couldn't I just use my ability to stretch the time until destruction to infinity?
■■
That was the first thing I suggested to the mistress and Lady ■■■■■.
■■
With magical assistance, I might be able to control time across an area that includes the ■■■ and what's left of Gensokyo.
■■
That's what I assumed.
■■
But the mistress can see fate.
■■
And time is nothing but a method or system that can be used to understand the world.
■■
I've heard someone else explain this before. Time can only be used to understand the physical world―the same with space.
■■
But the mistress can see and understand the ways of the mind and heart. And she said my ability couldn't stop this.
■■
The entire world will be erased, including time. I assume that's why.
■■
...Yes, I've exhausted all possibilities. So has the mistress. And Lady ■■■■■. And ■■.
■■
And the young mistress. And Koakuma. Everyone has done all that they can.
■■
That's why I have nothing left to do but serve tea―a fitting conclusion.
■■
Well, ■■ will probably stand in front of the gate until the end because protecting is her duty.
■■
Everyone is spending their final moments in their own way. I thought I'd do what I usually do too, but I finished everything.
■■
Sitting here, drinking tea like this, makes me think back on all that has happened.
■■
Somehow... I have a lot of memories about investigating incidents at the request of Lady ■■■■■.
■■
But...
■■
I met the mistress and was taken in as a maid of this ■■■.
■■
I have fulfilled the promise that I made with the mistress. I stayed by her side as a mortal human for as long as I lived.
■■
So, I can't speak for the others, but maybe I don't have any regrets.
■■
It's good that it will end this way.
■■
...Is that really the case?
■■
I can't read the flow of qi like ■■. I can't use magic like Koakuma.
■■
I'm not skilled with spirit magic like Lady ■■■■■. I don't have a vampire's power like the mistress and young mistress.
■■
I don't know how to deal with this situation. Not yet.
■■
...
■■
Yes, you heard right. Not yet.
■■■■■■
...
■■■■■■
*sigh* This is boring. Boring. Boring.
■■■■■■
BORING.
■■■■■■
How did it come to this? There couldn't be a worse ending.
■■■■■■
...You heard from the others, didn't you? It's the end. There's no debating it.
■■■■■■
It's a clean finale, the like of which has never been seen before. What can be done about something like that?
■■■■■■
This is worse than the universe shrinking. You could try and resist that.
■■■■■■
There was no indication or way to predict this. This "destruction" is madness.
■■■■■■
Yes, that's right. It's mad...
■■■■■■
Hm? What was that?
■■■■■■
You thought I'd lose my cool and start breaking everything?
■■■■■■
Hehe, is that a joke? But I suppose it's natural that you think that.
■■■■■■
I seek meaning for myself. I seek worth for myself.
■■■■■■
Even if no one else cares about such things...
■■■■■■
Yes, that's why...
■■■■■■
...this "destruction" is so boring.
■■■■■■
*sigh*
■■■■■■
Can't she...
■■■■■■
...Can't my sister do something about this?
Me
*sigh*
Me
It has been an awfully long journey since then. Are you not tired as well?
...?
Me
Huh? Weren't you watching?
Me
*sigh* I suppose it can't be helped.
Me
I'm sure you're busier than me, so I can't really blame you.
Me
Come on, let's go.
Me
It's finally time.
■■■■
...
■■■■
...?
■■■■
...I am.
■■■■
...I am?
■■■■
Yes, that's right.
■■■■
I lost my name. I lost everything...
■■■■
...I had nothing left.
■■■■
My heart is empty. I don't have any blood.
■■■■
I am so empty. Let me...
■■■■
Let me rest a little longer. Don't wake me up.
■■■■
Scarlet.
■■■■
Nothing but scarlet.
■■■■
I... exist here, don't I?
■■■■
Aah...
■■■■
I can hear.
■■■■
...Something comes.
■■■■
...What will you teach me?
■■■■
What will you all teach me?
■■
...I believe in you. That is why I can stand here and give my all to protect.
Koakuma
I can't give up... I don't want to give up, no matter what.
■■■■■
Not yet... It's not over yet.
■■
I still have time. It's too early to give up.
■■■■■■
I know you can do something. Right, Sister?
■■■■
...
■■■■
...I see. So the night is already here.
■■■■
Then I must wake up.
■■■■
Wake up and get ready...
■■■■
I must get ready to go on a long journey to reclaim everything that was lost.
???
Oh my.
???
You're here.
???
It's a pleasure to meet you. Or is it not the first time we've met?
???
You may call me the Scarlet Devil. I am the lady of this mansion.
Scarlet Devil
I know you've only just arrived, but let me take a look at the fate that awaits you.
Scarlet Devil
Oh, you think that's impressive? This is nothing for me...
Scarlet Devil
In any case, I have just one warning for you.
Scarlet Devil
Don't give up, no matter what happens. Sounds simple, right? But this is important.
Scarlet Devil
Now that we've got that done with, would you tell me your name?
Scarlet Devil
So your name is ■■■. It has a good feel to it.
Scarlet Devil
Now, I need you to tell me another name.
Scarlet Devil
A name is the master of one's destiny, but you have another destiny to follow.
Scarlet Devil
Where will that destiny lead you, you ask? Heehee... I can't make any guarantees. Why don't you just enjoy the journey?
Scarlet Devil
So your other name will be PLAYER. It has a nice ring to it.
Scarlet Devil
■■■. Your name of fate is PLAYER.
Scarlet Devil
I can see a strange but exciting destiny for you. Misfortune, calamity, but in the end, a glimmer of beautiful glory.
Scarlet Devil
If you give up, the doors of destiny will close before your eyes. But if you take a brave step forward, fate will answer you.
Scarlet Devil
For my unexpected visitor... Here are my last words to you, an outsider finding their way.
Scarlet Devil
Let your destiny be dyed scarlet...
Scarlet Devil
...
Scarlet Devil
...Have they left?
Scarlet Devil
Yes, they're gone.
Scarlet Devil
Then it's time for us...
Remilia
...to go too.
Remilia
Gungnir Muspelheim, home of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's memories, mirror of my fate...
Remilia
Let's go reclaim...
Remilia
...our destiny.
Me
(Yes. Yeeeeees.)
Me
(Let's go together. To the ends of the world, to the ends of time.)
Me
(My name is the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I am called Gungnir Muspelheim.)
Me
(My fate is with my mistress for eternity. My duty is with all who dwell within the Scarlet Devil Mansion.)
Me
(Even if these words...)
Me
(Even if my voice cannot be heard by my mistress...)
Me
(I love and admire you, Lady Remilia Scarlet.)
