Night-Splitting Light
Index
Night-Splitting Light
???
...
???
Marisa...
???
...
???
Leave.
???
And don't come back.
???
You're not welcome here anymore.
???
...
???
Leave.
...
...
It was a rainy night.
Yeah, it was raining back then, just like it is now.
At least, I think it was. I can't really remember anymore.
Either way...
It's raining tonight, and I'm soaking wet.
Magic is such a strange power. It makes what's impossible for ordinary humans possible.
I still don't really understand that yet, but I'll continue to learn more.
So even if I'm all alone, I can keep on living.
I'm pretty sure...
...those thoughts crossed my mind back then.
...
...
???
Well, this is a surprise... Aren't you going to say hello?
...
This is a shop, so aren't you supposed to greet me first? Where's my "Welcome, feel free to take a look around"?
???
...
???
...You're not a customer.
Rinnosuke
Or what?
Rinnosuke
Are you going to buy something, Marisa?
Marisa
...!
Marisa
Is that a joke?
Marisa
You should know why I'm here tonight. You're the one who told me the date ages ago.
Rinnosuke
Oh...
Rinnosuke
So you remembered, huh?
Rinnosuke
Anyway, we can talk about this after you dry yourself off. You're going to catch a cold.
Rinnosuke
Here, take this towel.
Marisa
Th-Thanks.
Rinnosuke
Now then...
Rinnosuke
Yes, I did tell you it was tonight, didn't I?
Rinnosuke
I can't remember when, but I told you there were going to be lots of shooting stars tonight.
...Was it like this back then too?
No, it might have been different.
Not that it really matters.
Marisa
...
Marisa
What about her?
Marisa
Is she here already?
Marisa
I'm pretty sure you told her as well.
Rinnosuke
...Oh, you mean Reimu?
Rinnosuke
No, she's not here.
Rinnosuke
Unfortunately, it's raining tonight. And it looks like it won't let up until morning.
Rinnosuke
It's not the best weather for stargazing.
Oh, so I won't be able to see any stars tonight...
That's a shame.
Rinnosuke
Did you make a promise with Reimu?
Marisa
A promise?
Rinnosuke
Yeah, I thought you promised to watch the stars together...
Marisa
...
Rinnosuke
...
Rinnosuke
Oh, right.
Rinnosuke
Let me return your hat and broomstick. I figured you left them here with me because you can't visit home with them on you.
A magician's hat and a magician's broom...
...both designed to look the part.
They're immediately recognizable to anyone who sees them... including my parents.
Marisa
...
Marisa
...Thanks.
Marisa
But I won't have to worry about that anymore.
Rinnosuke
...
Rinnosuke
In that case, you should take this too.
Rinnosuke
I was planning to give this to you earlier. No, perhaps I was hoping to give it to you later. Either way... Here, take it.
Marisa
Huh?
Marisa
It's much heavier than it looks.
Marisa
An octagonal... box? Is it made outta some kind of metal?
Rinnosuke
It's called a mini hakkero. It has many uses.
Rinnosuke
Despite its small size, it's as powerful as a legendary magic item.
Marisa
And you're giving it to me?
Rinnosuke
Yes, I think you'll need it.
Marisa
...
Rinnosuke
...
Rinnosuke
I'm sure Reimu's at her shrine.
Rinnosuke
She's waiting for you there.
Rinnosuke
She's waiting for you, Marisa.
...Was that how it really happened?
Was it like that back then too?
...
...
Regardless, it's different from here on out.
I have to stand on my own two feet and find a way to move forward.
I'm all alone now.
Marisa
Is this... my house?
Marisa
Since when? ...No, that doesn't matter right now.
Marisa
I need to gather everything that might help me on my journey.
Marisa
I don't have much time.
Marisa
Umm...
Marisa
I've forgotten where I put everything.
???
Hehehe.
???
What are you looking for?
Marisa
Who's there?!
Marisa
Huh?
Marisa
Who are you?
???
Hm? Can't you tell?
Marisa
...
Marisa
...
Marisa
This is such a pain. If I knew who you were, I wouldn't have asked.
???
Are you sure? Maybe you just aren't looking hard enough.
???
Hehehe.
Marisa
...
Marisa
...
Marisa
Ah!
Marisa
You kinda resemble me when I was younger...
Marisa
But... you're obviously older than I was back then. What's going on?
Marisa
Who are you?
???
That's an astute observation.
???
But it doesn't tell you who I am. After all, the future version of your past self is the present you.
???
So that can't be me.
Marisa
Did you come here just to tell me that?
???
Of course not. I don't have that much free time on my hands.
???
No, wait, perhaps I do. Since we can only act in ways we've never acted before...
???
But I doubt you're interested in hearing about that.
???
Now then...
???
Question: What will you take with you?
The magic book borrowed from Alice.
???
This magic book is pretty amazing. Though, Yuuka said her magic itself is also quite something.
???
You should really return the things you borrow. I bet that witch is probably looking for this.
???
Here you go.
Item acquired!
???
Now then...
???
Question: What will you take with you?
The gift from the evil dragon.
???
Wow, this is quite a rare item. How'd you manage to get your hands on this?
???
I've always wondered why it's called that. Is it related to mushrooms? Anyway, it's done well to survive in this room.
???
Here you go.
Item acquired!
Marisa
...
Marisa
Sorry, but I don't have time to stick around and chat.
Marisa
I'm gonna get a few more things, then head off. Um, it was nice meeting you, I guess.
???
Oh, are you going already?
???
Then there's one more thing you should really take with you.
???
Hm, that's strange. I'm sure it was around here somewhere...
Marisa
Hey, stop moving stuff. I won't be able to tell where anything is anymore.
???
I think it's a bit late for that.
Marisa
Nah, I've got a system. Everything's where it's meant to be.
???
Oh, here it is! Catch.
Marisa
Whoa.
I caught the book she tossed to me.
It's different from all the other items here. It's unique.
???
It's got your name on it, so don't you think it'd be a really good idea to take it with you?
Marisa
...
Marisa
Yeah, you're right.
???
...
???
Great! OK, I guess my work here is done.
???
C'mon, off you go.
Marisa
...What are you gonna do now?
Marisa
Are you staying here in this world?
???
C'mon, off you go.
Marisa
Huh?
???
C'mon, off you go.
Marisa
You're kidding me...
???
C'mon, off you go.
I can't remember that girl anymore.
Wait, what can't I remember?
Umm...
...
...
Oh, right. I have to go to the shrine.
I have to go see Reimu.
But why am I going the long way around? Surely there's a quicker way.
...
But I guess if I knew of a quicker way, I would've used it.
All I can do now is keep going...
...just like how the stars fly through the night.
But...
...what do the stars see?
Would I be able to see anything from their perspective?
...
Please tell me. I need to know.
Please tell me, stars up high. What should I do?
Which way should I go?
Stars...
Bright shooting stars tearing across the night...
I'm weak.
So, please...
Please give me strong magic.
Marisa
...Huh?! What was that?! A dream? An illusion...? I was watching Reimu battle...
Reimu
Ahh!
Marisa
Reimu!
Remilia
Sh-She vanished...!
Marisa
WHAT?!
Marisa
Reimu wasn't shot in the battle... But she's nowhere to be seen...
Marisa
Hey, you! Vampire lady! Did you look away during the fight?
Remilia
Of course not! I could have lost if I did!
Marisa
Then where's Reimu?!
Sakuya
I stopped time and checked our surroundings... But I couldn't find her anywhere.
Remilia
How could that be...? It's like she's been spirited away!
Sakuya
Yes, as if someone stole her away...
Marisa
What? That's the price I paid...? The thing I treasure most...
Marisa
Reimu's gone now...? Then what's the meaning of obtaining this power―AAAGH!
Remilia
What now?! You're shining like the sun!
Marisa?
It's so hot! My body... It's burning!
Marisa?
(I'm burning! Fire's coursing through my veins...!)
Marisa?
(My skin, my flesh, is melting away...! It feels like the heat inside me is about to burst forth!)
Marisa?
(It hurts! It burns! I... I can't take this anymore...!)
Marisa?
AaaAAAAHHHHHH!!!
???
Stop that.
Marisa
So, did that wake you up?
Marisa
I bet that was even more unexpected than what's happening to you right now.
Marisa
I'm sure you know this already, but some Master Sparks can cool stuff down. It was just what you needed.
This World's Marisa
Wh-Who are you?
Marisa
I'm sure you've already guessed.
Marisa
I'm you.
This World's Marisa
Yeah, you do look exactly like me... But how... why are you here?
Marisa
...
Marisa
I've seen plenty of other yous... or rather, plenty of other mes. Of all kinds too.
Marisa
I've seen so many that I've lost count. So many that it makes me wanna puke.
Marisa
I've seen us over and over again.
Marisa
And after countless attempts, I finally managed to stop this world's you. It was all worth it.
Marisa
But I'm sorry. It seems I still wasn't able to prevent Reimu from getting taken away.
This World's Marisa
...?!
This World's Marisa
Can we... bring her back?!
Marisa
Yeah, it's possible. My presence here proves that beyond doubt.
Marisa
It seems someone is hopping from parallel world to parallel world, stealing all sorts of people and things as they go.
Marisa
It's a type of incident, so we should be able to resolve it.
Marisa
Don't give up. Don't give in to despair.
Marisa
It's too early to throw in the towel. But I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that...
Marisa
Marisa Kirisame.
This World's Marisa
The burning pain that was coursing through me... has completely... vanished.
This World's Marisa
What kind of magic was that? You must've done more than just cool me down.
Marisa
That wasn't magic.
Marisa
No... perhaps it was. In fact, that might've been more magical than the spells I use.
This World's Marisa
Huh?
Marisa
I think the true nature of magic lies in the feelings that drive us onward to seek what our hearts truly desire.
Marisa
That's why you should search for your Reimu.
Marisa
And I'll search for mine. I'll keep searching for as long as it takes.
This World's Marisa
...
This World's Marisa
I see.
This World's Marisa
You really are me, huh?
This World's Marisa
I'll believe in you... and in myself. I'm gonna go on a journey to find my Reimu.
Marisa
Cool, our paths might cross again somewhere.
This World's Marisa
Yeah, maybe.
This World's Marisa
But we'll definitely bring back our Reimus.
I happened to meet quite a few more mes after that.
I stopped counting after a while. But, each meeting was like a new ray of hope...
...that combined to form a big, bright laser of hope.
This might sound cheesy, but I think hope is really important. As long as you've got hope, you can keep on going.
'Cause if you work hard enough, one day, your hopes can come true.
Hope is like a star. And there are as many stars in the night sky as there are people.
It's kinda strange how I can do all this despite being just an ordinary human.
I can travel to countless parallel worlds without growing old. How is that possible?
Somehow, I can also pick up and collect memories that I had supposedly lost forever.
It's so strange. But I think I've worked out one part of the puzzle.
Tools lend me power.
I've got all kinds of magic items that help me in various ways. And my magic increases with each one I find.
They'll get me to where I need to go.
I'm sure of it.
With them, I'm sure I can reach the masterminds behind this terrible incident...
...and give them a piece of my mind!
Marisa
...
Marisa
Huh?
Marisa
Seems I've come a pretty long way.
Marisa
Is this the masterminds' hideout? I wish my gut would tell me something. It's times like this when I envy that shrine maiden.
Marisa
...
Marisa
...
Marisa
For some reason, this place isn't giving me any bad vibes, even though it looks pretty foreboding.
Marisa
Rather, it feels kinda like home―
???
Oh? Who's there...?
Marisa
Huh?!
???
...
???
What are you doing here?
???
Why did you come back?
Marisa
...?
???
I said you weren't welcome here anymore. Don't make me say it again.
???
...
???
Leave.
Marisa
Urgh...!
Marisa
I don't know why, but hearing you say that makes me feel like leaving's my only option.
Marisa
Sorry. I won't bother you again.
???
...
???
Wait.
???
That's not what I meant.
???
Please don't go.
Marisa
Which is it? Make up your mind.
???
...
???
I've always been watching you from beyond the stars.
???
I'm no longer the old me.
???
I no longer talk or laugh like the old me.
???
Everything has changed.
???
And if you leave this place, you will surely forget me.
???
Though, in saying that...
???
You're still you, Marisa Kirisame.
Marisa
...?!
Mima
And I'm Mima.
Mima
That's all that really matters.
Marisa
...So you're saying your disciple looked like me and even shared my name? That sounds like more than a coincidence.
Marisa
You must've been fond of her, huh?
Mima
Not really.
Marisa
Yikes, I kinda feel sorry for her now...
Marisa
So why are you hiding out here in a place like this? Don't you know about the crazy big incident going on?
Mima
...
Marisa
Sorry, that was a stupid question. You just said you couldn't leave, even if you wanted to.
Mima
Humans and non-humans... aren't all that different.
Marisa
What are you talking about?
Mima
Their lifespans differ, but they all die in the end. And all their memories eventually fade and disappear.
Marisa
You might not know this, but there are these things called the Hourai Elixir and the Gumonji memorization technique.
Mima
That's not the point.
Marisa
Huh?
Mima
Everyone, be they human or non-human, must communicate with people other than themselves.
Marisa
...?
Marisa
I don't really get it.
Marisa
But it was fun chatting with you, Miss Mima.
Marisa
I hope we can meet again sometime. See ya.
Mima
...
Mima
...Take this with you.
Marisa
Hm?
Mima
Take this evil spirit magic. It's powerful enough to curse a world to oblivion.
Marisa
Whoa, hang on...! I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't accept that.
Marisa
I wanna do this with my own power.
Mima
Do you refuse my gift?
Marisa
Yeah, I do.
Mima
I see.
Mima
This place is a heap of memories. And they fade away from the bottom layer to the top.
Mima
Where we are now is close to the very bottom of the heap.
Mima
That's why I can tell you haven't yet realized your full potential.
Marisa
So that's why I should borrow power from you? You sound like one of those pushy salespeople.
Marisa
You're not gonna change my mind.
Mima
I see.
Mima
But I think you've misunderstood me.
Mima
You don't need anything new.
Mima
What you need... is the proper sequence.
Marisa
What do you mean?
Mima
To use magic items, you must arrange them in order.
Mima
Items imbued with different magical powers display different magical effects depending on how they're arranged.
Mima
Rearranging your mini hakkero's panels alters its functionality. The meaning of letters also changes depending on their order.
Mima
The steps you've taken also have a sequence... As do your memories.
Marisa
What are you asking me to do? Change the order of my life? That's impossible.
Marisa
I'm just an ordinary human.
Mima
That's fine.
Marisa
...Huh?
Mima
I'll allow it.
Marisa
Allow what?
Mima
I can't move from here, so I can't go with you.
Mima
So in return, I shall rearrange your magic items.
Mima
This is equivalent to changing the sequence of your life... because those tools remember you.
Mima
I shall rearrange these tools so they can adequately supplement the precious memories you lost.
Marisa
What lost memories? What are you talking about?
Marisa
And what do you mean by supplement? Are you going to bring my memories back...?
Mima
No, I'm going to return your past.
Marisa
What's the difference?
Mima
You will need to go on a journey to regain your memories, but you have already regained your past.
Mima
On that night when the shooting stars enchanted you, Reimu was with you, and you were never the same since.
Mima
You saw shooting stars. And that event is what sent you down the path to become who you are today.
Mima
Go, Marisa Kirisame.
Mima
The hundred wishes you made to the stars are urging you onward.
...Then she sent me on my way.
After that, I felt more than ready to beat the masterminds.
You'd think my victory would be assured, right?
But that's not how it went.
Marisa
I can't win.
Marisa
I know it.
Marisa
It's just not possible.
Marisa
I can't beat her.
Dark Marisa
...
Dark Marisa
...
Dark Marisa
It's too late to come to a compromise. This world will soon end.
Dark Marisa
And you don't have enough magic left to travel to another one. The best you can do is to shoot one last Master Spark.
Dark Marisa
The others ended in much the same way... So what are you going to do?
Dark Marisa
Have you got any last words?
Dark Marisa
Or are you gonna back down and accept my proposal?
Marisa
...
Marisa
You gotta be joking. Who'd ever side with you?
Marisa
You're all thieves. You used Lost Words across countless worlds...
Marisa
...to steal what people treasure most!
Dark Marisa
That's not true. How many times do I have to explain this to you?
Dark Marisa
Can't you see a doomed destiny when it's right before your eyes? Our world, our home, is destined to perish.
Dark Marisa
But the Lost Words are a way out. They're the only prayers left for my Gensokyo.
Dark Marisa
And you're standing in our way. Why don't you get that?
Marisa
Who'd believe such baseless nonsense...?!
Dark Marisa
Hardly anyone.
Dark Marisa
You've just sat on your hands, letting things happen.
Dark Marisa
You assumed that there would always be a tomorrow. And that you'd always have a home to return to.
Dark Marisa
You failed to notice all the warning signs until your peace was shattered.
Dark Marisa
I was the same.
Marisa
That's... How can I believe a word you say?!
Dark Marisa
I can't help you if you refuse to open your eyes.
Dark Marisa
I should've known talking to you was a waste of breath... not to mention time.
Dark Marisa
I was searching for a Marisa I could call a friend... But it seems I'll have to keep looking.
Argh...! How...? How can I beat her?
Or at least disrupt her plans a little?
Dark Marisa
There's no hope for you now. You will perish along with this doomed world.
Is this how it ends? Wasn't I supposed to get stronger?!
Am I gonna end as useless as I began?
Dark Marisa
Farewell, Marisa Kirisame. You were pretty much the same as the million other yous.
I still haven't found Reimu...!
Dark Marisa
Such a shame.
No...
I can't let it end here.
I will meet Reimu!
???
Marisa! Shoot a Master Spark!
Marisa
...?!
Dark Marisa
Urgh! Lucky shot...! You hit me just as I was focusing my magic!
Dark Marisa
But this doesn't change anything. All your efforts have been in vain.
Dark Marisa
You haven't got long now.
Dark Marisa
But I guess...
Dark Marisa
...you can at least spend your last moments together.
Marisa
Urgh... That was everything I had.
Reimu
Marisa!
Marisa
Oh... is that you, Reimu? I thought I was hearing things, but now I'm seeing things too.
Reimu
Idiot! I'm not an illusion!
Marisa
You're real...? Why would a miracle like this occur right at the very end...?
Marisa
No, maybe it's because it's the end... My final wish... came true...
Reimu
No, don't say that! Pull yourself together, Marisa!
Marisa
Don't give me that, Reimu... You're the one who needs to get a grip.
Marisa
What are you crying for? That's... not like you at all...
Reimu
*sob*
Marisa
Hey, Reimu. Can you fulfill one more wish for me?
Reimu
*sob* ...Huh?
Marisa
Can you sit me up? I wanna see the stars.
Marisa
I want to see the stars with you.
Marisa
...
Marisa
Wow...
Marisa
They're beautiful.
Reimu
...Yeah.
Reimu
Even if each of those lights is the dying glow of a doomed world...
Reimu
...they look like beautiful stars.
Marisa
...
Marisa
Hey, Reimu, did you know...
Marisa
...shooting stars are the sparkling scales dropped by Tenryuu, the dragon who flies across the night sky?
Marisa
It's no wonder... they grant wishes, huh?
Marisa
And that... explains why they're... so beautiful...
Reimu
...Yeah, they're beautiful. Really beautiful.
Marisa
Yeah...
Marisa
So beautiful...
Reimu
...
Reimu
Marisa.
Marisa
...And that's what happened!
What?! Then why are you so full of life now?!
Marisa
Hmmm, I honestly couldn't tell ya.
Marisa
I guess our prayers reached the stars or something.
Y-You think?
Marisa
Haha, yeah, there could be another reason too.
Marisa
Either way, there's no point stressing about it now. I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually.
Marisa
What matters most is that I was given another chance.
Marisa
And now you're here with me, so I'm sure the past won't repeat itself.
I'm not so confident... but I think you might be right.
Marisa
Yeah, there's no doubt about it.
Marisa
C'mon, let's go to the shrine.
Marisa
I bet Reimu's there waiting for us.
The shooting star wishing party is a tradition created by Marisa Kirisame.
It's said that Marisa learned how to use magic on the day following the first party.
She made one hundred wishes that disappeared along with the stars.
But now, those wishes have become the thread that traces constellations and stores Marisa's memories in tools.
That's all the assistance I can give her, as a personification of the shooting star washing party...
...as the weakest magic...
...entrusted to her by the great evil spirit, Lady Mima.
