Tenshi Hinanawi
Tenshi Hinanawi's Fantasy Rebirth Story
Miss Iku said Tenshi should be around here...
???
PLAYER! You came!
Tenshi
I figured you'd show up sometime. You seem good.
I thought a celestial would make a grander entrance.
Tenshi
I could've. But I feel like that kinda stuff just makes you seem weak and insecure...
Tenshi
Like that sage you hang around. Hahaha!
So if you're really strong, you don't have to show it?!
Tenshi
Bingo.
Tenshi
Just so you know, the hermit isn't here right now. I let myself in.
Tenshi
With the help of the shinigami, that is.
Tenshi
But seeing how easily you got in here, I'm starting to wonder if smashing that lock was really necessary...
(Oh right, those three are secret friends.)
So why are you here?
Tenshi
You mean you haven't figured that out? I suppose that's not too much of a surprise.
Tenshi
I might've told you before, but once, not that long ago...
Tenshi
I set out for Avici from this very dojo.
Yeah, I remember you mentioning that... I think.
Tenshi
You think, huh?! Don't worry. It is hardly a story worth remembering.
Tenshi
Taoism, senjutsu, fangshu. Celestials and the techniques of Taoism are deeply linked.
Tenshi
That doesn't apply to this hermit, though. She has... some incredibly unique skills!
(I wonder if that's because of Kasen's secret...)
Tenshi
But I can't waste time thinking about that. What matters right now is expanding my own knowledge.
Tenshi
When I was here last, things were so crazy that I didn't get the chance to look for it.
For what? Are you here to borrow a book or something?
Tenshi
To borrow... a book?
Tenshi
Pahaha!
Tenshi
So that's what you thought I was here to do!? You really are one of a kind!
Well, it didn't look like you were stealing anything...
Tenshi
That's because I'm not. I came here to memorize the info in all her books. I just finished.
What?!
You read ALL her books?!
...And memorized everything inside them?!
(Pretty sure Kasen has A LOT of books!)
Tenshi
Hahaha! Surprised? This sorta thing is pretty standard for celestials, you know?
(There's NOTHING standard about Tenshi!)
Tenshi
I managed to get a handle on what the Gensokyo sages are up to. It was pretty much what I expected.
Tenshi
They seem to be recruiting as many people as they can to their cause, but to be honest, I can handle all this alone.
For real?!
Tenshi
Yep.
Tenshi
I'll resolve the incident.
Tenshi
The Lost Word Incident, that is!
Tenshi
...Looking at you reminds me of the time before I ascended to Heaven. It's not really a story I want to tell, though.
Tenshi
But I'm not ashamed of it, either.
Tenshi
The people here might call me a failed celestial but to me, their cries are nothing more than the chirping of small birds.
Tenshi
I don't pay them any mind.
Tenshi
...Hm, maybe it's OK to tell you. I feel like that's where this conversation is headed, anyway.
Tell me what?
Tenshi
My name wasn't always Tenshi. I was once called Chiko, meaning "earth child."
Tenshi
Long ago, there was an enormous earthquake that rocked the foundations of Japan.
Tenshi
There's a hermit living in that Divine Spirit Mausoleum place, right? This was back when she was still human.
Tenshi
Nowadays, people call it the Asuka period. At that time, natural disasters were seen as punishments from the gods.
Tenshi
It wasn't long before the shrines presiding over earthquakes were questioned by the central government.
Tenshi
The Nawi Clan was also questioned as they led many clans, including the Hinanawi Clan, in worshipping earthquake gods.
Tenshi
In short, we were asked if divine virtues were real.
Tenshi
Can you believe it?
Tenshi
There's no way to prove that.
Tenshi
At best, you could say the fact Japan wasn't completely destroyed was proof the Shinto gods existed.
Tenshi
However, Buddhism was gaining popularity, and the government simply wanted to propagate it further.
Tenshi
It was nothing more than harassment targeted at us.
Tenshi
Not that I think everyone in the government worked in unison. I don't blame any of them.
Tenshi
In the end, the Nawi Clan ascended to Heaven, and they brought my clan, too, as a reward for our contributions.
Tenshi
That alone makes it clear who was in the right. Which is why I hold no grudges.
Tenshi
Having been reborn as a celestial, any past suffering feels insignificant, like dandelion seeds floating on the breeze.
Tenshi
In truth, that might be why I have a hard time remembering my life from before.
Tenshi
My memories as a celestial are clear as day, but those from when I was human, not so much.
(That doesn't sound so strange.)
(Most people have a hard time remembering the past.)
(If Tenshi's the same, maybe it's true for everyone.)
Tenshi
After we ascended, a central deity known as Kashima took over these shrines, leaving no trace of those who came before.
Tenshi
But...
Tenshi
Historically, that kind of thing isn't uncommon. Plenty of religious figures have been driven out for political reasons.
Tenshi
So it is what it is, you know?
Tenshi
I enjoy my life as a celestial. I even get a kick out of being called Tenshi instead of Chiko.
Tenshi
Heaven's pretty dull, and the others are useless, but I like coming to Gensokyo specifically because I'm a celestial.
Tenshi
Plus, it seems like it was worth me coming down here all those times!
...What do you mean?
Tenshi
Heaven is currently in full lockdown mode with the goal of keeping the Lost Word Incident out.
Tenshi
But since I have connections here, I was ordered to come and check things out.
Tenshi
Which is what I was gonna do anyway, so I told them to keep their mouths shut and enjoy the show.
Wait, it sounds like...
The other celestials are using you!
Tenshi
Huh?
You're totally allowed to get mad at them!
Tenshi
You think?
Tenshi
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Tenshi
But I already told them I'd do it. I can let it slide this time.
But... why?!
You're the only celestial being treated like this!
Tenshi
So? ...Wh-Whoa, stop crying!
Tenshi
Come to think of it, Shion cried when I told her this story, too.
Of course she did! It's so sad!
Tenshi
Is it? In any case, I'm sorry.
Tenshi
It's not like I'm the ONLY one getting this treatment.
Tenshi
A poetry-loving celestial got sent to the Moon, and a sword-crazy celestial got sent to Hell.
Tenshi
...But I guess that's not the point, huh?
Tenshi
Even between me and the bottom few celestials, there's not much difference in strength, wisdom, beauty, and virtue.
Tenshi
That's why we don't bother fighting each other. Things would get out of hand real quick.
Tenshi
Besides... I don't mind being ordered to come to Gensokyo.
Wh-Why not?
Tenshi
Because I love it here.
Tenshi
Unleashing my power here is so much fun. And so's making all the people kneel and grovel before me.
Tenshi
So yeah, I don't mind one bit.
Tenshi
When am I getting my gift from Yukari? I was watching from up in Heaven before, so I know you've got it with you.
Tenshi
On this occasion, our interests are aligned. Even though she's a lowly youkai, I'm willing to work with her.
Tenshi!
Tenshi
Hehe, you're making me blush.
Tenshi
This is...
Tenshi
That sage really does go overboard. But I gotta say, I kinda like it.
Tenshi
I'll accept this as confirmation of our partnership. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.
Thanks, Tenshi. I'm sure Miss Yukari feels the same.
Tenshi
Oh, yeah? She never struck me as the straight-forward type. But I suppose that doesn't matter right now.
Tenshi
Consider this your lucky day.
Tenshi
I'll lend you the power of the Sword of Hisou and my Hisou techniques.
Tenshi
You're collecting items, right? You should be able to copy my sword's ability with one of those dragon gems.
Thank you! Thank you so much, Tenshi!
Tenshi
Don't expect too much. All you're getting is a copy.
Tenshi
I'll help Yukari and the others however I can, but it'll be me who resolves this incident.
Tenshi
Me AND you.
...Yep.
Tenshi
And then, I'll illuminate all of Gensokyo with my radiant glow.
Tenshi
That'll show those good-for-nothings up in Heaven!
Costume Presentation
Tenshi
Even if the land sank beneath the waves or drowned in a sea of fire, Heaven would just let it happen. But the mastermind of this big incident might not be down here. They could be a celestial. Or something stronger... I hope I'm just overthinking it.
