"Futo, I'd like for you to search around the Human Village for a vacant building sufficient enough to establish a small café with."

"Might I ask thine reasoning, Crown Prince?"

Toyosatomimi no Miko is quite an interesting character. Her light blonde hair is shaped somewhat like horns atop her head, and earmuffs cover her ears. If one didn't know, they would mistake her hair for ears (which is not the case).

"I thought maybe it was time for a change. Wouldn't you like to experience something new?" Miko rested her head upon her hands. "Don't be a spoilsport now, Futo."

"Aren't thee content with the Mausoleum?" Mononobe no Futo is a diligent follower of Miko. Her silver hair is tied back into a ponytail, and an eboshi on her head. Usually, she wouldn't question Miko, but the idea of a café?

"Silly Futo. We're not moving anywhere. We're simply going to be running a café- after all the renovations are done, of course- during some of our free time. Tojiko will be assisting too, and quite possibly with the help of-"

"Not Lady Kaku as well, Crown Prince! She is quite an... atrocious character." Futo cut off Miko mid-sentence. She lowered her head. "Forgive me for mine assumptions. I know thee will make the right decision about this."

"Actually, I wasn't planning on enlisting Seiga's help. She has quite an infamous reputation, and I don't plan on having my own reputation tarnished because of her. Wouldn't you agree?" Miko lowers a hand off her chin, and lifts Futo's head up with her finger. "There's no reason to apologize for something so true in nature, my dear Futo."

"Thy forgiveness is a blessing." Futo smiled, making Miko smile as well.

"That's why I'm planning to enlist the help of a villager. A talented one." She stands up. "One that I'll find while you find the vacant building. Of course we'll have to ask the village council to willingly give us the property."

"Then I'll leave right away! Fear not, for I, Futo of the Mononobe, will find the single most greatest building just for thee, Crown Prince!" Futo gets up soon after Miko, already ready to leave.

"Hold on, don't I get a say?" Soga no Tojiko approaches Futo from behind, and grabs onto her shoulders, causing her unfortunate victim to jump in the process. Tojiko has green hair to her shoulders, and a kanmuri-styled hat.

"Blasted Tojiko! I pray thee, what beith thy business frightening me?!" Futo turned to face the perpetrator, who had a fixed grin on her face.

"Oh, I just did that to make you mad, is all. But in all seriousness, Crown Prince, why didn't you consult me instead of this..." Tojiko looks over at Futo. "Hag."

"I am insulted that thee would go so far as to-"

Miko was glad she had at least some form of protection on her ears. A couple minutes of those two in the same room together makes them quite bitter towards eachother. Better not risk them working the same days together, or they'll drive any potential customers away.

"Alright you two, that's quite enough. Now, Tojiko, I apologize for not including you in this discussion, but this is a matter that I'd like to start working on as soon as possible. You do understand, don't you?" Miko flashed a quick smile before begining to walk out, turning towards Tojiko at the entrance of the Masouleum. "You may choose to come with me, or you can assist Futo in her endeavor to find the most suitable building."

"You already know my answer, Crown Prince."

The hustle and bustle of the Human Village always bothered Miko. If she didn't have her earmuffs on, her ability of being able to listen to as many as ten conversations at one time would drive her mad. Tojiko particularly enjoyed the noise, and the chaos that usually ensued.

Most of the villagers were self-sufficient; they're usually found manning a booth in the local market. Finding a villager with a different set of skills is very rare. However, Miko was determined to find said villager.

"If I was a villager with unique skills, where would I reside, Tojiko?" She looked over at her companion, who was eying every villager that they passed by.

"Somewhere that nobody would suspect. The Village Hall, perhaps?"

"Excellent choice! Does the Village Head have a child?" Miko pondered over this thought.

"Two, actually. A set of twins, if I recall. Maybe one would be willing to help the cause?" Tojiko began to make her way towards a huge building that was located in the center of the village.

"Perhaps. We shall see, then."

As the two Taoists entered the enormous building, they noticed the many elaborate decorations that adorned the vast amount of hallways. It reminded Miko of the Masouleum.

The few members of the village's council were meeting in the main room. Most of them looked eager to be there, while one in particular was dreading the ordeal. Miko and Tojiko hid by a corridor in the hallway. They eavesdropped for just a few minutes before a gruff voice spoke up above the rest.

Miko stuck her head out just a bit to look.

"And it's settled, then. No villager shall go out without a certified escort." A man, looking to be in his mid-fourties, smacked a wooden gavel down on the table. The Village Head, Miko thought. "Meeting adjourned."

All of the members got up and began to walk towards Miko and Tojiko.

"We're in quite the predicament, Tojiko. Act like we just arrived. Hello, there!" Miko acts like she wasn't listening in on their meeting. "May I speak with the Village Head?"

"I am him. And who do I have- oh, you're that Taoist, aren't you?" He pointed a finger at Miko. "Toyotasatomimi no Miko."

"Toyosatomimi no Miko. And yes, I am said Taoist. Accompanying me is one of my followers, Tojiko." On cue, Miko gestured to Tojiko, who curtsied.

"Okay, Toyosatomimi no Miko. What do you want?"

"You have children, yes?" Kyō nods at Miko's question. "Well, we would like to-"

"Father, let's go. I don't want to be late for our next meeting." A man with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes tapped Kyō on the shoulder, who turned to look at his supposed son.

"Not now, Nigel, I'm having a conversation with... er, Miko."

"That's Crown Prince to you, peas-" Tojiko lashed out, but Miko covered her mouth before she could finish her sentence.

"There's no need for such formalities, my dear Tojiko. Please ignore her previous statement," Miko smiled. "Now, Nigel, how would you like to assist me in a project that I'm working on?"

"Oh, uh, I dunno. That depends on the project." Nigel scratched his head. "What's it entail?"

"All I need is a very capable man such as yourself to help me, Tojiko, and Futo in the café we are planning on establishing. You would help cook, help serve, and best of all," Miko leans in closer to Nigel and whispers, "You wouldn't have to stick around with your father anymore. Quite a bore, isn't he?"

"Very... capable? Me? Well, I know one thing," He looks at Kyō while he whispers, "My father is very boring when it comes to his meetings. I'm just glad I don't live with him anymore. Ahem. Given that you are asking me for help... okay. I accept your offer."

"Just like that?... I mean... excellent! We'll begin immediately, with your father's consent."

"I don't see why not." Kyō says.

"Come with us then, Nigel. You won't regret your decision!"

With Nigel in tow, Miko's plan was almost complete. Now all she needed was news on the building...

"Crown Prince, halt! I bear excellent news!" Futo came running up to Miko and her enturage. "The council hath permitted thee to use the building I chose as the café you desire!"

"My, my, the bearer of excellent news, aren't you, Futo..." Tojiko rolled her eyes. "Let's just see what building you picked out before we start celebrating."

"Thee is looking straight at it." Futo turns around. "A beauty, no?"

"That's the oldest building in the village. It was previously used as a bed and breakfast back when I was little," Nigel spoke up. "It's very preserved on the outside... did you look on the inside?"

Futo shrugged.

"The Crown Prince told me to look for a suitable building. She did not mention the interior."

"Don't tell me," Tojiko suppressed a laugh. "Something's wrong with the inside of the building?"

"Well, the interior was the whole reason the bed and breakfast was shut down. It was covered in... I'd rather not say." Nigel closed his eyes. "Very disgusting."

"Well, the council wouldn't have given us permission to use a contaminated building, would they?" Miko was very optimistic at this point, as everything up to this point has gone quite well. "Let's just take a look, then."

The trio followed Miko towards the building. Futo handed her the key when they arrived.

"Here we go." Inside, Miko was hoping that the interior wasn't as bad as Nigel had said it was.

But when she opened the door, it was worse than she anticipated.

A stench overwhelmed the group as soon as they stepped a foot inside. It was no surprise to see what was causing the stench.

In the far corner, a pile of dead animals and rotten food was stacked up waist high. Some carcasses looked fresh, while others looked years old.

"Utterly filthy!" Futo exclaimed. " 'tis very unkempt."

Tojiko approached Futo from behind, with a fresh carcass in hand.

"A carcass just FELL ON YOU!" She dropped the carcass on Futo.

"AAAAH!" After letting out a scream, Futo squeamishly ran behind Miko.

Tojiko laughed at Futo's reaction.

"D-Didst thou try to give me a heart attack? Thee art v-very witty!" Futo peeked at Tojiko.

"Are they like this all the time?" Nigel looked over at Miko, who nodded in response.

"You won't have to worry about them. You won't have to work with both of them on the same day." Miko smiled disturbingly at Tojiko. "I would appreciate it if you made a good impression on Nigel, Tojiko. You as well, Futo. That means STOP your shenanigans."

"Yes, Crown Prince," the two said in unison.

"Good! Now, let us discuss a name."

"How about Miko's Café?" Tojiko suggested.

"Too cliché."

"I hath a suggestion! The Millennial Bistro?" Futo chimed in.

"Futo, we're running a café, not a bistro."

"Baron Rouge." Nigel got a look from the girls. "Sorry, awful suggestion. I'll shut up."

"No, that sound great!" Miko put a hand on Futo's shoulder. "What do you think?"

"It beith your decision, Crown Prince, but if thee would like mine opinion, I-"

"Then it's settled!" Miko totally ignored Futo's comment.

"We shall establish the greatest café that Gensokyo will ever see in its lifetime, and the café will be called Baron Rouge! As for this mess..."

Well, we'll see about that, Miko thought.

And so, the Taoists (and their new friend) begin their journey to establish a café!

My muse insisted that I start this. Hopefully I'll stay inspired to continue.

I portrayed the characters to the best of my ability and knowledge (my OCs do not count).

I somewhat got the impression that the Human Village would have some sort of council to settle issues, such as an impending yōkai problem. They would also need a very responsible villager to run it. That's where Kyō comes in!

Please tell me what you think of my story! The more reviews, the more I'll want to continue writing. Don't be afraid to tell me what I messed up on.

-Author