Lossy's Journal

Remilia

Heehee... Thank you all for coming here today, my lovely servants. You have been summoned for one reason...

Remilia

The Scarlet Devil Mansion is under attack and has lost its sacrifices! The danger we face is unprecedented!

Remilia

If this continues, Sakuya won't be able to make me sweets anymore...

Remilia

We must investigate and resolve this issue immediately! Now, my servants... Do my bidding!

Um... (What's going on?)

Patchouli

You can just ignore Remi, PLAYER. She's just playing around as usual.

Remilia

How could you say that? Here I am trying my best to solve the case occurring here...

Remilia

You should help me out, Patchy! How can you just sit there and read books when we're having an emergency?!

Patchouli

Well, if somebody would stop getting my books dirty, then I would be able to spend more time playing with you, Remi.

Remilia

Who could have done such a thing? ...Oh, it must be whoever attacked the mansion!

Remilia

Heehee... They are either very brave or very stupid to attack us. We'll catch them no matter what.

Remilia

This might take a while though, so first let's have some tea as we plan our strategy.

Sakuya

Understood, milady. I will prepare something using the ingredients that remain.

Meiling

I'll help too, Miss Sakuya!

Sakuya

Thank you, but Meiling... You weren't asleep just now, were you?

Meiling

O-O-Of course I wasn't! I was listening so hard that holes might've opened up in my ears!

Sakuya

Then could you tell me what you heard before it falls out of those holes?

Meiling

Um... Lady Patchouli said she was having trouble sorting the books, so we're all going to help her clean them up...?

You're half right, I suppose...

Meiling

Yeees! I was half-asleep, so I wasn't sure if I pieced the conversation together properly!

Meiling

...Ah!

Meiling

L-L-Lady Patchouli! I'll help you check the books! We have to take care of the books since they're so important!

Patchouli

No, I can do it myself. You should help Sakuya prepare the tea.

Meiling

Don't say that! Don't you need another helping hand since Koakuma's away? Please protect me along with the books!

Patchouli

*sigh* Fine, fine... So please stop clinging to me. You'll get your tears and snot all over my clothes.

Sakuya

That Meiling... Using Lady Patchouli to escape. She'll get what she deserves when this is all over.

Sakuya

Milady, the tea is ready.

Sakuya

I made these sweets with some ingredients that were still in our storehouse.

Remilia

Thank you, Sakuya.

Remilia

That reminds me... Where is Koakuma anyway? I haven't seen Flan either.

Patchouli

Flan used my special sunscreen and headed out with Koakuma. They probably went to the Misty Lake.

Remilia

Hm... I wonder what those two are doing.

Remilia

PLAYER, let's go to the lake too. Don't you want to know what they're up to?

Let's go!

Remilia

Very good! We can look for the rude person who dared to mess with the Scarlet Devil Mansion at the same time.

Remilia

They have robbed the Scarlet Devil and shall taste my wrath... They will regret this to the end of their days!

Meiling

Milady, please do not direct your anger at the library.

Remilia

I haven't done anything yet. Perhaps a power latent within me is out of control...

Patchouli

Remi, I get it, but let's keep the silly talk for after we chase the thieving rat out of the mansion.

Remilia

This isn't silly talk, Patchy! As the lady of the Scarlet Devil Mansion―

Sakuya

Lady Patchouli.

Patchouli

I know. This is a spell I cast to deal with thieving rats.

Patchouli

If this spell has been activated... It means that the rat is here.

Meiling

Um, Lady Patchouli? This is a bit much... I hope the books haven't been hurt.

Patchouli

This rat is as stubborn as a phantom. I can't hold back. I've already warded the books with a spell to protect them.

???

Ouch! What the heck, Patchouli? You've gone way overboard! If you caught anyone else in this, they would've died!

Marisa

Good thing I was here. You should thank me, really.

Patchouli

I wouldn't have to do this if you'd just stop stealing my books. You always sneak in and take the rarest ones...

Patchouli

It takes a lot of effort to set up a magic circle like this one! Try to empathize a little!

Marisa

Hey, choose your words more carefully... I haven't stolen anything. I'm just borrowing your books till I'm dead!

Patchouli

If the books don't come back to me, that's the same as stealing! And I never agreed to lend you anything!

Marisa

Aw, don't be so stuffy about this! You've got so many books anyway. You won't miss a book or five.

Patchouli

I DO miss them! How could I not when you've taken so many?!

(What's this feeling of deja vu...?)

Marisa, stealing is bad.

Marisa

Not you too, PLAYER?! This is all just a big misunderstanding! This library is all dusty and dark, right?

Marisa

I'm just keeping the books in a better place for them! It's a completely selfless act! I'm just doing this for the books!

Patchouli

Nobody asked you to protect my books! You're just causing trouble.

Is something the matter?

Remilia

Heehee, not at all. I was just thinking that criminals always return to the scene of the crime...

Marisa

What are you laughing for? Did you eat a laughing mushroom or something?

Remilia

So you want to keep playing dumb? I know you're the little rat who stole the food out of our storehouse.

Marisa

...Huh? What are you talking about, Remilia? Did you not get enough blood or something?

Patchouli

...Hm, Remi has a point. Marisa knows all the nooks and crannies of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Patchouli

She would be able to get past Meiling as well, since she always does that when she sneaks into the library.

Marisa

You gotta be kidding me! Don't try to pin the blame for everything on me!

Marisa

I only sneak into the library to borrow a couple of rare magic books and sate my wholesome thirst for knowledge!

Marisa

I never do anything immoral!

Patchouli

Hmph! Taking my books without permission is an immoral act in and of itself!

Marisa

Come on, Patchouli. We're friends, right? What's a book or two or three or four between friends?

Patchouli

Have you ever heard this phrase? A hedge between keeps friendship green.

Patchouli

It's time to put up that hedge. This has been going on for long enough. Lend me a hand, PLAYER.

Marisa

Ugh... When you get like this, there's no stopping you. Fine! It's time for ol' Master Spark to come out and play.

Marisa

Sorry, PLAYER, but I have no intention of losing. I'm not taking the blame for something I didn't do.

Patchouli

This battle of bullets will show if Marisa is truly innocent or not, so make sure not to hold back.

Patchouli

Especially if you do believe in Marisa's innocence...

Marisa

Dang it! I lost!

Patchouli

You lost...? You were holding back the whole time.

Marisa

Of course. If I won, you'd just keep suspecting me, right? I still fought honestly though.

Patchouli

Yes, your honesty came through to me in your bullets... Marisa didn't steal the food in the storehouse.

Patchouli

...I'm sorry for suspecting you. This is my apology.

Marisa

Haha, you think you can buy me off with sweets?

Marisa

I'd tell you not to treat me like a kid, but I'll let you off this time.

Remilia

Patchy! You can't just give out our sweets when we have so few of them!

Patchouli

Sorry, Remi, but I need to apologize... Forgive me?

Remilia

Grr... It's Marisa's fault for being suspicious in the first place! You should at least show some remorse, Marisa!

Marisa

Aw, Remilia, you in a bad mood? If you get angry at stuff like this, people'll think you're not fit to be lady of the mansion.

Remilia

I don't want to hear that from somebody who's not even fit to step foot in here, but I do admit I'm angry at the thief.

Marisa

Oh, the Scarlet Devil Mansion got wrapped up in something too?

Sakuya

Too? What could you possibly mean by that? What do you know?

Marisa

That's actually why I came here in the first place, to solve that mystery!

Marisa

We're actually holding a fun event in the village right now. We're calling it "Give us sweets or we'll play pranks on you!".

Patchouli

I think I've read about something similar... I think it was around here―

It looks like a book fell.

It seems very old.

Remilia

Yes... *cough* *cough* It's all covered in dust.

Marisa

Huh? What is this? I've never seen it before!

Patchouli

Is this book from the library? I can't remember one like it.

Marisa

This might be a real treasure! Let's look inside!

I wonder what it says...

Marisa

Let's see here... "When darkness descends, the world shall teem with evil spirits seeking sweet sacrifice."

Marisa

"The spirits' evil deeds will throw the world into chaos. Equip yourselves and prepare an incantation to exterminate them."

Remilia

...What is that supposed to mean?

Patchouli

Is the world mentioned here supposed to be Gensokyo...?

Sakuya

I don't believe that evil spirits could escape from hell so easily. And this sweet sacrifice written here... Do they mean sweets?

Maybe the sweets in the mansion were eaten by...

Remilia

Very good, PLAYER. I was just thinking the same thing.

Remilia

Evil spirits are the cause of this terrible disaster!

Marisa

Uh, I don't know about that.

Remilia

Whatever could you mean?

Marisa

It says the spirits' evil deeds will throw the world into chaos, but I think it's probably talking about some human event.

Patchouli

...Which is?

Marisa

There's a prank festival happening in the village right now.

A prank festival...?

Is that the event you mentioned earlier?

Marisa

Yup. It was written in one of Suzunaan's books from the outside. I don't know the details myself, but...

Marisa

I hear it's held to let ancestors who've passed away know that you're doing OK in the world of the living.

Marisa

And the way it's done is really fun! Kids go around playing pranks on everyone!

So that's why it's a prank festival!

But how are sweets related?

Marisa

They're VERY related. You're supposed to give out sweets to these kids, y'see.

Marisa

But the sweets for the festival have gone missing! That's why the organizers, Kosuzu and Akyuu, went to Reimu for help.

Marisa

I took the job before Reimu could, and that's why I'm here.

Marisa

I came to the mansion to investigate, so I thought I might as well borrow a book or two as a reward for my hard work.

Patchouli

*sulk* Go investigate already and leave my books alone!

Sakuya

So that's why you think others might be involved...

Remilia

Heehee, you are always quick on the uptake, Sakuya... Now, explain it so they can understand too!

Sakuya

Understood, milady.

Sakuya

At first glance, this book seems to be talking about evil spirits appearing in our world―

Sakuya

―but at the same time, there are similarities to the event at the Human Village that originates from the outside world.

Sakuya

"When darkness descends, the world shall teem with evil spirits seeking sweet sacrifice."

Sakuya

If the ghosts of ancestors return at twilight, could that not be what "when darkness descends" is referring to?

Sakuya

And if "evil spirits seeking sweet sacrifice" are the children playing pranks...

Patchouli

Then the "sweet sacrifice" referred to here would be the sweets given to the children.

Remilia

Hm, if the evil spirits are children, then "evil deeds" could easily mean pranks as well.

Remilia

And the pranks would be "chaos" for the adults... But these children are quite reckless.

Remilia

Ransacking the mansion because the village didn't have enough sweets? They will rue the day they angered me!

Patchouli

Are you really getting this worked up over some children's pranks? You're quite the child yourself, Remi.

Remilia

I'm not worked up! Not at all! I just think that these insolent children need some discipline.

Patchouli

Could you discipline Marisa as well then? So that she'll stop taking things without permission.

Remilia

Why should I? That's your job, Patchy. And you're both magicians, so really, you should be happy to educate her.

"Equip yourselves," it says...

"And prepare an incantation to exterminate them"?

Sakuya

Milady, PLAYER, I think I might know what equipment this book is referring to!

Remilia

I can always count on you, Sakuya. Prepare that equipment for us so that we can catch those hooligans!

Sakuya

Understood.

I'll do my best to help...!

Patchouli

But if this book is talking about the prank festival in the village, could this be from the outside too?

Marisa

Or a prophecy book of some kind! Since the sweets did disappear from the mansion and the village...

Marisa

It looks really old... You really haven't seen it before? If it gives you the creeps, I can help you get rid of it!

Patchouli

No thank you. I have no intention of giving you any book, ever. And who knows? Perhaps this belongs to Koakuma.

Marisa

Tsk. You're always so stingy.

Remilia

The case of the disappearing sweets at the mansion and the village... Only I can solve this impossible mystery!

Remilia

Perhaps Marisa was right―this might really be a prophecy book. Ooh, it seems like things will get rather interesting!

Meiling

The mistress was so delighted...

Meiling

But if the kids in the village are behind this, I definitely would've noticed... This is all very strange.

Meiling

Ah! Don't tell me you think they got in because I was asleep? Even if I was asleep, I would've noticed their qi!

Meiling

I need to focus so I don't let anyone get past me again! PLAYER, do you want to do Tai Chi Chuan with me?

Meiling

That woke me right up! You can leave the mansion to Lady Patchouli and me!

Meiling

Take care of the mistress and Miss Sakuya for me!

Remilia

Sakuya, is this really the equipment mentioned in the prophecy?!

Sakuya

Of course it is. This outfit has a long history behind it―perfect for a dignified lady such as yourself.

Sakuya

This traditional garment has a pattern that evil spirits fear. It strikes awe and terror in those that behold it!

Remilia

Hm... I guess it must be true if you're saying so, Sakuya.

Remilia

Wait for me, you evil spirits! I, the Scarlet Devil and lady of the mansion, will smite you!

Sakuya

(I am sure it will be an easy feat for you, milady.)

Sakuya

Oh, she's just so adorable...! Milady's smug smile is the cutest thing...

Sakuya, you're saying that aloud...

Sakuya

...Ahem. PLAYER. You heard nothing.

Remilia

What are you doing? Let's get going already!

Marisa

Hey, PLAYER. I have a request.

Marisa

Could you go with Remilia and Sakuya?

I don't mind...

But why do you want me to?

Marisa

I mentioned that Kosuzu and Akyuu went to Reimu to look for the culprit, right? We're talking to everyone suspicious.

Marisa

Of course, that includes everyone at the mansion... though I ended up getting suspected first and had a battle of bullets.

But the sweets disappeared from the mansion too!

Marisa

That might just be an act! You always get culprits playing the victim in mystery novels, right?

Marisa

Normally I'd say we can prove innocence with bullets, but I found out last time that it just ends up spreading rumors.

Marisa

The humans in the village are worried that their ancestors are angry or something. They think they might get cursed.

Marisa

Kosuzu and Akyuu told me and Reimu to prove that the ancestors aren't actually angry.

Marisa

If it's the fault of these evil spirits mentioned in the book, we'll have to cut the evil off at the root, right?

Marisa

We won't really be able to solve this problem otherwise.

Marisa

Remilia says she's going to look for the culprit too, so I figure we can use this opportunity.

Marisa

Me and Reimu trust you, PLAYER... We know you wouldn't go around trying to cause an incident.

Of course I wouldn't!

Marisa

That's why I want you to help us out! Remilia and Sakuya will behave if you're there watching them.

Remilia

What's wrong, PLAYER? Your attention is elsewhere... Don't tell me you're afraid of me now?

Well, something like that.

Remilia

Heeheehee... Sakuya really was right! This outfit is the embodiment of terror!

Sakuya

...Milady, I've found Koakuma.

Koakuma

Thank you for coming again today! How did you like the story about evil spirits playing pranks?

Rumia

Let's give sweets to the kids who came to watch our puppet show! They look reeeaaally yummy.

Flandre

Ooh, thanks! I got to hear a story and I got sweets too! What a fun day!

Flandre

Oh, Remilia and Sakuya and PLAYER! Are you here to listen to Koakuma read stories too?

Remilia

Something like that, yes.

Rumia

Is that sooo...? Then I'll give you these sweets!

Remilia

Heeheehee... So you really were the culprit, Koakuma!

Koakuma

Huh...?

Koakuma

WHAAAAAAAAT?!

Koakuma

Wh-Wh-What are you saying? I'm just reading books for children!

Remilia

Then what are these sweets you're handing out? You must've stolen them from the mansion!

Koakuma

Of course I didn't! I saved them up in secret!

Remilia

In secret? Why would you do something in secret if you aren't guilty?

Koakuma

Well... I might have been guilty of something else... Pleeeease don't tell Lady Patchouli!

Remilia

Why do I have to keep it a secret from Patchy? You have a duty to respond.

Koakuma

Urk... I suppose I must, since I lost in our battle of bullets. The truth is... this is my secret stash of sweets!

A secret stash...?

Koakuma

This puppet show is a simpler version of a story from the mansion's library.

Koakuma

At first, nobody came to listen... But many fairies and youkai came when I started giving out sweets!

Koakuma

But Patchouli said that they weren't there to enjoy the story―that they just wanted sweets...

Koakuma

But I'm fine with that! As long as it means they have a chance to experience the story!

Sakuya

So you've been saving your afternoon sweets to hand them out here...

Koakuma

Yes...

Remilia

So it's got nothing to do with our case? I had kind of already guessed... You can have these.

Koakuma

R-R-Really?!

Remilia

Consider it an apology for suddenly forcing you into a battle of bullets. Plus, I think you're doing a good thing.

Koakuma

Thank you so much, milady!

Remilia

I'll join you next time, but right now, I need to find our sweets-stealing culprit.

Koakuma

Um, Milady...! Would you mind if I joined you? I want to catch the culprit I almost took the blame for!

Rumia

This sounds fuuun! I want to go too! So give me some sweets!!!

Sakuya

Oh dear, it seems your followers have increased... I feel like I've heard a fairy tale like this before.

Remilia

Good, my charisma has drawn them to me.

Remilia

Now, let's find our culprit!

Flandre

Heeeey, you're going to play with my sister, right? Take me too!

Flandre

You can't? Why not? WHY NOOOOT?!

Flandre

So you want to leave me out?! Fine! I'll just make you go SQUISH then!

Flandre

Boo, I lost... Huh? You want me to protect the sweets at the mansion...?

Flandre

Oh, you can leave that to me! I'll do a super good job protecting them all! See you later!

Rumia

Heeeey, will you give me sweets if I fight you in a battle of bullets?

Rumia

I know Koakuma got sweets after her battle! I want some too, so let's shoot some bullets!

Rumia

They were apology candies...? So I can't get any? Aw...

Rumia

Ooh, you're going to give me some?!

Rumia

Ehehe... Thanks! I'll help you look for the culprit too!

Flandre

I'll protect the mansion with Meiling and Patchouli! Plus, we've got a lot to prepare!

Remilia

Thank you, Flan. I'll be able to rest easy knowing you're there.

Remilia

...But what do you need to prepare?

Rumia & Flandre

Ehehe... You'll find out later!

Koakuma

Oh, it's, er... That! That, um... Preparations to punish anyone who tries to cause trouble at the mansion!

Remilia

Oh, I see. That sounds promising!

Remilia

Now, back to business. First, let's interrogate those fairies.

Rumia

Heeey, do you know where the sweets went?

Cirno

Huh? You were JUST giving out sweets earlier, right?

Cirno

WAIT! Are you here to ask me to give them back?! Because I won't! You gave them to me, so they're MINE!

Daiyousei

I think Rumia's talking about the affair in the village...

Daiyousei

The humans were talking about how the sweets they meant to give away at the prank festival disappeared... Right?

Rumia

Huh? Really?!

Daiyousei

Wait, is that not why you're here...?

Sakuya

You're exactly right. The same thing happened at the mansion, so we are here looking for the culprit.

Sakuya

Would you happen to know anything?

Daiyousei

Sorry... I only heard the children mention it offhand.

???

But we know ALL about it!

Sunny Milk

That prank festival's for us fairies, right?

Luna Child

We can prank all day and nobody will get mad!

Star Sapphire

We already pranked Miss Reimu! There were a lot of pumpkins, so we drew faces on all of them!

Sunny Milk

That was so good! Miss Reimu looked so annoyed!

Star Sapphire

The two visitors from the village were shaking in surprise too... Hehehe!

Faces on pumpkins...? I'm scared to go back...

I wonder if they meant to use them at the festival...

Luna Child

You should go take a look, PLAYER! We did a really good job... If you don't, we'll prank you!

Lily White

No, you should play pranks in the spring! Everyone's excited in the spring because it's the season of beginnings!

Lily White

Why won't they have a prank festival in the spring? It'd be way better then!

Rumia

Really?

Koakuma

Rumia, let's not talk about that now, or we'll get off track...

Rumia

Reeaally...?

Remilia

Well... It seems you only found out about the missing sweets for the prank festival from a rumor.

Remilia

That would mean you fairies aren't the culprits. I was so sure fairies were behind it though...

???

Kyahahaha! Sounds like something FUN is going on! I can hear the sad requiem of the human children!

Clownpiece

Let's quicken the pace! It's LUNATIC TIME!!!

Wait, you live under the shrine...

Clownpiece

Come on! Join me in this crazy dance!

Koakuma

PLAYER, don't look at Piece's torch!

Clownpiece

Don't get in my way! Miss Reimu's always on guard at the shrine so I can't ever come out and play!

Rumia

No cutting in line! I'm the one who's gonna eat PLAYER! I'm waiting for her to get yummier first!

Koakuma

No eating her!

Rumia

Huh...? Is that soooo...? But I really wanted toooo... I guess I'll just bite off an arm. That's OK, right?

Koakuma

It's not OK!

Clownpiece

Forget those dumb dumbs and dance with me! It's a prank festival, right? Let's all move to the rhythm!

Lily White

We'll dance and prank and get our sweets! Then spring will come early!

That doesn't sound like a good thing...

Lily White

Why not...? Don't tell me you hate spring?!

Cirno

HEY! You can't just skip over winter!

Star Sapphire

PLAYER, please ignore the spring and the ice. We have to enjoy the prank festival like Piece said!

Sunny Milk

Give us sweets or we'll play pranks on you! Give us sweets and we'll still play pranks on you!

Remilia

Hmph! So you're saying you're the culprit behind this prank?!

Luna Child

Huh? Why are you angry?! We're just playing pranks because it's a prank festival!

Koakuma

That doesn't give you free reign to do anything you want! Milady, please leave this to me!

Remilia

Oh, you seem rather motivated. I'll leave it to you then, Koakuma.

Koakuma

Please do! OK, let's do this, PLAYER!

Remilia

Now give back the sweets you stole from the Scarlet Devil Mansion!

Cirno

...Huh? If we had sweets, we wouldn't be asking you for them, right?

That's true...

Remilia

But you said that you'd play pranks on us if we didn't give you sweets and that even if we did, you'd play pranks anyway!

Daiyousei

Oh, um... That was just something we heard from the children in the village, so we were repeating it...

Remilia

Don't say such misleading things...

Sakuya

Now, now, milady... Even if it was misleading, that was no reason to suddenly start a battle of bullets.

Lily White

Ooh, you're giving us sweets? Thank you! I'll save these until spring comes.

Sakuya

Heehee, you should eat them soon.

Clownpiece

Hmmm, so this is why Miss Reimu's been looking so busy! This sounds fun! I guess I can help y'all out too!

Cirno

You were just dancing around the whole time! You didn't even shoot any bullets!

Clownpiece

We had you here, and you're Gensokyo's strongest, right? If I joined in, that would've been unfair!

Cirno

Weeeeell, I guess that's true!

Sunny Milk

Aw, we lost 'cause I wasn't used to fighting like this! I didn't get to play any pranks!

Luna Child

But we still got sweets, so it's fine, right?

Star Sapphire

But that doesn't mean we can't play pranks! Nobody said anything about that.

Luna Child & Sunny Milk

That's true!!!

Three Fairies of Light

Give us sweets or we'll play a prank on you!

Sunny Milk

Wait. Why did the prank festival start anyway?

Luna Child

I don't know... Ancestors are supposed to come back from the afterlife or something, right?

Star Sapphire

Yes, something like that... But it's got nothing to do with us fairies. We just want the sweets!

Luna Child & Sunny Milk

MORE SWEETS!

Lily White

Autumn has a lot of interesting things, but spring does too!

Lily White

Playing pranks to get sweets sounds really fun.

Lily White

But I bet it'd be way more fun if we did it in the spring. Don't you agree?

Lily White

Aw... I lost... I guess it's just not my season...

Lily White

A lot of fun events happen in the spring too, OK?

Lily White

The Human Village was really busy earlier... Maybe because spring is coming?

Lily White

Wait, that's not the reason...?

Remilia

Heehee, night has fallen... My time has come!

Remilia

Come at me, ruffians, but beware! I will not hold back! Boo!

Clownpiece & Rumia

Boo!

Koakuma

Huh! I didn't know there was such a book in our library. I haven't seen it before...

Sakuya

Lady Patchouli said the same thing.

Koakuma

Did someone bring it into the library? Or did it just happen to surface from the library's deep dark depths?

Koakuma

Hm... It's gotten too dark to read!

Clownpiece

How's this?

Koakuma

Thank you! ...Wait, no! That's dangerous! But now I can read... So I guess it's fine! Thank you!

Koakuma

Let's see... "When darkness descends, the world shall teem with evil spirits seeking sweet sacrifice."

Koakuma

"The spirits' evil deeds will throw the world into chaos. Equip yourselves and prepare an incantation to exterminate them."

Koakuma

I see... The world is teeming with ancestors from the afterlife tonight, which coincides with the prank festival going on...

Sakuya

While it might truly mean evil spirits, it might also be referring to children playing pranks.

Sakuya

We plan to discover the truth and capture the culprit... I will give them the honor of tasting my knives.

Rumia

So, we’re going after evil spirits! We need to make things darker!

This is going a bit overboard...

I can't see anything!

Remilia

Rumia! You can't just make darkness in the night... Eek!

Sakuya & ???

Milady! Watch out!

Momiji

PLAYER, are you OK?!

Somehow... Thank you.

Momiji

Thank goodness you aren't injured... You're just a human, so you should be more careful.

Rumia

Sorry, PLAYER...

It's fine!

I know you didn't mean to.

Momiji

You're all so irresponsible... Don't forget that you've got a normal human with you!

Momiji

The Youkai Mountain is dangerous right now. You can't behave like the children in the village.

Remilia

I know that... Why do I have to be lectured by a white wolf tengu like you?

Remilia

...Wait, why do you know about the prank festival? And the Youkai Mountain is always dangerous, isn't it?

Momiji

Yes, but tonight is more dangerous than usual! Do you want to get caught up in the fire?!

There's a fire on the mountain?!

Momiji

Something like it, yes.

Momiji

I heard about the prank festival from the spirits who returned from the afterlife.

Momiji

According to the gap youkai, the barrier between their world and ours is thinner than usual today.

Momiji

The humans must have found out about this somehow. They are playing pranks to show their ancestors they're doing well.

Momiji

That itself isn't a problem, but that isn't where it ends.

Sakuya

...What do you mean?

Momiji

Humans who can't sense spirits can't hear their voices, but they can notice their poltergeist activity.

Momiji

Phantoms who want to talk to humans are using fire to write words into the mountain.

Clownpiece

Ah... So that's why there are weird burn marks everywhere.

Momiji

The Yama says that evil spirits have come too. We're on a mission to extinguish the fire and exterminate the spirits.

Momiji

There are too many to deal with, and we have to be careful not to exterminate the good spirits...

Clownpiece

How can they be good if they're burning stuff? Sounds like you have it tough!

Momiji

I wish it were so simple, but... Hey! You're holding a torch! Don't tell me you're working with the evil spirits?

Clownpiece

What?! How'd you come to THAT conclusion?!

Rumia

Piece has been with me the whole time! You shouldn't suspect her just 'cause she's a fairy from Hell!

I don't think saying that will help...

Momiji

A fairy from Hell? How could I not suspect her?!

Momiji

I don't recommend associating with these dangerous sorts!

Clownpiece

Recommend associating...? Hmph, PLAYER is free to be friends with whoever she wants!

Clownpiece

Rumia, you made things worse... You better take responsibility! You too PLAYER!

Rumia

That soooo? Is responsibility yummy? Let's eat some responsibility together, PLAYER!

Momiji

Urk...! I can't use my full abilities with PLAYER here, and that torch is distracting...

Clownpiece

Everyone in the light of my torch goes maaaad!

Momiji

Ah, so you were helping out from the sidelines even if you weren't shooting bullets yourself.

Momiji

For me not to notice that... It is my complete loss.

Momiji

I suppose I don't have to worry about leaving PLAYER to you. I apologize for suspecting you.

Remilia

Heehee, as long as you understand... But you must be having a hard time with the Youkai Mountain.

Remilia

Perhaps this will make you feel a little better. You can eat it when you're tired.

Momiji

Thank you very much. I didn't think I would get a little treat out of my trip here.

Momiji

I will still be on guard nearby, so please let me know if you need me. I promise to be right there.

Thank you!

Momiji

No need to thank me. This is all I can do. Make sure that you don't overdo it, PLAYER.

Momiji

I'll be watching over you, OK? I'll fly to your side if anything happens.

Momiji

Earlier, I said things would be fine, but I just can't shake my concern...

Momiji

I never imagined that the spirits would set fire to the mountain to try to write words.

Momiji

I want to fix the situation, but what can I do? I can't even guarantee everyone's safety...!

Momiji

Please... Won't you leave the investigation of the mountain to us white wolf tengu?!

Momiji

It seems your determination cannot be shaken...

Momiji

I shall respect your decision. Please be careful.

Momiji

I will stay here to guard the area, so please call out if you need anything!

Is something on your mind?

Remilia

...Why would the spirits be so stupid as to write messages with fire on the Youkai Mountain?

Koakuma

Oh! I think this was in the prophecy... Yes, right here!

Koakuma

"The evil spirits from the other world have poor eyesight. They cannot do their evil deeds in the dark."

Koakuma

"But they will find a path of fire. Follow this path and you will head straight to their world."

A path of fire?

Clownpiece

Ooooh! Maybe they mean my torch!

Sakuya

No, it probably refers to a welcoming fire for returning spirits.

Sakuya

Fires are used in the same way for the Bon Festival to welcome ancestors back to this world.

???

But that's not all. It's said that the fire of a torch will light the path.

???

Since the sparks from the torch can be dangerous, this is done on the riverbank...

Komachi

So when a spirit crosses the Sanzu river to come to the world of the dead, sparks will light up the river.

Komachi

That glow serves as a guide and a landmark for the spirits.

Remilia

Oh, if it isn't our resident shinigami. What are you doing here? Skipping work as usual?

Komachi

Yup! I'm about to head to Kasen's―hey! I'll have you know I'm on the clock right now!

Komachi

The spirits were asking Lady Eiki to return even though it isn't Bon. She couldn’t refuse either, since they're good spirits...

Komachi

So Lady Eiki gave her permission... But then evil spirits took advantage of the confusion and came to this world too!

Komachi

Which is why I'm here working overtime. A lot of unexpected stuff has happened, so I'm investigating.

Komachi

Honestly, it's a real drag...

You seem to have it tough.

Komachi

I do! I'm so glad somebody understands! And it's all the fault of that prank festival in the village, which makes it worse!

Rumia

That sooo?

Komachi

You'd think that if the spirits see people doing well, it'd make them want to reciprocate, right?

Komachi

But not the evil spirits. Since they're sinners and all.

Komachi

I've been ordered to bring them all home, but I have no choice but to destroy those who fight back.

Komachi

Though I really don't want to just exterminate them all.

...Out of kindness?

Komachi

No, the spirits need to understand the weight of their crimes. To do that, they need to stay in Hell.

Komachi

They cannot leave the cycle of death and rebirth until they have achieved enlightenment.

Komachi

*sigh* But this is really bad...

Rumia

The spirits taste bad?

Komachi

I'm not talking about their taste. They're setting fire to the Youkai Mountain...

Komachi

And there's an old saying about this... Every few hundred years, evil spirits regain their power and go on a rampage.

Komachi

They run wild until their desires are sated, even if that means harm and destruction to the world... So the saying goes.

Remilia

Harm? Desires? Could you be more specific?

Komachi

I would if I could! If I knew, I wouldn't be flying around in circles like this!

Komachi

One of the only things I do know is that some sort of catastrophe is meant to occur...

Sakuya

Meaning there are other things you know as well?

Komachi

There's a lot I know, but I'm not allowed to say... Otherwise bad things will happen!

Komachi

That's what I've been told, anyway. But if I don't know what's happening, I can't do anything to stop it!

Remilia

How irresponsible...

Komachi

Well, it's fine as long as the humans are OK, right? No need to make things complicated.

Rumia

I get that! Let's go defeat the evil spirits!

Koakuma

We have to talk to them first...

Did you hear something?

Maybe it's Momiji?

Clownpiece & Rumia

PLAYER, watch out!

Remilia

There are so many evil spirits!

Komachi

This is gonna be a real hassle... When evil spirits gather, their power begins to grow.

Remilia

I can't say I approve of them attacking PLAYER just because they want attention.

Remilia

It seems it's time for some punishment.

Komachi

Dang, there are so many of them! I'll deal with the ones over there, so you take care of these ones.

Remilia

So quick to hand off your own work! Well, I don't mind. I was planning on defeating them anyway.

Remilia

Let's go, PLAYER!

Remilia

I didn't even break a sweat. If you're going to pick a fight, you should take a good look at your opponent first.

Sakuya

That was a beautiful battle, milady. Please enjoy this after-battle tea.

Remilia

Thank you, Sakuya... Ahh, this tea is the perfect drink after a little exercise.

Clownpiece

Aww, no fair! I'm thirsty too!

Koakuma

All you were doing was dancing with your torch.

Clownpiece

Huh?! You wouldn't be able to see anything without me!

Koakuma

Urk, that's true...

Thank you so much, Piece!

Clownpiece

Ehehe! No problem! I was dancing with my torch anyway. Plus, Miss Reimu would be sad if something happened to you.

Komachi

Aw, can't you pour me a cup too?

Komachi

I got rid of the spirits with bullets, but there were so many of them... I'm exhausted. There has to be a better way...

Rumia

Koakumaaa, do you have any better ideas? At this rate, I'll get full!

Koakuma

Hm, I wonder if the book says anything about it...

Koakuma

Ah! How about this?!

Koishi

Hey, did something happen? There are spirits everywhere!

Koishi

My big sis did say that I should be careful since evil spirits were about. At least, I think she did!

Koishi

You should be fine if you can beat me!

Koishi

...Huh? Fine? Fine how? ...Wait, I think my big sis said something about this.

Koishi

Everything's a mess 'cause a bunch of evil spirits got out, right? So the Yama talked to her directly about it, I think?

Koishi

Maybe you'll run into my sister somewhere!

Lyrica

*sob* Miss PLAYER! We can't get any practice in because of all the evil spirits at the Misty Lake!

Merlin

They've taken over our rehearsal area! Do something about it!

Lunasa

Miss PLAYER... Does this have something to do with the prank festival in the village?

Lunasa

In any case, we came here because we can't practice. Won't you help us out?

Lyrica

Huh? You were just about to go exterminate the evil spirits?!

Merlin

Why didn't you say that earlier?! We'll play you a fanfare to cheer you on!

Lunasa

Please be quick... We don't have much time before our next concert!

Merlin & Lyrica

Yeah, please be quick about it!

Koakuma

Milady, Miss PLAYER, an incantation to ward off evil spirits is written here!

What does it say?!

Koakuma

"Trick or bullet!"

Remilia

Trick or bullet...?

Koakuma

Yes! It also says, "In the face of light that wards off evil, the spirits will disappear with a scream of despair."

Koakuma

It's written down right here!

Rumia

Light that wards off evil? Is it yummy?

Clownpiece

Maybe we can use the light from my torch to do that!

Remilia

What are you saying? Obviously, the light that wards off evil is referring to bullets!

Remilia

Bullets, and Sakuya's knives!

Sakuya

Please leave it to me, milady!

Sakuya

Come out now... if you want to get a taste of my knives. I'll serve every single one of you.

Sakuya

But there really are quite a lot of spirits... I'm sorry to ask, PLAYER, but could you lend me a hand?

Sakuya

There!

Komachi

We'll help too!

Helpers

TRICK OR BULLET!

The evil spirits disappeared!

Remilia

Heehee, so they'll disappear with just the incantation too. They get completely erased by bullets and knives though...

Sakuya

Milady, I think I've defeated all the evil spirits in the area.

Remilia

Thank you, Sakuya. It was a wonderful show.

Komachi

Haha, I didn't think that would really work, but it did!

Rumia

But what does trick or bullet mean?

Clownpiece

Hm... Trick probably refers to pranks, right? And bullets would just be the bullets we shoot!

Koakuma

If the incantation works, it means this prophecy book is the real thing! Why was it even in the library?! I'm so curious!

Remilia

I want to know more too, but at least with this, we can get rid of all the evil spirits quickly.

What do you mean?

Remilia

If we chant the words with bullets and knives, the spirits will disappear. However, this is rather inefficient.

Remilia

We might run out of energy before we get rid of them all. Not that I think Sakuya and I would lose, but...

Remilia

We also have to protect PLAYER at the same time. I don't know if Koakuma and the others could keep up.

Remilia

Gathering everyone who can fight will only waste our time, and the spirits will keep appearing until we find the source.

Remilia

I think it would be more efficient to ask the humans in the village to help us, since they can do so without fighting.

Remilia

Plus, they're in the middle of a prank festival right now. If we just tell them to chant "Trick or bullet!" too... It's perfect.

Sakuya

True. It could be a good scare tactic.

Sakuya

If the spirits do evil deeds to the powerless humans, they'll be told, "Trick or bullet!"

Komachi

But will that really stop the evil spirits? They might get angry and hurt the humans...

Remilia

I think it's worth trying.

Remilia

Reimu and Marisa are in the village, so they can put a stop to anything that goes awry.

Komachi

I guess that's true... I'll go ask Moriya Shrine to help out, just in case.

Komachi

I plan on heading to the village too. Can I leave the Youkai Mountain to you?

Remilia

Who do you think you are speaking to?

Remilia

I am the lady of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the Eternally Young Scarlet Moon―Remilia Scarlet.

Remilia

I came here to catch the culprit. I can easily exterminate the evil spirits on the mountain.

Komachi

Glad to hear it! I'll let you have at them then.

Koakuma

Milady! I can still keep going!

Rumia

Me too! I'm gonna eat loooots!

Clownpiece

I'll slow down the spirits with my dance and torch!

Sakuya

I will go wherever you go, milady.

I'll do my best too!

Remilia

Heeheehee, I knew I could count on you all. Let's go catch the fools who dared steal from my mansion.

Satori

Oh dear. I did hear that Gensokyo was teeming with evil spirits, but...

Satori

Now I understand why I was called out here.

Satori

But this affair has nothing to do with the Palace of Earth Spirits. I can read minds, after all... Even the minds of spirits.

Satori

...Oh? You don't believe that we really have nothing to do with it? Well, allow me to prove it with a battle of bullets.

Satori

...Was that proof enough for you? Do not worry. I know you did not truly suspect us.

Satori

I battled you here because I wanted you to understand that I am here to help.

Satori

That is why you agreed to the battle, is it not? While it is unlike me, I will help you exterminate the evil spirits.

Satori

...Does saying that incantation really work? Very well, I shall teach it to Orin, Okuu, and to Yuugi as well.

Nemuno

Hyeeeeeelp! My territory's been invaded by a buncha evil spirits!

Nemuno

They're runnin' wild through my restaurant an' even tryin' to set stuff on fire!

Nemuno

Here I was preppin' some sweets so we could throw a prank festival here too, but I ain't made no progress!

Nemuno

...My bad. Shouldn'ta taken out my anger on ya. My head was just a-whirlin', an'... Hope ya can forgive me.

Nemuno

I heard from the white wolf tengu that y'all are tryin' to solve this. Sorry to get in the way.

Nemuno

...Trick or bullet? That's really gonna clear out the evil spirits?

Remilia

We aren't making a dent in their numbers... This is rather troublesome. Their wills are too strong.

Remilia

Are they truly only here to set fire to the mountain and express themselves? They seem to be heading somewhere...

Sakuya

Yes, even if they did escape Hell, these numbers are alarming.

Sakuya

We met with a satori youkai earlier who was sent by the Yama to sort out the situation.

Is something happening on the mountain?

Sakuya

Or somewhere beyond it... It looks like they have a specific destination.

Rumia

That soooo? Then we'll find out if we keep eating them?

Koakuma

Eating while walking is not very polite... You might get a stomachache from eating all these evil spirits too.

Rumia

I'll be fine! They're really sweet! Maybe 'cause they ate a lot of sweets.

Koakuma

Their taste isn't the problem here!

Clownpiece

Hey, hey, hey! I saw something glint in the distance... Maybe somebody's there!

A beast, maybe?!

Koakuma

Or an evil spirit? It seems to be coming right at―EEEEEK!

Rumia

Oof... What's happening?!

???

Hey! You got some guts trying to steal my stuff! Hope you're ready to pay the price!

Joon

You're about to find out what happens when you anger a pestilence god!

Remilia

What are you doing?! We would have been in trouble if Sakuya weren't here!

Joon

Wha? It's your fault for hanging out with a sweets thief! I'm just fighting back 'cause I was stolen from! It's self-defense!

Remilia

That's not what self-defense means!

Byakuren

Joon, you mustn't use bullets like this. You should avoid taking life in vain.

Byakuren

Even if you are shooting at sinful sweet thieves...

Sweet thieves?

But we just got here...

Joon

Are you serious, PLAYER? I'm not gonna hold back even if you try to cover for them.

Byakuren

I will not allow you to threaten them. As I always say, do not lose yourself to violence in your anger.

Byakuren

If you calm your heart like the Buddha, so too will the other party open their heart to you.

Joon

Ughhh, Byakuren's in lecture mode...

Byakuren

But if Miss PLAYER is speaking the truth, who could have stolen our sweets?

Sakuya

Don't tell me that Myouren Temple's sweets were stolen as well?

Byakuren

Yes, they were. We had prepared some sweets for the children in the village, but they are all gone.

Joon

And I was blamed for it at first too, which is completely unfair! I'm not my sister―I'm not gonna eat them all.

Byakuren

I already apologized for that, haven't I? Toramaru and Murasa did not mean to offend.

Byakuren

If you must assign blame, blame your daily deeds, for that is what led you to be suspected.

Joon

Don't just add in a lecture when we're having a normal conversation here...

Joon

But some poison was stolen too, so we gotta be quick in our search.

Poison?!

Joon

Yeah, Byakuren hid a pot on the shelf. She always says that we can't eat it because it's poison.

Joon

But that whole pot is gone! Myouren Temple's in a panic over it.

Koakuma

Why would Myouren Temple even have such a thing?!

Byakuren

Well... I was trying to exorcise it...

Clownpiece

You can exorcise poison to make it not poisonous?! So that's why Miss Reimu can eat all those weird mushrooms...

Rumia

Oooh, I get it! Poison's got a real kick to it! It makes your tongue go all funny and your body all warm...

Byakuren

I see... So you have eaten poison before?

Rumia

Medicine gives me poison sometimes! And I get some from Eientei too.

Byakuren

Then you must have eaten the poison at Myouren Temple! While covered with a strange and evil-looking white thing!

Rumia

I diiiid?!

Koakuma

How did you come to that conclusion?!

Koakuma

It's just like Miss PLAYER said! We only arrived here a moment ago!

Koakuma

And Rumia and I were at the Misty Lake holding a storytelling session. So we can't be the culprits!

Byakuren

But Rumia has the ability to manipulate darkness. Could she not have slipped away in the middle of your session?

Koakuma

Urk...!

Byakuren

It seems that further conversation will only be a waste of our time.

Byakuren

Let us have a battle of bullets to settle things!

Byakuren

Joon, be ready to assist.

Joon

Huh?! Why should I?!

Byakuren

This is also a part of your training...

Rumia

Hmph! A battle to prove my innocence? Help me out, PLAYER!

Joon

Hm, what was it you said earlier? Do not lose yourself to violence in your anger...?

Byakuren

*sigh* It seems I am also lacking in my training. Namusan. I apologize for suspect―

Rumia

It's fine! You said sorry, so we're good! Everyone makes mistakes sometimes! ...I think somebody said that before!

Remilia

It seems we are all victims to sweet thieves, so let us call it water under the bridge.

Remilia

I'll give you these sweets to wash away the anger.

Byakuren

Are you sure? The sweets disappeared from the Scarlet Devil Mansion too, did they not?

Remilia

This is nothing.

Remilia

All of Gensokyo will be mine one day. As the future master of Gensokyo, I cannot let these trifles bother me!

Sakuya

Milady, you're absolutely stunning...!

Remilia

If evil spirits attacked Myouren Temple, we will exterminate them too.

We'll teach you the incantation!

Byakuren & Joon

Incantation...?

Joon

I was just caught by surprise earlier! 'Cause Byakuren suddenly roped me in. I'll show you my real moves this time!

Joon

I want sweets too, OK? This is so unfair!

Joon

I was planning to get so many sweets from the prank festival!

Joon

I lost 'cause I was too busy thinking about sweets... Ugh! I don't care about this whole trick or bullet thing!

Joon

Huh?! You'll give me some sweets?

Joon

So if I say this incantation, the evil spirits will disappear, AND I'll get sweets? This is awesome!

Hatate

WHAAAT?! Evil spirits escaped from Hell?! This is bad!

Hatate

...What are you just standing there for?! This is a huge scoop! A real case!

Hatate

I need to get this out before Aya does! Help me out here!

Hatate

ACK! Spirits won't show up in photos! How could I have forgotten this?!

Hatate

I'm exhausted... I was so excited because I got here earlier than Aya, but... Ugh, what a drag...

Joon

Trick or bullet? We say that and the evil spirits go away?

Koakuma

It's true! It says it right here in this prophecy book. We tried it out, and the spirits really went away without a battle!

Clownpiece

It works even better if you have something that lights up! The spirits ran away after seeing the light of my torch!

Byakuren

Thank you for this valuable information. Now we will be able to defeat them without pointless killing.

Byakuren

We must let Toramaru, Murasa, and Nazrin know!

Byakuren

For something that lights up, do you think my Flying Bowl: Legendary Flying Saucer will work?

Joon

I thought you just said you wanted to avoid pointless killing! Why are you bringing up your Spell Card?

Byakuren

I just meant it as a harmless joke.

???

I couldn't help but overhear you... Shall I be your messenger?

Momiji!

Why are you here?

Momiji

I found something strange on my rounds, so I came here to let you know.

Koakuma

I guess you must see a lot more from up in the skies than we can from here!

Remilia

So? What did you find?

Momiji

A huge number of dolls were floating down the Genbu Ravine... Honestly, it was a little frightening...

Remilia

I don't suppose dolls like to play in the river? Perhaps it is some kind of ritual.

Koakuma

What? The prophecy book didn't say anything about that!

Sakuya

First, let's ask the person who put the dolls in the river.

You know who it is?

Sakuya

I have an idea.

Rumia

Why would somebody put dolls in a river? Does that make them yummier?

Clownpiece

Maybe it's like nagashi soumen! Y'know how people let noodles flow through running water for fun, but with dolls!

Koakuma

They won't taste good! And nagashi soumen is for soumen noodles!

Koakuma

This is probably nagashi-bina.

What's that?

Sakuya

To explain it simply, it is a ritual to cleanse the impurities of the body by using flowing water.

Sakuya

It is said to be the basis for the Doll Festival, but perhaps it is being held for the prank festival today.

Koakuma

Oh, that's true! Maybe they're cleansing their impurities to show their ancestors that they are living well and safely!

Remilia

Hm... You two did well to figure out the idea behind it.

Remilia

Humans are so mysterious though. If floating dolls down a river is enough to cleanse impurities...

Remilia

Does that mean the moon emissaries won't be angry at us if we make sure to play in the river before going to the moon?

Sakuya

Milady, you are a vampire. You don't fear impurities as the moon emissaries do.

Remilia

Of course not! I am stronger than any impurity or evil!

Remilia

But why a river for purification? Could they not just play in a pool?

Remilia

I'm not too fond of running water...

Rumia

Reeeaaally? You should go under a waterfall with me! I was told it would cure my gluttony or something.

Remilia

Please don't lump me together with you. I just said I don't like running water!

Remilia?

Sakuya

(Is something wrong?)

Sakuya

Oh, that vexed expression on her face... She is so adorable!

Clownpiece

Sakuya, you got your thoughts and your words mixed up!

Remilia

Oh... I was just thinking about humans when something came to my mind.

Sakuya

What is it, milady?

Remilia

Couldn't sweets be offered for nagashi-bina? They serve sweets at the Doll Festival too.

Remilia

You could say that there are always sweets at a festival.

Rumia

Ohhh! Good thinking, Remilia! Maybe there are sweets inside the dolls!

Koakuma

Huh? I don't think that's what Lady Remilia meant.

Alice

Oh my. What are you all doing here?

Medicine

I heard you talking about dolls! I wanna talk about them too!

Remilia

It seems the show runners have arrived.

Alice

What on earth are you talking about?

Sakuya

You put dolls into the Genbu Ravine, did you not?

Alice

Yes, since I was asked. And your point is...?

Rumia

If you have a poison doll, you can deal with poison easily, right?

Medicine

With me and Miss Lily, all poisons are friends! Do you want me to fill you with poison?

Remilia

Then you would be able to float dolls filled with impurities down the river along with sweets as offerings!

Alice

Let me repeat myself. What on earth are you talking about?!

Alice

Hey! Explain yourself first!

Sakuya

To put it simply, we suspect you may be our sweet thieves. Would you join us for a battle of bullets?

Medicine

That's a super simple explanation! Alice, Miss Lily, let's battle them!

Alice

This accusation clearly has no basis, but if a battle is enough to clear our names, I'll gladly participate!

Sakuya

Thank you for understanding. Please lend me your help, PLAYER.

Um...

Alice

Now, I think you have something to say to us.

Remilia

Yes... I'm sorry I suspected you...

Alice

As long as you understand. I'm not sure why you suspected us just because we floated dolls down the river.

Alice

The humans in the village asked us to do that. And you thought we hid the sweets from the village inside the dolls?!

Alice

Why would anyone do that? It's not like we're holding a memorial for the dolls!

Remilia

I see I was wrong... I was so confident though. Well, even a great detective makes mistakes sometimes.

Alice

Greatly mistaken detective, you mean! Even Marisa has better hunches than this.

I'm sorry... Would you take this as an apology?

Medicine

It's fine! You said sorry. Everyone makes mistakes, and we got some sweets out of it too!

Alice

...I'm not really that angry either, but I'll happily accept those sweets!

Sakuya

...And that's what brings us here.

Alice

So that's why the humans from the village wanted us to do nagashi-bina. They wanted to wash away the evil.

Alice

I thought it strange since this is the wrong time of year for it, though the one who asked us to help out was happy.

Medicine

Everyone was saying, "Trick or bullet!" I didn't know what it meant at first...

Medicine

But now I know they're magic words to chase away evil spirits!

Sakuya

So it has already reached the village...

Remilia

That was fast... Perhaps they can do nothing but rely on magic words and rituals like nagashi-bina.

Alice

Perhaps. It'd be faster to just ask the one who got the request from the humans.

And who would that be...?

???

Heehee, did somebody ask for me?

Hina

The humans in the village requested my help.

Hina

The Maiden of Miare and the girl from the book rental shop called on me since the sweets for their festival disappeared.

Hina

The humans were panicking because they thought their ancestors were angry at them.

Hina

So I suggested we do nagashi-bina!

Hina

I figured that the spirits just felt a bit lonely after seeing their happy descendants. They aren't angry at the festival.

Hina

By doing nagashi-bina, we'll send dolls to the afterlife, and that should make the spirits happy.

Remilia

Why are they afraid of the spirits of their ancestors when most of them can't even see them?

Hina

Hmm... That's a hard question to answer.

Hina

If something happened and you couldn't see the cause, you'd think that a lot of bad things could be behind it, right?

Hina

Maybe you were possessed by an evil spirit, or evil was lingering around you. Maybe your bad fortune was right!

Hina

With a lot of those maybes, humans can get anxious.

Hina

If you cross paths with me, you have to cross your fingers to ward off bad luck, but you can't see bad luck, right?

Hina

People who don't cross their fingers probably have bad luck befall them, even if they can't see it.

Remilia

When you put it that way...

Alice

It's like sickness. Even though you can't see it, you take care to avoid it and take medicine to heal yourself.

Rumia

Ooohhh, I get it now!

Koakuma

And we ourselves are relying on a prophecy book with unknown origins.

Medicine

A prophecy book?

Koakuma

I'm talking about this... Everything happening now is written in it! The incantation to chase away spirits was in here too!

Alice

Hm... I've never seen this book before.

Sakuya

Lady Patchouli said the same thing.

Koakuma

It must be a prophecy book from ancient times!

Koakuma

And the catastrophe that happens once every few hundred years that the shinigami mentioned must be happening now!

Koakuma

That must be it! That prophecy book was sent from the past to us in the future!

Remilia

Koakuma, calm down.

Remilia

Well, I cannot allow a catastrophe to destroy Gensokyo. If it is in the prophecy book, we should be able to stop it.

Remilia

You lot should also work on spreading knowledge of this incantation to chase away the evil spirits!

Medicine

Does that really work?

Alice

I find it hard to believe, but the children in the village all say it does...

Hina

It must be like crossing your fingers to ward off bad luck. I don't know if just saying the words is really enough though.

Hina

I guess only believers will be saved! People say sickness comes from the mind, and bad luck is pretty much the same!

Rumia

Ooohhh, that makes sense!

Clownpiece

I'm not sure if that's right, but I guess it's fine! I don't care as long as I'm having fun!

Alice

So? What will you be doing as we spread knowledge of the incantation?

Remilia

We will catch the culprits. If they are evil spirits, I'll tie them up and bring them right to the Yama.

Remilia

Anyone who dares to lay even a finger on my property will regret it for generations to come!

Komachi

You're doing my job for me? Nice!

Remilia

Well, that will be the result. That doesn't mean I will let you slack off.

Remilia

If you catch an evil spirit, you must bring them to the Yama―

Komachi

Oh, you just helped me remember something! I figured out where the evil spirits are heading!

Komachi

There are a huge number of them. It's a sign of the big catastrophe I heard about!

Rumia

Reeeaaally? Where are they going?

Komachi

Hehehe... You wanna know?

Rumia & Clownpiece

We wanna know!!!

Sakuya

You're putting on quite a show for someone who had forgotten something so important.

Komachi

I didn't forget it! It just slipped my mind a little.

Komachi

Now, as to where the spirits are heading...

Komachi

They're going to the Netherworld!

Remilia

The Netherworld? Are they returning to Hell on their own?

Komachi

No, they're heading to a certain residence in the Netherworld, you see....

Wait, you don't mean...!

Remilia

Heeheehee... That decides our next destination then.

Remilia

To Hakugyokurou!

Medicine

Thanks to the evil spirits, the humans are taking good care of the dolls! What a wonderful event!

Medicine

But why did the sweets disappear? They were for the prank festival...

Medicine

I'll use Miss Lily's poison to catch the thief! We're one step closer to doll freedom! Conpallo, conpallo! Gather, poison!

Medicine

*sniffle* Miss Lily said that if we used poison to catch the culprit, it'll fill them and the sweets with poison...

Medicine

Then you humans won't be able to eat them... Huh? You're giving me sweets? Thank you!

Medicine

*munch* *munch* I'll go help Alice and Hina while eating these sweets from you!

Remilia

It's very quiet here at Hakugyokurou... To the point that it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Youmuuu?

Are you here, Miss Yuyuko?

Rumia

No response? Maybe they're out?

Koakuma

It's too dark to see...

Clownpiece

Then I'll use my torch! The flames appear even brighter than usual when it's this dark. It'll scare away all the evil spirits!

Koakuma

But I don't see any evil spirits here either...

Remilia

So that shinigami fed us a lie? She has some nerve! And here I was being kind enough to help her!

Sakuya

Milady! Rumia!

Sakuya

Don't you think it's rude to suddenly try to slice your guests?

Youmu

Sorry, but I don't have anything to say to thieves. What do you think you're doing here in the first place?

Youmu

I can't believe you're siding with such evil phantoms... I'm disappointed in you!

Remilia

I think you're misunderstanding. I'm Remilia Scarlet, the noble vampire and lady of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Remilia

And this is Rumia.

Rumia

Yeah! I'm me!

Youmu

Huh?! Miss Remilia and Rumia? Please forgive my rudeness!

Youmu

I thought you were the phantom of the uneaten pumpkin and the phantom of the dirty sheets.

Byakuren said something similar...

Youmu

And I saw a mysterious floating flame... I was so sure you were the evil spirits I've been hearing rumors of.

Clownpiece

Oh, could you be talking about my torch?

Youmu

Please don't make things more confusing than they already are! We're having a tough time here right now...

Sakuya

What happened?

Youmu

A lot of our food has disappeared. I can't find any of it anywhere...

Youmu

When I went to the village to buy more, I heard that the sweets for the prank festival had gone missing too.

Youmu

I saw the humans talking to Reimu and Alice because they were worried their ancestors were angry.

Youmu

Then when I returned to Hakugyokurou, the phantoms had a message for me...

Youmu

The Yama and Miss Komachi asked me to help them catch the evil spirits that had escaped from Hell.

Clownpiece

Haha, then you saw Remilia and Rumia and thought they were ghosts!

Youmu

Yes, I couldn't tell the difference because of my lack of experience... I need to train more!

Youmu

*sigh* I was going to put on a banquet to placate the phantoms who wanted to go back to the world of living...

Komachi said something similar.

Does this happen a lot?

Youmu

No... While phantoms will make a big ruckus at the Bon Festival, it's the first time something like this has happened.

Sakuya

The shinigami said it was an event that only happened every few hundred years too.

Youmu

If the evil spirits stay in the world of the living, bad things will happen!

Youmu

They'll harm the crops and play pranks on the children...

Koakuma

Ah! That was in the prophecy book too!

Youmu

The what book?

Koakuma

This book... Ah, here it is!

Koakuma

"After rampaging as much as they can, the hungry spirits will eat the weakened humans' souls to regain strength."

Koakuma

"When their stomachs are full, they will begin their evil deeds anew." That's what it says right here!

That's bad, right?!

Koakuma

Oh no oh no oh NO! Whatever shall we do? This is very bad!

Remilia

Calm down. I'm sure the prophecy book also has a way to combat this.

Koakuma

Oh! You're a genius, milady! Let me take a look... Ah, there's a tip right here!

Koakuma

"Scare away misbehaving spirits with pranks or carry candlelit lanterns as you walk."

Clownpiece

I don't have a lantern, but I DO have a torch!

Koakuma

I think that should work too!

Youmu

...Really?

Koakuma

It's probably like an onibi.

Koakuma

I once read about a demon who came to steal a human's soul, but they were tricked by that human.

Koakuma

The demon eventually gave up on the soul, but even when the human died, they couldn't go to Heaven.

Koakuma

Apparently, the human had done some very bad things when they were alive!

Sakuya

Well, a human brave enough to trick a demon would probably have a hard time going to Heaven.

Youmu

So they went to Hell instead?

Koakuma

That's what you'd think, right? But before they could, the demon appeared, saying they wouldn't take their soul.

Koakuma

So that human could not go to Heaven or Hell. They had to wander the space in between forever.

Koakuma

But the demon felt a little bad about it, so they gave the human a little flame... And that's the onibi!

Remilia

Hm, what a kind demon to show mercy to the human that tricked them.

Clownpiece

So when you see the flame, you know this is a human who's tricked a demon! Like an amulet to ward off evil.

Remilia

In that case... I will be that amulet for you all!

Remilia

I can't keep playing pranks forever.

Remilia

But I can scare them... If I frighten them, then peace will return to Gensokyo, yes?

Remilia

Only I am capable of such a feat. I won't let evil spirits run around the Gensokyo that will be mine one day!

Rumia

Ooohhh! I'm sure you can do it, Remilia!

Sakuya

Yes, nobody could do this but you, milady... It is such an honor to be at your side.

Remilia

Heehee, isn't it? Now, let's get back to exterminating those evil spirits!

Clownpiece

I'll raise my torch and dance too! The spirits will think it's an onibi and dance like mad!

Youmu

The light from your torch really does make people go mad, so I don't think this is a laughing matter...

Remilia

But with their fear of me and a Hell fairy's torch, even evil spirits will think twice about bothering Gensokyo.

???

What a great idea! I want in! I don't think that little fire's gonna be enough though!

Suika

And if you're gonna talk about onibi, you gotta include me!

Suika?!

Suika

I heard the tengu talking. That trick or bullet incantation really works, huh?

Suika

I chanted it all the way here, and the evil spirits just opened a path for me.

Sakuya

Why is an oni like you at Hakugyokurou?

Suika

Good question! I was waiting for you to ask. The evil spirits ate the snacks I was saving for later!

Suika

At first I thought Yuugi was behind it, but it turns out we both had our snacks stolen, which brings me to Hakugyokurou.

Suika

I wanted to fight the evil spirits, and I heard they were gathering here. I thought the ringleader might be around too!

Sakuya

That sounds like the same situation that has befallen the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Remilia

How awful! I cannot overlook this!

Youmu

Oh, so that's why you all came here!

Youmu

Wait... Don't tell me you suspect me?!

Sakuya

Well, the evil spirits stole the sweets, and they all came here. You must admit it is a little...

Youmu

Stop right there! I'm a victim too!

Remilia

Perhaps you're just pretending to be a victim so that we don't blame you! You came right at us with your swords...

Youmu

That's because I thought you were spirits! I hadn't seen spirits like you before in the Netherworld...

Koakuma

Don't tell me... You were trying to get rid of any witnesses?!

Rumia

Reeeaaally?!

Youmu

No! That's not it at all!

Remilia

Perhaps you stole sweets for your mistress... You stole spring before, didn't you?

Youmu

That again? How long must I bear the weight of that crime?!

(I've heard this conversation before...)

I don't think Youmu would do something like this.

Youmu

Thank you, Miss PLAYER! I can fight as long as one person believes in me!

Youmu

I'll prove my innocence in a battle of bullets, if you please!

Youmu

As neither of us has evidence, there will be no end to this argument. Let's finish this with our actions!

Remilia

Simple. I like it.

Suika

Let me fight too. If Youmu really is behind this... I need to take revenge for my stolen snacks!

Remilia

Heehee, your eagerness is appreciated. Let's go, PLAYER!

Rumia

Hm? That was a rather weak battle.

Youmu

Urk... The Hell fairy's torch and Miss Suika's onibi bewildered me...

Youmu

And I was worried that if I won here, you would keep suspecting me...

Remilia, I don't think Youmu is behind this.

Remilia

I agree, PLAYER. Youmu, you are another victim, just like us...

Youmu

That's what I've been saying this whole time!

Youmu

...But I admit you had your reasons for doubting me, so I can't really complain.

Remilia

No, I should have listened to your pleas with a more open mind.

Remilia

This is not an apology per say, but please take these to share at your banquet.

Youmu

Are you sure? Didn't the sweets disappear from the mansion too?

Remilia

But you are also troubled, are you not? We should help each other out when we can. And I do feel sorry for doubting you.

Youmu

If you say so. I'll gladly accept!

The sweets disappeared?!

Sakuya

How quick...! I couldn't do anything but stare.

Rumia

The sweets are gone!

Remilia

Heeheehee... The culprit has finally slipped up.

Remilia

I won't let you escape! Time for a chase!

Merlin

Phew... I feel like there are fewer evil spirits now! It's probably thanks to you all.

Lyrica

I made a song using the trick or bullet incantation to make sure the spirits don't do any more evil deeds!

Lunasa

Of course, I asked the Tsukumo sisters to help too. I'm sure we'll be able to defeat the spirits if we all perform together!

Lunasa, Merlin & Lyrica

Let our music resound and the song of our souls tremble!

Lunasa

Hm... Maybe we're missing something.

Merlin

What could it be? Maybe we don't have enough passion?

Lyrica

Let's get Raiko to help too!

Lunasa & Merlin

Great idea!

Yuyuko

There is a lot of noise outside... Perhaps it's the evil spirits that the Yama and the shinigami were talking about.

Yuyuko

The satori youkai is working to get rid of them, but she's probably more concerned with finding her sister.

Yuyuko

That reminds me. I think they're doing something interesting in the village right now. Maybe I'll join in...

Yuyuko

Give me sweets or I'll shoot you with my bullets!

Yuyuko

Oh, you're giving me sweets even though I lost? What a good girl you are!

Yuyuko

And there's an interesting incantation going around too, correct?

Yuyuko

Trick or bullet... Will this really chase away the evil spirits?

Youmu

L-Lady Yuyuko?!

Yuyuko

Oh, Youmu? What are you doing? You look so stressed...

Youmu

That's what I want to ask you! Don't tell me you've been stealing people's food because you're hungry?!

Yuyuko

What on earth are you talking about? I'm just eating the sweets I received earlier.

Sakuya

PLAYER gave her those sweets after their battle of bullets.

Yuyuko

Oh, I heard that the sweets disappeared from the village. Does that have something to do with these spirits?

Yuyuko

Wait, where did my sweets go?

Rumia

We won't fall for the same trick twice!

Remilia & Rumia

It's so bright...

Sakuya & Koakuma

Milady?! Rumia!

Clownpiece

Show yourself!

Sunny Milk

Hey, be careful with that torch!

Sunny?!

Luna Child & Star Sapphire

We're here too!

Koakuma

D-Don't tell me... You three are behind all of this?!

Sunny Milk

You're overreacting! We just wanted to make this prank festival more exciting in our own way.

Shion

Yes, they were helping me... They collected all the sweets in Gensokyo.

Youmu

Then you stole the food in Hakugyokurou?!

Shion

I guess you could say that was the result.

Sakuya

Why would you do this?

Shion

Well... Because there was food right in front of me!

Shion

There was food for the festival in the village, and a banquet at Hakugyokurou...

Luna Child

Her tummy was rumbling so loud that I told her about the prank festival! And then she suggested this great prank...

Star Sapphire

So we went around and gathered all the sweets!

Star Sapphire

Pranks are a fairy's nature, right? We just wanted the festival to succeed...

But you shouldn't cause trouble for everyone.

Sakuya

It is just as PLAYER says, but I can't even force myself to get angry...

Koakuma

Yes... Pranks are a fairy's nature, after all...

Sakuya

Let's do this then. We'll have a battle of bullets. If you win, we'll drop the matter.

Koakuma

We will?!

Sakuya

The fairies only did what was in their nature. We can't really object.

Sakuya

But they did create this entire fuss, so we can't just let it go.

So a battle of bullets as punishment?

Sakuya

Yes, exactly.

Sunny Milk

Is it really OK? Can we keep all the sweets if we win?

Sakuya

Yes, we can't stop you from doing that.

Shion

Hooray! Let's battle then! Right now!

Koakuma

This is a huge responsibility... We can't afford to lose!

Sakuya

That's how it is, PLAYER. We require your help.

Sweet Thieves?

Give us treats or we'll play pranks on you!

Clownpiece

Wow, the head maid doesn't pull any punches! I can't believe you defeated all of them...

Sakuya

Heehee, thank you for the compliment, but I couldn't have done it without Koakuma and PLAYER.

Koakuma

Now, give back the sweets you stole!

Sweet Thieves?

Fiiiine...

Remilia

If you want sweets that badly, come to the mansion to play some pranks.

Are you OK, Remilia?

Remilia

Yes. I was just a little surprised. I'm sure Rumia will wake up soon too.

Rumia

Mmm...

Remilia

Now, back to what I was saying. If you want to get sweets and play pranks, come to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Remilia

I'll allow you to do both.

Sweet Thieves?

Yay! Thank you!

Sakuya

Are you sure about this, milady?

Remilia

They can be playmates for Flan. Since they're fairies and a poverty god, they won't break that easily.

Sakuya

An excellent idea.

Remilia

But before that―return the sweets you stole to the village, and to ME!

Youmu

And to Hakugyokurou too, please!

Sunny Milk

You keep on saying "stole"... but we didn't steal anything!

What do you mean?

Shion

We just told the human children that we would play pranks on them if they didn't give us sweets.

Shion

We wouldn't shoot bullets at children who couldn't shoot back...

Star Sapphire

But we can play pranks, and we thought it'd make the festival more fun!

Luna Child

But they just gave us the sweets, so we couldn't do anything...

Sunny Milk

Then the evil spirits came and we couldn't get any more sweets, so we thought it'd be OK to play pranks!

Koakuma

Wait, so you aren't actually behind this? Then who is the real culprit?!

Clownpiece

Um... Mind if I pipe up?

Rumia

What is it?

Clownpiece

I was just thinking... Maybe Hell's involved somehow.

Clownpiece

Hell's got a lot of factions, and I hear there was a big fight between them the other day.

Clownpiece

Some radical kishin were fighting over territory or something, and spirits that didn't want to get involved ran away.

Clownpiece

Haha, I didn't think what my mistress was talking about would have this much of an effect on everything!

Koakuma

Oh, so your mistress said... Wait! That's really important! Why didn't you say anything?!

Clownpiece

Well, I didn't think they'd be doing bad stuff in Gensokyo!

Clownpiece

I forgot! Teehee.

Komachi

I figured that was what happened... Ugh, I'm exhausted from all the work.

Yuyuko

Oh, does that mean everything's over then?

Komachi

Well, Remilia and her gang cleaned most of it up already.

Remilia

Heehee, all in a day's work for the Scarlet Devil!

Don't look so down, OK?

Koakuma

Yes, please cheer up, milady! Thanks to you, we found out why the sweets disappeared from the village!

Rumia

And you defeated the evil spirits that escaped from Hell! You're amazing, Remilia! You did a good job!

Remilia

But I still haven't found out why the ingredients for sweets disappeared from the mansion.

Remilia

Though it seems the fairies and the poverty god were behind the incidents at Myouren Temple and Hakugyokurou.

Sakuya

That was quite the surprise. I still can't believe the mistress of Hakugyokurou got food made for her without Youmu noticing.

Rumia

It looked really yummy! I'm going to try some later!

Remilia

Argh! Who could be the culprit?! Who dared to steal from the Scarlet Devil Mansion?!

Flandre

Welcome back, everyone! We just finished getting everything ready!

Remilia

Flan?! What are you wearing?

Flandre

Don't worry about that now! Come to the library!

Sakuya

Let's join them. I think milady's anger will be quelled.

Huh?

Koakuma

Don't worry about it! Let's go!

Meiling

Welcome back! We're all ready for the party!

Remilia

Party?

Patchouli

Today, the boundary between this world and the next is weakened.

Patchouli

Evil spirits come to this world, so we give them sweets. Apparently, that lets us live the rest of the year safely.

Koakuma

Patchouli and I found that book together. It's the same book that has the story about the onibi I told earlier!

Remilia

Oh, so that's the connection between evil spirits and sweets!

Meiling

Flan wanted to thank you for everything you do for her, so she decided to throw a party along with the festival!

Flandre

I practiced making sweets with Meiling!

Flandre

I wanted to keep it a secret, but I kept messing up when I tried on my own... I ended up using a lot of ingredients.

Remilia

I see, so you and Meiling were behind the disappearance at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Rumia

Huh? I thought you were looking for sweets!

Remilia

What are you saying? I was only on the search for the missing ingredients to make sweets.

Meiling

What?! Really?! You should've said...

Remilia

I did! You just haven't been listening to me!

Remilia

I only mentioned sweets because they disappeared from the village! I was just helping them out!

Marisa

Ah, that's what I thought.

Sakuya

Even though you asked PLAYER to come with us because you were suspicious?

Marisa

Tsk, so you knew?

But that solves the case!

Remilia

It does, but what a silly resolution.

Remilia

I guess endings like this are fine every once in a while.

Rumia

Let's enjoy the party! Trick or bullet!

Remilia

Oh, Rumia got the last word in before I could! But it's just as she says.

Remilia

Let's enjoy ourselves... Trick or bullet!

Flandre

My sister can do anything, so of course she figured out this mystery!

Remilia

Heehee. With my skills and intellect, there's no problem I can't solve!

Remilia

But I can't believe that Flan and Meiling were behind the missing food at the Scarlet Devil Mansion...

Remilia

You could have just told me.

Marisa

But it was a surprise, right?

Marisa

Your little sis kept practicing so that she could make sweets for you... It's so heartwarming! *munch* *munch* Yum!

Patchouli

Koakuma and I suggested a tea party when they came to us for advice.

Patchouli

Since the boundary between worlds is weak right now, I thought we could have the uninvited evil spirits with the tea.

Patchouli

If we mix them into the sweets and eat them, we should be safe for the rest of the year... Or so I read.

Oh, so that's why!

Can you eat evil spirits?

Patchouli

Who knows? I haven't ever tried... I simply assumed they were weak to stomach acid.

Marisa

Hm... Is that how it works?

Patchouli

By the way, Marisa, why are you here at this party?

Marisa

Huh? You're having a party! Why wouldn't I be here?! Plus, Remilia actually solved the case for once.

Marisa

There was nothing for me to do!

Remilia

Well, of course. It was only natural.

Remilia

After all, I have both genius intellect and skill!

(She added "genius" this time.)

Marisa

PLAYER, I can understand the desire to comment, but don't do it! Resist the temptation!

I'll try...!

Marisa

Anyway, stop worrying about the details already! Let's get this party started!

Patchouli

I understand that you're here to eat, but I still don't know how you found out about the surprise party.

Marisa

Huh? But that's so obvious!

Marisa

I saw Flan and Meiling prepping when I came here to borrow some books!

Patchouli

*sulk* That's what I thought! Marisa, I won't take this anymore! Give me back all those books!

Marisa

Sure! ...Next time, OK?

Patchouli

No, I want them back NOW! Give them back or it'll be bullets for you!

Marisa

Oh, is this some new kind of trick or bullet? Sure, go ahead! I'll be shooting right back at ya though!

Koakuma

Oh dear oh dear oh DEAR! Lady Patchouli, you can do it! Please knock some sense into Marisa! But don't overdo it!

Sakuya

Please don't encourage them... Their bullets will only get dirt into our tea. It'll ruin the party.

Sakuya

I'm so sorry, milady. I will put a stop to this immediately.

Sakuya

Milady? Is something the matter?

Remilia

No, I was just thinking about why humans fear what they cannot see.

Remilia

It came to my mind as we went around Gensokyo: normal humans can't see curses and evil spirits.

Remilia

And yet, the humans in the village feared them to the point that they asked Reimu and the pestilence god for help.

Remilia

They put on the prank festival as a message for their ancestors, but they cannot see their ancestors either.

The spirits had to use fire to try and speak to them.

Sakuya

Hm... You may find it mysterious because you yourself are so strong, milady.

Remilia

Whatever do you mean?

Sakuya

Humans are weak, so they fear that which they cannot see. Some even think that things they cannot see are not real.

Sakuya

Well, it's not like they could do anything about it even if they could see these things...

Sakuya

Fear, terror, belief... I think youkai and gods can only exist because humans do these things.

Remilia

Hm... Humans are so weak and troublesome.

Remilia

Oh, but I like you, Sakuya! Since you're so strong.

Sakuya

Thank you very much, milady.

Remilia

And I like you too, PLAYER. You're a normal human, but you have an interesting power.

Remilia

So don't look so worried... Let's enjoy this party! A fun party and a fun battle of bullets!

Meiling

I brought some extra swee―ACK!

Meiling

That was a close one... Why is Lady Patchouli having a battle of bullets anyway?

Trick or bullet!

Or in Miss Patchouli's case, books or bullets!

Meiling

Ah, now I get it. I'm just happy Lady Patchouli is having fun!

Remilia

But unfortunately for you, that happiness will not last much longer...

Meiling

Huh...?

Patchouli

*huff* Marisa... *huff* Wait right there... *huff* Give me back... *huff* My books... *sulk*

Koakuma

Lady Patchouliiiiiiii! Someone―ANYONE―please call a doctor!

Meiling

Um... Should I run to the Bamboo Forest of the Lost then?

Remilia

I'm sure she'll be fine after some rest. She's just exhausted because she never exercises.

Remilia

Sakuya, brew some herbal tea to help Patchouli recover after she wakes up.

Sakuya

Of course, milady.

Marisa

What? It's over already? This is why people say witches aren't really made for the outdoors.

Marisa

I've still got a lot of energy left! Help me use some up, Koakuma.

Koakuma

Huh?! I have a very important duty right now! I need to take care of Lady Patchouli!

Marisa

Just leave her on the ground there. She'll be fine. Come on! Let me show you the new generation of witches!

Koakuma

No thank you!

??? & ???

We're heeeeeere!

Remilia

Oh, if it isn't you all... What has brought your motley crew to my doors?

Sunny Milk

Don't call us that! We're here 'cause you said we could come! Don't tell us you forgot!

Luna Child

Wait... Maybe she really did forget...

Shion

Nah. She was so high and mighty when she said it. There's no way she'd forget... Right?

Star Sapphire

It looks like she really did forget...

Sakuya

Milady, I believe they may be here about the trick or bullet situation...

Remilia

Ah, yes! Why didn't you say so? Not that I forgot. Of course not.

Hungry Guests

*stare*

Shion

Well, whatever. Just hand over the sweets already!

Remilia

Oh, but I never said I would give them to you for free.

Shion

What?! You said you'd give us sweets!

Remilia

Wait until I'm finished speaking!

Remilia

I didn't say I wouldn't give you sweets. I only said I wouldn't give you them for free.

Sunny Milk

Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

Remilia

You played pranks in the village because of your nature as fairies, but we were angry with you for doing that.

Remilia

We weren't angry that you played pranks. We were angry that you created trouble for the humans.

Remilia

It's fine every once in a while, but the timing wasn't great this time.

It made them think they were cursed...

Remilia

Yes. You caused a great deal of trouble, so I told you to keep your pranks in moderation... Do you remember this?

Star Sapphire

Yup, I remember!

Remilia

In that case... You know what you have to do, yes?

Hungry Guests

Trick or bullet! Give us sweets or it's bullets for you!

Remilia

Well done. Let's go then... PLAYER, I'm counting on you.

Remilia

It would be an immediate win if I played, but that wouldn't be any fun...

Remilia

We're having a bullet party, so let's enjoy it to the fullest.

Sakuya

It seems the fairy maids were participating as well. Heehee, perhaps they also wanted some sweets.

Luna Child

*sob* We lost...

Star Sapphire

Now we won't get any candy...

Sunny Milk

PLAYER! Let's do one more round!

Remilia

Use that frustration to improve yourselves... Both in pranks and in bullets. Now, here you go. Have some sweets.

Shion

Huh? Really?! But we lost!

Remilia

I never said I wouldn't give you any if you lost, now did I? I only told you to shoot bullets instead of playing pranks.

Remilia

Or would you prefer I kept these sweets until you win? I don't mind either way.

Hungry Guests

No, we'll take the sweets now!

Flandre

Awww, why is Meiling so SLOW?! She's taking so long with the sweets... Huh? There're more people!

Flandre

Ahh! You were playing without me?! No fair!

Remilia

Of course not, Flan, but you have good timing. Here... Take these as thanks.

Flandre

You're giving these to me?!

Remilia

Yes, to thank you for putting on such a wonderful party and making me such delicious sweets.

Flandre

Hehehe!

We still have more. Won't you join us, Flan?

Flandre

Yeah!

Remilia

Now, the party has only just begun... Let us have some fun.

Patchouli

Ugh... I feel faint... Koakuma, could you bring me something to eat?

Koakuma

Right away, Lady Patchouli!

Koakuma

Huh? The sweets are all gone... There were so many of them earlier!

Remilia

Heehee, don't be silly. Meiling and Flan just brought us some... Oh, you're right!

Remilia

*stare*

Flandre

It wasn't me! R-Really! I just got here... *stare*

Sunny Milk

I-It wasn't us either! How could we eat so―*cough* *cough* *cough*

Star Sapphire

You shouldn't eat so much at once! And don't talk with food in your mouth.

Luna Child

...Ah!

Shion

Hm... There're so many sweets! This is paradise! Everything is so yummy!

Three Fairies of Light

*STAAAAAAARE*

Shion

...What's wrong? Oh, did you want to eat this one?

Sunny Milk

Nooo! How can you just eat all these sweets by yourself?! That's so unfair!

Luna Child

Sweets are better when shared! Everyone suspected us because of you!

Shion

Even if I AM hungry, I wouldn't eat everyone else's sweets!

Shion

I'm telling the truuuuuth!

???

She is. The sweets are only gone because you have too many guests.

Yukari

The Scarlet Devil Mansion's sweets are scrumptious, just as rumored. I can't stop eating them.

Yuyuko

I thought this was just a festival for children, but I guess I'm still a growing girl myself!

Yuyuko

Oh, but please don't tell Youmu! She'll hide my sweets again.

Miss Yukari and Miss Yuyuko!

Komachi

I'm here too!

Remilia

If you must come, would you please use the front entrance at least?

Yukari

I see we couldn't escape your eyes, Remilia. How did you know we came here through a gap?

Remilia

Heehee, of course I knew. Who do you think I am?

Komachi

Well, I did a pretty good job this time, if I do say so myself. I've earned myself a little break.

Sakuya

A good job at slacking, perhaps.

Komachi

Aw, don't be like that! You need more sweets, right? I brought you a pastry chef, so just give me this one!

Tewi

I came just as requested! Here! Have some Tewi brand sweets!

Sakuya

This is quite the delight for the eyes... Everything looks incredible. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake...

Sakuya

Pumpkin pudding, cream puffs... Did you make all of these?

Tewi

Yup! And I only made them after the order came in. These scrumptious sweets are all fresh out of the oven!

Flandre

Yaaaay! I'm gonna dig right in!

Flandre

This is so SPICY!

Three Fairies of Light

It's so BITTER!!!

Yuyuko

Why is this so sour? It's like I'm eating a whole lemon...

Yukari

Urk... This tastes like dried plum concentrate...

Shion

Waaaaahhh! This is WAY too spicy!

Komachi

How many chili peppers did you put in this? And why would you put chili peppers in sweets anyway?!

Tewi

Teehee! Didn't I say earlier? These are Tewi brand sweets! Since it's a party, I thought I'd make things more interesting!

Tewi

And the prank festival was practically made for me! I needed to set an example for the fairies.

Marisa

Fairies come to mind first when I think of pranks, but I guess we can't forget Tewi either...

Marisa

People call you the trap master of the bamboo forest, right?

Tewi

Ack, you remember that? It was just a nickname the kappa gave me ages ago! I'm trying to forget it...

Marisa

Why? It's a good nickname! Easy to remember, right? Pffft!

Marisa

...Oh, I just thought of something! Hey, Patchouli! I got some sweets for you.

Patchouli

How unexpectedly kind of you.

Ah! That sweet is...

Patchouli

What is it, PLAYER? ...Huh? What is this?! Why is it so spicy?! Is this some kind of punishment game?!

Patchouli

Aaahhh...

Meiling

Lady Patchouli?!

Flandre

Kyahahaha! Did Patchouli faint because it was too yummy? You should have some too, Meiling!

Meiling

Huh?! Lady Flan, please don―*mmph*

Koakuma

Oh no oh no oh noooo! What should we do? PLAYER, please help me out!

Koakuma

We need to stop this before there are any more victims!

Koakuma

I'm sure things will calm down if we have a battle of bullets... At least, I hope they will!

Remilia

Oh dear... You've caused quite a fuss at our party.

Remilia

I believe some punishment is in order... Sakuya.

Sakuya

Please leave it to me.

Marisa

Urk! A super spicy cream puff!

Tewi

ACK! The super sour pumpkin pie I made!

I guess this is reaping what you sow...

Sunny Milk

Oh no, is that the level of prank we're supposed to be doing?

Luna Child

Maybe we can put chili peppers on sweets next time! Or a lot of lemons in the drinks!

Star Sapphire

Ooh, let's try it out here! If we do it now, we can blame it on Marisa and―

Sakuya

Hm? Do you three also want to be punished?

Three Fairies of Light

N-No, we're good!

Remilia

Heeheehee, pranksters who go too far will be punished! Now, let's continue enjoying the party.

Remilia

It's fortunate that the youkai rabbit had extra sweets for us, but isn't this a bit much?

Sakuya

Indeed. We had Tewi take responsibility by making her eat all the leftover Tewi brand sweets.

Sakuya

But there are still so many other sweets left... Shall we invite some more guests?

Remilia

That's a good idea...

Akyuu & Kosuzu

Trick or bullet!

Kosuzu

To think that evil spirits showed up at the prank festival... It turned out just like that book from the outside said it would!

Akyuu

All we wanted to do was show the spirits of our ancestors how well we were doing...

Akyuu

But you really are amazing, Miss PLAYER. You've already solved the case!

Keine

Let me thank you as well! Now, the children of the village can safely enjoy the festival.

Keine

I'm very grateful.

It wasn't just me! Everyone helped!

I'm happy the prank festival can go on!

Remilia

She's right. This case was only solved so swiftly because the lady of the Scarlet Devil Mansion―yours truly―was here.

Akyuu

I heard that from Miss Reimu. Oh, but Miss Reimu said she heard it from Miss Marisa...

Akyuu

I wonder how the news traveled so far.

A lot of things happened...

Akyuu

Well, I have an inkling as to the reason myself.

Sakuya

But you didn't need to come all the way to the mansion just to thank PLAYER.

Akyuu

I wanted to thank Miss Remilia as well, which is why I asked Miss Keine to come with me.

Remilia

You wanted to thank me?

Kosuzu

You got rid of the evil spirits because you heard we humans were scared that it was a curse from our ancestors, right?

Remilia

W-Well, yes... When I heard that the Human Village was in trouble, I couldn't leave the matter alone, heehee.

Keine

Haha, I knew it. Not that I suspected you or anything, but maybe my presence wasn't needed here.

Keine

I came because I didn't want to let two humans go to the mansion by themselves, but it seems that wasn't necessary.

Remilia

No, this is good timing. Now that you're here, you should join the prank festival as well.

Kosuzu

Oh, can we? Does that mean we can prank you, Miss Remilia?

Akyuu

Kosuzu, please... We would be happy to take you up on the offer if you'd allow us, Miss Remilia.

Akyuu

It seemed like such fun when I read about it in a book from the outside at Suzunaan!

Remilia

It seems we are on the same page then. You know what to do, yes?

Akyuu & Kosuzu

Give us sweets or it's bullets for you!

Akyuu

...But will we be OK going up against Miss Remilia?

Kosuzu

You're such a worrywart, Akyuu! We'll be fine. We have Miss Keine on our side!

Keine

M-Me?!

Keine

I guess I must play the part then... I didn't think I should, since this is meant to be a festival for children.

Remilia

You needn't worry about such things. Just say the magic words and you'll fit in right with the children.

Keine

That makes me feel a little better. Then, if you don't mind... Trick or bullet!

Remilia

That's the spirit! Now, PLAYER―I'm counting on you!

Kosuzu

There's still a lot I need to learn about battles of bullets...

Keine

I'm sorry that this was the best result I could bring us...

Akyuu

No, it's not your fault, Miss Keine! I need to study more myself.

Remilia

Your battle of bullets was incredible. Here... Enjoy these sweets.

Akyuu

May we?

Remilia

Of course. I wouldn't hold them back from you just because you lost. I'm expressing my gratitude for a good show.

Remilia

I just didn't want to give out sweets for free. You have to entertain me for it!

Keine

Ha, I thought you would say that. It seems like you two need to study some history as well.

Kosuzu & Akyuu

Huh...?

Keine

This prank festival is based on a celebration of the autumn harvest to welcome the spirits of the ancestors.

Keine

At the same time, you would keep the evil spirits at bay and hope that the children would be well enough to play pranks.

Keine

That was the original meaning behind it...

Keine

It's probably something like the Bon Festival.

Keine

Remilia and Rumia's outfits are meant to be costumes to scare away the evil spirits playing pranks.

Keine

Normally, you're supposed to disguise yourself as something scary, but it seems bullets served that purpose this time.

Keine

This could be a new chapter in history!

Miss Keine's eyes are shining with excitement!

Remilia

You could say this daily growth is one of the strong points of humans, who are normally so weak.

Remilia

The more you study, the more you learn. If you all keep up your bullet practice, you'll become stronger as well...

Remilia

Foolish and weak, and yet still intelligent in their own way... That's what I find so fascinating about you humans!

Keine

But it isn't only human children who grow. You and the fairies have as well, right?

Sakuya

Yes, your growth was absolutely incredible, milady. I can assert that, as someone always at your side.

Sakuya

I'm sure that PLAYER can agree.

Of course!

Remilia

Thank you, Sakuya and PLAYER.

Remilia

Humans are foolish, weak, and yet still intelligent... Perhaps that is why they know who they should side with.

Sakuya

Thank you for your kind words.

Flandre

The party's coming to an end, but I still want to play!

It went by so quick.

Let's enjoy it until it's over!

Flandre

Yeah!

Remilia

I hope you two enjoyed yourselves.

Remilia

I'm still curious about that prophecy book though...

Sakuya

Oh? Milady, if you have a moment...

Remilia

Yes?

Sakuya

Now that I take a closer look... While it uses fancy paper for the cover, the word "Journal" is written on the front.

Flandre

Oh, you're right, Sakuya!

Sakuya

It seems like it may be an old work journal. The parts Koakuma didn't read just seem to be work logs.

Remilia

So it isn't a prophecy book? How boring...

But it had all the details of the prank festival.

Sakuya

My theory is that it may be a log of events that happened before it reached Gensokyo. It is still quite odd though.

Flandre

Oh! It was fun anyway.

Remilia

Who wrote this journal, and how did it get here? There are still mysteries left unsolved, but I have learned a lot today.

Sakuya

It was an opportunity for you to find out more about humans. A good learning experience, you could say.

Remilia

Excuse me, but I don't need any new learning experiences. I'm wise enough already!

Remilia

But I feel like I've seen this handwriting before... Doesn't it look like yours, Sakuya?

Sakuya

...Perhaps, but it's difficult to say. The paper is damaged, making the letters hard to distinguish.

Remilia

Sakuya, why did you pause before responding?

Sakuya

Oh, it was nothing.

Sakuya

(I only noticed now, but this is a journal from before I came to the Scarlet Devil Mansion...)

Sakuya

(...I think I'll keep this secret to myself.)

Remilia

Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. It was a good opportunity to put on a party.

Patchouli

Yes, we just wanted to throw a surprise party for you, Remi.

Remilia

Oh, is your mouth feeling better already, Patchy?

Patchouli

A little... It's still stinging from the spice.

Meiling

Milady, I want some sweets too!

Koakuma

Me too! I worked really hard this time! I want some sweets as a reward!

Everyone Who Wants Sweets From Remilia

Trick or bullet! Give us sweets or it's bullets for you! Grrr!

Remilia

There are so many sweets right here. You can just eat whatever you want.

Patchouli

You're missing the point. They want to receive the sweets from you.

Remilia

Is that how it is...?

Sakuya

Yes, that's how it is.

Koakuma & Flandre

Sweets, sweets, sweets! Please give me sweets, milady!

Remilia

I suppose I can indulge you just this once. Let's forget the usual formalities today.

Sakuya

In that case, please allow me to join in... Trick or bullet. Give me sweets or else! Grr!

Remilia

What? You too, Sakuya?!

Me too! Trick or bullet!

Remilia

Not you too, PLAYER?!

Remilia

Well, fine. You may all come at me at once. I, the Eternally Young Scarlet Moon, Remilia Scarlet, will be your opponent...

Remilia

Let us enjoy this battle of bullets together.

Remilia

This promises to become a fun and exciting night...

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Rumia & Remilia's Trick or Bullet