"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sumireko jumped off her desk and into her bed while throwing a book off her desk.

"I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT MY HOMEWORK IS ALL DUE TOMORROW!" yelled the teenager into her pillow. "TEACHERS ARE EVIL!"

After a few moments of procrastinating, she finally calmed down enough to look up at the ceiling and recall what she had been doing during the past few days.

"It was assigned at the start of the break and that was almost two weeks ago…" started Sumireko. "First I went skiing…"

The high schooler actually hated that sport. She literally crashed into everyone while going down the mountain. She even hit a squirrel of all things and nearly broke a leg.

"Yup. Not doing that again. Let's see, I was going to do it but then got bored so I played a few games, spent the day online, before hitting the hay. Then the next day…"

To say that Sumireko had a one heck of a vacation was really an understatement. She had spent her entire break pushing aside a small pile of homework to have fun and now, she was working on it on the very last day of break. She was going back to school tomorrow and that homework was going to be the very first thing on all her grades.

Failure was not an option. At first, it didn't seem like much. She was supposed to read a book and write a full five page report on it. She had done a ton of book reports before and this one was no different. The only problem, she didn't read the book and it had over 100 pages in it.

To add even more salt to the wound, she also needed to complete a book containing 20 pages of supplementary math equations and the only thing she did was open the book.

"AAHHHH! I'M NEVER GONNA FINISH AREN'T I?" asked Sumireko. "Unless… Ah-ha! I've got it! I'll ask my friends to help!"

With that, Sumireko grabbed both of her books and after a dose of nyquil, got ready to enter Gensokyo.

"Homework help! Here I come!"


Sumireko stepped through the border and into the Hakurei Shrine, clutching her books tightly. The serene surroundings of the shrine were a stark contrast to the storm of panic still raging in her mind. She spotted Reimu sweeping the shrine grounds with her usual relaxed demeanor.

"Reimu!" Sumireko called out, rushing over to her.

Reimu paused mid-sweep and gave her an annoyed look. "What now? Did you break something in the Outside World again?"

"No, no, nothing like that!" Sumireko said, waving her hands frantically. "I need your help! My teachers gave me this insane amount of homework, and it's all due tomorrow! I need someone smart, capable, and wise—basically, I need you!"

Reimu raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you've met me."

Ignoring the jab, Sumireko shoved the book report assignment into Reimu's hands. "It's just a book report! Read this book and write a five-page analysis of its themes, characters, and impact. Easy, right?"

Reimu stared at the paper like it had personally insulted her. "You've got to be kidding me. Five pages? About a book?!"

Sumireko nodded furiously. "Exactly! I knew you'd understand my pain! That's why I need your help."

Reimu flipped the paper back at Sumireko. "You're out of your mind if you think I'm writing five pages about a book I haven't read. Besides, I don't even know what a book report is. We don't do that kind of thing in Gensokyo."

Sumireko's jaw dropped. "What do you mean you've never written a book report? What did you do in school?"

Reimu smirked. "Didn't go to school. Shrine maiden training doesn't leave time for stuff like that."

"But—but—" Sumireko stammered, clutching the book to her chest like a lifeline. "What am I supposed to do?! I thought you'd at least know how to fake it!"

Reimu sighed and crossed her arms. "Why don't you just write down what you think the book is about without reading it? That's what I'd do."

Sumireko groaned and sank to the ground, her books falling into the dirt. "I'm doomed…"

Reimu patted her on the head, clearly amused by the whole situation. "Good luck with that. Maybe someone else can help you. Try Marisa. She's always reading weird stuff."

"But can you at least try?" asked Sumireko.

Reimu sighed as she put down her broom and picked up Sumireko's math book. She eyed the whole thing a bit puzzled but after a few moments started flipping the pages.

"So you need to do all of this?"

Sumireko, still clutching her books, nodded as she sat cross-legged on the shrine's porch, while watching Reimu frown at her math workbook.

"These equations aren't too hard," Reimu muttered, scribbling answers into the margins of the page. "But seriously, twenty pages of this? What kind of sadistic teacher assigns this much work?"

Sumireko groaned. "I know, right? That's why I need you to help me finish it all!"

Reimu stopped writing and gave her a flat look. "Sumireko, I've got a shrine to maintain, youkai to deal with, and tea to drink. I'm not spending the entire day solving your math problems. You're on your own for the rest of this."

"But you already started!" Sumireko wailed. "You can't quit now!"

"I'm not quitting. I'm delegating." Reimu smirked. "Look, Marisa's coming this way. Let her deal with it."

Sumireko turned to see Marisa skipping up the shrine steps, her broom slung over one shoulder and her trademark grin plastered on her face. "Yo, Reimu, Sumireko! What's up?"

"Sumireko's drowning in homework," Reimu said, tossing the math workbook toward Marisa. "Wanna help?"

Marisa caught the book and flipped through it. Her smile faded. "Ugh, math? No thanks. I came here for tea, not torture."

Sumireko jumped to her feet. "Marisa, please! You're my last hope! If I don't finish this math and the book report, I'm toast!"

Marisa handed the workbook back to Sumireko like it was cursed. "Sorry, but twenty pages of math in one day? That's crazy, even for me. And about that book report—" She glanced at the book in Sumireko's hands. "How many pages is it?"

"One hundred…" Sumireko admitted, shrinking under Marisa's incredulous stare.

"And you're supposed to write a five-page report on it by tomorrow?"

Sumireko nodded miserably.

Marisa burst out laughing. "No way, ze! You're not finishing that, no matter how hard you try. Even if you skimmed the book and whipped something up, your teacher will know you didn't actually read it."

Sumireko threw her arms in the air. "Then what am I supposed to do?!"

Marisa grinned and patted Sumireko on the back. "Learn your lesson, kiddo. Don't wait until the last minute. Anyway, good luck!"

"Wait, you're leaving too?!" Sumireko cried as Marisa mounted her broom.

Marisa gave her a cheeky wave. "Homework isn't my thing, ze. Not since middle school! Maybe you'll find someone else in Gensokyo who's crazy enough to help!" With that, she flew off, leaving Sumireko alone with her towering workload.

Sumireko slumped onto the shrine steps, utterly defeated. "This is hopeless…"

Reimu leaned against the doorway, sipping a cup of tea. "Told you. Should've started earlier."


Dragging her feet through the forest, Sumireko grumbled under her breath. "This has to be a nightmare. Why is no one helping me?!"

Her aimless wandering eventually brought her face-to-face with Mamizou, who was lounging under a tree with her pipe in hand. The tanuki woman raised an eyebrow as she noticed the frazzled high schooler approaching.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Outsider," Mamizou greeted, blowing a puff of smoke. "You look like you've been through a war. What's got you in such a state?"

Sumireko held up her math workbook and the book for her report like they were cursed relics. "Homework! Tons of it! I need help, and no one will take me seriously!"

Mamizou took one look at the books and burst into laughter. "Homework? You came all the way to Gensokyo for that? Are you crazy?"

Sumireko's eye twitched. "You don't understand! This isn't just any homework—it's an entire vacation's worth, and it's all due tomorrow!"

Mamizou smirked. "Even if I wanted to help, you're asking for a miracle. You'd need to stop time to finish all this in a single day."

Sumireko groaned. "But… there's got to be someone who can help me, right?"

Mamizou tapped her pipe against the tree thoughtfully. "Unlikely. You see, Gensokyo doesn't have high schools. Our education system stops at elementary or middle school. Most folks here wouldn't even know what a 'high school' is, let alone how to solve your modern-world math problems or write a report about some boring book."

Sumireko's heart sank. "You're kidding…"

"Not in the slightest," Mamizou replied, taking another puff of her pipe. "You're asking the wrong people for help, kid. You're the only high schooler in Gensokyo."

Sumireko flopped onto the ground dramatically. "I'm doomed. Absolutely doomed."

Mamizou chuckled. "You brought this on yourself by procrastinating, didn't you? But hey, maybe you'll learn something from this mess. Like not to leave everything to the last minute."

"Gee, thanks for the life lesson," Sumireko muttered sarcastically, burying her face in her hands.

Mamizou stood, stretching lazily. "Good luck, kid. You're gonna need it." She walked off, leaving Sumireko alone with her mountain of homework and a growing sense of despair.


As Sumireko stormed away from Mamizou, she began muttering to herself about the ridiculousness of Gensokyo's school system.

"No high schools? Everyone only graduates middle school? That can't be right! There's no way an entire society runs like that! What about college?"

Her determined wandering led her to the Human Village, where she found Keine Kamishirasawa sitting on the porch of her schoolhouse. Beside her were Marisa and Rinnosuke, deep in conversation.

Sumireko approached them, her frustration evident. "Keine! I need answers!"

Keine turned to her, tilting her head curiously. "Answers? About what, Sumireko?"

"About Gensokyo's education system!" Sumireko practically shoved her math workbook and novel into Keine's hands. "Mamizou told me that no one here can help with my homework because Gensokyo doesn't have high schools. Is that true?!"

Marisa snickered, leaning back with her arms behind her head. "Told you already, ze. Ain't nobody here who's gonna save you from that mess."

Keine gave a patient smile, passing the books to Rinnosuke. "It's true, Sumireko. Gensokyo doesn't have high schools. By the time our students finish middle school, they're ready to start working. Most of them learn trades from their families or take apprenticeships to gain experience in their future careers."

Rinnosuke nodded in agreement. "Gensokyo values practical skills over extended education. A farmer's child becomes a farmer, a merchant's child becomes a merchant, and so on. The knowledge they need for their jobs comes from hands-on learning rather than sitting in a classroom."

Sumireko's jaw dropped. "So… no one here knows advanced math or literature?!"

"Well, not unless their work requires it," Keine admitted. "But even then, most of it would be self-taught or learned on the job. High schools just aren't necessary here."

Sumireko groaned. "You've got to be kidding me. This is the worst timing ever!"

Marisa chuckled. "Hate to say I told you so, but you really did bring this on yourself."

Sumireko shot her a glare. "Not helping, Marisa!"

"Actually, she's right about something else," Keine added. "Marisa here was telling me about what she said to you about teachers recognizing if you faked your book report, right?"

Sumireko blinked. "Yeah… Why?"

"Because she's absolutely correct," Keine said. "Teachers know their students' writing styles very well. If you rush through a report or try to copy someone else's style, it'll be obvious. Your teacher will know something is wrong the moment they read it. I can even recognize the handwriting of my students from 10 years ago."

Sumireko groaned even louder, clutching her head. "So there's no way out of this?! I'm doomed!"

Rinnosuke cleared his throat. "If you're looking for sympathy, you won't find it here. What you're facing is the natural consequence of procrastination."

"Seriously, why is everyone in Gensokyo so good at lectures?!" Sumireko wailed.

Keine smiled gently. "It's not that we're lecturing you, Sumireko. We're just trying to help you understand the reality of your situation. You'll have to work hard to salvage what you can."

Marisa grinned. "Hey, at least you'll have a great story to tell when this is all over, ze!"

Sumireko sighed, defeated. "Yeah, if I survive…"


Though it was clear that she wasn't going to get help, Sumireko still wanted to try a few places before giving up completely. With a flicker of hope, Sumireko headed toward Suzunaan, the little bookstore run by Kosuzu Motoori. The cheerful librarian greeted her as the doorbell jingled.

"Sumireko! It's been a while! What brings you here?" Kosuzu asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Homework." Sumireko dropped her books on the counter with a dramatic thud. "Please tell me you can help me! You love reading, right? You can help with the book report!"

Kosuzu tilted her head, intrigued. "Well, I do read a lot, but… I've never written a book report before. What's it supposed to be about?"

Sumireko groaned, flipping through the pages of the novel. "It's a five-page analysis of this book. I haven't even started reading it, but you're super fast at reading, right? You could breeze through it and give me pointers!"

Kosuzu picked up the book and skimmed the first page before shaking her head. "I can read it quickly, sure, but writing about it? That's not really my specialty. Besides, wouldn't your teacher notice if the report doesn't match your usual style?"

Sumireko slumped against the counter. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Well, it's true," Kosuzu said, handing the book back. "You're better off asking someone with more experience in writing."

Desperate, Sumireko dashed to Akyuu's home next, hoping the Child of Miare might be her saving grace.

Inside, Akyuu sat surrounded by stacks of papers, scribbling furiously. She barely looked up as Sumireko entered. "Oh, Sumireko. What brings you here?"

"Homework," Sumireko said flatly, placing her books on the nearest desk. "You're an amazing writer, so you can help me, right? I just need a five-page report and some math answers!"

Akyuu sighed, setting down her pen. "I'd love to help, but I'm in the middle of finishing the latest volume of the Gensokyo Chronicler. I have a tight deadline to meet before…" She trailed off, her expression growing somber.

Sumireko blinked. "Before what?"

"Before my expiration date," Akyuu said bluntly. "You're aware that I live short lives and reincarnate, aren't you? Finishing this book is far more critical than any homework assignment."

Sumireko winced. "Oh… I didn't realize it was that serious."

"It is," Akyuu said, then added gently, "But even if it weren't, what you're asking is impossible. I couldn't read a 100-page book and write a report in a single day, let alone solve twenty pages of math problems. No one could reasonably accomplish that in one day, not even a prodigy."

Sumireko's shoulders slumped. "So you're saying I'm completely doomed."

"I'm saying," Akyuu replied, "that perhaps this is a lesson you needed to learn. Sometimes, the consequences of procrastination are unavoidable."

Sumireko muttered something unintelligible under her breath, grabbed her books, and trudged out the door, her spirits sinking lower with each failed attempt. Before she made it out though, Akyuu tapped her pen against the desk thoughtfully.

"You know, there's someone in Gensokyo who might have had a proper high school education…"

Sumireko's eyes lit up. "Really? Who?"

"Sanae," Akyuu replied. "She's from the Outside World, after all. She probably—"

But before Akyuu could finish, Sumireko was already bolting out the door, shouting her thanks.

"Good luck," Akyuu murmured with a faint smile before returning to her work.


On her way to the Moriya Shrine, Sumireko was stopped by a sudden gust of wind and the sound of camera shutters. Aya Shameimaru and Hatate Himekaidou descended from the sky, grinning like mischievous cats.

"Well, well," Aya said, her camera clicking away. "If it isn't Sumireko, running around in a panic. What's the story here?"

Hatate smirked. "It looks like she's in trouble. This ought to be good."

Sumireko groaned. "I don't have time for this. I'm trying to find someone who can help me with my homework!"

Aya raised an eyebrow. "Homework? In Gensokyo?"

Hatate chuckled. "Now that's a headline: 'Outsider Brings Impossible Workload to Gensokyo, Chaos Ensues!'"

Sumireko glared at them. "You're not helping. Can't you do something useful for once?"

Aya shook her head, her grin widening. "Sorry, kid. You're asking the wrong people. No youkai here could handle your homework, either."

"What do you mean?" Sumireko asked, exasperated.

"It's simple," Hatate explained. "Youkai education isn't like human education. Each species learns what's important for them, and that's it. For example…"

Aya chimed in, ticking off on her fingers. "The oni learn how to socialize, throw parties, drink heavily, and identify different types of alcohol."

Hatate added, "Tengu, like us, learn to read, write, report, and do business. But our writing is for newspapers, not book reports. Fighting's also part of our education, that won't help you. Also, our jobs and talents are based on our race so not all Tengu know how to read or write."

"And Kappa?" Aya continued. "They're all about technology, math, and swimming. But their math is so tied to their machines that they're hopeless without them. Give them a simple math equation like 22 and they'll start rummaging their pockets for a calculator."

"And fairies?" Hatate finished with a laugh. "They're too young and carefree for proper education. They stick to nursery rhymes, basic reading, and mimicking chores. Even so, they do a really poor job and sometimes, Reimu or some other sympathetic person needs to step in and show them how to do it. None of them could even understand your homework, let alone help with it."

Sumireko buried her face in her hands. "This can't be happening. You're telling me that even the smartest youkai are useless?"

"Pretty much," Aya said cheerfully. "But hey, at least you're learning something new about Gensokyo, right?"

Sumireko shot them a glare and stormed off. "Thanks for nothing!"

The two tengu waved her off, still chuckling.

"Good luck, kid!" Aya called after her. "You'll need it!"


Sumireko arrived at the Moriya Shrine, feeling the weight of her hopelessness as she trudged up the stone steps. The warm sunlight and calm atmosphere of the shrine did little to ease her frustration.

As she entered the shrine grounds, she was greeted by Sanae, who was tending to the offerings.

"Oh, Sumireko! Welcome! You look troubled. What's wrong?" Sanae asked, smiling warmly.

"I need help… with my homework." Sumireko slumped against a nearby stone lantern, her books still clutched in her hands. "It's all due tomorrow, and I'm so behind. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Sanae's expression softened with sympathy. "That sounds like a lot to handle. I can help with the math, but... I'm afraid I can't do anything for your book report. I've never had to write one of those myself."

Sumireko groaned and handed her the math book. "Well, that's something. Could you at least help me with this part?"

Sanae took the book, flipping through a few pages. "Algebra I, huh? That's a lot simpler than what we had to learn. What kind of equations are these?"

"Just some basic stuff," Sumireko muttered, still feeling hopeless. "I'm supposed to solve all these problems."

Sanae paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "Hmm. This is what you're learning now? In my time, algebra was taught to seniors, and… I never made it past freshman year before I was taken away from school."

Sumireko blinked. "Wait… what? You didn't finish high school?"

Sanae smiled wryly. "Nope. My schooling was cut short when I was whisked away to Gensokyo. So, while I can certainly look at these problems, it's not like I can remember everything from algebra as thoroughly as I should have." She shook her head, looking at the page with an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid this is beyond me."

Sumireko's shoulders sagged as the last shred of hope she had left evaporated. "I'm doomed, aren't I?"

Sanae's face softened with concern. "I'm afraid so… unless you manage to do some kind of miracle. But don't give up just yet! There's one person who might be able to help you."

"Who?" Sumireko asked, perking up slightly despite herself.

Sanae's grin widened mischievously. "If anyone can help you now, it would be Sakuya, the maid at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. She has the power to stop time, so you could finish all your work in a flash."

Sumireko's eyes widened, her mind racing. "Stop time? You mean, she could… really stop time?"

"Well, she could," Sanae said, nodding. "But... I can't promise she'll just do it for you."

With newfound determination, Sumireko picked up her books and made a beeline toward the SDM. "I'm running out of options, so I'll take a chance with her. Thanks for trying to help, Sanae."

"Good luck, Sumireko," Sanae called after her, a little smile on her face as Sumireko ran off. "I hope it works out!"


Sumireko arrived at the gates of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, feeling a faint spark of hope. Her mind raced with the idea of stopping time and finishing her homework, but she couldn't help but feel nervous about what might come next.

As she approached the gate, she spotted Meiling sitting under the shade of a tree, munching on a snack. Meiling looked up as Sumireko drew closer and waved her hand lazily.

"Oh, hey there, Sumireko. What brings you here today?" Meiling asked, still chewing on something.

"I need to see Sakuya," Sumireko replied quickly, her voice laced with urgency. "I have a huge problem and... well, I was hoping she could help me."

Meiling raised an eyebrow, eyeing the books in Sumireko's arms. "A huge problem, huh? You're not here to fight me, are you?"

Sumireko chuckled nervously. "No, not at all. It's... my homework. It's all due tomorrow, and I'm running out of options."

Meiling gave her a sympathetic smile. "That's rough. I've been there. But don't worry, I'm sure Sakuya will be able to help."

As if on cue, Sakuya appeared in a swirl of graceful motion, her sharp eyes scanning Sumireko with curiosity.

"Sumireko, what is it you need?" Sakuya asked, her tone calm but attentive.

"I… need your help," Sumireko began, clutching her books tightly. "I have so much homework, and I have no time to finish it all. Sanae said you can stop time... Could you please do that so I can get everything done?"

Sakuya paused, her gaze flickering to Sumireko's pile of books. She looked puzzled, raising an eyebrow. "Stop time? I see... but why do you need time to stop? What exactly is this homework that you're so desperate about?"

Sumireko explained in exasperation, "I have a book report on a 100-page book, and I haven't even read it! Plus, I have 20 pages of math problems. I won't be able to finish any of it before school starts tomorrow!"

Sakuya stared at her blankly. "Book report? Math problems? I'm afraid you'll have to explain that a bit more. When I was growing up, we didn't have homework or schools like you do. The concept of homework... it wasn't really a thing back then."

Sumireko blinked, feeling even more confused. "Wait... you didn't have homework?"

"No," Sakuya replied, shaking her head. "When I was younger, we didn't have schools, and there wasn't really any need for homework. Most of what I know is just basic language and practical skills. I can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but... anything beyond that? I'm afraid it's beyond my understanding."

Sumireko let out a frustrated sigh. "So you don't know anything about Algebra or how to write a book report?"

Sakuya looked apologetic. "I never learned to write reports either. Writing in general, for that matter... It wasn't something that was taught. I spent a lot of my time learning skills that were needed in my daily life, like reading, cooking, and other maternal tasks—skills I used to care for Remilia and Flandre." She gave Sumireko a small smile. "I'm afraid your homework is not something I can help with."

Sumireko's face fell, and she slumped slightly. "This is hopeless… Is there anything you can do?"

Sakuya's expression shifted to something more serious, and she hesitated before speaking again. "As for stopping time… I can do that, yes, but it only works for me. I can stop time for myself, but no one else will be able to benefit from it."

Sumireko stared at her, her shoulders slumping even more. "So... even with time stopped, I still couldn't get everything done?"

Sakuya nodded gently. "I'm afraid not. I wish I could be of more help, but... maybe you should take a break and rest instead. You've been running around all day."

Sumireko sighed, feeling utterly defeated. "I just... I don't know what to do anymore."

As Sumireko took a seat, feeling the weight of defeat pressing on her, her eyes wandered around the mansion. It was then that she noticed a figure walking across the garden—a man who appeared to be about the same age as Sakuya, yet his outfit was anything but traditional for a butler. He wore a neatly tailored suit and tie, which made him look more like a businessman than a servant.

"Who's that?" Sumireko asked, curiosity piqued.

Sakuya followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "Ah, that's Mordecai. He's not your typical butler, but he does work here from time to time."

Sumireko watched him for a moment, intrigued. "He's a butler?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but he also has his own work outside of the mansion," Sakuya replied. "Mordecai used to work for Remilia's parents, and now he works for Remilia. He's occasionally here with two other boys, Alex and Vicktor, who are surprisingly the same age as Remilia and Flandre."

Sumireko furrowed her brows. "Same age as them? That's a bit odd, isn't it?"

Sakuya shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm sure there's a story behind it. But that's Mordecai. He's a bit of an enigma. He's only here because of a bet Alex made with Remilia. In short, the two tried to kill each other and if Alex won, he would gain a conditionless favor from Remilia. All other outcomes would result in Alex, his brother Vicktor, and butler Mordecai returning to serve her and the mansion from time to time. It became a draw so here we are now. Their help is greatly appreciated."

Sumireko hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you think he could help me with my homework?"

Sakuya paused, her face becoming unreadable. "Mordecai isn't really the type for academic help. He's got his hands full with his own work, and even if he wanted to help, I doubt he'd be able to do anything for you."

Sumireko was undeterred. She had already tried everyone else—what did she have to lose by asking him?

Determined, Sumireko walked over to Mordecai, who had just finished what appeared to be a conversation with the other boys. He turned to face her with a polite but distant expression.

"Mordecai, do you think you could help me with my homework?" she asked, trying to sound hopeful.

Without missing a beat, Mordecai responded, "No."

Sumireko blinked in surprise. "No? Just like that?"

"Just like that," Mordecai replied flatly, his expression unchanged. "This is not something I can help you with, even if I wanted to."

Sumireko's shoulders slumped in defeat. She was running out of options, and now it seemed like no one could help her. "Well, that's... disappointing," she muttered, trying to hide her frustration.

Mordecai simply gave a small nod, as if to acknowledge her plight, but didn't offer any further assistance.

Sumireko slumped back into her seat before turning back to Sakuya, who watched the exchange with a slight smirk. "I warned you," she said, though her tone was gentle. "Mordecai is… a bit of a no-nonsense type."

Moments later, Mordecai came back with his suit jacket buttoned up and sat down next to Sumireko. Sakuya followed suit, sitting on the opposite end.

"I overheard what you were asking Sakuya. What you're asking for… is flat-out impossible," Mordecai said softly. "Twenty pages of math is doable, but only by a mathematical genius with time stop or super speed. I possess neither and Sakuya here is unfamiliar with any of your subjects."

Sumireko blinked, her disbelief evident. "Wait, so you're saying you can't help me with my homework because you don't have superpowers?"

Mordecai gave a small, almost apologetic shrug. "Exactly."

Sumireko let out a frustrated groan, but her curiosity got the better of her. "How did you even get hired here? I mean, you don't look like the type to be Remilia's butler and I thought Sakuya was the only human who worked here."

Mordecai's expression shifted slightly, as though he were about to reveal something long buried. He paused for a moment before speaking again, his voice quieter than before.

"I wasn't always a butler. I used to be a cryptid hunter," Mordecai began, his eyes distant as though remembering another life. "Occasionally I worked with a group and Sakuya happened to be in that group. We hunted down and dealt with various cryptids around the world. But, one day, I was defeated—badly by Remilia and Flandre's parents. They took me in after that and I became a servant to their household, though I had a bit more freedom than most."

Sumireko tilted her head, intrigued. "You had more freedom?"

Mordecai nodded. "They sent me to schools to increase my knowledge and gave me a chance to learn things I hadn't known before. But after their deaths… I was freed from my obligations. And that's when I ended up working for Remilia and Flandre."

He smiled faintly. "It's a good thing they're gone, too, for reasons that are… private, even for Remilia and Flandre's sake."

Sumireko's mind reeled as she absorbed this information. She had thought Mordecai was just another ordinary servant, but his past was far from it. "So, you're free now, right? But you still help Remilia and Flandre?"

Mordecai nodded again. "As Sakuya said, I'm only here because of a bet master Alex made. I can tell you more another time. As for your homework, though…" He shook his head, his expression turning serious again. "That's not something anyone can do in a day. No matter who you ask."

Sumireko was about to respond when she noticed Alex and Vicktor walking up behind Mordecai. They were the same age as Remilia and Flandre, and they didn't seem interested in anything other than walking past.

"Don't bother asking Alex or Vicktor either. Though they, too, come from the outside world, I can assure you that they won't be of any help either. Yes, they're 500 year old geniuses but Alex reads too many spy novels and is competing with Remilia to see who's watched the most 007 movies. Vicktor has no interest in reading and spends more time helping Flandre clean her room than solving math problems," Mordecai said, glancing at the boys. "So unless your book is about a spy, then you're out of luck."

Sumireko glanced over at Alex and Vicktor. They seemed completely uninterested in the situation, completely indifferent to her academic woes.

"Great. Just… great," Sumireko muttered under her breath, feeling more defeated than ever.

Mordecai offered one last sympathetic look before turning away. "You're on your own for this one, kid. I'd recommend Patchouli but she's not feeling well today. The last thing she needs is more trouble and we're doing our best to make sure she's not receiving any."

"Still, how on earth did Remilia agree to hire you? Reimu-cchi always tells me that no humans apart from Sakuya are hired."

Mordecai gave her a wry smile before his expression shifted, and he leaned back slightly as though deciding whether to reveal more. He glanced at the mansion for a moment, as if making sure no one else could overhear, before speaking again.

"Let's just say… I have some very unique abilities," Mordecai began, his tone serious. "I can halt someone's perception of time, teleport, and even make myself immune to time-based attacks. I can make people follow my commands with absolute obedience, rewind time by seven hours, and cancel or undo the influence of Geass powers—on anyone, including myself." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"Geass powers?" Sumireko echoed, surprised. "So you're saying you have powers that come from a contract?"

Mordecai nodded casually, his gaze unreadable. "More or less though mine is a bit more abstract than that. Most people can only use and have one geass. Alex, Vicktor, and I were successful science experiments so we can use multiple geass and in the case of Alex and Vicktor, retain their geass despite gaining immortality. Thanks to that experiment, I also age more slowly. Anything else though, like my ability to summon and use any firearm without worrying about ammo or reloading is just something that I was born with. Nothing more, nothing less."

Sumireko blinked, her brain struggling to process the sudden revelation. "That's… that's insane."

Mordecai simply shrugged, as though these extraordinary powers were nothing out of the ordinary. "It's just how I exist now."

After a beat of silence, Sumireko, still in shock, couldn't help but ask the next question. "So, what do you actually do outside of the mansion? I mean, what do you do for a living?"

Mordecai's lips curled into a slight smirk. "I subtract numbers."

Sumireko stared at him for a moment, trying to understand what he meant. It clicked, and her eyes widened. "Wait… you're a mathematician?"

Mordecai's smile turned into a more amused one. "In a way, yes. But let's just say it's a bit more abstract than that. In any case, good luck with your homework."

Sumireko sighed, realizing that even Mordecai, with all his strange abilities, couldn't offer her the help she so desperately needed. She turned away, feeling more defeated than ever.

"Thanks for nothing, Mordecai," she muttered, and without waiting for a response, she left to continue her search for anyone who might actually be able to help. As Sumireko walked off in the direction of the mansion gates, Sakuya glanced over at Mordecai, her brow furrowed in thought.

"You were hiding your real job from her, weren't you?"

Mordecai, whose posture was still casual as ever, gave a small shrug and let out a quiet chuckle.

"You're sharp as always, Sakuya. But yes, I try to keep certain things hidden, especially from young people like her. It's not something I want to expose them to. Assassins like me, we prefer to keep people in the dark about our true work, whenever we can. After all, the less people who know the better."

Sakuya nodded, taking in the information.

"True. Two people can keep a secret," she then pulled out a knife and threw it at Mordecai who swiftly caught the projectile.

"If one of them is dead," finished the butler.

As he handed her back the knife, Sakuya's eyes then shifted, a new thought coming to mind. "I've been thinking… Alex and Vicktor really do seem like perfect partners for Remilia and Flandre. They're the same age, and with their Geass Code and powers, they're essentially immortal, just like Remilia and Flandre. They might be a better pair than us who's time is only temporary."

Mordecai's expression darkened slightly, though he kept his tone even. "Not yet. They're too young for anything like that. They're still just close friends. Nothing more."

Sakuya raised an eyebrow at his comment, but Mordecai continued, "And despite their genius status, Alex and Vicktor—along with Remilia and Flandre—still rely on both me and you. We're their guardians, their parental figures. In a way, we're more than just their maid and butler." His voice softened slightly as he spoke of them, but there was a hint of pride in his words.

Sakuya didn't respond immediately, her thoughts swirling around the dynamics of their unusual family. She knew it was a unique situation, but hearing Mordecai express it so openly made her realize how much responsibility they truly bore for the children in the mansion.

After a pause, Mordecai checked his watch, his expression now businesslike. "Anyway, I'm off to the Continental Hotel. A new contract's come in, and I need to handle it." He turned to face her, his eyes briefly meeting hers. "If you need anything from the outside world, just let me know. I can bring it on my travels."

Sakuya gave him a small nod. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Safe travels."

Without another word, Mordecai activated his Geass power, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving Sakuya standing by the mansion gates to continue her work.


Sumireko trudged along the path, feeling utterly defeated. Her last hope had been crushed by Mordecai's indifference, and with nowhere else to turn, she wandered aimlessly through Gensokyo. Her mind was racing with frustration and desperation, but just as she was about to give up and return to the human world, a sudden ripple of energy caught her attention.

"Ah, there you are, Sumireko."

A voice, calm and teasing, drifted into her ears from the air itself. Sumireko froze, her eyes darting around. From within a gap between the trees, Yukari Yakumo stepped out, her usual mischievous smile playing across her face.

"Yukari! What are you doing here?" Sumireko asked, startled but not entirely surprised. After all, it was Yukari—she was capable of popping up wherever and whenever she pleased.

"Well, well, I couldn't help but notice someone wandering around looking completely lost," Yukari said, her voice dripping with playful amusement. "I thought I'd pop by and see what's troubling you."

Sumireko sighed, not in the mood for Yukari's antics. "It's a long story… but basically, I've got this huge pile of homework that's all due tomorrow, and I've been procrastinating the whole break. Now I've got no time left, and nobody here can help me! No one in Gensokyo knows how to do my homework!"

Yukari tilted her head, the smile on her face widening as if this was exactly the kind of trouble she'd been waiting for. "Oh, how convenient! You really decided to leave it all until the last possible moment, didn't you? Procrastination at its finest. I should have known."

Sumireko's face flushed. "Hey! It's not like I planned it that way…"

Yukari raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "I think the situation speaks for itself, Sumireko. You've been running around, trying to get help from everyone in Gensokyo. But the truth is, none of us can help you. You didn't even ask for help early enough to give anyone a fighting chance. And now you expect me to wave a magic wand and fix everything for you?"

Sumireko crossed her arms, feeling small under Yukari's teasing gaze. "I didn't expect that... I just... I thought someone might be able to help."

Yukari sighed dramatically, placing her hands on her hips. "Look, I've been watching you run around in circles, and while it's amusing to watch, let's face facts. Nobody here can do your homework. Not unless we use time-stopping powers or bend reality to your will—and as much as I enjoy a good joke, even I can't help you this time."

Sumireko's shoulders slumped, and she looked down at the ground. "I... I don't know what to do anymore."

Yukari paused, her teasing demeanor fading just a bit. "You know, this is a valuable lesson, Sumireko. You can't keep running away from your responsibilities. Procrastination might be fun for a while, but in the end, it only leads to more stress. You're facing the consequences now, and I think it's time you accepted that. Sometimes, you have to face reality head-on."

Sumireko looked up at Yukari, the gravity of her words sinking in. "So... what now?"

Yukari smiled knowingly. "Now, you learn your lesson, of course. You're not getting help from anyone here. You'll have to do what you can on your own and face the consequences. And next time, maybe you'll think twice before leaving everything until the last minute."

With a flick of her wrist, Yukari opened a gap and began to step toward it. "Don't worry, Sumireko. You'll figure it out. But remember this—sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to accept the situation and deal with it, no matter how tough it is."

Before Sumireko could say anything, Yukari had already disappeared into the gap, leaving her standing alone in the woods with the weight of her situation pressing down on her.


Sumireko, her head heavy with Yukari's words, slowly made her way toward the Hakurei Shrine. She was exhausted, but the thought of asking Reimu for help again kept nagging at her. Maybe, just maybe, there was something she missed the first time. As she approached the shrine's entrance, she noticed a new face standing beside Reimu. A young man, about her age, dressed in a black and red gi that looked like it was worn for Jiu-jitsu training. His stance was confident, and his eyes held a sharpness that reminded her of a seasoned warrior.

As she got closer, Reimu noticed Sumireko approaching and raised an eyebrow. "Back again, huh? Still trying to rope people into doing your homework?"

Sumireko sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's not like I want to! I'm just desperate, okay and oh hey Ryusei! I didn't expect to see you here."

The samurai shrugged his shoulders before leaning against one of the Hakurei Shrine's pillars.

"Reimu's a friend of mine. I thought I'd pay a visit before going to my next task."

"Pay? You haven't even left a single thing in my donation box. You didn't even say a prayer or ring the bell," sighed Reimu.

"Wait wut?" asked Sumireko. "So why even come here?"

Ryusei chuckled before giving his reason.

"I'm friends with Reimu so I visit this shrine sometimes to hang out with her. Though, I'm Christian, so, you know, I don't donate or worship the god Reimu serves. Besides," added Ryusei. "I do make donations to Reimu. Just not to her shrine."

"And it's annoying. You either leave it outside my box or just hand it to me at the end of our meetings," responded Reimu pointedly. "What's the point in even having a donation box when you don't even use it?"

Sumireko was more interested in what Ryusei's religion possibly meant.

"Wait, so you're from the outside world too?" asked Sumireko

Ryusei nodded. "Yep. But unlike you, I don't live here. I just drop by occasionally to keep Reimu company. Someone's gotta, right?"

Reimu rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks for making me sound so lonely. You know Marisa does that too right?"

"Yeah but at least I don't steal from you and I actually help out with the cleaning," responded Ryusei.

"Says the one who treats my place like a hotel," retorted Reimu.

"A hotel? I treat it like a hangout area," defended Ryusei. "If anything, Marisa treats it like a hotel."

"So why did you let Daiyousei stay over?" asked Reimu.

"She's a fairy and just admit it, you think she's cute and see her like your own kid."

"I do not!"

"Yes you do. You literally let her sleep with you in the kotatsu."

Ignoring Reimu and Ryusei's argument, Sumireko turned to Ryusei. "So... you're a samurai, right? Do you think you could help me with my homework? I mean, I know it's a long shot, but—"

Before she could even finish, Ryusei shook his head. "Nope. Sorry, but I can't help you with that. I haven't been in school for years, and even if I remembered how to do Algebra I or write a book report, it wouldn't matter. Teachers can recognize handwriting, you know. Mine's way different from yours, so you couldn't even cheat without getting caught."

Sumireko groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Why does everyone keep saying that?! I know, okay?! I just thought—maybe—you could at least try."

Ryusei shrugged. "Hey, I get it. Desperate times and all that. But seriously, you might want to just cut your losses and do what you can on your own. There's no magical solution for this kind of thing."

Reimu smirked, clearly enjoying the situation. "Told you. You're not going to get anywhere with this, Sumireko. You should've just done your homework earlier instead of running around like this."

Sumireko glared at her. "Thanks for the moral support, Reimu."

Ryusei chuckled again, standing up and stretching. "Well, good luck, kid. Hope you figure something out. If not, hey, at least it's a learning experience."

As Sumireko walked away, her mind still heavy with the weight of her homework and the lessons she had learned, Reimu watched her go with a sigh. The shrine maiden shook her head and turned back to Ryusei, who had been silently observing the interaction.

"Ryusei," Reimu began, her voice thoughtful, "you've been to the outside world, haven't you? You've seen the kind of work Sumireko's struggling with. What's your take on it?"

Ryusei gave a nonchalant shrug, his gaze far-off, as if recalling distant memories. "Yeah, I've been to the outside world before, and I learned pretty much the same things Sumireko is dealing with. Algebra, book reports, the usual stuff that comes with school." He chuckled lightly. "I could do it all, but to get it all done in a single day? That's impossible. Anyone who thinks they can do all that homework in one go is either delusional or has some serious tricks up their sleeve."

Reimu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're saying she couldn't have just cheated her way through it?"

Ryusei gave her a knowing look. "Cheating? Maybe, but not in a way that would go unnoticed. With something like a book report, especially one that requires creativity, you can't just copy from someone else without getting caught. The whole point of it is to show how well you understand and interpret what you've read. Unless you're using a computer to write the report or finding some magical shortcut, there's no way to pull that off without the teacher noticing."

Reimu nodded thoughtfully. "I guess you're right. The teachers here have a pretty sharp eye for these things."

Ryusei smiled slightly, crossing his arms. "Exactly. In the outside world, they have systems to catch even the smallest mistakes. You can't fool them. It's not like Gensokyo, where everything's a bit more relaxed and people rely on different types of skills and knowledge."

"Sounds like you learned a lot during your time there," Reimu mused. "Still, it seems like you're pretty familiar with how things work. Maybe you should have gone into teaching, huh?"

"Ha! Not my style," Ryusei replied with a grin. "But speaking of skills... I've been thinking about something else. I was planning on heading out for a new adventure, and I'd like to invite you along."

Reimu raised an eyebrow. "An adventure? What kind of adventure?"

Ryusei's grin widened. "The kind that involves treasure, danger, and a hefty reward at the end. The Adventurer's Guild has a new mission, and I could use some help. You in?"

Reimu smirked, clearly intrigued. "I'm listening... but only if you promise me a cut of the reward."

Ryusei chuckled and nodded. "Of course, I was going to offer you 60% of the reward for your trouble."

Reimu's eyes sparkled. "Now you've got my attention. You always know how to make an offer sound good. Alright, I'm in. But don't think you can get away with keeping all the spoils."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ryusei said, his tone teasing. "So, are you ready to step into another world?"

Reimu grinned. "You bet. Where do we go?"

Ryusei stepped toward an open space near the shrine and pulled out his symbolizer. He quickly wrote the kanji for "portal" before sending the symbol out and concentrating on a specific location. The symbol quickly disappeared and a faint, glowing portal began to open and replaced the floating symbol.

"This way," he said, gesturing toward the portal. "After you."

Reimu stepped forward without hesitation, a wide grin on her face. She was always up for an adventure, and a chance to explore a new world—and potentially reap a large reward—was too good to pass up. As she stepped into the portal, the air around them shimmered, and the world of Gensokyo faded away, replaced by a landscape full of strange sights and sounds.


Sumireko trudged home, each step heavier than the last. Her mind raced with the thought of all the advice she'd received—none of it helping in any meaningful way. She had hoped, somewhere deep inside, that someone in Gensokyo could offer a solution, but now, as she reached her room and collapsed onto her bed, the hopelessness of her situation hit her fully. The weight of the incomplete homework lay heavily on her chest.

She stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling with the faces of everyone she had met. Reimu, Ryusei, Mamizou, Keine, Akyuu… Everyone had tried to offer advice, but it was all useless. The clock was ticking, and she knew deep down that there was no way she could finish everything in time.

Her eyes wandered to the desk across the room, where her homework sat in a pile. The algebra equations stared back at her, simple in their structure, but multiplied by the pressure of the ticking clock, they seemed insurmountable. The book report, thick and filled with pages yet untouched, taunted her.

Sumireko sighed deeply, feeling the weight of it all crash down on her. "I'm done for," she muttered to herself. She had procrastinated so much that now the very idea of completing the tasks seemed absurd. How could she possibly get through it all? It wasn't just the math or the report—it was the lesson she had learned the hard way. Procrastination had consequences, and she was finally paying the price.

As the morning sun began to filter through her window, Sumireko rolled over in bed, looking at the papers one last time. The dread in her stomach was unmistakable, the realization that she was about to start the semester with a failing grade. There was no magical solution, no shortcut out of it.

With a resigned sigh, Sumireko pulled the covers over her head. "Guess I'll have to take my lumps," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow. There was no other choice now. The homework would remain incomplete, and she'd have to face the consequences. Maybe it will be a lesson learned for next time.

The semester would begin with a failure—and it was all her fault. But for now, she just wanted to sleep and forget about the mountain of unfinished work.


The very next day, Sumireko walked into class with a pit in her stomach. Her math homework was barely completed—five pages in, with messy scrawls and rushed solutions. The book report, pristine and untouched, mocked her from within its binder. She sighed, handing in the assignments with no small amount of shame.

As the teacher collected the papers, the murmurs of her classmates filled the room. They compared notes, groaned about their own struggles, and speculated about their grades. Sumireko slumped in her seat, arms crossed, and tried to drown it all out. When the teacher began calling out grades for the homework, she cringed as her name was announced with a clear, cutting, "F."

Sumireko buried her face in her arms, feeling the heat of her classmates' glances. It was humiliating. She was the only one to start the semester with a failing grade, and it stung worse than she expected. Sure, procrastination was her fault, but this was a bitter pill to swallow.

The hours dragged on, and as always, Sumireko found herself dozing off during class. Her head drooped, and she drifted off into slumber, her mind slipping into the familiar, dreamlike realm of Gensokyo. She wandered aimlessly until she found herself on a mountain path, where Kasen Ibaraki stood, tending to some animals.

"Kasen!" Sumireko called, her voice thick with frustration.

Kasen turned, raising an eyebrow at the girl's disheveled appearance. "Sumireko? What brings you here? You look as though you've been dragged through the mud. Is something troubling you?"

It's school! I failed my homework because I procrastinated, and now I'm stuck with a failing grade. I tried everything—everything!—and no one in Gensokyo could help me. It's so unfair! Why does homework have to exist, anyway?!"

Kasen listened patiently, her gaze steady. When Sumireko finally finished, Kasen crossed her arms. "You're lucky you're not my student, Sumireko. Procrastinating until the last minute is irresponsible and foolish." Her tone was sharp, and Sumireko flinched under the scolding.

"But... I didn't mean to—"

"No excuses," Kasen interrupted. "Your assignments were your responsibility, and now you're paying the price. Next time, you'll need to manage your time better."

Sumireko hung her head, feeling the sting of Kasen's words. But after a moment, Kasen's tone softened.

"That said," Kasen added, "if you'd come to me earlier, I could've helped you a little. I've read that book before—I could've given you a summary. It wouldn't have been perfect, but you could've written a passable C-level report from it. And as for math, while I'm not an expert, I could've at least guided you through more of the problems. Better than just five pages."

Sumireko's head snapped up. "Wait... you knew the book?"

Kasen nodded. "I may live in Gensokyo, but I'm not ignorant of your world's literature. Still, none of that matters now. You've learned your lesson the hard way. Next time, come to me sooner."

Before Sumireko could reply, she felt herself being pulled away, Kasen's voice growing distant. "Take this lesson seriously, Sumireko!"

Sumireko jolted awake to the sight of her teacher standing over her.

"Sumireko," the teacher said with a stern look, "stay after school. We need to discuss your priorities."

Sumireko groaned inwardly. As if her day couldn't get any worse.


After the last bell rang, Sumireko dragged herself to the teacher's office, where she endured a stern lecture about responsibility, time management, and the importance of taking her studies seriously. To make matters worse, the teacher handed her a packet of extra homework—twice the usual amount—and informed her she'd be attending supplementary lessons after school until her grades were back to an A.

Sumireko left the school with a sinking feeling. Her day was officially the worst. By the time she stepped outside, the sky had already begun to darken, streaked with hues of orange and pink. The streets were quieter now, with most students already home.

Hoping to cheer herself up, she decided to stop by a local shop for a snack. The warm lights of the store glowed invitingly, and she shuffled inside. She grabbed a drink and some bread, her mind still dwelling on her dreadful day.

As she turned a corner, she bumped into someone. The impact sent her sprawling onto the floor, her bag flying open and its contents scattering everywhere.

"Ow! Watch where you're going!" Sumireko snapped, rubbing her head as she looked up.

The boy she had run into was already picking himself up. He looked familiar—a fellow student from her school, probably her grade. His messy dark hair framed a face that seemed both surprised and slightly apologetic. He wore their school uniform, though it was a bit wrinkled, as if he'd been out for a while.

"Sorry about that," the boy said, crouching down to gather his belongings. His bag had spilled open too, revealing a few books, a notebook, and some random odds and ends.

Sumireko sighed and started gathering her scattered homework papers. "It's fine, I guess. Just... great. One more thing to add to my list of disasters today."

The boy paused and glanced at her. "Rough day?"

"You have no idea," Sumireko muttered, stuffing her papers back into her bag. She noticed him picking up one of her assignments and holding it out to her.

"Here," he said, his voice calm. "At least this didn't get too crumpled."

"Thanks," Sumireko said, taking it from him. She gave him a closer look and realized she did recognize him—he was in her math class, usually sitting a few rows behind her. She'd never spoken to him before, though.

"You're Sumireko, right?" he asked, standing up and offering a hand to help her.

"Yeah," she replied, letting him pull her up. "And you're... uh..." She trailed off, not knowing his name.

"Keitaro," he said with a small smile. "I've seen you around. You're the occult girl who always falls asleep in class, aren't you?"

Sumireko groaned. "Don't remind me. Today's been bad enough already."

Keitaro chuckled softly. "Well, maybe it'll get better. Or at least not worse."

Sumireko managed a weak smile. "I'll take 'not worse' at this point."

They finished gathering their things, and Keitaro walked with her to the register. As they parted ways outside the shop, he gave her a small wave.

"Good luck with whatever's got you so stressed," he said. "And see you tomorrow."

"Thanks," Sumireko replied, watching him walk off. For the first time all day, she felt a tiny flicker of hope. Maybe today wasn't all that bad after all.


Hey y'all sorry I haven't updated for so long. I've been working on two short stories while being stuck with writer's block. For those of you who know me on Reddit, I've been going through some issues that forced me into a temporary retirement from WALFAS. Still things are beginning to get much better and I might start making comics again but I won't be posting them on Reddit.

Some things to note in this story:

- Yes it is connected to my Reimu's Youkai Babysitting Business and Zodiac Amulet story. All my stories are connected but when they happen is something I'm still working on.

- Mordecai is an original character from Zodiac Amulet. He didn't get much of a spotlight but he's got his own story coming up and it's a bit tied to the SDM.

- Gensokyo's education system is something I took a few liberties in making. Looking at Kosuzu, Akyuu, Reimu, Marisa, and all other characters who appear to be in their teenage years, all of them don't go to school and from what I've seen in Forbidden Scrollery, Keine's class only teaches young children likely up to elementary or middle school. Since Gensokyo is set in a pretty rural area in feudal Japan, most of their education seems to be a very basic level as during that time, people who wanted to pursue a higher education had to leave their homes and travel elsewhere for that knowledge.

- On the topic of education, the learning of all the other species is just pure speculation on my part. I'm sure all characters have a basic understanding of history(save for fairies), math, language, and agricultural science. Gensokyo doesn't seem to be a place where things like Algebra I is taught and book reports are assigned. Science is likely focused on basic agriculture and biology as other sciences can end up threatening the belief system of Gensokyo.

- Honestly, I think there are a few characters who could've possibly helped Sumireko with her homework. For instance, Sakuya would likely not mind picking up a pencil or pen and doing a few equations. However, looking at her profile and canon history, she probably wouldn't have done any sort of algebra or book report in the past. Additionally since all her skills are centered around being a maid at the SDM, it's likely that she would've thrown those aside since they wouldn't do much to help her. Yukari could probably do it but she strikes me as the type to purposely pretend not to do it or act super lazy just to troll Sumireko and teach her a lesson. Sanae likely would know what a book report means but I doubt she'd abuse her miracle powers just to help Sumireko finish an pretty useless assignment on time. Keine could guide Sumireko but honestly, I doubt she'd have any clue on how to do a book report and since she's a teacher, she might see this as cheating. Lastly, Kasen is probably the only person who can and will help Sumireko on her homework(though after a bit of scolding). I just chose to not let her cuz hey, Sumireko shouldn't have procrastinated on her assignments in the first place.

- Keitaro is an OC but he's not important and likely won't show up in the future. I only made him cuz I kinda felt bad with how I treated Sumireko here and really wanted to give her someone to cheer up her day. Still, if he ends up being the reason for Renko's existence, a win's a win.

In any case, thank you for reading this story and I hope you all had a good day. Feel free to drop a review and I'll see you in the next story.