Kochiya Midori wiped the sweat off her forehead; sweeping was more tiring than she thought and she found herself wondering for the nth time how her mother made it look so easy.
"You can stop now," Sanae said as she offered to take the broom back. "I'll handle the rest from here. Thank you for offering to help."
Midori shook her head. "I...I can handle it!" she said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. Sanae couldn't help but giggle at her daughter's determination.
"Alright, alright. But do me a favor and drink this okay? You look like you need it." Sanae offered Midori a water bottle, one that the little girl gladly took.
Midori let out a satisfied gasp after drinking nearly a third of the water in the bottle. As she wiped her mouth, a thought struck her as she handed the bottle back. "Mom...you weren't born in Gensokyo, right?"
Sanae gave her daughter a funny look. "Yes...why do you ask?"
"What was it like where you were born?"
Sanae had a thoughtful expression on her face. "Well, it's not that different from Gensokyo, to be honest. I guess the main difference is that people don't throw around danmaku and Master Sparks as often."
"Were you a miko there as well?" Midori had begun sweeping again though she kept her attention focused on her mother.
"Yes, I was," Sanae answered, a fond expression on her face. "I was still the miko of the Moriya shrine and I still gathered faith for Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama. Like I said, life in Gensokyo is only different in that I have to dodge danmaku every now and then...as well as the occasional Master Spark."
"So why did you come to Gensokyo?"
Sanae had a rather sad smile on her face. "It's a little complicated. The people where I come from don't have as much faith for the gods as they used to; Kanako-sama and Suwako-sama came here to avoid disappearing and I came along with them. They're family to me and I would do anything to help them out."
"Did Daddy come from the other side as well?"
"No, Daddy came from Gensokyo," Sanae laughed, before frowning. "Speaking of Daddy, I haven't seen her since breakfast today. Where could she have -"
"Surprise!" Kogasa burst out of the shrine carrying her trademark umbrella. She seemed to be wearing different clothing today, a dark blue uniform consisting of a blouse and a skirt. Midori recalled the name of such a uniform being called a seifuku but had never actually seen anyone wearing one until now. In all honesty, Midori thought it looked a little strange; then again, strange was practically her father's middle name.
"Kogasa! You...wait, is that mine?! Where did you find it?"
"Suwako-sama gave it to me!" Kogasa laughed as she twirled around. "Well? How does it look on me?"
"She did?! Why would she do that?! Hey, Kogasa! Give it back!" As she watched her red-faced mother chase her father back into the shrine, Midori laughed a little as she went back to her sweeping.
‘Wait...Mommy used to wear that?'