Kirisame Marisa is a human magician. Her hair is golden with a braid on one side, her eyes yellow in color. Her size similar to one of a young adult. She donned a full witch's outfit: a black witch's hat, black dress and broom. You first met her when you woke up in Gensokyo. Your first impression of her that she is friendly and playful. She and Reimu are the one to introduce you to Danmaku -battle of bullets- and spellcard. Whenever possible, Marisa would challenge Reimu to a danmaku battle while you only spectate -with Reimu winning almost every fight-. Albeit you're unable to join in, you can still appreciate its beauty. You're interested in Marisa, so you asked Reimu, in which she said,
"Huh, Marisa? That girl does things however she likes, whenever she likes it. She's pushy, overly confident and highly competitive. She also gets along with anything. You ask anyone if they knew who Marisa is, everyone will say yes. *sigh* I can't even count how many times she intrude on my peaceful days, asking for battles and such. However, when things get out of hand, she's someone that you can rely on," Reimu smirks "Well, not like I ever need one. If that's all, come sit down and relax, you don't want to miss these peaceful days." Reimu taps a spot next to her. Although you want to say her nothing days is a dime a dozen, you held your tongue and scoot over to where Reimu is and enjoy the afternoon.
Several days passed, Marisa comes again with another danmaku fight with Reimu: she lost. Afterwards, she does her routine: saying that she'll win one day, chatting about random things with you and Reimu while drinking tea and stay for dinner. When Reimu is in the kitchen, preparing the food, you shoot Marisa a question, Why does she always come over? You hoped that you don't come off as rude, but Marisa replies,
"Meals are always better in a company! Besides, if I don't check up on poor Reimu, who knows when she'll ended up croaking. You know how Reimu is, unfriendly to a fault,"
"I won't die anytime soon," Reimu interjects, bringing a tray of food and setting it on the table. "Also, I wish you bring something to the table whenever you come over."
"Didn't I bring some mushroom the other day?"
"I would use it if it was normal! I fed it to Aunn and she turns back to her statue. You know how heavy she is when she turns back to her statued form?"
"Huh, no wonder I haven't seen her lately."
With a sigh from Reimu, you three enjoy dinner. Finishing dinner, Reimu starts cleaning the table and start heading towards the kitchen to wash the dishes while Marisa prepares to head home. Before Marisa leaves, you ask her if you could visit her home sometimes. When asked why, you were just curious to see the place she lives in. Hearing your answer, she smirks.
"Fufu, I know. You want to delve into the world of magics!" her yellow eyes glimmer" Another soul who understands the beauty and power of magics," standing up, she grabs your hand "Alright, how about a demonstration?" she grins "Oi Reimu, I'm borrowing him for a while!" Marisa shouts.
"Just don't be off too late," a voice can be heard from inside the kitchen.
"Hehe, come on!" Marisa drags you out. She sets her broom to a riding(?) position. She gestures you to hop on, but you were scared at first. Seeing your hesitation, she dragged you to her broom. For her size she's strong you thought. You adjust the way you sit until you find the 'perfect' spot and without warning, Marisa took off.
This impromptu take off caught you by surprise and you unconsciously grabbed onto Marisa's waist with the girl in question laughs playfully. Getting over your bearing, you marvel at the sight. The full moon shining bright, the sky illuminated by stars, the breeze of wind that makes you shiver. You feel like a little kid riding his first bike, except you're flying. Marisa can't help but snicker which turn to a full blown laugh seeing your childish antics. You blush and hit her playfully on the back. In retaliation, she dives down, which made you hastily grabs on Marisa's waist; elicit another laughter from Marisa.
After a full course ride, she drops you off in front of the shrine, Reimu sipping her tea on the porch waiting for your arrival. You waved Marisa goodbye, head inside and went to sleep, excited for what tomorrow brings.
Tomorrow comes. After finishing your simple breakfast with Reimu –and Marisa who came early- you set off to Marisa's house. After a couple of minutes, you arrived to Marisa's house in the Forest of Magic. One side of her house have been covered with ivy. She then walks to the door and invited you inside. Upon entering, you are greeted with various objects, trinkets and books laying on the ground. Marisa shamelessly walks past them with precise steps, and you follow her to reach the living room(?) where the chairs and table are. Seeing the mess made you itch to clean but you suppress the feeling. The place is different compare to Hakurei Shrine. You sat down on one of the chairs while Marisa searching the jun- treasure trove, making small talk with you also. Fishing for a couple of books, she returned to the table. She hands you a book, which reads 'Magicks for dummies, even a toddler can master it!' You thank her for the book and thus, Marisa's magic lesson begins.
The sun is setting and by the end of the lesson you understand that you don't understand anything. You had tried various things with her: drawing magic circles, wording off spells, and relying on feeling, none of it bear fruit. It's not that Marisa is a bad teacher. She's great in fact, giving you a hands-on lesson and demonstration, even delving to its inner working. It's seems that you don't have the innate talent for this. You feel bad for wasting her time like this as you apologize to her.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Even I have a hard time too in the beginning. You just need to do it occasionally and it'll become second nature to you," she pats you on the back. "Seeing the sun coming down, how about I send you home? A good night rest always help," you silently nod at her suggestion.
The ride home was uneventful. You both stay silent. The minutes ride felt like hours. Arriving at the Hakurei Shrine, you see Reimu sweeping at the front entrance. Didn't she start sweeping there in the morning? you thought but pay no mind. Marisa brought you down and she greeted Reimu.
Reimu nods. "Hey, help me with dinner tonight," Reimu addresses you, then look at Marisa "You staying Marisa?"
"Nah, I have a date with an Izakaya tonight," the magician head shook "Well, I got to go now. See you both later. I'll pick you up tomorrow too, same time" Marisa flies off.
You and Reimu head back to the shrine, you help her with dinner and you both ate in silent. Night comes and both of you head to bed. Before dozing off, you hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
A week has passed. Marisa have been picking you up every single day until today and as promise, Marisa came at the same time to pick you up. Saying your byes to Reimu, you head off with Marisa. The ride with Marisa is the same as last time; complete silence. You felt confident before but all that falls apart. You're scared. Scared of failure. Negative thoughts invade your mind that you didn't even realized Marisa was calling out to you.
"Ooooiiii, anyone there?" the blonde magician hand wave in front of you. It seems that you have arrived at your destination except it's not Marisa's house. You're in the middle of the forest, brown and green and the occasional different colored mushrooms that your eyes can see. Weren't we supposed to go to your home, Marisa? you ask.
"We're mushroom picking today. Need a new batch of ingredients. I figured today is the best day to go. And more hands the better." Marisa grins while looking around the surrounding. But you don't know anything about mushrooms. "That's why I'm here. Now, come, the mushrooms awaits!" she grabs you by the wrist and drag you deeper.
The rest of the day, you and Marisa search around the forest. Marisa teach you lots, ranging from edible and inedible mushroom, the best time to pick them and best area to find them. She also said the mushroom that she brought over before originates from here. You shudder, remembering what Reimu said happen to Aunn, where Marisa laughs and said that it'll wear off in a week… probably. There's a lot to take in and you haven't brought anything to jot down with, but Marisa said you don't need it as she'll always be with you whenever she need help picking mushroom and eventually you'll just know whats what. Halfway through, when you have a handful of mushrooms, you realize that you don't have anything to put them in. Marisa offers her hat which made you repulse. Noticing your (visible) disgust, she immediately add "You thought it smells, didn't you? Well, it doesn't! I put things here all the time and every time I brought things out it smells fine! Here, here, smell it!" she shove her hat in front of your face. After incessant dodging, you give in and take a whiff inside of her hat. Surprisingly, it's not bad. Quite nice actually. There's a hint of orange you can extract from. You also notice she did indeed store small objects inside her hat. After a few seconds, she removed the hat from you face, her face turns to a grin "See~?" and motion you to put the mushrooms in but you still hold on to them, worrying for sanitary reason. Marisa pouts, and put her witch hat back on then faces away, muttering something to herself.
Seeing that you vehemently refuse to put the down the mushroom, Marisa ask you to look around and find a place so that the both of you could sit down. You scanned the area and managed to find an open clearing with tree stumps litter around. You and Marisa head on over. There, Marisa pulls out her mini Hakkero. She ask you to find some twigs to skewer the mushroom that you were holding and you went ahead and do so. Not too long, Marisa set up a campfire and you place the skewered mushroom on the fire. You sat near on the tree stump near the fire whereas Marisa sit on a different tree stump besides you. The smell of roasted mushroom wafted on the air, making you drool with anticipation. Marisa then speak,
"So, how's today? Pretty fun right~?" you turn to face Marisa. "If it wasn't, I'll personally eat my hat" she point toward her hat. You smile. You did have fun today.
"Well, even if this doesn't rouse you up, there's other things here to do in Gensokyo" Marisa turn to face the fire. Although you had fun today, you are confused. Why did she bring you here instead of her house? you ask Marisa. She stays silent for a while. Then speak up,
"Yesterday, you were frustrated right? About failing?" Marisa glances at you. She hit the nail on the head. I guess it shows huh? you thought. You nod. "Hahaha, yeah, it's easy to see" and silence.
"You know" Marisa continues "When I was a kid, I was in a similar situation as you. Always have been bad at magic. Thankfully, I have a great teacher…" Marisa look forlorn "Anyway, failure after failure after failure, one day, it happens. A spark. My eyes lit up when I first did it. It feels, magical." Marisa faces you, "What I'm trying to say is, failure isn't the end. There are days when I couldn't do magic but that doesn't stop me. If there is a wall that blocks your path, break through it!" Marisa points her finger at you.
Finishing her speech, your body relaxes, everything feels lighter and then: you laugh. You laugh and laugh and laugh, tears rolling down your face. You can hear Marisa blush from her. After you finished laughing, you thanked her.
"I just don't want you to give up on learning magic. It's something really special to me, and I want you to experience it too," Marisa speaks, "Now, the mushroom should be done by now, how about we eat. Unless you like yours charred?" Marisa snidely remark, handing you one of the mushroom skewer. It's delicious. Different from when you made it. With a "Nice right?~" from Marisa, you and Marisa feast on the roasted mushrooms while happily chatting away.
Night soon came, having finished the meal, you and Marisa make your way back to the Hakurei Shrine. You both walk to the shrine and see that Reimu is setting up the table.
"Yo Reimu! We're back!" Marisa made her presence known.
"Welcome back. Just in time, I almost finished setting the table," Reimu scoops up white rice and put into a bowl, "You eating too, Marisa?" she starts on the second bowl.
"Well, if Reimu is offering, who am I to refuse?" Marisa removed her shoes and made way to the living room –you followed suit- when suddenly,
"Stop" Reimu put out her hand, "Before that" her hand turned to a receiving gesture, expecting something.
"Hmm, what is it?" Marisa tilts her head in confusion.
"You went mushroom picking, right? My share. Hand it over," Reimu orders.
"Wha- How did you know?!" Marisa flabbergasted.
"I have my ways. Stop stalling. My share. Now"
"Ahahaha, well" Marisa rubs her head "I forgot" She grins.
"ᗜ_ᗜ," Reimu sighs "As usual then." She look past Marisa and to you "Well, at least you have some for me, right?" she smiles.
You're screwed. You completely forgot to bring some home. You already cooked and ate everything. You tell her that you and Marisa already ate all of the mushroom. "O-oi wait!" you hear Marisa spoke but it's too late. You look at Reimu and you swear you can see a cartoon vein pop out of her head. She still smiles which made it all the scarier. She picked up one of the bowl and dump back the rice into the rice cooker.
"I see. Well, I guess you both don't need dinner tonight" she starts to clean yours' and Marisa's bowls and head to the kitchen.
"Wa-wait, Reimu! Come on, we got to apologize!" You and Marisa rushed towards Reimu, and plea to her. In the end, you managed to get a mouthful of rice –that you share with Marisa-. When Marisa pesters Reimu for more, her plea fell on deaf ear. You made a promise that you won't made Reimu mad ever again.
A couple of days passed after the incident –Reimu finally forgave you and Marisa after treating her to a (lavish) meal on the Human Village- you and Marisa are heading toward the Scarlet Devil Mansion across the Misty Lake. The reason for that is 'I know someone that could help you. She's a bit of a recluse though, but it's fine. She and I are best buds!' yesterday Marisa enthusiastically said. Passing the Misty Lake, in the distance you can see the mansion. When you look down, you see a metal gate and someone standing in front of it. Instead of entering through the gate, Marisa flies past it. You ask Marisa why we didn't enter from the front, she said
"Hahaha, don't worry, they know me" she laughingly said. Marisa kept on flying until we reach our destination; a window. Marisa stops in front of one the windows and open it where she gesture you to come with. This is the first time I enter through a window… But maybe this is how they do it here? you naively thought as you follow Marisa.
Upon entering, the first thing that you can see are shelves full of books. Rows and rows of books as far as the eye can see. You gaze in amazement at the sheer volume of books they are here. You wonder how they managed to amass this massive collection. During your daze, Marisa grabs your hand and leads you toward the middle of the library.
"Yo, Patchy!" Marisa waves her hand.
In the middle of the room, there sits a girl, reading a book, she has long purple hair that if stand would reach her back, and purple loose and frumpy outfit that hid her figure. Is she wearing her pyjama? you thought. In front of her stood a desk that has a heap of hard cover books.
"Ah, Marisa. I hope you're here to return the books that you stole from me?" Patchy said, her eyes glued to the book.
You look at Marisa in disbelief. Marisa ignores your gaze and said "Hey, hey! I'm not stealing! Just borrowing it"
"I hope you returned the 'borrowed' books then"
"Now, now. That's not why I'm here today" Marisa walks towards one of the chairs opposite of Patchy and sits down, you follow her "I brought him today. You know, the Out-"
"The Outsider. I know" Patchy cuts Marisa off. She glance at you then return to her book "Remi speaks of you lately. Then, what do you need?"
"I want you to teach him magic." Silence fell in the library for a few seconds. Only the sounds of page flipping can be heard.
"Magic, huh?" she flips a page "Would you allow me to speak to him first?"
"Huh? Yeah"
"Alone. Marisa"
Marisa didn't want to budge at first, but eventually gives up.
"Alright, alright. I'll go look at some of the books in the meanwhile" Marisa gets up from the chair and walks toward one of the row of bookshelves.
"Please do not bring the books outside of the library." Which Marisa replies with a "yeah, yeah".
"Now, before we begin. Koakuma, Koakuma" Patchy calls out.
"Yes, Miss Patchouli?" a red hair girl with bat wings on her head and back came flying down with books in her hand.
"Please brew some tea for our guest here. Also, make sure that our infamous thief keep her hands to herself."
"Yes, Miss Patchouli!" Koakuma shoots you a grin, bow and left, leaving you and the reading girl alone.
"Now then," she flips a page "Give up" she said flatly.
Huh? you mouthed out, your brain come to a blank.
"As of now, I don't see that you could learn it" Patchouli calmly speaks.
But, Marisa said that I could.
"True, but," she closes her book "I'll pose you a question. 'Is there anyone in your world that can use magic like in ours?'"
You look down and said that you don't remember anything from the place you originate from.
"… I apologize for the insensitive question. However, let's assume that there does not. If not, why do you think that is?" Before letting you answer, she continues "It's simple: because they can't. They don't have the affinity for it. Similar to how some can draw, sing, write while others can't."
How would you know? You haven't even tried testing me yet.
"Marisa has been teaching you, hasn't she? That girl always tries to tackle things first before letting others help her. And, seeing that she's asking right now, it's a good indicator on your ability."
Is there really no way?
Patchouli stays silent. Then "But, that doesn't mean you truly doesn't have any magical affinity. It could be that yours is small and dormant that it haven't surface yet. The problem with that is that we may never know when. For all we know, you'll be dead first before being able to use magic. That's why, I see no merit in me teaching you. I advise you to give up as well. There are many things that you are able to do."
Even so, I want to try. I want you to teach me.
"Even if this ends up being a fool's errand?"
You nod. You want to repay Marisa back for all the time she spend on you. If there is a chance that you could repay her, even if the chance is miniscule, you'll take it.
If there's a wall that blocks my path, I'll just have to break it. So please, Miss Patchouli. I wish for you to teach me.
Patchouli sighs. "That girl have been rubbing off on you. No changing your mind is there?"
Koakuma comes with a moving tray. On top of the moving tray, it has a teacup set. She place the saucer and cups in front of Patchouli and you. After, she elegantly pours the tea, where Patchouli thanked her. In return she shoots the biggest smile similar to before. Finally, she bows and leaves, bringing the moving tray with her.
"Fine. I don't want to turn this into a hassle, so I'll help you. I don't think I'll be of much help though. Also, I'll allow you access to the library here. If you ever in need of looking at things from a different perspective, I'll always be here. However, I won't be doing it for free." she sips her tea "My fee is the book that that thief 'borrows'. Personally, I would like to go to her house and bring it back myself but my physical condition is not in the best condition. Sakuya has a lot of on her plate, taking care of the mansion, Koakuma couldn't leave as she's helping me around the library" as she said that, you see Koakuma pass through the direction where Marisa went "and Meiling, she… well…" she closes her eyes and shudder "In short: bring back my books, and I'll help you. Are we in agreement?"
You nod at her deal and apologize in Marisa's behalf.
"I'm looking forward to those books. Also, you don't need to apologize, Marisa has always been like that. It's her character at this point. Oh, and speak of the devil," as Patchouli said that Marisa comes back hefting some books in her hands – Koakuma following behind her – and place the books on the desk. She sits next to you.
"Oooiii, Patchy, tell your familiar to stop giving me the look. I haven't done anything yet,"
"Miss Patchouli, she tried to but I managed to stop her!" Koakuma enthusiastically report.
Patchouli thank the girl and you could see her head bat wings flutter from the praise as she left to resume her duties.
"So, how it goes?" Marisa whispers to you. You give her a thumbs up. She give you a grin then notices the cup of tea next to you. When she look for her share, it was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, Patchy, where's my tea" Marisa look around the table.
"We don't serve to thieves here." Patchouli picks up a new book.
"Eeehh, how mean. Stingy," Marisa respond where it fall on deaf ear. That elicit a snicker from you and you spend the day reading books and hanging out with the two magician. With enough grumbling, Marisa manage to procure a cup of tea from the annoyed librarian.
The next day and so forth, your routine with Marisa has been: mushroom picking, potion making, magic learning, book stealing (and returning), tea drinking and any other shenanigans that Marisa will bring you with her. There's never been a dull day when you hang out with Marisa. Albeit your magic lesson has come to a standstill, you still had fun being with her. Besides, it's not like you have given up. If she hadn't given up on you, you won't give up.
One day, you are at Marisa's house, reading some random books – mainly taken from the SDM – Marisa does the same. You noticed that the sun is setting down. You should start getting ready to go home. Before coming over here, you went to the Human Village to get some ingredients for dinner. You managed to snag a sale on some vegetables, Reimu would be pleased. You are the one preparing dinner tonight. As you're preparing to go home, you see that Marisa has been staring at you, seemingly lost in thought. She's been like this for the past couple of days, but you start noticing she look at you more often after the one of the banquet that Reimu held at the shrine. A story for another time. Then,
"Hey, how's the shrine life?" Marisa ask.
? It's alright. You mostly sweep the floor, play with Aunn, get pranked by the fairies, indulge in alcohol with Suika –with the displeasure of Reimu due to us day drinking – advertise the shrine in the Human Village, thinking of scheme to increase the shrine (monetary) growth with Reimu –which most, if not all of it, fall flat- and relaxing by drinking tea with Reimu and any resident that came to the shrine that day. You could say that you are blessed that you are able to live like this. Marisa listen to you. No response from her. You continue prepping when Marisa ask,
"Hey" you turn to Marisa "how about you stay here?"
You love to but not today. It's your turn to make dinner today and you have to tell Reimu beforehand. Moreover, you don't have spare clothes and –
"That's not what I meant!" Marisa interjects "Ahhh what I'm saying is, why not live with me?"
You are stunned by Marisa outburst. You try to process this information but Marisa continues,
"I mean, you practically came over every day, it's basically a second home, you know? Also, I don't think Reimu cares that much if you start living with me" Marisa speak quickly.
That is true. You have been coming over Marisa's house more often. And it's true that Reimu wouldn't care what you do, with all this freedom that you are given.
'Huh, you want to live with Marisa? Alright, don't forget to come over time to time' you imagine what Reimu would say. Thinking back, you have a lot of fun being with Marisa. For all the time and effort that she give you is most appreciative and this sounds like a good idea. But no matter how good the deal is, you just can't leave Reimu. You don't know why, but you just can't.
Thank you, Marisa face light up, and I'm sorry. Even though it's a nice gesture of Marisa to give you a place to stay, but you can't leave the Hakurei Shrine. You can't leave Reimu. You are indebted to her. You want to do everything you can to repay Reimu first before you are able to stand on your own two feet. For all the things she have done for you. But that doesn't mean you hate the idea of staying with Marisa, it's just you want to help Reimu first.
Marisa head droop to the ground "Haha, yeah… Reimu" she mutters. She grabs her iconic black wizard hat and broom and start walking to the door, passing you. "If you ever fought with Reimu, you know where to go" she grins, her thumb pointing towards herself. You snicker and follow Marisa and you are off to the Hakurei Shrine.
It turn night when you arrive at the Hakurei Shrine, you see Reimu sitting in front of the stairs of the shrine with a pestering drunken oni besides her. You got off the magician's broom and invited Marisa over for dinner tonight because you got a deal on the market this morning but sadly, Marisa decline, saying that she have somewhere she needs to be. Well, it can't be helped. You wave Marisa goodbye and turn toward the shrine but then,
"I'm not giving up" Marisa mutters.
You turn back and Marisa grab your hand. "I'm not giving up. I'll help you. I'll make sure that you look at me, not Reimu" Marisa tighten her grip on you "And if you still won't think of me, I'll break that wall of your heart!"
You blush. You don't know what is happening. Marisa then let's go of your hand.
"And I'll wait for you," Marisa smiles a smiles that shines brighter than the moon.
You don't know how to respond to this. You awkwardly bow and turn back and start walking to the shrine.
"I love you"
You turn back but Marisa was not here anymore. You look up at the night sky and you can see the beautiful moon tonight.