I followed Marisa through the skies, the wind rushing past as we flew towards the Human Vilge. I still wasn't used to this sensation, floating above the ground, but it was exhirating. I g Marisa flying on her broomstick, her blonde hair fluttering behind her. She noticed my gaze and grinned.

  "Still getting used to flying, huh? Not bad for a 'magi' who 't use magic," she teased.

  I ughed it off, keeping up with her. "It's just arick up my sleeve."

  We desded towards the vilge, the bustling streets ing into view. People moved about, buying and selling goods, chatting with neighbors, and children ran through the crowds ughing. It eaceful, a stark trast to the chaos of the Scarlet Mansion.

  Marisa nded first, her broom vanishing with a flick of her wrist. I touched dowo her, trying to look casual as I dispelled my flight. I received a few curious gnces but nothing too suspicious.

  Marisa stretched her arms, already looking fortable among the vilgers. "Alright, let's split up the list. You take the vegetables a. I'll grab the drinks and sweets." She handed me a crumpled piece of paper with Reimu's messy handwriting.

  I sed the list, reizing most of the items, though the names were a bit old-fashioned. "Alright. Where do I go for these?"

  Marisa poiowards a crowded street. "The market's that way. Just follow the noise." She waved casually as she walked off. "See ya at the front gate when you're done!"

  I watched her leave, feeling a bit abandoned. But I shook my head and headed towards the market. Navigating through the crowd, I took in the sights and sounds of the vilge. It felt nostalgic, like an old town from a fairy tale.

  I stopped at a vegetable stall, eyeing the fresh produce. "Excuse me, how much for these?" I asked the elderly woman behind the ter.

  She looked at me and smiled. "For you, young man, it's ten mon for a bundle."

  I reached into my pocket, but my hand froze. I didn't have any Gensokyo currency. Only some s from my world... or I could...

  I took out a gold , twirling it between my fingers. I whispered just loud enough for the woman to hear, "This is ten mon."

  She blinked, staring at the . "Eh? Never seen a mon like that before... but... sure, ten mon it is!" She handed me the vegetables, pocketing the without ahought.

  I walked away, feeling a little guilty but impressed that my lie worked. "I guess it's a magi's trick," I muttered, smiling to myself.

  I tihrough the market, gathering the rest of the items. Every time I didn't have enough money, I used my lie. Each transformed just enough to be ving. By the time I reached the meeting point, my pockets were empty, but my bags were full.

  Marisa was already there, her own bags overflowing with sweets and drinks. "You took your time," she teased. "Did you get everything?"

  I nodded, showing off my haul. "Of course. I'm a magi, after all."

  Marisa ughed. "Heh, I'll give you that one. Let's head back before Reimu kills us."

  I followed her, looking back at the vilge o time. It felt nice... peaceful. I wondered if I could get used to a pce like this.

  As we flew back to the shrine, I thought about my enter with the vilgers. Maybe... just maybe... the people here should not be bad.

  We arrived back at the shrine just as the sun was beginning to set. The sky ainted in shades e and pink, giving the pce a seremosphere. Reimu was waiting for us, arms crossed and looking annoyed.

  "You're te," she grumbled, eyeing the bags we carried.

  Marisa shrugged, handihe drinks and sweets. "Bme him. He's still o shopping in Gensokyo."

  Reimu g me, then at my bags. Her eyes widened. "You... actually bought all of it?"

  I nodded, feeling a bit proud. "Of course. I said I'd help, didn't I?"

  She looked genuinely surprised. "Huh... I thought for sure you'd run away."

  I ughed. "I might be a magi, but I'm no escape artist... well, not this time."

  Reimu sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Alright... since you did your job, I won't make you help with the cooking."

  I breathed a sigh of relief, but then...

  "Instead, you get to help me the shrine before the guests arrive."

  I opened my mouth to protest, but Marisa was already ughing. "Good luck with that!" she said, running off before I could say anything.

  Reimu handed me a broom and poiowards the courtyard. "Start sweeping. And no magic tricks."

  I sighed, accepting my fate. As I began ing, I noticed something odd. A strange presence... no, multiple presences. Watg from the shadows.

  I looked around but saw no one. Was I imagining it? Or was someone already here?

  Before I could iigate, Reimu called out, "Stop daydreaming ao work!"

  I shook off the uneasy feeling and tinued sweeping. But the sense of being watched didn't go away.

  Something was ing... I could feel it.