A week had passed since Mirage Carl's enter with Mystia Lorelei in the woods. In that time, he had adjusted to life in Gensokyo, finding himself intrigued by its strange beauty and its even stranger inhabitants.

  After wandering for a few days, he had decided to settle down—at least temporarily. The thought of spending eaight in a different pce was no longer appealing, and living out in the open had its own dangers. So, he put his skills to good use, building a home high up irees.

  At first g seemed like nothing more than an ordinary treehouse. However, ah a sharp eye would realize there was something magical about it. Mirage Carl had used his magi's tricks to make the stru process far quicker than any normal human could manage. With a flick of his hand, he could bend and shape the wood, making everything e together effortlessly. He had no need for nails or hammers. With just a few words, the wooden beams fell into pce like magic.

  Once his new home was finished, Mirage Carl spent the few days getting fortable. The treehouse was cozy, with a sturdy ptform and walls made of wood, with just enough space for him to sit and rex. A small firepce flickered softly in the er, and a few cushions were spread out on the floor. His tricks had made the space far more livable than it would have been otherwise.

  But it wasn't long before he discovered something else—something he hadn't expected. As he went about gathering food and supplies, he began to notice a faint sound ing from the nearby trees, something like the soft fpping of wings.

  One evening, he was sitting outside, watg the stars, when he looked up to find that the noise was ing from the tree just a few paces away.

  To his surprise, Mystia Lorelei erched there, staring at him with wide eyes."You!" Mystia excimed, clearly startled. "You're the human from the forest! What are you doing here?"

  Mirage Carl leaned back against the trunk of the tree, his expression casual. "Well, I'm living here, I suppose. This pce seemed nice, so I made it my home."

  Mystia blinked, her feathers rustling slightly. "A... a treehouse? You built that? You're a human, aren't you? How did you make a house like that so quickly?"

  Mirage Carl smiled. "I have my ways. It's a magi's trick."

  The bird-like youkai narrowed her eyes. "A magi? I thought you were just some strange human.""Well, you could say I'm both," Mirage Carl replied with a wink. He then stood up, brushing off his pants. "Care to join me? I just finished making a meal. I could use some pany."

  Mystia hesitated for a moment, clearly suspicious. Her gaze flickered to the treehouse, then bairage Carl. She tilted her head. "I don't know... I don't really trust you. You're a human, and I'm a youkai. Not a great bination, you know."

  Mirage Carl gave a mock pout. "Don't worry, I'm not dangerous. I promise I'm just a weak human, harmless as be." He gave her an exaggerated shrug. "I'm not pnning oing you, if that's what you're thinking."

  Mystia looked unvinced but, after a moment of silence, her stomach gave an audible growl. She sighed. "Well... I suppose one meal couldn't hurt."

  Mirage Carl grinned. "Great! e on up, I'll set a pce for you."Mystia hesitated o time before taking flight and nding gracefully oform of the treehouse. She looked around cautiously, her sharp eyes sing for any signs of trickery.Mirage Carl set out a small meal—simple, but fvorful, something he had whipped up with his usual fir. There was bread, fresh vegetables, and some fruit, but what he had prepared most carefully was a stew that had been simmering on his magical stove. The smell was enough to make Mystia's eyes widen in surprise.

  "What is this? It smells... nice.""I thought you might enjoy something simple, but delicious," Mirage Carl said, her a bowl.She took the bowl cautiously, but after the first taste, her eyes lit up. "This... this is good. Really good! I didn't think humans could cook like this."

  Mirage Carl chuckled. "There's a lot you don't know about humans. I'm full of surprises."Mystia sighed tentedly, clearly enjoying the meal.

  After a few moments of silence, she looked at him curiously. "So, why are you living out here in the woods? You didn't really seem like the type to want to live alone. And... what made you think I'd accept your offer to eat?"

  Mirage Carl paused, then shrugged lightly. "I figured you wouldn't want to pass up a good meal, and I thought I could use some pany. I mean, it's not every day you meet a youkai who's willing to chat."

  Mystia snorted. "I'm not just 'any youkai.'" She took another bite of her food before looking back at him, her expression softening slightly. "But I get it. I'm alone most of the time too, just... flying around and singing. I'm used to being by myself. But, well... it's o have someone else around every on a while."

  Mirage Carl smiled, his gaze thoughtful. "I rete. Gensokyo's a strange pce, but I'm starting to think I might find some kind of purpose here. Maybe I'll eveo know you better."

  Mystia seemed to sider this for a moment befrinning. "Yeah, I think I'd like that. But don't expect me to go easy on you just because you cooked me dinner."

  Mirage Carl ughed. "I wouldn't dream of it. I wouldn't want you to go easy on me. I prefer challenges."

  They ate together in panionable silence for a while, the firelight casting warm shadows across the treehouse. As they fihe meal, Mirage Carl couldn't help but feel a sense of te. Gensokyo was still a world full of mysteries, but for the first time since his arrival, he felt like he had made a real e.

  "What do you like to eat?" Mirage Carl asked, breaking the silence.Mystia looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. "I like fish. I usually catch them while I'm flying around." She gave a small grin. "I'm a good hunter."

  Mirage Carl nodded. "I'll keep that in mind for ime."As the night stretched on, the two of them sat in the quiet warmth of the treehouse, enjoying the peaceful evening and the bond that had begun to form between them.