Remilia: Another Club Tryout and Crisis

The sharp sound of a phone alarm echoed through the room.

Reimu jolted awake, tumbling out of bed in a startled daze.

The noise pierced the silence, unfamiliar and foreign to her in this strange, modern world. She had never heard anything like it before.

What is that? she wondered, her heart racing as she slowly rose.

She eyed the phone on her bedside table cautiously, unsure if it was some sort of bizarre contraption. She inched toward it, nerves on edge. The alarm kept blaring nonstop as it echoed between the walls of her room, and its consistent vibration acted as if the devil possessed it.

Before she could act, the door swung open, and Minako Hakurei, her mother, appeared in the doorway, her expression a mix of frustration and concern.

"Reimu, when are you going to turn that thing off? I can hear it all the way from the kitchen!"

Still confused, Reimu hesitantly approached the device and fumbled with it as the vibration shook her hand. She saw a stop button in the middle of the screen and hesitantly pressed it.

The alarm immediately stopped.

Minako sighed loudly. "I hope you are wide awake from that by now."

She turned around to leave the room, and her tone softened. "Breakfast will be ready soon. Don't stay in the room and wait too long."

With that, she left the room, her earlier scolding already forgotten.

As the door clicked shut, Reimu exhaled, shaking off the bizarre start to her morning. She pulled open the cupboard and began changing into her school uniform, her traditional red shrine maiden outfit with a few modern upgrades, which now served as her daily wear.

But as she slipped into her skirt, a sudden realisation hit her: Today's the day after the accident.

Reimu headed for the phone and saw the date and time at the top of the screen. It was really the following day after when Remilia was supposed to die. She also didn't find herself in that white void space anymore.

A wave of relief and confusion washed over her. She hadn't been thrown back into the time loop. Not yet, at least.

Why am I still here? She wondered, her mind racing as she pulled on her bra and red top. Was it something I did yesterday? Maybe because I spent time with Remilia? Or because I talked to her about Patchouli?

Her mind lingered on the accident, recalling the horror of the van hitting Remilia. She recalled the vampire floating in the air as if she was being pushed or knocked away by someone.

Was there actually someone who deliberately pushed her away? Or was it because she didn't come there this time, so she didn't hit anyone?

Reimu, of all people, was very familiar with how fate and destiny work. And it was always confused her, no matter how much those old sages of Gensokyo talked to her about it. Even less so when it was a topic with so many theories and less practical aspects. It made her plans and what action to take to have so much, ironically, leaving it to fate.

The more she thought about what went differently, the more unsettling it became. Even though the accident seemed to be averted today, there was no guarantee that Remilia wouldn't face another danger tomorrow or the next day.

Just because I somehow prevented the accident doesn't mean Remilia's safe forever. What if something else happens to her?

The thought weighed heavily on Reimu.

The idea of Remilia dying in some other way, another unexpected incident, sent a chill through her.

I need to do something soon. I can't just stand by and watch it unfold again.

Reimu's resolve hardened. Whatever had caused that fatal accident needed to be uncovered, and if she was going to prevent it from happening again, she would need to get Remilia involved.

And who knows what kind of other incidents might befall her.

With these lingering thoughts unresolved, she finished dressing and straightened her top, and her back straightened up with determination.

There was no telling what the day might bring, but one thing was clear.

I cannot leave Remilia's fate to chance for this timeline.

With a small, determined smile, Reimu left her room, eager to enjoy her mother's breakfast, which she had always wanted to experience again, but even more determined to figure out what to do next.

Reimu stood outside the school gates, taking in the sight of the towering brick building before her.

Even though she had admired it before, its grandeur still struck her. The large structure, with its neatly lined windows glinting in the morning sun, had an air of authority and warmth. Surrounding the school were well-kept lawns, with students gathering in small groups under the shade of towering trees. As usual, they chatted, laughed, and occasionally glanced at their phones. A tall, sleek metal fence bordered the perimeter, giving the entire place a sense of structure and security.

Since she arrived earlier than usual today, fewer students passed through the gates, and the air was quieter and calmer.

I enjoy this familiar calmness.

In just a short moment, she missed the silence present in her former shrine.

As she prepared to enter, her thoughts drifted back to Remilia's accident.

The same questions gnawed at her.

The unsettling feeling returned, twisting in her chest. She had to figure it out, and soon. Time might be running out for both of them.

Just as Reimu was about to walk through the gates, a voice called out to her. Turning, she saw Aya Shameimaru approaching.

Reimu blinked, noticing something that made her blush ever so slightly. Aya's shirt was once again unbuttoned at the top, her cleavage subtly visible. A light sheen of sweat glistened on her skin, catching the morning sun and giving her a faint glow.

It's a bit early to be sweating, isn't it? Reimu thought, her cheeks warming at the sight.

Aya's black hair fell gracefully around her shoulders, and her white tengu wings peeked out from behind, barely visible. It was the same look as the last time Reimu saw her when Aya's shirt was rebelliously left open, giving her uniform a casual, low-cut appearance.

But yesterday, during their hangout, Aya was fully buttoned up and looked much more composed.

Maybe it was because Tenshi and Remilia were around, Reimu thought, or perhaps it was just for that particular occasion because she was embarrassed about it.

The subtle shifts in Aya's appearance piqued her curiosity and some slight confusion, but the shrine maiden decided to leave it unspoken.

Aya, oblivious to Reimu's musings, flashed her usual bright smile as she approached.

"Good morning, Reimu!" she greeted cheerfully.

Reimu returned the greeting after pulling herself together. "Morning, Aya."

Aya caught up to her, and the two walked through the gates together, their steps falling into an easy rhythm.

"I thought I was going to be late today," Aya said with relief. "Spent all night finishing my report, but it looks like I made it in time."

Curious, Reimu glanced over. "What's the report about?"

Aya's expression brightened at the question. "It's for an article about Remilia joining the school. I'm planning to publish it in the school newspaper. The newspaper club even gave me the green light."

Reimu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Remilia in the school paper, huh? That should be interesting."

Aya nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, definitely! She's been pretty popular since her arrival, so I thought it would make a great feature for the club. Plus, not every day we get someone like her in school."

Reimu nodded in agreement.

As they continued walking, Reimu couldn't help but think about how Remilia's presence drew more attention with each passing day. She wondered how much Aya's article would touch on what most people didn't know and what worried her.

The shrine maiden looked at her tengu acquaintance, who was now rambling about how she would look forward to seeing everyone's reaction to her report.

I'll check out that article once it's published.

The pair reached Reimu's classroom.

Aya waved her goodbye before heading to her own.

Reimu watched as the tengu entered the classroom next door, her thoughts lingering on the earlier scene. Aya's glistening skin, the way her shirt hung loosely, and her revealing cleavage. Aya had looked particularly attractive, and Reimu couldn't help but blush again, feeling disconcerted by the memory.

Why am I even thinking about this? she scolded herself, shaking off the thoughts as she stepped into her classroom.

"Now isn't the time to think about such trivial things," she spoke loudly this time.

Tenshi hadn't arrived yet. So, Reimu took her seat, quietly grateful for the moment of solitude.

But it didn't last long.

A shadow loomed over her desk. Reimu looked up to see the gothic girl from before standing in front of her. She recognised her as one of Remilia's acquaintances, someone who had been suspicious of Reimu ever since she'd gained the vampire's attention during lunch yesterday. The girl's cold stare made it clear she hadn't forgotten.

There was the same gnawing feeling at the back of her mind. Which one of the humans or youkai was this girl in the original Gensokyo?

Looking through the list of probable candidates on her mind, Reimu was interrupted before she could place an identity on this girl.

Without a word, the girl shoved her phone toward Reimu, nearly in her face. On the screen was an Instagram post by a random user, showing a series of pictures: Remilia gracefully tried various sports, with Reimu standing nearby, clearly accompanying her throughout the activities.

"So," the gothic girl sneered, her voice dripping with arrogance, "what do you have to do with Remilia?"

Reimu glanced at the post, unimpressed.

Who cares about stuff like this?

She was not letting the question bother her.

"I don't have much to do with her," Reimu replied coolly, pushing the phone away. "She just found the first person to accompany her, that's all."

Her calm demeanour only seemed to irritate the gothic girl further. "You shouldn't think so highly of yourself," she shot back, her tone laced with disdain. "You have just been disturbing and wasting her precious time when she could be doing something more useful."

So, according to all these people, me guiding and following her to the clubs is a waste of the vampire's time.

Reimu looked at her evenly. "If you're not going to believe me, why ask?" she said, her voice tinged with mild annoyance. "And who decides what her precious time is other than herself?"

The gothic girl scoffed. "Remilia probably just took pity on you. She's a kind, polite girl, after all."

Kind and polite?

Reimu almost laughed at that.

The version of Remilia that most people saw vastly differed from what Reimu knew: brash, vulgar, and far from gentle.

But she wasn't about to explain that to this girl. That was the actual vampire that existed in her original world, and she liked the same thing happening here, too.

"Ignorance is bliss," Reimu mumbled under her breath, feeling a little amused.

It was probably for the best that this girl didn't know the real Remilia, whoever this girl was. If she does, the vampire might just lose one of her fangirls.

Deciding she was done with the conversation, Reimu calmly began setting her items on the desk, ignoring the gothic girl entirely.

Realising there was nothing more to say, the gothic girl huffed and turned on her heel, returning to her seat without another word. Reimu could hear her voicing her complaints to her fellow classmates who had already arrived in this classroom.

Reimu exhaled softly, glad to be rid of the confrontation.

Some people have no idea what they're talking about. Better leave them be.

As Reimu pushed the door open and entered the room, she was surprised: Remilia was already there, lounging casually on the sofa. A water bottle was in her hand, which she sipped from lazily, with snacks beside her.

Reimu blinked in surprise.

The shrine maiden asked, more confused than anything else. "Remilia? What are you doing here... and why are you drinking our water and eating our snacks?"

Those things they had stored in this room were for everyone, yet this high school girl in front of Reimu was finishing all of them at once.

Remilia glanced over, her expression smug as she quickly finished the bottle. "Oh, don't be so petty, Reimu. It's just water. It's always good to hydrate yourself often."

"And besides, I already got permission from Tenshi." Her tone carried that familiar, aggressive, rude edge she had when her public persona faded.

Liar, Tenshi always placed herself above all others, even this vampire.

Reimu raised an eyebrow, remembering how Remilia had rushed home the previous day after drinking too much water.

"Don't tell me you're planning to run off for the bathroom again later," the shrine maiden remarked dryly.

Remilia shot her a sharp look but quickly shrugged it off with a smirk. "I'll manage, don't worry about me."

Reimu shook her head with a small sigh.

"Alright, seriously," she said, rubbing her temples. "Why are you here, Remilia? I thought you'd be too busy hanging out with your other friends in class or... I don't know, ruling some vampire empire with all your fangirls in this school or whatever."

Remilia chuckled, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Oh, please. Do you think I'd waste time with them when I can amuse myself here? Besides, watching you squirm is much more entertaining."

Feeling pity, Remilia placed a hand dramatically over her heart. "Poor Reimu. No need to be jealous. After all, I'm pretty, popular, and practically doing charity work hanging out with you."

The earlier interaction with that gothic girl suddenly came to Reimu's mind.

Reimu's eye twitched, but she tried to keep her cool. "Jealous? Please. I just think someone needs to remind you that humility exists."

Remilia laughed softly, leaning forward as she grinned. "Humility? Why would I need that? Being humble is for people who aren't as naturally talented and gorgeous as I am. You should try it sometime. It might help your image."

But the shrine maiden hadn't given up yet.

Reimu crossed her arms, "Or maybe you should try not thinking the world revolves around you for once. It's a lot more peaceful, trust me."

"Aw, I didn't realise you cared so much about my peace of mind, Reimu," Remilia teased. "But really, if you're going to be a loner shrine maiden, at least be a charming one. You might actually make some friends."

Reimu shot her a sharp look. "And you might actually be bearable if you weren't so full of yourself."

Remilia pretended to ponder the thought momentarily, then shook her head. "Nah, I'm good just the way I am."

Reimu groaned softly, feeling her patience wearing thin. "You do think you're some sort of gift to the world, don't you?"

"More like a gift to this room," Remilia replied with a smirk, reclining further into the sofa. "You should be grateful."

The smug look on Remilia's face was enough to push Reimu almost over the edge. She clenched her fists briefly before exhaling deeply, deciding not to take the bait.

She's impossible, Reimu thought as she walked over to one of the chairs and sat down with an exaggerated sigh. Then again, it is Remilia that I know, after all.

And she didn't dislike this manner of being treated.

"So, why are you really here?" Reimu asked for the second time, trying to steer the conversation back to some sense of control. "Don't tell me you're just hanging around for fun."

Remilia lazily glanced at her nails. "We're still not done with the sports club tryouts. I haven't decided which one I will grace with my talent yet."

Reimu let out a louder, more dramatic sigh. "Of course. You won't let me off the hook and want me to follow you, am I correct?"

With a gleam in her eye, Remilia smiled sweetly. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. You promised to accompany me, remember?"

Vampire Brat Kid.

Yes, that would be her permanent label in this world. Now she just needed a secretary to work for her.

It wasn't at all different from the past.

Grumbling under her breath, Reimu accepted her fate. "Fine, fine. I'll go with you. Let's just get this over with."

Remilia, clearly satisfied with her victory, leaned back on the sofa with a smug smile.

"That's the spirit. I knew you'd see things my way."

Reimu shook her head, wondering how she always seemed pulled into Remilia's whims.

At least this day can't get worse... right?

Reimu slumped into the chair, already dreading the next round of sports club tryouts. With a resigned sigh, she reached over to the nearby cupboard and grabbed two or three water bottles, just in case Remilia needed them, just like yesterday.

Better safe than sorry, she mused, recalling Remilia's mad dash for the bathroom after school.

Remilia had just finished playing another round of badminton with the club members.

Her flawless movements and precise shots drew cheers and excited chatter from the crowd. Dressed in proper outdoor attire, her outfit still reflected her original red-and-black colour scheme but was more suited for sports. She wore a sleek red sports top with black athletic shorts, her usual ribbon tied into a sporty headband, keeping her light blue hair neatly in place. Even after an intense game, her look remained composed, adding to her air of effortless elegance.

As Remilia wiped the sweat from her brow, the other girls in the club practically swooned. A small group gathered around, whispering and fangirling over how impressive she was on the court.

"She's so graceful and seems barely tired, even when already playing a lot!"

"Did you see that last shot? She barely had to try!"

"She's amazing! We've got to get her to join the club!"

Their excited chatter filled the air, with several girls sneaking glances at Remilia like she was some sort of untouchable idol.

One of them, the club president, looking as close to fainting, finally mustered the courage to approach the vampire.

"Remilia, do you really not want to join the badminton club?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.

Remilia, still wiping her face, paused and gave a thoughtful smile. "I'm still deciding between them. I do enjoy badminton the most though."

The president's eyes lit up, getting closer. "Please… Consider us. We'd love to have you around, and maybe you could even help train us!"

Remilia flashed her trademark smile, earning a fresh round of squeals from the other members, including the president. It seemed no one could resist her charms.

Meanwhile, Reimu sat off to the side on a bench, her expression deadpan, simply observing. The fangirling around Remilia was almost too much to watch, and she sighed inwardly, wondering how she took everyone in so well.

As Remilia wrapped up her conversation with the club members, Reimu stood up, ready to leave the court. She headed toward the metal gate that separated the badminton area from the rest of the school grounds, quietly waiting outside.

About five minutes later, Remilia finally left the court, approaching Reimu. Without exchanging a word, Reimu handed her one of the water bottles she had brought along, already anticipating the vampire's thirst.

Remilia took it with a nod, downing the bottle and moving on to a second one. As she sipped, her sharp red eyes glanced at Reimu, who was now staring off into the distance, watching other students playing basketball and badminton on the outdoor courts.

Her mind drifted back to last night's conversation with Patchouli.

The fact that Patchouli didn't recognise Reimu was strange. But there's no reason for either of them to lie to me.

She weighed the possibilities. Either one of them was telling the truth, or there had been some kind of misunderstanding.

But which was it?

Or could they be together and attempting to fool me?

The vampire had a hidden smirk. That might just be the case. She didn't know enough about Reimu yet, but it wouldn't be her first for the other person.

And here I thought Patchy would never talk to anyone else besides me.

Another worse thought came to her mind, and without realising it, she was crushing her bottle as she drank.

Reimu could possibly be her hidden girlfriend. After all, for Reimu to know a lot about me and her nickname, that's the only possibility.

The girl must been talking to Reimu behind her back somehow.

Remilia finished the second bottle while the shrine maiden stared, slightly surprised at the crushed bottle.

"So, what do you want to do next?"

Reimu was half-expecting another exhausting trial of sports clubs. Sure, why not keep doing it until the vampire is satisfied showing off her skills?

Remilia smirked, and Reimu shivered out of concern for whatever energy-draining activity the vampire had in mind next.

"Well, there are still other clubs…"

"No way," Reimu said, feeling exasperated. Are you just going to keep this up?"

Please, that earlier thought was just a joke.

"...But I think I'm satisfied for now." Remilia completed, her voice dripping with amusement.

Reimu stared hard at the vampire for what seemed like a long time and simply decided to nod in agreement without further comment.

In any case, they had already visited five different sports clubs, but badminton had taken the longest. If Remilia had joined any club, Reimu wouldn't have been surprised if it were this one.

With that, the two left the sports area together.

As Remilia headed to the girls' changing room, Reimu threw away the empty water bottles and waited by the exit. When Remilia reappeared, she had changed back into her original uniform. Her pristine red dress and white frilled sleeves looked as sharp as ever.

Reimu raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at how relaxed the vampire appeared despite the tiring activity that was done earlier.

She looks like she hasn't even broken a sweat.

It was just another reminder of how otherworldly Remilia was.

The two headed toward the school gates, now nearly deserted in the late afternoon. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the path.

Remilia stretched her arms above her head and remarked casually, "It's a good day, isn't it?"

Reimu, still feeling the strain from their earlier activities, nodded. "Yeah, I guess so," she replied, despite the whirlwind of her day.

They walked silently for a while, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the quiet as they passed through the gates and onto the street. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but something lingered in the air, a sense that the conversation wasn't quite over.

After a few moments, Remilia suddenly spoke.

"Reimu… are you really alright with how I act now?"

Reimu blinked, caught off guard.

"Huh? Whatever do you mean?"

Remilia's gaze softened momentarily as if she were weighing her words.

"It's fine to be honest with me," she said, almost to herself. "I like to hear your thoughts."

Internally, the vampire acknowledged that everyone had certain expectations of who Remilia Scarlet was supposed to be.

The polite, charming, graceful celebrity befitted the Scarlet family and the highly esteemed view of everyone else to the vampires. The hopes and dreams to see such a young individual rise to great, improbable heights that almost no one could achieve, yet maintain her humble demeanour and spread her kind heart to everyone she met.

Remilia Scarlet was the only one who could do that.

This was just how she had grown all her life since she started this career.

Turning to face Reimu, she asked hesitantly, "Are you disappointed?"

Remilia looked uncertain and didn't look so confident for the first time. She stared at the shrine maiden, who had not reacted so far to her words.

Before the vampire could continue, Reimu cut her off.

"No, not at all. In fact, I actually prefer the aggressive, blunt, and… well, vulgar side of you."

Remilia's eyes widened in surprise, but Reimu continued without hesitation.

"I like the Remilia Scarlet I know. The one who's not pretending to be well... this."

Reimu looked straight at the vampire's red, alluring eyes, not wanting her words to be lost to her uncertain companion.

"Sure, the polite and elegant persona is part of who you are, but I hate that you feel you must always act like that. It feels... fake, and I don't think you need to be like that every time in public."

Reimu's thoughts briefly flashed back to the original Remilia she knew as she said this.

The one who was unapologetically blunt and didn't care what others thought.

That side of Remilia felt more honest, more real.

Remilia was stunned, her usual composure momentarily shattered. She turned away, her cheeks flushing with a hint of red.

"Why… why are you being so honest all of a sudden?"

Reimu, oblivious to the weight of her words, simply shrugged. "I'm just telling you what I think. And you told me to be honest."

Remilia, feeling her cheeks temperature rise, tugged at her dress nervously before skipping two steps ahead of Reimu. She spun around gracefully.

Instantly, Reimu stopped in her tracks.

The late afternoon sun bathed the scene in a soft golden light, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow.

Remi.

She wanted to call out to the vampire with her nickname.

Remilia stood in front of Reimu, her silhouette illuminated by the warm glow of the sun. The soft light accentuated her features, making her look beautiful and ethereal. Those red eyes sparkled under the sun's rays and glistened her skin. Her typically haughty expression softened into something genuine, a bright, radiant smile, unguarded and sincere for the first time.

Reimu's breath caught in her throat as she couldn't figure out what to say at that moment.

It was just a brief few seconds, yet she could feel her heart pounding.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to find the right words. She could also feel the temperature of her face rising.

The shrine maiden, unable to tear her eyes away, managed some words. "So... what's wrong?"

Reimu realised that her voice was now softer than usual.

"Nothing's wrong. Just thinking it wasn't that bad," Remilia's smile remained as she replied.

"About?"

The world felt smaller momentarily, as if it were just the two of them standing in the fading sunlight. But then, as quickly as the moment came, Remilia's expression shifted back to her usual self, a smirk playing at her lips as she turned her head.

"Nothing," she said, her voice returning to its usual sharpness. "Let's go home."

Reimu tilted her head slightly, wondering what that moment was all about, but she decided not to press the issue further.

Instead, she nodded quietly as they continued their journey home.

She also noticed Remilia's subtle leg movement, another sign that she might need the bathroom again. Just as expected, she knew it would happen anytime soon.

Reimu chose not to comment, following silently as they headed off together.

The quiet moment was abruptly interrupted by the sharp ring of Remilia's smartphone. She glanced at the screen and answered the call.

"Hello? Yes, I just left the school," Remilia said calmly at first.

But her tone quickly shifted.

"Really? You can't make it? That means for today..."

Reimu kept walking ahead, respecting Remilia's privacy, pretending not to listen. However, she didn't get far before a loud, frustrated "What?!" from Remilia made her stop.

"But, damn it, I need to go for this. If not, the children will..." Remilia's voice was laced with frustration.

"You should've told me earlier!" the vampire snapped, pacing back and forth in agitation.

Reimu turned back, concerned but unsure of the situation. She watched as Remilia scowled, clearly upset by whatever was happening on the other end of the call.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Reimu asked, her voice cautious.

Remilia glared at her, a familiar expression that Reimu knew too well. Without further explanation, the shrine maiden sighed.

"Look, wherever you're going, I'll come with you. I'm free."

I better be paid to be her secretary by now, Reimu thought inwardly. Where's that human head maid who does these tasks anyway?

Remilia's expression softened slightly, satisfied with the answer. She quickly returned to her phone call.

"Fine. Come pick us up from the school gates."

Remilia hung up and let out an exasperated breath.

Turning to Reimu, she explained, "I need your help with something at an elementary school."

Reimu raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"

Remilia, being too focused and severe to explain in full, simply replied, "I'll explain on the way."

As they waited silently, Remilia suddenly turned to Reimu, her eyes scanning her up and down. "What size do you wear... if it's a shirt?"

Reimu blinked, caught off guard by the question.

Thinking for a bit, she replied, "L. I prefer it loose."

Remilia nodded thoughtfully and took out her phone, quickly noting it down without offering any explanation.

Ten minutes later, an expensive black Mercedes pulled up in front of them, its polished exterior gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Reimu's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the luxury car.

The door swung open automatically, and before Reimu could react, Remilia grabbed her by the arm and practically pushed her into the back passenger seat. Reimu stumbled in first, with Remilia following closely behind. The door shut behind them, and the car smoothly rolled away from the school.

Not far from where they had just been, a bystander lurked behind one of the pillars of a nearby building, their gaze fixed on Remilia as she entered the car. Their eyes narrowed, and a sinister smile tugged at the corners of their lips. Her eyes sharpened with determination.

"Wait for me, Mistress Remilia," the figure muttered under their breath. "I will get you... and save you from that foul woman."

The bystander watched as the car disappeared down the street, their expression dark with intent.