I woke up, earlier than everyone else once again. Then I realized that my shift wasn't for another few hours. I slapped my forehead in frustration. I walked outside, and once again got a breath of fresh air. I was contemplating visiting Reimu, but I thought she might have been asleep. Then I heard something behind me.

"Oh. Hi Utsuho."

"Hi Jacob."

"I think I'm going to go back to sleep."

"I, uh... I kind of woke up too early."

"Oh." Then I went back to bed, and woke up at ten in the morning. I wandered around the mansion for a few moments, hoping to find someone to train with, but everyone was asleep. I was a bit frustrated, as Eirin was understanding enough to give me time to train before work, but I had nobody to train with. Rather than just pout and waste the time, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I went outside to the area where Patchouli had set up targets. I walked over to one of them. I thought of a new attack, and wanted to see if I could actually execute it. In less than a second, I performed the maneuver. I quickly spun, pulled my left arm close to myself, outstretched my right arm, and generated a magic blade that extended from my wrist. When I stopped, I saw that the target was cleanly cut in half. Satisfied with having developed a new move for combat, I took flight towards Eientei. During the flight, I generated and dissipated some blades repeatedly, so that I wouldn't forget how the attack was executed. By the time I spotted Eientei, I seemed to have either simply warmed up the attack, or I had mastered it to my capacity, as the original blade's length was similar to that of my forearm, when I arrived, I could sustain blades that were each the full length of one of my arms. I dissipated the blades again, and landed at the front entrance of Eientei. I walked in a bit early. I was surprised to the friend of my employer, Kaguya Houraisan, who I had only met on the day I first entered the clinic.

"Hello Mr. Kenneth."

"Hello Ms. Houraisan. You were expecting me?"

"Yes. I heard about the incident yesterday."

"You did now?"

"Yes. I heard why too. I know you're also trying to stop the growing evil that may destroy Gensokyo."

"Yeah. That's what I've been trying to do. It's hard when I don't even know what it is I'm trying to stop."

"It is unfortunate. I was wondering if I could help you out in any way."

"Well, that would be nice, but I'm not sure you know all too much more than me at this point. None of us really know what's going on."

"I know, but I'd like to help you." She insisted with a smile.

"Well. I'm not in a position to turn any help down."

"Okay, you still have quite some time until your shift. If you would, follow me." I did as instructed, and she led me nearby into her home. She knelt by a rather short table, and I knelt across from her, understanding that in the culture that seemed to encompass Gensokyo in majority did not make much use of chairs. "So, I understand you destroyed the nuclear furnace, and liberated Utsuho Reiuji."

"That is correct."

"I will warn you of this. The Moriya Shrine has two goddesses, Kanako Yasaka, and Suwako Moriya. They are responsible for the construction of the furnace. They will likely find out about its destruction."

"I see..."

"Does that not scare you?"

"Well... Maybe a little bit. Really though, they of all people should be able to understand that Gensokyo doesn't need a nuclear furnace of all things."

"You do have a point. Also, have you learned anything yet from Ms. Reiuji?"

"No I haven't. I haven't asked yet, due to the fact that she had just met the surface for the first time in whatever time span."

"I understand. You should make sure that you ask her if she knows anything, and soon. Perhaps she can lead us to anyone else who may have ideas."

"So, detective work, eh?"

"Um... Detective work?"

"Oh... Nothing..."

"Anyway, there is one thing I need to mention. There is someone who you need to watch out for..."

"Huh?"

"Well, you know the one who helped you during your journey? He's friends with someone who Let's just say that I'm not on good terms with. Her name is Mokou Fujiwara. I must advise you not to let either of them find out that you're involved with me, for your own safety."

"I understand. Is there anything else we should discuss?"

"Yes, actually. The world is supposed to end some time slightly less, than a full year away... If it's possible, I would like you to report here once you have asked Ms. Reiuji about the incident."

"Worry not, I'll be sure to ask her."

"Anyway, we still have time before your shift. Would you like to stay for tea? Perhaps the two of us could become acquainted."

"If you wish, I'll stay."

"Very well, I'll get some tea ready." She then went into another room, and I waited. I knew any help I could get would get me closer to being able to stop the evil being that wanted to destroy Gensokyo. I also felt like it couldn't hurt to have another friend. I ran a hand down my cheek, and realized I was starting to grow noticeable stubble. I knew better than to scratch my face, as I had the feeling Kaguya would walk back in at any second. My self control prevailed, as I waited for at least three more minutes until she finally came back. I didn't exactly know what she thought of my appearance, but I didn't tend to worry about that very often. In fact, my appearance was one thing I never worried about. Suddenly, since I started befriending so many people that I was going to be seeing daily, I figured at least a shave was necessary. My hair had grown even longer since I had flown to Japan, and still was disheveled most mornings, requiring me to persistently try to comb it back into relative order, but my comb was in my apartment. With an extra few centimeters, it was getting long enough to weigh itself down in the back. I couldn't help but feel unprofessional compared to Kaguya. Her appearance was obviously well attended, while I usually just ran a wet comb through my hair and called it good enough.

"I apologize for the wait. I had misplaced the leaves for the tea. Anyway, Eirin told me that you were from the outside world."

"This is true. So is Jakob Wolfgang, the one who helped me get to Utsuho."

"It's been a while since we last saw the outside world... I wonder what technological advancements they've made."

"Meh... Technology is good, but it hasn't been moving a whole lot recently."

"Oh."

"I remember when all the movies back when I was a kid told me that by now, we would have hover cars, the world would be a utopia with all that good and fancy futuristic fantasy stuff." Kaguya laughed a bit, but something was off on her tone, almost as if she were confused. "Have you ever seen any movies like that?"

"Not really."

"Oh... My friends in the outside. If they ever find out how long I've lasted without my cell phone, they would never be able to believe it. Not that I'm reliant on phones. Then again, they have all the latest phones with fancy touch-screens, and I still have a physical keyboard on mine, and boy do I get teased for it sometimes, even though I always leave it on my nightstand at home anyway..."

"Well... Some tea then?" She asked. I had the feeling she had no idea what I was talking about. I guessed she saw the outside as a child, and didn't remember anything about it.

"Oh, thanks." She poured a small cup of tea, and handed it to me. "Say... Do you know about any of the stuff I just was talking about? You looked pretty confused."

"Honestly, no I don't."

"Well, a phone, I'll start there. A phone is a handheld device that you can use to talk to people." I took a sip of the tea, and set the cup back on the table. "Imagine Ms. Yagokoro had a phone, and I had mine with me. I would just need to punch in a number, and it would send a call. If she answered it, then I could just talk to her like I'm talking to you now."

"Hm..."

"I need to show you mine some time." That was when it hit me. My cousin's marriage. It was going to happen in a few days, and just then I figured out a solution to my grand dilemma. I planned to go to Patchouli, ask her where Yukari resided, and find out if she could open a portal for me. While doing that, I would bring back the phone, but then I realized how pointless it would be to do, except to physically show Kaguya what the heck it was. I imagine her holding the device, staring at it in complete confusion. Then I wondered if I could simply bring her with me. "So... Actually, my cousin's getting married soon. My family requested me back. I might go back to the outside world, then return to Gensokyo to fight off the evil. Would you and Eirin perhaps like to join me?"

"Actually, I'm sure Eirin would like that."

"I'll ask Utsuho about the evil thing, then I might ask Yukari about the possibility of us going through."

"Very well, I shall notify Eirin as well."

"Okay, it's about time for work for me."

"Actually, I'll talk to Eirin. How about you just go and talk to Ms. Reiuji, and then find out whether or not it's possible to go to the outside world."

"Are you sure she wouldn't mind?"

"Certain. Don't worry, I'll explain your absence, and she'll excuse you without a doubt."

"Very well, I'll go and ask now." I stood up in preparation to leave. "I shall return shortly." I then left, and returned to the mansion. I walked in, as Meiling still was instructed to permit my entry. Utsuho was awake, and apparently had decided to try to take a nap on the floor.

"Hey there Utsuho." I knelt down to talk to her.

"Oh, hey Jacob."

"You should probably get up before Sakuya notices you. So, I was wondering about yesterday. You said you knew a little bit about the evil being that wants to destroy Gensokyo. I was wondering what that was."

"Oh... I don't really know too much. I told Reimu about a threat we received a while ago. I don't remember that, but... What was I going to say?" I anxiously waited, hoping she hadn't forgotten any critical information. "Oh... It said that the Hakurei Barrier was going to collapse. If he did that, Gensokyo and the outside world would both be doomed."

"How would he go about doing that?"

"By killing Reimu..."

"What? You're serious?"

"Yeah, as much as I wish I wasn't." She confirmed. I fell silent. Whatever the enemy was, it was specifically targeting one of my only friends.

"Why? Reimu's one of my friends here... Does she know she's being targeted?"

"I don't think so."

"Then I should warn her! Is there anything else?"

"No."

"I have to go!" I ran out the door and flew all the way to the Hakurei Shrine. I focused all of the energy I had on flying, boosting my speed impressively. I arrived, and Reimu ran out of the shrine. I landed, sliding a bit, and sending up a small dust cloud.

"Jacob? What's the matter? I heard you flying from inside the shrine!"

"Reimu, Utsuho told me something about the thing that's threatening Gensokyo!"

"What about it?"

"Reimu, it's going to collapse the barrier! It's targeting you!"

"What?"

"Reimu, you have to be careful, I might be heading to the outside world soon, if you want, I can get a radio or something so we can stay in contact." I started to calm down from the shock of learning Reimu was directly in danger.

"I guess that would be nice... Well, if I knew what a radio was..."

"Don't worry, I'll show you how to use it and everything."

"Oh... Okay..."

"Also, I need to talk to Yukari. Where might I find her?" A few seconds of silence passed, but were then interrupted.

"I'm here, I'm here..." Yukari appeared from a portal she had created.

"Oh, hi."

"Do you need something?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you could use a portal to teleport me to the outside world, particularly the United States, if you know where that is."

"Yeah, I guess. Try not to awaken me so much though... It doesn't feel right to ignore people when they're talking about me, but I still don't like having to get out of bed..."

"Sorry."

"Why do you need to go there?"

"My cousin is getting married, and my family wants me to come home. I will return of course, but this is, as my mother emphasized, a once-in-a-lifetime type of event. I don't want to disappoint my family."

"Oh. I see. Do you have to go now?"

"No actually. Also, I may be bringing two people with me."

"That's fine... Anyway, I'll get back to sleep..." She then went back through the portal.

"Remember what I said, Reimu. You have to be careful..." I then left a few more coins in the donation box, and took off. After a few minutes, I arrived at Eientei once again. I went to speak with Kaguya. She was still in the same room as before. I walked in and sat down. "Yukari agreed to bring us through." I informed her.

"Good. Did you find out anything about our enemy?"

"Yeah... Apparently it's targeting Reimu Hakurei..."

"Oh."

"At least she knows about it now... Anyway, so you said Eirin wanted to come along?"

"Yes. She also wanted to see what technology exists in the other world."

"So, when do we plan to head out?"

"Tomorrow perhaps?"

"That would be fine. Anyway, my family will probably ask who you are if you're coming with me... I'm not sure how I'll explain that."

"That is a good point. I suppose you can just explain that I'm a good friend you met while you were away."

"Well, I wouldn't really be lying."

"Good."

"I should go and start my preparations. Should I return here?"

"How about at ten tonight? In my opinion, tea is best during the nightly hours." It was one and a half hours after noon, giving me plenty of time until sundown.

"Will do." I walked by the clinic, and noticed Jakob walking out. I was intrigued, by his fast recovery, but I saw it best not to ask questions. I went to the human village, and purchased a backpack, not quite like the one I had used at school. I then flew back to the mansion. Remilia was in the hallway as I made my way to the maids' quarters.

"Ms. Scarlet, I'll be leaving for a few days now. Please inform the others, I don't want them to worry over my absence."

"I understand. I will let them know."

"Thanks." I quickly rolled up my spare outfits, and loaded them into the backpack. I then took the medicine bag, and picked apples nearby for the trip. Then I visited the Hakurei Shrine, left a generous donation, and returned to Eientei. Kaguya welcomed me back in, and I found Eirin was there as well. "Hello."

"Hello Jacob." Kaguya returned my greeting.

"So, what's the plan now? Should we just wait here until tomorrow?"

"Yes, you can stay here if you would like."

"Thanks Kaguya. Anyway, Yukari should be sending us all to an area near my house. As long as we're placed in the county, I should have no trouble at all finding my way around. So, what are you two looking forward to?"

"Just learning a bit about your lifestyle, and how the world has improved."

"Ah. Same for you Eirin?"

"Yes."

"So..." I yawned, starting to grow tired. "If you want me to stay here overnight, I can sleep on the floor."

"That's not really necessary, but if you insist, you may." Kaguya replied.

"Don't worry. I've slept in a tent before, I can handle this." I lay back as they continued to speak, and before I knew it, I fell asleep.