Prologue: In Gensokyo...
Teatime as Usual? Pt. 1
Alice
Oh, there's so much to do!
Alice
Right, Patchouli? There's not enough time to do everything!
Patchouli
Yes, we are rather busy... You still seem to be enjoying yourself though.
Alice
I do? You must be imagining it.
Patchouli
Well, if you say so. Where should I put the teapot?
Alice
Right on top of that table! Oh, but we have to put down the tablecloth first!
Alice
I need to bring out the sweets too, but I guess I can leave that to Hourai and Shanghai... There's still so much to do!
Patchouli
There's no need to rush... *sigh*
Patchouli
Honestly, that girl... I know it's been a while since our last tea party, but she's getting carried away.
Patchouli
She should try to be more collected, like me...
Patchouli
...Teehee.
H-Hello!
N-Nice to meet you, I think?
Patchouli
Huh?!
Patchouli
Were you standing there the whole time? I didn't even see you!
Patchouli
I-It's nice to meet you too...
Alice
Oh, there's just so much to do!
Patchouli
Good timing, Alice. Your guest has arrived.
Alice
Huh?
Alice
I don't remember inviting anyone...
Patchouli
She isn't your guest?!
Alice
Excuse me, but could you tell me... Oh!
Alice
This is Marisa's doing. I'm sure of it.
Alice
She must be Marisa's guest. Marisa's always making new friends everywhere she goes.
Patchouli
Oh, now that you mention it. She made friends with that jizou from the forest too.
Alice
Marisa's guest is here on time, but Marisa is nowhere to be found... I'd say I can't believe it, but―
Patchouli
This is Marisa we're talking about.
Alice
Wait, what am I doing? There's still so much to do!
Patchouli
After Marisa gets here, we can all introduce ourselves, but first, we have to prepare for the tea party.
I'll help!
Alice
Thank you!
Alice
We have so many sweets that even with my dolls helping, it's not enough. Patchouli, would you set up the chairs?
Patchouli
You want me to move these chairs?! They're so heavy! I'll need to think of a good way to carry them first.
Alice
Would you help me decide what tea we should have? I have so many delicious teas that it's hard to choose.
Patchouli
That reminds me―I have some tea from Sakuya. We can try it together.
This is so wonderful!
Do you have tea parties like this often?
Alice
Well, both Patchouli and I love teatime.
Alice
We magicians tend to get lost in our studies, so it's a nice escape from that too.
Patchouli
Sometimes the fragrance of the tea even helps me come up with new ideas, since it lets me unwind a bit.
Alice
Oh, put the tea set over here.
Patchouli
What a lovely cushion! I want one for the library.
Alice
Those tea leaves smell amazing too. I'm always impressed by how Sakuya manages to find these things.
Alice
Let's have that tea first.
Patchouli
Marisa is terribly late.
Patchouli
This always happens, so there's no point being bothered by it. It must be hard for you though.
Huh?
Alice
It's fine. You don't have to say anything. Patchouli, you have it tough too, don't you?
Alice
Marisa never returns the things she borrows, and she always makes such a mess!
Alice
She doesn't have an ounce of principle in her.
Patchouli
You can't really call what she does borrowing, since she doesn't ask for permission. You know, just the other day―
Patchouli
I was surprised since she actually returned something to me, but the book she brought back was actually yours, Alice!
Alice
It happens all the time. To say I'm used to it would be an understatement.
Patchouli
Oh, this tea is delicious.
It goes well with the sweets.
Alice
I'm glad to hear it. I made the sweets especially for this tea party.
Marisa
Hey! Sorry I'm late.
Alice
We've been waiting forever, Marisa!
Marisa
And that's why I said I'm sorry! I found something cool in the forest, so I had to pick it up.
Alice
I don't want your excuses. You were so late that we started without you.
Patchouli
We've been entertaining your guest this whole time.
Marisa
My guest? What are you talking about?
Marisa
Hm...
Um...!
Marisa
Who are you again? Well, I guess it doesn't matter! Hope you're having a good time!
Alice
Honestly, Marisa, you're so...
Patchouli
That's Marisa for you.
Marisa
*munch* Oh, the tea and the sweets are so good! I guess Patchouli brought the tea and Alice made the sweets, right?
Alice
Well, yes.
Patchouli
How did you know?
Marisa
It's obvious. I've had your tea and sweets tons of times before.
Alice
Oh, you...
Reimu
Excuse me.
Marisa
Hey! What are you doing here, Reimu? Do you need something?
Reimu
Oh, you're having a tea party. Would you mind if I join you?
Alice
Of course we don't mind.
Reimu
Then if you'll allow me...
Reimu
Ahh... It's nice to have tea every once in a while. The sweets are delicious too.
Patchouli
But it's unusual for the Hakurei shrine maiden to come all the way to the forest...
Patchouli
Did something happen?
Reimu
Something did. Would you take a look?
Reimu
I found this.
Alice
Wow, it's beautiful! Is this a jewel?
Patchouli
A crystal that I've never seen before! I must know more about it... *munch* *munch*
Reimu
If it were just the one crystal, I would've probably forgotten about it...
Reimu
But it seems like they're raining down everywhere lately.
Marisa
Wait! I found one just like that in the forest! Let me take it out... Here! Take a look!
Alice
They look exactly the same.
Patchouli
The same in size, weight, and material. What could they possibly be?
Reimu
I think it's an omen of strange incidents to come for Gensokyo. Things like this always are.
Um... What's Gensokyo?
Reimu
Oh, hello. I don't think we've met. Are you Marisa's friend?
Reimu
Gensokyo's where we are now, inside the Great Hakurei Barrier. It's a gathering place for all lost to the outside world―
Reimu
Wait. How do you not know about Gensokyo?!
I can't actually remember anything...
Alice
What? Marisa, isn't she your friend?
Marisa
Nah, I kinda just went along with that. I've never even met her before!
Patchouli
I'm at a loss for words...
Marisa
If she doesn't know about Gensokyo, maybe she came from the outside?
Reimu
An outsider, huh? That's very likely. You aren't hurt or sick, are you?
Besides the memory thing, I'm fine.
Actually, I feel great!
Reimu
That's good, at least. You're lucky you didn't get attacked by a youkai.
Reimu
But we can't relax. An incident might occur soon.
Reimu
Oh, wait. If you're from the outside, you've probably never heard of incidents before.
Reimu
And we're usually talking about big events that could affect all of Gensokyo.
By youkai, do you mean monsters?! And gods too?!
Are they common in Gensokyo?
Reimu
Well, youkai aren't exactly monsters, but yeah. That's how life is here.
Reimu
I may be human, but I'm also a shrine maiden, and the rest of the people here can use magic too.
Reimu
Wait, there's no time for this! I'll explain properly later.
Reimu
I'll take you to Hakurei Shrine for now, just to be safe. We can investigate this crystal later.
Marisa
Sounds fun! I'm tagging along!
Reimu
What? No, just enjoy your tea party.
Marisa
Come on! Don't you think it'd be good to have a magician with you?
Reimu
Oh, fine. Do what you want. Alice, Patchouli, thank you for the tea and the sweets.
Alice
She comes and goes like a whirlwind... I don't know why she's always in such a rush.
Patchouli
I don't think Marisa is capable of just sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea.
Alice
You're probably right. Why don't we take the time to enjoy ourselves then, just the two of us?
Teatime as Usual? Pt. 2
Reimu
Hm... Maybe this will work?
Reimu
No? Then how about this...?
Reimu
*sigh* It's no use.
Marisa
What are you doing?
Reimu
Just testing a few things.
Reimu
I'm trying to figure out how to send an outsider back to the outside... Hehe.
Marisa
What?! But it says right in Akyuu's book that outsiders can return if they reach Hakurei Shrine!
Marisa
Send her back already!
Reimu
I know what Akyuu's book says!
Marisa
Oh, I see.
Marisa
You've read about it, but you don't actually know how to do it. Losing your touch as a shrine maiden?
Reimu
I'm not happy about this either, OK? Outsiders always just kind of go back on their own...
Marisa
Always just kind of...? You're the Hakurei shrine maiden, aren't you?
Reimu
This girl just feels different somehow. Like there's something holding her back...
Marisa
You're not making any sense. You don't even do your regular shrine maiden duties properly, so how would you know?
Sorry for all the trouble!
Marisa
Nah, don't worry about it.
Reimu
You don't have anything to apologize for. And Marisa, don't speak for me.
???
My, it looks like you're up to something rather interesting.
Reimu
Ugh, a youkai. This is good timing though.
Reimu
Yukari, come help me out with this.
Yukari
Is this something new?
Yukari
Don't tell me you've forgotten about the Seal Crystals already? I asked you to collect and investigate them.
Reimu
Seal Crystals? Oh, you gave them a name, huh?
Yukari
Yes. They have something sealed inside, so I'm calling them Seal Crystals.
Reimu
There's something inside these things? How can you tell?
Reimu
...Actually, it's fine. Don't tell me.
Reimu
I haven't done much investigating yet, but they seem to be everywhere.
Yukari
It sounds like there are more than I expected. Or perhaps they are replenishing themselves...
Marisa
I found one too! It was in the forest.
Reimu
They don't seem to have caused any harm, at least.
Yukari
About that... These crystals may be more dangerous than they seem.
Reimu
What's so dangerous about them?
Yukari
I said there was something sealed inside, didn't I? When I tried to unseal one...
Yukari
It exploded. It was quite the sight.
Yukari
Whatever was inside burst right out of the crystal too.
Yukari
It headed straight into the forest.
Reimu
Why would you do something like that?! Of course it'd be dangerous!
Yukari
No need to worry. I tested this at the border of Gensokyo. Whatever jumped out seemed to be human in nature too.
Marisa
Wait a second. Something human in nature ran straight for the forest? Could that be―
Could that have been me...?
Reimu
What?! No way! Is that even possible?!
Marisa
The crystal's small enough to fit in my hand. How could a human cram into one?
Marisa
Was yours really huge or something, Yukari?
Yukari
No, all Seal Crystals should be the same size. When I unsealed one earlier, I felt something familiar.
Yukari
My intuition tells me what's sealed inside these crystals is an exit.
Marisa
What's that supposed to mean?
Yukari
An exit... You could also call it a wormhole, or a hole in space.
Yukari
And now you tell me that the human that burst out earlier is right here in front of me.
Marisa
I reckon I'd be able to tell if there were holes or humans or whatever in this crystal.
Yukari
Hm, it seems my explanation wasn't good enough. It's more like a gap in space.
Yukari
An invisible gap has been compressed inside these crystals.
Reimu
A gap, huh? I guess this is your doing then, Yukari?
Reimu
You're spiriting humans away now? Wow.
Yukari
Aw, are you impressed? That's so sweet!
Yukari
You almost never have anything nice to say about me, Reimu.
Yukari
But unfortunately, I don't have anything to do with this. These Seal Crystals are a mystery to me.
Reimu
Hm... I'll take your word for it. For now.
Reimu
But don't think I'm not still suspicious. This all stinks of weird hijinks.
Reimu
But putting that aside for now, I want to return this girl to the outside. Could you help me out?
Yukari
I can't.
Reimu
What?! Have you lost your touch or something?!
Marisa
Haha, that's rich coming from you, Reimu.
Yukari
Let me finish. I can't help. At least, not now.
Yukari
In order to send her back, we need to find out how she got here.
Yukari
I know she didn't go through a gap I created, but that's all I know.
Yukari
First, you need to investigate these Seal Crystals more. Then, you should be able to find out how to send this girl back.
Reimu
I'm not really happy with your explanation, but I'll accept it for now.
Reimu
But you better help us find a way to send her back!
Marisa
Instead of rushing into all this, maybe it'd be better if we waited things out.
Sorry, this is all my fault...
Reimu
It's fine. Worse trouble than this happens around here all the time.
Marisa
By the way... What's your name? I completely forgot to ask.
Um... Hm...
What was my name again...?
Reimu
Your memory's a bit fuzzy, right? Have you forgotten your own name?
Yukari
Even if it is just temporary, it'd be rather inconvenient going around Gensokyo without a name...
Yukari
Oh, I have an idea. I'll make up a name for you!
Yukari
Since you've lost your memories, how about Lossy?
Yukari
Lost memories, a lost child... The double meaning is clever, don't you think?
I-I remember my name now!
It's PLAYER!
Marisa
Nice! Now we have something to call you.
Yukari
Aw... Lossy was such a good name too.
Reimu
You youkai... You're always fooling around.
Reimu
Anyway, PLAYER, it seems like you'll be here for the next little while.
Reimu
Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Reimu Hakurei. I'm the shrine maiden at Hakurei Shrine.
Marisa
The Hakurei shrine maiden is really important here in Gensokyo.
Marisa
Even though she spends her days at tea parties instead of doing her shrine maiden training.
Reimu
Shush! I'm getting along just fine without training, thanks.
Marisa
Anyway, I'm Marisa Kirisame! Just an ordinary magician. Me and Reimu go way back.
Reimu
Only because you keep sticking around.
Marisa
Of course I do! There's no better way to keep myself entertained.
Yukari
Saving the best for last, I'm Yukari Yakumo. These two call me the gap youkai.
Yukari
A gap is a cut in space―a boundary. I have the power to control them.
Yukari
"Gap youkai" isn't the name of a species of youkai or anything, so don't get that wrong.
You're a youkai?!
Yukari
Yes. I'm a bona fide youkai. Just your everyday supernatural being.
Yukari
That might be unusual to someone from the outside, but you'll find youkai everywhere here.
It's nice to meet you all!
...It is the first time we've met, right?
Yukari
Yes, it's nice to meet you. I shall welcome you on the behalf of all of Gensokyo.
Reimu
Anyway, we can't just ignore these Seal Crystals.
Reimu
From what Yukari said, it seems dangerous to just go around unsealing them. Maybe we should seal them more.
Marisa
I'm not sure what it is, but it's clearly a magic item.
Marisa
I can take care of it.
Reimu
Sure, but I won't help if you get sucked into a gap somewhere and can't get back out.
Marisa
Don't say stuff like that! I don't even want to think about it.
Yukari
Sealing something that's already sealed... A double barrier.
Yukari
We're within the great barrier of Hakurei Shrine. Anything's possible.
Yukari
Especially with a wonderful shrine maiden's prayer and ritual ceremony. I'll even help out a little.
Reimu
Those words don't sound even remotely believable coming from you.
Reimu
If you create an incident and destroy the shrine again in a huge explosion, I think all I'd do is laugh, honestly.
Yukari
Another incident? We would be in big trouble then. Good thing it's your job to fix these incidents!
Reimu
Stuff like this is why I can't trust you...
Reimu
But there's no point wasting any more time here.
Reimu
I'll fix things right up!
Teatime as Usual? Pt. 3
Yukari
I meant to seal it, but I accidentally unsealed it instead... At least it didn't explode!
Reimu
Wh-What was that?! An illusion?!
Reimu
What just happened?!
Marisa
I saw a picture in that lightning just now! Do you think Raiko or Tojiko is behind this?
Marisa
What exactly came out of the crystal?
Yukari
It wasn't a living thing or anything physical... It was energy. A power cluster of some kind.
Yukari
...Though it seems to have dispersed.
About that...
Is this the picture you're talking about?
Reimu
What is that book? A journal? Or a notebook, maybe?
Reimu
It's so small! It fits right into your hand.
Marisa
Ooh, let me see! Wow, I bet Kourin would start drooling if he saw this.
Marisa
What's written in it? ...Hey, it won't open!
Yukari
What a mysterious little book. It seems it won't open for anyone but PLAYER.
Yukari
Marisa, you should give that back to her.
Marisa
Hmph. Fine!
Yukari
I see... The power that dispersed earlier seems to have settled on these pages.
Yukari
From this, I hypothesize that there are two main types of power in the Seal Crystals.
Yukari
One shows connections between people, and the other shows stories of Gensokyo. Bonds and story cards, you could say.
Yukari
Bonds... You could also call them intertwined destinies. It's a funny thing.
Marisa
Bonds, huh? I see a few familiar faces in here.
Marisa
Hey, don't these remind you of that crow tengu's photographs?
Why do I have such a mysterious journal?
Yukari
That's not the only mystery.
Yukari
When Seal Crystals are unsealed within Hakurei Shrine's barriers, the bonds and story cards are resealed in the journal.
Yukari
Or so it seems, anyway.
Yukari
As long as you're here, if we unseal any crystals, their energy should be resealed in that journal. This is good information.
Yukari
That also makes it clear just how dangerous it would be to let the Seal Crystals remain scattered.
Yukari
When these Seal Crystals interact with strong power, be it spiritual or magical...
Yukari
The seals come undone, and something is called forth through
Marisa
Or things will go BOOM!
Yukari
It wouldn't be strange for some people to want to use these crystals for untoward purposes.
Reimu
Can't we just fix things up after an incident occurs?
Yukari
No, that would be far too dangerous.
Yukari
These crystals are prime incident material. If we leave them lying around, it could totally disrupt Gensokyo's equilibrium.
Yukari
We have enough regular incidents occurring as it is.
Reimu
"Regular incidents"? Is that what you're calling them now?
Marisa
We just have to collect all the crystals, right? Sounds fun!
Marisa
I'll go looking for them. I'll leave you and Reimu to deal with them after!
Yukari
While there may still be some Seal Crystals lying about, somebody may have already collected a number of them.
Yukari
If you'll allow me to repeat myself, we really don't know what might come out if somebody were to misuse these crystals.
Yukari
It would be in your best interests to collect them all and dispose of them like we did earlier.
Is it OK if I come too?
Yukari
Oh, you may have some potential. I was just about to suggest that.
Yukari
Hm... Yes. You should accompany Reimu.
Reimu
Wait a second! It's way too dangerous for a regular human!
Marisa
But it'd be even more dangerous to leave her here! Youkai come to this shrine all the time, right?
Marisa
Even that komainu Aunn won't be a good enough guard dog if a really powerful youkai comes along.
Reimu
I guess, but still...!
Yukari
It's settled. I'll leave this girl to you.
Sorry for all this, Miss Reimu...
Reimu
Don't worry about it. If things come down to it, I'll protect you!
Reimu
And just call me Reimu. Everyone calls me that!
Marisa
You can call me Marisa too! Seems like we'll be stuck together for a bit.
Reimu, Marisa...!
I'll do whatever I can to help!
Yukari
Since it looks like you three will be OK, I'm going to head off.
Yukari
Let me know if you get into any trouble. I'll help if there's a gap nearby... Heehee.
Reimu
Yukari says she'll help, but she's making us do all the work...
Reimu
There's no point complaining to her though. Let's get going!
Marisa
Yeah! Where should we head first?
Reimu
Isn't it obvious? Our first stop is the house of the bloodstained devil―the Scarlet Devil Mansion!
The Scarlet Devil Mansion Pt. 1
Reimu
We've reached the Scarlet Devil Mansion. How are you feeling after that flight?
Reimu
...Hm, you don't actually seem very surprised.
You just flew so naturally, Reimu!
I wasn't scared at all! Really!
Reimu
Hm, it seems like you get used to things pretty quick.
Marisa
Good thing, too! If you went around screaming every time we ran into a youkai, you'd probably lose your voice.
So this is the Scarlet Devil Mansion...
Reimu
Yup. The unlucky vampires named the Scarlet sisters live here, but it's better to avoid them if you can.
Reimu
The older sister Remilia loves anything that's unusual, so she might have already gotten her hands on some Seal Crystals.
Reimu
That's why we're here.
Marisa
The Scarlet Devil Mansion, huh?
Marisa
I come here a lot, but most humans would be too scared to even go near it.
Reimu
I've heard a few people actually take Tai Chi Chuan lessons from the guard here though.
Marisa
Yeah, I've heard that too.
Marisa
Not that it matters, since it looks like that guard isn't here right now! We can waltz right in.
???
H-Hey! Stop right there! What are you doing?
Reimu
We're just going inside.
Marisa
What are you even saying, Meiling? Don't you know that gates are made for entering?
Meiling
Not if there's a guard at the gate, and I'm right here! Guarding this gate!
Marisa
You say that, but...
Marisa
You were sleeping over there just now, right?
Meiling
K-Keep your big voice down!
Meiling
Miss Sakuya might hear you!
Reimu
Hey, Meiling. Just an idea...
Reimu
If you let us through, we'll keep quiet about how you were sleeping on the job.
Meiling
Hm, that way Miss Sakuya won't get angry... Wait, no!
Meiling
I have to be more careful... You almost got me there!
Miss... Meiling, was it? It's nice to meet you!
Meiling
Yes, it's Meiling... Wait.
Meiling
Reimu, Marisa. Who is this young lady?
Marisa
She's PLAYER. We're traveling together.
Reimu
She's under Hakurei Shrine's care, OK? I won't hold back if you mess with her.
Meiling
Of course I won't! I'm not the sort of youkai who goes around attacking people!
Reimu
I remember you saying that you wouldn't mind eating a shrine maiden...
Meiling
That's just a saying! Everyone says stuff like that. Argh, Miss Sakuya will get angry at me if I keep slacking off!
Meiling
Anyway, Miss PLAYER. I'm Hong Meiling, the guard here at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Meiling
I can't let anyone in without the permission of the mistress and the head maid.
Meiling
If you want me to teach you some healthy exercises though, I'd be happy to help.
Thank you!
I'd love to learn some healthy exercises!
Marisa
Now that we're done with the introductions, we should head in.
Meiling
Were you listening to me at all?! I can't let you in! What do you even want?!
Reimu
Oh, didn't I say? Lately, there've been a lot of dangerous exploding things lying around.
Reimu
It'd be bad if your mistress got her hands on one.
Reimu
That's why we're here―to collect any dangerous items that might be lying around. We're just trying to be nice!
Meiling
Wh-What?! I haven't heard about this at all!
Meiling
Exploding things... That does sound dangerous.
Marisa
You agree then? OK, everyone. Let's head in.
Meiling
Stooop! I never said you could go in!
Reimu
What? If you keep wasting our time, the Scarlet Devil Mansion might blow up.
Meiling
It's fine! Miss Sakuya and Lady Patchouli are here too. They canhandle things.
Marisa
Dang, looks like you've gotten a bit smarter since last time.
Meiling
Hey, that's rude!
Reimu
Hm, what should we do? If we can't come to an agreement...
Reimu
I think we'll have to battle.
Meiling
A battle? Since it's you saying that...
Meiling
You must mean a battle of bullets.
Reimu
Of course.
Marisa
Hey, PLAYER. You should step back. When they say a battle of bullets, they mean it. They won't hold back.
They're going to fight with bullets?!
Shouldn't we stop them?!
Marisa
Nah, no need to worry. This happens all the time.
Marisa
Sure, we take these battles seriously, but we're not trying to kill each other or anything.
Marisa
That said, we always battle right to the end. It's a spectacle you only see in Gensokyo, so just sit back and enjoy it!
Meiling
You can come at me whenever you're ready. I haven't been training every day for nothing!
Reimu
Oh, you train every day? I'm strong enough even without training.
Reimu
(That said, Meiling's going to be a tough opponent.)
Reimu
Hey, PLAYER. You can see everything from where you're standing, right?
Reimu
Could you give me directions as you watch? It'd really help me out.
Meiling
I lost to a shrine maiden who doesn't even train...
Reimu
Would you let us through already? All we want to do is collect the items we're looking for.
Meiling
...I guess it's fine. But don't let Miss Sakuya see you!
The Scarlet Devil Mansion Pt. 2
Marisa
Right! When looking for something in the Scarlet Devil Mansion, this is the place to start!
Marisa
Patchouli's having tea now, so it's the perfect timing.
Marisa
We can read all the magic books we want!
This place is so big!
I bet all the books in the world are here.
Marisa
Looks like you understand this place's charm too. This is a real treasure trove.
Marisa
But this library's actually missing some books... since they're in MY house now! Haha!
Reimu
You're not wrong, but you shouldn't be proud of that.
Marisa
Hm. Since I'm here, maybe I'll borrow another book or three.
Patchouli
Now, what are these little black rats doing here?
Marisa
Ack! Where'd you come from, Patchouli?!
Patchouli
Did you think I was still at the tea party? That ended ages ago.
Marisa
Oh, um... Right! I wanted to talk to you, Patchouli! Good thing you're here!
Patchouli
You can't fool me!
Marisa
Tch.
You were at the tea party too...
You're Miss Patchouli, right?
Patchouli
Huh?
Patchouli
...Ahem. I didn't introduce myself properly earlier, did I? I'm the magician Patchouli Knowledge.
Reimu
This girl's name is PLAYER. She's traveling with us for now.
Patchouli
Hm... Is that so? It's nice to properly meet you, PLAYER.
It's nice to meet you too!
Marisa
Now that we've all said our hellos...
Patchouli
You can't trick me like you did Meiling.
Marisa
Tch. I'll give up on the books then... Come on, just let me take two!
Patchouli
I see you don't feel even an ounce of remorse.
Patchouli
Besides, I know what you're really after is the crystal. Rumors are spreading among the major players of Gensokyo.
Marisa
We're calling it a Seal Crystal! And I'm surprised you're interested in something that's not a book.
Patchouli
Seal Crystal... It sounds like it could have all the wisdom of the universe sealed within.
Patchouli
I would value it as much as I value this library.
Reimu
I think you're misunderstanding something, but anyway... Are there any Seal Crystals here?
Patchouli
No, there aren't.
Reimu
That so? Then we don't need anything from this library. We'll go to another part of the mansion.
Patchouli
No, you won't. You will be heading right out.
Marisa
Sure, we can do that. Right after we talk to Remilia.
Patchouli
You think I'd believe that?!
Patchouli
You two always make such a mess when you visit! You cause too much trouble and I can never focus on reading!
Marisa
Don't be such a stick in the mud. Things are more fun when stuff is happening!
Patchouli
I don't want to hear another word from you! And give me my books back!
Marisa
F-Fine! I'll bring them back! Tomorrow! Or maybe the day after!
Patchouli
Oh, I've had enough! We'll settle this with bullets!
Reimu
Ah... They're at it again.
(This is just a hunch...)
(But those two get along well, don't they?)
Reimu
They do, but they'd never admit it.
Patchouli
Marisa, I'm not angry, so please. Just return my books.
Marisa
Your smile doesn't reach your eyes... Ugh, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Patchouli
I see you still refuse to listen. There's nothing else I can do then.
Patchouli
I'll render you powerless with my elemental bullets!
Marisa
Sorry, I went a bit too far!
Patchouli
Hmph! I can't believe you! You barge into my library and this is what you do?!
Marisa
Yeah... Sorry, even I can tell I overdid it this time.
Marisa
Don't be mad, Patchouli.
Patchouli
Fine... *sniffle*
Reimu
Wait! Don't fall for Marisa's tricks!
The Scarlet Devil Mansion Pt. 3
???
You really have no sense of propriety. You could have just made an appointment with the mistress.
???
Instead, you sneak into this mansion like thieves and go as far as to have a battle of bullets with Lady Patchouli...
???
I will make sure that you learn to regret your indiscretions.
Reimu
W-We're sorry! (She's terrifying...)
Marisa
I-I'm sorry, really! (Really terrifying...)
I-I'm really sorry too!
Now that I think about it, this was trespassing!
???
I assume you had no say in the matter. Those two dragged you here, didn't they?
???
My apologies. I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Sakuya Izayoi, and I serve as a maid to Lady Remilia.
H-Hello! I'm PLAYER!
(I actually enjoyed seeing them fight though...)
???
Now, now, Sakuya. It isn't the first time these two have caused a fuss.
Sakuya
Milady.
???
A human... You said your name was PLAYER, yes?
???
My name is Remilia Scarlet. I am a noble vampire and also the mistress of this house.
H-Hello!
Wh-Wh-What should I call you?
Remilia
It seems you're Reimu and Marisa's friend, so you may call me Remilia. I give you my express permission.
Thank you very much!
Remilia
Now that we have introduced ourselves... Sakuya, explain the situation.
Sakuya
Yes, milady. These three trespassed on mansion grounds and held a battle of bullets in the library.
Sakuya
It's because you're always so kind to them, milady. They take advantage of your goodwill.
Remilia
Even so, it isn't that much of an inconvenience.
Sakuya
Not an inconvenience? The library looks like a disaster zone.
Sakuya
And I'm the one who always has to clean up after them.
Remilia
Urk... I see your point.
Sakuya
If you would act more appropriately for your station, it would make it much easier to do my duties as your maid.
Remilia
True, I am the head of the Scarlet family. It's only natural for me to act like it, heehee.
Sakuya
Yes, by all means, milady. Now, let us return to the subject at hand.
Sakuya
First, Meiling must be punished. I will give her a firm talking to.
Marisa
(Meiling, you're in for it now!)
Sakuya
Next... Reimu, Marisa.
Reimu
Y-Y-Yes?!
Marisa
Eek!
Sakuya
If you're investigating the Seal Crystals, we at the Scarlet Devil Mansion have reached a conclusion similar to yours.
Sakuya
The Seal Crystals are too dangerous. Parts of the mansion have already suffered their explosions.
Reimu
(Just as I thought.)
Sakuya
Even when the mistress tries to view the fate of these crystals, something blocks her view.
Remilia
It's like a sandstorm... Some kind of noise gets in the way.
Remilia
I couldn't see their fate even if I wanted to.
Sakuya
We decided that the Seal Crystals should immediately be collected and disposed of.
Marisa
Oh, that matches our plans!
Reimu
We've figured out how to dispose of them too. You can just give all the crystals you found to us.
Sakuya
I said that our conclusions were similar―not the same. There is one vital difference...
Sakuya
We at the Scarlet Devil Mansion are the ones who will be collecting and disposing of the crystals.
Reimu
What?! You can't just decide that on your own!
Marisa
Yeah! That's not fair!
Sakuya
And we feel the same way.
Sakuya
You decided on your own to collect the crystals yourselves, correct?
Sakuya
You sneak in here and make a mess of the place... Who are the ones acting "unfair" here?
Reimu
Urk...! We're not talking about that right now! Um... Right! The Seal Crystals are dangerous, OK?
Marisa
Yeah! We just, uh, want to protect the Scarlet Devil Mansion!
Sakuya
Something as explosive as the crystals could be used as fuel. We could avoid the mountain shrine's monopoly on energy.
Sakuya
There are many options besides the one you've decided on. Don't you think it would be wise to listen to us?
Reimu
No way! This isn't the sort of thing I can let some random human or vampire deal with!
Reimu
Leave it to the experts!
Marisa
We'll even be nice enough to collect them from you for free!
Marisa
Hand them over! For your own sakes!
This kind of feels like robbery...
I'm not sure if I'm on the good side here.
Remilia
Heehee, it seems we're doing things the usual way then.
Reimu & Marisa
We'll settle this with bullets!
Sakuya
Lady Remilia, the Scarlet Devil Mansion's budget is on the line.
Remilia
Oh, is that so? Then I give you permission to go all out.
Sakuya
I will make good use of my Spell Cards then.
Reimu
We didn't hold back with our Spell Cards either!
Sakuya
*sigh* I will have so much to clean tomorrow...
Remilia
This all sounds very interesting. I'll join this ragtag group of yours. Sakuya, you come too.
Sakuya
As you wish, milady...
Marisa
Wait, really? I'm not sure how I feel about this lineup.
Remilia
Now, Reimu. Tell us where we are headed next.
Reimu
Yeah, yeah. Our next stop is the ghost shrine Hakugyokurou! ...I feel like a tour guide.
Hakugyokurou Pt. 1
Wow, I can't see the ground!
This is breathtaking...!
Reimu
We're heading to the Netherworld right now. Hold on tight so you don't fall off!
Remilia
I hear Yuyuko has some Seal Crystals as well. Isn't that right, Sakuya?
Sakuya
Yes, it appears so. I was shopping in the village when I ran into the servant from Hakugyokurou.
Sakuya
While she did not say anything outright, she certainly hinted at it.
Do you mean the world after death?
Reimu
Yes. It's where the dead wait until their final destinations are decided.
Reimu
You could call it a kind of afterlife. There are tons of ghosts and phantoms there.
Reimu
A ghost named Yuyuko Saigyouji oversees the Netherworld. We're heading to Hakugyokurou, which is where she lives.
Marisa
By the way, Remilia. Are you doing OK without a parasol today?
Remilia
Parasols are slightly inconvenient when flying... Fortunately, Sakuya found me a very powerful sunscreen.
Marisa
Oh, from Kourin? I guess stuff like that's hard to find here. I'm surprised it's enough to cover for your weakness to the sun.
Remilia
It seems there are many sunscreens in the outside world, but there are some stronger than necessary for any human.
Sakuya
Perhaps there are still some vampires in the outside world, blending in with the humans.
Marisa
Don't be ridiculous. Even as a joke, that's really not funny.
Alice
Yes, it's just as you say.
Alice
Leaving a tea party before it's finished is absolutely ridiculous. Even as a joke, it's not funny.
Marisa
Ack! Alice, where'd you come from?
Alice
Don't you "Ack!" me. Thanks to you, the tea party was ruined.
Marisa
What? Patchouli was still there, wasn't she?
Alice
*sigh* That's not the point... But anyway, that's not why I'm here.
Alice
Your name is PLAYER, right? I'm sorry that I didn't introduce myself properly.
Alice
I'm Alice Margatroid. I'm a magician who lives in the forest. You could also call me a puppeteer. It's nice to meet you.
Do you control your dolls with magic?
Your dolls are so cute!
Alice
Oh, you think so too?
Alice
Hourai and Shanghai... London and Holland... They're all unique and I'm proud of all of them!
Alice
I make my magic into invisible strings and move them.
Marisa
Hey, is it really OK for a magician to reveal her secrets so easily?
Alice
If that was enough to reveal the secrets of my magic, I couldn't call myself a puppeteer.
Marisa
Hm, if you say so. Why are you here anyway?
Alice
Right! I heard about the Seal Crystals.
Remilia
Oh, have the crystals piqued your interest too, puppeteer of the forest?
Alice
Yes, very... You already know what I'm going to say, don't you?
Er...?
Alice
Take out all the Seal Crystals you have and leave them here.
Reimu
You come all this way and that's what you have to say? Why would we do something so stupid?!
Alice
They're a source of magic powerful enough to create a huge explosion. My dolls need energy too, you know.
Alice
From range of motion to reaction time, everything in puppet manipulation is dictated by the amount of magic supplied.
Alice
Magic solves everything. It might even be possible to have a doll more powerful than my Goliath Doll!
Marisa
Wait, I feel like I've heard this before!
Alice
You understand, don't you, Marisa?
Alice
Magicians are always seeking the words of truth... And we need magic to do that!
Marisa
Nah, that's not really my cup of tea. I'm just a regular human magician!
Alice
If you're not interested, hand over the Seal Crystals.
Marisa
I can't give these crystals to somebody who seems too interested in them.
Is it about time then?
Reimu
It looks like you understand how things work around here now.
Reimu
Yes, it's time for a battle of bullets.
Alice
You won't be able to break through my doll's shield alone.
Alice
Heehee... Shall I make you into one of my dolls too?
Marisa
Alice is really getting into it.
Marisa
But she's right. Going one-on-one against Alice is a bad idea.
Marisa
Hey, PLAYER! Keep an eye on the battle, OK? If things look rough, fight back by switching our positions!
Alice
Oh dear! I lost.
Marisa
You don't look too bummed out. I thought you said magicians needed magic to seek the truth.
Alice
I did, but there are other paths I can take. If I join you, another chance might come to me.
Alice
Plus, I did a pretty good job fighting alone against all of you. I'm counting this as a win for me.
Marisa
You really are something else, Alice.
Hakugyokurou Pt. 2
Reimu
Phew... Once we reach the top, we'll be at Hakugyokurou.
These stairs go on forever!
The cherry blossoms are beautiful here.
Marisa
The Netherworld is famous for its cherry blossoms. You're lucky―it's just the right season for them.
Reimu
Hakurei Shrine has some beautiful cherry blossoms too.
Marisa
Haha, it's not a competition!
Alice
It's easy for everyone to meet up at the shrine too. We can have a cherry blossom viewing party the next time they're in bloom.
Sakuya
Our wine this year is top-notch as well. It's about time people recognized the Scarlet Devil Mansion for more than just its tea.
Remilia
(As the lady of the mansion, I'd rather people recognized it for its fearsome mistress...)
Marisa
This group has gotten pretty big though! We could start a flower viewing party right now with these numbers.
???
Be it a flower viewing party or some other errand, I wish you'd contact me in advance before using the premises.
Reimu
Good timing, Youmu. We're here to visit.
Youmu
You can't just come here like this! I just said you have to tell me in advance!
Reimu
And that's why I just told you we're here to visit.
Youmu
You can't tell me you're here to visit when you're already here! There's no point!
Marisa
Ah, they're at it again.
Youmu
Marisa, you know Reimu's being unreasonable! Please tell her to stop! This is just an invasion!
Marisa
But we came here for a reason... You've heard about the Seal Crystals going around, right?
Youmu
Do you mean those translucent cubes? I saw Lady Yuyuko looking at one earlier. She seemed to be enjoying herself.
Marisa
Yeah, that's the one! Do you remember how many she had?
Youmu
I can say for certain it wasn't just one... She has ordered some of the phantoms here to search for more.
Alice
It sounds like she hasn't tried to use one yet.
Marisa
Meaning she hasn't made any explode... At least for now.
Alice
We'll need to collect them and put them to good use.
Marisa
Yeah, I'm gonna use it to fuel some flashy magic bullets.
Reimu
Could the magic team please stop their plotting?
Marisa
This is the same situation we ran into at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. At this rate, there might be a huge explosion here.
Youmu
What?! That's no good! I'll have to fix all the buildings... I'm growing faint just thinking about it.
Reimu
Don't the phantoms do that for you? I thought they did the cooking and the laundry here too.
Youmu
That's how things are supposed to work...
Youmu
But I'm pretty much the only one around here who has a physical body and can actually use their hands...
Sakuya
(I can't help but sympathize...)
Youmu
By the way... You haven't introduced your companion to me yet.
Remilia
She's a human named PLAYER. She's traveling with Reimu for now.
Hello!
I'm PLAYER.
Youmu
It's nice to meet you. So you're the outsider that the phantoms were gossiping about.
Youmu
I never thought an outsider would come to Hakugyokurou!
Youmu
My name is Youmu Konpaku. I am the fencing instructor and gardener at Hakugyokurou.
Reimu
Youmu comes from a family of half-human half-phantoms. Now that I think about it, that's pretty unusual.
Marisa
She's also called Tsujigiri Youmu! You know, like those samurai who kill people to test a new blade.
Youmu
It's true that I can cut pretty much anything, but please don't say things like that! People will get the wrong idea!
Reimu
Now that we've introduced our companion like you asked, would you let us through already?
Marisa
Not this again... Why won't you let us through?
Youmu
Of course I won't let you through! I'm here to stop you. If you go on a rampage here, I'll have so much to clean up after!
Marisa
But if you don't let us in, the Seal Crystals might explode.
Youmu
That's still better than the mess I know you'll make! I wish you'd reflect on all the wreckage you've caused.
Marisa
No idea what you're talking about.
Reimu
If you won't let us through, we'll have to go on a rampage here. You might as well just let us in first before we start.
Youmu
You're being ridiculous!
Marisa
Wow, there are phantoms everywhere. That's the Netherworld for you!
Reimu
Let's deal with the ones in the front first. We can't get through with just brute force. We'll need to try something else.
Reimu
I'll leave the timing up to you, PLAYER!
Marisa
Well, that's the phantoms taken care of.
Youmu
You cleaned up the cleanup crew...
Reimu
I forgot to mention it, but it might get worse than an explosion. The crystals could create a terrible incident.
Youmu
Are you telling the truth? I don't know what to believe anymore...
Youmu
As the fencing instructor at Hakugyokurou, I'll cut through to the truth!
Reimu
So, what truth have you cut through to?
Youmu
I'm too inexperienced to know anything... What should I do now?!
Marisa
Why don't you come with us? Your mistress might be in danger too.
Youmu
You're right! I need to return to the grounds straight away!
Hakugyokurou Pt. 3
???
Welcome to Hakugyokurou. We have so many visitors today.
???
My name is Yuyuko Saigyouji. I'm in charge of the ghosts and phantoms who linger here. Would you tell me about yourself?
Hi, my name is PLAYER.
It's nice to meet you, Miss Yuyuko.
Yuyuko
Oh, how polite! I'd love to have a good girl like you around here. Would you consider staying here after you die?
Reimu
Don't get ahead of yourself. We're not letting you keep her here.
Yuyuko
You're always so stingy, Reimu.
Youmu
More importantly, Lady Yuyuko. Where is that sparkling thing you had earlier?
Yuyuko
Oh, that? I've finally collected enough of them, so I'm getting ready.
Youmu
Getting ready for what...?
Marisa
This can't be good.
Yuyuko
Isn't it obvious?
Yuyuko
I wasn't sure what to do at first either, since they're so firm.
Yuyuko
When you find something firm, your only options are to boil or steam them whole. Don't you agree?
Yuyuko
I thought that maybe steaming would bring out the flavor better, but then, it came to me―
Yuyuko
And I decided to fry them to make tempura!
Youmu
...
Sakuya
No. Absolutely not.
Yuyuko
Whaaat?!
Remilia
You've gone too far... And that's coming from me.
Yuyuko
How could you say that to me? I think I might cry... I was so excited about this!
Youmu
It's not even food! (Probably.) Please don't do this, Lady Yuyuko. You'll get an upset stomach!
Alice
You couldn't think of anything else to do with these?
Yuyuko
Well... They seem to be filled with youkai power, so I thought I might be able to use it for that...
Yuyuko
You've heard about the cherry blossom tree on these grounds that never blooms, haven't you?
Reimu
STOP! This idea is even worse than your tempura one!
Yuyuko
But these sparkly crystals... There are so many of them. If they're left alone, spring might end up gathering here....
Marisa
Don't even joke about that!
Did something like that happen before?
How can you gather spring?!
Reimu
It happened in a past incident. The story's too long to get into it now, but Yuyuko was behind it all.
Reimu
So that's why it felt like this place was filled with spring.
Reimu
You'd better not be trying for a repeat performance of last time!
Youmu
Lady Yuyuko, you can't! Please give those sparkly things to Reimu!
Yuyuko
But...
Yuyuko
I don't want to! I went through all the trouble of collecting them!
Youmu
You should know when to give up!
Marisa
(The whole thing about ghosts is that they don't know when to give up...)
Reimu
I guess we'll have to battle with bullets to settle this. You can't complain then, right?
Yuyuko
I'll accept that. We can battle right here, right now.
Youmu
Lady Yuyuko, take it outside at least, please!
Yuyuko
Fine... You don't have to yell.
Marisa
Phantoms again?
Youmu
Even if you defeat them, they'll come back to life, so please don't hold back. We need to deal with Lady Yuyuko, and fast!
Reimu
Yeah, we don't know when she might try to take a bite out of one of the crystals...
Yuyuko
What's wrong with gathering spring? We'll find out what's under that cherry blossom tree too! Two birds with one stone.
Yuyuko
I'll put an end to it once I've found out, so just let me do this!
Marisa
She doesn't even know what she's talking about.
Reimu
We're up against Yuyuko... We can't let our guards down. PLAYER, I have a request.
Reimu
We still have our trump card, Last Word... Play it when you think the time is right!
Yuyuko
Why are you all so stingy? Can't you just let me have this one?
Youmu
I think this was the best outcome. I'm sorry for the trouble we caused, everyone.
Yuyuko
That reminds me! The rabbits from the bamboo forest were talking about the crystals too. I heard from the phantoms.
Reimu
Normally, I wouldn't put stock in third-hand info, but it always feels believable when the house of eternity Eientei is involved.
Yuyuko
Youmu, go help them out.
Youmu
I don't mind, but please promise me that you won't snack on anything you shouldn't while I'm gone.
Yuyuko
Heehee... I promise!
Eientei Pt. 1
Marisa
...We're lost, aren't we?
Reimu
Yuuup. We must've passed through here a dozen times already.
The gentle slope disrupts my sense of direction.
The scenery is the same wherever I look...
Reimu
Yeah, this place isn't called the Bamboo Forest of the Lost for nothing.
Reimu
We're trying to get to Eientei, which is hidden deep in this forest.
Reimu
I thought we could get one of the youkai rabbits here or Reisen to guide us, but nobody's around...
Marisa
Yeah, we're getting nowhere.
Reimu
You try leading us through here then!
Marisa
Nah, I'm good. I'm just as lost as you.
Alice
Let's take a break. I'll use my dolls to take a look around while we rest.
Marisa
Thanks, Alice! You're the best.
Alice
...Please don't expect too much. Could you prepare some tea in the meantime?
Marisa
Leave it to us! ...Sakuya, you can do it, right?!
Remilia
Lost in the woods with this... interesting team, huh? Sakuya, would you prepare the tea for us?
Sakuya
Your tea, Lady Remilia.
Remilia
Fast as usual, Sakuya... It's delicious.
Remilia
Let the others have some too.
Sakuya
Of course. I have prepared some light refreshments as well.
Reimu
Thanks, but this isn't a field trip...
Sakuya
I know that. I can clean this up in an instant if the need arises, so you don't have to worry about it.
Youmu
This situation reminds me of the night the illusory moon appeared. We started with the same group then too.
Reimu
Oh, you're right! We're just missing Yuyuko and Yukari.
Is that one of those incidents you mentioned?
Reimu
An incident that was completely unprecedented. I'll tell you about it if we get the chance some time.
Youmu
That reminds me. This bamboo forest has the youkai rabbits and everyone at Eientei, but there was someone else, right?
Marisa
Hm... You mean youkai like Kagerou who've got connections to the moon?
Youmu
No, not Kagerou. Somebody more... Um...
???
It's rare for you lot to come to the bamboo forest. Did you need something?
Reimu
Hm, I don't remember anyone else living here. Maybe the fairies?
Marisa
Yeah, but you can find fairies everywhere.
???
Hey, did you need help with something?
Youmu
I'm so close to remembering... It's on the tip of my tongue.
Youmu
What was it? Not Mukumuku... Not Mofumofu either... Mokomoko...?
???
Oh, you're talking about me! But it's not Mokomoko―it's Mokou. Fujiwara no Mokou.
Reimu
Mokou, shush. We're trying to remember something.
Marisa
Yeah, Mokou, don't distract us.
Youmu
Please just give us a moment, Miss Mokou.
Mokou
Huh...? Can't say I saw this coming.
Reimu, Marisa!
Is this who you're talking about...?
Mokou
Oh, you new around here? I'm Fujiwara no Mokou. I guide people through the bamboo forest.
Mokou
You could call me the neighborhood watch! Nice to meet you.
I'm PLAYER.
It's nice to meet you too!
Reimu
Oh, right! Mokou! Nice work figuring that out.
Marisa
I completely missed that, even though she was right here!
Youmu
I guess we couldn't see the forest for the bamboo!
Mokou
Oh, come on...
Mokou
Well, I guess it doesn't matter. What are you doing anyway? Here to see Kaguya?
Mokou
If you are... I don't mind helping you out.
Reimu
Thanks! A guide, just when we need one.
Youmu
Mokou's like the ferrywoman for the Sanzu River!
Mokou
Hey, don't compare me to her. I do my job properly.
Marisa
Then could you do your job already? Time's ticking away.
Mokou
Sure, but I have a favor to ask too.
Mokou
Don't look like that. It's a simple favor.
What could it be...?
Mokou
Train with me. I have my job to think about, after all. I can't let myself get outta shape!
Reimu
Ugh, what a pain! Just get Kaguya to fight with you.
Mokou
The problem is that when it's me and Kaguya, we sometimes don't know when to stop...
Mokou
I don't want to burn this bamboo forest down.
Youmu
Reimu, Miss PLAYER... I'd like to help her, if that's OK.
I agree!
Reimu
Guess we don't have a choice. Not like we have anything else we can pay with...
Reimu
Fine. You want to train? No problem.
Mokou
Thanks. You'd better go full out though. I'm not gonna hold back either!
Mokou
But no damaging the bamboo forest, OK?
Marisa
...You have it tough too, don't you?
Mokou
Come at me then!
Marisa
Mokou says this is training, but this is Mokou we're talking about... She uses fire, like me.
Reimu
The flames that Mokou and the fairies use can be a real handful. Their spiritual flames interfere with barriers.
Reimu
Be careful, PLAYER.
Youmu
Miss Mokou! We're here to train!
Mokou
Oh, there you are. Let's get this started!
Mokou
But you should know that these aren't any ordinary flames... Prepare yourselves!
Mokou
You got me! I lost, but I feel great!
Youmu
Thank you for training with us!
Marisa
Wow, that was hot! Those flames just wouldn't let up!
Reimu
Just like how you never let up...
Eientei Pt. 2
???
...I see. So that's why Mokou brought you here?
???
I've heard the rumors from the rabbits in the bamboo forest... You must be the unusual outsider they were gossiping about.
???
My name is Reisen Udongein Inaba.
Reisen
I used to be a moon rabbit, but I'm here on earth now, at Eientei.
Hi, I'm PLAYER.
It's nice to meet you!
Reisen
If you'd told me you were coming, I would've gone to the forest entrance to meet you.
Reimu
We couldn't contact you in advance.
Reisen
Oh? Why not?
Marisa
So far, everyone with Seal Crystals has refused to hand them over. They've all been trying to use them for nefarious stuff.
Remilia
That's rather rude of you. I wasn't planning anything nefarious.
Sakuya
Nothing nefarious. Just lining the household budget.
Alice
And I just wanted to use them to animate a gigantic doll.
Youmu
Lady Yuyuko just... tried to create a little incident... That's all...
Reimu
...You heard it from them, not me.
Marisa
That Eirin's at Eientei too, so... Not that I think she's up to anything, of course.
Reisen
Ah...
Marisa
But everyone else came with us too, y'know? So we can't just give Eirin any special treatment.
Reisen
*gulp*
Marisa
You've got Seal Crystals here too, don't you? Does Eirin have them? Or is it Kaguya?
Reisen
Eep!
Reimu
Don't tell me she couldn't contain her intellectual curiosity and is using the crystals for research...? No way, right?
Reisen
Ahahaha!
Reisen
(...Do I have to tell them?)
Is something wrong?
Marisa
Reisen... Just tell us. It'll make things easier.
Reisen
...It's just as you suspect. My master and the princess have a number of Seal Crystals.
Reisen
They're researching the nature of the Seal Crystals, since it's clear they're made of something special.
Reisen
It's all a bit above my head, to be honest...
Marisa
If they're researching the crystals, they might have made some explode already.
Reimu
How about it, Reisen? Has Eientei exploded yet?
Reisen
Huh...? I don't know what you're talking about, but Eientei hasn't exploded...
Marisa
Then they haven't tried anything too weird with the crystals yet.
Reimu
Sounds like it. Now, Reisen. Hand over all the Seal Crystals at Eientei.
Reisen
I think leaving it to my master and the princess would be the best way to keep them stable.
Reimu
*sigh* I'm sure you know this already...
Reimu
But if it's for research, those two won't let anything stop their curiosity.
Reisen
While I can't deny that, I can't just waltz in and take the crystals! There's my position to think about!
Marisa
We don't care about your position! ...But we do want those crystals. Let's settle this with bullets!
Reisen
What?!
Reimu
It's a good deal, don't you think? If we win, you let us into Eientei.
Marisa
And if you win... Hm, how about this? You get to convince Eirin and Kaguya to bring us the crystals!
Reisen
...That sounds like a terrible deal.
Reimu
Come at us then! Don't hold back!
Marisa
Yeah, this is a great chance. Show us your newest bullets!
Reisen
I don't need you to tell me that. I have my master. Even if I go overboard, she'll fix me right up.
Reisen
I'll knock you down with my barrage of bullets!
Marisa
There are a lot of fairies here deep in the bamboo forest.
Reimu
We'll have to get rid of them first.
Marisa
Guess we should save our Spell Cards and barriers for later?
Reimu
Normally, yeah, but sometimes enemies will drop special items.
Reimu
Some items can restore the number of barriers and Spell Card uses remaining. Let's defeat an enemy to try it out.
Marisa
Sorry for the wait! You got your bullets ready?
Reisen
Of course... I'll get right to it.
Reimu
Huh, you're taking this more seriously than I thought you'd be!
Reisen
I lost! I couldn't compete with that!
Reisen
It stings, but I lost fair and square. Yup!
Marisa
You're looking pretty happy for someone who lost.
Reimu
Well, since she lost, she won't have to try to convince Eirin and Kaguya. It's not her problem anymore.
Reimu
I guess Reisen has it tough too...
Marisa
Hm... If we go with a big group, they might think something's up.
Remilia
Sakuya and I can stand guard out here, so that Eirin and Kaguya don't try to run off.
Sakuya
Yes. Lady Remilia and I would be more than enough to handle them.
Youmu
Then I'll go look around the area to see if there are any other Seal Crystals. We don't want any more explosions, after all.
Alice
I can probably use my dolls to help. I'll go with Youmu.
Reimu
Sounds good! That leaves Marisa, PLAYER, and me to head inside. Let's go!
Eientei Pt. 3
???
Welcome to Eientei. I'm surprised you made it all the way here.
???
Have a seat and relax.
Reimu
(This is just like what happened when we first got to Hakugyokurou...)
Marisa
(Don't let your guard down, Reimu. The question is where the Seal Crystals are.)
I'm PLAYER.
It's a pleasure to meet you!
???
It's a pleasure to meet you too. I'm Eirin Yagokoro. I've heard rumors of you from the rabbits.
???
I'm Kaguya Houraisan. Eirin is my servant. I would have loved to hear your stories of the outside if you had any...
Kaguya
But I've been told that your memories are a bit unclear. I don't want to make you uncomfortable by prying too much..
It's fine! I'd love to share some stories if I could.
But I don't have any memories of the outside at all...
Kaguya
You can talk to me again when your memories come back to you. Will you be staying in Gensokyo for a while?
Eirin
Yukari always says that Gensokyo is where those who are lost gather. Your lost memories might find you here too.
Kaguya
That's true! You're always so smart, Eirin.
Eirin
Please don’t tease me, Princess.
Eirin
The Seal Crystals also showed up at the same time... It would be hard to believe this isn't connected somehow.
Eirin
I would guess that Yukari did something to one of these crystals and summoned you here... Am I correct?
Reimu & Marisa
...!
(She got it...!)
Eirin
I see I had the right idea.
Eirin
Since that's how things are... Reimu, Marisa, we'll be researching how to handle these crystals safely at Eientei.
Eirin
I'm sure we'll find a way to send this girl back home too.
Kaguya
You know we're capable. There's no risk. We'll have results for you faster than anyone else could.
Reimu
Sorry, but we can't allow that.
Kaguya
Oh my. Why not?
Reimu
My gut tells me it's a bad idea.
Eirin
Your gut? Our research would be safer and more fruitful than anything you could do.
Eirin
Why should we listen to some human's gut?
Reimu
You're right. I'm just a human.
Reimu
But I'm also the Hakurei shrine maiden. My gut as a shrine maiden is telling me to stop you.
Reimu
We successfully unsealed one of the Seal Crystals at Hakurei Shrine.
Reimu
When Yukari unsealed one at the border of Gensokyo, it exploded, but something special happened.
Reimu
Yes, PLAYER. You appeared.
(Oh...!)
Reimu
At the Scarlet Devil Mansion, the crystal just exploded.
Reimu
You'd probably get the same result in other places... Just more explosions.
Eirin
Is your gut telling you that too?
Reimu
The other places are missing a crucial connection.
Marisa
A connection? To what?
Eirin
...You're talking about the Great Hakurei Barrier.
Reimu
Exactly. At both Hakurei Shrine and the border of Gensokyo, you'll find the Great Hakurei Barrier.
Reimu
If a normal wall is a boundary that blocks physical materials...
Reimu
The Great Hakurei Barrier is a boundary that divides common sense from absurdity. It isolates Gensokyo from the outside.
Reimu
Both common sense and absurdity are concepts created by the consciousness.
Reimu
You could say that the Great Hakurei Barrier is an entity that doesn't allow such concepts to pass through it freely.
Reimu
The power of the Seal Crystals is similar. They have bonds and memories sealed inside, and they won't let them out.
Reimu
If they are unsealed, all of these things spill out of their gaps.
Reimu
You could call it a small version of the Great Barrier.
Reimu
(Yukari... You already knew all this when you named these things, didn't you?)
Reimu
Seal Crystals are similar in nature to the Great Hakurei Barrier, and unsealing them at the barrier has unusual effects...
Reimu
And if PLAYER, who came from a Seal Crystal, isn't there when a crystal is unsealed, it's a huge risk.
Kaguya
...Your gut as the Hakurei shrine maiden, you say? You're certain about this, Reimu?
Reimu
I am. Normally, I want to stay away from trouble, but I'm going to have to get involved this time.
Kaguya
I see... Eirin, you heard Reimu. Isn't that enough?
Eirin
Well, we are guests here in Gensokyo, after all.
Eirin
If the Hakurei shrine maiden is this insistent, I have to back down.
Kaguya
...But if you have the power to safely unseal the Seal Crystals, you can't be an ordinary human, right?
I don't know if it's really my power...
It's more the power of this journal.
Eirin
May I take a look?
Please go ahead!
Kaguya
Oh, the journal won't open... Eirin, what do you make of this?
Eirin
Hm. Perhaps it won't open unless she is the one holding it?
Eirin
Another mystery...
Kaguya
Hello, Eirin?
Eirin
Oh, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.
Eirin
Here is your journal back. The princess and I would be very happy for a chance to inspect this oddity again, if you'd let us.
Of course!
If you wouldn't mind letting me visit!
Marisa
I'm glad you decided to listen to us! Saves us some trouble.
Reimu
This definitely makes things easier.
Kaguya
We understand the situation. We know the nature of the SealCrystals as well as PLAYER's mysterious power.
Kaguya
But...
Kaguya
Will you be enough to protect them, shrine maiden of Hakurei? Let us put your power to the test!
Eirin
We can't just let you have something so rare without making sure you'll take care of it...
Eirin
We don't want anybody else stealing it from you, after all.
Reimu
I knew it. I didn't expect you to just give it to us for free, but still...
Marisa
Well, this will rule out any future trouble from them, right? It'll probably be better for us in the long run.
I guess this is just another way of communicating.
Reimu
You've really gotten the hang of this world, haven't you?
Reimu
But that's how it is. It's time to let our bullets do the talking!
Reimu
Now that I think about it though... We're going up against those two! This is going to be a real pain.
Marisa
Is this really the time to be grumbling? You have a plan to beat Eirin and Kaguya, right?
Reimu
Of course... I don't! I'll just go at it like I always do.
Reimu
PLAYER, I'm counting on you.
Eirin
You're here. Shall we start then?
Kaguya
I am actually a little excited for this myself. Let us enjoy this battle together.
Reimu
Your unique vibe always gets me.
Eirin
It's a total loss for us this time. We'll leave the handling of the Seal Crystals to Hakurei Shrine.
Kaguya
But it was fun! I hope we can do this again.
Kaguya
I'll practice more so that I won't lose next time.
Reimu
Honestly, I don't know if I'll be able to win again next time, but I'll look forward to it!
Epilogue
Yukari
Reimu, Marisa and PLAYER... You've done a great job.
Yukari
We've collected the Seal Crystals that would've caused the most trouble. This should mean no needless incidents for now.
Reimu
You know quite a lot about the Seal Crystals, don't you?
Reimu
I guess you could call this a happy ending... As long as you're not planning anything for these crystals yourself.
Yukari
What are you talking about? Of course I won't do anything with the crystals. I haven't done anything yet, have I?
Marisa
Hm, I don't know about that.
What are you going to do with these crystals now?
And how about crystals you find in the future?
Yukari
I'll take them to the shrine. If I leave them at the altar within the shrine, that'll be a double barrier. It should be safer.
Reimu
You'll need to make an offering too, if you want to unseal the Seal Crystals!
Yukari
...So Reimu says.
Yukari
It'll be a good idea to have Reimu pray regularly to bring the bonds and story cards out from the crystals.
Yukari
The timing for that, well... PLAYER, I'll leave it to you.
Yukari
I plan to do the same thing with Seal Crystals we find in the future.
Marisa
Bonds and story cards, huh? You mean that stuff that appeared in PLAYER's notebook?
Marisa
Oh, that reminds me... That notebook has all the things we've experienced written in it too, right?
Yes, for some reason...
Everything is written down, but I don't know how.
Yukari
How curious... You are just a bundle of puzzles and mysteries, aren't you?
Yukari
You're so interesting!
Reimu
Huh? What are you blurting out stuff like that for?
Marisa
Though I agree that she's interesting!
Yukari
This is a hunch...
Yukari
But I think that if this journal is filled with your memories, you might find out how to return to where you came from.
Reimu
This is your best clue right now. If you collect more Seal Crystals and continue to unseal them...
I might get my memories back?
Reimu
Exactly.
Marisa
Huh... At least we know what to do next!
Marisa
Guess I'll get to enjoy this for the next little while!
Marisa
It's been a long day though. I'm exhausted... *yawn* I think I'll head back for today.
Marisa
See you tomorrow, Reimu and Yukari! You too, PLAYER!
Reimu
I should be heading back too―
Reimu
...Oh, wait!
Um, what should I do...?
Reimu
I completely forgot! You need a place to stay!
Yukari
That's easily solved. You have spare rooms in the main shrine building, don't you?
Reimu
What?! This is too sudden! Can't you let her stay with you, Yukari?
Yukari
I don't mind, but have you forgotten? I'm a youkai. Should a shrine maiden really let a human stay at a youkai's home?
Reimu
Argh, not that again!
I-I'm sorry!
Reimu
Don't apologize! It's all this stupid gap youkai's fault!
Yukari
Heehee... I'll leave PLAYER to you then, Reimu.
Reimu
She just ran off!
Reimu
Urk...
Reimu
Fine. There's no way around it. From now on, you're under the care of the Hakurei shrine maiden.
Reimu
You're stuck with me for now, PLAYER―I hope you don't mind!
Of course I don't, Reimu!
Reimu
And that means I'm not going to treat you as a guest! Cooking, laundry, shopping, cleaning...
Reimu
All the chores are shared, except for my shrine maiden duties. You'd better be prepared!
I'm happy to help!
Reimu
Well then.
Reimu
I'm sure it won't take long before you can return to where you came from. I'm no Yukari, but I've just got a feeling.
Is your gut as a shrine maiden telling you that?
Reimu
No, just my regular human gut.
Reimu
But until then... Gensokyo is your home. Got it?
Got it!
Reimu
Good! Now...
Reimu
...I need to clean up the room you'll be staying in first, so take your time following me.
(Wow, what a day! So much happened...)
(But thanks to everyone, I don't feel worried.)
Gensokyo, huh...?
