Mentioned Characters: Sakuya, Youmu

The music festival was back! The festival organizers seem to believe it would prove an effective defense against the Lost Word Incident, even if they do not take to the stage themselves. But how could such a fun and carefree event possibly do anything? The musicians didn't know either. They simply performed as they pleased, soaking in the atmosphere.

"Youmu, this is a musical time-space―a mysterious zone that links the souls of artists and musicians like us. You can think of it as a world similar to Gensokyo but with more restrictions. It's the place where all music creators eventually end up." "What are you talking about, Miss Sakuya?" Sakuya and Youmu were performing on stage when suddenly they found themselves in an unfamiliar space. But how did they get there? Did Sakuya manipulate time, or did Youmu cut through time after achieving new heights of swordsmanship? Perhaps they don't even know themselves. As they squinted into the white haze, familiar scenes started appearing around them. But as soon as they recognized one colorful scene, it would morph into the next, seemingly without end. Their lives flashed before their eyes like the pages of a book turning in the wind or a constantly revolving kaleidoscope.

Music is a series of signals formed by sound waves. So why does it have such an effect on the hearts and minds of people? Because music is an integral part of the universe. Sound waves are vibrations. String instruments have strings that vibrate in one dimension, and wind instruments have metal and wood membranes that vibrate in two dimensions, which are essentially the same as the strings and branes that make up the universe. You can think of the universe as one giant instrument and the matter that fills it as different vibrations. The characteristics and qualities of matter determine the way we experience the universe, so every possible experience is the equivalent of every song the universe can play. But why is it like that?

"Our concert was a huge success. Nice work out there, Youmu." "That was super fun, Miss Sakuya!" "Ummm..." "Uhh..." An awkward silence descended as they both considered asking about their experience during the performance. They got so into the performance that their consciousness wandered. It was almost like they visited the Dream World. But that can't be right, can it? In the end, they concluded it was probably just a fleeting illusion conjured up by the heat and excitement of the concert.

Nothing lasts forever, and everything changes. All things, without exception, are fated to one day end up in Gensokyo. What would a world without music be like? Would every sound lose its emotional resonance? Or would all sounds blend together to form a gray monotone devoid of any new experiences? Either way, humans would continue living regardless. Humanity's will to survive should be a source of hope, but that makes it sound sad and hollow. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Some people find meaning in life in the things others forsake. Gensokyo is a world where such people gather.