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5th of the Leaf Month (August), Season 119

Ghost Procession on a Midsummer Afternoon

Can't say a word seeing ghost flying with no hesitation in the afternoon


At about 1:00 PM on X/X, occured a strange incident that a huge number of ghosts were flying over Gensokyo.
All the witnesses were surprised that they'd never seen such a huge number of ghosts even not in the afternoon.
Hearing the news, I chased them with my fastest feet in Gensokyo.

The ghosts beyond number headed for the same direction forming a line.
Even it was hot summer outside, the inside of them was so chilly I couldn't help feeling the unbelievale difference.

The one who led the group was Konpaku Youmu (Half-human Half-ghost), who works as a gardener in the Netherworld.
I directly asked her in flying why she led the huge number of ghosts and where they headed for.

"I just came here to take everybody back to the Netherworld. Since the boundary between this world and the Netherworld is becoming thinner, all of them come to hang around by some chance. Yesterday they made a ancestor-greeting fire all over Gensokyo, because of that, plenty of ghosts that made a mistake and took advantage of this situation entered Gensokyo. That's why I'm here to return them back home."

As she said, it was the first day of Bon Festival yesterday, so they seem to have made a ancestor-greeting fire.
It's ironic that the thoughtless fire called not only their ancestors but free ghosts.

Also, the gardener called the following attention about ghosts.

"Even if you see any ghosts, don't feed or make a pet. Once ghosts get along with you, they won't apart from you easily. And what is worse, you may be possessed for next three generations. Plus, ghosts are so chilly you'll get frostbite if you touch them. When you find any ghosts, please just ignore or call Hakugyokurou or a shrine maiden."

Though I felt no danger or accident from this incident, it's better not to stimulate or eat any ghosts if they're floating in the air.

(Shameimaru Aya)

Interview

Aya

Though one year has passed since that incident, the number of ghosts haven't decreased yet.

Youmu

Even so, I make an effort as hard as I can. Definitely!

Aya

But the result is like this.

Youmu

(Weeping)

Aya

I've already been used to any ghosts. It's been the orginary scenery for ghosts flying over Gensokyo.

Youmu

You're such a cynic.

Aya

I don't mean it at all. In other words, we're familiar with the Netherworld, you're about to die all the time or you lead a very tough life?

Youmu

I don't know what you mean, but it's certain that making a trip between this world and the Netherworld has been easier. Recently, alive human and youkai go there with no doubt; dead beings come here.

Aya

Do you think it's OK?

Youmu

It's not OK, I suppose.

Aya

You answer uncertainly.

Youmu

The dead is in the Netherworld; the living is in this world. Though the ordinary thing is the most right one, even if it changes a bit wrong, the world goes normally. There's no possibility that the dead raise or the living meet an unexpected dead. If it occurred, I weren't certain why I have to take the ghosts back to the Netherworld and I prohibit the living from entering there.

Aya

If you're confused, the situation will never be normal, I guess.

Youmu

Plus, the boundary between the Netherworld and this world doesn't look like to be repaired. I can do nothing by myself...

Aya

By the way, you're an alive human, aren't you? Why do you work in the Netherworld?

Youmu

Me? I've never thought of that. Still, I'm also a dead human, Umm...

Aya

Don't consider, otherwise I'd be troubled. I just asked if you got plenty of salary or had a lot of leave.

Youmu

I've never got any salary, and what's the leave?

Aya

Ah, what a pity.

Youmu

Oh my, you don't need any sympathies... I get a snack at 3 o'clock, and I've got sick leave before, I guess...

Aya

What a pity you are...

Youmu

Anyway, I've served the Saigyouji clan since I was born, so it's natural for me.

Aya

I'm suspicious what you think it a real thing is really right.

Youmu

The real thing is the most right thing. They say it differs by someone, but I don't mean the appearance like this. The dead is in the Netherworld and the living is in this world; Youkai eat human and human defeat youkai. I've been taught the real thing is the ultimate truth for anybody.

Aya

You mean the real thing is about no salary and no leave.

Youmu

(Weeping)

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