Recently, a donation collecting scam has been running rampant.

The trick is very clever, the fraudster would go from home to home, going "I've come to collect offerings for the shrine" in broad daylight.

Humans and youkai, thinking that it would be nice to donate to the shrine, were all unwittingly caught in the scam.

However, neither did the ones who donated think it was a scam, nor did anyone come forward as a victim. Thus it is currently not considered a crime.

We successfully contacted the donations schemer in her tracks.

The schemer is Tewi Inaba (Youkai rabbit).

This is what she has to say about her scam:

"It's not a scam! Aren't donations things that make good things happen, even if they are little offerings? Then, I can promise that at the moments they see me~"

It is said that she has the ability to bring a little good fortune to whoever she meets.

This is why the ones who had their money taken didn't realize it until the end.

Also, we've interviewed the victims of this scam to see what they have to say.

"Donations? Yeah, I wondered when the shrine had started coming around to collect money, but it looked so pitiful so I donated some." (Ms. S, Human)

"Ah, it seemed interesting so I donated some, ze. Just a little though." (Ms. M, Human)

"So what's a donation?" (Ms. A, Magician)

It seems that there are no qualms about the donation.

In the midst of this, the shrine's miko Reimu Hakurei, being the keeper of genuine donations, said this:

"What the heck, the shrine's donation box gets only leaves, why does that fake one get money?! And why didn't anyone complain about this?! Wouldn't the shrine's reputation get hurt if things go on like this?"

It's hard to imagine that anything would happen if you put money into the shrine's donation box, but if you put money into the fraudulent donation box, you might become a little luckier.

It's no wonder why nobody complained.

Maybe it's time to reconsider the role of donations.

Aya    

That's a clever donation scam you pulled there.

Tewi    

Mmmm. I told you it's not a scam~

Aya    

But you were lying and cheating their money, and you say that's not a scam?

Tewi    

Fine, it doesn't matter if you call it a scam. But you know? I have a big policy.

Aya    

A policy?

Tewi    

That is, I don't lie just for my own fortune, it's for theirs too. If you want bring good fortune to someone, you've got to lie.

Aya    

I don't condone lies. I only write articles about truth.

Tewi    

Eh, that's wonderful. But who gains by that?

Aya    

It's not about loss or gain.

Tewi    

I think it's about loss or gain, though. Who loses with a well-intentioned lie? Even if they know it's a lie it's not like they're gonna get angry, they might even thank me.

Aya    

But lying itself is bad.

Tewi    

You seem unlikely to donate to me.

Aya    

I won't be fooled so easily, you know.

Tewi    

Ah, that's too bad. Even if you donate a little, a small blessing would be waiting for you.

Aya    

That's not possible.

Tewi    

Didn't you see the happy faces on the people who donated? Well...it's not the type of luck that can change someone's life, but can't you feel there is a little luck in them?

Aya    

....

Tewi    

Mah, that's my ability. The fact that there is luck is itself not a lie.

Aya    

...How much money is "a little"?

Tewi    

It's the thought that matters.

Aya    

Oh oohh, almost got fooled there. But well...it might be interesting to donate just a little bit, even if I get fooled.

Tewi    

Here you go, the donation box of good fortune.

Aya    

I'm donating, but I know I'm being tricked, okay?

Tewi    

Luck would visit those whose thoughts weigh heavier.

Aya    

I don't need that much luck, I'm lucky enough as I am now.

Tewi    

Good for you then. But if you donate you definitely will be a little luckier, I think.

Aya    

I don't believe it for one bit, but that's great.

Tewi    

You'd definitely get involved into something big when you go home.

Aya    

Is that...supposed to be a good thing?

Tewi    

A good thing, isn't it. Well, rather than a good thing, it's more like something that makes you lucky.

Aya    

That's certainly something that makes me lucky...

Tewi    

You can't fault me for lying when you find luck where incidents happen.

Aya    

That's a harsh thing to say.

Tewi    

Lastly, I'll say something true for the first time. Most of what I said was lies, right from the very beginning.

Aya    

!? Right from the very beginning?

Profile:

Tewi Inaba

A rabbit who became youkai after living a long life.

She has the ability to give humans good luck.

Appearances:

Imperishable Night, Phantasmagoria of Flower View