> Tuck her into the futon, and brush her hair away from her face.
> "I'm really sorry, Konngara... that I couldn't be what you wanted me to be... and that I tried to change you... dream well, and I hope you can be happy with Kikuri."
> Kiss her on her head, next to her horn, stand up, take our things, and quietly head home.
> You tuck her into the futon and brush her hair away from her face.
> Even though things happened the way they did, she can still dream well.
> Hopefully, she can be happy with Kikuri.
> You give her a kiss on the head, and gather your things together, and head home.
> You head home from the Underground after what feels like a very long day, heading up Youkai Mountain without incident. It's dark out, now, and the snow comes down quietly.
> Upon reaching the shrine, you pile your stuff in your room and get ready for bed, performing the usual rituals of brushing your teeth and getting into some warm, comfy pajamas. Right before slipping between the warm covers of your futon, you creep into Kogasa's room and give her a goodnight kiss on the forehead. Her content expression gives you the feeling she's having a very good dream.
> You head back into your room and fall asleep, thinking about a tall tower, a dragon-infested moat, zaku guards, a noble karakasa knight, and a green haired priestess with long, long hair.
> That priestess is you.
> That night, you dream about just that. As far as you're concerned, you're perfectly okay with having these kinds of fun dreams forever.
> The very next day, you are overcome with curiosity about the meeting at the SDM, and head on over there to speak with Patchouli. She's quite frank, and says that it was a success; she also in a cryptic tone to go take a look at the Myouren Temple. Heeding her words, you fly off to the Human Village.
> The Myouren Temple, which was at first flowerless and even a little bare, is now flourishing with beautiful flowers in spite of the winter cold. As you're admiring the view, you briefly see Konngara and Kikuri walking through the courtyard.
> Heh, looks like she went and visited after all.
> After a few days, Madotsuki recovers from her fever; you are aware of this because the first place she goes is the Moriya Shrine. She seems to be in much better spirits, and as the days go by, she visits you frequently, telling you about dreams she's had and things that have happened in the Netherworld. Compared to how withdrawn and nervous she was when you first met her, this warmth and trust she's giving you is very welcome. She's getting along well with Kogasa, too.
> Days turn into weeks, and eventually the snow starts to melt. With the snow seems to melt Reimu's hostile demeanor, and while she hasn't defrosted completely, she seems to have taken on a more calm and collected persona than an irritable, distrustful one. You also notice that whenever you visit the Hakurei Shrine, there's a good chance Satori is usually there, too. Although Reimu never says anything to you outright, you get the feeling she's grateful to you, at least a little bit.
> The first day of spring arrives with a bang provided by none other than Lily White showering Gensokyo in danmaku. Accompanied by this event is Suwako-sama waking up and freaking out over the ink on her face. As you're giggling at her rushing to the pond behind the shrine, you see Youmu coming up the shrine steps.
> Looks like you've got Yuyuko's permission to use the ghosts to power the robot, after all. Kanako-sama is a little skeptical, but she figures that if it's used as entertainment during the Spring Equinox Festival, then it's okay.
> The festival itself is a riotous event that takes place at the Moriya Shrine, and for once a lot of people actually bother making the climb up the mountain, and you're pretty sure that even a lot of people from the Former Hell showed up. The lamprey girl, Mystia Lorelei, comes with a few tengu helping her carry her stand up the mountain. Suika comes with Koishi, as well as a blue haired celestial you don't recognize. They come with a few bottles of sake, and after a few drinks Suwako-sama is engaged in a danmaku fight against Suika herself, and they draw a lot of attention.
> Madotsuki is also one of the first to show up to help with the festival, and you promptly have her dressed up in her altered shrine maiden outfit. She's kept busy during the day passing around drinks and handing out fortunes, but she has a lot of fun, if her smiles and laughter are any indication.
> The festival ends with Madotsuki directing a huge horde of ghosts into Hisoutensoku. This proves to be comically awkward, as the ghosts have trouble telling left from right. Still, Suika is more than happy to have a mock fight with the giant robot, a mock fight which is met with many cheers.
> You also note during the festival that Satori and Reimu were holding hands at one point. You can't help but grin in satisfaction.
> After the Day of Kikuri and a very quiet winter, spring...well,
springs up on you with a livelihood you've almost forgotten. Koishi, Okuu, and now Madotsuki visit the shrine often, and the days are never boring. The Human Village eventually regains its agricultural dominance with the new greenhouse built at the edge of the village and retilled fields. You are soon able to get a plethora of fruits and vegetables to improve your cooking prowess with, straight from the greenhouse itself. Despite Yuuka being as violent as she was when you first met her, she's surprisingly good at gardening.
> As for the Radio Tower, the faeries seem to have founded it as a safe haven, and Nitori is a quite respectable figure in their eyes. The kappa is still terrified of leaving the mountain, and you don't think you will ever know the reason. Still, if Marisa is with her when they go to the Radio Tower, she seems to be okay.
> As time goes on, your dream world seems to grow and flourish. Everyone from Madotsuki's dream world is making their place in the world you created, and you even see Madotsuki sometimes, lurking around in what you assume is a shared dream between you and her. You occassionally come across the little Konngara, who is as shy as ever but doesn't really object to hanging out with you when the mood strikes, something that you think could be reflected in the real world.
> Things are a little awkward between you and Konngara at first, but eventually you're able to conclude that you've gained a valuable friend.
> At one point, Suwako-sama comes to you and gives you a small box. With her usual ribbit-giggles, she hopes away, and you look at the contents inside.
> A slug hairpin. You told her what happened to you shortly after she got all the ink off her face, after all. You're still getting used to pretty much being on the same level as Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama, so you pocket the slug hairpin for now. You'll start wearing it when you get your own shrine.
> ...Hm, maybe Madotsuki could be the shrine maiden there~ Hee hee~
> One night, you hear Madotsuki's voice calling out to you. Heading out into the courtyard, you see her, and realize that for the first time, her eyes are open.
> They're beautiful. You wish she had kept them open more often.
> Just as she promised she would, Madotsuki came to you to let you know that she's ready to move on. She thanks you for everything you've done for her, and gives you one last hug before disappearing into the aether.
> A single brown feather is left behind, and your vision is blurred with tears.
>
Ascension Ending!Credits:
> Story and art: Himiko
> Original inspiration: Yume Nikki
> Thanks again for making this quest a good one!
> See you next Phantasm!
> _
