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In the end, under Reimu's iron-fisted persuasion, all the youkai lined up and registered their purchase orders with Yukari.
No one wanted much—just 10 or 20 units. For them, rice was less about sustenance and more about "spiritual enjoyment."
(Of course, the Parsnip Soup incident had proven that some food was "spiritual torture.")
The demand exceeded supply, but that wasn't a problem. There was a strict priority list. For instance, if Yukari didn't give rice to Yuuka Kazami, then Yukari would have nothing to do all day except dodge Master Sparks.
So, everyone agreed: We've suffered for months; we can suffer a bit longer.
Finally, the task of threshing the rice was awarded to the Moriya Shrine. They were the only ones who actually grew crops and owned agricultural machinery.
Moriya Shrine. 3:00 AM.
"Check one more time! Did you forget anything? Do you remember the script?"
Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya hovered over a sleepy Sanae Kochiya. They were like overbearing parents sending their child to college.
"I have it. I have everything," Sanae groaned, splashing water on her face. "I'm only taking one Thresher. It's the size of a car. I can't exactly lose it."
"You must remember to promote the Shrine!" Kanako gripped Sanae's shoulders. "That world is virgin territory for missionary work! Our faith depends on you!"
Life as a god was tough lately. Fighting Cirno for scraps of faith was embarrassing.
"Don't worry," Sanae slapped her cheeks. "I will make that man believe in the Moriya Shrine, even if I have to drag him to the altar!"
6:00 AM.
Sanae stood in front of the broadcast camera, waiting for the show to start.
"Let's go... What are you guys doing?"
Yukari poked her head out of a Gap. She was ready to transport Sanae, but the Moriya trio was still fiddling with the camera.
"Preparing the weather forecast," Sanae said. "Is there a problem?"
"Aren't we going there directly?" Yukari raised an eyebrow. "You can just tell him in person. Why broadcast it?"
"Telling him in person feels... embarrassing," Sanae muttered.
"..."
Yukari was speechless. You shout into a camera for thousands of viewers, but you're shy about talking face-to-face? What kind of idol logic is this?
"Whatever. I'll wait."
Yukari leaned against the Gap frame. "By the way, when we get there, if you see Aya Shameimaru, ignore her. Pretend she's invisible. No matter what she does, she doesn't exist."
"What happened to her?" Kanako clapped her hands in glee. "Did you catch the bird? Good riddance!"
"Yeah. The punishment is 'Abandonment Play.' Everyone is participating."
"Welcome to the Gensokyo Weather Channel!"
Sanae smiled professionally at the lens.
"Tomorrow: Heavy Rain. Bring an umbrella!"
"Also... regarding your request for Rice Threshing..."
Sanae leaned into the camera, winking.
"We at the Moriya Shrine have accepted it!"
Zip.
One moment, she was in the Shrine. The next, the scenery shifted.
Sanae found herself standing in a small wooden room. Directly in front of her was a bed. On the bed lay Leo, buried under a quilt with only his head exposed, blinking sleepily.
"Eh... EH?!"
Sanae froze. Her face turned crimson. She spun around, covering her eyes.
"S-Sorry!"
Leo was also stunned.
Usually, the farmhouse was locked to outsiders. How did Yukari open a Gap directly into his bedroom?
He glanced at the door. It was unlocked.
Chen. The cat had gone out early this morning and left the door unlatched. That tiny security flaw allowed Yukari to bypass the "Invite Only" rule for the interior.
"Time to get up and farm, Little Brother," Yukari stepped out of the Gap, completely unfazed.
She had seen everything in her long life. If Eirin were here, the doctor would have already pulled back the covers for a "medical examination."
"I'm just saying..." Leo clutched the quilt tighter. "Could you two please step out? I sleep... naturally."
He only had one set of clothes. Working in the dirt all day meant they were filthy. He couldn't sleep in them.
"SORRY! I'M LEAVING!"
Sanae panicked. She ran toward the door and slammed face-first into it.
Thud.
She fumbled with the handle.
"Forget it..." Leo sighed. "Yukari, you too. Don't look at me with those eyes. I'm not a puppy."
Yukari's gaze was doting. It was the look of an older sister finding her little brother adorable. It made Leo's skin crawl.
"Tsk. Getting shy now? How cute."
Yukari smirked, but she opened the door for Sanae. The shrine maiden fled the scene like her skirt was on fire.
By the time Leo washed up and dressed, Sanae had recovered.
She had set up the Thresher in the clearing outside. Her face was still slightly pink, but she was back in "Professional Shrine Maiden" mode.
"Hello! I am Sanae from the Moriya Shrine!" she bowed energetically. "I am here to complete your request. Please place the rice here."
Leo dumped the 500 units of Unmilled Rice next to the machine.
The thresher was a hand-cranked, mechanical beast. Sanae lifted a 20lb bag of rice as if it were Styrofoam, poured it into the hopper, and started cranking the handle like a human tractor.
Whirrrrrr!
Husks flew out the top. Clean white rice flowed out the bottom. It was efficient.
Leo stepped forward to help, but a hand grabbed his collar.
"Come here," Yukari dragged him behind the woodshed. "We need to talk business."