After the Scarlet Devil Mansion was finally rebuilt, I decided to visit the Hakurei Shrihe pce looked as quiet and peaceful as ever, with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees.

  When I arrived, Reimu was lying on the floor, looking as zy as always. Her arms were spread out, and she stared bnkly at the ceiling.

  The moment she saw me, her eyes widened slightly before she quickly looked away, her face tinged with a hint of guilt. It seemed she was still feeling bad about leaving me behind to fix the mansion by myself.

  An awkward silence hung in the air, and I wasn't sure how to break it. I scratched my head, then finally spoke up, "The mansion's fixed... It looks eveer than before."

  She g me, then quickly turned her head away again. "...Oh. That's good."

  I tried to think of something else to say. "I was... bored, so I came to see you."

  She huffed, her shoulders rexing a bit. "You have too much free time."

  I couldn't help but ugh. "I don't want to hear that from you."

  I sat down beside her, taking out my tea set. Reimu's eyes followed my movements, her gaze lingering oeapot. I knew what she was thinking—my tea tasted better than hers. She didn't say it, but her pouty expression was enough.

  I made tea for both of us, p the steaming liquid into her cup. She took a sip, her shoulders visibly rexing.

  "Oh, and I brought a snack from Mystia," I added, reag into my hat and pulling out a bag of dried fish.

  Reimu blinked, staring at the dried fish befiving me a questioning look. "...This is a snack?"

  I grinned. "Acc to Mystia, it is."

  We ended up lying down on the flether, staring at the ceiling in sile was... peaceful.

  Suddenly, the air grew colder, and a ripple of power surged through the shrine. I shot up, sitting upright as a gap appeared, filled with tless red eyes.

  From the gap emerged Yakumo Yukari, her signature parasol resting on her shoulder. Following behind her was Ran Yakumo, her loyal shikigami.

  Yukari's eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked at us. "Oh my, how zy you two are. It's a beautiful day, and you're lying around like sloths."

  I quickly sat up straight, trying to look presentable. Reimu, oher hand, stayed ft on the floor, unfazed by Yukari's presence.

  Yukari covered her mouth with her sleeve, chug. "How adorable."

  She turned her gaze towards me, her golden eyes shining with curiosity. "So... how does it feel to bee a vampire?"

  I paused, thinking carefully before answering. "It feels... strange. Like my senses are sharper, but also colder. It's hard to describe."

  Yukari's smile widened. "I see... Quite an iing power you have. I wonder..." Her eyes glimmered mischievously. "Would it be possible for you to bee like me?"

  I opened my mouth but then closed it, not knowing how to respond. Could I really bee like Yukari...?

  Seeing my hesitation, Yukari simply smiled, her eyes softening. "No answer? Well, that's fine." She turned her attention to Reimu, her pyful demeanor vanishing. "Reimu, are you free?"

  Reimu snorted, not even b to sit up. "Why are you asking? You already know I'm free."

  Ran's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "Lady Yukari is speaking to you. Show some respect."

  Yukari merely ughed. "It's fine, Ran. Reimu's ziness is just part of her charm." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "But you won't be zy for long. I've decided to throw a ba here at the shrine."

  Reimu's eyes shot open, her body finally moving as she sat up. "What? A ba? Here? Why!?"

  Yukari griilting her head. "Why not? It's the perfect way to celebrate the end of the scarlet mist i. Plus... I'm inviting the entire Scarlet family."

  Reimu groaned, falling back to the flreat... more freeloaders..."

  Ran looked at her mistress in surprise. "Lady Yukari... are you really inviting vampires to the shrine?"

  Yukari's eyes twinkled. "Of course! I want to see what happens. Besides, it'll be fun."

  Reimu buried her fa her hands. "I k... You're just doing this to mess with me."

  Yukari's ughter was musical, eg through the shrine. "Prepare yourself, Reimu. And don't be zy."

  She turowards me, her expression softening. "It's too te to say this but... Wele to Gensokyo, Mirage Carl."

  Before I could respond, Yukari opened a gap and go ih Ran, and the two of them disappeared, leaving behind nothing but the faint st of cherry blossoms. Wait, does it bloom in summer?

  I sat there, staring at the spot where they had vanished, my mind rag. A ba... with the Scarlet family? At the shrine?

  Reimu sighed, closing her eyes. "I hate bas..."

  I chuckled and closed my eyes again, feeling the gentle breeze brush against my face. I had a feeling things were about to get a lot more chaotic... but for now, I could enjoy this moment of peace.