It is just an ordinary day in Gensokyo when a small nonsense argument turns into a major matter. At Hakurei shrine, while Reimu and Marisa are drinking tea together in a peaceful afternoon. The slide door is opened by a strong force that it almost breaks down. A peaceful moment is interrupted by the arrival of an uninvited guest.
"Ma… Marisa…" Alice Magatroid calls out her friend's name. She completely ignores the shrine maiden who is staring at the slide door with anger in her eyes.
"What is it this time?" Marisa's face shows an obvious expression of annoyance as she asks.
"I… I… I've gained weight." That answer just raises Marisa's annoyance level.
"What's a big deal? You're not change a bit in an appearance."
"It's a big deal alright. What if I can't lose it?"
"You just sit around all day leaving all the chores to your puppets. No wonder you're gaining weight. It serves you right if you ask me." Reimu speaks to the uninvited seven colors puppeteer who almost breaks her shrine's door.
"I never ask you even once you binbou miko (poverty shrine maiden). Not even a coin in the donation box that you must have grass as a food. Just look at how skinny you are makes me feel sad."
"I'm not skinny. It's called slender you plump."
"I'm still far from plump you skinny beggar. For one who maintains order in Gensokyo, I wonder that you'll have stamina manage to get there without exhaustion in case anything happens."
"I can handle my task just fine. At least I can go anywhere faster than a plump like you." The two show sign of a fight.
"Then why don't we find out which one of you is healthier." Marisa suggests her idea to stop this argument.
"You have an idea?"
"Yes. Let's have a marathon race from Eientei to Hakurei shrine. Whoever reaches here first will be accepted as a healthier one." Upon hearing the course, Reimu and Alice suddenly become silent.
"Humph. There's no problem for me. What do you say, binbou miko? Do you think you can even finish the course?" Alice tries to act tough.
"Are you talking to yourselves? You can forfeit any time before you embarrass yourselves you know."
"Never. If you're that confident then how about we have a bet? The winner can ask for anything from the loser."
"Alright, I'm on with it." Reimu accept the challenge.
"I see. So, when will this race take place?" That's a question from another uninvited one. A crow Tengu who loves rumors, Shameimaru Aya.
"Aya! When did you get here?" Reimu seems very surprise because she didn't notice this girl's arrival.
"I heard you two arguing so I rushed here. When will the marathon take place again?"
"What do you say? Marisa." Alice asks the one who came up with this idea.
"In the next three days I think."
"The next three days? Alright, I get it. Thanks for the scoop." Aya jot in her notebook and fly away.
"Why do I have a bad feeling when I heard a word 'scoop' from that crow?" Reimu have a bad omen that this will turn into something more troublesome.
Three days have passed; Reimu, Marisa and Alice go to Eientei to begin a race. Upon arriving they're shocked by the number of people gathered there. It's as if the Eientei is holding some kind of festival.
"Ah. There you are Reimu, Marisa and Alice." Aya greets the three girls.
"Aya, what's with all these people?" Reimu states her question.
"They're competitor of this marathon race of course."
"What! The race is between me and Alice. It has nothing to do with these girls."
"Aya, lemme see the newspaper." Marisa asks the Tengu. It is as she thought.
"The Hakurei shrine will hold a Gensokyo mini marathon from Eientei to Hakurei shrine. The winner can claim anything from the loser. Those who willing to participate should gather at Eientei on xx date."
"I never say anything like this" Reimu become infuriate.
"But that is what I heard. And it is too late to postpone now."
"No way. How the heck could I win against these youkai (Mystic creature/being)" Alice's morale starts to crumble.
"Well. I guess we can't back off now. Just go with the flow and try our best. Aren't you a competitor too?" Marisa asks Aya who claims herself as the fastest in Gensokyo.
"Haha. No I'm not. I'm the fastest in a way of flying but running is another story. Today I will be an announcer. Don't worry; I'll make this race a memorable one."
"No thanks. I don't want any more chaos than this."
"Alright everyone. Thank you for joining in Gensokyo mini marathon." Aya fly up high and begin her duty.
"First, we must thank you to Korindou for all these equipment. Thank you to Houraisan Kaguya for generously lends us a place for broadcasting and hosting viewers."
"I never lend you anything. You lot just march in here on your own. Now get out of here so I can get more sleep." Kaguya shout out without caring for anyone.
"There, there, please don't be like that princess. Udonge is participated too. Why don't we watch and cheer for her together." Eirin try to calm the immortal princess down.
"Today, I, Shameimaru Aya will be an announcer. The cameramen will be Wriggle Nightbug, Mystia Lorelei and Utsuho Reiuji who are good at flying but suck at running."
"And why must you mention that last trait you stalker Tengu." The cameramen complain.
"Now I'll introduce all of our competitors. Let's start from these three people who came up with this idea, Hakurei Reimu, Alice Magatroid and Kirisame Marisa. Over there are Izayoi Sakuya and China (Hong Meiling) from Scarlet Devil Mansion. They seem to be representative of their mistress Remilia Scarlet. And there is Konpaku Youmu from Hakugyokurou who is a representative of Saigyoji Yuyuko. Yakumo Ran and Chen, Shikigami under Yukari's power. From Eientei are Reisen Udongein Inaba and Inaba Tewi. The others are the Wolf Tengu Inubashiri Momiji from Tengu Mountain, Youkai of darkness Rumia, Fairy of ice, Baka (idiot) er… I mean Cirno, Mysterious Youkai Houjuu Nue, A celestial Hinanai Tenshi, The immortal tomboy Fujiwara no Mokou, Blazing wheel Rin Kaenbyou, Ferryman Shinigami (God of Dead) Onozuka Komachi and the last one a drunkard little oni (giant) Ibuki Suika. Um… are you sure you can race against the other Suika?"
"Of~ course~" Suika speak in a drunkard tone.
"Er… OK. Our referee will be the highest judge of paradise Shikieiki YamaXanadu. Do you have anything to say about your subordinate?"
"Komachi? No comment." Yamada answer shortly.
"Then please listen carefully to the rules. All of you must run from Eientei to Hakurei shrine. No flying, swimming or teleporting. All spell cards are allowed except the time manipulation. Eiki-sama will judge which spell card is prohibited or not. Whoever reaches the finish line first is the winner."
'Why is this getting more extreme as a time?' Reimu thought to herself.
"If everyone is ready, please get to the starting point."
"Ready. Set. Go!" Utsuho fire her arm-cannon as a signal.
The race begins.
