Mentioned Characters: Marisa, Alice, Narumi

This Alice Margatroid lives in a Gensokyo where it's forever summer, surrounded by the sea. Most of the locals wear swimsuits every day, and beachwear has become the height of style. As a puppeteer, Alice makes dolls, but she also designs and sells swimsuits and summery shirts for them. Her souvenir shop caters to the locals, who play the part of tourists.

A Vacation Within a Vacation A vacation is, by definition, an escape from everyday life―a chance to experience something out of the ordinary. In other words, it's rest. Leisure. A break from routine. But in this Gensokyo, everyone pretends to be tourists, meaning "everyday life" and "vacation" are indistinguishable. So how do Alice and the others spend their days off? The answer is simple. If you're surrounded by the ocean... you might as well have fun in it!

The sun scorches this Gensokyo from the moment it rises. Alice had more than her own skin to worry about―her precious dolls were also at risk. That's why her workday always began with protecting her merchandise from the sun. Summer mornings came early. She needed to finish setting up before the sun climbed too high― "Alice! Come play with us!" "Oh? Narumi. Well, I suppose I can play for a little while." Summer mornings came early. But they were also long. Surely a short break couldn't hurt.

"Get her, Sand Golem!" At Narumi's command, a massive wave came crashing down on Alice. "Pwahhh! I thought this was a water fight, not a water battle!" "It is a water fight... One where anything goes!" Alice tried to reply, "Just 'cause anything goes doesn't mean it HAS to go!" but a wave swallowed her shout. "Hey, no splashing while I'm talking! Maybe my army of dolls will help put you in your place!" Staring up at a giant sand golem, Alice swore to herself: as a dollmaker, as a puppeteer, as a doll merchant... she wouldn't lose this water fight. Or water battle. Or whatever it had turned into! But just as their battle was building to its climax, a surfer splashed onto the scene. "Whoa, cool wave! Would be a shame not to ride it!"

"Alice? Naruko? What're you two doing?" asked the surfer. "Marisa! Wait... what ARE we doing?" Marisa's question snapped Alice out of her frenzy. The sun had already climbed high into the sky. "The water fight's over. I have to get back to my shop!" "I'll come with," said Marisa. "There's something I've been meaning to buy." "Really?" Alice grinned. Her first customer of the day deserved only the very best service. Her dolls were neatly arranged inside, protected from the relentless summer sun. Out front, rows of doll-sized swimsuits and summer shirts―her best-sellers―were displayed for all to see. Alice welcomed Marisa with arms wide open and a smile every bit as dazzling as the sea. "Come in!" Alice guarded her hair as an ocean breeze fluttered by. Another day of business had begun.