As Mirage Carl and Mystia walked away from Misty Lake, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades e and pink. The forest grew quieter, the only sound being the rustling of leaves as the evening breeze blew through.

  They followed a winding path through the woods, chatting casually about o's antics. Just as they were approag a small clearing, they heard a soft humming sound ing from up ahead. Mirage Carl stopped and g Mystia, who looked just as curious.

  "Do you hear that?" he asked.

  Mystia nodded. "Yeah... someohere."

  They moved quietly toward the sound, peering through the bushes. In the middle of the clearing, they saw a woman sitting on a rock, gently fanning herself with a folding fan. She wore a purple dress adorned with intricate patterns, and her long, flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders. A rge ribbo the back of her head fluttered lightly in the breeze.

  Mirage Carl felt a chill run down his spihere was something about her presehat felt... powerful. Dangerous, even.

  Mystia's face went pale. She grabbed Mirage Carl's arm and whispered urgently, "W-We o go. Now."

  Mirage Carl frowned. "Why? Who is she?"

  Mystia's voice was barely above a whisper. "That's Yukari Yakumo... one of the stro youkai in Gensokyo. She trols boundaries. If she notices us..."

  Before she could finish, the woman's goldeuroward them, a pyful smile appearing on her lips. "Oh? Visitors, how delightful."

  Mystia's grip tightened. "We're doomed..."

  Mirage Carl took a deep breath, stepping out of the bushes. He put on his most charming smile. "Good evening, miss. I didn't mean to intrude. We were just passing by."

  Yukari's smile widened. "Oh my, how polite. It's not every day I meet someoh suanners." She looked him up and down curiously. "You're nensokyo, are you?"

  Mirage Carl's heart skipped a beat. How did she know? He kept his posure and shook his head. "No, I'm just a humble magi... nothing more."

  Yukari's eyes sparkled with amusement. "A magi, you say? How iing. But you don't have any magic. How curious indeed."

  Mirage Carl felt a cold sweat on his back. How could she see through him so easily?

  Yukari tilted her head. "I wonder... how did someone like you end up here?"

  Mirage Carl hesitated, his mind rag. Should he tell the truth? Or should he lie?

  "I... erf a trick," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I stepped into a box, and when I ope, I was here."

  Yukari ughed softly, her fan c her mouth. "Oh, how delightful. A magi who travel between worlds. I koday would be iing."

  Mirage Carl couldn't tell if she was mog him enuinely amused. Either way, he kept his guard up. "You seem to know a lot about me already."

  Yukari closed her fan and stood up gracefully. "Oh, I know many things. But you... you're quite the enigma." She leaned in closer, her golden eyes pierg into his. "A magi without magic... a, you've mao survive this long in Gensokyo. Fasating."

  Mirage Carl forced a smile. "I get by with tricks."

  Yukari's smile never wavered. "Tricks, you say? Or perhaps... something more?"

  Mirage Carl felt his heart skip again. Could she have figured out his ability? He quickly shook his head. "Nothing more. Just simple tricks."

  Yukari stared at him for a moment, her eyes unreadable. Then, she ughed again. "You're quite amusing. I think I'll be watg you closely, Mirage Carl."

  Mystia looked like she was about to faint. Mirage Carl kept his smile, even as his palms began to sweat. "I'm honored."

  Yukari turned away, opening a gap in the air. It was like a tear iy itself, swirling with an eerie light. "I'll see you again... magi." With that, she stepped through the gap and vahe tear closing behind her.

  Mystia let out a breath she had been holding, slumping against a tree. "That was terrifying..."

  Mirage Carl exhaled slowly, his heart still rag. "Yeah... I don't think I've ever felt that kind of pressure before."

  Mystia shivered. "She's dangerous... really dangerous. If she's ied in you, you'd better be careful."

  Mirage Carl looked at the spot where Yukari had stood, a thoughtful expression on his face. "She's definitely not someoo take lightly... but I have a feeling we'll meet again."

  Mystia hugged herself. "I hope not..."

  Mirage Carl gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

  Mystia sighed. "You're way too calm about this..."

  Mirage Carl just shrugged, his mind already pnning his move. If Yukari was watg him, he'd have to be even more careful. But at the same time... he was curious about her. Who was she, really? And why was she so ied in him?