"And then? What happened next?"
Akyuu innocently asked the Shrine Maiden, who was sluggishly drinking her green tea on the porch.
"You mean after the Last Word?"
"Yes, after that. What happened afterward?"
Lazily stretching her body, Reimu tried to recall the events of that night.
The night where red most covered the entirety of Gensokyo and threatened its peace.
But, it was also the night when Gensokyo's first grand incident was resolved.
Now that she reminisced about it after everything was over, the corners of Reimu's mouth rose ever so slightly as if she recalled a fond memory.
It was a long night, but thanks to everyone's effort, the scarlet mist incident, later (in about five minutes) dubbed the 'Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil' incident, was resolved.
"That's it. I punished the evil vampire and brought back peace to Gensokyo, and all ended well."
Ultimately, the real mystery behind Remilia Scarlet spreading the scarlet mist around Gensokyo remained largely unresolved. But in the end, neither Reimu nor Marisa could care enough about that question once the incident was over.
After all, resolved meant that a conclusion was reached, and whether or not questions remained was unimportant to either of them.
"Objection!"
Still, if there was still something someone could be unsatisfied about in this situation...
"I don't like the picture you are painting me in this chronicle, Reimu! It's unfair that you are the only one who gets to tell their side of the story!"
…it would be the mastermind of the incident, particularly about their portrayal that would be recorded in history.
Not that Reimu cared.
"It's alright either way."
She flatly stated, trying to shoo away the vampire who was making herself comfortable on her lap.
"History is written by the winner anyway, and right now, the winner is annoyed that the loser decided to loiter around her home."
Remilia Scarlet. She was the one who caused the incident and was beaten up for spreading the mist in the first place.
In every sense, the term "final boss" fits Remilia Scarlet well. Whether in charisma, power, or status, she was lacking in none.
Yet, that final boss character was making herself comfortable on the protagonist's lap, pouting as she somewhat agreed with the sentiment that only the victor had the right to write history.
"Still, don't we, in a way, have three "victors" in this incident? Just recording your part of the story feels a bit lacking for the Gensokyo Chronicles, don't you think so, Reimu?"
"Be that as it may, but..."
Looking at the nurse, who replied in the vampire's stead, a vein popped up on Reimu's forehead.
With the number of guests present, who didn't even leave behind any donations in her donation box, Reimu's annoyance reached a new peak as she was barely able to hold herself back. Especially since...
"Since when did I give you all the permission to make yourself comfortable in my house?!"
Wrapped snugly in a blanket and resting in the nurse's lap, the chronicler tilted her head innocently as she noticed the shrine maiden's annoyed expression.
"Isn't it obvious, Reimu? Since Akyuu is already here, it's much more convenient to tell her about the incident now rather than later. Less work for us that way, don't you think so too, Reimu da ze~☆?"
The shrine maiden sighed when the witch replied in the chronicler's stead.
Having to recount the incident of the previous day wasn't the reason for Reimu's annoyance.
It was the fact that a bunch of people made herself comfortable in her home and the fact that they were replying over each other.
Can't just one person talk to her and hold the conversation?
If she could, she would have immediately thrown out her guests. After all, at that moment, she just wanted to lie on her futon, slack, and let herself go.
But that option, for her pain, was not a choice she could make.
"Can't you look past it, Reimu? Just see it as repayment for ditching all the duties you originally had toward the village on me, alright? Our little gathering here shouldn't be that big of an inconvenience for you. Is it, oh great, esteemed Shrine Maiden of Hakurei?"
After all, even she was not that shameless, especially with the debt she owed the teacher.
Clenching her fists, Reimu sighed in reluctance as she slowly came to terms with the situation she had found herself in.
Yes, this much was fine.
Looking at her lap, she gave in and patted Remilia's head.
For some reason, the vampire liked that.
"Sigh, good grief. Make yourself at home then, I don't care anymore."
With a defeated thud, Reimu fell on her back, looking at the ceiling of her oh-so-familiar home.
For a moment, the shrine maiden felt dread as she imagined people gathering at her home for no reason after each grand incident.
Just imagining it tired her out already.
Still, deep within her, a part of her couldn't hate it.
"So, who wants to go next? Since I am done with my part of the story."
Her question was directed toward the witch who was lazily reclining on her porch as her big witch hat blocked the sun from her face and the nurse who was intimately hugging the chronicler to whom they were recounting the story in the first place.
Getting called out, both of them wordlessly stared at each other for a moment before Marisa gave in and sat up straight, stretching to get in a proper position to recount events.
All of that happened within a time frame of 0.5 seconds.
"Well then, I guess it's time to recount the Scarlet Mist incident-"
"The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil incident."
Everyone's head turned when someone suddenly fell into Marisa's words, interrupting her when she was about to tell her story.
"I might be a newcomer to these lands here, but it's clear that Gensokyo places a lot of emphasis on meaning, isn't that so?"
Marisa gave Rin a devious smirk as if she had already figured out the intention behind Rin's words.
"So, instead of just half-assing it and giving a shallow name to an incident, you want to give it meaning by giving it a proper name, right ze~☆?"
Hearing the discussion, Reimu perked up, slightly interested in the debate of her two friends.
After all, she was the one who came up with the Spellcard draft. Hearing her work referenced, Reimu couldn't help but pay attention to their words.
"You mean just how you helped name Akyuu's first volume of the Gensokyo chronicle 'Perfect Memento in Strict Sense'?"
"Yeah, like that! The name Gensokyo Chronicle Vol.1 wouldn't have given the work justice for its significance for this land, don't you all agree?"
Everyone nodded at that assessment. At that moment, everyone felt that the book would have evaporated when Akyuu finished compiling the Gensokyo Chronicles and only named it Volume 1.
After all, especially in Gensokyo, meaning holds power, and the easiest way to assign and evaluate meaning is with a name.
Considering that Chronicles was a compilation of Gensokyo's meaning, giving it such a weak name as "Volume 1" was tempting fate to send some divine punishment.
"Well, why name my incident Embodiment of Scarlet Devil then? What is the meaning behind the name thou hast assigned for mine actions, Rin Satsuki?"
Suddenly, Remilia Scarlet's pupils flared scarlet as she directed her intimidating gaze toward the woman hugging the chronicler. But contrary to her expectations, Rin didn't shrink back at all, shrugging back Remilia's intimidation attempt with a defiant look.
With a bright smile, Rin casually poked Remilia's cheek with her index finger without hesitation.
"Oh, it's nothing complicated, really. Since you are the Scarlet Devil, using your title to name the incident was only fitting. Especially since all the trouble you've caused happened according to your will without a grander purpose, focusing on the mist instead of the perpetrator seems misplaced in this situation. So, I think using 'Scarlet Devil' for the name would make more sense than 'Scarlet Mist.'"
"Well, I get the Scarlet Devil part, but what about the Scarlet Mist phenomena made it the 'Embodiment of' the Scarlet Devil?"
Rin chuckled; she was about to get to that part, but she didn't expect that this time someone would fall into her words and interrupt her, much less for that person to be Akyuu, who she had been hugging the entire time.
"Well, before I explain, why don't we hear from Marisa about the composition of the red mist."
As if right on cue, Rin winked at Marisa as if telling her to take over the conversation for her. Without needing an explanation, Marisa smirked as she read Rin's intentions.
It was almost as if she planned the flow of the conversation from the start. In a sense, Marisa felt a bit amused by Rin's actions. It nearly made her want to play along with Rin's plan. Nearly.
"Ah, the elements that make up the Scarlet Mist? Sure, we could talk about that, but right now, I am more curious why you named the incident the way you did, Rin."
Rin sighed. What did she expect?
Ultimately, it was only expected that Marisa wouldn't move according to her plan.
While both shared a love for causing mischief for amusement, fundamentally, they couldn't have been more different.
Marisa was more of an open and straightforward type—someone who wasn't afraid to charge ahead without looking back. Indeed, she was sharp and resourceful, with quite a bright head on her shoulders. But also someone with a severe kleptomaniac streak and a loose tongue that would often get her into trouble.
It might come as a surprise, or maybe not, but she rarely planned ahead.
Rin, on the other hand, thrived on preparing ahead of time, sometimes even several steps. Every good punchline requires a good set-up, and for Rin to receive her desired result/reaction from everyone, she wasn't aversed to make a plan.
That held true even while one of her more disliked plots is complicated political intrigues and shadowy cowards who manipulated the board behind the scenes without daring to step on it themselves.
After all, a plan should be bold, not underhanded.
Fundamentally, Rin and Marisa had completely opposite internal stimuli when they teased other people. Their approach was incompatible with each other. In fact, it was far more likely for Marisa to accidentally or purposefully unravel any of Rin's plans instead of ever cooperating with them.
Still, for some reason, Rin felt a lot less upset than she thought she would. It was a given that a plan could fail, especially if they had many steps. The more steps a plan had, the more likely it would be that they would fall apart at their joints. It would be arrogant to think that your plans are perfect and infallible.
Rin knew that, in fact, she had her own fair share of plans that ultimately fell through the water, and rarely was she ever particularly annoyed about it, plans made in life-and-death situations included.
But still, this time was different. This time, Rin's cold and numb heart skipped a beat for the first time since she lived.
Glancing at Marisa, whose grin sparkled with mischief, warmth spread through Rin's chest. A feeling she had missed for a long time. The failed plan didn't matter anymore.
Smiling brightly, she just plainly answered without holding any pretenses.
"It's simple. After all, the majority of the mist's makeup came from Remilia Scarlet herself. Specifically, the od that is flowing from her soul. Incredibly as it may, her od managed to supersede the planet's mana inside of Gensokyo, and since the mist is basically made of her lifeforce, isn't it fair to say that the mist was her embodiment?"
With the explanation wrapped up, Rin stared at Marisa expectantly.
The witch mentioned just now was slightly taken aback since she didn't expect Rin to immediately cut to the point. Especially when she made such a fuss about it earlier.
For a moment, Marisa hesitated as if weighing how to respond. Then, her lips curled into a grin equally bright as Rin's.
Still, there was no point in lingering too long on the situation. Whatever caught Marisa off-guard faded as quickly as it came.
"Good grief, if you're gonna hand me the stage like that, ze~..."
Leaning back, Marisa started to retell the events of The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil from her perspective.
Of course, retelling the story you have been following the whole time would be redundant, dear reader.
So, allow me to skip to the parts you have yet to know about for your reading pleasure.
...
Stage 3 is where our story's divergence point is set.
In the original timeline, Meiling was supposed to fall after the Hakurei Shrine Maiden crushed her in Danmaku.
By origin, she wasn't supposed to stand back up and block the magician's way, yet she did.
Something changed. It was as if the spindle of fate finally started turning again.
Feeling the subtle change in the world's destiny, Hong Meiling felt a weight drop off from her chest.
A mysterious smile spread on her face.
"You are finally starting to live your life again, Remilia."
Rising on her feet, through an act of willpower that could only be called a miracle, Hong Meiling blocked Marisa Kirisame's path.
With a large and idiotic grin, Meiling smiled as she felt relieved that her mistress's endless days of misery were finally over.
Sensing the change, Meiling decided to ignore her limits and go all out in accomplishing her duty.
It was a happy memory for the gatekeeper. But for Marisa, who had to face a re-energized Meiling, it was a nightmare.
When the magician was forced to temporarily split up with the shrine maiden because of the gatekeeper's interference, the word unexpected
was the only thing that filled her mind.
Observing the gatekeeper blocking her way, every fiber in her body tensed up as she saw the reflection of bottomless determination in Meiling's eyes.
Facing the Chinese youkai, beads of sweat fell from Marisa's forehead as the magician earnestly wondered whether the gatekeeper held back when she fought Reimu.
Still, seeing Meiling's aura, the witch couldn't help but see afterimages of what might be a Chinese dragon, and the longer she fought Meiling, the more sure she was about her thesis.
But, even if she had to face a dragon, or if she actually fought one, Marisa wasn't one to care about such details.
Far ahead of her in the distance stood Reimu's back. Once again, her gaze fell on her friend and rival's back, who always ran ahead of her, leaving her behind.
Unlike her, Reimu was strong, elegant, and beautiful, like an ephemeral butterfly.
Looking at the distant back, Marisa instinctively felt it in her gut. This incident only marked the beginning of their story.
From now on, the opponents they would face in the future would only get stronger. Youkais, saints, sages, gods, and legendary figures of legends, their foes will be of that level or higher in the future.
How couldn't she feel anxious?
Marisa saw a future in which Reimu was the leading incident resolver. She would face the main culprit and ultimately be the one to end all the trouble.
But in the end, that's where it would end. With a slap on the wrist, yesterday's foe would be today's friend as they would celebrate at the Hakurei-Shrine.
So many more people other than her and Rin would start bothering Reimu. All kinds of them, strong and weak, youkai, humans, and gods, would gather around Reimu.
And what would she be left with?
Could she keep up with her growth? Could she keep up with her future opponents? How long is her passion going to last? How much more effort did she need? Won't her love grow into jealousy? Will she keep loving magic?
But ultimately, all of those questions could be summarized as one for the young magician.
And that would be...
Was she even worthy to stand by Reimu's side?
It was painful, very much so.
Her opponent's fists and the hidden weapons she threw from her sleeves were undoubtedly sharp.
Even if she managed to dodge the Chinese girl's attack, the passing wind that brushed past her face left cuts on her clear skin.
It hurt. It was definitely painful, but what hurt Marisa more right now was her heart.
Frustration, weakness, hopelessness, a ball of unknown mass, and emotions weighed down her chest.
If she already struggled with an opponent Reimu just toyed around with, an opponent still deathly exhausted from her fight with Reimu, was she even qualified to consider herself her rival?
A laser here, a laser there, followed by another mushroom potion.
Miss, miss, and the last attack grazed her.
The longer the fight piled on, the more wounds wound up on her body.
Yet, the pain her body felt was almost negligible. It was as if the wound in her heart was disproportionately more oversized than that of her body.
As if her heartache wasn't enough, her soul seemed to crave a matching torment for her body. It was as if the piling wounds on her body only served to close the gap of the pain of her heart-
"Shouldn't you focus on the opponent before you instead of getting lost in thought?"
While Marisa was distracted, her opponent wasn't. In an instant, Meiling had closed the gap between them and, intending to end it, struck the magician square in the face.
Reeling from the pain, a moment lasting as long as a heartbeat, Marisa lost strength in her legs as she fell on her butt, wiping her bloody nose.
"I don't know about the Shrine Maiden, but you don't seem like a big deal."
Compared to Reimu, Marisa really didn't seem like much. With Reimu, she struggled to gain a foothold throughout the entire fight, only being able to land a hit at the very end.
Her fight with Marisa, on the other hand, was rather underwhelming. Admittedly, Marisa wasn't weak, especially compared to the average human.
In fact, it would be a lie to say Meiling wasn't impressed by her. Yes, Marisa Kirisame was strong.
But, as much as her strength was a fact, so was it that there is an insurmountable natural gap between youkai and humans that ordinarily can't be overcome.
The fact that she made it this far was already admirable. But, still, if she was going to keep following this road, she was going to die an early death.
In a way-
No, let's not go there just yet.
"Aren't you a bit weak for this? Nobody will blame you if you turn around and return home right now. Don't throw your life away only to follow your childhood friend's shadow."
Immediately, a bout of dizziness overcame the magician when she received those words.
They were words that stung, hurt, and made her sick in the stomach.
But as much as she hated them, some parts had to be the truth or at least something she believed herself. If they weren't, why else would these thoughts be able to divert her attention as much as they do?
Why did this always happen?
Why did her resolve always falter when confronted by her own weakness?
"Weak..."
As those words resonated in her ears again, a strange smile spread across her face as she gritted her teeth.
"I'll show you what this nobody can do!"
Clutching her treasure to the point that her hand drew blood on its corners, the magician flew high up into the air, increasing the distance between her and her opponent.
"Love Sign:...!"
As the Mini-Hakkero drew in the atmosphere's mana, Marisa's eyes flashed a dangerous crimson while looking at her target.
Her eyes were strangely unfocused. Yet, at the same time, they were strangely focused.
It was as if she was seeing something that wasn't there when she looked at Meiling.
For a moment, Marisa's gaze rivaled the focus of a sniper's scope.
And when her focus was at its highest, she released it.
[Master Spark]!
With a scorching heat, a laser shining in the seven colors engulfed the entirety of the mansion's entrance area.
Involuntarily, a wry smile crept onto Meiling's face as she found herself in this awry situation.
Having no other choice, Meiling sighed in resignation.
"That will hurt..."
Within a moment's notice, her entire body was swallowed in the rainbow-colored light.
Heat pressed against her like a furnace, each wave threatening to crush her knees. Meiling gritted her teeth, forcing herself upright despite the weight bearing down.
If it wasn't for the Spellcard rules and the fact that she is a youkai, she was sure she would have ended up with more than just a few burn marks from this attack.
Hell. If it was any other day, she would have given up at this point and conceded victory to Marisa.
But it was not just any other day.
Today was special.
Today was the day Meiling had decided to guard the Scarlet Devil Mansion, no matter the cost. Such an auspicious occasion was it for Meiling.
Meiling sighed.
"Yare yare da ze... why did it have to be today when I decided to put some effort into things..."
Taking a firm stance, Meiling firmly drove her feet into the ground as she locked eyes with the witch above her in the sky.
"Rainbow Sign:"
Drawing a sharp breath, the world before her eyes gradually slowed until everything stopped.
"Wu er da, no second strike..."
In this moment of hardship, the Chinese girl couldn't help but laugh to herself.
Her memories before her days as a gatekeeper were all blurry. Some vague fragments of the past that she couldn't recall, no matter how hard she tried.
Yet, to think it would be a moment like this where she would recall the words of someone she might have cherished.
Meiling couldn't help but smile as she faced the overwhelming odds.
"Wasn't it something like that, master?"
Meiling muttered as she gathered ki in her lower abdomen for her attack.
She was confident. One strike. That's all she needed to end this.
And then, the Chinese girl disappeared from where she stood.
Not believing her eyes, Marisa frantically looked around, hoping to catch the gatekeeper's silhouette, to no avail.
She was nowhere to be found.
"In front of you, witch girl."
That was until she reappeared again before her face.
[Colorful Rainbow Wind Chime]!
Meiling's fist struck true, reversing the situation and disrupting the magician's focus before sending her hurtling toward the ground.
The rainbow-colored laser that filled the view of the gate disappeared as if it were just an illusion.
Marisa made one fatal error.
She should have never underestimated her opponent.
After all, working as a gatekeeper meant you would need to fight all kinds of people who try to intrude.
In a way, it was the job with the most opportunities to grow stronger in Gensokyo.
"Remember, if you don't know already..."
As the magician fell from the sky and before the gate again, Meiling landed between her and the gate, proudly wiping her nose and standing upright despite her injuries.
"The Gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion is strong!"
Yes, the Gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion is strong.
Marisa had to admit that much, no matter how much it frustrated her.
Still, she couldn't let things end here.
Shaking her head and gritting her teeth, Marisa sat up from the ground and scratched her head.
Since when did she begin to be so complacent and arrogant as to put herself into Reimu's shoes?
That girl was an endless well of talent that would keep flowing as long as she was alive.
In other words, that girl was the embodiment of talent. If she was serious, she would only need to look at something once to fully and entirely master it. The only reason she didn't is because she was lazy.
Which was a good thing. Fate had to balance things out to make it fair. Right?
So, how could she be so arrogant as to put herself into Reimu's shoes?
Sure, she sometimes acted as if everything she did came as easy to her as breathing, but in the end, she was only playing pretend.
It was a relentless effort, pushing her body to the point of coughing blood.
It's one thing to act as being talented, but it is another to pretend to be it when you are not.
A large, radiant smile spread on Marisa's face.
She was not talented, so there was no reason to act like it or be jealous of Reimu for it.
She was her own person. No matter how much effort it would take, she will keep up with Reimu.
So, was there a reason why she shouldn't be able to do what she was doing, even if it would require a lot more effort than her?
Closing her eyes, Marisa took a deep breath, emptying her mind and expelling all the unnecessary thoughts that distracted her.
Those thoughts of inferiority were only in the way when fighting.
Not that she would ever openly admit to anyone that she had those feelings.
No, those feelings would follow her into her grave.
Her feelings about how she felt when she was losing against Meiling weren't something she would share with Akyuu and the rest, nor would it ever be recorded in the history of the Gensokyo Chronicles.
No, that is something only you will know about.
When she opened her mind again, stars appeared in the witch girl's pupils.
"Huh? Did you seriously stand up again? Sigh, you are tougher than you look—!"
Meiling's words were cut off as a witch's rear side brutally slammed into her, sending her flying.
"I am going all out! If you can withstand it, I'll retreat like a good girl like you suggested, da ze~!"
Nine rounds with five spellcards. As it stood, she still had three attacks and four spellcards left.
She wasn't like Reimu. Unlike her, she wasn't confident she could beat her opponent without using any of her allocated resources.
But, there was no reason for her to imitate her.
If one Spellcard wasn't enough to defeat her opponent, she would only need to use a second one. If two weren't enough, a third one would follow. If three didn't suffice, a fourth one should do. And if she lost...
...she would just boldly rechallenge them.
"Witch Leyline!"
Reinforcing her broom to the limit, Marisa accelerated to the point that Mailing lost sight of her.
Breaking the sound barrier, Marisa slammed into Meiling with enough force to kill a man. But that wasn't something she needed to worry about since not only was Meiling not human, but it was also a Spellcard battle. But Marisa wasn't going to stop there. Not stopping her onslaught, each impact sent Meiling reeling as her strikes came from every angle, carrying her higher and higher until they both disappeared into the evening sky. Marisa's eyes sparkled as she adjusted Meiling's relative position to the celestial bodies in the sky. Having calculated the perfect coordinates for the optimal effect for her next attack.
"Spellcard!"
Marisa's voice rang out as she grasped the card in her hand, old memories flashing before her mind's eye.
A smile appeared on her face. She meant it when she said she was going all out. She wasn't going to hold back, not for a second.
"Celestial Apparatus:"
The air crackled as six glowing orbs materialized behind Marisa, each gleaming in a different hue—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, arranged in a perfect circle. The surroundings became silent. This was Marisa's moment to shine, and only hers.
[Orrery's Solar System]!
Accelerating, Marisa held the orbs above her palm as the colors blurred together, creating a rainbow-colored ring.
Meiling staggered. For just a moment, she had lost consciousness. Inevitably, the weight of her pushing herself caught up to the Chinese girl.
She could feel her body screaming, protesting the strain caused by her fight with the Hakurei and the giant laser the witch girl fired at her.
Her limbs were heavy, her dantian's almost empty.
But she wouldn't fall—not like this.
"If you want to enter my lady's home, you have to do so over my cold, unconscious body!"
One final push, then she could finally retire for the night.
"Extreme Color:"
If it was taking miracles to defend her home, so be it.
Twisting her body, Meiling spun around, delivering a flawless spinning kick.
[Vivid Chaotic Dance]!
Her foot connected with the first orb, sending it spiraling off-course, then another, and another, until the rainbow ring was torn apart by her own rainbow cyclone.
She wasn't going to fall that easily.
On that note, where was the witch?
"Below you, ze~☆."
Before Meiling could even process the words, a sudden rush of air swept past her, and she found herself tasting a mouthful of broom bristles as Marisa's spinning ascent sent her hurtling further into the sky.
Once again, Meiling lost orientation as she spun in the air. The only thing she orientated herself from was that the witch once again decided to position herself above her.
Marisa, hovering on her broom, smirked darkly.
"Hmm, Meiling?"
Marisa muttered, almost to herself.
"Your attacks… they remind me of... mine!"
That realization sparked a dangerous glint in Marisa's eyes. A wicked smirk formed on her lips.
"Star Sign:..."
Meiling barely heard her as her mind raced.
How many Spellcards and rounds were left in this duel anyway? Not that it mattered. Marisa didn't keep track of how many Spellcards she burned through, nor did she. If they ran out, the rules would forcefully stop the battle anyway.
So, she didn't need to worry about Spellcards left if she wasn't already stopped by the rules.
Right now, the more imminent threat was the...
[Dragon Meteor]!
The moment the words left Marisa's mouth, the attack was already on its course to strike her.
Before Meiling could compose herself again to realize what had hit her, the next attack was already on its way.
Time seemed to stretch, and Meiling felt her thoughts accelerate.
Hovering ominously high above her was Marisa's Hakkero. But this time, instead of unleashing a laser, it dropped something far more destructive: a massive rainbow-colored rod plummeting straight toward her.
Meiling's heart raced. Her body, already battered and bruised, screamed for relief. She had no choice but to act—or else she'd be crushed under the weight of that attack.
Looking defiantly at the incoming attack, Meiling clenched her right fist, a sharp pain running through her nerves. Right. She had already used the [Colorful Ultimate Mountain-Breaking Cannon] against the Hakurei earlier. Her body couldn't withstand another one.
Taking a deep breath in, Meiling clenched her left fist. It wasn't her dominant hand, but...
"Spellcard..."
Her breath came in a tight, sharp gasp.
...beggars can't be choosers.
"Flower Sign:"
Meiling exhaled slowly, letting the pain slowly fade into determination. She screamed her next spellcard's name, praying her body wouldn't fail now.
She will be in severe pain in the foreseeable week, won't she?
[Mountain-Breaking Cannon]!
With a forceful swing, her left fist collided with the descending [Dragon Meteor]
It was an intense clash, with neither side losing ground. Rainbow light erupted from their clash, illuminating the mansion gate bright enough to give the illusion that dawn came early.
As a result, all the surrounding fairies woke up, confused about the situation.
Meiling gritted her teeth as the shockwave from the collision rattled her body. In this high-altitude battle, time seemed to stop for Meiling. At first, she thought Sakuya had come to help her until she heard a loud crack from her fist.
Her desperate struggle paid off, and cracks appeared on Marisa's Spellcard, shattering under the pressure of her blow.
With one final burst, Meiling's fist tore through the light, and the rainbow attack shattered into countless fragments, scattering like stars across the sky. For a moment, it seemed like she had won the struggle.
But then, a voice cut through the tension.
"Aren't you already forgetting someone?
It was Marisa, sneaking in from the corner of her eyes.
Meiling could only sigh. That was it. There was no fuel left in the tank. She had reached her limit for today.
"Comet:"
It was her loss.
[Blazing Star]!
The world grew silent as Marisa's final attack struck, sending Meiling hurtling through the mansion's gate.
In the last fleeting moments of her consciousness, Meiling saw a blinding star appear above Marisa's head, its brilliance consuming everything in its path.
The star that guided her, the Protector Star, was brighter than she had ever seen. Yet tonight, its light, though still steadfast, was no match for the searing brilliance of Marisa's Radiant Star. The blinding light consumed everything in its path, and Meiling's star was engulfed in its overwhelming glow.
Her thoughts, however, lingered on another star. Smaller, more fragile, but still shining amidst the vast expanse of stars in the sky.
She hoped that Marisa's star, the Radiant Star, would illuminate a path for that little star surrounded by darkness to shine just as brightly as it was meant to.
"Please... guide... little Flan....."
Her breath faltered, a final prayer to the stars as her body crumpled to the ground, and the world around her faded away.
As Meiling hit the ground, a faint, satisfied smile graced her lips, her last thoughts lingering like a soft whisper. Vaguely, Marisa perceived the unspoken words, though their meaning still eluded her. With quiet resolve, Marisa turned, a confident smile on her face, as if to say, "Don't worry, leave it to me."
Looking ahead, she saw the commotion her friend was causing in the mansion's west wing.
Well, it seemed she wasn't too late to the party.
There was still an incident left to resolve.
Seeing Reimu's duel, Marisa couldn't help but chuckle.
As expected of her, fighting her opponent in a 2 versus 1 battle.
Yet, even for her, it seemed she chewed more off than she could handle.
Especially when she was confronted with the combination Spellcard of the maid and the magician.
Seeing the scene, Marisa couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
In the end, Reimu was still human and not too far ahead of her.
She could catch up.
"Duo contra unum is rather tasteless, don't you think so?"
So, why not do it now and run ahead with all my might?
"The real thrill of a danmaku battle is still a one vs. one."
Run until she stood shoulder to shoulder with her beloved best friend.
"Magicannon:"
She may lack Reimu's technique, elegance, and grace, but she had something Reimu didn't.
[Final Spark]
And that was raw firepower.
...
Back to the present, on the other side of Gensokyo.
The Scarlet Devil Mansion.
A particular person with the title Unmoving Great Library seemed a lot less unmoving as she found herself under the shade of the garden parasol.
It was highly unusual for Patchouli Knowledge to leave her grand library. Yet, for some unknown reason, she decided to enjoy the fresh air of the lovely garden of the mansion Meiling tended to.
"Everything to your satisfaction, Lady Patchouli?"
Looking up from her book, Patchouli saw the big smiling face of the person who should be tending the garden and not starting some small talk with her.
However, for some reason, the magician found herself in the mood to indulge her.
Strange.
"It's unreasonably hot outside today. I don't know what kind of ghost possessed me to move out of the comfort of my grand library."
Only a wry laugh could escape from the Chinese gardener. In fact, she wondered as much as the magician herself as to why she decided to go out today.
But, for some reason, she had a hunch as to why the unmoving library herself moved.
"It had to be because of that girl, isn't that right, Patchouli-sama?"
For a moment, the silhouette of a certain blonde appeared before the magician's mind's eye.
"You should leave your atelier more often. Your asthma will worsen if you only spend time around dusty books, da ze~☆."
Patchouli Knowledge was blushing upon that memory.
"No-no! That's not true!"
The girl, clearly smitten, denied Meiling's accusation as she flailed her empty tea cup at the gatekeeper.
Meiling couldn't help but laugh at the magician's playful punches. Even if she was serious, with her physical strength, it amounted to nothing more than tickles.
Still, Meiling was happy. To think that the stagnant time of the Scarlet Devil Mansion was moving again.
After a short moment, Patchouli's flailing stopped as she was already out of breath.
For a second, Meiling feared that Patchouli was about to experience another asthma attack. But that worry quickly dissipated when the magician calmly caught her breath again.
So, there was nothing to worry about.
"Don't make me worry like that, Lady Patchouli..."
With a heavy sigh, Meiling returned to her garden duties.
As time continued to pass, Patchouli continued to observe Meiling.
It was a curious situation. On an ordinary day, the gatekeeper/gardener wouldn't nearly fascinate the magician enough for her to cast her eyes upon her.
Yet, today, Meiling seemed a deserving subject for her to analyze.
At first, she did not understand where her curiosity came from. Upon her first observation, nothing seemed out of the ordinary with Meiling.
She was dutifully tending to the garden as she was supposed to...
Gently setting her teacup back on the table, Patchouli asked the question that was on her tongue the entire time.
"Meiling?"
"Yes, Lady Patchouli?"
Once again, Patchouli saw the bright, smiling mug of Meiling. It almost made her hesitate to ask what had been on her mind.
Almost.
"Hard at work, aren't we, Meiling?"
Sensing the change in demeanor, the smile on Meiling's face faltered.
Nothing good ever came out of it when someone at the mansion talked to her with that tone of voice.
Still, she didn't let her worry show on her face.
"Is it that unusual, Lady Patchouli?"
Still, Patchouli's frosty expression didn't disappear.
Slowly, gently, Patchouli picked her teacup up once again.
Lifting it up until the vessel for liquid covered half her face.
From Meiling's perspective, Patchouli's expression was concealed.
"Meiling, let's consider something simple. Look at my teacup. What state do you think it's in?"
Meiling perked up slightly upon receiving the magician's query. For once, her question seemed simple, simple enough that she could answer.
It seemed that even the lady magician had it in her to be gentle and ask her a question she understood.
"Oh, is this about whether I think a glass is either half-full or half-empty? In that case, my answer is clear! I am an optimist at heart, so it's half full!"
Seeing Meiling's energetic and excited self, Patchouli allowed herself a faint smile for a brief moment of peace.
"A fair answer if that was what I was asking about, but that's not what I meant. For your curiosity, my opinion is that whether a glass is half-full or half-empty depends on the state it was previously in. If it was empty and you filled half of it, it would be half-full. If it was full and you removed half of it, it would be half-empty."
"That's a rather pragmatic answer from you, Lady Patchouli."
"It might be surprising coming from me, but what use is theory if you don't apply it practically? Knowledge is only power if you use it, after all."
But Patchouli wasn't trying to gauge whether Meiling was an optimist or a pessimist. That was clear to her from the beginning.
No, what she wanted to ask will undeniably confirm Meiling's worries.
Her worries that this conversation is going to lead to a headache.
"But, no. That wasn't what I was trying to ask you. Let me rephrase it. From your position, could you determine the state of my teacup?"
Meiling closed her eyes.
Focusing on the energy in her upper dantian, Meiling spread her qi sense through the courtyard, observing its every minute detail.
From every blade of grass to the flow of the wind, the entirety of the mansion's garden was in her view.
Everything except the state of Patchouli's teacup.
"That's not fair! You've interfered with perception-blocking spells, didn't you, Lady Patchouli!?"
The magician smugly smiled.
That was the point.
"That's the point, Meiling. From your position, could you be certain about the teacup's state? Full, empty, half-full, 80 percent, 1 percent, leaking, could you say for certain without seeing it? Without feeling it?"
"And here I thought you were just thirsty. What's your point, Lady Patchouli?"
Patchouli set the teacup back down again, her expression strained as her mind still felt hazy.
"Perhaps I am thirsty. But I am probably asking about something else entirely."
Patchouli sighed, her thoughts turned inward as she retreated into her mind palace.
Assuming the shape of a grand library similar to the grand library in the mansion she owns, Patchouli started to wander around in this place, randomly pulling books out of the shelves and flipping through the pages before putting them back.
Each book contained memories that were oh-so familiar to her. From the day she met Remilia to the first time she cast a spell, the day of her birth, and the pleasant conversation she had with a certain blonde witch yesterday.
All those memories were in this library.
After all, this was her own mind, and the books represented her memories.
Yet, this place that should feel cozy and welcoming to her seemed...
...unfamiliar.
It was as if she was looking at something that was only pretending to be her memories.
And, the harder she tried to focus on them, the more unclear the picture became.
But if that's the case, that would beg the question, what happened to her real memories?
"My point? It's quite simple, honestly~."
Fiddling with the teacup she had so thoroughly discussed previously, her expression betrayed her as the air in the garden suddenly thickened, and an undescribable pressure descended upon the place.
"At first, I thought this was a side-effect of my studies. A minor side-effect of too much time spent buried in tomes. But now I am certain..."
This was the might of the Unmoving Great Library if she was serious and didn't have one of her regular bouts of sickness.
An ordinary person would have already suffocated to death from the pressure. But Meiling was neither ordinary nor a person. Amidst the suffocating atmosphere, Meiling patiently faced the magician with a relaxed smile, waiting for her to answer the question as if all the world was right.
"Could you be so kind as to spell it out for this humble servant, Lady Patchouli? I still don't quite understand."
A thin, mocking smile twisted itself onto the magician's face.
Such a peculiar situation it was.
She wondered when it was when her memories became hazy.
"Tell me, Meiling. If even I, "The Girl of Knowledge and Shade," cannot observe the truth of my memories, what does that imply?"
Meiling softly sighed in her mind. As expected of Patchouli, she wasn't so unobservant to not notice in the first place.
"Lady Patchouli, when was it when your doubts first emerged?"
For a moment, silence reigned between them. Then, as if Patchouli made a decision, her voice rang out with sharp precision.
"Ever since that incident yesterday."
She shook her head as if mocking the fact nobody paid any mind to all of them having a change of heart out of nowhere.
"To begin with, none of us at the Scarlet Devil Mansion ever desired to connect with others. Yet, Remy voluntarily went to that Hakurei today and..."
Yet, paradoxically, as she recollected the conversation with the blonde witch yesterday, a soft smile appeared on the Great Library.
She had already realized, but she changed the most out of everyone at the mansion.
"As awkward as it is to admit, but I, too, have changed. I would need to be a fool to not be suspicious of the situation, Meiling."
In a moment's notice, the pressure that enveloped the mansion's garden disappeared as if it had been a lie, and a lovely expression appeared on the magician's face.
She almost looked like a shy girl who had fallen in love.
"Indeed, Lady Patchouli. One would need to be a fool like me to not notice the changes around us lately."
Indeed.
How long has it been since she has been the gatekeeper of the mansion?
So much time passed that if Meiling had to pick an answer, it would be that she had already forgotten how it happened.
Yet, her more recent memories were fresh in her mind.
Indeed, there was a time when Remilia stopped leaving her room, and Patchouli secluded herself in the library and the person in the basement...
As for herself...
Meiling shook her head as those memories resurfaced.
There was a time like that, a twisted everyday life that kept endlessly repeating as if time stagnated.
Deep in thought, Patchouli started to rub her temples, losing patience as she couldn't understand the situation, when suddenly, Meiling stepped forward with her usual grace.
"Shall I refill your tea, Lady Patchouli?"
Meiling gently offered the impatient witch like usual, as if this was just another of their everyday conversations.
Patchouli blinked in surprise. Her train of thought derailed. Absentmindedly, she reflexively nodded at the familiar situation.
Right, she was parched. She didn't notice herself as she focused so much on her question the entire time-
"The teacup is empty, Lady Patchouli."
Hearing the sudden statement, Patchouli tilted her head in confusion.
What did she mean by that-
"The answer to your question, Lady Patchouli."
"But that's long past due-"
"And now it's full, Lady Patchouli."
As the gatekeeper kept going, the magician became more confused about what she was saying.
Seeing her confused expression, Meiling couldn't help but think how adorable Patchouli was when she was out of her depth.
Despite her grumpy and abrasive behavior, she was still a girl who dreamed of a picture book world where everyone could smile.
"Lady Patchouli, is the problem that you can't see into the teacup, or is it rather that you don't recognize what's inside?"
Before she could ask any more questions, Meiling had finished her tea ceremony.
That included making the tea and decanting it from an unbelievable height behind her head with a long-nosed teapot.
Patchouli blinked in disbelief as she realized the show Meiling casually just pulled on her without breaking a sweat.
"Show-off."
Those were the only words to leave her mouth as Meiling gave her the hot cup of tea with a smiling face.
But as she looked at the hot liquid, she noticed it was an unfamiliar tea.
Patchouli wanted to ask, but when she lifted her head, she saw Meiling covering her mouth with her index finger.
She shouldn't ask, then.
Looking at the cup, she was again reminded of Meiling's words.
Did she really lack the ability to look into it, or was just what it carried unfamiliar to her?
As she leisurely wandered in her mind palace again, pieces and books slowly started to fall into place again, taking their intended form one after another, until she reached an impasse.
That's when she realized...
"Interesting."
Patchouli opened her eyes again, unclouded and clear as if she just gained some enlightenment.
"Are your doubts resolved, Lady Patchouli?"
Patchouli's expression was of disbelief as if the answer she uncovered shattered her understanding of the world.
But, as much as she was shaken, as quickly did she calm down.
It just made so much sense.
If Remilia was fate and Sakuya time...
If one was lacking time and the other fate...
If an organism's directive is to seek out what it lacks, then...
That would mean for this timeline...
As she realized that, all the puzzle pieces in her mind neatly fit into place, resulting in the complete picture.
She could see it now.
"Fate and time. Sakuya, a paradox of moments without a center, and Remilia, a prisoner of fate, watching from outside her own timeline…"
The fog in her mind seemed to lift as understanding flooded her.
They had given each other what they lacked. Remilia had given Sakuya the gift of fate, and Sakuya had given Remilia the ability to move through time. They had reconnected the broken pieces of their lives and, in doing so, had reconnected the mansion to the flow of time.
And yet, upon this profound realization, one bitter truth remained.
"Ah-ha! HAHA! HEEHEE! Oh, how delightfully ridiculous-!"
Patchouli's laughter echoed through the garden, sharp and unhinged as if she just lost her mind.
But, then, it gave away as her voice cracked mid-laughter.
"This must have to be the most foul and vile prank Remy has ever pulled on me-"
As Patchouli saw the whole picture, she realized-
That all her work had been for nothing.
"Whether I realized it or not, nothing would have changed! This is like the bell curve where both the side of the idiot and the genius came to exactly the same conclusion!"
Her worry was largely unnecessary. Whether she realized the change or not, her life would have continued on the same path without change.
Having that realization, Patchouli started tearing up.
"A line of fate without time cannot form a timeline, just as scattered moments without fate remain unconnected dots."
Regardless of this realization, the time of the Scarlet Devil Mansion finally started moving again.
Patchouli smiled softly, tears glistening as they welled up in her eyes.
"How ridiculous... how wonderfully absurd..."
Patchouli whispered as tears of happiness came out of her eyes. Even she wasn't so cold-hearted as to not get emotional upon such a realization.
"Remy, Sakuya, I... am so happy for you..."
Meiling smiled when she saw Patchouli have that expression of deep happiness on her face.
Yes, this was a cause to celebrate, after all.
Tracing her finger on the teacup's rim, Patchouli gazed into the distance, digesting her realizations.
"I have to acknowledge it. A happily ever after like in a fairy tale, Remilia and Sakuya have finally found their happy end."
Meiling watched her thoughtfully, a faint smile on her lips.
"Certainly, Lady Patchouli, those two have finally found happiness here in Gensokyo. But, I think the more important question is, what do you want to do for your happiness, Lady Patchouli?"
Hearing that question, Patchouli wanted to answer with a snide remark when suddenly, the image of a certain blond-haired witch flashed through her mind, and she started blushing.
"Oho~, Your mind seems to wander quite much today, Lady Patchouli. I wonder, could it have wandered to someone in particular? Maybe someone you held quite a pleasant conversation with yesterday?"
"Nonsense! Mukyu-!"
With a huff, Patchouli threw her book into Meiling's face and stormed off. It seemed the gatekeeper's observation had struck a nerve.
Gazing up into the sky, Meiling noticed how the enlightened star slowly was pulled into the radiant star's path.
As cold as Patchouli sometimes was, she, too, was starting to thaw and change for the better.
"Truly, Gensokyo's such a magical place. If only..."
Once again, Meiling shook her head.
Such unnecessary thoughts. All that was left to do was wait and hope.
Still, if the radiant star was anything like she was on that night, she was sure she wouldn't have to wait for long.
...
Time passed as Marisa was retelling the story of the incident from her perspective.
While Reimu was quick and precise to the point where it was necessary to ask for details, Marisa's retelling was more colorful and vivid, to the point where you wondered whether she was exaggerating or telling the truth.
And so, as nobody paid particular attention to time, morning quickly became afternoon.
"Hey, Akyuu."
Rin asked softly and gently as she interrupted Marisa's retelling of the incident, pocking the chronicler's cheek to draw her attention away from the pen and paper.
"You've been working on the chronicles all day. Don't you think it's time to take a rest already?"
Hearing the worry in the nurse's voice, Akyuu clenched her brush, hesitating to stop writing.
Rin didn't know, but Akyuu wanted to hear the incident from her perspective.
"Not yet. I want to finish recording this while it's still fresh-"
Seeing Rin frown, Akyuu stopped moving her brush for a moment.
"It shouldn't be much longer-"
But before Akyuu finished her words, she hesitated, glancing at Marisa. With how she's been at it all morning and noon, she was unsure whether soon would be actually any minute now or not.
As Akyuu's words hung in the air, everyone stared at the witch as if asking to be considerate and give her a break.
"Woah, everyone relax. In fact, I am wrapping up right now. What a coincidence, isn't it ze~☆?"
Almost nobody believed her except for Reimu and Rin. They were there on the day of the incident, so they knew there wasn't much more to be told.
Marisa leaned back, counting on her fingers what she already had shared.
"Let's see, investigating the mist, the fairy lake battle, showdown with the gatekeeper, Patchouli—oh, and Reimu kicking Remilia's butt—yep, we're down to the last part. Just my little chat with Patchouli left."
"Right, that magician with her great library-?!"
Reimu choked and spat out her tea as Marisa casually mentioned chatting with someone responsible for causing an incident they were in the middle of resolving.
"Wait, chat? You had a conversation with an incident causer mid-incident?"
Upon seeing Reimu's reaction, only a smug smile appeared on Marisa's face.
"Unlike you, I was curious about what caused the incident, Reimu, da ze~☆."
Reimu sighed. After all, the conditions in a Spellcard battle were set up between the two parties.
If Marisa decided to engage in a magic debate with someone of her craft after winning her Spellcard battle, there was no reason nor point for Reimu to stop that.
"So, how was it?"
"Oh, it was pretty pleasant. At least the Scarlet Devil Mansion knows how to treat their guests."
"Not that! I meant, how were the results of your conversation?!"
"Oh, that's what you meant. Well, I would say pretty good."
What followed was a detailed analysis of the mist and the machinations of how it was spread. But before Marisa could go into more detail, Keine stopped her.
"Marisa."
Keine interjected. Her tone was both firm and patient.
"As interesting as your revelation is, they are more suitable for a research paper than a chronicle. Could you please focus on why Remilia spread the mist?"
Getting scolded by Keine, Marisa pouted but ultimately resigned. There was some truth to her words, after all.
"Fine, fine. I'll skip to the boring part. If I remember correctly, it's because Remilia wanted to go on a walk."
"Ah, she wanted to go on a walk. So that's why."
Rin said as if she just realized the whole picture now.
"Yeah, the sun burns her after all. It makes sense."
Keine stated, drawing upon her deep knowledge to make sense of it.
"So that's the reason why she did what she did."
Reimu nodded, almost accepting the answer.
Then, the room fell silent. It took a minute for everyone to digest the ridiculous answer received.
Rin was the first to cut through the silence as she lifted her trembling hand, addressing Remilia.
"Remilia... is that seriously true?"
Remilia just looked at Rin as if nothing was wrong with the world.
"Oh, the mist? Yes, that was me. Guilty as charged."
Her nonchalance made it worse.
Keine was the next to speak out.
"You are telling me that you did all that, endangering Gensokyo, just for a walk?"
"Well, blocking out the sun is not an easy feat. You'd have to do at least that much to accomplish it."
Silence returned to the room. The tension was at an all-time high.
Then, Reimu finally reacted.
"YOU CAUSED ME THIS MUCH TROUBLE FOR A WALK?!"
Reimu screamed as she grabbed Remilia like a rat, intensely shaking her.
Meanwhile, Akyuu's brush was hovering over the page. Her expression was one of pure uncertainty. Was this really worth recording in history?
After a moment of hesitation, Akyuu sighed, writing:
"The vampire spread mist on a whim."
Setting the brush down, Akyuu swallowed her saliva, slightly ashamed at what she was doing.
"Some truths..."
She whispered under her breath, hoping that nobody would notice.
"...are better not recorded."
Seeing the absurd sight before her, Rin couldn't help but start laughing.
While nobody noticed in the chaos, Rin was the only one to smile, softly patting Akyuu's head as she slowly pondered how to recount her experience about the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil incident.
After all, this was how Gensokyo and its incidents were most of the time.
Saturday morning-style cartoon shenanigans that Reimu and Marisa just happened to resolve.
But even a story as silly as that deserved to be told. Especially with a new coat of paint.
Now, where should I start my story?
Rin thought to herself before making her decision.
"Everyone?"
When Rin opened her mouth, all attention was on her, as if curious why the nurse suddenly spoke up.
Rin briefly considered saying something sentimental like "I love you all" but decided against it. The stares wouldn't be worth it.
After Rin cleared her throat, a big mischievous smile appeared on the nurse's face.
"Since we are done with Reimu's and Marisa's part, it's high time for the third protagonist to tell their side of the story! After all, what's done is already done. No point in lingering on that. On the other hand, we still have to finish this recording. Who knows, we might uncover some overlooked details."
"Overlooked details?"
Upon hearing those words, Akyuu perked up, her curiosity again overtaking her.
Meanwhile, Marisa just looked at Rin with raised eyebrows.
"Overlooked details? What could you have possibly done during this whole ordeal? As far as I know, I dealt with Patchouli, while Reimu dealt with Remilia. Meanwhile, their gatekeeper, Meiling, was definitely knocked out. I'd be surprised if she stood back up again after all she went through that night. So, what details could possibly still be untold?"
Marisa flatly stated, briefly summarizing the entire events of the incident, flabbergasting everyone that she could keep things brief after all.
"Y...Yeah. That."
Reimu released Remilia, slumping on the floor with resignation.
"I mean, since I also dealt with Sakuya and Remilia reabsorbed most of the mist for her Last Word, there really isn't much more your perspective could add to this incident, Rin. However, I wonder how Sakuya could stand back up after our fight. I am sure I made sure she would stay unconscious..."
Run softly chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head. If Reimu knew that she healed Sakuya, she'd surely get beat with a stick.
Still, that was no reason to avoid all of this.
She, too, participated in resolving the incident. She deserved recognition as much as Reimu and Marisa did.
"Well, I won't argue that compared to you two, my contribution to the incident is small. By all accounts, you two are the main actors, the main protagonists of this incident. But..."
Without saying another word, Rin stood up, removing Akyuu from her lap, as she casually walked to Remilia, who was rubbing her neck, still with Reimu's handmarks on them.
"Are you alright?"
Seeing the nurse's kind, outstretched hand, Remilia took it out of politeness. She had no reason to refuse it.
"Thanks for the offer. I'll be fine. While the Hakurei Maiden's divine power is certainly strong, she didn't strangle me long enough for it to leave a mark. It will be gone by tomorrow."
Now that she heard that her potential patient was not in any need of medical treatment, it was time to twist the metaphorical knife in her chest.
"Well, no need to make a bill for you then. How will you pay for your gatekeepers and maids treatment?"
"I don't deal with my house's finances, ask Sakuya."
That exchange came as naturally as between an ordinary patient and their doctor.
But for everyone gathered here at the Hakurei-Shrine, it was as if a needle had dropped.
Reimu looked like she was about to snap, but when her anger seemed to peak, it disappeared as if it was never there.
As Rin observed her, she couldn't help but chuckle when she saw the shrine maiden ponder something so serious while rubbing her head before sighing and then sitting down in resignation.
"So, you were the reason for Sakuya's second wind and blocking me while I made my way towards Remilia, Rin?"
Rin breathed out in relief. It seems that Reimu won't be too upset with her.
"Yes, that's right-"
"Talisman:"
But if that were really the case, Reimu wouldn't be folding some talisman into a harisen right now.
[Divine Punishment for Off-Season Jokesters]
Before Rin could react, Reimu teleported behind the nurse and delivered a swift blow to the back of her head.
With one massive dull sound ringing, the nurse now decorated the Hakurei-Shrine's floor.
Rin sighed, half in resignation, half as if mocking herself.
She had to admit this much herself, but she was practically asking to get hit at this point.
Still, as selfish as it was on her part, she couldn't let things end just yet.
It wasn't for the sake of the Gensokyo Chronclie's accuracy. As long as Akyuu is around, that could be done anytime.
Yes, it was for her own pride.
She didn't have enough fun yet, she didn't get to enjoy herself yet, or to be truthful, she just couldn't during the whole incident.
Because, as much as she was an idol meant to spread hope, she was equally as much a liar who does things for her own enjoyment.
So, not yet.
The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil was not yet over.
So, please, everyone, forgive me, but let me have some fun!
Launching herself off the ground, Rin struck a pose and continued as if Reimu had never plastered her all over the ground.
"Yes, that's right."
She said with a resonant smug tone, nodding to herself.
This will be fun.
"While it's true that you two are the stars of this incident, the lead stars occupying the center stage, but..."
Flashing a devious smile toward her two friends, whom she had grown closer to within the last few days, an electrifying rush went down Rin's spine as she imagined their shocked expressions.
She was in bliss. That was the motivation she lived for.
"Aren't you forgetting to be grateful to everyone who supported you?"
Rin asked that question in the most innocent tone she could muster, reaching out to her friends with a genuine smile.
"Good grief, don't you know that the only reason stars can shine so bright on stage is because of the people supporting them?"
Seeing the nurse's outstretched hand, the two girls exchanged hesitant glances, unsure to take it.
After all, even if they only met Rin recently, the two of them already roughly understood the kind of personality she had.
Ultimately, closeness is determined by the number of interactions, not the length of only knowing each other.
And they knew Rin enjoyed getting a reaction out of people.
But despite that, they still underestimated how bold Rin could be.
Even though they only partially raised their hands, hesitating to take hers, Rin already reached forward and grabbed their hands, lifting them off the ground.
"You two started your stories right in the middle after you found the culprits! So, let me tell you everything about what happened beforehand and afterward! In a sense, the prologue and epilogue of this story!"
And with that, we'll close the first chapter of Rin's story in Gensokyo.
It is only the beginning of her life in this World of Fantasy.
From here on, she'll meet many more colorful people, but that is a story for another time.
Soul Master in Gensokyo Book 1 - Embodiment of Scarlet Devil.
THE END.
...
The sun was already starting to set when people finally started to vacate the Hakurei-Shrine's premises for the relief of Reimu.
Akyuu was humming to herself, satisfied with a job well done.
Thanks to Reimu, Marisa, and Rin recounting the incident, Akyuu had ample material to work with.
Each of them had a unique perspective when sharing their experiences, each possessing their own particular charm when listened to.
Reimu was dry and direct, resembling more a report than anything else.
Marisa was exaggerated and over the top, seeming like a tall tale, though it might be the plain truth.
Rin was vivid and colorful, like a play meant to entertain from start to finish.
In her mind, she was already editing the material, thinking about what to potentially include or cut out.
It was going to be fun.
Yet, strangely, her attending physician, who should have the same route home as her, was already parting ways with her at the shrine entrance.
"Rin, where are you going?"
The nurse stopped, not turning around.
"It has been a hot day. Usually, I would have already done my rounds of gathering herbs at this time. How to say it. I feel a bit unrestful knowing I haven't done it yet."
Something was off in the way she acted.
Akyuu felt her stomach turn as she looked at the nurse's back, which seemed so lonely.
Yet, not one person here was close enough to notice.
"Oh, is that the case? Please don't take too long and get home safely."
That was all she could think of to say at this moment.
"Akyuu-sama, I don't think that's a good idea to leave-"
Akyuu cut Keine's word off, only returning a knowing smile.
"Keine-sensei, you know how stubborn Rin can be. Not to mention, she helped resolve an incident. I trust her enough not to worry about small things like this."
Receiving those words, Keine acknowledged that reasoning with a simple nod.
Yes, after yesterday's incident, Rin proved she can look after herself.
Her duty might be to protect the human villagers. But for Rin, she likely was unnecessarily meddling in her business.
"Rin, please return before nightfall, before we close the village's gate!"
From afar, she could see Rin give a thumbs-up to her request.
Receiving that sign, Keine was the last to turn her back on the nurse.
A blunder.
"Finally, they are gone..."
With a sigh of relief, Rin lost strength in her legs and collapsed against a nearby tree.
"Huff... huff... gasps..."
It was painful. More than any human should ever endure.
If her friends were even negligibly closer to her, especially Akyuu, they would have noticed what was off.
"Ugh, gack, glrk!"
They would have noticed...
"Bluuurgh!"
...that her mask was off.
Looking beneath her, Rin chuckled at what she saw.
She really was overexerting herself.
"To think my body detorioated to this point."
Lying limply in a random ditch on the side of the way, Rin was covered in blood and organ chunks.