> "I guess we'll find out once we ask the mistress herself."
> "Let's see who can reach the top first alright?"
>Shinmyoumaru jumps onto Shion's head immediately upon hearing that dare.
>"I am not participating!">Shion puffs up her chest, much more confident, smug, and foolhardy than she usually is.
"Hmhm! First one to the top owes the other a bowl of Miso Soup!"> Get ready to sprint towards the top.
> What do we know about that time spring took a while to arrive?
>Snow covered a majority of Gensokyo despite it supposedly being the middle of Spring. This was because "Spring", or the Weathers associated with it, was being taken away from Gensokyo, and occassionally its denizens. You saw yourself the stream of Spring and some Spirits heading up to the Netherworld, most likely due to the weakening of the Border of Life and Death. You know for a fact that Yuyuko was responsible for the Incident, because not many people could have the unfathomable power required for such a feat as stealing Spring.
>You look up while reminding yourself of the past Incident and see Shion getting a head-start on you.
>"Come on, you slowpoke! Do you want to lose?!">You immediately feel the competitve part of yourself surging. That's an intrinsic part of you at this point.
>With that, you're off to the races.
> Once on the way keep talking, but with a direct question although tempered down with the tone and look of friendshìp: since you would have not taken offense at your fridnds but rather gained an earlier awareness thanks to them, when did they notice the"Unprecedented Death Stench" on you? Why, especially the why, did they not reveal it to you?
>Shion talks through laboured breaths. Unexpectedly, she's climbing up the stairs by foot, just like you. You have no idea how she's going to keep up with you, considering how malnourished she looks.
"R-right, we noticed it when you arrived at the Shining Needle Castle! We thought that it was me at first, but when you left it was obviously you! We didn't t-tell you because we didn't want to be rude!">"We all have off days when we just can't get rid of odours. We didn't want to seem judgmental. Didn't know it was a sign of something this serious."> Then on more at-hand matters... keep in mind to look for and take opportunitues to find out about, while still being amiable and grateful, a good guest and apprentice, some or more about the why Yuyuko is so helpful and wiith preparation in store for you since she should be either on the side of Ministry or Neutral...
>... moreover, she, or rather her retainer Youmu, is not on "The Iku-suggested list of specifically helpful and relatable masters"...
>Right, Yuyuko is being very helpful. It's unprecedented. As much as you would really like it if she was doing it because she
loves likes you, you have to keep the possibility of her being in league with the Ministry in the back of your head. You
really hope she isn't...
> Once everyone reaches the top-put a rather good effort in but do not exaggerate in order for your friends to also being appreciative of their own efforts tell Shinmyoumaru and Shion miss Yuyuko extend her greetings to them as well.
>You and Shion make it to what feels like the last stretch and you both sprint. Shion leaps over the last step just before you do and cheers in celebration.
"Yeah! I did it! I get to have Miso Soup later, and I earned it by beating Tenshi as well! It's going to taste so good!">After her jubilation, she falls to the floor in exhaustion and you catch her.
>You then tell Shinmyoumaru and Shion and Yuyuko extends her greetings to them as well.
>"This is going to a legendary day! The Inchling Princess is going to meet with The Lady of The Hakugyokurou! A meeting between the elite for sure.">_?