Chapter 37: The Lake Spirit - Princess Snow Yaksha

Ayaka Kuku-tsu.

She is the younger adoptive sister of the protagonist in the game "Glimmering Moon." She was adopted by the leader of the Tsukigaro clan—the father of the protagonist, Yoake. The Kuku-tsu clan, to which Ayaka belongs, is a locally well-known family of demon slayers, though they pale in comparison to the Kurohime Mountain clan, the Tsukigaro, or the once-prominent but nearly eradicated Tsukiduki family of the Southern Mutsu region.

The ancestors of the Kuku-tsu clan were wiped out after incurring the wrath of a malicious spirit, leaving only two orphans: Ayaka’s older brother, Ikki, and Ayaka herself. Both siblings were adopted by the Tsukigaro clan and raised almost as if they were the clan leader’s own children.

In the game, however, Ayaka is not a romanceable character. Yet, in the story arc of one of the heroines, Ayaka’s performance was so well-received by players that she often stole the spotlight from the heroine herself. Frequently relied upon by the protagonist, she earned the affectionate nicknames "just like a mom" and "everyone’s mom," solidifying her status as a popular character.

"Hehe, I love Ayaka-chan, our tiny, soft, loli-mom, hee hee..."
"General, when did you arrive?"
"Please analyze why Ayaka Kuku-tsu is a literal goddess..."

These are the kinds of obsessive comments frequently seen on internet forums and game review sites. It is no surprise that Ayaka is so well-liked; in a game filled with heroines who are either yandere or prone to sudden, inexplicable bouts of murderous violence, she is a rare constant who stands firmly by the protagonist's side, fulfilling her role as his devoted adoptive sister. Well, compared to the other heroines, it is only natural that she would win the players' hearts.

"At first, I didn't like this type of female character who constantly nags the protagonist in daily life, but later I realized that Ayaka only speaks up when the protagonist does something wrong or fails to live up to his potential; in front of outsiders, she is fiercely protective of him."
"The protagonist was just a pathetic slacker in the early stages. Think about what he did: he didn't want to fight demons, hated conflict, and constantly escaped from reality. As a protagonist, he was impossible to relate to in the beginning."
"Don't forget, his daily needs—laundry, cooking, and everything else—were all handled by his sister. The protagonist was essentially a hands-off master."
"Thinking about it from another perspective, not being a romanceable heroine is actually a good thing. At least you don't have to participate in the 'Heroine Battle Royale' and get brutally murdered in the 'Total Collapse' ending."
"What the hell? Why can’t we romance the sister? She has three tiers of appeal—loli, sister, and mother—she’s Ayaka, the sister-goddess! Why isn't there an adoptive sister route?"
"Release a fan disc and give us the sister route, you jerks..."

Overall, Hyakusuke considered Ayaka to be a character who didn't require much attention. In the game, she is not a key figure. She is an ordinary person with no spiritual powers and no combat capability, and she does not occupy much space in the later story arcs. Moreover, unlike the malicious yanderes, Ayaka is gentle and kind, so she likely wouldn't have any impact on him.

However, Hyakusuke now realizes he underestimated the situation. This "sister-sama" might just become a towering wall standing in his path.

...

The journey to Snow Yaksha Lake requires taking a detour. It will take about three days, and Hyakusuke’s plan is to use this time to find an opportunity to approach Tsukigaro Yoake in private and have a proper talk. Though he doesn't know exactly what made Yoake angry before, he intends to find a chance to apologize. Hyakusuke knows that with the protagonist’s "gentle" personality, as long as it isn't something like the murder of a father or the destruction of a clan, he should be forgiven if he tries hard enough.

Yet, he soon discovers that he has no way to approach Tsukigaro Yoake privately.

...

The oxcart convoy stops by the roadside at a crossroads near a village. Under the largest of the trees—maples, wild lacquer trees, sawtooth oaks, and zelkovas—a few teahouses and small stalls can be seen. The teahouses cater to passing merchants, townspeople, and couriers, while the small vendors are village farmers selling tea whisks, conical hats, straw mats, and straw sandals. Impoverished tenant farmers, unable to support their families on farming alone, often create handicrafts to sell nearby to supplement their income. The low-ranking ninjas also stop to rest outside the tea shed, taking a moment to catch their breath over a cup of tea.

"Miss Yoake, I have something to..."

He tries to call out to her just as the girl in the deep purple kimono steps down from the oxcart.

"Big Sister!"

Ayaka pounces from behind, clinging to her sleeve. "I just saw a peddler selling face powder, could you come with me?"

"Of course."

The two sisters head off in the other direction.

"Wait, what?"

Hyakusuke’s attempt is interrupted, and he can only stop in his tracks, watching their retreating backs.

...

"Miss Yoake, forgive the intrusion, could you spare some time to talk..."
"Big Sister Yoake, Matsudaira says he needs to see you, come with me quickly!"

Preempted again.

"I have something I want to discuss with you..."
"Sorry, Big Sister, I think I twisted my ankle. Could you come over and help me?"

Interrupted before he could finish.

"Um... Hyakusuke, did you need something from me?"
"Yes, could we step aside for a moment?"
"Big Sister, what are you two talking about?"

The innocent sister-sama cuts in.

"No, it’s nothing important."

Hyakusuke is defeated once again.

...

'What on earth is going on...?'

Hyakusuke doesn't understand the reason, but it is clear that Ayaka is obstructing him, preventing him from contacting Yoake. Every time he tries to speak to her, she finds a way to interrupt, standing like a wall of ice between him and the protagonist.

...Unknowingly, a tragic, thick barrier has grown between him and the protagonist, Yoake.

"But why?"

While he is full of questions, the group finally arrives at the location of Snow Yaksha Lake.

On this day, the oxcart emerges from the forest and follows a stream. Following the directions of the mountain folk they met on the road, they pass through a straight, deep bamboo grove and cross through brambles and weeds. As the sky grows dark and the full moon rises, the view suddenly opens up to reveal a vast, wide lake. The moon is positioned directly above them, casting a straight path of light onto the water, which glimmers and ripples in the gentle breeze.

"What a beautiful place... though it is quite remote."

Yoake steps out of the oxcart. She seems to have caught a chill and coughs a few times. "Come to think of it, I can barely feel any demonic aura along the way, not even minor demons... other than being too remote, there’s nothing wrong with this place."

Over the past few days, she seems to have caught a cold; her body temperature is high, and she seems feverish. Hearing this initially, Hyakusuke was very surprised. He found it hard to imagine that a descendant of a prestigious demon-slaying family like Yoake, a fated protagonist with three powerful bloodlines, would simply catch a cold.

"It is said to be the work of the local Lake Mistress, the Snow Yaksha Princess," explains the elderly Matsudaira. "This lake deity possesses immense divinity. While she is known to be capricious and has a poor temper, her power is extraordinary. Within a certain radius of this lake, her divine power covers the land, and almost no demon dares to run wild."

"Is that so?" Yoake says, looking surprised.

Well, it’s no wonder she is described as a capricious deity with a bad temper.

"When they say 'punished,' it is usually just a matter of pranks..." Matsudaira Inomaro explains. The Snow Yaksha Princess plays tricks when she is in a bad mood, but she does not take lives. However, the local people respect the Lake Mistress and would never dream of disturbing her. Besides, even if it is just a divine prank, it is something ordinary people would rather avoid. In this world, the blessings and the punishments of "gods and Buddhas" are real, and few people are stubborn enough to foolishly provoke a lake deity capable of manifesting her power.

"We will camp here for the night." Hyakusuke orders the ninjas to prepare the camp, adding, "Do not wander off tonight, and do not approach the lake."

Of course, he only says this; he has no intention of following the rule himself. After all, Hyakusuke plans to use the cover of night to head to the center of Snow Yaksha Lake and return the comb to the Lake Mistress.

...

In the dead of night, everyone in the camp falls into a deep sleep. Suddenly, a layer of mist rises from the surface of Snow Yaksha Lake. The thick fog appears almost instantly, covering the water and spreading toward the shore.

—The mist arrives with eerie speed.

"It’s finally starting."

Hyakusuke is prepared. He dons his gear, takes out an invisibility talisman, silently leaves the camp, and takes a long detour toward the lake.

"Hyakusuke... where is he going so late at night?"

Tsukigaro Yoake sits up. She coughs a few times; her face is pale as death, yet her skin burns like fire. Because she is unwell, she has been unable to sleep. Her hyper-sensitive senses catch the movement outside, and she lifts a corner of the oxcart’s curtain, noticing Hyakusuke’s departing figure.

Although the man is using an invisibility talisman, Tsukigaro Yoake was born with special eyes. Her vision is far superior to that of an ordinary person, and from a young age, she has been able to easily see through illusions and sorcery. To her, the high-level invisibility talisman in Hyakusuke’s hand is completely useless.

"Cough, cough... didn't he say we shouldn't approach the lake after dark? Hyakusuke... what is he doing?"

Tsukigaro Yoake stands up, but as she does, her vision turns white.

"...My body feels so heavy."

Even with the extreme dizziness, Yoake braces herself against her knees and rises.

I really am sick.

She has never caught a cold or fever before in her life. For some reason, she has caught a chill, and her body has become incredibly weak.

"I should go and see."

Tsukigaro Yoake is puzzled by Hyakusuke’s actions, and a sense of worry stirs in her heart. She steps out of the oxcart, shakes her head to dispel the dizziness, and walks out into the night.