Marisa's voice rang out with unmistakable determination, punctuating the air with an eager challenge.
"Oi! Let's spar."
Reimu engrossed in her skewer-induced reverie, shifted her attention toward the source of the voice. Her expression remained impassive, a testament to her calm demeanor even in the face of an unexpected interruption.
As Marisa pressed on, undeterred by the lack of initial response, Reimu's focus wavered only momentarily from her delectable skewers. A nonchalant disregard for the situation seemed to be her initial response.
"Hey, don't ignore me!" Marisa's persistence was palpable, a reflection of her unyielding nature.
Finally finishing her last skewer, Reimu cast an observant gaze upon the persistent witch before her. Marisa's determination had piqued her curiosity, but she couldn't help but offer a hint of skepticism in her voice as she inquired, "Why me?"
Internally, Reimu's thoughts raced, her recognition of Marisa's identity adding a layer of complexity to the situation. She subtly grappled with the realization that this encounter might be more than it appeared. Yet, her external demeanor remained composed as she considered Marisa's challenge.
Sensing an opportunity to delay, Reimu suggested, "Can we do it on another day?"
As Marisa's insistence reverberated in the air, Reimu's inner thoughts turned wry, acknowledging the persistent nature of the witch before her.
"Probably in the next decade," Reimu mused silently, an indication of her preference for delay.
However, Marisa's determination knew no bounds. "Nope! I said right now!" she retorted firmly, an unwavering challenge in her voice.
With a subtle sigh, Reimu relented, her tone carrying a hint of resignation. "Fine, but let's spar somewhere empty."
"To the sand continent," Marisa promptly declared, her enthusiasm evident as she seized the shrine maiden's hands, their flight taking them toward the expansive sky.
--
Upon arriving at the sand continent, Reimu couldn't help but comment on the less-than-ideal flying experience. "Dangling around while flying isn't a nice experience," she remarked with a touch of mild amusement.
Marisa, however, was quick to express her excitement, brushing off her flying style. "My bad, but I'm excited to spar with you," she chimed in eagerly.
As they found themselves levitating above the ground, Marisa's thoughts seemed to hint at overconfidence. "This is going to be an easy fight," she mused internally, underestimating the shrine maiden's abilities.
Taking her stance, Reimu hovered steadily, her gaze fixed on her opponent. Marisa, opting to sit astride her broom, matched Reimu's altitude.
"Magic?" Marisa questioned, seeking insight into Reimu's abilities.
Reimu, however, offered a simple explanation. "No, it's just a skill that a shrine maiden is supposed to have."
And with that, the battle was set in motion. The air around them crackled with anticipation as Reimu unleashed her arsenal. Hundreds of blue amulets surged forth, while the summoning of yin-yang orbs initiated a cascade of red amulets, filling the space with a mesmerizing display of mystical energy.
Marisa's surprise was palpable as she poured more magic into her broom, attempting to evade the onslaught of Reimu's relentless assault. The blue amulets chased her with unwavering determination, and even the appearance of sporadic red amulets added an extra layer of challenge.
"What!!" Marisa exclaimed her focus solely on evading the barrage of mystical projectiles. She maneuvered her broom with nimble precision, narrowly avoiding the amulets that seemed to gain speed with each passing moment.
As she deftly evaded the magical onslaught, Marisa couldn't help but voice her disbelief. "What the hell is this!!!!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone. She quickly realized that what she was witnessing was far from ordinary. "This is borderline illegal!!!" she protested, unable to fathom how anyone could unleash such a formidable barrage of homing amulets.
Reimu's calm response cut through Marisa's incredulity. "It's not illegal, it's normal," she stated matter-of-factly, seemingly unperturbed by the intensity of their magical exchange.
Marisa's disbelief only grew stronger as she continued to dodge the relentless assault. "This isn't normal at all!!!" she retorted, her efforts focused on evading each amulet that came her way.
As Marisa expertly navigated through the magical onslaught, she made a decision. Gripping her hakkero tightly, she began to channel and charge its power, ready to unleash her counterattack against the shrine maiden's impressive display of magical prowess.
Marisa's determination blazed as she aimed with her hakkero, directing a focused blast of blue energy that obliterated the chasing amulets. Her confident thought, however, betrayed a lingering doubt. "I doubt she can use more of those things," Marisa mused, momentarily hopeful that she might have found a way to counter Reimu's barrage.
Yet, to Marisa's astonishment, the shrine maiden once again summoned a daunting array of amulets, forming a mesmerizing ring of magical power around her. Marisa's disbelief was evident as she muttered, "Tell me it's a lie."
The newly formed amulets surged toward Marisa, prompting her to launch into a series of daring evasive maneuvers, her broom whizzing through the air as she deftly avoided the onslaught. The amulets followed her every movement, their persistence forcing Marisa to push herself to the limits and execute risky tactics to outwit them.
Amid the intense magical exchange, Reimu's response was far from what Marisa expected. With an air of casual nonchalance, Reimu calmly took a sip of her tea, a gesture that only served to stoke Marisa's frustration. "What the hell are you doing!!!!" Marisa shouted in exasperation, her anger evident as she struggled to keep up with the relentless assault.
Summoning her resolve, Marisa unleashed a torrent of star-shaped mana, each vibrant burst of energy aimed squarely at the shrine maiden. The multi-colored projectiles streaked through the air, a dazzling display of power and determination. Yet, despite Marisa's best efforts, the star-shaped mana only grazed past Reimu, missing their mark entirely.
In the face of Reimu's seemingly effortless evasion, Marisa's frustration grew even more intense, her determination bordering on desperation as she sought a way to overcome the shrine maiden's formidable skills.
Marisa's determination blazed brighter than ever as she channeled a surge of mana into her broom, propelling herself forward with unprecedented speed. In her wake, star-shaped mana twinkled, leaving a trail of magical brilliance as she curved toward the shrine maiden. The amulets aimed at her were systematically obliterated by Marisa's charge, clearing a path for her head-on approach.
Closing the distance with unwavering resolve, Marisa was on the verge of reaching the shrine maiden when a sudden portal materialized before her. In a blur of motion, she passed through the portal, her velocity causing the ground to shake as she crashed into it upon entry.
The impact resulted in a deafening explosion, leaving a crater in the earth and billowing dust. Undeterred, Marisa swiftly recovered, her fully charged hakkero in hand. Without hesitation, she aimed the hakkero directly at the shrine maiden, her voice ringing out with incantation, "KOIFU MASUTAA SUPAAKU! ▪︎Love sign - Master Spark▪︎"
The incantation triggered a dazzling spectacle as a colossal magical laser erupted from the hakkero, its vibrant colors intertwining in a breathtaking display of power. The beam of energy struck the shrine maiden with unrelenting force, engulfing her in a torrent of brilliance.
As the Master Spark dissipated, Marisa found herself drained, her hakkero now emptied of its potent energy. Panting heavily, she collapsed onto the ground, her body weary and battered from the intense battle. Despite her exhaustion, a strange sensation gripped her from behind, and she was sent hurtling uncontrollably forward before crashing onto the ground, her consciousness slipping away.
Amid the aftermath, Reimu's voice held a tinge of remorse as she muttered, "I feel bad now..." Her casual demeanor belied the immense power she possessed, and Marisa's valiant effort had ultimately led her to a humbling defeat in the face of the shrine maiden's strength.
Reimu's contemplative voice carried a hint of respect as she remarked, "Though despite being a human and able to dish out those impossible feats, I guess I can see why she is a deuteragonist in Touhou."
With practiced ease, the shrine maiden set her plan into motion. She produced a comfortable mattress and a sprawling, oversized parasol, which she firmly planted into the ground to shield the unconscious Marisa from the scorching sun. Utilizing her control over the environment, she manipulated the ambient temperature to ensure it remained pleasantly warm without becoming uncomfortably hot.
Satisfied with her preparations, Reimu fetched a beach chair and settled into it, taking a moment to indulge in a slice of refreshing watermelon. As she savored the juicy fruit, her gaze occasionally shifted to the still form of Marisa, her expression a mixture of amusement and respect for the indomitable spirit displayed by her spirited opponent.
--
Marisa's eyelids fluttered as her consciousness slowly returned. The first voice she heard was that of the shrine maiden, Reimu, who greeted her with a hint of playful humor, "Hey, you. You're finally awake."
Blinking, Marisa tried to sit up, her surroundings coming into focus. "Where am I?" she inquired, her voice still groggy.
Reimu's response was casual as she gestured to their location, "You're still in the sand continent."
Surveying her surroundings, Marisa's gaze settled on the shrine maiden, who was leisurely munching on watermelon. The sight of a mountain of watermelon husks nearby indicated that Reimu had been indulging in the juicy treat for a while.
At the offer of watermelon, Marisa's mood visibly brightened, and she responded with a grateful nod, "Yes, please."
Side by side, they enjoyed the refreshing watermelon, the crunching sound breaking the peaceful silence that enveloped them.
Marisa let out a sigh, breaking the tranquility. "Still, I lost," she admitted, a hint of frustration in her tone. "Heck, it's not even a fight; it's a one-sided beatdown."
Reimu continued to savor the watermelon, her lips curling into a playful smile as she munched away. "Despite being a human, you can unleash super destructive spells, so I guess you're not bad," she remarked her tone a mix of admiration and acknowledgment.
Marisa raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Aren't you a human too?" she quipped.
Reimu chuckled softly. "True, but I have innate abilities given to me," she explained between bites.
Marisa nodded, understanding the distinction. "Is that so..."
With determination burning in her eyes, Marisa leaned forward, a confident grin forming on her lips. "I swear I'll beat you in a spar one day!"
Reimu's response was nonchalant, her tone light and teasing, "I'm waiting for it."
Marisa's grin widened into a smile. "Well, even if it takes a while, I'll make sure to give you a run for your money."
Curiosity piqued, Marisa asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
Reimu swallowed a bite of watermelon before answering, "Hakurei Reimu."
Extending her hand with a friendly gesture, Marisa introduced herself, "Marisa Kirisame. Nice to meet you, Reimu."
Reimu reciprocated the handshake with a warm smile, their hands clasping for a moment. "Nice to meet you too, Marisa."
The handshake marked a new beginning between the two girls, a sign of mutual respect despite their rivalry.
Marisa pulled back her hand with a determined smile. "I'm going to go now, Reimu. Got plenty of things waiting for me."
Reimu nodded, her expression friendly. "Alright, take care. See you around."
With a swift lift from her broom, Marisa ascended into the sky and flew away, leaving Reimu to tidy up the mattress and parasol, stowing them back in her inventory. She used her life magic to effortlessly disintegrate the watermelon husks, turning them into nothing more than a wisp of smoke.
As she worked, Reimu's thoughts wandered. "It's not bad as I expected... This world is relatively normal, unlike in Touhou where a million bullets are just a breeze and don't cost much energy."
With a contented sigh, the shrine maiden took to the air, her crimson and white outfit billowing behind her as she gracefully soared back towards her shrine. The sand continent lay beneath her, a tranquil and vast expanse, a stark contrast to the bustling and extraordinary world she had once known.
--
Within the serene walls of Hakurei Shrine in Gaia, the shrine maiden indulged in a single-player RPG, her eyes intently focused on the screen as she embarked on quests and battles. In a moment of excitement, she decided to try her luck with a 10x gacha pull, her heart pounding as the results flashed before her. "I didn't think I'm really lucky," she mused, her lips curling into a pleased smile.
With newfound enthusiasm, Reimu swiftly integrated her freshly acquired units into her party, determined to maximize their potential through dedicated grinding.
As the virtual battles raged on, a voice called out from the physical realm. "Reimu, the food is ready," Ai's voice echoed through the shrine.
Reimu paused the game and set aside her controller. "Okay!" she replied cheerfully, making her way to join the others.
Just as she arrived, Ina's voice chimed in with a casual remark, "Oya? I'm perfectly on time."
Gathered around a table, the trio enjoyed a hearty meal, their camaraderie evident in the shared laughter and easy conversation that flowed between them. The warm ambiance of the shrine enveloped them, providing a sense of comfort and belonging that made the simple act of dining together a cherished experience.
--
Marisa's mind buzzed with newfound ideas as she contemplated the possibilities of her encounter with Reimu.
"Can I use the orbs as storage for my spells and dispense them?" Marisa pondered aloud, her eyes narrowing in thoughtful consideration.
A mischievous grin crept onto her face as a creative concept took shape. "Hmm... I could make a ball of magic and make it shoot lasers when I put magic on it," she mused, her voice tinged with excitement.
Determination burned in her eyes as she declared her intention for the next day. "Tomorrow, I will defeat you!" Her words held a fervent promise, a testament to her unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve.
--
Paypal
