"Please help yourselves."
Inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Sakuya placed the cake and juice in front of Cirno and the Great Fairy. Cirno eagerly snatched a fork and began eating immediately, quickly getting cream all over her face.
"Thank you." The Great Fairy politely thanked Sakuya before picking up her fork and taking small, careful bites.
"Are the two of you friends of Master Kars?" Sakuya was curious about their relationship with Kars. She knew they were fairies from the Misty Lake, but she hadn't expected Master Kars to become acquainted with them so quickly, let alone bring them into the mansion.
Still, the act of bringing them back and then immediately running off to sunbathe made Sakuya sigh. Honestly, who does that?
"We're recognized rivals! And he's only here because he begged me to come." Cirno stated her self-proclaimed relationship with Kars and her reason for visiting.
"Yes." The Great Fairy confirmed.
Sakuya nodded slightly, her gaze flickering back and forth between the two of them. This scrutiny made the Great Fairy a little nervous, unsure why she was being stared at.
"If you need anything else, please let me know."
The Great Fairy only relaxed after Sakuya left.
"Great Fairy, why aren't you eating? Are you feeling unwell?" Cirno, completely unaffected, cheerfully ate her cake but still managed to ask about the Great Fairy's lack of appetite.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little nervous." The Great Fairy shook her head, assuring her she was fine, and continued to eat her cake. Cirno quickly finished her share.
"Great Fairy, should we look around the mansion?" Cirno was bored just sitting there and wanted to explore the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
"Cirno-chan, that's impolite. This is someone else's home. If we run around and get caught, it would be bad. Besides, what if Kars comes back and can't find us?"
"If you are bored, the two of you are welcome to visit the garden. It is quite large, and you are free to play there, as long as you do not damage the flowers and plants." Sakuya, who had entered the room unnoticed, startled both Cirno and the Great Fairy when she spoke.
"I apologize for startling you both." Sakuya offered a quick apology for her sudden appearance. She often used time manipulation to save time between errands.
"The garden! Then let's go, Great Fairy!" Cirno chugged the rest of her juice and pulled the Great Fairy along as she rushed out. The dishes on the table vanished the next second.
"So those are the two?" From a window inside the mansion, Remilia, who had just woken up, watched Cirno and the Great Fairy in the garden, observing them closely.
"Yes. The Ice Fairy appears to be somewhat clumsy and perhaps not very intelligent. The other fairy is a little timid, but her behavior is acceptable. That is what I've observed." Sakuya explained from the side. Remilia nodded slightly.
"Hmm, I was just saying it would be difficult for him to find a suitable partner looking like that, but now he brings girls back himself. Sakuya, do you think Kars has romantic intentions toward these two fairies?" Remilia wondered out loud, feeling the need to clarify, as Kars was bringing girls home at this stage.
"Based on what I've seen, not at all. Master Kars brought them back, handed them over to me, and immediately went off to sunbathe. That behavior suggests he isn't very concerned with them."
"Is that so? Perhaps I was overthinking it then." If Kars really did have feelings for the two fairies, Remilia would be concerned. She worried about the strength of any child born from a union between Kars and a fairy.
"We'll keep an eye on things. By the way, I've decided to propose a banquet to the Hakurei Shrine Maiden. This will allow us to quickly socialize with the other yokai in Gensokyo and integrate faster. It will also serve as an opportunity to help Kars find a suitable partner. I just hope this goes smoothly." Remilia was greatly preoccupied with this matter, hoping for a successful outcome.
"Understood." Sakuya knew what needed to be done next and began preparing for the upcoming banquet.
"Go call Kars over first. I need to let him know so he can prepare. Otherwise, if he's caught off guard, he'll probably complain."
"Yes." Sakuya's figure vanished from Remilia's side, reappearing near the clock tower. She watched Kars, whose body was red from sunbathing, and spoke.
"Master Kars, the Mistress sent me to fetch you. She needs to discuss some matters regarding the upcoming banquet."
"Shouldn't she be talking about that with someone else?" Kars wasn't particularly interested in such matters. Although reluctant, he headed toward Remilia's room.
"Master Kars, the Mistress is holding this banquet largely for you. Not only will it allow us to meet the other yokai of Gensokyo, but it is also an opportunity for you to meet potential partners."
That explanation made Kars realize the real purpose. He was touched by Little Auntie Remilia's quick action and effort on his behalf. She really does care about me.
"I understand." Kars nodded seriously. He knew he had to take this seriously; disappointing Little Auntie Remilia would be unforgivable.
"Little Auntie, I'm here." Kars walked into Remilia's room and approached her, where she was seated in a chair.
"Good. Sakuya should have briefly explained things to you. You should know what's expected of you, then. Make an effort to socialize and get to know the others at the banquet, understood? I can only pray that there are some yokai out there who are fond of your current appearance; that would make things much simpler. Also, are you permanently stuck like this now?"
"No, I should revert to normal if I sunbathe more. There's no need to worry." Remilia listened to Kars's explanation and felt exasperated. Vampires growing up by sunbathing? She truly didn't know what to say anymore.