Mario peeked out from a bush, slowly sneaking his way into the residential area of the town.

"I suffered a great fall..." He mumbled to himself, diving and running past the tall humans that surrounded him.

"I should not have survived..." Mario ran up some stairs, blending in with the humans, too.

He ran right through the plaza, and went right to a pedestrian crossing. It was littered with humans.

"But... Someone healed me... And it wasn't any ol' Efreet, like Bowser has..."

As soon as the pedestrian crossing had cleared, he saw HER.

"In fact, I was healed by..."

A black-hair girl with a red eye, and a fringe covering her other eye.

"You." He finally spoke out.

Mario was face to face with Kurumi Tokisaki. Both on each end of the pedestrian crossing.

Mario walked over to meet Kurumi.

She peered. "Ah, Mario! There you are! You kept your end of the promise!"

"The promise that I would hang-a out with you after you healed me?"

"Yeah, that one!" She beamed. "I'm glad about this crazy coincidence! You ARE 35 this year..."

"I don't-a wanna know how you know that.. But yes, I'm-a now 35."

"Happy late birthday, Mario! I just wanted to treat you, that's all!"

Mario got vivid flashbacks. One minute, she shot him with a gun... But this next minute? Completely 'innocent'.

"Eeeeh... Dunno if I can-a trust you... You're-a pretty chaotic..."

Kurumi's heart might as well have shattered. "Y-you mean... you don't want me...?" She started to fake cry.

Mario rolled his eyes, looking up into the sky. "Well, I don't have anything better to do... Nobody's found me after I fell off the skyscraper... And I can't get into contact with Kotori for some reason... Fine..."

Mario spoke up. "Fine, Kurumi. One-a day. That's all ya get."

She stopped crying, and faced up to Mario. "Lucky! The Star Festival is still going, so I'll be sure to make it count!"

"...The Star Festival? Sounds-a familiar..." He shook his head. "Never mind... Here we go!"

Mario and Kurumi walked down the street, a dazzling display of vibrant colors, despite the sky being blue. The duo were walking through a marketplace, and even that place went a tad overboard with the ribbons. "Oh... Right..." Mario decided to add a conversation. "Where exactly did you want to go on a... 'date' like-a this?"

"Well, actually, there is one place I'd like to go. We'll reach it eventually, though." She giggled. "But - it's still a secret."

Mario awkwardly brushed that aside as he kept walking, but noticed that Kurumi stopped walking alongside him. Mario turned, to notice Kurumi squinting.

"Aaah... Ah... It looks good..."

"Oh, mama-mia! You really are crazy!" He jumped back a bit.

"It looks so tasty..." She licked her lips.

Mario's eyes were trembling in... fear?! Surely not-!

"That castela." She pointed.

"Huh." Mario brought himself back to reality, and turned to the castela stand. "Oh. There is." He looked to Kurumi. "You want one?"

"If you please."

"Oooh, mama-mia.. you are hopeless."

Le purchase, somehow. Everyone's accepted the fact that Mario's part of this humanity now, as he handed the castela to Kurumi.

Kurumi looked at Mario while holding it. "You're not getting one yourself?"

"Haha, no thanks. I'm a man of-a pizza pasta, ravioli, and spaghetti!"

"You need healthier food choices, Mario."

"No."

"Oooh, but there are delicious foods! Look over there! Shaved ice!"

"If I-a ate that, my brain would-a stop working for days..."

"Cotton candy!"

"Mmhmm... Wait, I thought we were-a being healthy?"

"Beef jerky!"

"Ugh! I hate-a that smell!"

Kurumi giggled. "You're funny, Mario. I never would've thought to hang out with you instead of Shido!"

"Well, what can I-a say? Thank you so much!"

Kurumi grabbed Mario by the arm. "Come on, Mario! We still got plenty of things to do!"

"Mama-mia, don't drag me!"

"Come on! Time is short, after all."

"Well, Mario, we're here." Kurumi and Mario walked in the plaza of a sleek, modern building.

"Oooh, I think I-a know this place... Was it a... planetarium?" He thought. "I've-a ACTUALLY been to space myself, so I wonder how-a good a simulation can-a be..."

"Hmm?" Kurumi tilted her head as they both walked in. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Aaah, forget about it!"

As they walked in, Mario went to get tickets. As he used the ticket machine, he thought to himself.

"Earlier, Kurumi shot me through the forehead... but here...?"

Now they were lined up outside a room, probably the main attraction.

"She's acting like a normal girl..."

Kurumi excitedly pointing to a banner with star patterns...

"You'd never think she is Nightmare."

"Oh, Mario," Kurumi began, waking Mario out of his thoughts. "are people cosplaying at this event?"

"I believe I've-a seen some references..." Mario thought to himself. "Nobody dressing up as-a anybody from my world, though." He turned his head to the crowd. One girl dressed like a teal shrine maiden, with a crescent-moon necklace, and another blue-themed girl in a sailor outfit.

"Come to-a think of it," Mario squinted. "I don't-a recognise these at all. Wow. Culture is-a so different in other worlds..."

They finally sat down in the main room.

Mario continued his thoughts while Kurumi smiled at him. "I still don't understand this... Why would she invite me and not Shido?"

The room darkened.

"There was a girl who lived in the Milky Way."

"Orihime is a beautiful sky god princess."

"But, after she married to Hikoboshi..."

"She was always playful, and tend to forgot her work and obligations."

"Her father was mad at this and divided them by creating Amanogawa."

Mario blinked as Kurumi asked a question. "Hey, Mario..."

"Huh?"

"Orihime and Hikoboshi is separated by Amanogawa... And they could only meet once a year, right?"

"Never-a knew..."

"But in July, the rain drops down. They lose the opportunity to meet once a year."

"Uh huh... Must be-a sad..."

"If... If it keeps happening. Raining every July on every year... If they cannot meet anymore, can they still be in love?"

Mario turned a side eye to Kurumi. "Why do you-a say such things?"

"Time is a cruel thing. Although they lose the chance to meet, the sadness will disappear over time. Although they promise to continue to love each other, the feeling will disappear over time. How long will their feelings survive?"

"That's a lot to-a think about..." Mario thought. "Ah... Maybe they won't-a forget each other?"

"Why do you think so?"

"C'mon! It's-a easy! It's-a their own fault. If they create a problem, they won't-a forget about it!"

"That's... right..."

"Don't-a think too hard about it. I have a positive-a outlook on-a life! For example... The two people in-a the story could meet in secret!"

"Huh?! But isn't the separation of Amanogawa a thing?!"

"Nope! Nothing can-a stop anyone in the end! Believe-a me, I've done a lot of crime in the past."

Kurumi looked away from Mario, voice letting out a bit.

"Huh?"

But that voice turned into a giggle, and then she bursted out into laughter. Everyone turned their heads to the duo. Right, they were still in a public planetorium.

"Oi! Not-a here! C'mon! Let's-a-go out!" Mario grabbed Kurumi by the arm and booked it out of there.

Mario was looking at a STILL laughing Kurumi as they were now in the hallway of the planetorium, broad daylight seeping into Mario's eyes.

"Ah, Mario. You sure know how to be funny!"

"It's-a not like I was trying to, but okie-dokie!" Mario gave a thumbs up... and then pointed said thumb behind himself. "After you've-a calmed down, wanna head-a back inside?"

"No, I've had enough of it. I wanna get to the festival! I hope to write some Tanzaku! It's where we write our wishes, hang it on a tree, and then it'll come true, if I remember correctly."

"I wouldn't-a know." Mario shrugged. "Well, let's-a-go find them!"

"Yes!" Kurumi jumped for joy. "I can't wait!"

Mario and Kurumi were now walking along the side alleys of the street, right next to the river. The clock's age was still young and the skies were still a piercing blue. "Hmm... I haven't seen-a my friends since I fell off-a that skyscraper... Hope they're-a alright..." Mario's thoughts were paused as Kurumi's movements also paused. He glanced at Kurumi. "Huh? What's-a wrong?"

"Mario, that poster..." She pointed. Mario looked at the poster and saw the words 'tryout wedding'. "I want to try that... Would you like to accompany me?"

"Well, ah..." Mario scratched the back of his head. "I'm-a 30-something year old-a guy, soon to be 40... But-a regardless, why would YOU be interested in-a this?"

"...I want to have good memories with you."

"Huh?" Mario's eyes widened a bit.

"I also want you to have good memories with me."

Mario turned. Kurumi almost looked like she could cry.

"...Can I?"

"..." Mario lowered his head. "I understand. But they'll-a probably not allow it."

"Thank you so much!" Kurumi beamed.

"So if my calculations are correct, and mostly my big bro sense, Mario went this way, huh?" Luigi put a finger to his chin. They were in the main streets, the place being absolutely littered with stalls and decorations.

Peach nervously walked behind Luigi. "How... did we come to this conclusion, exactly?"

Luigi had a smug look. "I told you already, Peach! I have a bro sense!"

"I don't think so, Luigi." Peach shook her head. "I think you're just worried about him..." Peach sighed. "Just where is Mario when you need him?"

...And said Mario sighed as he walked out the building. "They-a don't believe how old you-a are."

Kurumi was facing the other way from the wedding building, as Mario was just confused. "Huh? Were you-a talking to someone?"

Kurumi finally turned back. "No. Nothing. Anyway, it's my turn to convince them." She then walked into the wedding building herself.

"She's-a never gonna get it."

Mario looked up at the sky. "And am I-a ever gonna get to defeat Bowser? That crystal is-a getting on my nerves..."

Kurumi came back. "I got it."

"Literally how."

Mario was currently putting on a fancy red bowtie to clash with his white suit. A very familiar white suit. He then put on a white tophat. "Wouldn't it-a be great to have Cappy see this.. hah hah..."

...But the strangest thing was, Mario never even had help from any of the staff. The suit was just... There to put on.

All the other staff were helping Kurumi in the other room, but... "...what did-a Kurumi say to them?"

"Hey, uhm, Mario!" A random girl, probably a staff member, barged in the door. Mario tilted on one knee and flailed his arms in panic.

"Wawawawawawa-!"

"It's all good to go! Come on! This way! You don't wanna miss it!" The lady dragged Mario by the arm.

She ran until there were two big open doors. "Alright! You just go in there, okaaaaay?"

Mario just... sighed awkwardly. Let's-a-go... His white glove gripped the door handle and slowly opened it.

And there was Kurumi. Her black hair was now clashed with a beautiful snow white wedding dress.

The bright light of the sun reflected onto the windows, as Mario was nearly blinded by the sight.

Reminded him of the time where he had to look up at a fake sun to fly into the sky.

"Ah... uhm..." Mario was truly at a loss for words.

Sure, he always loved Peach, and always will, but... Kurumi here was really cute when.. not trying to effectively murder him. "You... look really good."

"Hee hee, it's rude to stare sometimes. But thank you! I'm so happy!"

The staff girl was wiping tears as she went to prepare the camera.

Mario raised an eyebrow. "Oi, Kurumi, what did you-a say to them?"

"Nothing important. I just said I don't have much time left due to some incurable sickness. Which means I wouldn't make it at an actual marriage ceremony. I decided to have a memory once with wedding dresses and a picture. Even if you're not Shido, Mario." She smiled. "After that, she immediately allowed us!"

"You lying little-a snake.."

"But I wouldn't be lying if I just wanted to take a picture."

The female staff member ran up with a camera. "Okay, you two, get up on there, and I'm ready to take the picture!"

"Oh... Ha ha..." Mario jumped up onto the platform and turned to face the camera.

"Ready! Smile!"

Mario barely stifled a smile.

"I'm getting mixed-a signals here..." Mario mumbled to himself as they were now in regular clothes. "Kurumi is the most-a evil spirit... Someone I should probably stay 60 feet away from... But here?" Mario put a chin to his finger as he observed Kurumi treasuring the pictures.

Kurumi put them away as she pointed. "Mario, up there."

Mario looked up to see a bunch of paper hanging above the long branches, fluttering in the breeze...

"They're really pretty, right?"

"Uh huh..." He nodded. "What are they-a called?"

"Tanzaku."

"Well, shall we-a go?"

"Please." She turned to Mario. "Aren't you going to write?"

"Me, I-"

Kurumi smiled once more. "Since you're here, let's do it."

"Fine, fine."

The duo were sitting at a table with their tanzaku. Mario tried to remember. "To write a wish on-a here? Hmm... So much power..."

Mario turned to his right to get some examples.

I wish for steak and curry for dinner tonight! - Tohka.

"...Aah, it's-a not spaghetti." He turned to another.

I wish to not be shy when talking to people. - Yoshino.

I wish for whatever Yoshino wishes to be true! - Yoshinon.

"Cute." Mario chuckled.

He walked and kneeled to read one.

I hope Shido is a somewhat useful person. - Kotori.

"Where IS-a Shido anyway?" He thought. "And why is-a part of this scribbled out?"

He sighed and sat back on the table, grabbing a black feltip pen and decided to write on it.

I wish all of us can get back home. - Mario.

"Oh, wait, no... That would-a look weird to passerbys..." He scribbled it out. "Let's-a try again..."

He wrote carefully.

I wish we all have a safe and fun future! - Mario.

"A little-a cheesy, but it works..." He scratched his hair. He turned to Kurumi. "What did you-a write?"

Kurumi simply stood up. "Mario, I thought it's obvious you don't ask a woman about her secrets."

"Right, right... Okay." Mario shrugged. "So what, do we-a just hang them on the-a tree?"

"You can go ahead."

"Come on, let's-a-go find a good spot to put these!" Mario ran and Kurumi followed.

The sunset sky bleached orange around the town as Mario was hanging his tanzaku.

"Okiedokie! Your-a turn, Kurumi!"

Kurumi stayed silent.

Mario turned. "What's-a wrong?"

"...Mario, did you say something earlier? About two people never forgetting each other?"

"Uh huh?"

"Mario... If.. Even if it rains for several decades, you won't forget me... right?"

"Well, I mean... You left a pretty big impression on-a me! Hah hah..."

"You're right... Hah..."

"What's-a with you? You're-a pretty weird." He looked at Kurumi's paper. "You have-a yet to hang your tanzaku." He pointed at the tree. "It'll be-a easy."

"I have something better in mind. Something worth more than tanzaku."

"Oh?" Mario leaned his head. "What-a is it?"

The birds loudly chirped as they flew away, preventing my capabilities to tell what just happened next.

"WAWAWAWAWA-" Mario stepped back, red in the face. "NEVER-a do that! I'm with-a Peach! You know that!"

"But I do it anyway. Consider it a good luck charm for the future."

"Jeez..." Mario took off his hat and brushed away his sweat. "Anyway! Tanzaku! Hang-a it or no?"

"No..." She shook her head. "My time is up anyway."

"...Huh?" Mario paused.

...Then, at that moment, a familiar voice echoed from the darkness.

"I finally found you, myself."

"..." Mario's eyes slowly shrunk in horror.

"Looks like you're moving on your own accord, huh? But it's the end of the road. Copies that don't obey me have no reason to exist." From the shadows, the 'real' Kurumi, in her astral dress, appeared. "Long time no see, Mario. I thought you'd forgive me after that Miku incident, but you seem to be full of hatred. I apologise if this COPY has caused you trouble."

"...What-a copy did you send after me?" Mario stood his ground.

"My my, you two never really interacted on that school roof. Just straight to the fight, huh?"

"...school... roof..." Mario had a flashback.

"...THAT-A TIME?!" The sudden realisation. She was about to turn good until the real Kurumi stepped in.

The clone Kurumi simply smiled, confirming Mario's analysis.

"Really sorry to do this." The real Kurumi smiled. "But I will not accept copies that do not obey me." She slowly raised her right hand. "And dare try to get on the side of you 'heroes' from another dimension." She clenched her hand as nightmare shadows sprawled under clone Kurumi and white hands grabbed her. They slowly dragged her down, the tanzaku fluttering in the wind.

"Kurumi!" Mario was not going to be as useless as Shido. He sprinted towards her, jumping and preparing to save her.

"Mario, I had fun today..." Clone Kurumi smiled as she slowly got submerged.

Mario landed on his feet, his hands clasped at an empty floor.

"And I don't think I need to mention..." Kurumi smiled more. "I brought a friend in case you decide to counterattack. And he really seems to hate you."

"..." As if it went from bad to worse... He? Really hate?

"Nice work, Kurumi! Now, why won't Mario DIE?!"

A roar echoed as a giant hulking Koopa slammed in front of Mario.

Mario was getting sick of this. The relentless Flame Spirit, Bowser.

Bowser chuckled. "Awww, someone a little heartbroken? Sorry, but you know how it goes!"

Kurumi turned to the darkness. "It really is churning to see an own me die. But, I suppose I have to get used to it. You want Bowser to 'wake up'? Now's your chance." Kurumi swiftly walked into the darkness, and then she was gone.

"...Kurumi..." Mario simply sputtered.

"Yes! Easy pickings! Now, perish!"

Bowser charged up a fireball to finish off Mario. But then, a green figure hammered Bowser's nose. It was Luigi, and right behind him was Peach!

"What?! YOU TWO?!"

Peach instantly took the initiative and fired a heart beam at Bowser.

"Rrgh!" Bowser covered his face with his arm. "I don't have time for this! I've already technically broken Mario! I count that as MY win!"

"Oooh, mama-mia!" He heard Luigi say. Bowser grumbled as he jumped in the air and disappeared in a firey smoke. "PEACH! Mario's here! He's alive!"

"Maaaarioooo!" Peach ran to Mario's kneeling form.

He clenched his fist as he stood up. "First Kurumi, then-a Bowser..."

Peach stopped. "Bowser was just here? We missed him..."

"...Festival..." Mario slowly clenched Kurumi's tanzaku. He opened it up and read Kurumi's wish, despite her pleas not too.

...And he instantly booked it.

"Mario!" Luigi raised his hand to stop him, but had to give chase.

"...This wish REALLY needs to come-a true!" Mario went into the main square, where the tallest tree was.

He folded his ankles and let out a really powerful jump, hopping from building walls, jumping on market stalls and balancing on even the thinnest of branches.

The branch shook as Mario carefully tied the knot to the tanzaku. The literal tallest branch he could get.

"Wah-" Mario slipped off, but thankfully he tied the tanzaku. He fell from a great height and Luigi dove and catch him.

Luigi rubbed his head awkwardly. "Sheesh, Mario... At least warn me!"

Mario slowly looked up at the sky.

I wish to see Shido, Mario, and everyone again. - Kurumi.

"Thank you so much. I'll be-a here for as long as I need. So take your-a time. I'm-a not going home any time soon anyway..."

And that is how Mario's birthday ended.