Somehow, The Countryside is Different: Route Ran

Somehow, The Countryside is Different: Route Ran

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Commissioned by Shaderic and Arksoul

Wordcount: 5000

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Usually, after returning from a summer in the countryside, I can look forward to a few months of peace before being involved in strange, weird things. After several years, starting from the very time I visited the countryside, I became used to having a normal existence between bursts of LN shenanigans involving Youkai, Shrine Maidens, and literal Kami.

In fact, I looked forward toward a few more years of a relatively normal existence in society, before being swept up in a strange, different, and magical world for the rest of my life.

Well, I didn’t want to confess, get laughed at, and get hit by a car again, but besides those particular parts of my normal life, I looked forward towards a few more mundane years before my existence became that of constant struggle with the madness known as Gensokyo.

However, a certain someone in a school uniform transferring into my class all of a sudden made it clear that my expectations should’ve been put down the moment the existed, because having high expectations just makes the crash to reality all the harder.

“Class, this here as Yakumo Ran, she’ll be transferring in today and will be with us for the foreseeable future.”  Sensei, please see through this woman’s lies this instant. I know that the rest of the class and you see a young, blonde girl properly wearing a girl’s highschool uniform, but in reality, you’re looking a Kitsune familiar who belongs to the biggest headache of my life. Please remove her from the premises. “Yakumo-san, please introduce yourself—

I already knew that my plans to avoid her were futile, but the moment Ran’s grin widened to near-inhuman levels, I knew that they shouldn’t have even crossed my mind.

“Hachiman-kun! Hey, hey!” Oi, what the hell is up with that hyper-adorable JK act? How am I supposed to feel depressed over my supernatural life spilling into my normal life, if you’re up there doing something totally adorable in front of the entire class!? Who the hell told you that all highschool girls are peppy and happy all the time? I want to give them a medal. “It’s nice to see you so soon!”

Yakumo Ran was typically demure, calm, and collected. Being the familiar of Yakumo Yukari required her to be, because someone, eventually, has to fix up whatever that eldritch abomination did in her spare time, such as drag a middle-schooler with a crushed heart into a Youkai-infested hellhole for reasons she won’t explain.

You know where this is going, so I’m just going to cut to the chase.

Yes, during that summer of adventure, discovery, and traipsing towards a magical shelter for all the legends of the world, I kinda, sorta got a massive crush on the Kitsune who rescued me, kept me safe, and made sure that I could handle myself in the supernatural world.

Sue me all you want for being hyper-excited for seeing her act like a schoolgirl.

There isn’t a single man in existence who wouldn’t be on my side, and support my excitement and inability to lament the loss of my last normal years, if the very attractive older woman I liked was cosplaying and acting like a JK right in front of me.

No man would be able to do anything but be stunned speechless by such an event.

Stunned enough, in fact, to fall of his chair.

In the middle of class.

With a massive blush on his face.

The moment the entire class suddenly looked at him.

Yep.

Goodbye normal, mundane life.

I’ve exchanged you for a weird, supernatural, and dangerous life, because cosplaying, blonde Kitsunes are justice.

…

After a quick visit to the infirmary, and as lunch began, Ran led me to the school roof to speak to me about very important matters.

Which was good, because I had important things to say too.

“Please, marry me.”

“Hachiman, I have just informed you that you are in danger. Please take this seriously!” Ran held me by the wrist, and bypassed the lock on the school rooftop with an idle gesture of her hand. The door let us both in and locked itself as we both reached the rooftop. When she let go, and stood still, I took the opportunity to enhance my attack. “Oh, stop being silly and get up from your knee! You don’t even have a ring!”

“I can only offer you my heart and soul, JK-Ran-sama. Please treat it with care and affection, or step on it, please.”

“…I knew I shouldn’t have listened to Yukari-sama about this disguise.” Ran seethed and ignored me, even as a blush formed on her face. I got up while she took off her jacket, and Ran’s RanRans nearly created the legendary “breast pocket” from a completely unaltered blouse. The power was beyond my ability to withstand and I had to lean against the doors as my sanity eroded at the sight. My battled against my lustful desires as a man and nearly lost. “Oh, for goodness sake!”

With a huff, Ran gestured at herself, and with a burst of what could only be magic, her clothes vanished, and she was once again in the stuffy robes that hid everything and did nothing for the teenage mind whatsoever.

“Feh.”

“Immediate disinterest, huh? Young men sure are fickle nowadays.” When you go from JK Kitsune to demure, tired familiar, don’t blame me for losing interest, blame yourself for no longer being a JK Kitsune. Now, tell me what I need to know, not-JK-Kitsune-Ran. “You are in danger, Hachiman. Yukari has foreseen something that will cause you grievous harm in the near future, and thus has sent me to keep you safe for the time being, until it is resolved.”

I considered the words Ran uttered for a second, before forming my answer with all that I knew about the supernatural, Yakumo Ran, and Yakumo Yukari.

“This is definitely just her getting you out of the way so she can do something behind both our backs.”

“Immediate suspicion… and I can’t fault it. Yukari-sama, why must you be so difficult?” Yakumo Ran complained and shook her head, while placing her hands in her sleeves. It was strange to see her in the normal world, instead Gensokyo, but I handled the weirdness as well as anyone who’s spent several years handling strange things could. By that I mean that I just didn’t acknowledge it, mention it, or show any reaction whatsoever. Hikigaya Hachiman’s Guide to Handling Supernatural Scenario’s will be out on bookstores never, because I am perpetually busy. “However, this time, it is most certainly not one of Yukari-sama’s plots, despite the role she forced upon me for her own amusement. I described as much of the details I gained from Yukari-sama with our friends, and they all agreed it would be for the best that someone looked after you, just in case.”

“You say friends, but we pay or bribe half of them for their help.” Gensokyo’s many inhabitants like quite a few things from the modern world, and Yukari liked doing frivolous things, so I took advantage of that fact and got some allies through the power of snacks, magazines, and essentially being a convenience store. Actually, now that I think about it, the only one who gets actual cold, hard cash is Reimu. “Well, keep it to Patchouli’s warning then, she’s the most trustworthy of the bunch.”

Ran gave a single nod, before speaking like the sleepy witch who spent far too much time in a library.

“Lady Patchouli stated that it is a Youkai of the shadows. It is one that has noticed your movements every summer, and has decided to investigate you because of your connections to Gensokyo.” Well, it was nice having a normal life outside of summer vacation, but I suppose it can’t be helped that normalcy goes out the window when your part-time job has you running away from Tengu regularly. “It is most likely something strange and new. An existence that doesn’t understand the protection given to those who serve Yukari-sama, therefore your main form of defense is unapplicable.”

My main form of defense was, naturally, the fact that if I got hurt Yukari, Ran, or Chen would show up. I’d really prefer if Chen didn’t though. Not because she was weak or anything…pfahahah. I can’t even say that with a straight face. That girl’s totally weak, and she’s only strong with Ran around… and if Ran’s around she might as well be the one helping me out in the first place.

What was I worrying about again?

Oh, right, the fact that I’m in danger.

“Hmmm, well, then I guess I’ll be in your care.” Being a relatively normal human being, I can’t exactly stop Youkai from coming after me. In Gensokyo, my job was to be the intermediatory between Yukari and… everyone else. Apologizing, bargaining, and apologizing… in essence I’m the public relations officer of a company that just does whatever the hell it wants to do. A company also likes to take naps and offer no explanations after it causes a dilemma that literally everyone involved wants an answer for. Yeah, I would like to file a complaint about my boss, but she’s too fucking strong. “So, what do you want for lunch?”

Ran sighed and shook her head.

“While I wish that you would take your safety more seriously… I must admit that I am hungry. Let’s go.” Ran transformed back to her SSR JK Super Ran Edition, and I attempted to stop myself. However, living amongst Youkai had its benefits, and so while everyone else probably saw a Ran that had a highschool girl’s body and physique and a highschool girl’s uniform… I looked upon the magnificent sight: the truth. Ran blushed, while shaking her head. “…I swear every year you are becoming more and more libidinous. What shall I ever do with you, Hachiman?”

Oi, what the hell, woman?

I gave you the answer to that question a few minutes ago!

…

Ran blinked as I handed her food, and proceeded to look around.

Despite the fact that I typically ate in a place where there were typically very, very few people around, there was a lot of people peering at the both of us.

“You seem… rather infamous, Hachiman.” Ran commented while she undid the wrapping on the rice ball, and began to eat. She seemed surprised at the taste, probably because it was better than what she was used to from convenience stores, but she still continued to observe our observers while I took a seat beside her and eat. “There are quite a few rumors about you beginning to arise. Something about you paying excessive sums of money for me.”

“Huh, I didn’t know I looked that rich.” Once upon a time, I’d have been deeply hurt and wounded by the rumors of high schoolers. Nowadays, while it was irritating to be under the radar, my classmates didn’t worry me as much as having to stop Reimu from coming down from the heavens like the hammer of god because of something I had somehow explain on behalf of Yukari. Sure, I might be a little hurt by the implication I have to pay money to spend time with Ran, but it’s not nearly as bad as trying to come up an excuse for Yukari’s antics. “Don’t worry about it. They just think its strange the loner’s got company. It’ll die down eventually.”

I expected Ran to do as told her, simply because she was a Kitsune with centuries of existence, and knowledge of humans.

Surprisingly, though, as more people began to gather, and probably keep exchanging crude rumors about me, Ran started to get… feisty.

Alright, there’s no point in tiptoeing around the issue.

She was starting to get pissed off.

“They are demeaning you with more and more lowly accusations. To label you and whisper of you with such careless abandon… it’s unforgiveable.”

Oi, what the hell are you folks over there talking about!? Ran should think of normal humans as annoying pests at best, so why the heck do I have to worry about her burning our school down!?

“Calm down, Ran. Tell me what they’re saying. I can’t even hear them.” I can guess, but I’d rather have a clear picture, and have Ran speak to me instead of pay attention to whatever was coming from my classmates. Not only did I get to deal with my curiosity, I also lengthened Ran’s fuse. “They’re regular, modern, and human kids. Being cruel pieces of shit is in their nature. Some temporarily, some permanently. Besides, I’m the school weirdo, y’know?”

Getting involved in the supernatural meant the supernatural getting involved with you. Chiba’s a pretty modern town, but that didn’t mean nothing weird happened from time to time, and even though I would’ve liked to avoid anything that inconveniences me… sometimes I just had to do something or another to deal with the odd supernatural phenomenon. Unfortunately, that mean uttering chants from time to time, making shrines and offering, and a whole slew of other things since I couldn’t exactly slap a talisman on things and fix shit.

Anyway, people tended to stop hanging around you and think you’re weird when the town thinks you’re a weirdo.

It was pretty rough the first couple years, but when you have a fulfilling job that saves a small country every summer, you can handle it.

So, I readied myself to listen to whatever was being said about me, so that I could save my classmates from Ran’s ire.

“They’re implying that you’re… you’re some sort of manipulative mastermind who intends to bring women under your command!”

Eh.

“Excuse me? What?” What the hell is this? Has something happened to the intellect of my schoolmates? Isn’t this school supposed to be prestigious?  Why the hell was their reasoning straight out of a doujin instead of something remotely believable? Was something added to the water that lowered IQ by fifty? “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Silly!? How could it possibly be silly! They’re implying you’re a terrible individual who manipulates minds!”

“It’s silly because humans can’t do that. They’re literally just saying shit without any reasoning behind it at all, because they don’t get it.” I shook my head, placed my hand on Ran’s shoulder, and dragged her down. She’d stood up as she spoke, but she quieted down and calmed somewhat when I reminded her that she wasn’t in Gensokyo. “These aren’t the people from the Human Village. That sort of thing doesn’t get you chased out of anywhere, or get you in trouble with the authorities, it’s literally just stupidity here. Not something that’ll get me killed.”

Ran looked confused for a second, before turning her gaze towards the crowd. Even though I couldn’t hear anyone over there, I could see that some people were rolling their eyes, and throwing good-natured insults at the idea.

Then, soon enough, they began to walk away after getting their eyeful of the day’s sideshow.

I thought that settled things for a second, before Ran suddenly shook her head and frowned.

“I dislike your classmates, Hachiman. They think very poorly of you.” The statement was short and simple, and preempted Ran focusing on enjoying her lunch. “You are deserving of respect.”

Despite the casual nature of the words, I couldn’t help but feel my heart race a little.

Even if this was one of Yukari’s schemes, and even if my life was in danger, I felt pretty good.

Why?

After all, who wouldn’t feel good when the girl they liked told them they cared?

Man.

I’ve really got it bad, huh?

…

“Yo.”

“Hikigaya-kun.”

“Hikki, I was just telling Yukinon about the strange lady—

“The strange lady’s right here. Yep, she’s not normal. In fact, she’s probably the most abnormal person you’ll both ever meet.” The Service Club was initially born because of a certain report that I made that attracted Hiratsuka’s attention. It started off normally. The girl whose driver hit me and hospitalized me was part of it, along with the girl whose dog I saved, and for the first few weeks we handled regular, normal high school problems. Then, probably due to proximity to me, the two of them started to see the same things I did. And, well, the club’s name should probably be changed to Occult Research Club. “Yukinoshita. Yuigahama. This is Yakumo Ran. She’s here to help out with a Youkai that’s after me for some reason.”

I took a seat, while both my clubmates looked at Ran… and probably saw what I saw instead of a blonde transfer student.

It took Ran several seconds of embarrassment before clearing her throat and changing towards her regular clothes.

I took the time to get a chair from the back from her and get her a seat.

Yukinoshita took a second to look at me, at her most recent purchase at the skeeviest bookstore in town, and then a Ran. I counted down the seconds, before she took a deep breath, sighed, and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Hikigaya-kun, why must you always complicate everything you are involved with?” Yukinoshita stood up and began to make tea, as she usually did when everyone arrived. She glanced over at me and I threw the extra cup for Ran that I picked up, and as expected of the school’s most proficient and perfect girl, she plucked it out of the air with utmost ease. Don’t worry though, with her stamina, it’ll only be a few dozen perfectly caught items before she can’t function anymore. “Greetings Yakumo Ran, please take a seat while I prepare tea. Hikigaya-kun, please explain what is happening.”

“Dangerous Youkai is in town. New, unknown, and terrified, but knows about me because of weird reasons. My boss noticed, and sent Ran to help out, because we’d probably die if she wasn’t here.” Two sentences for the entire situation. Less than fifty words for me convey everything that I needed to convey. Man, if every expositional character is like me, literally no books would ever be sold. “I’m in danger, so we probably shouldn’t meet for a while, until this is resolved.”

“Eh? We’re disbanding!? But I still don’t know how to do the prayers and offerings properly, Hikki!” If Yuigahama said something unreasonable, like wanting to stick together because she didn’t want to part ways for some reason, I would’ve told her off. However, much like her cooking skills, Yuigahama wasn’t very good at handling the rituals and things necessary in order to ward off the ambient, minor things that lurked around and were drawn to people touched by the supernatural. She actually really needed help and was honestly afraid. “Ran-san, I know that it’s asking for a lot since you’re protecting Hikki, but is there a way you can help me, too.”

For a second, I thought Ran would just ignore Yuigahama, but instead a wide smile formed on the Kitsune’s face and she reached out to pat Yuigahama’s head.

Oi, why the hell don’t I get treated that nicely, huh?

“Of course, of course. I see that Hachiman has been taking care of you two, and that this situation has made that impossible, so I shall take responsibility.” Ran’s hands retreated into her sleeves, as Yuigahama blushed. Oi, woman, back off. I saved your dog, so stay away from Ran. I can’t compete with you, so please be nice to me. “There is no need for the three of you to stop meeting. In fact, it will make it easier to teach the both of you and protect Hachiman at the same time.”

Ran produced several talismans and charms from her sleeves, which she laid on the table. The Talismans were simple, warding Talismans and the charms provided a measure of protection by erasing the scent of the individual. It wasn’t close to a certain money-obsessed Miko could manage, but she wasn’t around and willing to sell things that could purify entire buildings for five hundred yen. I thought about buying a few from her a few years ago, but as my life remained normal outside of my summers, I decided that my allowance was better used elsewhere.

Such as taking Komachi to watch Precure.

Or getting a new game for Vita-chan.

Or getting the newest issue of Jump.

Important things, y’know?

“The offer is very much appreciated, and both Yuigahama and I will be more than happy to be taught by you, Yakumo-san. Hikigaya-kun’s lessons are practical, but they are difficult to practice and review.” Oi, I’m not a teacher, and it was hard for me to handle things at first too. Both of you are already ahead of me and profiting off of my work, since you both only have to practice things that work! “We’d like to offer our assistance in regards to keeping Hikigaya-san safe, but I’m sure you would have asked us to help, if we could’ve been of help, no?”

“Correct!” Seriously, Ran, what’s up with this preferential treatment? You’re practically beaming at them both all the time. Please, notice the fact that I’m getting super jealous about how well you’re getting along with people who aren’t me… is what I would say, if I had some mental issue. Don’t worry, I’m a bit awkward with socialization, but I’m not THAT bad at handling relationships. “I am glad that you both understand. Thank you both for being of assistance. I’ll be sure to do my best to protect each of you.”

And, with that, the Service Club gained a new member.

And, I mistakenly thought that everything was fine, until I began walking home and Ran decided to join me.

…

There were probably a lot of things worse than the girl you like trying to set you up with another person, but so far in my life I haven’t experienced any of them, so I can say with confidence that my walk back home with Ran was an absolutely agonizing experience.

“Hachiman, you can pursue either of those girls and live a happy, normal life!” Ran’s eyes were glittering and shining, as she smiled and offered me suggestions that I didn’t want to consider. Now, I’m typically the sort of guy who shuts down bad ideas before they gain momentum, but I could barely get a word out with Ran enthusiastically suggesting that I had not chance with her and should pursue someone else. “That Yukinoshita girl seems cold, but I’m sure she’ll be quite the doting mate once she opens up. As for the Yuigahama girl, there’s no man who wouldn’t count himself lucky to be blessed with someone so kind and beautiful!”

The moment we crossed the gate out of school the conversation centered around the only reason why Ran and I couldn’t perfectly get along.

She wanted me to leave Gensokyo behind, while I wanted to stay.

Ran knew Gensokyo better than I did, and she lived in it since it was made. What I saw as a supernatural world, which told me that there’s more to life than drama, pain, fleeting joy, and drudgery, was something that she understood as something dangerous to humans. The worst part was the fact that she wasn’t wrong.

Youkai are dangerous, crazy, and temperamental creatures that needed to get put through a traumatizing war against literal moon aliens before they got the message that should just sit their asses down and enjoy peace. The Human Village in Gensokyo exists so that Youkai can be feared, and even partake in terrible traditions, if not for Reimu’s iron fist reinforcing the rules of Gensokyo.

By all means, morally and logically, Ran was correct.

I should be looking to leave Gensokyo behind, live well and wait for a good afterlife, and be a normal human.

However, without a doubt, my decision to continue going to Gensokyo had nothing to do with morality or logic.

My reason for staying was entirely, completely, and utterly selfish.

So, I took hold of Ran’s shoulder and turned her around, after gathering all the courage I could so I could stop her current train of thought. The sun was setting, there was no one else around, and we were surrounded by concrete walls as I made my confession for the nth time.

“Ran, I still only like you.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been rejected. Normally, a rejection would destroy me completely, but Ran made the mistake of having reasons I couldn’t accept. If she didn’t like me, if she didn’t care about me, and if she didn’t want to try, I would stop. However, that wasn’t the case from the very first confession, and I’m sure it wouldn’t be the case now. “It’s not inappropriate. I don’t mind you being older than me, and I’m not interested in anyone else.”

The three main reasons why Ran wouldn’t accept my feelings was simple.

Ran saved my life, and in doing that our relationship didn’t start off as equals. It began as one between someone who was saved and someone who saved them. When I first confessed to her, it was as a kid who couldn’t keep that fact out of his mind, to the point he was willing to make a deal with an eldritch monster in the shape of a person to stay beside the girl he liked.

That has changed over the years, and we’re more than that now, even if she wouldn’t acknowledge it.

Secondly, there was the fact that she was Youkai and I was a human being, and that meant that she was older than me and will likely even outlive me. Barring weird, bizarre adventures that may or may not involve stone masks, whatever life we’re going to lead together was set to run headlong into the problem of a mortal being with an immortal being, and Ran didn’t want that for me.

For me.

And, she couldn’t say the same for her.

Finally, there was this current issue, which was the fact she believed that I would be better off with another person. In her own words, I would enjoy having a wife who was around my age, who could grow old with me, and be with me after I pass on. That was the reason why she was pushing me towards Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, after she realized they were people I got along with and who got along with me, despite my circumstances.

In short, every reason Ran had for keeping me away from her was for my sake.

Not for her.

So, I metaphorically pushed forward, and literally made it so she wouldn’t look away.

Just like it did the last time I confessed truthfully, and didn’t make a joke, Ran’s face turned scarlet and she couldn’t help but go completely stiff at my touch.

“I’m your colleague. Someone who works with you to deal with Yukari’s shenanigans. I’ve helped handle dozens of things normal humans can’t.” I was embellishing a lot. Most of the time, I ran away from fights, and just showed up to deal with the aftermath so things would be settled in our favor. Whether Ran won or lost, Youkai didn’t play with each other very well, and so I had the task of being a mediator.  Ran couldn’t deny all that I’ve done though, and I wanted her to acknowledge that. “Sure, I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to live forever, but even then, I’m not a kid who’s just after a woman who saved his life. I’m after you because you’re you, and no one else can compare, Ran.”

I really didn’t like how every single one of my confessions could be interpreted as Ran ruining me for anyone else, but I wasn’t able to put it any better than that.

Ran rescued me, so I fell for her.

Ran taught me and cared for me, so I fell for her.

Ran became my friend, so I fell for her.

Every other confession I could muster was so embarrassing that I would rather die than say them aloud, so I instead chose to sound desperate, as I took her hand and held it tight.

“If you dislike me, if you can’t see anything besides pain and misery with me, I’ll accept your rejection.” I’m a lot of terrible things, but if I have a single good point, it’s the fact that I can put the work and effort in when I’m motivated. Is it sorta sad that I need a blonde, attractive Kitsune to motivate me? Totally, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m motivated and ready to go. “I’ll never accept your rejection, if it’s for my sake. So… quit trying to set me up with other people, because I’m after you, got it?”

Given Ran’s past reactions to my words, I expected her to disappear from my grasp, perhaps by turning into a small fox for a second before reforming her human form.

In fact, I was ready for another non-answer to the point that I was too surprised to offer up any resistance whatsoever as the situation was suddenly, utterly reversed.

Suddenly, I found myself pinned between two lithe, slender arms with hands that were cracking cement brick by the side of my head.

And, Ran’s eyes were red, her breathing heavy, and the blush on her face far brighter than I’d ever seen before.

Without a doubt, Ran’s features were engulfed by lust, her more animalistic instincts overcoming her mind.

“Take it back, Hachima. Take those words back.” Her words reached me, and I couldn’t help but pay attention as they came through as fevered whispers, while red eyes met my own. “I… I won’t be able to hold back, if you don’t—

I decided on my answer to her loss of control and warning before she could even finish talking.

I kissed her.