I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Chapter 149: I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [149]



"Ahhh~~ A hot bath is so refreshing," Kiichi Hougen sighed contentedly as she stepped out of the bathhouse.

For once, she wasn't wearing her usual red, midriff-baring light armor. Instead, she had changed into a flowing yukata adorned with drifting cloud patterns. The recent cooler weather made the steam rising off her freshly bathed skin all the more pleasant.

As she walked out, she encountered Sara, who bowed respectfully. "Master, the meal is ready. Please proceed to the dining area."

"Oh! Thanks for your hard work, Sara."

(A quick reminder: eating immediately after a bath is generally not recommended, as it can lead to indigestion. But if you have a body as robust as Kiichi Hougen's, feel free to ignore this advice.)

"How's your junior disciple, Gorou? Has he woken up yet?"

"Reporting to Master, Junior Disciple has not yet woken," Sara replied with a slight bow of her head. "Should I save some food for him so he can eat as soon as he wakes?"

"Hmm… no need for that. If he's still asleep when he wakes up, I'll just prepare something fresh for him. Besides, even though I've used spells to help his recovery, it's better to feed him something light and restorative for his first meal."

"Of course, Master. As expected, you've thought of everything."

Watching Sara's earnest demeanor, Kiichi Hougen let out a quiet sigh in her heart.

It feels like Sara is too respectful toward me.

She had only recently begun to notice this change. Before her trip, it hadn't been so obvious. When had this shift started?

The way Sara treated her now was more akin to faith than trust, as if every decision Kiichi Hougen made was unquestionably correct.

I'm not a god, or Solomon, or Banana… I can't account for everything, Kiichi thought wryly.

And yet, even when she openly displayed ignorance or flaws in front of Sara, the girl would assume it was all an act, trying to uncover some hidden wisdom behind her master's behavior.

You're not Little D, so why are you overanalyzing everything like it's a conspiracy theory?

In truth, Kiichi Hougen considered herself quite ordinary—someone who, in dire moments, could only pound her fists on the ground and cry, I can't do anything! Even the powers she wielded weren't hers but gifts graciously lent to her by Chaldea. This was her first encounter with many of these challenges.

How am I supposed to handle this situation?

For now, she decided to let it be.

"Unsolvable problems should be left to time," she mused. "Maybe, as time goes on, Sara will come to see the truth and realize that the real me is far from the wise figure she imagines."

If she really were as wise as Sara believed, she would at least know the answer to how to handle being overestimated.

---

Seated at a low table, Kiichi and Sara faced one another on the tatami mats.

The meal spread before them wasn't extravagant, but it was just the right amount for two people.

"Did you eat well while you were away, Master?"

"I tried to keep up with three meals a day, but you know how it is when traveling. You eat what you can get," Kiichi replied casually. "Most of the time, there was meat but no seasonings… Not that it mattered much. Crabs and fish have such great natural flavor that even simple preparations are delicious. So yeah, I managed just fine."

"I see. Then you should enjoy my cooking more now that you're back. My culinary skills have improved while you were away."

"Mm, I can tell. You've definitely put in the effort. This fish, for example, is handled really well. I can taste the progress compared to before. Good job."

"Really? Thank you, Master. I'll continue to work hard," Sara replied, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, clearly pleased by the compliment.

---

After the meal, Sara busied herself cleaning up the dishes while sneaking a glance at Kiichi, who was patting her stomach in satisfaction.

"Master, are you full?"

"…I'd say so. At the very least, I'm content," Kiichi replied.

As a spirit species, everything Kiichi consumed was instantly converted into pure magical energy, leaving no waste. She was, in essence, the mythical "beautiful girl who never needs a bathroom."

Using food to replenish magical energy was a common method in the Nasuverse. For example, Saber Artoria would reduce her mana consumption by sleeping and replenish her energy by eating. Although, Kiichi thought, Artoria's appetite probably wouldn't change even if she didn't need to eat for mana.

That said, the amount of energy gained from food was negligible compared to what Kiichi could absorb from the atmosphere in a single breath. Eating wasn't necessary for her, and she didn't experience physical satiety.

But the taste and texture of good food? That was satisfaction enough.

Floating lazily in midair, Kiichi stretched, her loose yukata slipping slightly and offering an unintentional glimpse of her figure—not that she noticed, as there was no one else around to care.

"Why am I suddenly reminded of Yuyuko Saigyouji?"

With her hands tucked into her wide sleeves, Kiichi floated over to a full-length mirror, inspecting her reflection.

"Floating as if gravity doesn't apply, wearing loose-fitting clothes… Oh, and the part about never getting full no matter how much you eat? Ha, what a curious coincidence."

"Master, who is Yuyuko?" Sara asked, her curiosity piqued by Kiichi's murmuring. "Is she one of your acquaintances?"

"An acquaintance? Hmm… Sort of?"

Kiichi was familiar with Yuyuko, but Yuyuko wouldn't know her.

Come to think of it, I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to visit Gensokyo someday, Kiichi mused.

After all, there's that famous saying: No regrets entering Touhou in this life; may I be born in Gensokyo in the next.

Although… wasn't Gensokyo's power level on par with the Nasuverse?

If I ever do make it to Gensokyo, I hope I get a powerful Spirit Origin.

"Master sure has a lot of acquaintances," Sara remarked, watching Kiichi's complicated expression. She assumed this Yuyuko must also be someone with a "complex" relationship with her master.

"If you're curious about what kind of person Yuyuko is… just know that she's a ghost. A very strong and very gluttonous ghost. That's all you need to know. There's no point in learning more, since you'll never meet her. Only the dead can encounter her."

Sara tilted her head, puzzled. "A ghost… that eats? How does that even work? And, Master, why would you know her if only the dead can meet her?"

"Well… I have my methods," Kiichi replied, brushing off the question casually.

Sara, of course, accepted this without hesitation.

"I see. That makes sense. After all, you're Master."

"…"

Why does it feel like just because I'm Master makes everything unreasonable suddenly sound reasonable?

Oh well. Time will sort this out… eventually.

---

T/N: Banana

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