The youkai trail was lively yet eerie in its own way. No humans walked this path—only youkai vendors setting up stalls uhe twilight sky. Strange sts filled the air, a mix of roasted meats and mysterious herbs, making the atmosphere feel otherworldly. I gnced around, realizing this ce where humans would never dare to tread.

  Mystia's stand stood out with its simple charm, a wooden cart with a red cloth hanging above. The words "Grilled Lamprey" were boldly painted on it. Mystia was humming happily as she prepared the skewers, her wings fluttering in rhythm. She g me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Since you fot the permit, you'll be helping me all night."

  I ughed nervously, scratg the bay head. "Yeah... Sorry about that. But hey, I'm ready to learn!"

  Mystia handed me an apron, her smile turning mischievous. "Let's see if you ha, Mirage Carl."

  I tied the apron, stepping behind the cart. The grill was already hot, glowing embers crag softly. Mystia moved with practiced ease, her hands skillfully skewering the mprey before pg them over the fmes. She moved with a grace that matched her singing—fluid and captivating.

  A group of youkai approached, their eyes gleaming with huhey ranged from small childlike creatures to taller, more menag figures. Yet, they all looked at Mystia's stand with excitement, clearly regurs.

  "Wele!" Mystia sang out, her voice cheerful. "The best grilled mprey in Gensokyo!"

  The youkai eagerly ordered, chatting with Mystia like old friends. I watched in fasation as she flipped the skewers, her movements swift and precise. She noticed my stare and grinned. "What, never grilled before?"

  I shook my head. "Not like this. Show me how it's done."

  She handed me a skewer. "Alright, first, you have to keep the fmes steady. Not too high or you'll burn it, not too low or it'll be raw. Watch the color—it should be golden brown."

  I followed her instrus, turning the skewer carefully. The smell was mouth-watering. Mystia leaned in, iing my work. "Not bad... for a beginner."

  I smirked. "I learn fast."

  She chuckled, her feathers ruffling. "Then try the sauext. It's my secret recipe." She handed me a brush and a bowl of dark, glossy sauce. "Brush it on evenly. Too mud it'll be too salty, too little and it'll be bnd."

  I dipped the brush and spread the sauce carefully, the aroma growing richer. The youkai ers watched curiously, whispering among themselves. One of them grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming. "Hey, new guy's pretty good!"

  I felt a burst of pride. Mystia nudged me pyfully. "Look at that, you're already popur."

  I hahe skewer to the waiting er, who bit into it eagerly. His eyes widened, and he gave me a thumbs up. "Delicious!"

  Mystia beamed, her wings fluttering happily. "Good job! Maybe you're cut out for this after all."

  I grinned, feeling a sense of aplishment. The night tinued with a steady stream of youkai ers, and I learned more than just cooking. I learhe rhythm of the stand, the charm of Mystia's cheerful banter, and the secret to making the perfect grilled mprey.

  The night breeze blew gently, carrying the lingering st of grilled mprey. I looked around, realizing that this strange, youkai-filled pce was slowly starting to feel... familiar.

  The stand had bee a cozy little haven, the glow of the nterns casting a warm light on the wooden cart and the embers of the grill. Mystia worked tirelessly, flipping the skewers and singing softly as she served the st of the evening's ers. It was well past dusk, and I had nearly fotteime until the familiar voice of Kei through the cool evening air.

  "Ah, there you are," Keine said as she approached, her usual calm demeanor repced with a slight look of . "I was looking for you."

  I stood up, a little caught off guard. Mystia gave me a knowing gnce, her eyes glinting with mischief as she watched me shuffle awkwardly. Keione shifted to a gentle scolding as she tinued, "I was waiting at the school, you know. I thought you would e back to get permit from me."

  I felt my face redden slightly. "I... I got caught up in my Magic show, so I fot about the permit. sorry Keine."

  Mystia raised an eyebrow, her voice a pyful tease. "Caught up? You didn't even think about the permit? Really?"

  I gnced over at her sheepishly, muttering an apology.

  Keine's eyes softened as she held up a wooden passport, the official seal of the Human Vilge stamped on it. "I have taken care of the permit, as I promised. Yood to e."

  Mystia blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "Thank you, Keine."

  Keine shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I should be thanking you and him. If you hadn't sent him, I wouldn't know how he made my lessons more enjoyable. Many of the children are being increasingly curious about my lessons as a result of his assistance. I hought a stranger could bring such joy to them."

  Mystia turo me, her expression a mix of surprise and admiration. "You did all that? Yood at teag."

  I scratched the bay head, feeling a little embarrassed. "I just did what I could... I'm just a magi, not a teacher."

  Keine's friend, who had been standing quietly beside her, spoke up. "Since we're here in front of a food stand, why here instead? I feel hungry now."

  Keine smiled at Mokou's suggestion, nodding in agreement. "Good idea. Let's enjoy some food."

  She gestured toward me and Mystia, who had been watg the two of them with a glimmer of curiosity. "This is Fujiwara no Mokou," Keiroduced, "She's a friend of mine and someone I sider a bit of an oddball."

  Mokou grinned widely, her long white hair shimmering uhe ntern light as she held out her hand toward me. "o meet you," she said casually.

  I shook her hand with a smile. "Likewise, I'm Mirage Carl."

  Mokou looked at me curiously, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me. "So, you're w with a youkai, aren't you afraid of them?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

  I chuckled softly, feeling the weight of her gaze. "No, I'm not. I think everyone has their own role to py in Gensokyo."

  Mokou stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to gauge whether I was just being polite. Then, with a resigned sigh, she spoke again, her voice softening. "Hmm... You're a lucky oo survive this long, I guess. You're a strange human, after all."

  I could sehe underlying sadness ione, and I wondered about the story behind her words. Keine, who had been Mokou, gave her a knowing look before turnitention back to the food.

  Mokou ordered a sake, and without waiting for a response, poured herself a generous drink. Keine joined her, and they ked their cups together, their ughter soft as the night settled around us.

  I looked at Mokou, her eyes distant as she took another drink. Was there a sadness in her past that shaped her this way? She didn't seem like the type to openly share her feelings, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more behind her seemingly casual demeanor.

  "Don't just stand there like an idiot, go get some charcoal to keep the fire going before it goes out," Mystia hurriedly said.

  Mokou looked at the busy se and took another sip of her drink, her gaze drifting as the firelight flickered in her eyes.