"Welcome to Suzunaan! How can I help- Oh, Hakurei-san!"

"Kosuzu-chan."

Kosuzu Motoori was going through the fiction section until she heard a bell chime to announce another potential customer, so she placed the book on the bookshelf and went to greet the guest only to find Reimu back from their delivery. Kosuzu noted that the Shrine Maiden looked a bit disheveled so she decided to be a bit more accommodating to not upset her even more.

"How's the delivery? Did you have some trouble getting to the location?"

"The book was delivered, but I ran into someone that delayed my trip back."

Reimu sighed, rubbed her temples with her fingers, and then stared at Kosuzu. She asked the question they both knew was coming.

"Can I get my pay? I need to head back to the shrine."

"Of course! Just wait a minute."

After placing the rest of the books she was organizing, she went behind the counter of the shop to get Reimu's payment. The Bibliophile looked back up to Reimu, the girl in front of her looking at other books and scrolls with placid eyes. She heard of a certain rumor that was floating around the village, one about the Hakurei Shrine. There are many interesting rumors about the Shrine and its zealous occupant, but another has appeared, more intriguing than the others by a large margin. Kosuzu summoned the courage to ask Reimu directly.

"So… Is it true? Is there an Outsider at the Shrine?"

"Huh? Oh. Yes, there is. They are recovering from an injury, but they are good company."

Kosuzu didn't expect Reimu to part with the information so readily. In the past few days, this rumor has been growing to the point that both the Villagers and the visiting Yokai have heard it at least once and expressed some curiosity about the mysterious Outworlder.

"Are they strong like what everyone says? Did they explore through the forest and survive?"

"What? No, it is just a child. They only have enough strength to walk and possibly run. Where did you get this information?"

"Umm... Well, the villagers have been talking about it for a while. I don't know who started the rumor about the Outsider but almost everyone knows about it."

After a bit, Kosuzu counted the owed amount and handed it over to Reimu. Then a voice came from upstairs.

"Honey! I can't find the scroll I need. Could you help, dear?"

"Ah! Coming! Take care, Hakurei-san. Thank you for your assistance."

"It's no problem, Kosuzu-chan. Go to your caretaker. I have a guest to attend to."

Reimu turned around and almost hit the doorframe on the way out, adjusting position just in time. Motoori wondered if she was thinking of something else or had to do with something about a 'Stupid Oni' she was grumbling about while exiting. She put that thought aside as she walked upstairs to assist her parent.

"Battle Commence!"

[!]

*You feel a winter breeze when you enter the field.

[Fight] [Item] [Act] [Mercy]

HP 5/5

[Act]

Check: Cirno

*A fairy of natural frost, she seems a bit self-centered. They don't look all that special, but be on the cautious side anyway.

"Prepare yourself!"

Ice Sign "Icicle Fall"

*You see Cirno not wasting any time for her first attack, a flurry of icicles form around her and start to launch towards you at decent speed. You start to dodge, making sure to not overexert yourself in the process. They shoot into a wide formation to block off escapes, splitting off to attack the middle. You weave through the attack, the cold air of the icicles tingle your skin as they slip by. Cirno stops after 20 seconds, looking at you with discerning eyes and an excited grin.

"Huh. Okay, maybe you're not all hot air, Dark Lord. But don't think that's all I can do!"

Hail Sign "Hailstorm"

*After finishing the first, she starts on her second attack. A circle of ice shards starts to form and launch from her, and after it's launched she begins to make another. As you prepare to evade, you notice that the shards stop and divert in random directions, making them less predictable. You move out of the way in time, one barely grazing past your left arm. Cirno starts stacking more circles, which follow the same rules. You are soon caught up in a storm of splintered ice, dancing in the middle like it's a ballroom of knives to not get hit.

*After some time, the 'Spell Card' ends, and the stone pavement looks frosted over in some places. Cirno does not look amused.

"What!? That's one of my better Spell Cards! You didn't get hit once!?"

*Cirno kicks a new snow puff in frustration, she holds her foot because there's a hidden rock under it. Revenge, best-served cold.

[Act]

Flatter: Cirno

*You say that attack was impressive and she is really skilled. She gapes at your compliment.

"Eh? You really- I mean, yeah! I'm the strongest fairy around here and I'm getting that crown! I don't just use icicles, you know!"

Cold Sign "Insta-Freeze Beam"

*Even though your flattery was a bit successful, Cirno still goes on the attack. The fairy puts their hands forward as a crackling ball of magical energy forms. Your instincts kick in and you shift to the side as a beam of freezing light shoots past your previous position. There were three beams that split off from the ball of energy, but only one went forward to meet you. You look behind as a tree is hit and the trunk gets covered in ice.

*She continues the onslaught of ice beams until she starts to huff from exertion, but she is not out just yet.

"How's that? Pretty cool, right?"

*You keep a straight face after that accidental pun and give a thumbs up. Cirno seems receptive to your gesture, and she smiles from ear to ear.

"Well, I'm not done yet! Looks like I have no other choice! Time for my signature move!"

Freeze Sign "Perfect Freeeeeeze!"

*She waves her hand and colored orbs of the rainbow start filling the area, going at different speeds. At a single gesture, they all halt as if frozen in place, taking on a snow-white hue. Then Cirno starts throwing blue orbs at you, making you run the gauntlet of frozen obstacles. As you dodge both moving and stationary projectiles, you see her stop throwing the blue orbs.

*She makes the same gesture again, and you distance yourself from the white orbs as they resume moving in a random direction. The ice fairy continues this pattern multiple times, and then you both hear Luna announce something.

"Three minutes remaining!"

"WHAT!? That can't be right, I was just getting started here! Agghh! Screw it!"

Frost Sign "Frost Columns"

Snow Sign "Diamond Blizzard"

Blowing Ice "Ice Tornado"

*Looks like Cirno was getting a bit desperate to hit you. You slowly breathe as you are running on low stamina. Ice shards start to fly in columns, breaking off to fly in new columns in different directions. Afterward, she starts flying around the arena, throwing out orbs of ice that explode into shrapnel of icicles that fly out. Lastly, she starts spinning in place to form a tornado of frost that chases you around. She keeps up this cycle of attacks over and over again.

*You have no time to rest. Your exhaustion is catching up, and you almost got caught by a projectile at multiple moments during her constant bombardment. As you slip and fall, you see a tornado approaching. You try to get up and slip on a frost patch, landing on your side (-1 HP). You watch as the tornado descends.

*It disperses before it reaches you. Cirno breathes heavily from the other side and can barely keep herself afloat. You slowly get up this time, making sure to not touch the new bruise on your arm.

"Haahhh, haahhh.. H-how's that? I-I'm not tired, I can still fight."

*Cirno looks like she is on her last legs, I mean wings.

[Act]

Applause: Cirno

*You clap in appreciation, telling her that her attack almost had you a few times. Cirno looks dejected.

"Almost is not what I want! I want that crown! I want to be called Empress!"

"Cirno. If you want to be called an Empress, we could call you that anytime you want."

"NO! I want it to be EARNED! Like Sunny did! You, what's your name?

*You see Star quiet as Cirno didn't respond well to her compromise, you feel a bit guilty of this situation. You look at the ice fairy and answer her question, telling your name. Sunny grumbled about saying your name before but it was ignored.

"Frisk. I will remember this, Dark Lord. Looks like I need to go all out. I've been saving this for a while. The attack I reserved for Reimu! Be honored to witness this super special Spell Card!"

Freeze Sign "Freeze Actress -Lunatic-"

*Cirno summons a hoard of ice spheres, covering her entirely. They expand and crack, as if ready to detonate. You muster what's left of your energy by sheer Determination. As you wait for the last moment, it happens. The spheres fissure, letting out the cold wind. They glow brightly, you shield your eyes as you hear something like shattering glass.

*And then nothing. You look at where the spheres are and see a pile of crushed ice. In the middle was Cirno, face first in a puddle of melted ice water. There seems to be a red bump on her head and her body appears to be steaming. You hear a voice from the direction of the shrine.

"Ah. Looks like someone didn't understand what I said. When you promise something, You. Don't. Break. It."

*You slowly turn to the voice and see the original guardian of the Shrine, Reimu Hakurei. Not looking happy is a sore understatement. Reimu looks at you with hurt, anger, disappointment, and something else. In her hand was the black lacquered rod, its paper streamers whipping in the wind like a furious deity. Paper slips were twisting around her arms, their lettering glowing with divine power. Lastly, there were two spheres hovering behind her, their surface half white and half black that slightly swirled into each other. They spin on their axis, waiting like loyal guards.

*As you reevaluate your terror towards this girl, you look at the Three Fairies of Light. You see them on the ground, covered by the glowing slips of paper. They look up with pure horror as they are unable to move. There was also Cirno swarmed with these paper seals, but she is already unconscious.

"Frisk."

*You look back and are surprised that Reimu is already in front of you without any footsteps. She slaps you across the face.

*-1 HP.

*As your head jerks to the side, you wait to hear her yell, to scream in anger. As you look forward, you only see her silent, almost in tears.

"Idiot. Stupid. Why did I decide to leave you alone!? I'm so Dumb! Why? For a bit of money?"

*As your right cheek turns red, you get pulled into a hug. She squeezes you as if you could disappear at any moment. The collar of your dress feels wet, Reimu shakes as her next words stab your heart.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Frisk. For not being there, for letting you get hurt, for not being able to heal you better, and for being a worthless guardian."

*Your stomach turns in absolute guilt, you realize that her anger was not directed solely at you, but at herself. You want to say something, but you keep quiet, not even having the heart to put your arms around her as she tries not to break down in front of everyone. The Three Fairies also look down, ashamed.

Reimu methodically places ointment on the child's arm, free of the Hakama sleeve. The black splotch luckily being the worst of the Danmaku Battle. She expected Frisk to seeth or flinch with the contact of the bruise, but only got a silent reflex as the salve is slightly cold from storage. Frisk's cheek was an angry red but was not swollen. Reimu admits that she has to apologize later for striking. It was an outburst unbecoming of a protector and she would make it up to them later. Right now, what Frisk needs is a reality check that what they did was foolish and dangerous.

The other three culprits are on the other side of the Kotatsu, sitting on their knees, holding sacks full of rocks over their heads. Cirno is off to the side, awake and hogtied. The Ice Fairy has the face of someone cheated out of a deal. Reimu wanted to Exorcize all of them, but Frisk insisted it was all on themself. Frisk didn't turn down the fight, nor explain the misunderstanding to Cirno. The others did not want the fight except Cirno, because, of course, she wants to fight.

Reimu still considered throwing the tied-up fairy into a river, but Frisk wanted All the blame. She sighed, Reimu was too physically and emotionally exhausted for this.

"Your arm will look like this for a while. Your blood will repair it, but you don't have much. That's why I said to not get hurt."

She sees Frisk silently nod at her lecture, and the shrine maiden looks over to the other fairies, they flinch under her gaze.

"You are all so fortunate that Frisk wanted to shoulder your burdens. If it was my way, you all would have paid dearly. So instead, you're not allowed to visit the shrine until further notice. Don't interact with me or Frisk until then. Do I make myself clear?"

The Trio looked sad, Frisk was probably one of the few humans who wanted to befriend them. But they all nodded at her judgment. Cirno, on the other hand, did not.

"What!? How am I supposed to get my crown now? I wanted to be an Empress, damn it! It's not fair!"

"I don't care how you feel, Cirno! If you even try to hurt Frisk again, I will beat-"

Before Reimu finishes her threat, Frisk stands up. The child in white and red walked out to the front of the shrine, Reimu wanted to yell at them to come back but decided to wait. The child had a reason to head outside. After a minute, they came back inside holding something. As they enter, they head over to Cirno, everyone else confused at what they're doing.

Frisk kneeled to place something on their head. It's an orange bandana that has a comical illustration of abs. There were also icicles tied into the bandana, looking like spikes protruding from the forehead of Cirno. Afterward, Frisk goes over to the other fairies and whispers something in their ears. They all looked amused for a second and nodded to each other.

"All hail the Ice Warrior Empress! The Dark Lord recognizes your strength!"

"Good job, Ice Warrior Empress! You are the greatest fairy in the land! Everyone will know your deeds!"

"Oh great Ice Warrior Empress! Tell me how you gain your strength! Tell me how you fight with grace!

The Three Fairies of Light sang praises out in chorus and Reimu did not have a single clue what they were doing. She looked over to Cirno who failed to hide their flush.

"Yeah, yeah. I know I'm great. You don't have to say it…"

The ice fairy looks up to her crown, and a small smile forms. It seems like she has been subdued by the adoration of others. Reimu looks to Frisk, wondering how they figured out how to placate the Yokai. Frisk looked back at her and gave one of their rare grins. Reimu decided that this child was just strange. Good, but strange.

"Okay. Enough of that. The fairies and Her Highness need to leave my home. Leave before I change my mind."

The Fairies holding bags put them down and rub their arms, they shuffle out the door while Frisk untied Cirno. She wasn't paying attention to anything around her, just following behind the others while admiring her crown.

Reimu and Frisk watch from under the shrine awning as they fly off. They wave and say their goodbyes and promise to pay back both of them. Cirno took to comparing crowns with Sunny, claiming superiority. They argue as they fly off into the forest.

Reimu hears something that she hasn't heard in a while. A few coins are being slotted into the donation box. She turned to see Frisk praying at the Shrine, the hakama fitting the situation as a breeze sways it. She smiled at the gesture, a feeling of nostalgia invading her heart. 'I'm supposed to punish them. Teach them that interacting with Yokai leads to pain and hardship. I'm such a horrible caretaker.'

"Come on, let's get dinner ready. You need your rest."

She decided to take Frisk's hand instead. Their bandaged head still had a red mark, but they still looked up to Reimu with innocence and compassion. Reimu is not good at this whole caring thing. But, for better or worse, she will try. As they entered, Reimu did not notice the golden coins that glittered in the donation box.